Connor

One of the key factors in falling in the love with Risa was that she was tough. She didn't take no for an answer and she took care of herself. The teen could have just accepted her fate and been unwound like the government wanted her to be. But like Connor, she fought back. So every time something bad happened to the two, she'd always want to fight, she'd never just stay quiet. Watching their daughter ask that question was probably the first time he'd ever seen the girl silenced. Guess it was his turn to parent for this lesson. He simply cleared his throat.

"No, no we would not." He shook his head as he approached her, kneeling on his knee to be level with her. "We had to go through that and we would never give you or your brother up, because of how much we had to fight for you two. We never thought we'd get to have kids, and now that we have you, we love you to the ends of the earth and even beyond that." Leaning in, he pecked her forehead. "Now put away your crayons and wash your hands, dinner is about ready."

Cecily was content with his answer and obeyed him, by picking up the things on her place mat. Before she got up, she leaned over and wrapped her arms around Connor's neck.

"I love you too Daddy."

Then she hopped down from her chair and her small footsteps faded into the other room. Connor finally looked up to make eye contact his wife. He saw her lip tremble, he stood and crossed the kitchen over to her. He pulled her into him and she broke out into sobs.

"Shhh, shhh, she was bound to ask about it at some point."

Risa was ridged even though Conor was holding her and trying to sooth her. He sighed.

"Look, just got lay down sweetheart, I'll make sure the kids eat."

He watched his wife nod and wiped at her eyes. The girl left the kitchen and Connor blew out a long sigh he didn't realize he was holding. Quickly he began to finish up their dinner and set the table. Cecily skipped back in and sat at her seat. He smiled and set her food down for her, then sat down with his own.

"Where's momma?" The little girl asked while picking up her silverware.

Connor gave a small smile and shrugged. "Mommy wasn't feeling very good, so I told her to go take a nap."

"Like when I had a hurt tummy?"

"Just like when your tummy hurt." He grinned.

The girl picked at her food. "I hope mommas tummy doesn't hurt."

. . .

Later, after he had picked up the dishes on the table and he set them in the sink, loaded the dishwasher, did he return to his wife. The boy gained access on by knocking and hearing a little groan from Risa. He sighed and shoved open the door with his shoulder, entering the room slowly, to see his wife laying in the, middle of their bed. Slowly he approached the side of the bed after closing the door.

"Risa, honey…"

The girl stuck her hand up to stop him, and Connor listened. Instead of saying anything else, he just crawled onto the bed and sat by her legs. He took a hold of one of them and began to massage them, like when she was in her wheelchair. This seemed to spark something in the girl, maybe it was sadness or a reminder of what they had gone through but she began to cry. It was silent and then her chest began to move and her body shook more violently. Connor shh'd her the best he could, rubbing her skin with delicate hands.

"Sweetie, she understands, she isn't scared."

Risa wiped at her eyes and she sniffed. "That's not the point Connor."

"Yes, yes it is. She's young, she's talked to us about it and if she mentions it again, we can tell her the truth and make sure shes understanding that we love her, and that is the past."

Risa remained quiet and Connor finished kneading the girls other leg and he crawled up on the bed and laid next to her. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he brought her in close and kissed her forehead.

"She'll be just fine. We are fine, and have been for a long time now." He smiled, and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

He heard her take in a deep breath and then let it go. That, was progress. Usually when Risa got emotional it was really hard for her to talk to him at all. She'd shut down, not look or talk to him. He kissed her forehead once more and he felt her eyelashes flutter on his arm.

"Sleep, go ahead. I've got bedtime patrol under control." He said with the corner of his lips turning uip in a smirk.

Finally, the girl giggled and he felt accomplished.

"You're such a nerd…" She trailed off as she pulled the blanket over her.

"Yeah," Connor laughed as he got the doorway. "But I'm your nerd."