Eris has always enjoyed the autumn. It was her favorite time of year. The beautiful colors of the trees, the crisp of the air, the scent of the season. She would awake everyday in the arms of her husband. Their face buried in her hair or her neck. If they were intimate the night before, usually their face was nestled against her chest. She would softly play with the short black hair until they awoke and both together would get out of bed and begin their day. 

  The medication was slowly coming back into effect. Still she would sigh before swallowing the tablets down with water or the morning cup of coffee. With the love of her life, her physical scars completely gone and her true beauty finally visible, a found family that loves her, a mother in law that loves her and she loves in return, a beautiful blonde lover that she and her husband both enjoy, wonderful friends like Secondo, Salacious, Salvatore and a whole Ministry of those she considers friends and family….a wonderful life indeed,...so why does she still feel this way? 

   She would try to keep herself busy. Little projects or crafts to keep her hands busy and mind occupied. She would prefer to craft things for others such as the scarves she knitted together for Tab and Terzo. Perhaps she could knit a few more for others in the Ministry? Two little blankets for the twins? 

   It was a nice day outside. A little chill but the sun was out. Perhaps a walk? Just a stroll around the outside of the structure itself but, …She would need another to walk with her. Eris didn't feel safe to step outside the doors without accompaniment. For leaving the grounds altogether, it was rare. Again needing accompaniment and also covering up her body completely and her opaque veil. A form of physical contact also helped ease the anxiety. Whether she linked arms with them or they had an arm around her, even holding hands 

   She wouldn't even leave her and Mary’s room without her sheer veil. It's a silly thing. Her face is still very visible through the sheer black veil, but it still gave her comfort, made her feel less exposed. Gave her a sense of control. Mary would walk with her mostly, just to make sure his wife was alright. If not him Cardinal Klaus enjoyed the stroll, or The Prima with the children. As long as she wasn't alone.  

  Eris also enjoyed her photography. She would take such lovely pictures of the nature around her and of those who wanted their own photos. Her last photoshoot was of the twins for Autumn. Their little faces lit up as they played with leaves or sat next to pumpkins. She has done other more private shoots. She offered tasteful, sensual photoshoots. To help build confidence and they did make special gifts to those who the client wanted to give the photos too. Whenever anyone would ask if Eris would like her picture taken, she would politely decline. Her time in front of the camera was done. A time she is still trying to mentally recover from. Day by day.

   Eris still attended musical therapy with Cumulus once a week and now with Monty once every other week. At dinner she felt comfortable eating in the hall with other now, though she would make sure others who couldn't make it to the hall were able to eat as well. She would offer to bring them dinner before she would eat, even if that meant eating after most in the dining hall finished. 

    Maddalena was her love as well. The only woman that could ever own her heart. Their friendship blooming into so much more. When awhile back it was the three of them it was pure ecstasy. They aren't as physically involved now. Still they flirt, but Maddalena has a man in her life now. One she hopes will as her for her hand, even give her a baby in the future. Eris wants that for her blonde love, wants her to have everything she wants, even if it isn't with them. 

    There was also book club too. Salacious ran the book club and again it gave Eris something to do. Salacious herself was more than what others perceived her to be. All one truly needs to be is genuine, open-minded and judgemental. Actually take the time to speak and learn more about. Eris considered the blonde librarian a close friend. 

   When Mary was at practice, usually at night after dinner, and she didn't choose to join them, Eris would try to find ways to pass the time. Draw, print pictures she took, listen to music. She would text Secondo to see if he was free for whiskey tea. A little something they shared as friends. Salacious would join too if she were present. Eris deeply valued her friendship with the Papà. It wasn't love. Not the love she shared with Mary or Maddalena. It was the love that came from trust and friendship. A person who you could bare your soul too, share your darkest secrets and free thoughts and opinions without judgment. Perhaps, if the spark with Mary never came about, in another life, another time…

  Eris trusted him with her darkest memories. He had seen those memories and more, doing what he could to cloud them over and lifting that burden from her. Leading her to finally be able to fully accept Mary’s love and leading to her present state now. Even after that, her previous employer stalked her, threatened her, and haunted her. Secondo defended her, comforted her, ordered Nacht to kill him, freeing her of his control once and for all.., but that fear still lingers inside Eris. Her phone is now set to block any number that isn't in her contact list. 

   After their Whiskey tea discussions ended, Eris would walk back to her room. If a little too tipsy, Secondo or Salacious would contact Mary or Salacious would help escort her back to her room. The end of every day would start as it began, in the arms of her husband. His skin against hers, arms wrapped securely around one another. Mary’s natural scent lulling her into a deep sleep, where she hoped dark dreams wouldn't find her that night