What If?// WDW BxB: Corbyn-Shots

Day 19|| Your Father- Jarbyn

Summary: Jack brings his and
Corbyn's daughter to visit his grave for the first time

Jack's POV
" Where are we going, Daddy?" Seemingly endless seas of bright green rolled past as they drove along the road. Following each gentle curve, dodging the shallow potholes. Lavender's chocolate drops watching the cows graze and the horses trot.

" Somewhere very special, sweetheart. I'll tell you more when we get there."

There were no more words spoken as the cemetery grew nearer. Lavender's eyes shining curiously, drifting over the various tombstones. Unable to see the intricate details of each.

" Come on, love," the sharp click of her seatbelt following my words. Following the steady crunch of my approaching steps.

Her tiny hands digging gently into my shoulders, pulling herself onto my back. Short legs swinging on either side of me. My forearms encircling her limbs. Her face nuzzling mine softly, head resting beside my own.

She bounced gently with each step. My feet moving from instinct, traveling along the memorized path to Corbyn's grave.

Lavender stared down at it, her cheek brushing against mine as her head tilted.

" Cor... bine?" Her voice quiet, as if she somehow knew what this place was," who's that, Daddy?"

" Corbyn," my correction patient. Unable to look away," he... h-he's your father, Princess. He died not long after you were born."

" Really?" Awe leaving her voice breathy, words more of an exhale than anything. I had never spoken his name before.

" Really," my thumb tracing the ridges of her jean's seam. Rubbing along her outer thigh softly.

" W-what... w-was he nice?" A low chuckle rumbling in my throat. My lips brushing her temple, trailing along her skin. Holding her a little tighter.

" The nicest, Baby. He just wanted to make everyone happy. He wanted to make people smile and... and cheer them up if they were having a bad day. H-he was an incredible person. I don't think there was an evil bone in his body," my voice beginning to splinter regardless of how much I pleaded it not to. I wanted to be strong for her.

" Do... d-do you wanna p-ut his flowers down?" The Sun's low light catching the plastic as the bouquet was raised. Her gaze shifted to them slowly. A strange, distant haze enveloping the pretty brown.

Lavender slid off my back, taking the flowers between her fingers. The plastic whining against her palm as it was removed. Leaving only the pastel red plants. I looked on silently while she moved closer. Almost looking afraid. Her boots burying slightly into the ground above his coffin, resting the flowers along the base if his grave.

Instinct led the tensing of my muscles and guided my actions. Leading me to grab her much, much rougher than I ever had.

" Lavender May Avery-Besson don't you ever step on someone's grave. Not ever, young lady, do you understand me?" Scold boring down on top of her, the young girl not meeting my narrowed gaze.

Her tiny hands pressing just below her armpits. Thumb constantly massaging the spot where I had grabbed her. Studying her boots with glistening eyes that seemed more betrayed than pained.

My knees hit the ground with a thud. My stomach twisting and tying, forming a series of complex knots and intricate patterns, leaving me absolutely fucking sick. I had never manhandled her, I had never even thought about it.

" Jesus Christ. Baby girl, I'm so sorry, I didn't... Lavender I never meant to grab you like that. Princess, I'm so sorry," my fingers curving in, cupping her cheek gently. Wiping away the few tears that had spilled," I'm so, so, so sorry, love. God, I promise I won't ever do it again. Not ever, I promise you," I tucked her smaller body into mine. Kissing her again and again. Tracing the grooves of her spine, whispering in her ear, doing anything I could to show her I hadn't meant it.

Her lithe arms constricting my chest. Tucking her head beneath my chin," did you like Corbyn?"

" Of course I do. Why would you ask that?" I let her change the subject. No matter how much it hurt.

" Because you've never talked about him," her words only leading to more heart ache. Hating myself for ever making her believe that.

" I love your father with every single ounce of my heart. He's the love of my life and I would give almost anything to have him back. I don't think I'll ever love another man like I love him. I just...", the words trailing off, falling silently from my tongue. My fingers swimming absently through her silky brown hair. Tucking a wandering strand behind her ear," it hurts, talking about him. It hurts to think that he isn't here anymore. That there's nothing I can do to bring him back. But I should've told you. I never should've let you grow up not knowing about him. I'm so sorry, Princess."

She lifted onto her tiptoes. Pressing a sweet, long kiss to my glabella," I'm not mad. I don't like it when you cry, Daddy. I don't want you to be sad."

A laugh passing betwixt my lips despite the tears rolling down my cheeks. Leaving their glistening trails behind," I love you, Lavender. And Corbyn loved you too. I wish you could've seen the way he looked at you. He wouldn't let you go. He made me promise to take care of you. No matter what, no matter how much I was hurting. He made me promise to keep you safe. That's why Daddy hates it that I hurt you, because it means I failed him."

That I failed you.

" You didn't," her mouth curving into a gentle smile," you didn't fail him, Daddy," the little girl nuzzling back into my chest. Arms tight around me," I know he's proud of you. I'm proud of you too."

I held my Baby girl close. Nestling my face into her long, brunette locks. Lips brushing the crown of her head.

I see more and more of you in her everyday, my love. I'm sorry it took me so long. I'll make sure she knows about you. I promise I will. I hope you can forgive me, Corbyn.

The clouds seemed to part. Allowing a single, warm stream of sunlight to filter through. Though, it was only on us, the rest of the world still laden with pale shadows.

I couldn't help my smile. My trembling, wet smile because I knew, deep down I knew my beloved was looking down at us. He was smiling at us.

And I knew he wasn't mad at me.

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