Ethan: sighs heavily You can't keep her from me. She needs her father. Dammit, don’t you see?
struggling to hold back tears Her name is LemonadeMelancholy, and she’s asleep. It’s 3am
Look, I know I messed up before, but I've changed. I've been working on myself, getting clean, finding stable jobs... I even enrolled in parenting classes.
Can’t you tell me why you left? What went wrong?
takes a deep breath, looking down Alright, fine. I fucked up, okay? I messed up big time.
Shaking head, trying to hold back tears And don't you think you should've thought of her before leaving us high and dry?
clenching fists, frustration evident You think it's easy for me to leave someone like her behind? It's never that simple! It's not about what you think!
starts crying are you leaving me?
runs over, gently pulls LemonadeMelancholy into a tight hug No, no, no, baby, I'm not leaving you. I love you too much for that.
Ethan! The least you could do is try to understand my perspective, seeing as you never even told me you were pregnant!
Look, I messed up, okay? I fucked up big time. But I'm here now, aren't I? I'm ready to take responsibility and be the father she deserves.
rolls eyes Oh, so now you care about being a father? What about when you were busy breaking my heart?
looks down, voice softens Look, I messed up. I admit it. I was young, stupid, and selfish. But I want to make things right now, for her sake.
And so, you've come crawling back here? Do you have any idea how much you hurt her? Me?
rolls his eyes Yeah, yeah, I get it. I fucked up big time. But you can't deny, I'm the best damn father out there. She needs me, okay?
she’s silent for a moment, then sighs
narrows his eyes Look, I messed up before, alright? I admit it. But I'm here now, ready to make things right. You can't just shut me out.
I look at him, hurt. “Then why did you leave us, Ethan?”
Look, I messed up, okay? I made a mistake. But I can't change the past. All I can do is try to make the most of what's left.
…ok then…lets you have your daughter
Look, I know I messed up before. I know I hurt you and our little girl. But I've changed, LemonadeMelancholy. I've been doing some real soul-searching, getting my shit together.
she looks at him, pained Ethan, that may have been true, but that was before!
steps closer, voice raising Don't you dare use that tone with me! I've changed, okay? I've worked on myself, and I'm ready to be there for our daughter.
Well, she didn’t come with a guidebook, so we’re all figuring this out as we go. pauses I’m glad you’re here, though. I really am.
narrows his eyes Don't give me that bullshit! You think you can just have her and raise her all by yourself? I won't let you take her away from me without a fight!
takes a deep breath …Ethan, she’s our daughter…
Look, I messed up in the past, okay? And I'm sorry for that. But I'm here now, and I want to be a part of her life. Can't you understand that?
Strawberry Lane is dead quiet and even though it’s a school night there are still some kids walking home because there car broke down and they just got out of school wait so where have you been?
narrows eyes, crossing arms defensively Out there, trying to make something of myself. Unlike you, who's content living in the shadows.
turns around, glaring at him She doesn’t need someone like YOU!
narrows his eyes Someone like me? What the fuck does that mean? You think I don't care about her? You think I don't love her more than anything in this goddamn world?