for the rest of us death will be a relief

[praevaricatio]

Comments

[happiness_elude]

[Miranda sighs, leaning back in her seat. She knows he's right, that their children made their own choices for their own lives, but that doesn't stop her from wishing their lives had been easier, safer. That they hadn't lost so much.]

I still remember when you first told me that vampires were real. How that ... made the world so much scarier. You grew up in this Grayson, and I tried to adjust, I did. But part of me still wishes I could go back and pretend that none of this is out there.

[founderscouncil]

I know.

( He doesn't say what they might both be thinking. Or, maybe she isn't. And he'd never. Not from what he's learned about vampires. And his son's part in everything, at least at first. But, he knows if they wanted to, they could take this away, too. )

How did you handle it? The first time? Because, other than Mikael coming for Elena, you didn't have to see it or hear about it?

[happiness_elude]

Mostly, yes.

[She hesitates, before drumming her fingers against the table.]

I think it was more of a hypothetical than an actual reality. I mean, I knew they were real. You showed me. But ... I didn't really see one after that until Mikael so it's like I could pretend things were normal.

[founderscouncil]

We hadn't had a vampire in a really long time, not since the 90's.

( It was a hypothetical for him, too. )

Founders Council was a once-a-week meeting addressing the status quo.

[happiness_elude]

[She nods again.]

Here, it doesn't feel like they're allowed that deniability. And maybe for them they feel like it's a good thing. It doesn't feel like it should be, but I'm not them.

[founderscouncil]

I wouldn't call it deniability. And you don't have to be them. Or, the Winchester brothers. You're you and you'll come around to things in your own time. Elena also said things only recently started up again.

( Though, she is in a relationship with a hunter. And their son is also a hunter. )

What would help you most?

[happiness_elude]

... I need to get out of this bunker.

[Yes, that's the real meat of it.]

I need to ... have a life outside of this. I think if I have motions I can go through, maybe it won't feel so all-encompassing.

[founderscouncil]

Okay.

( He smiles, taking her hand. )

I'll put in the offer.

[happiness_elude]

[She can't explain the relief she feels when she realizes she has momentum. That she doesn't have to keep holding still.]

Do you think the papers he gets us will be good enough for me to get a job?

[founderscouncil]

Dean thinks so.

( He thinks they'll be in business. )

There's a lot more red tape for a previously dead doctor.

[happiness_elude]

[Her face turns sympathetic as she reaches to give his hand a squeeze.]

I'm sure you'll find something. Maybe Elena can recommend some classes if you want to try and catch up?

[founderscouncil]

It would give me something to focus on. Or, I could go to the administrative side.

( Pharmaceutical? More school. )

I'll find something.

[happiness_elude]

You will. We both will.

[And it will be good. For the first time since she's come back, she almost feels excited.]

I think this will be a good change. And probably good for us and the kids too.

[founderscouncil]

I think it will great for us and the kids. Give us something else to focus on. Get more time with each other. I've been told the bunker doesn't stay empty for long, so I'm sure something else will come around the bend for Elena. And we're close, if we want to do dinner, or lunch, or anything.

( It's win-win-win-win for all Gilberts. )

And, coincidentally, if you want, there is room for your sister. I did find a three bedroom.

[happiness_elude]

We'll see what she wants. She may want her own space.

[Her sister is still a swirl of complicated feelings, but for the most part she's doing her best.]

We can talk to her when she gets here.

[founderscouncil]

Okay. Now. I say, we focus on us. That's why our son's girlfriend is holed up in the Deandungeon.

( Or, whatever it's called. )

[happiness_elude]

[She laughs, shaking her head.]

Are we keeping her there all night, or only until we go out?

[founderscouncil]

We didn't kidnap her. That, and that dress were her ideas. We're not teenagers. Even when we get back. ( His hand slides over the table, atop hers. ) It's a big bunker.

[happiness_elude]

It is. And shockingly empty at the moment.

[Dawn can get up to her own devices. But Miranda is looking forward to getting some quality alone time with her husband.]

[founderscouncil]

Shockingly. So, let's take advantage. We'll finish this up. Hit the drive-in. Come back.

( And... )

[happiness_elude]

Sounds like a plan.

[And with that, they will have a lovely, romantic, much needed evening.]