wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

"A nap can be arranged." Whenever Amayah wanted one, Wesley was going to make sure that she got one. When the baby came, he'd take his parental leave, followed by working from home for a few months after that. He was grateful for the flexibility that his career provided him with, though in some sense he wondered if it were because they knew of his past. "Yeah?" He raised his brow as she opened up the Tupperware container for him. "Early cake tasting?" He questioned curiously, though he was skeptical with his own question. Reaching into the container, he took the cupcake, inspecting the outside curiously before peeling off the cake wrapper and biting into it. "Mmm," he groaned with the taste, noting that it absolutely came from Seaside Sweets. "This is -" he trailed off, pulling the cupcake away from his lips and as he did so, he noted there was a filling spilling from inside. "Wait," his brows furrowed out of confusion, "is this? Are we?" He couldn't even form coherent thoughts, his brows relaxing as he looked at Amayah with hope in his eyes. "Are we having a baby girl?" @amayahxfontenelle

Zinzi proved to be as much of an active dog as they were promised she would be. With her pregnancy, she was exhausted quickly but tried to walk her and bring her to her training as much as she could, so she was glad that Wesley was just as actively engaged with her. "I'm holding up okay. Tired fast, but nothing a nap can't fix." As Wesley was well aware. "We do, and not a moment too soon, I'm in the mood for something sweet." She smiled, then stopped as she began to dig in her bag. "That reminds me. I got you a little something." The item in her bag was easily retrieved, a tupperware container which she opened to reveal a seemingly normal looking cupcake. Yet, unbeknownst to him, it would contain a specific colour with great importance. "A little treat, for you. Well.. Little.. It's quite big." @wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

"Shit," the word fell from his lips as the settling realization coursed through his body, "Sorry," he pulled the box back, "I went full whiskey enthusiast mode and wasn't thinking." He shook his head, "I'll get you something different." The box was closed, moving to be put beside him and out of site. Wesley should have been the one deemed to have pregnancy brain with the slip up he just made. However, it were not the case. Wesley made a fool of himself and adjusted uncomfortably in his seat. "I really just wanted to say that I want you to be part of the big day we are having," he trailed off, "I'm sorry." @franciscofontenelle

Cisco drank up Wesley's words in quiet contemplation. Not a bad thing and perhaps he was right. Dark eyes kept their focus steady on the other and he nodded, quietly, whilst pondering still. "I mean .. yeah. Never thought about it like that, actually." And when Wesley spoke about how it was something that he'd wanted, as much as Cisco's sister had wanted, a smile grew on his face and it was genuine. There would never come a day, where Cisco could not find relief in the happiness of those he cared for. "I'm really happy for you, Wes." His words came from the bottom of his heart and he was certain that Wesley would be able to tell. And when the other conjured up a box, Cisco's brows furrowed in confusion, hesitation in the way he reached for the gift that was presented to him. "Wes, I .." He halted his speech, paused the words from falling from his lips for a moment. "Thanks, but ..." @wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

"The beard and I have always been a dynamic duo," he grinned as he clapped his hand on Lance's shoulder, "but thank you, I appreciate the compliment." He flashed a grin in the other's direction. "Staying up late and eating candy for dinner was the real dream and now we've got taxes and back pain. No one warned us about that," he continued to joke with Lance, shaking his head as he did so. "Both are good." Wesley's smile softened, but it was still bright with the mention of his soon to be wife, "Getting closer to having our whole lives turned upside down in the best way." That was how Wesley viewed it anyway. "A trip, huh? Where are you planning on going?" @lancexbrowne

"Wesley, I could say the same about you. I really love the beard that you are rocking. Sadly if only I could grow out one and rock it well," he replied with a wink with a smile on his face as he returned the hug. It really had been far too long, the teacher had missed seeing his friend and was glad that they could actually hang out and talk. "Right, seriously why did we ever wished we could be adults so fast when we were little," he chuckled with a smile. Both males were busy and Lance knew that once you grew older it could be hard to find time to spend with people, especially when one just had a kid. "How is Amayah and the baby?' he asked before answering Wesley's question.

"I am good. Enjoying summer break and planning a trip." @wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

starter for @amayahxfontenelle

location: cresthill meadows neighborhood

His hand was wrapped comfortably around the leash that was attached to Zinzi. Adopting a dog had not been planned, a spontaneous action for them but since the moment they saw her, he knew that she belonged with them. Zinzi's walk was paced with that of Amayah and Wesley, despite being a dog that could easily outrun the both of them combined. She seemed to know how to adapt better than most people did. "How are you holding up?" Wesley questioned the woman that was soon to be his wife, "We've got a cake tasting later today."

[wesleyxjames]

"Ah, yeah, we know laundry and morning breath all too well," he grinned at Marcel. Though he and Amayah were not married, not yet, and had been apart for a decade prior to getting back together at the Wagner Wedding, they had fallen into a familiar life with one another. "The boring," he added hand quotations around the word, "things in life are always better with the right person." Laundry had never been something that Wesley enjoyed doing, but when he and Amayah stood in their room folding it together, it was a lot less daunting. "I'm looking forward to the wedding day, regardless. We both deserve our happily ever after," though his sentiment included Marcel as well as Amayah, "Me? Overbuy onesies?" He laughed, "Yeah, you might want to get that intervention together. No one tells you how cute baby clothes are until you're having a baby." @marcelvaughn

Marcel turned, grinning as he pulled Wesley into a quick hug with a solid clap on the back. “Look who decided to crawl out of domestic bliss,” he teased, sliding a drink his way. “It’s good to see you, man. Way overdue.” At the mention of married life, Marcel let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Honestly? It still feels a little unreal. Like, yeah, we’re back to normal life—laundry, dishes, morning breath—but even that feels better somehow. She makes the boring stuff feel… good.” He gave a small shrug, not bothering to hide the fond smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “So yeah, honeymoon island might technically be over, but it turns out real life’s got its own perks. You’ll see—you and Amayah are already solid. Wedding day’s just gonna put a crown on what you’ve already built.” He raised his glass with a smirk. “Now tell me how many onesies you’ve bought already, or do we need to stage an intervention?” @wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

Amayah's excitement was infectious, as it always was. He took her hand, walking towards the entrance with her. "With that kind of determination, I think they're going to find us." Wesley grinned at her. Once the door opened, the sound of barking was muffled by the doors to the back. Wesley approached the front desk, asking the woman sitting there for a tour to find a dog. "Just don't fall in love with them all at once, okay?" He chuckled, giving her hand a squeeze as they were led to the dog entrance, "We only have room for one." At least, for now. @amayahxfontenelle

[wesleyxjames]

starter for @lancexbrowne

location: cedar grill and lounge

When it came to best friends, Lance was one of his. It had been far too long since the two of them had been able to get together for more than a quick cup of coffee. Wesley was already sitting down, getting what used to be their usual table, when Lance arrived. "Lance," he grinned, "you haven't aged a day." He teased, standing up to give the man a hug in greeting. "I am glad our adult schedules finally aligned." And Wesley's was only going to get busier after Amayah and him welcomed their baby girl into the world. Right now, she was happy to let him have an evening with an old friend. "How are you? I feel like I suddenly don't know anything about your life."

[wesleyxjames]

starter for @marcelvaughn

location: wingman's pub

"My man," he grinned, walking up to Marcel, "about time we were able to get together." Wesley stated, clasping his hand against Marcel's shoulder for a passing moment. He sat down in the barstool next to him, "How's the married life treating you? Still living on honeymoon island or is real life starting to kick in?" He joked, not actually thinking that there was a difference when one was married to someone they loved. He had been living with Amayah for some time and didn't think their dynamic would change all that much once they were officially wed. It would be becoming new parents that would disrupt the system the most - and in the best way possible.

[wesleyxjames]

"You've got yourself a whole squad at the house," he laughed with a shake of his head. "Is it mostly chaotic and messy?" He chuckled, "Though, I bet it is never boring." And Wesley was looking forward to the same kind of chaos, though they were a few kids behind. "I am going to be coming to the expert when I need advice on how to manage it all." @makaylahoffmann

END.

Mack nodded, "exactly, and got it. Hey I get that," she had been the same way when it came to her first pregnancy though this was about the engagement, she still understood. Plus Mack knew about Wes and what had happened so she couldn't blame him by erring on the side of caution. "Something about it, spanning generations," she gestured randomly with a smile, "and good, good. Excited for everything, both me and the kids; who are growing like weeds. Having three boys makes you realize how quickly they grow." @wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

"I don't know how you juggle it all," but whatever Owen was doing, it seemed to work for him and Luciana. Wesley knew that his time was next with the arrival of their baby girl in the fall. "That makes sense," he told him, a nod of his head to follow, "I'm sure they are not going to hate you if you have to travel for work, though." Wesley continued, "They won't remember if you showed up on a Tuesday but rather when it mattered." @owenxbentley

END.

He nodded with a smile, "Yes, she needs her walker toys or something, but I think she will be without support soon," and she seemed to be a bit taller, and he guessed that was coming from him. "For sure, with Elena, will be running the house soon," he chuckled lightly. "I was hoping it was that," but around town, you never know what's real or not. "I do, I try to keep working around here as much as I can," but he needed to start working farther, it paid better for sure. @wesleyxjames.

[wesleyxjames]

Wesley chuckled, eyes looking down at the dog. "Yeah, good luck with that, huh? I hear once they have you wrapped around their paw, it's over." It hadn't taken long for them to fall under the spell of Zinzi. "Spoiling them is just part of the deal. We get their loyalty and their whole hearts. You have to pay them back with a warm bed and affection." Wesley commented, having already turned into a full fledged dog dad. "How old is Zach now, anyway?" He questioned, always genuinely curious about Nancy's children. @nancyxthompsons

[wesleyxjames]

Amayah's excitement was infectious, as it always was. He took her hand, walking towards the entrance with her. "With that kind of determination, I think they're going to find us." Wesley grinned at her. Once the door opened, the sound of barking was muffled by the doors to the back. Wesley approached the front desk, asking the woman sitting there for a tour to find a dog. "Just don't fall in love with them all at once, okay?" He chuckled, giving her hand a squeeze as they were led to the dog entrance, "We only have room for one." At least, for now. @amayahxfontenelle

Eagerly, Amayah unbuckled her seatbelt and got out, gaze directed towards the animal shelter. She felt herself getting giddy, her stomach feeling like a burst of butterflies; or perhaps that was their child, eager for a four legged companion for when they'd be here. "Let's go." She spoke, taking him by the hand once he'd joined her, walking towards the entrance. The barking in the other rooms made her wobbling with anticipation, eager to see what was awaiting them. "We're going to find one. I can feel it." @wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

"Being afraid isn't a bad thing," Wesley thought it was something that made him realize how much he cared. When something scared him. Hell, seeing Amayah at the Wagner wedding when she returned excited him and scared the living hell out of him. When she was standing there, his whole life flashed before his eyes. "But, it's something I've wanted. That we've both wanted." He smiled at Cisco, "And speaking of futures," Wesley reached down below him, grabbing a box. "This is for you." He held it out, asking Cisco to be in his wedding party alongside a few others that he had selected for their smaller scale wedding. Inside it held a customized whiskey glass and flask for Cisco. @franciscofontenelle

There had never been so much as a strain, that might have dampened the relationship between their families. Cisco could not remember a moment, where doubt would have reigned and falsified his opinion about Wesley or his family. And when he thanked him for the order, he leaned back in his chair, the smile he bore on his features as quiet as it was persistent. "Yeah. He can be an odd one, but I enjoy it, I must admit." He chuckled, the shake of his head an implication of a humorous demeanor. To think of Wesley as a good uncle was not difficult. To think of him as a good father to the newest addition to their small, growing family, even less so. And when the other began to speak, the words unearthing pieces of the past Cisco was sure they all would have rather forgotten about. A moment's quiet grew and Cisco drew a breath, pondering on the right words to utter. He nodded. "I get that. I'd probably be scared as hell." For all the possible reasons. After all, he was no real stranger to a moment like this ( without the ghost of a grueling past haunting him ) even if it was a secret shared with only some. "It will be good, all of it. I don't doubt that for a second." And that, he meant. @wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

She's moving already, huh? That's when it gets real." Or so, he imagined. Wesley had yet to experience fatherhood for himself, though he were counting down the days until their family expanded. "She's going to be running the house soon, huh?" He joked with Owen before shaking his head, "Metaphorical fires," he never meant actual fires. He worked at a bank. It was unrealistic. "Though, it's nothing I can't handle." Wesley explained, having done this for so long. "Sounds like a grin, Owen." His head fell with a slight nod, "You been finding time to breathe?" @owenxbentley

Owen nodded with a smile, "I never thought it was true..." he never liked kids, he never wanted to be around them, but his own he loved and enjoyed being around. "It's wild to me she will be a year soon," he smiled at Gabby. "She can get around with her little push toys, but I think she will be alone soon." With walking, he could see it coming soon. He looked at the other, then nodded, turning his head at the fire. "Fire?" he hoped the other was kidding. "But work is about the same, lots of paperwork, planning, traveling, buying, selling " he nodded. @wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

Wesley chuckled, eyes looking down at the dog. "Yeah, good luck with that, huh? I hear once they have you wrapped around their paw, it's over." It hadn't taken long for them to fall under the spell of Zinzi. "Spoiling them is just part of the deal. We get their loyalty and their whole hearts. You have to pay them back with a warm bed and affection." Wesley commented, having already turned into a full fledged dog dad. "How old is Zach now, anyway?" He questioned, always genuinely curious about Nancy's children. @nancyxthompsons

She laughed a little bit. “I don’t know too much about that, but maybe I am.” She shrugged before listening to the man talk about the dog he got with a smile. “That’s a pretty name. And I’m sure she will. Dogs usually do, though.” Nancy smirked at him. “I can imagine. Bowie has been spoiled since the day I got him.” She said and patted the dog’s head. “Zach keeps telling me I need to stop, but I really can’t help it.” @wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

"We do," he nodded his head, his grin growing. "We are keeping it to ourselves for a while though. Just trying to enjoy that part of the whole journey." It had already taken them a while to tell people that they were even expecting. After what happened last time, Wesley couldn't imagine being devastated again. "You and me both, some of my favorite friendships." He said with a nod of his head, "How have things been otherwise with you? How are the rest of the kids doing?" @makaylahoffmann

"It really does," she nodded in agreement with a wide smile on her face. Life threw curveball all the time and you could either try to avoid them or hit them head on. Whether those curveball were good or bad, was up to you. "Perfect, and definitely, do you guys know what you're having?" She asked, knowing baby girl Hoffmann would have a bestie no matter what and it made her heart soar. Chuckling, "they really will. And hey nothing wrong with that. I know I'm for sure happy for those types of friendships." Wesley being one of those people she had those types of friendships with anyway, one she absolutely cherished with everything she had. @wesleyxjames

[wesleyxjames]

Wesley couldn't wait to be a father. It was a second chance for him and Amayah. As much as Wesley enjoyed being the fun uncle, he had always wanted to be a dad and never thought he'd get the chance again. "She is growing so fast," he commented with a nod of his head in regards to the other's daughter. "Though I hear they all grow like weeds at that age." And he couldn't wait to say that about his own. "Busy but steady," he told Owen, "same ole, same ole at the bank. Numbers, spreadsheets and the occasional fire but nothing crazy. It's stable and will still give me plenty of time at home in the fall." @owenxbentley

It was a crazy life, but he was happy now with how it turned out. But he was really the type who was only good with his own kids. As much as he did try to be good with other kids and his friends' kids, he didn't enjoy them as much as he should. "For sure," he nodded. He knew a few years ago he would have run away from the idea of kids. But he was excited for Gabby to get bigger to start really talking and moving around on her own. "Busy work, I am starting to move around more for work, but it's needed." he had done so much around town and the state that he had to go back out and go further out again. "But what about you?" he asked with a smile.

@wesleyxjames