Wash's eyebrows scrunched together trying to piece together the child's words which were now muddled in emotion. He also was trying to understand the logic of a Christmas Tree and wishing on it.
What he did understand was that she wanted him, Wash, real Wash, to be her dad. That sparked something in him.
He bent down as well as he could with his leg to her level, right beside not-Wash.
"Mei-mei, you wanted me to be your real dad?" he asked. "But...why didn't you ask for your real dad to come to The City?"
"It's okay to cry..." not-Wash tried to input but Wash shushed him.
"Just...let us have a little..." he said gesturing to Maxine and himself.
"Should I go back in the closet?" he asked.
"Please," Wash implored and turned back to Maxine. At least not-Wash was an agreeable fellow. For now. "Wouldn't you like to have your real dad here?"