InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Marco? Polo! Fish out of water"

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)

thebrokenroad
2008-07-15 06:08 pm UTC (link)

Sam stared for a second. He hadn't been expecting that question. His meeting with Rose had been immediate what are we going to do?

He looked down at his hands, where did he start? Ariana and he were just together for the physical aspect, neither one of them had planned this. Yet here he was, 21 and a single father. He supposed it did look odd. And he also knew it wasn't the father of the unexpected who usually took responsibility.

He took a deep breath, let it out slow. He supposed she should know, even if it wasn't likely that Ariana was going to return. He started into the story, even though he couldn't quite bring himself to look at her yet.

"Gabriel's mother and I--were never really serious." That was the closest he'd come to admitting it was just for the sex. "A couple months after we broke up, she called me annnd told me she was pregnant." He looked up at her. "And that if I didn't want him, he'd be put up for adoption. So, five months later, Gabriel was born six weeks premature. And she gave up her parental rights."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

pclearwater
2008-07-15 08:55 pm UTC (link)

"... Oh," she said quietly, solemnly. "I can't imagine what that's been like on you, on Gabriel. But a part of me is relieved, to be honest. I was worried that I might be replacing a former wife or ex-girlfriend, whether it was a thing of the past or even if she might have... passed on, you know?"

That wasn't to say that she wasn't slightly dispirited as the true nature of the situation came into light, because she was.

"But it was very mature of you, to accept Gabriel as your responsibility. And I know we don't... know each other well, not at all, really. But if you're willing or needing to talk to someone-- anyone. Then I'm here. Sounds incredibly cliche, I know, but it's the least I can do given the circumstances."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	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)

pclearwater
2008-07-16 12:46 am UTC (link)

Tilting her head, she eyed him curiously as he dropped his gaze and sort of brought his arms around himself. She sighed, certain now that she'd said too much and made him uncomfortable-- something she'd been trying to avoid at all costs.

"Sam... whatever it is I've said, I'm sorry. It was wrong of me to put you on the spot like that, but I feel like I have to get to know you, whether we decide to take this marriage as a simple legal formality, or if we actually make an honest attempt at it. And there really is no subtle way to approach a subject like that. You understand, don't you?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

thebrokenroad
2008-07-16 09:38 am UTC (link)

"Yes." He was trying not to go in on himself because obviously she just wanted to get to know him and Gabriel--and how he came to be--was a big part of him. "So you," he started out softly. "You don't have to worry about Ariana. Last I heard she had moved to the States." She obviously doesn't care about Gabrie. Sam knew he shouldn't think that, she'd decided not to terminate the pregnancy and he was thankful. Though he was young, sure, Gabriel was the best thing to happen to him.

He didn't know what to say now. He sat a little straighter, relaxed his arms, then looked up at her. "Do you want to make an honest attempt at this?" He hadn't wanted to with Rose, but--Penelope was entirely different. Had it been other circumstances, he might have asked her out, she seemed like his type of girl, quiet and a reader, but things were never that simple.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

pclearwater
2008-07-18 12:49 am UTC (link)

"Honestly, I was more worried about having my suspicions confirmed-- I didn't want to hurt you, you see? I never wanted you to feel as though I was trying to replace Gabriel's mother. As for our marraige... well, I'm leaving that decision up to you. I'll be one of the first to agree that the Ministry's new legislation is incredibly misguided, but I never really had planned on fighting it. In fact, before I'd received my letter, I'd convinced myself that the decree wouldn't even affect me-- I suppose I sort of saw my employment within the Ministry as a sort of safeguard, and I was under the impression that I'd be overlooked when they started assigning everyone. But I wasn't excluded, it seems. A stupid asumption on my part, wasn't it?"

Flashing Sam a small, tired smile, she drew her knees up onto the armchair and then against her chest, bringing her arms around her legs as she propped her chin on her knee.

"Whatever you decide, I want you to know that I respect your decision."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

thebrokenroad
2008-07-18 10:32 pm UTC (link)

"Penelope, it--it can't just depend on me. It's got to be something we both want, otherwise it'll never work. I would like to give this a try. Would you like to? I know it's kind of like instant family, baby and all, but--well, I don't want you to feel like you have to. Neither one of us asked for this," Sam replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

He knew it was more likely to work with Penelope than Rose. They seemed to be sort of around the same maturity level, Rose was still just a child. He knew he was only 21 but babies make you grow up. And fast.

"I just don't want me to be the only one working at this, you know? Not that I'm saying you won't or anything, but I'd rather it be something we're both willing to do. I just don't want to get attached or have Gabriel get attached and a bit down the road if they're like, oh, this was wrong, you don't have to be married anymore, and we split," he sighed. Perhaps that was a bit--over thought, but he had to. He didn't want to get hurt, nor did he want that for his son.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

pclearwater
2008-07-19 12:45 am UTC (link)

"Sam, I didn't necessarily mean--" she paused, letting out a slight huff as she blew her bangs out of her eyes. "What I meant to say is that I'm willing to make this work with you, however you want to do it. I can't exactly say that I want to marry you, and I'm sure you feel very much the same as I do, but I don't see any point in us fighting against something that's out of our control. That isn't to say that I don't like you-- because I do, as far as first impressions go. You're smarter than most your age, and from what I've heard, you own your own business, correct? So, you obviously lead a stable, comfortable lifestyle. Assuming business is well, of course. And above all, you're clearly a responsible person-- and father, too. I wouldn't be opposed to actually marrying you, in the sense that I have no choice, really."

She hoped that her words hadn't delivered any unintentional sting-- she'd only meant to be honest with him.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

thebrokenroad
2008-07-19 07:06 am UTC (link)

Sam nodded. He didn't want this either, to be honest, but if they were going to make it a marriage rather than just something on paper, he'd be in it 100%.

He was quiet for a minute before he started to laugh. This was so ridiculous. And unfair. And so moronic that he had to. The ministry was a laughing stock now and he just couldn't help it. He grinned at her, "Sorry. This is just so ridiculously unfair. If you're in, then I'm in, Penelope." He was really fighting the urge to call her Penny. "We can be friends, who just happen to have been forced to get married."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

pclearwater
2008-07-21 05:01 am UTC (link)

"I wasn't aware that I'd made a joke--" she started, eyebrows raised before she found herself interrupted. And she had to smile a bit at that as well-- a half-smile, anyway. She nodded in agreement, and though her loyal ties to the Ministry demanded her to say something in Kingsley's defense, she kept quiet, wanting to avoid any political tension at all cost.

She'd never been fond of debates, and there wasn't any point in getting into one right then. Not when they were soon to be married; arguing would do nothing to better their situation, would it?

"And I am-- though I'll admit that I'm nervous as to how this might all play out. But at least I know it's you and not someone set on making things difficult from the get-go. And that's a start, if anything."

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Read comments) -