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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jun 6, 2009 12:57:31 GMT -5
It occurred to Geoffrey that he had volunteered to allow Riley to stay at his parents' house without checking with them first. He'd known Riley since his second year at Hogwarts, and he highly doubted that they would have a problem allowing her to stay for a while, but it was still a good idea to check with them.
So, after the lunch with Riley and Hayden, he'd headed over to Montgomery Manor to pay a visit to his parents.
The butler, as always, let him in, and he immediately began to walk around to look for them.
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Post by Lillian Montgomery on Jun 6, 2009 13:22:24 GMT -5
"Geoffrey." Lillian said her face lit up at seeing him home, her arms outstretched to hug him, " What brings you home?" she asked pleasure still vibrating strong in her bones, she was simply happy to have him home, especially with the way Christine had been acting, perhaps Geoffrey could reach her, no one else could.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jun 6, 2009 13:29:51 GMT -5
Geoffrey gave his mother a warm smile as he stepped into her arms. Though he tried not to be a mama's boy, he loved his mother and had no problem hugging her. He was usually quite determined to be independent, but it was still always good to come home. Especially now, when it seemed like family was more important than ever.
"Hey, Mum," he said. "Um, I actually came by to ask you for a favor."
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Post by Lillian Montgomery on Jun 6, 2009 21:45:09 GMT -5
" Oh honey, anything." she smiled at him, as if his asking for a favor was a ridiculous thing. She loved her son, and spoiled him as often as he'd let her. Though James and her had tried to bring them up the right way, teaching the value of a dollar and what not, Lillian found it hard not to give her son anything he asked. She'd move heaven and earth if need be.
At the same time she was simply touched by his being there, especially after what had happened.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jun 6, 2009 22:52:57 GMT -5
Despite the fact that his mother tended to spoil him, Geoffrey had still been brought up right, and would never take advantage of anyone. In fact, he was often reluctant to ask for favors even when he needed them, because he liked to handle things on his own whenever possible. But he was in danger of getting in over his head now. He needed his parents.
"I need to move back in for a while. And.... Riley needs to stay for a while, too, if that's OK. She's... she's not doing well."
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Post by Lillian Montgomery on Jun 7, 2009 1:06:26 GMT -5
The "house" was certainly big enough for guests galore, and were it not there were several Montgomery properties that could be opened up at the drop of a dime. In fact Christopher and Andrea had been staying there recently, along with Christine taking some time off of school since the attack and her cousin's death. They had a "full" house, but everyone had their own wings to flee to if they needed space.
"Poor girl." Lillian said shaking her head, she had briefly met Riley at her sister's Christmas dinner, and had seen the chemistry between her and Roland, but chemistry aside she was Roland's partner.
"I'm sure we can see to something." Lillian said sympathetically.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jun 7, 2009 1:20:20 GMT -5
Geoffrey released a breath. He hadn't really had any doubt that his mother would be OK with it, but he was still relieved to hear it.
"Thanks, Mum," he said with a sad smile. "You know... she's my best friend and I hate to see her like this. And I think she'll be better off if she has a lot of people around her right now. To distract her. I don't think she's sleeping, and I know she's not eating much, either. She won't admit it... but I think she was falling for him. And I know he was in love with her. It's just... it's not fair."
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Post by Lillian Montgomery on Jun 7, 2009 1:28:23 GMT -5
Unfortunately Riley would be in good company Christine wasn't sleeping and most of the meals sent to her room returned untouched. If there was a cure for misery Lillian wished she knew what it was. Nodding solemnly she spoke softly, " I agree, and I know your presence will make your sister happier." at least she hoped. Perhaps Christine would talk with Geoff, or maybe even Riley, the way things were going now it felt as if they were all losing her a little more every day.
"We'll be glad to have the both of you home."
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jun 8, 2009 0:31:49 GMT -5
Geoffrey leaned in and hugged her tightly. "Thanks, Mum," he said. "I'll try and see if we can help Christine while we're here."
Pulling back, he sighed. It was probably a good thing that he was coming back home, for so many reasons. The family needed to stick together during a time like this. And he knew his mother worried about him when he wasn't home. He wanted to say it was silly, but after Roland's death... well, anything seemed possible.
"I don't suppose she's come out of her room or said anything to anyone, has she?"
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Post by Lillian Montgomery on Jun 8, 2009 15:00:27 GMT -5
Lillian returned the hug with a squeeze of her own. Nodding, agreeing to help him anytime, grateful for his assistance with his sister.
When he asked about her she just sighed, " I'm afraid not." she lamented. " I've never known her to bottle things up before, she's such an outgoing, larger than life sort of girl... If she would throw a tantrum, or if she were looking for revenge even I'd understand." she'd have been no less worried if her daughter decided to go after the person who killed her cousin but she'd hav at least understood the passion in her daughter, this quiet inward reaction scared the hell out of Lillian.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jun 8, 2009 21:45:44 GMT -5
Geoffrey sighed. No, it wasn't like Christine at all, and he was just as scared as his mother was. "I keep thinking about Christmas, when he took her off to another room to talk to her. Whatever he said to her, it seemed to make her feel better at the time, and she was almost like herself again. But then losing him.... it seemed to take away what little hope she had left."
It was almost as if Roland's death had been a ripple that grew into a tidal wave, drowning everyone who had loved him. How were they ever supposed to find their footing again?
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Post by Lillian Montgomery on Jun 9, 2009 15:34:00 GMT -5
Lillian sighed, as a mother she often felt things were her fault, this new mood of Christine's was no different.
"We kept you both very sheltered." she sighed, " Oh you both had your adventures certainly, but there was always security keeping an eye on things. You know better than Christine because you...well you work at the ministry, perhaps not the auror department," which Lillian had to be grateful for, " but nearby. You at least hear of these sorts of things happening...life, and death, perhaps not often but you know it happens... Christine...for all the danger she's been in she's always come out unscathed. She's never known the feeling of not having control...I think that's terrifying for her...and I...I don't know how to make it better."
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jun 9, 2009 21:06:07 GMT -5
"It's scary for me, too," Geoffrey said. "My best friend, my aunt, my uncle, and... well, now only one cousin... are all aurors, and they're out there risking their lives every day... and innocent children are walking into Hogsmeade and getting killed for no reason... Christine is used to the world being a great adventure, and all of a sudden, it's not so fun anymore. These people... they don't care who they hurt. They're dragging us all into a war that we weren't ready for."
He sighed heavily. There was a very good chance that they'd lose more loved ones before this was all over. But he made a silent vow to himself that Riley would not be one of them. Not if he could help it.
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Post by Lillian Montgomery on Jun 9, 2009 21:14:06 GMT -5
Lillian nodded, she liked this no better than him. It was hard not to sigh in despair but she felt as if she had done that already a dozen times since talking to him and she didn't want to be so meloncholy, " I worry about your Aunt too..." she said despite herself. Cara couldn't possibly be handling this well and Lillian wished she could do something to ease her sister's ache.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jun 9, 2009 21:42:50 GMT -5
Geoffrey nodded. If you loved someone right now, it was only natural to worry about them. What had already happened... it was only the beginning. Geoffrey was beginning to get scared. He couldn't blame Christine for retreating into herself. When he thought about it, he almost wanted to do the same.
"I know, Mum. I guess we should all just try to keep the people we love close to us and let them know how we feel every chance we get. Roland loved Riley, and he never got a chance to tell her that before he died."
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Post by Lillian Montgomery on Jun 10, 2009 18:20:37 GMT -5
Lillian nodded as her eyes fell to the floor, she remembered heartache very well from her own youth. It had been a hard battle to overcome but eventually she managed, and she and James sorted their problems, they had Geoffrey and Christine and have been very happy together. She worried about the pain now that set out to hurt her children.
"That's part of the reason I'm doubly glad you're coming home. For a little while at least, or...do you know how long you might be staying?"
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jun 10, 2009 22:52:01 GMT -5
He really didn't have an answer for that. It couold be a couple of days, a couple of weeks, or a couple of months. Even after the immediate danger from Roland's killer was past--if it was--Geoffrey was rather inclined to make Riley stay for a while longer, just to make sure that she was back on her feet. She may have been putting a strong face on for the world, but Geoffrey knew better. He could see right through it. And he wasn't going to allow her to go back to her apartment alone until he was sure she was going to be OK.
"I don't know, Mum. I'd imagine a couple of weeks, at least... but it could be longer."
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Post by Lillian Montgomery on Jun 10, 2009 22:58:05 GMT -5
Lillian laughed, her son made it sound as if it were a chore for him to stay there, or as if he were intruding upon something, "Please Geoff you know you're more than welcome to stay as long as you like." she got that teasing twinkle in her eye, "In fact you know if you wanted to start moving back home..." she left the sentence open, nudging her son. She knew that he needed his independence, and his space, but it was a mother's perogative to wish their children home with her as often as possible.
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Post by Geoffrey Montgomery on Jun 11, 2009 0:16:46 GMT -5
Geoff smiled. "I do like my freedom, Mum," he replied. It was probably the only thing other than the basic family ties that he actually had in common with Christine. They liked freedom and independence.
"But Roland's death... it threw us all for a loop. No one was expecting it, and I think we all need the comfort of family around us to help heal."
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Post by Edward Montgomery on Jun 11, 2009 7:10:57 GMT -5
"Not to mention the attacks." Edward said entering the room. It was eerie how well he came and went in a place as large as the Montgomery Estates happened to be, but he always seemed to be in the know of things. He nodded toward his nephew, "You're quite right Geoffrey, now is a good time for family." he sighed, if only Sam would come home. He knew that she was safe at school, her brother was watching over her of course, and Nicolas, and Julian, even Erica was there and keeping an eye on Samantha as he had asked, but he wouldn't have minded too terribly if she wanted to stay home as her cousin was doing.
"I'll be glad you're staying for even a small while." he wished his own brothers felt the same as his nephew, he missed the days when the castle was full and booming with Montgomerys left and right.
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