for @theodorelasso
Jun. 5th, 2023 03:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
hawk_shotKate'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.
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on 2023-06-11 04:00 am (UTC)This won't be like this forever, at least. "But hey, in time she'll see this is not just a phase, young man." And what matters the most is that Henry is cool about it. "I'm sure, you got a swing for us, but that's not part of a mid-life anything."
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on 2023-06-11 04:15 am (UTC)"No, I guess she was worried about both of us, but in a..." he says, trailing off as he tries to figure out how to phrase it. In a 'what are you going to do when she leaves you?' way, he realizes suddenly, and it's a bit of a gut-punch. "You know, in different ways," he continues, putting on a smile.
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on 2023-06-11 04:24 am (UTC)She nods slowly, considering her words. "I guess we'll just have to prove it, right? How good we are for each other, as time passes and stuff." As time passes and they are still together. "Hey, but it all went good, didn't it? We still had cake and it was nice and Henry is okay with everything," she reminds him. "Michelle will see in time." Maybe they could do something for his birthday or Henry's?
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on 2023-06-11 04:50 am (UTC)"So, I was thinking," he says, changing the subject to focus more on the here and now and their plans. "Day after tomorrow, we stop by the shooting range to hang out with Beard, and then you can teach Henry a bit? Then on Saturday, d'you wanna come along to Legoland with us?"
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on 2023-06-11 04:58 am (UTC)reality.
It's crazy how Kate would have shitted bricks about these plans a couple of months ago.
"If Henry is okay with that then I'm totes on board." The range, she is well aware that his kid will be happy to give it a go. "I mean, just in case he wants Legoland to be a thing between you two."
The range is familiar territory, like playing a match in your own stadium. But Legoland? It's crazy to think that it'll be their first day out as... A potential family together?
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on 2023-06-11 05:26 am (UTC)He gives a yawn, and realizes he should probably go turn in as well. "Alright, I'll text you when I know more. I better go get some sleep, since he'll probably wake me up early."
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on 2023-06-11 05:34 am (UTC)"Sure." Before Ted leaves though, Kate holds her phone closer to her face. "Baby, before you go. I love you. So much." And what happened today was huge, even if she's only now starting to fully comprehend it. "I know it took us by surprise, but... Thank you for convincing me to stay. And for like, asking me to be part of it."
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on 2023-06-11 05:42 am (UTC)no subject
on 2023-06-11 05:55 am (UTC)"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.
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on 2023-06-11 06:32 am (UTC)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.
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on 2023-06-11 06:45 am (UTC)"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.
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on 2023-06-11 07:28 am (UTC)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.
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on 2023-06-11 07:38 am (UTC)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.
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on 2023-06-12 02:21 am (UTC)Then there's an text from Ted: Finishing up breakfast and we'll be on our way. 😊
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on 2023-06-12 03:36 am (UTC)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.
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on 2023-06-14 05:54 am (UTC)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.
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on 2023-06-14 06:10 am (UTC)"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.
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on 2023-06-14 06:26 am (UTC)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.
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on 2023-06-14 06:31 am (UTC)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."
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on 2023-06-14 06:47 am (UTC)no subject
on 2023-06-14 06:53 am (UTC)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?"
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on 2023-06-14 07:00 am (UTC)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.
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on 2023-06-14 07:06 am (UTC)"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."
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on 2023-06-15 08:52 am (UTC)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."
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on 2023-06-15 09:02 am (UTC)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."
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