Overland Park, KS, Sunday Afternoon (Late July)

[vanillajello]

It was the last day of July, and a sunny Sunday afternoon in Overland Park. Tara had wanted to throw a party in the Gregsons' backyard for the end of summer and the return of her daughter and every good thing she could think of, and so it had come to pass. There was food, and people (some neighbors, some friends from a little further off, and Bod who'd already shown up last night), and a karaoke machine set up under the arch that had been prettying up the back yard ever since Charmaine had failed to get married, earlier in the year.

Everything was pretty perfect. All that was missing was the hostess, though, because no one actually knew where Tara was, but... They were sadly used to that. So, Max was grilling, Charmaine and her belly were off to the side having a Diet Coke she shouldn't have been drinking, Ted was mingling with some people, and Lionel was filming Kate and Marshall.

And the aforementioned Gregson siblings? Were singing their hearts out, doing an enthusiastic karaoke version of Mmmbop. They looked to be enjoying themselves.

It was looking to be a good day on Oak Avenue.

[ooc: NFB, and for the boooy up there in the narrative, and myself in various guises. Bits and pieces taken from United States of Tara S03E01, '...youwillnotwin...'.]

Comments

[therewaslife]

"Or your boyfriend," Bod laughed, shaking his head. "You can call me to if you can manage to remember that when the time comes. I'll understand if Jack or Mitchell comes first."

[vanillajello]

"They won't," she assured him with a smile. "Or, Mitchell might if the occasion calls for it, for which I'm sorry."

[therewaslife]

"Don't apologize," he told her, reaching to kiss her forehead. "I understand why he might be the first person you call. If that happens, just be careful."

Mitchell and trouble tended to go hand in hand.

[vanillajello]

And far too often, Kate was metaphorically holding his other hand. It was just how it worked.

"Of course," she murmured. "Don't worry, I'm not looking to get into any Mitchell-worthy trouble out here."

[therewaslife]

"Good," he said, giving her another smile. "You deserve a few at least a few weeks of downtime before anything decides it wants to happen. You deserve more parties and more nights spent with your family."

[vanillajello]

"Or next door to them, anyway," she remarked. "Tucked away in our little room."

[therewaslife]

"It's my favorite room," he replied, nodding. "Did your parents ask about your ring after I left last week?"

[vanillajello]

"Not really," she said, shaking her head. "I mean, Mom wanted make sure we haven't, like, secretly gotten married or anything, but Dad hasn't said anything."

[therewaslife]

"I'd be afraid to visit if we'd secretly gotten married," he said, laughing a bit. "But, that's good. After your mum saw my ring and didn't really get a chance to ask, I was slightly nervous."

[vanillajello]

"Everything's absolutely fine," Kate chuckled. "I mean, they just think it's a --"

"Hellooo, young'uns!" Yes, that was Ted cutting her off by ambling over. Cheerfully. "Everything going well?"

"Yes, Ted," Kate replied with a patient smile. "Hi."

[therewaslife]

"Hullo, sir," Bod said, offering his free hand to the gentlemen he remembered from the time spent in the basement during the tornado. "How are you today?"

[thegregsons.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I'm just peachy." Not to mention totally ignoring Bod'd hand. "And you're looking as fine as ever, young man."

Oh, yeah. He went to pinch Bod's cheek. Kate burst into surprised giggles.

[therewaslife]

Yes, Bod wasn't expecting that. At all. It probably showed by the look of utter surprise on his face. He blinked owlishly at Ted and wondered...if that was some new greeting.

"Um." He blinked again. "Thank you. I wasn't sure you'd remember me."

[thegregsons.livejournal.com]

"Of course I remember you!" Ted exclaimed, then glanced over at Kate. "So, how are you two? I heard there were rings exchanged?"

Craine women were so chatty. "We're doing fine, Ted," Kate replied. "Not married."

[therewaslife]

"We're definitely not married," Bod agreed, hoping Kate's dad didn't have sonic hearing because he did not need to hear that. "It's just a promise ring. A signal of commitment."

[vanillajello]

"Well, I think that's wonderful," Ted decided, patting both their shoulders. "Good for you. Keep it up." Then, as an aside to Kate, "Which I'm sure he can, so you're a lucky girl."

Thankfully, he left after that. Kate snickered, trying to bury her face against Bod's shoulder.

[therewaslife]

"Wow," Bod said, eyes still wide. "Did he pinch my cheek? Does he do that to everyone? He's an interesting fellow."

[vanillajello]

"He's... very lively," Kate replied, glancing up at him, amused. "I think he's had a little something to drink."

[therewaslife]

"I think you're right," he said, leaning down to idly kiss her while he let Ted's eccentricities ease away. "He's friendly, at least. I don't think I've met one person associated with your family that isn't."

[vanillajello]

"I don't know, Lionel's kind of a bitch," she murmured. It didn't mean she didn't like Lionel. "So that's one."

[therewaslife]

"He's always been fairly nice to me," Bod argued, deciding he was just going to kiss those lips of hers again. "We had a nice chat while you and your brother were singing."

[vanillajello]

Kate was going to kiss him back, too. Just lightly, all party appropriate. "You were talking while we were singing? Rude."

[therewaslife]

"He asked me a question. Not answering would have been rude," he murmured against her lips. "I didn't miss a second of your performance. Rest easy. He seems to like your brother."

[vanillajello]

"He better." Not that Kate was protective or anything... "We have a standard to uphold."

[therewaslife]

"I think they'll both be just fine," he assured her, nodding. "Don't worry about him too much. He's here, isn't he? And his attention's been on Marshall the entire time."