Just Between Us

111

"Now, Olly I swear to g-

Before Nicole could finish her sentence, the entire brawl became to a standstill as Carter knelt down to pick up the remaining of Olly's snowball on the patio.

The anticipation was real:

She balled it down and gave it one last Pat before tossing it back and forth in between her hands getting a feel for it.

"Not so hard," Eleanora pretty much begged.

Oh dear...

"I'm not- spciehsopfu," whatever Olly was getting ready to say, it fell short as the snowball hit her directly in the mouth and her head flew back along with her upper body causing her arms to flail upward for balance.

Nicole snickered mischievously as the snowball fight proceeded between Stefani, Rachel and Veronica.

I looked back at Carter pulling a hanky from her pocket and drying her hands off as she takes Eleanora's hand and open the door for her...

typical charming yet funny Carter.

I decided to head back up and catch-up with those two.

"Nice arm," I was taking off my boots and hung up my coat. My body was flushed with heat from the home and I saw Eleanora rubbing Carter's back in circular motions..

"Hey, what's going on?" I quickly became concerned.

"Internal conflict is all. I have a voicemail from a woman who claims to be my biological mother but I'm all the more suspicious because I've heard of that voice before but I can't remember where," Carter sighed out.

There was a pit in my stomach realizing that Lana is on leave to fix her personal affairs and well- I practically helped her personal affair for some time and had been in contact... I feel so guilty for waiting until now..

"C-Carter, I think you should know that Lana... Lana is one of our department leaders and- I'm completely sorry that-

"That woman is to be my biological mother?" Carter's head flew up in bewilderment.

"I- yes? Wait- you're not mad and why are you even more confused?" I was looking back at Eleanora and she shrugged in no understanding either; which is odd because they're always in sync.

"Because we've met already a few years ago.." I couldn't help but gasp.

"Wait, how did you two meet and not realize-

"My love, I think she knew who I was. And given the financial circumstances, I'm putting faith in that she had no intent on harming nor disrupting the balance in my life: I already have two adoring parents. Her involvement with my finances were more than likely her only way to contribute to my life... to be fair I'm in my late twenties and because of her help, I'm financially well off even without a music career- however, the property I'm in business with Stefani is a hard bargain for me to pass up," Carter was staring off into the counter tops with a small smile on her face putting the pieces together..

"I-I'll leave you two alone. This seems-

"Lillian, please don't go. You've helped me assess every action ive made, before and after it's been done. Maybe once more won't hurt," Carter gestured me to take a seat next to her with a kind smile as Eleanora continues to provide her comfort.

"The number of times I tell you how honored I am... anyways, how do you feel with the given details?" I started.

"Not so conflicted after saying everything in my mind outloud. No not so conflicted as in rather confused and hesitant on how to proceed," Carter leaned her head into Eleanora's arms.

I can't help but compare her to a cat that's touch craved with her grey eyes and overall appearance.

"You say proceed but do you mean it in terms of advancing in reconnecting with your biological mother? Or proceed to keep living your life without her?" I tried my best to think about Lana's best interests.

"Reconnecting of course. But the voicemail made it clear she was going through a lot more: alcoholism? Rehab? I know connecting with me would help her- I just don't know how..." Carter's concern sparked hope for both of them to come together.

Eleanora sensed her frustration as she leaned over to kiss Carter's head and squeezed her hand.

"How about you return a phone call? More than likely she'll pick up. But knowing you want to help her, make it clear that she shouldn't stop seeking help knowing you're willing to reconnect with her. Tell her that she has something to look forward to as she continues to heal," I suggested and the two women looked at me star struck and in complete awe.

"Or- tell her what feels right with you- I really don't know. It's just my two cents Carter. I know Lana loves you so much, I can't even imagine how much regret she's taken toll of when she became a workaholic and an alcoholic," I was sincere.

"Nonsense Lillian, I could never hold a grudge against you. It wasn't your place to get involved in. I believe every word you say about my biological mother... I'll make that phone call and go from there... if you'd like, I could share updates," she took a deep and heavy sigh as she stood up.

"Would you like company? I could wait out our guest room and come in whenever you need me- if you'd like that as well," Eleanora suggested.

"As if I don't need you more now than before, come," Carter wrapped her arm around Eleanora's waist.

"Thank you again Lillian," Eleanora turned to smile and I couldn't help but return the gesture.

These two...

I shook my head with a smile knowing that Carter will always be fine as long as she has Eleanora around to keep her head on right.

The front door quickly swung open as everyone else came in soaked from melted snow.

Veronica's face was pink and semi swollen.. as for Olly, she has a busted lip from Carter's snowball.

Stefani- somewhat damp but she's completely flawless: everything about her is- literally perfect. There's nothing out of place and she's neat and tidy. Her and Rachel came in pouting as Nicole somehow walked in covered in snow.

Now that, I don't understand. She wasn't even throwing snow when I walked away.

"Where are those two love birds going away," Olly scoffed in a mood.

"Probably to go do love bird things like NOT make a snowball slingshot and test it on their wife," Nicole sassed and I swear my mouth keeps dropping with these two.

"With all due respect, pulling that off with a snow shovel and a trip wire was in fact impressive," Stefani went to the coffee maker and poured a cup of coffee.

"There's trip wires?" I looked at Rachel who had a red mark on her forehead that's shaped like a circle..

"Extra preventive measures for pest control over the holiday since the house is actually never cold inside... basically keep wild animals from trying to break in," she was still pouting.

"You literally live in the middle of nowhere in a fancy house-

"That's the point, did that woman give you a concussion? You only got hit once," Nicole was still pissed with snow slowly melting on her.

"Nonsense, I was able to aim at you," Olly giggled at her own doings and Nicole rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Let me get you a blanket," Veronica got up and started tending to the guest.

"Back to Olly, it's a Family matter, It's a Little sensitive," i softly explained and Olly bobbed her head back in compliance.

"Coffee?" Stefani approached me with a mug and kissed me on the cheek.

I couldn't help but savor the moment knowing that as soon as this little gathering is over, I have to go back to playing as a parental figure to the public eye...

AN: still working out kinks for how I want the plot to go before the big finale😭