R
radioactive
Guest
Original poster
The smoke clouds from the city were barely viewable from their new home. In fact, all Caspian Varenkov could really see in the distance were walls of houses, rows of neatly mowed lawns, the perfectly aligned mailboxes, and a few daring neighbors stepping out of their own homes. Something about the new neighborhood was comforting, but at the same time a life changing choice was never easily accepted. Caspian was struggling with this ever since his wife had gotten offered a new job as a company manager – some big wig work for a publishing firm. It wasn't just forty-five minutes or half an hour from their old life, but it was half way across the country. All of these people, all of this was different.
They had taken their only child and moved for her job – something she had 'always wanted'… even if it was something he had only heard about when the offer was put on the table. Caspian scooped up the Sunday paper, and cupped it against his white t-shirt. Their three year old was likely stalking after his mother, Claire, who was prepping her hair, and heading out of the house to her beloved job. That would leave Caspian to continue setting up a few of the smaller things in the house, watch the kid, and attempt to catch up on his own online workload. Computer programming had put his wife through school, paid off his school loans, and really put them in a good financial state, but it apparently hadn't been enough for Claire – something he was still slightly bitter over.
Somehow this arrangement had made him responsible of the house, their son, and his work was being put on the back burner. The argument had been lost by him. It was something about feminism, and women being able to make something of themselves too. Once Claire had pulled that card Caspian knew there was no other option but to grin and bear it. She would be getting paid more, but it would put a larger stressor on them. Mainly because his job was worked from home, and who can really get much work done with a two year old begging for attention?
"Casss," Claire had cracked the door open, and was staring agitated at him, "I gotta go, are you sure this is a good idea? Darin is gonna need your attention too."
A half smirk rose to Caspian's face, almost screaming 'I told you so', but instead he settled for, "I tried telling you, but don't worry. I know how to take care of the little man."
With a heavy sigh, she shook her head, and opened the door all the way to let Caspian in. As he slipped in, the water works began from Darin. Claire sighed again, "And that is why I put an ad in the paper for a sitter."
The light emerald green of his eyes had been trained on his son's eyes which mirrored his, but with that little bomb, Caspian turned at his wife in horror, and annoyance,"You are joking right?"
"Well, no, I know you have a lot, and I do, and … all of this is new to you. Back at home, we had our parents, and everyone else," leaning down and kissing Darin she continued, "So, she should be here, at ten," quickly Claire pushed her lips to his, and scurried off to the car, with her briefcase in hand, "Have a good day, love you!"
Caspian stood there for a time with his jaw slack, it really brought out his features in the lighting, but Darin had already began to fully throw a fit. Which really snapped Cas out of his daze. Turning to his son he picked him up, dropped the paper on the side table, and tried to calm him down. It was the truth that he wasn't quite the best at soothing his son, but otherwise he was fine. Okay, so he had hardly done much with the little guy, but he could manage…
Forty-Five Minutes Later...
Darin was still stifling cries as Caspian attempted to soothe the boy by playing. He had tried everything from his baby blanket to his favorite toys. Caspian had previously realized that the boys diaper needed changing and had done the task - though Darin hadn't made it easy. The boy had a habit of relieving his bowls further while the diaper was off. This was something he hadn't learned from his wife, and it had resulted in a shower of yellow liquid for a good portion of the room, though it had resulted in a giggling child, instead of a crying one. As for Caspian's luck with the two year old, that had been the jist of it, and that is if you could count it as luck. The door bell rang when Caspian was in the process of bring Darin to the kitchen, to attempt food.
"Well what do you know," glancing at the clock he noticed it was a little before ten, "Guess who is here Darin."
Darin quieted, and looked to his father, "Maaa, maaaa."
As much as Caspian had wished it was her, it was someone else, but still anyone else would do. Setting Darin down in the entrance way he glanced at his wrecked white shirt, and figured there was no other way to make the current first impression. Caspian ran a hand through his thick hazel colored hair to get it off of his face, and he opened the door.
"Hello," he said with a hopeful expression.