Be Brave, Believe in You

I’m not sure who needs to hear this, but no. You cannot bring your pet into the library. It don’t work like that. 

Are there special rules for other animals though? Like Therapy animals, or guide dogs? Most places have special rules for those situations - does the library??

“You don’t have to thank me, but you are welcome. I would never do that to you, sweetheart. Sure, I don’t know you and I didn’t really know you existed but I can tell you are my daughter before we even had the DNA test. You look an awful lot like your mother but your eyes, those are Anderson’s eyes.” Cooper told her with a soft smile. He could imagine that it was terrifying, to knock on a stranger’s door and tell them that you are their daughter, especially at the age that she was but he was just glad that she did and that he didn’t scare her. He was shocked, of course, who wouldn’t be? “You are right, blood doesn’t make a family but my father was absent and a dick, so I tried my best not to be that way, and I don’t think I did a better job, really.” He admitted. “Oh, don’t worry about all of that. Trust me, a lot of the world has an opinion on me, some good and some, well not very nice.” Cooper was trying not to curse, even though she probably knew them all, he wasn’t the type that really liked to especially in front of his children.

As he turned into the parking lot for the mall, he turned the car off and looked over at her. “That is the sweetest thing anyone’s ever really said to me, thank you Evie. I’m glad that you think I’m doing an okay job. I have to admit, I may have experience with being a dad but I’ve never had a daughter, well before I met you so this is also very new to me. So, if you feel like I am doing something wrong, let me know or if there is anything else I can do to make sure you are happy and feel safe. Nothing is too huge of an ask, I promise.” He assured her as he got out of his car and met her behind the car. “Alrighty, let the adventure begin.” He joked. 

“That means a lot - and really?” She looks back at him, clearly happy about the comment - she had always been told that she looked like her mother, but no one - no one had said anything about her eyes, “ I really have the Anderson Eyes? That’s so cool.” The road she had taken to get here - had been harder than anyone knew, she didn’t speak much at all about her life before - she didn’t have to say much to Cooper either, the explanation on who she was had been in a note from her mother. Although she wasn't fully sure what had been written there other than who she was and that now - now she was Cooper’s ‘problem’. 

“Maybe you didn’t do a good job at first.. but I can tell you that right now - you’re doing better if that helps?” Evie smiled, offering a tiny shrug, “I don’t really believe what a lot of people say - or I try not to, judging people without knowing what is true and whats not... I don’t like doing that.” It wasn't like she hadn’t heard some of the things people said about her Father, far from it -  some of the things, well they really weren’t nice things at all, and already Evie had become a little known for speaking up when things were said.

Evie grinned at him, “I’ll let you know. Promise - but I can swear to you - right now you’re doing a good job,” she easily got out the car, moving around to meet him behind the car, giving him a quick hug before pulling away, “Shoes are first on my list, I need some new sneakers for sure.” She easily spoke, keeping at his side as she let him lead the way first.

Cooper smiled at the girl before nodding. “Yeah, I could imagine you might want something more your style but thank you, for so understanding and so patient with me and everything.” He told her. He was glad that she seemed to be happy here, that was all he really wanted after all, but he had to admit, he was nervous about having a daughter now. What if he screwed that up? However, hearing her say it felt like home already, he couldn’t help but smile softly. Oh, and then hearing her call him dad, that just made his heart melt. “Oh, I’m glad you are enjoying it. I mean, I’m kind of used to kids showing up and telling me they are my kid, but I am okay with you being here, yes. I’ve never turned down a child of my own and I could tell you really needed a place to stay. The boys might have their opinions on me and they aren’t wrong. I am not the world’s greatest father and I have made many mistakes but I am trying so hard to change .” He admitted. “You sure you are okay though? I just want to make sure you are comfortable.”

Evie nodded, fingers gently tugging and playing with the zip on the borrowed jacket, “Me?” She quickly glanced back at him, blinking as she tried to work out what to say before simply going with what was on her mind, “It’s me who should say thank you - I mean.. I just.. showed up here, and.. you welcomed me in and accepted me and.. “ her words trailed as her head dropped slightly, her bottom lip catching between her teeth. 

“Used to it or not... its a big thing and, you didn’t have to do any of this..” her voice was softer and her eyes weren’t meeting his as she spoke this time, “Just because of a bit of dna, doesn’t mean you have to be a parent to me - yet.. you chose to do so, some people would have turned me around and told me to go - or sent me off to foster care. I’m not saying at all that you’re not wrong. You’re an adult - making mistakes is part of life - and I know what the boys say and what.. well other people in town sometimes say.” 

She made a pause, taking a deep breath before finally looking back at him, while maybe not clear to everyone - this was something she had thought on - had weighed in on before she called him that word, “But you ARE my Dad - you chose to let me into your life when I showed up - to give me.. a... a home here, with you - there are far worse fathers in the world... I’m.. I’m glad to call you my Dad... you’re not perfect, hell no one really is - but...  well, everything you’re doing for me, even this - going out with me to get me some clothes, thats such a Dad thing to do.” 

Cooper headed downstairs while she was changing and making sure he had his keys and whatnot. As an older man, sometimes he had trouble remembering everything and he didn’t want to forget anything. Checking his pocket, he heard a voice and turned to see his daughter and smiled at her. “Awesome. Um, well I don’t know what kind of style you have or whatever, but I figured the mall would be the best place to start. They have all kinds of stores and I am sure you can find something.” He admitted. “Good, I just want to make sure you have enough clothes and that you have everything you need to make yourself comfortable and to feel at home.” He headed over to the door and held it open for Evie, letting her walk out and then he followed, shutting and locking the door behind the two of them. He headed towards the car and unlocked it. Once they had gotten into the car, he put the keys in the ignition. “So, you settling in okay?” He asked.

Evie simply gave a nod at his words, offering another small smile, it threw her occasionally that yes - this person wasn’t doing this because they wanted something in return but rather they simply wanted to do something for her.  “I really don’t need too much, a new pair of shoes - may be a jacket or two of my own - not that this one isn’t pretty awesome.” she laughed as she tugged on the borrowed jacket which was one of her brothers.

As soon as she was in the car she reached for her belt, glancing back at him to make sure he was also buckling up before she nodded and answered his question, “Kind of - I mean I think so, I like it here actually.” she made sure to add the last part, it was true she really did like it here, “It’s different but a good different, its.... kind of home already. That's a good thing I think.”, there was a moment of pause as she glanced out the window before looking back at him as she spoke up - a little softer but none the less genuine, “What about you Dad? I mean - not the settling in but - you’re okay with me here? It must be strange for you and the boys I guess.” 

“I can’t help it. I go for whatever is easiest to hide myself from impending fake doom. Always ends up being hiding behind someone instead of my hands. They know what they’re in for when they choose a horror movie to watch. Ooooh, comedies are a close second.”

“I actually completely understand and respect that. I still feel like a complete idiot though for actually finishing watching that movie after I realized what it was - but.. I had to know how it ended. So many regrets about that - gosh yes, I love a good comedy, particularly after a crappy day, nothing beats a good laugh.”

“I.. Actually haven’t seen that one. Wow. Scale of 1-10, how terrified were you?”

“Well I can say honestly that I don’t wish to go on any camps or anything that take trips into the woods anytime soon.. and where on that scale does ‘calling my friend and asking for them to come over’ land? Somewhere in the Higher end right?” 

Cooper was glad that Evie seemed to be doing pretty well, she seemed to be adjusting and he just wanted to make sure she was okay. It had to be emotional, to be dropped off at a stranger’s doorstep and was told that it was your father and having to live in a new town and all. “I don’t mind it at all. I don’t have anything to do today and I thought it would be fun, you know, going out, shopping, getting to know one another.” He told her. “Alright, get yourself ready and meet me downstairs,” Cooper told her after a few minutes, leaving her room and heading to make sure he could actually locate his keys.

Once he had found them, he looked up to see Evie coming down the stairs and smiled. “ALrighty. I have to warn you, Lima only has one mall and the stores, well some are amazing and some, not so much.” He chuckled. 

As odd it was at first, turning up at a whole new place - meeting her father she had never met, who hadn’t even known she existed. Finding out she had half-siblings as well, who also were meeting her for the first time - it was... scary at first to be honest. She did struggle, a lot at first - but rarely let it show. To anyone watching her, she seemed to adjust surprisingly well, taking everything with a smile on her face. 

She was... safer here, and while some things were harder - she was afraid far less. She quickly was trying to find her place, she quickly grew to care for the new people in her life as well, she even made friends - surprising herself more than anyone else. Her father... Cooper Anderson was different than expected, but it wasn’t a bad thing - sure he had his flaws - but everyone did right?

But she felt cared for, for the first time in a very long time, when her father left her room she quickly got herself ready, tugging on a light jacket that she had borrowed and slipped on her worn sneakers before skipping down the steps. Jumping the last three and landing on her feet - looking up at him with a bright smile as she headed towards the doors, “All Ready to go, Dad!” she spoke up, shaking her head at his words, “No worries - I’m sure we can get what I need. I don’t need that much.” She really wasn’t worried, in fact, she was more looking forward to a little one-on-one time with just the two of them, “Where to first?”

“much better than that romantic shit y’all make me watch. - i never said it was bad to have feelings, ev, i feel plenty, ask zo.”

“But sometimes its a good thing to watch ‘romantic shit’ as you call it - okay true, at least with Zo you feel plenty, but its cute to see you mushy sometimes Cal.”

“It feels like this script is never gonna get finished I swear, I don’t know how many more sleepless nights I can do either.”

“How much have you got done so far? Any chance I could help somehow? Or - well I’m good at distractions, you could help me out with something to take your mind away from the script even just for a short time.”

“I always end up hiding behind the person I’m watching with if I have to. They must have a high tolerance for fear. I’ll still with my fantasy romance movies.”

“I’m not quite at that stage - actually it depends on the movie, some scary movies I am fine with classics like hiding behind my hands instead, others... yeah maybe best to keep your arm out of my grasp. Ooh, I love a good fantasy, though comedies are some of my favourites personally.”

Cooper wasn’t the best dad and he knew that. He could be an idiot sometimes, he could say the wrong things and he could just generally be a dick. However, he did try at times to be a decent father. Walking over to the room that he had helped set up for Evie, he knocked at the door, making sure that she was okay for him to open the door. Once he had gotten the okay he opened it and gave her a soft smile. “Hey, Evie. Um, I was wondering if you wanted to go to the mall with me? I know you could use some clothes and I have a free day today. You know, if you want too.”

@evieanders​

There were a lot of things that Evie hadn’t brought up since she started living here, it was no secret that she avoided talking about her mother. But she was also fairly sure that most assumed that was because of her well... leaving her here. She had her reasons, and so far no one really asked so things never came up. But - despite what she heard people say about Cooper, more than once already she had spoken up - defending the man she already started to call ‘Dad’ - something that she was pretty sure surprised him at how quickly the word had become spoken. For all the faults and well - other things she had heard, Cooper Anderson did seem to genuinely care for his kids - from what she saw and how he treated her, and he had barely known her for a few months. 

He actually tried. Although her brothers - half brothers, were older than her, she did watch, she did observe - Cooper was not perfect of course. But.. was anyone truly perfect? She had her doubts on that fact. For the first time in a long time, Evie felt really safe and - like this was, and could be.. home. She had been in her room - yes, her own room - when there was a knock on her door - yet another thing that was still a little trippy to her, having people knock before entering her room. 

Easily a small smile forms on her face as she sits up, closing the book she had been drawing in, there was a flash of surprise that crossed her face - not being quite quick enough to truly mask that she was surprised by the offer. “Shopping? Yeah! I mean, that sounds good - I could use a few things, you really don’t mind Dad?” 

“yeah i wish i could do that one for myself too don’t worry. no uh, problem. uh sure, what’s up?”

“What do you want to wipe from your mind? You okay? Oh - uh its nothing too bad or anything - so... how are you with painting?” 

“i would so much rather watch a comedy than a romantic movie - fuck that shit. - i was not! you’re crazy, ev. literally insane.”

“We should find a good comedy to watch next time we have a movie night then! Problem solved. Oh come on Cal, it’s not a bad thing to have feelings! In fact most girls like a guy who isn’t afraid to feel sometimes.” 

“you know how many movies have a cabin in it?” He chuckled softly at the other. “Next time don’t watch alone. I tried that once and dude, not a good idea.”

“Apparently a lot of them?!” She laughed softly, shaking her head quickly, “Oh definitely! I am not watching another scary movie on my own!” 

“why’d you watch one then? did you just have an undying urge to scare the shit out of yourself?”

“It wasn’t planned, to be honest, I was just looking for something to watch and when I realized what it was - I was.. well too far gone and ... kinda wanted to know how it ended. But now I deeply regret my choices.” 

“neither you or sav are picking any kind of movie anymore. i can’t deal with another cheesy ass rom com. - and i sure as hell am not watching the notebook again.”

“In my defence, I much prefer comedies over romcoms, but come on - I saw you FEELING something last time we made you watch the notebook. Don’t hide it!”