mercedesalma-blog

[mercedesalma-blog]

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe and Quinn Smythe. TIME FRAME: n/a. LOCATION: Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Mercedes and Quinn interact.

Only a few days had passed, Mercedes hadn’t completed gathered her thoughts considering the circumstances of the events that had taken place. Though she wanted to keep her feet planted and act on every impulse she felt, somehow the safety of her new child kept that at bay. Wanting to make her daughter’s life an easy one no matter the sacrifice fell heavy on her each time she thought of Sebastian and Quinn, and their child for that matter. But somehow here she found herself trying to now turn the disastrous place she once called home back into it’s original warming and inviting safe haven that it used to be, and with Quinn. Mercedes moved and she swept, every now and then picking up something to trash, she moved swiftly but precisely around the large living room ridding it of it’s dust.

The heat had seeped from the water, leaving it a lukewarm, dirt filled soup, that surprisingly still held the fresh scent of cleaners.  Quinn didn’t flinch as she dipped the rag in the water, unfazed by the scum swirling on its surface. Happily, she worked her way around the baseboards, humming softly and singing snatches of an old French a lullaby, “Dodo, l'enfant do, L'enfant dormira bien vite.” The song was all she had left of her long dead mother, oddly it had only just come back to her with the birth of Thomas.  Dropping the rag back into the bucket she sat up on her knees. Damp hands going to the small of her back she stretched.  Sighing, a slight smile bent the corners of her lips.  This was working with purpose, work for a family.  Turning, she watched Mercedes progress, biting down on her lip. Now with Sebastian off looking for work daily, they were left to their own devises. Their days stretched into long silent hours, punctuated by the cries of hungry children and waiting for his return.  It aggravated her.  She had learned how to survive. To live a life as if furniture being moved around from place to place. But now she didn’t just want to survive, she wanted to live. Swallowing, to calm her nerves. “I’ve finished the baseboards.  Should I start on the windows next?”

Mercedes ignored the endless humming that almost always seemed to annoy her while she and Quinn shared the home. She looked to her “sure, yeah” she said easily, she always kept the conversations at a minimal. She didn’t know what to say to Quinn and quite frankly Mercedes was fine with her occupying the space as long as she didn’t have to get too involved in anything stemming from her and Sebastian. Moving towards the door, she opened it and swept the dust out of the door.

Standing up from her kneeling position, “Okay.” Quinn breathed.  It was a futile attempt and a stupid, unnecessary question. But despite the fact that she’d grown accustomed to the clip conversation between herself and Mercedes. She was unwilling to stop trying to talk to the woman. Picking up the pale, she walked to the door balancing the too full bucket with both hands.  “Excuse me,” she said, as she approached Mercedes cautiously

Mercedes shifted on her teeth and she moved out of Quinn’s way, looking the area over, she wasn’t completely satisfied but she was satisfied enough for now. Placing the broom to the side, she moved to slide furniture into their rightful places. She stretched her brain trying to remember exactly just where each item was placed before hand. She sighed softly tugging at her thick hair she looked around the room having spun in a  complete circle. “I don’t remember where this goes” she said as she placed both hands on her head.

Quinn made it thankfully onto the porch, managing not to spill much water. She pitched the dirty water off to the side of the house, groaning as she watched her rag fly off into the woods. “Dammit.” She hissed, stamping her foot lightly. Moving back into the kitchen, she places the pale in the deep farm kitchen sink to be refilled.  “Vinegar?” she said, opening a cupboard door.  “Do you have any vinegar? It’s wonderful for cleaning windows.” Turning on the faucet, she begins filling the bucket.  Glancing up looking towards the living room, she purses her lips. Mercedes is trying to remember how to place the furniture. Tapping the side of the bucket, she hesitates not wanting to overstep her bounds. “Well, the chair would look good facing away from the kitchen.” She said pointing.  Turning off the water.  She moved into the living room, and positioned the couch.  Then stood back, hands on her hips.

“Hm?” Mercedes asked looking to Quinn “yea, there” she said pointing to her left as she moved back to her task. Mercedes shifted the chairs and table where she saw fit, hearing Quinn she nodded “yeah, yeah” she rushed out as she looked to things seeing Quinn shift the couch Mercedes ignored it. “I have this Quinn, the windows” she said pointing, trying not to be rude. “Ihavethisstuff” she said gesturing the living room.

Quinn turns, opening the cupboard door Mercedes indicated. “Aw ha, Thanks!” She smiled, taking the bottle from the shelf, she removes the cap, sniffing the bottle contents. Jolted by its strong aroma, she rubs under her nose.  “I used to go through bottles of this growing up.”  Turning back to the sink, she adds the clear liquid to the water.  “My parents were such neat freaks. I grew to hate windows.”  She chattered along filling the tense space between them. “Of course.” Quinn breathes, at a loss for words. She brushes loose strands of hair back into place, as she moves to retrieve her bucket. Plundering under the sink, she finds another rag tossing it into the water.  She resumes humming as she walks to the large windows in the living room.

Shifting things around she nibbled her lip before she placed everything where she thought they should go. “Okay’ she breathed liking what she had done, she was satisfied. She looked over to Quinn, and Mercedes contemplated helping her. “Here I’ll help” she said moving to grab her own rag then moving alongside the blonde. “Where are your parents?” she asked her, having had listened to the girl in the past, she wasn’t completely horrible. She listened even if she didn’t reply.

“The living room looks nice.” Quinn says, nodding happily as Mercedes joins her.  She was pleasantly surprised by the gesture. Her rag whisked across the glass, removing months of dirt and dust easily, “They are both dead.  My mother died before we came to America. Dieu ait son âme.” She said, her French accent deepening as she remembers the old country. Her hand slowed, as her eyes took on a faraway expression, “She was very beautiful. And used to sing to us all the time.” Without a crack in her expression, “My father died here.  He never got over my mother.” She says simply.  Moving along with the chore.  “And your family?”

“Thanks” she replied without thought. “Oh, sorry I asked. I had no idea” she said sympathetically. “Uh, they gave me away… and some older woman in the town raised me until she died of… old age” Mercedes said simply.

“It’s alright. How could you have known?” Quinn’s hand slowed, saddened by the thought. “I am sorry.” She said, lips turned down, “Mothers should never leave their children.” Returning to the window, she scrubbed vigorously.  “Was the old woman a good mother? I only ask because my stepmother was worse than the stories told to children.”

“People do what they have to do. Or what they feel is right” Mercedes said. Mercedes hands moved in a wiping motion back and forth across the windows as they rid it of all the dirt. “Yep” Mercedes said “she did what she needed to mature me…and prepare me for the World” she told her. “That sucks” she said trailing off as she worked.  

Quinn’s jaw clenched. Her knuckles turned red as she vigorously scrubbed the griminess away.  Only she hadn’t realized the window pane gleamed in the sunlight. “No.” She snapped.  Before she could contain her emotions. “No, a selfish person does what they want. A child doesn’t ask to come here. And to start them out with such a disadvantage is cruel.” She finished with a sigh. She glanced at Mercedes. Eyes darting between the glass and the woman’s face. Biting her lip, “Why are you so dismissive of your surrogate mother? Is it because you are speaking to me?” She blurts, unable to hold the question off any longer.  “Selfish people.  She wanted my father, but nothing more.”

“We are all dealt different circumstances in life, Some of us can’t fall upon the lap of others and wait to be…. waited on?” Mercedes said. “Some of us have to work for it, to make things work for our good. To hurt someone is a choice but sometimes necessary, a necessary choice apparently - something I just learned” she told her irritatedly. “It’s because she doesn’t matter and wouldn’t have made or broke me” she said outright. “I had decisions to make in life and I chose the ones I thought was best” she told her through gritted teeth. “I didn’t have other make them for me” she said.

Quinn let out a humorless laugh, “you have no clue about who I am or what I’ve been through.  Or Sebastian for that matter. “She said, throwing the rag into the pale, splashing water onto the floor. Moving away from Mercedes, “I’m sensitive and understanding of your plight. But You don’t have the right to speak to me in that tone.” She said her accent thickening the angrier she became.  Temporarily speechless, she stared at the woman in disbelief.  How could a child be so cold? Was all she could think. “Either your caregiver was cruel and uncaring.  Or you are heartless.” She said apprehensively. Briarcliff had given her a unique prospective on what drove humans and her comment was so calculated.  It didn’t seem to mesh well with the person she had met aboard the alien craft.  Turning away from Mercedes she washed her hands, as she began to puzzle out just who this woman truly was.  

“You aren’t doing me a favor by being here so please by all means leave if you’d like” Mercedes suggested. “Don’t step on my toes and I won’t step on yours’ she shrugged tossing the rag aside  as well as she moved to walk off. 

Uphill Battle.

[mercedesalma-blog]

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe and Quinn Smythe. TIME FRAME: n/a. LOCATION: Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Mercedes and Quinn interact.

Only a few days had passed, Mercedes hadn’t completed gathered her thoughts considering the circumstances of the events that had taken place. Though she wanted to keep her feet planted and act on every impulse she felt, somehow the safety of her new child kept that at bay. Wanting to make her daughter’s life an easy one no matter the sacrifice fell heavy on her each time she thought of Sebastian and Quinn, and their child for that matter. But somehow here she found herself trying to now turn the disastrous place she once called home back into it’s original warming and inviting safe haven that it used to be, and with Quinn. Mercedes moved and she swept, every now and then picking up something to trash, she moved swiftly but precisely around the large living room ridding it of it’s dust.

The heat had seeped from the water, leaving it a lukewarm, dirt filled soup, that surprisingly still held the fresh scent of cleaners.  Quinn didn’t flinch as she dipped the rag in the water, unfazed by the scum swirling on its surface. Happily, she worked her way around the baseboards, humming softly and singing snatches of an old French a lullaby, “Dodo, l'enfant do, L'enfant dormira bien vite.” The song was all she had left of her long dead mother, oddly it had only just come back to her with the birth of Thomas.  Dropping the rag back into the bucket she sat up on her knees. Damp hands going to the small of her back she stretched.  Sighing, a slight smile bent the corners of her lips.  This was working with purpose, work for a family.  Turning, she watched Mercedes progress, biting down on her lip. Now with Sebastian off looking for work daily, they were left to their own devises. Their days stretched into long silent hours, punctuated by the cries of hungry children and waiting for his return.  It aggravated her.  She had learned how to survive. To live a life as if furniture being moved around from place to place. But now she didn’t just want to survive, she wanted to live. Swallowing, to calm her nerves. “I’ve finished the baseboards.  Should I start on the windows next?”

Mercedes ignored the endless humming that almost always seemed to annoy her while she and Quinn shared the home. She looked to her “sure, yeah” she said easily, she always kept the conversations at a minimal. She didn’t know what to say to Quinn and quite frankly Mercedes was fine with her occupying the space as long as she didn’t have to get too involved in anything stemming from her and Sebastian. Moving towards the door, she opened it and swept the dust out of the door.

Standing up from her kneeling position, “Okay.” Quinn breathed.  It was a futile attempt and a stupid, unnecessary question. But despite the fact that she’d grown accustomed to the clip conversation between herself and Mercedes. She was unwilling to stop trying to talk to the woman. Picking up the pale, she walked to the door balancing the too full bucket with both hands.  “Excuse me,” she said, as she approached Mercedes cautiously

Mercedes shifted on her teeth and she moved out of Quinn’s way, looking the area over, she wasn’t completely satisfied but she was satisfied enough for now. Placing the broom to the side, she moved to slide furniture into their rightful places. She stretched her brain trying to remember exactly just where each item was placed before hand. She sighed softly tugging at her thick hair she looked around the room having spun in a  complete circle. “I don’t remember where this goes” she said as she placed both hands on her head.

Quinn made it thankfully onto the porch, managing not to spill much water. She pitched the dirty water off to the side of the house, groaning as she watched her rag fly off into the woods. “Dammit.” She hissed, stamping her foot lightly. Moving back into the kitchen, she places the pale in the deep farm kitchen sink to be refilled.  “Vinegar?” she said, opening a cupboard door.  “Do you have any vinegar? It’s wonderful for cleaning windows.” Turning on the faucet, she begins filling the bucket.  Glancing up looking towards the living room, she purses her lips. Mercedes is trying to remember how to place the furniture. Tapping the side of the bucket, she hesitates not wanting to overstep her bounds. “Well, the chair would look good facing away from the kitchen.” She said pointing.  Turning off the water.  She moved into the living room, and positioned the couch.  Then stood back, hands on her hips.

“Hm?” Mercedes asked looking to Quinn “yea, there” she said pointing to her left as she moved back to her task. Mercedes shifted the chairs and table where she saw fit, hearing Quinn she nodded “yeah, yeah” she rushed out as she looked to things seeing Quinn shift the couch Mercedes ignored it. “I have this Quinn, the windows” she said pointing, trying not to be rude. “Ihavethisstuff” she said gesturing the living room.

Quinn turns, opening the cupboard door Mercedes indicated. “Aw ha, Thanks!” She smiled, taking the bottle from the shelf, she removes the cap, sniffing the bottle contents. Jolted by its strong aroma, she rubs under her nose.  “I used to go through bottles of this growing up.”  Turning back to the sink, she adds the clear liquid to the water.  “My parents were such neat freaks. I grew to hate windows.”  She chattered along filling the tense space between them. “Of course.” Quinn breathes, at a loss for words. She brushes loose strands of hair back into place, as she moves to retrieve her bucket. Plundering under the sink, she finds another rag tossing it into the water.  She resumes humming as she walks to the large windows in the living room.

Shifting things around she nibbled her lip before she placed everything where she thought they should go. “Okay’ she breathed liking what she had done, she was satisfied. She looked over to Quinn, and Mercedes contemplated helping her. “Here I’ll help” she said moving to grab her own rag then moving alongside the blonde. “Where are your parents?” she asked her, having had listened to the girl in the past, she wasn’t completely horrible. She listened even if she didn’t reply.

“The living room looks nice.” Quinn says, nodding happily as Mercedes joins her.  She was pleasantly surprised by the gesture. Her rag whisked across the glass, removing months of dirt and dust easily, “They are both dead.  My mother died before we came to America. Dieu ait son âme.” She said, her French accent deepening as she remembers the old country. Her hand slowed, as her eyes took on a faraway expression, “She was very beautiful. And used to sing to us all the time.” Without a crack in her expression, “My father died here.  He never got over my mother.” She says simply.  Moving along with the chore.  “And your family?”

“Thanks” she replied without thought. “Oh, sorry I asked. I had no idea” she said sympathetically. “Uh, they gave me away… and some older woman in the town raised me until she died of… old age” Mercedes said simply.

“It’s alright. How could you have known?” Quinn’s hand slowed, saddened by the thought. “I am sorry.” She said, lips turned down, “Mothers should never leave their children.” Returning to the window, she scrubbed vigorously.  “Was the old woman a good mother? I only ask because my stepmother was worse than the stories told to children.”

“People do what they have to do. Or what they feel is right” Mercedes said. Mercedes hands moved in a wiping motion back and forth across the windows as they rid it of all the dirt. “Yep” Mercedes said “she did what she needed to mature me…and prepare me for the World” she told her. “That sucks” she said trailing off as she worked.  

Quinn’s jaw clenched. Her knuckles turned red as she vigorously scrubbed the griminess away.  Only she hadn’t realized the window pane gleamed in the sunlight. “No.” She snapped.  Before she could contain her emotions. “No, a selfish person does what they want. A child doesn’t ask to come here. And to start them out with such a disadvantage is cruel.” She finished with a sigh. She glanced at Mercedes. Eyes darting between the glass and the woman’s face. Biting her lip, “Why are you so dismissive of your surrogate mother? Is it because you are speaking to me?” She blurts, unable to hold the question off any longer.  “Selfish people.  She wanted my father, but nothing more.”

“We are all dealt different circumstances in life, Some of us can’t fall upon the lap of others and wait to be.... waited on?” Mercedes said. “Some of us have to work for it, to make things work for our good. To hurt someone is a choice but sometimes necessary, a necessary choice apparently - something I just learned” she told her irritatedly. “It’s because she doesn’t matter and wouldn’t have made or broke me” she said outright. “I had decisions to make in life and I chose the ones I thought was best” she told her through gritted teeth. “I didn’t have other make them for me” she said. 

Uphill Battle.

[mercedesalma-blog]

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe and Quinn Smythe. TIME FRAME: n/a. LOCATION: Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Mercedes and Quinn interact. 

Only a few days had passed, Mercedes hadn’t completed gathered her thoughts considering the circumstances of the events that had taken place. Though she wanted to keep her feet planted and act on every impulse she felt, somehow the safety of her new child kept that at bay. Wanting to make her daughter’s life an easy one no matter the sacrifice fell heavy on her each time she thought of Sebastian and Quinn, and their child for that matter. But somehow here she found herself trying to now turn the disastrous place she once called home back into it’s original warming and inviting safe haven that it used to be, and with Quinn. Mercedes moved and she swept, every now and then picking up something to trash, she moved swiftly but precisely around the large living room ridding it of it’s dust.

The heat had seeped from the water, leaving it a lukewarm, dirt filled soup, that surprisingly still held the fresh scent of cleaners.  Quinn didn’t flinch as she dipped the rag in the water, unfazed by the scum swirling on its surface. Happily, she worked her way around the baseboards, humming softly and singing snatches of an old French a lullaby, “Dodo, l'enfant do, L'enfant dormira bien vite.” The song was all she had left of her long dead mother, oddly it had only just come back to her with the birth of Thomas.  Dropping the rag back into the bucket she sat up on her knees. Damp hands going to the small of her back she stretched.  Sighing, a slight smile bent the corners of her lips.  This was working with purpose, work for a family.  Turning, she watched Mercedes progress, biting down on her lip. Now with Sebastian off looking for work daily, they were left to their own devises. Their days stretched into long silent hours, punctuated by the cries of hungry children and waiting for his return.  It aggravated her.  She had learned how to survive. To live a life as if furniture being moved around from place to place. But now she didn’t just want to survive, she wanted to live. Swallowing, to calm her nerves. “I’ve finished the baseboards.  Should I start on the windows next?”

Mercedes ignored the endless humming that almost always seemed to annoy her while she and Quinn shared the home. She looked to her “sure, yeah” she said easily, she always kept the conversations at a minimal. She didn’t know what to say to Quinn and quite frankly Mercedes was fine with her occupying the space as long as she didn’t have to get too involved in anything stemming from her and Sebastian. Moving towards the door, she opened it and swept the dust out of the door.

Standing up from her kneeling position, “Okay.” Quinn breathed.  It was a futile attempt and a stupid, unnecessary question. But despite the fact that she’d grown accustomed to the clip conversation between herself and Mercedes. She was unwilling to stop trying to talk to the woman. Picking up the pale, she walked to the door balancing the too full bucket with both hands.  “Excuse me,” she said, as she approached Mercedes cautiously

Mercedes shifted on her teeth and she moved out of Quinn’s way, looking the area over, she wasn’t completely satisfied but she was satisfied enough for now. Placing the broom to the side, she moved to slide furniture into their rightful places. She stretched her brain trying to remember exactly just where each item was placed before hand. She sighed softly tugging at her thick hair she looked around the room having spun in a  complete circle. “I don’t remember where this goes” she said as she placed both hands on her head.

Quinn made it thankfully onto the porch, managing not to spill much water. She pitched the dirty water off to the side of the house, groaning as she watched her rag fly off into the woods. “Dammit.” She hissed, stamping her foot lightly. Moving back into the kitchen, she places the pale in the deep farm kitchen sink to be refilled.  “Vinegar?” she said, opening a cupboard door.  “Do you have any vinegar? It’s wonderful for cleaning windows.” Turning on the faucet, she begins filling the bucket.  Glancing up looking towards the living room, she purses her lips. Mercedes is trying to remember how to place the furniture. Tapping the side of the bucket, she hesitates not wanting to overstep her bounds. “Well, the chair would look good facing away from the kitchen.” She said pointing.  Turning off the water.  She moved into the living room, and positioned the couch.  Then stood back, hands on her hips.

“Hm?” Mercedes asked looking to Quinn “yea, there” she said pointing to her left as she moved back to her task. Mercedes shifted the chairs and table where she saw fit, hearing Quinn she nodded “yeah, yeah” she rushed out as she looked to things seeing Quinn shift the couch Mercedes ignored it. “I have this Quinn, the windows” she said pointing, trying not to be rude. “I havethisstuff” she said gesturing the living room.

Quinn turns, opening the cupboard door Mercedes indicated. “Aw ha, Thanks!” She smiled, taking the bottle from the shelf, she removes the cap, sniffing the bottle contents. Jolted by its strong aroma, she rubs under her nose.  “I used to go through bottles of this growing up.”  Turning back to the sink, she adds the clear liquid to the water.  “My parents were such neat freaks. I grew to hate windows.”  She chattered along filling the tense space between them. “Of course.” Quinn breathes, at a loss for words. She brushes loose strands of hair back into place, as she moves to retrieve her bucket. Plundering under the sink, she finds another rag tossing it into the water.  She resumes humming as she walks to the large windows in the living room.

Shifting things around she nibbled her lip before she placed everything where she thought they should go. “Okay’ she breathed liking what she had done, she was satisfied. She looked over to Quinn, and Mercedes contemplated helping her. “Here I’ll help” she said moving to grab her own rag then moving alongside the blonde. “Where are your parents?” she asked her, having had listened to the girl in the past, she wasn’t completely horrible. She listened even if she didn’t reply.

“The living room looks nice.” Quinn says, nodding happily as Mercedes joins her.  She was pleasantly surprised by the gesture. Her rag whisked across the glass, removing months of dirt and dust easily, “They are both dead.  My mother died before we came to America. Dieu ait son âme.” She said, her French accent deepening as she remembers the old country. Her hand slowed, as her eyes took on a faraway expression, “She was very beautiful. And used to sing to us all the time.” Without a crack in her expression, “My father died here.  He never got over my mother.” She says simply.  Moving along with the chore.  “And your family?”

“Thanks” she replied without thought. “Oh, sorry I asked. I had no idea” she said sympathetically. “Uh, they gave me away… and some older woman in the town raised me until she died of… old age” Mercedes said simply.

“It’s alright. How could you have known?” Quinn’s hand slowed, saddened by the thought. “I am sorry.” She said, lips turned down, “Mothers should never leave their children.” Returning to the window, she scrubbed vigorously.  “Was the old woman a good mother? I only ask because my stepmother was worse than the stories told to children.”

“People do what they have to do. Or what they feel is right” Mercedes said. Mercedes hands moved in a wiping motion back and forth across the windows as they rid it of all the dirt. “Yep” Mercedes said “she did what she needed to mature me...and prepare me for the World” she told her. “That sucks” she said trailing off as she worked.  

Uphill Battle.

[mercedesalma-blog]

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe and Quinn Smythe. TIME FRAME: n/a. LOCATION: Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Mercedes and Quinn interact. 

Only a few days had passed, Mercedes hadn’t completed gathered her thoughts considering the circumstances of the events that had taken place. Though she wanted to keep her feet planted and act on every impulse she felt, somehow the safety of her new child kept that at bay. Wanting to make her daughter’s life an easy one no matter the sacrifice fell heavy on her each time she thought of Sebastian and Quinn, and their child for that matter. But somehow here she found herself trying to now turn the disastrous place she once called home back into it’s original warming and inviting safe haven that it used to be, and with Quinn. Mercedes moved and she swept, every now and then picking up something to trash, she moved swiftly but precisely around the large living room ridding it of it’s dust.

The heat had seeped from the water, leaving it a lukewarm, dirt filled soup, that surprisingly still held the fresh scent of cleaners.  Quinn didn’t flinch as she dipped the rag in the water, unfazed by the scum swirling on its surface. Happily, she worked her way around the baseboards, humming softly and singing snatches of an old French a lullaby, “Dodo, l'enfant do, L'enfant dormira bien vite.” The song was all she had left of her long dead mother, oddly it had only just come back to her with the birth of Thomas.  Dropping the rag back into the bucket she sat up on her knees. Damp hands going to the small of her back she stretched.  Sighing, a slight smile bent the corners of her lips.  This was working with purpose, work for a family.  Turning, she watched Mercedes progress, biting down on her lip. Now with Sebastian off looking for work daily, they were left to their own devises. Their days stretched into long silent hours, punctuated by the cries of hungry children and waiting for his return.  It aggravated her.  She had learned how to survive. To live a life as if furniture being moved around from place to place. But now she didn’t just want to survive, she wanted to live. Swallowing, to calm her nerves. “I’ve finished the baseboards.  Should I start on the windows next?”

Mercedes ignored the endless humming that almost always seemed to annoy her while she and Quinn shared the home. She looked to her “sure, yeah” she said easily, she always kept the conversations at a minimal. She didn’t know what to say to Quinn and quite frankly Mercedes was fine with her occupying the space as long as she didn’t have to get too involved in anything stemming from her and Sebastian. Moving towards the door, she opened it and swept the dust out of the door.

Standing up from her kneeling position, “Okay.” Quinn breathed.  It was a futile attempt and a stupid, unnecessary question. But despite the fact that she’d grown accustomed to the clip conversation between herself and Mercedes. She was unwilling to stop trying to talk to the woman. Picking up the pale, she walked to the door balancing the too full bucket with both hands.  “Excuse me,” she said, as she approached Mercedes cautiously

Mercedes shifted on her teeth and she moved out of Quinn’s way, looking the area over, she wasn’t completely satisfied but she was satisfied enough for now. Placing the broom to the side, she moved to slide furniture into their rightful places. She stretched her brain trying to remember exactly just where each item was placed before hand. She sighed softly tugging at her thick hair she looked around the room having spun in a  complete circle. “I don’t remember where this goes” she said as she placed both hands on her head.

Quinn made it thankfully onto the porch, managing not to spill much water. She pitched the dirty water off to the side of the house, groaning as she watched her rag fly off into the woods. “Dammit.” She hissed, stamping her foot lightly. Moving back into the kitchen, she places the pale in the deep farm kitchen sink to be refilled.  “Vinegar?” she said, opening a cupboard door.  “Do you have any vinegar? It’s wonderful for cleaning windows.” Turning on the faucet, she begins filling the bucket.  Glancing up looking towards the living room, she purses her lips. Mercedes is trying to remember how to place the furniture. Tapping the side of the bucket, she hesitates not wanting to overstep her bounds. “Well, the chair would look good facing away from the kitchen.” She said pointing.  Turning off the water.  She moved into the living room, and positioned the couch.  Then stood back, hands on her hips.

“Hm?” Mercedes asked looking to Quinn “yea, there” she said pointing to her left as she moved back to her task. Mercedes shifted the chairs and table where she saw fit, hearing Quinn she nodded “yeah, yeah” she rushed out as she looked to things seeing Quinn shift the couch Mercedes ignored it. “I have this Quinn, the windows” she said pointing, trying not to be rude. “I have thisstuff” she said gesturing the living room.

Quinn turns, opening the cupboard door Mercedes indicated. “Aw ha, Thanks!” She smiled, taking the bottle from the shelf, she removes the cap, sniffing the bottle contents. Jolted by its strong aroma, she rubs under her nose.  “I used to go through bottles of this growing up.”  Turning back to the sink, she adds the clear liquid to the water.  “My parents were such neat freaks. I grew to hate windows.”  She chattered along filling the tense space between them. “Of course.” Quinn breathes, at a loss for words. She brushes loose strands of hair back into place, as she moves to retrieve her bucket. Plundering under the sink, she finds another rag tossing it into the water.  She resumes humming as she walks to the large windows in the living room.

Shifting things around she nibbled her lip before she placed everything where she thought they should go. “Okay’ she breathed liking what she had done, she was satisfied. She looked over to Quinn, and Mercedes contemplated helping her. “Here I’ll help” she said moving to grab her own rag then moving alongside the blonde. “Where are your parents?” she asked her, having had listened to the girl in the past, she wasn’t completely horrible. She listened even if she didn’t reply.

“The living room looks nice.” Quinn says, nodding happily as Mercedes joins her.  She was pleasantly surprised by the gesture. Her rag whisked across the glass, removing months of dirt and dust easily, “They are both dead.  My mother died before we came to America. Dieu ait son âme.” She said, her French accent deepening as she remembers the old country. Her hand slowed, as her eyes took on a faraway expression, “She was very beautiful. And used to sing to us all the time.” Without a crack in her expression, “My father died here.  He never got over my mother.” She says simply.  Moving along with the chore.  “And your family?”

“Thanks” she replied without thought. “Oh, sorry I asked. I had no idea” she said sympathetically. “Uh, they gave me away... and some older woman in the town raised me until she died of... old age” Mercedes said simply. 

Uphill Battle.

[mercedesalma-blog]

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe and Quinn Smythe. TIME FRAME: n/a. LOCATION: Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Mercedes and Quinn interact. 

Only a few days had passed, Mercedes hadn’t completed gathered her thoughts considering the circumstances of the events that had taken place. Though she wanted to keep her feet planted and act on every impulse she felt, somehow the safety of her new child kept that at bay. Wanting to make her daughter’s life an easy one no matter the sacrifice fell heavy on her each time she thought of Sebastian and Quinn, and their child for that matter. But somehow here she found herself trying to now turn the disastrous place she once called home back into it’s original warming and inviting safe haven that it used to be, and with Quinn. Mercedes moved and she swept, every now and then picking up something to trash, she moved swiftly but precisely around the large living room ridding it of it’s dust.

The heat had seeped from the water, leaving it a lukewarm, dirt filled soup, that surprisingly still held the fresh scent of cleaners.  Quinn didn’t flinch as she dipped the rag in the water, unfazed by the scum swirling on its surface. Happily, she worked her way around the baseboards, humming softly and singing snatches of an old French a lullaby, “Dodo, l'enfant do, L'enfant dormira bien vite.” The song was all she had left of her long dead mother, oddly it had only just come back to her with the birth of Thomas.  Dropping the rag back into the bucket she sat up on her knees. Damp hands going to the small of her back she stretched.  Sighing, a slight smile bent the corners of her lips.  This was working with purpose, work for a family.  Turning, she watched Mercedes progress, biting down on her lip. Now with Sebastian off looking for work daily, they were left to their own devises. Their days stretched into long silent hours, punctuated by the cries of hungry children and waiting for his return.  It aggravated her.  She had learned how to survive. To live a life as if furniture being moved around from place to place. But now she didn’t just want to survive, she wanted to live. Swallowing, to calm her nerves. “I’ve finished the baseboards.  Should I start on the windows next?”

Mercedes ignored the endless humming that almost always seemed to annoy her while she and Quinn shared the home. She looked to her “sure, yeah” she said easily, she always kept the conversations at a minimal. She didn’t know what to say to Quinn and quite frankly Mercedes was fine with her occupying the space as long as she didn’t have to get too involved in anything stemming from her and Sebastian. Moving towards the door, she opened it and swept the dust out of the door.

Standing up from her kneeling position, “Okay.” Quinn breathed.  It was a futile attempt and a stupid, unnecessary question. But despite the fact that she’d grown accustomed to the clip conversation between herself and Mercedes. She was unwilling to stop trying to talk to the woman. Picking up the pale, she walked to the door balancing the too full bucket with both hands.  “Excuse me,” she said, as she approached Mercedes cautiously

Mercedes shifted on her teeth and she moved out of Quinn’s way, looking the area over, she wasn’t completely satisfied but she was satisfied enough for now. Placing the broom to the side, she moved to slide furniture into their rightful places. She stretched her brain trying to remember exactly just where each item was placed before hand. She sighed softly tugging at her thick hair she looked around the room having spun in a  complete circle. “I don’t remember where this goes” she said as she placed both hands on her head.

Quinn made it thankfully onto the porch, managing not to spill much water. She pitched the dirty water off to the side of the house, groaning as she watched her rag fly off into the woods. “Dammit.” She hissed, stamping her foot lightly. Moving back into the kitchen, she places the pale in the deep farm kitchen sink to be refilled.  “Vinegar?” she said, opening a cupboard door.  “Do you have any vinegar? It’s wonderful for cleaning windows.” Turning on the faucet, she begins filling the bucket.  Glancing up looking towards the living room, she purses her lips. Mercedes is trying to remember how to place the furniture. Tapping the side of the bucket, she hesitates not wanting to overstep her bounds. “Well, the chair would look good facing away from the kitchen.” She said pointing.  Turning off the water.  She moved into the living room, and positioned the couch.  Then stood back, hands on her hips.

“Hm?” Mercedes asked looking to Quinn “yea, there” she said pointing to her left as she moved back to her task. Mercedes shifted the chairs and table where she saw fit, hearing Quinn she nodded “yeah, yeah” she rushed out as she looked to things seeing Quinn shift the couch Mercedes ignored it. “I have this Quinn, the windows” she said pointing, trying not to be rude. “I have this stuff” she said gesturing the living room.

Quinn turns, opening the cupboard door Mercedes indicated. “Aw ha, Thanks!” She smiled, taking the bottle from the shelf, she removes the cap, sniffing the bottle contents. Jolted by its strong aroma, she rubs under her nose.  “I used to go through bottles of this growing up.”  Turning back to the sink, she adds the clear liquid to the water.  “My parents were such neat freaks. I grew to hate windows.”  She chattered along filling the tense space between them. “Of course.” Quinn breathes, at a loss for words. She brushes loose strands of hair back into place, as she moves to retrieve her bucket. Plundering under the sink, she finds another rag tossing it into the water.  She resumes humming as she walks to the large windows in the living room.

Shifting things around she nibbled her lip before she placed everything where she thought they should go. “Okay’ she breathed liking what she had done, she was satisfied. She looked over to Quinn, and Mercedes contemplated helping her. “Here I’ll help” she said moving to grab her own rag then moving alongside the blonde. “Where are your parents?” she asked her, having had listened to the girl in the past, she wasn't completely horrible. She listened even if she didn’t reply. 

Uphill Battle.

[mercedesalma-blog]

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe and Quinn Smythe. TIME FRAME: n/a. LOCATION: Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Mercedes and Quinn interact. 

Only a few days had passed, Mercedes hadn’t completed gathered her thoughts considering the circumstances of the events that had taken place. Though she wanted to keep her feet planted and act on every impulse she felt, somehow the safety of her new child kept that at bay. Wanting to make her daughter’s life an easy one no matter the sacrifice fell heavy on her each time she thought of Sebastian and Quinn, and their child for that matter. But somehow here she found herself trying to now turn the disastrous place she once called home back into it’s original warming and inviting safe haven that it used to be, and with Quinn. Mercedes moved and she swept, every now and then picking up something to trash, she moved swiftly but precisely around the large living room ridding it of it’s dust.

The heat had seeped from the water, leaving it a lukewarm, dirt filled soup, that surprisingly still held the fresh scent of cleaners.  Quinn didn’t flinch as she dipped the rag in the water, unfazed by the scum swirling on its surface. Happily, she worked her way around the baseboards, humming softly and singing snatches of an old French a lullaby, “Dodo, l'enfant do, L'enfant dormira bien vite.” The song was all she had left of her long dead mother, oddly it had only just come back to her with the birth of Thomas.  Dropping the rag back into the bucket she sat up on her knees. Damp hands going to the small of her back she stretched.  Sighing, a slight smile bent the corners of her lips.  This was working with purpose, work for a family.  Turning, she watched Mercedes progress, biting down on her lip. Now with Sebastian off looking for work daily, they were left to their own devises. Their days stretched into long silent hours, punctuated by the cries of hungry children and waiting for his return.  It aggravated her.  She had learned how to survive. To live a life as if furniture being moved around from place to place. But now she didn’t just want to survive, she wanted to live. Swallowing, to calm her nerves. “I’ve finished the baseboards.  Should I start on the windows next?”

Mercedes ignored the endless humming that almost always seemed to annoy her while she and Quinn shared the home. She looked to her “sure, yeah” she said easily, she always kept the conversations at a minimal. She didn’t know what to say to Quinn and quite frankly Mercedes was fine with her occupying the space as long as she didn’t have to get too involved in anything stemming from her and Sebastian. Moving towards the door, she opened it and swept the dust out of the door.

Standing up from her kneeling position, “Okay.” Quinn breathed.  It was a futile attempt and a stupid, unnecessary question. But despite the fact that she’d grown accustomed to the clip conversation between herself and Mercedes. She was unwilling to stop trying to talk to the woman. Picking up the pale, she walked to the door balancing the too full bucket with both hands.  “Excuse me,” she said, as she approached Mercedes cautiously

Mercedes shifted on her teeth and she moved out of Quinn’s way, looking the area over, she wasn’t completely satisfied but she was satisfied enough for now. Placing the broom to the side, she moved to slide furniture into their rightful places. She stretched her brain trying to remember exactly just where each item was placed before hand. She sighed softly tugging at her thick hair she looked around the room having spun in a  complete circle. “I don’t remember where this goes” she said as she placed both hands on her head.

Quinn made it thankfully onto the porch, managing not to spill much water. She pitched the dirty water off to the side of the house, groaning as she watched her rag fly off into the woods. “Dammit.” She hissed, stamping her foot lightly. Moving back into the kitchen, she places the pale in the deep farm kitchen sink to be refilled.  “Vinegar?” she said, opening a cupboard door.  “Do you have any vinegar? It’s wonderful for cleaning windows.” Turning on the faucet, she begins filling the bucket.  Glancing up looking towards the living room, she purses her lips. Mercedes is trying to remember how to place the furniture. Tapping the side of the bucket, she hesitates not wanting to overstep her bounds. “Well, the chair would look good facing away from the kitchen.” She said pointing.  Turning off the water.  She moved into the living room, and positioned the couch.  Then stood back, hands on her hips.

“Hm?” Mercedes asked looking to Quinn “yea, there” she said pointing to her left as she moved back to her task. Mercedes shifted the chairs and table where she saw fit, hearing Quinn she nodded “yeah, yeah” she rushed out as she looked to things seeing Quinn shift the couch Mercedes ignored it. “I have this Quinn, the windows” she said pointing, trying not to be rude. “I have this stuff” she said gesturing the living room. 

Uphill Battle.

[mercedesalma-blog]

Uphill Battle.

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe and Quinn Smythe.

TIME FRAME: n/a.

[mercedesalma-blog]

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe and Quinn Smythe. TIME FRAME: n/a. LOCATION: Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Mercedes and Quinn interact. 

Only a few days had passed, Mercedes hadn’t completed gathered her thoughts considering the circumstances of the events that had taken place. Though she wanted to keep her feet planted and act on every impulse she felt, somehow the safety of her new child kept that at bay. Wanting to make her daughter’s life an easy one no matter the sacrifice fell heavy on her each time she thought of Sebastian and Quinn, and their child for that matter. But somehow here she found herself trying to now turn the disastrous place she once called home back into it’s original warming and inviting safe haven that it used to be, and with Quinn. Mercedes moved and she swept, every now and then picking up something to trash, she moved swiftly but precisely around the large living room ridding it of it’s dust.

The heat had seeped from the water, leaving it a lukewarm, dirt filled soup, that surprisingly still held the fresh scent of cleaners.  Quinn didn’t flinch as she dipped the rag in the water, unfazed by the scum swirling on its surface. Happily, she worked her way around the baseboards, humming softly and singing snatches of an old French a lullaby, “Dodo, l'enfant do, L'enfant dormira bien vite.” The song was all she had left of her long dead mother, oddly it had only just come back to her with the birth of Thomas.  Dropping the rag back into the bucket she sat up on her knees. Damp hands going to the small of her back she stretched.  Sighing, a slight smile bent the corners of her lips.  This was working with purpose, work for a family.  Turning, she watched Mercedes progress, biting down on her lip. Now with Sebastian off looking for work daily, they were left to their own devises. Their days stretched into long silent hours, punctuated by the cries of hungry children and waiting for his return.  It aggravated her.  She had learned how to survive. To live a life as if furniture being moved around from place to place. But now she didn’t just want to survive, she wanted to live. Swallowing, to calm her nerves. “I’ve finished the baseboards.  Should I start on the windows next?”

Mercedes ignored the endless humming that almost always seemed to annoy her while she and Quinn shared the home. She looked to her “sure, yeah” she said easily, she always kept the conversations at a minimal. She didn’t know what to say to Quinn and quite frankly Mercedes was fine with her occupying the space as long as she didn’t have to get too involved in anything stemming from her and Sebastian. Moving towards the door, she opened it and swept the dust out of the door.

Standing up from her kneeling position, “Okay.” Quinn breathed.  It was a futile attempt and a stupid, unnecessary question. But despite the fact that she’d grown accustomed to the clip conversation between herself and Mercedes. She was unwilling to stop trying to talk to the woman. Picking up the pale, she walked to the door balancing the too full bucket with both hands.  “Excuse me,” she said, as she approached Mercedes cautiously

Mercedes shifted on her teeth and she moved out of Quinn’s wa, looking the area over, she wasn’t completely satisfied but she was satisfied enough for now. Placing the broom to the side she moved to slide furniture into their rightful places. She stretched her brain trying to remember exactly just where each item was placed before hand. She sighed softly tugging at her thick hair she looked around the room having spun in a  complete circle. “I don’t remember where this goes” she said as she placed both hands on her head. 

Uphill Battle.

[mercedesalma-blog]

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe and Quinn Smythe. TIME FRAME: n/a. LOCATION: Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Mercedes and Quinn interact. 

Only a few days had passed, Mercedes hadn’t completed gathered her thoughts considering the circumstances of the events that had taken place. Though she wanted to keep her feet planted and act on every impulse she felt, somehow the safety of her new child kept that at bay. Wanting to make her daughter’s life an easy one no matter the sacrifice fell heavy on her each time she thought of Sebastian and Quinn, and their child for that matter. But somehow here she found herself trying to now turn the disastrous place she once called home back into it’s original warming and inviting safe haven that it used to be, and with Quinn. Mercedes moved and she swept, every now and then picking up something to trash, she moved swiftly but precisely around the large living room ridding it of it’s dust.

The heat had seeped from the water, leaving it a lukewarm, dirt filled soup, that surprisingly still held the fresh scent of cleaners.  Quinn didn’t flinch as she dipped the rag in the water, unfazed by the scum swirling on its surface. Happily, she worked her way around the baseboards, humming softly and singing snatches of an old French a lullaby, “Dodo, l'enfant do, L'enfant dormira bien vite.” The song was all she had left of her long dead mother, oddly it had only just come back to her with the birth of Thomas.  Dropping the rag back into the bucket she sat up on her knees. Damp hands going to the small of her back she stretched.  Sighing, a slight smile bent the corners of her lips.  This was working with purpose, work for a family.  Turning, she watched Mercedes progress, biting down on her lip. Now with Sebastian off looking for work daily, they were left to their own devises. Their days stretched into long silent hours, punctuated by the cries of hungry children and waiting for his return.  It aggravated her.  She had learned how to survive. To live a life as if furniture being moved around from place to place. But now she didn’t just want to survive, she wanted to live. Swallowing, to calm her nerves. “I’ve finished the baseboards.  Should I start on the windows next?”

Mercedes ignored the endless humming that almost always seemed to annoy her while she and Quinn shared the home. She looked to her “sure, yeah” she said easily, she always kept the conversations at a minimal. She didn’t know what to say to Quinn and quite frankly Mercedes was fine with her occupying the space as long as she didn’t have to get too involved in anything stemming from her and Sebastian. Moving towards the door, she opened it and swept the dust out of the door. 

Uphill Battle.

[mercedesalma-blog]

Uphill Battle.

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe and Quinn Smythe. TIME FRAME: n/a. LOCATION: Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Mercedes and Quinn interact.

Only a few days had passed, Mercedes hadn’t completed gathered her thoughts considering the circumstances of the events that had taken place. Though she wanted to keep her feet planted and act on every impulse she felt, somehow the safety of her new child kept that at bay. Wanting to make her daughter's life an easy one no matter the sacrifice fell heavy on her each time she thought of Sebastian and Quinn, and their child for that matter. But somehow here she found herself trying to now turn the disastrous place she once called home back into it’s original warming and inviting safe haven that it used to be, and with Quinn. Mercedes moved and she swept, every now and then picking up something to trash, she moved swiftly but precisely around the large living room ridding it of it’s dust. 

[mercedesalma-blog]

Continuum.

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe, Sebastian Smythe, and Quinn Smythe. TIME FRAME: n/a. LOCATION: Massachusetts. SUMMARY: Sebastian and Quinn comes home to find Mercedes, alive and with child.

Sebastian wrapped his arm around Quinn’s shoulder in hesitation, kissing her on the forehead and glancing at the cooing baby in her arm. He used his other hand to unlock the door before mentioning, “It’s not a castle.. I’d like to give you one… Soon.” He pushed the door open, a loud creaking noise shuddering through the empty house. Sebastian stepped in and pushed some crumbled paper out of the way; everything was still in shambles from the last time he was in the home. That had been a while ago, with a different woman, but he felt the same feeling now as he did then, which was the only thing he had truly prayed for: to love again. A faint scent of greenery wafted through the thin walls, he shut the door behind Quinn as they crept into the home, Sebastian’s keys the only noise. “Sorry, it’s a mess,’ he began lousily, biting his lip and wiping dust off a seat for his wife to sit with their baby boy. At bending down to pull the chair closer for her reach, he heard a small throat clear, a noise beginning in what was once his bedroom. “Who’s there?’ He began loudly, using an arm to protect Quinn and his child, his other hand reaching for a perfectly placed baseball bat. The bat had been used to fight off intruders some time ago, some things never changing. Creeping slowly from room to room, he drifted softly to the bedroom, in complete shock and denial at who he saw. His hand dropped from Quinn, his other hand shaking around the baseball bat. “Mercedes?”

Mercedes cradled the small bundled baby in her arms, sitting silently on the bed of her old bedroom. Her house was a wreck, she hadn't remembered it being that way, or what happened to cause it to be. All she knew was she was here now, without remembrance of being pregnant or giving birth, or even where her husband was for that matter. So engrossed with the caramelized skinned infant she hadn't heard the three presences that entered the home behind her. Mercedes cleared her throat gently shifting on the rickety bed hearing a booming voice call out in the vacant home she quickly turned around to see him, her husband baseball bat in hand - boy did that bring back memories. "Sebastian" she breathed cuddling the baby a little closer seeing a blonde woman, new born in hand as well. Mercedes brows furrowed, confused. She looked down to her daughter before looking back up "what's going on?" she whispered softly as she looked to him standing up slowly.

Gracie smiled at the closeness of her husband. The warmth of his kiss washing through her as she looked to their newborn rocking little Thomas in her arms. Smiling up at Sebastian staring into his eyes, “Just open the god-damn door.” Cradling her son’s head protectively, she moved through the door slowly behind her husband. Eyes darting around the ramshackle home. Stepping around his feet, crunching slight on the deposits of dirt build up on the floor. Completing a small circle, she surveyed her new home, turning back to Sebastian. “Don’t be. It’s a great house -We can fix it up together and it’s NOT Briarcliff.” Stepping closer to him, kissing him sweetly on the lips. She is overwhelmed by the perfection that is now her life. Giddy, at the prospects of preparing a home for her small family. Her eyes snapped to the back of the house having heard a noise coming from that direction. As Sebastian crept along bat raised, she moved with him tightly clutching her son to her chest protectively. Her eyes grow wide with the relegalization of who she’s seeing. Mumbling breathless “But you are dead. I saw you.”

Sebastian bent down and placed the bat on the ground before moving forward to Mercedes. He heard Quinn speak behind him, but he said nothing. Her words didn’t register much; Sebastian was enthralled with the sleeping baby in Mercedes’s arm. One word did stick out to him however, dead. Still shaken, Sebastian touched Mercedes’s arm softly, “How… what are you doing here?” A gush of emotion choked in the back of his throat, but he urged himself to contain his feelings. Two women he loved were in the same room, any action could potentially hurt either.

"I don't know" Mercedes breathed out softly, as she rocked the little girl "I live here" she reminded him, giving him a knowing look one eyebrow raised as she watched on taking in his body language. "What is she... they doing here" she said looking back again at the woman. "I don't know how I woke up with her, in here, without you" she told him, pausing as she looked down again in aw.

Thomas begins to stir in her arms, whimpering, which quickly moves to crying. Rocking him gently. “Shhhh,” Grace said, looking down at her son trying to soothe him. Her eyes slide to Sebastian as he moved to Mercedes side. Licking her lips, she finally sees the object of his attention bundled in Mercedes arms. Grace swallows thickly, feeling that her vision of a perfect family is surely slipping away.

Sebastian turned around to gather Quinn’s image in his sights when Mercedes asked about the woman and her small son. Sebastian extended an arm, hoping to draw Quinn in close. “This is Quinn,’ he revealed shortly. “We met at Briarcliff-- do you, you don’t remember that at all, do you?” Sebastian sighed heavily, realizing how much he’d have to explain. What could he do? Could he tell his wife that he’d gone and found another woman to replace her only so long after her death? Sebastian had thought Mercedes was gone, for a while he’d even thought it was at his hand. “It’s okay,’ he began smoothly, rubbing one thumb over Quinn’s, his other hand caressing Mercedes’s arm. “We’re going to find out everything.”

Mercedes looked to Sebastian and she tilted her head a bit at him as he continued to speak and explain "no I don't... Briarcliff as in the psychiatric facility?" she questioned even more confused now by his words then she were before. "W-w" she paused as he told her that it were going to be okay. "What is?" she questioned him almost demanding some understand, throwing authority into the mix. "W-why are you caressing her, and what is she doing here?" Mercedes questioned. If nothing else she remembered the girl slightly, why? How? And from what, she didn't know but her face was familiar to her. But what wasn't, was the obvious affection her husband was showing towards her. The little girl began to fuss, she fussed until she began to cry, loudly at that. Mercedes rock her a little more before lifting her onto her shoulder as she rubbed her back "he's causing her to cry" she snapped slightly as she looked to Quinn, gazing upon the woman.

Gracie is drawn forward by the gentle eyes, she has come to cherish. Holding out her hand, she takes Sebastian’s exhaling, feeling his love for her through the warmth of his touch. He’s conflicted, she knows. Squeezing his hand tenderly, she lends him her strength. “Yes…” She said softly. “Do you remember me? We were together,” Looking almost reverently toward the sky. “You know... Up there?” Nodding at Sebastian “Yes, everything will be fine.” Grace hoped to reassure, not only her husband, but herself. Eyes darting to the child, she steps back not wanting to further acerbate the situation. “Maybe I should give you two a moment.” She says moving to leave the room.

Sebastian nodded, “Yes, that Briarcliff.” He offered a firm squeeze to Quinn’s hand as she, too, began to reassure Mercedes of her well-being. A silent ‘thank you’, a partner in the new situation. Mercedes must have picked up on the movement, her eyes widening in confusion at Sebastian’s interactions with the blonde. Sebastian offered an apologetic glance to Mercedes, only faltering as Quinn began to pull away, Thomas clutched closely in her arms. “No,’ he said, holding a hand up to Quinn. “I want you to stay. -- Mercedes, I need you to calm down. I understand you’re confused, we’re confused, but we’re going to help you. Don’t shut us out,’ Sebastian whispered. He stepped closer to the short woman again, hovering over her, giving an assuring nod. He wrapped his arms around the small baby girl, pulling the baby from Mercedes’s grip with some insistence. Sebastian hoped she would be soothed at his willingness to hold the girl. “What did you name her?”

Mercedes looked to Grace as her instincts pulled her closer to Sebastian the way they interacted before made her want to vomit in disgust; he spoke to her that way, he held her gently, he looked at her with those same eyes. But now this, she was confused and the more the situation escalated the more confused she got, the ringing in her ears from both children enhance the anger boiling inside. "Maybe" she breathed out looking to Quinn as the girl finally addressed her with something more than I thought you were dead, and why would she think such a stupid thing, unless he'd told her that himself. As Quinn prepared to depart from the two of them Mercedes interjected "that would be great if you did, because I still don't know why you are here" she said her eyes snapping back to Sebastian. She watched at her husband gentle cupped them both pulling their daughter from her motherly grasp. "Why does she need to Stay Sebastian?" Mercedes questioned him again a bit of an attitude peeking through. "Don't tell me to calm down..." she said told him lifting a threatening finger as she rest her hands on her hips. "I haven't named her anything" she finally replied some anger melting away as she watched him with her, "I've spent my morning looking for you. I didn't know where you were Seb" she said moving to him her hands gripping his arms "I didn't know where you were I was scared... I woke u and you were not here. She laid beside me in the bed..." she told him stroking the child's hair, her eyes moved to Quinn again. "Now tell me please, what is going on baby?" she asked him looking up into his eyes as she did. "Talk to me... I'll understand" she told him running her hands through his hair slightly. "Does she need help? Is she homeless?" she asked with sweetly.

Gracie stops short, at Sebastian’s command. Eyes flitting between her husband and an upset Mercedes. Placing Thomas on her shoulder, she squared her jaw and step back into the room. Pacing, she side steps clothes that were scattered over the floor. Thomas’ cries only become shriller, for her efforts. She did want to help the woman. After all, it was Mercedes’ kindness that had comforted Grace, when she had awakened in the gleaming white room, strapped to a table. “Shh,” she repeated resting her cheek on against her son's head. As Mercedes became more upset, she stepped up beside Sebastian, showing a solidarity with the man she didn’t presently feel. Leaving his side, however, was not an option. She could see that now. The baby nestled in his arms, pulled her closer. As she neared Thomas cries began to die away, stopping completely once she was arm to arm with her husband.

Sebastian sighed finally, taking his eyes away from the quieting baby and latching them with Mercedes's. Quinn's shoulder gave some comfort. Sebastian's eyes began to water lightly, he shook his head. "I thought you were dead,' he repeated. He winced at Mercedes's hand through his hair, more sobs choking at the back of his throat. He felt a breakdown coming on, Mercedes was too much and so close. He shook his head when asked about Quinn's presence, he couldn't form the words. "Everyone thought you were dead, Mercedes,' he mumbled again, looking at his feet. "She's not homeless."

Mercedes watched on as Quinn turned around at Sebastian's command, there they stood like a united front before and she pursed her lips slightly as she took it all in. She looked upon her husband seeing him wince at her touch and she hissed under her breath "give me her back Sebastian" she told him as she pried their daughter from his hold. "Why would think I were dead?" she asked him "why?" she repeated. "Who is everyone?" she said as she held the baby

Gracie stared at the children marveling, as her once screaming child quieted almost instantly. Sebastian’s broken tone tore at her heart. Drawing her eyes to his pained, hurt expression. Rubbing his back, “The police --everyone told him you were dead.” Grace added in a whisper, “I saw you dead with my own eyes.” Mercedes seemed to have forgotten her and their time aboard the alien craft. Or at least she was pretending to. Needing to help him with the words she knows he couldn't form, she stares at Mercedes for a long moment, a mixture of sadness and fear coursed through her. “I’m his wife… this is our son, Thomas.”

Sebastian let go of the child easily, seeing that Mercedes seemingly needed something palpable to latch onto. He took a step back, Quinn offering him some closure. He nodded as she spoke, until she lingered over the word 'wife'. Pressing his eyes shut, Sebastian looked Mercedes in the eyes again finally.

Mercedes the lack of involvement Sebastian had in the midst of this situation infuriated Mercedes, she clenched her teeth tightly. At Quinn's words however Mercedes blinked slowly "wife?" she repeated. "So you thought I were dead and you just started a whole new life, didn't think twice about me at all. My God Sebastian did you even mourn me? Or the memories we made? What could have been?" she asked him in shock, "wow" she breathed. "It was that easy to toss me aside..." she trailed off as she moved past him and Quinn both unable to look at either one of them. "And then you have a child with her? A baby?" Mercedes said looking back "wow" she breathed out again.

Gracie steps aside, as Sebastian moves away from Mercedes. Shaking her head, “Non. It wasn’t like that… “ Casting her eyes to her husband. Her face a wash with empathy “He loves you… even now. Can’t you see it?” As Mercedes pushes pass her heading towards the door, Thomas began to whimper and cry again. “Our child, my life is a miracle. Mercedes you know me… You saw me, please try to remember. This thing happened to all of us, please… don’t go. Talk to him, let him try to explain.” She choked out, pleading with the woman.

Sebastian suffered damage after damage at Mercedes's words, he was unsurprised when she pushed past himself and Quinn. She had always had a temper, he was foolish to think she'd understand so quickly. He was, too, foolish to think that Quinn wouldn't take the chance to mention their marriage. It was bound to come up eventually-- would they all just live together and never question why Quinn and a baby with dark hair and pointed chair tagged along. Quinn did her best to empathize-- it must've been hard for her. Sebastian was utterly confused and hopeless, he was thankful for the blonde's presence, though the situation wouldn't have been had she not been there. Did he feel bad? Was he supposed to feel bad? Everyone thought Mercedes was long gone, Sebastian never knew she was pregnant. "Mercedes, please,' he whimpered pathetically. "Stay, we can work this out, where are you going to go? Do you have any clue how long you've been gone?"

Each passing word only agitated Mercedes more, even though in the back of her mind sure she'd believe she were dead to especially considering where she had been and for how long. Her eyes rolled on their own accord as she listened to them both speak "and what if I don't want to work this out?" she asked them both. "I don't particularly like sharing and I really don't think I should have to. Yeah" she nodded "I saw you up there but I don't believe I told you to marry my husband and have his baby when I did" she told her outright. It was harsh and normally she was not but this was a very big pill to swallow and she didn't know if she could. "I don't know where I am going, but I don't want to be here" she said matter-of-factly. "I don't want to be here and I don't believe you'd do this to me, out of all people" she said looking down all the while she spoke. "Do you love me?" she asked swallowing hard, somewhat of a lump had formed in the back of her throat and she refuse to let the emotions that stemmed from it pour out. "Or do you truly love her?”

Years of fighting first with her birth parent and then her time at Briarcliff had done little to prepare Grace for this set of events. And even with this turmoil, she still preferred it over the asylum. By instinct she took a step closer to Mercedes. As if on que Thomas’ wails subsided, but this was only half noticed by Grace. She winced as her words were flung back at her… It was presumptuous for her to assume such a thing. But still, she stood by her words. “No… you didn’t. I – I don’t know why they…” Turning away, Grace glanced to Sebastian for comfort. “Pourquoi ce qui se passe?“ She prayed, hoping for some sort of sign in this bleak moment. There had to be a reason but what could it be.

Sebastian gulped, both the women stared at him then. Sebastian was strong, forged by fire. Always sure of himself, always steadfast. His only vulnerability was loving so openly, he fell for anyone who catered to his ego. Luckily, so few women had stuck around in his time, and he'd found no fault in either. His love with Mercedes had always been patchy; Sebastian was dominant and so was she, often the two argued, he wishing she would be subdued, Mercedes hearing nothing of it. It was a relief to meet Quinn, a quieter type, resilient but easily moved. He loved both, decidedly equal. Mercedes still stood shaken, the baby girl quieting when Thomas and Quinn neared her again. The women stared him down, waiting for him to make the next move. "I love you, Mercedes,' he emphasized, drawing closer to his first wife. He gripped her arms assuredly and touched his forehead to her's. "You have no clue how glad I am to see you. You have to trust me... Do you trust me?"

Mercedes shook her head at Grace again she felt betrayed if anything, of course she remembered Grace the damsel in distress. The woman she helped to get past the evil the face up there, in the sky. She helped her and this is how she repaid her - sleeping with her husband and then marrying him. If looks could kill both Quinn and Sebastian would have suffered at the hands of Mercedes for her eyes bestowed a death like non other. She slowly blinked again to see Sebastian in her face, gripping her arms, begging for her budge. He wanted her to be okay with something he knew all too well she wouldn't have. And perhaps that brought upon switch two for them both, he knew her, well because after all she was here first. "I don't like this, and I won't because you want me to" she told him peering into his eyes. "You have one wife... and as far as I am concerned "one child" she said looking to Quinn. "I trust you... I just won't share you is all" she told him honestly. "I shouldn't have to I was here first..."

Gracie held her son. The one true thing she had in this moment. His soft, smooth skin was still new to the world. The constant thump of his heartbeat so strong, so sure; he was the anchor she needed. For him she had to endure. Mask firmly in place, she faces the couple, surprisingly unfazed by the tenderness her husband is showing to another woman. He was after all a good, gentle soul who would never hurt anyone intentionally. Mercedes words were expected. How else could she process this? If the situation had been reversed, Grace wondered how she would have fared. However, there were somethings she couldn’t accept. “Deny me all you like… It’s your right but,” she said looking to her gift. “Not Thomas. As hard as I know this is for you. You are not the only one affected.” Lowing her eyes to the beautiful little girl nestled her Mercedes arms. “On this we have to see reason.” She finished quietly.

Sebastian felt a twinge at his heartstrings at the deathly glare Mercedes bid him, a look she only gave when she was truly upset. He nodded in understanding, hoping a sense of malleability would bring forgiveness. "I know, I know,' he convinced. Sebastian dropped his head when Quinn began to speak, nodding along with her. He didn't want to gang up on Mercedes, but it seemed the latter didn't understand just how confused and hurt he and Quinn were as well. "I agree, we have to be reasonable... I'd say this is impossible, but with the things I've seen,' he looked over at Quinn. "We've seen, this isn't a shock. We just have to make the most of it. I love you both, I want you both here, but I won't force either of you to stay."

Mercedes blinked twice, she looked to her husband then to Quinn and then back to Sebastian again. She stayed mute, standing there one hand holding the small child's back and head as the other held her close.

Gracie eyes shifted to her husband. He meant well but today was overwhelming, to ask more of anyone in this room, was heartless. She loved him so much. A protection and love like this was all she’d ever hoped for. She’d given her life for him once and would gladly do it again, even if that meant letting his go. The room fell quiet, a silent Mercedes alarmed her, somehow more than anything else. “I don’t have anything or anyone in this world. Aside from Thomas.” It pained her to leave out Sebastian but for now it was necessary. A single tear, slides down her face. A brief slip in her iron clad mask. “Allow me to stay, long enough to save money for a place to live. It’s all I beg of you Mercedes. That, -- and that Thomas is Sebastian’s.” She had awakened to joy. By right Mercedes deserved the same. What she had been meant with was almost unforgiveable. “I only ask this for my son…” Using her hand she wiped the tear away somehow standing up a little straighter.

Mercedes looked to Quinn as she spoke up, in spirit Mercedes was a lioness and a force to be wreckin with. But underneath the lion's heart and mane, the nurturing side of her fought with her more dominant and protective one. She swallowed hard as she looked to her child, she would hate it if her child had to part from her or her father - so she couldn't bring herself to do it her, even in this circumstances. Though it almost sickened her to open her mouth to speak to the woman further she did "okay" she said simply. "Fine..." she breathed out "but you will stay not a second later after you can afford to go" she warned. Because though fierce and mighty in her looks and her ways Mercedes was more intimidating in her silence and coldness. "Thomas is Sebastian's, though it makes me uneasy to acknowledge it.... I will" she concluded walking off as she did.

[mercedesalma-blog]

Continuum.

INVOLVED: Mercedes Smythe, Sebastian Smythe, and Quinn Smythe.

TIME FRAME: n/a. 

[mercedesalma-blog]

June Bug.