Part 2 : The lawyer's sister.

Ivy had passed the night in the coffee-shop, as there was a bedroom inside of it, since she didn't even get enough money with her to go to a hotel, and since Margot nor Tilly had a room for her in their apartment, it was the only solution they had.

So, the bartender had insisted to let her sleep there, before they got something better for her.

And this, even if Margot was not still sure and certain that Roni and Roland were going to accept her presence.

"Don't you think it will be a problem if your colleagues find me there without knowing I am here, or knowing who I am ?

Margot had shrugged.

- I sent them a message, warning them that you were here, and telling them I would explain them everything tomorrow. And no, you don't have to worry, since this is a familial business, I am sure my family is going to accept you there. Roland is my half-brother, and Roni is my step-mother, so… Yep, they are not the kind of people to blame me for this. Don't worry Ivy, we will find a way to fix this."

§§§§

It was early in the morning when Margot opened the coffee-shop again, and she smiled as she found Ivy in her bedroom, sleeping peacefully.

The last day had been quite harsh for her, so she could get a break after this, the bartender rapidly decided.

Luckily, the bedroom was goodly isolated from the rest of the shop, so the young woman would not heard the noises around her. Well, not too much.

She had expected the first customers of the day to be people/couples she knew, like Henry and Jack, Gideon and Roderick, her mother and Chad, or even Tiana and Jacinda, but the first person she saw this day (just before Roland and Roni, in fact), was a blond woman with two braids that she didn't know.

But it seemed that the contrary was not true, since the woman's face seemed to lighten the second she saw her.

"You're Margot West, aren't you ?

- Yes, it's me, the bartender immediately politely replied. She looked at her more carefully, finding that there was something familiar about her, and she realized who she must be, and a light of realization appeared at this moment in her eyes. You're Nick's sister, right ? Gretel Branson. Your brother told me about you.

- And so did he about you, and your marvelous coffee-shop, and how it was there that he had found and met Henry Mills there, his husband, the love of his life, etc, etc… All these boring things you must have already heard from your cousin, and I say boring since… Oh, god, he told me these one so many times ! He talked about this coffee-shop… like millions and millions of times, and so, I just had to come here if I wanted him to stop…"

She was not really angry or something like that, and there was a great smile of affection on her face, as she was talking about her brother.

Margot chuckled.

"Annoying but nice… She answered, amused. I know it, you see, I have got the same one at home, she joked."

Because, to say the truth, Tilly was not really that annoying.

Most of the time.

"I see what you mean… You can thank him, since he is the reason why I finally came into your shop. She looked around her. And, to say the truth, it's a really nice place."

Since it was really early, there was no one else except Gretel – no other customers, at least – so it was really calm, and Roni had just arrived into the coffee-shop, Margot could continue to talk with Gretel.

Even if her step-mother was surely going to blame her for talking with customers, instead of doing what she had to do, that is to say… working.

"Tell me, Gretel, what are doing in life ? She asked her, curious.

Gretel had a little laugh.

- Regarding to my name, you will laugh at me if I tell you… I guess my parents or fate have a strange sense of humor… Or the gift of foresight, maybe, I don't know… Since not a little time, I own my own confectionery making, she said with pride."

Margot indeed smiled but didn't laugh.

"That's… a pretty good coincidence that you kind of get the same link with candies as the Gretel of the tale… I find it funny, and I am happy for you. So, now, do you intend to order something ? She demanded her, feeling Roni's look on her, knowing that she had to do her job."

Gretel commanded a coffee, and then she sat down on a chair after she got her drink.

Roni immediately came to see Margot after she had herself delivered their orders to the other customers.

"Tell me Margot, can you give me some details about Ivy Belfrey ? Who is she, and what's going on with her ? Roland gave me some things about it, but as he doesn't know everything, I don't have the full story.

- It's a… complicated story…"

She tried to summarize the full story as fast as she could, seeing Roni being more and more interested by this.

"So, she needs help, and you offered her a job and a place to stay… She then smiled to her step-daughter. I don't know if I would have done the same thing for someone who hadn't contacted me for more than ten years, she admitted. I'm proud of you Margot… You made the good choice. Where is she now ?

- Sleeping. I didn't want to wake up her, after what happened yesterday…

Roni nodded.

- I get it… Do you think she can begin to work today, or does she need to wait a little time ?

Margot frowned, thinking about it.

- I don't know… She has nothing with her, you know…

- The situation can't stay this way… I have some contacts in the Belfrey Towers, maybe they could talk to Victoria Belfrey, and ask her to prepare her daughter's things, and give them to someone…

- Not to Ivy, clearly… I guess I will have to do this, I am not sure Jacinda will be okay to see again her step-mother… And I don't think anyone wants to talk to her.

- Indeed… Not everyone gets the chance to have a step-mother like me ! Roni said with humor, not being that serious, and Margot smiled at her.

Because she knew it was true, and that she had been really lucky.

- I agree. That won't be an easy confrontation, she muttered.

- Please, don't be too… I don't know… vindictive ? Violent ?

- You know me better than that Roni… Of course I will punch her right into her face ! She exclaimed, deeply ironic. She deserves just this, after all ! Being more serious, she added : I will do my best. For Ivy. I will give her all the help I can give her."

Some hours passed, and, at the end of the day, Roni came to tell her that Tilly had brought Ivy with her, Jacinda and Sabine to a cinema, in order to change her mind, and so she wouldn't know right now that Margot had came to see her mother.

The young bartender came at the Belfrey's house, and sighed, knocking the door.

It was going to be a long, long and painful moment to pass.

§§§§

Victoria Belfrey opened the door, and Margot immediately felt the desire to run away.

She never liked her, not even before Ana's accident.

And the feeling was clearly reciprocal.

At this time, Victoria only tolerated her because she was one of only Ivy's friends, but that was all.

Victoria's look on her was as it always was : full of despise and disdain.

How did Ivy succeed to live for years in this house with this look always on her ? How could she support this coldness every time ? Margot asked herself, feeling a shiver of fear cross her spine.

"Hello Mrs Belfrey, Margot told her, being the most polite she could be.

- Miss West, Victoria answered, being as cold as she ever was.

It's West-Rogers now, actually, Margot told to herself.

But Victoria Belfrey clearly didn't need to know that she was married.

And by the way, why would she care about it ?

"I came here to take Ivy's things.

- I know."

Wow… She was even less ready to talk than usually…

It wouldn't bother her too much, since she had nothing to tell her.

Margot took them and transferred them into her car, and came back at the side of the door, thinking she wouldn't have to talk anymore to Victoria, and being already relieved by this perspective.

Until the business woman talked again.

"Tell to my daughter that she won't be welcomed anymore here, and that's there is no way I will let her come back."

Margot had a sinister laugh.

"Because you really think that she does want to come back home ? Then, Mrs Belfrey, you're fucking wrong. You really think that anyone who would have been treated by you the way you treated her would want to come back ? Do you even think she still considers this place as a home ?

- I don't allow you to talk to me this way !

- I give myself the permission to do so… because it's the truth. Your obsession for Ana, for her wake-up, it made you forget that you still had a second daughter, who loved you… I'm happy that Ivy finally opened her eyes, because now, she will have a chance to be happy, and herself, far from you. I hope it will be for the best."

Victoria looked at her with rage, and closed the door, while Margot had clenched her fists with anger.

She began to relax only when she saw the door of her home, her wife being at the outside of this.

This one welcomed her with a kiss, and for some seconds, Margot just allowed herself to forget Ivy's terrible situation.

Tilly smiled to her, remarking her angry look.

"I guess you talked with the "lady", she said, ironic.

Her wife nodded her head.

- Yes, I did… And I hate her even more than I ever did.

- Is she really that horrible ? Tilly asked her with curiosity.

After all, she never met her.

- She is a bad mother… Since Ana had her freaking accident, she turned her daughter's life into a true Hell. And I am not even talking about Jacinda's… I think it was even worst."

Tilly frowned, her look being a little lost for some seconds.

"Oh, I see it… I know some things about bad mothers, she whispered for herself, as she had been abandoned by her mother when she was just a baby."

Margot smiled at her with comfort and tenderness, putting her hand on her shoulder.

"I understand why you want to help her, Margot, Tilly admitted. And I will help too as much as I can. Did you give her what you took from her home ? She asked, talking about Ivy. If I am not wrong, now, she is in her room in the coffee-shop."

The other woman turned her head.

"Nope. I don't want to disturb her this evening, she deserves some time for herself… I will give this to her tomorrow… By the way, we should find a way to give her a place for her. A house, an apartment, something…"

Some seconds later, Tilly's eyes began to shine with excitement, as she had a new idea in her mind.

"I know it ! She exclaimed. You talked with Gretel today, didn't you ?

- Nick's sister ? Yes, of course, I just met her… Why ?

- Well, as I heard it, she is looking for an apartment to rent too, and if I remember it well, she searches someone to live with her, so the rent won't be too expensive. Do you think we could propose this to her ?

- That's a great idea Tilly ! It will be a good thing for her, as she will have something for her, and it will allow her to make some friends, and know other people, and not be alone anymore. And I won't be her only friend. It can only improve her life. And I hope the locator will be indulgent with her since she has not a lot of money with her… Not before she begins to work, in fact.

- Doesn't she have some money with her now ?

- I don't know, I didn't look at her things, so…

- Then, let's just make them meet… tomorrow ?

- Fine… Ivy really deserves to make a fresh start."