DESCRIPTION: Jaycee asks Finn if he wants to adopt her sister’s baby
TRIGGER WARNINGS: adoption, pregnancy, finn being really excited
early morning, 9/19/20
Jaycee.
Hey, okay I know this is weird. But I still had your number from when you and laurel watched my fur babies. Umm, I guess I should just get to the point and stop being weird.
My sister is pregnant and is wanting me to adopt the baby, my lawyers know she’s planning on leaving the baby at the hospital. But I can’t keep this baby, I can’t do it. I know you and Laurel want another baby and I was wondering if you two would want to adopt this baby.
Finn.
what
oh my god
actually?
Jaycee.
I can’t keep the baby, it’s part of a horrible past. And I know you two will love this baby unconditionally
I just would like to know he or she is doing okay.
I think I should have asked you to lunch or something before just blurting it out lol.
Finn.
I don’t know what to say
Laurel is asleep
but I’ll talk to her in the morning
Jaycee.
Okay, just let me know. I’m free to meet whenever.
Finn.
okay
thank you for thinking of us
Jaycee.
Of course, I honestly didn’t even hesitate when my lawyer gave me options, and books from perspective parents. I turned him down and told him I would find the parents myself.
Finn.
I can’t believe this. We were just talking about this
adoption
Jaycee.
It seems we were meant to do this then. That’s so crazy though.
Finn.
thank you again
afternoon, 9/19/2020
Finn.
Jaycee. We talked about it. We want to adopt the baby.
Jaycee.
Okay sounds good, my lawyer will be in contact. If you want any info just let me know.
Finn.
when is she due
Jaycee.
She is 30 weeks, so 10 weeks I think.
Finn.
oh my god. That’s so soon. We can’t wait.
Jaycee.
I know it’s last minute, if y’all need anything for the baby I will but whatever ever you need.
Finn.
we’ve been ready for a baby for at least a month now
DISCORD THREAD FEATURING: Finn & @oflaurelthatcherisms
MENTIONS: -
WHEN: 2010
DESCRIPTION: Laurel and Finn tell each other they love each other for the first time.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: I don’t think any?
laurel
At the beginning of the year, when she first met him in Las Vegas and they accidentally got married, she truly didn't think that they were going to last the whole year. She half expected them to find out how incredibly incompatible they are, argue a lot, and just despise each other. Well... Six months later... Them moving to Denver to live together... Him working at the fire station and her leaving Emirates to work for Frontier at the airport... And things were a lot better than she expected. Over the past six months, she was beginning to realize that he was becoming her best friend. And that her heart does little gymnastics every time she sees him... And that she could look at his smile for days and weeks and months and years... And that every time he held her in his arms, she never wanted to be anywhere else. But god, what does this mean? Both having the same day off, Laurel woke up early and decided to make his favourite breakfast. Humming softly to some Turkish music, all she could think about was seeing the look on his face and she couldn't stop smiling. Then again, she has been smiling a lot more thanks to him. She likes it, though. A lot.
Finn
What was a supposed to be a fun, exciting weekend at a work friend's Bachelor party in Vegas turned into a weekend that would change the rest of his life. He was so young - 21 and just really starting his career. He had barely found himself when he found Laurel. Nearly every bone in his body had told him just to get a quick annulment, but Finn wasn't a quitter and Laurel...well there was something about her that he wanted to get to know. The next thing he knew he was living in Denver with a mere stranger, nearly all the way across the country from his hometown in Pennsylvania. He had always loved adventures, and this adventure was one of the craziest he'd ever taken. Finn was woken up by the light that peaked through the shades of their modest home. He rolled over, half expecting Laurel to be laying next to him but when he smelled the food cooking in the kitchen he knew what she was doing. He walked into the kitchen with only his boxers on and smiled when he saw his wife at the stove. He walked up to her and put his arms around her waist, kissing her shoulder and cheek quickly. "Morning." he said, with a smile. He loved the days off they had together. They were the days that they got to know each other the best. No pressure to be places or doing things. They just spent time together.
laurel
At twenty, Laurel has already done and seen so many crazy and exciting. Spending her childhood in Turkey before moving to America at ten years old, becoming a flight attendant right after high school and moving to a completely different country, going to many different countries due to work, one could say that her whole life has been an adventure. But meeting Finn... That has truly been the biggest adventure so far. Or at least, the one she has enjoyed the most. Sure, they were both technically kids still, in a sense. But by god, she wouldn't have traded this for anything. Feeling his arms wrapped around her, the girl smiled brightly and instantly melted against him. She just felt so safe and comfortable when she was in his arms, secured and at peace. The last person... Well, she could never be certain. But with Finn? There were never any doubts. Even something as simple as wearing one of his old shirts (like she was now and had began doing over the past month) filled her with happiness. "Morning," she mused, kissing his jaw. "Thought I'd surprise you with your favourite. Sleep well?"
Finn
Finn didn't anyone else he'd rather take a leap of faith with like this. He was glad he did though, because she had completely swept him off his feet. He felt like he was flying every time he was around her. He knew other people saw them as just young, idiot kids but Finn was determined to give their relationship a try. And fuck, he was so happy he did. Even in a city he wasn't familiar with, he felt at home with Laurel. She was safe and she always took great care of him. The man rested his chin on his wife's neck, strong arm still wrapped around her waist. He took a deep breathe in through his nostrils and looked down at the stove. "Bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel?" he beamed. Fuck, yes. "You already know me so well. Thank you." he said, giving her more tiny pecks on her cheek and neck. "I slept very well. You?" he said, finally removing his arms from around her waist to put some coffee on.
laurel
After Francisco, marriage never really felt like an option. Of course, it was a nice thought. But to love someone again after that... For three years, it never felt like a possibility. So to end up meeting Finn on New Years Eve in Las Vegas and to have a Vegas wedding with the then stranger when in two days, she was suppose to return home to Dubai just to end up leaving as soon as possible to work with another airline in a different city back in the US? It sounded crazy. But god, it felt so right. Despite the initial awkwardness at first, Finn has gone from being a stranger to her best friend. She was now able to call him her husband without an awkward pause at first, saying it so proudly and happily. To go from where they originally were at to now, six months later, bet at home with each other... It was incredible. Beautiful, even. His excitement brought a giggle to her lips. "Only the best for you. And you're welcome, balım." She twisted her body slightly to kiss his cheek, only beaming more at his own kisses. The moment he let go of her to work on the coffee, she instantly wished for his embrace again. "Pretty good. I think knowing that I have the next couple of days off helped," she joked slightly. "And having a cuddle buddy, obviously. Most definitely a bonus."
Finn
When Finn had woken up next to Laurel on New Years days around a decade ago, he thought she was a blacked out hookup. Something he wasn’t super accustomed to doing, but he did have a little bit of a naughty side that sometimes came out when he drank. Especially at 21. Newly of legal age to drink, out of town for a buddy’s bachelor party. Something wild was bound to happen; he just never expected that this would be the result. Something he also didn’t expect to happen was learning Turkish...or at least some Turkish phrases. He thought it important to learn at least a little bit of his wife’s native language. That’s what good partners did right? “You spoil me.” He cooed. He dumped coffee ground sloppily into the coffee maker and turned it on. “God, I love that feeling. Sleeping knowing you don’t have to get up at a certain time in the morning.” He sighed deeply. “It’s always a bonus falling asleep and waking up next to you.” He flirted, shamelessly. It was weird...getting to know each other but already being married. It felt like he was living in a cheesy Hallmark movie. He smiled, walking back over to her while their coffee was brewing to lean onto the counter next to the stove to watch her cook. Yeah, he could stare at her all day.
laurel
Now, if there was something Laurel was not a stranger to, it was having a lover for the night. Sometimes a stranger from a club or bar, sometimes a coworker, sometimes a friend she'd made in her new home; The girl certainly enjoyed having another's company. So waking up and realizing her New Years 'hookup' was now her husband... That'd been new. But now that they were here, she was glad and felt lucky that it happened. And the fact that Finn was so keen on learning some Turkish for her... That had been one of the things that caused her to fall for him. She remembered that she started to cry when she heard him make his attempts, feeling so happy and proud of him. "You deserve to be spoiled," she mused. "It truly is something else. I mean, I love my job entirely. But getting to have those sleeps... How can I not love them?" Her cheeks turned red. She grew more and more bashful lately with his flirting, absolutely enjoying them. "Right back at you, Mr. Thatcher," she flirted back, winking at her husband. Honestly, anyone could see that he was an incredibly handsome man. Tall, clear blue eyes, incredible body, a face chiseled by the gods; He was basically a living statue. But once you got to his personality and learned more about him, how that he was a kind soul who would do anything to help anyone and was practically a huge teddy bear. How his laughter could fill up any room and fill one up with warmth and serenity. How his hugs were just so comforting, never wanting to leave them. How his voice is just so incredible and she could listen to him speak about anything and everything for hours on end. Laurel was getting close to finishing their food, also making some hashbrowns to go along. She glanced up for a moment, stopping once realizing he was staring. "What?" Laurel asked, laughing softly with a warm smile and a quirk of her brow.June 26, 2020
Finn
Finn smiled, and bit down on his lip to keep himself from smiling too wide. Finn had been so used to being the one doing the spoiling, it was nice to have a change of pace for once. That's one of the many things he loved about Laurel. He loved the way she held herself, how her dark hair fell over her shoulders, the way she walked. She was breathtaking. He could've ended up next to anyone that New Year's morning, but he considered himself lucky that he woke up next to her - married to her. "I love working too, but it is nice to wake up whenever you want instead of to the annoying ringing of an alarm." he told her. He was a firefighter; a protector and hero. He loved helping people and saving lives. He didn't mind going into work, he actually looked forward to going into work when he was single. But now he missed Laurel every day he went into work, calling her when they each got a break and sending her texts on his down time. Finn watched the woman make their food for a few moments in silence. Holy...she was a sexy as fuck making him breakfast like that. Finn crossed his arms over chest and looked down at his feet, shuffling them a little when she called him out for staring. "Nothing..." he said, grinning like a fucking idiot. "You're just so god damned gorgeous." he admitted. "And I'm really fucking lucky to have someone like you to wake up to every day." he added. Wow. that was cornier than he expected, but it was exactly how he felt.
laurel
God, she loves spoiling him so much. Just giving him so much care and attention and love-... Love? Why did that make her heart flutter so much? Why did that give her both a sense of an entire zoo in her stomach but also a sense of clarity and peace? Why does that word feel so right? Lately, especially when concerning him, there was just something about that word that made her want to pause, to try and cool down her beating heart and the wide smile that dared to grow. "You can say that again. Buuuut I also can't help but feel bad for the station on your days off. They're missing their best firefighter." Yes, she absolutely was biased. No, she felt no shame. She was so proud of him and admired his care for other people- but she also couldn't help but to worry as well. Especially when it came to extremely big cases. That most certainly made parts of her job hard: not being home and knowing if he's okay or not while she's up in the air for a couple of hours heading from one place to another. Every time they were able to finally call or text each other just filled her up with a sense of relief, reminding her that he was okay and safe. And that soon, they were going to be back in each other's arms again. Watching him become awkward was just so adorable. How he shuffled his feet and grinned. Giggling at his words, she placed their food on their plates before turning off the stove. However, she couldn't help herself. She moved over to stand before him, loosely wrapping her arms around his neck as she smiled up at him. "And you are just so god damned handsome," she mused, kissing the tip of his nose. She knew that she had hearts in her eyes as she gazed upon him. But god, how could she not? She just loves him so much and- oh my god, I love him. The realization shocked her. How could she not realize it? The signs have been there for so long... Holy fuck. Holy fuck. Holy fuck, she... she... Oh. "I love you." The words were quiet. Yet she beamed. "I love you, Finn."
Finn
"Stop gassing me up, or else my ego will get too big." he chuckled, although the compliment made him a little giddy. Laurel really was his number one fan. That was what wives were supposed to do though right? Either way, he loved the encouragement he got from her. Knowing that someone was on his side no matter what he did, was comforting. He felt so fucking safe. He liked the idea of having a life long companion on Laurel. He'd always knew he wanted to get married but he never expected it to happen like this. Since they got married, he pictured them growing older together so many times. Having kids and being domestic as fuck together. Whenever Finn thought about the future, Laurel was right by his side the whole time. Finn had been in love once before after he graduated high school and started his life in the real world. It was a feeling he hadn't felt in a while. Well, up until recently at least; until he met Laurel. Finn was definitely a romantic. He loved taking Laurel out and doing little romantic gestures for her. He believed that even a bouquet of flowers could say a thousand different words. He recalled the time he surprised her with a homemade Turkish dinner when she got home from work one night a few months ago. Nothing too fancy, and Laurel probably could have made it better herself. But he wanted to do something special for her to show her that he cared about their relationship, even though it wasn't necessarily ordinary. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in tightly as she kissed his nose. Their eyes met with that three word phrase left her lips. He a huge smile slowly grew on his face. "I love you too." The words came really naturally to him because he had been feeling that way for a while now, he just wasn't ready to admit that to himself. But hearing Laurel say it out loud really smacked some sense into him. Why didn't see it before? He leaned down and gave her a gentle, yet passionate kiss.
laurel
"Never- I like inflating your ego," she laughed. She was always ready to cheer him on, to be by his side for anything and everything. She loved it so much, loved seeing how her compliments had their effect on him. How they're able to know exactly what to say to make the other feel better. It was amazing, really. It was something she never expected. But despite being mere strangers not too long ago, Finn truly knew her better than anyone else. Well, okay. There were some things she needed to talk to him about still. Some things involving herself and her past that she's not proud about, but she knows she wants to tell him about. To open up and let him in to see, to witness. To fully know everything about her. And that was in and of itself really fucking scary. She never wanted to share her secrets with anyone so much before. So wanting to share them with her husband... it was something else. The man has become her home. Her future. She has dreamed about the future so many times lately and always, without fail, she saw him there by her side. She saw them growing old, saw them becoming parents, becoming grandparents. Sharing a home together and loving each other unconditionally for forever. It was such a beautiful dream. And she was certain that he wanted that, too. He was trying so hard and was such a romantic, her heart was constantly bursting with happiness. That night he cooked that homemade Turkish dinner is truly one of her favourite memories of them. She'd been so happy and so surprised, she'd cried. He wanted to connect with her and her culture so much, it made her so happy. It made her feel... loved. God, is this what it means to be loved? If so, she's lucky that it's with Finn. Her smile only grew as he said those words back, eyes beginning to sprinkle with happy tears. Laughing joyfully, she held him close as they kissed. One hand sneak it's way into his hair and played with his locks, the girl deepening the kiss. "I love you so much, oh my god."
Finn
He shook his head. No one had ever made him feel as good looking, proud, happy, confident about himself like Laurel had. She knew all the right things to say to make him giddy. He honestly didn't think any other man could be as happy as he was right now. He had really struck gold and genuinely believed that Laurel was the greatest woman in the entire world. How had be gotten that lucky. "Okay then. I'll take it." he said, giving in. Because yeah, why wouldn't he let someone as amazing as Laurel compliment the hell out of him. Laurel was so easy to open up to; he had told her everything about how he best friend had died a few years prior and how hard that was for him to deal with. Laurel was always there for him whenever he felt down about it; always knowing the right thing to say. So this was what finding your person felt like. This was he read in all the books and watched in all the movies. The perfect home, the picket fence, the perfect woman by his side maybe even a child someday. He thought about growing old together with her nearly everyday, but right now he wanted to focus in on this moment. The way her warm body felt pressed up against him, how he could feel her soft, dark hair on his skin. Her scent was so alluring and so distinct; he knew he'd be able to sense her presence by her smell. "I love you, too. I love you, too." he repeated, between kisses. He brought one hand up to slide his fingers through her thick hair. Damn, he loved her hair. He couldn't name one thing about her that he didn't love. Life couldn't get any better.
laurel
"Good," she mused with a smirk and a giggle. She truly did love to raise him up. To compliment him for as long as possible. He was honestly the greatest man she has ever met, so kind and loving. It all felt so natural with him, no pretend. She could truly envision a happy life with Finn and with it being filled with so much love and happiness. Sure, people look at them and see them still as kids. That they have no idea what the future holds. And sure, they got a point. But no matter what, Laurel truly wanted to brave anything and everything the future sends them. To hold each others's hand and stand by each others's side. No matter how rough the future got, she had a feeling that they would fight whatever necessary to be together and stay together. She loves him. She loves him more than she feared the uncertainty of tomorrow. And by the gods, was she so happy right now. She melted into his touch, one hand moving to cup his face while the other softly tugged and played with his locks. Just everything about him, from his scent to his touches to feeling him beneath her fingers, how he held her, how his kissed her, was just so intoxicating in the greatest way possible. Laurel truly could not get enough of him repeating that, those words filling her up with so much joy. She pulled apart, latching her lips onto his jaw to kiss him softly before trailing down his neck. She'd forgotten completely about breakfast, too wrapped up in her husband. This was happiness, huh? This was love, most certainly. And to be graced with this, with him... She truly was the luckiest woman in the world.
Finn
So many people had told Finn to leave Laurel; his parents thought he was absolutely crazy for moving all the way across the country to move in with a mere stranger. They told him that he was too young. That he would never make it. Yet, here he was half a year later so in love with a woman he didn't know existed less than a year ago. But Finn was loyal; he had made a commitment and he didn't want to go back on his word. Whether it was a drunken word or not; it was his word. They had already gone through so many obstacles as a couple; he figured they'd be able to get through anything life threw at them. Before he met Laurel...his life had been pretty boring. She just added so much excitement to his life. He learned so much from her, made him laugh, made him feel ways he had never felt before. He didn't think anything could bring him down when he was with her. He tilted his head back slightly as she kissed his neck, completely forgetting about their breakfast getting cold on the plates and focusing solely on their moment together; as a couple in love.
laurel
Her parents were use to her bold choices. How she had spent her senior year living in Cape Town in South Africa for study abroad, just to then live in Dubai as soon as she possibly could after graduation. They hadn't been prepared for her to suddenly be married at 20 and moving back to the States to live with a perfect stranger. That had even been their first time trying to put their foot down to dissuade her from going through with this. But... It didn't stop her. And she has been on the best adventure of her life so far with Finn Thatcher. She has fallen in love after someone had made her believe that love could potentially be awful and horrible. Finn's love was soft and warm. Yes, there's been complications and doubts. But over all, there has been a sense of boldness of being married to a stranger and learning to get to know them and befriend them and fall in love. "We should probably eat breakfast..." Yet Laurel made no move to pull away. She only pulled him closer, body rolling softly against his as she kissed his lips. Forget the damned breakfast; She was focused on the man she loves.
Finn
Before he met Laurel, Finn's life had been pretty boring. He never thought he would leave the small town he grew up in; he was established there. A good job, friends, family, comfort. Sure, he loved adventures but he also loved going home, sitting on his back porch facing the woods with the hills in the background. He loved hearing the wolves howl at night and letting the birds wake him up in the morning. He'd play paintball with his friends after work, go hunting, visit his parents often. He liked this life. Then he met Laurel. And wow, she made him love his life. He picked up everything and left that town without a second glance. He never regretted it for a minute. He wasn't a city person, but he'd more jus about anywhere if that meant he got to be with Laurel. He missed small town life, but he loved life with Laurel even more. "Sure." he said, half-heartedly as he left his wife pull him in closer to her. He pushed his hips into her's as he deepened their kiss. There was no way they were eating that breakfast while it was still hot.
laurel
She spent the first ten years of her life living in Turkey, but even then, her family would make trips all over Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia. When they moved to Wyoming at first, they'd move near Yellowstone and would make frequent weekend trips to their neighboring states. Laurel was so use to adventures and being on the move, of not really staying in one place for long. But with Finn, she has come to realize that she loves coming home and staying there with him. She still loves her job, of course, but she also loves getting to be with her husband more. The brunette moaned softly, her hips rolling against his. "Bed?" It came out in a soft whisper, focused more on getting to kiss him. Of getting to be with him. They can always eat up the food afterwards.
Finn
His friends from high school had gone off to college in places like Pittsburgh, New York, DC. He stayed in town after high school, and started a job at the fire station; something he always wanted to do. He was 21, and at 21 he thought he had his whole life figured out. Don't all 21 year olds? Then, there was Laurel. She wasn't in his plan. She taught him that plans changed; not all good. This change happened to be one of the good ones. Probably one of the best ones. He raised his brow at the suggestion of going to the bedroom. That was just what he wanted to hear. He placed a few more kisses on his lips. "Mhmmm..." he said, lowly as he slipped his hand in hers and lead them through their tiny home into their bedroom. He brought her back into him and kissed her passionately. He definitely loved these moments with her. This one was even better considering they had just told each other that they loved each other for the first time.
Charlie nodded and made her way back to the counter, a fresh coffee and vanilla milkshake being made. Whipped cream and even sprinkles were added to the top of the milkshake, a striped paper straw being pushed into the drink before she carefully carried them back over to the table.
“Here you go, on the house,” she quietly said while placing the coffee and milkshake in front of them.
Her curious mind even wondered if the kid had a mum. Hopefully, nothing like Charlie’s, but it still bothered her more than it should have done. Raising a kid was difficult, no matter how prepared you thought you were. Charlie couldn’t talk for herself as she was certainly no where near ready for motherhood and probably wouldn’t ever be comfortable with it, but she hoped that she could offer something to the guy.
“If you need anything, even if it’s just someone to talk to, I’m happy to sit and listen on my break if you ever need it.”
Finn smiled at her kindness. He’d spilled coffee all over her diner and she was offering him drinks on the house, and telling him that he could talk to her. Was it that obvious that he was struggling. “Can you join us?” He asked, unsure if she could take a load off for a minute. Finn didn’t have a college degree and had worked similar jobs in the past. He loved what he did, but he understood how draining some service jobs could be. He could tell that she looked a little drained. “I understand if you can’t. You’re always welcome over for dinner. My wife is an amazing cook.” He smiled. The Thatchers weren’t poor by any means, but they didn’t have a whole lot either. But they did have, though, they loved sharing.
Vulcan had been pretty much in a rough fight tonight, and he almost lost, not until his adrenaline kicked in which helped him win. He didn’t realize how exhausted he actually was until he got to the door of the Thatchers. Laurel and Finn have been his family ever since both of his parents passed, and he’s been spending a lot of nights there when he was forced to break up with Eevee. That very night was also the same night he found himself all beat up and knocking on their door for the first time, Laurel immediately coming to his aid. Now, it was Finn who’s found him, and he just couldn’t look at him straight in the eyes. Thank God it’s just him, he just cannot have his sister see him like this anymore. He follows the man inside and sits on the kitchen table as he was told to. “I have nowhere else to go….I’m sorry, Finn.”
Finn was pissed. Clearly. It mostly came from a place of fear for him though. He knew how these fights could end, and the the last thing he wanted for Vulcan was for him to end up in the hospital, rather than at his house. “I know.” He said when V apologized. He was trying not to let his anger show, as he was mostly just scared and disappointed. He pulled up a chair next to Vulcan when he got the first aid kit. “You need to cut this shit.” He told him as he started washing the blood from his body. “You’re going to get hurt. Like really hurt. Not to mention, this shit is fucking illegal and you have no idea who you’re dealing with.” He sighed.
Who could have possibly been knocking on his door at 2am? He sighed, thankful that the dog wasn’t barking up a storm which would have woken up Felicity and Laurel. He tried to slip out of bed and quietly as possible so as to not wake up his wife. He hopped into a pair of sweatpants and slowly made his way to the door. “Jesus Christ, Vulcan.” He sighed as he opened the door to a bloodied and bruised Vulcan Ellis. This wasn’t much of a surprise, but the sight still hurt Finn to his core. “Get in here. Sit at the kitchen table. Quietly.” He said, with disappointment in his voice as he went to grab the first aid kit.
“Here, it’s okay,” she said, reacting quicker to the spillage than she realised she could.
Most of the boiling liquid had been mopped up with a towel, the brown stains seeping into the material. She had to bite her lip and stop any swearing from falling out of her mouth as the coffee found her skin, but she hid it. The last thing she wanted to do was swear in front of a kid while at work.
“Are you okay?” she asked, “Let me get you another one.”
Charlie’s eyes wandered over to the small girl and something inside of her shifted.
“Is she allowed a milkshake?”
“I’m sorry.” He said, sitting his daughter on the seat next to him to help the waitress clean up the mess. He apologized again and again under his breath. “I’m okay, yeah.” He said, sitting back up and taking a deep breath. “I’d love another one. Thanks.” She really deserved a good tip for putting up with him and being so kind about it. “She can, yeah.” He said, giving her a warm smile. “Lis, what kind of milkshake do you want?” He asked, which prompted little screams to come out of his toddler as she shouted out three different flavors of milkshakes. “So, I think we’ll do vanilla. Because she won’t finish it and that’s my favorite flavor.” He decided, chuckling. “Thank you so much.”
“You’re lucky I didn’t slip it in my pocket,” she joked, switching her focus to the grilled cheese. “All good? Do you need anything else?”
As embarrassing as it was, seeing kids with their parents made Charlie feel uneasy. It was a mixture of sadness and jealousy, but also confusion. It had been years and she couldn’t figure any of it out. Charlie never knew her dad, but it hadn’t affected her as much as when she realised that her mum had left. Ever since then, she had been on her own. It was difficult to communicate with other sometimes and, when she was in front of a kid, she felt lost with how to talk to them.
The young girl on the man’s lap had so much ahead of her, and Charlie only hoped it would be nothing short of amazing.
Finn gave her a deep chuckle when she joked like that. He actually was lucky that someone with ill intentions didn’t pick up that card. “No, I should be all set. Thank you...” He narrowed his eyes to look at her name tag. “Charlie.” That was Al’s baby’s name, and he was suddenly reminded of his struggles with trying to get pregnant again with his wife. He cleared his throat and forced a smile. Suddenly, he heard Lis squeal and felt his hot coffee fall all over his lap. Before even thinking, he moved his daughter off of his lap so that no coffee got on her. He winced, then sighed. “On second thought...maybe a few napkins?”
It was Charlie’s third shift at Dreamer’s Diner and, although she was still unsure of a few things, they were going smoothly. Shoes were still firmly on her feet until the skating thing was less dangerous for her to give a go, but she was grateful. She had a job. There would be money she could use for food and rent and savings. The hardest part would be trying not to blow it all on booze and parties, but her nights out were already becoming less.
The next big thing to tackle was actually dealing with whatever she had buried inside her from everything that she had been through. There wasn’t necessarily a huge event which had changed her, rather lots of tiny disappointments which she, probably, brought on herself. Keeping a job down would prove to her that she could actually do something right.
As she wiped another table and made her way back to the counter, she spotted a card on the floor beside one of the booths.
“Sorry, is this yours?” she asked, picking it up and holding it out.
The father had been stressed out lately. He couldn’t stop thinking about Laurel’s breakdown at the party, and how he had been smoking again to cope with the stress; which was not good for his fertility, but he didn’t know how else to cope with the stress. When Laurel got pregnant with Felicity, he had vowed never to touched those things ever again. Now he was struggling to keep this a secret from his wife, even though he knew that she could see right through him. Finn’s four year old was sat on his lap and he was cutting up her grilled cheese for her when his card fell off the counter. He didn’t really notice it at the time until the server picked up his card from the floor and handed it to the firefighter. “Oh.” He said, turning towards his server and clearing his throat. “Thank you so much.” He said, grabbing the card from the woman and shoving it back in his pocket. “That could have been bad.”
