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“Could you use some help?” she asked, as she took one of Sarah’s hands in her own

“What do I do?” he whispered

“Come on” She nodded her head toward the bathroom

Brody stood outside while the Elizabeth went in with Sarah He wrung his hands together until they came out about five minutes later Sarah’s tears were dry and her froas replaced with a half-smile He bent down to her level

“Do you want to tell me what happened?”

“I told those stupid girls you had boughtelse and they said that it didn’t count because you’re not my real dad” She sniffled

“Oh They were just being mean, Sarah You knohat the difference is between those ‘real’ dads and me?”

“What?” She asked as she wiped her nose with the back of her hand He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cotton handkerchief and handed it to her She blew her nose loudly and gave it back Brody took it and put it back in his pocket without saying a word

“The difference between them and me is those dads are here because they have to be here And me?” He patted his chest “I’m here because I want to be here” He smiled at her

Her face lit up like the Fourth of July She grabbed his hand and led hi all the way behind her

They danced almost every dance, drank punch with no spills and Brody could honestly say it was one of the best nights he had passed in quite sohtful, independent, adorable, and a free thinker She was quick to laugh and even quicker to h with her

Sarah was exhausted when the dance was over at nine Brody danced the last dance with her against his chest, her head on his shoulder, and her feet not even touching the ground

The night had not been a disaster I actually pulled it off and had a great ti it

Her breath blew against his chin as she raised her head She grabbed his face in her two small hands and looked into his eyes “Thanks, Brody, for taking ht of lad your mom made you do it”

Brody chucked lightly, slightly taken aback by her candor and the serious look on her face, her two hands co his full attention He bent and put her feet on the floor He bowed low before her and said, “The pleasure was all o home?”