"Catheine I don't rememeber my own parents, I don't think I will be remembering anyone else anytime soon." It felt as if he was telling her off, her eyes dropped away from the couple. She just wanted to be helpful, she was showing him she was interested in his world, it felt a little like he'd just snubbed her. Her own expression turned a little sulky .... she'd only asked him a question, he didn't need to treat her like she was a five year old he'd taken out for a day trip. Maybe she should have stayed at home, she'd only wanted to come here to help him. "Besides, I'm not sure I got to socialize often with others outside my family, farming is hard work and takes a lot of time, plus I was 13 when I left."
His words stung a little, she was only trying to be nice, he didn't need to start patronising her like this.
'I know I'm not stupid.' She sounded a little irritated. It wasn't fair ... he always seemed to treat her like a child, she was only a little younger than him. She picked up her bottle of juice again. She hadn't actually thought about the fact that he'd probably have been working upon the farm and it was true that he wouldn't have had much time free to hang around with others of his age. But she didn't want him to think she was an idot or something.
'I just thought since your clever you must have gone to school around here somewhere.' She pouted a little, her eyes looking up the platform away from the direction he was standing in.
"So what now.. we ask everyone for directions to the Finn farm?" How was she supposed to know? She'd never been here before, she shot the couple that past them to board the train a black look. She was determined not to like it here, despite what Riley may say or do she already wanted to go home. "Can we walk for a bit? I just want to have a look around.."
'K' It was bluntly obvious she wasn't in the mood to talk anymore, she just wanted to get to his parents house so she could lock herself away in her room for the next.. well however long they were here for. She hoped they'd only stay a week or so, maybe she could ask Angie to pick her up soon. She glanced around her before stubbornly staring at the ground, it seemed that there was a long silence broken when she reached down and grabbed hold of her holdall that was lying to her side of Riley. She knew how he felt about carrying bags for girls and add to that the fact she was pregnant, she was really hoping that she'd annoy him by doing so. Holding the bag away from him so he couldn't take it back again. It seemed whatever kind of truce they'd had back on the other platform was gone, her eyes looking at him rather coldly.
Cat: Can there be any hope for us after all thats happened?
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States
The cold attitude that came from her all of sudden really hurt, he was really scared and nervous and she didn't have to make it so much harder. He hadn't intended on sounding so snappish, and he wasn't upset at her.. maybe a tiny bit.. she was carry his child and she was on the verge of wanting to break up with him. There was a glare thrown at her when she snatched up her bag, the way she was holding it out of his reach made him realize she was purposefully being difficult.
The only thing he could think of right now was ‘Oh, very mature' but if he said it out loud he knew he'd only upset her more. But then again, if he verbally abuses her maybe then she'd make love to him like she did to Marc; he pulled his eyes away from her, angrier with himself for having thought something so cruel. She was doing this just so he wouldn't try and be with her any more, that had to be it, she was doing all this just to push him away, because he didn't want to believe she could be hurting him just for the glory of causing him pain.
"..Sometimes I think you like hurting me." His voice was quiet and a little shaky, his eyes looking at her face and then dropping to the bag in her hand. There had been a time, back in Lost Angels, that Catherine once said she liked hurting people, it made her feel better. He had said he didn't believe it did, but sometimes he had to wonder if it really did lighten her mood to know others where suffering because of her. The train outside moved off and Riley's eyes moved away from her, a sigh easily heard and a vague shake of his head.
"Are you mad with me because I came back?" He turned about, his body standing before hers and his eyes staring down at her both upset and also confused over what had happened to their relationship. "Because you have a fling with Marc doesn't mean I should get the cold shoulder now, we passed this stage of our relationship, in fact, Lost Angels was more then I could handle." His voice was struggling to remain low so the others that where waiting inside for the next train wouldn't hear him, but a few would cast glances at them which Riley bluntly ignored.
"Just because I love you it doesn't mean I have to tolerate being your punching bag every single time something you don't like is said or done." There was a very tentative tone in his voice, he felt more able to stand his ground and blurt out how hurtful some of the things she says or does can be to him, what was the point of remaining silent if she was just going to run away from him anyway.
"It really hurt when you said I make you angry, you make me feel as if I'm terrible because of that, but you make me angry as well, it's normal, I just don't hold it against you, because the joy you make me feel outweighs the pain greatly." There was an elderly couple sitting in the waiting area with some others, the old woman's tapping of her knitting needles had stopped, causing Riley to continue in a stressed whisper figuring she was attempting to better hear them since her eyes where facing their direction. "And you scare me to, you think just because I'm stronger then you that shelters me from fear? I'm petrified of you Catherine, because I've felt what it's like to wake up beside you and I've felt what it's like to wake up alone.." Annoyed, he cast the older woman a quick glare and she went back to knitting slowly, Riley shifted his weight from one foot to the other before looking back at Catherine "..I know how easy it is for you to just disappear on me if I do a single thing wrong, you won't tell me, you'll just run off and leave me alone again." In all honestly he didn't even know what he was upset about any more, there was just so much pain all muddled up and shoved aside that it was so hard to shift through it properly without getting confused.
Lifting his hand quickly to his face as he finished talking, his fingers covering his eyes as he closed them, she was going to scream at him, or run off, he always messed up, if he just shut up then it would be better. He wanted to go the male bathroom and hide for a moment so he was able to regain his composure, but if he left her then she'd run off and he wouldn't know where she was heading, into Huxley or onto another train and where would it take her? Would she go back to Washington since she knew he knew where her friends lived?
"I didn't mean to snap, I'm just scared, I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me." He already withdrew back into his shelter of saying his sorry and hoping everything will be pushed aside and forgotten and they could just pretend they hadn't started anything, he didn't mean to get upset. He was just a little sensitive right now with everything happening so fast, coming together perfectly and yet at the same time seeming to completely fall apart. He was getting some of his family back and risking losing another part of his family at the same time, he wasn't ready for any of this.
No matter how long it takes, one day we'll be together and that day will last forever.
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States"..Sometimes I think you like hurting me." Of course she didn't but then when she was hurting herself she often tended to lash out at those closest to her. Her eyes turned to stare him for a moment, hadn't he said he wanted them to try and sort things out? And now it seemed like he was accusing her of trying to hurt him on purpose. It wasn't as if she woke up that morning and decided to be as horrible to him as possible. His voice seemed to shake slightly as he talked though, his eyes looking away from hers, she moved her own head away, watching the train as it pulled off.
"Are you mad with me because I came back?" Cat wasn't a hundred percent where this was all going but she didn't like the direction it had just turned in. Did he think she'd rather Marc was here? The man who'd blackmailed her into sleeping with him? who'd handcuffed her? Who put her down at every opportunity that came his way? She looked back up at him as he continued to speak. "Because you have a fling with Marc doesn't mean I should get the cold shoulder now, we passed this stage of our relationship, in fact, Lost Angels was more then I could handle." She seemed to recoil away from him a little, oblivious to the looks they were getting from other peope who were waiting to catch trains or meet loved ones who were returning home again. There was a hurt expression that passed over her face ... a fling? how dare he!!. She looked almost on the verge of tears, but she wasn't going to cry in front of him again. She'd never really sworn at him before but she was so upset that he'd just said that to her that she felt like yelling every insult under the sun at him. It felt as if he'd just hit her. Was that what he thought had happened between the two of them .... was that what he'd call it?
"Just because I love you it doesn't mean I have to tolerate being your punching bag every single time something you don't like is said or done." Her hands balled into fists at her sides, it sometimes felt like the whole world was against her and now even Riley was quarrling with her. Maybe it would have been better if she'd have stayed at home, she should never have even returned with him from Washington, he should have made him go back to the school alone.
"It really hurt when you said I make you angry, you make me feel as if I'm terrible because of that, but you make me angry as well, it's normal, I just don't hold it against you, because the joy you make me feel outweighs the pain greatly." She wasn't listening to him anymore, there seemed to be a strange rushing sound in her ears. Everything was going wrong, she tired to put things right but they just seemed to fall apart in her hands. It was partly because she was too proud to look and herself and admit that she might be wrong about something.
"..I know how easy it is for you to just disappear on me if I do a single thing wrong, you won't tell me, you'll just run off and leave me alone again." Her eyes snapped back over to his, he didn't even trust her not to just go off again? If he'd just told her all this in the first place. It just felt as if he was pouring salt on an open wound.
"I didn't mean to snap, I'm just scared, I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me." She refused to look at him, her whole body lanuage screaming how crushed she was with what he'd just said to her ... so that was what he thought of her, she knew if she looked at him she'd start crying so instead she looked down at the floor, concentrating very hard upon the concrete. It wasn't fair for him to say all those things, he obviously thought she'd thrown herself at Marc ... he didn't care about the truth, he hadn't asked her what had happened and he didn't seem at all supportive over the fact she'd just been raped a week before. All he cared about was the fact that he wanted to get back together with her again when all she wanted to do was to keep herself from falling apart. She had to swallow hard, her expression blank, she hesitated for a few moments before she turned around and headed off towards the exit of the station. She didn't want to be here, she just wanted to go home.
As she exited the station she collided with someone who was passing the exit, strong hands grabbed hold of the top of her arms steadying her.
'Watch it.' A male voice called out, more in warning than annoyance, afterall it wasn't everyday a pretty young woman decides to tunnel straight through you. She refused to tip her head to look up at him. He looked older than Riley, with dark hair, almost black though his eyes were a light blue colour and seemed to sparkle in his face.
Cat: Can there be any hope for us after all thats happened?
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States
Slowly Riley's hands grabbed up at his holdall, pulling it up into his arms as Catherine stormed off, he felt awful, but he also felt if he tried to do or say anything further she'd snap at him and he'd only make things worse. The collision of her into the other man caused a quiet glare from Riley, how dare he run into Catherine, especially since she was with child. But Cat had hurried out there, it wasn't his fault, Riley tore his eyes away, dropping them to the ground. Trailing after her, not at all liking how that guy was being allowed to touch her, he was her 'boyfriend' and even he wasn't permitted to be that close to her right now.
"I didn't mean it Catherine!" His voice called out more pleadingly and desperate for her not to be angry with him, he never meant to hurt her with what he was saying either. Couldn't she hear something from him without reacting so strongly to it, couldn't she not always make it seem as if he was always attacking her, he didn't mean for it to hurt her like that.
"Please.." He rounded about in front of her again, but a completely apologetic expression removed all signs of frustrated confusion from his face "Don't be upset, I know you wouldn't just leave, you promised you'd stay and I trust you, and I know you don't like getting me upset but.." His eyes darted down to the bag she was holding "Tell me it didn't occure to you that I might feel awful watching you lugging that thing around." He wasn't going to say 'especially in your condition' since he was pretty sure that might make her even more upset.
"I'm not angry at you, I swear I didn't mean for what I had said to be hurtful," His tone seemed to dive back down into his desperate plea as his eyes lifted back up to her face "There's just so many things I need to know, that we both have to talk about, and Angela's saying I should talk with you, Dawn's saying I shouldn't, Connor's saying I need to wait for you to approach me and ask to talk," His hands played about with his holdall "But what would I say, I wasn't there when you needed me to protect you, when you really needed me I wasn't there." There was that awful nausias feeling again, it had caused it bag to fall to his feet as his hands quickly covered his mouth, taking a step away from her and leaning forward a little. He felt so awful, he let her down and she was counting on him to protect her from people trying to hurt her, but he couldn't, he was worthless, he didn't deserve her, maybe he shouldn't try and force her to stay in this relationship.. But his mind wondered off as he focused on how terrible he felt, his chest felt heavy and his throat was terrible and he felt as if he was about to throw up, he's never done that before so he's never had that feeling so strongly before.
"Catherine," He paused taking a little breath as his hands remained hovering in front of his lips "Can we find a store?" Dropping his voice even more, his eyes where glued down to the ground as he continued "I don't think that flight did me any good." He has only been in the air twice, and he was always warned about people who got air sick, he didn't know you're not meant to suddenly get sick almost an hour after you land.
No matter how long it takes, one day we'll be together and that day will last forever.
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States
Her body pulled away from the others man's grip rather sharply, after what had happened to her she wasn't sure she ever wanted to be touched by a man again. Her eyes flicked up to his face, her body inching away from his slightly, his eyes looked somewhat like Jon's, getting a flood of memories she'd rather forget she turned her head away. Listening to the sound of his feet as he walked away, her eyes trained back down on the floor again. She seemed to have become quite submissive these days, instead of being her usual fiery self she was more inclined to back away from an argument than yell herself horse as she used to do.
Apart from the first time it had never hurt her when she was making love to Riley, even Marc hadn't really hurt her, it hadn't been particularly comfortable. But Jon seemed to hurt her with his body intentionally, as if he felt she deserved whatever pain he could give to her. She'd tried to fight back but he was so much bigger and stronger than her, like most rape victims though she felt as if there should have been more she was able to do to stop it.
"I didn't mean it Catherine!" Riley was calling out to her, she didn't get it, if he didn't mean it then why did he say those things to her in the first place. "Please.." He moved so he was standing in front of her, blocking her way if she wanted to walk forwards, her eyes darted over to his face quickly and then dropped down to the ground again. "Don't be upset, I know you wouldn't just leave, you promised you'd stay and I trust you, and I know you don't like getting me upset but.." She concentrated on a spot on the floor, she didn't like all these arguments, why couldn't things have gone back to the way they were before everything had happened. Her free hand rubbed against the arm which was holding her bag.
"Tell me it didn't occure to you that I might feel awful watching you lugging that thing around." She refused to look up at him, her eyes trained on the ground, it was quite obvious from her body language that it had occured to her. "I'm not angry at you, I swear I didn't mean for what I had said to be hurtful," Her eyes lifted to his face, well it had certainly hurt. He just didn't seem to be supporting her much ... all he cared about was the child inside her, that wasn't true but she was both upset and angry and at the moment she didn't really care.
"There's just so many things I need to know, that we both have to talk about, and Angela's saying I should talk with you, Dawn's saying I shouldn't, Connor's saying I need to wait for you to approach me and ask to talk," His expression seemed to catch her gaze and hold it upon him, as much as she wanted to pull away she found that her eyes didn't seem to leave his face. Her shoulders huntched over miserably as he talk to her, maybe she didn't actually want to talk about it, maybe she wanted him to just hold her.
She watched as he dropped the bag onto the floor, his hand lifting suddenly to his mouth, his face seemed to have gone awfully white. He leaned forwards a little, his expression ashen .... what was wrong with him? The anger she felt seemed to drain away, she loved the man who was standing in front of her and now she didn't look well and that was more important than whatever argument they might be having at the time.
"Can we find a store?" His eyes wern't looking at hers anymore, they were focused down on the ground. "I don't think that flight did me any good." Her body inched a little closer to him one of her hands reached out and touching his elbow rather tenderly. It was the first time she'd done anything to initiate any contact with him.
'Of course ..... you alright Riley?' She didn't often speak his name, but she was worried, she'd never seen him act like this before. And no matter what had happened she still cared for him.
Cat: Can there be any hope for us after all thats happened?
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States
The simple fact she seemed drawn towards him now, he tried to will himself to feel better just so he could relish the closeness of her body. He didn't understand what everyone expected him to talk with her about, sure he knew what had happened but he wouldn't be able to comfort her with any words, he wasn't good at that sort of thing. All he wanted to do was hold her and tell her how sorry he was, just hold her so she knows he's there, but it felt as if he wasn't even permitted to be near her any more.
'Of course ..... you alright Riley?' He couldn't stand up straight just yet, it made him way too dizzy to move and it threatened to push his nausia into an even worse condition if he moved too quickly. Although his eyes lifted to meet hers, his hand twisting so now the back of his fingers rested lightly against his lips, his palm facing out towards her for a moment before he stared back down at the ground, his mind focusing on only her touch for a moment while he breathed.
"It's probably just because I'm so nervous, the travel and maybe our stress might have made it worse, I'll be fine." The way he looked didn't seem to agree with him but he didn't act as if it was a too big a deal, after all, Catherine deserved someone worrying over her, not to be the one worrying over others. Slowly his posture straightened and he let out a deep breath as he focused his gaze still on the ground for a moment longer before lifting it up to her face.
"I haven't eaten either, I'm sure that's not helping, we should grab some lunch, is there something you feel like? We can look for it while we search for the shops." It was just a thought, but it might also help if they sit down and relax for a moment as well, there was so much stress between them and it in truth had little to do with each other, it was all outside forces that seemed to be working against them. The fact she was thinking of whether they should still stay together or not definitly wasn't helping him, he wasn't ready to lose her again and she was telling him there was a chance she wouldn't stay with him, it was terrifying to think he doesn't have much time left to share with her.
Although he still didn't look too well, his hands slowly picked up his holdall, his arms where sore, he wouldn't mind sitting down and resting for a bit, it was odd though, he didn't remember them being sore before, but then again, he hasn't been naturally sick for over ten years. The sudden emotional shift from being overly depressed to really happy to stressed and panicked again was an awful trigger on his health. But with his heart implant pumping in its drug throughout his body it was struggling to keep everything fit and healthy and forcing his body to continue running properly, but his body had been under so much stress over the past few months that it wasn't dealing too well with any further emotional stress being thrown at it. He was lucky in the fact it was fighting his health problems, trying hard to cure him, though the drug wasn't designed to cure the problem he was suffering from, that added dose of his 'Meds' where designed to cure any and all health issues that his heart implant couldn't cure. The fact the Meds numb their emotions also help prevent any emotional illnesses caused by stress and such, but Riley didn't have that and his body wasn't even used to dealing with such potent emotions, he wasn't used to dealing with them, everything felt so much worse then it would with others who where used to having full strength of their emotions.
No matter how long it takes, one day we'll be together and that day will last forever.
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States"It's probably just because I'm so nervous, the travel and maybe our stress might have made it worse, I'll be fine." Her first thought was that this was partly her fault, if she'd just tired to make things better between the two of them then maybe he wouldn't be feeling ill right now. But instead she'd thought of only herself and now Riley wasn't feeling well. He looked as if he was about to either be sick or faint or perhaps both. She watched him take a deep breath before he straightened up and looked over at her. Her hand seemed to linger upon his arm for a few seconds longer than necessary before it fell away.
"I haven't eaten either, I'm sure that's not helping, we should grab some lunch, is there something you feel like? We can look for it while we search for the shops." Now he mentioned it she was feeling rather hungry, her eyes moving off up the street looking for somewhere they could eat.
'Ummm how about sandwiches.' She offered, there had to be somewhere that sold them even in a smallish town like this. She was feeling a little better, now there were buildings around her she didn't feel as exposed and vunerable as she had done before. Her eyes finnished roaving around taking in everything they could and returned to Riley as she saw him move out of the corner of her eye. He'd picked up his bag again, she kept hold of hers, he didn't look like he could manage both of them right at the moment. For a second it was almost as if neither of them wanted to take control and lead the other.
Very gently and rather nervously she reached out for his hand, her eyes looking down at the floor, taking hold of it and tugging him gently in the direction she wanted to go in. It was rather hard for her to walk like this though since she usually held onto her bag with both hands, because she was only using one it meant the bag kept bashing against the side of her legs
Cat: Can there be any hope for us after all thats happened?
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States
There was a feeling of loneliness when she withdrew her hand away from him, but he had been comforted enough not to feel too bad. When her hand reached for his he glanced down at their hands wondering what was wrong, the first through thinking he must be in the way of someone or she wanted him to hurry.. or something. When he realized she was just trying to hold his hand he felt so delighted that a little smile crept through his lips.
It was different walking around holding her hand, it felt as if they where shutting everyone else out, they where telling everyone else that they where a pairing, they where a couple, they where together and no one else was part of that relationship but themselves. Warning others that no one else was permitted to intrude on their relationship, they where taken and both belonged to each other. Riley decided he was going to try really hard to just be like he was before all the trouble arose, maybe that's all she needed right now.. Maybe if he tried really hard he'd eventually be allowed to hold her in his arms again.
The grip of his hand about hers had this tender, affectionate firmness about it after the initiative shyness faded shortly after she took hold of his hand. The streets and shop windows all seems to be decorated with a festive them of Christmas, the street lights all had tinsel covered decorations shaped in candles, cute little reindeer outlines and mistle toe on them, all. The Windows had normally 'Merry Christmas' painted across them with a face or body of Santa alone or with his reindeers. Often with a star or snow flakes scattered about, some stores just had white window spray put on them to make it look as if it's snowed. Most people where dressed in lighter shades of colors, compared to Riley, even if it was just them in blue jeans, it made him feel a little left out and as if everyone could how depressed he was just by looking at the dark colors he wore.
They where walking down one of the streets that seemed to lead further into the town center, but Riley's steps seemed to halt as they passed one of the streets that turned off to the right. His body was turned a little away from Catherine, obviously the only reason he stopped was because if he didn't he would have dragged Catherine in a different direction she was intending on going. There was a soft music coming from a cafe-bar half way down the street, there was a group of three couples outside, they where all talking amongst themselves. Inside, easily seen when you walk by, the center of the area was cleared for people to dance, around the walls where tables for people to sit or rest at and there was a bar right at the far end, some people sitting at the stools and drinking, either chatting with someone or watching the dancers on the floor.
Riley looked back down towards where they had come from before looking back down the street, then ahead where Catherine had been intending on going. Right across the street to the Cafe-bar where the couples their age where all chatting was a store, there where steps that lead up to a porch. The railings about the porch gave the store a rather homey look to it, years ago the store was actually a home, but as the town built up the home served better use as a store in order to keep it, otherwise it would have been destroyed long ago, something the owners refused to allow to happen. The wooden walls of the structure made it more pleasing to the eye compared to the white painted store further down the street that doubled as a cafe. The store had two stories, the upper floor catching Riley's attention, his eyes staring at one of the two windows that had white curtains draped neatly at their sides. His eyes dropped to the old woman who was sitting on a wooden rocking chair on the porch to the right of the door, there was a black Labrador sleeping at her side, the female dog had a small chew toy shaped as a bone in her silky black paws.
There was a book in her hands, she was about eighty years old, eighty-three to be exact, she wasn't too bad health wise, she probably the same height as Catherine, maybe a tiny bit shorter. There where small glasses that where resting on the tip of her nose as she read the words of her book that was held at the same level as her chest. The light blue dress she wore dropped down to her ankles, her brown shoes peeking out from beneath the edges. A dark blue woolly blouse kept her warm on top, her long shoulder length white hair platted, the end of it sitting on her left shoulder as she read.
Keeping very quiet, although his eyes seemed to be soaking up the details, Riley gently guided Catherine after him as he moved towards the shop. Keeping his steps slow so he wouldn't be dragging her off, Riley crossed the road, moving closer to the store. It was like a dream in the back of his mind, just an image of him running across the road ahead of them, running up the stairs onto the porch, throwing open the door and disappearing inside. When they got to the stairs the elderly woman lifted her eyes from the pages of her romance novel, staring for a long moment at Riley before nudging her glasses a little further up the ridge of her nose, offering the two a friendly and warm smile.
"Good afternoon you two, if you want you may leave your things outside, I can watch them for you so you don't have to carry them about inside." Her wrinkled hand motioned towards the empty area on the porch to the right of the door, Riley pulled his eyes away from her and stared at the space she had pointed out. It wasn't a very large area inside so carrying the bags would be troublesome, Riley seemed to take her offer without much thought, slowly moving to drop his bag to the right of the door. The only time his hand pulled away from Cat's was when he slipped it away so he could remove his backpack. His hand reached over for Catherine's, for the first time since the station his eyes lifted up to hers, they looked a little confused and distant. Shortly after they dropped away as his hands slowly took her bag away from her hands. Turning his attention back to the old lady, his eyes then dropping to the black dog that had lifted her head to stare at the new faces, after a moment his gaze shifted back across the street, the couples moving into the cafe-bar that had a sign across the front saying 'Country Rhythm' with 'Cafe & Bar' written in smaller letters beneath the name.
Retaking her hand in his as he gaze a rather puzzled frown before staring at the windows on either side of the door, the one he was in front of had a view an older couple standing behind the counter chatting, both in their 60's. This was all so ghostly familiar, lifting her hand a little closer to him, his other hand cupping over both theirs, the thumb caressing the soft skin of the back of her hand as he stared at the couple inside. Looking back at Catherine he took a moment before he reached for the door and opened it for her, pushing it open and his hand reaching over her head to stop it from closing back onto her.
"Good afternoon," The older man gave a small nod of his head and yet another friendly smile was given to them, he had a dark green long sleeved shirt on, with a darker shade checkered pattern, his black trousers had a brown leather belt wrapped about the waist with a silver buckle. He still had a full head of hair, though it had gone gray with white streaks, he had green eyes, a bright sparkling pair that made it seem as if he was still bursting with life.
"You looking for something in particular that we can help you find?" The woman had her arms locked about her husbands arm, her hair was cut short, a very pale brown that had obviously been colored a while ago, but now the white and gray hair was easily seen and the brown had almost faded from her hair. She had bright hazel eyes that seemed full of joy, as if they both had everything they could possibly want. Riley stared at them, slowly shaking his head, , smiling a little nervously, glancing at the picture frame that had many photo's all cute and pasted together. Riley didn't give it any attention, not noticing that half the photo's included his mother and father, some from recent times and others from when he was young. Neither did he notice the one in the center that was of him on his 13th birthday, both his parents standing on either side with him while his black dog was jumping up onto Riley's front, the dogs paws resting on his owners shoulders though someone had called Troy's name and the Labrador’s head had twisted about to stare back towards the camera, it had been Penny, the woman behind the counter and also his grand mother, who had taken the photo.
Gently urging Catherine to follow him to the back of the shop with a light tug, walking down the isle, passing some snacks, then some pasta's. The walls where covered in shelves, there where three shelves in the middle of the room also packed with things. But right at the back, in the center of the wall was a doorway that leads to the back part of the house where their kitchen was, plus the stairs that lead up to the three bedrooms on their upper floor. Riley had slept in one of the rooms that the window looked out over the street, the other room had been turned into the dinner/TV room while the 3rd was their bedroom.
Everyone in his life seemed to be a couple, coming here when he was younger, staring out across to the cafe-bar where so many kids even his age would go to meet up and get together, with a date or to hopefully meet someone just seemed to scream out how out of place it was for him not to have anyone. He never really thought he wanted a girlfriend, he wouldn't have minded having just one friend, but most of them where busy with their own groups and he always had so much studying to do, he didn't realize most of them slacked off on their studies in order to spend time out together. When he finished his schoolwork he was always off lending a hand at his parent’s farm or down here he'd help his grand parents every other weekend.
He seemed to know exactly where the medication was in the store, his hand reaching out for the different types, he felt light headed but not for any other reason other then because of how eerie it all felt around here. Slowly his eyes peered over towards the couple who where happily talking with each other once again.
"I think I've been here before.." He sounded confused, it was a horrible feeling to be somewhere and not to be sure if this is the first time he has been there or not. His eyes dropped down to the box of pills he had pulled out from the collection, something to ease his stomach. Looking over at Catherine, his hand pulling hers up to his chin for a moment as his eyes stared ahead at the window, the elderly woman outside seen reading her book once more. His voice was low, almost a whisper, dropping their hands back down to their sides as his eyes wondered over her face.
The fact Huxley wasn't a large city made it probable that Riley had been to most places, if not inside them then at least passed them at one point or another in his life here, but it was more then that, this place seemed so familiar, like his room had felt when he entered it for the first time, familiar, as if he knows the place, but unable to remember how exactly.
No matter how long it takes, one day we'll be together and that day will last forever.
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States
The whole town looked very festive to her, of course Washington had been the same but it was a type of clinicaly styled Christmas. Here the decorations were homemade or put up without much atristic lisecening but in Washington the large shops had spent half the year planning their Christmas window displays. They had working model Santa's who waved their mechanical arms at potential shoppers, Christmas trees that had been honed into the perfect cone shape not to mention the tasteful little stars that were stuck to the glass of the windows. Here however everything seemed a lot more homley, like the decorations had been put up for the fun or it, by people full of Christmas cheer unlike the professional holiday Washington would be having. There was a small stir of excitement in her stomach, she hadn't really felt like celebrating Christmas since she and Riley had first returned to the school. She had been going to mention maybe getting a tree and decorations to him but she'd never really got around to it, partly because it would have to be him who bought them and she felt shy asking him to do something like that. She was perhaps the only person in the school who didn't seem at all enthused about Christmas, she'd just lost all excitment since Marc and Jon had taken advantage of her. Most of her things were still in boxes from when they'd been sent up from Washington, she hadn't even bothered to put her posters up, let alone any decorations. She'd gone over to Angela's room once to ask her if she could borrow some wrapping paper and if she could help her decide on a present for Riley's parents. It was like walking into some sort of grotto .... Angela seemed to be a little over fond of decorations since her room was heavily over festooned with them.
Catherine felt a little nervous at first about holding hands with him but it soon wore off after he didn't suddenly leap on her or something. She wasn't exactly sure what she was worried about, this was Riley, it wasn't like he was about to force himself upon her or hit her yet she was a little afraid of being this close to him. She relaxed slightly, her eyes wandering a little more over the stores, letting herself peer inside a couple of the stores. She could see a couple of overweight men in thick coats standing inside, she suddenly realised she'd forgotten her own coat .... she wasn't sure exactly how she'd managed it, but perhaps it was because she was distracted with worrying about flying, being alone with Riley, going thousands of miles away and of meeting his parents. She had no idea he had other family members living in the town, within shouting distance at this very moment.
His steps seemed to slow as his body turned to the side slightly, looking down a side street. Her eyes lifted first to his and then away down the new street so she could see what had caught his attention. She looked at the restaunt place thinking he was wondering if they should go and eat there, she didn't even give the small store a second look, why should she? to her eyes the cafe-bar looked a whole lot more interesting to her at the moment.
She was hopeful for a little bit that Riley was leading her towards the cafe-bar but she could feel him guiding her over to the store. Her eyes threw the bar another little glance as they stopped out side the store. She could see a couple animatedly talking inside, the man had obviously said something funny beacuse the woman flicked her hair over her shoulder and laughed. It didn't seem fair ... why did bad things just happen to her? Like most people she didn't think about other people, many of which had sadnesses in their pasts that they covered up with their smiles. You couldn't tell just from looking at a person what had happened to them .... but the woman inside the bar had lost her best friend to a brain tumor a year ago. Catherine was just now beginning to realise that bad things do happen and she the only thing to do was to carry on.
"Good afternoon you two, if you want you may leave your things outside, I can watch them for you so you don't have to carry them about inside." Her eyes lifted to look at the old woman who sat on the porch a top a flight of steps. There was nothing about her to say she was actually a blood relative of Riley, Cat's eyes travelled over her, taking in the white hair, blue dress and the book that she was holding in her hands. Catherine gave the dog her attention for a few seconds, she loved dogs but she'd never had one, the closest she'd got was Prince but he belonged to Brad. She looked back up at Riley, waiting for him to decide what he wanted to do with their things.
Riley climbed the steps, their hands still joined, seeming to get some kind of strength and security from the simple touch most people seemed to overlook. He took the bag from her and placed it next to his one. Then his hand slipped away from hers, she didn't like the feeling of being all alone in this strange place and she inched slightly closer towards him. She needn't have worried however because a moment later he took hold of her hand again. He seemed to be a little uncomfortable since he pulled her hand a little closer towards his chest before he opened the door, holding it open untill she was inside the shop.
"Good afternoon," Cat was looking around her a little shyly, leaving Riley to communicate with the man who was standing behind the counter. She managed to position herself so Riley was partially obscuring her. He fitted in a bit at least, he'd grown up here, she was a complete stranger.
"You looking for something in particular that we can help you find?" She saw Riley shake his head, she didn't notice the picture that hung behind the couple, why should she ... it was just a picture and there was so much for her to look at in this shop. Part of her eagerly wanted to know if they sold different things here in Iowa to Washington and if they had different brand names. She felt Riley tugg her forwards a little, guiding her through into the back of the shop, her eyes working like mad to take everything in. She wondered for a second if there were any other mutants in this town .... could they tell she was one just by looking at her?
"I think I've been here before.." She watched him pull out a box of pills, her eyes seeming to wander unbidden a little along from them were the birth contol section was, she wondered if she'd ever get close enough to Riley again for her to start using those pills that Angie had given her. She wasn't over keen on taking them .... but there were other methods of birth control wern't there? Not that she really needed any of them since she was already pregnant. Her eyes dropped away to the floor wondering what his parents would make over the fact she was pregnant. She realised he'd need an answer, she didn't want to just smile, his tone suggested he needed a bit of support from her.
'Ummmm it looks really nice in here ... do you remember any thing specific?'
Cat: Can there be any hope for us after all thats happened?
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States
After a moment of thought, his eyes wondering over the different things, sometimes his focus staying on one thing longer then on others.
"Everything.. the people, the old woman outside on her rocking chair, the set up of the store, the doorway that leads to the back of the house." He went quiet for a moment as he stared across towards the cafe-bar on the other side of the street. "Even that place seems familiar, but I feel awful when I look at it, like I've always wanted to go there but.. I never had anyone to go in there with." He felt so terribly lonely now, but he was holding Catherine's hand, he wasn't alone, if he was at one point he wasn't any more because he had her now.
Getting distracted with different things, his attention shifted to the doorway that lead to the back of the room, his eyes lifting to the ceiling before staring back at the elderly couple behind the counter. It was too familiar, he didn't like it, he didn't like not remembering things but he hated it more when the things he couldn't remember felt important.
"We better pay for this.." He sounded hesitant, he didn't like it in here at all, not if he couldn't remember something about his last visits. He slowly moved towards the counter but his eyes kept darting about the place as if there would be a clue telling him everything. When they got to the counter he pulled out his wallet and placed the medication onto the wooden bench. He didn't look up, his eyes turned away towards the cafe-bar across the street as he held out a note for the elderly woman to take.
No matter how long it takes, one day we'll be together and that day will last forever.
"Everything.. the people, the old woman outside on her rocking chair, the set up of the store, the doorway that leads to the back of the house." Cat looked around her as he was speaking, giving his hand an encouraging squeeze, it must be horrible not knowing what had happened in your past. She might not have her parents anymore, but at least she still had their memory, the fact that there were people out there who had the ability to remove those memories was a scarey thought for the young mutant.
This was the closest the pair of them had been since before the day Riley had woken up as Marc ... she wasn't sure exactly how much he remembered of what had happened. But she was positive he didn't remember much, he'd have said something if he suddenly recalled her and Marc being together or the way he handcuffed her.
'Well you must have come here when you were small.' She said rather stating the obvious, he lived in the town, of course he'd have been here before now.
"Even that place seems familiar, but I feel awful when I look at it, like I've always wanted to go there but.. I never had anyone to go in there with." Her eyes followed his gaze out towards the cafe-bar, it looked like the best place she'd seen so far here. Everything all looked so boring to someone who was used to the varied excitements that the capital could offer. At least there was somewhere she could go to have a drink, it occured to her a moment later that she wasn't allowed to drink anymore, she knew if she even went near a bottle Riley would be furious.
"We better pay for this.." She let him lead her back over to the counter again, her eyes looking over at the couple and then dropping down to look at the floor. It was odd that there wasn't anyone else in here, she was used to the scrums of people in Washington, even the shops in Salem had been busier than this.
Cat: Can there be any hope for us after all thats happened?
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States"Here you go." Riley looked away from the bar and at the woman's hand as she held out the change for him, his hand reached out rather timidly, maybe a part of him wanted them to say 'Hey, I recognise you', and then they'd be able to tell him maybe where his parents where.. But another part didn't want them to recognise him, what if they started going on about how awful it was for his parents when he 'died'.
When his eyes lifted to the couple one last time, he couldn't help but feel jealous, look at them, all happy, growing old together, knowing neither can be alone since they have the other always beside them. His eyes lifted to the photo's behind them on the wall, almost trying to fuel his jealousy, just imagining the pictures of their family and their children and maybe their grand children, all displayed up there for everyone to see. Showing all the great family times they have had together, his eyes stared over the nameless yet happy faces. There was a familiarity about them, he could see the faces of the owners, but then he could also see other faces that where strangely familure.
The sight of his own face sitting right in the middle caused his hand to gently hold Catherine's against his chest, there was a photo of him right in the center. It was taken years ago, he looked so happy, he's never seen a picture of himself other then the one he had of him and his dog, they both must have been taken on the same day because he was wearing the same clothes. There was a little cut out piece of paper that was stuck just below his picture, written upon it was;
Riley Finn
2002-2015
'Our Grand Son - Up at the Family Farm'
All the photo's had little tags with short explinations of who was in there and the dates, if it was a special occasion or the location the photo was taken at. There was a photo of his parents, standing side by side with their arms about each other's waists, it had 'Martha & Jonathen - 2021 Christmas Festival' All the photo's that where taken after 2015 seemed lack the sparkle in their eyes that the had before in the photo's with Riley. A part of them obviously having died along with the death of their son, it was his fault they where hurting. Maybe he wasn't ready for this, maybe he shouldn't just pop back into their lives, what if he only hurt them more, look what he's done to Catherine, all he's done is hurt her, if she had never met him then she wouldn't have been held captive by the initiative or raped by Jon.
The way Riley was staring at the photos caused Penny to glance at the pictures herself just to make sure there wasn't anything wrong with her precious collection of framed memories. Dropping his eyes away from the pictures, he wasn't ready for this, he could see his face right there in front of him amongst all those people which some of them was standing right in front of him and he couldn't remember anything still. When his hazel eyes lifted up slowly to her, Penny was staring at him curiously, did he know these people? That had to be it right? That had to be why this was so familiar, he knew these people, his eyes scanned the photo's again, finding a picture of him, his parents, these two, that woman outside, she was in there two, and some other people. Letting his eyes wonder about the store once more, turning back slowly to Roger, the old man and then over towards Penny.
His head was lowered slightly forward, the coins slipping from his other hand as it moved to take hold of Catherine's hand that he was holding now in front of his chest. Roger didn't really recognise him at all, but Penny's eyes had this sad look as if she was see a ghost of someone she had lost. Riley's eyes where from his mother, who got them from Penny who got them from her mother, Rachael, who was out on her rocking chair. The sound of a vechle pulling up outside caught Riley's attention, his head turning to the window to look out at the rusty red coloured truck, in the back was another black dog, it barked excitedly towards the female dog.
The couple in the truck got out, still talking to themselves for a moment before giving their attention towards the older woman. They where both around forty, the man had a box of eggs held in his arms, the woman was holding the hand of a young girl, the girls curly long brown-reddish hair fell about her pretty face, the eleven year old holding her hands out towards the old woman and called out 'Nana', even though in truth it was her great grand mother, most of them used the term 'Nana' instead of Great Grandmother. Riley didn't recognise Emily, mainly because his cousin was two years old the last time he saw her.
Now he wanted to go home so badly, couldn't Catherine take him home, it was like they where crowding him, cornering him because he wasn't ready to face this part of his life that was stolen away from him when Professor Walsh forbid him from having any contact with his family. The little girl opened the door for Jonathen who called out rather cheerfully.
"Greetings mum, dad.. kids." Jonathen's blue eyes shifted from Penny, his mother in law, to Roguer, his father in law, over to Riley and Catherine with a nod of his head.
"I'll put these in the kitchen," The older version of Riley calledout as he moved off into the back, Riley's hand held Catherine's hand against his chest more desperatly, she'd easily feel the pouding of his heart that rushed franticly inside of him. Part of him was crushed that all these people who had once been everything to him didn't even seem to recognise him. It was like they accepted he was gone and that's that, they've moved on with their lives and they're just as happy without him as they where with him. Of course just like Catherine, he didn't see the pain that they all hide away, the nights his parent's, either alone or together, would sit in his room or stand at the door, trying to picture what he might be doing if he was still alive, which classes he'd be taking, what would have been his favorite book, movie, who would have been his first girlfriend.. All the things so many parents sometimes end up taking for granted, something that you can only realise how special even the small things are when you lose the chance of being able to find them out.
The young girl had run about the counter to throw her arms about Roger, Penny's attention didn't seem to wonder away from Riley's face though, even when his own eyes turned down to look at Martha as she stood beside him. Her hand reached over the counter to rest against Penny's arm as she greeted her mother warmly. Everything was happening so fast, the thought to actually say something hadn't yet occured to him.
"Are you alright?" Penny's concern was easily heard in her voice, Martha's eyes turned to the two kids beside her, having to look up at Riley, she was only a bit taller then Catherine. Penny spent a lot of her free time as a nurse so she was normally able to help people with their discriptions, since the young man had gotten some medication he obviously wasn't feeling well. Martha's hand slowly pulled away from her mother's arm and placed it over her heart, he was much taller, had a far greater build, even though with all his hard work Riley was always on the fit side, even at a younger age. But his eyes hadn't changed, although they where looking down at her now instead of looking up, the same burst of colours whenever light shone in them, the same shape of his face, just more filled out and grown up.
Lifting her hand to cover her lips, her hazel gaze taking a break from his face as it dropped down to scan over the unfamilure shape of his body, but the face, the eyes, she could see those eyes looking up at her everytime she laid her head down to rest or closed her eyes or found herself with nothing to do but remember her only child. A year after Riley was born she had problem with her pregnancy, if she didn't have an operation to remove the child then she, as well as the baby, would have both died. But in the operation it meant she'd be unable to have any more children, it had crushed her since she had always wanted at least two, her dream family was two boys and two girls.
Living on a farm meant they had trouble getting into town often enough for their children to properly have a chance of spending time with others their age. Which Riley was unfortunate enough to discover since he was their only child, the only times he could really go to town where when his parents had chores to do, it was a long drive and they where always so busy. That's why when he was thirteen he started catching the train into town on his own, his mother was always so nervous, but he always got so terribly lonely, even if he never said anything. You can be happy and still feel as if there's something missing, and he never had a real friend his age, so he never got to go and play, he basically started helping out the instant he could walk. The long trip back home meant when he left school he didn't get to linger around with his class mates and muck about.
Everything seemed to click after a moment for Riley, he knew how to tell them who he was without having to wait for the words to form in his mouth. One his hands dropped away from Catherine's, he couldn't let go of her though, he was too scared everything was going to fall apart the instant he lets go of her. Or even worse, she'd say she should get back to the school and leave him alone with these strangers, they where his family but that still didn't change the fact he didn't know any of them. His fingers slipped into the pocket of his dark jeans, pulling out the photo and folded sheet of paper he had slipped in there when Angela had left them in the open field. Slowly dropping Cat's scribbled message onto the counter top, his eyes staring down at the two smiling faces that where looking up at him from the photo, lifting to meet Martha's once more as he held it out for her to take.
Everyone seemed to have gone quiet, Emily had no idea what was going on, her eyes looking up keenly towards Catherine and Riley as she waited to overhear something that would tell her who they where. Being so young she often got most of her information just by listening to what others say since she was often accidently over looked. Martha's eyes where brimming with tears and after she looked at the photo that Riley had taken himself before he left the farm, having developed it the very day he was leaving, it only strengthend the thought of who he was. It wouldn't be the first time she has looked at a face and been reminded of Riley though, she'd miss him so badly sometimes she could see him in the faces of everyone who walked by.
"..Riley?" The instant his name was mumbled his mothers arms seemed to have flung about his waist, she couldn't even hold him like she used to, he was huge compared to the small child she remembered. Riley uncomfortably seemed to shift about, he doesn't remember anyone being permitted to hug him except Catherine. His hand that was holding Catherine's pulled away from his chest, his fingers lacing between them, his eyes seemed to be screaming out in demand that Catherine not let go of him. Everything around him was intimidating Riley now, he still wasn't recovered from before and this was making him feel faint. His hazels eyes where darting shortly after off towards the elderly couple, then the little girl who had her arms about Roger, blinking a little before staring down at his mother, his spare hand timidly moving to rest on the back of her shoulder.
"Hey, I leave for a minute and my wife has her arms around some other gu-" Jonathen amused tone dropped away into silence as Riley turned his head nervously towards his dad, looking rather awkward with his hand refusing to let go of Catherine who was very much his 'security blanket' right now. Martha pulled away a little, her hands quickly brushing away her tears before taking his hand and looking up at him, it was like so many dreams she's had where he just walks back into her life as if nothing had ever happened.
"Riley is that really you?" Her voice was so quiet, she had that same desperate plea in her voice that Riley had gotten earlier when he begged Catherine to try and continue off from where they had ended that night he last fell asleep in her arms. He wanted to lay down for a little bit, this was giving him a head spin, the last thing he wanted to do was faint while everyone was around him asking questions.
"Where have you been, what happened?" There was a sudden burst of questions being thrown at him that made him look even more intimidated by them then he had seemed before. Martha's arms seemed to hug his hand against her as she mumbled in disbelief to herself, Penny was the one who began to tell everyone to move into the kitchen. Riley still couldn't speak, he had opened his lips to reply but none of the words would come out. Everyone was moving all of a sudden, the shock of his return throwing everyone off, the Christmas cheer that had been covering their loss melted away as they all seemed to be brimming with tears, aside from Emily and Roger.
Riley wasn't sure if Catherine did it on purpose or if he was pulled from her grip, but he felt the sudden loss of her hand as his body was engulfed in the embrace of both his parents. Part of him wants to called out for her, he had made an uncomfortable noise in the back of his throat as he had felt her fingers slip away from his. There was a short pause where his hand blindly seemed to reach out and wait for her to take his hand again, but soon he allowed his arms to wrap about his father, who was only a little bit shorter then Riley, so he didn't have to bend down really to hug him. Riley's face buried into his dad's shoulder, the slight fidgeting of his hands was the only sign of how worried he was about hurting them accidently with his strength.
Penny and Roger had moved off into the back quickly, leaving Riley, Cat and the others alone for the moment while they prepared something for their guests, Penny's way of dealing with the shock of his return, she'll get to hug him later, so for now she had to drown her strong emotions in preparing some food for everyone. A roast and some roasted veggies were already cooking in the oven since they where expecting Martha, Jonathen and Emily for a late lunch / early dinner. There was a few more whispered questions, but no one seemed to notice Riley wasn't answering any of them, he pulled away slowly from them, his eyes searching instantly for Catherine, stepping back beside her. His hand reached out for her hand once more, his other hand lifting to her cheek, affectionatly stroking over it before dropping down to her waist.
"This is Catherine.. she made it possible for me to come home.." Martha's hand returned to cover her mouth, her eyes looking over towards Catherine, glazed in tears "..she saved me." It was more of an affectionate whisper towards Catherine but anyone could have heard it easily, after all, if he never met her then he would still be a member of the Initiative, a super soldier that was mindless and followed orders without question.. Or he could be dead, they had no intentions it seemed to change his implant until he met Catherine.
His mother's hands reached for Catherine's other hand, the adoring look in her eyes beaming brightly, one of her hands slipping away to Riley's arm. Although her shock was dimming down she was still speechless, his dad was just standing back a little trying to access everything that seemed to happen while he was out of the room. Martha took a step away from both of them, her hands reaching for her cheeks as she tried to convince herself this was real.
"Oh, look at you.." Her eyes soaked up the differences in how he looked, though both where taken away, he had been a rather tiny baby since he was born premature. He had looked so tiny and helpless, weak and in need of their love just in order to survive the night. Now look at him, he had the perfect form, well built, yet not overly so, strong looking, still with a kind face.. and needless to say he was tall.
"You where just tiny.. I can't believe.." She seemed to choke up with tears again, her husband stepping forward to support her with the comfort of his arms, though he looked a little dumbfounded. Emily wondered up beside Catherine in an effort to be noticed, dressed in blue jeans and a jean jacket, her head tilting up to look at Catherine and Riley.
"Oh Emily, I doubt you remember you're cousin outside of the photo's, you where just a baby last time you two met.. this is Riley." It was obvious right away that Riley had a strong affection towards children because he smile right away even though he wasn't feeling too well, but he was starting to feel much better now that no one was crowding him. Jonathen's voice sounded weak when he spoke Riley's name outloud, he was still expecting to wake from a dream.
"I don't remember you, do you remember me?" She grinned up at him, she was interested now since she knew Riley Finn had been killed and now he was back, it was all so mysterious and she was a bright kid who loved solving mysteries. Riley glanced at Catherine for a moment before looking down at her, shaking his head slowly.
"I don't remember you.. I don't remember much at all actually.." His voice sounded guilty, like he was doing something wrong by not remembering everyone, both his parents gave each other worried and confused looks before staring back at him. Riley looked uneasy again, it wasn't like he was lying, he didn't remember anything much, so he felt he could at least explain that part of his problem.
"I'm recovering from amnisea.." Although he looked shamefully down at the ground, both his parents had a look of both pity and the desire to just make everything better for him now he was back.
"You'll both be staying for Christmas won't you?" There was a hopeful look in Martha's eyes as she looked between Catherine and Riley. It just occured to him that he had no idea how long it was intended on him to be here, he didn't organise it at all. They wanted to know everything he's done, he could tell by the way they where look at him, but Riley stared down at Catherine, hinting it was her decision on how long they where staying.
No matter how long it takes, one day we'll be together and that day will last forever.
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States"Here you go." Cat was still blissfully unaware that the people standing in the room were part of Riley's family. Sometimes it was hard for her to remember that he might have blood relatives other than his parents. She watched as he reached out to take the change from the woman behind the counter. Her eyes dropped down to look at their joined hands, it was as if they were both comforting and drawing strength from each other. This was a totaly new environment for her, she'd never been anywhere like this before and she was finding it quite intimidating. Part of her just wanted to run off and explore everything but she didn't want to let go of Riley's hand, as if he might just vannish if she didn't hold onto him.
She felt him lift her hand and press it against his chest, her eyes lifting upto his, following his gaze and looking at the collection of photos that were behind the counter. Someone had obviously taken a lot of time and effort to arrange them all carefully, with little snippits of information written under some of them. It took her a moment for her eyes to fall upon the centre picture of Riley, her hand tightening around his. Her eyes lifting to look at his face before they flicked back over to the picture again, as if she were trying to check what she was seeing.
The woman turned to look behind her, obvious wondering what in the photo was riviting the pair so much. Cat's eyes were still moving over the collection of photo's. Did this mean they were Riley's grandparents? Her eyes looked back over to the couple, not really understanding why they couldn't recognise him. She didn't really think it had been years since they last saw him and then he'd only been half the size he was now. Her attention was distracted by the sound of a car pulling up. Cat's eyes moving away to see that it actually wasn't a car but a red coloured truck, it seemed to be rather rusty in places. She watched as a couple got out, they looked younger then the couple who stood behind the counter in the store. She'd had their picture for a while, almost trying to pretent they were her parents so she recognised them almost instantly. Her hand tightened upon Riley's again, looking as a black dog jumped out out the truck, barking loudly at the one which was still lying upon the porch. The woman was holding the hand of a girl, the red head reaching out towards the old woman who sat on the porch calling her Nana. Her first thought was that this must be Riley's sister even though he'd never mentioned having one to her before.
"Greetings mum, dad.. kids." Cat looked over at them nervously as she watched them open the door of the store. His dad who'd spoken nodded towards them, she was a little dissiponted for Riley since the man didn't seem to recognise him. Part of her just wanted to call out and tell him that his son was stading right here in front of him but she knew it wasn't her place to do so.
"I'll put these in the kitchen," She watched as Riley's dad moved off into the back of the store, carrying the eggs rather carefully in his hands. She couldn't understand why Riley hadn't said something ... his family were in the room, she'd have given anything to be in his position right now. All these people belonged to him and they loved him even though they thought he was dead they wouldn't just stop caring about him. Her parents might be dead but it didn't stop her from loving them. She could feel his heart thumping loudly against her hand, telling her just how nervous he was.
"Are you alright?" She watched Riley's mum reach over towards the people she was asuming were Riley's grandparents. Martha turned her eyes to look over the pair of them, Cat's eyes dropping away rather shyly after a seconds eye contact with the older woman. When she looked back Cat saw her lifting a hand to her lips, there seemed to be a kind of recognition on her face as she looked at Riley.
One of his hands dropped away from hers, reaching into the pocket of his jeans, pulling out a piece of paper and a photo. He dropped the paper onto the counter top and held out the photo towards the woman. Cat sneeked a look at the paper, rather shocked to see it contained her own writing, it made her sad to think that she'd written thsoe words for Riley but they'd been read by Marc. She looked around her rather nervously, she got the distinct feeling that she shouldn't be here for this.
"..Riley?" There was a shocked tone to her voice but a moment later she seemed to engulf Riley in a hug. Cat looked away, her eyes dropping down to the floor, feeling Riley lace his fingers between hers. There was a rather large part of her that was so jelous, how comes she didn't have any parents. Didn't she deserve to be happy as well? She didn't want to look at his mother hugging him like that, but her eyes couldn't help sneaking another quick glance at the pair. She wanted someone to hold her like that, it wasn't fair, her eyes moving back down to the floor again and remaining there.
"Hey, I leave for a minute and my wife has her arms around some other gu-" Her eyes nervously darted over towards his father, then over towards the elderly woman on the porch .... was she Riley's family too?
"Riley is that really you?" .... "Where have you been, what happened?" She listened to his disbeliving mother as she fired questions at him, Riley was awfully quiet though. Cat just wanted to leave though, she didn't belong here, this heart warming scene shouldn't include her. She wanted to go off by herself to sit and sulk but she was never really alone anymore, not when she carried Riley's child with her. One of her hands seemed to rather nervously rest over her stomach for a few seconds, she hoped his family wouldn't be upset over the fact that she was pregnant. Not really understanding that when they'd lost Riley his parents had also had to give up any hope of having any grandchildren.
She let go of his hand as his parents embraced him, backing away a little and standing akwardly by the edge of the counter, her hands moving to her pockets. She looked over at the young girl, trying to avoid looking at Riley ... she was happy for him, but it was just really hard. Her eyes flicked over to his Grandparents as they moved off into the back of the store, leaving her and the smaller redhead looking at the three rather shyly.
Catherine watched as Riley stepped backwards, over towards her, one of his hands moved to pick up hers, his other brushing lightly against her cheek. She tried to not look to nervous over the fact that he was touching her, feeling him slip his hand around her waist a moment later. There was a breife panicked feeling over being so close to him, he hadn't tried to touch her like this since before Marc had returned.
"This is Catherine.. she made it possible for me to come home.." ... "..she saved me." Her eyes darted nervously to his parents face before they fell rather submissivley to the floor again. She wanted, hoped they liked her. She looked up as Martha took hold of one of her hands, drawing it away a second later to place both hands upon her cheeks. It was like none of them really knew what to say or do.
"Oh, look at you.." ... "You where just tiny.. I can't believe.." She looked across as the girl appeared at her side, looking up at Riley and then her, Cat managed to give her a small smile. She felt a bit intimidated by most of his family but this girl was shorter than her and younger so she didn't feel as threatened by her. "Oh Emily, I doubt you remember you're cousin outside of the photo's, you where just a baby last time you two met.. this is Riley."
"I don't remember you, do you remember me?" She watched the girls animated face as she talked, her face tipped so she could look up at her larger cousin. Riley would have easily made up three of her. He seemed to look at her for a short moment before he spoke.
"I don't remember you.. I don't remember much at all actually.." Cat managed to give his hand a rather affectionate squeeze as he spoke at the same time she shuffled backwards a little so she could partially hide behind him. "I'm recovering from amnisea.." His parents had been looking confused but that seemed to have changed to a rather sad look.
"You'll both be staying for Christmas won't you?" It felt nice that she was being included in the plans they were making, they needn't have asked what they were both planning to do, asking what Riley wanted would have been enough. She realised Riley was looking down at her ... She looked over at his parents rather shyly and gave a quick nod of her head as a response.
ooc: I've had to go but I'll be back on two o'clock or so ur time.
Cat: Can there be any hope for us after all thats happened?
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States
Throwing Catherine a grin he turned his attention towards his parents quickly, he wasn't aware just how much his affection towards Catherine had suddenly swelled, though she would have easily noticed it in his touch. A while ago Martha had received a letter from Angela saying her son was alone, and although she had dismissed it as a mistake, part of her longed for it to be true.
"Emily, go grab Nana sweet heart," Martha didn't looked away from Riley when she requested the young girl run out the front to get the older woman from the rocking chair. Riley looked around a little lost for a moment, dropping his eyes shortly after to the ground as he thought over how to ask such a question he felt he needed to know the answers to..
"I don't.." He shifted about a little, but forced himself to finish the sentence "I don't remember anyone, I don't know who they are or their names.." It felt awful to tell someone who was his family that he didn't know or remember them at all, well, he faintly felt familiar with his parents, the others however didn't seem familiar at all.
"Oh," Riley's mother glanced at her husband before looking sadly at him again, part of her just wanted to grab him and hold him so he was never able to leave again, but she didn't want smother him just yet since he seemed really nervous about all this.
"Well, that's you're great grand mother, my grandmother, her name's Rachael's, we all call her Nana." Martha's voice sounded a little weak and slightly breathless, her hand motioning towards the elderly woman who was being led into the store by Emily, the two black dogs making their way in between their feet. The female looked overweight, she didn't normally move often, and since she was due to have her puppies soon Martha and Jonathan where going to take her up to the farm so that she had constant supervision.
"We're mum and dad, and Penny and Roger are your grand parents." There wasn't any need to introduce themselves as his parents but she was so nervous she had added it anyway, then motioned towards the back with her hand when informing them of his grand parents. Riley looked over towards the young girl, wondering if he had any other cousins, wondering what his uncle and aunt where like or if he had more family.. But then he looked over towards the doorway that lead back into the kitchen, the chatter between Penny and Roger hard to make out because of both the distance but also they where setting up the table in there for everyone to eat.
When Martha told Rachael about whom Riley was, the elderly woman placed her hand over her heart as she looked over towards him. Being twice her size meant that when she reached out her arms to hug him, Riley had to bend down completely just so she could place her hands on his cheeks and then kiss his cheek. It was all very awkward for him, Catherine was the only one he has ever let close enough to do these type of affectionate things and now suddenly a group of people he couldn't remember where all smothering him. Rachael shuffled over towards Catherine, also reaching her hands up to Cat's face, Penny was calling out for her mum to hurry into the kitchen and help with the roast. Rachael didn't seem like she wanted to leave so soon, but she patted her hand on Riley's stomach before scurrying off into the back. Everyone seemed overjoyed, they where all talking loudly in the kitchen, it seemed once they left out of Riley's sight they where able to burst in the excitement that wasn't able to be shown during the initial shock of his presence.
"Those where your things outside?" Jonathan stepped forward a little as he spoke, Riley nodded in reply "I'll put them in the back of the truck." He grinned before heading off out the front, leaving Martha and Emily alone with the two arrivals. Martha's body inched closer towards Riley's once more, he wasn't as uncomfortable with his mother as he was with everyone else. Riley wasn't sure how to express how happy he was, or to express much of anything other then smiling, he only knew how to express his joy really with Catherine. Just by holding her, kissing her, making love to her, it all was his was of expressing his feelings towards her, but he wasn't used to really speaking about things to do with how he felt. Normally he'd show his parents how much he loved them by helping around the farm and giving them big hugs in the morning and at night.
Her hand took hold of Riley's again as she lead both of them across the room and to the back of the store, inside the kitchen. There was a large table in the room, the three elders all serving out plates of food onto the table, Martha guided Riley to a seat and motioned for him and Catherine to sit down. Riley seemed to again latch his hand onto Catherine's, refusing to let go of her hand though he wasn't holding it tightly enough to cause her discomfort, if she really wanted to she could pull it away from him easily enough.
"First of all.. where do you live?" Everyone had gone quiet, staring at him enough to make him uncomfortable, but now it seems she intended to question him.. it only made him feel worse. His mother wanted to know everything about where he lived and who her son had become, what he does, what he has done, the things he has learned and accomplished.
"Um.." His head turned a little as his father walked into the room and took a seat beside his mother "Well I.. uh, Catherine and I.. err.. we.." He dropped his eyes away from their faces, he didn't really understand why he was finding it so difficult to speak.
"Oh, you two live together?" Martha tried to help by finishing his sentence for him, but it only added to it awkward feel while he quickly replied.
"Yes, no.. I mean we did.. well we still do.." Riley shifted about a little, half realizing he wasn't even sure if Cat wanted him to mention about them having been sharing a room together, more since they currently where not sleeping together, if they still where he'd have no problem saying they where.. well he'd be a little shy still.. Taking in a little breath, he tried to form words and finish a whole sentence.
"I mean, Catherine and I go to the same school, it's a place called Xavier's school for the Gifted." His hands fidgeted a little with Catherine's, one hand holding hers and the other seeming to pet and stroke it affectionately. "I've been there a year.." His eyes lifted a little to look at their faces, catching a glimpse of his parents exchanging a glance.
"Westchester? I got a letter from there," Riley nodded in reply to his mothers question, Roger cleared his throat a little and Riley looked over towards him, Penny was placing the last plate of food in front of both Martha and Jonathan as Riley's grand father began to talk.
"A school for Gifted? I've heard the name before, Xavier, what's he like?" Riley thought a little about what Xavier was like, he was really kind, always so fatherly towards all the people in his school.. "And what do you mean 'gifted' school?" Ok, now Riley was staring at his food as if somehow it might be able to give him an idea on how to stop them from asking so many questions.. though really it hadn't been so bad.. But with Catherine being so nervous about his parent's reaction towards mutants he hadn't realized until just then that the comment had made him uneasy.
"Um, well the school was created for those who are different to others, mainly mutants, it was originally designed for Mutants so they have an educational environment where they wouldn't be discriminated, it's also a home for many of us who study there." It seemed to take everyone a few moments to understand what he was saying, which felt like forever to Riley before his mother asked curiously the question that all the others seemed to have also on their minds.
"Does that mean that you two are-" Emily climbed into the seat next to Catherine and began cutting up her meal hungrily while she listened curiously to everyone around her, Riley didn't get a chance to really answer since Roger had asked Penny something and Penny's voice unintentionally seemed to Catch most of their attention.
"No, I don't think we've ever had a mutant in the family, our part of it anyway, though Lily's sister's daughter had troubles in her school because of mutation, remember?" Riley glanced over towards his grand parents and then down at his food, but as quickly as it was brought up it seemed to slowly shift topic without much worry placed on the fact he just told everyone he and Catherine where mutants. They may not have any mutants in their Iowa family but they did have some relatives they knew had the gene, Lily was the wife of Riley's uncle who died, her sister had been upset that he daughter was a mutant but didn't let it ruin her relationship with her daughter, who ended up staying home for most of the rest of her schooling years since her skin was a pale blue and she always got harassed for it's odd color.
"Well eat up you two, don't wait!" Martha urged the two to start eating, Riley glanced at Catherine, was he ready to let go of her hand so she could eat? Well she had to eat in order to keep herself healthy, she was after all eating also for two.. "When did you two meet?" Martha was overly excited now that he had Catherine with him, suddenly realizing just how close they must be since the two barely let go of each other, it was so wonderful to see him all grown up and yet at the same time sad because she missed out in watching him grow.
"At noon, on Thursday," The first thing that flickered into his family's mind was he meant last thursday, but Riley continued on before they could utter their surprised comments at how well the two seemed to have bonded in such short time "April 24 this year." He remember the first words he had heard spat out from her angrily as her foster parents dropped her off..
'I am not a mutant and you can't leave me here with these .... these ....' ... '.... freaks'.
The first thing she had ever said to him was 'I'm Cat and I'm not staying here.' Which oddly enough was rather true, she had left shortly after saving him from the initiative but she came back.. she came back to be with him so he pushed the thoughts of what it was like without her as far out of his mind as he could manage.
His other hand lifted to pick up his glass of orange juice that everyone had placed before them, his mother smiled rather pleased at how well he seemed to remember his meeting with her, although she and Jonathan both didn't really remember the time and date of their first meeting, they did remember the time and day they became a couple.
"Catherine, you're family won't mind us stealing you away for Christmas?" She sounded a little guilty that she was asking someone who barely knew them to spend her Christmas away with them, but she also seemed keen and eager to have her over for the holidays. Riley looked over towards his mother and then squeezed Cat's hand gently, she was still so hurt over the death of her parents that he wasn't sure how she might feel being asked that question.
No matter how long it takes, one day we'll be together and that day will last forever.
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States"Emily, go grab Nana sweet heart," Cat felt a little lost, surrounded by all these people she didn't know, it was akward and she felt out of place. Her eyes moved to follow the progress of the younger girl who she now knew to be emily as she exited the store. There were so many names and they were all so hard to remember, there seemed to be an awful lot of people around her, it was all a little overwhelming, she wondered how Riley was coping.
"I don't.." ... "I don't remember anyone, I don't know who they are or their names.." Her eyes slipped away from the young girl who was leading the elderly woman through into the room and looked back at his parents who were understandably looking rather sad about the fact that their son didn't seem able to remember them.
"Well, that's you're great grand mother, my grandmother, her name's Rachael's, we all call her Nana." Cat looked back over her shoulder to the elderly woman .... he had a great grandmother? If her great grandma had still been alive she'd have been well into her hundreds or more. She knew her mother hadn't been able to have children and it was only a fluke she'd even been born, as it was she'd been in her late thirties when she'd had Cat so her parents would have almost been as old as Riley's Grandparents were. Her eyes seemed to glance down at her stomach and then away over at Rachael .... when her own child was born that would make her a great great grandparent wouldn't it? She was glad at least that her baby would have a nice family upon his fathers side at least. She wasn't sure what Dave was doing, only that he'd gone back to England, she wasn't even a hundred percent if he was even coming back again. But she wasn't that attatched to him, he didn't feel like family since she hadn't seen him in so long.
"We're mum and dad, and Penny and Roger are your grand parents." She fidgited about slightly as Martha infromed Rachael of who the man standing in front of her was, Cat watched her reaction as she placed one hand over her heart and then reached out her arms towards Riley. She then turned to Cat, the young mutant feeling her wrinkled hands upon her cheeks for a second before she withdrew them away again. Rachael was a little shorter than cat, but sicne Cat wasn't much taller she didn't need to bend down so the woman could touch her. There was a call from the kitchen and the elderly woman hurried off into the back to help Riley's grandparents.
"Those where your things outside?" Cat watched Riley nod in response to the question his father asked him, she felt so happy for Riley in the fact that he had his family back but another part of her was really jelous that he could have what she wanted most. "I'll put them in the back of the truck." He walked off leaving her and Riley alone with his cousin and mother, she felt a little better now the numbers of Finn's had been thinned out. She didn't feel that out of place around the girl and his mother seemed really nice.
Martha took hold of Riley's hand, guiding him towards the back of the store where she assumed the family lived. She hesitated for a second, swaying on the spot, unsure if she was supposed to come with them or not but a second later she hurried after them. Her eyes looked around the room, lingering upon the table, watching his family serving up dinner. It all felt so terribly alien to someone who has spent most of the last four years eating mircowavable meals in front of the television. When she lived with Anne and Roger there just wasn't room for a table in the tiny appartment but that was the price for living in a very over crowded down town area. Nina and Brad had had a table but most of the time they'd eat out in cafe's or at McDonalds since none of them cared to cook. She slipped into the seat next to Riley, feeling his hand take hold of her's again as if it were some type of life line. She was a more than nervous over the fact that everyone at the table could see them holding hands since they were resting ontop of the table. Usually most of the affection they showed for one another was behind closed doors.
"First of all.. where do you live?" Her eyes darted around the table before they focused in on her orange juice .... she could feel her palms beginning to get slightly sweaty, what if they didn't like that she was a mutant?
"Well I.. uh, Catherine and I.. err.. we.."
"Oh, you two live together?" She could feel her face flushing a red colour knowing full well their views about that kind of thing. Maybe Marc was right .... would his parents think she was a slut too? Her eyes dropped her eyes to the plate in front of her, wishing the ground would jsut open up and swallow her up.
"Yes, no.. I mean we did.. well we still do.." She was examining the food upon her plate rather intently, her eyes moving over the meat and then onto the vegetables and the mash potato. She didn't make any move to try and eat though. "I mean, Catherine and I go to the same school, it's a place called Xavier's school for the Gifted." ... "I've been there a year.." One of his hands was moving over the back of hers, stroking across her skin rather affectionatley.
"Westchester? I got a letter from there," She was hungry but she felt a little sick, mainly from the fact that she was nervous and had people staring at her. Her eyes flicked over to her orange juice and then across to where their hands were joined.
"A school for Gifted? I've heard the name before, Xavier, what's he like?" .... "And what do you mean 'gifted' school?" As his grandfather continued talking it felt rather as if someone was constricting her windpipe. You can never tell how people react to the news that there in the same room as a mutant, some didn't blink an eye lid, others would be completley freaked out by the mere thought. She'd been in the latter catogory untill she'd been forced to accept that she was a mutant and that nothing she did would change that fact. When she got to know mutants she realised that they were just like normal people with just the same thoughts and feelings.
"Um, well the school was created for those who are different to others, mainly mutants, it was originally designed for Mutants so they have an educational environment where they wouldn't be discriminated, it's also a home for many of us who study there." Her eyes nervously flicked around the room, her breathing sounding rather loud to her, her heart hammering away frantically behind her rib cage.
"Does that mean that you two are-"
Catherine managed to avoid looking at her by turning her head to watch Emily as she sat down next to her, hungrily attacking the food upon her plate.
"Well eat up you two, don't wait!" They weren't angry? Her eyes moved over to his mothers face. She picked up her fork, nudging some of the food with her fork but not making any move to put any in her mouth. "When did you two meet?" Cat looked across at Riley quickly before she let her eyes fall back down to the plate again, she just wanted to sit under the table away for all their eyes.
"At noon, on Thursday," .... "April 24 this year." She looked rather suprised at the idea that he knew exactly when they met, she knew it was sometime just before her birthday but she wasn't that sure.
"Catherine, you're family won't mind us stealing you away for Christmas?" Martha recieved a quick glance in response before Cat's eyes dropped back down to her food again. She slipped her hand from Riley's, placing her fork down upon her plate her hands nervously twisting with each other in her lap.
'No .... I don't really have family.' She looked back over at Martha, offering her a small nervous smile.
Cat: Can there be any hope for us after all thats happened?
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States
Everyone seemed to give a sympathetic look in her direction, everyone else but Jonathan and Marth had begun eating, Riley's parents nudging their food a little with their forks but keeping their eyes on the two.
"That's awful dear," Riley's eyes had turned to stare at Catherine, he looked a looked a little hurt that she acted as if she had no family when she at him and their baby. "I'm so sorry... but now at least you have all of us." The was a little bit of excitement in her tone at the thought of having her son and his girlfriend down at their farm for a little while, though she longed and hoped it was a long while. Riley felt a little alone now that Catherine had withdrawn her hand, picking up his fork and rather miserably poking the mashed potatoes lightly as if expecting it to come alive and try to wonder off his plate. It would seem now was a good time to mention she was pregnant, but was it Riley's place to just blurt it out? He glanced over towards Catherine once more before staring down at his plate, maybe she was too mad with him to want to say she was carrying his child..
Lifting his eyes over to his parents, noticing they appeared to have no intentions on eating just now, his eyes dropped down away from them. He knew they wanted to ask him more questions, so he basically forced himself to start eating, even though he didn't want to eat anything, but at least when he started eating the others talked between themselves rather excitedly as they planned who to call first and what to say.
"My parents died when I was a baby." Emily added her little bit of info just so she could be noticed by the strangers, being around older people wasn't as fun as it could be around the new younger two that just popped up out of nowhere. Her voice was low so Cat could hear her but the others who where talking didn't notice what she said. Riley stared over towards Emily at the mention of the death of her parents, how horrible, part of his family has died and he doesn't even remember that.
"Where are you from Catherine?" Martha's smile bluntly showed she had little to no bother in the fact either her son or his girlfriend where mutants. Though she was really upset that he had gone through such changes without her being able to be there and support him. Riley was slowly cutting up the slices of meat on his plate, there seemed so much there, especially for the fact he had a poor eating habit.
No matter how long it takes, one day we'll be together and that day will last forever.
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States"That's awful dear," She didn't notice the hurt expression upon Riley's face, she wasn't even sure where the two of them where headed anymore. One week they'd been blissfully happy and the next she didn't really know where she stood with him anymore. She did however notice him start to push his food around on his plate like she'd done a couple of minutes ago. In order to avoid looking up at Riley's mum she took up her fork again, tentativley skewering a few vegeatbles and transfering them to her mouth. She kept her eyes rather downcast as she chewed. She really didn't like talking about her parents, sometimes it was almost as if she wanted to keep them all for herself, but all she really had was memories. She hadn't been able to bring much over with her from England, and there were loads of things she wanted which had had to be put in deep storage. She didn't even have her birth certificate. Her parents had left her everything they had but they'd had debts that had to be paid and she wasn't sure how much she was to inherit once she turned twenty one.
"My parents died when I was a baby." Cat looked over at the younger girl, giving her a type of smile you can only give if you've been through that type of thing. It wouldn't have been too bad if they'd have died of natural causes but instead it was almost as if they'd been cheated of life, robbed.
"Where are you from Catherine?" Rather unwillingly Cat tore her eyes away from Emily's face looking over at Martha. She wasn't used to all these questions even though it was perfectly normal for someone to want to know about her son's girlfriend.
'Ummm England.' She was glad the conversation had turned away from her parents. It was odd she'd probably have found it easier to talk to Emily about this then any of the others since the younger girl probably had more on idea what it was like to suffer like that. At least the girl had a family around her that cared for her. She was never quite sure why her Aunt refused to take her in.
Cat: Can there be any hope for us after all thats happened?
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States
Slowly Riley had begun to eat at bits and pieces while Catherine and his mother talked, after that everyone seemed to grow quiet. Riley didn't really finish his meal, he pushed his plate a little forward and fiddled with his hands that rested on his lap, his eyes staring down at them as his fingers twisted about each other.
"Aunt Martha, if they are going back to the farm, does that mean I'm not allowed back tonight?" Emily sounded disappointed, they where taking Heather back to the farm today, the pregnant labrador belonged to Emily, a Christmas presant shortly after her parents died. "Uncle Jonathan promised I could help with Heather, I really wanted to be there when she has the puppies.." Emily's bright hazel eyes took on a a pouting puppy look, hoping to be able to still be allowed to go back with them.
"We'll see honey," Of course, if Emily really wanted to stay Martha and Jonathan would find a way to let her, even if it meant they set up a place on the couch for her, Emily was always the child that replaced the one they lost so they took pleasure in any time they could share with her, she was very much like their daughter.
"Why don't you take the car, Roger and I can drive down with you in the truck, Emily can come with us and if she can stay she does otherwise she can come home with us." Penny threw Emily a warm smile as Emily grinned brightly at the chance of still going to the farm, but Riley fidgeted nervouls at the thought of Emily staying, he remembered glimpses of his home, or at least knew there was only two spare bed rooms, including his, which meant if Emily stayed then he and Cat would have to share a room. Other then being shy about his parents he doubted Cat would want to sleep in the same room with him since she didn't want to do that back at the school.
Everyone seemed to get overly excited about taking Riley back to the farm and they started packing up as soon as they all finished what they where eating, clearing the table and soon shuffling out of the room in order to get everything ready for the trip.
"Right then, I'll get the car out the front and we'll take you two home!" Jonathan stood up and hurried out of the room, Emily and Martha said something about getting blankets ready for Heather to lay on and then also disappeared up the stairs. Rachael excused herself after informing Riley's grand parents she'll stay and look after the store while they're gone, his grand parents soon leaving the room in order to get Toby put into the back of the truck again. Both the dogs eagerly waddled after everyone who seemed to file out of the kitchen, it was suddenly very empty, the silence left in the room disturbed only by the strained sigh that left Riley as if he had been holding his breath.
"I wish there wasn't so many, there's just too many all at once and I've already forgotten half their names." If he just relaxed a little he'd remember all of them easily but he was so nervous he was finding everything too difficult to remember. "Catherine, I know you're always really upset when I talk with you about the baby.. but don't you think we should mention something to them..?" He fidget only more when their names where called to hurry out to the front, but Riley wasn't sure he was ready to get out there right away and stared at Catherine waiting for her answer as an excuse on delying heading out there with the horde of Finns he didn't even remember.
No matter how long it takes, one day we'll be together and that day will last forever.
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States"Right then, I'll get the car out the front and we'll take you two home!" Cat had eaten the bits of the meal that tasted nicest to her, she was still really nervous and it was an effort to keep swallowing. She didn't really like the silence that had descended down upon the house. She wished there was a TV on or a radio or something. She hastily stood up as everyone else did, watching as they filed out of the room in dribs and draps untill there was just her and Riley standing alone in the room.
"I wish there wasn't so many, there's just too many all at once and I've already forgotten half their names." She flashed him a rather nervous smile, she felt really akward about this whole thing, she was hoping it would get easier though. Hopefully she'd be able to keep heself out of the way in her room. She knew his parents wouldn't probably want some time with him when she wasn't there to talk to him, after all he had just kind of returned to them from the dead like some kind of biblical son. "Catherine, I know you're always really upset when I talk with you about the baby.. but don't you think we should mention something to them..?" Her hands fidgited a little at her sides, flashing him a quick glance before she answered him.
'I guess they need to know don't they.' She gave him another small smile, consenting at the moment to talk about the baby. He hadn't said anything about it for a couple of days, she felt bad for shouting at him though but she was just upset and worried. 'I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell.'
Cat: Can there be any hope for us after all thats happened?
Re: Huxley, Iowa, United States'I guess they need to know don't they.' It was a little comforting to know she wasn't upset at him for bringing it up, Angela had explained a few days ago when he was sulking about in the library that having a child at her age was most likely something Catherine would have never planned to do. It may only be 3 years difference, but at their age right now that was still a big thing, since Catherine was just beginning her adulthood and Riley was at the stage he was ready to settle down.
'I'm sorry I didn't mean to yell.' It took a moment for him to understand that she was talking about the other day when she had snapped at him, but he dropped his eyes to the ground for a little bit before looking back up at her.
"You don't really need to apologise, I know I got over excited and you where dealing with you're own things.. I just.." His eyes dropped to her stomach before looking over towards the door, the voices of his family sounding all so excited and he could tell his mother was crying again as she was talking with Jonathan about how she can't believe Riley's really alive. "I really wanted to talk with you, I thought maybe if I tried to talk about something that we can look forward to then it might distract you from all the bad things that had happened." His eyes shifted back to her but dropped downwards guiltily, that was part of the reason, but of course he was really excited and he did want to know if she hoped it was a boy or a girl, if she had favorite names or anything.. he just wanted to talk with her about their baby..
"I always wanted to be with someone, but being in the Initiative there was no way I thought I'd ever find anyone, and if I did I couldn't ever have a family there," He seemed to get a bit of a distant look in his eyes as he thought back to how it was always Graham and Forrest with their girlfriends and he'd be on his own.. Even with Claire she'd be off with her friends, Riley knew she was sleeping with other men, whenever she tried to get near him it made him feel all dirty. Maybe a tiny part of him felt like that now around Catherine, having to put a part of him inside her where only he was ever allowed to be, and yet now some other person has been there. But he Knew it had not been of Cat's will, at least with Jon, he had forced himself on her, Riley had no idea what had happened with Marc, but Angela had gotten mad at Dawn when she made an off hand comment about Cat probably just being restless and figuring it was his body so why not?
"..But then you came storming into my life," He smiled a little, remembering how angry and frightened she had been of all the mutants gathered in the hall. His hand lifted so his fingers could gently stroke against her cheek before falling away "You changed everything, you make me feel so whole, so complete, and now we're going to have a family together," There was this spark of excitement in his eyes that he was struggling very hard to hide in his calm expression "It's like you're giving me everything I thought I'd never be able to have, love, a life, choices to do whatever I want, you even gave me back my old family as well as giving me a new one." He dropped his voice a little as his eyes fell back down towards the ground.
"I just got so over excited I forgot to think about how scary this must all be for you," Slowly his eyes lifted up to her face as his hands reached out to take her own, pulling them closer towards his chest "But you don't have to ever be afraid of anything, because you're not alone in this, or in any other thing you have to face, you will always have me." Placing her hands together over his heart, which wasn't thrashing away inside him anymore, he held them with one hand while his other hand reached for her face. The tips of his fingers brushing timidly through the fringe of her hair, curling it behind her ear.
"Even if there's miles between us, you should always be comforted by my feelings towards you, just because things become hard it doesn't change what I feel." If anything he needed her more when things got tough, he should be allowed to comfort her and hold her and love her even more now that she was hurting so much, but she made him so nervous around her, she felt so distant to him that he was afraid she wanted to have him leave her.. "If you need time, then I don't mind waiting, if you need me, I'll be here for you, if you want my attention, it's all yours, if you want my arms to hold you, they're here for you.. or if you want your space.. I'll give it to you." He felt for some reason he had just said that if she wanted to leave him forever he'd not protest to her wish. That wasn't what he meant to say, but she had said earlier that she wasn't sure about them anymore, so part of him was worried she might take that as a statement that if she wants to break up with him he wouldn't try to change her mind. But he didn't want her to leave him, he didn't want to think that every night was going to be spent sleeping in an empty bed, and every day spent wondering about all alone.
The tips of his fingers traced down to her chin, moving his hand back up so his palm could brush against her skin, his fingers dragging down lightly across her cheek once more before tucking them beneath her chin again. Leaning down towards her, obviously wanting to kiss her, but he couldn't, not if she wasn't comfortable with him, what if he only upset her, instead seeming to hover close to her but not leaning any further to kiss her.
"Just tell me what you want so I know.." His voice dropped to a whisper when he spoke, it had been so long since he was allowed to hold and kiss her, he missed her so much, even if she was just nearby, she never seemed close enough any more, not recently, and he was desperate to have her closer to him..
No matter how long it takes, one day we'll be together and that day will last forever.
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