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“ I love you too , honey . ”
Pressing a kiss to her daughter's temple , Evelyn allowed them to fall into comfortable silence for a moment while she attempted to calm the storms inside her own mind .
This wasn't an easy —
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The slight switch in her demeanor didn't go by unnoticed , Edgar's keen eyes catching that she likely didn't care for the comparison . Since she didn't bring attention to it he wouldn't either , but he'd keep it in mind —
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She recoiled slightly at being called a princess, deep down she knew he meant no ill will by it but she still didn't like it. It felt demeaning somehow especially as most people linked it back to Disney. She refused to stew in that feeling and moved on instead
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In reality , her little mishaps barely even registered in Edgar's mind . Not only because scrutiny wasn't really a habit of his , but also because something pulled at the back of his memory all of a sudden .
He had heard —
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Picking up her wine glass from the bedside table , Evelyn tried to hide just how badly her daughter's words got to her behind a sip . The liquid tasted bitter now .
“ You can't erase decades of love that easily . —
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"You still love eachother..."
It was not a question but a statement, she had seen it in those fee moments.
"Whatever took him away... it must have been powerful."
It was another statement, mused as she put pieces of the puzzle together.
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That question opened an entire Pandora's box in Evelyn's memory . For twenty years she had refused to even speak her husband's name , much less reminisce about the last .
Now , however , that seemed to be all she'd been —
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The way Aurora responded — with so much care and sensitivity despite the turmoil she must be going through — made Evelyn's chest swell with pride .
She really had become such a kind young woman .
“ Oh , my sweetheart . ” —
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She was a tad bit embarrassed by her mistake but not detrimentally so, it onky showing in the form of her tucking some hair behind her ear. He seemed kind, kind enough to not draw focus to her mistakes when not needed. Nodding along as he spoke.
"A music shop?
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His handshake was firm enough to transmit confidence , but also gentle . Looking towards the campus they both stood in front of , a feeling of nostalgia rose within Edgar's chest .
“ I did go at once point , but I've —
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Her eyes opened at the confirmation, both fear and relief washing over her, pleased she wasn't going mad but also terrified at what this 'gift' meant.
She sat in that feeling for a moment trying to untangle the knotted yarn ball of feelings and thoughts to try and find a
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Before Mikael quite literally crashed back into their lives , Evelyn thought twenty years of grief and resentment would work as the perfect cure for love .
Sadly , the second she looked into his eyes on that night , —
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Conclusion in the mess.
"Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea to meet with him."
But she was hesitant. Not only because of her own hurt but also the hurt it was causing her mother. She feared it would be seen as disrespect for all her mum dod for her. So she decided to
She secured her backpack over her shoulder before she reached out and took the hand offered to her.
"I'm Auorora, it's nice to meet you. Do you go here or- just chance?"
Her head nodded in the direction of the university campus she was just about to enter
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An easy chuckle fell past Edgar's lips at her remark , quick hands making work of the things scattered around the ground with ease .
“ Just make sure you don't walk into any antique stores today , then . ” He joked , —
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"Everything feels... overwhelming. I feel like I'm going crazy. I'm seeing frightening faces that nobody else can see, and part of me think that he is just that. A mirage I've created out of old photos that will disappear if i reach out towards it."
She took a deep and bracing breath, of all the things she was expecting, her father wanting to know her wasn't one of them. Afterall he had left. Something she always questioned of ot was her fault. Afterall her mother could not be the reason. She was beautiful and even
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Thumb brushing along her daughter's shoulder as Evelyn's cheek rested upon her hair , a small nod came in acknowledgement to her words .
“ I know . To be honest , I'm still not even sure how to go about all of this . ” —
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In the split moment she had wit messed of their reunion the love I their eyes, though clouded by hurt, was palpable.
"I don't know."
She rarely sounded so unsure but she knew speaking her mind to her mother would help guide her heart in the right direction.
"I'm starting to think I've broken at least five."
She remaked as she gathered there things, pausing when she noticed that he had got down to help her. Her head tilting to look into his dark and soulful eyes.
"Thank you."
She gathered her things back in to her bag before
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Edgar didn't think much of her reaction to his approach , really . After all , she was a girl walking alone in the city . Who knew what kind of terrible shit could happen in the blink of an eye .
He was about to —
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"Thank you-"
Her voice was kind and gentle, but cut off when she made everything worse, not realising just how open her bag was, swinging it around had caused more to tip out and she was soon on her knees to pick the various pens and supplies up.
"Sorry-!"
She spun around quickly, a momentary look of fear across her face that changed to embarrassment just as quick when she realised her over reaction.
"Oh-"
She reached out to take the book back and pull her back pack around so she could secure it in there properly.
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Hurrying to catch up with @FabledDawn_ , he taps the girl on the shoulder to get her attention .
“ Hey ! Sorry , you dropped this . ” He holds a notebook out to her . “ It fell off your bag . Figured you'd miss it . ”
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