Colin's posts

Vincent stopped an raised an eyebrow.

"Ah..." he stammered. "Hm." he then mumbled. "I always knew she was young, but... admittedly, I didn't think she was THAT young." he admitted to her, thinking about it some more.

"Younger than you..." he went on, pondering it some more.

"Meaning your child will have a grandmother younger than her mother." he voiced, seemingly just now realising it.

"...don't know what that says about my own family, but in comparison to my own relations and family tree, that... isn't so bad." he then said to her, looking a little... incredulous about it.

And it was true. If one were to look as Vincent's lovers, and the children he'd sired with them over the course of his life, while nothing illegal or immoral had happened, and there was no weird DNA shenanigans happening... it would still look a little suspicious.

Vincent could only smile.

"That... is some of the best news I've heard about him." he said. "I'm glad he's finally learning not to be shackled to his past, and that he needs to move on from it." he went on.

"I'm willing to bet Jasmine helped him realise that?" he asked.

"He told he she finally got through his head and convinced him to seek a therapist, yeah." Desiree responded.

"...that woman deserves a massive fruit basket or something." Vincent replied. "She's been the one to finally get him to move forward." he went on, shaking his head lightly.

"Bloody miracle worker." he chuckled.

Vincent could only laugh in response.

"Hah! Good!" he exclaimed.

"...though I admit, if you suddenly didn't want him to be a part of your child's life, then I would have some very serious concerns about the sudden status of your relationship with him." he then admitted seriously.

"Still. It's good that Marcus seems to be moving on." he then said.

"Wanting to be a part of his grandchild's life is a very big thing. Shines him in a good light." he reasoned.

"And we already know Sydney and Dom will be there for them as well." he added with a chuckle.

Vincent just placed a hand on her shoulder.

"The beauty is, they won't have to 'power through it'." he told her. "They'll have a support network. They'll have friends and family that know what it's like, and they'll be able to lean on them for support." he said further.

"And that will work wonders." he continued.

"Plus, we'll all be here for you if you need it." he went on, before pausing.

"And I certainly hope Marcus will be involved, yes?" he then asked.

"The media...?" Vincent asked.

"Hmmm." he mumbled. "Normally I pay attention to the news..." he said. And it was true. He did. Current affairs, world news, the big things. But he always had a blind spot to fashion. One of the few areas he ignored.

And it was lovely that what was happening with her just happened to be in one of his few blind spots.

"Well, whatever is happening with you, I hope you manage to keep it going." he told her.

"Because you seem happier than ever."

"No, this is perfect." Vincent said.

"We've been thinking of going soon, anyway." he told her.

He then sighed and put the envelope down, and smiled.

"I can tell things are going very well for you right now." he then said.

"And I'm very happy for you."

Vincent accepted the envelope and the book.

"...firstly, this book seems to be the key to bringing back some extinct plants." he said.

"But an all-expense paid trip for us 4?" he asked.

"How?" he asked her.

"That can't have been cheap. How did you afford it?"

"Well, I would imagine he's worried." Vincent responded. "It's quite traumatic, to understate it, but... well, I am wise enough to know that medical science has come a VERY long way, and we are in the know with some VERY powerful and talented medics." he reasoned.

"...it will still not be pleasant, though." he warned.

"Also, looking to move?" he asked. "Makes sense. An actual house would be a more conducive environment for a child." he agreed. "And Europe? Hmmm." he mumbled. "Price is no object either... well, that certainly helps-" he started to say further, before pausing.

"Wait..." he muttered.

"Why?" he asked. "WHY is price no object, hmm?" he inquired.

Vincent looked... a little confused by her request, but shrugged.

"Firstly, thank you for the compliment." he said. "My heritage shines through sometimes. And Hollie keeps it honed." he then chuckled, before clearing his throat slightly.

"And... read your mana?" he asked. "Very well." he replied. "A simple enough request." he stated, before pausing, closing his eyes, and concentrating. However, he only had to concentrate for a few seconds, before his eyes popped open.

And he looked right at her belly, before looking right into her eyes.

"Desiree...?" he asked quietly, and her small smile said it all.

"Well. Congratulations." he told her.

Vincent thought for a moment, before nodding slightly.

"Fair enough." he said as she entered the manor and he shut the door. They made their way further inside, where he gestured to where the den was. "Feel free to get comfortable." he told her. "I shall get things ready." he went on.

Desiree nodded, and did as she was was offered, making her way to the den and sitting down in one of the couches.

She was sitting for about 10 minutes or so, when Vincent stepped into the room with a tray in his hands. On it was a pot of tea which smelled amazing, and Desiree could guess it was Rocky's special lemon chamomile. She also saw some sugar, and a small container of milk as well. There was also a pair of handsome mugs, a plate of assorted cookies, all of them a perfect complement to the tea, as well as a few small sandwiches.

Vincent may have lived in Canada... he may have been extremely nomadic... but his European background shone through when it came to tea-times.

He sat down beside her, setting the tray down in front of them on the table, and smiled.

"So. What can I do for you?" he asked her.

Vincent looked at her in response, and smiled when he saw her beaming.

"Oh, hello Desiree." he greeted her in response.

"Information?" he then asked. "Of course." he stated, stepping out of the way. "I ALWAYS have time for a cup of tea, especially when it involves such fine company." he chuckled.

"What sort of tea would you like?" he asked.

"Racquel has some new blends she's made, but I have my usual staples and standby's as well." he said further.

"Care for some cookies or biscuits with the tea as well?" he inquired.

"Oh, well thank you for telling me." Ilias responded. "I'll be sure to pass the info along." he told her. "Just passing by to say that?" he then asked.

"Yes." Desiree replied.

"Well, thank you once more." Ilias told her.

With that, the two parted ways, and Desiree walked down the hallway, intent on her next destination.

Desiree then made her way to the R&D department. Again, she was good friends with a few people that worked there, but they weren't the closest in the world. Still, she wanted to stop by and say Hi to them while she was here, drop the news about her being laden with child.

She approached the glass doors to the area and pressed the buzzer, waiting for a response. It came about 7 seconds later in the form of Ilias coming into view, seeing her, making his way over, and opening the door.

"Oh, hello, hello." he greeted Desiree.

"Didn't expect a visit." he said further, stepping aside.

"Come in." he told her, as a few of his snakes emerged from his hair, darting their tongues at her.

Hal merely nodded in response.

"Fair enough." he said. "Do let me know when you and he make that decision." he told her. "The sooner such a thing is solidified, the smoother the move will be, obviously." he stated.

"I know." Desiree smiled. "Anyway, I must be off now." she then told him once more.

"Bye for now." Hal finished with a smile and a wave, as she left the office, paused for a moment, and then decided that, since she and Evan were decently close, she would go to see him next.

So she did. She made her way to where she knew Evan's office was, and when she approached the door, she found it... almost completely closed. It was closed enough, but a solid push would open it. And there was a sign on it that said he would be back in the office at a specified time... that had passed 20 minutes ago.

That's when she heard faint snoring coming from within... as well as distinct purring. Curious, she slowly opened the door... only to find that Evan had pushed many things off to the sides of his desk, and was curled up in a small ball, having a catnap in the rays of light that poured in through his window.