A Birthday Tradition | Bones Family & Ava - 1979

[Roderick Bones]

It was nice that there weren’t any muggles here yet, because they’d certainly made more drinks than they had hands. And having them float into the other room was going to be easier than making a bunch of trips. While he knew the rule was necessary, it just didn’t seem like it needed to be such a secret to few muggles that would be over. They were family and it would be a hell of a lot easier if they just knew. He looked to his brother as he spoke, waiting with a raised eyebrow before Edgar continued the story. And while Roderick was perfectly capable of counting nine months, he’d never really questioned Gray’s birth being so soon after they had announced it. “Well I’ll admit that makes me feel better, and I know you will have my back. You might have to teach me the ropes, I didn’t really do the changing diapers and cleaning up vomit part with any of them.” Mostly because he had still been in school then, but he’d avoided the diapers and given the kids back to Phoebe or Edgar every time.

Before he could answer Edgar’s next statement though, Fabian was arriving in the kitchen with Gray, and Roderick gave a look to Edgar. Now was not the time to tell him the truth, especially with a four year old who was like a parrot. “I think the real question is what haven’t I done? Better make that three glasses Ed, means Kyra is here too if this chump showed up.” It went without saying that whatever it was would be discussed later, Fabian being just as much a brother to him as Edgar was. “Help us carry some of this, would ya? Here Gray, juice.”

[Deleted]

Amelia couldn’t keep from laughing as Phoebe continued the story, she really had been setting her up to continue it. She didn’t have as much firsthand experience with what Roderick had done as Phoebe did. And she certainly did hope Ava could slip it in so Roderick could get teased some more, it was something she wasn’t sure anyone in the family would let him live down. It was too funny.

Oh, please do.” It seemed before Phoebe could get any story in Kyra had shown up and Amelia grinned. But just as she smiled, she wondered if Roderick had warned Ava that Kyra was a muggle who didn’t know about magic. She didn’t know if Ava would know to be careful not to mention Hogwarts or its classes to or around Kyra.

“Kyra! This is Ava, she went to the same boarding school we did.” She wasn’t sure what she should reveal exactly, but maybe if she referred to it like that Ava would get the hint if she didn’t already know.

[Phoebe Bones]

It was a rare moment in the house that she should be child free, but it seemed that no sooner than they had finished telling Ava about one of Roderick's boyhood adventures that the door was swinging open and her two older children were off to say hello to the new arrivals. By the sound of it, Kyra and the twins had arrived, Grayson babbling excitedly to his godmother as his sister chased after them and Elle was quick to following, soon dragging Kyra in as she excitedly told her aunt about the girl with pretty red hair. And Gideon - bless him - was taking Cami from her arms. A peaceful moment well deserved and needed, but surely not one that would last for much longer.

Amelia was making the introductions, and Phoebe gave Kyra sh*t eating grin. "More importantly, this is Rodericks girl. We were just filling her in your trip to movies with him," she said with a laugh, "Kyra is the closest thing I have to a sister besides the Bones family, kept me sane while you all were out at your fancy school."

[Edgar Bones]

"Shite, Rod - that's the easy stuff, hate to break it to you," Ed said "solemnly" with a spread of his arms. "That's the stuff that can be taught - which we will teach you - but it's the rest you've got to adjust to that's harder. Your sleep schedule's going to be whack, and forget about having any time to yourself for the foreseeable future, and prepare to question every life choice you've ever made as you lie awake in the dead of night..." He laughed, punching the bloke in the arm. While his brother hadn't been there for each and every transition over the last few years, given his schooling and work, Roderick had been around enough to see the changes in him and Phoebe as they learned to care for their spawn. It never got easier, not really, but... "You'll be fine, mate. Just know it's normal to feel like you're losing your mind."

Who knew his brother was such a little rebel underneath that handsome Hufflepuff guise of his? Ed was proud of him, really, for taking a risk and running with it. He'd been giving him sh*t for years - since Burby, really - about finding someone to (not even settle down with, but just) date. Having been with Phoebe for as long as he could remember, he honestly didn't know life without a partner. And he didn't want to imagine what it was like to go home to an empty flat, to not have someone - or many little someones - waiting for you. While having commitments to his family and to the Order was taxing, to say the least, Edgar did his best to choose to be grateful for it all. For the steadfastness of his wife, the happiness of his children, the impact he was hopefully making on the world to ensure it was safe for all of them...

No risk, no reward, eh?

And Roddy had taken a big risk, going after a young woman still at Hogwarts, with, apparently, an intimidating older brother. More intimidating than me, mate? He'd taken a risk in jumping into bed with her. He'd taken a risk in asking for her hand. And, Merlin's beard, the kid was happier than Ed remembered ever seeing him. Rebellion looks good on you, little brother.

Hearing his best mate's voice, Ed turned to the kitchen entry and gave the bloke a grin. You're going to have a field day, he thought, although with a look to his brother Ed knew that now was not the moment to fill Fabian in, not with Gray there. And they couldn't be gone from the group for so long without it seeming suspicious, but hell, wouldn't the ladies be catching on to Ava and Roderick's secret? He levitated a few more glasses down and filled them generously before pocketing his wand. No more of that for a while, not with Kyra around. "Careful with the juice, Gray, you got it? For you and your sister?" The little man walked painfully slowly out of the kitchen to make his delivery, Ed and the others trailing behind. He knew his friend was going through quite a brutal time, and Ed hoped the camaraderie would help raise his spirits. People just needed to...not pry. And so he gave a stage whisper to him as they neared the others. "Hid fireworks for when it's dark."

Wine delivered to his sister and wife, Ed sat on the arm of the couch next to Pheebs, arm loosely around her shoulders as he looked contentedly out at the gathered group. This was what it was all about, wasn't it? "A few words, before the grandparents arrive," he declared with a mischievous grin, raising his glass. "To friends who are family, to family who are friends - having you all here today is the best gift of all. Although, it's not my birthday we're celebrating, so I'll let Pheebs and the kids be the judge of that. Drinks are in the kitchen, food's coming out soon - if you haven't already, make yourself at home. Enjoy!" He raised his glass a touch higher before taking a drink and zeroing in on the family's newest addition, green eyes playful and warm. "Ava - if I missed any stories you told while I was in there, tell them again, with more detail and animation. If these folks were talking your ear off instead - what are you most looking forward to, now that you're done with school?"

[Deleted]

A sudden yell from the hallway she had just entered through rang through the house, and she wondered who possibly could have arrived. The source of the noise was pulled into the room by one of Edgar and Phoebe’s children, and her smile never faltered, even as the beyond beautiful woman introduced herself as Kyra. Ava had never been an extremely jealous person, and she trusted what she and Roderick had, but it was slightly unsettling to know that his family was still so close to someone he was once so fond of. At least she wasn’t just as fond of him. ”Hello! It’s nice to meet the person my boyfriend used to be obsessed with.” She giggled. Hopefully, this woman would be able to laugh with them all about it, and if not, that would just clue her in on what to look out for in the coming years.

She remembered a few weeks ago, the excitement of finding out that she and Emmeline would both be going through their pregnancies at the exact same time, and she felt that if his family just knew their secret, then they would be just as supportive as she was being for her best friend. But does me being so young, and the relationship being so new mean that they won’t be happy for us?

Ava put her thoughts at ease as Roderick and his brother came back in, followed by two identical twins that looked more like they were related to her than to the Bones. She smiled thankfully as her boyfriend gave her what she hoped was a non-alcoholic drink, and raised it for Edgar’s toast. After a quick sip, her eyes met the toastmaker’s and she smiled, pushing back some of her hair. ”I hadn’t gotten to it yet, but there are plenty stories that involve your younger brother sneaking me out of school so that I could go on dates with him. I had a lovely time on each, but he always insisted I bend the rules. So much for him being a shy badger, hm?” She took another drink of her bubbling water and then continued, ”But I’m most excited to properly start my work at the Ministry. Training has been intense so far, but as of September I’ll become an actual unspeakable -” Ava let herself trail off at the expressions on the other’s faces. Had she done something wrong?

[Kyra Thatcher]

"Let him make his own choice!" Kyra berated in tease, hoping that Gid would agree to the bet. "It’s just the usual five pounds, not going to break the bank." The bloke smoothly shifted the conversation into the cop drama she had long truly thought could be a hit, but she wasn’t letting him off the hook for answering about the bet. Before the day was done, they’d shake on it, she knew it. Kyra let out a laugh as Fabs joined in the joke, shooting him a wink before refocusing on the road. "I absolutely think people would get distracted, handsome - that’s the point!"

The scenery shifted as they left the city proper and drove through the Bones’ borough, moist summer air off of the marsh flowing through the car along with the radio as she sped them towards their destination. She got that they’d wanted a house with a yard - Sadie and Ed needed somewhere to run around, the kids did too - but the hour’s drive from the city to reach her best friend was tiring on some days. Before much longer, thankfully, they were turning up the Bones’ gravel drive, and she was slightly reassured as Fabian admitted to not understanding his old friend any better than she did. There were some quirks of all of those boarding school kids, really, that Kyra had long blamed on going away for school. Maybe Edgar’s insistence on this sort of hospitality was another harmless oddity. But he never gets his or Phoebe’s parents…chivalry is dead. But she was willing to let it lie, or now, in her rush to get inside and see the lot of them. She’d hardly been in a moment before Elle and Gray were scampering to her and the twins, and she threw a thanks over her shoulder as she was dragged one way and Fabian dragged another. Hugs exchanged, a promise to Pheebs that Liz was on her way given, Kyra sat with Elle in her lap and was all grins when the other ladies added on to her introduction.

Her head turned this way and that to keep up - first Amelia let her know that the new girl had gone to their boarding school, then Pheebs declared her to be Roderick’s "girl," filled up her heart with sisterhood, and then that they’d let the poor thing know about Roderick’s ill-advised "trip to the movies" - before focusing on Ava. She let out a laugh at the girl’s own, grin broadening. "Oh Ava - Ava, right? - it’s great to meet you," she said earnestly as Elle played with the rings on her hand. Roderick was a fantastic gentleman, really, and she’d been hoping he’d find someone who was just as sweet and smart - well, more so, so that the girl could give him a run for his money. Could that person be Pretty Red Hair over there? She was hopeful, and Roderick must’ve been to, if he’d brought her here."Don’t you even think about it, he was what, sixteen? A lifetime ago. And not at all sly, learned his lesson on trying to trick people that day."

Unfortunately she lost any time to ask about the girl as their little gathering was interrupted by the procession from the kitchen - Gray leading the way with two precariously held cups of juice, the big men patiently trailing behind making her hear a solemn processional march song in her mind. Kyra shot the little guy a thumb’s up upon his successful deposition of juice to the girl in her lap, and she happily took up the promised wine as Fabian delivered it, exchanging a knowing look with him as Edgar decided to make a statement. Here we go again. Sometimes it felt like the bloke was running for office, with the way he addressed groups, but then again - those boarding school kids. What did they do to you? She raised her glass along with him without complaint though, and drank. "Geeze, Ed, don’t put her on trial," she said with a chuckle before listening as eagerly as any of them, eyes moving between the members of the couple as Ava spoke. A smile grew anew as the girl revealed that Roderick snuck her out of school for dates - When did this start? She must’ve just graduated… - and she was disappointed when Ava stopped herself. She’d just brought up starting work at the Ministry of all things! "Roderick, where did you find a girl like this? Starting at the Ministry fresh out of school? Must be brilliant, you don’t deserve her," she teased. "Ava, you must be so thrilled to work under Thatcher. About time we have a woman in charge, isn’t it? Go on love, in September you’re becoming what, exactly?"

[Eliza Thatcher]

As the dust settled around Sasha, her beloved red beetle, Eliza cut the engine with a much-anticipated sigh of relief. She was here finally, at the Bone's cozy, loving home she had become so fond of. She could see the party in full swing through the windows and Liz smiled; the Bone's had become a part of her family, a very important part. Getting out of the car, the blonde smiled further at the car she had parked next to - it was strangely the only other vehicle present. She would know it anywhere, it had been her own for a time, and now her little sis was putting the miles on it. Kyra and the twins were here then she thought happily as she unloaded the hatchback full of gifts and balloons onto her arms.

"Parties here!" she announced as she shoved her way through the door a few minutes later. There was a common moment of shuffling to greet people -Amelia, she had met a few times before but there was another girl there that Eliza was instantly curious about, given how cozy she and Rodrick Bones looked together- and shifting into the living room at Pheebs word to place all of her offerings with the others, then there were children at her knees vying for her attention. Liz took a deep breath, entering the Bone's was always a whirlwind, chaos she had come to love very much in recent years. Pulling the strings of two balloons from the sizable bundle until they were free, Liz tied one on the wrist of each child -"One for Gray, and one for Elle."- and sent them away with a kiss on each cheek and promises of fun later.

When she was finally properly in the house and not giving all of her attention to the tiny people she was able to go over and give her host's the proper greeting they deserved. "You two look great loves, thanks for having me." she told Phoebe and Edgar with affectionate hugs. Her eyes landed on her sister then, and Fabian and her smile broadened. "Kyra, you look great. I have something similar I think you would look fabulous in. Don't let me forget to show it to you next time you come round." Liz had always liked her little sis's fashion sense but in recent months she had to admit it was really top notch. They were bang up girls the Thatchers were!

"Cami." she said as she reached over and plucked her goddaughter from Gideon's arms. "I've been waiting to see you all day." she told the babe, nuzzling her neck and making the youngest Bones giggle. "Wait 'til you see what I've gotten you." she added conspiratorially with a wink to the babies parents. Liz really hoped Pheb and Ed liked things that made lots of noise. She knew Cami would love it, as all babies did. Switching the little girl over onto her hip she turned back to her sister, catching the last of what the younger girl was saying to the redhead beauty she hadn't properly met yet. "Yeah Ava." Liz added on. "What are you becoming under the old hag?"

[Fabian Prewett]

Setting Gray on the ground as he entered the kitchen, it was clear that he’d needed to be filled in on this conversation later. When it came to the trouble Edgar hadn’t gotten into during school with him and Gideon, Roderick was tame. Which meant he’d walked in on a serious conversation that wasn’t fit for little ears, and Fabian took the glasses handed to him before following the littlest of their group out of the kitchen. Grayson was being as careful as he could, and he gave Kyra a grin as he solemnly followed the boy into the room.

It was then he realized that there was an unfamiliar face sitting in between Phoebe and Amelia on the couch. She wasn’t a Weasley, but with the red hair she could have easily been one. He sunk down next to Kyra, making room for Gray in his lap as drinks were passed around. Edgar was quickly giving a speech, in a very typical Edgar fashion, and Fabian rolled his eyes at Kyra before he raised his glass.

It seemed that he had misjudged Roderick though, as Ava launched into stories of the middle Bones sneaking her out of school. It was when she continued that his eyes snapped up, suddenly on edge. While the girl had to be brilliant to be an unspeakable, it was too magical for current company to be talking about. The sudden arrival of Liz was a welcome distraction, the kids in a flurry to go and see their Aunt caused a momentary lull in the conversation. Liz was soon sweeping into the room, as glamorous as ever. He gave her a nod, leaning back in the loveseat as she busied herself with Cami.

However he should have known Kyra would bring the topic back up, and now that Liz was here that meant two muggles that they needed to keep magic from. “I want to know more about our little Roderick sneaking her out of school, that sounds much more entertaining than talking about government.”

[Roderick Bones]

He had watched Edgar and Phoebe blossom into parents, taking to having a child like it was next to nothing. And while he had always known that raising a kid was far from next to nothing, he’d always wanted to be a parent at some point. But this little pep talk he was getting from Edgar wasn’t making him feel confident about the whole matter, and Roderick was glad for the welcome distraction that soon entered the kitchen. Once the kids were worn out he could talk to Ava properly about sharing the news with the rest of the family.

He followed slowly behind Fabian and Gray, laughing to himself as his godson marched carefully into the other room.Why his brother was always so dramatic, Roderick would never know - but he gave him an exaggerated wink anyway as he whispered loudly about fireworks. The room was crowded, and the only spot unoccupied was the other arm of the couch next to his sister. After handing off a drink to Ava, he settled in with a shake of his head to Edgar’s impromptu speech.

After a raised glass and a grin to Ava, he tried to ignore the looks being shot his way as the woman he loved mentioned he’d snuck her out of school. He gave a shrug to his siblings, taking another sip of his drink when a few things seemed to happen at the same time. The first made him cough on his drink because how could I have forgotten to mention there would be muggles? was hitting him hard. It was so normal to have muggles around that he hadn’t even considered Ava wouldn’t know.

He gave his wife to be an apologetic look as Phoebe leaned into her, whispering what he hoped was an explanation of Kyra - and Liz, whose sudden arrival was a good distraction from the conversation. Once everything had settled back down, it seemed Kyra was intent on finishing the conversation. “Hey, I never said I wasn’t a lucky guy,” he retorted the blondes tease, glad only a few moments later for Fabians direction of the conversation. “For starters, Liz this is my girlfriend Ava. Liz is Kyra’s older sister,” he added with a glance to his future wife, “And you act as if you and Edgar never snuck off the grounds as school Fabian.”

[Phoebe Bones]

This birthday celebration for her and the kids was always chaotic, especially when the kids got all sugared up off of cake. For now though, it seemed that things were calming down. Elle was content sitting in Kyra’s lap, playing with some of the many rings that her best friend wore. Cami was cooing in Gideon’s arms, happy to be held by her godfather. Things were good, and Phoebe was happy that everyone was here. Before they could continue their conversation about Roderick’s school days there was a train of people coming into the living room. She had to laugh at her son’s face, his determination to not spill the juice apparent on his face, and she laughed as he delivered the juice carefully to his sister, before he came to climb up onto her lap. Fabian dropped down next to Kyra, and Phoebe took the class of red from her husband as he made himself comfortable behind her.

His toast to the party was cute, and she clinked glasses with him as they all drank. She was glad that he was asking Ava questions, as she wanted to get to know more about the girl that had caught Roderick’s eye. There had been once upon a time that Roderick had proposed to Charity, and had his whole life planned out. After that had fallen through, she was afraid that Roderick would never try his hand a love again. She was delighted to know that the two of them were happy together, and she was almost positive that there were wedding bells in the future for the two of them. Phoebe laughed as Ava spoke of Roderick sneaking her out of school, not sure she’d ever see Roderick as the sneaking type. When she spoke of her work however, Phoebe’s eyebrows shot up because - there are muggles here, and she doesn’t know!

Thankfully, Liz made her grand entrance at the time, and both Elle and Gray were off their laps and running to greet her at the door. Phoebe took the moment where everyone was distracted to lean in close to Ava, whispering to her, “Kyra and Liz are muggles.” Satisfied that Ava would be able to recover the conversation, she gave the girl a smile as Liz made her entrance into the room. “You look gorgeous as usual Liz,” Phoebe said to the compliment, laughing as she had to wonder what exactly Liz had gotten as a present for Cami. Grayson was showing her the balloon tied to his wrist excitedly, and she picked him up and placed him back on her lap in hopes that he’d stay calm enough for the adults to continue the conversation. Before she had a chance, Roderick was making introductions, and Gideon returned from the other room with a glass of wine for their newest guest. “Just let us know if we are overwhelming you Ava, we can be a lot to handle.”

[Edgar Bones]

Ed would more than happily take the knowing looks and groans from his family as he took a moment to speak. It was rare to have so many loved ones around, and who was he to deny everyone a welcome? He waved away Kyra's concern at his line of questioning, figuring that if Ava here was going to get used to their family, there was no point in denying her a proper start. Besides, the girl was all smiles, so no harm done, eh? Ed let out a catcalling whistle in jest as Ava led on to a very fun line of stories that he was raring to hear, but as she started to speak of her upcoming work in the Ministry, it was all Ed could do to bite his tongue and not interject, knowing he would make the situation all the more obvious. 

You didn't warn her? Muggles, Rod, the muggles! He looked to his little brother, torn between amusement - Too busy planning your future to tell her about the details of the day? Fine, you win. - and concern, and was most grateful for Liz's arrival. The flurry of activity gave the moment for all whose faces had turned when Ava spoke of the Ministry to relax, for Phoebe was smoothly taking care of everything. Gray and Elle were quick to Liz's arms, given kisses and balloons that would make locating them throughout the day all the easier. He kissed their newest arrival on the cheek as she greeted him and Phoebe - "Oi, you pretty devil, you can't tease us like that, what's in the box for Cam?" - and grinned, tuning in and out of the conversations already running over each other as he took his drink, played with the balloon attached to their son. 

"We did sneak out of school," Ed jumped in, happy to continue steering the conversation away from government positions until Ava found her footing, "but never on a mission of love. Was dating this one by the time we'd wizened up to the means of escaping anyway, and no cars allowed up there. Nah, we just wasted time begging the local barmaid to let us pretend to be of age, only to be shot down and bring nothing but candy back to the dorm. Snuck the rowboats out from time to time though, and I swear we saw a giant squid in the lake more than once."

[Deleted]

Quite a cocky thing to assume, isn’t it?

“I wasn’t worried,” she laughed, eyes locking onto the blondes, “We all make mistakes.” Ava hoped that they could be friends, but if the other girl’s assumption that she had been thinking about it was anything to go by, it wasn’t going to happen as soon as she’d wanted. She herself was young, just barely eighteen, and that didn’t mean that nothing in her life was serious. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably at that thought of sharing their news when one of the group had just made it very clear that she didn’t think their relationship was that serious. She was going to say more to try and smooth things over, but the party emerging from the kitchen got in the way of that and Ava decided to let it lie for the moment. Perhaps they could have a moment together later on.

Thatcher?

Kyra’s praise made her blush, although a grin did break through as well. Thankfully before she could respond, the group was interrupted by yet another guest that moved around the room with an ease she hoped to one day aspire to. Phoebe leaned into her and she nodded at the new information, happy to be in the loop. However, the moment was short-lived, and the recent graduate was again on the hot seat with no idea which direction to take the conversation. Roderick spoke up and she laughed in relief, making a mental note to thank him properly later on, even if he deserved some sort of punishment for putting her in this position in the first place. “I’m just going to come right out and say it, if I forget your name then I owe you a drink. Otherwise I’ll never learn.” A game was the only way to train her mind to remember this many people! She laughed and reached over to squeeze Phoebe’s arm at her sincerity, “The energy here is not so different from school - and if you’d seen what people get up to there....” she trailed off, eyes sparkling with mirth. Even she had made some rather outrageous inventions to cause a riot while she was there.

“How romantical! I’m going to need to hear your love story in full sometime.” Edgar listed off a few of their escapades and she made eye contact with her future husband, excited for the day where they too had been together long enough for their story to just be known by everyone they spent their time with. She sent him a wink, “Roddy started sending me love letters in April, and since he wasn’t allowed in the-” she pressed down the urge to say ‘castle’, “-school, I would meet him in the village nearby and we’d go from there. Dinner dates and the like.”

[Kyra Thatcher]

Had she said something wrong? The old joke hadn't appeared to land as she'd intended it to with this new company, as Kyra found herself quite fixed in Ava's green eyed stare, and she did what she could to smile through it. "Truer words never spoken," she said simply, hoping she could find some one-on-one time with Ava before the day was done to make sure that there were no hard feelings between them. She sent Rod a smile as he spoke of how lucky he was, and it was good to see him confident like this. Long gone were the idle summer days of their childhoods; the sweet and quiet lad had grown into himself, becoming a doctor and finding a partner like it was the most natural thing. Someone important to Roderick was someone important to her, with how interwoven her life had become with the Bones family, and even if they hadn't started off completely on the right foot, surely they could find their footing with each other soon enough. The tricky part about meeting someone at an event like this, though, was that everyone wanted to know her all at once! She couldn't very well scurry off with the young woman herself just yet! Especially as her sister arrived in the moment - an odd split-second of a moment where, for as pleased as Ava seemed at her compliment, thankfully, she seemed just as perplexed as she cut herself short. Fabian sat rigidly beside her all of a sudden, Phoebe and Rod's surprise couldn't be just from the call from the doorway, Ed looked like he had the juiciest secret to tell...

Her lap was abruptly empty as Elle ran over to a balloon-ridden Liz - What a great idea! - and she took the minute for some wine, blowing her sister a kiss when the attention came her way. "Fashion show ASAP, I'm in," she agreed, never one to miss an opportunity to dig into Liz's closet, although her heart beat a bit stronger at seeing the eldest Thatcher with Cami. With no little ones even whispered about in their own family yet, it was a treat to always be welcome in visiting these ones. That in mind, she welcomed Elle at her eager to show off her new balloon return, passing her drink to Fabian with a wide smile of set this aside for me please? as, while the conversation redirected around them, she set to work on fixing the little girl's hair. It was done up in a classic Edgar, but long enough for a pair of braids, wasn't it?...

Hold on. Redirected conversation. Weren't we talking about Ava's new job?

Sure, there was more to life than work, and Kyra never tired of stories of their old school days even if she could tell half of them by heart - but the redhead had seemed excited to share about it. She exchanged a confused look with her sister, she wasn't reading too much into things, was she? Prone to doing that, and when has it ever helped? She was distracted by Ed's proclamation about the giant squid - rather, Elle's proper giggle at the tentacle arms her dad wiggled as soon as he caught her attention - and relaxed a tad, tuning more into Ava's continuation. So both of the Bones boys could send love and receive love letters at school. Had she and Fabian been together, the blonde would have jumped on that tidbit in tease, but last summer's split was...final. Final as we ever get, anyway. "And look at you two now," she said with a smile of encouragement to the young couple, "free to take on the world! I know you said your training's been a lot, but I hope you've been finding fun things to do downtown too! Liz and I are in Chelsea, have you explored much around there?"

[Eliza Thatcher]

The way they looked at each other at exactly the same time, knowing they were thinking the exact same thing was a testament to how close the sister’s Thatcher were. Liz’s gut told her that something was fishy with the whole affair, that tingly feeling her little sis liked to call intuition was working apparently. But she often felt this way around this bunch, she had always thought it was just because she was out of the loop on most things as they all went to a private boarding school and she had spent her youth in normal schools, partying. Like now, she really only had half the conversation to go on, Kyra would have to fill her in on the rest later. And everything she knew about Ava. For right now Liz was inclined to reserve judgment on the red head, even though she got the distinct impression their energies would not match, as Kyra would put it.

Accepting her glass of much needed wine from Gideon she helped herself to a seat, shifting Cami into her lap as she crossed one leg over the other and observing the conversation keenly as she sipped and played with the babe. She had been regaled with many school day tales over the years but this one was new. The love between Ava and Roderick was new, newer than new. Four whole months new. Personally, Eliza wasn’t sure what to make of it. The girl was just that, a girl, barely out of school and to her knowledge the younger Bones had not brought any of his girlfriends around before. Which led her to believe this one was serious and she just felt...two young kids in love could be a dangerous thing. She thought it, but she didn’t say it, that was something that would for sure kill the vibe. And with Kyra being so supportive she couldn’t voice her concerns now. That would not be her place but it would also be something she spoke to about with her sister later.

“You should stop by if you’re ever in town.” Eliza tacked on quickly, seeing her opportunity to enter the conversation. “You can tell us more about your new job.” She was so skilled that she didn’t even look at Kyra as she said it, though she did feel the instant connection in their thinking. The other blonde knew what she was setting up. Without the others around -Phoebe was doing a bang up job of driving the conversation with the help of her husband and the twins- maybe they could have a real conversation with little miss Ava. “K and I are career women, we adore a fresh face to impart our wisdom on.” Here she did look at her sister, purposefully, to send her a wink at how amazing they were.

Cami began to squirm just then and Liz set her glass down to allow for proper infant tingling, enjoying the way her godchild squealed with glee. She had never much thought of having children before and had never considered herself as being a person who even liked children, but since becoming more involved with the Bone’s...well, kids weren’t so bad. None of her siblings had even spoke about starting a family, she had thought Kyra was determined to make something with Fabian, but that hadn't panned out, Fabian was an idiot to let that go. Her brothers were off living for themselves as they should and she had spent years consumed with her careerl. She was the elsest and should logically be the first to settle down, however, there was no room for babies in a model's life. Her life was different now though, she was less model and more editor, producer, consultant, the best woman for the job, and she began to think that maybe there was some room. She smiled at Cami, laughing at herself, she didn’t even have a partner yet and she was thinking about babies!