Catherine Loftis-Blake

…

Quinn turned her head to look over at the woman, shaking her head at her words. “I’m doin’ fine.” She told her as she crossed her leg over the other as she took a small drink out of the glass between her hands. “What about you? Are you doing okay tonight?” She asked, brushing her tongue along her lower lip. It was always easier for her to listen than to talk.

Still looking genuinely concerned Catherine sat down next to the woman with a crease between her perfectly plucked eyebrows. She wasn’t going to press for her to explain to her, it wasn’t her place,  but maybe taking her mind off it would be equally helpful? She wasn’t sure. “Me? I’m great, I’m good, I’m just having a drink before I have to get back to reality. You’re like, super pretty by the way. I’m so jealous of how good your skin is!” When in doubt give a compliment, wasn’t that what her mom had always said growing up? Well, actually she’d always said when you were sad someone telling you that you were pretty should make you happy, but semantics.

clbrp​

“Of course not missy, only good news.  I’ve missed you too KitKat.”  Thaddeus softly smiled as his daughter gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.  Once his granddaughter was placed in his arms, his smile grew wider as he held onto the baby girl.  “You’re getting too big sweetheart,” he told his precious granddaughter.  It felt like just yesterday he was bringing home Catherine from the hospital and holding her close to his chest.  “Sorry darlin’, you know how your mother is.  Perhaps you and Ivy can join us this evening?  It might lift your mother’s spirits, she hasn’t taken the move very well.”

Thaddeus nodded, “yes, that is the plan.  I wanted to be near family and you’re my baby girl and I hate the idea of not being around Ivy.”  At the question about her mother, he nodded.  “Of course, she loves you.”  And it was true, his wife did love their daughter, but Evelyn always had difficulty displaying it.  “Yes, the usual shall suffice.  Please.”  He shook his head, “no, I apparently need to start watching my blood pressure or some bullshit the doctor said.  Anyway, how are you darling?  How is David?  Where is he?”

“I’ve missed you so much.” It was so rare for Catherine to have time with her father she was going to relish it. Ivy also looked thrilled to be in the arms of her grandfather, which was no surprise, she was a people person, and she could probably tell that he was special to her mother. Babies had that kind of instinct. At least she thought hers did, because hers was a gifted child even at eight months. “Hasn’t she grown? It’s been a while since you’ve seen her I guess, she’s growing super fast.” Swallowing she contemplated the offer of joining her mother and father for dinner, really she wanted to see Spencer but at the same time invitations like this didn’t come along often. “If mommy wants that then we’d love to, I’m sure Ivy would like to see her grandma.” The blonde smiled sweetly.

There was part of her the girl that wondered if her dad was being so sweet to her right now because he had effectively lost both his boys, now his daughter was probably the only one left. It was a change to how things had been growing up that was for sure. Frowning she looked over her shoulder at the mention of his blood pressure, concern instantly clouding her features. “What do you mean your blood pressure, are you okay?” Passing across the drink she forced a smile. “David is away on business until Thursday I think he said. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to see you when he gets back though. Now you’re here for good.” Her father and husband had always gotten along well, they were very similar, it made sense.

Sabrina winced internally in reaction to the shrill laugh her friend let out. It was painful, watching the mixture of emotions clearly fighting for control on Cat’s facial features, especially when she knew there was nothing she could do to prevent the damage they had already done. Although there was a large amount of rage building up in her chest, the blonde did her best to hide it from view, allowing herself only to curl one hand into a white knuckled fist on the side opposite of Cat’s view. Instead of speaking, the officer just nodded and continued to actively listen, letting her friend know that she was here but not taking up space, the last thing Cat needed right now was the burden of being concerned about anyone else’s emotions. She needed to focus on herself first. “I wish I knew what to say to make everything better right now honey.” Sabrina murmured, extending her free hand and placing it gently over one of her friend’s. It was a difficult place to be, wanting to comfort and offer words of wisdom on a subject she had so very little experience with. She’d never been married and hadn’t had a romantic partner of any substance in about ten years. But she did love Cat dearly, like family, and maybe that could be enough for the moment. “All I know is that it’s his loss. You and your baby girl are incredible and you both deserve someone who knows that and makes you feel it. David wasn’t your person. And while this is going to hurt for a while, it also means you’re free again, Cat. Your life belongs to you.”

Catherine had been told by nannies in the past that when she was trying to mask her emotions she got something called ‘crazy eyes’ where she would over compensate for the conflicting emotions internally by making her eyes incredibly wide. Without realising the blonde was doing that right now, knowing full well she had cheated on David with Spencer by this point, but that Sabrina probably wouldn’t judge her for that. Yet the confession was getting stuck behind her lips as she sat on the sofa next to her best friend. With a small smile she shook her head, looking down at her hands. “Nothing can really be said to make it better though, because…there is no way to change his mind, there is no way to make him love me. I’m more angry that he shows so little interest in Ivy.” Her daughter was her life and to have her father now dote on her like she deserved was what caused real rage in her heart. She could cope with him not loving her, but the baby? No. That was unacceptable to Catherine. Taking hold on the others hand when it was placed over her own she gave it a soft squeeze, grateful for the comfort in that moment. “I don’t care about me, well I do but… but I mean…you know as well as I do that Ivy is the best little girl in the world. I just want her to know her dad’s love but I don’t know if she ever will. I don’t know why he had her with me fi he didn’t want to love her like she deserves.” David wasn’t her person, no, he wasn’t. She was pretty sure Spencer was her person the more time she spent with him. He was Ivy’s person too in the father sense, her heart was showing her that. “My daddy is moving to town…he is going to be so disappointed in me.”

.

Thomas had only been in town for about two months, but it was only the second time he ran into someone as friendly in a more genuine way like the woman he was currently with. “Catherine.” He gave her a polite smile to let her know that he wouldn’t slip and be so formal if that wasn’t what she wanted. It wasn’t like he felt bad about himself when he worked around so many rich people, but he just did whatever they wanted for a decent tip. After all, it was just work. But even then, seeing this kind of socialite circle exist in the south was kind of charming, everyone down there had a different way of being. Catherine seemed nice though, definitely not a stuck up southern belle, but maybe it was because she was a mother. In his experience, mother’s always had a softer heart. “About two months.” He said, skipping past her assurances since he wasn’t sure what the protocol there was. “How old’s your daughter, Catherine? She’s a really cute baby. The last time I held one, the little one ended up crying so I’m kinda surprised.” He turned to the cart by his side and grabbed a bottled. “Merlot?”

Catherine felt like she was constantly surrounded by people walking on eggshells to be formal when she was around town but truthfully she preferred things to be a little more relaxed. It helped her bond better with people when there wasn’t a wall of seperation between them, just because she was a member of the country club and the man worked there it didn’t stop them being exactly the same in her eyes. “Oh well, you are brand new to town then! Welcome, I hope you’re enjoying it so far.” The blonde beamed at him with a genuine warmth, finding people like herself who weren’t Asteria natives always a blessing in her eyes because sometimes she felt a little out of place around so many residents that were grandfathered in. “This is Ivy, she’s eight months old now, aren’t you my big girl?” Cat pressed a tender kiss against her daughter’s temple, besotted with the little blonde girl who was honestly her best friend in the entire world. “She absolutely loves people, just a little charmer that’s for sure, I would have been surprised if she had cried.” Shaking her head at the wine offer she tilted it to one side. “Do you have anything white? I’ve just had my teeth whitened yesterday, I’ve been told to avoid red wine at all costs.” She giggled.

Catherine was already in heaven and the two of them weren’t even….they weren’t even doing it yet. Luckily they were laying down because the sparks thrown between them coupled with his boyish good looks turned her knees into total jelly. The blonde had no idea just how long he’d been into her as more than just a friend but she did know full well the longer they spent together now the more obvious it was that she had been crushing on him for possibly years. Just not allowing those thoughts out into her brain because she’d been committed to her marriage. Her family. Unlike her husband.

Letting her hand drift down his arm softly she smiled as he shook his head at her compliment, her eyes rolling a little with amusement. His constant rebuffing of her telling him he was attractive was amusing to her because…how could he not see it? the girl was going to need to buy him a mirror asap. To her his good looks were obvious. Feeling his fingers slide under the fabric of her panties the girl made a gasping noise in her throat, that simple contact enough to make her see stars. Kissing him back she whimpered in reply because forming words right now was beyond her, her hand on his waistband tightening as her breath hitched. Her right leg bent sliding as he slipped his finger inside her, toes on its foot curling tightly with anticipation. “Please.” She moaned when she was finally able to stutter out a single word, her lips moving sloppy against his as she slid her hand into the front of his pants to feel his erection with her fingers.

                             Catherine’s sense of style

I have loved you for many years Maybe I am just not enough You've made me realize my deepest fear By lying and tearing us up

“Baby girl!”  Soon, he had his little one in his arms, glad to be able to spend this time with his sweet daughter.  Within moments, his dark hues went straight to his granddaughter who was his pride and joy.  “Must a father have a reason to want to visit his daughter?”  He inquired as he stood there waiting for the little one to be released from her car seat.  “Not sure if I will be able to stay for dinner darlin’, I believe your mother wanted us to share a meal together.”  The sound in his voice was clear that he was not looking forward to being in the same room as the woman.

Once inside, he smiled as he asked to hold Ivy.  “I know I should have told you earlier, but your mother and I have decided to come and live down here.  At least for the time being, we both decided we wanted to be near our daughter and our grandchild.”  There was no way he was going to tell Catherine the full reasoning behind the decision.  “Instead of tea, would you make it a scotch for me?”  It wasn’t as if he was on the clock right now, plus it had to be five o’clock somewhere.

“No of course not! As long as you haven’t come to tell me something bad then this is the best surprise ever. I’ve missed you.” She pressed another kiss to his cheek as she passed ivy over easily. Knowing it was what both of them wanted without them even saying it. Ivy loved her grandad, even if she didn’t see him very much at all, the girl was so personably she just loved being held by everyone. She was a cuddle monster the was for sure. “No? Oh…that’s a shame…” She had been hoping to have some company that evening since her husband was once away working late, leaving her in the huge house all alone. It was so isolating. She could call Spencer obviously, but from the moment she’d clapped eyes on him the blonde had hoped she’d get some quality time with her father.

“To live? For good?” Her eyebrows shot up in obvious surprise, because the family had never been the closest, so the idea of them living in the same town as her was seen as an opportunity to let Ivy get to know her grandparents. She would never turn that down. “That’s amazing. Mom wanted to be near me to?’ Her dad she could understand but her mother had never shown any…natural maternal instinct whatsoever. She guessed this was actually a move she’d decided to make based on something other than her daughter and granddaughter. “Scotch, sure. The usual?” She kept a special bottle in of what he liked just incase he ever visited, keen to appease him. “Let me go and ask Katrina, do you want anything to eat?”

Catherine felt lie her whole body was on fire, warmth spreading through it originating from every point where there bodies touched. Gazing into his eyes as they pulled apart she pressed her head against his with a calm smile. It was weird how right this felt but it did, not even like she was cheating, just that finally the two of them were getting to do what they had been long overdue for a while. Getting to connect with the person who was utterly perfect for them. Cat knew Spencer was her perfect match. Seeing his smile she broke out into one of her own, breathless with excitement at what they were about to do. Her body responding her hips lifted off the sofa to press against his crotch, wet for him between her thighs.

Him pulling away from her made the blonde panic that he’d changed his mind, looking with wide eyes, she sat up as well. Soon it became evident what was happening and she gave a breath of relief, reaching out to stroke his cheek as he removed the prosthetic, shaking her head. “No, no don’t be sorry.” Obviously she’d seen him without his prosthetic leg before, just once, but it still felt like a big thing to be privy to, to be allowed to see. Reaching out her hands moved across his body slowly, just to be in contact with him while their bodies were physically separated, lips slightly parted with anticipation. “You’re so handsome…” She whispered as he moved across to her again, happily catching his lips in her own and kissing him hungrily, a squeak as she felt his hand between her legs. How much she’d craved this moment ever since their first kiss and now it was actually happening, she could hardly control herself. Ands moving down to the waistband of his boxers she toyed with it with her fingers, smiling against his lips.

. Seeing the woman take back the baby and hold her made him miss his best friend from back home. The guy was married and they had a cute little baby boy who he treated like his nephew, but losing those kinds of people in his life was one of the consequences he had to live with after his actions in Long Island. It was a shame, but it wasn’t like he could do anything about it even though he wanted to. Hanna would always come first and he would never fail at protecting his little sister again. “Yeah,” He smiled and gave her a little nod. “You can call me Tom.” He always tried to be friendly with the patrons and get on their good side because it usually meant bigger tips. He chuckled, liking how she didn’t sound stuck up like a lot of the other patrons at the country club that he was used to dealing with. “Maybe, but it’s okay. I just work here, I think going by unnoticed is in the job description. Can I get you anything else, Mrs. Loftis-Blake?”

“Oh my lord please don’t call me that, if I can call you Tom then you need to call me Catherine or Cat because I really don’t like being called by my full name.” Mainly because it was David’s name which if anything felt like just another way her identity was being taken away from her. The more time she spent with Spencer the less she wanted to be connected to her husband in any way, although sadly it was inevitable at the country club because the two of them came as a pair, currently at least. “I always feel terrible when I hear you feel like you go unnoticed, it’s really not true, everyone who works here is far more important than anyone who comes here in their free time that is for sure.” Shifting Ivy a little on her hip to rearrange the skirt of the little girl’s sundress she glanced towards the pool, thinking that maybe she would stay there with her daughter instead of going home to take her for a dip, at least here there would be other people around. And she could order drinks which was never a bad thing. “How long have you been working here, Tom?”

LOCATION: Catherine’s House WHO: @clbrp​

Life gave Thaddeus a swift kick in the balls, the man had to resort to moving into his vacation home with his drug-addled wife.  And while life was doing that to him, the cosmic universe thought it would be funny to place his second family in the same exact location.  Only thing, he was Thaddeus fucking Moore and he could handle what was thrown at him.  On the bright side, he was closer to his baby girl and he was thrilled to be a more active grandparent to little Ivy.

Standing outside Catherine’s home for the last fifteen minutes, he was about to leave until he noticed the vehicle coming up with the driveway.  Perhaps, he should have texted or called his baby girl first.  But he wanted to surprise her with his presence. Although he had been in Asteria for about a month, it was only now that he was able to get his affairs in order and make a visit.  Once the door was opened for her by the driver, he smiled seeing his sweet Catherine.  “Where have you been?”  He inquired as he came up to give her a hug and check on the baby.

Catherine was the definition of a daddy’s girl because growing up with two older brothers he had taken every opportunity to spoil her. Sure the girl had been brought up by nannies most of the time but her highlights were always when her dad would sweep in with gifts and sweet words, that she would hang on for days afterwards, feeling like an actual princess. When she had gotten married to David and moved to Asteria the highlight had been that her parents had a summer home in the same place, so at least she was somewhat familiar with it. Still the last thing she expected upon getting out of the car with her daughter after collecting her from a playdate, was Thaddeus Moore standing in the driveway of her lavish family home.

“Daddy!” The blonde shrieked with excitement as soon as she clapped eyes on him, wrapping her arms tightly around him in a quick hug before knowing his attention would turn to Ivy. Which was fine, seeing her with her grandfather was always something that warmed her heart. Totally unable to see how there would be anything odd about the man turning up out of nowhere she looked at him with a bright smile, eyes shining. “How come you’re here? Come in, come in, I’ll get them to bring us some tea. Can you stay for dinner?” The girl spoke a mile a minute, scooping ivy out of her car seat and easily hanging her over to the older man, heading towards the house.

special delivery - @clbrp​

Quinn sat at one of the tables in the coffee shop, holding the mug between her hands as she stared down at the liquid. Honestly, she had felt a little out of it since the explosion between her family. Wyatt had gone to jail and was out now but things were different especially because she hadn’t been able to start the conversation the both of them needed to have. Lifting her eyes when she heard a voice, her head nodded as she gestured to the spot. “Go ahead. It’s fine.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to disturb you if you’re in the middle of something…” The blonde trailed off, eyebrows coming together gently in a look of concern. The other looked very pale as she spoke in a detached voice. Sinking down into the chair opposite she tried a kind smile. “Are you alright? You look a little…worried about something. Like you are doing a lot of thinking.” Not something Catherine often indulged in, but she could spot it in someone else easily enough. With her coffee in front of her she played with the sleeve that had been put around her take out cup to stop her burning herself. “I’m a good listener I promise.”

Leanne’s living room || @clbrp

“So… how are things going with you and Spencer? I saw you two out with ivy on my morning walk the other day. You looked like a real family.” Something Leanne has never seen with Cat’s husband. “Have you, you know..” Leanne wiggled her eyebrows sensually as she sipped on her peppermint tea, her warm, wooly socked feet sliding under her as she relaxed into her husband Mal’s recliner, opposite cat. “Don’t even think about the calories in that, just eat it.” She nodded to the homemade chicken and dumplings she’d made for them. Leanne was anxious to hear how things had developed since the serious conversion they’d had during their little camping trip. She’d invited her surrogate to stay over with Ivy since she had Lucas for the weekend, allowing the babies to have their first official play date. “They look so precious together.” It was going well so far, both of them sat on a fluffy blanket in front of the television with the Backyardigans on low volume. “You need to tell that douche bag of a husband to hit the road already. I know it’s hard for you to, but you can’t keep living like this. He’s draining your life force, he doesn’t care.” She sighed, hoping this little affair with Spencer was opening the woman’s eyes to as to how she deserved to be treated. “At this point Ivy is going to think Spenser is her father. He had more to do with her.” That sentence made Leanne feel both sick and saddened. She wasn’t one too encourage cheating, but good lord, Cat needed to get away from her emotionally abusive, neglectful, distant husband.

Catherine and Spencer had seen each other a couple of times recently, mostly at her apartment, but once when they knew David was out of town they’d gone on a walk instead. Just to give her daughter a little fresh air, nothing too obviously romantic, but god it had felt it to Cat. Every so often she’d reach out her hand to graze the man’s fingertips with her own, almost holding hands but not quite. Watching him dote on the baby whenever she fussed and take her down the slide on his lap like she was his own, it had melted her heart a million times over. Probably why she hadn’t even realised anyone she knew had seen them, aka Leanna apparently. “You saw us? Why didn’t you come and say hello! Now I feel so rude for just not seeing you or anything.” Although how could she have spoken to her if she literally hadn’t known she was there. Glancing down at the food in front of her she did as she was told, taking a bite, it was delicious of course. The woman knew how to cook homey food and it was something Cat had never really had in her life before. “Um, we have.” She murmured as she looked down at the plate, feeling her cheeks heating up considerably as they turned bright pink, not because she was embaressed she’d had sex but more because talking to Leanne about it felt like talking to a mother. Well she was a mother. Glancing over at Ivy and Lica she broke out into a big mile, loving the sight of the two littles ones together, ivy already a social butterfly just like her mother, obviously. “They do, I can’t believe I’ve never shown her the show before, she’s loving it.” Taking another bite the blonde almost choked as the brutally honest words left the older woman’s lips, agreeing with the sentiment but not quite expecting it. Hearing someone say so bluntly that her husband didn’t care just hit differently to when she’d murmured it hesitantly herself in the past, it was so stark, so final. “I think she already does a lot of the time, she loves him.” It was true, anytime Ivy was in Spencer’s arms she looked happier than ever, which was both adorable and sad in equal measures.

location: Country Club who: @clbrp​ — closed. 

“Ma’am, she’s very cute but could you take her back now? I don’t think my supervisor would be too happy to see me holding a child when I’m supposed to be offering you a different kind of service.” Thomas worked at the country club as anything they needed him to be, but he was usually passing out little sweat towels to the golf players, drinks to guests, and mints to people coming out of the restaurant inside. His eyes shifted back to her little kid. She really was a cutie, but he didn’t think it was appropriate to bond like that with someone he was supposed to work for so he extended his arms with the child back to the blonde. 

“Right, yes yes, hold on let me just…” Catherine hurried to get her handbag closed so she could take Ivy back, a surprise phone call causing her to thrust the little girl into the arms of one of the employees at the country club. “Hi baby...” Taking her back into her arms Ivy immediately reached for her mother’s hair, grabbing a handful in her chubby fist with excitement that wasn’t shared by Cat. “You’re Thomas right? I think I’ve seen you around a couple of times before, since I’m here so often it’s not that surprising, right? Would be weirder if I’d never seen you before.” She laughed with a bright open expression, always too chatty for her own good.

“Just the truth,” he murmured between their lips as the two shared a sweet kiss.  Once their lips parted, he could feel the light tug of her hand to come join her on the couch.  Following her, he made himself comfortable on the cushion and set the glass of wine down on the table beside him.  “Same, I mean we did on occasion.  But it was extremely rare when my parents would allow Don and me to watch TV as we ate.  Something about family time,” he shrugged.  Not that he thought it was a bad idea, but when he joined the military it became a habit just to grab a meal and zone out in front of the television set with a few buddies. 

Spencer sat there nervously, his knee bouncing up and down as his eyes kept shifting towards Catherine sitting next to him.  The woman was absolutely gorgeous and every time he made eye contact with her, his heart leapt with joy.  As she inched closer to him, he could feel the hitch of his breathing as his heart started to race.  Mentally he was cursing himself, because he desperately wanted to appear cool in her eyes.  Instead, he was sure he looked like a mess.  As their lips pressed against each other in an incredible kiss, he smiled against her lips feeling her hand ease up towards his chest.  When she pulled away, his eyes widened wondering if he did something wrong.  Quickly shaking his head, he reached for her wrist to gently grip it.  “No, don’t be sorry.  I like it.”  He assured her as he moved in to capture her lips in a fiery kiss.  As he fell into the kiss, he started to move along the couch to be closer to her.  Somehow, after several moments of readjustments on both sides he was hovering above her while she was lying on the sofa.  Lifting his head to gaze into her eyes, he smiled.  “You’re so beautiful.”

Catherine smiled into the kiss as she stroked his chest, the conversation about if they were allowed to eat in front of the television not really at the forefront of her mind as the two of them got closer. She was entirely distracted as if that wasn’t obvious enough already. Clocking his bouncing knee she moved her hand onto it gently, coaxing him to be calm, because if he wasn’t she would probably start getting worked up too. This was huge, but the blonde was following her heart right now because it was what she felt she deserved for once in her life. He might have wanted to appear cool but she was doing nothing of the sort because if anything she was throwing herself at him moments after he’d walked into her apartment.

The second kiss on the sofa made herself feel heady like she’d just stood up too quickly making everything swoop in front of her eye. He quite literally took her breath away with it, tasting the wine on his lips, eyes connecting with his soft ones when she pulled away. If there was a sight Catherine had wanted to see it was him telling her he wanted them to carry on, his hand on her wrist sending electric shocks down her forearm, the last time she had felt like this from someone’s touch was probably her wedding night, and that was more the champagne intoxication helping out if she was being realistic. This time she’d taken no more than two sips of wine, it was just the effect Spencer had on her. “Yeah?” She managed to ask before their lips connected again and she was sliding into a laying position underneath him, hesitant to allow the kiss to end because there was so much passion behind it, her hand holding onto the back of his neck securely. A soft moan escaped her throat as they made out getting hot and heavy like they were teenagers again, it was all she could do to stop herself from reaching down for his waistband but no. He could take control, so wanted to be sure she wasn’t pushing him too fast, because she knew where she wanted this to end up but couldn’t be sure Spencer felt the same just yet. “Do you want to do this?” The blonde whispered, stroking his cheek with a dazed smile on her pink lips. “I want to do this. I really want to do this with you. I’ve been thinking about nothing else...”