date night! (for dontthinkabout)

[chesstotem]

Ariadne wasn't quite sure where Arthur would take her out, so she opted for a nice black dress and a sweater over it. She thought anyone who said black was "slimming" hadn't tried wearing it while five months pregnant. But that was okay. Despite the discomfort (and occasional old ladies trying to touch her tummy), Ariadne felt good. And Arthur was happy, too.

Comments

[chesstotem]

"Very well, thanks," Ariadne said mildly, giving Marilyn an equally-careful look-over. "You haven't changed a bit."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“I’m still working,” she told her, chin jutting out just a little. “How about you?”

[chesstotem]

"Maternity leave," Ariadne said with a little smile. "Focusing on designing some real-world buildings while I'm an incubator."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“Ah, well, I’m sure you can’t do much in your condition business wise, anyways.”

[chesstotem]

"My head for business is the same as it always was," she shrugged. "I just have to be more careful about what I'm putting in my body. Since I have the little one to think about, now."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“And how’s Arthur?” She asked. “I didn’t see any of you out there before I went to the restroom.”

[chesstotem]

"He's doing great. Excited to be a daddy, and wonderful, as always."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“Really?” Her brow shot up. “He’s excited about being a father?”

[chesstotem]

"Of course," Ariadne said, looking just as surprised as Marilyn. "What, did you think I forced him into it, or that this pregnancy is unwanted? We made the decision together."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

"He doesn't seem like the daddy-type."

[chesstotem]

"You don't know him very well."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

"I think I know enough," she countered, eyes narrowing at Ariadne.

[chesstotem]

Ariadne laughed a little. "At this point, you just sound borderline delusional, you know that, right? I've been married to him for almost four years, we've got a life together, and a home, and I've got his baby inside me, making me all kinds of uncomfortable. You lost that argument a long time ago."

Still looking faintly amused, she turned to leave the restroom.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“Let’s hope he still wants to be with you when you’re all stretched out and having a hard time taking off the weight,” she retorted.

[chesstotem]

Another laugh. "Why don't you come to our table and repeat that in his presence."

She was still smiling as she crossed the dining room back to their table. "Hi, honey," she murmured affectionately.

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

“Hey, what kept you?” Arthur’s wine and her water were already on the table and soon their food would join them as well.

[chesstotem]

"Sorry," she said with another little laugh. "I ran into your old friend Marilyn in the bathroom. Just as delusional as ever, I'm pleased to report."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

His eyes widen a little. “Seriously?” Arthur looked around the restaurant, but didn’t spot her.

[chesstotem]

"Yeah." She shook her head, reaching for his hand across the table. "Hey. It's okay."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

Arthur furrowed his brow as he looked at Ariadne. "What did she say to you?"

[chesstotem]

"Just the usual stuff. Disbelief that you have any interest in being a father, and insinuations that you won't want me anymore after the baby is born because I'll be fat and covered in stretch marks."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

He blinked a few times in disbelief. “Wow.”

[chesstotem]

"Delightfully charming as she always was," Ariadne agreed. "I mean, I'm the first to admit, I'll be fat and have stretch marks after the baby is born. But I know you'll pretend to still want me."

[dontthinkabout.livejournal.com]

He smiled gently at her. “I don’t need to pretend.”

[chesstotem]

"You say that now," she teased.