I Didn't Think It Would Happen Like This

Post by **Tree** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 3:39 pm

Ansel kissed her easily, sighing with content happiness.

"I think we could use a hot tub. Just so we can have somewhere to lounge while the kids play on the splash pad? "

He suggested with a smile.

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 3:44 pm

"Whatever you want. It's your house."

Willow shrugged a little before climbing up onto his lap better and pulling his arms around herself. She bobbed her feet over the edge of the bed with satisfaction.

Post by **Tree** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 3:50 pm

Ansel chucked.

" our house. Do you enjoy hot tubs? "

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 4:30 pm

Willow studied his fingers, threading hers between.

"I've only been in one a couple times. Seems to me that a hot bath is about the same with the added option of soap. But it's fine."

This was so far above her current concerns that it might as well been considerations for an alien.

Post by **Tree** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 4:31 pm

"Huh. Maybe I'll hold off."

For now.

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 4:33 pm

"Don't let me keep you from having the things you want. "

Post by **Tree** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 4:46 pm

"I have all I want. Right here. You. Right in my lap. "

He kissed her pointedly, grinning.

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 5:03 pm

"But in a broader sense? Maybe you want to be able to take soapless baths outside. Doesn't matter to me. /

Post by **Tree** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 5:09 pm

Ansel laughed.

"I never considered taking soapy baths outside. But now I'm thinking about it. "

He admitted with a smile.

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 5:40 pm

Willow let her body relax back against his, its fatigue drawing her eyes shut.

'That seems like something you'd do. Ducks and all"

Post by **Tree** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 6:00 pm

".... maybe not the ducks. Some things are just for inside. "

Maybe not to be mistaken for "ma, people will see! ".

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 6:02 pm

Willow chuckled.

"My mistake. I'm not as educated as you on the rules of duck territory"

Post by **Tree** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 6:26 pm

"It's alright. I'm here to guide you in the magnificent ways of thee elite ducky care. "

He reassured her, much more serious than should be possible.

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 6:49 pm

"Are we doing the caring or are the duckies? "

Post by **Tree** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 7:05 pm

"Us, naturally. The duckies are just babies. "

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 7:21 pm

Willow peeked up at him with a grin.

"So that's how you already came with prepackaged dad-functionality when I got you. "

Post by **Tree** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 7:34 pm

Ansel smiled a tiny bit.

"Eh, duckies are easy babies. It's grown up babies that trained me. "

Post by **Sushi** » Sun Oct 06, 2024 8:28 pm

Willow's smile faltered. If that was the prerequisite, then she never stood a chance to begin with.

"I'm glad you had that, for both you and your children. "

The woman turned and pressed her face to him for a minute.

"I should let you go shower. You said you wanted that before bed."

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 4:58 am

Ansel glanced to the bathroom.

" Yeah, I should really shower...... but..... you know even without it, it still would have worked out for us. You're an amazing mom to them."

He kissed her twice more.

"Want to wash up with me? "

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 6:12 am

"No. You enjoy yourself."

Even as she turned down the simple pleasure and moved out of his way, her mind turned back to the problem that had resurfaced. Was that the reason why she had lost them?

Either way, it should be clear to Ansel by now that Liam had been completely right about at least one thing. Willow didn't take breaks. With the exception of the brief interludes with him, her mind always seemed to be busy, turning over troubles that clung to her like stains.

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 6:48 am

It was apparent but he hadn't found an approach to that he was comfortable with taking or approaching the topic. He washed up in relative calm though, moving a ducky to sneaky peek out from behind Willow's shampoo. It was the one with a little hat with hearts on it.

He finished up and opted for comfy wear, sweats and tank top as he climbed up to pull Willow into his chest.

"Hey. "

He whispered gently, reaching to cup her cheek and look at him.

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:07 am

At seeing him, willow remembered how he had thought of and missed her while he was gone. She smiled slightly at the little, fresh wave of warm fuzzies and curled up to him.

"Yeah? "

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:10 am

"You should settle into me tonight. Share my dreams tonight? "

He requested gently, thumb lightly stroking her cheek.

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:15 am

Willow's brows shot up.

"Why?" She blurted, not because she was necessarily opposed so much as surprised and completely unable to think of a reason he'd want that.

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:21 am

Ansel smiled a bit, eyes lighting up as he fought not to laugh.

"Because dreams can be soothing. An escape. You might find it helpful. "

He shared tenderly, kissing her.

"Plus. It's like bonus time with you."

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:49 am

Willow eased into a smile, leaning to kiss his cheek.

"You want to be with me? "

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:52 am

"Very much so, yes. "

He agreed, kissing her again as he waited to hear her official answer

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 8:20 am

Willow nodded a little bit, thinking instead of the logistics.

"I've never done it on purpose."

She wilted a little as realization hit her. If she could do it on purpose, that would be using her magic, wouldn't it?

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 8:30 am

Ansel smiled at her, nodding as he kissed her.

"That's OK. We can always try it and if it doesn't work try again later? "

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 5:06 pm

Willow slowly curled her fingers into his shirt.

"That wouldn't let you down?"

She was trying to decide which action and which outcome would do the most harm.

"You're sure you want me to try? That's not... the most normal- seeming thing for me to do. "

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 5:09 pm

"No outcome would let me down. Whatever is most comfortable for you is alright with me. "

He kissed her adoringly, kissing her forehead.

" I'm sure I'm happy to do it, if you're up to trying. C

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 6:01 pm

"Okay. Are you going to bed now? "

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 6:05 pm

"Only if you are?"

He posed with a quirked brow and a charming smile.

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 6:38 pm

Willow twisted his drawstring around her finger and tried again.

"Are you WANTING to go to bed?"

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 6:41 pm

"I'm not entirely tired yet, but I'm not like.... wanting to run laps outside? "

He ventured with a little smile at her.

"I'm just a bit in between I guess. "

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:10 pm

Willow nodded.

"Okay. You could... read? You seem to like that."

She slid backwards so she was sitting on her own.

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:12 pm

"Or, or you could talk to me? If you can't stop your mind you can share some of it with me? Whatever you want to talk about?"

He suggested, just wanting her to spend time for them right now.

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:21 pm

Willows brows pulled together as she tried to make sense of that. She leaned against the headboard, tucking her knees under her chin and grasping her toes.

"You want me to stop thinking? "

Post by **Tree** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:25 pm

"No no, but I don't want you to live in a hyper aware state..... so maybe I can give you a tiny break?

Post by **Sushi** » Mon Oct 07, 2024 7:47 pm

She couldn't figure out he meant. Wasn't she just the normal amount of aware?

"I don't understand."

She chewed on the inside of her cheek, trying to stave off the sudden sense that there was something bad hiding under the surface of this conversation. It certainly wouldn't have a lie or a cue she'd missed or anything else she needed to be scared of. Nope. Not at all.

"I can go to sleep," she decided after a minute.

That would make her the least aware or whatever was causing the problem. No more of whatever was starting to go wrong.

"You can just wake me up later if you want my attention. Love you. Goodnight. "

She uncurled and slid quickly under the blanket.