InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "KAT. I <3 YOU."

Penelope Clearwater (pclearwater) wrote in unexpectedrpg,
@ 2008-07-14 19:11:00

Entry tags:

penelope clearwater, samuel bradley

WHO: Penelope Clearwater and Samuel Bradley (and of course little Gabriel's in tow as well)
WHEN: Friday, July 4, 2002
WHERE: Penelope's flat, Chelsea
WHAT: Meeting one another to discuss their arrangement
RATING: PG, I'm sure
STATUS: Closed/In Progress

To say that Penelope was exhausted might very well be the understatement of the century. But it was a mental exhaustion more than anything, having spent the entire week out of focus, nervous and contemplating the Friday evening to come and how it might turn out.

She wasn't displeased with her Ministry approved match; in fact, she rather preferred it. If anything, at least they had some common ground to go by-- both former Ravenclaw students, appreciative of a good read, mild-mannered, seemingly quiet... But there would always be a catch, wouldn't there? Because despite their similarities, there would always be that one difference between the two that couldn't be overlooked.

Samuel was a father. Nearly a week had passed, and Penelope still couldn't wrap her head around it, despite her efforts. It wasn't as though she was put off by it, just surprised at the idea of a single father as opposed to a single mother. And Samuel was young... not unreasonably young to be a father, of course, but Penelope herself was nearly twenty-six. And she still hadn't given any thought to starting a family. Not on her own, anyway.

After giving one last look-over of the flat (she'd arrived home earlier than usual, and had taken advantage of the extra time by tidying up what she could-- though the flat didn't necessarily need it), she plopped down tiredly on the couch, eyes fixed on the ceiling as different scenarios of how this meeting and talk might go played out in her head.

And then there was a knock at her door-- the one she'd been anxiously expecting-- and her eyes flitted to the clock on the wall, just to her right. Half-past seven, just as they'd agreed on.

She stood up again, nervously smoothing out the wrinkles in her shirt first before making her way to the door to unlock it and remove the safety chain. Forcing a smile, she opened the door and then pulled it back enough so that both her guests could enter.

"Impeccable timing. I'm impressed."

(Read comments) - (Post a new comment)

pclearwater
2008-07-14 10:27 pm UTC (link)

She smiled as well as they exchanged greetings and handshakes, and when her eyes fell upon Gabriel, her smile brightened considerably. She'd experienced a similar tugging at her heart the day her niece was born and she'd been allowed to hold the newborn in her arms, so it was no surprise that she might feel the same way at that very moment.

After all, in due time, she would be Gabriel's mother. Legally, anyway. (Assuming they even went that far with the marriage, and Penelope was offered parental rights.)

But that was the point of meeting, wasn't it? To have this all sorted out, whether they made an honest attempt at marriage or ended up just putting their union together on paper.

"I envy him," she said, leading her guest inside before quietly closing the door behind them. "I haven't had much sleep at all this past week, as I'm sure you can imagine. Which doesn't make for a happy Head of Department."

She gestured to to both the couch she'd just been sitting on and an arm chair. "Please, sit wherever you like-- make yourself comfortable. I would've prepared something, given the hour, but I'm honestly a terrible cook," she admitted, flashing him a half-smile as she turned to lock her door again.

	thebrokenroad 2008-07-15 10:15 pm UTC (link)
	Sam nodded. He was feeling oddly exposed and not quite sure why. He'd told people about their circumstances before, it hadn't bothered him then. He hugged himself, an inadvertent comfort thing he did at times. It's not as if she said it or anything, but he felt like he was being judged. "Thanks," he said quietly. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)