Just gossip

[Icon Lady Eva Hikari]

Squinting at his reflection in the back of his teaspoon, William pouts. His head turns from right to left as he examines his jaw line, the contours of his face and the fine lines he was sure everyone could see. It was a warm day, warm enough for him to have removed his somewhat garish tie and throw his suit jacket over the back of his seat. His sandy blonde hair was still too long, though brushed back it leant him a rather sophisticated edge he thought. It was still abused, still holding on to enough hair wax to keep it unmoving. Though he still found an imaginary loose strand to fuss over. He’d only been here ten minutes, sat outside of the coffee shop he had arranged as a meeting place. Outside to avoid the smell of freshly ground coffee and the apparent stomach churning sensation it left in his sister. There were two hot chocolates on the table in front of them, a safe drink up until now. Or at least as far as he knew, and he knew more than most. Eva had always been pretty good at whining to her big brother about things. This whole pregnancy lark was no different. Every twinge, offending smell, new complaint was voiced to him, usually with a sulky pout or a thinly veiled threat to men in general. Of course it was all Leon’s fault, as supportive and attentive as the man may be, take away the coffee of an addict and you find out just how many swear words she tends to know, and precisely how quickly you will blush at hearing them all at once. A cough pulls him away from his careful examination of his somewhat stretched reflection, a cough sudden enough to make him drop his spoon onto the table top.

Would you like a mirror love?

For a woman so good at stomping through life, she never seemed to stomp when you wanted her to. Offering her a beaming smile as he climbs to his feet, he pulls her chair out for her to sit down. Even from behind her dark glasses he could sense the withering look aimed at him. The subtle curl to her crimsoned lips, the one that hinted at whatever terrible thought you’d just featured in for your perceived offence was there. Strangely lighting up her face, even with its malicious undertones.... it suited her. She was dressed for the weather in an almost sombre looking dress. Black of course and with just enough decoration above the skirt to obscure the growing bump. Pushing her glasses into her hair she nods at her brother as he resumes his seat.

Thought we were past all the self loathing.

You’re one to talk. What’s with the disguise?

Eyes narrowing on him she turns her attention to her drink, the whipped cream on top of it was suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

It’s not a disguise, it’s just nice not to have people swarming towards me offering advice. You know how my fans can be, well have you ever tried being swamped not just by kids obsessed with the Kindred, but their mothers too? I’ve had more advice thrown my way, more baby talk, and more stories about little Billy and Mandy than I think I have the capacity to deal with right now. Some chick followed me into the bathroom at a restaurant the other day. She cornered me, talking about cravings and sickness and how bad it was for her. If it wasn’t for Leon getting concerned and barging his way into the bathroom I think I’d probably still be there now.

He barged into a bathroom?

Yeah, it was quite funny really. Luckily since we’ve been going there since we first got together, the staff tend to know us. One of the new guys tried to stop him, only to be told by his boss to leave it. I’m more polite than he is about it all, but it doesn’t mean I like it.

It’s to be expected really......you lead a very public life these days. On one hand it’s good that your fan base is diverse enough to mean you get this kind of thing, on the other....yes I can see why it would stress you out.

Pulling the flake from her mug she crumbles it over her drink. William had already eaten his, in the process showering the table in chocolate crumbs.

Suppose it’s another one of those hidden costs being a Corbin brings. What about you though, haven’t seen you staring so hard at your own reflection for a while now.

Vanity is my curse. Though if you must know I was wondering how I’d look with a beard....

Wrinkling her nose at the mere thought she attempts to disguise the look of distaste by taking a sip of her drink.

You don’t think it would suit me then? And you have whipped cream on your nose...

Wiping her nose on the back of her hand she sticks her tongue out at him. Invalidating his point with all the childishness she could muster.

It wouldn’t suit you. You’d look like one of those weird old blokes who hit middle age and panic. Next thing you know you’ll be shaving elaborate patterns into your facial hair, contemplating a nose ring, and wearing white.

You think I’ll turn into a backstreet boy?

Well you’re not far off right now love to be fair....

Ouch......

He wasn’t really upset, slightly disturbed at how right she was. Though in his mind the ring had been in his eyebrow.......

Fair point.....

What brings you here anyway? Not that I’m complaining at all mind, but shouldn’t you be with the missus?

That was a whole other issue wasn’t it? While his brother in law was right there in the thick of it, attending every appointment, researching and asking more questions than men usually did about anything related to the birth of their children. He was here in a whole different country, perfectly content to let his wife just get on with it.

She handles things differently to you. Where as you want people around and you want to let Leon be a part of it all. Kate likes to handle it all by herself. It’s like exclusive club you can’t join unless you are pregnant. She surrounds herself with her friends, who are all at various stages of sprog incubation, and talks exclusively to them. If I ask too much she shouts, and let’s face it pregnant women don’t need much of a reason to rip a man’s balls off.

Bloody hell, man up Will. You know you an insist on being included?

I tried, she genuinely doesn’t want me there. At the birth fine, after the birth I will probably be doing everything. Up until then it’s her cross and she wants to bear it alone. I’m inclined to give her what she wants if it means she is happy and not stressing herself out. Much like your husband does with you right now.

Fair point.......

So if you like I’m here to check up on you, or if you prefer....I’m here to gossip and keep you sane.

Well I do love a good gossip......

Grinning he shrugs, leaning back in his seat as he takes a gulp of his drink. The cream had melted, along with the marshmallows to become a weird rubbery skin of sugary sweetness. He almost chokes as he swallows it.

I meant to ask, how’s your new trainer working out?

He’s good......He’s not as aggressive as I’m used to.

That’s because he’s not there to push you. His job is to show you what you can do and not let you do anything else.

Yeah I figured that out when he wrestled me away from the weights....

With a sharp intake of breath and disapproving shake of his head, his icy blue stare fixes upon her. She doesn’t meet it, her attention instead rested on her sunglasses in her hands. Convenient he thought....

Seriously? Weights? Evalyn-

It was when we first found out and I had no intention of keeping them. I haven’t gone near them since. I just stick to his routine, which he’s there to monitor. Leon even checks on him to approve of anything he’s thinking of doing.

You know it’s because we care about you really, don’t you?

Doesn’t mean I wont sulk about it...

I know, but you’re a creature of habit Ev’s. As long as I’ve known you, you’ve always been busy. You’d bounce from interview, to shoot, to promo, to the gym then repeat the process with childcare, playing wife and actual wrestling thrown in. And that’s a slow week! If we had other business to attend to I often found myself wondering how you found time to sleep. I realise that going from that to the occasional interview and supervised training schedules isn’t ideal for you mentally, but physically it really is. You know I wouldn’t force you to do anything I didn’t think was good for you.

Which is why you and my husband get along so well right now....I just don’t like all the waiting you know? And while I might complain....okay will complain that I could be doing more. In reality its taking it out of me to do the things I do now. Some days I just don’t have the energy to do anything.....

That’s perfectly normal, and maybe a sign that you’re still taking on too much?

If I took on any less I’d be John bloody Champa. I can’t be part of a team and not represent it. Just like I can’t be part of a business and not actually work.

Yet they did put you on maternity leave? That’s allowed time off you know. I’m not saying do nothing until they arrive, I’m just saying listen to your body. Right now how you feel is the best indication anyone has of what you, and they need. If you need rest take it, it you need sleep do it. Surely Kandi told you this?

Haven’t spoken to her.

Arching a brow the man chooses to question no more. Her tone told him not to, or rather it told him her condition wouldn’t prevent her from launching him if he did.

Fair enough.....

Staring at him from across the table in her soul searchingly creepy way, the former world champion eventually closes her eyes. The sun was shining directly on her where she was sat, bathing her in golden light and making her see red. Pushing her sunglasses back on she shifts her seat a bit further around the table.

Where are you staying right now?

Caught off guard with the question William opens his mouth without a sound, he closes it again before reaching for the briefcase by his feet. Opening it on his lap he pulls out a stack of papers, on top of which was a brochure for a nearby hotel.

How long are you booked in for?

As long as I need to be....

Nodding as she takes this in Eva hands the brochure back to him. She’d also taken the papers, pushing her drink into the centre of the table she begins leafing through them. William watches unsure of what she was getting at, and why she was showing such sudden interest in where he stayed. Okay all hotel stays were charged to their business account, but they counted as just that.

And in London?

Erm....I don’t even remember the name. I can find the receipts for you if you really want them though?

Shaking her head she picks up her bag. The rattle as it’s moved for a moment catches her brother off guard. Enough that there’s an audible sigh of relief as what he thought were pills turns out to be literally a baby rattle. Noting his look the raven haired beauty offers it to him, it was black with a pair of purple wings on the ball of it.

I told you I had weird and wonderful fans....

Examining the toy held between his thumb and finger with some scrutiny he shakes his head.

A Nemesis inspired rattle? Pfft, what’s inside it teeth?

Ignoring him though smirking all the same Eva finally finds what she’s looking for. In amongst the makeup, loose change, sweets and tissues that populated her handbag there was the occasional useful item. Clicking the top of her pen she scrawls her signature onto the paper in front of her.

What are you doing?

Passing the signed papers back to him she carefully returns her pen to her back, making a point to put it somewhere she could find it easily.

Making your life a little easier. That’s two stateside houses and my flat in London. All have offices already in them and will suit your needs better than any hotel.

But Ev’s....are you sure you want me to have them?

What did you say about indulging the whims of us mums to be?

On her feet, she pushes her chair back under the table. Despite her sunglasses she still shielded her eyes from the light.

Now, shall we go check out your new house?

Stumbling from his seat to join her he regains his composure almost instantly. His shock fading to a grin.

If you insist. We have gossip t catch up on too. You would not believe what Mother has planned....