Gavin moved his finger carefully across the words on the page, reading as he went. Aurora was watching with rapt attention from his lap, staring at the words like Gavin had stared at so many people from across a poker table. He sounded it out as he went, almost thankful for his recent process of learning how to read himself in the past several years. 

She'd be better than him, no doubt about it. At least in all the ways that mattered.

"We're late." 

Bella's anger was obvious from her tone.

"It couldn't be avoided."

So was Gavin's frustration.

"I could have been driving."

Gavin sighed as his wife continued.

"It's her first recital!"

"Well, I wasn't the one who decided she needed to try four different hobbies." 

Gavin got out of the car as he slammed it into park, slightly adjusting his tie as he went. 

"Gavin, I just want her to see she has choices."

"Other than fighting." 

"I didn't say that."  Bella snarled angrily because, yes, that was exactly what she meant.

"You didn't need to, but maybe you could consider for a moment that she's damn good at it? I mean, she's not knocking Will out anytime soon, but for a kid? And she has fun!"

"She hit a boy at school last week Gavin, you can't pretend it didn't happen."

"She said he was a shithead."  Gavin shrugged, adjusting his suit jacket to make sure his gun wasn't obvious.

Bella paused and turned towards Gavin, "That is EXACTLY the problem!  She's hanging out with foul-mouthed full-grown men and ... and..."

"You said I should introduce her to people with different life experiences. What did you think that meant exactly?"

"That she'd see it was a huge mistake.  That she'd see how it affected people and either freak out or eventually get bored of hanging around nasty old men... not... idolize them!"   

Gavin laughed.

"What?!?" Bella's annoyance cracked as she couldn't help but smile at Gavin's heartfelt chuckle.  "Why are you laughing?"

"You do realize this is Rora we're talking about, right?"  He arched an eyebrow high above his blue eyes as if to say 'do you really think that's who our kid is?'

Bella let her chin fall, Gavin was right.

"Those 'nasty old men' would kill anyone who came near our daughter... and they don't swear as much as you think.  Besides, the kid called her a wop.  Seems to me you would have done the same thing. The famous 'Luciano temper' in action, no? " 

Gavin took Bella's arm and began to lead her up the steps.

"Don't change the subject.  This isn't about me.  She's a four..." Bella paused and corrected herself, "Five-year-old girl.  She can't go around the school punching every child who says vulgar things."

"You want I should break his legs, Don Byrne?"  

"Now you're just making fun."

"Look, it was a curse word and one schoolyard scuffle; it's not like she killed anyone."  Gavin stopped at the door.  "It's her birthday.  Let's get through this ... thing and pretend we're awed by a bunch of bored toddlers jumping around like chickens with heads cut off and then... I'll think of something."

Bella sighed.

"We'll turn this birthday around.  Besides, no kid can be disappointed with the number of gifts she has waiting for her at home.  We're going to have to buy a bigger place if this shit keeps up."  Gavin pulled open the door and escorted Bella inside.  They both pasted smiles on their faces and gave nods to Tara, William, and their bodyguards who had already arrived and taken their seats for the show.

"Did we miss anything?"  Bella asked Will.

He chuckled, "One kid picking his nose, and another vomiting in the wings.  I got $50 riding on one kid falling off the stage before this is over."

Bella smacked Will's arm.  

"She hasn't danced yet."  Tara said around William to Bella and Gavin.

And then she appeared, like an angel, her pretty pink tutu and satin dance shoes shining in the stage lights.  Parents around the room made noises of awe but Bella only had eyes for the tiny form twirling with perfect balance when others were floundering.  It wasn't perfect, at least not on a technical level, but to Bella it was as if an angel from heaven had graced them with their presence.  She couldn't have been more proud. 

As the show ended Gavin shot up out of his seat and began making such a ruckus that Bella couldn't help but laugh.  He whistled and applauded louder than any five dads causing many of the people in the audience to look at him with stupid smiles that people only gave to those parents who were just a touch too proud of their kid.  

Gavin didn't seem to notice nor care and only stopped when the next class of dancers was announced.  He sat down beside Bella and leaned over,"Maybe two hobbies?"

Bella nodded, smirking.

"It's good for her. Physically, I mean. Balance. Precision."

"Sure..."  Bella chuckled softly.  "Whatever you think is best."

When it was done and three dozen flowers and Aurora were loaded into the car, the small caravan of people drove down the road together.  Aurora went on and on about the recital and for the most part Gavin and Bella gave her all the attention she craved.  But Gavin had been clearly thinking of something else... his promise about Rory's birthday.

Bella's face split into a smile as they pulled into the parking lot of the ice cream parlor where she and Gavin had first met - where everything had begun.  Gavin lifted Rory onto his shoulders and carried the pink-clad girl into the shop to find seats.  Bella went up and placed their order before coming back to join them.

"Nice idea."  Bella said to him.

"Told you, I had it under control."

"I should never have doubted."  she smirked as the waitress put their treats down in front of them.  Instead of vanilla ice cream, Rory cheered for the bright multi-colored Neopolitan.  

Gavin looked to Bella a touch surprised.

"You can tell a lot about people by the ice cream they eat."  Bella told Rory.

"You can?"

Bella nodded.  "You see, I use to come here and order Vanilla... because I was all alone." 

She pointed to the vanilla stripe.

"Now I have you," She pointed to the strawberry. 

"And your father."  She pointed to the chocolate.

"I'M THE PINK!"  The little girl laughed. 

Bella looked to Gavin.  "More complex ice cream, for a simpler and more delicious life."

Gavin finished licking his spoon clean and winked before diving back in.