In the end, they ended up writing more than one letter and Amy felt much better about this plan than when they first started. It was amazing, the people Violet knew and she only hoped that that the two would get a response before her father found out what happened. Oh, and that those responses were actually helpful, of course.

Unfortunately, like so many other things in her life, the easy way was not for Amy, or Violet either apparently. She should’ve known the hospital would inform her father of what was going on, that a guest had arrived to see his daughter and subsequently refused to leave. Made easier by the fact that her friends brought her whatever she needed from home so she didn’t have to. It was a shame Amy wasn’t able to meet them yet but they must’ve all been wonderful people to do these things for Violet, and her by extension.

It only took two days before Richard York stood in the doorway of Amy’s hospital room, staring Violet down where she sat beside her. “What is going on here!?” He asked before stepping into the room. His face was already red, either from anger or exertion in reaching her room. Probably a mixture of both, if Amy had to guess. And, even with Violet by her side, her heart still quickened from fear and her throat tightened in anticipation of what was to come. 

In response to his arrival, Violet turned her head but then stood so she could fully face him. She no doubt knew exactly who he was from his tone and question alone, so Amy didn’t feel the need to inform her. She couldn’t see the expression on Violet’s face at meeting her father for the first time but it must’ve been fierce considering Richard’s reaction to it. Did he actually just take a step back? A small one but still. However, in another moment he composed himself and seemed to find his voice again. 

“I get a call that there is a stranger in Amy’s room and I have to cut my business short to return. Just who are you? Why are you here?”

“My name is Violet Evergarden and I am no stranger to Amy.”

Her Father’s eyes opened a little wider then, his face shifting from anger to surprise. Clearly, he had not been expecting to come face to face with the woman who had stolen Amy’s heart. “H-how? I stopped her letters; how did you find her?”

“You underestimate Amy.”

That point had Amy smiling with pride and the satisfaction with her little scheme only made it wider. That’s right you old fool, she had figured out a way to sneak a letter out despite all his meddling. “And Violet,” Amy added a moment later. 

At her addition, both Violet and her father turned to regard her. Violet with a small smile and her father with a look that bordered on pure anger. But then his attention shifted back to the doll and he brought a finger up to point at her chest.

“Do not speak that name here, girl .” 

Violet took another step forward and her father took one back, apparently feeling less brave than his words might indicate. Especially considering Violet was a war hero, someone who could no doubt get what she wanted through other means.

It was a thing that Amy addressed very bluntly with her at one point and even though Violet wasn’t keen on resorting to violence, she hadn’t exactly sworn off it. Which, wasn’t surprising, either. It wasn’t as if she was going to kill the man but rough him up? If that was the difference between losing Amy or not, would she really not let herself go there? For everyone’s sake, Amy hoped her father would see reason before it went there.  

“I will speak her name because that is who she is and that is who I love,” Violet retorted in her usual calm voice.

“Oh for…you too? So, you are the one who nurses these delusions? The one that filled my Isabella’s head with fantasy? No, this is unacceptable and you will leave, now .” 

“I will not,” Violet said and for the first time, Amy heard malice dripping from her friend’s voice. “And she is not yours.”

Richard York must not have had people tell him no very often because the confusion on his face was almost comical. And yet, he didn’t back down.

“If you don’t leave, I will go get security to make you.”

“They can try.”

He narrowed his eyes then, sizing up Violet and perhaps doing the calculation on whether or not he could actually follow through with his threat. However, what he did do was equally surprising. He turned to Amy instead.

“Isabella, tell her to leave. She’ll listen to you.”

What? Did he really think that Amy was going to send Violet away after everything they’d been through? Dismiss the woman she loved because her asshole of a father demanded it? Just so he could marry her off in some business deal? He really was desperate if he thought that would work.

“No,” Amy said and she tried to sound as firm in her convictions as Violet.

“No?” He asked before shaking his head. “You tell me ‘no,’ while my money pays your hospital bills and ensures care for that brat? It sounds like both of you might enjoy some time on the street again to realize your place.”

And there it was, the threat she knew was coming. The threat that pissed her off more than anything else. How could he do that? Use a child as a bargaining chip to silence Amy, to make her do whatever it is he wants, no matter if it is good for her or not. The rage it brought forth in her chest caused her to bunch her blankets in a tight grip before she shook her own head furiously.

“Do not threaten Taylor!” This time, her voice rose to fill the whole room but she paid for it a moment later in the form of a cough that quickly threatened to turn into a fit. She had to remain calm, had to keep herself under control. Of course, Violet was at her side a moment later, a glass of water in one hand while the other ran up and down her back in slow, gentle strokes.

After a soothing sip, she wiped her mouth and locked eyes with her father again. “You will not keep her from me, not anymore. I’m the closest thing she has to a mother and I will not abandon her.”

“A mother?” Richard spat back, derision plain in his voice. “Please, I saw the squalor you lived in. You couldn’t care for that girl before and you certainly can’t now. You can hardly take care of yourself.”

“You’re wrong,” Amy said before shaking her head. “I would do anything for her, give her anything I could, anything she needed.”

“Not without my help, you can’t. All the love in the world doesn’t put food on the table, money does. Something you need me for.”

Amy opened her mouth but closed it a moment later. Bastard, cruel bastard. She hated how right he was, hated that just because she would do anything didn’t mean she could. But she didn’t need to give Taylor a mansion, right? Just her love, a bed to sleep in, and food to fill her belly. It wouldn’t be the most glamorous life but it would be one filled with something more important than fancy clothes and expensive meals.

However, before Amy could reply, Violet took one of her hands in a firm grip and turned back toward Amy’s father.

“She doesn’t need you anymore, she has me,” Violet started and then squeezed Amy’s hand. “And so does Taylor.”

“What?” Richard asked. And for once, Amy was thinking the exact same thing. “You’ve never even met this child and you would commit yourself so easily? For what? For love ? ” 

This was not something she and Violet discussed over the past few days. Their talks had only focused on how Amy would get out of the hospital and go about getting Taylor back. However, underneath that shock was a warmth that filled her heart and a hope that her wishes may actually come true. That the three of them could be together, after all.

“It doesn’t matter,” Violet replied. “Amy loves her and that’s all the reason I need.”

“Violet…” Amy momentarily forgot her father was even there and couldn’t help but move her eyes to her friend. 

In response, Violet simply turned and when their eyes met, another soft smile appeared on her lips before she nodded her head in silent confirmation.

“This is ridiculous!” Richard finally yelled, pulling their eyes back to him. “I won’t stand for it! And just because the hospital security won’t drag you out doesn’t mean I can’t find someone else to do it.” So, he’d already tried to convince them, then? Violet told her about the incident with the security guards at the gate. Once word spread who exactly had come, it wasn’t a surprise none of those men wanted to get involved.

His eyes moved from Violet to Amy then, and she saw nothing but wrath in his gaze. “And once she’s gone, you’ll be marrying Frederick, as agreed.” Before either of them could say anything though, Richard turned and made for the door before stalking off down the hall, yelling for people to move as he went.

When he was finally gone, Isabella collapsed back into the pillows and breathed a sigh of relief. It was okay, they were okay. Violet was still here and their plan was still in motion. Besides, he couldn’t stop it now, the letters were already on their way. And if those didn’t work? Well, they’d just have to figure something else out.

After almost a whole minute, Violet finally turned back and sat down in her chair so she would be level with Amy. Her second hand came up to join the first then, fully covering Amy’s in with both of them.

“Did you really mean that?” Amy asked as their eyes met again. “About helping take care of Taylor?”

Violet didn’t answer right away and it even looked as though she might be surprised by the question. Like it didn’t even need to be asked. “Of course, I did.” 

Of course, she did. Violet wasn’t one to boast or resort to hyperbole. If she said it, then it must be the way she felt, right?

“And I’ll take care of you too.”

And Amy believed she would. She already had, anyway. For a time. What in the world did she do to deserve the love of a woman like this? It didn’t make any sense but who was she to question it? A moment later, tears formed in the corner of one of Isabella’s eyes from her heightened emotions but it barely had a chance to fall before Violet’s hand was there, wiping away.

“It’s okay,” she said, her voice calm and steady. “I’m still here. And we’ll get you to Taylor, just like I promised.”

“What if he comes back with men to take you away?” Men who would actually listen, men who came with weapons beyond a wooden club?

“They will not take me from you, Amy. Never. Better men have attempted worse things…and failed.”