Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.
a.) Because it's been 14 weeks since I updated this particular journal.
b.) Since I found drafts of this laying around and Maisy decided to actually finish one.
c.) erinm_4600 wanted me to write a Halloween subplot between pirate!Margaret and RhettButler!Bradley but every single version I came up with, I detested. So you're getting the "Welcome Home Bradley!" party instead.
d.) Being #18 on this entry.
Title: Hanging by a Moment
Theresa and Anita shouldn’t be allowed in the same state at the same time, if the truth be told. There’s a tendency for them to start World War 3 if they’re in the same room for more than a minute but they’re making a conscious effort to behave today. For today is Bradley’s welcome home party and both women want him to enjoy the day. Plus, it hasn’t hurt that Margaret and Katie, Bradley’s older sister, have been doing their best to keep the two separated as possible.
“Okay, Mom’s currently got Cordy and Theresa’s helping Dana hang up posters,” Katie announces as she walks into the kitchen and snitches a crouton from a salad. “So they’ll be good for another ten minutes.”
“Good,” Margaret responds. “Has anyone thought about just locking Anita and Theresa in a closet and just letting them go at each other?”
“Yeah, but then we would end up with a dead body on our hands.”
Margaret shakes her head. “It’s a good thing you’re a coroner then.” Katie laughs and exits the kitchen. Margaret’s never found out how big of a part Theresa played in Bradley’s parents’ divorce. But apparently it was enough to cause the rather large amount of hostility between the two women.
“Margaret, have you seen Katie?” Sam asks, peeking in from the patio door.
“Your wife just went that way,” Margaret points to the hallway connecting the dinette and foyer. “Other than that…” she trails off and shrugs.
“When you see her, tell her I want to talk to her.” Sam instructs and closes the patio door.
The kitchen’s quiet for the next few minutes as Margaret finishes slicing the mushrooms and depositing them in the crock pot before giving the mixture a stir. “Your husband wants you,” she says as Katie reappears.
“Where is he?”
“Outside, I think.”
“Thanks,” Katie says and heads outside. Margaret doesn’t mind being the one in charge of final food prep - Katie’s well know in her family for her legendary lack of anything approaching kitchen skills and since it means keeping Anita and Theresa apart, well…It’s just that she’s got a feeling she’s going to miss out on Bradley’s entrance.
“Five minutes to go!” Anita announces, coming in with her granddaughter who’s currently licking a block.
“I can’t wait to see him.” Margaret replies, a smile blossoming on her face.
“Neither can I,” Anita agrees and catches the block Cordelia just let go of.
“Should we go find another toy?” Anita and Cordy head to the den.
“All done,” Margaret announces out loud just as the doorbell rings. The party had transformed from the simple supper Anita imagined to a block party meet family reunion meet Fourth of July (complete with actual fireworks) party. Thinking it’s just a neighbor; Margaret slips on her flats and goes to answer the door. A huge smile erupts on her face as she sees who’s at the door. Bradley doesn’t say anything as he steps into the house and wraps an arm around Margaret’s waist before giving her a soul-searing kiss.
“God, I missed you,” he says after a passage of time has passed. Margaret doesn’t say anything; she just wraps her arms around him tighter and buries her nose into his shoulder. A squeal and a clap of hands are heard and Margaret turns around, Bradley wrapping an arm around her waist, to see Katie grinning at her brother.
“Hi Katertots,” Bradley’s use of her hated nickname is ignored as Katie hugs her brother.
“Welcome back. You need to come outside and see everyone.”
“I’ll be right behind you,” Margaret promises as Bradley throws her a glance.
She doesn’t get to see or talk to Bradley as much as she would like since he’s being passed on from one person to the next. But she does manage to squeeze in across from him at supper and the game of footsie she plays with him has Bradley giving her a few glares. Then Logan is standing up and making a speech and she can’t play the game with his son because Logan is making her tear up. Margaret’s pretty certain that there’s a suspicious glint in Bradley’s eyes.
Later come the fireworks and Margaret’s chatting with Logan and Theresa’s next-door neighbor’s daughter, Kenley, Theresa’s son, Carter, from her first marriage, and his partner, Jack, when Bradley joins their group.
“Logan always has the best fireworks,” Kenley enthuses.
“My dad does know how to plan a fireworks display,” Bradley responds, placing a hand on Margaret’s back. She leans into it, the heat from his hand soaking through her top.
“Anita’s happy to have you back,” Jack states.
Bradley nods. “Yes, my mom is.”
“And I’m sure Margaret’s happy to have you back too.” Carter adds on, winking at the girl. Margaret can’t help it; a blush rises on her cheeks. Carter and Jack laugh as Bradley, unseen by them, slips a finger underneath Margaret’s top and strokes the skin at the top of her pants.
“I’d do more for that game of footsie at supper but my niece is here,” Bradley murmurs into her ear. Margaret flushes a deeper red; Carter and Jack chortle but Kenley just looks confused.
“Kenley, I got a text from Austin!” Dana squeals as she nears the group.
“Let me see!” Kenley and Dana move off and Carter looks over at Jack.
“It’s time for use to be leaving; Jack’s got an early business meeting.” Carter explains and sticks out a hand. Bradley shakes it.
“Thanks for coming,” he says.
“It’s great seeing you again.” Jack says this as a goodbye.
“They do make a cute couple,” Margaret says. Bradley makes a noise of agreement and tugs her closer.
“It’s not a problem if I spend tomorrow with Mom and Katie?” he asks after the fireworks end. The two had been mainly quiet with the tension growing between them; they were afraid to speak for fear of what they might do. But Anita had just come up to them to double-check their plans and Bradley felt the need to ask.
“No. Your mom’s been extra worried this time and I want you to spend time with your family. Besides, Tom’s being an ass and not giving me tomorrow off from BR.”
“What about your other one?”
“DG and Sophie made me promise to bring you in Saturday night before opening so they could meet you. So Thursday’s with your family, Friday’s with me and my parents, and Saturday and Sunday are just you and me, pal.”
“Sounds great.” Bradley wraps his other arm around Margaret and pulls her against him.
“I missed you,” Margaret confesses. Bradley doesn’t say anything but only tightens his grip on her. The moment’s ruined when Margaret lets out a jaw-cracking yawn.
“You worked both jobs before coming here, didn’t you?” Margaret opens her mouth to answer only to let another yawn come out.
“I’ll see you Friday.”
“Kicking me out already?” Margaret teases.
“I want you caught up on sleep so you can stay up all night Friday.”
“See you Friday,” she gives him a quick kiss before letting go and walking across the lawn to say goodbye to Katie and everyone else.
Fifteen minutes later, she’s stepping into her apartment and sliding into her pajamas. She’s almost at the point of falling asleep when there is a knock on her door. Snuggling deeper into her covers, Margaret figures it’s one of her neighbors too drunk to remember which apartment is theirs. But the knocking continues. “All right, I’m coming!” she says and takes a quick look through the peephole.
“What are you doing here?” she sleepily asks Bradley.
“I have no bed and I’m hoping to sleep in yours.” Margaret’s too tired right now to figure out what he means by having no bed so she opens the door further and lets him in.
“Isn’t that shirt mine?” Bradley asks as Margaret sits down on her bed.
“I stole it.” Margaret explains, pulling the covers up over her.
“Care to explain?” he asks before discovering that she’s fallen back asleep. Grinning, he strips down to his boxers and joins her in bed. A riot of her curls falls over his chest as he places her head on his shoulder and she snuggles closer to him. He absentmindedly plays with one of these curls as he contemplates a little black box he bought in Germany.
b.) Since I found drafts of this laying around and Maisy decided to actually finish one.
c.) erinm_4600 wanted me to write a Halloween subplot between pirate!Margaret and RhettButler!Bradley but every single version I came up with, I detested. So you're getting the "Welcome Home Bradley!" party instead.
d.) Being #18 on this entry.
Title: Hanging by a Moment
Theresa and Anita shouldn’t be allowed in the same state at the same time, if the truth be told. There’s a tendency for them to start World War 3 if they’re in the same room for more than a minute but they’re making a conscious effort to behave today. For today is Bradley’s welcome home party and both women want him to enjoy the day. Plus, it hasn’t hurt that Margaret and Katie, Bradley’s older sister, have been doing their best to keep the two separated as possible.
“Okay, Mom’s currently got Cordy and Theresa’s helping Dana hang up posters,” Katie announces as she walks into the kitchen and snitches a crouton from a salad. “So they’ll be good for another ten minutes.”
“Good,” Margaret responds. “Has anyone thought about just locking Anita and Theresa in a closet and just letting them go at each other?”
“Yeah, but then we would end up with a dead body on our hands.”
Margaret shakes her head. “It’s a good thing you’re a coroner then.” Katie laughs and exits the kitchen. Margaret’s never found out how big of a part Theresa played in Bradley’s parents’ divorce. But apparently it was enough to cause the rather large amount of hostility between the two women.
“Margaret, have you seen Katie?” Sam asks, peeking in from the patio door.
“Your wife just went that way,” Margaret points to the hallway connecting the dinette and foyer. “Other than that…” she trails off and shrugs.
“When you see her, tell her I want to talk to her.” Sam instructs and closes the patio door.
The kitchen’s quiet for the next few minutes as Margaret finishes slicing the mushrooms and depositing them in the crock pot before giving the mixture a stir. “Your husband wants you,” she says as Katie reappears.
“Where is he?”
“Outside, I think.”
“Thanks,” Katie says and heads outside. Margaret doesn’t mind being the one in charge of final food prep - Katie’s well know in her family for her legendary lack of anything approaching kitchen skills and since it means keeping Anita and Theresa apart, well…It’s just that she’s got a feeling she’s going to miss out on Bradley’s entrance.
“Five minutes to go!” Anita announces, coming in with her granddaughter who’s currently licking a block.
“I can’t wait to see him.” Margaret replies, a smile blossoming on her face.
“Neither can I,” Anita agrees and catches the block Cordelia just let go of.
“Should we go find another toy?” Anita and Cordy head to the den.
“All done,” Margaret announces out loud just as the doorbell rings. The party had transformed from the simple supper Anita imagined to a block party meet family reunion meet Fourth of July (complete with actual fireworks) party. Thinking it’s just a neighbor; Margaret slips on her flats and goes to answer the door. A huge smile erupts on her face as she sees who’s at the door. Bradley doesn’t say anything as he steps into the house and wraps an arm around Margaret’s waist before giving her a soul-searing kiss.
“God, I missed you,” he says after a passage of time has passed. Margaret doesn’t say anything; she just wraps her arms around him tighter and buries her nose into his shoulder. A squeal and a clap of hands are heard and Margaret turns around, Bradley wrapping an arm around her waist, to see Katie grinning at her brother.
“Hi Katertots,” Bradley’s use of her hated nickname is ignored as Katie hugs her brother.
“Welcome back. You need to come outside and see everyone.”
“I’ll be right behind you,” Margaret promises as Bradley throws her a glance.
She doesn’t get to see or talk to Bradley as much as she would like since he’s being passed on from one person to the next. But she does manage to squeeze in across from him at supper and the game of footsie she plays with him has Bradley giving her a few glares. Then Logan is standing up and making a speech and she can’t play the game with his son because Logan is making her tear up. Margaret’s pretty certain that there’s a suspicious glint in Bradley’s eyes.
Later come the fireworks and Margaret’s chatting with Logan and Theresa’s next-door neighbor’s daughter, Kenley, Theresa’s son, Carter, from her first marriage, and his partner, Jack, when Bradley joins their group.
“Logan always has the best fireworks,” Kenley enthuses.
“My dad does know how to plan a fireworks display,” Bradley responds, placing a hand on Margaret’s back. She leans into it, the heat from his hand soaking through her top.
“Anita’s happy to have you back,” Jack states.
Bradley nods. “Yes, my mom is.”
“And I’m sure Margaret’s happy to have you back too.” Carter adds on, winking at the girl. Margaret can’t help it; a blush rises on her cheeks. Carter and Jack laugh as Bradley, unseen by them, slips a finger underneath Margaret’s top and strokes the skin at the top of her pants.
“I’d do more for that game of footsie at supper but my niece is here,” Bradley murmurs into her ear. Margaret flushes a deeper red; Carter and Jack chortle but Kenley just looks confused.
“Kenley, I got a text from Austin!” Dana squeals as she nears the group.
“Let me see!” Kenley and Dana move off and Carter looks over at Jack.
“It’s time for use to be leaving; Jack’s got an early business meeting.” Carter explains and sticks out a hand. Bradley shakes it.
“Thanks for coming,” he says.
“It’s great seeing you again.” Jack says this as a goodbye.
“They do make a cute couple,” Margaret says. Bradley makes a noise of agreement and tugs her closer.
“It’s not a problem if I spend tomorrow with Mom and Katie?” he asks after the fireworks end. The two had been mainly quiet with the tension growing between them; they were afraid to speak for fear of what they might do. But Anita had just come up to them to double-check their plans and Bradley felt the need to ask.
“No. Your mom’s been extra worried this time and I want you to spend time with your family. Besides, Tom’s being an ass and not giving me tomorrow off from BR.”
“What about your other one?”
“DG and Sophie made me promise to bring you in Saturday night before opening so they could meet you. So Thursday’s with your family, Friday’s with me and my parents, and Saturday and Sunday are just you and me, pal.”
“Sounds great.” Bradley wraps his other arm around Margaret and pulls her against him.
“I missed you,” Margaret confesses. Bradley doesn’t say anything but only tightens his grip on her. The moment’s ruined when Margaret lets out a jaw-cracking yawn.
“You worked both jobs before coming here, didn’t you?” Margaret opens her mouth to answer only to let another yawn come out.
“I’ll see you Friday.”
“Kicking me out already?” Margaret teases.
“I want you caught up on sleep so you can stay up all night Friday.”
“See you Friday,” she gives him a quick kiss before letting go and walking across the lawn to say goodbye to Katie and everyone else.
Fifteen minutes later, she’s stepping into her apartment and sliding into her pajamas. She’s almost at the point of falling asleep when there is a knock on her door. Snuggling deeper into her covers, Margaret figures it’s one of her neighbors too drunk to remember which apartment is theirs. But the knocking continues. “All right, I’m coming!” she says and takes a quick look through the peephole.
“What are you doing here?” she sleepily asks Bradley.
“I have no bed and I’m hoping to sleep in yours.” Margaret’s too tired right now to figure out what he means by having no bed so she opens the door further and lets him in.
“Isn’t that shirt mine?” Bradley asks as Margaret sits down on her bed.
“I stole it.” Margaret explains, pulling the covers up over her.
“Care to explain?” he asks before discovering that she’s fallen back asleep. Grinning, he strips down to his boxers and joins her in bed. A riot of her curls falls over his chest as he places her head on his shoulder and she snuggles closer to him. He absentmindedly plays with one of these curls as he contemplates a little black box he bought in Germany.