Gable
Luxe is going out with Prior. She should be back by eight and if not she'll text.
Now if you'll excuse me I need to throw up a little.

Faye
Oh no. Don't throw up. 😦

Gable
Just a smidge.

Faye
Do I need to drive down there and rub your temples?

Gable
Nah, comin' home shortly anyway. Just gotta stop off at the grocery store and the pharmacy first. Do you want anything?

Faye
No, I'm good. Thank you. Dinner should be done by 6, if you're going to be able to eat. I've had so much help with making the salad. You may want to not eat it... there's been some grubby little paws all over it.

Gable
Ah hell no, if they helped I'm having seconds.

Faye
You are a brave man.

Gable
Nearly the same could be said for you.

Faye
I'm not brave. I just have a great immune system thanks to your kids.

Faye
Sparrow is asleep on my lap. I am trapped. 😆

Gable
I'll be there soon to rescue you!

Faye
Thank you. 🙂
I have the kitchen cleaned up, and I'm going to head out to the barn. Text me if you hear anything from Luxe, and I'll do the same. I imagine she'll be home soon, though.

Gable
I just got here where are you??

Faye
I shuffled the monster off to bed, got the kitchen cleaned up and now I'm packing up the home school books. I haven't slipped away yet.

Gable
Good, got somethin for you.

Faye
Oh?

Gable
God's honest truth.

Faye
You know you don't have to give me things...

Gable
Yeah yeah yeah come on it's gonna melt, meet me in the kitchen
[He's in there already getting out plates and forks and an ice cream scoop. He's sort of tried to fancily set up the pie and the ice cream and the flowers in a vase on the island but it's kind of all just in a row because he doesn't know how to fancy.]

Faye
[She practically peeks around the corner, because she has no idea what he's up to, but once she sees it, she blushes and actually moves through the door into the kitchen] Now you're just spoiling me.

Gable
[He stands up too fast and whacks his head on a cupboard door he left open, but not too terribly hard. He doesn't seem phased, at least, which maybe just means he's hit his head a few too many times.] Now, no, this is a thank you. For everything you do around here for the kids and for me. [He slides two large bowls across the counter and starts serving up.] How was your day?

Faye
[She blinks a little as he hits his head, and only just stops herself from fussing about it] You're going to hurt yourself one of these days and then what'll we all do? [It's clear she's teasing, because her voice is light and she's trying not to break into laughter] I don't need thanks for being here... I love your kids. You know that. [She goes and leans against the counter, smiling at the pie, because he remembers things, and it's so endearing that it makes her heart race] It was... good. It's almost always good. How was yours? Other than the whole panic attack of children growing up, that is?

Gable
[He pauses to look up at her, smiling a little, because she gets him even when he'd rather not be got and that's not a bad thing.] It was good. Mostly regulars in the diner today but a few people passing through. Apparently we could use some more vegan options on the menu and you know I don't think they're wrong. [He finishes dishing hers up and nudges it toward her.]

I know you don't think you need to be thanked but we really appreciate you. I really appreciate you, and showing someone you appreciate them is the best thing you can do, according to my mother. She's only been wrong a couple'a times.

Besides [he sticks a fork full of pie into his mouth and chews, trying to stop himself from RAMBLING] I was kinda wantin' to talk to you about dinner the other night?

Faye
[Look, she's not falling for his smile. That ship has sailed, okay? She fell for that a long time ago. But that doesn't mean she doesn't have a little flutter in her stomach when he smiles at her anyway.] Hmm. I suppose there's nothing wrong with more selections. If it brings in people who might not normally come in, that wouldn't be so bad. [She takes the bowl and takes a bite of the pie and ice cream together, making a happy sound in her throat.]

I'm never going to think it's necessary. Not that I'm arguing with your mother's wisdom. It's nice to be appreciated, but I'm perfectly happy with simply existing in this little world your family continues to make every day.

[She blushes faintly.] Oh? What did you want to talk about about it? It was lovely.

Gable
Uh, well [that blush makes his stomach twirl a little] I'm glad you thought it was lovely. I had a good time, too, and I- well, you are already part of our family Faye, I hope you know that. So if you don't want anything to change- if you say no to this I would totally understand. [He frowns at himself, sighs, then plunges in] I really like spending time with you. And I was just wondering if you might want to - you know like...go out again sometime? And maybe again after that? Only if it works out and you want to, though.

Faye
[she looks down into her bowl, trying to stop blushing, because she's not a teenager for god's sake] Oh. [Her voice is very quiet, but it's not a bad thing, by any means] Is?... I mean... are you asking me to...? [LOOK, SHE IS NOT GOOD AT THIS STUFF, EVEN THOUGH SHE CAN BE A TERRIBLE FLIRT] I'd like to, yes. As long as... I mean... [she's not trying to stumble all over herself] If it's important to you to have more children in the future, you... probably shouldn't pursue this. With me, I mean. [she shoves another bite of pie and ice cream into her mouth to shut herself the fuck up]

Gable
[He laughs but not unkindly, and he actually smacks a hand over his mouth because it wasn't a funny moment he was just IMAGINING] Faye if I never have to change another diaper in my life I ain't gonna complain. If we did uh- [he trips now] you know, get there someday, or if it's something you wanted to pursue? That'd be fine. There are lots of ways to have a kid. But I'm not really thinking about that right now, and even if I were? You're...more important.

Faye
[She tilts her head just a little, mostly because a laugh wasn't exactly what she was expecting, but that doesn't mean it's not perfect] I know it's a stupid thing to worry about. It's just... it wouldn't be the first time it was an issue, you know? [Her ex is a dick. Everyone knows this] I worry I'm going to throw myself into something that's going to turn painful for something I have no control over. Again. So I do it as a protection, I suppose.

Gable
I'm sorry I laughed. I wasn't laughing at you, I was just laughing at the thought of finding out I'm gonna be a dad again. You don't need to worry though, I promise. It might be Foster's mission in life to complete his own 100 baby challenge, but it's not important to me.

Faye
I would feel sorry for Foster's wives, but he'll just keep adding new ones to complete the set.

And I knew you weren't laughing at me. You're not cruel about things.