Lily Potter (needs_room) wrote in reduxpitch, @ 2016-09-15 10:04:00 |
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Entry tags: | !thread, character: james potter, character: lily potter, character: marcus flint, character: phillipa flint |
WHO: Lily and James Potter / Pippa and Marcus Flint
WHEN: Thursday afternoon
WHERE: Potter Cottage
WHAT: Grownups talking about kids
WARNINGS: Some rather heated discussion
STATUS: Complete
Lily was very good at preparing what she was going to say. It was what she did during most of her work hours, preparing speeches and arguments, and though a meeting with Lucas’s surrogate parents would be nothing like a courtroom, it was still good to be prepared. The Flints certainly weren’t the enemy - Lily was quite sure they’d have many similar opinions - but she was ready to be firm if needed to protect her all-but-actually-adopted daughter.
The tea was prepared and the sandwiches assembled, though Lily wasn’t entirely sure the former would be touched much because there was a fully-stocked liquor cabinet that she would, of course, make available to her guests. This discussion seemed much more of a scotch discussion than low-tea, but Lily was physically incapable of entertaining guests without tea prepared and served.
Her best service was out, teapot wrapped in a brightly colored, hand-knit tea-cozy and the cups and saucers were out and the sandwiches were under their glass dome and Lily didn’t know what else to do but wait. And, well, that was boring, so she’d taken to pacing the living room, going over the things she wanted to say just one more time. Just to be sure.
--
James didn't know what to expect, honestly. He'd done his homework, looked up everything he could find on the Flints. Overkill, perhaps, but he wanted to know everything about the people who were, through circumstance, becoming intertwined with his family. Lucas he knew, but the two who were coming that night he didn't. There was plenty enough to read up on when it came to them, but James wasn't one to set much stock in the gossip columns. Those sorts of things were written to sell papers, not necessarily speak the truth. So there was that. He didn't feel the need to ask any questions as to why the actual parents weren't being involved, because… well, technically he and Lily weren't those either.
“You're going to wear a hole in the floor,” he commented, watching Lily from the doorway of the living room. “It'll be alright. Well, I'm assuming it will be. They agreed to come and all.”
--
“Am not,” Lily said absently, “the floor is good, solid wood that’s survived you and me and three children and Sirius playing chase. It’ll survive another twenty minutes.” She frowned and shook her head, finding that she’d lost her place. “Damn.”
She stopped in her path and turned to her husband. “I’m not worried, honestly. If they’re not going to be supportive, and I have faith that they will be because they’re sane as far as I know, but if they’re not, then there’s still us. I just… Want to communicate effectively. Is that so wrong?”
--
That had hardly been his point, but James wasn't about to argue figurative versus literal with Lily when she was clearly so far in her head about something. He offered her a reassuring smile when she turned his way and crossed the room to her, bringing his hands up to rest on her shoulders as he leaned in to kiss her.
“No, that's perfectly fine,” he replied, thumbs rubbing absently against her shoulders. “I think we’ll have better luck with them than the actual parents, based on all accounts. There's no reason not to think them sane, but they aren't… parents?” He tilted his head, thinking for a moment. “I mean, they're adults, they're older, but they're still… is it rude to think of them as kids? That's probably not a good start.”
--
The kiss was nice. It was soft and brief and a reminder that James was there. He had such a marvelous way of grounding her when she got too caught up in details and brains and stubbornness. She sighed a bit as she reached for him and snaked her arms around his body and rested her chin on his shoulder.
“They’re not parents,” she agreed, “and I think he considers them as good as, but… It’s one thing to be a role-model for somebody, it’s quite another to actually keep them alive when they’re too tiny to do it themselves.” She smiled faintly and kissed James lightly on the cheek. “It’s fine to think it, I do, just don’t say it.”
--
Once Lily’s arms were around him, James pulled her in closer and hugged his arms around her shoulders. This was nice, being able to do this, just hug her and hold her, easy as pie. It was strange to think there had been a time he hadn't been able to, but he rarely thought about that anymore.
“I try not to pre-judge,” James continued, tilting his head to be able to look down at her better. “Because Lucas is fine, and normal seeming… whatever that means, but you know what I mean. It's just I don't know what to expect, since I also know the parents are… not the type of people we would ever be around. And Prim being muggleborn, I'm hoping that’s not an issue raised because I really don't want to have to blast anyone out of the house tonight.”
--
Lily had a shrewd idea of what the Flints (senior) might be like around her family, having lived her own life as a Muggleborn during one of the most difficult times to be one. And she knew James understood to the best of his ability, he’d been beside her and defended her and that was all lovely, but it wasn’t quite the same. Or maybe it was and she was being her own version of narrow-minded.
“If it’s an issue,” she replied firmly, “I’ll be doing the blasting, I promise you.”
--
“Yes, dear,” James said with a good natured grin. He knew they were about to have a serious conversation, and maybe he should be putting on his Serious, Professional Grown Up face, but he couldn't help it. Not when it was just him and Lily and he wanted to enjoy a normal seeming moment for at least a few more seconds before it was over.
“Everything looks lovely, by the way,” he added, glancing toward the kitchen. “I think you're just glad to have a chance to show off your spectacular table setting skills.”
--
Lily rolled her eyes at her husband and kissed him again. He was completely ridiculous in nearly every way - except maybe for his very serious toes, but that was it - but she loved him, perhaps too much for her own good. At his compliment she kissed his cheek again and then stepped away, feeling the need to be moving again.
“It’s been too long since I’ve had the chance,” she replied, going back over to the coffee table to count that there were enough teacups and sandwiches and cake. Of course there were, but James was sneaky and she could never be too sure.
--
Phillipa wasn't dreading the evening, per se, and she was trying not to approach it from a negative place to start but it was difficult. Of course she and Marcus were going to help - they'd said that from the start. Sitting down to talk with Prim’s aunt and uncle, well, she wasn't sure how it would go. Their little brother had knocked up their niece and while she chose to believe Prim when she'd said the Potters would never hurt Lucas, Phillipa also knew there was the chance they'd put on a nice face at the time with the two emotional kids in front of them and under the surface they were more upset than they'd let on.
Still, they'd been invited. They being her and Marcus, thankfully not their parents. So at two minutes to the time that had been indicated in the communication they'd received, they apparated to the address they'd been given. Giving Marcus’ arm a squeeze before letting go, Phillipa raised her hand to the door and gave it a sharp knock, steeling herself for whatever kind of welcome they would receive.
--
Marcus had to be talked into going to this by his sister. He wasn’t all that open to other people interfering in what he saw as his family business. Lucas was his little brother. That made this - his responsibility. And while he wasn’t his father by a long shot - he did know that their eldest son had issues with him. Who was to say that didn’t stem from the elder generation….and if some of that issue was taken out on Lucas…
His fists tightened in his pockets. He was here with Pippa as promised. He would keep an open mind as promised. He would be polite as promised. Mainly because his sister and fiancee would kill him if he went back on his word. And they were slightly terrifying when they worked as a team. And if he were being honest with himself - more than slightly. Shaking his head, a slow breath in and then out to settle himself and Marcus put on his public relations face.
And prayed that they hadn’t invited his parents and they were waiting on the inside. Because that would turn into a hot mess in no time.
~~
Well. Ready or not, here they were. Lily set down the napkins that she’d been repositioning straightened. She immediately went for the door, counted to three, and then opened it with her most friendly, welcoming smile. She couldn’t remember ever meeting either of these people before, but their faces were at least somewhat familiar.
“Good afternoon,” she said politely, offering her hand to each in turn. “Lily Potter. Welcome.” When these pleasantries were done, she stepped back and held the door open for both of them and closed it behind them. “We’re in the front room.” She gestured along the entry hall and waited for them to head through. “There’s tea and sandwiches if you like, or there’s stronger if you prefer.”
--
Drawing in a breath when she heard the latch on the door moving, Phillipa put on her best polite face and hoped she wouldn't have to kick her brother at any point during their visit. She wasn't above it, and she knew he wasn't thrilled with being there, but unless given cause to be uncooperative, she wanted to hear them out.
“Phillipa Flint,” she replied, shaking Lily’s hand and moving inside once given the opportunity. Tea was good, something stronger was better, but she'd leave that to Marcus and follow his lead. She didn't want to give a bad impression, even if it had been offered.
--
Marcus wanted to say yes to the something harder. He wanted to let them know that he was here under duress and that he could take care of his own family - thank you very much. But he had been raised with manners and Pippa was close enough to inflict damage. “Tea is fine….and I am Marcus Flint. A pleasure to meet you - unforseen circustances - but a pleasure.” He shook her head and entered the residence.
He wanted something stronger, but he was also very aware of his reputation and he needed for these two people to take him seriously. And if they were wondering more about that and how they could entrust a member of their family to a member of his...that would be a great deal of wasted time.
~~
James was waiting in the front room when they walked in, and he offered them both a smile as he introduced himself much like his wife had already done, with a handshake to each as they exchanged names. They were both much like he'd expected them to be - seemingly proper, polite, and young. Not as young as the pair they were all gathered to discuss, but still young.
“Please, make yourselves at home,” he added, gesturing toward the sofa and chairs, figuring it easiest to let them choose where was most comfortable to sit before settling in himself. “And the sandwiches are quite good, if you're hungry.”
--
Tea it was, then. Lily waited for everyone to be seated before moving around the coffee table to settle in a vacant seat near James and pour out four cups, which she passed around before settling back with hers. She tapped her thumbnail lightly on the china as everyone became settled, her eyes focused vaguely on the mantle opposite her.
When the tinkling of spoons and china had quieted, she sat up a little straighter. “It would be easy, I think, to get lost in pleasantries, but I think it would be better to get right to it. My daughter and your brother.” She thought it was best to leave the prompt open and determine the Flints’ opinions on the matter before offering her own. It would not do to accidentally insult their guests within the first two minutes of conversation.
--
Even as the tea was being poured, Phillipa wished she'd opted for something else. Something to steel her a little better against the Potters - a lawyer and an Auror. She knew she and Marcus weren't the ones under scrutiny, or at least she hoped not, but it felt like the balance was clearly tipped in favor of the people who were hosting them that afternoon.
“Right, our brother,” she repeated, taking a slow sip of her tea as she mulled over where to even begin. “He told us, obviously, him and Primrose both. I think… they're quite determined, but they're so… young.” It was a fact, but she also meant in the way they thought about things. She and Marcus, they'd spent enough time out on their own to become calculating - not in devious ways, usually, but in the way they thought through situations. But then there was Lucas. “They're young, and this wasn't planned.”
--
Marcus looked down into his tea and tried to figure out what to say, “I...I don’t know what to say other than they are young, and they are scared….and I dislike my brother being scared. I have infact gone to great lengths to minimize that happening.” he set his tea cup down and looked up at the Potter, with eyes that seemed a great deal older than his actual age, “And as our parents aren’t here and we are - I am also going to go out on a limb and say you have an inkling as to what sort of chaos that could unleash…”
He got up and started to pace, not in agitation but just because he couldn’t sit still, not now, “They are going to need help whether they realize it yet or not. I have a two bedroom flat that I own. I was going to lease it out now that I have built a house - but - they could use that as they save up for something that works....it’s got more than enough wards up to keep them both safe - as well as my nephew or niece.”
He was trusting these people with one of his siblings - he wasn’t sure they understood what that meant for him. But in time they would, “I suppose I could have eased into that with more talk of their age and youth….but I have been thinking on this since they told me - and it seems like a good enough starting out point.”
~~
James’ gaze followed Marcus as he paced, fully understanding the need to move. Everything that was going on, it was stressful for everyone involved, and these kids weren't even the people who should have been there. The Flint parents… well, he'd gathered better than to think of contacting them, and from what Marcus was saying he was sure that had been the right call.
“They're going to need a lot of help,” he agreed quietly with a nod. “It's one thing to pluck up the determination and say this is what they're doing, but another entirely to do it. Obviously we’re here to offer whatever help we can.” Within reason he added silently, because as much help as they were willing to offer, Prim and Lucas had made the decision to have this baby and that meant they were responsible.
The mention of an apartment brought up a point he'd certainly thought about already. “That's a good option, and a generous offer,” he said, glancing over to Lily before looking to Marcus again. “I know we have plenty of space here that could be changed around for them if need be, but I'm sure they might be wanting their own space. Not that I don't trust your wards, but if they do end up staying there I would want to check it over myself, for my - our - own peace of mind.”
--
“James and I were barely older than these two when we had our first child,” Lily said, though she left out the part about there having been a war on and getting married first, because neither point was relevant. The point was that she understood what it was to be young, in love, and stupid. But her son was one of the very brightest things in her life and she would not trade him for even one more day of youthful freedom.
“I can’t say that we understand exactly what they’re going through, because our lives are so different now than they were then, but I do remember how it felt and how much I needed support. Support that will be provided to these chil…” A sigh. She couldn’t think of them that way anymore. “To them.”
She had been surprised by the offer of a place for them to live. She had assumed that the pair would move into this house, though she hadn’t quite settled herself on how she felt about that. She had been sad, yes, about Prim considering moving out, and she would be happy to be close by over the coming months, but she and James hadn’t had a house to themselves since… Always, actually. “Let’s ask them which they prefer.” This seemed like the most diplomatic answer.
--
Phillipa sat quietly drinking her tea as the others spoke, setting the empty cup down and leaning back in her seat, mostly watching her brother but occasionally letting her gaze move toward the others sitting there. A place to live was just the beginning, but at least there were options. Reasonable, good options. Leaving it up to Lucas and Prim rather than forcing them into an apartment or room they didn't want was also a reasonable suggestion.
“There may be a bit of resistance,” she said after a moment, shrugging a shoulder. “Stubbornness, rather. Wanting to find their own place or something like that. I'm not sure they've necessarily thought through what this means… financially. That this isn't just something that will be burdening them for the next year or so, but for so many years to come. Not,” she added quickly, “to imply this baby is a burden, I just meant financially so. We’ve always made sure to keep an eye on Lucas’ finances, help him when needed, not because he's bad with money per se but he doesn't have the same experience dealing with it like we do.”
She paused, mulling over her thoughts and trying to find the right words. “I’m not implying anyone should be financially responsible for them but them, I'm just saying… I don't know that they realize quite how much this will impact them financially.”
--
Marcus blinked and then sighed, “Finances...I am sure that hasn’t fully occurred to them yet….” Which is why their own space (rent and mortgage free) while they figured things out would be ideal. Take one of the stressors off of their shoulders, “But finances - that I can fix. Pretty easily actually…..”
He hadn’t thought of giving Lucas his trust fund early. Well, he should more than likely tell Lucas he had one first. But he could set it up for monthly alottments - it wasn’t supposed to start till he was twenty-five, but if this didn’t count as ‘an unexpected need’ Marcus wasn’t sure what did.
“There is a trust fund for Lucas - not the one my father still has control over, but another one. He’s supposed to come into it at twenty-five. But I can change that easily enough - that might take some of the stress off of them. Buy them some time to think things through at their own pace and make up their own minds. About everything.”
~~
James was glad one of his questions was answered without him having to ask it. A trust fund was well and good, but if it was controlled by their parents he didn't think it likely Lucas would have any kind of access to it. If it wasn't controlled by the senior Flint, that was at least one option available.
“I feel like a lot of things haven't occurred to them yet,” he said, giving a shake of his head. It wasn't an accusation of an insult, just a likely fact. “It's hard to see the forest through the trees sometimes, and having such an unexpected, life changing thing occur… there's a lot to address. But that's why we’re here, to go over what they probably haven't thought about.”
--
“I wonder how they’d react if we presented them with a fully formed plan,” Lily mused. “These are your choices for where you will live, this is your money, we’re here for everything else.” She set her still-full teacup down, and folded her arms loosely. “I’m genuinely curious. Would they thank us for lifting the responsibility of finding these things out on their own, or would they resent us for the same?”
Her gaze flicked around at the other faces in the room. “I know as well as any at how young they are and how overwhelming this must be for them, but they are adults, as little as we may want to admit that. And I’m not suggesting cutting them loose to their fate, because that is the last thing I would want to do, but there may be things they must learn now about taking care of themselves.”
--
Pursing her lips for a moment, Phillipa considered what Lily was saying. She knew she was protective of Lucas, maybe overprotective, but that wasn't without cause. Setting him loose to try and figure out what to do with the hope he would come to her if he needed help wasn't an option - not when she was well aware of how stubborn he was, and she was, and Marcus was too. It was in their blood, simple as that.
“So what should we do?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “When we spoke to them, I know it was right after they'd found out but they hadn't thought past we’re doing this.” She bit the inside of her lip before giving a shake of her head. “I don't want them to get to a place where they are unprepared because they hadn't thought of something, because then it could potentially be detrimental to their child.”
She exhaled slowly and brought up a hand to rub her fingertips against her forehead. “Do you have wine? I could use some wine. Please, if it's not much trouble.”
--
Marcus shoved his hands into his pockets. He didn’t do well when he couldn’t just blastedly FIX what was wrong. And this he couldn’t fix. He didn’t know why they had to deal with these people to begin with and why they couldn’t just help Lucas and….Primrose. That was her name. He wanted the burn of whiskey, the feel of a good glass in his hand. He wanted the music of ice clinking in the glass….but he refrained for the moment. Because he didn’t want to be comfortable around these people. No one was this helpful without strings. There was always a deal - always something to negotiate.
People just didn’t do things for others. Not when they had power over the others.
“Listen, it’s still early in this. We don’t know what they are going to need or not need. What they will learn and not learn. Prim seems to have a good head on her shoulders and Lucas seems to genuinely care for her. At this point we are just supporting cast Philippa. I am more worried about the basics….finances, home, ….the rest we have some time to work through.”
~~
James rose from his seat at the request of wine, because that was easy enough to provide. He grabbed a bottle each of red and white because he had no idea which one was preferred, and held them up where Phillipa could see as a question of which she wanted. Once she gestured to the red, he easily uncorked it and poured a glass, taking it in and handing it to her.
“They're not going to be homeless,” he said smoothly, shaking his head. “We’ve both presented options that show that. I do think it should be their decision on where they want to stay, however. As to finances, they both have jobs. There is that, at least. I do think before rushing in with pre-made plans to handle things for them, perhaps we should sit down with them to go over what this is going to mean financially? Help them set up a budget, bring up expenses they might not have considered. Give them the opportunity to find and address potential problems, but be available to them for help and advice should they need.” He settled into his chair and gave a shake of his head. “They're adults. Young ones, but they're taking this very large step into becoming even more so. They're going to be responsible for raising a child, and that means they need to be able to take care of themselves, too.”
--
Lily waited while James poured the wine, and once he was settled again and had said his bit, she shifted forward on her seat, back straight. “I just feel providing everything for them, giving them the money and the house up front would only hurt them in the long run. Yes, we will help them, we will guide them, we will support them, but we should not take over. I do not mean that we should punish them for their behavior by setting them loose, but they should take primary responsibility for the situation.”
She sighed and dropped her gaze to her folded hands. “Prim is as good as a daughter to me, and it hurts me to know that she is living through what I did.” She glanced at her husband. “When we had our first, it was a time of war and we were impulsive and I don’t regret a minute of it, but we’re at peace now, and I would want better for my children. I want to take this burden from her and let her have the youth she deserves, but I can’t. It would be wrong. The most we should do is offer guidance. Maybe that sounds cruel, but it’s how I feel.”
--
Phillipa gladly took the wine when it was offered and sipped at it slowly as she listened to the other two talk. They were logical and rational, and that wasn't always how she worked, definitely not how Marcus worked either. The two of them were much more likely to swoop in to find ways to fix without much thought beyond the then and now. Except with this, they were trying to plan for something that was going to change their little brother’s life… forever.
“Guidance,” she repeated, pursing her lips in thought as she glanced over to her brother. They were fixers - they fixed. She wasn't trying to suggest they take over for him and Prim, but still, it wasn't her nature to sit back so far. “I agree that this is their responsibility, theirs to deal with, and we are here to support them. I guess it's figuring out what forms the support takes, as it were.”
--
Marcus took a deep breath and then let it out slowly, “I rarely guide. I fix. It’s what I do. Especially for Lucas. He’s the baby...and I get that this is their situation. They got themselves into it - and they need to figure it out. And ‘guidance’ is more than likely the best way….but this is my baby brother. The one I ….” His voice trailed off and he looked off to the side and his jaw clenched. Yes, part of him was pissed as hell - because he hadn’t put his future plans and wants on the line for his brother to be free to do what he wanted for him to do THIS with it.
“But I also know that nothing is free if we depend on anyone else. So, really, no offense is meant by this statement - but guidance comes with strings. Nothing comes without them if we are going to be honest. And yes, you have had a child young. You can offer insight...but….”
He looked at Pippa and then at the Potters and just shook his head, “Listen, I am going to just step outside and get some air….Just let me know what you need from me okay? Because I would rather get them in a place where they feel secure and learn and figure this out over time - than have them floundering. I get that she is like your daughter - but he is MY baby brother. I have fought and bargained for him to have his own life for years and….”
He held his hands up and stepped back, “I will be back in a few minutes….sorry…..” He headed back out the way he came muttering about strings and outsiders….
~~
“Yes, but your ‘baby brother’ isn’t the one who’s pregnant,” Lily said cooly. She had no doubts that Lucas would stick this out, that he would remain by Prim’s side, but the simple truth was that it was going to be harder for Prim. “And you don’t know the first thing about where she came from, do you?”
She sighed and pressed her lips together into a thin, irritated line that would have made McGonagall proud as she watched the elder Flint actually leave the conversation.
When she felt calm enough to speak, she did so to the room at large. “Fixing things for the young has never done anyone any good. That is all I’m meaning to say.” She folded her arms and sat back in the chair, scowling a bit.
--
Phillipa took a long sip of wine as her brother walked out, closing her eyes for a moment as she did her best not to throw something at him. She understood his frustration, but they weren't there to fight. At least, she wasn't, but she'd also had to talk him into going in the first place.
“He didn't mean anything by that,” she began quietly, looking down into her wine glass rather than at the others still in the room. “No, we don't know about Prim’s life, we only know our own. There's a reason we’re here, not our parents. Marcus and I have spent…” she trailed off, pursing her lips for a moment. “We’ve taken care of him, not them. Anything we’ve been able to do has come with consequences - whether known or not. Mostly on Marcus. That's what he means by strings. Not that he's accusing you, that's just how it's always been for us.”
She drew in a breath, raising her gaze to look over at them. “I want them to feel secure, but I agree this is their responsibility. They made the decision to keep and raise this child - that means they made the decision to take on everything that comes with it. But I agree that I don't want them to flounder…”
--
“There are no strings here,” Lily replied trying to keep the offended tone to a minimum. “My niece has been through her fair share of trouble to get where she is today, and it has been through her own determination more than anyone else’s that she is who she is. To coddle her now, when she has come so far towards learning to do and think for herself, would only confuse and harm her. I do not know your brother in the same way you do not know Primrose, and so I have to take your word for his background, and I cannot tell you what to do about him, but Prim has been our responsibility for half her life, and I won’t let her progress be taken away.”
--
Phillipa sat quietly for a moment before giving a slight nod. “I don't know Primrose well, but we have spent some time together. I would not want to do anything that might change who she is. When they came to speak to us about this, I could see how determined she was. I know we, Marcus and I, may step in more than we might need to when it comes to Lucas. We only want the best for him, like you want for her.”
She let out a slow breath. “We may not always be on the same page, but I would prefer we be able to work together. It wouldn't do them any favors to get mixed messages from us and you.”
--
Marcus came back in, and retook his position behind Pippa. His arms crossed over his chest and his face calm and showing no emotion. He wasn’t going to let them win. He would help his brother in his way. If they wanted to let them flounder and struggle needlessly so that they could learn some lesson - that was on them.
He didn’t trust their generation. At all. In his opinion - they had expected Pippa and himself to just go along with their plan. Because they ‘knew best’. Well, Marcus had stopped going along with the plan ages ago. And these two didn’t have the leverage his parents had agianst him. So...they could do their thing and he would do his.
And if they didn’t like it - well - that really wasn’t his concern.
~~
James looked over when he heard the door open again, having not expected to see the other Flint come back, honestly. He waited for him to get situated, but it was clear to see from how he was standing that Marcus was nothing but defensive. He was used to dealing with people like that, but in situations with different stakes - not nearly as personal.
“We know you want the best for your brother, like we want the best for Prim,” James said calmly. “Like Lily said, there are no strings here. There were no strings when we took her in, and there are no strings now. I don't know your parents, but we aren't them, and we don't operate the same ways. We’re not saying we want to let them flounder, we’re saying they need to be able to stand on their own feet without us holding them up. Otherwise, who knows if they'll ever be able to.”
--
“Working together is the very best possible plan,” Lily said, eyes settling on Marcus as he entered, because it seemed like he more than anyone needed to be reminded of that fact. “We all want what’s best for them, and it’s a shame that we can’t agree on what that means.”
She looked sideways at her husband and nodded at his final statement. “That is exactly what I mean,” she said. “We will make sure that they do not fall, but I feel they should be given the chance to prove they can do it before anyone swoops in to ‘fix’ anything.”
--
Phillipa knew it wasn't in either of their natures to put faith in someone they didn't know, or barely knew. Or anyone outside of very few people at all, to be honest. But she also knew they weren't going to be done with the Potters at any point in the near or distant future. Their families were linked together from that point forward and it could either be one more set of family to dread and disparage about or they could swallow a tiny bit of Flint Pride™ for the sake of Lucas and try to work together.
She took a sip of her wine and tilted her head back to look at her brother, raising an eyebrow. He wasn't bound to like it, but that couldn't be helped. “Marcus?”
--
Marcus was not a happy Flint. In any way shape or form. Because of his brother and his choices he was going to have to trust people. People he didn’t know. People that didn’t have the first clue about Lucas or how too….but it wouldn’t be good for Lucas to feel like he couldn’t come to them with issues. He needed to be there for his brother. And Pippa was giving him the Look. And that meant he had already made up his mind;
Even if he didn’t know he had.
So he gave a shrug of a shoulder and looked at Pippa. He didn’t move from his spot. He didn’t look at the other two people. If this all blew up - then he would have the joy of saying he told you so to each of them. But for now he would play - nice wasn’t the right word. He would play cordially. Because he didn’t trust them. And their attitude of them knowing best didn’t sit well with him. The fact he had the same attitude - just from a different perspective never entered his thought process.
~~
Letting out a slow exhale, Phillipa looked back to the pair sitting across from them. She considered it a small blessing that Marcus wasn't saying anything - because him not saying anything meant him not telling them off, or arguing, or starting them off again on a disagreement of how this should be handled that wound around to right where they'd started in the first place. They could agree to disagree, but in the end they needed to try to come to some agreement to avoid confusion and conflict in an already fragile situation.
“Okay,” she said softly, fingertips idly tapping against her wine glass. “We can do that.”
--
Lily let out a slow breath. “Okay. Good.” She honestly believed that this was the right course. She had fought for everything she had, and at some points quite literally. She had worked hard to better herself while having children and being a wife because she wanted to be more than those things. And maybe it was unfair to ask the same of Prim when all Lily really wanted to do was spare her niece any of this. But protecting Prim from adulthood was worse.
--
James felt a little more relaxed once there was at least some agreement, even if it was a reluctant one. The important thing was they were all on the same page. Where they went from there, well, it was hard to say. Just like it was hard to say how Lucas and Prim would do with anything that was about to come at them. The four of them sitting in that room, there was was only so much they could do anyway. But they were about to be family whether they wanted to or not.
“Good,” he repeated, offering the Flints a tired but easy smile. “They're both good kids. They'll know we’re all here if they need someone to come to, but they deserve the chance to stand on their own.”