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[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/J9vuXSF.png[/img][color=7B68EE][h3][color=FBC4B0]The Dawson Family[/color] 
[color=azure]&[/color] The Nanny[/h3][/color][/center]
[sub][color=dimgray]Collab with [@BeastofDestiny] & [@Lovely Complex][/color][/sub]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/bbK1Wcg.png?1[/img][/center]
[indent]Tying her silk robe closed, Annabel sighed to herself when she heard the entrance of her nanny. She was still looking out the window, watching the flower boy running away for dear life. She wasn’t necessarily in the mood to put on a face, but she did need to start her day. That entailed clothes so she could give her neighbors a visit. From her closed office, she called out to Adelaid, not returning the humor, simply telling her, her plan, [color=FBC4B0][b]“We’ll be giving that to the Reeses. Put it in my blue vase, please.”[/b][/color] which was in the kitchen on the island, empty and waiting.

[color=FBC4B0][b]“The kids need to eat,”[/b][/color] she added. The tone of her voice was enough to display that the bosswoman wasn’t in the best mood. She started her morning off thinking too much, and now she had to consider her friend’s and her sister’s words. Was taking a break worth the leisure? Having too much free time simply meant Ana couldn’t keep herself busy from thinking about unnecessary things. Things that made her feel insufficient and depressed. [color=FBC4B0][b]“Give me a few.”[/b][/color] It was time to change and get her engine started. Put the smile on that everyone loved. Be a good, friendly neighbor and give her condolences. 

Meanwhile, outside, Charles threw his toy water gun on the ground, Maya’s bunny plushie leaned against the tree. The tree with a tire swing on it, [color=f7941d][b]“This isn’t fun.”[/b][/color] He pouted, sitting on the floor and grabbing his friend’s stuffed animal, one of many, and placing it on his lap. [color=f7941d][b]“You’re too big and too fast. And win all the time. It’s no fun.”[/b][/color] Charlie wasn’t very confident in his abilities to take down his sister, which is why he liked Maya as his partner. They both were capable of taking her down. Together.

[color=c75e49][b]“Aw come on, Choo Choo.”[/b][/color] Phoebe picked up his tiny water gun and tried to be a cowboy with her toy, and his, attempting to twirl it in her fingers like the movies, [color=c75e49][b]“You should try harder! Giving up just makes you [i]lame[/i].”[/b][/color] 

[color=f7941d][b]“I’m not lame! Mommy says I’m special and wonderful.”[/b][/color] He possessively hugged the doll. [color=f7941d][b]“I just want my friend!”[/b][/color] He defended his honor. There was nothing wrong with missing his friend. Phoebe was just being a big meanie. She should be missing Maya too!

Rolling her eyes, she slipped the toy guns in her mother’s belt, that was wrapped around her thin waist, and made her way to her brother, [color=c75e49][b]“Give me that, Choo Choo.”[/b][/color] She tried pulling the bunny away from him, by the ears.  [color=c75e49][b]“Mommy said she’s on a trip! You need to stop being a baby.”[/b][/color] 

[color=f7941d][b]“No! Stop it!”[/b][/color] Charlie used all the force in the world so Phoebe could not take the bunny from him. Fortunately, Maya’s favorite teddy bear was on her bed, across the street. This was her second favorite stuffed animal named Brownie that she and Charlie shared. [color=f7941d][b]“You’re going to hide Brownie from me! Stop it, Phoebe! Leave Brownie alone!”[/b][/color] Phoebe aggressively yanked the bunny out of her brother’s hands, but it was rewarded with the sound of a rip. The bunny’s head slightly hanged off and its stuffing seeped out. 

The waterworks started and Charlie screamed. Phoebe immediately regretted everything and tried to calm him down.  [color=c75e49][b]“Shuuush. Be quiet, will you! I’ll fix it, Charlie. Don’t cry!”[/b][/color] He got up, pushing his sister away in the process, and picking up the wounded bunny. He started to run. [color=c75e49][b]“Choo Choo, I’m sorrryyy! Don’t tell mommy! Where are you going?!”[/b][/color] He was trying to open the gate to tell the Reeses what his sister did. He was too tiny to reach the latch. His sister was a horrible person. 

As per usual it was all business with Ana, and she sounded even grumpier than usual, most likely to do with the current situation at the Reese estate. [b][color=7B68EE]“Got it boss![/color][/b] Well, time to make some money, honey, and what better way to do that than by making a quick and nutritious meal. Adelaid had some plans to concoct some new meals for the kids, but those were more suited towards dinner time, right now, it was more like chicken nuggies and mac & cheese time. Heading to the kitchen, she was just about to put the flowers in the vase before a blood curdling scream emanated from the backyard, nearly making Ade drop the bouquet right then and there. [color=7B68EE][i]'Annnnnd this is how my day starts,'[/i][/color] she thought, sighing and shaking her head.

Carefully she placed the flowers in the vase and started making her way to the sliding door that lead to the backyard. In most cases, whether you’re a parent or a caretaker, whenever a child screams it's usually because tragedy struck, like they fell out of a tree or something. In Adelaid's experience, it was usually because Phoebe was being a brat to her brother, and while she wasn’t running like the four winds were at her back, she did stride out with purpose. [b][color=7B68EE]"Alright you two, what’s going on out here?!”[/color][/b] Her voice was raised, carrying out her authority without being angry or too loud. Thus the scene unfolded as such, Adelaid with her hands on her hips, head cocked and eyebrow raised her gaze sharp and discerning, whilst Charlie was still trying at the gate, and Phoebe looking like she was about to shit bricks. She walked her way over to Charlie, a quick gaze to Phoebe as if to say, [i]what did you do now?[/i] before returning her attention to Charlie, a blubbering mess. Once in front of him, she crouched down, eye level to the tearful boy, her gaze calm and with a gentle smile on her face asked, [b][color=7B68EE]"What’s wrong Charlie? Why are you crying?”[/color][/b]

Charlie couldn’t muster words. He tried to in between cries, but it was just a blubbering mess, so he lifted up Maya’s bunny and said the only thing he could say, [color=f7941d][b]“Dead.”[/b][/color] While the nanny was preoccupied, Phoebe used this to get her actual mommy involved, to soften the blow. So. She scurried silently into the house. Regardless if Ade yelled for her to stop, she wasn’t going to. Phoebe was what you call a bad apple that did what she wanted. 

As was tradition, whenever Charlie cried out wolf, Phoebe would slither away and seek asylum with mommy. Even if Adelaid told her to stop, she was too free spirited to listen to her and in a way it was kind of cute the way the kid reminded her of herself; a free spirited brat. Either way, one crisis at a time, as a nearly headless stuffed bunny, the one that Maya shared with him. Her smile faded into a more thoughtful one, she felt bad for the children, enduring through the white lie that had been fed to them, they must have missed their friend so badly. The moment passing, her smile resumed as she attempted to reassure the boy, a small giggle eliciting before stating, [b][color=7B68EE]"Don’t worry baby, Brownie’s not dead, he’s just got a little booboo, that’s all!”[/color][/b]

Grabbing Charlie from both sides, she hoisted him up into the crux of her arm and with her free hand, grabbed a handkerchief to wipe his eyes and nose; practically needed those on hand for him. [b][color=7B68EE]"How about this? Let’s go inside and I’ll take Brownie to the bunny doctor, okay? And for being such a good friend and taking care of him, I think you deserve a little treat for lunch! How about...chicken nugget dinos and fries?”[/color][/b] The tears lessened at the offering of nug dinos and french fries. He loved fries. Sniffling he nodded. Taking Brownie to the doctor will be good for her. Then when Maya came back home, she would know he was a good daddy. [b][color=7B68EE]"Alright! First though, let’s go say hi to mommy, okay?”[/color][/b]

[color=f7941d][b]“Mommy is going to be mad I’m crying. She never cries, so me crying is bad.”[/b][/color] Charlie rubbed his face gently on the back of Brownie’s almost-falling-off-head, not realizing he was making it worse. That made Adelaid’s heart sting a little, if only he knew what Ana endured, the nights that Ade had to console the woman when she had too much to drink. Mommys had to be strong however, they couldn’t show that side of themselves, at first the thought of it was pure rubbish, but as the years went on, she understood why she couldn’t be that way around them. [b][color=7B68EE]"Don’t worry baby, mommy’s not gonna be mad, she’s gonna be so proud of you for taking care of Brownie, now come on, let’s go inside.”[/color][/b] With that, she made her way back into the house, package and all. Phoebe on the other hand, she’d deal with later, there were other...tortures she could put her through that didn’t involve a silver suppository.

Inside her bedroom now, Ana rummaged through her clothes in her closet, deciding what she should wear. Should she wear one of her classy formal suits? Probably not. She wasn’t working today. Pulling out a blue summer maxi dress she stared at it for a bit, until shaking her head. She wasn’t feeling that either. Before she came to any decision, her daughter came rushing into the master bedroom, [color=c75e49][b]“MOMMY! Choo Choo isn’t being a big boy and he’s trying to get me in trouble.”[/b][/color] 

Ana narrowed her eyes. Phoebe knew better than to run into her bedroom like that. [color=FBC4B0][b]“One second. Mommy’s kinda getting dressed.”[/b][/color] Poking her head into the closet, seeing her nakey mom, well her mommy was in a bra and panty, but she was still nakey, Phoebe suggested, [color=c75e49][b]“Wear the last dress you wore when you went out with Mrs. Reese! It looks very pretty on you. Pink looks pretty on you.”[/b][/color] Her daughter wasn’t going to give her space, was she? 

Fine. 

Choosing [url=http://picture-cdn.wheretoget.it/foxaks-l-610x610-pink-pink+dress-mini+dress-high+low+dress-knee+high+boots-brown+boots-dress.jpg]the dress[/url] she wore the day before Ophelia committed suicide, and her white jean jacket, with brown boots, Ana made a couple of glances towards her naughty daughter, who was gawking at her. Most likely glad to still see her mother home. This was one of her dresses she wore in college, but hey, it still fit her. Didn’t make her look her age though. Nothing really helped with her looking older. Even when she tried to be more conservative, it simply looked like a twenty year old trying to be taken seriously, but failing. That’s where her words come in. Once she opens her mouth, people know she isn’t some ‘dumb blonde’. 

[color=FBC4B0][b]“Are you going to tell me what happened or will I have to get the spoon involved?”[/b][/color] 

[color=c75e49][b]“No!”[/b][/color] Phoebe defensively yelled back. Rarely did Ana discipline her children but when it was needed, the spoon got involved. The enemy in this household. [color=c75e49][b]“No wooden spoon is needed, mommy.”[/b][/color] Note to self, hide it. Hide that damn spoon.  [color=c75e49][b]“We were just playing and Brownie got caught on the tree and broke!”[/b][/color] Phoebe lied. If there was one thing that was NOT going to happen was her getting spanking! She would run away if that happened. Absolutely run away! 

[color=FBC4B0][b]“Is that so? What else happened?”[/b][/color] The mother calmly responded, as she went to her vanity, grabbing her brush and quickly taming her hair down. 

[color=c75e49][b]“Charlie keeps talking about [i]Maya[/i]. When are they coming back anyways? I can’t keep him happy by myself!”[/b][/color] Through the mirror, Ana stared at the death glare that her daughter was giving her. Persistent and with a point. Ana didn’t know how to answer her daughter’s question...

[b][color=7B68EE]"Knock, knock!”[/color][/b] As if the angels had descended down from heaven, Adelaid appeared in the doorway to Ana’s bedroom, a much more calm Charlie in her hands. Scanning the room, she found thing #2 and made it a point to give her an extra cheery smile before lowering the young boy to the ground. [b][color=7B68EE]"Hey Phoebe, why don’t you take your brother downstairs and play in the living room, lunch’ll be ready soon, okay?”[/color][/b] There was a cheer in her voice sure, but there was intent in it, something that said [i]I dare you to try and do anything different in front of Mommy[/i]. Turning to Charlie, Adelaid extended her hand, [b][color=7B68EE]"I can take Brownie to the bunny doctor, okay? Don’t worry, I’ll be extra gentle with her.”[/color][/b]

As much as Phoebe wanted to sass the nanny out, and trust me, she had a lot of comebacks, she decided to hold her tongue and pay her respect later. [color=c75e49][b]“Fine.”[/b][/color] [color=c75e49][i]Just you wait old lady! You’re messin with the wrong villain.[/i][/color] Yes, Phoebe was already plotting up something to set Ade’s world on FIRE. Doom to the old fart! 

[color=f7941d][b]“...okay, be very, very soft. And have the doctor give Brownie a lollipop.”[/b][/color] Charlie released the plushie and looked toward his mommy, [color=f7941d][b]“I’m okay, mommy. I love you.”[/b][/color] 

Ana’s gaze softened at the scene, always respecting Ade’s way with her children. [color=FBC4B0][b]“I love you too, Choo Choo Charlie.”[/b][/color] The boy beamed his dimpled smile at his mama, before Phoebe started tugging his hand to leave. 

[color=c75e49][b]“Let’s go.”[/b][/color] Before Phoebe left, she met her dark gaze with the nanny’s, equally challenging her. She didn’t like the nanny. One day, the nanny would go. After a minute or two, the kids left to play downstairs. 

[color=FBC4B0][b]“Fun start?”[/b][/color] Ana teased, going back to brushing her hair.

Adelaid watched as the kids bolted downstairs and as soon as they were out of earshot, she looked back to Ana,[b] [color=7B68EE]"Ah, you know how it is,”[/color][/b] grunting a little as she stood up,[b] [color=7B68EE]"Just looking after another casualty of war and what not.”[/color][/b] Casually making her way over to one of the dressers, she retrieved a small sewing kit from one of the top drawers, selected an appropriate color to match Brownie’s fur, then planted herself on the vanity next to Ana. Threading the needle she got to work on reattaching a nearly decapitated bunny head. This wasn’t her first one either, Phoebe was rather rough on her toys, or more appropriately, her brother’s toys. While some would say that she showed her playthings lots of love, Adelaid would say she was just being a brat, not an issue so long as it didn’t go too far, but it did cause some kinks in the cog.

While working, her eyes wandered over to her boss, she did look rather gorgeous in that dress and couldn’t help but express it, [b][color=7B68EE]"Damn Momma, you lookin’ fine today, got a hot date or something?”[/color][/b] Adelaid couldn’t help but laugh a little.

[color=FBC4B0][b]“I wished.”[/b][/color] Ana chuckled back. [color=FBC4B0][b]“The little devil herself chose this outfit. I guess I have nothing better to do, so might as well look like I got it all together. Amiright?”[/b][/color] Placing her brush down, she started applying light makeup under and around her eyes for the apparent dark circles. [color=FBC4B0][b]“Griffon and Lyla left me messages. I’ll call them back [i]eventually[/i]. They want me to… not work.”[/b][/color] In short, yeah, that was what their messages were about.  

Ade raised an eyebrow, her needlework stopping,[b] [color=7B68EE]"You? On vacation? Since when did pigs start flying,”[/color][/b] She laughed a little harder this time, before going back to her operation, eyes softening, [b][color=7B68EE]"But for real hun...it's not a bad idea to take a little time off and get yourself squared away.”[/color] S[/b]he stopped and placed the half finished plushie on the vanity, looking at Ana. [b][color=7B68EE]"What happened to that family, [i]sucks[/i] and I’ve only known them for a few years, I can’t imagine what’s going on in your head right now.”[/color] [/b]There was a bit of concern in her voice, [b][color=7B68EE]"I know you haven’t been sleeping right lately, and I know you use work to focus on things and sort of make everything else disappear for a bit, but you need to focus on you. If nothing else, think of the kids, I mean, how long are we expected to keep the charade up? They’re smart...well, Pheebs is smart,”[/color][/b] deviously cunning was more the right word as she continued her handiwork.

[b][color=7B68EE]"Look...you’ve been running ragged lately, and those kids have gone from a daily habit of having their little friend over for two years, to suddenly zilch; they know somethin’ ain’t right. RIght now, they need you, more than ever and if taking time off means helping them will lead a way to helping you, I think it’s worth it.”[/color][/b]

Placing her makeup sponge down, Ana turned her body towards her friend, her voice lowering, saddening, [color=FBC4B0][b]“It feels like February all over again.”[/b][/color] The month that Ophelia committed suicide.  [color=FBC4B0][b]“I could’ve stopped that, y’know. There were [i]signs[/i]. Like the last time I saw her was a plea for help, but I was too focused on me. What if this is the same shit? Like I could’ve stopped Roddy from doing something stupid?”[/b][/color] Truthfully, she was a terrible friend and if anything, she probably only made their personal lives worse by never being there for them like they were for her.  

Ade continued to listen while finishing the surgery, making one last incision and snip she inspected the bunny. It smelled a little off and was a bit sticky and gooey from Charlie sobbing all over it, but nothing that a bath in the washer couldn’t fix. Lowering the plushie next to Ana’s hand, she briskly moved over it to grab it consolingly, clasping her other hand over it, [b][color=7B68EE]"Babe, you can’t keep blaming yourself for that,”[/color][/b] Ade looked her in the eyes,[b] [color=7B68EE]"Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda, [i]Life. Happens.[/i] People make choices all the time and sometimes we have no idea why they made them, but we can’t go and blame ourselves for other people’s actions.”[/color][/b] She let that hang in the air for a moment, her eyes fixated on the stressed woman in front of her.[b] [color=7B68EE]"If you really believe that though, that you could’ve done somethin’ better back then, then do somethin’ better now. Not just as your nanny, but as your friend, take a break and I’m not askin’,”[/color][/b] she shook her head a little, her voice becoming a little more serious,[b] [color=7B68EE]"I’m tellin’, be here for yourself, for your children and for that family.”[/color][/b]

Ade had a point, but it was hard to not feel like she didn’t fail. Her job dealt with the truth and fighting someone’s case. Yet, when it came to her own personal relations, all that went out the door. Logic didn’t seem to exist. [color=FBC4B0][b]“Fine. I doubt you’ll take no for an answer, even if you know I’ll do what I want regardless of what anyone says,”[/b][/color] Like mother, like daughter.  [color=FBC4B0][b]“I will ‘take a break’. Whatever the hell that means. Now.”[/b][/color] She checked herself once more in the mirror. One last thing. She applied maroon lipstick on, before adding,  [color=FBC4B0][b]“Let’s feed the monsters, before they actually become monsters.”[/b][/color] More so Phoebe than Charles. 

[color=FBC4B0][b]“What actually happened, anyways?”[/b][/color] 

[b][color=7B68EE]"I think I’ve got a few ideas on how to help you out with ‘taking a break’”[/color][/b] Ade smiled with a wink before taking the bunny to the laundry basket, tossing it in and hefting it up. [b][color=7B68EE]"As for what happened,”[/color][/b] she shrugged, [b][color=7B68EE]"Hell if I know, my guess, Phoebe being a brat again...speaking of which…”[/color][/b] she trailed off as she started downstairs, [b][color=7B68EE]"Pheebs! Whatchu want for lunch?!”[/color][/b] [color=c75e49][b]“You know what I like… [sub]old lady[/sub]. SLOPPY JOES, DUH.”[/b][/color]  [b][color=7B68EE]"Great! Fish Sticks it is!”[/color][/b] her voice echoed.

[color=c75e49][b]“[sub]You will pay...[/sub]”[/b][/color][/indent]