AN: The last few chapters only took a few hours to write. This one, for as short as it is, took days.

He eyed her silently from across the table with his chin propped on one hand, slouched in his chair with the album rested on his leg. Neither of them had spoken a word once she had finished her story. Cornelius had listened attentively and regarded the flushed face and tearful eyes before him with the same polite aloofness as when he'd passed the box of tissues to her.

It wasn't a ruse, that much he could tell. He'd waited so long to have these answers but once he did, he wasn't sure what to do with them.

He went back to flipping through the album, if only to cease staring across the table. The tension was stifling and he knew the ball was in his court.

Cornelius paused over an image of both his biological parents together. It really was striking how much he looked like the two of them. During her explanation he'd asked for clarification on exactly what had happened to his father. Meagan had taken a deep breath and shook her head slowly as she'd replied. All she had ever been told was that Stephen Townsend had been part of a crew inspecting the damage to structures in an area massacred by earthquakes. The wrong call made by one crew member had killed all fourteen crewmen.

One person's poor decision had left him in an orphanage for twelve years.

Well, more than one person...

Cornelius closed the album and set it back on the table, brows lowered as he stared at the cover. He'd barely been prepared to hear her out let alone be in the position he was then placed in.

How was he supposed to react? Thank her for her time and dismiss her the way they handled interviews? Tell her to leave and that he never wanted to see her again? Welcome her with open arms?

He didn't feel like doing any of those. He pinched the bridge of his nose and barely suppressed a sigh.

He didn't know what he wanted to do.

Meagan finally spoke again, and Cornelius wasn't sure if that was a victory or defeat on his own part.

She sniffed faintly and dried the corners of her eyes with a crumpled tissue. "I didn't come to plead forgiveness...or to tell you I was right in doing what I did..."

He looked back up at her from over his glasses, continuing to massage the space between his eyes as she continued.

An incredible headache was blossoming rapidly.

"I only wanted you to know."

"Why now." It was spoken more as a statement than a question.

She was hesitant in her response.

"It's taken this long to gain the courage to..."

Cornelius fought the urge to look away again and could feel his jaw working in silent frustration. He stood and placed himself in front of one of the large windows where he could look out over Todayland.

"I spent years-"

He cut her off with a look over his shoulder. "Wait, so you're telling me- how long have you known?"

"Too long..." She replied after a moment as she met his eyes.

His mouth pressed into a thin line before he turned back to the window.

"You have a beautiful family-"

"Yes, I do."

"- and I- I don't mean to take anything from you...Cornelius-"

Silence fell over them again, neither of them knowing what direction to go from there.

"I...I would like to get the chance to be part of your life-"

Cornelius turned away from the window to face her, his expression calculating and a little incredulous.

"-but that is entirely your decision."

When he didn't respond she continued and pulled the album back toward her, if only to busy herself with the small task of holding the binder. She was afraid her hands would shake.

"If you never want to see me again, I understand, and I would honor that-"

She cut herself off and fought to keep her composure as a knot formed in the back of her throat. She studied his face, her son's face, and hoped to commit to memory every detail. Angry with herself and feeling like she appeared to be seeking pity, she sniffled faintly and looked away.

Cornelius had only continued to watch her, sceptical, and distant. After a few moments he had rounded the table and sat in a vacant chair beside her in silence. He'd stared sidelong at the table top, his jaw set, before finally exhaling breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

He took her hand, to her extreme surprise, and finally met her eyes.

There were still massive amounts of hurt and grief, he wanted her to realize, but he also knew he wasn't the only one in pain.

"It's ok..."

They had sat in silence for hours it seemed. Cornelius was still undecided on what his answer would ultimately be, and he had made sure she understood that. For her part, Meagan had been as understanding as possible, telling him to take as much time as he needed, and that if his decision was never, she would understand that too.

They parted on easy terms, Cornelius refusing to keep the album. He never asked about her current life. Maybe that would come later.

Once she was gone, he'd glanced up at the clock and rubbed the back of his neck in an attempt to relieve the tension. Going back to the window, he'd stared out across Todayland where he could just see the observatory.

Cornelius massaged at his temples and above his ears, ripped his glasses off and threw them on the table. He pinched the bridge of his nose once again, this time to hold back the threatening sting of tears.