It's been a while.

[Adele Smith]

Adele lay on the sofa holding Lowan up in front of her, then bringing him down and kissing him. She had felt she had rejected him recently, so she thought it was about time she spent the day at home with her beloved son. Since herself and Riley had broken up, Adele had gotten out some more, spent more time being a 19 Year-Old girl, instead of being a full-time wife, and mother. But now the tears had stopped, Adele no longer felt that she needed to keep herself occupied, so Adele was devoting the whole day to her son and no-one else. Lowan still reminded Adele of Riley, he looked so much like him, but now that was a good thing for Adele, she still loved her son's Daddy, and she always would, no matter what happened. Even if she re-married, which was very unlikely, she would always keep a place for Riley in her heart.

 

[Riley Smith]

Riley Walked through the park where he had Adele had once sat as a happy married couple with their son. He looked at the place where they had been sat. Even though it was only a few week ago, it seemed like a lifetime. He walked at pace through the park where happy kids ran wild. He didn't bother look around any more, he had more pressing matters on his mind right now. Matters like seeing his son, seeing Adele and telling her about his condition. That part was the most daunting and he was trying not to think about it until it was time to actually tell it to her. It was only scary for him because Lowan as at stake in his life and right now he was the most important thing in the teenagers life. His heart rate quickened. It wasn't long until the next full moon and that was scaring him greatly too. It was the actual transformation tat scared him, it was the pain. Th immense pain hat he cold do nothing to control. At least with the Wolfsbane he could control himself when he was a wolf but apart from that it was out of his hands.

As he neared the top of the road where Adele's house was, which he had bought for her Well he had ought it for them bot so Lowan had a good place to grow up but for obvious reasons he moved out instead. It would not have been fair to tell Adele to get out ad live where she had before because Lowan lived wit her. Again he thought of Lowan first even if it did cost him a house. He hesitated before knocking on the door. He hoped hat she was in. He had no idea of her movements any more and he didn't know if she would be out with other guys now. What ever the case he wanted to spend some time with hi son after hey were done. He wasn't working for a few days so he was going to be taking car of Lowan for those few days

 

[Adele Smith]

The knock on the door made Adele jump. She wasn't expecting anyone. She sat Lowan up in the corner of the sofa, made sure he was okay by himself, then went to answer the door. Adele had only opened the door a couple of inches when she recognised the smell, and the clothes. It was Riley. Adele closed the door for a second, briefly smiled at Lowan, then took a deep-breath in, and then slowly let it out again. Adele then opened the door to Riley. "Hi." She said with a smile, ignoring her previous actions of closing the door etc...

"Urm...come in...I guess..." Adele said awkwardly, opening the door further for Riley before walking over to Lowan. "Look Lowan, Daddy's here." She said, as she picked Lowan up. If she had Lowan in her hands, she would stop herself from hugging Riley, it was a natural reaction, and Adele hadn't yet gotten used to not touching Riley in anyway, shape, or form.

Out of Character:

Haha.

 

[Riley Smith]

Riley watched the door open slightly. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the sight of her. H still had not got over his feels for her and seeing her made them al twice as strong Still he was tough, he had survived being mauled by a hunk of dumb wolf alight so surely seeing Adele should be no problem. If only he could say that and actually believe his own words, not that would be impressive. His soft brown eyes were full of confusion as te door closed once again. That was rude. He thought to himself. He thought they were past this petty reactions to each other. Or at least he was. He guessed it showed who was the most mature in the relation hip. Then again it was all because of Adele that he was the man he was ow and no longer the boy he had been. She had changed him for the better. She gave him a reason to be mature and responsible. That reason was Lowan. It was because of him that he had a job, three in fact, and that he was loyal and that he was trying so hard to be fiends with Adele an get his life back on track. It was probably safe to say that he was was he best thing to ever happen in Riley's life.

Standing up strait as the door opened once again He smiled kindly at her. "Hello." He said to her in return to er greeting to him. As he door opened more as an invitation or him to come in he did just that. He eyes locking on to Lowan. That brought a huge grin to his face. Even if Adele was the one to pick him up first. "There's my big guy. Blimey look who has grown." He sad blowing a raspberry on Lowan cheek. The babies laugh was music to Riley's ears. He could have sat here all day listening to him. Unfortunately he couldn't do that. He had to talk to Adele. He looked away from his son and to Adele, taking a step back. For safety. "Can we talk?" He asked quietly biting his lower lip. He was anxious about how she would reply. Anxious for Lowan. He just didn't want him to be taken away but if push came to shove he would get car of him, h was the one with the good and permanent income.

 

[Adele Smith]

Adele laughed as Riley blew a raspberry on Lowan's cheek. He really was a brilliant dad, and Adele knew that Lowan came first in all of this, which was why Adele was putting in her best efforts to not be scared of being 'just friends' with Riley. She loved Lowan dearly, and would do anything to see him grow-up knowing that his Mum and Dad were the best-of-friends. Right now, it was anything but that. There was a lack of trust, a lack of......friendship. They were just being polite for Lowan's sake. But that wasn't how Adele wanted things. She would do anything to get back that amazing feeling she got whenever she saw Riley's face when they were still together. But Adele knew fully well that this had all been her fault, no matter what Izaak had said, and now she had to face the consequences, but Lowan didn't.

Adele's smiley face turned to a worried and concerned one when Riley asked if they could talk. That meant the talk was for one of 3 things 1) To dump her...that had already been done. 2) To ask her out...well that was unlikely...or 3) Something was up. Going with the third decision, Adele wondered what an earth could be going on. "Yeah Sure...take a seat...I'll just go and put Lowan down." Adele said, before heading upstairs, and laying Lowan down with a few teddies in his cot. 'He doesn't need to hear any of this...whatever it is...' Adele thought to herself.

Adele rushed back downstairs then sat on the sofa...a little awkwardly. "So what's up?" She asked, questioning him as if they were good friends, she didn't want to appear awkward, and she didn't want to make Riley feel any more awkward. It must have been difficult for him, coming to the house that he had bought for his ex-wife, knowing what had gone on here just a few weeks ago. Adele would never forget that night, she had cried her eyes out, and the invisible scars had been left on Adele's wounded heart.

Out of Character:

Sorry it's rather long. Haha.

 

[Riley Smith]

Just by looking at Adele's ace he knew why he wanted to talk. Well she knew something would be up, the actual reason he hoped was a mystery to her. He nodded as she said she would go and put Lowan down. He didn't want her too, he didn't want to go second with out seeing him but it was probably for the past. Even though e was a baby and wouldn't understand a word that they would be saying he wanted to get in to the habit of talking in private with out him around. It was all good now but when he got older he would be able to understand more and more. Riley didn't want to dump al of his problem on his son like his dad had done to him and his brothers. He was determined to not be like his dad.
Once Adele came back down in to the room with out Lowan and sat down Riley took a deep breath. It was now that he regretted not rehearsing his speech. He had no idea as to what he could say. Maybe repeat what he ad said to Cyndi. That would have been a good plan if he could actually remember what he had said to her. He sighed an linked his hands together as he frowned looking at the floor. "Urm. Give me a second." He said as he continued to think. "You know how im a DADA Professor. I teach defensive spells ad protection against dark creatures. What exactly do you think about those dark creatures?" He asked her deciding to ease in to it.

 

[Adele Smith]

Adele looked at Riley as he began to speak. She was a little confused, but decided to go along with it. She was glad that whatever Riley could want to talk about, he had bothered to come and tell her in person. That meant at least the broken-up couple were making a little progress. A few weeks ago, Adele couldn't have even seen Riley without crying her eyes out. Adele was trying to be as mature as she could about the whole thing.

"Urm...well I don't really know much about them...I've never really had to deal with them." She asked, Defence Against The Dark-Arts wasn't something she had paid much attention to at Beauxbatons. Infact, when she was at school, Adele never paid attention, but had somehow gotten through it okay. Adele wondered why an earth Riley wanted to talk about such a thing, something was obviously bothering him, he couldn't even look at her. She couldn't figure out whether that was because of what he was about to tell her, or whether it was because of what had recently happened between the two of them. But Adele was worried and wanted to know what was up. After an awkward silence, Adele began to question. "Why do you ask? Riley what's wrong?" She asked softly, wanting to get the truth out of Riley, the man she would always love, no matter what.

 

[Riley Smith]

Riley bit his bottom lip and felt his heart ache slightly. He was so mixed with his emotions right now. He was heart broken to be here as a friend. He was nervous about telling her his new secret. He felt embarrassed that he had a secret from her even though he had not seen her since the attack. He just felt sad overall really. So many emotions were running through him he had no deal about what to do about them. He knew that he could trust Adele, he had done for the past two years or so. She knew knew him better than most, maybe not as well as his best friend but still.
He ran his hands through his hair as he thought. His heart rate had increased a little bit as he now had an adrenaline rush. He kicked himself mentally at this. Why was he having such a stupid reaction to this, it was like he was back in primary school or something. He sighed and decided to just be out with it. He hesitated. "Im a werewolf." He blurted out before gritting his tenth together and wishing he had not said anything although he was relieved that he had on some level.

 

[Adele Smith]

Adele looked at Riley as she waited for his reply. He really was perfect. His eyes twinkled, each spike of his hair stood correctly. His skin looked so smooth and unblemished. he was strong and calm, but for Adele one thing was missing. Where was the smile? Riley always smiled. She hadn't seen it since he had looked at Lowan when he had first arrived. That was when Adele saw the real Riley again. At the moment, Lowan was the only thing that was keeping the two as friends, but they were getting there...slowly. Adele began to remember the time when she had told Riley about Hadan, her neutral face turned to a frown as she hoped that Riley would speak up soon, she refused to let herself cry again, especially infront of Riley. She had done enough of that already.

Adele snapped out of her thoughts when Riley spoke. It took her a minute to take in what he had just said. Adele had never really been all that interested in dark-creatures, and now all of a sudden, she had been sub-merged into a world of ex-husbands and werewolfs. That was no good thing. But Adele tried to stay calm for Riley's sake. Adele knew Riley well and she could tell from the minute he had walked in that something was right. "Right..." Adele trailed off, not really sure what to say. "Sorry Riley...I don't really know how to react..." She told him truthfully...the truth was something that had been missing from Adele's life recently. It was about time she was honest with her ex-husband.

 

[Riley Smith]

Riley's eyes felt heavy. He had not slept well the night before and not he was just starting to feel it. He just wanted to talk to Adele properly but every time he tried to talk like that it felt like there was a steel knife in his throat and he just couldn't. He could remember when he loved her so much that he could barely breath without her and he used to get the warm fuzzy feeling. ow he felt slightly sick of looking at her because every time he did he could just picture her an Haden all over each other. How would he possible get back with her when all he could see was that. He knew that if it wasn't for their son then Riley wouldn't be talking to her at all, she would be just another ex in the long list he had racked up over the years but that as not the situation. They were bound together through another living person. Sometimes he hated that but hen he would remember that it was because of her that he ha the most beautiful baby boy that he could watch grow up and help him in his life and teach him the thing that a child should learn to know. Like flying a kite or how play quidditch. These were the thing that he looked forward to and they were the things that made him smile when he as angry. He just couldn't wait to the best dad to his son.
When Riley heard Adele's words his brown eyes slowly looked up to her face sadly. He tried to see if she seemed scared but he didn't think she was but then again he wasn't exactly an expert on reading peoples faces so he couldn't be sure. He was glad tat she didn't seem scared to im, it kind of calmed im slightly. He could feel his ecstatic heart beat slow don slightly, closer to his normal resting heart rate. "Im not really expecting you to say anything. He said quietly, his voice strained. He could hardly think of what to say himself. His brain had shut down and purged him of all other thought so h had to jut say what ever came out with first. "Your not going to take Lowan away from me are you?" He asked franticly. That was the thing that he feared the most about this whole situation. He just feared that he would loose his family because of this condition that he could do nothing about or help. Sure he could control his mood when he was a wolf.

 

[Adele Smith]

Adele looked straight back into Riley's eyes as he looked at her. She remembered how close they use to be, how much they trusted each other. Adele thought the trust must be growing again for Riley to tell her that he was a werewolf; that was no little thing. That comforted Adele a little bit, to know that Riley had confided in her and told her straight, in person; Riley wasn't one to muck about with these sorts of things. Adele knew that better than anybody.

As Riley spoke, she began to feel her heart-beat as Riley mentioned Lowan. What would she do? Of course she didn't want to prevent Lowan from seeing his dad. That was the last thing the young family needed right now. But Adele didn't know how safe Riley was when he was werewolf. Adele thought about what she was going to say before she spoke. It would be a horrible wait for Riley, but Adele had to get this right. "Riley, I don't have the slightest problem with you seeing Lowan, but I need to know that he's going to be safe whilst he's with you...I mean...were-wolfs aren't the kindest of creatures are they?" It was true, and she hoped that Riley would understand. "Can you guarantee his safety? If not, I can't stop you from seeing him, that would be unfair, but if not...maybe Cyndi should be with you when you look after him or something..just incase..." It was a good idea, prevented any un-wanted accidents. Adele would do anything to see that Lowan was safe.

 

[Riley Smith]

Riley rubbed his right shoulder slightly. He had gotten a tattoo recently and it was still kind of hurting him a bit. It had been such a spur of the moment thing that he wasn't even sure why he had got it. Well he kind of did seeing as it was a wolf howling. He lowered his arm slowly and rested it by his side a little awkwardly to say the least. He really didn't know how he should be acting right now.
Listening to Adele speak he couldn't help but notice how grown up and adult like sh was sounding. he thought it a little strange, after all he ha always been the more mature person in their relationship. During the end part he was anyway the start f it not so much. They had been equally immature back then. He could understand where Adele was coming from. She just wanted to know if Lowan would be safe around him but Riley wouldn't dare have him around when he was in his wolf form. He would risk his health, even if he was taking Wolfsbane and would be able to think for himself during the transformation. There would always be that risk. No matter how mall it was, it was too high for him to risk it. "I wont have him at nigh on a full moon. Even though I take Wolfsbane an will b able to think for myself a a wolf, I wont risk his health. Just in case it goes wrong. Even for a split second. I think it would be best for Cyndi to have him for the night and I will make sure to be far away." He said calmly as he thought about what he was saying.

 

[Adele Smith]

Adele was relieved to hear that Riley agreed with her idea. As much as Adele and Cyndi had their differences, she was a brilliant God-Mother for Lowan, and was brilliant at looking after him. Adele thought for a couple of moments after Riley spoke. Adele had been taken life with a pinch of salt since she had broken up with Riley, but she had also gone out and enjoyed herself, seen a few boys, something that she hadn't dared done with Riley...Hadan being an exception.

"Okay, so are we agreed on that?" She asked, double-checking. Adele looked Riley in the eyes as she spoke. She hated him being her on a friend basis. Adele appeared to be over him, but deep inside she desperately wanted him back. Adele looked down, not wanting Riley to notice that she was looking at him. As Adele shifted her eyes up to Riley once again, she couldn't help but speak. "I miss you Riley." She said softly, but maturely. She didn't want her emotions to turn into tears, she was over the tears bit now. And as much as she just had done, she didn't want to make Riley feel awkward. She immediatley sighed then looked up, before looking back at Riley. "Oh...Riley I'm sorry...I wasn't meant to sa..." Adele paused, Riley would know the end to her sentence.

"Y-y-yeah..." She said a little awkwardly. The once in love couple may have not been together anymore, but they still knew each other back-to-front, that was something that would never change.

 

[Riley Smith]

As Riley sat on he sofa in the living room he couldn't help but let his mind wander a little. What would his life have been like in a few years time if he was still with Adele. When Lowan started Hogwarts what would he and Adele have felt together and ow would they have raised him. He wondered if it would have been like a typical happy family with the picket fence life that most family's wanted. The best up bringing of their children. It was the life that Riley wanted for his child, and any other children he had during his life. He liked kids and wanted his own big family. Of course he didn't want another one now but later on in he future when Lowan was around three years old maybe. He just wanted to find the right girl before he started having children again.
Riley nodded a Adele. "Yeah we are agreed." He said quietly. He knew it was because they ha broken up and such but he just wanted her back in hi arms. He knew the feeing would pass because it was what a lot of couple got when they split up. Although some couples were not as close as he and Adele were or have the history. He sniffed as she spoke. It was almost like she had read his mind. A least they sort of felt the same way right now. It was how they acted now though that would shape what they did next. He didn't want anything to go wrong that would affect their fragile friendship. He smiled at her and shook his head at her next comment. "Don't apologise. Dont ever apologise for saying your feelings to me." He said to her as he sat back up. "I feel the same way but it will pass. Im not going anywhere. If you need me just say so and il come running. That hasn't changed one bit." Just because they were no longer together that didn't mean that the feels Riley had had for her had magically evaporated in to thin air. She would always be important to him no matter what.

 

[Adele Smith]

Adele felt re-assured by Riley's response to her outburst. She was comforted by the fact that he was still willing to be there for her. It was a little strange, as the only problem Adele had in her life right now was Riley, and she wasn't about to bring up the topic of their break-up again, she didn't want to have to go through the pain of remembering that night again. It was just too painful for Adele, and now she had just about blanked it from her mind. But every time she saw Riley, she couldn't help but remember exactly what she had said on that dreaded night.

"Same...if you ever need me...even if you just want someone to say hello to...then I'll be here..." Adele said with a confident smile. It had been the first true smile she had shown since Riley had arrived. She wanted to be able to smile and laugh with him again, even if it was just as friends, she didn't want to have to feel awkward around him. That was unfair, on herself as well as Riley. She wasn't sure whether she should ask if he had met someone new yet. One - She wasn't sure if she wanted to know and Two - It would just bring back the tears if he had. She really did miss him, and Adele didn't want that feeling of jealousy running through her veins, it wasn't a good feeling and it brought out the worst in Adele.

Deciding not to go ahead with that conversation plan, Adele looked at Riley. "So this wolf thing...how do you feel about it?" Adele asked, she hoped he wasn't feeling too bad about it. He had no reason to, it wasn't his fault. But Adele figured that it was a good topic of conversation. It had nothing to do with love, and nothing to do with girls or Lowan.

Out of Character:

Sorry it's rather long.