Mama

closed for: @mrsmamathompson

"Well now I'm excited." Ann said, busying herself moving about the house getting a few little things done here and there, but she paused, hanging the feather duster back in its spot. "Mack, do you really think I would ever laugh at your propositions? Never!!"

Cole smirked, balancing his plate with one hand while snagging another chip with the other. “Hey, I don’t just talk a big game, Ann—I deliver,” he teased, his tone light but full of playful confidence. “This mountain of snacks? It’s just the warm-up. I’m pacing myself for the long haul.”

Ann chuckled, shaking her head as she reached for her own plate, stacking a few more chips. “Oh, I can see you’re talking a big game, but don’t get too comfortable just yet, Cole,” she noted, there was still time. “I didn’t get to be queen of the snacks by taking it easy, you know. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve, pace yourself all you want, but I’m here for the long haul too.”

Carlos grinned, dramatically wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. “Hey, I take my cocoa artistry very seriously. But don’t worry—I’ll keep the abstract expressionism to a minimum.” He winked before glancing over at the kids, watching as they practically vibrated with excitement.

Ann smiled warmly at Carlos, the sincerity in his words making her heart swell a little. “You’re right, Carlos. It’s all about the moments, not the perfection.” She gave him a playful nudge back, chuckling as she watched the kids bouncing around. “And I’ll admit, you’ve got a point, this kind of fun? It’s what sticks with them, long after the cocoa's gone cold.”

"I'm from Lousiana, mama. I like the heat." A curve strings up the corner of Jude's lip, before taking a long swig of his beer. "Don't like no cold climates." He went to the North West once, chasing after some tail. He promptly returned to the south shortly after.

"Honey, I was raised on the outskirts of New Orleans and lived in Texas shortly after that." Ann said, tutting softly as she looked over at him. "I've been all over since that, usually in the south, then I settled here twenty years ago." Ann shook her head. "Now, we're sitting out here and enjoying the cool night, or do you need a jacket for that sensitive skin?"

Victoria chuckled softly, her movements becoming more gentle as she carefully filed Ann's nails. "You know, I’m honestly just happy to help," she said with a warm smile, giving Ann’s hand a little reassuring squeeze. "You’ve got enough on your plate with the daycare. I'm just glad I can do something to make your day a little easier." Her tone was light and comforting, as if she were trying to melt away the tension Ann must’ve been carrying.

Ann let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head slightly. "I appreciate the votes of confidence." She paused, such a warm smile coming over her face. "Well, I met him when I was fifteen, but I sure wasn’t in love with him then," she admitted, watching as Victoria carefully shaped her nails. "He was just this lanky, stubborn boy who always had to have the last word. Drove me up a wall."

"Limbo." That was a good way to describe it. When Zoe was still at home (yes, Erica still considered Montana home), the problems she'd created were somewhat out of sight, out of mind. But with Zoe here, the chance that her marriage wasn't reconcilable was a real possibility. But for the moment, it was all up in the air and that was hard. Listening, Erica nodded. Ann was better with words than Erica. "That's hard. I -- I want to give you some advice, but I'm really bad at that. So... I'm here. In solidarity." It was sort of the best she could do. @mrsmamathompson

Ann reached out, giving Erica’s hand a light, reassuring squeeze. “Solidarity is a lot, you know. Sometimes it’s all anyone really needs, just someone willing to sit in the mess with them for a bit.” She leaned back slightly, taking another sip of her drink. “And for what it’s worth, I don’t think you’re bad at advice. You’re just honest. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about showing up, and you’re doing that. We’re both figuring it out, one piece at a time. That’s enough.”

Laurel waved off the praise, which stirred a confusing mix of warmth and embarrassment in her stomach. She fought the urge to refute it somehow, knowing that Ann would insist. "'Alright'? That might actually be the nicest thing anyone's ever said about me."

Ann tilted her head, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Well, if that’s the nicest thing anyone’s said, then people aren’t paying enough attention,” she said warmly. “You’re more than ‘alright,’ trust me on that.”

Finn’s grin begins to fade slowly morphing into a blank stare, then gradually a look of horror. “The other side?” he just about squeaks.

Ann held out a gentle hand, shaking her head and reassuring Finn that everything was okay, but it seemed like he needed an extra little bit of comfort.

Jude knew not to argue with Ann, it was usually a losing battle on his end. "We can enjoy it in June." The mechanic would happily be inside right now in front of the radiator watching a car show. "Livin' in a small town will do that. One of t'few things this place has got goin' for itself."

If there was one thing that Ann had fostered, she was glad that getting this friendship with Jude was on her list. "In June it'll be too hot to sit outside like this," Ann said firmly, she knew if she didn't stand her ground Jude would happily take them back inside. "Besides, being out here keeps the beer cold."

“Darling, it couldn’t possibly be thanksgiving without your pumpkin pie! Thank you so much for coming, and thank you for the delicious treats. Honestly, I’m going to have to get you a job at my bakery if you keep outshining me on your recipes.” Noelle laughed and waved Ann inside her home. “Can I get you anything? A drink or a plate of food or anything?”

Ann laughed softly as she stepped inside, carefully cradling the pie. "Oh, Noelle, you’re far too kind, but I’d never dream of outshining you or that bakery of yours. This pie’s just a little family tradition, though I hope it lives up to expectations." She set the dish on the counter, smiling back at Noelle. "If you’ve got some sweet tea, that’d be perfect, but don’t worry about me, I’ll grab a plate soon enough. It’s just so lovely to see everyone here and feel the warmth of a gathering like this. Thank you for having me."

"You went over the limit?" he gasps. Oh, now he almost feels bad about the gift he got for Celia. He only might've crossed over by a few dollars, but Ann decided to go above and beyond.

Ann chuckled, shaking her head as she waved a hand dismissively. "I didn’t go over by much," she lied, but she made it very obvious in her tone that she was joking. "Besides, what’s the point of a gift if it doesn’t feel like it’s meant just for the person getting it?" She leaned back slightly, Ann had absolutely zero regrets for what she brought.

Finn bends slightly at the waist as if too bow, and he pretends to tip an invisible hat in Ann's direction. "Mischief shan't be the word. I am just an elf, not a sprite in disguise." Had he any desire for humor, he might have wrapped a piece of coal to give as a joke gift before the real thing, but Ann wouldn't deserve that.

Ann couldn’t help but laugh at Finn’s theatrics, shaking her head with an amused smile. “An elf with a flair for dramatics, huh? You’ve outdone yourself already.” She stepped closer, her curiosity piqued as she listened to his enthusiastic spiel.

Starter call: @mrsmamathompson Where: On Jude's Balcony

Ann clinked her glass against Jude’s with a wry smile, the warmth of her laugh cutting through the chilly night air. “Because someone has to sit out here and actually enjoy it” she teased, pulling her coat tighter around her shoulders. She glanced at sky, a quiet warmth in her words. “Besides, I needed a breather. Inside feels too quiet sometimes, you know?”