Good Vibrations: OPEN

[Colette]

I'm doing it.
She's got the look - Roxette

Eliza was in the swing and Parker was in the bouncy seat, both of them laughing as they watched Colette dance around the kitchen as she made their mid morning bottles. She was jamming to some music, and despite being up since five, was beyond hyper. The song changed and an oldie came on, that made her dance even more. "She's got the look!" She sang out loud as she danced in place.

Eliza squeaked out, hands up in the air. Laughing, Colette bent down and picked her up. "What, you wanna dance with mommy?" She spun around a bit and continued to dance with Eliza on her hip. Bopping the baby girl on the nose she laughed herself. They were getting so big! Both reaching the six month mark any day now.

"Tasted like a raindrop, she's got the look..." She swayed a moment before plopping Eliza back down in the seat. She began to whimper and Colette shook her head. "If you want fed, you gotta wait." She smiled softly, bending over to give them both a kiss.

"Mom?" Colette turned, seeing Laura in the walkway. "Morning sleepy head." She smiled as she took the bottle from the hot water tub in the sink and tested it. "Okay, it's done. Laura, you want to help me get them set up?" Laura nodded softly with a smile as she went over and picked up Parker. "Is it just me or is he getting heavier?"

Colette chuckled. "It's definitely not you."

[Mal Shiften]

Stopping By

Malcolm wasn't really sure what he was doing. He had heard it through the bar that the woman he had met and danced with and flirted with extensively was Colette Richards, which he knew. But he had also learned that she had been Colette Fox before that. Colette Fox, as in the founder of Biella Chateau; the first and last word in the mutant world. Christ.

Anyway, now he was standing on the front porch of her house for mutants and he wasn't even sure why. He just wanted to see her again. He never wanted to see any of the girls he had been with again. It just didn't happen. But with this girl... No, maybe that was why. Because this here wasn't a girl. She was a woman. A woman with a life and a job and responsiblity and kids even. And for some reason that was damn sexy to Mal.

"Ah, screw it," he muttered to himself, passing a hand through his hair one last time. Reaching out, he held down the doorbell once and then again. Then, rocking back on his heels with his hands in his pockets, he waited.

Oh, what the hell was he doing?

[Colette]

Eliza in her arms, she headed towards the living room to get them set up for breakfast. Hearing the doorbell, she smiled. "Get him started, Laur. I'll go get the door." She told her, smiling as she walked through the foyer.

Opening the door, she expected another new student. What she found, was much more surprising. Lips spreading into a wide grin, she shook her head. "Malcom Shiften." She laughed softly, opening the door wider. Ever since that night, he'd been on her mind alot. Which was odd, seeing as it had only been eight months since Charles passing. But it wasn't like she could help it. "Come on in."

Laura turned on the radio, listening to Selena Gomez's round and round as she fed parker. Eliza squealed, hands up in the air before clapping them and reaching out to Malcom. "Laura?" A moment later Laura came bouncing into the foyer. "Take your sister and feed her please?" She nodded, smiling bright as she took Eliza into her arms.

Turning her attention back to Mal, she smiled, a soft laughter escaping her. It was strange, she wanted to ask what he was doing here. But all that seemed to come out was; "Are you hungry?"

[Mal Shiften]

Malcolm smiled back, struck by the sight of her with baby on her hip. He knew she had the twins, of course. It was just...odd to see her with one of them. But not a bad odd. Because Colette looked gorgeous and the little girl in her arms was beyond adorable. "That's me," he replied to her, grin growing. "Thanks." He entered the foyer feeling something like nerves floating in him.

Crouching a little, he met the baby's gaze as she reached for him. He chuckled and said, "This must be Eliza, huh?" Straightening up, he looked to Colette. "She's pretty; just like her Mommy." Charm smile? Check. Dimples? Check. Crinkling blue eyes? Check. Malcolm knew how to catch 'em. Only this one was different. A good different. Then "Laura" wandered in and Malcolm just passed her a nod of acknowledgment. That might be a little awkward. He was coming here to see her mom... Laura would be old enough know to realize what was going on and might not appreciate Malcolm trying to get in with her mom; especially if she was still smarting from the loss of her father.

Mal looked to Colette at her sudden question before breaking into laughter. Shaking his head a little, he answered, "Sure, I could eat." He laughed again, eyes crinkling up once more. "I'm guessing it's breakfast time?"

[Colette]

"This must be Eliza, huh?" Straightening up, he looked to Colette. "She's pretty; just like her Mommy."

A blush crept over her cheeks, as she smiled at him. "I'm flattered." She nodded softly. Laura stood there a moment, looking him over before giving him a slight nod. Looking to Colette, she smiled softly and headed to the living room. Hand to forehead, Colette chuckled. "Kids," She said softly through her light laughter.

"Sure, I could eat." He laughed again, eyes crinkling up once more. "I'm guessing it's breakfast time?"

She could hear heavy footsteps coming down the stairs, and knew it was the troubling threesome. Her eyes closed a moment and she nodded. "Yeah, busiest time of the day." Dylan came running around the corner, followed closely by Cedric and Liam. "Hey hey, slow your roll." She reached out, stopping them in their tracks. "Didn't we have this discussion yesterday, boys?" They each nodded, and Colette only smiled. "Go, go eat. When your done head outside. It's a beautiful day out, enjoy tearing up my lawn instead of my house, huh?" She laughed, watching as they ran off to the kitchen.

She smiled back at Mal. "Come on." She waved him on as she headed right behind them. Looking back, she smirked. "So what are you in the mood for? We got eggs, bacon, waffles, French toast, and pancakes."

[Mal Shiften]

Malcolm gave an easy grin as she commented on Laura. Well, he could understand where the younger girl was coming from. He had been more than apprehensive toward his mother's boyfriend --now his step-father. Charlie was a good guy even but it was just hard to adjust to what was happening. Mal would be sure to keep it easy around Laura. He'd interact with the girl but wouldn't push anything.

Mal couldn't help the grin as Colette handled her students. Shaking his head, he was automatically taken back to his teenaged years. His mother had said the same thing as Colette more than once, telling him to get out from under her feet and go expell his energy at the YMCA or something. He laughed with nostalgia softly, sending an empathetic grin to the boys as they darted off.

Snuffing out a laugh, Mal followed her but held his hands up, as if to slow her down. "Hey, why don't you let me cook it?" She had three kids of her own as well as a house-full of others. He could cook more than well enough so she could relax for a few minutes. "You just sit tight... And maybe get some coffee going?"

[Colette]

She was going to head to the kitchen to start breakfast, but turning her head, she saw him raise his hands up in the air. Brows perked and a smile on her face, she stopped, wondering what it was he was doing.

"Hey, why don't you let me cook it? You just sit tight... And maybe get some coffee going?"

She sorta just stood there, starring at him with her deep blue eyes. "That sounds great, but aren't you the guest here?" She laughed softly, but had a feeling he wasn't going to take no for an answer. Biting her bottom lip and smiling, she nodded. "I think I can handle coffee." She smiled softly, before turning to show him into the kitchen.

She pointed to cupboard. "Pots and pans are in there, toaster is next to the fridge, incase you need it. Everything else is mainly in the fridge." She stood on her tippy toes, reaching to the top of the fridge for the can of Folgers. Scooping some into the coffee machine, she hit the on button and smirked. "Are you sure?" She asked softly, leaning on the counter. She could hear the soft thuds of cereal hitting the floor, and as she looked, her entire kitchen table was covered with cereal.

Shoulders slumping, she sighed. "Dylan..." It was all she needed to say to make the boy pop out a sorry and offering to help clean it up. She smiled, walking over to pick some of it up as well. "Mom?" She laughed softly, head turning to look back at Mal. "Run while you can." She joked as Laura walked in carrying Parker. "He won't burp for me." Colette nodded, taking the boy into her arms. "I got it, thank you Laura"

She stopped a moment, eyes landing on Mal. Brows furrowing she looked to her mom, only to have to turn back to answer to Eliza's cries.

[Mal Shiften]

Malcolm smiled a lopsided smile to her and shrugged. "Well, yeah. But I'm the guest who can cook. And you're the hostess who probably wouldn't mind some time to just sit." His eyes crinkled with the grin as he moved the rest of the way into the kitchen. "Then coffee is all I ask of you. And I take it black too, so even that's even less work for you." He laughed a little at that and then nodded to her gentle question.

Leaning against the other side of the counter, he met her eyes. Their faces were very close but he kept it clean. Her kids were right there and so were her students. "I'm positive," he replied quietly, smiling.

Snickering to himself at the boys with the cereal, he just shook his head and set about gathering what he needed for eggs. "Any requests?" he asked, extending the question to all those present. "Ask now or forever hold your peace...and hunger." Matching Colette's gaze again, he grinned. "Especially you. Let me make you something." Breakfast was the most important meal of the day after all and she was sure to have a busy schedule ahead of her. She would need her fuel and energy and he meant more than just coffee.

He turned just in time to see Laura turn away and briefly wondered if he should say something... No, leave that to Colette. These were her kids; it was up to her what she told them, if anything. Besides he wasn't even sure of what they were doing, what they were, at all.

[Colette]

"Well, yeah. But I'm the guest who can cook. And you're the hostess who probably wouldn't mind some time to just sit."

"You don't know how right you are on that sitting part." She smirked, a soft chuckle escaping. "Then coffee is all I ask of you. And I take it black too, so even that's even less work for you." She laughed, shaking her head. "Funny." She grinned, turning around to pour them each a cup of coffee.

"Ask now or forever hold your peace...and hunger." Matching Colette's gaze again, he grinned. "Especially you. Let me make you something."

She laughed out loud, nodding. "Surprise me?" She threw out with a shrug. "I'm not picky." She smiled. Dylan quickly threw up his hands for pancakes, and as usual, the two followed suit with pancakes as well. "What do you boys want to drink?" She asked as they finished cleaning up their mess. "Milk!" They all said in unison. She laughed, nodding as she handed Mal his plain coffee.

[Mal Shiften]

Malcolm raised his eyebrows at the "surprise me" and pulled up a smirk. "Dangerous thing to tell this man," he joked. Hmm, what could he make for her... Thinking it over a moment, he took the orders for pancakes, laughing at the boys' enthusiasm. "Anything for you?" he asked gently, with a smile, to Laura.

Omelette. That's what he would make for Colette. Gathering up the ingredients he would need for both the omelette and the pancakes, he set to work. He'd do the pancakes first because hungry kids were mischevious kids and the last thing this house needed was a bunch of mischevious kids running wild.

He took the coffee Colette handed over, grinning his thanks and taking a deep swallow. Ohhh, that was good. He quickly finished the pancake batter, pouring them out onto the griddle. The kitchen thrived around him but he focused on the cooking, not wanting to destroy their breakfast his first time there. It was only five or ten minutes later that he had a stack of pancakes done; he had even thrown some chocolate chips in half of them. Because what kid didn't love chocolate chips, right?

Dropping the platter of pancakes in front of the boys, he grinned and told them, "Dig in." Taking another gulp of coffee, he spun around and pointed to Colette with both hands. "Onto you. You, Miss Richards, are getting the best omelette you have ever tasted. You will dedicate a religion to me after you taste this thing, I swear." Smiling adorably, Mal had to hold back on the urge to drop a comfortable kiss to Colette's lips. Instead, he just moved back to the stove, beginning her meal.

[Colette]

"Dangerous thing to tell this man,"

She laughed easily, watching as Laura brought in Eliza and placed her in the swing as she burped parker. Kissing the boy's cheek, she handed him off to Laura as she placed him in the bouncy seat. Smiling, Colette waved her over. Laura smiled gently, leaning into her mom's embrace. 'We'll talk about this later, okay? Can you just be nice to him?' She asked through her telepathy. Laura looked up at her and nodded, and Colette wrapped her arms around her, laying a kiss to her head. "Anything for you?" Laura nodded. "I'll take some of the boys' pancakes.[/i]" She was making it simple for him, which Colette was grateful for.

The kitchen had a lot of students coming and going. Most just grabbed some poptarts or cereal before disappearing out the door. "Alot of the teens here have jobs." She informed Mal as he cooked. She ran her hand through Laura's hair as he placed the pancakes on the table. "Dig in." She smiled, and watched as everyone did just that. Laura picked up one of the chocolate chip ones, plain of course and took a bite. "Mmm, that's good.[/i]" She smiled.

"Onto you. You, Miss Richards, are getting the best omelette you have ever tasted. You will dedicate a religion to me after you taste this thing, I swear."

Colette laughed, nodding. "Alright Mister Shiften. I think I can handle that." She grinned. The radio in the living room continually played music, and as Colette waited, she danced; the twins eyes focused right on her. Both of them giggling and squealing.

[Mal Shiften]

"All right, all right," Malcolm drawled casually to Laura's response. Finishing things up, he nodded to Colette's statement. That was good to know. "Must be a good group of kids then." Had to be, with Colette running the crew. From what he saw, they all seemed to love it there at the house. And how could they not? It was a free, safe environment where they could all really be themselves. Laura's compliment to the pancakes brought a wide, genuine grin to his face. "Glad I didn't disappoint," he replied, dropping a wink.

After finishing the hard part of Colette's omelette, Mal let his attention drift. His eyes wandered to where she was sitting and he immediately had to cover a laugh. "You just love seat-dancing, huh?" he asked, remembering the night they had met. Personally, Mal found it adorable.

Shaking his head at her little quirks, he finished her omelette and flipped it onto a plate. He had been cooking his own eggs in a corner of the pan at the same time and now just slid them onto a second plate. After tossing the dirty pans, plates, bowls and utensils into the sink (he would do them later, no ifs ands or buts from Colette), Mal set Colette's omelette down in front of her along with a fork and leaned on the counter across from her, content to stand and eat. Passing her a soft grin, he ducking his head and started in on his food.

[Colette]

"Must be a good group of kids then."

"They a--" She was cut off as Liam's milk came up and out of his cup in spirals before spilling on the table before him. "They usually are." She laughed, grabbing a napkin and wiping the milk up as Liam smirked. "Silly, boy." She smiled, tousling his hair.

Laura was leaning against the chair she was sitting in, grabbing another pancake before the boys devoured them. "It's really good.[/i]" She complimented again with a soft smile. And with that, she seemed to just bounce away into another room. Collette laughed, shaking her head.

"You just love seat-dancing, huh?"

She laughed out loud, nodding. "Yup. You know me so well..." She chuckled, head bowed as he continued to fix her meal. The three boys finished up and headed outside. "Stay out of my plants!" She yelled after them. She just had Tyler here to fix them after last time they played outside. "Little plant killers..." She muttered with a laugh.

A moment later and a plate full of omelet was in front of her. She smiled softly. "Thank you." Grabbing the fork, she cut a piece off and took a bite, eyes closing. "Oh my god.." She muttered through chewing. "This is like... Heaven's omelet." She joked.

[Mal Shiften]

"Yup. You know me so well..." Not yet, but he sure hoped so. Soon. Very soon. He planned on learning everything there was to know, that she would allow him to know, about Colette Richards. He continued eating his food, saving a soft chuckle as she reprimanded the boys. Yeah, that had definitely been him as a kid.

"This is like... Heaven's omelet." Ahhh, yes. He knew learning to cook from his mother would come in handy. Aside from allowing him to not rely on fast food every day that he lived on his own, it was also quite nice in situations such as this. Making a pretty, deserving woman smile. "Well," he commented back, "I do work for an angel, so. You know." He joked, shrugging it off as if it was nothing. The smirk he was wearing said different though.

Setting his fork down, Malcolm realized that it was actually quiet in the room. Colette was eating, the twins were bouncing, babbling every so often and other than them the room was empty. Studying the woman before him, Mal exhaled shortly. Leaning forward more and ducking his head, he caught her gaze. "I'm going to kiss you now, okay?" he asked softly, still leaving room for her to pull back and deny him if she so chose.

But he certainly hoped that wasn't how it would play out.

[Colette]

It was quiet, looking at the clock she smiled. "Eleven, best time of the day. Teens are at work, kids are outside playing, Laura's jogging, these two will be asleep soon-ish, I hope..." She paused, grabbing another forkful of eggs as she looked at the twins.

"Well," he commented back, "I do work for an angel, so. You know."

She smiled, a soft chuckle escaping her. "Ashling, right?" She asked, watching as he shrugged it off. But just by looking at him, she could tell he had some issues with it. She wasn't sure if she should ask or not; so she chose the later of the two.

Finishing up the last bit on her plate, she smiled softly at him. "That was... great. Really, thank you." She offered softly. She sat there, starring at him as he moved closer.

"I'm going to kiss you now, okay?"

Funny how those little words made her heart pound as if Hell was rising again. Did she want to kiss him? Yes.[/b] Hell, fucking, yes she did. Could she? Here, and now? And... in her kitchen? Her breathing quickened as he leaned in closer.

Funny how she never moved. As his lips crept inches closer to hers, she actually found herself making that final leap. And then, there it was. Sweet, soft, subtle luscious lips meeting hers. There for a split second, she had thought she died and went to heaven.

[Mal Shiften]

Malcolm nodded easily, eyes bright. "Yeah, Ashling. Greatest boss ever." He grinned sincerely. She really was. She let him do his fighting and understood when he was sore from it, allowed him free drinks, didn't mind when he flirted, encouraged him in other aspects of his life... And when he came to her shame-faced and asking for an advance on his paycheck because, well, his mom, you know; Ashling just patted his shoulder and handed him the money. Yeah, Blue Moon Pub was the ideal workplace.

"Wasn't nothing," he insisted, grinning. He was happy to do it for her. She deserved a little pampering every so often she thought.

She kissed him. She leaned forward the half-inch that separated them and touched her lips to her. Mal deepened the kiss but only slightly. A hand weaving gently through her hair at the back of her head. Pulling away, he paused a moment before dropping a second kiss, more of a peck, to her lips. Sighing, his eyes closed contentedly.

[Colette]

Feeling his hand at the nape of her neck and through her hair, she instinctively leaned into it. As the kiss ended, her eyes remained closed. As he pecked her lips in a second kiss, she smiled softly, slowly opening her eyes to see his closed.

There was so much she wanted to say, but in the end. She just sat there. Reaching out a hand, she touched his cheek and smiled tenderly. Swallowing with a bit of difficulty, she finally spoke. "You, Mr Shiften, are a wonderful kisser."

That simple, and yet, that complicated. It was odd, how she could feel mixed emotions. Elated to have finally made one of her dreams come true. And then, guilty to have kissed someone beside her husband. But you kissed Benson... Her eyes drifted to her hands. You did more than kiss, Benson... She reminded herself. Even if Benson was different, even if she was drunk when that happened, she knew what she was doing.

And she paid for that, didn't she? Ruined a relationship, lost a husband. Almost lost Laura in the whole thing. Yes, you did pay. She sighed, shaking her head lightly. But despite it all, she couldn't help but smile.

[Mal Shiften]

He chuckled softly at her comment, nuzzling against her hand. "I have to return the compliment, Miss Richards." Catching her hand in his, he turned his head to press a kiss to the center of her palm. He sensed a brief change within her but didn't bring it up. It passed, whatever it was, and she was smiling. All was well for the moment as far as he was concerned.

Mal moved away only slightly, cocking his head to the side. "Laura seemed...okay," he said, gently breaching the topic. He just wanted to know what she was planning on telling her daughter, so he could go along with it. It was entirely her decision in the end. Her kids, her decisions.

Speaking of her kids, Eliza chose that moment to bounce violently in her chair, waving her arms and making a series of odd noises. Malcolm laughed softly, looking to her. "Someone's got a set of lungs on her," he joked, eyes crinkling up at the little girl. Moving to seat, he looked back at Colette and gestured toward Eliza. "May I?" He wasn't about to handle her kids without asking.

[Colette]

"I have to return the compliment, Miss Richards."

She laughed easily, blush creeping onto her cheeks. Hand to forehead, she smiled sweetly at him, watching as he moved away slightly. Her attention was stolen as he brought up Laura. "Laura seemed...okay," She nodded slowly. "She's... been through alot. Has scared the crap out of me, broke my heart... but I think in the end it's made her realize that family is everything."

Hearing Eliza begging for attention she laughed. "Someone's got a set of lungs on her," Colette nodded, eyes shining as she looked down at her baby girl. "You got that right. Parker's the kind to sleep anywhere. Eliza is picky, she likes to be held, and rocked to sleep." She smiled, watching as he approached her.

"May I?"

She nodded. "Of course." She laughed as Eliza squealed the moment she was picked up. "Say, your just the center of attention, huh?" She laughed, tickling Eliza's foot.

[Mal Shiften]

Malcolm nodded as she spoke, face soft. "I can imagine. It's rough; losing your dad at such a young age." Early double-digits was the worst time to lose a loved one; especially a parent. You were old enough to understand what it meant to "die." and beside that, all these changes were just coming in. It really sucked to lose someone you relied on when your world was getting twist-turned...

Malcolm grinned, happy that she trusted him enough to at least hold her child. Lifting Eliza up, he held her in the air a moment before bringing her to him chest. "Hey, you," he greeted as she squealed happily, patting at his face. "You, missy, are a cutie," he said, grinning. He moved to Colette, leaning his side against the counter. "Well, a pretty girl like her can't help but be the center of attention." Malcolm grinned wide, keeping a steady hand to her back.

Looking over at Parker, sleeping soundly in his swinger, Malcolm's grin softened to a sweet smile. "Y'know, you got some great kids, Colette," he told her quietly, honestly. Mal had been an only child and had a small extended family at that so he never had many younger relatives around. But sometimes he trained at the YMCA and there were always some rugrats running around there. He had taken a liking to kids, really, and Colette's kids were definitely among a good bunch.