Hello everyone !

It's the first time that I write about Little House, I took a serious liking upon this TV serie very recently. I have never read the books but I would if I were to find them. English is not my first language, I'm french, so if I make some mistakes, I apologize and please correct me, so that I can learn. I write here in english because there is not a french section for Little House.

My favourite character is Albert Quinn Ingalls.

Disclamer : I do not own Little House, it belongs to Laura Ingalls-Wilder ( books ) and Michael Landon ( TV serie ).

Summary: They met only once. But it was enough for them to be in peace afterwards. ( Based on S6E03 )

One kiss, goodbye

When he looked upon Albert, J Quinn knew immediately that it was not going to work. Sure, he was his Pa, he fathered him but that was all there was to it. His boy looked so ill-at-ease, so frightened! Sure, he could take him away from Charles Ingalls, but it would be selfish and criminal. He would make his son unhappy again, he would fail him again. He could force him to go with him, but he would never be able to tame his heart. His heart was with the Ingalls. He abandoned him. He did not watch him grow. How could he be called his Pa when Charles Ingalls truly was, with his sincere concerns about his welfare?

Albert was his son.

He was his blood.

But that was all there was to it.

Albert belonged with the Ingalls. He was happy with them. Charles Ingalls was his true father. Knowing that his boy was safe and well somewhere he felt good was enough for him. He could live the rest of his life in peace with himself and perhaps even forgive himself for forsaking the child.

' You stay with the Ingalls. I'll go tell Judge Adams. '

' Pa? '

J Quinn's heart stopped. Albert called him Pa. He, who was so unworthy of that title.

' Could you... Would you give me a kiss of goodbye? '

He could not refuse him this favor and he slowly kissed his left cheek. He did not expect Albert to embrace him. A part of him wanted to return the hug. But he could not. Nevertheless, the move touched him. Albert had forgiven him.

' Stay right here, boy. ' He said while leaving

Albert did not look at him. He only turned around when he was all alone. He had listened to his father. Of how he was all alone. Of the fact that he had nothing to offer him. Deep in his heart, he knew that he was sorry for all he put him through. He loved him. In his own way, he loved him and he showed it to him with his first and last gift, the biggest sacrifice of his life maybe:

He let him become an Ingalls.

He wanted to rejoice. But a part of him was moved and saddened. In a way, he was abandoned a second time by the same man. But he was not left by himself. He was given to a loving family he could blossom in. How could he be mad at him? How could he not grant him his pardon after this redemption?

J Quinn could wait for the end of his life in peace. Albert was happy and surrounded by people who loved him.

Albert could live in peace. He was now an Ingalls. And he knew that his biological father cared enough for him to let him be part of this family, in Walnut Grove.

The End