Patrick chuckles, because Klaus isn't wrong. Claire has the personality and the will to make the world bend at her whim, and he's so damn proud of that. The fact that Klaus emboldens his daughter to be the way she is is one of the many things he appreciates about his brother-in-law; he doubts their relationship would have flourished the way it had if Klaus didn't love his little girl the way that he does.
As he speaks, he stays silent, just listening. The way that Klaus and Allison had grown up is so far from his own upbringing, that for a moment he doesn't really know what to say. For so many years he hadn't understood it, especially since Allison was never really fond of talking about her childhood, but he'd notice the way that she seemed like fish out of water whenever they would go visit his family. How holidays seemed to be never-ending for her; how it was almost like she was playing the role of someone else rather than herself, just because family get-togethers with laughter, loud meals, and regular conversation seemed foreign to her.
If anything, knowing how they were raised and how they both treat and act with Claire - and have acted with her from the moment she was born - just makes him appreciates them more. And, it makes something uncomfortable settle in his chest at how they must have grown up, how they were treated.
"You know, when I proposed I was almost offended when she wouldn't call anyone to talk about our news." His voice is quiet, guilty as if Klaus' words confirm what Allison had told him back then. Not that he hadn't believed her, he just hadn't fully understood it, especially with how close he himself was with his family. Allison refusing to bring in her family on their proposal, their wedding, it felt like she was hiding something. He just never fully realized how big it all was until now, when the very real repercussions of it all are smacking him in the face.
"I don't think I ever got it before. I'm sure I still don't," he admits with a small huff, "but...this is home for both of you now." He reaches over to give his shoulder a small squeeze. "I've already told her, but I'll tell you, too - Claire and I are both so proud of you. Whatever happened, we'll figure it all out. You guys aren't alone."
He gives his shoulder a pat before he turns back to his cup of coffee. "And I don't expect the shit show years to start until Claire turns into a teenager and wants to date, so...you have a safe place here. Both of you do."
no subject
As he speaks, he stays silent, just listening. The way that Klaus and Allison had grown up is so far from his own upbringing, that for a moment he doesn't really know what to say. For so many years he hadn't understood it, especially since Allison was never really fond of talking about her childhood, but he'd notice the way that she seemed like fish out of water whenever they would go visit his family. How holidays seemed to be never-ending for her; how it was almost like she was playing the role of someone else rather than herself, just because family get-togethers with laughter, loud meals, and regular conversation seemed foreign to her.
If anything, knowing how they were raised and how they both treat and act with Claire - and have acted with her from the moment she was born - just makes him appreciates them more. And, it makes something uncomfortable settle in his chest at how they must have grown up, how they were treated.
"You know, when I proposed I was almost offended when she wouldn't call anyone to talk about our news." His voice is quiet, guilty as if Klaus' words confirm what Allison had told him back then. Not that he hadn't believed her, he just hadn't fully understood it, especially with how close he himself was with his family. Allison refusing to bring in her family on their proposal, their wedding, it felt like she was hiding something. He just never fully realized how big it all was until now, when the very real repercussions of it all are smacking him in the face.
"I don't think I ever got it before. I'm sure I still don't," he admits with a small huff, "but...this is home for both of you now." He reaches over to give his shoulder a small squeeze. "I've already told her, but I'll tell you, too - Claire and I are both so proud of you. Whatever happened, we'll figure it all out. You guys aren't alone."
He gives his shoulder a pat before he turns back to his cup of coffee. "And I don't expect the shit show years to start until Claire turns into a teenager and wants to date, so...you have a safe place here. Both of you do."