the one i was admiring?

trimmed with ribbons.

[ladylilah]

mother and daughter holidays featuring @darlingdeare

With everyone either gone for the night or hiding upstairs in their bedroom, Lilah found herself facing the hardest part of the holidays - the aftermath of it all. Dinner had been amazing, honestly one of the best ones the family had shared in years, but now here she stood in her kitchen, surrounded by all the leftovers she was slowly working on packaging up and putting away, completely alone. It’s not as if this is anything new for her, given that it’s been years since her divorce of her husband, but that doesn’t ever make it any easier. It also doesn’t help that even when Tristan had been around, the disgusting pit of despair and loneliness had almost always still been present, no matter how hard she had attempted to ignore it. None of this was anything she ever shared with anyone in her life, certainly not her children, but it was always just… there. A part of her rooted so deeply in her psyche that she didn’t think anything or anyone would ever be able to change it.

It was only starting to bubble up when the sound of the doorbell rings through the house and suddenly that loneliness is instantly replaced with a different pit in her stomach. Because she knows who’s likely waiting on the other side of that door and she also knows that ignoring it would do her no good - he’d simply find another way in. And she was tired of having to get her windows fixed, which was what sparked her to simply face the inevitable. Only instead of her ex-husband standing there, she’s met first with the sight of her mother. It’s such a shock that it takes her a moment to realize that Tristan is indeed also standing just a few feet behind Darlene, hands stuffed in his pocket and face full of false innocence.

“What are you doing here?” she demands as she steps out into the cold air, closing the door tight behind her and standing in the way to block either of them from even considering entering the house. Whatever the hell was about to happen, Lilah didn’t want it coming anywhere near the kids upstairs or even just the general vicinity of her home.

Staring at her daughter, Darlene only scoffs and shakes her head at the dramatic antics, but she does accept that this will be happening outdoors. It’s ridiculous and makes her wonder where she had gone wrong in raising the girl, but she knows better to push on this issue. She’d learned long ago the importance of picking and choosing which battles to put a full fight into winning, and that was exactly what she was here to do. “It’s Thanksgiving, Delilah. And your husband had to spend it with your father and myself, instead of you and his children - his family. And I won’t stand by it. He deserves at least a moment to share with you during the holidays.”

For the first time in his life Tramp remains silent, letting this fight be between Lilah and her mother, at least for the time being. Maybe he should be ashamed, that he had felt the need to get Darlene involved, to have her with him just so he could fully get his ex-wife’s attention, but it seemed like the best way to maybe get her to finally make her listen. After all, it had been the Deares that had convinced Lilah to stay with him all those years ago when she had first wanted to separate - maybe they could work their magic again.

It took a brief second for Lilah to find herself, and in that hesitation her mother continued on, not letting her have even a moment to respond or argue. “Honestly, it’s getting ridiculous, dear. This independent woman thing has gone on long enough. I let it slide when you were still at least allowing Tristan to be a part of your family, but this is beyond what I can accept. You are being a child, throwing away your life like this. This is the man that you chose, that you married, and you cannot continue running away from that. All he wants is to be with you, with his children, his family - and you are shunning him out and treating him like some kind of monster all because of a few mistakes. Heavens knows you have made plenty of those in your life, nearly everything you’ve done has been some kind of error or unthought through spur of the moment decision. Well, it’s time you start living with the consequences of those choices. And that means having Tristan in your life, whether you like it not - he is yours. Now please, move aside and let us in, where we can discuss this like civilized human beings.” The unspoken instead of standing on the porch like trash hangs in the air.

“Mother, you need to leave,” is all that Lilah responds with, using every ounce of self control she has to keep her cool and not blow up right for all of the neighborhood to hear. This isn’t a new conversation between the two, but it’s the first time it’s ever occurred in front of Trisan or so close for one of her children to potentially hear, which makes it feel all the more dangerous.

Taking a step forward and attempting to reach beyond her daughter, to push and force her way inside despite the protests, Darlene stumbles and nearly falls at the quick movement Lilah makes to push her aside and distinctly refuse to let her come any closer towards the door. “Now this is ridiculous,” she gasps, ready to go on into another speech and attempt to enter only to be stopped once more as the younger woman grabs her wrist and holds it tightly for a moment as she herself speaks up.

“What’s ridiculous, mother, is you thinking you have any right to show up here. To bring him anywhere near me. After all of these years, all the lies and abuse - yes, mother, abuse. Because that’s what it was. What it continues to be. Physical, mental, emotional abuse. Years of it. And I am done. My children are done. This family is done.” Darlene lets out a scoff at her words, which only fuels the fire burning within Lilah. “Enough! Mother, you are not welcome here. He is not welcome here.”

Yanking her arm out of her daughter’s hold, Darlene steps closer and points a perfectly manicured finger right in Lilah’s face, eyes blazing as well in such a similar manner that left no mistake that these two were indeed mother and daughter. “And that is what you chose! If it was abuse, then darling, it was your own fault. You picked this man to be your partner - to father your children, to be your husband. Those were all your own choices. Everything that came along with it was exactly what you had asked for in life.”

“I didn’t ask for any of this,” the words came out of her mouth in a scream this time, loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. It’s the first time that Lilah has ever lost her temper so openly and freely. “I didn’t choose him - I didn’t want him. You wanted him, mother. You convinced and pressured me that I had no other choice. Every time I came to you looking for help, begging for you to take my side, to believe and love me more than your fucking reputation - you pushed me back. You kept me held down under his thumb just as much as he ever did.”

Shaking heads as Darlene refused to accept any sort of blame for anything in her daughter’s life. “No, no. You chose to sleep with him, to get knocked up. You chose –” the thought is never finished, instead interrupted by a scream of frustration and pure anger from Lilah.

“Enough, mother!! You need to leave. I am not hearing anymore. I am not getting back together with Tristan, I am not listening to a word you have to say. And if you do not leave right now, I will call the police. I’ll order a restraining order against you and make sure that every single soul at the club knows about it. Leave now and never come back, or I will fuck up your precious little life just as much as he as fucked up mine.” It’s harsher than anything she’s ever threatened her mother with and as Darlene stares at her daughter, she knows that it’s far from an empty promise. And it’s only that fear, that sinking feeling of dread filling her stomach, that has her turning and grabbing Tristan’s arm to pull him back towards her car parked in front of the house.

It’s not until the two are long gone, completely out of sight, that the fire inside of Lilah begins to fade, leaving her with a hollow and numbing feeling as she sinks to the ground. A handful of moments pass as she remains right in that spot, sitting on the concrete of her front porch for perhaps one minute, maybe an hour, she’s unsure. The sound of someone moving around inside is what finally snaps her out of her blurry blank staring out at the grass and sparks her to stand, wiping at her eyes in a halfhearted attempt to hide any evidence of what had just happened before she returns to her life, to whichever kid had finally emerged from their room. It’s far easier than it should be, putting the mask of feeling perfectly fine as she steps into the house, but then again - this certainly isn’t her first rodeo in having to hide her true feelings and self from everyone around her. And it very likely would be far from her last.

[nrthwest]

It wasn't unusual to become victim to Darlene's longwinded ramblings, Priscilla just wasn't expecting it to happen now as she lounged by as she waited for her daughter. She knew better than to interrupt once Darlene got to talking so Priscilla simply sighed into a polite smile as she readjusted herself to face the other. Sliding her sunglasses up into her hair, the blonde idly listened through the niceties but perked up as subjects delved further into mentions of Pacifica. "Oh, Darlene," a wry laugh escaped her lips, as to say she found the accusation foolish. "I'd hardly consider it forcing, we've merely introduced the two. It's a speedy relationship, is all." That was putting it lightly, and extremely incorrectly but Priscilla only cared about saying what she needed to. Perhaps it was also easier to convince herself that was the case, they'd staged it to appear as such and since problems hadn't arose, was there much of a difference whether or not it was true?

"No, Pacifica and Finnick's plans for engagement were done all on their own. Preston and I are simply masters at match-making, I would say." The vetting process was a bit more complicated than she let on but somehow Darlene was smart enough to catch on to their intents with the engagement their daughter was attached to. It certainly wasn't the type of conversation she wanted to have in public, so she attempted to move on before giving the other a chance to comment yet and for anyone with wandering ears to catch on. "In fact, Pacifica, herself, is very excited about the wedding. She's taken it upon herself to look over all the details to ensure everything is to our liking. Of course, I pitch in my own ideas but you know how girls can get with the visions for their wedding."

[darlingdeare]

It was a wise correction to make, one that while though Darlene knew to be less than truthful, she wouldn’t question or comment upon. The reason behind her remarks hadn’t been to confirm or deny how much of this relationship between the young ones was real or not, after all, she had merely been fishing to see if Priscilla would make a comment on Delilah’s current love life in return. Interactions such as this were always a game and she was determined to stay one step ahead of even the best of opponents. For all the blonde may know her own way around this society they lived in, she still had nothing on the amount of years Darlene herseful has been navigating and playing amongst it. “Oh yes, of course,” she agreed with a smile, nodding along as if she believed a single word the other woman said. “I simply meant my dear Lilah would have needed that extra push, as you can well imagine. Heavens knows, it had taken a firm shove from Jim and myself to get her over the cold feet she’d had about marrying even Tristan. You certainly lucked out with how agreeable your sweet Pacifica has turned out to be.”

Taking another sip of her martini, she smiled over the rim and nodded along as Priscilla continued to spin her tales. While there was likely some truth in everything she said, Darlene knew better than to take it at complete face value. “Oh I wish I did,” she says with a sigh, setting her glass down and shaking her head ever so slightly as she thought back to the process of her own daughter’s wedding. “Delilah hardly wanted anything to do with her planning - I had to arrange practically the entire thing. But well, I suppose the situations were different. They already had three children and she was focusing on getting ready for law school. Oh, it was really all such a mess, looking back on it all. Perhaps we should have all seen the warning signs back then, shouldn’t we have? I’m so jealous that your girl actually seems so excited about her marriage.” The question was posed once again as an attempt to see what exactly Priscilla may know. The divorce between Lilah and Tristan had long since been well known amongst their social circle, but Darlene had worked hard to keep the reasoning behind it all and the issues that had arisen over the past year out of the public eye. It would only be if her daughter had confided within the blonde that she may know anything about it at all, and Darlene needed to know if that was the case or not.

[ohdeare]

-timeskip to hospital-

One whiff of the familiar designer perfume was all Jim needed to be able to tell that Darlene Deare had come over. She seemed to be able to catch him in moments where he had to be civil, like visiting him with others present or like now, where he couldn't be able to simply leave the hospital bed to run away from her. He would consider the visits pleasant had he not known what lies had been uncovered, and although that was months ago it didn't make the actuality of the situation any less worse. She'd willingly helped the very man that was hurting his sister, he couldn't think of anything worse to have been reality. That truth hurt maybe a bit more than his knee did. Okay, no - his knee was still a bit fucked up but the sentiment still stood.

While his mother hadn't been present in the room when he woke up, there was lingering evidence that she was still around somewhere in the hospital. Her bag was perched by the chair beside him and even a blanket he'd recognized from his parent's home had been adorned on top of him. As if on cue, Darlene walked in the room toting two coffees, one presumably for him. She was making herself available to stay but evidently from the fact that he hadn't given her a call since being admitted to the hospital, that was the last thing Jim wanted. "Thank you for visiting but you're probably busy, you can go on with your day now." Surely, there had to be something in her schedule that would be able to excuse her, some gala committee meeting or a pilates session should be able to take her attention away. That was the best way he could think of nicely putting it that he didn't want her around.

[darlingdeare]

Though neither of her children had bothered to inform her themselves of anything that had happened at the festival, Darlene had plenty of friends that were more than willing to report back to her on their whereabouts. Or well, more accurately, they had simply been checking in to see if Jim, Lilah, and the grandkids were all going to be okay after they’d heard that a handful of them were in the hospital - but she found it more exciting to think of them as her little spies rather than just caring individuals. It hadn't taken long for her to get dolled up and make her way over to the hospital, stopping first in her granddaughter’s room, though that wasn’t a long visit considering Delilah refused to even let her in and threatened to cause a scene if she didn’t leave. It wasn’t the time nor place to have that kind of fight, so for the time being Darlene allowed it and accepted her momentary defeat - choosing to instead look after her son.

With Jim Jr. still asleep it had been easy to make a show of her fussing over him, and with her things left behind, she ventured further into the hospital, making small talk with anyone she could and making it very well known that she was indeed present. It wouldn’t do for anyone to think that she didn’t care for her family, nor did she want even the hint of a rumor spreading around that she wasn’t wanted here. It may be true that neither of her children appreciated her appearance, but hell would freeze over before Darlene let anyone outside of the Deare-Tramp family believe that to be so. She’d spent a good hour or so wandering the halls and different waiting areas before finally returning to her son’s room, thankful to see him awake when she entered. “Oh my baby boy,” she gushed, completely ignoring his dismissal of her presence. Setting the two coffee cups down on the bedside table, she reached over and brushed a hand against his forehead, as if inspecting his temperature herself despite the machines hooked up to him displaying that exact information. “How are you doing, dear? Are you comfortable? The pain medications working well enough? The doctors said you’ve been out for quite some time, though they assured me that’s normal. But should I call for them again?” While she genuinely meant each question she asked, a bit of show was being put on for the sake of anyone that may be passing by and listening in to their conversation.

[scamperoo]

Scamp narrowed his eyes at her incredulously, not believing a word she said. The only reason she still wanted contact with him was precisely what she'd said--he was the first born grandchild, the only grandson of the family who could continue the traditional Tramp lineage, unlike any of his sisters. It was such an archaic idea that he almost wanted to become Samuel Pickles once he and Angelica were ready to get married, just to spite her, his grandfather, and, most of all, his father. "Will you still care when I decide to not have kids?" he challenged, genuinely curious of her answer. For all he knew, the only thing he was good for to her was carrying on the family name.

"Well, he is a monster," he answered quickly, positive of that much. No matter what she said of either of his parents, Scamp knew that to be true: he'd witnessed it with his own eyes. "Violence is inexcusable to me, no matter what anyone did that you think might've provoked it. I'm not going to sit here and defend my mother--your daughter to you, while you make excuses for him. If that's what you came here to do, to convince me that he's not a piece of shit, it's not going to work, I can promise you that." Finding both the conversation and the fact that he was still standing uncomfortable, Scamp at least took the latter into his own hands as he found the edge of the couch, his arms folding over his chest. "So, why are you here, then? Dropped by to have a fight with Mom and decided to pick one with me instead?" he asked, genuinely curious why she had come by the house unannounced.

[darlingdeare]

Where this conversation had turned, she had no idea, but she knew her answer well enough to give it without any hesitation. “I hardly care if you have children,” she responds with a dry chuckle, amused that he thought that was all that mattered to her. In fact, the truth was of all of her grandchildren, Scamp was one of the last ones she wanted to have kids anyway. He’d proven himself to be a nuisance as is, with no respect for anyone but himself, and that was hardly something she wanted passed down onto future generations of this family. “It’s your mother you’d be spiting if you refused to have any kids of your own - not me. I’ve already raised my babies, I don’t need to worry about any of yours.”

It was only thanks to decades of practice in keeping her facial expressions even in any and all circumstances that kept Darlene from rolling her eyes at the quick response her grandson gives. “I’m not making excuses, I am simply stating the truth. Your father is more than just the few mistakes he may have made - and you and your mother should know that,” she argues, despite knowing it’s not going to change the boy’s mind at all. But she simply wasn’t going to sit here and let him act like she’s the bad guy in the situation simply for seeing both sides of the story. “I don’t want to fight with you or your mother. Believe it or not, I don’t get joy out of arguing with my family. Certainly not when we’re just repeating the same thing over and over again. I’ve heard enough, I know where you stand - I don’t need you yelling it at me every time you see me.” How everything always got twisted around so that she was in the wrong, no matter what she may have said or done, Darlene didn’t know - but as angersome as it was, she had unfortunately gotten used to it at this point. “I already told you. I simply wanted to see my daughter. The fact that you were here was just a bonus. I never come to you all with ill intentions, despite what you may think.”

[scamperoo]

He supposed she had a point, even if he didn't want to audibly agree with it. This wasn't his house, after all, he couldn't really tell her to just never show up again. Scamp had hoped, though, that she would get so sick of his attitude that she might just leave out of frustration, which was a mental challenge he could accept. "Unfortunately, your daughter isn't here, and you don't really give a shit about seeing me anymore, so, I just don't see a reason for you being here now." Of course he knew that she would deny the accusation that she didn't care about him, but the last time he'd seen his grandmother was when he was in a hospital bed, leaving a small part of him curious to see what bullshit she could come up with in response.

"I didn't want to be involved in my parents' affairs, but it was kind of hard to ignore when I came home to him choking her against a wall, so," he retorted, his arms folded over his chest while he kept his distance. Scamp refused to sit and give his grandmother any indication that he actually wanted her to stay, despite Darlene taking it upon herself to find a spot on the sofa. "So, if Colette comes home with a black eye she says is from her boyfriend, I'm just supposed to tell her that relationships are hard, and that's just a complication?" Scamp questioned, raising a brow at her. "And, when my girlfriend is being difficult, you want me to do that to her, too? Actually--nah, maybe I shouldn't. She's just healed from when Dad shot her. We have matching scars. Romantic, right?"

[darlingdeare]

Raising an eyebrow at the attitude she was given in response, Darlene wasn’t surprised at all but still oh so disappointed that her eldest grandchild had turned out like this. His complete lack of regard for any of his elders was clear as day, he didn’t even make a half assed attempt to pretend like he had even an ounce of respect for her - which internally infuriated her, but she knew better than to let it show. The petty side of her wants to give him the exact same attitude right back, but she’s too big of a person for that and she refuses to stoop down to his childish level. “And who said that I don’t want to see you? You’re my grandson, my first born grandchild, of course I still care. You are the one that stopped coming to see me, not the other way around,” she pointedly reminded him.

A scoff leaves his lips before she can stop it, paired with a roll of her eyes at the theatrics Scamp was putting on to try to seem like he had some kind of moral high ground over her. “Ever the dramatic one. I’m surprised you aren’t going into acting along with that girlfriend of yours,” she comments. While she doesn’t necessarily even want to give a response to his argument, Darlene knows if she doesn’t he’ll just think he won. And he’ll most certainly continue on ranting about how horrible his father is, just to further prove his ridiculous point. “Colette is a different story. She’s young, she’s still choosing and deciding what she wants in a partner and for herself. And I do not condone that kind of violence, you know. It’s wrong and I would never wish it on you or your sisters. But nothing is ever as black and white as you and your mother pretend it to be. Your father is more than just the one or two mistakes he has made and Delilah knew that. Do you believe her to be a saint? That she didn't make things harder than necessary for your father? She was aware of his issues and rather than attempting to help him, to work through their problems together like she had vowed she would when they were married and chose each other for the rest of their lives, she deemed him a monster and attempted to write him out of her life. Now does that seem fair to you?”

[scamperoo]

A knock and ring of the bell was the last thing Scamp expected while he was home, alone, at his mother's house, and his heart sank for the fraction of the second that he thought it might be coming from his father. Not to give him too much credit, but he'd been adhering to the boundaries Scamp had set on behalf of the rest of his family for a while now, and he was actually beginning to believe that he might continue to follow them. That was, until he got drunk, which, for a Friday night, wouldn't have been unusual. Instead, though, the visitor was even worse than that, a woman who he didn't want anything to do with any longer. He could tolerate being around his father for Colette's sake for right now, but Darlene Deare could go straight to hell without him ever seeing her again, as far as Scamp was concerned.

Though he attempted to shut the door in her face in a nonverbal cue to get the fuck away from him, his grandmother stopped him before it could close, her foot coming between him and silence for the rest of the night. "What are you doing here?" he asked, clearly annoyed by her presence. "Mom's at book club and Cole's out with her boyfriend. I'm here to make sure my dad doesn't come around, looking to beat the shit out of Mom again. You know, he's really good at that," Scamp responded, flashing her a cold, forced smile. "I don't know when they'll be back, so, you can come back in the morning."

[darlingdeare]

It’s not a surprise that her grandson isn’t exactly warm or welcoming of her sudden dropping in, nor does it even really hurt her all that much anymore. Darlene had long since come to the conclusion that Scamp was a lost cause when it came to having any sense of manners or respect for anyone. It was sadden, of course, knowing all the potential that was being wasted but she knew that her efforts at continuing the good name of her family line were better placed elsewhere - primarily in his twin and youngest sister. And then of course, whatever children her sweet Jim Jr. produced. “Am I no longer allowed to stop by my own daughter’s house? Do I need a reason to want to see my family?” she shoots back in answer to the question of what she was doing here, not giving any real information in her response. Because truth be told, she had no good reason for stopping by - and she highly doubted that he would accept her anger and pettiness as an answer.

Though the smile on her face never faltered, Darlene was just inebriated enough that she didn’t fight back the instinctual roll of her eyes at the boy’s attempt of being quick witted and accusations of his father. It was hardly the first time she’s heard him say those things about Tristan and she doubted it would be the last, but that didn’t make it any less frustrating to hear right now. “You know, it’s not right for you to be so involved in your parents’ affairs, Samuel,” she points out, moving further into the living room and taking a seat on the couch to silently indicate that she has no intentions of leaving anytime soon. “What happens between them is their business and your mother should not be dragging you into the middle of it. Marriage is a hard union to maintain, there will always be complications, and Delilah knew that perfectly well when she made the choice of taking your father to be her life partner.” It was a diplomatic answer, one she had told many of her country club friends when venting about her daughter’s divorce, and it purposefully did not touch on the violence she knew happened within these walls.

[darlingdeare]

closed starter for @nrthwest location: country club

The best part of the majority of her charity organization meetings being held at the country club rather than anywhere else was the convenient access to the bar when it all wrapped up. Not that Darlene had a drinking problem, no of course not, but who was she to deny herself of a martini or two after doing so much work for other people. She deserved to take a bit of time for herself as well, didn’t she? It was hard work, after all, giving so much of her time and energy to those in need. Or at least, that’s what she told herself every time she made her way from the conference hall to the main lounge. It was also an opportunity to socialize, quietly gaining the newest gossip of the happenings in society around her, always ensuring that nothing of her family’s turmoil was even revealed. Though there were a few people she allowed to know at least parts of the inner mess of her family, Priscilla Northwest being one of those lucky individuals. Not necessarily because she fully trusted the blonde to keep their secrets, Darlene knew better than to ever think that anyone in this social circle of hers could be fully trusted, but simply because she knew that Priscilla received her information straight from the source. Anything that she knew had been told to her by none other than Lilah herself. There was no way of controlling or even knowing what that girl said to her friend or how much the blonde knew - so Darlene made it a pointed effort to find out just how in the loop the woman was each time they met.

Which was why with a martini in hand, she made her way straight towards the couch that the younger woman was sitting upon, not caring whatsoever that she may be busy or waiting for someone. That was the greatest advantage of her age, no one could ever question her presence or company without risking coming across as disrespectful. “Hello dear,” she greets with a grin as she takes a spot right next to the blonde. “Oh, darling, it’s been far too long since you’ve been around. How have you been?” Before Priscilla even had a chance to actually answer her question, Darlene was already continuing on. “Everyone is still talking about your latest party and dear Pacifica and Finnick. What a wonderful match they are and how lucky they’ve been to find each other, it’s quite impressive, actually. You know I love my darling Tristan, he’s like a son to us, and I wouldn’t change anything about his and Lilah’s getting together… But sometimes, sometimes I wonder if it might not have been better to do what you’ve done. Just sat that girl down with a nice, respectable man and forced them together. Perhaps then we wouldn’t be in half of this mess, don’t you think?” It was a pointed speech, one that dropped the bomb that she knew the engagement between Priscilla’s daughter and the Finnigan boy was an arrangement rather than a choice the children had made themselves but also let her know that Darlene approved of that course of action. Hopefully showing her cards of knowing the Northwest’s secrets would get the blonde to open up about what she knew of the Tramp family’s drama as well.

[darlingdeare]

closed starter for @scamperoo location: lilah's house

While she knew that reaching out to her daughter and grandchildren was a risk, one that could backfire and only make the entire situation ten times worse, tonight Darlene was willing to take that chance after months of practically radio silence from the majority of them. Perhaps the extra confidence was thanks to the two extra martinis she had allowed herself to indulge in at the latest debutant planning meeting, or maybe she was just tired of being cut out of the family that she had been the one to build in the first place. But either way, whatever the reason may be, she was here, parking outside of the old Tramp house and marching right up to the door. Her knuckles pounded harshly on the door followed by a double pressing of the doorbell, ensuring whoever was inside wouldn’t be able to just ignore her. And she knew someone was there, thanks to the lights glowing through the window of the living area and kitchen.

When the door finally opened, her forced smile brightened into something a bit more genuine at the sight of her grandson. On instinct, one that came from having dealt with enough of her children and grandchildren’s attitudes over the last forty years, Darlene stuck her foot out to stop the door that as she had assumed was quick to be reshut. “Now Samuel, is that any way to greet your grandmother?” she patronizes, smile twisting into a dramatic frown as she pushes the door back open again with surprising strength and forces her way into the house. “Is your mother or sisters here as well? Or is it just you home tonight?” Either answer would do, she didn’t mind who all she saw, but she wanted to know what she should be expecting at least.

[darlingdeare]

closed starter for @ohdeare location: daycare center

Ever since Tristan Tramp’s death and the reading of his will, things had been a bit tenser than usual amongst the Deare family. Which when it came to their daughter wasn’t anything new, but it was certainly a change in their relationship with the youngest of the family. Never before had Darlene ever had to worried about what her son might think of her - for years she had been practically perfect in his mind, or at least that was what she liked to think. He never questioned anything or pushed back against what she and her husband wanted for him, not the way that Lilah always did. She had never fought with the boy, not about anything serious at least. And though it had been months since he had been told of Tristan’s alleged abuse, he still seemed just as upset with both Darlene and Jim as he had been the day he’d first been told the tale. One would have thought certainly he’d be over it by now - but it appeared not, given the fact that the weekly calls and visits to his parents house had all but ended and for the first time Darlene was facing a truly empty nest, where it felt like neither of her children wanted to ever come back.

And that just wasn’t something she was about to accept lying down. She had given everything to the two of them and she wasn’t about to let that all be thrown away - she was going to get them both back. Her family wasn’t about to break right now, not over something as ridiculous as this entire situation. They had all seen each other briefly, at events such as the Northwest girl’s engagement party and as she had always taught them, they had all remained cordial and left all of the drama at the door, putting on the act of being perfectly fine for all of society to see. But those brief interactions weren’t enough, not when they came with radio silence the weeks following. Winning back Delilah was a much harder task than trying to get back in her son’s good graces, a fact that Darlene was well aware of, which was why rather than reaching out to her daughter first it was Jim Jr that she approached instead.

The daycare wasn’t a place Mrs. Deare had spent much time in, not since her own children had attended, but it was the one spot in which her son couldn’t just tell her to fuck off or walk away from. There was only one child left when she arrived, lingering off on his own with legos spread out around him, which was perfect. It meant Jim Jr wasn’t able to simply get up and leave to avoid her. Making her way into the room, over to the desk her son was sat at, Darlene put on a bright smile. “Hello dear,” she greets, acting as if everything was normal and none of the last few months had ever happened. “Did you have a nice day? I was thinking we should grab some dinner tonight. Have a fun little mother-son outing. What do you think?” As she asked each question, she was perfectly aware of the child in the corner watching them, exactly as she had hoped he would, so her son would have to at least pretend to be polite.

[reinerist]

[dailymarvelqueens]

I find the less you focus on your flaws, the better off you are. Be yourself and be glad of who you are.

[darlingdeare]

tag dump.