"Would you like to take anything? Maybe coffee?" Florence asked, as Athena settled into one of the comfortable seats in the room, which the older woman had claid was small, yet which was larger than Zack’s living room.
The room was a sanctuary of warmth and personality, adorned with an eclectic mix of furnishings that told stories of family gatherings and cherished monts.
A large library stand filled with books, so with worn spines and dog-eared pages, beckoned from the right side of the space. To the left stood a piano alongside a well-loved guitar, their seats inviting anyone who passed to take a seat and create music.
Everywhere Athena looked, she found elents of warmth: throw pillows scattered across the sofas in various colors, inviting visitors to sink into their softness; and projectors mounted on the walls, evidence of countless movie nights spent together as a family.
A box of toys rested at the far end of the room, overflowing with stuffed animals, building blocks, and board gas, transforming the space into a true family room. It was a place where laughter could echo, where mories could blossom, and where joy held a permanent residence.
When Athena finally glanced up at the older woman to respond to the usual tea or coffee question, she noticed that Florence was looking around the room as if she didn’t live there.
"We wanted more children, Edward and I..." Florence began, picking up a delicate doll from the toy box, its porcelain features still bright with youthful innocence.
Holding the doll brought a flicker of nostalgia to Florence’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a shadow of sorrow. "We dread of a large family. We’ve always loved many children. But it seems the curse of Edward’s family wasn’t going to allow that to happen."
Athena frowned, intrigued and alard by the term "curse."
"Curse? What are you talking about? What curse?" She exclaid, her eyes widening slightly.
Thoughts raced through her mind, and she prepared herself to spring into action, potentially whisking the children out of there if there was so sort of impending doom. But did things like that even exist?
Her frown deepened when Florence laughed lightly at her concern.
"I don’t an it like that, dear. It’s just that Edward’s family has always been small. His ancestry tends to have one child, or at most two—if they’re lucky. Cedric is the only child of his father, who is also the only child of Edward’s sister." Florence paused, dropping the doll back into the box as if relinquishing a part of herself.
"I thought that would change with . I tried everything to have another child after Emily, but nothing seed to work. It was as if my womb was locked or sothing."
The weight of her words hung in the air, and Florence sighed as she sank into the chair directly opposite Athena, her posture reflecting the burden she carried.
"So, we hoped that Emily would have many children since she married very early like her best friend. But then..." Florence’s voice cracked, and she sniffed, clutching her hands together as if attempting to hold on to sothing precious that might slip away.
Athena stood up when she heard the woman’s silent sobs, instinctively moving closer. She sat beside her, placing a gentle hand on the latter’s back.
"I’m really sorry about that, dear friend." She said softly, rubbing the back gently, wishing to offer comfort in a ti of palpable grief.
Florence sniffed, dabbing her eyes with the end of her cloth. She turned to face Athena, who was suddenly startled by the closeness.
In this mont, Athena noticed the similarities between them, especially the way Kathleen shared the sa distinctive eye quality that sparkled with unshed tears.
"Thank you, Athena, for the gift of your friendship to my husband," Florence said, her voice steadying just a little. "I’ve never seen him so happy since our daughter’s death. Thanks for letting the kids play with him sotis. You may not know it, but those monts an the world to him."
"You don’t have to thank , dear friend. I enjoy our friendship too. He feels like family now," Athena replied, her heart swelling with warmth.
"Would you be okay with being adopted by us? I heard Zack isn’t your father..."
Athena’s jaw slackened, wide-eyed and speechless, the re suggestion catching her off guard.
Just then, the tension in the room was broken by the entrance of Edward, accompanied by the children.
"Stop that, Florence..." He said, treating the atmosphere as if he were walking on eggshells, causing the two won to turn toward the door.
As Cedric and Victoria followed behind Old Mr. Thorne and her children into the room, Athena noted the frowns on their faces.
There was an unease in the air, and she was sure they had caught wind of Florence’s proposition.
Oh well, she sighed internally—catching sight of Victoria’s balled fists—grateful for the interruption.
Old Mrs. Thorne wasn’t finished, however. "But, seeing as she has no parents, is it wrong to adopt her?" She asked Edward as he entered into the room fully with the twins.
The incoming fellows took their seats on the available sofas, a tableau of discomfort forming at the crossing of issues.
Old Mr. Thorne swallowed hard, glancing at Athena, whom he could see was becoming visibly uncomfortable.
"Please drop it, Florence. This is not the ti for that," He urged gently, but firmly, trying to steer the conversation away from the delicate topic.
Florence paused, her lips pursing into a thin line as she dropped the subject, but not without taking Athena’s hands in her own. "Athena, if you ever need anything, you can co to ..."
Athena, pondering if Florence was determined to fill the void left by her daughter through her, nodded in agreent. The conversation had spiraled into complexities she was unprepared for, and all she wanted was to be past this topic.
Edward could only sigh, the tension palpable.
"So, how did Emily die?" Victoria asked suddenly, breaking the silence that had descended, and imdiately regretting her audacity as she realized her words had been insensitive.
At her question, a thick silence enveloped the room.
Cedric wished the ground would open up and swallow him, shooting a glare at his fiancée as if to ask why she felt the need to speak.
A few seconds later, Old Mr. Thorne cleared his throat, the sound reverberating with authority.
"Cedric, take your fiancée ho. I’m sure she is tired. You must be too; your parents must be missing you," He stated matter-of-factly, his gaze unwavering.
Cedric opened his mouth to object that he had already inford his parents he would be staying over for the night, but as he t the cold look on his grand uncle’s face, he thought better of it and closed his mouth.
"Okay, grandfather. I will see you so other ti," He spoke softly, glancing at Athena for a brief mont before guiding Victoria out of the room.
Once outside the house and sitting in the car, Victoria opened her mouth to unleash her grievances against Athena. But Cedric wasn’t having it.
"Keep your mouth shut, Victoria. You are not helping my plans here," He managed through gritted teeth, his frustration boiling just beneath the surface.
Victoria’s mouth dropped open in shock. "How dare you talk to like that, Cedric?"
Cedric hissed under his breath, turning the ignition as he prepared to drive away. "A word from you again, and I’ll make sure you visit the hospital today."
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