The next morning.

"Daddy?"

"Yes baby?"

"You have to come back with us."

"Isla." Jessica starts.

"No!" She whines. "Look!  I brought this from school!" Isla hops off the bed and runs to her backpack she packed.  She pulls out a crumpled pink sheet of paper and runs back to Danny.

"Look!"

"What is this?  Oh Isla..."

"What is it?" Jessica asks.

"The father daughter dance." Danny says with tears in his eyes.

"I have a Dad now!" Isla smiles so beautifully.

Danny takes her hand and looks into her eyes.  The dance is September 3rd.  I'll be there, baby.  I wouldn't miss it for the world.

"YAY!" She screams and jumps up, hugging him around the neck. "Thank you Daddy!"

"Thank you for asking me, princess."

**

September 3rd.

"Poppy, I hope you're not mad we're not going to the dance together this year."

"Don't be sorry, bug.  I loved going to the dance with you last year, but I am so so happy you have a Daddy to go with you.  You deserve it, love."

Isla smiles proudly. "I do deserve it.  Poppy?"

"Yes?"

"My daddy.. he's the best in the whole wide world."

"I know.  He's been the best since the beginning.  Even at thirteen.  That boy stepped up when he didn't have to."

Isla smiles. "He loves me."

"More than you know."

"Well, well, well!" Danny walks in making Doug groan.

"You talkin' about me, uncle Douglas?" Danny smirks.

"Daniel."

"You're proud of me, you old grump."

Doug looks at Danny and pauses. "More than you know."

Danny smiles and lifts his arms. "Bring it in."

"Oh Daniel!"

"Come on!  You asked for it!" Danny hugs him tightly.

Doug pats his back and Danny kisses his cheek.

"Oh gosh, enough!"

Danny laughs before turning to Isla.

"Wow.  Isla Rose.. you look absolutely beautiful."

"Yes I do.  And you look absolutely handsome."

"Aw shucks!  Thanks."

"Mommy made me so beautiful." She smiles.

"I think you mean your hair and outfit, but just know your mommy made you beautiful from birth!"

"The most beautiful!  Where is mommy?"

"She's coming.  I think Holly stopped her in the hall, then she was gonna grab her camera."

"Yes for picture time!  Come on, let's go!"

**

"Daddy, you're a great dancer!"

"Thanks!  So are you, bug!"

"Yep!  Daddy, let's go to the snack table!"

"We do deserve a little sweet, huh?"

"Definitely!"

The two pack their plates and sit down to enjoy their treats.

"Daddy?"

"Yes ma'am?"

"Thank you for coming with me."

"Don't thank me.  Thank you for wanting me to escort you this evening." He smiles. "I love you, Poopy girl."

Isla giggles loudly, icing on her face. "Daddy!  Not in front of everyone!"

"Oh I'm sorry!"

"But I love you too.  So so much." She smiles.

***

Holly's first birthday.

"Baby sister!  Come with me mommas." Jessica takes her from Danny.

"Danny wants all the birthday girl cuddles, huh?"

"Yessie!" Holly squeals.

"Your favorite sister at your service!" She smiles.

"Favorite sister?" Sarah shouts. "Right!  Straight lies.  She loves me the best."

"Nuh uh!  You're too busy sucking face with Sam!"

"Girls, girls!  Settle down in front of our guests." Catherine gives them both a look.

Sarah laughs and hops off of Sam's lap.

"We're just messing around Ma... although.. Holly, you love me more, don't you?" Sarah smiles.

"No!"

"Ha-Ha!" Jessica smiles. "I win!  I win!"

"Yessie!  Yessieeeee!"

"That's me, sissy!"

***

Time went on and things were pretty normal.

After the incident Jessica saw a therapist multiple times a week to work through her trauma.  She has since cut it down to once a week.

She is working hard in school and is studying to be a psychologist so she can work with girls just like her.  She wants to make a difference in the world.  Turning a very negative situation into something positive is her goal.

Danny visits very often, or Jessica, Isla, and her parents will drive over to watch him play.  Danny isn't enjoying football as much as he did in high school.  He thought he would love playing ball at UT, but it just isn't the same.

After Holly's birthday Sarah only came during the Holidays.  She and Sam are thriving in Oklahoma.  A little homesick every now and then, but they're loving it.

Isla is now six and just as happy as always.  She is now counting down the days until Summer break and the house is filled with the ones she loves most.

***

"Here's my sticker for today, momma.  That means.. one.. two.." She whispers. "NINE!  NINE MORE DAYS!"

"You're excited to have Danny and Sarah back, huh?"

"SO EXCITED MOMMY!  I wrote down a schedule."

"You did?"

"Mhm!" Isla grabs her schedule and clears her throat.

"On Monday you me and Daddy will go to the zoo.  We're gonna take Holly too because I already told her about it.  We'll use the double stroller because it's way too hot for me to be walking around the zoo." She nods.

"Got it!"

"On Tuesday Aunt Sarah and Sam can take me back to that place we went to at Christmas."

"An arcade?"

"Yes!  The Cade!  Then on.. Monday... Tuesday.." She whispers. "OH YEAH WEDNESDAY!  On Wednesday Daddy and I will have a date.  I'll let him surprise me."

"Oh!  Fun." Jessica smiles.

"Thursday the whole family will go to the beach.  Then we'll eat and get some ice cream!  Friday You, Me, Daddy, Sarah and Sam are going to Vegas."

"Excuse me?" Jessica laughs. "Vegas?"

"Yep!"

"May I ask why you think we're doing that?"

Isla looks to her mother like she's crazy. "Cause it's on the list."

Jessica cracks up. "We don't have any business in Vegas, baby."

"Yeah!  Remember?  At Christmas Aunt Sarah and Sam were watching Friends and they got married there!"

"Who's getting married?"

"Well you and Daddy.  DUH!"

"Sweetie, we're not getting married."

"Umm.. but it's on the schedule."

"I love you so much, but you're crazy."

"Rude!"

"Daniel and I are not getting married any time soon, baby.  We're way too young."

"But I know Daddy wants to marry you Now!"

"He says that, but he doesn't mean it.  We both have to graduate college first.  That's the wise decision, Isla."

"Sooo.. I cross Vegas off the list?"

"Yeah." Jessica smiles.

Isla sighs. "Fine!"