Chapter 711 Settling Things
The moment Lucy stepped inside the house, Sonia who had been waiting for her, took her hand and dragged her to the porch since everyone else had gone into the study to discuss their grandfather's funeral arrangements, while one of the housekeepers was attending to Dawn and prepping her for bed.
"What is wrong?" Lucy asked as she followed Sonia.
"I should be asking you. I noticed how you were acting with Dawn during dinner earlier. Did something happen during the short nap I took?" Sonia asked as they walked through the door that led to the porch.
"Does something need to happen in order for me to be nice to the kid?" Lucy asked and Sonia shook her head.
"No. Not exactly. But it seemed like you were making so much effort to get everyone to talk to her," Sonia said as they sat on the swings and Lucy nodded.
"Yes, I was. Earlier when I went to check in on her, she was crying silently in the guest room."
"Aww. Poor kid," Sonia said softly.
"I will need your help too. You should also be more friendly towards her. That way it would be easier for Bryan to accept her. I'm sure Desmond and Evelyn would relax better around her when they see she has been accepted by their children," Lucy said and Sonia sighed.
"Alright. You know I'm not as good with kids as you are, but I will try," Sonia said and Lucy laughed softly.
"You're not as good with kids yet you are the one who is pregnant," Lucy pointed out and Sonia grinned.
"One of the ironies of life. But that doesn't mean I won't be good with my kid," Sonia said and Lucy nodded.
"That I am sure of," Lucy said and then after a second she sighed, "I spoke with Kimberly earlier," she said and Sonia raised a brow.
"Who called? And why?" Sonia asked and Lucy explained the details of their conversation to her.
Sonia sighed when Lucy was done, "She must have really loved the old man," Sonia said with a shake of her head.
"Yeah. I feel sorry for her. I hope she is able to resolve things with her parents and show up in time for the funeral so she can take Dawn home," Lucy said and Sonia nodded.
"Me too. Did you tell Tom about the call?" Sonia asked and Lucy raised a brow.
"Do you expect me to? We both know he is going to freak out, and that's the last thing I want. All I want is for everything to be over so we can return to our normal peaceful lives," Lucy said with a sigh.
"I understand. By the way, Bryan wants me to apologize to Evelyn for what I said during breakfast. He said I came off as rude," Sonia said and Lucy nodded.
"Yes, I think you should do so. The last thing I want is for you both to be on bad terms because of me," Lucy said and Sonia scowled.
"I was hoping you would say I wasn't rude," Sonia said and Lucy grinned.
"You were in a way. And I think I was too. As much as I appreciate you standing up for me, Sony, I'd prefer it if you don't take my side me that way next time. It's not me and you versus them," Lucy said and Sonia raised a brow.
"What's that supposed to mean? I shouldn't do anything when you are standing alone? Had Tom defended you I wouldn't have had to step in," Sonia pointed out.
"Sony, I love you and I love how loyal you can be. But I don't think it's wise for you to have problems with Bryan or the rest of the family on my account. I will make sure I never get involved in such a situation with the family next time. But if for whatever unavoidable reason it happens, don't jump to my defense whether or not Tom takes my side. Allow me deal with it myself," Lucy said and Sonia raised a brow.
"Are you saying if it were the other way around you wouldn't have stepped in to have my back?"
"I wouldn't have had to because you wouldn't have handled things the way I did," Lucy said but Sonia wasn't having that.
"That was a yes or no question, Lu," Sonia pressed testily.
"I would have spoken up but not the way you did. All I'm trying to say is that I don't want you fighting with Bryan or anyone else on my account. How do you think that's going to make you look after I might have resolved my issues with them?" Lucy asked and Sonia rolled her eyes.
"Fine. Whatever. Suit yourself," Sonia said irritably and Lucy grinned.
"I'm just going to tell Evelyn to blame my action on her grand baby," Sonia said and Lucy giggled.
"As if anyone is going to buy that. So, how are the pregnancy symptoms coming?" She asked, wanting to change the subject and Sonia sighed as her hands moved to rub her flat abdomen.
"Apart from the fact that I feel tired and sleepy all the time, the nausea is terrible," Sonia complained.
"That's the same thing you say every time I ask. Let me know if you need my help in any way to make things easier," Lucy offered.
"I'm going to need your help. I was hoping we could go over to my apartment to sort out my stuff. I have to do it before we return to Ludus. Since I'm getting married to Bryan and won't be coming back here, this is the best time to bid the place goodbye," Sonia said and Lucy sighed when a wave of nostalgia hit her.
"I'm going to miss that place," Lucy said and Sonia rolled her eyes.
"As if you've given it any thought since you moved to Ludus," Sonia said dryly and Lucy giggled.
"I've been too busy worrying about all the drama that came into my life since Tom to worry about anything else," Lucy said and Sonia nodded.
"True. It all started from your first night in Ludus, didn't it? First drama was hooking up with a stranger at the club, then finding out he is your next door neighbor, and then getting to know he is your driver, and then he turns out to be your boss, and the drama with Anita. It's been from one drama to another, and here you are dealing with the family drama," Sonia said and Lucy shook her head in amusement.
"It's safe to say all the relationship drama I've been avoiding by being single for years caught up with me in this one relationship," Lucy said and both she and Sonia laughed out loud.
"Is the wedding still set to hold in a month?" Lucy asked and Sonia gave her a nod.
"Sure. Maybe I could appease Evelyn by involving her in the plans. What do you think?" Sonia asked and Lucy grinned.
"I'm sure she would love that. Let's go in. They should be done with their meeting by now," Lucy said and they both headed inside.
"Where have you two been? I have looked everywhere for you," Jade said and Sonia scoffed.
"Liar. You obviously didn't look everywhere if you didn't check the porch," Sonia said making Lucy and Jade laugh.
"Anyway, my mom is asking for you, Lucy. And Dawn was asking for you too."
"What about me? Is nobody asking for me?" Sonia asked with a pout and Jade giggled.
"I'm asking for you," Jade assured her as she placed an arm around Sonia's shoulder.
"I guess Dawn is in the guest room. Where is Evelyn?" Lucy asked Jade.
"At the balcony," Jade informed her.
"Alright. I should go see waht Evelyn wants before going to see Dawn," Lucy said but Sonia stopped her before she could leave.
"Why don't I go keep Evelyn company while you go attend to Dawn? You can join us when you're done," Sonia said and understanding what she meant, Lucy gave her a nod as they all headed for the stairs.
"Do you think she is mad at me?" Sonia asked Jade as they both approached the balcony.
"I don't know about being mad but I'm sure she must not have liked the way you spoke to her. Did she say anything to you?" Jade asked and Sonia sighed.
"No, she didn't. We haven't said anything to each other since breakfast," Sonia said and Jade laughed softly.
"Funny how she seems to be cool with Lucy, and here you are," Jade said in amusement and Sonia scowled.
She guessed this was what Lucy had been saying earlier.
"I guess I shouldn't have interfered," Sonia said with a sigh.
"Or you could have interfered without sounding so confrontational. It's not a big deal, don't worry. If you're sorry, just tell her that and I'm sure she will be okay. Mom is not one to hold grudges. Do you want me to be there or should I leave you to go alone?" Jade asked as they got closer to the balcony.
"Well, join us in five minutes. Don't go too far away incase she decides to pull my hair to express her displeasure," Sonia said and Jade laughed.
"Don't be such a drama queen," Jade said and gave Sonia a nod to go ahead.
Sonia couldn't help feeling sort of nervous as she got closer to the balcony. She didn't know what to expect. Perhaps she really shouldn't have done that in the first place.
"Evelyn? Do you have a minute?" Sonia asked cautiously as she stopped a couple of few try away from Evelyn who was seated with her back to her.
"Is something wrong?" Evelyn asked as she turned, surprised to see Sonia instead of Lucy who she had been waiting to see.
"Not really. I just wanted to have a word with you if you don't mind," Sonia said and Evelyn gestured to the chair beside her for Sonia to sit down.
Sonia cleared her throat as she sat down, and she shifted uncomfortably when Evelyn merely stared at her without saying a word.
"I'm sorry for speaking to you in such a manner this morning. I realize I was rude and it wasn't my intention to disrespect you that way," Sonia said without meeting Evelyn's gaze.
Evelyn said nothing for some time as she stared at Sonia and after a while she sighed, "I must admit that your behavior was unexpected and it made me wonder if you had something against me before now," Evelyn admitted and this time Sonia met her gaze.
"I was with Bryan when he called you the other night and you both talked about what transpired between Tom and you, and I heard all you said. I really didn't like any of it, but that isn't any excuse for my action. I could have found a better way to talk to you about it instead of being so confrontational," Sonia said and Evelyn nodded thoughtfully.
"I see."
"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you. If it will make you less mad at me, you could blame your grandfetus for my behavior. You know, pregnancy hormones and accompanying mood swings," Sonia suggested with a shrug, and Evelyn let out a small laugh.
"I'm not mad, and I don't hold anything against you. I admit that I didn't like all that happened during breakfast, but some times stuff like that is bound to happen when people from different background are coming together and. It's just a sign that the family is growing," Evelyn said and Sonia reached for her hand, surprising them both.
"Thanks for not being mad. I promise to do better going forward. And if anyone, I repeat anyone, including and especially Lucy. If she dares to ever disrespect you I won't let it slide. I will give her a good spanking," Sonia promised enthusiastically and Evelyn laughed softly.
"Wow! I heard that, Sony," Lucy said dryly as she joined them at the balcony since Dawn had slept off already by the time she got to the guest room.
"Well, I only said that because I'm sure you would never deliberately do anything to disrespect her," Sonia said defensively, and Evelyn smiled as Lucy came to stand in front of her.
Lucy crouched down in front of Evelyn since only two seats were kept there and both were occupied.
"I know I've apologized to you already, but I still feel terrible. Is there a way we could put all that happened behind us? I don't want things to be tense or awkward between us," Lucy said and Sonia jumped in.
"Me too. Especially not when we need to put our heads together in making the wedding preparations," Sonia said, and Evelyn's eyes lit up.
"The wedding preparation?" Evelyn asked and Sonia bobbed her head.
"You didn't think we would go ahead without carrying you along, did you? We have a lot of plans to take care of, and since we are all here, I figured we ladies get to it and leave the funeral arrangements to the men. What do you think?" Sonia suggested and Jade who joined them rolled her eyes, knowing that this was Sonia's plan to get back on Evelyn's good book.
Jade hugged her mother from behind, "It's been a very long and awkward day around here. Feels like everyone has been tiptoeing around the other. So, why don't we put it behind us and focus on more important things like the wedding preparation?" Jade asked and Evelyn nodded.
"Yeah. Let's do that. And just so you know, I heard everything you all said and I will work on not interfering unless when absolutely necessary or you ask for my help," Evelyn promised and Lucy smiled.
"I will also work on not keeping to myself too much. That way I can meet you in the middle. I understand that I also need to make some personal adjustments," Lucy said and Evelyn smiled.
"That will be nice," Evelyn said and Jade clapped.
"Great! Let's have a group hug then," Jade suggested excitedly and they all rose to embrace each other.
As they all left the balcony with Lucy and Sonia flanking Evelyn at both sides, Evelyn turned to Lucy, "Thanks for taking care of Dawn despite the situation of things," Evelyn said since that had been the reason she asked for her earlier.
"It's the least I could do after all the trouble I caused…"
"I thought we agreed to put all that behind us?" Jade cut in before Lucy could finish.
"Yeah, we did. Sorry," Lucy said with an apologetic smile.
"It's been a long day. Why don't we all get some rest, and tomorrow we can talk about the wedding plans?" Evelyn suggested and they all nodded.
"Yes. And maybe go shopping? I'd like to get something to wear for the funeral," Jade suggested and they all agreed.
"Let's do that then," Evelyn said before bidding them goodnight.
As Evelyn walked into her bedroom she let out a breath of relief, grateful that she had been able to resolve things with Lucy and Sonia, and the family was at peace once again.
Although it might be difficult at first, she was going to do as they all had said. She knew she had done a good job raising them and as Desmond has said, it was time to step back and watch them live out their own lives.
After everything was settled, she was going to focus on herself going forward and take Jade's advise to travel to places she had always wanted to see.
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