always look forward

who: @bennett-miller​​

where: coffee shop

Her eyes landed on him as soon as she walked into the cafe but she wasn’t going to consider leaving for one second because of him. “Are you sure you aren’t stalking me, Ben?” The brunette said as she walked up beside him while she waited for the barista to ring up her order. “Are you here with your wife because I want to be sure that I’m at least across the room if she pops up. We’re both going to be spanked if she sees us breathing near one another.

***

His morning coffee run had been delayed due to an emergency board meeting which had required his attendance. If only it had been worth his time and the lack of coffee. “Veronica, I can assure you that I’m not stalking,” he exhaled in defeat, his usual playful tone and welcoming smile nowhere to be found. “My wife is at home with our daughter. I’m just trying to get some coffee. I don’t want to start anything.”

“I just might take you up on that offer. Thanks, man.” He wasn’t surprised to hear the enthusiasm in Bennett’s voice. They could both relate to having time-consuming jobs that left little wiggle room for a personal life. He understood the importance of treating yourself to some much needed time off. “Please do.” Thierry chuckled at Bennett’s reaction, the back of his neck flushing with warmth. “Because it’s very new and I’m not trying to get ahead of myself. I haven’t considered a serious relationship in years. If that’s where it’s heading, I want to take my time and get it right.” The last time Thierry was committed to someone was when he was married. Everything else after that had been casual and unattached. The thought of liking someone was intimidating, and a little scary. “His name his Jamal Green-Davis. He’s a sanitation worker. Handsome, funny, charming, laid-back, laughs at my corny jokes. A real catch.”

She recognized the man from friendly conversation he had started with her at the bonfire. She gave a small smile towards him but still felt rather not in a partying mood. It was truly a tragedy for everyone and they really did need to make it up to her for their lack of caring. “Thank you.” She said before laughing at the question that was a blatant move to flatter her. “Well the recollection of that is a bit fuzzy for me since that was over a decade ago now.” Lorelai shared as she was sure that no one could actually mistake her for just nearing thirty. 

***

“Over a decade ago? Now, I believe you’re telling a little white lie right now,” he teased with a small smile before giving a thank you towards the bartender who had quickly made a drink and pushed it towards the surgeon. “Is this how you normally celebrate your big day? Personally, I would like to take a page out of your book. I’ve stopped asking my wife to put candles on the cake because I’m afraid it would start a house fire. I’d say use the numbers, but that somehow makes it worse.” Age was a tricky thing, but in all seriousness, the woman didn’t look a day over thirty. “Maybe I’m just a weirdo, but I always like to make a goal or a few goals to meet before my next birthday. Somehow... it makes the big day easier.”

“It is great that things have changed for the better, I have no idea how anyone came up with so many ideas that made it all better” she smirked a little “I went to school for business and hospitality so not much thinking there” and she wasn’t really there for the learning she was a party kid for sure. But even without her degree she would have the job she did thanks to her parents.  “Yeah I don’t think she be to into all of this yet” she looked around a moment. She wasn’t a fan of kids that young they had to be old enough to talk and do things for her to really want to be around them.  “Yeah I hear that happens with kids “ she nodded “I might , I could any time really but I know I need to stay here” she never did good when she went away. It was always how her troubles started, she find the wrong people when she would go out for dinner or drinks and it would just get worse for her. “But everyone should travel once so you have to wait till shes much better or have her stay with someone” because little kids could not really take in traveling that well. 

***

“That’s the beauty of knowledge, isn’t it? It just keeps on growing, even when we think we’ve hit our limits.” He’d watched plenty of medical advancements be pushed through in his time in the field, meaning that a handful of years was nothing by comparison to decades and centuries worth of growth. “Oh, come on. There’s thinking behind business. It’s how you get so good at it.” Whether she knew it or not, it took skill to be successful. Not everyone had it in them and Bennett knew that he certainly didn’t. “She’s a tough crowd to please sometimes, but then others, she’s just giggling at everything. Depends on her mood.” Which, depended on the day and plenty of other things. “Does that mean you love it here?” Providence Peak was home. He wouldn’t ever move away from it, but he did want to travel again and to see the world. “We’ve talked about waiting until she’s older. We haven’t left the city since she was born. First time parents apparently means being clingy, but we’re working on it.”

“Oh my god, really?”  She asked excitedly, the news coming as a surprise. She hadn’t spoken to Thierry in a while but she was really glad that he had found someone. “A Christmas gathering? I’m in. Speaking of Christmas sweaters, I ordered us one for this year. The delivery’s coming this week and you will love it.” Was it an ugly Christmas sweater? Absolutely. Would she make Ben wear it to every Christmas event? Most certainly. And she knew he would love it as much as she did. “I know, it feels like I haven’t seen you since Asli’s event. You come home when I am ready to leave for work and it sucked.” She was more than happy to spend time with her husband now that they finally got to have a day off together. And with Hazel sound asleep in her stroller, it meant that they got to enjoy their hot cocoa in peace. “Gone without me? Ben, you know that is banned!” She exclaimed with a chuckle after feigning a shocked gasp. “Yeah, yeah. We both know you’re going to drink half of mine and that’s the only reason why you waited to come here with me.”

***

He wasn’t much of a gossip teller, but when it came to his wife, there wasn’t anything that he kept to her and spreading the word of Thierry’s potential partner didn’t seem like such a bad thing. “Yeah, I think so,” he nodded, his smile widening as light hues scanned over her features. “By love it, do you mean actually love it? I just need to prepare myself for whatever I have to wear.” He had no shame, even towards the ugliest of Christmas sweaters. It just meant that if there was a contest, he’d near the top with her creativity. “I’m not going to let that keep happening.” Whether it meant pleading for a better schedule or cutting his cases, he’d do anything to be at home more with his family. “I know,” he chimed back quickly, eyes wide as he shook his head and held a palm up in defeat. “Which is why I didn’t do it. I know that it’s banned and I’d rather not sleep on the couch for some cocoa. Even if it’s some of the best I’ve ever had.” Year after year, he was impressed by the flavors and combinations, but nothing would tempt him enough to break the problem he’d made her. “The goal is to always try all of the flavors, but the problem is that they keep adding flavors every year and the list just keeps getting longer. It saves money to taste test yours.”

character: @aliciamillergarcia​

"You won’t believe this, but Thierry might be seeing someone,” he hummed, passing along the information that he and the other had discussed a week earlier. “He also invited us to this little gathering he wants to put together. I told him you’d take any excuse to wear a Christmas sweater and to get me in one too.” Which, he had no complaints about. With it getting colder out, he’d happily bundle up in whatever was the warmest, regardless of what it looked like. “I’m glad our days off lined up this week. I was starting to think they were scheduling us out of spite. If I had to wait another week to try out this hot chocolate, I probably would have just gone without you,” he joked as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m kidding. We both know it’s better with the two of us. That way I get to try two drinks instead of one.”

“Sounds like a Christmas nightmare.” Thierry chuckled, scooping up a spoonful of the chili. “I was thinking of heading down to Louisiana for Thanksgiving. It’s been too long since I’ve been home to see my folks. I should know because my mom tells me that every time we talk on the phone.” The cop smiled fondly as he spoke of his mother. “Of course you two will be invited. It wouldn’t be a Christmas party without the best looking couple in town.” He teased the other male, scooping up another bite. “I, uh, I might bring a date for the party. Someone I’ve been getting to know the last couple of months.”

To say that Aslihan had outdone herself would have been an understatement. Even though Elijah knew just how long and hard she worked to piece the History of Egypt wing together, seeing it fully completed with his own eyes simply took his breath away. In the moments where she was occupied, mingling with anyone and everyone that she came across to chat about all of her work, he found himself slipping away to admire the scenery. He didn’t know much about it, if he was honest. He was far from academically smart and history, especially, flew right over his head — but he could appreciate the details of each floor in the exhibits and the effort that was put into making them. It was when he heard a familiar voice beside him that he turned, his smile already beaming with nothing but pride as he said, “It is, man! It’s brilliant. Asli really blew everything out of the water putting all of this together. I mean, I sorta understand what’s going on here —” he gestured vaguely towards the display in front of him. “— and that is nothing but a testament to her capabilities, believe me.” He slipped his hands into his pockets, nodding along to Bennett’s words. “I guess so. I would say nothing’s stopping you from taking them up now, but I suppose the whole surgeon with a baby thing might be a bit of a roadblock there. I’m doing fantastic, though, really. How are things with you?”

***

Though they didn’t know each other too well, Bennett’s chest swelled with pride at the turnout of the grand opening the woman had pieced together. For someone so young, she’d accomplished so much and he was happy that the rest of Providence Peak was getting to see that now. As far as he was concerned, he’d spend the rest of the night making his way around the exhibits until they announced closing time and ushered everyone out. “Oh, I couldn’t agree with you more. It’s the perfect fit for history buffs and those just getting into it. I’m not all that surprised though. I met Aslihan awhile back and I’ve been getting to know her and all of her achievements. She’s absolutely brilliant and deserves the appreciation she’s been getting tonight.” From the standing ovation, to the countless ‘aws’ falling from the mouths of the attendees. He just hoped she realized how well she’d done. “Yeah, it’s a big one.” Between being a surgeon and a father, he didn’t have time for much else. “Things are well. You know, I can’t really complain. The job is good, the family is good. I think everything is falling into place.”

She pushed her long hair from her face as she looked around “From wrapping you up and pulling your organs out your nose to this is big change” she looked around a moment and smiled a moment. “Now people can live without body parts… they can replace them and more” it was a lot but it was good. They did what they could at the time, they were learning as they were going.  “There isn’t like a full moon right?” she thought for a moment, but really had no idea. “I don’t know how like young yours is but it will be a while before they like this” it wasn’t anything that moved you had to read and already know a bit to enjoy all of this stuff. “You should just go I do sometimes just say fuck it and go” she smirked a moment.  “Well the most known crap and famous are all really bad just tourist traps really like if you know it, don’t go to it” she nodded as she heard the saying before. Resorts are good they keep the scammers away and it’s nice mostly of the place is like dessert and that’s not what you want to visit” it was just sand for miles and miles, and nothing else around. Most of the known places had older cities that wasn’t anything you wanted to see.

***

“The technological advancements have made quite the difference in medicine. Even from when I first started studying to know, we’ve had so many updates and new technology invented to make our jobs easier and to help patients. Seeing what we started with and where we are now, it’s incredible.” He had to give everything before his time credit; they were doing the best they could with what they had and for that, he was thankful. “She’s only one. I think at this point, we could carry her around and she’d just giggle. She giggles at everything.” Dogs were the biggest giggle trigger, but Hazel was a happy baby and he was thankful for that too. “I took some time off after my daughter was born. Not sure I could afford leaving the country for another vacation, but hey, maybe in the future. Have you ever thought about traveling again?”

character: open (capping at 3) @providencepeakstarters​

location: the silk road

Lorelai had not imagined herself at 40 and yet here she was on a Tuesday night. There was a sort of somber feeling this year. She couldn’t quite put her finger as to why that was. It didn’t normally go into her normal range of emotions, but her feelings were hurt. Her supposed friends threw a surprise party last week and didn’t think to include her birthday in the mix. In protest she had decided to stay at the bar instead of allowing them to apologize for their errors. Looking to the person next to her she raised her glass of wine, “Cheers to birthdays on Tuesdays, whoever invented that concept is a bloody bastard.” She felt it was only right that she was allowed to grumble on her birthday if she chose to.

***

Birthdays. He used to look forward to them, but now, he couldn’t help but dread the upcoming day that would transition him into a forty year old man. It wasn’t even old, but moving on from his thirties seemed like a form of defeat he wasn’t ready to face just yet. “Happiest of birthdays to you, even if it’s on a Tuesday. The way I see it, you deserve to celebrate over the weekend too.” Bennett shrugged off his jacket and slipped into the chair next to the other before calling off an order for himself. He was sticking to a glass of wine, just like it seemed the other was doing. “So, how does it feel to be twenty nine?” He knew better than to ask a woman her age, so instead, he offered an easygoing compliment.

She was always one to live up any event there was. Even know an history museum exhibit opening wasn’t the most exciting. But it was still something new and was something people got all ready for. She did dress up nothing to crazy a dress her hair was in curls just to have some fun. Hearing someone speak she looked over at him a moment. “Eh it’s alright but without them none of us would be here so  it’s cool” she looked around a moment. Hearing what he said she looked around a second then at him. “That’s cool, as long as nothing all wakes up I think it be neat” she laughed lightly. “But oh no a little one wont find…this much fun till they are older sadly kids need movement and colors and things to damn too” she did have a mouth on her and she knew it. “Oh I have and the idea the pyramids are like right in the fucking city is crazy like right there, you turn around and boom a city” she smirked a moment “but they have people all over that try sell you shit and scam you it’s wild like back off dude I don’t want you to talk to me or your crap” 

***

Advancements were being made all around them, even in the world they currently lived in. Their bodies were always changing to accommodate for their ways of life and diets. It took time, but everything could be better if it were given the right amount of love and dedication to grow. “I think you’re right about that. It’s crazy how the lifespan of a person has grown so much since these times. If only they knew then what we do now.” Granted, their practices were the building blocks of modern day medicine, but they’d fallen short due to the lack of technology. “Fingers crossed nothing does.” The Wonderwell was more Hazel’s speed but in time, he hoped that she would grow a love for things like this and take an interest in the same way that he did. “Tell me about it. Or just put something on the TV and she’ll try to watch it. She even tries to watch football with me sometimes.” It wasn’t because she liked what was on, it was just the fact that something was on. “I’ll have to remember that when I finally get to go. I have a whole bucket list of places I want to mark off. Is there a place in Egypt that you liked the best?”

character: @jaidenbartlett​​

Having something as incredible as the exhibit available in Providence Peak made the surgeon proud. The banquet itself had been nothing short of incredible, but nothing compared to how beautiful the layout of the exhibit itself was. “Are you a historical fan? I find it interesting. I wish my daughter was older. It’s hard to tell if she’d think this was cool or not. She’s only one,” he exhaled with a weak smile. “I know the curator who put all of this together. I’m not surprised that it’s as good as it is. If we’re lucky, we might see her around.” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d dropped by the museum, but now that he was there, he didn’t want to leave. “Egypt is one place I’ve never been, but I’d love to go there someday.”

character: @elifalvey​

Bennett had always had a soft spot for the subject of history. It held far more importance to the medical field than anyone realized. Hospitals weren’t always so advanced and medications as the world knew today weren’t always available. With every step through the newly added wing, Bennett felt himself growing far more curious than he’d ever imagined himself to be. While work challenged his mind, it hadn’t left the wheels turning as quick as the perfectly pieced together exhibit was doing now. “It’s incredible, isn’t it?” He noticed a familiar male checking out a piece on the wall, leaving the surgeon to join him with eager eyes and a smile. “I wish I would have taken more history electives in college. I always enjoyed reading about all the medical advancements, but there’s more to it than medicine. I guess we’re never too old to stop learning new things, are we?” With a pause, Bennett flashed a welcoming smile towards the other. “It’s good to see you again, Elijah. How are you doing?”

status: closed - @bennett-miller​

location: thierry’s cabin

“Thanks again for helping me out. I really wanted to get these improvements done before winter hits.” Thierry had been doing some remodeling to his back porch and Bennett had been kind enough to offer his help with the project. He was adding a small jacuzzi and installing some extra lights outside. After working for a few hours, the two men had retreated indoors to grab a bowl of chili Thierry had whipped up for them. He joined Bennett at his dining room table, his stomach grumbling at the sight of the hearty dish in front of him. “You have any big plans for the holidays this year? I was thinking about maybe having a little Christmas party. Nothing big, just a few closed friends getting together.”

“I know I’m right honey. We both know you get scared even if you try to deny it. But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I will tell everyone that my husband is incredibly brave and is the one that chases all the monsters away,” she teased him lightly, chuckling softly as he spoke of the costumes. “Well, I know things can look more realistic but as long as you’ve got the right mindset going into it, you’ll be fine.” Even if she knew that she was trying to pep talk him in vain, she couldn’t help but try. “Deal. You promise to tell me as soon as you start feeling uncomfortable?”

***

“This is the part where I say that, as my wife, you’re always right, right?” He was only teasing her, but it was true. If anyone knew best, it was her. “I appreciate the stamp of bravery you’d be willing to give me. I can’t have anyone thinking that I’m afraid.” Good costumes or not, he’d power through the scare zones and prove that nothing could bother him. “It’s all good. If everyone has walked through and been fine, then I will be too.” With a nod, Bennett offered his arm up for his wife to take and glanced down at the hall that led to the scare zone. “It’s now or never. I’ve got this and after, I’ll celebrate with a cocktail. Think you’ll make some time to join me before going off to do your own thing?”