call_me_chas (call_me_chas) wrote in morningstar_mnr, @ 2009-10-18 22:05:00 |
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Entry tags: | chas, deacon, nia, npc |
Norton Wood, morning
Charlie hadn't slept particularly well - which was upsetting because he usually slept so much better at the farm than anywhere else. He told himself it was that he was listening for Nia, or just the change in temperature - by 3 am the house was chilly - or that he didn't have the hum of the aircon to lull him, but he knew he was kidding himself. the truth was that he was almost unbearably excited, and filled with restless energy.
So this morning after breakfast he suggested a walk. "We can take the back pack for Nia, though she can walk as well most of the time. Swing by the top of the wood, round the estate and be in the village in timme for lunch?"
"Sounds like a plan," Deacon said, sipping his coffee. "She'll be tired on the walk back so the backpack is good. And we gotta show the little munchkin around the village after all."
Like the proud papas they were.
"We'd be in trouble if we didn't," Charlie said with a grin as he collected the dishes. "I checked email this morning and there was four, two from Elunedd Jenkins, asking if we'd be about. I'll reply before we go if you like. Nia's going to have so many new aunties!"
"Never to many aunties," Deacon agreed and helped clear up. "Yo munchkin, ya wanna go for a walk?"
"Pengins!" Nia said, bouncing. she ran under the kitchen table, because she could, and peeped at him around one of the legs of it.
"I don't think there will be penguins," Charlie said, "but we might be able to find some chickens, maybe even some ducks."
"Bread?" Nia said. "Fee'da'ducks?"
"Sure why not," Deacon said and went to get a few slices to take with them. "Let's get your shoes and jacket on, baby girl."
Charlie hastily loaded the pocket of his old Barbour - and wow didn't it feel good to be putting that on again? - with little necessities. Once it might have been mars bars, a spare lighter and smokes in case Deacon had forgotten them, a sketch book and pencils and penknife, but now it was all the above plus a plastic bag with a couple of cookies and spare pants and trousers just in case there was a mishap.
"Thank goodness for poachers' pockets," he said as he slipped into his wellies.
"Always gotta carry more stuff when a kid is involved," Deacon said and put the bread and his lighter and smokes in his own pockets then helped Nia on with her coat and shoes when she toddled over to him with them.
All bundled up and ready to go they headed out across the field and Deacon lit up a cigarette since the wind would blow the smoke away from Nia.
Properly mittened up, because the wind was chilly, Nia sang loudly. No particular tune, just a happy and hearty 'la, lala, la' as she enjoyed the open air and that, for once, she didn't seem likely to disturb anyone. She looked up at Deacon, then at Charlie and sang some more.
Charlie's cheeks ached he was so happy.
Deacon's smile was soft and he joined in her wordless singing as they walked. Eventually though someone else came into view.
"Ah our first visit," Deacon said with a grin.
The stocky grey-haired man hadn't, to Charlie's eyes changed at all since charlie was nearly as small as Nia. He strode towards them in his old patched tweed jacket and tweed cap with Bob abd Fly totting at his heels.
"Morning Tom," Charlie called.
"Morning," Tom agreed. "hello Deacon. Ah - and who's this pretty girl then?"
"Mornin'," Deacon replied and smiled when Nia moved close to him and grabbed his hand. "This here is Nia. Nia this is Tom. Can you say hi?"
Nia looked at Tom and then at the dogs. "Hi," she said to Bob and giggled as the collie lowered his head and his tail and edged closer, front teeth bared in a cheesey grin.
charlie knelt beside her and took her hand and placed it on Bob's neck. "This is Bob," he said. "isn't he a lovely boy? see?" Bob leaned against them tail tip flickering and Nia's mouth went into an 'o' as she felt the thick slightly damp fur.
Tom grinned at them and petted Fly who was a one man bitch. "So," he said to Deacon. "all ready for the big day then?"
"'Bout as ready as we're gonna get," Deacon replied. "Spent more time at the tailor's than I ever want to again."
Nia looked up at Deacon with a big smile. "Goggie!" she said and Deacon chuckled.
"Ah but it's once in a life time, innit? Might as well look nice in the photos, eh?" Tom said. "I still get a shiver when I remember my Elunedd walking down the aisle."
"And I hope you'll be there to see us," Charlie said.
"Just try and keep us away," Tom said with a smile. the smile changed into a chuckle as he added, "I saw your Dad in the post office the other day. He was telling Ianto about Bella's plans and trying real hard not to sound proud, but we weren't fooled."
Deacon grinned. "I'm just glad he'll be there," he said. "Good to know the family is supportive." Well most of it anyway. There was always Ted.
Tom grunted. "Family is important," he said. "And you have the makings of a nice little one there. hey, are you going to be having a stag night. Ianto and the rest of the darts team want to know."
"Oh hadn't thought about it," Deacon admitted. "Stag night for both of us? Same time and place or do we have to do it separate? I'm sure we can find someone to watch Nia for us."
Tom grinned. "Tell you what," he said. "You get a sitter for the - what? Twenty-second? - and leave the rest to us."
"Oh lord, make it the twenty-first," Charlie said. "Remember when Terry Morgan got married? It took forty-eight hours to find his car and we never did find his trousers!"
Deacon's eyes widened and he laughed. "Damn y'all know how to throw a party! I'm in."
Tom had put his hand over his eyes to soothe remembered pain. "Yep that was a do and a half. No plans to chain either of you to a lampost though. Your Mam, Charlie, would have our guts for garters. Are you going over by the big meadow?"
"Can do. Why?" Charlie asked.
"Moving the sheep over closer to the house. If you could leave the gate open ...?"
"Sure," Deacon answered. "We best get movin' then so we can make it to the village in time for lunch."
"Ah, might see you later then," Tom said. "it was nice to meet you Nia, but I need Bob to help me with the sheep."
By this time Bob was on his back having his chest scratched and Nia removed her hands from his fur reluctantly.
"Awww," she said as Bob jumped up and went back to Tom's side. "Bye bye goggie."
"We'll see Bob again soon," Charlie promised. "See ya later, Tom. We'll look forward to hearing from you."
Tom raised his hand and headed off at a good rate.
"Nice goggie," Nia said, inspecting the black and white hair on her hands and front with satisfaction.
"Lots of nice doggies here," Deacon said as they continued walking. "But you always gotta ask before you pet them, okay?"
Nia nodded seriously and then bounced ahead of them.
Charlie smiled and slipped his arm through Deacon's to be that little bit closer. "That was easy," he said. "But running the gauntlet of the village ladies will be fun. There are a few who still reckon that you can't possibly be serious about being gay and that with just a little effort on their part you might be cured." he squeezed Deacon's arm. "And there's a few guys who are so heterosexual - so very very macho - that they actually come over as a bit gayer than we do. They can be fun too."
Deacon chuckled. "Well you know I hate to disappoint the ladies but," and he leaned into Charlie enough to make them both stumble a bit. "I'm afraid there is no cure for what I have."
Charlie braced himself to take the weight and snickered. "I'm sorely afflicted too. Hey - it must be at least an hour since I kissed you. That must be close to being a record since we've been here."
"Oh well we must fix that then," Deacon said, pausing, checking that Nia was close, and then pulled Charlie close and kissed him deeply.
"Mmm," Charlie sighed both hands clenching tight on Deacon's sweater.
"KISS!" Nia demanded dashing back to them and holding up her arms. She poked Charlie in the knee with a dog hairy hand. "Kiss?"
"Should we give her a kiss? Has she been a good girl?" Deacon looked down and Nia jumped a bit.
"Nia good!" she insisted and so Deacon let Charlie go and swooped her up to give her a big smacking kiss.
Charlie echoed it from the other side, and stepped away pulling a face. "Guess who tastes all doggy," he said. "Come on - let's go find those ducks!"