The Illusion of Happiness

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Furrowing her brows, Erika looked at her husband. She tilted her head and paused before speaking; "I don't think there is a right way to do it," she said slowly as she looked over at their son. "People just do the best they can and hope everything works out. He's happy, you know? He's got a roof over his head and food on the table. He's got everything he'll ever need. At least that's a start." She wasn't really any more worried than any other parent would be, but she'd also realized that there was little point in thinking about it, because one way or another, they were in this situation and could only make the best of it.

"Nah," she chuckled. "You've got me to make sure that doesn't happen," she added as she playfully bumped his shoulder. Sure, Drew was similar to his parents in some way, but they balanced each other out that way. Which, she thought, made a rather nice mix.

[Drew Conner]

Drew's eyes dropped even as his wife's words brought a smile to his face. He couldn't help the insecurities that came with being a young father. Even if he had been prepared to take over a massive corporation from birth there was nothing that compared to the mixed feelings that came with Isaac's birth and continued growth. Every day it seemed as though their son displayed some tiny trait or habit that could be attributed to one of them. It blew Drew's mind to see this little person starting to form in front of him. A little person that would look up to him. Try to emulate him. He could only hope to be the kind of father worthy of that.

He nodded slowly, his gaze lifting, pausing to take in Isaac who was now sitting in the snow while Argos romped around him and then shifting to the woman standing nearby. "That's fair." He replied, smirking a bit. If there was anyone in the world who could keep him on an even keel it was Erika. She always did know how to push his buttons in just the right ways. "At least tell me I'm not the only one who worries about things like that." He said with a light chuckle.

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

"You're not," Erika promised and took Drew's hand in her own and gave it a comforting squeeze. She thought insecurities came with the territory. But they were also doing the best they could and that was what anyone could really hope for. They were young, but Isaac had been planned. They knew what they were getting themselves into - to some extent, at least.

"He's growing up so fast," she mused as she looked over at their son playing in the snow, looking absolutely gleeful. "Soon he'll be old enough to sass at as." Erika could only hope he didn't inherit her sass. Although, if he inherited his father's ability to discuss and argue, Erika was going to have a rather hard time with him. Chuckling, the brunette shook her head. "We're in way over our heads here, huh?"

[Drew Conner]

"Thank God." Drew replied with a light laugh that trailed off when he felt Erika's fingers slip around his hand. He glanced down at their hands and smiled before lifting his eyes to his wife. It was the subtle moments like these that made him realize how lucky he truly was to have her. It wasn't just that she'd given him a beautiful family but also the simple knowledge that he would have been completely lost without her. When it came to the rambunctious two year old that was happily playing nearby Drew was well aware that she was the glue that held everything together.

"Only if he gets my way with words and your stubbornness." Drew let out a resigned sigh and turned his attention back to the little boy. "Which I have a bad feeling is the case."

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Laughing, Erika had to agree with that statement. They'd surely created a force to be reckoned with. They were both different, with strong personalities and opinions and naturally, a lot of that would rub off on their son. "We've created a monster," she whispered teasingly as she gave his hand a squeeze. In a way, she wasn't all that worried. In a way, it made her happy Isaac had gotten some of their stronger points. It made her proud.

"If he gets your smirk, all is over. We can just quit right now," she continued, tossing her husband a playful wink. "I'd be outnumbered. I'd have no chance." She could barely handle one of those smirks, let alone two.

[Drew Conner]

"Oh, God. We have." Drew nodded and attempted to maintain a stoic expression on his face though he failed miserable and a warm smile overtook his features. There were few things in his life he appreciated more than the rare moments he got to spend with his family. It hadn't always been easy, especially in the early days of their relationship but Drew wouldn't change a thing about the path they had taken.

"i think his future teachers are in more trouble than you." He remarked with a soft laugh. If the past was an indicator that would be true no matter which qualities Isaac ended up ultimately adopting from his parents. It was no secret that Erika and Drew hadn't, exactly, been model students growing up. Just because they finished near the top of their class academically didn't mean they were void of any sort of troubles. Especially Drew and his early reputation. "I don't think we gave enough thought in what we were unleashing on this world." He said in a mockingly dramatic tone. "What have we done?"

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Chuckling, the brunette rose to her feet and stretched her arms. "Be as it may, there's nothing to be done about it now." No, there was still some time before school was even an option for their child and he seemed to play well with the other kids in kindergarten, so Erika wasn't all that worried.

"Anyways, we should get home so we can give the little Devilspawn some food," she added with another chuckle before she turned towards their son, whom was still cheerfully playing with Argos. "Isaac, it's time to head home," she called out and the boy's head perked up from a pile of snow and offered both of his parents a toothy smile.

"Pancakes!" the boy cried out.

[Drew Conner]

Following suit Drew got to his feet as well, his blue eyes gleaming as they shifted from the excited child playing the snow to the woman at his side. "I wouldn't change a thing if I could." He said a matter of factly. He had no doubt Erika was well aware of this, it was simply comforting to say once in a while.

"No, not pan-" Drew cut himself off and frowned a bit before glancing to Erika, then back to Isaac. For just a brief moment his mind was flooded with the memories of his own childhood. He had no complaints, after all, his parent's strict, if not draconian, methods had created the man who was standing in the snow today. A man with considerable financial and corporate wealth and power to go along with a beautiful, loving family that brightened every day of his life. And yet, through it all Drew could never remember ever being allowed to simply be a child. "You know what." He said, reaching down to take one of Isaac's gloved hands and start out of the park. The boy snatched his mother's hand and walked between them. It was a remarkably inauspicious sight for anyone to see. Just two parents walking their child out of the park after a few hours of play.

"Yeah." Drew said with a confirming nod, mostly to himself. "Let's have pancakes."