gisellegoldstein

[gisellegoldstein]

It was never a dull moment when you had to parent twins, but when one got incredibly sick, and you had no clue what was going on? The absolute fear and hell that you started mentally going through was something she wouldn't wish on enemies. It was a gut-wrenching feeling where your stomach felt like it was opening up to a pit swallowing you whole from the inside out. The biggest thing right now was keeping Asher from being escorted out by security for making a massive scene when they were going to need him there to make decisions in the nearish future. Clearing her throat, she took a second to compose herself, if it had been her way, she had planned to take all of this to the grave with her, but the universe had not only put her back in Windsor Bay, it had forced her hand into having to tell Asher.

As they made their way into the private room, she walked over and gently peeked inside the medical bassinet, reaching into the bed and gently taking his hand that didn't have different wires and things taped to it. "Hi, mommy's boy." Cooing softly, wanting their voices to be taken down a notch. Giselle was already incredibly overwhelmed and feeling like her emotions were being stretched thinner and thinner.

For now her composure was all she had so she focused on her child that was currently hooked up to multiple machines, his little boy trying to deal with whatever was going on, unable to tell anyone what he needed or felt. "I said." Clearing her throat, "That their father wasn't in their lives, which is true — was true." Once again, this wasn't her plan, this wasn't what she wanted, or if she had to do this — how she would have gone about telling him either. Maybe in a perfect world she would have called him, told him she was pregnant, let him make the choice instead of deciding to forgo it on her own. The plan had seemed fool proof, she hadn't been planning to come back to this God damn town. "Wasn't ever planning on coming back here." Giselle figured the truth was better than not. "Figured I would live my life, you would live yours, there wouldn't be complications and the back and forth. I was protecting them." She knew the Goldstein family reputation as much as anyone did, and part of her didn't want that pressure for her two. "They only need a few vials, it's just to test which of us has better genetic markers. Clara is too young, I won't let them test her." she said before moving to sit in the chair by the crib. "I didn't want this to be the way you found out." Once again, clearing her throat, "The nurse should be back soon, you'll have to sign some papers consenting and then they'll draw the blood."

From the moment he got the phone call, Asher's thoughts had been racing a mile a minute. Knowing absolutely zero details only made the growing anxiety within the pit of his chest worsen. He had no idea if Giselle was hurt, sick, or even if she was already in a room being seen. Asher hadn't meant to cause any sort of a scene but with basically no details to go off of, he panicked and let his anxiety take over for a short moment. As soon as he saw Giselle turn the corner and appear in the doorway, he momentarily sighed in relief. It took a few more seconds for his brain to catch up and realize that if she wasn't in a hospital bed, then who was? Were one of the babies sick or injured? And if so, why was he being the one called? Dozens of questions buzzed around in his mind as he tried to make some sort of sense of it all.

"I'm sorry but you didn't exactly give me any details at all. I came down here blind, not knowing what's going on." Asher followed his ex wife's lead down the hallway and towards a private room. A chorus of beeps and buzzes from various machines echoed through the room. Asher felt nothing but adrenaline and anxiety coursing through his veins as his heart rapidly beat out of his chest. "Wait, what?" Asher questioned at the mention of Alder being sick. The moment he first ran into Giselle in tow with both babies, there was a feeling in the pit of his stomach that told him those were his children. But Giselle surely would have told him if he were their father—right?

Asher leaned his weight against one of the walls as he took in everything Giselle was saying. As soon as she mentioned needing blood from the little boy's parents it all clicked in Asher's mind, even before Giselle uttered the exact words that spelled it out for him. He could feel his body slowly start to collapse to the floor while using the support of the wall to keep him steady. His face rested in the palms of his hands as a few tears began to cascade. This was all too much. Too overwhelming for him to process fully in this moment. "But I thought...you said..." Asher couldn't even fully complete his sentences, his brain just a jumble of chaos. "Why didn't you tell me?" This time as he spoke, there was nothing but pain and hurt laced into his voice. How long was she planning on keeping this from him? Did she ever plan to break the news or was her plan to just keep it a secret forever? The tears were now overflowing with no chance of stopping anytime soon. His heart ached for his son. The little boy looked so tiny and helpless hooked up to so many wires and in the vulnerable state of an incubator. "I'll do whatever tests they need me to do. They can take as much of my blood as they need, as long as it helps him." Asher could already feel a protective streak growing for his children, his son especially.

[gisellegoldstein]

Time ticked slower by the moment, swearing she could hear the small clock in the corner making a soft tick, tick, tick, that became slower with each little sound. Almost like it was taunting her, everything moved slow and fast at the same time, as if some kind of time wrap. It was a feeling she had never expected, the pure pain of seeing your child in pain and helpless. Especially when Alder was only barely a few months old. There was no way to communicate to him that the doctors would do whatever they could to help him. There was no way to soothe the fussing child who was placed into a tiny medical crib and locked away with lines and cords, needles and IVs into his small frame.

Somehow he looked even tinier in this little makeshift hospital bassinet. Truly a feat given the twins were already small to begin with having been squashed inside of her for so many months. A nurse returned to the room to take vitals, attempting to kept the dark brunette hopeful about her infant son. “Thank you.” Her voice raw, almost painful to talk from how dry her throat felt. Each swallow she could feel the almost burning from the dry air of the hospital and the anxiety that crept up in her throat. “Let’s get you some water.” The nurse popped out for a few moments, coming back with a few different options from juice to water, even dropping off a few quarters if she felt like going to the vending machine for coffee.

“Just wanted to let you know that there’s someone screaming down at the main ER for you.” Placing her hand gently on her shoulder. “Should we…” But Giselle just shook her head, “It’s my ex-husband, his father.” Taking a deep breath, “I’ll go so he doesn’t cause pure chaos in the ER.” There was hesitation from Giselle, looking back at the little boy. “I’ll stay with him.” The nurse gave a kind smile before nodding, and without waiting to give herself time to over think it she left the room and made her way down the hallway, turning a corner and then down into the main area of the ER. Hearing her name yelled she gave a sigh, she hadn’t meant to make a whole commotion, she just wanted him to show up with as little questions asked until she had to give them.

With a sweater wrapped around her arms she headed towards the noise that grew louder. “I’m right here.” She said, “stop yelling you’re going to scare other patients.” Giselle looked exhausted, which she was, but that was besides the point. Placing her hand against his arm she ushered him forward, “We’ll go back to the room, sorry for the commotion.” Before leading him down the hallway towards the small private room with the small medical bassinet. stepping inside she closed the door behind them before swallowing, Alder is sick. It started off I just thought it was his first cold but he got worse, and his blood numbers aren’t great.” Swallowing, as the nurse left to give them some space.

“So he needs to get some tests and depending he may need blood from one of his parents, siblings are the most ideal match, especially since he’s a twin but Clara is too small to risk.” Balancing the safety of one for the other wasn’t easy. Feeling the guilt of being here while her daughter was with the nanny not understanding. Another swallow, “I’ve had my blood drawn already.” Showing the small patch over her arms, “But there’s a better chance if we get blood drawn from his father. Biological father.” She murmured. “Which.. would be you. I wouldn’t be asking if he wasn’t so sick, I was fully planning on doing this alone but if they need something one of us is a better genetic match.” Breathing out before sitting down next to the small incubated crib and taking the tiny baby hand and letting it cradle her finger. “He hasn’t seemed this small since he was born.”

closed starter ➛ Asher Goldstein location ➛ Elite Wellness, emergency room @ashergoldstein

Overstimulated nerves were something that were taking over Giselle’s body as she waited under the florescent bright lights of the local hospital room. At home with the nanny, Clara was tucked in sleeping peacefully, not realizing her twin was being poked at by doctors. For the past few weeks she had noticed that Alder had been — for the lack of a better term, struggling. Looking back, as she sat in one of the hard plastic chairs just outside of the room as doctors examined him, how could she had not spotted it sooner. His feeds were lasting shorter and shorter times, he wasn’t supplementing with formula well. What she had taken as a three month old just tired had turned into the little boy being more lethargic. Fevers started taking over next, they were mild at first, but now she was barely keeping him under 102 degrees, when he had spiked to 104, there had been that immediate panic. With the support of the nanny that she’d be there as long as needed, she had rushed the little boy to the emergency room. 

Whisked away there were all kinds of things done, blood test drawn and hooked up to the tiniest IVs she had ever seen. It was heartbreaking to see your child laying in a tiny medical crib, having the most invasive examinations that a tiny human had ever known. Shaky cries, prompts for more fluids, inconclusive bloodwork, more tests, scans, it was enough to start the dull throbbing at the temples. 

As overwhelmed as she was, after the doctors had explained to her that given they didn’t know fully at this moment what was going on with Alder, it would be good to run some tests on her to see if anything could be found, but then the next part that followed — soul crushing. If there was anyway that the child’s father could be there to do the same thing, it would narrow down different things if both of them were blood tested. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go, her life was supposed to remain uncomplicated and not involve bringing the child’s father into the picture. Complications came when you brought your exes back into the picture, and once this was aired out, there was no way to tuck it back away and just forget it. 

There came a point when your body is so overwhelmed that it shakes, which was the state that Giselle found herself in. Unable to stop the trembling that shook her arms, hands, legs, and then the chattering of her teeth started. It was miracle she hadn’t broken down into a puddle of tears, but a mother needed to hold herself together. Even if her seams were slowly unraveling in front of the nurses in front of her, one even supporting her to help her get to a chair next to her son from her body shaking. 

Her voice shook once he answered the phone, clearing her throat didn’t matter, her voice shook, her teeth chattered. Giselle didn’t sound like an ounce of herself, there was no greeting, no formalities, “I need you to come to the hospital, please.” Before giving him a chance to ask any questions, “Just please c-come to the hospital.” A hiccuped breath leaving her chest, “I need your help and there’s no one else I can ask but you.” Without really waiting she disconnected the call, sinking into the bigger chair she was now in, her hand sliding through the little bars, holding the tiny hand. “He’ll be here.” She told the doctor, “His name is Asher Goldstein, he’s his father.” 

[gisellegoldstein]

closed starter ➛ Asher Goldstein location ➛ Elite Wellness, emergency room @ashergoldstein

Overstimulated nerves were something that were taking over Giselle’s body as she waited under the florescent bright lights of the local hospital room. At home with the nanny, Clara was tucked in sleeping peacefully, not realizing her twin was being poked at by doctors. For the past few weeks she had noticed that Alder had been — for the lack of a better term, struggling. Looking back, as she sat in one of the hard plastic chairs just outside of the room as doctors examined him, how could she had not spotted it sooner. His feeds were lasting shorter and shorter times, he wasn’t supplementing with formula well. What she had taken as a three month old just tired had turned into the little boy being more lethargic. Fevers started taking over next, they were mild at first, but now she was barely keeping him under 102 degrees, when he had spiked to 104, there had been that immediate panic. With the support of the nanny that she’d be there as long as needed, she had rushed the little boy to the emergency room. 

Whisked away there were all kinds of things done, blood test drawn and hooked up to the tiniest IVs she had ever seen. It was heartbreaking to see your child laying in a tiny medical crib, having the most invasive examinations that a tiny human had ever known. Shaky cries, prompts for more fluids, inconclusive bloodwork, more tests, scans, it was enough to start the dull throbbing at the temples. 

As overwhelmed as she was, after the doctors had explained to her that given they didn’t know fully at this moment what was going on with Alder, it would be good to run some tests on her to see if anything could be found, but then the next part that followed — soul crushing. If there was anyway that the child’s father could be there to do the same thing, it would narrow down different things if both of them were blood tested. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go, her life was supposed to remain uncomplicated and not involve bringing the child’s father into the picture. Complications came when you brought your exes back into the picture, and once this was aired out, there was no way to tuck it back away and just forget it. 

There came a point when your body is so overwhelmed that it shakes, which was the state that Giselle found herself in. Unable to stop the trembling that shook her arms, hands, legs, and then the chattering of her teeth started. It was miracle she hadn’t broken down into a puddle of tears, but a mother needed to hold herself together. Even if her seams were slowly unraveling in front of the nurses in front of her, one even supporting her to help her get to a chair next to her son from her body shaking. 

Her voice shook once he answered the phone, clearing her throat didn’t matter, her voice shook, her teeth chattered. Giselle didn’t sound like an ounce of herself, there was no greeting, no formalities, “I need you to come to the hospital, please.” Before giving him a chance to ask any questions, “Just please c-come to the hospital.” A hiccuped breath leaving her chest, “I need your help and there’s no one else I can ask but you.” Without really waiting she disconnected the call, sinking into the bigger chair she was now in, her hand sliding through the little bars, holding the tiny hand. “He’ll be here.” She told the doctor, “His name is Asher Goldstein, he’s his father.” 

[gisellegoldstein]

It was never going to be easy, the continual wondering of "if things had been done differently" on both their parts. What he could have done differently to not make her feel like she hadn't mattered enough to talk to, for her to stay and fight through the trust issues. In the long run, was it going to matter? They had both made their decisions and now they needed to learn to handle the fact that they'd be living in the same town. Eventually it would get easier, and that was something she could hope for. "Thank you, I was really surprised when I got the call." It had been something that she would have figured she would have heard way back when, but it had been something apparently that they had taken their time on given it was such a big position. "Guess so, I know that originally I wasn't going to take the position, when they called I figured it was just one of those general like we're talking about this position but then you don't actually get offered it, it's something totally different." Giselle had seen it several times throughout her life, but she hadn't wanted to be rude after all. That wasn't in her nature to blow things off, but when the offer to be Senior Vice President of the organization, she knew this was a once in a lifetime offer. Part of her hope that even if it was difficult for the both of them that Asher would have wanted her to take it.

"It's okay." Given she knew the truth, she didn't want him to feel too bad. It wasn't his fault, she had chosen to do this alone, so she didn't blame Asher, she just felt like it was better this way. Not letting him be tied down to something he didn't want.

When he mentioned that the store was doing well, "I'm really glad that it's doing well." Giselle meant it, she was happy that it was working out for him. Despite the issues it caused, the problems it had lead to, she was happy that everything seemed to work out for him. "Looks like it all worked out in the end, didn't it?" He looked happy, he looked good, at the end of the day she still wanted that for him. "I'm really glad, I hope you know that." It wasn't sarcastic, and she hoped that he would believe her.

Just as she was going to say something Clara, the little girl strapped to her chest, made a small noise, feeling her tiny body shifting. "Oh, sorry, think Clara is waking up." shifting as she reached over to grab a pacifier and gently pop it into her mouth so she wouldn't start crying. "I'm shocked they were both sleeping, typically when one sleeps the other is wide awake and vice versa."

A sharp pain pierced his heart, picking up on the start of the sentence, "back when we were together". A time before Asher had completely fucked up everything by a string of irresponsible and reckless decisions. If only he could get his hands on a time machine and go back in time to warn his past self about the terrible mistake he was about to make. If that were even possible, would it have changed anything? He couldn't fall down the rabbit hole of "what ifs" and "if onlys". Not only was she back in town, but she now held the position she had once dreamt about. A strange sense of pride washed over Asher, feeling that streak of happiness for his ex wife. "Wow, that's amazing! Congratulations!" A small part of him wanted to reach out and wrap his arms around Giselle to pull her in for a hug. However, things had changed too much and the last thing he wanted to do was make this any more awkward than it already was. "It really sounds like it was all meant to be."

With the small details about the father of the twins, Asher nodded his head. He was still slightly suspicious and knew there was still a small sliver of possibility that he could be there father. The more Giselle spoke, the more that spark of possibility dwindled. Sharp daggers pierced his heart at the thought of another man entering her life, sweeping her off her feet, and fathering the two beautiful twins before him. "Oh, I'm sorry," was all Asher could bring himself to mutter out. There was a lump forming in his throat, followed by the sting of tears pooling at his water line. He willed them not to fall by quickly blinking them away. "Well it's good to see you again," he stated as he soaked in the rest of the details about how Giselle ended up back in his hometown. The mention of the store caused his heart to drop into the pit of his stomach. Business had been booming and he was finally living out a huge dream of his—but at what price? Buying the store had been the catalyst that ended his marriage. If it weren't for his impulsive nature and better communication skills, he may have been able to accomplish his dream while staying married to his dream girl and the love of his life. But now, there was a hollow part inside of him. As long as Giselle was out of his life, Asher knew he would never again be whole. He did his best to fill that hollowed out part of him with music, work, and even the occasional joint, yet nothing ever works. "I've been good. The store is also good. Business has been pretty steady lately." The awkwardness that surrounded them felt so unnatural and foreign. After all this was the woman who knew all the ins and outs of him. She knew his secrets, his fears, and everything in between. It was hard to believe that in the time they've spent apart since their divorce that some of those things may have shifted or changed.

[gisellegoldstein]

"Sleep schedules are a wonderful thing." Really, she herself had always been pretty set in her sleep schedule since she was in her senior year of college. While she wasn't always going to bed before 10PM she had on a sort of ritual. Now with twins, getting a set sleep schedule meant something. "Don't worry your new dog is just too excited to enjoy how wonderful sleep it. Soon enough give it time." When the woman pointed out how she was doing this with two kids she laughed, "I don't know, I'll admit I've had puppies before and they can be a handful. The training, the dedication, it's a lot too." Not wanting her to think it wasn't hard work too. Just different kinds of work.

"For real." She nodded, agreeing with the woman. "I try and stick to a sleep schedule, but my new dog hates sleep, while my old man of a dog, that's all he wants to do!" Cassi laughed. "Oh I can tell you're not, you're good, but they better be Channel." She said to the woman. "Two newborns, that is amazing, you're superwoman for sure. Here I am complaining about dogs, and you have two kids!"

[gisellegoldstein]

Meeting your ex-husband when you were just attempting to buy a few pieces of fresh produce and move on about things, wasn't exactly how Giselle had planned this. Truly, if it had been up to her, it might have even been a few more months before Asher would have popped back up into her life to shake things up. Seeing your ex-husband that you divorced not for the lack or falling out of love, but due to boundaries of trust being broken was soul-crushing. A piece that continued to have jagged edges stabbing her to remind her the pain would never leave her, it'd be seared into her soul until the end of time. Could she have handled things better? Sure — but Giselle was just as human as Asher, pieces broke, and didn't know how to fit them back together. Now they found themselves in an awkward song and dance, a reason she had left this small town to begin with.

For him this was his home, Giselle hadn't been born and raised her, she didn't have the founding name attached to her — other than through marriage. It seemed like the right thing to do, to leave town, avoid these familiar back and forth moments of awkward to then leave filled with pain.

Clearing her throat — "A job, actually. Back when we were — before we divorced I had put in for a position at the Art Institue? Well, I never heard back, then everything happened. Guess they kept my name on file because about five months ago they asked me to do some virtual interviews, of course I was pregnant but I figured it wasn't going to go anywhere, it's been this long. Well, long story short, they offered me the position of Senior Vice President of the Art Institue, I get to run a place I've always loved." It had been a dream, something she never thought possible, "And with twins, the hours, the financials, all that, it just made sense?" After all supporting one child was expensive, two was a whole other ballpark. This was a better paying job that she really could even fathom, it wasn't something that was bragging, so much as it was obvious to care for her little family, to make sure they were comfortable. That both her children would be able to be looked after by proper caretakers.

With a fleeting glance, she cleared her throat, "No, the father isn't in the pictures. They haven't met him, he hasn't met them." Which, in a roundabout way, was still true. Asher was just standing there staring at the children, he wasn't actually meeting them. "Timing was bad, you know, there was the divorce, the whole — night together, then just attempting to move on, always kind of like nice guy, wrong time." Okay, that was a flat out lie, there hadn't been anyone other than Asher that could have fathered the children but that wasn't a conversation she was ready or going to have in the middle of the Farmer's Market. "Then I found out I was pregnant in between there, twins came early so there was some time in the NICU." Giving a small shrug, "Then it was time to move here, settle in, and get started at my job." Seemed to sum it up as best as possible. Another clearing of her throat, "So, how've you been? How's the — store."

His name on her lips sent a shiver down his spine. It had been so long since he heard her speak it, he still wasn't entirely sure the woman wasn't actually a mirage of a figment of his imagination. Every word she spoke hit him like ricocheting bullets to his chest. She'd been back in town for a few weeks already? The man's eyebrows furrowed as thoughts raced through his mind as to why she could be back in town. It couldn't have anything to do with him, since she would have made her presence known much sooner. Preferably in the comfort of his own home, rather than the crowded aisles of the farmer's market. "So what brings you back to town?" Asher couldn't help but ask. He knew she didn't return for him, but he couldn't help but try to figure out why she was back.

Asher was sure his jaw fell completely to the floor, just like the old cartoons made famous. "Par—parenting?" he uttered, his brain now racing a million miles per minute with a plethora of thoughts. He couldn't be the father—could he? His mind wandered back to that one night they had together in California. He flew to her home state as a desperate attempt to get the woman he loved back. They shared a passionate night together, only for Asher to awake in bed alone the next morning. He thought that night had been the end to their story, but if these kids were his that means the story is far from over. He shook his mind free from the thoughts, knowing there was a possibility of her moving on with someone else. That someone else could very well be the father of these kids. Asher's eyes scanned over both children and he couldn't help but notice how one already had curly brown locks growing nearly identical to his own. "Clara and Alder," he repeated, glancing back and forth between the two children again. "So is there more to the story here? Like is their father in the picture?" There was a knot in the pit of the man's stomach, knowing there was a very likely possibility the father of these children was none other than himself. But until Giselle confirmed or denied that Asher sat on the edge of the seat, holding his breath.

[gisellegoldstein]

Letting laughter, in a very sweet way, fall from her lips when he essentially said it was nice to meet the twins. "I'm sure they appreciate it, very much. Even if they don't have a clue while they sleep. I'll be sure to let them know when they wake up." It wasn't to make fun of the situation, it was sweet that he always tried to be nice and polite — especially given she knew it was an awkward situation. Giselle couldn't even remember the last time she had seen Kiernan, it was pre-divorce, prior to everything falling apart. Prior to her becoming a mother, it had been nearly two years, somewhere around there.

"We all go through the awkward and weird stage, let me fill you in, no one was really paying attention — not in a bad way, but we take it far more to heart than adults." But she also understood that sometimes that's all you could think about at that time. That it was such a weird time growing up and being around people who were adults. Especially given she knew he was part of the Goldstein family. It was a big enough deal marrying into the family, she couldn't imagine the pressure to actually be apart of it. Actually — no, she could. She had seen the pressure that was sometimes laid on Asher, so she could imagine how the next aged generation was doing. "Don't worry, they're two months old, they're not going to know if you're swearing around them, I promise." In fact, she sometimes found herself cursing even though she tried her best not to. "Oh, yeah, it was after the divorce, so you know, after all that I got pregnant. Back in California. So... yeah." She didn't need to divulge when, where, with who. Why stir up problems where they didn't need to be any. At this moment Giselle just happened to be the ex-wife of Asher returning for a position at the local art institue and now happened to be a mother.

Glancing up at the younger man in front of her, "Thanks, I'm pretty partial to the names, took me way too long to find something I actually liked together." Even being in her late thirties, she didn't realize how hard it had been to name children. Consistent reminders that these would be names that her children would carry around for the rest of their lives, be subjected to possible teasing, taunting, and would have to have these names as adults. "Thanks." Appreciation ran deep anytime someone was willing to help her when she had the two little ones with her, it made life a little easier — especially when people weren't looking at her annoyed and like she was taking up space because she had not only herself, her groceries, but now her two babies. "How's it feel being back? Can imagine it's always a little weird coming back." Personal feelings, for herself, it was weird coming back to the small town that was so well known for the founding names that built this town. Clearing her throat as she took the wrapped produce, "Yeah, I did. After the divorce I moved back to California for awhile. Just needed — space."

"Was offered a really great position back here though, so I couldn't pass it up. So here I am."

for all intents and purposes, that hadn't been the plan ---- to move back in with dad, to return to windsor bay full time. it'd been quite the opposite. maybe in a parallel universe he hadn't slipped, knocked out cold. embarrassing feat. it's hard to shake, nearly a year after the fact. he's just glad she hadn't asked why he's here. not that kiernan imagined she cared much, if at all. something something about him having a big ego right there. “you too – and nice to meet .. them?” head tilts, like he isn't sure how to address the elephant in the supermarket. he didn't remember her having children last time, but they are little and small, so. 

there's several bells ringing in his brain. they'd only met briefly, kind of, back when kiernan didn't care about making nice more than he had to and played the game of chasing his cousins around instead. he knew giselle as asher's wife – or, ex wife, he supposes. “yeah, i remember,” there's a nod of his head. “oh - god no. sorry you had to see me then. awkward and weird.” the second part is still true, male's nose scrunches in disgust at the mental imagry of his younger teenage self. not much different, but a foot taller and more anxiety riddled. oh. oh! okay. okay. totally not babysitting. right. “oh, shi — ” there's a moment he catches himself, laughing in a kind of awkward way and also partially at himself. “i didn't know you had kids, that's all.” had it been that long since she and asher had split? was he losing it? he knows the birds and bees a bit too well, but where did these kids come from? a bit shocking, to say the least.  

“those are good names,” a nod of his head, like confirmation of what he was saying was true. what do you say when your cousins ex - wife introduces you to kids who are barely sentient? they didn't make a college class on this one. communication and you, you're failing him. “i don't think they can do hand shakes, but it's nice to meet them. and see you, again,” another awkward nod. kiernan knows that he's being weird, of course, but it's still … it's weird. “you're not in anyone's way, i don't think.” despite it all, feeling like a bother isn't something anyone should feel, sleeping baby or not. “can help, yeah,” straightens, like he's at attention now. hands move to grab them, taking a moment to glance and find the best ones. or try to at least. “um – i've been okay,” it's a tough topic. “back home from college and all that. moved back home. trying to find a job.” not very hard, mind you, “what about you? you moved away, didn't you?”

[gisellegoldstein]

At the blonde's surprise, the ripple of laughter that left her lips was more so that she absolutely thought you could tell she had had a baby. Maybe it was being far more in tune with her body and the fact that she had carried both of them for nearly nine months. "Yeah, two months ago, twins, boy and a girl. Clara and Alder." Both babies had become her pride and joy, her reason for living and breathing, something she couldn't have hoped more for. Even with landing her dream job back here in town, her two babies were her reason for everything. "Oh stop, though flattery is appreciated. After you give your body over to carrying humans and now being their source of food, it's sometimes needed." Giselle was only human and she appreciated hearing some kind of compliments.

"I don't think you can have two babies at the same time and not be twins. Know you can have twins born on separate days if they're born close enough to midnight, mine weren't. They will have to struggle and suffer with having to share the same birthday." Not that she thought it'd be that much of a problem, ask her again when the teen years struck. "There's a goal I'm attempting to stick to, making sure to still have me time, not get lost in full mommy mode. You can be a good mother while still making sure to have a life. I've seen so many friends that just give up everything, and I don't want that. Maybe it's selfish." Taking her glass and bringing it to her lips and taking a long drink. "I think you deserve more than a drink, and you definitely deserve to avoid coupon guy. Maybe avoid seeing him around town at all cost."

"Wait, what?" Freya questioned the woman, as if she could possibly be lying about having twins eight weeks ago. "Shut the fuck up!" She holds up her hand, covering her mouth in an instant. "I mean... excuse my French, but, you just had two babies? And you're walking around looking as perfect as you are?" With a smack of her freshly glossed lips she shakes her head. "Fuck the coupon discussion -- how are you? How are you feeling after having two freakin' babies?" She asks before taking another swig of her drink. "What are their names? I'm assuming they are twins, no? Can you give birth to two babies and have them not be twins? I feel like this is shit I should know." Her voice trails off as she instinctively bites at the inner corner of her lip. It was a nervous habit she continued from childhood. "Regardless, good on you for coming out and getting some alone mama time. You deserve it, babe. You think I deserved this drink? From coupon guy?"

[gisellegoldstein]

Settling into a routine had been the best thing that Giselle could afford herself. Get the babies on a settled routine of bed, wake, feeds, tummy time, babysitter, work, and it seemed to be successful. Did it mean she wasn't tired? Hell no, exhaustion ran rampant in her slender frame, which lead her to Java Junction. Clara and Alder were with their new nanny, with workbag slung over her shoulder, making the plan to get a very strong cup of coffee before heading into her office at the art institue. After ordering an iced double espresso shaken with two pumps of french vanilla for taste, she was grabbing a straw before reaching for the napkins that the blonde in front of her seemed to be taking handfuls of. It was obvious the younger woman seemed to be as tired as the brunette was feeling. "It's okay, we all do things when sleep deprived." Giselle took a few of the napkins, "Don't worry I'm not creepy, I know that look, mom of two newborns. These bags." Pointing to her under eyes, "Are designer at this point."

OPEN STARTER!

LOCATION: Java Junction

It wasn't super early in the morning, but Cassi didn't have the best night sleep. Her newest puppy, a german shepherd, decided to have the zoomies all night, and just when Cassi could feel herself falling asleep, the dog would jump on the bed startling her. "One iced caramel latte with cold foam please." She ordered, rumbling through her bag to tip the barista, and paying with her phone. She had a client in about 45 minutes, so she wanted to sit at the coffee shop a minute, have a sip of her coffee, before going into the nail salon and getting set up for the day. "Here, sorry, almost took all of them." She laughed, grabbing more napkins than needed, and handing them to the person next to her. "I'm clumsy, but I don't need this many." She said, before taking a sip of her coffee. @windsorbaystarters

[gisellegoldstein]

Locating a nanny in Windsor Bay had been far easier than expected, there were several college age students in child development that could get extra credit hours for caring for children in their free time. Well, okay, it wasn't actually free time, Giselle was paying for it, but at least three of them had offered to do it just for the credit hours. Something that she couldn't imagine taking advantage of. After vetting several girl in their early twenties, and speaking with the schools advisors, a sweet girl by the name of Grace had checked all the boxes. Her family was local so the town knew of her and her family, she was studying child development and planned to go to school to be a early education teacher, and she had courses like CPR and basic life support under her belt. What more could a mama of twins ask for?

This was strictly the first trial basis, go out, have a drink, come home. See how it went, maybe her twins would send Grace running for the hills, she didn't know? Finding herself at Shooters was a choice. A choice that Giselle of yesteryear would never had made, but she was different, this was a new start to her time in town.

Listening to the woman, a glass of wine precariously placed between fingertips, swirling it around, a snort. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to... It's been awhile since I drank, I just had two babies like eight weeks ago." Wiping her lips with her thumb, "But I'm sorry a coupon? Who takes dates out with a coupon? And that sounds like one of those that is found in those books that kids sell at school, like it's a big chunky book and you rip them out and they always have kid deals in there because you know, you bought 'em from a kid." Shaking her head, the audacity of men continued to know no limits. "Think you're better off on your own in that situation, handling it yourself. Because let me tell you, coupon guy, was only gonna disappoint anyway."

OPEN STARTER

LOCATION: Shooters

@windsorbaystarters

"Keep 'em coming." She's louder than usual as she tilts her head back downing yet another drink. It's not common that Freya was seen anywhere but the ranch, but she figured drowning her sorrows after her horrible blind date was the move that night. "Not only was he not the guy in the picture, which is whatever, I can deal with that." Freya pauses as she holds her finger up and takes another swig before setting the glass back down on the bar table with emphasis. "He told me I had to choose between the the kids menu chicken tenders or the half-rack of ribs because he had a coupon." The ranch owner was almost to stunned too speak as her blue hues widened, a chuckle falling from her glossed lips. "I mean, fuck... I'm a big chicken tendie girl... and could devour any racks of ribs... but, seriously? You only took me out because you had a fucking coupon? Long story short -- he was not going to rack city in the bedroom later."

[gisellegoldstein]

Never in a million years did she think she'd find herself back wandering among the streets and shops of Windsor Bay, but she also never thought she'd be a mother at the ripe age of thirty-six to two twin newborns. Life was weird, hectic, and loved to throw a good curveball in life. After all, she had been with Asher since she was twenty-seven it wasn't like it had been a short fling between the pair. They had been engaged, married, lived a happy and comfortable life until they didn't. The saying 'this town ain't big enough for the two of us' applied more than she cared to admit because a part of her had given her heart away to a man that she knew she'd never fully get back. Now she had to live in a town where the Goldstein name was so well-known you almost couldn't escape it. But coming back, to make a name for herself, that meant something too.

"Good to see you." She was pretty sure in the nearly ten years she had known the Goldstein family, she had only seen Kiernan a handful of times. He was quite a bit younger, and she was attempting to make nice with the older family members being the one from the outside. But he was nice enough, but she was sure that he was going to let his cousin know that the ex-wife was back in town. Isn't that what family did? She wasn't sure, her family had moved to Seattle a few years back when her sister had located there and started a family, obvious she wasn't giving them grandchildren anytime soon at that point and they wanted to be an active participant in their grandchildren's lives. Giselle couldn't blame them, of course, the twins had thrown a curveball into their plans but it didn't really bother her that much. More independent than she liked to admit because of it.

"We've met a few times, family events." she said nodding, "But it has been awhile, you're not a young teen anymore." Then again, he was still young, how old was he? Somewhere in his twenties, at least that was what her brain was telling her. A laugh rang from her lips, "Uh I don't believe taking care of your own children falls under the umbrella of babysitting." Glance up at the younger male, "This is my daughter, and she's much more needy, so she's practically always in this carrier, and the very good, sleeping all on his own in his carrier, is Alder." Wasn't sure why she was introducing two sleeping babies to someone who probably didn't care, nor have any desire to worry about the two in her vicinity.

"Full is an understatement, it's been an adjustment since moving back I'll admit." Sighing as she focused on something, "Actually would you mind just grabbing like two more things for me, "It's all I should need and then I can go to the grocery store to get the rest so I'm not in everyone's way." Since she was sure it'd be just more difficult getting around the farmer's market continually reaching for things and needing to stop and ask people for help in worries of waking up either of her children. "If you could just grab me two of those, and one of those." Pointing to the different produce, "I'll be out of your hair." Smiling as she shifted to put the apples now into the small area that was open for groceries. "How've you been?"

if he thought about it too hard while at college, kiernan would say he missed the small town feel. cozy, inviting, warm, even though the old ladies were constantly pinching his cheeks and something something about how he used to be two feet tall. as if they'd never seen someone grow before. but beyond all that, the little intriacies he couldn't find anywhere else? the thought of being homesick in his dorm room made his stomach twist, anxious calls to the family and his dad sending car packages when he could. little things here and there. a blessing, maybe, not that kiernan would ever admit it — he's happy to be back, though he will complain about the fact that the town isn't as big as eugene. a mix bag of emotions he's not ready to full open yet. 

maybe it's because he's older now, but kiernan has taken more stock into hios families lives — not that he didn't care before .. but it's different when he can form opinions and they aren't too shy to tell him the nitty gritty. there were things, details left out, but he got the jist, mostly. even with his new found memory issues, the face of asher's ex wife is recognizable enough. “oh, yeah, hi,” a small smile – polite, formal in a way that he's not entirely used to. it's not something kiernan uses to his advantage, his name – nor does he really care, but it's good to be able to be recognized for it. something about nepotism, reaping the benefits and all that. 

he hadn't realized she moved — windsor bay is big enough for the two of them, isn't it? small, but not suffocating. or maybe not. “oh, oh, it's fine – i know who you are." if only by name recognition and the picture he'd seen. gives a mental note to grill asher about it later, his cousin will even give him a straight answer. something to give him shit about. “you're babysitting?” eyes drift to the sleeping baby, and then to the .. stroller. huh. “it's no problem.” shake of his head. “d'you need help with anything else? you kinda got your hands full.”

[gisellegoldstein]

THE CHARACTER.

FULL NAME: Giselle Goldstein (formerly Morin)

GENDER: Cis woman

PRONOUNS: She/her

AGE + BIRTHDAY: 37 + November 12, 1988

LENGTH OF TIME IN WINDSOR BAY: Originally moved to Windsor Bay when she was fifteen, moved away post-divorce and just moved back April 2025

HOUSING: Mountainside

OCCUPATION: Senior Vice President of The Art Institute

THE INTERVIEW.

What’s it like, living in Windsor Bay? Did you ever picture yourself settling down here or did you always know this would be your home?

"It's different than California, I can say that much for sure. My family moved here when I was fifteen. If you asked me then both my big sister and I would have told you our lives were over and they were moving us to a little nowhere town. Which it absolutely felt like that after growing up in California. Think at heart I'm always going to be a California girl, it's something that's just apart of you, but Windsor grew on me through the years. After the divorce I was sure I'd never come back here. Packed up my bags, moved to a condo in Los Angeles and really didn't want to turn back. Sometimes it's easier to leave a part of you in the past, but when I was offered the position as Senior Vice President at the Art Institue, it's not something you can really pass up. To manage a position like that in LA you need to know the right people or have the right kind of money. So, no, I never thought in the end this would be my home again - but here I am."

If you could recommend one hidden gem around town everyone should try, what is it? What makes it so special?

"Is it too cheeky to say the Art Institue? Feels like it might be but it really is a special place. To be able to work with pieces of art from some of the biggest artists in history just has a way of captivating you. Not to mention it's a place we encourage up and coming artist to come, display their work, learn more about themselves as an artist. Now I'm not conventionally artistic but think it's the old saying "those who can't do, teach, well in my case, those who can't, manage. Something I'm really hoping to bring more to the institue as my time there goes."

What’s your family like? Are you still close, or have you blocked all their numbers?

"I'm lucky as far as family goes, my parents moved out of Windsor Bay and now live in one of those retirement communities in Florida. They wanted to soak up more sun and enjoy the beaches in their later years, which I can't even blame them. But we make time for each other. We alternate holidays, sometimes we go there, sometimes they come back here. I actually just moved back into their home that they purchased in the mountainside that is absolutely breathtaking. My siblings? Well I love them, to pieces. We keep in contact a lot, have multiple different group chats that we're always in and out of. But, my greatest loves, are my twins Clara and Alder, the two that made me a mom, the two that gave me my own little tight-knit family unit."

THE PERSONALITY.

— + creative, passionate, perceptive — - stubborn, impulsive, nervous

GISELLE IS PORTRAYED BY LEIGHTON MEESTER, AND WRITTEN BY WILLA.

[gisellegoldstein]

Despite it being a small town, it wasn't such a small town that she expected to run into her ex-husband after such a short time back. If anything Giselle figured she'd at least have a little while longer before having to deal with Asher. Unfortunately, if anything, you learn the universe has a sick sense of humor and put you in places you didn't think you'd be. Here she was, just attempting to get a small grocery shopping trip in so that she could make some meals at home before dealing with work she could do at home. Clearing her throat when she felt his eyes drawn on her, "Asher." The sound of his name coming out flat and like she was trapped a tiny bit. Maybe that was actually more how she felt, it wasn't like she could easily run away given the child strapped to her chest sleeping and the other baby in his stroller seat. Plus she was an adult, running away was childish. It was her ex-husband who she had loved for several years, they were both going to be living in this town. Acceptance was needed at this moment.

Clearing her throat again, attempting to make it not feel so tight she nodded, "Yeah, I moved back a few weeks ago, been setting up my house, adjusting back to everything." she admitted, which maybe she should have, it wasn't like she didn't know how to reach him. Furrowing her brows, she glanced down at the two month old sleeping peacefully in her carrier against her. "Babysitting?" The word came out slightly harsh,"You don't babysit your own kids, Asher. I'm parenting." she gave a slight roll of her eyes as she placed her hand against the carrier, supporting Clara's head a little more and shifting to manage to grab an apple before the person at the stand came and helped her grab another two, gesturing to keep the other one on them. "Thanks." she said putting them into her tote, handing over some cash before waiting for change. "This is Clara, and this is Alder." she wanted to at least attempt to be polite. "They're twins, talk about my luck."

While Asher tended to do the brunt of his shopping at Windsor Bay Grocers out of pure convenience, there was nothing like fresh produce from Farm to Fork. Every so often he would make the effort to drive the extra distance out into the farmlands and support the local businesses. A plastic grocery basket hung from his forearm as he weaved through the aisles. Leafy greens were piled on top of a cantaloupe and a few packages of berries. It wasn't until he turned the corner to check out the selection of apples that his ears perked up at a familiar voice. At first, he thought it was his mind playing tricks on him. It had to be someone that sounded just like his ex wife, because surely there was no way Giselle was back in town. However when he looked up and locked eyes with the woman, his heart sank into his stomach when he realized it was actually his ex wife. Asher's brown eyes rapidly blinked a few times, hoping this was some sort of illusion or trick that would disappear with the blink of an eye. Yet still, his ex wife stood there right before him.

It took him another moment to realize the small baby strapped to Giselle's chest. It wasn't until the second baby cooed from the stroller that Asher realized there was indeed a second baby. He was positive he looked like a deer frozen in headlights to any outsider looking in at this very moment. It was as if he walked into a crazy dream because there was no way his ex wife was standing right in front of him with not only one but two babies. Millions of different questions fluttered through his mind ranging from wondering if she had moved on with someone else or if there was another explanation such as these were relatives of hers or a friends kids that she was babysitting. "Giselle," Asher finally managed to formulate her name to spill from his lips. "You're back?" He paused for a brief moment before continuing. "And babysitting?" he questioned, hoping for at least a few answers to the thousands of questions flooding his mind.

[gisellegoldstein]

Being able to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, little knick knacks, and more that were all produced by the locals was something she enjoyed about Windsor. Not that you couldn't find a farmer's market in Los Angeles, but it was different. There things were still overpriced, often times it was people not really interested in being apart of the community so much as profiting. While profiting was a necessary measure to survive, she also knew that here when people got to know you, they remembered you. She couldn't remember one time the two places she frequented in California ever remembered her name.

Then again maybe it was because she had been married to Asher, being connected to a Goldstein might have made it so that people were more apt to remember someone. Not that Giselle believed in being known only for a name, but either way, small towns ran much like that.

As someone reached to grab a bag of apples then grabbed her two single ones, placing them into her reusable bag and shifting. "Thank you." she looked an furrowed her brows. "Kiernan?" Did she know him, not really, but she had seen enough family member photos at Asher's family's homes that she knew a family member when she saw them. "Sorry, I'm Giselle, Asher's — " clearing her throat, "His ex-wife." Awkward, really but was the only way to explain knowing his name. "Clara has quite the set of lungs on her when she wakes up abruptly, so I'm trying to prevent that, they've been on a weird schedule since we moved back to town." Admitting it, not sure why, "But thank you. For the help."

the damn store. always at the scene of the crime, always the enemy of the state of kiernan. and, really, the bane of his existence. a repetitive notion that he's not a fan of. being back in windsor bay, even after a few months, was still something to get used to. getting familiar with people who now own the places he used to frequent, meet the new people who had moved here in the short time between semesters of college. not easy to keep track of and quite confusing. not par the course for someone with adhd, and even worse with everything involving his long concussion. so the easy takes have become the norm, despite him hating that fact. going to new places and old places and visiting and meeting people. different thing, different day, yet it still feels the same. 

this one was new and old to him at the same time. familiar, though he hadn't been inside the actual store yet. that damn sticky note glued to the back of his phone with specific locations, items, and anything else his family needed — since they're working all day, kiernan was the designated shopper while he was currently ignoring everything that had to do with finals and coursework. not here yet, but soon, and he'll deal with those bridges when it came to it. apples was indeed on the list.

he tried not to watch other people. that was weird. but, yeah, she seemed to be struggling. and this certifies that he does not want kids for a multitude of reasons: he likes to do what he wants when he wants to, they're loud and messy, and also the idea of raising a kid for eighteen years and beyond? scaaaary. the woman was familiar, but after all the knocking around his brain has done in the past few years, it's always possible he's just having deja vu. that's the most likely scenario. and, because he is so nice — his dad did raise him to be a good person, faults and flaws aside — kiernan grabs a bag and two of the apples for her. “looks like y'got your hands full there.” a typical comment he'd heard his aunts say ‘round parents with little kids. figures it’s a semi - decent thing to say. he ties the bag shut, turning towards her and handing the plastic bag over.  “i don't blame you, i'd take the sleep instead of ‘em screamin’, yeah?”

[gisellegoldstein]

It was one of her favorite places when she had lived in Windsor originally, the farmer's market. Who didn't love the ability to get not only fresh fruits, vegetables, or even whole meals and freshly baked breads, but to sport the local people of the town. To her, it was a go to place no matter what was going on. It was unavoidable that you'd have to spend some time in a normal grocery store but if she could get it here, you'd often find Giselle there. It did help she loved to cook, and would always prefer cooking with fresh, in-season foods.

Clara wasn't exactly fussy, but she had to admit, since moving back to town the kids were on some kind of weird new schedule. There was a change in altitude, a change in living situations, their mother was now going back to work and were spending time with a nanny. Of course, they were merely a couple of months old, and you'd think they wouldn't understand change but they did. They picked up on their mother's stress and changes, and Clara seemed to be the most sensitive even at two months old.

When the man that offered help she noticed him pull out his phone. She maybe had seen him before, but then again, it had been awhile since she had been in town and couldn't quite place him. Which maybe was just her still being a little in denial that she was back in this town where her ex-husband resided. Or at least last she knew he still lived here, she couldn't imagine he had moved after purchasing the record store himself.

Seeing him type and gesture she wanted to hit herself in the head for just assuming. When he pointed out, she grabbed her phone and opened a notes page, but first nodded, at the question about the apples. 'Sorry I didn't realize before, thank you for your help. With Clara asleep and Alder asleep, I'm trying to get as much done before they do wake up." Before gesturing at Clara's twin, Alder.

If there was one thing Elliot despised, besides the cold, it was cooking. Mainly because he was absolutely awful at it. Despite his mother's attempts over the years to teach him, Elliot still found himself burning a decent amount of what he tried to make. However, it was his daughter's arrival a few months ago that he made him set his mind to truly learning how to cook. And one of the easiest ways he found to start, besides the most simplest of recipes, was to make a meal plan. Even if Sawyer wasn't eating a whole lot of solids foods just yet, he knew it was still good for him to get into the habit.

So with her strapped to his chest in her baby carrier, he made his way through the stalls at the food market. Marking things off his list he needed for the week, slipping them into the canvas bag that was questionably perched on his forearm. Multitasking was another thing he was still trying to get the hang of as a single dad.

As he glanced over the fruit at the stand he was currently at, the movement of a hand trying to grab for the apples caught his attention and Elliot looked up at Giselle. While he didn't know her all that well, she was one of those faces he had seen around town over the years. His eyes falling to the baby strapped to her chest as well before they moved to her eyes. Not for sure if she was aware he was deaf, Elliot waved a hand at his ear and shook his head before he grabbed for his phone. Smiling as he moved to his notes app to type, pretty sure he had caught most of what she had been saying. Totally get the whole sleeping baby thing- Even if Sawyer was anything but, currently she was kicking her little legs back and forth as she chewed on her hand. But you said two apples right? Wanting to make sure he had at least gotten that part right.

[gisellegoldstein]

open starter ➛ any! location ➛ farm to fork @windsorbaystarters

Coming home was a loose term when it came to Giselle's return to Windsor Bay, something that she truly thought would need Hell freezing over before that would happen. Apparently Hell froze sooner than expected, and whilst her home was still a scattering of unpacked boxes, furniture laden with blankets and covering over them, the brunette was attempting to make the best of it. Windsor Bay had been home for the woman since she was fifteen when her parents decided to cause a total upheaval of her life and move her from the sunshine beauty that was California to the middle of nowhere Windsor Bay.

After a marriage that had soured thanks to break down of communication and trust that had been shattered in the simplest way, Giselle had found herself on the first train out of town back to the beloved homeland — or state, California.

For awhile it worked, until things became far more complicated. Something she attempted not to think much on but when a call came offering her the Senior Vice President for a job back in Windsor Bay, what else was a woman to do? Given she now had twins that were barely three months old to care for, and this gave her more creative control and free time with being a single mother.

With Clara strapped into a carried on the front of her chest and Alder asleep in the two stroller that held their carseats anchored in safety, she made her way to the local farmer market that was one of her favorite places in town. Couldn't beat fresh produce when she herself was someone who enjoyed cooking far more than most people she knew personally. Shifting the carrier as to not wake the sleeping infant, she stretched her fingers out attempting to reach for a few apples. "Shi—" Taking a breath, "Shoot." Learning to self correct herself now before the twins were repeating her word for word was best down now, even if they wouldn't be talking for awhile.

"Any chance you could help me for a second, she just fell asleep and I don't dare move enough to wake her." Her daughter had the strongest lungs she had ever heard, if she was being honest, "But could you just — right there, grab those two apples?"