HARPER
The worst part is that he knows that. Knows Phoebe would move heaven and earth to be with them. So then what had to have happened for her absence to be so keen and seemingly permanent? He can’t put voice to the fears, instead rubbing tightly pursed lips against the smooth, wetted fabric of her dress in silent shake of his head. Her own find his forehead, patching the broken bits with the small moments of physicality and comfort. The quiet alone is a relief on his aching head and heart. Sleep, at last, for his son. He could cry all over again with the tsunami of emotions that arise seemingly without reason at the realization that Jude has fallen asleep under Maeve’s soothing fingers.
He withdraws just enough to let her by when she stands, eyes gritty and sore with sleep deprivation and tears alike. But while the sentiment she spoke was expected, the offer is not. He takes the teacup automatically, movements mechanical, as his eyes widen and look up into hers. Denial is the first knee jerk reaction. “No - Maeve, I can’t. You already have so much to do, we both do, you can’t have a newborn keeping you up at night. We can’t both be compromised.” His voice croaks from overuse, hours of singing and cajoling and crying alongside his son, and so he soothes it moments later with a long drink of the slightly too-hot tea. Unable to even summon a flinch as it burns his tongue.
He withdraws just enough to let her by when she stands, eyes gritty and sore with sleep deprivation and tears alike. But while the sentiment she spoke was expected, the offer is not. He takes the teacup automatically, movements mechanical, as his eyes widen and look up into hers. Denial is the first knee jerk reaction. “No - Maeve, I can’t. You already have so much to do, we both do, you can’t have a newborn keeping you up at night. We can’t both be compromised.” His voice croaks from overuse, hours of singing and cajoling and crying alongside his son, and so he soothes it moments later with a long drink of the slightly too-hot tea. Unable to even summon a flinch as it burns his tongue.
lord don't let me break this, let me hold you lightly
give me arms to pray with instead of ones that hold too tightly
give me arms to pray with instead of ones that hold too tightly
