Bad Girl

The Bonding

When you emerge from the haunted house you find John who looks like he has been vomiting none stop he is pale and sweaty. Spying that you are holding the Baroness he tilts his head with curiosity and you immediately let go of her not wanting to draw any attention. Victoria pouts and briskly pulls herself together creating some distance between you both. 'Was it scary in there?' he smiles softly at Emma. 'Yes.' Victoria scoffs at her reply and bristles. 'No. A lot of silly theatrics and jump scares, not exactly my idea of terrifying. That sad little spring collection that Prada presented as fashion at the beginning of the year was terrifying.' she replies coolly. Emma thinks for a moment leaning around you to look at Victoria. 'But you DID get scared! I saw you!' she pouts. John smirks, and Victoria's eyes flash. 'Why you little-' you cut the Baroness off. 'O-kay that's enough sugar for you, ya little cutie.' you put a hand over Emma's mouth so she doesn't land herself in more hot water with Victoria.

The ride home was quiet and the Baroness stared out of the car window and did not make eye contact with you. John braked as the traffic lights turned red when suddenly a police car went speeding passed sirens blaring. Victoria visibly jumped with fright and you noticed this. Emma lay against you and you reached out gently putting your hand over the older woman's. The Baroness paused for a moment then looked down seeing your hand over hers, she gently squeezed your hand and then looked into your eyes. You gave her a small smile assuring her all was well. She then turned looking back out the window. When the car drew up at Hellman Hall you broke the silence. 'Emma and I should get home, thank you for a lovely day.' Victoria withdrew her hand from you her eyes flickered to the sleeping girl. 'The child is asleep, why wake her, Hellman Hall is large enough to accommodate you both.'

You purse your lips uncertainly. Victoria rolls her eyes and chooses not to wait on a response you can leave if you want, she gets out of the car and closes the door. Reader, take a moment, she most likely wanted to slam the door but she chose to close it so as not to wake Emma. You lift Emma up and carry her into Hellman Hall, the Baroness looks over her shoulder seeing you she is quite surprised. 'Come, I will show you to the rooms.' she leads the way upstairs. In the first room, she takes you to, she turns the bed down and you lie Emma down then tuck her into the bed. 'Come along.' The Baroness stands in the doorway waiting on you. You kiss Emma's head then follow her and Victoria leads you to another vacant guest room. 'Make yourself at home.' she turns to leave you catch her wrist. Again the Baroness looks down seeing your hand on her wrist. 'Thank you.' you don't just mean for the room. Victoria puts her other hand over yours and squeezes gently. 'Goodnight, (y/n).' The Baroness leaves you to it and you watch her leave closing the door before you admire the room. This is so much better than your stupid crushed one-bedroom flat. It's been a long day and you climb into bed falling asleep.

Victoria goes to her room and the maids come to help her get out of her outfit and into her nightwear. She unpins her hair letting it cascade down her back, she takes off her jewelry and sighs looking at her reflection. 'Right.' she gets up and saunters over to her bed, the gold silk sleep mask sits waiting for her. She lies down on the bed swinging her legs up and relaxing against the plush pillows. For a moment she simply rests her eyes. 'Oh!' she jumps in fright feeling something tugging at her arm. Opening her eyes she sees Emma her eyes wet with tears. 'I had a bad dream about the clown, can I cuddle with you?' The Baroness sits up and gulps awkwardly. 'Um if you just give me a moment I will fetch your aunt.' she swings her legs back down but Emma climbs up onto her bed getting settled under the covers. 'I can stay with you.' she yawns tiredly.

The Baroness sits on the edge of her bed awkwardly one of her eyebrows raised as she observes the small human that has invited itself into her bed. 'Right....um, okay.' she stares at the girl. Emma's eyes flutter open. 'Aren't we going to sleep now?' The Baroness looks terribly awkward and uncomfortable but Emma fails to pick up on this. 'Yes.' Victoria replies stiffly. Again she fails to move which causes Emma to frown. 'Why aren't you sleeping?' Victoria blushes at the accusatory tone. 'If you must know, I'm not tired.' she replies snippy. 'Auntie yn says when I'm not tired I have to lie down and close my eyes and then I will sleep.' The Baroness looks away and mutters to herself. 'I am being put to bed by a child, what the hell went wrong in my life?' she awkwardly shifts and lies down on the bed staring up at the ceiling. This is not how she pictured today ending, she closes her eyes. 'You are princess pretty.' Emma speaks causing the Baroness to open her eyes and turn to look at her with a frown.

'What do you mean?' Emma shifts closer. 'You look like a real fairytale princess like from the books auntie yn reads to me. I saw you on the grown-up books at the store, the ones the ladies read.' The Baroness blinks. 'Oh, th-thank you.' she looks back up at the ceiling. 'When your aunt met me she was a little girl, she thought I looked like a princess too, but I was much younger then, more beautiful.' her voice drifts off in thought. 'You were more pretty than this?!' Emma calls out in such a shocked voice the Baroness immediately snaps around in surprise, her face breaks into a smile. 'Yes, yes, I believe I was.' Emma's eyes are wide. 'I hope I am as pretty as you when I'm a grown-up.' The Baroness shifts onto her side placing a finger under Emma's chin and examining her features. 'Fabulous bone structure, and eyes like a baby deer. You will be exquisite.' she purses her lips, her eyes are gentle and kind. When Emma suddenly tackles and hugs her the Baroness freezes not knowing what to do then awkwardly pats the kid's head. 'I like you, I'm glad Auntie Yn is in love with you.'

The Baroness's eyes widen and she carefully peels Emma off of her. 'What, what do you mean? What makes you say she is in love with me? Did she say that? Did she tell you that?' Emma shakes her head. 'Mr. John said Auntie y/n is in love with you and you are in love with her and you are both being stupid.' Victoria's eyes flare. 'Oh, did he now.' she mentally makes a note to kill John tomorrow. How dare he, how dare he make assumptions, how dare he insult her. She looks around the room. But was he right? When she refocuses on Emma she is fast asleep and there is no point in trying to get more information from her, so Victoria joins her in slumber. The next morning you wake up and go to check on Emma, she isn't in the room and you immediately feel panic and rush to Victoria's room. John stands in the doorway and places a finger on his lips. Peering into the room you see Victoria fast asleep holding Emma who is curled up against her. 'I think there is hope for you two yet.' John whispers. Your heart melts.