Gabriella's POV:

I knock twice on Dad's office, waiting for an answer.

"Come in."

I walk in to see my Father signing papers and checking emails on his computer but, once he saw me, he stopped everything.

"Hey, Ella. Is everything okay?"

"Y-Yeah! I just, have another question."

"Hm, haven't had one of these in a while. What is it?"

I bit my lip, trying to find a way to put this into words, politely.

"Why...Why did you care so much for Mom?"

He raised an eyebrow, obviously confused by my question.

"It's just, you would do any for her and the rest of your family yet...they probably wouldn't do the same. So, why?"

Now, he seemed shocked by my question. Honestly, I was too. He always told me the way my Mother offered to act as his lover to help him from staying out of O'Khasis, Laurance helping him out of the spell, Aaron saving him from the Irene dimension, so much more yet, I only thought of my Father's sacrifices.
Committing his life to protect Aphmau. Risking his life in the Irene Dimension. Repeatedly, putting his life on the line while they were alive. Committing his immortal life to keep Ru'an safe and their legacy.All while raising me.

All while hearing them call him an idiot, ignorant, and stubborn.

I just didn't understand one bit of it.

"I-I'm sorry, Dad. I know your sensitive to this kind of-"

"No...no, it's alright. I'm just shocked, is all."

"Daddy, if you don't want to answer, that's fine."

"Nah. It's fine. Besides, you're your Mother's daughter...always finding a new question to be solved."

He pulled something out from his drawers. A small box.

"What's that?"

"Do you remember your brother Levin," He asked, walking up to me.

"Of course! I mean, I've never met him but, I've heard a lot of great things about him."

He smiled.

"Well, this is his music box."

I looked at the old box. There were cracks on the wood and little scratches.

"Who gave it to him," I asked.

"His birth Mother."

I nodded, knowing already the story behind that. My Mother's first quest outside of Phoenix Drop's boarders.
He handed the fragile box and my fingers gently yet, firm enough, grasped onto it. It was like I was holding a historical artifact in my very own hands.
I inspected it more, seeing a little key hole in the back.

"What does this box have to do with the question I asked?"

"Well, the day when your Mother returned, bringing that music box home...was when I fell in love with her."

I titled my head.

"How? How did you know?"

He chuckled softly.

"I knew she was a good person from that point on. Not only her beauty, which I already liked her for but, her personality and leadership shone on that day," He says, tracing the top of the box with a single finger. "From that day on, my life changed for the better. I knew that she was special and I needed to protect her. I saw all the people she met and saw the good in them too."

"Like, Laurance and Katelyn?"

"Yep. So many more as well."

"I wish I met them all."

"Heh, you did. You just don't remember."

"Heh, I was only a baby."

"My baby..."

He pushed some of my hair behind my ear and smiled softly. I smiled back.

"That's why I cared about them all so much. They were good people that made feel happy and special myself. You'll understand when you find those people."

I giggled.

"I already did."

"Really? Who?"

I smirked.

"You, Uncle Zane, Penny, Dylan, and Degory. You are all so...talented and kind. You all made differences in people's lives, including mine," I say, hugging the box. "I just hope I can make it up to you."

"You already did."

We both sat down, me putting the box in my lap, tracing the edges delicately.

"Dad, you're a hero. I'm not and you know that."

"No, I don't. How come you're not?"

"Well, let's see," I started listing the things on my fingers. "One, I fainted on my first mission. Two, you had to send me back on a wyren to save me. Three, I got injured in battle that almost got me and maybe you killed by bullets flying everywhere. Four, I didn't even see you disappear at a party. You could've died that day."

A warm tear fell down my cheek, remembering the wails I heard that night back in 1954.

"One," My Father spoke. "you and your sister fought bravely and defended me in battle. Two, you protected Ru'an and probably saved that whole city. Three, you healed yourself and got right back up and fought again. Four, you searched for me. I didn't die."

I looked down at the worn box, a tear hitting it.

"Gabriella, you are a hero. You have made a difference in people's lives that you don't realize."

He took my hand and rubbed it softly.

"Even if you weren't, I would still be amazingly proud."

"H-How?"

"You have stayed strong over the centuries when a child would've broken down. You have looked out for the best in people and made close relationships. You have gained skills and maintained a education. All while being my little sunshine."

I hugged him tightly, him doing the same.

"Why does our family always end up on the floor while hugging," I asked.

"Heck do I know," My Father mumbled.

I laugh, letting go. He did too. Once we had calm down, I looked back at the box on my lap. I bet it was once beautiful. 

"You want to hear to the song," He asked.

I nodded. He went back to his desk as came back with a small key. He placed it in the hole and turned it, making old gears turned.

La de da dom la de da dom...

It was beautiful and calming. I softly opened it up, seeing a ballerina dancing, paint and details chipped. What lied in the box, is what caught my eye. A silver, heart shaped locket. It had two small lilac jewels and small designs on the front.

"What's this," I asked.

"Take it," My Father said.

I take the necklace out of the box. It was beautiful.

"Don't open it."

I looked at him confused.

"When do I?"

"You'll know."

I closed my hand around it, smiling softly.

"I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too."

I hug him one last time before kissing him on the cheek.

"Keep the box too."

"Really," I asked.

"Of course! You deserve it," He says, a smile on his face.

I wave goodbye and giggle as I left his office. I ran down the hall and went into my room. I went to my vanity, placed the box down. I take the locket and hooked it around my neck. The silver and purple complimented each other perfectly. I watched it shimmer in the light peeping through the windows.

I just hope my Father knows how much I truly love him...

Word Count
1198