"Mmm. It's delicious. Almost as good at the stuff you buy." Archer bought the best ice cream ever because he knew her so well and that she didn't put up with crappy stuff. Gabby loved her husband so much and that was one of the million amazing things that he did. "Do you want some, babe?" she offered. Yep. He was the only one that she would share with. Everyone else needed to BACK OFF OF HER ICE CREAM or she would get in their face.

Eyes widening, Gabby was tempted to smack Lynley.

Must resist temptation.... but oh, it was REAL.

Sexy protective!Archer was stepping in and that got a smirk out of her. Gabby was more than capable of taking care of herself but she liked it when her husband got like this. It was attractive and showed how much he loved her... of course she already KNEW he loved her a lot but still. She loved it. She sent him a wink before turning on her friend. She loved Lynley so she was not going to comment. At least not unless she was pushed into it... Instead she was going to be a troll. Smiling, she continued to rub her stomach. "Valeria is kicking a little... do you want to feel her move?" HAHA! This was fun.

Amused, she turned her attention to Evan. He was always a gentleman and one of the few people on Level Six that wasn't a complete idiot. So he was pretty cool in Gabby's books. "Hey, Evan. I've been pretty good just getting tired and having a harder time doing stuff." Thank Merlin she would have her baby in the nearish future because it could be so hard to be comfortable even though her husband was doing an amazing job with that. All those late night ice cream trips and massages and everything. Best husband EVER. "This is Archer," she added because Evan hadn't met him though he knew who he was.

SPOILER!!: Archer, Evan, Gabby

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

Archer was a happy man, holding his wife's hand and walking through the orientation, trailing behind Gabby who was making a line to the food. He muttered apologies to people along the way, who were CLEARLY in the way of his wife and her food. He kept trying to get in front, to protect their child, but Gabby wouldn't slow down. And once they got to the table, he laughed, seeing her grab the ice cream bowl. He didn't expect anything else, really. "Good ice cream?" he asked her, reaching for a piece of fruit and biting into it.

And then came Lynley.

Archer wasn't surprised that the woman wasn't impressed with Gabby's way of eating. He smiled and said "Hello," to the woman who approached but... then she opened her mouth. He lifted an eyebrows to her as she continued to insult his wife and their unborn child. And his mouth sort of... opened in shock. "Lynley..." he said, quietly, then shook his head. "Do you have to have a dig at everything Gabby does that apparently displeases you?" The pregnancy, the ice cream... the 'As a friend' nonsense. Pregnancy wasn't exactly the prime time to dig at someone, afterall.

They were soon joined by another employee who Archer didn't know. Melody from Games and Sports. "Hello Melody, I'm Archer," he introduced himself, and then let she and Gabby talk about the pregnancy.

Archer looked up as Seb and his wife, Anya approached. He gave them both a nod, but wasn't very happy at the Gabby-Lynley thing. "Hi Seb, Anya, how are you both?" Archer had really taken to Stannis, but... that was mostly because Gabby certainly hadn't. He felt bad for the little guy, who kept wanting to make his mistress comfortable. But... that was Archer's job, not Stannis' job.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

Lynley never seemed to stop amazing him, the kiss to his cheek taking him by surprise. Was she in a good mood tonight or had he done something right lately? Either way it didn't bother him one bit and earned her a light smile from the man. "Planned? Shall I be worried about coming into work tomorrow?," he joked arching an eyebrow in question. One could never be to sure when it came to these department Heads and their ideas. Somehow though he was certain whatever it was would be entertaining at least. "I did enjoy it." Which was part of the reason he had returned for another year. It kept him on his toes and traveling around was a large plus. Had she really thought he wouldn't fulfill his duties last year in his job. Well that was slightly depressing. At least he had proved her wrong in that. "Don't you worry, the carpet division is in good hands. Things will remain taken care of." One way or another things always got done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squishy

"Mmm. It's delicious. Almost as good at the stuff you buy." Archer bought the best ice cream ever because he knew her so well and that she didn't put up with crappy stuff. Gabby loved her husband so much and that was one of the million amazing things that he did. "Do you want some, babe?" she offered. Yep. He was the only one that she would share with. Everyone else needed to BACK OFF OF HER ICE CREAM or she would get in their face.

Eyes widening, Gabby was tempted to smack Lynley.

Must resist temptation.... but oh, it was REAL.

Sexy protective!Archer was stepping in and that got a smirk out of her. Gabby was more than capable of taking care of herself but she liked it when her husband got like this. It was attractive and showed how much he loved her... of course she already KNEW he loved her a lot but still. She loved it. She sent him a wink before turning on her friend. She loved Lynley so she was not going to comment. At least not unless she was pushed into it... Instead she was going to be a troll. Smiling, she continued to rub her stomach. "Valeria is kicking a little... do you want to feel her move?" HAHA! This was fun.

Amused, she turned her attention to Evan. He was always a gentleman and one of the few people on Level Six that wasn't a complete idiot. So he was pretty cool in Gabby's books. "Hey, Evan. I've been pretty good just getting tired and having a harder time doing stuff." Thank Merlin she would have her baby in the nearish future because it could be so hard to be comfortable even though her husband was doing an amazing job with that. All those late night ice cream trips and massages and everything. Best husband EVER. "This is Archer," she added because Evan hadn't met him though he knew who he was.

Lynley ignored Archer completely. Ignored. Didn't even turn to look at him. Ha, nope. New Year's, she'd maybe said...three words to the man? But no, she wasn't going to take his self righteous ramblings today. Honestly, he should be concerned about her eating so unhealthily while pregnant. Hmph. But really, he wasn't worth the retort caught in her throat.

Ahem.

She was glad Evan was here for a distraction from stupid Archer. "Oh no, don't be scared. We have a pretty low-key day TOMORROW...quick meeting...but the next few weeks..." Hehehehe. CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES, TRANSPO. "How's your daughter at Hogwarts doing?" she asked, just to make conversation with someone who wasn't Archer.

Oh, "Absolutely not," she said in response to Gabby's question about TOUCHING THAT THING. "I don't like pregnant bellies. Nope, I'm okay--" she said, shaking her head a lot. "Stomachs shouldn't move like that. That's weird. It's like...aliens....or something..." that's literally with fetuses look like! Aliens. Little aliens sucking the life-force out of women....

From just the way his boss was speaking Evan knew whatever was to come for the department was something he wasn't expecting. Possibly something large. Even if she had just told him that tomorrow would be an easy day that didn't help anything with Lynley's next few words. "The next few weeks I'll be in over my head?," he asked jokingly a small laugh escaping his lips. Whatever it was he was sure he could handle it. Just so it wouldn't take him away from his wife and the babies for to long a period at a time right now. The mention of his daughter brought another smile to the mans face. "Hady is doing very well in her studies, still working towards becoming a creature Healer." The girl was indeed making him a very pleased father.

Shifting his attention onto the still ice cream eating Gabby, Evan nodded his head as he listened to her. "As is expected. Soon enough she'll arrive and you'll be back at work." Enjoy it while you can cause once you return to the job that little one will grow faster then ever. Being a father he hadn't taken much time off when the twins had been born but he noticed every night how much bigger they were getting. The introduction to Gabby's husband Archer had him turning his head towards the other man. "Hello Archer, nice to finally meet you," he greeted simply. He didn't know to much another the guy but he had heard a bit from Gabby when they had spoken a few times.

Going up on her tip toes Claudette tried to see ahead off the people in front to determin how many minutes she'd have to wait to get to the food. Her stomach was making itself known. She was hungry. Playing with hem of her black purse the 21 year old blond busied herself with laying up plans for her first day back at work tomorrow. Claude was going to pay a visit to the new Creatures department and clear her inbox from waiting pms and letters....................She didn't get further before she felt herself being nudged sideways.

Regaining her balance Claude foced her blue eyes on the man that was apologising to her for his action. Blinking she said surprised "I'm fine. Apology accepted. Why good evening Charles, I didn't know you were coming to this event?"

Atticus smiled at the brief kiss as he led her over towards the buffet. It seemed there was a bit of a...heated discussion here as well, from the looks of one group of people, but fortunately there seemed to be no excessively loud voices so far. Still, he walked with Kiera towards the other end of the buffet area, which thankfully also contained more food of the fruit and vegetable variety.

"It looks like they have some nice salads and sandwiches," he commented, slipping the goody bag onto his wrist in order to pick up a couple plates.

Sam looked at his plate full of plain JUNK FOOD and decided that it was best if he ate what was already on his plate before getting anymore food. Besides, whatever he did not want, he could always just discard onto Nolan's plate. It seemed that at this rate, his cousin wasn't going to put much on his plate, so he had to make sure Nolan got enough to eat. That was his job after all, wasn't it?! To take care of his cousin?!

"Law Enforcement," he replied before stuffing another donut into his mouth. MOUTH-WATERING GOOD! He ate the donut before adding, "My home away from home." He had been in Law Enforcement back at the American Ministry, and since he also had experience in Law Enforcement at this Ministry (being the awesome Department Head he had been), it was no surprise he ended up back where he practically started... if you didn't include the brief time he was in Accidents and Catastrophes with his catastrophic brother and crazy Department Head, Wes.

Good times, good times.

"What about you? Where did you end up?"

Before Johnson could hit the dance floor he needed to fuel his body. Of course he ate something at home because how could you not love food? Johnson couldn't help himself though, apparently already bitten by the dancing bug he danced his way through the buffet line until the line stalled slightly. "Hello there!" He greeted a small group of people. "I'm Johnson Blake." He smiled, briefly stopping his dancing to give a thumbs up to everyone.

"I bet." Lynda chuckled, pretty much knowing he most likely go nuts or something. Hehe. She mostly fancied soft balads she can dance to and orchestral music that relaxes her mind. It soothed her and brought her joy, which is why teaching music was her ideal job. Nodding as she listened, she smiled. "Do you miss it, Germany?" Relocating was always difficult, new vibes, cultures even, new people. She wondered if he ever felt homesick, Lynda for sure felt it often times. She missed Alaska, but London felt pretty comfortable too.

She patted her stomach and giggled, "I don't think I can fit any more food in my tummy, though chocolate fondue and sundaes sound really good right about now." She laughed, it did sound very tempting considering Warner wanting seconds. Meeeeeeh! The struggle was very real, perhaps if she lets the food sit for a while she could stuff some seconds as well?

Lynda remembered that Warner had mentioned relatives within the Ministry she figured this even could be a great place to meet them, if he wanted her to. "I'd love to meet her." Lynda smiled.

Marilyn watched her precious man!friend enlarge his plate and then commence with piling various food items atop it. Merlin help him and his digestive system later on tonight. As for herself, the blonde took less heavy foods for her own consumption; fresh fruits and sweet and sour sausages on decorative golden sticks. Things of that nature. Nothing that would require plate enlargement or a crane to get to their table. At least he'd had the foresight to magic his cup.

"I wasn't aware you understood the concept of a "good time". Honestly, Rusty." It was said in jest as she finished selecting things and gestured towards one of the tables skirting away from the dance floor. She'd be needing wine, as well. A crisp white, preferably. Her child was with her father. That clearly meant she could let her hair down a bit.

"Allow me to clear the way."...before an accident was caused. That was an impressive amount of food, after all. Especially for one man. So, heels clicking against the marbled floor, she politely (or as politely as the blonde was capable of) asked their coworkers (and their guests) to make room.

"Well its a good thing I can still surprise you then, I guess." He looked over at where she was gesturing and changed his trajectory that way. Much easier to do with Mar's forethought to clear them a path.

He deposited his plate and the glass followed, and he was about to sit down too when he remembered himself and scooted a chair out for Marilyn first.

"How many new employees do you suppose we're getting?"

Once the woman was stable again, Charles finally got a good look at her and tilted his head to one side. "Good evening, Claudette. You're looking as beautiful as ever." Compliment the women and you will be okay for life! Heh. "I'm here out of necessity, just to give people the opportunity to meet me and approach me with any questions they may have." He just had to clarify that. He wasn't here by choice. Not at all. "Can I ask why you've attended?" he was curious, and it was small talk, correct?