Friends Only-Filtered away from the kids

[father_peter]

Today I was told that my daughter only exsists because Katherine was afraid she'd lose me after I caught her cheating. Of course, big dummy that I am, I wasn't really going to leave her (I've made that particular mistake twice now...marvel at my stupidity) but she was so afraid that she stopped taking her birth control pills to try and get pregnant to keep me there.

Wonderful, isn't it?

But the very fact that Katherine admitted that to me actually made me feel better. Not because of what she did, but because she's changed enough that she can see what she did as a bad thing. And she trusts me enough to tell me. That's pretty astounding progress from hissing obscenities when I walk into a room, I think.

And really, I don't care how Lydia came about. I'm just damn glad she's here.

Comments

[elizabeth-long.livejournal.com]

While I still want to strangle both the women stupid enough to cheat on you, I have to admit, Katherine has changed a lot. I can stand to be in the same room with her, which is pretty impressive...I'd spontaneously combust if I was in the room with that other one.

I'm glad Lyddie is here too, Peter.

[father-peter.livejournal.com]

Please no combusting, spontaneously or otherwise.

I love you, Liz.

[elizabeth-long.livejournal.com]

I'll try to contain myself!

I love you too!

[in-spectre-mors.livejournal.com]

I suppose this just has to be a case of the doing the best we can with the hand we've been dealt. Things seem to have come to a point where we can say they turned out for the best. Katherine is picking herself up, you have a beautiful daughter, and you found a wonderful woman with whom you can raise a remarkable family. What Katherine did back then was utterly reprehensible, but at this juncture, the past is probably best left just there - in the past.

By the way, I'm at Victoria Lane, and we're composing a song about incidental donuts. It's a weird and wacky place.

[father-peter.livejournal.com]

That's pretty much what I was feeling. I think it's better than hitting the bottle and swearing at my own shoes for ten hours straight.

That does sound weird and wacky. And now, incidently, I want a donut...

[in-spectre-mors.livejournal.com]

A remarkably good point. Your shoes don't deserve that.

I'm sure no one would at all object to you popping round tomorrow morning for coffee and donuts. We can discuss how the night's vigil and / or snoozing went.

[father-peter.livejournal.com]

Well they do when one hides and I can't find it and then it's in the dryer...

I'll be there. Thank you, Adrian.

[in-spectre-mors.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, Peter. But... how did you end up with one shoe in the dryer...?

[seminalsemiotic.livejournal.com]

Ugh. I can't even imagine it. Doing those things... just takes so much for granted. Cheating on your partner. Making yourself pregnant for your own ends. If Katherine had lived my life, she would understand the true value of the things that she had so little regard for.

That really pisses me off. I know it's not who she is now, but... well, I think it's just a good thing I wasn't there when this revelation came about.

I'm glad Lydia is here too. That's the important thing, after all. But I still have a few years left to be a petty teenager, so... *is a petty teenager*

[father-peter.livejournal.com]

You are justified in feeling any way you want, Renee. I don't think it's petty at all. It is taking a great deal for granted and she gambled with a great many things. I'm just glad that it didn't turn out horribly. I want to be angry, but Lydia is so beautiful and I just can't make myself feel upset that she's here. Katherine was a lost, hurting woman. She didn't understand what she was doing then. She does now, and that gives me hope.

[seminalsemiotic.livejournal.com]

To gain understanding is noble as a goal and in deed. I'm glad it has turned out thus. And I'm glad you understand the way I feel. Sometimes I feel as though there are things I take too personally, especially knowing that sometimes I may be a little... funny in the head. It's good to hear a little validation of my sanity every now and again. That in itself probably helps to get me out of trouble, you know?

[father-peter.livejournal.com]

I do know. I also know it's better to feel what you're feeling and express that to others than to bottle it up and keep it to yourself. That's what Katherine did. And myself, for many years. Even if someone doesn't understand, the people who love you will still listen. I know that from experience too. And I know that when they listen, they help.

I haven't forgotten that it was you that refused to accept something I said once. You told me there had to be another way and we compromised. If I hadn't listened, I don't think I'd be here right now. So see, you happen to keep me out of trouble too.

[seminalsemiotic.livejournal.com]

You make so much sense. I'm so glad I have you to talk to. I really am blessed to have so many people who care so deeply for me. And I'm very glad indeed to know you know the same, that there is a veritable legion of friends waiting to catch you should you stumble or fall. I love you, Peter. As for keeping you out of trouble, well... even if some people call it "stubborn", I know I'm really just awesome like that.

[empress-tasha.livejournal.com]

i'd headdesk if it wouldn't jolt my tongue too much. but then, i suppose i'm hardly one to have a go at others for making bad decisions in the distant past. i'm just glad you don't feel badly over this, that you can take the positive view. lydia makes that a hell of a lot easier, doesn't she?

[father-peter.livejournal.com]

Lydia makes everything a hell of a lot easier.

And yes no...jolting tongues.

[empress-tasha.livejournal.com]

hehe, jolting tongues. probably too easy. actually though, all i can think of is licking a battery...

[father-peter.livejournal.com]

...Tasha? What happens when you lick a battery?

[maximumnerdage.livejournal.com]

Well, some people are crap. But at least they get better sometimes, like Spike or Darth Vader.

Heh, for some reason, I think it would be funny if your ex had a chip in her head. Anyway, yay for daughters who help you look on the bright side of unsolicited pregnancy.

[father-peter.livejournal.com]

Darth Vader's head was all ooky. Which I know was not your point, but it was all I could think of at the end of that movie and it's similarly distracted me now.

Would it be like a Pringle or a thick chip?

[maximumnerdage.livejournal.com]

Well, I've never met this Katherine woman, so for all I know it may apply. Is her head ooky?

I think it would be a Dorito. They're triangular.

[father-peter.livejournal.com]

Not really no, her head is...headlike.

Oooh!

[deirdre-ionuin.livejournal.com]

AHHAH THAT'S A PERSONAL QUESTION!

[appearstobe.livejournal.com]

Mr Kemp, you know I called you a do-gooder the other day? I've worked out why, it's because you know some really rubbishy people. But I guess the outcome was good, right?

[father-peter.livejournal.com]

Well that's a fair way to put it, I suppose! I know some really unrubbishy ones too! And yes, the outcome was very good.

[appearstobe.livejournal.com]

Then you got the lucky side in the end.