Gradual Change

Sleep over

After blowing the candles, Erwin brought the box of gifts and put it in front of Oliver. “Before you open anyone else’s gift, this is a special present from me, I have bought you some other gifts as well, but this one is different. You’re a man now, and every man needs at least a dozen of these.” Erwin handed Oliver a small black box. 

Oliver looked at the box, then at Erwin confused, he then opened the box, and his eyes widened at what he saw. He didn’t expect such an expensive gift. In the box was a Baltic Aquascape wristwatch. Oliver knew it was an expensive watch, but he didn’t realize it was over $500.  

What made him even happier was being called a man; he had always felt jealous of boys. As a boy, he only needed a shirt and trousers to look good. Unlike girls, he didn’t need to worry about how well his outfit was a good match. 

Opening the gifts, Oliver received a couple of other expensive gifts. He knew Erinna’s present when he saw that it was a pair of Bluetooth headphones, and he knew that Erinna must have spent a lot of her savings to buy him this gift. He turned to Erinna to say thanks, and she just winked back at him. 

Oliver received another two wristwatches. Though they were not as expensive as the first one, they weren’t cheap either. Oliver looked strangely at Erwin. 

“I’m not complaining, but I think you got me way too many wristwatches.”
Erwin just laughed, saying, “A man can never have enough watches.”

Both George and Johnny just shook their head and smiled. Erwin enjoyed having a son again, though he loved Nancy, and his feelings never changed towards her when she became a girl. 

Once Oliver finished opening his gifts, George stood up and looked at Erwin nervously. He needed to do this. 

“Mr. and Mrs. Collins, may I please speak to you privately?” George nervously asked, trying his best not to stutter. Although his legs were shaking, he was determined to ask for this. Both Carol and Erwin looked at George inquisitively. 

Carol and Erwin agreed to follow George out of the room, where they waited for George to speak to them. For some reason, the ordinarily confident George looked nervous.

“Is something wrong, honey?” Carol asked, sensing George’s nervousness. 

“Mr. and Mrs. Collins, I am asking for your permission to ask Nancy out on a date, and I can’t do it without having your permission,” George said, exhaling loudly. Halfway done, he still needed to wait for their answer. While he wasn’t sure of their response, he really couldn’t help but feel nervous. 
Carol smiled; her answer was obviously, yes. She couldn’t blame Nancy for having those feelings for George. He was a great boy, not like those idiot jocks, and he used his head before his muscles. In her opinion, Nancy couldn’t find any boy better than George. She was just about to say yes when Erwin spoke first. 

“No,” Erwin answered. 

George felt disappointed, sad. He didn’t know how to describe his feelings, but he felt crushed.  George could feel tears welling in his eyes. His feelings towards Nancy were not simple, and he loved her. 

“Erwin,” Carol scolded. She knew Erwin loved Nancy and wanted to protect her, but George was a rare catch. Carol was also sure that Nancy would be furious if she heard about this, mad enough that she might stop talking to Erwin. 

Carol also knew that if Erwin said no, then Oliver would have no chance of dating Erinna in the future. Nancy was not the only one who saw how Oliver and Erinna looked at each other, and what was between them was way beyond friendship. 

“I am not done yet. George, ‘No’ would have been my answer if it was anyone else but you. I know you well enough to know that you will protect my daughter and keep her safe,” Erwin completed his sentence, surprising both George and Carol. “And I am sure you won’t disappoint me, right?” Erwin raised his eyebrow while asking.