Jesse wraps her back up in a bear hug and hushes her quietly, feeling—not for the first time, not even close to it—a rush of protectiveness. He’s not her father and never could be, but he’d still do anything to take care of her like one. To take away this guilt she doesn’t deserve.

“You didn’t do a thing wrong. I know you didn’t, and so does your mama.”

It has gotten easier to call Ashe her mother, even though he still mentally stumbles over it every time he has to choose between the lie and her name.

“You’ve got nothin’ to apologize to me for. I’m fine. You’re fine. Your mama’s fine.”