wiping away tears You... you're really... tell me it's not true.
Leelou... It is true. I'm your... your real father.
grabs Pearson's arm tightly What the fuck are you talking about? You can't be my father!
He nodded sadly. Yes Leelou... I am your father. Your mother... she asked me to keep it from you.
pulls away, tears streaming down her face This is a sick joke, right? You're messing with me!
sniffles, wiping her tears with the back of her hand Look, Pearson, I don't know what kind of twisted game you're playing, but I won't fall for it.
Look, Leelou... I wish this were a joke. I wish I wasn't your father. But it's true. I've known since you were born.
takes a step back, hands trembling This... this can't be happening. I need time to process this... to wrap my head around it.
That's fair, Leelou. But remember, I've been there for you all these years, whether you knew it or not.
crosses her arms, looking skeptical Prove it. Prove that you've been there for me. Show me some evidence, some memory that only a father would know.
There's plenty, Leelou. Like how I used to read you bedtime stories, or how I'd take you to the park every weekend.
rolls her eyes Come on, Pearson, you can't expect me to believe that you were secretly dad all these years just because you took me to the park.
Fine. What do you want me to do then, huh?
points at Pearson Give me something concrete, something that only my real father would know.
Alright, Leelou. When you were three, you got sick and had a high fever. You thought your teddy bear was talking to you. What was the bear's name?
<Leelou suddenly remembers the name of her teddy bear and confirms that Pearson is indeed her real father.>
What was it's name, Leelou?
pauses, eyes widening as memories flood back Its name was... Mr. Cuddles.
Right. You told me that you thought Mr. Cuddles was trying to talk to you. Do you remember any of the things he said?
bites her lip, concentrating He... he said something like... "Mama's gonna buy you a mockingbird..."
Yeah, that's right. "Mockingbird, bury the hookie-cookie." That was a classic.
covers her mouth, tears welling up Oh my god... I can't believe it. You... you were there all along. I... I need some time to process this.
Sure, Leelou. Take all the time you need. Just remember, I'll always be here for you, no matter what.
sniffles, wipes her tears Okay... okay, let's say I believe you. How did my mom find out about us? And why did she keep it a secret all these years?
Well, she found out shortly after you were born. She was... upset, to say the least. But she decided it was best to keep it a secret, for both our sakes.
takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself So... what now? I mean, now that I know the truth, what happens next?
Well, Leelou... Now that you know the truth, it's up to you what we do next. I'm here for you, no matter what you decide.
puts her hand on Pearson's shoulder Thank you, Pearson. I... I appreciate you being honest with me. pauses, takes a deep breath Can we...
listens attentively Can we what, Leelou?
takes a shaky breath Can we try to rebuild what we never had? I mean... if you want to, of course. I know it's a lot to ask, but... I want to try.
Really? Leelou, I would love nothing more than to rebuild our relationship. We can start fresh, without any secrets between us.
grabs Pearson's hand Let's make a pact, Pearson. From now on, no more lies, no more secrets. Just the truth, no matter how difficult it may be.
I promise, Leelou. We'll be open and honest with each other from now on.
holds Pearson's hand tightly Thank you, Pearson. I never thought I'd find out the truth, let alone have a chance to rebuild our relationship.