"Now remember, Xavier, be a gentleman. Be sure to hold the door open for her and hold out her chair and give her your coat if it gets cold. Oh, and most importantly, offer her your arm when you're walking."
"Pop, you want me to ask her if she'd like my arm?" The teenager's face scrunched up with confusion. "Like see if she wants me to have it cut off so she can keep it on a shelf in her room?"
"No," Angelus sighed with exasperation. "I mean have her arm tucked under yours. And be sure to always treat her like a lady and stand up when she does."
"Huh?" Both Xavier and Xander replied in unison.
"Don't listen to him, Xavy," Xander instructed before moving to Angelus' side. "Dead Boy first started dating when? In the late seventeen hundreds? He's forgotten that times and customs have changed. Just treat her with respect and remember your manners.
Xander wrapped an arm around his lover's waist then threw a semi-worried glance at Xavier. "Uh, we don't have to talk about sex, do we? I mean, you know... Well, couples tend to... You do know about condoms, right?"
Xavier blushed a deep red, the rushing blood showing quickly under his pale skin. "Okay, just stop, Dad. It's only our first date and unlike you and Pop, I think Sophie and I can keep our hormones in check."
*****
"Now, Sophie, remember to be polite," Amy said, giving her daughter's hair a final brush. "Xavier's such a nice boy," she commented.
"How much do we really know about him anyway? I mean, how do we *know* that he's a 'nice boy'?" Jonathan asked suspiciously.
"Oh please, Daddy! Mom delivered him for heaven's sake and we've only lived across the hall from them nearly all my life. Deal, Dad. He's a nice boy and you know it. He's not going to try anything." Sophie smiled at her parents. "At least not tonight," she mumbled to herself.
"What was that?" her mother asked.
"Oh, I was just wondering if this skirt is too tight."
"It's fine, dear."
"No," Jonathan disagreed, shaking his head. "No, I think it *is* a bit too tight. Maybe you should change. Actually, I heard that baggy pants and oversized shirts are in this year. Why don't you wear something like that?"
"Oh," Sophie nodded. "Something that'll downplay my womanly curves and make me less appealing to, oh, say, Xavy?" She smiled affectionately at her father.
"Exactly! When did you get to be so smart?" he asked, already knowing that he had lost the battle.
"I've always been this smart, Daddy. You're just now noticing."
"Honey, everything is going to be alright. We've taught our daughter well and I'm sure she'll make all the right decisions. Won't you, Sophie?" Amy asked with a hopeful voice.
"Of course."
Jonathan sighed. "Sometimes I think you're too liberal with her, Sweetheart."
"Jon, I'm a witch, what did you expect me to be? Mrs. Brady?"
"Mrs. Who?" the girl asked, confused.
*****
Xavier opened the front door, his fathers standing closely behind him. Almost at the same time, Sophie emerged from behind her door, her parents following her out into the hall.
"Hey," she said, her eyes wide, letting Xavier know that she wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"Hey," he returned.
They stood there motionless and silent for a moment. Then as if they had both been poked with a sharp stick, they grabbed each other's hands and quickly headed for the elevators.
"Have a good time, sweetie," Amy called after them.
"But don't have *too* much fun," Jonathan amended.
"Remember your arm," Angelus called, realizing how silly that sounded.
"Forget the arm, just remember to be responsible," Xander called, ignoring Angelus' glare.
Stepping into the elevator, Xavier and Sophie waited until the doors had closed before speaking.
"Geez, can you believe all that fuss over us just going to see a silly movie?"
"I know, my dad actually started talking about sex. Like there are fold out mattresses in the theaters."
Sophie smiled. "Yeah, my mother called you a nice boy and my father said he wasn't too sure about that." She giggled. "He's only known you all your life. What was Dead Boy saying about your arm?"
"I have *no* idea." Xavier turned to Sophie, taking in her appearance and suddenly becoming nervous. "You look very nice, Sophie."
"Thank you, Xavy. So do you."
Both smiled, their hands still joined together, and waited for the elevator doors to open.
*** End