Denouement || CLOSED (ask-salado)
ask-salado:
The young woman before him couldn’t believe her ears. She expected it, but hoped it wouldn’t come true.
"Papa, don’t dismiss me so quickly like that. You’re breaking my heart." She took a few steps closer to him to drape her arms around him, holding him close. "Here I’ve sat and waited for you to be happy for all of these years, only for you to lose and lose again. Potential Brides come and go, but I have not once left you when you needed comfort. I’ve grown out of the dresses you have made me," Her eyes narrowed in on his. "And there’s only one dress that I ever want to put on. And we both know exactly which one." Her tiny body was pressed onto his large frame, hands trailing along his arms and down to his hands. Eyes that were once so childish were now lusty, seductive.
"I’ve been nothing but good to you. We’re good to each other. So why dismiss that?"
Papa.
That was it.
That was why he shouldn't-- no, couldn't. It wasn't that it was unexpected, she was twenty three now and by his side day after day after day. There wasn't a doubt in the world that she loved him, stood by him. Prepared the brides, helped him tie the restraints, learned everything there was to learn from him. Even clung like a koala to him when he wasn't feeling happy.
I'm gonna be your bride one day, Papa. He laughed it off and shrugged playfully then, to humor her. Daughters did that kind of thing when they were young, didn't they? But she wasn't his daughter, there was a family that she was once a part of before wandering off here and into the arms of Eddie. The child never even mentioned her parents, only stating that nobody ever loved her as much as he did. Nobody ever really cared. Which made him upset every time, regardless of how many years it had been since she first said it.
Grace, he light brown curly hair properly done every morning, and her dress tailored to fit, the hem falling just below her knees. He felt like he should be guilty for wanting this.
"We can't, darling."
