oldestwounds:
The ex-marine felt guilt well up in the pit of his stomach the moment he voiced the question. Even if it had been at his daughter’s request, he had absolutely no right to ask this of the woman on the other end of the phone line. Yet, he couldn’t stop the way his lips parted into a wide smile when he heard her agree. “Yeah?” he repeated, wondering if his excitement sounded as evident to her as it did to him and wishing he had it under better control. She wasn’t some high school sweetheart agreeing to a date, she was only coming over because she still felt attached to his daughter. He couldn’t help that a part of him still ached to have her feel continued attachment to him as well. Tomorrow. He wanted to jump at the chance to see her so soon after going months without seeing her, but the logical part of him forced him to shake his head even if she couldn’t see it. “No, she’s okay. She can wait till the weekend…you still have Saturdays free?” he asked tentatively. For all he knew she’d changed her schedule entirely. Her words had a lump quickly forming in his throat and he wiped his large hand down over the stubble of his cheek and chin as he shook his head, swallowing thickly before he was able to form any response. “Please don’t apologize. This is…it’s on me.” Maybe if he was a better guy he’d stop driving the women Mary did get close to away. Her mother, now Gloria. Pinching the bridge of his nose and squeezing his eyes shut for a moment Alex cleared his throat. “Thanks. That’s- that’s kind of you.” Of course it was; Gloria was pure kindness and for such a long while it had balanced out the darkness that he had allowed to seep into him over the last few years. “So uh, I can tell her Saturday then?”
Hearing the familiar sound of his voice, both felt great and hurt at the same time. Gloria had missed him more than she was willing to admit and right now, all the pent up feelings she tried to ignore just came rushing back all at once. She knew Alex would have never called her if it wasn’t for Mary and she couldn’t help but wonder how he really felt about it. There was just something about the tone of his voice, a little hint of excitement or maybe it was just her wishful thinking, but Gloria could have sworn it was there. Her heart beat quickened immediately, and she felt stupid once she realized the impact he still had on her. “Yeah.” She repeated softly, her lips cracked into a gentle smile as she found herself playing with her necklace - a habit she adapted as a child, whenever she was nervous. While she was aware there was no reason to feel this way, considering it wasn’t even him who wanted to see her but his daughter, she couldn’t help the excitement she suddenly felt at the thought of it. “That’s great to hear. I was a little bit worried about her. Yes, I do, most weekends at least. “ She explained, debating on whether or not she should suggest to imply a weekly Mary day on Saturday’s but figuring it might have been a little too much, which was why she refrained in the end. A tiny party of her was slightly disappointed he didn’t seem to want to see her tomorrow but he was probably busy so she tried not to read too much into it. There was this brief moment of awkward silence and Gloria almost regretted her question and that feeling intensified even further once she heard his next words. The last thing she wanted, was for him to feel guilty. Swallowing hard, she shook her head, despite knowing he couldn’t even see it. “Please don’t say that, Alex. It’s not your fault. “ She gave back in merely a whisper. Gloria knew this was on her for the most part and she hated the fact he seemed to be blaming it on himself. “It’s the least I can do.” The brunette sighed, knowing that this call was about to come to an end but not wanting to hang up just yet. “Yes, please tell her I miss her and I can’t wait to see her again.”
















