Morro stood outside the new monastery, his face firmly knitted into a scowl. Guilt day had returned once again. Every memory was burned into his head about how he'd foolishly abandoned his wife and children back then.
"Ah-.. I didn't know this was someone else's sulking spot." Morro looked up to see a the curly, blonde, freckled Wolven, and the pale short ebony haired woman behind him. "I'll just go someplace-"
Morro moved over. "No, it's okay. Please. Take a seat."
"Thank you, sir." Lavender thanked, bowing slightly and sitting beside the redeemed man.
"You don't need to call me sir, Lavender. Morro is just fine, remember?" He reminded.
The women laughed lightly, earning the slightest smile from Morro. "That's right. I've been a servant for almost an eternity, it's hard to break old habits."
"So, what are you sulking about?" Antonio asked, curious.
Morro's smile faded. "You first."
"What's there to say? My wife died from leukaemia, my youngest son is stolen by my brother of whom abandoned him and between rescue missions and work, I was never home for my other kids." He looked at Morro and whispered. "Top that."
Morro looked away. "Okay, that's bad, but compared to what I've done, that's a cakewalk."
Antonio raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Tell me."
"Now, Toni." Lavender scolded, putting a hand on Morro's shoulder. "If he doesn't want to tell you, he doesn't have to. Besides, for you two, this holiday is like my own guilt day. Mother's Day."
The two fathers looked at each other. "You're a mother?"
"Was. My youngest daughter drowned on my watch and my son was murdered shortly before I was." Lavender whispered.
Morro rubbed lavender's back comfortingly. "I'm so sorry. "
"It's not too bad. My son became a ghost with me and now he's spiritual guide. I do miss him a lot though." Lavender smiled.
Morro frowned. "Well, there's always someone who has it worse, you know."
"Will you just tell us?" Antonio practically begged.
Morro sighed. "I abandoned my kids because I didn't want them, and left them with my abusive wife. One commuted suicide, one is expressively insane. The one kid I did right has lost sight in one eye, and it's all my fault!"
Antonio and Lavender exchanged a worried glance. "Man, I'm sorry I doubted you. That's horrible." Antonio said. Lavender pulled him into a side hug. She was good at that. He felt like such a child. "Listen mor, that sucks, but you can't just wallow in self loathing. You have to do what's right." With that Antonio got up. "I'll demonstrate. I'm going to look for my son. He wanted to talk. I suggest you do the same with your daughter."
Morris sighed and brushed himself off. He was right.
Even as a failure, he has the unconditional love of his daughter. She had an odd sense of logic. But she still loved him. And at the least he had her. So he went off to find her.