thestoriesarereal

He's not here...anymore?

Not that I can tell.

I'm headed home now, so you won't be alone for long, okay?

It's not okay.

[By the time Victor gets home, Lucy's already locked herself in her room.]

[he was afraid of this. He sighs and knocks on the door]

Lucy.

[No, she isn't going to answer the door. She's fine with staying on her bed, curled up and trying not to cry.]

[ugh, he hates that she's hurting, but if she doesn't want his company, he won't push her]

Okay. I'll be here when you're ready.

[She is hurting, but she doesn't like being alone. It takes about ten minutes before she gets up from her bed to slowly open the door. She looks upset, but she hasn't cried yet.]

Are you leaving too?

[he kneels down so they're at eye level with each other]

I want to tell you that I'll never leave, but it's a promise I have no power to keep. I don't want to leave, though. This is my home and you are my family, and I'll do everything in my power to stay.

[ He’s being honest with her, she knows that but part of her wants to him to say he would stay. She doesn’t want to lose anyone else. But lying to her wouldn’t help her in the long run.

Lucy doesn’t say anything, taking in his words and moving forward to wrap her arms around his neck to hold him. There’s some sniffling from her, holding back tears. ]

I don’t want to leave. I don’t want anyone else to leave.

[he wraps his arms around her, squeezing her as close as he can]

I know, sweetheart. I'm so sorry you keep losing people. I will do everything in my power to keep this family together. I can promise you that much.

[ The hug is greatly needed, with Lucy burying her face in the crook of his neck. A few tears start to fall. She’ll miss Jefferson so much. ]

Okay...

[ The word is murmured against his neck, unwilling to let him go. ]

...do you think he’s with his daughter now?

Nobody’s seen him since the first curse broke, but I’m sure he found a way for him and Grace to go home to the Enchanted Forest.

I hope so...I know he missed her a lot.

[ Jefferson...she hopes he’s okay. She really wanted to spend more time with him. But, she has to be brave, she has to be strong...]

Do you have to go in again tonight?

No. I'm staying in for the night.

Okay.

[ That’s good. She wouldn’t want him to go, not so soon. Not when she feels like he could easily disappear. It feels like the curse all over again, taking people that she loves away from her.

Eventually, she relaxes her hold to where she’s not clinging tightly to him but still in his embrace. ]

[he hoists her up into his arms so he can carry her around. That way, she can keep clinging onto him as much as she wants]

What do you want to do tonight? Lady's choice.

[ Lucy rests her head on his shoulder, staring down as he picked her up. ]

I’m not hungry. [ The news made her appetite go away. ]

That's all right, but I'd like you to try to eat something before you go to bed anyway. Even if it's just a bit of bread.

In the meantime, do you want to work on a puzzle or play a game? Or we can sit and watch something on television.

I can try. [ But her appetite isn’t there. She may nibble on a piece of toast, but she won’t want to eat anything. She is sorely tempted to try and call Jefferson, just to see if he’s really gone. Maybe he was somewhere else, or hiding or....

No, he was gone, Victor wouldn’t lie to her. ]

I don’t feel like doing anything, Papa.

[he frowns at this, but again doesn't push her. If she doesn't want to be occupied, he won't force it. Victor carries her over to one of the book shelves and picks out something, carrying her back to a chair]

I'll just sit and hold you while I read, then.

Okay.

[ The word is murmured softly. Whatever book Victor picks out, she doesn’t comment on it. It’s not until he’s sitting down and reading a few pages that she looks over to see what he’s reading and reads a few lines before shifting into a more comfortable position while holding him.]

....did you check his apartment? Did he leave anything behind?

[Victor purposefully picked out a book that Lucy can read, if she so chooses]

Yeah, mostly clothes. Though there could be other things if you want to go over and check.

Could we put his things in a box? In case....he comes back?

Sure. I bet I have some empty boxes we can use.

Yeah...just in case he comes back. He might....same with Emma.

[ Still hoping. ]

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