"We need to talk about something," Vivian said as their conversation died down for a moment. Her tone was authoritative, and Siobhan was nervous to hear the woman talk. She knew she had no reason to fear Vivian; she was just looking out for her.
Autumn and Reece had reached out to Vivian. They had caught on to the fact that Siobhan was most comfortable with Vivian. Long story short, the siblings received the deeds to the nursery from their father, and as well as this, they received the deeds to the man's estate. This estate amassed a fortune, and both Reece and Autumn agreed that they had no reason for this money or the estate. They wanted no ties to their father, but they had enough money each that they could live comfortably for probably the rest of their lives. Siobhan, however, Roger had taken everything from Siobhan; she had no money of her own and had taken out an impromptu loan for the time being until she could figure out what she was doing next. All of this happened because Roger had managed to convince Siobhan that what was his was hers and vice versa. Except what was his was his, and what was hers was his.
He had everything.
"Hm?" Siobhan smiled as she stirred her coffee. Her face dropped slightly as she realised Vivian's face was earnest. "Oh god," she mumbled.
"It's nothing bad, sweetheart," Vivian said, reaching over the table to hold Siobhan's hand. "Reece and Autumn reached out to me, Roger left them the deeds to the house you guys shared," she paused. She hated bringing up Roger. She saw the way that he had hurt her Siobhan, and it crushed her to know she couldn't really do anything about it when she had the thoughts. It was the same with her mother. Vivian watched her mother go through years of abuse, and she wasn't big enough or strong enough to help her. That's why she went into nursing; at least that way, she could help people. Vivian's father had very much turned into a product of his addiction, and there was nothing a young Vivian or her mother could do.
Siobhan was silent.
"They have any purpose for the house; they wouldn't really benefit from selling it; they know what he left you with." Nothing, he left her with nothing, "and they believe that you would benefit from it more than them. You'd be able to do what you want with it."
Siobhan was staring at a spot behind Vivian's head. The coffee house was old, and there was a slight crack in the wall behind Vivian's head. Presumably from where there was once a picture hung, or maybe it was the paint cracking. She would put a picture there to hide the imperfection. Imperfections were no good if you were Siobhan. Siobhan's hand instinctively went to the back of her head, lightly tracing the scar that lay there. It was still tender.
"Baby, don't do that," Vivian said softly. "What are you thinking? Hm, let me in that pretty brain of yours," Vivian prompted.
"It won't make sense; I won't make sense." Siobhan said, bringing her focus back to Vivian. "I won't make sense," she whispers.
"Baby, you do make sense, I'll make sense of it." vivian reassured.
Siobhan took a sharp breath before reconnecting her hands with Vivian. She brought one of the woman's hands up to her mouth before pressing a soft kiss to the palm.
"He took everything from me," she started, "and put me in a position where I feel like I can't accept anything from anyone."
"And that house. I-I have a very limited memory of that house—I hate that house."
"Baby, you don't have to make a decision yet. We have some time, if it makes you feel any better, we can talk to Reece and Autumn, so you can hear it from them yourself." Vivian said, noticing Siobhan's nervousness.
Siobhan was quick to change the subject, noticing the warmth of Vivian's hands. She made a comment about the warmth of Vivian hands. The warmth was similar to that of the Americano she'd been nursing. She was nursing the coffee in order to extend the time they spent in the coffee house. The longer they spent there, the longer Siobhan could stay in her bubble of warmth and safety.
"Oh my sweet girl," Vivian said, kissing Siobhan's hands. She was trying to steer the conversation back to the one at hand.
Siobhan noticed this and steered it back herself; Vivian was glad for this as it allowed the blonde to take control of the conversation.
"Can we go to the nursery tomorrow? When you drop of Jamie, I'll talk to Reece and Autumn then," she concluded.
