Becca felt very mother-like. She was standing in the dressing room with Willem, talking about the benefits to finding a few pairs of dress trousers that he could stand, especially with the weddings that were coming up and the way that mini-celebrations were happening frequently.

"But dress pants are never comfortable, and if I mess them up..." Willem looked up at her, his voice fading out.

"Honey, I'll find you comfortable ones, and if you mess them up, you do. I can clean them or fix them or whatever needs done. I promise, you won't get in trouble."

"But mom gets real mad," he said softly.

"Baby, I'm not gonna get real mad, okay?" She was frowning a little. "We need to get you some shorts too."

"NO. No shorts," he said, shaking his head violently.

"Okay, you don't have to. But you have to try on some trousers, sweetheart."

His face fell, and he looked like he might cry. Becca was immediately sorry and kneeled down beside him. "Willem? What's wrong?"

"You can do spells, right?" he asked, because he'd heard them all talking about spells and potions earlier in the day.

"Yeah," she said, nodding and pulling out her wand. "Is there something you need?"

"Can you cover things up with it?" he asked, blinking up at her.

"Like what, sweetheart?" she asked, tilting her head, suspicions forming in her mind. she just hoped she was wrong.

"Bruises?" he asked, his voice small.

She felt her hackles rise. "You have bruises you need to cover up, baby?" she asked, sitting on the floor of the dressing room and opening her arms to him.

"Yeah," he said, nodding slipping into her arms and laying her head against his shoulder. "Don't tell Daddy?"

"I can't promise that, Willem," she said, "if your mom hurt you, your Daddy needs to know."

"I don't want him to be sad," he said, tears filling his eyes. "He's always sad about me and I don't want him to be sad anymore."

"Baby, he's sad because he misses you and loves you and wants you to be happy. Please."

He frowned and stood up, pulling his trousers off. The mottling of bruises over his legs made her gasp and she had a moment of sheer, blinding rage. "Oh, baby," she said softly, tears filling her eyes, though she fought them back hard. "Why? Why would she have done that?"

"She was real mad at Daddy's lawyer again. And I asked if I could come see him and she got madder."

"She HIT YOU for wanting to see your Dad?" She fought back the rage, knowing it would just confuse him.

"Yeah," he said, frowning a little.

She opened her phone, pulling him back on her lap and kissing the top of his head, cradling him close. "Caz?" she said into the phone, "call Nessa and ask if she or Frankie and Toben know a good lawyer. We'll be home soon."

Becca had called a house meeting. The band had two contracts to look over and decide between. She, of course, had her favourite. Not that that mattered, but she thought it was the best of the two, and she'd gently guide them that direction, but in the end the final decision was theirs.

She laid the two contracts on the table, side by side.

"Option A," she said, pointing to the one on the left, "your basic recording contract. Two years or 3 albums, whichever is longer, they retain all master recordings, have exclusivity for the term of the contract, etc. The basics of the contract are written out on the last paper in the stack. They're offering two million." She let that sink in for a moment.

"Option B." Here she smiled a little, pointing to the one on the right, "This one is from someone who knows and loves you guys. They've been to a load of shows, and even met you all as a fan. That means he likes you personally, and that's why he wants to sign you. THIS contract is 5 years, 4 albums, options to own your own masters, exclusivity for the term of the contract with options to play backup or join other bands for songs on albums outside of the studio without penalty. Again, basics of the contract are written out on the last paper in the stack." She didn't say how much was offered. Heart attacks were bad.

Things are exceptionally bad right now. Bad enough that I can't even explain to others how bad it is for fear of seeing those looks on their faces.

I'm not sure I can do this. 3 months of not running, but... I don't know. That need to run is growing. I don't WANT to run. I want to stay safe and warm in this little family we're all creating. I just don't know that i have the energy, or the ability, to do it.

How is it I can tell Caz over and over that he can do it when I don't believe it of myself?

Merlin, let me make it through this. Please.

I don't think I could face everyone if I didn't. I couldn't stand the look on everyone's face... The disappointment from everyone.

The very thought makes me want to die.

I'm shaking so hard I almost can't write. I hide it when everyone's awake... I put on a smile and act like I'm fine, but I'm not. I can feel the push of heroin into my vein, and I haven't had it in OVER three months. My body is fevered in ways it hasn't been until now. It has to stop. I can't make it through days like this.

So fucking tired.

Tired of fighting.


(ooc: at which point she fell asleep with the book on the desk, head falling onto her arms. Should someone wake up and go to move her and catch what she wrote, feel free to react. If not, it is what it is.)

( cut to save your friend's page )
If you have a particular prompt you'd like Becca to write to/about your character... comment and put the number and prompt along with which character. *grins*

Becca skipped up to the restaurant, peeking in to see if Adam was there yet and grinning widely when she spied him. She waved through the glass, then popped through the door, heading directly toward him and almost ignoring the hostess. "I see 'im," she said as she passed, then said "Adam!" quite loudly.

( Because siblings need love! )

Comment to this entry and I will interview you (five questions).

( absolute FLUFF )

* Although the name Becca creates the urge to be reliable and responsible, we emphasize that it causes a restless intensity that defies relaxation.

* This name, when combined with the last name, can frustrate happiness, contentment, and success, as well as cause health weaknesses in the solar plexus, and through worry and mental tension.

* The name of Becca creates a restless, creative nature that takes you into many ventures, but does not allow you to see things through to a satisfactory completion.

* Yours is a versatile, musical, artistic, but independent nature and you must have the freedom to express your creative ideas and abilities to be happy.

* An urge for independence causes dissatisfaction and frustration in close relationships and you find the "ties that bind" restricting.

* The qualities of this name would find a more constructive outlet in work that involves high-pressure selling or promotional activities, possibly in community affairs, for it contains a positive, driving power.

from http://www.kabalarians.com/index.cfm