Who: Caspian and Laura What: Planning When: Tuesday, June 11, 2019, afternoon Where: The Marketplace Rating: Low Status: Complete
His hand curled around Laura’s.
He lead her gently through the Marketplace. Their daughter’s birthday was soon - Caitlyn was not a challenge to buy for and that had been his excuse to get out of the house but exposing Laura to other things in the large building might spawn more interest in other things for his wife.
They were met by good smells. He could appreciate enticing aromas.
“My love, today this is a lovely day. What’s on your mind?”
He paused to window shop, hand still holding onto Laura’s. They had plenty of stipend saved to get whatever they wanted, all he needed was for Laura to pose interest.
Gripping his hand tightly, Laura stayed close beside Cas as they walked. She looked around warily, her eyes looking out for guards but barely noticing the other residents going about their day as if nothing was unusual. That’s what she knew Cas was trying to do, help her adjust to their new normal. But that was so much easier said than done. Venturing off to the library alone had been a huge step for her, but the information she’d found out there only made her want to retreat more into herself.
The scent of food was a positive distraction, as was the sound of his voice.
Looking up to Cas, she smiled faintly and shook her head a bit. “Just thinking about Caitlyn....” She looked to the store windows as well, but shopping was not at the forefront of her mind. She’d never really purchased much for herself, but she knew if there was something for Caitlyn one of them would be sure to spot it. “She’s grown up so quickly. It feels like just yesterday she was a baby.”
“Mm, I feel the same way. Holding her, walking around and singing old lullabies.” His mother had sung to him when he was a babe and he could remember the British lilted tunes to this day. It was the closest he’d ever been to his mother.
“But she’s growing. Nearly an old maid, and yet she is far more intelligent than I shall ever be. We should make her a cake. Decorate the house. What do you think?”
It’d be the first birthday that all of them would be there to celebrate together.
“Perhaps they have something she would like. Do you see anything?” Cas glanced over at his wife with curiosity.
Laura hid a faint frown. Despite the warning, she still longed for another child. But she knew it was something she’d have to let go of. Looking back to him, she nodded with a small smile. “Yes, she would like that. We should try to make it is happy as possible.”
She knew that what Caitlyn wanted most was to go home, to have her puppy back, to return to her school and her friends and her dance classes. Laura would give anything to give those things back to her, no matter how well the girl was adjusting to the changes.
Looking back to the window, Laura tried to focus, scanning what was visible from the outside. “Not yet, but I’m sure we’ll find something she’d love.”
They were unanimous in the idea of wanting to have another child. He was not aware of the warnings, or any implications associated with childbearing on the island. Whether they had a child or not on the island, he hoped that they could still try once they had left. Who knew how long that would be, though, and he was pushing forty. The days of being young and spry were beginning to become distant memories.
There had been nothing here that Caspian wanted as far as their stipend went and so he had set his aside to save for Caitlyn.
“Mm, let’s keep looking then. Perhaps she’s made a friend or two who could come for a birthday party.”
Laura never wanted much for herself, so she had no problem putting aside anything she could to give more to her daughter. Nodding to Cas, she walked with him a little further to the next window to browse.
Smiling faintly, she looked to him once more. “I think she’s quickly becoming very popular here, I bet many of the children would be happy to come to her party. It doesn’t seem like there’s many true celebrations around here. A party might be nice for a lot of them.”
Her words haunted the hollowest parts of his heart at their depth; parties here might not be a usual commodity. What would happen if they had a celebration, invited Caitlyn’s friends, and no one showed up for fear of retribution? Or worse, what if the party was crashed? That was the last thing he wanted for their daughter, to remember such an awful event.
“Indeed. Perhaps, instead of hosting it at our place, what if we inquired of Daniela if we could use the dance studio for an hour or so? I feel like the setting would be more comfortable and less likely to cause any undue attention.”
Laura frowned, more at herself than anything. She should have known better than to think they could have a normal children’s party without issue. It made her angry to think something so innocent could be ruined. Taking a deep breath, she tried to keep her temperature from rising. “That’s a good idea.”
“We could pose it as a class, perhaps, that way we are less likely to cause suspicion.” Caspian wouldn’t let the guards crash, he would scramble their brains long before they hit the studio doors, but he didn’t want to risk anyone getting hurt or taking the brunt of their misstep.
“Would you like to talk to Daniela about it or shall I? I feel it’s only fair to run it past her since it’s really her place.”
Laura sighed and shrugged. “I can ask her about it. I’ve been wanting to sit in on one of her classes and see how she is doing anyway.” So far, the only good thing about the island was there was no pressing need to work. While she needed to keep busy for her own sanity, Laura was grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with Caitlyn without financial strain.
He would let Laura handle it then. If he had to wager a guess it would be that Laura knew the other woman much better than he did. Grateful for the task being assigned he tugged his wife’s fingers gently and moved onward through the Marketplace.
“Now that the hard part has been done, we just need to figure out decorations and what we are getting her. Do you want to make her a cake or should we pick something up?” He doubted there would be anything fancy on the island but it didn’t need to be elaborate.
Laura looked ahead as they walked, considering the question. “I’d like to make one for her. Maybe baking a bit more will make it feel a little more of a makeshift home here. Do you think she’d like that? Or should we purchase one instead?”
Glancing into another window, Laura stopped when she spotted a stuffed penguin. Given their abrupt move to the island, Caitlyn hadn’t been able to bring her old beloved toy, but this one was probably the closest they’d be able to find here. “What about that?” She pointed out the stuffed animal, looking up to Cas for his opinion.
“I think it’s better from the heart, my love. She adores the things you make. I doubt this would be any different.” He knew how prominent the baking prowess was on Laura’s side.
A pause when Laura stopped and he looked at the animal on display. His expression softened. Penguins were an item they both shared interest in common. “She would love it.”
Laura smiled a little and nodded, hoping he was right. She hoped Caitlyn would always adore the things she tried to do for her. But the girl was growing up, maturing and changing. And she had to realize that their move to this island had been her mother’s fault. That’s what Laura believed. If she had not been such a danger, maybe they wouldn’t be here. And Cas was powerful enough to change anyone’s mind about his abilities.
“Are you sure she won’t think it’s too childish?”
>
“Wot?” Came the soft inquiry coupled with the arch of an eyebrow. “Too childish for her mother to make her a cake or to have a party? To get a penguin?” Caspian smiled at Laura in a charming way, “I’m nearly forty and I love all of those things. You never grow too old to appreciate the small things, love.” Some people did but those people didn’t really exist in his opinion.
Her hand would be brought to his lips, he kissed her skin.
Laura smiled slowly at the response. She was glad he felt that way, and was sure that he was right. In some respects, Caitlyn was nothing like her mother, and in this case it was for a good reason. Laura had never really had the chance to be a child and to enjoy things like gifts and parties. Which made Laura all the more eager to give her daughter those things at any chance, and to allow her to hold onto her childhood. The world, especially the one on this island, was too dark for a child. Caitlyn deserved better than this place.
Stepping in closer to him, Laura leaned up to kiss Caspian softly. “Thank you for reminding me of that.”
As Laura drew closer Caspian wound an arm around her. Pausing, he took a moment to lean in and kiss her in return. He didn’t care who might have been watching them, if any guards were watching. “Of course, darling. We have precious few things in this world that our truly ours,” he murmured against her lips, “best enjoy them while they last.”
Pulling back slowly he offered a grin, “Have I ever told you that you’re way out of my league?” Playful was the question. His hand found hers and he tugged her along again.
She stole another kiss before taking a half step back. She glanced around before turning her attention back to her husband. “I wish we could have more that was ours. But I will still enjoy what we do have.”
Sliding her hand back into his, she moved with him into the store to purchase the toy. “Please. You are the one who is far better than I am. I still don’t know why you chose me, but I am glad for it.”
“There’s nothing in the world we can’t have, but we need to take things a step at a time. For now.” He would find a way to twist the law to suit them. But for now he was biding his time.
As they entered the store Caspian looked around at the selection. “Me? Far better than you?” He laughed, squeezing her hand, “Clearly you’ve no idea who you’ve fallen in love with. You’re a goddess. Anyone who thinks otherwise is in danger of being proven wrong.”
Staying close to his side, Laura just smirked. “You are too good to me. I told you years ago that you’re my prince charming and it’s still the truth.” Finding the penguin, she picked it up carefully. It really was perfect and she knew that Caitlyn would love it. “Should we get her something else too?”
A breath was exhaled. Caspian smiled, shaking his head, “I am but a rogue. A scoundrel. But yours until I can no longer be. You’re a Queen, and I am unworthy but humbled all the same.”
As the penguin was plucked from the shelf he admired it. “She does love that Harry Potter, perhaps we could find her something to suit?”
Laura watched him with a smile for a moment before turning her attention back to the items in the store. “Yes, that’s a good idea. I’d love to spoil her and get her lots of things, but I know that won’t make things better.”
“Take things slow. She is still adjusting and before too long she will be hounding the both of us for much more than we can give.” Whatever context that would be taken he would allow - Caitlyn was a smart girl, probably more than she led on to.
Spoiling your children was something every parent wanted to do and he understood. He had done it himself when they’d been back in New York for many years, but here they had to be careful and adjust slowly.
Laura smiled faintly, remembering fondly how much the girl had begged for a pet before they both gave it. Hopefully Caspian was right and they could get back to that simple sense of normalcy sooner rather than later.
Slipping her hand into his once again, she looked around again. “And what about you? How can I spoil you?”
He could recall the dog as well and everything that had gone on with that day. While it had prevailed for Caitlyn he regretted putting Laura through all of the games. They’d been going back and forth for a while at each other but it was better now. Far better.
Casting a glance at Laura, Caspian shook his head, “You don’t need to do that, my love. You and Caitlyn make me happy enough. There is naught more I need than either of you.”
Laura smirked, shaking her head. “Maybe I don’t need to, but I want to. You may not need anything else, but surely there’s something you want. Something you would like?” Laura had always been more willing to give than take, and she was learning to adjust. And she was always happy to do anything for Cas or Caitlyn, without question.
He paused, turning to look at his wife with interest. How could he ask for anything more than what he already had? Especially in a place where funds were tight and luxuries were beyond their reach. Outside of here maybe he would’ve taken all of them on a vacation - some remote island where they could frolic in private for a week or two - but here there was no holiday to look forward to. No trips to Disney or to the motherland.
“All I’ve ever needed is right here. I could have nothing, but as long as you and Caitlyn are here I consider myself fortunate and wealthy. Really. I can’t think of a single thing that I would want beyond you both. Perhaps some peace of mind for you and Dorian, but otherwise I’m fine.”
Laura watched him with a slow smile, his words warming her heart. Leaning in, she kissed him softly. “You do give us peace of mind, more than you realize. We’re all so lucky to have you, I am so lucky to have you.” Staying close, she looked around the store again to see if anything else caught her eye for Caitlyn.
He dove into that kiss taking it as if it were the first time. He could recall perfectly the first time they had kissed, ah they’d been so young. When it was done he smiled at her as they pulled apart. “And I am equally as lucky, my love.”
Those blue eyes would lift to scan as well. Even if they only got the penguin that would suffice. “What about that stuffed dog? Perhaps she could have that in lieu of her real dog.”
She laughed softly at his eagerness, stealing another quick kiss before slipping away. Moving to the other stuffed toys, she looked over the options before choosing one of the few dogs that looked closest to their old pet. “Yes, I think she’ll like it. For now, until we can get her a real pet again.”
As she moved he went along with her. Letting Laura choose the animal he waited to see which would earn a place in their home. “Indeed. We will get her off of this rock even if it kills us.” It was a promise he intended to keep.
When the selection was made Cas pulled at her hand, “Are you ready to get these or would you like to look more?”
Nodding, Laura looked to Cas with a smile. Caitlyn would like the toys, and there was nothing else here they wanted or needed. She moved to the clerk to pay for the items as she spoke to her husband. “Yes, I’m ready. Where would you like to go next?”
A glance around would be taken as Laura purchased the items for their daughter. He wasn’t sure what would be used to conceal the gifts - if such things were even available here, luxuries like wrapping paper or colorful boxes, cards.
When the question was posed his attention went back to his wife and a shrug of his shoulders were offered. “Are you hungry? Perhaps we could eat and then try to find something to put those things in?” Why not enjoy the remainder of the day while they had it?
Overhearing them, the clerk was able to give them a plain box to put the toys it. It was a start. Laura could be creative when she tried, and she was already thinking up ways to make the gifts more presentable if other options weren’t available.
“Yes, that’s a good idea.”
He was sure to thank the clerk for the box. And when everything was taken care of he lead Laura out of the small shop and into the busier area of the Marketplace.
“Alright then. Let’s find something to eat and get home to hide that box before Caitlyn is aware anything is amiss.”