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 Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 3:52 pm
Something was off about the day; it nagged at him as he passed out graded exams to his students. That nagging feeling sank in more when he saw he missed a call from his mother, someone who he’d been fine not being in his life anymore if he was being honest. It was only once, and even as he packed his things into his car to leave for home, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something might be wrong. Sending his husband a text as he brushed the rain from his glasses, he sat in the parking lot for a moment and waited for the rain to let up more before he drove home.
—---------------------------------------------------
Stepping out of the Mercedes that the nice older woman had driven her in, Olivia looked up at the looming manor that stood above her. She felt so very small in its shadow as she stood beneath an umbrella and tried to keep her clothes dry.
The woman had brought her here after she’d called the number on the card left by her mother. There were a lot of other things her mother had left for her, but none of them really replaced her. Even now, Olivia’s eyes were puffy and red from all the crying. She’d barely been able to string things together when she’d made the call, nor when the woman who’d shown up at the funeral home had walked up to her and taken notice of the heirloom ring she wore on her index finger.
Taking a few cautious steps forward, she knocked on the large wooden door, wincing as it hurt her hand slightly. This was apparently her father’s home, and she had so many questions about why he hadn’t been around. Why hadn’t he helped when Mom got sick? Just thinking about it had fresh tears running down her cheeks as she stood there in the plain black dress she’d still had on from the funeral.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:37 pm
Liam had been home, he’d gotten home earlier than his partner, it was normal for him to be the first home. It also meant he did the cooking, and had the groceries ordered and delivered for the week, all before Aloysius got home. Dinner might not be done but it was always in the process of being done, sometimes with the help of his own father. Tonight his father was going out, to try some new Italian restaurant that had opened in the city, his father had been slowly trying every Italian restaurant in the city.
Having paused to read his phone, to look over the text message, Liam tapped out a message and hit send just as there was a knock at the front door. Turning to stove off, rather than risk burning something, and headed for the entrance room and moved to open the door.
He did notice the small girl, someone he’d never seen before, but it was the older woman who he knew that Liam addressed. “Amelia, come in, please.” Stepping aside to open the door further. “Both of you, it’s pouring out! Do either of you want something warm to drink?” Always quick to wanting to help, provide, and give, Liam forgot about his phone in the kitchen, where he’d left it after asking Aloysius if he wanted him to call his mother in law. She was here now and with someone. He’d be the best host he could be, till his husband turned up.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:37 pm
Stepping inside, ushering Olivia in as well, she closed her umbrella and set it in the umbrella stand. Taking a moment to check in her compact mirror, she adjusted a few strands of hair that had come out of her bun from the wind and rain.
“Thank you dear, tea for me and…” pausing as she looked down at Olivia, she wondered what the girl even liked. “Hot cocoa for her.” Answering for them as she looked around, she noticed the lack of her son and a frown pulled at the corner of her mouth.
“I just came from a funeral, terrible weather for one.” Speaking again as she ushered the girl forward, noticing the hitching in her shoulders as she cried. They weren’t one to talk much, something she hadn’t decided on being a good or bad trait for the girl yet.
“I had hoped my son was here, after all this pertains to him specifically. Isn’t that right Olivia?” Resting her hands on the girls shoulders, she leaned down just slightly.
—-------------------------------------------------------
Looking around as she was nudged inside, she kept her hands folded and held to her chest as she stepped forward. She didn’t recognize the man in front of her and at first she was a bit nervous to get closer.
The question he’d asked had her fidgeting as she stood there, still not sure enough to speak as she rubbed at her puffy eyes. Thankful that Amelia answered for her, she thought it was a pretty name now that she knew it, she nodded as they asked her a question as well.
So if this was her father’s home and Amelia was his mother, did that mean she was her grandmother? Why hadn’t she shown up either? All she could remember was her mother saying that her father was somewhere far away but now she knew that wasn’t true because it hadn’t been more than a few hours to get here. At least that’s what she thought it felt like.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:38 pm
“Of course, if you want to follow me into the kitchen I can get the drinks. I was just working on dinner anyway.” Always a people pleaser, and one to help whenever and wherever he could, Liam led the way after closing and locking the front door behind them all. He did hope shoes would come off, as there was a mat by the door for such, since it was wet out and he didn’t care for the idea of water and dirt being tracked into the house. He could clean it, or have someone come in tomorrow and do the cleaning, but he’d prefer not to.
“No, this sort of weather is terrible for that sort of thing, though fitting perhaps.” He whispered softly, not wanting to upset the child further. It was obvious the funeral was for someone she knew…but who was she, and why was she here? He didn’t ask, he knew his mother in law would tell him in due time, she was holding onto the information till either Aloysius got here or a good time to drop a bomb on him. “Oh, he’s on his way home. He had lessons today so he’ll be home from work soon.” It was why he’d been working on dinner. Stepping into the kitchen Liam went to work getting a kettle and finding what he needed for the girls drink first, she was after all the one having a terrible day, before turning to his mother in law. “I have a collection of teas; if you want to pick which one you’d like?” Wanting to be polite, offer everything he could to her, he was minding his manners as best he could while being nervous over this setup.
While he waited for Amelia to pick a tea he set about making the little girl her hot chocolate. “Whip cream?” He asked flashing her a blinding smile, he was hoping to cheer her up even a little. He didn’t like seeing people, especially children, sad and crying…it tore at him. He’d seen plenty of it growing up.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:38 pm
Seeing the message that his mother was there, he was nervous about things as they didn’t respond to his next few texts about what was going on, which meant she was taking up his husband’s time and attention. Both things could lead to trouble. Focusing on the drive, even as the rain pounded against the windshield, he couldn’t help the nervous tapping he did on the steering wheel as he went.
—-----------------------------
Stepping out of her shoes, she waited for Olivia to do the same and then headed towards the kitchen, following Liam. “I see, if it’s at all possible, might be some extra for her. After all, it has been a long day.”
Posing things as if she was trying to help, to be the perfect picture of a worried mother and grandmother, she pulled one of the chairs out for the girl to sit in. Continently right next to her so that she could stay close as she watched Liam work on things.
“I’d like the same as last time, something with light caffeine and little sugar.” Though as he opened the cabinet to show her, she was pleased by the variety even if she stuck to her habits.
“Hopefully he’ll be here soon. Dear Olivia has lost one parent tonight.” Hinting at something slightly as she pulled her compact from her purse to check her makeup. Nothing had run, good, but it was always something she checked after poor weather.
—-----------------------------
Listening as the adults spoke, Olivia took her shoes off and followed where Amelia led her, even as she took a moment to look around the beautiful home. It was so large, larger than any home she’d been in, even her friends who had summer homes. But then again she remembered summer homes weren’t for living in all year round so perhaps they might not be as big.
When the blonde man asked her about whip cream and flashed a warm smile, she fidgeted with her hands curled in her jumper, twisting the fabric nervously before nodding slightly. From what it sounded like the man she was here to meet would be here soon and it made her more nervous. There were so many questions she wanted to ask but she wasn’t sure if it was okay to ask them. Her mother always had said that asking hard questions meant getting hard answers. With Amelia bringing up her mother’s funeral, she shrank in on herself, reminded again of the empty home she had to go back to eventually.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:39 pm
“Sounds good, since you liked it last time I’ve made sure to keep it in stock.” Just in case, it would be best to not be caught without the woman's favorite tea. Liam was, if nothing else, prepared for all manner of things and that meant his mother in law visiting. He also knew his spouse loved tea, he himself did as well, and he always liked to try new things. Since leaving the orphanage he’d been very big on trying everything he could - tea included.
Seeing the child nod he smiled. “Good, I think it’s better with whip cream myself.” Wanting to ease things, to make her smile perhaps, he was doing his best as he worked on her drink first - and added the whip cream at the end. He really wished his mother in law would not keep bringing up the loss the girl had suffered, she had been crying so much already, he was sure having it brought up multiple times was not helping matters. He knew it wouldn’t help him if he were in her position. He didn’t say anything though, it wasn’t his place really, but he did smile down at Olivia as he handed her the cup of hot chocolate. “Now, for the tea. If you want any cookies or sweets let me know. There are always sweets in the house.” Not his thing; it was nearly all Aloysius.
Puttering off to work on the water for the tea, gathering a cup and saucer, he grabbed the tin he needed and set about preparing things for Amelia. Soon Aloysius would arrive and then they could find out what was going on, and more importantly they could help Olivia.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:39 pm
Hesitantly picking up her cup, she sipped at it quietly as the man spoke and offered sweets. It sounded nice, she hadn't had many since her mother had been sick and she’d started trying to help around the house more. The blonde was so kind, part of her wished he had been around before.
Watching them cook and make tea, she was amazed by how nice the kitchen was even if everything looked older. Nothing seemed to have light up numbers or plastic buttons. It all looked metal and very fancy. Everything about this place was fancy but the blonde wasn’t cold like other fancy people tended to be.
Watching as Amelia got up and followed closely to the man, she couldn’t exactly hear what the woman was saying to him.
—--------------------------------
Following Liam casually, she looked over the other teas curiously as he prepared her cup. She also took a look over what he was cooking as well. Nothing too extravagant but at least filling and warm enough for the girl.
Looking back at Olivia, she saw parts of both Aloysius and Victor in her, something that soured her slightly as she turned back to lean in closer to Liam. “It really was as I warned you before the wedding, dearie. Aloysius left his daughter behind. I did my best to try and warn you, you know. He’s as rotten as his father, so I understand if I need to take over custody of her. She deserves someone who actually cares about her; he’ll just need to sign some paperwork.” Keeping her voice low as she spoke, so the girl didn’t hear, she hoped she got her point across as she pat Liam’s shoulder lightly.
—-------------------------------------------
Pulling into the driveway, he saw his mother’s Mercedes and felt his stomach drop. Looking back at his work bag, he took a moment to breathe and try to fix himself up. There wasn’t anything to worry about; she wouldn’t be able to convince Liam to leave him. There was so much she didn’t know that factored into why they’d worked together so well as a couple.
Gripping the steering wheel tightly, he pressed his forehead to it for a moment as he chewed on the inside of his cheek. He could kill for a cigarette, even now, after he’d quit when the stress hit too hard, he wanted to lean back onto his old habits. But hiding more from his husband wouldn’t work out. As it stood, there were very few things he truly hid from them.
Shaking his head, he reached back for his bag and small umbrella before stepping out of the car. Popping it open, he kept himself dry as he walked towards the door, each step building his nerve to try and pretend like that witch of a woman didn’t get to him, even though everyone knew she did.
Pushing the door open, he saw two sets of shoes on the mat. He recognized his mother’s, but the smaller pair… they looked like a child’s shoes. Looking up as he removed his shoes and tucked his bag, coat, and umbrella away in their respective places, he saw a girl sitting at the kitchen table facing away from him. Something about her had him worried.
Walking past her and into the kitchen, he stood at Liam’s other side just as he heard the tail end of what Amelia was saying. Paperwork? What was she trying to get him to sign? Reaching for and squeezing his husband's hand, he pressed a kiss to their cheek before turning to look at the last visitor, who was sitting at the table. Freezing slightly as he looked at her, she looked familiar in a way he couldn’t place. That strawberry blonde hair tugged at an old memory, one from before he’d joined the Negaverse.
“Oh, hello. Sorry, dear, are you alright?” Noticing that it looked like she’d been crying, even as she sipped at what looked like Liam’s famously well-prepared hot cocoa, he wondered what was going on. Flicking his gaze over at his mother for a moment. “What brings you over here while I was at work, Amelia. I saw I missed your call. I was still working with students and passing out exam grades.”
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:40 pm
He might have started humming if he wasn’t in the company of his mother in law, he might have even turned on some light music and sung, but instead he silently went back to work while he could feel her approaching him. When she got close enough to speak he found himself startled but then shaking his head. Before he could even speak Aloysius was there, at his side, and Liam was happy to have the other there to hear him respond to their mother. “Even if Aloysius knowingly left her behind there will be no need to sign such papers, she can stay and we’ll take her. I would never abandon a child and I sincerely doubt my husband would either.” Considering he’d been abandoned himself he would never do the same to someone else, and he didn’t mind if his husband had a child. Everyone had a past, people grew up and they did things - thus accumulating a past. People had to grow though and continue on and meet new people, fall in love with new people, etc.
He knew this conversation, and dropping it on him like this, would shock his spouse but he also couldn’t help his response to his mother in law. He couldn’t help not filling his partner in properly.
“I assume if you are saying she’s my husband's child you know for certain, you wouldn’t risk something getting out and it not being true, and that with her mother deceased you have anything we need so we can take custody? It would look poorly if we were to not take her in, not that we would ever consider such a thing anyway.” He spoke softly, keeping his voice low, as he glanced over his shoulder towards the girl. She did look like his spouse, she was tall as well. +
Taking his partner's hand he smiled up at the other. “I’ll be setting another place at the table tonight. You should talk to her, she’s had a rough day, perhaps see what sweets you two can share while I put on another pot so I can make more tea.” He was not going to get upset, not get loud, and he also wasn’t going to let this ruffle him, especially not in front of Amelia.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:40 pm
Watching as someone new came into the home, her eyes followed him as he joined Liam and Amelia in the kitchen. They were so tall, taller than her mother, not that she wasn’t starting to get taller than her mother before they’d gotten sick. When they spoke to her, she looked up and wasn’t sure what to say. No she wasn’t alright but she didn’t really know any of these people, even Amelia was someone she’d only known by name before tonight.
What she did notice though was how the man had a similar nose to hers as well as maybe a few other little things that seemed similar to her own features. Leaning forward as the adults turned back to each other, she strained to pick up whatever she could from the conversation. It was difficult but as Liam turned back to look at her she caught that kind smile and put two and two together that the man was the blonde’s husband. Part of her wondered if that was why they’d never been around. It made her a little mad, even more than a little upset, but adults were always doing things that she felt weren’t justified.
—------------------------------
With Liam taking charge of the conversation, her warm little smile cooled and the corner of her lips dipped down slightly into a frown for half a moment before catching herself. While she didn’t have time herself to watch a teenager, she hadn’t wanted to let that hand of hers be seen. Watching her son closely, she tried to see what his opinions were of this, at least until Liam continued taking charge and pressed her where it mattered.
“Yes, I had suspicions but only recently had things confirmed. Though there are matters to be managed regarding the home and belongings.” Shrugging slightly, she didn’t know what exactly remained there but she knew how much money she’d been sending over the years to keep things exactly as she wanted. Narrowing her eyes at the blonde as she caught the fact that there was only one additional place being set up for dinner, she didn’t like this assertiveness at all.
“I’ll get the paperwork together then and bring it over in the morning. I’ll bring her bag in from the trunk for now.” Turning away from them, she hurriedly got her shoes on and grabbed her umbrella, stepping outside for a moment to grab the small travel bag the girl had packed to bring back inside. Setting it near the coat closet, she took one more look over the group before closing the door and leaving back out into the rain. She didn’t like not being around to witness if there would be a fight or something else but after all hands had been played she had to step back to manage things.
—------------------------------------
With Liam speaking up, for a moment, he thought he’d misheard. The implications of it all, as they continued, had him paling even as he kept his expression rather neutral. The stress getting to him left his hand trembling slightly as he held his husband’s hand like a lifeline. Thoughts swirled and raced as he felt bile trying to creep up his throat.
Looking back at the girl, he could see some small things that reminded him of himself, but before it settled in, the bombshell that their mother had died hit him as well. One after another, he felt the stress building, and as soon as Amelia turned in a huff, he took a shaky breath. With Liam nudging him to do something, he squeezed their hand as he tried to keep the panic attack from really hitting. Looking over his husband’s face, he was worried that this might cause a divide or have them think less of him. He knew how they felt about being abandoned, and the fact that this had happened, even if he had no idea, he worried about how they were actually taking it.
With something to do, he stole a hug and leaned in. “Please, I…I swear, I-I didn’t know.” Stumbling over his words as he spoke, he pulled back and tried to keep it together as he went to do as they’d asked. Pulling some of the cannoli he’d made the night before from the fridge, he brought them over on a plate and set up a spot for the girl as well. How to even begin…he wasn’t sure exactly now that he sat near her at the table.
“Amelia brought your things in. There are a lot of rooms here to pick from, but for tonight, Liam and I can show you one that was recently cleaned. If you want a different room, though, we can all look in the morning when there is more light.” Trying to focus on things as he spoke, fighting to keep the nerves and stress out of his voice, he noticed the ring on her index finger, and it felt like a gutpunch, and he couldn’t keep his voice from wavering slightly. “Oh…oh no. Eliza, I… The last time I heard from her was when we went to separate colleges…” That ring, having been something he’d given her, something he was surprised had been so well taken care of and polished. How many years ago had that been… he could barely remember things right before he joined the negaverse.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:41 pm
Watching as his mother in law seemed to deflate Liam found himself inwardly smiling, and actually smiling when she went to get the girl's things from the car, he needed her out of the house so he could handle things. Liam knew his spouse well enough to know he was close to a panic attack, which was no good, so he needed to give him something to focus on and remove his mother from the house. Once she was gone things could be dealt with at a better pace, tea could be forced onto Aloysius if need be, and the nerves of his partner could be lowered…bit by bit.
Leaning into his partner, raising a hand to run his fingers through his bangs. “I know, I know you would never leave a child alone in the world. You don’t need to worry about anything, I got this.” And he did, or he would, he just needed to get Aloysius to let him continue to take charge of things, he knew his spouse was not in a position to really run things. “Listen to me love, everyone has a past and this just happens to be a part of it. I am just glad we know about her, I wish we had sooner. We’ll make up for lost time and we’ll give her whatever she wants; and needs. Let me handle things right now, you focus on yourself and on our daughter.” Because that little girl had a mother, who was sadly deceased, but she had two fathers and she needed them right now. Letting his fingers trail over his partner's waist as they went to the fridge, glad to see that Aloysius hadn’t inhaled all the cannolis already.
Hearing Amelia return he wiped the smile off his face, as if it had never been there, and nodded his head when she spoke. “That would be perfect, I’ll be sure to be around early so I can get those papers from you and get things signed by the end of the evening, so they can be filed.” When they arrived Aloysius would hopefully be in bed still, sleeping, as he had no intention of letting the other to work tomorrow. That in mind Liam reached for his phone, unlocking it with one hand, while smiling gently to his mother in law. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, if you want to let me know ahead of time I’ll have tea ready for you. While I look over the papers.” Because he was not letting Aloysius sign them without him looking over them, he should find out what lawyer his partner kept on retainer as well. Making a mental note on that, while drafting an email for the other to his job - Aloysius would just need to send it.
Listening to father and daughter talk Liam moved around, finishing dinner, and making tea for his partner, In passing he took the cup and saucer that Amelia had been using and put them into the sink to be cleaned. She hadn’t even finished her tea, he really wasn’t sorry she’d left so quickly, as he was soon enough setting a place for Olivia and dropping a tea cup off for Aloysius along with a pot full of more tea. “To go with your sweets. Dinner is almost ready.” Flashing a smile to Olivia. “I hope you enjoy it, if anything is off let me know and I’ll adjust for the next time.” He could make a slightly altered version for her next time, if she didn’t like something this time.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:41 pm
Olivia was surprised as Amelia went off on a huff, looking around in confusion until the woman came back in and dropped her bag off. From the sound of things she was staying here, which she wasn’t sure how she felt yet but she didn’t want to go home either right now. The talk of paperwork and signing things made her feel like she was a package or something to be transferred like property maybe? Scrunching up her face she looked back towards her hot cocoa until the man who was apparently her father sat before her.
He was so tall it was intimidating up close, even if he was bringing desserts and talking about finding a room she liked versus just putting her somewhere. She still didn’t know how she felt about this man but as he looked down at her ring and his voice started wavering, she got the feeling that maybe he hadn’t been around because he didn’t know. College wasn’t going to be for another five years for her but… was five years what made someone an adult?
Hearing the upset over the news, and him actually knowing her mother’s name, brought new tears to her eyes as she twisted the ring on her finger. All she could manage was a nod for now before she tried wiping her face with one of the fancy little napkins that Liam brought to the table.
They were being so nice and after a little longer she reached for one of the sweets on the table. They looked home made and as she slowly ate one, it did sort of help. They were really yummy and watching as the man across from her focused his eyes between the cup of tea and the desserts, she wondered if they were letting her have as many as she wanted before they took one. Just in case, she added one more to her plate and nudged the rest toward the man with a small nod.
—--------------------------------------------
Liam’s reassurances only helped so much as the doubt set in, were they only saying it to make sure appearances were kept up in front of Amelia as well as Olivia? Though the smile his husband had as his mother sauntered off was earnest and that did ease him back from the edge. With her gone there was one less pair of scrutinizing eyes on him.
Having all this dropped on him still had his thoughts scrambling and with Liam taking charge he almost wanted to push back, even though he knew that he didn’t have enough of a clue as to what was going to happen. Focusing on himself and… their daughter. How quickly they accepted someone in, that he knew at least at this point was real. He’d seen how his husband had stepped up and helped Sakura and Agatha get their footing on the civilian side of things but… Just the thought of managing things with his team and the negaverse now with Olivia here had his stress shooting back up.
Sitting across from Olivia, he held the teacup in both hands as he tried to ground himself against everything. The fact is his… daughter, god he had a child, and he’d been almost as bad as his own father. Reaching forward hesitantly as she started crying anew, he wasn’t sure what to say but the desserts seemed to speak for him as she settled and took some for herself. He waited, seeing if she’d take more before the plate was nudged back towards him and he took one for himself.
He knew he wouldn’t be able to eat, not with his nerves as they were, so he kept things light with just one cannoli and barely managed to sip at his tea. “I… My name is Aloysius. It seems you met my husband, Liam, and… my mother Amelia. The two of us want to help, but it may take some time to get everything sorted.” Pausing as he sipped at his tea, his hands still shaking slightly, he looked back towards Liam for a fleeting moment, hoping they would bring him a smaller portion so he wouldn’t get sick.
“It has been a long day, though, so after we eat, it may be best to go to sleep. I am sure you need the rest, Olivia.” That and he needed to get a moment alone to try and calm himself and think.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:42 pm
Watching the two interact, together and apart, Liam finally swept in with food on plates that were settled in front of the two. He kept the portions small, no need to upset already uneasy stomachs. His own helping was larger, he had to eat more and wouldn’t let his own nerves get to him, this did have him worried and stressed but he needed to push that to the side. Liam would handle his own stress in time, there was a home gym for that, until then he'd focus on helping the two people who needed his help the most.
“If you want to watch a movie before bed you can, in your room or the living room, whatever you want to do.” Seating himself next to his partner the blond settled in to eat slowly, talking here and there. “If you are feeling up to tomorrow, because today has been a long day, we can make a list and go to the grocery store. We can do other shopping as well, make your room into whatever you find comfortable.” Making sure she had control and could dictate things, he wouldn’t deny her anything, he wanted her to know her comfort was first and foremost.
Turning then to his husband as he offered the man his own cell phone. “I already signed into your work email and typed up a letter for your boss - you are calling out tomorrow.” No question, just a decision. There wasn’t room to debate him, or pout, as he gave ALoysius a near blinding smile. “You need a day off to rest.” Stay in bed while Amelia turns up with papers, sleep in and have breakfast in bed. “That reminds me - breakfast in bed or in pajamas in the living room together.” A sudden idea but he thought it a good one, something very casual and hopefully light hearted enough they'd both relax a bit.
“We can shop as a family as well.” A choice for the two of them to make, let Olivia and Aloysius decide who wanted to shop or not…though he thought it’d be best if all three of them went shopping together.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:43 pm
Nodding again quietly as Aloysius introduced himself and food came out, with Liam talking about tomorrow, she looked between them a bit nervously. While it seemed like it might be nice to go out with them, she wasn’t sure she wanted to. After all, she wanted to just lie down and cry some more for now. Doing so much right after losing her mother felt impossible. At least her school would be out for the summer in just a few days, too.
Eating lightly and slowly, she kept her gaze down and kept herself small, not wanting to talk still or really do much else right now. The fact that the meal was pasta was good; it meant she didn’t have to say anything about changes aside from how she tried to pick out the little bits of green from the sauce without it being too obvious.
Maybe she might try to explore this large place, skirting around the two as she took things in on her own terms. Hopefully, they’d let her play her flute to practice, but right now she couldn’t remember if she’d packed it or not.
—---------------------------------
Watching as Olivia stayed quiet and shrank in on herself, he rested his hand on Liam’s thigh to try to let them know maybe they were doing too much right now. With them there next to him, he still worried, but with things sounding like they were managed as best as they could for the time being, he tried to eat as well. Noticing Olivia picking things out of the pasta, he didn’t bring it up aloud but took note of it to keep that in mind for later.
“One thing at a time, I lost my grandfather when I was eleven… I know it was very hard for me, so if you want to do anything, let us know, even if you just want to rest or look around.” He’d have Desiree keep an eye on her as a cat and then let Agatha know to be careful as well. It gave him a headache just thinking about it, but he, too, needed to take this one thing at a time.
Sighing lightly as they planned to get him out of work, he shook his head. “I think breakfast in bed might be best with Amelia coming back in the morning.” The last thing he wanted was for her to see a scar or to add more fuel to the fire of her burning hatred for him. With what Melody had said in the beginning, as well as what he’d learned over time, he knew that his absences in things had led to the opinion of him being just like his father. Even now, with this situation, he felt that maybe that opinion wasn’t unjustified, and it killed him.
“I am sorry… I wish I had known sooner Olivia…” Apologizing quietly, even as the girl had her head down and ate. It felt hollow saying it, as if it might fix whatever had gone on, but he felt like he needed to say it to keep from sinking further into his stresses.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2026 4:43 pm
Taking the hint, because Aloysius understood losing a beloved family member at a young age, Liam let himself eat at his spouse's side. He kept his gaze moving about, also taking note of what the little girl didn’t seem to like. He would, in the future, make some just for her without the bits she didn’t like. While some families made one meal for everyone, and he’d grown up like that as well, he understood wanting something modified or just not wanting what everyone else was eating. Sometimes you just weren’t in the mood for something, or were craving something else, and being big on food as he was Liam liked to deliver on people eating what they liked - when they wanted it.
“Yeah, that’s one reason I decided you should stay home. I know if you went in you’d worry too much.” Worry about him handling his mother, because Amelia was intimidating and even a bit scary. “I also figured you might like the treat of food in bed.” Resting his hand on his partners, where it rested on his own thigh.
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