Part Deus Ex Machina - Jamaya

396 Words

I've drowned and dreamt this moment

The week leading up to Christmas was easily the most agonizing week he dealt with in the whole year. This time was far more bearable than most, however, because years and years his niece and his younger nephew were finally home again. That of course only made Evangeline want an even more extravagant party, but he figured it was well worth it for the twins. And though they were adults now, barely, he'd been doting on them as much as any uncle could as if they were still hardly teenagers.

Christmas shopping for Evangeline was one of the hardest things he had to do for the holidays and he figured if anyone could help it was Charlotte as the women had such similar tastes. Miles had just come along for the ride to suffer with James through shopping. James related much easier to his niece and his other nephew Will, but Miles was much like his grandfather which warmed James through and through.

With everything going on that week, he couldn't quite dwell on his interaction with Maya. He'd been very drunk as it was so the whole thing became hazy after the first half. It bothered him, sure, he knew she deserved a more civil interaction than she had gotten, but he also didn't feel as though it was entirely his fault. He knew there was a possibility for her to come to the countless dinner parties that lead to the Christmas party or that she'd just come to the Christmas party, so he figured he would fix the mess then. And yet, as the lady in front of him took out a rack of maps nearby, he knew that he wouldn't be waiting quite as long as he'd hoped.

Miles was the first to react and he helped steady the rack while Charlotte simultaneously went to collect the maps that she could all while James stood there shocked and mildly amused. Charlotte placed the maps back in their spots and Miles glanced between the adults, picking up on the familiarity they shared and he looked at Charlotte.

"Well, this is awkward," James pointed out ironically and laughed.

Charlotte looked at him incredulously and turned to the unfamiliar woman, "Are you okay?"

When worlds collide and days are dark.

345 Words

I've drowned and dreamt this moment

The initial response she gave made James laugh again. At least she had thawed out from the dinner party. The bags she held still made him uncomfortable, reminding him that she was pregnant and he still had no idea how far along she was. It had been hanging over him for longer than he liked, but it wasn't like he could just blurt out the question asking if it was his and insinuating that she was some kind of slag. He'd been an ass before but that seemed to be a bit of a line crosser. "I guess I can take your word for it, seeing as you've got evidence and I wouldn't have been caught in any of those stores," He answered with a smile.

Charlotte and Miles exchanged glances again and both of them shifted under her gaze. When she said their mother's name and then followed with theirs, James felt his body tense up. So she did know their mother, just as he'd thought before.

Miles was the first to respond, which normally would have been strange save for the fact that he felt a little less miffed by their mother than Charlotte did. "We are, not to be rude or anything ma'am, but I can't say either of us really remember you." Charlotte's hand had found its way into Miles' and James knew that by looking at them, she was channeling his ability to soothe her own. Maya was clearly oblivious to the relationship that had come to be between the twins and their mother as well as Moira and just about everyone on Landon's side of the family. Although, to be fair, James didn't blame just her for that outcome.

"I guess I should have asked how you knew my mother at the dinner party. Perhaps if I'd had my wits about me I would have," James said a little stiffly, his hand resting on Charlotte's shoulder.

When worlds collide and days are dark.

346 Words

I've drowned and dreamt this moment

Charlotte's interest was piqued when the woman mentioned that she'd known Will well when he was younger. She couldn't help but wonder what this woman knew of what came to be of their family. But then, she figured she didn't have a clue since they'd moved away. Neither of the twins could really see their mother having a best friend, least of all one that seemed sweet.

All James could think was that he hoped Maya didn't end up as shitty of a parent as his sister-in-law. It wasn't fair to lump her with Moira, but it didn't at all help her case with him to know that she had been best friends with her. Moira had always hated James, perhaps that explained why Maya couldn't stand him either. It wouldn't have surprised him if his darling sister-in-law had shit all over his good name. It wasn't a shock that Evan liked her, his mother was a forgiving person and tried her hardest to love everyone she met. Moira had been one of her favorites at one time too back before they left England.

Abruptly she began to walk away and James didn't make any move to stop her. Miles could feel her discomfort and he wondered what it was about James that made her feel as such. He cleared his throat and reached out to touch her hand lightly, "Wait. Uh, would you...would you like to join us? We were just about to get lunch." He didn't know what it was that made him suddenly so interested in this woman, but the feeling he got from Charlotte and James, both were conflicted and, he supposed he felt like making a last minute decision.

James glanced at Miles and then at Charlotte before returning his eyes to Maya, "Yes, we were. Would you like to?" Even though he knew she'd likely say no because she couldn't stomach one more minute with him.

When worlds collide and days are dark.

365 Words

I've drowned and dreamt this moment

James found himself watching Miles more and more. The last time they'd been out to London, he'd been much quieter, nearly silent without Charlotte to be his mouthpiece. As time progressed, he could see Callum in him, the influence from James' father was beginning to become dominant in the oddball Spencer. Charlotte was most like Evangeline and Will took after James more than either of his parents. But with Callum not around anymore, it was hard to notice who Miles was like unless they knew the patriarch of the family.

He couldn't help but smile because the softness of Miles complemented the tough exterior of his twin and James himself. It was no wonder that Maya had agreed. If it hadn't been for the blonde, James could be certain that she'd have turned her nose up at him and walked off without another word. Miles glanced back at him when he too extended the offer and smiled which only made James hurt more.

Charlotte's eyes were cast away and he knew she wasn't keen on the idea, but she had to be as curious as he was about how a woman like her could associate with a woman like Moira. "Char, did you decide on a place?" He asked to catch her attention again. She looked up at him and shrugged noncommittally. "C'mon, Miles already got his place earlier, Will chose the other, it's your turn, Lottie."

Her nostrils flared when she let out a sigh and tucked her hair behind her ear, "I just want to go somewhere quiet. The Locke maybe?" James glanced at Maya to catch if she was familiar with the hole in the wall restaurant that he'd found back when Charlotte frequented London and began to show an interest in poetry. It was a good place for new writers to leak some of their material and get feedback, but it was also quiet and under the radar with the best gourmet grilled cheese on this side of London.

"Sounds like a lovely idea, have you been Maya?"

When worlds collide and days are dark.

325 Words

I've drowned and dreamt this moment

James was a little taken aback by the fact that she was familiar with his niece's favorite place. Part of him had to wonder if she was only familiar with it because of Moira hearing about their excursions from Charlotte or if she was an actual interesting person. James kept those thoughts to himself, of course because he knew they were a little rude, but he couldn't quite stomach things quite yet with her. Even less when she continued to bring her pregnancy to his attention. As if it wasn't sticking out already.

Charlotte seemed to express the very feelings that James had, as she turned away and rolled her eyes so that only James caught it. He assumed Miles had too because he was the one to answer, "I am terrible with words." He let out a laugh and nudged his sister, "But Charlotte loves words. Lengthy, dramatic and complicated words."

She gave him a sharp look and he gave her a softer one. It was always strange watching the way that they communicated without words. "I'm a Lit Major, not a writer."

James figured he should probably step in before Charlotte got more frustrated. Things were obviously sore between her and Moira and the reminder of her didn't seem to be welcomed. He couldn't blame her for that, but he also knew it wasn't Maya's fault that their mother had decided to become neglectful. "She knows good writing when she sees it or hears it. One thing that she picked up from too much time with her uncle, aye?" He gave his niece a smile and she quirked her lips up at the side briefly. "I didn't know you were into writing though," He turned back to Maya. He supposed he didn't really know much of anything about her though.

When worlds collide and days are dark.

280 Words

I've drowned and dreamt this moment

Charlotte grimaced at her words, but Miles laughed and it was hard for her not to laugh when he did. He seemed to like her, although she couldn't see why. This woman had been around before them, back when it was just Will, back before he'd left. Before their parents had turned on all three of them for what they were even though it ran in the family. And Miles could feel the tension building within his sister, her confusion and her anger, he was pretty certain that if it weren't for him, she'd have had a meltdown by now. Maya wouldn't know though and Miles didn't feel that it was fair to judge someone for who they had been friends with growing up. People changed.

James smiled when she finished and nodded, "I would love to see that in action, but I'm an encourager of writing. Probably because it always amuses me to see how others do it." He remained close to his niece and nephew when they entered. As soon as they were led to a table, he realized that the booth's seating arrangement was about to be a little awkward. He knew that Charlotte would opt to sit next to Miles which would leave Maya beside him and he wasn't sure who was more uncomfortable with that decision.

It didn't take long before Charlotte excused herself anyway and Miles followed, apologizing.

With a sigh, James pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm really sorry about, Lot. She's been having a rather difficult time lately."

When worlds collide and days are dark.

289 Words

I've drowned and dreamt this moment

James did his best not to give much away. His job was to protect his niece and her feelings, but from the outside he knew it probably looked like she was a brat for the way she was acting. Maya told him that he didn't need to apologize and he was grateful that she didn't seem too offended by the way Charlotte left in a hurry. That was the best thing about having Miles nearby, he didn't have to worry much when she did go off. His eyes had followed his niece and nephew, but shifted to hers when she asked if she was missing something.

Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he shrugged, "It's the first time they've been back in London in a while..." He paused and glanced up at her with a bit of a frown, "Because my brother and his wife weren't keen on them being around us. But, well, they've taken their influence away from the kids for good now, so here they are." It didn't feel right, the way he put it. Landon and Moira had taken care of Miles and Charlotte when they were little, although it hadn't been equal investment, Miles having been favored clearly. James had chalked it up to Charlotte reminding them so much of Will. But it was like the moment they remained at the academy, the moment they found out about Will, their parents wanted nothing from them anymore.

"You were just a reminder, I think that's why she's upset, it's nothing you did." It was everything that her former friend had done.

When worlds collide and days are dark.