vanillajello: (Mmmbop.)
Kate Gregson ([personal profile] vanillajello) wrote2011-09-04 03:42 pm

Overland Park, KS, Sunday Afternoon (Late July)

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...'.]
therewaslife: (↑ | pretty good yep)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 04:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"I should finish this one before anything," Bod decided, laughing. "I wouldn't want to make myself sick. Don't worry, I'll get some more so your family doesn't have too many leftovers. This is fun. I'm enjoying myself, Kate."
therewaslife: (↑ | cutie)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"We can do that," Bod said, offering her his arm so they could walk and talk and eat and enjoy each other. "Shall we, then?"
therewaslife: (→ | the words to the story)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not going to college doesn't mean she won't have many opportunities though," Bod interjected, unsure if he should but unable to stop himself. "Kate's intelligent and talented so college isn't necessarily needed. She's got a good head on her shoulders."

[identity profile] thegregsons.livejournal.com 2011-09-05 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well yes," Tara replied, "of course she does, but don't you think she shouldn't rob herself of the options she'd have? I mean, wouldn't your parents want you to go to college, too?"
therewaslife: (→ | wide eyed)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 05:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Uh.

"I think my parents would tell me to do whatever makes me happy," he finally said, looking between both Mr and Mrs Gregson. "If Kate went to college and was unhappy because she didn't want to go, don't you think that might affect her performance there?"

Bod glanced over at Kate briefly. "My parents philosophy was to raise me to be a good lad, send me to school while I was under there care and then let me put all that to use however I might choose. Everyone's going to make mistakes especially when they're new to the world. And I'm not saying not going to college is a mistake. I'm just saying...shouldn't Kate make her choices now?"
therewaslife: (→ | hear me now)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 06:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Bod twined his fingers with hers and sent her a quick smile before turning his attention back to the conversation they were having.

"And with the way the world is today, if Kate decided to go back to school in a few years, she could," Bod pointed out. "There doesn't seem to be a strict, regimented age on university anymore. She could decide to go in a few years. And if she doesn't, she doesn't. I don't think it's going to change Kate as a person at all."
therewaslife: (→ | of the essence)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 07:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Bod smiled down at her again, feeling comfortable in the conversation even if he worried about interjecting his opinions too much.

"In today's society, you could go back," Bod reminded her, shrugging a shoulder. "There's nothing stopping you. Perhaps Kate will follow in those footsteps after she experiences the world a bit. You're a strong, successful woman, Mrs. Gregson, and you didn't have a degree to get there. Those positives traits must be in the genes."

[identity profile] thegregsons.livejournal.com 2011-09-05 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Tara gave him the kind of look and a smile that suggested a 'thank you, but I'm not sure that's true'. He was probably familiar with it, except from Kate.

And Kate just wanted to kiss him for being so wonderful.

And then Ted chimed in. "Hey, if you're ever serious about re-enrolling, Tara, come to me," he said. "I can get you into my school with one call. Let's just say I know the dean of admissions... how should I put this? From sex!" He laughed at his own joke and raised his glass. "Oh, champagne talking!"

Ted was so classy. Kate snickered. Max forced a mild smile that was gone almost as soon as it had appeared: "Thanks, Ted, but we're alright here."

Which immediately prompted a frown and a look from Tara. "Hey, wait a second, Max," she said. "Let's... see what Ted can do."

"Well..." Oh, Max clearly hadn't expected her to feel that way. He lowered his voice, a bit, though everyone still heard him. "You know, 'cause we talked about this, honey."

"I know," Tara replied, with another eyebrow raise. "But it doesn't make me wanna go back any less."

Kate spared a quick glance up at Bod.
therewaslife: (→ | straightforward)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
With the turn the conversation had taken, Bod was fairly certain that it was time for him to keep quiet. This seemed like something he hadn't been privvy to and he didn't want to anger anyone.

He met Kate's glance and gave her hand a squeeze but otherwise stayed silent while her parents had what seemed to be an important conversation about future endeavors.

[identity profile] thegregsons.livejournal.com 2011-09-05 07:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Kate so wasn't going to take any part in this conversation, either. She was just gonna watch it play out.

Though, it seemed there wasn't going to be much more of it. "He's worried about me," Tara said, lightly, looking the other way.

Max gave a ghost of a shrug. "Well, she does make it interesting."

And before anyone else had a chance to say anything, Neil's voice came on through the karaoke speakers. "Charmaine... Charmaine Craine?" he asked, and they all turned to look his way just as he started walking towards them, talking into the microphone. "Um, boy, we've... We've really had a lot of ups and down this past year. But, now that we're embarking on life's most rewarding journey, and... because I love you, and because... I can't imagine going through life without the world's most misleading Pictionary artist..." He gestured at Charmaine, paused for a laugh that didn't come. "Uh, I wanted to ask... Um..."

Was he going to get down on one knee? Oh yes he was.

"Charmaine, will you marry me?"

Everyone stared at him. Even Marshall and Lionel, whod circled around with their camera. And especially Charmaine.
therewaslife: (→ | listen to you)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Bod's eyes widened because he definitely hadn't expected that. He and Kate were wearing rings but marriage was something that he wasn't ready for and she wasn't ready for. But, apparently someone in her family might be ready.

Bod looked down at Kate to see what she thought of this before he glanced over at Charmaine. He really hoped that this didn't stress her enough to make her go into labor. That...he wouldn't do well with that, he didn't think.
therewaslife: (→ | oh yeah)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Bod certainly wasn't going to break that silence. He kept his fingers entwined with Kate's and looked both sympathetic and confused all at once.

That...was awkward, yes. Very awkward. Bod looked around the party, trying to gauge how many people had seen that. Judging by the silence, it seemed that...everyone had.

Poor...party. Yes, poor party.
therewaslife: (→ | this and that)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"Indeed," Bod agreed, getting to his feet when he realized that's what Kate was doing. "Thank you for the -- "

Bod blinked and didn't know what to say there.

"Thank you."

And he left it at that.
therewaslife: (→ | straightforward)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 08:38 pm (UTC)(link)
"That was...unexpected," Bod said, shaking his head and glancing over his shoulder to the area they'd just left. "Wow."
therewaslife: (→ | of the essence)

[personal profile] therewaslife 2011-09-05 08:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes, I don't think that's embarrassment that's going to go away quickly," he said, chuckling a bit as well. "I guess that's the chance you take when you spring a proposal on someone like that. Your poor aunt looked mortified too."

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