InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "You'll shoot your eye out!"

Kiernan Gallagher (grumpypants) wrote in halcyon_halls,
@ 2008-09-28 22:01:00

Entry tags:

alana, kiernan, sam

Week Eighteen: Wednesday
Who: Kiernan, Alana and Sam
When: Wednesday Evening
Where: Town - Mini-golf

"Daddddy daddydaddydaddydaddy!" Alana bounced with eager anticipation next to her father. The braids that her hair was pulled back into, continued to bob even after her body finally reached the floor again. It didn't take a genius to figure out that she was excited. About ready to explode with it to be exact. Kiernan was really regretting the fact that he'd given in and let her have cookies for her snack instead of the stupid ants on a log or whatever that celery thing was called. Alana was clearly still reveling in the power of chocolate chip.

"And how do I play mini-golf again? If there's a purple club thingie I want it and when are we meeting Sam again?" She shot off in rapid fire succession, tugging at Kiernan's hand as he finished securing his watch around his wrist. Head angled down Kiernan gave Alana the patented father look that he might be one of the few things about parenting that he did in fact have down. "One question at a time and am I never going to be able to let you have cookies again?" He asked her as he crouched down, hitching up the sleeves on the tan zip up he was wearing.

"ONLY ONE! and no, I'm just fine with cookies!" Alana protested as she gave him the equally patented daughter look, the one that had just a little bit of a pout but finished off with the I'm to cute to argue you with smile. She did have him wrapped around her little finger. It was a painful admission for Kiernan to make but true just the same.

"I'll show you when we get there, yes you can and we're going now if you have your sweatshirt. I don't want you getting cold." Kiernan finally relented and answered all the questions that had been posed by his daughter. She smiled brightly in return and ran off to collect the sweatshirt that her dad insisted she wear. Even if he never had to be told to bring things to keep him warm. So wasn't fair. "KAY! Ready!" Alana grabbed for her dad's hand and practically dragged him from their room. Somehow she managed to keep the patience to let him lock up before he was being pulled down the hallway and down the path that led to Sam's house. She knew it well now.

Alana was a smart kid, maybe more than her father gave her credit for but that had more to do with the fact that he was still working the fatherhood kinks out and that included really knowing how much his daughter was capable of. It tended to bite him in the ass. And on that note, Alana knew that her daddy was smiling a whole lot more then he used to and that he was always smiling when he writing emails and stuff on the computer and she was pretty sure that he was talking to Sam. Now what that meant in particular... Alana didn't in fact know but she was glad for it just the same.

The pair managed to make their way into the house of fire, Kiernan gave Alana permission to run off to Sam's room and perform whatever secret knock she'd been talking about and get the woman that apparently made him smile. He just idly looked at his watch and wondered if he shouldn't have them walk down to the mini-golf just to get some of Alana's energy out... idea had merit. In the distance some sequence of knocks could be heard as Alana bounced on her toes and waited for Sam's door to open.

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fatebites
2008-09-29 02:41 am UTC (link)

Sam had to admit it, she was a little surprised when she got the email from Kiernan about the three of them spending some time out together. Yeah things between Kiernan and herself had been good but it was different when Alana was involved. Whenever she was around they both went out of their way to be careful about not giving too much away. It was hard to act "normal" after previously breaking a hotel room bed, but she thought they were doing an okay job of it so far. All she needed to do was remember to not touch him a whole lot or stare at him all dreamy like and everything would be just fine. Too bad for her that Alana was crazy observant.

But surprised or not, Sam was pretty darn excited to go play some mini-golf. Not only was it something she excelled at (Kiernan was in for some humiliation) but she was really looking forward to teaching the art of it to Alana. And maybe that art involved some cheating so that Alana too could beat her dad but that would have to be their little secret. Heh. Good times for all in store!

Since it was supposed to be a fairly warm evening, Sam chose not to go with anything to heavy and went with a comfortable mix of jeans and a light weight shirt. A pair of yellow flats were then added to the ensemble to finish it off and after running a brush through her hair, she was pretty much ready to go. All that was needed after that was her purse and she was able to grab it just seconds before a familiar knock sounded at her door. The corner's of her mouth pulled into a bright smile and she moved over and paused with her hand on the door knob. "What's the secret password?" she asked through the crack. "Cupcake sprinkles make rainy days bright!" was an eager yet whispered reply.

Pulling open the door, Sam braced herself for the hug she knew was coming. "READY?!?!" Okay so apparently Alana was just as excited as she was for this trip. "I sure am, let's go." As she was being dragged to where Kiernan waited, Sam seriously questioned the kind of strength Alana had in that death grip of hers. "Hey," she grinned, not being able to help the way her face lit up whenever she saw him. "You look hand-- relaxed." It was still a little odd to not see Kiernan in his typical button down and slacks getup. "Well I think we're all ready. Shall we?" Alana seemed to answer for both of them as she grabbed each of their hands and pulled them toward the door. "I'll take that as a yes," she said with a laugh.

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grumpypants
2008-10-02 12:15 am UTC (link)

In all honesty... Kiernan didn't know what to do about the relationship he had with Sam when it came to his daughter. How did you describe that to a young child who had lost their mother? Perhaps that would be an easier task if he could explain it to himself, reconcile what he had felt for his wife and what he felt for Sam. But he couldn't, or rather didn't. Instead he managed to exist in a place where he could feel what he did for Sam and not focus on what that meant past the moment.

It wouldn't last, Kiernan knew it.. but didn't have the strength yet to confront all his demons if that was what you wanted to call them.

At the moment though, Alana's pleading to see Sam and his own desire to see the dark haired woman had outweighed any logic to the contrary. Seeing the smile on Alana's face as he ran off to do her supersecret knock she'd talked about non-stop on their way to the House of fire... Kiernan knew he'd done right at least for the moment.

There might have also been a smile on his face when she appeared with his daughter in hand. Alana was rapidly relating all the facts she'd learned about mini-golf to Sam. "And you look..." Kiernan paused, let his eyes linger on her for just a moment longer than was necessary. "Relaxed as well." He added with a slight quirk of his lips. "Do I look... relaxed too?" A little voice piped up and tugged on Sam's hand.

"COME ON." Apparently Alana was more than done with any talking and was ready to be on her way. She led the way out of the school. Alternating between skipping backwards and running ahead only to urge the adults on forward. Kiernan had to threaten more than once to make her walk down to the city which would take twice as long before she managed to show any signs of patience. Luckily for everyone involved, there were a few cabs still at the school in spite of the festivities going on as well. Kiernan held the door open and let Alana bounce in first, Sam to follow. His hand just might have lingered across the small of her back as he ushered her into the vehicle.

Few short minutes later and they were on the outskirts of the town where there was a... mini-golf set up. Not exactly professional but fun just the same.

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fatebites
2008-10-02 12:56 am UTC (link)

Sam wasn't going to touch that one, sorry.

As Alana fired off everything she knew about mini-golf, Sam did her best to keep up and chime in when appropriate, but it was kind of difficult to focus once Kiernan came into view. They might have known each other for a while now but their "relationship" was still new and she was still smitten. Sue her. There might have also been a bit of a blush when he looked at her. "Yeah," she laughed as she looked at the little girl tugging on her hand. "In a hyped up on candy sort of way."

Not that she would admit it, but it was rather entertaining to watch Kiernan "scold" Alana. Especially since it seemed to have little effect on her in the long run. Yeah, he liked to pretend he was all grumptastic, but he was just a big ol' softy inside. Poor guy was in for it once she hit her teenaged years.

Once they were all settled inside of the cab, and yes Sam had noticed the lingering touch, she gave Alana a few pointers and tips as they headed off toward their destination. She also might have sat just a little too close and let her leg brush against his a few times on "accident" but uh, totally wasn't her fault. It was just a bumpy ride and there were sharp turns and stuff.

Fortunately for everyone, the ride over was fairly short and soon Alana was jumping out of the car and dragging Sam toward the counter. Three clubs and three different colored balls (purple for Alana, blue for Kiernan and oh hells yes, hot pink for Sam) were received and with a score card in hand, the trio headed for the first hole. "Now pay close attention half pint," Sam smirked as she bent over to place her ball down. "You hold the club like so and make sure you get a good stance with your feet shoulder width apart." Glancing over her shoulder, she might have given her hips a slight shake. "And then you swing back but not too far and then..."

The ball was hit and sent rolling down to the hole, stopping only a few inches away. Oh yeah, she still had it baby! "See? Piece of cake! Now it's your turn."

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grumpypants
2008-10-03 01:28 pm UTC (link)

There was a point during that car ride where Kiernan had to wonder to himself if this had been a bad idea. Maybe it was the way her leg... pointedly brushed against his or the fact that sitting as close as they were Kiernan could smell that soft scent that was Sam and Sam alone. It was all probably some specifically designed torture for him, but he liked to think he'd be strong enough to make it through. Once Alana went to sleep though... all bets were off.

Alana was a bundle of energy the moment they hopped out of the cab (not that she hadn't been before but it actually might have increased). She eagerly snatched up the ball and the club that Sam helped her pick out. Swinging the club wildly Kiernan had to grab it before it managed to hit him in unmentionable places. Luckily for everyone, once Sam started the instructional part of the evening... all eyes were on her.

Both sets of eyes really.

Smirking slightly at the way she gave her hips a little wiggle he watched as she sent the ball flying down the course. Golf claps all around for that performance. "So you weren't lying when you said you planned to beat the pants off of me." Totally innocent comment. Or at least that was the way he was going to make it look as he ushered Alana up onto the course and showed her where to set the ball down.

"Ready Alana? Just do what Sam did alright." Alana's face screwed up in concentration she held the club and stared down at the ball. There was one missed swing and then a maybe a little too loud of a crack as he ball went flying down the green path. It hit the little wall at the back and came ricocheting back toward where Alana already stood. It rolled to a stop a couple of feet away from the hole. It was her first time. Alana didn't seem to mind where it landed, her theory was the farther away it was, the more times she got to hit it! Good theory huh!

Kiernan's round went a little less enthusiastically. See how well his golf game translated to the mini setting. Arching a brow in Sam's direction he pulled off a nice practice swing before stepping up to bat er... putt. Swing and... Sam had him beat by a few inches. Game on.

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fatebites
2008-10-03 02:07 pm UTC (link)

It took a lot of restraint to not say something naughty in response to his pants comment. Instead, she just chewed on her lower lip for a second before replying with, "That's the plan." Of course then her mind went completely in the gutter because thinking about Kiernan sans pants did that and she had to stare at the scorecard for a while to get herself back under control. Why did they always pick some nasty shade of salmon pink? Just blech.

Sam couldn't help but smirk as Alana stepped up and she mentally kicked herself for not bringing a camera to capture the father-daughter moment they had going on. Oh wait! She had her phone! Dun dun dun dun! Digging into her pocket, she pulled it out and snapped a shot just in time. Too cute! Oh yeah, that was going to be her new wallpaper. Done and done. "Good job Little Bit! High-five!"

After the hand claps were exchanged, Sam grinned as Kiernan stepped up to take his turn. Okay and maybe a quick picture of his butt was taken but that was totally on accident because she forgot her finger was on the button and then she sneezed and yeah. Oops. She was just going to have to save that one for later.

Walking down to the hole, Sam knocked her ball in with ease and jotted down her strokes while she waited for Kiernan and Alana to do the same. Hmm, maybe they were just going to have to play it as the person with the highest number of strokes was the winner? Yeah, Alana needed to win her first game and Kiernan would know that Sam annihilated him and that was all that really mattered so it was all good.

The next hole was one of those little houses with the ramp and it had been a good thing that Sam was paying attention because she had to duck when Alana's ball came back that time. Kid had an arm! They were going to have to get her out on a real course so that she could give Tiger a run for his money. Awesome. A few (ten) strokes later, and they were moving on to the next hole which was...the windmill! Score.

"Watch and learn," she smirked to Kiernan as she lined up and effortlessly sent the ball rolling between the blades. It took a few tries, but Alana had soon followed suit and was getting another high-five. "Now come over here and stand behind me just incase the big, bad windmill tries to attack your father..."

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grumpypants
2008-10-06 01:44 am UTC (link)

Leave it to Sam to find some way to photograph the moment. Kiernan tried to remember that sort of thing but to be honest... he did kind of suck at it. He remembered it when it came to big things like birthdays (except for the out of state stalking variety), lost teeth... that sort of thing. Mini-golf hadn't made it to his radar unfortunately. Or maybe he was just fine with it, Kiernan really wasn't the photograph sort. Alana was though, hamming it up the second she realized her picture might be taken. He heard the fake shutter sound that phones made and swung a look around at Sam. Had she just taken a... Oh turn about would be fair play at some point.

Only Alana pictures were retribution-free.

The first few holes went off hitch free. Alana didn't seem to mind the fact that it took her more than a few shots to get the ball in the hole, in fact that seemed to be better. She seemed to like to watch the way it could bounce off as many walls as possible. Whatever made her happy... that was always his theory.

"OOOH Sam-Sam-Bo-bam, a windmill?" Alana skipped forward to the next hole, getting up close to the windmill and taking a good look at Kiernan's instrument of torture. "How're you supposed to get the ball in there?" She asked craning her head over to get a better look at the hole. She nodded her head as Sam told them to watch and learn and stepped free of the green course. "OOOOH." It all made sense now! And well eventually it worked.

Wasn't going to be the case for Kiernan though. "Ha. Ha. Ha. I really never should have told you about that." he admitted as he set up before the windmill. Quirking a grin at the pair of them on the other side of the windmill he lined a shot that was purposefully too hard and sent the ball running back toward him. Ducking he got a good laugh out of Alana which was really the purpose of it all. Even Kiernan could make fun of himself for his daughter.

Ball retrieved, he managed to make the ball through and even into the hole with no more damage. It was after that feat that Alana had the excellent timing to require food and by require she meant pleading with those puppy dog eyes she was oh so good at. "I guess we can take a break, okay with you Sam?" He asked as Alana pocketed her ball and did a dance toward the concessions area. Something about a slushie or pretzels with that cheese sauce that really contained no cheese. "Go ahead and decide what you want, we're going to make sure we have the score written down," Kiernan said looking over at the relatively empty park. Alana took that and took off at a run just around the corner to check out the food.

Kiernan wasn't the sort to let Alana be alone long but he had ever intention of making the most of it. "Big, bad windmill hmm?" He asked as he moved forward sliding an arm around her waist. "I expect you to make up for the horror of that."

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fatebites
2008-10-06 05:34 pm UTC (link)

All Sam could do as Kiernan stepped up to his nemesis was grin. Had she been teasing him? Huh, oops. Her bad? Something like that. Putting an arm around Alana, she stepped slightly in front of her to act as a shield just in case. The overshot was too cute for words and Sam couldn't help but join in with Alana as she laughed. It was really nice to see him be able to be playful with his daughter. It was sweet.

A round of applause was given once Kiernan succeeded in taking down the windmill and she even offered up a high-five. "Yeah, totally fine with me," she said as she as patted her own stomach. Some pretzels covered in cheese-like substance sounded mighty fine. Sam watched Alana run off with a slightly perplexed look on her face, not entirely sure why Kiernan had let her go off alone. But hadn't she just filled out the scorecard like two seconds ago? Why did they...oh.

"Did I say that?" she asked with a sheepish grin. The feel of his arm around her waist caused her pulse to react and she couldn't help but step closer. "Do you now? I'm sure I could come up with something..." Sam walked her fingers up his chest, looking up from under her dark lashes as she smirked. Slowly, she raised herself onto her toes and was about to show him one of those ideas when a "DAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDYY I'M READYYYYYYY!" filled the air. "Guess that's our cue."

The whole hiding their "relationship" from Alana didn't sit well with her but what could they do? The last thing she wanted to do was hurt Alana so it really was better this way. Right? "Come on," she said as she reached out and grabbed his hand. "I'll buy you some cotton candy or something." Tugging him toward the concession area, she dropped her hold just before they came into Alana's view.

"So, what's on the menu?"

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grumpypants
2008-10-11 12:18 am UTC (link)

It wasn't very often that he actually managed to pull one over on Sam. Secret Agent man that he was and all... well maybe he just needed to try a little harder when it came to one up'ing her. Or maybe he just enjoyed the look on her face when she thought she'd really pulled one over on him. He seemed to like this expression on her face as well though. Surprise and then fire hitting those brown eyes as his hands skimmed around her waist. Went against his normally protective nature to let Alana out of his sight at all, but he was trying to relax a little bit when it came to her... and this moment was worth it.

Of course, when you had a six year old... moments like that couldn't last long. Her fingers were teasing at his chest, her lips just a space away when they were interrupted. Kiernan closed his eyes and did his best not to groan over the sound of his daughters voice... but he wasn't particularly successful. "Alright Alana. Coming." He called out over his shoulder before dropping his head and closed the space between their lips for a brief moment. He couldn't resist.

"Cotton Candy... I can't wait." Kiernan said, with his usual amount of sarcasm lacing his voice. Somehow that didn't quite appeal to him as much as it probably would to Alana. But then again he'd always been more of a caramel apple kid rather than a cotton candy one. Go figure.

"What took you so long! I want nachos. NACHOS!" Alana pointed to the glass case that held the chips. "And dessert but Nachos first." The girl had her priorities. At least she knew that dessert in theory came second. Not that Nachos necessarily counted as a real meal or anything. Alana danced over toward Sam. "What're you gonna get? You should share it with Daddy. He's not going to order anything I can already tell. BOO." Alana at least did know her dad that well. He didn't have any actual intention of ordering her and the look he shot them both said that before he stepped up to the counter and started the order of nachos.

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fatebites
2008-10-11 10:37 pm UTC (link)

The kiss was far too fleeting, but she would take what she could get. Any contact, even as brief as it was, made her entire body tingle and was well worth it. There was no denying it, she loved the way he made her feel. It was giddy mixed with happy and a dash of "I might maul you right now." It actually took a lot of willpower on her part to not just jump him right then and there. Just saying.

"What do you have against cotton candy?" she asked with a smirk. "Not only does it melt in your mouth, but it gets all sticky and then you can lick it off your fingers." Greatest stuff ever that cotton candy. Soo many empty calories but it was sooo worth it! Mmm.

Sam smirked. "So then you want some...nachos?" It was an admirable choice and Sam had to give her kudos for placing them before dessert. "That's because your daddy is a fuddy-duddy." Oops, did she just say that out loud? "I think I'm going to get a nice...big....juicy hot dog," she said after taking a moment to browse the menu board. "I'm pretty hungry so the bigger the better." What? She was a werewolf and they liked meat. Or meat-like product. Whatever.

"I'm sure we could probably convince your dad to share some ice cream or something later. Maybe a sundae with hot fudge, whipped cream, nuts and a cherry?" she asked with an innocent bat of her eyes. Okay so maybe she was being slightly perverted but she was just getting him back for the whole "pants" comment earlier.

Once their orders were placed and the food received, the trio made their way over to an empty and sat to partake in their spoils. "So how are the nachos?" she asked just before raising her hot dog and taking a bite. Mmm.

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