Brooklynn Pratt
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Muggle Studies Teacher, Cat Animagus, Global Mod
Posts: 206
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Post by Brooklynn Pratt on Feb 16, 2007 7:40:03 GMT -5
“Besides… it’s much like the time she was in the bassinet in the bedroom.”
This caused Brooke to let out a small laugh. “She was asleep and hadn’t a clue what was going on near her. And now, she is at an age where she takes in everything and I don’t want to deal with a one year old wondering about what Mommy and Daddy do in front of her.” She watched Ana for a moment as the young girl threw the cup on the floor and started moaning as she slammed her tiny palms down on the little table that was attached to her high chair.
Brooke pulled away from Frank and went to pick the cup up, bending down to the floor and grabbing it before standing up straight and letting Ana take it from her. “Don’t throw it sweetie. You’ll loose all the tasty juice.” Brooke said softly to her daughter before turning to her husband. “Patience is a virtue.” And with that she smirked folded her arms.
“Of course not. It’s the age, dear, and the fact you are so beautiful.”
“Such a sweet talker,” was Brooke’s single response to that before she listened to what else Frank had to say. He would always say she was beautiful, that was no change to normal. Heck, it wouldn’t be normal if he didn’t say it.
“Of course it’s because I love you and the children. I don’t think Dylan would make it to middle school if I wasn’t here; you’d have murdered him long before he made it.”
Eyes widening, Brooke opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again, not sure of what to say. It took her a moment before she did finally say something. “I wouldn’t have murdered him. He’d simply be sat in the cupboard under the stairs twiddling his thumbs with some soup and a book.” She replied, joking.
“You can take it as you want, Brooke…”
So now Frank was going to be arsy with Brooklynn? Seriously, he should have just thought about why she was saying all this. But he didn’t. He just looked at Brooke and saw his mad wife that was trying to drive him up that wall again. He needed more confidence in the fact that she was doing something for him. Wasn’t he the one that wanted more children? He was however obviously too slow to see where Brooke was going with this. “I shall then.” Brooke replied somewhat coldly before continuing with her tirade.
“Okay, Brooke… but what is your point of bringing up your lists of hell? And over dinner?”
Sending a side glance at Dylan who was now loosing interest in their conversation and nearly had himself an empty plate, Brooke sighed. “I couldn’t think of a better time to bring it up.” She replied, smiling sweetly at her husband before she continued with her speech. She had just thrown millions of clues at him, yet he still wasn’t picking up on anything. It seemed her husband had vanished and had been replaced by some brainless troll.
“Son… go run upstairs and get my wallet, will you?...Now.”
Dylan finally stomped off and Brooke sighed. Why did he feel the need to send their son away? Frowning, Brooke watched the kitchen door slam shut and she took a bite of the spaghetti. What Brooke had to say could be said in front of Dylan. She had no problem with hat. It wasn’t as if she wanted an argument. She just wanted Frank to simply say ‘yes’ to the week, then she’d move on.
“What are you getting at, dear? You want me to not smoke for a week? I can do that. But you need to tell me why I’d bother, babe.”
Brooke was left with a frown after Frank had said this. Her lips however slowly formed a smirk and she began to twist some spaghetti around her fork. Frank seemed to be losing his appetite and Brooke simply thought he was being stupid. “I’m guessing that’s a ‘sure I will, dearest’?” she replied slowly, leaning back in her chair and surveying Frank.
“There is one thing I know you really want and I’m probably the only person that would give it to you.” She said slowly, letting what she said sink in. She wasn’t going to be blamed for talking too fast so Frank could barely catch what she was throwing him. “This thing however would be a big thing for me. Well for both of us when it’s happened. I just want to know if you can cope.” Putting her fork down, Brooke began to fiddle with her long nails.
Observing her brightly painted thumb nail, Brooke finally continued. Her voice was quiet and soft now and it was obvious that she was thinking carefully on her words. “You see, you smoke more when you’re stressed. This…thing will cause a lot of stress. I don’t want to lose my husband just when I need him in the…important stages further on in the future.” Brooke’s eyes finally moved up to look at Frank. She was sounding perfectly serious now.
Dylan came trudging in moaning that he couldn’t find the wallet and Brooke sighed. He didn’t need to hear this. “Try the top drawer of the table on your dad’s side of the bed.” She said softly. Dylan gave her a look to say he didn’t want to, thinking she’d let him off. “Go on now. It’s important.” She said quietly only for him to finally stomp off, leaving the door open this time.
“Trust me though, Frank. This isn’t your mad wife speaking. I have your interests at heart.” Pausing, Brooke looked down at her plate before finally back at Frank. “Tell me you’ll do it for the week and I’ll tell you what I'm prepared to do. Call it our little deal.” And she smiled weakly at him.
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Post by Natasha on Feb 17, 2007 3:21:17 GMT -5
“She was asleep and hadn’t a clue what was going on near her. And how, she is at an age where she takes in everything and I don’t want to deal with a one year old wondering about what Mommy and Daddy do in front of her.”
Laughing, Frank shook his head and kissed Brooke’s forehead. “She’s only one.” It was true, children didn’t realize or remember things until they were either three or four. Moving his hands down her sides to her waist again, he shrugged. If Brooke was worried about it, he could wait… he thought he could, anyway. “And if she wants to know what Mommy and Daddy are doing, I would be happy to talk to her about it.”
“Don’t throw it sweetie. You’ll loose all the tasty juice… Patience is a virtue.”
As Brooke pulled away, Frank tried to reach for her hand, wanting to pull her back. When he didn’t, he supposed it was just as well because Ana started fussing about her cup. “Mmm… juice.” Chuckling, he leaned against the counter and watched, grinning wider when the cup ended up on the floor once again. “Patience… I’ll try and remember that.” He had patience; he waited all day for her.
Walking over to the highchair, Frank bent over and picked up the cup, handing it to Ana. When she went to throw it again, he stopped her, leaning over near her and kissing her cheek. “Anastasia, stop that.” Listening to her fuss and grunt as she tried to throw it away from his grip, Frank chuckled. “You throw it, you don’t get it back…” Letting it go, he stood up and walked away, hearing the cup bounce off the tiles.
“Such a sweet talker… I wouldn’t have murdered him. He’d simply be sat in the cupboard under the stairs twiddling his thumbs with some soup and a book.”
Eyebrow raised, Frank turned his gaze to his wife. “At least he’d be prepared for school.” The thought of being stuck somewhere with nothing to do but read for days on end… as much fun as reading was, doing it so much did not sound entertaining. It had been cute, at least, to see Brooke’s reaction to his statement. “Would it still be considered murder if you bored him to death?”
“I shall then.”
Frowning at her attitude and cold tone, Frank grunted slightly before taking a sip of his drink. If she thought he would get whatever she was getting at without her saying what it was, she had yet to learn anything in their marriage. A deep breath later and he was waiting.
“I couldn’t think of a better time to bring it up.”
She still wasn’t making sense… Frank didn’t know how long his ‘patience’ would last him if she kept up the charade. Was he supposed to figure out from her obscure hints what she wanted to bring up? She was giving him a look as if he should be able to know what she meant, and it was annoying.
“I’m guessing that’s a ‘sure I will, dearest’?... There is one thing I know you really want and I’m probably the only person that would give it to you… This thing however would be a big thing for me. Well for both of us when it’s happened. I just want to know if you can cope.”
This was confusing him so much… Taking a bite during her statement, Frank didn’t know whether he should give up on eating or not. It seemed every time he did she threw out a lot for him to digest… A sip of wine later and he was trying to piece together things she had said.
She would be the only person who would give it to him? Was it something to do with what they did in the bedroom? Or did it have to do with something completely different, and he was just being a typical male? Why was his wife the most confusing woman he had ever met? Frank waited impatiently while she messed with her nails. “Cope with what?”
“You see, you smoke more when you’re stressed. This…thing will cause a lot of stress. I don’t want to lose my husband when I need him in the…important stages further on in the future.”
Opening his mouth to ask her to elaborate, he was stopped as Dylan came back in. Smoking helped calm him, of course he smoked more when he was stressed… And why was this ‘thing’ going to cause more stress? Watching Brooke tell Dylan where to look, he frowned and drummed his fingertips against the table surface. “Lose me?” She was being absolutely mad now; he had never talked of leaving her.
“Trust me though, Frank. This isn’t your mad wife speaking. I have your interests at heart… Tell me you’ll do it for the week and I’ll tell you what I’m prepared to do. Call it our little deal.”
Ah, at least she made mention of madness. She had his interests at heart? Taking in a slow breath, he held it while thinking over the ‘little deal,’ unsure of whether he was okay to sneak a smoke before it began… “Fine, Brooke.” What else could he do? She would tell him finally? Dylan came back in, holding the wallet and handing it to his father. Frank took it, ruffling his son’s hair up. “Thanks Dylan…”
Opening it, he pulled out a dollar and gave it to his son, winking. “For doing the dishes tonight…” Dylan’s eyes opened wide and he grinned, not realizing that his father had just set him up to do the chores. Not often did Frank give his son an allowance, but it helped with cooperation and would help make the ‘talk’ later easier. Pocketing his wallet, he turned to his food and twirled some on his fork before taking the bite, his attention once again back to his wife, waiting.
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Brooklynn Pratt
Global Moderator
Muggle Studies Teacher, Cat Animagus, Global Mod
Posts: 206
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Post by Brooklynn Pratt on Feb 17, 2007 4:21:19 GMT -5
“And if she wants to know what Mommy and Daddy are doing, I would be happy to talk to her about it.”
Eyes wide, Brooke shook her head. That was the last thing she wanted. Ana would probably forget it afterwards, or not understand anything at all. Brooke however still didn’t fancy witnessing her husband tell their one year old daughter about the birds and the bees. “That won’t be necessary.” She replied sternly. Hopefully Frank was kidding anyway.
“You throw it, you don’t get it back…”
Frank’s attempt at stopping the flying cup was amusing and Brooke found herself leaning against the counter, watching his poor attempt. “And Daddy will cry…” and then once more the cup hit the floor tiles. Pulling her wand out, Brooke shook her head and pointed it at the cup, levitating it back onto the small table her daughter was now hammering with her tiny hands. The small child then clapped gleefully and giggled watching the cup in the air. The cup however landed and she went for it while Brooke shifted it out of the way with a quick flick. “No throwing.” She said sternly, dropping her wand back into her pocket. Thatwould certainly fall on deaf ears.
“At least he’d be prepared for school…Would it still be considered murder if you bored him to death?”
Suddenly, Brooke rearranged her features so she looked a mixture of shocked and hurt. Placing her hand over her heart, she shook her head. “How could he be bored when I’m in the house?” she asked, trying to sound perfectly serious but her voice quivered however when she let out a laugh. “Reading isn’t boring, anyway.” Brooke could read for ages and not get bored. In fact, that was one of the few things she could normally do without losing interest.
“Cope with what?”
Frank seemed totally lost and Brooke would have laughed out loud if she wasn’t trying to be so serious. Nodding, Brooke murmured a quick “Mhmm” before she continued. Frank was hideously confused and Brooke was seriously considering just leaving him like that. He deserved it for not even trying to understand where she was heading. Brooke could have sworn that her husband had more of a head on his shoulders than he did at this moment. Perhaps he was just overly tired and she should continue the next morning.
“Lose me?”
Seriously, Frank seemed to be getting more and more lost while he obviously got dafter and dafter. Dylan was gone so he could stop playing dumb. What way did he think she’d lose him if he was a smoker? It wasn’t as if smoking was healthy for you and would lengthen your lifespan. “Well not exactly out the door.” Brooke replied simply, probably confusing Frank more than ever.
“Fine, Brooke.”
Brooke’s eyes lit up and she tried to hide a grin. That however didn’t work so she covered her mouth and nose as if she was going to sneeze, until her smile had dropped. Thankfully Frank was focusing on Dylan as he handed their son some money from the wallet and Dylan accepted doing the dishes. Had their son just realised he’d been bribed into doing chores, something he moaned about till no end?
Frank was then looking at Brooke and she leaned back in her chair after having a bite. After chewing and swallowing, she finally spoke up. “You made a wise choice.” She started; she was trying to keep her speech at a slow, normal pace. “You want another child. I however feel that you smoking is selfish. What happens when we have another son or daughter and you can’t look after him or her because you’ve fallen ill due to the smoking?”
Letting that sink in, Brooke took a sip of her water. “I’m the last person that wants that happening. And there is one simple thing that you can do to prevent it. I don’t need to tell you the health risks, I’m just telling you the risks it’ll have on your family. So if you can last this week cold turkey, then slowly wean yourself off the cigarettes, I’m happy to try for another. So Frank, It’s a child and a happy growing family, or a cigarette that is the foundation of a dirty muggle habbit.” With that and an empty plate, Brooke pushed her chair out and stood up. She leaned over and kissed Frank’s cheek, then whispered in his ear. “I’ll give you some time to decide.”
With that, Brooke got up and moved towards Dylan, holding her plate out. “Right, you’ve got to make sure there’s lots of water in the sink. Turn on the hot tap then,” she began to lead their son through what to do.
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Post by Natasha on Feb 18, 2007 2:52:10 GMT -5
“That won’t be necessary.”
Laughing at Brooke’s obvious discomfort at the thought, Frank shook his head. “All right, Brooke. If you think she can figure it out on her own.” Ana hearing about the ‘birds and the bees’ would not do anything but make Brooke uncomfortable and Frank laugh. Might as well not bother, and keep his wife happy…
“And Daddy will cry… No throwing.”
“I won’t-” Smirking as the cup hit the floor, he was okay with leaving it at that. He would not cry… Then Brooke was giving Ana the cup back, and Frank merely rolled his eyes. So much for back up from the other parent… “Cute, Brooke. You think you could ask her to clean up after her dinner as well?” No throwing her cup, that was cute… and pointless to continue to say while handing back the obvious toy…
“How could he be bored when I’m in the house? Reading isn’t boring, anyway.”
Laughing as she tried to look hurt, Frank shook his head. “I don’t know how he could, Brooke. That is very true. You could keep anyone entertained for hours on end.” It did confuse him when his wife could sit there and read for hours on end. Nothing else held her attention for so long… Not even his rapid attention. Drumming his fingertips on the counter, Frank shook his head. “Depends on what you are reading, Brooke.”
“Well not exactly out the door.”
Frowning, Frank was getting a headache from her constant back and forth on whatever she was getting to. Scratching his cheek, Frank narrowed his eyes as he wondered about how she meant she would lose him… was this in regards to the smoking? She was always on him about his bad habit… it didn’t matter that she used to smoke, just that he still did.
“You made a wise choice… You want another child. I however feel that you smoking is selfish. What happens when we have another son or daughter and you can’t look after him or her because you’ve fallen ill due to the smoking?”
She mentioned ‘another child’ and his attention was suddenly on his wife. Entirely… on her. Did she just say they would be having another child? As in they would try for another one, and she would get pregnant, and then BAM, they were there? Did he just understand her correctly? His face showed some of his confusion and he tried to overcome the sudden feelings. So she was thinking his smoking would leave him incapable sooner rather than later…
“I’m the last person that wants that happening. And there is one simple thing that you can do to prevent it. I don’t need to tell you the health risks, I’m just telling you the risks it’ll have on your family. So if you can last this week cold turkey, then slowly wean yourself off the cigarettes, I’m happy to try for another. So Frank, it’s a child and a happy growing family, or a cigarette that is the foundation of a dirty muggle habbit.”
She just… Should he ask her to put that down in writing? And since when did Brooke not lecture him on the health risks of smoking? Licking his lips, Frank blinked as it all made sense. He didn’t smoke for a week, and then smoked less after that, and she would consent to trying for another child. Wow. Oh, well, obviously he knew what he would do. However, he wanted to know if he could have just one more before the ‘week’ began.
“I’ll give you some time to decide.”
When she kissed his cheek, Frank turned his gaze to watch her as she handed her plate to their son. Some time to decide… “Okay…” Glancing at his meal, he took the last couple bites before wiping his mouth off. Setting the napkin down beside the plate, he pushed back from the table and took the plate to where Dylan was setting up for dishes while Brooke sat there and told him what to do.
Kissing his wife’s cheek, he smiled. “Okay, after this one, I’ll go a week cold turkey. You can even take the cigarettes from me.” With that, he walked out back and was greeted by Duke. Tossing the ball for the big dog to run after, Frank pulled out his last cigarette before lighting up, inhaling and enjoying the nicotine slowly. He hoped she realized what he was doing for her… No cigarettes… then again, it seemed fair.
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Brooklynn Pratt
Global Moderator
Muggle Studies Teacher, Cat Animagus, Global Mod
Posts: 206
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Post by Brooklynn Pratt on Feb 18, 2007 14:31:40 GMT -5
“Okay, after this one, I’ll go a week cold turkey. You can even take the cigarettes from me.”
Frank kissed Brooke’s cheek and Brooke smiled up at him as he spoke. That had certainly been what she’d wanted to hear. In fact it had come sooner that she’d expected. The idea of one last cigarette seemed fair. She couldn’t just throw the quitting on him and expect it immediatly. He could start in the morning. Then he could be grouchy and drive her up the wall as he went cold turkey. Maybe she should have gotten some of those patches she’d heard muggles used for quitting.
Once Frank was out of the door, Dylan had filled up the sink and was busy looking in the cupboard under the sink for the little stool so he could reach up properly. He was too busy in fact to see that the bowl was now over filling. Brooke had turned her attention to her food covered daughter and Dylan failed to notice until suddenly he was having water spill over the basin and down the side, onto his head. He groaned and jumped up, standing on the stood and tip toeing to turn the tap off.
Brooke looked around and smiled, watching her son mess around with his now wet hair. “You’ll be sorting that out.” She said, motioning the water on the floor. It would only take a flick of her wand, but it was better for Dylan to learn to do things himself. Why should his parents do everything for him? Taking Ana out of her highchair, Brooke crossed the hall and into the small cloakroom where she sat Ana on the edge of the sink, holding her tightly so she didn’t fall. Taking her wand out, a sudden shot of water headed from the wand and at Ana’s face. She giggled at that. Ana always loved it when that happened. Brooke then wiped down their daughter and used a few spells on the orange tinted dress she wore so it resumed its previous whiteness.
When the child was finally clean, Brooke picked her up and she went for her hair instantly. Being used to it, Brooke simply laughed and headed back down the hall until she arrived back in the kitchen to see Dylan’s attempt at washing up. Well she could clear up after him and rewash the dishes and perhaps fix several if they went on the floor. “Right, finish this, then bed. Don’t forget to say goodnight to your Dad though.” She said to him before heading past him, and letting go of Ana for a moment to open the back door and heading out, her spare arm now holding Ana securely once more.
“I think someone wants to say goodnight.” She said quietly to Frank, moving closer to him and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. Pausing and glancing at the cigarette he had in his hand, Brooke reached out her spare hand and took the cigarette from him. She brought it up to her lips and inhaled the smoke, breathing it out slowly afterwards. “Same as when I was younger.” She said quietly, handing it back to him. She now had a horrible taste in her mouth. “I don’t see how they have such a hold on you though.” Screwing her face up, Brooke had found it far less pleasant than when she used to have regular drags from Frank.
She soon dropped down onto the bench nearby and sat Ana on her lap. The small child rested against her mother’s arm and started to snuggle up to her, sucking her thumb as she did so. It was obvious Ana was tired now and Brooke could only smile down at her and pull her closer with a comforting arm.
“You have made the right decision, hon.” Brooke added, wiping some of the thin blonde hair from Ana’s face. More wouldn’t be so bad. In fact, it might have been nice to have a big family. But then Brooke had always thought one sibling had been enough for her. Her and her brother had been at about the same age difference as Dylan and Ana and they had nearly killed each other several times. She did fear sibling rivalry with the two they now had. What would happen with three?
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Post by Natasha on Feb 20, 2007 2:18:01 GMT -5
Kicking the tennis ball that Duke continued to bring him, Frank inhaled deeply on his cigarette. The Great Dane went bounding after the ball as if it was the craziest gopher he’d ever chased… Well, or some small, furry animal that Duke was often going after. Exhaling slowly, Frank glanced in the window at his son. Chuckling as he watched, he knew Dylan would not think it funny that Frank was laughing at him…
As the back door opened, Frank turned around and smiled warmly at his wife. Blowing the smoke away from both girls, Duke dropped the ball at his feet once again, barking. “Shush Duke! It’s getting dark.” The dog barked again, wagging his tail, and went running after the ball once Frank kicked it.
“I think someone wants to say goodnight.”
His smile softened as she moved closer to him. Holding his cigarette away, so the smoke wouldn’t get on her nerves, he felt her lips brush his cheek. “Oh? Someone’s bedtime?” Ana didn’t seem to like hearing that… When she took the cigarette from him, he opened his mouth to protest. What was she doing?! He wasn’t done with that last one just yet! But then she was taking a drag, and Frank’s mouth opened in slight shock.
“Same as when I was younger.”
Was she just trying it, or attempting to prove a point? Frowning as she handed it back, he raised an eyebrow. Of course it was the same… Perhaps it was always weird for her, since she was never addicted to it. It wasn’t that he enjoyed the taste or the inhale and exhale; it was the nicotine, the addiction that seemed to calm him down, rest his nerves…
“I don’t see how they have such a hold on you though.”
Smiling softly at the look she made, he shrugged. To someone who didn’t have the addiction… it was just unexplainable. Perhaps if he compared it to the addiction she felt with work? No… because then she might say she can set it aside. No, best not to argue. Taking another long inhale, he held it in longer before slowly letting the smoke out his nose. “You never did.”
Watching Brooke settle down on the bench, he was once again bothered by Duke. Kicking the ball across the yard, he shook his head. The dog could get repetitive and annoying, but he wouldn’t dare say that where Brooke could hear him. Turning his attention back to his wife, he smiled sweetly as Ana rested against Brooke. Mouthing ‘cute’ to her, he leaned against the table, taking another inhale. It was nearly done, which was sad.
“You have made the right decision, hon.”
Frowning, Frank couldn’t figure out why she felt the need to bring it up right then… “Thank you, dear.” Glancing down at his cigarette, he saw it was nearly out. Taking another drag, he finished it off before grinding it into the nearby ashtray. Duke dropped the ball expectedly, but Frank shooed him away. Moving over to the bench, he sat down next to Brooke, putting an arm around her back as he looked down at Ana. “Did you want to say goodnight?” With his free hand, Frank gently moved some hair out of her face before leaning forward and kissing her forehead.
Glancing at the door, he heard a crash and the slowly dwindling noise of something echoing off the tiles. “Hm… think it’s time to put him out of his misery?” Eyebrows rose as he thought about it. “How about you stay right here, take a load off, and I’ll finish putting the children to bed?” Taking Ana from Brooke, Frank stood up and headed for the door. “I’ll be right back.” Smiling, he walked in through the door, pushing Duke back outside.
“All right, Dylan, let’s go.” Looking up at his father as if he worried he was in trouble, Dylan was drenched from head to toe. Pulling his wand out, Frank smirked as he sent a drying charm at his son. “Come on, you need to brush your teeth.” The groan that issued forth didn’t leave any guess as to what Dylan thought of it… “Come on!” Giving his son a gentle kick in the behind, he sent Dylan scurrying up the stairs, taking each step one at a time with Ana, who was laughing and pulling on his shirt.
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Brooklynn Pratt
Global Moderator
Muggle Studies Teacher, Cat Animagus, Global Mod
Posts: 206
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Post by Brooklynn Pratt on Feb 20, 2007 16:12:00 GMT -5
“Oh? Someone’s bedtime?”
Glancing down at her daughter’s face, Brooke smiled. It was obvious the small child was trying to fight off the tiredness by reaching out for her father’s shirt, she was however failing and her little red cheeks were losing colour as she struggled to keep her eyes open. “Well if that someone is falling asleep…” she smiled warmly at her daughter and back up at Frank, frowning at the cigarette.
The drag didn’t do much to Brooke except give her a nasty taste in her mouth. When she was younger she’d only been a social smoker anyway. She blew the smoke out of her mouth and away from both Ana and Frank, knowing how horrible it was to get smoke in your face. Ana seemed confused with her mother; Brooke hadn’t tried a drag for years. Ana however just hit her mother’s chest as if to say to stop. Coughing, Brooke gave Frank the cigarette back only to have an odd look from him.
“What?” she asked, raising an eyebrow herself as her arm moved around to Ana’s head, keeping it up as she could sense the child was starting to fall asleep. Lifting her arms up slightly, it jolted Ana back awake and Brooke smiled. She needed to keep her awake until bedtime. Then she’d be able to sleep all she wanted. It was better with her being tired before bed; she didn’t wake the whole family up at some atrocious hour in the morning.
“You never did.”
Why did Frank have to point out a true fact? Tilting her head, Brooke frowned. “Fair,” she began “but that’s because I never let myself realise.” Brooke was proud of the fact she’d never gotten addicted. She’d never had enough smokes to be. It used to be her being sociable and having one when everyone else did. It never revolted her; she just didn’t understand what Frank felt for it. At least he’d gotten his priorities right, however.
Letting Frank finish his cigarette, Brooke didn’t say anything else. She whispered a few things to Ana to try and keep her awake, but nothing else. Yes, keeping the child awake seemed cruel, but it would be for everyone’s benefit later on in the evening when her parents finally came to sleeping. When Frank smiled down at her and mouthed something, Brooke nodded before brushing some hair from Ana’s face. She finally looked back up and mouthed back ‘like me’, with a cheeky smile added for luck.
“Thank you, dear…Did you want to say goodnight?”
Duke brought back the ball and Brooke couldn’t help but smirk when Frank shooed him off finally. The brute deserved that one. Seriously considering changing form just to piss the dog off, Brooke tried shaking that thought from her head as Frank moved to sit by her and put an arm around her. “The more beautiful one did.” Brooke replied, nodding towards Ana, both hands being taken now as she supported Ana’s head and watched Frank kiss her forehead.
A sudden crash came from inside and Brooke jumped, once more jolting Ana from her tired state of near unconsciousness. Realising what it was, Brooke sighed and shook her head, cradling Ana a bit more and whispering down to her “Sorry.”
“Hm… think it’s time to put him out of his misery? How about you stay right here, take a load off, and I’ll finish putting the children to bed?”
The first part sounded good, but Brooke didn’t want to remain where she was. She however nodded and kissed Ana on the forehead and whispered “Night, night.” To her before lifting her up for Frank to take. “Be careful with her. She’s almost asleep.” Brooke couldn’t stop herself saying quickly. Frank was the child’s father and he was always careful, but it was just her instinct, as if someone was taking her precious jewel and she feared them dropping it and letting it shatter.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Right.” Brooke replied quietly before smiling weakly and watching Frank head inside with Ana. Now she was outside alone. Well not alone. Folding her arms, Brooke leaned back on the bench and was soon feeling something horrible licking her feet through her sandals. Screwing her face up, Brooke leaned forward to see Duke. “Shoo. Go find your toy.” She ordered to the dog before jumping up and heading inside. Stupid mongrel.
Right, time to go upstairs and help Frank. It beat just sitting around while he’d probably be struggling to get their son to bed. She walked past the mess in the kitchen, trying to ignore it, and into the hall before heading up the stairs, hearing noises up there. “Thought a helping hand wouldn’t go amiss.” Brooke said aloud only to see Dylan trudging up to her and giving her a look of begging. “And how daft do you look?” she asked him, trying to wind him up. He frowned and looked as if he was about to burst into a tirade or questions. “I’m guessing your father has told you to do something. So a get a move on. You look tired.”
“If you do as your told, you might get a little brother...or sister” Brooke rose an eyebrow and smiled down at her son.
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Post by Natasha on Feb 23, 2007 13:37:54 GMT -5
“Fair, but that’s because I never let myself realise.”
Frowning slightly, Frank shook his head. It wasn’t that one person could stop themselves from being addicted… Some people were just naturally not addicted to one or two smokes, and others were stuck after one. Frank had been with the majority of smokes, and found the cravings and addiction to be too overwhelming to push aside. “You were just lucky.” After as many ‘drags’ and ‘puffs’ Brooke had chain smoked, it was amazing she hadn’t given in.
Watching Brooke with Ana, he smiled softly. She was trying to keep her awake, and Brooke was slowly but surely failing. The little girl kept leaning more and more against her mother’s chest, almost begging Brooke to shut up. Frank understood that feeling. He chuckled when Brooke mouthed back to him, and he nodded. Of course Ana was cute like her mother…
“The more beautiful one did.”
Giving his wife a raised eyebrow, Frank smiled. That would be the only time she agreed anyone was more beautiful than her, though Frank would have said more. It was as if Ana was a little Brooklynn, so in that sense she was as beautiful as her mother, and Frank thought that was lucky for Ana.
“Night, night… Be careful with her. She’s almost asleep.”
Did she just say be careful with Ana? To him? The one who had helped take care of both children before they could even hold their head up? And she… Ah, well, it was probably just a normal… Shaking his head, he stuck his tongue out at her, and acted as if he was going to drop Ana before cuddling her close. “Like I wouldn’t be.”
Inside it was a disaster, but at least Dylan had tried. He didn’t understand how doing the dishes had turned into an all out naval battle, but… at least he’d had fun? Upstairs, after sending Dylan off to do what he was supposed to, Frank went into Ana’s bedroom, waking her up and making her fussy while he changed her into her pajamas. “I know… you don’t want to be awake, but I’m sorry, you just can’t go to sleep in your spaghetti outfit.”
An outfit toss and diaper change later, and Ana was content. Frank glanced around for her pacifier, finally finding it and offering it to the cranky little girl. She took it readily and was all ready closing her eyes. Gently rocking her, finding it easier than lying her down and waiting for her to cry herself to sleep, Frank sung her a lullaby softly in the dark room, hearing Brooke outside the door talking to Dylan.
“… your told… get a little … or sister.”
Frowning at the door, Frank shook his head. Why… was she starting off that way? Dylan was going to get all excited again, just like he did with Ana, but now he would have to wait even longer to find out when and what. Why did Brooke have to do that, tonight of all nights? Glancing down at Ana, he saw she was collapsed against his chest, drooling slightly onto his shirt. Ah… Moving quietly to the crib, he gently laid her down in it and pulled the blanket up. Right, and now for that… turning to the little music box, he turned it on and headed on out.
Seeing Dylan heading back into the bathroom, he gave Brooke a look of ‘why?’ Smoothing out his shirt, he closed the door softly behind him, leaving Ana to sleep peacefully. Into the bathroom he went, knowing it was time to hold up his end of the bargain. “Dylan, I have news for you.” The little boy looked up hopeful from his toothbrush, about to put it away. “No, not that. Keep brushing.” The crestfallen face only made Frank smile, though he tried to hide it. Right. Say what you have to say.
“We’re going to the beach this weekend.” His son’s eyes lit up while brushing his teeth, and Dylan tried talking over the toothpaste. Frank understood ‘broom.’ Shaking his head, he leaned on the counter, watching Dylan. “Just brush, I’m talking.” His son continued to brush his teeth, and Frank waited until he was done and rinsed his mouth out before finishing. “We are not taking the broom because there are going to be a lot of muggles there.”
Protest began, and Dylan was whining. Frank gave him a look that stopped him short, though his contempt and frustration was clear on his face. “There are no ‘buts’ to this situation, Dylan. Muggles do not know how to fly, and get scared when you do. You terrify them, you on your big broom. Imagine if they saw you coming in from the ocean… They might think you were a dragon.” At least if he added some level of mystery and fantasy to it, Dylan couldn’t be too unhappy.
Patting his son’s back, he pushed him out and towards his room, shaking his head. “Maybe another time when there aren’t so many terrified muggles, Dylan. I don’t want to have to pick you up from the police station because you scared everyone.” Giving Brooke a look of ‘I’ll be right there,’ Frank herded his son into his room. Dylan changed into his pajamas, something to do with one of the American Quidditch teams… Rolling his eyes, Frank hoped Dylan got out of this phase quickly.
“Okay… thank you for helping with dinner tonight. We’ll fly on the broom when we get home from the beach, okay?” That seemed to at least make his son smile and nod. Good. Somehow Frank had bypassed the argument and pouting and made an amends ahead of time. He was good at this… Tucking his son in, and giving him a good night kiss, Frank headed out and turned the light off. Dylan normally liked a bedtime story, but he, too, was tired and all ready falling asleep by the time Frank left the room.
Once the door was closed, Frank let out a slow breath. Smiling at Brooke, he pushed off the frame and wrapped his arms around his wife. Kissing her nose, he raised an eyebrow at her. “What is this about promising a little sibling to Dylan before there’s even one in the oven?” Seriously… Using that as a way to get him to do what they wanted wasn’t very nice… Slowly backing down the hallway, pulling Brooke with him, he made his way towards the bedroom.
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Brooklynn Pratt
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Post by Brooklynn Pratt on Mar 3, 2007 13:21:34 GMT -5
After Brooke’s comment to Frank about him being careful, Brooke smiled as he stuck his tongue out at her. Her eyes widened, however, as he made a move to drop Ana before cuddling her close. Shaking her head and frowning, Brooke contemplated hitting him for the gesture. She was only a caring mother; the man could deal with that.
“Like I wouldn’t be.”
Brooke stuck out her tongue before rolling her eyes. She folded her arms and leaned back on the bench as Frank went inside. While taking a moment to think and attempting to wait for Frank, Brooke had a few second thoughts about what she’d said to Frank. Secretly she hoped that he wouldn’t manage the smoking bet so it wouldn’t happen. But she couldn’t think like that so Brooke quickly stood up and decided she would do what he wanted. After all, Frank spent his life doing what Brooke wanted.
When inside and talking to Dylan, Brooke smiled as his eyes widened and a smile came to his lips at the prospect of another baby. Dylan hated the crying at nights but he always wanted to play with Ana and do things with her. And then Frank appeared as Brooke shooed Dylan back into the bathroom. The look her husband gave her made Brooke smile and her eyes dropped down to his backside as he followed their son into the bathroom.
Resting on the wall, Brooke remained silent and folded her arms, trying to listen to what Frank said to Dylan. The protesting caused a small laugh to come from Brooke as she looked in the direction of the bathroom. Dylan was bound to be unhappy about it but Brooke thought Frank had handled it pretty well. Dylan and Frank soon reappeared from the bathroom and Brooke stopped Dylan, giving him a quick kiss on the forehead only to have him wipe at the spot. “Goodnight monster.” She said, laughing and watching Frank herd him into his room.
While waiting for Frank to finish with Dylan, Brooke took her hair down from the bun and let it fall onto her shoulders in a mass of bright blonde curls. She then headed to her daughter’s room and quietly pushed the door open, looking over at the sleeping child. Considering she’d never wanted to be a mother, Brooke had done quite well. She smiled watching as Ana rolled over in her sleep before closing the door and turning to see Frank shutting Dylan’s door behind him.
Moving closer to Frank, she wrapped her arms around his neck as his arms moved around her waist. Smiling as he kissed her nose, Brooke found the smile grew to a bit of an awkward one when Frank raised and eyebrow and finally spoke.
“What is this about promising a little sibling to Dylan before there’s even one in the oven?”
Biting her lip, Brooke looked away in thought for a second. Her eyes soon moved back to Frank’s and she tilted her head slightly. “Well since you were going to upset him, I felt it was my duty to give him something to look forward to before he goes to sleep.” She sighed and pressed her body against Frank’s. “Besides, he’ll have forgotten about it by tomorrow. First thing he’ll be talking about is a bloody Quaffle.”
Unwrapping her arms from Frank’s neck, Brooke let him pull her towards the bedroom. Once they were in there, Brooke slowly began to unbutton Frank’s shirt while leaning up and kissing him. “It made me laugh earlier.” She said quietly, kicking the door behind her shut. “Dylan asked again where babies come from.”
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Post by Natasha on Mar 5, 2007 2:41:45 GMT -5
“Goodnight monster.”
Grinning as Dylan wiped the kiss away, Frank smiled at Brooke. “I’ll take one.” His luck, though, she was set on saying good night to her son. Pushing Dylan into the bedroom as he started to get hyper yet again, going on about different pieces of Quidditch that he had learned from some book that was in his grandfather’s collection. “No kidding? There’s a golden ball with wings?”
Glad he was out of that room before Dylan stayed up discussing the different types of balls and which position played with which ones… No, Frank had learned it and heard it all before, and didn’t need to hear about it right then. Smiling at Brooke, seeing her hair down, he shook his head. She was beautiful… and too seldom let her hair down.
“Well since you were going to upset him, I felt it was my duty to give him something to look forward to before he goes to sleep.”
“Mmhm…” Raising an eyebrow as she pressed up against him, he moved a hand up to gently run through her hair, smiling. How sweet of Brooke, looking to make their son less moody by giving him something to look forward to… That made all the sense in the world. Not. But it was all ready done, and not much could change it.
“Besides, he’ll have forgotten about it by tomorrow. First thing he’ll be talking about is a bloody Quaffle.”
Shaking his head, he sighed. Frank did not like the obsession his son had with Quidditch and only hoped they could focus him on something else. “Maybe him focusing on a new brother or sister is what the doctor ordered, though.” Something to pull him away from Quidditch at least long enough to get through an activity without it somehow reverting back to it.
“It made me laugh earlier.”
After following Brooke into the bedroom, he smiled softly as she helped him with his shirt. “What’s that?” The door shut and he kissed her lips back. Glancing down at his shirt, he grinned. Halfway unbuttoned… Tonight, though, he would be happy to take all the time in the world.
“Dylan asked again where babies come from.”
His hands froze as they started to pull her shirt up. Frank blinked and focused on his wife’s face before trusting himself to continue talking. “Oh?” He remembered the time before when Dylan had asked… Both Frank and Brooke had conflicting opinions on what they should tell their children. Frank thought that it was best to be completely honest. Perhaps not in technical terms, but he hated saying it was from the stork or something cliché like that.
“And… what did you tell him?” Continuing to pull her shirt up, he helped it over her head before tossing it into the hamper. Wonderful, Brooke was alone with Dylan when he asked this question, leaving Frank no choice. Moving his hands down, Frank set his hands to work on her jeans, unbuttoning and then unzipping them.
Kissing her forehead, Frank pulled away and moved into the bathroom, leaving Brooke to either stand there or step out of her jeans on her own. Opening the toothpaste, he put some on his toothbrush before beginning to clean his teeth. Might as well get as ready for bed as possible, and then enjoy all that his wife had to offer. It was always a good time when they were finally able to relax and rest, away from the children.
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Brooklynn Pratt
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Post by Brooklynn Pratt on Mar 6, 2007 17:06:17 GMT -5
After mentioning Dylan, Frank’s face was a picture. Brooke felt herself struggling not to laugh at him as his hands stopped on her t-shirt and he blinked, obviously trying to think of what to say. Or did he not trust himself to speak? He and Brooke had always disagreed about this talk because Brooke saw no point in telling their son the truth when he’d only forget about it and start talking about something else. Or ask more questions about it causing them to dig themselves a deeper hole.
“Oh?”
This was just too funny and Brooke did find herself being unable to contain her laughter as she let out a giggle when he just continued to stare blankly. Instantly biting her lip afterwards to make sure she did nothing else, Brooke felt her cheeks going somewhat red as she looked up at her shocked looking husband. “I love the confidence.” She muttered, finally having his shirt fully unbuttoned.
“And… what did you tell him?”
Raising an eyebrow, Brooke lifted her arms and the shirt was pulled over her head before she looked at Frank with a sarcastic expression. She wasn’t going to say just yet. How would Frank react? She never believed in all the cliché, but she refused to tell Dylan the ins and outs. Frank’s mind seemed to have moved however when he began to unbutton her jeans and moved to the zip. She then raised an eyebrow as he kissed her forehead and headed into the bathroom.
Standing there looking rather blankly, Brooke sat on the bed, pulling the jeans off and throwing them aside before slowly following Frank into the bathroom where he’d taken up his toothbrush. She slowly moved behind him and wrapped her arms around his stomach, tiptoeing so her chin rested on his shoulder, she kissed his ear. “What do you want me to have told him?” she whispered in his ear before reaching a hand out and grabbing her toothbrush and moving to Frank’s side.
Brooke quickly rinsed her brush before picking up the toothpaste and proceeding to cover the brush with the minty paste from the tube. “I mean, nothing I said could be as bad as what you want to tell him.” And with that she put the brush in her mouth and began to brush her teeth, watching Frank in the mirror.
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Post by Natasha on Mar 9, 2007 0:22:47 GMT -5
Obviously… Brooke found this situation a bit hilarious. Frank, on the other hand, did not. His wife had an odd way of looking at how they treated their children… She didn’t think they could “handle” the truth, that it would be too much. However, Frank was always of the mind that if the parent was truthful to the child, they would be more likely to go to the parent in times of crisis.
“I love the confidence.”
Staring at her as her cheeks went red, he felt slight satisfaction. As his shirt was finally unbuttoned, he just glanced down at it, sighing. What confidence? Frank hadn’t meant to come across as having any… Rubbing the back of his neck, he glanced at her and frowned. “Mmhm…?” Time for her to stop dilly-daddlying and get to it!
And yet here she was, keeping her mouth shut. No other time could you get her to be quiet, and yet here she was… She was only doing it to annoy him, Frank was sure. Rubbing his eyes for a moment, he let out a soft sigh. “What… did… you… tell him, Brooke?” Obviously it was something they had not agreed upon.
“What do you want me to have told him?”
Turning just slightly to look at her, he frowned as she kissed his ear. Patting her arm before she pulled it away, he grunted. Right… Continuing to brush his teeth, he watched Brooke as she picked up her toothbrush. So many things he wanted to say… and yet he knew if he tried talking she would give him a hard time about spitting out his toothpaste before he talked. Sometimes she treated him like the child!
“I mean, nothing I said could be as bad as what you want to tell him.”
His frown deepened. Finishing his teeth, he quickly spit out the toothpaste and washed his face off, putting the toothbrush away. Standing back up, he flicked water at Brooke before patting his face dry, leaning on the counter. “First off, Brooke, I was told what happens when Isabelle came alone. My mother and father told me straight out what occurred…” Nodding to himself, he continued. It was the same reasoning each time, too.
“The more you tell him lies or fibs, the more confused he’ll get. And then, one day, you’ll be caught up in your own tangle of lies, having told him five different reasons as to how a baby is conceived. Much better to tell him that when two people love another, because it’s important to make him think that is the only time people should have sex… But when two people love one another, they decide to have a baby, and it involves a man and a woman.”
Breath time. Letting out a huff of air, he walked back into the bedroom, giving his wife a once over. Back in he walked up behind her, kissing her cheek, before walking back out. Pulling back the sheets, Frank got out of his pants, tossing them in the hamper. Settling down on the bed, he propped himself up with some of the pillows, waiting for Brooke to come back out.
“I mean, telling him something as ridiculous as ‘the stork brought you’ or something like that… it’ll just confuse him and leave more to explain when he’s older!” He was bound and determined to win this argument… Reaching over to the nightstand, he picked up his reading glasses and put them on, turning his attention to the bathroom. "What... did you tell him?"
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Brooklynn Pratt
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Post by Brooklynn Pratt on Mar 11, 2007 6:34:57 GMT -5
“First off, Brooke, I was told what happens when Isabelle came alone. My mother and father told me straight out what occurred…”
Wiping the flicked water off her face, Brooke frowned and watched Frank in the mirror. She could already sense a long speech coming on. She continued to brush her teeth, now moving to the top set. Well at least Frank’s parents had told him, it was a bit worse having the gory information from an older, ignorant brother. Spitting the toothpaste into the sink, Brooke looked up to Frank, while rinsing the toothbrush through. “You were eight. Not six.”
“The more you tell him lies or fibs, the more confused he’ll get. And then, one day, you’ll be caught up in your own tangle of lies, having told him five different reasons as to how a baby is conceived. Much better to tell him that when two people love another, because it’s important to make him think that is the only time people should have sex… But when two people love one another, they decide to have a baby, and it involves a man and a woman.”
Letting out a small laugh, Brooke shook her head and began to run the hot water. “And then he’ll ask questions about how it happens, why mummy’s belly gets so big and why Daddy is scared of Mummy at that time.” And with that, Brooke started to wash her face with the warm water. Frank began to head back into the bedroom as Brooke continued with the water until she stopped when he returned unexpectedly and kissed her cheek.
Brooke quickly patted her face dry before heading out of the bathroom and switching the light off, closing the door behind her. Frank was getting out of his pants and she smirked as he climbed onto the bed. Brooke could tell Frank was already determined to win this. Brooke however was just as determined and she rarely let anything pass. She tended to have a counter to every argument Frank had.
“I mean, telling him something as ridiculous as ‘the stork brought you’ or something like that… it’ll just confuse him and leave more to explain when he’s older!”
Leaning against the doorframe, Brooke frowned. “Leave more to explain? I’m certainly not telling my six year old son how his sister came about. I mean, do you want to go into every little detail just so we don’t have to explain anything later? Save time?” And she began to head over to the bed as Frank picked up his glasses. Was he going to start reading instead of paying attention to her?
"What... did you tell him?"
Brooke climbed onto the bed and sat, propped up by the pillows as she crossed her legs and looked down at Frank, a smirk playing on her lips. “Well I told him this whole fairy tale about storks, princesses, dragons and Quidditch players,” she stopped and folded her arms. “and how I’d tell him when he was older.” She smiled warmly down at Frank before reaching over to her bedside table, picking her wand up and lighting the candle that sat on the surface.
“Chill out Frank. I got that he doesn’t need to be told a load of lies. But he doesn’t need the truth either. I wasn’t told until my brother spat it out when I was about nine. Growing up in my family, my parents would never tell me. They believed in abstinence until marriage and felt I needn’t know. I hated it, but that idea doesn’t sound so bad when it’s your own child.” She raised an eyebrow, considering it.
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Post by Natasha on Mar 11, 2007 6:56:55 GMT -5
“You were eight. Not six.”
Shrugging, he raised an eyebrow. “Technicalities. Doesn’t make a difference… I probably would have been more mature about it at six, anyway.” There had to be some cut off age that children just couldn’t take hearing from their parents how babies were made… And when their little tidbits about waiting as long as possible for sex would stop working. No, best to get them younger…
“And then he’ll ask questions about how it happens, why mummy’s belly gets so big and why Daddy is scared of Mummy at that time.”
Waiting until Brooke finished washing her face, Frank thought over her last comment. Shaking his head after kissing her cheek, he turned around and went into the bedroom. “We aren’t sex ed, but we can at least explain the general… things. How it involves sperm and an egg… Seriously, some of that is not as bad as saying ‘mommy and daddy were in the bed’ and explain what happened there. You just have to be… technical. Then he won’t ask so many questions.”
Letting out a slow breath, he thought over his next part, grinning. “As for mommy’s belly, it’s because she eats weird things when she is pregnant… Why is it so difficult to explain there is a baby growing in there, and only so much of mommy to hold the baby in? And Dylan will learn why everyone is scared of Mommy at certain times… That won’t need much explanation except ‘it’s your mom.’”
“Leave more to explain? I’m certainly not telling my six year old son how his sister came about. I mean, do you want to go into every little detail just so we don’t have to explain anything later? Save time?”
Chuckling, he glanced around the room, trying to remember where he’d put the piece of paper… “He’s six, Brooke, he won’t ask for every little detail and expect it to be perfect and exact. He asks how the baby came to be, we say … something…” Frowning, he turned to the bedside table, opening the top drawer. “Ah.” Pulling out his little pocket notebook, he opened it and flipped a few pages.
“Well I told him this whole fairy tale about storks, princesses, dragons and Quidditch players.”
Pausing in his scanning, Frank looked up at Brooke, giving her a look that said ‘please tell me you’re joking.’ Then again, knowing Brooke, and her sense of humor sometimes… well, it wasn’t too far fetched. Eyes back on the piece of paper, he frowned. Trying to keep track of house points for the school, and he’d almost forgotten to add a few on.
“…and how I’d tell him when he was older.”
Letting out a long breath, Frank nodded, somewhat concentrated on the paper. Glancing into the drawer, he pulled out a self-inked quill and jotted down the couple scores he’d forgotten before blowing on the ink to dry. “Good, good…” Tell him when he was older, that seemed easy enough. Dylan wouldn’t give up that easily, though, it was only a matter of time and curiosity…
“Chill out Frank. I got that he doesn’t need to be told a load of lies. But he doesn’t need the truth either. I wasn’t told until my brother spat it out when I was about nine. Growing up in my family, my parents would never tell me. They believed in abstinence until marriage and felt I needn’t know. I hated it, but that idea doesn’t sound so bad when it’s your own child.”
Chuckling when Brooke talked about her brother telling her, Frank simply shook his head. Putting the pad of paper and quill away, Frank turned back to look at his wife. Then she mentioned how her parents believed in abstinence before marriage. Laughing, he couldn’t resist. “You certainly didn’t make it.” With a mischievous grin on his face, Frank shrugged when she mentioned it not being bad for their children.
“I think the best thing to do is to let them know. Obviously not every detail, but if he’s curious, tell him…” Reaching up, Frank rubbed his forehead, feeling his glasses. Surprise came over him… he thought he’d taken them off… Slipping the glasses from his face, he folded them and set them aside. Right, leave them where he could reach them. Shifting under the sheets slightly, he turned back to Brooke, moving closer.
Watching his beautiful wife, his smile widened. “Oh, by the way, since we’re near the topic… You’ve never given me a straight answer… when was your first?” Scooting closer to Brooke, he gently kissed her shoulder, as if by being sweet he could get out the information he’d never been able to. She certainly hadn’t waited until marriage, but… he was curious how long she had waited.
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Brooklynn Pratt
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Post by Brooklynn Pratt on Mar 11, 2007 12:15:39 GMT -5
“We aren’t sex ed, but we can at least explain the general… things. How it involves sperm and an egg… Seriously, some of that is not as bad as saying ‘mommy and daddy were in the bed’ and explain what happened there. You just have to be… technical. Then he won’t ask so many questions.”
Rolling her eyes, Brooke leaned against the door frame and folded her arms. “…because that will quench his curiosity.” She replied, a sarcastic tone in her voice. Each time Frank suggested something to say, Brooke could have sworn it got worse and worse. Then Frank was talking about how her belly would grow because she ate weird things and Brooke simply smirked, shaking her head. Sometimes Frank could be such a twit.
“And Dylan will learn why everyone is scared of Mommy at certain times… That won’t need much explanation except ‘it’s your mom.’”
Smiling, Brooke shook her head and reached for a stuffed toy that sat on top of the dresser by the door. She threw it at Frank with a mutter of “Cheeky get.”. Brooke was never that bad, or so she believed. But Frank obviously knew he could push it and all Brooke could do was smile as she had the vision of Dylan going and telling his sister that when she was older.
“He’s six, Brooke, he won’t ask for every little detail and expect it to be perfect and exact. He asks how the baby came to be, we say … something…”
Smirking, Brooke uncrossed her legs on the bed and spread them out in front of her as Frank opened his drawer and produced a note pad. Groaning, Brooke dropped down further into the bed and lay flat now, her head resting on the pillow as she looked up at her husband with that damn note pad again. “Something…I like it.” She replied sarcastically as she rolled onto her side and rested a hand on Frank’s chest, trying to pull his attention from that damn pad and to her.
“Good, good…”
Propping her head up with her other hand and elbow, Brooke frowned as Frank blew on the ink. “Surely you can use a spell to keep tab of that. Not some paper.” She moaned as her hand began to run down his chest and to his stomach. Frank was still fiddling with the paper when she continued to talk and Brooke was finding herself wanting to wrench the pad from his grip and throw it at the wall. He was chuckling about her brother, though Brooke didn’t find it funny. A fourteen year old boy describing where babies came from wasn’t pleasant.
“You certainly didn’t make it.”
Rolling her eyes, Brooke wasn’t all that surprised Frank had said that. “Har har.” She replied sarcastically, running her hand back up to Frank’s chest. “As far as my parents are concerned, I did.” It would have broken her mother’s heart to find out she’d lied about it.
“I think the best thing to do is to let them know. Obviously not every detail, but if he’s curious, tell him…”
Frowning, Brooke moved closer to Frank and tried smiling innocently. “Can’t we wait until he finds out at school? Then he’ll hear it properly.” She nodded as if agreeing with herself before kissing Frank’s chest as though hoping it would help persuade him. Frank obviously didn’t like what Brooke wanted to say, and she definitely didn’t like his idea, so why couldn’t they leave it to a teacher? It would cause less trouble.
“Oh, by the way, since we’re near the topic… You’ve never given me a straight answer… when was your first?”
Brooke’s previous smile dropped but she tried to hide that by quickly pulling up a fake grin. She’d never told Frank for a reason. He’d probably laugh at her and then say it was sweet. That was the last thing Brooke wanted so she simply looked up at the ceiling and thought for a moment. “That’s a bit of a personal question…” she started then found herself veering off. “Let’s just say, it was perfect and the guy I did it with was…well I wouldn’t have changed it. ” Was that enough to quench her husband’s curiosity? Or would she have to just refuse to tell him more?
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Post by Natasha on Mar 11, 2007 13:56:51 GMT -5
“…because that will quench his curiosity.”
Nodding, he frowned. Dylan was six… of course it would quench his curiosity. He had no idea what to expect or what ‘making babies’ was about. Why did Brooke have to be so nasty about it? “You would have to explain it all to him if he walked in on us, anyway. Why not do it at an age that he’ll still trust us, and listen when we say ‘now, son, you need to wait’?”
“Cheeky get.”
Laughing at the stuffed toy that missed the mark, he leaned over to her side and picked it up, glancing down at it. They were always finding toys in each part of the house. Frank supposed that was fine, as it helped with taking care of Ana. She could start crying in any room, and if you had something to distract her… well, it just helped out. Tossing the stuffed frog to the end of the bed, Frank smiled.
“Something… I like it.”
Frowning at the paper, Frank nodded, trying to add up what he had given his class that day. “Mm… hm…” Glancing down at her hand on his chest, he smiled softly. Mumbling “Almost done,” Frank turned the page in the pad, staring at some of the names with points next to them. It was his personal tally book, something to keep grades in when he was at home.
“Surely you can use a spell to keep tab of that. Not some paper.”
Biting his lower lip as her hand went down lower, he raised an eyebrow, glancing at Brooke once before back to the paper. “Ah… I could… but I much prefer paper. Almost… done…” Using a spell would be pure laziness… And while Frank was a wizard, he had been a muggle as well. In the military, he was forced to use pen and paper, and it had, sadly, become second nature after his own time at SWIM.
“Har har… As far as my parents are concerned, I did.”
Shaking his head, Frank was content to lay there and have Brooke run her hand over his body. It felt nice, and she was very good with her hands… “Mm… you mean your brother never squealed?” Raising an eyebrow, Frank found that hard to believe. Unless, of course, Brooke held some sort of blackmail over his head as well. Placing a hand on top of her hand, he gently ran his fingertips up and down her arm.
“Can’t we wait until he finds out at school? Then he’ll hear it properly.”
Shaking his head, Frank didn’t like that idea. “No… because by then it’d be too late to say ‘oh, and by the way, wait until you’re an adult’ or something like that… It won’t click, wont’ sink in. Besides, the schools never tell them soon enough. He would probably all ready know what it was from his friends, and have his own opinions by that point.” Frowning, Frank didn’t like how she was trying to persuade him. “You’d have to kiss considerably lower to get me to stop this topic… Besides, telling him is what needs to be done.”
Frank had his reasons, and Brooke refused to look at the logic in his reasoning. Frank knew the price they’d pay if they lied to him and then he found out on his own… They wouldn’t be trusted for years and anything they had to say on the matter would go in one ear and out the other. “His questions deserve to be answered honestly, and ‘dumbed down’ for a six year old.”
“That’s a bit of a personal question…”
Surprise came over him as Brooke looked away. Frowning, Frank shook his head. A personal question? When they had been as personal as they were? Frank thought that once someone had access to your bank accounts, it was as personal as it got. On top of that, they trusted one another, and had made the vows and everything, and she was going to choose to keep this from him? Ridiculous
“Let’s just say, it was perfect and the guy I did it with was…well I wouldn’t have changed it.”
Ah, she had said something similar almost every time. It always irritated him she would say that, knowing her husband was right there. He didn’t need exacts of everything that happened to make it ‘oh so perfect,’ but just a name, age, and why she chose the person she did. He had been honest with her! “Mm… The guy you did it with was…?” Maybe he could get something out of her like this. He wanted to know, and after everything they had talked about, he didn’t think it was too hard.
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Brooklynn Pratt
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Muggle Studies Teacher, Cat Animagus, Global Mod
Posts: 206
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Post by Brooklynn Pratt on Mar 11, 2007 16:05:56 GMT -5
“Ah… I could… but I much prefer paper. Almost… done…”
Letting out a long sigh as her hand traced back up to Frank’s chest, Brooke frowned. “You just said you were nearly done…” she moaned, before kissing his shoulder softly. “Just because you teach about muggles doesn’t mean you have to use their methods.” She said, her hand gliding over a tattoo on his arm. Was it her or did Frank always get out that pad to spend ages making notes in it. “Why can’t you be like me and leave your work at the workplace?” she smirked, Brooke was even worse at doing that.
“Mm… you mean your brother never squealed?”
Biting her lip, Brooke’s lips curled into a smile and she looked down at Frank’s chest before her eyes moved back up to his face. “Well it would have broken Mother’s heart to know what the perfect weasel got up to when she wasn’t at home.” She smirked menacingly and her hand ran back down to Frank’s stomach, stopping at the waist of his boxers. Her fingers hooked around the top but she did nothing else but smirk as Frank’s fingertips ran up her arm.
“No… because by then it’d be too late to say ‘oh, and by the way, wait until you’re an adult’ or something like that… It won’t click, wont’ sink in. Besides, the schools never tell them soon enough. He would probably all ready know what it was from his friends, and have his own opinions by that point.”
Frowning, Brooke pulled her hand up from Frank’s boxers and above to cover as she sat up slightly. “Even if we tell him to wait until he’s an adult, he probably won’t. He’ll be determined to do something whether we say he can or not. You were a young boy once; did you want to try it even though you knew it was wrong?”
“You’d have to kiss considerably lower to get me to stop this topic… Besides, telling him is what needs to be done.”
This caused Brooke’s eyes to widen and her hand began to run down Frank’s chest again as she lay on her side. “That can be arranged…” she muttered in reply to his first comment but his second one caused her hand to stop and lay flat on Frank’s stomach. “It’s not necessary that he knows. Neither of us found out until we were older than him and it didn’t do us any harm. All I’m asking is for you to just wait a small while.”
“Mm… The guy you did it with was…?”
This was just fun to wind Frank up about it. She didn’t want to tell him the truth, but letting his mind wonder wouldn’t hurt. “…amazing.” She finished his sentence. “He wasn’t French,” she decided to go into more detail so as to not seem overly cruel. “He couldn’t understand a word I said to him, yet he was so…brilliant.” Brooke’s smirk widened into more of a smile as she bit her lower lip. “Anyway, did I mention I’m still in contact with him now?”
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Post by Natasha on Mar 11, 2007 16:35:12 GMT -5
“You just said you were nearly done… Just because you teach about muggles doesn’t mean you have to use their methods… Why can’t you be like me and leave your work at the workplace?”
Raising an eyebrow, Frank turned a knowing gaze to his wife. “Oh, you leave your work at the workplace? Does the den include your workplace, Brooke?” Shaking his head, he glanced back at the pad. “Besides… I might give up the Muggle Studies class if we can get someone else to teach it. Gabrielle needs me to do more as Vice Dean, and being the teacher at the same time… It’s too much.”
Frowning and biting his lip, he shook his head at some numbers. He didn’t like math… much preferred the muggle calculator to anything the wizards had yet to make. “It’s too much to do and have a family to come home to.” Turning his eyes away from the numbers, he sighed. He hadn’t yet told Brooke about that possibility. “If I’m only the Vice Dean, then we can have the kids more instead of constantly sending them to your parents.”
“Well it would have broken Mother’s heart to know what the perfect weasel got up to when she wasn’t home.”
Watching her hand move farther down, he let out a soft breath, his hands resting on his stomach. “Hah, but it would have been quite the shock had she known what you were doing as well…” Luckily, there weren’t any ‘secrets’ between his sister and him. Or at least, none he knew of… The age difference was enough that he was there to protect her and she looked up to him, and everything was fine except for some arguments here and there.
No, Brooke and her brother were both menacing siblings… Always trying to think of ways to undermine the other. It was sometimes interesting to see them argue. “Chris likes me, though. Surely he doesn’t tell your parents about what he’s seen partially because of that?” It was luck that Christophe had walked in and not Brooke’s parents… Frank’s heart had stopped beating, as he had been the one to see him first.
What was funny about the situation was that Brooke had had no idea what was going on, and kept going for a few moments. It wasn’t until she opened her eyes and saw the look on Frank’s face that she had looked behind her. Ah… Frank smiled remembering past times. They were funny once you got away from them. He wanted Brooke to keep going with her hand… she was so close!
“Even if we tell him to wait until he’s an adult, he probably won’t. He’ll be determined to do something whether we say he can or not. You were a young boy once; did you want to try it even though you knew it was wrong?”
Letting out a soft grunt as her hand pulled away from his boxers, Frank gave his wife a pleading look. “Once upon a time…” Dylan, if he was like his father, would listen to his parents to a degree and take what else he heard and put it all together to come up with his own conclusion. “I tried it when I did because my parents told me as long as I was safe and knew my boundaries, and the girl’s, then… it was fine.” Shrugging, he knew there would be a point where they would disagree with their children over the question of ‘when can I’ or ‘why can’t I,’ especially with Ana…
“That can be arranged…”
Grinning, Frank nodded. Finally! Watching her hand, glancing between her face and her fingers, he waited. Then her hand stopped, and he groaned. Damn her! Why did she have to tease him?!
“It’s not necessary that he knows. Neither of us found out until we were older than him and it didn’t do us any harm. All I’m asking is for you to just wait a small while.”
Damn it, damn it, damn it. Forcing himself back onto this subject, he swallowed and focused on his wife’s face. “So if we wait a while, we can tell him the truth?” If that was the deal, Frank would agree. He didn’t want to approach the subject with his son quite yet, much preferring to wait. But he didn’t want to lie to the little boy until he decided Dylan was ready to handle the truth.
“…amazing. He wasn’t French… He couldn’t understand a word I said to him, yet he was so…brilliant.”
Frowning as she went on and on about this guy, Frank shook his head. “I don’t need… I don’t want to know specifics…” Or did he? Now Frank wasn’t so sure. He was amazing, brilliant, and not French… “Did you always go for the tourists?” He just wanted a damn name! Taking in a deep breath, Frank rubbed his face and let it out slowly.
“Anyway, did I mention I’m still in contact with him now?”
His hand paused on his face, and Frank slowly opened his eyes and turned to look at Brooke. Blinking away the blank stare, Frank felt his jealousy rear its ugly head… “Oh, are you?” Gritting his jaw, he pulled away from Brooke’s arm, shaking his head. “Why?” He was feeling a little sick now. Brooke stayed in touch with the guy who’d been her first? Frank didn’t do that… he knew of the girl that had been his first, yes, but only because she lived near his parents. “What’s his name?”
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Brooklynn Pratt
Global Moderator
Muggle Studies Teacher, Cat Animagus, Global Mod
Posts: 206
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Post by Brooklynn Pratt on Mar 11, 2007 18:06:55 GMT -5
“Oh, you leave your work at the workplace? Does the den include your workplace, Brooke?”
Eye wide, Brooke smiled and tilted her head. “How did you guess?” she asked. At least Frank had a sense of humour about it. They were both hard workers and they dealt with it, but when it was Frank doing the work and in bed when Brooke was trying to distract him, Brooke wasn’t pleased. As soon as his work became more interesting than her, it was the line she had to push him back from. No husband of hers would put stupid teenagers before her.
“Besides… I might give up the Muggle Studies class if we can get someone else to teach it. Gabrielle needs me to do more as Vice Dean, and being the teacher at the same time… It’s too much.”
Shock glided onto Brooke’s features at an exceptional speed. “But you love teaching that.” She said confusion now registering. Why was Frank planning on giving it up? And he had to wait for someone to take the job? Well that much was obvious. But now Brooke was confused.
“It’s too much to do and have a family to come home to. If I’m only the Vice Dean, then we can have the kids more instead of constantly sending them to your parents.”
Taking a moment to think about it as Brooke mouthed an ‘Oh’, she slowly breathed in. “So…you need someone for the job?” she asked, slowly. Now what was she getting herself into? Brooke’s mind always went wondering and changes were good sometimes. What was she thinking about? Shaking her head, Brooke bit her lip. “You’ll have a job to do that.”
“Hah, but it would have been quite the shock had she known what you were doing as well…”
Smiling menacingly, Brooke’s cheeks reddened and she looked away. “Yes, but we don’t talk about that.” She muttered quietly. As far as she knows, both me and the weasel were perfect.” She smirked and rested her head back on the pillow. Her mother finding anything out was the last thing she ever wanted.
“Chris likes me, though. Surely he doesn’t tell your parents about what he’s seen partially because of that?”
Letting out a laugh, Brooke sat up slightly and shook her head. “Don’t get your hopes up old man.” She finally said. “He likes you because you got his sister off his back. Me being on the other side of the world to him is his dream. I’m surprised he didn’t kiss your feet and bow to you for doing him that amazing favour. He told me you were a saint for sticking up with me.”
“I don’t need… I don’t want to know specifics. Did you always go for the tourists?”
Frowning, Brooke shook her head. “Only one.” She whispered. Perhaps Frank heard and he picked up on it, but perhaps not. She didn’t care. He’d figure out soon enough as she’d thrown enough clues for him. He obviously wasn’t thinking about it enough though as it was.
“Oh, are you?...Why? What’s his name?”
She shouldn’t have. But Brooke found herself laughing at Frank’s reaction. “His name?” she repeated, catching her breath again. “Well you know him. In fact, you know him really well. He’s really gorgeous still after all this time.” Surly Frank would pick up on it now. God, he was so stupid sometimes. He’d probably just get even more jealous or something stupid like that.
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Post by Natasha on Mar 12, 2007 1:11:26 GMT -5
“How did you guess?”
Shaking his head, he smiled. “Well, considering you work on your paperwork in there… Sometimes you bring it to the bed.” He never cared for when she was waist deep in papers and left very little room for Frank to lay beside her, let alone cuddle up to her. So… the fact he only had a little notepad out should have been okay. He was still paying attention to her…
“But you love teaching that.”
Swallowing, he stared at the pad of paper. Yes, he did enjoy the teaching aspect of his job… something about the rewards he got from seeing his students understand a concept… Oh, well, Vice Dean was more responsibility, and coincidentally more pay, which was good for his growing family. If Brooke had been serious, that was. And suddenly he wanted a cigarette…
“So…you need someone for the job? You’ll have a job to do that.”
Taking in a slow breath, he nodded, still refusing to glance at Brooke. Maybe she was disappointed in him… who knew. “Yes… it’ll be challenging. But.” Shrugging, he tried to focus on the paper, though without any luck. Sighing, he finally set it down, his attention falling on Brooke. “I didn’t want to give it up, but too much stress left too little time for you and the children. And if you are serious about another one, I couldn’t leave it all on you.”
Muggle studies was just a class, after all… It would take time to get used to the fact that wasn’t his ‘area’ anymore. No, being the Vice Dean of the school was. It was easier, anyway, when he had to deal with the other teachers, considering that he was essentially their boss along with Gabrielle. Though he was glad she took over most of that responsibility…
Sometimes he wondered if she only hired him to be a pawn, someone she could direct and manipulate. Not that Frank would have argued; he agreed with Gabrielle’s principles, and he didn’t need persuaded on many things she wanted and strove for. Just was odd being her stepping stool, or whatever he felt on occasion. He hadn’t really talked to Brooke about those feelings, but nevertheless, they were there.
“Yes, but we don’t talk about that... As far as she knows, both me and the weasel were perfect.”
Laughing at that, Frank was glad they’d moved on to a different topic. “Ah. So she was very delusional even before I met her.” See no, hear no, speak no, he supposed… Scratching the back of his head, he tilted it and smiled at Brooke. Her stories about her brother were always exaggerated and fun to listen to. Then again, so were Christophe’s stories about her.
“Don’t get your hopes up old man… He likes you because you got his sister off his back. Me being on the other side of the world to him is his dream. I’m surprised he didn’t kiss your feet and bow to you for doing him that amazing favour. He told me you were a saint for sticking up with me.”
Watching her laugh at him, he simply shook his head. “Regardless, he likes me.” Got his sister off his back… Yes, quite a few things to say to that… but whether he wanted to push his luck or not? “He asked me how I did it, putting up with you, once.” Glancing at the ceiling, Frank sighed. “I told him it took a lot of cotton and ‘yes dear,’ but once you got past that, you just got used to it.”
Rolling his eyes, he finally turned his smile to his wife. “Old man? Where did that come from?” Sometimes Brooke was a handful, and he could sometimes sympathize with some of Chris’ feelings, but Frank loved his wife, and enjoyed the challenge she gave him. It kept their relationship interesting, he supposed.
“His name?”
Turning his attention to his laughing wife, Frank’s mouth dropped open and he frowned. This wasn’t funny… he hadn’t heard what she’d whispered, and it was irritating him. Wasn’t that what Frank asked her? She was going to take her sweet time, and it was going to irritate him.
“Well you know him. In fact, you know him really well. He’s really gorgeous still after all this time.”
Narrowing his eyes, he tried to think of another guy he knew really well that Brooke could have been with at the time. Richard? No… no, that came after they had had sex, and so… Who else? He didn’t know anyone that well… And then it clicked. Frank knew him very well, she ‘kept in touch with him,’ he hadn’t understood anything that Brooke had said when they first met, and he wasn’t French.
Would it be presumptuous to think that? Finally turning his gaze back to his wife, he frowned. That couldn’t be right… “I… I was your first?” Leaning against the headboard, Frank couldn’t believe he hadn’t realized it at the time. He did suppose she was a little anxious and had been in some pain the first time, but when he’d asked her, she had said she just wasn’t used to an American.
His eyes softened a little and he smiled at Brooke. “Really?” So, in a way, she had waited until marriage… since she ended up marrying Frank. Of course, then the whole question over whether Richard should count or not… No, he would not think of him. Pushing those thoughts aside, Frank got back under the sheets, scooting closer to Brooke. “I… why didn’t you tell me?”
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