#dane pearson

Courtney: Afternoon ladies! Bridesmaids, meet me outside in 5!

*overlapping compliments*

Nicole: Come, baby. Let’s get your veil on. There we go… *proud sigh* Absolute perfection. You ready?

Walker: If I say no, will you drive the getaway car? *both laugh*

Nicole: No matter what happens, I will always be your number one accomplice.

Walker: I know... and thank you for that. Thank you for everything. *conspiratorial wink* Let’s do this. Daddy?

Dane: *softly* And here I thought, I was ready…

Walker: Aww, Daddy…

Dane: You look beautiful; as perfect as the day we brought you home from the hospital.

Walker: Please don’t make me cry—

Dane: I won’t. I promise. Just know that your mother and I will always be your greatest cheerleaders. Now, let’s do this.

Dane: Hi, baby girl.

Walker: Hi daddy.

Obie: Welcome back! Let’s get out of the rain.

Nicole: Thanks, luv. Yes, let’s!

Obie: How was the flight?

Dane: The flight itself wasn’t bad. Leading up to the flight, though…

Nicole: That delay was brutal! We would have left much later had we known.

Walker: Well, at least you got here with some time to spare.

Nicole: Yeah, but I’m sorry to have missed our lunch reservation. We really wanted to spend time with you two before the festivities kicked into high gear!

Walker: No worries, mom. We still have the post wedding brunch.

Nicole: I know, but it’s not the same Wally.

Obie: Maybe we can grab drinks tonight, after the rehearsal dinner?

Dane: No, no, no, no, no. You two absolutely need your rest tonight. Trust us. Tomorrow is gonna be exhausting!

Nicole: Your father’s right. Tomorrow will be a long day, and we ladies will have to be in the bridal suite by 9:30.

Walker: Fine…

Me and Obie picking up my mom and dad officially began in the final countdown. At least in my head.

Walker: I still can’t believe you’re here! *Dane and Nicole chuckle* I can’t believe you didn’t say something!

Nicole: And ruin the surprise? Really?

W: Well at least tell me how long you were all in cahoots? Obie won’t tell me a thing!

Dane: Well, I’ll defer to your fiancé’s judgement on that. But suffice it to say, we had ample notice.

W: *shakes head, everyone laughs* Ample notice, huh?

Obie: We have a large “village.” Arrangements had to be made in advance.  

N: Devon offered to put us up, bless her. But since we were traveling with the Adebolas; it didn’t make sense.

D: It would have been nice though… Finally met that fiancé of hers. Really decent guy.

N: We’d expect nothing less for her.

D: *wistfully* Would’ve loved to see their place, though.

O: All the more reason for you to visit again soon! It really is an impressive piece of property.

N: I can imagine.

W: The entire area really; It’s gorgeous up there! I mean, really nice. You’d love it!

D: We have no doubt… actually it’s a great segue into the real reason for this morning’s visit and this lovely meal…

W: *bemused* Dev’s house?

D: *smirk* No. Yours…

O: *uneasy* What of it?

N: It’s cute and very Walker… very both of you, I’m sure but—

D: But it’s also very small. Not at all large enough to start the family I know you both want.

W: *amused* Daddy…  we haven’t even been engaged a full 24 hours yet.

O: We do plan to move eventually. But for right now we’re quite happy with our place.

N: Of course, you are! It’s perfect for a young couple, but not as much for a young growing family.

D: We’re not suggesting you move right now. But when the time is right, as our gift to you we would like to help you purchase your first home.

W: *shocked* Are you serious??

O: *taken aback* Oh… um—

How Obie managed to pull this off without even the tiniest slip-up had me absolutely floored!

I mean, I knew he had planned to propose soon, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine anything close to that.

And the hits just kept coming…

Imagine my shock to find the relaxed party I had just left had completely flipped! The music, the guest, everything!

Everyone was there! I felt as though my heart was going to explode! I wasn’t entirely sure that I hadn’t dreamed it all. I was thrilled, and overwhelmed all in equal measure…

Dane: Congrats Baby Girl!

Walker: What are you doing here?!

Nicole: We wouldn’t have missed this for the world!

Obie: Thank you for being here for me.

Clem: You kidding?! There’s nowhere else we’d rather be.

Anitha: Obie-Wan… Mommy and Daddy would have loved her as much as we do. You did good…

Donno: You did it, man! Look at you!

Carmen: I’m so happy for you two! How do you feel?

Obie: Carm, I don’t even have words for this—

Donno: I bet!

Walker: Watcher! I can’t believe you’re here!

Jesminder: You think we’d miss this?!

Emmy: Obie sent out the bat signal and the whole East coast came running!

Walker: Everyone knew??

Devon: Not everyone. But definitely those of us who needed to book flights. *everyone laughs*

D: I see. And may I ask; why the hell not?

O: I meant no disrespect, sir. Truly. It’s a very generous gift. Very generous. It’s just… *deep breath* I’m a little uncomfortable with—

D: With??

W: *anxiously* Daddy… He doesn’t mean any—

O: *takes Walker’s hand and a steadying breath* Some time ago, I told Mrs. Pearson—

N: — Nicole, Obie. Nicole.

O: *shy smile* Apologies, Nicole. Last Winterfest, I told Nicole that I’d been saving up for years, just for this moment. I’ve always dreamt of providing a loving and safe home for my family; much like the one I had before losing my parents. I’ve worked hard for this. And while I am extremely appreciative of your— your amazing gift, I wouldn’t feel right accepting it.

O: I’m not a traditional guy. I’m sure that’s obvious by now. But in this instance, I want to be the one to provide for your daughter, sir. I know it sounds silly, but—

N: No. It doesn’t…That’s very sweet Obie. We have no doubt that you are capable of standing on your own. We just feel that you shouldn’t have to.

D: My wife is correct. I respect where you’re coming from, son. I do. But you don’t have to prove yourself—

 O: I’m not trying to. It’s just, it’s something that I want to do for my wife.

D: *nods to self & smirks* Walker? What say you, to all of this?

W: Um… I thank you for the offer daddy, but we’re ok. *Dane nods* Though, I wouldn’t say no to a car. *everyone laughs* I mean if we’re handing out cash…

N: How about help with the wedding instead? That’s traditionally the responsibility of the bride’s family, no? Would you both be ok with that?

W: *looks at Obie, who nods* We’d be amenable to that…

D: *chuckles* Amenable, huh?

N: Obie, luv, we’re sorry. We honestly meant no harm. We helped to pay toward Julian and Uchechi’s first home and didn’t even think how it might come across to you.

D: Nikki’s right. We’ve a bit of a blind spot when it comes to taking care of our family… which now includes you. It wasn’t a slight; though I understand if it read that way. When I proposed to Nikki, her dad—

N: *groans* Watcher, Dane! Let it go. It’s been nearly 40 years. No one needs to hear that story.

Walker: Home-sweet-home…

Obie: Not sure what I expected after The Falls, but pretty sure it wasn’t this. *laughing*

W: HELLO! ANYBODY HERE?

Dane: *surprised confusion* WALKER??

W: YEAH, DADDY! IT’S ME!

D: COMING!

O: Hey boy! Yeah, we missed you too…

D: What are you two doing here?! *big hug* I was waiting for your call!

W: *laughing* I know, but I figured we’d spare you the trip into the cold.

D: Two years in a row? I’m starting to think you don’t trust my driving anymore. *everyone laughs* How was the flight?

O: Nice and smooth, just how we like it. *Dane smiles and nods* I was just telling Walker how beautiful your home is. This neighborhood is truly something!

 D: *cocks head in surprise, catching on* Thank you. We’ve been here for what; nearly 40 years now—

O: Really??

D: Moved in just before Julian was born.

W: Where’s mama?

D: Hair appointment. She should be back any minute. Jules’ clan will be here in the morning; the Adebola’s and Nobles will be in tomorrow afternoon.

W: Oh, ok.

D: Do you need help getting—

O: No sir, we should be fine.

W: Yeah, we’ve got it, daddy. I’m gonna show Obie around a bit.

D: That’s fine. You want coffee or should I order lunch?

O: Nah, I think we’re okay for now.

O: Esquiva?

W: Yes, esquiva. It’s an evasive maneuver. Like a, a dodge. It’s… defensive, clearly.

O: Clearly… *silence*

W: Go ahead. Say it.

O: Say what?

W: Whatever’s going through your mind right now.

O: Who says there’s—

W: Obie.

O: *opens mouth, then shuts it*

This is… impressive. Intense…

W: *chuckles nervously* It probably looks extra, but—

O: No. It’s beautiful... I’m just kinda wondering why I’m only learning about this now? It’s starting to feel like running theme.

W: *defensive* I told you months ago that I knew how to defend myself. That my dad—

O: Yeah, in passing. But you made it sound like self-defense classes or kick boxing. This is different, Walker. This is familial… cultural. It’s clearly a big part of your upbringing. We’re together nearly a year; I’m just now learning about it?

W: It just feels bigger than it is. I didn’t think there was anything to mention. I- I barely even think of it. It’s just something I did while growing up and when visiting home. It’s my dad’s passion. Yeah, I occasionally went to rodas in San My, but it hasn’t been a part of my routine in ages.

O: That’s still a big part of your life. I mean, clearly, you love it. I don’t see why you never said—

W: Yeah, I love it. But I haven’t practiced really, since a little before we met. I just legitimately never had a reason to discuss it. I wasn’t trying to hide it from you, Obie. Please, don’t make this a thing.

O: I’m not making it a— *deep breath* Why did you stop?

W: *following Obie’s eyes, internally anxious* Just… I just didn’t have time anymore. I’d met you, and I started freelancing with The Collective. I was looking for a new place… then, there was moving—

O: You said before we met.

W: *confused* What?

O: You just said you stopped a little before we met. Which was before you started freelancing. Before you started looking for a new place. Before—

W: What exactly are you asking me?

O: I asked it already. It’s a simple question, Walker. Why did you stop?

W: Here’s a simple question: why not just ask me what you actually wanna know?

O: *strained* I just did.

W: No. No, we both know you haven’t. If you want to know so badly, just ask me.

O: *coldly* I have. Several times this trip, in fact. But you’ve yet to answer once.