Truce with cuttingedge

[have_no_mercy]

Tess hasn't been to the Ace of Clubs or seen Ryan Edge in person since she delivered the news of her pregnancy some months ago. She's been too busy being mad at him, among other things. Right now, however, she's too tired to be angry and too smart to keep a potential ally at odds.

So late this afternoon, she finds herself at aforementioned club, mood slightly brightened by the knowledge that a glare can still get her past all but the innermost security. And she even brought a peace offering.

Comments

[cuttingedge.livejournal.com]

"Oh." He looks honestly surprised. "I assumed the child would have your name. We're not legally wed."

[have_no_mercy]

"Not illegally, either," Tess remarks dryly. Although the legal ramifications of marriage isn't something she'd really thought about. Something she'll have to look into. Soon.

"I suppose that's that, then."

[cuttingedge.livejournal.com]

"I guess it is." Ryan falls silent for a minute or two, idly rearranging things on his desk and getting up for a glass of water. This baby is obviously important enough to wreck his concentration.

"My father's name was Morgan. Since our child is female -- Morgana?"

[have_no_mercy]

Her eyebrows lift briefly at that in vague amusement. Like she needs to be told what his father's name was. "I think I can work that in somewhere."

Then she grimaces slightly and pushes herself up to her feet. "She's kicking. Did you want to...?"

[cuttingedge.livejournal.com]

It's a guy thing. Shush. Of course, he's around the desk fairly quickly, a hand splaying gently against the area of belly she indicates.

And, really, it's hard to contain the smile when he feels his daughter move.

[have_no_mercy]

Tess isn't used to anyone other than herself doing this, and she certainly hasn't offered anyone else the opportunity, so she looks down at his hand for a moment. It's an odd sensation, combined with being punted from within.

Then she lifts her gaze to watch his face curiously, still half amazed how calm and happy he seems about all this.

[cuttingedge.livejournal.com]

Oh, he's anything but calm. It's just years of training to show only the positive aspects of his personality, something that his father wasn't quite as good at. People tend to trust this Edge, something he occasionally takes shameless advantage of.

Okay, more than occasionally.

As it is, he straightens up after a moment. "Thanks."

[have_no_mercy]

"You're welcome." It's the happy that confuses her more, but she's not about to question him on it.

Tess steps away and starts to gather her things, as it seems all their business has been concluded. "Oh. I'm possibly taking a trip in a few days. I'll have George fax you the details when I get something confirmed."

[cuttingedge.livejournal.com]

And just like that, Ryan settles behind his desk in the guise of a mild-mannered mobster whose almost girlfriend is currently pregnant with their child.

"Going where?" Oh so casually.

[have_no_mercy]

She shrugs, finishing off her water. "I haven't quite decided yet. Somewhere warm with an ocean where all I have to do is lie on a beach."

[cuttingedge.livejournal.com]

"Okay. Would you fax me once you get wherever you're going? So I know the both of you arrived safely."

Calm, cool and collected yup. It beats demanding she stay in town where his personal physical is only a pager away. Tess isn't the sort to put up with that, unlike his wife.

[have_no_mercy]

Tess half smiles, though not quite directly at him. "You'll get a full itinerary and I'll make sure you know we're safe."

[cuttingedge.livejournal.com]

"Good." He sounds vaguely relieved, aware that she could simply take off at any moment and never return. Even aside from the child issue, he likes Tess.

[have_no_mercy]

There's a moment of silence and then Tess starts to turn toward the door. "So, I'll talk to you later, then."