#c:gisele

[a-aronstone]

The house always felt empty when Julianna was off with her mother for the week. He’d barely dropped her off and had nothing planned for the rest of the day. He had already cooked, making some shakshuka the way his mother taught him, and he had already cleaned, carrying out his daily chores in the morning. He would’ve jumped at the chance to spend time with Gisele after a week of not seeing her, but he knew she was at work. As a result, turning on the projector was the next best thing. He figured he’d take the time to catch up on What We Do in the Shadows. However, after he was about an episode and a half in, he began to feel on edge. It came without a warning. Subtle as it was, it was there, and so, he took to lighting up the end of a joint to ease the tension. One moment, he was three episodes in from where he last left off, and the next, he was casually cleaning out his fridge while munching on some leftover sugar cookies from the Stone’s 4th of July get together. All the while, he was listening to some Stevie Wonder.

It was a miracle he heard the knock on his front door when he did. He checked who it was first before opening the door without a second thought when he saw it was Gisele. “Well, well, well,” his smile broadening at the sight of her. The sunlight seemed to be striking her figure at just the right angle because he couldn’t pull himself to look away. The effects of the cannabis were still lingering and so was the smell, but that detail didn’t register with him yet, even though he knew she didn’t know he smoked. No one did aside from Silas did, and the only reason he even knew was because of the obvious. Guilt was the reason he kept it under wraps, feeling like he was cheating in his sobriety by swapping out cigarettes for weed. Although, there was a case to be made about that since he still drank. “—-I didn’t expect to see you here, today.”

@gisele-ramirez​

[a-aronstone]

@gisele-ramirez​

The world worked in mysterious ways. A lesson he learned time and time again. He didn’t know what forces were behind what happened during that Valentine’s Day Auction. He wasn’t a difficult person to get along with, but dates had different contexts. As luck would have it, he ended up with Gisele, an independent single woman. Not to mention, the marine had eyes. She was attractive, and she helped in making their first date have an easy-flow. He gave into the dance and took her to the restaurant they talked about after the boat ride. It was a nice escape from all that was weighing him down in Olympus, and to his pleasant surprise, they kept in contact with each other after that night when there was nothing obligating them to. He remembered their talk about them needing to get out more, so when she told him about the new addition to her household, he used the opportunity to offer a trip to NOLA City Bark. It was a dog park he’d gone a few times back when his parents let him have a dog at the age of 7.

When picking her up in his Audi RS7, he took the time to greet her and Spot. He’d never seen a dalmatian in person before. His only exposure to them had been through Disney movies and the firefighter typecast, but to see one firsthand, he was in awe. It made him want a dog of his own. A thought that continued throughout the drive despite Gigi telling him how much of a handful he’d been. It all seemed to be smooth sailing by the time he parked his car at their destination. “I’m telling you, Spot, here, is going to love it. I doubt the ball of energy is going to be shy. —If he is, I remember there being a separate enclosure for that. It’s a win-win,” he assured and looked over at the backseat floorboard, where Spot was, only catch him in the aftermath of the puddle of urine he left. “...Oh.” crap. His eyes hesitantly fell on his Gisele. A chuckle escaped him to fill the short silence. Then again, he did find the situation a little amusing. Of course it happened after they had just made it. Of course.

[a-aronstone]

@gisele-ramirez​

Born and bred in Lousiana like the rest of his family, Aaron had grown accustomed to avoiding the many tourist traps of New Orleans. There were exceptions to this, and a ride on Steamboat Natchez was about to be one of them. He’d decided on taking Gisele there for their date after some back and forth with her through texts. It seemed fitting with her having yet to experience such as well, and music being a language almost anyone can understand. One that he was certain she’d appreciate because of her craft, and one that he enjoyed himself with it having been woven through the fabric of his childhood. It helped that it meant they’d be away from Olympus. He didn’t want to go through a hard time disassociating those places with his previous relationship just yet, especially when it was officially his first time putting himself out there like that, and yet, in the back of mind, he still had trouble determining the scope of how serious he was going to take this. He had a daughter to prioritize when it came down to it.

With both of them being business owners, there was a lot to consider when it came to setting the actual day, but fortunately for the Stone, he was able to schedule their evening when his week of custody was over and handed over to the mother of Jules. After he left No Names earlier than usual to prepare for the dinner by wearing a smart casual attire, he drove over to pick her up and talking to her on the car ride there wasn’t as difficult this time around as the first. At the very least, it’s how he felt. Whether it actually came through was for her to decide, but there was no denying his reservations given the context. It wasn’t until halfway through he handed her the aux cord, and there seemed to be an exchange made from one song to the next until they actually made it.

The sky was still painted blue, but harsh shadows covered the land with the sun barely beginning to set. Once aboard the steamboat, it took a little longer for the paddles to move because of those that had yet to get on, but the band didn’t waste time to start roaring. Before they knew it, they were all headed down the Mississippi river to go along a scenic view, and by then, Aaron had a glass of scotch whiskey in his hand while leaned against a column, letting Gisele have the seat on the porch next to him if she wanted. “Cross my heart. Cards on the table. Before going into this, I could’ve sworn we were going to be the only ones that weren’t seniors. I will say, the picture of Dolly Parton hanging up on the wall back there did make me feel better about it, but know what? I’m happy to admit that I was wrong.” He raised his cup as a discreet way of saying cheers at the fact that there were people of all age ranges. Though, it still favored the elderly. “You think this will turn to Soul Train?” It was a question made for the fun of it, and it brought about a huffing laugh. “Remember that?”

[olympusvaleria]

@gisele-ramirez​

Valeria’s fingers drifted across the wallpaper in Gisele’s kitchen, marvelling at the kitschiness of the room. Bright colors everywhere she looked, fruit stacked up on the countertop, and sparkling clean. For a second Valeria closed her eyes and imagined what Havana must have been like, full of life and bursting with culture. Quite different from her Texas upbringing, but at the same time so similar. Five years apart, yet their childhoods mirrored each others. Until the point where Gisele had cast their family out of her heart. Her hand dropped from the wall as the resentment started to bubble up within her. It was never far from the surface, living in a town as small as this, she felt like she saw Gisele everywhere. This was supposed to be a little vacation, to get her head screwed on straight so she could serve by her father’s side. Instead, it had turned into a family reunion, with the only part of her family she didn’t want.

Her head turned as she heard the click of the lock. Gisele walked into the house, a bag of groceries in her shoulder and humming a song that abruptly stopped as she saw Valeria leaning casually against her countertop. Her look of shock said it all. “What, can’t I just drop in on my big sis every once in a while?” Valeria asked sarcastically, a grin spreading across her face. “I didn’t pick the lock, by the way.” Her sister thought she was so pious compared to the rest of the family. It drove Valeria crazy. “I have this.” She smiled, swinging a key to the front door around her finger.