Tess

[cottoncandypink]

The door does not open up to the condo, unfortunately. Because Wilford has not been to the condo since the last time he brought someone through the door. It opens up from his office, into an area nebulously defined as a dining room.

At least, there is a table there, which someone has taken a passing effort to keep clear. The stack of mail, hastily picked up toys, and a couple of coats on the table suggest nobody does any eating at the table.

The house is what passes as small in the neighbourhood. Windows look out on the sloping hills and sprawling city in the distance. Inside, brushed steel kitchen, slate grey walls, and leather furniture are betrayed by tiny hand smudges on the windows, peanut butter stains in the carpet, crayon scribbles in places that nobody seems to have the energy to deal with.

The house is also unusually quiet. How interesting.

Comments

[cottoncandypink]

"Nick picks her own names. Take it up with her."

Hell, this is one of the more subtle names Wilford uses.

[have_no_mercy]

She sets the iPad aside and crosses her legs, sitting back in a huff.

"Nothing with you is ever easy, is it?"

[cottoncandypink]

"Where's the fun in that?" he asks.

He thinks the situation is perfectly straightforward. It's not his fault Tess and Nichola have fundamentally different views on names.

[have_no_mercy]

Nothing in this world is straightforward.

"Could I get a glass of water?"

[cottoncandypink]

Wilford checks his phone. "Fridge. Don't drink from the tap," he says. "We don't actually keep much around. You hungry?"

[have_no_mercy]

"I just threw up. Food is the last thing I want."

She stands and heads for the kitchen, finding a glass and water in the refrigerator. She pours out the water and sips it slowly, leaning against the counter.

She's gone an awful long time.

[cottoncandypink]

While she's gone, Wilford grabs the iPad and orders food anyway. Not from some fast food place, but from a proper restaurant. He orders some chicken and rice thing, in case Tess changes her mind, and steak for himself. Once that's done, he gets up and heads to the kitchen to set things up, since people who live in a place like this probably don't eat out of Styrofoam boxes.

"You're not going to puke on my floor, are you?" he asks as he pulls a couple of plates from a cupboard.

[have_no_mercy]

"I'm fine."

It's said quietly from the floor where she's sitting with her head between her knees.

"Just pass me my water, please?"

[cottoncandypink]

He grabs her water and passes it down to her, still unsure why anybody would want to do this.

"You don't look fine."

He takes the plates over to the dining table. It's not the most natural thing in the world for him, since the only time he ever eats at a table is when he goes out.

[have_no_mercy]

She takes a large gulp of water, staying where she is.

"I'll be fine. I just need to sit here for a minute."

[cottoncandypink]

"Well, we don't have housekeeping."

He cleans up enough puke at home. He's not in the mood to clean up adult puke.

"I'm not feeling so convinced this was a good idea, suddenly."

He comes back for silverware and one of the last cans of Coke from the fridge.

[have_no_mercy]

"Well, we're here so we might as well go through with it."

She leans her head back against the wall.

"The first trimester is the worst, I think."

[cottoncandypink]

"Well, this'll be the last time I ever deal with it."

He fucking means it, too. Never.

"You still thinking it's a good idea?

He almost drinks straight from the can, but remembers all the black shit in his moustache at the last second, and grabs a glass as well.

[have_no_mercy]

She glances over at him.

"To be here or to have the baby?"

[cottoncandypink]

"The second one." Wilford reaches up into the cupboard. Since he's poured the coke into a glass, he might as well splash some whiskey into it too.

"Speaking of, you talk to that baby daddy of yours?"

[have_no_mercy]

"Yes, I'm still sure."

She stands, slowly, keeping hold of the counter.

"Oh, yes, Jim and I had a lovely conversation."

[cottoncandypink]

"I'm sure he was thrilled to hear the news," Wilford says. "Him and that nutcase of his."

He rolls his eyes and takes a drink from his glass. It's tricky, but he finds it a bit easier with a glass. He'll probably have to refresh the black a bit once the doctor buzzes to come up.

[have_no_mercy]

"I've stolen the baby they should have had."

It's still utterly ridiculous as she says it.

"And there may have been threats made."

[cottoncandypink]

"You..."

What.

Wilford shakes his head and finishes getting the table looking like actual human beings live there.

"Threats against you?"

[have_no_mercy]

She takes a step away from the counter and make it to a chair at the table. Success.

"More the baby and Sherlock."

[cottoncandypink]

Wilford doesn't say anything. He just hums deeply. Before he can come to any kind of opinion on the matter, his phone rings, and he answers it.

"Yes, what?" he answers, as if being called is a complete surprise to him. "Oh, yes, yes, yes. Send him up. That's right."

He hangs up, but leaves his phone out.

"Well, it sounds like he deserves anything coming to him, if you ask me."

[have_no_mercy]

"They're both a pain in the ass."

She settles herself in the chair, breathing slowly to get her bearings back.

"Time for the games to begin?"

[cottoncandypink]

"Not quite. You really not eating anything?" he asks.

Even if she's not, he ordered anyway. She can pick at it if she wants, or it can remain as set dressing.

[have_no_mercy]

She waves the question off.

"No, I don't want to be sick when the doctor gets here."

[cottoncandypink]

"Suit yourself."

He uses the camera on his phone to make sure he still looks right, and stuffs it into his pocket as the doorbell rings.

He opens the door to find the delivery guy from down the road, waiting to be paid.

"My word, you scared the dickens out of me," Wilford blusters at the man. "I forgot we called you, and was halfway to falling asleep."

He pays the man as he apologises awkwardly, and takes the box off him.