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Post by Allison Whitney on Sept 7, 2016 19:22:44 GMT -5
It had been one long day for Allison Whitney. First, she had picked her niece up from Colby's penthouse. They had then taken a little road trip up north to see grandma and grandpa. After that, Allison treated Miss Madeline to a trip to Build-A-Bear where her niece picked out a bear and insisted on dressing it in a suit and tie to look like her dad.
Ally tried to spend one day a week with Maddy. Sometimes it wasn't possible and she went almost two weeks without seeing her, but she always felt horrible when that happened. With her sister long gone out of the picture, Allison felt that it was important that she remain a constant presence in her life. Besides, who else was going to teach her how to dress like a lady and how to walk in heels? She already took her for regular manicures, for crying out loud. Allison made sure her niece grew up at least half Whitney.
They arrived back at Colby's penthouse and took the elevator all the way up. They were then greeted by Frank, Colby's butler. He took Allison's handbag and jacket and disappeared without barely a word. Maddy ran ahead, looking for her dad, while Allison trailed slowly behind.
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Post by Colby Lefabre on Sept 7, 2016 19:35:10 GMT -5
Colby was on the phone in his office with his chair turned back to the door. He stood as soon as Frank alerted him that his daughter was home. "I told you to handle it. If you can't handle it, then I'll find someone who will. I expect it to be done by noon tomorrow. If it's not there will be consequences and I don't think I have to explain to exactly what that means." He disconnected from the call and settled the phone back into it's place as he moved to the door. He knew she'd come running and he almost jumped out into the hallway ready to catch her. She did not disappoint. He scooped her up and held her close, "There you are!"
His girl squealed in delight as he picked her up and swung her around. "Daddy! Daddy!" She thwapped him on the head with the bear she'd built, "Look what I made!" He sat her down and then squatted to take a look at the bear, "Oh wow, that's some bear, Maddie. Such fine artistry..." He grinned as she beamed. His eyes moved to Allison, "Looks like she had another great day. Thank you, Allison." He stood and closed the distance between them, hugging who was probably his only real friend in the entire world.
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Post by Allison Whitney on Sept 7, 2016 19:40:47 GMT -5
Allison returned the embrace and gave him a smile, "Oh, ya know it's always my pleasure." she replied, looking down at her niece. "We had an amazing time, didn't we peanut?"
Maddy smiled up at both her dad and aunt. "Should I tell dad what gramma and pop-pop got me??"
Flashing an 'I'm terribly sorry' smile to Colby, she nodded.
Wide-eyed, Madeline got excited. "Dad! They got me a PONY! My own live pony! But it has to stay at their house. But I can see it anytime I want! And I named her Jasmine. Because my favorite Disney princess!"
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Post by Colby Lefabre on Sept 7, 2016 19:47:14 GMT -5
"Is that right? I real live pony huh?" He glanced at Allison, "That sounds...exciting. You just make sure you're wearing a helmet and being safe, okay?" She nodded but was already distracted. "Why don't you get get your bath and I'll be up to tuck you in as soon as you're ready."
Waiting until he spotted the nanny greeting an excited Madeline did he turn his attention back to Allison, "You wanna come in? Have some coffee or something?"
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Post by Allison Whitney on Sept 7, 2016 20:09:43 GMT -5
Ally snuck in a quick kiss before Maddy disappeared down the hall with the nanny. "Love you!" she called out, and faintly heard her niece calling back the same. She looked back at Colby and gave him a nod. "Actually yea. Coffee sounds good. It's been a loooong day. That girl can really wear ya out!"
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Post by Colby Lefabre on Sept 7, 2016 20:14:31 GMT -5
Before either of them could move into the den, Frank appeared with a tray of coffee and tea along with some tea cakes and cookies. He settled the tray down next to the sofa, "Let me know if you need anything else, sir." Colby nodded and smiled, "Thanks, Frank. Perfect timing as usual." He poured himself a cup of coffee and offered Allison the same.
He took a sip of his coffee before sitting down on the sofa, "I saw Kristen today." He wasn't much for beating around the bush or easing into a conversation. Time wasn't always a luxury he could afford so he just cut right to the chase.
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Post by Allison Whitney on Sept 7, 2016 20:20:23 GMT -5
Ally had known Colby a long time, and therefore she felt at complete ease around him. That's why she took it upon herself to kick her heels off and pull her feet up on the sofa with her. She held a cup of coffee in her hand and took a sip, her eyes widening, "Really?" she asked, completely surprised by this news, "Where? Did she talk to you? What did she say?" Her relationship with Colby had always been kind of strange, but for the most part, it worked. She knew a lot about Colby, as he knew a lot about her, so news of him seeing his sister after so many years was quite a big deal.
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Post by Colby Lefabre on Sept 7, 2016 20:25:49 GMT -5
He nodded, "I was visiting Vanessa and Kristen was there." Colby put his feet up and relaxed into the sofa, "She spoke first. It was ... I don't know different somehow." He took another sip of his coffee before refilling his cup. "She invited me and Madeline over for dinner Friday evening."
He was happy about the new development in his relationship with his estranged sister, "I've missed her, you know?"
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Post by Allison Whitney on Sept 7, 2016 20:37:32 GMT -5
"Well, yea," she said, "I know how much she meant to you, Colby. You used to be very close." Ally even remembered a time when Kristen tore her a new one, right after she was caught cheating on him with his best friend Jackson. She was very protective of her 'baby brother'. "I bet Maddy will be so excited. Another person to spoil the hell out of her." she chuckled.
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Post by Colby Lefabre on Sept 7, 2016 20:50:35 GMT -5
He nodded, "Yeah, I'm sure the feelings will be mutual. Kristen hasn't met Madeline yet and so I'm hoping the two of them hit it off. I just don't want anything to go wrong." His concerns were mostly around the fact that for a Friday night, it was going to be strangely normal - and not one where they spent it holed up in the penthouse watching a movie in the projection room.
They were going to spend it doing something completely and utterly normal. Colby let his mind wonder a bit back to a time and place before he'd lost Vanessa, when things were 'normal' and he and Kristen were typical kids irritating the hell out of each other.
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Post by Allison Whitney on Sept 7, 2016 20:57:30 GMT -5
Allison watched Colby transform from a man into a little boy. His blue eyes were full of worry and insecurity. Not able to help it, she reached her hand out and gently placed it on his knee. "Hey...it's going to be perfect." she assured him. "Have you forgotten how to just...be?" she asked him, "I mean...without all the security and nannies and butlers...."
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Post by Colby Lefabre on Sept 8, 2016 5:54:06 GMT -5
Colby was thankful for her touch, he nodded, "Sometimes, I think so." He looked around for a moment, "I think I've been so busy with all of this that there are times I don't know who I really am anymore." A smile crept to his lips as he added, "Though Madeline does tend to keep me in check from time to time. No matter what I achieve, that 10 year old girl can drop me to my knees in a flash."
He covered her hand with his and gave it a squeeze not bothering to retract it. The human touch felt good, almost reassuring and definitely comforting.
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Ally/Colby
Sept 8, 2016 18:06:45 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Allison Whitney on Sept 8, 2016 18:06:45 GMT -5
Ally matched his smile when he mentioned Madeline. "Boy, do I know it." she laughed. "Though...I think she might get that from me." She allowed Colby to stroke the top of her hand with his, having grown used to the affection they would sometimes offer to one another.
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Post by Colby Lefabre on Sept 8, 2016 18:40:51 GMT -5
"Oh you're taking credit for that are you?" Colby laughed. "She very well could get that from you. You've always had a way of cutting right to the quick." He took a deep breath and reached for a scone. He didn't often get to enjoy such a leisurely activity as this but tonight he needed to unwind a bit.
"How are things going for you? Your parents are well?"
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Post by Allison Whitney on Sept 8, 2016 20:11:06 GMT -5
Ally waved it off with a soft laugh, "Oh, you know. Same ole, same ole." she picked up a scone as well, even though she and Madeline just had ice cream less than an hour ago. "Trying to decide what to do with their money, I guess. Mom says dad's going through some kind of mid-life crisis. I told her he went through that early when my sister was still living at home."
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