aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"That makes sense, plus as the girls get older, I'm sure they will appreciate having their own space when they get there. "As for the guest room, of course Marcel and I will come visit." She told Owen with a warm smile. "You just have to let me know when, though it's easier for Marcel when school isn't in session, so like a break or over the summer." She explained, "I get it," Aarin nodded her head, "there's something special about showing them where it all started for you are. Missing it just means it still matters." @owenxbentley

He smiled as he was glad Gabby did since he didn't think Gabby looked like him besides his eye color. "Oh, for sure, that's already happening." She got eyes from everyone and got them to look at her. He nodded "I know we won't be there much, but we need it," so the girls would have their own space when they could visit. "and we will have a guest room," he winked at her. He wants her to visit too sometime. He smirked "But It's just I want them to see where I am from more." he liked being here, but he still did miss London a lot. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"You have?" She laughed, a joyous sound as she knew that it was the excitement that had woken Marcel up. Another laugh bubbled over her lips, "I know, it's early," she teased him, tipping her chin to press a kiss to Marcel's cheek, "but just imagine, in a few more hours we will finally be husband and wife," though it was a bit more than a few hours, Aarin knew it would only be a matter of time before the two of them had to head to the venue to start getting ready. "Do you want to have breakfast ordered in?" She questioned, "I can order something from Cobblestone for us." @marcelvaughn

Marcel has been tossing and turning all night, but not for the same reason as he had the month’s prior. Instead of waking up, angry and annoyed at himself, he woke up panicking that he was late for what he was expecting to be the happiest day of his life. Finally, he was going to marry the woman of his dreams. He grinned at her when she rolled over in bed to face him. “Am I excited?” He asked her, “I’ve already been awake an hour! Of course I am excited, you know what time it is?” He teased as they both knew he wasn’t a morning person by far. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"I'm sure you would have," Aarin knew that feeling all too well. She would have graciously accepted any version of a ring from Marcel when he proposed. She loved him that much. "Yeah, we did push the wedding to Valentine's Day," she told Alina, "might as well make it our official anniversary date since that is when we got engaged." It was almost hard to believe that they were coming up on an engagement a year ago. "It should be a really special night. You and Ricky are still coming, right?" Shifting through the reservations since the postponement had been a challenge to say the least. @alinaceyhan

"Isn't it?" She grinned and looked at it herself for a moment like she did often. "Exactly. I would've been happy with the plastic water bottle ring he proposed with first, but he did great on this ring." Alina smiled more and put her hand down at her side. "I definitely am. I feel I will be forever. How is everything going wedding wise? You guys are getting married on Valentine's Day, right?" @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

Aarin had told Stevie that she'd come over and help with the tax forms. It was something that they worked on together every year and it was not the first year that Stevie was juggling newborns and in part, the brunette suspected it might not be the last either. Regardless, the two of them powered through and while it certainly took them all day, she felt like she got quality time with her best friend. "Ah, but we don't need an accountant," she teased, "look at us, we did it, even if it did take all day." She smiled at Stevie, "Another coffee would be great, I don't know how you don't just have an IV drip of it." @steviexwagner

closed starter for @aarinxduskin location: wagner home

While Stevie had had been to the café here and there since Mikey and Tommy were born, she had been doing a lot of work from home and today was no different as Aarin was coming over so they could finish up a few things before giving out the tax forms to their employees. Between doing that and the babies needing her, it felt like it took all day, but finally, the two were finished and Stevie sighed as she sat down her coffee cup. "Finally. I thought we'd never finish that up. I should just hire an accountant or something." She laughed a little and shook her head. "You want more coffee or something?"

[aarinxduskin]

Aarin smiled softly, her head tilting slightly as she listened. "She does have your eyes," she agreed with a small laugh, her gaze flicking toward Gabby with obvious affection. "It's a good thing too—those eyes are going to charm everyone she meets." She leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. "Looking at bigger places already? That makes sense. She’s going to be running around before you know it. Having the space to grow will make a big difference." Her smile widened as she added, "Plus, it'll give you room for all the visitors you'll have—because let's be honest, once they meet Gabby, they'll want to keep coming back." @owenxbentley

He smirked a little at her as he knew most did come for the baby, no matter whose baby it was. "I mean, thank you since she has my eyes," he joked as he knew she did get his lighter blue eyes. "It was really nice I am glad they got to see most of it," but really, they didn't have the time to see all of it yet. "I am gonna look at bigger places what I have now is fine, but once Gabby is bigger, We will need more space," and he planned that they could visit more. "It's great I know you know my mum and sister came when she was born but the others had not seen her" he said with a nod. "I guess feeling settled here now" he did think of it as his home. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"Even now." Aarin said softly, her heart racing at his words "Hey, hey," she soothed, voice gentle as she tried to calm him. She hated to see him worked up like he was. "I still can be," she continued holding her gaze study. "Being a traditional family is overrated," she continued, voice growing firmer, "and if you want your son in your life," Aarin closed the distance between them, her steps deliberate until she stood directly in front of him. Her eyes searched his own, full of sincerity when she spoke. "We can still be a family. I will still have your children, Marcel," she said, "None of that changes for me." @marcelvaughn

Marcel was about to make the joke he always did when it came to his sisters former flame, but he decided against it. He figured that out of everyone, Sawyer would have been honest with Aarin and told her how she felt the most. The heaviness that had already been lingering around them suddenly felt heavier, and he regretted asking the question in the first place. "Even now?" He asked her, knowing their situation had changed and that it wasn't like anything the two of them had envisioned. With a small sigh, he shook his head a little to himself. "If I want this?" He said, looking at her. "Of course I want this. This just isn't what I had in mind for us. This--" He paused, shaking his head again while he ran his hand over his beard, "It was supposed to be you, us--" Looking at her, "You were supposed to be the mother of my child, not her." @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"It surprised me to, but she seems happy. Happier than she was with that last guy." Even Aarin had only met him once or twice in the time that they were together. She'd never been a fan, if she were being honest. When Marcel's question hit the space between them, she looked up at him. "What?" Her lips parted in surprise, "I-" Aarin paused, "I've always wanted this, Marcel." The brunette told him, "I- I just have not been certain that this is what you want," @marcelvaughn

Marcel looked at Aarin, "I just can't--" He sighed, "I just can't picture the two of them together." He shrugged, not sure if he even wanted to if he was being honest. He knew he was probably projecting a lot of the stuff he was dealing with himself onto his sister and her new relationship. When she mentioned the two of them, he looked back at her. "Yeah maybe.." He shrugged, not that he'd ever really bothered to ask as he wasn't sure he'd like the answer. "And even now?" He found himself asking. "You still want this?" @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"I get that," she understood why Marcel was uneasy about Omar and Sawyer being together. Though she and Marcel were broken up during the time that he was playing professional football, she'd be a liar if she said she hadn't checked in on him from time to time. "Hey, don't say that," Aarin stood up, setting aside the wrapping paper, "I don't think anyone's thought that about you and me." She shook her head, "I think Sawyer's wanted this as long as I have." @marcelvaughn

Marcel just smacked his lips together, the thought of Omar with his sister still bothering him more than he knew he had the right for it too. "I know he is not playing ball anymore--" He said, "But if he was, if we both were, I'd not trust this arrangement for a second." He told Aarin honestly, he still didn't, but then again it seemed the two had been close before, which was something had had slipped his attention completely. "Guess I am the one to speak though.." He added, looking at his fiance as he was sure his sister had felt the same way at one point. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"I know, but still something I worry about from time to time," she hadn't thus far and considering their long standing working relationship, she knew that it was a fear that was more irrational that not. "I know," Aarin sighed with Sawyer's words, "but you know how he gets when he's like this. Talking to him feels near impossible." Another sigh passed over her lips before she smiled softly, "And this is why I love you." @sawyervaughn

END.

She rolled her eyes. "Please, like you could ever disappoint her. You two work so well together." Sawyer pointed out. Her face fell as she saw how her friend's face fell as well at the mention of her brother. "I do." She said with a nod before sighing. She reached out and touched Aarin's hand. "You have to try talking to him. It's not good for you or him to do this. You're together. A couple. You should be talking and going through this together." She smiled softly before sighing. "And if push comes to shove, I'll yell at him." @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

Her eyes lit up the moment that Alina held out her hand to reveal the ring. "Oh wow, it's absolutely stunning," there was no doubt about that. Aarin admired the sparkle of the gem resting on the other woman's finger, "The ring definitely helps but it's the thought that behind it that really counts. He's got great taste," she complimented Alina with a grin. "You really must be over the moon. I swear, I was in a state of complete bliss for weeks after Marcel and I got engaged," and that bliss was beginning to come back as they moved through their rocky road. "You've just got a glow about you." @alinaceyhan

Alina laughed softly as she saw her friend and instantly put her hand out. She had been so happy to show off the ring. She had been the same when Aarin got engaged and it was only fair to show it off now that the roles were reverse. Well, to a degree. "Thank you. The ring helps." She joked a little with a laugh. "He did amazing, didn't he? It's so perfect." @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

Aarin's face continued to light up as she took Gabby into her arms, cradling her with practiced ease. "Well, you really can't blame them," she teased her step-brother, "she's got the charm and those eyes are completely irresistible," she glanced down at Gabby as she gently bounced her. "It sounds like it was an incredible trip," she had never been but she had seen the photos posted online from the trip. "It must have been special to show Lucy and the girls where you grew up. And I can only imagine how the rest of the family felt seeing Gabby for the first time," she continued, moving to sit down on the couch with Gabby, "So, what's the best part of being back? Besides showing off Gabby, of course." @owenxbentley

Christmas was really nice that he was able to go back to London. To show Lucy and the girls where he was from and to see some of his family there. Gabby got to meet the family that didn't come over when she was born. Once he made a plan with Aarin, he headed over so they could exchange gifts and catch up. "Everyone is always happy about her and not me" he teased with a smile. But he was happy to hand Gabby over to Arrin. He walked inside and looked around a moment as he went to the living room. "It's nice to be back, but I loved being back in London," he said since he really missed it. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

aarin duskin ; a playlist

bloom - the paper kites

ophelia - the lumineers

dog days are over - florence + the machine

vienna - billy joel

little lion man - mumford & sos

you've got a friend - carole king

shake it out - florence + the machine

home - gabrielle aplin

here comes the sun - the beatles

the best day - taylor swift

[aarinxduskin]

Aarin could understand what Gabriel meant. Marcel had been part of a past life, though they were starting their new life together. She also knew, from hearing plenty of stories as people made their return to Kismet Harbor, that returning felt like a past life. "Of course, are you surprised by this?" She tipped her head only slightly to the side as she matched his smile. Aarin had always maintained an ease of taking up conversation with customers of Cobblestone Cafe, but there were ones that had a more special place in her heart. "The holidays do mean an influx in customers, not that I mind," she continued to smile. "Honestly, as long as she needs me and she will probably try to come back much earlier than she needs to. She certainly tried with the other kids." @gabrielxpierce

[aarinxduskin]

Christmas had been spent with the Vaughn family, primarily. She and Marcel had found themselves back on the same page once and for all. Now that it was a new year and her step-brother was back in town, the two had agreed to get together to exchange gifts as they hadn't done it prior to him leaving. Aarin heard a knock on the door and both cats darting at the loud noise. With Marcel gone for a few hours, she figured it was a good time for Owen to come over. Opening up the door, she smiled as she saw who he brought. "Awh, you even brought my sweet Gabs," Aarin was quick to reach out to her niece, scooping her up from Owen's arms. "Come in," she offered, stepping aside so that Owen could come in. @owenxbentley

Now that Owen was back in the state with his family, he wanted to see Aarin again since he hadn't been able to visit her for Christmas or New Year's. He was glad he could take Lucy and the girls to London to see where he was from—it had been a great couple of weeks, but now it was time to get back home and back to real life.

He knew he had a few gifts from the family for Aarin, so he made his way over with Gabby in tow. "You excited to see Auntie Aarin?" he asked as he set the bag with the gifts down and held onto Gabby while knocking on the door. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"I am," she confirmed with a nod of her head as he gently teased her. It was progress, so to speak. The two hadn't been doing much talking anyway as of lately so Aarin would take what she could get in this moment. "Awh, don't be so hard on her," she smiled at Marcel, "you can't help who you fall for," there were people in her life that used to think that Marcel was not right for her once upon a time and well, she was lucky that with a pushed wedding she was not getting more flack from people than she already had. @marcelvaughn

Marcel eyed her a little curiously, trying to think of what a good hiding spot would be, but he resisted the urge to start looking. "Playing it safe I hear? Alright, I get it--" He attempted to tease her back, feeling his lips turn into a small smile, before a small chuckle parted from his lips. "Good. Because I was planning on banning her from the house until after Christmas as a precaution, but now that is is dating Omar, I think I might just make it permanently in case she decides to drag him over." No secret that Marcel was still pissed off about the fact that the two were dating, even if he had no right to say who his sister was dating. He was after all engaged to her best friend. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

favorite platonic relationships: layla keating and olivia baker “Layla is my best friend. I love her and she loves me.”

[aarinxduskin]

starter for @alinaceyhan

location: cobblestone cafe

"Let me see the ring," Aarin gushed as soon as she sat down across from Alina at the table, "hi, hello, you look gorgeous today, but let me see the ring," she quickly added in some greetings before a grin broke across her lips. After hearing that Alina had received her ring, Aarin had been dying to see it. Things had been better with Marcel and their wedding was back on for Valentine's Day, but she still found herself looking for a distraction in someone else's relationship as she continued to move on from the last few months.