Valerie inhaled loudly and heavily as she closed the oven door for what she suspected would be the last time before serving, brow deeply furrowed with concentration as she made sure everything was perfect for the evening she had planned. French manicured short nails fixed every detail of the carefully decorated table up to the unlit candlewick that awaited patiently to be used, letting silence consume her for the first time in what felt like forever.
There was no doubt in anyoneโs mind (those who knew the couple, at least) that Valerie and Elena were smitten by their child, occupying every waken hour and free moment to cater their existance to her very whim, their hearts and souls poured into the bundle of joy they had brought up to the world. However, as much as they adored herโ it was more than clear that the couple needed some time alone away from their role as parents; alas the reason Val had immediately said yes when her own mother had asked to take their child for the night, citing a kid party that needed their undivided attention from very early in the morning the very next day (but Val knew, Val always knew her mother knew, as mothers always do and was trying to make herself helpful).
So now, with their home clean and silent for the first time since Willowโs birth, Valerie awaited for her wife with a home-made meal, a bottle of wine and a sense of hope she hadnโt felt since the diagnose had been made a few months ago. It had been rough on everyone involved, as health issues often are. However, no one had been as strong, compassionate and loving as her wife, all while not only expecting nothing in return but handling the typhoon that Valerie Goldstein had been for the past few months with the same empathy, wisdom and drive Valerie had fallen in love with so many moons ago and it often broke Valโs heart, having to put the person she loved the most through the hardships Elena had endured.
The journalistโs train of thought was interrupted when the sound of keys rustling echoed through the walls in a way it never had before, making her stand up from her place in the kitchen floor and walking towards the entrance where she knew she would be met by a surprised Elena. โWilโs at momโsโ she began once Elena opened the door, hands playing with the seams of the dressed she had decided to wear for the occasion, a piece she had bought a while back and hadnโt had had a chance to use before. โI have your favorite cooling down, some wine on the fridge and even made some dessertโ she began, cautiously taking a few steps towards Elena who was just getting home. Cold hands then began to help the other off of the extra stuff from her day-to-day, green eyes focused on her. โIโ wanted to say thank you. I donโt say it enough but I should. Thank you for taking care of us, thank you for the last two months and he last four years, thank you for giving me a chance all those years ago even though you couldnโt stand me when you first met meโ a chuckle as a hand came to rest on her wiveโs cheek. โIโm sorry I donโt say it enough, you deserve to hear it daily.โ
"Mommy's night off, is it?" JJ chuckles softly as he makes his way over to Valerie, carrying two shot glasses in his hands. "I haven't had a weekend off in so long, and I've been looking forward to this weekend since forever. Mia's at my mom and dad's place for the weekend... and while this is the first time I've been away from her for more than a day, I'm just trying not to think about it, okay? As much as I miss my little girl, daddy also needs a night off to have a little fun." He hands one of the shots to her, and offers her a rather cheeky smile. "I thought you could use something a little stronger than whatever it is you're drinking this evening."
She grins easily at the sight of her friend, a gesture that only grows once he starts talking of their children. Valerie nods and thanks the shot with a bow of her head as a sigh escapes her lips. โI donโt remember the last time I had an actual drink that wasnโt beer or wine out of a reusable bottle, and even that I havenโt done in monthsโ she sighs again. She hasnโt taken her meds for the day in anticipation to JJโs pool party so when she is handed the hard liquor she gladly takes it, lifting it up in honor of the host and making room for him to take the seat next to hers. โIโm sure Mia will be happy to see her daddy tomorrow and hug you so tight you can barely breathe but for tonight, itโs oleโ Val and JJ and weโre gonna enjoy it like we used to. Sure, tomorrow will be hell but letโs cross those bridges in the morning. L'chaim, for a legendary pool party to start the season and the perfect host.โ
CLOSED STARTER for @valeriegoldstein where: coral coast / block & bash music festival
The music festival scene isn't really Aiden's vibe, and it took a good twist of his arm to get him there. He would say so at least, if not for the fact Aiden is sometimes easily convinced with a simple invitation from the right person.
However, it is easy to get split up. Something he should have considered once it became known that cell service is pretty shoddy - it makes sense when the mass crowd is taken into account, and all his text bubbles have turned green (what is this, a fucking Android?), and he not buzzed enough to tolerate this alone. So, Aiden precariously balances his cokctail and pushes through the crowd as the recent set concludes, people flooding out to another stage or the food booths or wherever their next destination is in mind, trying to find a spot where he isn't bumping shoulders with others.
It is then as he peers under the dining tent where picnic tables are scattered, filled with other festival patrons or trash some people couldn't be bothered to throw away properly, Aiden recognizes Valerie. Or so he hopes because he sneaks up from behind, plucking an ice cube from his half-consumed drink so that when he is close enough, he can press it to the nape of her neck.
"What - too busy having fun to answer any of my texts?" Aiden prods, dropping the offending ice cube and leaning forward enough to be eye level with her. "Or is the service so shit you haven't gotten any of them? I might accept that excuse - I'm feeling pretty generous today."
Valerie allows herself to take a seat as she watches her family go on yet another adventure without her as she makes room for herself in an abandoned table, her cold legs already sore from walking for the past hour holding Ameliaโs hand on her own, a wide-eyed three year old looking at Coral Cove and asking questions Valerie only has some answers to. She takes these few moments of solitude to appreciate the time she just shared with her daughter; no matter how tiring it may be, there is no moment she isnโt thankful for Willowโs existance and her involvement in the matter.
The journalist it about to retrieve her phone from her purse for the first time in the past two hours when a cold object is pressed against her neck, a shiver runs down her body as a natural response whilst the rest of her body jolts.
โFFFFFFISHSTICKSโ she shouts, mom filter constantly on at this point. Before she has time to turn around and face the person she wants to skin alive, a familiar voice beckons next to her, and suddenly everything begins making sense.
Val groans at both the pricks on the nape on her neck sticking out and Aidenโs presence as she blinks, the beginning of a headache making itself presence on her frontal lobe. โCount your blessings we are in an open space with over one hundred witnesses Stevens, I swear no one would even find you for weeks if you ever think of doing that againโ the constant gimmick between them starts, her empty threats highlighted by a smack on his arm. โMaybe someone needs to take a hint. After the second message you just gotta give up and move on, dumbassโ she challenges, taking out her phone and placing it on the table in front of her, whilst still maintaining eye contact with the other, gesturing at the seat next to hers.
โIf you must know, Willow had me running around the past hour, was about to check my phone. Funny to find you here, what poor soul had to take one for the team and drag you out of your house?โ a smirk. โHaving fun?โ
๐พ ย = What is your museโs favorite animal? Do they have or do they want any pets?
โI am a cat person through and through, I have one I adopted a couple years ago as solid proof. I do enjoy the calmness of koalas, something I will never achieve but can aspire to for the rest of my life.โ
๐บ ย = What TV shows does your muse like to watch the most? Do they prefer watching them as they air on network or do they stream them later?
๐ถ๏ธ ย = Can your muse handle spicy food? What is the spiciest food that they can handle?
โIโve been working on growing my tolerance, I strangely enough enjoy the sensation and I have made it my goal to raise my levels.โ
๐ผ ย = Does your muse have children or do they ever want to have children? Do they think they will/would be a good parent?
โI do have a child, she is four years old and the reason I get out of bed every morning. Never imagined I would turn into a parent let alone the type who bases a big part of their personality in my children and yet, here we are. I can only hope I am a decent enough mother to not scar my child too drastically.โ
๐บ ย = What TV shows does your muse like to watch the most? Do they prefer watching them as they air on network or do they stream them later?
โโฆ here is where I have to come clean. My most watched type of entertainment i cartoons, that is a given as a mother. News used to be my second but has, as of lately, shifted into something elseโฆ reality tv truly amazes me. I donโt know how to explain it other that scratches a part of my brain I didnโt know needed scratching. My favorite is anything aired in HGTV.โ
📚 = What is your muse’s favorite genre of books? What are some of their favorite authors and/or books?
๐ย = What is your museโs favorite genre of books? What are some of their favorite authors and/or books?
โFor genre Iโd probably go for non-fiction, I am aware itโs a vast range but it is what I gravitate to the most when it comes to reading: exposรฉs and biographies being probably the subgenre I consume the most. As for authorsโ Maya Angelou comes to mind immediately, Joan Didion has been a favorite of mine for a while and I enjoy Samuel Beckett strangely enough. I recently got my hands on a book by Carmen Maria Machado and she may just get me into horror and short stories, I couldnโt put the book down for a whole afternoon.โ
โAs much as I ( as a mother of a hyperactive 4 year old ) love coffee, I do have to accept I prefer more seasonal drinks over plain coffee. Big fan of hot cider, itโs a tradition at home and every time it feels like a warm hug.โ
💔 = When is a time your muse was heart-broken? Was it someone else’s fault or your muse’s? What did they do to get over it?
๐ ย = When is a time your muse was heart-broken? Was it someone elseโs fault or your museโs? What did they do to get over it?
โ Life hasnโt beenโ easy, recently and there has been enough pain to share in my life. Some of it is my fault and I am acutely aware of it, but some of it is really no oneโs fault, which makes the whole process a little trickier since thereโs no one to blame. Sometimes heartache canโt be cured, you just have to live with and learn from it. โ
โKnow you are the type of woman who is searching for a place to call yours. Let the statues crumble. You have always been the place.โ
โI love the entirety of that poem but that part brings chills to my body every single time. Say what you like about slam poetry but it has such a beautiful way of putting complex emotions into semi-relatable lines, Sarah Kay excels at it.โ
