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]

Although...

[ Pausing to take a sip, the redhead peers at him over the rims of her glasses. ]

Will, while you know that there's no one else I'd rather do this with, I have to ask-- why? Why with me?

[death_glare]

Because I've obviously lost my mind.

[ Rosalind has finished her bottle and is shifting around in William's arms, begging to be burped. He motions to Grell to hand him the dish cloth so he can hold her over his shoulder and not muss up his nice shirt. ]

Though, ironically, you are also what keeps me sane, most of the time. I don't believe I'd fair well without you.

[untodeath]

[ Grell moves to hand him the cloth, but for just a moment, she falters. Her features soften, her cheeks flush. ]

Will... [ She hides an almost bashful smile behind her coffee cup, sipping down some of that excitement. Doesn't stop her from gripping at the fabric over her knees something fierce, though! ]

So-- what will you ask her to call you, then?

[death_glare]

[ Attempting to hide it or not, William's sure that she enjoyed hearing that. That question, though, he seems unsure of how to answer it. ]

Let us see what she comes up with on her own.

[untodeath]

[ Grell blinks, mouth quirking into a frown. He couldn't expect to get out of it that easily. ]

That wouldn't do at all. She'd only repeat what she hears me call you, then.

[ With a sigh, she plops one of her cheeks into an open palm. ]

It's going to be something that we need to discuss eventually, you know, because two good friends don't just decide to raise a child together.

[death_glare]

I certainly don't want her calling me 'darling'.

[ He's just nervous about the whole dad thing - whether or not he deserves it. Letting out a sigh, he sits Rosalind on his lap. She takes it as an invite to explore that half eaten scone by grabbing it and smacking it on the table. William snatches it from her before it makes it to her mouth, tho! ]

I assume you want her to call you Mum?

[untodeath]

[ Grell falls to silence for a moment, watching her. ]

I'm... not certain, actually. I wouldn't want her to be bullied for it.

[death_glare]

I will just have to teach her how to stand up to bullies.

[ He gives a Grell a look, obviously referring to they're first meeting, a century ago. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell is surprised to hear even those veiled words of comfort - but her shock gives way to adoration within seconds. ]

You're right, I'm being silly.

[ With a chuckle, she finishes off the rest of her coffee, cup set aside. ]

They wouldn't stand a chance.

[death_glare]

Do not go reaping other children because they tease her.

[ Best to give the order now. ]

School is a long way out, though. There is plenty to worry about before then.

[untodeath]

[ Swinging herself up to stand, she approaches the two of them, leaning down to cup Rosalind's cheeks in her hands. ]

Oh, I know. I'm sure schooling will be among the least of it.

[ Pressing a kiss to the girl's forehead, she follows up by slyly pecking William's cheek! ]

Alright, mummy's going out for a smidge to grab the paper!

[death_glare]

[ He should have seen that peck coming, but Rosalind's cheeks being squished had captured his attention. William gives Grell a warning look but quickly returns his attention to the child, who's squirming in his lap to watch as her new mummy exits.

When Grell returns, Rosalind will be quietly napping in her crib, while William sits in the living room, making notes on a lined pad in, what will no longer be, his work binder. ]

[untodeath]

[ Just about to declare that she's returned, Grell very fortunately has the sense to check if the child's down before doing so! With a wince, she reels herself back in, tiptoeing over as she removes her jacket. Draping it over the reading chair, she settles in beside William, paper laid out on the coffee table. ]

What have you busied yourself with, mn?

[death_glare]

Making a list, in an attempt to keep all of this chaos in order.

[ Items to make sure they have on the ship, what they'll need to do once they arrive in NY, that sort of thing. Though, scrawled along the side of the paper seems to be a list of potential jobs. One of them, Accountant is crossed off. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell drapes against his shoulder to take a closer look - and it's precisely that side margin that has her teeth pressing into her lip so that she doesn't laugh! ]

Ah, again, I'm so glad to have you along.

[ Swinging upright, she unfolds the newspaper across the table, and leans in to open it up. ]

I've always sorely lacked in organization, as you know.

[death_glare]

That is an understatement.

[ He sets aside his note pad, after crossing retrieve daily paper from the list, and joins Grell in looking though it. ]

We'll need a two bed cabin. And we are not splurging on upper class decks.

[untodeath]

Having a child with a man who is still afraid to share a bed? Who would have thought!

[ The redhead remarks with amusement, before licking a thumb to go through the pages. ]

Ah, it would be nice to travel with style. I suppose we'll save it for the new flat.

[death_glare]

We didn't have her together. We are choosing to raise her together. There's no need to share a bed. If we must get a single, it will be with a large enough bed for her to sleep between us.

[ It's gonna take a bit more than a day together with the girl to get him into bed, Grell. ]

[untodeath]

[ Grell leans away enough that she can properly whip her head and give the other an affronted look. ]

Are you implying that I would want to be intimate with our daughter in the room, Will?

[ With a hard sniff, she straightens the newspaper out in her hands. ]

In any case, they're unlikely to have cribs, I imagine, so that might just be what we'll have to do.

[death_glare]

I would not have put it past you to do so. But if that is truly something you're opposed to, then I will look forward to getting a few years of peace.

[ William's eyes scan along the page she's opened to, but has little luck spotting the information they need. ]

If it's unavoidable, then I will do so for her sake.

[untodeath]

[ Grell puffs her cheeks with frustration, pointedly turning to the next-- and mid-squeak, has to clamp a hand over her mouth. She found it.

Smoothing the pages open across the table, she leans forward with her elbows atop her knees. ]

Alright, let's see... It seems they've got a destination running to New York every few days, mn? What's the soonest you think we could manage?

[death_glare]

That solely depends on how quickly you can gather your possessions. I have a late shift tonight, though, I suppose I could call out to watch Rosalind while you pack.

[ William calling out would probably cause suspicion, but he has enough time accrued, he should be allowed to take it without questioning! ]

I can purchase tickets for the next voyage before then. That would give us two days.

[untodeath]

[ Grell also hesitates while considering this. It certainly might raise a few eyebrows, but if William feels it would be fine, she won't question it. ]

Mn, that would be perfect really. If I focus on packing through tomorrow, then I'd only have to worry about acquiring enough to hold Rosalind over until we settle down overseas... That much I can cover.

[death_glare]

That's settled, then.

[ William settles back into the couch, visibly more relaxed than normal, or than anyone with a plan of running away from their current life should be. He sighs, glancing over to the crib. ]

Honestly, I won't miss London.

[untodeath]

Ah, London.

[ Quietly as she may, Grell tears out the section containing the fare information to set aside. The rest she'll use for packing, if need be. ]

Yes, the few good memories it holds should easily be outweighed by the adventures ahead. It's quite exciting, really.

[ Peeking over her shoulder, she gives William a grin. ]

I've never felt so alive.