A World Without Sun discussion

Alice was quiet a moment. “He’s not okay. Dad had his studio emptied. Took away his phone and laptop. And forbidden him from leaving the house expecting for school.”

"What? All over a kiss?!" Melody stood up, upset. "Can I talk to him?"

“Apparently it wasn’t just a kiss. It was an act of defiance,” she mimicked her dad in a mocking tone. “I’m not sure if he’ll talk to you. He won’t talk to me… one sec.” She left her room and walked down the hall to her brother’s room. She knocked on the door and said that Melody was on the phone. The two chatted briefly before Jacob’s warn-out voice came over the phone. “Hey you:”

"Hey. Are you...I mean I know your not okay...I just." Melody sighed. "Im sorry your dad is treating you like this. I shouldn't have said anything or gone to the gala."

“This isn’t your fault,” he said gently. “I should have known better than standing up to him like that. I’m sorry you got dragged into this.”

"Don't be. I played just as much of a role as you did. He didn't break your cameras did he? Just packed them away somewhere to give back to you later?"

“He threw them out… or at least, that’s what he said. The butler managed to save my favourite one, at least. But everything else is gone.” His voice cracked.

Melody could only imagine how he felt. She pretty much lost it when Peter stole her journal and ripped it up. "Why don't you leave? YOu can come over here?" she offered, not knowing what else to do in this situation.

“If I leave, I won’t be able to come back.” He said painfully.

"I dont know what to do. I dont know how to help." Melody admitted. Sure he had his sister there but he was still alone and she hated how defeated he sounded.

“I don’t think you can right now. Thank you, though.” He took a shaky breath. “I’ll see you… soon”

"Well he has to let you have paper and pencil right? Why dont you draw me something until I see you again? Or have Allie bring it to me? Like pen pals?"

He let out a small breathy chuckle. “I guess I could do that. But I warn you, my drawing skills aren’t as good as yours.”

"Then it's a good thing you have time to practice." Melody added, glad to hear him laugh a little despite everything. "Just give it a try."

“I will. And Melody? It was nice hearing your voice. Thank you.” He hung up.

Melody looked down at the phone and sighed. She didnt know what she could say or do to male this better. Sure there probably wasnt anything she could do but she just felt so helpless. Jacob always found someway to help her. The least she could do was return the favor right? Melody rejoined her grandmother and Lori at the table and tried to focus on the conversation instead of her thoughts.

Lori looked at her friend. “Everything okay?”
Sunny sipped her tea.

"Jacob's dad put him on lockdown and took away all his photography stuff." She looked at her grandmother. "Does our family do business with the Perrys? Maybe you or Grandpa Cole could talk to his dad?"

“I’m not sure talking with the man will help. But I can see what we can do.” Sunny promised.

Melody nodded and tried to refocus on Lori to distract herself. "Are you still hungry? I can get you more food or we could get you set up in a room."

“I’m a bit tired,” she admitted.

"Is it okay if I take Lori to her room?" Melody asked her grandmother knowing how particular she was with tea behaviors

Sunny nodded. “She’s staying in your uncle’s old room. I already had her things brought there. But she’s welcome to sleep at your place tonight, if that makes her feel better.”

Melody nodded and hugged her GranMummy quickly before grabbing Lori's hand to pull to her place.
Cole came into the tea room. "I thought I was past th years of getting knocked over by little girls." He sat next to his wife. "What was the emergency earlier?"

“A pregnant preteen with no place to go,” she sipped her tea. She gestured for him to sit. “Care to join me?”

Cole sat with her. "Please tell me your not alluding to Mel. If today's newspaper is any indication they're going to havd a field day with that information. "

“No, it’s not Mel. It’s one of her friends. I doubt Miles would kick our granddaughter out over a pregnancy. That would be a bit hypocritical of him.”

"With everything thats happened in our family recently I just wanted to make sure." He sighed. "Unfortunately not every family reacts as well as you did to Jade's pregnancy."

Sunny sighed. “I know. And now Melody is having drama because of that boy. She wants us to talk to his father.”

"The Perrys?" Cole rubbed his beard trying to think if their businesses even overlapped. "I dont know what good that would do. What does she expect us to do waterborne him with your tea? If Melody is worried or however she's feeling then for better or for worse she might have to play by nobility standards."

Sunny nodded. “I agree. But I’m not sure how to explain that to her.”

"I doubt she'd be receptive to it. Shes not like Greyson and Cecilia's kids. Here they're all normal but out there it's different. Not that Miles is wrong for how he raised her. Melody is a great young lady but...she may need to be less of an artist and more like her mother."

Sunny sighed. “She’s not going to be happy to hear that.”

"Oh she'd probably burn the house down or something. " Cole wrapped his arm around her. "I say we run while we still can."

Sunny giggled, leaning into him. “You know they’ll find us.”

"But I've already started planning our post retirement vacation. " Cole groaned, nuzzling her neck. "Are you sure your okay leaving Sunshine Teas to Jade?" He trusted that Jade could handle it. He was more worried that Sunny wouldnt give her space to.

She giggled. “I’m sure. Are you sure Greyson can handle this?” She wasn’t to sure, but everyone else seemed to think he could.

"We talked about it and he says he wants it. I did suggest him getting an assistant though to juggle everything." He believed in Greyson but he didnt want him stretching himself too thin.

Sunny nodded. “I think an assistant is a good suggestions.” She sighed. “Why does our family stay in so much drama?”

"I would say that this all comes from your side of the family but my mother was the daughter of a Princess." Cole shrugged. "If the Perrys are any example, its a good thing our family is as active and involved as they are. Since other noble families do so little for the city. Lavender did more in her 2 years as a Princess than most families even think about."

Sunny sighed. “I raised the kids to have solid beliefs and to follow their hearts. I’m worried that that got lost with Melody. Nothing against Jade and Miles. I just… don’t see that in her.”

"Talk to her. Guide her." Cole encouraged her. "Melody will probably listen to you more than Jade. But save it for later. I got a call for a play date with our other grandchildren. Are you up for a trip to the castle? I cant promise you that Autumn and Victoria will do a tea party."

Sunny smiled lightly. “Of course I want to go. Tea party or not.” She stood.

Cole chuckled and led her out to their carriage. "Do you think Ginger will be here or there, or is she still doing this joint custody thing with Cameron?"

“Last I heard, it was joint custody.” She got into the carriage. “I hope she’s in town, though. I miss my baby.”

Cole got in and looked out the window so she wouldnt see the pain on his face. "I do too. While were on the castle grounds we should visit Lavender's grave."

She nodded. “We’re overdue for a visit.” She’d ask a servant to get them flowers to leave her.

Cole nodded and stayed silent for the rest of the ride to pull his emotions together. When they got to the castle, he helped Sunny out.
"Granny!" Victoria yelled excitedly running over with her music teacher and Betweener guard trailing after her. She knew practicing outside was going to be better than indoors.
"Ouch. Im here too." Cole joked watching the girl jump onto Sunny

Sunny giggled and picked up the girl. She guessed that Ginger wasn’t here, since a guard dressed in hard clothing was. He was clearly a betweener. She focused on her granddaughter. “Hello beautiful. Was that you I heard playing? You’re getting rather good.”

Victoria wrapped her arms around Sunny's neck. "Thanks. I get to see my teacher more when we stay here. Ms. Robin plays in the city's orchestra. She's really really good."
"Its an honor to be chosen by the royal family to help the princess." Her teacher spoke up, bowing to the family. "We can continue our lessons another day Princess Victoria."
Victoria waved goodbye to her teacher before focusing on her grandparents. "Can we play?"
Cole nodded taking Victoria from Sunny so he could get some hugs too. "Sure. Where's your cousin? Maybe she wants to play too."
Victoria groaned. "She won't want to." Her sister cousin was still upset at her. She thought that apologizing would fix things but now Autumn was just being a jerk .