spamalot } { of big returns and starting over

[beanchaointe]

Parrish: [and it's been awhile... and he hopes that he's still wanted, but early Christmas Morning he's hopping out of a truck and walking the last few miles of the preserve, He hikes his bag up on his shoulder, the leaves and snow crunching under his boots as he makes his way up towards the Hale house. He's a bit scruffy, dressed in a few layers and a ski cap, but otherwise not bothered by the cold]

Talia: [is stepping out onto the porch with her morning cup of tea when she catches his scent, eyebrows going up in surprise. She makes her way down the stairs and is waiting when he finally comes into view] Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?

Parrish: I know it's been a while. I didn't think the trip was going to lead me where it did.

Talia: Then it sounds like it's probably a very good story. [she tips her head towards the door] Want some breakfast?

Parrish: I'd love some. I've pretty much been hitchhiking back from New York since I got Lydia's text.

Talia: Then c'mon in. We've got a couple hours before the children start invading.

Parrish: [and he will follow Talia in, stopping at the door to take off his boots so he doesn't track anything in, and then his layers to rest them folded neatly with his bag by the door] How's Cora doing? She's due soon, isn't she - or have I missed it?

Talia: End of January. And she's doing well, she's just ... not used to doing so much standing still. I'm sure that will change once the babies are born. [she makes her way into the kitchen and pulls a mug out of one of the cabinets and placing it on the counter] Coffee should be almost ready.

Parrish: Babies? As in more than one? [he hadn't heard that they were having twins]

Talia: Oh - not Cora. But Malia and Allison are also pregnant and due all within a few months of each other.

Parrish: Oh wow. That's pretty much a trifecta there.

Talia: Indeed it is.

Parrish: [and he sets his hat down last, running his fingers through his longer hair. He went over to sit at the table] At least they will have each other.

Talia: [nods as she goes over to the stove and starts whipping up some eggs and bacon] So tell me about your trip. You said you made it all the way out to New York?

Parrish: Well, there were a couple of side trips. I was trying originally to backtrack the psycho to see if I could find a way to exonerate Lydia. After a bit... I realized it was a trail, but it wasn't for me.

Talia: [her eyebrows raise] Who was it for?

Parrish: It was for Lydia. [he reached into his pocket and pulled out his police book] Every scene I checked into, there was someone else who had been at the scene of the murder. Someone who found the bodies first. [he smiled a bit] Someone who screamed.

Talia: Another banshee.

Parrish: Yeah. She had been trying to find a way to warn Lydia, but didn't know where to find her. She had hoped that if someone had looked into the stories, she would have found her sooner.

Talia: Unfortunately, things don't always work out the way we hope.

Parrish: Tell me about it. [he gets up to pour them coffee when it's ready]

Talia: [finishes making them both a plate before moving to sit at the table with him] In some ways, though, they work out the way they're supposed to.

Parrish: [nods, going to sit back with his plate] Meredith knew I was going to find her and she pointed me off on another path.

Talia: And where did that take you?

Parrish: [he took a deep breath, and then smiled] I found my family.

Talia: [she smiles softly at that herself] Really?

Parrish: Yeah. Not my parents, but cousins. That's why I fell off the radar for the last two months. I couldn't let anyone track me.

Talia: Did you find the answers you were looking for?

Parrish: I know what I am. And what it means. I wasn't expecting to find that... ever. [chuckles, wolfing down his food] But it explains a lot.

Talia: I'm sure it does. [goes to eat some of her own. She could offer up information about Lydia, as she's sure he wants to know if her text was what brought him back, but she'll wait for him to ask]

Parrish: [he finished his breakfast and sat back, holding his cup of coffee in his hands] So um... is she here? I figured it was Christmas Day and that she was either here or with her family, but was hoping she was here.

Talia: Not yet. I think she saw her parents yesterday so she's coming for dinner today, but that won't be until three or four.

Parrish: Would you mind if I took a shower and slept a few hours then? I've been up for almost three days straight and could use both.

Talia: Of course. Do you know where everything is?

Parrish: Yeah, unless you've gone and changed it all in the last year.

Talia: [shakes her head] Nope. All the same.

Parrish: I'll try not to wake the kids. Which room should I go into?

Talia: Guest room on this floor is fine. And don't worry - all the kids are with their respective parents at the moment.

Parrish: Yeah, that won't last long. [he gets up and stretches] Let me know if I can help with anything later.

Talia: I will. Go rest now.

Parrish: [and he nods, going to grab his stuff at the door and head to the guest room. He'll grab a cool shower, and then he's going to go and pass out for a few hours. He will set his phone to wake him up at two though so he's awake by the time Lydia shows up. hopefully]

Lydia: [which works out because Lydia will show up with Cora, Stiles and Dina around three, carrying most of the presents. Talia probably put Parrish to work moving tables and rearranging furniture and putting up decorations so he's likely out of view when they make their way inside, and Lydia's arrival is probably overshadowed by Dina being Dina]

Parrish: [and he's going to hear their voices and while Dina is telling Grandma and Grandpa all about the things Santa left, he will move himself more into the living room] Well, I heard Santa left someone a present here too. I think the gift tag said Lydia on it?

Lydia: [she's putting the presents down by the tree, as per usual, but when she hears his voice she stiffens, her breath catching before she turns around and faces him wide eyed] ... Hi.

Parrish: I got your text. [small smile]

Lydia: [small smile back] Good. [a pause as she straightens a bit, a hand going self-consciously to her hair because if she had known he'd be here she might have put a bit more effort in. Not that she doesn't look presentable, but she would have looked .... better. Occasionally Lydia is still incredibly vain] It's good to see you.

Parrish: [he has a month worth of stubble he hasn't shaved off yet. and she doesn't have to do much to be beautiful to him] I would have texted back to let you know I was on my way, but it's a long story.

Lydia: [she doesn't mind the stubble, at least not from a distance] I'm sure. [there's a beat] You ... you look good.

Parrish: You look just as beautiful as I remember.

Lydia: [her head ducks a bit, glancing away as her fingers played with the end of her hair. It's gotten longer, falling far past her shoulders because she hasn't gotten it cut since she went in. She's also out of pleasantries and not really sure what to say, but fortunately for her, Cora is sitting right there to help]

Cora: Maybe you guys should go for a walk before dinner. [and talk. away from delicate young ears that are sure to be coming shortly]

Parrish: [smiles, looking past Lydia for a moment] Hi, Cora.

Dina: UNCLE PARRISH! [and yup, flinging herself into his arms]

Cora: Hi, Jordan. [small smile as she eases herself down onto the couch]

Stiles: Hey, Parrish. About time you showed back up here.

Parrish: [gives Dina a big hug, and then tosses her in the air before putting her back down on the ground, sending her back over to her parents] Good to see you all. And I'm back... for a while at least. If you'll still have me.

Stiles: Hey, that decision comes down to the redhead. [Sits down next to Cora] Take her on that walk, and let us know how it goes.

Parrish: [chuckles] Lydia?

Lydia: [glances back as the focus is back on her again, before taking a breath and nodding] Sure. I'll get my coat.

Parrish: I'll grab my boots. [and he will get his jacket and hat as well, waiting for her at the door]

Lydia: [And she will join him a few minutes later, sliding her hands into her pockets] Ready?

Parrish: Yeah. [and he will hold the door open for her, following her out and closing it behind then, going to lead the way.] So... you look rested.

Lydia: [she swallows and nods, keeping her eyes on the trail ahead of them] Being home has been good. And the break was good too.

Parrish: So it helped?

Lydia: It did. My shrink was terrifying but ... I needed it. I couldn't just let what I did disappear.

Parrish: I'm pretty sure that wasn't going to happen anyway. But if it helped you... then I'm glad you did it.

Lydia: [she nods, still keeping her eyes ahead because she still isn't really sure what to do with him] What about you? What have you been up to?

Parrish: I was... backtracking the guy’s path. See if I could find the trigger that started it all.

Lydia: Did you find anything?

Parrish: [he looked at her, and nodded.] A lot more than I went looking for. [he stopped, going to gently take her hand if she will let him]

Lydia: [she glances down at his hand for a moment, and while part of her wants to take it, she keeps her hands in her pockets for now] Good or bad?

Parrish: [he just lets his hand drop after a moment] It'll be up to you, actually. I found another banshee. She was trying to find you... to warn you.

Lydia: [there's a hmph that doesn't sound entirely happy, but she nods] I see that that worked out well.

Parrish: She wanted me to give this to you. [he reached into his jacket and pulled out a photo. It's of Meredith and Lydia's grandmother] She said it was the only way to make you believe me that she wanted to help.

Lydia: [frowns before she reaches out to take the photo, looking down at it as the fingers of one hand come up to brush against the profile of her grandmother's face] She knew my grandmother?

Parrish: Your grandmother tried to help her learn how to control her powers. Meredith had a bit of a stroke halfway through, and while she was recovering... that's when your grandmother's lover died. Meredith left town to try and find another like her to help, and just was never able to come back.

Lydia: [she just stares at the picture, fingers tracing along the lines of Lorraine's hair. They always said she looked like her but she never really realized it until now] Where is she now?

Parrish: Chicago. At least that's where she found me. There's a number on the back of the photo. She says when you are ready, she will be there to answer.

Lydia: [she nods again, before pulling her hands back into her pockets, taking the picture with her.] Thank you. [for bringing it to her]

Parrish: I was going to come back at that point, but she pointed me in another direction. One she said that I needed to go on. And I needed to do it without anyone knowing where I was going if I was going to find what I needed to know.

Lydia: Did you find it?

Parrish: I did. [he gave her a small smile] I know what I am.

Lydia: [she turns and her eyebrows go up] You do?

Parrish: [he nods, and it's starting to get a bit dark since it's December and almost 4, so he stepped closer. William had taught him a few tricks while they figured out how much dragon he was. So he focused, and as his eyes glowed, Parrish slowly breathed out and tiny little flickers of fire left his lips to dance in the air before burning out around them]

Lydia: [her eyes widen as she watches him, and she can't help the hint of a smile that comes in after that] That's an interesting trick.

Parrish: I'm still learning. They wanted me to stay, but you texted me and I told them that I needed to go back. I'd been gone too long.

Lydia: You could have just texted me back.

Parrish: Maybe. But I didn't want to just text you. I wanted to be here, you deserved me, and not a text.

Lydia: [her face softens a bit, watching him for a moment] I would have understood. I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm glad you came, but ... you were finally getting answers.

Parrish: It's not like I can't go back. Most of them are a few hundred years old. But even if I was getting answers... I was still missing something.

Lydia: [she nods again, before tipping her head to the side] So what are you, exactly?

Parrish: Dragon. Well, part dragon. Which is weird and very confusing but normally only women dragon look human, and usually can only mate with a male dragon, but they think somehow one of the women got pregnant by a human and there was me - the first male, human looking dragon.

Lydia: Which explains why no one could tell what you were.

Parrish: Exactly. It also explains my borderline hording tendencies that I have. [small smile]

Lydia: [she laughs] That too.

Parrish: And while I was with the dragons... it wasn't home. And I knew that's where I needed to be. Where I should have been the whole time.

Lydia: [she glances up at him, because yeah, it hurt that he wasn't there, and that's the thing that's holding her back] So what are you going to do now?

Parrish: See what parts of my life here I can fix. What I need to do to get back on the force. Figure out a place to live. Work on making things right again.

Lydia: I'm sure the Sheriff will be more than happy to take you back. He never wanted you to leave in the first place.

Parrish: Well, at least that will be easy.

Lydia: [she nods] It's at least a start.

Parrish: [he waits a moment, then sighs. He doesn't know how to ask about them, and how he can even start on fixing them]

Lydia: [that's good because she isn't sure she has an answer for him. she studies him for a moment before taking a small step closer] Are you going to stay with Talia until you find your own place?

Parrish: I don't know. I actually came here because I knew you'd be here eventually today. I'm sure she will offer. She's too good to me.

Lydia: She just likes collecting strays. [a beat] You could have come by the apartment instead. You didn't ... have to deal with the onslaught of Hales too.

Parrish: It's the holidays. And it's nice to spend it with the people who you love.

Lydia: [she nods] Yeah, it is.

Parrish: [smiles a bit] And I just wanted to be with you.

Lydia: [she looks up at him because it's all she wanted but she doesn't want to be some kind of yo-yo that just gets yanked back and forth. She's done that before and she doesn't want to do that with him.] I ... [she takes a breath, and closes her eyes] I'm still not sorry. For what I did. That's not going to change.

Parrish: I know, and while I'll always wish it could have gone different... it's been done. We can't change it. Just like I can't change leaving.

Lydia: I know you want to protect me, but sometimes I have to protect myself. I have to stand up for myself. I can't expect you to do it for me, because what will happen if you're not there? [because for a little while he wasn't] I know you said you wanted to fight with me, but ... you can't be my shield.

Parrish: I'm always going to want to protect you. That's just part of who I am. But I can concede that sometimes, I can't. But just because I can't be your shield doesn't mean I can't be your partner.

Lydia: Well, partner means you can't take off without a word again like that. Whether you're mad at me or not.

Parrish: Same goes to you, trying to protect me or not.

Lydia: [she nods, fair enough.]

Parrish: [he takes another step closer] I'm sorry I hurt you, Lydia.

Lydia: [glances up at him and nods] Me too. [she never meant to hurt him. she just wanted to make sure that the monster didn't take him from her. Which in the end he did. Funny how that works]

Parrish: Maybe we both needed this. I mean, you got balance... and I found things we both need. I mean, I'm still getting used to a lot of this supernatural stuff... but maybe there was more to this than we know.

Lydia: Maybe. I just ... wish we could have talked about it first.

Parrish: Me too.

Lydia: [there's another step closer and her hands come out of her pockets slowly]
So ... we start over?

Parrish: Sometimes it's the second runs that work better. We did kind of start off pretty quick... maybe this is what we need to make it right this time.

Lydia: [she nods, though not everything about them was quick. Or at least not as quick as Lydia is used to. But she can at least acknowledge that they went from zero to living together fairly quickly] I hope so.

Parrish: So do I need to go find some mistletoe, or can I kiss you now?

Lydia: [she smirks up at him for a moment before pushing up on her toes and grabbing his shirt and pulling him in for a warm kiss]

Parrish: [he leans down to kiss her back, pulling her into his arms. His fingers grip her jacket a bit, not wanting to let her go easy]

Lydia: [she hums softly as she sinks into the kiss, her arms wrapping around his neck as she lets him pull her in closer]

Parrish: [and he keeps her there, kissing her the way he has wanted to for months now. She would feel his arms starting to warm up a bit, just a low warmth to keep her comfortable while out in the snow]

Lydia: [she's missed this far too much. her fingers slide up, curling into his hair as she pulls him closer. she feels him getting warmer and she may moan softly into the kiss, melting into him a little more]

Parrish: [a few moments later, she would feel warm drops falling onto her cheeks. He chuckled, pulling back just a bit to wipe his eyes] Sorry.

Lydia: [she frowns, looking up at him and reaching to brush at his cheeks] What's wrong?

Parrish: Nothing. [he sniffs, blushing a bit] I'm just happy. I was afraid you wouldn't want anything to do with me.

Lydia: [pauses before shaking her head] Just don't leave me like that again.

Parrish: I won't. Never again.

Lydia: Good. [she nods, before leaning in to kiss him again]

Parrish: [and he's going to just be happy holding her in his arms and kissing her until the sun is setting] We should probably get back.

Lydia: [she sighs and nods because she doesn't want to go back to a party full of people, she just wants to be with him. But they probably shouldn't just disappear] If we must.

Parrish: [he goes to remove his gloves, shoving them into his pockets first. He held out his hand, and he focused on it a moment and as they watched, a soft licking flames came from his fingers to light the way for them. He then smiled at her, offering her his other hand.] Shall we?

Lydia: [smirks as she takes his hand to let him lead the way] Show off.

Parrish: I still have to practice more to get better control, but I spent about a month seeing what I can and can't do like the rest of them. [he smiled a bit] And don't worry, I'm not going to spontaneously grow scales or wings.

Lydia: That's good. I like your skin the way it is.

Parrish: [laughs] Well, at least we don't think I will. I'm still a bit of a rarity.

Lydia: We'll figure it out as it happens.

Parrish: [and as they approach the house, Christmas is in full swing] Guess it's back to the chaos.

Lydia: Yes, it is. [and she'll let his hand go for now before they slip inside and they are NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT. at all. to anyone. They are going to enjoy Christmas and anyone who tries to needle her about it is getting the Lydia Martin Glare^TM]

Stiles: [which, let's face it, is going to mostly be this guy and his BFF/brother.]

Isaac: [is just happy to see Parrish again, hugging his friend tightly, before the Sheriff joins them, chatting him up and checking in on him. And it's just a happy, relaxing holiday with happy children playing with toys and parents relaxing in different corners]

Lydia: [yep. so much glaring. Don't try it, Stiles and Scott]

Talia: [yep pretty much and there will be dinner and presents and dessert until children are passing out in their respective corners]

Parrish: [and he's going to yawn and claim a corner of a couch to rest in, since he's still a few days behind on sleep]

Talia: [makes her way closer with a small smile] If you want to head back to the guest room, I don't think anyone could blame you.

Parrish: [yawns, sitting up a bit] No, I'm fine. [looks over towards Lydia, not wanting to leave just yet]

Lydia: [glances back to him before shaking her head] Go. You need the sleep.

Parrish: [sighs, then nods and stands up] Alright. Night, everyone.

Lydia: [there's a round of good nights and those with tiny children will probably start making their way out next]

Parrish: [and he's passed out on the bad, not even having bothered to undress.]

Stiles: [picking up a sleeping Dina and slinging her over his shoulder] You coming with us, Lydia?

Lydia: [she pauses, before glancing back towards the guest room]

Talia: [there's a small smile] Go. I don't think he'll mind.

Lydia: [there's a small smile there in return, before glancing back to Stiles and shaking her head]

Stiles: [smiles] Merry Christmas, Lydia. [And he will go to lead Cora to the car]

Parrish: [still passed out]

Lydia: [will wait until everyone is gone, and she'll say goodnight to Talia and Thomas before making her way back to the guest room. She sits on the edge of the bed, kicking off her impressive high heels and going to curl up under his arm]

Parrish: [he will feel her and just shift to accommodate her, pulling her into his chest a bit more]

Lydia: [and she will curl up into him and just let herself drift off to sleep]

Parrish: [and he will keep her nice and warn through the night]

Lydia: [and she will sleep soundly until he wakes her up the next morning]

Parrish: [and he will wake up, seeing her there and just smiled, his arms shifting to just gently push her hair back from her face, watching her]

Lydia: [she stirs slowly at the brush of his hand, rolling over in his arm before tucking her head between his head and his shoulder]

Parrish: [he leaned down to kiss the side of her head]

Lydia: [she hums softly] Morning.

Parrish: Good morning.

Lydia: I take it you don't mind that I stayed?

Parrish: No, I don't mind. Maybe I spoke too soon on us having gone too fast.

Lydia: Well, too be fair, we may have lived together for a long time, but as far as everything else goes we took things ... very slowly.

Parrish: I don't know if I told you... but I never really was in a real relationship until you.

Lydia: [tips her head to the side] The only person I've been with as long as you was my high school boyfriend.

Parrish: This the infamous Jackson I keep hearing about?

Lydia: That's the one. I haven't really been with a lot of good guys.

Parrish: Well, hopefully I can work to change that around.

Lydia: I hope so too.

Parrish: Contrary to fiction, dragons aren't evil.

Lydia: I think it would have to be quite the stretch to consider you evil.

Parrish: [smiles] I'm glad you think so.

Lydia: Last six months aside, you're probably the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Parrish: I know you are.

Lydia: Glad we're on the same page.

Parrish: [smiles, and he just playfully blows warm air around her face]

Lydia: [wrinkles her nose a bit before leaning in to kiss him]

Parrish: [kisses her back, smiling against her lips]

Lydia: [And she'll just sink into the kisses, sliding her fingers through his hair and pulling him closer]

Parrish: [and he will lean down, his hand just gently running along her arm, keeping it nice and PG friendly because you know, Talia's house]

Lydia: [yes, they will. because as much as Lydia wants to do things at a much higher rating, she won't do that to Talia.]

Parrish: [and after a bit] I should probably get up and shower and help Talia clean up from last night.

Lydia: [hums softly] Yeah, probably.

Parrish: You stay here, and if you're lucky, I'll bring you breakfast in bed.

Lydia: [pleased noise] I think I can do that.

Parrish: [kisses her again, and then slides out of bed, going to get a change of clothes and heading out towards the bathroom, stopping to ask Thomas for a spare razor as he goes]

Lydia: [oh good, she didn't want to have to say it]

Parrish: [and once he is done showering and looking a lot more like the Parrish they all remember, he will go into the kitchen] So, what can I do to help, Talia?

Talia: [takes a breath as she looks around] I'm not sure there's much. We cleaned up most of it last night.

Parrish: I'm sorry I fell asleep on you.

Talia: [she shakes her head] Nonsense. You had a long few days. It happens.

Parrish: Yeah, but you know I always like to carry my weight. [he picks up her tea cup, feeling that it's cold, and his hand warms up to warm it]

Talia: Oh, I'm sure there's plenty of weight to pull around here. But that can wait until later.

Parrish: [nods, setting the cup back down in front of her] Have you eaten breakfast yet? I was going to make Lydia something.

Talia: I'm still waiting for Thomas to get up. But please, help yourself.

Parrish: Thank you. [and he's going to look for eggs and bacon and some bagels to put them on. He's going to turn on the gas stove and snap his fingers, lighting it.]

Talia: [smirks] That's a very handy trick.

Parrish: I've got a couple now. [He goes to start cooking.] In New York, I found others like me.

Talia: So you said. And what does like you mean exactly?

Parrish: Dragon. Well, half dragon.

Talia: [her brow furrows] But male dragons are ... dragons.

Parrish: Which is where the half part comes in. There is a male dragon in New York that I found with his little... well, harem. Far as he can figure, my mother was a dragon and somehow she got pregnant from a human. It's supposed to be impossible, but I guess not

Talia: ... Learn something new every day.

Parrish: [chuckles, scooping up the eggs and putting them on the bagels with the bacon] That's why I was out of touch though with everyone the last two months. I was making sure no one could track me to their home.

Talia: [she nods] They make very easy targets, that is for certain. I've met plenty of female dragons, but I've never seen a male.

Parrish: The only one in America is in New York. Very interesting creature. They pretty much built the city over top of him.

Talia: I've heard about him, but we've never had the pleasure of meeting.

Parrish: I don't think he will be making any trips to Beacon Hills in his lifetime, so I won't really be able to introduce you.

Talia: Mmmm. But there's always Skype. [kidding. mostly]

Parrish: I will ask him next time I'm there, but there isn't a strong signal in the lair.

Talia: Fair enough.

Parrish: I feel a lot more confident though in my abilities. I still need to practice to get control. They didn't really want me to leave but Lydia texted and I... yeah.

Talia: You could always go back. In fact, I'm fairly certain that Lydia doesn't have many obligations at the moment.

Parrish: That will be up to her. I mean, she may not have obligations, but she has her friends who are having babies soon. And she's been away for so long... I have time to go back.

Talia: [she nods] I'm sure she's glad to have you here.

Parrish: [there's a smile there] Yeah, she is. I have a lot of making up to do right by her, but she's the one thing I have that I know is one hundred percent right for me.

Talia: Good.

Parrish: [and he finishes making breakfast and looks for a tray to carry the plates with]

Talia: [will get up and pull it out for him] Here.

Parrish: [chuckles] Thank you. [he looks over at her a moment] Thank you, by the way.

Talia: For what?

Parrish: For taking this stray in. This is the first real home I've ever had - Beacon Hills... you guys.

Talia: [reaches over and squeezes his shoulder gently] It was our pleasure.

Parrish: [smiles, and he will go and pick up the tray.] I should get her breakfast before she comes out to make it herself.

Talia: [she nods, before gesturing for him to go]

Lydia: [she's not coming out, but she may have dozed off a bit again in the warm space he left behind]

Parrish: [and he will go to slip back into the room, putting the tray on the bed and reaching to gently rub her back] Breakfast is served.

Lydia: [stirs slowly, and she looks at the food with a smile] Yum.

Parrish: I figured this covered most of the food groups.

Lydia: You would be right. All that's missing are the actual healthy ones. [And with that she will sit up and get comfortable against the headboard]

Parrish: I've had to up my carb intake the last few months. I literally burn a lot of calories these days

Lydia: I can see how.

Parrish: I don't have a car anymore. I ended up having to sell it in Ohio. So when you're ready to head home, we'll have to call someone.

Lydia: I'm sure Talia wouldn't mind the detour when she goes to town.

Parrish: So I guess I'll ask... do you want me back at the loft, or do you want space? [because he could chalk last night up to them having been apart for so long, but he's not going to assume things either.]

Lydia: You were the one who said something about moving too fast.

Parrish: Yeah, that was until I woke up with you in my arms and remembered how much I miss that

Lydia: [she nods] If you want to stay I won't stop you. But be aware that I may have rearranged things a bit.

Parrish: That's fine. I will probably try to spend more time in my room too. I need to refocus my life a bit now... now that I have some control over it.

Lydia: [she nods] Fair enough.

Parrish: And we can figure out what we want to do from there.

Lydia: Exactly. We'll take our time.

Parrish: And see how fast the Stilinskis grow.

Lydia: Probably like rabbits.

Parrish: [snorts] As long as they don't try to catch up to the McCalls.

Lydia: I'm pretty sure Cora got pregnant before the wedding, so you never know.

Parrish: [laughs] well, they had been together a year at that point. I don't think anyone will blame them for a few months early.

Lydia: And then there was five years before that in high school. Safe to say this baby has been a long time coming.

Parrish: Yeah, sounds like it.

Lydia: It's good for them, though.

Parrish: I'm really happy for them. I mean, I've been around for most of Stiles' return. I remember how he was when he first got back. He's come a long way... you guys are a great family.

Lydia: Yeah, but that's all Talia. I don't know where any of us would be without her.

Parrish: Not sure I want to imagine a world without her in it.

Lydia: Me either.

Parrish: [and he's going to focus on eating his breakfast]

Lydia: [and so will she and we can probably timeskip a bit]

Parrish: [his bag slung over his shoulder as they take the elevator up] So has anything else changed in the place besides your room?

Lydia: Nope. Pretty much business as usual.

Parrish: Good. Sheriff told me to come by the station tomorrow and he'll work me through some paperwork to get back on staff. Apparently he and Isaac put me on leave, much to my partner's insistence that I quit. Who, thankfully, is no longer my partner.

Lydia: That's good.

Parrish: I'm probably going to be pulling desk duty for a while, but I actually don't mind.

Lydia: [she shrugs] It's been pretty quiet lately. There might not be much to do.

Parrish: I can't say that's a bad thing.

Lydia: Nope. We don't need any more dead bodies right now.

Parrish: I agree. [and they are on their floor] After you.

Lydia: [and she will lead the way to the door before opening it and poking her head inside] Anyone home?

Dina: Mommy and Daddy are sleeping. [and she's in the living room coloring. Stiles is passed out on the couch behind her and Cora...]

Lydia: [... is curled up with him. they're taking an afternoon nap, like the exhausted parents they are] Maybe we can at least get you settled without drawing too much attention. [to Parrish]

Parrish: We could. Hey Dina, want to help me unpack?

Dina: [nods, getting up and leaving her things to join them at the door] I can fold your clothes.

Lydia: [she nods, before heading to the stairs to her wing of the house. the door to her bedroom is closed when they get there, but the guest room door is open and just how he left it.]

Parrish: [and he will nudge it open, and he will notice that the things of his that had been in Lydia's room were also in there now? He looked around at the junk on his shelves and nods] Yeah, I definitely am a hoarder.

Dina: What's a hoarder?

Lydia: Someone who has trouble getting rid of things.

Dina: I don't like getting rid of things. Does that mean I'm a hoarder too?

Parrish: Yes, it does.

Dina: [grins] Awesome!

Lydia: [laughs] It's not always a good thing.

Dina: [confused now] But if Uncle Jordan is one, how can it be bad?

Lydia: Because not everything is meant to be kept. And there are some people with really bad cases that can't throw anything away at all, not even actual garbage.

Dina: Ew. You throw away your garbage, right? [Stilinski skeptical face is starting to show up more and more on the child. Everyone be worried]

Parrish: [laughs] Yes, I do throw away my trash. I don't like the smell of it.

Lydia: [oh she knows that face well] See? For right now, we don't have to be that worried.

Dina: Okay. But if your room starts to smell bad, I won't play with you anymore until you clean it. Everyone needs to do their chores when you're in a family.

Lydia: [she smirks at that] Good girl.

Parrish: Someone’s really getting ready to be a big sister.

Dina: Uh huh. I'm supposed to set a good example. [nods]

Lydia: Do you want a brother or a sister?

Dina: Sister. There are too many boys around.

Lydia: [she laughs] Hopefully you'll get lucky.

Dina: I hope so. I've been waiting FOREVER.

Parrish: [trying not to laugh at that face]

Lydia: [she laughs] No, she has. Her first Thanksgiving with us, she declared she wanted a little sibling for Christmas and she didn't get it. She was very upset.

Dina: Santa gave the baby to Aunt Malia.

Parrish: Well, sometimes the best things you have to wait for.

Dina: But it's been FOREVER.

Lydia: And you are almost done waiting. I promise.

Dina: I know. Daddy says next month. But how big is Mommy going to get? She looks like she's going to explode.

Parrish: [nope, he failed at that and he's laughing]

Lydia: [she's laughing some herself] She will not explode. Though I'm sure that sometimes she may feel like it.

Dina: I hope not. I like Mommy not being exploded. Plus that would be GROSS.

Lydia: It would be really gross.

Dina: So now that Uncle Jordan's back, when are you going to have a baby?

Parrish: [and his eyes widen at that] Um, Dina, that's not really something appropriate to just ask someone...

Lydia: She knows. She's been asking everyone who doesn't already have a baby. [which aren't many, but there are just enough of them] Not for a very long time. You shouldn't have babies when you're not married and we are not married, remember?

Dina: Uncle Peter and Aunt Nadia had a baby and they aren't married.

Lydia: They've also been living together in a consensual relationship for more than ten years. In most states, that would be considered married.

Dina: [blinks] But it's not.

Lydia: Why not?

Dina: Because you can't have a marriage without a wedding and rings and stuff.

Lydia: Not true. Your Uncle Derek and Aunt Fiona didn't have a wedding, but they're still married.

Dina: They got married in Vegas. Liam said that getting married in Vegas means that you have a wedding with Elvis.

Lydia: Yeah, but it wasn't a big wedding like your mom and dad had. It was just the two of them your Aunt Laura and Uncle Nik.

Dina: But it was still a wedding. And there were rings and stuff.

Parrish: You know... for a kindergartener, she's pretty right...

Lydia: Alright, fine, but when you get older - like Uncle Peter and Aunt Nadia old, the big fancy wedding doesn't matter so much. [also she's pretty sure that Peter and Nadia are "werewolf married" anyway.] It's ... a werewolf thing.

Dina: Werewolves are weird sometimes.

Lydia: Yes, they are. But, my point is that Uncle Jordan and I have a lot to talk about before we think about having a baby.

Dina: Well, you better hurry or your babies won't have any friends their age.

Lydia: And how do you know that?

Dina: Because we only have so many bedrooms. Mommy and Daddy can't have too many.

Lydia: We could always move somewhere with more bedrooms, you know.

Dina: I don't wanna move. I like my bedroom.

Lydia: I know. But maybe you won't have to and Uncle Jordan and I will.

Dina: I don't want you to leave!

Lydia: We probably wouldn't go far. Maybe we'd move into Uncle Derek's house if they decide to get a house. Then we'd just be right upstairs.

Dina: .... Okay, that would be okay.

Lydia: [reaches over to pull her into a hug] If we do anything, it won't be for a long time, okay? I'm not going anywhere.

Dina: [hugs her back] Okay. Because I'll miss you a lot if you left.

Lydia: I'd miss you too. Right now, you're stuck with me.

Dina: Good. No more getting sick. [and she let Lydia go and looked at Parrish] And you're not allowed to leave either.

Parrish: I'm not planning on leaving again, kiddo, I promise.

Dina: Good.

Lydia: C'mon. Let's finish helping Jordan unpack.