Sisters Grimm

The Golden Bird

Three a.m. had come faster then anybody expected; most had fallen asleep all except Gunnar, who stood restless in the kitchen, he was working on his third beer when soft footsteps came padding close to the refrigerator. His blue eyes alert when he didn't see anything but a small shadow, but when a small head of wild curls popped around the corner his eyes softened, "you suppose to be sleeping, kid."

"So, are you..."her voice timid, but her courage to counter him made him smile, "yea, so I am. Can't sleep though, but you..." he pointed a finger at the girl.

"Am not tired..." she finished. Under her arm was the stuffed bird, she walked toward the table, climbed up, and sat silently as she swung her feet, making her purple night gown move along with her. Gunnar was just about to take another swig of his beer, "you're my daddy...did you know that?" he almost choked at the bold statement. The eye contact was full of everything and anything that could be felt, "guess not." Nila whispered.

"No, I knew; how did you know?" his voice low to keep anybody who would eaves drop from being able to understand.

Nila's matching eyes never moved from his as they stared into his tainted soul of many wars, blood, and sadly drugs, " you make momma smile. Aunt Riley can't even do that. We have matching eyes..." she answered with a low confidence matching his.

Gunnar couldn't deny her intelligence came from Romy; this five year old could do more and know more then many people his age, "Lots of people have blue eyes. "

"..Not that blue."

Gunnar couldn't win this argument; he set the half empty beer on the counter and leaned across the bar to study the child little more carefully. She never made any hint of emotion toward him as he reached back for his drink, "you are determined to think I am your father aren't you."

"Not that word, but when I know I am right. I am." She stated bluntly sliding completely in front of him. The blonde man brushed his fallen bangs back from his view.

"I can see that.." his voice gravely with distress.

"It is okay if your scared to be my daddy, but momma and I like you. So don't leave please.." her voice soft almost on the verge of crying. Gunnar couldn't help but feel his instincts kick in as the tears fell; he brushed them away with his thumb, "never said I was scared to be anything, nor did I say I was leaving, kid. You have to know that you're a pretty girl just like your mother. I haven't had the easiest life."

"So...momma and I have to, but everybody needs happy things so they can be happy." Her words touched him.

"Happy...sounds good to me." Nila smiled at man's answer and slid off the table, turning her head at the edge of the corner, "goodnight, daddy..." with that she went back to her room as independently as she came into the room.

Gunnar felt something he hadn't in awhile. The nearly seven foot Swedish giant had a warm feeling enter his body, and a smile crossed his lips as he continued his beer "goodnight,kid.."