Hi guys! I'm planning on posting to Two Steps later today, but I had to write this out first.
More Than Gambling
A 2x18 Post-Ep
"I need your help."
Happy always did get straight to the point, and Patrick knew to expect it.
"Anything."
She took a deep breath.
"How did you stop drinking?"
He was shocked into silence. He never wanted his daughter to think of him like that. He'd just gotten her back, he didn't want to lose her again.
"I don't know, Happy. I just wanted to do it, so I did."
She shook her head.
"It can't be that easy. It can't just happen like that."
"No, it's not easy. Some days you'll feel like you never want to do anything but drink. Some days it isn't worth it, but in the end it is. You just have to find a reason that makes it worth the pain. Happy, why are you asking me this?" He was looking at her with immense concern.
"Toby's a gambling addict, and I can't stand to see him hurt. He told me he would stop, and I want more than anything to believe that's possible, but it just doesn't seem like it's as easy as wanting to stop." She was almost in tears again.
"He's a smart kid. He knows what's good for him. You just have to be there on those bad days. You have to keep him accountable. Keep him on track."
She nodded her head, taking it all in.
"I don't think I can lose him."
He grabbed her hands gently.
"You won't lose him. You've lost enough, and Toby knows that. He won't do this to you."
"How can you be sure?" Her voice cracked.
"I trust him. You didn't see him when you were in that submarine, Happy. He would have done anything for you. He still would."
She looked away from him. Even after all these years, she still wouldn't let her father see her cry.
"Is there anything he loves more than gambling?" He asked tentatively.
That gave Happy an idea.
"Me."
She raced over to his apartment.
She needed to see him now.
She used her key to open the door and found him reading two books and watching TV.
He didn't notice her presence until she knocked the books out of his hands.
"I thought you went home?" He looked up at her through his lashes.
"Let me talk."
He sat up on the couch.
"I talked to my dad."
His eyebrows hitched up.
"He told me that to overcome an addiction you have to love something more than your vice. You have to become addicted to something else, something healthier."
"Where are you going with this?" He asked.
"I figured it out. You don't need to change, you just need to shift your behavior to another addiction."
He stayed silent.
"There's only one thing you love more than gambling."
He's still silently staring at her, wondering where this is going.
"Me."
"So that's how we fix this."
Silence.
"God you're so stupid. Listen to me. You're gambling addiction has to stop. You can't do that on your own. People don't change. Addicts stay addicts. So as of right now you're addicted to me, and only me."
He was baffled, but eventually found his words.
"I've always been addicted to you. I still gamble."
He shrugged.
She rolled her eyes.
"Yes, but I've been standing in your way. I haven't been there for you when you needed me. Now I will be."
"What do you mean?"
"Anytime you want to gamble, even the slightest bit, come to me. You have a key to my apartment and I have one to yours, I don't care if it's the middle of the night, you want to gamble and your ass better end up in bed next to me. Understand?"
He'd never nodded so fast before.
She climbed down into his lap and tucked herself under his chin.
"I made a promise to you, and I intend to keep it. I'd do anything for you, Happy."
"You better."
She felt his laugh rumble through her.
"I love you. More than anything."
"Even gambling?" She said with a small voice.
He kissed her forehead lightly.
"Even gambling."
I hope you loved it!
:)