Seeking Forgiveness

"Maybe we can." Had his absence when she felt she had most needed it hurt her? Of course it had; but Annette was certain that to cling to resentment over that now would be a mistake. He was right; she couldn't manage this burden alone, but she had precious few others to turn to. Collette, perhaps; she couldn't think of anyone else now, though. Had she had more friends at one point? Annette could hardly remember. Now, though, she hardly had anyone else; she needed Tramp, and he seemed to need her just as much. And as beaten down by life as he appeared, Annette didn't have the heart to reject her father's proposal; even if she had wanted to. The cocker took a step closer to her father, close enough to nudge his leg with her cold nose.

"We need each other, Dad," she reassured him, looking up at the mutt with the brown eyes so reminiscent of her late mother's. She wanted to add a plea for reassurance, a request for a promise that he wouldn't leave again, but felt that to ask would be to come off as far too needy. She was coming close to being an adult canine in her own right; it wouldn't do for her to sound too much like a little pup. She would just have to trust that Dad was going to remain true to his word.

The brief silence that followed his words seemed to stretch out into eternity, and his heart hammered in his chest as he waited for her to answer. He almost didn't dare to breathe, or even move at all for fear that even the slightest motion would bring the words he so dreaded.

When she did speak, it was all he could do to keep from collapsing with relief. For the first time in a long time, he felt he had a real, firm reason to go on living. After Annie's nose nudged his leg, he slowly, hesitantly edged forward to place his foreleg around her in comfort, and to take comfort in her presence, still half afraid she would turn away.

"I'm not leaving, ever again," he whispered, more to himself, and to Lady, than to his daughter. He had failed his family more than once. He couldn't fail them again.

The feeling of her father's paw around her, steady and reassuring even now, was something Annette had never imagined appreciating as much as she did now. Mom might be gone, Danielle might be an enemy, Angel might be missing, but she had Dad back. His promise fell gently on her ears, and the young cocker allowed herself to sink into the older dog's embrace; feeling, for the first time in a while, as though there was a chance things might turn out okay in the end. Their family was reduced, but now, maybe, those that remained could pull back together. Collette, she hoped, would be reasonable enough to give Dad another chance too, and perhaps Scamp would come around eventually.

It wouldn't be perfect. But it would do. It would give them something to return to once this nightmare of a war was over.

"I'm glad to have you back," she whispered, craning her neck to look up at her father.