playtime's over

Marie raised her eyebrow at Delilah, “Honey, did you mixed up the medicine at the hospital and took something? I think you’re hallucinating.” She scoffed, “Thank you though.” She gave up and accepted the compliment, figuring no point in arguing. “Well, you look great, I swear, if you weren’t so young...” She joked, shaking her head. “I’ll copy you, a martini sounds great.” She approved, turning to the bartender and making their order. “So, what’s up with you? Anything interesting going on lately?”

“I dunno it looks to me like I’m going to be the one having to keep up with you out here.”

Marie smiled at her pseudo-nephew, enjoying how she and Kellan had such a close bond without being genetically related at all; she hadn’t always gotten along with her family, and since her closest sister had passed away she felt a bit alone, and she was very thankful for the guy and his dad. “You don’t even know, I’m actually not too bad.” She chuckled, easily skating forward.

“You know when you aren’t havin’ any fun? At your street, because there will never be a stop sign there.” He said, while fully planning on asking his secretary to get him the request when he got to the office. “You are very pleasant looking, Marie.”

“That’s it, I’m filing a complaint.” Marie raised her hands, though the tone of her voice made it clear she was just kidding. “Thanks, that’s exactly what I’m looking for to hear from now on.” She chuckled. “How you’ve been though? I bet lots of stuff to take care of since the storm went on.”

Marie couldn’t find anyone to hang out with her tonight, but decided this won’t stop her from getting a drink at her favorite bar. She won’t stay for long, just one beer and then she’ll head home and get some sleep. That was a lie if she ever thought of one, probably. Entering the place, she took a sit near the counter as she spotted Aleyna working behind it, “Hey, if this isn’t my favorite face!” She greeted happily, “How’s your shift going?”

Sebastian could’ve kept complaining, he had plenty to say about having less time to spend with his family. Instead, he dipped his head in a nod of agreement that he was spending far too much time stuck behind a desk. The two were out for drinks. He didn’t think Marie wanted to listen to him air out his complaints. He raised an eyebrow at the turn the conversation took. “Is there anything that I can help with?” He offered, raising a hand to catch the bartender’s attention and get them to come over. It was his immediate instinct to want to help with whatever Marie was going through. “I mean other than ordering us another round of drinks. Something to help with whatever is going on in your life right now.”

Marie took in a deep breath, not enjoying an emotional talk with pretty much anyone, though with Seb, she knew she could count on him with her eyes shut. Besides, right now she felt alone and needed the support of a friend. “I mean- drink with me?” She laughed irritably as Seb ordered them drinks. Thank goodness for this man. “No, it’s- okay, I hope you won’t be mad at me for never telling you, it’s just- I never felt the need to, and now things are slightly changed.” She muttered, “When I was nineteen, like a hundred years ago, I uh... I had a kid.” She confessed, rubbing the back of her neck, “And- well- I couldn’t take care of her, so I gave her to adoption, and- that was kind of the end of it.” She explained, “But she found me, she called me today. She’s around town and we’re gonna meet, and it’s- it’s a lot.” She couldn’t really find the words to describe her sentiments. “You’re not angry right I didn’t say anything? You know you’re still my best friend, right?”

A laugh tumbled from his lips and he tilted his head to one side as he grinned. “I’m starting to think that Elsa might be mad that Disney didn’t give her a girlfriend. She’s probably taking it out on the home of Disney now. We’ll have snow all the way through summer if they don’t get their shit together.” Maybe he should have waited until he gave some to his parents before reaching into the box and grabbing a cookie for himself but he had absolutely no self control when it came to food. “I mean, they’ll probably think that anyway considering I’ll have eaten them all before they even get to SEE the cookies.” He laughed and then offered one out to her to eat. “Maybe I should be in a crisis more often if everyone will just get me food.”

Marie couldn’t help but to smirk and nod at the boy’s too true statement, “I’m mad too, give her a girlfriend, you cowards!” She mirrored his reaction, grinning. “Tell me if they’re any good.” She asked of Jamie as she caught a glimpse of him stealing one of the cookies, secretly hoping he won’t finish them all in one sitting. “Take a selfie with them then, I don’t care, I need a proof!” She smirked, shrugging her shoulders. “Wait, what? Everyone? I thought I was special.” She gasped jokingly.

Marie smiled at the always-early Delilah, wondering how people had the energy to follow the time and be at places on time. It was truly a magical ability in her eyes, as someone who’s chronically late to everything and forgets every important event. “Oh, good.” She nodded, knowing she’d bad if she kept the girl waiting for too long. “That’s funny, tell another.” She cackled, “Thanks, you look perfect, have you been working out?” She wondered, “Also, what are we having?”

“no, no. i share the same sentiment. and thank you, by the way. you’re not so bad yourself.” she teased with a smirk. in all honesty, the other woman was in fact stunning. “are you waiting for someone or are you going to offer me one of those?” she pointed out at the two margaritas in front of the brunette. if she was, in fact, waiting for someone else, it would be slightly embarrassing. 

Marie let out a chuckle, shaking her head, “Aw, you’re too sweet, thank you.” She smiled, happily accepting the compliment. It’s been a while since she felt pretty, and kind words went a long way. “I mean they’re both mine.” She admitted laughingly, “But sure, there you go.” She handed her the beverage, figuring she’s feeling nice and worst case scenario, she can order another. “So what’s your name, pretty girl?” She joked.

She looked around the space and opted to slip into a chair at the table near the kitchen. “So how long have you been in Maine?” she asked, figuring they could start the questions off light. “I found a Florida address to begin with, took a lot more digging to find you up here.”

Marie still couldn’t believe it; her daughter, the one she gave away all those years ago, was here, in her house. Who would’ve thought that day will come? How could she even process this moment, she has always been occupied with possible scenarios regarding the child and now she was here, there was one absolute truth and it was all her. So many questions came to mind but she didn’t find it appropriate to just bomb the girl with inquiries.

“Water then.” She affirmed, pouring both of them glasses of water and bringing them along with her as she sat down the table beside her. “There we go.” She nodded, letting out an anxious chuckle. “I think, uh, twelve years, it’s been?” She recalled, hoping she didn’t mix up the math, “Yeah, I’m from Tampa originally but uh, I went to college here, and I went to live close to my sister who used to live here too.” She explained, her heart still ached as she talked about her late sister. “Well, you’re welcome for the trip and the riddle then.” She laughed, hoping to lighten up the mood, “How about you, where did you grew up in?” She began, remembering where the couple she picked used to live but wondering if they moved.

“Marie Becker age is only a number! Who cares if you’re closer to fifty, literally nobody.” Layla protested, knowing that deep down she was exactly right. Her boss was awesome, and deserved to know it, and show it off if she so pleased. And even if she didn’t want to, the blonde was always up for some gentle encouragement. “See, I can totally make it fun for you! Hell, come up on stage with me, and we can give them all a really good show.” She wiggled her eyebrows as she spoke, flashing Marie a wide and cheeky grin. “I’m just saying, think about it. The offer is there if you want it you know!” 

“Of course to you age is only a number, you’re basically a child.” Marie teased the blonde, letting out a sneer. "Thanks for lying to me though, I appreciate it.” She remarked in her usual self deprecating tone, though in all honestly she did enjoy Layla’s encouragement. “Ohh, now you’re talking.” She smirked, wondering if that’s honestly something people would want to see. Layla wasn’t a question, though when it came to herself... Doubtful. “I’ll think about it. I haven’t shown my butt to anyone in a really long time too, tragedy, really.” She snickered as she opened the garage door and taking out Layla’s baggage, making sure to be a good hostess.

If panic wasn’t the only thing holding her together right now, Bella might have appreciated the cliched small town air of this entire conversation. The way this stranger immediately lept into action, offering to help without even knowing her name. Sadly, panic is a blinding emotion and she can’t see beyond her nose. “They are so beautiful, and you know how boots are — they are either beautiful or comfortable, you can’t have both. But these are, they fit like a glove and I could do cardio in them without breaking my ankle. If they are gone, I’ll… I’ll…” Bella flared her hands, overreacting, “- I’ll do something.” she wanted to call her mom, that’s what she wanted to do.

Marie was truly touched by this wonderful story, reminded of a cherished pair of boots she once owned before she had worn them out. “Aw, I’m gonna cry, for real. We have to find them.” She pouted, looking around the place to see if anyone might be carrying a large bag, or dressed in overly fancy boots. “Don’t worry, you’ll find it- maybe you left it somewhere? Happens to the best of us, it happens to me like all the time so I ain’t judging.”

Layla was going to take that as a good thing - what was the point in trying to be like everyone else? It was exactly what her sisters were like, fitting into the perfect little mold that their parents had manufactured with their ideas and traditions and she most certainly wasn’t made for it. “Oh shut up you’re totally not old! You’re hot and should still be swinging around that pole!” Age was but a number, it sounded like a cliche but it was something that Layla was very much certain of when it came to life. “I think you should at least train with us a little. Maybe a can tempt you back, a little duet on the stage, the give the crowd what they want. Could be hot, Marie. And good for business.”

Marie shook her head as she laughed, not believing Layla as she described her as totally-not-old. “In June I’ll be closer to fifty than forty which is frightening.” She admitted fearfully, not ready to let go of her youth yet, though they were long gone. “Me? Gross.” She chuckled, “Eh, I can try, I don’t know...” She smiled, not wanting to reject that offer but not feeling like she enjoyed stripping due to how it ended for her, “Oh, playing that game, huh? I mean, that would be hot. Mostly because I’ll get to be with a hot girl and that’s my favorite pastime.” She admitted, pulling up in the driveway and opening up the door. 

WHO open to all ♥ @somertonstarter​ WHEN feb 2021 WHERE bridgeport (outside of james’s apartment) NOTES definetly wearing too many jackets because she is from california and does not know how to handle the cold

In a surprising turn of events, her roommate was not a serial killer or extremely creepy. When he had seen the picture in the ad, she thought it was definitively a scam. Her worst nightmares hadn’t come to fruition, though. They had talked, settled on the terms they talked about, and her things were now strewn around her room.

Well… most of her stuff. The taxi driver had dumped her seventeen bags on the sidewalk earlier, and there were only sixteen upstairs. “Hi, uh, weird question, you didn’t happen to see anyone running away from this direction with a bag. Possibly cackling? Most likely already wearing my beautiful shade Chanel boots?”

Marie forced herself into going out on a jog, deciding to at least try losing all that winter weight and get back into shape, though after five minutes she gave up and slowly walked while browsing her phone without much purpose. Nice job, Marie. As she got to Bridgeport, she was stopped by a strange woman who asked her if she had seen her luggage, “Uh- no, but now I wanna help you find those boots-” She looked around, turning her eyes to the woman again, “Okay, sorry, off topic, you are so pretty! Wow.”

Marie wasn’t a stranger to difference between siblings, as she had six of them and took after none of them, but still- something about Aliza and Lilah, the most polar opposites of a sisters she had ever seen, was incredible in her eyes. How could these two even be related? As one of Aliza’s best friends Marie took a liking to Lilah as well, despite not being the most classical type of friends. It was mostly Marie calling Lilah, wondering if she wants to hit the bar, and the younger woman replying that she can’t, because of work. Tonight was a surprise though, and she said yes. She entered the place, already spotting Lilah near the counter. “Sweetie, hey!” She greeted, pulling her into a friendly hug. “You’ve been waiting here for long?”

“Oz, yay!” The older woman repeated happily, pressing himself close to the man as he gave her a half assed embrace before grabbing the sit beside her. Oz was truly always up for a good time and seemed to go along with her shenanigans most of the time, which was truly blessed in such a boring small town. “Drowning our troubles as usual, of course.” She cackled, raising her glass playfully. “You can get whatever you want, honey, the bar is yours for the taking.” She chuckled, “Yes. Yes to this.” She affirmed, turning to the bartender and ordering them two shots of tequila before returning her gaze to Oz, “And how are you, how you’ve been? Seeing anyone interesting lately?”

“You’ll have to come over for dinner and game night this week. Any night - you pick. We’ll make some homemade pizza and brownies and have a fun family night. You know how much Adam loves having you on his team - you’re the cool aunt Marie, you know, and I bet you could use a night off from this place. Sometimes I don’t think you ever even leave unless someone forces you to.” 

“For real.” Marie agreed with her friend, still not realizing how all the kis she once knew are practically grown now; it made her feel old. “Oh! That’s so sweet, honestly.” She smiled fondly, thinking of little Abigail trying to act more mature and take after the older girls.