Next installment weee!
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Warnings: Maybe swearing? LOL
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Madame McFuzzums was probably one of the most understanding kittens in the feline species. Madame McFuzzums was overworked, had a birthday coming up, and needed a friend, enter Winston. The two kittens had three days of animosity, hissing and general avoidance now they were inseparable. The two came flying into Cadence's room hopped across her covered form and out into the hall. Their nails clacked along the hardwood as one spotted their little toy mouse and skidded around it. "Hannah tell your cats to…" Cadence trailed off and fell back to sleep.
"Come on Madame…Win, Mommy needs…beauty sleep for…seeing our new…dad." Hannah whispered with a grin and the kittens cocked their heads as the girl lured them to her room with a feather toy. She had to admit she was a little more excited for her mom than herself. Her real daddy was so mean and Mr. Hansen was nice, huggable. He would be sweet to her mom she knew it and if anyone deserved to be treated well it was her mom.
~LCA~
"Ok Pax Paaaax help what do I wear?" Cadence warbled as Francesca set up his make up on her vanity.
"Honey, honey relax we have hours to figure this out." Paxton replied calmly.
"I want to look attractive."
"But not desperate or like a tramp right."
"I want to look like a mom, like I belong, but…"
"Soccer mom, mom jeans? Eww no." Francesca interjected.
This wasn't the first time they had gone to Joe's matches, but it was the first time Tuck had invited them. She wanted to invite him to Hannah's birthday zoo visit and she knew it was going to feel like asking him on a date. With a last look in the mirror she headed out the door.
LCALCALCALCALCALCALCALCA
Tuck didn't think he'd ever wanted to punch someone as bad as he did now. First off Greg had shown up, without Katie. Second Greg just 'had' to bring his best bud Brad. Of course his name was Brad. He had to admit the sleaze had good looks, boyish features, bright eyes, and a perfect smile. The wanker's treatment of women made pre-Lauren FDR look like an upstanding gentleman. Every other women he saw, it was cat calls and flirty smiles. Then there were the stories of his conquests. Miss January, Miss February, Miss March…the brit got the picture, but this guy just went on and on. Betting whose panties he could get in and who needed a good lay.
She saw Tuck and waved. It was hot out today and she was happy they had settled on a floral skirt, cami and cowboy boots. Brad was winking at Greg and the brit fought the urge to smack him especially when he cut Cadence off before she reached him.
"Hey beautiful, I'm Brad."
"Hi…uh can I help you?"
"How bout you tell me your name baby?"
"Cadence and I'd like to take my seat."
"Sure, sure sweet thing, how bout joining me?"
"I'm meeting my daughter, but thank you…"
"No problem, I can move."
"You won't give up will you?"
~LCA~
She could tell Hannah was upset when Brad sat down next to them. Cadence shot her daughter an apologetic look and turned back to the mat where Joe was taking down his latest opponent. Brad turned on the charm and she rolled her eyes. "Brad I'm flattered I really am, but I think you want something different than I do." Cadence sighed.
"I get it I come on strong…just one date baby; I can be what you want."
She stared at him, she couldn't say she was dating someone and he just wouldn't back off. Maybe punching him would work? She should have been more insistent on moving past him, but she hadn't seen Tuck after waving at him, where had he gone?
~LCA~
Tuck paced as the phone rang, FDR answered and he spilled out the problem before his partner could so much as say a word. "What do I do mate? Bloody wanker just cut me off."
"Take her back man…I know the whole idea was go slow, but every once and a while gotta let her know you want it, get me?" FDR replied into the line.
"Like what, kiss her?"
"Kiss her."
"I can do that yeah…ok…ok Kiss her…good, later mate." Tuck ended the call and paced some more, he was nervous, but he had to admit he liked the idea. He stood in the hall and stared at her, working up the nerve to… Bloody hell he just needed to do it didn't he? It was just a simple thing right? Just a kiss.
She saw him out of the corner of her eye, but what was he doing? He looked so determined and she stood to say hello to him as he approached. "H-hey Tuck." Cadence greeted her words shaking under his intense stare.
"There you are darling."
She forgot about Brad on the bench behind her as he pulled her in and pressed his lips to hers. It was a simple kiss, but an electric spark ran through her. There was a thrum down to her toes, like she was a taught string someone just plucked. Cadence leaned back; she could see Brad gaping, Hannah grinning like a Cheshire, and Joe pulling a 'Tom Cruise' fist pump. Tuck smiled and asked her out a little breathlessly. "Yeah…I'd love too." She answered just as dazed.
"Perfect luv I'll pick you up at seven yeah?"
"Could have said you were dating someone." Brad grumbled as he stood.
"Would that have stopped you? Besides until 20 seconds ago we weren't mate." Tuck smirked.
LCALCALCALCALCALCALCALCA
She had meant to give Tuck the invite at Joe's match, but after the kiss, small as it was. She had forgotten, luckily the next day was one of the days they met at the school. Cadence hopped out of the car, rehearsing what she would say to him. Her fingers worried the hem of her sleeveless button down as she headed for the playground with a box of cupcakes. She had felt the need for something different.
"Hello luv, you look stunning."
"I had to meet with a few potential clients today", Cadence smiled, gratefully taking her iced mocha from him. "So I totally forgot to give you this yesterday."
He took the green envelope from her hands with a smile. "Madame McFuzzums?" Tuck chuckled and flipped the invite at her with a smirk.
"That kitten is the most understanding feline I know." Cadence remarked as she chuckled at the picture of the orange tabby dressed in jewels and a tiara.
"You celebrate a pet's birthday?"
"It's Hannah's really; she decided McFuzzums had her birthday."
"I see and you're taking her to the zoo."
"Yes…we'd like you and Joe to come. I was thinking we could get some great pictures for their project."
~LCA~
Katie had been furious when she heard. Not only was it a day with Joe, but why should Tuck be going too? The fight had almost reached epic levels and though he was thankful. The brit didn't like that it was Greg who got his ex-wife to see reason. "You excited Spudley?" Tuck asked as his son hugged him good bye.
"Yeah dad, have fun on your date."
Their date was tomorrow and he was frantically searching for a good movie to see. Nothing to sappy of course, something witty, maybe with a bit of action mixed in. This was a first date after all. He wondered how she'd look, dressed up casual or just casual. Either was fine with him, she looked stunning no matter what she wore.
LCALCALCALCALCALCALCALCA
"Tonight was wonderful." Cadence smiled as the brit drove her back. His thumb brushed along the back of her hand. He told her he had a great time as well. "So I'll see you next Saturday?"
"Hannah's birthday, of course luv, wouldn't miss it"
"She'll be so excited, truthfully I don't want this night to end."
He lifted her hand to his lips and she blushed. "Go out with me again."
"Ok."
~LCA~
"Soo…how was…it?" Hannah, Pax, and Francesca gave her conspiratorial grins. Even Madame McFuzzums and Wintson were giving her a look.
"Shouldn't you be in bed baby girl?"
"Oh just tell us" Paxton huffed lightheartedly.
"Yes, yes honey do dish." Francesca added and Hannah giggled.
"Fine, but then bed got it?"
"Yes mo-om."
Cadence started talking, what he wore, how he smelled, smiled. They seemed enraptured, he sounded perfect almost too perfect. She talked about how he held her hand and asked for another date.
"You said…yes right?"
"Oh I'm sure honey child, who could say no?" Francesca interjected.
"I think someone needs to get to bed."
"Piggy back ride from uncle Pax? Little lamb."
LCALCALCALCALCALCALCALCALCALCA
"I don't know dad, she likes cats, purple, sparkles, flowers?…she's a girl"
"Observant of you Spudley, how bout this?" Tuck asked, holding up a charm bracelet kit.
"Sure, she might like it."
"Works for me, come on let's see if they have a bag with a cat on it." Tuck smiled and Joe followed him to the gift wrap section. The boy helped his dad pick out a bag and some tissue. The brit remembered watching Katie wrap presents this way and was fairly confident he could duplicate the process. Tomorrow they would be heading to the zoo and he wondered how many people would be there. He found himself hoping it would just be the four of them. 'Like a family' he mused with a smile.
He looked down at the gift in his hand and remembered when he asked Joe to be Hannah's friend. The brit hadn't even known the girl's name at the time. How had such a simple request managed to change his life? He was drowning then, he knew and now he was what? Sometimes it felt like floating and even his partner had noticed the change. He was thankful Hannah seemed to like him as much as he had come to care for the young girl. Her strength in the face of the obstacles laid before her was awe inspiring and he felt honored to be able to be a part of that.
~LCA~
Tuck pulled into the parking lot with a small smile. "Got everything Spud?"
"Yeah dad let's go!" Joe laughed and practically jumped out of the truck.
"Mo-om they…came!" Hannah stated with a grin and waved excitedly as they approached the Zoo entrance.
"Hannah darling don't you just look a vision?" Tuck remarked, picking her up and spinning her. The girl's grin was wide when he set her down and she straightened her floral sundress.
"Happy Birthday Hannah!"
"Th-thanks Joe, thanks…Mr.….Hansen", Hannah replied just slightly out of breath. "Mo-om!" she exclaimed when she noticed her mother snapping photos. The brunette shrugged and snapped a few more.
~LCA~
Tuck clasped Cadence's hand as they walked. They had seen the monkeys, bears, and reptiles. Now they were seeing Hannah's favorite, the tigers. "Thank you, this has been her best birthday in years." The brunette murmured. The brit smiled and told her he was glad, that Hannah deserved it. "She deserves a lifetime of good."
"Mr. Hansen…look!" Hannah yelled in excitement as she pointed to the large cats lounging in their pen.
"I see them darling", Tuck replied and then he did something that nearly had Cadence in tears. The brit lifted Hannah to his shoulder, smiled and laughed with her. As she snapped pictures of the heart bursting scene she knew already she wanted this man to be Hannah's new father and Joe to be her brother. She wanted the four of them to be a family.
After the zoo they went to a local restaurant. One of Hannah's choosing of course and she was excited to receive the gift Joe and his father had gotten her. "Oh cool…always…wanted one…thank you." The girl exclaimed. They enjoyed their meal and the free desert they were awarded with. All too soon it was time to say good bye.
"Thank you again today was wonderful." Cadence stated with a smile.
"Well thank Madame McFuzums for inviting us luv."
"See you tomorrow then."
~LCA~
"Pax what do I do?"
"Kiss…him"
"Bed young lady!"
"Little lamb has a point."
"Not you too, I don't know I just, slow, slow was good and now…"
"Kiss…him!" Hannah sing-songed from the kitchen.
"We have kissed, go to bed."
"You've…smooched there's…a difference you…need to 'kiss'….him."
"I'm getting dating advice from a 12 year old." Cadence laughed pinching the bridge of her nose. "Bed! Or I'll get uncle Pax to carry you."
"Ok ok." Hannah griped and just as she stepped into her room she poked her head out. "Kiss…him."
Cadence shook her head, but her daughter was right. Slow as she was in showing her affection physically she was surprised Tuck was still pursuing their relationship. The brunette knew it was her turn to 'make the move'.
To be continued...
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