Ivy Louise Watershed

“I know what the word means, Ivy,” Spencer said, his voice already tinged with a slight hint of annoyance. Why did this woman have such a power over him? Spencer could go months without really talking to Ivy and be just fine, but the second he was here with her, he was all clenched jaws and deep breaths before answering. Some part of him loved her still, and he knew he always would. She meant so much to him, but now it seemed like all they could do was fight with each other. 

“That’s not fair and you know it,” he replied carefully, holding back the urge to lash out. “I know it’s a little different in your line of work, but I was workin’ with living people, Ivy, people with schedules that don’t understand custody and visitation. I can’t just pop ‘em in the freezer and get to ‘em whenever I have a minute. I did my best, alright?” He ran his hand through his hair, needing to do something to let go of some of the tension that was bubbling inside him. “Why are you so against it? What is it about me seein’ my daughter that’s such a problem to you, anyhow?” 

“You seriously want to talk about fair? I have been more than fucking fair, I told your daughter how much you loved her and how I knew you wanted to spend time with her, but you were just so busy with your big important job, like you were some helpless victim of circumstance and not a deadbeat who couldn’t be bothered.” Ivy was spitting vinegar, heart pounding in her head, and she could practically hear herself speaking in sarcastic italics.

Dammit she’d hoped to be calm, reasoned and rational and cold, and somehow every moment she’d spent alternatively cursing and missing the idiot man in her kitchen took over and turned her hysterical. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to take a deep breath and moderate her tone. “I do not, and never have, had a problem with you seeing your daughter. I just can’t watch you walk out of our lives when something flashier comes along again. And don’t talk about my fucking job, ever. My job lets me be there for my daughter.”

And if, maybe, she was letting her own scars open back up, well that was fine. It wasn’t like anybody was around with the high ground to call her on it.

“I would think so,” she nodded her head in agreement, though she really didn’t want to think about any place being haunted. “I guess you might,” her head tipped to the side at the thought, a slow shiver running down her spine in the moment. “I know, I think they expect me to be some creepy old man or something,” she shook her head, “I really don’t know. If the job didn’t scare them away, I’d have to worry about Deacon going all macho man on them to protect his baby sister.” Even if she was thirty plus years old. 

“One of these days I’m going to start some kind of like, ad campaign for people in weird businesses. ‘Funeral directors, we look just like you!’“ Ivy paused, scrunching up her mouth, “Actually that kind of sounds like the tagline to a horror movie. I’d watch it, but maybe not the best for humanizing us.” Rolling her eyes, she stood and tossed her soda can in the recycling bin, “Deacon isn’t half as tough as he thinks he is, being a blowhard makes him feel like he has control. Poor thing needs that, dealing with the twins.”

“Will do,” he replied, nodding in thanks before taking a sip from his own water. Spencer’s eyebrows twitched at the mention of Travis, wondering how much they talked. Being three and a half hours away sure did make everything a little more murky at times. “Yeah, I’m workin’ for the mayor now and lookin’ for a place to stay. Right now I’m at my mom and dad’s.” He paused, looking up from his hands to the woman he’d known for most of his life. “They said to tell you hi, by the way.” Spence offered a weak smile, knowing it was not exactly the kind of conversation she wanted to hear. “So, me bein’ here permanently and all, I was kind of hopin’ we could talk about the whole custody and visitation thing. I really want to do right by Evie and be around her more, you know?” 

“Permanently is a big word. Not sure you and I think it means the same thing, though.” Leaning against the kitchen counter, Ivy let herself just look at him for a moment, and then gave herself another to be annoyed that he still looked so damn good. “What do you think doing right by her is going to look like, now that you’re around permanently? She already sees your folks, she sees you as much as you’ve deigned to let her.” She shrugged, all fake nonchalance and even faker blase, “I don’t see why things have to change just cause you finally cleared up some time in your busy schedule.”

Spencer had seen plenty of Ivy in the ten years since their breakup. It started out as a routine: every other Friday night, he picked up their daughter and every other Sunday night, he dropped her off. Then the visits became less frequent and less consistent, which really only meant he got less and less used to seeing her. He almost never spent more than a few minutes alone with her while Evangeline gathered her things. So when he called her and asked to come by for a conversation, he knew it would probably be weird.

The look on her face when she opened the door hurt a hell of a lot more than he expected it to. Ten years of loving his ex-girlfriend and he still wanted her to smile when she looked at him. Anything like she used to, he’d take whatever he could even if it wasn’t a gaze filled with love. “Hey, Ives,” he said, the same old nickname rolling off his tongue like it always did. “I’ll take a water. That capri sun sure does sound temptin’, though.” 

Clenching her teeth around the urge to smile, or maybe snarl, or both really, Ivy nodded, turning to lead him back to the kitchen like Spencer didn’t know this house almost as well as she did. The silence sat heavy on the air as she rummaged through the fridge for a water bottle, and then another for herself, ignoring the siren call of the beers tucked behind the spring mix. “Here, let me know if you change your mind. Those juice boxes aren’t half bad.”

Ivy cracked the seal on her water, more for something to do with her hands than any real urge to drink it, and the gentle crackle of plastic kept her from feeling quite so much like something was about to go terribly wrong. “So. Travis said you’re back in town for the foreseeable future? I’m assuming this isn’t just a social call to see how my mama’n’them are. What’s up?”

@spencekinkaid​

If anybody asked, Ivy was fine. She hadn’t been stress cleaning for the better part of the day, hadn’t spent an hour longer than usual trying to pack Evie’s bag for her sleepover, hadn’t worked herself into three separate fits of pique over imaginary conversations, nothing. She was the picture of grace under pressure and manners even when they absolutely weren’t deserved. 

Swiping her palms down the front of her jeans (and deeply regretting changing out of the workout leggings she usually lived in off the clock), Ivy paced in circles around the kitchen island, kicking herself for having agreed to let Spencer come over in the first place. This conversation, whatever it wound up being, surely could’ve been had over the phone. Probably. She didn’t have time to dwell on it when someone rapped on the door and she forced herself to go open it, fixing a stony expression on and hoping like hell it stuck. “Spencer. Come in. Can I get you a drink? I have some tea, diet coke, or water. Or a capri sun, if you’re so inclined.”

“In my own defense, I’m not sure there’s such thing, but if there is, I will join it, and I will run it because you told me so.” Iain doodled a little bit on the design pad so he could keep his mind distracted. If he didn’t, he’d end up using all his focus on her face instead of the things she was saying. He didn’t think he had ADHD, but he had some of the tendency’s for sure. “I mean, I am too young to own my own flower shop too, but here we are, owning my own flower shop,” he teased, “I do go out sometimes, but I have a hard time with new places and stuff because my eyesight is so bad. I’m going to get contacts soon though and hopefully I will feel more confident that way.” He pushed the note pad away and nodded slightly. “I mean, that’s understandable. I wouldn’t trust kids not to fuck everything up either.

“I wouldn’t be surprised, I’m pretty sure there’s a wine mafia in France, I saw a documentary about it. And I’m positive there’s a tulip mafia in Holland, but I have no evidence for that. Just instinct.” Something buzzed in her bag, and Ivy glanced at her watch to see that no, it was just her mom asking something that could wait, so she focused back on Iain. “And all the places that are fun are dark and crowded, which I’m sure can’t help. Still, let me know if you ever want someone to go out with, and- well I’ll be happy to join you, but I can also probably find you someone less stodgy to go out with.” Snorting, she nodded, “Right? The kids are in their 50′s, in this case, but they go to my church and honestly I think the parents have the right idea of it.”

“Sure would, and we both know Deacon James ain’t one to bring his mama any shame.” Deacon was only half kidding. He’d been a good kid, and even in his teenage years things hadn’t gotten too out of control. It was almost expected that he’d end up a police officer. “Man, sometimes I see Evie and I remember when she was born like it was yesterday. Then I panic thinking about how the twins aren’t that far behind her.” He reached a hand up, raking fingers through his hair. “You want more? I always wonder how single parents feel about that, y’know? Like, when the gap gets bigger and bigger, does it make it less enticing to have more?” 

“I don’t blame you there, I’ve seen Miss Blaire’s disappointed look.” Shuddering dramatically, Ivy propped a hip against the counter, “Seriously, if you think the opinions are a lot to deal with now, I promise it only gets worse. Eve’s a great kid but she’s going to be hell on wheels when she hits high school if I’m not insanely lucky.” The lights from the tv flickered, and even from the other side of the couch Ivy could picture the two sleeping faces sacked out against her comfiest throw blanket. “It’d probably be a bad idea, I know that, but I still kind of want at least one more, y’know? It’d be nice to do the whole baby thing again, see what it’s like when there’s a dad around. But on the other hand, it wouldn’t seem fair to make a teenager deal with a baby in the house, I’d probably have hated my parents if they’d done that crap.”

Nodding, Easton agreed. “Oh definitely. A folding fairy would be a literal godsend. Though I know they’ve made those boards that are supposed to make it easier. Almost thought about buying one but I don’t even wanna do that.” Easton stepped to the side as the group of women passed them, one winking at him and he screwed up his face in confusion, trying to remember what her name was. Shaking his head when he couldn’t remember, he turned back to Ivy. “Nah, please latch on. I’ve been dealing with animals all day who don’t understand any of the baby talk I’m saying to them so definitely up for human interaction. Bean There is just around the corner, come on.”

“I’d make a joke about none of my clients understanding me either, but I feel like that would be just a little too dark for polite conversation.” Turning to follow, Ivy glanced back over her shoulder at the retreating women. “Do you know, I’ve never seen any of that group alone? There’s always at least 2, usually3, it’s like they can’t be seen apart from each other or they don’t know what to do with themselves.”

“Paddington?” Tate raised an eyebrow at Ivy and nodded, giving Evie a smile. “That sounds way cooler than what we saw. Next time you guys go, you’ll have to invite me, I haven’t had a chance to see it yet.” He reached up and tweaked Evie’s nose before standing up, offering his hand out to the little girl out of instinct more than anything. Nobody would accuse Tate Medina of being good with kids, but he had a soft spot for this one. “Do you ever get to see grown up movies these days, Watershed?” 

Evie nodded vigorously, and was clearly about to launch into a full and detailed synopsis when Tate took her hand and she apparently realized the conversation had shifted a foot or so above her head. Ivy figured they had three, maybe five minutes before the allure of the claw machine grew too great. “Careful, I might hold you to that. We don’t joke about Paddington in our family. As for grown up movies, meh. I squeeze in the occasional PG-13 but honestly there’s always a dozen other things to do than sit around and watch some slasher flick like I’m in high school again.”

Sydney nodded her head. It’s not like the woman believed in ghosts, but it’s not like she didn’t not believe in them either. If they did exist, it’s not like Ivy was wrong. “I can’t disagree with you there. They absolutely would be everywhere. Which basically discounts all horror movies right? Where just a single house is haunted?” She raised a brow with a small laugh, “People are going to be real disappointed about that,” she teased softly, “Oh absolutely,” she agreed with the brunette, “In all my years, it was definitely a first.” A cat in a casket with it’s owner that passed away. Sydney was almost convinced that she had seen it all. “Oh absolutely,” she laughed loudly, “I mean, director, that sounds all good and well right? Well then you let the whole funeral home tidbit fly and people run for the hills like I might actually bring them down to the morgue with my own two hands.”

“Right, or where there’s just one ghost? Ridiculous. If your new house is old enough to be haunted, it’s old enough to be haunted by everything.” Fiddling with her nails, Ivy paused to chase a thought, “My dad used to talk about a viewing at a barn once, but I always assumed it was just dumb dad jokes. Guess I might have to actually believe him now.” Laughing along with Sydney despite herself, Ivy shook her head, “That’s bizarre, it’s just a job! You’d think people expected us all to be decrepit or sinister looking. Or haunted, who even knows.”

“You do have a good point, and I definitely agree with you, which was why, I gave another chance to read, but with books that I was actually interested in. But it’s been like forever since the last time that a book actually made me want to read,” he admitted, he watched this tv show that was based on a saga of books, and he tried to read the saga that people said, had events that happened before that one, but he honestly didn’t even finish the first book, “Last saga I read I think was before I even became a firefighter,” he even had a hard time to read comic books, he took so long to finish them, “It’s okay, I don’t mind,” he assured her with a smile, before she asked what he feared that she would, which visibly changed his mood, “There was a fire, and I was the only one that left out of it alive.”

“Well, if you ever change your mind and want to hang out with a bunch of women to read books about murder and/or self-discovery, we meet at the library the third Tuesday of the month.” The offer, while sincere after a fashion, was also clearly tongue in cheek, and Ivy’s face turned pensive as she picked up on exactly what she had sort of expected to. People didn’t usually refer to things as a Story when they were happy. “I’m sorry. Losing people is never easy, tragedies are worse.” She wanted to press and meddle, both to satisfy the small town instinct to know everything and the comforter’s instinct to know what direction to go, but he was a stranger on a park bench, not a client, and it wasn’t her place if he didn’t want to open up further.

“You’d think that but I don’t think my last date a month ago would agree with ya. S’alright though, can’t say I blame them. He’s a looker for sure,” Easton grinend, reaching a hand down to scratch behind Bruno’s ears. “Ah the ever dreaded laundry. I don’t mind doing it but the putting it away part just isn’t my jam. You should go out and have a drink or something since you’ve got the night off. Or if you’re down, I was thinking of heading over to grab some coffee then head to the park if you wanted to come.”

“I’m not saying I’d sell my soul for a folding fairy to come live in my house, but I’d have to think realllly hard if the opportunity presented itself, y’know?” A small gaggle of moms in the neighborhood passed, and Ivy raised a hand in that timeless half-wave of friendly acknowledgement. “Coffee sounds really nice, actually! On the one hand I kind of feel bad latching onto your evening, but on the other hand an adult conversation about something that isn’t elementary schoolers or work isn’t something I’m willing to pass up.”

“Hell no,” Deacon said, voice raising in tone just a little. “I was a good kid, I followed the rules. I’m an officer of the law, Ivy Watershed. I won’t have you accusin’ me of misbehavin’.” The man looked up at the thumping sound, a smile on his face. He knew that rambunctious life quite well having two six year olds himself. “Pack ‘em up, you know I’ll eat ‘em. Might get ‘em home, might just pig out in the truck if they taste half as good as they look. Deacon smiled at the description of their night, knowing his kids were having a blast any time they were with Ivy. “Sounds good to me. I’m always happy to have a couple of sleepy kids.”

“Sure you won’t, that would be shameful.” Ivy finished tidying the kitchen, digging a grocery bag from under the sink to pack the leftovers in and scanned the room for anything the twins might have forgotten. They shed random junk like cats at that age, and probably most other ages, and she wouldn’t be surprised to find a ninja turtle in the couch cushions later even having checked. “Honestly you’re doing me a favor when they stay over, reminds me of Evie when she was that age. And on the other hand it reminds me why I shouldn’t actually want any more, nostalgia be damned.”

“I,” Iain paused to think about what she had said before nodding, “It really does sound like the flower mafia, you’re right. I’m not cool enough for that sort of thing though.” While he got to work, Iain listened to all of Ivy’s questions with a smile. “Not much is new, just…living and learning I guess. I don’t get out much but it’s because I’m chosing not to get out much, uh, nothing too incredible order wise, I love them all. What about you? Any…fun feels like the wrong word, but fun work stuff?”

“Nah, I believe in you, if you wanted to join the flower mafia you’d be running it in a month.” There was something fascinating about watching an arrangement come together, as much time as she spent around them she probably should’ve gotten bored, but it was still fun watching it all take shape. “I want to be all condescending and tell you you’re too young to be a homebody, but then I would want to roll my eyes at myself for you, so I’ll just say I’m glad you’re doing what works best for you. As for my work, I haven’t figured out a better word for it either, honestly. We had a cat get brought in, surprisingly my first live animal at a service, so that was interesting. And tomorrow I have an appointment with a couple who are trying to plan everything ahead of time so, and I quote, ‘those fool kids don’t drive themselves nuts and do it all wrong’.”

It was an interaction like this that had Easton grateful that Bruno was such a friendly dog. His pup was perceptive to the people around him and knew if and when someone was okay with him being more friendly than the norm. Watching as Bruno leaned his head in for more pets, Easton chuckled at the sight of his ham of a dog. “You would think having such an adorable dog would help with the ladies but they just always seem to like him more than me.” Shrugging with a slight roll of his eyes, the smile on his face giving away his faux annoyance. “Nah, you’re not the first and won’t be the last. We’re just trying to enjoy the weather before it gets hot again. What about you? Headed anywhere or heading out?”

Cocking an eyebrow in exaggerated skepticism, Ivy hoisted herself back to her feet, much to Bruno’s dismay, “Hmm, yeah, not sure I believe he steals all the attention, actually. Pretty sure you get plenty. But that’s neither here nor there. Not heading anywhere really, Evie’s with her grandparents, and I have a very exciting evening of laundry to look forward to, so thank you for being an accomplice to dawdling.”