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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 0:47:34 GMT -5
Roland was a little uncomfortable as his mother stared at him, and he had to look away. He felt like she was trying to figure him out, and see what was really going on in his head. It was a feeling he'd never been entirely comfortable with.
But when she asked about Christmas, he found himself smiling again, but it was sort of shy. He looked down at the table for a second, then back up at her. "Yes," he said. "Twice, actually. She was driving me crazy that night... acting like she hated me, but kissing me... is it any wonder I was in such a bad mood?"
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 0:53:09 GMT -5
"I don't think she was acting like she hated you at all. I wondered about a lot of things that night..." She trailed off, wondering if she should say what she was thinking, but then decided, why not? He was being pretty open so far.
"When you were talking to Blake about her... I wondered about that, too. She seemed pretty hurt by what you said."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 1:07:12 GMT -5
Roland's smile fell and he stared fixedly down at the table. "I know. I talked to her later. I just... I didn't mean to be putting her down. I just wanted him to stop looking at her or talking about her. You said I was protective of her that night, and that was exactly it. I don't like Uncle Blake, Mum. I think the guy's a jerk, and I didn't like the way he was talking about her. I didn't like anything about him, actually. Everything he said was creepy, don't you think? I mean... I haven't talked to the guy since I was a kid. What right does he have making insinuations about my relationship with Riley? And don't you think it's odd that he hugged me?"
He probably should have just told her everything right now. But if she read deep enough, he was trying to tell her something. She should be wary of Uncle Blake.
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 1:17:47 GMT -5
Cara frowned as well. "In all honesty, I hate your Uncle Blake, and I could wring your father's neck for every letting Emelia marry him. You probably don't remember her... but she used to be a lot more outgoing. Not quite so... meek."
Lunch finished itself, and she stood up to get plates. "And he did seem to take quite a keen interest in you. Maybe it's just because you're the only one he remembers. But he didn't hug anyone else... I don't even think he hugs his own sons." She shook her head.
"But forget him. We can go back to talking about you and Riley. Mathieu," she called. "Lunch is ready!"
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 1:27:25 GMT -5
Mathieu had gone into his study upon their arrival at home, and had penned a quick letter to his sister. Although he wanted to spend time with Roland and his wife, he had a feeling that Cara was going to grill Roland about his mysterious dinner the night before. He already had his suspicions, but he didn't really need to hear about Roland's relationship with Riley. If Roland was happy, that was all Mathieu needed to know.
As his wife called him to lunch, however, he finished the letter, and sealed it up. He'd take it to the Ministry's owlery to send off later.
He entered the kitchen with a smile. "It smells wonderful, as always, darling," he said, walking over to her and giving her a quick kiss. "What's going on?"
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 1:42:50 GMT -5
Cara shot her son a look, but decided that she would spare both him and Mathieu over dinner, so she just kissed her husband.
"Just wondering where you wandered off to," She replied. "I went simple today and made deli sandwhiches." She had been too wrapped up in talking with Roland to really think of something else. She couldn't help adding "Sorry it's not pasta."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 1:53:40 GMT -5
Mathieu caught the almost conspiratorial look between his wife and son. Clearly, they hadn't argued, which meant that if his wife had been prying, Roland had been in a sharing mood. Which was interesting and unusual in and of itself.
Settling down at the table, he replied, "I was writing to Emelia. I've decided to send her a letter every day, to see if i get any responses. I have a feeling Blake has been keeping her mail from her."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 2:05:31 GMT -5
Roland had rolled his eyes at his mother's comment about pasta. He wondered if she was going to pick on him for this now. Not that he minded, not really. He really had surrendered to his feelings completely, and wasn't really embarrassed about it anymore.
But at his father's comment, he frowned again. "He probably is. The guy's a jerk, Dad. I really think Aunt Emelia would be better off without him."
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 2:13:17 GMT -5
"I couldn't agree with you more, Roland," Cara said, unaware that Roland's dislike of Blake came from somewhere much more urgent.
"Do you suppose he is keeping her mail from her? It wouldn't surprise me. I hated how she looked to him everytime someone asked her a question. Definitely not the girl I knew when you and I were dating, Mathieu."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 2:22:19 GMT -5
"I'm almost certain of it," Mathieu said. "Both Judah and I have been writing to her, and we haven't received a response. And when I mentioned visiting her or taking her out, did you hear how he shut me down? Saying that she was busy? The day I visited her before Christmas, she was sitting at home with apparently nothing to do. I think he's got her locked up in there, afraid to leave on her own. He might have also turned her against us." He shook his head. "She is completely changed from how she used to be. It scares me."
Sighing, he turned to Roland. He'd much rather hear about happy news, instead of dwelling on his brother in law. "But enough about that. Why don't you tell me what's going on with you? What did I miss?"
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 2:30:42 GMT -5
"You and Judah should try to take her out at least once a week. She does strike me as the type who never leaves the house." Not that it was her fault.
Cara set a sandwhich in front of each of them, and poured herself and Mathieu a glass of water each before refilling Roland's.
For once, she was quiet. If Roland wanted to mention Riley in front of Mathieu, she would let him. But she was smiling all the same, thrilled about it.
Until she thought about Blake again.
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 2:31:46 GMT -5
Roland glanced at his mother and chuckled. "I'm sure Mum is bursting to tell you all about it," he said as he took a sandwich from the platter.
It was odd; he felt strangely self-conscious telling his father what he had already told his mother. He loved his father and knew that his father loved him. But Mathieu just seemed... reserved. He held a lot back, and Roland never really quite understood what his father was thinking or feeling. So it was hard to tell him about things like this.
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 2:38:04 GMT -5
Cara smiled. That was all the invitation she needed, and it took everything she had not to just blurt out 'Roland's got a girlfriend.' Because that wasn't exactly it. Not yet, but Cara had been right so far... she didn't see herself being wrong about Riley.
"Remember when you told me not to push Roland where Riley was concerned? Turns out I didn't have to."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 2:53:34 GMT -5
Mathieu looked at her, then back at Roland. "Is that so?" he said, smiling. "So does that mean you two are together?" It certainly explained the good mood Roland was in. His son was in love. And although he'd seemed to be fighting it as recently as a week ago, he certainly seemed happy about it now. How could Mathieu not be happy about the smile on his son's face?
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 2:57:59 GMT -5
Roland's smile was almost shy as he looked over at his father. "Not exactly. Not yet. But we will be. I just need to convince her. But she no longer thinks I'm pond scum, so I think I'm winning her over. And I no longer think she's a know-it-all. In fact... Well, I'm in love with her."
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Post by Mathieu Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 10:56:59 GMT -5
Mathieu had honestly never expected these words to come out of his eldest son's mouth. At least, not so easily. But the look on his face was difficult to deny. He was happy.
"I'm happy for you, Son," he said, smiling at him. "And I wish you luck with her. She might be reluctant right now, but she definitely seems to like you. Anyone could see it by the way she looks at you. You just need to make her realize it... and I know you can do whatever you put your mind to."
He turned back to Cara, his expression sort of smug. "I told you that you didn't need to push him. Love is powerful enough on its own. You can't force it if you don't feel it, and if you do, sooner or later, you won't be able to fight it anymore."
Mathieu, though reserved and quiet, was also rather philosophical, and could see issues rather clearly. He was also secretly a romantic at heart. It did him a lot of good to see his son so happy and in love. But unlike his wife, he would never pry or meddle in any way. He was content to let whatever happened, happen.
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 11:02:39 GMT -5
Cara just smiled again, as if she had known all along. The truth was, she had been starting to doubt that there was anything between them, but she would never admit that.
She smiled at Mathieu, even though he gave her such a smug look. "Well, whether my meddling helped or not, I'm still very happy about the entire thing." She turned her attention back to Roland and couldn't help but smile wider. "I don't think I've ever seen you look this happy, Roland. It does wonders for you."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 11:35:35 GMT -5
Roland smiled again. "Thanks, Mum. I don't think I've ever been this happy, actually. And I wouldn't be this happy now if I didn't think there was a chance she felt the same way. Last night gave me hope."
He was still smiling as he started to eat his sandwich, but his mind was working in less positive directions. There were a lot of other things he should have been telling them about right now, but he kept them all to himself. If they knew what he was planning tonight, they would have tried to stop him, or at least, come with him. And he couldn't have that.
No, it was best that they didn't worry. Everything was fine. He was happy and in love and everything was great.
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Post by Cara Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 11:41:24 GMT -5
Cara nodded. "Well, I'm glad to hear it," she said, refraining, yet again, from saying I told you so. She looked at Mathieu, though, and the look in her eyes would have told hm just how happy she was to see Roland like this.
"Merlin... I can't imagine what you'll be like when you're finally together. You might burst into song. And I hope you realizing I'm trying very hard not to give you a lot of advice right now. I really, really want to."
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Post by Roland Ferrera on Mar 29, 2009 11:58:28 GMT -5
Roland rolled his eyes. "I highly doubt that," he said. "I'm not really much of a singer. Not that I've tried, but... Yeah, I don't see that happening."
Shaking his head, he paused to take a drink of water. "Please don't give me advice, Mum. You know I won't take it. I've got to do this my own way. Although, I will say, I did get some rather useful advice from Ted Tonks, of all people."
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