All That You Needed • •

[Denver Gage Sawyer]

The running joke of Denver’s childhood neighbourhood was that he and the rest of the guys he was usually seen with were raised by wolves. It wasn’t that they were rude or had to manners, but they were a group of hyperactive kids, always needing to be doing something and more often than not, they could be found in the forests just surrounding the city. Even though it was a pretty big city, the boys were raised with manners and respect for their elders. Not once in Denny’s childhood did he ever show an adult his mom’s age or older any disrespect. There would be a lashing and then a yelling at if that ever happened! He’d seen it enough times with the ruder boys. But while he’d been taught to respect the generations before him, he’d also been taught to stand up for himself. There were plenty of people growing up that thought because he was younger than them, he wouldn’t say anything; they were wrong. There’d been a few times, with the bullies being just a few years older and assuming that was enough for Denver and the lot to respect them. Those were the ones that had to earn the respect he showed his parents, their friends, his grandparents. And when Sarah started having the troubles, Denver had been too old or too far away to intimidate anyone, he had friends who had younger brothers who were more than willing to do the job he couldn’t.

Denver thought about that for a minute, before nodding his head and laughing. “Yeah, I suppose I would lose.” Thankfully, there had been nothing like that with himself and Sarah. They were too far apart in age to have that issue, but there were plenty of others that happened. Of course, most of those would be happening now while he was too far away to actually blame any troubles on. Sarah was a pretty good girl though, only really getting into the troubles and messes that most teenagers got into. And even then, more often than not, her big brother knew about it either before or after it happened. There was little she kept from him, even when he wished she’d keep her mouth shut on this matter or that; hard thing to ask from a girl with no filter. “Then I guess it’s a good thing you won’t be doing any stage work then, huh?” he said lightly pressing a kiss to Lexi’s forehead.

Denny rolled his eyes, running his hand through his hair absently. He didn’t think there was anything special about him at all. He woke up same as everyone else, went to work and did the household chores. He probably spent more time than most at work, but then, a doctor’s work just never seemed to be done. He just kept saying at least he wasn’t a surgeon with their rollercoaster hours or some suit working on Wall Street. Denver’s eyes narrowed, looking across at Lexi, but he was just waiting for a smirk, a smile; a laugh. And when he got it, he chuckled with her. “You think you’re so funny don’t you?” he said, playfully grabbing at her side. “Luckier me,” he whispered back, grinning. Denver felt like the luckiest man on the planet to find such an incredible girl in Lexi. She was sweet, smart and that smile went straight to his heart. Denny shrugged, “Maybe, we’ll see.” He was excited to be going home. It had been too long since he’d been back. Even though there was Skype and social networking, it just wasn’t the same to be looking at home through pictures on a screen.

Denny kept up an easy conversation with Lexi to keep his mind off the flight and to fill her in on what plans he had made for them. There wasn’t much but he planned enough to keep them busy for a couple days. Denny grabbed their bags when the plane coasted to a stop and they were allowed to leave. With Lexi’s hand in his, Denver led her through the St. John’s airport to the smaller gates and their final flight. They got to the proper gate just in time for the attendants to call them all up. They boarded and took their seats on a much smaller plane. The flight, much like the other two went smoothly and before Denny knew it, the pilot was on the intercom system telling them all about the weather in Deer Lake. “Here we are,” Denver said as he stood from his seat to retrieve the bags. “Sort of anyway,” he added, since there was still the minor detail of the actual drive to home. But it was closer now than ever before. Once they were off the plane and on the tarmac, Denny threw his free arm around Lexi’s shoulders, pulling her close to his side as they entered the small airport.

It didn’t take the young doctor more than a minute to spot the taller than average, stick thin girl hidden away in a corner with her nose in her phone. “Drives all dis way ta greet us and can’t even take ‘er nose outta ‘er phone ta see us walk in,” he said chuckling as he pointed at the girl who finally lifted her head and started towards the couple. Denny set the bags at his feet in time to wrap his arms around the thin girl and pick her up of her feet. “Look at you, Monster,” Denny said setting his sister on her feet again. “Sarah, this is Lexi, Lexi, Sarah,” he continued, turning back to his girlfriend. “Nice to finally meet you, Lexi, Den doesn’t stop going on ‘bout cha,” Sarah said, wrapping Lexi in a hug in the seventeen year olds’ customary greeting. “Lay off, Monster, before ya scare ‘er onto the next plane out,” he teased, ruffling the dark hair on his sister’s head. “Shut it, Den. Make yourself useful and get the bags,” Sarah said, barely looking at her brother as she brushed him away. “Don’t be afraid ta tell ‘er off, Lex. She’s a big girl, she can take it,” he said, brushing his lips across the top of his girlfriend’s head before sauntering off to collect their bags.

He wasn’t gone long, since their flight was the only one in so he grabbed the luggage and was back to two of the most important women in his life. “Alright, stop telling lies about me and lead da way,” Denny said once he was back with them. “You’ll be sitting upfront with me,” Sarah said to Lexi as she leaned down to grab the carry-ons and led the couple out into the parking lot and to the jeep his sister drove most days. “Aw, washed it to impress me? So sweet,” he teased, tossing the bags into the back before climbing up over the back and taking a seat.

Tag || Lexi!
Words || 1 159
Clothes || Canadian Cutie
Music || Better Together -- Ross Lynch
Notes || <3!

[Lexi Piper Ryanne]

Lexi, despite the torments of her past, had only ever respected the people in the world around her. She had been raised to have the mentality of “if you can’t say anything nice then you don’t say anything at all”. Even when she so desperately wanted to put someone in their place she didn’t have the confidence to do it, or even the tact to pull it off. She had always just stood back and taken harsh words with her head hung and biting her lip to fight back the tears. Now, she knew that it got under the skin more than if she did fight back; she never retaliated unless it was her sisters, who she would often shout at and then run away from. She was the very image of polite, if nothing else. She had the perfect manners, the quiet temperament and she could never really step out of line. Lexi was too scared of the consequences and upsetting the people around her; even those she owed nothing to. It was probably why she enjoyed her life more so now than in the past. Now, she could act like a silly little thing with Denny and not have to worry about being judged in social circles. Plus, she had good friends who hadn’t grown up in that world, who didn’t care about the same materialistic things that her sisters did. It had taken far too long to achieve all of that, but finally Lexi was finding a place for herself far away from the socialite community she secretly loathed.

“Yeah, I don’t really think injuring people on my first trip here would exactly make a good impression.”

[/color] She winced at the idea and then smiled as she absently turned closer to Denver as they moved. Lexi actually liked that he was so modest when she thought him to be incredible. It was infuriating, in a good way, that he rolled his eyes and acted like she was talking crazy talk, but it really made Lexi fall a little harder for the aspiring doctor. He already had her heart, and Lexi was crazy about him even if he couldn’t see why. Laughing and squirming away from his grabs, she shot him a playful glare and then stood a little straighter, holding her head high and faking a pride she never really held. “I’m hilarious. It’s why you put up with me.”[/color] She teased, unable to bite back the grin that took over her face in the next second. His words brought that pink blush to her cheeks and she cast her eyes downwards slightly before the hue deepened to a darker shade. The petite brunette could hardly believe that Denver still had this effect on her, but she didn’t mind it so much, instead turning her head into his shoulder for a second and pressing a quick kiss to his arm as she hid the blush from the rest of the airport crowd.

As they stepped off the final plane, Lexi felt the butterflies spring to life once again. She wanted this trip to go well and she just hoped that his family thought she was good enough for their son and brother. Sticking close to Denny’s side until he found Sarah, the tiny New Yorker took a few deep breaths to compose herself, silently reminding herself that she was being silly for worrying so much. Her lips twitched into a warm smile as she watched brother and sister exchange greeting before Denver introduced her. Grinning, she hugged the girl back, feeling herself relaxing ever so slightly. “You too, Sarah, but I’d ignore everything he’s told you; he’s prone to exaggeration.”[/color] She joked before glancing back up at her boyfriend with another soft smile. Letting out a small chuckle at their shared banter, she fixed Denver with a confused look and then rolled her eyes playfully. “Why would I tell her off when she’s the one with all the dirt on you?”[/color] She shook her head as though her ought to know better and then turned back to Sarah while he fetched their bags from the carousel. They chatted a little more and Lexi felt the butterflies retreat for the time being. Sarah was just like she had imagined from all of Denny’s stories and she already felt like she knew the girl just a little bit, which made the exchange easier as they all moved to the car. Climbing into the seat, the curious historian already had her big brown eyes fixed on everything surrounding them. They might not have pulled out of the lot, but already she wanted to see everything with her own eyes. “You never told me you were so mean to your little sister. You said you were the perfect big brother.”[/color] Lexi teased, winking at Sarah before reaching back to grab playfully at his knee. This light humour helped keep her nerves at bay and she was having a little too much fun “ganging up” on Denver, though she had a feeling she’d pay for it later!
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• • •

TAGGED! Denny!
WORDS! 885!
OUTFIT! Airport Cutie!
LYRICS! Terrified - - - Katharine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Denver Gage Sawyer]

It was good to be home again. It had been too long since Denver set foot on Canadian soil. He couldn’t quite say he missed home, but he definitely missed his family. It brought back so many memories being back in Newfoundland alone, he could only imagine what would happen once he was back in Corner Brook. He knew his accent would become thicker, that was a given, but he hoped Lexi would still be able to understand him. It always seemed that way; the people who live and come back for a visit always seem to get a super thick accent. He’d noticed that before on his previous trips. More than anything though, Denny was worried Lexi wouldn’t enjoy herself. He knew she said she was looking forward to the trip, meeting Sarah and his mother but he still worried that something would happen or be said and she would want to be on the first flight back out of the country. Sarah already adored his girlfriend though, so at least he knew his baby sister would be trying everything to make Lexi feel welcome.

“You’ll be fine, even if you happen to hit someone over the head with something,” he said, grinning. He couldn’t actually imagine Lexi being that bad at anything but he also found her unnervingly adorable. She could drop a two ton anvil on his head and after he woke up, he wouldn’t be able to blame her at all. “There is that but I put up with you because I love you,” he said, putting it out there. He had plans of making some grand romantic gesture but they weren’t entirely that couple and saying it on the sly seemed more like something he would do; which was exactly why he did it. He could watch her reaction as she realised what he’d just confessed. Granted he probably should have said something after the trip was said and done in case she didn’t feel the same way about him but if she didn’t at least enjoy his company, she wouldn’t have agreed to the trip in the first place.

Denny didn’t know what Sarah would say to Lexi but he knew she wouldn’t say anything that would have him chasing her down in the street. “Yes, he is. I’m glad I’m not the only one who sees that now,” Sarah said, ignoring her brother’s eye roll. ”He’s just afraid I’ll spill all his dirty little secrets,” Sarah said before Denny could open his mouth. ”He can’t quite seem to figure out I’m a loyal sister. I need cash upfront before I spill those stories,” she added, joking. Truth was, Sarah couldn’t give up any little secrets her brother might have been keeping from his girlfriend; at least not on purpose. She relied too much on him to ruin the close relationship she shared with her big brother. “I am the perfect big brother. A little light teasing, a lot of brotherly advice and I play bodyguard when I’m around and she asks. What more could she ask for?” Denny asked, chuckling. He took a second to squeeze Lexi’s hand, hoping to dispel some of the nerves he knew she must have been feeling as his sister started the engine and pulled away from the airport.

He added his two cents in during Sarah’s guided drive into Corner Brook. “Hey, stop at the old man, would you? I want to show Lexi, see if she can spot him,” Denny said when they reached the sign saying his hometown was only a few kilometres away from them now. Just past city limits was the small parking area Denver was referring to. It had a beautiful view and the Man in the Mountain. It was almost like a rite of passage for newcomers to see the Man and find him on their own. Lexi would get some help of course, but not until she searched for herself and came up with nothing. Of course, Denny thought Lexi was smarter than that, so she would easily find the Man. After a few more minutes driving, Sarah pulled down the road, out of the way they needed to go and pulled into the parking area, cutting the engine and getting out stretching her own legs. Denny jumped out the back and waited on Lexi’s side to walk around with her. “We can’t go any further until you’ve found him,” he said as seriously as he could but Sarah scoff and eye roll pretty much ruined that for him.

Tag || Lexi!
Words || 759
Clothes || Canadian Cutie
Music || Better Together -- Ross Lynch
Notes || <3!

[Lexi Piper Ryanne]

Lexi had managed to block out most of her worries by now. A few still snuck through with moments of “what if…”, but now that she was in Denver’s company she felt as though she could relax a little bit more. She knew that she could worry too much at times and fret over the things that might never happen, but as much as she would like a button to shut them all off, there just wasn’t one. At least now she wasn’t as terrifyingly nervous as she had been the night before when she was alone in the Ryanne kitchen. Seeing Denver happy automatically brought a smile to her face, regardless of how her day had been or what might have gone wrong. She knew the bundle of nerves in the pit of her stomach would vanish soon enough, but until then she just hoped that she didn’t do or say anything that would have Denny’s family wondering what on earth he was doing with her.

Laughing quietly, Lexi just managed to shake her head. “If we keep saying it, it’ll happen.”

[/color] She warned teasingly. She wasn’t clumsy by nature, but whenever her nerves got the better of her or she felt as though the pressure was on, she did have a history of making little mistakes, tripping up or dropping things and turning herself into a stammering mess. It had been a while since anything like that had actually happened, so she just had her fingers crossed that fate wouldn’t choose this trip to balance things out. Lexi froze for a fraction of a moment, her mind double checking that she had heard him right, that he had said those words. Once she was sure, her lips twitched upwards, the warmth of a blush flooded her cheeks and she pushed herself up to steal a sweet kiss from him. “I love you, too.”[/color] She whispered honestly, still wearing her happy little smile. She loved that he had caught her off guard with the confession, keeping her on her toes, as always. She had felt it for a little while now, but had never known when to say it, always afraid that she’d screw it up or ruin something.

She had to bite back at her laughter as Sarah spoke and Denny rolled his eyes. She had an inkling she that might get along with his little sister, judging by the chatter that had taken place so far. Lexi never had anything like that with her sisters. They all spent far too much time bickering over something or the other, or sticking their noses into other people’s lives. The only “light banter” they knew came in the form of snappy criticisms and dredging up old mistakes. Obviously, she didn’t really plan on using Sarah to try and find any little stories or secrets out about Denny, but that didn’t stop her from teasing him about it. “Ah, well, when he’s a little busier we’ll sit down and talk costs.”[/color] She joked, running with the joke to try and settle her nerves a little. She turned her head to look back at her boyfriend and then shrugged her shoulders before fixing him with a little smile and a look in her dark eyes. “Shoes?”[/color] She suggested teasingly, knowing her bag already had too many pairs tucked in it. She had a hard time choosing and in the end threw a variety in, using the excuse that if she didn’t pack them then they’d be the ones that she’d want to wear.

Lexi climbed out of the car and took a moment to admire the view. She was like her father when it came to travelling and seeing new things; she’d rather go sightseeing and on the tours than spend all of her time either by the pool or shopping. “Oh, so no pressure then?”[/color] She said sarcastically, rolling her own eyes and then brushing the hair from her eyes so she could see a little more clearly. She did have an eye for the details, but it took her a few moments of scanning the view in front of her before she squinted, and habitually pushed herself up onto her toes. She didn’t know why she did that, but Lexi always went up on her toes when something caught her eye, as though her petite height stole something away from the view. “Is that him?”[/color] She asked hesitantly, pointing where her eyes were fixed, though they might have been playing tricks on her.
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• • •

TAGGED! Denny!
WORDS! 785!
OUTFIT! Airport Cutie!
LYRICS! Terrified - - - Katharine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Denver Gage Sawyer]

He knew Lexi was nervous about going home with him. His own nerves had been jumping when he’d first met her parents. He knew things were different when it was her parents he was meeting. She wasn’t just her father’s little girl, she was the baby of the family, and he was there basically taking her away from them. That was hardly the case since Denver was big on family, but he knew it probably looked that way to them, especially her father. There were a couple differences this time around. It was his parents and sister and his mother was usually more than happy to pimp her son out to anyone who was single and all because “he’s a doctor”; almost. He could tell her all the things she told him but it really wouldn’t do any good until the initial meetings were through. “Then it happens and we deal with it,” he said with a casual shrug. He knew this was just some silly what if situation to shed the nerves but he also hadn’t planned anything that would lead to that.

At first, Denver wasn’t sure if he’d read the signs right or wrong. He had a few moments of rushing down the wrong side of what if. What if Lexi enjoyed spending time with him but didn’t feel the same way. What if this and what if that. After a second, Denny dismissed them all though, because he knew Lexi. She wouldn’t have agreed to go with him to his home, meet his parents and his sister if she wasn’t at least close to sharing the same feelings as him. He could deal with if she wasn’t there yet; he loved her, enjoyed her company and wanted to spend time with her. In fact, she was the first girlfriend he had since he’d started dating that he actually wanted to bring home to meet his parents and Sarah. They’d only ever met his previous partners purely by accident or just being there at the same time and not because he’d really wanted them to know. Lexi was different though. Lexi was the first woman outside of his family to hear those three words pass his lips and mean it. Too much could go through a man’s mind in a matter of seconds. Relief flooded through the children’s doctor with the kiss and more as he heard Lexi whisper those same words to him. “That is very, very good news,” he said between light, happy kisses.

Denny had missed Sarah too much. He knew though, that she was going to be graduating high school soon and was already looking at school in and around New York. Since he’d moved to the city for school, Sarah had wanted to go, too. Big brother didn’t mind, but mom and dad were a different story. They already lost one child to the big apple, they were a little nervous about sending the other there, too. But no one was going to worry about any of that on this trip. This was a fun trip full of light banter, playful fights and his mother asking too many questions of Lexi. ”I’ll send ‘im for ice cream when we get ‘ome,” Sarah said grinning wickedly. ”’E’ll need ta go out anyway since ma didn’t get the chance to pick up the Screech,” Sarah added a little louder so Denny would be able to hear that part clearly. To which Denver sighed loudly, shook his head and muttered something about his mother losing her head. He was glad that Lexi and Sarah were getting along though. That was what he was most worried about. But Sarah, bless her heart, was too much like Denny, who was too much like his own parents. So if Lexi got along well enough with Denny and they knew she did, it wasn’t a stretch that she would get along with the teenager as well. “Don’t be givin’ ‘er ideas! She doesn’t need the ‘elp,” Denver said laughing.

Running up to this small area when they were all kids was like a rite of passage. Everyone had been to see the Man in the Mountain. They used to tease each other if it took more than a couple tries find the Man. Denver had never had any troubles finding him, even on a quick glance up, his eyes always seemed to find the old Native Chief with the feather in his hair looking down at him. The forest above and around had always made Denny feel welcome as well; it was just so peaceful and he wanted to show Lexi those areas while they were in Corner Brook. “None at all!” he said, smiling. “It took that one nearly an ‘alf ‘our ta find ‘im” Denny added, throwing his arm around his sister’s shoulders. The moment, they pulled into the little lot, Denver had spotted the Man. His eyes were always drawn to him, so when Lexi asked if that was him, he knew she had found the wise old man with that feather and the cracks and lines of a good long life given to him by the natural breaks in the mountainside. “Look at dat. You’ve found ‘im on your first try,” he said, leaving his sister side to pick Lexi up off her feet and spin her around like she’d found buried treasure. He kissed the tip of her nose playfully before setting her on her feet again. ”Congrats, Lexi. But my brother’s a liar,” Sarah said on a huff of air as she got back behind the wheel. ”It only took me fifteen minutes,” she finished grinning. Denny jumped back into the back of the Jeep, sitting in the middle, between his two girls and leaned back as they started back into the city he grew up in.

Tag || Lexi!
Words || 974
Clothes || Canadian Cutie
Music || Better Together -- Ross Lynch
Notes || <3!

[Lexi Piper Ryanne]

Despite her nerves threatening to get the best of her, Lexi was excited to meet the people Denver spoke so much about. She had heard his stories, seen some of the memories scattered around his apartment, but this would make them all so much more real. She liked using her imagination to put together the stories in her mind as Denny told them and this trip would help her see it all, and see more of his life. He had already won over her parents, even her father despite the older man playing it cool. Heath Ryanne was reluctant to let his baby go, despite her living barely half an hour away from the family home. He had even tried to buy her with a trip to Florence for the following weekend, but Lexi had just rolled her eyes, called him silly and gave him a hug before promising to re-organise his study once she was back in New York. Heath did like Denver, had even told Lexi as such, but he would play the protective and doting father long after any of his daughters needed him to, especially for Lexi, who was the only one who affectionately let him do it anymore! Now it was her turn to make a good impression. “And then I run away, right?”

[/color] She joked, sporting a huge grin as she bumped her shoulder into his playfully. These little ‘what if’ games sometimes helped her relax, but at other times they tied her stomach in knots.

Denver was the first man Lexi had felt comfortable to be herself around. He was the first to sweep her off her feet and steal her heart from her. The little historian was a romantic by nature, always hoping, but Den came along and replaced all of those hopes with a fantastic reality that she hadn’t even been able to imagine. He made her feel shy and yet confident, intelligent and yet silly…Lexi had never felt like this before. Guys in the past had come into her life through the world of high society and fancy events; none of it had been real. She had fallen for it once and had her heart broken, but none of that mattered anymore and the feelings she had thought were strong back then were practically microscopic compared to how Denny made her feel just by being there. She had already shown him bits of her life that she kept from other people and he was the only person she had felt comfortable showing those things too, even if they seemed small; like the rooftop garden, or silly stories about her youth. Giggling, Lexi bit her lip to control her happy laughter. “Loving you is probably easier than having to fly back to New York right when we’ve just landed here. Plus I’d have to explain that.”[/color] She joked, unable to hide her blissful little grin as she brought her hands to rest on his chest for a second, shifting her gaze to meet his devotedly. “No, but I really do.”[/color] She felt the pink blush flood her face and she laughed happily again, claiming one final light kiss.

Lexi had already seen how much Sarah meant to her big brother, but seeing them reunited really only emphasised that. She was close with her sisters, but it was nothing like this and she couldn’t help but smile at their light banter from the moment they had arrived. She just hoped that this good start lasted throughout the trip, more for Denver than for herself. She didn’t want to be the reason there was friction or awkward moments or anything at all that could be possibly bad. So far, she had kept on top of her nerves, felt relaxed and enjoyed the short time in a new place. Fingers crossed, it stayed that way! Plastering on her best innocent expression, Lexi turned to Denver with wide brown eyes and a figurative halo in place. “Ideas? I don’t know what you’re talking about, Den.”[/color] She played the innocent card like her life depended on it, giving Sarah a subtle wink and grin once she turned away again.

She had to laugh as Denny spun her around and she clung to his shoulders. Lexi knew better than to think he’d drop her, but it was instinct to hold on. Giving him a quick hug once her feet had something solid underneath them, she glanced back out at the Man. “I’m glad. I was going to blame my terrible eyesight and give you my best sad look next.”[/color] She teased, exaggerating just a little. She would have looked a little longer if she had been mistaken. Besides, her eyesight wasn’t that bad; she could get around without her lenses or glasses, but only if she was inside and not trying to do anything too productive. Her morning routine she could manage easily enough, along with finding her way around. It was the more detailed tasks that had her squinting unnecessarily when her frames were usually somewhere nearby. “It’s that exaggeration thing again. We should probably think about getting it looked at.”[/color] Lexi joked with Sarah. As they moved through Denny’s childhood city, Lexi’s eyes travelled across the view more than anything. She kept her nerves at bay by repeatedly tracing her fingernails over the bottom petals of her thigh piece. It was another habit she didn’t realise she had until she caught herself doing it.
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• • •

TAGGED! Denny!
WORDS! 915!
OUTFIT! Airport Cutie!
LYRICS! Terrified - - - Katharine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Denver Gage Sawyer]

Denver was just happy to be back home with his family and with Lexi. He wanted so badly for her to get along with the Sawyer clan. With Sarah thinking about attending college in New York, it wouldn’t be too long before she was taking up the spare room in a more permanent basis. If at least the pair of them didn’t get along, Denver really didn’t know what he would do. He loved Lexi. And his sister meant the world to him. But he knew without a doubt that his family would love Lexi as much as he did. Denny figured at most, it was going to be difficult to get her alone for more than thirty seconds because the women in his family were going to bombard his girlfriend with questions until she screamed. “Exactly,” he said, grinning. “I know a great little cave in da woods just outside town. No one’s goin’ ta find you dere.” There were small little caves dotting the mountains but they were barely big enough to get cover from a torrential downpour, never mind living in.

Denny knew he didn’t have a lot to give to Lexi. He wasn’t a part of her high society world, he didn’t have the options to just jet off to Paris for a weekend or wherever. But that also gave him an advantage. Because he didn’t have the money to blow on fantastical surprise trips or overpriced fancy restaurants, he’d had to come up with creative date ideas. A picnic on the roof of his building with candles everywhere, flowers and a home cooked meal were far more romantic than some fancy restaurant with white table cloths and a single small candle. Loud, fun laughter, flirty tones and playful gestures were much better than hushed tones and some sort of secret game of footsies because there wasn’t enough room on the small bistro table to touch fingertips, let alone have plates and glasses. “So glad sharin’ my affection is easier dan bookin’ a flight ‘ome. Tanks, Lex,” Den said dryly with a big, happy grin on his face. He probably looked like a huge idiot with that grin on his face but he could hardly be bothered with how people perceived him in that moment.

Denny had only had the pleasure of meeting Lexi’s family, he hadn’t gotten the chance to really see how they all interacted with each other but he did know that they all cared for one another and would, like him, take care of their own. Even so many miles away from home, Sarah came first for Denver. Even when they were old and grey, he would still be looking out for her. “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re not nearly as innocent as dat ‘alo of yours suggests.” Denny didn’t think any serious damage could be to his reputation with the pair of them together. There would be teasing, tormenting and pestering, he was well aware and ready for that. He didn’t think his mom would say anything to have her only son hanging his head, but his sister was another story. She was always looking for a way to get a rise from him.

Denny shrugged as though he didn’t much care. “I wouldn’t ‘ave ‘elped you. Sarah might ‘ave after you went over ‘er time,” he said, teasing. Denny always thought the man in the mountain was an easy one to find in there. Of course, he spent a lot of time around this particular mountain and the forest surrounding it as a kid. ”I’ve called da doctors about it. Dey only say ta tell ‘im dey said ‘i da next time we talk,” Sarah said with a heavy sigh. The drive back to the house seemed so much quicker than it usually did and within twenty minutes, Sarah was pulling the Jeep into the driveway of the fair sized two story home. ”Lexi, Dude I don’t know, welcome ‘ome,” Sarah said, cutting the engine and hopping out. Denver crawled out of the backseat, gathered the bags and moved around to Lexi’s side. “So, what do you tink?” he asked just as the front door opened and a woman a few inches shorter than Sarah stepped out with a dish cloth in her hands and a smile on her face. She tossed the cloth to the rail and ran out into the drive to wrap her arms around her son. “’Ey mom,” Denny said, trying to wrap at least one of his arms around the older woman though the bags did make it difficult. “Mom,” Denny said again, trying to step back. “Dis is Lexi. Lexi, my mom, Meg,” Denny said, taking an overdramatic deep breath when his mother let go of him and clung to Lexi; like mother, like daughter in that aspect.

”It’s lovely ta meet you, love. Denny’s told us so much of you,” Meg said, taking a step back from the pretty New Yorker but kept her hands on Lexi’s shoulders. ”Oh, look at you. Pretty as a picture, you are. Just cute as a button, love. Come in, I’ve tea on already so go in and make yourselves at ‘ome, unpack and all,” Meg said, linking her arm through Lexi’s and led them into the house with the siblings rolling their eyes at each other. Denny was just impressed his mother let Lexi go after only a quick rant that was supposed to be a verbal tour. She promised to give a proper tour but Denny shook his head at his mother before she went back to the kitchen, dragging Sarah with her to “help”. Chuckling at the mess of the pair, Denny led Lexi upstairs and down the hall to his old bedroom, which was kept mostly intact as a spare room. “And ‘ere we are,” Denny said, using his free hand to turn the knob and letting Lexi step in first. Stepping in after her, he lightly kicked the door shut and set the bags on the end of the bed. “I would apologise for me mom and probably me dad whenever ‘e finds ‘is way ‘ome but I tink I’ll wait until we’re leavin’,” he joked, running his fingers through his hair.

Tag || Lexi!
Words || 1 044
Clothes || Canadian Cutie
Music || Better Together -- Ross Lynch
Notes || <3!

[Lexi Piper Ryanne]

Lexi could handle questions, even repeated ones. She was used to that thanks to the galas and the dinners she attended with her parents. It wasn’t the prospect of an interrogation that had her nerves in knots. Lexi wouldn’t say anything out loud, but she was worried that Denver’s family wouldn’t think her good enough for their son and brother. She didn’t have any grand plan for her future, didn’t have many interesting stories to tell and she didn’t want to come across as some spoilt New York society princess who had more money than sense. She just hoped that her love for Denver, and her general personality could do the job without causing too many raised eyebrows. If she could get through that then she would be fine with everything else. It wasn’t even herself she was worried about on that front, but the idea that Denver’s family might think he had made some big mistake in falling in love with her. Lexi, while easily emotional, could put on a brave front and she could handle the criticism at herself, just not at the people she cared so dearly for. “So long as you come and visit me.”

[/color] She joked, nudging him with her elbow and grinning playfully.

Lexi had said countless times throughout her life that she didn’t care about the money and she meant it. Of course, it was nice to be able to buy things or replace broken objects without having to budget for other necessities each month, but Lexi donated a large portion of her trust fund to the facility that helped her when she was at her lowest, along with several other charities. She didn’t boast about that or really care about what anyone else did with their money. Lexi longed for the treasures that money couldn’t buy, like love and general happiness. She had those things with Denver and she didn’t need the fancy restaurants or expensive date nights from him. She was constantly surprised and impressed with all the little things he came up with and it had been that way since the day they met. Lexi felt like the luckiest girl in the world, even when it was only a text message in the morning. Denver just had that effect on her. Laughing loudly, she didn’t care if people turned to look at them, she had never been happier. “You're very welcome.”[/color] She managed to splutter out between fitful giggles. She felt giddy in that moment and if they weren’t in an airport she would probably have jumped on his back or done something equally as silly.

“Ah, that depends on who you ask.”[/color] Lexi grinned, glancing back at Denver. She was more mischievous than troublesome, but only certain people would know that. Her sisters, Denver and probably a few of her closest friends might agree with her halo being rusty, but to most other people she could play the part of the little angel extremely well. She had a feeling already that her little impish side might shine through on this trip, if only to tease and torment Denny a little more. Something told her that there would just be too many perfect opportunities for her to pass on them all.

Laughing for a moment, Lexi quickly put in place an expression of shock and dismay. “I come all this way for you and yet you act so cruel…”[/color] The laughter quickly returned and she couldn’t deny that she was enjoying herself so far. She was enjoying the views since leaving the airport, the company of Sarah who seemed to help ease Lexi’s nerves without really trying. She let out a small laugh as the car came to a final stop and Sarah welcomed her to the family home. “Thanks, Sarah.”[/color] Climbing out, Lexi glanced up at the house and then turned to face her boyfriend. “I think it’s perfect. Will we be able to go for a walk a little later?”[/color] She really wanted to see Denver’s childhood neighbourhood and hear some of his stories, not to mention her body would appreciate the exercise after spending most of the day so far being seated.

Lexi was already smiling at Meg’s greeting before she found herself enveloped in a welcoming hug. She had to admit that she was thankful that she had grown used to Denver’s accent before this trip or she would have felt terrible right now! “It’s great to meet you, too. Denver’s forever talking about you all, I’m just sorry you’ve had to hear nonsense about me in return.”[/color] She said, wrinkling her nose and letting out a small chuckle. She could never imagine that there was anything interesting to say about her life. Meg’s warm welcome unravelled most of her tangled nerves though and Lexi felt the relief washing over her. She knew her anxiety had no real reason to be there that morning, but at least now she felt more confident about this trip and getting along with the important people in Denver’s life.

Upstairs, Lexi followed Denver down the hall and grinned once they were inside his room. “It’s fine.”[/color] Lexi fiddled with the zip of her bag, more curious as to what she had packed now than actually needing anything from it. Colours and fabrics threatened to explode from the case the second she tugged on the zipper. “Besides, I’ve never actually…properly met anyone’s parents and family before, so…I might be the one having to apologise before this is over.”[/color] She hoped she was joking about the apology part, but the rest was true and brought a very faint blush to her cheeks. It was just another indication of how much Denver meant to her really. In the past she had already been acquainted with the parents of her boyfriends and even then it was never anything more than polite conversations in passing. Lexi had never gone to their homes and spent nights there or vacationed with them. “I just love this place so far, Denny. I can’t wait to see more.”[/color] She added, smiling up at him and pushing herself up on her toes to press a light kiss to his lips.
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• • •

TAGGED! Denny!
WORDS! 1,052!
OUTFIT! Airport Cutie!
LYRICS! Terrified - - - Katharine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Denver Gage Sawyer]

“I will. I’ll bring you food and things,” he teased, pulling Lexi against his side for just a second and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. Denver knew this trip wouldn’t be easy for Lexi. But his parents wouldn’t see money or attitude; they would just see the pretty brunette that had captured their son’s heart. And she would capture their hearts just as quickly and completely; she had already Sarah on her side. And he had thought getting Sarah on her side would be the hardest part of this trip. Turns out he was quite happily wrong about that, though he should have known that would be the easiest part of the trip. Sarah couldn’t stop gushing about meeting Lexi since Denny had brought it up during one of their Skype conversations. “Devil woman,” He muttered, stealing a kiss from his giggling girlfriend.

Denver had never had tons of money and it had never interested him in having any. He simply wanted to be comfortable and happy. He wanted to be able to surprise Lexi with a special date night, tickets for a surprise vacation, pretty earrings or something that reminded him of her. He loved seeing the look in her eyes when she opened that gift he’d gotten her for her graduation and he wanted to see that again. “I’m not getting’ out of dis trip unscathed,” Denny said, running his fingers through his hair as though he were defeated already. “You and Sarah are goin’ ta be da death of me,” he added, grinning because he couldn’t find a reason not to be amused by the prospect. Two of his favourite girls together, it was probably going to be a nightmare for him but at least they would have fun and Lexi would be okay.

It was good to be back at home. Denver hadn’t realised how much he really missed the big old house. “Of course,” Denny said, smiling. “We could probably go for one before any food’s ready. Ma probably doesn't even 'ave anytin' tought of for dinner so it could be a while,” Denny joked. His mother wouldn’t want to start any meals until she knew for sure they were there. So now that they were really there, she would run in the house and put something together for the weary travellers. ”Not at all. Denny ‘asn’t stopped gushin’ about you. And all good tings, I promise,”

[/i] Meg said smiling at the pretty brunette that had clearly stolen her son’s heart. She had always been good at reading her children, her only regret was not having more of them but the two she did have, she could read like a book. And if her son hadn’t already spilled his guts to Lexi about his feelings, she would put money on it that he would soon.

Denver left his bags where they were to be forgotten for the time being. His intentions for running upstairs were to unpack and give Lexi however much time she needed after having to deal with the crazy hugger that was his family. They were an affectionate group, more so when they hadn’t seen one part of the family in so long. Denny knew by the time they left, he would have to promise to visit more often. Smiling, Denver came up behind Lexi and wrapped his arms around her waist while dropping his head to her shoulder. “Dere is notin’ ta apologise for. Believe me, dey already adore you,” He said, reassuring Lexi. He tightened his hold around her waist as he pressed a light kiss to her shoulder. “I’m glad you like it. Dere’s plenty ta keep us busy wit’,” Denny said smiling against Lexi’s lips as he wrapped his arms around her waist again and lifting her up, hoping to make her laugh.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

Tag || Lexi!
Words || 637
Clothes || Canadian Cutie
Music || Better Together -- Ross Lynch
Notes || <3![/size]

[Lexi Piper Ryanne]

Lexi adored what she had with Denver and would do whatever it took to keep him in her life. She loved their silly conversations about scenarios that would probably never happen, the way he’d just kiss the top of her head when they were together, and the playful moments they shared on their date nights. The little things kept the happy smile on her lips and made her heart beat that tiny bit faster. She’d probably forever tell him off for buying her gifts, telling him that he didn’t need to buy her anything, but she’d probably always have that loving smile on her face while she did it. Laughing, she turned her head just enough to grin back at him. “Are you only just realising that now?”

[/color] She teased, flicking her hair out of her eyes and grinning. “Maybe a mild heart attack; death seems too extreme.”[/color] Lexi was feeling much more at ease now and the playful side that Denver always managed to bring out of her was making its appearance. She had a feeling already that she’d be playing a part in teasing him during their time with his family, but a small part of her was looking forward to seeing just how crazy it could get before she had to laugh and try to calm him down.

Grinning, she adjusted slight twist in her shirt and then glanced back around at the house standing before them. “I think that could be a good thing. I’m still full from the airport.”[/color] and probably the coffee she had practically inhaled since the night before. Travelling often curbed her appetite for a few hours and the last thing she wanted was to appear and then seem like she was turning her nose up at a lovely meal. Lexi just needed an hour or so to settle. A warm blush danced on Lexi’s cheeks at the thought of Denny gushing about her to his family. She didn’t think there was anything all that special to tell about herself! “Thank you for letting me stay here. I was scared I would intrude on any plans you might’ve had for him.”[/color] Lexi said with a small smile. She loved hearing Denny’s stories about Corner Brook and now she was even happier to be meeting the family he spoke so dearly of.

She was a little bit thankful for the short time alone with the handsome doctor, just to get herself a little more relaxed. It felt like they hadn’t really stopped all day with the flights, check ins and everything else. Lexi was keen to chat more with his family, but a little bit of time to unwind would be nice, too. Smiling and leaning back against Denny’s chest, she wrapped her arms over his and chuckled softly. “I hope so because I kind of want to keep you.”[/color] She said playfully. She honestly couldn’t wait to see more and the history buff that she was already had begun stockpiling questions – and she had only been in the car so far! Giggling as he picked her up, Lexi instinctively tangled her limbs around him for extra support and stole another sweet kiss. “I love you.”[/color] She whispered just because she could. Part of her felt as though that giddy, cloud nine moment had been a dream, but she knew better. Claiming one more kiss, she moved to disentangle herself from her boyfriend. “Okay, I’m trying to make a good impression so I need to not go downstairs looking like I want to jump you.”[/color] She laughed, only half joking. She could keep herself in check most of the time, but she would be blatantly lying if she said Denny didn’t have an effect on her. Moving her gaze back to her luggage, Lexi began to mooch through the materials, trying to remember exactly what she had brought with her, only knowing for certain that she had definitely over-packed!
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• • •

TAGGED! Denny!
WORDS! 663!
OUTFIT! Airport Cutie!
LYRICS! Terrified - - - Katharine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Denver Gage Sawyer]

“Karma, love, will get your every time. And payback is going to be so much fun,” Denver said, wiggling his brows suggestively. He loved what he shared with Lexi. She completely brightened his mood just by walking through the door. There were days at the hospital that Denny just wanted over and done with because he just couldn’t cope with it any longer. It was the downside to working with kids so sick. He wanted to help but every day just couldn’t be a good day. Those days when he was able to leave the hospital all he wanted was to relax with Lexi, maybe over dinner if it wasn’t too late or a quiet walk through the park. “Oh, just a heart attack, that’s sweet of you,” He said, giving Lexi a flat look. He liked that Lexi was relaxing though. He’d been fearful that she would spend their trip stiff and worried to put her foot in it somehow. That could never be the case with his family, they were so welcoming that it was difficult not to loosen up and be yourself around them. They made it so easy.

Denny grinned, shaking his head. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it, love. Tea isn’t even close to being ready yet. Ma only says that to make it seem like she hadn’t been cleaning all day and waiting around for us,” he said, unable to hold back the chuckle any longer. As much as he loved his mom, she was terrible when it came to keeping track of the time. And he knew she would have spent the entire day cleaning house and making sure things to in their proper places to impress Lexi. His mom, bless her heart, didn’t care what people thought of her because she kept herself and her home well kept. But that also didn’t stop her from wanting to impress the pretty brunette her son couldn’t stop talking about. Meg laughed warmly, shaking her head. “No plans, I promise. We’re more da fly by da seat kind of family when it comes ta plans. But now dere’s a definitely shopping trip in our future,” Meg said, wiggling her brows because really, what woman didn’t at least like to hear the words shopping and trip in the same sentence.

As much as Denver loved being around his family, he was too happy to be leaving them on the main floor of his childhood home. He didn’t want to overwhelm Lexi within the first few minutes of them leaving the car. [color=25a99b“Well, look at that, I feel the same way,”

[/color] he teased, chuckling. Denny wanted to show Lexi all over Corner Brook and a little bit of the surrounding area. There was so much to see, even though quite a bit of the area was forest and rock. Grinning, Denver leaned in to steal a kiss. “I’m never going to get bored of hearing that. I love you, too,” he said between light kisses. Just hearing those three little words from Lexi sent his heart racing happily. He hadn’t known someone could become so important to a person so quickly, but Lexi wiggled her way in with that sharp mind and stunning smile, and found a quickly growing spot in his heart to make herself quite at home. “That makes two of us,” Denny chuckled, running his hand through his hair. Too bad she was the only one of them that could hide anything from his mother. She could read her children like a damn book and probably already knew how much of an effect the Pretty New Yorker had on him. “Better unpack then, I guess,” he sighed, grabbing his own bags and moving across the room to the dresser and closet both of which had been emptied out slowly when Denny moved to New York. “It’s a fair sized closet with plenty of space for your shoes and I’ll only need a couple drawers for what I brought. You’ll probably need one just for the things you’ll buy,” he teased, looking over at her with a cheeky grin.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify]

Tag || Lexi!
Words || 685
Clothes || Canadian Cutie
Music || Better Together -- Ross Lynch
Notes || <3![/size]

[Lexi Piper Ryanne]

Lexi tried to pulled a shocked face and feign terror, but her laughter got the better of her. “Oh, I’m sure it will be worth it.”

[/color] Responding with a grin and a twinkle in her dark eyes, Lexi stuck her tongue out at Denny before turning her attention away again. She could only imagine the kind of revenge her boyfriend would pull on her once this trip was through. It was inevitable that Denver would find some way to get back at her for teasing and tormenting him, but it only encouraged a more mischievous side of her. She had joked a while back that she would one day find a way to embarrass him and render him stumbling for words and she had meant it. Lexi would never do anything to really hurt him or cross a line, but it would still be funny to see if she could turn the tables and get the upper hand on him for a change; he could bring that crimson blush to her cheeks far too easily. “A mild one.”[/color] She reminded, still rolling with the silly comment she had said moments before.

Looking back at Denver’s childhood home, Lexi’s eyes travelled across the details and the extra touches that made a house a home. “She’s missed you.”[/color] She said with a small smile, understanding that his mother had to be excited to see her son again. The house was completely different to the one she had grown up in, but she thought no less of it. In fact, this one looked more lived in and homely, whereas the pristine, polished and perfected Ryanne home often resembled something out of a high end magazine shoot rather than a family home. It was just another part of the lifestyle and it interested Lexi more than anything else. She liked seeing, learning new things and this was an entirely new experience for her, even if it would sound absolutely ridiculous if she confessed it out loud. “Ah, shopping, one of my few talents! Denny teases me if he sees me with a shopping bag when we meet for lunch.”[/color] She joked, stage whispering to Meg as though it was some big secret. Lexi enjoyed shopping, be it a treat for herself or looking for a gift for someone else. It was a common thing for her to show up with some bag in her hand and something new inside it. Most commonly it held shoes or a book that had caught her eye.

Lexi would be antsy and probably on the cusp of jumpy for a little longer. Travelling always did that to her and left her eager to explore and see everything in one go. Give it a bit of time and she’d be fighting to keep her eyes open, but the keen historian had been like that since the days of pigtails and teddy bear tea parties. Grinning, she pressed her lips to his cheek. “I’m glad, because I’m going to keep saying it.”[/color] She taunted lightly. Lexi was an emotional person and for as much as she had bottled up over the years, she did enjoy sharing her feelings, even if it was as embarrassing as crying at a movie, which happened far too often as it was. Grinning, Lexi had to stop herself from behaving devilishly, just to torment the handsome doctor. She was unpacking and sorting through her belongings when he told her about the closet. Narrowing her eyes, she grabbed the first thing within reach and launched it at him, aiming for his chest. Her weapon was only a pair of folded denim shorts, but the gesture was still there. “You’re asking for trouble, Doctor Sawyer.”[/color] She warned flirtatiously, pointing threateningly at him while biting back her grin. She kept her eyes locked on his while she moved to set some of her clothes away in their temporary home, hand poised to toss something else at him if needs be.
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• • •

TAGGED! Denny!
WORDS! 668!
OUTFIT! Airport Cutie!
LYRICS! Terrified - - - Katharine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Denver Gage Sawyer]

It was good to be home again. And with Lexi by his side. Denny didn’t think there was anything to worry about but that didn’t mean something wouldn’t manage to pop up and ruin some plan somewhere. He didn’t have every waking moment planned for them, because he knew his mother and sister and knew they would want Lexi all to themselves for a few hours to politely interrogate her over shoes and clothes. Those were the hours Denny was going to take to be on his own, head over to the cemetery and set some flowers on his father’s grave. He did it every visit because they were so few and far between. Sometimes they landed around his birthday, sometimes it was just a holiday and as good a time as any to pay his respects. But it was one aspect and probably the only one that Denny didn’t want to put Lexi through. As far as she needed to know right now Tony was his dad. At the very least, he was the man who raised Denver, taught him to ride a bike, drive a car, and even helped him study too many times to count. Tony was his dad, but Sam would always be his father. He might not have been old enough to have memories of the man that fathered him, but he still felt love and loss for the man he would never know.

Instead of responding with words, Denver raised a brow to his hairline as if that simple gesture said it all. Denny knew before he’d booked the flights that he was going to be in trouble with Lexi and Sarah spending time together. But it would absolutely be worth it to have two of his favourite girls bonding together; even if it was at his expense. He would deal with that. “Oh, my bad. I must ‘ave missed dat part of it.” He said dully. Denver shook his head at his girlfriend. His ma may have missed him but she wasn’t putting in the effort for him. All of this was for Lexi; the only girl Denny willingly brought home for her to meet. “As true as dat may be, she’s tryin' to impress you.” Denny whispered after leaning down to his girlfriend’s ear. He didn’t want his ma overhearing what he had to say and swatting at him with her tea towel for blowing that none secret wide open.

Meg’s house wasn’t some museum where it was okay to look but the second they stepped outside the designated living areas, they were in hot water. Denny knew of a few parents who had rooms like that. One of the mother’s had a sitting room practically sealed off and no one was allowed to step in there unless it was a holiday or special occasion. She had called it “the blue room” and as innocent as it was, the room had a seriously creepy air about it. “Shoppin' should be an Olympic sport for dis one. She would win da gold for sure!” Denny teased, pulling Lexi closer to his side for just a second while Meg looked on and chuckled. It was definitely going to take a few minutes at least to get used to all his favourite women together and conspiring against him but he would worry about that when they all got quiet whenever he entered a room. It was a telltale sign whenever his family was talking about him or planning something for him, he walked in and they went silent.

But being home was good. Denny missed the old house and Sarah terribly. So much so, he was even secretly hoping she would get accepted to a school in New York and be able to live with him; at least part time. There was still time to plan for that, though and Denny was going to wait it out just in case she decided to stay a little closer to home. Instead of saying something ridiculously cheesy and dramatic, Denny grinned like he’d just won a gold medal and was on top of the world. Denny didn’t know putting away clothes could have so much trouble attached to it. But he laughed at the shorts tossed his way when he caught them and realised what they were. “I don’t ask for it, it usually finds me.” He teased, moving around the room to pull Lexi against him. “And you’ve found me.” He added, being ridiculously cheesy.

Tag || Lexi!
Words || 749
Clothes || Canadian Cutie
Music || Better Together -- Ross Lynch
Notes || <3!

[Lexi Piper Ryanne]

This whole trip was new territory to Lexi. It wasn’t just meeting Denver’s family or experiencing Corner Brook either. She had no clue at all what to expect on this trip. Denver had told stories about places and people and she wanted to experience everything, but she was completely clueless. In her head she had gotten as far as meeting his family and then it all just sort of faded to grey. The unknown did keep her nerves rippling, but Lexi wasn’t about to let them get the better of her. She loved Denny, he knew that now, and no matter what this trip brought with it or how many moments came that had her wishing for the ground to swallow her up, nothing would change that. She just had her fingers crossed that nothing too bad would happen and that they’d be laughing when they were on the flight back to New York and not trying to forget or plan repairs for awkward situations.

So far, everything was going well. The joking obviously helped her calm down a bit, but even so she still felt welcome already. There will still plenty of chances for her to mess things up or say the wrong thing; a thought which continued to linger in the back of her mind. For now things seemed to be going alright. Lexi was so caught up in worrying about making a good impression herself that she didn’t even think that Denver’s family might be trying to wow her, too. Blinking at his whispered admission about his mom, Lexi looked up at him with a puzzled expression. “Why?”

[/color] Lexi asked quietly. She really didn’t understand why Meg might be trying to impress her. The way Lexi saw it, she was the only one who had to earn approval on this little trip.

When she had been younger there hadn’t really been a need for her parents to restrict areas of the house. Her father’s office was off limits, but that was because he worked from there most days and really there was no need to venture down that hallway unless someone was looking for him. The rest of the time, like most teenagers, friends hung out in the bedrooms or in the living room off from the spacious kitchen. She couldn’t recall her parents finding cause to shout at the groups, although there were probably a few boys invited around by her sisters who Heath wished he could throw from the front step. Rolling her eyes at her boyfriend, Lexi let out a sigh, as though she heard it all the time from him. “And yet he never complains when I buy him coffee.”[/color] She teased, lightly elbowing him in the side while he was close enough to do so. She wasn’t as bad as some other Ryanne’s she could name, but Lexi knew that shopping was a common enough hobby that she could be teased for it. And she was!

She could see just how happy Denver was to be back home with his family again and it brought a smile to Lexi’s lips. She could battle through her nerves and any silly mistakes she might make so long as he was happy. She was trying her best to behave and get things put away, but Denver was proving to be a good distraction, as usual. Laughing at his reference to trouble, she sighed contently when he distracted her again, pulling her against him. She looked up at him through her lashes and ran her hands up over his chest and around his shoulders. “Mm. And whatever shall I do with you?” [/color] She replied teasingly, pushing herself up on her toes to claim another sweet kiss. It was near impossible to stay on track whenever Denver was around. That was something she had learnt a while ago, but it was something that hadn’t changed. Lexi was more caught up in him now than she had been at the beginning, and back then he was forever creeping into her thoughts. “You are such a distraction.”[/color] She told him, reluctantly stepping back slightly, remembering that she still had a few bits to unpack.
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• • •

TAGGED! Denny!
WORDS! 701!
OUTFIT! Airport Cutie!
LYRICS! Terrified - - - Katharine McPhee feat. Zachary Levi
NOTES! <3 <3 <3

[Denver Gage Sawyer]

Denver wouldn’t deny it was good to be back home but it was also clear to him that Corner Brook wasn’t really home anymore. He’d made a laugh in New York. He had his friends, his work, Lexi and Duke; in New York. Yes, his mom and dad were here and his sister but Corner Brook would be a place he talked about constantly and visited not frequently enough for anyone’s liking. It was his childhood home, where he had so many fond and not so fond memories but it wasn’t his adult home. At one point, he had thought after college and medical school and his residency, he would go back to Newfoundland and work at the hospital in Corner Brook but after the years it started to seem more like a silly idea and not what Fate had in mind. And then he met Lexi and their meeting just sort of cemented the plans to stay in New York even more without the young doctor even realising it. Corner Brook would always been home, just not his anymore. Smiling down at Lexi, he placed a soft kiss to her temple. “It’s just the way she is. She wants you to feel welcome.” He said with a shrug. He really didn’t know why his mother did what she did, he just knew that she had done so for as long as he could remember.

Denny and Sarah had been lucky growing up that they were only really ever yelled at for missing tea without calling first and tracking mud in through the house. Meg had her rules, but they were fair ones and aside from them and the small list of chores the siblings had shared while they both lived under the same roof, the pair could do as they pleased. And because they’d had all that, they knew what their parents expected from them and they were probably two of the most well behaved kids on the block. “I can use coffee, what am I going to do with a pair of shoes or a dress?” He asked, laughing. The only times he’d stepped foot in what he’d deemed a girl’s store was for Lexi and Sarah and they had been with him when he’d done so! As much as he loved them both, he would not willingly go into one of those store alone; he needed a body guard! He felt like a fish out of water in those shops and shortly after walking through the doors he was ready to leave again once the stares began because he was in there in the first place.

As good as it was to be home, Denny was more concerned with how Lexi was coping with it all. He knew his parents and sister would give them their space, but at the same time they weren’t about to leave them alone for too long. Meg and Sarah only knew what Denver had told them and for them that was far from enough. But while they were alone, he was going to breathe a little easier. “I’ll lock the door and you can do whatever you want.” He whispered mischievously after Lexi pulled away. He was trouble with a wicked grin and an odd accent. Though in Corner Brook, the tables were turned and it was Lexi who had the accent. It was an interesting turn of events. “I am but it’s why you love me.” He teased, kissing a line down her jaw line. There was still plenty to do to settle in for the short time they would be there but Denny was having too much fun keeping Lexi distracted from what still needed to be done.

Tag || Lexi!
Words || 619
Clothes || Canadian Cutie
Music || Better Together -- Ross Lynch
Notes || <3!