Hayley Marshall (wolfgirl) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2020-07-07 09:26:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !partner thread, hayley marshall |
Who: Hayley and Laurence
What: Hayley gets a surprise birthday visit from Laurence
When: Saturday, June 6th
Where: Crescent Moon Yoga
Ratings/Warnings: Low
Status: Partner Thread | Complete when posted
Laurence hadn’t quite been sure what to get Hayley for her birthday. He considered her a friend, of course, but they weren’t especially close friends. It was important that he not get her a gift that might embarrass her or overstate their relationship, while at the same time stating that he was happy they knew one another and that she was in his life.
He eventually settled on a candle, a charming little thing where the wax had been poured into a mason jar, that smelled of pine needles and forests. It felt as though it was a personal gift that would show that he had been thinking of Hayley specifically when he’d bought it, but also wasn’t so extravagant as to cause any awkwardness, and on his way to Hayley’s yoga studio - the gift placed in a paper gift bag, printed with the impression of a forest - he stepped into a bakery. He picked out a chocolate cupcake, had it boxed in simple, blue box, and finished the distance to the yoga studio.
“Miss Marshall?” he called out as he stepped inside, hoping that he hadn’t come at an inopportune time.
****
Hayley had just finished a class and was behind the front desk handling some business when she heard her name. Her head peered up and when she saw Laurence, she smiled fondly. Hayley had enjoyed her dinner with him when Elijah introduced them, she would have to invite him over soon, since Hope had joined them at the apartment.
“Hello, Laurence,” she waved to him and then stood up, making her way from behind the desk to greet him. “This is a lovely surprise, how are you?” she asked him.
***
“I’m quite well, thank you,” Laurence said, approaching the desk. “And yourself? I hope this isn’t an inopportune time.”
***
She shook her head, “I’m not teaching so it’s perfect,” she informed him with a smile, “it’s a pleasure to see you. How are you?” she asked as she crossed her hands over her chest, her smile never fading.
***
“I’m quite well, thank you,” Laurence said. “And yourself? I hear it’s your birthday today.”
***
It was and the surprise was on her face, “It is,” she told him with a nod of her head, “thank you for coming to see me on it.” He was a very charming man and she was grateful he was in her and Elijah's life. “Who told you?” she asked him, teasingly of course.
***
“State secrets, I’m afraid,” Laurence said with a wink. He presented the gifts then, placing the small box that held the cupcake and the gift bag onto the counter between them. “I’ve come bearing gifts. I hope you won’t think that too presumptuous of me.”
***
“Not at all,” she told him with a sweet smile, “It’s been so long since a friend gifted me with something, with always traveling, mainly just family.” She took the box, moved over to the desk, cause she was promptly going to open it, “very sweet of you!”
***
"Not at all," Laurence said, and as she began to open it, he added, "It's nothing very special, but I hope you'll get some use of if." He had found the pine scent pleasant enough in the shop, though he wondered now of he should have first made sure she didn't suffer from any scent sensitivities before he'd bought such a gift.
***
“It’s perfect,” she told him, “the scent reminds me of a pine forest we visited once,” she smiled, “ Herbalists as parents, we went to a lot of things like that. She then looked around, frowned slightly and then leaned to see Hope was in a class. “I was going to introduce you to my sister, but she seemed to have sneak in some toga time.” Turning she moved to hug him, “Such a lovely thought and gift, thank you!”
***
“It’s a scent I somehow associated with you,” Laurence said, though he couldn’t name the reasoning. Perhaps it was simply that he knew Hayely to enjoy outdoor activity. “That would be Hope, yes?” Laurence asked. “We spoke briefly on the Network. I look forward to meeting her very much.”
He was growing used to Americans and their constant need to hug, and so he returned Hayley’s embrace. “I’m glad you approve.”
***
“Yes,” she nodded with her head as they pulled apart, “Hope is her, my parents are still traveling and she wanted to be somewhere steady for her senior year.” She looked back to the room, Hope was in and smiled, but then turned to him.
“You should come to dinner soon,” she informed him, “Elijah is a fabulous cook and you can officially meet her there!”
***
“Yes, it can be difficult to keep up with your studies while you’re on the road. I finished my own studies while I was in the Navy, and it wasn’t always ideal.” He’d managed it, though only because he knew that was what was expected of him. “I will look forward to it very much.”
***
“It’s a date, I’ll get with Elijah and have him text you so you two can figure out a night!” She smiled sweetly at him, “thank you for the gift, very kind and sweet,” suddenly a door open and a class was letting out, “I should get back to work,” she said but moved to hug him quickly, “thank you again.”