|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 5:16 pm
Plenty of time had passed now, enough for her to get things sorted and organized for Liam. Melody had left them to their own devices at the larger home outside the city as she took over the smaller one that was left alone for the moment. It was nicer than her apartment but she didn’t like that there wasn’t a bath there. She’d been sending texts back and forth with Liam and their father trying to organize a zoom call as soon as the cast came off. It would have been bad if they’d seen him injured right after she told the man that her family had been taking great care of his son. Laying on the couch in the living room, she scrolled through things on door dash before picking another new restaurant to try. It had become sort of a tradition with the blond, trying new places each time they met up without her brother around. It was nice in a way, felt normal, and more like a family dinner than anything she’d been used to. With the order placed, she texted Liam to let him know she wanted to meet up at the house here and to leave her brother behind if possible. She really didn’t like him still, even if everything she’d heard negative about him had just been lies. It wasn’t like her to just drop things she’d built up after so many years but she’d be nicer for Liam’s sake. It was why she’d not bothered them at the larger home this past month, that and she didn’t want to deal with what they might be getting up to.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 5:18 pm
Liam had been healing up well, well enough that the cast was off and no extra time was needed, which he was glad for. Having it off felt so strange, he could feel and see the difference in the size of his arms when side by side. It was an awkward enough feeling that he would be avoiding breaking anything again, because it was just so very odd to try and get his arm working again at the same strength it had been, and he kept forgetting it couldn’t take the same things it had before the break.
As he’d been talking to Melody on and off, via text, for a while now he knew she was doing something but he had no clue what. He was keeping her up to date on his classes since he’d be done once this semester came to an end. He’d have his degree in accounting and would be working for the Sharp family, he still couldn’t believe he’d just gotten a job without even needing to try.
When he got the text inviting him over, for what he didn’t know, he let Aloysius know before heading over via public transportation. He still needed to learn to drive, something for him and Aloysius to work on, but he didn’t mind taking the bus and walking the rest of the distance - it wasn’t that bad. He knew he could have powered up and gone right through a mirror and come out at Melody’s place but he didn’t do that - it wouldn’t be nice. So when he did arrive at the door he knocked and let her know, via text, that he was there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 5:19 pm
Sliding off the couch, she tucked her phone away and answered the door. It had been a bit since she’d seen him but he looked better than she’d expected, more rested in a way which meant Aloysius had been doing something to get them to relax on the errands and housework. Part of it had been her doing, getting the housekeeper back up and running as well as making sure that some extra groceries and things were ordered to the home out there.
“Come in, it’s been a bit since you’ve been to this house. I’ve left most things alone really outside of the piano and the guest room upstairs that I use when I’m not back at my apartment. I ordered food but it’s running a bit late I think.” Waving them inside, she looked around to see if maybe the dasher was close by and just lost but it was quiet as usual with nobody else around. No wonder her brother had bought this place, tucked away from a lot of the busier parts of the city.
Getting right to things, she settled back down into her warm spot on the couch before pulling a blanket back over. She didn’t really like the cold weather but at the same time, she didn’t want to try finding the thermostat behind one of the bookshelves here. The thing was still set around 68 she figured but it wasn’t warm enough when the heat escaped each time the door opened. “I know you’ve been resting but have you reached out to him yet? I’ve heard a bit from your father while trying to plan a few things but I wanted to see how you were doing with that.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 5:37 pm
“I know, it has been awhile, but I didn’t want to leave the house and worry Aloysius with me vanishing.” Since he’d been hurt the other worried more when he went out, and he didn’t want to worry him too terribly, and it wasn’t so bad at the house. He had plenty to do, if he needed things to do he was able to find things online to do or order things for himself, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. Removing his shoes by the door he left them there, he never walked around inside with his shoes on, and headed into the house further.
“That’s fine, I don’t think he’d mind if you moved somethings around a bit. I have a feeling he’s thinking of staying where we are.” Because it seemed Aloysius liked the privacy and being out of the city. It made sense, it was away from a lot of the action, they could easily get to the city if they needed or wanted to for senshi or Negaverse things as well. So it wasn’t too big of an issue for either of them.
“That’s fine, I’m sure the food will arrive soon enough, I’m curious what you ordered but I’ll wait to find out.” Because he liked to always try new things, find things he liked…and sometimes things he didn’t like. But it was all an adventure and it was all good! He wasn’t one to shun food just because it was new or looked different…he’d try it all.
“Since I was still in a cast I didn't do anything with video but we’ve been emailing each other. I didn’t want it seeming suspicious if I wanted to voice call but not turn the camera on. I didn’t want to worry him too much by seeing me, for the first time, with a cast on my arm. I worried it might cause him to think I’m a trouble maker of some sort…or impact his judgment of me where he wouldn’t want to see me further.” Watching Melody with the blanket, and knowing where the thermostat was since he’d needed it for Aloysius, he went to turn the heat up. “What temp you want me to raise it to? You look cold.” And Melody looked small and bundled up and she looked so cold.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 5:41 pm
“I guess that’s a good enough reason for you, I wouldn’t have let him keep me from doing things though but we both know my opinion on him.” Pouting a bit as she pulled the blanket tighter, she weaseled one of her hands out with her phone so she could watch the progress on the dasher for food. They were just a few blocks away so that was good, she wanted something warm to eat.
Watching as they came in and left their shoes by the door, Melody couldn’t help but smile still at how well-mannered he was even if this was technically more his home than hers. “It’ll be here in a few, something new and maybe a bit out of the ordinary but it could be good. Something warm since it’s been pretty cold out. I got a few new coats but the wind just is too much.” She hated it, that and the rain that had been hanging around far too long for that matter.
“Good though, I was thinking the same thing about not having you do a video chat with him while in a cast. It would have been awkward trying to explain things no matter what lie we spun up. Though I really don’t think you look the part of a troublemaker so don’t worry about that.” Melody offered a smile before getting up with her blanket to get the order that was apparently now on the doorstep. It took a bit of shifting to grab without having to let go of her blanket or the bag of food and drink carrier.
“Yes for the love of god turn the heat up. Maybe 74 or more if you can handle it? I was trying to find a heating blanket, I know he has one but I’m betting he brought it to the other house. I’m still a bit mad about him moving in there but I can understand the reasoning. I was taking care of it for all this time and he just all of a sudden decides he wants to be there after avoiding that place like it was a toxic wasteland.”
It took some effort but Melody set the bag and drinks down on the coffee table and started unpacking it all. “I wanted to try this Vietnamese noodle place, they had some deals today because of the weather so I got a variety. I think I’m going for the soup mainly but there’s a lot here. I planned on having some leftovers for the next day or so since I’m working on something on the side for Alexandre.”
Soup in hand, she settled back down into her warm spot.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 6:22 pm
“I don’t have the same issue with the cold that you do.” As he’d been noticing her issues with the cold when he spent time with Melody, he did wonder if it was a Sharp thing since Aloysius had been terrible with the cold as well. Though he was doing better so perhaps it was due to his weight at the time and it was a small person thing? “I can’t wait for the summer myself, I enjoy the heat.” He took color nicely as well and enjoyed it. He could go out in the summer when he’d been growing up, without the worry of getting sick, and the caretakers would let them all out to play for hours in the summer. The winter meant being kept inside, sickness, and it was never good.
Laughing he smiled. “I’ll order you a heating blanket.” And perhaps a few other blankets as a surprise, since it seemed she really needed them, he didn’t know anyone who needed blankets as much as Melody did. “I think we do have the heating blanket though, I am sorry about that.” And he meant it, because he was just like that, he didn’t like having something which someone else needed. “I can always bring it by later?” Willing to, once home again, take a bus back here to drop off the blanket if she needed it. He wouldn’t want her getting sick, especially if it was due to something they had and weren’t at present using.
The idea of a new good place had him curious, he was certain it was a habit of his which she’d picked up, as he wondered what she’d decided to get for then to try. It was sure to be good, he didn’t think for a moment that she hadn’t checked out the place she’d ordered from, she would be as thorough as he was in checking places out.
“Have you seen the plants someone brought over for the place?” He questioned, watching her return with the food, he moved to take the food and help her with it. “Soup sounds good and it all smells amazing.” Inhaling the scent the blond went to see if there was another soup container, willing to try nearly anything at least once. “Alexandre?” He questioned before shaking his head slowly. “The small blond, right? What are you both working on, if you don’t mind me asking.” Because he was certain it would be something interesting. Sitting back with a soup for himself, and a small container of something else, he settled in to try the soup first. The other container set in his lap he took the lid off the soup and grasping a spoon took the first mouth full slowly, not wanting to risk burning his mouth.
“I’m glad I don’t look like some sort of trouble-making child. I don’t want my father to think that, especially the first time he ever sees or hears from me. That would be awful and he’d never want to meet me then. I want him to want to know me and not change his mind or regret finding out about me.” He wanted a father who wanted him, he wanted a family who wanted him for him and not for what he could offer in terms of parts and pieces of himself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 6:27 pm
Pulling the blanket up more she ate her soup with a frown for a bit. “That’s rather lucky then, I’ve always had trouble with it. The winters here are horrible. I don’t much like summer though, the sun is too harsh on my eyes. An unfortunate thing I share with my brother. I should invest in transition lenses on my next pair of glasses. He’s had them for ages on his. It would be nice if being a senshi magically fixed my eyesight.” Another frown as she grumbled and ate her soup. The steam from it fogged up her glasses as she went.
“I’d rather a new one ordered, I don’t like using his things more than I have to. At least if you order one with our luck it might be here in the morning. I’m sticking around here for the time being since my apartment is having some maintenance done and I really dislike being woken up every time they need to access something.”
Thinking back to the other house, she had wondered about the new plants, it wasn’t something she’d ordered or paid the gardener to do so she knew it had to be Alexandre, especially after the conversation she’d had with him about looking into setting up a garden space in the city.
“I did see, it’s quite different there now. Not really something I expected to see. Though that little blonde is in fact the source of the plants I would assume. As for what I’m working on…” A cold little smile spread across her face at the thought of it, toppling down a judge. It was its own type of fun and something she’d be using to get what she wanted from the Evans family.
“Just another fun little time managing another less than pleasant individual for someone. Then some other things that you might be helping me with once you graduate~” With her own accountant it would be easier to set things up and get what she needed done.
Warming a bit as they mentioned their father, she nodded. “You’ll do fine, you are a kind person and probably a bit too caring when it comes to my brother, in my opinion of course. I think it’ll go well plus I’ve looked into some things to offer them a job maybe over this way again. Of course, pending a lot of other small things and red tape. He seems really interested in coming stateside, especially after finding out about things.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 6:28 pm
“That would be a good idea, especially if you’re that sensitive to sunlight. At least then you can enjoy the summer a bit more.” Because while the sun was bright for him, too bright a lot of the time, he didn’t have a sight issue to add to and complicate things. Shifting in his seat, getting more comfortable, as he ate his soup slowly.
“Yeah, it was the small blond. Aloysius said he brought everything over and did some of the planting himself, with your brother to help, before they decided to call some people in to do the rest.” He wasn’t surprised it was too much, there had been a lot of plants put into the ground, he couldn’t picture the two doing it all on their own. While some would worry, or even be scared, seeing that smile on Melody’s face he was neither thing. Liam simply figured someone was getting whatever they deserved and Melody would be behind it, somehow, and that was all fine by him. He didn’t need the details, nor did he want them really, she was good at these sorts of things he assumed.
“You mean you can find him a job here? And if he has a wife and other children they could come too?” A father and perhaps other family members, half siblings, Liam hadn’t even thought about it but it would make sense. To think of his father being alone for this many years and not having children…and he wouldn’t want him to leave them behind. “Whatever it takes…if you need help and I can help - I will. Maybe…if all goes well, and he likes me as you think he will…maybe I can take his last name - add it onto the one I haven.” Because while Blackwood was the name of the orphanage it still held meaning to him, it was still a family and a place he’d belonged - it had been a home and a safe place.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 6:30 pm
“I’ll look into it when I get my yearly eye exam here in a few months. It’s time for some new frames I think anyway, there’s still a bit of warped melted bits that bother me from that… event.” She still never heard about whether Alexandre or her brother had found that fire bug of a senshi. Moving her glasses up to the top of her head so they wouldn’t keep fogging up and obscuring her vision, she reached for some fried noodles to add to her soup. It added a bit of texture to things that she liked and honestly toned down the spiciness of the soup. It wasn’t too much for her, she’d gotten used to having a bit of spice with all the places Liam kept choosing to try.
“Sounds like it, he has a plan for a garden in the city and I might be helping him with that at some point. Though not a garden you might want to visit, I’ll just say that.” She heard about the draining plants and had kept away from it. She wasn’t about to meddle with the actual things since she didn’t really like plants at all to be honest.
“Oh yes, I was considering having him be a chef for that little business venture I had an idea for. Nobody will be getting drained but I like the idea of keeping it as an opportunity to recruit people as it were at some of the business slots. Otherwise, I did have an idea of him working for the Sharp family or…. Once things are settled the Evans family. I have a feeling that once I manage to get some loose ends tidied up I’ll be getting my prize soon.”
Thinking back to the messages and her meeting with his father, she couldn’t really remember them bringing up a family or anything. Pulling her phone out from the bundle of blanket, she scrolled back through the messages to double-check one-handedly. “I don’t think he had a family, not back there really. He seemed fairly busy running that restaurant with his brothers, if I remember correctly he chose to come to the US to try and get ahead in a way. We both know what happened but you can ask him. I think, in some measure, he liked that woman that was your mother but of course, he saw just one side and one small snapshot of everything.”
Setting her soup down she looked at Liam for a moment with a frown. “While I like that idea, I think Liam Sharp sounds more fitting.” She said it quickly and almost slightly begrudgingly, she still didn’t like Aloysius but she knew that it would be for the best if things turned out that way. But after that she picked her soup back up and continued to eat, letting what she said settle and see what they would think about her nudging.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 6:30 pm
“That would be good, he could do what he enjoys and have stable employment.” Unlike the other people…his birth mother and her family. His father would be well taken care of, he knew it, Melody would see to it nothing happened to his father unless somehow his father earned some sort of punishment or something. He didn’t think his father was that sort though, Melody wouldn’t be looking to bring him to the country if he wasn’t a good person. She had no doubt checked into him as much as she could, he knew that going into things. At least he knew his father had to be a good person if Melody was supporting all of this.
“I can see how that would have happened…the relationship they had was limited and so he only saw that part of her. Perhaps here he’ll find love and more…I can hope for his happiness when he comes here…he should have that after everything else.” After his mother had backstabbed him and he’d been sent back, without anything to show his brothers for it.
“I’m still glad you handled my mother….I’m sure you heard she passed away.” He spoke, finishing off his soup and setting the empty bowl down while looking for a drink he could down. He wanted something a bit more cooling now, not that the soup was hot in terms of spice but it was warm in terms of temperature.
“Sharp…I’d like that as well…do you think he’d agree if I asked?” He didn’t doubt it, not really, but he also wanted to hear someone confirm his opinion on it. Would you…I don’t have family I can ask to go with me….would you come with me looking for a ring? I’d ask my father, and I might if I don’t find something before he arrives.” Because there was no telling how long it would take for him to arrive here in Destiny City. “And I would have asked a sibling if I had any…or even a parent.” But he only had his father and he might just ask him as well, once he got here. “I trust you’d have a good opinion on what would be suitable…and be fitting for us.” For himself and Aloysius, as she knew them both.
“You’re as close to a sibling as I’ll ever get unless my father decides to have children ever again.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 6:32 pm
“It also makes it easier for him to stick around, which I think you’ll like. At least one of us three will have a worthwhile parent around.” Finishing up her soup, she set it down and fiddled with her glasses a bit to get the rest of the steam wiped away. More and more she was starting to see the signs of how shitty her mom had been by being around Liam and the Evans family.
“I can’t say I’ll be playing matchmaker for him but I’m sure he’ll be a catch for anyone if his cooking is as good as I figure it might be. Also, I did know about that with your mother. I heard it during one of the socials I attended, and saw some of your step-siblings there as well. They still avoid me like the plague and I quite like that.” Poking through the bag, she fished out one of the containers of noodles next.
“He would, no doubt about it, especially after seeing how poorly he handled your arm being broken. I’d love to go looking at rings with you. Though I think actually asking him might be better after you graduate so there’s less for him to worry over. You know how he is.” Waving her hand around vaguely as she spoke, she knew she’d be looking into engagement rings for her own interest as well. Getting an idea what range and design she might be alright with. If it would be from an Evans, the quality would be top tier.
“I’d say the same as well, I’d rather you be my brother than him but at least this way you’ll still be part of the family.” That said she dug into her food and nodded as she smiled. It was much better than she’d expected it might be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 19, 2024 6:32 pm
“I hope he won’t need someone to play matchmaker, I think he’ll manage well on his own once he’s secure in a job here.” Liam would just hope that whoever fell for his father would be ok with him as well. There were stories online of bad step parents who didn’t like the children who came with the person they were dating, and he would do his best to not be dislikeable. He wanted his father in his life and he wanted the man to be happy as well.
“I’m not surprised you’re pleased that they avoid you. I figure they’ll never poke their noses into my life again either, which suits me just fine. I don’t think I can handle that stress again from them; plus I’ve made my own family.” He was happy with the family he’d managed on his own, he still couldn’t believe how lucky he’d gotten at times. It really was all by chance too…reaching out to someone who needed help, and giving it, and it had all somehow ended with this.
Shaking his head as he opened up the other food container he’d grabbed the blond leaned forward to grab a fork before leaning back into his seat to eat, and be comfortable.
“Of course, I’d wait till after graduation, but I’ll need to save up and have something in mind first.” He said, not at all considering asking for help in affording anything he might decide on for Aloysius. He’d manage it on his own, he did still work part time for Rhona and would continue to. Plus working for Melody would help him as far as funds went. “Thank you…for the help. I appreciate it - all of it.” He appreciated all this and so much more, the home, the family, the job and most of all the security and love he got from them both - even Melody. She was like a sister to him, and apparently he was like a brother to her.
Ducking his head he smiled. “I’m glad you approve of me and like having me as part of the family. I do enjoy the times like this where we get to try new foods.” Especially now since Melody might just be getting into the idea of trying new places as well. It was worth it really…different flavors and just the idea of sitting down and enjoying food and the flavors and not having the same foods and flavors all the time. It made eating worth it and enjoyable, something to share with others. “I’m happy to have times like this with you…as a sibling. Maybe Friday we can go out looking first.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
