#( convo. margaret hawthorne )

[daehyunxkwon]

Dae-Hyun enjoyed his weekly meet-ups with Margaret. Were they best friends? He didn't think so. They ran in very different circles and they didn't have a lot in common aside from their work during the budding minds gatherings. With the gardens being out of use until spring, they'd agreed to meet up every Tuesday at the same time as they would be in the community gardens. This time however, his mind was occupied elsewhere, playing with the wedding ring he had on his middle finger rather than the finger it needed to be one. Babysteps, right? He looked up when Margaret sat down, having completely missed if she had said anything. "What?" @margaretxhawthorne

[julianxhawthorne]

"Yeah?" He asked, letting his minder for a short while. He knew his parents were strongly against his relationship and had she been just another fling he would've called it off. It was the second thing he had felt strongly about to go against his parents, the first one having been his career. Bet they thought that one wouldn't stick this long either. That's when he turned to the humorous side of the conversation, snickering when she mentioned she wouldn't be wearing a tutu. "I will wear the crap out of that tutu, just you watch me." Julian proudly stated, crossing his arms in a dare. "I look brilliant in a tutu." @margaretxhawthornelevy

"I know you didn't." Margaret affirmed to Julian, knowing her brother better than that. "Thank you," she smiled at her brother, appreciating the support that he was giving her. There had always been the dream of moving up in the company and making the family business hers, but it would never be in their father's plan. Margaret had spent what felt like an eternity doing things to make other people happy. "It looks good on you, really." She knew there were tensions that had been brewing over his relationship with Haven but honestly, Margaret was happy for the both of them. Studying her brother, it was his question that caused her lips to curl into a brighter smile, one that was followed by a roll of her eyes. "Ha," she scoffed at him, "I will not be wearing a tutu, but I'll make sure we have one in your size for when you come practice with Taylor." @julianxhawthorne

[julianxhawthorne]

"Oh, I bet. I've come to appreciate a healthy relationship between my work and personal life. I'm sure everyone would." He nodded, knowing that these days he couldn't wait to go back home and be with his girlfriend and her son. Sometimes he was too eager and impatient, but he didn't feel like he needed to disclose that. When she spoke, he readjusted his gaze to her, pondering the decision to have pizza. Technically he wasn't allowed, having to maintain a diet. But with his sister he didn't feel like refusing her suggestion. "Sounds like an idea. Pizza it is." He nodded, fishing the keys from his pocket. "Let's go." @margaretxhawthorne

END.

"Mm, yes, something like that," Margaret was continuously looking for ways to improve, only because she felt like she had to continue to prove her worth to her father. Even being older than forty years old, she looked for his acceptance that she was worth of his love and yet, she never felt like she was good enough. "I'm sure some people would appreciate that," she didn't indicate who, but one of those people would be herself. Much to anyone's surprise she didn't love working this late but it was compulsive to do so. "We," she paused a moment, logging off her computer, "we can get pizza," she offered to Julian, "I haven't had dinner myself." Admittedly, she forgot to eat, again. @julianxhawthorne

[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

"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

[julianxhawthorne]

"Hey, no. I didn't tell you to try and guilt you into it. I'll be fine, besides it'll be a few years before we get there, anyway." Last thing he wanted her was to feel forced to stay on when her passion was elsewhere. "You should do what makes you happy, Marge. And if I can help in any way to set you off, all you need is ask. Not that you need it, but you know." Julian uttered, offering her a smile at her compliment. No one had ever shared they respected him for 'thinking ahead'. Not when it was their father who had always told him he was too rash. "Guess fatherhood did make me more responsible." Their mother might be against his relationship with Haven and the possible 'threat' Lake might be in terms of their heritage, as he wasn't his biological son. But there was no denying his life had blossomed ever since he joined their lives. More responsible compared to the loose party canon. For a moment it seemed he wanted to say something, teeth softly biting down on his lip until he smiled at her. "Will you be wearing a tutu?" @margaretxhawthornelevy

Margaret paused at Julian's words, her heart swelling in her chest at the sentiment behind them. "Oh-" she paused, realizing it wasn't something that had come up for her. She didn't expect that Julian give her any special treatment because they were siblings. "I guess that I could do both," she offered to her older brother, "Ballet is a different kind of challenge for me," she told him, "a passion project but that is something that could be done after hours, weekends, it's not like I don't have the whole set up in the basement," she continued on. Her expression softened as she looked up at Julian, "I do appreciate it, though, it means a lot to me. I've always respected that you've been thinking ahead, planning your next steps." @julianxhawthorne

[julianxhawthorne]

"Yeah.. I know." Julian uttered, knowing what she meant about it not meaning anything. He didn't understand why their parents were so anal about the male and female aspect. If an outsider had to choose, they'd choose Margaret over him, and he fully respected it. Now, it was a safety net for when he quit racing. He would still have a career and he would be good at it too. He was trained for it all his life after all. Gone to university for it. "You should." Julian nodded, letting a crooked grin slowly grow present at her joke. "I'm not going to lie. I was hoping you'd be my COO when I take over." He voiced his thoughts, thinking of how with that, he would've asked Simon to be the CFO. The three of them would run it together. "But if ballet's your future, you've got my support." @margaretxhawthorne

Margaret knew that letting it slip that she wanted to quit would be a shock. For her entire life, Margaret had been working to prove herself to their father, a man that would never appreciate her in the same way that he did his sons. "Yeah, ballets always been a passion of mine and," Margaret paused, "Nate and I have been talking and these years," the blonde ran a hand through her hair, "it doesn't mean anything," at least not to their father, "I should finally do what makes me happy." Those words were not something that she thought she would ever say. "Between you and Nate, you might be able to concoct something up," she half-joked as she spoke of her husband, "I just want to be happy, Julian." @julianxhawthorne

[julianxhawthorne]

"One can dream, but I sincerely doubt it." Unless their mechanics and engineers were able to keep up with improving the car, there was only so much that he could do. Julian arched his brow when Margaret disproved his theory, taking a sip from his drink which happened at the wrong time. Her mentioning the word quitting got him to inhale part of his drink, sending him into a coughing fit. At least it wasn't coming out of his nose, there was no coming back from that one. "Quitting?" He managed, watching how she looked around her as if their parents were to jump out of the wood works at any moment. "Ballet?" He repeated once more before he caught on that's what he was doing and not exactly replying. "But I thought w--" He stopped himself, setting the glass down on the table. It wasn't about him after all. "Need me to distract the old man with big news before you announce it? I'm sure I can come up with something." @margaretxhawthorne

She had thought Julian was doing well, but she knew that her understanding behind her brother's career could be lacking. In which she thought he might have performed at his top level, he might think the complete opposite. However, she was always proud of him at the end of the day. He was clearly doing something that he loved and she had never had the guts to do something like that. "Hopefully next year will go better," she smiled at him before shaking her head, "No," she paused a moment as she realized this was going to be the first time she said it aloud. "I was thinking of quitting." The words left her mouth and she immediately looked around, half-expecting their father to be standing within ear shot. "I want to teach ballet." @julietaxalvarez

[julianxhawthorne]

"Always leave room for improvement." Julian shrugged, never expecting a hundred percent but always giving hundred and ten. Such was the Hawthorne way of life. "No. No plans, just informing her I'm having dinner with you so she won't expect me to come." He told her, glancing up at her with a smile before finishing the text. Subconsciously, Julian knew the nickname wasn't a favourite with Margaret, but having heard it being used his entire life, it sometimes slipped out. "Babysteps. Maybe we should create this function on the computers that after six, there's a countdown to wrap up your work before the network shuts down." At least that time, people could only work late for one hour. It was definitely something he'd try and remember for when he was CEO. Nolan would probably disagree. "Can always take Taylor out for some pizza in the weekend, smooth things over." He suggested. "Damn, now I want pizza." @margaretxhawthorne

"Ah, underestimating I see with that nine," Margaret quipped back in return, though she still wore a smile on her lips. She and Julian were not as close as they once had been, but it didn't mean she cared for her brother any less. "If you have plans," she trailed off, giving him a shrug as he called her Garrett. The nickname was one that her father had given her not long after her birth. It was also a nickname that she loathed, due to the fact that her father had called her that because he had wanted her to be his first son. "I wouldn't say that," she thinned her lips, "I'm still here and it's well past Taylor's bedtime." The one she missed once again. @julianxhawthorne

[julianxhawthorne]

Part of him was eager to tell his sister of the shit their mother had pulled. To at least pull one person out from under the pyramid scheme that was the Hawthorne family. And yet, despite the anger he felt towards his mother, there was still that duty-filled and loyal part of him towards the family crest that just kept him silent. He also knew, that with how eagerly Margaret wanted to please their parents and prove that she mattered. Which she already did, but she knew it hadn't been easy for her just because she wasn't their first born son. Especially towards their father. "This year was shit. Our performance dropped, it's a miracle I made champion, but not a surprise we didn't win for the constructor's title." Julian never hid his true words, voicing his thoughts. Especially when it concerned his racing career. He also wasn't happy with his team mate, so he hoped for better days next year. "Oh? You're taking a sabbatical? You're right, I might actually not believe that." @margaretxhawthorne

"Mhm," she nodded her head, having heard the rumors being sprinkled throughout the office building. Margaret rarely engaged in such gossip, but she couldn't help but be baffled by their mother's audacity. "That doesn't surprise me one bit," the blonde slowly shook her head at Julian's words. "I wish that it did," she wished that their parents had grown out of some their bad habits over the years that their children grew into full fledged adults. A nod of her head followed his thanks as she changed the subject. The last thing she really wanted was to dwell on parents, considering her own reservations with their father. "It has, but you've done well, not that that surprises me." She continued, a softened scoff pushing over her lips. "Right, a pipe dream," she half-joked in return, "no, but, I've cut down, some. I've actually been considering something that might actually be unbelievable." @julianxhawthorne

[daehyunxkwon]

“Sorry, hi.” Dae let out a chuckle, lowering his hands when he saw her noticing. Last thing he wanted was to appear as obvious and conflicted. with a shake of the head, he sat up straighter, letting out an apology for her believing he wasn’t interested in her company. “Just thinking of the past. Sneaks up on you sometimes.” He explained, picking up his own mug of tea to drink from. “No your company is always brilliant.” He ensured her, offering her a smile. “You survived the holidays though. That always seems to be the question.” @margaretxhawthornelevy

Maragret raised a brow at the other, her lips slipping into a smile and knowing smile as she set the cup of tea on the table. "I said hello, Dae-Hyun," she repeated, her voice light and teasing. Her eyes flicked to the ring that he was fidgeting with and she tilted her head slightly, "but it seems your mind is elsewhere today," it wasn't difficult to piece that together. "What's got you so distracted? Or should I take it personally that my company isn't quite as riveting as possible? Which," she held up her hands in a mock apology, "I can't say I'd blame you, the holidays take a lot of out me." She continued with a slightly playful tone at the other. @daehyunxkwon

[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

Margaret laughed with Joanna's words, "As a mother of only one, I do think that's a very great idea." She joked with the other woman. Though, for the most part, Taylor was a breeze. Her daughter was independent, much like she was. Though, she'd be lying if she said that didn't worry her. She much hoped that she would end up more like her father. "I've been busy, with work," of course, what else would Margaret be busy with? "Taylor's started up school again and is doing well with it, she's already talking about what after school activities she wants to join. She's like me, always wants to stay busy." She laughed softly, "And you? How are you doing? It has been too long." @joanxwagner

[julianxhawthorne]

Caution had always been more of a thing for his sister than it was for him. Sure he had a respect for his father, and it had been born out of a childhood fear but now that he was an adult it was more of a mutual respect. He watched his tongue around his father, but he didn't have to filter as much with his father. "Ten out of ten, what was I thinking with a nine." Julian shook his head, though the smile remained. "Uh, yeah. Sure. Let me text Haven it's just her and Lake for dinner tonight." He agreed, fishing out his phone to start the text message. "Sounds like you're learning, Garrett. You're making me prouder each day." @margaretxhawthorne

Margaret thinned her lips at Julian's words. Their father certainly did know how to push buttons, but she didn't say anything aloud. It wasn't unknown that Margaret would agree with Julian but she feared that Nolan would be walking by and hear. There was already no reason for her to take over the company and she didn't need her reasons to end up in the negative territory with her father. "That I do," that much she could agree with Julian aloud. "It's probably more like a ten out of ten chance," she partly joked, knowing that's likely what her husband would agree to depending on the season of work. "Hungry? Need a drink?" She questioned, figuring it was her way out of work or who knew how long she would be at the office. Likely until the sun came up. "I'm about finished up, nothing that can't wait until tomorrow." @julianxhawthorne

[julianxhawthorne]

Julian thanked his sister when she put his drink down in front of him. He was able to pick it up and take a sip to taste when she mentioned their mother. "Is that what she's been telling people?" He scoffed, running a hand through his locks. He needed a haircut, but he couldn't really be bothered. "I've got calls and texts from her that I didn't answer that say otherwise." Julian spoke, albeit with slightly gritted teeth. "Mom has made her bed, now she can lay in it." He was certain Meredith hadn't been transparant about the things she'd done, the things she'd said, the stress she put on his fiancee. Julian hadn't told people either, he wasn't going to waste his breath on it. At the topic change, he felt himself relax a bit more. "Thanks. Been a tough season." He wasn't sure how much she'd seen, but that was okay, he didn't expect her or his parents to. Simon was a different story, being his manager and all. "How've you been? Been cutting down on your overtime at the company or is that a distant hope?" He joked, knowing that his sister put heart and soul in the company, even at the cost of time spent with her family. @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.

[joanxwagner]

"Madge, honey. I'm a mother of three, as if I will spend this festival without having liquor in my apple cider." Joanna laughed, sharing the same sentiment as Margaret. Her children were at a sitter, her husband was gone -- as usual. She wasn't going to be tame now. "None of that children's cider for you and me, I promise." She continued, linking her arm with Margaret's. "How've you been lately. I've hardly seen you around." @margaretxhawthorne

starter for @joanxwagner

location: downtown kismet harbor

"I hope you're leading to me to where the spike the apple cider," she joked with Joanna as she walked alongside her. "It's good and all, but it could use a little kick. This might be the first time I actually have zero work to do and Taylor is off with her friends and hubby is off with his." She almost felt free of her life's pressures, almost. She'd never entirely be free of them as they had her in shackles.

[julianxhawthorne]

Hard work wasn't unknown to the Hawthorne family. Between his racing career, his non profit and the company he ran with Simon, he was always able to spend his time working from the early mornings to the late evenings. At least his time commuting from country to country helped him catch up on his companies. And yet, he still had time for the holding. He wasn't as active in it as Margaret was, as Julian was well aware. That didn't mean it would stop Nolan Hawthorne from getting him involved more and more, especially since the man started talking about retiring more these days. Eager to return home after a sit down with his father and discuss business as well as some personal things, he decided to drop by his sister's office, knowing that the chance was great that she was at work still at this late hour. He stood with his arms crossed as he leaned against the doorpost, a smug smile on his face at his sister's mistake. "Glad to see dad is pushing everyone's buttons today." He uttered, then shrugged. "You know that when dad summons you, you come, no matter the hour." He told her, moving away from the doorpost and instead into her office. "I knew that it was a nine out of ten chance you'd still be here, so I figured I'd drop on by." @margaretxhawthorne

starter for @julianxhawthorne

location: hcp holdings

Working late was a bad habit that Margaret had always had. Even the chidings from her husband or the tears from Taylor when she missed bed time could not sway her - at least not when there were deadlines to be met and right now, there were lots of deadlines to be met. Her phone lit up and she sighed at the text from her husband, that dinner had been put away. She was grateful that he had even cooked but she had a feeling that he was disappointed. Margaret was just logging out of her computer when someone's shadow caught her attention at her office door. "Dad, I told you I'd get -" she looked up, only to find it was not her father, but rather her brother. "Oh, Julian," she was surprised to see him there. "What brings you here so late?"