Family Dating Game (Frogger and thecakeisalie)

[thecakeisalie]

Alex could see some of the sadness in his mother’s eyes as she talked about her husband. She has gotten much better at hiding it, her lip didn’t quiver anymore, her hands didn’t start to tremble a bit, but her eyes, they didn’t get teary but there was a darkness that filled them when she thought about him. Alex has turned most of his feelings about his dad into anger now which turned out to be a quicker one to hide than his mother’s and sister’s sadness they would feel. Although, this was the way it probably had to be with him being the new man of the house. It’s not like he used much of this title as “the man of the house,” it was just a thing in the back of his mind that tugged and pulled every one and a while. He knew at times maybe he would need to step up into this role, but with his mother being stronger than anyone could have predicted it wasn’t necessary just yet.

“Snitch!” Alex called out immediately when he saw the DVD case in his mom’s hand. “I said it first, I don’t care if it’s not a girly movie like you two probably want to see.” He continued in a silly tone. Alex got up from the table and playfully pushed his sister and grabbed the DVD and celebrated. Sometimes it was the little things that Alex took over the top that he hoped his mom and sister enjoyed. Rarely did he take things seriously for more than an incredibly short period of time. Alex took the DVD and started it up in the family room and rushed back into the kitchen.

Even when they weren’t overly amused by his silly antics Alex kept it up for a while for a couple reasons. He tended to be a bit energetic most the time, and being stupid let him disconnect from any kind of problems that may actually be happening, like it was his own kind of drug. “I’m getting snacks, you guys get drinks! Go! Go! Go!” Alex instructed while searching through the cabinets. On his way back into the living room he gave his mom a great big smile and a kiss on the cheek. “You’re the best mom.” Alex told her happily and walked off into the TV room.

 

[Frogger]

“Just wait until you see what I picked up for dessert!” Lydia called after him. Beautiful laughter spilled forth from her lips, each note dancing in the air. “Then you’ll be saying that all over again!” Her eyes sparkling with mirth –the sadness completely gone from those vibrant green depths- she went back into the kitchen to retrieve said treat. It was just something she picked up on the way home, really. Not anything extravagant, mind you…but still. This was a celebration. It wasn’t every day that your son starts college, after all. Yet…Bittersweet memories rose, each one dear…but a little more painful than the last. It was hard, seeing her little boy growing up. Of course nothing can halt the passage of time…but every once in a while, she wished she had that ability. Mothers around the world would love such an invention, but a rare few may try to speed forward…She would never do anything like that, herself. Too many…conflicting feelings.
Golden strands of hair fell into her eyes, immediately tugging her thoughts from the past, and back to the present. The ends tickled the underside of her jaw, and with an impatient hand she brushed the strands away. “Maybe I should get a haircut soon…” she mused, green eyes and petite hands searching for drinks in the cabinets. None were in the first cabinet, but in the second she was met with triumph. “Here they are!” Lydia exclaimed. Sandi chuckled behind her, finding and taking down plastic cups. It was fairly common for their mother to lose track of where things were, given how much she has on her plate. It wasn’t an issue of being scatterbrained, just an issue of her metaphorical plate being full.

“Alright… You ready to see Snitch?” Lydia called out, walking into the living room with drinks in tow. “ Her eyes were bright instead of dulled with grief, and her smile was nothing but genuine. The dimple in one cheek even popped out. “Because I have the drinks, you have snacks, and Sandi has cups. Together…that makes one great dinner.” Mischief dancing in those dark green orbs, she playfully nudged him aside, that way she stole his seat. “Of course…what if I choose to watch a different movie…? I might do it…” This comment was made teasingly, with a mischievous smile and a rather sexy pose on the sofa. Because of said position…he could look down that blouse, and see her pert breasts.