You Know I Love You, Right?

[Emma Lawrence]

After Cian had left, she was getting dressed to go to work. Thank god it was Friday. As she slipped into her pants, she noticed a...firm feeling in the back. Digging into her pocket--had she left money in there or something?--she pulled out a note, unfolded it, and smiled when she saw it was from Cian.
Her reply she gave to Jack at the bar, and told him to give it to Cian when he came in that night.

7/27/12
Cian,
I am very sure, sweetheart.
Good, good. I will do that, then. As much as I can, as often as I can. By the way, 'panties'--hate the word.
Just to make you happy, all right: I am very sure. But I never said I'm honest. (; You're welcome.
You didn't fall asleep? I would've stayed up with you.
Love, Em
PS- When you get this, go do your work, but after that, do you think you could come over?

[Cian Lawrence]

Cian was in a good mood when he walked into the bar that evening. Whistling a bit, he nodded to Jack as he entered. Jack waved him over, though and Cian obliged. Jack handed him a folded piece of paper and a smirk. Cian shook his head before reading the note. He laughed a bit, nodded his thanks to Jack and took seat. In between horrible renditions of Billy Joel and worse renditions of Squeeze, he wrote his reply on a napkin. When he visited Emma after work that day, he slipped the napkin in between the pages of the novel she was currently reading.


7/27/12
Emma,
All right then. I do promise you that was the first and last time, though.
I rather like the sound of that. Really? What would you prefer? Perhaps "knickers"?
You should be sure of that, if nothing else, Emma love.
I'm shrugging, but you can't see it. Sometimes I can't get to sleep. It's partly my fortitude I think, but not all. Insomnia struck before I had my powers as well.
Love you,
Cian
PS- Counting the seconds, love.

[Emma Lawrence]

Lying on her side on her bed, watching Cian on the couch reading one of Oliver's books to the boy, she contemplated reading one of her own books. She was tired, but she was also very anxious to see what happened in the next chapter of the novel she was currently involved in. Reaching and grabbing the book from her nightstand, she opened up the pages to have a napkin fall out.
Smiling when she read it (as she always did), she eyed Cian for a moment before starting to read the actual book.
At work the next morning, while given the opportunity to be in the recording studio, she wrote his response on an empty piece of sheet music, doing the actual writing on the staffs. In giving him a hug later that day, she slipped it into his back pocket.

7/28/12
Cian,
Knickers are most definitely a term for bras, not underwear. On the topic of bras, I actually rather like the British term of "booby baskets."
If you say so. I'm more sure of my unconditional adoration for you, but.
I feel bad for going to sleep while you lay awake. Next time you can wake me up so you're not just sitting alone in the dark. I know what insomnia feels like--had it for the longest time as a kid.
Love you more,
Em
PS- You're more adorable than usual when you read to Oliver. He loves you so much.

[Cian Lawrence]

It was no fun getting undressed and going to bed when Emma wasn't around. Kicking his jeans off to the side, he was surprised as a folded piece of paper dropped out from them. He knew what it was before he even picked it up. On the empty half of the sheet, he wrote his response, as one would write the lyrics to a song. On the staff above the words, he filled in notes, composing a tune for his letter to follow. Knowing Emma loved smoothies, he dropped the reply into the cup of her blender when he went over the next day.


7/28/12
Emma,
Oh, no, trust me. "Knickers" means panties. I've heard my sisters screaming after knickers turned pink in the wash because the ubiduitous red sock got into the wash. As well as many other unpleassant mentionings of "knickers" that an older brother should never have to hear...
Well, I like that you're sure of your adoration as well, seeing as I'm just as certain in mine for you.
Well, all right. I do admite, I'd rather spend the time with you than alone. Don't want you to be too tired in the mornings, though.
All My Love and More,
Cian
PS- Thank you. I love him back just as much, probably more.

[Emma Lawrence]

Not that she had a special talent or anything in making smoothies, but sometimes she got a craving for one, and she wasn't too bad at throwing together some fruity combinations. Oliver liked them, too. Getting out the blender to make one (what kind? Oliver said he was in the mood for a banana), she noticed a note inside it. Rolling her eyes, she read it, and wrote one back on a long piece of paper.
Emma taped it around Cian's glass when he came over for a few drinks later that evening.

7/29/12
Cian,
I wish I could've had your family. Sounds like loads of fun. But honestly, "underwear" will do.
I won't be too tired in the mornings. I'll admit I'm not morning person, but I can run on a few hours of sleep without being deranged during the day occasionally. Besides, if it helps you fall asleep.
By the way, we need to find something to tease Dean about--he's habitually poking fun at me for catching us together that one morning.
All right, you win,
Em
PS- No, thank you. It's about time that boy got some fathering in his life.

[Cian Lawrence]

While over Emma's for drinks, Cian found a long slip of paper 'round his cup. Grinning, he surreptitiously slid it off and into his pocket. The next morning, he unraveled it and wrote his response on the flip-side. When he wandered into her room later, he tucked the folded piece of paper into the CD case containing the Wicked soundtrack. It was a musical they both loved and he knew she often listened to the songs so it would be found quickly.


7/30/12
Emma love,
Oh, they're fun. Absolutely barking, but fun. We should get 'round to that soon, shouldn't we? The obligatory meeting of families.
Thank you, Emma. I'll be sure to wake you up next time.
Something to tease Dean about....There's just so much to go on, here... =) Can't we just tease him for being him? I'm joking of course. Next time you feel him feeling incredibly satisfied about something, let me know. He'll either have just gotten done haing sex, or having a wank. Either way, that's our time to strike.
Always do, love ; ),
Cian
PS- Well, I am very happy to be that influence. Not sure how good of a job I'll do, though...

[Emma Lawrence]

She had been toying with the idea of Broadway lately (wouldn't that be a good break!), so to create a thinking-mood for herself, or maybe even for inspiration to strike, she opened up her Wicked soundtrack, and a piece of paper fell out. After sliding the CD in the player and singing along to Idina Menzel, she picked up the note, and read it on her back, lying on her bed.


7/31/12
Cian,
First of all, you have to be as critical as you can of the CD I'm giving you along with this note. Isaac gave me permission the other day to try out the recording studio for my own songs just for the hell of it (in his words, "I want to hear what you got"), but I want to know what you think of them. Ignore the laughing at the end of the second track. He made a face at me.
Secondly--I can't wait to meet your family. I hope they're not too angry that we got engaged without even meeting us as a couple.
That's a good idea! Except for the sex idea...he's probably either doing it daily with Harmony, or not at all because she's pregnant. But we can get him on something else.
Just wait 'till next time,
Em
PS- You're already incredible. When you're official, you'll be superb.

[Cian Lawrence]

After listening to the CD, Cian was in a "recording" mood himself. Fishing his old tape recorder out of some box, he quickly recorded her "note." When he was over Emma's the next date, He tucked the cassette into the deck of her playing, leaving the little slot open. Written on the side of the tape was " 7/31/09 PLAY ME. Love, Cian"

"Emma love, you inspire me.
"You're CD was absolutely brilliant. Let's see, first song was a little pitchy at the beginning but I reckon you were just nervous, yeah? Second was wonderful except tell Isaac only I'm allowed to make you laugh! --laughter-- Just kiddin', love. Third was tremendous. Fourth was a little...iffy but honestly I think that was the song. Mariah Carey, Em, really? And I'm engaged to you... --more laughter-- And the fifth reminded me of Colleen signing so much I think I nearly cried. Don' worry, that's a good thing.
"Oh, my family couldn't care less! They'll just be happy that I actually managed to convince some poor girl to marry me. --chuckling-- Trust me, my mother will be tripping over herself to make y' comfortable. And my brothers will be flirting with you left and right. That's a test, now. Flirt back. it's what they want. --chuckle--
"We'll find something. Like I said, Our boy Deanie is a fertile ground for mockery. Gods love him.
"I look forward to this next time. Love--Cian
"PS- Thank you for sayin' so. I can't wait for it to be official."

[Emma Lawrence]

She laughed as she heard Cian's "note." She came home to play Phantom today--more Broadway desperation--but saw that a tape was already placed in her cassette. Trying to think of a way to give her reply, she just played and replayed his note, loving the sound of his voice. The white noise in the background was less than necessary, though.
She stopped by his house later that day, but found that he was asleep, so it was the perfect opportunity to lay out her response. She tied a string around his finger carefully before dragging the string throughout his house and led to her note out on the balcony.

8/1/12
Cian,
I'm glad that I inspire you.
Thank you. I tried not to be nervous. Evidently, it didn't work out too well. I always get nervous before I do any kind of solo singing. It's embedded in me. And I'm sorry about the fourth song--it was Isaac's decision! I wanted to skip to the fifth but he just tapped on the glass and was like, "Hey, Em, try Mariah." I was like, "Isaac. I wrote all of these songs. You want me to randomly add in a karaoke version of Mariah Carey?" It was a rather frank discussion of ideas. He won.
Haha! I can't wait. They sound like a good time. I only wish you could've met my family. Deiderich would've had such fun with you. My father would have questioned you to death, and my mother would always make sure your stomach was full.
Very fertile. We'll think of something eventually.
I love your creative notes, by the way. Especially the one you just sent me--on the 31st.
Love,
Em
PS- You're quite welcome. Neither can I.

[Cian Lawrence]

When Cian woke up he was....tangled. In string. It took him a very long, confused moment to realize that the origin of the string was his finger. Stumbling out of bed, he managed to get most of the string off him and follow the line to his balcony. There, a note was waiting for him. He grinned: creative. After writing his reply, he taped it around the pen Emma used when song-writing, replacing the item to her desk.

8/1/12
Emma,
For your first, Emma, it really was lovely. Isaac would be a fool to let you pass him by. Then again, he did insist upon the Mimi, so... However, I'll give him this: it showed off your range fantastically.
Sounds like I would have loved your mother, then, at least. Truly, though, I am sorry I won't get the chance to be meeting them.
I'll call my mum soon and see what's what.
I have no doubt in that.
Ah, thank you. But look at your note. Took me quite a while to figure what was going on this morning.
Love you,
Cian

[Emma Lawrence]

It was her--what?--fifth or sixth day listening to Broadway tunes. Today it was Chicago. This gave her great muse, and when she laid down on her belly on her bed to write, she flipped open her notebook and pen. The pen that was unusually heavy? Grinning at the note, she opened it excitedly. Getting notes from Cian was like finding lost treasure. She got giddy whenever she stumbled upon one.
Writing one back, she even allowed Oliver to draw him a picture at the bottom. When he visited her at work the next day (I gm'd), she had Isaac give it to him.

8/2/12
Cian,
Well thank you very much. I hoped it wouldn't be as wretched as I thought it was going to be. Isaac insists I give it a few more years in the business since I'm still a "rookie." But, he did say he'd keep me on his list. I'm very excited.
She was definitely something else. And it's all right; they were all gone by the time I was seventeen. But I do have stories, so.
Sounds good.
Yeah, I was kind of worried you'd strangle yourself in your sleep, but you seem to be well enough to write back a note, so it's all good.
Love you more (are we going to get into this again?),
Em

[Cian Lawrence]

He had taken the note from Isaac with a laugh a nod. He ended up writing her response on the same sheet where the lyrics to Oliver's lullaby had been scrawled. He crumpled it into a ball and hid it in the bowl of fruit settled on the kitchen table when he was over Emma's the next day.


8/3/12
Sugarpie honeybunch (Apologies, I was just listening to the song),
First off be sure to give Oliver my immense thanks and praise for his drawing. Lovely giraffe, it was.
I'm very excited for you as well! Just be sure that when you're accepting that Grammy for Best New Female Artist that you thank me (by name, of course) and throw my demo to your agent.
I would love to hear the stories.
Just barely. It was material for quite a bit of confusion. You'd have laughed if you were there; I think I spent five straight minutes just staring down at myself, trying to figure out what had happened.
It is my favorite argument,
Cian

[Emma Lawrence]

She was a sucker for fruit. Given a choice between fruit and ice cream or something, Emma usually chose the fruit. Sitting at the table reading the Times the next evening (who read the newspaper in the morning, anyway?), she absently reached into the bowl, preferabley hoping for an orange, when she felt something that was definitely not fruit. Putting the paper down, she stared at the crumpled sheet in her hand. Flattening it out, she laughed as she read. As it were, she wrote the response in the margins of a newspaper article on a recent book review. Over his house that day, she stuck it on the outside of a picture frame that held a photo of them kissing on the Manhattan Bridge. He'd insisted on taking a candid right then and there.

8/4/12
You know that I love you (couldn't resist),
I told him, and he was ecstatic. At the moment he's working on his latest masterpiece for you. But I'll let just what it is be a surprise.
Ha, you're funny. In the way that that would never happen. But thank you for having faith in me. I can give your demo to Isaac right now, actually, if you'd like. But I get to hear it first.
I can bet I would've laughed, too. And then I would have helped you out. Maybe. Next time I won't make my note so elaborate.
Not mine; I always lose,
Em

[Cian Lawrence]

Falling into bed that night, Cian was grinning. Emma had just left and they had spent a wonderful day together. He glanced to his nightstand where the photo of the two of them kissing sat. Something was partially obscuring the picture, though, and he reached for it. It was a folded piece of newpaper; Emma's note scrawled around the margins. He read it through and then replied on a torn sheet from his notebook. The Edge had torn at bit too much and, in an effort to make it look a little better, he tore it to the shape of a heart. He laughed, knowing Emma would get a kick out of it, and folded it inside one of her make-up compacts when he was over her house the next day, picking up Oliver for a "Boy's Day Out."


8/5/12
I can't help myself (You've create a monster, love.),
I can't wait to see it. I keep all his pictures, you know, and I'm planning on selling them at some gallery or something and making a million dollars.
I don't even have a demo, Emma. I've never set foot into a recording studio. I'm sure I'd get laughed right out of the place.
Yes, well, for that I thank you. I've got to think up a really complicated one, to get you back. Not sure what I'll do yet, but you'll know when you come across it.
Only because I'm so damn persistent, love; it's part of my charm,
Cian

[Emma Lawrence]

Even though she seldom wore the stuff, the occasional dinner out to some place nice required her to get "dolled up." At least to the point where she didn't look like a slob. Wandering into the bathroom, she took her makeup compact from the medicine cabinet behind the mirror and read the note on the inside that was smudged with blush and eye shadow.

The next day, Emma took a sharpie into Cian's bathroom, and unraveling all of the toilet paper, wrote her response on the empty cardboard roll, but not before putting a post script in reference to the toilet paper being gone.

8/6/12
I love you and nobody else (I'm good at that),
Oh, good. Well let me get a forewarning in that I accept half of the profit on Oliver's behalf because he is mine. And then we get to combine our profits into full because...well, it's called joint bank accounts as of a week from yesterday.
Well, lucky for you, I talked to Isaac and played him a recording I have of you from the karaoke bar SO...he wants to hear you sometime. He said a few songs, like Light On (David Cook), I'll Be (Edwin McCain), Sweet Child o' Mine (I told him this was pushing it, but he didn't listen. You'll sound amazing, anyway).
I'm still waiting for it. (:
And I love you for it,
Em

PS- Haha! You're fucked now!

[Cian Lawrence]

Cian was lucky he came from a large household. He prescribed to the "Be Prepared" mentality and always kept a spare roll of toilet paper under the bathroom sink. It came in handy one day when he found his previously quarter-full roll all used up. he was curious for only a second until he saw the familiar handwriting on the cardboard. Chuckling, he finished his business and read the note.

On his way over to Emma's house the next day, he picked up a bright blue DryErase marker. The next morning, he crapt out of bed and wrote his reply on the far window, leaving the bottle of Wincex nearby, just to make it convenient. Then he dropped a kiss to Emma's cheek, whispered, "morning, love. I'm off," just as she was stirring, and went off to work.


8/6/12
I'm weaker than a man should be (Gotta love them Temptations),
So what you're really trying to say is that all of that was a waste, as we'll both be having equal rights to his earnings. But none for Oliver. poor boy has greedy selfish parents. =)
Oh, you didn't! Emma love... But he wants to hear me? Really? That is hard to believe. I've no qualms with the Guns and Roses, actually. It's a lovely song. And you know I love that "I'll Be" one. Maybe I'll even toss you a "Hey Jude" or "Little Help From My Friends" while we're at it.
Thank you for the faith, Emma. Much appreciated.
This isn't it. unless you find this impressive? I find myself creatively drained from working on this bloody song. Driving me barking, it is.
And I love you for loving me,
Cian

PS- I believe a more appropriate turn of phrase would be "shit out of luck," yeah?

[Emma Lawrence]

In the morning--was it morning yet?--Emma kept nice and warm under the covers of her bed, until she felt something unfamiliar on her cheek. "No, wait," she mumbled, grabbing his hands before he got too far. Why he had to leave so early, she'd never know. She kept him for at least an hour longer--but they had to stop "head bobbing" because Oliver was waking up.

When it was sunnier out, Emma noticed the window was incredibly dirty with...blue? She read Cian's note, knowing his handwriting anywhere, and wrote her response on the windshield of his car with the same blue marker. After washing her own window thoroughly, of course.

8/7/12
You're my temptation,
Oliver gets a good college education because we're saving that money for his funds. It's a win-win situation. I like to think we're doing him a favor...while, yes, being selfish before that. (:
Oh, but I did! You deserve it. You've worked for a long time, and need a chance to use your talents. All right, I'll tell him to add "Hey Jude" because I don't like you singing about getting high with your friends. (;
Keep tryin', babe. I'm a whiz at these note things.
I love being loved and loving you (make sense?),
Em

PS- Haha! Yes, I suppose.

[Cian Lawrence]

He had walked to work that day, leaving his car at Emma's. He should've known that was a bad idea, all things considered. Walking to Rosewood, he saw his car there, the windshield scribbled over in blue. He did what Emma called a "facepalm," chuckling, before reading the message. Getting in, he cleaned the windshield off before going back in to see Emma. He made no mention toward finding the "note."
The next morning though, he woke up extra early. He had no work but was going to execute his note. He left several decoy pages in areas all around the room: under her pillow, in her drawer, tucked in a music stand, taped around the noserest of her sunglassses. Each one read " SORRY! Why not try...." and then listed the place where another decoy was hidden. After writing the reply, he tucked it into his back pocket. He had hope, while making out that night, she would discover it.


8/7/12
You're my fire, my desire,
All right. We put money for the lad's college education away. Then we buy you a nice sporty car. I'm thinking an Audi or Lambourghini or something. Then we buy me a new Fender. Please? I'm begging on my knees.
Thank you, Emma love. But I do so love getting high with my friends. Kidding, of course. I'm a little excited about this now.
Bwahahaha! I feel like my idea for this note was a lot cooler in theory. And is actually just lame in reality.
It did make sense,
Cian

[Emma Lawrence]

It wasn't a work day, so that gave Emma the excuse to sleep in an extra hour. Adjusting her position slowly, she slid one arm under the pillow, only to grab a piece of paper. Smirking, she pulled it out and opened it. What the fuck? "SORRY! Why not try the dresser?" Curious, but feeling like she was going to make a fool of herself going on treasure hunt, she checked the dresser, which only led to another, and another.

Where the hell was his note?

Later that night--much later; Oliver was asleep already for a good two hours--Emma had Cian's back pressed against a wall in her bedroom, bodies touching, lips caressing each other's, she wrapped her arms around his Irish ass (because she couldn't resist) and dug her hand into his pocket. She slid it into her own back pocket, but not before nailing him with a good slap to the back of the head and breaking from the kiss only for a moment to say, "Creative, but you drove me crazy."

The next day, she took a dart from his dartboard and shoved a piece of paper on it, replacing the dart on the board. "Your notes were complicated," it read, "so good luck finding mine." It laid in a pack of condoms in her underwear drawer.

8/8/12
All right, enough,
A sporty car? Sounds good to me. So long as I get to put my feet up on the dashboard and put the top down so my hair gets wild. Yes, we can buy you a Fender.
A little? I'd be ecstatic! He thinks you've got something tucked away in there, so take that as a compliment. How's Friday working for you to play for him?
It wasn't lame, it just drove me up the fucking wall. When I realized the note wasn't actually in my dorm, I wanted to kill something. Very creative. You're catching up to my speed. (;
Good, because I love you,
Em

PS- When you find this, we're not using what it's in, if you know what I mean.

[Cian Lawrence]

Emma was out and Oliver was crying and Cian wasn't really sure what to do. The poor kid had been crying for nearly hour straight and he wasn't hot and he wasn't hungry and he wasn't sleepy and Cian was fucked. Bouncing the boy, murmuring shushes and "okay"s as he went, Cian hurried into the bedroom. He laid Oliver in the middle of the big bed on his belly and slowly rubbed his back. Oliver's sobs turned to cries and then hiccups and then whimpers and then finally the steady inhale-exhale of sleep. Letting out a sigh of relief, Cian moved to the dress in search of pajams for the little boy. ONly he had no clue where Emma kept any of the clothes. He tossed some things about before finally locating the proper articles and getting Oliver dressed. Leaving the boy a moment, he saw a slip of paper tucked into a condom box. Chuckling, he took it out and read it.

After scrawling a quick reply on the back of a picture Oliver had drawn earlier, he put it up on the fridge with a magnet. Standing back, he confirmed that the note could be seen through the page so Emma would find it, Cian stumbled back to bed. He fell asleep promptly, one arm thrown protectively over Oliver.


8/10/12
I agree; the lyric game has gone too far,
Sounds dead sexy, Emma. And thank you! I think I want a dark red one, to match my new bedroom color.
Does he? Interesting... I do enjoy the compliments, very much. Thank you. Yes, now I'm very excited but that isn't very manly, is it?
Oh but Emma. I love driving you up the wall. I'm afraid I used up my creativity already because I've no clue where I'm going to hide his one...
Love you lots and lots,
Cian

PS- When you find this, we're not using what it's in, if you know what I mean.