A Mother's Heart

Brennan shook his head. Even if he wanted to forgive him–which he definitely did not–he wouldn’t know how to let go of the bitterness and anger he harbored over him for so long. At this point, it was easier to keep hating him. “I don’t need him. I have you. That’s all the family that I need,” he said confidently. 

Lillian reached out and set a hand on his shoulder, “I’m so grateful we have each other.” she agreed. “But when I thought I had no one, it was so lonely. I’m sure you felt that before you found me too. You don’t need to make your life any lonelier by keeping him out, he’s your father.”

@lillianxwalker

It was routine for the guards to conduct random searches in the slave quarters, but for the past few months Jacob had ordered these searches more frequently. In this case he decided to personally manage combing through this particular slaves bunk. He was aware that this was Rosalie’s pet, his aunt had told him that much. She paid an unusual amount of attention to her so, of course, it piqued Jacob’s interest. The sheets to the mattress were now strewn across the floor and before long the mattress was accompanying them. He found little trinkets, shoes, and clothes throughout the room. Some of them were high end fashion items so he knew that was Rosalie’s doing. He couldn’t help shaking his head as he tossed them into a pile in the corner of the room. When he found something, not knowing what it was, he turned to the slave for the first time since barging in and held it up for her to see. From the looks of her she was probably old enough to be his mother, but she would get no sympathy from him. “What’s this?”

Lillian stood back with her arms crossed angrily as this new House employee tore her room completely apart. She didn’t know what it was about her room in particular, “Did something tell you I was hiding something?” she demanded, watching him throw all of the gifts she’d received off to one corner. “Hey be careful!” she said, her face hardening when he picked up the worn envelope of photographs, a mix of friends from the house and Rosalie growing up that she’d managed to hide away from disposable cameras. “That’s mine.” she said firmly. “And it’s not breaking any rules.” she argued, though there was probably some problem with having actual personal items. “Give me that.” she said, reaching out to grab it from him.

“I’ll make sure you get a good one then.” Max waved the bartender over and ordered Lillian a drink. He sighed in answer to her question and sat back slightly on his bar stool. “I’ve been better.” He shrugged, “but I can’t complain really. How’ve you been?”

“Why thank you.” she said with a smile, taking the drink and a sip. “Has something got you down? Anything I can help with?” she asked gently. She couldn’t do much from the House, but the mother in her could always attempt to help. “I have been alright, nothing particularly exciting in the House lately.”

Lola glanced down to the hem of Lillian’s skirt. “Here, lemme try help you.” She knelt down and took hold of the cuff, trying to see where it was caught so that she could free her. “Damn, you’ve really done a number on this skirt, huh?” Lola laughed softly. “I’ll try to pull it out, but I might have to cut it. Would that be a problem?” She didn’t want to get her in trouble. 

Lillian smiled and watched her, “Thank you sweetheart.” she said gently, laughing lightly at her comment. “Well I never do anything halfway.” she joked. “It belongs to the House, I certainly don’t mind if you cut it. I have worn less.” she assured.

“Well well, don’t you look a treat?” Lilith wondered, the slave cracking open her black eye as best as she good, having gotten a hard punch from a Master she had sassed. She was happy to see Lillian, it had been a while since the 10 days she’d had to spend with Rosalie “You alright though?”

Lillian let out a huff, shaking her head at her situation. “Yeah I’m sure this is a graceful look.” she joked in return. “Once I get this stupid cuff off my skirt I’ll be better.” she admitted, wiggling her wrist again to try and get it free.

“You think they’ll give a crap?” Sofia snorted, “they won’t. I’ll just give them a discount for renting you. Save them the trouble of complaining.” She’d give Lillian some credit, at least she had some fight left in her, even after all the years she’d been in the House. “As a matter of fact, I do.” She closed a hand around Lillian’s index and second finger on one hand. “But I like the sound of breaking bones so much more.” She began twisting slowly, grip tightening to make sure it would be uncomfortable first and painful second.

Lillian knew a damaged slave wasn’t of anyone’s concern. She was more worried about the kind of rampage Brennan might go on if he found out someone hurt her, but thought maybe she could keep it secret from him for at least  while. When the girl grabbed her fingers she clenched her jaw, biting back a grimace as she twisted them further. The harder she forced her finger the more painful it got, and Lillian couldn’t stop the grunt of pain that escaped despite her trying to keep a straight face.

Max was about to push the hand away from his shoulder when he heard a familiar voice.Turning to glance at Lillian, he laughed softly and rolled his eyes in a good-natured manner. “It’d take a lot more of these to get me sappy drunk, believe me.” He slowly exhaled the cigar smoke. “You want a drink?”

Lillian smiled, glad he was not completely in a bad mood. “Okay good, that would not be any fun.” she joked, rubbing his arm lightly. “That would be great, actually. I can’t remember the last time I had a good margarita.” she admitted. “How have you been, handsome?”

Lola had spent the morning doing a great deal of nothing, which was nothing out of the ordinary. Walking down one of the main streets of the city, she spotted a familiar figure - one who looked to be having some trouble. “Hey,” she made sure her approach wasn’t quiet just so she didn’t startle Lillian, “you okay there? Somethin’ broken?”

Lillian gave a small smile to the familiar face, “Oh hi Lola.” she greeted, still trying to undo her cuff. “Um well, not exactly.” she admitted. “My cuff is caught on my skirt and I’m afraid I’m only making things worse.” She turned a little to show the girl what she meant.

“Sof-ia?” Jayden added to her pet name, biting his lip and giving a cheeky grin. “Before I was in the House, she was my, uh.. I don’t want to say ‘friends with benefits’ because it makes me sound terribly juvenile, but if the shoe fits…” He tried to lighten the tone, rubbing the back of his neck with a wry grin.

“I’m glad my work can go appreciated, makes me feel like I did a service for everyone” Lilith mused and then perked up at Lillian’s suggestion, her eyes wide and now she came closer “You’re serious?” she gasped, actually amazed by the idea “Because that is the best idea I have heard in forever since arriving in this place.”

Lillian chuckled lightly at her reaction and nodded, glancing around before pulling out the blank slip and showing it to her. “It seems easy enough to fill out, yes?” she asked. “I think it could buy us plenty of time to go have our fun and be back without raising too many questions.” she said, smiling mischievously.

Noah had been so busy but he had made sure to keep those he cared about up to date so that they wouldn’t worry about him, the last thing he wanted was for others to be worried about him. He wanted to go see Flora after work so that he could see how she and Fin were doing. He watched the woman for a moment before offering a smile “what would you like, it’s on the house.”

Lillian looked over at the voice and gave a small smile, “Oh, thank you sweetheart.” she said. “I’ll have a cup of tea if it’s not too much trouble.” She didn’t want him to end up having problems for helping slaves for free. “I think I have seen you around here before, have you worked here a while?”

OPEN

              ‘      some  are  born  into  greatness ,     though  I  do  believe  greatness  is  subjective.   as  though,  you  were  born  to  wear  such  a  color .      gorgeous .      ‘

Lillian looked over when she heard a voice and chuckled lightly at his comment. “Why thank you.” she said in mild surprise. “The credit goes to the House stylist, she knows what’s best on me.”

Noah was cleaning up the Grind because he felt bad that he had left Maya in charge for as long as he did, she was an amazing employee and he couldn’t have asked for a better person to be working for him. The Grind was in top shape but he felt that because of his absence he had to make it even better, he stood from putting away cups and he smiled at the person in front of him “good afternoon.” 

Lillian made her way over to the Grind to break up the dull day she’d had so far. Now that the guards were cleaned up after, she was ready to be anywhere else. Walking in she glanced around for a spot and took one near the counter, smiling at the man behind it. “Good afternoon.” she said with a nod. She turned in her chair and looked around at the sparse crowd in the shop, wondering who she could convince to buy something for her.