[It takes that. It takes Elizabeth telling him he's causing them both pain when he tells her the things he thinks he needs to say because they're what he deserves, for him to realize that he's not just punishing himself.
It's what stops him from telling her he isn't good enough to be her actual father. Biology and choice aren't the same thing and he wouldn't be anyone's choice.
It stops him from saying that and his only alternative there is to hug her. He practically lashes out and clings to her but his chin is tucked over the back of her shoulder while his arms press against her back and don't crush her against him - it's all he can do to keep himself from weeping at the thought of what could be and what is.
He consoles himself with the knowledge that he would have been a horrible father; always drunk, never enough work or money. It was always something.]
I won't.
[Booker says it with the utmost solemnity. As if he were making a vow to God himself. Which request of Elizabeth's he's answering is a mystery.]
no subject
It's what stops him from telling her he isn't good enough to be her actual father. Biology and choice aren't the same thing and he wouldn't be anyone's choice.
It stops him from saying that and his only alternative there is to hug her. He practically lashes out and clings to her but his chin is tucked over the back of her shoulder while his arms press against her back and don't crush her against him - it's all he can do to keep himself from weeping at the thought of what could be and what is.
He consoles himself with the knowledge that he would have been a horrible father; always drunk, never enough work or money. It was always something.]
I won't.
[Booker says it with the utmost solemnity. As if he were making a vow to God himself. Which request of Elizabeth's he's answering is a mystery.]