Present and Future Uncertainties...
Mar 25, 2021 12:51:30 GMT -6
Post by Justyce on Mar 25, 2021 12:51:30 GMT -6
~*This is a JP between Pixie and Justyce.*~
The realization that they weren’t in the present time had set in, as did her nerves. Looking around to prized items, photographs of family and friends, and various books over the years was enough to solidify that these people weren’t lying.
Her blue eyes focused on the the sculpture in the middle of the table. It was sleek and made of vibranium. The edges shined against the light from the large windows. It was an ‘E’. The ‘È’ had been presented to the group by Nick Fury himself, as the picture attached to it had identified the Professor, alongside Captain Britain.
Her pale hand clenched Leslie’s palm as she breathed in deeply. “15 years? We’re...fifteen years into the future?”
Leslie was trying to let his rational mind explain all this away and that was not happening for him. He turned and looked to Cate as they both seemed to handling the information rafter poorly.
“Yes....we appear to be 15 years in the future. I don’t know what to say.”
The older Leslie who was wearing readers and had met his hair go fully gray looked at the both of them.
“It’s astounding! I always wondered what a younger version of myself would say about this development.”
Daphne came In with drinks. She wasn’t her thin and lithe self. She definitely looked to have had a few kids. She placed the tray with drinks on the table and older Leslie signed his thanks.
Cate looked to Daphne, slightly surprised that she was present in this house. Slowly retrieving a glass, she rose the rim to her lips gently took in the liquid. “Yes, thank you...” she responded softly.
Hearing the older, more rustic version of her friend speak, she was astounded by his comfort with this matter. It was discerning in the least.
“What happened?” She asked point blank, ready to relieve the elephant in the room. Looking to Daphne, the blond observed her figure, quickly realizing that her hips had grown larger.
Older Catelyn waltzed into the room, hair tied into to the side and her bright white smile gleaming with sparkle “id heard we had guests, but I never expected the past to show up at the door.”
Younger Cate, growing frustrated, stood “What. happened. To. The. World?” She gently demanded, drinking the last of her beverage.
Older Cate bit her lip “Oh.. dear..”
The older Leslie decided to start slowly and break them in.
“The world has a bit of an issue with a megalomaniac that the United States government is or rather was responsible for creating as a countermeasure to situations up to and including mutants. It was a rather shitty thing to do especially the part where they embedded her with the X-Men long enough for her to wipe them out. She did that to most of the Brotherhood as well.”
He looked as if he was going to be ill recounting everything to them and he decided to call out for his daughter Destiny.
“Destiny would you please come bring the bottle of scotch. I feel I may need it after this.”
Leslie sat up at the calling of another as Daphne signed to older Cate that she would go get the kids rounded up to avoid the second living room.
“Wait?! What do you mean they created?? The first problem with the whole created something is that if they made a human the could be jailed for a very long time. Let’s not even get into the implications of the morals of it. Can anyone really think of any doctors who are going to actually create something then have it violate our oath to do no harm.”
Leslie look at his Cate, the younger one, and asked her.
“What doctor or doctors would do such a thing?”
Cate looked as if she was ready to vomit. “The Hippocratic oath has no meaning.” She responded to her Leslie. Pulling a strand of hair behind her ear, she remained standing as a young, spry and beautiful young woman trotted in. “Scotch, as requested...” she smiled, setting the bottle onto the table before looking at their guests “Woah...” she gasped with shock “Dad, who are these people?” She asked innocently while popping a cracker into her mouth.
Young Cate didn’t wait for older Leslie to pour the scotch - she grabbed the bottle, twisted off the cap and took a shot herself.
Giving a look of disgust, she gently coughed before sitting down.
Older Cate nodded to Daphne, signing a ‘thank you’, followed by a sweet smile.
Older Cate then nodded to the younger Leslie “The oath still remains true to those that work with honor. We’ve been doing whatever we can to keep afloat; but unfortunately, there’s been just so many casualties. Brian is strained. Oliver is wiped out. Hellfire was just destroyed and we’re at our wits end. The only light in our lives really...is our children.”
Younger Cate gave a side eye “Ch-Children? You and...him...” she asked pointedly, looking to the both of them.
“Make mine a double please.”
Younger Leslie said he looked at the young woman noting several prominent Sateno features which enhanced the beauty of her face.
“It’s hard to imagine that doctors would even consider it.”
Older Leslie poured his younger self a double after Cate’s younger self released it after her drink.
“Oh sweetie let’s not have that conversation now. I don’t want to stress our company any more than they’ve already had, ok?”
Daphne left as gracefully as younger Cate would remember her being. It wasn’t until she had cleared the door that older Leslie winced and then shot a look at Older Cate.
Younger Leslie brightened a bit at that thought. He enjoyed children and then he went pale. These were his and Cate’s children she was referring to.
“Excuse me? Would you be kind enough to repeat either the older version of myself or Cate?”
He decided to do it. He looked at Destiny and smiled.
“What’s your grandmother’s name, Destiny?”
Older Cate nodded “Of course.” She replied, finding her seat next to her partner. Looking to her wine glass on the table, she took it, gently nurturing the sweetness. It would be a long night.
Looking to the younger Leslie, she admired his features, remembering how they both looked in their prime. “If you recall World War Two, the Naxis had doctors doing that very thing. History repeats itself unless we learn from it. Evidently, we haven’t.”
Destiny meanwhile, plopped a seat down by the window, grabbing a book before looking to the younger Leslie “Oh Grandma D?”
Older Cate cleared her throat.
Destiny sighed heavily “Deana.”
Cate nodded.
Younger Cate was about ready to faint
“What happened to...and then...what?” She asked, stumbling over her words. Taking Leslie’s hand into hers, she bit her lip “I need a breather...”
Leslie sighed a moment as he collected his thoughts. He gave Cate’s hand a gentle squeeze. He focused his attention on the older Cate.
“Cate, I think for ease and less confusion I’ll call you Rose.”
He waited for a moment.
“Rose what happened?”
He waited for just a moment then decided to clarify.
“What caused us,” he gestured to him and Cate, “to become a couple in the future? I’m not exactly an expert on time and space or time travel but we each had different paths.”
Older Leslie chuckled a little and then cleared his throat.
“I’ll go by Taylor to make things easier. I don’t believe that would be good information to dispense. You already know it happens and we can’t take that back.”
He sighed he sound like Bran.
Rose shook her head “Sean.” She sighed heavily, looking down at her two carat diamond on her wedding finger. Truth was, things couldn’t have been worse for them. He hadn’t been himself for weeks and had evaded any notion of romance.
Looking to Taylor, she shook her head. “Well, we’re already messed up. The timeline certainly wasn’t prepared for this and while, as beautiful as Destiny is, I don’t understand any of this and how it came to be. We’re both in...committed relationships I’m getting married in two months. I...”
Destiny closed her book, feeling the emotional distress by Rose “It’s going to be okay...” she whispered softly, standing from the recliner “My mom and dad... okay, so, for what it’s worth, younger, version of my mom, my parents love each other. They never fight and if they do, we figure it out within minutes. Their story is super mushy and I’m not allowed to say anything evidently, so I’ll just leave now...”
Older Cate sighed, pouring herself more wine “How about this, let’s just slow down, have another round of drinks and we can just go one topic at a time?”
It was then Ian teleported in and his mother came through the door. Daphne looked furious. She signed at Destiny to accost him immediately.
Older Leslie let out an audiable groan. That was the exactly opposite of what he wanted to happen.
“Destiny go ahead and stay please. Cate, that right there is what I was trying to avoid. We might as well...”
He just gave Ian the stink eye.
“That’s Ian and yes Daphne is his mother.”
Leslie was trying not to blow a gasket from the information. He took a slow and long drink off his scotch. He was just going to say it.
“He had me cover shifts at the practice. Swapped Hellfire weekends a few times over the last two months.”
He got looked at Daphne and shook his head. He downed the rest of his scotch and looked at Rose.
“Tell us. You might as well. I guess we might as well know now.”
Younger Cate’s eyes widened even further “Daphne has a child?! Whose the father?” She asked immediately, knowing full well that Oliver had been seeing her in secret.
Then turning to her Leslie, she gulped “So, he is purposely working at Hellfire. He’s picking up more shifts. He didn’t need the money. Why, Leslie?!” She tried to fight back the tears. Grabbing her glass, she drank it without wincing this time, as the thought of her fiancé ditching her was gross enough.
Older Cate sighed heavily and pointed to Destiny to lead Ian out of the room. Destiny stood, grabbing Ian’s arm “Let’s go find the others. I know Isla had been itching to play in the treehouse.” She then have a nod to Daphne and signed “I’ve got this”.
Older Catelyn responded to her younger self “You’d be surprised... They make a good couple.” She added, knowing full well of whom they were speaking of.
He tried to correlate the events to other events or cancellations and the only two that coincided were those were also weekends that Tiffany cancelled her plans with him.
“I’m such a fucking nice guy sucker. I guess sometimes the old adage is true. Nice guys finish last.”
It was his turn to renew his drink and this time it was a triple. He refilled Cate’s empty glass as Destiny and Ian were led out. He smiled at that thought.
“We made a cute kid didn’t we Cate?”
He loved kids and Destiny gave him hope. He would float his theory.
“You see the only other thing I can think of is Tiffany. She has cancelled plans making me available to take his ER shifts. It makes sense it’s just a matter of catching them.”
Ian signed at Destiny that he wanted to see the younger version of her parents too. He had felt the temporal displacement. Daphne looked angry and she was at her kid for being a pain.
Older Leslie signed at Daphne that at least Bridgette hadn’t come in looking like the female version of Oliver.
“Well Rose at least Bridgette didn’t come in. That would have thrown them.”
He was actually going leave it there.
“ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME.”
She swore, holding her drink for Leslie to pour a smidge more. She also never swore. Ever.
“Bridgette? Don’t tell me. Please, just don’t.” She spoke, her teeth gritting together. Closing her eyes, she shook her head “You and your sense of humor are going to be the death of me, Les...” she sighed heavily. “So, if you’re you’re insulting is true, then Sean and Tiffany...”
Destiny shook her head at Ian “No, buddy. If you can’t tell, they’re already not with it. Let’s just chill.”
Older Cate looked to Ian and then Daphne “There’s cookies freshly out of the oven, go ham!”
Daphne was really not enjoying how this was going. She saw one of the people she was close with, in fact one of her best friends, struggling with the implications of her future life. She smiled nervously as she showed younger Cate the photo of teenage Bridgette. She was mainly all Oliver. You could see some of Daphne’s features mixed in.
“Daphne please let’s not shock them anymore than they already have been shocked today.”
Ian brightened up at cookies and started to tug Destiny along at the thought of them.
Younger Leslie hated that he could be so logical and pragmatic at times that it hurt other people.
“That, with what our older selves have supplied, is one of the options that make sense. I mean there are others but....I’ll stop now”
Older Leslie was shaking his head and trying not to smile at how he was when younger.
“I remember those days of stating the theory I had and well I really learned to keep it to myself.”
Younger Cate took the picture, feeling the buzz of the alcohol as she began to sit back into the couch. “Leslie, for the love of all that is holy, please shut up.” She expressed, exhaustion holding her in. “We did make a cute child.”
Older Cate chuckled, if only the younger version of her knew that they had three, and pondering one more.
“Bridgette is it?” Young Cate asked, taking in another sip of alcohol, “She is lovely.” She replied softly
Destiny nodded “Yeah, she’s a cutie!” The blond turned around “C’mon, let’s get cookies, Ian. Auntie Daph, wanna come along?”
Daphne did not want to stay and prolong the issue and it was also late as they would have another day of lessons tomorrow for both formal education and ability usage. She signed to both Leslie and Cate she had prepared the guest rooms on the third floor.
Older Leslie rose and gave Daphne a hug. They had commiserated together over their feelings. He signed his thanks to her and motioned for their younger versions to rise.
“Come on, I’ll get you settled into the guest rooms. I’ll also ensure that the kids done bother you.”
He looked at his Cate and admired how her beauty, when compared to her younger self had just intensified. She was a radiant woman and he was extremely lucky.
“Cate and myself please follow me.”
He was going to have ensure that he avoided his other daughters and Daphne and Oliver’s kids as well.
“Stay close and let’s hope we don’t run into anyone else.”
Destiny led Ian into the kitchen where the smells of chocolate and butterscotch lofted the air. “Don’t tell your mom, but eat as many as you want.” She winked mischievously. Maybe if she could rally the others, they would stay away from their guests. Destiny really felt like the responsible, motherly type for this...
Younger Cate rose, taking her beverage with her for the walk “The place looks practically the same.” She smiled; at least there was some sense of familiarity.
Older Cate grinned, taking her partner’s hand as they walked further into the manor “here is one extra...” she spoke, pointing to a blue-ish room, decked out with lavish curtains, a large bed, and a reading nook by the window...
Leslie was happy to be able to rest. He had left his drink behind as he wanted to keep some of his wits about him. It wasn’t like this happened every day and he just need time and space.
The rooms were well appointed, clean, but truly the style was out of date by at least a few decades. Leslie looked at them and realized that there was only one for them.
“Hey quick question where will I be staying?”
Older Leslie looked at him and smiled. They just automatically assumed as did Daphne they were together. He moved across the hall and opened the other door.
“This one was prepared as well. So please make yourself at home.”
Cate led out a gulp “Les...take the nicer one. I can just sleep where ever. You’re the doctor and need your rest. I’m going to be up for a while to think.” She spoke softly. “Th-thank you for the accommodation. I would assume that we will discuss more in the morning after we’ve all digested the information.”
Older Cate nodded “I promise you, it’s going to be okay. Trust your intuition. I wish I had in those years.” She sighed “Our apologies for assuming. Go where ever you’re comfortable. There are scones and cookies in the kit-“ she stopped herself right there “let me know if you’d like anything to eat. Avoid the kitchen.” She winked playfully before taking her Leslie’s hand “Shall we?”
Young Cate took another sip of her beverage, waiting for Leslie’s response.
“That would be appropriate for us to have separate rooms. We are still two engaged people in our time. As for the comfort of the room Cate will take the one you first showed us as I will be in the other.”
Leslie moved to the door of the second room to forestall any arguments from Cate. He wasn’t going to let her use her arguing skill set to convince him otherwise.
“Yes, let’s leave them to settle in and rest. I believe that is best.”
The older Leslie took his Cate’s hand and followed along as she went to leave. He understood that things like this took time and would be best if they sorted through it themselves. The carpet muffled steps finally ended leaving the younger pair alone. Leslie looked at Cate.
“I think we should try and get some sleep. I wouldn’t even know where to start this discussion from.”
Cate looked down, completely flabbergasted by the entire night. She loved Sean, but the way he was going about this engagement left much to be desired. Until she had proof of his infidelity, she would remain true. Plus, Leslie was head over heels for Tiffany. She was helping him to learn the waltz, just for his fiance. This was all just a nightmare. Their world crumbled by a robot? No. It was a nightmare indeed. She would lie down and sleep it off. She’d then wake back in her flat in London.
“Night, Leslie. I’ll see you in the morning...”
She sauntered into the room, closing the door behind her. She sat on the bed, feeling the old springs struggle to come to life. Looking around the dusty old room, she gave a sigh. It was too surreal for her. She had feelings for Leslie, hell, she may even love him, but now wasn’t the time. She was marrying Sean. She loved him...she thought...she must love him.
Leslie bid Cate goodnight as he went into the room and sat down on the bed. He had a lot to sort through and things to think through. He sighed as he took off his shirt and shoes and went over to the bed and laid down. Tiffany was an exceedingly sweet and loving person. They had fun and through that he had found out that he loved her. It was just the past few months though that had started to make him question the engagement. She had cancelled plans, had her schedule rearranged by her parents which meant he was doing some events solo, and her increasing jealousy of Cate were all very disturbing. When coupled with the fact that Sean had started the same pattern it made sense what they were just told.
Cate removed her shoes, zipper jacket and laid along the bed in her tank and jeans. She’d been with Sean for a year and fell in love with him after Leslie introduced him to her. He was sauv and charming, cared about people more than one else she knew and still made time for her. He would be at the hospital for 18 hours and yet still arrive to her flat with roses, which were keen to her middle name. He proposed in Ireland on holiday and they would be wed that following spring. The wedding wasn’t far and she’d had her final fitting with her dress. Serina would be her matron of honor and Leslie was the best man. Everything seemed to come to a halt three months ago. She barely knew him any more.
While he was gone, she and Leslie would frequent the bar and drown their sorrows in dancing, movies and coffee dates. She’d had feelings for Leslie for a while, but kept them at bay, knowing her happiness would be with Sean. She loved Leslie’s family, especially his mother. She’d bake together in the wee early morning hours before Christmas. It was the best time she’d had since her arrival in the UK.
It was truly the lack of interest by Tiffany that was starting to eat away at Leslie. When holidays came she was busy and couldn’t take the time to visit his family with him. She dodged out of just about everything to begin with and then finally all the excuses and cancelled dates and events. She was supposed to be in this with him. She hadn’t progressed passed the spoiled woman he had first met several years ago. It was going to change regardless of what anyone thought. Cate had been his best friend and confidant throughout all of it. They had good times together and they even had been spending holidays together. She took the time and actually visited with his family over Christmas just the one past. He sighed and rose to stare out the window. Cate had done more family things with him than Tiffany ever had done. He had felt for the longest time that his path lay elsewhere and with how he felt about Cate he would never be happy with Tiffany. He loved Cate and while she may not be able to reciprocate it he wasn’t going to marry Tiffany.
Cate stood finally, looking out to the window and seeing the stars. She remembered one very drunken night after dancing that she and Leslie had wandered out of the pub and into one of the vast pairies in the middle of the night. They had collapsed to the ground and watched the stars until the early morning hours discussing plans, the future, and how crazy life had been.
She giggled at that thought; and...How it began to rain not long after. She wasn’t even upset! Leslie had given her his coat and walked her back to her flat where she showered and slept until dawn. That was a good night.
Looking to the door, she bit her lip. The woman wasn’t tired and she was exhausted from her thoughts. She just wanted to talk to him...to be close to him, and to touch his skin.
Fed up with her incisiveness, she sung her door open and marched into the hallway, careful not to trip over herself in her weary state.
Leslie looked out the window and knew, no matter how much it would hurt in the moment, that the decision was the right one. He sighed as he went back to lay on the bed. He wasn’t going to take this lightly and despite everything he was going to do it if they every got back.
“Well walls do you agree with me on this one? Yes I know it’s crazy but it’s how I feel. Good conversation.”
Cate went to knock of Leslie’s door, waiting anxiously to see if he’d open it. She didn’t want anyone to see her out and she only wanted to talk to him...
“PSSSSST! LESLIE!” She urgently whispered. “Wanna look at the stars?”
Leslie heard the hiss that was particular to Cate at his door. It was usually how she checked to see if he was awake. She only did that with him when she though him sleeping.
“I’m awake, come in.”
He sat up and waited for her to enter. He thought by now she would be asleep and when she entered he was a bit surprised.
“You couldn’t sleep either? Well I couldn’t sleep after all the information. I’ve been turning it around in my head.”
He looked at the balcony his room had attached to it.
“You said stars right. If so let me get my shirt on.”
"Naaaah, you can keep the thing off..."
Said by the teenager within her. Looking forward, she nodded “I’m grabbing your sweater then...” she smirked, grabbing the older Leslie’s sweater hanging on the door.
Looking back to him, she smiled. Placing her hands onto the French doors, she gently opened the frame, letting the moonlight enter the room. She loved him.
The way the light caught Cate made her look ethereal and complimented her natural beauty. He loved it and at the same time felt a small amount of sadness.
“Sure. I’ll indulge that request. He followed her over and when he was beside her he realized just how many times he hadn’t been to Cate’s home.
“This place is beautiful and makes me realize you’ve never invited me to meet your extended family.”
She admired his shirtlessness for about 10 seconds before it became suspicious. Her smile was apparent in the moonlight as she wrapped herself in the larger cardigan. Her blond waves cascaded over her shoulders as she listened to Leslie’s inquiry.
“You know, I really haven’t, have I? Well, that’s gonna change for sure. I’m sorry!” She laughed, feeling slightly rude that her best man friend had been neglected. “And the next time we have a get together with all the superheroes, you’re welcome to join! You are a hero, after all, Dr. Sateno.” She winked playfully.
He just smiled and followed her out onto the balcony. Her invitation would be nice but he was going to have to settle his business first.
“It wasn’t a criticism Cate. It was an observation. I know we’re only friends and that was a bit rude of me to say that. I will not turn down the invitation.”
The air was cool but not cold and it felt good on his shirtless body. He decided he was going to tell her what he had decided while laying in bed.
“Cate, I want you to know you weren’t the catalyst of my decision. It’s a culmination of events and attitudes that brought me to my decision.”
He leaned casually against the stone railing as he spoke. He wasn’t ready for it but it was time.
“I’m going to end my relationship with Tiffany. It doesn’t have anything to do with the information tonight. It has more to do with her and her maturity.”
While he was shirtless, she was able to focus on the conversation at hand, though at times a stray thought escaped here and there. “Oh it was rude of me. With how close we are, I should have invited you earlier.” She grinned sweetly, gently bumping her hip to his.
His chiseled physique was pronounced in this light. He took care of himself, which was nice to see. Her eyes then followed his jawline, admiring how handsome he was. The little scruff he had was also something that made her blush. Hopefully he didn’t see her expression too well in light.
She took a step back upon hearing the news. True, Tiffany had growing up to do regarding her emotional maturity, and the fact that she was born with a silver spoon on her mouth. Cate wasn’t heartbroken for him, though, relieved would have been a better thought.
Taking her hand in his, she hand it a little squeeze “I’m so sorry, Les... Is there anything I can do? I wouldn’t have even thought tonight was a factor of your decision making. Your eyes tell me that you’ve been conflicted for a while now..”
He didn’t consider it rude. He thought it her just being a bit private with a portion of her life that she wasn’t ready to share with him yet. He could understand the at reasons. He had seen doctors on his own ER refuse to treat mutants because of their abilities.
“Cate you don’t have to worry about it. I have seen how people treat people gifted with abilities. I can’t blame you for not readily offering an invitation.”
Her taking his hand made him feel better. She was a great friend and while he loved her as more than a friend he wouldn’t act on it. He would never violate the trust of Sean.
“Just continuing being my friend. I’ll need that when it happens. I can’t very well marry a woman who doesn’t even have an interest in visiting my parents. You’ve visited my parents more than she has and even spent Christmas with us. I have to say as friends go you are more than a friend to me at this point.”
What the hell was he saying?!? He needed to shut his mouth right now!
Cate listened as the man poured himself to her; his frustrations broke her heart. The agony he must feel with all the garbage surrounding him with this engagement was enough to make anyone sick. It made her angry. He deserved much better than what Tiffany was providing and she was ready to scream at the woman for giving Leslie such pain.
“Doctors refusing to treat mutants is, quite frankly, unethical and immoral. You take an oath to heal. That’s like refusing to treat a black or Asian person. That’s not okay.” She sighed heavily.
She continued to listen how their friendship had blossomed throughout the wedding planning stages and the holidays. Christmas was fun! Meeting his sisters had been an eye-opening experience and one she enjoyed. Late at night, she and his mother would chat over the fire about the world and how much care it needed to survive. She played chess with his father and beat him several times. Wooohoo!
Then he said the thing. Had he really said it? Remember, Cate, this is a dream. You don’t have repercussions if something happens. Just do it. Just -
She looked to him, admiring his skin in the dim light of the night. His eyes sparkled with hope and his cheeks had reddened with the frustration of the conversation. He still smiled, though.
“Leslie...” she whispered, reaching from her toes to find his lips, she pressed hers against them for a warm and tender kiss. Her hands still in his, she left herself melt into him and she was finally expressing her love for the man after months of contemplation.
He sighed as the decision had been weighing on him heavily. It wasn’t an resigned sigh but a firm one. He was glad Cate was supportive of the decision and if he hadn’t opened the can worms he wouldn’t be kissing Cate right now and questioning his actions. He didn’t fight the kiss only kissed her back and after a few more moments than would be considered chaste. His mind was screaming at him to stop but it was already done. He slowly pulled back from the kiss and looked at Cate. He truly looked at her. The way the dim moonlight caught her features. It defined them in a way that gave her a very ghostly quality like a woman from the mists in movies. He was conflicted now.
“Cate I’ve wanted this moment for a while. It was when I realized that I had feelings for you as more than a friend. It said I was being silly and should continue as your friend. Which I have and still it won’t change because even though I’ve come to a decision about my relationship it doesn’t mean you should stop yours.”
He hadn’t released her hands or moved to increase the distance between them. He wasn’t ready to do that. He wanted Cates touch and it made him feel both excited and sad. It was fleeting as a moment usually turned out to be. They would hopefully return to their time and he would leave Cate to be with Sean. He wouldn’t stop being her friend or hanging out with her. He would distance himself emotionally from this moment so as to not cause issues in Cate’s relationship.
Cate remained close, not moving as inch as he spoke to her. Did she feel guilt? Probably will, but the way She was being treated, she didn’t really care at this moment. Sean would come home smelling like a bar. He didn’t care about them anymore.
It wasn’t good what she had just done; however, she didn’t feel terrible either. She just needed evidence that he was being unfaithful.
“That was my bad, Leslie and I’m sorry. The truth is, I cannot go through with this...wedding. I can’t. I cannot spend the rest of my life with someone unwilling to see me for a simple cake tasting or meet for coffee. He’d rather be out until dawn coming home reeking of bourbon and another woman’s perfume. I’ve been the scratches on his back...”
She looked to him, her love and desire burning as each second passed “I want you, Leslie. I want your your friendship, your companionship, your love and your closeness. I love every piece of you. I just want you!”
J-Leslie was at a loss. He felt the same way about Cate but knew acting on it would vastly change their relationship. He knew what would happen and usually played it safe. He didn’t want to hurt Cate’s feelings and he was afraid of a lot of things. Her declaration only galvanized his feelings. He didn’t hesitate.
“I love you Catelyn Weise. It is something I would never want to change. I want to spend my days with you.”
In the dark it was hard to discern her reaction but he had a feeling that after what she said that it was positive. He kissed her again without any hesitation and it wasn’t chaste at all. He was ready for what this road would bring and that could only be their happiness.
P-Shaking her head as he declared his feelings for her, she smiled. He could see it from the darkness, but she was grinning from ear to ear before he leaned to kiss her. She took him in, embracing him fully, finally. She felt his warmth and scent, which sent her into an intoxicating high that of which she couldn’t explain.
She kissed him back with fervor, gently placing her hands onto his cheeks. “I love you, Leslie Sateno. I always have.” She whispered in between kisses.
J-He didn’t hesitate. He lifted her easily and carried her inside. As he moved he kicked the doors closed behind him. He wasn’t letting rational thought in at the moment and only going with his feelings. They kissed all the way inside. He then stopped himself and looked at Cate.
“Are you sure?”
He wanted her to reaffirm what they were getting into with each other.
P-All rationality had been put to the side once he kissed her back. As he pulled away to confirm that they were, indeed, moving forward, she stared into deep brown eyes and smiled “I have no objections to your touch. If we go, I’m wonderful. If we snuggle, that’s been another dream of mine as well. All I want, is you.”
With that, she nuzzled his neck, clinging to him as if to never let go.
It was a moment he was glad he took. She was so many things to him at this moment that what they did next would be fine. He liked the idea of laying in bed with her and falling asleep. That would be the perfect end to the night. The best beginning to the morning would be waking up with her next to him. The act of intimacy whether physical or shared sleeping with cuddling was fine with him. He would enjoy the shared sleeping intimacy.
“We’ve both just had a lot unloaded on us. We’ve expressed a love for one another. Let’s just lay down and enjoy each moment of just being together.”
That would be quite fine by him. He would have time to really come to the moment of them having the moment when they were attached to another.
Her smile never left her lips as she nodded. Feeling his skin against herself with riveting. Her blood ran hot as she leaned her head against his chest. Cuddling was perfectly acceptable. “Whatever we do is fine. I just want to be with you.” She whispered into his ear before teasing him with neck nibbles.
That pleased Leslie more than he would have thought. He always felt that certain situations needed to arise naturally and not from a situation of duress. “Thank you Cate. That’s part of what made me fall in love with you.” He nibbles were not unheeded as he tried to get to the bed. She was not making it easy on him.
And that was that. His last sentence drove her over the edge. His kindness and sincerity was exactly what she needed. It was perfect. As he put her on the bed, she brought her lips to his in a tender, slow kiss. Running her hand along his torso, she moved from his lips to his collar bone and continued there. “No regrets.” She asked as a statement before her hand moved to the hem of her tank top, slowly removing it.
He tensed for one moment as she kissed him. That would have been fine right there and the continued contact along with her statement sealed it. He was fully under her spell and that right there didn’t bother him one bit. His resistance was eroded and he was going to do whatever would please Cate tonight.
“None....”
He said it in a mere whisper as Cate went to remove her tank top. He had never felt this type of desire with Tiffany. This was genuine. He kissed her back a bit more fiercely than before to match the intensity of hers. He was fully hers and he didn’t regret that at all.
She said nothing as they continued, her body language letting the moment continue. She scooting back against the headboard, pulling him to her. His kisses sparkled something within her, igniting a new fire she didn’t know she had. After the removal of his pants, she wrapped her legs around his torso, ready to experience him fully.
This was the last thing the blonde expected on this unexpected trip. Through the chaos and fire, there was finally a calm, a stillness to be had.
Grabbing one last kiss, she sank into his bed.
The realization that they weren’t in the present time had set in, as did her nerves. Looking around to prized items, photographs of family and friends, and various books over the years was enough to solidify that these people weren’t lying.
Her blue eyes focused on the the sculpture in the middle of the table. It was sleek and made of vibranium. The edges shined against the light from the large windows. It was an ‘E’. The ‘È’ had been presented to the group by Nick Fury himself, as the picture attached to it had identified the Professor, alongside Captain Britain.
Her pale hand clenched Leslie’s palm as she breathed in deeply. “15 years? We’re...fifteen years into the future?”
Leslie was trying to let his rational mind explain all this away and that was not happening for him. He turned and looked to Cate as they both seemed to handling the information rafter poorly.
“Yes....we appear to be 15 years in the future. I don’t know what to say.”
The older Leslie who was wearing readers and had met his hair go fully gray looked at the both of them.
“It’s astounding! I always wondered what a younger version of myself would say about this development.”
Daphne came In with drinks. She wasn’t her thin and lithe self. She definitely looked to have had a few kids. She placed the tray with drinks on the table and older Leslie signed his thanks.
Cate looked to Daphne, slightly surprised that she was present in this house. Slowly retrieving a glass, she rose the rim to her lips gently took in the liquid. “Yes, thank you...” she responded softly.
Hearing the older, more rustic version of her friend speak, she was astounded by his comfort with this matter. It was discerning in the least.
“What happened?” She asked point blank, ready to relieve the elephant in the room. Looking to Daphne, the blond observed her figure, quickly realizing that her hips had grown larger.
Older Catelyn waltzed into the room, hair tied into to the side and her bright white smile gleaming with sparkle “id heard we had guests, but I never expected the past to show up at the door.”
Younger Cate, growing frustrated, stood “What. happened. To. The. World?” She gently demanded, drinking the last of her beverage.
Older Cate bit her lip “Oh.. dear..”
The older Leslie decided to start slowly and break them in.
“The world has a bit of an issue with a megalomaniac that the United States government is or rather was responsible for creating as a countermeasure to situations up to and including mutants. It was a rather shitty thing to do especially the part where they embedded her with the X-Men long enough for her to wipe them out. She did that to most of the Brotherhood as well.”
He looked as if he was going to be ill recounting everything to them and he decided to call out for his daughter Destiny.
“Destiny would you please come bring the bottle of scotch. I feel I may need it after this.”
Leslie sat up at the calling of another as Daphne signed to older Cate that she would go get the kids rounded up to avoid the second living room.
“Wait?! What do you mean they created?? The first problem with the whole created something is that if they made a human the could be jailed for a very long time. Let’s not even get into the implications of the morals of it. Can anyone really think of any doctors who are going to actually create something then have it violate our oath to do no harm.”
Leslie look at his Cate, the younger one, and asked her.
“What doctor or doctors would do such a thing?”
Cate looked as if she was ready to vomit. “The Hippocratic oath has no meaning.” She responded to her Leslie. Pulling a strand of hair behind her ear, she remained standing as a young, spry and beautiful young woman trotted in. “Scotch, as requested...” she smiled, setting the bottle onto the table before looking at their guests “Woah...” she gasped with shock “Dad, who are these people?” She asked innocently while popping a cracker into her mouth.
Young Cate didn’t wait for older Leslie to pour the scotch - she grabbed the bottle, twisted off the cap and took a shot herself.
Giving a look of disgust, she gently coughed before sitting down.
Older Cate nodded to Daphne, signing a ‘thank you’, followed by a sweet smile.
Older Cate then nodded to the younger Leslie “The oath still remains true to those that work with honor. We’ve been doing whatever we can to keep afloat; but unfortunately, there’s been just so many casualties. Brian is strained. Oliver is wiped out. Hellfire was just destroyed and we’re at our wits end. The only light in our lives really...is our children.”
Younger Cate gave a side eye “Ch-Children? You and...him...” she asked pointedly, looking to the both of them.
“Make mine a double please.”
Younger Leslie said he looked at the young woman noting several prominent Sateno features which enhanced the beauty of her face.
“It’s hard to imagine that doctors would even consider it.”
Older Leslie poured his younger self a double after Cate’s younger self released it after her drink.
“Oh sweetie let’s not have that conversation now. I don’t want to stress our company any more than they’ve already had, ok?”
Daphne left as gracefully as younger Cate would remember her being. It wasn’t until she had cleared the door that older Leslie winced and then shot a look at Older Cate.
Younger Leslie brightened a bit at that thought. He enjoyed children and then he went pale. These were his and Cate’s children she was referring to.
“Excuse me? Would you be kind enough to repeat either the older version of myself or Cate?”
He decided to do it. He looked at Destiny and smiled.
“What’s your grandmother’s name, Destiny?”
Older Cate nodded “Of course.” She replied, finding her seat next to her partner. Looking to her wine glass on the table, she took it, gently nurturing the sweetness. It would be a long night.
Looking to the younger Leslie, she admired his features, remembering how they both looked in their prime. “If you recall World War Two, the Naxis had doctors doing that very thing. History repeats itself unless we learn from it. Evidently, we haven’t.”
Destiny meanwhile, plopped a seat down by the window, grabbing a book before looking to the younger Leslie “Oh Grandma D?”
Older Cate cleared her throat.
Destiny sighed heavily “Deana.”
Cate nodded.
Younger Cate was about ready to faint
“What happened to...and then...what?” She asked, stumbling over her words. Taking Leslie’s hand into hers, she bit her lip “I need a breather...”
Leslie sighed a moment as he collected his thoughts. He gave Cate’s hand a gentle squeeze. He focused his attention on the older Cate.
“Cate, I think for ease and less confusion I’ll call you Rose.”
He waited for a moment.
“Rose what happened?”
He waited for just a moment then decided to clarify.
“What caused us,” he gestured to him and Cate, “to become a couple in the future? I’m not exactly an expert on time and space or time travel but we each had different paths.”
Older Leslie chuckled a little and then cleared his throat.
“I’ll go by Taylor to make things easier. I don’t believe that would be good information to dispense. You already know it happens and we can’t take that back.”
He sighed he sound like Bran.
Rose shook her head “Sean.” She sighed heavily, looking down at her two carat diamond on her wedding finger. Truth was, things couldn’t have been worse for them. He hadn’t been himself for weeks and had evaded any notion of romance.
Looking to Taylor, she shook her head. “Well, we’re already messed up. The timeline certainly wasn’t prepared for this and while, as beautiful as Destiny is, I don’t understand any of this and how it came to be. We’re both in...committed relationships I’m getting married in two months. I...”
Destiny closed her book, feeling the emotional distress by Rose “It’s going to be okay...” she whispered softly, standing from the recliner “My mom and dad... okay, so, for what it’s worth, younger, version of my mom, my parents love each other. They never fight and if they do, we figure it out within minutes. Their story is super mushy and I’m not allowed to say anything evidently, so I’ll just leave now...”
Older Cate sighed, pouring herself more wine “How about this, let’s just slow down, have another round of drinks and we can just go one topic at a time?”
It was then Ian teleported in and his mother came through the door. Daphne looked furious. She signed at Destiny to accost him immediately.
Older Leslie let out an audiable groan. That was the exactly opposite of what he wanted to happen.
“Destiny go ahead and stay please. Cate, that right there is what I was trying to avoid. We might as well...”
He just gave Ian the stink eye.
“That’s Ian and yes Daphne is his mother.”
Leslie was trying not to blow a gasket from the information. He took a slow and long drink off his scotch. He was just going to say it.
“He had me cover shifts at the practice. Swapped Hellfire weekends a few times over the last two months.”
He got looked at Daphne and shook his head. He downed the rest of his scotch and looked at Rose.
“Tell us. You might as well. I guess we might as well know now.”
Younger Cate’s eyes widened even further “Daphne has a child?! Whose the father?” She asked immediately, knowing full well that Oliver had been seeing her in secret.
Then turning to her Leslie, she gulped “So, he is purposely working at Hellfire. He’s picking up more shifts. He didn’t need the money. Why, Leslie?!” She tried to fight back the tears. Grabbing her glass, she drank it without wincing this time, as the thought of her fiancé ditching her was gross enough.
Older Cate sighed heavily and pointed to Destiny to lead Ian out of the room. Destiny stood, grabbing Ian’s arm “Let’s go find the others. I know Isla had been itching to play in the treehouse.” She then have a nod to Daphne and signed “I’ve got this”.
Older Catelyn responded to her younger self “You’d be surprised... They make a good couple.” She added, knowing full well of whom they were speaking of.
He tried to correlate the events to other events or cancellations and the only two that coincided were those were also weekends that Tiffany cancelled her plans with him.
“I’m such a fucking nice guy sucker. I guess sometimes the old adage is true. Nice guys finish last.”
It was his turn to renew his drink and this time it was a triple. He refilled Cate’s empty glass as Destiny and Ian were led out. He smiled at that thought.
“We made a cute kid didn’t we Cate?”
He loved kids and Destiny gave him hope. He would float his theory.
“You see the only other thing I can think of is Tiffany. She has cancelled plans making me available to take his ER shifts. It makes sense it’s just a matter of catching them.”
Ian signed at Destiny that he wanted to see the younger version of her parents too. He had felt the temporal displacement. Daphne looked angry and she was at her kid for being a pain.
Older Leslie signed at Daphne that at least Bridgette hadn’t come in looking like the female version of Oliver.
“Well Rose at least Bridgette didn’t come in. That would have thrown them.”
He was actually going leave it there.
“ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME.”
She swore, holding her drink for Leslie to pour a smidge more. She also never swore. Ever.
“Bridgette? Don’t tell me. Please, just don’t.” She spoke, her teeth gritting together. Closing her eyes, she shook her head “You and your sense of humor are going to be the death of me, Les...” she sighed heavily. “So, if you’re you’re insulting is true, then Sean and Tiffany...”
Destiny shook her head at Ian “No, buddy. If you can’t tell, they’re already not with it. Let’s just chill.”
Older Cate looked to Ian and then Daphne “There’s cookies freshly out of the oven, go ham!”
Daphne was really not enjoying how this was going. She saw one of the people she was close with, in fact one of her best friends, struggling with the implications of her future life. She smiled nervously as she showed younger Cate the photo of teenage Bridgette. She was mainly all Oliver. You could see some of Daphne’s features mixed in.
“Daphne please let’s not shock them anymore than they already have been shocked today.”
Ian brightened up at cookies and started to tug Destiny along at the thought of them.
Younger Leslie hated that he could be so logical and pragmatic at times that it hurt other people.
“That, with what our older selves have supplied, is one of the options that make sense. I mean there are others but....I’ll stop now”
Older Leslie was shaking his head and trying not to smile at how he was when younger.
“I remember those days of stating the theory I had and well I really learned to keep it to myself.”
Younger Cate took the picture, feeling the buzz of the alcohol as she began to sit back into the couch. “Leslie, for the love of all that is holy, please shut up.” She expressed, exhaustion holding her in. “We did make a cute child.”
Older Cate chuckled, if only the younger version of her knew that they had three, and pondering one more.
“Bridgette is it?” Young Cate asked, taking in another sip of alcohol, “She is lovely.” She replied softly
Destiny nodded “Yeah, she’s a cutie!” The blond turned around “C’mon, let’s get cookies, Ian. Auntie Daph, wanna come along?”
Daphne did not want to stay and prolong the issue and it was also late as they would have another day of lessons tomorrow for both formal education and ability usage. She signed to both Leslie and Cate she had prepared the guest rooms on the third floor.
Older Leslie rose and gave Daphne a hug. They had commiserated together over their feelings. He signed his thanks to her and motioned for their younger versions to rise.
“Come on, I’ll get you settled into the guest rooms. I’ll also ensure that the kids done bother you.”
He looked at his Cate and admired how her beauty, when compared to her younger self had just intensified. She was a radiant woman and he was extremely lucky.
“Cate and myself please follow me.”
He was going to have ensure that he avoided his other daughters and Daphne and Oliver’s kids as well.
“Stay close and let’s hope we don’t run into anyone else.”
Destiny led Ian into the kitchen where the smells of chocolate and butterscotch lofted the air. “Don’t tell your mom, but eat as many as you want.” She winked mischievously. Maybe if she could rally the others, they would stay away from their guests. Destiny really felt like the responsible, motherly type for this...
Younger Cate rose, taking her beverage with her for the walk “The place looks practically the same.” She smiled; at least there was some sense of familiarity.
Older Cate grinned, taking her partner’s hand as they walked further into the manor “here is one extra...” she spoke, pointing to a blue-ish room, decked out with lavish curtains, a large bed, and a reading nook by the window...
Leslie was happy to be able to rest. He had left his drink behind as he wanted to keep some of his wits about him. It wasn’t like this happened every day and he just need time and space.
The rooms were well appointed, clean, but truly the style was out of date by at least a few decades. Leslie looked at them and realized that there was only one for them.
“Hey quick question where will I be staying?”
Older Leslie looked at him and smiled. They just automatically assumed as did Daphne they were together. He moved across the hall and opened the other door.
“This one was prepared as well. So please make yourself at home.”
Cate led out a gulp “Les...take the nicer one. I can just sleep where ever. You’re the doctor and need your rest. I’m going to be up for a while to think.” She spoke softly. “Th-thank you for the accommodation. I would assume that we will discuss more in the morning after we’ve all digested the information.”
Older Cate nodded “I promise you, it’s going to be okay. Trust your intuition. I wish I had in those years.” She sighed “Our apologies for assuming. Go where ever you’re comfortable. There are scones and cookies in the kit-“ she stopped herself right there “let me know if you’d like anything to eat. Avoid the kitchen.” She winked playfully before taking her Leslie’s hand “Shall we?”
Young Cate took another sip of her beverage, waiting for Leslie’s response.
“That would be appropriate for us to have separate rooms. We are still two engaged people in our time. As for the comfort of the room Cate will take the one you first showed us as I will be in the other.”
Leslie moved to the door of the second room to forestall any arguments from Cate. He wasn’t going to let her use her arguing skill set to convince him otherwise.
“Yes, let’s leave them to settle in and rest. I believe that is best.”
The older Leslie took his Cate’s hand and followed along as she went to leave. He understood that things like this took time and would be best if they sorted through it themselves. The carpet muffled steps finally ended leaving the younger pair alone. Leslie looked at Cate.
“I think we should try and get some sleep. I wouldn’t even know where to start this discussion from.”
Cate looked down, completely flabbergasted by the entire night. She loved Sean, but the way he was going about this engagement left much to be desired. Until she had proof of his infidelity, she would remain true. Plus, Leslie was head over heels for Tiffany. She was helping him to learn the waltz, just for his fiance. This was all just a nightmare. Their world crumbled by a robot? No. It was a nightmare indeed. She would lie down and sleep it off. She’d then wake back in her flat in London.
“Night, Leslie. I’ll see you in the morning...”
She sauntered into the room, closing the door behind her. She sat on the bed, feeling the old springs struggle to come to life. Looking around the dusty old room, she gave a sigh. It was too surreal for her. She had feelings for Leslie, hell, she may even love him, but now wasn’t the time. She was marrying Sean. She loved him...she thought...she must love him.
Leslie bid Cate goodnight as he went into the room and sat down on the bed. He had a lot to sort through and things to think through. He sighed as he took off his shirt and shoes and went over to the bed and laid down. Tiffany was an exceedingly sweet and loving person. They had fun and through that he had found out that he loved her. It was just the past few months though that had started to make him question the engagement. She had cancelled plans, had her schedule rearranged by her parents which meant he was doing some events solo, and her increasing jealousy of Cate were all very disturbing. When coupled with the fact that Sean had started the same pattern it made sense what they were just told.
Cate removed her shoes, zipper jacket and laid along the bed in her tank and jeans. She’d been with Sean for a year and fell in love with him after Leslie introduced him to her. He was sauv and charming, cared about people more than one else she knew and still made time for her. He would be at the hospital for 18 hours and yet still arrive to her flat with roses, which were keen to her middle name. He proposed in Ireland on holiday and they would be wed that following spring. The wedding wasn’t far and she’d had her final fitting with her dress. Serina would be her matron of honor and Leslie was the best man. Everything seemed to come to a halt three months ago. She barely knew him any more.
While he was gone, she and Leslie would frequent the bar and drown their sorrows in dancing, movies and coffee dates. She’d had feelings for Leslie for a while, but kept them at bay, knowing her happiness would be with Sean. She loved Leslie’s family, especially his mother. She’d bake together in the wee early morning hours before Christmas. It was the best time she’d had since her arrival in the UK.
It was truly the lack of interest by Tiffany that was starting to eat away at Leslie. When holidays came she was busy and couldn’t take the time to visit his family with him. She dodged out of just about everything to begin with and then finally all the excuses and cancelled dates and events. She was supposed to be in this with him. She hadn’t progressed passed the spoiled woman he had first met several years ago. It was going to change regardless of what anyone thought. Cate had been his best friend and confidant throughout all of it. They had good times together and they even had been spending holidays together. She took the time and actually visited with his family over Christmas just the one past. He sighed and rose to stare out the window. Cate had done more family things with him than Tiffany ever had done. He had felt for the longest time that his path lay elsewhere and with how he felt about Cate he would never be happy with Tiffany. He loved Cate and while she may not be able to reciprocate it he wasn’t going to marry Tiffany.
Cate stood finally, looking out to the window and seeing the stars. She remembered one very drunken night after dancing that she and Leslie had wandered out of the pub and into one of the vast pairies in the middle of the night. They had collapsed to the ground and watched the stars until the early morning hours discussing plans, the future, and how crazy life had been.
She giggled at that thought; and...How it began to rain not long after. She wasn’t even upset! Leslie had given her his coat and walked her back to her flat where she showered and slept until dawn. That was a good night.
Looking to the door, she bit her lip. The woman wasn’t tired and she was exhausted from her thoughts. She just wanted to talk to him...to be close to him, and to touch his skin.
Fed up with her incisiveness, she sung her door open and marched into the hallway, careful not to trip over herself in her weary state.
Leslie looked out the window and knew, no matter how much it would hurt in the moment, that the decision was the right one. He sighed as he went back to lay on the bed. He wasn’t going to take this lightly and despite everything he was going to do it if they every got back.
“Well walls do you agree with me on this one? Yes I know it’s crazy but it’s how I feel. Good conversation.”
Cate went to knock of Leslie’s door, waiting anxiously to see if he’d open it. She didn’t want anyone to see her out and she only wanted to talk to him...
“PSSSSST! LESLIE!” She urgently whispered. “Wanna look at the stars?”
Leslie heard the hiss that was particular to Cate at his door. It was usually how she checked to see if he was awake. She only did that with him when she though him sleeping.
“I’m awake, come in.”
He sat up and waited for her to enter. He thought by now she would be asleep and when she entered he was a bit surprised.
“You couldn’t sleep either? Well I couldn’t sleep after all the information. I’ve been turning it around in my head.”
He looked at the balcony his room had attached to it.
“You said stars right. If so let me get my shirt on.”
"Naaaah, you can keep the thing off..."
Said by the teenager within her. Looking forward, she nodded “I’m grabbing your sweater then...” she smirked, grabbing the older Leslie’s sweater hanging on the door.
Looking back to him, she smiled. Placing her hands onto the French doors, she gently opened the frame, letting the moonlight enter the room. She loved him.
The way the light caught Cate made her look ethereal and complimented her natural beauty. He loved it and at the same time felt a small amount of sadness.
“Sure. I’ll indulge that request. He followed her over and when he was beside her he realized just how many times he hadn’t been to Cate’s home.
“This place is beautiful and makes me realize you’ve never invited me to meet your extended family.”
She admired his shirtlessness for about 10 seconds before it became suspicious. Her smile was apparent in the moonlight as she wrapped herself in the larger cardigan. Her blond waves cascaded over her shoulders as she listened to Leslie’s inquiry.
“You know, I really haven’t, have I? Well, that’s gonna change for sure. I’m sorry!” She laughed, feeling slightly rude that her best man friend had been neglected. “And the next time we have a get together with all the superheroes, you’re welcome to join! You are a hero, after all, Dr. Sateno.” She winked playfully.
He just smiled and followed her out onto the balcony. Her invitation would be nice but he was going to have to settle his business first.
“It wasn’t a criticism Cate. It was an observation. I know we’re only friends and that was a bit rude of me to say that. I will not turn down the invitation.”
The air was cool but not cold and it felt good on his shirtless body. He decided he was going to tell her what he had decided while laying in bed.
“Cate, I want you to know you weren’t the catalyst of my decision. It’s a culmination of events and attitudes that brought me to my decision.”
He leaned casually against the stone railing as he spoke. He wasn’t ready for it but it was time.
“I’m going to end my relationship with Tiffany. It doesn’t have anything to do with the information tonight. It has more to do with her and her maturity.”
While he was shirtless, she was able to focus on the conversation at hand, though at times a stray thought escaped here and there. “Oh it was rude of me. With how close we are, I should have invited you earlier.” She grinned sweetly, gently bumping her hip to his.
His chiseled physique was pronounced in this light. He took care of himself, which was nice to see. Her eyes then followed his jawline, admiring how handsome he was. The little scruff he had was also something that made her blush. Hopefully he didn’t see her expression too well in light.
She took a step back upon hearing the news. True, Tiffany had growing up to do regarding her emotional maturity, and the fact that she was born with a silver spoon on her mouth. Cate wasn’t heartbroken for him, though, relieved would have been a better thought.
Taking her hand in his, she hand it a little squeeze “I’m so sorry, Les... Is there anything I can do? I wouldn’t have even thought tonight was a factor of your decision making. Your eyes tell me that you’ve been conflicted for a while now..”
He didn’t consider it rude. He thought it her just being a bit private with a portion of her life that she wasn’t ready to share with him yet. He could understand the at reasons. He had seen doctors on his own ER refuse to treat mutants because of their abilities.
“Cate you don’t have to worry about it. I have seen how people treat people gifted with abilities. I can’t blame you for not readily offering an invitation.”
Her taking his hand made him feel better. She was a great friend and while he loved her as more than a friend he wouldn’t act on it. He would never violate the trust of Sean.
“Just continuing being my friend. I’ll need that when it happens. I can’t very well marry a woman who doesn’t even have an interest in visiting my parents. You’ve visited my parents more than she has and even spent Christmas with us. I have to say as friends go you are more than a friend to me at this point.”
What the hell was he saying?!? He needed to shut his mouth right now!
Cate listened as the man poured himself to her; his frustrations broke her heart. The agony he must feel with all the garbage surrounding him with this engagement was enough to make anyone sick. It made her angry. He deserved much better than what Tiffany was providing and she was ready to scream at the woman for giving Leslie such pain.
“Doctors refusing to treat mutants is, quite frankly, unethical and immoral. You take an oath to heal. That’s like refusing to treat a black or Asian person. That’s not okay.” She sighed heavily.
She continued to listen how their friendship had blossomed throughout the wedding planning stages and the holidays. Christmas was fun! Meeting his sisters had been an eye-opening experience and one she enjoyed. Late at night, she and his mother would chat over the fire about the world and how much care it needed to survive. She played chess with his father and beat him several times. Wooohoo!
Then he said the thing. Had he really said it? Remember, Cate, this is a dream. You don’t have repercussions if something happens. Just do it. Just -
She looked to him, admiring his skin in the dim light of the night. His eyes sparkled with hope and his cheeks had reddened with the frustration of the conversation. He still smiled, though.
“Leslie...” she whispered, reaching from her toes to find his lips, she pressed hers against them for a warm and tender kiss. Her hands still in his, she left herself melt into him and she was finally expressing her love for the man after months of contemplation.
He sighed as the decision had been weighing on him heavily. It wasn’t an resigned sigh but a firm one. He was glad Cate was supportive of the decision and if he hadn’t opened the can worms he wouldn’t be kissing Cate right now and questioning his actions. He didn’t fight the kiss only kissed her back and after a few more moments than would be considered chaste. His mind was screaming at him to stop but it was already done. He slowly pulled back from the kiss and looked at Cate. He truly looked at her. The way the dim moonlight caught her features. It defined them in a way that gave her a very ghostly quality like a woman from the mists in movies. He was conflicted now.
“Cate I’ve wanted this moment for a while. It was when I realized that I had feelings for you as more than a friend. It said I was being silly and should continue as your friend. Which I have and still it won’t change because even though I’ve come to a decision about my relationship it doesn’t mean you should stop yours.”
He hadn’t released her hands or moved to increase the distance between them. He wasn’t ready to do that. He wanted Cates touch and it made him feel both excited and sad. It was fleeting as a moment usually turned out to be. They would hopefully return to their time and he would leave Cate to be with Sean. He wouldn’t stop being her friend or hanging out with her. He would distance himself emotionally from this moment so as to not cause issues in Cate’s relationship.
Cate remained close, not moving as inch as he spoke to her. Did she feel guilt? Probably will, but the way She was being treated, she didn’t really care at this moment. Sean would come home smelling like a bar. He didn’t care about them anymore.
It wasn’t good what she had just done; however, she didn’t feel terrible either. She just needed evidence that he was being unfaithful.
“That was my bad, Leslie and I’m sorry. The truth is, I cannot go through with this...wedding. I can’t. I cannot spend the rest of my life with someone unwilling to see me for a simple cake tasting or meet for coffee. He’d rather be out until dawn coming home reeking of bourbon and another woman’s perfume. I’ve been the scratches on his back...”
She looked to him, her love and desire burning as each second passed “I want you, Leslie. I want your your friendship, your companionship, your love and your closeness. I love every piece of you. I just want you!”
J-Leslie was at a loss. He felt the same way about Cate but knew acting on it would vastly change their relationship. He knew what would happen and usually played it safe. He didn’t want to hurt Cate’s feelings and he was afraid of a lot of things. Her declaration only galvanized his feelings. He didn’t hesitate.
“I love you Catelyn Weise. It is something I would never want to change. I want to spend my days with you.”
In the dark it was hard to discern her reaction but he had a feeling that after what she said that it was positive. He kissed her again without any hesitation and it wasn’t chaste at all. He was ready for what this road would bring and that could only be their happiness.
P-Shaking her head as he declared his feelings for her, she smiled. He could see it from the darkness, but she was grinning from ear to ear before he leaned to kiss her. She took him in, embracing him fully, finally. She felt his warmth and scent, which sent her into an intoxicating high that of which she couldn’t explain.
She kissed him back with fervor, gently placing her hands onto his cheeks. “I love you, Leslie Sateno. I always have.” She whispered in between kisses.
J-He didn’t hesitate. He lifted her easily and carried her inside. As he moved he kicked the doors closed behind him. He wasn’t letting rational thought in at the moment and only going with his feelings. They kissed all the way inside. He then stopped himself and looked at Cate.
“Are you sure?”
He wanted her to reaffirm what they were getting into with each other.
P-All rationality had been put to the side once he kissed her back. As he pulled away to confirm that they were, indeed, moving forward, she stared into deep brown eyes and smiled “I have no objections to your touch. If we go, I’m wonderful. If we snuggle, that’s been another dream of mine as well. All I want, is you.”
With that, she nuzzled his neck, clinging to him as if to never let go.
It was a moment he was glad he took. She was so many things to him at this moment that what they did next would be fine. He liked the idea of laying in bed with her and falling asleep. That would be the perfect end to the night. The best beginning to the morning would be waking up with her next to him. The act of intimacy whether physical or shared sleeping with cuddling was fine with him. He would enjoy the shared sleeping intimacy.
“We’ve both just had a lot unloaded on us. We’ve expressed a love for one another. Let’s just lay down and enjoy each moment of just being together.”
That would be quite fine by him. He would have time to really come to the moment of them having the moment when they were attached to another.
Her smile never left her lips as she nodded. Feeling his skin against herself with riveting. Her blood ran hot as she leaned her head against his chest. Cuddling was perfectly acceptable. “Whatever we do is fine. I just want to be with you.” She whispered into his ear before teasing him with neck nibbles.
That pleased Leslie more than he would have thought. He always felt that certain situations needed to arise naturally and not from a situation of duress. “Thank you Cate. That’s part of what made me fall in love with you.” He nibbles were not unheeded as he tried to get to the bed. She was not making it easy on him.
And that was that. His last sentence drove her over the edge. His kindness and sincerity was exactly what she needed. It was perfect. As he put her on the bed, she brought her lips to his in a tender, slow kiss. Running her hand along his torso, she moved from his lips to his collar bone and continued there. “No regrets.” She asked as a statement before her hand moved to the hem of her tank top, slowly removing it.
He tensed for one moment as she kissed him. That would have been fine right there and the continued contact along with her statement sealed it. He was fully under her spell and that right there didn’t bother him one bit. His resistance was eroded and he was going to do whatever would please Cate tonight.
“None....”
He said it in a mere whisper as Cate went to remove her tank top. He had never felt this type of desire with Tiffany. This was genuine. He kissed her back a bit more fiercely than before to match the intensity of hers. He was fully hers and he didn’t regret that at all.
She said nothing as they continued, her body language letting the moment continue. She scooting back against the headboard, pulling him to her. His kisses sparkled something within her, igniting a new fire she didn’t know she had. After the removal of his pants, she wrapped her legs around his torso, ready to experience him fully.
This was the last thing the blonde expected on this unexpected trip. Through the chaos and fire, there was finally a calm, a stillness to be had.
Grabbing one last kiss, she sank into his bed.