acontritemess | Little birds have to jump out of the nest if they're going to fly

[David spares Amanda a glance before looking back to his mother. He feels strange staring so openly at Cat though she never leaves his peripheral vision. His gaze then flicks to Richard and Freya who are both just eating and watching.

It feels like they are putting on a show for some reason.]

Then we'll have to show you around.

[He'll give you a tour and it'll be awesome.]

Things have probably change since Freya's had a look around too.

[See, nothing weird here... he's sending out an open invitation except he works tomorrow but whatever.]

[Cat looks over to Freya momentarily, before looking back to David and nodding.]

That sounds like fun.

Who knew you could be such a gentleman David. [While her tone is harsh, Rebecca is smiling at him.]

Wow mom, way to make it sound like I never am.

[David smiles at her and then tries to focus on his food. He hasn't been eating as much and he doesn't want to go to bed hungry. He's already going to have issues sleeping; even if his dogs sleeping with him.]

So where are Cat and I staying? [Freya finally speaks again realizing that David's sad attempts at keeping a conversation going were beginning to dwindle. Amanda seems happy which is starting to piss Freya off.]

Yes, your room is next to the boys. [Rebecca gestures to Peter and James who were putting chicken up their nose. She glares at him which quickly ends all fun and games with their food.] Until I can get David to build a new addition You'll be sharing.

[Jessica and Amanda share a room and considering Amanda's not so warm welcome Rebecca is glad they have one extra spare room. Richard will be leaving tonight to pass word to her other kids while David will be in his room with the dogs. She's rather proud how that all worked out on such short notice.]

Do we have to lock the door? [Freya laughs pointing to the two young boys who appear to have no boundaries other than goofing off.]

James and Peter know how to behave. [This is spoken in a tone that terrifies the two young boys.]

I can sleep in David's room with him if you want. [Peter chimes in with a happy smile soon to be followed by James] Me too!

[This makes David look up from his food.]

How will that help anyone? I already have five roommates.

[Cat laughed, looking over to Freya.] I think it might be safest if we lock the door.

[Richard shakes his head, looking at the younger boys.] You two can stay in your own room. Anything else would be cruel.

Aww, come on. David doesn't stay over much! [And agreeing with his older brother's sentiment, James nodded emphatically.] Yeah! Exactly!

[Rebecca settled a piercing gaze on both the young boys.] You have a room, you're staying in it.

Come on guys, my couch is really small.

[David pleaded with his younger siblings, flashing the pair of them a smile.] Besides, I'm off early tomorrow we can all go fishing or do something. [The pair of boys begin to bounce in their seats.]

Fishing!Fishing!Let's go fishing!I haven't been in so long!

[David shakes his head before looking over at Richard.] Don't you wish you were sticking around now?

[Richard laughs softly.] I'm alright David. Besides I have to get back and send work to Stephanie and Joy. [David just nods.]

Forever the responsible brother. [His gaze shifts to Cat and Freya.] Are you two in?

[Freya smiles, looking over at Amanda's disgruntled scowl.] Count me in! You too Cat.

[David glances over at Rebecca who's smiling which means that his plan isn't totally crazy or inappropriate. David has to go in the office in the morning since he's near town, after that they usually give him time to get back home which takes awhile so they never expect David to do anything else.]

Edited 2016-05-09 15:17 (UTC)

[Cat swallows but nods. She suddenly feels really vulnerable. She doesn't know how to fish, either as a wolf or as a human, and she is suddenly overwhelmed with the idea she's going to disappoint David.] Uh, yeah. I'll go.

[Amanda smiles.] I'll come.

[David beams at her.] Great! I can teach you how so don't worry. [It isn't hard to tell that she's worried. At Amanda's comment David's brow furrows in confusion.]

When did you start liking fishing.

Well, with Freya back I thought we should all go.

[David is about to argue to tell her she's being weird when his mother chimes in.]

You can't Amanda. You'd promised to help me with some work tomorrow.

[Amanda glares at Cat before looking at Rebecca.]

That was because Freya came home

No excuses young lady. We need to get this done and I am sure Freya will be with us for awhile. You'll have plenty of time to catch up.

[After her chastising, Amanda sinks into a sullen silence for a moment before looking at her mother.]

May I please be excused?

[Rebecca shakes her head.]

No, ma'am. You didn't help make dinner. You're helping with dishes. [Amanda makes a frustrated sound but doesn't leave the table, and Rebecca looks to David.] Show the girls to their room, please, and make sure the monsters in the front room aren't destroying anything.

[David watches as Amanda grabs some plates and stomps off to the kitchen. He’s a little sad because she took his plate and he really wanted to finish what was on it first. He turns to Rebecca, his eyebrow raised.]

Whoa, everyone here is house trained.

[He smirks before dragging his chair across the wood floor.]

Shall we ladies?

[David stands and then heads to the other side of the table. He has no idea why he isn’t on kitchen duty since he’d been late but he isn’t about to bring that to his mother’s attention. He grabs both Freya’s and Cat’s backpack, slinging them easily over his shoulders.]

It’s right through here.

Do you often bring your kids here? [Even she’s stared calling them his kids.]

No. Sometimes, I don’t like leaving them alone overnight.

[David shrugs, flashes Cat a smile and then leads the way down the hall to the spare room.]

[She follows after the two of them, smiling also. It was nice to be out of the watchful eye of Rebecca and the disapproving gaze of Amanda.

And she liked David.]

Why would you want to? They're adorable.

[David looks back at Cat with a smile.]

Aren’t they? And Rebecca wants to know why I only stop by once a week. [And then promptly heads home so that his pups don’t miss him.]

Here you two go.

[He pushes open the door, leading the way inside. There is only one bed but it’s a big one.]

You’ll have to share. I hope that’s okay.

[David places the two backpacks on the empty desk before stepping around Freya and Cat and then standing at the door. As he moves Cat’s scent hits him in the face and has to force himself to focus.]

Right, well. I’ll be with sneaking around back to then go through my window to see my dogs. [It’s the only way he can avoid Peter and James.] Do either of you need anything?

[Freya flops down on the far side of the bed with a smile.] I am good here. Thanks David.

[She took a breath even though she didn't need to as David walked past them, and turned toward the door as he did.]

It was nice to meet you, David, and I look forward to tomorrow.

[It sounded like something polite to say, but she meant it.]

[David flashes Cat a smile.]

It'll be fun and you're always welcome to stop by and say hi to the dogs. I think they'll miss you now that they've met you. [Except he's talking about himself...not the dogs.

David has never felt like this much of a loser. He nods his head to Freya before leaving, closing the door behind him.

Freya sits up in bed looking over at Cat.]

Here I thought you'd follow him to play with the 'dogs'

[As soon as the door shuts behind David she looks toward it, thinking maybe she should follow.

Again, he did mention he was trying to be discreet so as to not attract the attention of Peter and James, so maybe this was for the best.]

I...I don't know. He seemed like the evening was over...

[Freya moves to stand, stripping off her shirt and pants as she steps up to her backpack. She tosses her clothes on a chair before rummaging through her backpack.]

Yeah, because his dogs are going to miss you.

[She shakes her head.]

You know that's totally just him trying to find a way to hang out alone with you. I didn't get an invitation. I got a head nod.

[Cat starts about changing into her Tinkerbell bed pants and a white tank top, running her brush through her hair before pulling it into a messy bun. She was physically tired, but she wasn't ready for bed any time soon.]

...you really think he just wanted to spend time with me?

[Freya slips into a bright pink tank top and a pair of plaid night paints. She turns to look at Cat as she runs her fingers through her hair. She's debating putting it up.]

Yeah, it was painfully obvious. He likes you and was acting like a complete idiot.

[It was fun to watch.]

[Cat laughs nervously, shaking her head.]

I...I really like him...

[Freya laughs before releasing her hair and letting it fall in blonde waves over her shoulders. Cat’s adorable and Freya’s always found her easy to talk to, she wants her friend to be happy and if David does that… that’s awesome.]

He really likes you. [She can’t help but smile at Cat.]

You should go see if you can sneak some 1 on 6 time tonight. David did invite you.

[There is no getting rid of those six dogs.]

[Her eyes dart toward the door that so recently closed behind David, then back to Freya. She wants to, but she also doesn't want Freya to be alone.]

Are you sure? I mean, we just got here and...I know being here isn't as easy as you're pretending it is.

[Freya shrugs before tossing herself on the bed.]

I have books besides, I might just call it and sleep for the night. It isn't as if anyone is going to come in here.

[She looks up at Cat.]

So go.

[She hesitates for a moment before smiling and heading toward the door.]

Okay, but just so you know, if this is really awkward, it's your fault.

I look forward to it.

[Freya just smiles as Cat steps out into the hall. When she's gone Freya grabs a dictionary from her bag and begins skimming it.

It's the easiest way to get to sleep and not have nightmares.]

[Outside in the hall, Cat takes a steeling breath before heading down the hall in the direction she remembers the room to be, which she remembered David saying he was sharing with his dogs.

Which was adorable. She was pretty sure she heard something going on, though, from the room as she got closer.]

[All is going as planned. David slips from Freya and Cat's room and then backtracks before cutting through the kitchen and walking out the back door. He doesn't go this way often which is possibly why he hopes it'll work. He's distracted, unable to get Cat out of his head.

He pauses at the open window looking at the five dogs inside who'd sensed that he was coming. His finger lightly presses to his lips to indicate them to be silent as he slips through the open window. Once inside he begins to strip and then remembering his offer he slips on a pair of sweat pants. He wonders if she'd come or if she's no longer interested now that he's acted like an idiot.

He hears footsteps outside the room and raises to head towards the door. It isn't Cat. Two young boys jump on top of David sending the ranger to the ground, where his dogs then took the cue to pile on top of him.]

David!David! [The voices rang out in chorus.]

What are you two doing here! Get off me!

[He raises himself up and then circles his arm around Peter.] Let me down!

No. [David's voice is firm though the moment he is standing with Peter tightly secure beneath his arm James jumps up and latches to his other arm. He tries to swing the seven year old off but it doesn't work. He slowly makes his way towards the door, his dogs at his heels.]

I said we'd hang out tomorrow.

[Each word is followed by a grunt of effort as both boys fight with all their strength against him and as soon as he steps out of his room he looks down the hall and see's Cat.

Oh she came... oh.. David looks down at his nephews in dismay. This just isn't his night.]

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