Closed The Truth Hurts

Cooper had just enough time to make a single phone call. Rubbing the back of his neck, he dialed the unfamiliar number and waited for the woman to answer his call. Once she said hello, he hurried to speak. "Danielle? I'm Damien's little brother Cooper. Please don't hang up," he spoke quickly, ducking his head like the woman could see him. "He's going to kill me for this. He feels really guilty about involving you with all of the Teagan mess. He didn't want to tell you, but our mom is sick. Like, really sick. Our older brother doesn't know either, but Damien's had to drop out of school to take care of her." He stopped long enough to take a breath. "I-i know this is hardly the introduction Damien had in mind. B-but I'm at school and I'm really worried about him. Could you... could you please go check on him? Mum lives in Britain." He quickly gave Dani the address. He didn't know how this would turn out, but it had to be done.

Damien was exhausted. He'd barely been sleeping. Seeing his mother look so small and frail was hard. Not telling Jason didn't help. His brother was a doctor, for crying out loud. Jason would know what to do better than Damien. But his mother was insistent. After tucking her back in bed after a rough night, Damien shuffled down to the living room. He'd grown up in this house. He'd never thought he would hate being here. He fell on the couch, feeling drawn and looking haggard.

A knock on the door startled him. Scrubbing his hand over his face, he made his way to the door and opened it. "How can I-?" He started to ask, but as his hand passed down his face, his tired eyes took in the last person he expected to see here. "Danielle?" He breathed. It took him a moment to realize she was really there. Not caring he was in an old t-shirt and his hair was a mess, Damien stepped out the door and hugged the woman. He laid his head on her shoulder, too tired to remember he hadn't wanted her to be bothered again. "Dani," he breathed. "Sorry," he muttured into her ear, making no effort to let go or move away.

Damien had just shut his eyes with the intention of snuggling as close to his girl as he could when she pulled back. He gave her a tired smile as she cupped his face. He wanted to lean in to kiss her for her sweet sentiment but she was already pulling him inside. Dang Dani slow down, he griped tiredly to himself. He let her get him seated on the couch. He lay an arm over the back of the sofa and leaned his head back. He looked up again when the girl brought him a drink. Water? When had he drunk last? He couldn't remember, but when his sip turned into downing the entire glass, he assumed a while.

Once the glass was empty, he stood. He motioned for Dani to follow before going into the kitchen. He set his empty glass by the sink and pulled a few pops from the fridge. He set them on the bar and set about making some lunch. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten either. "How hungry are you?" He called to Dani, suppressing a yawn. He couldn't decide what to make yet so he rummaged through the fridge for ideas. "What all did Coop say?" He asked a moment later. There was only so many ways Dani could possibly know to be here and it hadn't been his doing.

Damien was a little startled as everything he'd been attempting to set up disappeared. He turned to his girlfriend, blinking as she said she'd already ordered food. He couldn't remember the last time he'd eaten either, though he knew his mom was already asleep and would be the rest the afternoon. He gave Dani a tired smile as she rounded the counter. "Anyone ever tell you you're an angel?" He bit back a yawn. She hopped up on the counter and he stepped closer, smiling as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He chuckled as she said he needed sleep, distracted a bit by how nice it felt for her to play with his hair. "Yeah," He replied softly.

Dani stated the obvious then, and he sighed. "I know," He told her, "And I'm sorry. It just... it all hit so fast I didn't know what to do." He admitted. He gave her a sheepish grin. "And after everything with Teagan, well... I didn't want to worry you any more. I'd be a poor boyfriend if all I did was upset you," He leaned forward and laid his head on her shoulder. "I'd kill Cooper for getting you involved, but honestly..." He turned his head and started kissing her neck, leaving a soft trail up to her ear. He placed his hands on her waist. "I'm glad you're here, Dani," He murmured in her ear before he began leaving another soft trail of kisses along her jaw.

Damien's heart thudded painfully in his chest when Dani's lips met his. He could never get over what it felt like to kiss her. He moved a hand from her waist, laying it against the back of her neck lightly. Unfortunately, however, she chose that moment to break away. At least she stayed close, leaning her forehead against his. He opened his eyes, completely ready to disagree when she produced a pack of letters from her pocket. He raised a brow. Well, he had some reading to do. He set his chin on her shoulder, keeping her close as he unfolded the letters on the counter behind her back. He went through the dates until he found the oldest one and began reading through them.

Hmm... Dani's mother was upset with her career choices. Wanted her to quit quidditch. Thought she was too sheltered to be able to handle the real world. And in the latest one, brought her disapproval of Dani's new 'lover' and his influence on her. He had been reading silently through the letters, humming here and there as he read something that caught his ire. He set the letters down and pulled a blank notebook and pen over to him. Still settled against Dani, he quickly set into a letter of his own. He started out formally, intentionally leaving out any indication that he'd read the stack Dani had given him.

To the darling Mrs. Corelli,
I beg your forgiveness that I have yet to acquaint myself with your exquisite parsonage. As a world-renowned leader in fashion, you must understand my hesitance to bring my humble presence to your attention.

Damien spent the rest of that page and a good portion of the next detailing his favorite pieces from each of her fashion shows, going to great lengths to highlight her best works, the most noted, and the hidden gems that had been underappreciated. He then spent another page detailing the talks he and Dani had about the fashion industry outside of her mother's career and then spent yet another page carefully going on about how he adored Danielle and all of her best qualities, and all of the cute habits he'd noticed she carried. He went on for a time on how she was such a positive influence with her quidditch career, and how he respected her. By the time he had finished, he had written six pages. He smirked a bit as he wrapped his letter up.

In conclusion, I would be incredibly honored if you would take time from your busy schedule to meet with me. I find I have fallen hopelessly in love with your daughter, and I would like the chance to earn your blessing, and your approval. I hold you in the highest of regards.
Cordially, Damien Gates.

Smiling, he rolled the pages together and tied them with a tasteful ribbon that had been left on the counter. With a low whistle, he summoned his owl, and the letter was off. He pulled back and kissed Dani tenderly on the forehead. "Silly woman, you have nothing to apologize for. Now," He draped his arms lazily over her shoulders. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Damien smiled as Dani stood in his arms. He was about to suggest something other than talking, but there was a knock on the door. Dani hurried away and he sighed. I'm just not having any luck tonight, he griped to himself. She returned quickly, and he couldn't help but drift closer as the smell of food enticed him. He followed after her as she moved to the living room. Upon hearing her request, he couldn't help but chuckle. "So long as you don't mind dating a bum that needs a shower." He took a seat on one of the offered pillows. He made a concious effort to mind his manners and not just dig into the nearest delicious smelling box. He tried to smile at his girlfriend, eying the food like a kid on Christmas. "So what's on the menu tonight, darling?"

Tyra was so bored. She couldn't work at the Inn and she couldn't spend time with her husband. Kira was at school, Reagan wasn't around, the woman had nothing to do. That was when the idea struck her- she had to go visit her mother-in-law. That always cheered her up. With a bit of help from her husband before he left for work, Tyra found herself on her mother-in-law's street. Hobbling up the steps, she knocked on the door. She placed a hand on her lower back and the other on her bulging belly. Being pregnant with triplets wasn't easy. She shivered and pulled her jacket tighter. Was it just her or was it colder here?

Damien just couldn't get over how sweet Dani was being tonight. He gave her a crooked smile, placing his coffee on the table before showering her with kisses. "I love you, Dani," he murmured into her ear, pushing her over on the cushions. He covered her neck in kisses, holding her as close as he could. "I love you so much," He murmured again before covering her lips with his. He had just deepened the kiss, leaning more against her, when a knock on the door startled him. He jumped a mile high, falling back halfway across the room. "Holy mother of- who is that?" He muttered, pushing himself to his feet before hurrying to the door.

He pulled it open quickly, freezing in place. "Tyra!" He took her arm and pulled her inside carefully. "What are you even- how did you- WHY would you-" He shook his head as he brought his pregnant sister-in-law inside and set her on the couch. "I have food! You need food for my nephews." He told her, hurrying to quickly make her a plate.

Tyra giggled as a rather scruffy looking Damien appeared. His reaction was just the sweetest, with a hand on the small of her back and the other on her belly, she let him escort her inside. "Ooh, that smells heavenly. I have wonderful timing," She teased lightly. She could tell she had interrupted something, but that just made it more fun. Someone needed to tease the boy. She took the orange juice with a light groan and took a few sips. "Mmm, delicious. Thank you, darling," She winked at Danielle, her eyes sparkling. She turned to Damien. "Now, it is always a delight to see you, lovie," She raised a brow. "But I came to visit with your mother. Where is she? And shouldn't you be in school?" She questioned the boy.

Damien let out a sigh, settling in next to Dani again and laying his arm around her shoulders. "Yes, thank you darling," He echoed Tyra's statement, pressing a chaste kiss to her temple. He turned to his sister-in-law. He'd been prepared for this. "So sorry, Tyra. She's gone out to visit her sister." He lied smoothly. "And didn't anyone tell you and Jason? I graduated early. It's a new program they're offering at the school. I was one of the first to accept the opportunity." He gave her his most innocent smile. He hoped Dani would play along.

Tyra reached out with a bit of difficulty and took Damien's plate from the table. He could share. She was feeding four, after all. She took a bite as he explained. She pouted a little before taking a sip of her orange juice. "Well, do give your mother my regards then," She smiled, turning to Danielle. "Six months. Careful with this one, darling, triplets run in his family." She winked, before wincing as two of her children kicked her. "Ooh," She sighed. "These two are rather energetic, aren't they?" She chuckled lightly.

Damien let out a sigh of relief, nuzzling into Dani's neck. "I'll explain later, my love," He whispered softly. Tyra spoke again, and he nearly jumped to the other end of the couch. "W-w-what are y-you," He stuttered, blushing wildly. "Don't say things like that!" He chastised Tyra, laughing. He was glad to have the women in the house with him. It made things better. At least... for now.