hi everyone! sorry for the delay I just slowly wrote this. It's kind of a fast chapter but it more or less sets the setting for the story which is important. Hope everyone's school year is going well and winding down. Of course, I should be studying for exams but whenever i have stuff to accomplish, i'm more distractable and i do all this. for anyone graduating, CONGRATS.
all the stories and writers here are amazing so do read their stories if you don't. Also, please please read and review this because it's super nice to know people like my stories :) i'm working on a new story but I'm suddenly torn between two ideas and I'm not sure how to pick so yeah i gotta get on that hahaha.
hope summer comes very fast for everyone. enjoy this chapter!
Juliet sat at the table in her favorite crimson and gold dress. Her stomach was in knots and she kept twisting her hands. She was nervous. Violet would be home from her day classes at the academy in a few minutes and that was when Juliet and Gnomeo were planning to tell her that she had grandparents and some extended family in America. She had known this day would come but she hadn't thought so soon.
"It's going to be fine." Gnomeo said, looking over at her. "She'll understand."
"I hope you're right." Juliet replied, twisting a chestnut curl around her finger.
Just then, the door opened. "I'm home!" Violet's cheery voice called.
"Hi honey, how was your day?" Juliet asked. Violet walked into the room, her bag still slung over her shoulder.
"It was fine but why do you look so serious?" Violet asked and Juliet couldn't believe she was that obvious.
"We need to talk to you." Gnomeo explained, gently. Violet's granny-smith apple green eyes widened.
"Is something wrong?"
"No, darling not really." Juliet told her as Violet sank slowly into a chair.
"Then what is it?" Violet inquired.
Juliet took a deep breath and made eye contact with Gnomeo.
"You know where we came from right?" Juliet began, her heart pounding.
"America. You guys moved here when I was a baby." Violet said quizzically.
"Yes. But we never mentioned any family left there, did we?" Juliet asked, trying to ease into it.
"No, I didn't think there was any family." Violet replied, her voice trailing off at the end. She looked up at her parents.
"Well, you see, that's where it gets complicated." Juliet began.
"You know why we left the states right?" Gnomeo asked.
"Well, now I'm not so sure." Violet said, defensively.
"Back there, your mom and I came from different families and our families really disliked each other. Like since forever." Gnomeo explained. "Our whole relationship had to be a secret and once it wasn't, it wasn't very accepted."
"I knew you came from rival families but I don't see where you're going with this." Violet replied, cautiously.
"When we left, we wanted to protect you. We were afraid our families might try and take you or someone might harm you." Juliet told her.
"But circumstances have changed, and it's time you knew that you have relatives in New York and they want to see us." Gnomeo said, gently.
"What?" Violet replied, her voice full of shock. "And you never told me?"
"We wanted to protect you!" Juliet replied and Violet looked away.
"I don't know what to say." Violet whispered.
"That's alright, but look here this is my mother or your grandmother and she is still alive. You know my dad died when I was very young." Gnomeo said. He pushed a photograph forward and pointed to the plump woman in a big blue dress who sat in the center.
"That's my mom, Katherine. The guy on the left is me when I was your age and the small guy on the right is my cousin, so your great uncle, Benny."
"I can't believe this." Violet whispered. She turned to her mother. "You too?"
The betrayal in Violet's eyes broke Juliet's heart just a little.
"Yes." Juliet replied. She too had a photograph.
"My father, your grandad, is still alive."
"But your mom died?" Violet asked to confirm.
"Yes I was ten."
"Is that all? I mean, what else is there?"
Gnomeo looked at Juliet. "I think so, but if there's anything you want to know-"
"N-no thanks. I think I've heard enough." Violet replied, cutting him off. "If you'll excuse me, I'd like to be alone."
"Violet, we're sorry!" Juliet called as Violet left the room. Violet didn't look back.
Violet ran into her room and dove into the bed, which is where she usually ended up when she was sad. She couldn't believe her parents would lie to her for seventeen years. She couldn't believe she had grandparents and great uncles and family. She just couldn't believe it. How could she have never thought twice or seen past her parents vague answers? She hated them for not telling her. Well, she didn't hate them but she was really upset and just confused. Deep down though, she knew she wanted to know more. Who were these people she was related to? What was their story? But knowing more would require talking to her parents and she wasn't really ready to do that yet. Then she had an idea. Featherstone was coming later for dinner! She didn't know what he knew, but maybe he could help. She hoped he hadn't been keeping these secrets too.
After a dinner where she didn't speak, Violet retreated to the sun porch. She sat on her favorite wicker chair under a thin and knit blanket.
"Hello!" She called upon seeing Featherstone come in.
"Violet." He smiled warmly. "I hear you've had quite a day." Violet craned her head to see if her parents were listening.
"Yes it was awful, they've been lying to me the whole time I've been alive." Violet told him.
"Now, it's not like that." He replied.
"Then what is it?" She asked, sort of already knowing.
"They wanted to protect you. Trust me, it wasn't an easy choice but they only did it because they love you." Featherstone reminded her.
"I know." Violet mumbled, feeling guilty.
"But you have a right to be upset, it's a lot to take in." Featherstone said.
Violet sighed. "It's crazy but I'll be fine, it could be worse."
"Exactly." Featherstone told her.
"So, what are they like?" Violet asked, seriously.
"Your family?" He asked.
"Yes." Violet replied.
"I can't really say, I didn't know them too well. You should ask your parents." Featherstone told her thoughtfully.
"I don't want to talk to them." Violet sighed.
"You can't be angry at them forever." Featherstone reminded her.
"I know." Violet replied. "It's just not fair what they did, springing this all on me at once like this. And so out of nowhere too. Why tell me now? Why this day? Why this age? What good does it do me to know that I do have family besides my parents that live an ocean away and haven't seen me since I was a baby? Why now?" Violet exclaimed. It wasn't like her to burst out her thoughts like that but this was different than anything she'd ever had happen to her.
"Well, it's not completely random." Featherstone told her.
"What do you mean?" Violet asked.
"Your grandfather is very sick and he wrote saying that his last wish was to see you and your mother again."
"Oh." Violet said, stunned.
"It's not an easy time for anyone." Featherstone told her.
"Oh my goodness, my poor mother." Violet whispered feeling her heart get sad and Featherstone nodded.
"Thanks." Violet told him. "This helped."
"Good." Featherstone replied.
After Featherstone left, Violet found her mother in her parents room.
"Violet!" Juliet said, suprised.
"I'm sorry I got so angry, earlier." Violet said, shuffling in.
"Oh sweetheart, it's alright. I would have reacted a lot worse if had been me." Juliet replied and Violet smiled ruefully.
"Come here." Juliet said and Violet sat next to her on the little couch. "I'm sorry we had to spring this on you, like this."
"It's okay. I talked to Featherstone." Violet told her as Juliet put her arms around her daughter.
"I know about your dad." She didn't call him grandpa because that just seemed too informal for a man she didn't even remember.
"You do?" Juliet asked, a little surprised.
"Yes. I'm very sorry that must be so hard." Violet said, biting her lip.
"I guess it hasn't really hit me yet, that he might pass away." Juliet admitted. "I've been so worried you would hate me forever."
"I couldn't ever hate you or dad!" Violet told her and Juliet chuckled.
"Well, I can tell you that I sometimes hated my dad."
"Really?" Violet asked. "Wasn't he anything like daddy?"
Juliet shook her head. "Maybe he was before my mother died. But afterwards, he was distant and very strict with me. I didn't get to go to balls and such. He saw me as very delicate and I didn't see myself as that. Maybe that's why I was so attracted to your dad, he was the first man in my life to really see me as a person."
"He doesn't sound very nice." Violet said, honestly.
"He usually wasn't, especially not to your father. But he really was that way because he wanted to protect me. I was all he had to love." Violet noticed tears dancing on her mother's eyes.
"Kind of the way you were trying to protect me." Violet finally pointed out. Juliet turned to look at her.
"I never thought of it like that." She said, her voice quiet. "I suppose somewhere the line between love and protectiveness gets blurred. Oh Violet, I am so sorry we ever kept this a secret from you."
"It's okay, I understand. I just have a lot of questions about them and what your life was like, I guess." Violet replied.
"I'll answer all of them." Juliet told her. "Anything you want to know."
Just then, Gnomeo came into the room.
"Have my favorite girls finally sorted this out?" He asked.
"Yes." Violet replied.
"Good." Gnomeo replied, sitting next to them. "Violet, I'm really sorry about this."
"It's alright." Violet replied. "I know about mom's dad."
Gnomeo nodded. "We're writing to know more, but it might mean a visit to the states."
"But Violet, if you don't want to go we won't make you." Juliet interjected.
"No, I think I would" Violet told her.
"Really?" Gnomeo was surprised,
"Yes. Speaking of, what's your mom like?" Violet asked her dad.
"She's very refined." Gnomeo began. "She's a wonderful person even if she comes off harsh at first."
"I just can't imagine them, my grandparents I mean. Wow, it's really weird to use the word grandparents." She marveled.
"Well if it helps, I know they want to meet you." Juliet said.
"This is all just so crazy." Violet said in awe
"For sure." Juliet replied softly as the family watched the sun set.
After Violet had gone to bed happy, Gnomeo and Juliet could breathe again.
"Thank goodness, she' s alright now." Juliet said, stretching her legs.
"I'm proud of her. She could have reacted a lot worse. We shouldn't have kept that stuff from her." Gnomeo responded as he started to get ready for bed.
"I guess not." Juliet faltered. "All those decisions seem like a world away."
"It really was a different time." Gnomeo said and he was right.
Juliet sighed. Years devoted to leaving the past behind now were all for nothing.
"Maybe it won't be so bad. Maybe they've changed." She said simply.
"Maybe." Gnomeo replied. "That's one of those things we won't be able to gauge until we get there."
"Exactly." Juliet exclaimed as she climbed under the sheets, shivering a little. The nights were still cool, even if the days were comfortably warm.
"This whole thing just makes me question what we did." Gnomeo admitted. The glow of the moonlight seemed to outline his best features.
"But Gnomeo, remember how you were going to take that lower position for that man who was buying the company? Remember how some man tried to steal Violet right out of her crib? Remember how our parents forbid us being together? I'm not saying that it wasn't a mistake to not tell Violet about her family until now but we did what we had to do." Juliet replied, a little heatedly. She hated the way regret sat in her stomach like lead.
Gnomeo nodded. "That's true."
"I just can't believe this is all happening!" Juliet sighed as she fell back onto the bed.
"It's going to alright." Gnomeo promised her as he lay next to her. He stretched out his big arms and Juliet found her way into them.
"Your dad's a tough guy, I'm sure it's not as bad as you think." Gnomeo told her.
"I hope so." Juliet whispered.
"We'll start planning the trip tomorrow." He said and Juliet nodded in agreement.
"I'm so lucky to have you in all this." Juliet told him. Gnomeo didn't respond. Instead, he leaned down and kissed her lips gently at first and then slowly deepening as she pulled him closer to her. They pulled apart for a second and the sly glimmer in his eyes met hers, both knowing where this was going.
WEEKS LATER
Juliet and Violet were running around the house trying to pack as they were leaving the next day.
"It's just two weeks, right?" Violet asked.
"For now." Juliet told her as she threw more dresses onto the bed. They had bought the tickets but things could always be changed depending on what they found when they got there.
"Oh I just don't know what I'm going to want!" Juliet exclaimed. This trip wasn't as easy to pack for because she wasn't very excited about it. Normally if they were jetting off to Paris or Moscow or somewhere tropical, she'd be throwing in whatever. But for this trip, she knew that everything she did or even wore mattered a lot. It threw her off.
"What you have is fine." Violet replied. "You don't need all this other stuff."
"I suppose not." Juliet agreed, sitting down. "How's your packing going?"
"I'm mostly finished." Violet said. "Will I need a ball gown?"
"Oh yes." Juliet told her. "If there's anything your grandparents were known for, it was their parties."
"New York also has a lot of good ballets too." Violet added.
"It does. Maybe we can get tickets for one of them." Juliet replied, picking up Nanette's letter which she had read over and over again.
Julie,
You sounded so worried in your letter. Your father's health has been in decline for a while but I cannot say how he's really doing. You remember how private he was. That said, I'm very happy you're coming back. It seems I visit you but you've never come home. I think it will be good, I really do. Your family wants to see you and Gnomeo's does too. Everyone is very curious about your Violet. Especially my daughter. I think Violet would be a good influence on her, honestly. Also, thank goodness you finally told Violet about her family. I'm not going to chastise you on that because I'm sure you and Gnomeo have done that to yourselves enough. I'm glad she's warmed up to the idea of them. You're lucky! On a serious note, I know you will dread this trip but I think it will be good. It's about time you came home.
Also, the guesthouse is ready for you! If I do say so myself, it looks lovely.
See you soon.
Be careful and I love you, hon.
Give my love to your family.
- Nanette.
"It would be amazing to dance there, it's becoming a capital for that sort of thing." Violet rambled on.
"Well, that's great! Now you have something to be excited about." Juliet responded, snapping out of her trance.
"I'm excited to meet my family too." Violet said, unable to sit still.
"Violet, we're your family. Your father and I." Juliet said, suddenly serious. Violet was taken aback.
"I know but so are they. I mean we have some of the same DNA."
"I mean technically yes, but just don't forget." Juliet was scaring Violet a little.
"Mama, I'm not going to like them better than you and dad." Violet replied.
"I'm not worried about that!" Juliet blanched. She didn't even know why she'd said that family thing.
"You don't have to protect me like that." Violet told her.
Yes I do. Juliet thought. It's all I've done your whole life. But that's not what she said.
"I know." She told her daughter.
The next morning, Gnomeo woke them up early. It was a cloudy morning and rain was spitting from the sky. Violet had a new soft pink traveling coat that matched her hat and went with her white shoes. Her hair was in a simple updo with her usual flyway curls blowing in the sea winds. She clutched her suitcase in her gloved hands as her father checked their tickets with the attendant. Her mother also looked very classy in her purple coat. Only Violet knew that her mother wore purple when she wanted to make a statement.
"We're good to go." Gnomeo told them.
"Thanks love." Juliet replied.
"Featherstone knows to feed Shroom and Gigi right?" Violet worried.
"He does. He also knows to watch the house and make sure the garden gets watered." He reassured her.
"Good." Violet replied as they boarded the boat. Quickly, they found their suite in first class. It had two bedrooms, a sitting room, and a bathroom. It was much fancier compared to the steerage areas that were packed full of immigrants.
The family emerged on the dock as the boat pulled away from the shore and Violet couldn't help but laugh as the salty water sprayed her face. America was just a sea away!
That night as she lay listening to the rocking waves, Violet wondered what seeing her family would be like. She wondered if they would even like her. She clutched the blankets just a little closer to her chin. A part of her wished the boat would just turn around and she wouldn't have to face this. She fell asleep distraught and woke up feeling disoriented to morning sunlight.
"Good morning." Her mother said softly kissing her cheek.
"Hi." Violet whispered. "I tossed and turned all night."
"I know." Juliet replied. "I heard you tossing around."
"I guess it was the rough waters or something." Violet sighed as Juliet got her tray of breakfast that they had ordered right to the room.
"Maybe, or you're nervous about tomorrow." Juliet guessed.
"Tomorrow? We don't get there until tomorrow afternoon?" Violet exclaimed. She was awake now.
"The weather last night slowed us down. It's alright though, these things happen." Violet shook her head.
"We'll find things to entertain us in the meantime." Juliet promised. Violet spent most the day playing cards and painting. But the boat wasn't so steady and so her paintings turned out runnier than she thought. She did like the dining rooms though. It was fun to eat and watch the ocean go by and up in first class they had music and dancing. Also, there were handsome sailors to watch. Despite her initial panic, the promised arrival came sooner than she thought.
"We're going to be here any moment." Juliet told her as they packed their things.
"Violet, if you look out the window you'll get your first glimpse of New York City." Gnomeo called. Violet ran to the window and she could just barely make out a crowded shoreline.
"Wow, we're really here!" She breathed and her breath fogged up the glass.
"Don't forget your coat." Her mother doted, handing her the soft pink coat.
"Don't forget your own coat!" Gnomeo teased her, helping Juliet into hers and she ran her hand along his cheek gently. Juliet was so grateful he was there.
"I think we're ready." He said, surveying the room one last time.
"I don't think I'll ever be ready." Juliet whispered, just so he could hear.
"We're ready." He said and Violet nodded excitedly. Clutching suitcases, they made their way to the front of the boat.
"New York City!" The conductor called and the family pushed their way to the front of the crowd. In a flurry on minutes, they were off the too crowded boat and Violet was taking her first steps on American soil. Nanette had sent over a carriage and sure enough it was waiting for them. Gnomeo helped the girls up and once the bags were secure, they headed off to Nanette and Paris's who were offering them their guesthouse. It was an easier choice than which of Gnomeo and Juliet's parents they should stay with. And a lot homier than a hotel. As they drove, Violet became entranced. All around there were things to see. Violet looked every which way hardly able to take it in. It was amazing! People called out to each other from every direction and buildings were just starting to grow. It was exhilarating.
Juliet was soaking in memories. This skyline and storefronts had been her home for her whole girlhood. She looked over at Gnomeo. She knew he was feeling a similar way. She reached over and squeezed his hand. It was easier to focus on Violet's awe and curiosity and how much joy that brought her.
Soon, they were out the inner city and into the streets where manors on large acres of land were all you could see. Juliet was practically drowning in the nostalgia of it all.
The carriage stopped at a modest mansion that was at the top of a stone walkway. Knockout roses caused the green grass to be lined with fuchsia. An expansive picture window was visible even from the street. Nanette did well for herself, Juliet thought. Paris is a good man even if I did leave him at the altar. Luckily for Juliet, Paris was on a science expedition in the Galapagos and wouldn't be back until the end of their trip. She also knew that Nanette had a daughter who was a little younger than Violet. However, every time that Nanette had come to London to visit she had left her daughter at home so Juliet had only ever seen portraits.
"We're here!" The driver called. Gnomeo helped Juliet and Violet out of the carriage and as they grabbed their suitcases, Nanette came running down the walkway clutching her skirts to get them.
"You're here!" She cried.
"Nanette!" Juliet exclaimed. She dropped her suitcase and ran to embrace her friend.
"Oh how was your trip? Did you get seasick?" Nanette babbled. Juliet didn't even have a chance to answer before Nanette moved on.
"Gnomeo! You are still so handsome, it's good to see you!" She hugged him too as Juliet laughed.
"And Violet! You have gotten so much bigger since I last saw you!" Violet soon found herself immersed in Nanette's musky perfume.
"Yeah, it's good to see you too!" She replied, speaking for everyone.
"Oh you've just got to come inside! I'll show you to the guesthouse first so you can put this luggage down and then you have to see what I've done with decorations and you can meet Poppy!" Nanette rambled.
"Your daughter." Juliet confirmed mostly for Violet's sake.
"Yes. Now let's go!" Nanette called.
The guesthouse was very nice and perfect to stay in. Juliet and Gnomeo were impressed.
"We don't use it very often." Nanette pointed out.
"It's very nice." Juliet told her as she put her bags next to Gnomeo's stuff in the master bedroom.
"What do you think, Violet?" Her dad asked her.
"I like it." Violet replied. "What do you think?"
"It's nice." Gnomeo said, finally. He was just trying to focus on actions and going through the motions rather than deal with all the feelings and thoughts that were bothering him about this trip. He was afraid of Juliet's dad's condition and what it would do to Juliet. He was a tiny bit afraid she wouldn't come back to London. A part of him thought that Lord Redbrick would try to take her away from him and the thought scared him more than anything. He was also afraid to see his mother. He had done a poor job of keeping in touch with her. That said, he hadn't hesitated to send her money for her expansive travels. Being here brought him back to time when he was young and unsure and he didn't like it.
"You've got to see my house!" Nanette was saying and that broke him from his trance of worry. They followed her to the mansion, still in their coats because it was a little chilly.
"Oh Nanette!" Juliet exclaimed when they got inside. "It is really nice. It's beautiful." And it was. Vivid paintings lined the walls and brought out accent colors in the furniture. Juliet knew the stone fireplace, chandelier, marble floors, and winding staircase had always been dreams of Nanette's.
"I know right?" Nanette replied causing the women to laugh before Nanette yelled again. "Poppy? Poppy Elizabeth?"
"I'm coming!" A voice called from upstairs and Nanette shook her head.
"She's been foul all morning." She told Juliet. Suddenly, Violet was nervous when she overheard that. Poppy already sounded very intimidating. She probably wouldn't like Violet. Girls usually mistook Violet's generally introverted nature as snobbish. Violet was older too. She hoped that their mothers didn't expect them to be best friends.
"I'm here, mother." Poppy said, standing poised at the top of the stairs.
Poppy Davenport was young by societies standards but she was already beautiful and notorious. Her hair was auburn with hints of blonde. Her lips were naturally larger so she kept them red for dramatic effect. Her eyes were hazel and expressive. Her nose had the confident tilt of an upper class lady. Her red dress highlighted her delicate shoulders and narrow waist.
"Poppy, this is Juliet and her husband Gnomeo and their daughter Violet." Nanette said.
"Nice to meet you." Poppy replied, shaking each of their hands and flashing her signature white smile.
"They're visiting from London and they'll be staying in our guest house." Nanette told her daughter.
"How wonderful." Poppy said, mildly.
"I can have the cook put some tea on!" Nanette told them graciously. "If you're hungry or prefer coffee, whatever you want."
"Actually, maybe later." Juliet told Nanette. "I want to see my dad as soon as we can and I know Gnomeo wants to see his mum."
Nanette nodded.
"Is it weird finding out you have grandparents you never knew about?" Poppy asked Violet quietly, surprising her.
"I guess." Violet replied. "I mean I was shocked at first."
"I bet." Poppy responded, looking away.
"Well, we'll be going, I suppose." Gnomeo said and that was Violet's cue to leave.
"See you later!" She called to Nanette and Poppy.
The family made their way back to the carriage. "I missed her." Juliet told Gnomeo.
"I know." He replied, putting his arm around her.
The ride to Redbrick manor was silent. No one knew what to say to make the nerve-wracking situation more bearable. Juliet was afraid she would be too late or her father would be so sick, he wouldn't be really there. She was expecting the worst. Gnomeo was afraid of the sorrow in his mother's eyes and the guilt he knew he would feel. He was afraid that Juliet's father would change everything for them. Violet was simply afraid. Afraid to meet her grandparents and family. She wanted them to like her and she wanted to like them too. But so much could go wrong.
The carriage stopped and Juliet was faced with the same home she had grown up in and escaped. Red bricks, red roses, the Italian style architecture, the clock tower, the black iron gates. Gnomeo had climbed that fence many times. She could just see the balcony on her old room. She could see doors with locked that Gnomeo had picked with her hairpin. I can't believe I'm here, she thought.
Gnomeo helped her down from the carriage and her eyes met his in a worried pause.
"You can do this." He whispered. "We can do this. Also, I love you."
"I love you too." She said, sweetly.
As the family walked up the stairs, Gnomeo had the sinking feeling he was being lead to an execution.
"I didn't realize the house was so big!" Violet breathed, breaking the silence.
"Yes, this is where I grew up." Juliet said, almost flustered.
Slowly, she knocked with the brass knocker. A maid answered almost instantly.
"Hello, I'm here to see my father." She said, her voice shaking more than she would have liked.
"He's expecting you." The worker replied, curtly.
"Great thanks." Juliet told her.
"He's right this way."
Juliet took a deep breath. Violet's eyes were wide and Gnomeo was messing with his hair trying to be his most presentable. The doors to the study opened and Juliet was surprised at what she saw.
"Juliet." Her father said. She couldn't see his face as the back of his chair was facing them.
"You're here."
"Yes." She breathed. "I'm here Dad. I've come back."J
there you have it! enjoy! love-lorelibelle54
