margaretxhawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

starter for @julianxhawthorne

location: margaret's home

It wasn't often that she had Julian over but since finding out that her brother was not only engaged but going to be dad to a set of twins next year, Margaret had felt more inclined to deepen the connection that they once had many years ago. Margaret set down his requested drink down in front of him at the bar that Margaret and her husband had in their house, "Is mom still not speaking to you?" Part of her was surprised by the news, but yet, knowing how their parents could be when things didn't go their way, she wasn't that surprised. "Congrats on your win, by the way," she didn't think she had reached out to congratulate him that weekend.

[margaretxhawthorne]

starter for @steviexwagner

location: the wagner home

Margaret had promised that she would come help out Stevie when she could. Though, she knew the Wagners were not without their help. The family was so well loved that Margaret knew that she would not be missed in the pit of the chaos of having two more children in the house. However, Margaret held true to her word. For a rare moment in her life, she put something above her job and left at the time that she was supposed to instead of working until the janitor was turning out the lights. Margaret thanked Johnny for letting her in, moving towards the living room where she saw Stevie sitting, "How's the best mom in the world doing?"

[margaretxhawthorne]

"It is more of an acquired taste, I think," Margaret knew that many people either loved or hated the pumpkin-spice flavor, "are you that with peppermint flavors, too?" She questioned curiously to the younger woman, "it seems like it will only be here in a matter of time," once Halloween passed, Thanksgiving was only a moment behind and then it was full force into the Christmas holiday season, "I think I am too, though," she smiled at her, approaching the counter to order for the both of them. She handed off her card before stepping to the side. @harlowhanlon

With divided attention, she perceived Margaret's words only in her periphery, as her eyes studied the front of the line, as though she tried to unveil the reason as to why the café was packed and the line unmoving. And then, he returned her blue-eyed gaze to the other, a smile swiftly returning to her lips. "Oh, totally." She nodded. "I'm torn about the pumpkin-spice-hype, if I'm being honest. I really have to be in the mood for it." A beat. "And I think I am right now, actually." @margaretxhawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

"No, that's true," Even with her own job as the investor relations manager at HCP Holdings, it was often no play. "I'm glad that it's going well for you, though." She told her younger brother and she meant it. Touchy feely-feelings were not her strong suit, especially when it came to her siblings. "She will be excited if you can come," she smiled, gently squeezing her daughter's shoulder as Taylor nodded her head in excitement before looking over the menu. "I suppose it could be worse," she half-joked with her brother. "Things have been good," she continued to smile. "We've been keeping it pretty mundane around here, honestly. I'm a bit too old for anything more than that." Though her daughter was certainly capable of keeping her on her toes. @thesimonhawthorne

"Sometimes I do have to have some conversations with Julian that aren't fun but hey, no job is all play," he said with a little wince. He thought for a bit before taking his phone out to make a note of it. "Not a race weekend so I'll try to be around." Part of why he accepted Julian's offer despite the risks was the possibility to have a bit more free time, might as well use it. He vaguely pondered at her question but shrugged. "I'm alright, but I don't have a lot of news for you. What about you? How's everything?" @margaretxhawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

Margaret smiled at Harlow as well, "I'm sure it's both," admittedly, she was surprised when there was something new for a seasonal item as if people hadn't come up with all of the ideas yet. "It's good in small quantities if I'm being honest," she began to explain to Harlow, "I don't like it often during the season but I rarely have gone a fall without having at least one pumpkin-spiced drink." Margaret continued, "It's the same with peppermint drinks as well." @harlowhanlon

For Harlow, it was nothing extraordinary or special, nothing she had expected anyone to thank her over, and yet, she would not easily decline Margaret's offer. It was a feeling, bordering on flattery that seized her in a tender embrace and her gentle smile was proof of it. "I think they have some new fall-themed pastries." Harlow said, following Margaret's gaze once more. "Or maybe it's the return of pumpkin-spiced drinks." And then, she glanced back at Margaret. "Do you like pumpkin-spiced drinks?" @margaretxhawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

"I'm glad you like it," at least both of her siblings were seemingly happy in their career choices while Margaret continued to try to go above and beyond for a father that would never see her as capable of running the business. "It's the second weekend in November," she told Simon with a smile, "Thank you," she smile at her younger brother, sitting down next to her daughter, "How are other things with you? Besides work." @thesimonhawthorne

Simon couldn't help but smile at the little girl's clearly annoyed expression as she tried putting her hair back in place. "Sounds good," he agreed with a nod, starting to walk towards the place. "I really am," he said, genuine. "It's definitely different, can't lie about that, but I like it." So far, regrets wasn't on the list of things he'd gained by switching jobs. "Oh! When is that?" he asked. They quickly made it to the bistro and found a table. "On me, it's been a while." @margaretxhawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

"I'm sure," she nodded her head to confirm. Certainly, it wasn't much of anything to buy someone's coffee but when it came to picking out gifts for people, Margaret often didn't have the bandwidth to do so and Harlow had saved her ass, so to speak. Margaret peered around Harlow, looking at the length of the line, "Honestly," she shook her head, "I haven't. There must be some sort of new item release, I'd think." @harlowhanlon

It was a waiting game that she played. She'd held her position in the queue for the past five minutes, and looked ahead, next to the shoulders of the people, all waiting for their turn to get a hot beverage or a small treat, all in order to start their day off right. And just as she started to contemplate letting impatience take over, a familiar voice uttering her name called for her attention. With something that might have passed as a pirouette, blue eyes landed on no one other than Margaret Hawthorne. The smile she bore, as the woman proceeded to talk, was as sweet as it was genuine. "Oh, I'm glad!" A nod. "Oh, you ...? I mean ... sure. Thank you." And then, she looked back ahead toward the counter for no longer than a second or two. "Well, if we ever make it this far. Have you ever seen this place this busy before?" @margaretxhawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

"See, even your uncle Simon knows I'm right," she reached out to gently ruffle her daughter's hair with a bright smile. "Great," she nodded her head, "we can go to the bistro," she suggested to Simon as it was just a few doors down on the street that they were on in downtown Kismet Harbor. "How are you liking the job with Julian?" She questioned her brother. The two were gone quite a lot for his races. "I'm good," which wasn't a lie per say, "Taylor's got a school play coming up so we've been practicing a lot for that, too." @thesimonhawthorne

"Don't do that, your mom is right," he replied at his niece's eyeroll, although he was amused by her reaction. "Let's go for lunch then." He nodded before asking her where they wanted to go. It was true that they didn't get to see each other very much. They'd already been both pretty busy when he had his old job but now, following Julian to races meant he spent less time in town. "I'm doing alright. Quite busy too if I'm honest. How are you?" @margaretxhawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

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[margaretxhawthorne]

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[margaretxhawthorne]

"It does fly, way too fast." It didn't help that Margaret had seemingly been nonexistent in some of the time that flew by when it came to her daughter. "Family is nice to have," a large part of her regretted not giving Taylor a brother or sister, "but I think found family is just as important," if not more so, but she left that part out. "I wish I could help you out," but she wouldn't be any help handing off her daughter's old clothes. "I remember those moments," and sure, they were moments that had drove her absolutely insane from time to time but they were the same moments that grounded her in reality away from her job. "I may have to borrow her for a day, just to get in on this chaos." She joked with Joanna, a warm smile on her lips. @joanxwagner

Joanna smiled warmly, nodding along with Margaret’s words. "Yeah, time flies, doesn’t it? One minute they’re tiny and the next, they’re running circles around you." She chuckled softly, thinking of Henri. "Henri adores her too. It’s nice he has her outside of his sisters."

At the mention of Henri's rapid growth, Joanna laughed. "Oh, you have no idea, the girls too! I swear I can’t keep up with them. At least I can pass clothes down to the girls, but for Henri it's all new.. Every time I blink, she’s grown another inch and outgrown half her wardrobe." She smiled knowingly at Margaret’s comment about turning her back on Taylor. "She’s into everything, very inquisitive, unlike her sister. Always curious and always on the move. I’ve learned to keep one eye on her at all times—or else." Joanna grinned. "But those little moments, those smiles, they make all the chaos worth it." @margaretxhawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

starter for @harlowhanlon

location: cobblestone cafe

Margaret had been shopping at Della Mode more frequently and recognized the assistant manager upon entering Cobblestone Cafe. "Harlow," Margaret approached, a small smile sitting against her lips. "it's Margaret," she introduced herself, in case the younger woman had forgotten their interaction the other day. "I wanted to thank you again," she continued on, "the gift was well liked." The woman continued to wear a small smile, "Let me buy your coffee as a thanks?" She offered to her.

[margaretxhawthorne]

starter for @julianxhawthorne

location: julian's place

"Everything looks great," she told Julian, slipping out of the flats she had opted to wear with her no-show socks on as well. She hadn't really known why Julian invited her over, but after having lunch with Simon, she figured she owed it to Julian to join him for dinner. "No Haven or Lake tonight?" She questioned, her eyes moving across the decorated home that he had more recently moved into but she had been too busy to come and see.

[margaretxhawthorne]

"I think you're right, it is safe to assume that." She imagined that even her own parents had qualities they wished that the three Hawthorne children wouldn't have picked up. Or rather, qualities they wished the Hawthorne children had. For instance, Margaret knew that her father would have rather she been born one of his sons rather than one of his daughters. But, that at least, was not Margaret's fault. "I mean it," though she imagined that most people did not find her genuine, she actually did mean it. "Taylor would like that," she nodded her head to Haven's suggestion, "she's been getting into video games, actually. She could learn some hand eye coordination from Lake." She smiled warmly at the other woman, "It would be nice to do that, really." And that, she also meant. She never felt like she had a woman that she could call a close friend. Margaret had grown close with Stevie and welcomed her into the family and though she did not remain close with Julian, she could see a friendship continuing to grow between the two her and Haven. @havenbsinclair

END.

Hearing Margaret's comment did catch Haven off guard; she hadn't expected people to look at her and not see her flaws, though, if it had worked on Julian she guessed it was safe to assume others - even members of his family - could look past them too. "I think it's only natural for all mothers to have something about themselves they don't want their kids to have right? Whether it be nervous habits, health concerns." she paused, "But that means a lot, Margaret." she smiled, fighting the urge to let the tears fall from her eyes. Sure, Margaret was - at least to Haven - nothing compared to her mother, and she'd always do her best to separate the children from their parents, but she'd always hoped to fall in love with a man some day who's family truly saw her for who she was, and in that moment it felt apparent that Margaret did. At least to Haven; she wasn't going to question it. "I can imagine work keeps you busy." she admitted, knowing that Margaret's job had to keep her pretty busy. "We should get the kids together for a playdate or something." she laughed. "Though, I guess it would be more of a video game play date these days if that works with you; Lake's not much of a toy kid anymore now that he's a preteen. He still loves soccer and baseball thankfully, but.." she paused. "Take you away from work and give us both a chance to enjoy each other's company while the kids play." @margaretxhawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

"I don't," she smiled at Simon as he said that he would have to accept. "She's been wanting to see you for some time but I told her school comes first." In which prompted a playful eye roll from her daughter. "But since we ran into you by chance, I'd love to get lunch." She stated to her younger brother. It had been some time since she had really seen him or Julian. "How have you been? I know we haven't seen each other in a while. Dad has me busy," not that it would pay off in her favor at all. @thesimonhawthorne

On a simple walk, Simon had been a little surprised to see a little kid running towards him. He'd annoyed at first, as he usually was at people who let their kids run around in crowded places. Then, he'd been a little scared that it was his daughter, but he finally smiled as he recognised his niece. He hugged her and smiled at his sister when he arrived. "It was inevitable," he replied with a smile. "I don't have anything planned, so if you don't, I guess I have to accept." @margaretxhawthorne

[margaretxhawthorne]

"We do," Though Margaret's a lot was not oriented in her home. That was where there was the least amount of things happening for her and it was often a safe haven away from the stressors that her job caused her and her father. "I think that is a good sign," she nodded her head to assure Stevie with a small smile. As Stevie revealed the names of the twin boys that her and Johnny were having, a smile rested against her lips. "I promise I won't say anything to Julian." For starters, they'd have to interact more than they did and about things that were deeper than the superficial interactions she often had with him. She had to believe that most of that was her fault more than anything. Margaret had never known how to grow close to Julian again. "Those are great names, Stevie, really, I love them." @steviexwagner

[margaretxhawthorne]

"I'd be worried if we didn't," Margaret admitted to Joanna with a light tease wrapping around her words. "That's one way to describe me," she laughed softly, knowing that it was the kinder way to describe the way that she overworked herself for no reward in a sense because the only reward she'd ever be satisfied with was the reward of her father's approval. "She's growing up so fast," she hated to admit it, really. "She adores Henri, too, I'm sure she would have loved having a younger sibling so I'm glad she has him to be a close enough, so to speak." Margaret told Joanna with a smile, "Again?" Her brows raised before she shook her head, "I don't know how you keep up with it. New pants every month at this rate, huh?" She joked with the other as a smile remained, "Those smiles are the best," she said as she reflected in thinking of her own daughter. "Is she into everything? I swear I could never turn my back on Taylor." @joanxwagner

"See, I knew you and I would see eye to eye." she smiled, oblivious to the concern that was roaming through Margaret's head. Henri as the oldest only being eight, she still had the majority of her children clinging to her leg and coming to her when they had a nightmare in the middle of the night. Henri was growing in his rebellious age. Growing resentful towards his father not being around, to which Joanna had no answer to but to repeat that his father didn't want to go to heaven and she missed him too. At some time, those answers would fall to deaf ears. "Oh, I bet you are. Hard working lady. "She nodded, knowing all too well how it went at HCP Holding. She also knew what it meant trying to prove yourself to your father. Difference between them that Margaret had remained stuck in that desire. "i love that. She's getting so big. I know Henri adores her." The two were only one year apart, for which she was glad about. "I'm doing okay. Henri grew out of his pants again. He's slowly starting to resemble this thin board, it's adorable. Lynn lost one of her front teeth so I am capturing all the smiles. And Ariana has proven to be an active toddler." @margaretxhawthorne