A/N: Hi, everyone. Yes, this is a very sad one. Another, very sad one. That involves the siblings, because their past is fun to play with.
Genre: General/Angst
Pairings/Characters: Grif, Sister
Rating: PG
Summary: She had watched her mother walk out of the house for the last time. When Dexter came home two hours later that's where he found her, statuesque.
Warnings: Children crying, abandonment.
Out the Door
The little girl sat at the edge of her momma's bed, tiny and chubby legs dangling. She watched curiously as the woman packed things into several large suitcases. The girl flipped a lock of brunette hair out of her face as she gaze at older, determined eyes that wouldn't look at her.
"Momma, whatcha doin'?" the girl finally asked, not able to resist finding something out.
"I'm packing," the woman replied as though the child should have already known that.
"Why?" the girl continued her questioning.
"Because I'm going away."
"Ooh! Are me an' Dex-tah goin', to?" she asked eagerly, wide eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Of course not. I'm going by myself," the woman told her. She snapped the last suitcase closed with an air of finality, ignoring the disappointment writ all across the child's round face.
The woman silently picked up two of the suitcases and went to the front door, small legs trying-and failing-to match stride with her. She opened the door and her daughter watched her place the two bags in the trunk. Then she collected the rest of her things and did the same. She came back in a third time, little girl still hot on her heels.
She went to the kitchen and took out a packet of animal crackers and a carton of apple juice. She handed these to the little girl, giving her head a small, quick pat. She went back into the living room, pausing only briefly as the girl spoke.
"Momma, when are you coming back?" she asked softly, needing. The woman did not turn, did not look back at her child.
"Momma's not coming back, baby." Though she used a term of endearment, she said the words coldly, mechanically. The woman exited, closing the door behind her none-too-gently, the heavy wood thunking in place far too loudly for the child's young, sensitive ears.
She had watched her momma walk out of the house for the last time. Silently, she gazed up at the door after the woman had it shut after her. When Dexter came home two hours later that's where he found her, statuesque.
"What's wrong, sis?" he asked gently, immediately putting his arms around her.
"M-momma went away, Dex," the younger sibling told him, burying her head into his chest. She dropped the carton and cookies, instead gripping her brother's back, holding on as if for life.
"Sh, sh," he whispered soothingly into the girl's tiny ear. "It's alright, I'm here."
Dexter led his sister over the apple juice carton and cookies that had fallen out of the somehow-opened box and to her room. He helped her crawl into bed, then tucked her in. He placed a light, goodnight kiss on her forehead. As the boy got up to leave, however, the girl's voice squealed out, almost frightened.
"P-please don't leave me, too." He gave her a sad-yet-warm smile and sat back down on the edge of her bed.
"No," he assured. "I won't leave you. Ever."
"Never ever?" she asked with a sniffle. He shook his head stubbornly.
"Not for anything." The girl gave her brother a big smile, throwing her arms around his neck.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyou," she rushed out, words muffled by his chest as she pressed into him. Slowly, his arms encircled the smaller girl.
"I won't leave you alone for anything," he repeat-promised softly, resting his chin on the top of her brunette locks.
Neither was sure how much time had passed, but eventually the two siblings released each other and settled in for the night, one snuggling into the other's warmth.
