TW: Milly’s Story contains Coercive Behaviour
The boxes remained, robust green squares adorned with vibrant red tied in bows. They beckoned the inquisitive minds of James and Selena. Both hesitated to eat. The tempting, delicious food did little to please their curiosity. Hunter laid the law as he did with everything, and the presents remained unopened. A heaviness fell over the meal, with Eliza wanting to object. She could not see the harm in letting them have one. It would be a small treat before the infants awakened. Eliza wanted all four children to feel special. She knew from experience that the babies took the attention away from older siblings.
Right on cue, maybe by an intensive wish from James and Selena, the baby monitor crackled into life. A nervous Milly stood, retrieving milk from the fridge, listening to the cooing. She recognised her son Aiden. His voice was a soft cry to alert his mother that it was time to eat. Hunter leaned back in his chair, the proud father of having two strong lads to carry on the family name. A hint of disappointment dripped in his voice when noting how James alone would bear his green genes. He ruffled the thick blonde curls of James. His son shrank away from the touch. James wished he never asked why he looked so different to his siblings. Hunter always seemed so proud James was a miniature version of himself. It angered him that James would want ginger hair. Aiden suffered the misfortune or miscalculation of nature. But Hunter believed his guidance would determine the man his sons would grow to be.
Eliza shifted with growing unease, announcing she would accompany Milly upstairs. She took the warmed bottle making a swift exit to assist with the twins. Hunter narrowed his eyes. They wrinkled at the edges as his nostrils flared and thin lips disappeared into a line. The stare made Eliza’s skin crawl. She did not want to leave Scarlett with him, but she also would not back down from the decision to leave. Small green eyes gazed upwards, a daring and bold move if one wish could work, why not two? Hunter turned his stare on James and Selena, both were quick to look down at their untouched plates. James took the first bite, nudging his sister to do the same. Children who did not behave were undeserving of gifts. Scarlett straightened in their seat wanting to object. They dug nails into their thighs as Hunter continued to glare at the children. He thought it best Scarlett returned the gifts. The children did not look up, both ready to cry but neither daring. The meal continued in relative silence, the clinking of cutlery and chewing. Scarlett opened their mouth, then shovelled in another mouthful. It would be too easy to make matters worse for Milly and the children.
As the family settled on the sofas, Nadia and Aiden lay on their play mats. James and Selena kept their eyes lowered away from the presents. Their fingers fidgeting in their laps. Hunter told the twins they could open one present each. They walked over selecting a box. Every gift held an element of excitement, yet their enthusiasm waned at the sight of green. Still, they doubted Hunter would permit any alternatives. James embraced Eliza and Scarlett. Selena offered a smile but kept her distance. Despite the gifts, affection for strangers seemed inappropriate, even if they were family.
By the Grace of Sim Gods 