[ RF ] A father and daughter talk as he prepares to walk her down the aisle .

`` Hi dad'' 
 
 I said, gazing into his dark brown eyes. The greying hairs from his eyebrows, cascaded slightly over them. Framing the gentleness that permeated through them. 
 
 I still remember the day I first told him that Steve was the one. The one that I was going to spend the rest of my life with. He had said nothing, merely smiled and nodded. 
 
 My dad was never a man of many words. Neither was he the strong manly type - most of the time, he was just there. 
 
 He was always there. 
 
 `` Remember, my first day going to school?'' - I whispered softly. 
 
 It was a rainy day, the peaceful kind of rain. I remember crying - tears streaming down my eyes - wishing that Buddy, the fat adorable corgi that kept me company, could come with me. After all - Buddy had to learn too! It all made sense in my mind. 
 
 My dad had simply smiled and shook his head, he had knelt down to tie my laces while I explained to him the intricacies of a five year old mind on why Buddy was crucial to saving the world, and to do so - he must accompany me on my journey to the unknown. I do n't know how my dad did it - but by the time we were standing outside waiting for the bus to come, my dad holding the umbrella over me - getting drenched himself. I had completely forgotten about Buddy and the only thought in my mind was being able to ride the big yellow bus. 
 
 I remember when I sat down by the window, to wave to my dad - who had the same smile as always - I never felt more safe. Now I knew why he never held that umbrella over him, while he stood there watching the bus leave - the rain helped hide his tears. 
 
 `` That was probably the first time I had seen you cry, dad. I did n't realise at the time though.'' 
 
 I wanted to reach out and squeeze his hand, like I did every day on our walks. Feel his warm embrace my tiny hand - that was my dad. 
 
 `` I miss our walks, dad.'' 
 
 I was n't a very good daughter - especially not growing up. I wanted to be independent. I wanted to be mature. I wanted to be me. I had failed at all three. But my dad was always there, listening, smiling, and comforting me each time my heart broke. 
 
 Each time I disappointed myself. 
 
 He was always there. 
 
 He never judged me for my mistakes. He never punished me for doing something I regretted. He was just there when I needed him. 
 
 I remember the first time I had my period, I thought I was going to die. Not of blood loss but embarrassment. I was at school and thought I had wet myself - I hid in the one private bathroom in the whole school, trying to wash out the blood. A teacher had found me there - I told them I had wet myself and did not want to see anybody but my dad. 
 
 `` You came dad, even though I know you had a big meeting that day. You were up all night working on it. I still remember that you had brought a change of clothes, a chocolate bar, and the now lazy old Buddy with his own greying eyebrows.'' - I softly giggled at the memory, poor Buddy was so excited and concerned at the same time that he did n't know whether to run around us or to smother me with kisses. 
 
 `` I am sorry that we drifted apart. No, I am sorry that I drifted apart, dad. I did n't mean to, I did n't want to.'' 
 
 It was during university, when I started to ignore his calls - he never said anything on them anyways. He just listened. I always made excuses to myself - I can call him later. I can talk to him tomorrow. He can listen then. 
 
 I could feel a tear starting to form. 
 
 `` I miss you dad.'' 
 
 I said as I bent down to place his framed picture on a chair right beside the altar. The tears were now flowing freely, washing away all the make up. 
 
 I felt a hand slip around mine, and softly squeeze it. Just like dad used to do. I turned and looked into Steve's eyes - a lighter shade of brown with no grey in sight. 
 
 `` I am sorry - I did n't want to cry'' I whispered, knowing if I spoke any louder I would not be able to stop myself from breaking down. 
 
 He smiled softly, gently squeezing my hand. 
 
 I smiled back at him, I probably look so ugly right now - I thought. A bride that who could pass off as a member of Kiss. 
 
 `` I miss him too'' Steve said, as he reach over and wiped away the gunk from my eyes. I could feel warmth spread through me as Steve softly kissed my forehead. 
 
 The smile on my face was no longer a reaction, but there because it wanted to be there. 
 
 As we took our place at the altar, I looked back at my dad. 
 
 And my other hand felt a squeeze. 
 
 He is always there. 

