{ YOU'RE SPAMTON } Time's like these weren't easy. You aren't around, and.. she keeps asking about you.

"When is he coming back?" She asks, her little voice light, and full of curiosity. "Why isn't he here?"

All of these questions, and for what? you were gone.

She looks at me, waiting for answers I don't have. And I can't lie to her.. neither tell the truth. It wasn't easy. What would tenna even say?

Maybe.. Maybe I can show her. Maybe that's enough.

I kneel down, closer to her.. so she can see, so she know's he's here. My television for a head's screen pulls up a video one I kept, the little pieces I saved of him. saved of you.

Tenna's screen would glow through the dark, while the video played that smile was everything. worth every penny. she sat there staring up to the screen that played..

Spamton's voice YOUR voice echoed in the room as the video played..

"Tens! She's taking her first steps"

"I think that's a great name.."

"Happy birthday tenna"

"I love you"

"I've got a big surprise!"

These were moment's, one's tenna kept in record, they hold importance, and he just couldn't let go.

because he still loved him. Even under the circumstances of you leaving them, he just.. couldn't let you go.

He needed you. SHE needed you.

I stay there, kneeling in front of her, letting her watch, letting her hear you again. Her little hands reach out, almost touching the screen.. almost reaching for you.

And I can’t stop the ache in my chest. Every laugh, every word.. every small thing he said or did… it hits me all over again.

"Will daddy come back soon? .." She says softly, her expression was almost sad now.

I swallow. I don’t know. I want to say yes. I want to lie and give her hope, but… the truth is messy. Uncertain. Fragile.

"I.. I hope so" tenna whispered, "he'll come back soon.. Just has a long work trip.."

She nods slowly, still staring at the screen, memorizing him, remembering him. I reach out, wrap my hand gently around hers.

Tenna pull's her in his arms with his hands, And for a moment, We just sat there. Quiet. Watching. Listening. Holding onto the pieces of him we still have.. because sometimes that’s all we can do.

He kept giving her hope. but how long could this go? how long could this last? why was he kidding? he wasn't coming back, and that's what he feared the most.

her father not coming back.

Weeks. Months. A year.

He wasn't coming back. Obviously.

But even though he’s gone, even though it hurts.. love doesn’t disappear. Not for her, not for me either.

And maybe.. just maybe.. that’s enough to keep going.

I stayed there longer than I should have, just holding her. Her eyes never left the screen, tracing every motion, every laugh, every tiny gesture he made.

She started giggling at the silly moments which broke something in tenna. He wanted to tell her the truth. but he- just couldn't.. Not yet. Not now.

The video ended. The screen went dark. And still, she stayed there, looking up at me, looking at nothing, holding onto him in her own way.

I forced a smile. Tried to make it feel like everything was okay. "it's time for bed okay?" I spoke, trying to hold thing's together.

"Okay daddy.." She says softly, pressing her head against him getting sleepy.

Tenna would slowly stand up, holding her in his arms he walked right to her room in this apartment.

While I made it inside her room she yawned, tiny arms curling around my neck. I sat down on the edge of her bed, holding her close, rocking her gently. Her face was clearly heavy with sleep.

Tenna would lay her into bed, afterwards tucking her with just sitting at the end of her bed to watch, as she started falling into sleep.

She was too sleepy to give her usual "goodnight" but tenna stood there, by her side, not planning to leave just yet. not now.

The room was filled with silence, with her just quietly breathing. The warmth. The movement. Meant everyone to tenna, because he was her father. one who stood by for everything.

"Sleep well.." Tenna said, whispering softly to her. Rain falls from outside the window.