Post by Alex Vipond on Jun 19, 2015 21:35:27 GMT -8
Alex Vipond: The flight had been, by and large, slept through and by the time they were out of the airport and on their way to the marina, it was well past time to eat. "How does pizza sound?" Alex was eying the phone in his hand, watching the progress of their car on his app as it approached, and dragging their luggage along with the other hand. He looked up from the app and toward the direction the car should be coming from, looking for a vehicle with a pink mustache on it, and then he looked at Adrienne. "If I order now, we should arrive around the same time."
Wrinkled Black: Adrienne discovered a new best friend before leaving Seattle: Dramamine. She had a feeling it would come in damn handy by the time they were on the water, and it helped maintain her excuse for running to the small lavatory on the Gulfstream from time to time. Being on solid ground once more was definitely helpful and she was already feeling and looking much better than she had while in the air. So much, in fact, that she actually groaned for his suggestion. "Pizza sounds amazing." Happy groan! She couldn't help snickering as she watched him with his phone, shaking her head. "How did we survive for so long without smartphones?"
Alex Vipond: "I have no idea." Alex chuckled and when his phone rang, Alex checked the screen, expecting it to be their driver. Seeing Ki's number come up had a brow rising and his thumb hitting the accept on it, with a glance to Adrienne as he took the call. "Hey, Ki. Is everything alright?" Listening to Ki, it was clear he wasn't. "No, we're in Miami, what's wrong?" He set the luggage he'd been dragging upright, just as he caught sight of their car and he lifted a hand to wave the driver down.
Wrinkled Black: "Me neither." Damn handy little gadgets. She was pulling her own out of her back pocket to glance at the time, and when Alex answered his phone she reached to make sure his bag didn't topple over. Hearing the 'what's wrong' had her frowning, watching Alex closely.
Alex Vipond: "Ki, what's wrong. Don't bullshit me, I can hear it in your voice. Tell me what happened?" As the car pulled up at the curb, Alex made sure the driver was in fact, theirs... had to love an app that gave you a visual on both the ride and the driver, and he waved to him. As the driver moved to help them get their luggage loaded, Alex asked Ki, "Where's your dad?" Odds were they'd had a blow out, since that seemed to be the norm of late, and maybe Ki needed a break, or a come to Jesus. Either way, Alex could, and would, have a ticket waiting for him at SEATAC if it came down to it. With Mars' permission.
Wrinkled Black: Adrienne smiled to the driver and helped him with getting the bags in the car; not the actual suitcases, but carry-ons and purses and the like. While Terri claimed the front seat, Adrienne slipped into the back where she could sit beside Alex. In the meantime, she was bringing up Southwest's website, just in case.
Alex Vipond: "Okay well, you want to talk about it?" Alex handed things over and when everyone was in, he slid into the car, wedged between Adrienne and his sissy. How'd he end up riding bitch, anyway?
Wrinkled Black: Narrowest ass.
Alex Vipond: That would do it.
Wrinkled Black: Well Southwest sucks for not flying to Miami, so she was browsing American instead.
Alex Vipond: "Well, generally, it's used as a last resort. I know in my experience it's been that way." Alex looked to see what Adrienne was doing as the car rolled into motion, and as he leaned, he said, "Try Delta if that doesn't work."
Alex Vipond: "Is your mom there? Your step mom.... Lana, is she there?" Christ this whole string of relationship shit was clear as mud.
Alex Vipond: "Okay, I'm going to call her, and then I'll call you back, okay?"
Wrinkled Black: Tapitytapitytapity...Eyes widened a bit as she checked the prices for a flight out tonight, but then...they were also traveling by private jet and yacht, sooo.. With one hand settled casually on Alex's knee, she waited until he was off the phone before providing some options. "There's a 10:30 and an 11:15 that'd get him here in the morning." A squeeze was given to his knee. "He's probably in the worst possible family dynamic right now."
Alex Vipond: When Ki hung up, Alex looked at Adrienne. "This shit is getting deep." Parenting. The more he saw of it, the more afraid he became of it. He scrolled through his contacts and found Lana's number and dialed her. "It's easier when they start out little, right? I have no doubt. And it doesn't help that he's got an entire crew of people telling him what to do, when and how. Not that they're wrong, but I seriously doubt many, if any of them, have an experience with kids."
Wrinkled Black: She couldn't help laughing, nodding. "I don't know if 'easier' is the right term, but at least you can mold them from the start. Mars and Lana got a full grown teenager right out the gate. That's a whole different ballgame..." She trailed off when Lana picked up.
Alex Vipond: "Hey, you okay? What's going on?" He patted Adrienne's hand on his knee as they rolled from MIA to the Miami Beach Marina. When Lana asked why he was calling, Alex said, "Ki called. He's upset. Mars wanted me to talk to him and I haven't had the chance. What would you say about my taking him off your hands for a few days. Maybe let things settled down and maybe I can talk some sense into him." With Lana’s question about what they were doing on the trip, Alex responded, "I'm looking at a piece of property to buy. We'll be heading back likely Tuesday, Wednesday at the latest. We're not getting a hotel, we're staying on the boat so he won't be wandering around shore."
Wrinkled Black: Adrienne bit her bottom lip as she listened and waited, her fingers lacing with Alex's. She was really hoping Lana would agree, for Ki's sake. Sure, the kid could probably use a time-out, but he needed a not so stressful environment to do it.
Alex Vipond: "Okay, call me back when you know what you want to do. We'll be waiting around the Miami Beach Marina until I hear from you." Alex smiled, even though he knew she couldn't hear it. "I promise I will not allow him any freedoms. In fact, I'll take away his electronics and lock them up in the safe. That way he's got time to think and reflect rather than bury his head in a video game."
Wrinkled Black: She couldn't help a wide grin for Alex's promise, completely confident in his parenting skills.
Alex Vipond: Alex gave Adrienne's fingers a gentle squeeze and then when Lana finally replied, he let out a breath. "Okay. Do me a favor and have Mars call me as soon as he can, please?" Because he would worry, no two ways about it. When Lana said she would let Mars know, he nodded. "Thanks. Take it easy okay? You should be resting." He hit end and then looked at Adrienne. "I just wish I could get the kid alone and have some one on one time to see where his head is at."
Wrinkled Black: That didn't sound so good. Adrienne kept her hand in Alex's but was turning her attention back to her phone, looking up Saturday flights. Maybe Alex could talk some sense in to Mars. Looking up at Alex, she bit her bottom lip for a moment. "We could try to postpone the meeting with the realtor if you wanted to fly back. I could play host." Wouldn't be cool to pack everyone back up after inviting them, after all.
Alex Vipond: "Only as a last resort." There wasn't a snow ball's chance in hell he'd leave Adrienne if it wasn't absolutely necessary. It didn't take long and they were arriving at the Marina, Alex used his phone to pay the driver once the bags were unloaded and gave the dude a five star rating for keeping Terri and his sister amused while he and Adrienne dealt with family... Mars' family shit. And speaking of such, Alex called Ki back once they had the luggage unloaded and he started leading them down the dock to the boat. "Hey, Ki, did I wake you?" The wheels of the luggage thump, thump, thumped over the boards of the dock as they made their way to where the boat was berthed.
Wrinkled Black: Adrienne nodded--she didn't want him to leave, either, but it was an option she was willing to take if it really came down to it. It may have been Mars' family, but he was Alex's brother from another mother. While Alex called Ki again, Adrienne joined the girls in ooohing and aaahing over the boat.
Alex Vipond: "Right now it's a no go, but I'm going to try and talk to your dad and see if I can't change his mind. You hang in there, okay and if you need me... call me, okay? If I have to, I can hop a flight and be back there in six hours." The crew was there to help them on board and take their luggage. to be stowed in the appropriate cabins.
Wrinkled Black: See? Alex is the cool uncle. Not the reckless one that lets the kid escape and not tell anyone. Ahem. After Adrienne was led to their cabin, she set the bags up so they were ready to be unpacked, but she'd wait to do so. Instead she was drawing her hair back into a loose ponytail and stepping back out to hunt him down.
Alex Vipond: Alex stared at his phone as Ki hung up after a brief rush of words and then he let out a breath and dragged a hand through his hair. "I need a cigarette..." he had them, somewhere... he started patting himself down, and then realized he didn't have any on him. He glanced around and contemplated a store run, but instead he pulled his gum and folded a piece between his teeth. Stepping up onto the deck as Adrienne came out, he wrapped his arms around her. "The kid is gonna be so screwed up in the head it's not funny."
Wrinkled Black: Lucky for him she tucked a pack with a lighter in his suitcase. C'mon, she couldn't expect the man to quite cold turkey. Curling her arms around his waist, she settled her head against his chest for a moment and hugged him tight. "I can't even imagine how poisonous that environment is for him. It's no place for a kid." Ki might resent their calling him a 'kid', but really he was a baby compared to some of the creatures he associated with. Adrienne was quiet for a moment, before she looked up at him. "What if...we let him stay with us for a while?" It was asked a little uncertainly, as it could be a wonderful idea, or a wonderfully stupid one.
Alex Vipond: "I seriously doubt that will happen." Alex slid his arms around her and held her close as they stood out on deck. "I can't even get them to loosen their grip for a weekend, let alone anything mildly long term." He shook his head and buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent. "Pizza... I forgot to order the pizza..." Well, because Ki had called.
Wrinkled Black: "It doesn't even have to be long term, maybe a week or two. Just so everyone can clear their heads without reaching for each other's throats." She couldn't help a smile as he buried his face, raking her fingers through his hair. "It can at least be a card played on the table." Didn't hurt to make the offer, right? Adrienne chuckled at the mention of the pizza. "I think you've got a pretty decent excuse, babe."
Alex Vipond: Alex chuckled and nodded. "We can offer. Not sure what will happen, but we can offer." It was worth a try at least and if it was shot down... so be it. He ran his hands along her back as he leaned back from the waist up, just enough to look at her. "Let's get the pizza ordered, and open a bottle of wine, and then see what we can do to relax." He waggled his brows at her.
Wrinkled Black: She laughed at his brow waggle, shaking her head. "And while we wait for the pizza, you can give me the grand tour, because...I'm not gonna lie, I'm kinda freaking the fuck out over how awesome this boat is." Yacht, yacht. Boat hardly did it justice.
Alex Vipond: Pulling his phone, Alex headed for the foredeck, his other arm around Adrienne as he lead her forward, fingers playing over the screen as he used the Dominos app to order pizza. "What do you want on it? They have a Philly cheesesteak pizza that sounds mouthwatering."
Wrinkled Black: "I'm easy, so long as it's not green or a fish." Her nose scrunched in disgust. Bleh. "But that sounds amazing."