I Take It In But Don't Look Down

I could of gave up then but Then again I couldn’t have ’cause I’ve traveled all this way for something I take it in but don't look down 'Cause I'm on top of the world Connor Andrews, at your service. New York native who's been in town a couple years now, and the guidance counselor at Ashton Prep. I've got the most awesome kid in the world - Eliana Andrews. And yeah, I'm that guy with one leg, but that doesn't really matter.

[mrconnorowenandrews]

bbrendon-rulli​:

“I think every parent goes overboard for their kid’s first Christmas” he said with a small laugh, shaking his head. “She’s going to be a very well entertained toddler for sure” he smiled, “El is a lucky girl, when she’s older I’m sure she’ll realize how much you’ve done for her already and she’ll really appreciate it”

“That’s all I want, just to be a good dad for you guys.” Connor said with a small smile, knowing he had spoiled Brendon pretty well for Christmas too. “But, you know, at least there’s also no way Ellie can possible get bored now. I mean, I’m pretty sure we could hand her a pot and a wooden spoon and she’d be happy but ... she has variety now.”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

nicwxde​:

“I’m glad you did,” he smiled, clearing a few papers from his desk so that it wasn’t as cluttered before taking a seat on the edge of it. “Lady Fluffball is quite the star around here, we don’t get too many therapy cats and she’s all the kids can talk about.” He admired what they did, not everyone was willing to spend their free time visiting hospital patients, and certainly not with any frequency. “That’s so wild, I swear you guys were just bringing her home from the hospital. And Brendon, playing lone wolf. You’re making me feel old here.” He shrugged, taking a sip of his coffee. “No complaints, the job’s been keeping me busy but that’s started to slow down a bit, and Herc’s instituted mandatory morning runs to keep me sane. That dog will bark his head off if it even looks like I’m going to sleep in, I think he might even be practicing the perfect pitch to wake me up faster. He’s getting a little too smart.” Jokingly, he nodded to the cat carrier. “Wanna trade?”

Connor grinned, “That’s why I love bringing her in, it’s something different and they get so excited. I remember how nice it was to have something just break the monotony and get my mind off things when I was a kid in the hospital.” he explained. His siblings hadn’t always been able to be with him and those kind of things always made the day easier. “Me too! I don’t know when either of them got permission to grow up.” he said, shaking his head. “Oh, Lady Fluffball has her own tricks. She picks one of us and sits on our chest and alternates meowing and pressing her nose into our face until we wake up to give her breakfast.”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

itstrevorhastings​:

 “Oh wow, sounds like she is going to have a lot of entertainment then going forward.” He grinned back at him. “Fair enough, I was about to ask.” He chuckled. Not sure if he had the patience for that himself honestly, but then again it might be different when you had your own kids. “Yeah, me too. I think Mia was happy, so that is the most important really.”

“Definitely! But I wanted her to have like, all the big deal toddler thing.” he said happily. “What did you guys name the dog?” he questioned, wondering if had fun with it or chose a normal name. Lady Fluffball still amused him to no end personally, even if everyone else insisted on calling the cat Fluffy.

[mrconnorowenandrews]

thesamreed​:

“That is the same idea though. Just getting entertained by whatever is around.” Sam added but he didn’t really know much else about children apart from the fact that they were easily entertained. “That is probably fair. She’ll grow into things or whatever.”

Connor nodded, “Yeah, she will.” he said. “I just want her to ... have everything wants. Material or otherwise. At least while she’s so little. I know I’ll need to learn to say no a bit as she gets older, but you really can’t spoil a baby her age.” he shared. 

[mrconnorowenandrews]

thesamreed​:

“I feel like that is probably normal.” Sam replied feeling that most parents spoiled their kids for the first couple of years. It just seemed like the thing to do, not that he knew for sure because he didn’t have kids and didn’t plan on having them any time soon. “To be fair I am pretty sure a piece of string could entertain a baby.” 

Connor laughed a little, “Ellie prefers pots and pans, and wooden spoons.” he said with a grin, “But she’s getting to the age where she does play with actual toys some too, so ... well, it’s possible I had more fun then she will right now. But she’ll use them more when she gets a little older!”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

itstrevorhastings​:

“Yeah? I mean in all fairness it was her first Christmas, so I guess going a bit overboard makes sense.” He smiled back at him, “What kind of things did you get her?” He asked him out of curiosity. He chuckled a little back at him, “I guess that is a fair point.” He added with a nod, “I got a dog for Christmas myself, so I recon Mia and I are going to have our hands full in the next few months while getting him house trained and such.”

“I got one of those backyard toys she can ride around in, but like, the one they push with their feet? It looks like a giant pink carriage. And I got her a playhouse for the backyard too, and this big wooden dollhouse. That’s what took forever!” he said with a grin, “It wasn’t even just all the parts, it had these stickers to put on the walls but they were super detailed in where each one had to go.” he added before grinning at the mention of a dog, “That’s awesome! I love dogs!”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

nicwxde​:

“I’ll be back to speak with you once I get a look at your scans.” With a nod to his patient, Nick excused himself from the ER, retrieving his thermos from the nurses stand and starting towards his office. He suspected a herniated disc, which meant performing a lumbar discectomy in the coming hours. Still, the time it took to take an MRI gave him an hour or so to kill. His first surgery of the day, a simple knee replacement, had gone off without a hitch. While he enjoyed eventful days that tested his skills and stamina, he wasn’t about to complain about having an easy day. And not just because it meant that the chemical smell of the operating room wouldn’t hang on him for more than a few hours. Some days it was ridiculous how strong the scent was even after he’d left the hospital – – a workplace hazard of sorts. He was just entering his office when he caught sight of a familiar face headed his way. “Mr. Andrews, fancy seeing you here,” he pushed open the door to his office, leaving it wide open in invitation. “How’re the kids?” @mrconnorowenandrews​

Connor grinned at his old friend as he followed the man into his office and sat down. “Hey, Nick!” he said as he sat the cat carrier he was holding at his feet. “Lady Fluffball and I were expanding her therapy cat horizons and I heard you here, figured we’d come find you before we left.” he explained, “The kids are pretty good! Ellie’s growing so fast it’s crazy! You know she’s walking now, right? Brendon’s still doing the independent thing, but I try to keep a close eye on him without being too ... helicopter-parent-y.” he said with a small shrug. “How have you been?”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

eyesofthewolf​:

“My dear friend, they will tell you that we are busy today, but that is an utter lie. At least, the people that you need to see are not busy. We shall go ask them to hurry things along. No sense in waiting. I can worry about the paperwork later. Get you out of here, back to your family, I’ll get yelled at, we’ll all be happy.” His tone was oddly yet genuinely cheerful as he began to walk towards the elevator. “You’re not causing any trouble with this. This was my crazy ass idea, because I want to help you out.” 

“Thank you so much, that really means a lot.” Connor said sincerely. “I’ve been doing this for years, and usually I can distract myself but this year I can’t seem to stop thinking about what could happen if the tests show something, about my little Eliana growing up without her dad." he explained. He was past the five year mark, and should be in the clear but still ... the what-ifs were hard to deal with sometimes. “Usually I’m the one with the crazy ideas, so I can appreciate that.”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

eyesofthewolf​:

“Yes. Rather odd. Although we’ve advanced a great deal in the field of medicine. Andrew Jackson, for example, was well known for being a believer in extreme healing methods. In other words, if the treatment hurt real bad, that meant it was working. Obviously about as effective as putting frogs on bubonic boils or bloodletting. Ridiculous nowadays, but there were many old beliefs that were ridiculous. Thank the heavens for modern science. Or whatever afterlife you’d prefer to depart to one day.” Vincent took a sip of tea, thinking for a few moments. “That’s the thing with bad memories. They don’t have legs, so the fuckers never get tired of chasing you down. I do, however, have an idea on how to shorten your anxiety, my friend. Come with me.’ 

“Yeah, I mean, I know it definitely could have been worse. I mean, maybe even just a decade or two earlier and I probably wouldn’t have made it.” he admitted with a small shrug. Medicine had come a long way, he knew that. He watched the older man, trying to figure out what he was thinking. “Don’t I know that.” Connor said. For all that put on a lighthearted face for the world, and much of the time he could push his worries aside, he still could never forget all that he had been through. ”What do you have in mind?” he questioned as he stood to follow the doctor.

[mrconnorowenandrews]

“So, I think maybe I went a little overboard for Eliana’s first Christmas.” Connor admitted, “I kind of only finished putting the last thing together today.” he said with a sheepish grin. Harmony had insisted they were going to need a bigger house before their daughter was five at this rate, but he couldn’t help himself. He loved to buy presents for the people in his life, and he always went just a bit over the top for the holidays. “But, I mean, she’ll be the most well entertained toddler in the world. She can surely never get bored now.”

@ashtontnhqstarter​

[mrconnorowenandrews]

shawnlamontagne​:

Shawn looked over at Connor as he talked, already dreading the fact that Connor was going to try and help him. He was a nice guy, and Shawn knew that, but he really didn’t want people pitying him and trying to help him again. He didn’t want it when he was first forced into counseling, and he definitely didn’t want it now. “Yeah usually when someone turns off all their phones it’s because they don’t want anyone reaching out to them, so there’s a hint if you didn’t pick up on it already” he said, meaner than he usually was, and probably just about as mean as he’d been when his sister died. He shook his head when Connor said he was there for him and his mom, “I don’t want or need your help. I already have a dad, even if he’s not physically here with me. And I’m not looking for a replacement”

Connor nodded, “I did get it, and I was going to give you guys whatever time you needed but when I saw you … I just wanted to let you know that Harmony and I are still on you and your mom’s side.” he said carefully. He knew that this boy had been through more then anybody should ever go through in a lifetime. “I’m not trying to replace your dad, I could never do that. I’m just saying that I’m here to help where I can, where you’d like for me too. I’m just … offering myself as a mostly-functional adult that’s on your side. And to be a friend to your mom.”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

bbrendon-rulli​:

“I know, I promise I am being very careful and resting a lot, you don’t have to worry” he said, fully aware that he was going to continue worrying anyway. It’s just the way Connor was, and Brendon knew it. Brendon shook his head as he looked back at him, “Yes, you would absolutely do such a thing, you just did” he said with a small laugh.

“Good. I’m really proud of you, Brendon? You know that, right?” he said with a small smile. “I worry because I love you but … I know you have a good head on your shoulders. You’re smart, and you work hard, and you’re a good kid. We’re lucky to have you in our lives.” he said, wanting to make sure that the boy really did know that. “Maybe that’s the one thing I really did pick up from Aunt Chloe.” he said with a small laugh and a wink. “You should have seen the guilt trip I got the first time she found me drunk at a party when I was about your age.”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

theharmonyandrews​:

“I know Connor, and I’m sorry.” Harmony replied, wishing that she had better answers for him. Although, in reality she was falling apart a bit herself. She’d trusted Josh as well. “He was a really good liar. He tricked everyone unfortunately. I’m just glad that it’s all over now at least. I just feel bad for the rest of the LaMontagne’s.” 

“I know, I just … it makes me sick that I trusted him with my family.” he said, his stomach twisting at the thought of how often he had thought nothing of Josh spending time around his wife and children. “You guys are my whole world and ... I guess it just really freaks me out that I didn’t sense anything was wrong. I let a kidnapper and a murderer around my family and I had no idea. That’s ... really scary.” he admitted with a shaky breath before closing his eyes for a moment. “I do too, I just wish I could do more for them.”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

olivenotoyl​:

“I can imagine it would be a motivator to not really want to walk if you could be zipping around instead” She nodded with a soft laugh. “I’ve noticed that over the last few years…who knows maybe this is the year I’ll be more of a Cindy Lou-Who and less of a Grinch” She snorted as she shrugged a little

“Yeah, and I was ... being a bit stubborn about things in the first place.” he admitted with a small laugh, “I didn’t make things easy very often as a teenager.” he said, shrugging softly before nodding at her words, “Hopefully! There’s a lot of things to enjoy, no reason not to relax and have a little fun!”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

eyesofthewolf​:

Vincent watched the man for a long time, then began to make another cup of tea without saying anything. “Green tea. I use black mostly, but green has calming properties as well. You could use that.” He handed the man the cup and sat down across from him. “What an odd and often frustrating thing the human body is. Tries so hard to keep us alive. Did you know that, if you are about to be in a car accident and the only thing you have time to do is brace for impact, your muscles will actually relax themselves at the very last second? Tense muscles are far more likely to be injured. Amazing how it taught itself to do that. Yet, on the other hand, if my nephew decided to eat a bagel, he’d fucking die, because his body thinks sesame seeds have a vendetta against him. Odd.” He took another sip of tea. “I’m guessing cancer, no? Not many other conditions require yearly testing, at least not ones as stress-provoking.”

“Sounds good.” Connor agreed. He wasn’t usually a tea person, but he didn’t mind it. Still, he figured it was best to defer to someone who clearly knew more about it. “It’s definitely weird.” he agreed, “Yeah, it’s cancer. And the treatments for that always baffled me too. Seemed strange to make yourself so sick to get better. And the phantom pains after the amputation were something...” he added, patting the leg he wore the prosthetic on. “I’m just hoping I can keep all of that behind me.”

[mrconnorowenandrews]

athenablair-c​:

The best part about living near her niece was seeing the excitement on the child’s face during the holidays. It brought her some sort of fulfillment of being an aunt. Taking her down to the Christmas Market, Athena couldn’t help but smile as she felt a small flashback of her and her sister during the holidays. Hearing the child beg for one of the waffles after making Christmas ornaments, Athena gave in, moving to stand in line. “Just don’t tell daddy we’re filling up on sweets. We’ll share a nutella waffle. And you just tell him we had something healthy,” she shrugged, knowing that Athena wanted the waffle herself. Once it was in her hands, the woman took Grace’s hand, sitting down at a table with a pile of napkins. As she took apart some of the waffle, she saw a shadow, the Filipino looking up. “The seat’s empty if you need it,” she smiled softly as she took a piece of waffle to eat, moving the ornament between the two for the other person to sit.

Connor had decided to take a break to enjoy some of the snacks they had at the market in between buying way too many Christmas decorations. He fully intended to turn his house into a winter wonderland for his daughter’s first Christmas. “If you don’t mind.” he said at the offer, sitting with them with his own treat of crepes. “I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to sneak her treats like that. Ellie gets a bite here and there, but she’s still newer to table food.” he explained.

[mrconnorowenandrews]

theharmonyandrews​:

Harmony was both relieved and horrified about the way everything had unfolded. Of course she was happy that the rest of the students had been found alive and returned to their families. On the other hand she was completely sick to her stomach to find out who had been behind the entire thing. She knew Joshua, and had worked with him. She’d trusted him, and all along he had just been a monster who was making people disappear for his own sick game. Harmony didn’t know what his reasoning was but no reason he could have would be good enough for her. “Honestly I am glad that the nightmare is over for seven families, but I think there is a new one that is just beginning.”

Connor looked over at his wife from where he sat curled up on the couch, “I just can’t believe I trusted him. I thought … I considered him one of my best friends.” he said, still horrified by the news. “He listened to me worry about all those kids, about my patients, about Brendon. You know, he was always assuring me that nothing would happen to Brendon? I guess he would know.”