|
|
Post by Eric Leviner on Feb 7, 2009 17:31:31 GMT -5
As both boys stepped up to do the work, Eric smiled at his wife and slipped his hand around her waist. "It seems our boys have the matter under control," he said.
He was content to let them do the work, and he would supervise from the ground. He was impressed by their energy. They were like him, eager to work and keep busy. When exactly had they grown up so fast?
He led Ellen outside, and went to stand on the lawn, where they had a good view of the roof. "Be careful with that ladder, Sean," he called to his youngest boy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sean Leviner on Feb 7, 2009 18:20:38 GMT -5
Sean was coming from around the side of the house, the ladder in his hands as he walked it towards Dan. Sometimes, he was nice, and offered to be the one on the ladder. Sometimes, he was a typical pain in the arse little brother. Today, he felt like the brother, and that meant he was sending Dan up.
"Yeah, Dad. They trust me with people's lives, you know? I think I can handle the ladder." He pulled the bottom apart, setting it up near the porch where they could start with the lights. He smirked at his brother. "Up you go."
|
|
|
|
Post by Daniel Leviner on Feb 7, 2009 20:00:01 GMT -5
Daniel got all the strands of lights untangled successfully without falling, tripping, or getting tangled up himself. He was quite proud of himself to be honest.
As Sean returned with the ladder, Daniel looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Well, someone's pushy," he said teasingly. He had a string of lights in hand. Reaching up, he ruffled Sean's hair and gave a huge grin before he started up the ladder.
Heights wasn't something that Daniel was scared of, so he climbed the ladder without hesitation. Once he reached the top, Daniel made sure that he had good footing on the roof so he wouldn't fall. Luckily the hangers for the lights were still up from last year.
|
|
|
|
Post by Eric Leviner on Mar 11, 2009 1:20:52 GMT -5
As he watched his sons working together to put up the lights, Eric wrapped an arm around his wife's waist. Sometimes, when he looked at the boys, he could still see the children that they had once been. How had so much time passed? They were grown men now, he realized. And there wasn't a thing he could do to turn back time. He had spent so much time working while they were growing up that he had missed too much of their lives. And now, they had moved out, and Ellen was alone.
"Sweetheart," he said softly. "I think I'm going to ask for a desk job. I hate to think of you alone in this house all the time while I'm on business. With everything that's been going on.... I think it's important to stay close to the people you love."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ellen Leviner on Mar 11, 2009 1:56:16 GMT -5
Ellen was, as she had been since the day Daniel was born, in awe of her two boys. She and Eric made such beautiful people, and raised them well. How many would have come home to help their mother decorate at their age?
Part of her was relieved that they lived together at least. If she couldn't watch out for them, at least they had each other.
Her husband's words brought her out of this small reverie, and she turned to face him, her expression unreadable. "Eric, you love what you do."
|
|
|
|
Post by Eric Leviner on Mar 11, 2009 14:06:11 GMT -5
Eric smiled softly and kissed her cheek. "I do love my work. But I also love you. And I never want you to think that my work is more important to me than you are. All these years... I've put work first, telling myself that it was necessary to make sure there was food on the table and a roof over your heads. But I haven't been here to enjoy any of it. Now, children are being attacked in Hogsmeade... People are being slaughtered. You never know... You can't assume that we have forever."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ellen Leviner on Mar 16, 2009 1:54:40 GMT -5
Ellen narrowed her eyes slightly. "Eric, we've been married for 22 years now, almost 23. We've raised two wonderful boys, and never, in all that time, did I ever think your work came before we did. And the boys aren't children anymore."
If he was trying to make up for missing their childhood, it was a tad late for that. Besides, she didn't think he even needed to. "You know I love you and I'd like you around more, but I hear about people doing this. They end up miserable at word, and I don't want that for you."
|
|
|
|
Post by Eric Leviner on Mar 18, 2009 2:06:57 GMT -5
Eric knew that, on some level, she was right. A simple desk job wouldn't satisfy him, and he would be unhappy. But he was sure there had to be some kind of solution. He was gone too much, and Ellen was left alone and unprotected. He couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her.
"I'd be more miserable if something happened to you while I wasn't around," he said gently. "But I'll tell you what. I would decide it just yet. I'll talk to my boss and see if there's some kind of arrangement where I won't have to be gone as long. There has to be a solution to this. I'm not comfortable leaving you alone so much anymore, with everything that's been going on."
|
|
