Our Girls

When he was younger, Dillion found apologizing a lot harder then doing anything else. It was a lot easier to make mistakes, and let people go. When you watched them walk away, uncaring what the consequences were; it was easier to pretend you didn't care. Dillion had often pretend, he didn't care. He had pretended for many ears, he hadn't cared about his father. He had pretended, it didn't mattered that his father had neglected him all his life. Letting the emotions fester inside of him, until it finally burst one day. It was amazing what therapy could reveal about you. Dillion still thought his therapist was paid way too much. He had figured out a lot of it by himself, and was just in denial. He hadn't needed a doctor to tell himself half of the things, he already knew. The doctor called admitting it to someone else "coping". Dillion called it a bill, but apparently he didn't know much. It helped so, he couldn't really complain - could he?

It was bizarre, Dillion didn't know why he wasn't more angry. When he had first figured it out, Dillion had been furious. He thought for sure, Dillion would go on a rampage when he saw her. He was so sure, he would yell and scream. Their tempers would rip the house down, and it would appear as if a tornado had blown through New York. Dillion had never thought, he would actually be able to see her and... time would stop. His memories had not been sufficient, not even remotely in reminding him of how beautiful she was. She was nothing at all like Dillion remembered. She was so beautiful, but that wasn't all. She was so strong. Dillion was afraid of how strong, she had become. She had raised their children all on her own. Sure, she had done it by choice, but Leona had still done it. He had to admire her for that. Dillion knew the job of a single mother was never an easy one. His mother had raised him single-handedly, and her job had been a struggle every second. Then again, his mother hadn't had a lot of money. Leona didn't look as if she was struggling any. At least, Dillion surely didn't hope so. She had her parents, they couldn't have disowned her. They had to have understood. They had seemed like good people. No, it was unthinkable to think they would have left her alone. He would ask about that later.

Standing by the table, Dillion watched as she bolted behind the counter and kept distance between them. He shoved one hand into his jean pocket and just gave her her space. He didn't want to overcrowd her. She was allowed her space. Plus, Dillion constantly needed to remind himself of her look. It had been clear, touching wasn't allowed. He'd already broken that rule once. If he got close to her again, Dillion was likely to do it again. He wasn't going to make any promises, Dillion couldn't keep. He would never make the promise not to touch her, hell Dillion was pretty sure that was sacrilegious! Taking a deep breath, her voice was so quiet Dillion didn't hear her at first. His head was lowered, staring at the ground and fidgeting with the lint in his pocket.

Hearing her voice alerted him, and he knew already what she was going to say. He chewed on his lip, what was he supposed to say to her? Of course, Dillion blamed himself! She should have told him! It started off with him telling Connor that stupid word. He should have been paying more attention to her though. Dillion had never paid her enough attention. He had always been good at screwing things up. He should have just told her, he had had a bad day. It would have cleared up everything. It was his fault. He didn't have to move. He could have stayed in the United States, but he was selfish. A part of him even wanted to impress his father. It was a small part, but still large enough for Dillion to move back. He wanted to prove, he was worthy of the name Hepburn. Dillion knew now, he would tell his father to go to hell. Though, back then Dillion was still the frightened and ashamed "man." He didn't know much about the world, and still wanted to impress a man who was impossible to impress. Still working for his father, Dillion knew he just continued to disappoint him. The only difference was Dillion had longed stopped caring.

Leona was just standing there! Her shoulder shook and the quiet sniffles were defeating. He pressed his lips tight together, and squeezed his eyes tight together. They clenched tight and rubbed a hand across his face. Unable to resist, Dillion moved over to her side. She was crying. Why were they always crying when they were around one another? Walking in front of her, Dillion stepped near her so he crowded her. She was pinned against the counter, and he placed his longer muscular arms on either side of her body. Slowly, his hands moved up her sides and across the fuller curves of her body. Dillion reminded himself, he needed to keep this entirely platonic. No matter, how many ways he knew how to make her stop crying. Today, Dillion had to stop her as a friend, and not as her boyfriend.

Timidly, Dillion unlaced her arms and wrapped them around his neck. He tugged her close, chest to chest and their bodies flush. Dillion held her close, happy to have his arms around her again. Dillion nestled her into his arms, still timid to hold her so close. His hands wouldn't close around her all the way. His hands hesitantly held loosely off to her sides. Then with a deep sigh, Dillion relaxed and tightly snuggled her close. One hand reached up and Dillion petted her hair, "Come on, love be happy we've got such bright girls. They did your job for you." Dillion chuckled, voice rugged and he pulled back to see her face. He strongly wanted to kiss her face; kiss away the tears like he used to. Dillion resisted, but his eyes flickered once again to her lips. He brought one hand to her cheek, and swept away the tears.

"Our girls." Dillion whispered and he genuinely smiled.