(Untitled)

[g2modsquad]

There was dust here, layers of dirt coating the unused furniture, but some time ago, the dust melted away. The couches began to look new again. The kitchen cupboards replenished themselves and the plothole in the closet began spinning once more

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[pavementlines]

This is distinctly not where Vincenzo meant to end up, but he doesn't seem to mind -- it's a nice enough day, this is a familiar enough place, and he's been chasing a four year old for long enough today (though said four year old is now deposited safely with his grandmother) that any place he can collapse onto a couch and breathe will be welcome -- and so that's where anyone else who happens to arrive will be able to find him.

[savagelystill]

Which means that, naturally, it won't be long until his wife (and the novelty of being able to say that, contrary to all of her expectations, still utterly and thoroughly delights her) finds him, unceremoniously flopping down next to him and making a great show of looking around him. "What -- do my eyes deceive me? Are you actually unaccompanied by the tiny demon for once?"

She means it lovingly, really -- while it did take her quite a while to get used to being anyone's maternal figure, she's extremely fond of Arthur.

[pavementlines]

He beams at her -- there will never come a day when he isn't overjoyed to see his wife, or think of her as such, or think of her at all -- and pokes her side. "You're hallucinating, obviously," he says cheerfully. "You know I don't ever get a moment away from him." This is not said as if he minds at all; he loves his son.

[savagelystill]

Her eyes widen dramatically at that. "You mean he's learned how to turn invisible? Dear god, that's all we need. He's already difficult enough to keep up with." No one had better tell April that Arthur is probably a relatively calm four-year-old. She is not exactly great with kids, though she's doing her best.

[pavementlines]

"That must be it. He'd have to have figured out how to be quiet for it to be truly effective, though, and I don't think he's capable of that just yet." He reaches for her hand and squeezes it -- because sometimes he can be serious. Don't all faint at once. "You do pretty well at it."

[savagelystill]

She squeezes back with a faint, tentative smile. "I could be doing better. But I'm trying, and -- that's good to know. Maybe I'll improve even more by the time I get pregnant," she adds, looking a little more shy about this.

[pavementlines]

Yes, just the mention of that is enough to make him grin broadly, but he'll manage to school it into a more serious expression before speaking. "You know, four and a half years in, I'm still sure I'm doing everything wrong with Arthur, but he's turning out okay." He grins a little more. "And you're my superior in just about every way, so I think you'll be pretty much perfect when the time comes."

[savagelystill]

And that's sure to get a grin out of her, albeit a slightly embarrassed one. "Well, that's simply untrue. And you do wonderfully with him. If -- when -- we have another -- I know you'll do just as well." She takes a quick, deep breath and adds, quickly, "Which -- might be soon. Maybe ought to be soon."

[pavementlines]

He takes a deep breath of his own. "Do you think so?" He's taking pains to keep his voice carefully neutral, but she almost certainly knows his I am excited but I will not show it until I know you are excited voice by now.

[savagelystill]

She's looking rather nervous in return, but her smile is, at least, genuine as she squeezes his hand again. "I think I do. I think -- it's not something I'm going to ever be less terrified about as time goes on, so -- I'm thinking we might as well do it as soon as possible, so I can find out once and for all if I'll truly suck at it or not, right?"

[pavementlines]

"You're not going to suck at it." He laces their fingers together and reaches out to take her other hand as well. "If you're ready, we'll start. If you're not, we won't. You just say the word."

[savagelystill]

"I'm not going to get any less scared," she says frankly. "And I want to do it. So -- there's no point in waiting. I just have to let it happen and see how it goes -- and I want to do that. I do."

[pavementlines]

"Okay," he says and he finally lets the sheer force of his joy at that escape. "Then it's settled. And there's even a few hours left before I have to pick up Arthur."

[savagelystill]

She laughs, looking a bit sheepish but certainly pleased. "Why, Mr. Pendergast, are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"

[pavementlines]

He looks as innocent as possible. "If you think I am suggesting a nap, Mrs. Hades-Pendergast, then you would be absolutely correct. Just think! A nice, quiet nap with no child around to interrupt us. -- Though, of course, if you're interested, I'm sure we could also find the time to begin work on that project we were discussing."

[savagelystill]

"Anything sounds good as long as it's with you," she replies sincerely, but then that faint smirk returns to place. "Although I do find your idea quite appealing."