"You’re pretty good with kids. Do you have any?” Frank asked as we ate. "None. I used to watch my younger cousin though." "All I've got is three grandkids since Lorraine never bothered." Lorraine’s head whipped around. "Dad!" "This is hardly a topic for company," I pointed out. Frank ignored us both. "She was married for five years and never had any." "From what I've seen, Peyton’s no one you’d want to have children with. I can't imagine he'd be anything like a decent father." "Peyton was a jerk," Jasmine said. "Are you planning on having children with her?" Frank asked. "Dad, enough," Lorraine insisted. "I think we should change the subject," I suggested. "Would you even take responsibility for any children you fathered?" "Excuse me?" "I know Lorraine and well enough to know you two are sleeping together. We assumed she married Peyton because she was pregnant." "That's enough. You are not going to spend this dinner insulting your daughter. You never said what do you do for a living?" "I'm retired. I worked hard at school so I could get a good job and have a nice retirement. I didn't plan on sleeping my way into money." "Okay, that's it." I stood. "I'm not going to sit through this any longer. You may not see what a wonderful person your daughter is. You don't see how hard she works. But I do. Lorraine isn't just my girlfriend, she's my best friend. I'm not going to let you hurt her. We’re leaving." I reached out my hand to Lorraine. She took it and I led her out to the car. "Give me your keys," I said. "Why?" "Because you're in no condition to drive. You're upset and you've been drinking." "I’m not drunk." "Lorraine, you're shaking." She gave me her keys. I took her back to my place. She raised an eyebrow when she saw where we were. "You're no condition to be alone. Besides, you hardly ate anything." "Do you blame me?" "No. But I want to make sure you get a proper meal." "I’m not hungry." "It's early. You will be once you calm down." We met Kara on the stairs. "I thought you two had plans," she said. "They changed," I grumbled. "That bad? That's why I don't go home anymore." Kara didn’t get along with her parents either. I had a feeling Lorraine wouldn't go home anymore either. It broke my heart. I had problems with my dad, but never anything like this. "Did you mean that?" Lorraine asked in my apartment. "Did I mean what?" "What you said about me to my dad." "Every word. You know I can't lie." "You can be deceptive." "Not when I make direct statements." I put an arm around her. "Yes, Lorraine, I meant every word I said about you to your dad. You deserve better treatment than they give you." "Thanks." I poured her a sip of elven wine. "You can use that." "You already said I was drunk." "So one more sip shouldn't hurt." "It can't help, unless elven." "It is, from my dad's vineyard. One sip is safe for humans. You'll get drunk, but you won’t forget anything." "What about a hangover?" "You’ll have one. How bad varies. But it'll help you relax. You need that." "Are you trying to take advantage of me?" "I'm hurt you'd even think that. I would never, have never, taken advantage of a woman. I wouldn't hurt you so. But you are my girlfriend until midnight so I'm going to act like a proper boyfriend until then and make sure you're okay." "What if I break up with you beforehand?" "Drink the wine, and I'll make you dinner since I ruined your last one." "You weren’t the one to ruin it," she swallowed the wine. "If you want turkey, I've got potpies. Otherwise, it's pork or chicken. Beef has too much iron." "I don't care. I'm not hungry. Whatever's easiest." "Sorry, I'm out of Fran’s casseroles." "There's something to be thankful for." I raised an eyebrow. "Her casseroles are great, but you can only eat so many." "She means well. She's lonely. Her kids never visit. She's adopted the whole floor." I pulled out some pork chops to fry up. "Your mom was quiet during dinner. Was she on her best behavior in the kitchen?" Lorraine snorted. "Of course not. It wasn't much different from what my dad said. She even complained that I dyed my hair, like I was trying to distance myself from them.” “As if anyone one would hold that against you once they met your parents.” “I don’t want to talk about it. How were the kids?" "Good." Lorraine caught my hesitation. "What is it?" "Maybe nothing. Susie saw through my glamour. She didn’t let the others know. She saw Kat on TV and said something, but no one believed her. She may have a bit of magic." "Is she part elf?" "No. Humans can have magic, kids especially. Most outgrow it or learn to ignore it." "What if she doesn't?" I shrugged. "It depends on what she can do and how strong she is. Worst-case scenario, she ends up being labeled insane. We can help prevent that." "You'll help?" "She's your niece. Of course. Besides, she needs to have some example of a decent man." "Phil’s not that bad, not like dad." "What about Diane?" "She's a first-class snob. I'm trash to her." "She needs her eyes checked." I gave up on dinner and curled up with Lorraine on the couch. I let her vent and cry and curse her family. And I offered support until she wore herself out. I carried her into the bedroom and tucked her in, lying beside her.