Create a Family [With a Twist]

[szinkle]

[name_f]Dido[/name_f] [name_f]Evalee[/name_f] Firestone (28) better known as her stage name [name_f]Eva[/name_f] [name_f]Doe[/name_f] is an actress, model, & old friend of sisters [name_f]Hayley[/name_f] & [name_f]Diana[/name_f]. Her & [name_f]Hayley[/name_f] shared the screen in the early days of their acting careers and bonded on set. [name_f]Dido[/name_f] met [name_f]Diana[/name_f] at one of the girls’ birthday parties when they were younger and they have been friends since, though [name_f]Dido[/name_f] will always have a stronger bond with [name_f]Hayley[/name_f].

[name_f]Dido[/name_f] currently resides in [name_u]Paris[/name_u] where her modeling career is thriving, but grew up in a small beach town in [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_u]England[/name_u]. She was raised by a single mother who she has always been very close with. Dido’s mother always encouraged her daughter to chase her dreams & has been very supportive of her daughters career. She will admit to being a bit wary of her daughter’s path when she first started out since it is so hard to make it in this field, but she’s so excited to see her daughter thriving.

[name_f]Dido[/name_f] is an only child, but recently got engaged to her partner of 7 years who is the oldest of 6 in his family having 4 younger brothers & 1 younger sister (the baby of the family). The two met on the set of A Siren’s Song, a movie [name_f]Dido[/name_f] was starring in. Her partner worked in the art department. They were smitten from the moment they bumped into each other (literally), but wanted to keep things professional and did not begin dating until after the film was wrapped.

[name_f]Dido[/name_f] is excited to start a family with her partner in the future, but is unsure if she would like to stay in [name_u]Paris[/name_u] or move back to the states.

[kitkatcookie]

cw: cheating mentioned [not this character but an established story]

[name_f]Ophelie[/name_f] [name_f]Rebecca[/name_f] [name_u]Mika[/name_u] (19), known professionally as [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f] [name_u]Mercer[/name_u], is considered Dido’s protégé of sorts. Having worked together on two projects now - first a modelling shoot and subsequently an indie psychological thriller, Quarter Past Twelve - Ophelie’s kept in regular contact with her unofficial mentor, even now she’s in [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_u]York[/name_u], settling into an apartment with three close friends [one of whom is the assistant and menteee of a respected composer, the other two are in school], while working on a new independent horror film: The Empty [name_m]Fields[/name_m]. It was [name_f]Dido[/name_f] who helped [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f] regain confidence in [name_u]French[/name_u]: a language she excelled at speaking in school, however upon coming to [name_u]Paris[/name_u] she was terrified to embarass herself. Her other primary cause of initial crippling shyness around fellow cast and crew members is because of the perception she’s merely a nepo baby, getting by on connections and birth name.

The [name_u]Mika[/name_u] family have long been involved in the film and modelling industry, stemming from Ophelie’s great-grandfather - an actor who progressed into directing, specialising in surrealist films - and she’s not the only one in her family to be currently working. Her dad’s a casting agent, her sister’s a model, and one of her cousins is an FX artist, specialising in digital processes. When [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f] realised she wanted to become an actress she almost talked herself out of it, the anxiety she’s been experiencing since she was 12 coming out in full force until she spoke to her mother. Ophelie’s mom is the furthest thing from the Mika’s: being a historian and curator whose happiest removed from glitz, glamour and headlines [although Ophelie’s inherited interests are primarily romantic literature, something she jokes her mom must despair over], not that it’s always an easy process.

There was a considerable scandal when it was revealed Ophelie’s sister, [name_f]Adrienne[/name_f] [now 20], was cheating on her then-girlfriend with an aspiring model, [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f]. The age and maturity gap between the two made [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f] very uncomfortable - as it was obvious [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f] merely wanted to cause discord for her own ends - however she and her sister struggled in their own relationship, as [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f] couldn’t believe [name_f]Adrienne[/name_f] threw away someone who evidently adored her just for a brief rush of gratification. Dido’s been someone who’s helped [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f] a lot in overcoming her confusion and dismay, as well as unintentionally rebuilding her faith in relationships in principle, as the sincerity between [name_f]Dido[/name_f] and her fiancée. The sister’s are on better terms now, and the conflict of the situation is perhaps what [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f] struggled with the most: [name_f]Adrienne[/name_f] was clearly manipulated by [name_f]Jessamine[/name_f] but still chose to engage in the affair, and the pointlessness of the whole thing is what caused so much heartache for everyone involved.

Amidst moving into her new place, organising the heaps of crotchet projects [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f] put on the back burner while filming, and trying to talk her dad out of throwing an insane anniversary party for her mom, Ophelie’s attentions have been distracted from the fact The Empty [name_m]Fields[/name_m] assistant sound technician blatantly has quite the crush on her…even if she’s admitted to herself they’re pretty cute.

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Jessamine & Adrienne are credited to @babynamesfactory

[jinxed_peach]

[name_f]Catalina[/name_f] [name_u]Bailey[/name_u] O’Flannagan [20] better known as [name_f]Talia[/name_f] [name_u]Lee[/name_u] is an actress who co-starred alongside [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f] in The Empty [name_m]Fields[/name_m]. Though the girls are not overtly close they have exchanged a heart-to-heart about their worries of being perceived as a nepo baby. Talia’s father is hardly a household name, but his work behind the scenes as a producer is well known through the industry. It’s not exactly a secret that he pretty much bought [name_f]Talia[/name_f] her way into the film scene. Though knowing that her father’s name will probably be following her around for good, she’s been trying to at least prove herself as an actress hence her involvement in more indie projects. But it seems that even there she can’t really outrun her family, that sound tech that’s crushing on [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f]? It’s Talia’s older brother. He’s also trying to avoid being shackled to the family name which is a little easier to do when your name isn’t on the posters but instead buried deep, deep in the credits.

Since wrapping on The Empty [name_m]Fields[/name_m] Talia’s been busy with a new project that’s pretty much all her own. A few weeks before filming concluded on the film [name_f]Talia[/name_f] discovered she was pregnant by her long-term boyfriend, another actor from another one of hollywood’s ‘royal families’ whom she’d been dating off and on in secret away from the prying eyes of gossip blogs and paparazzos.

She was able to hide her pregnancy for the last few scenes she needed to shoot, even going so far as to avoid a stunt due to a claim of a ‘chronic vertigo flare up’ and she’s continued to hide her pregnancy up until now. [name_m]Even[/name_m] her father and other siblings don’t know, only her sound tech older brother and the baby’s father have been told. She’s still got quite a ways to go in her pregnancy but [name_f]Talia[/name_f] is planning on keeping her secret until she delivers. She’s already stocked up on photos and short videos from before she was showing to slowly post over the next few months (making sure her nails are all the same in each one) to keep up the illusion. As well as getting some minor roles and media appearances filmed for the same purpose, and because she’s beginning to fear her career may be over. It wasn’t too strongly established to begin with and a baby is sure to throw a wrench into her ability to net roles. She’s painfully aware that over than her father being a hot young blonde chick was pretty much what was keeping her employed, but she refuses to give into any of that ‘snap back’ culture that surrounds mothers. It’s sort of a pipe dream, but she’s optimistically hoping that once her looks are removed from the public’s perception of her maybe then they’ll actually value her merit based on her talent.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Madelyn[/name_f] [name_f]Grace[/name_f] Coyne (nb) is the daughter of [name_f]Talia[/name_f] and her boyfriend. [name_f]Madelyn[/name_f] was born at the birthing center near her parents’ home in Los [name_u]Angeles[/name_u], and was a a water birth. The baby’s birth announcement went viral after [name_f]Talia[/name_f] posted it online.

[kitkatcookie]

[name_f]Cressida[/name_f] " [name_f]Dido[/name_f] " [name_f]Violet[/name_f] Coyne (5) is Madelyn’s cousin and another member of the ‘Coyne Dynasty’ - not that she’s been anywhere near a film set and currently her parents are certain she won’t be going anywhere near one in the future. Dido’s passion is dinosaurs, and she’s stated a dozen times over how she’s going to become a palaeontologist, never wavering when her extended relatives jokingly try and lure her into the Hollywood thrall.

Herbivores are her favourites, as [name_f]Dido[/name_f] really doesn’t have a stomach for blood, which - as she always reminds her grandparents - is why she’ll not become a vet, in spite of how present day animals are absolutely treasured by her: especially [name_f]Monet[/name_f], the Bengal cat belonging to her mom, who’s the most regal creature Dido’s ever known.

Her dad, the eldest of his siblings - three boys, with Madelyn’s dad being the youngest Coyne brother - is a director who specialises in theatre and documentaries, more commonly the latter since she was born as it allows for family time. Her mom’s a dermatologist, who also comes from a wealthy family [not quite as fame worthy as the Coyne’s], and the couple met at a party they were both dragged to as the eldest kids of their parents respectively; bonding over how quickly they wanted to flee from adult questions. Dido’s very insistent on mentioning this similarity she shares with them, although her younger twin siblings never complain, but they’re only just 1 so there’s still time for bickering [as her dad often jokes].

While she’s only young, [name_f]Dido[/name_f] insists on helping her Aunt [name_f]Talia[/name_f] matchmake with [name_f]Ophelie[/name_f], and honestly enjoys seeing romance blossom between any of the people she cares for so deeply. She’s the eldest of the cousins in her branch of the Coyne family, but her closest is only 10 months younger than [name_f]Dido[/name_f], and they’re borderline inseparable when the family gathers; their parents insisting it’s only a matter of time before they begin using their own secret code to communicate [and the duo infamously attempted this when they were 3].

[autumn.leaves]

[name_u]Carter[/name_u] [name_u]James[/name_u] Coyne [28] is the eldest of the Coyne brothers, and the director of the family. He’s worked on various theatre productions and documentaries, but his true passion lies in creating compelling stories that challenge societal norms and conventions.

Growing up in a family that was well-known in Hollywood, [name_u]Carter[/name_u] was constantly surrounded by the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. However, he always felt that he didn’t quite fit in with that world, and preferred to focus on his own artistic pursuits. He was a bit of a loner in high school, spending most of his time in the theatre and film departments, honing his craft and learning from the greats.

After finishing college, [name_u]Carter[/name_u] worked as a production assistant on a few big-budget films, but he quickly realized that his heart was in the independent scene. He started directing small theatre productions, which eventually led to him creating his own documentaries that tackled important social issues.

Despite being the eldest brother, [name_u]Carter[/name_u] has always been the most easy-going and laid-back of the three. He’s a natural leader, but he never tries to force his opinions on others. He’s also incredibly supportive of his younger brothers’ endeavors, always offering advice and encouragement when they need it.

When he’s not working, [name_u]Carter[/name_u] enjoys spending time with his wife (a dermatologist) and their three young children, [name_f]Cressida[/name_f] “Dido,” [name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] “Winnie,” and [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] “Lettie.” He’s an avid reader and loves to take his kids on nature walks, pointing out different plants and animals along the way. He’s also a bit of a foodie, and enjoys trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

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[name_f]Gwendolyn[/name_f] “Winnie” [name_f]Eloise[/name_f] Coyne [14 mo.] is the youngest daughter of [name_u]Carter[/name_u] [name_u]James[/name_u] Coyne, making her the niece of Talia’s boyfriend and the little sister of [name_f]Dido[/name_f]. [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] is a bubbly and curious toddler who loves exploring her surroundings, especially if it means getting her hands on new toys or gadgets to play with. She’s an incredibly active child and loves spending time outdoors, whether it’s at the park or on a family hike. [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] has already developed a love for animals and gets very excited whenever she sees any kind of furry friend.

[name_f]Winnie[/name_f] is a twin, with her sister [name_f]Juliet[/name_f] “Lettie” always by her side. The two of them have an unbreakable bond, and it’s clear that they share a deep connection. Despite being so young, [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] is already fiercely protective of her sister and will do anything to keep her safe. She’s also a very expressive child and has a wide range of facial expressions that she uses to communicate her thoughts and feelings. Her family is constantly amazed by her ability to convey so much with just a single look. Overall, [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] is a happy and curious child who brings a lot of joy to those around her.

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the picture of the dad and daughter was so cute – i couldn’t resist

[CherryBomb50]

[name_f]Juliet[/name_f] " [name_f]Lettie[/name_f] " [name_f]Bea[/name_f] Coyne (14 months) is Carter’s daughter, Dido’s younger sister, and Winnie’s “twinnie”. The term “Twinnie” was Lettie’s attempt to say Winnie’s name and mistakenly thinking there was a T at the beginning. Everyone has gone along with it for now, which works given they are twins, but [name_u]Carter[/name_u] and his wife reassure that [name_f]Lettie[/name_f] will get Winnie’s name right when she’s officially grasped how to talk. Right now, they’re proud of her just for trying. She and [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] have a made-up language code they use that only they understand.

She loves dress up and little cute accessories to use for dressing up. [name_f]Lettie[/name_f] is so close with [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] and absolutely adores her sweet protective love. [name_f]Lettie[/name_f] likes hugs and enjoys hugging her mother best, but will hug anyone in the family, sometimes group-hugging with [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] and [name_f]Dido[/name_f]. [name_f]Lettie[/name_f] loves nature and finds amphibians so cool. She loves frogs and toads so equally that it’s hard to decide which she loves more. But it’s salamanders she prefers best and loves their sleek, patterned skin. She loves seeing these with her dad and is always happy when there’s a delicious aroma in the kitchen.

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AH that picture is cute!

[autumn.leaves]

tw: addiction, unstable home, car crash

[name_u]Romilly[/name_u] “Romy” [name_f]Africa[/name_f] [name_u]Watson[/name_u] [17] has had a dramatic and painstaking life. [name_m]Born[/name_m] to parents who were addicted to drugs and alcohol, [name_u]Romy[/name_u] spent the majority of her childhood moving from one unstable home to another. She had to learn how to fend for herself from a young age and became accustomed to living in constant fear.

Despite the challenges she faced growing up, [name_u]Romy[/name_u] was a bright and determined young girl who excelled in school. She was an avid reader and found solace in books, which allowed her to escape from her troubled reality.

When [name_u]Romilly[/name_u] was 13 years old, she met a kind family who took her in and provided her with a stable home. She was finally able to experience what it was like to have a supportive family and a sense of belonging. The family had a daughter named [name_f]Emma[/name_f], who became Romy’s foster sister. [name_f]Emma[/name_f] was only a year older than [name_u]Romy[/name_u], and the two quickly became inseparable. They did everything together, from studying for exams to watching movies on the weekends.

[name_u]Romy[/name_u] fell in love with a boy named [name_u]Jack[/name_u], who she met in her [name_f]English[/name_f] class as a sophomore. [name_u]Jack[/name_u] was the complete opposite of Romy’s troubled past, with a stable family and a bright future ahead of him. Despite their differences, [name_u]Romy[/name_u] and [name_u]Jack[/name_u] found a deep connection with each other. They shared their hopes and dreams, and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] found comfort in Jack’s unwavering support.

However, tragedy struck when the family was involved in a fatal car accident, leaving [name_u]Romy[/name_u] once again alone and heartbroken. [name_f]Emma[/name_f] was the only other survivor of the crash, and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] was devastated by the loss of her foster parents and their children. She struggled to come to terms with the tragedy, but found solace in caring for the three young girls named [name_f]Dido[/name_f], [name_f]Winnie[/name_f], and [name_f]Lettie[/name_f]. The Coyne’s quickly became like family to her, and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] found joy in being their babysitter. She became a trusted and reliable presence in their lives, and they brought her a sense of purpose and belonging.

Despite her difficult past, [name_u]Romilly[/name_u] is a resilient and kind-hearted person who remains hopeful for the future. She dreams of going to college and becoming a social worker so that she can help other children who have faced similar struggles as she has.

[wandering_willow]

Anuli [name_f]Lily[/name_f] [name_m]Baxter[/name_m] (44) is the [name_f]English[/name_f] teacher of [name_u]Romy[/name_u], who loves having her in her class. She knows some of the terrible things that have happened to [name_u]Romy[/name_u] and while she tries not to meddle in any of her students’ business, she really respects [name_u]Romy[/name_u] for being so strong even in the face of adversity. Additionally, she loves having such a smart, astute young woman in her classroom who sets such a good example for the other kids. Anuli really enjoys teaching advanced [name_f]English[/name_f] because it allows her to push further into literature. She’s a very no-nonsense woman, despite being very jovial and bright, and does not tolerate students who don’t put effort in or participate in the class. Anuli actually has 3 kids of her own, all high school aged, who attend the same school though the one who is 17 is in standard ELA so she has none of her kids in her class (…yet!!)

Anuli was born to a Nigerian-American mother and a [name_m]Black[/name_m] father from [name_u]New[/name_u] [name_u]York[/name_u], and is very proud of her culture, making sure that none of her students are hateful towards others regardless of racial background, sexuality, or social status. Anuli takes bullying very seriously and makes sure none of her students even joke about that kind of thing, especially as she was bullied in high school due to popularity contests and a friend unexpectedly cutting her off and deciding to talk bad about her behind her back. Anuli has since forgiven and forgotten and even laughs about the incident now, but hopes her kids or students don’t have to go through anything like that anytime soon.

[kitkatcookie]

tw: fatal car accident, grief

Elizabeth " Liza " Claire Townhill (22) is the sister of Romy’s late boyfriend and a former student of Anuli, who chose to study literature thanks to how much she came to love the academic side of books after years of being an avid reader. Jack’s death was absolutely devastating for the Townhill family - its shadow still remaining: Liza’s mother almost had a nervous breakdown in the immediate weeks following the accident, and her mental health remains delicate, something her daughter and husband are constantly aware of, and try their best to ensure she’s supported at all times. Thanks to their age gap, Jack and Liza themselves were only becoming closer in the year prior to his death, and the ‘what if’ forever remains at the back of her mind: she wishes she could have seen her brother grow up, pursue his dreams and find absolute happiness. He was her only sibling, so there’s an emptiness in Liza’s world now, something she knows is irreplaceable, but always speaks of Jack when introducing herself to new people, as her biggest fear’s people erasing his memory [even if it’s unintentional].

Anuli actually stopped Liza from dropping out of college in the aftermath of the accident. She reached out to her former teacher as Liza had felt she should return home to be with her parents, however Anuli convinced her to continue with her education, as it would be even worse for Mr and Mrs Townhill to feel as if their daughter was limiting her future because of them. The structure of her life on campus was also a majorly grounding part of life, as well as one of Liza’s housemates having also lost their sibling years prior, and although the pair were close before Jack died, they became even more bonded subsequently; as Liza encouraged her roommate to open up, knowing she’d somewhat dampened her pain as people acted as if she needed to just get over it, because of all the time that had passed.

Although she doesn’t know what her first published book will be - if that’s something that happens, as Liza tells her mom and dad when they ask - she knows she’s going to dedicate it to them and Jack. Liza’s also considered including the others who died in the accident too, however she doesn’t want to step on the toes of Romy or Emma. Her late brothers’ girlfriend is someone Liza knows talking to is important - to ensure the young woman’s also having a chance to heal to the best of her ability [an especially tall order given her childhood circumstances] - however she hasn’t approached yet, as she doesn’t want Romy to be sucked back into that crushing blow in her life without adequate warning or time to prepare. She has actually been in touch with Emma in the past few weeks though: she’s applying for the same college Liza attends and was looking for some advice, as well as help looking towards closure - and it was a welcome surprise when Liza found an email from her waiting.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for grief and survivor’s guilt.

[name_f]Emmadine[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Emma[/name_f] ’ [name_f]Hnin[/name_f] [name_m]Han[/name_m] (18) is Liza’s new buddy and potential student-to-be at the university Liza’s attending. As much as she’s excited to go to college and to graduate next month, she’s saddened the majority of her immediate family won’t be seeing her walk to get her diploma. This bothers [name_f]Emma[/name_f] a lot because she knows this is the first time they will miss out on seeing a special event. Liza’s friend, who had also lost a sibling years prior, has also given [name_f]Emma[/name_f] support during this while also supporting [name_u]Romy[/name_u] and [name_f]Liza[/name_f]. People see Romy’s last name and jokingly ask if Emma’s full name is truly " [name_f]Emma[/name_f] Watson". It’s not - [name_f]Emma[/name_f] finds this hilarious but in actuality, she comes from Burmese origins. She loves humour and uses it to cope with what she’s gone through. She knows not having them around is devastating but she sees it like she “deserves” to be unhappy. Why did she survive the catastrophe but nobody else did? Everyone had their seatbelts buckled and nobody was being reckless so it wasn’t fair that everyone else had to lose their lives. [name_f]Emma[/name_f] doesn’t think she “deserves to die”, given she’s still adamant that nobody does, but she hates the reminder.

[name_f]Emma[/name_f] is currently making herself more available comforting [name_f]Liza[/name_f] and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] and feels she should use her second chance at survival to bring good into the world and help people. [name_f]Emma[/name_f] is good friends with Anuli’s eldest child and feels a great deal of support while also having lighthearted friendly activities. [name_f]Emma[/name_f] tries to be smart and mature but her biggest weaknesses are being too hard on herself and getting worried too often. She finds Liza’s roommates like surrogate elder siblings and it’s made her more motivated to attend that college as the atmosphere is very nice. [name_f]Emma[/name_f] loves playing clarinet and is an expert at cooking traditional Burmese food, her two fave hobbies. Although [name_f]Emma[/name_f] isn’t interested in dating, she and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] are both very close. They still study and are opening back up to watching movies, but at a slower pace and not every weekend like they used to.

[lilac_elixirxx]

tw: grief
[name_f]Gracelynn[/name_f] ‘Gracie’ [name_f]Imogene[/name_f] Burnwood (20) is someone [name_f]Emma[/name_f] met at a grief counseling group right after the accident Emma’s family were killed in. [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] was at a bar with a few of her friends and her boyfriend called her, asking her if she was okay and if her and her friends wanted picking up soon. [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] asked her boyfriend if he could pick them up in maybe an hour or so, because it was still kind of early. Her boyfriend told her that he loved her and told her that he would be there in an hour. It was in the winter and the sky was beginning to get dark, her boyfriend crashed the car and sadly passed away in hospital. [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] thought it was her fault until she started going to grief counseling which really helped. When [name_f]Emma[/name_f] joined, [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] could see the sadness that she was holding inside of her and immediately befriended her, knowing what she was going through. [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] and [name_f]Emma[/name_f] hit it off and occasionally would go for dinner after their sessions. When [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] left the sessions she still continued seeing [name_f]Emma[/name_f]. [name_f]Emma[/name_f] finds it good to have a friend who truly knows what she is going through.

Losing her boyfriend was really hard for [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] because he was the closest thing to family that she had. Being tossed from foster home to foster home for most of her childhood, [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] never felt like somewhere was her true home, until she met her boyfriend and his adoring family. [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] still stays in touch with her boyfriend’s family but each visit is making her feel so much guilt but she still decided that she wants to be there for the people who could of been her parents-in-law.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for grief by death of a parent.

[name_f]Nauja[/name_f] [name_f]Pipaluk[/name_f] [name_m]Trig[/name_m] (34) is one of two grief counsellors of [name_f]Emma[/name_f], [name_f]Liza[/name_f], and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] and a former counsellor for [name_f]Gracie[/name_f], but reassures [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] is always welcome to talk to her anytime. [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] is an only child and grew up feeling rather alone after the passing of her father [name_u]Aputsiak[/name_u] ’ [name_u]Aput[/name_u] ’ [name_m]Persoĸ[/name_m] [name_m]Trig[/name_m] from a short illness when [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] was 8. She and her mother juggled living their lives, bonding as family, and grieving [name_u]Aput[/name_u], a hard daily cycle that took a lot of personal endurance. [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] lived it and she knows how her mother felt losing her husband, finding [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] like younger versions of her mother. While [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] and [name_u]Romy[/name_u] never married their boyfriends or had children, [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] has a keen sense of knowing when relationships last. Her mother always told her past stories of her father being that type of romantic when they were young and that they were meant to last.

[name_f]Nauja[/name_f] herself currently is trying to conceive with her husband and knows her child will have ’ [name_u]Aputsiak[/name_u] ’ or ’ [name_u]Aput[/name_u] ’ somewhere in their name. It’s a unisex Greenlandic name and [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] would use it no matter what, especially to honour her Greenlandic culture as well. [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] loves her career and fellow grief counselling work partner, who gives support to grieving people alongside [name_f]Nauja[/name_f]. The duo have been working together for quite some time and are close and know one another’s families. The two have really tried their hardest with the clients and know never to rush someone to feel better on their grief. However they are happy [name_f]Gracie[/name_f] has made tremendous progress and is leaving on a better note. They wish her the best and encourage her not to be afraid to ask for help if she still needs it. [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] loves binge-watching new shows in her spare time and loves to read poetry. She’s a respected community member and always enjoys doing good when she can.

[kitkatcookie]

cw: sibling loss

[name_f]Rosamund[/name_f] " [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] " [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] Hexton (34) and [name_f]Sabriya[/name_f] " [name_f]Sabra[/name_f] " [name_f]Nicolette[/name_f] Brook-Hexton (5 months) are Nauja’s best friend and unofficial goddaughter. The reason that label is used by the pair is because neither [name_f]Rosie[/name_f], nor her partner, are religious, however they wanted to solidify the importance of [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] to their family, especially in the eyes of their children: [name_f]Sabra[/name_f] and her 6-year-old brother. Some people were surprised when the couple decided to conceive again - given the amount of time to pass since welcoming their son - however Rosie’s partner was in the final stretch of medical school when she gave birth for the first time, and she knew it would be a lot of pressure on them to try starting a bigger family with one person studying and working so frequently.

She jokes a lot about how unimpressive she appears next to him: Rosie’s an accountant, who tends to work freelance, moving between businesses and groups. When she’s involved, it’s typically because of an overhaul process or significant shake up, so she can be met by stress, and her cool head helps with these scenarios perfectly. Her calm demeanour is one of the reasons why she and [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] have forged their close bond, as Rosie’s someone who can be confided in if needs be, or she can just focus on helping her friend get some mental space away from her job [as [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] understandably needs a break sometimes!].

[name_f]Nauja[/name_f] and [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] met in their early teens as they were both members of a familial loss group introduced by their school for students. It was a fairly awkward setting initially, as most of the attendees weren’t used to speaking about their experiences, and so the first few sessions were dominated by students splitting off into their own groups to form friendships, typically based on how close in age they were. [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] lost her older brother when she was 10 and he was 17. He was the victim of a hit-and-run: a painful situation dragged out further by the fact it took two and a half years to track down the driver responsible, and then convinct them. Her son’s middle name is his first name, and [name_f]Nicolette[/name_f] was chosen for [name_f]Sabra[/name_f] for her partner’s late grandmother - [name_f]Nicole[/name_f] - who he was very close to.

The younger of the Brook-Hexton’s is already proving herself to be lively and easily excitable. Sabra’s a much less relaxed baby than her brother was, not that her parents really complain: although waking up at 3 AM when she can’t sleep isn’t their favourite thing in the world. Rosie’s hopeful that [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] and her husband will conceive soon, as she’d love for them to encourage friendships between their children, thanks to how her bond with [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] is something she credits for helping process her anger and grief over losing her brother, as well as all the happy times they’ve shared in their 20 years of friendship.

[CherryBomb50]

Warning for deadbeat spouse and deaths of a grandparent and a friend.

Dr. [name_m]Fredrick[/name_m] " [name_m]Frisco[/name_m] " [name_u]Léo[/name_u] [name_u]Brook[/name_u] (34) is Rosie’s partner and father of [name_f]Sabra[/name_f] and her older son. He and [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] often get mistaken for a married couple, which they don’t mind, but they prefer to be life partners. They don’t mind that [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] is married. After all, they support her husband and know the two want kids as well. Frisco’s sister is actually the other grief counsellor with [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] and had her own grieving moment since the passing of her best friend at age 20 and the passing of their grandmother [name_f]Nicole[/name_f]. The two have had a friendship since childhood like [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and [name_f]Nauja[/name_f] and had his sister’s friend been alive still, she would have had the same closeness today. So she’s taken the career as a grief counsellor to be that guide and friend that she was lucky to have.

Frisco’s often been a supportive brother to her, especially since her own husband barely feels that way to her. Her husband never really cared how she felt and just did the basic minimum until one day, he just left for some time. He came back but months later, he’d leave again, sometimes for longer. Then when he’d come back, he’d give no explanation. Frisco’s sister has always wanted children but unlike [name_f]Nauja[/name_f], she isn’t trying to conceive because she doesn’t want to bring kids into her dysfunctional marriage. She’s considering divorcing him but knows he’ll just run off and not sign the divorce papers because the two didn’t have a prenuptial agreement.

[name_m]Frisco[/name_m] likes not being married to [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] but he knows she is a wonderful woman who will always be there for him, much like he is with her. [name_m]Frisco[/name_m] is a neurosurgeon, a career he’s always respected and something he couldn’t believe he got to become when he first got the job. [name_m]Frisco[/name_m] isn’t as vocal about grief as his sister, but he loved his late grandmother very much. The death of his grandmother was actually an influence on his career too, not just his sister’s, given [name_f]Nicole[/name_f] died from a stroke.

Being a father is another gift [name_m]Frisco[/name_m] always wanted and was beautifully surprised when he had. [name_m]Frisco[/name_m] was so excited when [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] had the couple’s first child, a son, despite his more rambunctious behaviour. Their son is quite loud but he’s almost always happy and when he’s not at school or with friends, he’s playing fun little games like darts or Twister. Frisco’s favourite game is billiards and he loves his pool table. His friends often joke that he’s probably “very rich” because they’ve “never seen a pool table in a house that wasn’t rich”. He and [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] do make good money in their careers and are richer than average, but they’re not millionaires by any means. It was a little crazy when he was in his final year of medical school when the couple welcomed their son, but fatherhood is highly important to him, making him completely overjoyed when [name_f]Sabra[/name_f] was born. The brother is starting to get very close to [name_f]Sabra[/name_f] much like [name_m]Frisco[/name_m] is with his sister. [name_m]Frisco[/name_m] knows his children are happy but he can’t help but worry sometimes; is his sister okay?

[kitkatcookie]

[name_f]Ramona[/name_f] " [name_f]Raya[/name_f] " [name_u]Celeste[/name_u] [Brook] Redholme (38) is Frisco’s sister, who’s in the midst of making major decisions about her future - especially her marriage. With all the absences, emotional disconnect and constant string of disappointments, [name_f]Raya[/name_f] often doesn’t even feel like she’s married. After all, can the stranger who’s sometimes around - seemingly when it conveniences and benefits him - be called a partner? What drew [name_f]Raya[/name_f] to her husband was his sense of fun and love of adventure. They met in their first year of college and were social butterflies who bonded over exploring [name_u]Dallas[/name_u], loving to be in the midst of excitement and groups with a draw towards impulsive fun activities. To a degree, [name_f]Raya[/name_f] feels she’s paying for this now, as it’s reflected in her husband’s vanishing acts and lack of emotional intelligence.

Recently, she’s taken a further step in planning for the future, having been speaking to a close friend who’s a divorce lawyer. She’s trying to find a means of, at least, having a legal separation, so she can move onwards with her life and accomplish the dreams she’s put on hold trying to guide her husband towards maturity. The fact her job is helping other’s means [name_f]Raya[/name_f] often struggled with a sense of failure in the earlier years, not understanding how she could positively impact her clients while enduring her husbands hurtful behaviour…and then there was her fear as to being labelled a joke for this disconnect.

Seeing her niece and nephew is complicated for [name_f]Raya[/name_f]. She absolutely cherishes them, but in the same sense they’re reminders of what she hoped for when marrying, and then there’s the fact she knows her husband absolutely is not suited to parenting. It’s even stranger as he’s spoken about conceiving on the odd occasion, a laughable suggestion for [name_f]Raya[/name_f] in how insane it always sounds. She’s opened up to some of her colleagues though, exposing the reality of her home life and the loneliness she’s endured having her husband go off whenever he seeks a new source of excitement or purpose. With the encouragement of [name_m]Frisco[/name_m] and [name_f]Rosie[/name_f], [name_f]Raya[/name_f] has sought some happiness: she’s adopted a [name_u]Boston[/name_u] Terrier, Sparky, who accompanies her to work, as well as being her companion at home.

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thread sharing

[autumn.leaves]

Lietta [name_f]Beth[/name_f] [name_u]Emerson[/name_u] (35) often known as [name_f]Beth[/name_f] to her friends, is a former divorce attorney and was born and raised in the heart of Zimbabwe. Growing up in Zimbabwe, [name_f]Beth[/name_f] was surrounded by a tight-knit family and a rich cultural tapestry. She learned the rhythms of traditional Zimbabwean music, the art of storytelling under the starlit skies and the secrets of crafting intricate beadwork from her grandmother. However, at the age of 15, Beth’s life took an unexpected turn when her family decided to immigrate to the United States. The move was prompted by a desire for new opportunities and a chance to provide their children with a different perspective on life. [name_f]Beth[/name_f], with her wide-eyed curiosity and adventurous spirit, embraced the change.

It was in the U.S. that she crossed paths with the love of her life. Despite their differences in background and upbringing, their connection was undeniable. As the years passed, [name_f]Beth[/name_f] and [name_u]David[/name_u] built a life together, eagerly embracing the American dream. They now have three children and are expecting a fourth. It has been a delightful family game to place bets on who the newest addition will resemble because all their children are very different. Their oldest is a perfect mixture of them both. He inherited medium skin and loose black curls. The middle child, with light skin and tight blonde ringlets, is a mirror image of her beloved father. And the youngest, with deep brown skin and dark 4c hair, is Momma’s girl through and through.

[name_f]Beth[/name_f] is quite close to [name_f]Raya[/name_f], a close friend of hers from her college days in the U.S. Their friendship has been off-and-on since college, but they’re currently very close even though they currently live hundreds of miles apart. [name_f]Beth[/name_f] plans to visit [name_f]Raya[/name_f] soon and hopefully help her figure out the impending divorce.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

Kian Alexander Emerson (to be born in December 2023) is the fourth child and second son of Beth and David. They are excited to see who he will resemble and can’t wait to welcome another member into their close-knit family. Beth has been busy preparing for his arrival and is looking forward to introducing him to his siblings and watching their family grow even stronger.

[chamwue]

[name_f]Soleil[/name_f] " [name_f]Leila[/name_f] " [name_f]Angelique[/name_f] [name_u]Jackson[/name_u] (25) is a medical intern at [name_f]Trinity[/name_f] [name_m]General[/name_m], the hospital Lietta goes to check on her pregnancy. She is the youngest intern of her class and is determined to snag OB-GYN as her specialty. As the only girl of five siblings, all of whom are either doctors or in medical school preparing to become one, [name_f]Leila[/name_f] has always strived for success and to be better than her brothers. Though she knows her family loves her, she’s always felt she has to best her siblings in some way to be considered ‘equal’ to them. [name_f]Leila[/name_f] knows it’s not her parents’ fault (not fully, anyway), but it has made her an excellent match for academics and thus medical school.

Her time in medical school was intense, which was to be expected. Despite knowing that all of her time would be taken up by studying and labs, [name_f]Leila[/name_f] wasn’t ready for the personal drama that would inundate her life as well. Living near people just as driven as she is has their downsides— the biggest one being that each and every one of her classmates is just as stubborn as she is. [name_f]Leila[/name_f] likes to think she has a good rapport with almost everyone at the hospital, though it is awkward to face your ex in the hospital hallways at times.

[name_f]Leila[/name_f] has an apartment just a few blocks away from the hospital, but she’s often at the hospital due to night shifts. The hospital might as well be her home— it’s gotten to the point where the smell of sanitised floors comforts her in a way she can’t describe. She wouldn’t take it any other way, though, and adores her job.

[Lindseylloyd052399]

[name_f]Nadia[/name_f] Anne-Marie [name_u]Jackson[/name_u] (23) is Leila’s adopted sister. Leila’s parents adopted [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] when she was just a baby, and since then, the sisters have been inseparable. [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] has always looked up to [name_f]Leila[/name_f] and her determination to succeed, and therefore decided to pursue a career in medicine as well. [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] is currently studying to become a nurse and hopes to work alongside [name_f]Leila[/name_f] at [name_f]Trinity[/name_f] [name_m]General[/name_m] one day. Despite being adopted, [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] has always felt like a true [name_u]Jackson[/name_u] and is grateful for the love and support her family has given her.