Paige Page could hear the rustling. It was waking her up, and she didn’t really want it to. Rolling over, she tried to go to sleep, but the rustling continued. She opened her eyes and saw a figure moving around her bedroom.
“Aislin?” her voice was still thick with sleep, but she did notice that the bedroom was lighter. Not too bright. She glanced at the clock by her bed and groaned when she realized that it was 4:58 in the morning. “Aislin what are you doing? Go back to bed.”
Not even pausing, Aislin replied cheerfully. “It’s time to wake up! Busy day! I put on coffee. Let’s get you packed!”
Paige couldn’t help but chuckle. It was July 1st, and she and Iris were moving into their new apartment today. Aislin would be getting the front bedroom to herself and Thea would be getting this room … once Iris and Paige got out of it. Aislin had always wanted her own room, and she was clearly so excited that she’d gotten up extra early to ‘help’ them pack.
As if this was permission to raise the alarm, little Toffee Page started yipping excitedly.
Iris Page was a deeper sleeper than her sister but the yipping of the puppy woke her and she resisted “Noooooo…..Toffee...too early…” Then a shadow of movement made her open her eyes “Aislin…..what the hell….what are you doing in here?”
Paige looked over at her sister. “I think we’re being evicted.” she announces. “Aislin, it’s really too early. Go back to bed.”
Aislin was hearing none of her sister’s nonsense. “It’s moving day!” she announced. “I have the coffee on and everything!” she moves to s drawer and tries it, but it’s locked. Trying the one below it, she arches a bro. “Who needs this many pairs of underwear?” she demanded to know before scooping all of it out and shoving it in a pillowcase.
“Oh my god, Aislin! Get out of my stuff!!” Now she’s awake and annoyed. She looks at Paige and sighs “We’re never going to sleep until we move….kill me now…” Iris did not like being woken up earlier than she had to face the day. “Aislin you’re never going to make it to the fireworks if you’re up this early.”
Paige sighs and sits up. “Aislin … we can pack our own things you know.” she yawns and stands. “We don’t even have a lot of stuff.”
Aisin shakes her head. “I’ll take a nap later.” she tells Iris. “After you're packed. I love you, but get out!”
Iris grumbles and then stumbles around heading for the bathroom. Her pajamas consist of a little short and tank top pj set that’s forest green with little white flowers. Her hair is a wrongly parted mess in all directions. “If we pack, can we sleep after?” She laughs “On our mattresses out on the lawn? Because I’m not calling Seamus to help us at 5 in the morning.” She steps out to pee quickly and is back in less than 2 minutes.
Paige giggles a little as she gets out of bed. Hers is a long old fashioned nightgown and her hair is a mess of bed head. “Maybe we can pack our clothes and Aislin can be happy enough to go back to sleep?” she looks at her younger sister as Iris heads for the bathroom. “Because no one is getting ANY calls before 8.” she tells her. “The guys were supposed to be here at 9, but if you’re good, we might be able to call them earlier.”
Aislin bites her bottom lip. “OK … pack your clothes … a show of good faith .. and I’ll go beck to bed. I promise.”
Paige rolls her eyes as Iris comes back, hopefully having heard that last. “My turn.” and she takes her turn in the bathroom, coming out in a couple of minutes.
Iris did hear but makes no moves to pack anything. She passes Paige with a groan and glares at Aislin and crawls right back onto bed, pulling her quilt up over her head.
Paige returns from the bathroom and sees that Iris has gone back to bed. She sighs and dresses in something rare for her. Jeans and a tshirt. Then she heads for the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “Aislin.” she whispers, harshly. “Get in here and take some of these big garbage bags in my room.” she considers putting reamer or sugar in the coffee, but then just sips it black. It helped. A little. She brings the cup in her room and opens the closet. They had planned for a less … hectic move.
Greyson Page was running along behind Thea on her bicycle trying to encourage her riding practice. She was balancing with her legs stuck out but nervous to start pedalling.
“Thea you need to pedal….”
Thea stuck her feet on the pedals and instantly wobbled and wiped out. She started a whimpering cry and kicked at the bike in frustration.
Greyson sighed. He was breathless and sweating in a faded old navy and white striped t-shirt and loose cotton grey pants. On his feet were his denim slip-on sneakers. He walked calmly to his little girl and picked up the bike “Try again.” He could tell she wasn't really hurt, just frustrated.
Thea shrieked “No! I’m never getting on that bike again!”
Greyson picked up the bike with one hand and took Thea by the hand with the other “Never is a big word. You can take a break but we’re going to do this ok?”
She dug in her heels and made her father drag her a bit as they walked. Thea was wearing a pair of overall jeans shorts that looked old enough to be hand me downs and a yellow tshirt with a ladybug on a flower underneath. She had little blue sneakers on her feet and she ripped the helmet off of her head making her chin length black hair a mess and her little red glasses go askew.
A man with a receding grey hairline and the same style glasses approaches them holding a bike wrench. “Hi there...I couldn’t help but overhear you. My name’s Stuart Peterson. I’m a nosy and overly helpful neighbour that butts in with advice.” He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and baggy cargo shorts with old white sneakers.
Greyson is always polite but in a bit of a challenging parenting moment “Uh hi there...I’m Greyson and this is Thea.”
“Hello, Thea.” Stuart greets the little girl with a smile “you know my little girl was just like you about learning to ride. But she got it eventually, and now she dances in the air hanging from trees. You know what helped my Avery?’ And now he looks at both of them and holds up the wrench “We took off the pedals for a little while.”
Thea brightens “I HATE the pedals. They cut my legs.”
Stuart nods and then looks at Greyson for permission.
Greyson has to smile “That’s a good idea…thank you Stuart…..the older three just caught on. Thea needs a little more time, and that’s OK Thea. Tell us about the dancing with trees? I have a flying child who might want to know.” He offers the little bike to the helpful neighbour.
Stuart leans the bike a bit and wrenches away “It’s called aerial dance. It’s really a dance meets gymnastics, quite amazing to watch. A little bit circe de soleil really.” In no time he’s got the pedals off and he hands them to Greyson. And then holds the bike steady for Thea “Wanna give it a try Thea?”
Thea puts her helmet back on and snaps it under her chin. She gets on the bike and she naturally pushes off with her feet a few times and then glides as the bike gains momentum.
The adults cheer her on and Greyson looks incredibly grateful “Thank you…..wow look at her go.”
Stuart nods “Avery was the same. We can put those back on in a few weeks once she’s confident?” He looks across the street and jumps “Oh! I’ve got a customer…..got a little yard sale in progress. We’re downsizing to move.” He says as he begins to walk across the road.
Greyson laughs “We just did that too….” And now he had his two oldest moving out and no extra kitchenware to share with them. But from the looks of the table across the road, Stuart might.
Thea goes up and down the street like a little pro now with this new plan. Eventually, she gets done and comes back to her father “I did it!”
Greyson hugs her to his side “You did amazing. Hey, sweetie let’s drop your bike at home and go see what that nice helpful man is selling over there. Maybe there’s even toys…”
Thea only needs to hear that word and she’s off like a shot taking her bike home and leaning it on the porch. She even puts her helmet neatly hooked over the handlebar on one side.
They go across and Thea immediately spots a little bunny dressed up as a pirate and her hands go out to it with a gasp.
Greyson and Stuart both chuckle. Stuart is just handing off a box to Michelle Kim full of cupboard handles and little knobs and she walks away and through the community gardens looking pleased with her find.
“Yes you can, Thea, but you have to be patient while I look too. Hey Stuart how much for the whole set of your dishes box here. My two oldest are moving out today.” Greyson inquires.
Stuart grins “Oh well lucky you…” He pokes around in the dishes box. It has all the basics, stuff they had doubles of over the years. “I dunno 20 bucks? And include the little pirate bunny since Thea loves it so much.”
Greyson beams “You have a deal then..” He blinks “I’m assuming you're doing cash for a yard sale. I know cash is evil right now…”
Stuart laughs “For this yeah we have to….I’ll wash it later...launder the money. Don’t tell the new credit union or my son the cop.”
Now Greyson really laughs as he pays with a 20 and picks up the box “Mum’s the word. Happy Canada Day. Come on Thea. I’m sure the big girls are hard at work packing.”
Aislin watches Iris with exasperation, but does move hen Paige tells her too. She takes the whole box of garbage bags and returns with them, opening the first. This time, she goes to Paige’s dresser and begins to unload everything in a bag.
Eventually, Iris is showered and dressed and packing a few boxes of books. It’s only taken 2 coffees and half a pot of tea to make her human after the 5 am wake up. She’s dressed for comfort in a retro logo Canada shirt that’s grey, not red and her medium blue rolled up jeans shorts. Her hair is swept up into a ponytail and she’s not bothering with makeup yet today. She slides another collection of books into the box as her father and Thea come in from outside. Thea has a new old toy that looks like it’s from a yard sale and Greyson is carrying a box of what looks like assorted dishes.
Thea holds up her toy like a prize “A pirate bunny!” She goes running right through the house and out the back door, ignoring the packing. Toffee the puppy follows her, yipping at her heels.
Greyson sets down the box where his older girls can see it “You’ll still need baking stuff but the nice chap across the street was selling all this. All the basics, plates, cups, bowls, cutlery, a few pots, a frying pan….and he helped me with Thea’s bike. Stuart Peterson, although he’s selling to downsize and move. How’s it going in here?”
Iris looks down at the packing “Ok...I think I’m missing a book. Has anyone seen one called Astrid Cane?” She looks a little wary as it was one she should have chucked in the locked drawer.
Greyson suddenly gulps and walks off quickly, returning with the Victorian novel and slipping it in the book box with a sheepish smile at his daughter’s scoff.
Sasha saunters down the street with Seamus as well as his father. He’s wearing a pair of long camo cargo shorts and a white t-shirt with a big red moose on it that says Canada across it in white. The three have been chatting casually as they go. Sasha is asking Seamus about festivities later “Where’s the best place to see the fireworks? One time my uncles tried to do their own….I swear Oncle Gaetan still has a bit of a weird eyebrow….I mean they mostly grew back….”
Felix walks with Sasha and Seamus. It was a holiday and he didn’t have to work, but the idea of staying home was just too upsetting. He and Amelie were polite as always, but they didn’t have conversations unless ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ were conversation. So he decided to help Sasha’s girlfriend move instead of spending the day in his room like an errant child. But he does manage a small laugh. “Mostly. I really hope they learned their lesson. Sugar makers probably shouldn’t be setting off explosives.”
Seamus motions to the island. “Pretty much anywhere outside.” he tells them “They set them off from the fire boat in the middle of the inlet. So … Central Park, or either of our backyards. Behind the community center, but that’s a no-go this year. I’d say the lighthouse, but that’s a museum now.” he is grinning. “I’m actually pretty edited myself. We haven’t had fireworks around here in years.” they approach the house.
Aislin is watching the progress and carting as much as she can out onto the front porch. She spots the men and cheers! Moving to them with a bag in each hand, she hands them over.
Paige follows her sister out and sighs in exasperation. “Aislin, what do you want them to do, just start hauling it all by hand?” she moves to Sasha or a quick kiss. “Hello, Dr. Beaulieu.”
Felix looks amused. “Hello, Paige and it’s Felix. Please.”
Seamus laughs as he's handed a large garbage bag. “Even I had more subtlety when Fiona moved out.”
Iris greets Seamus with a kiss “Because you’re a nice brother. I bet you didn’t wake Fiona up at 5 am either trying to pack her underwear.” She glares at Aislin. “Hi, Felix. Can I call you Felix too? I’m Iris. Hi Sasha. I have the bookmobile parked up the street. I think because of the holiday some folks have family in, and then there’s that hearse….the parking was oddly busy last night.” She fishes the keys out of her pocket and carries them with her box of books “This way helpful movers. We really don’t have that much stuff you guys…”She laughs at the number of people to move them.
Sasha had kissed Paige back and taken the bag from Aislin “Hi everyone...thanks.” He smiled at his father telling Paige to call him Felix. “Oooh the bookmobile...cool!” He follows.
Greyson hears the chatter outside and steps out to greet everyone and assist with the first load to the bookmobile too “Felix! I only expected the boys. Hello Sasha. Seamus. Thank you all. We’ll be done all this in an hour with this many of us. Happy Canada Day everyone.” He looks cheerful.
Across the road, Stuart Peterson is still having his little yard sale. He waves at Grey and at Seamus who he recognizes and to the newer faces because he’s a friendly sort. Walter McLeod is rifling through one of his boxes of trinkets and seems to be negotiating over prices on something.
Thea is still out back with the puppy for now.
Felix looks at Iris. “Of course you can call me Felix.” he tells her, finally seeing the sisters close to each other and noting the resemblance. It’s like his own family, all looking like they came from the same mix. He smiles at Greyson. “Happy Canada Day. I figured … I’d just … help.” he shrugs and looks at the bookmobile. “And yes … a nice quick move.” he takes a couple of bags and helps on that end.
Paige smiles at Felix and looks at Sasha with a subtle is he alright look, then looks at the bags. “I have no idea what’s in any of these bags now.” she blew out a breath. “I guess the plan is to get us out and we can spend the next six months sorting through our own clothes.” she chuckles. “Oh, I should start unplugging my sewing machine.”
Seamus laughs. “No, I did not wake Fiona up at 5. I’m alive, aren’t I?” he takes a box of books and heads for the bookmobile.
Aislin has taken off back in the house and is now trying to drag one of the dressers out of the door.
Greyson is about to pick up a bag and follow when he hears a suspicious scuffling inside and looks through the door “Aislin!” He goes in after her to help her so she doesn’t kill herself trying to speed up the process of getting her own room “Ask for help, my dear.” He chides and then goes to one end “Can you lift your side?” He’s pretty sure she can.
Sasha laughs about the mystery bags “It’s like Christmas...without the tags.”
Iris speeds up since she has the keys to the vehicle and sets her box down to unlock it and then directs everyone “Maybe boxes further back and bags in the middle? I’m assuming we can tie mattresses to the top...oh god...I don’t know if we have any rope…” She purses her lips as she shoves her box in the back and then steps out of the way.
Aislin nods and helps to lift her end. “I really AM going to miss them, you know.” she speaks softly, almost hoping her father will miss it with lifting the dresser.
Paige goes in the house and has begun to pack up her sewing machine as Aislin and her father move out a dresser. She overhears Aislin, but doesn’t say anything about it.
Seamus looks in and around the van. “Oh, we have rope at my place. Let me send Dad a text.” he sends his father a text message.
Helping Iris move. Can you bring us some rope? They’re moving from the house on the other side of the garden.
Felix nods when its revealed rope may be coming. There probably are too many cooks in the kitchen, but they were also right in that it would speed up the process.
John Reinhardt had just finished making up a nice batch of kebabs to marinate for their evening’s holiday barbecue when he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He washed his hands and checked his texts “Rope….yeah I got a shit ton of rope…” He mutters and heads to his garage. He grabs a few different lengths and types. John loved boats. John had all the rope. He called out to his household through the garage door to the house as he grabbed his hat “Running an errand. Back in a bit.” And walked off towards where Seamus had directed.
Iris exhales in relief “Thank you, Seamus. Otherwise, you and Sasha would just have to hang out the window and hold onto them.” She jokes.
Sasha had followed Paige into the house, unsure what to move next. He saw her with the sewing machine packing it up “I can take that when it’s ready to go.” Now that they’re not beside his father he addresses the look Paige had given him about him “My parents are having...a rough time. My Dad...well he hasn’t left but he’s basically living in the garage. They had a big fight...like a big one.” He looks a little emotional about it “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t think he wanted to be home today. Mom’s making Canada crafts with Cath and pretending everything’s fine.”
Thea comes in the back door with Toffee at her heels “Captain Sasha! Is Captain Redbeard here too?” She knew they were helping her sister move “Let me go get my swords!” She leaps over Paige like she’s a hurdle and bounds to her room.
Greyson grins at Aislin’s admission that she actually will miss her sister as they carry the dresser out “I’m sure they’ll miss you too.” He says as they make it down the stairs and turn “Hey the man across the street told me about something called aerial dance. Have you ever seen it? On Youtube maybe?” They approach the bookmobile and Seamus and Felix are still in range and an older redheaded man was walking up with all kinds of rope.
John ambled up to what looked like a converted VW van. “This must be the bookmobile.” He was wearing long black cotton shorts and a black Molson Canadian beer t shirt and he had a little grey cap on his head that covered his bald spot with his thinning red hair spindling out around it. He had a little red moustache bristling as he grinned at the other two men, one he recognized from their street. “Hi, I’m John. John Reinhardt.” He says to both and then looks pointedly at Felix “You live down the street. I’ve met the wife but not you yet.”
Aislin moves carefully down the stairs. "I saw some. It looks really pretty..." and then she looks suspicious. "Are you trying to get me interested in something besides flying and gliding?"
Seamus smiles as his Dad arrives. "Rope to the rescue." he watches his father introducing himself. "Did you bring enough rope, Dad?" he asks, sarcasm rich in every syllable.
Paige looks at Sasha n sympathy. "Oh no! I mean .. Surely they won't divorce ... right?" she sighs deeply. "If there's anything I can do to help....." the words feel lame to her. Suddenly Thea jumps over her. "Hey! We need them today, Thea. I don't think they can fight for you today."
Felix smiles at the redhead who could not be anyone but Seamus's father. He offers his hand. "I'm Felix Beaulieu." he makes his introductions. "So you're the besties father, eh?" he grins.
John snorts at Seamus “We could tow a fuckin barge with all this.” He shifts the rope and shakes Felix’s hand “Good to meet you, Felix. Yeah, you can blame all of that…” He head juts at Seamus “On me.” He notices there’s a kid in range but she looks old enough to have heard all the words and he’s never been particularly good at censoring his language around anyone.
Greyson hesitates at the door of the bookmobile before trying to get the dresser in so he could meet Seamus’s father. He steps forward and extends a hand after Felix “Hi John I’m Greyson. Call me Grey.” He laughs about blaming all of Seamus on him “Well as far as I can tell you did ok with this one. We like him.” He gives Seamus a grin and then nods at the rope “That is a lot of rope.”
John shrugs “I have a sailboat….well I have a project that will be a seafaring vessel eventually.” He looks down at the girl too “Hiya.”
Iris looks thoroughly amused by John and all the interactions. She’s met him so she takes over the dresser sorting and moves some bags inside to make room. “Hi John...thank you!” She calls to Aislin “K we’re going to put it right here and the other one can fit beside it.” She hops out ready to start lifting it in with her if she’s ready to take her side.
Sasha leans down and puts an arm around Paige “Thank you...I think just time will tell. I mean he didn’t leave….maybe because of my siblings and I...I dunno….” He blows out a breath and kisses her cheek “I just hate the tension.” Then Thea comes out and tosses him a foam sword and he can’t not catch it and engage “ah Captain Thea…” And just like his parents, Sasha has learned to pretend he’s fine when he’s not totally feeling it.
Thea has an armful of swords and has put on her pirate hat. She holds up a hand “Wait...we need Redbeard!” And she leaps again right over Paige and runs outside laughing.
Toffee the puppy yips and follows Thea.
Aislin sighs when her father is distracted from her question by Seamus's father. She looks at him and waves. "Hi, I'm Aislin." Iris calls to her and she looks impatient. "OK, OK as long as you hurry UP! I have to get you out, then I have to move Thea out. At this rate it will take literally FOREVER to get in MY ROOM!"to get her own room. Thea comes running out of the house. "Oh for fucks sake!" she exclaims, not thinking.
Seamus snorts. "Every last bit of it. His fault." he smiles when Grey says he's liked. Then Aislin introduces herself and shows an incredible lack of patience, followed by Thea who comes tearing out of the house with an armful of swords. He looks at Iris. "Ut oh ...." he intones, knowing Thea will ant to play and... with Sasha also here .. will probably want to pit them against each other. Except ... moving here.
Paige nods, understanding. "Well, you have another place to escape to if you need to get away..." then Thea appears and then just as quickly is gone again.
Felix chuckles. "I suppose I could say the same for my oldest." he muses and can't help but chuckle. Rene might well act the same if it was Sasha moving out and giving him his own room.
Greyson was not one to chastise the kids for swearing although he did sometimes say the following “Patience Aislin…. And there are many words you can say to express your frustrations.” He wasn’t strict; he just didn't want it to be every second word. He sees Thea and laughs “Oh she’s corralling the captains I see.”
Thea thrusts a sword at Seamus “Ar ye scurvy dog...Captain Redbeard! Captain Sasha has taken the ship and we must defeat him!!!” Thea stops short looking up at Felix and an older version of Seamus in her option “Old men captains too!” Because to her, they are old. She has enough swords that she hands them each one but looks pleased with what old Seamus is holding “Aye ye brought us the rope!”
Iris starts cracking up now at Thea “Thea they're’ not that old...they’re younger than Dad. No offence.”
Greyson laughs “Oh no I’m ancient to her...ancient! None taken.”
Sasha, still inside shrugs at the sword in his hand “Guess I better go out there…” He laughs.
John takes the sword and shoulders the rope “Aye lassie I’m here to tie the enemies to the masts. Avast!” He immediately swings the foam sword at Seamus like he’s challenging him and is happy to entertain the little girl “Old man captain my ass.”
Aislin sighs and is about to say something else when Thea stops and drafts everyone in range. Then she steps back on the sidewalk, shaking her head and watching, fascinated in spite of it all.
Seamus takes the sword by reflex. He chokes a laugh into a cough as his father and Felix are proclaimed old men captains and when she mentions the ropes his father has, he covers his face with his hand. Almost literally wiping the smile off of his face just as his father attacks him. He counters. "Ye ba an ancient man!"
Paige just laughs. "Yes .. you better." she gives her permission. Poor Aislin must be going crazy with this delay. She will follow more closely, ready to mourn her man, as they had planned, only to find an all out war in the street! She approaches Paige. “How … what?” she is laughing.
Felix takes his sword and suddenly smiles. He joins John in the fight against Seamus. "For the booty!" he bellows as old engage young. This is what he needed … fun .. adventure … maybe some riches. “I’ll hang ye teeth around my neck, young Redbeard!”
Greyson cracks up at all the banter “Watch your teeth, Seamus, he’s a dentist!” He looks about to sit back out of the frat when Thea jumps on his back with her sword at the ready now “Sparky my trusted seahorse…..charge!” Greyson humours her and charges into the battle between Seamus, John and Felix “How are they all captains and I’m just the trusty seahorse?” He asks in mock offence.
Sasha can’t stand to be left behind seeing that his dad and John and now Greyson have joined the fight. He runs into the skirmish with his sword over his head “You’ll never take Captain Thea ALIVE!” And then he meets his father with a blow of a foam sword to his upper back and dodges around him quickly to thrust a stab towards Seamus’s ribs.
Meanwhile, Thea just beats them all about their heads from her vantage point while Greyson tries not to get hit in the face.
John was swinging wildly at Seamus who had concurred about him being ancient. He laughed hard about the teeth comment and then harder at Greyson saying the man was a dentist. Thea knocks his hat right off with one of her blows and he keeps going, trying to carefully get a few shots at her now around Felix.
Iris just shakes her head and sits down cross-legged beside the dresser in the bookmobile. “Boys…..and Thea….” She chuckles. She beckons Paige and Aislin to join her so they don’t get smacked with foam if they’re so inclined.
A door opens down the street and Stephanie Reinhardt wanders out with a cup of coffee in her hand and her phone and she holds it up, zooms in and snaps a picture “Knew it had to be my fuckin family.” She mutters before heading back in.
Seamus bends reacting to the stab by his father and straightens only to be beaten about the head with Thea's sword. He backs up a bit and looks at Sasha, ducking another swipe by his father. “Ahoy!!! You be late!”
Felix swings .. not entirely sure exactly whose side he is on, but refusing to go down without a fight. Knowing Sasha better than Seamus or John and hearing Seamus call, he turns to block Sasha. “Ye’ll walk the plank young Captain Sasha!”
Paige watches amazed as they all fight. She joins Iris and looks at Aislin. "Isn't this more fun than packing?"
Aislin joins her sisters. "OK OK I admit it. But ... who is fighting who ... and why?"
Iris winks at Paige and then giggles and pets Aislin’s hair “Because Thea commands it. Also dear sister, someday we’ll have a chat about the birds and the bees and the testosterone and you’ll understand that boys can’t help themselves, no matter the age. But it’s still fun to watch.” She’s pretty sure Aislin knows about the birds and bees by now.
Sasha is now challenged by his father and accepts it like a duel. Their house has had so much tension they both need to let off some steam today “Ar you’ll be dining in Davy Jones locker tonight!” He blocks like he does for hockey which works better for low than high sword blows and his hair gets pushed around into a mess as he just has to duck a few and laughs.
Thea now yanks on her father’s shirt “The redbeards….get them Sparky!” indicating she wants to charge at Seamus and John.
Greyson laughs nervously “My dear Captain I daresay we might be outmatched….” Both Seamus and John are taller and thicker than Grey but he knows they won’t fight too hard at Thea. “Mind the glasses…” is his only request out of character and then he makes a little horse nay.
John cracks up as he fights “I’m not sure that’s what they sound like Grey...Seahorses….Ar Captain Thea...we will unseat you…”
Seamus nos at his father and points his sword at Grey and Thea. "To the eternal depths!" he cries like a charge and begins running towards them. With help, he may hook Thea by the elbows right off of her father's back. "To the tickle torture .... brig!"
Felix swings his sword at his son. He thrusts, then parries and begins beating his child about the sides.
Aislin shakes her head at the answer. "They're so easily distracted...." she marvels, watching them.
Paige giggles. "That they are, dear sister ... that they are."
John helps lift Thea off Grey’s back but tips her towards Seamus since he’s really a stranger to her still and clearly Seamus has rapport with her. “Captain Redbeard, take her to the brig!” And as soon as she’s transferred he back off and catches his breath “Fuck me I am ancient…” He mutters.
Thea squeals as she’s carefully tumbled to Seamus “You’ll never take me alive!” She wacks at the top of his head with her sword but not hard enough to hurt him.
Grey exhales and moves off to the side with John “Oh you and me both. I must confess I’m grateful for these boys willing to play with Thea, and Aislin. I can do it...but I feel it later now.” He laughs.
John snorts “Well I’m soon to be a Grandpa so maybe I better take up jogging or something….to survive.”
“Oh, congratulations...on the grandchild, not the jogging..” Greyson snorts.
Sasha has been fighting his father and then notices Thea get taken by Seamus and John and Grey wander off to chat. He gets his father's attention and head juts at the two slackers “Oy, they have the treasure map! Let’s join crews...Grey needs a sword….” He looks around and sees an extra that didn’t go to anyone on the ground and tosses it at Grey “Avast yes!!” He calls as a battle cry and charges.
Iris keeps giggling and leans on her two sisters, completely content and relaxed with this day.
Seamus takes Thea and heads for the bookmobile, depositing her inside nearly on top of her sisters because that can’t possibly go wrong. Unless something happens he will tickle Thea with little mercy.
Felix smiles. He charges with his son. “To the treasure map!”
Aislin tries to get out of the way and squirms out of the way, watching Thea in the tickle jail. “Serves you right!” and then she stumbles backwards. “Should we save her?” she wonders and then considers. “Distract him, Iris! Save our sister!” Seamus is male and if her sisters are right, surely her boyfriend would get distracted by her.
Paige gets awkwardly out of the way and laughs. “Yes! Save our sister Iris!”
Iris sees the incoming Thea and helps Seamus land her without anyone getting injured or broken glasses. He’s careful though and her sisters do get out of the way too. Then as the tickling starts she hears the pleas of her sister and throws up her hands “Dad….John...look away…” she suggests and if she can catch hold of Seamus and pull it off she will grab him flip him and pin him to the floor of the bookmobile and kiss him full on the lips.
Thea is tossed by her sisters and tickled but she loves it. She will mock protest until something changes.
Sasha is now in a battle diagonally with Grey who is shockingly a fair foe. Having a pirate daughter has clearly made him seasoned. As the girls chime in and there’s chaos in the bookmobile he can’t help but turn and wonder why Iris is telling her father and John not to look.
John ends up mostly crossing swords with Felix and laughing “Not bad for a dentist.” He teases and then he’s told to look away and of course, had to look. He can see what Iris’s plan is from afar and calls out “I guarantee you I’ve seen worse.”
Grey has fun sword fighting with Sasha and he too must look when told not to, because it’s only logical. He has a sense of what Iris might be trying to do and laughs at John’s words.
Seamus is, indeed completely distracted by the kiss. He wraps his arms around Iris and, hearing Thea's protests, breaks the kiss only a moment. "I...." he kisses Iris again. "Must answer the sirens call..." he kisses Iris deeply again, captivated.
Felix cannot help but laugh a bit. "Thank you, sir." he replies to the compliment to his pirating skills for a dentist. He also hears Iris and, naturally, looks in their direction.
Aislin rolls her eyes at the distraction. They really were easy marks. She reaches for Thea and holds her hand up in victory. "The pirate sea witch has escaped thanks to the denizens of the deep Iris Siren!!
Paige watches as everyone's eyes turn to Seamus and Iris and laughs at Aislin's proclamation, clapping at the whole thing.
Greyson keeps laughing and claps along with Paige “This is why the ladies always win. Ah, young love.”
Iris eventually pulls back and giggles and then lets Seamus up “Well that was a fun game. Let’s pack up this rig and move.” She all but dusts herself off with a big grin on her face as she looks at Seamus and then her sisters before exiting the bookmobile.
Thea beams with Aislin at the victory but had made a little face at all the kissing. Then she reunites with Toffee who’s trying desperately to jump into the bookmobile but her puppy legs are just too short. “Come on Toffee.” she lets go of Aislin’s hand and steps down to lift her up.
Sasha gives a little bow “Pleasure to fight you all. I have a sewing machine to go carry.” He proclaims and heads towards the house but calls back to Seamus “You fell to the siren’s call Redbeard. Classic blunder.”
Seamus sighs dramatically after the kiss and gets up as if stunned. He lifts his head to look at Sasha. "Oh screw you!" He mock struggles to get up from the bags. "Someone's moving?" he asks stupidly. Then he physically shakes it off. "Oh ... right .... moving. Pack mules, ho!" and he starts doing his part. They HAD lost quite a bit of time.
Felix smiles at the couple and sighs, looking at Grey, nodding as he, too begins to clap.
Aislin lets go of Thea's hand and watches Thea and Toffee head off for another adventure. She resumes her supervising
Paige giggles and heads back in with Sasha to finish packing up her sewing machine. It is among the last of the things put in the bookmobile, followed by the mattresses ON the bookmobile.
Iris drives the bookmobile solo since they’ve used every space inside it for stuff. She parks in front of the building that contains the dentist practice the Beaulieu’s run and her father’s eye clinic and at the top is their new home. An entourage walks after her like the bizarre cast of either a twisted sitcom or a friendly zombie apocalypse. Iris runs up to their new place and unlocks the door so people can move things in whether she and Paige are there or not. She leans against it after untying the mattresses and dramatically sighs when everyone shows up to be an ass and then starts moving stuff with them. “Maybe we should take the mattresses up the back stairs?” She looks at her father and Felix who know this building well.
Greyson shrugs “Either or...the inside stairs are a bit wider.” He moves to grab the end of a mattress either way.
Iris nods “OK inside stairs…..sorry there’s a lot of them to get to us.” She opens the door for folks taking mattresses. She’ll grab one herself after doing so if there’s one to be moved still.
John takes the other end of the one Greyson started to grab “Ally oop!” And they’re off through the door with Greyson leading.
Sasha reaches to grab a mattress and makes a silly noise at Seamus to get his attention “Do you prefer to be the bottom or the top?” then he snorts “Oh that sounds bad…” He cracks up as he takes his side.
Iris facepalms “Do we need to leave you two alone?” she looks at Paige and shakes her head.
Seamus smirks at Sasha after his question. "I'm a big fan of the top." he rolls his eyes and takes his side, helping to manhandle the bulky mattresses,
Felix agrees with Greyson but. "The back has the extra benefit of being open with porches. The landing specially on the top floor is almost nonexistent.
Paige giggles. "I think we should .. but pictures boys, or it didn't happen." she teases, boldly.
Sasha blushes now at all the comments but still laughs “Well then I hope Iris likes the bottom.” He shoots back. “No pictures…not for Seamus anyway.” He hears his father and steers their mattress going up to the back stairs “Let’s race them!”
Iris doesn’t blus but just says “Oh I like many things Sasha, don’t you worry about Seamus.” She realizes Felix is still in range for her and their comments and gulps a little and then gets to her moving tasks. She looks at what’s still to come in “We should make a door prop.” There’s a recycling bin in the foyer and she raids it for flyers and cardboard and wedges the outside door open.
At the top and the near nonexistent landing Greyson and John come to an awkward halt.
“You know I heard Felix, but I didn't listen to him…” Grey laughs “Sorry John.”
John laughs “K then we turn it vertical…” He steps back and pulls his end up and Greyson does the same from the other side. They manage to get it through the door but just stick it in the main room.
Seamus looks crushed. “No pictures? But I thought I was special!” he hefts his end of the mattress. “Hell yea! Iet’s do this!! And they’re off. Their path is perhaps less awkward then the one the fathers take.
Paige just smiles, avoiding the blush. She grabs bags and drags them up the stairs to the main room. She wonders how they’ll ever figure out whose stuff belongs to whom and decides to just pile the bags in the dining room/ kitchen area .. midway between the two bedrooms.
Felix chuckles as he watches and helps Paige a bit with dragging bags upstairs. He follows Paige’s lead and drops them in the living room. “You girls will need a table and hairs … and a couch … a coffee table…” in his head, he is making a list.
Sasha gets to the back door and realizes it’s locked “Merdre (shit).” He knocks.
A moment later Iris opens it after she’s just walked in and heard the knock “Hello boys, come on in with that.” She chimes and steps back from the door. She walks into the space and actually looks around it. It looks like the eye clinic but less clinical and it feels homely enough to her. “This is my fifth home in 2 years…” She shares. “Our place in Victoria, the rooming house in Vancouver with the roaches, the rooming house I went to after with NO roaches, the little house we just came from…..and now here. I don’t really feel like I’ve landed yes, but I do feel at home on this island.” she gives Seamus a little smile and then extends it to the others in the room.
John has followed Greyson back down for more stuff and come back up again as he seemed to be sorting something in a box. He’s carrying two boxes of books and sets them down “Hey you guys don’t have a bookshelf…” He looks around “Or much else…..want me to send some lawn chairs this way? Sorry we just had Fiona and then Owen move out so we’ve given away a lot of shit already.”
Seamus helps take the mattress in. “Where do you want it?” he asks and honestly doesn’t even know hose bed it is. He listens to Iris and nods. “I haven’t moved a lot. Alexandra to Vancouver and back … two places here.” he smiles back at her and is glad this island feels like home for her.
Felix listens and snaps his fingers. “Bookcases! Of course.” he looks around. “Seems to me you girls need a shopping spree.” he declares. “There plenty of thrift and second hand stores around between Alexandra and Vancouver…”
Paige smiles and looks around. “We’ll fill it up. And I promise not to keep Sasha forever. Probably.” she teases. She expected he would be over at their place more than home sometimes, especially with some tensions at his place.
Iris looks between the mattresses and points to the one on the floor from the earlier drop off and the one Seamus and Sasha have “You have mine and this on the floor is Paige’s.” She sighs and looks at Paige “What room do you want? I’m not fussy so you get to pick.” She smiles at her sister with love.
Sasha gives Paige a big sad look “But I want you to keep me forever. You’re my otter.” He doesn’t care who’s listening although he has noticed Greyson’s not in the room yet. His Dad knows how he feels anyway.
John nods at Felix “There are. Also we’re in yard sale season. They’ll find stuff.” Then he hears Sasha and snorts “Good thing you’re dad’s a dentist kid, we’re all gonna get cavities.” he teases.
Greyson comes back in with a box that looks like a grocery order from Thrifty foods. “The timing just worked out on this yesterday as they’re closed today.” He breezes through to the kitchen and starts unloading things.
Seamus snorts. “They’re pretty bad.” he agrees with his father. “Sweet and mushy. Kissy kissy, huggy huggy.” he rolls his eyes. “Then again, Dad … you live with Logan and Kurt, so it’s a good deal you still have teeth at all.”
Felix looks between his son and Paige. "Forever is a relative thing." he tells them. "I think my son's heart at least will be here no matter where his body lays." he smiles softly, basking in his sons happiness and praying it will never turn. He clears his throat and moves to help Greyson with the groceries.
Paige considers. "The back bedroom is bigger, but I could also have my sewing machine in the alcove up front." she puts a finger to her lips. "I'll take the back bedroom and you take the front?" she offers.
Iris giggles “Oh come on your guys it’s sweet. Alright take that one to the front. You’re on Paige. And put your sewing machine where you want to sew...it’s all good. We watch streaming media through our laptops so I don’t even feel like we need a TV ever...but a couch and a bookcase would be cool someday. I don’t care if we eat in our laps though...call me a slob.” then she notices the groceries “Dad….I didn’t even see you do that! Aren’t you supposed to stop feeding us when we move out?” She walks over to him and hugs him “Thank you.”
Greyson hugs her back “You're my kids...I’ll never stop feeding you.” He laughs.”But you can still come over and cook for me because you’re both better at it than I am.” He looks at Felix “Besides you know these boys are going to mooch your food.” He lets her go as she walks away laughing. Then he turns to Felix now that folks are a room away and drops his voice “Are you ok? Not that I’m not glad to see you...but I was surprised you came along with the boys.” He had also noticed a few reactions to things.
Iris peers in at the boys and her bed and then says “There’s frames for them. We took them apart but I hate putting them back together…” She heads off to get the parts.
Sasha puts the mattress down and gives Seamus an eyebrow wiggle about the coming together of Iris’s bed as she walks away “Maybe we just both agree to put on music…” He teases in a low voice.
Seamus rolls his eyes. "Sweet's a word." he looks over at Greyson. "Mooch, that's a harsh word. I can cook." he looks at his Dad. "I can cook, right?" he asks for some back up. He nods with raised eyebrows at Sasha. They’ll figure something out.
Felix smiles until he is alone with Greyson. "I ... I moved into the garage. Having that guest room build. Second bathroom and everything." he swallows. "I told her ... therapy or divorce ... but .. she got in touch with someone that very night so .. hope ... right?"
Paige doesn't stop Iris, but does all after her. “I was thinking of just putting mine flat on the floor.” she shrugs. “Rather artsy of me, I think.” she moves into the back bedroom. “Iris … we can share the closet! It’s huge!”
Greyson looks at his friend with absolute empathy. He sets down the box of cereal he was trying to decide where to place and reaches over to try to give Felix a hug. Greyson was that kinda guy, comfortable enough to hug a male friend. And Felix felt more like a brother. “It’s hope for sure.” He won’t hug him too long, if he’s allowed to do so, so as not to freak out John or the kids. He wasn’t huggy like Kurt where he’d do it every time he saw someone, just when a friend was truly needing one.
Sasha gives a short laugh and then steps out of Iris’s room and sees Grey reaching out to his dad like he’s going to hug him. He knew why. He suspected at least that his father was confiding in Grey and it gave him some comfort that he had support.
John answered Seamus before he went back down to help grab the last of the stuff. “Yeah bud, you can cook.” He laughed “But I think she already likes you.” He walked out into the hall as he said it and missed the attempt to hug just as it began. He passed Iris as she came back up the stairs with bed frame parts all bungied and bagged together.
Iris just caught the thing about the closet as she came back in “Oh good…” She started and then caught an interesting moment between her father and Felix out of the corner of her eye as she walked to Paige. She dropped her voice “Something up with Felix and Sasha? Dad’s like hugging him in our kitchen. Or has Dad been affected by the Kurt virus?” She lowers her voice again “Maybe he’s switching teams?” She jokes.
Felix accepts the hug and shakes a little in his friends arms, but it is a brief hug. When its over, he nods and claps his shoulder. "Thanks. Let's get these groceries unpacked."
Paige giggles a little, but replies with her own lowered voice. "No. Felix has moved into the garage. Hopefully its only for a few nights, right?" her eyes look hopeful, as they have no experience with parents not getting along.
Seamus gives his father a casual middle finger and puts himself in the living room and is looking around it, up at the ceiling and the walls. Working with the architects and as part of the building inspection team he found himself inspecting the place.
Greyson gives Felix a nod “Do you cook Felix? I’m mediocre but I’ve never poisoned my children. Audrey was so good at it and then Iris and Paige took after her. I got spoiled.” He starts putting apples and oranges into the fridge in one of the drawers.
Iris frowns at what Paige is telling her about Sasha’s parents “That’s so sad. I hope they make up. How’s Sasha?”
Sasha walks over to Seamus and observes him inspecting “What are you looking for?” He’s truly curious.
John comes back in with another box and a bag on top “I think this might be the last of it guys, except those two dressers….so I need some muscle.” This box is the only one labeled. Iris had a tiny flicker of organization and then gave up. It had a list of contents in her tidy bubbly writing that were things like hairdryer, curling iron, epsom salts, bathroom and beauty stuff really. John squints at the label “No bloody clue what that says.” The writing wasn’t actually that small either, just regular sized.
Felix bites his lip. "I CAN cook." he admits. "Rather well, actually." he shrugs. "But Amelie does the cooking. It's her thing and she loves it. So I just don't."
Paige sighs. "He's worried, I think. I can't blame him, you know. Sasha is closer to his father than his mother, I think. He mentioned them staying together for he and his siblings. I can't even imagine, Iris."
Seamus looks at Sasha. "Well during the fog I got to help the architect. You know, inspecting buildings, repairing buildings … we even got into making furniture, since we obviously couldn’t order it and people needed it … anyway ... it's gonna help me a lot when I go to college." he shrugs. "I guess I just wanted to make sure the building was safe for the girls to live in. It is." he looks through to his father. "Oh that's right!" he snaps his fingers. "Hey Grey." he calls. "My mother would appreciate it if you examined my father here. She says he probably needs glasses."
Greyson stands up from the lower section of the fridge after putting in some vegetables “Maybe...maybe you can cook together. In all ways someday.” Greyson has a little twinkle in his eye when he says the last part. He’s truly hopeful that his friend and his beloved can reconcile. Then he hears John and then Seamus “John are you having trouble with your vision? How long has this been going on?”
Iris nods and then sighs “I know our mother didn’t choose to leave this world. And our parents were so desperately in love until the end. I can’t imagine them ever being anything but. It’s honestly what I hope for...aspire to even..” She gives an obvious look to the other room.
Sasha grins “Well I’m glad it passes inspection then. Hey you made furniture too?” He looks around the empty room and then he hears about John needing glasses and chuckles “How fortuitous.”
John grumbles “Yeah I can’t read the small print anymore...I mean that’s normal with age. I’m just getting older. I dunno maybe over the last 3 years..”
Greyson walks over to him and looks at the writing on the box “That is not small print. Let’s make an appointment, how about tomorrow afternoon or I can even do a lunchtime option.”
Felix scoffs. He almost answers, but then Grey is talking to John. Priorities.
Paige smiles and reaches for her sisters hand. "Me too, Iris. I think we've got a great head start."
Seamus nods and chuckles. "What's fortuitous." he murmurs. "That I can make furniture or that my girlfriends father happens to be an eye doctor?"
Sasha laughs loudly “Both of those things. We seem to have lost the sisters to their closet. Do you think it leads to Narnia?”
Iris squeezes Paige’s hand back and nods and then overhears Sasha “Your boyfriend thinks we’re in Narnia. We better check in.” She will tug Paige by the hand if she can and notice as they emerge that Greyson is peering up at John’s eyes while John looks uncomfortable. “What is with him today?” She mutters.
John sighs “Yeah ok lunchtime. You’re not going to stick needles in my eyes or anything painful are you?”
Greyon laughs “You’ve never had an eye exam, have you? And no we won’t hurt you.”
John exhales and shakes his head. The big tough looking guy afraid of the eye doctor “Can I bring my wife?” He asks timidly.
Felix watches Grey do his thing. "Actually, now that the subject's been broached. I'd like to see you too John." he smiles, sweetly. "I can't make the same promises as Grey, however." he means about the pain .. after all, he is a dentist.
Paige giggles and follows Iris, watching her father. She shakes her head and approaches Sasha and Seamus. Hearing Seamus she shakes her head. "Sorry no cat fights."
Seamus chuckles and then does look around. "Oh I hope not. The religious .... no ... I hope they're just about to get in a cat fight over who gets what in said closet." he grins at Paige and opens his mouth to say something when his father asks if he can bring his wife to his appointment. He licks his lip ... then bites them and finally just pinches the bridge of his nose, clearly avoiding saying something smart.
John looks bombarded by all the calling out of his neglect of his eyes and his teeth “You all know I just came to bring the rope right?” He laughs a little nervously. “Ok dressers? Who’s with me?” He looks ready to just run for it down the stairs.
Sasha grins at Paige and Iris “I was actually hoping you’d emerge on some sort of sleigh covered in snow.” He laughs at his father about making no promises about dental pain “You guys are scaring him….it’s OK John….you’ll get a new toothbrush after and a sticker!”
Greyson backs off now and laughs and then looks at Felix “You give them stickers? I used to give little prize toys to the kids. Maybe I’ll do that again here. We should go help with those dressers though.”
Iris gives Seamus a look like she is very curious what he’s not saying. She’s seen his look a few times now and it was usually leading to lude and funny. But she just giggles a bit. Soon the dressers are in and the fathers walk off together like a merry trio. She’s certain she overhears John planning a meet up for pints with them sometime when he doesn’t have family plans before they part ways. Grey and Felix walk off in the same direction and John alone with his impressive collection of rope slung back over his shoulder. The four of them raid the groceries and make sandwiches which they eat cross legged on the floor while they plot where they’ll head off to for the holiday after. But the Page sisters are officially moved in.
No comments:
Post a Comment