Thread: Southern Girl [ Ariamella & Reydan ]

RE Southern Girl Ariamella Reydan Thank you! Lucy beamed at the dressmaker then she followed Virgil out of the shop, a bright hop in her step as she walked. You look the belle of the ball. She pondered the words, letting them run through her mind. Virgil had said words just like those a long time ago... She almost chuckled, remembering how she'd earned them. Pouting around, sulking about how Viola had all the attention. Viola was beautiful, Viola looked like an angel, and Viola's dress was the prettiest. Lucy had watched as he sister was whisked around the ballroom by the young men, watched as her teary-eyed mother looked on fondly at her eldest daughter, and even watched as the Abernathy boys who were of age completed Viola's first dances of the evening. She had stormed into one of the adjoining rooms when she saw, at last, a tall, dirty blonde male step forward and take Viola's hand. They were the same age, her sister and Virgil, and it had irrationally angered her to see him hold her so close. But he had come to her afterwards, tucked the violets behind her ear and said, You'll always be the belle of my ball. I'll always love you, Lucy Rayne. And he'd danced with her afterwards, stayed with her when she got bored, and entertained her with stolen moments out on the veranda. Her grin softened to a sad smile as her eyes followed the man in front of her, when he stopped suddenly. His factory? She could sense the hesitation in his question, and for just a moment she wanted to take his hand and squeeze it, to let him know that she did, in fact, care. A younger Lucy might have pouted about wanting to go sightseeing a younger Lucy might have complained about it being boring, but she knew now that spending time with Virgil was simply a treasure in itself. Distantly she wished she had realized it much sooner, back before 1860, but then later was always better than never. Yes please, Lucy responded with a smile, I would love to see your factory. How else would I repay you for those two wonderful dresses? She laughed lightly and stepped into the carriage, openly staring at Virgil as he took a seat across from her. She knew he wanted to drop the issue of family earlier, but her stubborn self didn't. Was he not aware of how much his family missed him? Of how much his mother missed him? Of how she would rather have one son to hold in her arms rather than lose all three? ...Did Virgil know how much Lucy had missed him? The rode in silence, then after a few minutes had passed, she opened her mouth to speak. Virgil... She does want to know. Your mother, I mean. It would do her well to know that one of her sons is living a prosperous, good life. Do you think it would pain her to find that you are well off? Do you think it would bring her worry to know that you are living a life she wanted for you? Do you think she would be upset because you ran away? Well, it won't do any of those things. Angry blue eyes flashed at him, upset with his unwillingness to connect with his family. Family is family . We Southerners should know that better than anyone. Just because you live in Yankee territory doesn't mean you've lost near 18 years of your life, Virgil. They -- your father, mother, siblings -- have missed you starting the very second you took your first step out off the Abernathy plantation. My family missed you terribly after you left. And because she couldn't help herself, she looked out the carriage window as she said her next words. I missed you... A brief look of hurt washed over her face before the steely gaze returned. I hoped... we hoped for days, weeks, even months for your return, and if you think for a second that we stopped missing you or stopped caring about you even after five years, well, you hardly know your family at all. The carriage came to a stop outside a large red brick building, and Lucy's eyes cooled and softened, melting into a kinder expression. I believe you have a factory to show me, Mr. Abernathy.