It had been a surprise when Jackie got a call from Ben saying that Adam had already made a friend at school and that he was invited to stay the night for a sleepover. It was an even more pleasant surprise when he invited her over for their very own sleepover. With Adam's arrival the last time they had gotten to spend the night together was in her room at her parent's house when they thought they would be going weeks or months without seeing each other. It was with a giddy sort of anticipation that Jackie packed a bag for the night and climbed into her truck to make her way over to his apartment.
It was the closer she got that her energy began to turn a little nervous. Something had been brewing in the blonde's head for a while now and the question was, is this the time to talk it over? Should she really run the risk of ruining a perfectly good evening of peace and quiet if this conversation didn't go as she hoped it did? It was impossible for Jackie to place a finger on how Ben would respond and she didn't know how to handle that because so often they were on the same page. Would it be the same for this? And if not... what then?
That was the real reason it needed to be brought up sooner than later. Hadn't they learned that lesson recently? You can't keep putting something off just because it feels like it won't occur for a while only to let it sneak up on you. It was with these thoughts in mind that she was able to give herself enough of a pep talk to be rather certain tonight would be the night to pick Ben's brain. She didn't know what the outcome would be, but it couldn't be avoided.
The truck was put in park and the engine killed. Her bag was gathered and it was with a click of creamy pink colored heels that she made her way to Ben's door. There was little delay before she was drawing her hand from the pocket of her coat and lifting it to rap knuckles against his door.
Lesson learned, right? Not that Ben had any idea that Jackie had any plans for anything serious for the night. He was just looking forward to spending the night with her, something they hadn't done in what felt like forever -- and considering they'd been spending every night together for weeks, he missed it.
There's not much of a pause before the door swings open. Ben's on the other side of the door, still dressed for work, though his jacket was gone and his shoes were off, his cuffs were unbuttoned and rolled up to his elbows, and his tie was loosened some. Right away, he's framing Jackie's face with his hands, aiming a kiss to her mouth, before letting her go and stepping back, smiling crookedly, so she can come in. "Hey, sunshine."
She's automatically grinning when he opens the door, only a small exhale of delighted surprise escaping before his lips were capturing hers in a kiss. Upon her release there was a light chuckle and she was following him inside. "Evenin', sweetheart. Good to see you, too." In passing her hand reached up to his tie, grasping and giving a playful tug to it before letting it go again. Her teasing paused for now, she let her bag sink to the ground so she could unzip her brown leather jacket to hang in the closet nearby. Beneath that was a fitted long sleeved knit dress of rosy pink and black stripes over black leggings. "I'm impressed Adam already got himself someone to hang 'round with. He must take after his Daddy's sparklin' personality." The closet door was closed and she turned to face him while stepping out of her heels. "Y'know anythin' about the kid?"
He grins a little more crookedly when she pulls on his tie, but leaves the teasing there. They had plenty of time tonight. No need to rush into things. He's watching her as she pulls off her coat though, letting himself look mildly disappointed when she steps out of her heels -- but it's all in jest, because he follows that right up with another smile. "Yeah, I went over to his house to meet his parents and everything before I'd let him stay there." Was that a little over the top? Maybe, maybe not, but Ben didn't seem to think that that was anything out of the ordinary. "He's ... I don't know, some kind of wolf-boy? Like he looks like a pint-sized little werewolf. He and Adam get along really well, though." He's shrugging a little, but still smiling. "And his parents seem nice. Normal enough." A little pause. "I didn't ask if they were ... whatever, wolf-things too. I didn't know if that was rude. Did you want a drink or anything?" Stepping back, though it's just one step, in the direction of the kitchen.
Jackie mirrors his expression of mock disappointment when she sinks down to the floor in bare feet, but she can't hold the expression very long before she's snickering. It was only his description of Adam's new friend that caused her to pause and blink. "Get the hell out, really?" It wasn't that Jackie didn't believe there were little childlike werewolves running around RhyDin. Hell, anything could exist in RhyDin. But it was interesting that Adam's new friend happened to be something a little more than human. "Adam's takin' to town surprisingly well, but I think that he's such a horror movie buff I shouldn't be surprised. He's probably lovin' it. What lil' boy wouldn't?"
Her expression became a touch more serious. "I don't think yer supposed t' ask, but I can't say I much know the rules. I never ask at the bar if someone seems off. They all tip the same no matter what they are." He's followed, step for step. It would be so easy to let the rest of the night go on like this. So easy and carefree. Did she really want to bring it all to a skidding halt? To buy herself a little time she nodded and smiled. "Could I jus' get a glass of water please?" She was on the move again, slow and dawdling, though her path was diverting from him to lead her towards the living room instead.
"He's seen a lot, you know? He's an adaptable kid." Something approaching pride there, though it's tinged with something else, harder to discern. He shakes it off quickly enough though. "Right, that's what I thought. I figure, they've got a kid that's Adam's age, they seem nice enough -- and he seems like a good kid, right? I can usually tell that kind of thing." His smile quirks up a little more at one side when she follows after him like that, and he bites his lower lip when she detours for the living room -- taking his time to watch her go, the sway of her hips. "Sure, no problem." It only takes him a moment in the kitchen to get a glass of water for her, and he's bringing it right to her. "So've you got anything on any kind of list you want to check off tonight? --besides the obvious, anyway," with a sly little smile. "I guess I just mean anything specific."
"It's a good quality to have 'round here. Both Adam bein' adaptable an' you havin' a good read on people." The answer is only a little absentminded as she makes her way to the couch to sink down into the cushions. Her legs are drawn up and folded beneath her as she leans back further into the cushions. She's only just settled in by time he comes along with her water. The glass is accepted with a smile and thank you, but she's wishing it had taken him a little more time because she's at an absolute loss for how to begin. If she should begin. A few drawn out gulps of water are taken but his question makes her pause. She knows what he's talking about, their infamous little lists between them, but maybe this was something she needed to check off her list to make sure her and Ben were on the same page.
She leaned forward to set the glass on the coffee table before she sank back into the couch. Her body was turned to face him more and her brows her drawn together tightly in concentration. "I know we ain't really had a night to ourselves an' this should be all about us havin' fun an' relaxin', but... I got somethin' that's been on my mind lately an'... I think I need to talk 'bout it before it starts eatin' at me." A finger lifted. "'Member we said before we were supposed to talk things out instead of jus' lettin' up sneak up on us like they do so often?" She needed to remind him of that.
Ben takes a seat next to her once she takes the glass from him, and he doesn't hesitate to put an arm around her shoulders, and already, he's sort of toying with her hair. He's been so careful not to be too physical with her when they're around Adam, so aside from a stolen moment here and there, he's kept his hands to himself -- something so different from how they naturally tend to be with each other. But he's listening, and he angles to face her more easily when she turns toward him; his expression mirrors hers, his own brows knitting, the slow sift of his fingers through her blonde waves growing even more absent. "Sure, I remember." His mouth his open for a second, like he's going to say something else -- really, it's to ask her if this is a conversation he should be dreading; is Adam being here more than she can handle? Is it too much for her? She's too young for this, right? -- but probably wisely, he shuts his mouth, and after an only slightly nervous little smile, "Go ahead, what is it?"
There's a pause before she continues on. Not only because she's attempting to get her tornado of thoughts to fall into some sort of order, but also so she can briefly enjoy the stroke of his fingers through her hair. As always, it manages to calm her a little more even if the gesture is becoming more absent while Ben focuses his attention on her. The silence is drawn out even longer when his mouth opens. She's happily waiting for any sort of delay, but it never comes. Her hands settle in her lap, but she's toying with her own fingers, continuously fidgeting. He tells her to proceed and she's still not sure of where to begin, but the words are spilling out of her mouth before she can stop them. "Well, you have Adam." She wasn't lying, even if it didn't really make any sense as an opening statement. "You an' Ella had 'im and then that was it. Jus' Adam." Her fidgeting hands pause long enough to lift and gesture at him, waiting for him to agree with her obvious statements so far.
He purses his lips a little, trying to figure out where this is going. He's less certain that it's leading to Jackie being overwhelmed now, but still just as uncertain as to where it could be going, too. "Right..." It's a little drawn out, and the tone is clearly saying 'go on.' His hand stills in her hair completely, though his fingers stay lightly curled into the waves.
She has a point. Well, she was hoping she could make a point. It didn't feel like something she could simply come out and say casually. Maybe that was a problem? Was she not ready to be discussing this with him? But this was a preemptive conversation. Planning for their future if that's what is in the cards for them. He agrees and she's nodding along. Yes, that was the right answer. Then her hands are sweeping backwards to gesture at herself. "Me on the other hand. I have no kids." She's nodding again, like this might not be something he's aware of. "But the thing is..." This was the point to stop beating around the bush. This was the time to lay it out as delicately as she could. "Although not now, at some point in the future I would like t' have kids. Y'know that family is important to me an' havin' lil' ones of my own is jus' somethin' I know I want in my life." The words are sort of rushed out, a little quicker towards the end because she needs to finish what she's saying.
Jackie falls silent afterward, taking a deep breath since she had forgotten to do so. Hands are sweeping back to him. "I guess... I'm wonderin' if only havin' Adam was what you wanted in yer life. If you only wanted one kid or... if you're open to the possibility of more?" Her hands automatically sink and her expression is almost pained with anticipation before he can even really process the question. Her hands are back to fidgeting, this time playing with the hem of her dress.
It was the closer she got that her energy began to turn a little nervous. Something had been brewing in the blonde's head for a while now and the question was, is this the time to talk it over? Should she really run the risk of ruining a perfectly good evening of peace and quiet if this conversation didn't go as she hoped it did? It was impossible for Jackie to place a finger on how Ben would respond and she didn't know how to handle that because so often they were on the same page. Would it be the same for this? And if not... what then?
That was the real reason it needed to be brought up sooner than later. Hadn't they learned that lesson recently? You can't keep putting something off just because it feels like it won't occur for a while only to let it sneak up on you. It was with these thoughts in mind that she was able to give herself enough of a pep talk to be rather certain tonight would be the night to pick Ben's brain. She didn't know what the outcome would be, but it couldn't be avoided.
The truck was put in park and the engine killed. Her bag was gathered and it was with a click of creamy pink colored heels that she made her way to Ben's door. There was little delay before she was drawing her hand from the pocket of her coat and lifting it to rap knuckles against his door.
Lesson learned, right? Not that Ben had any idea that Jackie had any plans for anything serious for the night. He was just looking forward to spending the night with her, something they hadn't done in what felt like forever -- and considering they'd been spending every night together for weeks, he missed it.
There's not much of a pause before the door swings open. Ben's on the other side of the door, still dressed for work, though his jacket was gone and his shoes were off, his cuffs were unbuttoned and rolled up to his elbows, and his tie was loosened some. Right away, he's framing Jackie's face with his hands, aiming a kiss to her mouth, before letting her go and stepping back, smiling crookedly, so she can come in. "Hey, sunshine."
She's automatically grinning when he opens the door, only a small exhale of delighted surprise escaping before his lips were capturing hers in a kiss. Upon her release there was a light chuckle and she was following him inside. "Evenin', sweetheart. Good to see you, too." In passing her hand reached up to his tie, grasping and giving a playful tug to it before letting it go again. Her teasing paused for now, she let her bag sink to the ground so she could unzip her brown leather jacket to hang in the closet nearby. Beneath that was a fitted long sleeved knit dress of rosy pink and black stripes over black leggings. "I'm impressed Adam already got himself someone to hang 'round with. He must take after his Daddy's sparklin' personality." The closet door was closed and she turned to face him while stepping out of her heels. "Y'know anythin' about the kid?"
He grins a little more crookedly when she pulls on his tie, but leaves the teasing there. They had plenty of time tonight. No need to rush into things. He's watching her as she pulls off her coat though, letting himself look mildly disappointed when she steps out of her heels -- but it's all in jest, because he follows that right up with another smile. "Yeah, I went over to his house to meet his parents and everything before I'd let him stay there." Was that a little over the top? Maybe, maybe not, but Ben didn't seem to think that that was anything out of the ordinary. "He's ... I don't know, some kind of wolf-boy? Like he looks like a pint-sized little werewolf. He and Adam get along really well, though." He's shrugging a little, but still smiling. "And his parents seem nice. Normal enough." A little pause. "I didn't ask if they were ... whatever, wolf-things too. I didn't know if that was rude. Did you want a drink or anything?" Stepping back, though it's just one step, in the direction of the kitchen.
Jackie mirrors his expression of mock disappointment when she sinks down to the floor in bare feet, but she can't hold the expression very long before she's snickering. It was only his description of Adam's new friend that caused her to pause and blink. "Get the hell out, really?" It wasn't that Jackie didn't believe there were little childlike werewolves running around RhyDin. Hell, anything could exist in RhyDin. But it was interesting that Adam's new friend happened to be something a little more than human. "Adam's takin' to town surprisingly well, but I think that he's such a horror movie buff I shouldn't be surprised. He's probably lovin' it. What lil' boy wouldn't?"
Her expression became a touch more serious. "I don't think yer supposed t' ask, but I can't say I much know the rules. I never ask at the bar if someone seems off. They all tip the same no matter what they are." He's followed, step for step. It would be so easy to let the rest of the night go on like this. So easy and carefree. Did she really want to bring it all to a skidding halt? To buy herself a little time she nodded and smiled. "Could I jus' get a glass of water please?" She was on the move again, slow and dawdling, though her path was diverting from him to lead her towards the living room instead.
"He's seen a lot, you know? He's an adaptable kid." Something approaching pride there, though it's tinged with something else, harder to discern. He shakes it off quickly enough though. "Right, that's what I thought. I figure, they've got a kid that's Adam's age, they seem nice enough -- and he seems like a good kid, right? I can usually tell that kind of thing." His smile quirks up a little more at one side when she follows after him like that, and he bites his lower lip when she detours for the living room -- taking his time to watch her go, the sway of her hips. "Sure, no problem." It only takes him a moment in the kitchen to get a glass of water for her, and he's bringing it right to her. "So've you got anything on any kind of list you want to check off tonight? --besides the obvious, anyway," with a sly little smile. "I guess I just mean anything specific."
"It's a good quality to have 'round here. Both Adam bein' adaptable an' you havin' a good read on people." The answer is only a little absentminded as she makes her way to the couch to sink down into the cushions. Her legs are drawn up and folded beneath her as she leans back further into the cushions. She's only just settled in by time he comes along with her water. The glass is accepted with a smile and thank you, but she's wishing it had taken him a little more time because she's at an absolute loss for how to begin. If she should begin. A few drawn out gulps of water are taken but his question makes her pause. She knows what he's talking about, their infamous little lists between them, but maybe this was something she needed to check off her list to make sure her and Ben were on the same page.
She leaned forward to set the glass on the coffee table before she sank back into the couch. Her body was turned to face him more and her brows her drawn together tightly in concentration. "I know we ain't really had a night to ourselves an' this should be all about us havin' fun an' relaxin', but... I got somethin' that's been on my mind lately an'... I think I need to talk 'bout it before it starts eatin' at me." A finger lifted. "'Member we said before we were supposed to talk things out instead of jus' lettin' up sneak up on us like they do so often?" She needed to remind him of that.
Ben takes a seat next to her once she takes the glass from him, and he doesn't hesitate to put an arm around her shoulders, and already, he's sort of toying with her hair. He's been so careful not to be too physical with her when they're around Adam, so aside from a stolen moment here and there, he's kept his hands to himself -- something so different from how they naturally tend to be with each other. But he's listening, and he angles to face her more easily when she turns toward him; his expression mirrors hers, his own brows knitting, the slow sift of his fingers through her blonde waves growing even more absent. "Sure, I remember." His mouth his open for a second, like he's going to say something else -- really, it's to ask her if this is a conversation he should be dreading; is Adam being here more than she can handle? Is it too much for her? She's too young for this, right? -- but probably wisely, he shuts his mouth, and after an only slightly nervous little smile, "Go ahead, what is it?"
There's a pause before she continues on. Not only because she's attempting to get her tornado of thoughts to fall into some sort of order, but also so she can briefly enjoy the stroke of his fingers through her hair. As always, it manages to calm her a little more even if the gesture is becoming more absent while Ben focuses his attention on her. The silence is drawn out even longer when his mouth opens. She's happily waiting for any sort of delay, but it never comes. Her hands settle in her lap, but she's toying with her own fingers, continuously fidgeting. He tells her to proceed and she's still not sure of where to begin, but the words are spilling out of her mouth before she can stop them. "Well, you have Adam." She wasn't lying, even if it didn't really make any sense as an opening statement. "You an' Ella had 'im and then that was it. Jus' Adam." Her fidgeting hands pause long enough to lift and gesture at him, waiting for him to agree with her obvious statements so far.
He purses his lips a little, trying to figure out where this is going. He's less certain that it's leading to Jackie being overwhelmed now, but still just as uncertain as to where it could be going, too. "Right..." It's a little drawn out, and the tone is clearly saying 'go on.' His hand stills in her hair completely, though his fingers stay lightly curled into the waves.
She has a point. Well, she was hoping she could make a point. It didn't feel like something she could simply come out and say casually. Maybe that was a problem? Was she not ready to be discussing this with him? But this was a preemptive conversation. Planning for their future if that's what is in the cards for them. He agrees and she's nodding along. Yes, that was the right answer. Then her hands are sweeping backwards to gesture at herself. "Me on the other hand. I have no kids." She's nodding again, like this might not be something he's aware of. "But the thing is..." This was the point to stop beating around the bush. This was the time to lay it out as delicately as she could. "Although not now, at some point in the future I would like t' have kids. Y'know that family is important to me an' havin' lil' ones of my own is jus' somethin' I know I want in my life." The words are sort of rushed out, a little quicker towards the end because she needs to finish what she's saying.
Jackie falls silent afterward, taking a deep breath since she had forgotten to do so. Hands are sweeping back to him. "I guess... I'm wonderin' if only havin' Adam was what you wanted in yer life. If you only wanted one kid or... if you're open to the possibility of more?" Her hands automatically sink and her expression is almost pained with anticipation before he can even really process the question. Her hands are back to fidgeting, this time playing with the hem of her dress.