xp_logs | Nathan and Hank, Sunday morning

A moment over coffee, very early Sunday morning before Nathan and Moira leave for their honeymoon.

Hank hadn't wanted to be awake at this utterly ridiculous hour, but his sleeping patterns were sufficiently disrupted, at this point, that when he was awake he was awake, and he just had to live with it. So he was up and making coffee when dawn began to lighten the sky, and humming while he was at it. Yesterday had been wonderful... especially the part right at the end, when he and Maddie had kissed and snuggled before saying goodnight. That thought still put a silly grin on his face.

He looked around as Nate wandered, bleary eyed, into the room, and beamed at him. "Good morning, oh newly-made husband!" he said cheerfully, knowing he must be positively oozing myriad tones of joy, rapture, and probable glee from the telepathic point of view. "Have you come in search of coffee, that your newly claimed mate may not savage you for the caffeine in your bloodstream? Behold! Coffee is prepared, and you need have no further fear for your safety."

Nathan's eyebrows headed for his hairline and he repressed a laugh. "I'm here for a cup of coffee where Moira won't see me, yes. We've got to head to the airport in an hour." He went over and poured himself a cup, smiling at Hank. "You had a good time last night, if you're still in this good a mood."

"I had a wonderful time," Hank said happily. "Moira is happy, and since I adore her and have seen her unhappy far too often, that makes me happy too. Were that not enough, there was a delightful party, at which everyone seemed to have a marvellous time and at which I danced with many delightful partners, including a small fuzzy child who seemed to find it the height of hilarity, and..." He smiled at the thought of Madelyn, and how right it had felt to hold her. "And I had, as my escort, a red-haired doctor second only in beauty and fascination to your own lady... and that only because it is impolite to outshine a bride." The silly grin was back again. He decided to let it enjoy itself, and gave it the run of his face.

"Ahhh," Nathan said wisely, sipping at his coffee. "I'm loathe to rank any of the surpassingly lovely women that graced the reception last night, but Madelyn was looking particularly radiant, yes."

"There were many lovely ladies, but to me, Madelyn outshone them all... as I'm sure Moira did to you." Hank smiled, sipping his own coffee. "We... have been taking things very slowly. It's been... difficult, for me, given my tendency to fling myself into romance head-first, but it has served us well, I think. It's certainly added a certain thrill to progress." He chuckled, sipping his own coffee. "I can't remember the last time I was so elated over having won a simple kiss or two from a lady."

This was really extremely adorable, Nathan thought with a chuckle. "I'm thrilled to see the two of you enjoying yourself," he said very sincerely. "You both deserve it."

Hank grinned sheepishly. "I know I'm gushing, but... she is wonderful," he said softly. "I am quite unbelievably fortunate to be with involved with her, and I still can't quite believe how lucky I am." He shook his head, and raised his coffee-cup in a mock-toast. "To the lovely, brilliant, and wonderful red-haired doctors who are willing to suspend good judgement enough to get involved with lummocks like us," he said solemnly. "May they never regain their senses."

"I'll drink to that," Nathan laughed, raising his coffee cup. "Too bad Scott's not here. I'm sure he'd join us." Raising the coffee cup meant he couldn't drink out of it, so he didn't keep it up in the air for long. "So, you and your red-haired doctor are heading back... what, today, or tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow. Since we're here, I have promised to take her on a little tour... I have, after all, been here many times. We can buy souveniers for family, and so on." He beamed. "And... just spend time together. Something we have had, as yet, few opportunities to do. I am looking forward to it so much that I barely need the coffee to wake me up. Anticipation is doing the job quite well."

"A little time together, away from the school... probably exactly what the doctor ordered, pardon the pun." Nathan was a bit envious about Hank not needing caffeine, though. "And I can speak from long personal experience about the romantic charm of Muir Island."

Hank sighed blissfully. "I can hardly wait." He grinned. "Although you, my friend, have even more to look forward to than I... a lovely bride, a student-free holiday..." He was trying very hard not to leap so far ahead in their potential relationship as to imagine Madelyn as a bride herself, but after positively wallowing in weddingness yesterday, it wasn't easy.

"A holiday during which Moira fully intends to make sure I keep up with my physical therapy as much as possible," Nathan pointed out with a laugh. "Did I tell you she turned down a couple of hotels simply because they had inappropriate pools in which her creaky husband could do his daily swimming?"

Hank laughed. "If you like, you may tell her that her doctor told you that she is required to join you in said daily swimming, as it's the best way to stay relatively fit until giving birth - which is easier when in good condition." He winked. "Not that she doesn't know that, of course, but this way she isn't the only one who can throw around 'doctor's orders'. And besides, I've always considered having a scantily clad lady in the water with one to add amazingly to the incentive to swim."

"There is that," Nathan said cheerfully. "It's a renovated castle, the hotel... absolutely beautiful, to judge from the pictures. We'd actually toyed with staying right in Florence, but Moira and I both decided that we would probably enjoy ourselves more out in the country."

"I suspect you're quite right in that respect. Given the ructions common in the mansion, I imagine that peace and quiet will be good for both of you... or even all three of you." Hank smiled fondly. "I am delighted for both of you, you know... I've long wanted to see Moira happy, and the two of you seem to suit one another with almost frightening perfection."

"Thank you," Nathan said, gravely but still smiling. "I think we're a pretty good fit, too." He took another sip of his coffee. "Well," he said, "I need to go convince Haroun and Alison to take the wedding presents back with them in the 'Bird. Forgot to ask that last night."

"Tell Haroun that the presents wiggle less than the students and are less likely to pry things open to see what's inside." Hank grinned. "Of course, then he'll try to leave the students behind, but I'm fairly sure Alison won't let him."