Daniel inhaled deeply as he stood before the front door to Willow Manor. There was definitely something strange going on in Meghan's life that Serena and Luke were both keeping from him, and it was high time he found out what it was. With that resolution in mind he straightened his jacket and knocked on the door.

Meghan quickly placed her finger over her lips when she found her father on her doorstep. Silently she motioned him inside then led him into the kitchen and hugged him tightly. "Hi daddy."

"What was that all about?" Daniel asked as he returned the hug.

"I've just managed to get the twins to sleep. Believe me it's a rare moment indeed when both of them are sleeping at the same time."

Daniel chuckled softly and sat down at the small table Meghan reserved for breakfast. "So you've finally adjusted to motherhood."

Meg shrugged and sat across from her father. "It gets easier everyday, and Luke is a big help. So what brings you here without Serena and my baby brother?"

"I wanted to see you. It was a spur of the moment idea."

"I see." Meg said with a frown.

"So," Daniel began. "Will you be attending the big wedding?"

Meg shook her head. "Liz and Grant are still so small, I've decided not to attend, but Luke is a groomsman and will happily represent our family. Are you going?"

"Yes."

"I can baby-sit for DJ if you'd like."

Daniel smiled brightly. "I'll tell Serena."

"What about the rodeo? Are you entering that?"

Daniel laughed loudly then looked up at the ceiling and immediately quieted down. "My bones are too old for that. But Serena and I will be on hand to mend whatever broken bones will arise."

"And I'm sure there will be plenty." Meghan replied with a wide grin. "I might go to the rodeo for a bit. I can help you there if you need me."

Daniel nodded. "Thank you Sweetie."

Meghan sat back in her chair with raised eyebrows. "Good now that we have the preliminaries out of the way, why don't you tell me the real reason you're here?"

The man was taken aback at his daughter's blunt speaking but he wasn't surprised at it. "I should put you over my knee for your tone young lady."

"But you won't."

Daniel laughed softly. "No I won't. So instead I want you to tell me exactly what is going on between you and Luke."

Meghan paled. "Excuse me?"

"What's going on in your marriage Meghan?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me." He spoke softly, but his tone told Meg that he expected to be obeyed. "I already know his side. I just want to hear yours."

"Luke spoke to you about this?"

"Of course." Daniel replied, though he silently vowed to say a quick prayer for forgiveness of the lie. "Tell me Meghan."

"It's not good as you know." She began and Daniel braced himself to hear the worst. Meghan began with Ian's arrival and ended with the confrontation between Luke and herself. When she looked up, her father was staring at her with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"So where does this leave you and Luke?"

"Just where I said. He's waiting for me to make a decision between him and Ian." Meg said softly.

"Meghan I have promised myself that I would stay out of your marriage. You're a grown woman, a mother of two, but I can't stay silent about this."

Meg closed her eyes briefly. "Please daddy, I have been racked over the coals by both Serena and Luke about this. I can't bear it if you do the same to me."

Daniel saw the pain in her eyes and reached out to grab her hand. "I want you to listen to me. Despite the fact that you are the mother of two, you are still only eighteen years old. I will stand by whatever your decision is."

"You will?"

"If you're having doubts about your marriage Meghan then you should examine the causes of them. Now that said, I also expect you to remember that you are a married woman. I will hope that you will respect Luke enough that you'd not do anything scandalous."

Meghan nodded. "I wouldn't have an affair daddy."

"Just so long as we're both clear on that. I also want to make sure that you don't put yourself in a position where an affair could be assumed."

"Understood." Meg inhaled deeply, relieved that her father was being supportive of her. "You won't confront Ian about this will you?"

As much as Daniel wanted to, he believed this was Luke's responsibility. "No." He rose slowly and sighed. "So may I go see my grandchildren before I go?"