isabela. (naishe) wrote in saveatlantisic, @ 2018-12-08 11:20:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | *andrea, *kristy, isabela |
December 8
characters. Liam de la Fere & Isabela
time. After NPC arrivals | location. Athos’ house!
rating. G | status. COMPLETE
|
Isabela felt dazed. In the last few hours, she’d discovered that not only did she have children, but that she had two of them. And both were here, as young adults. It was jarring, to say the least. For so much of her life, Isabela had laughed at the idea of settling down in any capacity. She’d sneered at the concept of monogamy, and could not have ever imagined herself as a mother. Drunk Aunt, perhaps. The arrival of Grace had proven that some things had certainly changed. It made sense, in a way -- much as she loved Garrett and Fenris, she could picture herself contributing to their family in a very tangible way. Grace was perfect, a beautiful blend of her and the pair of them. And then Liam had arrived as well, and Isabela was left reeling. Liam, gorgeous and very much her child by appearance, was his father’s son otherwise. His father, Athos, was the man who’d caught Isabela entirely by surprise and impacted her more than she’d have thought possible. She was torn, now, between wanting to stare at her son wordlessly and wanting to ask him a thousand questions. She sat on a chair in the room in Athos’ home where Liam would be staying, watching him curiously as he settled in. Probably making him uncomfortable. She blinked, smiling sheepishly, almost nervously. “I’m sorry, darling. I’m staring,” she apologized. “I just cannot believe that… well, you. You’re so lovely.” Liam couldn’t help but chuckle. He’d expected this the moment he arrived, his mother was a lot of person, and people that weren’t used to her could often be put out on first meeting. Thankfully, he had his entire life to adjust, and things that had embarrassed him younger, rarely did these days. Then again, she might’ve changed a lot in twenty-odd years. This Isabela was still as complimentary as ever, though, and that was certainly something he was used to. He made tea for them both, an action that allowed him to use his hands and not just sit there awkwardly. His dad still kept his favorites in the same drawer, even this far in the past, and Liam went through the motions without thinking. He even added a shot of bourbon to his mother’s cup, before handing it over to her with a small smile. “Even now I know you’re not just saying that because I look like you. But thanks, mom-- Is that good? Or, sorry. Did you want something else?” Isabela was biased, admittedly, but also equally certain that her son was the most beautiful boy on the planet. There was some vain pride in that, because he very much did look just like her, but there were some definitely signs of Athos there as well. That part made her skin flush a bit. The added shot made her grin -- she loved that he knew her as well as he did, and accepted the cup with a nod. “Not at all. You’re spectacular,” she said, and her heart fluttered at the term. “Oh.” After her breathed reaction, she was beaming again. “Absolutely. It’s just fine, darling. I just… I’d have never in my life thought I’d be a mother.” She fell quiet a moment, taking a sip of her cup. Of all of the questions swirling in her mind, one was the most present, and the most connected to what she’d just admitted. “Am I a good one? You can be honest, love. I did not have good role models, and I surely have little experience at settling down, but… Maker, the feeling of seeing you now has me so full of love and protectiveness. Was I good to you? Was I present for you?” Liam had heard all the stories, and he knew how Grace came about, too. Having a family that had always been fairly upfront and frank to the kids involved had been nice, if a little awkward at times during his younger years. But in the end, it made him a lot more adjusted to things like this when Atlantis threw them for a loop. He sipped his own tea and slid into a nearby chair, making himself comfortable. The blush probably wasn’t evident on his cheeks, after her declaration of love warmed him through, but he was definitely smiling into his cup. He was second guessing how much he should say, but he looked up sharply when she questioned that far. “Were you-- Mom.” Liam huffed out a quiet laugh. “You are a great mom. And always present. Maybe even too present sometimes.” He glanced around. “Staying here with dad and without you is going to be weird, actually. Probably too quiet.” He was so precious smiling into his cup that she could’ve exploded on the spot. He was precious in general, really. The answer he gave resulted in an audible exhale of relief, because that concern had weighed on her immediately and heavily. “I cannot tell you how wonderful that is to hear,” she said, smiling. When he continued, though, she fell quiet again. Discovering that she had a son with Athos had implications, ones that were curious to her based on what she knew of the man. They’d been careful not to overstep friendship, but she’d also had trouble escaping her still growing -- in spite of the almost distance they’d placed between themselves -- feelings for the man. Isabela, in recent weeks, had been more reserved in discussing those feelings, almost retreating back into herself and focusing attentions outward as a distraction. She smiled as she came away from her quiet moment. “Do we all live here together, then?” Liam had to stamp down the rising anxiety of talking too much, or the risk of changing the future, if Isabela got scared off or worried. He still didn’t know exactly where his parents were in … anything, and having heard so many stories of their exploits that he was nervous of saying just the wrong thing. “Uhhh,” Liam blew air out of his lungs in a big huff before wincing a little. “Yes? The housing has changed some over the years, but we have a house. And Uncle Aramis and Uncle Porthos live nearby, so do Uncle Garrett and Fenris and Grace?” As if it were totally normal for them to be paired off. Isabela, meanwhile, was the worst sort of person for someone who was anxious over not sharing too much. She rather liked information, especially when it came to situations like this one. She wanted all of the facts, and she felt sure she was ready to hear them. However, Liam’s tactic was likely the better one, and she knew that deep down. Still, it didn’t stop her from smiling a bit, shrugging a shoulder, and nudging him with her foot. “You precious thing, being all secretive,” she said, still smiling. “Can you tell me anything more? I don’t want you to stress, of course, but I’m so curious. It… answers a lot of questions that have been looming, in truth.” “I, just-” Okay so this time, he sucked in the deep breath, but gave his mom a slightly-reassuring smile. “I have had a really good life, mom. I have amazing siblings, and parents that give a shit, and this place can run someone ragged, but we’ve always been supportive of each other?” He bumped her back, getting a little more at ease. “I’m just a little afraid about changing things. I’m glad it’s answering things for you, but you’ll remember this even after Atlantis sends me back, and I don’t want to scare you off.” Isabela felt tears springing to her eyes, something wholly unlike her, and she beamed as he spoke, reaching across the table to take his hand. “It means the whole world to me to hear that. I cannot express that completely.” When he shared his reservations, her head cocked a bit, utterly endeared, amusement in her expression. “You really are your father’s son, aren’t you. He’s definitely more the type to worry like that, whereas I’m stubbornly focused in the present,” she said. “Honestly, had anyone told me a few years ago that I’d be meeting my children, I’d have laughed at them. Now, though-- having spoken to Grace, and sitting here with you-- I’ve never felt something like this before.” She squeezed his hand, then pulled hers back to circle the cup as she took another sip from it. “Alright. Something easier. What do you like to do?” His grin was probably almost blinding, and the blush was definitely more visible now. It was silly, he was used to an Isabela that was loving and kind and generous - and embarrassing and ridiculous at times too, but seeing her like this, young and free and knowing her past, that worry had still been there. A stupid nagging feeling that maybe she wouldn’t like what she saw. That settled away, down and out of his body, and he looked a little eager to talk to her about his things. “I’m an artist - officially into art restoration, but I also have my own graphic novel and comic series that I update regularly. And I make costumes, outfits, help my friends put on plays?” Oh, her beautiful, gentle boy. Isabela was utterly delighted by his brilliant smile, certain that it was shinier and prettier than any star could hope to be (and sure she’d paid him exactly that compliment more than once before). When he started talking about his own interests, though, she watched as he blossomed with enthusiasm for his interests. “What are graphic novels, love? That sounds lovely,” she said, looking at him curiously. “And what are they about? And these costumes! You know how to sew? Did Aramis teach you?” “Uh- Art with drawings throughout it.” He grinned again and raised both eyebrows at her. “You used to write me stories that I’d illustrate when I was younger - G-rated stories. It kind of took off from there, I have a series now.” Given Atlantis was a little on the smaller side, it was mostly for pleasure instead of business, but popular enough to make him puff up in pride. “He started to?” Liam laughed in a sheepish way, “I took classes and got better than him, though. Dad’s idea.” “Really?” Isabela responded, utterly fascinated. At the idea of writing stories for him, her eyebrows shot up before amusement replaced the surprise at the clarification that these weren’t her erotic stories. “Oh Liam, that sounds so wonderful. What are they about?” At that, she laughed. “I’m choosing to interpret that as your Dad’s way of subtly teasing Aramis,” she said. She looked at him curiously. “Am I still an agent?” Recently, she’d been considering a shift in her occupation, Leonardo’s offer giving her a lot to think about that hadn’t crossed her mind before. Liam brought his hand to the back of his neck to sheepishly rub there, suddenly a little unsure of his stories. Then again, his mother had always been exceptionally supportive of them, even if they could sound a little silly when spoken out loud. “They’re the long running story of a rich art thief and an orphan on the run from his past, having to team up to save the world.” He glanced over at Isabela, “Not really, a lot of people aren’t. You’ve got your ship and do some naval runs for the base, sometimes, when they ask?” Isabela was genuinely delighted as he described his stories, but he could’ve come up with something totally outlandish and absurd and she’d have still been utterly impressed and proud. “Oh, that sounds fantastic. Did you bring any with you? I know you ended up here rather suddenly.” She was nodding as he spoke, because it made sense that they’d eventually end this war and settle down. It took a brief moment for her mind to catch up to the rest, but then her expression shifted to complete surprise and joy at his little mention of her boat. “I’ve got my ship back? Oh, Leonardo! What a treasure he is!” His face fell a little, he hadn’t come with anything from home except his clothes, he knew from other people who had visited that they were here long enough to settle in just a little, though. “Nothing already done, but I think I’ll be here long enough that I can draft something up? At least I’m not four and drawing all over the walls again.” The walls were pretty bare, though, he’d have to change that for his dad. “Pretty sure Uncle Leo has supplied half of the navy at this point, but yeah.” He knew that would make her happy, at least, and if she didn’t have her ship now, he could avoid the seasick disappointment until the end of time. Thank God. Isabela felt a lurch when his face fell, and she wanted to come across the table to comfort him back to that brilliant smile from before. When he spoke, though, she realized she’d not messed up too much in her request. “Oh, don’t you stress yourself, love. I’m just very fascinated by your work,” she said, smiling, and offered a laugh at the rest. “I absolutely think you should draw on the walls. If not here, then at my house.” Uncle Leo. Isabela beamed again. She loved hearing about the future, and she loved the idea of a ship. The future sounded so lovely -- she’d have never expected that for herself, but she wasn’t much of a forward thinker. “Is there anything else that you enjoy?” “I can do a mural or something,” he offered up, looking a little sheepish now. Liam had never been too good at boasting about himself, or talking about things he was good at. Art was easy, and he could keep it less about himself. So he sat there floundering for a full minute, trying to think of things. “Uhh- video games? Books? I trained with the Musketeers like Tris did, and you’ve told me I’m really sneaky before?” “Yes, perfect. I would love that immensely.” The idea of him leaving was not something she was ready to consider, not now that she finally had him, but she knew it was a definite possibility that this wouldn’t be permanent. A mural would serve as a wonderful memory. At the answer, she grinned. “Have you found my video game?” she asked, curious. She was proud of his sneakiness, and that showed in her expression. “But you aren’t really a fighter, are you,” she stated, more than asked. There was no judgment in her voice, only the fascination she felt for this beautiful young man before her. “We all played it when I was a teenager, so people could give commentary.” Liam blushed again, huffing out another laugh. That had actually been fun, most of the people from her world and his father’s world joined together, while they made decisions based on group votes. Having everyone gathered together for the sadder parts made it a little better too, given how close they all were. “I’m not not a fighter?” He was no soldier, that was for sure. “I don’t like bullies. But Dec is the fighter out of all of us - the tall one I tried to hide behind? Aunt Bethany and Uncle Sol’s oldest.” Isabela was delighted at the idea, laughing with him. She’d meant to suggest it to the others, because the idea of playing the game appealed to the vain side of her, but there were certainly parts of it that she knew they weren’t quite ready to experience again. Down the road, though, it made sense that it’d happen. “That’s my boy,” she said, pleased with the response. At the explanation, and identification, of the other boy (she really hadn’t paid him too much attention, in truth, as she’d been distracted by Liam at the time), she breathed a little gasp. “Baby sunshine!” she said, clapping her hands together, delighted all over again. “Maker, you are just proving to be the gift that keeps giving, my darling.” Liam tipped back in his chair laughing, but nodded at her wholly appropriate nickname for his cousin. “He gets that a lot.” More than most of Liam’s other cousins, anyway, given how much Declan took after both of his parents. “We’re going to be here for eight years if you want me to tell you all about my siblings and cousins, though. We should probably just go over to Uncle Garrett’s house, see everyone in one place.” He flashed a toothy grin at his mother. “Then you can gush over all of them, too.” “That’s not a bad idea, my little genius,” she cooed, grinning still. “Hopefully they’re all there. If not, we can house hop until we round them all up.” She finished her tea, setting the glass back on the table. “Why don’t we see if we can grab your father along the way and invite him to join us? We may as well invite the other Musketeers and their babies along as well, since I’m sure they’re as good as siblings to you too.” She paused, then laughed. “You really do have a huge family, don’t you!” Liam got up and pulled out her chair a little for her, a gesture of true manners that he had no doubt learned from his father. “With food, they’re usually easy to lure.” Quickly, he gathered up both cups and dropped them off in the kitchen, properly cleaning up before they left, and finally ending up right behind his mother again. There was no bitterness or annoyance in his voice, Liam genuinely liked his family - when they weren’t actively embarrassing him. “You have no idea.” |