Who: Verity & Remy LeBeau When: August 27th, Evening Where: One of the local, more upscale bars. What: Drinks, chatting, all around Remy being a flirt. Rating: PG13 for Language Status: Complete
It’d taken some time to schedule, whenever he had been available, something had come up for her, or vice versa.. but tonight? Well, tonight it had managed to work out. Both Verity and Remy had the time and the classy little bar had been agreed upon (no more bar fights for a bit, he knew Haymitch didn’t need any additional trouble just for funsies), and they’d agreed to meet there.
He had, after all, just picked up his car earlier from the body shop. He’d spent some time with the girl there, let her drive Shelley, and then had spent some time himself driving her around. The car, of course, not the girl.
And with time to spare, he’d gone home to shower, change and put something in his stomach (they might eat, but then again they might not, and he wouldn’t drink on an empty stomach). Then he’d be on his way to the bar.
He’d be early, Remy was just like that, wanting to be there before the woman so she wouldn’t have to wait alone. So when Verity showed up, the Cajun had already claimed a table and was patiently waiting-- not playing on his phone, or chatting with someone else, just simply people-watching. He did that a lot. If he wasn’t flirting or running off at the mouth, he was just... watching. ***
Verity didn't spend all that much time people watching anymore. Now that she had Christina and so much of her time was taken by everything else in the world, when she had a few minutes to herself? She used them to check email, to play games on her phone, to read... she had a big Kindle collection now. People watching was a nice way to pass the time, but she didn't have much time to begin with anymore.
Maybe she should get back to people watching.
She broke into a smile at the sight of him there in the bar. Verity always looked her best. Even small trips out to the supermarket, with baby in tow, her hair and makeup were polished. Tonight she wore a black pencil skirt with a black and white blouse. It may have been a trend from a year ago, but somehow she made it work. New moms were allowed to wear funky fashions, right?
"Hi, Remy."
***
There was nothing sexier than a pencil skirt. Nothing.
“Verity.” He’d say as he saw her, smiling and standing up to come around the table and extend his hand, palm up, for hers. When he received it, he’d bend to give it a kiss, then straighten with a smile. “Please. Can I get you a drink?” He was gesturing to a chair as he asked, tugging it out and waiting for her. He’d already let them know what he wanted, so he’d simply relay her order as well and the drinks would be on their way over to them quickly.
“You look incredible.” Remy would remark with a smile, waiting until she was settled in, then mouthing her order to the bar tender (assuming she gave it to him), who was already watching and waiting for the cue from the suited man. Only then would he finally take his seat at the same table. “I’m so glad we could finally make our schedules work. I’m so glad to meet you.” ***
Verity was still hanging on to a couple of Baby-Weight pounds, and was working hard to get rid of them. It would likely happen when Christina was finished nursing, but Verity wasn't ready to give that up yet. Not until after Christina's first birthday, and even then... she was likely going to linger. The bonding time was wonderful. Not to mention, it felt really good for a lot of reasons.
She stepped forward and slipped her hand into his, then nearly giggled at the kiss to her knuckles. "That's what I'm here for. Bring on the drinks." She said, and then slipped into the chair. "I'll start with a strawberry mojito, please."
The compliment made her go rather pink. The smile that spread across her features was flattered and genuine. "Thank you. I mean, I've been working off the baby weight." She admitted. "It's good to know that all that work isn't in vain. Anyway, it's so good to meet you, too."
***
“Baby weight?” Oh, now you had his attention. Leaning in, he’d smile a bit wider. “Boy or girl?” He’d never met a new mother who didn’t want to talk about her baby, or her kids. And Remy LeBeau? Well. He adored them.
If she ever wanted, she’d have a babysitter in him.. not that a Shelby Cobra was a baby safe car. He’d need an SUV or something. He could do that.
Of course, she wouldn’t give her baby over to some random stranger, but maybe they’d become friends. Maybe they’d get on great.
***
“Girl,” Verity responded, breaking into that smile and happy expression that only new mothers get when talking about their children. “Christina. She’ll turn a year on Halloween.”
Of course, the whole story about how Christina was conceived was more than Verity wanted to get into. She didn’t want to scare someone away for the sake of brutal honesty. Besides, she didn’t know if Remy Dreamed at all, or if his Dreams had magic in them like hers did.
“You like children?” She asked, glancing up as the waitress brought her drink out. It’d come out really, really quickly.
***
“Christina is a great name.” He’d smile at the waitress as the drink was brought, then he’d swirl his own around in the glass and take a drink. Nothing better than scotch.
“Of course I like children. I don’t have any of my own, but I’m not quite ready to settle down into marriage yet. And I don’t want to be one of those dads, you know?” No judge in his right mind would give custody of children to Remy LeBeau.
“One of these days, though, I’ll be a really great father.” Or so he liked to think. “Taking her trick or treating?” She wouldn’t really enjoy it or care yet, but it was all about the parents at that age. ***
“Thank you. It’s my mother’s name.” Verity said, smiling brightly. “So far I haven’t given her any nicknames. Not Chrissy or Chris or Tina or anything. I figure we’ll see what she’s like when she starts… y’know… developing a personality. Then choose nicknames.”
Verity nodded. She knew all too well what those dads were. After all, Christina’s dad was one of those dads. “That’s really big of you.” She sometimes wished she’d had the option to lead her life in a different direction--but she wouldn’t give up her daughter for anything. Even a chance to do it all right.
“Yeah, definitely.” She said, nodding and smiling. “She’ll be a ladybug, and I’ll be a cat.”
*** “Yeah, it’s sort of hard to pick just the right name for a little, wrinkly, blob of flesh covered in blood and afterbirth.” Remy always had a unique way of thinking of things. “You’ve really got to wait until they start moving around and becoming little people.” Why were you made to choose a name so young? Like a puppy, you should have time to get to know it before naming it.
“A cute ladybug and a sexy cat? Don’t cats.. eat ladybugs?” The smile on his face was playful, taking another drink of his scotch before setting it down and running a finger along the lip.
***
"Absolutely. And it feels like she's still baking. I mean, she's just now really starting to show opinions and make choices. It's a pretty amazing time in a human being's life."
Verity went slightly pink. "Well, I don't know about the sexy part. But it seems to be a good costume. I have a feeling I'll like the ears." She lifted her glass for a sip, smirking softly. "I'm sure they do... though that's definitely not the plan for me."
***
It was pretty amazing. Remy had seen several Discovery Channel shows about it.
“I know about the sexy part, and it should definitely be a sexy cat. I think you’d look amazing. And while you might not be eating your ladybug, I’m sure you’ll be convincing enough with a cute little tuggable tail.” Yes, he’d want to tug her tail. Who wouldn’t?
***
Verity gave a small laugh. A giggle, maybe. She flipped some hair over her shoulder in a way that only a pro could. (Not that she was a pro... she just had a lot of experience flirting. When she was younger. As a popular girl in school.)
“Why, thank you. I’ll have to make sure to put it on for you, so you can tug it.”
***
See? They did have something in common. Remy had been insanely popular in High School. He hadn’t been there all four years, he’d graduated early and gone to college while he was still in his mid-teens, but he made friends everywhere. He was charismatic and charming, easy to approach and he was just nice.
“I would love to tug your tail.” That came with a wink, but then he was laughing and leaning back, lifting a hand as if to insist he was joking. “I’m sure you’ll look sensational. Both of you.” *** Verity chuckled softly. “Thank you.” She repeated herself. “What are you planning on dressing as for the holiday? Or are you one of those stick-in-the-mud types who doesn’t dress for Halloween anymore?” She asked, then sipped from her drink.
***
“I usually go as a businessman.” He laughed as he said it though, shaking his head to indicate he was kidding. “I always manage to find some fantastic halloween party.” Full of young half-naked girls with their mouths hanging open.
“I hadn’t really thought about it yet. I normally get into the holiday spirit around the first of the month, get my decorations up, pick out a costume and decide which parties I’m going to.” A pause followed. He wouldn’t be home this year for Halloween. That was disappointing. “I guess it’ll be different this year.”
***
“It was different for me last year, and it’ll be even more weird this year,” Verity said, turning her glass around and around on its coaster on the table. Her eyes slid out of focus. Last Halloween she was in labor.
“I think you’d make a sexy businessman.” She added, giving him a grin. “Though, you could do one further and just get like, those ceramic fangs or some black contact lenses or something.”
***
“I make an incredibly sexy businessman.” He assured her with a wink, then took another drink-- but his phone was beginning to buzz and he pulled it out and looked down at it, reading over a text real quick. It made him let out a slow breath, then hazel eyes came back up.
“Lawyers.” He would explain. ***
“Oh, don’t let me distract you from important things,” Verity leaned back a bit in her chair. The night was young, and she had a sitter for another few hours, but she was likely only going to have the one drink. Otherwise she might not be safe to drive home, or there might be alcohol left in the breastmilk in the morning? Or something? Oh, motherly guilt.
She lifted the drink to sip from it once more. “It must be important for them to be contacting you at this hour.”
***
“They contact me at all hours. The weird thing is, it’s later there.” So it was really late for them. Still, the phone would be pushed back into his pocket. He was sure something was on fire, but he paid them enough they should be able to handle it without having to come to him every time they had a question, right?
“I should probably listen to them more, but Tetris can be addicting.” Because he played Tetris more than listened to what they had to say when he was in his meetings with them.
He hated lawyers.
***
Verity raised an eyebrow. "Really? Wow. I work for a lawyer, you know," she mentioned idly. "That's my nine to five. Apart from being Christina's mom," she added. Working for Obi was pretty boss. She brought Christina three days out of the week, and left her in a pack-and-play or her jumpy swing or whatever. Not the most professional, but Obi was so supportive. And Verity had been doing a lot of extra work to advertise his services and bring in customers. They seemed to make a pretty good team.
She chuckled. "It's Candy Crush for me."
***
“Do you?” He’d ask with a smile. “Well, I guess all lawyers aren’t so bad. Are you a paralegal?” What did she do there? None of the single mothers he knew actually worked. The fathers paid them off monthly-- and up until coming to the OC, Remy hadn’t known very many people who weren’t in his tax bracket.
“What does your boss do?” Aside from being a lawyer-- was he divorce? Civil suit? Contracts?
***
Verity had a “sugar daddy” or “baby daddy” or whatever you wanted to call him sending her money just like that. She didn’t have to work, but she wanted to. It was good for her, and it was helpful for Obi. And, likely, it would be good for Christina in the long run. Keep them all sane.
“No, I’m just a secretary,” Verity explained. Though just a secretary was unfair. Verity was never just a anything. She always gave 120%. “He practices… general law? I’m not sure exactly. We’ve done a lot of elder care and end of life stuff. What’s that all called?”
***
“Oh, I doubt that. I don’t think you’re ‘just’ anything.” She was too spunky. He bet she’d never been ‘just’ anything in her whole life. That was what he liked to see-- someone with that extra something. That spark.
She had that spark in spades.
“Power of Attorney-- I’m not sure if the lawyers have a name for themselves or if they’re just.. attorneys.” He’d never had to use one before. His parents had both been long dead by the time he even knew what a lawyer was.
His phone buzzed again and he’d glance down at it, then push it back in his pocket. They really wanted his attention.
***
Verity noticed him glancing at his pocket. She pulled her own phone out and glanced at the time. “...I really don’t want to keep you from anything important, Remy,” she said, softly, bringing her eyes back to his face. “If you need to get that, please, feel free. I’ve got a few more minutes before I have to get back.”
She should switch to water.
***
“I don’t know what it is.” He’d admit honestly. He did check the phone again and frowned some. Tugging it out once more, he’d type on it, then hit send and push it back into his pocket. “I could walk you back. Or drive you, if you’re not feeling particularly drive-worthy yourself.” Remy never drank to get drunk. He hated that feeling.
***
“I walked,” Verity admitted, giving him a smile. “It’s only a fifteen minute walk. I thought it’d be nice to walk home afterward. Sobering. I… I wouldn’t mind the company, if you want to go for a walk. But I’d hate for you to walk that far out of your way.”
***
“I could use the exercise.” Assured with a smile as he stood up, knocking back the rest of his drink, then holding out a hand for her. “I’ll walk you.” Of course he would. He wasn’t going to let her walk home alone at this hour, after having been drinking! “Make sure the only crazy stalker hanging around you tonight is me.” Big, bad protector that he was.
***
Verity climbed up as well after finishing the last of her drink, too. She slipped her hand into his and let him lead the way out of the bar. “...the best kind of stalker,” she teased with a grin. “I think I can handle that.”
***
“The very best.” He agreed with a smile, lifting her hand to give it a kiss as he led her out of the bar. He would, of course, make sure she got home safe. He’d wait while she went up to her door and inside, and only once the door was closed would he turn and head back towards the bar, smiling away.