Spencer Hastings makes shockingly bad choices. (ctrl_a) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2017-01-25 18:22:00
Who: Spencer Hastings and William Laurence What: Laurence's arrival When: Mid Decemberish Where: Hastings Household Rating/Warnings: Low/None Status: Complete
It was a very strange thing when Spencer’s family all congregated in one place. Thanksgiving had been small, and now Christmas was coming. Actually, Melissa’s wedding was coming. That was taking priority in the Hastings household. Anytime anyone mentioned Christmas, Melissa glared. She didn’t want the figurative anniversary of the birth of Jesus Christ (or the arrival of Santa Claus) to come before her wedding.
Spencer was sitting at the island in the kitchen with a stack of homework, trying to avoid Melissa’s insanity. She was out in the barn now, meeting with her wedding planner, going over all the arrangements; wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, bouquets, catering, all that crap. Spencer wasn’t at all interested. Her dress was already upstairs, her shoes waiting in the closet. Actually, Spencer was more than prepared. She just wanted it over already.
Family was starting to filter in. Some of them had decided to stay through Christmas and New Years, make a whole holiday about it, especially the ones coming from other countries. Spencer was supposed to be part of the welcoming task force, but didn’t realize there was an arrival today.
It had been a long time since Laurence had seen such a large gathering of family. Of course, he didn’t often see even his own immediate family. He’d joined the Royal Navy at 16, with his father’s written consent, if not his actual consent, and he’d been quick to take any postings he could. In the last fourteen years, he’d avoided home as often as possible.
Of course, he couldn’t now. His mother had discovered that he had the holidays off, and as that happened to coincide with a wedding in the States, she had all but begged him to come with them. And he could hardly refuse his mother, not when she’d seemed to eager to have him for longer than a week for the first time in a decade. And if it meant that he would have to deal with his father’s disapproving looks over the next few weeks, well, he’d just have to bear it. And so he’d requested leave, had met his parents and his two older brothers at the airport, and had left for America. He’d greeted Mr. and Mrs. Hastings when they’d ushered him into the house, and then he stood quietly to the side while his mother reaquainted herself with her sister.
“Oh, William darling, be a dear and see where Spencer is off to. I haven’t seen her since she was a child,” his mother said, and Laurence nodded his head, and followed Mrs. Hastings suggestion that perhaps she was in the kitchen.
Laurence hadn’t seen Spencer himself since she’d been a child and he a teenager, but he could only suppose that she was the girl with the long brown hair, huddled over a pile of homework. It was difficult to tell, as even Laurence’s memory had its faults, but she certainly looked familiar enough. He rapped on the doorframe as to not startle her.
“Spencer?” he asked. “I hope I don’t find you too busy.”
Spencer actually jumped a little at the sound of the voice. She really hadn’t been expecting anyone to come into the kitchen, even though she thought she’d heard voices in the hall. Spencer was deep in the middle of studying for an exam in her history class, not thinking about family at the moment.
She turned to see her cousin standing there. It’d been more than a decade since they’d seen one another in person, and she’d been a child at the time, but he was undeniably her cousin. A smile spread across her face as she hopped down off her stool.
“William? Oh my God, it’s been ages.” And she went in for the hug. “How was your flight? I didn’t know you were coming in today. Are your brothers here? And your parents?”
“I have no complaints as far as the flight went.” Security had been an inconvenience, and he had somehow managed to get the seat on the plane that was right next to a woman and her screaming baby, he’d hadn’t had nearly enough legroom for the ten hour flight, but that was par the course as far as commercial air travel went, and it was far more comfortable than some of his situations in the service. “And yes, we’re all here. Mother was looking to see you, though if I’m sure she’d understand if I told her you were studying.”
“That’s good to hear.” Spencer hated flying internationally, though she did like to travel. Go figure. The hotel and adventure part was much more pleasant than the flight and jet lag part. “Oh, is the whole family here? I’d certainly like to see her. It’s been… a really long time. I don’t think we saw you the last time we went to visit the family in England.”
“No,” Laurence agreed. “I would have been deployed.” He actually wasn’t even sure when the last time the Hastings’ had come to England, but he made sure to get as many assignments as possible. “I am sorry to have missed you though. I hope you had a pleasant time.” Maybe, just maybe, he was putting off joining the rest of the family in living room.
“It was nice. I spent a good portion of it inside reading.” When the Hastings went to England it was either to visit family, or because of one of her parents’ work schedules. And Spencer preferred staying inside to hanging out during either of those things. “You’re between deployments now?” She asked. “How long are you staying? Just until the wedding stuff’s all finished?”
“It’s certainly quiet enough for that,” Laurence said. “Though allow me to suggest the gardens as well. When the weather’s agreeable, I’ve heard they're a lovely place to read.” Laurence himself was never one for books. He had been dedicated to his education, and felt it was important, but reading had never been something that he’d had much interest in.
“Mother has convinced me to stay for the holidays,” Laurence said. “So I’ll be here at least until the New Year. Hopefully you won’t much mind our imposing on you, especially during finals.” At least, he assumed that it was nearly time for finals. If he recalled correctly, the semesters normally ended before Christmas.
Spencer broke into a smile. “That sounds really lovely, actually. I love being outside with nature, even if I spend so much of my time with my nose pressed between the pages.” She’d thought that the gardens were beautiful, but hadn’t thought to read out there. Grand thought, really.
“No, no, it’s no imposition. Really. I’m good. I can just leave you in front of the television and hide in my room if I want to study.” It was mostly a joke. Spencer would never turn her back on a guest. At the same time, she was thankful that he understood that she did need to prepare herself for the finals that were coming up. It meant less pressure to perform for family. “I think Mom’s got you in the guest room. Do you remember the way? I can take you there.” Not that Spencer’s house was big, but she’d hate for him to turn into the wrong room.
Spending time in the gardens was also a good way to avoid the people in the house, though Laurence didn’t say so. There’d been plenty of social events in his parents’ estate that he’d quietly excused himself to the garden so as to escape all the rabble. It seemed ungrateful to say as much though, so he kept quiet on that.
“That would be appreciated,” Laurence said gratefully. “It’s been quite a long time since I was here last, and I’d hate to find myself in your room by mistake.” Or anyone else’s, really. Laurence appreciated his privacy, and he was likewise sure that other’s would not appreciate his imposing on their own personal space.
“My room wouldn’t be that big of a deal,” Spencer said, again with the half-hearted teasing. “If it was Melissa’s room? You might lose an eye. But all I’d be doing in my room is studying. Not… whatever it is Melissa gets up to in there.” Probably miscellaneous wedding stuff. That didn’t come off as creepy, did it?
“C’mon.” Spencer led the way away from the kitchen and down a back corridor so they could bypass the ‘grown-ups’ who were all in the foyer or living room, catching up on pleasantries. Spencer didn’t need to hear all that, anyway. “So, is there anything you’re looking forward to doing while you’re here?”
“I’ll be sure to avoid Melissa’s room then,” Laurence said, amused. Laurence appreciated the bypass as he walked alongside Spencer. “I had hoped to go sailing,” Laurence said. “But I suppose it will be too cold for that to be very enjoyable. I’m afraid that other than that, I hadn’t put too much thought into my plans. I would be grateful for any suggestions, if you have any.”
“The snow’s super weird, isn’t it? I hear it’s not the first time it’s happened around here.” Spencer said, leading the way through the house. They bypassed the foyer where the parents and older siblings were mingling. It was kinda nice to have an excuse not to spend time with Bridezilla et al.
“Well, we could go see that new Star Wars movie. It’d probably be warm in the theater. And there’s always Disneyland and Universal Studios, if you’re into that kind of thing.”
Laurence was about to question Spencer about how she’d only heard about it, but then he remembered that he had received news that she had been going to University elsewhere for her first couple of years.
“The Star Wars movie could be interesting,” Laurence admitted. He wasn’t as interested in the movie as many people he knew were, but like most people, he’d watched the movies as a child and had been enamoured with them. “But I have to admit that Universal Studios and Disneyland aren’t terribly appealing. Perhaps we might catch some theatre while I’m here? If you’d be interested in that, of course.”
Spencer couldn’t help but smirk at his suggestion. “Of course. I keep forgetting you’re more like me than most people.” Spencer wasn’t all that great with crowds. She’d much prefer to be at the ballet or the opera than Disneyland. And there were some excellent places for that sort of thing around. “I’ll take a look and see what shows are available. Of course, there’s The Nucracker. And I hear there’s an excellent version of A Christmas Carol at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.”
They reached the Guest Bedroom, and Spencer motioned for Laurence to lead the way in. It was a beautifully decorated room. Sparse, but still quite inviting, with a large bed and dresser. The curtains and bedspread were white and blue, striped gently. There was a mirror on the closet door, making the space feel much bigger than it actually was. Spencer followed him in. “Let me know if I can get you anything. Chargers or whatnot. We’ve got some converters.”
“Both of those sound lovely,” Laurence said, smiling at Spencer. “I’ll let you choose something then. I’m sure it will be enjoyable.” It was refreshing to see a young woman like Spencer who enjoyed some culture instead of only caring for movies or television.
Laurence stepped into the room and looked around. After so long in his ship’s cabin, the room seemed especially spacious, especially with the mirror. “I’ve brought my own converters, of course, but thank you, Spencer. I’ll be sure to let you know if I need anything.”
“You’re welcome.” Spencer gave him a warm smile. “I’m gonna head back to the kitchen. I’ve got some reading to do. Homework. I’ll make a pot of coffee, if you want any.” She turned to leave him alone to get settled. After such a long time in the plane and struggling with airports, she was sure he probably wanted to freshen up. And have a little privacy.
“Nothing would please me more than a cup of fresh coffee,” he told her warmly. He hadn’t done anything strenuous all day, but spending nearly a full day on a plane never failed to exhaust him. He knew that he was likely going to be up late that evening as well, catching up with the family, and the caffeine would do him good.
He did need to freshen up though, and perhaps arrange his belongings before he returned downstairs. “Be sure to say hello to my mother before you return to your studying,” he reminded her. They had likely been missing from the gathering for too long already, and he wouldn’t want anyone to think that he’d neglected to do as he’d been told.