White Collar One-shots

Vincent Adler: Best Father Part 2

...Then she begins her class, Mrs Pérez was your Spanish teacher, you haven't even heard a word of the tongue in your entire life and now you were supposed to know it all being as old as you were. If this was the first class you had all week the next ones wouldn't be easier. After a few hard classes it was time to go home, Vincent was waiting for you outside the Golden gates, you stared at him a while before going out. Just before the door a stranger's hand grabbed your arm, when you looked down you saw you were about to step into a puddle of mud.

"Thank you... (you turned to see who it was saved you) sir" the young blue eyed man winked at you sweetly. A kid came out behind him, it was your new friend, that must be his dad, excited you asked Vincent if Mr. Caffrey and his son could join you for lunch. Vincent looked at the man and clenched his fist, he seemed mad and scared. Seeing how excited you were about your new friend coming, he swallowed his feelings and muttered a forced "Yes, as long as they want to, sweetie" Neal analized the comment and answered positively.

The gates opened and you jumped into your father's arms. The Caffreys were right behind you "So you just follow my car and see you there" Vincent told Neal, he nodded with a smile that seemed fake and went to his car. He had a golden SUV, it seemed very expensive and was dressed in a suit, it seemed even more expensive if that was possible, he was a classy guy with a past where your father had participated somehow. After Vincent buckled you up in the back seat of his black convertible he went to the driver's seat and drove home.

He parked in his usual spot, Neal parked right next to him, Vincent told you to show your new friend around. Joseph seemed very excited about it, you went into the house with him behind you and your fathers stayed outside. It was a while until they came inside, Neal seemed surprised by everything around him "You came out good after it all, Adler" your new last name sounded weird on Neal's mouth. Vincent took the comment in and said while pointing at Joseph "Same for you too, Caffrey" Neal didn't say a word.

Over the table there was a box of Chinese food, your favorite, and beside it a bag from the ribs place uptown, your second favorite. That was when you realized Vincent had a surprise planned for you and you had ruined it completely. He went into the kitchen and brought out Mexican soup from yesterday for them, he placed it on the table and brought the two plates "Sorry, I wasn't expecting guests today, I hope you don't mind if we eat a little different from you" Neal told Vincent it was fine and sat down in next to you, Joseph sat next to your father.

After you all were done, you asked your father if you could speak with him for a while on your room. He followed you there and closed the door behind him.

"I'm sorry dad" it was the first time in two years you called him 'dad', it was always Vince or Knucklehead, sometimes you called him friend for an unknown reason. His eyes wet and he hugged you "It's OK sweetheart, I feel happy that you have made friends so quick" you were still concerned, while in his arms with your head pressed against his chest, feeling him breathe.

"But what about the surprise you had for me?" you raised your head to face him

"It is more than fine, we will spend some time alone tomorrow"

"And the day after that?"

"Every day if you want" you smile at him and press your head in his chest, he strokes your hair as he always does and kisses the top of your head. After it all you were still curious of what happened between your father and Neal Caffrey. Many times through the evening you were tempted to ask but he was always busy doing something else, sometimes even speaking to Neal. The rest of the time you were busy playing with Joseph.

Late that same night after the Caffreys left you dated to ask what happened

"Back when I was young I made some bad choices that affected many people, one of them was Neal. He took some bad choices as well but being my ally was the worst. I had no knowledge that he was still alive until today when he stopped you from getting all dirty back a that puddle." it made so much sense now. Seeing your frenemie's son as your daughter's best friend must be so hard, "Thanks daddy" Vincent smiles widely at you.