Sabrina Spellman (pathofnight) wrote in valloic, @ 2021-10-27 16:18:00 |
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Entry tags: | !: action/thread/log, ~plot: timeslip, ₴ inactive: dan torrance, ₴ inactive: sabrina spellman |
Sabrina and Ripley take Dan out for his birthday lunchWARNINGS Nah
She had the food already set up at the table and the presents they had purchased and made for Dan on the table as well. Ripley had designed a big card, getting Sabrina to help her write ‘Happy birthday, Grandpa Dan’ on it before she’d dumped a ridiculous amount of glitter on it. There were various drawings by the five year old as well of things she liked doing with her Grandpa Dan in the future, making sure Sabrina had written down what each picture was underneath it. The card was in Ripley’s hands while Sabrina had her hands on the little girl’s shoulders, the both of them smiling brightly as they waited for Dan to enter the room.
A bunch of balloons scattered along the floor in the private room Sabrina had booked, a banner up on the wall as well. Grimm was also sitting beside them with his own birthday hat secured to his head. Don’t tell Nick.
“Happy birthday!” Ripley shouted as soon as the door opened, the hellpup barking in unison with her.
For his birthday this year, Dan was actually feeling pretty good. In the morning, Claire serenaded him with a rousing rendition of the birthday song, both she and Allison attempted pancakes (and they turned out fluffy, perfectly delicious - granted, it was hard to fuck up Bisquick) and later on he had plans to be alone with Allison - so far they weren’t anticipating actually leaving the house, mostly just appreciating the solitude and the quiet with Claire being dropped off at Diego and Isabela’s apartment for the night. They’d also bring her to school in the morning so she wouldn’t see her parents again until the afternoon - honestly, that amount of freedom was almost mind-boggling.
Maybe he’d get to read a chapter in a book. Just one chapter.
But right now, the idea was to meet up with the very best granddaughter - Ripley continued to remain a fixture in this world and Dan wasn’t complaining; he’d take advantage while he could.
An indoor playground was definitely a switch from the comfort of the Greasy Spoon and its trip back through time, with those malted milkshakes, tabletop jukeboxes, and a griddle that was well-seasoned. However, he was damn delighted when he walked in - light blue eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, a genuine spark of happiness in the robin’s egg shade. “Oh, wow - now this is a surprise,” he chuckled, stooping to give Grimm lots of love and scritches behind his ears, beneath the party hat. Such a good boy. More love was for coming for the ladies in the room too. “Ripley, did you do all this yourself? Or did your mom help a little?”
“Mommy helped!” Ripley shoved the card forward for Dan to take. “But I drew all of the pictures! And Grimm made the balloons go everywhere!”
“They were supposed to be in a pile,” Sabrina added wryly. But that had been impossible with the five year old and puppy around. Spread out along the floor worked just fine as well, even if she was pretty sure the hellpup would be popping at least one at some point during the afternoon.
“We have food! And presents and cake! But mommy says we have to eat the real food before we can have the cake.” Ripley pouted at that before glancing up at Sabrina to see if she’d changed her mind on that.
She hadn’t, nodding along to the instructions. “And it's carrot cake because it's your birthday.” Even if Sabrina still didn’t consider it an actual cake.
Wait, what - there was carrot cake and they had to eat real food before diving into the desserts? Not desserts first? Dan must be in the Twilight Zone. “Well, that all sounds like a great plan to me - here let’s see your artwork...”
He took the offered card and opened it up, feeling his soft heart (and if he wasn’t soft before, he definitely was after time in Vallo spent in part helping to rear children of varying ages) sort of melt into a puddle of chocolate and fluff. It was either that or he’d explode into pieces of Dan-confetti; all of this was way more than he’d ever thought he’d have for himself. Everything about Vallo was a second chance - even the times when it rained blood (or whatever) and let loose with the angry puppets or killer birds, it was all a part of life. Something he wouldn’t have had back in his doom-soaked world.
“This is beautiful - thanks, Ripley,” he said about the card. All these drawings were what they did together in the future and he might cry. Right now. Geez. “And I know carrot cake isn’t your mom’s favorite - “ He grinned at Sabrina. “So that’s a nice gift too.”
“You’re very lucky I love you,” Sabrina replied because that cake was still a travesty. “But come on, let’s get eating so this one can get you to open the presents.” There weren’t many of them, but it was the thought behind each of them that counted. But they would get to that later.
Grimm trotted after Sabrina as she rounded the table, waiting patiently for some of the burger that she was currently cutting into slightly smaller pieces of Ripley to pick up. Were they always this big? Probably. But it seemed ridiculous for a five year old to try and hold. Ripley happily began eating the burger once she was done, feet swinging on the bench seating as she tossed the hellpup some of her burger to munch on as well.
“What other plans do you have for today?” Sabrina asked, looking back at Dan after giving Grimm a pointed look to stop begging.
“Unsurprisingly, nothing too exciting - I figure Vallo’s often exciting enough on its own,” Dan said with a huff of a wry laugh, settling on the bench to begin his own burger adventure. He was all for healthy eating, in most circumstances (especially when you were his age and had to worry about annoying things like cholesterol) but man. Sometimes you just really couldn’t beat a juicy burger.
He’d also attempt to not give into the temptation to feed Grimm a couple of scraps - likely he’d get plenty from a very enthusiastic Ripley, who seemed fit and ready to share.
“We’re bringing Claire to Diego’s tonight,” he continued. “She’ll stay over and they’ll drop her off at school tomorrow. Then I think me and Allison are just going to watch something on Netflix and make popcorn. Turn the living room into a movie theater.” He didn’t even know what was on Netflix, however, besides Carmen Sandiego and Waffles + Mochi, both shows Claire happened to be a big fan of. Something more adult would be appreciated.
Ripley didn’t know what to make of a Claire who was only a year older than her. It was crazy that her aunt was basically her own age and that they might even be in the same class at school if she went there now. Was she going to start going to school again soon? She hadn’t asked either of her parents about it, enjoying the one on one time she was getting with them too much. But she did miss her friends. Though none of them would be around at this time.
It hurt her brain to think about it and so she sipped at her milkshake, scooting a little closer to her mom for the tangible comfort of having her right there. Sabrina gave her a side hug, glancing down to make sure the little girl was alright before nodding at what Dan was saying.
“Maybe have some cake along with that popcorn. Or ice cream or something,” she suggested. “It is your birthday.”
Dan poked the straw into his milkshake, which was black forest (Sabrina knew his favorite, just like he knew hers), and slurped up a bit of that chocolate-cherry goodness. “I’m sure there will be cake - brownies, maybe?” he mused. “And plenty of ice cream.” He would have more sugar today than he ever wanted - so that would probably satisfy him for the next couple of weeks. No need to save room for dessert.
“Is your dad still wearing the outfit you picked out for him?” Dan asked Ripley, trying to suppress a laugh. He had no doubt that Nick had the makings for a great dad (you know, years from now), but considering he was gladly lounging around the apartment in a Queen Elsa costume because his daughter decided he should wear it, well. That just upped the ante a few hundred notches.
And of course Dan would have done it too. He’d probably look great in an Elsa costume (maybe not, but whatever).
Ripley nodded very enthusiastically at that. “And we got new costumes to wear when we go to the Barns!” She couldn’t wait for the three of them to dress up in them for it. “Are you and Grandma Allison and Auntie Claire going to come too?”
She turned her attention to her mom, eyes widening as she thought of who else she wanted to have come. “Oh! And can we ask Grandpa Lucifer and Grandma Chloe and Auntie Roz and Auntie Rory, and bring the puppies?”
“You don’t want Salem and Shadow coming too?” Sabrina quirked a brow but Ripley looked at her pointedly.
“They’re going to be the trolls, mommy!” she told her, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. Getting Salem into a troll costume was going to be an event in itself.
Oh, now didn’t this sound like a hell of an outing - in a good way. Essentially, Dan was a big damn sucker for any sort of event that involved him acting in a grandfatherly capacity and so the answer was obvious. “We’ll be there,” he promised Ripley. “The Barns events are always fun, aren’t they?” He had to admit that those who owned the farm really went all out and made sure the young folks especially had a memorable experience - the adults too, but now that Vallo was crawling with a thousand children from the future it would make for a time.
Probably a time that required ibuprofen and a few minutes alone in a dark room afterward to get through it, but still. He was all in.
Besides, he and Allison always liked bringing Claire to the more kid-friendly events around the city and forest, whenever they happened. He popped one of the fries from the container in his mouth, dusting his hands off. “I think Salem and Shadow as the rock trolls is a really good idea too.” Hilarious, because poor Salem. Shadow would probably be an easygoing sport. Maybe.
“I think we might need a backup plan for Salem,” Sabrina told Ripley, but the little girl shook her head.
“He’ll listen to me, mommy.” If only that sort of confidence could be bottled up and sold, they would make a fortune.
Sabrina was going to need to give him a lot of extra treats to make up for any sort of costume. He didn’t even like wearing bat wings and she’d tried to get him into those several times before Ripley had entered their lives. A whole troll costume was going to cost several cans of tuna, or maybe fresh tuna was the way to go this time around.
“Can it be present time now?” Ripley asked, eyeing the gifts that they had brought for Dan. She’d eaten half of her burger and most of her fries. It seemed like a decent amount to Sabrina considering she usually picked at everything else and took either five minutes or an hour to eat.
Kids really did take an eon to eat - it was somewhat impressive, but they also had tinier digestive systems (and were easily distracted) so it made sense. Dan, however, was definitely all done with his birthday burger - he’d picked a lot at his own meals when he was a kid (and went through a stage where he only ate mac and cheese, like most any youngling). Now, it was much different.
Plus, food had been kind of scarce when he was growing up too - what with the limited budget, his mom being a single parent for the most part. He wouldn’t waste food if he could help it; some habits were hard to break.
“That’s two votes for present time?” he said, crumpling the burger wrapper and placing it in the appropriate trash receptacle - littering all over the private room was just rude. “One of the best parts of having a birthday. Besides the cake, anyway.” And the family time. Wasn’t everyday he and Allison could turn their living room into a makeshift movie theater either.
“Far be it from me to be the only opposing vote.” Sabrina nodded for Ripley to start handing over the loot.
“This one is from mommy, daddy and me,” Ripley told Dan as she handed him the first rectangular box gift. “It’s shirts and a book without pictures.” Her scrunched up nose showed how boring she thought that one was, before she picked up another box. “And this one is from Grimm.” She looked down at the puppy who looked up at his name, ears perked and ready to play. “It’s healthy snacks for work. Plus some M&Ms.”
That one didn’t quite earn a nose scrunch but she quickly set it aside and picked up the last gift. “And this one is from just me! I drew you pictures and mommy helped me make it into a book! And then daddy helped me make it glittery!”
Helpful that Ripley told him what each one was - she was excited, and her excitement was infectious. Dan found himself laughing fondly, unwrapping the more thrilling box (he could be an old man and get all happy about a new book to read later). It was the one from Grimm - and thus Dan was appropriately in awe of all the healthy snacks (plus the M&Ms, which were...moderately healthy. Okay, they weren’t, but the peanut ones did have those nuts so maybe that counted?).
“Thanks, Grimm,” he gave the best boi some more scratches behind the ears and under his chin. Also on the butt. Because you haven’t really lived until you’ve scratched the butt of a hellhound puppy. “And, oh, look at this - “
The gift from Ripley honestly had him tearing up a little - he was such a sap and he didn’t even care right now. “I love all of this - the glitter especially. You added just the right amount.” Like a whole canister of craft herpes, dumped right on there - but Dan adored this book. He would treasure it always.
Then, stooping a bit, he slipped his arms around Ripley and gave her the greatest grandfatherly hug he could manage (it at least didn’t smell like mothballs or peppermint, which were aromas he tended to associate with those of elderly grandparent status). “Thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome, grandpa.” Ripley hugged him back for a long moment before squirming out of his arms and looking expectantly over at Sabrina. “Can I go play now?” She’d eaten and given presents and been really good and extra patient so she couldn’t help but look hopeful for a yes.
“Stay where you can see me,” Sabrina told her, figuring if the little girl could see her then she’d be able to see her back. “And shoes off.” That seemed to be a rule for the indoor playground with all of the tunnels and ropes and everything else that looked like a child’s dream come to life.
Ripley hugged her too before quickly taking off her shoes and heading out to start climbing up the twisty tunnels. Sabrina had to stop Grimm from following after her, setting down the rest of Ripley’s burger to help pacify the hellhound.
“She’s been busy making books for everyone but won’t let Nick or I see the one she’s making for us,” Sabrina told Dan. She was pretty sure that meant the kids would be returning to their times soon, not that she expected Ripley to know when that would be, but it wouldn’t surprise her if the little girl was feeling that her time there was near its end.
Dan let Ripley go, watching after her for a moment as she was absorbed into the calamity of a whole bunch of other kids who were enjoying the playground. “It definitely feels like things are winding down,” he mused quietly, a thoughtful rumble. “I think this is the longest anything’s lasted in Vallo, while I’ve been here.” It was definitely a good something, however - and he knew that waking up one day and knowing all these kids weren’t in this timeline anymore would feel bittersweet, in the way parents often felt as they watched their progeny grow. They’d meet again someday, sure, but - it was easy to get used to this.
The togetherness. Every dinner and brunch meal and a five-year-old running around, all those big smiles and starry eyes because she was happy. Her parents, and the rest of the family, had given her a good life. In terms of Vallo ‘gifts,’ what had just been happening truly was one.
“I know it was odd and kind of terrifying at first - but you did great. Nick did great. I’m so proud of you both.”
It was still terrifying, but Sabrina knew she’d miss being woken every morning when Ripley ended up coming into her and Nick’s room and burrowing into the bed beside her. And storytimes before bed and a million other little things. One day it would become a permanent fixture for her life, but she was alright with it not being any time in the immediate future. Not when she was in college and Nick was still getting the club going. But definitely one day.
It was nice to know they had this someday.
Of all the things Vallo had done, this might have been the best of them. Ever since remembering their deaths, Nick and her had been a bit all over the place in regards to having any real future. They wanted one, they thought they could in Vallo, but this was nice proof that it was actually possible.
“She’s going to have the best life.”
Everything recently had been one big spoiler; it was like getting a glimpse of so many secrets, so many possibilities - in a way though, it also evoked a sense of security. Especially in knowing that they all could grasp onto something like this - Dan had never really given much thought to having a family, not when he’d been such a mess for so long and barely able to look after even himself. Then he made it his mission to protect Abra - who became his only family - and seeing the True Knot go after children, coveting the commodity of their steam, just kickstarted something in him that was fierce.
He’d died before he really began to understand it though. In Vallo, he lived it - he saw it for what it was. And the strength of it surprised even him on some days - but then again, he supposed it made sense. He had always been an intense sort of person, intensity that was forged from fire and he’d gone out the same way.
“She will,” he agreed, tossing an arm around Sabrina and dropping a kiss into her hair as he often did. Learning how to come to terms with her own death, her sacrifices and her losses, had been hard - hard for her, hard for Nick. But all of that was only one path - one out of many. There was that saying, though - there were as many paths as there were travelers.
And currently, they seemed to be on one of the most fulfilling paths. “Thanks again for the birthday gifts. It’s been the best one yet.”