Conspiring About Presents

[Helene Hewitt]

[Continued from Dinner and Decorating with the deGreys]

Helene shot a smile over her shoulder at Wesley as he followed her down the hallway. "I'm sure you'll forgive me." She whispered back. Her grin widening as it was clear she was up to something. And she was. There was presents still to be had. The bottle of whisky she'd given Wesley was merely for appearances, as she didn't want to give him his true present in front of his brothers for fear of giving them the wrong idea. Even if they already had that idea in their heads with the fact Helene had invited them all here. Wesley's real present was tucked safely away in the kitchen where she'd hidden it earlier before their arrival, and she really did need his help with something. But it needed to be timed perfectly.

She walked quickly into the kitchen. Gretchen and the boys had already headed off, as Helene had insisted she'd deal with the dinner clean up later and to not worry. The kitchen was a bit messy, but she wasn't bothered by it in the slightest. Walking around the large table she looked over her shoulder again. "Close your eyes." She ordered. Waiting until he did so before pulled out what she was looking for. Placing one arm behind her back, she couldn't help but begin to giggle again as she pulled out what she'd asked Angus to fetch for her. Making sure his eyes were still closed she approached him. Clearly hiding something behind her back but also holding something out in front of her. 

"Alright open. I wanted to give you your present without the looming eyes of your brothers." She told him. Biting her bottom lip. Once Wesley opened his eyes and looked down, he'd find Helene held a metal pie pan full of mud, for a "mud pie" It had sticks and leaves arranged in a way to make it look like an actual pie. There was a little ginger bread bunny sticking up in it appearing to be chased by another cookie that looked like a hound. Both were burnt and clearly un-editable, and the idea had struck Helene earlier when they were making cookies. Unable to help herself while she'd thought about the joke, she'd quite literally handed a pie pan to Angus and asked him to fill it with mud and decorate it to look like a pie. The look he'd given her was clear that he thought she'd finally gone insane, but she'd merely grinned. 

Wesley deGrey

[Wesley deGrey]

Yes. He was most certainly walking to his doom according to that smile on her face. Was Helene always this mischievous, or was he simply rubbing off on her? If he was, well, he liked being the bad influence. And he still willingly followed after her to the kitchen, to the place of their first battle of wits and the cookie dough fight that ensued.

Then, she asked him to close his eyes and he looked at her with a rather distrusting look. After a few seconds, however, he complied, unsure whether he should be grinning at the sound of her giggling. It was like music to his ears, but also a bit unsettling. How did that even work? "This is only...slightly unnerving, I'll admit," he said with a light chuckle. When she told him to open his eyes, he did so; that gaze dropping from her face to this supposed present in her hands.

For a moment, he wondered if that mud cake was going to come flying towards his face, yet after a few seconds, he noticed the little cookies in the shapes of a hound and hare. He laughed again, this time heartier and louder. "Is this...actual mud?" He poked his finger into it and yes, sure enough, he was answering his own question. "Well, this is-" How to say it? "Adorable. Thank...you?"

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene couldn't hide the giggling any more and nodded rather proudly. "It sure is." She said confidently. Laughing along with him. She glanced up at him. Amusement clear on her face. "This is only part of your present though. Mostly for my own laughs." She said turning and setting the pie pan on the table. "Because I'm hilarious." She said matter of factually. She was quite proud of herself.

She straightened and then let a sigh out. Her features softening as did her grin. Suddenly becoming a bit nervous, but she couldn't back out now. The decision had been made, and she was going to continue on with it. She pulled his real present out from behind her back, holding it with both hands. "This is your present." She said quietly. In her hands was an old cigar box, that had a seagreen ribbon tied around it with a sailors knot. The moment he took it from her she folded her hands together behind her back and rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet, clearly looking impatient as she waited for him to open it.

Once Wesley undid the knot and opened the box, he'd find chocolate chip cookies that were NOT scattered across her kitchen and in one piece within the box as well as a small message in a bottle. If he opened it he'd find scrawled on it was "The Secret I owe you: My mother taught me to carry a tune, but a sailor taught me to really sing." There was a smaller box as well more towards the bottom. It would take some shifting of cookies to find, but once he opened it he'd find a small compass that was no bigger than a coin inside. It was attached to a long-chain so he could wear it easily under any clothes, and if he opened it, on the other side of covering was scratching "To lead you to your something."

She didn't realize she was holding her breath, but she was. Waiting in anticipation to see what he would think. She thought she'd done quite well in her little sailor theme of a present for him. There were a lot of hints at their time together as well. From the cookies, to the secrets, even the compass as he'd told just that day he was still trying to find something that was missing. Well, now he had something to help him find it. And she truly hoped he did.

"Happy Yule Wesley." She whispered, as she smiled up at him.

[Wesley deGrey]

She didn't plan on smashing it into his face, so that was good. He was trying not to laugh as much as he wanted to, as if unwilling to give her the satisfaction, but the amusement was clear on his face with that smile and the way he shook his head in slight disbelief. "Aye, you're very hilarious." Wesley tried not to sound like he meant it, but of course he did.

The idiot was usually always laughing or smiling when she was around. Not that he's noticed or anything...

When she procured that box, though, he appeared a little puzzled. He could see that it was a cigar box, but something told him that wasn't what was inside. Curiosity overcame him and he took it from her, carefully undoing the ribbon to open it up. The cookies immediately smelled amazing and he couldn't contain himself with taking one out and shoving it into his mouth. However, before he bit into it, he noticed the little bottle and simply held the treat between his teeth so that he could pull the cork and slip the note out. Those blue eyes lit up for a moment before looking to her, narrowing playfully in question. A sailor taught her how to really sing? Oh, there was indeed more to this lady than met the eye, but he knew if he asked, or starting blurting out too many questions, she wouldn't answer them. He'd have to earn them.

Finally taking a bite of the cookie, chewing it and savoring the delicious taste, he was about to thank her before he noticed yet another item inside. It was a smaller box and his brows furrowed slightly as he set the whole box aside, including the half eaten dessert so that he could pull the other gift out. When he opened it, he was brought to an immediate pause- a strangely quiet pause while the small compass was held within his palm. Wesley opened it to reveal the words etched inside the cover: To lead you to your something.

Without realizing it, his expression faltered, it sobered right up in that very moment...and he didn't entirely know why he felt this pang in his chest. "I, uh..." Wes had to clear his throat, suddenly realizing- really realizing- all the details of her present. The cookies, the secret, the compass and the reason for it, that she remembered what he had said earlier after the chase. It was all in relation to their time together. It struck a chord in him and managed to stop the sailor dead in his tracks while he fought to find the words. The strangest thing with all of this, however, was the gift he got her.

Instead of trying to stammer out words of gratitude, a hand fished into his pocket to produce a small velvet bag. And possibly to her amazement, she would come to find her own tiny compass on a chain. It was a bit more intricately created and yet somehow still beautifully simple, but brandished no etching. "I got this, because...I figured it would help you find your right path."

[Helene Hewitt]

There was a moment when Helene thought she might have given him something she shouldn't. Clearly she'd won with the cookies and secret, but the compass might have been over stepping her bounds. Had she gone to far? Taking what he said and running with it? She'd meant for it to be meaningful. To help him find whatever he thought was missing in his life. To make him not feel like a black sheep in his own family. Maybe she had gone to far. After all they'd only known each other a few days. They might be able to consider one another a friend, but this?This was a gift you gave to a friend after knowing them for years right? Right. 

She didn't know why she was suddenly getting so anxious about it. Possibly because she was so worried that he wouldn't like it. That she'd did something wrong. That she'd taken a risk and she was going to crash and burn. There was something there between them. That wasn't something she could ignore, but maybe it was her who only felt that there was something there. Her eyes grew wide for a second, a frantic look in them as he cleared his throat. He couldn't find words and neither could she. They would form, even as she opened her mouth to try and say something to try and ease the sudden awkward mood. 

He was handing her something then, she looked up at him curiously before taking it slowly. Almost hesitantly like it was about to bite her. It gave them something to focus on though, and she slowly opened the small velvet bag and slid the contents onto her palm. Her breath caught as she looked at her own compass. Well....how did that happen? The surprise was clear on her face. She picked it up slowly, running her thumb gently over the face of it. It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful, even if it was simple. The reason behind it had her pausing. How had they managed this? It appeared they both wanted them to find what they were looking for. Wesley's something, and Helene's path. Her fingers curled around it and she brought it to her chest, daring to look up at him. "Well...clearly great minds think alike." She chuckled lightly. She looked back down at it, opening her palm. She certainly hadn't been expecting that. She let a small sight out, before she looked back up at him. A small smile on her face. "It's beautiful Wesley....And very thoughtful. Thank you." She said softly, almost shyly. It was incredibly thoughtful and it certainly had her chest tightening. 

She held it out to him then. Her palm facing up, after realizing the awkwardness she'd been feeling before was because they'd managed to give each other the same gift. "Help me put it on?" She asked with a arched eyebrow. 

[Wesley deGrey]

The gift, the entirety of it, wasn't something he had expected. Well, the truth was, he hadn't expected how it would make him feel, and that was strangely content but wildly confused all at the same time. He was struggling with whether to smile or not, if he should even be standing there with that stupid look on his face. They hadn't known each other for very long, that was for certain...but it hadn't felt that way. The moment they danced together that evening all those nights ago, it was as though he had done more than just fall into steps of a dance. It was like he was catching up with someone he hadn't seen in years. Like they hadn't been complete strangers meeting for the first time.

And the fact that this had never happened before to him had Wesley very nervous and yet still rather curious.

He realized he had stopped breathing, though, when she had taken the small pouch. Perhaps it would explain why he had gotten so quiet; his fingers curling tightly around the small compass she had gifted him. 'Well...clearly great minds think alike,' she had said, and he was already looking at her when she glanced back up. His smile returned then, and he let out a small huff of a laugh. "Aye, I suppose something like that," he murmured back in reply, almost as if he hadn't meant to say it out loud. Fortunately, she was thanking him before he could realize it.

He finally slipped the long chain of his own necklace over his head, gazing down at it before eyes lifted back up to her face. "Thank you," he added in quiet sincerity. The smile curled up just a little bit more on his face. "Perhaps we'll both find what we're looking for this year..." Was he staring? Oh dear, yes, he might have been staring a little again.

Wake up, mate!

The sailor was blinking, snapping out of it as she was holding her necklace out to him, asking for help with putting it on. Drawing in a deep breath, he nodded, "Yes, of course." He urged her to turn around as he undid the clasp before draping the chain gently across her throat. Quick to close the clasp then, he lingered there for only a moment as blue eyes dropped to the curve of where her neck met her shoulder, where fingertips brushed ever so softly down the gentle slope before they were gone. "There." He was telling himself to take a step back but couldn't bring himself to.

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene thought about his words and made a sinking feeling enter her gut. She hoped he found what he was looking for, as she already knew she wouldn't find hers. Her year would be spent trying to find a new husband. Trying to keep Mari safe, if she found whatever she was looking for, it would certainly be her shock of the century.

"Perhaps..." She said softly as she looked at him. Not realizing he was staring at her, but rather noting she was staring at him. She quickly turned after he took the compass from her and held still while he put the compass around her throat. Feeling the chain slide against her skin, as well as his fingers against the small slope of her neck and shoulders. The brief touch sent a shiver down her spine and she felt her heart was beating rapidly in her chest again. She forced herself to breath, before she whirled back around. They were on a strict time limit, and wouldn't be able to linger for long. It was both a blessing and a curse.

He hadn't stepped back like she though he had, so Wesley was right there when she spun back around. Her eyes widened slightly and her mouth parted to thank him, but no sound came out. Getting caught up in those blue eyes of his again. "I-" She paused. Taking a deep breath. "Thank you." She said firmly. Trying to keep herself together. She let a small huff out, before she went to side step around him. Pausing for a brief second, and rising up on her tip toes to place a quick kiss on his cheek. "And thank you for coming tonight, and sharing your family with my sister and I." She said softly. Meaning every word. She smiled at him before her fingers drifted to take one of his hands. "Now we can't linger, we're on a time limit you see, and I still need your help." She said quickly. Pulling him out of the kitchen, and heading toward the servant stairs.

She moved quickly up the steps, leading Wesley upstairs as quietly as they could. "I do hope your brother isn't going to be angry with us..." She couldn't help but giggle. That childlike excitement about giving gifts and seeing the person's reaction fueling her with each step. Once upstairs Helene walked down to the upper floor drawing-room. The door was closed and she stopped abruptly in front of it, before she turned and grinned wickedly at him. "We absolutely could not resist." She began to giggle again, though it was turning more into a cackle then anything. Oh...Olivia was going to love this...

[Wesley deGrey]

Wesley never knew what it was that he was looking for, just that he always felt as though some part of himself was missing, or that there was a purpose for him somewhere out in the world. He didn't know what it was and never expected to know until it just hit him in the face. Then again, maybe he would never find it.

'Perhaps...'

The tips of his fingers tingled, noting the sudden absence of her skin, from a single touch that had only lasted a fleeting moment. It was absurd, and he didn't understand why his mind was suddenly foggy and he couldn't get his thoughts in a row. She was only making it worse as she turned, and he realized once more that he should have taken a step back. And still he didn't; Wes stood there in the sudden silence looking down at her, his brow arching just slightly in that usual contemplative way. He barely realized that his own heart was pounding, those blues dropping to her mouth as they tried to form words.

Yet, still, he did nothing. Something was holding him back while some part of him nearly leaned in to silence that mouth from uttering a single word. Why? Why was this happening? At least she had her head on straight and was moving around him, yet not until after she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. There came an inaudible sigh through his nose, one of quiet contentment, her words bringing that small grin back to his face. Wesley didn't seem to have the words to say as she was taking his hand to lead him to a set of stairs.

Excuse him for being completely damn perplexed. There were very wrong thoughts suddenly roaming around in that head of his, and he was desperately trying to shove them away. But she was being secretive again, and there was a need to be quiet. "Which...brother? Why?" he dared to ask in a whisper. They were entering a room and she shut the door behind them, cackling like an insane person. He wondered if he should be worried again. Still, he cracked a smile, even though it looked a bit nervous. "What's going on?"

[Helene Hewitt]

That mirth and excitement never left her eyes as she looked up at him. "William, because...." Her eyes drifted to the other side of the room where Helene's maid, Elise, was sitting next to the fireplace reading a book. At her feet was a small basket. "We still have a present to give Olivia." Helene whispered as she grinned up at him. "Have they been behaving nicely for you dear?" Helene whispered over to the young girl, who had looked up once they'd come in. Still holding Wesley's hand, Helene led them forward to the fireplace.

"They played for quite sometime after their bath, the little things are all tuckered out now." Elise said softly looking between Helene and Wesley with a small smile. "How mad do you think he'll be?" She giggled as she crouched down in front of the basket. Peering in over the rim to see the three kittens that Mari and her had found abandoned by the side of the road on their way home earlier. Honestly, it had been pure chance they'd stumbled across the little things, and the moment they saw them they just knew what had to be done with them. There was an all black one, and two tiny grays. One of which had little white boots on her front paws, and a white stripe down her nose. "Hello lovlies, it's time to wake up." She said gently reaching in. She lifted the black one up who gave a small mew of protest. "Oh I know, dearest, but I promise you can be asleep in your new mama's arms very shortly." She told the kitten gently. Bringing her up to her chest she turned her around to look at her little face, while she mewed again. Helene chuckled and placed a quick kiss on top of her head, before she turned to hand her to Wesley. 

"We found them on our way home today. It was a Yule miracle indeed for these poor babies." She said. "We plan on keeping the grays, but we we couldn't resist giving the little black one to Olivia. I know it's not a pony..." She started, laughing again as she reached in for the other two kittens. "But it's lower maintenance then a puppy..." The one with white boots was growing more alert and batted playfully at Helene's fingers, as she scratched her lightly on the head. "This one is Ellie, she's mine." She informed Wesley, pointing at her little white feet. Fondly named after Elliot. She was the more curious of the three kittens. "And this one is Mari's Sasha." She pointed at the other one who still believed it to be bedtime. She bundled picked them both up, cradling them against her chest, as she placed gentle kisses on their heads. "Oh! I nearly forgot." She handed the other two kittens to Wesley so he'd have his arms full, and as if she read her mind, Elise was already holding out the bow Helene had made out of red and green ribbons earlier. "Thank you love." Helene said grinning. She took it from her and then very gently tied it around the little black kitten. Making sure it wasn't too tight, before she'd take the two grey ones back form Wesley. "Well!? How much trouble do you think we'll be in?" She asked him curiously as she snuggled the kittens closer. Resting her cheek on top of there heads, before Ellie lightly batted at her cheek. 

[Wesley deGrey]

What was she up to? Whatever it was, she appeared overly excited about it, and William might not like it. No, he already knew his brother wasn't going to just by that crazed and mischievous look in Helene's eyes. His brow furrowed in this everlasting confusion as the madwoman was dragging him towards the other side of the room where he finally realized they weren't alone. Wesley offered an awkward wave to Elise before his eyes dropped to the basket.

Oh no.

"Um..." How mad would William be? Well, he probably wouldn't actually get mad, but be very, very shocked. The sisters were trapping his brother into a corner because of course he wasn't going to tell Olivia no on Yule's Eve, let alone in front of everybody. Just thinking this, he laughed at Will's expense as he shook his head in disbelief. "Oh, this...will be interesting..." And that was all he was going to say.

When the little black kitten mewed, protesting sleepily, even Wesley's heart seemed to stop. William couldn't say no to that, could he? Helene was handing her over to him and he held the tiny thing in his hands as though he were afraid he was going to break her. Soon enough, she started to wake up more and he was struggling to keep her from trying to climb out of his grasp. The kitten was already halfway up onto his shoulder, clinging those sharp, tiny claws into his short, red tinted beard as Wesley tried to pay attention to whatever Helene was saying. He winced but wasn't doing much of anything about it. Then he had to contend with two more kittens that were both awake as well at that point, and those blue eyes nearly shot out of his head. "Uh...okay...whoa there..." he was constantly murmuring at them.

They were all damn cute, though, he had to admit. It wasn't long before he was chuckling softly, amused by the three furry creatures. Wesley actually pouted and whimpered when Helene was taking the grey ones from him; Olivia's soon-to-be-kitten making him hunch forward a little as it was attempting to walk along the back of his neck. His attention flickered up to Helene. "Oh, you two will probably be in a lot of trouble," he told her with a smirk then paused, remembering she had needed his help for whatever reason. What had she needed him here for? "You better not be trying to drag me into this," Wesley added in a bit of panic. "Because he'll likely kill me." And for once, he was innocent!

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene grinned as Welsey told her she'd likely end up in trouble with Wiliam. She watched him with Olivia's kitten, her heart all but melting. A man with a kitten? Who could resist that? She forced herself to focus on the task at hand, and not think about Wesley with baby animals, and how gentle he was being as the kitten used him as her own jungle gym.

"I expected nothing less." She giggled, tapping one of the grey kittens on the nose before it playfully bit at her finger. She laughed loudly then at his panic, slowly getting to her feet while she juggled the two Kittens she held. "I told you, I would get you to favorite uncle status did I not?" She asked. "He'll do no such thing. I take full responsibility. You merely assisted because I cannot carry three kittens by myself, and I needed an extra set of hands." She winked over at Elise who was beginning to giggle.

"If your brother so much as tries to harm you let me know, I'll gift Olivia an entire ribbon stand, and have every ribbon delivered directly to him." She threatened. A sly grin appeared on her face. She was a hundred percent serious too, she meant it. "Come on now, we have to make it back right before the story ends." She said urgently. Securing the kittens in her arms she'd wait for Wesley to be ready before she moved to the door. "You just have to stand there and look pretty, and let me do all the talking." She told him with a smirk, as she reached to open it. Resting her cheek against the fuzzy little body trying to climb up her shoulder.

[Wesley deGrey]

Managing to get a hold of the feisty little creature, he cradled it against his chest while she gnawed on his thumb; he was playfully moving it around in front of her, feeling those sharp teeth but they didn't seem to hurt terribly much. The claws kind of did, though.

Wesley laughed, "Yeeeeah, okay. Sure." There was no way that Triston would be knocked out of the title of favorite, because he deserved it. He was around far more than he or Lucian were, taking care of Olivia whenever he could. Still, he supposed it couldn't hurt to try, even if he held the crown for a minute. A minute, that was all he was striving for now. Then she was threatening William and he chuckled again. Why did he believe she would do just that- send a whole ribbon stand to Olivia?

Because she was a madwoman. She was bloody mad. And he couldn't stop grinning like an idiot.

With another small wave to Elise, Wesley followed behind Helene, holding the kitten against him still. "I'm the master of standing still and looking pretty," he said jokingly, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene just chuckled and shook her head as she opened the door and slipped out. "I believe you are a master of many things." She said rather amused. He was also the master of chaos, and insanity, and a master of not doing as he was told. This she was certain. She just grinned wider thinking about it, juggling the kittens she carried. "Alright my sweets we need to be very quiet, or we'll spoil the surprise." She whispered to the kittens. One of them mewed at her, and she bent her head to touch her forehead to its. "I know, but we have to be extra quiet to not ruin Mari's story." She spoke softly. Murmuring to the small creatures as if it was a perfectly normal thing to do, talking to cats.

Rather than taking the servant's stairs again, Helene took them towards the regular staircase. Her steps slow, but also quick. She could faintly hear Mari's voice drifting up towards them from downstairs the closer they got to it. She glanced over her shoulder at Wesley, sneaking a peek at him she was glancing back down at the kittens she held in each arm. As they reached the top of the stairs she looked down over the railing, hearing that Mari was still telling the story, but was nearing the end. She turned towards Wesley opening her mouth like she was about to say something else, but she stopped herself. Feeling like she wanted to thank him again for coming. For putting up with her demands about winning the bet. The best prize she could have claimed was tonight. Far better than a silly little kiss won in a game. It was a gift she'd been hoping to give Mari since their mother died, but had always been shot down every year, at every turn. One good Yule, and this was the year for it. She'd finally given her sister what she'd always wanted to give her for Yule. A glimpse at what a real family could be like. A family they were denied. There was still hope. For Mari at least, that she would get that happily ever after. Hopefully. Helene was determined on giving it to her if she had to sacrifice everything.

For Marinette she'd do anything.

Finally mustering up the courage, she looked Wesley in the eye at the top of the stairs. "I know it was a bet...but I truly am grateful you and your brothers came tonight." she said quietly. "It means far more than you know." There was a small smile as the gratitude showed in her eyes. 

[Wesley deGrey]

Wesley offered a prideful grin when she said she believed he was the master of many things. Maybe it wasn't so much a compliment but he was going to take it as one anyway while he followed her out and down a different set of stairs.

They had to be really quiet now as Marinette's voice traveled out from the the other room. The feisty black kitten was making things a bit difficult, though, and she refused to stay still in his hand. She was on his shoulder again, attempting to climb up the side of his face now despite how much he was trying to pry her off. He gasped quietly in alarm from the sharpness of her nails but he was still grinning at the silliness of it all. "Are we sure this one isn't your cat?" he asked in a whisper, finally managing to pull the little creature from his clinging to his beard. She was content to gnaw on his thumb again and it kept her from trying to wander so that he could hold her close.

Blue eyes shifted back to Helene as she began to talk and the look on his face changed immediately again, something close to how it had within the kitchen. It was that weird feeling again, hitting him right in the chest, and his grin was more soft than mischievous this time. "I'm glad we came, too," he simply said. Although, all she had to do was ask him and he still would have celebrated the evening with her. Not that he was going to outright say that right now.

[Helene Hewitt]

Helene smiled at Wesley, turning her head to slightly cover her face with kittens as Wesley said he was glad they had come too. It was certainly going to be a Yule to remember. Aside from the last Yule, she'd shared with her mother...this one would be her favorite.

She turned her attention to downstairs, hearing the tail end of Mari's story. "That's our cue, shall we?" She asked quietly. Her grin spreading as the excitement filled her once more. She could already hear Olivia's squeals. Yule was certainly far more fun when you had someone else to spoil.

Helene began the descent down the stairs, leading the way quietly back to the sitting room. Not wanting to announce their presence until the most opportune moment.

[End thread]
[Wesley and Helene return to the dinner and decorating with the deGrey's thread]