[ raleigh is still in shock, so his conversation with girl yancy has a slightly rough start. he mentions his brother was named yancy, asks her how she's doing, listens to her ramble, and eventually asks if she wants to meet mako. his co-pilot is a saint and smiles at the girl, waving her over so raleigh can talk with naomi.
he straightens up, but remains silent for a moment as he tries to wrap his head around what's happening. naomi has a kid. and it's clearly yancy's kid. he's an uncle. his niece is old enough that yancy was still alive when she was born, and that's what really gets him. yancy died without ever knowing he was a father. and if he had known--
god. if they had known there is nothing they would not have done for naomi and her daughter. yancy would've been a wonderful father. he'd already had some experience in stepping up when dad walked out. and he would be so determined to make sure that his kid never grew up with a deadbeat dad or thinking he didn't care about them. the thought makes raleigh's heart ache something fierce.
he doesn't ask why didn't you tell us? naomi was young and probably scared. they were young and brand spanking new pilots. she didn't really know them. she'd had no reason to think they'd really remember her or want to be involved. ( though raleigh never really forgot her. hard to forget the girl who nearly ruined your career. ) and he doesn't ask does she know? because it's clear she doesn't.
instead, what he finds coming out of his mouth is, ] God, she looks so much like he did when we were younger. [ except that's not really the question he wants to ask, so he has to rally. rubs a hand over his mouth and gives naomi a nervous look. ] I don't want to intrude on your home life, so you're welcome to say no and that'll be it. But... can I get to know her? And you?
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he straightens up, but remains silent for a moment as he tries to wrap his head around what's happening. naomi has a kid. and it's clearly yancy's kid. he's an uncle. his niece is old enough that yancy was still alive when she was born, and that's what really gets him. yancy died without ever knowing he was a father. and if he had known--
god. if they had known there is nothing they would not have done for naomi and her daughter. yancy would've been a wonderful father. he'd already had some experience in stepping up when dad walked out. and he would be so determined to make sure that his kid never grew up with a deadbeat dad or thinking he didn't care about them. the thought makes raleigh's heart ache something fierce.
he doesn't ask why didn't you tell us? naomi was young and probably scared. they were young and brand spanking new pilots. she didn't really know them. she'd had no reason to think they'd really remember her or want to be involved. ( though raleigh never really forgot her. hard to forget the girl who nearly ruined your career. ) and he doesn't ask does she know? because it's clear she doesn't.
instead, what he finds coming out of his mouth is, ] God, she looks so much like he did when we were younger. [ except that's not really the question he wants to ask, so he has to rally. rubs a hand over his mouth and gives naomi a nervous look. ] I don't want to intrude on your home life, so you're welcome to say no and that'll be it. But... can I get to know her? And you?