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Post by NELL DOE DALE on Jan 11, 2013 16:52:00 GMT -5
She took Josh's words at face value, that he had nothing left to surprise her with. And while she did very much love him and his gifts, she would prefer if she didn't have to go through the uncomfortable feeling that she could never show her appreciation well enough. With any gift, she made a point of wearing it, using it, having it out whenever possible -- even if it had no sentimental worth, and was just a last-minute pick-up -- and plus, she didn't like people getting things for her in general. She supposed her husband was an exception, especially when it came to things like a doll house that reminded her of how good her life was now, in contrast to the kind of existence she had when even the smallest thing was far from her reach.
And she thought nothing of it when Donovan approached, inclined her head as he started speaking, respectfully not playing with her new slinky. It sounded awkward and stilted, but sincere nonetheless, and she connected instantly about what 'what happened' meant. She bit her lip, an ugly feeling curling in her stomach. Nell hadn't thought about it when the parents had arrived, had kept it far from her mind, because she knew thinking about his parents and the concern they must have felt would tear at her. And it did, right there and then. But she let her mind wrap around the fact that this wasn't Donovan being angry at her, it was him forgiving her. No, it was him absolving her of blame entirely.
Yes, it was random. Yes, it was slightly confusing. She honestly had no clue what he felt about the issue of Jane, and whether or not he would hold Nell responsible for the danger his son was in. Because for so many reasons, she could be held indirectly responsible. She didn't commit the act, but she couldn't help the guilt resulting from the fact that her husband would have never been hurt if it weren't for her. The thought was enough to bring her spirits down, but she still smiled and said, "Thanks. That means a lot." Especially the last statement. Part of this family. He probably wouldn't understand the full extent of the meaning, only someone who spent their life without people to call their family would know, so maybe she was taking it more to heart than she should have. At least it was in a good way.
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Post by JOSHUA DONOVAN DALE on Jan 15, 2013 8:01:53 GMT -5
As his father awkwardly stumbled through the words he'd came to say, Joshua wondered if the man knew how close to losing contact with his son he had come. There had been times in the past when Josh chose Nell over others in his life—his element, his friends, his parents. He'd even put her above himself in certain situations, wanting nothing than for her to be happy and safe. He had sided with her over his own family the first time Donovan had made a stand against her. And now she was his family. She was his wife, the woman he loved, and while he loved his father and respected the man more than most others, he loved Nell in a different sort of way. If Donovan had chosen to insult his wife, Josh would have closed the door behind him for real.
The older man's smile was awkward as he nodded and slipped back over to where his wife was helping Annabel with the plastic surrounding one of her gifts, leaving Joshua and Nell to their own devices once more. This was how Josh liked it. He liked having Nell by his side when others were not invading their space and forcing them to keep a respectable distance. He thought about telling her how Donovan's mind must have changed throughout the course of the night but hesitated, wondering if it would do more harm than good. Would it be better for her to know that she'd impressed him or merely to think that he'd been on their side all along? I suppose I'll just leave it for now. He didn't want to ruin the holiday cheer and spirit, after all.
As the night drew to a close and their family said their goodbyes and left to their own homes, Joshua was content to stay with Nell and watch her mess around with the few gifts she'd received. This had been their first Christmas as a married couple and he thought it had went well. It did not cross his mind that Nell had not gotten anything for him to his knowledge. Instead he was focused on the time, how late it was getting, eager to unveil the last of his own gifts in a subtle way. Annabel had long since retreated into her room to play one of the many video games she'd received and so they were alone in the den, rainbow-coloured Christmas lights casting patterns across the walls. He was tired and feeling a slight buzz from all the alcohol he'd drank over the course of the night, a comfortable fuzziness settling over him. He felt like he could sink into the couch if he tried hard enough.
Yawning, he blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked at the clock. "Mm. Should we head up soon, do you think?" He would stay a bit longer if she wasn't eager to turn in for the night because he did want to be with her when they entered the room.
[Always hate posting when you're not on cause I can't ask you thiiings .-. Hope this is okay ;.; Figured she can give him his gift as well, give you something to work with? xD]
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Post by NELL DOE DALE on Jan 16, 2013 10:27:14 GMT -5
Nell didn't think too much on what Josh's father said, just glad that it was brushed over. And it helped when she didn't think of her as Aunt Jane, but Jane Sinclair, someone whose family she didn't belong to anymore. Her family was right here, and it was in her husband and her sister-in-law, and everyone they invited tonight. And she let those warm feelings wrap her up and she refused to think of the guilt or any sort of pain, because as long as Josh was still here and with her then it was okay.
Her father left as one of the earliest, considerably drunker than when he came which he expressed through a long, awkward hug with his daughter before he told her he left something under the tree. It turned out to be Carl Sagan's Cosmos, a matter of which they usually argued about whenever with each other. She had half a mind to call him and tell him not to get her any books from the eighties when he wants to have the upper hand in a grand debate. Then again, she was in too much a good mood to bother with that -- her father was being cute, in an odd, not very cute way.
Instead of sending out that mocking call to her father, she decided to play with the dollhouse her husband had given her, which was an odd thought indeed. She would be proudly telling her friends that Joshua Dale got her a doll house without any shame, because it was truly the best present she could have gotten. It may not have made sense to others, but it made perfect sense to her and she was giggling like a child while moving the kitchen set around to how she liked it.
She saw him yawn from the corner of her eye, and she decided that perhaps now was a good time to strike. "Oh Josh, I really hope you're not getting tired," she said, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes as she stood. At the question of whether or not they should go up, she tilted her head as if thinking about it before kissing him firm on the lips. Drawing back she nodded her head. "I think we should go up now, actually." Nell took his good hand in both of hers and tugged. "I have a feeling you're going to like what's up there." She didn't want to give too much away, because this was her surprise and Josh wasn't the only one with something up his sleeve.
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