Crimson Lace

*6 years later*

Almost 6 years have past when Fiona and her family moved to the USA and made a living in New Orleans. But nothing did go like planned. Her father died on the battlefield and her father's relatives kicked them out because they thought that they don't need to keep a promise with a dead person. They only wanted to take Fiona in, because she did go more after her father than her mother. Also, the parents of her father didn't welcome them with open arms and had a big dislike against her mother. They gave her mother the fault that she seduced their son and killed him. What is not true. Fiona didn't want to stay there and left with her mother and siblings the house of her grandparents. The red-haired girl didn't understand how her own grandparents could be so cold to their daughter-in-law. Fiona also was still 9 years old when her father died and the only thing she got from him was his golden pen. Her mother did her best and worked in a small tailor shop. They just had enough money for food and the rent. Her brother wasn't happy about that. Erik was angry that he didn't get any presents for his birthday or Christmas. He also screamed at his mother and throw things at her. Fiona had to step in before it got worse. Emma was crying because of the screaming and yelling. It really was a hard time for the little family which has lost their father and husband in the war. Her mother later married a rich man who was a famous judge and a strict catholic man. Her mother just wanted the best for her children, that's why she agreed into this marriage. Fiona would have been 12 years old in December after her mother remarried in March. The man was 20 years older than her mother and he had her in his hands.

Fiona was forced to leave her 'new home' to study in a Catholic Girls School. It was the duty of a good daughter to be an example for her younger siblings. Her now 10 years older brother was going to a Boys School and their 7-year-old sister was homeschooled. After school, Erik could always go home after classes but Fiona had to stay and share a room with another girl from her school. She only could only visit her family every 2nd weekend and also on holidays. Every time she gets home her mother acts strange and has many bruises on her arms and neck. When she asks her what happened her mother only says that she did trip over her own feet and fall down. But Fiona was sure that her mother was never clumsy. The green-eyed girl had a bad feeling about it but also did stop asking before her mother does maybe break down in tears. The relationship between her and her stepfather is cold and distant. She and her siblings are happy not to see him. Also, he often goes to parties at the weekends and drags her mother with him. Her mother doesn't want to go but he always gets her to change her mind. When they did come home her mother was drunk and her clothes all torn. Her stepfather was drunken too and his pants unbuttoned. He also got aggressive when he was drunk and hit her mother with his belt if she didn't stop to cry. He also did hit Erik and Emma if they got in his way, annoyed him or were crying. Fiona did try to protect her siblings from the hits and still does smile so her brother and sister don't feel guilty for her.

The bell of the church was ringing and the church service was now over. The girls of her school were happy that it was over and that they could spend their Christmas at home with their families. Fiona was the last one who left the church. She carefully watched the happy and cheerful faces of the other girls. She maybe would see them in the next year. Fiona smiled and was happy to see her mother and siblings again, but the happiness was overshadowed by the thought that her stepfather was also there. "I will make the best of it.", she thought to herself and walked over the snowy path from the St. Louis Cathedral to her School. She loved the sound under her feet when she walked over the snow. It gave her some freedom. But then she heard a scream and walked to the direction where it did come from. A young man in his mid-20s slipped over the ice on the street and some of the papers he was carrying flew around. Some of the women did chuckle about this and some men just did shake their heads or make rude remarks. Fiona was walking to the young man who was cursing to himself. She helped him to pick up the documents. "It's not necessary, Miss.", the brown-haired man said to her. She could tell that he was embarrassed but still she was helping him and handing the papers over to him. "Why not? Everyone does deserve a helping hand.", she said smiling to him and then he looked into her pale beautiful face with those mesmerizing emerald green eyes. "Thank you.", was his replay after he stood up and took the papers from her delicate hands. "Maybe we see each other again.", she said cheerfully before she left and walked to the dorm where her room was. She still needs to pack her things to go back home. Her mother wrote her in a letter that there will be a large Christmas Party at their home. Many rich, famous, powerful men and women will join the party. Reporters and radio hosts will join the celebration. The young Lady wasn't happy about this kind of good news and already wanted to stay the whole celebration in her room while reading some books. After she arrived in her room she did pack some clothes, her school books and also the presents she did buy for her siblings.

*Some hours later*

Fiona arrived at the house without any trouble. Her mother was so happy to see her oldest child again. Mary, which was the Housekeeper and also an Afro-American woman, was welcoming the young Lady aswell.  Two dark-skinned men did carry her luggage into the house. "Excuse me. You don't have to bring my luggage in. I can also do it myself.", Fiona said kindly to the black men. "Fiona, please let them do their work or your 'father' will be very unpleased.", her mother told her what bothered the young Lady very much. "Madam, your daughter has such a good heart and is also now a young Lady.", Mary said to her Madam, but Fiona's mother couldn't calm down or stop to worry. Her husband was very strict and saw the Afro-American people as slaves. That's why he had many fights with his stepdaughter which thinks not the same way as he does. That's also the reason why he did send her to a Catholic Girls School with dorms, so he doesn't have to see her that often. Both had a big dislike for each other. Leonard Blair was not the kind of man who would allow this kind of behavior in his house. His employees are mostly Afro-Americans. In his eyes, they were wild humans without any culture and knowledge just good enough to do the hard work. But his stepdaughter Fiona does totally disagree with him and that these people deserve respect like them too. Fiona did her best to not turn her stepfather mad and to be a good daughter for once in a while. Fiona watched the workers decorating the house and garden. She also wanted to decorate but her mother would say that it will displease her stepfather even more. He also would punish the workers to let her help them what is more the reason why she tries not to help them. After she opened the door was Emma running into her arms and hugging her older sister. "I missed you big sister.", she said with such a cute voice and looking with her big blue eyes to her taller sister. "I missed you, too.", she softly patted the smaller girls brown locks and realized that her brother was nowhere to be seen. "Emma? Is Erik not home?", she asked her little sister then. "He is in his room and changing for the party.", Emma told her with excitement.

Fiona did go to the 2nd floor where her own room and Erik's room are. The door to his room was open and she looked at his very skinny figure. He looked so sick and that he was close to faint. "Erik?", she said suddenly out loud and her brother looked at her shocked and covered his slim figure from her eyes. "It's rude to enter a room without knocking.", he said annoyed and finished dressing up. "What do you even want...", was the next thing he said before his sister could even ask what happened to him. "Emma told me you were changing. I wanted to greet you." "Now that you saw me, could you just leave me alone for now and get ready for the party.", was the last thing he said before he shut the door in front of her. What surprised her and made her even more worried. She did what her little brother told her and changed into a silver gown in her room. The dress does fit the best to her bright red hair. Her hair color was rare and not many people had such red her as she has. That's why many men were interested in marrying her, but she still refuses them because there was no man she could love or even like. Her stepfather wanted her to marry a rich man that will raise his reputation. She sometimes wishes that her father would be still alive and allow her to marry a man which she truly loves. She knew he would and never force her into a marriage where she doesn't even love one another. 

The party started at 6 p.m. and not all guests did yet arrive. Fiona was taking a look at the guest also forced to welcome each of them or have some Smalltalk with them. The only thing that interested her was the talk about the murders and if it was one and the same person. Around 8 p.m. the people from the radio station and newspaper arrived. There was a man who caught her attention. "I never thought to see you this soon again. This must be faith.", Fiona said the brown-haired young man she already saw today. He was surprised to see her as well. But then the boss of the young man did interrupt them. "Alastor this young lady here is Fiona Fabiene Bach. She is Leonard Blairs Stepdaughter.", he introduced both. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss.", Alastor said and bowed to her. "The same for me, Sir.", she did a curtsey in front of him. The boss left them alone after he saw a famous actress entering the room. "Would you like to go outside with me? It's so crowded in here.", she said to Alastor and he agreed with her. Both went outside so that they could have a better chat. "Isn't it funny that we met again?", she asked and smiled softly at him. "Yeah, it really is, Miss Bach." "Please call me Fiona.", she said and Alastor wasn't sure if this was really ok. "This is my Christmas wish.", she said and so he couldn't say anything against it. "Alright, Fiona.", he said a bit shy to her. He didn't know why but Fiona made him shy. All the other women annoyed him and he was putting on a fake smile. Both were sitting in the garden on the large swing. They talked about work, school, their hobbies and what they like or dislike. Alastor enjoyed talking with her and also made some Dad Jokes to make her laugh. He never felt this comfortable after his mother did pass away. Fiona did start to shiver and he did take off his jacket and placed it over her shoulders. "FIONA! FIONA! HELP!", shouted a girl and Fiona looked up. Suddenly her little sister Emma appeared. "What's wrong Emma?", she asked the brown-haired girl. "Erik did fall and doesn't wake up.", Emma told her older sister and dragged her with her. Alastor followed them. Erik was laying on the ground on the 2nd floor of the house. So no one did even realize that he fainted.