[Maria did worry that someone would come after Adam. the twisted logic of Jigsaw's games was still confusing to her and she wondered if Adam had truly won his freedom in that psycho's mind. or anybody who wanted to copy him because people did that, didn't they? Maria didn't know if she was just paranoid or what but she thought she had every right to be. that man was still out there, still hurting people, and she worried for Adam's safety.
part of her knew that Adam needed her to worry for him. even if they did never talk about it too much or she made a big show of it, only clung to him, it was good for Adam to know Maria wasn't going anywhere.
as if accepting his proposal hadn't shown just how serious she was about staying with him.]
Hardly, babe. [she rested her head lightly on his shoulder.] Mary's a romantic and she's sweet. I know she's wanted to meet you and kept asking me. [but when was a good time to introduce your traumatized fiancรฉ? there wasn't one and Maria knew Adam needed to have some control as well. the last thing Maria had wanted to do was stress him out all the more.]
( the moment her head came down onto his shoulder, he rubbed his cheek gently against the top of her head much like a cat marking their human up. they had become so close in the time they've been together and everything felt so right between them. there was no need to hold back, even if fear loomed behind them.
as they stood there, he fiddled with the pack of smokes, closing it as he wriggled the smoke already on his lips away from her and towards the opposite end of his mouth. )
Did she?
( it's an old habit from a different time, when he was still insecure and unsure of where things were going with maria, but he couldn't help but be surprised this 'mary' knew about him at all. still he's quick to laugh, placing the pack of smokes on the counter. )
Well I don't want to keep my dear 'sister' waiting for me for very long. Let's do it, before we get married. Besides we need witnesses and I'd rather ask them than take up Oprah on her little 'offer'.
( he was more stressed by all the interviews and grandiose displays of charity and kindness everyone was suddenly showing him. he took it a bit bitterly; angry that they only showed up when he was now known for such a terrible thing, but he also wasn't outright saying now to them. they both needed as much help as they could get given he technically had to retire from his line of work now. )
Uh so....I've never really met any of my girlfriend's families. Should I wear like a suit and tie? Bring flowers? Help me out here future wifey.
[these were the simple moments, where Maria and Adam could enjoy each other's company. where it didn't feel like they had so many things weighing on them and they could simply just be two people who loved each other. wanted to spend time together. Maria thought that Adam needed this just as much.
her head remains on his shoulder as he talks to her.] Fuck Oprah honestly. [or anybody else that interviewed Adam. the publicity was a double-edged sword. it helped in some ways, got their story out there and got Adam help. but she knew it just made him relive his worst moments. the media were like vultures, wanting to pick apart him and his story. it wasn't fair. but until Adam was old news, this was their life.
and Maria wouldn't be leaving him.
though she was also stuck. she was the fiancee of the man who escaped Jigsaw. the first time she tried to work at the bar, it had been a nightmare. certainly didn't help Adam any and so she couldn't work much either. Maria had to figure out what she was going to do for money in her very limited skill set.]
As much as I think you'd be very cute in your suit and tie, I don't think black tie is the style we're going for. Just dress like you always do. Be yourself. Be the man I'm proud to be marrying.
( it was that sassy-wit and sharp tongue of hers that he liked the most. he was far too changed now to say such a thing, but he would have been the first to roll out the middle fingers to her or any other grifter that came moseying about. now he simply laughed, letting maria take charge of such heady attitudes and jokes. )
Alright, old band-tee and jeans, got it.
( he rolled his head to the side a bit, cigarette pushed off to the side of his mouth as he gently rubbed the tip of his nose against her forehead. it seemed they both had similar worries, because soon enough adam was reaching for a package that came in the mail. )
Speaking of, I have something I wanted to discuss with you. It's about this whole Jigsaw and corrupt, shitty cops thing I've been going through. Can we uh...sit in the living room?
[Maria did miss his sarcastic quips and jokes but she knew that after what he went through, he was changed. it didn't change that she loved him. there was still that sarcastic edge to him, even if it had dulled some. it was to be expected.]
That's the man I'm marrying and the man they'll meet.
[she didn't want him to be anybody else. she would love every version of him.
when he takes out the package, she eyes it and there's worry there in her eyes. even if she knew that by marrying Adam, by continuing to stay with him, meant marrying this...it didn't mean she didn't wish it would stop.] Yeah, come on. [she moved to help him get up. just a natural action now.]
Guessing this isn't a fun wedding present, is it? [she jokes as she helps him get to the living room so they can sit.]
( it had dulled but in a good way; he was no longer waxing poetry about how the world was out to get them and how he was a little man being stomped down by the greedy fat cats in wall street. no, instead adam took the time to actually appreciate the little things in life and to find solace in what he had. it was twisted that this was the influence jigsaw had on him but....he supposed it could be worse.
he also had trauma but he'd prefer this. to her movements though, he limped alongside her and made his way into the living room as their cat trailed along, purring against maria's legs before scooting off to the couch. it'd become natural to him too; providing comfort to them both through affection and remaining close. it seemed adam's disappearance had an affect on mr. whiskers as well. )
Well actually here's the funny thing, if I agree to it, it could be.
( this was clearly something serious. once they were in the living room, he fell back onto the couch and let out a soft grunt as he adjusted himself. with the package in his hand, she looked over to maria. )
So here's the thing. I got approached by this lawyer who said he helped this other Jigsaw victim you know? He said the guy's case was fumbled by the cops and he helped get him a good settlement but he had only been missing for a day and ended up having to uh.....well let's say he wasn't injured and left for death for almost a month.
I wanted your opinion on this because it's going to be one hell of a battle. Court visits, gas money, the works. He said this charity would help with the bills until we got our settlement but they can't pay for basic stuff like food or lost wages you know?
[Maria sits on the arm of the couch next to where he was, putting her arm up around him as she looked down at what he had. as she listened, the answer seemed obvious. there was so much Adam was owed for what he went through. nobody had listened to her when she said something was wrong and while Maria's first thought had not been Jigsaw, it seemed obvious now. the police had been wrong and they'd royally fucked up. they must have known they did.
Maria wasn't a legal genius but she thought she knew what an easy win was.
but the problem was this wasn't going to be an easy win now was it? Adam would have to relive how much trauma? and Maria knew she'd be questioned as well. she was part of this as the woman he was marrying, not to mention as the person to report his disappearance. it had been Maria to first notice that Adam was missing and she knew it was easy to point fingers at her. both of their names would be slung through the mud. it was already happening and the court case would make it worse.
but the problem was the lost wages. Adam was being given more opportunity as a photographer due to the publicity but if he had to focus on the case then he couldn't do much work. and right now, Maria was finding it hard to work at all. since Maria had come out as Adam's wife to be, news outlets and weirdos had been camping out at the strip club. it made it hard to work at all. the owner had offered to let her work as a bartender instead of a dancer but it just wasn't the work she knew. when it came to the basics, they'd be relying on Maria and so she knew she'd have to take the bartending job. it was the best she could do because Maria knew how this world worked. Adam's wife being a stripper wouldn't do him any favors.]
Do it. Drain them dry, babe. We know the cops fucked up and they know they did, too. We can make it until you get the settlement. I'll take the bar job to get us by. Tom said the tips can get good so I'll be extra charming.
( that was the problem with justice wasn't it? all the loopholes they'll have to jump through, the victim-blaming [as if it wasn't already happening given jigsaw targeted those he saw didn't value life], and all the scrutiny the two would go under. however the lawyer discussed with him that he'd work it in their favorโ the work they did that society viewed as flaws would be used to explain why the police wrote them off, how despite coming from questionable backgrounds, that they loved and adored each other.
he didn't want to explain to maria just how much would be nitpicked about the two, but he's sure she could see it in his eyes and the way he nervously looked at the package. it was like a bomb was in there, waiting and hiding to explode. )
Well um that's the thing Maria, I don't know if this is good news or not but the charity and lawyer both asked me for a favor....
( speaking of workโ he pulled out a set of photos that were inside the package, finally gathering the strength to open it. on them was a photo of the lawyer and two small children, and the rest were of members of the charity with a set of children who were orphans of some of jigsaw's victims. )
They said that if they're going to help me, they were wondering if you'd be open to working for them as a caregiver for these kids? The lawyer's wife died a few years back and he can't focus on them while he's working my case and the other Jigsaw victim's cases. Same with the charity, they're working themselves ragged trying to help us all out.
Apparently with a certain number of kids and a few courses, you could be given a child care giver certificate. They're willing to pay you of course...
( there was a reason he wasn't more bitter and angry, that his emotions now were more just concerned about her and her thoughts about all of this. in spite of the harshness and cruelty society had shown them both surrounding this case, good people had come forth from the woodwork and seemed genuinely vested in helping them both. they'd heard about it allโ from maria being unable to work her job due to the creeps and media attention, the way the media slandered her as a 'gold-digging prostitute' who had adam wrapped around her finger, and the like. )
You can say no anytime Maria, you know this shit is rough...I don't blame you if we need to step back and go at things slowly.
[Maria had already been nitpicked. had already had her name dragged through the mud even before Adam became some commodity for surviving Jigsaw. she was absolutely positive that if she had not been a stripper, maybe someone would have listened to her concerns about Adam. but no, the police had decided to harass her at her job. purposely ask her for lap dances so they could make some big joke of how she had been crying at their station about her missing boyfriend and would be grinding on them that night.
but with the request to help with this charity, well, what looked better than her helping with kids? and Maria did love kids even if she had never seen herself having any (it just never seemed like something that would be for her). she had always gotten along with them, though. always been able to talk so easily with them and keep them entertained when nobody else could.
and she did need a job. justice took so long, too long, and who knew how long it would take until Adam got the justice he did deserve?]
Hey, when I said I'd be your wife that meant saying yes to all this. Every last rough bit. [her lips went to his forehead and she smiled.] And I'll do anything to help you. Including playing glorified babysitter. A job's a job, right? And it's for a good cause. Not like my career is going so well for me right now anyway. Wasn't ever much of one. So I'll do it. Let them know.
( it was far too much for him to find the right words to express the gratitude and overwhelming feeling of hope he felt right now. he'd never been good at expressing himself, with the most of his emotions finally breaking through in those final moments he was in that room with lawrence. only now in the presence of maria that he found himself truly feeling positive about things. all the complaints he'd rattle on about, all of the bitterness he had towards society and the way they'd put down the little man [him], had eroded away in that moment.
he found himself smiling at herโ a nervous expression though because he wasn't sure if this was too much for her. if these requests and all of the suffering she'd gone through because of him was too much. was it even okay to ask her to do this?
yet....he decided to take a chance. )
Maria....
( he sighed a bit, enjoying the warmth of her lips on his forehead before he brushed his nose gently against her own. )
[to Maria, it didn't feel like he was asking for too much. if anything it felt like this was the least she could do for him. Adam had already gone through so much and it hardly seemed like this was very much. she'd sold her expensive things off to help with bills and that money was already running low. you could only depend on charity for so long until you had to give back.
well now was her chance.
and all she could remember was praying at night, begging anything or anybody that would listen, that she'd do whatever she could to have Adam back with her. here he was. if the price was babysitting some kids then that was an easy price to pay.]
Probably fucking some fameseekers. Girls would be eating you up. [she's just teasing though she is sure there is some truth to that. she kisses his lips softly.] But you're stuck with me forever.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
part of her knew that Adam needed her to worry for him. even if they did never talk about it too much or she made a big show of it, only clung to him, it was good for Adam to know Maria wasn't going anywhere.
as if accepting his proposal hadn't shown just how serious she was about staying with him.]
Hardly, babe. [she rested her head lightly on his shoulder.] Mary's a romantic and she's sweet. I know she's wanted to meet you and kept asking me. [but when was a good time to introduce your traumatized fiancรฉ? there wasn't one and Maria knew Adam needed to have some control as well. the last thing Maria had wanted to do was stress him out all the more.]
no subject
as they stood there, he fiddled with the pack of smokes, closing it as he wriggled the smoke already on his lips away from her and towards the opposite end of his mouth. )
Did she?
( it's an old habit from a different time, when he was still insecure and unsure of where things were going with maria, but he couldn't help but be surprised this 'mary' knew about him at all. still he's quick to laugh, placing the pack of smokes on the counter. )
Well I don't want to keep my dear 'sister' waiting for me for very long. Let's do it, before we get married. Besides we need witnesses and I'd rather ask them than take up Oprah on her little 'offer'.
( he was more stressed by all the interviews and grandiose displays of charity and kindness everyone was suddenly showing him. he took it a bit bitterly; angry that they only showed up when he was now known for such a terrible thing, but he also wasn't outright saying now to them. they both needed as much help as they could get given he technically had to retire from his line of work now. )
Uh so....I've never really met any of my girlfriend's families. Should I wear like a suit and tie? Bring flowers? Help me out here future wifey.
no subject
her head remains on his shoulder as he talks to her.] Fuck Oprah honestly. [or anybody else that interviewed Adam. the publicity was a double-edged sword. it helped in some ways, got their story out there and got Adam help. but she knew it just made him relive his worst moments. the media were like vultures, wanting to pick apart him and his story. it wasn't fair. but until Adam was old news, this was their life.
and Maria wouldn't be leaving him.
though she was also stuck. she was the fiancee of the man who escaped Jigsaw. the first time she tried to work at the bar, it had been a nightmare. certainly didn't help Adam any and so she couldn't work much either. Maria had to figure out what she was going to do for money in her very limited skill set.]
As much as I think you'd be very cute in your suit and tie, I don't think black tie is the style we're going for. Just dress like you always do. Be yourself. Be the man I'm proud to be marrying.
no subject
Alright, old band-tee and jeans, got it.
( he rolled his head to the side a bit, cigarette pushed off to the side of his mouth as he gently rubbed the tip of his nose against her forehead. it seemed they both had similar worries, because soon enough adam was reaching for a package that came in the mail. )
Speaking of, I have something I wanted to discuss with you. It's about this whole Jigsaw and corrupt, shitty cops thing I've been going through. Can we uh...sit in the living room?
no subject
That's the man I'm marrying and the man they'll meet.
[she didn't want him to be anybody else. she would love every version of him.
when he takes out the package, she eyes it and there's worry there in her eyes. even if she knew that by marrying Adam, by continuing to stay with him, meant marrying this...it didn't mean she didn't wish it would stop.] Yeah, come on. [she moved to help him get up. just a natural action now.]
Guessing this isn't a fun wedding present, is it? [she jokes as she helps him get to the living room so they can sit.]
no subject
he also had trauma but he'd prefer this. to her movements though, he limped alongside her and made his way into the living room as their cat trailed along, purring against maria's legs before scooting off to the couch. it'd become natural to him too; providing comfort to them both through affection and remaining close. it seemed adam's disappearance had an affect on mr. whiskers as well. )
Well actually here's the funny thing, if I agree to it, it could be.
( this was clearly something serious. once they were in the living room, he fell back onto the couch and let out a soft grunt as he adjusted himself. with the package in his hand, she looked over to maria. )
So here's the thing. I got approached by this lawyer who said he helped this other Jigsaw victim you know? He said the guy's case was fumbled by the cops and he helped get him a good settlement but he had only been missing for a day and ended up having to uh.....well let's say he wasn't injured and left for death for almost a month.
I wanted your opinion on this because it's going to be one hell of a battle. Court visits, gas money, the works. He said this charity would help with the bills until we got our settlement but they can't pay for basic stuff like food or lost wages you know?
no subject
Maria wasn't a legal genius but she thought she knew what an easy win was.
but the problem was this wasn't going to be an easy win now was it? Adam would have to relive how much trauma? and Maria knew she'd be questioned as well. she was part of this as the woman he was marrying, not to mention as the person to report his disappearance. it had been Maria to first notice that Adam was missing and she knew it was easy to point fingers at her. both of their names would be slung through the mud. it was already happening and the court case would make it worse.
but the problem was the lost wages. Adam was being given more opportunity as a photographer due to the publicity but if he had to focus on the case then he couldn't do much work. and right now, Maria was finding it hard to work at all. since Maria had come out as Adam's wife to be, news outlets and weirdos had been camping out at the strip club. it made it hard to work at all. the owner had offered to let her work as a bartender instead of a dancer but it just wasn't the work she knew. when it came to the basics, they'd be relying on Maria and so she knew she'd have to take the bartending job. it was the best she could do because Maria knew how this world worked. Adam's wife being a stripper wouldn't do him any favors.]
Do it. Drain them dry, babe. We know the cops fucked up and they know they did, too. We can make it until you get the settlement. I'll take the bar job to get us by. Tom said the tips can get good so I'll be extra charming.
no subject
he didn't want to explain to maria just how much would be nitpicked about the two, but he's sure she could see it in his eyes and the way he nervously looked at the package. it was like a bomb was in there, waiting and hiding to explode. )
Well um that's the thing Maria, I don't know if this is good news or not but the charity and lawyer both asked me for a favor....
( speaking of workโ he pulled out a set of photos that were inside the package, finally gathering the strength to open it. on them was a photo of the lawyer and two small children, and the rest were of members of the charity with a set of children who were orphans of some of jigsaw's victims. )
They said that if they're going to help me, they were wondering if you'd be open to working for them as a caregiver for these kids? The lawyer's wife died a few years back and he can't focus on them while he's working my case and the other Jigsaw victim's cases. Same with the charity, they're working themselves ragged trying to help us all out.
Apparently with a certain number of kids and a few courses, you could be given a child care giver certificate. They're willing to pay you of course...
( there was a reason he wasn't more bitter and angry, that his emotions now were more just concerned about her and her thoughts about all of this. in spite of the harshness and cruelty society had shown them both surrounding this case, good people had come forth from the woodwork and seemed genuinely vested in helping them both. they'd heard about it allโ from maria being unable to work her job due to the creeps and media attention, the way the media slandered her as a 'gold-digging prostitute' who had adam wrapped around her finger, and the like. )
You can say no anytime Maria, you know this shit is rough...I don't blame you if we need to step back and go at things slowly.
no subject
but with the request to help with this charity, well, what looked better than her helping with kids? and Maria did love kids even if she had never seen herself having any (it just never seemed like something that would be for her). she had always gotten along with them, though. always been able to talk so easily with them and keep them entertained when nobody else could.
and she did need a job. justice took so long, too long, and who knew how long it would take until Adam got the justice he did deserve?]
Hey, when I said I'd be your wife that meant saying yes to all this. Every last rough bit. [her lips went to his forehead and she smiled.] And I'll do anything to help you. Including playing glorified babysitter. A job's a job, right? And it's for a good cause. Not like my career is going so well for me right now anyway. Wasn't ever much of one. So I'll do it. Let them know.
And you? Full steam ahead, babe.
crawling back to this months later โก
he found himself smiling at herโ a nervous expression though because he wasn't sure if this was too much for her. if these requests and all of the suffering she'd gone through because of him was too much. was it even okay to ask her to do this?
yet....he decided to take a chance. )
Maria....
( he sighed a bit, enjoying the warmth of her lips on his forehead before he brushed his nose gently against her own. )
What would I do without you? Seriously?
also coming back to this months later โก
well now was her chance.
and all she could remember was praying at night, begging anything or anybody that would listen, that she'd do whatever she could to have Adam back with her. here he was. if the price was babysitting some kids then that was an easy price to pay.]
Probably fucking some fameseekers. Girls would be eating you up. [she's just teasing though she is sure there is some truth to that. she kisses his lips softly.] But you're stuck with me forever.