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[thestoriesarereal]

Hello! You're reached Lucy, I'm not here right now--obviously--but leave a message! Bye!

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[jolting]

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.

[thestoriesarereal]

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.

[jolting]

[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.

[thestoriesarereal]

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?

[jolting]

[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.

[thestoriesarereal]

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

[jolting]

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

[thestoriesarereal]

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

[ Still hoping. ]

[jolting]

Exactly. Just let me know when you want to do that and we'll go over there together.

[thestoriesarereal]

Just you and me?

[jolting]

Unless you want someone else to come along.

[thestoriesarereal]

No...I wanted to make sure it was just the two of us.

[jolting]

Mhm, that was what I was thinking. I doubt he'd want anyone else going through his stuff, anyway.

[thestoriesarereal]

We wouldn't be going through his things, only picking them up and putting them in boxes.

[Spoken a bit sternly about that, because...it's the truth to an eight year old. They wouldn't be going through Jefferson's things, only making sure they had his things in case he ever came back.]

[jolting]

We should bring packing material. I bet he has a tea set.

[thestoriesarereal]

[The mention of a tea set is enough to make Lucy start to tear up again.]

He does...I think he might have used it...when he threw me a tea party.

[jolting]

Then we'll have to make sure to keep it safe for him. [he combs through her hair, trying to soothe her]

[thestoriesarereal]

[ There’s a sniffle followed by a shaky intake of breath. ]

Mhmm, in a safe place where it can’t break.

[jolting]

Exactly. [he kisses her forehead, giving her another gentle squeeze]

[thestoriesarereal]

[ The kiss is comforting, and it calms her down. ]

He won’t be forgotten.

[jolting]

Of course not. [he's glad that she's looking a little better]

[thestoriesarereal]

Mm.

[ A faint nod of her head followed by her hugging her Papa. ]

I love you, Papa.

[jolting]

[he is always happy to accept and give hugs] Love you too, kiddo.