"Daddy when is mommy coming home?" the little girl asked, looking up to him.
it would have been LUDICROUS to expect the little one to not come to some suspicion. it was nearing a week of her absence, of dean transitioning to nearly m u t e. because what was there to say? jo was gone. and dean knew better than to hope for a SECOND CHANCE like he was given.
but that didn’t stop the plethora of thoughts, all one phrase.
now, it was HE that faced the ordeal of breaking the news to their daughter, it was HE that had the challenge of both looking after her and himself. and so far, he was barely managing. stability that the blonde would normally have provided was MISSING, an empty, gaping hole left in its wake. the only obstacle stopping him from fulfilling those TEMPTATIONS to empty every bottle of whiskey in the cabinet was the little girl who now expressed her concern to him; one he would surely have to answer. a sigh barely flutters past hoarse lips; he’s tired. he’s weary. he’s lost.
fingertips that had outstretched to SHELTER the blonde, but reached just an instant too late would now reach for his little girl with the utmost care taken. they’d scoop up her fragile, little body and prop her in his lap, a somber gaze examining hers, one that was filled with curiosity.
” mommy’s — left us, honey. she’s not coming back. “
palms caress the other’s locks with reassurance, lips tucking in on themselves for a moment before talking.
” but you have to know that she’s the strongest, bravest woman i’ve ever met. you know that, right? and she loves you, g o d, she loves you so, so much. we both do. she told me to — to say goodbye to you for her, okay, sweetie? she’ll MISS you. “
the lump in his throat feels THICK, and he swallows it down, repressing tears that come with the memory of her last breaths. shaky hands had cradled features stained with her own BLOOD; wounds beyond repair. he was nothing without her; but he knew he needed to carry on, regardless, had to protect their little girl.