#( convo. amerie celestino )

[noahsinclaxr]

"Look at you. Being a mom suits you, but a mom during Christmas? You'll make all the men fall for you." Noah snickered, a half asleep Eloise resting half draped over his shoulder as he carried her around the fair. The poor girl had been overstimulated by the lights, the sounds, the crowd and the hot chocolate that sleeping in her stroller simply didn't do. He didn't mind, for he knew that her being this little would be over in a blink. "Having fun?" @ameriecelestino

[daehyunxkwon]

"Yikes.. I'm pretty sure they were here last week too and they were arguing about what they did or did not say at Christmas." Dae-hyun winced, softly speaking to the woman sharing the booth with him in the crowded coffee place, where even the buzzing of voices in the background wasn't enough to drown out the voices or the arguing couple next to them. "Makes me think I was either very lucky with my wife and we never had to argue about anything, or we never left the honeymoon phase." Sure they had small arguments from time to time, but they never acted like that in public. Not even with multiple kids around. @ameriecelestino

[lilianaxjackson]

"Oh my God! You had your baby?" Liliana blurted out upon seeing Amerie with her stroller. She held onto her bump, seemingly larger than the day before, as she made her way over to the new mom. "How do you feel? How're the two of you acclimatising?" She asked, before shaking her head. "Can I get you something? I saw a pumpkin spice sign a bit back?" @ameriecelestino

[mabelxhughes]

draw of luck starter | @ameriecelestino

Mabel stood up straight, having cleaned up the toy section from the daycare after a long day of work. She would never complain though -- well, maybe on the days where all the kids had been screaming or crying nonstop, but other than that she was insanely happy with her profession. Today however, she'd received an extra pep in her step when she'd read an e-mail during her break. "I think we're about done. Maybe an extra check for refills at the changing station, just in case." She told Amerie, running a hand through her brown locks. "Hey question. Are you afraid of heights?" @ameriecelestino

[caelxmontgomery]

He hadn't meant to stare, watching the woman with the fidgeting child, clearly bothered up until he burped, her attempt to get the infant to ease up a successful one. He only moved when the woman seemed to address him, realising that he had been staring all this time. "Why apologise." He replied. "It's nature." Cael told her, looking at the boy she put back in the stroller. He looked little, very little. "How old is he?" The question came out, as if his thoughts weren't filtered before his lips moved. With the new revelation of having a child out there in the world, perhaps he was becoming more nostalgic about it, even though he had no idea what it all meant, what his new reality was. @ameriecelestino

Closed | @caelxmontgomery

Having stepped away from the crowd of the festivities a little, Amerie had picked her son up from the stroller in an attempt to help him settle a little more. Shushing him slightly as she bounced him up and down in her arms, before laying him over her shoulder to pat his back, only to hear him let out a relieved burp. "There you go--" She spoke lowly, looking over at someone close by with an apologetic smile on her lips before she moved to put her son back into the stroller when he finally stopped crying. "Sorry about that--" She said, "I clearly hadn't burped him enough poor thing."

[lilianaxjackson]

"Here we go, alcohol free wine for my lady." Liliana beamed at the woman, holding out one of the cheap cups she'd gotten from the stand and holding it out to her, taking a sip from her own in the progress. "I hope this rain is going to end soon. My dad always said that as soon as the letter r was out of the month, the rain would decrease, however I don't see much of it. As matter of fact, it only seemed to get worse. with heavy rain pouring down. "How are we feeling?" @ameriecelestino

[daehyunxkwon]

"You look absolutely radiant." Dae complimented Amerie upon visiting her at her place. It had been a while since they had properly spoken. He had texted her ahead of time, of course. Knowing not everyone liked a surprise drop in. "Got you this." He told her, holding out a box of herbal tea. "Didn't want to come here empty handed, and it's very good for you." @ameriecelestino

[noahsinclaxr]

"Of course she was." Noah smiled, bending through his knees to pick up his daughter. Two months ago he'd been worried about the progress of her walking skills, now he was too worried she was walking too fast. Or rather, growing too fast. He ran his hand through his daughter's hair, seeing that the pigtails he'd made that morning were now higher than how he had made them. Eloise was a wild child, undoubtedly her hair got loose during playtime. "Oh, stop. She's growing way too fast I can't handle it." He tried to laugh it off, but the father inside of him was wholeheartedly agreeing. Had he expected to be a single father at the age of forty-three? Not at all, but he did the best he could. "Oh, you know. Work the morning, do things around the house for the remaining hours. Can't have her live in a pigsty." @ameriecelestino

Closed | @noahsinclaxr Location | Bright Moon Daycare

“She was an angel all day.” Amerie reassured Noah when he came to collect his daughter. The two of them had grown a lot closer to one another over the years since both him and his sister, her best friend, had relocated to town. “She is such a sweet girl, and so clever already.” She added with a smile. “How was your day? Not too busy I hope?” @noahsinclaxr

[daehyunxkwon]

"You learn something new every day.. 2-2-2. Dates, weekends, vacations. It doesn't have to be fancy like a vacation to Miami. It could also just be camping or a hotel in Seattle." He shrugged. "In the end it's about being together and being alone. Having fun." Dae still remembered his fondly with Ji. Always would. "It does not. But that's what society expects, unfortunately." Tell someone you lost someone six months ago and they would be empathetic. Tell someone it was six years ago, and they will wonder why you haven't moved on yet. "I.. Appreciate that.. Thank you." She was the first who properly offered. He wasn't sure if he would be able to , as the more he shared, the more it hurt. But at least he knew he didn't need to keep it to himself when around her if he was reminded of them for some reason. His expression saddened slightly at her question, knowing he had said too much. He shifted a little, taking a breath to still himself. "She's with our children." He admitted, offering Amerie a sad smile which hopefully wouldn't make her feel bad for asking. "Which is for the best.. She wouldn't have liked a world without them in it." @ameriecelestino

Despite knowing what she now knew, Amerie was unable not to smile as Dae elaborated on his relationship with his late wife. This was exactly why she was so taken aback when he told her that she was no longer with him, because the way he spoke about her and their relationship made it seem as if she was about to walk in at any second and join them. "Two-two-two--" She repeated, "I can't say I have ever heard about that." She told him, "But it sure does sound like whatever it was you guys had was the recipe for a perfect relationship and marriage." Granted you had to be lucky enough to find a person with the same basic traits as he'd first mentioned. Amerie wasn't so sure if there was anyone out there she'd be able to connect with in that way. "Time doesn't always make it easier." Amerie stated as she still had days she found herself missing her mother. Especially now that she was pregnant herself. "Of course.." She smiled softly, "I am always willing to listen if you ever need or want to talk about her." She said, before she paused, brows lacing together before she added slightly more questioningly, "Them?" @danielxkwon

[noahsinclaxr]

"As if my baby sister would ever speak ill of you. You're practically adopted at this point." Noah chuckled, only understanding of the woman's situation. She was a single parent, raising her son. To his understanding, the father was in the picture, but even then Noah understood the struggles. He was just glad that his sister had stepped up to help, even when carrying twins. "You're allowed to be. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." The man stated, placing a comforting hand on her back. "Good. And there's so many more milestones to go, you'll enjoy every one of them." A statement he believed with his entire being. "We're doing okay. Soaking up Christmas time together. I think I am getting Lo on board with having Winter being her favourite season." He chuckled, using the hand he just had on Amerie's back to soothe his daughter's back instead. "But despite that, we'll always make time for you, if you need us to, okay?" @ameriecelestino

END.

Amerie felt her cheeks hear up slightly at the compliment, and had he not been carrying his daughter, she would have swatted his arm as well. “Oh stop—“ She chuckled softly, “I don’t think that is the case. I look put together now, but just ask your sister.” She almost had to chuckle at the state she had been on the first few weeks, but the adjustment had taken its toll on her. “I was a mess a few weeks back.” She informed him further with a small shrug. “But yeah, I think I’m finally starting to enjoy it.” Even if her life had been flipped completely upside down. “How are things with you guys?” @noahsinclaxr

[daehyunxkwon]

"Ji and I met and got married two years later. It's important to have a strong and shared foundation. Morals, religion, ethics, lifestyle. We were both very much in sync from the beginning and when we weren't, communication played a role, even more than usual. That and.. You know.. Time alone is important too, the two-two-two rule is important. a date every two weeks, a weekend away every two months and a vacation every two years." He was lucky his mother watched the children during their dates and time away. The woman had had many partners in her life, yet she valued how much time Dae put into his relationship. Amerie's confusion and shock was understandable, however. He knew he still spoke of his wife as if she could walk in at any second. No amount of therapy got him to lose that. Processing the fact he was alone now might just destroy him. "It's okay.. It's been six years already. Time tends to stand still when you have no more milestones to celebrate. We had a great life. That's what's important." He had already lost her for just as long as they were married. It was a scary thought that in two years time, that would equal the time he knew her. "Talking about them is nice so.. Thank you." @ameriecelestino

"I am not sure--" She smiled softly, "I am guessing people who have stayed together forever and lived a life long companionship with the same person; you'd think they would have learned something about what makes a relationship last in those years." She had added, almost hopeful sounding, because those things were rare these days, if they even existed anymore. Amerie watched as the male opposite her's facial expression changed, only to reveal that his wife was no more. Her own smile had saddened, a small pause lingering between them, before she said, "Oh, I-- I—" She uttered, swallowing thickly. She would never have guessed, because the way he spoke about her made her sound alive. Slightly taken aback, Amerie leaned back in her seat, "I am so sorry to hear that, Dae..” @danielxkwon

[lilianaxjackson]

"It's a constant fight. Shopping should be a lot more difficult to do so we can save our money more easily." Liliana mused, knowing that she was already splurging on things, and she wasn't even as far as Amerie was. She was already practicing her pout for when Travis would tell her she had to slow down. "It's fine. Technically we were separated for years, it's just more final now that he's here, you know?" There was nothing easy about a dead spouse coming back to life. It complicated things more than she needed in her life. "He really is the love of my life." Liliana smiled, leaning on her elbow, cheek on her hand. At this point, she couldn't imagine life without him, knowing how miserable she was when he wasn't around. She found that out the hard way. When Amerie began about the tests, she had her full attention, brows furrowing at the confession the results weren't what she hoped. "Dare I asked what you hoped and what they are?" She inquired. @ameriecelestino

Amerie found comfort in hearing that her bump was well covered underneath the layers she’d put on. She wasn’t ready for everyone to know just yet, especially considering the circumstances. “That is very true.” She chuckled softly. “Hm I mean, I am trying to limit myself to go overboard with the shopping.” She said, “Especially straight up maternity clothes.” From what she’d read up on most people recommend not get them dud to how wasteful it was. Listening intently as her friend gave her a life update, Amerie looked at her in surprise. “Lilli, I’m so sorry to hear that—“ She had said after she told her about her splitting up from her husband, before a genuine smile shaped on her lips when she mentioned rekindling with Travis. “But I am happy to hear that you and Travis found your way back to one another.” She told her, truly meaning that. “Overall, I’m okay..” She said, “I um.. I recently did some tests, including the well, paternity one—“ She bit her lips together for a moment. “They came back, and let’s just say they weren’t what I was hoping for..” @lilianaxsantos

[lilianaxjackson]

"He's so little, oh my god. The seventeenth and you're already walking around?" Liliana wondered how easy of a birth it had been. She heard stories of new mothers being at home for an insane long period to recover from the birth. It wasn't a question she was going to ask, however. To save herself frustration or worry for when her little girl was going to pop out in a few weeks. "I'm glad you got your support. He looks like a handsome little guy." She smiled at the newborn, then at Amerie as she nodded. "Yes, lets. I still need my allowed one cup of coffee a day." @ameriecelestino

Amerie smiled, pushing her stroller towards her friend while nodding. “Yeah, he arrived on the 17th.” She informed her. “It happened so quickly, and honestly I have been in the baby bubble ever since, so I haven’t found the time yet to text you.” She added, feeling bad ad she considered Lili a dear friend. “I feel good. Tired, but Haven has been a god sent.” She would probably have been a mess without her. “Oh yes, let’s grab some pumpkin spice! I haven’t had coffee yet.” @lilianaxjackson

[daehyunxkwon]

Dae-Hyun nodded in agreement to Amerie's words. His wife truly was a keeper. The fact he didn't get to keep her saddened him every day. "But why would we listen to what they say, right? Who even is they?" Dae got philosophical, not minding a good discussion over the topic. That was when she mentioned going to both him and his wife for relationship advice and his smile saddened a little. He took a breath, leaning forwards and folding his hands. "Ah... Ji-Min is unfortunately no longer with us. But I'm sure you and her would have been great friends. That woman combined work, the children and friendships as if it was nothing. Always made time for everything and everyone." @ameriecelestino

Amerie smiled a little when he spoke of his wife, imagining going to bed next to someone talking about your day would be the perfect way to end one. “Wow, she sounds like an amazing woman. A keeper for sure.” She stated, wrapping her fingers around the hot chocolate she was consuming, before taking a sip off of it. “Yeah, so they say.” Though both seemed to be hard to come by these days as the last person she had allowed herself to trust had betrayed it in the worst way possible. “By the sound of things it seems like I should be asking the two of you for relationship advice should I ever need it.” She chuckled softly. @danielxkwon

[lilianaxjackson]

"I'd say you're good babe." Liliana smiled, having to bite down her tongue that she too was expecting. She wanted to be out of the danger zone before announcing it to the world, even if she was dying to. "Never beats actual wine." She chuckled, setting down the glass herself. "At least now you have an excuse to go shopping again? If you ever needed one, anyway." the woman mused, letting out a breath at the much expected question. "It's been a rollercoaster.. Anthony and I decided it's best to go our separate ways. A lot has happened since his ... Well, since we thought he died. Things weren't working anymore and there's the fact I was with Travis when he came back. I missed him too much so.. We're together again." She sighed, having missed him terribly in those weeks. Months, even. "How about you? How's everything?" @ameriecelestino

"Thank you!" Amerie smiled back at Lili when she brought her her drink, "Hopefully my outfit is doing a good enough job at concealing the fact I am carrying a baby under here, or this might look a little out of place." She chuckled softly, before raising the cup to her lips to take a sip. "Hm.. Not as good as the real thing, but close enough--" Placing the cup down, she shifted a little in her seat. "Ugh yeah.. I was getting ahead of myself and buying more items for my spring wardrobe not long ago, but here we are!" Amerie was glad she finally got to catch up with Liliana again, seeing it had been a minute. "I am good, yeah--" She smiled looking down at her bump. "How are you?" @lilianaxsantos

[daehyunxkwon]

"One can hope. Seems like something that's really working them, though." He sighed, turning his attention back to Amerie and doing his best to solely focus on her instead and their conversation. "Can't deny that. She was the one that introduced talking about our days when we got to bed, I guess that helped. Don't remember if there was anything about her I didn't like or that annoyed me. Great mother." Great wife. But perhaps Dae-Hyun was biased in that regard. And one would never found him talking ill about her either. "Communication and trust. It's the foundation of a good relationship." @ameriecelestino

As much as she was trying to mind her own business, drinking her coffee and enjoying a conversation with a friend, the people seated next to them were making it harder and harder to do so. When Dae commented on how this wasn’t a first instance, her face kind of saddened for a moment. “Gosh, I hope whatever it is they can work it out.. Sounds to be a lot deeper than just Christmas gone wrong.” She stated, but then again she wasn’t one to judge. Her smile grew a little when he mentioned his wife. “Sounds more like it was a good match.” She told him, “And I guess you knew how to communicate? Which I think is key to make any relationship work.” Not that she would know as she hasn’t had a successful or long term one since Boston.

@danielxkwon