If I can stop one heart from breaking
If I can ease one life the aching
If I can ease one life the aching
He wishes he could give her more in this moment, but some things must take time and careful treading. If he could fix it all for her with a wave of his hand he would do it. Instead, he is left with good intentions and gentle hands, the only things he can give her. It is the burden of parenthood to be left helpless in the face of misery you would rather take onto yourself, and though she is not his daughter by blood he feels the same way.
Her hesitance is met with a warm smile. "Of course you can. Bring your blanket okay?" Standing (and ignoring the slight creak in his knees) he uses her hand to help her up off the couch, and doesn't let it go as he guides her into the kitchen, talking all the while. "Now we've got a few options but I'll keep it simple. For food, would you rather have a sandwich or leftover pasta?" He opens the fridge so she can peer into it, pointing out the pasta in question so she can determine if she doesn't like any of the ingredients she can pick out visually. As she does, he leans over to the stove beside the fridge to set the kettle to start boiling, already full of water for his own frequent consumption of it. "And for tea, I have chamomile or fennel." Intentionally offering the two best known for managing anxiety naturally. Whatever leverage he has he will happily utilize to her benefit.
Her hesitance is met with a warm smile. "Of course you can. Bring your blanket okay?" Standing (and ignoring the slight creak in his knees) he uses her hand to help her up off the couch, and doesn't let it go as he guides her into the kitchen, talking all the while. "Now we've got a few options but I'll keep it simple. For food, would you rather have a sandwich or leftover pasta?" He opens the fridge so she can peer into it, pointing out the pasta in question so she can determine if she doesn't like any of the ingredients she can pick out visually. As she does, he leans over to the stove beside the fridge to set the kettle to start boiling, already full of water for his own frequent consumption of it. "And for tea, I have chamomile or fennel." Intentionally offering the two best known for managing anxiety naturally. Whatever leverage he has he will happily utilize to her benefit.
I shall not live in vain
HARPER
