cw: social anxiety, adoption-based sensitive issues
Marylark " [name_f]Lara[/name_f] " [name_u]Green[/name_u] Truesdale-Easton (24) is a more recent edition to the wider Cunningham circle, being the recent romantic interest of [name_m]Bram[/name_m] [although no-one can officially be told yet, as [name_f]Lara[/name_f] admits theyâre far too anxious to interact with his siblings with that out in the open]. A fellow conservationist, [name_f]Lara[/name_f] works in a different sector to [name_m]Bram[/name_m], specialising in rivers, lakes and all the animals who live in and depend on them, partly inspired by how waters always been their passion: they belonged to the swim team throughout high school and then university; loved visiting the beach to go in the sea or just watch the rolling waves; and begged their parents to let them sponsor a dolphin as a [name_u]Christmas[/name_u] present [one of their success stories, as [name_f]Lara[/name_f] admits their concentration can be lacking sometimes]. Partly named for their nana, Laraâs mum wanted them to not feel burdened by someone elseâs legacy - their nana was a wonderful woman who adopted all 5 of her children, the younger three after the sudden passing of her husband, and sheâs still well-loved by her surviving family - and their mama has a daring sensibility, thanks to being given a unisex name when it was much more uncommon. Laraâs their only child, adopted when they were 4 months old [as their mum wanted to continue her own mothersâ legacy by giving a home to a child in need of one], but thereâs always been such an influx of cousins and extended relatives within the household, they basically have never felt like it.
It was Joeyâs partner who led to the meeting of [name_m]Bram[/name_m] and [name_f]Lara[/name_f]. They both belong to the same LGTBQIAP+ community group - which specialises in setting up queer events and promoting businesses/individuals - and given their full name, [name_u]Joey[/name_u] was eager to introduce them to [name_m]Bram[/name_m], as he thought they could have something in common. He wasnât really playing matchmaker but when the sparks clearly ignited between the pair, he and his partner werenât exactly going to dismiss things in favour of suggesting [name_m]Bram[/name_m] attend a specific event [name_f]Lara[/name_f] had organisedâŠand when he complimented them, their reaction told the couple everything theyâd suspected was true. Having grown up in Manchester, they still joke about their accents standing out: as [name_f]Lara[/name_f] only came to the US for university, and also as their cousin had moved to be with his then-fiance [now husband], and their uncle asked if theyâd pop in to give him some familiar company.
While itâs obviously off the table right now because of the youth of the relationship, as well as the personal plans both [name_f]Lara[/name_f] and [name_m]Bram[/name_m] want to work on, theyâre also very keen on having a large family, thanks to all the happiness being around their cousins bought them growing up. Once the Cunninghamâs know, [name_f]Lara[/name_f] would like to introduce [name_m]Bram[/name_m] to their side of the family, albeit theyâve got to get more prepared for not just travel but getting him ready for the mass of personalities and enthusiasm heâll be facing. He has video chatted with their parents though, and it went swimmingly [pardon the pun], much to Laraâs relief. They absolutely adore their motherâs but, as they havenât dated much - mostly stemming from social anxiety, which [name_f]Lara[/name_f] was diagnosed with at 12, after moving up to secondary school and being completely overwhelmed by the change - they know thereâs a natural protective side that they donât want [name_m]Bram[/name_m] being burdened by. How he and his family have helped [name_u]Joey[/name_u] has lessened Laraâs nerves about the proper introduction though, and theyâve expressed their respect and admiration to him on several occasions.
[name_f]Lara[/name_f] has met their biological mother a few times. She was only 16 at the time of giving birth, and in spite of wanting to keep her baby for some time, it just wasnât going to be a feasible option, due to her personal circumstances. It hasnât always been easy: [name_f]Lara[/name_f] does wonder if sheâd hoped for them to reject their parents in favour of starting over, stemming from certain comments made in visitations when they were a teenager and now independent meetings they arrange, but their mothersâ mean everything to them, and their biological mum isnât someone they feel they have that connection with. They still text and have phone calls sometimes, but Laraâs a little wary, as they donât want her to get hopes up and then see things crushed when [name_f]Lara[/name_f] doesnât want to forget about her family - something theyâve admitted to [name_m]Bram[/name_m] hurts, as they love her too, just not in the same way as their parents. At the suggestion of their counsellor, they started knitting and frequently craft presents for their loved oneâs, most recently making a cardigan for their cousinsâ toddler. They also frequently babysit [name_u]Joey[/name_u] and his partnersâ daughter, who they consider absolutely precious, helped by the fact Laraâs pet cavapoo - Cornflake - loves the little girl just as much as them, and frequently insists on sleeping beside her whenever sheâs napping.
[name_m]Bram[/name_m] belongs to @rachelheth