Breath In Your Body

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

"I thought I'd find you here," Erika announced the moment she stepped into the nearly empty classroom. It was in the middle of final season, so she'd expected to find Callie somewhere, either procrastinating or studying. Which, didn't matter. She wasn't here to lecture a student, but instead catch up with a friend. It was a little odd, being friends with students, but she supposed that's what Erika got for being a headmistress at such a young age.

Placing the two coffee mugs on the table in front of Callie, Erika pulled a chair with her and sat down. "I'm not disturbing you, am I?" she tilted her head for a second before she looked around the classroom. She kind of missed being a student. Life had seemed so much more simple back then. Now she was in charge of a school and a mutant community, a wife, a mother...

So much had changed the past three years and Erika didn't know what to make of it all. She was happy though. She loved her job, she loved her husband and her son. She wouldn't have traded them for anything; not even a few more moments as a young adult with no responsibilities.

"I figured it's been too long since we've had a moment to chat."

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie had remained in the classroom longer than she needed too. She didn’t mind being here. There was something about it that was soothing. Plus, it was one of the few places that if class wasn’t in session you could almost guarantee it would be empty. She was looking over some of her notes, while her camcorder was setting at the edge of the table, tempting her the way it always did. She was about to reach for it when she heard a voice. The blonde turned her head and gave a toothy smile when she saw it was Erika. “Hey there.” She said, her accent subtle as she spoke.

The students blue eyes followed her friend and watched happily as she pulled up a seat next to her. “Naw not at all!” Callie left her camcorder where it was, she tilted her head slightly out of curiosity. She couldn’t help but wonder what such a busy person was doing talking to silly old Callie. Her smile remained and grew slightly as her question had been answered. “It has been pretty long. Ain’t that somethin’?” So much had changed in what seemed to be such a short time.

“How ya doin’ darliin’?” Callie asked, voice filled with sincerity and wonder.

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Tag: Erika Conner (Bellefonte)

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

There was something about those silent moments of freedom where you could sit down and simply chat with an old friend. Erika didn't have a lot of those moments anymore. She supposed it was a given with everything going around - like the SPRITE, for example. However, Erika wasn't about to worry about that now. She wasn't here to conduct business. Instead, she was here to relax and catch up.

"I suppose so," the brunette laughed, her muscles relaxing as she leaned back in the chair. She enjoyed Callie's presence. There was something incredibly soothing about it.

"I'm doing alright," she shrugged, the smile remaining. "Just been busy, although I think that's to be expected." After all, being a mother, a wife and a career woman took its toll. She couldn't really complain though. After all, she'd pretty much walked down that road with her head held high. "How about yourself?" she asked in turn, offering the blonde her full attention along with an attentive smile.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie adjusted herself in her chair, facing Erika. It was a pleasant surprise. She was in no rush to be anywhere – even if the camera was tempting – and she always enjoyed a chat with a friend. She gave a smile. She had always been quite impressed with Erika. To be so young and have so much responsibility was a daunting idea to Callie. She was only two years older and was already married with a child, not to mention head of the entire academy. He plate was most certainly full. The woman was role model if anything.

Callie let out a giggle, “I’d assume you’d be busy. I’m surprised ya got time for little ol’ me.” She joked lightheartedly. “I’m good. Just been focusing on school and whatnot.” She said with a smile as she waved her hand dismissively. “Not much goin’ on with me really. How’s your little one?”

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Tag: Erika Conner (Bellefonte)

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Erika was young - with a ton of responsibility on her shoulders, but then again, she'd been trained for this since she was young. She'd always known she'd take over the academy one day, and even if it had happened much earlier than planned, all she could really do was step up to the plate. Her grandfather was supposed to remain at the school for many more years, but as many knew, that hadn't gone according to plan.

"Of course I have time for you," she said, smiling. She'd always make time for her friends no matter how busy she got. She'd learned just how important it was - having friends you could lean and rely on. "I'm glad." Part of Erika was relieved; so much was happening, it wouldn't surprise her if some people ended up crumbling under the pressure. Thankfully, Callie wasn't one of those people.

The warm smile returned to Erika's lips at the mention of her son, Isaac. "Oh you know," she laughed. "Growing way too fast and growing more and more independant by the second."

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie scrunched her nose while she gave a toothy smile. Her hands instinctively began playing with the tips of her hair. It kept her hands from grabbing her camera. Erika was one of those people who were so genuine and easy to talk to. It sometimes made her forget how young she really was.

She watched as Erika lit up at the mention of her son. Callie couldn’t help but wonder what that must be like. The feeling of having a child. Something that you brought into this world and is a literal part of you. It was quite fascinating. She let out a giggle, “Must be a sight to behold.” She said, her voice filled with admiration. “Really Erika. I don’t know how ya manage. What’s it like? Being a mama?” She asked, blue eyes wide with curiosity.

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Tag: Erika Conner (Bellefonte)

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Pausing, the brunette considered the question for a moment. "It's not like anything I ever imagined," she replied honestly. You could prepare yourself all you wanted, but the feeling, the sensation of being a mother... Well, it wasn't anything she'd ever thought. That kind of love and responsibility surpassed everything she'd ever felt before. "It's... Challenging, for sure and you always expect to make mistakes, but it's... Amazing." She chuckled softly at that and a touch of crimson colored her cheeks.

"But I'm not going to gush about it, because once I start, it's hard to finish," she added with another chuckle. She'd annoyed several people before with talking about her son - and her son only. She figured if Callie wanted to know, she'd ask. "What about you? Not wanting to create a family just yet?" she asked teasingly.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie listened and as Erika spoke her smile grew. The joy was evident in her voice. “That’s ‘mazin’, it really is. I can only imagine what it’s like.” Motherhood was one of those things you could only truly understand if you were part of it. Otherwise there was no way to even try to compare it to anything else.

The blonde let out a laugh at Erika’s question. “Me? No, not yet. If at all. I have no idea yet.” She answered honestly. Children were the last thing on her mind. Not to mention she’d need to meet someone first. The thought was interesting. Would she want kids? “I’ve never thought 'bout it to be honest.” She said with a shrug. “But please gush on, I’d love to hear all about motherhood. Maybe you could sway me one way or another.” She added with a giggle.

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Tag: Erika Conner (Bellefonte)

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

"You'll have your chance soon enough," Erika teased. She was certain that most people, at some point, would settle down and have a family. Whatever that word meant to each person; it could be a husband or a wife, children, siblings, parents or even friends. Family didn't necessarily mean blood, after all.

Erika had to laugh at that. "Give it time," she winked at the blonde. Though, Callie asked her to continue and the brunette fell silent for a moment before she continued. "Well, it's not all it's cracked up to be. I mean, I don't regret it, at all, but your life changes. Completely. Suddenly you come second; your body, your wellbeing all comes second to keeping this tiny human alive."

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie waved her hand dismissively as she let out another laugh. “Perhaps.” She said in contemplation. “I ain’t counting it out completely…yet.” She said as she scrunched her nose. The thought of her being a mother was new territory. She had a feeling she would be a good mother, potentially.

Listening to Erika speak about her new life. Only one word came to Callie’s mind: responsibility. Like an incredibly substantial responsibility. Complete control, care, and influence over another human. The thought was daunting. Her eyes narrowed in on Erika. “That sounds like a big change. I can’t even fathom the thought of that. Were you scared?” She asked, her blue eyes wide with curiosity.

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Tag: Erika Conner (Bellefonte)

[Erika Conner (Bellefonte)]

Chuckling, Erika shrugged. "Thankfully you have a lot of time to think it through." It wasn't as if Erika was about to force her own life on other people. She had been ready to have a child. She had been married and settled down. She wasn't about to expect people the same age as her to be or do the same. It was quite a long shot, after all.

"I still am," she smiled. "Being in charge of a child, this tiny little human? You're constantly afraid of messing it up somehow, but you also learn to just... Push through it." Isaac and Drew meant the world to her and she wouldn't change it for anything in the world. But still, the married couple had been charmed. They had all the money they could ever wish for, which surely had made things a lot easier.