OPEN (Cruisin' at the coffeeshop)

[jamesthorn]

Despite his reservations about taking an extended vacation from the police station, never actually taking up the quiet and the emptiness vacation very easily, preferring instead to be busy with his casework and his investigations---by day three, even James discovers that he is enjoying himself, dare say even relaxing if his flip-flops and t-shirts are anything to judge. He's found himself plenty to do aboard the ship, though just the sheer magnitude of the food choices is enough to keep one busy. Still, there were shows and performances and even parties to attend every day, almost every hour; everything a constant flurry of activity and schedules. Mainly he just likes sitting on the deck, watching the water. He's even taken up rising at his usual time and heading down to the gym for a short jog on the treadmill and sometimes a dip in the pool. Surely he hasn't been this relaxed in forever. His brain usually too wrapped up in his family and everything else that went along with that. 

But the best part was having the opportunity to spend this much time with Moira without interruption. Between work and other things, namely their careful interaction around town, they never just relaxed this much together. Something about the cruise had caused them to give up most of the rouse, not caring who saw what. So it was nice. More than nice. The more time he spends with Moira, the more he realizes how serious he is about her. It's even more than just the pregnancy...he's never been so certain of someone. So certain that he's happy with her. Calmer and less grumpy, maybe June would say. 

That's the reason he's in a definite chipper mood this morning. He takes his short run in the gym around five am. He had left Moira still asleep when he had snuck out of their suite. She's having a rough go of things with the morning sickness, so he didn't want to disturb her. James takes the short route onto the third deck where the small cafe is. He thinks he'll take back coffee and pastries to the room for breakfast. When he arrives, it's good to find there's not much of a line since it's so early.

Comments

[aoife_coombs]

She leans back. "I'm trying to get to know you a little better, mister Thornton. To see if there is any redeeming feature to you. Probably not, but I'm not allowed to hurt people. Although mother wou- let's not start about my mother just yet, she's in a league of her own."

Aoife smiles. "Sorry. I'm always told that I'm unclear about what kind of message I want to send. I want to get to know you better. Is that enough?"

[jamesthorn]

Redeeming feature? James raises his eyebrows back at Aoife, not sure if she's being serious with this or not. He doesn't know her, and from first impressions he has no inclinations to change that. He shrugs, picking back up his coffee, kind of wishing he hadn't sat down now. "I really just came to have coffee, not that your offer isn't tempting," he says, or vaguely insulting in a weird way.

[aoife_coombs]

Aoife isn't the right girl for this. She isn't smart or vile or cheeky enough and the large amount of aspirin is making her sleepy fast. And James is mean, of course he is.

"I just want to know if you're worth it, becoming the father of a Coombs child. Or didn't you impregnate my si- Moira? Are you still only kissing and do I need to go search in another direction?"

[jamesthorn]

His jaw tightens some, not just because he thinks Aoife is being unnecessarily rude, but just the way she says it makes him regretful everything has happened this way. But she's a Coombs, and she isn't Moira. James is naturally disinclined to discuss this with her if Moira hasn't. "Maybe you should talk to your sister instead of coming to me. Isn't that easier? Since you're unsure I'm worth it," he says, rolling his eyes.

[aoife_coombs]

"You don't know her at all if you're serious about that." She gets up, a little bit wobbly, maybe.

"So I do hope you're saying that because you don't want to face your responsibilities, not because she was just some one night stand lay and you're relieved that we're rich enough for you not to pay alimony. I do hope that you know that each and everyone -" Aoife shakes her head. "It's a good thing this child will not need a father. It has a family."

[jamesthorn]

He is completely bewildered by Aoife's behavior, but it really doesn't stop him from growing angry as she accuses him of things that are truly an insult to his character, and his feelings for Moira. "Family, huh?" he places his coffee down looking up at her. "Tell me this then. If you can't go ask your sister the truth about me, about what's happened, then what place do you even think you'll have in this child's life?" he asks, placing his coffee down. That is one thing James doesn't understand abouy Moira or her sisters. His brothers and June are all he has, not being able to talk them, is nearly unimaginable. "Really. I'm not going to answer your questions if Moira hasn't."

[aoife_coombs]

"God, some things are private between siblings! I don't want to know what you whispered in her ear when you fucked her!"

She latches on to the back of her seat, feels the room spin around her. Maybe she shouldn't have gorged herself on the breakfast buffet. She really never knows where her limits lie.

"I think your hard work in trying to dodge and deny says enough, really. Especially because if Moira would have been happy with the guy that did this to her, she would be sharing. Not hiding. But thank you, James Thornton. For the vote of confidence. For proving me right."

[jamesthorn]

He shakes his head at her outburst, wondering if she's aware they are in public. Not simply because they were talking about a private matter, but cursing and yelling where anyone could see and hear isn't really behavior that people like them displayed. That's the only thing their families ever had in common, the money and and the grooming and the gossip columns. He could only hope June never behaves this way when he's not around. But Aoife isn't his sister, and he really has no clue what to tell her. Nearly what to think either. "I think you're mistaken. Truly," he says. "But I don't really intend to convince you of that."

[aoife_coombs]

She chokes on something, covers her mouth to keep it all inside.

"Of course. None of this is your fault. What a masculine way of thinking. What a Thornton way of thinking." She tries to swallow down the acid. "I tried to give you a chance. For her. Because she's my sister and we all belong together. But you don't intend to try anything, really. It was lovely talking to you."

When she's turned her back to him, she finally managed to swallow down the bile rising up.