Abby stared seriously at the man across from her, her arms folded, gently biting her bottom lip. "I have an important question to ask of you," She finally said, a nervous smile creeping onto her face. She had little doubt the man would say no, but it was still a possibility that she worried about.
"Yes, hurry up now. I don't have all day," The man sighed, rolling his eyes, before focusing on her. He could sense the nervousness in her voice, on her face, which he must admit, was quite rare to see.
Abby nodded, before ducking her head, stealing glances at him. "I'm getting married soon, you know that. Everyone does, made sure everyone knew," She started, a light blush appearing on her face. "and…I don't have a father…or I like to pretend I don't, at least."
He nodded. He knew of her past, of course he did. It was in her files that her father was in jail for child abuse lasting for ten years. He knew it was a topic Abby didn't like to discuss and he was unsure of where the conversation was going. "Of course. For rightful reasons…and?"
"And…fathers always walk daughters down the aisle." She stated. "Of course, I could have Jack walk me down…but we're not very close. We had a falling out, and…Cutter is dead…and Danny's missing…" Abby sighed, before locking eyes with him. "Lester—will you walk me down the aisle?"
Confusion and shock covered his face. Abby wanted him to walk her down the aisle? Not her brother? Not an uncle or a friend, not anyone else? The thought was strange, but he could admit, she had become close to him…and he had allowed her too. Of course he did. That woman could sneak her way into anyone's heart, it was one of her most efficient skills, he decided.
"Please?" Abby asked, furrowing her eyebrows, as Lester remained silent. "You've been with me for five years, you've watched me grow up…you did it in silence, never bothering to mention that you noticed the little changes, that you even cared…but…after I came back from the past…I could see it. I could see how much you missed us, how much you really felt for us…" She explained.
Lester looked down at the floor. She had gotten him. Oh, what a brilliant woman she could be when she wanted to be. "You really want me? Your boss to walk you to your marriage? To give you away?"
"You're more than my boss, Lester," She told him. "you're part of the family. Of my family."
Lester let a genuine smile cross his face. "Ms. Maitland, I would be more than honored." Standing up, he did something he rarely did, something he would've never even thought about doing yesterday. He opened his arms, waiting for her to hug him. And he hugged her back. "You really have grown, you know. I've quite enjoyed watching that."
And there it was.
Lester's heart was there on display.