"What…"
"Why didn't you tell me about her father?" Anastasia asked suddenly.
"I didn't think it was necessary," Atticus said. "Who would've thought you'd ask about her father?"
"Att— I'm a parent," she replied, giving him a look. "Of course I was going to ask."
She let out a small sigh, then reached up and straightened his collar like she'd done a thousand times before.
"So," Atticus said after a moment, watching her closely, "what do you think?"
"I like her."
He blinked. "Really?"
"She's a nice, beautiful lady," Anastasia said simply. "What's there not to like?"
An unexpected wave of relief washed over him, easing a tension he hadn't even realized he'd been carrying. Had he actually been waiting for their approval?
He turned toward the others.
"What about you guys?"
"Dude," Caldor said immediately, grinning, "she basically led the war against the abyss guys. That's insane. She's awesome. But just be ready, once I stop playing around, mine's going to be even better."
