Tad stood there somewhat nervously as Gary Howler walked back toward the kitchen. The whole protective father thing was perfectly understandable, though Tad with his very limited dating experience had never been on the receiving end of such protective action. He really didn't know how to respond to that.
"I have no intent on hurting her," Tad said weakly, not knowing what else to say.
"Of course you don't dear," Elizabeth Howler said calmly, "but Amy IS our only and eldest daughter. My husband just doesn't want to see her hurt and being protective inspires that sort of thing."
"I suppose he's entitled to it," Tad answered.
"Of course I am," Gary said from the kitchen as he turned.
"Dad..." Amy began to groan from beside Tad.
"But, if you stand by her and are respectful to my baby girl," Gary Howler then spoke, "I'm sure you and I will be quite good friends."
Tad watched as Elizabeth smiled to her husband, but had no idea on what to say or do in response to the comment. It seemed to be conflicting in many ways, and on many levels he didn't think that someone who might have threatened to destroy someone would be friends with that person he'd just threatened. Gary watched him blink for a few moments.
"Son, that's supposed to be a good thing," he said after a few moments.
"It is?" Tad asked earning only amused chuckles from both of Amy's parents.
"Guys... he's grown up where the only weres around him were his parents and in a military family..." Amy came to Tad's defense, "it's doubtful that he ever had time in one place to actually consider dating and even more doubtful that he would have found someone he could seriously consider anything more than platonic friendship..."
"What?" Tad wondered.
"Platonic friendship... or platonic love is the sort of bond you'd only have between best friends," Amy explained to him, "very simple... no sex... and usually between members of the same gender, but could be with anyone."
"Oh," Tad answered and then nodded.
"I'm sure," Elizabeth Howler answered, "it's just that the... the innocence is just rather cute."
Gary then cam forward, nodded to his daughter and then placed both hands on Tad's shoulders. Tad watched as the adult man stood before him.
"Son, I'm sure there is a lot that may be new to you... especially given things that I'm sure your parents, regrettably didn't get the time to teach you given the circumstances," Gary spoke carefully, "and I do apologize if you might have though that my... well, my threat as some sort of criticism that I don't like you as a person... of that I was truly serious."
"You weren't?" Tad wondered.
He watched as Amy's father smiled.
"Of course not," Gary smiled, "I's simply a desire to make sure Amy is safe and happy... imagine you had a daughter that you loved very much... would you just let anyone one date her without making sure that he wasn't some ...well... crook?"
Tad thought for a moment, "Of course not. I'd do all in my power to make sure whoever my daughter dated was a good person."
Tad watched as Elizabeth Howler came forward and kissed her husband's cheek. He felt Amy squeeze his hand, though when he glanced over to her, he found the blond haired teen smiled to him.
"And that's all I'm trying to do," Gary answered, "treat Amy right... and you'll never have any trouble from Elizabeth and I."
"Of course, sir," Tad answered.
Gary backed off for a moment and began to head back into the Howler family kitchen. With this, Tad turned his attention to Elizabeth Howler.
"Thank you again for walking Amy over," Elizabeth answered, and turned to Amy, "Dear, you should have let Tad know you needed to be home earlier..."
"Sorry, mom," Amy said weakly, "we made it back to his house a bit late and it slipped my mind... so neither of us set an alarm when we went to bed."
Elizabeth nodded, "Just keep things in mind next time."
Tad watched as Elizabeth winked to her daughter, "You can tell me all about the fun you and your young stud had last night later. In the meantime, we will have some family matters to take care of this morning."
Amy nodded, and turned to Tad, "thanks for walking me home."
"It's no problem," Tad answered, "will I see you later?"
"Maybe some time this afternoon," Amy answered, "I have family stuff to take care of."
She leaned in and kissed Tad's cheek. She also giggled when Tad smiled to her as she ushered him to the door. Elizabeth Howler only chuckled as she watched her daughter and her boyfriend. She could soon hear her younger sons stirring and getting up, which meant that much of the Howler family's mission for the morning at least would begin soon.