#sebmoran

Andreas is late for dinner, but the flat is empty when he enters with apologies on his lips. In theory, Sarah is at her singing gig at the Catholic pub halfway across town. But it was over half an hour ago, and she was supposed to be back by now. 

The streets of Belfast may be far from safe, but it is still too early to worry. So Andreas allows himself a rare moment of giving in to exhaustion. He drops his bag his the desk, shedding his jacket and tie, and sits with his face in his hands for a few seconds. There is hope, however far-fetched, that he will eventually succeed in convincing the law makers and enforces of Northern Ireland and the UK to agree to a peace treaty. But after a day like today, Andreas wishes that he could find it in himself to send them all to hell.

With Annabelle's job and Sebastian's hours, this is the first time that Kathy has seen both of her parents together at a dinner table since her wedding. It's nice -- reminds her of her childhood in that vaguely nostalgic way that doesn't really hurt anymore. She'd tried to pitch this as a regular dinner, nothing special, just a chance to catch up. But she can't deny that she's a little nervous in spite of the fact that she has no reason to be. This is her family, and they'll love her child just as much as she already adores it.

It took her a few days to wrap her head around the situation and decide that things don't have to be as black and white as she'd feared. There are other options, other ways to balance motherhood with duty to her country, and she'll be damned if she gives up either her job or her baby. If she could hold it together for the election, she'll manage this, too. And she wants to hear a child call Pyotr 'daddy.'

On the edge.

Kathy hadn't expected Chris to be so gracious about this -- hadn't even spoken to him about this at all -- but there is very little fuss made about a week-long visit to his mother in Edinburgh, and an invitation for a several night's long sleepover at his and Sebastian's flat while he's gone. Whether this is per her father's request or of Chris' own good will, she doesn't know. But it's impossible to miss the fact that the trip coincides very nicely with her birthday.