Title: What She Wants To Hear
Fandom: Prison Break
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Prison Break and all related characters and storylines are copyright Paul Scheuring and company.
Summary: C-Note tells Dede where that "Get Well" teddy bear came from.
Characters: Benjamin "C-Note" Franklin, Dede Franklin
Word Count: 423
What She Wants To Hear
"Daddy, is this from you?"
I glanced at Dede just enough to take in that the teddy in her arms before returning my eyes to the carrots I was peeling.
"No, baby."
"Who is it from?"
I didn't answer immediately, finishing up the carrot I was on and rinsing it off before putting it with the rest of the peeled ones. I lifted my eyes back to my daughter to properly look at the teddy. Looking properly, I recognised it in an instant and couldn't help scowling at the large "GET WELL" embossed on its large belly.
"Daddy?"
"Uh ... it's from the man that paid for your medical care, sweetie."
I watched as she turned it to face her. For a few seconds she stared at it then she lifted her eyes to me again.
"The big man with the gun?"
God damn it. Why the gun? Why couldn't it have been the big man with the police badge or the big man with the handcuffs?
I tried not to let my anger show as I answered, "Yeah. The policeman."
"Is he going to come see me again? I should say thank you."
It was such an innocent statement. I couldn't help the rush of pride that my daughter knew her manners, knew when to say please and thank you. It made me angry that I'd missed out on that part of her life, and so many other parts.
Drying off my hands, I moved around from the sink and crouched before her. "Well, he's a busy man, baby. I'm sure he's just glad you're not sick anymore."
"But Mommy said I should always say thank you for my presents."
The innocent sincerity in her voice made me almost regret the fact that she wouldn't be able to. But only almost, because I didn't even want that man in the same town as my family, let alone the same room.
"I know, but he can't come see you."
"Because of the bad man?"
Because he IS the bad man. But I didn't tell her that, she didn't need to know. "Because of the bad man. But I said thank you for you, before we moved."
A smile spread across her face and the guilt I felt for lying to her faded; if it's what she needed to hear to make her happy then so be it. Perhaps when she was older I'll tell her the full story, the truth about the whole situation, but for now I'd tell her what she wanted to hear.