[color=silver][indent][indent][center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/210419/53def0bef85523315291fe94cb986343.png[/img]
[img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/2d609afb2894b3019193e5944347be55/26d392f4b09871ad-d3/s250x400/20716690baf8592b0decda5f2d2092fa56e6bce8.png[/img]	[img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8e/28/3d/8e283d964f40d6e4e113e6c0f09765fe.png[/img]
[b][i]A [@BrutalBx] & [@Venus] Collab
Featuring [color=D2D528]Roddy Callahan[/color] & [color=A442AB]Lanie Lancaster[/color][/i][/b]
[right][sub][b]Location:[/b] Café Beauregard
[b]Interacting With:[/b] Each Other, Erin [@HaleyTheRandom][/sub][/right]
[b][color=#D2D528]▃[/color][color=#D0CF2D]▃[/color][color=#CEC932]▃[/color][color=#CCC437]▃[/color][color=#CABE3C]▃[/color][color=#C9B841]▃[/color][color=#C7B346]▃[/color][color=#C5AD4B]▃[/color][color=#C3A750]▃[/color][color=#C2A255]▃[/color][color=#C09C5A]▃[/color][color=#BE965F]▃[/color][color=#BC9164]▃[/color][color=#BA8B69]▃[/color][color=#B9856E]▃[/color][color=#B78073]▃[/color][color=#B57A78]▃[/color][color=#B3747D]▃[/color][color=#B26F82]▃[/color][color=#B06987]▃[/color][color=#AE638C]▃[/color][color=#AC5E91]▃[/color][color=#AB5896]▃[/color][color=#A9529B]▃[/color][color=#A74DA0]▃[/color][color=#A547A5]▃[/color][color=#A341AB]▃[/color][color=#A547A5]▃[/color][color=#A74DA0]▃[/color][color=#A9529B]▃[/color][color=#AB5896]▃[/color][color=#AC5E91]▃[/color][color=#AE638C]▃[/color][color=#B06987]▃[/color][color=#B26F82]▃[/color][color=#B3747D]▃[/color][color=#B57A78]▃[/color][color=#B78073]▃[/color][color=#B9856E]▃[/color][color=#BA8B69]▃[/color][color=#BC9164]▃[/color][color=#BE965F]▃[/color][color=#C09C5A]▃[/color][color=#C2A255]▃[/color][color=#C3A750]▃[/color][color=#C5AD4B]▃[/color][color=#C7B346]▃[/color][color=#C9B841]▃[/color][color=#CABE3C]▃[/color][color=#CCC437]▃[/color][color=#CEC932]▃[/color][color=#D0CF2D]▃[/color][/b][/center]
Before Rod could respond to his former teacher's words of warning, the cafe door bell would ring. He turned to see who was entering and Roddy’s eyes lit up as soon as he caught sight of [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/9a/7e/0e/9a7e0e9c19e4024a01347b68b42d4b67.jpg]his baby girl[/url]. 

[color=D2D528]"Hey!”[/color]

The little blonde was soon in his arms and pulling at his shaggy beard as she often did. He kissed the top of her head and held her tightly in one arm; whilst his other one reached out to Lanie, gently caressing her shoulder for but a second before pulling away. [color=D2D518]”As long as you’re both ok, that’s the main thing”[/color]

At the mention of a red motorcycle, Rod knew exactly who the so-called [i]”asshole”[/i] was. Edenridge was a small place, everybody knew everybody and a lot of the cars and bikes in the town had been there for as long as Roddy could remember so it wasn’t a stretch to guess who they belonged to. Jade Taylor was the only person he knew in the area with a bike like that and it would just be her style to cut Lanie off. That was a conversation that he didn’t want to have.

[color=D2D518]”How’s school?”[/color] Hs asked as he sat Rylie onto his lap and handed her his phone to play with.

Elaine couldn’t help but let out a loud snort. Leave it to Roddy to kick off the conversation with the very topic she was hoping they could build up towards (considering it would be followed by an even bigger one)... He’d always had a strange sixth sense of being able to pinpoint and bring up the exact topic you were feeling particularly strongly about. [color=A442AB]“Funny you mention that…”[/color] the blonde began, chewing on her cheek as she tried and failed to come up with a better way to say things. She was thankful for the brief interruption of Mr. Beau handing her off her order, as it bought her a little extra time. But in the end, Lanie decided it was best to just rip the Band-Aid right off. [color=A442AB]“I actually decided to drop out,”[/color] she told Roddy, taking a long sip of her latte.

Rod had to do his best not to let his jaw hit the floor. She dropped out of school? [i]Really?[/i] He would be lying if he said it didn’t take him by surprise. Rylie was slobbering all over his phone but he didn’t mind so much considering it kept her quiet. [color=D2D518]”Well I wasn’t expecting that…”[/color] He reached around to the small table by his side with his spare hand and took a sip from his warm drink, being careful not to spill any on the kid. [color=D2D518]”What prompted that decision? I thought things were ok there?”[/color]

[color=A442AB]“I mean, they were--”[/color] Lanie started to explain, plopping down in the available booth chair in front of Roddy and taking a bite of her food. [color=A442AB]“But, like, let’s sit down and really think about it for a second. Is it [i]really[/i] a good idea for me to be a social worker or a guidance counselor after the amount of shit we’ve gone through? There’s, like, so many unresolved issues I’ve got going on in my life at the moment. I seriously think it’s in everyone’s best interests if I don’t go out and try to help someone else,”[/color] she elaborated, taking another sip from her drink. [color=A442AB]“Not to mention that anytime I [i]try[/i] to help the shaggy-haired, broken boys, I somehow end up falling in love with them. God knows that’s the [i]last[/i] thing I fucking need right now…”[/color] she trailed off, momentarily shooting Roddy a dirty look before taking yet another bite out of her muffin and shrugging her shoulders. [color=A442AB]“It’s not that big of a deal, though. I think I found something I’m a lot more suited for anyway.”[/color]

A pang of guilt struck the man in the heart like a bolt of lightning. [i]That one hurt.[/i] She talked of best and in Roddy’s mind, the pair of them ending their relationship was for the best; that didn’t mean he didn’t regret it every single second of every single day since. She was going off to college and pursuing a future; he was stuck, unable to walk or do anything without the aid of someone else. He could barely be the father that he so desperately craved to be. Lanie deserved more. [i]Rylie[/i] deserved more. And it was his hope they would find it.

[color=D2D518]”So what’s this new thing?”[/color]

[color=A442AB]"I'm getting my real estate licence!"[/color] the young woman declared excitedly, a hint of pride in her voice. [color=A442AB]"I think I have the passion, the interest, the right skills and the attitude for it. I've already talked to Di, and she's said that she's going to help me with the school applications, hands-on training experience and anything else that comes up. Mom and Dad are fine with it too. They said that they support me even if they'll miss having Rylie around, but they know it's for the best…"[/color] she trailed off, letting the implication of her words hang in the air as she stuffed her face and looked anywhere but at Roddy right now. 

[color=D2D518]”Wow.”[/color] Roddy nodded as he tried to comprehend what she had told him. Did this mean she was moving to Texas? Seeing as that was where her cousin Diana was based it wasn’t a tremendous leap to make that conclusion. No, surely she would tell him straight away. It wouldn’t be the worst thing; after all before what happened, Roddy was actually supposed to be attending college in Austin. Maybe they could make it work? He wasn’t sure what to think or where to go next. [color=D2D518]”That actually would be a good fit for you.”[/color] All he could do was be supportive, that was the least he could do.

When Roddy’s only words to her announcement were that her new chosen career path ‘could be a good fit for her’, Lanie couldn't help but feel a little bit disappointed at his reaction. She was thankful that he’d been so supportive of her decision, of course: after all, she was only doing what was best for herself and Rylie. But there was still a small part of her that had secretly hoped that he’d be a little more heartbroken over the news-- perhaps hurt enough to make him realize that he was about to lose her. What he said next, however, immediately blew all of those negative thoughts out the window.

Bouncing Rylie on his knee, Rod looked down at the little blonde girl with pride and a smile. He kissed the top of her head before returning his gaze to Lanie. [color=D2D518]”So, I got some news too. The Doctors have said that I’ve made decent enough progress that I can pretty much continue my rehab on my own time instead of going to the center...”[/color]

[color=A442AB][i]“Oh my God, that’s great news!”[/i][/color] Lanie cried out, forgetting her bitter feelings just long enough to jump up from her chair and wrap her ex-boyfriend in a tight hug, being careful to not squish their daughter in the process. After what felt like forever, the blonde pulled away, and tears of excitement were already pooling up in her green eyes. [i]Leave it to her to be so damn emotional all the time…[/i] She affectionately cupped Roddy’s face in her hands, giving him one the brightest, most blinding smiles she had ever mustered before planting a kiss on his forehead. [color=A442AB]“Oh my God, Roddy! That’s so amazing! I’m so freaking happy for you!”[/color]she repeated, brushing some strands of shaggy dark hair out of his handsome face. [color=A442AB]“I am so fucking proud of you, Rod. See, I told you you could do it!”[/color]

There was a warm feeling as Lanie kissed him that made Rod think of days gone where she was the best thing in his life; days where she was the only reason for him to even get up in the morning. Those days were gone and that was his fault. He wanted nothing more than to make up for his mistake but it was too late; he had made his bed now he had to lie in it.

As their sweet moment was interrupted by the kid trying to knock over his drink, he moved her little hand away. [color=D2D518]”Ryles, stop it,”[/color] He sighed with an almost laugh before returning to his train of thought, trying to distract himself from the peppering of kisses he had just received. [color=D2D518]“That said, I wanted to broach the subject of moving closer to you guys. It’s not fair for you to always keep coming here and since I’ve got the go ahead from the docs, I thought why not?”[/color]

Roddy’s last words stopped Lanie in her tracks, her face going from joyous to crestfallen in a matter of seconds. [color=A442AB]“But Rylie and I are moving to Texas…”[/color] she mumbled morosely, defeatedly sinking back down in her chair. What were the odds that just when she was trying to make decisions for her little family to move forward, something would happen that would make her question if she was indeed doing what was best for everyone involved? Sure: that was what life was all about, but it didn’t make the circumstances any less sucky.

[color=D2D518]”Then I’ll come to Texas with you. It’s not even a question,”[/color] Roddy interjected almost immediately. There was no way he was going to let Lanie move that far away with Rylie. He already felt like he had missed so much being stuck in Edenridge and if they were to move across the country he would only miss that much more. [color=D2D518]”Don’t forget, before…[i]this…[/i] I was supposed to go to college in Austin. They let me defer, my spot is still there if I want it. If this is something you want, Lanie-- like, you [i]really[/i] want it-- I’m not gonna stop you. I’m just gonna make sure that I’m there for this one and you. Like you’ve been for me.”[/color]

No matter how hard she tried, there was no hiding the way Lanie was positively beaming now. She knew she shouldn't be getting her hopes up of their relationship status changing in any way, but just knowing that Roddy was willing to relocate so the entirety of their little family could thrive was more than Elaine could've hoped for.

There was something else Roddy wanted to talk about. He was somewhat hesitant since he didn’t know how Lanie would react but he had to bite the bullet. He brushed his longish hair back before continuing to speak. [color=D2D528]“That said, my parents want to look after Rylie tonight, if you’re cool with that?”[/color] Rod polished off his drink and handed the empty cup to a passing Beau. [color=D2D528]“And I think you and I should go out tonight. Not a date, just us taking some time to get on the same page again, for her.”[/color]

[color=A442AB]“Leave it to your parents to come up with a sneaky plan like this to try and get us talking again…”[/color] Lanie joked with a small chuckle, feeling happy and comforted by knowing Roddy’s parents held such love for her and her daughter.

[color=D2D528]”Well, honestly you know my parents adore you so you can’t be that surprised.”[/color]

[color=A442AB]“You’re right about that!”[/color] Lanie laughed, flashing her ex-boyfriend a bright smile. If Roddy would have proposed the two of them go out for something that didn’t involve Rylie at any other time, Elaine would’ve laughed in his face and asked if he was high on his pain meds. But considering how surprisingly fantastic this interaction had proven to be, the young woman was open and willing to give this little excursion a chance for the sake of their daughter. [color=A442AB]“And, I mean: sure. Let’s do it! Do you have any details you can give me, or is it going to be a surprise? I’d at least like to know how I’m supposed to dress up in case I need to run by Main Street to get myself something to wear.”[/color]

He wasn’t going to lie; Roddy was terrible at planning stuff like this. It wasn’t that he didn’t try or that what he did so was bad, it was just the limp and circumstances of it all. He wasn’t a song and dance man and preferred everything just that little more simple. Rather than some fancy restaurants, Roddy was happy to go to a diner; rather than a big party, he would prefer time in the house with some music and a few candles. Yet this wasn’t that type of occasion.

[color=D2D528]“I dunno. I guess we could grab some food and a few drinks at Hole in the Wall and go from there?”[/color]

The blonde snorted and shook her head, thoroughly amused at this turn of events. From the way Roddy was acting, she could tell that the idea for them to go out was [i]definitely[/i] orchestrated by his parents (the youngest Callahan wasn’t exactly the best at planning things of this nature). Yet knowing the father of her child as well as she did, Lanie knew he wouldn’t have brought it up to her in the first place if he didn’t believe it was a wise move. It was the thought that counted, right? [color=A442AB]“You know what? Dinner and drinks at the Hole sounds like the perfect plan to me. God knows I’ve been craving their Shepherd's Pie for a while now,”[/color] the girl confessed, her mouth already watering at the thought of finally consuming the second best shepherds’ pie within a 50-mile radius (the first place in her list belonged to Edith Callahan).

[color=D2D528]”Great!”[/color] Elated by Lanie’s agreement, Roddy got to his feet and swung Rylie around like an airplane, something the little girl loved. Both Lanie and Rylie giggled. [color=D2D528]”I was thinking as well, maybe we can head over to the park before we go out, let the little one enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.”[/color] The shaggy haired man watched as another young couple entered the café; they looked familiar but he couldn’t place them, at least not the woman. The man he did recognize as an old friend of his brother Francis; Russ Lord. Roddy nodded at the man before returning to Lanie. [color=D2D528]”What am I thinking you probably want to get settled after your trip. We can take her tomorrow.”[/color]

[color=A442AB]"C'mon, Rod, you know the trip down here's not long. Today, tomorrow: I really don't have a preference! Though I can say I don't think tomorrow morning would be a good idea if we end up getting wasted during our 'date-but-not-really-a-date' thing…"[/color] she joked, inwardly cringing at the idea of going to the park early with an active, vocal baby while nursing a pounding headache and bouts of nausea.

He chuckled a bit as she referred to their outing as a date. [color=D2D528]"Well, if we’re hanging out of our asses then we’ll send her with my parents, it’ll be fine,”[/color] To be honest, Rod was quite weary of how much he should drink whilst they were out. He tossed a few back with Marco fairly regularly but he always knew a limit. With Lanie and the way she made him feel, it would be way too easy to pound a few more to take the edge off.

As Lanie laughed at the idea of her and Roddy with their arms around each other giggling as they stumbled their way back into the Callahan home, a familiar voice interrupted them, and the blonde’s body immediately tensed up. Erin Blake wasn’t someone Elaine Lancaster was particularly fond of. Aside from the fact that they had way too many similarities for her liking, there was no shaking off the vibes she felt. Lanie and her family had opened up their home to Decky and Danny, and the Lancasters had done everything in their power to provide both boys with a safe, comfortable, happy lifestyle. Metaphorically, they had contributed in extending their lives. But when it really came down to it, Erin had been the one to, quite literally, save Decky’s life… And that was something that, no matter how much she had done, Lanie would never be able to live up to. 

Fueled by the insane amount of pent-up rage and jealousy she felt towards the girl, Lanie cupped Roddy's face and planted a kiss on his cheek, making sure that it looked like it had been on his lips from Erin's point of view. It was equal parts petty and immature, but Edenridge always seemed to bring out the worst of Lanie. [color=A442AB]"I can’t wait for our date tonight, Rod!"[/color] she declared, just pointedly and loudly enough to (hopefully) dissuade any ideas this [i]Erin[/i] girl might have. She'd already one-upped her once: no way was Lanie letting her get away with it again-- pregnancy photo shootings to gain her trust be damned. [color=A442AB]"You got this?"[/color] she asked him, motioning to the little girl still sitting content in her father's lap.

[color=D2D528]”I got this.”[/color]

[color=A442AB]"Alright!"[/color] Without warning, the young woman swooping down on her daughter and began peppering her little face with fluttering kisses. [color=A442AB]"[i]Oh my goodness, you’re so freaking [b]cute[/b]! I love you![/i]”[/color] Lanie cooed to the giggling Rylie as she kissed her. [color=A442AB]"I'll see you soon, sweetie! Mommy's gonna get herself a nice little nap at Nana and Papa's house."[/color] That being said, Lanie stood up from her booth chair, shot Erin a parting ‘don’t even think about it’ glare before turning on her heel and gracefully exiting the café.

Meanwhile, Roddy got wind of a foul stench and immediately his face scrunched up. [color=D2D528]“Good Lord, what on earth is your mother feeding you, girl?!”[/color] He looked as even Beau and Colleen behind the counter caught wind of the smell. Rylie raised her hands up in the air triumphantly and giggled. She had truly won the day.[/indent][/indent][/color]