Disclaimer: Game of Thrones is D&D's property, after being GRRM's property. Or else, Lancel would be the happiest kid in Westeros, should it be mine.

Summary: Kill the husband and let the father be born. That was exactly how Lancel felt ever since his wife passed away two years ago, leaving him with their only daughter to care for.

In his daughter's eyes

Chapter 12

Lelia was fast asleep as the day had been exhausting. Lancel and her had finally moved back into their home. Between unpacking their belongings, doing the groceries for a few days, the little girl had been tired in no time. Her father was looking around the place, as if he was rediscovering it, after he had finished tidying and cleaning. It wasn't very dirty, but dust needed to be removed. It felt weird, being there again, after so long. It almost felt like home. Almost. Home had never really felt like home ever since he had lost his wife. He was just happy that his daughter liked the place and felt comfy in it. He looked at the clock. The evening was still young. He browsed through his phone's phonebook. His thumb stopped next to Amerei's number. He considered calling her. She hadn't called him back yet, but she had sent textos. Lots of textos. Maybe she was more at ease with it. However, he wanted to hear her. Heck, he craved hearing her voice! He didn't know why, but everytime she was with him, everytime she talked to him, everything felt lighter and easier. He bit his tongue. What could he tell her? That he moved back in at last? She already knew it was to be done. That Lelia was fine? She'd be happy to know it, but that was too light. He didn't have much to say and he didn't think he was important enough to allow himself to be bothersome. And he had to admit he was a bit scared to call her. Just like after they reconnected at Willem's party, the night after they had coffee together, his body had reacted to her appearance. He felt ashamed. What was he?! Some sex crazed pervert who couldn't hold it in because he had had no one in two years?! He knew there was no way she'd know, and even if she knew she wouldn't mind, but he knew and that was enough to embarrass him. Why did his body seemed to crave hers? Why did his mind yearned for her voice? How did she become so important and why was she so important in the first place? At high school, they had barely talked. But now, it was as if he couldn't make it in life without at least a word from her.

"Could it be that... That I like her?!" He wondered

Was he allowed to like her in the first place? He knew Elora was gone. Death seperated them. And she'd want him to be happy again. He could still remember Lelia's words after they had coffee with Amerei. He recalled his father's words about not crossing the "dating again" option.

"But... Do I like her or is it because she's the first woman I've had a good connexion with ever since I was widowed?"

He didn't want Amerei to be some bandage on a wooden leg. Or to be an illusion of love. She deserved better. He had been numbed for so long, maybe he was mistaking friendship for love as well. And despite knowing that his family, his loved ones, wanted him happy, it still felt wrong to him to even consider building a new life with someone, to enjoy living with that person while Elora was slowly decaying in her grave. He knew he was wrong to think that way, but he couldn't help it. That was beyond his control. Everything was a confusing mess. Less tiring that what he had experienced due to his burn-out. However, he wasn't sure he could do it. He left his phone on a counter, put the kettle on and after a few minutes, he allowed himself to settle down on his sofa, a hot cup of earl grey in hand, watching an episode of Supernatural.

He hadn't watched one in months.

XXXXX

"Come on Ami! You're dying to, just call him!" Walda said as she was gently bouncing her son

Amerei sighed, her smartphone in hand, looking at Lancel's number.

"But what would I say? Maybe he's even sleeping!" She replied

"Ami, it's 8.00 pm..." Marissa stated

"Keep in mind he has been pretty sick and though he's better, he's still fragile! And he has a lot to deal with as well."

"In the evening? Amerei. Every man you wanted you got. Why is it so different with him?"

Marissa had a point. Lancel was different. He was on a different level. All the men she had wanted, she did get. She went for them, she seduced them, she fucked them. Of course, she also had her limits, her moral standards and she never rushed anything. She wasn't shy, and once set on what she wanted, she was determined to get it. But did she want Lancel? In that light? She knew she had that fondness for him, that she actually kinda crushed on him, and for once, her heart was stronger than her lust. But it seemed too early, it always seemed to early, and she had that strange desire to protect him, to spare him. And that was that weir chemistry between them as well, how well they connected, how they seemed to understand one another. She wanted to see him happy, genuinely happy, with a true smile, not the sad ones she had seen on his lips. He was handsome already, so she could easily imagine how gorgeous he could be if melancolia left him. He was pretty cute, there wzs no denying it and she didn't deny that she had wondered how well built he was down there. It had taken her to some sweet imaginary fantasies to use for relief. The discrete guys were always the most attractives. And he could use a friend. She'd gladly be his friend. Even if he'd put her in the friendzone later on. All she knew for sure was that she loved being around him. That she wanted to help him out. If she had managed to stand against her abusive parents, gaining Marissa's custody for her last year as a minor, how came that a phone call was so hard to give?

"Don't tell me you're actually in love with him?" Marissa wondered aloud

In love? She didn't know. But she did care. A lot. She took a deep breath. She did promise him to try and be more in touch with him after all. She had never broke a promise, except to her parents, but they didn't count. That would be her justification. At least, people would believe that, except her two little sisters. She dialed his number. To her relief, he picked up quickly.

"Hi, it's Ami. How are you?"

"Tired but fine. We moved back in today."

"That's great news! How did it go?"

"Good, though Lelia is exhausted."

"Poor thing. I was wondering, would you be up for coffee again? I know a place Lelia would love, it's full of games and it's easy to have an eye on the kids."

Walda and Marissa shared a smile as Amerei hung up after a few minutes, a huge smile on her face.

Even if it was friendly, with a five years old as a third person, she was having a new date at last.

To Be Continued