Two days before Thanksgiving...

[amityville_sweetheart]

Ah, Florida. Warm weather all year long, even in late November. Home of beautiful palm trees, the Mouse, warm, sandy beaches... and bugs big enough to count as the state bird. Ew.

Glancing at the clock, Corrine makes a left at the last light before her sister's house. She'd turned off the heat to the rental car hours ago, and only an hour after that the windows had gone down. It was nice to feel the cool breeze through her hair and not be shivering, but the farther and farther they drove into the warmth of Florida, the more anxious she got. This would be her family's first time meeting Caleb, and his first time meeting them.

If at all possible, she wanted to avoid screaming matches or fist fights, but she had a feeling by the end of the day it'd be inevitable. Just for safety's sake, Corrine had insisted that they stay at the hotel only 20 minutes away. Angela's house was more than big enough to accomodate her and Caleb, but she had a feeling her older sister would probably try and offer them seperate rooms. Not to mention it gave them a place to escape if the family got too unbearable.

Corrine waits patiently at a stop sign before turning into a residential neighborhood. The yards are spacious, every house has two car garages, and there are children playing football in a yard. The driveways are either packed with cars or completely empty, and with a nervous sigh, Corrine pulls the car into the third house on the right.

Turning off the car, she turns to Caleb. "Well, we're here." A nervous smile. "Ready?"

Comments

[caleb-z.livejournal.com]

“It is he utmost desire of every family to improve their lot with time. My parents immigrated with little more than the cloths on their backs, and built a shipbuilding empire with winnings from the stock market. I may be a millionaire now, but I remember winters from my youth where we didn’t have enough money to purchase heating oil for weeks after we ran out.”

Caleb finishes setting the table before resuming. “I, uh .. I’ve been schooling her in the mystical arts, and have found her to be quite the capable student. I, uh .. I suspect she’s from good stock.”

[outcast-xtras.livejournal.com]

Angela purses her lips. "I'm not a big fan of this whole superhero thing, but yeah, Resie can learn a thing or two. Always was quick on the pick-up, papa was the same way. Sharp man."

She goes to the kitchen, coming back with a bottle of Sangria and pouring herself a glass. She takes a sip before setting the bottle down in the center of the table. "Well, I do have one last thing before I stop hassling you, Caleb. We're not bad people, none of us. We live a different life, and I apologize if it's complicated matters for you. I don't expect you to understand it, or condone it, but it's the way things are. Roary knows that, and I hope you realize that's not going to change. The last thing I want to do is make Roary choose."

[caleb-z.livejournal.com]

“I wouldn’t expect you to change.” *Caleb snickers, and then proceeds in a tone meant to be jovial.* “And unless your lifestyle places you in combat against the Justice Society, you’ve no cause to believe I’ll hassle you about it.”

“I do love Corrine a rather great deal. I don’t want things to be any harder for her then they have to be.”

[outcast-xtras.livejournal.com]

"Glad we're on the same page, then." She looks up, a smile covering her face as Louis and Jack descend the stairs, Jack carrying a child that could only be the previously-spoken-of Mark. Angela sets her glass down, rushing to Jack's side and taking the little one from his arms.

"Hello!" she coos, swaying as she carries the baby back into the kitchen. "Did you have a good nap?"

[outcast-xtras.livejournal.com]

Louis smiles, pulling the high chair from the corner. "I think Jack slept better than he did."

Jack, sleepy and showing it, waves at Caleb and Angela before pouring himself into a seat quietly.

"Too much red wine this morning, baby?" Louis teases his lover, and is met with a middle finger in response.

[caleb-z.livejournal.com]

Caleb laughs to himself, quietly wondering who invited Trevor to dinner.

“Hello,” says as he offers his hand. “I’m Caleb.”

[outcast-xtras.livejournal.com]

Jack shakes the hand offered to him, rubbing his eyes with the other. "I'm not usually so hung over, you'll have to excuse me. Lost a bet. Jack Thomas."