[sub]Collab with: [@Snagglepuss89][/sub]
[center][h3][color=00FFBF]E L L I O T[/color],  [color=limegreen]N A N A[/color],  &  [color=palegreen]J U D E[/color][/h3][hr][hr][sub]Big mention of Sophia [@The Muse] and small mention of Wes [@Viciousmarrow][/sub][/center]
Summer was a splendid thing. The season where Nana uses all her vacation and sick days just to spend as much time as she could with her five year old son. Recently, the woman has had a lot on her mind. For example, leaving her jobs and becoming a full dance instructor at Center Stage Studio. Being a Star at night for almost five years while having a morning job was fortunate for her because she was able to save up enough money for a stable home life and Jude's college savings. Most people wouldn't believe a 21 year old woman would be this financially secure in her life, and most people besides Nana's close loved ones knew how much she overworked herself just to get to this point in her life. You'd be surprised how well a Strip Club pays when you're they're main attraction. Don't even get her started with one of her main clients: [i]Wesley Harmon[/i]. He throws money out the window like it's nobody's business. No, this mother isn't a gold digger, she's just a workaholic who wants to make sure her son has an easier life than she had.  

Three months ago, Wes proposed to her, or well her night persona "Amethyst (or Mimi)", and three months ago she politely rejected him telling the Underboss that she wasn't ready to settle down (she never is). That was only one of the reasons why she couldn't accept his love. Although Wes is a powerful and wealthy man, she does not think he would be a good role model for her son. The life of a Mafia was not something she wanted Jude to be raised in. Along with that, he is in love with her act and not her as a person, granted she has never revealed to Wes that Mimi is truly Nana Darling, a young mother of Millington, who avoids people like they were the plague. 

Well, that was three months ago. As of recently, the dark haired beauty has made a couple of friends that are pleasant to spend time with and Jude has smiled a lot more ever since new people came into his life. The biggest reason why she can't marry him, or any man for that matter, is... she was scared. Her lost of virginity story wasn't a pleasant one and her life wasn't all peaches and rainbows. A husband for her and a father for Jude was a lifetime commitment and to be honest, she didn't believe anyone could fit the role to the tea and assure her that she could trust them completely. It wasn't that Nana didn't want to settle down. To have a husband to love and to hold and to be there for her and her son sounded like a wonderful sentiment, but relationships were terrifying. Even simple friendships could go terribly wrong. She's taking tiny steps with her friendships with Jerry, Elliot, and Wes, but that doesn't change the fact that her guard is always up. One day, the mother hopes to give her child a sibling but for now, it's just her and Jude against the world.

Wearing a [url=http://g01.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1CTB6IXXXXXaiXVXXq6xXFXXXj/Fashion-Women-Clothes-2015-Flower-Print-Chiffon-Dress-With-Sashes-Short-Sleeve-Cute-Summer-Dresses-vestidos.jpg]flower print chiffon skirt with a short-sleeved top tucked in loosely[/url], the woman slowly strolled beside her boy, who wore a black [url=http://image.dhgate.com/0x0/f2/albu/g3/M00/72/27/rBVaHVVi6wmAUxaAAACqdbBMiU4764.jpg]Batman inspired[/url] outfit. Jude held onto his mother's hand as he looked up at the brown haired man that walked beside him and asked about Lizzy, his best friend for life, "[color=00FFBF]Elliot, next time you give Lizzy a bath can I be there? I want to help![/color]" Today, the now good friends, Nana and Elliot, were searching for birthday gifts for the man's childhood friend, Sophia Reese. The mother had never officially met the birthday girl but she's heard things about her, from Elliot and such. As the man's plus one, Nana knew it was common courtesy to get something and possibly help Elliot with suggestions, since he wasn't the best with understanding woman, Nana being an exception. Jude would spend the night at his non-blood aunt's house, which made him excited because she had a cat he could cuddle with. Primrose was Nana's best friend, who had plenty of free time to do whatever she pleased. Ever since she retired from the Honey Pot, Aunty Rosie's life has slowed down and she's even considering starting a family with her boyfriend of five years. 

"[color=limegreen]Do you know Sophia's clothing size? If not, we could get her something maybe from Things Remembered, if you think customizing her a gift would be something she would like?[/color]" For the mother, she preferred picnics and a homemade dinner, but this was a party so a physical gift felt necessary. 

"[color=00ffbf]Her size? No, let me just text her; 'Hey Sophi, by the way how big are your boobs? Could you send me the size of your behind? Thanks'. I wasn't really thinking of clothing, maybe shoes though? Like, she exercises all the time. I'm sure her feet would appreciate it.[/color]"

Shopping was never Elliot's strong point. Especially as someone who hated to spend money. Ever. Still, he did enjoy giving gifts, and enjoyed doing it right. Sophia in particular deserved at least some effort put into her birthday gift, so he'd dragged Nana along with him to bounce ideas off of. Truthfully he preferred giving people something useful, like food or shoes, over just a lump of metal to wear or look at. It always seemed a bit worthless to him.

After he finished speaking he turned to Jude beside him. Most kids gave Elliot trouble because he had no idea how to act around them, so he defaulted to treating most of them like adults. Jude seemed to have it in his head that he was an adult already anyway, so it ended up working out well in the end. As far as Lizzy went... Elliot would let the kid wash him in a heartbeat. Alone. Lizzy was a pain in the ass to bathe, still fully intent on being wild and dirty as often as possible. Still, he wouldn't quite say [i]that[/i] out loud.

"[color=00ffbf]I'd appreciate the help Jude, maybe she'd stay still for you...[/color]"

Pain in the ass dog did seem to take a liking to the boy. Although she seemed to [i]hate[/i] any woman he hung around for God knows why. At least Nana seemed to get away relatively unscathed from the dog's moodiness. Probably on account of Jude being around almost any time they were together to distract her.

It had been a fairly peaceful balance in his life all told. Over the last few months he'd tried getting reconnected to the Reeses once more since he made up with Sophia. Come to think of it... when was Kylie coming back anyways? It would be nice to know so he can get her a gift as well. He found work shortly after arriving back in Millington, although his boss could be a pain in the ass it [i]did[/i] mean he had some spending money. He didn't make a lot by any means, but he also spent very little.

"[color=00ffbf]Any idea other than clothes? What would you want for your birthday Nana?[/color]"

"[color=limegreen]Me?[/color]" The mother looked at him for a moment and contemplated his question, Jude had a big grin on after Elliot gave him permission to wash Lizzy. As they walked, she brought her green stare to the fountain a distance away and shrugged, "[color=limegreen]Maybe more socks for Jude...[/color]" She chuckled at her instinctive answer, she truly was a mother. Clearing her throat, she added, "[color=limegreen]I mean, besides something Jude may need or want, I guess I would like a day where I wake up with breakfast in bed and maybe a nice walk in the park. I know this really doesn't help you at all... I guess I'm strange. I can't think of anything I personally need off the top of my head.[/color]" 

The young boy chimed in to help his mother's friend, with only happiness in his tone, "[color=palegreen]Mommy read a book that has five ways to say I love you. I like cuddles and new things! Like... a book! I like books![/color]"

"[color=limegreen]Ah, yeah... that book was interesting. I suppose my love languages are 'acts of service' which can also mean devotion and the second being 'quality time'. I appreciate those love expressions above all other things. Maybe that explains why I can't really think of a physical birthday gift for myself.[/color]"

"[color=palegreen]I think gifts make people happy no matter what it is! Like maybe, soon, I should be gifted...a pretzel.[/color]" The smile never did leave Jude's face as he gave an innocent stare toward his mother, hoping his tactics were working. 

Playfully rolling her eyes, Nana softly said, "[color=limegreen]Maybe after we shop, if you're a good boy.[/color]"

"[color=palegreen]Oh mommy! You know I'm the best.[/color]" He blinked his eyes, knowing very well he was adorable and let his mom take in all his cuteness.

After having a moment with her son, Nana brought her attention back to Elliot and asked, "[color=limegreen]You know her shoe size? We can start there. If not that, do you know anything else she might need?[/color]"

Coming to a halt, the mother noticed that they were in the area where there was an In-Mall Target (which would give them plenty of options), "[color=limegreen]It wouldn't hurt looking at things she'd really like, even if she doesn't necessarily need it. A lot of women like when guys pay attention to them. Does she have any hobbies? or an idol? I love to dance, so I probably could always use more... no, I really don't need anymore of that... well you get what I mean![/color]" 

Surprise flushed over her, as she excitably remembered, "[color=limegreen]Oh! I love old Hollywood actress Grace Kelly.[/color]" She finally thought of an interest someone could get her a gift of, even if Nana didn't necessarily need it, she would appreciate it greatly (this may have reminded her of Wes' engagement ring but she tried not to think about that). Jude loved when his mama showed her childish side, she really was an attractive woman who had a pretty smile. He kept quiet, intrigued at the conversation that was going on around him.

"[color=00ffbf]Pay attention to her? Trust me, it'd be far harder to ignore her.[/color]"

Elliot rolled his eyes and began walking to a pretzel stand to indulge Jude's obvious hints. He hadn't exactly eaten much that day anyway, and could use a bite to eat to mull things over.

"[color=00ffbf]Honestly, I think a pretzel sounds like a good idea. If he misbehaves I just won't let him bathe Lizzy later. Deal? Besides, it'll give us an opportunity to think. She was always silly about recording stuff when we were younger... Maybe a camera? Pretty expensive gift though.[/color]"

Shoes or a camera. Great set of choices. Why did there have to be so many Reeses and so many birthdays he had to shop for? The number of ways in which the Reese family was exhausting grew every day. Still, he was getting used to being around them again. They could be annoying to an infuriating extent sometimes, but they were still like family. Besides, he could be a pain in the ass himself from time to time. Usually intentionally.

"[color=00ffbf]Grace Kelly though? Well, I know what I'll get you for your birthday then, wall to wall Grace Kelly pinups. Hell, maybe I could do that for Jude here, get him appreciating beauty young.[/color]"

He gave her a sidelong wink to show he was kidding as they reached the pretzel stand and Elliot began digging for his wallet.

"[color=00ffbf]You want something too, Nana? I'll cover it this time.[/color]" [hr][i]And with that, Elliot bought his friend and her son pretzels and they sat at in the food court chatting about potential gifts for Sophia. Although they weren't aware of how they looked, they definitely came across extremely "family-like". A reserved father, a young and sweet looking mother, and an exuberant boy.

While Nana sat there, she thought about many things. Having a feeling that Jerry would invite her and Jude over soon, she decided to beat him to the punch.

Grabbing her phone, she sent him a quick text, taking a rather bold move on her part:[/i] 

[quote][center][b]To: [color=silver]Jeremiah Richman[/color] [sub][@Themerlinhawk][/sub]

Hey Jeremiah! Are you free tomorrow around 12? I thought I would repay you for all your kindness. If you are free, I'll email you my address. We can always reschedule if you're not.[/b]
[/center][/quote]
[i]Nana came to the realization that the police officer did so much for her and her son, and all she ever did for him was "grace" him with her and her son's presences. She wasn't even that worth being around. 

She truly did need to repay him back. Might as well give him a home cooked meal, right? Although she was afraid of opening her house to someone else other than Elliot, the mother felt like Jerry was someone she could trust (to a degree). It didn't help that the guilt of him doing so much for her was killing her on the inside.[/i]