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

They're my nephew's. There are a lot of us in the area. Rachel, my mother took in those who needed a home. My house is a couple of miles east of there and you'll be staying with me if that's alright.

[He smiled.]

There isn't enough room at Rachel's and I haven't finished the expansion which you'll probably here how displeased she is about that when we get back.

[When he reaches the door of the doughnut shop he holds open the doors again.]

[Kevin, not completely heartless even if very protective of his little sister, frowned at the information. Toby jumping the gun here put these people in a spot, and hadn't they already done enough to these people? He kept his thought out of his expression, though, nodding.]

Yeah, that's fine, and I appreciate. Sorry for the short notice. I know it's not...you know, normal.

[David rolls his shoulders in a shrug before getting in line. It wasn't a very long line and he waved to the woman behind the counter with a smile when she called his name. It's a small town, everyone knows everyone else.]

It's no problem. It's nice to have so many people around again.

[He looks over at Cat.]

Want a doughnut?

[Cat beamed up at him at his question and nodded.] Do they have maple ones? They're my favorite!

[And she's fully aware this is why her brothers have a hard time seeing her as a mature adult.

Kevin chuckles, looking over to her.]

You can't smell it?

[Cat have him a shove.] Everything smells great here! We don't all have specially tuned food noses, Kevin.

[And Kevin shrugged.] Somebody has to.

[David laughs softly, Cat is to cute and he's really happy to see her smile.]

Of course they do. We're to close to the boarder not to have maple everything. I'll get you two. [He steps up to the counter with a smile.]

Good Morning Emily. Can I get the James and Peter Dozen and then two maples and... [He looks back at Kevin.] Whatever he wants also.

[Kevin had enough manners to know he shouldn't decline, and also to know he shouldn't be greedy. He was a guest, a practically unannounced one, after all.]

Two bear claws. I'll get you back next time. [But that didn't mean he wasn't independent.

They moved down to the pickup area while Emily started backing the dozen and Kevin glanced around at all the ambient familiarity with a pang of sadness. He used to get extra mints from Mr. Peterson at the bank when he went with his mother. Miss Stevens have him taffies for helping mow the law every summer.]

You've got a nice town here.

[David pays and then moves out of the way. When she hands him a small bag with the maple doughnuts he passes them over to Cat. The Barclaws are handed directly to Kevin with a little bit of a giggle.]

It's home. You're always welcome to visit.

[When the dozen are done Emily hands it over to David with a small brown bag on top. He looks at it with a raised eyebrow.]

It's a crawler for Jessica. Just tell her it's from me and she needs to pick up when I call her next.

[David smiles.] I'll tell her. Thank you Emily.

[With the transaction finished he moves towards the door.]

Where did you park? I figured you could follow me back and if you want to take Cat you guys can catch up in the car. Once we get there alone time will be difficult. [There are a lot of people at the house.]

[It wasn't a fun car ride, though it devolved into in-jokes, just because that's what the Allaways did when things got down. Laughter had always been their medicine and that wasn't changing any time soon.

Kevin pulled the his car into the drive next to the jeep and killed the engine. It was a nice, quaint, out of the way place and made him miss his childhood home all over again. This was harder than he thought it would be.

Freya's scent was here, though, he could smell her. He could find her, too, if he really wanted to, but if he did, he didn't know what he was say. Cat jumped out of the car smiling.]

I'm...going to go get cleaned up...if that's okay.

[Kevin nodded.] I think I remember how to be a guest.

[The sounds of a struggle draw his attention to the far side of the lawn and he gets the explanation of why Freya's scent is so strong. That's...not what he was expecting to see, but he can't help smiling, either.]

[David cuts the engine after pulling into the space and eyes the front right window. It's closed which means that his dogs were all outside somewhere. Great. He'd have to round them up before they do anything weird. He steps out of his jeep and as he walks towards the front door he sees the sight that the he'd been dreading. Freya's laying on the front lawn with a ball held tightly in her left hand. Dancer is tugging at her shoulder and slowly dragging her along the front lawn while Steve watches this from the porch.

As David continues to watch Freya lifts the ball over her head as if to taunt the other dogs and say mine. Three more dogs come out of no where and jump on top of Freya causing the smaller curl to laugh and curl in to hide from the dogs playful nips.

It isn't until David steps closer that the dogs stop and Freya sits up smelling David, Cat and also Kevin.] Cat! [She rises to her feet and runs towards the front of the house. As she passes David she tosses him the ball with a smile.] I'll go clean up with you. Here cuz guard this for me.

[The dogs come running towards David but pause when they smell Kevin. Steve walks over slower, pressing himself against David's side. David glances over at Kevin.] As you can see it's hectic. I think that rachel's just inside. We should say hi to her first, this is her husband territory here. Um... [He looks down at the five nervous dogs.] These are my kids. Do you mind letting them get used to you?

[David blinked for a moment as it suddenly dawned on him someone had said something to him. He'd been occupied watching Freya. The way she moved, the sound of her voice, her laugh, were intoxicating. That and her moving closer meant her scent became more intense.

He shook his head as though to clear it and looked over to David for a second.]

...huh? [And then down at the dogs trying to check him out.]

Uh...yeah. [He knelt so they could catch a better scent and then blinked as though something else had registered.] Your kids? They know they're adopted, right?

[David laughs a little and then gestures with his head for the five huskies to step closer.] They know. I raised them after finding them as pups and since you'll be staying at my house tonight it's better that they get used to you here. They are only allowed in the front room inside so they'll most likely stay out here through dinner.

[He eyes Kevin curiously.]

You were staring at Freya?

[Kevin nodded. He could follow the logic with the dogs, even though they'd never had pets. Besides that, they were sort of adorable. He could get used to them.

At his question, he frowned, licking his lips nervously.]

I, uh...Yeah. [ He trailed off for a moment before looking up at him.] So, awkward question but...do you smell Cat when she's not around?

[David watches as his pups approach slowly and sniff at the new male wolf. Once their tails begin to wage more enthusiastically he smile and considers it safe to go inside and see everyone else.

At Kevin's question David finds himself smiling.] Yeah. Constantly. It's a little lonely when she isn't around but... [He rolls his shoulders in a shrug.] I'd rather keep her scent with me. No matter what I'm happy to have met her. [It is frustrating and distracting and he's getting used to it but he can't image his life without having met Cat.]

Look, it isn't my place to say anything but Freya's been through a lot. I don't know what made her decide to come home after all this time but I think it might have been because of you.

My cousins a little thick so give her some time. I think she likes you. [With that said he steps towards the house and waves.] Come on. Knowing Rachel she's planning a big dinner and even though it's just reaching lunch time she's going to have a thousand things to get done.

[Kevin stands and follows the other male inside, lapsing into a slightly uncommon quiet. He wasn't so sure Freya liked him, but he was well aware what she'd been through.]

Then you get it. And...yeah. I know she's been through a lot. [But something didn't add up.] Why do you think she came back because of me?

[David looks over at him offering a small smile.]

Because she wants to feel strong enough to have a family again.

[With that he makes his way inside. The huskies stop at the door way and then circle to the window that they usually use for entry. It's closed but they expect that David will come and open it for them given time.

When they step inside Kevin is immediately greeted by the family. Rachel is waiting just inside and her stern eyes size Kevin up curiously. She'd gotten something of a description from Freya but she wants to confirm if her suspicions are true. On either side of her are two young boys who, at the sight of David, come running forward.]

David! David! [They pause at the sight of Kevin and skirt around to their brother to hide behind his legs. They forgot all about their doughnuts.]

Come on guys is that anyway to say hi? This is Kevin Allaway and he's going to be our guest for a bit. [David doesn't know how long.] Mom. This is Kevin Allaway. [He gestures rather formally.] Kevin. This is Rachel Vaughn.

[After following Cat inside Freya quickly changes and then waits. She doesn't really talk to Cat much and dips out of their shared room before Cat can bring up Kevin. She's been thinking about it for the last few hours and she still doesn't know what to do. It's hard to keep her eyes off him and she doesn't know what to say. She knows she should say something. Anything would be better than silence but her tongue feels tied and at best she's able to be sarcastic.

This usually results in the worst possible outcome.

When she steps out of the room she's wearing her usual black pants and a purple T-shirt. She stops at the end of the hall watching the awkward introductions. Her eyes linger on Kevin, her arms wrapped around her waist. She doesn't know why she doesn't just step forward. She's scared, she knows that but even thinking about it makes it feel stupid.

She's standing at the end of the hall having an internal struggle while people are talking about 3 yards away from her.

...Maybe she should go talk to Cat first.]

[Kevin was pleasant meeting the family. He'd had years of practice fitting in with people and, unlike his other brothers, he was amicable and smooth, at least to an extent.]

Peter and James, right? I've heard about you. Aren't you guys expecting doughnuts?

[He smiled and shook Rachel's hand. As unorthodox as it was, Kevin could tell she was the one in charge around here.] It's a pleasure, Mrs. Vaughn.

[And all his smooth operation fell apart when Freya stepped out of a room at the end of the hall. His breath caught in his throat for a moment and all he could do was stare. There she was, so close. All he could smell was her scent. Everything else disappeared. It took all his self-control to form words.]

I...completely agree.

[Peter and James exchange a look and then stare up at David with the biggest eyes possible. He smiles at them and shakes his head.]

Alright, alright. I left them in the car so I'll be right back. Peter can you open the window in the front room for me?

[Peter nods and dashes off. A half second later James follows. David then turns towards the door to go grab the doughnuts from the car. while Rachel continues to size up Kevin. When Freya walks out she turns and smiles at the pair.

Freya is very confused at first. She doesn't remember which shirt she grabbed and it reflects in her expression.]

What? [She's pretty sure she hadn't said anything. She really hopes she hadn't said what she was thinking.]

[Kevin smiles, looking down, a little self-conscious. He'd been grasping at straws to come up with something to say to her...]

You're...shirt...

[Freya moves her arms and looks down at her shirt.]

Oh. I totally forgot what shirt I was wearing. [She looks up at Kevin and offers him a bit of an awkward smile.] And good. Everyone should agree. [Since the two pictures overlaid made a heart shape.]

So... um... [Being this awkward never happens to her.] Cat's still getting changed.

[It's a safe topic since Freya's sure he's here to see Cat.

Meanwhile, Rachel is just watching the pair with a knowing smile.]

[He nodded, still smiling, still looking self-conscious.]

Yeah, I, uh...think she can handle it on her own. She's a big girl.

She is a big girl.

[Freya agrees feeling just as awkward.

Rachel, feeling the tension in the air steps forward. Freya hadn't forgotten that her aunt was there and almost jumped when her voice rang between them.]

Since introductions have been made how about I get a hand in the kitchen. You two can cut the potatoes. When David comes back I have some work for him before dinner and I might ask Cat to join him. [She looks over at Kevin.] Assuming she wants to of course.

Kitchen is through there. Freya can show you around the kitchen. [Freya looks at Rachel in utter horror.] I can't cook! Or peel potatoes.

[Kevin swallowed but nodded at Rachel's information, though he had no idea what the older female was up to. At Freya's response he chuckles and looks back to her.]

What do you mean you can't peel potatoes? It's the easiest thing in the kitchen.

It wasn't like I had a kitchen to practice in.

[She shoots back the retort before regretting it and turning back to Rachel. Rachel was standing there with an expression that Freya knew she can't argue with. Heaving a heavy sigh and looks over at Kevin, then down at the floor and then turns towards the kitchen.]

Fine, let's go but no making fun of me.

[There is more teasing in her tone as she steps back towards the kitchen though she's to nervous to erase the tension from her body and voice.]

[Kevin smiled at her retort but followed obediently to the kitchen. He enjoyed following her, watching her hips sway as she moved, the way her hair danced around her shoulders and spread her scent around. It was intoxicating and for a moment, he forgot they weren't alone, just content to follow behind her like a puppy. Normally talkative, he lapsed into a comfortable silence.]

[The kitchen isn't very busy just yet. Rachel had stayed behind in the family room leaving Freya and Kevin alone except for the minor interruptions of those stepping into the kitchen to 'grab' something. At some point everyone in the house wanted to get a better look at the new visitor.

Freya sighs softly and tries to keep a thick wall between her thoughts and emotions. She moves towards the back corner of the kitchen and gestures for Kevin to join her at the counter. There were stools but for now Freya remains standing.]

Here's the peel and the potatoes. [She hands him the peeler before pointing to the lumpy brown bag. It is to much to peel.] There are so many. [She heaves another heavy sigh and reaches forward to grab one of the oddly shaped dirt piece.] I think after peeling we toss them in the bucket of water.

[Freya turns around for the first time since entering the kitchen and instantly notices that Kevin is standing very close. She can hear her heartbeat jump and desperately hopes he doesn't notice.]

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

Re: A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

Re: A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...

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A date with destiny...

A date with destiny...