happiness is a warm puppy [open to all]

[doublethepain]

He's definitely come down with something.

It's hardly cause for panic, really, just a bit of congestion; some coughing that he thinks he's done a fair job of keeping under wraps; maybe a slightly sore throat, a few pressure headaches here and there, a case of the chills; but he's fine, Spencer is sure of it. He's fine because he's got a ring on his finger and a puppy at the end of his leash, so there's nothing at all in his life that he can complain about right now.

John had most generously given him half a day off--"a wedding gift from me to you" is how his boss had put it--so Spencer had stopped back at home to get Huxley before heading in some direction or another, he hadn't really had a plan. It's not very surprising that his feet seem to take him in the direction of Crossroads, as they so often do, but a part of him hopes that he'll run into some people he knows on the way there. He has news, after all, and he's not one to call up all his friends--not that it would take long, he muses--to share even the most exciting parts of his life, but he does want people to know.

He's happy, happier than he's ever been and not just since his mother and Dane had died. He has so much to be thankful for, so much to come to look forward to, and he can't remember the last time he'd felt so optimistic about his future. He smiles to himself as he watches Huxley sniff at the grass on the sidewalk before the puppy scrambles to meet a pair of feet that's headed their way, jumping up on his hind legs to paw at the stranger. Spencer's smile doesn't fade as he lifts his head to look at the other person; in fact, it only grows wider.

"You're in for it now," he says, a teasing edge to his tone. "Huxley seems to grow attached to people far too quickly for his own good."




[OOC: Spencer's a little under the weather right now because I am, too but he's in an excellent mood so it would be a great time to say hello, whether your character has already met him or not :) Find him walking his and Joel's new puppy Huxley or catch him wherever is convenient for your character to be. As long as that place allows dogs.]

Comments

[doublethepain]

"Yes, well, we've been more than productive on a majority of those longer lunches so I don't think terrible is quite the right word to describe you." Lunch, in fact, has become the best part of Spencer's work day, and it had started after the first time Joel had come by the house, that night they'd gotten drunk together in the library. He'll always think fondly on that night, always be thankful for the fact that Joel had essentially been loitering outside his house, even more thankful for whatever had pushed him to invite Joel in at all. Spencer has wondered a couple times what would have happened if he'd just ignored seeing Joel out there because it's more surprising to Spencer that he hadn't, to be honest. He hadn't had a social call in quite some time before that night but after what had happened with the Hydra, something had compelled Spencer to open his door--open his life and his heart, too, as it's turned out.

If he'd walked away from that opportunity, would he have gotten another? Would Joel have found a different way to get under his skin, to become a person Spencer would find himself unable to stop thinking about? He'd privately assume so because he's become increasingly convinced over the last few months that he and Joel could only be meant to be for each other. The red thread that Matthew had used as a bookmark in the church in Wilton, though, that had almost served as a confirmation of everything, and Spencer finds himself rubbing at his own chest as his eyes wander to Joel's. The column of energy is there between them right now, he knows it even though he can't see it, and he's never looked for validation when it comes to loving Joel, but he has to admit that he likes it's there. Their paths lead to each other; they'll always lead to each other.

He brushes his lips over Joel's temple when his husband rests his head on his shoulder, and Spencer turns his palm up so he can lace their fingers together. Huxley, it seems, had fallen asleep right in Joel's lap somewhere in the last minute or so, and Spencer just watches the pup's body rise and fall with every breath. "They'll just be happy to see you happy. Appreciate every moment while you can," he says, and it's not meant to be a lecture. It's just something he wishes he'd shown his own family when they'd still been alive. His mother and brother had known Spencer loved them, it's not as if he'd ever turned his back on them or treated them like he didn't care. They'd been close, the three of them, but where his mother and Dane had always been open and easy to get along with, Spencer has always been a bit more shy, a bit more closed off. Being alone with his thoughts for so long after they'd died had given Spencer the chance to come to the conclusion that he should have done better, should have told them he loved them more, should have acted in a number of different ways that might have made him feel better about the fact that he'd been left behind to live.

It's hard to be mournful, though, when they're discussing--even in passing--the future of their family, and Spencer's thoughts shift from his mother and brother to what he and Joel might have one day. He pictures most often a little boy, the spitting image of Joel with the dark and curly hair, and Spencer knows he'd be wrapped around their son's little finger. Granted, the same would be true about a girl, and he lets out a contented sigh at the thought one day sharing the responsibility of fatherhood with this man. It's not something he'd ever even once given serious consideration to before but being with Joel has changed so much about what he thinks he'd be satisfied with in this life. Whether they have a child through a surrogate or adoption, he knows how much they'll love their little one. They'll be good fathers, he and Joel, and Spencer hasn't often allowed himself to admit that he's good at much of anything but when it comes to Joel, he feels a surge of confidence. A good husband and a good person, these are things Joel helps him to be every day, and Spencer is certain that will extend to being a good father.

"She'll never leave once she gets started," he says and though he's teasing, he thinks that may not be far from the truth. "Though having your sister back in Siren Cove and living in the apartment might come in awfully handy if it ever does happen. Free babysitting is a family obligation, isn't it?"

[just_another]

"We are happy. But I'd still like my friends to know him," he says, one corner of his mouth lifting into a faint smile. "I don't have a whole lot of those." Which is something he's perfectly content with. He's never needed a large group of friends around him and being close to just a few people has always made him more comfortable than the idea of having to engage in large social gatherings. But Aoife is one of the few people he considers himself close to and he thinks Spencer will quite like her.

"How have you been?" he asks, closing the lid of his laptop. The books can wait, especially since he's really only looking at the possibility of renovations.

[just_another]

Joel's smile fades a little when Spencer says he should appreciate it while he can and he squeezes his husband's hand gently, knowing what he's thinking. There's nothing in the world he can do to change what has happened in Spencer's life, but that doesn't mean Joel doesn't regularly wish he could give Spencer his mother and his brother back. It's selfish in some ways, he wants to know that they'd be happy for the two of them, that they would approve of him, but mostly he just wants Spencer to be able to have that. He tries not to take his family for granted, not even when they're driving him crazy, but he knows it's far too easy to ignore his parents' calls while he tries to think of a way to tell them that he and Spencer are married now. Spencer is right, though. If he keeps ignoring their calls, if he keeps putting off telling them and something were to happen to them, he knows he'd regret it more than anything else he's ever done.

By the end of next week, he decides, he'll tell them. If that means they're going to show up on their doorstep and insist on staying with them for awhile in order to celebrate properly, then that's what it means. His mother will be overbearing and Joel will roll his eyes probably more times than he'll be able to count, but Spencer is right. He'll miss them terribly when they're gone and he knows he's far from ready to really consider that as even a possibility. Even though he's lived away from them for such a long time, they've still been such a pillar of strength in his life and he knows he'd be lost without them.

At the suggestion that Charlotte babysit, though, he laughs, lifting his head to look at Spencer. Huxley stirs on his lap and yawns, but his eyes stay closed as Joel shifts him gently. "Are you sure you'd want to trust my sister with our child?" he asks in amusement. It has nothing to do with Charlotte, he's just sure the two of them will find it completely impossible to leave any baby they have with anyone, probably for a good period of time. They're not going to be able to go out together, they won't be able to have dinner on their own and as much as Joel likes being able to spend time alone with Spencer, he's looking forward to that version of their life together, too. He's glad they'll be working together in a store that they own, because it means they won't have to put their child into daycare, they won't have to spend all day away from him or her, and Joel doesn't know how most parents do it. It must be so difficult. This child is still just an idea and he can't imagine being able to force himself to walk away to go to work.

"I know we have a lot going on and we just got married, but have you thought about it at all?" he asks curiously. He's content to just talk about it without making any solid plans right now. Rushing off to get married had felt like the right thing to do, but he doesn't feel any pressure to keep going at that same pace. If they take their time when it comes to having a family, he'll be perfectly content with that. He knows it's something they both want and that's enough right now. "Have you... would you want to look into adoption or surrogacy or... there has to be other options, doesn't there?" Unlike getting married, he hasn't done much research when it comes to having a child with Spencer. It's been there in the back of his mind, but getting married had been much more pressing and now there's the store to think about.

"I haven't done much research," he admits. "No, I haven't done any research." Joel smiles, his head back against Spencer's shoulder, enjoying the warmth of their linked hands, Spencer's thigh pressed alongside his. "I was much more concerned with getting married, I put all my research into that." But now that it's done, he's thinking about it now and then. Not in enough detail to have looked into it online, but it's there, an idea just in the back of his mind.

[aoife_coombs]

Aoife blushes, too brightly for him calling her a friend (she's close to getting used to that), but for the show of interest. It's not a good idea to share, because surely he will pick it all apart and show her where she went wrong with Isaiah. But she hasn't told anyone yet and Amelie isn't reachable so maybe..

"I live with my cousin now. We covered the Coombs family house in spells and wards to keep the media out. It was quite a thrill." Aoife breathes out through her nose. "And I went to a dinner party. Made it rain, but only outside."

[just_another]

"It must be a pain, dealing with the media right now," he says, wishing that wasn't the case. He knows what people are saying around town, he knows who they're blaming for the cruise ship and he has no idea what is or isn't true, but he does know, regardless of what her mother may have done, it certainly isn't Aoife's fault. Or the fault of her sisters.

Of course, Joel has never particularly liked the media in this town.

"I wish they would leave you all alone," he says, shaking his head. "So you made it rain at a party."

[doublethepain]

"Careful what you wish for," he tells her, smiling wryly as Huxley starts to yip at her. "I think he wants you to pick him up. How on earth did I end up with a puppy who loves this much attention?" He holds the leash out for Raleigh to take before turning his head to cough against his shoulder. It's a hacking cough, the kind that hurts, and he thinks it probably sounds worse than it is until tries to speak again but it only comes out hoarse and raspy. He cringes, coughing again to clear his throat and taking a deep breath so he can try again.

"John gave me a half day," he explains, pointing at his throat. "Turns out that having a cough is a bit of a turn-off for patrons in what's meant to be a quiet library. Strange, isn't it? Actually, it's probably best that I don't stand too close to you, I don't how how contagious I am." He'd tried his best to keep a bit of distance from Joel but that had lasted all of two seconds before his husband had insisted on pulling him close.

"Don't worry, though, I'm still planning to come by to help." He gestures at the bakery, taking a few curious steps closer so he can peer inside and his eyes widen when he does. It's clean, there are surfaces that are actually shining, and he can't believe the change in the place between the last time he'd seen it and now. He turns back to her, looking nothing less than impressed as a wide smile spreads across his face. "You did all of this in a week? You're sure you don't have just a little bit of magic in you?"

[aoife_coombs]

"Oh, yes. In a way. I think they consider me the boring dolt so I'm not bothered that much but it isn't fair to the others."

She sighs, pulls a piece of hair back behind her ear. "But yes, I agree on your wish."

"Hm-hm. Things got emotional and I drank too much. Hereby a warning to never let me drink anything. It messes up things."

[doublethepain]

"He's having a signing," he says quickly, dropping his shoulders and drawing in just a bit after he's said it because he knows how eager he sounds. He's excited to start working at the store, even though it means leaving the library, and Spencer wants to turn people's once-or-twice visits into regular, more consistent visits because the store has certainly been more profitable lately but he wants it to be a bona fide success. Joel has put so much of his life into Crossroads and now that they're married, now that they'll be adjusting to a partnership, Spencer wants to help in making sure the business excels.

"I don't know if you're familiar with Caden Carter, he's the author who moved into town recently? He'll be signing. There's going to be free coffee if you a buy a book." He hasn't actually discussed that part with Joel but there's a Keurig in the store that only the two of them ever use, and he may not be an expert in marketing but he does know that people loves free things--no matter how much money they have.

"You should come by. If-- I mean, you're obviously not obligated to do that but if you happen to have free time that day. It'd be nice if you came by."

[doublethepain]

He's practically beaming, he can feel it radiating from his cheeks and his smile and the crinkles at the corners of his eyes, and he ducks his head even thought he knows it's far too late to hide any of that. He doesn't even necessarily want to hide it, but he's still so giddy and never before has the word 'giddy' ever been applied to Spencer. It's all Joel's doing that he feels this way, feels happier than he'd ever imagined he could be, and he'd say this is the happiest he's ever been but he knows that one minute from now, he'll still be married to Joel and that knowledge makes him all the happier.

He nods, though he doesn't mention the fact that he and Joel have already discussed the possibility of children. They've only just gotten married, they're in no rush and it's between them, but the idea of starting a family of their own is something that appeals so greatly to him, especially after already having lost his own once. Joel's given him a whole new life, one that isn't filled with regret or disappointment or loneliness, and he twists the ring he wears around on his finger before he remembers that he actually ought to say something to Lou in reply.

"Thank you, and it is awfully domestic, isn't it?" he asks with a laugh. "I hadn't even really thought much about it. We're tragically missing the white picket fence, though, so we don't quite fit the American Dream--which is probably for the best, I always found the American Dream to be quite boring."

[callmeemily]

Laughing, Raleigh loops the end of the leash around her wrist just as she lifts Huxley up into her arms, the tiny puppy wriggling like he's trying to burrow into her chest just because he wants to get closer before he huffs out the biggest sigh for such a tiny dog, looking back at Spencer with bright eyes.

While Huxley's adorable, Raleigh's far more concerned about the cough. "I thought it was just allergies," she said with furrowed eyebrows - but that cough? So not allergies. "C'mon in, have a seat, I'll get you some tea." Because he's getting sick, or is sick, and she's not going to have him just standing around.

He doesn't have a lot of choice about it, because Raleigh's already moving into the bakery with Huxley in her arms, and she plugs in the electric kettle she's got on the front counter. She's got help, but she also did a lot herself and she didn't want to keep leaving to get coffee and tea. "You're not helping me do anything besides getting better, for now." She busies herself, and even with the gait problems, she's still efficient, putting the water on, getting a mug, holding (and petting) the dog.

He comments on the store, and she looks around at it, pulling in a breath. "I mean- it's been a little more than a week, but... I guess I had time to kill?" She flushes a little - when she'd been staying at Coop's, she'd tried to stay out of his hair most of the time (er, when she wasn't specifically trying to be in his proverbial hair) and also when he was at work? She pretty much just decided that she was going to throw herself into getting this place cleaned up. There was still a lot to do, but at least it was clean, right?

"Amazing, what was under all that crap." There's pride in her voice, without her even meaning there to be.

[louise_abasi]

Spencer's pure, honest, blissed out face and smile make Louise so emotional that she has to wipe away a tear. See, happiness exists in the world.

"It is. And if that is what makes you happy, you deserve it. You've been through so many things you didn't deserve ..it's time to have those balanced out."

She blinks away the rest of the waterworks. "Sorry for that display of emotions. And I heard that a white picket fence is quite a bother for the upkeep, anyway. Having to paint it every six months, I'm sure you can think of more pleasurable things to do with your time."

[doublethepain]

"I'm fine," he protests, but she's already walking into the bakery--with his dog, no less--so he warily follows her in before practically dropping his head to the counter. It's funny how much more difficult it becomes to pretend as though he really is fine after Raleigh's already very aware that the opposite is true, and he suddenly feels like his face has gotten about ten times hotter in here than it had standing outside just a moment ago. He runs a hand through his hair, grimacing when it comes back damp, but he takes the mug of tea that Raleigh hands him with a quiet but genuine word of thanks.

He wants to say that it doesn't matter how sick or not sick he is, he wants to help as much as he can, but he gets too caught up in looking around the room over the rip of his cup as he sips his tea. "Well, you've done an incredible job," he tells her, and he's not exaggerating. He admires Joel so much for the work he's put into Crossroads, for spending the last decade of his life keeping it going, and Spencer can see the drive in Raleigh. He can see the pride in her eyes, and he feels it for her, too, because it's well-deserved. She's worked so hard to get here, after all, and he's so pleased that everything seems to be working out the way she's wanting.

"I'm really proud of you," he tells her, making sure to hold her gaze for a moment just so she can be certain that they're not just words, it's not something he's saying just to say it. He swallows hard, wincing a bit at the sting in his throat before taking another sip of tea then setting his mug down to grip the edge of the counter. He leans back a bit, observing some of the handiwork that Joel's been helping with and nodding toward it. "What can I do? And don't tell me nothing because it's a cough and a sore throat and a fever, it's not a big deal, I don't need to be babied." He's got a stubborn streak when it comes to being ill, he's always had it and it had always been a source of frustration for his mother--as well as a source of humor for his brother, who'd been the exact same way. "Besides, I've got a husband who I know is already plotting all the ways he can try to keep me in bed until this goes away so you don't even have to worry."

Of course, the longer lasting cough and pained groan that follows says different, but Spencer will stand by what he's said for as long as this minor cold sticks around.

[callmeemily]

"When I say I'm fine - just like that, I know you don't believe me. Which you shouldn't, because I'm not, usually. Just like you're not, right now." She looks at him pointedly as she busies herself making his tea, before she finally hands him the mug.

"We're a lot alike, if you haven't caught on." It's a quiet observation, and one that's meant in the best way possible as she sighs thickly. "Thank you." And then he says he's proud, and Raleigh just sort of stops where she is and stares at him for a really long moment, and then she nods slightly. She's proud of him, too, but for once she actually accepts what he says with grace.

He asks what he can do, and even as he lists off his symptoms, Raleigh shifts Huxley in her arms. "Fever?" She reaches out to press the back of her hand to his forehead, and her brows shoot up. "All you're doing is sitting there, Spencer." Before he can protest, she holds up a hand. "Seriously, can you imagine just how guilty I'd feel if you got more sick helping me out? You can be moral support or something. Okay?"

That is, until he talks about being in bed with Jpel, and she groans all on her own. "I thought we weren't going to talk about you or Joel in bed, right?"

[doublethepain]

It's not that Spencer wants the sympathy, he hardly wants anyone to have to tiptoe around any mention of having a family just because he's lost his; he only knows what the loss has taught him and that is that with it comes what often feels like an endless deluge of regret. If he'd just told Dane he loved him the night before his brother had died instead of pushing him away with mock disdain after being pounced on and wished a happy birthday; if he'd only taken at least a moment to join his mother on the couch for a glass of wine to tell her how much he appreciated all she'd ever done for him, perhaps he'd have felt like he had more of a right to keep living his life. He thinks about where he is now--where his mother had been once and where Dane will never be--and he doesn't feel guilty for being happy, but he wants to be sure, if he can, that Joel never has to feel like he should be guilty for that either.

Joel will tell his family when he's ready, and Spencer would never ask him to do it a second sooner; but he doesn't think the reminder of how important it is to cherish each moment of life, of living, is ever going to be a bad one. He'd lost sight of that for quite some time until Joel had come into his life and now, he can picture so much of what their future might be like together when just a few months ago, he wouldn't have been able to see past tomorrow. "I should mine a visit soon," he muses, and he's imagining now what it would be like to take Joel with him, to take their child with them. He knows it might seem morbid to some but in spite of how awful their deaths had been, Spencer always feels at peace when he's at their graves. He still asks himself why he'd been left to survive, he'll still reach in a blind panic once in awhile when he wakes up to make sure Joel's there, to make sure that he's not going to walk downstairs and find his husband dead; but in some of the darkest times during the couple years of abuse and harassment after they'd passed, Spencer had sought refuge in the cemetery.

He shakes himself from his thoughts, focusing instead on the topic of their potential future child, and he wrinkles his nose now because Joel's right, the thought of leaving their baby with anyone else just seems so out of the question. "You're right, I take it back. She can watch from a distance." He's hesitant to admit it but Spencer knows they'd both be the most doting of fathers, and he can already see himself tied around their baby's finger. The truth is, he hasn't thought very much on it since they'd discussed it on the cruise but most of that is due to the fact that they've been so busy since they'd gotten back. They'd wasted very little time in town before deciding to get married, and he hadn't wanted to think about anything about Joel while they'd been away. And Huxley, as it had turned out, and the puppy seems to sense that Spencer's thinking of him because his eyes blink open tiredly as he paws at Joel's chest as if in some sort of protest before he falls right back asleep.

"I haven't done research recently but I've read on the subject before," he says, shrugging the shoulder Joel's not resting his head on with a sheepish smile Joel can't see. He lets his head fall gently against his husband's, making small circles with his thumb over the skin of Joel's hand as he considers the options he's immediately aware of. "Adoption is certainly something we can do, though it can take quite a bit of time. We'd have to decide if we want to adopt a newborn or a child who's a little older and if we went with a newborn, we'd have to develop a positive relationship with the birth parents. It means visits from a social worker, it means people digging into our pasts and asking questions about our lives and whether we're fit to be parents. It could mean a lot of frustration. Not that I don't think we can't handle any of that, it's just... how it works sometimes. Surrogacy, we could go through an agency or try to find someone on our own but we'd have to be careful about who we choose and we'd definitely need a lawyer to make sure the surrogate wouldn't try to claim parental rights in the future. But with a surrogate, we could both donate and--" He pauses as something strikes him then, and he lets out a soft laugh. "I just realized, if we decided to go that direction, our baby could be half-witch."

[just_another]

He still wishes she wouldn't say such things about herself and he looks over with a faint, exasperated smile as he shakes his head. Aoife has a lot more to offer than he thinks she realizes and if he were better at speaking from his heart, he thinks he might try harder to build her up, make her see herself in a better light, but he knows he isn't very good at that.

"Things got emotional in what way?" he asks curiously. "Good or bad?"

[just_another]

It's incredibly peaceful just sitting here, he realizes, on the bench outside the store -- their store, he has to remind himself with a little smile -- and he thinks he'd rather not move from here for the rest of the afternoon. The puppy is a warm weight in his lap and having a moment like this, where he can just sit with Spencer, just simply enjoy his company while they talk about whatever crosses their minds, he knows he's extremely lucky to have a job that allows him that freedom. Not that John has been particularly restrictive with Spencer's time, but the freedom the store allows is at least one small part of why he finds himself looking forward to having Spencer come to work with him. When it isn't busy, they'll be able to do exactly this. If they choose to, they can leave the work until the evening and spend the afternoon reading on the couch if there are no customers in the store. It's a wonderful situation to imagine and Joel can't wait until it's a reality, until this is where they come to work together every morning.

It will allow them a lot of freedom when it comes to raising a child, too. Joel had never once thought of the store as being so convenient before, but now that he and Spencer are making plans for their future, he can certainly see all the benefits in owning this place instead of having to work some boring office job he's sure he would hate.

As he listens to Spencer speak, he expects a sense of panic to rise. Whatever they choose, there is a lot of work to do, a lot of options to consider and he's starting to wonder if they shouldn't really be looking into it already. No matter what they decide, he imagines the legality of the situation will take a fair bit of time to work out and if they start early, they might actually find themselves with a child when they're actually ready.

Then Spencer says their baby could be half-witch and Joel laughs, because he hadn't expected that. While he'd thought about what might happen with a surrogate, he'd always imagined a little boy or girl with Spencer's wide smile and his cheekbones, but there is a chance that the baby would look like him instead. That he or she would have magic in their blood and his lips part as he tilts his head up and looks at Spencer in wonder.

"I never thought of that," he admits, smiling. "I've... some witches are concerned with that. With passing on their bloodline." He thinks it's a load of ridiculous garbage, especially the extent to which some of them take it, but thinking about it now, thinking about having a child with Spencer who might be capable of the same things he can do, it's actually strangely appealing. And terrifying. "It's a little scary, isn't it? Babies are a lot of work to begin with, but then you throw magic into it..." He's still smiling, though, even as he shakes his head.

[aoife_coombs]

"Um."

She feels her cheeks heat up again, the blush rise with doubts about Isaiah and what they did.

"I kissed someone out of frustration and it turned into something elsd and now I'm just nervous all the time about everything. More than usual, anyway. And mostly involving him."

[just_another]

Joel honestly isn't sure what to say to that, mostly because he feels like Aoife is trusting him with information that he doesn't think she has trusted most people with and he wants to respond in a way that doesn't make her feel like that trust has been misplaced. "What do you mean it turned into something else?" Whoever it is that she kissed, she certainly seems to like him, if the blush in her cheeks is anything to go by. Joel thinks it must be, because he remembers quite well how often he had blushed when he and Spencer had first begun their relationship. Even now, given the right incentive, he finds his face feeling awfully warm.

[aoife_coombs]

She bites her lip.

"He didn't run. He doesn't think it's a stupid idea and - well I made him soaking wet because I rained over him so I invited him over to the family manor ..we did nothing though, of course not. I don't like that st-"

Aoife feels herself become lightheaded. "It's been a while. Since I couldn't keep my emotions in control, they were always been connected to my magic and I feel miserable about it. But the eh - kissing thing as well. It's not that important, you just asked how I've been. And maybe to not invite me to a dinner party any time soon."

[just_another]

"Well, I can't imagine you'll spend much time kissing anyone at one of my dinner parties, unless you have intentions toward Spencer I'm unaware of," he says with a faint smile. Dinner parties aren't exactly his style anyway, so that's hardly something she has to worry about.

"But this guy... you like him?" he asks curiously. She says she doesn't like that stuff -- at least, that's what he thinks she'd been about to say -- but he leaves that alone for now.

[ofcatsandfate]

"I'll definitely have to check it out," Fabrice promises. His own book collection has been rather lonely lately, with hardly any recent additions to speak of; this signing will certainly provide a decent chance to replenish his stock. "I haven't heard of the author, but it sounds like a great event. And I'm always happy to support friends of Raleigh."

[aoife_coombs]

"I did that once. We had an amazing time and he gave me the best tips about clothing but -" She looks at him. "Dating a gay man, I mean. Not Spencer. I never met Spencer. I don't have any intentions towards him. At all. Ever."

She shifts her eyes to her feet. 'Are you going to go on a Honeymoon?"

[just_another]

"We spent a week away after the wedding," he says. "It was nice." Then he smiles again and says, "If you don't want me to pry, I won't, but... if you want to talk to someone about what happened..." He trails off and shrugs. "I hope you know by now that you can trust me."

He doubts he'll be able to give her any good advice when his own romantic life had been utterly hopeless until Spencer, but he can listen.

[aoife_coombs]

"I really don't know. I think that's my biggest problem right now. Usually if there's a guy I just follow him a bit until I'm bored and I dump him."

Aoife sighs. "But we've been fighting and squabbling and he just keeps pushing to show myself but he's also funny and sweet and there's just something - he makes me feel something? And that's new. That's weird."

"What, no advice from mister Baker?", she smiles. "Or what, wait, are you carrying Spencer's name now? Or both?"

[just_another]

"Waters-Baker," he admits with a small smile, because even just that, the fact that they're sharing a name now, it makes him feel warm inside.

"And I'm not sure what kind of advice I'd be able to give you," he says. "Before Spencer I had one girlfriend and two very brief encounters that meant next to nothing before an eight year dry spell, so I'm probably not the best person to give advice."