bibliodragon

Title: Never Good Enough
Rating: Gen.
Characters: A/R
Word Count:300

For

ar_drabbles 'Guess what's coming to dinner' challenge.

Bill had always wanted a daughter. He loved his sons, no matter how frustrating they were(he'd forgotten that) but sometimes he would wonder what things would have been like if he and Carolanne had tried for a third, instead of just talking about it, and the inevitable parting shot of "you're hardly ever here for the two you already have!”" Would she have been quiet and studious, with her nose constantly in a book at the breakfast table, or would she be loud and determined to hold her own against her brothers?

If he was in a particularly self-aware mood, he might acknowledge the teen years might be difficult. But he would have been good at putting the fear of the Gods into anyone she brought home. He’d been on the receiving end a few times to know the drill, and had the benefit of a thousand yard stare well practiced on Cylons and errant officers which should translate well over the dinner table. Along with the righteous fury that anyone could think themselves good enough for his daughter.

Whenever he had thought of taking part in that particular battle, he had never expected to be on the familiar side from his youth, facing disappointed and stern glares at just what their daughters had dragged home.

He never expected to be losing to a teacher.

But with three daughters, Edward Roslin must have been well practiced at putting suitors in their places. Even with the effect the lack of passing time in this place had on the generation gap, he had the advantage.

In amongst conversation and laughing and passing of plates of food, Laura would catch the corner of his gaze and just smile that diplomatic smile of hers that told him just how terribly amusing his discomfort was.