"Kennedy is my middle name," he shrugged as though it was only a minor detail I overlooked, "Blackwood is my last, I just rarely use it on paper."
"River, how many times do I have to tell you to start using your father's name!" Violette exclaimed swatting him on the arm,
"If I did, everyone would know who I am." He proclaimed defensively, "and they'll think it's an excuse as to how far I've come with my art."
"Hope that's the last skeleton in your little closet," I whispered to him playfully and he laughed,
"Maybe, maybe not." He shrugged and then I swatted him on the arm,
"Ow!" He groaned, "Why is everyone on my case today?"
"Because you're insufferable." I grinned, "But I love you for it."
"Sebastiàn, did you hear that she said sheloveshim you owe me a trip to the Maldives this April!" Violette squealed clapping her hands,
"Your first relationship is already costing me so much." His dad groaned, kissing her on the cheek, the way he looked at her alone made me want to melt, and he placed his hand over her belly, "Hopefully you won't fall in love for a very long time my girl."
"So what brings you here today Armani, how come you didn't go home for the holidays?" Violette asked,
"My mother isn't very fond of my relationship with River, and we just need some space apart right now." I explained trying my best not to go into detail about it "I hope it's not a bother that I'm here unexpectedly."
"Of course not sweetheart, know that you're most welcome here whenever you want. If you ever need a family, we're more than happy to be there for you." Violette beamed, placing her hand on mine, "I know what it's like to have tough parents, they gave me everything but their love which I so desperately needed. It’s also why I ran away to Paris and married this amazing man right here and he gave me the second love of my life which you now call your own."
"Thank you for having me, really." I thanked her and I turned my gaze to River who appeared to be lost in thought as he stared out the window. "Hey, what's on your mind?"
"Nothing." He dismissed but I threaded my hand through his own,
"You can lie to anyone but me." I reminded him and he got up and pulled me along with him,
"Maman I'm just going to show Armani the garden," He announced, "Aurez-vous besoin de quelque chose?"Will you need anything?
"No thank you, I won't, and what have I told you about speaking formally in French with me, you know I'm no good at it even after all these years!" She scolded him and I laughed.
We took a walk to the garden outside and all the flowers were coated with thick blankets of snow on their petals, it was beautiful, undeniably consuming. I hugged myself from the cold and turned my gaze back to River who was pacing back and forth amongst the dandelions and running his hands through his hair.
"I think I'm ready." He said stopping in front of me,
"To do what exactly?" I asked, "I'm confused."
"I think I'm ready to tell my parents about Jace and me, I was thinking that maybe they deserve to know and they're nice people I guess they wouldn't care right?" He ranted and I took a step closer looking up at him,
"I will support you no matter what you choose to do, and yes I do think that your parents would be very kind and accepting about it," I told him,
"My mother is very religious and follows the church with her whole heart, I- I don't want to disappoint her, she doesn't deserve that." River sighed sitting down on a grey stone bench by the fountain, I took a seat next to him,
"You wouldn't be disappointing her, you'd simply be living your truth and if she can't accept that then it doesn't matter. I accept you, you accept you and that's enough." I assured him and he reached out to intertwine his pinky with my own,
"J'ai peur qu'elle me déteste pour ça." He expressed,I fear that she will hate me for it,
"Elle ne pourra jamais te détester, mon amour."She could never hate you, my love, I assured him lovingly and he leaned his head onto my shoulder intimately.
"I hope." He replied.
We made our way back inside and he didn't let go of my hand, not until we sat back down in the living room and he told his parents that he had something important to tell them and they sat down opposite us.
"Please don't tell me you guys are having a baby too-" His dad started and Violette punched his arm,
"Sebastiàn!" She warned,
