"And may she rest in peace, Amen,"
"Am-en," Daniel said, and quickly turned to hug Aveline's legs.
"Oh you poor thing," she crouched, and hugged him fully. "Think of it this way. Lizzy is going to decay, and help bring forth more beautiful flowers all over the garden. Even in death, she's going to be super useful. Everytime you come into this garden, you'll feel her presence. Never forget that." She pulled him away, and began to dry his tears.
"Thank you Ave– Ave–"
"Aveline," she laughed, completely smitten by how charming he was.
"Thank you Aveline."
"Don't mention."
"Daniel?" Aveline heard as she was straightening up..
She turned together with Daniel to see a woman approach them.
"Jesus Christ Daniel. I've searched everywhere for you! Didn't I tell you not to wander around!" She raised her voice in frustration.
Aveline looked down at Daniel, and then at the woman. They bore an uncanny resemblance. He was in all ramifications, his mother's son.
"I'm Aveline," she said, stretching her hand out to the woman.
She gasped. "Miss Aveline? The one they talk about in the kitchen? You're marrying the mister. I'm so sorry for my horrible manners. I'm Joanne," she hastily introduced herself, accepting Aveline's handshake.
Aveline felt awkward again. It was the second time one of the staff was acting like she was some important figure. She still didn't know how to accept such strange reactions to her presence.
"It's nice to meet you Joanne," she shook her hand firmly. "You've raised a very beautiful, and amazing child. He has such a precious soul. We just finished burying his pet. You have to be nice to him," she said, withdrawing her hands.
Joanne's eyes watered as she looked down at her son. "He can't just go wandering about. I—"
"I'm back, Ave!" Freya sang at the top of her voice, as she appeared in their midst.
She paused when she saw Aveline wasn't alone.
"Thank God you're here. This is Joanne," Aveline quickly introduced. "And this is her son, Daniel."
"Good evening miss, Freya." Joanne bowed swiftly. With her hand, she pushed her son to do the same.
Freya caught the gesture, and stopped him before he could make any move. "Don't bow to me like I'm some royalty. What century are we in? Hello Daniel, I haven't seen you around here before. You're such a cutie." She smiled affectionately at him.
"Hello Miss Freya." He pronounced her name perfectly, earning a clap from her.
"So what is this about?" Freya moved her gaze back to Aveline, after high-fiving the little boy.
"We were just leaving Ma'am. Sorry to disturb your pe—"
"Joanne apparently is covering up for one of the workers here called Diana. Daniel also says his father hits her. I was wondering if there's any way we can help her so she doesn't have to return to such an abusive environment." Aveline laid it all out, not mincing her words.
Joanne's mouth hung open, as she stared at her beloved son. The tears that had previously been just a sting in her eyes, dropped before she could stop them from falling.
"How– he wasn't supposed to know," she whispered with a hollow, heartbroken voice.
Freya looked at her pitifully, before responding to Aveline's claims. "I know Diana. She's one of the kitchen staff. But yeah, if abuse is involved, we have to intervene. Unfortunately, the staff list here is full."
Aveline's face fell. She had really hoped that at least Joanne could fully work here. Then she'd get the shelter she needed.
"But—"
Aveline whipped her head up. "But?"
"Atlas cook isn't live-in, and she's moving out of the country. She can go with you to be the replacement after the wedding. Ask Atlas. I'm certain he won't mind it," she said.
"Ask Atlas," Aveline whispered in her mind.
She didn't know how to tell her that she wasn't in the position to just ask Atlas anything. They didn't have that kind of relationship.
Unfortunately, to everyone else, she was the woman he loved and was marrying. She was supposed to ask him for anything with the assurance he would grant it.
"Please don't bother yourself, ma'am. I really thought I was able to shield my son from his father's horrible ways. I had no idea he witnessed all of that brutality. I'll find a way out of it I promise. Please don't worry yourself," Joanna pleaded with a pitiful, and hopeless expression in her teary eyes.
Suddenly, Aveline knew she had to do everything in her power to help her. Not just for her sake, but also for the sake of Daniel's future.
"I'll ask Atlas. He won't refuse," she declared confidently, and then turned to Daniel. "Would you like to live with me, Daniel?" She asked.
He hugged her legs in response, and Joanne lost it as she began to wail.
***
The duo of Aveline, and Freya walked to Aveline's room a couple of minutes later.
"It's so cool of you to help Joanne and her son. I'm sure Atlas wouldn't mind helping too," Freya said as they stopped at the door.
"I hope he doesn't," Aveline said in her mind. "Yeah, I'm sure too," she replied to Freya.
"Alright. I'm sorry the dinner that was promised didn't come. Riles was stuck handling some problems that came up. But, I'll have dinner hand delivered to you. Or I'll just come get you so we can all have dinner in my room. How'd you like that?" She asked with a smile.
Aveline couldn't help but to return her infectious smile. "I'd really like that."
"Great! See you in twenty?"
"Sure."
"I like that. Here's your phone. I kept it safe for you. The group chat is up too, so don't forget to check for updates. I'll see you soon, okay?"
Aveline laughed as she accepted the phone from her. "I'll see you soon." She waved.
Freya walked away, and she walked into the room.
"What a day!" She breathed out, as she carefully placed her phone on the bed, and dashed into the bathroom.
Laid in the bathtub, Aveline allowed herself to go through her day in her head.
However, every time she got to Daniel, she felt a heaviness in the pit of her stomach.
"I wish I could have helped you." She closed her eyes, and a tear dropped out of it.
The water slowly began to feel like a warm hug. The kind she had been missing for years.
"I should have helped you. If only I had the resources," she whispered again.
This time, she allowed herself to cry, taking her earlier advice.
"It's okay to cry," she thought, as she grieved uncontrollably.
When Aveline finally wrapped a towel around her body, she felt a bit more alive.
The Aveline that had just cried out her heart was nowhere to be found. In her place, was one ready to continue the battles she had fought for a very long time.
Whistling, with water dropping from her hair down to her body, and the towel tied securely around her chest, she walked into the room.
Aveline's hum seized the moment her gaze stumbled on Atlas who had his back turned to her.
Perhaps, it was the running water. She had not heard him come in.
"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" He turned her way, folding the shirt he had taken off right before she walked in.
Aveline, too stunned by his presence, stared at him silently, and without blinking.
"Hmmm," Atlas mused, as his eyes moved, following the direction of the water as it drizzled down her body.
He inhaled sharply, and before he could hold back, began to walk towards her.