"Ouch Anna... You wound me." He put a hand across his chest in a mocking heartbroken motion.

His eyes twinkled at the look of disgust she gave him.

"You're twice my age. You're a pervert" she said with anger in her voice.

"Look Anna, this is the best solution."

"Best for who Dad? You sat there not five minutes ago and tell me I'm getting married to your best friend and expect me to go along with it? Honestly Dad most fathers would be out for blood not condoning pedophilic behaviour." She stood up in disgust "I'm going out."

"Where are you going?" Her father asked.

"Oh you know... Out with people my own age. YOUNG people." She couldn't help but stress the difference in their ages.

"Like who?" He had to ask. Did she have a boyfriend? That thought didn't settle to well on him at all.

"Not that it's any of your concern but they're friends."

"Just friends?" His jaw was locked.

He could see realisation forming in her mind as she started to smile "Are you asking if I have a boyfriend?"

"Yes".

"No I don't."

He felt the relief wash over him until...

"I have a fuck buddy."

"ANNALISA!" Her father yelled.

"Dump him. Today." He could feel the anger building in him.

"Nope. I haven't finished with him yet." She waved a hand as she walked out of the room with a grin on her face.

Her father sat at his desk with his head in his hands "God, that went well."

He lent forward in his seat "Look Michael I know this is hard for you. Are you sure this is the only way?"

Slumping back in his chair Michael looked at him. "If there was any other way I would have taken it. I feel like a prick for asking you to do this and what Anna must think of me..." he shook his head sadly.

"Look, she's a teen. It's hardwired for them to be dramatic. She'll come round in time."

"Time's the one thing I don't have Damon. You know that. The best I can hope for is that she'll forgive me one day."

He watched his friend of twenty seven years as he battled with himself and the decision he'd made.

"I'll go and talk with her. Try and make her see sense..."

"Don't tell her." Michael looked at him with pleading eyes.

"That's your place Michael. You do need to tell her though and she needs to know soon."

"I know. I will... soon."

Damon shook his head with a wry grin "Always the same." He stood up "I'll go talk to her. You get the bbq going. I think we could both use a night of steak and booze. Can't say women cause you know... engaged man and all."

He laughed as he left his friend but that soon changed to a scowl as he thought of the future ahead of them all. Slowly the smile returned as he got closer to her bedroom where he could hear her singing. Out of everything that would happen there was one thing that was certain; he was going to enjoy having Anna.