Morningstar Manor

Deacon was working so Charlie had brought his canvas into the living room and was painting with acrylics and a big brush.

That was fun and since he was on his feet he was playing a CD that Mum had sent him and dancing as he painted.

[ooc: warnings for probable smut]

After a phonecall late afternoon, Celeste had rushed back up to her apartment, checking that it was suitable for entertaining Jude. It was, thankfully, and she had enough ingredients in the fridge that she hadn't even had to pop out to buy anything for dinner. It was simple enough that she had plenty of time to make sure that she was looking utterly fabulous in an aqua dress, simple gold jewellery and black shoes to complete the outfit.

Checking her lipstick in the mirror, she lit a cigarette, standing by her open window as she waited for Jude to arrive.

Deacon woke on the last day of their vacation. It was early still, not much light drifting into the bedroom yet, and he could hear the sound of the ocean and the call of the gulls outside. Turning on his side he smiled at Charlie's form, stretched out on his back with one arm thrown over his head and still sleeping soundly.

They'd spent a lot of time doing that actually. Sleeping. They'd both apparently needed it more than they'd knew. But seeing as this was the last day and they would be leaving late that afternoon for the airport and adult responsibilities back home, Deacon decided that he would indulge in something he didn't get to do much anymore.

Waking Charlie up. ( Read more... )

"...you want nacho chips with cheese or salsa?" Brian called from the kitchen. It was snack and TV time, just hanging with his girl. Best time of the week, so far as he was concerned.

Deacon had dropped Nia at the daycare and headed to the gallery to take Charlie to lunch. They'd opted for The Far Pavilions, getting a warm welcome from Raj and shown to their usual seat. Orders placed and a couple of beers in hand they waited on their food.

"So was Allan excited about that guy with the horses?"

For once it was a lazy morning. Max didn't need to be at the club until after lunch and so he'd enjoyed sleeping in and now was in pajama pants and a singlet (yes he owned things other than suits!) and was sipping his coffee while he checked his emails on his laptop in the living room.

Catching movement out of the corner of his eye he looked up and smiled at Sterrin.

"Good morning."

Declan had taken the day off. He'd been in business meetings all weekend attemtping to negotiate for the next issue of Smashing, and he was whipped. Plus, even though they lived together it seemed like their schedules were conflicting and he hadn't seen much of Jack all last week. He missed him. 

So today he ordered in an elaborate breakfast since he was shit at cooking himself, and carried it into the bedroom on a tray.

"Hey baby," he whispered in Jack's ear and then pressed a kiss just beneath it.

Lee walked towards the door of the Manor and pulled out his cell to text Sarah.

Snap - In the lobby! Come tell these guys that I'm with you before I ask them to show me their night sticks.

Sterrin had worked herself into a lather. Was Declan ever going to stop being a baby about this shit? She'd come home yesterday finally only to find him refusing to speak to her.

She was tired of being treated like a villian in her own home, especially over Callan Fuckin' Mcleod.

She'd gone up to swim in the pool and hadn't stopped until her arms were sore, but she was still irritated. She didn't want to go home again.

Taking the elevator, she went down to the third floor and knocked on Trevor's door, still wet, in a bikini with a towel wrapped around her and a pair of black flip flops.

Callan and Declan sat in the lobby on a couch, waiting for the arrival of Erin. Declan had brought Callan in with him and was staying long enough for Erin to get there, just so security didn't get suspicious. Callan had dressed in a brown and white plaid shirt a pair of jeans and some boots, and was reclining on the couch as if he hadn't a care in the world and entirely cheerful.

Zack was beginning to feel a bit better. It had been very touch and go for a while and if Brendan hadn't been staying with him he might well have ended up in the hospital. But he'd gotten through what he hoped was the worst and now actually felt up to going down to the Mocha for a coffee and to nibble on a muffin.

He looked pale, small in his oversized hoodie and scarf. He'd lost weight and that didn't help matters and his eyes had dark shadows under them but they twinkled again now and his smile, though tired, was genuine.

He sat curled on one of the couches near the fireplace and answered an email from his iPhone while he waited for Brendan to come back with their coffee.

***

Gabe had had a grand time with the photoshoot but he was glad it was done. Lewis, bless him, was a dear and lord knew Gabe had had a fine time with a few of the models but he could only handle them all for so long was thankful he had his and Kris's apartment to themselves again.

Sitting at a table he chuckled as he replied to a text to one a friend. Oh the gossip that had come from that shoot!

***

Eris sat at a table, sipping a white chocolate mocha and looking through various brochures on various tropical places. Money wasn't a problem and she knew Daddy would keep her apartment open for her so how long to be gone wasn't an issue either.

The only question was where to go?

***

Loki was sprawled in one of the overstuffed arm chairs, legs dangling over one arm and head dangling over the other, bright red hair nearly touching the floor. His eyes were closed, headphones stuck in his ears and playing something with a low bass loud enough to be heard by passers by.

***

Max was headed to Sanctuary but he had a bit of time yet so stopped into the Mocha for a coffee and found himself an empty table to enjoy it at as he flipped through a newspaper someone else had left.

He'd come in early to be sure he got there before she did.

Coffee on her desk.
Afternoon snacks in the drawer.
Lunch preordered, delivered, in the fridge.
And every single vial and file alphabetized, color coded and sorted precisely the way she wanted.

Nia had been very good on the drive over even if it was longer than she normally wanted to sit still for. But they had sang songs and told stories and now she was getting a bit sleepy as they pulled up to the lake house. While Charlie carried her, Deacon got their bags and went inside, turning on lights and heat and getting the fire going in the fireplace.

She perked up a bit then and played happily in front of the fireplace while they waited for her room to warm up a bit.

"Goggie?" she asked and Deacon shook his head.

"Not tonight. We'll see him tomorrow I bet."

He'd asked her to help him carry some things from the office downstairs to his place upstairs so he could sort through ancient files that had been there since his uncle had owned the place, but that wasn't really the only reason. Connor wanted to talk to her. Maybe not talk. Maybe just...try to feel her out about what had gone on, what WAS going on. Or not. Because too much had passed between them before for him to screw this up again, ever, and lose her all over. If just friends was what it was going to be, he could handle that. But just friends didn't feel about each other the way he felt about her.

Bea went down to Eli's apartment wearing nothing but a tiny zebra print bikini.  Mostly because she was planning on making him going swimming and sit in the hot tub with her tonight, but also because she knew her walking through the Manor like this would put him into a conniption and she did adore teasing him.
She thanked whatever higher power had decided that she should have such an adorably and easily flusterd boyfriend. It sure made life interesting.
When she got to his door, she knocked. No room for a key in a bikini, after all.

He'd left her a message earlier in the day. Where something nice and meet me in the lobby at six. I'm taking you to dinner. It could have been a bit commanding he supposed but his tone had been smooth enough. And besides, it was nice to be able to say he was taking her to dinner as opposed to are you free for dinner.

Six sharp and Max was in the lobby, dressed in his perfectly tailored black suit, and a deep, blood red shirt and black tie. He checked his watch and sighed. Women were always late.

It was cold outside, snow was packed high against the sides of the buildings but inside the Mocha it was warm and comfortable. And somewhat busy.

Kara sat at a table going over her check list of ideas for the charity event for Niles as she sipped a huge cup of hot cocoa.

****

Max wasn't due at the club for a bit so was enjoying the warmth of the Mocha with a coffee and the latest issue of Smashing. He was mostly dressed in a suit - though the tie was missing and the crisp white shirt was left unbuttoned a bit.

****

Hugh was slouched in a chair by the fireplace, small netbook in his lap and typing away. His coffee had gone cold on the little table beside the chair and his glasses had slipped down his nose.

Anastasia sat across from her husband at a small table in Steer Heaven, laughing and feeling entirely good and maybe just a little drunk. It was fun, being with him like this again. And it wasn't exactly like how it used to be, but what ever was?

Sterrin was in the middle of the dance floor at Babylon wearing a black dress that sparkled as she moved, and letting her hands run over the man dancing with her. He worked for her brother, although he didn't know she knew that. He'd also been stealing from Declan for at least six months, nothing major yet, but reasonable amounts of money here and there. Sterrin didn't tolerate anyone messing with Declan, so she smiled and let him paw her as her hands ran over his neck and her ability flowed between them. When she'd seen enough, she pressed a hand to the man's chest and took a step back.

"Excuse me, baby. I've got to go make a phone call."

She turned her head so his kiss landed on his cheek and took off across the dance floor, dismissing him entirely and looking for an area that would be quiet enough for her to call Declan. She needed to speak with him before she forgot all the details.

After going to her lunch meeting, Isabella came home to see if Micah was up and about yet. He'd worked well into the morning hours, the poor baby, and she'd brought him coffee to see if that would help at all.
The apartment was quiet and there was a large, Micah-sized lump in the bed, so she climbed into the bed with him and lay herself along his back, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.
"Hey," she murmured quietly, just to see if he was awake.