private PSL

[death_glare]

[ If Grell had expected William to be oblivious to her activities, she was sorely mistaken. He'd come from his office multiple times that day, looking to have a word with her about proper office behaviour, timely submission of forms, and the coffee carafe from the break room, that she'd happily emptied but failed to refill. Each time, he'd been met with an empty desk, even though he'd seen her minutes before. And when questioned, Knox just brushed him off like it was no big deal - he'd finished his own work for the day and wasn't staying overtime, big plans for the evening and all that.

So, the next time William caught a glance of bright red slinking past the frosted windows of his office, he made an executive decision - quickly teleporting himself in the doorway of the office, appearing just before she attempted to leave... ]

And where are you sneaking off to this time?

Comments

[untodeath]

[ William's correct in his assumption, and he'll find that's perhaps the most stocked cabinet she has. They're all mismatched, cute mugs she's picked up over the years and hoarded in the event that she's too lazy to wash dishes. ]

You're quite knowledgeable about baby matters, aren't you?

[ Peeking up at him over the rims of her glasses, she gives him a lopsided smile. ]

[death_glare]

[ Picking probably the most boring cup of the lot, William sets about making himself a black but rather sweet cup of coffee. He doesn't answer her, at first, instead matching her eyes as he takes a sip of his drink. It won't be until he's seated at the table that he speaks up. ]

I have a few years of experience.

[untodeath]

[ Grell isn't too far behind, by then. With two bottled dressings, and a handful of silverware, she begins to prepare the table so they can eat.

Fortunately, she's placed the bottles before he drops that news. Such doesn't spare them a clamor of slipped forks, though.

Grimacing, she immediately looks to Rosalind - and, thankfully, the child stirs with only a brief whine, before her head lulls back into the seat again. ]

--You what?

[death_glare]

Honestly?

[ William doesn't help pick up the silverware, instead just glaring down at them scattered across the floor. ]

I had a daughter.

[ Stated as if she should have known this, despite having never shared that information with anyone before. ]

[untodeath]

[ Gingerly placing a hand over her heart, she looks at William wide-eyed. The silverware has been entirely forgotten for the moment. ]

How could you have never mentioned this--!

[ Although said with forced hushed tones, the aggravation is still very much there! ]

[death_glare]

Because I had no reason to mention it.

[ Ah, quiet bickering. A new experience for them! William huffs as softly as he can manage, sipping at his coffee with a sour look on his face. ]

If you must know, that is the reason I am willing to help.

[untodeath]

No reason to--!

[ Huffing through her nose, she quickly leans down to pick up the dirtied forks so that she can turn on her heel. ]

... Well. I'm glad for the help, anyway. [ She half mutters. ] I don't know how long I would've managed.

[ Returning with their salads, she'll rest their forks carefully beside the dishes this time. Once she's grabbed her own cup of coffee from the counter, she can ease into the chair opposite him with a sigh. ]

[death_glare]

Well, there is no reason for us to speak of it further. She demands our full attention now.

[ Rosalind has lifted her head up, awakened by the commotion. Though she seems content in the moment, curiously banging her hands on the seat's tiny table. William reaches over to smooth a bit of fringe away from her forehead. ]

[untodeath]

[ Oh, she couldn't possibly stay mad at William, especially when watching him treat darling Rosalind with such fondness. Eyes softening, she props her chin atop a palm. ]

Welcome back, little one♥. How I missed you~. [ She very faintly tickles her nails over one of the girl's chubby knees. ] Did you have fun with Will, mn?

[death_glare]

[ Rosalind, not yet understanding what different words mean, merely stares at Grell in wonder. ]

She's surprisingly calm for being under a year. We should be thankful.

[ Though, the way Grell had appeared at work, he's thinking that may not have been the case before he showed up. ]

[untodeath]

[ The way William speaks of them collectively makes Grell's head a bit swimmy... She's right back to batting her lashes over her frames. ]

Mn, I certainly am. She wasn't quite so much last night, I must say. [ A faint sigh. ] At least she's taken to you.

[death_glare]

[ William sighs quietly before taking up his fork and beginning his meal. ]

Do you have any ideas on how we are going to manage all of this?

[untodeath]

[ Ah, back to business. Nibbling at the edge of her lip, Grell looks to Rosalind with a hum. ]

I-- suppose you could alternate our scheduled shifts, yes?

[ Rosalind seems particularly interested in watching them eat, so she picks off a mushy bit of tomato to feed her. The baby scrunches her face as she tries it for the first time, although she doesn't quite spit it out. It leaves Grell chuckling. ]

[death_glare]

Considering how many joint assignments we have coming up, I don't see how that's plausible.

[ He knows she's not going to want to hear this, but it's all he can think of, for now. ]

We may have to look for a couple willing to take in a child.

[untodeath]

[ Immediately, the redhead's smile slacks and she falls silent. Now that Rosalind's curiosity has been temporarily satisfied, Grell can begin to eat, herself - but she ends up poking around at it for a fee moments. ]

Perhaps we can discuss this later.

[death_glare]

Discussing it later isn't going to bring us to any conclusions.

[ He gives her a stern look while folding the dressing over the leaves of lettuce. ]

If we locate a couple having issues with having a child of their own, we can leave her with them. They will be certain to take her in.

[untodeath]

I don't--

[ Rosalind has gone back to smacking her palms atop the table, stopping for just a moment to coo in amusement before she goes right back to it. The clamor has Grell watching her, swallowing hard. ]

Keeping her is impossible, isn't it?

[death_glare]

I don't see how it could be manageable.

[ He joins Grell's gaze in watching Rosalind. ]

Unless...

[ He trails off, shaking his head and returning his attention to the meal in front of him. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell's eyes dart to William, for there is only one way she can think of to make it all work; however, without him, she'd have reservations. ]

Unless?

[death_glare]

[ He shakes his head, once more. ]

Nothing. It would end up being just as difficult.

[untodeath]

If I'd have the both of you, I couldn't consider it so...

[ Reaching out, she settles a hand atop his.]

[death_glare]

I will concede and say that having two parents is the best option for her, however, there's also the matter of new housing and a new source of income. And the fact that we would be unable to ever be forgiven.

[ Not that he had much to look forward to, anyway. He'd contemplated disbanding before, but all the factors he'd listed had held him back. William doesn't take her hand, but he doesn't move his either. ]

[untodeath]

I never cared about moving on, darling. There's no one waiting for me.

[ Realization hits then, creating enough pause that she pulls back. ]

Ah, but. Your family.

[death_glare]

[ A pause, his brow furrows as he looks down at his half eaten salad. ]

No. There is no way for me to see my daughter again. And my ex-wife... I believe she'd be better off without me.

[untodeath]

[ While she clearly doesn't know his story, Grell can sense his pain. It doesn't seem the time to inquire about it, either - and so, she falls into silence, too, if for just a moment. ]

Well. It may go without saying, but you're the only reason I hadn't considered leaving, myself. You're a once in a lifetime love, my darling.