"It's Not Such a Terrible Life": Vignettes
Vignette 4: Phoenix
Rachel was pleased to find out that Dean is good with kids. Dean's exterior and work persona that most people know completely melted around their young son, Rob. Dean may look like a corporate executive five days of the week with his Brooks Brothers power suits matched with shirts in subtle but classy colours such as light blue and pale grey, and expensive silk ties, but on the weekends, he completely transformed. When she and Dean took Rob to the park and to the beach, the way he romped around in the sand or played in the grass with Rob was so boyish and carefree that it just made Rachel laugh out loud. It was obvious that Dean adored their son and seeing the two of them together just made Rachel so happy that she couldn't help but smile every time she saw them.
Rob is a miniature version of his father, a handsome little brunette with Dean's green eyes and facial features and heart-melting smile. He's extroverted, like both of his parents, and watching him discover the world through the eyes of a child is a journey for Rachel herself. Rachel sees Dean in Rob when she sees how extroverted and assertive he is- he's certainly intelligent like Dean. She also sees herself in Rob as well- he shares his affections with an open heart with her and Dean in the uninhibited and unpolished way only a child can.
This Sunday afternoon, Rachel is sitting on a beach towel, taking a break and relaxing with a book while Rob and Dean are building something in the sand. She hears Dean's deeper voice and Rob's laughter and voice as father and son have their heads bent over their project and she returns back to the page of the classic novel she's reading. A few moments later, she finds Rob standing next to her with an excited expression.
"Come look at what me and Daddy made, Mommy." Rob holds out his tiny hand and Rachel takes it with a smile, letting her son lead her to where the beginnings of a sand castle are.
"Daddy and I," She corrected, before she knelt down in the sand. Dean's dressed in his cargo shorts and a tee shirt, his handsome face lightly bronzed from the sun grinning at her. Their creation is a sand castle of sorts, a jumble of shaped sand and patterns drawn with a stick but it's obvious that Rob is proud of it.
"It looks great, sweetie," Rachel gives a genuine smile and pulls Rob closer in for a kiss on his forehead. She lets him explain all of the different features to her, his tiny hand tugging hers as he shows her the different parts. Over their son's happy chatter, Dean's gaze meets hers and they simply share a smile, with no words needed. When Rob is done, sinking into the sand and admiring his project, Rachel wraps her arms around him and plants another kiss at the top of his head, gently sitting down on the warm sand herself.
"He's going to grow up to be in sales and marketing, like you," She teases and Dean laughs.
"Or he can grow up and do communications, like you. Either way, our son is smart," Dean brags, scooting over to where her and Rob are sitting together. He ruffles his son's hair affectionately and the three of them sit in silence for a while, listening to the sounds of the waves and the sounds of a lazy Sunday afternoon mingle together in the warm Californian air.
Rob is their first son, and Rachel found out that she was pregnant about a year after she and Dean had been married. She and Dean had lived together for about two years before they had gotten married and had already enjoyed the young and childless couple lifestyle to be okay with starting a family and the change in pace that having a child was going to bring. They sold their loft and bought a cute and modernized luxurious single-storey home on a quiet street, deciding that they liked Santa Monica enough to stay there and Dean would just commute to L.A. for work.
"Alphabet game!" Rob happily announces, breaking the silence and moving onto the next topic. He has this game where they all take turns and name things in the alphabet, and his patient parents have played it with him every time that the answers are almost automatic. She and Dean like to mix it up every once in a while though, and take that opportunity to teach him new words and vocabulary.
"Why don't we play this one where you can only name things you can see on this beach right now?" Rachel suggests. Rob puckers his lower lip out as he thinks it over, and then nods.
"Asphalt," Rachel starts, pointing to the parking lot in the distance. She sees Rob taking in the new word, following where her finger is pointing and then he nods, ready to play the game.
"Beach ball,"
"Cone,"
And so on and so forth as they walk back to where Rachel's set up the beach towels and umbrella. When they get to "X", they're all stuck but that's all right because she sees that Rob is starting to get tired and it's probably time for him to nap before supper. He crawls into Dean's arms and when he falls asleep, Rachel quietly takes out the digital camera for a photo. She knows that time is going to fly watching him grow up, and before they know it, he'll probably be borrowing Dean's car or applying for college. In this moment, however, she wants to capture the image of him sound asleep, his mouth hanging slightly open and Dean just looking content to hug his son to him.
"Rachel, do you think we want to continue to raise Rob in L.A.?" Dean breaks the silence this time, turning towards her.
"I guess it's all right when he's still in pre-school like he is now, but I grew up in Winston-Salem and you grew up in Sherman Oaks, so we're both more comfortable with smaller towns," Rachel admits. She reaches over to take Dean's hand in hers. "There's some things about LA that I'd rather not expose Rob to though, while he's still a child."
Dean gives a sigh of relief. "Babe, you read my mind. You and I are okay with L.A. as adults but I don't necessarily want Rob growing up in an L.A. setting. He's such a sweet and innocent little guy, you know? I don't want him to grow up to be like one of those spoiled 90210 brats."
"Yes," Rachel agrees. "Dean, I know you love your job though, and I would never ask you to take a job in a smaller town right now if you're not going to be happy. I figured that we can just be very careful about how we raise Rob."
Dean is so good at what he does- there's a reason why he's been able to advance so quickly in his company, and it's simply because Dean is thriving in his field and he loves it. Rachel had worked as a model and while she was good at it, she found that she liked working in a modelling agency more and arranging shows and assisting with them rather than just being a glorified clothes hanger, but she doesn't love her field 24/7 in the way that Dean does. When she found out that she was pregnant with Rob, she and Dean agreed that she would stay home. Since then, Rachel does not have a single regret-while she does miss some of the things from her old life like working with designers and the thrill of arranging fashion shows, she loves raising Rob and watching him grow up in a solid and stable two-parent home environment.
Dean squeezes her hand. "Babe, I love you for saying that, but when I was at work a few days ago, I found out about an opening for a position in Phoenix. I'm interested and I want us to talk about this."
Rachel takes a deep breath. She would never ask Dean to move if he didn't want to, but now that he's bringing it up, she's probably not going to play devil's advocate and convince him to stay in Sandover in L.A. She knows that he tries his hardest to leave his work at work, but Rachel's had to convince him to leave his laptop at bedtime on several occasions, and she knows that it's only going to get worse. Sandover already gets him for fifty hours a week, and when he's home, she wants her husband, not the Sandover star employee.
"It's a move into a totally different division doing market development. It's just going to be a different challenge and not the same thing I was doing for the past five years," Dean continues. "I've been thinking about getting out of the L.A. scene for about a month now."
Rachel is quiet, letting Dean continue. It's important that Dean makes this decision for himself, and she doesn't ever want a situation where Dean thinks he was pressured by her into doing this. She loves him too much to risk that.
"Babe, remember that time last month when I stayed until 8:30 at the office because one of the vice-presidents called at 4:30 and wanted the Midwestern sales team to pull up all the key numbers from different accounts from like 10 different years and I had to oversee the final figures for the next day? I was in that office, thinking that here I am, missing dinner with my beautiful wife and son just because this guy wants to try to boost his executive bonus and there's ten of us slaving away for him because we want our bonus pay as well. I don't want to wake up one day and realize that Rob is going to be seventeen and applying for college and I missed all of it."
Rachel remembers that day. It had been a beautiful spring evening and Rachel had made Dean's favourite chicken and pasta dish and his favourite dessert, and they had planned to take Rob down to the beach afterwards in time to watch the fireworks. Dean had called her at six, told her he wasn't going to be home for a few hours, and Rachel had given Rob his dinner but put theirs in the oven. Dean had come home in a bad mood from "slaving away for this guy who doesn't even know our names", as he put it, and would have skipped dinner entirely had Rachel not persuaded him to eat. That night, Rachel had gone to bed trying not to be angry at the powers-at-be at Sandover who had ruined that evening for them and would probably ruin many others as Dean got promoted higher and higher in the organization. Dean had been apologetic afterwards, but Rachel knew with a heavy feeling in her heart that there wasn't much he could really do if the same thing happened again next time.
She nods. She knows that it isn't easy for Dean to balance a budding career and the demands of a new family when he's always been a bachelor. "I know- neither of us were really our best selves that day. I knew that it wasn't your fault and I felt torn between feeling disappointed at the situation and guilty at my own selfishness because I know that you're supporting the two of us. I knew that you were tired and you didn't want us to our cancel our plans either."
"Still, babe, you had every right to be disappointed and I've known guys at the office who've let work ruin their marriages." Dean looks down at Rob, who's napping peacefully. "They've never preached work-life balance at Sandover, and when I was a bachelor, I wouldn't have cared, but I've seen guys talk about how they're getting a divorce because their families can't take all the long hours that they work anymore. When you and I got married, Rachel, I know I promised you that this wouldn't come between us, especially after Chicago. I don't want to be across from you at the divorce lawyer's table five years from now talking about who gets custody of Rob and how we're going to divide our assets because the situation has gotten so out of control."
Rachel squeezes his hand. She doesn't say anything in this moment because she senses that Dean's not done.
"Rachel, a week ago, the vice president of our business line approached me at the end of a meeting and complimented me on how well I was doing. He mentioned that he's looking for someone to work in his office directly for him in a couple of months' time and asked me if I would think about it. Rachel, I know people in that office, and if we're beginning to have problems because of the hours I spend at work now, we're going to be headed for a divorce before Rob finishes elementary school. I don't want to be that guy, Rachel. My uncle was, and he died as a miserable divorcee who spent his time drinking."
"Dean, I want to be honest because I love you," Rachel starts, "I want you to love what you do and I want you to be successful and happy and all of that, but I've also realized that I want you to fight for us and I want you to stand up to your bosses when your work is starting to take over your life and our life, and I'm afraid it's going to be harder and harder to do that the more and more you get promoted."
She feels horrible now, because she knows how much Dean's career matters to him. She looks at the ocean in front of them for a moment, trying to focus her thoughts, but doesn't come up with anything better. "I'm sorry, babe, but I can't help but feel that it's true. Baby, I know you're great with Rob and I knew you'd be a great father, but I can't help but think that something's going to have to give, and I don't want it to be me and Rob."
Dean's silent for a few moments, and Rachel can see he's letting the thought sink in. He knows that she won't put up with this balance game of Sandover vs. their relationship forever, and now that they have a son, there's even more at stake.
"I think this job in Phoenix might be my exit out of this LA life for good." Dean says slowly, "I'm at a crossroads in my career where I can keep climbing the corporate ladder at Sandover if I end up taking this job in the VP's office or I stay on in my current job, and we're going to have to keep playing this balance game as Rob grows up, or I can interview for this job in Phoenix and we can get away from all of this. I'm excited about that job too, it's going to be working with some of their new technology and trying to help them find a way to commercialize and market it. It's not the L.A. office and the hours are really a lot more stable because I don't have the huge portfolios and people to manage that I do right now."
Rachel hears the excitement in his voice and sees his eyes light up and she can't help but be happy for him. She's confident that if Dean really wants this job he'll be likely to get it, given all of his experience at Sandover as well as his talent.
"Baby, I want you to go for it," She tells him, squeezing his hand and looking up into his eyes. His emerald eyes are searching hers, as if to ask if she's okay, but she is, because she already hears how eager he is for another challenge, and if it allows them to spend more time together, she's certainly supportive of it. "I think it sounds like something you would enjoy and if it doesn't break us up, I want you to go for it."
Dean flashes her a brilliant smile and she can just see him beaming. He leans over to fondly kiss her cheek.
"Babe, you are generous and supportive, in addition to being beautiful and lovely." He says softly.
Rob is stirring in Dean's arms, and then his emerald eyes open and take in the surroundings around him and looks up at both of his parents.
"Can we go home now?" He asks simply, and Dean's arms tighten around his son unconsciously.
"Yeah, buddy, we can," Dean replies and he ruffles Rob's hair affectionately. A few minutes later, the three of them are walking back to where they've parked the car and Dean is holding Rob's tiny hand in his and Rachel can't help but think that even though she's going to miss L.A., her home of the past seven years, dry and sunny Phoenix is going to be nice.
*
Rachel and Dean are walking hand-in-hand through the Sky Harbour International Airport, having flown in from L.A. earlier that morning. Dean has a few hours before he goes in to meet with the division manager, so their pace is relaxed and normal. This is the third face to face meeting they've had now and Dean's transfer to Phoenix is mainly complete.
Rachel glances over and is reminded again of how much she loves how handsome Dean looks when he's dressed for work- his well made charcoal grey dress pants matched with his light grey shirt and white silk tie are immaculate, and their crisp look just highlights his handsome features and emerald green eyes. She's not dressed as formally, but she has a pretty black short sleeved shirt on over a white skirt and her silky red hair is just down even though the ends are lightly curled. Dean's going to be meeting with his new division manager again in these couple of days and a few of the engineers on his new project team. Rachel's going to spend the afternoon with the realtor they've been working with to look at neighbourhoods where they can settle in, and then they'll be going out with some of Dean's old friends from Stanford for dinner tonight.
They had just called Dean's parents in Sherman Oaks because Rob is staying with his grandparents for the couple of days that Rachel and Dean are in Phoenix. Rob had chattered on the phone this morning about how Grandpa and Grandma were going to take him to the farmers' market, and they had both been relieved to hear that Rob wasn't feeling separation anxiety. Dean's parents, like her own, absolutely adored Rob and begged for the opportunity to babysit, and with them living only in Sherman Oaks, it wasn't that far of a drive from Santa Monica to have Rob stay with them for a few days. Besides, it'll also be nice to just have the alone time with Dean.
When Rachel's dropped Dean off for his meeting, and she's driving over to the realtor's office, she lets the windows down to let the warm and dry desert air in. As she's glancing out over the South Mountains and the Phoenix Mountains throughout her drive, Rachel feels like she can get used to living in this warm and mild metropolitan city with a downtown core and feel that will remind her of L.A, but also with quiet neighbourhoods and parks where Rob can grow up with more space and freedom.
Later on, when Dean's meetings are over, and they're having dinner with Dean's old friends from Stanford on their backyard patio, overlooking the city of Phoenix from where they are in the North Mountains neighbourhood, Rachel can totally envision herself living here. They're all sitting around the patio table, relaxed and enjoying the slow drawn out evening and watching the sunset over the desert hills while they finish their supper of barbequed ribs and roasted potato salad washed down with a beer from a local brewery. Dean's hand is holding hers under the table and he gives her hand a quick squeeze while continuing to carry on their conversation. He seems relaxed and happy, and Rachel can tell in the way his body language and tone is so much more loose and carefree than it is when he's in L.A.
When they're walking back out to the car to drive back to the hotel, hand in hand, Dean stops and points to where the red sunset has illuminated the desert hills and when he muses,
"I've lived in L.A. for the past ten years of my life, but I could get used to seeing this every day,"
Rachel smiles up at him and nods in agreement.
"I could too."
She draws him closer and plants a kiss on his lips, making it sweet and slow, letting him know how much she loves him and supports him. Dean grins into their kiss and brings her closer to him by gently grabbing her hips, and they exchange a smile before breaking apart. Rachel admires the beauty of the desert hills, illuminated crimson and red in the dying evening light as Dean drives down into Phoenix proper, thinking that she can't wait to start the next stage in their lives here.
*
She, Dean, and Rob are having a picnic in the park overlooking the desert hills on a Sunday afternoon, sitting on a blanket near a shady tree. Rachel's always been a good cook and this time, to celebrate their first picnic after the move to Phoenix she's cooked and assembled quite the meal- there's a pasta salad, veggie sticks, ham and cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Rob, salmon and cream cheese pinwheel sandwiches and several different types of cheeses and pate spreads with snack crackers for her and Dean, devilled eggs, fruit, and an upside down pineapple pound cake for dessert.
"Thanks for preparing all this amazing food, babe," Dean says, putting another pinwheel sandwich in his mouth. He looks relaxed and happy, dressed in his light cargo pants and a tee-shirt; his muscular arms and handsome face bronzed by the desert sun. Rachel likes to see him enjoy something that she's made, so she simply gives him a smile and pecks him on the cheek.
"I'm glad you're enjoying it,"
"Daddy, Mommy, I love this park," Rob is telling them excitedly.
"Yeah, I do too, buddy," Dean smiles and he starts pointing out different landmarks in Phoenix to Rob. "How do you like Phoenix, buddy?"
"I love it!" Rob nods enthusiastically and starts to tell Dean about some of the things they've been doing in pre-school, and Rachel just smiles when she watches them together. Dean's job in Phoenix is a lot less stressful and he only has to work 40 hours a week, instead of the 50-60 hour weeks he was putting in when they were in L.A. He's told her that he likes the challenge and working with the engineers and scientists, and the office in Phoenix is a lot more laid back than the one in L.A. They've had the time to do things together in the evening like play tennis, go for walks, and take Rob swimming at the pool. Rob's also started pre-school and they've settled into a routine. Four out of five days a week Rob goes to pre-school, Rachel goes to the pool or to the gym for pilates and yoga, and then she gets to spend time with him in the afternoons, and when Dean comes home they go to the park or to the pool. Each week, they drop Rob off at a friend's for a play date so Rachel and Dean can go on their own dates. Dean takes her out for dinner and they go see a movie, or a play, or a sports game, and it's nice to be able to spend more time alone with him. They didn't go on dates regularly after they were married back in LA and Rachel likes to be able to keep building her relationship with Dean, and she thinks that her relationship with Dean has only gotten stronger.
"Can we go to the water park later, Daddy?" Rob's voice snaps Rachel out of her reverie.
"Have you finished all your vegetables and everything else your Momma says you need to finish?" Dean asks.
"I always finish all my vegetables and listen to Momma, Daddy." Rob points out, and it's true. Rob is a really good kid and she and Dean have been so lucky to have him. Dean smiles and scoops Rob up in his arms.
"That's my boy." He gives Rob an affectionate kiss on the top of his head. His emerald eyes meet Rachel's over Rob, and his gaze slightly caresses her and Rachel feels it even though Dean doesn't need to say anything.
Rachel loves this new chapter in her life- trading their lifestyle in LA and their home in Santa Monica for this new home in Phoenix overlooking the mountains and desert in Paradise Valley, with their patio in the backyard where they could watch the sun set over the Sonoran desert and enjoy the simple joys of living. As Rob happily settles down between her and Dean, Rachel knows that she's got her own family and everything she wants and needs, sharing this moment with her, enjoying the desert air, temperate climate, and the own warmth that fills her entire being.
END
Author's Notes: Thanks for the reviews so far! This is the one where I introduce Rachel and Dean's son, Rob, and I think that their little AU family is very adorable. I hope to be able to write more Rachel/Dean/Rob stories in the future and I hope you enjoy it too!
