but oh what a year

[patrols]

Comments

[primerib]

( 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.

"We're the special guests!" )

Aren't we always.

[mullvaney]

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?"]

[interferences]

I could throw everything off and ride with Mr. McNally, keep an eye on Maeve.

( 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?

[morethanfaith]

[A quick glance to determine whether or not Cal was piling in also, and when it's confirmed, he shrugs.]

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."]

[allotments]

Absolute any. You and Beck chose a ride from the librarian without informing your mother or I. We're still banned from the local.

( 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.

[fullpockets]

[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.

[allotments]

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. )

[fullpockets]

[Works for Ciara.

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?

[interferences]

( 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?

[fullpockets]

She likes that I'm a girl dad.

[So yes, he does like her, if their one off conversation is anything to go by.]

I think she's sweet. And I think he is very sweet on her. And if my eavesdropping skills are anything to go by, she may be becoming more of a permanent fixture not too long from now.

[interferences]

You win over people too easily, baked goods and all.

( But she knows her father doesn't do that, not unless he has to. She's heard stories as he perfected and avoided his family power. )

You're describing her like lighting or furniture.

[fullpockets]

Well, love can be a bit of both.

[Sometimes it can feel like lightning striking, and sometimes, once the person has been in your life long enough, your space feels strange without them in it. Like someone's stolen your favorite armchair.

It's that part that he's been wrestling with over the last few months.]

But she was talking about transferring to Oxford.

[interferences]

( She squeezes him in closer. He would know. She's never felt it. Maybe she's never let herself. She has an uncle that can't ever let himself feel anyone and one who connects people but not himself. And then her younger uncles. )

Then it's serious. More than a winter fling. Spring fling? What happens in winter. A flaking. I did. Like her.

[fullpockets]

Good.

[That she likes her.]

If she does move here, she's going to need friends. And I think he misses you.

[If the frequency that he shows up at the bakery is any indication.]

Trying to make up for lost time.

[interferences]

You're pawning me off and I haven't even graduated yet. You're going to miss me when I move out.

( She'll miss him and her sisters. )

[fullpockets]

Of course I'm going to miss you.

[She was his first child, remembers the day the doctor put her in his arms and he can't believe she's nearly an adult already, but he's always been proud of her, and he's always known this was coming.]

But you're going to have to go eventually. You're almost at the point where you're going to have to start figuring the world out for yourself.

[interferences]

But, not after my A-levels.

( She knows she's been considering the states and has several applications in, including Tulane, but, that makes it real. )

And Cair and Maeve. ( They'll miss her, too. ) I miss her, dad.

[fullpockets]

Me too, love.

[Every day. He knows there will come a day when he'll wake up alone and it won't be a body blow, it will be normal, but he's in no hurry to rush to that day.]

She'd be so proud of you, though.

[interferences]

What would she be proud of?

( This is an eighteen year-old high-grades girl, yes, but she's abandoning her family, soon. She's an artist. One without quite of a direction. And one who leaves the house whenever she can because she has such a big family.

But she does love that family.

She just thinks she's difficult to live with. To know. Are all girls? )

[fullpockets]

[Bairre pauses, turning to face her more.]

You. She'd be proud of you. Like I'm proud of you.

[He considers his words carefully, as he looks down at her.]

Not that she'd need a specific reason, but we had a really hard year. And there's a lot we're still working through. We made it, though. And that's reason enough.

[interferences]

Yeah, yeah it is.

( She hasn't gotten in trouble, or been reckless, she's stayed true. She's always been on the knife's edge, she's the dramatic Ford girl. )

Come on, let's beat the others there. Access to the best appetizers.

( And she can open the best bottle of wine. )

[fullpockets]

[He smiles before nodding.]

As is our right as the winners.

[And with that they will head home where the house will be full of all kinds of noise as dinner is dished out and served. Catriona is more than happy to keep chatting with Niall, allowing Bradan to keep a little more distance until he gets his head on straight.

He sees his brother approaching however and he tries to wave him off. "I'm fine."]

[overlaid]

( The kids can look after one another, and with Bairre Sr. not far behind when he has the energy, so Niall does have a glass of wine with the Ford matriarch.

Around his family, Callahan wouldn't be gloved up, but he has one of-age unknown with a previous romantic history with his brother. The driver glove hands a beer to his uptight brother that is not fine. )

You were a bad liar as a kid and you're a worse liar now. Take the beer and follow.

( He navigates his way back through the empty rooms, out to the little fire pit adjacent to the backyard, flipping the switch. It comes to life as he closes the door, flames roaring. )

Sit.

[morethanfaith]

[Bradan takes a long pull on the beer before moving to sit with his brother outside. It would have been better if it was whiskey, but beggars can't be choosers. He leans back in the lawn chair, letting his eyes wander up to the starry Christmas Eve sky, and sighs as he tries to relax.]

I am fine. It's awkward, but I can manage running into an old friend. I got my head on straight in the car. It's fine.

[Maybe if he keeps saying it, it will eventually be true.]

[overlaid]

( He grabbed what he grabbed, and yeah, beggars, choosers, and puppy dog faces come last.

He takes his own seat, waiting for his brother to say something. He takes a pull from the beer, glancing up at the night sky, too. )

This big wide world feels real small sometimes. ( He'd called him Mr. McNally, because everyone called him Mr. McNally. It's a parent-family member thing. ) Him being Cole's dad threw you for a loop. Honest, I thought you knew.