Dark

Eric wished he were way too nice and cool for someone to have taken advantage of him too, but maybe that whole thing with Dana was his own fault anyway. At least somebody believed in him.

Suddenly being hugged and told he was loved, for a moment he just stands rigidly, not quite sure what to do. Ashlee was full of surprises today, and he certainly hadn't expected such words from her. Feeling a new warmth spread through him, he finally slips his arms around her too and returns a tight hug. He did like being a part of her family...and he couldn't help but wonder if perhaps someday it might even be official. He wasn't sure he liked to dare think that far ahead but...his feelings for Stacy were growing every day, and he simply adored Ashlee. Was this all...really real? Were the three of them really becoming a little family? The thought sent tingles through him.

A smile spreads on his lips. "Well I'm glad to know I make your mom happy... and I'm right proud to be part of your family now too." 

Pulling back, he gives Ashlee a wink. "So no more thinking I'm mad at anybody. Besides, I heard you, me, your mom and Dylan are gonna hang out this weekend, and I'm planning on having a good time." 

A grin surfaces as Chance starts to return more of Destiny's light kisses. "Mmm... okay... that sounds good... to me..." 

Standing here in the entryway though, really wasn't the most comfortable spot if Destiny was willing to spend a little more time enjoying each other. Drawing away, he takes her hand and pulls her further inside until he spots the living room couch. Sitting down at one end, he pulls her sideways into his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. He still had his leather jacket on, but he didn't care. It was her that he was paying attention to. 

Smiling again, his hands coax her nearer once more until his lips find hers. Leaning back into the corner of the couch, he lets her rest on him, soaking up everything about these precious moments. 

Domino's little nails click on the tile floor as she trots directly by Scott's heel, obediently sticking close, as if she knew Reese allowed her here only if she continued to behave. Her master had stayed late tonight, and she didn't understand that, along with the empty chair in the office where her master's best friend usually sat, but she wasn't in the habit of complaining. She knew she'd get fed eventually. Scott was good that way.

Heading home at a later hour than normal, Scott didn't like the idea of going home in the dark, but he'd gotten wrapped up in today's work, only to realize that time had slipped away. Without Dalton here to remind him when to eat or when to quit work, it was more difficult to keep on track.

Tucking his hands in his hoodie pocket, he yawns. At least he had something for Reese tomorrow. And when Dalton came back to work soon, there wouldn't be too big a pile of work waiting.

As he continued his route, he was a little surprised to see Hope's office light still on. He hadn't known she worked this late. Starting to skirt around the open doorway to remain out of sight, he stops as a new thought comes to mind. He hated the dark. He didn't want to go home and walk into a dark house. He always made sure he was home before sundown. Except for tonight. But... maybe there was a way around it. At the same time though, did he really want to choose that route?

Scott finds himself leaning on the office door frame, silently watching Hope for several moments. They'd had lunch a few times... took a few walks in the park. But nothing much more than that. And while Scott never talked about it, he was fully aware of Hope's continuous waiting...on him. And even though he never spoke of it, he often thought of her and what they'd had together once. But what remained stronger in his mind was fear. Fear of who he'd become. Fear of his own problems and how they might affect others. Fear of moving forward just to realize he couldn't handle it. And yet... there were so many days he felt so lonely... like a piece of him was missing... like there was a part of life he was supposed to have but didn't. Was it circumstances or his own choice?

Taking a deep breath, he raps his knuckles softly on the door. "Hey, Hope." He musters up a small smile. "You, um... working real late? I was just heading out and..." He pauses, biting his lip. "I guess I wondered if you wanted some coffee or something... at my place." He had to tell her his reasons though. "I kinda lost track of time and... well, I... um..." Did he sound as much like a little kid as he felt right now? Heat rises to his cheeks. He might as well admit to what a scaredy cat he was so she'd know it. "I didn't leave a light on at home and I'm not real keen on walking into a dark house alone." 

"...So it's not much - just a few hours a week, but... it's something." Alec sat at the kitchen table as Misty prepared supper. Jason was coming over but he hadn't arrived yet, giving Alec a chance to tell about Carson's small job offer. He was a little hesitant to tell Misty... after all, this was her soon-to-be-ex he was talking about. But he hoped she was at least glad he'd found something, even if it was small. For him, it was a good step forward. 

He toys with a napkin on the table and shrugs. "Still need more, but at least it's a few bucks, right?"