belong to the hurricane

Didn't anyone ever tell you it's ok to shine?

[lizzydobbs]

willerie: “Someone around here should show you the ropes.”

“Are you sure this is the right place?” Valerie peered our the car window, “….where are we?” Valerie trusted Natalie completely when it came to most things, but driving and navigating was not one of them.

“This is the right address,” Natalie said, double checking the handwritten note she held in her free hand.

There wasn’t any sign of a house: only tall trees towering over them as they headed down a gravel road. It felt like they’d left Virginia Beach altogether. Eventually a house did come into view, nestled amongst the trees.

Natalie was meeting a boy from her class to work on a project. Bobby had been supposed to drive Valerie and Seth home from school but he and Valerie had gotten into a fight and so (unsurprisingly) when 3:00 rolled around, he was a no show, meaning they both had to tag along with their sister.

“Are we going to get murdered?” Seth teased, following his sisters to the door. He was still laughing when a boy about Natalie’s age answered the door. He was scowling. Seth’s laughter stooped abruptly. He looked terrified.

“What’s with the kids?” He asked.

“Oh, sorry! Owen, this is my sister, Valerie, and my brother, Seth. I’m so sorry, is it okay that I brought them? I should have called to tell you. But they’ve got their own homework to do. I promise they won’t get in the way! They were supposed to grab a ride with Bobby … but he ended up not being able to …”

“She’s just being nice,” Valerie interjected, still bitter about the entire situation . “He ditched us.”

“That kid’s an ass,” Someone said. The Connors turned to see a young man a few years older than Owen make his way into the living room. “Hey, I’m Will. Owen’s brother.”

Owen and Natalie got to work on their project (and by that, I mean Natalie pulled out her binders and poster board and markers and Owen groaned). Meanwhile, Will has given Valerie permission to raid their kitchen for whatever she could find after Seth complained he was hungry.

“Won’t your parents mind?” Valerie asked.

“No, no parents,” Will said, “This is my place,” Valerie couldn’t help but note the pride in his voice as he announced it. “I just bought this it and Owen came to live with me. Since then our parents have kind of …”

“Done their own thing?” Valerie finished the sentence for him. “Yeah. Our’s too.”

He gave her a sympathetic smile. There was a pause, as he considered how to change the subject. “So how do you know Bobby?”

“He’s my boyfriend.”

“Oh.” He paused, “Uh, sorry for calling him an ass.”

Valerie laughed, “No, it’s okay. He is one, most days. I guess I just put up with him because he’s not as much of an ass as my sister’s boyfriend.” That wasn’t exactly true. She put up with him because he hadn’t always been like this with her. She was holding on to those good memories, kidding herself that one day it would be like that again.

“Uh, yeah, I heard your sister was dating Max. I was expecting … “

“Someone different?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s way too good for him.” Valerie said, crossing her arms. Bobby hadn’t always been like this, but she’d never seen anything good come from Max.

“Someone around here should show you the ropes.” Will said.

“Are you offering?” Between Bobby, Max, and Seth crushing hard on Rachel Lloyd, Valerie often felt like they’d landed in with the wrong people since moving here.

“Me? No. I’m not really the welcoming committee type. And my kid brother isn’t either.”

“Really? Wow, I didn’t get those vibes at all.” Valerie teased.

“Yeah, Owen can be a lot, at first, … but he’s a good kid. Look, if you wanna meet some great people, talk to Drew Weisman. He’s in class with Owen and your sister. I think you guys would end up being friends.”

[lizzydobbs]

Natalie + Valerie Connors: “can we watch something else? this is scary.”

“I can’t believe that you are terrified of zombie movies when you practically dated one,” Valerie teased, grabbing the remote to find something that was more Natalie’s speed.

Natalie plopped down on the couch next to her sister, “I think that’s being a little unfair to the zombies.” She said.

Valerie nearly choked on her coffee, wondering if she had heard her sister correctly. Natalie rarely had a bad thing to say about anybody (at least that wasn’t followed up by something positive). “That’s probably the meanest thing I’ve ever heard you say.”

Natalie crossed her arms. “I think he may have deserved it.”

“He deserves to be called worse things than that,” Valerie said, “I think Max is the worst person we know, and that is saying something.”

Natalie looked over at her sister, “You say that like we know a lot of bad people.”

Valerie raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. Had it been anyone else, she would have gladly debated that statement, but it was Natalie and most of the less than pleasant people that they knew happened to be family. When it came to them, Natalie still liked to see the best (where Valerie could only see the worst).

So instead, Valerie just shook her head, “You’ve said one slightly unkind thing already today, so I guess I’ll let that one slide … “ She turned back to the TV, “Are you in the mood for some Gilmore Girls?”

Natalie nodded, “Always.”

[quillington]

Domesticity Memes: Natalian

big spoon/little spoon: Ian/Natalie

favorite non-sexual activity: reading, people watching, board games, talking - always talking <3

who uses all the hot water: i feel like they’re both actually super conscientious about this actually bc all they both want out of life is for the other to be happy hahaha 

most trivial thing they fight over: not trivial but…lex you know that’s lex

who does most of the cleaning: natalie still woodhouse

what has a season pass on their dvr/who controls the netflix queue: umm so they def!!! watch odr!!!!! which is ironic bc they’re also part of its history but yknOW i feel like they also watch vn but i feel like natalie does noT watch that one alone smh/they both do! but natalie probs spends more time on that bc she likes to go in and arrange them so they all have a ~nice flow~ whereas i feel like ian would be more practical about it and just put to the top the one he’s most interested in????????

who calls up the super/landlord when the heat’s not working: natalie bc it’s will she calls tbh but if it’s someone else, ian does it

who steals the blankets: natalie

who leaves their stuff around: i feel like they’re both pr tidy but natalie’s probs slightly more sloppy

who remembers to buy the milk? whoever’s going to the store i feel like they’re pr organized about that sort of thing and have an ongoing list that’s on both their phones so they just…take care of it as it comes

who remembers anniversaries: both! and they make super romantic plans and go on trips or out to their fav restaurant or just go for a long walk on the beach holding hands they’re way more chill than their siblings hahaha

Who cooks normally? ian sometimes natalie tries but…that’s NEVER a good idea

How often do they fight? a normal amount i’d say but natalie’s always sure to apologize and make up and that sort of thing she also prefers to resolve an argument before going to bed so they don’t go to bed angry bc she doesn’t ever want things to just build up between them like they did w her parents

What do they do when they’re away from each other? text throughout the day, calls at night <3

Nicknames for each other? natalie will call him literally any term of endearment that pops into her head at the moment?????? but mostly it’s still ian it’s always ian <3

Who is more likely to pay for dinner? ian…yknow porter

Who steals the covers at night? natalie

What would they get each other for gifts? natalie always gets handmade, super thoughtful things that usually pertain to happy memories/the good things/inside jokes/etc in life bc he can have anything money can’t buy, so she reasons she has to give him things money can’t

Who kissed who first? ian probably kissed her

Who made the first move? ian again natalie’s…not on top of that sort of thing. at all.

Who remembers things? both!!! they’re both so thoughtful, they always do <3

Who started the relationship? still ian hahaha

Who cusses more? neither, really???? possibly natalie?????? maybe ian?????? they might be tied??????

What would they do if the other was hurt? TAKE! CARE! OF! HIM!  you honestly could not rip her away, she would cancel everything, pack a bag for both of them, and sleep on the floor if she had to and she would get him anything and everything he needed!!!! plus things he’d just enjoy!!!! like any books/magazines/etc he’s been meaning to read or games he’s been wanting try…anything and everything he’s been wanting that one can do from a bed just magically appears and she doesn’t leave until he does!!!!! natalie is a nurturer first and foremost hahahaha

[quillington]

sleep meme: natalian

Who is a night owl: Natalie!  She can do either but honestly when she’s with Ian, she usually keeps him all night talking lbr <3

Who is a morning person: Ian!  At least…he seems that way in comparison to Lex ;D besides he’s gotta beat Natalie to the kitchen or else she might burn the place down ;D

Are they cuddlers: YES!  At least, Natalie is which means Ian cuddles by extension ;D

Who is the big spoon and who is the little spoon: Ian is the big spoon, Natalie is the little spoon

What is their favourite sleeping position: I feel like it’s a face-to-face side-by-side snuggle hahaha

Who steals all the blankets: Natalie!

What they wear to bed: She wears a console and sleep shorts/pants (depending on the weather) for the most part…I’m not sure what he wears hahaha

Who likes seeing the other wearing their t-shirt: Ian…I don’t think he could really pull off hers hahaha and Natalie is deF a clothing-stealer

Who falls asleep mid-conversation: Both honestly I feel like they just talk until they fall asleep a lot

Who wakes up in the middle of the night with nightmares: THIS IS SO SAD bc precious children but honestly I feel like it’s happened to both…

Who accidentally punched the other in their sleep: Natalie has almost def accidentally punched Ian in her sleep smdh

Who can’t keep their hands to themself: Both lbr ;D

[abstractartandcats]

Cute @cutencats

[quillington]

Well, if you guys need…whatever…I’m here.

[oceanfrontian]

Open House | Natalian

[oceanfrontnatalie]

oceanfrontian

He smiled, cracking a grin, “Yeah, Woodhouse has saved more lives than anyone else I know,” He said, teasingly, although he wasn’t sure that he was wrong, there. “No one ever appreciates him though,” He found himself saying. His entire family treated Woodhouse like he was just another thing that they owned. In a strange way, Ian mused, he supposed he was. Did Woodhouse have a life outside of their family at all? Did he want one?

“But you did,” He found himself, saying. The Connors has been appalled at Lex’s treatment of their bulter. They’d been the only people to ever look at him and see a person. He remembered one time when Natalie cleaned up a spill before Woodhouse got to it.

He hadn’t meant for the conversation to be serious. He’d spoken to her so softly, so sincerely that he could have almost told her that he had loved her in the same breath. In a way, he supposed, he had. The way she treated everyone with kindness and respect was one of the first things that he had fallen in love with. She saw the best in everyone, she wanted the best for everyone and no one escaped her notice.

“He’s doing well,” Ian replied when she asked after Woodhouse, crossing his arms, “He isn’t showing any signs of slowing down … although he probably should.” Ian still had no idea how old Woodhouse was, but he imagined that he was long overdo for retirement, if he wanted it. “It is amazing how he can keep up with my brother. I can’t even do that either, half the time.”

He laughed, “Actually, I do know my way around my own house,” He said, “Although, invention: definitely. I didn’t always. I spent the first summer I moved here getting lost and making maps of the place. It was kinda fun, actually. And probably even a little dangerous. I never did bother to bring supplies like food in case I got really lost.” He never did though. Woodhouse always found him moments before he started to get hungry or tired. He would never understand Woodhouse’s inhuman ability to detect what he and Lex needed before they did.

“No Minotaurs in the center, but you might find Lex,” He said, teasingly. “As for who designed this place … I don’t know, exactly, but I know that my mother hired someone prestigious to design it. The word on the street is that he didn’t like working with her and that he made it impossible to navigate to get back at her.” He remembered Lex laughing, telling him this story on their first night here. He said it was unfortunate that this house was for Ian and not their mother, but that didn’t make the fact that the architect had designed this house with the intention of getting Kitty Porter hopelessly lost in the house that she had asked for.

“Yeah, I kinda hope he does buy it,” Ian said, absentmindedly placing a hand affectionately onto one of the walls. “I’ve had a lot of good memories here,” He added, “I know it shouldn’t matter who buys it, but it does.” He had thought that it would be hard for that to happen. No one would want this house unless to say that it had once belonged to the Porters. Anyway with any real sense would turn their nose up at it. It was large and luxurious, but it was far from practical.

He nodded when she voiced her concerns about Seth, “I don’t think you’ll have to worry about that, Nat,” He said, softly. He knew that if the Connors’ lives ever took them away from here, that the remaining siblings would be supportive and encouraging, but he didn’t see that happening at all. They were all so close: the three of them. They had been all they’d ever had for so long, “But if he ever does move away, he’ll keep in touch. I know he would. He loves you and Val too much to let that happen.” If there was one thing that he and Natalie’s lives had in common, it was a deep, unmovable love for their siblings. Whatever happened to Ian; whatever happened to Natalie, they’d always have their siblings. They’d always have someone and that was a comfort. But Ian was no stranger to worry. He worried for Lex more than he ever worried for himself. He knew as long as Lex was alive, he’d have him, but sometimes he worried how long that would be. Lex had always been self-destructive. How long before he did something that he couldn’t come back from?

And then Ian knew, he would truly be alone.

He was surprised (although moments later he realized that he probably shouldn’t have been) when she told him that Jeff and Bambi were expecting, “Oh wow that’s …. congratulations, I guess, I mean …. that’s really … awkward … “ He managed a laugh, “But hey, if they are happy … good for them.”

He noticed the way her face had fallen when he’d told her that he was moving to New York. He knew that she was disappointed in him and it hurt. She’d always been the one to encourage him to do more with his life than follow in his father’s footsteps, but if he didn’t, then Lex would have to and he didn’t want that for his brother. He had already been forced to do the one thing that Ian would never do: marry someone he didn’t love. In his book, Lex had gotten the short end of the deal. He would had given up everything once to be with her though, but she hadn’t wanted him and the life that they’d once planned for him couldn’t exist without her by his side.

He exhaled, trying to hide that anything was wrong. “I’ll be in the city, mostly,” He explained. “I mean, there’s a couple of country houses out that way for weekends, but … yeah, the city mostly.” She’d commented about how far away it was, to her. She was only a few hours away by private jet … but that wasn’t a trip he was planning to make and he hadn’t had to say anything for her to know that.

He laughed, “Yeah, yeah it’s the same Lex. I mean, as far as I know. It surprised me, too, but … “ But in the end, they were all Porters and this was the Porter way. Even Lex would become the thing he hated most; the thing he’d rebelled against. “… but he’s doing it.” She mentioned Lex getting his happily ever after, but Ian knew that this wasn’t that. It was the furthest thing from that. It wasn’t buying him happiness, it was buying off more unhappiness. His marriage to Nicole meant he could keep his money: it meant he wouldn’t lose everything. He’d already lost Valerie; he couldn’t lose this, too. But Ian didn’t say anything else. Telling her that he wasn’t happy would mean he’d have to tell her why and he didn’t want to. He’d learned by now not to get involved in Lex and Valerie’s relationship. It had cost them all a lot last time. But he didn’t want to lie to her, so he said nothing more at all.

“It’s so tragic when true humanitarians aren’t recognized in their own time,” responded Natalie, lightly.  Smiling up at him, she thought of when things had been kinder.  They’d been so very easy together, once, and she feared they’d missed the chance to ever reclaim that, now.  The thought left her feeling strangely hollow.  She’d always been someone who wanted to make things better and she felt somehow as though she were failing him.

He spoke again.  His voice was soft, it was earnest, as though they were completely alone and Natalie raised her brow eyes to his blue ones and settled there for a moment.  There was something in his tone, something in his eyes, that she hadn’t seen or heard for a very long time.  Something brought their first meeting rushing back: two people seeking solace in a library while - probably Jay-Z - roared outside the paneled door.  Natalie didn’t know how many hours they’d talked like that, but she didn’t care to.  Reality hadn’t intruded until much later.  She’d thought, then, how very glad she was to find another likeminded soul in such a place.  She hadn’t even minded so much when she found, later, that Max had picked up another girl and stranded her there.  This isn’t the worst place to be left, she’d thought.  It was proving considerably harder to leave.

“Well,” she said, finally, looking away with a small shrug.  “Woodhouse will always be my first experience of a butler,” she responded, putting a hand over her heart with a small chuckle.  And you’ll always be my first love, she thought, glancing away.  But she had James and he had Sophia, and they’d probably never see each other again.  That chapter was closed.

Ian went on to speak about Woodhouse’s health and Natalie chuckled softly.  “That is a real gift.  I don’t think anyone else could possibly manage it, honestly.”  In truth, Natalie had often felt quite sorry for Woodhouse.  He treated Lex like a king and Lex treated him like dirt.  In all honesty, Natalie couldn’t think why he put up with it, but she wasn’t about to say that.  She had plenty of bad things to say about Lex, but she wouldn’t say those things to Ian because the last thing she wanted was to hurt Ian...again.  She knew now that she had hurt him before, although she’d never meant to, and she knew she’d always regret never being able to put it to rights.

“Well look at you,” teased Natalie.  “I think that ranks you an Olympic gold medal in orienteering, right there.  I can guarantee you no one else around here can say the same...Well, except Woodhouse but I think we’ve already established Woodhouse is the exception to most rules,” she chuckled.  “Definitely a little dangerous!  Living on the edge!  You realize we may never have seen you again quite easily.”  It was only a partial tease, given the fate of some of Lex’s more unfortunate dates.

Natalie laughed when he said one might find Lex at the center.  “Ferocious, indeed!”  Her smile was slightly sardonic but she shook her head as she found herself comparing and contrasting the two.  At least Lex isn’t a cannibal, she thought with a flash of sarcasm.  Shaking her head as though to dispel the thoughts.  “Oh no!” she exclaimed, clapping a hand over her mouth as she laughed.  Natalie’s own experiences working for (or at least under her, as she’d been working for the Sheraton) Kitty Porter had been harrowing, indeed, and she could appreciate the impetus for such a decision.  “I can’t imagine your mother getting lost.  I can’t imagine it would be pretty, though.”

Her smile was sympathetic.  “Of course it matters,” she said, encouragingly.  “This is your home.”  In many ways, she knew, more so than any mammoth manor his family may own in much more exciting and exotic locations across the world.  “You want to make sure it’s taken care of.  That’s not silly.”  She didn’t imagine that was something any of the members of his family would have agreed with, but that in no way made it less true.  People were supposed to take care of the things they loved, even if they were leaving those things behind.  For all the exultant houses Edmund Porter IV owned, Natalie wondered with some sadness if he had ever loved a single one.

“You’re right, of course,” she responded softly, nodding.  It didn’t stop her from worrying - she would always worry - but it was reassuring to hear him say it out loud.  “I need to trust more,” she added, nodding.  It was true.  Whether by some miracle or out of sheer will to survive, Seth had survived this long.  Even if he moved away, he’d make it through.  It was difficult for Natalie to let go, and she acknowledged this.  Once, she had been almost a mother to Seth.  It had been a lot on her shoulders, but Natalie had never really minded.  Now, she almost missed the pressure.  She sometimes felt useless without it.

Ian finished talking.  There was something bittersweet in his smile and something in his eyes she knew was sadness.  Reaching out, she put a hand on his arm.  “Hey.  You ok?”

Despite everything, she laughed as Ian fumbled for a reaction.  “You sound like me when I heard,” she teased.  “It’s true,” she added, nodding.  She truly did want them to be happy...but the existence of these new children meant their family would forever be...families.  Plural.  Altered.  If Natalie’s parents got together again, as she’d always wanted, it would mean ripping her half-siblings’ parents apart.  Natalie didn’t want that, either.  “It’s just...I’m adjusting.  But I am excited to have new little siblings.”  That much was certainly true.  Whatever else may be, Natalie already knew she would love them with every fiber of her being.  “I can’t wait to meet them.”  She smiled softly.  “You wouldn’t know this, being the baby of the family, but there’s nothing like being a big sibling.  Nothing.  It can definitely be stressful but...” she shrugged.  “It’s more than worth it.  It’s wonderful.”

“Well that sounds,” she tried to think of something positive to say.  “Like a very fast-paced lifestyle.  Exciting!” she tried to look enthusiastic but she certainly didn’t feel it.  Natalie bit her lip, trying to find something more sincere to say.  “I bet your family’s very proud,” she added.  “That must feel good.”  

Natalie could sympathize.  Afterall, she had, on occasion, done things for no other reason than that she thought her parents might be proud of her.  The Porters seemed to be a colder bunch than Natalie’s parents, but she still knew something this big - a son actually embracing their legacy - would engender pride at least.  There would probably be at least one stiff gala in celebration.  But for all that, she wondered if his parents would even show him their pride in him.  Ian deserved more than that and, not for the first time in her life, she found herself growing angry at his parents.  Exhaling, she shunted this thought process aside.  “I know they’re proud,” she said, and this time she was completely genuine.  It was what they’d always wanted.

“I don’t think anyone could have possibly predicted that,” responded Natalie, injecting her voice with levity.  “Probably not even Lex himself.”  If Natalie knew one thing about Lex, it was that.  He cut himself off and Natalie nodded.  That poor girl’s definitely pregnant, she thought.  She tried to picture Lex as a father.  She failed.  “So has he roped you into the wedding proceedings, yet?”

[captainbobbiedraper]

But I am not going to play your choice. I’m gonna play Jerry’s choice. [Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire playing] Ooh, that’s right. And I’m gonna sing along. And I’m gonna maintain eye contact the whole time. And guess what? I don’t know the words!

[bubblysuggestion]

you’re someone’s dream person

[cfmusings-blog]

                                              I don’t mind                                   not getting a happy ending                                   if it means ——————–

                                                                                 you get yours.

[brookheimers]

[oceanfrontowen]

Neighbors | Owen & Natalie

[oceanfrontnatalie]

oceanfrontowen

“This isn’t exactly a social call, Nat,” He said, but in another moment he was inside and cat was rubbing up against his leg. He wasn’t going to say it, but he was happy for the invite. It would be easier to gauge how things were with Natalie over lunch than standing on her front porch scolding her about not keeping a closer eye on her cat.

“I guess I can stay for a coffee,” He said, scratching the back of his head as he started to follow her into the kitchen. He stopped short, however when he passed the stairs to the basement. What the? He forked a thumb over his shoulder, “Seth?” He asked. That kid always seemed to make things worse when he tried to lend a hand. Gotta love him.

He leaned up against the counter, “No, we’ve got that covered.” He said, when she offered to help. He wouldn’t ask for her help, even if he had needed it. Owen liked doing things on his own. But what’s more than that, he knew that there was a lot of things that were probably on Natalie’s mind now and the last thing she needed to worry about was whether or not her neighbor’s porch was painted.

He managed a slight smile out of the corner of his mouth when she promised him that she didn’t touch the food, “Good, I’m not ready to die, just yet,” He teased. He took a seat at the kitchen table, “They are actually both still at work,” He said. This was a busy season for both of them. If Owen didn’t work with Chris and live with Will, he’d give up trying to see either of them until October.

There was a time when Natalie would have put up a protest when Owen said it wasn’t a social call and asked him to stay, but now she knew better.  The more fuss, the more likely he was to clam up and leave.  Besides, she knew he would stay, whatever he might say.  When they’d first met, Owen had been a source of confusion for her, admittedly, but she liked to think she understood him, now.

Natalie still remembered a particular science project where they’d been paired and given a few weeks to work together on it.  Throughout, Owen had insisted he didn’t care but Natalie, of course, had cared very much.  She was starting her life new and she needed everything she could control to go right.  Too much else was spinning out of control and she needed to feel like she could get something - anything - right.  She’d also cared about getting to know him, because she was Natalie Connors, and, despite all the exasperation he’d displayed, she’d been very solicitous which only seemed to annoy him.  Despite all her efforts, however, neither Owen nor the project seemed to respond positively to her best efforts.  

Around the time the project needed to be presented, Natalie first learned Max was cheating on her and on top of everything else, she’d broken down crying, insisting she could do it.  After that, the project had mysteriously come together.  Owen insisted whatever Natalie had been doing must have just worked without her noticing, but Natalie knew he’d done it and, in that moment, she thought she first truly understood him.  She’d immediately pulled him into a tight hug and didn’t hugging him for a full minute, either.

Natalie favored Owen with a bright grin when he said he’d stay for a cup of coffee.  The Selznicks were like family and Natalie sometimes felt her birth family was determined to break apart and implode.  It was reassuring to know the Selznicks would never do that to her.  They had their own troubles, but unlike her parents, she could always rely on them and she knew they felt the same.  “Any preference on type?” she asked.  “We just got this new one called German Mocha Java!  It sounds so fun, I couldn’t not buy it,” she laughed.  “We’ve also got all the usual suspects,” she added, quickly, feeling Owen might be more comfortable with a more traditional coffee.  But she always threw out the offer.  Who knows, maybe he’d surprise her.

“Seth,” agreed Natalie, laughing.  It definitely made the laundry less convenient, but it also made it much more amusing.  “Will was by to take a look at it, awhile ago.  He said, uh...” she bit her lip.  What he’d said had been a string of technical sounding words that hadn’t meant much to her.  “Well, I’m not sure, exactly, but I felt very confident while he was saying it.”  She chuckled.  “But the gist was that he knows how to fix it, so that’s good news.”

She smiled softly.  “I have no doubts,” she responded.  The Selznicks were real pros.  Natalie honestly had no idea how they did what they did (in fact, everything she knew about home maintenance of the sort she’d learned from them), but the fact that they knew what they were doing was indisputable.  “Well, if you guys need...whatever...I’m here.  Oh!  I’ll bring around lemonade, later,” she decided, knowing they weren’t going to ever ask for anything.  “Valerie whipped up a batch the other day.  It’s so good!  Of course.  You’ll love it.”  Chris might ask for help, if he needed it, but this project had Will and Owen written all over it and they weren’t the type for that.

“Shut up,” Natalie laughed, returning to the table with two plates.  She put one in front of him and sat down, herself.  “Oh, hey, so I heard a rumor that Ginny’s thinking of moving in with you guys?  Permanently, that is.  I know she stays over a lot...Is there any truth in that?”  

Maybe she was being a snoopy neighbor, but Natalie didn’t have any secrets and it didn’t occur to her that she might be prying.  She didn’t think that, in her place, Natalie could handle that in that the house was so full already (down to poor Owen permanently sleeping on the couch), it seemed like a recipe for chaos, but when she considered that the alternative involved returning home to Max...anything would be a more peaceful alternative.

[oceanfrontnatalie]

I Got You | Natalie & Valerie

[oceanfrontnatalie]

oceanfrontvalerie

“I brought food!” Valerie announced, walking through the door, “I got us pizza. Kinda tired of just eating my stuff, and I know you are, too. Don’t lie,” She said, teasingly. “It’s kinda cold though, because I ordered it thinking I was getting ready to leave the restaurant, but of course, I wasn’t. Anyway, I’m gonna throw it in the oven for a few minutes.”

Valerie brought everything into the kitchen. "Ah, yes, good.” Valerie said, dropping her purse to the ground and taking a sip of tea, “I really needed this. It’s like you read my mind. Thank you.” For the most part, Valerie tried to keep her sister out of the kitchen, but there were a handful of things that she could do and one of them was make the perfect cup of tea. Every time.

Valerie forgot about the food (and the tea) as soon as Natalie mentioned the Porters and that she had gone to the open house. "Nat, why didn’t you tell me you were going to go? I mean, obviously, I would have tried to talk some sense into you, but if you were going to go anyway, you should have taken me with you.” Valerie had no intention of ever going back there again, if she could help it, but she wouldn’t have wanted Natalie to go there by herself.

“Whoa, really? He was there? That’s really weird, right? I mean, I guess it’s not unheard of, but I feel like having the owner there at an open house is kinda … off putting? But – that’s not important – what is is …. how did it go? Are you okay? Are we going to need something a little stronger than this?” She asked, gesturing to the tea.

“Ooh, great thinking!” exclaimed Natalie.  She hadn’t realized she was hungry until that moment, but now that the food was here, she couldn’t have been happier about it.  Natalie shook her head in protest - her sister was a truly amazing cook and Natalie intended to never take that for granted - but it was true that it was nice to mix things up every once in awhile.  Besides, something she could absolutely appreciate was that Valerie needed a break.  “I think it’s nice that you’ve decided to give some of the other restaurants around here a fighting chance,” she teased, lightly.

“Mmm,” agreed Natalie into her cup.  “There’s nothing like tea in the afternoon.  Especially if the day’s a little dreary,” she added with a soft laugh.

Tilting her head, she smiled a bit bemusedly.  “Valerie, you didn’t want to go there.  I did,” she shrugged.  “I’m not like you,” she smiled fondly.  “You’re tough and strong and you can do the healthy thing and make a clean break.  I can’t just...be done with something that mattered to me, once.  I know I’m probably,” she shrugged.  “Sentimental and silly but, whatever happens, I care about Ian and I remember our time together fondly.  You don’t have that kind of...relationship with the place or the people.  I couldn’t ask you to go there with me.  Besides,” she chuckled.  “I didn’t feel like defending why I wanted to go.  I just wanted to.”

Natalie frowned as she spoke, considering what she said.  “You know, I didn’t really think about it at the time - I was sort of just, you know, surprised and I didn’t really think beyond that - but that is a little odd, isn’t it?  I don’t know,” she laughed.  “Maybe it’s a rich-people-thing,” she said, only half joking.  “Maybe they like to meet and greet.”  Frankly, it was a little odd that the place was having an open house.  It seemed more the sort of house that one would schedule but...Natalie wasn’t complaining.  She suspected that Ian had just opened it so people could satisfy their curiosity and wasn’t expecting to get any real offers out of it but what did Natalie know?  “I see it happen on HGTV a lot,” she added with a laugh.  And now she would think of Ian every time she saw Flip Or Flop or the shows of that kind.  She suppressed a sigh and formed a smile instead.

“You know what?  I am ok.  It was...it was a little sad, but it was really nice to see him.  It was the first time since Zach’s wedding and...”  And it had been a relatively normal chat, all things considered.  She was downplaying things a little, of course - Natalie didn’t like to make a fuss - but it was overall true.  It had been good to see him again.  

"He was a total gentleman about everything,” she assured her sister.  “As always.  He didn’t bring up how I chased him around the globe like a crazy person, thank goodness,” she added, biting her lip.  Honestly, she was still humiliated over that whole escapade, to a degree, but she’d never say so.  What really hurt, too, was that he’d sent his mother to be ambassador.  He hadn’t even been willing to say two words to her in person.  She couldn’t blame him, really, after she’d left him hanging like that at the wedding, but that didn’t stop it from stinging.

For her part, Natalie hadn’t bring up how the last time they’d met he’d told her that she was in love with her, either.  They’d both moved on.  He had a fiancée (Natalie had found pictures of her in a tabloid soon after she’d heard the name and she had to admit Sophia looked sophisticated and rich and everything Natalie wasn’t), and Natalie had James.  It wasn’t their failed romance that tasked her, so much as their friendship.  The dissolution of their romantic relationship she’d had time to heal from, but their friendship remained open ended.  They had a link, Natalie had to admit that.  They’d always had it.  

It had been bittersweet.  Whatever else had been between them, they’d always been dear friends and the idea that this was it: the last summer they’d ever so much as clap eyes on each other felt...awful.  Natalie hated finality and negative absolutes.  She wasn’t one to give up, especially when it came to people, and she couldn’t abide the idea of a door being closed on her: they’d never be able to repair the damage, they’d never even be able to try.

When Valerie suggested switching to something stronger, Natalie smiled softly and said, “I’ve got you covered.”  She pulled out the bottle she’d been saving, thinking perhaps having it literally on the table might make what she had to say next easier to digest.

“Ian had some news,” she said slowly, pouring out drinks for each of them.  “He said that none of the Porters are going to return here after the beach house sells and...Valerie, he said that Lex is getting married.”

[atjeonjungkook]

[oceanfrontemma]

ooc: emma + natalie

emma loves natalie so so much!!!!!!! and honestly, I feel like she was really shocked by how meredith just kinda abandoned her kids like that, especially b/c she could never imagine doing that to adam for anything, and like … I feel like that def damaged her opinion of meredith tbh (not that she would ever talk badly about their mom to them but yeah). but ugh also like she knows first hand what it is like to raise a kid on your own and natalie was basically raising TWo while still being a kid herself and emma is like “how????? did ???? you??? do ??? that???” and doesn’t blame her at all for seeking out her and tbh emma was there for all three of them from the start, and def there to help out, but especially with the girls tbh b/c yeah they were in high school and you know that there were a lot of things that john was clueless about haha. and yeah in a lot of ways, natalie and valerie are def the daughters she never had and she loves them a lot and is so proud of both of them and ugh <3333

[oceanfrontnatalie]

LIZZY IM SO EMOTIONAL ABOUT EMMA AND THE CONNORS  I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START!!!!!

Ok, so honestly Natalie can’t even begin to express how much she adores Emma and how grateful she is that she’s in her life!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Like, honestly I feel like Natalie’s felt so much saner since she came to va beach for a loT of reasons, but having Emma there to help her and support her and talk to her was def huGE and she sooooo admires and looks up to her.  I honestly think Natalie aspires to be more like Emma <3

And ngl I think on some level Natalie def feels all the more let down by Meredith bc Emma had to be the one to be there to talk to her where her mom should yknow?????  And she had her own life going on but she actually caRED and put aside time for Natalie yknow????  And meanwhile Natalie might’ve been dead for all Meredith knew?????  And like I mean Natalie def pushes that all down and feels terrible and guilty whenever such a thought occurs to her and is all ‘mom had her own crap to deal w’ but she knows Emma did too and yet Emma was there yknow?????????  And I think all of that makes Emma all the more impressive to Natalie bc she found time and she did it all and she made it look easy and never once complained or made Natalie feel like she was a burden????  

Also, any time Emma needed a babysitter or a break or whatever, Natalie was more than happy to have him over to hang with her and her siblings etc  I mean, she’s only like two years older but she’s like two hundred years more responsible ;DDDD

Also, since Emma and Meredith were bffs, do you think Natalie would’ve known her from before?

[therelatableimages]

[edgebug]

there’s an angel hogging my blankets

[edgebug]

cheddar biscuit is going to be so proud when i tell her how many notes her pictures have