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.]

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[doublethepain]

"Yes, lovely town, have you been there? I'm sure I've seen it on a map but I'd never heard anything about it before, we just wanted to get out of town and go somewhere... different. My-- My husband and I, that is. I'm not sure if you've met Joel."

He feels the flush on his cheeks and huffs out an embarrassed laugh, only because calling Joel his husband, is still so new. He suspects the delight he gets just from saying the word won't fade anytime soon; it makes his eyes threaten to well up just thinking about the vows they'd exchanged and how perfect that entire evening had been. He couldn't have asked for a better way to marry the man he loves.

"I supposes that answers your question about being busy," he continues, glancing down at his ring. "I certainly didn't have a husband before I left. And I'm glad to hear you're well, I suppose that means nothing especially awful happened in town while I as gone. Color me shocked."

He nods his agreement when Fabrice says he's glad it's a new month. "It's been quite a year." That's an understatement if ever he's made one and even though the ups of this year have made more of an impact on him than the downs seem to have, Spencer is still ready for 2014 to come to an end.

[ofcatsandfate]

"I've driven through it, once or twice," Fabrice says, thinking of the various road trips he's taken with his cousin. His eyebrows raise when Spencer mentions a husband; clearly, he had been busy since the time Fabrice last saw him. "You got married? Congratulations!"

He has to smile at the way Spencer blushes and grins, as though he still can't believe that fact himself. Fabrice admits, he finds himself jealous, considering how complicated his own love life is at the moment. But then, he realizes, he wouldn't give up what he has with Demetri for the world. So, ultimately, he finds himself genuinely pleased for Spencer.

"And who is your husband?" He inquires. "Someone in town, then?" He glances down at the ring on Spencer's hand, admiring the loveliness of it. "That's a beautiful ring. I'm happy for you, truly."

"It has," he agrees. To say the least, he thinks. He definitely wants 2014 to be over, but he also wants to relish in the happier moments of this year for as long as he can. "I know right? I suspect something else will come along to change that, though. It always does."

[doublethepain]

"I did," he says softly, cheeks still pink from thinking about how overwhelmingly emotional--how happy--he'd been when he and Joel had exchanged their vows. They'd promised each other forever even before they'd run off without telling anyone but to look at the ring on his finger and know that it can't get more official than this makes him feel like there's nothing in this world that can touch him. He's married to the only person he's ever loved, the only person he'll ever love; Spencer can't really imagine anything better than that.

"His name's Joel Baker. Well, Waters-Baker now." He nods in the direction he and Huxley had been walking. "He owns Crossroads, if you're familiar with it. One of the local bookshops." It's soon to be the local bookshop, if Spencer has anything to do with it, but that's business talk better suited for Joel.

He looks back down at his ring when Fabrice does and hums his agreement. "We picked it out after we came back from the cruise. He proposed while we were on it, before... well, you know." He shifts uncomfortably as memories of the island come flooding into his mind, and he's been able to successfully keep them at bay while he'd been away with Joel but flashes of seeing Mark Fuller, of seeing his mother and brother, seem all too fresh again.

"I think we're all due a break," he says, rubbing absently at his temple. The dull headache hasn't gone away but it's starting to throb now, and Spencer isn't sure whether the pain is real or purely psychological. "When Joel and I went away for the week, it was exactly what the cruise should have been."

[ofcatsandfate]

"Well, congratulations," he tells him, smiling at how so obviously in love Spencer is. It's a nice thing to see, people uniting even in the midst of the usual Siren Cove crap. "Joel? I think I've visited his bookshop, once."

"I'm glad you were able to get away," he says with a soft smile.

[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."

[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."

[doublethepain]

He bristles at the mention of Raleigh's name, his features hardening for a split second thanks to the reminder of what she'd told him about the reporter that had tried to use her for his own gain--and he hasn't yet met a reporter who isn't out for glory. Spencer knows that generalizations are nobody's friend, but he's dealt with enough journalists and their hunger for a juicy story to last him a lifetime. Fabrice, he realizes, can't be much different.

"She told me what you did," he says, voice softening along with his expression. "I know that thanking someone for doing the right thing is never-- I mean, it's always a bit strange, isn't it? But I'm glad you were there to help defend her. It's not easy to have to deal with people like that man, people who are willing to step all over others just to make it themselves." He shrugs a shoulder. "But I think we both know that."

[ofcatsandfate]

For a second, when Fabrice catches the look on Spencer's face, he wonders if mentioning Raleigh was a mistake. He imagines she told both Spencer and Joel about that...unfortunate night, and he's not certain that either of them would approve to him resorting to violence, in the end.

"Yeah, yeah we do," he says, thinking of both the paparazzi and his own Aunt, who has only ever thought about herself and her powers and has stomped all over anyone getting in her way. "And thank you, it means a lot to hear that."

[doublethepain]

Spencer's smile is tight as he shifts awkwardly to cross his arms over his chest. It isn't Fabrice making him feel uncomfortable, it's the very notion that the poison that is the paparazzi and the tabloids could spread to the people he cares so much about. Spencer hadn't read any of what had been written about the lighthouse, not like he had after he'd been arrested, but just knowing that Joel's name would have been mentioned, that people would know Joel had been involved, makes him feel sick to his stomach. Now, with Raleigh, he worries what sorts of damaging things might be written if the reporter doesn't heed Fabrice's very clear warning of backing off.

Words are powerful, that's something Spencer had learned at a very early age; but it hadn't been until they'd been so horribly used against him that he'd realized how hurtful that power can be. He thinks of Eli, of what Joel had done to him for the things the bully had said to Spencer, and while he doesn't necessarily think being violent had been the best course of action... sometimes there simply aren't more viable options available.

"If you need anything, please let me know. I don't know how much I have to offer that's of any use, but I'm happy to do whatever I can. Even if you just need someone to listen to you talk." He's good at that, the listening part.