For Violet Ledger, true love was like dreaming. A beautiful wonderous thing that can make anything possible. But more often than not, it would never be.
That's not to say the young lady didn't believe in love. Heavens no! She just didn't believe in true love. Love that occurred the moment you locked eyes. Love that, from mere kindling, swelled into an overwhelming inferno after a single meeting.
Love that only existed in books that her mother disapproved of.
To Violet Ledger, love was like growing a garden. From scratch. You had to prepare the plot, plant the seeds, and even then, it wasn't a guarantee that anything would grow. You could read every book, try every trick or tip that worked with others growing their own garden, but nothing could happen.
But you can't return a garden. You can't simply abandon it. You simply have to make the best of it. That's what her parents did.
They love each other...to some extent, they do. Just not the way Violet wished. It could be worse, though. There's no shouting, no neglecting, no blaming, but the garden is...a bit lackluster.
Again. Violet believed in love, desired it, but she was prepared to put in the work.
So imagine her surprise when she met Edmund Bridgerton.
As soon as the seeds took root in the soil, they grew like weeds. No matter how hard she tried to calm her feelings, to make her thoughts and feelings neat and proper as a proper lady should, they just kept coming back. So entangled in heart was Edmund Bridgerton.
Like vines overtaking a fence. Dandelions that usurp the fields. Invasive. Out of control. Yet so beautiful.
Violet Bridgerton loved her Edmund so. How could she not when he took root in her heart?
How did she ever think that true love didn't exist?
<*><*><*>
Violet Bridgerton wanted a large family. Even as a Ledger she wanted one.
Strangely, it wasn't because she wished she had a sibling. Violet Ledger wished for many things as a child, but a brother or sister was not one of them.
No...it just occurred. A strong desire. In fact, she worried that it could be a problem if her future husband wanted only one child.
How relieved she was when her Edmund sheepishly confessed that he would like three or more children during a discussion of future plans.
It still makes her smile when remembering his face turning red when she told him she would like six.
Six. Six little hearts she would create. She so dearly wanted them. Edmund would be one of the only ones she'd confess to dreaming of her future children. Four boys. Two girls. Dark, brown, red hair.
She started dreaming of them when she debuted.
<*><*><*>
Seven children. Four boys. Three girls. Dark, brown and red hair. Eight hearts she made.
Violet Bridgerton still dreamed of the six.
Her dreams of them were often bittersweet.
The dreams started changing when Anthony was born. Before, they were nothing but bliss. Playing with her faceless dream children in forests and castles. They'd laugh and call out to her, 'Mother!', reaching out to her with open arms.
She woke up screaming when those tiny arms stained her clothes with blood. Thank God, Edmund trusted her enough to let her continue sleeping with Anthony in her arms, even though everyone advised against it.
He knew that Anthony was her cure and that she'd never hurt their child.
They would come and go in episodes. A few times each year, Violet would be plagued by the deaths of her faceless dream children for days.
Edmund was her saving grace. It was as if his mind was linked to hers. Every time he sensed so much as a difference in her breathing, he'd awaken, go retrieve their youngest child, and ever so carefully place them in her arms. Their children were her cure.
Cries turned into laughter. Blades turned into flowers. Chains became ribbons. Blood stains were grass stains.
Despite the sleepless nights they've caused her, Violet wouldn't wish to get rid of them. She loves her faceless dream children.
<*><*><*>
Weeds can be beautiful. So beautiful. Edmund was beautiful. Her Edmund, who took root in her heart as quick as vines take to a fence, as beautiful as dandelions in a field.
Weeds still damage the garden in the end. They choke out all other plants. Just like her Edmund. Perhaps it was their love that caused him to die. The weeds that she planted in his heart crept up into his throat seeking her like vines that seek the sun...that's why the bee flew to him.
She knows that that's not true. Her children say so. Both here and in her dreams.
What a lucky mother she is. To have such loving children in both worlds. Too bad they can't play with one another. She just knows that Daphne would love her other eldest daughter... and that Anthony wouldn't need to shoulder the new responsibilities alone if he could speak with her other eldest son.
It would also stop her children from looking at her like that. Violet Bridgerton knows she has fallen. She knows that she is not the mother her children know. She knows that Anthony and Benedict have spoken to the doctor several times about her strolls.
She knows they scare them... but it'd be rude to ignore her other children. Afterall, now she can show them her world.
<*><*><*>
True love is rare. Violet Bridgerton knows this, yet she made sure to let her children know it is possible. What Violet Bridgerton didn't know was that nearly all her children would achieve this rare possibility.
Now only three more to go. Last of Eight. Eight of the fourteen hearts she's made.
It's been some time since she's dreamed of them.
Not since Hyacinth's tenth birthday...what a lovely dream it was. Since the first year after Edmund's death they were all nothing but lovely. Perhaps her children's way of assuring her that nothing in the future will ever be worse than what she experienced that day.
The first year after Edmund's death was...horrific. Nightmares and daymares plagued her for months. Not only did she keep reliving her husband dying in her arms, but she also experienced other horrors.
Her second youngest was thrown from a tower. Her husband was beheaded in front of a crowd that cheered. Her eldest son was killed at his wedding. Her eldest daughter was used as a tool beyond her breaking point. Her other daughter was consumed by revenge and bloodlust. Her youngest was shot down as he ran towards his older brother. Her second-oldest son was hated and ignored by her and others all his life.
Unlike with Edmund she could not share this grief with others. For who would understand her love for her children that only existed in her mind? Whose names and faces she did not know?
...eventually they got better. She got better. Now she can hold her head high, knowing that she is more than capable of handling whatever may come. Be it hellfire and brimstone, nothing will harm her children--
Well...maybe something will harm her. Like the young man she walked into.
How kind he is though. Quick to offer her an apology, even though she was in the way, and even quicker to help her to her feet. Even his family is eager, her things picked and dusted off.
His brother and sister scold him as his younger siblings tease him under their breath. The sight brings a smile to Violet's face.
Its so familiar. Like watching her own children.
Where are her children?
<*><*><*>
Whoever raised these siblings did a marvellous job. Seeing that she had been separated from her family in the crash, the pack insisted on helping her find them.
The boys hold her things while the girls walk on either side of her, supporting her sore knee.
Violet thinks she would like to meet their mother. Such kind people these six are.
They're also rather entertaining. She bites her cheek to stop herself from laughing too loudly at their antics and conversation. She wishes her children were here.
Eloise would quite like Sansa. As would Daphne. Arya would likely hit it off with Gregory and Colin. Robb and Jon quite remind her of Anthony and Benedict. Francesca and Bran seem like they'd have a lengthy silent conversation. Rickon and Hyacinth could--oh there's her family!
Introductions are made and Violet smiles as she sees she was quite right with her predictions. Her children and the other children seem to get along quite nicely.
Unfortunately they take up the whole road now. All fourteen of them. Eight of them hers. Four boys. Four girls. Dark, brown... and red hair.
The other. Six. Four boys. Two girls. Dark. Brown. And red hair. Six...
Violet Bridgerton is not one for tears in public. Just this once, though, she'll allow herself this grace. For how could she not cry?
Her children are all finally here.
Catelyn Stark has remembered her children's names and faces.
AU Summary: A boarding school student Hana Lee x public school child of the staff Raelyn. A rich girl Hana x poor kid Raelyn story. Being from a rich family, Hana isn't really suppose to become friends with a "staffie" a kid of a staff member. All staff members and their families can live on campus but the kids have to attend a local public school and is discouraged to interact with the boarding school students. Will that stop a friendship from forming between Hana and Raelyn? Or will something else form between the 2 teenagers?
Hana stops at the sight of the brightly colored yellow and red store, the entrance flanked by plastic teddy bears.
"Uh, Rae? Are you sure this is right? I think this store is only for children." Hana asks nervously, Raelyn grins excitedly.
"Nah, Build-A-Bear is for all ages. No one is too old for a stuffed friend. Do you trust me?" Raelyn asks holding a hand out to Hana prompting a memory of the first day they met.
"Hah, what an embarrassment! The social climber actually thinks she can sit with us?" A beautiful but snobby blonde says snidely, causing her lackeys to giggle mean laughs. Tears welled up in Hana's eyes and she crys out when a smirking redhead knocks her textbooks out of her hands, causing her papers to scatter all over the floor.
Mercifully the bullies walked off as Hana tearfully bends down to pick up her papers. Suddenly ripped jeans and scuffed up converses appeared next to her and the owner of the outfit, that was in violation of the school's dress code, bends down to join Hana and help her gather her papers.
"Don't pay them girls any mind, their parents obviously don't love them so they take it out on you. I'm Raelyn." Hana gape at the kind eyes of her helper that's handing her papers back to her, smiling warmly.
"I-I'm Hana. T-thank you." Hana shyly says. Raelyn seems to light up even more and they offer their hand to Hana who takes it.
Ever since then Hana's life has never been the same.
Hana smiles and takes Raelyn's hand, "of course I trust you." Raelyn grins and leads Hana into the brightly colored whimsical store.
"I remember you said your parents wouldn't let you have a toy growing up, now is your chance to make yourself a friend!" Raelyn fans out their hand towards the wall of stuff animal options.
"Aren't you my friend?" Hana asks playfully.
"Of course! But this friend is allowed in your dorms at night. This one you can hug and squeeze when I'm not around."
Hana blushes and look away at the wall, her eyes sweeping across all the options.
"I'm not sure where to start."
"It's okay! Take your time. Pick the one that speaks the loudest to you, the one that grabs your attention the most." Raelyn says.
Looking across the options, Hana's eyes keep coming back to a frog.
"Maybe that one?" Hana asks pointing to the frog on the wall. Raelyn smiles and pulls an unstuffed frog plushie out of the bin.
"This one look cute enough for you?" Raelyn asks waving the froggie's face towards Hana. Hana bites her lip at how cute Raelyn looks peering back at her and nods before her brow furrows.
"Yes but...it's a little...limp?" Hana says unsure, Raelyn grins.
"Right this minute yeah, but now we stuff him or her or them." Raelyn says, leading Hana to a machine with a worker standing there smiling.
"Ready?" The worker asks and at Raelyn nod, takes the frog, fixes the hole in the back of the frog to a pipe sticking out of the strange machine, and with a press of a pedal begins to fill the frog up with stuffing. Suddenly the worker stops.
"Now if you one of you could pick a heart out and give it a kiss, I can finish stuffing your friend."
Raelyn points at a basket of little fabric hearts attached to the side of the machine and Hana reaches in and grabs one. Hana kisses the heart and hands it to Raelyn. Raelyn kisses the heart on the same side of Hana's kiss,looking straight into her eyes. Hana's gasp is lost in the sound of the worker finishing the stuffing process.
Soon the frog is stuffed and sewn up and in Hana's arms. Raelyn leads Hana to the wall and racks of little clothes, hats and shoes.
"Oh wow! We can dress him up?" Hana asks excitedly. Raelyn nods.
"You bet! Whatever outfit you want."
Eventually the two decide on cute little overalls and after printing off his birth certificate, they head to the cash register.
"Wait, you don't want to make one for yourself?" Hana asks.
"Nah, my other stuffed buddies would get jealous." Leaving out that they couldn't afford to buy Hana's and a second one, but Raelyn didn't mind. They were just happy to be able to give Hana this experience.
Later as they were walking through the mall, Hana sighs heavily.
"My parents won't let me keep him though." Hana says sadly.
"Then he can stay with me when you go home on break."
"Really? You don't mind?" Hana asks hopefully.
"Of course not! Besides he's kinda my son too, right?" Raelyn says a blush darkening their cheeks, Hana blushes too and nods, nervously giggling, before shyly grasping one of Raelyn's hands. Raelyn twines their fingers together and both teenagers' hearts fluttered in their chest.
Hours later after eating supper at a food truck, another first for Hana, Raelyn takes Hana back to her dorms. They're lightly swinging their joined hands when they come to a stop at the side of Hana's dorms. Neither are in a rush to let go though.
"I had fun today, Raelyn."
"Really? You're not just being nice are you?" Raelyn asks bashful. Hana giggles.
"Of course not! I really had fun today! I always have fun when I'm with you. You're always showing me new things but you never make fun of me or think less of me because I'm inexperienced at them." Hana says.
"I'm glad you had a good day. Next time we'll go to the arcade!" Hana giggles.
"I'm sure it'll be fun too, whatever that is." The two stand there smiling at each other for a moment before Raelyn breaks the silence.
"Hana?" Their voice cracks in nervousness. "Uh, can I...maybe kiss you?" Hana's lips part in surprise but she eagerly nods. Raelyn slowly leans toward Hana, giving her time to change her mind but Hana tilts her head and meets Raelyn's lips with her own.
They're both still for a moment, unsure and inexperienced but slowly they begin to shift. Noses bump but then they find their rhythm and the kiss is sweet and perfect. Perfect for a first kiss. They pull back, matching blushing cheeks and excited smiles.
"I'll uh let you go before you're late for curfew, but that was amazing." Raelyn says looking at Hana hopefully. Hana nods her eyes shining like stars.
"Yes! That was...that was everything." Hana says breathlessly. Hana walks to the door of the building and looks back at Raelyn.
"Sweet dreams Rae." Hana says warmly to the still blushing teen.
"Good night Hana."
Hana walks into her room and pulls out Jaime the frog. She looks at him for a second before squealing giddy and hugging him tight. Not knowing that across the campus, Raelyn was just as giddy dancing a little happy jig around a light pole on their back to their own room.
