Dean Wyler

“You too, Lexi,” Dean replied. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

He’d tried to convince her that they could make it work, but Lexi pointed out that she didn’t have the time for a relationship right now. Dean knew she was right: she was the one who was holding her family together, she was the one caring for her sick mom and taking her to doctor’s appointments, and she was the one who was trying to get her business off the ground.

Her relationship with Dean was new and she had to cut something out of her life: so it ended up being him.

He didn’t love her: it was too new for that, but he definitely cared about her. He cared about all of the Pierces and he didn’t want to lose them as friends. He also didn’t want them to lose him: they could use his help. On top of everything else, they were all still getting used to living in a new country and Dean was the only American they really knew well. 

Elias’ home was large and seemed somehow dark when no one was around. She ought to have minded, Viv supposed, but the gloom hardly surprised her. It suited her fiancé somehow - it suited them both. Candlelight, she thought, one hand trailing the bannister as she moved further downstairs. Paintings adorned the walls every so many feet and Viv stopped before the latest, gazing into its colorful world. Light at last, she mused, the corners of her lips turning slightly upward as she resumed her walk. She found the source of the darkness.

“Honestly, how do men ever do without us?” remarked Vivien casting her dark orbs from Elias’ stiff draperies towards the center of the room into which she had entered. She had to bow to the finery of the fabric, but all in all she thought it much better suited to the warmth of upholstery than the brightness of window treatments. But then, that was precisely why Elias Turner was in need of a wife. Men couldn’t be expected to know such things.

Vivien herself was dressed to sartorial perfection, Louboutins clicking authoritatively as she walked; Coach slung over her Burberry shoulder. This was her casual attire and still she was radiant - and knew it. Just like the rooms, she must look her part.

“Wyler, is it?” Vivien strode towards someone she recognized as one of his employees. “Is Mr. Turner in, by any chance?” Vivien Bassford arched one slender brow awaiting his response. She’d meant to surprise her fiancé, whisk him off to a luncheon at a stylish restaurant, but she ought not to have been so spontaneous. Elias was a busy man.

How could you live in a place where it didn’t feel right to slump downstairs in your PJs and eat cereal in front of the TV? Not that Elias Turner seemed the sort of person to eat cereal or watch much TV and he guessed the only place they wore their PJs was in the bathroom or in the bedroom, so perhaps this suited them ... but it already made Dean feel sorry for the kids they’d eventually have. He was reminded of a quote from a John Hughes movie: It's very beautiful and very cold and you're not allowed to touch anything. 

It was then that Dean caught his first look at Vivien Bassford -- the future Mrs. Turner. He wasn’t sure what he had been expecting in her, but now he realized she couldn’t have been anything other than what she was. She was elegant and poised: she belonged here. 

He straightened when she addressed him, “No, ma’am. He had a lunch meeting and he hasn’t returned.” He paused for a moment, “Of course, there’s really no way of knowing for sure, there’s so many entrances to his place,” He said, grinning for a moment before realizing she might not appreciate a joke. He cleared his throat, “But then I do have security footage and ... no he’s not back yet.”

He nodded, “I think Mr. Turner would agree that you are more important than his art collection,” He replied, with a hint of a smile, as he moved to reset the alarm system before they left. 

“Where to?”

Omg Dean and Jack tho hahaha WUT EVEN so yeah they def see each other a lot bc Jack def comes to chat w big bro a lot and may actually live w him as well? Since last time he was there he was spending his nights w Rachel (s/o to Pippa) so yeah idk if they had digs together or what but even if he did have a house where they lived it may be where she is now or it may be empty but he probs doesn’t wanna go there bc ~memories *gets carried away w backstory stuff again*. POINT IS they see each other HAHAHAHA Ok but Jack, to steal a line from Darcy, doesn’t have the gift of “conversing easily w others.” And so like being sociable?????? Like???? I mean, he def tries but I feel like Dean has way more social graces and meanwhile Javk’s like *Santiago voice* “I will make better mouth” basically. No but I mean he was trained to be a ~gentleman so he’s def polite and I think if they settled into a groove Jack def has the potential to like Dean quite s bit and ~dad max thumbs up~ but idk if they have/will? It’d depend how persistent Dean was probs bc Jack is a failure in casual situations tbh

So, I imagined Rachel having a small apartment of her own back in the day and yeah I basically assumed that Jack would crash there most nights and idk if he had a place of his own back then or if he lived with Elias but anYWAY after Rachel got pregnant tho and it seemed like they were in it for the long haul, I can see them moving into a house together that at least had two bedrooms since her old place wasn’t big enough for three of them and tbh it was probably his place b/c Turner ~funds~ and like I’m sure he would have let her and Pippa stay there, but I think that Rachel probs moved out when they broke up and that’s when she moved in with Meg and I think that there was probably a host of reasons for that but tbh ~memories~ would play a part in it for her, too. anYWAY, thoughts????? And idk if that would mean that he’s gotten a different place for himself or if he lives with Elias (Elias would be cool w/ this) but the point is that either way, I’m sure they see each other a lot. 

Yeah, no I totally think they could have and I def think they got on really well which is part of why she’s like, “Look, between uni and starting up a business and mostly bc of my mom’s illness, I can’t do a relationship rn but I want us to be friends and I’m not just saying that since I’ve resigned myself to the nunnery for life” basically and probs forcing him to come over and have dinner with them etc.  I def think though atp she’s moved on emotionally.  (Like, not to anyone else or anything, I don’t think she has a current ~interest, but just…she’s not spending her days pining or whatever.  Tbh I think she’s like, “I’m never gonna marry but tbh I don’t need any more kids bc omg my siblings” *crashing sound in the bg tbh* so I don’t think it bothers her at all.)  I mean, she def has no regrets in dating him or anything, I don’t mean that.  She’s glad she did bc their friendship is v important to her etc but I think it’s just that.  Friendship.  Tbh, I think she’s still kind of dealing with the death of her mom.  I think that really dealt her a hard blow and that’s kind of where she is emotionally atm.  But she’s working to move on.

ANYWAY hahahaha I def feel like they’ve got a sibling-ish vibe going atm.  LIke, she teases him just like she does her brothers and like forces him to do things for her just like them and makes him nice stuff like them and basically he’s the blond American Pierce brother from another mother tbh.  I also feel like she’s like, “Heyyyyy, soooo you know how I’ve been bugging Xavier for so long to settle down that he no longer hears me when I say it?  I was wondering if you could help me with that?  Maybe take him into work with you or something????  Show him it’s not that bad.” *xavier probs steals something tbh*  But yeah I think she’s like, “Dean and Nick, you claim to be his bffs.  Be a good influence!  I worry Xavier’s gonna get himself into trouble some day.”  Meanwhile Xavier is literally a thief already.

I think that Dean was reallllly happy about that b/c when she broke up with him he realized that he wouldn’t just be loosing her, but her entire family (and possibly the Coles, as well) and that really hurt for a hot second b/c that wouldn’t be the first time he’s lost a family and hahha i’m sad now buT ANYWAY, I think that he would also be afraid that it might be a little ~awkward~ but it wasn’t and he was really happy that they all just kinda went on as they always had and the only difference was that he and Lexi weren’t making out anymore ;DD

I TOTALLY AGREE!! It’s been such a long time since they’ve dated and they’ve done the friend thing for wayyyyyyy longer and plus they probably mostly hang out anymore when it’s them + the other pierces + the coles and it just feels like ~family~ and I think it would be weird for them to ever start dating again atp, you know??? 

OKay, so Dean doesn’t do relationships like that tbh even when he’s trying to get over Gwen, but I can def see him flirting with her and like it’s too bad that she isn’t under twenty-one b/c he would dEF be the guy who accidentally buys a minor a drink b/c he believes her when she says she’s twenty-five or whatever #facepalm 

OMMMGGG but him saying yes would toootally make her day!!!!  And probs also her week etc.  Anyway, she def had a list ready.  So I need to look this up.  Ok, so the ladies basically within his age range are: Viv Bassford, Emma Bassford, Rachel Clarke, Joanna Cullen, Jessica Harris, Sara Holland, Aryia Jones, Cecily King, Gwen Milner, Lena Milner, Lexi Pierce, Mia Pierce, and Julie Truscott. Obv some work better than others hahaha so I think Rachel, Cecily, and Julie are the most likely candidates as far as Gigi’s concerned bc she doesn’t really know the Bassfords and probs doesn’t think too highly of them anyway, probs thinks Jo’s a kook, she’s never met Jess, Sara has a criminal record, she probs doesn’t really know Aryia, he dated Gwen which kinda crosses off both Milners, and same notation w the Pierces.  

Oh righhht hahaha oooooh that totally makes sense also Nick was probs like, “Score, sis!  You got the run of that huge house as long as he’s away!” but then he shows up and Nick doesn’t like him #facepalm  Tbh, he was predisposed to dislike/distrust anyone for whom his sister worked esp when they’re hella rich and single hahahah so ngl there’s that.  So the whole Viv business probs makes him feel a mite better tbqh  BUT ANYWAY yessss he def does feel MUCH better than they haven’t been together much tbqh.  Elias isn’t involving her in anything or whatever as long as he isn’t around, Nick figures.  Still, Nick just wishes he’d go away and never come back tbh hahaha

THAT SOUNDS AMAZING!!  Also s/o to Lexi for digging this guy up tbh Nick is super happy about that.  I feel like they’ve basically been bros since the start.  Like, they probs met pr quickly bc I feel like both families were happy to hang out together and Lexi brought her bf along at least once (probs alot esp given her schedule) and I feel like Nick and Xavier were like, “we fellas got to stick together” and it’s been true bromance ever since

Yeah that makes sense. And actually, when Susan was first hired, he was probs married to the first Mrs. T so the only time he would have been around her when he was single was during the whole Rita Holland period so that would have been about two or three years. anYWAY yeah he’s getting married again now, so yay for Nick being a little more comfortable with the situation (altho tbh Elias doesn’t care at all) 

yEAH, I agree! I think that all three families are pretty friendly/easy going as a whole and I htink they also just clicked and idk I feel like they basically act like a bunch of cousins/siblings when they are together and it’s beautiful (altho slightly disastrous ;DD) 

But tbh she’s more adventurous than she’d like you to think and esp if Emma’s been at her lately about her life choices and/or it’s presented as a challenge, I can see her like getting a head of steam and, like, going to a baseball game or something and like WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE LIZZY OMMMMGGGG and tbh she’s probs trying to pretend it’s barbaric but actually having a good time and she insists that Dean come for her “protection” or whatever but really she just wants an American there to explain to her what the hell a grand slam is #facepalm  But clearly this would be down the road and she probs also wouldn’t want Elias to know and smh

Atm she’s def like, *arches one slanted brow*  “Naturally, I have never done that” *assumes a haughty expression bc she hates being out of the loop* *facepalms across the globe*  I also feel like she basically thinks he’s her chauffeur and she gets him to take her places bc ummmm no she’s not gonna drive herself??????  Like who does that?????  Not Vivien Nicole Bassford for sure.  “You can either watch his art, which is going nowhere, or you can elect to protect his wife to be on her ventures to far more interesting places.”  *sweeps out of the room*  And that’s basically how she asks someone to hang out with her?????????????????????  I’m so sorry about her in advance.  

HAHAHAH but I def feel like his job has sorta merged into chauffeur b/c I think Elias def acts all concerned (altho there is another killer in town that’s not him so he probs is legit concerned on some level to have her go out alone) and probably insists on him going with her when she goes out, especially at night, etc. etc. 

Hmmmmm, I can honestly see this going either way tbh?????  Ok, so, if I recall correctly - which I may not - the Coles moved bc Susan had a job w Elias in London but then he moved to America (s/o to Rita Holland), so they followed him there, right?  Or do I have that wrong?  And the Pierces moved there for ~doctors (s/o to dead mom - you doctors suck ;D jk no funding sucks).  But they did move at the same time, right?

Ok, sooooo the most likely options seem like:

The Coles and Pierces knew each other and chose to go over together since they were both going to a new country anyway and when one of them met Dean, they basically all met him

The Coles and Pierces met once on the plane/at the airport - two large groups of Brits going to the same town couldn’t draw attention (or not, given the number of Brits there ;DDD) and again when one met Dean, they all did

The Coles and Pierces were both settling and Dean was a total sweetheart and decided these poor culture shocked ppl could probs bond

dklafdliakjfkjds I actually like them all?  What do you think?  You’re the only person who plays a Cole, a Pierce, and a Wyler ;DDDD  Do you have a preference?  Bc either way, I think when two of the groups collided, they were like, “the third group needs to be included in this” basically and yeah

Okay, so I realized that the timeline is a ~little~ off with the whole Rita Holland business, since that all started like six or seven years ago and Susan moved here more like twelve or fourteen (with her siblings joining her two to four years later), so what I’m thinking is that Elias has had a house in this area for a really long time and he hired Susan to manage the art collection there and it wasn’t one of his houses that had a whole lab/prison thing underneath it until later, but I think a lot of Susan’s time working for him has been as his employee but he hasn’t really been there? And mostly it’s just virtual communication between them?? And then he came back to stay for an extended period when the whole Rita Holland thing happened and now that Rosie is a thing so yeahhh. (Also that probs makes Nick feel a little better??? That Elias has only been around like four years or so total out of the ten she’s worked for him???