Mouth Murderer

Timothy Thornton

"It's not ready yet to show Dad, as I am awaiting some information to complete it, but what I was able to achieve is enough for you to see my determination, Mom, I promise," Timothy explained nervously as they went to his room.

His palms were sweating, and he felt like this was a make-it-or-break-it situation. He hopes for the former.

Timothy knew his plans were not ready yet for his father's eyes, as he was still awaiting emails on prices for some of the things that he would need to complete his plans.

Nevertheless, he was convinced that once his mother saw what he was working on, she would know he was serious. He also hoped that in light of this change, she would rethink her earlier decision and not do anything selfish and drastic. Not now, of all times!

She would not do anything selfish, right?

Not when he was this close to impressing his father. How could she only think about herself at a time like this? No, she was his mother. She would not do anything rash.

Aubrianne Ivanov

The drive to drop off Tobias was a short fifteen-minute drive, but Aubrianne wanted to talk to him. She had observed some things these past few days while getting to know Tobias.

It was also the many conversations they had that made her realize a lot about Tobias and his relationship with his brother, Timothy.

Tobias was always making decisions for his life based on everybody else's responses and reactions around him. He never makes a decision for himself.

Always thinking about others and their judging thoughts.

Even with the decision to suddenly start training, he did so because of his brother, and now he was doing it for her.

She did not like that, it was Tobias's life, and he needed to start living it for himself.

Aubrianne wanted to make sure it was something he was doing for himself and not anybody else.

Plus, she wanted to make sure that, moving forward, he understood that it was ok to make decisions for himself.

And if there was something that he did not want to do, she wanted him to know that it was ok to say no. He was trying very hard to please everybody, which can make anyone wander through life miserably.

When they constantly think about what people think of them, she needed him to understand that he must stop living his life for others.

"Hey, Tobias, let's get you home safely," Aubrianne said. She put the car in drive and then drove out of her street.

"What a workout," Tobias chuckled, and Aubrianne joined in, recalling Kirrah and Shawn.

"Yes, indeed. By the way, have you been enjoying our workout time?" Aubrianne started the conversation, glancing at Tobias occasionally. She was driving, after all.

There was hesitation on Tobias's part to answer, so she said, "Hey, you can be honest," Aubrianne reached over and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze, a sort of contact of comfort and reassurance that everything would be ok.

Then she quickly placed her hand back on the steering wheel.

"I promise I won't get mad at you or anything. I want to know if YOU are enjoying the workout." Aubrianne continued her coaxing.

Tobias looked at Aubrianne, "I do, but..."

Aubrianne knew he was looking at her, and she said, "Uh huh, there is a but, go on, you can tell me." she coaxed some more.

"Only when I work out with you. I don't want to work out with Timothy anymore. I have stopped since Monday." Tobias explained in a low voice. It was soft.

Oh boy, well, this is different from the direction she wanted this conversation to go. It was not a thing between Tobias choosing her over Timothy.

Aubrianne said, "Ok, I get it," as she really did get where he was coming from.

Aubrianne knew there was a distinctive difference between how she treated Tobias and how Timothy did, so she got it. She understood him.

"But, you must not be afraid to do what YOU want to do. And don't be afraid to say NO to things you don't want to do. Ok?"

Gosh, this was actually harder for Aubrianne than she thought it would be. She really needed to choose her words wisely and carefully.

What she really wanted to say was, 'Stop taking bulls!t from Timothy or anybody that treats you like he does. Stop letting him walk all over you.'

But she soon realized in the end she did not have to be that way. As Tobias said himself, he enjoys training with her and not Timothy.

This means he was already seeing the difference between his two siblings and understanding what is acceptable and what is not while comparing the two of them.

"Yes, I know," Tobias responded with a broad smile. Aubrianne nudged him, and her smile was even more expansive.

Since Monday, Tobias's heart felt full in his chest, and now as he watched his sister, he did not think it was possible to love someone so much, especially someone he had just met.

But Aubrianne was his strength. He suddenly felt like he could do anything. She encouraged and inspired him. Aubrianne never brought him down with harsh words or actions.

And Tobias wanted to make her proud, and the fact that she was there telling him to make decisions for himself and not for anyone else and not be afraid to say no.

He was even more in awe of her because he had begun to see things as clear as daylight. The difference in the way Timothy treats him and how Aubrianne treats him. She was always kind and sweet to him.

She never once raised her voice at him, even when correcting him. He did not have to sit through an onslaught of insults every time he made a mistake or messed up in training.

Or even on Wednesday night, when she taught him how to cook pasta after training, she took her time with him. Timothy? Tobias grimaced at the thought.

If Timothy had been teaching him by the end of the lesson, he would have been traumatized. Or he may not have been because Timothy would never have taken the time.

And yet he could not understand his need for his brother's approval. Now he was contented with Aubrianne's.

He had always looked up to Timothy, even if he knew Timothy was a troublemaker.

Tobias, however, understood what his sister was trying to say to him, she was basically telling him to stand up for himself, and she was showing him how to be treated by a sibling.

She was not simply a mouth murderer like Timothy. She had applied the action behind her words, showing him what was acceptable and what was not.

And Tobias and his wolf have been getting stronger, braver, and more confident.

"Thank you," Tobias said in a small voice. Aubrianne had no idea how grateful Tobias was to have her take an interest in him. To have her accept him and show him gentleness.

Aubrianne glanced at him confused, an eyebrow arched, "For?"

"Everything," Tobias said, "Oh, it's alright." Aubrianne brushes it off.

"No, it is more than that," Tobias needed his sister to understand that, in this short space of time, she had done so much for him and his self-esteem.

So much so that Tobias was even thinking about enrolling in college, and it was because of her words of encouragement. She needed to know.

They pulled up in front of his home, and Aubrianne parked the car; she wanted to allow him to take his time and express himself. "Oh, ok, want to share with me?"

Aubrianne felt he wanted to say more, but she knew Tobias was always shy around her. She would not push but, instead, gently coaxed him.

And Tobias did. Tobias explained what he was thankful for and that he was aware of the difference between his siblings and told her of his plans for college.

Aubrianne had thanked him for opening up to her, and they hugged before they bid each other goodbye. She had told him not to take his brother's words seriously.

Aubrianne also planned to chat with Timothy to get to know him better, but she did not harbor any illusions of things flowing as easily as they did with Tobias.

Aubrianne had already planned on getting to know Timothy and Christen separately. After the dinner last Friday night, she saw the need for it.

She decided to get to know them first before moving in, making the transition easier. Of course, she could have moved in that night if she wanted to, as far as her father was concerned.

But Aubrianne being Aubrianne and ever so considerate of people's feelings, and more so, not wanting to be in an uncomfortable environment.

She was very comfortable where she was currently. As far as she was concerned, she, Shawn, and Jada could stay there forever.

Nevertheless, Aubrianne was considering arranging a lunch date and shopping with Christen.

And a dinner date or something fun with Timothy.

First, she would have to find out what Timothy enjoys. Then choose an activity they can do together while enjoying bonding time.