Greer Finley

“What’s different with you this time around? Sweetie, should I be concerned?“ Amaria frowned, She stepped closer to greer in the pool and mocked her position so she wasn’t standing over her. “I can see that.“

Greer frowned. “No. I- it’s just I know Cameron has already moved on. So why am I stuck replaying him leaving in my head?”

“Are you the one who let my kids watch The Lion King the day before Spring Break?“

“Canaan is at home. Nora would have told me already if he left and Calvin would have lost his shit. You know he calls me if the wind blows too hard.“ Chris rolled his eyes and made a play of snapping his teeth at her.

“To be fair, they did meet the grade goals I set for them.”

“He’s too young and will be waiting forever unless he plans on doing what I did.“

“That’s what Mufasa thought too...” Greer teased. “Are you sure Canaan is still in the Savannah?”

“With Dr. Cleirigh?“ Amaria frowned. She wanted to ask if everything was alright but thought it was best not to ask stupid question. “And is it different this time around?“

“Yeah.” She let herself slip farther into the pool until just her head was above the water. “Yes. At least I’m trying to do it differently this time. He thinks I’m dealing with some abandonment issues.”

“I’ll just put my feet in the water.” She mumbled mentally kicking herself for blabbing. “Why did he rent out the facility for the day?” 

Greer shrugged, “It’s been a long winter, plus we may not get the annual trip to the Savannah like we normally do. Besides, it’s good to get our energy out.”

“I have no idea.“ Amaria snickered. “Don’t be to hard on them.“

Greer shook her head and waded into the water, pausing as she decided whether she wanted to redo her hair. “Did I tell you I have gone back to therapy?”

“We raised a hellhound. I swear some days he forgets he’s a descendant from a long line of royal lions.“

“Oh, I think the opposite is true. Simba over there is just waiting for the crown to fall on his head.”

Amaria smirked over she shoulder as Greer spoke with Joshua and a few other employees. She had just removed her shirt and was waiting for Greer to join her again.

Greer shook her head as they began walking away. She then passed Amaria and headed into the pool. “Is Clan Cat afraid of water now or something?”

Chris twisted around from the edge of the pool to see who Greer was talking to and gave them what he thought was a encouraging smirk.

As she was waiting for a response from him, Greer saw Carter smirk before jumped into the pool. The splash soaked her towel which she balled up and threw at his head. Sighing, Greer dropped down in to the pool next to Chris. “You’ve raised a miscreant.”

“I’m not afraid just slightly concerned. Sometimes I get too comfy in water, I just don’t want to slip up and shift.”

Greer gave her a look. “You probably shouldn’t tell your second that... But you’ll be fine, Chris has rented out the facility for the day.”

“No, not the water,” Anahita wrinkled her nose, “It’s all the chemicals, surely they can’t be good,”

Greer nodded as she took off her towel. “I’ve been pushing Chris to buy one of those salt water filtered pools for the University.”

“Are you telling me you’re afraid of a little water in the winter?”

“I cannot help you if you lie to me or if you keep things from me. It’s okay not to agree with me.“

“Logically, I know that both of their deaths were accidents. It doesn’t feel that way though.”

Amaria laughed before settling down again. “I don’t know. I think he’s lonely but he won’t admit it to himself or date anyone else besides Tatiana.”

“Would you be able to move on if it was you?” There was no heat or anger in her voice, just true curiosity.

“Death isn’t abandonment.“ Nathan shook his head. “Neither of your mother figures choose to leave you. Do you understand that?“

“In the past? What changed?“

“Yes.” Her eyes fell to her lap, and she picked at a spot in her jeans. 

“I know!“ Amaria laughed. “I wasn’t as surprised since we’ve been looking at colors for months now but I thought he would have suggested gray or yellow” 

“Chris has retreated into himself and his work like I’ve never saw before. I thought including him in the move a little bit more would help but I don’t think it did.“

“Or a combination of them.” Greer agreed.