waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

Although Waverly was the kind of person to answer back almost immediately regardless of who had texted or called, it was a slightly more exclusive group of individuals for whom she would drop everything to give support, even if that thing was grading that was due tomorrow. But her brother-in-law (she refused to say former) was very much one of those people. So, it would've surprised no one to see the art teacher arrive at The Last Throw and drive right in. When there was no axe in his hand, the blonde approached, waving off Finn's appreciation to offer him a quick hug. "You know I'd do anything for you. Besides, this is fun so its not exactly like you asked me to come watch paint dry with you or something." She noted with a smile, trying to offer him a little levity. "So, throwing sharp objects first and then talking slash drinking?"

Tagging: @waverly--erickson

Where: The Last Throw

When: 12/14/24

It was a rare occasion but Finn was not having a good day. He'd just returned home from a jog to find his mothing standing at his front door. After asking her what she was doing there, an argument had ensued in which he'd promptly told her to go away. It had angered him so much but he didn't know what to do now. He knew that if he went to the festival, there was the potential for him to snap so he chose the next best thing - The Last Throw, the one place in East Haven where he could let out his aggression and it wouldn't lead to injury. After sending Waverly a text letting her know where he would be if she wanted to join him, he jumped on his bike and headed to the venue. He was already 5 axes in by the time his sister-in-law arrived. "Waverly! Thank you for coming. I really didn't want to be alone." He said, rubbing his face.

[waverly--erickson]

Although Waverly adored hot chocolate, the truth of the matter was that she really preferred to wait to drink any until it became lukewarm chocolate. That way, there was still some warmth but without the potential for having her tongue burned. With this philosophy in mind, the blonde was waiting a bit to take a sip, staring absentmindedly at some of the other people milling about. A slightly tentative tone attracted her attention, causing the art teacher to switch her gaze onto Mabel. It took a moment for full focus to set in, but when it did, Waverly's eyes widened slightly. "Wait...Mabel as in Mabel Hughes? It's Waverly, Waverly Kincade. I'm not sure if you remember me? We went to school together." The blonde offered, using her maiden name in case it helped establish familiarity.

"I can drink hot chocolate all year long, but it never quite hits the same as it does during Christmas, doesn't it?" Mabel spoke up to Waverly, the two having sat by the same table with their drinks but not having spoken a word to one another. Mabel was desperate to make more friends now that she had returned to town. Without her family, it was a rather lonely place at times. "I'm Mabel." @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

Feeling the beat of her heart as she took a few extra deep breaths, Waverly looked appreciatively over at her sparring partner. Although they'd tossed the idea around of doing some sparring practice several times, Ben actually following through and setting it up for them. And the art teacher had to admit, it had been more enjoyable than she'd expected. "Thank you. It was actually pretty fun. This might become part of my routine. Are you hungry at all? I have time to grab something if you want."

starter for @waverly--erickson Location: Access Athletics

Ben was breathing hard as he got up and grab a bottle of water before handing it towards Waverly smiling. "You are not bad, seriously," he spoke with a smile on his face. Ben had taken up sparing while he was in college but stopped when things got bad but he had been getting into it again. It helped him get out of his head and blow off some steam and energy when he was restless. He was really glad to get into it again.

[waverly--erickson]

Waverly nodded in agreement "Oh, yeah. Definitely some standard holiday stuff." With the creativity flowing she couldn't help but get excited. "Ooo I also saw this cool tutorial for tissue paper flowers. So maybe we could do some poinsettia." The blonde blushed slightly realizing she might be getting too enthusiastic and Marley may not have intended to get on such a roll. "Nothing too crazy, but I think this week we'll get finished up on our holiday cards. I have them each doing a set in four different mediums of their choice. Like watercolor, colored pencil, pastel, and oil paint. That way they have something nice to give people and they have a bit more creative freedom to decide which mediums we've used so far they want to try more of." The art teacher explained. "How are you outside of work? I don't mean to bore you to death with extra school talk."

She laughed a little bit and nodded. "Yeah. One of each would be good. Maybe a Christmas tree or two as well?" She suggested. She definitely liked the ideas that were flowing, but didn't want to overwhelm anyone. "That'd be great. I'd appreciate it. My kids will definitely be happy to have the props." She sat back a little. "Any other projects you have them doing?" @waverly--erickson

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Waverly jokingly stuck her tongue out at both Alec and Bradley for the middle sibling's return teasing. Relieved he felt comfortable opening up, the blonde listened attentively as Alec spoke. "Me too. I mean, life certainly hasn't gone according to plan in all the ways we expected when we were kids, but I'm so happy for what we have now." The art teacher noted, thinking mostly of her unexpected but incredible nephew.

"There is no rush at all. We totally don't want to scare him off for sure and well I don't think your two older brother's can be scary or maybe we can be," he teased and smile before laughing. "You can totally ask for sure," he answered smiling.

"It's going well, we are taking things slow and in no rush. We still have stuff to figure out for sure," he answered and explained as he took a sip of his drink. "Look at us, am so proud of us," he smiled. @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

Getting to see such a genuine smile on Aarin's face was infectious, and her own grin grew wider in response. "And then you'll have the rest of your lives." Waverly smiled. After everything they'd both been through the art teacher was both relieved and thrilled to see Aarin and Marcel find their way back to each other. A glint of excitement flickered in the blonde's eyes at the mention of attire. "But of course. Don't worry-it's not white." She joked, knowing her friend wouldn't ever think Waverly would pull such a stunt. "How has work been? I heard Stevie had the babies! Hopefully you haven't had too much extra on your plate to do with her out."

"I'm sure they're great teachers of that," she joked with Waverly, a smile keeping the corners of her lips turned upward, "Lucky for you, no one is perfect at everything all the time." Aarin returned the sentiment with hopefully reassuring words. "Oh, thank you," her cheeks drew in a pink hue at Waverly's words. "I'm very lucky to have found Marcel again," though she had never expected to do just that. "It will be here before we know it." She was grinning with the thought, "Have you got a dress picked out?" @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

As she listened to Sera talk through her feelings, Waverly's heart hurt a little bit. She felt awful to hear what her friend had been going through, probably feeling fairly alone while trying to handle something so difficult. So, while it had been unexpected for Sera to show up on her doorstep in this manner, the blonde was grateful she'd felt safe enough and comfortable enough to do so. "Well. You did the right thing. The brave thing. And I'm so happy you're here. You can stay as long as you need." the art teacher insisted reassuringly, squeezing her friend's hand.

END

Sera nodded her head at her friend. "I love that. Making a space you like being in." She repeated the words. It was something she could resonate to her own life right now. She was definitely trying to make it a life she liked living in. She would have to remember this for the day she had her own space. Watching as Waverly came back over with some wine and cheese, she shook her head at the question. "I stayed in Portland for the weekend. Just to clear my head and decide what I was doing. I left so fast I felt like I couldn't breathe." She explained before taking a glass of wine and took a sip. "I just knew I didn't want to be home anymore. I couldn't marry that man. Not for money or anything." @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

"I finally understand what self-soothing actually means thanks to my nephew." Waverly chuckled lightly "though that doesn't mean I'm always successful at it." She added with a self-deprecating tone. Turning a bit more serious, but happily so, the art teacher smiled across the table to her friend. "I can't believe this is happening. I mean, I can. Because you're incredible and anyone who didn't want to marry you would be silly. But I'm just so excited for you." Despite everything that had happened after, and the fact that she'd known her and her husband would have limited time after their wedding day, the blonde still saw weddings as such magical and lovely things.

"Hey, you never know, you may be crafting world renowned artists in that room," she teased Waverly, though it was something that was entirely possible one day. "Ah, yeah, I remember the stress like that," Aarin had always been the overachiever type, "unfortunately it's something they have to work out on their own, for the most part," she told Waverly, "one has to learn to self soothe, so to speak," she laughed softly, "Wedding plans are pretty much wrapped up," she grinned, "we've really just got to get married now." @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

As soon as Mack gave her confirmation, happy tears started to well up and swiftly began to roll down Waverly's cheeks. Grinning through the tears, she gently embraced her friend, now reminding herself to be extra careful. Not that Mack was fragile, but still, it didn't hurt to be gentle. The blonde was very lucky to know a lot of good people. People who deserved the best out of life. But, even among them, Mack and Ethan were a special sort of good. Pulling away to haphazardly try and wipe the tears away, the art teacher let out a small laugh as she saw Nala push her face into Waverly's lap having noticed she was crying. "I'm okay, sweet girl. I promise. These are happy tears."

Mack raised both of her eyebrows at Waverly's reaction, as she out up a hand for a moment as of to give up. "Okay, okay," she said insistently, pushing her mug to the side, as Nala stood up to lean into Mack a bit. Her hand leaning to the side to pet Nala on the head, as the dog had become her constant companion as she had done with Ashton five years ago. Nodding without saying anything, Mack bit her lip as she silently answered her best friend's question. "It is," her voice filled with excitement, "you're gonna have a fourth Hoffmann baby to spoil." @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

As Marley laid out the idea, her eyes brightened further and the blonde began to nod slightly in response. "Yeah, yeah I think that could definitely work. Like maybe we could paint little cardboard cutouts for the 12 days of Christmas gifts. Not that we'd do all of them for every day. Like just one drummer instead of 12 or 2 geese instead of 6." Waverly noted, chuckling to herself at the idea of the high schoolers holding so many different props if they did stay literal with the numbers in the song. "I can chat with them about it tomorrow if you want?" the art teacher offered.

She smiled as she entered the room more as Waverly said she had some time and she sat down in the chair that she had put out for them. "Great." She said and took a breath. "I'm working on the Christmas performances for the glee club and I was curious if the art students would be interested in making the props and background decorations for when we perform. I thought it'd be a good collab for them if you're okay with it." @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

Waverly smiled appreciatively to Alec's reaction. "Well, if things continue going in the direction I hope, maybe I'll bring him around for dinner sometime. Not too soon though, can't have him getting scared off by my two older brothers." The blonde noted jokingly. She didn't see either of her siblings trying to intimidate Josiah. Nor did she see Josiah feeling particularly intimidated. Hesitating a moment before she asked, the art teacher spoke up again. "Can I ask if you have anything going on in that department? Not that you need to tell me and not trying to pressure you to put yourself out there before you're ready. But like you said, we all deserve to be happy." Her tone was gentle and cautious, not wanting Alec to feel backed into talking about something if he wasn't ready. But she was admittedly curious.

All Alec wanted was for his sister to be happy. He never pushed and he choose to stay out of her love life but was always there to offer advice or anything. Both him and their older brother were the same way. They respected each other, but that did not mean that Alec did not sometimes tease his siblings and they sometimes did not tease him back. "Oh, I think I might have heard of him and met him. Not sure fully," he answered. He knew that he kinda knew that name and maybe have met the person but could not really tell. "That's great. You deserve to be happy and feel happy. We all do." @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

Although it was still November, some of the radio stations Waverly often listened to had started sprinkling in Christmas music to the lineup. And as a result, the blonde was humming Carol of the Bells to herself as she finished wiping down the art room's tables. It was funny how much more she enjoyed cleaning up after class than cleaning her dishes at home, one was enjoyably meditative and the other an exceptionally boring chore. As the art teacher considered why that was, a voice pulled her back to the present moment. Turning around to see Marley, Waverly smiled and gestured for her to come in. "For my favorite music director? Always!" The blonde insisted, pulling out two chairs from the table she had just finished cleaning in case Marley felt like sitting.

closed starter for @waverly--erickson location: Kismet Harbor High School

With the holidays coming, Marley was having the glee kids practice holiday songs in preparation for some performances they were going to be doing around town on top of preparing them for sectionals that was coming up. She was proud of the group she had this year and how diligent they were in their practice and she felt good about this years performances. Knowing she'd need some props, Marley got in early before practice to go talk to Waverly and hoped the teacher was still there. Peeking into the room, she smiled as she saw her and waved. "Hey, Waverly. Do you have a moment?"

[waverly--erickson]

Waverly shook her head "No no no. I'm not playing this game." She insisted firmly, though her expression was still bright and full of excitement. "Makayla Renee Hoffmann you stop messing with me right this instant." The blonde requested in her best joking version of her stern teacher voice. "Are you having a baby? Is that the important news you wanted to tell me?" The art teacher asked, all pretense of silliness dropped and replaced by tender and affectionate emotion.

Peering from behind her mug as she sipped upon her tea, waiting for the other to make the connection. She hadn't known how to tell her best friend that she was expecting but she knew she had to do make it good. She too put her mug down and looked at Waverly as the looked back at her, a smirk forming on her lips. "Right," she said whilst nodding her head slowly, before her grinned grew wider and wider. "and what exactly am I saying?" She teased scrunching her nose up a bit as Nala laid herself down at her feet. @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

"Ah yes, the high stakes world of high school art." Waverly laughed softly. Not that she didn't feel like her job was important, but it was good to be able to have a sense of humor about it. "Well, despite the fact that it's weeks away the kids are already foaming at the mouth to be on Thanksgiving break. Not that I blame them, obviously, but the focus hasn't been at an all time high exactly. Except for my AP class, though the issue with them is some of the kids are already stressing about portfolios being due in May. I wish I could reassure them more." That was of course easier said than done, and the blonde knew that having been pretty stressed out during her own high school experience. "Your turn, what's going on in wedding planning world?"

"Ah, I'm sure you could be," she teased the woman, "I'll do whatever it takes." Aarin continued to joke with her, a smile resting against her lips. "It's good to see you, too," she nodded her head in agreement, "How are things with you, though?" She questioned Waverly, "Catch me up on the world of an art teacher." @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

If she hadn't known Alec for literally her entire life, the level of excitement and interest in his tone might have been overwhelming to Waverly. But it wasn't, it just made the blonde feel warm and comforted to know how invested he was in her happiness. Of course, that didn't stop the art teacher from blushing a bit in reaction to Alec's enthusiasm. "Um, he's an officer. Deputy sheriff, actually. Josiah Huddington? I'm not sure if you two know each other at all or anything. But...yeah. He's really great." With a smile as she thought about Josiah, Waverly took another sip of her drink. "I feel happy."

"You two don't give me that look and now you feel my pain," he teased before busting off into laughter and taking a sip of his drink. Family was indeed important, Alec knew that they were not perfect but they always had each other's back and were always there. Alec knew he could always count on them and reach out to them for anything. The doctor never really hid anything for them at all. "Omg that is amazing, so who is this person. Give me all the details," he spoke excited. Alec was really happy for his sister and he was glad that she was putting herself out there.

"Looks like we all seeing someone expect for Chase. We seriously need to help our dear big brother out," he smiled giving his brother a grin. @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

The small part of her that had been holding onto nerves settled down upon hearing Mack's reassurance. Finally feeling relaxed, Waverly took a sip of her tea and continued listening. As she went back for another sip, the blonde paused slightly. Something about her best friend's wording stood out. Putting the cup down on the counter, a contemplative look overtook the art teacher's features momentarily. "Wait...I'm not a math genius. But you have three kids, plus you and Ethan makes fives not-" Waverly broke off as she looked over at Mack with joyful disbelief. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

The quiet of her household was both a welcomed chabge as well as an uncomfortable silence. She couldn't remember the last time she had had the house this quiet without everyone being asleep. And even then the house was filled with the noises of sleep of five people and a dog. But now it was nice and quiet and relaxing, Mack being able to stop and actually get to chat with her best friend. After filling both mugs with tea for herself and Waverly, she sat down and exhaled. "Yes," she said before taking a small sip, her hands wrapped around the mug. "Yeah, everything and everyone's fine," she chuckled, reaching out to squeeze Waverly's hand, "but I appreciate the concern. All six of us and Nala are fine. Trust me." @waverly--erickson

[waverly--erickson]

Location: Hoffmann Home

Waverly couldn't exactly recall when the last time was that the Hoffmann house had been so quiet. Of course, Nala was following Mack around the kitchen as she poured tea into cups for herself and the blonde. So it wasn't completely silent. The art teacher found herself fiddling with a bracelet on her wrist as she waited for her friend to come sit again. A mixture of worry and excitement had built up in Waverly's chest. Mack was usually an open book, but the cryptic text asking her to come over had thrown the blonde slightly. Based on how her companion was acting, she didn't think it was anything bad or difficult that her friend wanted to share, but the nerves still lingered slightly as one could never be 100% sure. Eagerly taking the tea as Mack handed it over and got comfortable again with Nala taking up post at her feet, Waverly finally spoke up. "So....you wanted to talk about something? Everything's okay with you and Ethan and the kids I hope." she noted gently, offering a small smile

@makaylahoffmann