06-05-2025, 01:36 PM
Rachel held the child. Lily just looked up at her, a smile on her face, almost as if to say things would be okay. It was hard for Rachel to believe that, but she tried. She wanted to believe that everything was going to be okay, but she didn’t. She couldn’t see the end to her struggle. Knowing that she was significantly more privileged than others didn’t make that easier. Fear and guilt were a bad combination.
Even if it didn’t show on her face, Rachel was grateful for Liam’s company. Elyse was helping with the kids, but she kept looking over at Rachel to check on her. Rachel was okay with that. She’d talk to Elyse later - privately. Liam was keeping her company though, and part of her felt bad she wasn’t exactly a great person to be talking to.
But he spoke of Christmas. Christmas. Was it really going to be here soon? Rachel still often got confused about what day it was. She didn’t even remember how long she’d been with Lucio. It all sort of ran together. Of course, the Shale tree wasn’t up yet. They would probably do that soon though. It brought to memories back when she was a little girl. She remembered distinctly one Christmas where Emily had made her an ornament at school. Another time where she’d held a baby Mara while mom read them “The Night Before Christmas.” It was enough to bring a muted smile to her face.
”Im trying,” she said. It was hard to be excited for anything. Hard to be anything but afraid. ”First time putting up a tree. That will be a treasured memory. Keep it forever.” Rachel looked up at him, and noticed the new girl that had come downstairs who sat silently watching. She couldn’t wave with the baby in her hands but she gave a smile. ”Sorry - I’m not good company - it’s just been so hard since…him.” she didn’t want to say his name. But Liam had been there that day. He probably knew what happened.
Even if it didn’t show on her face, Rachel was grateful for Liam’s company. Elyse was helping with the kids, but she kept looking over at Rachel to check on her. Rachel was okay with that. She’d talk to Elyse later - privately. Liam was keeping her company though, and part of her felt bad she wasn’t exactly a great person to be talking to.
But he spoke of Christmas. Christmas. Was it really going to be here soon? Rachel still often got confused about what day it was. She didn’t even remember how long she’d been with Lucio. It all sort of ran together. Of course, the Shale tree wasn’t up yet. They would probably do that soon though. It brought to memories back when she was a little girl. She remembered distinctly one Christmas where Emily had made her an ornament at school. Another time where she’d held a baby Mara while mom read them “The Night Before Christmas.” It was enough to bring a muted smile to her face.
”Im trying,” she said. It was hard to be excited for anything. Hard to be anything but afraid. ”First time putting up a tree. That will be a treasured memory. Keep it forever.” Rachel looked up at him, and noticed the new girl that had come downstairs who sat silently watching. She couldn’t wave with the baby in her hands but she gave a smile. ”Sorry - I’m not good company - it’s just been so hard since…him.” she didn’t want to say his name. But Liam had been there that day. He probably knew what happened.