aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

Aarin didn't want to jump to conclusions when it came to her relationship with Marcel but things felt so off lately that the question popped out like she were being released like champagne from a new bottle. "I know it's a lot," Aarin whispered the words, not wanting to feel like she was diminishing what Marcel was going through. Aarin stepped closer to him as he did to her, placing her hands on his chest, "Marcel, you can talk to me about this, you know?" @marcelvaughn

Marcel had nodded at her question, before he felt this sudden uncomfortable feeling he had been feeling a lot of lately, when she asked if they were okay. It was the first time she had asked since well, everything had changed, and it was a question he had been dreading. A small sigh had parted from his lips, before he had looked back up to meet her gaze. "You're not going to loose me--" He told her, stepping a little closer, "It's just--" Another sigh, louder this time as he exhaled from the depths of his lungs and it felt as if he released some pent up tension. "This has just all be a lot." @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"No, it's just standard stock supplies but I'm sure you know all about keeping inventory and what it's like to be missing something." And while she had been doing this job a long time and having learned from Stevie, she still got nervous when things didn't add up. "Hopefully someone starts reading the packages better," though she doubted that would be the case. "Really?" She wasn't surprised by Arlo's offer as she had always known him to be incredibly nice. "That would be great," she told him, "but don't tell anyone I said yes, my reputation of always refusing help may be at risk," she teased him. @arlocontreras

"A package." he repeated, smiling wider as he hoisted it onto the closest table next to her, taking his pocket knife and placing it on top of the box for easy access in the off chance she didn't have one handy herself before he took a step back. It wasn't his package so it certainly wasn't his place to open it. "I know we've gotten several of our packages of medication delivered next door to us, so, clearly someone's not reading labels properly, and when I saw this I knew it had to be important. I assume there's nothing in it that will go bad." he shrugged, looking back at her for a moment as he placed his hands in his pockets. "It's truly alright, I don't want you doing that; it was the least I could do." he shrugged. "Would you like some help unpacking it? I've been told I'm strong so if there's anything heavy I wouldn't mind helping out if you need it." @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"I appreciate it, Max," she smiled at the other and his offer. Aarin wasn't used to taking help from others, often doing everything herself. She prided herself on her work and had been working at the cafe for practically half of her life now. "I can't wait to hear about all the future costumes in the years to come," Aarin told him, "I'll get back to this, but I'll see you around, Max. Don't be a stranger." @maxdiaz

END.

"Alright," he said with a smile. "But really, I am here if you need anything, okay?" he wanted to show support for any of his friends no matter what. "I bet..." he said. He could remember his own even though he knew it wasn't a big part of it. He was busy working and wasn't the best person at the time. "But I am sure the wedding will be amazing," he smiled. "It is, she just my sweetie and it came to me" he was happy for what he picked "Soon she will be picking her own so I just want to make it fun" he smiled. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"Me too," they'd both been so busy. No one had ever warned her of the planning that it would take to get together with some of her favorite people as an adult. With Stevie on bedrest for her pregnancy, Aarin had been spending a lot more time at the cafe and then there was the whole Marcel is a father bit that came up when his perfectly blonde ex-girlfriend came into town. "Yeah, we can take it easy, it's been a while since I've been out to ride myself." She admitted, "And that way we can still talk while we ride." She moved to rub her hand against the horse, "I'll go get on Buttercup and meet you by the gates?" She suggested to the other before heading towards her horse. @alliannahvaughn

Glancing towards the area that Aarin pointed at, Alli spotted Buttercup in the distance and smiled softly. She'd never ridden Aarin's horse, but, she'd seen and heard plenty of him through the years that she felt as if he was hers sometimes. "Of course." she nodded, offering the other a small smile. "I'm just excited to be free to spend time with you. And also to go horse back riding. I haven't been in years and I know it'll be fun." she smiled. Petting the horses nose again, Alli took a step forward. "I'm ready to hit the trails whenever you are. Though, if there's a milder version or whatever we should probably go that way." she admitted. "I don't think I need to worry but just in case. I'd rather play it safe." @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"Yeah, nothing worse than dragging something out," she knew that it had happened to people before. One or both people wanted out and couldn't break it off. She worried, in part, that was going to happen to her and Marcel after he found out he was a father. "You do, you have a lot of people that care about you, Tyler. I know it may be hard to see," she placed a hand atop of his knee and gave it a squeeze. "You can always talk to me if you need." @tylerxday

END.

From what he had seen and heard about Bridget, he could tell the breakup was harder on him than Bridget. But he was going to get past it; he just knew it was going to take time. He wasn't the type to get over a love so fast. "I know it's for the better now over later" if they would have moved in and made it all worse. "I know that I know I have friends and family....and work," but both, one after another, were rough. "I mean I hope so" he said just wanting to have a day he didn't feel like crap. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

Aarin felt her hand fall from Marcel's with how abruptly he stood up after hearing the news. She lifted her chin, looking up at him and hoping that she could read any expression on his face, but it looked like she was too late. Marcel had already started to hide his emotions and Aarin's heart sank into the pit of her stomach. "I-" she looked at Marcel before he quickly exited and she turned her attention back to Sandy. "I'm going to go check on him." @marcelvaughn @sandyxpowell

END.

Marcel's ears were ringing loudly in his head, tuning out the sound of his fiance's voice, alongside all the conversations that were going on around them, as his mind was still trying to process the news he had just been presented with. He was a dad. An actual dad. Abruptly, he stood up from his seat. He looked at the little boy, hoping he had not startled him, though he had certainly captured the attention to some of the people in their proximity. "I--" He opened his mouth to speak. "I need some air." He added, before he pushed his chair back, looking at Aarin, "I'm sorry.." He said, before he headed towards the exit. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

Since finding out that Marcel was a father, it was clear that the dynamic had changed in their household. She wanted to give him space to process everything but she worried that by doing so, she had allowed him to put enough space between them that they might not get it back. Their wedding was quickly approaching and Aarin wasn't sure she'd be able to bounce back if he decided he didn't want to marry her. Aarin tried to focus on her job, knowing that she had to keep the stress down for Stevie and it was a great distraction from everything that was going on at home. But, she had to go home at. Aarin opened up the front door and was met by Marcel, "You did?" The brunette was surprised and her brows furrowed in concern towards her nose, "Are we okay, Marcel? I -" She shook her head, "I can't lose you again," the words came out as a whisper as she closed the door behind her. @marcelvaughn

Closed | @aarinxduskin

The atmosphere in the home Marcel shared with his fiance had shifted ever since that night they had gone to meet up with Sandy. Since she had broken the news about his son, he had tried to process the news the best he could, but it hadn't been an easy thing to do for a man so used to pushing all his feelings and emotions down, it had started to weigh on his relationship. He had walked into their home after finishing work for the day, walking over to the kitchen counter where he grabbed a vase form underneath the sink and poured some water into it, before putting down the bouquet of flowers he'd gotten on the way home. As the front door opened, he looked up to meet his fiance's face. Offering her a slight smile, he went to scratch the sudden itch in the back of his neck. "I um.. I got you some flowers.."

[aarinxduskin]

"It's got a great view," Aarin looked out past the bluff and to the ocean. "I understand," the brunette was also someone with a lot on her mind. There was always something new to think about, right? "I'm sorry," she had heard about the relationship ending with Bridget. Things traveled rather quickly through Kismet Harbor. "I know it feels like you are alone, but know that you aren't." She knew that it was easier said than done. "Yeah," she nodded her head, "that means it can only go up from here, right?" @tylerxday

He nodded. "And I always like it here." he did love the ocean, so this was a good place for him to think and let things go. "to much to think about it" he said about what was on his mind. "I just... I waited so long to get back with her to not last... then my best friend moved out, I just feel like I am getting let alone." he knows it wasn't that. "Just all at once, and it sucks for me," and it kept his mood pretty sour. "I just got bit of bad luck I guess...." event time he. Felt like he was doing better another thing happened. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

Aarin nodded her head, "Yeah, I get that. It's a great place to get some thinking done." She smiled at him, "What's on your mind, Tyler?" She questioned him, a slight tip to her had, "If you want to talk about it, we don't have to," she understood as she wasn't keen on going through the trials of her own mind at the moment but she would if Tyler needed someone to talk to. @tylerxday

He didnt expect to see anyone right now. It was starting to get cold out so not as many people wanted to take walks or hikes out around the coast. So he knew he was going to be alone, and it was what he needed right now. Hearing his name, he looked around till he saw Aarin, then looked back towards the water. "Just needing to think...." he said as he looked back at her. "What about you?"

[aarinxduskin]

"Hey, you never know, you may be crafting world renowned artists in that room," she teased Waverly, though it was something that was entirely possible one day. "Ah, yeah, I remember the stress like that," Aarin had always been the overachiever type, "unfortunately it's something they have to work out on their own, for the most part," she told Waverly, "one has to learn to self soothe, so to speak," she laughed softly, "Wedding plans are pretty much wrapped up," she grinned, "we've really just got to get married now." @waverly--erickson

"Ah yes, the high stakes world of high school art." Waverly laughed softly. Not that she didn't feel like her job was important, but it was good to be able to have a sense of humor about it. "Well, despite the fact that it's weeks away the kids are already foaming at the mouth to be on Thanksgiving break. Not that I blame them, obviously, but the focus hasn't been at an all time high exactly. Except for my AP class, though the issue with them is some of the kids are already stressing about portfolios being due in May. I wish I could reassure them more." That was of course easier said than done, and the blonde knew that having been pretty stressed out during her own high school experience. "Your turn, what's going on in wedding planning world?"

[aarinxduskin]

"No, really, it's okay," Aarin knew that she had to manage it on her own and she would get to the bottom of it all, eventually. "Lots to do between here and the wedding planning," though it was practically planned. They just had to tie the knot but with Marcel's distance lately, she worried if that would even happen. "That's such a cute costume idea," she told Max, "I loved dressing up with my dad as a kid." @maxdiaz

Hearing what she said "Are you sure? I mean I don't mind trying to help or to get you it" he didn't know what it was to see if he could be of any help. He smiled as he sat across from her. "Well, you are a busy bee," he teased her with a chuckle. "But good, she's excited for Halloween," he smiled. "She talked me into being a beekeeper as she is a bee." he smiled. He was excited for it, too. @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

Aarin's jaw nearly hit the table that she was working at when she heard the man's words. "A package?" She stared at the one he was holding. "Arlo you might have just become my new favorite person and life saver." The last thing she wanted to do was have to go to Stevie. She had been managing the cafe long enough at this point but still, the missing inventory had her stumped - until now. "Please, let me get you something on the house. Whatever you want." @arlocontreras

Even though he wasn't a vet at the vet clinic, being the receptionist often meant that he was the one that was in charge of the mail, packages included. He'd tried his best to get into a rhythm; putting away inventory, putting priority mail away in the appropriate office, junk mail being shredded, yet, this box in his hands had been put off to the side on one of his days off, untouched, and it wasn't until that morning that he realized why. It wasn't even theirs. After discovering that it belonged to Cobblestone, he'd loaded it in his car, determined to bring it to them himself, driving it over here just after his shift ended. He'd walked in to a surprisingly quiet place, placing the box on a nearby counter before he'd made his way to Aarin who was lost in thought and paperwork. He couldn't say he didn't know how that went. "No, I'm sorry." he shook his head, looking at her as if she had no right to apologize. In his eyes she didn't. "I didn't mean to startle you. I just brought a package by. We got a package that belonged to you guys and I wanted to be sure it got to the proper place." she spoke. "Hopefully it's what you guys have been missing." @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

When the blonde woman confirmed that the young boy sitting on her lap was in fact Marcel's child, she felt her hand squeeze against her soon to be husband's only a moment before she pulled it into her own lap. She laced her hands together, unsure of what emotions were coursing through her veins. They hadn't been together in many years, so she couldn't be upset that he had a child. "But it took you years to come to town?" Aarin questioned, "I mean, why wait so long? Even with phone calls unanswered, why now?" @marcelvaughn @sandyxpowell

When a blonde woman approached the table, Aarin was a bit caught off guard by her. "Oh, it's, it's nice to meet you, too." The brunette was surprised by the words coming out of her mouth, partly wondering if they were genuine or not. When Marcel's ex-girlfriend sat down across from them and placed the young boy into her lap, calling him Marcello, Aarin felt her jaw starting to fall slack. She turned to look at Marcel, who seemingly hadn't a clue what was going on. "Marcel," she looked at her soon to be husband before looking back across the table, "I think that's your son." The words fell from her lips as it felt like her jaw hit the table. @marcelvaughn @sandyxpowell

[aarinxduskin]

batman & catwoman ft @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"Yeah, Buttercup is out there," she smiled with a nod of her head. "I had Abraham tack him up for me before we got here. He doesn't mind waiting." Aarin would grab him when Alliannah was comfortable to get on an ride. "He is a charmer," she smiled, rubbing her hand along the horse. "I appreciate you coming with me," she offered the sentiment to Alliannah again. She hadn't broken any news to the siblings, knowing it wasn't her place and wasn't going to ask point blank if Marcel had. It wasn't her kid, so it wasn't her news to give. @alliannahvaughn

Alliannah hadn't been horseback riding since she was a child, and while it wasn't her first thought when Aarin had asked her to join she couldn't say no. She wasn't exactly excited about it, but she was always willing to try new things or things she hadn't done in awhile. She was thankful that Aarin knew enough about the horses here to know who was decent to ride; chances are Alli would've picked the 'prettiest' one which would've likely been a disaster to try to ride. "Your horse is out here too right?" she questioned. "I assume you're going to give him some attention; trust me I wasn't asking to take him." she laughed. "I haven't ridden Junior before, no. But he's a charmer." @aarinxduskin

[aarinxduskin]

"Ah, I'm sure you could be," she teased the woman, "I'll do whatever it takes." Aarin continued to joke with her, a smile resting against her lips. "It's good to see you, too," she nodded her head in agreement, "How are things with you, though?" She questioned Waverly, "Catch me up on the world of an art teacher." @waverly--erickson

As Aarin walked over to the table immediately apologizing, Waverly feigned disappointment before breaking into a smile that matched her friend's own. "Hmm maybe I can be tempted into forgiveness." the blonde teased lightly as she stood to give her companion a quick hug. "But regardless, it's really good to see you."

[aarinxduskin]

"Yeah," she let out a rather breathless laugh as she were simply caught in the act. "It's nothing, really," she smiled up at him, "I mean, nothing anyone can help me with." She straightened up the papers and placed them to the side, "But sit, I feel like I haven't seen you in forever." Aarin gestured to the seat across from her, "How's Esme doing?" @maxdiaz

With Esme at preschool, he had a couple of hours of free time. He thought it would be good to go get a bite to eat. Max loved to go to the Cobblestone Cafe for a good bite to eat when he was hungry. As he walked inside, he looked around, seeing people happy and eating. But he spotted Aarin off to the side with what seemed like a lot of paperwork. Max gave her a smile. "No, it's fine," he put his hands up. "I wanted to check on you more; you look a bit stressed from the paperwork," he smiled at her. "So are you okay?" he asked not knowing if he could help her that much. @aarinxduskin