Apology Not Accepted

Filler #1

Angelica poked her head into her parents' bedroom. She was looking for Margarita because the little thing ripped up one of her favorite skirts and peed on it. The girl swore she saw the cat run in here.

Alexander heard the door to the room open and groaned. His whole body felt like hell since his wife found him yesterday. Eliza hid his quill and his glasses, so he couldn't write or find his stuff, confining him to the bed. "Who is it?" he called. If he was being forced to sleep everyone should be too.

Angelica winced and poked his back. "It's me, Pops. Did Marge run in here by any chance?" She asked, crawling over him and bending over to look underneath the bed.

He hummed and sat up. "No," he answered, scratching his scalp. "If she did something wrong, she most likely ran and hid inside Philip's room." Last time, the cat stole his quill and broke his ink container. She was found inside one of Philip's spare pillowcases.

"Yeah but his door is locked at the moment while he's out with Ma and the others."

"Why is it locked?"

"To hide his dirty secrets."

Alexander laughed and stretched, slowly getting out of bed and grabbing a cane Junior bought for him as a joke. "Of course, Sweetheart. Now, would Margarita be in the closet or under the bed?"

"Closet." Angelica hopped off the bed and tiptoed to the closet, eyes narrowed and feet careful. She didn't want to startle the poor thing and have the cat escape again.

Alexander grabbed her arm and stopped her. "Go close my door and stand guard. That way, she'll be trapped in here and can't hide," he whispered. With a nod, the young girl ran to the door and slammed it with a flinch. Alexander glared at her while a low growl sounded from under the dresser. The man raised a single finger to his lips and jerked the cane once.

Getting down on all fours, Alexander began to crawl from the closet to his drawer. The dust and small specks of dirt where making his sleeping gown nasty. He'll ask Eliza to clean it later.

Angelica watched her father carefully and silently noted that the man looked like a cat himself almost. Except for the fact that cats aren't as much of an asshole. A thought occurred to her at that moment. "Dad?"

"Hmm?"

"Who's your favorite?"

Alexander froze and seemed to think for a minute. "I have no favorites?" He whispered.

"That sounded like a question."

"No, it didn't."

"Yes, it did."

"Give me a ten-page essay on how that sounded like a question, and then we'll talk."

Angelica frowned and adjusted her dress. "I bet its James."

Alexander internally groaned and sat down, placing the cane by his side. "Why would it be James?"

"Why wouldn't it?"

"Because I love all my children the same despite their flaws."

"What flaws?"

"You're my kids."

"..... accurate."

The two continued this conversation for a good while. Angelica insisting on finding out who the favorite was and Alexander dodging the question like the pro he is. Neither noticed the small cat peeking out from the drawer and staring.

"I'm just saying that if Lizzy or John was your favorite then it's okay to tell me!"

"If I did have a favorite, it sure as hell would not be your sister. She's too much like me for her own good," Alexander stated. Every time he worked, the small girl interrupted him and forced him to help her with whatever. It's not like he didn't want to spend time with his kids. It's just that his kids....are who they are.

And he should accept that.

Angelica nodded and hummed. "So that leaves me and Philip." She caught eye contact with the cat and watched her creep into her father's lap and curl up.

"No, it doesn't. Angelica, I seriously do not have a favorite."

"Liar and shush. There she is," the girl said, pointing to the purring animal in his lap. Alexander looked down then back up. Margarita mewed and licked his hand, her way of saying pet me human.

"Come get her. This is the whole reason you came in here right?" He said, holding up the cat, looking expectantly at his daughter. Margarita kept purring but starting kicking her feet in an attempt to make him drop her.

Angelica reached out for the cat then stopped. Looking at her father, she noticed his pale skin and tired eyes. He seemed so old now. She didn't notice it at all. Alexander was normally out and  doing anything and everything that no one never noticed the rushing man was beginning to slow.

Alexander shook the cat from side to side slowly. "Here."

Taking the cat from him, Angelica held Margarita close and allowed her to nuzzle into her neck. "Thank, Daddy. For everything," she croaked, eyes watering. Alexander saw the tears and scrambled up to hold his daughter. He let her cry into his chest as he rubbed her back. "It's fine, sweetheart. I'd do anything for you. There's nothing I wouldn't do," he comforted. 

Glancing over at the now open doorway, Alexander saw Eliza standing there with a small smile on her face. She mouthed a slow I love you and he mouthed it back.