"...Fiona, talk to me. You haven't spoken at all since you spoke with your mother. I'm worried." Henry says as he rubs her back. They both share a spot at the end of the bed. It had been late. Everyone was asleep expect for the two lovers.

Fiona was never one to really show feelings. But when it came to something like this, it was hard to hold back. Her mother gave her the news that she was in fact dying. She didn't have lots of time. Hearing news like this made Fiona feel empty, scared, anxious, and overwhelmed.

Fiona shakes her head. "I'm fine." She says

"You're not Fine." He insist

Fiona turns to her husband with a blank face. Her eyes were becoming glossy as tears were quickly coming. He cups her cheek with his hand. His touch signaled something inside her body to allow her to cry. Fiona let her body loose and began to cry.

She went on to explain what was happening. How as each day went by her mother was becoming more and more sick as a deadly sickness was taking away her life. Not knowing how much time was left, Eileen decided to leave Cordelia with Myrtle. Some days Eileen would be just fine, but the days that Delia really needed her would be her bad days. She didn't want her innocent granddaughter to see her so frail and sick.

"... what am I going to do?" She asks her husband

Henry sighs "Stay here in New Orleans, help her, take care of her." He says sincerely

As much as Fiona hated New Orleans, she knew it was only right to stay.

"And Delia?"

"When the time is right we will take her back to the city where she will live with us."

Hearing that scared Fiona. Once the time came when Eileen would die, Fiona knew that leaving Delia behind in New Orleans wouldn't be right. Of course she would have to take her. There was going to come a time when Fiona would have to step up as Cordelia's mother and not depend on other people, she didn't except it to be this soon.

"I didn't think I'd only have a few months left with my mother..."

//-//

Christmas Day-

"Nana, I love the new stockings for academy!" Delia says as she digs through her stocking

It was a peaceful yet gloomy Christmas. Ever since Fiona found out about her mothers slow death, it was hard for her to think straight or be happy. To be honest, Fiona was never truly happy in life, especially when in town.

Henry tried to boost the spirits of everyone and make it a magical day for Delia. She was still so young and innocent. She had no clue what was going on.

After all of her presents, Jessica wanted to give Delia her gift. Delia's eyes lit up when she was handed a gift from her beloved mother. Any type of attention from Fiona was enough to make her so joyful.

Cordelia quickly Unwrapped the single present from her mother. Her smile was so large.... until, she got to the present.

She drops the box and holds up a black dress with quarter sleeves, knee length, and buttons going down the middle. Black was never Cordelia's color... she was disappointed.

"Oh! Isn't it lovely?" Fiona smiles

"Mhm." Cordelia mumbles

Eileen knew her granddaughter more than anyone else. Delia was always grateful, but she expected more from her mother, Eileen did too.

"Henry and I picked it out for you when we were in France over the summer. I think it's so great!"

"For you...." Delia mumbles.... she felt so sad. She was grateful, but black wasn't her color. She could care less about designer dresses from France.

"Excuse me?" Fiona says lifting her eyebrows

"Delia, say thank you." Eileen insist

"Thank you, mother." She says softly

All Cordelia wanted was for her mother to know who she really was. She craved for her mother's attention and approval. At such a young age, even, she felt like her mother didn't care. It was clear to Delia that Fiona was never meant to be a mother.

//-//

The next morning-

Delia spent the day at the academy to celebrate another day of Christmas with all of her friends and Myrtle.

Fiona was jealous of course, but when Delia wasn't around it was like she felt free and didn't have to work so hard to be perfect.

That morning Fiona and Henry sat in the sun room, quietly, with a cup of tea in each of their hands.

"Fiona.... you need to speak with your mother, discuss what is next. It seems like we won't be going on soon. So, it's best to let her know that we are here for her." Henry says softly with such kindness

Fiona hesitated. The thought of her staying in New Orleans scared her so much. Actually having to step up and be the mother to Fiona that Eileen had been since birth. Fiona wasn't mother material. She never wanted Cordelia... every time she sees her it reminds her of her ruined marriage and a terrible time in Fiona's life.

"We can't stay." Fiona insists

"What do you mean we can't stay? No disrespect, but honey, this is your daughter... and your mother.... your mother will need you in her final days. Your daughter will need you when she dies. If you're leaving I have to stay." Henry says sternly

Fiona was easily irritated by Henry's kind heart and generosity, but this time, surprisingly, she wasn't. He was right... she knew it. She knew she was wrong and would be a terrible mother and daughter if she left this all on the back burner.

"But what about our travels? It will all be lost with a child in our hands." She cries

"We can take Delia. She's your daughter!"

"A daughter that I never wanted! Can't you see, Henry? Did you see her face when I handed her the single gift I got her? Have you seen us connect? We don't connect! Cordelia and I are not meant for each other. Her and my mother are! When my mother dies, I don't know what I'll do! We only have weeks with her. I'm scared as hell! I can't be a mother to Cordelia." She cries

The room goes quite....

"You-"

"Henry, Stop." Fiona says as she lifts up her head to see her little daughter standing at the door. Devastation was written all over her face. Fiona really messed up this time.

"Delia.... wait." Fiona says as her daughter runs off

"Did she hear everything?" Henry asks standing up

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! This is what I mean! I'm not a mother!"