Life As We All Knew It

"And that's a good thing? I think she needs to back off of boys. Or bring them home so I can scare them away. I may be weaker than I was, but I can still beat a kid's ass," Randy said. He was protective of his princess.

"She's responsible, Randy. She can handle herself. She keeps up her grades.I think she can have a boyfriend on the side." John said. "Remember when her biggest problem in life was what dress to put on her dolls? I miss those days." He said, smiling as he thought of Gianna when she was young.

"I do, too," Randy said with a small, sad smile. He couldn't believe his little Princess was 16. "I think I should go talk to her," he said.

John shrugged. "Okay. I dunno if she's still sleeping or not." He said.
Gianna was awake, texting her friends on her iPhone as she just woke up. He looked up when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in." She called, eyes glued to her phone.

Randy walked in, yawning again. He closed the door and sat on the bed next to her.

Gianna sat up and put her phone and iPad away. "What's up, Dad?" She asked, playing with a strand of her long hair like she did when she was nervous, upset or lying... just like John.

"I know I've been a hard ass lately and we've been fighting a lot and I'm sorry. I can be a pain in the ass sometimes. I just worry about you. You're my Princess," Randy said, looking at her.

Gianna sighed. "I know, Daddy. And I get it. But I'm not 5 anymore... I'm 16. I'm practically a woman, and I should be able to date boys with out you on my back. I love you and Mom more than anything. And I'll always be your little Princess... I just want you guys to let me have more freedom." She said, crossing her arms.

"I know. But you don't understand how hard that is. I seriously think I'm going to cry when you move out," Randy chuckled. He took Gianna's hand and squeezed gently.

Gianna smiled sadly. "I will too, don't worry." She chuckled, squeezing her father's hand. "Daddy... you trust me, right?" She asked, putting on her winning smile, like she did when she wanted something.

"Of course I do," Randy replied, then looked at her face. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Well... there's this party at Leah's house on Saturday. Can I go?" Gianna pleaded.

"Gianna, you know I don't like parties," Randy sighed. "You know what, if your mother says yes, then you can go."

Gianna squealed happily. "Mommy!" She called loudly. John groaned and went up to Gianna's room. "Yes, you majesty?" He joked. Gianna smiled. "Can I go to Leah's party Saturday?" She asked hopefully. John shrugged. "Yeah, I'm fine with it." He said. John was always the more laid back one of him and Randy since Gianna hit 13.

Randy got lightheaded. "Shit," he said. "I'm gonna go lay down again," he announced and got up, swaying a bit before walking out of the room.

Gianna frowned and looked at John. "Is Dad okay?" She asked, biting her lip. John sighed. "Yeah... he's just really tired lately. You know why." He said. "Dinner will be ready in a half hour." He said before going to sit next to Randy on the bed, gently rubbing his back.

'I hate this," Randy said quietly. He felt so weak and that was hard for someone like him. He was a strong, independent individual.

John sighed. "I know, baby, I know. I gotta go finish dinner... will you please eat?" He asked.

"I'll try," Randy replied and closed his eyes. "I promise I'll try."

"Thank you... I still remember you forcing me to eat when I was underweight. It's hell, but it's for your own good." John said, kissing Randy's cheek.

Randy smiled and nodded. He knew he needed to eat but sometimes he physically couldn't.

"I know it sucks... I know how it feels when you have to eat but you physically can't. A few bites is all I ask for." John said before goin downstairs to finish dinner.

Randy sighed. It's not that he could consume the food. It's that he was physically too tired to move and feed himself.

John finished dinner, calling down Gianna before going to see Randy. "Baby, think you can make it downstairs?" He asked, rubbing his back.

"Yeah," Randy replied as he sat up. He got up and took a deep breath before walking downstairs with the aide of John.