Blaire spent three weeks slaving away at Constance's plan. She spent her days at the house with Vivien. As much as she wanted to hate her for Constance, she couldn't. Vivien was like a mother she never really had. Blaire wouldn't admit it to anyone, but she would do anything for Vivien. Blaire even dealt with Ben's crazy spells and Moira's disapproving demeanor. Violet kept her distance. She shot Blaire constant looks of disgust, but she never said anything more than a simple greeting. Vivian desperately wanted Blaire to be a role model for Violet, but neither of the girls were too eager to spend time together. And Tate… he stayed away as far as Blaire could tell. Every day she entered the house she was hopeful that she'd see him, but she left without a single encounter.
She was doing it all for him, and he was ignoring her. But she wouldn't give up.
At night Blaire would put up with Constance's nagging and the sounds of her lovemaking. As much as she enjoyed Addy's company, her constant questions and presence grew to irritate Blaire. Blaire locked herself in the study with a laptop she had stolen from a house a few blocks down. She read everything. She studied classical music so Vivien would like her more. She read up on new medical discoveries so Ben would enjoy her company.
After narrowly escaping Addy in the hall one morning, Blaire hustled down the stairs to make an escape to the Harmon house. She wasn't expecting Constance to be waiting for her in the kitchen.
"Isn't it a little early for you, Constance?" Blaire joked. "I mean, you were up all night humping that innocent man. He hasn't realized how much of a soulless cunt you are yet? No? I'm sure he will soon and leave you like all the others."
"Shut your mouth," Constance hissed, raising a long finger at Blaire. "Listen here, you good for nothing bitch, if you don't find me a way into that house by the end of today I will tie you to my bed and gut you like a pig."
"Have you forgotten that I'm already dead?" Blaire laughed. "Your age must be getting to you."
"Get out!" Constance screamed, lunging in Blaire's direction.
She dodged Constance's attack and ran out of the house. She was shoeless and didn't have any of her supplies for the day with Vivien. She didn't want Vivien to see her in her disheveled state, but she didn't want to go back inside. Defeated, she traveled the brief distance to the neighboring house. Much to Blaire's surprise, Vivien was already kneeling in the garden. When she heard Blaire approach, she popped her head up from the flowers.
"Blaire! Are you ready for our gardening lesson?" She smiled excitedly. Her face fell when she glanced at Blaire's pensive face she stood up. "What's wrong?"
Blaire looked down at her bare feet, "Constance."
"Did she hurt you?" Vivien questioned as she rushed to Blaire's side.
"Almost," Blaire admitted. There was something about Vivien that allowed her to let her guard down. "I can handle myself. I've done it for a long, long time. I'm just tired of living in a setting where I'm afraid of the people I live with."
"You shouldn't have to, Blaire. You're a wonderful girl. You deserve more."
"Yeah right," Blaire sniffled.
"I'm serious! You need to leave Constance's as fast as you can," Vivien urged.
"I'm broke. I can't find a job. I have nowhere to go."
Vivien chewed on her bottom lip for a second before her eyes lit up, "Blaire! You can move in with us. I haven't started on the baby's nursery yet. You can stay there until you find a place."
"I can't take a room away from your baby," Blaire said with a smile. "Thank you though."
"I'm begging you," Vivien grasped Blaire's cold hands. "Come live with us."
"I can't take the baby's room," Blaire said again. "But if you really want me to move in, I can stay in the attic."
"The attic is kind of… gross," Vivien frowned.
"It's the only way I'll stay," She cracked a small smile. "Besides, it's better than the basement."
"Well… if you say so…"
Vivien's frown gradually faded into a smile as Blaire spoke. She was happy for the first time in a long time. There was something about Blaire that made her feel alive again. It was her second chance at raising a daughter, as much as she didn't want to admit it.
She hugged Blaire. It was the first time Blaire had been touched in a long time. She was taken off guard by the warmth. It felt so strange against her skin. She lightened up and fell into the embrace, hugging Vivien back.
"Thank you so much, Viv," Blaire muttered against her neck. "I promise to help you out as much as I can. I'll find a job and pay rent. I'll do anything you need me to do."
Vivien gave a small, mother-like chuckle, "The only thing I need you to go is go get your things from Constance's house. Instead of gardening, you and I can spruce up the attic. We'll make it feel just like home."
Vivien sent Blaire off with a warm smile. Blaire entered the hell of a home she'd been staying at for the past few weeks, hoping to avoid Constance. She crept up to the study successfully.
She didn't have a lot of worldly possessions, but what she did fit in her old duffle bag. She had the same clothes for over a decade. There was an aged photo of her with her parents when she was an infant… before everything turned to shit. She kept another photo tucked away. It was of her and Tate. It was what kept her going for all the years she was away. The photo was hidden between the pages of a long letter from Tate. His words were so poetic and full of love.
"What are you doing?"
Blaire peeked over her shoulder. Addy stood in the doorway trying to see what Blaire was doing. She shoved the last of her dirty clothes into the bag and stood up to face the child-like woman.
"Addy," Blaire whispered. She hadn't really thought of that side of the decision. It pained her to leave the poor girl with her monster mother. "I'm leaving."
"Where are you going?"
Blaire rubbed her neck, "I'm going to a new home. Okay? I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be sorry about anything. I would leave if I could."
"Listen," Blaire rested a hand on Addy's shoulder. She leaned in and whispered, "I may not be here with you, but if you need me, just close your eyes real hard and think of me. Say my name a few times and I'll be there."
"Promise?" Addy murmured weakly.
"I promise," Blaire smiled.
They said their goodbyes, and Blaire scurried down the stairs. Her exit, however, wasn't as Constance free as her entrance was.
"Where do you think you're going?" Constance drawled, raising an eyebrow.
"Vivien invited me to move in, and I accepted," Blaire said stiffly.
Constance's face burst with happiness, "Dear lord, I never thought it was possible for you to get in! I thought I was going to have to kill you again. Maybe I was wrong about you, Miss Stafford."
"No," Blaire shook her head. "I didn't get in for you. I'm done with your stupid ass plan. I'm not sabotaging anything. I'm done. I'm leaving you and your stupid house and your stupid plan."
"It looks like you grew a pair of balls," Constance mused.
"I've always had them. I just had to find them again."
Constance let out a wild bark of laughter that nearly had her doubled over. She clutched at her side. Blaire had had enough. She dropped her bag and grabbed the old woman by the shoulders. She leaned in close and growled,
"You're such a washed up piece of shit. I finally have a chance to be happy. I'm going to have a family again. If you ruin anything- ANYTHING- I will slit your throat. I will rip your damn heart out. You may see yourself as a murder, but all I see is a lonely hag who has nothing better to do with her time than to tear apart people's lives. I'm going to say this once… leave me alone."
She spit in Constance's face. It was something she'd wanted to do for over two decades. It was a hard release of emotions. She was full of adrenaline. Constance was in shock. Blaire grabbed her bag with a smile on her face and left. As she walked to the house, the house that had beckoned her for years, she felt as if she was shedding a metaphorical layer and replacing it with a new one. She was ready for her new life.
