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WRITING MASTER LIST
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OSCAR MORGAN as VALARR TARGARYEN and BERTIE CARVEL as BAELOR BREAKSPEAR A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS // 1.06 The Morrow
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FINN BENNETT as Prince Aerion ‘Brightflame’ Targaryen A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
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had your little fun, fella?
Home - Pt 15 Unexpected...
Genre: Fan Fiction (The Last Kingdom) Pairing: Finan/OFC Warnings: Illness (Cancer), Character Death(s), Grief, Infertility Mentioned, Strong Sexual References, Age Difference Rating: M Length: Multi Disclaimer: a strict work of fiction, I own nothing except the original characters and the plot line. In no way am I affiliated to any of it.
A/N: I have the ending to this drafted, I kind of like it. There is another chapter, maybe two until we reach that point. In the meantime, Baby Monk is performing miracles while Sihtric and Uhtred may be trying to end Finan. Good times.
Catch Up Here
Unexpected...
Lottie found herself sprawled across the bed, head shoved against her pillow, a small stain of drool on her cheek. Opening her eyes to see the soft morning light filtering into the room, she rolled over and rubbed her eyes. Through the closed bedroom door she could smell coffee and hear noise rising from the kitchen. It was barely 7:30AM, why was Sunniva awake?
Curious, Lottie grabbed the robe that had been left for her – courtesy of Eadith, pulling it over her pjs and shoving her feet into her slippers. Trudging down the stairs, she was met with the soft sound of...was that church hymns?
“Sunny?”
What in the hell was going on?
Sunniva was washing a bowl and placing it to dry, when she turned to see her – half awake – sister
“Coffee is made, there is some fruit cut in the fridge. Oh and I left some of the cheese, the red one.” She answered Lottie with a bright smile.
“Red Leicester.” Lottie filled in the blank, rubbing her eyes.
“Yes!”
“Why are you awake so early on a Sunday?” Lottie pushed her hand through her hair and groaned, looking at her sister who was actually looking alert and chipper at the hour, on a Sunday.
“I'm going to church with Osferth, he's going to pick me up in twenty minutes. Do I look okay for church?” Sunniva splayed her hands in front of the light blue dress that she wore under her cream cardigan.
“I guess. Wait, did you say church?”
Sunniva nodded. That explained the music. Sort of.
“You are going to church? Seriously? Wow, Baby Monk is fucking magical.” Lottie shuffled across the kitchen, pouring her coffee and reaching for the sugar.
“I'm going, because I thought you and Finan may want some space? It's not the whole day, but a good chunk of it. So go on, call him. Don't waste your time, but don't bang him on the couch or anything like that. Please, others have to use that too.”
“First, I am going to soak in the hot tub, drink my coffee, and process whatever possession is happening with you. Then I am going to shower, maybe read, eat breakfast, and see where my day goes. Finan is hanging out with Uhtred and Sihtric today.”
“I bet if you called him then he'd change his plans.” Winking, Sunniva rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet.
Without a single doubt, Finan would change his plans. Lottie was willing to bet that he'd do almost anything to get out of that run he agreed to. Sure, she could be his scapegoat, but this was more than a run it was about spending time with his friends and do things that he used to enjoy. In a weird, twisted way, Lottie didn't want to take this away from him – in whatever form, it was kind of like another step in Finan moving forward.
“I don't want him changing his plans, he has a life and it doesn't revolve around me.” Lottie shrugged taking a sip of coffee. Placing the mug on the counter, she pulled her dark hair up into a bun, ready for a soak.
“I respect that, enjoy your day alone. I'll be home...well I don't actually know when. We may go for lunch after and then he mentioned seeing Ecgwynn, possibly. She's Edward's...”
“Baby mama.” Lottie added with a slight nod. “They had two children, then he cut ties with her and his children.”
“Rough.”
“Finan knows her, apparently she's lovely. I think it's cute Baby Monk wants to show you off.”
“I think you're delusional.”
“Whatever, I am going to open the hot tub.” Lottie took a sip of her coffee, carrying to mug to the door with her.
In the secluded back garden, she pulled the cover off of the hot tub, checking the temperature. She didn't have her swim bottoms, but that was fine, she had a robe. Besides, who was going to be here when she got out? Before sinking into the glorious hot water, Lottie returned to the kitchen for more coffee. Opening the window to talk to her sister, she did her best to hide the shocked amusement.
Sunniva in church.
That was...oh dear God.
Back in the garden, Lottie dropped her robe and stripped off her bright blue pjs with the yellow ducks. Dipping her toe into the water she bit her bottom lip, a bit hotter than she liked, but that was okay. This morning was a little chillier. Slowly sinking into the welcoming water, she laid her head back and gazed up at the morning sky. Birds overhead soaring back and forth, a good sign of spring to come.
Finan busy for the day and with Sunniva out, Lottie closed her eyes and thought of all the things she could do on her own. Cleaning? Maybe. A nice long walk? Possibly. A late lunch at the pub? Excellent choice.
“So, when did you decide to go?” Lottie called through the window.
“Last night, I asked him.” Sunniva sat on the counter to talk with her sister. “I think he was a little shocked, but why not? It's not something I do every week,” Lottie wanted to point out it was something that she never did, “but I figure it won't kill me.”
“No, but the church could spontaneously combust.” Lottie laughed over the rumbling of the jets. “Do you think Aelswith will lose her mind, when she sees you?”
“Wait, she goes to the same church?”
“She does.” Lottie nodded and laughed. “Maybe you can sit with her?”
“You're a shit disturber.” Sunniva called, pausing. “Osferth is here.”
Lottie had vaguely heard the car come into the drive. Settled in her soak, she listened through the window as Sunniva greeted Osferth. They sounded happy enough. From what Lottie could gather, Osferth had brought Sunniva an unlabeled bottle of whiskey and a bag of salt and vinegar crisps – a great gift for a girl who was willing to sit through a church service with you. Listening to Osferth explain the blend of whiskey, one which had been a reserve for employees only, Lottie giggled to herself as he became animated.
“Morning Osferth!” Lottie shouted through the open window.
“Good morning, Lottie.” Stepping closer to the window, Osferth frowned as Sunniva held her hand out barring him with a head shake.
“She's naked out there.”
“Oh!” wide eyed, Osferth cleared his throat. “Well.”
“Have a good day!” Sunniva called out. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Try to behave.” Lottie snorted in laughter as she listened for the car engine. Tires on the gravel, she waited about five minutes, finishing her coffee, and stepping out into her robe. Shivering in the chilly air, she grabbed her pjs and raced into the empty cottage.
Wrapped in her robe, Lottie poured the last of the coffee into her mug, adding a bit more sugar she opened the fridge to find the breakfast that Sunniva had left behind. Being alone felt a tad strange, although it shouldn't, she had been at Hygge alone far more than with another person's presence. The thoughts of Sunniva leaving to head back home left Lottie excited and sad. Sad that her sister would be leaving her, excited to see where the week staying with Finan would lead.
Fruit and cheese ready to be enjoyed, Lottie giggled when her phone pinged. A photo of Finan, his ball cap low and his sunglasses hiding his eyes, didn't distract from the fact he looked terrified and exhausted. Only 2 miles in and he was already beginning to regret this decision of a run. Sending back a bit of encouragement, Lottie told him that Sunniva was going to church with baby monk, at least Finan would have that amusement on his mind as he ran.
5 Miles.
Sihtric had decided, no doubt out of pity for Finan, to stop at a cafe along the route. A coffee and a break would do them good, seeing as it was 5 miles back to Uhtred's. Sitting on the uncomfortable metal chair, Finan had never been so happy to see a chair. Sweat soaked, he pulled his hat and sunglasses off, wiping his hand over his damp hair and groaning. Uhtred laughed, daring Finan to make an old man joke. How could he? Uhtred was older and had hardly broken a sweat.
“Lottie busy today?” Sihtric asked placing the coffee down on the table.
“I don't know, she didn't tell me her plans.” Finan nodded his thanks, he would have gone in but his legs currently felt useless.
“Maybe she and Sunniva had something going on?” Sihtric sat at the table, adjusting his chair.
“No, Sunniva is going to church with baby monk, I am not entirely sure why.”
“Interesting.” Sihtric mused stirring his coffee and placing the spoon down. “He really likes her then?”
Shit, now he was going to owe Aldhelm thirty pounds. A take back for the money had recently lost to the same man. Sihtric sipped his coffee and waited to hear the fate of his money.
“Sunniva and Osferth?” Uhtred snorted and rolled his eyes. “She looks like she'd eat him alive.”
“Now don't be so judgemental.” Finan laughed. “Ya know he isn't a saint.”
“No, he just looks like one.” Uhtred laughed harder, taking a drink of his coffee. Placing the mug down on the table, he narrowed his stare. “When Lottie has to go home, what are the plans?”
“What do ya mean?”
“Do you stay and wait for her to come back or do you go with her? Does she move here or do you move there? Is it going to last if there's distance?” Continuing his questions, Uhtred leaned back in his chair.
Things that Finan had been avoiding, yet knew he had to consider. A long, detailed talk was in order and sooner rather than later. Whatever Lottie wanted, perhaps foolish on his part, but Finan was willing to go with her decision. He had never saw himself living away from Bamburgh, then again, until a month ago he had never saw himself finding feelings or wanting another woman ever again. A lot of things had begun to change.
“I truly do not know.” He frowned and picked at a piece of loose skin around his thumb nail.
“But you're happy? She makes you happy, right?” Sihtric entered the conversation, adjusting his sunglasses on top of his dark curls.
There was no doubt that Lottie had made Finan happy, but Sihtric had to ask. As always.
Finan nodded, his frown turning. “She makes me incredibly happy.”
“Good, I'm glad to hear that. Whatever happens next, I am sure it will all work out.” Sihtric's smile was wide.
“I agree.” Uhtred gave a firm nod and a slight smile.
Gisela had become relentless in the last few weeks, trying to think of ways to keep the couple together. Teasing her that he was to be the meddling house wife not her – Uhtred had thought her bored, not knowing that she had been part of Osferth's plan to bring Sunniva over. Attempting to keep Lottie here for as long as they could. If Finan and Lottie were to be, then they would be. If not, then at some point it would quietly fizzle. Although, despite holding back the particular thought from his wife, Uhtred felt the latter was a bit far fetched. Finan had slowly been coming back to them, the old Finan – yet somehow changed and for the best.
Clearing his throat, Finan needed a subject change. Raising his brow, he glanced over to Sihtric. “So, tell me, what's going on with you and Eadith?”
Grunting, Sihtiric nearly choked on his mouthful of coffee. “Nothing is going on, why would you say that?”
“Lottie has a theory that ya have it bad for Eadith.” Finan chuckled with a slight shrug. He had missed these conversations and days with his friends. All along they had been there, although Finan was present he hadn't always been mentally.
“I-I don't know why she'd think that. I am n-not involved with Eadith, we're friends. Nothing more.” Sihtric stammered shaking his head. “I-I swear.”
“If you are, it wouldn't be wrong.” Uhtred mused with a tilt of his head, avoiding the sun directly in his eyes. “I see the appeal.”
“Eadith is a great woman. Absolutely, if ya like her then why not?” Finan added, lifting his coffee to finish it. “If ya are just friends then that is fine, too.”
“We are. I think. I don't know.” Sihtric grumbled, rubbing his hands against his face. “What I do know, is we need to get back to that run. Come on, you old bastards. Let's go.”
When Finan got home, he was going to spend the rest of his day becoming one with his couch and maybe an ice pack. Perhaps he should sneak off to Hygge and spend some time drowning his pain in the hot tub? Now that as an idea. Keeping pace hadn't been much of an issue, although he was certain with the amount of sweat dripping from him at the end of 10 miles, he could easily provide relief to a small drought stricken country.
Sore, stiff, and refusing to admit it to his friends Finan climbed into his car trying not to groan and whine outwardly. Sitting for a few moments, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was nearly the same distance to home as Hygge from here. Once he put the car in drive it was a matter of left or right. Lottie hadn't answered his last text, which meant she was busy. Church would be over by now and Sunniva was no doubt back at Hygge regaling her little sister with all of the details.
Snorting, Finan pulled out of the drive way, turning the car in the direction of home.
Lottie hadn't meant to ignore Finan's text, her parents were on the phone. Seeing as she hadn't spoken to them directly in almost three weeks, it was fair that she kept the conversation going. As much as she wanted to read the message right away, she had sent it to wait – which she would forget about until later.
As usual, her mother asked too many, over stepping, questions. Lottie gritted her teeth and politely reminded her that what she spoke to her therapist about was nobody's business, yes she was still speaking with her therapist. Although, a detail Lottie omitted, was that it had been two weeks ago due to the therapist taking some personal time and a holiday. Lottie was happy for the woman. Everybody needed to get away.
Besides, as she reassured her mother – Lottie was in a good place. Emotionally, mentally, and even physically. There was a stability in Bamburgh that she had found. A happiness and even some joy. Things she had been lacking back home.
“Sunny said that you have made some friends, that sounds exciting.” Her father got a chance to sneak in a word.
“I have, a lot of new friends actually. It was like you made one and they came as a group.” Lottie chuckled airily.
“And what about the man you've been seeing? Lottie, I don't think...”
“Mom, boundaries. Remember? It's nobody's business.” Lottie rolled her eyes, despite not being seen. “So what if I have been casually seeing someone?”
Casually sounded rather...Lottie wrinkled her nose. Finan was not casual, as far as she was concerned. At the same time, he wasn't set in stone either. At some point, Lottie would like to think the latter would happen.
“Are you ready for that? You've suffered a traumatic loss, Lottie, I don't want to see you make a mistake.” Her mother was a kind woman, truly, most days. Lottie closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “You were engaged and that means something, you had plans for a family, and I don't see how you're ready to move on.”
“I don't think Finan is a mistake, I think he's part of why I am moving on so easily,” Lottie suppressed a groan, “I think he understands me better than anyone. He lost his wife and knows what it's like trying to move beyond that grief. I'm not going to argue and I'm not going to say that I have it all figured out, but I do think Finan is a good thing.”
“As long as you're happy.” Her father caught up to the conversation, listening to his wife and youngest daughter.
“I am very happy, I'm happy here. I am happy with Finan. I actually feel like I've left a lot of that grief and darkness behind. For once, dad, I can breathe and I don't find myself worrying or angry with the world. Some days are a bit sad, but not as many as there were.” Lottie explained with a slight sniffle. “I miss Shaun, every day. I spent a whole year trying to figure out how to live without him. Right now, I feel that I'm truly starting to do that.”
“Sunniva will be home next week, are you coming with her?” Her mother huffed, trying to reason with her youngest was like speaking to a brick wall some days.
“I um, I'm staying an extra week. I'm sorry that I won't be home for your birthday. I'm sending a present home with Sunny, though.” Lottie apologised wiping her hand across her cheeks to gather the few tears of frustration.
“I'd rather my daughter than a present, but...what can I do about that?”
“Mom, I love you, but I need to be here right now. If Shaun were here, I wouldn't be home. We were moving, remember? It would have been no different. I still wouldn't have been home for these things.” Lottie inhaled slowly, keeping her composure.
“You would have at least been in the same country, starting a family, and you would have been with somebody that I trusted. Your father and I don't know this other man.”
Wait until her mother found out that Finan was estranged from his family, worked part time in a pub, and was eight years older than Lottie. Things that she didn't need to add in today's conversation.
“You didn't know Shaun when I brought him home, either. If you want to meet Finan, I will happily bring him home when I come. I know he won't mind being drug along. Truthfully, I don't know that he really wants to be apart, period. Right now, I don't know if I want to come back. What's there for me? Why don't you get on a plane and come visit?”
“Lottie, honey.” Her father's voice was calm and relaxed. “You're a grown woman, if you don't want to come back, then why bother? Sunny and I can pack your things and have them sent. Whatever paperwork needs to be done or paid for, I'll do it. If you want to live in England or Ecuador, hell I don't know Nauru? If you're happy.”
Off the phone, Lottie could hear her mother scolding her father.
“If you're happy.” He repeated. “Then I find no problem with this. Maybe we should take some time off and come visit? Clearly you and Sunny seem to like it over there, maybe we would too? We could meet Finan and take a nice trip at the same time.”
“If,” Lottie sniffled, “if you did want to come over and visit, I know of a great little cottage to stay in.”
“We'll talk about it, okay? In the meantime, tell your sister that we love her. We love you, and we will talk to you both later on.” On the other end, Lottie could hear a slight wind in the background. Her father had taken the phone to seek refuge in the garage. Once he hung up, Lottie knew that her mother would huff and pout at him for a few hours. Slowly, he would coax her into seeing the bright side.
Placing her phone face down on the table, Lottie wiped her tears and pushed her hair back out of her face. Resting her chin on her upturned hand, she groaned. Her mother wondered why she didn't call? Huh. Lottie scoffed and frowned. The sun shone into the afternoon, cascading across the kitchen floor. A warmth that it hadn't held in previous weeks. Winter was slowly coming to an end.
Had her father been on to something? Did Lottie have to return? Surely she would have to go back for a week or two, a month? Some sort of duration before being allowed to file as a resident. Did she want to stay, permanently? Speaking with her parents had unlocked an entirely new set of emotions that she hadn't considered before. Not that staying permanently was a bad idea.
Next week, after Sunniva went home and Lottie relocated to Finan's, this was certainly a discussion they needed to have.
For now, Lottie was going to drag herself outside with nothing but her camera and take a long, slow walk.
With no word back from Lottie, Finan returned home to shower and soon found himself asleep on the couch with an episode of M*A*S*H providing a strange sort of ambiance in the background. Every muscle in his body ached, even ones he didn't know existed. Burning through his legs, each time he moved, he did his best to take it easy the rest of the day. Tomorrow, whether Lottie or Sunniva answered his messages, he was pulling rank as owner of Hygge and using the hot tub. Who was he kidding, they wouldn't care if he was hanging around or not, so long as he put his towel in the laundry and didn't leave the floors wet. At this rate that cottage was more their property than it was his.
Returning from her walk, Lottie scowled at her grumbling stomach. No sign of Sunniva. No texts. No calls. Not that Lottie was worried, her sister was a big girl and she was with Osferth. If there were ever a man that a woman would be safe and sound with, it would be Osferth without a doubt. Pulling together a quick dinner of pasta with butter and cheese, Lottie was sitting at the table reviewing some photos of an old barn that she'd taken this afternoon, when Sunniva finally returned.
Lottie looked up from her plate. “Church went extra long today?”
“Uh, no we...were busy all day.” Sunniva shrugged, her cheeks reddening. Smudged makeup had given her away almost immediately.
“How was it? Is his jaw as magical as you hoped?” Lottie giggled at herself.
“We went to lunch with his niece and nephew, after church. Then he showed me around town.” Sunniva tossed her bag on the table, wincing as she bent over to take off her shoes. “Then we had sex.”
Lottie's giggles continued. “You look awfully...worn out.”
“I did not know that my body could bend in so many ways. Oh my god, he's so sweet and innocent looking. His talent would have been wasted as a monk.” Sunniva huffed out a breath, fanning herself for dramatic emphasis.
“Wow. That is...I don't even have words for that.”
“You don't understand, he's all lean muscle under those polos and suits. And he's freakishly strong, with a lot and I mean a lot of stamina. I think we broke a tap on the kitchen sink.” Sunniva laughed at herself. “Lottie, I have never cu-”
“Nope, we're done. I don't need to know.” Lottie covered her ears, shaking her head. “I don't need details any further.”
“You told me all about your beard burn.” Sunniva laughed with a huff. “Speaking of...”
“It's getting better, thanks for asking.”
“Okay, but have you....since?”
“No, we've not.” Lottie shook her head, a strand of dark hair slipping from behind her ear. “We easily could have yesterday, but I chickened out.”
“Why?”
“I didn't want to be embarrassed if someone came over early. I want to. Oh god do I ever want to. It was...” Lottie grunted. “It was so good, maybe the best. Finan wanted me to stay last night. When you go back home, I'm going to stay there instead of here.”
“Good. I'm glad, by the way don't let me be your excuse for not staying over. I don't mind being on my own.” Sunniva shrugged opening the fridge and pulling out a bottle of wine. “I am a big girl, I can entertain myself.”
Lottie smiled and nodded. In code that meant Osferth had possibly, and unknowingly, signed up to be the entertainment.
“How was your day?” Sunniva placed the wine and glasses on the table. Adjusting her dress, she took a seat, and reaching for Lottie's fork. Picking up a few pieces of pasta she moaned happily. “I am starving.”
“Since I don't know where your mouth has been, it's yours.” Lottie pushed the plate to her sister. “My day was, I don't know. It was good, then I talked to mom, then it was...I don't know?”
Finishing the mouthful of pasta and cheese, Sunniva frowned and licked her lips. Pouring two glasses of wine, she reached for one and left the second for her sister. “I love mom, but sometimes...”
“Today it was all about how I am making a mistake, I don't know my own emotions, I am abandoning her on her birthday, and she hates Finan.” Lottie recapped ticking each item off on her fingers. “And how Shaun and I moving would have been different, because we would have been starting a family.”
“Typical Sunday.”
“Typical Sunday.” Lottie pursed her lips and nodded. “I realised today that Aelswith reminds me of mom.”
“Oh Jesus.” Sunniva dramatically rolled her eyes. “Please no, at least dad doesn't roll over as easily as Alfred.”
“Speaking of.” Lottie narrowed her gaze, picking up her wine glass. “Dad doesn't want me to come home.”
“What?”
Nodding, Lottie swallowed the bold red, before diving into the details.
“If I am happy here, then he wants me to stay. He doesn't want me to go back. You were volunteered to help him pack my things and send them over, by the way.” Lottie informed her older sister. “He doesn't see why they can't come visit me, here.”
“D-do you want to stay here?” Sunniva raised her brow, eyes curious under her smudged mascara. “If Finan wanted you to stay here, would you?”
Lottie shrugged, watching her sister devour her meal as if it were the first thing she had eaten in years. Wrinkling her nose, Lottie felt her stomach grumble again. She'd make a sandwich later – and maybe take a minute to finally return Finan's text. Shit. She'd forgotten about that. The poor man.
“I think so. When dad said it, I didn't hate the idea and I didn't begin to immediately panic. I guess, maybe, it's a good sign?”
“Wow,” Sunniva nodded licking her lips, “okay, well then I guess you have a big choice to make.”
“A very big choice.” Lottie groaned slumping forward and resting her forehead on the table. “One that I don't have to decide on right this second. I think. So, tell me other than breaking his kitchen sink and meeting more of his family, how was your day with Baby Monk?”
“He asked if I would have dinner with him, tomorrow. If you had plans or wanted me to stay with you, then I can say no.” Placing the fork down on the empty plate, she reached for her glass of wine.
“Why would you say no? Go! You're on a holiday, too. Have fun.” Lottie shrugged, forcing a wide smile. “Go to dinner, maybe go back and convince him to let you ride that jaw you like so much.”
“You are a bad influence.” Sunniva swatted at her sister. “And dad says I'm the bad one.”
“Actually,” Lottie traced the top of her wine glass, “I wanted to see Finan for a bit tomorrow, if you're with baby monk then I don't feel guilty for leaving you alone.”
“Lottie,” Sunniva tilted her head, red hair catching the light, her big blue eyes were full of mischief, “you should never feel guilty. Especially over me. If you wanted to leave right now and go see Finan, I don't care.”
“Well, I don't, but thank you.” Lottie gave a slight nod, raising her wine glass to her sister.
“Maybe you should?” Sunniva raised her brow.
“He was busy today and he's probably tired. Besides, I want to take some time and process all of this before talking to Finan. I need to get my head on straight, before I ask him what he thinks. I just...I need a bit of time.”
“Time, yes, because we all have loads of that.” Sunniva mumbled into her glass. Lottie shot her sister a rather un-amused glare. “Sorry.”
“It's not your fault.” Lottie frowned, eyes casting down as she followed the grain pattern on the table. “I'll call him in the morning and see if he wants to have dinner and we can discuss.”
“Discussing is good. I'm really shocked that dad told you to stay, but...” Sunniva paused, picking a piece of pasta from her teeth – charming. “I think it's the right choice. If you stay here, I think in five or ten years you are going to be much happier. I don't want to sound rude or diminish you in any way, Lottie,” taking a deep breath, “I don't think marrying Shaun would have made you happy.”
Sunniva had always liked Shaun and he had been a decent match to Lottie, but the happiness Sunniva was seeing now...Intentionally hurting Lottie was not what she had intended, yet it is what she was doing. As the big sister, Sunniva had always felt protective, despite Lottie never needing her in that way. Shaun had been such a kind and generous person, with a lot of love. But he had never made Lottie smile or act the way Finan did. Lottie that had been present in the last week, was somehow a different person. Sunniva didn't understand it. The timid and grieving sister who had left home was now brighter and braver than she ever was. There was a spark with Lottie and Finan, any fool could see it without trying.
“Sunniva!” Lottie shouted, sitting upright in her chair, body trembling. “What the fuck? How can you just... You can't say shit like that, it's....”
“Lottie, listen!” Sunniva raised her voice over her sister shouting at her. “Oh, Lottie, I've seen you happier here in a week than I did with Shaun in years.” Sniffling, Sunniva ran her finger tip under her eyes, brushing the faint tears. “I love you so much, you are my best friend and my baby sister. I know that you have been through hell and I want nothing but happiness for you.”
“Sunniva. How can you tell me that I wasn't happy?”
“No, no. Don't. Just listen to me.” Sunniva demanded, huffing as she continued to wipe her tears. “I came because I needed to see it for myself, I needed to see that you were happy here. You are smart and caring, you love so intensely, Lottie Wilda Byrnes. Whoever captures your heart has to be just as kind and clever, I think Finan loves you already. I don't want to rush anything or anyone, but please think about this and maybe don't come home.”
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