Edge of a Cliff.
Your smiles are not fake, nor your laughter falsely bright. You dedicate your life to helping suspected criminals – innocent and guilty alike. But your favourite 'client' has got to be V. You think Keith knows, although he's never said a word, that you see Veronica as a sort of surrogate daughter. You were never the kind of guy to settle down, never wanted the constriction of a gold band on your finger, but you always dreamt of being a father. You always wanted a little son or daughter to hold and cherish, to correct and celebrate. But your Karma hasn't yet granted your wish so you treat all your clients as best you can, remembering that they're all some one's child and allowing their mistakes; accepting who they are and what ever they do, as if they were your own.
Keith and you were friends long before Lianne arrived in Neptune. And although you were a bit reserved and suspicious around and about her, you held her hand through the Braxton Hick Contractions and satisfied all her strange food cravings while Keith was out of town. Constantly imagining the little child growing in Lianne's swollen belly. You weren't sure if you wanted it to be a boy or girl, and truthfully neither was Keith, but Lianne had her mind set on a girl, one she could dress up in pink and frills.
When Keith's hand shot through the doorway and hurriedly motioned you to join them, you dashed in and gazed amazedly at the gorgeous little baby wrapped in that fluffy pink blanket. You watched as Keith and Lianne cooed at the little girl and smiled almost drunkenly at each other and you could only hope to one day be in the same position. Keith beamed at you and gently placed his most precious possession in your arms, and you smiled as she giggled. "Hey little buddy. Welcome to the big wonderful world, V. I'm your Uncle Cliff."
"Not just Uncle. This here is your God-Father." Keith surprised you with that, as he hadn't mentioned it before, but you were so thankful to him, and Keith could tell by the look on your face. You weren't expecting it, but you were thrilled to be entrusted with the job. In response the little bundle of smiles wrapped her tiny fist around your finger. That, that right there was the moment you knew you were sold. Regardless of if you ever had your own child, you would always be there for this one.
You watched her grow, taught her how to fight (against Lianne's wishes) and never missed anything special. You were not-so-secretly proud when she ruined her first dress, and you couldn't help but laugh at Lianne's face when she noticed her daughter's pink dress soaked in mud and your own clothes just as dirty. Not letting go of V's hand you two had trudged into the house, and plopped onto the table, ignoring the disgusted glares of Lianne. And you thanked whoever the hell was up there every single day, because Veronica meant as much to you as she did Keith and Lianne.
You never let your job define you, or dim your smile, and that's how you survive. You fight ever day to keep people free and never take anything too seriously. You cling onto your dream sometimes when your eyes are shut at night but you've resigned yourself to reality. And you're okay with that.
So although some say you're standing on the edge of a cliff looking down, you'll never fall because you have things to hold onto and people to pull you away from the edge. And if by chance you do fall, you know that they'll catch you, just as you'd catch them.
Note: So, what do you think? Please keep in mind that I was in a car when I wrote this, and writing in between singing and looking at the scenery. I hope its okay. If people don't like I can delete it. Thanks for reading. Now please PLEASE review.