67 Hostile Environmen (1/2)

Theodore answered the door and was greeted by Grace's emotionless face and Bella's excited wave.

Grace wasn't wearing a dress like their first meeting but it didn't matter what she wore her figure was impossible to hide. Wearing a slim light pink turtle neck sweater that wrapped around her thin waist and large breast, covering her long juicy legs ripped white jeans with bright pink sneakers.

Just like Samantha she can grow her hair expeditiously and has the money to continuously visit the beauty salon. In their first meeting, she had a stylised long black mohawk swept back.

She now had the left side of shaved short, the rest of it was combed over to the right with ends slightly curled. Her face was as he remembered cold and beautiful. Purple eyes that looked right through him, a thin porcelain oval face, light brown freckles on either cheek, and plump pink lips.

His eyes wandered over every lump and curve while his heart Shaking his impure thoughts away he gave a warm smile and looked towards Bella.

Bella wearing her red hood similar to the one she wore on the night they met but this one seemed to be made from a different material. With her red hood, she wore a lime green long shirt that had a little Topper Rabbit image on the front. Finishing her look was a pair of dark blue jeans and a white sneaker.

On her hands were a pair of thin red gloves. She was the spitting image of her beautiful mothers with her freckles, violet eyes, and brown hair.

Bella's hands began to move 'Good afternoon Dad'

Just as Theodore was about to reply a child's voice was heard from Bella ”Good afternoon dad!”

It didn't come out of Bella so he looked towards the expressionless Grace who answered his thoughts ”It's called LostVoice. The gloves track her signing while another device monitors her body to find the emotion that she wants to convey. Then from the hood is a realistic voice that matches her intentions. This is just the prototype the end product won't require gloves but just two wrist bands with sensors”

”Incredible ah sorry it's good to see you guys again,” Said Theodore as he gave Grace a friendly hug.

He then crouched down and had Bella jump into his arms as he lifted her and said ”Oh did you grow? you look taller”

Bell's signed quickly and excitedly before her voice was heard ”Really! Mommy Dad said I've grown”

”Hahaha come on lets surprise Rose,” Said Theodore in a cheery mood

Grace quickly followed feeling pretty happy and relaxed. That was until she saw Sophie and Mary sat on the couch with Rose in the center.

She felt a cold breeze pass by as her eyes locked with Sophie and Mary's. She could feel herself being assessed by them as they made it very clear where they stand.

'Back off'

This information was not something she acquired through her power but instincts. She attempted to politely introduce herself despite her inability to show emotions ”Hello Mary I'm glad to see you again. It's nice to meet you Sophie I'm Grace Thompson and this cute little angel is my daughter, Bella. You'll have to excuse my expression as I have trouble showing emotions”

”It's been a while,” Said Mary simply with a smile

”Nice to meet you Grace, huge fan of Vague and Finer,” Said Sophie with a forced smile

Rose jumped out of her seat and ran up to her Dad that was now holding a Bella. Her eyes widened as she said ”Hello Bella, me Rose! Good to meet you”

Theodore and Grace chuckled at Rose's formal introduction as it was overly cute coming from 2 years old.

Bella quickly got down from Theodore and then proceeded to fix her clothes as she signed before bowing.

”It's very nice to meet you Rose”

Rose was slightly taken back by the signing and the surprise but she got distracted by the red hood ”Wow Red Riding Hood”

Bella was almost jumping as she gave an excited nod and signed ”Mommy made it then the uncles put this in and now I can talk”

She points to the small speakers installed on the inside of the hood.

Rose walked around Bella while admiring the hood. She looked up at her dad with hopeful eyes and asked ”Can I have one?”

Before Theodore could reply Grace pulled out another Red Hood from her handbag and said ”Here you go Rose. I made this one for you”

Rose looked back at her Dad as if asking for permission to take it.

Whilst giving her a patting her head Theodore said ”Go ahead and don't forget to say thank you”

With a happy nod, she ran up to the outstretched hood. Taking it into her arms, her eyes sparkled with delight as she gave a toothy smile and said ”Thank you very much, Aunty Grace!”

Grace's emotionless face miraculously turned soft as a heartfelt smile appeared.

Theodore and Mary were startled as they were fully expecting the same blank expression they consistently got during their first meeting.

”Hehehe It's okay,” Said Grace after briefly being shocked by her smile.

”Wow, mom smiled for Rose. Hey, dad isn't that great” Signed Bella before excitedly tugging on Theodore's pant leg.

With a kind smile, Theodore said ”It's amazing”

Resulting in a hard nod from Bella who then looked towards her mom and gave a big thumbs up.

”Psst how come she calls Theo dad?” Whispered Sophie

”I thought it was just a fan thing” Whispered Mary

”Yeah, It doesn't look like that. How do we beat a child?” Whispered Sophie back

Mary chuckled lightly and joked ”We can't that's illegal”

Sophie rolled her eyes and said ”Seriously not the time. Look at them, they look like a family. You need to make your move today”

”Huh b-but I wanted Theo to take the initiative” Said Mary while blushing

”Then tempt him. Theo won't make any moves unless you give him a sign” Said Sophie