heather phillips

“That’s just because I give him candy before dinner,” Ayden confessed laughing lightly at himself. “Don’t tell Mike that,” he tidied quickly. From his cozied spot against her, Ayden brought his gaze to the window of the living room. He watched the breeze comb through the trees and suddenly longed to breathe in the same way. “Hey, this might be crazy, and you can completely shoot me down, but…” Ayden faced her, wrinkling his nose. “Do you wanna maybe go to the beach?” 

Wide eyed and open mouthed, Evan realized the stunt she’d pulled. “Impressive,” he gave over, expertly catching his wallet when she returned it. “Careful who you mess with, Phillips. Don’t make me challenge you to another round of our….. most favorite game,” he threatened, tapping his temple with a pointer finger when he referenced their infamous Scrabble tournaments. “Okay, don’t talk to me about ‘swooning.’ I’ve seen you when a certainsomeone you climbed Swiss mountains with walks into a room,” Evan gloated cheekily, before he worked to soften the blow. “We’re both hopelessly in love with two people who could clearly do much better, but they chose us for some reason.” He grinned, grateful and took another sip. “I know.” I finally believe that, he thought to himself, running a hand against his jaw. “But I really admire what it symbolized for us. My parents never had much of a marriage,” he outlined without a trace of self-pity. “But I knew I could do better than that, that I would do better than that. I just want to do right by her always. For the rest of my life,” Evan shrugged. “I dunno. You get it.” 

Sophie laughed at Heather. “Oh, good. Because I’m way too lazy to be cooking and I don’t want to set this kitchen on fire.” Sophie smiled small, scrolling on her phone as emails came pouring in. The work never stops, but she placed the phone down on the island before taking a seat. Glancing up she noticed Heather opened the gift. “Aw, thank you. Yes, actually. It’s from my boutique.” Sophie was unsure if Heather would like the gift, but her reaction confirmed she was pleased and she even got a compliment so Sophie considered it a success. “And this place I think puts everyone on edge, but hey at least we’re all here. It’s nice to see you.” Sophie offered up another small smile and then her attention was drawn to the microwave. “I can grab my food. It smells so good.” Sophie made her way over to the microwave and then grabbed a fork. Placing the pasta in a bowl she spoke up, “ Thanks again for this…” her voice trailed, “So, how’s life been?” Sophie knew it was a loaded question for someone like Heather, so she quickly changed the subject. “Also, if you like the necklace I can customize anything else you need, too.”

“I’m paying this time,” Evan insisted without his humor in tow, eyeing Heather over the curve of his beer as she programmed in their order. “Ah, Switzerland. How was that?” Partially, Evan teased her, engaging in the sort of highbrow conversations that he never usually would, but he also approached with genuine curiosity. Outside of the traumatic endeavors the immortals had taken through Helios, Evan had never really travelled. “Who would’ve thought you would ever be calling me a ‘nerd?’” he reminisced. “I’m almost complimented…. So,” Pressing himself up into a seat position, Evan thumbed at the German label in his hand, continuing without judgement. “Kids or no?” Fearing he may be pressing to much, he lifted his arms into a sort of surrender. “I mean, to each their own. You two do seem really good.” 

“I’ll set an alarm,” he chuckled, returning her gesture to seal their compromise before he stole her hand between his own, tucking it under his head. Ayden shut his eyes picking up on the rolling of her own without needing to look and feeling her exhalation under their hands. “That’s nice–” he paid his complements to the soccer ball, letting her cut him off. “You did what,” Ayden deadpanned lifting his head. “It’s not that I don’t want to help them, but I can do other things? Like fix their radiator for them or, I dunno… what else am I good at?” he posed without deprecation. “If she asks me to babysit, you know you’re coming with me.” 

Sophie was getting settled by the pool, needing some space from Heather. She knew her emotions was going to get the best of her and could sense Heathers annoyance by her. Since moving to LA, Sophie has been attending therapy sessions. Hearing Heather’s voice call out, she perked up. “Oh, really?” She accepted Heathers olive branch. “Sure, I’ll make some. Hey–you okay? I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry.” Sophie said as she grabbed her towel and headed back inside. “Talk to me. I sense your energy is at an all time high. If you need an ear I’m all yours.” Sophie acted a little concerned, but wanted to test out the waters. She was unsure how Heather would react to her gesture, but doesn’t hurt to try—or at least that’s what her therapist tells her.

“Now you’re being ridiculous,” Isabelle couldn’t help but tease Heather over the whole growling thing from Becca’s kid. Though all the kids definitely had different personalities compared to their parents, “I’ll make sure to tell Arabella that when you know…she’s out of the stubborn stage.” 

“Mm, how mature of you. You’ve really grown,” Evan delivered sarcastically, eyes narrowed over a lazy arm draped across his chest. His long legs were crossed, spanning the length of the carpet where their ravished pizza box laid depleted. “It was just one time!” he lied, pretending to wipe away a tear. “But, yes. You can reassure the court that you’ve performed your civic duty,” Evan teased, enjoying himself a little too much when he took a swig of his beer. “This stuff is good. Is it German or something? I saw you and Ayden went there a few months back.” Returning his beer to its place on the coffee table, he caught sight of his wedding band. So much time had passed and yet spotting it still made him smile. “Speaking of Mr. Time Magazine……. when are you two going to get hitched?” 

Ayden hummed contentedly feeling Heather hold him more tightly, feeling her arms across his back, feeling his worries sort of shed away like autumn leaves. “Maybe we can start taking turns?” he posed not expecting her to go along with his suggestion, though of course he didn’t mind. “Oh, yes. How could I forget? And alcohol. You’re good at finding that too. And I love you for that,” he tacked on cheekily, remembering many wine soaked and giggly nights. “’You think?’” Ayden laughed heartily. 

“Uh…you know kid’s don’t growl…like dogs, but I mean I’m sure there are a few kids who may act like that but Noah and Alice are completely harmless…can’t exactly say that for the twins, especially Arabella she’s, very bossy. You’d probably get along with her when she’s a little older.” 

“Cheers.” Evan raised his beer to clink against hers. “What?” he deflected, feigning offense. Sitting up again, Evan trapped the tip of his tongue between his teeth, his grin childish. “I have to have a reason? Didn’t you miss me, Phillips? You’ve been quite the world traveler. I haven’t seen you in months. And if I don’t have people like you around to keep me honest. I start to get a little full of myself.” 

Ayden laughed lightly, lifting blue eyes up to see her. “Sorry to be so bleak,” he sealed with a tilted smile, the soft kind, the warming kind. “We will be okay. We always are.” He laid his head back against her. “No, not yet. I’ll text him. I saw Beca though. Marissa too.” Furrowing brows, he elected to tease her, just a touch. “Shopping? For what? I’ve never seen you buy anything except cereal. And books.” 

“You really have no experience with kids do you?” Isabelle laughed, “Obviously not, because I mean…would you feel appreciated if someone told you that?”

Evan hovered his hand over the slice, retrieving it and hovering it again to tease Heather as she made her way out of the room. Once she left, he shouted behind her, “The odds of things going your way increase if you grab a beer for me too!” Surrendering, Evan laid back on his elbows, his grin proving difficult to contain. He’d missed her so much. “Should we just order another?” he considered as she returned. “Is that crazy?” 

“Is it unhelpful if I say that I do too?” His voice was dried and honest. That is what the two of them were always partial too, the truth. Even if that left them both unsettled. Ayden ran delicate fingers up and down the length of her arm. “It’s nice seeing everyone again, though. Didn’t realize how much I missed them.”