Keep moving Cassie

​Her sweet laughter reached Lenny's ears.  It was her tenth birthday and he spun her around "Happy birthday t' the prettiest little lass in all of Bree-town!"  Cassie continued to giggle as her Father spun her around in the air.  As a child she adored that, it made her feel as if she was on top of the highest mountain. ​ He placed her back on the ground and stooped down to her eye level "Listen darlin'  Listen'  I don't ave' the coin right now t' get ye' a new dress.  But I promise tha' I'll take on some extra requests fer' weapons t' earn the coin."  He grinned but his dark brown eyes melancholic.  If only he could have gotten her something sooner, she was his world now.   He had to give her everything she needed, love, security, strength.  He had to be her rock because heaven knows, her Mother wasn't going to be in her life again.  Cassie smiled up at her Father "It's alright Da, as long as yer' holdin' me I'm happy! I know that ya' work ard' fer' us."   Lenny looked down at his daughter and smiled thinly, what did he do to deserve a little treasure like her?  Cassie kicked at the ground for a moment after saying this "Where's Ma though Da? Do ya' think she'd show up too fer' my birthday? At least to say hello?"  Lenny's gaze suddenly hardened and he looked down at her.  She never saw him so upset before "I don' wan' ye' t' ever mention that slime again ye' ear?   She don't want ya' Cassie and she don't want me!".   He reached down and firmly placed his hands on her shoulders "Promise me Cassie tha' ya' won't ever talk about yer' Ma again?"   Tears welled up in her eyes "I-I promise Da, but you're scaring me.  It was jus' a question."  Lenny's eyes softened and he let go of her shoulders "I'm sorry Cassie girl, I'm sorry.  That wasn't right fer' me t' make ye' promise that.  But.. some people are jus' not meant t' be in our lives.  When they leave we ave' t' keep moving."   Cassie looked to the ground "I love ya' Papa.."  Lenny plastered on a smile and put his large and strong hand on his daughter's head "And I love you, Cassie more than anything.  Yes it's you.. not Ya'.. we got to work on that Bree-landers accent and make you start talking a bit more proper."  He chuckled and kissed her head "Go play, I have work to do at the forge and don't talk to no strangers!"  He walked out of the house and Cassie smiled "Yes Papa."