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Post by Your Mom~ on Nov 18, 2013 18:04:44 GMT -8
Olesya had slept well that night. Maddie had insisted she sleep in Olesya's queen size bed with her, and Les didn't have the energy or will to fight her on it. After such a scary, draining day, it was comforting to hold her little girl snuggled in her arms. Les was out the moment her head hit the pillow, and didn't wake until the sun was streaming in the window.
She poked the sleeping girl, a smile growing on her face.
"Wake up sleepy head. How about some pancakes?"
The child opened her eyes, face brightening at the magic two-syllable word and nearly bolted out of bed.
"Yesyesyes! And we have blueberries too! Blueberry pancakes!"
Olesya smiled, her expression turning into a grimace as she moved to get up. Damn, she was so SORE! She'd be feeling it for a while, and made a mental note to go for a run today so her muscles wouldn't lock up on her. She rolled out of bed and staggered to the kitchen to make breakfast. Youichi wasn't back, she was probably with August still...she deserved a day off anyway. They all did.
She was elbow deep in pancake batter when the knock came at the door.
"I'll get it!"
Maddie bounded to the door to see who was on the other side...
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Post by David B. on Nov 18, 2013 19:42:04 GMT -8
David knocked, wearing a simple pair of blue jeans and a white T-shirt. He had left others to control the command tent today- luckily for him, most were relaxing and enjoying the celebration, so there wasn't much to do. Since his talk with Les before the war, he hadn't seen much of her. He was relieved, of course when he saw that she was alive. Now, a day later...he wanted to see her. And Maddie. To say hi and... see if he couldn't make peace.
The door opened, revealing the young girl whom he had nearly adopted as his own. A grin creased his face, and he crouched down to her.
"Hey, you!"
He didn't wanna open his arms for a hug if she was upset or didn't want to give him one...if she did hug him, he'd clasp her tightly as the smell of pancakes waffed out into the entryway. He spoke into the house, hoping Olesya would hear him.
"Smells good- am I too late for breakfast?"
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Post by Your Mom~ on Nov 19, 2013 19:27:09 GMT -8
"DAVID!!!"
The tiny girl would launch herself at the man she still considered her father even though he and Mom weren't living together anymore. She gave him the biggest hug she could, and wouldn't let go, giving him no choice but to stand up with her clinging to him like a barnacle and carry her in.
Olesya recognized the voice immediately, her heart jumping into her throat. She was not nearly awake enough for this, and felt her guard immediately raise. She took a deep breath, rolling her neck and relaxing. His showing up meant he wanted to be involved, didn't it? ...Or show up long enough to make his presence known before disappearing again.
She didn't like how insecure he made her feel still, but that was something she'd surpress so deep that even he would be unable to read it in her features.
"Not at all, you have impeccable timing actually."
She grabbed a third plate from the cupboard and set it on the table with a knife and fork, before going back to the stove to finish cooking.
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Post by David B. on Nov 19, 2013 19:52:27 GMT -8
David kissed maddies cheek and picked her up easily, laughing a bit from the girls hugs. He stepped inside and closed the door, noting that Olesya paused for only a moment before grabbing a plate, not even turning around. He set Maddie down, watching Olesyas back for a moment while Maddie ran into the bathroom. He walked around the counter and attempted to approach her.
"Hey...if you prefer I stop by another time-"
He didnt want to ruin Olesyas morning, despite his desire to be with Maddie and trying hjs best to make nice with her mom.
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Post by Your Mom~ on Nov 19, 2013 19:56:07 GMT -8
Olesya shrugged, flipping the pancakes one by one in the pan, making sure they didn't burn. She looked to him, quirking her eyebrow slightly.
"I just surprised, is all. Here of all places, but you're always welcome."
She set the spatula down and leaned against the counter, facing him and crossing her arms out of habit and posture.
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Post by David B. on Nov 19, 2013 20:00:45 GMT -8
He chewed a lip.
"Okay...before she comes back i need to apologize. For leaving for so long and putting the burden on you. For making you feel like you were unappreciated- I gave you my duties because You are my voice, and I trust you with the lives here. But you are also...you have been my friend a long time. And a good, strong, loyal ally. That is what made me choose you above Kazuya or Levi or anyone else. I am sorry for whatever pain it caused you though."
Just...stop being mad at him- thats all he wanted.
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Post by Your Mom~ on Nov 19, 2013 20:08:27 GMT -8
Les' gaze fell to the floor as he spoke. She certainly appreciated the gesture, and his presence here. She noticed he was careful not to mention anything about them, but how he'd treated her in regards to the Dragons.
"You know, before this battle I would have given almost anything to be an Elder. To be recognized and respected and powerful. Staring death in the face made me realize just how much I already have. I have a wonderful daughter who I love more than anything in the world. When I first rescued her and the other girls from the orphanage, I wasn't sure I was ready to be a mom. Now I can't imagine not being one."
She turned and flipped the pancakes again, checking the bottoms before putting them on a plate and ladling another batch into the pan.
"I'm learning not to take what I have for granted, and to cherish it instead of chasing after something I might never get."
Yes, there was double meaning in that sentence.
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Post by David B. on Nov 19, 2013 20:16:46 GMT -8
David watched her- the meaning of her words not lost on him. His reply was short, and soft.
"You've never sounded more like an Elder to me than just now. "
He offered a small smile- he had to admit, if this stuck...if she truly was changing to be that carefree, enthusiastic, charismatic and laughter filled woman he knew in highschool...? He shook his head.
Best not to get ahead of himself
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Post by Your Mom~ on Nov 19, 2013 20:21:26 GMT -8
Les shook her head, the corners of her mouth turning upward slightly.
"Go figure, right? But I'm standing by it. I've been doing some reflecting, and I feel like my chasing down approval and validation by trying to become an Elder was selfish. It's a selfish goal...for me at least. If I didn't have Maddie, then it would be something more obtainable. But I can't just think about me anymore, and honestly, I like it that way."
She snorted, looking away from him and checking the pancakes.
"Is this what growing up feels like?"
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Post by David B. on Nov 19, 2013 20:26:14 GMT -8
He laughed.
"Yeah. Pretty soon you'll realize how much you love naps and reading the newspaper and things will really come into perspective."
Maddie came back out of the bathroom, to which David piped up-
"Hey- you wash your hands?"
She stopped and slumped her shoulders dramatically before trudging back into the bathroom. He smiled and shook his head- classic Maddie.
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Post by Your Mom~ on Nov 19, 2013 20:32:52 GMT -8
It was amazing how an atmosphere can change after something as life altering as a battle for your life. It was like all the tension had charged up and was released in the storm. She felt...almost at peace. Things felt almost normal, with David piping up for Maddie to wash her hands as if he'd done it every day for the past five years.
"She misses you, you know."
She offered, flipping the pancakes in the pan.
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Post by David B. on Nov 19, 2013 20:35:34 GMT -8
His eyes trailed from where Maddie used to be, back to Olesya.
"I miss her too. With Barker dead...I can perhaps see her more often."
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Post by Your Mom~ on Nov 19, 2013 20:39:20 GMT -8
Les smiled, taking him at his word. Everyone deserved another chance, didn't they? Even if things were complicated between them, Maddie deserved to see her father-figure. David had raised her for the better part of a year when Olesya was gone for treatment. Olesya and David were the closest to parents Maddie ever had, and she wouldn't allow any amount of drama to get in the way of her daughters happiness.
"So you're sticking around for a while?"
She shifted the pancakes around in the pan, looking back at him.
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Post by David B. on Nov 19, 2013 20:43:11 GMT -8
He took a deep breath.
"Well, Im always around...but whether i'll be here as often as i'd like is up to the job. I'll try and visit her as often as I can but...I go where my position calls me, as you well know."
Even when he left for a while, she was told where he was, as that was his promise to her...but he got the feeling she meant in regards to Maddie, as he had just brought her up. And being an Elder he would never get to be around her as much as he wanted but he would do his best.
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Post by Your Mom~ on Nov 19, 2013 20:48:36 GMT -8
She pressed her lips together, debating whether or not to say what was on her mind. She remembered that David wanted her to be open with him, and rather than bottling it up, she decided to speak.
Whether it came back to bite her in the ass remained to be seen.
"I understand your job, I'm you when you aren't you. What I mean is...don't just go taking off because you're upset. Whether it's upset with me or Kiyr or the weather, if you want to be a father to Maddie, you can't just disappear anymore. It's not about me. I don't care what you do to my heart, but don't break hers."
Her tone was calm and a bit sad. It was completely devoid of her fiery temper, as she was pleading to him on behalf of the girl they both loved. She didn't want to fight, but she wanted David to understand the impact his presence (or lack thereof) had on their unlikely daughter.
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