Chapter Text
September 25, Arcadia Bay
Joyce stumbled a little as they stepped out of the restaurant. William, chuckling, caught her. “Oh, sorry, darlin’,” she drawled, her voice low and warm. Her accent always strengthened noticeably when she was drunk. It was a source of never-ending amusement for her husband. “I’m so very happy you are there to hold me up in those very strong arms.”
“Why, Mrs. Price,” William smiled at her, “are you objectifying me? Am I not more than just a piece of meat to you?”
“If you’d like me to be more specific about what you are to me, you’re gonna have to get me back home right quick,” she breathed against his neck. Chloe, as they were both very well aware, was staying the night at Max’s ahead of a field trip the next morning.
“Well, in that case,” he said, and swooped her up his arms, producing a surprised squeak, “perhaps we shouldn’t dawdle.” Joyce laid a sloppy kiss on the side of his face, and William began shuffling along as rapidly as he could manage.
They came around the corner and into the parking lot. William’s car was parked right at the end of the row, next to the street, but even carrying his wife, it only took him a few moments to reach it. When he did, he almost wished he hadn’t.
Almost the entirety of the driver’s side door was caved in, the window shattered and part of the frame bent as well. There was no sign of the car, or maybe even truck, that had done it; no note left, nothing. Joyce’s eyes went wide, and he set her back on her feet almost without thinking about it.
“Oh, William,” gasped Joyce, “what are we going to do?”
It took him a moment to hoist his customary smile back onto his face, but when he did, it was a real smile. “It’s okay. The car’s paid off, remember, and I have total coverage. We can get it fixed or buy a new one as soon as the claim goes through. It’ll just be a few days of inconvenience, then everything will be fine.” He pulled out his flip phone and called a cab, then kissed Joyce on the top of her head. “Stay here a moment. I’m going to go back in and talk to the manager, just let them know what happened and that we’ll get the car towed as soon as we can. And then… we’re going to continue our conversation about whether I’m just a sex object.” Joyce’s smile was a little bit wobbly, but it was genuine as well. He tapped her playfully on the nose and disappeared back into the restaurant.
September 28, Arcadia Bay
The pancakes were just about ready for the griddle when the phone rang. “Max, come take over while I get that,” William called, and the young girl immediately stepped up next to Chloe and started stirring. The two of them were giggling together before William had even turned the corner into the living room. He couldn’t help a small chuckle himself. Those two were such a perfectly matched pair. He scooped up the handset.
“Hello? Hey, honey! Just making a fabulous breakfast with Chloe and Max. We're all going to work at the Two Whales... What? Oh, I didn't know you had to get groceries. Of course I'll meet you. Now I'll have an excuse to get a mocha. Oh, I’d better hurry, the next bus is in just about ten minutes. Be there shortly. Love you!”
He hung up, turned to his daughter and his practically-adopted daughter, and announced, “Excuse me, ladies, I have to go rescue yonder queen at the Sav-Mart. She doth have many bags of delicious grub for us to feast upon.”
Chloe shook her head. “You are ridiculous.”
“You’ll be grateful for that someday,” he laughed. “Now lock up after I leave, play nice, try not to destroy too much of the house. And no Chloe and Max wine-tasting session!”
“Dad!” Chloe whined, and William laughed again.
“Don't blow it, because tonight your mother promised to make us her world-famous salmon surprise with chocolate cake for dessert. Max, you'll be here too, right?”
“She's never leaving me!” Chloe smiled.
“That makes all of us,” William said, his voice filled with love for his family, and headed out.