have some composure ;; andrew

[kenz]

HAVE SOME COMPOSURE!

WHERE IS YOUR POSTURE?!

'shit, shit, shit, i'm going to be late!' she thought as she raced round the house, shoving her shoes onto her feet, and searching everywhere for a hair tie. they'd been in the apartment for three days, and already the water had cut out. she'd had to wash her hair over the sink with bottled water this morning, and luckily she'd had a body shower the day before, so she didn't smell nasty.

racing to the door, she grabbed her keys and phone off of the side, along with the little folder, and shouted back into the house. "HUNTER! i'll be back in an hour or so. don't go out!" pausing for a moment, she waited for the little grunt of acknowledgement she usually got from the girl, and then legged it down to the car. growling as she got in at the wrong side again, she pulled away, fumbling to get the directions to the cafe andrew had said he'd meet her at.

as she pulled up, her hair still loose and wavy due to lack of a hair tie, she raced from the car, and sighed as she entered the cafe, the clock above the wall saying five to one. she's made it in time, with five minutes to spare. smiling in relief, she paused for a moment, allowing the panic to fade away and her usual bouncy, cheery self to come back to the surface. she didn't know what this man looked like, she just knew she was applying to be his babysitter, well, more nanny really.

when she reached the counter, she smilied happily at the sales assistant, "hey! just a coffee please. strong, black, two sugars." and giggled at the look he gave her, as if to say 'i don't think you need much more caffeine.' she always got that look, and it never stopped amusing her.

she found a seat, and glanced around at the other patrons, waiting. if he was here already, he'd approach her, she thought. if not, she'd hopefully notice the searching of the room when someone walked in, that gave away that they were looking for her.

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[andrewbeckett]

As per usual, Andrew was the one that was running late. Even though it had been nearly eight months since Sophia’s passing he still hadn’t quite gotten used to doing this whole parenting thing on his own yet. He had a hard enough time getting himself ready in the mornings and now he had to make sure Gracie got up in a timely manner; her teeth brushed, face washed, hair brushed, dressed, and food in her belly before they ever stepped out the door. He had been doing this for almost five years now, but he dearly missed that extra helping hand. The fact that his small two bedroom apartment was still stacked high in boxes that he hadn’t yet managed to unpack wasn’t helping him get out the door any quicker.

They had only been in town a little over a week and the only thing he had managed to accomplish was to register for classes up at the college and line up a job at the record store in the mall. It wasn’t spectacular but every bit of extra cash helped and it would keep him busy. Too much down time gave him too much time to think and thinking often led him right back into that depression he’d fallen into back in Virginia. He couldn’t be that man anymore. Gracie needed him to be strong.

Since both work and school would take up much of his time and he was no where near any family; he needed someone to look after Gracie. He put want ads at the local supermarkets, café’s, laundry mats, and etc but he had only received a few calls from people interested. Two were from older men that he would never allow to go near his daughter even with a ten foot pole and another was from a woman who charged a fortune. With his father still paying for his education and the money Gracie received every month from the government for Sophia’s death, he had some money to spare. But that woman was plum ridiculous. So when he received a phone call the night before from a younger sounding girl he had immediately requested he meet her in person. Andrew had no idea what an interview like this should consist of but he just had to see her first before left the only thing that mattered in his life in her hands.

Since the café where they were to meet was only about a block away from where he lived, Andrew had stupidly decided to walk the short distance; knowing he was already late. About halfway there he had to scoop whining Gracie up into his arms and nearly jog the rest of the way there. It was already hot out and she was still grumpy from having been woken up so early even though it was already a little after one. If he would let her that child would sleep the whole day away.

The soft tinkling of bells announced their presence.

[kenz]

HAVE SOME COMPOSURE!

WHERE IS YOUR POSTURE?!

she'd been sitting there for a while, lost in thought. sipping on her coffee every now and again, her fingers tapped against the wood of the round table in front of her, legs crossed underneath her like a child.

mackenzie didn't do waiting, or boredom very well. she was too hyperactive and happy for it to work. ignoring the looks from the patrons around her, she sat quietly singing to herself as she waited on her could-be employer to walk through the door.

looking up as the bell above the door chimed, as she did every time, her eyes widened, and she gave the man a appreciative once over, spotting the child in his arms and smiling brightly. bouncing up from her seat, she headed over to them, the bounce in her step slightly dimmed as she tried not to scare them.

"hey! are you andrew? i'm mackenzie!" she smiled at the man, and looking down to grin brightly at the gorgeous little girl. "and this beautiful little girl must be gracie!" she stuck her hand out the the girl with a grin and a giggle, trying to get a laugh out of her. the one's that laughed usually liked her, and if she was to look after this child, she needed her to like her.

she beckoned them forwards, towards the table she was seated at, and gestured to the chairs next to her. picking up her purse, and asked "can i get you something? i need another coffee. how about something tasty for the little princess?" she giggled again, sticking her tongue out at the girl and winking.

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[andrewbeckett]

Andrew had barely managed to step inside the small café and get a look around before being approached by a bouncy young girl who couldn’t have been much more younger than he was himself. She was so friendly when he himself had always been more shy and withdrawn when it came to meeting new people. Gracie on the other hand was more like her mother in the sense that she could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Stranger danger was big stress factor for Andrew.

Gracie wasn’t the least bit shy but when the strange lady held out her hand towards her she instantly buried her face in the crook of her fathers neck. It could only be explained by her earlier crankiness. Just wait until this tyke fully woke up. Mackenzie might not have the energy to keep up with her.

“Hello…um..yeah…I’m Andrew..” He nodded, shaking the hand that had originally been intended for Grace. “Sorry we’re late.” They would have been right on time if hadn’t had to deal with the melt down over what clothes to wear. His daughter was the biggest girly girl he knew and she had thrown a down right fit when she saw the tank top and shorts he had chosen for her to wear. In the end Gracie had gotten her way as usual, insisting on the white dress with pink and green polka dots that she had worn that Easter. Her blond hair pulled into messy pigtails; something he needed to work on.

He followed the girl when she beckoned them forwards, his bottom lip catching in between his teeth. Andrew pulled out the chairs opposite from hers and fished out a few bills from his wallet. “yeah…here…I’ll just take a umm..a coffee..and she can have a juice and I guess a cookie..”

[kenz]

HAVE SOME COMPOSURE!

WHERE IS YOUR POSTURE?!

a small frown crossed her face, accompanied by a soft, cute pout. the kid was scared of her. visible, she forced herself to calm down, her bouncing stopping, her voice lowering, and her stance becoming more relaxed. children often reacted to body language more than anything, and she wondered if she'd been too much for the child, if she was shy, or if she just didn't like her already, after a couple of seconds. "sorry sweetheart, did i scare you?" she asked, her voice softer and quieter.

she giggled when andrew shook her hand, and smiled brightly up at him. "it's lovely to meet you! sorry if i'm a bit....much." she tried to be nice about herself, but she knew she often intimidated people because of her openness and hyperactivity, or scared and/or annoyed them it was better to just apologize now, before the stuttering and stumbling the man was doing turned into more.

when he tried to pass her money, she shook it away, smiling, and headed back to the front of the store. she could afford a couple of coffee's, she wasn't that skint. a couple of minutes later, and she was slowly carrying a tray over, a small juice bottle, two coffees, and a plate of mini-cookies balancing atop it. she passed the plate to the girl, smiling. "rainbow cookies. i thought you'd like them, what with all the pretty colours on your dress." she smiled, before turning and passing the man his coffee, a mini-jug of milk and a sugar bowl. once everything was off, she propped the tray against her leg, and tucked her feet under her again, smiling up at him.

"she's adorable. i suppose you have questions to ask..." she trailed off. she wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. gracie was adorable, and she knew she'd love looking after the child. it was just a case of passing the tests, and not annoying andrew too much.

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[andrewbeckett]

Mackenzie was a lot to get used to but she was a welcomed change from what he was accustomed to. People often didn’t take well with him. Especially when he was younger and still sporting a baby face with his baby in his arms. He was used to stares and snide comments about he had thrown his entire life away. Andrew had never seen it that way but others seemed to. He was judged before anyone bothered to really get to know him. “You are fine, Ma’am.” He smiled shyly.

She refused the money that was offered to her and Andrew sat down awkwardly. Now that wasn’t right. She was here for a job interview that he should be conducting. He really needed to grow a pair of balls soon and take charge of things here. Besides, a man should always pay when in the company of a lady. He would find a way to pay her back.

It wasn’t until a plate of colorful cookies was placed on the table in front of them did Gracie look up from her fathers shoulder; big blue eyes zeroing in on them instantly. She looked to the strange lady and then to her dad before reaching out and snatching not one but three of the cookies. All were shoved into her mouth before anyone could stop her; causing her baby cheeks to puff out around them.

“Ah..there’s my grouchy girl..I‘ve missed you.” Andrew chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek as he sat her down in her own chair. He copied her then turned back to face Mackenzie. Right, he should probably get this whole thing over with. He doubted that he was making that great of a first impression with all of his stuttering shyness. “I suppose we should start with you telling me a little bit about yourself?”

[kenz]

HAVE SOME COMPOSURE!

WHERE IS YOUR POSTURE?!

her eyes widened, and she looked up at him in comical horror. "did you just call me ma'am?! do i really look that old?" she teased him, giggling again. he was tall, that was sure. well, compared to her. but that was nothing new. at her height, most people were taller than her.

laughing, she watched quietly as he interacted with gracie. as she shoved the cookies in her mouth, mackenziess eyes widened and she smiled, almost sadly. she could remember hunter, her younger sister, when she was that age, doing the exact same thing. she pushed back any thoughts of her sister, now a shell of who she used to be, and an "awwh." escaped her lips as she watched the adorable little girl.

"hmm, you don't make it easy do you?" she poked her tongue out at the man. he looked only slightly older than her, but she was never brilliant at guessing ages. she nose crinkled up and her forehead creased as she thought of what to say. in the end, she decided to go with honesty. well, with everything except her father. unless he asked, she wasn't telling. "me and my younger sister moved here last week. we're scottish, and our mother died three months ago. i never really felt at home there, and i always craved the big cities. LA was the best option, because being around the film and media industry might bring hunter back a bit. i'm bright and happy and slightly hyperactive, i'm loyal to the core but i wont take rubbish from people. if i care about someone, i have their backs." she trailed off slowly, forehead still creased as she tried to think of more to say. she should talk about work experience and why she'd like this jobs shouldn't she?

"back home, i was the village babysitter. i had loads of free time, and i was one of the more responsible kids, if that isn't too hard to believe. we were a rough area, and when one mother found someone she liked, they told every other mother in the village i managed to save a lot of money over the two and a half years. when mum died, we got my grans inheritance, but even between that and my savings, we're not gonna last long here without me working part-time at least...." she stopped, running out of things to say. she could talk about how she needed to get a shrink for hunter, or how she had college bills to think about, or how, she had no clue how much their medical insurance was going to cost, because she was used to it being free. she could talk about how she wasn't used to bills and being a grown up, but she didn't. she just smiled happily up and the man in silence and waited for him to speak. to either throw her a line and keep her and hunter afloat, or sink them.

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[andrewbeckett]

“Sorry Ma’am. It’s a force of habit.” Andrew chuckled softly with a duck of his head and an apologetic smile. His mother had taught him young on how to treat women; which meant that he must always greet them properly. It was old fashioned, he knew it, and he never meant to offend her if that was the case. “No…you couldn’t be more than…eighteen?” He guessed.

Andrew pretended not to notice the fact that Gracie had managed to clear the entire plate of cookies in record time before he could even get a chance to have just one. So much sugar would have her bouncing off of the walls soon but he didn’t have the heart to tell her she couldn’t have them. They had a rough couple of weeks what with the big move. Why should he deny her one simple joy?

He listened quietly and intently, his head occasionally nodding in acknowledgement to her story even as his heart grew sad for her. He could definitely relate to what it felt like to experience a loss. His dearest wife had only passed just last November and the grieving was still an ongoing struggle. “I am really sorry to hear that.” He murmured, fiddling with his coffee to give himself something to do with his hands. He poured in two packets of sugar and a bit of milk; taking a sip.

“I get that you have experience and all with kids but are you sure you really want to do this? I won’t be able to pay you much. I’m in school right now and I will only be working part time as well. The most I could offer you is maybe a hundred a week. I am really sorry and I wish it could be more but…maybe you would be better off declining my offer?” He bit his lip in uncertainty.

[kenz]

HAVE SOME COMPOSURE!

WHERE IS YOUR POSTURE?!

"i'm teasing you babe! chill!" her eyes widened slightly as she giggled, forgetting that people round here didn't know her, and that she wasn't supposed to be calling her could-be employer babe. it was a habit for her though, and she hoped she hadn't freaked him out. as affectionate as she was, pet names were almost unconscious to her.

"bang on. you're gooood." the lilt in her voice bright. "that wont be a problem will it? i know i'm young, but i'm responsible, i promise..." she'd been looking after hunter since her father went to prison. her mother had turned into a flake, and for years she'd only been a shadow in their lives. but even still, it was different here than in scotland. her mother had worked, and paid the bills, and left them money. she'd just, never been around. now, it was all on mackenzies shoulders, and it was daunting to say the least.

"honestly, money is money. a hundred a week is brilliant to be honest. i just need enough to keep us going, and you're the only person who's even asked for an interview so far...." she'd gone round places the fday after they arrived, and most people had accepted her cv, and said they'd get back to her, which meant that, yeah, the didn't want her.

her eyes widened as he apologised, and she rushed to explain. "i didn't tell you that for sympathy, you just asked to to explain about myself, and it's basically the reason we moved sooo..." her voice was rushed and apologetic.

she laughed when she noticed the empty plate, and she grinned at the young child. "well, someone was hungry!" she gave it twenty minutes, maybe ten, before the child was bouncing off of the walls. it was her own fault, and it wasn't purposeful, but she was psyched to see the child when she wasn't soo shy and reserved.

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[andrewbeckett]

“Babe?” Andrew repeated with an arch of his eyebrow and a shake of his head in disbelief. He doubted that anyone had ever called him babe before. He and Sophia had never been big on pet names. “I am not quite sure how to chill but alright.” He chuckled softly. “And your age isn’t a problem at all. I’m only nineteen myself..” Andrew was young but he had learned responsibility very early on.

“I know that it isn’t a lot but the job is yours…if you want it.” Although he didn’t see why she would. Los Angeles had better job opportunities than a mere babysitting job. He looked to Gracie, at the way she was trying to gain Mackenzie’s attention by making faces but not out right demanding it. She was slowly starting to come out of her shell which was good but also meant that he would have to deal with a handful in a few minutes time.

“Just a little bit of advise though if you want this job..I would probably try to cut back on the sweets. Unless you’ve got the energy to keep up. Just you wait and see.” He winked.

(blah. I wonder where my muse has disappeared to?)

[kenz]

HAVE SOME COMPOSURE!

WHERE IS YOUR POSTURE?!

as he raised his eyebrow, she blushed, ducking her head, her bright and happy persona fading slightly. she knew she'd screwed up as soon as the word had left her mouth, but it was habit, especially around someone as good looking as he was. she was a flirt naturally, but flirting, even subconsciously, with her boss, was not a good idea. "i'm sorry. if it bothers you, i'll try and stop. it's just....habit." she muttered to her shoes.

she looked up at his next comment, her mouth agape. "well mister, i'll just have to teach you." she smirked, giggling again. a nineteen year old man who didn't know how to chill out and relax? she'd soon fix that.

she laughed out loud, sticking her tongue out at the child, her face scrunching up. she loved children, because they were cute and adorable, and she could amuse them for hours just by being herself. the kind of person she was, she missed being able to act as she pleased, and no one batted an eyelash. but things were different here. looking up from the child, she smiled at andrew. "of course i do. she's adorable!"

laughing and blushing lightly at the wink, she smiled brightly, happily at the man, pulling her legs out from under her and leaning forwards to whisper conspiratively to him. "i promise, i'll be fine. you've not seen me when i'm awake and not trying to be proper for an interview...." she trailed off. this was her calm and collected, even if it looked to others like she was buzzzed.

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[andrewbeckett]

A slight frown creased Andrews young features as he watched her happy persona fade. He didn’t like the sight and he immediately felt guilty for causing it. Mackenzie seemed much more beautiful with her ever present smile. “It’s okay…really. I don’t mind it at all.” He reached out to touch her cheek with the back of his hand, his wedding ring just barely grazing her soft skin, but then when he realized what he was doing he quickly dropped it back into his lap; lowering his head to hide the faint blush.

“I guess you could try to teach me.” Andrew shrugged. He fell silent for a short while, watching the two females interact while he willed the heat to leave his face. Gracie was warming up to her quickly. She was leaning across the table, her tiny finger reaching out to poke the older woman and then ducking under the table with a giggle out of her reach. He knew this game well. Grace wanted to be chased.

“So this is you trying to be proper? Great…now I’m blessed with two handfuls..” He teased lightly, bending down to answer to the tugging of his arm. ”Daddy this place is boring!”

[kenz]

HAVE SOME COMPOSURE!

WHERE IS YOUR POSTURE?!

mackenzie looked up, eyes widening as his hand pressed against her cheek. her cheeks went red, and the smile that previously faded made its way back. she jolted as she felt something cold drag across her cheek, and caught the flash of a ring on his finger as he pulled it away. married, damn. she should have guessed. as cute as he was, with a kid? of course he was married. she grumbled away in her head, but didn't let her smile fall this time, only shooting a curious glance. "are you sure? i'm so used to back home, where everyone knows how affectionate and...strange, i am." she laughed softly, but not as brightly as before, worried that she'd screwed it up.

watching the girl, and laughing as she poked her, she shot a cheeky wink at the father, before ducking down under the table after the girl. sitting cross legged, she pulled the girl into her lap, and tickled her lightly, not wanting her to scream out, only to laugh. kenzie wasn't afraid of what people thought of her, and the other customers could think what she wanted. if mackenzie wanted to sit on the floor and play with the child, she would.

trying to be responsible, she picked up the child, sitting back up on the chair, and placing her in her lap. pulling over the juice box from next to her father, she handed it to the girl, urging her to drink up. "now sweetheart, the floor isn't a good place to play unless you're at home, or at the park. lots of yucky germs." she giggled, scrunching her face up at the girl.

her smile widened, and she bounced in her seat slightly. "does that mean i'm in?! awesome! so do you like, have specific days when you need me, or is it a case of, you'll ring and give me dates as you make them?" she'd had that a couple of times, parents phoning up a day or two before, but then, others would give her a list of dates and times that she would need to do every week or month for a set period.

smiling down at the little girl, she laughed. "bit too grown up for you sweetie?" she asked, before turning back to andrew.

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[andrewbeckett]

Andrew knew that he shouldn’t have done it. He should have firmly kept his hands to himself. She seemed to be blushing just as bad as he was but he tried to keep his eyes focused on his lap, twisting the ring round and round his finger. Something he did when he grew extremely nervous about something. He hadn’t been able to take it off since Sophia’s passing and he saw no real reason to. Even though she was gone he was still her husband and he had to honor her. “Yeah I’m sure. It’s fine…really..” He nodded even as the girl suddenly disappeared under the table with Grace. Interesting.

The child squealed in delight; hiding her face within Mackenzie’s shirt as she was pulled into her lap and tickled. “I wanna go to the park! Will you take me there Miss? I don’t wanna go home…it boring there! I wanna go play!” She looked up the woman with those big puppy dog eyes. They never failed to convince Andrew to give her anything and everything she asked for. So why wouldn’t they work on her?

“Yeah I guess that means you’re in.” Andrew responded with a slight shrug. Grace seemed to like her well enough and that was the best he could ask for. “I haven’t started yet so I’m not quite sure what my schedule will be. I guess I’ll just give you a call whenever I get that sorted out? “

[kenz]

HAVE SOME COMPOSURE!

WHERE IS YOUR POSTURE?!

guietly, she watched him twirl the ring, and noticed how uncomfortable he was. this wasn't good. if he was uncomfortable about something like that, then she'd have to keep the hugs and the touchiness that was mackenzie in check. finding a friend in him would be easy, she could tell that already, despite him being her new employer.

mackenzie practically melted, and as she sat back in her seat, gracie in her lap, she pouted up at andrew. "pleasepleasepleaseplease?" she begged. the child was adorable. and that face she was making, made mackenzie was to sit and cuddle her forever. or give her anything and everything she wanted. 'you're gonna have to learn to resist that if you're looking after her kenz, or she'll walk all over you.' she berated herself, but she filed it away for another time. gracie was too cute right now. the look she shot andrew matched gracies, big puppy eyes with an innocent, pouty smile. mind, it most likely looked different on mackenzie, and she's used the pout a million times in an attempt to seduce, but never really in this context. there'd never been anyone to use it on.

she practically beamed up at him, her whole body smiling, bouncing. "at least now you can take some nights off. go for a nice dinner with the missus, and relax without worrying about gracie." she smiled. she wondered if she could take gracie back to hers at some point. not any time soon obviously, but maybe she'd be just what hunter needed to snap out of this, daze. but she pushed that aside. that was a thought for another day month.

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