Search Nine: Locked to Heather

[haveyouseenalittlegirl]

[Well, with the new arrival it was bound to happen sooner or later. In the hotel room, making sure Henry is out somewhere. Harry looks over at his daughter.]

Cheryl. We need to talk.

Comments

[Action]

[foolishwren]

_{[She knew that was how it was gonna sound... but even though Harry's response doesn't surprise her, it still pierces her like a spear. Her brow creases.]}

... Daddy, he never replaced you.

NOBODY ever could or will replace you.

When I lost you, I ... I lost something forever. That's never gonna come back, back home. No matter who winds up caring about me or looking out for me. It's not the same.

_{[She's made all kinds of friends here in Johto-- including a fair few fatherly types who've all but adopted her. But even the ones she's come to consider family would never be her dad. There's only one of those.]}

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[harryusedworry.livejournal.com]

[Harry falls silent, her reply....he nods quietly. He understands, but it was something he needed to hear. Even if he wouldn't admit that.]

....



Sweetie.....I just want you to be happy. And I know you. When you saw him, you were hoping we'd get along....

But if that ever happens...it's going to take time alright?

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[foolishwren]

_{[Everybody needs to hear some things, even if those things seem obvious. That had been why feeling his arms around her and hearing his voice telling her that he loved her and was proud of her had been so important when he'd gotten here. It wasn't that she hadn't already known either of those things-- already been SURE of those things. ... It was just nice to be reassured sometimes.]}

That's all I want.

You don't have to like him. I-- ... hell, you can even hate his guts forever. I understand. ... And HE understands.

I just... I just want you to give him a chance, and not be... not be mad. At me. T-that's all.

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[harryusedworry.livejournal.com]

[He smiles softly at that.]

I can do that.

And sweetie. I'm not mad at you. I promise.

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[foolishwren]

<sub>[... It's a relief to hear, in more ways than one...]

[When he had disappeared from Johto the first time, it had been right after she had asked him if he was mad at her. She'd never gotten a reply.]

[It's perhaps for that reason that her brows crease upwards and mouth tightens a little bit at those words.]</sub>

... I'm not mad at you, either.

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[harryusedworry.livejournal.com]

[He smiles at that.]

I'm glad to hear that.

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[foolishwren]

... I just want everything to be okay again.

_{[... sorry kiddo, your dad was murdered and the world almost ended. Things will never be completely 'okay' again. Not even here.]}

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[harryusedworry.livejournal.com]

We can always try.

[Not completely. But somewhere close to it maybe.]

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[foolishwren]

Just... promise me you won't go away... okay?

_{[That isn't really a fair request... she knows good and well that nobody decides when they do or don't leave this place. But...]}

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[harryusedworry.livejournal.com]

I promise I'll try.

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[foolishwren]

<sub>[She nods. ... Then gets up from her seat and edges around the table until she's close enough to wrap her arms around him right where he sits.]

[Nothing had ever replaced him and nothing ever would.]</sub>

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[harryusedworry.livejournal.com]

[He hugs her back.]

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[foolishwren]

_{[Her mumble is a little muffled against his shoulder.]}

I love you, Dad.

[harryusedworry.livejournal.com]

[Hugs her close.]

I love you too dear.