(no subject)

[regan_tam]

Breakfast together is one of the things the Tams make time for in all but the busiest of times. It's a time, whenever possible, to put aside the stacks of proposals and public opinion polls and dossiers, and talk to each other about how their days have gone. Lunches and dinners are often tied up in charity and political events, but breakfast is free, and they've made a point of keeping it so.

Comments

[gabriel_tam]

"Zăo àn," Gabriel says, walking in and smiling at Regan.

As is his habit, he's been working for an hour or so, checking the early 'feeds and scanning the day's schedule along with any urgent reports.

There's no sign of his being harried, though; he seems relaxed.

"More coffee?"

[regan_tam]

"Of course," Regan says with a smile, glancing up at him.

She's having orange juice, having had her first and only cup of coffee for the day, but there's more in the carafe on a small warming stand.

"Zăo àn, dear."

[gabriel_tam]

He pours himself a cup and moves to the chair at the end of the table, positioned at a right angle to the one where she's already seated.

Gabriel bends down and kisses her cheek before taking his own seat and reaching for the croissants.

"How was the reception last night? I'm sorry I had to miss it."

[regan_tam]

"It went well." Regan smiles at him, returning the light kiss, and passes the jam towards him.

"Well-attended -- I think nearly everyone on the guest list came."

(It's not that things between them are abnormal or uncomfortable, in these weeks after Gabriel came home calling Mary Lennox their daughter, because they're not.

It's just that there's an awareness that they could be, and that there are things unsaid.)

"Altogether a success."

[gabriel_tam]

"I'm glad to hear it."

He slices the warm buttered croissant, then spreads jam in a thin layer on both halves.

"Not that I'm at all surprised."

[regan_tam]

Regan's smile quirks in acknowledgement.

"The new Family and Life Support Center has its formal opening at the end of the month," she adds after a few moments. "You know the one, over in Běi Miàn Kensington."

[gabriel_tam]

"Dāngrán -- that's the one Children's Interplanetary's been putting a lot of effort towards, isn't it?"

Gabriel looks particularly interested, now.

[regan_tam]

"Mm. It's a big event -- they're hoping to impress potential donors, I think, and widen community support. They have a pretty wide base already, of course. They're inviting quite a crew of supporters."

Regan has a sip of orange juice.

"I was asked to consider attending." Her smile says what Gabriel doesn't really need confirmed: that she agreed. She'd planned on it anyway.

That smile turns into an impish one with a certain resemblance to her daughter's, over the glass of juice, when she adds, "And Anita hinted strongly that if you wanted to put in an appearance, you'd be welcome."

[gabriel_tam]

"Oh, really?"

Gabriel's tone is dryly amused.

"How strong a hint are we talking about here, Regan?"

[regan_tam]

"The kind where she told me she understood you were a very busy man, but there's a speaking slot with your name on it if you want it, and that I could pencil it into your calendar and see if you noticed."

Gabriel's not the only one who's amused.

Anita has become a close friend, and thus can get away with 'hints' like that.

[gabriel_tam]

"Mm-hm."

He takes a sip of coffee, then reaches for her hand, twining his fingers with hers.

"Well, it's an eminently worthy cause, and there's never been any question that she's a clever woman." A pause. "What do you think, xin gan?"

It's not exactly her opinion he's asking, although that's part of it, of course; the question is if Regan wants him to do it.

[regan_tam]

"I think it's a worthy cause."

"And," she adds thoughtfully, "it's not likely to be an especially high-profile appearance, as these things go. But it's still an entirely unobjectionable event, and this particular center is Londinium-local. That might not hurt your reputation."

It's a balancing act, always, to stay popular enough with Rim and Core to be effective in both.

[gabriel_tam]

"I have to admit," Gabriel says, after a moment's reflection, "that I really wouldn't mind an event or two that's not especially high-profile."

[regan_tam]

Regan squeezes his hand, smiling crookedly.

"I can't say I'm surprised."

These past few months, with all their work on the IIGA, have been entirely too full of high-profile everything.

[gabriel_tam]

"I know."

He smiles back, then says,

"Tell Anita I'll be glad to accommodate her. I'll have Mark 'wave later today to arrange the details."

[regan_tam]

"She'll be thrilled."

[gabriel_tam]

"I'm sure."

There's a soft chime, and Gabriel glances up at the antique clock on the wall as it marks the hour.

He doesn't quite wince.

[regan_tam]

Regan follows his gaze, and echoes the faint grimace.

"Back to the grind," she says with a small crooked smile. "Mark's coming at nine, isn't it?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Yes -- although you know Mark, I'm sure he'll be here a few minutes early."

His smile is wry. Mark's always early.

"You don't have anything until that luncheon, right?"

[regan_tam]

"Nothing scheduled. Some dossiers to review so I don't embarrass myself talking to Yakov Nehru and his cohorts."

[gabriel_tam]

He makes a very expressive face.

"On second thought, maybe I don't want to trade my schedule for yours today."

Gabriel grins and gets up, taking the coffee with him.

"I should be home -- well, at a reasonable hour."

[regan_tam]

That's a flexible term for them; Regan accepts it with a smile anyway, as she rises to clear her own dishes.

"All right."

She sets her glass and plate in the sink, and takes two steps sideways to give Gabriel a quick kiss and straighten his lapels absently. "Have a good day, xin gan."

[gabriel_tam]

"And you, ài rén."

Gabriel smiles down at her, then turns away and heads back upstairs to collect his sheaf of files for the day before Mark arrives.