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

[vanillajello]

Kate was playing it cool, though. "Yeah," she said, taking another sip and smirking at her mother. "But you can't do anything about it because I don't live under your roof no more."

That was about when Charmaine reached out and took the cup from her. "But you live under mine," she said, "so not until you're twenty-one."

Of course, she raised the cup in a way that obscured half her face from Tara and thus blocked her sister's view of the wink she gave to her niece. And said niece shrugged her shoulder, then nudged Bod to signal they were wandering off now.

[therewaslife]

"It was a pleasure to chat with you both," Bod said, waving before getting his feet moving away from the two Gregson sisters. He kept his arm around Kate's waist as he moved so she'd be coming with him.

[vanillajello]

She had absolutely no intention of parting ways with him, he could rest assured. She even managed a quick nuzzle against his shoulder as they moved. "I like not living at home."

[therewaslife]

Laughing, Bod let her lead them once they'd wandered away from Tara and Charmaine. He glanced down warmly at her and smiled.

"I couldn't tell that at all," he joked. "You and your aunt seem to coexist quite well."

[vanillajello]

"We have our system," she shrugged, leading them to the snack table so she could pick out a few nice things to eat. "It works, amazingly."

Maybe because they were freakishly similar in some respects, but she didn't like thinking about that too much.

[therewaslife]

"I hope that holds out once she has her baby," Bod said, using his free hand to pick up a few small things to pop into his mouth. "If you ever need to get away, you know who to call. Or text message."

[vanillajello]

"Mitchell?" Kate joked. "Jack? Ooh, and Bobby gave me a business card for his old school, too!"

She didn't often make it known, but damn it felt nice to feel like she had friends and places to run off to.

[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."