( If he bothered to speak up, Niall wasn't trying to call him out, as much as, understand. He can't just say he thought him not reaching out was deliberate. Before, when he was married, and now, when he isn't. )
It's cool, Bray. And it's always good to see you.
( He too settles in for the nativity. Cole is one of the three wise men, he thinks. He's never been one for religion even if the partially Catholic upbringing tried its hardest to keep its grasp on him. It failed. Either way, he's proud of his boy-o and cheers and claps for both him and Maeve when they get their cute individual bows and when the company (ha) bows together.
He sneaks a look at Bradan, sitting in the same row as some theatre event like old times. )
["Obviously." She doesn't get covered in this much glitter not to.
Bradan doesn't catch that glance, probably because he looked just before. He doesn't know what prompts him to look, when he could simply ask, but he lets his vision slip into that odd liminal space where red-gold lines begin to connect across the various married couples and committed partners in the room. Some lines even stretch out past the door, to a partner who is unable to be there.
But not Niall. When he looks at Niall he doesn't see anything at all, and for a moment there's a the briefest glimmer of hope and possibility, followed by a sinking sadness. Even if it wasn't with him, he'd wanted Niall to be happy. That's why he stepped away in the first place. Seems that happiness is no longer present.
But his eyes are off him by the time Niall looks himself, head ducked down so that Ciara can ask him a whispered question and not paying attention to the man on the other side of her, or the stage.
When the lights come up and the kids begin to scatter, she looks over at Niall. "Are you and Cole coming over for dinner?"]
( He looks down at Ciara, questionably, like this was sprung on him by all the children. Put on the spot, so how the hell could he say no to those eyes. The children's. Obviously.
And Bradan's. )
Dinner was leftover Christmas ham and sides from Ma. ( Whom, he remembers, really liked Bradan. He doesn't know if the feeling was mutual, or if it's relevant right now. ) But, the way you're looking at me, ( and he assumed how his kid will look when the question is posed once everyone is altogether again... ) leftovers can always wait another day. Except, past the seventh. What do I always say, C? God rested on the seventh day - and ate his leftovers before they went bad.
( His entire family, entire family is awful with leftovers. He labelled them. Still does. It's a quirk. And the only biblical holdover. )
["Okay!" She says before dashing off into the crowd towards the tall form of her father to do just that. Bradan sighs, before turning his attention back to Niall.]
But Ma's been cooking since she arrived, and her motto is usually to have an extra chair and a full plate ready in case someone drops by so I'm sure it'll be fine.
[Bairre usually pulls from the same playbook - or at least he did, before Lauren died. This is their first holiday without her, and he's torn between seeing his brother wanting the distraction or not wanting anyone not family around in case he has too much of a feeling about it and it makes it's way into the food.]
Starting in their Freshman year, he endured six Ford holidays with them, preferring to not be at his own home. Half the time his brother was stoned anyway and his parents were elsewhere. They loved their Christmas cruises.
Not six, seven, if you included the one birthday the entire brood insisted on descending upon campus for Bradan's 19th.
Turning his eyes back forward, he tries to let them settle on his old friend and not bask. That's what being in Bradan Ford's presence is like. There's a glow to him. )
She always did like to entertain. ( She's the one who insisted he join. Bradan invited him the one time, but every other, she got to him beforehand. Whether because she was guest lecturing - she was in some kind of Library Science - or the year she somehow got a hold of his number.
Oh, man, if he sees her tonight, she'll remember she has it. )
M'not worried. It's real good to see you, Bray. Congrats on all the success. Your company's doing wonders. Saw you on that magazine cover. Little shiny for my taste.
It was my business partner's idea. I thought it was a little much.
[All PR and fluff questions and ... well. He knows he's the face of the company, but it feels too in everyone's face. But his head ducks at the compliment.]
You look good as well.
[And then because he has to ask, has to get it out of the way to know for sure:]
( He could preface this next part with a myriad of sections to his marriage. But, there is, probably, only one Bradan is aware of. There was his blissfully happy period, college and after, when everything was easy. The sex was everything, but there was more than that. They spent the next chapter building their life together and Charlie found success. He used to be good at success. Humble. It hadn't changed him. They had one scare straight out of his own TV show where a long ago ex of Charlie's claimed her kid was his. He wasn't, but it showed them that maybe they did want to be dads, either way. He doesn't know if Cole is his or Charlie's and he doesn't need to, cause Cole's his. As if he birthed him himself - gross. But success grows, sometimes, in the wrong direction and a marriage where you grew together pushed you both further apart. It didn't help that his schedule was impossible what with his character, his character's twin brother and now the other whomever stealing both of their faces and causing havoc in the town.
The separation came before the divorce. Divorce is a nasty word in both of their families. And both sets of parents told them to give it the old college try. Remember like it was. And, maybe, when absence made the heart grow fonder, it felt like that, finally, they could find their way to one another.
And then he was served papers. )
Since August. Separated since last winter. Limping along before that.
[And he is. He wanted Niall to be happy, and he meant it. He's learned, as he's grown, that the red strings he saw aren't guarantees - relationships still take work and effort.]
That's always hard, especially with kids involved.
[He swallows a number of responses that he could say, all the first instincts are inappropriate to say in the middle of a secondary school play.
No need, he could say.
I'm right here, is another option.
But it's not just the location. It's the fact that it's been nearly fifteen years, at least and they're not the same people they were before. He can't just place himself back as an option, like nothing ever happened. Like nothing ever changed.
So he swallows all of those instinctive responses and manages a smirk instead.]
Well, we're closed for the holidays. But if that's still what you're looking for in the new year, my number's still the same.
[Maybe he could call him for other reasons too. The invitation's there. But with that, he catches sight of his mother over Niall's shoulder and takes a deep breath, and a quick:]
Incoming.
[Is the only warning Niall gets before Catroina's bright voice echoes in their ears. "Oh, Niall! Look at you, it's been so long."]
( Some of the family is still gathered at the front of the stage, but they are indeed interrupted by Catroina, herself. If only she'd held off for maybe five more minutes.
But, he does have Bradan's number. )
It has, Mrs. Ford. You're looking well, and Maeve is very talented.
( Why did he say that, she doesn't even want to be up there. She's only there because of his little rascal.
Callahan does look up then, finding the scene, eyes wide and locking his brother's gaze. Is he in trouble? He feels like he might be in trouble. Double for letting their mother abandon her granddaughter. )
[The look Bradan gives his brother speaks volumes only because Cal is his twin, and they communicate on a level that most other people don't. He's floundering and while he's good at patching that up so most people don't see it, Cal has a habit of seeing through him.
Catroina, on the other hand, is just greeting Niall with his smile, fortunately drawing his attention away from Bradan.]
You're being very kind.
[She says because she knows that this isn't what Maeve's after. She's just here for Cole. She takes him by the shoulders, looking him over.]
How have you been, love? Bairre mentioned about the divorce, and I'm so sorry to hear it. But sometimes these things just don't work out.
( A quick, 'Don't back down, stay in the game' look follows.
Catroina has the presence of a woman who keeps your attention. Bradan shouldn't be worried.
He smiles, knowing he's being very kind and then it's time for her once-over. He's in one piece! Intact! Mostly. )
Yeah, this was a long way out from working out. I'm on the other side. ( Not exactly thriving, but not cringing every time someone mentions it. ) It's all about Cole, really, and Cole is grand. Cole is the best thing I've ever done and I'll ever do. He's bright up there, isn't he?
[And he is, lovely. Catroina hasn't spent much time with him, but Maeve isn't so easily moved that she'll be friends with just anyone. If someone has become her best friend, they've earned it.]
I hear you two are coming to dinner? There's more than enough room.
[Bradan grimaces at his brother, before glancing over at his niece. "Ciara, you driving with me or with your dad?"
"Yes! Coming!" And the walking glitterball flies away from the rest of the group to come to Bradan's side. Maeve follows, amused at her sister's antics.
"You know you're not going to get that glitter out of your car for weeks."
Bradan smirks as he gives her a hug and congratulations. "Such is the burden we all bear."]
( Sometimes, in the three years he and Bradan were close, he let himself feel like Catroina was his own mother. She treated him like one of her own, insisted on second helpings, asked about his love life, schooling, wants, dreams - she was always encouraging - and somehow the one to find him when he would drink alone out back on their estate. She always brought a second bottle.
In another lifetime they could have been the friends.
He beams over his child, though, knowing that half of Cole is just Cole and he's a right lucky bastard, but, yeah, 25%, he did that. )
Ciara had to twist my arm, but I know better than to turn down a delayed invitation. Think the kiddos waited until the recital so I'd be Ado Annie.
( In not saying no, but why does that feel weirder in the proximity of her son. It's fine. Luckily, Bradan taks uncle reins.
"He still has sand in his car from that time we went to the shore, what's a little glitter," Quinn says, helpfully as she follows behind.
Cole weaves through the Ford's to his father's side, but halfway there, is Maeve, and he looks conflicted, as if he really wants to walk with his da', but also his best friend.
Niall slows down enough so that both can be done as he ruffles his hair and keeps him close by the other shoulder. )
My little man. I heard we have other dinner plans.
Speaking of, we should round everyone up and get back to the house. All that food isn't going to eat itself. We can talk more when we get there.
[Time to divvy up the children to the various cars and see how quickly they can get back before the roast dries out - which it never does in Bairre's house, but that's neither here nor there.
"Do I hear you volunteering to clean it?" Bradan teases Quinn as she gets closer. "You coming as well, or are you riding with your dad?"]
[Bradan leans against the hood of his car and Ciara's hand is already on the back handle, leaning off it with her all her weight like she's waiting for him to unlock it. Maeve hangs closer to Cole because of course she's going to go with Cole.
It's just up to Quinn, and Bairre looks over at his oldest with an eyebrow raise.]
Up to you, love. If not I'll enjoy that nice quiet car all to myself.
Hold on, why are the grandparents out of this. We'll let you play whatever you want, kiddo.
( He makes his best offer to Quinn, who hedges, looking back between her dad and grandparents. But, where her grandparents go lie questions and lore and conversation.
"I'll go with dad," she says, finally. Sorry, glitterbomb. )
That does get her a warm smile from her dad, though, and he tucks his arm around her shoulders once she's close enough and they head back to the car. Everyone else shuffles off into their respective vehicles and they fall into the post event traffic, waiting for them to make their way back out into the streets.
Bairre will give it a gentle beat before bringing up gently:]
Danny came in the bakery the other day. Seen him much since he got back?
( Fatherly affection is allowed several times a year, it's Christmastime, she'll allow it. )
And his girlfriend, but between her English assimilation and his coventry, our time together has been light. Much more there, than here. But I take what I can get. You like her?
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Didja kill it?
( If he bothered to speak up, Niall wasn't trying to call him out, as much as, understand. He can't just say he thought him not reaching out was deliberate. Before, when he was married, and now, when he isn't. )
It's cool, Bray. And it's always good to see you.
( He too settles in for the nativity. Cole is one of the three wise men, he thinks. He's never been one for religion even if the partially Catholic upbringing tried its hardest to keep its grasp on him. It failed. Either way, he's proud of his boy-o and cheers and claps for both him and Maeve when they get their cute individual bows and when the company (ha) bows together.
He sneaks a look at Bradan, sitting in the same row as some theatre event like old times. )
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Bradan doesn't catch that glance, probably because he looked just before. He doesn't know what prompts him to look, when he could simply ask, but he lets his vision slip into that odd liminal space where red-gold lines begin to connect across the various married couples and committed partners in the room. Some lines even stretch out past the door, to a partner who is unable to be there.
But not Niall. When he looks at Niall he doesn't see anything at all, and for a moment there's a the briefest glimmer of hope and possibility, followed by a sinking sadness. Even if it wasn't with him, he'd wanted Niall to be happy. That's why he stepped away in the first place. Seems that happiness is no longer present.
But his eyes are off him by the time Niall looks himself, head ducked down so that Ciara can ask him a whispered question and not paying attention to the man on the other side of her, or the stage.
When the lights come up and the kids begin to scatter, she looks over at Niall. "Are you and Cole coming over for dinner?"]
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( He looks down at Ciara, questionably, like this was sprung on him by all the children. Put on the spot, so how the hell could he say no to those eyes. The children's. Obviously.
And Bradan's. )
Dinner was leftover Christmas ham and sides from Ma. ( Whom, he remembers, really liked Bradan. He doesn't know if the feeling was mutual, or if it's relevant right now. ) But, the way you're looking at me, ( and he assumed how his kid will look when the question is posed once everyone is altogether again... ) leftovers can always wait another day. Except, past the seventh. What do I always say, C? God rested on the seventh day - and ate his leftovers before they went bad.
( His entire family, entire family is awful with leftovers. He labelled them. Still does. It's a quirk. And the only biblical holdover. )
You got room for me an' the Colemonster?
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["Okay!" She says before dashing off into the crowd towards the tall form of her father to do just that. Bradan sighs, before turning his attention back to Niall.]
But Ma's been cooking since she arrived, and her motto is usually to have an extra chair and a full plate ready in case someone drops by so I'm sure it'll be fine.
[Bairre usually pulls from the same playbook - or at least he did, before Lauren died. This is their first holiday without her, and he's torn between seeing his brother wanting the distraction or not wanting anyone not family around in case he has too much of a feeling about it and it makes it's way into the food.]
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Starting in their Freshman year, he endured six Ford holidays with them, preferring to not be at his own home. Half the time his brother was stoned anyway and his parents were elsewhere. They loved their Christmas cruises.
Not six, seven, if you included the one birthday the entire brood insisted on descending upon campus for Bradan's 19th.
Turning his eyes back forward, he tries to let them settle on his old friend and not bask. That's what being in Bradan Ford's presence is like. There's a glow to him. )
She always did like to entertain. ( She's the one who insisted he join. Bradan invited him the one time, but every other, she got to him beforehand. Whether because she was guest lecturing - she was in some kind of Library Science - or the year she somehow got a hold of his number.
Oh, man, if he sees her tonight, she'll remember she has it. )
M'not worried. It's real good to see you, Bray. Congrats on all the success. Your company's doing wonders. Saw you on that magazine cover. Little shiny for my taste.
( But all him. )
You look good like this.
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[All PR and fluff questions and ... well. He knows he's the face of the company, but it feels too in everyone's face. But his head ducks at the compliment.]
You look good as well.
[And then because he has to ask, has to get it out of the way to know for sure:]
Are you and Charlie still ... ?
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( He could preface this next part with a myriad of sections to his marriage. But, there is, probably, only one Bradan is aware of. There was his blissfully happy period, college and after, when everything was easy. The sex was everything, but there was more than that. They spent the next chapter building their life together and Charlie found success. He used to be good at success. Humble. It hadn't changed him. They had one scare straight out of his own TV show where a long ago ex of Charlie's claimed her kid was his. He wasn't, but it showed them that maybe they did want to be dads, either way. He doesn't know if Cole is his or Charlie's and he doesn't need to, cause Cole's his. As if he birthed him himself - gross. But success grows, sometimes, in the wrong direction and a marriage where you grew together pushed you both further apart. It didn't help that his schedule was impossible what with his character, his character's twin brother and now the other whomever stealing both of their faces and causing havoc in the town.
The separation came before the divorce. Divorce is a nasty word in both of their families. And both sets of parents told them to give it the old college try. Remember like it was. And, maybe, when absence made the heart grow fonder, it felt like that, finally, they could find their way to one another.
And then he was served papers. )
Since August. Separated since last winter. Limping along before that.
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[And he is. He wanted Niall to be happy, and he meant it. He's learned, as he's grown, that the red strings he saw aren't guarantees - relationships still take work and effort.]
That's always hard, especially with kids involved.
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( Or, hasn't he seen Charlie O'Daire on his show. )
We were happy, like all couples. And then we weren't. Why, you thinking about giving me the friends and family discount, Bray?
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No need, he could say.
I'm right here, is another option.
But it's not just the location. It's the fact that it's been nearly fifteen years, at least and they're not the same people they were before. He can't just place himself back as an option, like nothing ever happened. Like nothing ever changed.
So he swallows all of those instinctive responses and manages a smirk instead.]
Are you in need of a matchmaker, then?
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( But, he doesn't want a matchmaker. Maybe he'd want this matchmaker. But not to make his match. To be his match.
But he can't say that here, can he.
No. )
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[Maybe he could call him for other reasons too. The invitation's there. But with that, he catches sight of his mother over Niall's shoulder and takes a deep breath, and a quick:]
Incoming.
[Is the only warning Niall gets before Catroina's bright voice echoes in their ears. "Oh, Niall! Look at you, it's been so long."]
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( Some of the family is still gathered at the front of the stage, but they are indeed interrupted by Catroina, herself. If only she'd held off for maybe five more minutes.
But, he does have Bradan's number. )
It has, Mrs. Ford. You're looking well, and Maeve is very talented.
( Why did he say that, she doesn't even want to be up there. She's only there because of his little rascal.
Callahan does look up then, finding the scene, eyes wide and locking his brother's gaze. Is he in trouble? He feels like he might be in trouble. Double for letting their mother abandon her granddaughter. )
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Catroina, on the other hand, is just greeting Niall with his smile, fortunately drawing his attention away from Bradan.]
You're being very kind.
[She says because she knows that this isn't what Maeve's after. She's just here for Cole. She takes him by the shoulders, looking him over.]
How have you been, love? Bairre mentioned about the divorce, and I'm so sorry to hear it. But sometimes these things just don't work out.
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Catroina has the presence of a woman who keeps your attention. Bradan shouldn't be worried.
He smiles, knowing he's being very kind and then it's time for her once-over. He's in one piece! Intact! Mostly. )
Yeah, this was a long way out from working out. I'm on the other side. ( Not exactly thriving, but not cringing every time someone mentions it. ) It's all about Cole, really, and Cole is grand. Cole is the best thing I've ever done and I'll ever do. He's bright up there, isn't he?
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[And he is, lovely. Catroina hasn't spent much time with him, but Maeve isn't so easily moved that she'll be friends with just anyone. If someone has become her best friend, they've earned it.]
I hear you two are coming to dinner? There's more than enough room.
[Bradan grimaces at his brother, before glancing over at his niece. "Ciara, you driving with me or with your dad?"
"Yes! Coming!" And the walking glitterball flies away from the rest of the group to come to Bradan's side. Maeve follows, amused at her sister's antics.
"You know you're not going to get that glitter out of your car for weeks."
Bradan smirks as he gives her a hug and congratulations. "Such is the burden we all bear."]
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In another lifetime they could have been the friends.
He beams over his child, though, knowing that half of Cole is just Cole and he's a right lucky bastard, but, yeah, 25%, he did that. )
Ciara had to twist my arm, but I know better than to turn down a delayed invitation. Think the kiddos waited until the recital so I'd be Ado Annie.
( In not saying no, but why does that feel weirder in the proximity of her son. It's fine. Luckily, Bradan taks uncle reins.
"He still has sand in his car from that time we went to the shore, what's a little glitter," Quinn says, helpfully as she follows behind.
Cole weaves through the Ford's to his father's side, but halfway there, is Maeve, and he looks conflicted, as if he really wants to walk with his da', but also his best friend.
Niall slows down enough so that both can be done as he ruffles his hair and keeps him close by the other shoulder. )
My little man. I heard we have other dinner plans.
"We're the special guests!" )
Aren't we always.
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[Time to divvy up the children to the various cars and see how quickly they can get back before the roast dries out - which it never does in Bairre's house, but that's neither here nor there.
"Do I hear you volunteering to clean it?" Bradan teases Quinn as she gets closer. "You coming as well, or are you riding with your dad?"]
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( Even if they're two tweens, they at least aren't her giant family. Though, she'd prefer to ride with her uncles, than her dad and Ciara. )
What's your offer?
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If you do, you're riding in the back with the glitter bomb. So no offer, just know that you're doing so at your own risk.
[Bairre comes up with his father close behind and shakes his head with a smirk.
"All that effort to raise 'em and they abandon you for any other adult they can get."]
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( He jokes, but he and Catroina were beside themselves when two of their kids up and disappeared. )
I wouldn't worry in Cal's hands, but I don't know this Mr. McNally.
( "A hello to you, too, Mr. Ford," Niall says, behind him as everyone shuffles along into the parking lot. )
Alright, everyone. Who is riding with who. Last call.
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It's just up to Quinn, and Bairre looks over at his oldest with an eyebrow raise.]
Up to you, love. If not I'll enjoy that nice quiet car all to myself.
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( He makes his best offer to Quinn, who hedges, looking back between her dad and grandparents. But, where her grandparents go lie questions and lore and conversation.
"I'll go with dad," she says, finally. Sorry, glitterbomb. )
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That does get her a warm smile from her dad, though, and he tucks his arm around her shoulders once she's close enough and they head back to the car. Everyone else shuffles off into their respective vehicles and they fall into the post event traffic, waiting for them to make their way back out into the streets.
Bairre will give it a gentle beat before bringing up gently:]
Danny came in the bakery the other day. Seen him much since he got back?
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And his girlfriend, but between her English assimilation and his coventry, our time together has been light. Much more there, than here. But I take what I can get. You like her?
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