[center][h2][color=DC143C]Miles Price[/color] & [color=00FFFC]Lilith Montgomery[/color][/h2][/center]
[sup] A [@HaleyTheRandom] & [@SouffleGirl123] post
Featuring [color=DC143C]Miles Price[/color], [color=00FFFC]Lilith Montgomery[/color], [color=c4df9b]Claire Montgomery[/color] and [color=gold]John Montgomery[/color][/sup]
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It wasn’t until, for the second time in his life, Miles packed all his belongings away into boxes that Miles had realised how little physical objects he actually owned. Although his ma would offer him all the furniture in his room and more he really didn’t need any of it in the Ranch Considering Mary wasn’t seeming to go anywhere he decided his mementos were better off remaining in the storage closet of her house. With his whole life packed into a total of 2 boxes and a suitcase, he officially left the Price household.

Miles didn’t quite know what to make of the move. The Ranch was essentially his second home growing up and he was only moving a good 10 or so minutes from his mother. It didn’t really feel like a move, not quite. But it wasn’t exactly nothing at the same time. Just under a week had passed since John agreed to have the man move in. He’s decided to wait for Saturday to move but with so small a change he wasn’t so sure why. He’d tell people it was because of work but moving not even a carload of boxes didn’t seem to change much. Maybe he was expecting John to pump him with rules or lectures and didn’t want to deal with that after a long day at the office. When he initially planned on moving in he expected it to be a good couple of months before John would even consider the option so Lil and Claire requesting he move in fast and leaving him with a week to get sorted was the last thing he expected. Dragging his suitcase to the front door of the Ranch he rapped at the door.

Lilith had spent the last week arguing back and forth with her grandfather and mother about things she was allowed to do and not to do while pregnant. The one thing no one could do was keep her off the back of her horse. For the last few days, Lilith had taken off early in the morning on horseback, and returned during the evening. She had managed to get some chores done here and there behind her family’s back, but spending time alone at the river had proved a much easier feat. 

Walking back from the barn, Lilith prepared herself to be bombarded by her mothers questions once again. When was Miles going to move it? Had she taken her vitamins? What baby names were they considering? Had the morning sickness started? Why was she reaching for another cup of coffee? Claire never seemed to stop. Caught up in her own thoughts, the young woman nearly missed the sight of Miles’ car in the driveway. Picking up her pace, Lil hurried to the house. Spotting a some-what nervous looking Miles, she smiled. She walked right up beside him, opening the front door and allowing it to swing wide open. 

[color=00FFFC]”Ready for this,”[/color] she asked him, her nerves already starting to get the best of her. 

Hyperfocused on the door before him, Miles didn't notice Lilith until she appeared right next to him. [color=DC143C]”Lilith,"[/color] he greets her, trying to choke back his nerves. For almost as long as he could remember the Ranch was a second home for him. He'd spent almost as many of his days in his formative years within its walls as his own but there was something about this official shift that was different. Almost off-putting. [color=DC143C]”I don’t think I'll ever be ready."[/color] he admits, grabbing her hand with his free one. [color=DC143C]”But I reckon if I make it to the end of next week without 2 bullet holes in my skull we can call it a win. How are you holding up? They ain't giving you too much grief, are they?"[/color]

Giving his hand a reassuring squeeze as she stood on her tiptoes to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, Lilith moved around Miles so that she could enter the house. Turning around, the young woman grabbed the second box off the top of the small stack in an effort to help. [color=00FFFC]”Greif?”[/color] she laughed. [color=00FFFC]”I think they’re tryin’ to send me to an early grave, honestly. Don’t do this, don’t do that - I feel like I’m five again, but somehow they’re treating me like I’m more breakable now that I was then.”[/color] 

[color=DC143C]”Maybe you are,"[/color] Miles’ muses. [color=DC143C]”Or more accurately, maybe they are."[/color] he clarifies, nodding at her stomach. [color=DC143C]”You were a pretty tough 5 year old."[/color] He watches her grab the top box in his stack. Should pregnant women be lifting boxes? What about women pregnant with triplets? Miles didn't know, he was going into this completely blind. Not that Lil was any better. [color=DC143C]”Lemme take that, it's kinda heavy. You can take my suitcase?"[/color] he offers, holding the handle in her direction.

Watching Miles’s reaction only reminded Lilith of the similar ones she had been getting from the ranch hands since John had broken the news. It was frustrating, but Lil knew she couldn’t get upset with Miles for the way that other people had been treating her. With a soft sigh the young woman traded out the box for the suitcase. [color=00FFFC]”I know that this is weird, and totally not how either of us pictured finally moving in together, but I’m really hoping it’ll be a good thing.”[/color] 

Miles sighed in response as he took the box from Lilith. [color=DC143C]”I don't think either of us pictured any of this,"[/color] he replies meekly, walking through the door and holding it open with his foot for Lil to walk through. [color=DC143C]”Don’t think anyone did but here we are."[/color] Miles trails behind Lilith when she enters the house as if he didn't have the whole place memorised. [color=DC143C]”I think ma teared up this morning, not that she'd admit it. It's funny, it's not the first time I've moved and here is a stone's throw away compared to Olympia but whatever."[/color]

Lilith didn’t waste any time entering the house, heading straight for the stairs. The last thing she wanted was for her or Miles either one to be hit with the welcome wagon. [color=00FFFC]”In her defense, I think this might feel a little more permanent than college,”[/color] Lil pointed out while beginning the climb to the second floor. [color=00FFFC]”The spare room is right across from mine,”[/color] she began to explain. [color=00FFFC]”Gramps made sure it was furnished with everything you need, and I have some extra space in my dresser if you need it.”[/color] 

Miles trailed a good step behind Lilith. Should pregnant women be dragging suitcases up stairs? Why was there no manual for these things? He watched her every move closely, a tumble down the stairs would be the last thing either of them needed right now. At Lilith’s explanation Miles cocks an eyebrow. Admittedly he expected to be sharing Lil’s room rather than be given his own space. Not that he really minded all that much but it was unexpected. [color=DC143C]”Spare room?”[/color] he asks, keeping his voice light as he half-joked. [color=DC143C]”You’re legit carrying my babies and your pawpaw’s still insistent on keeping us separated? Is he scared I’ll make you even more pregnant or something?”[/color]

Lilith was hoping that the dresser comment was enough of a hint for Miles. Listening to him speak, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes when she realized her comment had missed the mark. [color=00FFFC]”You know how traditional he is,”[/color] she joked back in response. [color=00FFFC]”I think the poor guy is trying to still get his head wrapped around everything.”[/color] [i]And I am too.[/i] 

As they finished their hike up the stairs, Lilith leaned the suitcase up against the wall outside of the door to her own bedroom. [color=00FFFC]”I also think he kind of wanted us to have that conversation ourselves,”[/color] she laughed. [color=00FFFC]”I’d put some of your things in there at the very least, that way he doesn’t have a hissy fit since he put all that effort in. But you’re more than welcome to sleep wherever you want.”[/color] 

[color=DC143C]”And how's your pawpaw taking it all? Which gun do you reckon he'll be holding at me?"[/color] Miles responds to her statement on John still trying to wrap his head around it all. As she leaned the suitcase next to her bedroom door he gives her a smile. [color=DC143C]”I'm sure there's some stuff here I don't use a lot of, it'll keep John at bay. Need me to sneak between rooms in the middle of the night like we're 16 again?"[/color] he jokes with a chuckle.

[color=00FFFC]”Probably the shotgun. That’s usually his go to.”[/color] She laughed again at Miles' question. [color=00FFFC]”The man goes to bed every night at eight. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”[/color] As silence filled the space between them, Lilith’s mind drifted off imagining how the next few months of their lives were going to go. [color=00FFFC]”I reckon we should probably get you set up with whatever you need right now and then focus on the rest later. I gotta get started on dinner soon.”[/color] 

[color=DC143C]”Sounds like a plan."[/color] Miles replies peering into Lilith's room, or more aptly their room now. He'd swear up and down it had barely changed over the years. It brought a wave of nostalgia as he was reminded how long it had really been since he'd been in this room. Too long. He rests his chin on the top of her head before saying what had been on the back of his mind for the past couple of weeks. [color=DC143C]"What are we even doing, Li? Like, how are we supposed to raise children? I don't know the first thing about babies."[/color]

[color=00FFFC]”Nor do I,”[/color] the young woman sighed in response. As Miles rested his chin on the top of her head, Lilith closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the silence that filled the air. Deep down she knew there weren’t going to be many more moments where it was just her and Miles. They had barely laid a foundation for their newly rekindled relationship, and now they were moving in together not even two months later. Lilith was starting to wonder if the whole ‘written in the stars’ thing wasn’t just another joke from the Universe in the grand scheme to make a baby factory out of her. [color=00FFFC]”We just do what our moms did for us - their best. Feed ‘em, clothe ‘em, bathe ‘em, and when they come home cryin’ because some boy or girl broke their heart we’ll be there to listen. Don’t force our failed dreams on ‘em, and let ‘em make their own decisions - for the most part. All of the jokes and bullshit aside, mom says they have classes for all of that. To teach you the basics and stuff, I mean.”[/color] 

Truthfully, Lilith had been spending every day for the last week in the woods, completely avoiding the inevitable change in her life. She hadn’t really given a second thought on how to actually be a parent - simply because whenever she did, her brain spiraled to a dark and suffocating place. There was no reason to tell Miles that she thought she was going to be ridden with postpartum depression or psychosis, or of all the other horrible things she knew could happen to both her and their children. As for now, Lilith Montgomery had simply been living moment to moment. 

Miles gives a sigh in return before pressing a gentle kiss on the top of Lilith’s head. [color=DC143C]”I guess we have each other at least. They did good enough by themselves so between the two of us we gotta be at least half-decent, right?”[/color] Unlike Lilith who’d seemed to be avoiding even thinking about what was growing inside of her Miles seemed to be unable to  think of anything else all week. Not out of choice or intention but the nervousness and fear seemed to constantly remind him it was there as much as he tried to ignore it. Part of him wished he could avoid the whole situation in his mind even just for an hour. 

[color=DC143C]”I asked ma what to expect. She didn’t want to talk about her pregnancy too much, she got weirdly guarded. But she said she got pretty sick. Let’s hope the Montgomerys have better luck I guess. Has it kicked in yet?”[/color]

Lilith made a mental note to pick Mary's brain at a later date. She wasn’t quite sure how much information the other woman would be willing to give, or much less how to ask. Lil had done what she could, asking her own mother questions here and there, but Claire seemed to be living in the land of rainbows and roses. Lilith would be lying if she said her mothers happy attitude wasn’t one of the main reasons she had more or less moved out of the house these last few days. 

[color=00FFFC]”Not entirely,”[/color] she began to explain. [color=00FFFC]”I keep getting waves of nausea, and my jeans already don’t fit the same. Certain smells make me want to rip my nose off.”[/color] Looking up at him, Lilith tried to hide the concern in her eyes before speaking again. [color=00FFFC]”What about you? How are things on your end?”[/color] 

[color=DC143C]”Well I can't say I've had random bouts of nausea or that my jeans are tightening so I guess better off than you."[/color] he jokes, blowing off her question.

Lilith did the best that she could to force a small smile, her head tilting to the side as she observed Miles. She was used to her questions being dodged, but it really sucked sometimes when he didn’t want to open up about things. Nonetheless, she didn’t wish to push or pry it out of him. 

[color=00FFFC]”I guess you are,”[/color] she laughed. [color=00FFFC]”Though you don’t have people treating you like a prized candy dish, or yanking coffee out of your hands either.”[/color] 

Miles forced a tight-lipped smile as his girlfriend studied him. Questions on how he was going was always a lose-lose scenario, he knew that. Either he'd tell Lilith he wasn't okay and she'd worry about him and spend her energy making him okay or he didn't and she'd be worried and disappointed that he was saying nothing. He pulled her in closer by the waist, glad she'd opted to drop the question. He'd hazard a guess that with her empath abilities could see he had a nice little cocktail of fear, anxiety and fatigue about him. The kids themself were news and life changing enough but his father reappearing and his relationship with Carlisle being more hot and cold than ever just added a few too many spanners in the works. Not to mention he was worried for his mother, working 2 jobs and doing all alone for real. He always worried about her.

[color=DC143C]”'Spose I should brush up on what you can and can't do, hey? Someone gotta slow that coffee addiction of yours,"[/color] he half-jokes, Playing with the ends of her loose strands of hair.

[color=00FFFC]”Well if you listen to my ma or gramps either one, they’re gonna tell you to put me in some sort of protective bubble,”[/color] she half-joked. Standing there in the silence, it was hard for Lilith to ignore the waves of emotions that seemed to be rolling off of Miles. It was in times like these that she wished their powers were more similar; Lil could sense emotions, but she couldn’t control or help with them. [color=00FFFC]”Really all you can do is try to help me stay sane - but you better let me do the same for you,”[/color] she declared, wrapping him in a fierce hug. 

A small grunt escaped the man as his girlfriend pulled him into a tight grip. He untangles his hands from her hair and slowly wraps his arms around her. He bit down hard on his bottom lip, trying to hold in all his words. Why was she so set on hearing him pour out his heart as if he didn't have the easier end of the deal? [color=DC143C]”You shouldn't be worrying about me. I've heard stress is bad for the babies,"[/color] he says meekly. Miles was always the stoic type, holding the brunt of the burdens for those closest to him; his mother, Lilith, his friends like Carlisle. None of these people asked him to fill that role, it was a self-inflicted position perhaps to avoid looking inward. After a small period of silence he let out the deepest of sighs. [color=DC143C]”Honestly, Li? I've never been so terrified in my life."[/color] he confesses under his breath. [color=DC143C]”I know that's a pretty low bar, fear is not normal for me but- y'know."[/color] He sighs, resting his chin on her head once more. [color=DC143C]”Let's just hope they're more like you than me."[/color]

Huffing, Lilith continued to keep her arms wrapped around Miles as she loosened her grip slightly. She wanted to give him a speech about how all she did was worry, and more so about how it was her god given right to worry about those she cared about - especially him. Lilith had been worrying about Miles for as long as she could remember. Their predicament wasn’t going to change that. If anything it made it worse. The young woman was doing her best to articulate the words to let Miles know he didn’t need to worry. Before she could get them out, his last comment made her blood run cold once more. 

Lilith reckoned that having a child like her wouldn’t be the worst thing entirely. She had managed to make relatively good grades in school, maintain a steady job, and be a generally good person from time to time. On the other hand, her mind was designed to torture her. Lilith Montgomery knew full well that she came from a long line of insecure women and angry, egotistical men. More so that she embodied both sides of the coin. Add that to all of the generational trauma that she knew she’d be passing down, and Lilith was reminded of all of the reasons why she swore she’d never have children in the first place. 

[color=00FFFC]”I’m scared too, Kane. Terrified, actually. I know you keep sayin’ that as a joke or whatever, but the thought of having some foul-mouthed, dark haired wild child is absolutely terrifyin'. And we’re fixin’ to have three.”[/color] Taking a deep breath, Lilith tried to steady her nerves for what felt like the trillionth time that week. [color=00FFFC]”What if I’m a bad mom? What if I can’t connect with them? What if I hate ‘em?”[/color] she questioned in a near whisper. 

[color=DC143C]”Then we'll be horrible parents together.”[/color] Miles makes the attempt at a joke before he even thought through the words, leaving him mentally kicking himself. [color=DC143C]”Sorry, I didn’t mean that. Ignore me.”[/color] Miles quickly intervenes, running a hand down Lilith’s spine and stepping in closer to her. [color=DC143C]”I’m sure you’ll be great Li. All we can do is our best and I guess that already gets us ahead of both our dads.”[/color] Miles didn’t really know what to say. Miles was good at pretty words and grand speeches but comforting was something different all together. He thought about injecting more calming energy into the air around them but could he use magic on a pregnant woman? Would their babies come out all odd if he did? He decided against it, that was a question for Claire or his ma later. Instead, he takes a deep breath, pulling her closer for a brief moment. [color=DC143C]”I still have another box and my guitar waiting at the door, guess we should grab them, hey? Time to brace myself for the welcoming committee?”[/color] 

The young woman couldn't help but roll her eyes at his joke. Miles had always had a special way of breaking the tension. He didn't have much to say, and that was more than fine with her. Lilith had always found comfort more in his presence than anything. 

[Color=00FFFC]"Probably a good idea,"[/color] she responded, still refusing to let him go. [Color=00FFFC]"I know ma's excited. Can't promise the same for gramps."[/color] 

[color=DC143C]”Nah, I reckon your paw paw is more than excited to put me to work on the ranch. Probably hoping he can work me to death,"[/color] Miles reasons with a chuckle. The man was generally interested in how John Montgomery would conduct himself around Miles. Until now he'd only received glares and occasional passive aggressive comments from the man but he knew moving in would open a whole new dynamic between the pair.

Despite her agreement, Miles couldn't help but notice Lilith had a tighter grip on him than ever. He presses a kiss on her forehead and lets the silence linger a while. Miles was never great with silence but right now it seemed almost healing. Unfortunately, someone had to break it and it would only be fitting if he were that someone. [color=DC143C]”Let's go face your family."[/color] he says, loosening his grip around her. 

[Color=00FFFC]"If you insist,"[/color] she sighed in her own attempt to joke. Releasing Miles, Lilith settled on grabbing his hand before they began their descent down the stairs. [Color=00FFFC]"It's just me and you against the world now, ya know?"[/color] the brunette nearly whispered. 

Miles gave Lilith's hand a squeeze as they started making their way down the stairs. [color=DC143C]”With our families? I don't think it'll ever be just us. I think we’re doomed to never experience time alone again."[/color] he jokes. As they pushed closer to the bottom of the steps the clearer Miles could hear the TV playing in the background. [color=DC143C]”John's home,"[/color] he muses, squeezing Lilith's hand once more. He wasn't sure if whatever hassle John was about to give him or Claire's overexcitedness was more terrifying but it looked like he'd soon find out.

Taking a deep breath, Lilith squared her shoulders as the two of them reached the bottom of the stairs. [color=00FFFC]”I’m sure we’ll make it work,”[/color] she responded, still trying to keep the mood light as possible. Hearing the evening news in the background, the young woman was once again reminded of her new reality. So many things were getting ready to change for both herself and those around her. Lilith just hoped that her predicament wouldn’t burden many of her loved ones. More importantly, she hoped that whatever love Miles had for her wouldn’t crumble underneath all of the new pressure. 

[color=00FFFC]”I guess I should get a start on dinner,”[/color] she mused, her mind clearly elsewhere. [color=00FFFC]”Want to help me peel the potatoes?”[/color] 

Miles turns to face Lilith, her eyes seeming to be fixed away from him. Miles was no empath, the furthest thing from it if he was being honest, but even he knew her mind was wandering. He couldn't help but wonder where to. For as long as he had known Lilith Montgomery he still could not figure out her mind, not precisely at least. His eyes floated to John for a moment. Would it be better to rip the bandaid off, just let the man rip into him now. There seemed to be so many places his own mind was trying to pull him. He gave Lilith's hand yet again another stabilizing squeeze. [color=DC143C]”Sure,"[/color] he muses, answering her initial offer as he follows her to the kitchen. [color=DC143C]”Whacha thinking about?"[/color]

Squeezing Miles’ hand in return, Lilith walked into the kitchen and began to collect all of the items that she needed from various cabinets and drawers. [color=00FFFC]”Just the future,”[/color] she responded quietly. Grabbing the potato peeler from the drawer, she passed it to Miles before turning to grab one of the large bowls from the lower cabinet. [color=00FFFC]”Do you think you’ll still love the kids even if they come out with webbed fingers and an extra eye or two?”[/color] She did the best that she could to make her tone seem more upbeat. Humor had always been a deflection tactic, and becoming a mother didn’t seem as if it was going to change that fact. It was easier to joke about possibilities Lil knew were never really going to happen than to ask him the questions that were really on her mind. 

Miles was halfway through peeling a potato as he gave his response to Lilith, his eyes still set on his task. He shrugs before responding. [color=DC143C]”I guess. I don't really know what I- wait."[/color] He stops himself, turning back to watch what Lil was doing for a moment. [color=DC143C]”That's not what you're actually thinking about, is it?"[/color] he asks, his voice almost as low as hers. If he was being honest Miles was unsure if that was a fair assessment. Maybe he had misjudged but something felt off. Regardless, the chances of her really opening up were slim anyway, he knew that. They were both as closed as each other in their own ways.

Lilith had moved over to the fridge at this point, taking her time scanning the items before her so she wouldn’t have to look back over at Miles. She thought that her deflection had worked until she heard him finish his thought. [color=00FFFC]”No,”[/color] she responded, lips pursed. [color=00FFFC]”I’m thinking about that and so much more. I know I said that I was scared - and I know you are too - but… it’s more than that. I don’t want to dwell on it or ruin the moment.”[/color] 

[color=DC143C]”Moment's already full of fear anyway."[/color] the man shrugs. He pulls his eyes off of Lilith and back to his potatoes, moving to the next. [color=DC143C]”Y'know this whole 'helping to keep each other sane' thing should run both ways. I think I have just as right to worry about you as you have about me, maybe more so right now,"[/color] he waves the peeler in the air in time with his words before moving the freshly peeled potato out of the way and grabbing another. He knew in a way Lilith felt entitled to Miles' worries, and maybe she was, but all that seemed to do was pile on more pain for the woman. It was funny, she'd always complain about how stoic Miles was but she was no better somedays.

Lilith couldn’t help but sigh and roll her eyes in defeat as she grabbed the steaks from the fridge. Miles was right. [color=00FFFC]”I’m just… I’m scared, yeah. But I’m also disappointed, and confused. I know that nothing ever goes according to plan but… it wasn’t supposed to be like this. Not even four months ago I was dead set on never seeing you again.”[/color] The silence around them was deafening, the TV drowned in the background of her own thoughts. [color=00FFFC]”I’m not judging you or putting you down or telling you that you haven’t changed,”[/color] she continued, letting the refrigerator door close behind her. [color=00FFFC]”But I’m scared of the fact that old habits are hard to break, and die even harder. You’re a good person, deep down. I’ve always known that.”[/color] 

The young woman was rambling once again, trying to sort her emotions and thoughts as she spoke aloud. Placing the cast iron pan on the stove, the brunette was careful not to meet his eyes. Lilith hoped that she wasn’t hurting him. [color=00FFFC]”It’s just… would you even still be in town if you hadn’t knocked me up, Miles?”[/color] That was the easiest way of asking. She could have been more blunt, but the subject was already sensitive enough. 
The truth was that Lilith wondered if the only reason Miles was still hanging around her at all was the fact she was now pregnant with his children. 

Miles could scarcely do anything but sigh at Lilith's words. She had a point about old habits, a great point in fact. Miles had had multiple discussions with Delaney opening up about his fear of messing it all up all over again. If he was being honest he wasn't even certain himself if he could stop the cycle. He wanted to make some big statement that would quell all her fears, show her he was far from that person but even he had some doubt he was. 3 months was a quick window of drastic change and no matter how determined Miles was to be better he wasn't sure if he was truly capable of it. 

Miles looked down at the potato he was peeling to see he had shaved it down to half its size, well past the skins. He added it to the pile before wordlessly grabbing the next. He remained silent for a while, a skill he seemed to be becoming more adept in by the day but perhaps the sounds of the peeler against the potato was enough noise for him in this moment. As much as he didn't know what to say he didn't really know what to feel. While part of him hurt that Lilith seemed to all but trust him he knew she was completely justified in that train of thought. Eventually he gives a sigh once more before speaking what he wished could say were thought out words but were very much not. 

[color=DC143C]”I mean I was here the month we didn't know."[/color] he says quietly. A weak defense, one he wasn't sure he believed in but there were so many thoughts and answers in that head of his he was hard-pressed on which to grab. [color=DC143C]”I don't blame you for not trusting me just- I don't know I guess it would've been more fitting if I ran when I found out, wouldn't it? Or the morning after the party rather than trying to start something again?"[/color]

Lilith had always had a habit of overthinking things and letting her darkest fears get in the way of things. Miles returning, Claire’s chance at a new life, John’s diagnosis and being pregnant certainly did not help or change those facts. She had been focused on seasoning the steaks as the weight of her previous comment hung in the air. The brunette took a moment to process what Miles was saying - knowing full well that he had made a fair point, no matter how small. It didn’t help, no matter how much she hoped it would. 

The truth was that Miles still had time to run. There were quite a few months left until the children were born, and who knew if he could deal with living at the ranch that long. Who knew if he could handle living with her? Sure, he hadn’t bailed on the first night or when she had told him she was pregnant - but he had left her standing there alone one too many times in the past after promising to stay for her anxiety to be at ease. 

Continuing to focus on the task at hand Lilith was still sure not to look over in Miles’ direction, scared of whatever reaction she may have if she did. [color=00FFFC]”It’s not that I don’t trust you,”[/color] she nearly whispered. [color=00FFFC]”I forgave you a long time ago. I just have a hard time forgettin’ things.”[/color] With another sigh she continued. [color=00FFFC]”Just promise me you’ll always be honest.”[/color] 

Miles remained silent a moment, now with all the potatoes peeled there was little for his hands to do meaning less distractions for him to focus on. In truth his mind seemed almost as much of a prison as Lilith’s did to hers but his was so much more easily drowned out by simple distractions. His first instinct was to find the nearest bottle of whiskey and start downing his first drink for the night but that would mean him walking across Lilith’s space and part of him was almost scared to have to do that. Instead he awkwardly stood in front of his peeled potatoes, fidgeting with the peeler. [color=DC143C]”You make this massive deal ‘bout how you’ve forgiven me and all that but- I don’t know- it kinda sounds like you haven’t”[/color] he replies, training his eyes on the cutting board to avoid Lilith’s face. He didn’t want to imagine the expressions it was forming at his response.

The young woman was unable to keep her jaw from clenching in response. She wasn’t angry at his words, but she did have to fight the urge to respond sarcastically. [color=00FFFC]”I have though,”[/color] she half-way pleaded. [color=00FFFC]”Don’t know what I can do to prove it to you other than ignore what I’m feelin’ and avoidin’ hard conversations - and we both know I’m not that girl.”[/color] 

Beginning to sear the steaks, Lilith felt the heat rise to her face. She was already emotional enough as is - and now she had to deal with pregnancy hormones as well. [color=00FFFC]”I know I wasn’t totally fair to you in the past either,”[/color] she continued to explain. [color=00FFFC]”You had big dreams, and my only dream was to be with you. That’s a lot of pressure to put on a person.”[/color] As the meat began to sizzle, she quickly wiped the already falling tears from her face. [color=00FFFC]”I don’t know, Kane. I guess all I ever wanted was a proper goodbye or an ‘I’m sorry’ and you never gave me either one.”[/color] 

Miles pursed his lips for a moment. He refused to even glance at Lilith, knowing if he did it might just cause his own undoing. [color=DC143C]”Look, I’m not saying don’t feel what you’re feeling but- I dunno, you’d know better than me. I’m no empath.”[/color] His eyes seem to dart around the room for something, anything to look at that wasn’t in her direction as Lilith says her piece. [color=DC143C]”Li, You can divine into the deepest parts of my soul, you know exactly what I’m feeling from the moment I enter a room. I guess I just assumed you knew I felt bad for all that happened.”[/color] He exhales a breath he didn’t realise he was holding before continuing. [color=DC143C]”If I apologise now will you think it’s just ‘cus you said something about it or would you actually accept it?”[/color]

[color=00FFFC]”Of course I knew, but I shouldn’t have to use magic on you of all people. Sure, it’d probably make the situation easier, but sorry ain’t really that hard to say is it?”[/color] she questioned, brow now furrowed as she fought to keep her tone soft. [color=00FFFC]”I’m not tryin’ to make shit hard for you or even dig up the past, despite what it seems. My body just feels like it’s on fire, and all I knew is I immediately went from hatin’ you, to fuckin’ you, to havin’ kids and now livin’ with ya, and I just - I don’t know what the hell to think.”[/color] 

Sorry [i]shouldn’t[/i] be hard to say, Miles knew that yet he was never good at saying it. Not seriously at least. He finally turned his gaze to Lilith, biting his bottom lip at the expression etched onto her face. [color=DC143C]”I guess ‘I’m sorry’ is my L-word. I noticed you didn’t use that in your little progression of our relationship.”[/color] he replies, his tone soft. [color=DC143C]”Look, Li, I’m sorry. I am, for everything. I don’t really know what’s going on here either. I thought I had my whole life figured out. Now- I don’t know, it seems to be moving faster than I can keep up. I want to say I didn’t mean to hurt you when we were kids but maybe in a way I did, not maliciously but maybe enough to not try to be better. I know I don’t want to hurt you again but I’ve never been the most self-aware and I guess in a way I won’t ever not hurt you. But- I’m trying. There’s not much more I can do to prove it than just show you but I am.”[/color]

Once again, he was right. Turning the stove off a little too forcefully, Lilith stuck the steaks in the oven to finish cooking before responding. [color=00FFFC]”I guess that’s all I’ve ever asked you to do, so I can’t really be upset with ya for it.”[/color] Walking across the kitchen to collect the potatoes, Lilith grabbed a knife and cutting board before beginning to slice them. She still didn’t look at Miles, caught up in the awkwardness and weight of the conversation. Clearing her throat, she did her best to steer the conversation elsewhere. [color=00FFFC]”Why don’t you go ahead and grab a drink or something? Make yourself comfortable or whatever.”[/color] 

As much as Miles didn’t want to shy from the current conversation he’d gotten the hint. [color=DC143C]”Man, these pregnancy hormones are gonna kick my ass, aren’t they? Between you and John I may never get a break,”[/color] he half-jokes, pressing a kiss on the side of the woman’s head as he wanders to collect glasses and the nearest bottle of Jack, pouring himself a glass. [color=DC143C]”Guess I should pour one for you pawpaw too, reckon he’ll accept it as a peace offering?”[/color] he asks as he starts pouring a second glass.

Miles’ comment had stung. Was she really already burdening him that much? She did her best to shrug it off. [color=00FFFC]”You can if you’d like, but your ma’s not here and I can’t promise he’s not carryin’,”[/color] she joked herself. 

[color=DC143C]”I’ll only be saving myself 20 minutes if he is. Besides, he can’t shoot me now, for as much as he hates me he won’t leave you to raise these kids alone. He’s angry but he ain’t stupid.”[/color] He picks up the two glasses before beginning his journey to the living room. As he reaches its parameter he turns back to Lilith, a lopsided smile playing on his lips. [color=DC143C]”You might need to start convincing Cordelia I’m worth being guided to her part of the astral plane just in case.”[/color] he throws back before turning back to the path before him.

Miles would be lying if he said John Montgomery didn’t strike at least a little fear into the man’s heart. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he pressed his way to the living room, John planted in his spot in front of the TV. He knew he was asking for a verbal ass-whooping but Miles figured it was better to rip the bandaid off as early as possible. [color=DC143C]”I’ve brought your whiskey, John.”[/color] Miles greeted the man, holding the glass toward him. Maybe a hello or a ‘thank you for letting me live here’ would have been a better start but that never really seemed to cross the young man’s mind.

Lil had managed to laugh off his comments about Cordelia and John both, continuing to focus on cooking dinner as Miles walked into enemy territory. 

John was wrapped up in the evening news, avoiding the ever growing want to eavesdrop on the conversation in the next room. Random images of places around town continued to pop up on the screen as the reporter jumped from story to story. When Miles approached, John responded with a simple grunt as he looked over, taking the glass from his hands. He could have made some sort of smart comment, but decided against it. Today had been a long day, and being shouted at by Lilith would only make it longer. 

[color=gold]”How much longer on supper?”[/color] he asked, eyes now back on the TV screen. 

Miles was expecting to have insults flung at him the second he'd entered the older man's space. He was unsure if the fact John was being so cordial put him more or less at ease. He took the spot a couple of seats away from John, unable to stop himself from scanning the man for obvious weaponry. [color=DC143C]”I'd give it 10 or 20."[/color] he replies simply, taking a sip from his glass. Sitting on the couch with John, almost waiting for the man to snap as the TV droned in the background; it felt rather reminiscent of his tween years when he'd stay at the Montgomerys as his mother worked. [color=DC143C]”Thanks for setting up the room and all that."[/color] Miles was very much tempted to make it clear to John he had intended on sharing Lilith's room but even he wasn't dumb enough to poke that bear… yet. [color=DC143C]”Kinda feels like old times, huh?"[/color]

John wasn’t used to having the house so full of people. From time to time, a fellow rancher may have stayed in the spare bedroom. Sometimes Miles or Mary had crashed up there when they needed a place to stay for some odd reason. Lilith’s friends from time to time, but even that was sparingly. In the last few months, John had gone from having a house of two, to three, and now four. He already missed peace and quiet. 

The old man nodded his head in response to the timing. [color=gold]”Good. I’m starving.”[/color] Taking a sip from his glass, John couldn’t help but give the younger gentleman the side eye. [color=gold]”’Welcome.”[/color] A short silence fell between the two as John struggled to find the words to say next. [color=gold]”Yeah… ‘cept you didn’t live here and ya hadn’t knocked up Lilly.”[/color] Eyes now back on the TV screen, he continued. [color=gold]”I ain’t sayin’ it to be an asshole. Lot’s changed. At least I ain’t livin’ with a total stranger I reckon.”[/color] 

Miles bit down on his lip as to not come back with anything too stupid until he'd thought it through. His eyes dart toward the man for a moment before returning to the TV and taking a sip of whiskey. [color=DC143C]”You're better off saying what you really wanna say while Lilith's in the other room,"[/color] he says gently. Miles might have been asking for it but the man's silences were almost deafening, his cordialness almost as much so. Maybe Miles was hoping John would unleash everything then be done forever. An empty dream, Miles knew, but he'd hoped anyway.

With a heavy sigh, John took another large drink. The truth was that he didn’t really want to rip into Miles. It was childish to hold the past against someone, but John had learned the hard way time and time again to believe people the first time they showed their true colors. [color=gold]”I’m disappointed she wound up with you. I’m not even sure if that’s the right word, ‘cause there’s worse out there. But I worry about her. When you took off for college, she was locked in her room for months. I didn’t have any choice but to have her committed to a psych ward in Seattle, and part of me blames you for that - but deep down I know it’s ain’t your fault. I’m scared these kids are going to drain her, and she’s never going to get to live any of her dreams because she’s going to pour her whole existence into you, those kids, and keepin’ this ranch alive when I’m gone. I’m scared you’re going to hurt her again, and I’m even more afraid she ain’t gonna come back this time.”[/color] Finishing off the last of what was in his glass, he chuckled dryly. [color=gold]”That’s a lot to put on a kid, but that’s the nicest way I know of putin’ it.”[/color] 

Miles bit down on lip once more. He knew Lilith struggled when he left, his mother's occasional backhanded comments on the phone had made that very clear but the psych ward was a new revelation. [color=DC143C]”Well that's that, then,"[/color] Miles replies as he takes another sip of his whiskey while his mind continues to try and process every single word. [color=DC143C]”She's lucky to have you, y'know. I hope one day you might say the same for me."[/color] 

[color=gold]”We’ll see,”[/color] the old man responded, leaning back into the couch. 

With perfect timing, Claire had decided to walk through the door, enthusiastically greeting the household. [color=c4df9b]”Hello, everyone,”[/color] she called out. 

[color=00FFFC]”Dinner in five,”[/color] Lilith called out in response. 

As Claire walks through the door Miles gives her a smile as he pushes himself off the couch with a grunt. [color=DC143C]”Good evening, Claire. Here's to hoping you're glad to see me."[/color] he half-jokes as he closes some of the distance between them. 

The woman met Miles halfway, embracing him in a hug. [color=c4df9b]”That’s an understatement,”[/color] she replied, beaming at him. [color=c4df9b]”Goodness gracious I forget how much you’ve grown. I hope you got settled well?”[/color] 

Almost oddly enough, Claire seemed to have the most excitable outlook to Miles’ arrival. This must have been the welcome wagon Lilith was talking about. He returned the woman’s embrace. Before her return to the land of the living Miles’ was still in his very early teens, he still couldn’t get over the fact her embrace no longer encompassed him. Even moreso that she almost appeared closer to his age than his mother’s. [color=DC143C]”Well as I can,”[/color] he replies. [color=DC143C]”You got some grand speech to say too or do I get a free pass from you?”[/color] Claire Montgomery seemed to not hold the same fears both John and Lilith so validly held. Miles couldn’t help but wonder if she’d not seen enough to feel connected to the whole situation or if she truly was just quick to forgive and forget. Miles knew that was a rarity for the woman.

Claire shrugged her shoulders, beginning to make her way to the kitchen to help Lilith move the food to the dining room table and grab herself a drink. [color=c4df9b]”I think you know me well enough to know I’ll put my foot up your ass if you step out of line,”[/color] she half-joked, her tone still cheerful. [color=c4df9b]”But seriously, welcome.”[/color] 

[color=DC143C]”I think I’ll get hounded with punishments if I step out of line. Especially without ma here to save my ass,”[/color] Miles replies with a chuckle. He tops up his glass of whiskey after Claire does so and takes a tray of food to the table as he wanders over. [color=DC143C]”At least with you and John here we won’t be outnumbered by kids.”[/color]

The older woman laughed along with him, carrying the steaks into the next room with her. Lilith followed closely behind with the potatoes before returning to grab the vegetables as well. [color=c4df9b]”Well, here’s to new beginnings anyway,”[/color] Claire quipped, raising her glass in Miles’s direction. 

Miles raises his glass toward Claire in return. [color=DC143C]”And here’s to our eardrums and livers.”[/color] he responds, downing a good third of his glass before taking a seat. [color=DC143C]”And hoping they’ll be easy kids.”[/color]