rivulets descend my plastic smiles

❝ No, you're okay. I just wasn't paying attention enough. ❞ Elena spoke shaking her head. It would always be hard on her and the kids. More for her and her friends with growing up with him. Of course Matt's kids as well. ❝ I'm fine, really. ❞

"It's okay if you're not, you know. I cried for three days and he was always just Uncle Matt I saw every once in awhile, and that's...not helping, I'm sorry." Adelia cut herself off, smiling sheepishly. "I really didn't mean to intrude on anything, I just wanted to check on everyone. Do the rounds, you know."

Caroline could easily to it all herself, she had the strength too but it was also her natural instinct not to turn away help, especially families now. ❝ Either one. If you see her before I get the chance tell her to give me a call or that I'll stop on by soon for some Bonnie and Caroline time. ❞ She smiled as she had to do her best to smile and get through the days.

"Yeah, sure. We're supposed to be having family dinner tonight, I'll mention that I ran into you." Adelia said with a small smile. She knew people needed their loved ones when things happened and she wanted to help, she just wasn't sure how. "Any more boxes?"

↳ @newbornfallsstarter

"Riley? Are you okay?" Adelia said with a small frown as she stopped a few feet away.

Of all people who would feel the pain would be her, Elena, Bonnie, Tyler and of course Vicki. Maybe Stefan and Damon too but they didn't grow up with Matt like they did. ❝ Just in the back of the car is good, thank you. I'll have to stop and see Bonnie soon, make sure that she's okay or at least give her a call. ❞

"Got it." Adelia nodded, carrying the boxes and using vampire strength to keep it balanced on her hip as she nudged the trunk open again and set the box inside. She couldn't make it completely better or easier, but she could do this tiny thing. "I think she would like that. Or I can tell her to give you a call if you want. I know that kind of stuff can slip your mind sometimes with other stuff going on." Especially if that other stuff was grief, but she didn't see any reason to make that more obvious.

It was almost like a slight jump that Elena had when she hard her niece speak. It wasn't like she didn't hear her come in, she did but she was so focused on the moment she was in right now. ❝ Adelia, hey, how are you? ❞ She asked in honest concern.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I did knock..although admittedly, not very well." Adelia smiled apologetically. It was a weak excuse and she knew it. "I'm okay. Just, you know..checking in." Losing Matt didn't feel real for her, but she knew that it was different for her than her mom and her friends.

↳ @newbornfallsstarter

Adelia couldn't shake the feeling that there was another reason her parents were so on edge other than the sudden death of Matt Donovan. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was her own way of processing that had her wanting to check in on everyone else, but now that she was there, she stood almost awkwardly behind her aunt, feeling like she was interrupting something. "Hi, Aunt Elena." She said softly to announce herself.

❝ I am so sorry that I didn't here you but this is a great surprise. ❞ She smiled to Adelia as she offered one of the boxes. It wasn't like Caroline couldn't do it but help was always appritiated.

"It's okay! Mama's been out of it lately, too." Adelia figured most of them were, after Matt's death. She couldn't really blame them, she was too, even if still for different reasons but she still gave Caroline a small smile. "It's good to see you, too." She added as she took the box. "Where do you want this?"

⇢ @newbornfallsstarter

"I said, 'hi Auntie Caroline, do you want some help with those?'" Adelia repeated, holding her hands out in an open gesture to take one of the boxes if needed.