Hearing her trembling voice, Mika stopped.
He turned back, saw her tear-streaked face, her trembling lips and sighed deeply knowing that he couldn't take it farther then this.
He gently released Cecilia, then stepped forward and patted Fauna's head softly, his touch careful and reassuring.
"It's alright, Fauna. It's alright."
Mika said in a low, soothing voice, his hand moving slowly through her hair as if calming a frightened child.
"You're a big girl, aren't you? I mean—" He let out a small chuckle. "—not just a big girl. You're a full-grown woman. You're double my age, you have a daughter of your own, you run an entire hospital empire, and there are countless people out there who look up to you."
He tilted his head slightly, still smiling gently.
"And yet here you are, crying like a little baby. What would everyone think if they saw you like this?"
Fauna sniffled, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
"I-I don't care, Mika. I don't care what other people think."
