sweet creature

chasing all the things that are keeping us young, we won't stop running till we reach the sun. oh we're building a home, with the mud and the stones and the branches we bind, we're all just searching for something bigger than we're all able to find

[ofdinah]

text - open

aviva: ?

dinah: crap, sorry. kid had my phone.

[ofdinah]

text - open

Alex: She loves me

Alex: What can I say, I'm pretty lovable

Alex: And I may bring her treats when I visit

Alex: [laugh cry face emoji]

dinah: she hasn't figured out facetime yet, it's just a matter of time

dinah: i'm sure she'd love that

[ofdinah]

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Alex: I'm living for the love of trains we got there

Alex: [praise hands emoji] [wave emoji]

dinah: oh my god that was maisie

dinah: again

dinah: i swear that's like the tenth time this week she's texted you in particular

[ofdinah]

text - open

dinah: [all ten train emojis]

[ofdinah]

burntley‌:

– “NO! NO, of course not.” ben laughed sheepishly as she asked what his intentions were with the photos. “god, no. i wouldn’t post these anywhere. i just —- you, and her, together —– with the sun and everything —-” his hands moved wildly in an aimless attempt to help him explain what he was trying to say. “—- it’s just really beautiful, the whole thing. here, i’ll show you…” he moved over to her, smiling graciously at the toddler as he tilted the camera to show her ( and her daughter, of course – how could he leave her out of the fun? ) the photos. “if you, uh —- if you want these, you can have ‘em. otherwise, i’ll just delete ‘em.”

his feeble attempts to rationalize himself told dinah he didn’t mean any harm, and she just nodded softly to try and let him know she wasn’t offended. she adjusted maisie on her hip and leaned over to look at the pictures, surprising even herself by the soft smile that tugged at her lips. she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had a picture taken of them together---not since they’d moved here, and maybe even before maisie’s father had died. “no---i mean, no, don’t delete them,” she shook her head quickly, followed by a nervous laugh, “i like them. a lot.” she leaned back before maisie could grab at the camera, offering him a shy smile. “is photography, like, your job?” she asked with a soft tilt of her head.

[ofdinah]

meresadies‌:

“i was riding in a car without my car seat when i was her age,” sadie’s not sure how true that is..but it’s what she REMEMBERS, so it’s got to count for something. “i’m sure there’s things to brave the rain..you could always ask someone here for an umbrella, though m’ not too sure how many people have one to lend out. but you never know.” she shrugs her own shoulders and short nails can be heard tapping against the screen of her cell phone. she almost doesn’t notice the girl until a flash of green plush is seen in her peripheral vision. “it’s fine,” she gives the kid a small smile, taking the stuffed animal for a moment to applease the kid before handing it back. “it is. don’t worry. ‘m not gonna hurt her.”

“really? i think it’s against the law,” she shakes her head softly, glancing over at maisie. she was so small that dinah was sure the seatbelt would practically choke her. “i have a friend or two i could call if it doesn’t let up soon, i guess,” she shrugs, though she isn’t looking forward to bothering anyone. she smiles softly when the other seems to appease maisie, giving her a quiet nod of thanks, raising an eyebrow at her daughter when she giggles in excitement and hurries back over to her. she reaches out to fix her hair and glanced back to the other. “does it rain here a lot?” she asks, knowing it’s a weird question, “i’ve only, like, lived here a couple weeks,” she shakes her head, wanting to offer some sort of explanation. “i always figured california was pretty dry.”

[ofdinah]

heathersshaw‌:

heather had a day off for once- and of course, she couldn’t relax like a normal person, she had to completley fill up her day. she had just picked up a box from the post office before heading to the cafe. she was supposed to be meeting with another parent to discuss something related to the PTA, however, the rain had caused a delay due to traffic, so, they had canceled the meeting. now, heather was stuck because she didn’t want to take a risk by leaving into the rain with all her paperwork. she found herself overhearing dinah’s comment to her daughter about them being stuck there, and opened the box from the mail. it was filled with books and toys and stuff she bought for her patients to use while they waited for their appointments. removing a thin coloring book and a pack of four crayons, heather went to their table, “i’m sorry for eavesdropping, but i think this might you two help pass the time?” she offered with a smile. 

dinah was so distracted with trying to keep maisie entertained with her keychain that she didn’t notice the woman approaching them, looking up quickly when she was addressed. she breathed out a soft sigh and offered her a thankful smile. “you’re a life saver,” she laughed quietly, shaking her head. “look, mais, look what we got,” she slid the book in front of her daughter. “thank you, again,” she turned back to the other. “are you a teacher?”

[ofdinah]

celinahq‌:

obviously she wasn’t planning on getting stuck at the coffee shop during the storm. but she couldn’t help feel bad thinking about the fact her daughter was all alone back in the apartment. she could take care of herself just fine, but it was still all that was on her mind right now. like what if the power went out or something? she looked around the shop, trying to think of something else but when her gaze sets at the girl and the toddler at the table next to her, celina is back to worrying about her. “ babysitting? ” cel asked, trying to play it safe by not assuming anything.

the other’s voice caught her off guard and she jumped slightly, glancing up upon hearing her comment. “oh --- i --- yeah, kinda,” she laughed shyly, shaking her head. “she’s mine,” she said softly, reaching over to let maisie out of the high chair so she could wander around. “you waiting out the storm, too?” 

[ofdinah]

meresadies‌:

a dip of her head and sadie figures that’s the end of their conversation. way to make friends, merecedes, great job. eyes glance from the phone in her hands to the voice again once dinah speaks ; another nod of her head followed by a light chuckle. “i think that goes for everyone.” did it rain often here or was this an out of the ordinary thing? she wasn’t sure, and she didn’t want to find out either. “no idea. i don’t usually watch the news or check the weather, but my brother told me to watch out for rain today. so.” another shrug of her shoulders. “call an uber maybe? i dunno. maybe someone can give you a ride.”

“i guess you’re right,” she nods softly with a smile, letting maisie take the stuffed toy from her hands and keeping an eye on her as she starts wandering around the small cafe. “i --- i don’t have her carseat,” she nods to her daughter, “otherwise i would.” she offers her a soft shrug, glancing back out the window. “if it gets too late i’ll brave the rain. it’s only just around the block,” she shrugs again, glancing back to the girl. “we might have to start, like, building a tent out of tablecloths,” she jokes quietly, drumming her fingers against the table. “oh, god, sorry,” she shakes her head quickly when maisie tries to hand her stuffed turtle to the girl, “i --- we’re learning sharing, so i suppose that’s a good thing,” she laughs softly, keeping an eye on her daughter in case she’d have to get up and grab her.

[ofdinah]

camilazoegarcia‌:

Camila spotted Dinah and Maisie waiting for something, and then looked out of the window to the pouring rain. Camila moved towards them and smiled at Dinah. “Avoiding the rain?” she asked, looking down and smiling at Maisie too. Camila could be quite nosey and did manage to find her way into the business of most local people, but she did her best to be helpful. Camila was a people person, when she had time.

dinah glanced up, spotting the familiar face and offering her a soft smile. “yeah, i didn’t plan for rain,” she shook her head slowly, glancing at maisie and reaching over to fix her hair. “you have any idea how long the storm is supposed to last?” she asked, tilting her head to the side slightly. 

[ofdinah]

meresadies‌:

none of her family members were picking up, and the rain was making her antsy in the worst way. this was the first storm that’s passed through since the ford’s move to halston and truth be told sadie was reacting badly. it couldn’t help but spark memories of a day she’d rather forget. at this point? she wants to go home, but instead she was stuck in some weird coffee shop she’d found for shelter from the water droplets. “cute kid,” and sadie wasn’t one to speak to strangers. well..not strangers in halston, anyways. everyone here seemed to have their own agenda’s and it included everything other than a rotten kid in their way.

dinah glanced up when someone said something, realizing the girl was talking to her. “oh --- i --- thanks,” she smiled softly, glancing back to maisie before giving up on trying to keep her contained in the high chair. “she won’t be cute for much longer if this rain doesn’t let up,” she shook her head, laughing quietly and freeing her daughter from her high chair, fishing one of her toys out of her purse and dangling it in front of her to get her attention. “do you know how long it’s supposed to last?” she asked, looking back at the other girl. “i live, like, just around the block, but carrying her and trying to walk without, like, slipping, is pretty much impossible,” she nodded softly, running her hand across the brace on her leg.

[ofdinah]

she figured they’d just wait out the rain -- that it wouldn’t be more than a couple minutes before they could make the quick walk home. she wasn’t one to complain about getting wet, but between having to carry a toddler and deal with her leg brace, it really wasn’t worth the risk. and without maisie’s carseat, uber wasn’t an option, either. so, for now, she was stuck in the coffee shop, trying to keep maisie entertained. she’d been finicky all day and dinah was reaching the point of exhaustion. “might be stuck here a while, kid,” she sighed softly, smoothing her daughter’s hair out of her face and resting her head against her hand.

[burntley]

– “NO. NOPE. DON’T MOVE. stay right there. just like that.” he crouched down, pulling his old nikon out of his bag and quickly turning it on. one knee on the ground and the other supporting his elbow, he pulled his camera up to his eye to start taking photos. “——okay, now —- shift your weight to your other leg —– no, not like that. just —- THERE! hold it…”

[ofdinah]

dinah was about to set maisie down on the ground, but took in a sharp breath when someone called out to her --- she was constantly on edge. she relaxed slightly when the other didn’t seem too harmful, raising a cautious eyebrow but adjusting maisie in her arms, letting her hair block her face slightly and keeping still for a few moments. “she loves cameras,” she laughed shyly, doing her best to keep maisie from wiggling out of her arms to greet the stranger. “you’re not posting those anywhere, are you?” she added quickly, biting her lip.

[simplesublime]

“nothin’ fuckin’ fits me anymore.” regina huffed, usually she’d only be wearing this less would be if she was going to a party or actually working out (and even at that she’d wear a shirt en route) but nope. not today. she was wearing only her HCC sports bra and a matching pair of nike pros, “- so i’m not wearing anything.” the sheer annoyance of regina etched on her face as her fingers traced over her growing belly, “you know, the doctor said it was one of the biggest babies she’s ever seen? an’ i still got nineteen more weeks.” 

[ofdinah]

dinah glanced up, balancing her own toddler on her hip while the other spoke. “i know the feeling,” she said softly, a shy smile on her lips. “i practically lived in big t-shirts and sports bras. i think i have some of my old maternity stuff, if you want it. i’m not planning on needing it again anytime soon,” she shrugged softly. “really?” she tilted her head to the side. “maisie had some issues and had t’come out early, so i didn’t get too big. guess that means the baby’s healthy, though,” she offered, trying to make the best of it.

[ofdinah]

beaumag‌:

“i get that, i couldn’t even tell you how old my house is.” beau shrugged and rubbed his hand against the back of his neck. “yeah it seems to be getting a little cooler around here, hopefully the fall weather will roll in soon.” he kept his attention on the child with a grin. he watched as she took the cereal, remembering what things were like when his siblings were this little. “what’s her name?” he asked before receiving a few pieces of cereal to the face. 

“it’s got character, though. it’s not all bad,” she shrugged softly, nodding in agreement with his next statement. “let’s hope the heating isn’t messed up, too. i can handle the heat, but i’m not about to give us both hypothermia over it,” she shook her head. “hey, hey, crazy,” she quickly reached over to stop maisie when she started throwing the food, “guess that means you aren’t hungry anymore,” she eyed her in amusement. “sorry about that,” she laughed quietly, turning back to him. “her name’s maisie. she’s usually much more shy around strangers.”

[ofdinah]

beaumag‌:

“thanks,” beau smiled and pulled out the chair before sitting down. “the a/c’s shot? didya’ call someone to take a look at it? i would offer to take a look but i’m much more of a computer guy.” he pulled his laptop out of his computer before his attention was grabbed by the child sitting with them. “ ‘s alright. she’s pretty cute, i think i can take her. how old is she?” he asked. 

“yeah, it’s an old building,” she shook her head. “the landlord made it sound like it’d be a little while before someone could come look at it. it’s been getting cooler at night, though. i think i’d die if it was mid-summer when this happened.” she laughed softly, glancing over at maisie before offering her another handful of cereal. “ah, yeah, i put up with a lot from her just because she’s cute,” she smiled. “she’s 18 months.” 

[beaumag]

“ –– so uh listen,” beau begin as he approached their table. he shifted his bag on his shoulder and took a breath before speaking again. “is there any chance that i can come sit with you? all of the other tables that have outlets near them are pretty full and my laptop is COMPLETELY dead. i’ll buy you a coffee or something.” he rocked on his heels as he waited for a response for them.

[ofdinah]

“huh --- oh --- yeah, yeah, sorry,” she shook her head quickly, moving to clear off the spot across from her. “a/c’s shot in my place so we’re just... trying to stay cool,” she laughed quietly, motioning to her daughter in the high chair beside her. “i’d be warned, though, she’s been really into throwing things lately, so you might be in the crossfire of a few cheerios if she keeps it up,” she added, a nervous smile on her lips.