#Gaellen Lawson

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #486

Tragedy struck in Far Village this week.

Somehow, Special V was distributed to a number of tourists in Far Village, including a party of Frat boys, a number of professionals attending a conference, and a newlywed couple.

The Far Village authorities raided all locations known to have Special V associations.

In the end, there have been 12 arrests and 5 deaths, though no one seems to know how the Special V was distributed.

Among the dead is Garrick Lawson, who was in Far Village for his honeymoon, having married Mary Anne City the day before his death.

Mary Anne City is now missing.

Any information about her whereabouts should be shared with the Far Village authorities. 

Her family is deeply worried and is offering a reward to any information that result in locating her.

“Rick, I am so sorry about everything that you’ve gone through these past few weeks.” Felix embraced his step-son as the boy arrived. He could see the lines of stress and worry on the boy’s face, the result of his father’s death and his mother’s disappearance. 

To make matters worse, Gaellen had suffered a heart attack from the stress of losing his son.

“I’m really worried about Grandpa, but I’m glad it made it easier for me to move in with you, Felix.” Rick hugged his step-father tight, uncaring that most 13-year old boys would have been embarrassed even though there was no audience.

His father was dead. His mother missing - she could be dead too, for all they knew. He needed stability, and Felix had been that for him the last 6 years. He appreciated that his step-father wanted him, after all, Mary Anne had divorced Felix.

“You will always have a place with me,” Felix promised.

The room was different than his childhood spaces, but that was probably for the best. The apartment in Ashford City didn’t have any outdoor space, but Felix had got him so planters so he could grow things inside.

Everything was different now, but Rick clung to the fact that he had Felix, that he was wanted, and that perhaps his mother would be found one day.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #485 - Garrick Lawson - RIP

Garrick Lawson died of a heart attack caused by being in the sun while addicted to Special V on Spring, Day 6 at age 44.

Garrick Lawson was born to Gaellen (son of Danielle & Christopher Lawson) and Faraday(daughter of Patrick & Bianca Davis) in Huntsville 44 years ago, a few hours after his twin, Finn. His younger siblings, Gethan and triplets, Fayna, Frederick and Genevive, all looked up to him throughout their youth.

While his priorities were always Fortune and Knowledge, he cared deeply for his family and remained close with his siblings until his death. Each one has said that he was the brother they went to in times of stress when they needed advice.

After he graduated from Dessert Valley Tech with a 4.0 GPA in Biology, he pursued a career in Oceanography, and was so successful in this path that many considered him the Hand of Poseidon.

He met and married Mary Anne City when he was 27. Together, they had one son, Rick, who is 13 years old. He was a good father to his son, as well as Mary Anne’s two sons, Charles and Robbie, from her first marriage.

While he and Mary Anne did divorce 7 years ago, they had recently rekindled their relationship. They were married the day before Garrick’s untimely death.

Garrick had many plans that were unfulfilled. He hoped to own a farm with his son, Rick, and to see it prosper. He was excited to be married to Mary Anne again. Unfortunately, none of that will be possible now.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #400

For the next few months, the divorce still loomed over everything.

Whenever Finn dropped by to visit his parents or his son, he couldn’t help but think of how strange it was that the divorce had made him less welcome in the only home he had ever know.

“How are you doing, son?” Gaellen wanted to know.

“Garrick and I can both take care of ourselves, Dad.” The twins were living as co-bachelors, both dealing with the difficulties divorce meant for split families.

Margery was still suffering more than she let on. It was manifesting in different ways, such as a compulsion to stuff her face with chips rather than eat a proper meal.

“Miss Margery, let me make you a proper meal,” the butler offered.

“Certainly,” Margery replied, clearing out of the kitchen. But then, she only picked at her food, and later, she ate another bag of chips.

The butler did ensure that the chip cupboard was well stocked. At least she was eating something.

In public, Hunter acted like it was a relief. He certainly didn’t want either of his parents to know how he was actually feeling about it.

In his room, he would cry alone.

He looked back at all the moments he should have realized that there was a distance between his parents, that they were not happy. He considered the evidence that his father had had affairs, not least of which was that he now had a little sister he had never met.

But, he wanted to prove to everyone he was a man, and so he kept his tears to himself.

Gaellen also tried to keep his tears private.

Had he and Faraday not shown his children what true love was? Would Frederick’s marriage to Nikki also fail, as Genevive’s, Garrick’s and now Finn’s had? 

All he wanted was for his children and grandchildren to find the happiness that he had. It broke his heart.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #422

As the rotation comes to an end for the Lawson household, the family has been through a lot.

“I’m glad you’ve been visiting more, Finn. I’ve missed having you around, as has Hunter. When you’re ready, your daughter will be welcome to come by as well.” All Gaellen wanted was for his children to be happy.

“Thanks, Dad. I have a long way to go with Hathor, but it’s good to be welcome and around Hunter more.”

“Both Finn and Garrick lost their shorts, and neither of them was willing to come out of the water. It was a sunny day, but still, they were getting cold. I had to wade in after them with towels to cover them up!” Gaellen laughed as he shared the story with the family.

Everyone had heard it a hundred times, but they way Gaellen told it, it was still SO funny. And Finn was always a bit embarrassed, but laughing too.

“I’m going to tell Garrick you told that story again. You better tell it next time he and Rick visit.” Finn definitely wanted to share that embarrassment with his twin.

“It would be nice for Hunter and Rick to spend some more time together. Rick will be going to high school next year. I bet he’d love some pointers from his cousin,” Margery suggested to Finn. She was getting comfortable with her new relationship as a co-parent with her ex.

“That’s a wonderful idea! Or perhaps we should all go to the Islands again and soak up some sun - with all 6 kids!” There was little Gaellen would have liked more than to have his 6 children and 5 grandchildren around him for a holiday.

“That’s a lovely idea, darling. We’ll have to arrange it. Perhaps in the summer?” Faraday did like the idea, and suspected it wouldn’t be too long until Genevive’s kids could join them too, even if only for a holiday.

“I really appreciate you making my dinner every time I visit, Hunter, but perhaps it’s time to try a new meal. You’ve perfected this soup! You’d do well to try something new,” Finn commented, scarfing down yet another bowl of the dish.

“Thanks, Dad.”

Hunter was a lot less close with his mom these days, between her having been unwell and her engagement to Justin Davis. He was mad, but he knew he couldn’t be too mad at her. Being close with his Dad again made him feel like there were some things he could control.

“You should come by soon. And I’m going to arrange for you to meet Hathor too. I know it’s a lot. It’s a lot for me too. But you are my son, and I love you. I’m here for you.” Finn hugged his son in an unexpected burst of emotion.

“I love you too, Dad.”

And so the Spring comes to an end for Household 11.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #420

There was a lot happening in Hunter’s life.

He tried to find moments of joy, but he was so very busy.

His parents had gotten divorced.

His mother had tried to kill herself and was now in recovery.

His father had a 7 year old daughter Hunter didn’t know.

His mother was dating his girlfriend’s father.

And on top of all of that, Hunter was trying to complete his last semester of high school to graduate.

“Rock, Paper, Scissors!” Charles announced. “Rock smashes scissors!”

Hunter looked at his two fingers, that had been scissors. “Do you think two people can be happily married?” he asked his friend.

“Absolutely. My Mom’s doing it for the third time.” The look Hunter gave Charles told him that wasn’t the answer he was hoping for. Charles tried again. “Look, one thing I learned from my Mom...if you don’t work at it, your relationships will fail.”

That was advice that Hunter understood.

It was important to work at his relationships. He would work at his relationship with Delilah, always. But that wasn’t the only one.

He rarely saw his father, so it was important that when he did, he made a good impression. He took a recipe he had worked on a few times with the butler and prepared it when his dad had scheduled a visit.

“Did you make this?” Faraday asked as she joined her husband, son and grandson for dinner.

Hunter had, and everyone was very impressed.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #418

Like Faraday, Gaellen had noted that Fayna seemed upset. He approached to ask her how she was doing.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” Gaellen asked.

“It’s just. Did you see how happy Margery looks with Justin? I want that. I want to get married.”

“Do you have a boy in mind?” Gaellen wanted to know.

“Maybe,” Fayna said sadly. She didn’t tell her father that she had been rejected by her sister’s ex-husband, or that she was dating someone who would probably marry her if she only said yes...

Meanwhile, Garrick was also making some poor choices. He’d been advised by Cory Gonzaga to ensure that no one might suspect the affair he was having with his ex-wife, Mary Anne, so he decided to hit on Liz Hunt.

“Liz, you are the most gorgeous woman here. Did you know that?”

She was not impressed.

“Ugh, Garrick! What has gotten into you?” 

“Since your husband has abandoned you, I thought you could use the company,” Garrick told her, a smile on his face. He didn’t mind being rejected.

“He is currently talking to your sister about her children, Garrick. Please go bother someone else.” She rolled her eyes as she walked away.

“I have some good new, Genevive. We will soon be able to move Christian and Michelle to Ashford City from Desert Valley,” Matthew began, “But I have some bad news as well.”

“What’s the bad news?” Genevive didn’t need it to be sugar-coated. She just wanted to know what the next roadblock keeping her from her kids was.

“They’ve put some barriers in place; it’s going to be difficult to get them out of the foster system, even though they will be here.”

“What barriers?”

“You’ll recall we initially managed to receive confirmation that no one besides the parents would be able to adopt them so that they wouldn’t end up with a random family in Desert Valley?” Matthew reminded Genevive, “Well, they’ve insisted that remain in place.”

“How is that bad news? I’m planning on taking them both home as soon as possible.” 

“They’ve added restrictions.” There was little Matthew could do, so best he pull the bandaid off fast. “Only one of the parents, who is married and has been for at least 3 years, can adopt them.”

“But neither Edward nor I are married. He’s never going to marry again, and I’m not just going to marry the first guy I meet and then wait 3 years to get my kids back.” Genevive was almost whaling and Matthew had too calm her down.

“No one else will be able to adopt them either, and you’ll be able to see them as often as you like, but, yes, they will be stuck in care.”

Genevive was devastated. Matthew was so sorry that the young woman was being separated from her children as a way to harm him. It worked, but he couldn’t do anything about it, or it would become apparent that it was working.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #417

Amidst all the turmoil, Faraday’s birthday approached. She was about to be 65, and Gaellen was not about to let that pass without a proper celebration.

The kids arrived early to help set up.

When Aunt Samantha arrived early, Gethan, Fayna and Frederick kept her entertained with a video game competition, like they had done when they were young.

The guest list was long and impressive. Whether or not you knew Faraday was the head of the SCIA, she was well connected in the community.

Matthew and Liz Hunt were there, as well as Charlotte Davis.

Naturally, all 6 of Faraday’s children were in attendance, even Finn.

“Nice outfit,” Gaellen commented when he saw Jeremy was in his swimsuit.

“Didn’t realize we were about to do the cake. Didn’t want to miss it!” was Jeremy’s response.

“You probably could have found the time,” Faraday observed as Jeremy was the first to join them for the cake.

It wasn’t long before a large crowd formed, a few in their swimsuits since it was a perfect day to enjoy the pool during the party.

Faraday looked around at all those who were celebrating with her. Her friends. Her family. She was truly blessed with a happy life. 

She blew out the candles to great applause and fanfare.

Once the celebration was done, Faraday was the first to have some cake. As she settled herself, she noted that Margery and Justin were making out happily, which seemed to distress her daughter, Fayna. 

She would allow Gaellen to worry about such things. She intended to enjoy herself on her birthday.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #416

Margery’s recovery was remarkable. In fact, she was putting behind a lot that had dragged her down and starting to embrace what she wanted out of her life.

“How are you doing?” William asked. He had replaced Archer as her regular coffee buddy, something that both Matthew and Faraday insisted that she have.

“The same. Better every day. I’m good. So good I understand why people keep asking me how I’m doing.” Margery was only a bit annoyed that people kept walking on egg shells around her. She recognized that it showed how much they cared, and she felt well enough to not let things bother her. “How are you? Tell me everything!”

“Violet is doing well. The doctors say she’s experiencing the healthiest Alien pregnancy they’ve ever seen.” William told his sister.

“That must be quite a relief.”

“It is. I worry if something were to happen. So far, Samantha always knows that Violet is pregnant, but if she lost the baby...”

Margery squeezed her brother’s hand. Gaellen’s sister, Samantha, was now William’s Mother-in-Law. Her dementia was hard on everyone she loved.

“You’ll have to tell Violet I read the book she recommended,” Margery said, trying to be positive.

“I couldn’t put it down. She has excellent taste...well of course she does, she married you.”

“She does have excellent taste,” William replied, “She has a copy of every single one of yours.”

“Maybe I’ll ask her if she’d like to be a reader on the one I’m working on now,” Margery considered.

“She would love that! She’s not allowed to be so active, with the baby and all, so she has more time that she knows what to do with.” William was glad that his wife and his sisters were getting along. Not that he worried with Margery. Olivia was the more difficult sister...

“I’ll send her an email with the pages. Oh, and don’t forget to take the veggies from the trunk. Gaellen packed them especially for Violet and Samantha. Lots of all the right vitamins.”

“I won’t forget,” William promised.

“Thank you for joining me. It’s nice to get to spend more time with my baby brother,” Margery teased, “And I can’t wait to meet your baby!

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #414

Margery had taken a poison to end her life. Justin had saved her, giving her the antidote just in time. But nothing is that simple. 

“I’m okay, Justin. Honestly. You don’t have to hover like that,” Margery told him as she ate the meal he prepared. It would help heal her stomach and aid in the recovery. She might not be at risk of death anymore, but she had put her body through a lot of strain.

“You just tried to kill yourself, so, no. You aren’t okay.” Justin tried to say it as calmly as possible, but it was very difficult to remain calm.

“I’m glad I didn’t succeed,” Margery told him honestly. It was terrifying, now, to think how close she had come to being gone. The pain she would have put everyone she loved through, just because she felt like she had failed the Watcher in her vows.

What she didn’t say, though, was that she felt a tremendous relief and freedom. After all, she had died. Her vow to Finn could now be left behind.

“I am clearly more messed up than I have admitted about my divorce.”

“You are. And, for my part, I am sorry that I rushed you. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Wait, Justin, I didn’t...this wasn’t because of you. I do want to begin again with you.” Panic welled up in Margery. Would she now lose Justin? She couldn’t blame him if he didn’t want to be with her. She obviously had things to work on.

“I’m not going anywhere, Margery, but we do need to slow down even more. And you need to get help.”

Margery was more than happy to agree to that. He was right.

They told Faraday and Gaellen, but not the kids.

“There’s a great program in Ashford City we’ll enroll you. Once that’s complete, Gaellen and I will make sure you go to therapy as often as necessary.” Faraday was not going to allow a repeat. Matthew was beyond furious that no one had realized Margery’s precarious mental state.

“I’m not going to fight you on this. I promised Justin I would go, but I know I need to go for myself,” Margery assured Faraday. It was funny, though, she knew therapy was important, but she didn’t want to die and now that she had, she didn’t care a fig that her relationship with Finn was in the past. She was looking forward to the future.

“Once you have finished the program, you and Justin will date. He can take you out for ice cream, or something,” Faraday promised.

The teens thought that the vacation was extremely successful, as did Margery. Faraday and Gaellen knew better, and Justin could only hope therapy would help Margery and that more therapy would help him. He couldn’t lose her - it had been too hard to lose Elisandra. He couldn’t put his kids through that, either. But he couldn’t not be with her either.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #411

Justin and Margery had decided they would get married, although technically they were simply making official their decision to become a couple again, on a clear path towards marriage.

“How did you sleep?” Justin said when he joined Margery in her room the next morning. They might have shared some passionate kisses, but Margery wasn’t ready to jump into bed just yet.

“Really well,” Margery replied. She was glowing with happiness. “How do you think the kids will take it?”

“Delilah and Jason will be happy for us. So will Berlin and Aurora. Elle will be the tricky one. And Hunter?”

“It will be a bit strange for him, and Delilah, but I think they’ll be fine.”

Margery didn’t waste any time to find out.

“Hunter, I have some news I wanted to share with you.”

“You’re woohooing Delilah’s dad?” Hunter said dryly.

“Hunter!” Margery was completely shocked, “Of course not.”

“Really?” 

“We’re dating. We talking about getting married. We know what we want, but we have all the time to enjoy each step. As I hope you and Delilah are.”

“Still seems a bit rushed to me.”

Hunter’s words stung.

She considered speaking to Faraday about it, but then realized Faraday and Gaellen were otherwise occupied.

“So, you’re going to be both my step-father and my father-in-law. It’s a bit weird, don’t you think?” Hunter asked Justin when he saw him later.

“Are you and Delilah engaged? Should I go congratulate my daughter? You are still a bit young for that step.”

“Don’t try to talk your way around this. You and Mom are suddenly engaged? You barely dated.” Hunter wasn’t entirely sure why he didn’t like this. After all, it was his father’s fault his parents got divorced. He knew he wasn’t being fair, but he was still mad. 

“Technically, your mother and I dated longer in high school than you and Delilah. And we’ve been friends our entire adult lives too. I’m sorry this is upsetting you, Hunter, and both Margery and I are happy to talk about it, but your position is not as sound as you think.” Justin was infinitely patient in his words, undercutting Hunter’s anger with utter reasonability.

Margery overheard the conversation. 

She couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to Hunter’s side than Justin was willing to accept. Was she moving too fast? Her marriage had only just ended.

“Hi Miss Hunt, I just wanted to say that Hunter and Delilah are probably just weirded out because they’re a couple and now you and Dad are a couple. Honestly, I’m really happy that Dad has found you again. I miss my Mom, and you’ll never replace her, but he deserves some happiness and I think he can have that with you.” 

Jason was saying more words at once than Margery had ever heard from him. He was clearly nervous and trying to make her feel better, which was nice.

 “Mr. Lawson, if I may say, was a real jerk. He didn’t deserve you. If it wasn’t for Hunter, I’d be real sorry that you ever married him. Not sure where he got it from - the Lawsons are really great, but not your husband. Your ex. Glad you divorced his sorry ass.”

No, Jason really didn’t know when to stop talking.

His words brought back a lot of the anger Margery had been trying to conquer, as well as making her feel like she was making a mistake. Justin had lost his wife - she had died. That was how a marriage was supposed to end. Not with divorce.

Justin didn’t deserve to be stuck with someone who wasn’t in the Watcher’s grace.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #404

The next day, while the teens were off exploring the Islands, Archer and Marisa came by for a visit.

“Archer! You look fantastic!” Margery exclaimed as she threw herself into her brother’s arms, “I’ve missed you so much.”

They spoke on the phone a few times a week, but it wasn’t the same as face to face.

“You can’t help but make healthier choices living here. I’m always active and outside. You should visit more often.”

“Yes, visit again soon. This little one is going to want to know their aunt well!” Marisa greeted Margery warmly.

While Archer and Marisa had gotten married without any family present, it didn’t mean that family wasn’t still important to them.

Marisa knew, though, that some members of Archer’s family had not intended for them to marry, but Margery did not count among those.

“Our wedding was beautiful, in the ruins of one of the ancient temples of the Islands. The perfect place to start our new life together.” Archer described the day to Faraday.

“Your son is quite the fisherman. Takes after your father.” At the other end of the table, Gaellen and Justin were focused on fishing stories.

“At first, deciding to stay here was almost a game. Could we actually have this life? But it’s the best thing that’s every happened to me, along with meeting this guy,” Marisa gushed.

“I can understand wanting a change of scene, meeting new people,” Margery acknowledged, “But I’ve never really been big on change. I like the people that I know.”

“We like the people we know, too,” Marisa promised.

“Sometimes big changes are all for the best,” Archer assured his sister.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #403

When Gaellen & Faraday, Margery and Hunter, Justin, Jason and Delilah arrived at the Lawson’s property in the Islands, Faraday sent Gaellen and Justin to teach the teenagers to fish while she spoke with Margery.

“This was an excellent idea, Margery. Getting away from Huntsville is ideal for you to heal and figure out what you want your life to look like next.” Faraday had been delighted when Justin had suggested he come along. She suspected that it wasn’t just to spend more time with his teenagers before they went to college.

“I’m particularly looking forward to seeing Archer and Marissa,” Margery replied, “I know they’ve started a wonderful life here, but I wish we’d had more notice they were leaving Huntsville.”

Faraday couldn’t say much in response to that.

“If there’s anything you need, anything at all, Gaellen and I are here for you.” Faraday hoped the transition wasn’t too awkward, and that this trip did prove to be the final piece needed to return Margery to herself.

Meanwhile, Justin and Gaellen, expert anglers, were teaching Jason, Delilah and Hunter their fishing tricks.

Jason was quite skilled. He had practiced with his grandfather, Jordan, quite a lot.

Delilah had never done so. She didn’t like handling the worms and Grandpa had insisted that she do it herself if she wanted to fish. Hunter, on the other hand, had no problem preparing her hook for her.

“You’ll see, this trip will be the best thing for your Mom,” Delilah said to Hunter, “And by the end, she’s going to like me.”

“She does like you, you know,” Hunter tried to assure her. His mother had never said a word against his relationship with Delilah, and if she didn’t approve, he know she would say something.

“If you keep talking so loudly, you’ll scare the fish!” Jason yelled at his twin and her boyfriend across the water. Of course, the noise he made was far worse and definitely disturbed the fish. 

No one caught anything else until they all gave up to go in for dinner.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #402

While Grandmother was at the office, Hunter convinced his mother to sit down for a proper meal with him, Grandpa, Delilah and Jason (Delilah’s twin).

“This soup is delicious,” Jason commented as he slurped it down.

“Thank you for having us over, Mrs. Lawson,” Delilah said before she realized her mistake. She was always saying the wrong thing around Hunter’s mother, and now she’d done it again. “Umm, Miss. Hunt, I mean.”

“I’m not hungry anymore,” Margery commented to the butler, who took away her bowl even though she had hardly had any.

“Did you want to go see that new movie about space exploration, Grandpa?” Hunter awkwardly tried to chance the topic. It didn’t really help Delilah, emphasizing her faux-pas. For once, she didn’t just let it happen.

“Miss. Hunt,” Delilah started more boldly, “Have you considered taking a trip lately? You haven’t been looking quite yourself lately, and I wonder if going somewhere would do you good? Somewhere warm, mind you, not cold.”

Delilah had the whole table’s attention. While her comment had cut off Hunter, which had not helped the conversation return to the typical mundane topics of the household, she wasn’t being told to stop and she warmed to her topic.

“Hunter was just telling me how he’d like to go somewhere that isn’t the least bit cold. The spring has been lingering. I bet you could use some nice hot sun and a good change of atmosphere.”

Margery listened to Delilah carefully, and then got up without saying a word.

“Mom?” Hunter followed her into the other room, concerned that she was angry with Delilah. Instead, he realized she had picked up the phone.

“Hello Justin. [...] No, of course, they are both very polite. [...] Your eldest children are lovely and your daughter just gave me a wonderful idea. I’d like to take her and Jason with the family to the Islands for a vacation. [...] Think of it as an early graduation present for them. [...] Naturally, you and the rest of your children are most welcome as well. [...] Oh, just you? [...] I see. We wouldn’t want to take Elle or the twins away from such anticipated excitement. Are you sure they won’t mind? [...] Then it’s settled.”

In short order, Margery had arranged a trip for the family to the Islands.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #397

Spring - Days 4-7 - Household 11: Faraday & Gaellen Lawson; Margery Lawson; Hunter Lawson

The biggest change since the Lawson household was first introduced was that Finn Lawson had left his wife, Margery. She was in pretty serious denial over it, and, despite the advice of the local pastor, strongly believed that the Watcher wished Sims to remain married until Death do them part.

As Margery was pretending that her husband was simply not at home, something that had gone on for months now, the family maintained their routine.

Faraday was not getting any younger. It was important to her that she remain fit for duty, as the Head of the SCIA. Not that anyone in the household knew this was her role.

It worked out that she was exceptionally interested in fitness. An hour of yoga every morning kept her feeling fine.

Gaellen was a worrier. He worried over Margery, he could see the toll that her denial was taking on her. He had seen the moments of unhappiness between her and Finn over their years of marriage, and he felt overwhelmingly sad that he could do nothing to help the couple.

Two of his children were already divorced, and soon it would be three. It made him feel like a failure as a father.

Hunter was also not sure how to process everything. He knew his father didn’t live at home anymore, and his mother didn’t talk about why. Grandmother had told him that he should prepare himself for his parents to divorce, in that imperial tone she had which was always final. Still, it was hard to accept when Mom acted like Dad could return any day.

“Hunter, is Delilah avoiding us for some reason?” Margery wanted to know.

“No, of course not, Mom. Why do you ask?” 

“We haven’t seen her for dinner lately. I know you go out to see her all the time, so I am not concerned about your relationship. But she’s important to us, because she’s important to you, and I want her to feel welcome.”

“I’m sure she does. I’ll ask her over soon.”

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to invite her over. He liked having her around. It was just that Delilah often said just the wrong thing in front of his Mom, and with the current situation at home, just the wrong thing was pretty easy to say.

Margery’s focus was on her son, and what was best, which she believed included his father coming home. 

She had given Finn space. She had spoked to Father Joshua. It was time to take action - she couldn’t live this way any longer, or ask those around her to do so either.

‘Hello Finn. [...] I am your wife, Finn. It should not be that surprising to hear from me. [...] You’re right. It has been a while. Would you please come by the house so that we can talk properly? [...] Thank you. I’ll see you then.”

It was time to talk to her husband.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #356

Jeremy had worked hard for a long time, but now he enjoyed his retirement thoroughly. Between his pension and his investments, his family was free to do whatever they wanted.

That included gambling at a local bar with his boys - Marcus, Gaellen and Felix. 

“Read ‘em and weep,” Jeremy announced as he lay down his winning hand.

“I was sure you were bluffing!” Gaellen decried.

“You’ve gotten better. Back in our university days, you never would have convinced me to see that bet.” Marcus threw his hand down, shaking his head at his best friend.

As the men played, Jeremy couldn’t help but look around at the faces of men he had known for years. He often forgot his own age, but seeing the wrinkles and grey hair on faces he knew were a reflection of his own, it was impossible not to feel old.

“How’s your wife?” Jeremy asked Felix. He hoped the comment would distract his brother-in-law, who was notoriously good at cards. He also genuinely liked to rib the man who had been a confirmed bachelor until 5 years ago when he had married the much younger Mary Anne City, after her second divorce (from Gaellen’s son, no less).

The comment managed to throw both Gaellen and Felix off, winning Jeremy another hand.

“How about we don’t let Jeremy win this hand, boys?” Gaellen commented as he dealt the cards.

Jeremy lost the hand so badly, he took a short break.

He played the slots for a while, until he felt his luck and returned, and then was dealt into the next hand.

[coriel-muroz]

Huntsville Revived #79

Finn - So Archer really thinks he’s found his dream girl? Don’t tell him I think it’s hilarious.

Gaellen - Now Finn. Your engagement to Margery wasn’t all that long either.

Finn - Are you suggesting Archer has a reason to get married fast?

Faraday - Are you suggesting, at the dining table with your parents, your wife and your son, that you had such a reason?

Finn - No...

Hunter - What am I missing? I wasn’t really paying attention. Did I miss some juicy gossip about Uncle Archer?

Margery - Hunter, we know full well that you teenagers are far more up on the town gossip that we are.

Later that night, Finn went out. 

He considered his wedding ring and the reasons he still wore it. His son. His mother. His wife. He always listed them in that order, which definitely told him something.

Finn - Hello there, pretty lady.

Gina - Hello, you flirt.

While Finn was out, the rest of the family stayed in.

Hunter - Grandmother, I was thinking about what Dad said at dinner...

Faraday - Oh?

Hunter - Well it sounded like he was implying that Mom might already have been pregnant with me when they got married. But that’s not like Mom at all. 

Faraday - No. It’s not. Wasn’t then. Wasn’t now. Nothing you need to worry about, Hunter.

It wouldn’t do Hunter any good to tell him his parents had gotten married because Margery had gotten pregnant. It wasn’t true anyway - even if Finn thought it was. Faraday and Margery both knew that she had done it to hide Matthew’s illegitimate son. Of course, Margery did not know that Faraday had eliminated Lulu Dines to ensure that secret was kept.

Hunter - Hi Mom. I just wanted to let you know that I think you’re cool. And that I’m planning on waiting, like you did, until Delilah and I get married before...you know.

Margery - I’m proud of you, Hunter. It’s important to wait. Are you already planning your wedding to Delilah?

Hunter - Yeah. It’s going to be awesome. We’re going to be happy forever just like Grandmother and Granddad, and like Delilah’s Grandpa and Grandma...although her Grandma died.

Margery - I hope you are both as happy as Faraday and Gaellen, and as Jordan and Coriel were.