heracooper

[heracooper]

Hera watched her and could tell she was upset. She wasn't sure what as going on, but she started thinking maybe her sister just didn't like blood. After a moment, the truth came out and her heart ached for Evan. She could understand the feeling. If she heard Dylan was with someone else, she'd be hurt even after everything. "At least he did that." She breathed and touched Evan's arm. "Did you know he was seeing someone?" @evanxcooper

"It's nothing, a little cut." But her mind wasn't on the cut, not really. She hesitated a moment before looking to her younger sister. "Honestly," a sigh passed over her lips and her shoulders sagged with the weight of so much more. "I haven't really told anyone yet, but Riley got married." Evan let the news slip into the space between her and her sister. "I'm still trying to process it. He came and told me himself," she shook her head, "but I don't know. I'm so fucking thrown by it." The exhaustion of her mind constantly running at night showed in her eyes now. @heracooper

[heracooper]

She let out a playful laugh. "Then I guess just in a cup would be fine." Hera told him before looking up into his eyes. "Thank you. I appreciate that." She smiled at him. A free cup of coffee was definitely a nice thing when she was dealing with an upset child. She looked down at her daughter as she finished calming down and then back up at the man. "It is. It's nice, really." She paused. "Oh, I'm Hera, by the way. Hera Cooper." @wrxnxashby

"Well, unfortunately I'm not exactly qualified to do that." Wren wished he could help more, but his experience with children was extremely limited. What he could do is simply offer his support, and caffeine. "Just say the word, and I'll make you anything you need." He got a little closer, shielding his mouth. "On the house," he whispered, smirking. No, he wasn't in the position to do that, but he'd put it on his own card. What was a coffee or two? "That is a wonderful way to do so. My brother and I have middle names after our grandpa. I think it's a nice tradition."

[heracooper]

— Ocean Vuong, from On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous (via letsbelonelytogetherr)

[heracooper]

COURTNEY EATON Photographed by Jared Kocka for Flaunt Magazine Issue 198, May 2025

[heracooper]

Relief filled her and she moved the stroller back a little so it was out of the way. "Good. I'm glad I didn't. You may not have minded, but I would've felt horrible for days." Which was the truth. She hated the idea of running into anyone, especially with the stroller, and it would've made her think about it for weeks probably. "It is." She agreed and let out a sigh. "I know. I forgot how much it rained here. It's not too bad, but after days of it, I'd like a break, you know?" @lorenzocelestino

"No, you didn't hit me no worries." Lorenzo smiled, tucking the package in his hand further under his arm as he sorted through another bucket in his truck. Delivering mail all throughout Kismet Harbor had given him the ability to meet all sorts of people - people he'd known since childhood, people he'd never met, or people that had also made Kismet Harbor their home more recently. It was a way for him to get an insight of the people's lives; or it at least felt that way. "You didn't hit me, but, even if you did I wouldn't mind." he admitted, eyes focused on the other as his smile grew a little. The child in the stroller was young, and with the amount of rain they'd been having in Kismet it felt obvious to him that the woman was likely just trying to get some fresh air. "It's a good day for a walk." he smiled. "That rain was starting to be really annoying." @heracooper

[heracooper]

"Maybe I just need it in an IV." She joked a bit as she continued to try to calm her daughter down. She looked around to make sure he was right and it looked like the lady she initially annoyed left and no one else seemed to care. Hera looked back at the man and smiled. "Thanks." She bounced Maia more and the baby slowly started to calm down. "It was my grandma's name. I thought it would be nice to honor her." @wrxnxashby

Wren was used to this. It wasn't the first time someone had brought their crying kid in the cafe, and it definitely would not be the last. Sometimes, it could be annoying, but he was rather understanding when it came to children. That was just what babies did—they cried. "Five more coffees comin' right up." He laughed, shaking his head. "No, no. Don't be sorry. It's dead today; doesn't look like you're bothering anyone, and you're not bothering me." If anything, the crying child had snapped him out of the thought loop he'd been stuck in. "Maia is a nice name."

[heracooper]

Hera heard the glass shatter and she looked towards the kitchen to see what was going on. As her sister called out, the woman quickly went to the bathroom and found the band aids before going back and bringing them to her. "Here you go. What happened?" She asked as she looked at the damage that had been done and the blood. She was never a big fan of blood, but she wanted to make sure Evan was okay. @evanxcooper

starter for @heracooper

location: evan's place

She had invited her younger sister over for dinner, for drinks. In part, it was so that her sister could have a break. Being a mother so young had to take its toll - not that Evan would know. Evan was cleaning up the dishes from dinner, rinsing them under the warm water. The glass slipped from her hands, soapy water betraying her grip and shattered. "Fuck," she swore under her breath, going to pick up the pieces of glass in the sink. She inhaled sharply, pulling her hand back from the sink as she started to get some pieces out. "Son of a bitch." Evan seethed, though it wasn't because of the cut, it wasn't because she were bleeding. She could just blame it on that in the moment. "Hera, can you get me a band aid?" Evan called to the living room where her sister sat. "They're in the bathroom, mirror."

[heracooper]

Hera laughed a little bit. "I feel like I could use five more coffees." She said and looked at her daughter as she continued to try to calm her down. She kept whining, though, even if the actual cries stopped and she tried giving her back her pacifier. "Maia, baby it's okay." She tried to soothe her, but she knew her daughter always sensed when she was panicked because she never calmed down if she wasn't calm too. "I'm so sorry for this." She apologized to the man again. @wrxnxashby

The day at work had been slow, leaving Wren time to do a little bit of writing in between customers. He leaned against the counter behind the till, occasionally glancing up from his notebook so he would be ready if he was needed. These were the days he enjoyed, and though they could get boring, it was far less stressful for him. Lately, it seemed like things weren't getting much better; if anything they were getting worse. He was anxious nearly daily, high almost all of the time, and he was struggling to sleep. His parents kept calling him nonstop, and he rarely answered. It wasn't exactly like him to not speak to his mother at the very least, but being alone left him with plenty of time to think, and he was beginning to realize his mother's place in his relationship with his father. When he heard the crying, he looked up, brows raised, and a soft smile growing. He set the notebook down on the counter, walking to the other side near the till. "Hey, it's okay." He shrugged, leaning forward. "You seem to have your hands full," he observed. "Looks like you'll need about five more coffees."

[heracooper]

closed starter for @wrxnxashby location: coffee carousel

Hera had one of her parents drop her and Maia off downtown for the day and after picking up a few things she needed, she settled with her daughter at the coffee shop and was looking on her phone at where was hiring in town and what she wanted to do. She knew she had to get a job soon so that she didn't just slum off the Coopers for the rest of her life, but she wasn't sure who would hire her since she didn't have a GED. As she was looking through, Maia started crying and a few people glanced at her with some annoyed glances and she quickly picked up her two-month-old daughter to try to sooth her. Hera's gaze met the barista behind the counter and she gave him an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry."

[heracooper]

closed starter for @lorenzocelestino location: driftwood haven neighborhood

Hera had Maia in her stroller and the two were on a walk. The last few nights had been completely exhausting to the mother, but with the rain stopping a little, she wanted to get her daughter out in the fresh air. Walking around the neighborhood, it was so strange to her still to be back in Kismet Harbor. She sometimes felt like her ex would walk down the street like he used to and meet her at the corner, but he never did; which was a relief to her. If she saw Dylan again, she wouldn't know what she would do. So far, she didn't have to worry and so she kept on walking.

As she walked around another corner, she almost ended up running into someone with the stroller and she jumped back a little. "Sorry. I didn't see you there. I didn't hit you, did i?"

[heracooper]

Calling Tomas ‘dad’ was a big step for Hera. She hadn’t called anyone that since her own father, but over the last few weeks, she had realized that the Coopers were her true family and she didn’t even realize the world slipped out without feeling strange or forced in any way. It all just felt natural. She gave a short laugh and looked at him. “She’s still crying so I can’t be doing that well.” She said and kept trying to soothe her daughter. “I don’t understand. She was doing so good and we were getting a routine down and now…” @tomasxcooper

Tomas has had kids in his home for years now, after taking in his first foster kid in his early 20s. But many had come and gone, and he had adopted a few over the years. That he had his day care too, and he loved to have young kids, to be around them, and to just see them grow up. That he had Hera in his home again was amazing to him. She was back and mother now, too, and he loved that for her. He knew she had been struggling with Maia. It was hard, she was newborn, and Hera was on her own.

But Tomas and the family did their best ot help Hera out as much as they could, but still had to give Hera a chance to do her own thing. He had been trying to comfort Maia, and Hara was having a hard time with her. He did want her to try on her own, but hearing the struggle, he came into the room where Hera was. "It will be okay," he said. He loved to be called dad by his kids, so he was happy to hear that. "You're doing fine," he said, walking towards her. "I know it seems hard, but her crying like this means you are doing well." She was moving, active, and screaming in a way; it was a good sign that she was healthy. A baby who didn't move or make many sounds wasn't a good thing. "It's just a baby thing," he said, looking at her and smiling at Maia. @heracooper.

[heracooper]

END

Hera hated this. She hated hearing her sister feel this way and because she was so distant in the past, she had no idea Evan was going through all this. She understood the feeling, feeling the same with Dylan after the two of them were together for so long and he just left, but it ached knowing Evan was going through the same when she felt her sister deserved the world. "I'm sorry you feel that way." She swallowed. "If he didn't, he's an idiot. He's already one, but an even bigger one. You are amazing and he was lucky to even be graced with your time." Hera told her. A soft smile came over her and she nodded. "I want to change that too. I want myself and for Maia to have a family. I'm sorry I've been so... closed off over the years. I hate that I wasn't here for you." @evanxcooper

[heracooper]

closed starter for @tomasxcooper location: the cooper home

Hera and her daughter had been staying with her adopted family for two months now and it had been better than Hera had expected. She forgot how caring the Coopers were and she felt herself getting closer to everyone in the family and in the house. For the first time in ever, she was allowing herself to be open and not closed off like she was used to. It made a huge difference in her life and for the first time ever, she felt truly wanted by someone. Not someone, by a group of people. Sure, she knew now she was wanted before, but she was just now allowing herself to see it.

Maia was growing faster and the baby was now two months old. There was a lot of learning how to take care of her daughter, but her adoptive parents helped her and she was feeling a little more confident in being a mom. And just as she was feeling like Maia was sleeping longer, she woke up that night screaming. Hera quickly grabbed her and tried her usual calming tricks, but now, nothing was working. After almost twenty minutes of trying, she heard the door to her room open and she looked at Tomas with tears going down her cheeks, calling him a name she had never called him before. "Dad, help."

[heracooper]

Hera hated this. She hated hearing her sister feel this way and because she was so distant in the past, she had no idea Evan was going through all this. She understood the feeling, feeling the same with Dylan after the two of them were together for so long and he just left, but it ached knowing Evan was going through the same when she felt her sister deserved the world. "I'm sorry you feel that way." She swallowed. "If he didn't, he's an idiot. He's already one, but an even bigger one. You are amazing and he was lucky to even be graced with your time." Hera told her. A soft smile came over her and she nodded. "I want to change that too. I want myself and for Maia to have a family. I'm sorry I've been so... closed off over the years. I hate that I wasn't here for you." @evanxcooper

"I think," she paused, as she hadn't confided in her sister in quite some years, "what hurts the most is that the woman that he's always loved is back in his life, too." Evan sighed, "It almost makes me feel like our marriage meant nothing, like I was never someone he loved." And Evangeline knew that she was being irrational, her emotions heightening with the words spilling over her lips. "Thank you," her expression softened, her heart swelling with her younger sister's words. "That means more to me than you could know." She paused, "I know we haven't been close in a long time, Hera, but I want that to change. Especially since we are both back home." @heracooper

[heracooper]

"Then he should've made sure you heard him when you brought it up again." She told her sister. She knew it wasn't all on her and she didn't want Evan to think it was either. "You're welcome." She nodded and smiled as well. "Good. I wouldn't want you to give up on that dream. If anyone is going to be a good mom, it's going to be you." She said before grinning more. "We could. I'm all for raising Maia alongside someone I love." @evanxcooper

Hera hated seeing her sister like this. She couldn't imagine the heartbreak of wanting a kid with someone and them do something like that. She truly felt for her and nodded. "Putting up blinders isn't your fault. He never said otherwise, did he? That's on him." She tried to assure her. "You will get there, though. If I can have a baby, you will get there. I trust that." She sat back a little. "And maybe it's for the better. You'll get to be a mom with someone who wants it too now. Or you'll do it on your own. We can be single moms together." She smiled at her. @evanxcooper

[heracooper]

She stared at her daughter and sniffled. She really didn't want anything she went through to be put on he daughter. She wanted to do right by her and be the best mom she could be. Hera looked back up at Tomas and she took a deep breath. She was finally realizing how much the Coopers wanted her and now not just her, but her daughter as well. It made her feel horrible for being gone so long. The best things her parents did was let the Coopers adopt her. "Thank you. For taking me in all those years ago and now too. I can't thank you enough." She took a breath and swallowed. "If it's okay, I think I'm gonna get some rest and let Maia sleep." @tomasxcooper

END

He looked at her, "and I can see that you love her so much," he was already starting to love her too. "and I know you're going to be a great one, not just a good one" he smiled he did mean that, not to just make her feel better he did mean it. "And you won't you saw what they did, how hard it was, you saw how hard it was on other foster kids, so you won't let it be that way." he didn't think she ever would be like that. "And even if so, something did happen, we have space to care for Maia. He sighed, "Your birth parents were the worst for that." he hated it when he heard about it, that they did that to her. "But I got the best daughter out of it," he smiled at her, "and now the best granddaughter." he was happy about that too. @heracooper.

[heracooper]

Hera hated seeing her sister like this. She couldn't imagine the heartbreak of wanting a kid with someone and them do something like that. She truly felt for her and nodded. "Putting up blinders isn't your fault. He never said otherwise, did he? That's on him." She tried to assure her. "You will get there, though. If I can have a baby, you will get there. I trust that." She sat back a little. "And maybe it's for the better. You'll get to be a mom with someone who wants it too now. Or you'll do it on your own. We can be single moms together." She smiled at her. @evanxcooper

Evangeline's expression softened, "No, he wouldn't." She said quietly, trying to keep her voice steady. "I want to be a mom so badly and it's like an ache that never really goes away." Evan dropped her gaze a moment, taking a deep breath to steady herself more. "But," she lifted her eyes to look at that of her sister once more, "I know that can still happen, it just wasn't meant to be with Riley." A sigh passed over her lips, "It just took us far too long to realize that. I put on blinders every time we talked about kids, thinking he'd change his mind." @heracooper