sweet creature

aviva: ?

Alex: She loves me

Alex: What can I say, I'm pretty lovable

Alex: And I may bring her treats when I visit

Alex: [laugh cry face emoji]

dinah: she hasn't figured out facetime yet, it's just a matter of time

Alex: I'm living for the love of trains we got there

Alex: [praise hands emoji] [wave emoji]

dinah: oh my god that was maisie

dinah: again

– “NO! NO, of course not.” ben laughed sheepishly as she asked what his intentions were with the photos. “god, no. i wouldn’t post these anywhere. i just —- you, and her, together —– with the sun and everything —-” his hands moved wildly in an aimless attempt to help him explain what he was trying to say. “—- it’s just really beautiful, the whole thing. here, i’ll show you…” he moved over to her, smiling graciously at the toddler as he tilted the camera to show her ( and her daughter, of course – how could he leave her out of the fun? ) the photos. “if you, uh —- if you want these, you can have ‘em. otherwise, i’ll just delete ‘em.”

his feeble attempts to rationalize himself told dinah he didn’t mean any harm, and she just nodded softly to try and let him know she wasn’t offended. she adjusted maisie on her hip and leaned over to look at the pictures, surprising even herself by the soft smile that tugged at her lips. she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a picture taken of them together---not since they’d moved here, and maybe even before maisie’s father had died. “no---i mean, no, don’t delete them,” she shook her head quickly, followed by a nervous laugh, “i like them. a lot.” she leaned back before maisie could grab at the camera, offering him a shy smile. “is photography, like, your job?” she asked with a soft tilt of her head.

“i was riding in a car without my car seat when i was her age,” sadie’s not sure how true that is..but it’s what she REMEMBERS, so it’s got to count for something. “i’m sure there’s things to brave the rain..you could always ask someone here for an umbrella, though m’ not too sure how many people have one to lend out. but you never know.” she shrugs her own shoulders and short nails can be heard tapping against the screen of her cell phone. she almost doesn’t notice the girl until a flash of green plush is seen in her peripheral vision. “it’s fine,” she gives the kid a small smile, taking the stuffed animal for a moment to applease the kid before handing it back. “it is. don’t worry. ‘m not gonna hurt her.”

“really? i think it’s against the law,” she shakes her head softly, glancing over at maisie. she was so small that dinah was sure the seatbelt would practically choke her. “i have a friend or two i could call if it doesn’t let up soon, i guess,” she shrugs, though she isn’t looking forward to bothering anyone. she smiles softly when the other seems to appease maisie, giving her a quiet nod of thanks, raising an eyebrow at her daughter when she giggles in excitement and hurries back over to her. she reaches out to fix her hair and glanced back to the other. “does it rain here a lot?” she asks, knowing it’s a weird question, “i’ve only, like, lived here a couple weeks,” she shakes her head, wanting to offer some sort of explanation. “i always figured california was pretty dry.”

heather had a day off for once- and of course, she couldn’t relax like a normal person, she had to completley fill up her day. she had just picked up a box from the post office before heading to the cafe. she was supposed to be meeting with another parent to discuss something related to the PTA, however, the rain had caused a delay due to traffic, so, they had canceled the meeting. now, heather was stuck because she didn’t want to take a risk by leaving into the rain with all her paperwork. she found herself overhearing dinah’s comment to her daughter about them being stuck there, and opened the box from the mail. it was filled with books and toys and stuff she bought for her patients to use while they waited for their appointments. removing a thin coloring book and a pack of four crayons, heather went to their table, “i’m sorry for eavesdropping, but i think this might you two help pass the time?” she offered with a smile. 

dinah was so distracted with trying to keep maisie entertained with her keychain that she didn’t notice the woman approaching them, looking up quickly when she was addressed. she breathed out a soft sigh and offered her a thankful smile. “you’re a life saver,” she laughed quietly, shaking her head. “look, mais, look what we got,” she slid the book in front of her daughter. “thank you, again,” she turned back to the other. “are you a teacher?”

obviously she wasn’t planning on getting stuck at the coffee shop during the storm. but she couldn’t help feel bad thinking about the fact her daughter was all alone back in the apartment. she could take care of herself just fine, but it was still all that was on her mind right now. like what if the power went out or something? she looked around the shop, trying to think of something else but when her gaze sets at the girl and the toddler at the table next to her, celina is back to worrying about her. “ babysitting? ” cel asked, trying to play it safe by not assuming anything.

the other’s voice caught her off guard and she jumped slightly, glancing up upon hearing her comment. “oh --- i --- yeah, kinda,” she laughed shyly, shaking her head. “she’s mine,” she said softly, reaching over to let maisie out of the high chair so she could wander around. “you waiting out the storm, too?” 

a dip of her head and sadie figures that’s the end of their conversation. way to make friends, merecedes, great job. eyes glance from the phone in her hands to the voice again once dinah speaks ; another nod of her head followed by a light chuckle. “i think that goes for everyone.” did it rain often here or was this an out of the ordinary thing? she wasn’t sure, and she didn’t want to find out either. “no idea. i don’t usually watch the news or check the weather, but my brother told me to watch out for rain today. so.” another shrug of her shoulders. “call an uber maybe? i dunno. maybe someone can give you a ride.”

“i guess you’re right,” she nods softly with a smile, letting maisie take the stuffed toy from her hands and keeping an eye on her as she starts wandering around the small cafe. “i --- i don’t have her carseat,” she nods to her daughter, “otherwise i would.” she offers her a soft shrug, glancing back out the window. “if it gets too late i’ll brave the rain. it’s only just around the block,” she shrugs again, glancing back to the girl. “we might have to start, like, building a tent out of tablecloths,” she jokes quietly, drumming her fingers against the table. “oh, god, sorry,” she shakes her head quickly when maisie tries to hand her stuffed turtle to the girl, “i --- we’re learning sharing, so i suppose that’s a good thing,” she laughs softly, keeping an eye on her daughter in case she’d have to get up and grab her.

Camila spotted Dinah and Maisie waiting for something, and then looked out of the window to the pouring rain. Camila moved towards them and smiled at Dinah. “Avoiding the rain?” she asked, looking down and smiling at Maisie too. Camila could be quite nosey and did manage to find her way into the business of most local people, but she did her best to be helpful. Camila was a people person, when she had time.

dinah glanced up, spotting the familiar face and offering her a soft smile. “yeah, i didn’t plan for rain,” she shook her head slowly, glancing at maisie and reaching over to fix her hair. “you have any idea how long the storm is supposed to last?” she asked, tilting her head to the side slightly. 

none of her family members were picking up, and the rain was making her antsy in the worst way. this was the first storm that’s passed through since the ford’s move to halston and truth be told sadie was reacting badly. it couldn’t help but spark memories of a day she’d rather forget. at this point? she wants to go home, but instead she was stuck in some weird coffee shop she’d found for shelter from the water droplets. “cute kid,” and sadie wasn’t one to speak to strangers. well..not strangers in halston, anyways. everyone here seemed to have their own agenda’s and it included everything other than a rotten kid in their way.

dinah glanced up when someone said something, realizing the girl was talking to her. “oh --- i --- thanks,” she smiled softly, glancing back to maisie before giving up on trying to keep her contained in the high chair. “she won’t be cute for much longer if this rain doesn’t let up,” she shook her head, laughing quietly and freeing her daughter from her high chair, fishing one of her toys out of her purse and dangling it in front of her to get her attention. “do you know how long it’s supposed to last?” she asked, looking back at the other girl. “i live, like, just around the block, but carrying her and trying to walk without, like, slipping, is pretty much impossible,” she nodded softly, running her hand across the brace on her leg.

“i get that, i couldn’t even tell you how old my house is.” beau shrugged and rubbed his hand against the back of his neck. “yeah it seems to be getting a little cooler around here, hopefully the fall weather will roll in soon.” he kept his attention on the child with a grin. he watched as she took the cereal, remembering what things were like when his siblings were this little. “what’s her name?” he asked before receiving a few pieces of cereal to the face. 

“it’s got character, though. it’s not all bad,” she shrugged softly, nodding in agreement with his next statement. “let’s hope the heating isn’t messed up, too. i can handle the heat, but i’m not about to give us both hypothermia over it,” she shook her head. “hey, hey, crazy,” she quickly reached over to stop maisie when she started throwing the food, “guess that means you aren’t hungry anymore,” she eyed her in amusement. “sorry about that,” she laughed quietly, turning back to him. “her name’s maisie. she’s usually much more shy around strangers.”

“thanks,” beau smiled and pulled out the chair before sitting down. “the a/c’s shot? didya’ call someone to take a look at it? i would offer to take a look but i’m much more of a computer guy.” he pulled his laptop out of his computer before his attention was grabbed by the child sitting with them. “ ‘s alright. she’s pretty cute, i think i can take her. how old is she?” he asked. 

“yeah, it’s an old building,” she shook her head. “the landlord made it sound like it’d be a little while before someone could come look at it. it’s been getting cooler at night, though. i think i’d die if it was mid-summer when this happened.” she laughed softly, glancing over at maisie before offering her another handful of cereal. “ah, yeah, i put up with a lot from her just because she’s cute,” she smiled. “she’s 18 months.”