A Belle Notte At Home

[Leo Reeves]

"All right! Who's ready for some low grade, sugary cereal while we watch dogs eat spaghetti and meatballs?" Leo laughed as he walked into the living area, complete with a moth bitten couch and a tiny, but working, television with an equally working VCR. Around here, that was close to a miracle. He was carrying a box of something passing as Fruit Loops in one hand and three plastic bowls in his other hand. You see, having a four year old little girl around meant only one thing; Disney was always on the menu. He had to admit, little Faith had done a good job of helping him realize that Disney was actually pretty good entertainment. Although he had to admit, she seemed determined to have him play dress up with her even more after Cinderella...but he was one of those "straighter" gay men, if you would. No sparkly dresses from thrift shops for him.

[Cathy Parker]

"Oh me!" Cathy and Faith said at the same time on thier spot on the couch; a worn out blanket around them. Cathy and Faith both giggled happily at the fact they spoke at the same time and Cathy reached over to give Faith a gentle squeeze and Faith snuggled happily closer to her mother.

"I love you mommy," Faith said with a cute little grin that almost made Cathy's heart explode, "Uncle Leo!" Faith said, patting the spot next to her with her hands, "Sit here!"

"I love you too," Cathy said and smiled at Leo. Faith had seen Leo around so much, she had taken to call him 'Uncle Leo' and sometimes Cathy wondered if Faith knew that he wasn't really her uncle.

[Leo Reeves]

There was something wonderful about a mom and daughter talking at the same time. Honestly, if anyone had asked Leo when he had first met Cathy and Faith, he would have declared that they must have been sisters. They just had that kind of vibe. Certainly not a mother/daughter one. Was that how it was with all teenage mothers or was it just the one he knew? But they were definitely as affectionate as a mother and daughter could get, as the scene before him proved. Those were moments that they were going to remember. These moments would seem so ordinary to an outsider, but to them, they would be treasures, especially once Faith got older.

"Well then, here it is!" he announced as he went over to the spot that Faith claimed for him, unable to stop himself from grinning when she called him uncle. He didn't think he'd ever be called that, honestly. His sister didn't seem to want kids, and his brother was only thirteen. Who knew what plans he had, family-wise. It was nice to hear that. "And I will gladly," he answered, giving Faith a quick hug before handing both mother and daughter their bowls. "And yes, you're more than welcome to switch before I start serving the cereal," he added, laughing as he grabbed his own bowl and handed over the box. After all, ladies first.

[Cathy Parker]

"Thank you," Cathy said as she toke the box and filled a bowl for Faith first, then filled a bowl for herself. She liked moments like this, so simple, so happy. It was almost like when she was a kid and would watch Disney movies with her parents. Of course, now she was parent...a word she sometimes still had trouble saying.

"Ah," Cathy said happily as she toke a bite, "The joys of sugary cereal...bad for you, but too good to resist." She then thought if she could cook, they should've fixed spaghetti; that would be fun, considering that classic scene in the movie. But, the only thing she could cook was pop-tarts.

[Leo Reeves]

Leo chuckled. "Oh, don't I know it," he agreed, beginning to serve himself once the girls were taken care of. He remembered how his little brother used to live off this stuff...now the kid lived off of pizza, according to his parents. Moderation wasn't a word that Vaughn used often, apparently. He had to wonder how his brother was doing for a moment, and then he told himself to call them to answer that question tomorrow. Or maybe once Faith was asleep. There was very little doubt in his mind that she'd end up falling asleep by the time the movie was over.

"Now, on with the show," he announced as he stood up for one more second so he could switch on the TV and VCR. They couldn't have a movie without them, after all. Before long, he was sitting next to Faith again, who was practically trembling with excitement. He chuckled and gave the little girl a hug. She was bound to be begging for a dog by the time this was over and he was going to be willing to laugh at how cute she was inevitably going to be.