the rest is still unwritten.

[nataliaparkr-blog]

— tanner.

To the one person who understood and listened to him despite anything and everything, Tanner of course wanted to just come out with it, his relationship was over. But something held him back in that moment. Maybe there was some bitterness towards Natalia’s own ex and how too drawn out he’d thought himself how the situation lasted. How maybe things could’ve been different. Although Natalia’s prominent reaction to the news he did reveal had him shocked in the best way. She really didn’t want to him to go anywhere, and just maybe, everything wasn’t lost. “Yeah.” He simply confirmed with a shrug. “I don’t — No. No, it’s not.” Tanner shook his head, eyes shifting back to hers right then. “I don’t really want to leave y-everything here.” Making the best of things in within his roots had actually turned out rather well for him after all. “We’re..you know, talking it out.” A lie. It was a half-assed response in regards to the situation and he damn well knew it. “But good.” He stated in a excessively, defiant way to hear she wasn’t seeing anyone. “I mean, ok.” Tanner nods, realizing there was barely any alcohol left in his glass to further attempt deflecting.

       “Yeah, of course,” Natalia nods, quickly pushing thoughts down of Tanner leaving and the heartbreak he’d leave in his wake. Noah certainly wouldn’t be able to cope. Would she? She leans in a little more now, finally resting her head upon his shoulders, not having realised just how tired she was ‘til now. “I get it. I mean, I support you in whatever you choose, Tan, but.. I’d—we’d hate to see you go.” A world without Tanner Wells? She didn’t even want to fathom it. “We love you too much to ever lose you.. make sure you tell Sunshine Barbie that,” she jokes, nudging his side to lighten the use of her nickname for the heathen she simply couldn’t stand. Though her eyes flitted close, she couldn’t help but be totally aware of him and all the things he wasn’t saying. “I’ll be okay, Wells. You ain’t gotta worry about me.” 

[nataliaparkr-blog]

— calliope.

“Your business is coming between us and our time,” she jokes, welcoming the elongated hug. “I was about to go looking for you.” Calli adds before pulling away to flash a smile toward her sister, answering her question despite its seeming redundancy. “Because it’s us we’re talking about and it really has been too long.” At least by their standards, she thought. Turning so she was shoulder to shoulder with Natalia, the woman unconsciously matched her steps with those of her sister as they began to make their way down the street lamp lit street. “I’ve been craving mashed potatoes for days, so whatever option gets me some of that I’m all in for. Let’s preferably skip the dirt eating, I love you too much to let you go there.”

       Natalia heaves a sigh, knowing she’s heard that more than once. Noah often reminded her of that, having to spend her weekends with her mom, helping with strangers’ weddings. “Haven’t I heard that all too often.. for your information though, little sister, I’m actually going to free up some more weekends this year. It’s decided.” Being a workaholic wasn’t easy when it came to family and other factors in her life she’d been neglecting.. “Mashed potato? Yum.. Let’s go to the steakhouse across the road. If I wait any longer we’ll be resorting to dirt.” Truthfully, she hadn’t spent enough time with her siblings as of late. If anything, she needed to invest more of her spare time there too. “How’ve you been, Calli? Tell me everything.”

[bfostr]

[tanncrwells-blog]

@nataliaparkr

[nataliaparkr-blog]

— WILL.

“Seriously, don’t worry about it. I’m glad it was just a false alarm and nothing more than that.” he chuckled, shrugging away her apology yet again, hoping that she wouldn’t continue feeling guilty throughout their entire interaction. He followed her further into the house and a strange awareness of just how much life had passed since they were kids growing up together stole over him. He had known Natalia Parker as a kid, but that was years, and years ago. The house, the pictures, the furniture, everything pointed to a life that Will was no longer familiar with. 

He tried not to dwell on that too much as he turned his attention back to the brunette. “I heard something like that in the rumor mill.” he replied, bringing his hand up to scratch the back of his head, not wanting to admit how much he’d inquired about her when he’d found out that she still lived in Northport. “Your own business and a teenage daughter? That’s really great, Nat, I’m happy for you.” And he truly was. He was happy that Natalia had good things in her life, that she was doing well. Even if things were kind of weird between them now, he would always want good things for her. He paused as she brought up the seeming elephant in the room. They’d both been in the same town, a pretty small town too, for four years and yet hadn’t ever reconnected until now. Why was that? Had it just become too awkward after a while? He let out a breath, “Yeah, we’ve both kinda had our hands full, huh?” he offered with a small smile, willing to let it go if she was. “Uncle Max left his bar to me, for whatever reason, and I’ve been working at the fire station for a couple years now too.” he explained, trying not to ramble too much. As much as he would like a proper catch up session, he wasn’t sure how much of this was just Natalia being polite. And he didn’t want to read too much into all of this. 

       “That’s true,” she chuckles, still a little embarrassed over the debacle. To think she was standing before a person who was a prominent part of her past, only to realise how much time had gotten between them. It was surreal, to say the least. She’d always wondered, though, whether the distance that had fallen between them affected him in any way. Or, was it an easy transition. There were a number of regrets she had in her life and, letting their friendship fall apart was one of them. “Yeah,” Natalia laughs, reality pulling her out of her little reverie. “It’s a lot harder than most people think but, I don’t think I give Noah enough credit to be honest. She’s amazing.. a super easy kid. Far more well behaved than I was in middle school,” the brunette muses, a twinkle of amusement present in her eyes. “I guess so.. I mean, you’re a firefighter and you run a bar? That’s crazy, Will. I always knew you could do whatever you wanted to do.. it’s amazing to see you doing so well. Truly. —Gosh, I’m being rude. What can I get you to drink? And are you okay with ordering a pizza? I’m clearly still a terrible cook, so..” 

[redgf]

[delfranz]

[nataliaparkr-blog]

TANNER.

Tanner had to elicit an amused scoff, a smirk forming that mirrored her own at  Natalia now at a point to dig openly about her ex husband. After all that he’d hinted, expressed at how shit he thought the guy had been all along, it was truthfully satisfying in a prominent way. Not to mention how he didn’t take well to the strange rift that had occurred between them during the time she had got herself together with him. Thinking that he had lost her for good, Tanner went out on his own, finding himself in the relationship she now was questioning him about. Rightly so at present, especially since that had been on the outs recently, yet still, he kept that development to himself for some reason. Although he became entirely distracted by her head proceeding to rest against his shoulder, frame freezing in place, certain his lips upturned into a widened smile at the movement, leaning towards her slightly further. “I — well…thanks.” Tanner lamely uttered, all he could gather in the current moment, until her perturbed remarks that seemed all too familiar had it breaking. “She wants me to move away. I don’t know.” A hand rose indifferently tone suggesting anything far from true happiness. It’d essentially been the prime deal-breaker, he wasn’t ready to uproot everything he’d built, his entire life in Northport. Certain people. A certain person in particular right in front of him to be exact. “So..you’re not?”

         Natalia could sense there was more to the story than Tanner was telling her, which irked her some considering they told one another everything. Or, so she assumed.. bar the times she’d kept a lot to herself. Tanner rarely liked talking about his girlfriend to her, and she figured it was because she openly had an aversion towards her that couldn’t be explained. She just didn’t suit him. She didn’t treat him right, and she was far from what Tanner Wells deserved in her just opinion. “She wants you to move away?!” The brunette scoffed, furrowing her brow some before softening, realising she’d been far too aggressive in that response. The quiet that befell the air between them was deafening, her mind racing with a million and one thoughts. A world without Tanner was one she couldn’t fathom. “Are you.. is that what you want?” A realisation struck her — what if he wanted this? What if he wanted to move away and start a new life with her? “No,” she almost laughs, shaking her head. “No I don’t—have time for that right now.” That, and another heartbreak. 

[nataliaparkr-blog]

CHARLOTTE.

Charlotte hadn’t slept in nearly two days, though one wouldn’t be able to tell by the looks of her. She left the Resort to grab coffee at The Bean House before she had to meet with the Board of Directors via skype nearly two hours ago. However, after three of the board members couldn’t make it, she called off the meeting entirely. It absolutely had nothing to do with the fact that this particular meeting would be discussing the transition after her father’s passing and everything to do with the fact that she needed to answer some emails; she would swear to that. 

Thus began the answering of emails that was absolutely, 100% not deflection. She had pulled out her Mac Book and had been distractedly typing away, while nursing what seemed to be several pots of black coffee. “Fuck,” she hissed as her computer started to die. She searched in her purse for her charger but she knew already that she hadn’t packed one, having convinced herself that she would only be gone for half an hour. She pursed her lips, cursing herself as she glanced around. Turning around in her booth, she plastered on a smile as she tapped the person behind her on the shoulder. “Terribly sorry to bother you, but would you happen to have an extra charger?” She asked, knowing it was a long shot but needing something - anything - to tether her here just a while longer.

       She’d been so zoned in on planning the extravaganza of a wedding that was coming up that weekend, a wedding too over the top in her personal opinion, it was only when she turned around that she realised the girl behind was talking to her. “Do I ever,” Natalia sighs, reaching inside of her purse for her Mac Book charger. The girl was nothing if not meticulous about organisation and always being prepared for a disaster, so much so her bag was constantly packed with last minute emergency items. That probably came with running weddings as a wedding planner, always with an emergency kit for every wedding. Anything that could go wrong more often than not did, and she wasn’t about to have a disaster. Natalia Parker was one of the best, renown wedding planners in Northport, and there was a hella good reason for that. “Lucky you have a Mac Book,” she states with a smile, holding out the charger to the woman.

[nataliaparkr-blog]

CHRIS.

       The male simply nodded in response to her question, noting the surprise in her tone. It was understandable being that he left her  and home for all of that fame and success, so the change of heart was sure to be confusing. Heck, he was confused. Sitting next to the one girl who knew you before it all, who you could have trusted and relied on for everything, who looks so damn beautiful –– that was confusing for a guy. He was just about to apologize for crossing a line when the word ‘buff’ left her lips and the smirk that tugged at his lips was hard to miss. “Are you tryin’ to insult my eighteen-year-old self?” He joked, nudging her gently with his elbow. “I’ve always been this buff,” he added with a grin, playfully wiggling his eyebrows purposely trying to make her squirm. 

      “What?” He asked mid laughter knowing full well what he was doing but acting innocent. “I’m just enjoying these hot moist muffins – you know, gotta’ stay buff for wandering eyes.”

        Snapping was reserved solely for teenage Natalia, and yet, standing before the man who had otherwise occupied her teenage daydreams, she couldn’t help the fact that she’d fallen right into step with putting him in his place. The same way she always had. “I—” Lips parting in surprise as he catches her out, the brunette could only thank the high heavens for makeup to cover the burn of her cheeks, surely glowing a crimson red. “Yeah.. I mean, no. You haven’t. The Chris I knew is long gone. I don’t even know who this.. this version is,” she says determinedly, hoping to distract him from the thought. “That look that you’re giving me. Don’t.” She couldn’t help the smile that followed, either, shaking her head in pure and utter annoyance as she moved to take a step back from him, concocting a quick escape to the house and straight into her car in her mind. Completely ignoring the latter half of his comment, she continued, “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that the word moist is less than appealing?” 

[nataliaparkr-blog]

MARCO.

The spring carnival was like none other. If he was feeling like Natalia right now, he probably would’ve stopped at the trucks that supplied alcoholic beverages. Then again, he was sure he would get there sooner rather than later. His son gave him more headaches than he was willing to admit, but Marco still love that kid. “I think you and I both know that it’s obvious considering you got a thirteen year old kid that probably doesn’t still drink out of sippy cups. If I’ve learned anything about Noah from Manny, that is.” His eyes scanned the area. “What are we feeling like? Waffles? Ice cream?”

       “I could totally pass for a non crazy mom who didn’t just use a kid’s sippy cup to hide her alcohol despite having a teenager who most definitely wouldn’t be using one of those. But, no one needs to know her age, am I right?” The festival was endearing, and a little stressful considering Noah was off gallivanting god knows where. But, she felt comforted by the fact that she was with Manny and Arabella. “Waffles, please for the love of god, give me waffles. I’ve been craving them all week. —How’s your week going?” 

[nataliaparkr-blog]

— TANNER.

“Even better. Never for taste-testing or dating.” Tanner gave an instantaneous nod in agreement with a light laugh. And at her admittance of being grateful for him being around, aiding in any way he could with her daughter, the slight grin upon the corner of his lips only upturned further. He’d learned a great deal, things he’d never thought he’d ever be any decent at, earnestly caring about Noah’s safety and well-being on a daily basis. His own gaze didn’t falter on hers, merely giving a shrug as his only sole movement for the prolonged moments that passed. “Well, you would’ve been and are a great Mother regardless.” Her ex-husband on the other hand? Hardly, in his well-known opinion. And Tanner’s eyes down-casted at the mention of his girlfriend, an imminent topic hanging between them. “She’s away…again.” He cleared his throat, intending to keep this one thing regarding their recently broken status and the ring to himself. For now. “It’s..fine. Fine.” Tanner attempted to add. “But I’ve been doing projects in the Heights, on the renovations. Yeah, work. – What about you? On uhm, seeing anyone?” The words stumbled out, firmer than intended.

        “Thank god you’re on the same page,” she mutters with the slightest of smirks, a subtle dig at her ex husband and their.. less than stellar past relationship. They seemed to be agreeing to a lot more nowadays, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t a struggle at the best of times. Peering over at Tanner at his compliment, Natalia couldn’t help as the corners of her lips tugged upwards, beaming at him as she rested her head upon his shoulders momentarily. “Well, we’re lucky then, to have you. You make everything better. And, I don’t know what we would’ve done without you all those years.. you don’t give yourself enough credit.” The brunette almost instantly regretted asking about his uptight ‘other half’, an instant, awkward wall coming between them. “Again?” Her insides were suddenly blazed with annoyance, unable to hide it as always. “Is she ever actually around, Tanner? Every time I talk to you she’s off gallivanting god knows where and.. don’t tell me it’s fine if it’s not fine.” Nat realised then, however, that she couldn’t take her words back, instant regret seeping through. “Sorry, I just—you know, as long as you’re happy.” Taking a sudden lengthy sip of her wine, she shakes her head, leaning back into the pillow of the couch. “Please, I barely have time to have a night off with my best friend, drinking wine and dreaming about ordering a pizza.” 

[nataliaparkr-blog]

— CHRIS.

       It was pathetic how quickly the smile spread on his lips when she didn’t push him away. Chris knew deep down it was nothing but to him the fact she was willing to put everything to one side for a moment, as brief as it might be, was exhilarating. It was like history repeating itself all over again, a reminder of the time he fumbled around trying to ask her to the dance but she saved his ass and agreed to go anyway. She had always been able to see beyond his rambling – understood him better than anyone. Sadly over the years, Chris had forgotten that fact. Yet, here he was, in her company for two minutes and she was already picking up where they had left off. “She did always remember to bake me a fresh batch during playoffs,” he joked, brown hues colored by affection for years gone by. He stepped from the door frame and made his way to the small table his Dad had been working on, taking a seat and pulling one out for her. “Those days are over for me,” Chris admitted with a shrug, before forcing a smile onto his lips. This wasn’t the time for a pity party and she wasn’t the person he should be asking to throw it. “Let’s just say, I’m as happy here helping my Dad build this table and testing it out with a beautiful woman as we gorge on the best muffins in the world,” he admitted with a big grin. Every word true. The way he was feeling right now as he looked at her, took in his surroundings, and breathed in the mix of her sweet perfume and those tasty cakes – he truly was happy. “Maybe it’s taken me too long to realize it but trophies, money, and fame don’t make you happy,” he continued. “Home makes you happy.” Chris paused before laughing softly, eyes flicking from her gorgeous browns to the treats in the basket. “And where else but home would a man get all this, huh?” He wiggled his brows at her with a cheeky grin and stole a muffin from the basket, taking a large bite without shame. “Ugh - so good,” he moaned, eyes lighting up as he looked at her once again, senses flooded with nostalgia.

       “Your famous hockey playing days are over?” Natalia questioned, a little more sarcastically than originally intended but, she couldn’t help the genuine disbelief she felt as a result of his statement. Chris Perry was selfish, always chasing after what he wanted, which was surely success and fame. Or so she’d told herself all these years. “Okay—no,” she shook her head, cheeks burning a fiery crimson at thought of him trying to charm her after all this time. After what he did to her almost twenty years ago. “Don’t call me beautiful, Chris Perry. I’m not about to stand here and fall for whatever.. you’re doing. I see right through you, no matter how buff you are now.” Did she just admit that she’d been staring? Her accusatory brown eyes stared him down, trying not to fall for those innocent glances, giving him a lengthy one over before bitterness ensued. “It only took you twenty years to realise that home makes you happy and all those other things aren’t important? Wow. I don’t believe it for a second.” She tries her best not to let a smile crack as he looks at her, having a moment with his muffin. “Don’t.” 

[nataliaparkr-blog]

— MORGAN.

“A wedding planner with a pessimistic outlook on marriage. You’re one in a million, Natalia.” He huffed out a laugh, rubbing his neck, “I don’t want to divorce. I’d rather work through it, until someone told me they didn’t love me anymore or…something like that.” Morgan rose an eyebrow, looking at his friend, “Old bitches still have fun.”

       “That I am.. but we’ll never let the customers know that,” for her business would certainly suffer. It was easier to maintain the charade. “Sometimes.. people just can’t work it out and they’re better off divorced.” Like, she and her ex husband; their relationship had certainly bettered since their separation. In the ways that counted, at least — Noah. “Exactly right, which is why I’m ordering another round of drinks. Any preferences, Stone?” 

[tananais]

[tanncrwells-blog]

@nataliaparkr

[nessa007]

[nataliaparkr-blog]

@calliopeparker, @lucaparker & @naomipcrker

[nataliaparkr-blog]

— CHRIS.

        The mention of muffins was the distraction Chris needed as he quickly glanced up and brown eyes darted to the muffin basket in her arm. He’d always been a sucker for a sweet treat but Mrs. Parker’s muffins were his kryptonite. The male smiled as flashbacks of his youth played in his mind’s eyes, to the nights when he couldn’t sleep worrying about a big game so would sneak over to her place where she always knew exactly what he had come for – Mrs. Parker’s chocolate chipped muffins. “Damn, I forgot how much I loved those…” he trailed off not realizing the weight of his words, too caught up in the growling of his own stomach having not eaten all morning. He walked over to her and stood before her with eyes fixated on the basket before glancing over at her. Shit. His own greed caused him to close the gap between them and now here he was nearer to her than he had been in years. The familiar scent of her sweet perfume tickling his senses and bringing with it more fond memories. Chris knew he was staring again but he couldn’t bring himself to look away because as sad as it was true, he wasn’t sure he would ever have the luxury of this moment again. His gaze danced over her features and with each second that passed he felt his heart beating faster, swallowing hard as he felt the gravity of everything between them hit him. “Yea, a lifetime…” he mumbled, clearing his throat as if to ease the tension. “I’m sorry, I can go if you’d like?” He suggested stepping back, already making his exit. “I didn’t mean to –– I uh - I really wanted a muffin,” he admitted with a weak laugh. “I know they’re not for me though, I can go get my Dad if you’d prefer?” Chris stopped because he didn’t want to go. He wanted a God damn muffin and he wanted the woman carrying them, at least just to know she was okay after all this time.

        “I—” The brunette’s voice became something just short of a whisper as he approached her, not having expected the audacity. Then again, it was Chris. He was confident and self-assured enough to slice the tension of an awkward situation with a knife, and without hesitation. The proximity was far too much to bear; an over-stimulation of nostalgia, memories, and a sudden kind of newness in him she didn’t recognise, but did all the same. Caught up in the sight of him, and her hatred at how his proximity and the very scent of him still brought her back to her seventeen year old self, she hesitates, taking him in yet again. Pictures did not do him justice, and neither did his mom’s constant efforts to keep her up to date with how he looked. How he was. Was he doing this on purpose?! It wasn’t until she realised this that she tore her gaze away, lowering it to the basket of muffins which now served as a barrier between them. One she was grateful for. “No, don’t be silly,” Natalia breathes, suddenly aware she’d been holding it in a little longer than necessary. This was stupid. They were just high school sweethearts. Turned sour and without closure, of course. “Here. I’m sure my mom would’ve wanted to feed you, too, had she known you were back in town.” Had I known you were back in town.. “Besides, it might be another twenty years before you get to try them again.” Stop. This. “You know, since.. you’re a big star out there in the hockey world and all.” 

[nataliaparkr-blog]

— TANNER.

“Yeah sure, that helps, but not only, and it’s not just luck either.” Tanner insisted with a hunted grin, speaking from his own blood and sweat that went into creating a maintaining the local engineering business he built from scratch. And of course he couldn’t be more proud to Natalia and her own, despite all their adversities, they were successful in their own ways. It became his life for certain after being around mainly dead-beats for most of it, until Nat and Noah had come back into his world, and he couldn’t have asked for a better wake-up call. Forcing himself to stay away from Natalia, and attempt to find his own happiness elsewhere had been nothing but. “Old-fashioned is the word, Parker.” He jested, his frame finding itself freezing a moment at her nudge, only brought out of it from the notion of Natalia’s daughter already potentially dating. “As long as Noah isn’t. And how about twenty-one for taste testing, and completely agree on her never dating.” Tanner promised with a nod, eyes finding as hers at her question. “Yeah…maybe the staying in and wine part? The time flying? No.” He shook his head in disbelief. “But…it’s been worth it at the same time. Being around yo— you both.” With a quick clear of his throat, Tanner instantly took another sip from his glass.

       Natalia beamed, smiling from ear to ear, wishing she could express how much Tanner’s support over the years had meant to her. Marriage simply hadn’t been her forte, and it had taken her a long time to have to courage to go out on her own and start a business of her own. She could now sit there, enjoying her glass of wine with her very best friend, knowing that she’d made something of herself. She was a proud mother, and she had the greatest support surrounding her in the form of friends and family. What more could she ask for?! “How about never for taste testing.. that sounds a lot nicer,” Nat smirked, shaking her head before taking another lengthy sip. Glancing over at Tanner, she couldn’t help but smile. “We couldn’t’ve done it without you, Tanner. I couldn’t have done it without you." Holding his gaze, a sudden curiosity overwhelmed her; she rarely liked to ask considering she was not a fan of the person he’d chosen but.. “So, how’s the girlfriend going?” Arching a brow, Natalia takes another sip of the crimson red in her glass. “I’ve barely seen you, you’ve been so busy.”