![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
for @theodorelasso
Kate's barely been able to sleep these last few days. It's a huge milestone, after all. It's been months since she and Ted started dating and, even with a werewolf in the mix, the prospect of meeting his son has been both the most surreal concept and the thing Kate has feared screwing up the most. It's just strange, being aware that they are into something serious and that would make her a step-mom part of this kid's family. Is she ready? Geez, according to her own mother it's surprising Kate can even look after a dog.
Remembering how Ted introduced himself to Lucky, Kate decides to bring a little something that hopefully will excite Henry even if he turns out to hate her guts. It's certainly more than just a steak. Getting out of her Uber, Kate's got her arm wrapped with Lucky's leash as she makes room to pull out the box they somehow managed to fit along in the back of the car.
"Ted? Can you give me a hand?" She calls out the second she sees her boyfriend step out of the house to come greet her.
The basketball hoop is not terribly heavy, but when a retriever is super excited to mee his own step-dad? Yeah, it becomes a bit of a challenge.
Remembering how Ted introduced himself to Lucky, Kate decides to bring a little something that hopefully will excite Henry even if he turns out to hate her guts. It's certainly more than just a steak. Getting out of her Uber, Kate's got her arm wrapped with Lucky's leash as she makes room to pull out the box they somehow managed to fit along in the back of the car.
"Ted? Can you give me a hand?" She calls out the second she sees her boyfriend step out of the house to come greet her.
The basketball hoop is not terribly heavy, but when a retriever is super excited to mee his own step-dad? Yeah, it becomes a bit of a challenge.
no subject
no subject
"You too, Ted. Have sweet dreams and fun tomorrow. Love you."
Mimicking him, she kisses the pads of her fingers and touches the camera, only hesitating briefly before ending the call. Realizing she is pretty tired herself and that she does have to be up early, all things considered, she gently pushes Lucky off her and guides him upstairs. She falls asleep with the dog at her side and Ted's scent coming from the sweater she borrowed.
While he spends the next day with Henry, Kate uses the time to catch up with a friend after practice. Through the day she sends him a couple of innocent photos. One of Lucky after he stole the bagel she had for breakfast and a sneaky selfie, her expression one of pure boredom as she's clearly in the middle of one of those meetings she can barely stand.
no subject
Kate gets a couple photos in return, one of Henry playing basketball with the brand new hoop. Then later in the day, one when they're at a toy store and Henry has a brand new archery toy set, holding it while grinning brightly up at the camera. Ted tried to find one that allowed for training up some skill at aiming and all that, but that wouldn't pose a danger to people or Michelle's home. (Doesn't hurt that they ended up with one that was Hawkeye themed.) Michelle gets these photos too, along with those particular reassurances.
no subject
"You guuuuuuuys!! That's so cool! And that must be new because I had NO idea that it existed!
Tell Henry that if his bow disappears it TOTALLY WASN'T ME.🙊"
It's the next evening that proves to be harder for Kate to get some sleep. Having friends over distracts her from the anxiety. Of knowing she is sort of already bonding with Ted's son. Or that she will, at the very least. It's insane. She's only ever felt this nervous before performing at the biggest of championships.
no subject
The next day, Beard is already at the range when Kate shows up, having apparently gone over things to make sure there's no arrows lying around or otherwise unsafe stuff for kids.
no subject
She's brought it up more than once now, rambling about her fears when it comes to mess things up with Ted's kid.
"Mornin', Coach," she greets him. Judging the bags under her eyes it's clear she could have used a little more sleep.
no subject
Then there's an text from Ted: Finishing up breakfast and we'll be on our way. 😊
no subject
Her phone buzzes as her heart both flips in excitement and with nerves as Ted confirms that this is happening. "Can't wait! We'll warm up while waiting for you! 😘"
"Okay, they're coming," she confirms as she heads towards Beard in a beeline, not hesitating for a second before she throws her arms around her favorite coach.
no subject
It doesn't take long for Ted and Henry to get going, since Ted is pretty excited himself. He has visited them both at the range before, picked her up there a couple times, but this is something else. Henry's practically bouncing off the walls with excitement. He's got his brand new bow (which did get some testing in Ted's apartment, mostly versus small green army men), and is super pumped to try it out in a proper environment.
no subject
"Do you think I'm actually doing good?" She asks, already stretching and warming up. "I mean, I was there and I know that things seemed cool with Henry," Kate states, twisting her arm towards her left as she applies a little pressure on her elbow. "But like, it's been a day and maybe Ted is just really excited for things to work out."
You know, maybe a little biased.
no subject
Kate not actively having a panic attack probably helps. The more she relaxes and gets used to it, while actually keeping in mind some major guidelines about what to do and not to do around kids, the easier it'll be.
no subject
He still pisses inside sometimes.
"He is pretty sweet and chill." Kate agrees. "I mean Henry, not Lucky." But she quickly adds. "Lucky is too."
no subject
no subject
It's no wonder he's her favorite coach.
Going to the table where her equipment awaits, Kate grabs her bracer and starts adjusting it around her left arm. "Do you want kids of your own?"
no subject
Beard's face seems to go through a journey through this entire moment, though it's less of a wander, and more of a rapid bouncing back and forth between two extremes.
For his solid and straightforward advice, clearly he's a complete mess when it comes to the possibility of himself as a parent.
no subject
"You're too tough on yourself, Beard. Has anyone ever told you that?"
Jane probably does. But not in the kindest of ways.
"Ted's told me a million times how great you are around Henry."
no subject
As for how great he is around Henry? "Being able to take care of kids is not the same as being responsible for one 24/7."
no subject
Not that Jane sounds like the best well-adjusted person to trust with a baby 24/7 either. "You've got family, right? For sure a big ass family of friends." This man makes friends wherever he goes, somehow. "And, you know, Ted would for sure babysit while we go kick ass at championships." A beat. "Or at the bar."
no subject
To say Beard has family might be technically correct, but none he would trust to help with a kid. Friends, however, that he has. And Ted would delight in helping.
He narrows his eyes at Kate. "Thirty minutes with a kid you're sort of responsible for, and you're trying to talk me into becoming a dad?" he observes curiously.
no subject
At the accusation however? Yeah, the bow she had picked practically falls off her loose grip. She crouches, catching it in her arms. "I-- That's... That's not how it is!" An accussing finger points at her coach. "I'm sorry if I worry about you going dry in case you change your mind!"
no subject
"Come on. You can get some practice in before they get here," he says, letting her know that particular conversation is over.
no subject
Practice doesn't go as smoothly as it usually does, but that has little to do with the new excercises Beard proposed on their last sessions. It's clear Kate's mind is elsewhere, her own anxiety showing with every few shots. It's rare on her, even in competitions she is usually more confident than she is now.