• Don't Worry •

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

House hunting had never, ever been fun. Never. Especially when you and the person you were living with wanted two entirely different things. Bella wanted back her high class apartment, like the one she'd shared with her sister back in London how many months ago. She missed that. But, she'd already gotten the vibe that Marc wanted the "family friendly" home. They'd been through about seven houses this morning alone, all on the outskirts of the city and all perfectly stereotypical. And he'd picked each and every one of them. Now, though, it was her turn and Arabella Curtis was not ready to be a soccer mom yet. It was a cruel trick to play on him, which she knew perfectly well, but she couldn't see herself living in one of those little suburb houses, not yet. She'd grown up in the burbs and wasn't about to return, especially not now when she needed to be at another person's beckon call. Bella couldn't afford a fourty-five minute drive back into the city, so she hatched a plan.

Marc had gone off to pick Laurence up from school, a task Bella had been doing the past week or so while he worked at the college. Today, though, they'd parted ways and she'd handed him the address to the next place; a penthouse that she'd been drooling over since before they even left London. Hopefully, she'd con him into at least checking the place out.

Bella stepped out of the cab, taking a deep breath of the city she'd grown to love so well. The thought of even living an inch outside its borders made her cringe. Pulling her version of the address out of her bag, she checked it once more before moving closer to the doors of the building. Marc and Laurence were due here any minute, and it was just a matter of her catching Marc before he raced off in the other direction realizing what she'd pulled on him.

• • •

WORDS: 455!
TAG: The Beau <3
LOCATION: Penthouse, New York
OUTFIT: MHM!
LYRICS: "Whoever She Is" by The Maine
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

Marc had never looked at so many houses and apartments in his life. In Arles, they had only ever lived in the family home and then London was the first place he found and Bella pretty much sorted out their apartment in New York. However, their cosy apartment was intended for a couple, not for the small family they had become suddenly and now they had to find yet another place to call home.
Marc, for all his traditional upbringing, had been looking solely at the quiet neighbourhoods in the suburbs on the outskirts of the bustling city. For him, they seemed more family friendly and he wanted a nice environment to raise Laurence in, not pausing to think that maybe there would be an apartment out there, in the city, that would suit the three of them…well, four, if you counted Gemma.

However, he saw Bella’s face every time they came to one of the houses and he knew that they had a lot of work to do before they would find their ‘home’. He wanted her to be happy too and so, each night when his work for the college was done, he would find more houses, more properties and add them to the list of places to see for the next week. Their dream would be out there somewhere, but it was like searching for a needle in the proverbial haystack! He was using his free periods to accompany her to more viewings, and then Bella would grab Laurence from school whilst Marc finished up teaching and then they’d hit a few more before dinner. It was exhausting and they were starting to run out of ideas. Even Marc had to admit, half of the houses they looked at were starting to look the exact same, but with different furnishings.

After an early finish at the university and a few more failing viewings, Bella surprised him by handing him an address and telling him to meet her there after he had collected Laurence. It wasn’t an address he recognised, but trusting his girlfriend, he agreed and then drove to the school that Laurence had joined just a month earlier. It was a good school, with added resources to help his son develop his understanding of English. He still couldn’t hold a conversation, but he was starting to stammer out a few rusty sentences at home and Marc and Bella were helping him out too. The Frenchman was shocked by how easily Laurence was adjusting to this new world with strange faces and strange words, but his son seemed happy and would eagerly tell him about his school day in rushed French the second he got home.

The six year old climbed in the car and did just that as marc punched the address into his GPS system. New York was not a good place to blindly drive around, he had learnt rather quickly, and happily spent the money on the complex system so that he wouldn’t end up in some shady neighbourhood with no breadcrumbs to guide him home. It came to life, the voice already set to French so that he could hear it without really needing to break his attention from the road. He listened to his son, asking questions regularly like he always did, before praising and then joking with his son. His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at where the GPS was taking him; it seemed to be deeper into the city rather than away from it. Oh well, maybe it was on the other side of the city and this was the quickest way. His doubts quickly reappeared though when the GPS declared that his location was approaching on the left and he realised that they were not in a suburb or even really a quieter location. It was the heart of the city and Marc carefully parked up his car, wondering what Bella was doing as he helped Laurence jump from the car. His dark eyes fell on his girlfriend and he threw her a confused, but slightly knowing expression. He should have seen this coming really, considering Bella’s city heart. “Bella,”

[/color] he said in a warning tone, “vhy are ve ‘ere?”[/color] Laurence bounced eagerly next to him, but Marc raised his eyebrows at his girlfriend, waiting for her explanation. He wasn’t mad, just a little irked that he didn’t see this coming sooner.
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• • •

TAGGED! Bella <3
WORDS! 737
OUTFIT! Phwoarr!
LYRICS! Father’s Father- - - The Civil Wars
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

Bella understood Marc's idea for the "family home". She really did, honest. But, she couldn't see herself as the '50's housewife in the suburbs, cooking and cleaning and driving kids to and from school. The city was her life; bright lights and honking horns were her style, not gossiping mothers and spoilt children. She couldn't live like that without going insane. And, besides, wasn't it her turn to pick where they went? Marc had been the one feeding her addresses for the past week or so, and she'd blindly followed after him, wearing her best "professional" clothes and smiling like the well-trained girlfriend she was. Or pretended to be, anyways. This time, that wouldn't be happening, though. She'd be the one trying to convince him of the charm the place had, the charm she'd already fallen for numerous times. If only it would work.

Her high-heeled foot tapped impatiently as she continued to watch the cars crawling by in the street. He was supposed to be here already; it only took a couple minutes to pick Laurence up, as she very well knew. Where were they? Had he caught her plan and headed the other direction? A possibility... but she'd already promised the sales guy they'd check the place out. It wouldn't be polite to let him down, even if she just went up by herself to drool over the place. Again. Well, that'd be Plan B if Marc decided not to show. Bella stood a bit taller, focusing her mind once more as she heard a car door slam near her. Her attention immediately turned to it, smile on her lips as she recognized her boys heading her way. Marc's eyes had her cringing inside as she caught the warning in them. She kept hers innocent as she looked up at him, smile still intact. "We're looking at a house. Why else would we be here?" she shrugged innocently. Oh, she knew she'd get it later, probably after Laurence was safely tucked into bed on the couch in the apartment with Gemma snuggled up to him. But, it'd be worth it. She had to at least see if he'd give the place a shot before condeming her to suburbia for eternity.

"How was school, sweetheart?" she asked, turning to Laurence and slowing her usually quickened speed of talking. Bella was really trying to get the little guy on board with the English, though her mixed accents and slang didn't help him much. Plus, even she'd been speaking more French than ever lately. It wouldn't be a surprise if the poor kid got confused.

Feeling her phone buzz with what should be the reminder for this apointment, Bella stood back up, giving Marc another, totally innocent, smile. "You ready to go inside? The guy's waiting for us upstairs," she grinned, tucking her dark hair behind her ear, a nervous habit. Hopefully, she wouldn't have to resort to dragging him up the stairs.

• • •

WORDS: 532!
TAG: The Beau <3
LOCATION: Penthouse, New York
OUTFIT: MHM!
LYRICS: "Whoever She Is" by The Maine
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

Marc knew that he should have seen this coming. It was probably the most obvious thing Bella would try to pull in this situation and he had remained oblivious, his mind not even contemplating the idea once during the time they were looking at houses of all shapes and sizes. If he was at all disappointed it was in himself for not noticing the inevitable sooner. Bella did have a say in where they would be living, of course, but he had ignorantly ignored the factor of her love for the city and the pulse of New York. He should’ve known that her choice would be in a place like this and he really shouldn’t have been surprised by it at all. He knew his girlfriend could be a sneaky little thing when she really wanted to be.

His dark eyes met hers with a stubborn look in them. Why couldn’t she have just told him she wanted to look at this place instead of luring him here with his son in tow so she could use the six year old to stop the French man from potentially storming in the opposite direction? Not that he would’ve done that of course; he would have simply done was he now intended to do – look at the place with disdain and find as many things wrong with it as he could. Though, he wished she would’ve just told him outright in the first place. “Drop zee innocent act, I see right through eet.”

[/color] He said, wrapping his arm around her waist and tickling her side gently, as way of mock punishment.

Marc watched as she turned to his son, smiling softly as he ruffled the kid’s hair. Laurence watched Bella for a moment with pursed lips and then chewed on them as he mentally translated and remembered the new language he was learning. “Oui, good.” Marc chuckled at the French opening but then nodded proudly at his one word answer. He’d get there eventually, it was just something that took time and Laurence was already coming along brilliantly. It was just a little harder for him to remember his English after a fast and furious French conversation with his father on the way to this…building.

Once again, his dark eyes narrowed at his girlfriend. He wasn’t angry at her, not in the least, but still, she wasn’t about to get away with tricking him into coming here. Crouching down, he swooped Laurence up into his arms and then reached out to rest his spare arm around Bella’s waist, tickling her again as they moved inside the building. “Do not think zhat you are getting away vith zhis.”[/color] He whispered threateningly in her ear, keeping his tone playful enough for her not to panic entirely about what her boyfriend might do to her when the sales guy wasn’t lurking.
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• • •

TAGGED! Bella <3
WORDS! 513
OUTFIT! Phwoarr!
LYRICS! Father’s Father- - - The Civil Wars
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

If Bella was going to play housewife while Claricie was off dancing around in California, she at least wanted to do it in style. Besides, it'd be good for Laurence to be around the hustle bustle instead of the snobby suburb folk. He'd be exposed to more English and who knows what other languages here than in a house on a hill, and that had to help him... somehow. She didn't really know, but she did know this move was primarily for the little boy and the family that he'd transformed the three into. But couldn't they still keep to their city lifestyle, even with a kid? Her and Marc had had the whole "everything's changing" discussion as they'd tried to rearrange their tiny apartment for Laurence, but did everything need to change? Some things stayed the same, of course, like them always cuddling together at the end of the day or getting a good morning kiss from the other during breakfast. But, a lot of things did get flipped upside down. Like their lives entirely, to say the least.

Bella had been on "Mommy" duty since Clairice had finished packing for her stay in Cali, and she was doing alright with it for now. She had a lot of free time between dropping Laurence off at school and picking him up again, and it was nice. There were shopping trips, spa days, treats she hadn't been allowed to enjoy since before moving to the Big Apple. Having those luxuries back was great, but they came at a cost. She often found herself wanting that busy, never stopping lifestyle back that involved her spending days at the theatre or nights backstage of a performance. She missed it. This penthouse was one step closer to her having that back; that feeling that people were actually "impressed" by her. If she could come home to a house knowing that it was taken care of and she didn't need to fuss so much, she could turn more attention back to the reason she was in New York in the first place. Selfish, yes, but, Marc had said he hadn't wanted her to give up her dream for him, so she felt just a tad better about all of it.

Her smile turned into a smirk as his arm slipped around her, and she squirmed as he tickled her. Bella elbowed him lightly in return, reaching up to press her lips to his cheek. "Don't you always?" she teased back, smiling now. He usually saw through the acts whenever she tried to put one on for him, and today was no exception. For once, however, she'd been able to pull something over on him without him finding out about it. It was a very rewarding accomplishment.

Laurence's mixed language answer had her laughing softly, but nodding. "That's très bon," she smiled back, answering in French for his ease. Bella had to admit, her own French had gotten much better over the last few weeks. Maybe the little boy was doing her some good, afterall.

Bella grinned, walking into the building and staying cuddle into Marc's side as the three walked into the building. That playful smirk tugged on her lips again at his words. "Mhm, we'll see about that," she whispered back, shaking her head and tugging him towards the elevator. She'd scoped the place out enough times, so she knew exactly where they were going. Bella pressed the "up" arrow, leaning her head against Marc as she waited. Hopefully, he'd fall in love with the place. Hopefully.

• • •

WORDS: 630!
TAG: The Beau <3
LOCATION: Penthouse, New York
OUTFIT: MHM!
LYRICS: "Whoever She Is" by The Maine
NOTES: "Very good" xD <3

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

Marc knew that Bella didn’t want to play the suburban housewife or the stay at home mother and he didn’t want that either! He wanted the stubborn and dramatic Bella who would infuriate him sometimes, who he’d miss when she was working and who he could cuddle up to at night when everything in their lives finally slowed down for the few short hours when they could sleep, before their new hectic lifestyle began all over again.
They were still in a transition period right now and Bella often told him how she enjoyed the spare time she had now in which to relax, but he knew that wasn’t the life she would want in the end, not permanently at least. Even if they one day had children of their own, Marc knew she’d never give up her career and he didn’t think she should either.
He would happily play the doting father when she was away and his job was a lot more flexible for time off and last minute runs to the doctors or the dentists that always seemed to come with kids. He was looking forward to it, if he was honest, but he knew that more importantly, this time was when Bella and Laurence were bonding and he wanted them to get along and feel comfortable with each other, especially considering the difficult circumstances that had been thrown into play the second they had stepped off the plane in JFK.

Everything was going well so far, and the Frenchman hoped it would stay that way, but he was prepared for the worst, just in case and had been looking for the perfect home to make it that little bit easier to adjust for them all. It was weird, having this family thrown together, but Marc had never been happier than the days he spent with his son and girlfriend, almost like it was something out of one of those artificial photoshoots. He finally understood what it was to play happy families and this bold move on Bella’s behalf was exactly why he was with the unpredictable actress in the first place. She made the fairytale more of an adventure and kept Marc on his toes whenever he thought a routine was finally falling into place. He loved her for it, and would have his Bella no other way, but god, it was frustrated when she did manage to get him to walk into one of her traps.

He chuckled warmly as she tried to fight back against the assault of his fingers against her side. It was always the quickest way to get her to surrender when they were playing around at home and it was now the simplest way to indicate that Marc was onto whatever plan she had thrown together here. “Zhat’s because I know my girlfriend far too vell to suspect ‘er to be innocent.”

[/color] He joked, pulling her close to his side as she spoke to his son, the strained relationship vanished now after they had both talked about what had happened in Arles, Marc honestly not knowing about his son before that trip, and what came next for them all. They were definitely on their way to happiness with nothing to stop them.

Inside, his dark eyes took in the entrance to the building. It was nice enough, but nothing like the houses they had been looking at previously. Bella called the elevator and Marc kissed the top of her head lovingly before looking to see what Laurence was doing. His eyes were as big as saucers as he clung to his father, looking around the strange building with wonderment. “You vill see. I may hide zhose favourite shoes of yours…again.”[/color] Watching Bella desperately look for them the last time he had done it was just hilarious and whilst Laurence didn’t know why his father was almost crying with laughter, he had joined in and Gemma had jumped and rolled around with them.
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• • •

TAGGED! Bella <3
WORDS! 698
OUTFIT! Phwoarr!
LYRICS! Father’s Father- - - The Civil Wars
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

There were perks to being a stay at home mom. You got to sleep after you dropped your kid off, there wasn't a lot to do when you lived in an already tidy apartment, and your job was temporarily off in California so you had seven hours to do whatever you wanted. It was fun. Or, it had been for the first week. Now, it wasn't starting to seem so amazing as she realized she had more months of this. Not days, not weeks... months. And, would it turn into years after Clairice deemed her "ready for the world"? Would she even continue on the rollercoaster of the acting business after this? She loved it, but she also loved Marc and, shockingly, was beginning to love Laurence. The three of them eating dinner together at night, or the sight of her boys in the living room playing video games while she was in the kitchen, contining to Google auditions. It was a picture she'd never forget. Those were moments she loved, where she felt happy. But, she had those on stage, too. The sound of an audience's shocked silence or thunderous laughter, the smiles she saw as people creeped into the theatre, the rush she got each time the houselights dim and she walked onstage for the first time. That was where her heart had been for ages, what it was comfortable with. It was like being pulled in half from inside herself.

Her eyes held a clear spark at his words and it took the amounts of self-control she did have to keep from laughing. "You did a mighty fine job of taking that innocence, so you're the one to blame for it," she smirked suggestively up at him, dropping the expression before Laurence could read too much into what they were saying. It was hard for her to remember there was a kid around now, even if he didn't understand most of what she was saying. The fact that he was there still meant she had to behave. Well, behave to the best of her lacking ability.

Bella chewed her lip as they walked inside. This was all about first impressions and making Marc realize how amazing the place was. She'd been there time and time again, but he hadn't. Stealing glances at him, her heart beat faster. If he didn't like this place... she was off to the suburbs and a long haul to work once Clairice returned. And, she officially got her certificate to make her a soccer mom. Snapping back to now, Bella turned her eyes to Marc, glaring half-playfully at him. "That wasn't nice! I needed those for that lunch with Clairice's friend," she scolded, pecking his cheek to lighten it. But, she had run around for forever, having half a heart attack thanks to the fact that she couldn't find her new Jimmy Choo's. She had a whole two closet floors full of shoes, but that didn't cross her mind as she ran around like a mad woman looking for that specific pair.

The elevator doors crawled open and Bella stepped inside, easily pressing the button for the top floor, also the penthouse. She looked at Marc again, those big puppy dog eyes starting to come out as she prepared the little speech she'd composed for him. "I know you wanted to move out of the city... but it's... it's New York. We have to live inside it! Besides, with your job and mine, we're closer and Laurence's school isn't that far away. And it's such a pretty view." Bella gave him one of those pleading looks she saved for rare occasions. Like when practically begging him to buy a penthouse. "It's not suburb house, but it's got three bedrooms and a pool and a huge closet..." she added, putting extra emphasis onto the closet part. Between the two of them now, there wasn't a lot of room with Bella's large collection of clothes, shoes, purses, and who knows what else. But, besides that, she wanted him to see the good parts about this place. It may not be what he wanted, but she loved it more than she let on.

• • •

WORDS: 839!
TAG: The Beau <3
LOCATION: Penthouse, New York
OUTFIT: MHM!
LYRICS: "Raise Your Glass" by Pink
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

The surprising thing about Marc and Bella was that they were quite different people when separated. Bella was the kind of girl who thrived in the public eye, adored the stage and her career and Marc was the geek who was usually talking to electronic devices as he repaired them, rather than actual people. Bella stole the limelight quite rightly from the Frenchman who wouldn’t really know what to do if he had it himself. That was one of the many reasons why he wouldn’t mind stepping down a rung or two on his own ladder to care for his son, his family, once Clarice returned and Bella was back at work again. Plus, he was from a large family himself and he thrived on the moments that had really bonded them, even if things had grown tense since Daphne’s bombshell confession and arrival of Laurence in the Delabarre’s lives. He was a family guy to the core, and that was partly why he had wanted the suburban house, the American dream and the quiet friendly neighbourhood. Though, he knew he was getting ahead of himself, especially when he didn’t see Bella light up at any of the other places, but here she seemed enthralled by whatever this building had to offer behind its concrete walls.

He chuckled at her response and then lowered his head to whisper in her ear. “Be glad ‘ee eez six and cannot understand English too vell.”

[/color] he joked, in reference to the child he was balancing in his arms. “But I did not ‘ear you complaining about zhat.”[/color] The conversation was entirely inappropriate for the public eye and Laurence was lucky he didn’t understand their language, otherwise he may have needed therapy for life…or at least once he understood what sex was, he’d need the therapy. Probably wasn’t the best start to raising a child, but luckily French still flooded Laurence’s brain primarily. Marc, however, was still glad there was no one else around to hear what they were saying though. Private lives existed in private for a reason.

His dark eyes took in the tiled floors and high ceiling of the foyer, if it could be called that, and then he looked back down. This was not particularly what he cared about, but the apartment itself, or whatever the hell it was Bella had tricked him here to see. They wouldn’t be living in the entrance to the building, at least he certainly hoped not.
Smiling softly, his shoulders bobbed with the supressed laughter. It had been hilarious at the time, especially considering she had plenty of pairs that were almost identical to the pair he had hidden. They didn’t seem to be enough though and he had sat in wonderment as Bella practically tore their home apart in the hopes of finding them before she was too late. “Like they would ‘ave really cared if you ‘ad worn a different pair of shoes.”[/color] He said with a bemused expression. He did like seeing Bella practically swoon over her wardrobe, which was why, at times, he was so tempted to mess with it, just to watch the mini-freak out she managed to pull off over the littlest of things.

He listened to what she was saying carefully, his eyebrows peeking closer to his hairline with every utterance. True, living in the city would be easily on them getting to work and school, but it was so busy and Marc didn’t want the noise of the eternal traffic to disturb Laurence as he tried to study on his classes and his English. That was one of the reasons for the house in the suburbs. “You vant us to buy a place because eet ‘as a ‘pretty view’?”[/color] He queried, almost unbelieving what Bella was saying here, even if she was giving him the puppy dog eyes. However, it was the next part that got him the most. “A pool?! Vhy on earth do ve need a pool?!”[/color] It wasn’t something they were looking for and Marc didn’t want Laurence to feel spoilt by such unnecessary luxuries. Though, the promise of more closet space did win the unseen place some points, though Marc had a sneaky feeling that Bella would soon fill it so his suits were cramped in a corner again.
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• • •

TAGGED! Bella <3
WORDS! 756
OUTFIT! Phwoarr!
LYRICS! Father’s Father- - - The Civil Wars
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

Arabella Curtis was born to be in the spotlight. That was where she felt alive, where she was the most herself even if she was playing the role of somebody else. It was where her home was. Marc, of course, was like home too, wherever they decided to end up. But the stage would always be where her heart went back to in times of need. She needed to be close to it, be able to see and enjoy the glint of the lights and roar of the crowds. In the suburbs, she wouldn't get any of that, which was why her heart hadn't changed about staying in the city. Each and every boring, cookie-cutter house they'd toured only discouraged her love of the "American Dream" and made her cling tighter and tighter to where she'd always been the most comfortable. Now it was just a matter of convincing Marc on the matter.

There was a strong chance that their very obvious differences were playing a huge role here. People always commented on on them privately to her, or at least her entire family back home yet. Bella with a "computer nerd"? Yeah, that was not a scenario they'd ever imagined in their wildest dreams. She was too loud and dramatic for that. Or, well, they'd believed that until they'd heard the news of the couple moving in together halfway across the globe. Now, they were listening to news of the couple with very clear amusement. Kari was, at any rate. Though, if you asked her, it was a wonder Marc had even come back after the stunt Bella had pulled.

Learning to hold her tongue had always been an issue for Bella. And there was a 100% chance that it would continue to be for most of her life. She was too impulsive for it, however, and the comment had spurted from her mouth before she'd had a chance to think it over. But, once Laurence began understanding English, she had a feeling she'd be in for some very awkward situations. "Enjoying every second while I can," she joked back, smirking up at him. Bella knew he was more... protective over matters like these than she'd begun to be. Nobody was listening anyways, that she could tell, and it wasn't like anyone would understand unless they'd heard the entire conversation. Public places were nice for a reason. "Who said I was complaining?" she challenged, that suggestive spark still written across her face.

Slightly harder than she should've, Bella whacked Marc's shoulder with her clutch and continued to glare at him. "Just remember this the next time you're looking for your game controllers," she said, pursing her lips at him before reluctantly smiling. It'd all been in fun, as she very well knew. That particular meeting had just been one of the most important she'd had for a long time and it was important she looked the part for it. Those shoes happened to be the focus point of her outfit and not wearing that exact pair would've destroyed it. Therefore, a very distraught Bella had been tearing apart the apartment in search of the stilettos.

Intensifying the puppy dog eyes, Bella jutted out her lower lip, throwing in a tiny pout to try and break him down. Anything she could do, she'd do it now. This place was the heaven of penthouses, if you asked her, and it was a once in a lifetime thing. Actresses were supposed to live in penthouses and suits, after all, right? "Think of all the romantic date nights you could plan right outside on our own balcony," she suggested, it being the first thing to come to her mind. Bella could tell he wasn't falling for this, but it wouldn't stop her. She'd keep trying until he flat-out said no. "Any excuse to wear a bikini," she said, her look from earlier returning. "Or not wear one." Shaking it off before he scolded her again for saying such things in front of Laurence, she brought back her puppy dog eyes. "C'mon, Marc. A pool would be fun and so would a big master bedroom... and master tub... and gameroom." That was her plan to hook him. Suggest turning the spare room into the ultimate mancave. It was a trap if she'd ever seen one.

• • •

WORDS: 782!
TAG: The Beau <3
LOCATION: Penthouse, New York
OUTFIT: MHM!
LYRICS: "Raise Your Glass" by Pink
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

No relationship was easy, they never were, but a relationship with Bella was full of unseen disagreements and different opinion on a lot of things. That didn’t mean Marc hated it, in fact it was the opposite. He may have strong family values, but being with Bella kept him on his toes and he loved it when she was so caught up in her spotlight world that he could sneak around to surprise her with some lavish home cooked meal and evening at the theatre or something of the like. They were polar opposites in so many ways, but that was why they complimented each other greatly; what one lacked, the other one made up for. He loved her more than words could say and if moving across the globe for her didn’t show that to the rest of the world then he didn’t know what else would.

The Delabarre’s were getting a little ahead of themselves now, to say the least, with Laurence in the picture. There were constantly French phone calls about marriage and making sure Laurence was settled with Bella before any more children were conceived. Marc’s father seemed unable to let go of the fact that Laurence was, technically, the result of a teenage pregnancy and a night gone wrong and, boy, he liked to remind his son of that fact before mentioning that the summer would be a nice time for everyone to come to Arles, and by everyone, he meant Bella’s family too. Marc had put off mentioning it to Bella yet, knowing it was just another plot of his mother’s to see her son married.

This was not something they should have been talking about it in the lobby of their prospective new home. However, Marc wasn’t about to reprimand Bella for it, not when she was looking at him with that smirk and the suggestive twinkle lingering in her eyes. What he was wishing was that Laurence wasn’t in his hold and that they were somewhere much more private. “Eet won’t be much longer now, ‘opefully. Not vith vhat I’m paying for zhat school.”

[/color] He had wanted the best and one that could cater to his son’s language barrier until it was a crossed bridge for them all.
Glancing down at her, there was no response in either of his spoken languages for what she had said and what she had meant, so instead he leaned down and kissed her, light enough for it to be appropriate enough in front of other eyes, but passionate enough so that she would understand his message.

He almost lost his balance when she hit him. It wasn’t that it was of superhuman strength, but mainly because of the boy resting against one side of Marc’s tall frame. He narrowed his eyes and glared at his girlfriend whilst his son chortled happily, clueless to what was happening, though Marc was shocked that the boy would side with Bella over him! “I ‘ave several spare controllers; I am not fussy about which one I use, unlike some people vith zheir shoes.”[/color] He teased playfully, still unable to get over how much of an issue it would have been for her to choose a different pair of pumps to wear that day. It wasn’t like Bella was short of footwear.

Marc put Laurence down on the floor once they were in the elevator, his arms aching from balancing the little boy for such a time. Folding his arms across his chest he met Bella’s puppy dog eyes with a determine gaze. Usually, she could win anything from him with that look, but not when it came to this…not yet anyway. She had to convince him, sway his decision with something better. “I could plan romantic evenings under zee gazebo of zhat lovely ‘ouse we looked at yesterday.”[/color] He argued back, not backing down so easily yet. Though, it was a good thing he’d put his son down or otherwise he’d have dropped him at Bella’s mention of the bikini, or lack therefore of. His jaw fell slack, his eyes widening slightly. They were supposed to be responsible parents these days, but one more mention like that and he’d be looking for a dark corner to ravish her in. And that was hardly appropriate for a viewing or for when Laurence was around them.

He practically twitched at the mention of a gameroom. He looked at Bella with a boyish twinkle in his dark eyes. Of all the things that could capture his attention, that was it. A room, filled with game consoles, games and gadgets that he could play with for hours on end when Bella was busy and he had no grading to do. It would also be the perfect sanctuary for when Clarice was around; the woman’s voice set Marc’s teeth on edge at times. “A gameroom?”
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• • •

TAGGED! Bella <3
WORDS! 849
OUTFIT! Phwoarr!
LYRICS! Father’s Father- - - The Civil Wars
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

Marc and Clairice may have been two of the most important people in her life but, man, was she on edge the split second they both entered the same room. It had always been like that, though it'd recently gotten worse thanks to a few phonecalls and secret conversations/threats that had happened behind Bella's back. Once Clairice found out Bella had turned down that role, it'd been hell, but she had believed it was only her the diva was harrassing to change her mind. When she'd discovered there had been guilt-tripping calls to her boyfriend, you could bet she had a mouthfull for her mentor, despite the fact that she could've very well lost her position. The entire incident merely put Bella through more turmoil whenever Marc and Clairice happened to bump into each other. She knew Marc wasn't found of her boss, and that her boss wasn't found of Marc. She accepted that. Learning how to work around it was a totally different issue.

That was one of the reasons she'd come up with the idea of a gameroom. Marc and Laurence could easily hide in there any time Clairice happened to make a housecall to make sure Bella hadn't been "electricuted by the geek". She could switch personalities on a dime then, without having to worry about getting looks for acceding so willingly to another's commands. Another reason she kept "home" Bella and "stage" Bella as two seperate parts of herself. If they crossed, there was sure to be hell.

Keeping the lust subtly etched into her eyes, Bella bit her lip to keep from laughing. He'd been the one so intent on sending Laurence to the most expensive, promising school in New York, no matter how much of a dent it made into his wallet. She'd only shaken her head at him, asking for directions on how to get to the school to pick him up but otherwise saying nothing. As a prep school kid herself, she could tell more stories than were probably appropriate. "Maybe we'll just have to learn a new language," she suggested. Mentally, she was very much wishing that they were home, alone, and Laurence was still at school. This talk would've been so much more productive then.

Bella returned his kiss, giggling against his lips as he pulled away from her. "Mm, save that for tomorrow when your son's off at that expensive school," she whispered, smirking once again before stepping farther away from him. Showing up to that meeting like this wouldn't be appropriate, as she well knew, but it was too much fun to stop. Her own self-control was slipping, and she quickly scrambled to regain it before things went past the "Laurence appropriate" bar.

This time, she wasn't able to keep her laughter in as Marc almost toppled over. Bella snickered with Laurence, trying her best to hide it but failing utterly. "The console might magically disappear then. You never know with how nosy Gemma is," she shrugged, turning her gaze from his again. Honestly, she loved when he teased her about her wardrobe or when his eyes widened as she waltzed in with excess doormen helping her carry in boxes or bags. It may have been extremely girly, but she loved ehr clothes and shoes and style, no matter how much he made fun of her for it.

Her smiling, giggling face quickly turned sour at the mention of one of the houses they'd toured yesterday. All suburb flubs, if you asked her. "With all the neighbors spying and garden gnomes watching? Yeah, no thanks," she snorted, lips frowning in distaste. Sexual comments in a public place? Bella could do that. Romantic evenings in front of the entire suburb? Even she wouldn't be comfortable with that. Putting on a show may have been her career, but, when she was alone with Marc, she liked to be alone. No people gazing curiously at them, no eyes peering at them, nobody to need to put on a show for. Just Marc and her and that softer, relaxed side of her only he got to see. Her smirk returned at the look that soon spread over his face. Maybe continuing to push the pool might actually succeed in something. Bella rose an eyebrow at him, tucking her hair over her shoulder before looking away for a moment. It was easy to read the emotion behind his expression. When they got home, there might have to be some "adult time" while Laurence did homework.

"Or I could always turn it into more shoe space," she shrugged as if contemplating the idea. Bella knew the room would be the boys' if she conned him into the penthouse, and she didn't mind it at all. Threatening to take it for her own extensive closet space to be out of Marc's way would certainly be fun though. "That is, if you don't want it, of course," Bella looked back up at him, smiling sweetly as he fell straight into her web. Playing spider was easier than it seemed.

• • •

WORDS: 900!
TAG: The Beau <3
LOCATION: Penthouse, New York
OUTFIT: MHM!
LYRICS: "Raise Your Glass" by Pink
NOTES: <3 <3 <3

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

Marc did need a place for himself. Bella often had Clarice calling to their apartment with last minute ‘tantrums’ as Marc thought was the only word fitting for them. Plus, after long days at work, or whenever Bella needed some time to practice lines or scream down the phone with her sister, Marc often if difficult to make himself scarce and now with the continuous laughter of Laurence and the hyperactive yapping of Gemma, their apartment was starting to seem a little crowded, not just by numbers, but by personal space too. The idea of a game room had pulled at his subconscious, reminding him of all of these things. Also, after growing up in a male dominated family, it was hard for him to find sense with Bella’s overflowing wardrobes and ridiculous amount of shoes that marc was convinced could help clothe a whole country. He hated to admit it, but he needed a place to be a guy and work with his computers and chill with the video games Bella had never been able to understand when he played them for hours on end until his eyes were dry from the strain and those glasses of his reminded him of why it was always a good idea that turned sour.

Laughing at her suggestion, Marc wrapped his arm tighter around her and shook his head in the affectionate manner he only saved for Bella. “Easier said zhan done.”

[/color] He joked. He remembered how difficult it had been to learn English so fluently and the thought of learning another different language just so he could talk seductively with Bella seemed like more work that would tire him out and at the same time, it would be so worth it to keep innocent ears innocent. Luckily, Laurence still had quite a way to go until he was speaking English like a pro.
Groaning lightly, Marc tipped his head back. “And I ‘ave to give another lecture on zhat geeky stuff you get a glazed look at.”[/color] He reminded her, kissing her forehead lovingly. True, he did have an early finish tomorrow, but that usually came with more paperwork when he got home in the short space of time before Laurence got home and Marc switched from computer geek to playing dad. At least his son seemed to be following in his footsteps of loving everything with a wire, motherboard and graphics card!

Meeting Bella’s eyes with a clever gaze, he smirked. “Bella, Gemma eez about zee same size as the consoles.”[/color] He pointed out, his smirk widening. “And, if you value zhose shoes and dresses, you vouldn’t dare.”[/color] He said playfully, feigning the dark look in his eyes as he readjusted Laurence in his arms. The boy was certainly growing with the amount of food he was being pumped with in their household. If Marc remembered correctly, Daphne was never the biggest fan of cooking meals from scratch, whereas Marc was the opposite and always made time for a long session in the kitchen preparing a meal he knew off by heart. Plus, his son had the same hearty appetite Marc’s older brother had, so the extra food that usually went into containers and became Marc’s lunch was quickly gone with the help of the six year old.

He knew she hated the idea of the suburbs, but Marc thought it was the best option for them all and especially for them to make it work as a family when they had all been thrown together so abruptly. “Ve vouldn’t ‘ave garden gnomes.”[/color] He replied as though it should have been the most obvious thing in the world to Bella. He knew that there were some neighbourhoods where people would stick their nose in where it didn’t belong, but he had purposefully looked for places with gardens spacious enough for privacy and with fences high enough to stop impromptu chats whenever someone was mowing the lawn. He knew neither of them factors would change Bella’s mind though.

Rolling his eyes, Marc threw Bella the look he usually gave her after seeing her purchases from what she called a “shopping spree” but what he called “raiding the mall for everything but the furnishings”. “Your shoes need an apartment of zheir own.”[/color] He said matter-of-factly. “I, ‘owever, need sanctuary from zhat psychopath you call a boss.”[/color] And sharing that sanctuary with stilettos of all shapes and sizes did not appeal to him in the slightest.
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• • •

TAGGED! Bella <3
WORDS! 784
OUTFIT! Phwoarr!
LYRICS! Father’s Father- - - The Civil Wars
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

All this talk of family kept reminding Bella of one, very important, factor in this "plan". Technically, she wasn't a Delabarre. She was still a Curtis; no ring, no promise... none of that. Sure, Marc had said countless times how much he loved her and that he'd never leave but, still, she had absolutely no proof of it. And, thanks to Laurence's mother, the fear of being kicked out was strengthened. She didn't want to get married though... did she? Her own pregnancy scare how long ago had quickly scared her away from the idea, and trapping Marc in a marriage where his wife would undoubtedly be halfway across the country half the time was something she just couldn't do. Even she wasn't that heartless. But she wanted to really be a part of this family they were trying to desperately to create. She wanted to be able to say "my step-son" instead of "my boyfriend's son" followed by an extensive story and snotty looks from her listeners. She wanted this to be more normal, more "official". Moving in together only meant so much.

Bella relaxed into his hold, snuggling into his side as he shook his head at her. She'd missed this a lot lately. They never seemed to be together enough now that they had even more responsibility to tackle and deal with, and the house hunting wasn't exactly her idea of romantic. She missed being able to be alone with him after they'd both finished their long days, curled up on a couch and watching a movie or even the nightly news. "I'm sure we could arrange private lessons," she joked in return, smirking. Though, the new language would probably fit well onto her resume, she doubted she'd be able to find time for it. Besides, she new Clairice would be on her to learn Spanish, a task that apparently "all Americans were learning" nowadays. Whatever happened to English?

She gave him a puppy-dog pout as he reminded her about his obligations tomorrow, and the fact that she couldn't simply whisk him away like he usually could with her. "I can come bring you lunch,"[/color she offered, reaching up to press her lips sweetly to his. "And dessert." Bella pulled back, smiling and stepping out of his arms to smooth her clothes out quickly. Looking ruffled and creased for this viewing wasn't a good idea. She needed to look professional and grownup and not like the little 21 year old she actually was.

"It's only fair! You did it to me," she answered, sticking her tongue out at him before grinning again. Nobody else teased and played around with her like this, or could make her smile as much as Marc could. Bella saw him struggling with Laurence and opened her mouth to speak to the little boy, closing it as she checked her language. She still didn't switch between French and English as easily as the boys did, but she could catch herself once in awhile. "Que pensez-vous de la place, Laurence?" she questioned, giving him a gentle smile as she spoke. Her accent had improved over the past weeks, but, it was quite obvious she wasn't a native speaker and never would be. Acting like a sweet, innocent mother was something she could do, however.
The maternal moment died almost as soon as it had come on as Marc shot down her fears of gnomes. Or tried to, anyways. Bella returned his "duh" look, shaking her head. "We wouldn't, but everyone else would." She'd seen suburb gardens, houses, and the whatnot growing up, and had only been reminded more of it as they toured the homes in the New York version of the Milwaukee neighborhoods. Occasionally, Bella missed it, but she longed for London more on most days. However, the first hometown was definitely easier to access, and she was planning a little self-birthday gift of posisbly going back to see friends and family. It'd be quite fun, especially if she didn't have a part of show keeping her back. Or Marc and Laurence claiming they needed her more in New York.

"For the record, she has more shoes than me," Bella joked, trying not to smirk as the elevator doors parted and opened onto the short hallway. She grabbed Marc's hand, tugging him out and walking easily up to the only door, knocking and smiling as the relator opened up seconds later. They greeted each other, introductions being made for Marc and Laurence and Bella turning into her charming little self that often won her father over for... well, anything. The relator gave them permission to wander, having shown Bella the place a few times and knowing she was serious about the place.

Right away, Bella nodded towards the hall leading to the bedrooms. She pulled Marc in that direction, walking past the two doors opposite one another to the last one at the end. "Your gameroom, Laurence's room, and..." she opened the door, an excited smile on her face. "Our master bedroom." The room was almost as big as their current apartment, with a bathroom larger than the size of their bedroom alone. It was the penthouse she'd always wanted and now would do anything, promise anything, for in order to get it. "What do you think?"

• • •

WORDS: 962!
TAG: The Beau <3
LOCATION: Penthouse, New York
OUTFIT: MHM!
LYRICS: "Raise Your Glass" by Pink
NOTES: It's reeeeeeally long xD And "What do you think of the place, Laurence?" <3

[Marc Dominique Delabarre]

Marc had a ring hidden away in the middle of his computer things and gadgets where he knew Bella would never venture to look. He had had it since before he had made the move to New York, but he was waiting for the right time to actually take the leap and the risk that could change their relationship entirely. In his mind, they were a family already and all he needed to do was make it official. He knew what Bella’s life was like, what her career might entail, but he knew with all of his heart that he wanted to be with her through the good and the bad and as far as he was concerned, it was going to be forever when it came to her and his love for her. In Marc’s opinion, they have overcome the worst thing of all; the sudden appearance of Laurence in their lives, throwing their relationship into turmoil and taking them both to the brink of goodbye.
He knew it was hard still for them all, but he was still avoiding the more dangerous topics he had to discuss with both his son and his girlfriend. Marc had deliberately left it until after they had found a new home to try and find a way to mention Daphne again. He didn’t want Laurence to forget his biological mother, though Bella would now take on the role of acting mother for the rest of his life. It could prove troublesome in later years, but that was a hurdle they could both cross when the time came to it.
He would make it perfect for them all. He’d do the right thing, make it official and, hopefully, make Bella happier than she thought imaginable.

He chuckled warmly, kissing the top of her head and smiling down at her. She certainly seemed happier about this apartment than she had about any of the houses and, to be honest, Marc was hoping that this would be over soon, so they could finally find a home for their own and get back to how things were supposed to be; them, cuddled on the couch each night. “Vhen I find a vay to freeze time, ve can do eet.”

[/color] He joked, pulling her closer to his side.

Teaching at the university did restrict Marc’s freedom a little more than his job in London did, but he didn’t mind it. He loved his job, but he couldn’t wander off for a longer lunch like he used to be able to and whisk Bella off for a romantic picnic. He got a bit of a goofy smirk on his face and then reached out to quickly tickle her side. “You are terrible, Miss Curtis.”[/color] He joked, shooting her with a mock glare that was ruined by a darkened tint of lust that no man could easily get rid of.

Marc was trying to think up a witty reply, but balancing a six year old and trying to think coherently after Bella’s attempt at seducing him in the elevator did leave him a little less than quick on his feet. He was thankful when Bella addressed his son instead, keeping the boy calm enough for Marc to gather his grip on him as he replied politely and with a grin on his face. “It est grand et proper!” Such an innocent and simple answer. If only house hunting could be answered so simply. “It est tres moderne, pas comme a la maison.” Laurence looked up at his dad with big eyes, almost as though he was scared of upsetting Marc or something. Arles, and the style of living him and Daphne had been raised it valued traditions and most of their homes were built up of antiques.

He looked at Bella with a confused, yet amused expression. “Do you ‘ave a fear of garden gnomes, ma Cherie?”[/color] He asked, nudging her side playfully and trying to hide a chuckle. He had never heard someone so put off by garden gnomes. Whilst they were not in his taste, he didn’t have a hatred or dislike for them like his girlfriend potentially did.
“I do not think zhat eez possible. You ‘ave enough shoes to clothe a small nation.”[/color]

He looked around the apartment and he had to admit, it was a beautiful place to become a home. But was it really them? He lowered Laurence to the floor and allowed his son to run freely around the penthouse to explore whilst he took Bella’s hand and followed her around, slightly curiously as to how she knew so much about this place already. “It certainly eez an amazing apartment…”[/color] He was slowly falling in love with the place, thinking of the room and how much he could do with it. Mainly, he thought of computers, but in a place like this there was a lot of potential for him and Bella to get some quiet time alone whilst Laurence was in his room, occupied with toys and games.
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• • •

TAGGED! Bella <3
WORDS! 889
OUTFIT! Phwoarr!
LYRICS! Father’s Father- - - The Civil Wars
NOTES! “It‘s big and clean!” “It is very modern, not like home.” <3 <3 <3

[Arabella Marie Curtis]

Bella was enjoying her freedom. She'd been restricted with college work in years past along with shows, but, now all she had was Clairice along with whatever auditions she tried for. It left her with a lot of time to play darling girlfriend and learn to play mother. It was interesting for her, the defiant dramatic that she was, to end up playing housewife, but it was where she belonged for now. The next role she landed, the next audition Clairice set her up for, she'd take it, no matter what fight her and Marc could possibly be in. She'd sacrificed a chance once, and she couldn't afford to do it again. Marc may have been comfortable being a professor for the rest of his life, something Bella knew he was great at, but she couldn't only play housewife and assistant for more than a few months. And, even a possible engagement couldn't stop her from chasing dreams.

She wanted to get married, though! She wanted to be a Delabarre instead of a Curtis, to truly be Marc's and for Marc to truly be hers. It was one of her dreams now too, and the new question was which one was more important to her. Bella had learned just how much her boyfriend meant to her, and she didn't want to give that up again. She also knew how much the stage meant to her, and giving that up again would be career suicide. She could get married, though, couldn't she? It wouldn't screw anything up to be wearing a ring on her hand. Sure, it'd knock out any dating rumors, but she could live without that. For right now, however, she didn't have to worry about that. Bella just had to be Bella and charm Marc into this penthouse, a task even more daunting than marriage.

His fingers tickling her side caused her to giggle as she replied. "You're right. They'd think you were seducing some poor innocent student," she teased back. Bella was about the same age as some of the students there, and she could picture the looks on other professors' faces as she came parading down the hallway to Marc's office. There'd already been one spectacle there; they didn't need another one. But it was still tempting.

Bella smiled at Laurence, nodding quickly and giving Marc a triumphant look. The boy hadn't gone to a lot of places with them, but she was hoping having him here would help sway his father's judgement. What kid couldn't resist a big pretty building? "I'm glad one of you likes it so far." She could win this yet.

"I have a fear of nosey neighbors and soccer moms," she answered, entirely serious for a few seconds. The expression broke as he nudged her and she bumped him back, giving him a smile as she did so. They're playing around was always fun, and she missed it a lot when they were so busy. These frequent house visits were bringing them together a lot more lately; at least some good came of them.

As Marc looked around, Bella kept one eye on his expressions. Laurence fled her mind as he raced off to browse, her entire attention turning to her boyfriend. This moment was crucial. Biting the inside of her lip, she looked up at him with excitement clear on her face. "You like it so far?" She continued to give him the tour of the bedroom, waltzing around the place like she could already see it turned into "theirs." "It's perfect, Marc, and you know it. Look at this bedroom," she sighed dreamily, standing in front of him and resting her hands on his chest. "You and me... a big bathtub... some candles..." she whispered softly, reaching up to press her lips to his.

• • •

WORDS: 688!
TAG: The Beau <3
LOCATION: Penthouse, New York
OUTFIT: MHM!
LYRICS: "Raise Your Glass" by Pink
NOTES: <3 <3 <3