It's A Mess (After the Date) - Panther's Lair

He had dropped Odessa off at the clinic. Had even gone home first, to find the place empty.

But now it was time for him to pick up his daughter, his darling Rhiana. He shut off the SUV and strolled up toward the house.

At least it was early enough that he could speak to Grace about the situation. Since he knew she was going to ask.

She met him at the door, opening it as he walked up.

"She's nappin', so we have time t' talk."

He nodded.

"Good. Tha' is good."

He didn't look overly happy. But then, who would, in his situation?

She seemed to take in his emotional state with a glance, and took his hand to pull him into the house.

"Talk, love."

He came inside, though he made no move to sit or anything of the sort.

"It's a mess. Can I ask ye t' keep Rhiana for a day or two? I need t' speak wi' Dalia, an' she's nay home at th' moment."

Grace nodded, gentle hands reaching up to take cup his face.

"I can keep her as long as is needed."

He nodded.

"Aye. It's a mess. But for her sake, an' th' sake o' everyone's sanity. I have t' leave Dalia."

Grace sighed.

"Aye, tis a mess. I'll take care o' th' lass an' th' ghouls while ye work this out."

He nodded.

"Aye. It's appreciated."

He paused and tilted his head.

"D' ye ken th' reasons why, Grace?"

She smiled.

"I think I do, but why dinna ye tell me anyways. Will likely help t' speak 'em aloud."

He frowned.

"There's a lot o' them. But th' real one, when it's boiled down, there's only one: Rhiana. She needs a mother, an' a woman who will treat her as a mother would treat her own child is better for her than a woman who refuses t' have anything t' do wi' her. I have t' think o' her first, an' Odessa is better for her than Dalia ever could be."

She nodded with a soft smile.

"And I will support your decision. It is good for you to have made the choice quickly."

He nodded.

"Aye, I thought so. Th' less time this takes my concentration, th' better."

She leaned up and kissed his cheek.

"Love, ye take th' time ye need. Anton can take care o' th' city for a day or two, an' I'll take care o' th' children."

He turned to look at her.

He looked tired and sad, but more than anything, he looked... hurt.

"Did I make th' right choice, Granny?"

Incredible how he could sound almost like a child when he asked that question.

Instantly she gathered the much larger man into her arms in the same fashion she would had he been a small boy.

"Ye made th' only choice ye could, love. An' aye, it be th' right one. Tis th' only way any o' us could be happy in th' long term."

His arms went around the woman, dwarfing her as he hugged her tight. Thank God for Fortitude, because he hugged her with the ferocity of a small child who needed comfort, added to the Potence of his Kindred heritage.

"I think I ken tha'. I think. But I'm worried still, tha' this may be wrong. For Dalia."

She allowed him to hug her as tightly as he needed, though she was grateful that she only needed enough air to speak.

"Love, she avoids your daughter, an' tha' would only cause ye t' resent her. Tis better it be ended now, when there be still love there."

He nodded.

"Aye. All right."

She kissed him gently.

"Now, would ye like t' spend more time in Granny's lovin' embrace? I've got all th' time in th' world for ye."

He had not let go of her yet. He nodded slowly.

"Aye, I would. T' tell ye th' truth, it would ha' been easier if Dalia had just been home. But she was out - again. I dinna mean t' thrust Rhiana on ye like this, Granny. I just dinna think it's good for th' lass t' see th' whole process."

She continued to hold him, purring softly.

"Love, think nothin' o' it. I'm happy t' help my family any way tha' I can."

He nodded, still resting his head against her shoulder.

"I ken tha'. This is nay your problem, though."

She chuckled.

"Tis is I say it is. An' I do. So hush."

He couldn't help but chuckle.

"How d' ye always make me feel better when I'm hurtin'?"