Disclaimer: I don't own anything concerned with or involving SoN or its characters.

Author's Note: I am so sorry about the delay. I got so wrapped up in my other stories that this one fell off the radar for a bit. I actually only had one chapter left in mind, but I changed my mind...and if people remain interested then they will be up soon...I promise! I really like writing this next chapter, so I hope everyone likes it.

Something changes in you after having children. It's like the world is born again with them. Things that were important to you before no longer matter, you're not the same person. The old problems you had to deal with are thrown out and a whole new set of issues are going to arise. You have to deal with those issues as a parent, not as who you used to be, no matter who that person was. See? A whole different world.

When my it became clear that my daughter was having a relationship with another girl, I will admit to being shocked. It's just not something I saw coming. Although, when I reflect back, perhaps there were signs here and there that I just chose to ignore. In that moment of realization, because she has yet to actually come out to me, it only took a split second to decide how I would react, whether or not this would change things between me and my daughter. A split second, that was all I needed. I accept her. Because I am a father, and whatever my views on homosexuality might have been before, I love my daughter and her happiness is all that matters to me.

Sometimes you have to make tough decisions when a parent. That one didn't even crack my top 100.

Unfortunately, Paula seems to be taking it hard. As if she hadn't already moved us across the country for another man, she still seems set on alienating our only daughter. Because God knows Spencer isn't having enough trouble dealing with these knew things herself. I'm a guy, but I notice things. I can see my daughter looking lost, deep in thought, apparently searching for some easy answer to a difficult question. I can see that she lights up like our yearly Christmas tree whenever Ashley's around. I watch them grin at each other, no words ever exchanged but clearly a conversation going on.

Although, maybe it doesn't take an overly observant person to see the feelings they obviously have for each other.

When Paula hit Spencer something in me broke. I had been hiding behind Paula's skirt, hoping to be able to pull some strings behind the scenes and help her to understand that Spencer and Ashley being together wasn't the end of the world. That in fact Spencer was happier with Ashley than any of her boyfriends back in Ohio. But then Paula crossed a line and that "let's just keep the peace" guy that I had always been stepped into the shadows and I had to become a different, harder person if for no other reason than to protect the safety of my family.

Sometimes you have to make tough decisions as a parent. That one made it into my top five.

Paula left. The really sad part is that even the new, hard Arthur didn't have the ability to kick her out. It was her decision to leave. She needed a break. She needed at breather from the relationship. At night, after nursing a few drinks to try and forget the pain, I can't help but question. I question what it was she needed a break from. I was a pushover. In fact, the only time we ever really fought was with her sudden cracking down on Spencer. I suppose I had been making life too easy for her. She needed a break.

I also question where we're supposed to go from here. I've tried to help children recover when their families have fallen apart in almost the same way and they're left alone. I don't want my kids to ever end up the same way. I don't want them to feel like they've lost a family.

A child needs to be accepted for who they are and that's how they thrive. Clay is black. Glen is a stereotypical jock. Spencer is gay. But all of that is only one small part of who my children are. Someday I want them to find their respective soul mates and live happily ever after. And it doesn't matter to me who that soul mate is.

So I just let Spencer and Ashley do their thing. And until the day comes that Spencer feels she can finally come to me and tell me everything, I try and show her in little ways that no matter what I love her. I'm extra polite to Ashley, and I drop sly hints about her happiness. I will remind her everyday that I love her, no matter who she is. She will always be my daughter. Nothing changes that.