Gathering of friends

[survivesitall]

It had taken a lot to convince Clayton this was a good idea. He didn't like having people around his home he didn't need to, and liked crowds even less. But Elena had insisted, some of the people invited as close to Pack as they'd have here, and others hopefully trusted friends. He'd even coughed up a name or two when she pushed, something that made her happy. She found she had a lot of leverage since she'd agreed to start trying for children, even if that was something that scared her no matter how much Jeremy had told them of their future.

The setup was simple enough. They'd opened up the doors to the barn and set tables around in front of it. Clay had set up a spit with a deer, and it was likely better if no one asked how they'd caught it. There was a regular grill sizzling with sausages and for whatever people brought, and a bowls of salads for anyone who wanted them. Elena wsn't sure of how much others ate, but she knew she and Clay could pack away enough for three humans. There were pies inside the house for later, once they'd all eaten their fill of everything else.

There might have been a chill on the air, but that just made the day more special to Elena. There were only a few more weekends they could do this before it got too cold for most.

Comments

[thelocalpsychopath]

It is honestly the little touches, the quick looks and the smiles that keep Clayton centered and calm as he deals with a bunch of people that he doesn't know. A lot of them were actually pretty interesting and there was a couple that really stuck out in his mind which meant he wanted to talk to Elena about them eventually but not right away. Right now he just wants some time alone with her without a bunch of people around.

So he is relieved when the time comes for people to go home and to leave theirs empty once more except for the two of them. Glancing over his shoulder as she presses herself against his back, he nods as he slides a hand over her arms. "You're welcome."

[survivesitall]

"Was it so bad?" It's his opportunity to grumble, her smile not faltering. She owes him that much and honestly she doesn't mind that he's happy with just the two of them because understands - somewhat - that she needs friends too,

Elena catches his hand with one of hers, twisting her fingers through his. "Think we can leave clean up until tomorrow?"

[thelocalpsychopath]

He wants to tell her that it was horrible but he really can't. He can make his usual grumpy noise about the whole thing and how he prefers to keep it just the two of them (which is true) but he hadn't minded the people she invited.

"It was okay. Not that I want to do it again any time soon." He adds quickly as he links their fingers together, nodding. "And yes, we can. We'll deal with it first thing in the morning." A quick tug at her hand brings her closer as his eyes darken. "I have an idea of what else I'd rather do right now."

[survivesitall]

She turns to face him, pressing close and trapping their hands betwen his body. It isn't just that she appreciates the day, and all that he's done. There's almost never a time that Elena doesn't want Clayton, to be close to him.

"I can't imagine what that is," she teases, leaning for a kiss.

[thelocalpsychopath]

"It could be sleep." He grumbles playfully, sliding a hand up her back and into her hair so he can cradle the back of her head when he kisses her back. Even with lazy humor and the glow of the day, it's a little battle for dominance as he slides his tongue over hers and kisses her with a heat that only she can bring to life.

Breaking away when they need air, he smiles. "Eventually."

[thelocalpsychopath]

"It could be sleep." He grumbles playfully, sliding a hand up her back and into her hair so he can cradle the back of her head when he kisses her back. Even with lazy humor and the glow of the day, it's a little battle for dominance as he slides his tongue over hers and kisses her with a heat that only she can bring to life.

Breaking away when they need air, he smiles. "Eventually."

[survivesitall]

"Uhuh," she says breathily, her mouth twitching into a smile. There's something about him and the way that they are together that makes her wonder how she ever managed apart from him. Elena knows her reasons, and knows that she had to get to this point but a part of her wishes that she hadn't taken so long to get there.

"I could manage sleep." She tugs at his shirt, pulling it from his pants. "Eventually."

[thelocalpsychopath]

Clayton knew her reasons too even if he had hated them. There were times he hadn't listened to them all that much either, not till Jeremy had stepped in, but they don't matter anymore. She accepts them now and they finally have a future. One that he wants to embrace.

Lifting his arms so she can pull his shirt off, he flashes another crooked smile as he reaches to pull at her shirt too. "It might not be for awhile. Maybe closer to dawn."

[survivesitall]

"Uhuh," she makes the noise again, kissing at his jaw. There are times, like these ones, that she wonders how they ever didn't make things work. But then again she still understands how betrayed she'd felt once and knew how her own stubborness coud be her achilles heel.

It's those thoughts that press her to him, knowing what they've already agreed to trying and how terrifing it is still, even armed with Jeremy's knowledge. "We should get married."

[thelocalpsychopath]

Clayton wasn't expecting to hear those words coming from her even if it's something they discussed in the past and so he pulls back slightly to look down at her with a surprised, but maybe hopeful, look. "Really?"

[survivesitall]

“Really,” she says, surprising herself with the note of excitement she can hear in her own voice. It’s something Elena’s always said that she doesn’t need, the commitment that she has with Clayton enough, but maybe – just maybe – this is the last step to really and completely forgiving him for their past and accepting their future. “Nothing fancy.”

[thelocalpsychopath]

The note of excitement in her voice surprises him as well but it causes a sense of warmth to spread outwards from the center of her chest once it starts to settle in that she is being serious. "When?"

[survivesitall]

That isn't something she's thought through, the idea one that's coalesced through the night. Elena looks up at him, not sure of what to suggest. "Before I'm massive? Soon?"

[thelocalpsychopath]

"You'll be beautiful." He reassures her before considering it again. "Before or after Christmas?"

[survivesitall]

“You’d say I was beautiful in ugg boots and a tank top.” Christmas. Always a special holiday since Elena had come to the Pack. She knew Jeremy went out of his way to make a big deal about it for her, and it was something that she’d loved. This year it would be just the two of them, and as much as she loves Clayton she knows she’s going to miss having her family around her. “Maybe Christmas?”