DEAR ARLOW;

Arlow Hartland, 35, Father. General Practitioner, local. As imagined by A.,

[drhartland]

laciecooper​:

Lacie rolled her eyes at Arlow and dropped her shoes to the floor beside her with a laugh. The alcohol had really loosened her up tonight and she was all giggles tonight. She grabbed his hand and pulled him closer to her so she could lower her voice. “Andy’s not my boo okay but he is fine as hell and knows exactly how to handle me so who knows, he might be someday.” She leaned her head against his chest and sighed softly. “I’m so glad you’re back home, I miss havin’ you around.”

Andrew tapped her head lovingly as he smiled looking forward. “I sure have missed this spunk of yours too, missy.” It had taken him a long while to truly understand the meaning of no place like home. “I am not going anywhere anymore, I promise.” He whispered leaning down into her. And he meant it, this was were he needed it to be all along, surrounded with the people that had watched him grow. Madison had been his forever home, his pride had just gotten in the way. 

[imaginedbya]

[imaginedbya]

               -      ARLOW HARTLAND AN AESTHETIC      -

[drhartland]

billiedawson​:

@madison-starters​

OPEN

Thump. Billie let out a sudden yelp of pain as the top of her head hit the underside of the table. Not at any point during the night had she planned to be spending time crawling beneath the nicely decorated dining tables. But she also hadn’t planned to lose one of her heels in the crowd and remain unaware for far longer than she cared to admit thereafter. She wasn’t sure when the darned thing decided to make its stealthy escape but she couldn’t very well carry one with the rest of her evening without it. A logic person of sound mind might have opted to go barefoot and save themselves the embarrassment of being discovered on all fours, billowing skirt and all. Billie was neither logically or of sound mind. Backing out from beneath the table she let out a startled squeak of surprise to find that someone watching her charade. “Oh goodness, I promise its not as strange as it looks” she explained, unable to keep from laughing at her own predicament. “I’ve lost my shoe you see” she stuck her foot out to prove her claim, wiggling her toes inside the laced stocking. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen it, bright yellow. Naughty little thing, always trying to make a break for it” 

Arlow had been watching the brunette crawl under tables as he sipped on his soda pop, never been much of a drinker, but he was absolutely amused. He had kept a serious face through the whole ordeal but right when he got busted he couldn’t help his raspy laugh and looked away to try and calm himself down, but watching Billie Dawson crawling under the tables and accusing her shoe of running was the show of the night for him. “Let me help you up you silly, and very drunk, girl.” He gesture as he extended his hands for her to grab. “I’m gonna be totally honest with ya, your shoe picked the best night to disappear, I think you should take your loss and just accept you shall never see that yellow bastard again.”

[drhartland]

laciecooper​:

location; belle ball with; open @madison-starters​

Lacie hadn’t wanted to come to this event in a long time, but knowing that she was getting to come with Andrew Harper as her date made it much more enticing. She’d spent most of the night with him attached to her hip but he was chatting with his brother across the room and Lacie had slipped off to get a couple more drinks for the both of them. She was definitely a little past tipsy already and knelt down to yank her heels off her feet as she made her way over to the bar, shoes in her hand and holding her dress up with the other.

“I’m gonna need two glasses of champagne, STAT!” She laughed, leaning against the bar and glancing around at the people nearest her. “What? You don’t watch Grey’s Anatomy?”

"I most definitely not, it makes me cringe every time, that is not how the life real doctors go, and it makes me sad.” He joked. “I am more amused by you holding your heels in your hands, and I cannot wait to tell my mama about this. You will never heard end of it Lacie Cooper.” He took another sip of of his drink as he looked over his shoulder. “That’s your new boo? He seems nice, you look happy.” He said with warmth in his eyes. 

[drhartland]

lou-dunn​:

Lou laughed, shaking her head at Arlow’s playful accusation. “C’mon, now, Arlow Hartland, you know me better than that! I’m just a little too invested in how everyone’s doin’ and feelin’ about it all because I spent a lot of time on this shindig.” Lou laughed when he mentioned his mother trying to set him up, knowing the situation he was in almost perfectly. “My mama’s the same way, she’s always pushin’ Jack and Jules off on blind dates. Thankfully, I think she’s finally figured out I’m a lost cause.” 

“This mothers of ours I think they just want to get rid of us all together so they can live their belle retirement in peace, I’m unto them.” He chuckled. Being a single person in Madison was a horror movie that hunted every single person with a mother, it was a comedy to Andrew even tho he too thought he would’ve been happily married with two or more kids by then. But he found himself a single father of one. “Let me get you a drink, Lou, for the old times.” He asked politely. 

[drhartland]

lou-dunn​:

location: madison belle ball with: @madison-starters​ | open

The look of stress on Lou’s face was essentially a permanent fixture, but it didn’t matter when she took this little moment to herself to scan the room. Lifting the glass of whiskey to her lips and taking a sip, Lou smiled at the way things had all come together. “Please tell me you’re enjoying yourself,” she said to the person who had just stepped up to her side, “I don’t care if it’s a lie, I honestly just need the confidence boost right now.” Turning to face the individual, she gave them a quick wink. “This looks good, right? It isn’t just me being delusional because I’ve been staring at it all for so long?” 

“Oh no Lou they gotten to you too? Are turning into a crazy driven Madison Belle too? You? Color me surprised.” He teased her. “Alright, alright, fine. I am having a great time, which is technically not a lie if you consider I get to see all the pretty ladies wrapped in their finest dresses, I don’t think I could complain much about that. Although if my mom tries to set me up with one more person I might have to leave early with a fake sickness and not even you can hold that against me.” 

[drhartland]

[drhartland]

sadie-rae-james​:

Sadie wasn’t sure what Arlow meant by kind as it can be. That could have meant anything, and in her experience, life’s a bitch. She decided not to pry; he was entitled to privacy. “Well, I guess that’s true. But I hope you’ve been alright. How long are you stayin’ in Madison?”

Arlow smiled, while there was still pain in his heart he was learning there was more to be grateful and happy about than to be sad and depressed over it. “I’m doing good, I am healthy, she is healthy,” he gestured to the little girl that played peacefully on her high chair. “I am actually here for good, I’m not planning on going anywhere for a long while. Hope the town can be big enough for the two of us Sadie.” 

[drhartland]

jihyunsnoh​:

Jihyun was still a teenager when Arlow left so she hadn’t formed her own opinions, just heard little chatters from her parents who she knew could be judgmental in their own right. So, naturally she was curious about the man and his story so to speak. The costume was funny in itself, but the moment she saw him she had tp spark up conversation. “Mmm well… after I got pregnant with Jinah… it took people about two years to stop asking me about her father and all.” Giving her own genuine example, she realized it could’ve come off as a little cheeky, causing a crimson tint to cover her cheeks as she chuckled awkwardly. “But uh… you’ve been missed so I’m gonna guess never, sir.”

Arlow looked at her with admiration, being pregnant and single in a town like Madison had to be one of the hardest things to do when people didn’t know how to mind their own, be she seemed brave and she had survived it. Jihnyun was so young when he left, in fact he remember very little of her, but she seemed to have grown into a fine lady, adversities and all. “Well I can relate slightly, everyone wants to know about Fallons mother, and I would pay any amount of money so I don’t have to answer that question again.” 

[drhartland]

morganvaldez​:

“Not at all,” she replied with a grin, “Could’ve been a minion costume.” knowing that would’ve been more comical to see running down the street. She remembered Arlow vaguely, being of a similar age to her older sister rather than herself. “Hey you could get a morph suit, that wouldn’t raise eyebrows at all..as for the silent run, probably never.”

“I am very aware of how uncool this is going to make me sound, but what in the world is a morph suit?” He asked quite confused. Arlow had come to accept a while back that he was no longer a young boy, he was a man and that came with being uncool, which he was surprisingly okay with it at that point. He had a good run before that and that was enough. 

[drhartland]

daisyfinch​:

Daisy’s morning walk with her dog Lady was usually quiet, so early that very few people were up and about and she relished in it. Not one for headphones, she just liked to take in the sounds of nature as they walked through the neighborhoods while her pup sniffed at every other tree they passed. It wasn’t al that uncommon to see someone running this early though, the heat pushing people to run when the air was cooler. Daisy recognized Dr. Hartland as he came to a stop near her and she offered him a smile. “You should get one. I think it’d be funny seeing you try to run it in,” she laughed with a shrug, tugging on Lady’s leash as she sniffed the man’s shoes. “Give it a couple more weeks, let everyone get back in from summer break and I’m sure you’ll have seen everyone by then.”

“Morning Daisy.” He greeted the young girl before crunching down to pet the dog before standing again. “Perhaps, maybe I’m just not used to it. I got used to living in a big city where everyone just doesn’t really know anyone and you just walk pass everyone like strangers, is gonna be a while before I get used to the fact that here everyone knows everyone and everyone wants to know everything about what has happened with my life. All good concern I’m sure, shouldn’t be complaining about it so much, huh?” He said crossing his arms over his chest. “You an early bird too huh? Or is this cute pupper forcing you out of the house this early?” 

[drhartland]

leandrogvrcia​:

Leandro chuckled lightly as he looked at the other. After moving to Madison, he never actually left so he couldn’t relate to what the other was going through. But it being a small town, he definitely understood how it could be annoying to be stopped every couple steps when you have something to do. “Give it a couple other weeks, maybe. Or maybe till someone else moves back. Whichever comes first. Definitely get that t-rex costume though. I support that.”

“Honestly just needed an excuse to get it, they are hilarious. But also I really hope someone else comes home soon so I can divert the attention to them. I’ve never been one to like too much attention.” He shrugged. “But I’m also glad to know I was missed, maybe this is why people say there is no place like home. If I ever left my house on San Diego and returned ten years latter I doubt anyone would even notice.” 

[drhartland]

logankirby​:

Logan let her eyes rest on him. “Who gives a shit?” She tilted her head a little. “You left town… Boo-hoo.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I like to think you left to better yourself and now you’re crawling back cause you know your life wasn’t the same without us Madison folks.” She teased as she gestured her head to get him to start running again. “Run with me and I’ll make sure you have some quiet time.”

“Well, I did thought the grass was greener on the other-side, turns out it was but its not as fun when you don’t have your favorite people and your favorite places near by.” He explained. Leaving Madison on an impulse was definitely one of the many things he regretted, but he was back and it was better late than never. “You’re as sweet as pie, don’t mind if I do.”

[drhartland]

laciecooper​:

“Well leave it to me to ruin a sweet surprise.” Lacie laughed as she held onto Arlow as tight as he little arms would allow. He’d been her rock for the last three decades almost ad Lacie knew that even with their tangled up past, she wouldn’t have chosen anybody else to be her right hand man. He pulled her back to look her over and Lacie made a silly face at him before she pulled away and shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “You look old as hell.” She winked, joking with him as if no time had passed at all since the last time she saw him. “Now where in the hell is my beautiful little god daughter, I need to squeeze that baby girl.” Being back in Arlow’s presence again after so long was a little strange but with everything that he’d been through, the two had talked constantly, with Lacie always trying to convince him to move back home where he had all the support in the world. “I missed you. More than I’m willing to admit out loud.”

“I age like fine wine, the older the better.” He retorted as he used one of his hands to brush over his unshaved chin that he had planned on taking care of after his run. “At least I’ve learned to do my hair, unlike your bed head over here.” Arlow teased as he ruffled the top of her head to mess her hair before moving pass her to open the door to the home for the two of them. “Unfortunately my mom already picked her up this morning, she stays with her until I’m off from work and head over to have dinner with them. You should come, to dinner, tonight. I’m sure mom will be trilled to have you and you get to spend the afternoon with Fallon, whom can’t wait to see you I’m sure. Facetime’s are cool but nothing like seeing the familiar person in real time.” He closed the door behind them. “Please ignore the unpacked boxes, I will get to them, eventually.” 

[drhartland]

nicholasxgates​:

Finding out that Arlow was back in town was a shock in the first place. And that was exactly how Arlow’s father started the conversation that morning. Over a cup of coffee, he thought he was just talking with the owner and doctor, but it turned out he was getting a lot more than he bargained for. If Nicholas had nightmares about anything in life, or panicked about anything in life, it was about Arlow coming back to town for good. It wasn’t bad enough that he ruined the relationship with their mutual childhood friend, but then he got engaged to her a few short years later. Nicholas regretted it - only because it didn’t work out. As it would turn out, she didn’t actually love Nicholas in the first place. It was only because Arlow was gone that she projected feelings onto Nick - but she hadn’t realized that until they were standing at the alter ready to tie the knot. Nicholas knew the news prior, but it still didn’t stop the man from tensing at the sight of Arlow. He had to be the last person the doctor wanted to see upon taking over the family business. Clearing his throat, he approached, though his feet were heavy like a bag of bricks as he dragged himself over to Arlow. “It’s, uh, nice to have you back in town.” What else was he supposed to say, “Place is in good hands still with your pops handin’ it off to you.” It’s not like it was a lie - despite how uncomfortable his job was going to become.

“Thank you, I hope I can live to the expectations.” His father had been very clear when he had passed the practice, not the full business, and as he saw his childhood best friend there standing across him with the most saddest of looks he understood exactly why. The man was taking no chances that his son might be evil enough to let Dr. Gates standing out in the cold, which he would never do. He resented Nicholas, and her, the one that he could not bring himself to name. But he did not hate him enough to act in a childish way, he was far more prideful. His own sad eyes looked for a wedding band in the mans fingers but failed to notice it, and he was unsure if that made him feel better or worst. There were days he still wore his out of habit, his mother had told him to throw them out, but instead he had hid it somewhere in his room like a little boy holding on to something he shouldn’t. “My father says business is good, pediatrics is a good for the business.” Small talk, that’s what years of friendship and memories were reduced to.

[drhartland]

cassandraxgates​:

Cassandra didn’t mean to stare but it wasn’t every day that she saw her brother’s ex best friend running down the street. Her lips fell as she watched him approaching and it seemed as if the man had noticed. She quickly pursed her lips into a thin line. She hated to seem rude by staring and well, at least he was assuming it was over what he was wearing. “Oh, what?” She managed, blinking a few times as she shrugged her shoulders, “Probably won’t happen for a while.” She told him, unsure if Nicholas even knew Arlow was back in town. “I’ve been back in town six months and I still get stopped on the street.” 

“Cassie Blake, what a sight for sore eyes.” And he meant it, he did not harbor any secret bad wishes for any of the Gate’s family members, he simply would rather not see nick ever again. Unfortunately, that was not possible. “Well Madison was never one to be a quiet town, we never needed celebrity gossip because we have the town gossip.” Small chuckle left his lips as he crossed his arms, shifting his weight. “What kind of far interesting adventure did you get yourself outside of Madison?” He asked politely.