"Well, I'm not sure I'd use those exact words, first of all." He's not being facetious, he doesn't crack a grin or a even a hint of a smile, there's only thoughtfulness in his expression as he considers what Raleigh could possibly say to appease the situation. "I think that before she arrives, you're going to have to accept that there might not be a right way of going about this. You took a very brave first step, you really did, and I'm sure you don't need me to tell you this but I'm going to do it anyway: it's going to be difficult. Probably for longer than you'd like it to be. Your mother might feel resentment, she might be angry, she might lash out in ways that are hurtful. But ultimately, what you should try to remember is that she loves you and above everything else, she's just going to be so relieved that you're alive."
He tries to imagine what he'd do if his brother were ever to walk through the front door with the explanation that for the past two and a half years, Spencer should really have been mourning for just one person. The mere thought of it causes his chest to ache and that's just the thought. He can't imagine what sort of roller coaster of emotional turmoil Raleigh's mother must be going through right now, but Spencer knows that Raleigh would never have wanted to cause any of it.
He covers her hands with his own, squeezing lightly to encourage her to stop her fidgeting and finally offers her a reassuring smile. "I'd be scared, too," he admits, "but you have a lot of people here who will back you up if you need us to do it. Just give it some time, let her see the life you've been building here. She'll understand that what you have now isn't something you just give up." At least, Spencer hopes she will. Regardless of whether she does or not, he has no intention of letting the woman take Raleigh out of here against her will.
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He tries to imagine what he'd do if his brother were ever to walk through the front door with the explanation that for the past two and a half years, Spencer should really have been mourning for just one person. The mere thought of it causes his chest to ache and that's just the thought. He can't imagine what sort of roller coaster of emotional turmoil Raleigh's mother must be going through right now, but Spencer knows that Raleigh would never have wanted to cause any of it.
He covers her hands with his own, squeezing lightly to encourage her to stop her fidgeting and finally offers her a reassuring smile. "I'd be scared, too," he admits, "but you have a lot of people here who will back you up if you need us to do it. Just give it some time, let her see the life you've been building here. She'll understand that what you have now isn't something you just give up." At least, Spencer hopes she will. Regardless of whether she does or not, he has no intention of letting the woman take Raleigh out of here against her will.