Disclaimer: I don't own anything. And I promise, once I'm done playing with them, I'll put them back.
Chapter 6/6
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"Unasked Questions"
As soon as Veronica finally shooed a reluctant Logan towards his car with a kiss and promise to call later, she pushed the door to the apartment shut and sank against it. Keith was busy straightening up the living room and kitchen a little too vigorously.
She took a seat at the island, picking up the last remaining fudge brownie that Mac brought from home. She ate it while she watched her dad load the sink with dishes. "I'll get them later," she offered.
He turned and gave her a grateful grin before sitting down opposite her and swiping a piece of her brownie. "I was hoping you'd say that."
Veronica smiled and finished the confection before looking back at her dad. "Thanks for today."
Keith nodded. "We needed it."
They sat in companionable silence for a moment. Veronica spun the lazy Susan on the island and Keith flicked a pen idly into the air. Nervous energy buzzed around them, even though they were both physically and mentally exhausted.
"She's gone forever," Veronica said softly.
"I know, honey. I know," came his answer. He reached across and stilled her small hand with his own larger one.
Veronica looked up and met his eyes. "But, it's not like that piece of paper with her time of..." she paused and took a breath, "That didn't finalize it for me. Neither did seeing her. I think I lost her forever the moment I took a drink of her bottle of water from the fridge last year."
Silence fell between them for a moment before Keith spoke. "I used to think I drove her away from us. And then I blamed Jake Kane. And Celeste. But it was never any of that really," he paused and looked at his daughter, "She loved you, you know that. I don't want you to forget it. But, she was scared and nothing we ever could have done would have fixed that."
Veronica grasped her father's hand in her own and held it tight. "I know," she whispered.
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The End