georginalivingston:
VIVIENNE CALLOWAY.
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It’s a tale known widely around Catalina about how Georgina, at ten years old with broad hazel optics holding onto an abandoned year old Springer Spaniel after a rainy afternoon, knew everything she wanted for her future and a direct pathway to get it. Everyone, beside her immediate family, suspected the eldest Livingston must’ve lost her mind ─ even got struck by lightning on that downpour of an afternoon as it led her to speak with such reliance whenever someone asked her about what she dreams of being. The doe-eyed girl has always been someone who took the role of speaking for those who can’t laboriously. Starting with her siblings as they were far too young to ask for something, specifically a toy or change of television, but it was the stepping stone to where she is now. It’s something grasped onto with fulfillment, and not once, in all of her years, did she look over in remorse at where things turned out for her professionally. So, as these newfound friends begin to tread down a topic of conversation cozy to the veterinarian, each vital feature upon her complexion illuminates in happiness. “Thank you,” she speaks blithely, “Their names fit their personalities all too well.” As it isn’t an over-exaggeration, but the utter truth. “You should come over with Allegra one afternoon because all dogs need friends, and since her brothers aren’t around, it would be nice. We can even make it into a doggy-kiddo playdate, and since I love hosting people, snacks and any alcohol of your choice will be supplied.”
It was an idea that gripped her conscience due to the downcast of her friend’s azure rims, picking up on the dust of sorrow lingering throughout her words. But, rather than bringing up the pandora box of memories of Phillip, specifically in a place open and where vulnerability isn’t all that accepted, the chocolate-tressed women make a mental note to discuss the ex-husband elsewhere, for safeguarding purposes. It might even be an ideal opportunity in the upcoming gathering both mothers are talking about right now. “More of a reason to make this playdate into a play-afternoon for all of us, huh?” Silvery soprano range interjects the proposal with a steadfast beam as Geo’s head tilts to the side. “I know Asher would love nothing more but to get to know Presley.” Words flow effortlessly from her behalf, before her head nods to affirm she meant it. Of course, it’s the mother within her making these immediate assumptions. She knows Asher like the back of her hand, after all. Uniform in his passions just like her, the boy wants nothing more but to be surrounded by those who carry similar interests rather than deducing him. “Just give me a heads up if Presley wants to come over in a costume and which one. Have to make sure the boys don’t match but are on the same side,” A chuckle passes through, taking a second to catch her breath. “And might as well give you a heads up, but my Jojo will probably fawn over Victoria, so if we see her hovering over the little one, it’s good reasons.”
The first time since the server parted from their table, Georgina lifts the glass of water to her petals. Giving her a temporary interlude, right when Vivienne explains her family’s backstory with the frown going unnoticed. It only took her a moment to return the crystalline substance to the coaster, a hand resting upon the nook of her neck with infinite softness around. “Have you ever gone to England?” Questioning with curiosity, particularly for the reason to receive clarity for the unspoken side, Vivienne’s grandmother refuses to indulge. “For the reason to gather any information on the English side of your family?” She asks in the hope it stimulates an idea. Guidance turnovers into curiosity, hearing the details of the other’s past and the process of picking names out, which has comprehensible meaning to Vivienne as it pieces together. Finally, though, when the woman hears the name Philomena, all she can do is blink a couple of times, just to make sure she heard correctly. “Like after Julie Dench’s movie?” Perplexity submerges itself through her tone, having seen it once and hoping this is where correlations lie. But, there isn’t enough time to question any further; her friend throws a curveball which causes hazel orbs to widen into the size of tennis balls as posture adjusts loosens up. “Um,” Initially, all the brunette dares to say, having not thought about this question ever. “I wouldn’t be opposed to more kids, seeing as I don’t want my two to grow up anymore. But, I’m not seeing anyone, and I don’t see myself going to a sperm bank, so it may be out my future.”
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Being invited places was still a new thing for Vivi to experience. She always had a handful of friends at boarding school. Not many people could take her personality or humor, so the fact that Georgina wanted to have further get togethers with her and her children was different. Interesting and intriguing, but different. Even her friends from boarding school ended up going their separate ways and were all over the world with families and/or careers of their own. They barely spoke to each other, yet all of them managed to communicate with her once they heard about her divorce. She hadn’t been sure if it was genuine concern or curiosity that had brought on the influx of messages. She still wasn’t sure where they stood. “Thank you. That would be nice. Especially for the kids. They’re a lot more social than I ever was when I was there age. I think they get it from their father.” she smirked softly. “I like pretty healthy snacks like fresh fruits and veggies and as for alcohol, I drink a couple of different wines but not many. My ex is an alcoholic so I try to keep that away from the kids. I don’t want it to bring up any negative memories for them.”
Vivi chuckled softly as Geo explained their impending playdate with the kids and dogs involved. “This all sound really lovely, Geo. I’ll make sure to text you the costume Pres decides to wear and the one Pey chooses because if he sees his brother in a costume, he’s going to want to wear one of his. It’s a twin thing.” Her smile grew as she saw the image of Geo’s young daughter, fawning over Vicky. “Oh she would eat that up. Vicky is an attention seeker. I may have another rock star on my hands.” The dark haired woman took a sip of her water. “Vicky is actually trying to start walking so Jojo can help her out in the grass. I’ve been going out in the backyard with her to help her along and I move things out of the way in the living room to give her practice time too. She loves being in the rolling walker when the boys are home because she can race around the house with them until they run up the stairs and she can’t follow them. That’s usually when the screaming and crying happens. It’s literally a three ring circus sometimes.” Another chuckle rolls from her lips as this easy talk with Geo continues. Another shock for Vivienne. It had never been this easy to talk to people, yet Geo makes her feel extremely comfortable, even in their current setting. “Is there anything that I can bring to this gathering? I feel like you’re doing so much to make us feel comfortable and we’re just showing up like lazy bums.”
Vivienne nods her dark head before tucking soft tendrils behind her ear. “Oh yes. I have spent a lot of time there. I actually went to boarding school in Europe. Mostly in England, but I went to schools in Scotland and France as well.” Her grandmother wanted her to be well rounded and cultured in the European ways. As a good wife to a wealthy man should be, she used to say when she was young and asked why she couldn’t stay in America for school. “I’m aware of my English ancestors through some projects I did in school. Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet any of my relatives. They were from my grandmother’s mother was from England and she left for France as a teenager. Shortly after, she met my great-grandfather who was from a well off family in France and they took her in. She fully immersed herself in the family and the culture and never looked back. The rest is history.” she shrugged softly. She believed her great-grandmother to be a very strong and brave woman. She secretly admired that as a young girl looking at portraits of Mary Saint-Pierre. “Do you know anything of your ancestry?” She knew it wasn’t the most typical question and she grimaced as she was reminded of the same question coming from her grandmother, but in a much more condescending tone than Vivi would ever have.
Vivi smirked as she shook her head. “He would probably say it was after the Julie Dench movie, but I think because it was more synonymous with his name. To remind me of our connection always.” Her eyes went back down to the table again before Georgina shared her views on having more children. “Never say never. I thought I was completely done after the twins, but then came Vee as the little surprise that she is.” There were a lot of things that she had said never to that ended up happening. Vivienne learned the hard way to never say never. “Do you do much traveling?”














