Best Friends Father

Possibility

 I had stayed in the hotel room across the hall from Lilly and Y/N. I tried to give them space throughout the week, but Y/N had insisted on me not being alone. She would also say things like she 'liked my company' and 'liked my jokes'. She was a refreshing person to be around. I was starting to see why Lilly had kept her by her side for so long. Speaking of Lilly. My daughter came into my room with a pout, walking right by me and flopping onto my bed. I took the drink I poured for myself and held it up for Lilly.

"Has she finally gotten on your nerves?"

My daughter sat up and took the drink.

"She could never."

I only laughed at my daughter's loyalty. She loved her friend to death and it showed. They were both such lovely ladies, and I was proud to see them as such.

"I'm worried, Dad. I don't want to pull her around with me but I can't leave her home alone."

I understand my daughter's worry. It's the same worry she has for me. Lilly is a very passionate woman and the people she cares about fall under her passion. I watch her as she slowly sips the cheap whiskey and thinks about what to do with the beloved Y/N. Lilly began talking about all she had to do for this week and how much work she would have to put aside to care for Y/N. The new week had yet to begin and my poor girl was stressed already. I take another glass and fill it with the fruit water the girls had ordered. Before Lilly could drink more of the alcohol I switched her glass for the fruit water.

"Is this our water?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at my daughter's whisper. A question that was more to herself than it was to me.

"Yes, I knew you two were trying on clothes so I stopped the boy and told him I would bring the water to you girls."

"I can't imagine that was easy."

"Absolutely not. I'm pretty sure he thought I was a creep."

"You, a creep! How absurd!"

I had to control myself so I wouldn't explode with laughter. My daughter was such a tease, always poking fun. While I was watching my daughter smile and couldn't help but think about how amazing she is. It's a little sad to think she ended up so successful and smart without me. At the same time, I could never be more proud. She was and is able to grow and thrive without me holding her down. She was able to do what I still struggle to do. Live without and let go of the past.

"What if.... what if I watched over Y/N for you? Let her stay at my place? Heaven knows I need a break from travel."

I tried to end it with a joke in case she was totally against the idea. I would not be surprised if she said no. Who would want to leave their sick best friend with their equally sick father? In the silence, I sip on the leftover whiskey Lily had before her water.

"You don't have to answer, my dear. It was just an idea."

"No, I won't brush it off. You two get along. It could work, but do you know if you could handle it? Handle her?"

A silence fell over us again. This time it was due to my lack of response. My ego tells me to say yes, but my rational and nervous side says that I couldn't. What do I know about caring for someone who doesn't care for themselves? Heck, I barely can do it on my own somedays. Would I be able to take care of someone for an unforeseen amount of time? I've only been around here for a couple of hours at a time. The door opens with a ringtone coming from the other side. Then a shy little Y/N pokes her head around the door. It was hard to not coo at the sweet thing. Trying her best to not intrude on her best friend and father. Slowly she crept into the room holding out a ringing phone.

"I'm sorry, but it's rung three times now."

"Three! Why didn't you say anything?"

All Y/N did was put her head down and hold herself. I had never known the poor girl to be anything but shy. No matter how many times Lilly or I told her she belonged and could do as she pleased.

"Never mind dear. Hello?"

Lilly left the room with a kiss on her friend's temple and phone to her ear. With the door now shut behind Y/N, I watched as she stood nervous. Arms still around herself and eyes roaming the room. Like a shy little mouse, she scans the room looking for something to distract her own brain. I watch as her eyes catch the desk littered with sticky notes and markers. I smile as she lingers on the scraps of art. Much like myself, she dabbles in aspects of art, though she specializes in writing.

"Would you like to draw some?"

"I don't want to bother."

"It's not a bother, dear. Why don't we make something together?"

A wide smile spread across her face, even though she tried to hide it behind her little hand. An equally small nod makes me smile back at her. Silently I gesture to the desk and chair, allowing her to walk ahead of me. While her back was facing me I downed the rest of the cheap whiskey in my glass. I set the empty glass on the tray before joining Y/N. She had sat in the rolling desk chair looking over the pads of paper covered with marker and ink. She didn't look bored but intrigued at the drawings I had made late at night. I shuffle with a stool to sit next to the small, shy artist.