Mihi-Elise

NOT TOTALLY PROOFREAD (BETA READ) .ᐟ

A/N: I HAVE RETURNED! (: And I bring you one of the longest parts I’ve written so far!

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

A/N: So, Yada yada OOC is still involved. . . Also the timeline may be a bit messy but you know…this is all for fun y’all.

꯱ׁׅ֒

A/N: Partially inspired by Wrench by Tortillaspecter on Ao3

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie was getting back from work prepared to unwind a little before Oliver wakes up. The babysitter had left when she returned home. Just as she’s getting her shoes off, her phone rings. She checks it and it wasn’t a number she recognized. If it was a scam call she could always hang up and block the number. So, she answered. She was met with a somewhat hesitant voice. They said hello and stated that Cecil had given them her number.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie had been kidding when telling Cecil about giving you her number. She hadn’t expected Cecil to actually do it. She rushed off to her room for privacy (Mark was home). Once she closed her bedroom door Debbie answered.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “Oh uhh Hello! Sorry I’m just getting home from work. Is this uhh Cecil’s bodyguard?” She asked but had a gut feeling she was right. It dawned upon her that Cecil didn’t tell her your name (He kept referring to you by a nickname. It was your street name and you got attached to it). You answer with a polite ‘yes’. Debbie is stunned that you actually called. She sits down and ponders what she could possibly say next. She had a lot of questions to ask you. She snaps out of her thoughts realizing she never introduced herself.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “Oh! I’m so sorry, excuse my poor manners. I’m Debbie umm Grayson. I believe we met briefly in the past?” She says questioning her own memory. Cecil’s men use cloaking devices quite often. She can remember you wearing a more unique outfit then the rest of them however.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You tell Debbie that you have met on actually a few occasions. You’ve never interacted with her directly though. You mainly just stood guard near Cecil. But you could tell the two had a friendly enough relationship over the years. But you have witnessed and are aware of the recent down turn their relationship has taken since Omni Man’s true nature was revealed. It was rocky now with the current trust issues Debbie now holds towards Cecil.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You introduce yourself with your actual name. It warmed your heart a bit that Cecil reached out to Debbie. You knew that had to take some encouragement from Donald (You’ve had a feeling he knew what you and the boss were up to). It was a nice thought that he truly sought help on what to do about this situation.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “Well it’s nice to hear from you [Y/N]. I gotta admit…this is quite the situation you and Cecil have going on. But first I must ask…How are you doing?” Debbie gently ask. She figured it was the best way to start having this conversation. It brings a smile to your face to hear her sincere motherly tone. A tone you hadn’t heard in a very long time. Bitting your lip to hold off on your childhood trauma you would eventually tell her that you are doing ok.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You can sense through the phone that Debbie doesn’t fully trust that statement. With a sigh you begin by telling her that you called her after Cecil came by and apologized. You admit that you were in shock by it all. You were prepared to go at this alone. You spent days agonizing over the loss of what you thought was a loving relationship. Figuring out what to do with the life growing inside of you. All that mental fortitude was rattled by Cecil again.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie listens intently. She hears your voice waver and crack at some parts. She feels your pain. To still love someone who’s betrayed everything you thought you had. And, from how you were wording things, you were still pregnant. A factor she couldn’t fathom if she was pregnant when Nolan betrayed her. With a subtle breath she speaks again.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “[Y/N]…We have some things in common. I understand those moments in where you look back at it all and ask yourself if it was ever real. I still do and I may never know if it was. I understand the regret of letting yourself be vulnerable with someone that has now hurt you. Wishing you could take back every damn second of it.” She then pauses to find the right words.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie recalled what Cecil said about how you made him feel. How he explained everything he missed about you and what he loved about you. That man had been changed by you. She finally speaks again.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “I’m sure you’ve called Cecil every name in the book. But I’m certain when you saw him again, and you saw his eyes…you knew. In all my years of knowing him I have never heard him say anything so…loving about someone else. That’s not the Cecil I knew, and I’m certain that wasn’t the same Cecil you saw.”

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Taking in her words you think back to how Cecil appeared before you today. He was timid, emotional, he seemed ready to faint at any second. But more importantly it was his eyes. When he looked upon you, they seemed to light up. They weren’t stern, cold, and intimidating. His eyes looked weary and dull until they saw you. You unintentionally let out a whimper as you realize this.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “It’s alright to cry if you need to, I’ll be here.” Debbie says reassuringly which causes the flood gates to open. You aren’t sure how much time has passed before your crying gave way to hiccups and sniffles. Finally you say to Debbie that you do still love him and that you’re happy that he feels the same. But, you aren’t sure what to do now. Your brain is so conflicted. The life you’ve now set up and the life you dreamed about with Cecil were both possible.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “You need time [Y/N], these feelings need to settle in. He did say he would give you time so take it. And umm I’m always here too. Maybe I can come by and visit if you need a physical shoulder to lean on.” Debbie suggest which gets a gentle chuckle out of you. You tell her you would appreciate that and would send her your address. You also said you wouldn’t mind if it was soon. You haven’t had anyone to talk to about all of this.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie would say she would find a way. You suggest maybe asking Cecil for some help since he’s dragged her into this mess. She hums before saying she’ll figure something out on her own but she’ll definitely foot the bill to Cecil. The pair of you laugh. You then thank her for listening to you and that you look forward to meeting in person.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ It would be a few weeks before Debbie got everything covered. She told Mark she was heading out of town to meet a friend. Of course Mark was a little suspicious but he was glad his mother was going out to meet more people. Cecil however would catch word of her plans to go meet you. So, he offers to teleport her so she wouldn’t have to travel alone for days. She would begrudgingly agree (Gas prices are a bitch).

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ When the day arrived you heard the sound of the teleport outside your door. You check your cameras and see that it is Debbie. You open the door and happily greet her and invite her in. She does compliment your features as she can see how attractive you are in person (Those photos of you Cecil showed were an understatement).

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie also compliments how quaint and cozy your home is. The realtor in her can’t help but look at how well this place is decorated. You thank her then invite her to have a seat. After providing some snacks and drinks you both sit in silence unsure of where to start.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie eventually breaks the silence. She has been curious on what your perspective of this relationship. It has been on her mind since this news was dropped on her like a bomb. THE Cecil Steadman—Director of the GDA had gotten his bodyguard pregnant. What kind of person were they? Sure she’s got an idea from Cecil and from your phone call but, she wanted to get to know you for you.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie finally breaks the silence. “I’m sorry if this is inappropriate to ask but…why him?” She questioned. With a faint blush you shyly answer. It was his confidence, the blunt honesty, and his willingness to protect the world. Sure his morals are gray but you can understand them.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie giggled a bit and patted your shoulder. She doesn’t judge you, everyone has a type. Nolan wasn’t too dissimilar to Cecil in certain ways (The “cold”, lone-wolf, intimidating type). You were still embarrassed about telling a “stranger” this. Debbie continued to reassure you that she wasn’t judging your attraction to him. She did explain that she fell for an alien that randomly appeared and saved her.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You began to relax under her touch. Something about Debbie seemed to soothe your nerves. Maybe the lack of a mother figure for so many years was making this easier. Her presence was warm and caring. A feeling of safety and comfort long since buried with your own parents sparked within you. It was a little embarrassing but let’s blame it on the hormones.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie then glances down at the swell in your stomach. Then she glances back up towards you. The memory of being a young mother while also raising a grown alien man struck out to her. Cecil still needs to work out his end of this situation. But she refuses to leave you alone while he does. Debbie then ask how far along you are. You tell her that you’re three months along. She congratulates you and says she wishes to support you.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Her words surprise you and you can’t help but smile. When you first moved to this town you kept your guard up. Barely spoke to anyone except for getting necessities or the random small talk. You kept yourself closed off and suspicious of anyone that may be a GDA agent sent to get you. Living in a simple cottage outside of town. And, throughout your life you barely had friends. Just fellow street kids trying to survive and willing to do anything for it.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie suddenly handed you a tissue which made you realize you had started crying. Swiftly taking it and drying your eyes. You apologize and explain that no one else outside of Cecil (And maybe Donald) had offered a hand out to you. Debbie states that she wants to do something right since she’s now involved. She’ll be your shoulder to lean on as you work things out.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie stayed over for the whole day. She listened to your perspective on your relationship with Cecil. How you first fell for him, what led to this relationship starting the way it did (She whistled in surprise when she heard you started off with hotel and motel hook ups. Straight out of some raunchy novel). You express that this relationship was a chance to at least get to be “close” to Cecil. Even if it never ended in your feelings being returned you at least got to enjoy the physical intimacy that you dreamed of.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie cringed at the image of Cecil being intimate with anyone (Especially now seeing and knowing who it was with). She did however asks for this and you were trying to word it gently but you needed to be honest. She nods as she can understand your mindset. Many people do hook up with no romantic feelings or interest often. But, you and Cecil were both lying about your true feelings. You went into it hiding that you were in love and Cecil was ignoring the fact that he loved you. These facts lead to where you both are now.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You then continued to explain that things slowly began to shift. You and Cecil would hangout and reveal some things to one another. This then lead to most of your free time being spent over at his place. Finding yourself just spending time together instead of just bedroom fun. Gifts were given, hobbies were shared and enjoyed. This began to give you hope that he had feelings for you as well.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie rubs your back to help you calm down. You were beginning to tear up. She then says that Cecil told her what he said to you. Those viscous words that broke your heart. How he disregarded every intimate moment you shared. It was enraging to Debbie. She’s surprised she didn’t smack Cecil when he admitted this. The shock of it all must have kept her grounded (Cecil seemed like he was waiting to be hit).

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ That gets a bit of smile out of you. You’ve known that Cecil has a soft spot for women like Debbie. His mother was a strong willed no-nonsense type. A true southern gal (Cecil has a high respect for mothers basically). He would have taken a beating from Debbie without complaint.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie then ask if she could stay over for a few days to help out. She did come with a suitcase after all. You oblige and get up to prepare a place for her to sleep (Your cottage has two bedrooms but one is being used for a future nursery and the other is being used as an office space/art studio). Debbie helps you clear off your sofa to make her temporary bed until you can get an air mattress. You apologize to her but she sweetly assures you that it’s alright.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ In the following days you and Debbie go into town to gather supplies. Mainly more groceries to feed your guest and more supplies Debbie urges that you need for newborns. She happily gives advice from her experience during her pregnancy. You tell her about some things you’ve learned and experienced (Especially the embarrassing realization that you had craved some snacks Cecil likes). Debbie eases your concerns with her craving weird space foods. It took a lot of experimenting from her and Nolan to make something similar with earth ingredients.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You find yourself feeling safe around Debbie. She seemingly filled that lack of motherly care you’ve missed and longed for. One night you reveal this to Debbie. You express this lack of a mother figure makes you worry on how you’ll raise your child. As you shed tears she gently hugs you and does her best to calm you down.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “Hey, hey, [Y/N]. Listen to me. No first time parent has a good idea of how they’ll be a parent until that child is in their arms. You’ll learn together on how that child needs to be raised. But you also won’t be alone. I promise I’ll be here to help.” She gently explains. You are calmed down by her words.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “Everything will take some time to get used to. Each baby is unique in their own ways. So don’t overthink now, just prepare for the basics and your baby will show you what they’ll need specifically. You already love this baby so it knows it’s in amazing hands.” Debbie continues and you slowly nod trying to reassure yourself. You never expected it to happen this way but you were now going to be a parent.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You’ve journaled the milestones your baby was reaching and wrote down how happy you were for them. You’ve kept every document and every check up you’ve gone through to show the progress of the life growing within you. You were writing notes to your baby for them to read in the future. All signs that you were excited about their presence in your life. You gently rub your stomach to feel your bump. You indeed love this baby and will do anything to protect them.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Thanking Debbie you decide to make some tea. For you both to share. It was time to discuss how you’ll approach Cecil once you’re ready. Debbie suggest a co-parenting approach as you both work out your feelings. You do admit that you want Cecil to be involved in the baby’s life. Debbie suggest you write out some terms and conditions for him to follow. You decide to just write out some points you want to get across. You don’t want this to be some sort of cold agreement. You want this to be peaceful and mutual.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Debbie begrudgingly agrees. She still seems upset with Cecil on your behalf which is understandable. She still suggests meeting somewhere mutual for this conversation. She also helps with some of the things you should bring up with co-parenting. Setting up how involved you want him to be while leaving room for adjustment.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Eventually Debbie must return home. She makes sure you’ve saved her number. She thanks you for your hospitality and reaffirms her support for you through this situation. Debbie lets you know to call her when you need someone to lean on. With a firm hug goodbye she leaves out the door and is teleported away. You spend the afternoon tidying up your home. Once that’s done you rest.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ In the weeks after Debbie’s visit you text her every few days to update her on how you’re doing. You spent these weeks focusing on your health and your hobbies. Still you work on mental preparing yourself to face Cecil again.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ But fate had other plans. One day Cecil contacts you about the attack on the Grayson household. He informs you of Debbie’s condition and ask if you wish to visit her as she recovers. You swiftly agree and he sends Donald to pick you up via car (He’s worried about teleporting you while pregnant). You would eventually arrive a few days later.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Cecil would greet you as he would anyone else but you can tell he wanted to do more. He leads you to Debbie’s hospital room. It was an awkward walk but all would be forgotten when you saw Debbie. You were horrified and began asking Cecil what happened. He explains all he knows. You hold back tears seeing your new friend in this condition. You suddenly lean onto Cecil and begin to cry.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Cecil tenses up but then slowly hugs you. He whispers a promise to you that Debbie is in good hands and that she’ll recover. He let’s you cry until you’ve calmed down. He leads you to his office to get some water and a place to rest. Cecil tries to go back to work but keeps taking glances at you. Eventually when you’ve regained some energy you finally speak up.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “Cecil…We need to talk.”

NOT TOTALLY PROOFREAD (BETA READ) .ᐟ

A/N: Maybe a bit OOC then normal bbbbuuuuttttt on the bright side, you and Cecil see each other again!

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗

A/N: More is still to come. . . Never expected to be making so many parts😅 Guess I had been starving for something like this more than I thought.

꯱ׁׅ֒

A/N: Partially inspired by Wrench by Tortillaspecter on Ao3

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ This was it. After three months of investigative searching, working through false info and dead ends, he’s finally found you. You set yourself up in a fairly nice area. He’s just glad it has a low crime rate and a fairly decent hospital nearby.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Cecil stares at the few images his people got of you to confirm your ID. You didn’t look too different. It was autumn now so you were wearing warmer, bagger clothing. However, there was one photo where your baby bump was visible.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You revealed your bump while hanging out around town. Sitting in a cafe and you had removed your jacket. He traced over it tenderly. If only he was there to place his hand over the bump. To know that a life he took part in creating was growing strong and safe.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Your medical records showed that the baby was healthy and developing normally. He saw the ultrasound photos on file. Cecil stared at each photo in awe. It was definitely a baby now. He had to stop himself from letting a tear slip out. Cecil quickly had those photos printed out. They are now framed and sitting on his nightstand.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Now, there was one thing left to do for Cecil. But, he was hesitating. This man rarely takes so long to make a decision. His thoughts were filled with worry. He can’t mess this up. He can’t risk a chance of losing you a second time because of his actions. He was being haunted by the image of you walking away with the baby into an unknown future. Cecil knows you would be fine without him. But, he wants to be with you every step of the way.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ The moment his men got the info he wanted he called them off. He’s on limited time now too. You probably noticed that you were being followed. You were either planning to disappear again or were waiting for Cecil to appear. But, you wouldn’t wait forever. You have a life to protect and have no clue what Cecil is intending to do.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ As Cecil laid awake in bed an idea finally struck him. He called Donald to let him know he’ll be in charge for a few days. Cecil will be taking a road trip to get to you. He needs time to think of what to say to you. To figure out the right words when he sees you again. He quickly packed up what he needed for a few days of travel and then drove off.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Throughout the trip he went over all the things he could possibly say to you. How much of a jackass he was. The amount of regret he has for ignoring the signs about each other’s feelings. Cecil was struggling to figure out where to start. As he stayed in cheap motels or hotels his mind would wander for hours. He barely gets any sleep.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Also, while staying in these cheap places he couldn’t help but reminisce (Your intimate relationship started off in these places before working up to just going to his home). As he felt the chill of the room without your warm body his side; It dawned on him that these beds are quite uncomfortable. He’s surprised either of you got physical on these lumpy, hard beds (Especially going multiple rounds).

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Cecil begins to write down some ideas of what he could say to you. Trying to outline his thoughts and various apologies. He was beginning to figure out some things he wanted to say. Every-time he felt stuck that image of you disappearing for good with the child flashed in his mind. He can’t lose the one person that allowed him to feel normal again. Someone that understood him and his vulnerabilities. Who didn’t judge the choices he made and sought to ease his pain. He truly didn’t know what he had until he lost it.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ By the time he reached the town you were living in he wasn’t at a total loss of what to say. Still, he spent two days in his hotel room. The nerves were really hitting him now that he was so close. He was genuinely scared of how you will react. If you’ll even give him the chance to apologize. He understands if you shove him and shut the door in his face. He’s hurt you deeply. If given the chance he will spend every waking moment to make up for the pain he’s caused you.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ That afternoon his phone decided to remind him of a photo taken that same day. It was a selfie you sent him. An accidental selfie, an unflattering photo. You were in bed and the flash was on. You didn’t even realize you sent it to him until your vision recovered. The only reason you even woke up was him calling you. You missed a section in report you gave him about a solo mission. He watched you decline his call and then a few seconds later send him that selfie.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ It was one of the many moments where you cheered him up. It may have been unintentional but it did help. And, this was long before you entered this complicated relationship. That single photo reminder gave him the boost he needed. If he doesn’t do this now he may never see you again and have more fond memories to share together.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ He leaves the hotel and drives off to your address. It’s a bit outside the town. A nice cozy cottage. He parks his car nearby and walks the short path to your home. Your car was parked near the path so he knows you’re home. Once he’s reached your front door he freezes. He feels his hands get clammy and shake. His throat goes dry.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Cecil was beginning to panic a little bit. He’s dressed as casually as he can get (Well if you consider a leather jacket, a dress shirt, and jeans as casual). He takes in a deep breath and runs his hand through his hair (Or what’s left of it). Just before he knocks you open the door. You had been watching him through your security cameras. He steps back surprised. You inform him about the cameras and that he had been standing there for five minutes.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Before he can say anything you simply gesture for him to follow you inside. He quickly does so and closes the door behind him. You head back to your kitchen to get the drink you were preparing. He just awkwardly stands nearby before you suggest he sits down at the table. Once he does you sit across from him and simply wait.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ When you got the notification that someone was approaching your home, you knew it had to be Cecil. As you watched him fidget at your door you also knew something was different about him. Now, as he sits in front of you, you can study him. He’s scared, genuinely scared. You sip your drink as you continue to watch him. He’s avoiding looking at you. You sigh as you go to get up to open the door. Just as you walk past him he reaches out and grabs your hand. You don’t look at him as he begins to speak.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “I…I’m really not great at this stuff. But. . .please let me try.” He says before letting your hand go. You sigh then sit back down across from him and he finally looks you in the eyes.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “I’m a terrible guy. A bitter old bastard if you will. I make decisions that I know will harm people. I’ve had to close off parts of myself so emotions won’t get involved. But. . .I. . .Well. . .Fuck!. . .[Y/N], you’ve done something to me. You’ve made me feel normal again. I can be myself, an actual person around you.”

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You stared in shock at his words so far. His face was red and he seemed to be fighting back tears. You’ve never seen such raw emotions come from him. He rarely ever struggled to find any words to say. But, right now in front of you the seemingly “Unshakable Steadman” was falling apart. Instinctively you reach out to hold his hand which causes him to tense up. He looks at your hand before looking up at you. You nod as a sign for him to continue.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “Thank you. . .but, what I’m trying to say is that. . .I’m sorry. I’m so damn sorry. . .and that. . . I’m in love with you. I love those stupid uplifting notes you leave with the snacks when I stay late. I love the way you fidget by playing with those rings of yours. The way you smile when you succeed in anything you do. Your selflessness annoys me but I can’t help but admire it. How excited you get when you talk about your hobbies. Just. . . Just everything about you I love in some way or another.”

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Tears are welling up in your eyes now. Maybe the hormones are increasing how hard this confession is hitting you. But, you know every word he said is real. Words you never thought you would hear unless it was in your final moments, dying in his arms. Your feelings were actually being returned. Cecil Steadman loves you back.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ He stares at you before getting up to kneel down next to you. He places a hand on your knee before holding your other hand again. You squeeze his hand tightly to ground yourself and make sure you aren’t dreaming. Cecil looks into your eyes with determination.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ “I love you [Y/N], I’m a damn fool for not realizing it until I lost you. I know I still need to make up for how I’ve treated you. But, I’m letting you know now that I love you and want to be in your life. . .and in your baby’s life too. I can’t call myself their father until I make things right. Please give me that chance once you’re ready.”

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Cecil then gets up and heads to the door. You call out his name to stop him. He doesn’t get to leave until you’ve said your piece. You admit that you are happy to learn that he loves you but, he’s right. You’re still conflicted if you want to be with him again. His previous words had caused you to doubt your feelings for him. Now he’s suddenly here claiming he’s loved you this whole time. You needed time to think, to process this.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Cecil nods understanding your hesitation. He wants to talk more but he doesn’t want to stress you out and cause harm to the baby. He tells you he can stay in town or leave and you can call him when you’re ready. You decide the latter option was better. He gives you a note with his number and the number of an acquaintance that you can talk to. He assures you that this acquaintance won’t tell him anything that either of you talk about. Cecil then says his goodbyes and leaves.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ Once he’s gone you go to sit down on your couch. It took him three months but he found you. He was a nervous wreck who wasn’t sure how to tell his paramour that he was in love with them. That he had been in love with them for who knows how long. He failed to say but you could guess it had been years.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You know another talk had to happen. More things needed to be said. A baby was involved in this. Time was ticking down again. You had accepted that you would be facing this alone. But now the father and the man you’ve been in love with is asking to come back into your life. You’ve convinced yourself that this love had been a lie but it was real. It was shattered now but it had been real. Maybe, just maybe it could be pieced back together.

ִֶָ𓂃 ࣪˖ ִִֶֶָ🥀་༘࿐ You needed to talk to someone but you can’t talk to Cecil, not yet. That second phone number on the note. The acquaintance he spoke of. It seemed to be your only option. You kept to yourself while living in this town. Just having polite conversations with strangers and nothing more. Meanwhile this acquaintance of Cecil’s was someone he trusted enough to tell them about your relationship. But they also sounded like someone who didn’t trust Cecil all that much. You didn’t really have another option to think of. It’s now or never.