Welcome to the Masquerade

"Can't Help Falling In Love" By Ingrid Michaelson

AN: This chapter is so incredibly choppy I really really struggled with it,  and I also apologize for how short it is. I really needed to get through this to get on with it but my muse has decided to be a stroppy wench.  Right now, I cannot commit to regular updates. I want to try, but I can't promise. Real life demands my participation. Sorry 'bout that.  I read each and every comment and they are all compliments as I know you could be reading anything, and you are reading this story.  I never take that for granted. By now you should know what comes next --> Standard disclaimer! I only own Lory. Everything else is the property of C.L.Stone. Constructive criticism is welcome and even requested, but flames will be used to make s'mores. I love votes and views. Please let me know your favorite lines and moments. Happy Reading.

"So sweet!" Sang cooed. And then giggled.

"Pookie...," Sean gave a ragged groan of warning. She'd been giggling nonstop since their arrival and this was not the time and place to administer his cure.

"But, Dr Sean," Sang began giggling again.

"Good choice, Sang Baby," North rumbled with a soft smile as he herded his family to the jeep.

"Thanks, Mr. Devine," Luke said as he shook the older man's hand.

"No problem, kid. Tell your uncle, I said hi."

"Yes, Sir," Luke said as he climbed into the Jeep and they drove away.

*~*~*~*

Lory: I'm at my house

Blackbourne: Thank you. Get some sleep. We will see you tomorrow.

*~* Lory *~*

I've scrubbed every piece of skin I have. I hate the dirty feeling I get when I change skins. Like all the crap I leave behind to get "into character", the crap I suppress to get the job done, all the crap I do in that skin, comes back tenfold. I scrub myself clean as I shed that skin.

I don't particularly like Ronnie.

Don't like who I am when I'm Ronnie.

So I'm here in a big fluffy robe, super comfy pajamas, and fuzzy socks. I need to get up and get started with Caroline. It'll take time because I still have to work through all the shit in my head from Ronnie. Once they were gone I let myself work through seeing my brothers through Ronnie's eyes.

Ronnie scares me. I forget myself when I'm her. I spent so much time in so much pain that I had to really lose myself in the persona while I healed.

I glance at the bottom of the mirror over the sink in my bathroom. I don't actually look at myself anymore. I haven't in a while. The last time was when I left the hospital and shed Ronnie's skin. It was so jarring. I was a stranger to myself. I can't remember the last time I looked myself in the eye.

Ronnie scares me.

*~* Caro *~*

I can do this. It's Owen Blackbourne. He's family. I stop on that thought and take a deep breath. "Family is a choice."

That thought is a reminder. A touchstone. I shake my head and go back to my thoughts.

I kind of like that Owen refused to break a standing date with his girlfriend. If he's as picky as I remember him being, she must be quite extraordinary. He said he'd be bringing the stylist that works with Victor Morgan. I hope he has some ideas for this flat. I purchased the thing sight unseen. It's large and well-appointed, but a little cold.

I'm starting over here. I don't have to be a party girl. I can live quietly. I brush my hands down my dress to address any wrinkles. Somehow the dove gray dress with lace overlay seemed to fit.