Opposites Attract

Making Plans

John watched as Selene wandered aimlessly around the lounge, picking up the random items that his family seemed to scatter the length of the house if they were in a room for more than five minutes and tidying them away.

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't still worried about her. She'd been better since her talk with his father, more responsive and more like her usual affectionate self, but unless someone was actively engaging with her or she had something to occupy her thoughts she was quiet, too quiet for his liking. Where she would usually be the first person to insert herself into a conversation or to offer to help, she now hung back, sitting quietly until she was spoken to.

The family had done all they could to keep her busy and included in everything they did, but there was only so much time they could devote to her. He could understand her, where she wasn't numb with grief anymore she was having to process, to switch her view to a world where her father no longer existed in it and while Rufus hadn't been a very active part in her life, she was still feeling the loss greatly.

He and Scott watched her like hawks, constantly on the alert for a change in her moods. They saw the way she could be joining in with a conversation one minute, even sharing a laugh with them or watching a movie and without warning her eyes would fill with tears, as if she'd suddenly remembered or felt guilty for forgetting and enjoying herself. She would hurriedly brush them away, or make an excuse to leave the room for a few moments, not wanting them to see. But they knew and their hearts hurt for her.

He'd been wracking his brain for days trying to think of something, anything that he could give her to focus on that wasn't her loss. But he was drawing a blank. It wasn't like his mind to let him down like this and he wasn't impressed with it. He had no other choice, he'd have to do it, and he'd have to draft in reinforcements.

"Council of war, Round House, ten minutes," he sent as a group message through their private comms but making sure to leave Selene out of it.

It didn't take long for them to begin filtering in, and soon his entire family was gathered, staring at him expectantly.

He cleared his throat, trying to think of the best way to word things. In the end he decided to just blurt it out.

"We need to distract Selene, she needs something to focus on, just wafting around the house like this isn't doing her any good."

Scott nodded. "Agreed."

"So," and here came the hard part of his plan. "I'm going to need you all to volunteer your services, this is a time of self sacrifice for the greater good."

"What kind of services?" Kayo asked, instantly suspicious.

"Whatever she asks of you. Believe me, I'm the one could be hit the hardest by this," he shuddered at the very thought of what he was about to say.

"That sounds bad," Alan groaned.

John nodded seriously. "It's time to start planning our wedding."

Grandma shrieked with joy, clapping her hands.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

"Grandma, remember that we're doing this to distract her, keep her busy and make her feel better, it has to be exactly what she wants and how she wants to, please help her, don't hinder her," John quickly reined her in.

"I know that," she sniffed indignantly, "I can be restrained."

John didn't look too convinced about that but was wise enough not to bait her further.

"So, can I count on you all to be subtle but helpful? To steer her towards making plans and thinking about other things?"

They all nodded.