family. River Hernandez (son), Clover Moreau (step-sister), Rhiannon Bennett (step-sister), Forest Moreau (step-brother), Asher Bennett (brother in law)
children. 1 (River Hernandez, age 15)
pets. 0
positive traits. Creative, Playful, Brave
negative traits. Critical, Shy, Distrustful
PINTEREST || PLAYLIST || WANTED CONNECTIONS
TIMELINE —
1990 - on February 19th, Dahlia Annalise Hernandez is born in Gautier, MS.
1995 - Dahlia’s biological parents divorce. Her father, Miguel, takes full custody of her. This is the last time Dahlia sees her mother.
2000 - Dahlia’s father starts dating Daisy Laurent, and he and Dahlia become apart of the Moreau-Laurent family. A family with poly parents (Eric and Daisy) and 4 children (Clove, Forest, Orion, Rikki). Over time, Daisy and Eric become “mom” and “dad” to Dahlia.
2007 - Dahlia gives birth to her son, River Daniel Hernandez, on November 17th.
2008 - Dahlia graduates from highschool in June.
2010 - After delaying college for two years while she raised her young son, with the help of her family, Dahlia starts college at The University of South Alabama in Mobile, Al. 2014- Dahlia earns a Masters of Fine Arts degree (MFA) in Creative Technologies and Practice.
2017 - Dahlia is awarded full custody of her son, River Hernandez.
2020 - early in the year, Dahlia and River move to Ravenswood, VT to be close to her siblings; @rikki-bennett. @forestmoreau, and @clovermoreau. Over the summer, Dahlia meets @denveradamson. After a few months of hooking up, D&D start dating.
2022 - At the start of December, Dahlia and Denver break up.
HEADCANONS —
Dahlia’s house in Sycamore Village - https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/520-Powderhorn-Rd-Manchester-Center-VT-05255/227699081_zpid/
new years was approaching and denver wasnt really sure if hanging with dhalia was a good idea or not. he was trying to mend the hurt he had caused but he only worried that maybe he would make things worse. denver had assumed that river would be off with his friends staying at a buddies house for new years. no teenager wanted to spend new years with their mother and father figure. which meant to had left d alone and he didnt want her to spend it by herself after all.
after making the choice to go over there he had picked up some take out and headed her way. appearing at the front door he knocked softly on the door. a smile on his lips and the take out held out in his hand when the door opened. “tell me youre craving chinese for new years?” was all he said with a growing smile unsure if she would let him in or not.
.
It wasn’t cool to spend New Years Eve with your mom anymore. At least, that’s what River had told Dahlia when he asked to spend the holiday with his friends. It was hard to blame him when the invitation was to a lock-in with bounce houses and the kind of snacks Dahlia didn’t keep in the house. Being alone wasn’t all bad, though. She had wine. A red blend her father had brought up, over Christmas. Chocolate, too. A Vegan, dark, hazelnut bar she was half done with when a knock on the door interrupted her leisurely stretch across the couch.
Since she hadn’t been expecting anyone, Dahlia was slow to answer. The brunette peaked out a window first, relieved to see that it was Denver until the butterflies fluttered up in her belly. She opened the door in nothing more than an oversized t-shirt, that at some point belonged to him, and underwear invisible beneath said stolen borrowed garment. “Hi, D.” Hungry eyes swept the length of the man before her before settling on the food in his hands. Her mouth began to water and her stomach growled inaudibly.Wine and chocolate wasn’t a filling dinner. “You have no idea... what i’d do.. for some Vegan takeout.. Come in.”
Denver raised his hands up as if he was surrendering, “dont be mad, i just wanted to give them boy some time behind the wheel. It was around my neighborhood and i was in the car, d. “It was fine and he will be just fine i promise. He is doing so great already.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “I would never intentionally put him, you or myself in danger. It has only been a couple times but i figure i would rather start now so when he gets his permit he will at least know sort of what he’s doing.”
He watched as river opened the gift and seemed pretty excited. “Im glad you like it, figured this time we could take some more people. Maybe that girl youve been telling me about.” Denver suggested as he heard his mother talk about kayla. "that is her, yes. i dont know how i could forget.“ he chuckled knowing the boy had talked a lot to denver about her. not really sure why though if the young teen only knew how terrible denver was with relationships he wouldnt be asking him for advice at times. "oh it could be a cute little double date with your parents.” the man said to river though it was obvious his tone was just teasing him. “dont worry i promise to not let your mom embarrass you.” he joked once more looking at d with a checky grin.
denver watched as the boy opened his last gift which his was ecstatic. with a nod at the boy, “i wouldnt miss new years with you for the world.” he reassured river as he gave the boy a hug, “go have fun with your ps5 and ill see you next week for the ball dropping.” he told him as he watched the boy who was eager t ogo set up his game. once the boy had left denver had paused. “just one more thing.” he stood up and grabbed another small box tucked away. walking over he had handed over the perfectly wrapped package to Dhalia. “I bought it before the breakup.” He had reassured her as he took his seat. It was a little box from Tiffanys with a small diamond bracelet inside. “If you don’t like it i can just return it..” he told her softly.
.
The matter of Denver taking River to drive without her knowing was a discussion she chose to save for a later time. It was going so well tonight. She didn’t want to fight. Not that she was angry, persay, but she was a person who valued communication. It was something she wanted communicated to her, just so she was aware As much as she trusted Denver and as grateful as she was for the time he spent helping River, Dahlia still worried. She couldn’t help it.
If hearing Denver say double date didn’t catch Dahlia off guard, hearing him call them River’s parents did. She blinked a few times in surprise and tried to laugh off how it made her stomach flutter and her heart sink. It was something she wanted but thought it went against why they broke up. Dahlia felt confused about where they stood, and found herself a little grateful when River ran off to play his game for the night. It meant they could talk, hopefully, without fighting.
“There’s a couple things from me under there for you, too.” Custom cufflinks and a large canvas painting that Dahlia had painted while they were still together. It crossed her mind not to give it to him. She’d taken back a book of spicy polaroids and lingerie for obvious reasons. ”You had a few more, but…” She didn’t want to fight but saw no harm in teasing him. “..you’re on the naughty list now..”
Pearly whites sunk into Dahlia’s full bottom lip as she held back a smile. The packaging told her where her gift was from. Her heart raced in excitement as she considered what was inside, though her imagination didn’t do the bauble justice. “Oh, wow.” Her mahogany hues glimmered in tandem with the bracelet’s sparkle. “I love it! Wow..” Dahlia's teeth couldn’t hold back her smile. “It’s so beautiful.”
It was an impulsively genuine gesture as Dahlia leaned in for a hug. Her arms squeezed Denver a little too tight, because she didn’t want to let go. “Thank you so much, D.”
from the moment denver had met river he had automatically felt like some father figure to him. it was easy to love him as if he was his own and it was sweet that river had looked up to him that way. it had only made denver want to be a father even more. how much the two had gotten along and all the fun the two of them had. he had hoped it wasnt confusing when d and him had broken up and he still hung around as if nothing changed. he didnt want the teen getting hurt because the two adults didnt work it out.
the man couldnt imagine going to the game with anyone else. it was things like this that he loved taking the kid to do. they would go to all sorts of sports games, yell and scream when their players wouldnt score and cheer together when they did. binge on sugar and hotdogs until they had felt sick and he would take him home. his big house had felt so empty with the two of them not staying there anymore.
“you dont have to thank me, i couldnt think of a single person on this earth i would rather go with that isnt him.” he reassured her and gave river a small smile in the mean time. the man nodded. “of course, we have a lot of studying to do though on these up and coming weekeneds. i cant promise a whole heck of a lot of fun but we will try to squeeze in some time at the arcade between studying.” he told river. “dont worry, i got this. asides he is a great driver.. i have let him practice a few times in my car.” he admitted to her with a small guilty smile.
“it is, did you think i was just not going to bring gifts for you guys. gesh, what kind of heartless monster do you think i am?” he teased at the boy once more. denver had tried not to over do it but it was always hard for the man. inside was a gift card for $100. a visa that the boy could do with it what he pleased and them was four tickets to the boy’s favorite band. as he watched the boy open it up the smile on his face grew. “i figured you, me and you could invite two friends as well. really enjoy it.”
.
Dahlia nodded along in agreement as Denver spoke of helping River study for his driver’s test until the mention of her son actually driving. “You – what!?” Surprise laced her tone and she tried to quell it before she spoke again. “I didn’t know that..” Her dark eyes cut over to her son who looked as guilty as Denver should feel. Dhalia’s head began to shake, but then she gently reminded herself that her baby wasn’t a baby anymore. Growing up was inevitable at this point, and it made her miss when River was small. They were both babies then, but there wasn’t much Dahlia wouldn’t give to experience it again. “I assume you were safe.” Which meant, Dahlia was trusting Denver to keep them both safe. A big deal. Maybe even bigger than I love you.
As he teased her Dahlia lightened up again, and the brunette woman laughed as her eyes rolled. “A heartless monster indeed..” After her joke left her mouth she worried he might take it the wrong way. Especially after how hard things had been between them. Today was the first day since their breakup they hadn’t fought, and she hoped to keep things peaceful throughout the night. For River but also for herself. Dahlia hated fighting. It made her feel anxious and afraid for a future she wasn’t ready to let go of.
The look on River’s face as he opened Denver’s gifts was a good distraction. “Money for the college fund!” She teased her son but knew it’d be spent on video games or something similar. “..and tickets to..” Dahlia leaned forward, out of her seat, to see. Her hands slid behind her to hold the hem of her dress down, as she bent over to see the artist’s name. “Bad Bunny?!” She cast a glance back at Denver. “You bought him tickets to Bad Bunny?!” It was obvious she wanted to go, and like a good son River caught on. He promised his mother she could have a ticket, and Dahlia didn’t have to ask who’d be given the fourth. Still, mostly to embarrass River, Dahlia did. “Are you going to bring Kayla?”
A girl her son had been seeing for awhile now. It was young love at its best. They thought they were in love, forever, and no one could tell them any different. Dahlia knew the story well because she once lived it, for a while. Her only hope was that River and Kayla were smarter than she had been, and didn’t end up parents far too young like she did. Of course, Dahlia did all she could to prevent that. Which meant very honest communication that was sometimes awkward and made the mom of a teenager wish her baby was a toddler once more.
After some shared laughter between River and Dahlia, the mother prompted her son to express gratitude. “Those are both very generous gifts. Thank you, D.” He was quick to catch on and thanked Denver for his presents, though it was obvious where River’s mind was. The last gift for him under the tree. A playstation 5 with a few games he’d been talking about ad nauseam for months. She hated waiting so long to give it to him, but watching his reaction as he tore apart the wrapping paper made it worth the wait. River beamed with excitement and immediately began to prattle out expressions of surprise and gratitude.
Slowly, Dahlia leaned into Denver’s side. Her voice was a whisper but plenty loud right in his ear. “You should say goodbye to him now. We might see him before New Years again if we’re lucky.” Just as Dhalia finished, River started to beg to play with his newest gifts. His eyes moved from his mother to Denver, clearly pleading for support.
denver knew that his issues were something he just couldnt handle himself. he had spent so much of his life trying and now as he was getting closer and closer to 40 he knew it was time. she was right it was better late than him just not doing it. he hadnt been to many sessions yet but the ones he had been to have been really helpful so far. starting off with twice a week and hoping to cut it to once and finally down to once or twice a month. those were his plans at least.
the man knew that he needed to tell her about seeing sanem. it had been a very pleasant conversation and it was nice to see how well she had been doing. he would be lying if he said it didnt tug at his heart. though it was mostly for selfish reasons. why she couldnt have been this healthy with him, but that was a conversation to work through with his therapist after all.
he was a bit worried as to what her reaction would be but he had promised that he would be honest with those he hurt and those he cared about from the jump.
“i dont know if that is the right word but i know that it is something i cant unpack and live in that one spot of my life. she is happy and doing well and that is all i wanted for her always.” he admitted as he looked at her to take in her reaction, fear struck him for a brief moment.
though a look of confusion spread on his eye brows as he watched her moved a little closer and then stretch up to reach more of his level. feeling her lips and hot breath dangerously close to his own made his heart pound. it was something he didnt think he would ever feel again. his own breath hitched the back of his throat as he listened to her invite him back. with a clear of his throat he nodded. “i should go, it is getting late.” he spoke softly worried of what would happen if he had stayed.. “christmas even sounds perfect.”
Denver wasn’t sure if Dhalia was going to want him to even attend christmas with them this year. things had gotten a little rocky and although he was doing his best to fix it he knew he wasn’t there just yet. however she was thankful that she had promised to at least try to have a christmas together. the man had did his best to stay pleasant and keep it friendly through the whole thing however sometimes he had felt himself slipping. felt himself brining up older times but would quickly redirect himself.
being with that family again had only reminded him of their time together. the happiness they shared while eating and talking even opening up some gifts. after dinner he had did his best to help clean up where he could. going in the kitchen and even offering to help wash up the dishes. denver had grinned when the boy had looked over at him to see if he was ready for gifts. “i think you have waited long enough, no need it keeping you waiting another second longer.” the man teased as he moved to take a seat on the couch.
as the man took the envelope he had took his time opening it, knowing river was just waiting for his own gifts so he was playfully taking his time. once it was opened a smile tugged at his lips, “riv..” he muttered. “this is great, but i wont go unless you are right there with me, okay?” he asked the boy who of course was going to be the person next to him. “this is great, thank you.” he told him as he moved to give the teen a quick hug before taking his seat.
.
Denver brought a laugh to Dhalia’s lips at how painstakingly slow he opened his gift. She could see the agony in River’s eyes. It was the ultimate dad move, a realization that made the smile on her face falter. Denver was a good father. She’d known early on in their relationship when she saw how he treated River; a boy who wasn’t even biologically his. There was a time when Dhalia imagined having a child that was Denver’s biologically, but that dream seemed over now. Even as Dhalia sat next to him on the couch, exchanging Christmas gifts like nothing between them had changed.
In her own head about the past, present and future, Dhalia almost missed the sweet exchange between River and Denver. Her eyes flickered over in time to see her son’s grin when he was reassured he’d be invited to attend the game, too. Though, Dhalia had promised him as much when she bought the tickets. She knew Denver would want to take him.
The embrace of her son and the man she loved brought the smile back to Dhalia’s face. She made a silent promise to herself to try and focus on enjoying the moment with them and not dwelling in her heart ache. When Denver returned to his spot on the couch, Dhalia reached out to give his knee a gentle squeeze. “Thanks.” Lips painted red to match the dress she wore flashed a genuine smile. “He was worried you wouldn’t want to take him.”
It took River all of ten seconds to start asking about his gifts again, and Dhalia waved him forward. There were nearly a dozen gifts under the tree that her son tore through so quickly she wondered why she even bothered wrapping them. Hours of work wrapping gifts with perfectly placed ribbons and bows no more than a pile of trash now. At least River cleaned it up, stuffing things into a trash bag as he went. A boy who knew how organized his mother was.
Most of the gifts were things River needed but didn’t necessarily want. Clothes, socks, shoes, a new lacrosse stick, and a Driver’s License manual. It was hard to believe her baby would be a driver next year, and Dhalia dreaded teaching him. “I hope you’re still up for driver’s ed with Riv…” Her head shook as she spoke to Denver, dispelling long, dark hair from her shoulders. “..I’m literally terrified..”
River interrupted his mom when he heard her, and the pair erupted in laughter. They were close, and it showed. Dhalia loved River more than her own life. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her son. Even if it hurt her. “Hey, that one isn’t for me.” The gift in River’s hand wasn’t her wrapping paper. “Is it from you, D?”
It was tradition, at least since Dhalia had moved to Ravenswood, to celebrate Christmas with River and Denver. Granted, this was only her second Christmas in the small, Vermont town. She went back and forth about inviting Denver this year. With their break up so fresh, it was hard for Dhalia to be around him. Though, she’d promised she’d at least try. Even though just friends felt impossible with someone she was in love with.
River helped. He knew his mother well enough to see that she was hurting and managed to keep the conversation going through dinner. A time or two, Dhalia even laughed as they ate a meal she’d spent most of the day preparing. Even still, their Christmas Eve dinner was nothing compared to the feast they would have tomorrow at her sister’s. Her parents were in town, and with a world renowned chef for a father and a brother-in-law, they always ate well.
After cleaning up, River begged to open presents and Dhalia relented with a gentle tease. “Is that why you’ve been so good?” He was always good. Truly, the best kid a mom could ask for. Sometimes, she didn’t know how she’d gotten so lucky. A baby herself when she’d had her baby, and a mother who had made many mistakes. “I guess if D is ready..” There was still the matter of dessert, but she saw the excitement in her son’s eyes and wanted to indulge him. A lot of the gifts under the tree were for River, Dhalia loved to spoil him, but a few belonged to Denver too. He had a couple more before the break up, but lingerie didn’t seem like an appropriate gift anymore.
Once they were all gathered around the tree, well decorated to be uniform with memento pieces here and there, Dhalia was strict on what order River opened his gifts in. “That one has to be last.” She pointed at a box with a silver bow. It was whatever new gaming system he’d been harassing her for all year, and she knew the second he opened it River would spend the rest of his night playing with it. “Why don’t you give D his gift from you first? Giving is better than receiving, River.” The teen seemed a little impatient to get his gifts, but River indulged his mother and gave Denver an envelope from the tree; inside a pair of tickets to MLB’s opening game at the end of March.
"Oh no it's fine I don't plan on going overboard... key word being plan." She laughed but they both were well away how out of hand she could get when shopping for children. Something about being that young and seeing how excited they were to open a gift was an instant serotonin boost.
Nazli happily took the coffee from Dhalia when she returned with it, using the warm cup to thaw out her hands much like the other women had. Nazli had always loved the snow but dispised the cold that came with it. If she could have a seventy degree winter with the snow still able to collect she would be happy.
She bit her lower lip when the women asked what she had gotten Iris for Christmas, honestly the answer was nothing. She hadn't exactly expected the man to show up out of the blue, especially this close to the holiday. Don't get her wrong she was glad that he had, glad that they had hashed out their issues and seemed to be on a steady road to recovery but still it had been unexpected.
"Alright so maybe not everyone on my list has been checked off yet." She spoke into her coffee cup hoping that the muffledness hid her embarrassment.
"Well, I know you don't plan too.." Emphasis on the word plan, but Dhalia knew what it was like to one to spoil children. At least, to what to spoil her own child. It felt like she had a lot to make up for as a mother. Having raised her son as a single parent, with the support of her own parents, was no easy task. As a young mother, she made plenty of mistakes.
The coffee was warm. The heat from which radiated throughout her body. It was comforting given the cold. A change from southern Mississippi Dhalia still hadn't acclimated too, yet.
"So we're both shopping for the men in our lives. Perfect. Well, I think lingerie is out for me, but maybe not for you?" Dhalia was fishing, as she indirectly asked for details about Iris from Nazli. A relationship as complicated as her own. "Cologne is always a good gift, too."
“You do realize one of us was a stripper in her day, right? So, think of it more like a family reunion than a boy’s first look at the female anatomy.” It takes every ounce of willpower he has not to burst into laughter. In all seriousness though, he’d already purchased River’s gift and he was certain D would hate that more than the hypothetical what ifs they’re pondering right now. “But fine. What do you want for Christmas? You’re not as easy to shop for as you think, you know.”
-
“I know Rikki was a stripper, and you know I don’t judge her or anyone else for that.” Dhalia made a face at her brother for calling a strip club a family reunion. “No mother wants to imagine her baby boy going to a strip club so don’t take him and don’t tell me about it. Okay?” Mahogany eyes softened from momma bear to sister once more at the mention of presents for her. “You don’t need to get me anything. Just come to Christmas dinner in clean clothes and we’ll call it a miracle.”
it would be nice for the two of them to be able to see each other without one getting upset. denver knew it wasnt going to be easy and the two of them werent going to be the best of friends after one day. though it was a start and it was all the man could really ask for and he would work hard to make sure that she wasnt upset and angry all the time.
“dont be proud of me.” he told her. “ i waited years too long to go see someone who could help me work through all of this. i should have went a long time ago and im sorry i didnt.” he admitted to her.
the man stood looking down at him and was thankful that she was agreeing to work through everything with him.”thank you, thank you for giving me a chance to prove that im not a complete and utter broken asshole.. and thank you for wanting to work through the issues that the two of us have been having.” the women he hurting attending his therapy was going to be tough for him but he knew it was the right thing to do.
denver watched as she told him that she loved him. it was works that he always loved to hear from her. he had always wished that it would be easy to say back to her. hell he had recalled times that he had even heard river tell some girl that he had been dating he loved her. he just didnt understand why he had such a hard time saying those words to people.
the man pushed her hair back as he just looked at her for a moment. “i think that there could be a possibility.” the man told her but paused. “i saw sanem the other day.” he knew that this was probably the worst time to talk about his ex with her but denver was a very honest person. “and she was doing so good.” the man admitted as his thumb brushed her cheek. “she was sober and happy and healthy.. and i think seeing her like that could be really beneficial towards working through closure.” he admitted to her. sure it wasnt a i love you too, but it was him telling her that maybe those words werent completely hopeless in whatever the two were doing.
.
“Better late than never.” Her slender shoulders rose and fell. “Some people never get help, never get better.” One person in particular came to mind. It dawned on Dhalia suddenly how much she’d thought of River’s father tonight. A man she hadn’t seen or heard from in at least five years. It scared her that the association meant she and Denver were damned to the same cycle of hurt.
Denver’s genuine expression of gratitude caught Dhalia by surprise. She didn’t know what to say back and chewed pensively on her bottom lip. It was different. A partner who wanted to work on the issues. If she could even still call him that. Acquaintances, Denver said but Dhalia knew that wasn’t right either. Funny, she thought, there wasn’t a word for them. A fact that didn’t actually surprise her that much. She’d always known they were something special.
Electricity danced across her cheek as Denver pushed back a lock of her hair. She felt too old to feel this way about anyone, but especially someone who had broken up with her just a few weeks ago. It was all very juvenile in a way that added to her fear of history repeating itself. The anxiety Dhalia felt peaked when Denver brought up Sanem; a woman he had dated before her. “Oh.” Was all she managed to say at first.
A kaleidoscope of emotion moved across Dhalia’s face. Shock, Hurt. Anger. Pain. Grief. Hope.
“Closure?”
It’d been a point of contention in their relationship. The unresolved feelings Denver had for his ex after addiction drove them apart. More than most, Dhalia understood. It took her a long time to get over River’s father, and she tried to be gentle when allowing D space to grieve. She wasn’t perfect by any means, but maybe this meant it was worth it. Maybe it meant he could move on. With her.
With his hand cupping her face, Dhalia inched forward. Her lips moved like magnets toward his, even coming up on her tip toes to bridge the height gap between them, but she stopped just shy of a kiss. Not because she didn’t want him, but because she knew she shouldn’t. She’d already shown too much of her hand tonight. “You can come back for Christmas Eve dinner.”
"I told Denver I still love him." Dhalia's dark eyes glimmered with guilt and shame. She shouldn't have, it was stupid to, but she couldn't take it back now. "He wants me to go to therapy with him."
"God yes please." Nazli groaned as they stopped in front of the vender. She hadn't had a cup yet today which was odd for the women and the side effects were totally about to kick in.
Dhalia's friendship might have come out of nowhere but it was a friendship that Nazli absolutely adored! She felt like she could confide in the women, tell her anything and honesty most of the time she didn't even have to speak in order for the women to get it she just did.
"It worked out perfectly in my favor though" She offered when the women mentioned that she wasn't done shopping yet. "I decided to do a secret Santa thing with my class so I have to grab a few things incase somebodies parent decided not to participate or can't." She spoke "don't want any of the children feeling left out." Nazli had finished up her personal shopping already, it hadn't been a long list in the first place, but had thought the idea had been a cute one for her students.
"You're not done shopping either?" It made her feel better, at least until Nazli explained. She hadn't forgotten to shop like Dhalia, but was choosing to add a few underprivileged kids to her list. While D had been lucky in life to not struggle financially, she had a soft smart for children. It was one of the things she and Naz had in common. "That's really sweet, Naz. If you need help with a few things, I'd be glad to do so."
When it was their turn at the counter, Dhalia ordered and paid for the both of them. The warm coffee felt good on her cold hands, and she silently cursed the state of Vermont for its unbearable winters.
"Okay, here we go."
There were so many vendors, Dhalia didn't know where to start. They'd know it when they saw it, she thought, and continued making small talk. "What'd you get Iris for Christmas?
“what’s less likely to get me banned from christmas dinner this year?” it’s a tough decision he’s weighing, while standing alongside one of the many toy booths available. “the new grand theft auto or free tix to the strip club when my nephews turn eighteen?” shopping for ashton and river should’ve been easy but, forest was having a hard time narrowing down his options. he was a millennial, he didn’t know what the gen z’ers wanted.
.
Dhalia’s eyes rolled before her brother even finished. The exact same today as he was more than two decades ago when they’d met for the first time. Still a mischievous boy. “Being banned from Christmas dinner is the least of your worries if you take my bebe to a strip club.” The brunette didn’t miss a beat. “And if you mean Asher, you’ve got a long wait..”
abandonment had always been something denver had been so scared of. it was why part of the reason he had held on to sanem during her own struggles and even struggled to give his feelings up for her while with dhaila. it wasnt that he couldn’t love dhaila, she was perfect in every way. if there was anyone he would move on with it would be her. the problem was he didn’t know how. no matter how hard he tried he had struggled over and over to open his heart up to love her.. maybe there was a part of him that did love her, which only scared him more and caused him to deny her.
he had wished things could be far more simply, often thinking of how different his life would have been if he hadnt lost both his parents at a young age and thrown into a group home. would he be someones husband? would he be a better man? regardless at the time the two broke up he knew he needed therapy, he needed to get some help with his issues that he couldnt figure out on his own. denver hated more than anything to see her upset and to see her upset over him. he wasnt worth all this heartbreak and tears.
then he shook his head, “d, i dont know what we could be.” he admitted to her. “i dont know how any of this is supposed to work, i know i should probably leave you alone.. .but i cant.” he admitted to her. as much as i know i should leave you be and let you move on with your life i dont want want. i dont think i can.“ he admitted to her honestly. “maybe i have more issues than i think that i should tell me my therapist.” he confessed. “i just want you in my life, i cant let you go.” he had already lost one women he had cared so much about and now he had lost another because of his fear of love.
the man paused, “wait- really?” he asked her confused. he really didnt think that she would agree to trying out the friend thing. he knew if the shoe was on the other foot he would probably tell her to go to hell. “okay.. we just.. take things slow and be careful?” he suggested. “you can come to one of my sessions when the time is right. we can talk openly and honestly and have a mediator in the room…”
.
With a clear head, Dhalia would call Denver selfish. It was wrong to ask her to be apart of his life when he knew how much it hurt her, but he asked and she couldn’t say no. Not because he made her feel pressured, but because she didn’t want to. She wanted to be around him, too.
It took a moment for Dhalia to collect herself. A few tears had brimmed over the rims of her eyes, and she wiped their stains from her flushed cheeks. She felt flustered, but did her best to articulate her thoughts.
“I understand that you have things in your life that you need to work on, and I’m proud of you for getting help to do that work.”
Supporting a partner through therapy wasn’t new to Dhalia. She’d attended every sort of meeting in the book with River’s father, desperately trying to save her family. It scared her that that was where this was going, but she hoped Denver was a better man.
“I want to talk, to be honest with each other..” A mediator wasn’t a bad idea, but more than breaking up their disagreements Dhalia hoped someone could help them move forward from this. “I love you..” For all the things she’d whispered tonight, that was the quietest. Her voice almost lost to the sound of their breathe. “..and I think you love me, too.”
