The Voice

The Explanation

                                                  T h e   E x p l a n a t i o n

"I can't." Peter said. I threw my hands up in defeat and looked at Clara.

"You're hearing this, right?" I asked. She nodded and made a rude face at Peter. "Why can't you?"

"It's not really my place." He said. I scoffed.

"Let me guess, it's Siobhan's place." I said. He nodded and I groaned. I did not want to see her. I really didn't. But there was a small part of me that wondered if Callum would show up again if I went to see her. Maybe it'd be worth it, just to see him before he goes back, if he hasn't already. "Fine."

"Really?" Peter asked, completely shocked. "I thought it would take longer to convince you."

"I'm feeling charitable." I said sourly. I slipped into my shoes and looked back to Clara. "I don't know when I'll be back."

"I'll hold down the fort." She said with a thumbs up. I led the way out the door and grabbed my coat before heading outside. I began to walk down the street when I heard Peter's voice behind me.

"I have a car." He called out. I rolled my eyes. Of course in a town where pretty much everyone walks, he had a car. Then again, I was a bit grateful because as the sun was dropping below the horizon, the temperature was getting more and more frigid. He went around to the other side and climbed in, unlocking the doors so I could follow suit.

As he drove I took the time to study him. He looked to be in his late thirties or early forties and wore a slight beard. He had dark brown eyes and brown hair and I took a breath. I should just ask him if he's my dad and get it over with.

"Um, Peter?" I asked. He lifted his brow. "I was just wondering, if..." My voice trailed off as I began to lose confidence. Did I really want to know the answer? "Well, if you were my... my-"

"Dad?" He asked, cutting me off. I nodded and he looked me in the eye. "Sadly not, Moira." I felt something akin to disappointment and scolded myself. I've barely known the man ten minutes; I couldn't possibly have wanted him to be my dad.

"Okay." I said quickly.

"I really wish I was, though, Moira." He said. I looked up at him, surprised.

"Why?" I asked. Honestly, why would anyone actually want to be anything to me?

"Because you're an impressive young woman and I'd be proud to be your dad." He said. "We can't have any kids of our own, you know?" I looked at him sadly. He seemed like he'd be a great dad.

"I'm sorry." I said. He shrugged. Typical guy.

"When you came back to town a few months ago, I wanted to contact you, help you out." He said. I let out a quick, surprised laugh. "Bean refused, though."

"Bean?" I asked. He chuckled.

"Yeah, Siobhan couldn't pronounce her name when she was a kid, she ended up saying Sha-bean, and the nickname stuck." He said with a smile.

"That's right, even I call her that." I let out a screech and turned around to see Callum sitting across Peter's back seat. Peter swerved the car a bit before correcting its course.

"Dear God!" I exclaimed, my heartbeat pounding. I was torn between wanting to punch Callum because he scared me and hug him because I'd missed him, but I couldn't do either.

"What was all that?" Peter asked. I took a deep breath and smiled back at Callum. Thank God he was still here.

"You're going to think I'm crazy, but I'm going to tell you anyways." I said. Callum looked impressed and I began my tale with waking up earlier this morning. Peter was driving slowly, listening intently to every word I said and when I finally reached the end we were on his street. He parked in front of the house and smiled, shaking his head.