Maybe it was his protective nature, but Daxton could not bear the sight of tears. Especially when it was those of a women.
"S-She is gone. My M-Mama is gone." Estelle hid behind her hands, embarrassed by her tears.
Reese whined and wiggled his face on her lap.
"I-" Estelle started as she choked on a sob before being cut off by a much deeper and calmer voice.
"Shh.. I want you to name one thing you see in the room. Do you think you can do that for me, sweetheart?" Daxton was fast with his aid. He could tell she was spiraling quickly.
Estelle let out a sharp breath as her eyes caught different objects and things around Daxton's apartment. A small toy motorcycle sat in front of his full bookshelf.
Estelle was a reader, and maybe if she wasn't so deeply panicked she would have commented on the shelf.
"I s-see a little m-motorcycle toy." Estelle whispered breathlessly.
Daxton didn't have to turn around to know what she was talking about. His grandfather had given him it when he was just a kid. Daxton watched as Estelle took in a steadier breath.
"Good girl. Now what color is that little motorcycle, hmm?" His praise was reassuring and Estelle nodded.
Her eyes caught the smidge of yellow paint on the body of the motorcycle, and she wondered if it was meant to be there. Perhaps it wasn't even there.
"Black, red, y-yellow? Maybe I can't see it." Her voice shook as Daxton stood up.
As Daxton grabbed the toy and gently spun its wheel. Thinking of what to tell the poor girl in front of him.
Once he sat down, Daxton handed the toy to Estelle. His warm hand brushing her small one in the process.
"Look it is some yellow, you were right sweetheart." His voice was sweet and it brought tears to Estelle's eyes.
Daxton watched as he she spun the wheels of the motorcycle. Her fingers fumbled with the toy. The small lightening of yellow streaked across the body of the motorcycle.
He hesitated before saying what he was about to say.
"Do you want to talk about your Mama, will it help you? We don't have to say anything, I just know sometimes talking helps." Daxton had never been good at talking, but it didn't matter. If that is what Estelle needed.
"I-." Estelle swallowed before continuing.
"Y-Yes. I want to t-talk about her, I m-miss her s-so so much." Her voice cracked as her fingers continued to mess with the toy.
"I know you miss her. You tell me something about your Mama and I will tell you something about my Dad." Daxton explained as Estelle nodded in agreement.
"Take a little sip first, sweetheart. It will help you." Daxton explained softly. His hand scratching the small stubble that had grown overnight, making him look more rough.
Estelle raised the cup to her lips, the warm liquid soothed her throat. Closing her eyes the experience was calming.
Still she couldn't help but think about when he called her good girl. What would she have to do for him to say it again?
Daxton eyes were searching her now open ones for answers while waiting in the silence of the room. Estelle swallowed hard to avoid the lump forming in her throat. Though when she spoke her voice was much quieter, installing a strange feeling of protectiveness within the man in front of her.
"My mama, s-she liked a-art a lot- she was an artist. I want to b-be like her, I mean I like art! I just mean I am not good. I'm s-sorry-" Her voice cracked with the fragility of sea glass. Estelle's rambling caused a darker blush to rise against the paleness of her cheeks.
"No. I don't want to hear you apologizing anymore. You did nothing wrong. Do you understand me?" Daxton was angered by her need to apologize. Precisely why his voice became dominant. Enticing a verbal answer from Estelle.
"Yes!" Estelle nodded and squeaked out.
"Good. Now, do you think you can stand? I would like to show you something." He moved to a standing position. All of Daxton's height towering over Estelle's frame. He couldn't help but notice the height difference.
"I can s-stand." Estelle said as she stood up slowly.
His large legs led him down a hallway, and Estelle followed behind. Her sock covered feet hitting the floor with more force.
"You walk so f-fast, Daxy." Estelle giggled and Daxton had completed his job.
Make her laugh.
"No I don't." Daxton argued back.
"Y-Yes, you do!" Estelle exclaimed.
"No."
"Yes!"
He'd let her win this time.
Estelle let out another string of laughter. As they made it to a door that was not very far at all, but the argument bought time.
"You're so silly." Estelle giggled again, maybe it was the tea.
"I think you are the silly one here. Not me." Daxton explained and opened the door to his bedroom.
Estelle had never been in a man's room before.
She hadn't known Daxton very long, but Estelle could already tell it was his room. The darkness of the room was because of the dark drapes, and bedding. His huge bed.
"Why is your bed so big?" Estelle was curious, even though the answer was pretty obvious.
Daxton by no means was little.
Daxton shook his head and turned to a desk and opened the third drawer down. He rumbled through it while Estelle stood there waiting. He stopped moving and only turned his head towards Estelle.
"What are you doing?" He asked as one of his eyebrows raised.
"Waiting for-" Estelle started.
"Sit on the bed, sweetheart." Daxton said and Estelle gushed in embarrassment. Duh. Sit on the bed.
"Okay, thank y-you." Estelle said as she plopped down on the bed. It was positively the most comfortable bed she had ever sat on. Maybe she shouldn't, but she couldn't help it. Another plop and Estelle's body was starfished across his bed.
"Daxy?"
"Hmm.." Daxton responded.
"W-What are y-you doing?" Her voice became a hushed whispered tone, descending as she waited for an answer. The smell of his bed was luring her into a deep sleep. The muscles in her back finally taking rest.
"I am looking for something." His voice answered.
Though he got no response. Which was almost too hard to believe. Daxton hated small talk, or talking in general. Something Estelle did all the time, but somehow he loved hearing her babble.
"Sweetheart?" Daxton turned around.
The girl was passed out, finally at a calmed sense. He took the blanket off of the chair in his room. Daxton pulled it gently over her, and then turned off the lights.
He left the room quietly, with only one thought left.
What was he going to do?
