Claire & Theo

20.

The next morning, Theo woke up in his bed groggily. Last night with Claire was hectic, they did the dishes together with a short-spoken conversation that meant a lot to them. Secrets were difficult to tell another person. After they hugged each other, they went to watch a movie at the theater to take their minds off the tension. He did not want to push her into spilling all the drama that has been growing on her mind lately, that would just make them uncomfortable.

But now today, he had to get ready for brunch with his mother. He really did not want to go, well first he was lazy and second, what child that is emo like going to voluntarily talk to their mother. Or that must have been only him. He will not lie, he loves his mother dearly, but he just hates talking with her as she always tends to get more personal with him when she knows that he hates sharing his thoughts. It has never been easy for him to share his past.

He walked out of his room to the living space to turn on the pop culture news to see if the scandal with his sister and Peter was finally dying down. As he sat down on the white sofa, he noticed on the table were two blueberry muffins with a note next to them. He took the muffin in one hand and read the note with the other hand. It was written from Claire, she wrote:

Gran made these; I hope you know that those

Are her specialties. Also, I'm sorry for bringing up something worrying

Yesterday. I'll make sure to say the right words next time.

Love, Claire.

His heartbeat faster, at least he knows that she cares. No one has ever been this thoughtful for him. These are the small reasons when he needs Claire to stay in his life. Where was the affection he lost when he was younger. This gave him motivation to keep her longer than expected. Every other woman in his life left him for his habits but he knew this time he won't let go of her. Also, she addressed him with Love? It could be a mistake, but he didn't investigate the context too much

Theo took a bite out of the blueberry muffin and said to himself, "I need to thank her grandmother."

As he ate the muffin, he watched television for about half an hour until he stood up to take a shower to get ready for brunch. He went for a casual look with a light blue-collar shirt with the first few buttons open, pairing it with white jeans and a gray blazer to top it off.

He rushed out and went to the parking garage of the hotel and found his car, starting his journey to the CN Tower to meet his grandmother.

As he was driving, he realized that he should get a bouquet of Hydrangeas for his mother just to make her smile and to see that Theo appreciates her surprise appearance to bother him. She loved hydrangeas, ever since she met Theo's father... The flower symbolized their love from the very first encounter they had when his parents met. His father fell in love with the beauty of his mother, she brought light into his father's dark world of an artist's life.

He took the elevator up the tower to the restaurant, and he saw his mother quietly staring out at the clear glass view of Toronto. There were no customers, maybe she booked the whole restaurant? It was a mother thing to do especially from her.

"Mum." he called out to get her attention.

She looked in his direction and smiled brightly at him, "Oh hello honey."

Theo went towards his mother and gave her a wholesome hug, she smelled of cinnamon cherishing the season of autumn. His mother always had a homely feeling to herself, it made sense of why his father loved her so much.

He sat down across from her giving her a nervous look, he just did not know what to expect from her, "How are you, mum?"

"Living, but of course I should be well," then she narrowed her eyes at him, "even when no one cares to visit me."

"I promise to visit more." he gulped.

"Don't make promises that you know you won't be able to keep, mister." she chuckled whilst shaking her head.

"Okay... well you know how busy I am, but I'll try to be a better son for your sake." He smiled genuinely at her.

She smiled back, "I appreciate it honey... and tell that sister of yours to get her ass to show up as well once in a while."

"Oh, for sure I will. She has too much free time on her hands to cause a problem for my company, so I'll drag her towards your place."

Then, they both laughed thinking about their other family member who was clearly the craziest one out of the trio. Nicola was the spitting image of Theo's father; they were both so eccentric. No one could put them down. They didn't have an egotistical mindset; they could just speak of what's on their minds directly to anyone without any worry. However, they had the biggest hearts when it came to family, yet it crumbled for Nicola, since she was the closest to their father.

"Just like your father." his mother smiled.

The mention of his father turned him grim, "Mum, don't."

The reason why his mother and sister are suffering with death of his father was because of Theo.

She frowned, "Theo, stop blaming yourself. It was never your fault!"

"Don't say that." He was controlling his anger.

"Theo Easton, listen to me. Whatever happened back then between you and your father was a mistake. Everything happened for a reason, you were not in charge of the outcome-"

"YES, I WAS!"

A few of the waitresses were startled in the back and went inside the kitchen. Theo was breathing roughly trying to calm himself down.

"Theo-" his mother's voice broke.

He stood up, "I knew everything, and it killed my father, mum. The reason why you're widowed is because of me!" he paused, "I hope you never forgive me; I hope he doesn't forgive me..."

She sniffled, "There is nothing to forgive when it was never your fault."

He groaned, "Please stop saying that-"

"I'll never stop, you are my son, and you deserve to hear the truth. Please find yourself honey, I need you. I love you..."

His face hardened and turned to walk out immediately, "Goodbye, mum."