Edward Alexander Lawrence (bornawatcher) wrote in _ravenhurst_, @ 2010-08-09 17:03:00 |
|
|||
Entry tags: | complete |
[[Who:]] Edward Lawrence and Craig Gordon
[[What:]] Challenge Pairing
[[When:]] 8/9, around lunch time
[[Where:]] Julie's shop and then over to Simply Magic
[[Rating:]] PG-13
[[Status:]] Closed, complete
Edward was attempting to keep himself busy roaming around downtown. He was waiting as patiently as possible for Julie. He found a quaint store and decided to step in to look around for a bit.
Craig had decided that it was time they got new pictures of the kids, granted it would be an endeavor being as the three fought constantly, but he would do what he had to to make sure it got done. In order to make this happen he had to find a photographer with the patience of Job and he hoped this would be the place to find that person. Stepping inside he found a girl with pink highlighted hair and a painted on smile, one that was obviously fake, she would be perfect...he hoped.
After nosing around for a few moments, Edward decided to head back over to Julie's shop. At least there he could have someone to talk to if he got too terribly bored. Stepping in he was surprised to see a man standing within. "My goodness, excuse me," he called "Have you been helped yet?"
Craig smiled to the man. "Yes, the girl with the pink hair, Patty I think that was her name, she is getting some information for me."
He nodded, "Ah yes, good." Offering his hand to shake, "I'm Edward, nice to meet you."
Craig shook his hand a bit confused. "Pleasure, do you work here?"
"Oh, right," Edward chuckled a bit uncomfortably. "I guess you could say I work here. I help Julie, the owner; run the place as much as I can with school and working at the college."
"Well isn't that nice of you" He froze slightly at the name Julie, but tried to brush it off.
"It's the least I can do," he said. "This place can be quite the handful."
"So this Patty, the one I am waiting on, she is not the owner?"
"Ah no," he answered. "She is the primary photographer though. Julie works more behind the scenes."
"Ahh." For some reason Craig was oddly intrigued. "And this Julie, she's your girlfriend or wife?"
"More like a daughter," Edward answered curious to why he was so interested. "And a friend as well. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, just curious" He said forcing a smile.
"So, what brings you to this fine establishment", Edward asked trying to fill the awkward silence as they waited for Patty to return.
"I need new pictures of my kids, something for their mother to show to all of her friends and such"
"Ah, always interesting to get the young ones' pictures," Edward commented. "I've heard good things about Patty working with kids."
"I hope she has the patience of Job." He said with a laugh. "My children can be quite trying."
"I'm sure she will do a wonderful job," Edward smiled. "Julie wouldn't keep her employed if she wasn't fantastic at what she does." Edward found himself enjoying the conversation despite how awkwardly it had begun.
"You seem quite proud of Julie, how is it you know her? Pardon my prying; it's just interesting since you said she's like a daughter."
"She's been a student of mine for quite some time," he answered carefully. "It was a bad home situation and we ended up learning to support one another after getting her away from it."
"Really? What happened if I might ask?" Now he was intrigued and he couldn't help himself.
"It really isn't my story to tell," Edward responded almost automatically. "But it was abusive. Her father was very demanding and it concerned me when she wasn't able to attend lessons properly. When I investigated, he became violent. I removed her from the home as swiftly as possible."
"Wow that is absolutely terrible." He said, almost instantly knowing that this Julie had to be the one he thought it was. "And...H.How is she now?" The man asked, a slight stammer from an otherwise normally well spoken man.
"She does quite well now," he answered smiling fondly. "She is still more independent that I would like at times, but she is doing well for herself," he said as he gestured around the studio.
Craig again looked around and took the place in, fighting the emotions that threatened to take him over. "What do you mean more independent? Wouldn't that be a good thing?" Craig suddenly asked confused.
"Well, Julie is a bit of a quandary really," he answered feeling comfortable with the conversation despite the fact he was talking freely about Julie to a stranger. "She is independent in ways that make me crazy. Studies and eating are two things she continues to demand her independence on. Everything else she has come to be very dependent upon me for. I don't mind, please don't misunderstand. Just frustrating at times, that girl is." Again he smiled fondly thinking of Julie.
He smiled at that and before he could stop himself he spoke. "Her father did elicit random contradictions like that in people." Once he realized what he had said Craig froze and backed away. "I..."
Edward looked at the man closely. "What exactly does that mean? What do you know of her father?" Edward's suspicions as well as protective instincts kicked in instantly.
"I can honestly say I have never met the man" Craig said. "However if Julie is the Julie I fear she might be, I hope he got what he deserved."
"You know Julie?" Edward wasn't sure how to feel about this situation. He was concerned for what this might mean for Julie. "I think we need to talk."
"Might I ask, this will make all the difference in the world, what is her last name?"
"Shall we put this in reverse, rather," he questioned. "What is the last name of the Julie you know. This way I am not giving away more information than necessary."
Craig nodded. "Perhaps we can take this somewhere more private? Somewhere Julie wouldn't stumble upon us?"
Edward nodded in agreement, "It seems a wise choice given the situation."
"There is a cafe not far from here, let me tell Patty and we can go."
"I'll be happy to go grab the information from Patty and meet you down at the cafe," Edward offered.
"Alright, the name is Simply Magic, it’s just down the street." He said
Edward nodded agreement then stepped towards the back to find Patty and get the information. He left quickly and made his way down to Simply Magic.
Craig waited, his heart racing and his mind racing as he pondered the situation. He had chosen a table towards the back away from everyone so they would have some privacy so that what was said would not be overheard by anyone passing by.
Edward took the pricelist and stepped into the cafe. He spotted the gentleman at a back table and made his way in that direction. "I informed Patty you had something to attend to and grabbed this for you," he said handing the man the paper. "Now, the last name of the Julie you know? And your name, if you don't mind."
"Oh I apologize" He said as he pulled a card from his pocket. "Craig Gordon" He figured the man could figure out for himself that he was a doctor. "And her last name would have been St James."
Edward did nothing to hide his surprise but merely nodded, "That is the same Julie, indeed."
Craig sighed "We feared she was dead" He said a mixture of sadness and thrill all in one.
"We intended it to be that way when we left," Edward admitted. "She needed a new life, a completely new begining after all she'd endured. We had no idea anybody would notice or care.
How do you know her, by the way?"
"No, I mean we feared her dead long ago, however her mother did not give up..."
"Her mother? That isn't possible I'm afraid," Edward said in correction. "Her mother is dead. Her father informed her many years ago."
Craig pulled out his wallet and pulled a weathered picture of Miranda from it handing it over to Edward. "No, she is not. I am married to her, and those are our three children with her."
Edward looked at the picture in surprise, he recognized the woman from his files. "That isn't possible," he responded in almost a whisper. A bit of fear tugged at the back of his mind. His protective instincts kicking in of their own accord. "This is all very strange." Edward found himself at a loss for words.
"What is it?" he asked suddenly concerned.
Taking a deep breath, Edward argued with himself for a moment about the situation. "Julie has been under the impression that her mother has been deceased for most of her life." He paused a moment considering the next statement carefully. "She also has a daughter that has the same understanding."
Craig sighed. "I..." He started. "Do not know what to do at this point.
"I admit I am at a loss here as well," Edward answered.
Craig sighed "I can't keep this from Miranda, if only because I am a terrible liar, but I will give you time to prepare Julie if you wish."
“It seems I have no choice," Edward answered feeling concern for Julie. This was not the sort of information anybody ever wanted to give someone they cared for. "Shall I contact you or have Julie contact you when she is ready?"
"You could just tell me now" Came an annoyed voice from beside them that made Craig jump and look towards it.
"I umm" Again the usually well worded man was at a loss.
Looking up to find Julie standing beside the table gave Edward quite a shock, "Julie, what brings you here?"
"My two feet and Patty said you were here." She said not at all amused by him dodging.
"Ah yes, Patty," he made a mental note not to tell Patty such things in the future. "Well, it is nice to see you. Care to join us?"
"Why don't you tell me what I am walking up on." Said the girl once more, her arms crossed.
"This is Craig," Edward said in introduction, leaving the man's relationship to Julie unspoken.
"We met in the shop and began talking. Decided to grab some lunch..."
“And what do I need to be ready for?" She asked. "Who are you really?" Added as Julie looked to Craig who looked three shades of white.
Edward looked to Craig for explanation on this one and seeing his terribly pale shade thought it better he do the speaking, "First I suggest you have a seat, Julie. The next piece of information may be a shock," Edward offered. He began mentally kicking himself that it had gotten to this point so quickly
"I think I am just fine where I am thank you." She said being stubborn as she was she refused to sit, that and though she was trained by her father to do as she was always told, since her release from her hell she had become somewhat of a brat when it came to orders.
"Just like Miranda" Craig muttered into his coffee.
Edward's eyes nearly bulged from his head at Craig's comment. "Fine then don't sit," he was getting used to her behaviors. Deciding there was no time like the present, Edward pushed on. "Craig is your step-father." There. It had been said. He waited holding his breath for a reaction.
Julie immediately scoffed. "Now I know you have been in to the drugs Edward, and that is not even close to funny" She said her attituded changing from one of anger to one of hurt.
He looked at her lovingly, his fears surfacing. He spoke the next part quietly but directly. "This is no joke, Julie. He is your step-father. He is married to Miranda, your mother."
"She's dead Edward, thats not possible, unless beard boy here is into dead people" She said angrily.
Craig sat up at this point and looked at Julie, the paleness fading. "Julie, it was a lie, the same lie he told us about you."
"You..." She said looking at him. "You don't get to speak to me, I don't know you, and, whatever sick joke you're playing, I am not finding it the least bit funny."
Edward looked to Julie again and asked once more, "Please have a seat. This is no joke we are playing here." Looking to Craig he asked, "Can you get out the picture again?"
Craig did as he was asked and handed the picture to Julie who immediately melted to the seat next to Edward then wadded the picture up and threw it at him. "You are a sick, sick man, did
Jack ass put you up to this? Did he pay you in advance to make my life hell?"
"I sure hope you got paid, if not you got screwed, he won't be paying you now."
Edward extended a hand towards Julie considering placing it on her shoulder for comfort, then rethinking it. "I wish I knew how to convince you this is no joke, Julie," he said almost sadly. "Miranda is alive. Your mother is alive."
"And you think that’s better huh?" She asked. "Okay, let’s take a look at that, she's alive, and she's not only forgotten me, she's moved on with a whole new perfect family."
"Thats not true" Craig said his heart breaking. "She never stopped looking for you, even though she was told you were dead, she refused to believe it..."
Edward looked at Julie, pained. "Julie, I don't think it’s quite like that," he began to argue and stopped not able to find the words that would make her pain go away.
"And what do you think it is like then oh he of so much knowledge?" she asked Edward
He looked at her solemnly not knowing what to say. He wasn't easily found at a loss for words, but this situation had rendered him such. "Hear the man out?" he asked skeptically.
"Why? Why should I hear him tell me about someone who left me there/" She asked Edward
"It is only fair to hear her side of the story," he coaxed, not entirely believing his own words. He did feel it was only fair to hear everything from Miranda's side, but he still could completely understand why Julie was so reluctant.
"I can't believe you" She muttered at him and then looked at craig, refusing to utter a word to him.
Edward took this chance as he was sure it would be the only one offered to Craig, "If you have something to tell her, I suggest you do it now." He thought to himself that he would not force Julie to stay if she chose to leave. It would not be fair to her.
"It's not my place" Craig said uncertain what to say to the girl. "Just know that your mother loves you, she always has."
Edward looked between Julie and Craig lost at what step to take next. He felt he needed to get Julie away from this situation as quickly as possible. Looking to Craig he offered, "As you stated earlier, you will be telling Miranda?" he ended up making it a question.
"I've no choice" He said. "She deserves to know." He added.
"yes, tell her the daughter she left behind to be raped and slutted out is alive and well..oh and tell her she has a granddaughter that he sold to the highest bidder too."
This time Edward did not hesitate but put his hand on Julie's shoulder and gave a squeeze to comfort and reassure her. He acknowledged Craig's answer with a nod, "I understand. Please, do not contact Julie or myself. When or if Julie is ever ready, I have your card and we will contact you."
"You know how you say you can't control what she does at times?" Craig asked Edward waiting for confirmation
Edward nodded agreement, "Yes, why?"
"Julie is tame compared to Miranda, I cannot control what my wife will choose to do." He explained this to the man. "I will share your concerns with her, but what she does will be her own decision."
“And I cannot be held responsible for Julie's actions if my wishes are disregarded," he countered honestly. He looked to Julie, "Would you like to stay for lunch, the two of us, or shall we take our leave?"
"You two can do what you want, I have to go get Sara ann and get back to Patty." She said "Can you watch Sara ann tonight, I have to run some proofs to Neal later."
"Of course I can," he said with a smile. "What time will you bring her by?"
"You could go get her from Molly's and save me about 30 minutes" She said clearly ignoring Craig who was fidgeting uncomfortably.
"It'll be my pleasure," he answered. "Dinner at my place tonight after your errands?" He wasn't sure how to continue the conversation with Craig at this point so focused on Julie.
"Maybe, depends on work." She said. "I need out of here though, keep him away from me." She said giving Edward a look that said if the man knew what was good for him he would stay away from her.
Edward nodded agreement knowing it was certainly in Craig's best interst to leave it alone. "See you tonight," he said before she got away from him. "Call if you'll be too late, please."
"You know I will" She said before leaving as fast as she could.
"I am sorry, I didn't intend for this at all." Craig finally said when they were once again alone.
"Of course you didn't," Edward said exasperated. "You simply came in for picture prices. I was the idiot that had to start a conversation." The mental kicking began immediately.
There was a slight sad smile that slid across Craig's face as Edward spoke. "I am glad you did. for 17 years Miranda has been trying to get her daughter back, for 13 of it I have been helping her, not a day has gone by that she hasn't felt guilty for what happened, not once, but she can't change that now can she?"
Edward really had no idea what to say next. He wasn't sure how to feel about having met Craig and learning that Miranda was indeed alive. His greatest concerns were Julie and Sara Ann. "No, she cannot change it." was all he could think to answer.
Craig let out a sigh as he thought further. "Please try to get Julie to hear Miranda out." He pleaded to the man sitting in front of him.
"I cannot do that," he answered honestly. "I will not force her to do anything she is not comfortable with in this situation. My top priorities are Julie and Sara Ann and what is best for both of them." He raised his hands to stifle any possible protest. "I will speak with her about the situation, but I will not make her do anything."
Craig simply nodded, admitting defeat in this moment. "That is all I ask." Said as he took out a second card, writing his home number and cell, as well as their home address on it. "Please give this to her, if she so chooses she can come by any time."
Edward picked up the card and placed it in his pocket, "I will give it to her," he promised. He considered the time and gauged approximately how much time he had before going to get Sara Ann. He realized he was hungry.
"Thank you" Craig said. "It really was nice to meet you Edward, and thank you." He said again reaffirming how thankful he was, despite how horribly it had turned out. "I should go."
Edward nodded, "I should go as well," he agreed. "I need to get over to Sara Ann soon. And you're welcome," the final said as almost a question given the situation.
"Can I ask one more question?" he asked of the man
"Certainly," he answered. "Ask away."
"Do you, have any pictures of Julie, any that I might show Miranda?" He had hopes.
Edward considered for only a moment then pulled his wallet from his pocket. Looking in he found a picture of Julie and Sara Ann taken just this past summer. He looked at it a moment and then passed it to Craig. "That is Julie and Sara Ann about this time last year," he offered.
Craig's normally steady hand now shaking took the picture and studied it. "She truly is beautiful, as is her daughter." He said as a father would.
Edward answered, "They are," and smiled his fatherly smile thinking of the two. "And a true treasure to me."
"Edward" Craig spoke softly. "We have no desire to take her from you" He said hoping the man understood.
Edward nodded, "Thank you." It was his turn to be grateful.
"Did the bastard get what he had coming to him?" Craig asked before standing
Edward couldn't help but chuckle darkly at the thought, "You can rest assured he got every bit of what he deserved."
"Good" He said just as darkly. "Thank you again, but I have to go now, work calls."
Edward stood as well, "Yes and I need to get Sara Ann before she begins to wonder where I am," he responded. "I can't say its been exactly a pleasure meeting you, Craig, but.." and he extended his hand to Craig.
Craig shook the man's hand again. "If you ever need anything, you or Julie please do not hesitate to call."
"Thanks for the offer," he responded and then started his way towards the exit.
Craig watched as the man left then followed nervously trying to decide what to do about Miranda.