But You Will Be Safe In My Arms

With summer coming to an end, his brother Jack desperately wanted to one last BBQ in the park. Since Eric was a sucker for his younger brother, he obeyed his request and found himself standing in front of the barbecue with a cold beer in hand. It seemed though that he had bought more hamburgers than intended. Noticing someone passing by, Eric whistled to catch their attention. “You want a free burger?” 

Casey had taken Abby out to the park for the day, the younger girl wanting to enjoy the nice day, still young enough to think that just because it was September now, it would be too cold to play outside soon. She would learn how Georgia weather worked soon enough, but for now, he really didn’t mind. When he heard the whistle he looked up and smiled, “You don’t mind?” he asked as Abby bounced excitedly beside him, “I’m pretty sure she’d love one if you’re serious.”

“I love the semi-annual chats with my mom. Explaining to her that I’m not pregnant, on drugs or homeless and living in a box is always a great joy. Oh, my favorite parts are when she tries to convince me that I’m wasting my life out here and am going to end up failing because of what I’ve chosen to do with my life.” She let her faux cheery smile fall from her face and instead let a grimace replace it, a heavy sigh lifting her already tense shoulders. “Are you sensing the sarcasm or do I have to try a little harder?”

Casey made a face at the younger woman’s words, “I’m sorry, that doesn’t sound pleasant at all.” he commented, shaking his head. He hated to hear about people whose parents were so completely unsupportive. He had been so lucky to get adopted by such amazing people as his parents. “I’m sure they’re wrong though, you definitely look like someone who knows what you’re doing. You also look like you need a break. Can I buy you coffee? Or ... I don’t know, ice cream, a smoothie, maybe something to make the day go a little better?”

Norah sat at the counter of the bar, her finger ran around her cup of whiskey as she heard the husky voices in the back along with the soft country music on the background. Everything about the bar was extremely calming for her. She looked at the person beside her and a little smirk formed on her lips “Would you like a drink? My treat” she took a sip of her whiskey, her eyes never leaving the person beside her as she waited for their answer.

Casey smiled at the woman next to him, but shook his head, “No, thanks, Rain.” he said, hiding up the one drink he had, “I’m limiting myself to just this for tonight. Last time I got drunk I discovered just how stupid I get when that happens.” he explained with a small shrug. “But I won’t say no to some conversation. Or we could get some food if you want? Promise I’ll chip in fr that too.”

Wesley yawned softly before taking another sip of his coffee. “I love me job, I love my job…” He trailed off to himself. The saying was true, but after just getting off one of his longest and exhausting shifts since he’s been working.

Casey laughed softly at the words, “Sounds like you’re trying to convince yourself a lot more then me.” he said with a grin as he glanced at the man next to him, taking a sip of his own coffee. “That bad of a shift?”

Lucy smiled lightly, feeling almost a little relieved if she was honest. It was nice to hear someone was in a very similar situation to her, out to what it seemed to be unwillingly, friends who were preoccupied and with a daughter at home. “Well then welcome to the parent corner. Beyond drunk and finding people to go home with. I’ve lost track of most of them honestly. How old is she? Your daughter I mean. A microwaved or oven meal, film and a comfortable bed sounds like a dream. My daughter’s with her uncle for the night - my brother -. I’m assuming you fell to peer pressure too then?”

Casey laughed softly at the woman’s words, “I feel like I tended to fit in much better at the parent corner, honestly. I keep joking about starting a single parents club, but one of these days, I may actually do it.” he said with a grin. “My Abby’s eight, I can barely believe it though. She’s growing up so fast.” he said, shaking his head at the thought. “How old is your daughter?” he questioned, wondering if the girls were close in age. “Oh, yeah. that definitely sounds good to me too. I’m gonna have to remember this next time I get the ‘but it will be fun!’ excuse from my coworkers. Because honestly it’s not, and I really am too old for this peer pressure thing.”

“It’s always nice to have people you can depend on.” Thomas replied, shrugging a little. He didn’t know what else to say on the subject to be incredibly honest. “Well, that is good to know. It’s best when things work out.” He added, happy that it seemed like the story still had somewhat of a happy ending. “I’m taking a business degree. It’s the only thing that made any sense in the end.”

Casey nodded, “Yeah, it definitely helps a lot. There’s a lot of people in my life that I don’t know where I’d be without them.” he admitted honestly. “Family - and friends - are important to have around. Friends can be like family too, if the one you’ve got sucks.” he added candidly. “That’s cool though, I thought about business for a little bit, but I ended up in law myself. A lot of work, but it’s been worth it so far.”

“Sorry, I’m just tired…” Elliot ran a hand over his face and took a deep breath before looking at the person talking to him. “What was it that you were saying?” He asked wondering.

“No, you’re fine!” Casey said with a grin, “I was just asking if you’d heard anything about that benefit concert people are talking about. I haven’t heard many details, but sometimes I’m a little out of the loop, you know?”

“I won’t be able to stay too long since I have work in the morning, but I’ll stay to have a couple of drinks with you and catch up,” Aanya said smiling as she approached the bar and took a seat next to the person she was meeting up with.

Casey ginned as he spotted the woman heading over to him, “Hey, Aanya! How have you been?” he asked her. “I’m definitely good with just a couple drinks, I’ve sworn off drunkness after the mess during the storm, but it’s great to see you again.”

“Что значит, он болен?“ the blonde stated loudly into the phone, not caring who was around listening. It wasn’t like they could understand her anyways. With a hand running through her hair, she quickly dropped the phone from her ear and hung up on whomever was still talking to her. “Fuck,” she stated underneath her breath, trying to think about what she was going to do next.

“I know we’re not even in September yet, but I already have this year’s Halloween costume picked out. –I still have to actually convince my husband to go along with it, but I think the odds are in my favor…” The raven-haired woman murmured, her lips twisting into a wry smile. “Anyway– have you figured out what you’ll be doing? Thinking of dressed up or doing anything special?”

Casey laughed softly, “Really? What do you have in mind?” he asked his former foster sister. “I haven’t decided yet, or more accurately, Abby hasn’t decided yet. I let her pick my costumes, she has way too much fun with that for me to not let her.” he explained with a grin.

With great reluctance, Lucy had let her daughter out of her sight for one night and left her in the care of her elder brother Erik. Yes it was supposed to be a night she could ‘have fun’ and just ‘be with friends’, when the reality was that they were more colleges than friends. And what use was that when most of them were already off drunk or flinging themselves at the nearest attractive person they could find. If anything Lucy just felt uncomfortable, because really this just wasn’t her scene anymore. Sitting at the bar, as she swirled around the glass in her empty drink. It had been a while since she had drank, and even though she hadn’t had a lot it was clear she couldn’t hold it as well as she did in her younger years. As someone pulled up in the stool next to her, Lucy began to blabber her voice a little slurred as she spoke: “You know- This is my first night to myself in months and you would think I would have more things on my mind. But all I can think of is watching Frankenstein with a glass of wine and a blanket. I think I might be too old for a place like this. How ridiculous is that..Sorry- sorry- You probably think I sound crazy right about now.” Lucy finished with a small shake of her head as she blew a small puff of air from her cheeks, finally looking up at the person sat next to her.

Casey was really beginning to feel like he shouldn’t let himself get dragged to the bar after work that night. Sure, Abby had a sleepover, but still, he had sworn off getting drunk after the storm and sitting around with drunk co-workers after he’d only had one drink just wasn’t that fun. He spotted someone who seemed just as uncomfortable with the situation as him and made his way over to her. He laughed softly at her words before nodding, “No, I mean, honestly I’m kind of feeling the same way. I don’t drink much. And everyone I came with is ... well beyond drunk now. I’d rather just enjoy a night to myself at home while my daughter’s at her sleepover.”

“A lot of my cousins and such are pretty great.” Thomas replied, knowing his parents weren’t the best. Although, he had been lucky enough to make his own family with the people around him. Those were the people he was most thankful for. “Well, at least it all worked out in the end.” He replied, sending the man a small smile. Thomas wasn’t  sure what else to say. “It’s sad that it works out that way. Hopefully all of the kids found good homes to go to at least.”

“That’s good. Everybody deserves to have some good family.” he added, deciding to avoid the implications of that statement now. He knew that it wouldn’t do to push matters. “Yeah, from what I heard, they did. So I guess it did all work out in a way.” he said with a small shrug. “You said you were here for school, right? Where are you studying?”

“I think we are all past that point. Unless they decide that I don’t get to be the youngest anymore.” Alexandria replied, letting out a soft chuckle. She felt like the odds were her parents weren’t going to adopt anymore kids, but lord only knows really. “I’m not going to need any help, don’t worry about me.”

Casey grinned at that, “Very true, I guess you’re the one who’s family position is still at stake.” he teased, “But don’t worry, you’ll always be my favorite sister named Alix.” he added before laughing softly. “Alright, if you’re sure. Just get better fast, alright? Abby thinks she still needs more school clothes, and I’m not sure I can take another shopping day without back up.”

“Oh, well shit. You’re stronger than I thought—not that I thought you were weak, but a tree falling on a person isn’t a situation for just anyone to feat.” He understood that the conversation was drifting to a much unneeded place, which was the exact opposite of what he’d wanted to do. So he gave a nod of his head, and took a sip of his coffee, and settled back deeper into the diner booth, plastic squeaking as he did so. “No, really? Well I won’t keep you guys for long, you need some rest. Especially after all the stress your bodies have been through. It could use the recharge. I mean I’m no doctor, but,” He shrugged, clearing his throat. “She is strong. One of the strongest people I know. And she can outdrink me. That’s saying a lot—even though it’s inappropriate, sorry Abby.” He snorted, before growing serious once more. He was horrible with children at times. He talked to them like they were adults. Much in thanks to Addie. Who spoke like one. “If we all help out it will do a lot more good…quicker. It’s just a matter of time for they start asking for recruits. And i’m sure i’ll oblige.”

“I’m glad he had family around, and that you could take him in. I’m sure these would be trying times, especially for those who don’t really have people they know here. Oh man, imagine being new here for a week, and then what- disaster. Not that anyone could control it.” Better than those acts of horror elsewhere in the world- he’d rather deal with mother nature’s wrath if they really had to talk about it. “Crazy how it affects one place so much, and then some places look immaculate. Makes me almost envious, but at the end of the day, it’s what it is. Were you born here in Atlanta? Just curious ‘cos I was wondering if this sort of thing has happened here before.” 

Casey nodded, “I know. I really wish I could do more. I mean, I keep hearing about all the stuff people are doing to help but it just ... none of it really seems like enough when you actually see all of this.” he commented. It was still hard to really believe that a storm had done this. “I know, I guess that’s just ... how storms are, you know? I’ve see similar things with tornadoes before. One spot just destroyed and the rest is fine. It’s always eerie.” he said as he considered the situation before looking back over at the man, “I was, yeah. I mean we see storms, tornadoes, like I said but ... this was definitely the first hurricane.”

“Oh that’s so good. It just goes to show that there are still a lot of good people left in the world, you know? And I’m sure he knows how grateful you are for his help that night,” she said and smiled, hoping she seemed reassuring. “Sometimes the shock and the sight is the worst thing, right? I’m so glad that was the case, because I’m sure it could’ve been a lot worse,” she said, trying not to imagine what could have happened to Casey. “Well, you just tell him that that’s what brothers do. Mine are the same, so over protective, but the best really.”

Casey nodded, “They’re really are. And it’s a good thing to be reminded of sometimes.” he said with a smile. With everything that had happened, it was good to remember that there were still really good things, and really good people in life. “Oh, I know. Honestly, I still can’t believe I was stupid enough to go outside... I’ll never do something that dumb again. I can’t afford to risk leaving Abby.” he said honestly. “I’m working on it! Hopefully someday he’ll believe me.”

“I’d buy that,” Emmy mused, chewing on the inside of her lip. “Parents, especially when you’re close to them, know your every tick. I swear, my mom can sense how I’m feeling before I can even register it. That’s why it’s such a relief to see them. I don’t think I valued my mom enough when I was younger… I mean, I knew her worth, but now I’m thinking back to all the times I told her to get out of my room.” The brunette laughed. She’d been somewhat rebellious when she was younger, which often drove her mother up a wall. “How are you and Abby holding up after everything?”

Casey smiled, “I know I was pretty awful to my parents when they first took me in. I wish I hadn’t been now, cause they’re both so amazing, honestly.” he said before giving a small shrug, “I think it’s a teenage thing, mostly. Not looking forward to that with Abby, but at least I have five more years.” he added, shaking his head in slightly amusement. “We’re okay though. I mean ... out place survived the storm, somehow. Kind of a miracle with how much of midtown was destroyed.”