Reasons Why • •

[imogen katelyn rose lancaster]

Imogen hadn't quite heard the reason why Fallon was at the university that day, but she had heard the plan to meet her there at lunchtime. From there the two could grab lunch and Imogen seriously doubted that the day would end without one of their shopping trips. Her wardrobe wasn't even reaping the benefit of them, but her unborn baby's was! It was packed and so were the drawers and the California blonde still had a safe few months before any of those purchases found any use. She was at ease about it all now; well, as at ease as any first time mother could be. There were still nerves bubbling up from time to time, but she was far from the freakout she had been feeling when she first arrived in New York with no sign of a bump. Now she was able to use it as a tray when she was eating and got frustrated at how often it got in the way.

Arriving on the rather quiet campus, Imogen glanced around and flicked her hair from her eyes. She had no idea where or when they were supposed to be meeting, so after sending a message to the film professor she began wandering around. Staying outside of the building for the fear of getting lost, Imogen just enjoyed the late summer sun and took her time, glancing down at her phone periodically for some kind of message from her friend. When the little tune did chime out, Imogen sighed when it read that Fallon was still held up in the meeting and probably would be for at least another forty-five minutes. It might have been a nice enough day to wait around, but Immy was hungry and could do with a drink, too. She recalled spying a cart on the Quad somewhere when she had passed through. Turning on her heel, she let her eyes skim the surroundings and then headed back the way she had previously come from. The only difference was that this time she took a short cut over the grass when she spotted her target destination. After handing over the money for a bottle of water and a pretzel, Immy turned back around to inspect her choices. She could go for a walk around the campus. There would be someone, somewhere, if she got lost. And if all else failed Fallon was around, just not currently available.

Heading towards the nearest building, she slipped inside, taking a bite from her pretzel as she glanced around. She hadn't been on the campus before, not really. She had met Fallon outside but that was about it. Moving down one of the corridors, Immy kept her eyes peeled for signs and directions in case she ended up some place she really didn't want to be. She hadn't run into anyone so far, but she could hear the footsteps of people on the stairs or typing away in classrooms with the doors ajar. Soon, Imogen found herself with only one door in front of her. She doubted that there was anything happening inside, so she pulled it open, took another bite of her pretzel and poked her head inside. Seeing and hearing nothing immediately, she stepped a little further in, green eyes wide with curiosity. It was only after her third step in the room that her eyes landed on someone who looked like they were in the middle of something. “Oops, sorry! I wasn't here.” She stated, quickly turning to try and leave, but in the process she bumped into a discarded desk she hadn't noticed on her way in. “Ow! Son of a -” She bit her tongue to stop herself swearing, but the hand not holding the pretzel did move to rub the burning spot on the side of her thigh.

• • •

TAGGED! Benji!
WORDS! 679!
OUTFIT! Mommy-to-be!
LYRICS! Reasons Why - - - Saving Jane
NOTES! <3

[Benjamin Parker Hamilton]

Summer for Benji usually meant taking on a new role for a short time or reprising his role for this or that. But this summer he’d wanted to do something different. He’d been working since he was a kid on stages all over the world, not just the United States. He’d been on too many stages and at twenty-eight he wanted a short break from it all. It was the reason he decided to take on the teaching position at NYU; for the break. And as it turned out, he had actually enjoyed working with those bright eyed students and showing them the secrets he knew from his years on the stage. There were a few faces he recognised from the chorus of this show or the audition of that one. And it had surprised him to see some friendly faces. But he hadn’t taken favourites because he’d never been shown as a favourite despite his years on the stage before heading to Julliard. He wasn’t about to give his students what his teachers had never given him or his classmates; in that room, they were equals, no matter how many Tony’s one person had. And in all honesty, Benji had loved that. During his years at school, he wasn’t a seasoned professional; he was just another student being shown the ways of another seasoned pro.

So instead of taking the summer off to make a guest appearance or take on another exciting role, he chose to go behind the scenes to help his fellow professors and actors put on a play with their students. And with JP not returning in the fall, it was giving both himself and Graham a chance to meet their new pupils and learn a little something about them before they put them through the paces. Without JP around though, it meant more work for himself and Graham with the production; not that Benji was complaining at all. In fact, he was enjoying his time behind the scenes of a production. He was normally center stage with those hot stage lights pointed directly at him as he recited his lines perfectly. So this change of pace was nice, like an extended vacation; something else Benji had never taken since he’d found the stage at such a young age.

That extra work was how the actor found himself in the theatre that day, working out the finer details of the movement on stage. The script was good and a personal favourite of Benji’s so he wanted it perfect and smooth. One misstep and all would be lost in his eyes. He worked so hard on the play himself only a couple years before, he didn’t want to see his try at directing to be a failure. Standing center stage with a script in hand, Benji paced the length of it twice while reading through the scene carefully. He knew the entire play inside and out, backwards and forwards. There was nothing about this play he didn’t know. But he’d always said if given the chance, he would do a couple things differently. And that was exactly what he was going to do. He’d already talked it over with Graham long before now but with the show only a couple weeks away, it was crunch time to get things finalised.

He was concentrating on what he was doing and not on the room, not completely. He was aware in the back of his mind, where the seats were and where the audience would obviously be sitting during the performance so all his posturing and movements were taking that into consideration as he moved through the scene. He was just about finished when a voice pulled him out of his thoughts and had him jumping off the stage towards the young woman at the doors. “Hey, careful, this place is like Hogwarts. The desks here, much like the staircases there, move.” He said chuckling before running his fingers through his hair and making a face at the terrible joke he’d made. “I am so sorry about that. Not my finest joke. Uh, are you okay? Need any ice for that?” He asked turning more serious again. To fake blood, guts and gore, Benji says bring it on but the real stuff, he wasn’t so great with. No, Benji Hamilton wouldn’t have made it a minute in medical school.

Tag || Imogen!
Words || 730
Clothes || To come
Music || Because We Can --Bon Jovi
Notes || <3

[imogen katelyn rose lancaster]

Imogen hadn't really worked since moving to New York. Her hands were full with being pregnant, decorating her apartment and settling in to a whole new city. She had managed a few small articles at the start, but nothing really worth mentioning in conversation. A few other craft pieces had been sold too, but she was focusing more on herself and her baby than really setting up shop. Immy was lucky, in a way, that she was financially secure for all of this. Too many people weren't and Immy was stressed out enough without needing to balance that on her plate too. She may have been organised and seemed prepared, but internally she was freaking out about the silly things that she couldn't predict or control. She didn't want to lay everything on Fallon; her fellow blonde had her own life to worry about and plan for.

It had felt like a lifetime since Imogen had stepped foot on a college campus. Harvard was only a few years ago, but so much had happened since her graduation that it was slightly surreal to accept. Imogen felt even more out of place in the summer and sporting a pretty obvious baby bump only made it a little more awkward. Once, when she had been asking to speak with someone at a local paper, a reporter had seen the growing stomach and instantly assumed she was someone's wife there. It was a situation Imogen did not want to have to go through again, although it did sure beat the looks most people had given her when she answered the “where's the father” question with “he's not around”. Not even Fallon knew that full story and Immy was quite content to keep it that way. The man was a pathetic excuse for anything and she just wanted to erase every memory she had of the man. Now she was pregnant, coming to terms with that, and hoping it wouldn't be as hellish as some people and books made it all out to be.

She hadn't intended to get lost on the campus, or stumble into a room and disrupt someone. However there were plenty of things in her life that had happened when she never intended them to. This just added one more to her already substantially long list. Bumping into the desk just turned the moment from temporary blip to slightly more awkward and uncomfortable. If it were possible, Immy would have ran from the room with a red face and the hope she'd never see the man again, however she felt if she tried it she might look like a penguin in a rush. Instead she had to stick around and see her clumsy accident through to the end. Smiling nervously up at the man who had previously been on the stage, Imogen shook her head and stood straight, removing her hand from her leg. “Don't worry; I've heard much worse. And whoever would have thought of moving desks?” It was like her lips were moving and stupid things were coming out. Imogen blamed the pregnancy brain and the embarrassment she was doing her best to hide. “See, that there was much worse.” Shaking her head shamefully, she looked down at her throbbing leg and then stretched it as though checking it was all still working. “No, no, it'll be fine. I might have a nice bruise to commemorate our meeting, but I'll survive.” She said confidently, knowing it was just a small collision and not something requiring medical attention. With how her belly was getting in her way these days she was surprised she wasn't covered in more bruises. And if it wasn't her belly it was her coffee table always collding with her shins in the struggle to get up from her ridiculously comfortable couch.

• • •

TAGGED! Benji!
WORDS! 685!
OUTFIT! Mommy-to-be!
LYRICS! Reasons Why - - - Saving Jane
NOTES! <3

[Benjamin Parker Hamilton]

It was a rare sight to see Benji through the summer months or any months for that matter unless he was on a stage or guest staring on the small screen; occasionally even the bigger one, though he much preferred the stage to the cameras. He had always felt the stage was real, and it was a hell of a lot harder to deal with. Everything on the stage was live, you had to get it right the first time or the entire show was flawed. And with television and movies, there were takes and takes and it didn’t matter how many times you screwed up as long as you got it right once. Benji hated that. Whenever he’d done guest spots on this or had a small role in that, he nailed his lines every time, she strove to do so and then there were the others on set who tried but still managed to miss a work, or just throw the scene with the wrong movement. To say Benji was a man of the stage and would forever be one was probably an accurate understatement. He lived for the stage, everything about the stage and if he hadn’t felt himself being drained, he would still be on the very stages of Broadway or with a company working out the kinks for a show headed there.

But he had felt himself being drained. There was only so much a man could do and at twenty eight, he’d needed a break for a short time. So it was different now, he was around more often to take time with his family and have lunch with his niece and make sure things were alright with her. They were close enough in age that she’d always felt comfortable going to him for advice and not her own parents. And he now had the time to help out his fellow theatre professor with this student production; which he was surprised to find he actually enjoyed! For the longest time, his life had been his own but hadn’t at the same time. His life was always dedicated to the stage and practically owned by whichever production he was currently a part of. Even when he’d been put into the custody of his sister and her husband, his entire being belonged to the stage, and they had known that, had allowed him to continue doing what he loved most in the world. But helping him to do so without any sort of tabloid dramas like there most certainly would have been with his parents. Actors of the stage may not have been as well known as those of TV or in films but they were stars in their own right. And it would have taken only one misunderstood or overheard conversation to have Benji’s face plastered over the tabloids that catered to the Broadway scene.

Benji hadn’t been aware that anyone was really on this side of campus. He figured there would be people milling about around the library or the coffee shops since the students a few of the staff have become addicted to the coffee and sweets within easy access of their usual day-to-day lives. But he hadn’t thought anyone would be near the theatre until later that evening when Graham came in to talk more about the behind the scenes with the crew. Half the cast. The ones he was working with wouldn’t be in until the next day and that would be when Benji got to have his fun. So when the commotion of the young woman rang through the room, Benji was honestly surprised. At first the fact that the woman was pregnant hadn’t even registered, he had been more concerned about her wellbeing and making sure there was no blood or any need for medical attention. But now that it was clear she was alright, albeit probably bruised, he finally clued in. “That wasn’t so bad. You should have heard some of the things the students say for improv.” He said, grinning. And he wasn’t kidding either. Some of the things his students had come up with during a warm up session of improv games had been shameful while others had been ingenious. “Okay, good.” He said, relieved by the news. “So are you here to meet someone?” He asked, settling back to lean against the chair behind him. The desks might have moved but the seating was bolted down.

Tag || Imogen!
Words || 775
Clothes || To come
Music || Because We Can --Bon Jovi
Notes || <3

[imogen katelyn rose lancaster]

Imogen had been used to living a busy life and working with a regular daily schedule. She held a lot of responsibility when she had worked in the hotel and now that was probably all mounted onto Jack. She felt terrible about that, but constantly reminded herself that she had done the right thing and made the right decision. Although, at the same time she knew that panic and fear were really no excuse for bailing; it wasn't like she could outrun a pregnancy. However now she channelled all of those organisational skills into preparing for motherhood. She might have had Fallon, but she would be tackling a lot of it on her own. She wasn't about to call up her friend every five minutes because something was tough to handle. Imogen was a confident young woman and had proved herself to be capable at other things, so she just kept telling herself that she could be good at this. It was just something that would take some getting used to with the downside of sleepless nights and silly moments of panic.

She tried to not let herself worry too much. There were things she wouldn't always be able to control, stuff she wouldn't understand, and problems that wouldn't necessary be as big as she first imagined. She had books and classes and internet sites but they could only give her information, not the experience. The information there wouldn't always be right and sometimes it was just nonsensical or exaggerated; at least that was what Imogen currently thought. She had no way of knowing if they were entirely true or not, but time would surely tell. Deep down, she was sort of relieved that this was happening in New York and not in LA. She had no real claim to fame, but with a big, well known hotel that catered to the stars, her name sometimes accompanied smaller stories. At most she usually got to queue jump at a few of the clubs and invitations to parties that were for the rich and famous. Maybe nothing major would have come from it and maybe it would have just been her family who would ask questions, but Imogen had awoken from one or two nightmares revolving around the truth coming out in some seedy gossip rag way that would label her as 'the other woman', whether it had been intentional or not.

Imogen didn't think she'd stumble across anyone on the campus. She had passed by one or two people along the way but they hadn't been actively learning or working on anything. Now she felt guilty for making such a clumsy disturbance and taking this stranger away from his rehearsal. At least she assumed that was what he had been doing before she stumbled into the room and into the desk. “Now you're just being polite to make me feel better.” She joked, shaking her head, but smiling. People always had gems of bad jokes or blonde moments, but it was one of those things where yours personally always felt like the worst, no matter what. She was about to answer his question with the affirmative when the phone in her hand chimed. “Oh, excuse me, sorry.” Sliding her finger across the screen, Imogen read the apologetic text message from Fallon and let out a small sigh before firing off a quick response and then turning her attention back to the gentleman before her. “Apparently not anymore. She's held up with something and I'm pretty much lost.” Imogen admitted with a slightly embarrassed laugh. She hadn't really been paying any attention to where she was walking and had hoped that Fallon could just hunt her down when she was done. Now it looked like that plan wasn't going to happen. “I don't suppose you could direct me back to the parking lot, could you?” She asked politely with a cute little smile that did nothing to hide her mild embarrassment at getting lost in the first place.

• • •

TAGGED! Benji!
WORDS! 719!
OUTFIT! Mommy-to-be!
LYRICS! Reasons Why - - - Saving Jane
NOTES! <3

[Benjamin Parker Hamilton]

Benji knew standing on the stage was where he was always meant to be. He’d thought about moving out to LA and trying his hand at movies and television but it just wasn’t the same as being on a stage. Not all the best stages in the world were on one famous area in New York but plenty were. And coming from someone who stood on plenty of those world famous stages all over the world, it was always nice to come home again and be somewhere familiar. He felt that was on any stage but there was just something about being on a stage you basically grew up on. It were those eyes on him constantly that had Benji really feeling it was time for that break he’d been thinking of on and off since he went to school.

Of course, Benji had been working since he was four, he didn’t know how to settle down. So instead of taking up space in a lounger on a beach somewhere, he accepted a job to teach. At least now he went home at a fairly decent hour and could spend more time with his family other than quick coffee trips with his niece or nephew between rehearsals. There wasn’t much more he could do without his students there so the interruption really couldn’t have come at a better time. Different circumstances, Benji didn’t like to see woman or anyone hurt but still couldn’t have been a better time. “I really wish I was just saying it.” he said making a face but laughing. He had to admit though, there was always a laugh to be had whenever improv was in play. Benji waved a little go ahead as if he had the say on if she answered her phone or not.

While she read the text message, Benji leaned back on the back of the chair he’d been standing in front of and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m sorry. On a plus side, it leaves the afternoon freed up again.” He said, as if it was all somehow his fault her friend canceled on her. Benji wasn’t sure where she had been headed in the first place when she stumbled across the theatre but he could have shown her the way easily enough. “Actually, I’m headed out myself now. I’ll escort you, just give me a second.” He said, pushing away from the chair and headed back down the aisle to collect his bag and papers. He shoved his bag onto his shoulder as he headed back up the aisle again. “I’m Benji, by the way, Benji Hamilton.” He said, remembering he hadn’t actually introduced himself, as he opened the door to the theatre.

Tag || Imogen!
Words || 494
Clothes || To come
Music || Because We Can --Bon Jovi
Notes || <3

[imogen katelyn rose lancaster]

Imogen didn't really know what life held for her now. She had always assumed she would inherit her share of the business when her father retired and that she would run the chain with Jack. She had never been one for grand plans and dreaming of hopes for the future. However, now she had no clue what she would spend the rest of her life doing. The only thing she could be certain of was that she would be a mother. A few freelance articles did not make her a journalist and while the things she crafted could be cute and worthy of gifting to others, she doubted that would launch into a business capable of paying the bills. She was just thankful that she had money to see her through the coming years, just in case she couldn't find a path to follow. Right now she was trying to focus on being a mom and making sure that her son or daughter wouldn't resent her by the age of three. No matter what people said or laughed about, it was a fear that was deeply rooted in Imogen and it wouldn't go away any time soon.

As the youngest in her family she wasn't used to be around kids younger than herself. She had no experience with babies or taking care of them. If she had thought about having children then she never would have thought she would be doing this alone with only an old high school friend to support her. It was only a matter of time before Fallon moved on with her life and made a future with Gabe, so Immy didn't want to be too reliant on the only friend she had in the city; she didn't want to be that tag along or feel completely alone when that day came. “Well, it is improv.” Imogen said with a casual shrug and a soft smile. “Acting was not my strong suit in high school, I have to say, so I would probably be one of those terrible students spouting nonsense for it.” She confessed with a soft sigh. It was nice talking to someone new. Imogen missed having a full social calender and there hadn't really been any chances for Imogen to meet anyone else in the city besides doctors and other over excited parents in waiting rooms. Sometimes, they drove her a little bit crazy. There was more to her than motherhood, even if it was the primary thing she had to prepare for.

Laughing once her phone was back in her bag, Imogen nodded her head. “I guess you're right. I suppose I can cross a few more things off the never ending to-do list.” There were certain things Imogen had kept pushing further down the list simply due to time or weight issues. She had more furniture to get into her apartment to make the place feel more like home, but with a bump getting in her way more and more now and with only Fallon and her friends to help, it was a bit of a difficult situation. Imogen didn't like asking them for help when she barely knew them and when she knew they were busy with work. She didn't know the people all that well, but she knew they had big jobs or big papers to be getting on with; not lugging furniture about for her. “Thanks, that'd be great.” Had it been several months earlier, Imogen might have even thrown in a flirtatious line there, but now she had put every thought of romance on a shelf to gather dust. When the stranger offered her his name, Imogen faltered for a split second before finding herself again. Hamilton was the family she had been born into, but since arriving in New York almost all of her documents read as Lancaster, after her late grandmother. Hearing her real name again put a moment of panic into the expecting blonde, but she brushed it off quick enough, reminding herself that he had no connection to her family whatsoever. “Good to meet you, Benji. I'm Imogen Lancaster.” She informed him politely, slipping through the door and back into the labyrinth of corridors.

• • •

TAGGED! Benji!
WORDS! 711!
OUTFIT! Mommy-to-be!
LYRICS! Reasons Why - - - Saving Jane
NOTES! <3