#violet dreyfus

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Thanks to the internet, and the prolific careers of Leonard Dreyfus and his siblings, Mac was able to dive even deeper into their family history. It turned out Leonard was part of a successful brood, and soon enough Mac was reading about his famous elder brother Desmond - the first man on the moon - and his younger sister Violet, the hollywood starlet. It was simply amazing - how had so many notable people come from the one family?

The enduring Lenny and the Rollers community of fans had mapped out the entirety of Leonard's family and background, and wikipedia provided Mac with all of their names. Leonard was born in England to parents Alexander and Margot, but grew up in the suburbs of Del Sol Valley in a neighbourhood that was now highly gentrified and revered. And the internet sleuths had pinpointed the exact home.

Mac found themselves out the front of an indimidating retro-modern home, hoping that this in fact was the house that Leonard Dreyfus and his siblings had grown up in. Steeling themselves for the awkward conversation with its new inhabitants, Mac walked up to the front door and knocked.

When they had explained their expedition to uncover their relations to the homes famous pre-occupants, the new owners were more than happy to invite Mac inside. The house was incredibly chic, tastefully refurbished in the intervening years, and its occupants a successfuly power couple.

Walking outside, Mac noticed the rose bush in the yard, perfectly maintained and manicured. They pulled out the photograph they had printed out of the Dreyfus family and held it up, noticing the similarities. This was it - this was the house that they had grown up in. Mac was chuffed that their investigation had brought them here - that they had been right at every step so far.

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In 1965, Leonard Winston Dreyfus married Valerie Lynn Shepherd in a small, private ceremony at the city hall. The whole family attended to see their rockstar brother and son finally settle down with his love.

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Eleanor attended the small and private funeral for her father with her aunt Stella. It was a terribly sad affair - all of her aunts and uncle were there, shocked that their brother had passed so suddenly. Though news had spread far and wide through the media of his death, the family had wanted to keep his farewell to themselves.

The funeral meant that Eleanor would see her mother and twin sister for the first time since she had run away from home. She had anticipated it might be awaked, to see them in these circumstances, but she was so sad about her fathers passing that she had hoped they would perhaps reconcile in grief. It made her hurt and sad, though, when her grieving mother walked straight past her and refused to speak with her.

Daphne however was not so cold. She approached Eleanor and apologised for their mothers behaviour.

‘She is in quite a state, really. I don’t want you to feel bad, but I think she has convinced herself that your leaving caused Daddy too much stress and impacted his health. Don’t worry though, I know that’s not true. We all saw how he liked to live.’

Eleanor was glad to see and speak with her sister again. She told her that she and Gary had secretly married, and that they were expecting a baby. Daphne smiled at her and congratulated them.

‘I know we haven’t always been the same, Eleanor, but I do miss you being here. Could we perhaps write to each other, keep each other updated on our lives? I don’t want you to be gone for good.’

Eleanor liked that idea very much, and the sisters were finally able to reconcile their differences at their fathers graveside.

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The girls were home from school for the Christmas holiday. Their parents hadn't seen them in ages - in fact it struck them how much eachother had changed in the time that had passed.

All of the Dreyfus family had come to Leo and Valerie's home for Christmas that year. It was a wonderful reunion for them all to be together again. Desi and Trudy came with their 3 children - they were still as loved up as when they were teenagers. Pearl and Buddy were there - Pearl proudly telling anyone who would listen how accomplished her handsome now-adult son was. And Violet was there too, accompanied by her good friend Melissa, whom she had been so excited for her family to meet.

They all sat around the table for dinner, but it was noted that one person was missing from the table - their little sister Stella, who nobody had heard much from in many years.

'It's a shame she isn't here,' sighed Desi. 'We've tried to get her to come visit us, but she never returns my calls. I hear she's living down the coast in Sulani now.'

One thing that Leo noticed at the table was how close all his siblings still were with each other - especially his twin sisters. It made him glad that they were all here, but also sad - why didn't his own children like each other the way he loved his siblings?

'How is it that you two tolerate each other still and are so close?' he asked Viole and Pearl.

'I guess just luck!' said Violet. 'You can't force these things, Leo. Your girls will come around one day. Being a teenager is a hard time. We were very different people then, too.'

Whilst the adults reconnected, their children bonded. Daphne and her cousin Beth got along fabulously, pouring over fashion magazines with little Cindy trying to join in with them. Beth was like the cool older sister Daphne wished she had.

Meanwhile, Eleanor had snuck outside with her cousin Jeff to sneakily smoke cigarettes. Jeff was cool - he was a bit weird like her, and they got along well.

Soon their older cousin Buddy discovered them - Eleanor thought he would tell them off, but Buddy didn't care and sat down to smoke with them. Buddy was going to college soon, and he knew a lot about the world - and all the crazy things that were happening around them. Things that Eleanor had no idea about - it made her realise how sheltered and lucky she was, especially when Buddy told her about the war overseas.

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Seeing out the 1950s with one last lookbook for the twins, Pearl and Violet, showcasing their differing looks as teens in the late 50s.

(Tumblr is doing something odd and won't let me post external links in my posts all of a sudden. So please click this link for all outfit resources).

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In Memory of Valerie Lynn

Rest in peace Valerie, spouse of the 1960s generation. Valerie was Leo's steadfast wife and partner in all aspects of life. She was a vivacious and fun-loving spirit who lived to the fullest extent possible. Though not overly parental by nature, she loved her daughters and did her best to give them everything she had wanted herself.

In her lifetime Valerie achieved her lifetime want of World Famous Celebrity, became a Global Superstar, reached the top of the Actor career and maximised her acting and charisma skills.

Valerie is survived by her two daughters Eleanor and Daphne, and her grandchildren River and Clover.

(As a side note, I just wanted to acknowledge that Valerie was the least liked of all the spouses to join the Langston Legacy. I think many of her perceived failings as a character - for not being motherly, for encouraging her girls to follow her as an actress and placing them in boarding school - were also 'failings' of Leonard's too, and yet he did not cop as much negativity as Val did. If you disliked her for these reasons, then I hope you can reflect perhaps on the inherent misogyny in these perceptions of her. Food for thought.)

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One day the girls received a horrible phone call from their father. The news had just come through the family that their cousin Buddy had been drafted to the war overseas.

Pearl was devastated that her only child was being taken from her, but her sister Violet was there with her to make sure she was alright as she bid him farewell. They would not hear from Buddy for a long time and had to pray that he would return home safely.

The sad news brought the Dreyfus girls together, despite their differences, to comfort one another in the shock and despair that the cruelty of the world had finally touched their own family.

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Dear Eleanor

Congratulations on your new son! I hope I can meet my nephew some day.

I know we said we would update each other on our news, and there has been much news here at home. Firstly, Aunt Violet achieved her star on the Del Sol fame walk! Mom and I attended the ceremony, it was such a wonderful moment for her after her wonderful career.

The other piece of wonderful news I have is that cousin Buddy has returned home from his service. Boy, I heard the way he surprised Aunt Pearl just about gave her a heart attack! She is so very happy to have him back, as are all of us. Buddy says that more troops will be coming home soon. I’m sure you must be hearing the news too that perhaps this war will be over soon.

The final news I have however is not so joyful. Aunt Pearl and Aunt Violet passed away. It was such a coincidence, their passing within such a short duration of one another. I suppose that is the way they came into the world, just like us. I think the stress of running a salon and waiting for Buddy finally caught up with Aunt Pearl. And Aunt Violet well… she was just as bad as Daddy. She lived life to the fullest.

We are mourning them both and I am sure you will too. It pains our poor Mom now that she has lost both Daddy and her best friend. I think it would cheer her up to see you and meet her grandson. You just need to give her a little push - she’s always been stubborn in her feelings. I think she wants to feel happy and let go of her sadness.

Your sister, Daphne