parent phan

problem

word count: 2940

warnings: uh, i don't think i swore in this one either. honestly, who am i??

also, feedback gives me life :) you guys who leave lots of comments make my depressed life a little better

i love you hoes

"Papa, I think I have a problem," Delta stated matter-of-factly as she played with the end of her brown braid. Phil turned to her and saw her fair skin slightly red, as though she was embarrassed. She noticed Phil's blue daggers, that everyone else just called eyes, and she buried her face in her hands.

"A problem?" Phil said and shut off the water from the kitchen sink, where he had been washing the dishes, Delta drying them and putting them away. "Like a serious problem?"

"I think it's serious," Delta started, "but I think you and Daddy will just think it's funny." Phil continued staring at his 10-year-old, How could Dan and him find a serious problem funny?

"Do you want to talk to just me, or do you want me to get Daddy here too?" Phil said and wrapped a single arm around Delta, who's skin felt warm and slightly damp.

"Just you," Delta breathed quickly, "Please, just you. I want you to tell Daddy, but not yet."

"Yeah? Well what's your problem, Baby?" Phil asked and pulled her into his chest. She mumbled completely incoherently. "Del, you have to say that again, none of that made sense." Delta unburied her face and looked to the side, resting her ear over Phil's heart, something that showed pure affection, and brought a sense of calmness over her. Dan had done it since they first got together about 20 years ago, and now not only did Dan do it to calm himself down, but now each one of their three children did it as well.

"Papa," Delta whispered timidly, "I think I like Elle." Phil smiled and hugged her tighter, this was the first time she ever showed interest in anybody.

"Why is that a problem?" Phil asked and rubbed her back softly. She sighed heavily.

"Because she's my best friend," Delta now looked up and into her Papa's eyes, "I messed it up," a few tears spilled from her blue and brown eyes.

"Baby," Phil soothed, he lifted his thumbs and wiped under her eyes, a practice he'd grown used to whilst raising his kids. "You didn't mess anything up, you don't need to cry."

"But, Papa, she probably doesn't even like girls," Delta now had her arms around his torso, in a tight vice-like grip. "But I like her," her face was bright red now, but her sobs stayed quiet enough that it was only between the pair.

"Delta, take a deep breath for me," Phil continued to soothe her, but now led her through some breathing exercises, which was also something he learned over his just-over-10 years of parenting. Delta began to breathe with him, and she began to calm down slightly, but remained with her tight grip around him. "You know who my best friend is?"

Delta nodded calmly, "Daddy."

"Yep, and you know who I like?" Phil continued to rub peaceful circles in Delta's back.

"Daddy?" Phil nodded at his daughter's soft response, he grinned at her.

"I like Daddy and we're still best friends," Phil said, which helped Delta to steady herself even more, "We didn't mess anything up."

"You don't think I messed it up?" Delta loosened her tight grip from around Phil, but her arms still remained around him.

"You didn't mess anything up," Phil reassured once more, "And you never know, Elle might like girls too. Just remember she might not want to say what she likes just yet, even your Daddy didn't want to tell people whether he liked boys or girls or both."