#This reminds of that book of the girl who ate like a pea or something and she changed colors

[harrisonsbabygirl]

1963

#the beatles #george harrison #ringo starr #john lennon #paul mccartney #what the hell are they doing I love it #This reminds of that book of the girl who ate like a pea or something and she changed colors

[gongju-juice]

3. Once Upon a Southern Night

Something Old, Something New

Warnings: Some racial tension. . .also might be some language but I can’t remember tbh

The thing about change is that it’s just that—change. You can change something, twist it, mold it, or turn it into whatever you wish for it to look like, but you cannot ever get rid of its original identity. 

Living in Forks was no short of that. Life was a blessing, and your days were filled with laughter and excitement. Beginning your senior year—Jasper had graduated—but the two of you were dating and closer than you’d ever been. He took you on dates to see the stars and bought you flowers and little trinkets to brighten your day. You read books in his lap and went on double dates with Amelia and her boyfriend, Stuart. 

You knew something was strange about your family—so much so that your mother’s weirdness no longer seemed so personalized. Maybe it was the fact they never ate around you, or maybe it’s the account of their golden eyes. And like your mother (and everyone else, frankly), your boyfriend was so inhumanly cold, like a Roman statue left in an icy museum.

But what did you look like asking such crazy questions? After all, what else could it be but coincidence? As for your mom and Carlisle, they were siblings—it was normal for them to share the same traits. But as for the others—Rosalie and Jasper were twins—and although they were different personality wise, they both had the same pale skin and bronze colored eyes. Maybe the old saying is true: living together with someone really does make you look alike.

One day while your family all hung out at the Cullen house, you received a letter in the mail. It was a bright, shimmering white envelope with fancy lace trimming. You opened it carefully—sure not to cut yourself so as to not to trigger Jasper’s weird paranoia around blood. 

“Oh my god!” you shouted, running into the living room. You looked at your mom. “Ivy and Dale are getting hitched!”

“Wow, Ivy?” she said. “I remember the two of you growing up like it was yesterday. When’s the date?”

“March 5. It’s going to take place on Dale’s parents’ farm. The reception’s going to be in the big barn house!”

You whirled in excitement, only to dizzy yourself into Jasper’s arms when you realized you’d fallen. He brushed a stray curl from your face.

“A wedding?” he said. “I thought Ivy was only seventeen.”

“You can get married in Alabama at sixteen with parental consent. I’m sure the Lauderdales were thrilled to hear of the good news. Dale has been hanging ‘round since we were six.”

You popped back onto the floor. “I’ve gotta find a dress and everything! Oh wait—I should call and see if we’re doing matching dresses or if we’re all gonna be wearing different ones.”

You picked up your phone and raced to the kitchen where you could find some privacy and feel free to freak out some more. She picked up on the third ring.

“Lucille!” you cried, “I can’t believe it’s finally happening! Please send me a picture of the ring ASAP, okay?”

She giggled. “It’s not a big deal, Y/N. We’ve been engaged since we were twelve. It’s just that now we’ve got that ice and permission to prove it.”

The phone buzzed and you looked at the image of the triple diamond ring which had a band of diamonds all around. You recognized that ring. It was Dale’s grandmother’s sacred family heirloom, the one that’s been locked up tight in their security safe. He only let you and her see it once when you were both thirteen and his parents were out in the field.

“I’m so excited for the bachelorette party!” you gushed. “We’re going to have so much fun! We should go to Pensacola and go to one of them spa places and then we can—”

“Y/N,” she said quietly, cutting you off entirely. “You’re not on the bridesmaids list.”

You were quiet, your flailing arms caught in mid air. “I’m not. . .but you said—”

“I’m sorry, girl, but Mama already chose who's going to be in my wedding. There’s 

Charlotte, Mary, Clarabelle, and Lydia. . .the ones I grew up with.”

“But. . .what about me? Didn’t. . .didn’t we grow up together?”

“Yeah, but. . .it’s just not the same, you know? Those people are family. You can still come to the wedding, of course. That’s why I sent the invitation.”

You’d be lying if you said you didn’t feel hurt. Here was your best friend telling you that you couldn’t be in the wedding. Mrs. Lauderdale. . .you thought she really liked you. Was it because you moved up north?”

“Oh, alright then. I was just—just calling to confirm the date. March 5, right?”

“Yeah, March 5.”

You hung up the phone and sighed at the counter, your head hung down. Just then, Jasper came walking in. He came up behind you and held you in place, his head resting on your shoulder. Suddenly, your mood improved instantly. But that was the thing about Jasper—he was always brightening your day when you felt down. It was part of the reason you adored him.

“You okay?” he whispered. “You know you don’t got to go to that wedding?”

You shook your head. “Of course I do. It’s my best friend’s wedding. How could I miss her big day? Besides. . .how did you even know I was sad?”

He stiffened. “I. . .uh. . .heard the conversation in the hallway.”

“Oh, well I guess that makes sense.”

He held you for a while against the hard granite. 

“Jasper?”

“Yes, darlin’?”

“Will you be my date to the wedding?”

“Absolutely.”

Rosalie was the one officially in charge in helping you pick your dress. Alice had a vengeful streak and wanted you to wear a big, white gown that would take all the attention away from Ivy.

“It’s wayyyy too hot in the south for that,” you pleaded, “and I ain’t trying to cause no trouble! It’s her Mama who did it, not Ivy.”

“She should’ve overridden that stupid decision then,” Alice continued, braiding your hair. It was still funny to know that the tiny pixie girl knew how to do a full-set of box braids. “If it was my wedding—”

“But it isn’t your wedding,” Rosalie insisted. “And Ivy isn’t your friend. Now like I was saying, Y/N, this little yellow sundress would look so cute with your skin tone. . .”

They even hooked up Jasper. They got him a nice cornflower blue dress shirt and a cream colored suit. Emmett even put on a whole show of picking his hairstyle, and even though they went through all that progress and hard work, you kindly reminded them that a heat wave was coming the weekend of the wedding and that it was best just to leave his curls the way they were. Jasper did not take kindly to his brother after that.

“Why don’t you come with us?” you asked your mom as she helped you pack the last of your luggage. “It’s gonna be so lonely with just me and Jasper. And besides, I’m sure everybody wants to see you!”

“No, no, I can’t. I’m scheduled for a surgery the day of the wedding. I can’t cancel it either. It’s a cancerous tumor that needs to be removed.”

You sighed, sitting up on your bed. “I can’t believe it’s here. She’s getting married, mom. We’re all going to be adults and pretty soon, if things go to according to plan, me and—” You cut yourself off as the overwhelming thought engulfed you.

“That’s right. You and Jasper will have your own wedding someday. . .speaking of which. . .we need to talk about the future.”

“The future?”

“Yes,” she sat on your bed. “There are some things you need to know before you set your eyes on your own big day. We’ll talk about that all soon, I promise. But as for now, go and enjoy yourself with Jasper. You’ll have him all to yourself. . .”

“Mom!” you shouted. “Jasper—he’s too sweet for that. He’s a real gentleman! It hasn’t even been that long ago since we had our first kiss, and he was scared to even do that!”

She raised her brows. “Hmmm, maybe that’s what he wanted you to think. But guys are never shy when it comes to that subject.”

The next day, your family wished you off at the airport. Jasper bought you first class tickets—a feat you deemed both extravagant and unnecessary—and you slept on his shoulder for most of the way. 

Immediately, touching down in your home state, everything felt so different. It was humid and hot; the type of sticky that makes your hair stick to the back of your neck, and people were so much more cordial then they were back at Forks. Some gave Jasper strange looks as he wound his fingers with yours, but again, nobody was unpleasant.

You would be staying at a hotel about thirty miles out from the country. There were, thankfully, two queen sized beds parallel to one another in the tiny room. But Jasper insisted sleeping in the living room part where a half wall separated the two of you.

On the big day, your boyfriend pulled out an authentic cowboy hat (the likes you’d never seen before), and the two of you headed down Ivy’s long dirt road. 

Fields of cotton and peas lined either side of the road, and for long stretches, there were no houses except the occasional large country home with animals and plots of cultivated land. The ditches teemed with life: jumping frogs, tadpoles, crawfish, and lillies. 

“Gosh, it’s been so long since I’ve been in the country,” he said. “This place isn’t much different from home.”

“Home? In Forks?”

“Rose and I—before we were adopted—used to live in Texas.”

“Really? That explains your accent! I just thought you watched too many western flicks. Oh, but why doesn’t Rosalie have one?”

“Well, she just hides it, I guess.”

You arrived at the house. There was a trail of cars already parked in the grassy yard, and people made their way in their finest Sunday’s best to the row of chairs arranged in front of the big oak tree where the minister stood.

“Y/N!” one of your old childhood friends exclaimed when she saw you. She was dressed in a teal dress, and at her side was some unknown boy you hadn’t met. “It’s so good to see you!” She looked at your boyfriend. “And who’s this?”

“Jasper Hale, ma’am, I’m her date for the evening,” he answered, tipping his hat. The row of women waiting to greet you gushed at his manners, and dare you say, they checked him out so openly. You hugged his bicep tighter.

“Just for the evening or indefinitely?” she cooed.

“Indefinitely.”

You sat down in one of the middle rows, and watched in awe as the wedding processional came down the aisle. Ivy was dressed in a glittery dress and carried the largest bouquet of white roses you’d ever seen. Dale had tears in his eyes as he looked up at his bride. They were so perfect, so in love, it made your insides melt.

After the beautiful ceremony, the party moved the barn. The rafters were draped in lights and white ribbons and flower petals covered the ground. You chose a table nearest to one of the wooden walls and curled into Jasper’s side.

“You look so gorgeous,” he said, tucking a dandelion behind your ear. “You out-shined the bride, and you didn’t even have to wear that ridiculous dress Alice was trying to shove you in.”

“All of my girlfriends keep whispering about you. You’re the real star tonight. The best looking man in both Washington and Alabama.”

Just then, Mrs. Lauderdale approached your table.

“Y/N, how are you honey?” she asked as you hugged her plump form. As the mother of the bride, she was dressed in a simple white dress and rocked a crown of flowers in her hair.

“I’m wonderful. Have you met my boyfriend?” You allowed her to inspect Jasper as he offered a hand.

“My, my. What a fine young man,” she cried. “Who knew you could get such a catch?”

She pulled you off to the side, and although Jasper tried to follow, you insisted he stay behind.

“I hope you aren’t upset about the whole bridesmaid situation,” she said, patting your shoulder. “We wanted a small processional anyway—makes it so we can get to the food faster.”

You shook your head. “‘Course not. It was such a beautiful ceremony. And Ivy—she’s stunning,” you said as you admired her twirling form with her new husband.

“Well anyway, John and the guys want to see you. John?”

Mr. Lauderdale greeted you with a nod. “How’s it going?”

“All good here,” you answered enthusiastically. In all honesty, John and his friends intimidated you with their skeptical expressions and hawk-like eyes. It was obvious the men of the family didn’t like you as much as the girls did—and that was fine. You were here for Ivy, not them.

“You got yourself a white boy?” Vernon, Ivy’s brother, asked. “A Yankee?”

“Actually, Jasper’s a Texan. And yes, he’s white. But it isn’t weird or anything.”

Like he was in on the conversation, he smoothly slid in beside you, his cold hand wrapping around your waist.

“Pleased to meet you,” he said as he addressed the men. “I’m a Houston native, by the way. I was raised on a farm myself—had a chocolate brown mare named Buttercup and a field full of bulls.”

“Ah, really? That makes me even more surprised to see you here.”

“Pardon me?”

Vernon smirked. “Y’all go and enjoy yourselves.”

Jasper pulled you away from the barn with a little more determination than you thought was needed. He hadn’t looked nor spoken until the two of you were completely alone by the fence where the ponies ran.

“Are you okay?” you asked softly. “You seem upset.”

“It’s nothing. I didn’t like the way those boys were talking. Had to get outside and clear my mind.” He pulled you closer to his body, and his cool skin felt good in the heat of the night.

“Holding you like this makes me get so sentimental,” he admitted. “It makes me want to take you to the nearest courtyard and get official. It makes me want to buy you a hundred acres and a big, nice house by a river. It makes me want to give you a bunch of kids to keep us company, so we can grow old together and live happily ever after.”

“I like when you get sentimental,” you breathed.

“But,” he stopped, “that last part might not be able to happen. There’s something you should know about me—about our family before you decide to give your heart away.”

“What do you mean? What could possibly be so earth-shattering that it’d make me stop loving you?”

He ran his thumb over your bottom lip, staring deeply into your eyes. His brows were creased, forehead wrinkled in thought. 

“Y/N, I wanted to wait to tell you, but I can’t stand lies. Most importantly, I don’t like to lie to you.”

“Just say it, baby.”

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness. 

It was a tall man, about the same height and build as Jasper, with bright crimson eyes and long dark hair tied back in a ponytail. He stared at you intensely before casting his burning gaze to Jasper.

“It’s been a long time, old friend,” he said darkly before inhaling deeply. “And it’s been even longer, Camille.”

And here the real story begins. Also I like cowboy Jasper playing with ponies maybe I’ll do a drabble on that.

Part One    Part Two   Part Four

#jasper hale #jasper hale imagines #jasper hale x reader #twilight #twilight imagines #twilight x reader #carlisle cullen #edward cullen #esme cullen #emmett cullen #rosalie hale #alice cullen #cowboy jasper 'cause i said so #i asked my mama if i could be a horse rider and she said no

[werezmastarbucks]

Whitmore Guy gets all upset under the evening sky

whitmore guy masterlist

word count: 2284

warnings: language

notes: welcome back the Winchester brothers

music: lost without you by blink-182, PRINCESS by lil peep, articulate silences, pt 1 by stars of the lid

He had four hours before work so he dropped by at home, took a shower and changed. After that, he called the FBI guys and met with them at the coffee shop not far away from the college.

He was a bit unhappy about how badly those two pretended to be with the Bureau. They had no idea Mal Osbourne had been the one who tipped them off about the weird shit going on in Mystic Falls. But he still felt as if they’re set adamant on letting him down and had to work a lot not to snap at them. Kai was a good actor, these two hunters were not; but from what he’s heard, they’re good at killing things.

This whole section of the plan was sheer fucking circus.

 “Wrestler”, who looked like a worried seal all the time, had his little notebook with him again. "Reddington”, crashed by the early hour, was swollen and unhappy as he consumed one cup of coffee after another. They both smelled of disappointment. One of the perks of being an extra-perceptive vampire was that you could smell all these things. For example, Kai could sense their blood running under skin, untasty for him, but still with a hint of familiar sweetness. And the way it was sweet told him they had the same blood. Which meant these two idiots were brothers. Kai was having fun as he watched them sit there, pulling their masks tightly on their miserable faces.

“Have you seen those poor people from yesterday?” he asked.

Reddington winced, swallowing a big sip of coffee, showing him it was way too early. Wrestler just nodded.

“I haven’t looked at them too closely, but I’m sure they were drained of blood, just like the first group of people”, Kai put his elbows on the table and gave them his concerned face.

“What bothers me the most though… is that, I think, if there were more people in the house, he’d kill more”.

Wrestler stopped his fidgeting with a pen and stared him down.

“He? Are you… do you have an idea about who did it?”

Kai shifted on his chair and brought his hand to his chin.

“Well, you guys… let’s come clean, right? As a newcomer, I’m not overly happy about this town. And I see things exactly the way you see them. You’re not FBI, are you?” he whispered, leaning forward a little and giving them both meaningful eye.

The brothers followed his thought like two hunting dogs. He could see their phantom sharp ears go up with caution. He was assessing how much fuckery would be allowed until they figure him out.

“Go on”.

“Why don’t you tell me first what you think about this place, and then I’ll give you a cold or a hot. I don’t wanna seem crazy”.

Reddington tapped the spoon on the table, and the two guys exchanged looks.

“Well, Mal, just tell us what you think. Believe us when we say we keep hearing crazy things every town we go to, there’s nothing you can surprise us with”.

“It’s adorable how you say ‘we’. Are you guys dating?”

Reddington threw himself back in the chair and pierced him with bright green eyes. Kai could tell that uptight dude hates him so much.

“We’re brothers”, the seal replied calmly.

“Ow. You don’t look alike at all”.

“Mister Osbourne, why don’t you tell us what you think?”

Kai sighed.

“I think this place is infiltrated with vampires”.

Their faces stayed stone calm. Homophobic one looked a bit annoyed.

“Who else knows about it?” Wrestler finally asked. Kai’s face lit up:

“I’m right? You believe me?”

The hunter interlocked his fingers and looked at his own hands before muttering,

“It’s kind of our job…”

“I knew you weren’t with FBI. You’re the worst FBI agents I’ve ever seen in my life”.

Reddington pouted and looked at his brother.

“Mal, how do you know about vampires?”

“I’ve been hanging out with Y/N, that girl who works at the welfare department…”

“Yeah, we remember her”.

“And she’s friends with these Salvatore brothers. Who are like, big thing for Mystic Falls”.

“It’s one of the founding families, right?” the seal helped, and started writing in his notebook again.

“I think so. Anyway, she’s really hooked up on them, she says they have history together… I don’t know much, but when we were at that bar… when people started going crazy… I think I saw several of them tear people’s like… bones and flesh apart. Damon Salvatore”, he fell on the table, plastering both his hands on the cold wood, “ripped the heart out of my girlfriend’s chest. That’s not what normal people do. And then I went to the library…”

He nearly cracked right then and there, and had to pretend there was something in his throat. LIBRARY. Kai coughed politely into his fist.

“And I found that book on the town’s history. They’re in pictures from 1864”.

There was a dramatic pause.

“Something tells me you’ve seen those pictures, too. Who are you?”

Kai started chewing on a toothpick vigorously, showing that he’s very anxious.

“Are you like, hunters? Can you kill these things?”

Reddington pushed his empty coffee cup away. He finally reached the stage in which he was able to work.

“How many vampires? Do you know their names?”

Kai licked his lips impatiently.

_______________________________________________

After their coffee-breakfast he still had two hours before work started. The morning was on, and the sky was very warm, so Kai walked to the college, looking around, enjoying the world, listening to birds and smiling at people. Several days ago he had a breakdown, so he was still in his energetic phase, the blissful alleviation that floods one’s mind after it realizes there’s nothing to lose.

Every morning he reminded himself of his own name, but it wasn’t his own oblivion he was afraid of. What he really feared was that he wouldn’t want, or wouldn’t need to be Kai Parker anymore. Kai Parker was everything he had for forty-three years, and then he met her. She stripped him away of his loneliness, of his agony. She took away and consumed all his pain. She was the pain consumer. She ate it like he eats vampires now. And everything that made him strong, together with everything that made him evil, died when he helped her survive, again and again. But when Damon threw him into Malivore… it returned. He was on his own, alone with Kai Parker again, trying to escape that guy, adopting a new name, and he kind of remembered he loved being Malachai. What now? Kai could laugh in his face, he could torture him, remind him of everything, and he couldn’t oppose him in any way. Mal didn’t have childhood, he didn’t have family. No past, no memories, no superpowers. No coven. Kai Parker held all his weight against Mal Osbourne knowing she won’t come to rescue this time. She won’t hold his head on her lap, caressing his hair, she won’t say, you are good, Kai. She doesn’t know any guys named Kai. And Damon Salvatore will pay for it even if it kills them both, even if it kills the whole town, even if it kills the whole world.

What’s his place then? Where is he supposed to be? He never had a place in the world before, and he doesn’t have it now. He can grow into Mal, give him history, but Y/N doesn’t believe him. She sheds Mal off him like he’s a snake, and soon she’ll know Mal doesn’t exist either.

So, what is he supposed to be?

Who is he?

Who is he?

From the times he showed his face on the camera of Mom’s recorder, he’s been trying to figure that out.

Wow, Mal, I mean, Kai, you gotta stop now, because you’re going to drive yourself crazy, he said to himself.

He realized he had no idea who he had been even before Malivore stripped him of all remains of humanity as he lay on the field under the lilac evening sky. Disgusting to admit that, but at that moment he really needed someone to hold his hand and say something. By ‘someone’ he, of course, meant Y/N, and by ‘something’ he meant what she used to say to him.

“I understand”.

She once took his palm, shaking and hot, a little wet (and she wasn’t grossed out! Wow!) in the last attempt to calm the storm of his rage, bright orange like a flame. Smart little thing, she figured out the way to open him like an antique locker. She didn’t yell anymore – although she liked that, generally. She stroke right into the core of his being, brave as fuck, reckless, he would say. Nobody ever tried that, of course, because nobody gave a shit about him and his salvation. But if, IF they tried, they’d stop breathing immediately. She said, hey, are you with me here? Listen, I know.

She didn’t specify what she knew exactly, but somehow Kai felt so exposed it made him horrified. It made him as scared as he used to get when Momma locked him in the broom-room, and banged on the other side of the door, imitating monsters coming for him. Malachai, she used to say, the monsters will come for you, and they will eat you alive if you don’t stop this. He waited and waited, wailing and sweating, clutching on his own hands, in complete darkness, aching all over because of that damn fever that lack of magic used to give him; the monsters never came. Took him a couple of years to realize his house has been filled with monsters ever since he was born.

His family, get it?

Anyway, she said that, and Kai thought, well, if she scares me as much as my Momma used to, then I need to have her. Vessel or not, she should me mine. He clicked the switch and found out he was hooked for life. Long, painful… soon to be eternal life.

Wait, did he say “crazy”? Ironic. Hahahahaha

He could get serious if he needed to. He could stop all the whirling that butchered his mind with a powerful will gesture. He just didn’t feel like it most of the time. Ever since he became the Master of Everything in the World, he felt pretty invincible, but this thing, this realization almost made him want to cry.

If he never had any idea who he was, Malivore couldn’t have changed anything in him. He’s still the freak, as Bonnie the Judgy Face puts it, the Malachai from Pearl Street in Portland. The siphoner who killed his family, the witch nobody cared about. The vampire who was unmade in a wrong way so that he can’t drink human blood, but instead, needs other vampires. If you think about it, everything is wrong. He returns to the circle one gradually, thinking about all that.

That’s what angered him the most about Damon’s little trick – to take away life from a creature who has so little; just a girl and a shitload of magical power, and charisma, is just vile. Kai was a flower in the wind, he believed that. He was so vulnerable to pain, it’s insane to think Damon would violate him even further like that. How many years more he needs, and all of them, too, to realize that the hurt from losing someone to murder is not a reason enough? Y/N took her father’s death like a champ. Kai never told her why he really killed him. He was a sleazy worm about it, giving her what he knew she would believe. Kai played along with the famous narrative that he can’t handle anybody else near her. Rolled his eyes, gave a couple of demonic laughs, and she bought it. She cursed him forever for killing her dad, with the anger that only Medea would be capable of. But she came round eventually. It was all better than telling her the truth – what Kai saw her dad was doing in his room. He was capable of mercy. Opposite to a popular misconception, he knew how to take care.

He watched the clouds, tender like fluffy jello. Once in the previous lifetime, when they were young and in love, they laid here like this, on the grass soaking with evening dew, and watched the pink clouds fade away slowly. Her hair was laying in waves on the green grass, and her hand was small and bony in his palm, and Kai felt complete. There was so much oxygen in his then human lungs he was finding it hard to breathe. He wanted to scream thank you for making me a teen again. How awesome it is to feel like you’re free again. Again? For the first time! He wasn’t hunted. He was consoled. He could float among those pink clouds, but he didn’t want to leave her, to undo their handlock even if it was for heavens. He told her everything about his childhood. Every-thing. From beginning to end, and watched her, with her big butterfly eyes as she memorized every detail of that bleak tale. She turned everything into a fairytale, attaching a song to it; there was a time Kai sincerely believed Y/N had some kind of disorder that wouldn’t let her take things seriously. She had a very strange system of priorities; once, when she got punched hard by a vampire, and Kai had honors of being present at the time, everybody thought she cracked her skull. She raised a ghastly shriek about breaking one of her nails though. Kai could relate on some levels, he just didn’t expect to find someone as disinterested in respecting logic as him.

For every tragedy, she had a song. For every word, she had a color. She said his name was red, like blood from throat. When she looked at him, she would say, a song would play so loud in her head she couldn’t hear what he was saying.

He loved that girl so much it hurt his ribcage. He couldn’t let go of her.

#kai parker #kai parker x reader #kai parker imagine #tvd imagine #winchesters #spn imagine #legacies #vampire diaries #whitmore guy

[megalony]

Tea time trouble

Another dad! Ben Hardy imagine which is part of my Little James series, thank you to everyone for the lovely feedback so far.

Taglist: @marshmallowmae @butlegendsneverdie @langdonzvoid @luvborhap @jennyggggrrr @radiob-l-a-hblah @rogertaylorsbitontheside @chlobo6 @rogertaylors-lipgloss @sj-thefan @omgitsearly @luckytrashgooprebel @scarsout

Series masterlist

Enjoy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ben ran a hand over his eyes, trying to stop himself from getting angry which never normally happened especially not with the kids but today his nerves were being grated. The day didn't seem to be going as planned which was never a good thing.

Ben finally had the day off and he had promised Lily that he would take her swimming after school. But when he'd gone to pick James up from preschool (Y/n) had phoned and said she had to take Lola to the doctors since the toddler had a bad chest infection which was getting worse. That meant (Y/n) couldn't look after James and since the four-year-old hated swimming, Ben couldn't take Lily to the pool because no one was around to look after James. So the actor was left looking after two of his kids which couldn't get along for the life of them and it was sending his mind reeling.

Lily blamed James for the change of plan and James blamed Lola because (Y/n) was meant to be taking him to the opticians for his glasses which was postponed until either tomorrow or the next day. James was excited about getting glasses for the first time to help him with his reading because Harry Potter wears glasses and James had the cupboard in his room where he went to calm down. So he was feeling like the beloved book character lately.

"If you two sit together I want no fighting. I mean it." Ben warned as he walked into the dining room to find both kids sat next to one another at the table. He placed the two plates in front of each of them, watching as they both nodded though his eyes were more on Lily.

James always sat at the same place at the table so he could look through into the living room to see the tv and so he was nearer to both doors leading into the living room and the one going to the kitchen. Lily didn't mind where she sat but she had chosen to sit next to her brother which wasn't the best idea and Ben wasn't ready to deal with any of their squabbles or arguments today. He had been working at all hours for the past few weeks now which had drained him and now he was worried about his youngest girl so he did not need them fighting.

Setting down the cutlery in front of them both, Ben waited for a moment longer before disappearing to the bathroom. James always had the same fork and spoon because the other forks were either the plastic ones for Lola or the ones that were too large. And spoons were either very small teaspoons, a few that had very bendable handles he hated or the large tablespoons so he liked a certain spoon that was the right size and a certain fork.

When Ben came back downstairs, he peered into the dining room to check on the two before sitting in the kitchen when his phone rang. A sigh of relief left his lips at seeing it was (Y/n), needing her to calm down his mind and tell him what was happening with Lola.

Sneaking a glance at his sister sitting on his left, James grimaced at the plate resting in front of her. They had chicken, some vegetables and a few chips but everything was all mixed up on her plate. James had a certain plastic children's plate that was split into three sections which made it a lot easier for him to eat because he didn't like certain foods touching and he couldn't stand it being mixed. He had the chicken and some chips in the main section of the plate, some peas in another section and some carrots in the other and a small pot of tomato sauce resting on the table. He didn't want the sauce touching anything but the chips and since that was next to the chicken Ben thought it better he have it in a pot so no mishaps happened.

When James managed to eat all of the peas, he reached out for the small pot of sauce that reminded him of a restaurant where they dished it out in porcelain pots. His eyes focused on the tv in the other room as he started eating his chips, dipping them in the sauce as a small trace of a smile pulled at his lips as he continued to watch the tv.

A shuddering breath left his slightly parted lips as his eyes quickly glanced down to his plate. His chest tightening dramatically to the point he couldn't breathe when he saw the sauce splattered everywhere. It was coating the chicken, the chips and even splattered over the carrots like blood-red paint on a canvas. His eyes that were wide with horror darted to look at his sister since her elbow had pushed his own causing him to spill the condiment all over his plate. Watching as she bit her lip to stop herself from laughing at his expression, not understanding what kind of a big deal this was to her brother.

Lily didn't understand how things like this made James feel, if his routine was broken he got upset and angry because everything should be just so. If his food was mixed like hers it put him off eating it but this was different. He couldn't eat the chicken or carrots when they were covered in sauce and it just looked so wrong now.

Tears welled in his eyes as a small, choked sound left his lips at what she had caused him to do.

Tilting his head Ben glanced into the dining room at Lily's sudden scream, his jaw locking as he felt his anger boiling over. He told them not to sit next to one another and he specifically told them if they did they could not argue. When he was younger he held the ability to sit at the dinner table with his siblings and parents and not mess around. He got along with his brother and sister who were both older than him. Why couldn't his kids get along?

"Alright, I'll see you soon baby, I gotta go." Ending the call Ben carelessly dumped his phone on the side counter before storming into the dining room. His hands rubbing over his face at seeing both kids were crying and getting worked up.

Just as he was about to say something he cut himself short, his eyes narrowing on Lily's hair before his pupils widening at seeing she had tomato sauce stuck to her hair. His head turned to look at his son, his teeth clamping down on his lip when he noticed James' plate was covered in the sauce, something that his boy specifically didn't want to happen. One hand covered his face as the other leaned against the table to prop himself up. This was not what he needed right now and he was reaching the end of his temper.

"What the hell have you both done?" He tried very hard but there was no way to control his emotions. Lola was suffering from pneumonia and was coming home soon on antibiotics and was clearly unwell. James was now not going to eat his dinner and Lily was in a mood just like Ben seemed to be as well.

"He threw the sauce in my hair!" Lily whined, pulling at a strand of her hair for evidence. The red showed up clearly against her ash blonde hair, the sauce was dotted all over her hair on the right side. Large splatters dripping down from the top of her head down to the end of her hair and a few small dots had caught her cheek too. When Ben looked down to his only boy, James said nothing, simply pointed to his dinner as he glared at his sister through tears. Clearly showing that she had done that to his dinner which he was not going to eat now when Ben needed him to eat something because he ate very slowly and very little.

"Did you do that deliberately?" Ben questioned Lily, pointing to James' plate. James acted out and had clearly done that because he was upset and his ADHD did make him impulsive and fueled his short temper. They were working on that at councilling but Lily knew better because they had told her time and time again that she couldn't try and wind James up because it wasn't fair.

"I only nudged his elbow." She hadn't meant to knock is sauce all over his plate like that even if she found it funny at the time.

"Get upstairs." Ben spoke through gritted teeth, his hand pointing behind him to further back up what he was saying although Lily seemed unsure whether she should really move from her seat or not. "I've had it up to here and you're not making it any easier now get upstairs and get a bath or go sit on the naughty step until your mum comes home." He motioned to his temple before looking to his eldest, waiting impatiently to see what she was going to do. Ben's hand went to the back of James' head when the little boy pressed himself into his father's legs. Hating when either parent got mad or upset because it made him uncomfortable.

Lily lowered her gaze before leaving the table, her feet pattering against the stairs showing Ben she wasn't waiting on the naughty step for (Y/n) to get home. Reaching down Ben gently picked James up, quietly shushing him, knowing shouting or raised voices or general anger scared him.

Setting James down on the counter, Ben moved to the fridge and had a scout through what they had. Reaching in he grabbed a packet of sausage rolls, showing them to James but he earned a shake of the head. Ben held out a mini pork pie instead, thankful James nodded and gingerly took it from him. It wouldn't be worth making the little boy anything else to eat because by then he would be past the point of eating.

"You have that and then you can have an ice lolly, m'kay?" When Ben reached out the brush away the tears from James' face it only made more fall in their place causing the little boy to sniff frequently, trying not to breakdown in a fit of sobs. "Ssh, it's alright buddy. I know you don't like your food mixed up but you can't go and put sauce in your sister's hair, it doesn't work like that sweetheart." Ben wrapped his arm around James when the little boy rested his head on his father's chest. Slowly eating the food he had been given as he tried to stop the emotions from riling up inside of him.

He didn't like the way he felt when things like this happened, he didn't like how hurt it made him feel and how his sister didn't understand that. James didn't like how no one seemed to understand the things he didn't like or his little ways except for his parents.

"I'm sorry."

"I know, when madam gets the sauce from her hair and calms down you can tell her you're sorry. I'll talk to her so she understands. You grab an ice lolly and head upstairs for a while and calm down." Ben gently set James down to his feet when he'd finished eating, kissing his temple as he watched the four-year-old grab a lolly from the freezer before disappearing upstairs with Ben hot on his heels.

Ben watched James disappear into his room before he went into the bathroom, seeing Lily was struggling with the sauce in her hair. Grimacing at the sticky substance that was making her quiver as she failed to get rid of it.

The actor said nothing as he sat down on the bath mat, reaching over to help clean her hair as she took to looking and playing with the few bubbles in the water. Not daring to glance at him in case he was still mad with her. Ben very much hoped the pair would not have an argument leading to this result again because it was not very nice trying to get the sauce from Lily's hair. Watching it turn mushy in the water was rather sickening too.

"Thanks daddy." Lily's voice was quiet as she lifted her head just a little, her eyes glancing up at Ben through her lashes, a look that always made him melt.

"Alright sweetheart. But you can't keep doing this to James because it's not fair." Lily lowered her head again, leaning against Ben's arm that was resting on the side of the tub as he ran his other hand through her now washed hair. "I know it's confusing, but these little things that don't annoy you upset him. It makes him sad or angry if you mix up his food like that and although you don't mind what fork you use he does. It's different for him so you gotta try and understand that."

When Lily was dried and in her pyjamas, Ben headed into James' room and made his way to the cupboard where he knew his son was. Leaning around the wall to peek in the cupboard Ben saw James sitting on a few blankets. His Harry Potter wand laid beside him with the third book of the series settled in front of him. He couldn't read the words very well, especially since he didn't have new glasses yet to improve the words to his eyes but he liked looking at the illustrations.

"Want me to read it to you?" Ben questioned, watching his boy manage a small smile as he nodded, beckoning for Ben to come and sit down with him. Since James seemed to like the series but wasn't great at reading yet Ben had started reading them to him like he had done with Lily until she started to read them on her own. They had gotten through The Philosopher's Stone and Chamber of Secrets and were now halfway through the third book of the series. "I can't really fit in here buddy."

Ben only just managed to get his broad frame into the cupboard to put the books, DVD's and toys away, sitting down in there was hard with the shelves in the way.

Reaching over he grabbed one of the many blankets and settled it just outside the doorway to the cupboard. Sitting down with his feet in the cupboard and his back resting up against the frame of the bed. James grabbed his Harry Potter blanket, handing the book to Ben before moving over. James laid down in the doorway of the cupboard between Ben's legs with his head resting on Ben's leg so he could look up at him. He rested his cover under him and burrowed into it before Ben took out the bookmark and started to read where they had left off last time.

Every once in awhile Ben would hold the book with one hand, his other hand reaching down to card through James' hair to soothe him but not trying to send him to sleep just yet. The tired but content smile on James' face made Ben's heart swell.

#ben hardy #ben hardy imagine #ben x reader #dad! ben #imagine #little james

[nuggets-and-french-fries]

Sunsets & Whiskey Kisses: Chapter Thirty Two.

For the cover photo, please picture a cast on his right arm.

(I hope it’s ok but I took this picture from @taronunwin I needed something hospital like with Taron and I knew I could rely on them for that. Sorry!)

You may want to grab the tissues for this chapter because trust me when I say that it will tug at your heart strings and most likely make you cry. Don’t say that I didn’t warn you.

Hope you enjoy!

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"So remind me again why you have to help him with this?" Ryleigh whined as she sat at the table feeding Anna. "Because I told him I would." Jack replied as he rinsed out his coffee cup. Anna waved at him and accepted another spoonful of mashed banana and peaches. Jack walked over to his daughter and kissed her sticky cheek. "You look after mama today ok?" Jack asked.

 "Mama." Anna replied seriously as if she understood what her father was trying to say. "Good girl." He said as he kissed her cheek again causing her to giggle this time. "It's like she knows what you're saying." Ryleigh said and Jack chuckled. "Of course she knows what I'm saying." He whispered as he kissed Ryleigh's lips softly. "I love you so much baby. Please be careful ok." Ryleigh said once the kiss was broken. "I love you too my darling." Jack replied as he went to put his boots on. "I'll see you two later." He said before he walked out of the front door. Ryleigh smiled to herself as she continued to feed the baby.

Jack walked back through the door and laughed. "What?" Ryleigh asked as she wiped Anna's face off now that she was done her fruit. "I forgot my keys." He said as he walked over to his girls. He kissed Ryleigh deeply and then turned to Anna. He kissed both her cheeks and she giggled. "Don't worry about dinner. I'll pick something up on my home." Jack said and Ryleigh nodded. "I love you." Ryleigh said as they all walked to the front door. "I love you too." He called as Ryleigh and Anna watched him get into the truck. They waved to him when he drove away. "Shall we go for a walk?" Ryleigh asked as they stood in the open doorway. Anna nodded and Ryleigh smiled. "You really do know what we're saying don't you." Ryleigh said and Anna smiled cheekily at her mother. "Come on sweet pea, let's get dressed and we can head to the park or something." Ryleigh said as they walked upstairs.

Ryleigh got Anna dressed and when she was happy with how her daughter looked, she picked the baby up and went to get dressed herself.

(What Anna is dressed in)

The mother pulled on a pair of shorts and put on one of her husband's long sleeved shirts before tying her hair up in a high ponytail. "Ok sweet pea. Let's go." Ryleigh said as she placed Anna on her hip. They walked downstairs and Ryleigh grabbed some snacks and put them in the diaper bag and then put Anna in her stroller. They left for the park down the road. When they got there, Ryleigh picked Anna up and sat on a swing with the baby in her lap. Anna giggled every time they would swing forward a little. Ryleigh loved the sound so much that she got off the swing and placed Anna in a baby swing and stood in front of her so that she could see the happiness on the baby's face. "Hi." Ryleigh cooed when Anna swung forward. Anna laughed and so did Ryleigh. The mother did that with her daughter for a little longer before she decided that it was time to move on to feeding the ducks. Ryleigh had taken a small bag of bread crumbs with her for the very purpose of feeding the animals, since Anna had had taken a liking to ducks as they were frequent visitors at their house. 

They stopped at a park bench and Ryleigh sat down after grabbing the bread crumbs. Anna squealed in excitement when the ducks came closer to them. "Can you say duck?" Ryleigh asked as she tossed some bread on the ground. "Here." Ryleigh said as she opened the baby's hand and gave her some bread so Anna could feed the ducks. "Ok, now go like this." Ryleigh said as she guided Anna's hand and helped her toss the bread to the ducks. Anna gasped when the waddled toward her. She flapped her arms happily, making Ryleigh laugh. The birds squawked and Anna got frustrated that were leaving. "Stop flapping then." Ryleigh said through a chuckle. Anna kept flapping and making herself frustrated to the point that she made herself cry. "I think it's time for your nap." The mother said as she stood up and put the bread away and walked in the direction of home and by the time they got home, Anna was snoring quite loudly and her small head was lulled to the side. Her heart shaped sunglasses were tipped to the side and her soother was practically hanging out of her mouth. Ryleigh smiled and took a photo of her to show Jack when he got home. Ryleigh put her phone back in her pocket and picked the infant up slowly in the hopes that she would stay sleeping. Thankfully Anna was in deep sleep. Ryleigh managed to put the baby down for her nap successfully. 

Once she was down, Ryleigh grabbed the baby monitor and walked to the kitchen to make herself some lunch. She threw together a salad consisting of the leftover veggies they had. She took her food and went to sit on the sofa while she watched wife swap. 

=

"Alright, I'll get the horses saddled up if you want to take a quick break." Chase said and Jack nodded. He ran over to the house. "Where's the fire?" Dakota laughed as Jack ran through the door. "I have to pee." He shouted and Dakota laughed louder. She turned attention back to the book she was reading. When Jack was done, he walked to the kitchen and chugged a couple glasses of water. "You keep doing that and you'll have to pee again." Dakota said, not looking up from her book. Jack rolled his eyes. "Well, we're going to check on the cattle and we'll probably gone for a while." He replied and Dakota nodded. "Be careful." Dakota warned. "I will. I love you." He said as he kissed her cheek. "Love you too." She replied with a warm smile. She heard the door shut and that's when her son called for her. She closed her book and went to get him up from his nap.

"Hello my sweet boy. Did you have a good nap?" She asked and Joshua nodded. "That's good. Let's go have lunch." Dakota replied and walked to the kitchen. She placed the boy in his booster seat and warmed up some spaghetti they had for dinner the previous night. Once it was heated, she brought it over and gave it to him. Joshua lapped it up and as he ate, he would close his eyes. Dakota chuckled every time he did that. He looked so cute when he did that. "Was that good?" The mother asked when the boy pushed his bowl further away from himself. "Ok." he said and Dakota nodded, taking note of how much food he had smeared on his tray, shirt and face. "Let's get you cleaned up and then we can play." Dakota said as she got up and cleaned up. When everything was all clean, Dakota and Joshua walked over to the playmat in the corner and sat down to play with the cars and building blocks the little boy had.

"Careful honey." Dakota said as the little boy threatened to knock her tower over. He pushed it with his index finger and he laughed at the crashing sound it made. "Hey, that was my tower mate." Dakota whined and the boy laughed even harder. Dakota joined in and together, they built a bigger one. They repeated the process of building a tower and Joshua knocking it over again. "You little beggar." Dakota laughed as Joshua catapulted himself on his mother. His arms wrapping around her neck. "I love you my sweet boy." She said as she kissed his blonde hair. "Love mama." He replied and Dakota smiled. 

Just as she stood up to put Joshua down for his second nap, her phone rang. She saw Chase's name on the screen and she grew nervous. "Hi babe." She said as cheerfully as she could but she knew that something was wrong. "Call mum or grace to watch Joshua. I've called an ambulance." He said firmly and she gulped. "What happened Chase?" She demanded. Chase took a deep breath. "It's Jack." He said simply and Dakota dropped the phone. She felt her heart drop to her stomach. He promised he'd be ok. He lied. Dakota picked up her phone and told Chase she would. They hung up and she frantically called Carol. 

"Dakota, what's wrong honey?" The woman asked when she heard Dakota choke out a sob. "I n-need you to watch Jo-Joshua p-please." Dakota stuttered through her tears. "I'll be right there. Hang tight sweetheart." Carol said as she hung up and grabbed her keys, rushing to the farm. When she got there, she saw an ambulance speed out of the driveway. She parked her car and hurried inside. She saw her son holding Joshua who was crying. "Honey what happened?' She asked as she took her grandson into her arms. Joshua cried into her shoulder. "Jack was helping me with the cattle and his horse got spooked and threw him to the ground. He smacked his head hard, knocking himself unconscious. They aren't sure if he's injured anything else." Chase explained as the guilt surfaced in the form of tears. "Dakota went with him?" Carol asked and Chase nodded. "It's not your fault son. He'll be ok." Carol said as she hugged her son with her free arm.

=

Meanwhile back at the lake house, Ryleigh was staring down at a positive pregnancy test. She held Anna close to her and laughed nervously. "You're going to have a brother or a sister." Ryleigh said as Anna stared at her. "You're going to be the best big sister." She continued as she kissed Anna's forehead. Anna gave her a cheesy smile. "We have to tell daddy when he comes home." Ryleigh said just as her phone rang. She didn't recognize the number. The mother put Anna on the bed in her and Jack's room and answered the phone.  "Hello?" Ryleigh asked and the person on the other line cleared their throat. "I'm looking for Ryleigh Mason?" The person questioned and Ryleigh rolled her eyes, thinking it was a spam call. "This is she. Can I ask what this is about?" She asked in reply. "This is the Jasper Matter Hospital. We have a patient here by the name of Jackson Mason." The person said and Ryleigh's knees gave out. She felt her heart plummet to her stomach and her stomach fall to her butt. Her breath left her body as the person explained what happened. Ryleigh thanked them before hanging up and cried her eyes out. Anna looked at her mother with confusion. Ryleigh picked Anna up and held her close. Anna squawked in protest but stopped when she realized that her mother wasn't going to let go. 

Eventually Ryleigh found the strength to stand and she raced downstairs with Anna and jumped into the car. She drove to her mother's house, thinking of everything that had taken place that day. Here she found out she was pregnant and now Jack was in a coma. She wasn't sure what she was going to tell her mother. She didn't really have time to think about it because she pulled into the driveway. Ryleigh took Anna out of the car and rushed to the front door. Ryleigh knocked frantically and Grace opened the door to see her daughter's tear stained face and confused granddaughter. "Honey what's wrong?" Grace asked and Ryleigh just handed Anna over. Ryleigh shook her head and rushed back to the car. "I'll explain later." Ryleigh managed to call out before speeding out of the driveway. Grace stood there just as confused as Anna. "What happened little lady?" Grace tried to ask but didn't get a response. She shrugged and walked inside. She turned the tv on to the kids channel and watched bear in the big blue house with Anna.

=

Ryleigh pulled up to the hospital and ran inside. "Jackson Mason?" She asked breathlessly. "I'm sorry, only family is allowed back there." The lady at the desk replied. "I'm his wife and his emergency contact. Please just tell me where my husband is." Ryleigh said shortly and the lady let her by. Ryleigh ran through the halls and finally found his room. She barged through the door scaring Dakota. "What the fuck happened?" Ryleigh shouted. Dakota looked at her. "What did they tell you on the phone?" Dakota asked. Ryleigh told her what they had said and Dakota nodded. "They won't know anything else until he wakes up and don't know if he will. he hit his head harder than they thought." Dakota explained and Ryleigh broke down crying. She fell to the ground as Dakota wrapped her arms around her. Dakota rocked Ryleigh back and forth as she cried and eventually Ryleigh calmed down.

"Do you want me to give you a minute? I could really use a coffee." Dakota asked and Ryleigh nodded. "Can you call mom and tell her what happened? I basically threw Anna at her and left with hardly any word." Ryleigh said Dakota smiled. "Of course. Call me if anything happens." She said and Ryleigh nodded. Dakota left the room and Ryleigh turned her attention to her husband. her eyes landing on all of the tubes and wires attached to him. His head split and stitched at his hairline. His right arm in a cast and a brace around his neck. Ryleigh felt her tears spill once more as she sat beside him and held on to his left hand. "You're an idiot." Ryleigh chuckled, hoping that he would open his eyes and tell her that she was right. He didn't. She just sat there rubbing the back of his hand with her thumb as she hummed a random tune in her head. "Baby, if you can hear me. Please squeeze my hand." She said as she waited for a couple seconds. He didn't move and Ryleigh's shoulders slump forward in defeat. "Please wake up." Ryleigh said as she sobbed again. She didn't know what else to do.

Ryleigh was there for a while running her fingers lightly through Jack's hair. She suddenly missed the way he would lean into her touch when she would do that and right now, she would give anything to feel that again. "Mama." Anna said as she and Grace stood in the doorway of Jack's room. Ryleigh smiled and the tears pooled in her eyes again as her mother embraced her. "Oh my darling. I'm so sorry." Grace said. "I'm pregnant." Ryleigh sobbed into her mother's shoulder. "My sweet girl." Grace said as she hugged her daughter as tight as she could. "I don't want to loose him mom. I can't raise two kids on my own." Ryleigh said and Grace nodded. "You won't loose him and if you did, you wouldn't be alone. Chase, Dakota and I are here for you and I know that there are others out there that would help." Grace replied and Ryleigh shook her head in disagreement. "Ryleigh, I had to do it until your father came along." Grace admitted and Ryleigh looked at her with surprise. "What?" She stuttered out. "It's a long story. One I can tell you one day but today is not the day." Grace said and Ryleigh nodded. "Promise you'll tell me." Ryleigh said and Grace nodded. 

Anna was tired of being held and being ignored. She grunted in annoyance as she reached for her mother. Ryleigh took her and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry sweet pea." Ryleigh said as she went to go sit down again. The mother leaned back in her chair and sat Anna in her lap. Anna tilted her head back and looked up at her mother. "Dada." Anna said with a curious tone. "Dada is, Dada is sleeping." Ryleigh said as she sighed sadly. Grace smiled sadly at her daughter. Anna leaned forward and tried to climb on to the bed. "No baby. Let daddy sleep." Ryleigh more harsher than she wanted. Anna frowned at her and tried again. This time she succeeded. She laid her head on Jack's blanket covered belly and pat him. "Can you give me a minute." Ryleigh said quickly as she stood up and left the room. Grace went over to where Ryleigh was incase Anna fell. 

Ryleigh slid down the nearest wall and cried again. The scene of Anna laying her head on her father and patting him pulling at her heart strings. Her whole body ached as thought of not waking up to him played in her head. "Ryleigh?" Dakota asked when she walked toward the woman. Ryleigh looked up at her and wiped her tears away. Before Ryleigh could say anything, an alarm went off in his room. Both woman jumped up as they knew what that meant. Nurses came running in and ushered Grace and Anna out of the room. Ryleigh tried to fight to get in there but they wouldn't let her. "Please." She screamed but the male nurse wasn't having it. "You have to wait out there." He said firmly and Ryleigh fell to the ground as she hyperventilated. Dakota and Grace watched the scene through their tears. "Dada." Anna said and grace rubbed her back. 

Ryleigh couldn't stand it anymore and she ran out of the building. When she got outside she sat on the stairs and cried into her hands. The feelings of loosing her father returned. "Daddy, if you can hear me, please send him back to me. Anna needs him. I need him." Ryleigh said as her body was wracked with sobs. "Please, please don't take him." Ryleigh begged over and over until Dakota walked out to her. Ryleigh looked at her and when she saw the look on the woman's face, her heart fell. "Please tell me that I still have a husband." Ryleigh said softly and Dakota sat beside her. "It's not looking good Ryleigh." She said and Ryleigh laid her head on Dakota's shoulder. "I talked to Chase about postponing the wedding and we both agreed to wait." Dakota admitted and Ryleigh shook her head. "He wouldn't want that." Ryleigh replied when her tears stopped coming so quickly. "I want him to walk me down the aisle." Dakota said and Ryleigh smiled. "I know he'd love that." Ryleigh said. The women talked for a few more minutes before they walked back inside.

"I think I'm going to take this one home." Grace said as she motioned to her granddaughter who was sound asleep while resting her head on her father's chest. Ryleigh tried not to cry as she nodded. "I'll keep her as long as you need. I can even stay at your place so that she can sleep in her own bed." Grace offered and Ryleigh hugged her. Ryleigh broke the hug and went to kiss her daughter's head. "They really look like each other." Ryleigh whispered to her mother and sister-in-law. "Oh they definitely. There is no mistaking who her daddy is." Dakota said as she smiled. As much as it pained her, Ryleigh took a picture at how cute it was to see just how attached Anna was to her daddy. Ryleigh picked the baby up and handed her to Grace. All of them saying their goodbyes. Ryleigh watched them leave before she sat back down and took her husband's left hand in hers.  "Visiting hours are over." A nurse said as she shook Ryleigh awake. "Please don't make me leave." Ryleigh whispered as she felt the tears well up again. The lady smiled and allowed Ryleigh to stay. Ryleigh thanked her and turned back to her husband.   

=

A week had passed and still Jack had not woken up. Ryleigh hadn't left his side. She tried to hold it together but as the days passed, it proved to be difficult. It was time to decide what would happen next. Ryleigh didn't want to admit that she didn't want to put through anymore pain. She knew she had to let him go and that thought scared her. She didn't want to live life without him. She wanted him to be here to meet their new baby, to help her raise him or her. She wanted him to walk Dakota down the aisle and do the same for Anna on her wedding day. There was so much she wanted to do but she knew now that it was just not going to happen. 

The day they were going to pull the plug, Ryleigh had asked Grace if she could have time with Anna and Jack so that both her and Anna could say goodbye to him. Ryleigh laid Anna on his chest and played their wedding song. Ryleigh let her tears fall as she laid hr head on Jack's shoulder and ran her thumb over Anna's small cheek. Anna's little lip jutted out and she started to cry. She knew what was happening. She could sense the seriousness of the situation. "It's ok sweet pea. Daddy's not going to hurt anymore. We'll be ok." Ryleigh said softly as she tried to convince herself that everything would be ok. Anna hid he face in Jack's chest and Ryleigh couldn't blame her. Jack was their world and life without him would never be the same. Ryleigh lifted her head and kissed as close to his mouth as she could. "I love you so much baby." She said through her tears. "You can let go now." She said as she laid her head back on his shoulder. She kissed the mole on his neck and buried her face in his chest and breathed him in one last time. All of their memories flooding her mind.

A nurse came in and smiled sadly at the sight before her. Anna and Ryleigh clinging on to Jack for dear life. She walked over to the machines to get them ready to be turned off. Jack picked that moment to open his eyes. The nurse smiled and carefully removed the breathing tube without disturbing the women. Jack smiled at her after she was done and she assured him that she would be back to take care of things. "I love you too." Jack rasped out and both girls snapped their heads up. Ryleigh kissed him deeply and hugged him. "Dada." Anna shouted as a smile pulled at her lips. "Hi sweet pea." He crocked once Ryleigh reluctantly broke the kiss. Anna giggled and hid her face in his chest. "I fucking hate you Jackson." Ryleigh said with a warm smile. "I'm sorry baby." He whispered as he let his tears fall. "It's not your fault. I'm just glad you're awake. I was afraid we were going to loose you." She replied and he shook his head as best he could. "Never. I love you too much to put you through that." He said and Ryleigh smiled sadly. "You almost did Jack." She said as she kissed him again. The three, almost four, of them cuddling and enjoying the time they were together.

=

A few hours later, Jack and Anna were asleep and Chase, Dakota, Joshua, Grace, both sets of Dakota and grandparents and Carol were at the hospital to say goodbye or so they thought. When they walked into the room, they saw Jack holding Anna securely with his left arm and Ryleigh smiled at them. "When the hell did he wake up?" Richard asked with shock. "A few hours ago. We just wanted to be with him." Ryleigh replied and everyone nodded in understanding. "How is he?" Dakota asked. "The doctor said that he'll have to be in here for a few more weeks but other than that, he's in good spirits." She explained and Jack stirred. He slowly opened his eyes and thought it'd be funny to prank them all. "Who are you?" He asked with confusion and Ryleigh looked at him and saw the cheeky glint in his eyes. She played along. "What do you mean who are we? You were fine a few hours ago." Ryleigh said as she made herself cry. Anna woke up and looked up at him. She smiled at him and he didn't respond. It broke his heart not to respond but he knew if he reacted to it, it would blow his cover. He gave his daughter a look she had never seen before but her little heart broke. The tears grew in her eyes and her chin wobbled as her lip jutted out. She closed her eyes and let out a sob. Jack couldn't do it anymore and wrapped his arm back around her little body that was now shaking as she cried. "It's ok. Daddy's ok." He said as he tried to calm her down but she cried harder. "You're such a prick." Dakota said as the tears grew in her eyes as well. She walked out of the room with Joshua in her arms. 

Jack pulling that, really broke Dakota's heart. She really though that something happened to him and she really didn't need that. Chase joined her in the hall. He saw her crying and Joshua looking confused. He took his son and fiancé into his arms and hugged them tightly. "It's ok my darling." He said as he tried to comfort them. Dakota cried into his chest and Joshua pat the top of her head as he tried to help as well. "How could he do that to me? I thought I lost him just like my parents and he pulls that on me." Dakota said and Chase nodded. "Yay ok?" Joshua asked and Dakota nodded as she wiped her tears away. The three of them walking back into the room. "I'm sorry Dakota." Jack said and she smiled shortly. She was still mad at him and rightfully so. "Can I have a minute with Dakota?" Jack asked and everyone left but he refused to let go of Anna. The little girl laid her head on his chest and fell back to sleep. 

" What do you want?" She snapped at him. "I'm sorry Dakota. I didn't mean to upset you." He said and she looked at him. "I wasn't the only you made cry with your stupid joke." Dakota snapped and he nodded. "I know and I'm sorry. I didn't think it through." He said and she angrily wiped her tears away. "Come here." He said and Dakota sat next to him before hiding her face in his neck and continuing to cry. He let her cry because he could tell that she needed to. "I thought I lost you like we lost mom and dad." Dakota admitted as her tears stilled. "I'm still here care bear." He replied and she nodded. "You pulling that really hurt me you know." She said as she sat up and wiped the remaining tears away. "I'm sorry." He whispered and she smiled genuinely this time. "Chase and I are postponing the wedding till you are better and can travel." She said and he shook his head. "Dakota, don't do that." He replied and she smiled wider. "I want you to walk me down the aisle." She said and he looked at her with tears in his eyes. "Of course I'll walk you down the aisle." He replied proudly. "I love you bumble bee." She said as she kissed his cheek. "I love you too care bear." He said before his eyes started growing heavy. "Want me to get Ryleigh?" She asked and Jack nodded. "Please just tell everyone they can come back later or tomorrow. I just want to be with my girls." Jack said and Dakota nodded.

"Ryleigh, he's asking for you." Dakota said as she walked back to the group of people. "He also asked that we come back later as he wants to be with his girls." Dakota continued. They all left the hospital as Ryleigh walked back into his room. "Hello handsome." She greeted softly as she sat down next to him. "Hello beautiful." He replied as he blinked at her sleepily. She smiled at him. "You wanna know a secret?" Ryleigh asked and he nodded. Ryleigh pulled the positive test out of pocket and handed it to Jack. He looked up at her with tired but wide eyes. "Are you serious?" He asked with hope. "I found out just before you arrived here." Ryleigh explained and Jack smiled. He looked down at Anna. "She going to be the best big sister." Jack said and Ryleigh nodded. "Yes she will." Ryleigh replied as she kissed him deeply, making sure to cop a feel of his tongue with hers. "Get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up." Ryleigh said after she broke the kiss. Jack shook his head. "Make out with me." He said cheekily. Ryleigh chuckled but made out with him, just like he wanted. Both of them savouring the feel of each other. Vowing to never again take anything for granted.

Tag List: @mairyleo @sarahegerton96 @dogmom2014 @rocknrollmadden @jobanan23 @softeggsy @eggsyobsessed @aberystwythboy @superthiccthighssavelives @hauntedflamingo​

#Sunsets&WhiskeyKisses #taronegerton #Richard Madden

[xserpentlife]

I Promise

Requested: Anon - Could you write a Sweet Pea x reader where she's an orphan who used to live on the Southside, but then a foster family on the Northside took her in, so they don't really get to see each other for a few years, but they reunite when Sweet Pea transfers to Riverdale High and she defends him to Reggie and Cheryl? Thank you so much if you can! I love your stuff!! -&

A/N: I took it in a slightly different way but kept the main theme. I hope you like it anon.

Warnings: Violence. Cursing. Angst. Fluff

Word Count: 3649

When I was 7 my mom and dad got killed. I tried to keep it on the down low I was losing all my friends and I truly didn’t know what to do. For a few months, I was on my own their was secretive and no one knew about it because it was gang related. One day while I was in my friend's trailer doing homework there was a knock at the door. We opened it and Social Services was standing in front of me. They told me I had to go pack my stuff because they were obligated to take me away. I didn’t want to leave I was only 7 my whole life I knew the Southside and I was being ripped out of it. My friend even tried hiding me so we couldn't be found, but in the end, I was carried out kicking and screaming. For a while, everything was very difficult. No one wanted a girl from the South Side so I was in the foster system for 3 years before I got adopted. I got a few letters from my best friend for the first few years while I was in foster care but I didn’t answer I couldn’t. It hurt, not being able to see him and being away it tore a hole inside my heart. It's been 5 years with my parents and I love them dearly but the hole in my heart never left. The friends I had were ripped away from me, my parents didn’t hate the southside but I wasn’t allowed there alone and they would never step foot across the line. I saw people once in a while at Pops, but no one I was really close with. I should have tried harder to visit but I couldn’t. Seeing them and not being able to stay would have been so much worse. So I kept to myself. Most people on the Northside hated me, and I had a lot of enemies. I didn’t “fit in”. I was the girl who wore fishnets under her jeans and flannels around my waist. I may have been 7 when I left the Southside but I knew where I came from. The first few years at Riverdale I conformed. I was the good girl that worse the outfits that made me blend in, but when I hit high school that all changed. I was tired of not being who I was. My parents kept a tighter rope on me afraid that I would leave them and go to the southside. Even though I felt the southside was my home and I hated to admit the northside did too. I dressed the way I did because I didn’t want to forget. All I had was a few photos of my parents, the letters, my mom's jacket and a necklace with a snake that I was given by my best friend before I left. I didn’t understand much I knew my parents were killed and I knew it was a gang, I knew they tried to protect them but something went wrong and that was it. I tried to stay hidden. I didn’t want to be noticed I wanted to get through high school and move away. I loved my parents but the Northside the people here. They were not the people I wanted to be with. I started getting through school by going and then leaving that was it. Today was one of the hard days it felt like I hadn’t breathed. The Bulldogs were mad about something and I ignored them like I always. I was standing against my locker listening to music when I heard Mantle yelling in the hallway. I started walking the other way crashing into some girl with pink hair. “I’m so sorry”. I started to turn around again not caring Reggie was there. He was talking to the one and only Veronica Lodge. I overheard them talking about how our school was combining with another but to be honest I didn’t really care. I walked home that day going into my room doing my homework and then falling asleep like every other day.

I walked into school the next day seeing a welcome table and a super excited Andrews and Lodge. I stood against my locker again pulling my books outside of my bag and tossing them in. The door to Riverdale slammed open and in walked a group of kids wearing flannels, leather and combat boots. It couldn’t be. The walked passed me towards the welcome table and I saw it. The serpent that matched my mom's jacket. The school that transferred was Southside High. I saw some of my old friends in the group but I didn’t think they would remember me so I didn’t wanna say anything. The one person I looked for I didn’t see. I noticed one guy thought he was really tall something about him was familiar but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I knew how the southside was if you left you were seen as a traitor who abandoned their family. I knew that was how they would see me and I didn’t need the attention. I was about to walk away I didn’t wanna be noticed. But of course something had to interrupt me, the oh so famous Cheryl Bombshell, or Blossom I mean. She had this grudge against the South Side one that made no sense entirely. Her father killed her brother no one else, but she couldn’t get that through her damn brain if she even had one. I watched it unfold Cheryl saying some stupid shit and then the girl I bumped into sending her back with a remark. I could see myself being friends with that pink haired girl. I started to walk away as Reggie rounded the hallway bumping into me. Why did I have to be so fucking clumsy all the time? “Hey look Y/N, finally some weirdos you can be friends with”. He pointed to the serpents as I walked off I wasn’t in the mood for his shit it was all too much. School went by casually there were a few serpents in my classes that I actually went to the ones I skipped I wasn’t sure. It was lunch now one time I could actually be excited for. I walked into the cafeteria usually I grabbed my food and ate in the lounge. That’s what my plan was but of course like the rest of today my plans were ruined. I was about to walk past the Serpent table with my food when Reggie stood in front of me blocking my path, but unlike usual he wasn't talking to me he was talking to the Serpents. Archie tried to stop him, but Reggie wasn’t having it. Cheryl even walked up next to him yelling at Jughead, I knew him I had seen him around school till he left but I had no idea he was a serpent. Reggie was going at this really tall kid while Cheryl was going at Jug. Something in me changed I was tired. Tired of everyone on the Northside thinking they were better than everyone else.

“Hey, Cheryl why don’t you shut the fuck up” everyone stopped surprised I even said anything.

“Excuse me”

“Did I stutter?”

“Why don’t you leave him alone, he did nothing to you”

“Need I remind you Y/N, his father killed my brother”

“I think your wrong there princess your father killed your brother so next time you should learn your facts. Stop trying to make yourself feel better by fucking tearing everyone else down when they did nothing to you” she went to push me but I grabbed her arm shoving her into a table. “I say you go out of this cafeteria before that lipstick ends up on my hand from my fist hitting your face”. She left running out of the cafeteria the pussycats following her. I figured Reggie would have followed but he didn’t. I hated Reggie more than everyone else. He always made sly remarks at me about being from the Southside. He started fighting with the tall guy again.

Fight*

“No one invited Southside scum to our school”

“Yeah well were here Reggie so why don't you go on your way and we’ll keep to ourselves”

“Reggie settle down,” said Archie

“Archie need I remind you they showed up at your door trying to kick your ass”

The tall guy said “yeah and we are happy to finish what we started” but was held back by his friends.

I interrupted at that point stepping in front of Reggie “Just leave them the fuck alone Reggie they did nothing to you”

“What's it to you Y/N”

“Nothing but you don’t need to be an asshole just to boost your frail ego”

“Well at least I wasn’t given up cause they didn’t want me, they had to pass you onto us, we don’t want you either so fuck off Y/N” I had it at that point. They knew I was adopted out of the Southside but they had no idea why. I had it, I punched him across the face my rings making small cuts along his cheek. He looked back up at me more pissed than I had ever seen him. Even more than when they lost a football game and let me tell you that was a look. He went to punch me but I grabbed his hand. The thing the Northsiders didn’t was that my parents let me take self-defense and martial arts classes as my creative outlet. I grabbed his arm pushing it behind his back pushing his face into the table where the Serpents were. “Hey mantle unless you want that pretty face of yours destroyed I suggest you stop being a jackass. Let the Serpent's be at our school peacefully they did nothing to you. Just because your scared they will steal all the girls doesn’t mean you should pick fights you know you’ll lose”. I let him stand up thinking he would have left, but he didn’t I started to walk away before my hair was grabbed and Reggie pushed me to the floor. “Really Mantle can’t pick on someone your own size,” he thought I was down I kicked his leg from under him, he landed with a thud on the ground. I stood up. Punching him directly in the nose, it starts to bleed. He lifted his hand to his nose, but I punched him again. I saw black it was like it clouded my vision. I only stopped because the girl with the pink hair put her arm on my shoulder. I grabbed my bag running out of the room, and into the rec room. No one had a free period left in the day so I figured no one would come in. I couldn’t go home not with blood on my hands anyway. I started freaking out I could have killed him. I couldn’t breathe right. It scared me… what happened. I never was like that before in my life even when I boxed people. It was, different. I got knocked out of my thoughts hearing a “Hey”

“Hello? are you in here?” I stayed behind the couch my breath sighing. He came around the side of the couch, the tall guy from the cafeteria with Reggie. “Uh… hi. I’m sorry I didn’t know anyone else would be here. I… I, uh am usually the only one with a free period right now”

“I didn’t say I had a free period, and I’m guessing you don’t either considering no one has one during this period” I laughed. He grabbed my hand and I flinched away. “Sorry… I brought a wet paper towel figured you probably would want the blood off”

“Th… thanks” he lifted my hand from my lap and I winced when the wet towel touched it. “Sorry I know it stings, you’ll get used to it”

“What do you think I’m going to do this again...”

“I mean hey if I can take a break from beating down the Northside and have you do it I’ll damn well take that break”  

“I don’t know, it’s a tough job”

“Oh trust me I know, been beating them down for years”

“Why?”

“I don’t know a long time ago the Northside, they took something from me. Something… important”

“What did they take?”

“It’s… complicated”

“You don’t have to tell me but why don’t you get it back?”

“I’ve been trying”

“Don’t know where to find it? maybe I can help you look?”

“I don’t know but when I do I’ll tell you” we sat there talking for about an hour, about random stuff it was weird I never talked to anyone but with him it was… comfortable. The bell rang signaling that school was over. The girl with the pink hair came in “Hey… ready to motor” he looked down at me almost as a are you gonna be okay. I got up telling him I’d see him later and I walked out. I walked home and somehow wasn’t in trouble. I sat in my bed that night thinking about the boy I had talked to. I didn’t know his name. I didn’t even know his initials. But I felt close to him somehow. It was… weird.

The next day at school was really good I talked to the kid again and it was nice. Of course, Cheryl tried to start shit again, but I ended it almost immediately. I was walking through the school when I saw the girl with the pink hair. She was taking pictures. “Hey are you a photographer”

“Wannabe but yeah… I guess”

“I’m Toni by the way, I wanted to say thank you for the other day”

“Don’t worry about it. I hate the people who live on this side of town”

“Don’t you live here”

“Yeah… but, I” as I was about to finish she got pulled away by some kid she called Fangs. I started worrying. Should I tell them who I am or no? Would they even want to be friends with me? I went home that night it and it was all I thought about. I got knocked out of my thoughts when my phone beeped. A massive thread from Cheryl saying the Southside was going to get it and there was gonna be a fight at the abandoned lot. I ran as fast as I could. I don’t know why but it just happened it was like my feet were carrying me and nothing else mattered at that moment except me getting there. When arrived it looked like they had been fighting for a little while. I saw the tall guy throw a punch at Archie before Reggie came up behind him hitting him in the back of my head. I screamed Toni saw me trying to pull me away but I couldn’t I hate to protect him, something told me I had to. Dilton Doiley some weird scout kid pulled a knife scratching the tall guy across the chest Archie punching him in the face sending him to the ground. I started running towards him after getting out of Toni’s grip and Reggie went to throw a punch while he was on the ground. I caught it my fist meeting with his lip. “Reggie I really gotta beat you up a second time?” I punched him again. He almost grabbed my leg but I jumped out of the way. I went to punch him again but I heard the sirens. Reggie got up running the tall guy still laying on the ground. “Hey let’s get you up come on” He stood up with my supporting his arm grabbing to his chest. “Do you have a car?”

“Funny… No car, but I have a bike”

“Can you even ride with your chest like that?”

“Yeah I can just help me over” I helped him he pulled me to climb onto the back and I did. I figured he would have gone to Pops or something but we crossed the line to the southside. He pulled up to a trailer it looked… familiar. I climbed off standing in shock as he walked to his front door. He looked over to me. “You coming?”

“Uh yeah… sorry I uh, nevermind” I walked into his trailer as he walked in behind me. He told me to sit on the couch and I did as he went into the bathroom. I heard him help in pain. I figured he was trying to patch it up. “Do you want some help?” he screamed back yeah as I walked to the bathroom. He was sat on the toilet cleaning the cut on his face. I took the washcloth pouring the peroxide on it slowly dabbing it. He looked at me “You're cleaning my cuts and I still don’t know your name”

“I mean I don't know yours either, now take off your shirt so I can clean the cut”

He started to pull off his shirt so I could clean the cut on his chest. That's when I saw it… the dog tags. “My names” I interrupted him

“Sweet Pea?”

“How did you?”

“The dog tags”

“What do you mean?” I took my necklace out of my shirt. His eyes looked in my almost an almost joyous look I hadn’t seen before. “I need to tell you something… I found what the Northside stole from me” He laughed, and I hugged him then, him wincing from the pain of my chest pressing to his.

“Y/N I missed you so damn much”

“I missed you too Sweet Pea, I missed you so fucking much you have no idea” I took the peroxide, finishing cleaning the cut on his chest, and bandaged it. “I thought I wasn't gonna find you Y/N, I should have realized sooner but you looked so different”

“Pea I’m sorry I didn’t realize it was you, you looked so familiar but I couldn’t put my finger on it. You're so much taller so much more… nevermind”

“I have a question though Y/N”, Why didn’t you answer the letters. Why didn’t you try to come back”

A tear fell from my eye and I walked sitting on his couch again, he followed after he grabbed a shirt from his bedroom. He saw the tear when he sat down and wiped it away. “I’m sorry Y/N I… I didn’t mean to make you cry”

“It’s fine. I, I couldn’t do it Sweet Pea. I couldn’t contact you because after leaving thinking of the Southside thinking of how I had to leave everyone it hurt so fucking much. I could send the letter and talk yes, but I couldn’t see you. I couldn’t see anyone it… it killed me”

“I never forgot about you Y/N… ever. I came to the northside I tried to find you sometimes but… I thought you moved. I even went to the foster place but they said they couldn’t disclose contact information. I tried… so hard. I kept a picture of you with me everywhere I even asked Jughead but he said he never saw you.”

“Yeah, I laid low on the Northside. Pea, I’m sorry I didn’t try harder I just… I couldn’t lose you a second time”

His hand went to my cheek and he leaned staring me in the eyes “I promise you will never lose me again, I promised when we were kids I would always be with you that is why I gave you the necklace” I looked down grabbing it. “I kept it, I never took it off. It made me feel like I had a part of home. I may have forgotten things but this always helped me remember”

“You never lost the Southside. You are always welcome here... you are family”

“I’m not family...people who leave the southside they aren't welcome. You have rules...laws that a serpent never sheds there skin. I did. I left my family. I left them and everyone probably hates me for it. I should go. I shouldn't even be here” he cut me off kissing me.

“Y/N You did not lose us and we didn’t leave you. You defended the Southside, we clearly never lost you either. I may not have recognized you at first, but I realized that Southside fire. It’s in you, you never lost it, a jacket is a jacket, the heart of the serpent is inside of you Y/N”

“I can't lose you again Sweet Pea”

“I promise you will never lose me… I will never lose you, not again” A knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts. Pea got up answering the door. “Hey Fangs what’s up”

“Wanted to check and see how you were after the fight” he walked inside and saw me sitting on the couch.

“Hey, your the girl that fought Cheryl and Mantle” I nodded. Sweet Pea walked over grabbing my hand. “Fangs this is Y/N”

“Wait like Y/N, Y/N, like the girl you haven’t shut up about finding since I met you.” He looked over to me “This guy is obsessed with you. You fueled his hatred of the Northside, You were the gem he lost” he kept going on and on till Sweet Pea pushed him out the door telling him to leave.

“So you talked about me”

“Yeah… all the time I told you losing you hit me hard. I can’t do it again Y/N”

“Me neither Pea I don’t know what would happen if I did”

“I promise you, you won't. I love you. I always have”

#sweet pea #sweet pea x reader #sweetpea #sweet pea x you #sweet pea reader insert #sweet pea moodboard #sweet pea imagine #sweet pea story #sweet pea reader #sweet pea request #sweet pea stories #sweet pea gif #riverdale #riverdale imagine #riverdale x reader #riverdale x you #riverdale reader insert #riverdale story #riverdale southside #riverdale northside #riverdale serpents #southside serpents #southside imagine #riverdale reader insert

[joiesamevans]

Birthday Express

Who: Sam Evans and Mercedes Jones @sassymercyj

Where: the North Pole

When: Sunday 11/17

What: Sam takes Mercedes on a surprise trip on the Polar Express for her birthday

Sam was sore, as he was most Sundays after games, but he was excited to celebrate Mercedes' birthday with her. He just hope she liked everything he'd planned for her. He was sitting in her room, waiting for her to get ready. "Remember, you need to dress warm and comfortable, babe."

Mercedes stepped out of her bathroom, pulling her red sweater dress over her leggings. "You still won't tell me where we are going?" She asked grabbing her boots.

"What part of 'birthday surprise' is so hard to understand?" Sam asked, gesturing with his hands to distinguish the two words.

Standing she moved over to the bed and straddled him. "If you tell me I will make it worth your while." She moved to nibble on his ear. "Its been how long since we have made love? I know you are itching to get me in bed..."

Sam couldn't help but moan softly at having her so close, his hands going to her hips. "I... can't deny that," he told her. "And, believe me, I plan to change that by the end of the night. But if we don't leave soon your surprise is going to leave without us."(edited)

Mercedes sighed. "Can't blame a girl for trying." Kissing him softly, she slid off his lap and put her boots on. "Okay I grab my coat and we can go."

For just a moment he considered skipping the whole thing and going straight to the hotel he'd booked, but he'd already paid for the whole thing. He pulled his own coat back on and took her hand to walk down to the car with her. "I've missed you, Miss President."

Mercedes linked her arms with his. "I missed you too Mr. President. I am glad we have this time together." With Sam becoming President of his Frat and her not wanting to be anywhere near it for reasons, and both of their busy schedules, they hardly found time together it seemed.

"Well, I did pay good money for a date with you," Sam reminded her. "And it so happens to almost be your birthday, so I couldn't miss it. I'm sorry I couldn't give you the whole weekend, but we have all of today and tonight. And I can come stay over the next couple nights too after I do my kitten checks."

They reached her car and she sighed and stopped walking. Turning him towards her she smiled up to him. "Any time I get with you, anytime I get to hold you and kiss you, is time well spent. Never be sorry for living your life Sam, as long as I am in it I am happy."

He smiled down at her, leaning in to kiss her lips. "You will always be in it and you will always be a hugely important part of it," he promised. He opened her door and let her get in before rounding to the driver's side.

Placing her seat belt on she got into the car and took a breath. "Okay so not even a hint?"

Sam hummed, considering whether he should or not as he started to drive. "I hope you like hot chocolate?" he offered.

Mercedes nodded. "I love it!!" She looked out the window. "So what have I missed?"

"I knew that, but I wanted to give you the hint," Sam laughed. "Um, well, Spencer won her award and I ate sausages in DC and now she has those desk kittens. Jack's starting a Lord of the Rings based D&D campaign. And Nat's obsessed with pea pods."

Mercedes laughed. "Okay that all sounds great! How are classes? Are you going home for the Holidays?"

Sam shrugged at the first question. "They're classes, I guess. Getting through them. Finals are sneaking up way too fast. And I haven't even thought about it. I'm sure I will for Christmas. What about you?"

"The sisters are good, behaving and all that. Classes are great but you know i love mines and no I haven't I usually spend the Holidays around here."

"Well, you know you're always welcome to come home with me," Sam reminded her. "I don't wanna leave Esther on her own though. So you can both come or you can do your own thing. Or if she's going home, you can come. Whatever works best."

Mercedes took his hand. "You are amazing. I dont know what Esther is going to do. I want her to come with me if I come with you but if she wants to go home I don't want her to feel like she can't go home just cause I can't."

Sam smiled softly. "She's a smart girl. She can decide where she'd like to go." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. "But I would definitely love to spend our first Christmas together."

Mercedes looked over to him. "She is, I am so glad she's here so glad she didn't let our parents dictate our relationship." She sighed. "We have had a lot of firsts this year haven't we? I love it."

"She loves you. And she loves driving me crazy," Sam laughed. "We have. The first of many." He kept on driving until they pulled into a train station outside of the city.

"I know. We are lucky that our siblings like us. Family is everything." When the pulled into a train station she looked at him. "What are we doing?"

Sam smiled, leaning towards her in the car like he was sharing a secret. "We... are going to the North Pole, my love."

"The North...Sam is this what I think this is?!" she said excitedly.

"I don't know. Do you think we're taking a ride on the Polar Express to visit Santa?" Sam winked, hopping out of the car to go open her door for her.

Sam opened the door for her and she hugged him tightly. "Sam! I have always wanted to go onto the Polar Express!"

Sam wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the ground for a moment as he kissed her. "I wanted my girl's birthday to be magical. And what's more magical than a train to Santa?"

"Sam everything with you is magical but this...Thank you."

"Come on. Let's get on," Sam urged, taking her hand again. "And we get hot cocoa and cookies on the train." They went into the station and he gave them his name so he could get the tickets.

Mercedes followed Sam. Just when she thought her birthday would be horrible, Sam did this for her.

They walked to the train and Sam gave them their tickets before they climbed on board. "This is so cool." He'd planned it for Mercedes' birthday, but he couldn't deny he was loving every minute of it himself. Once they found their seats, he pulled something out of his pocket. "Your first birthday present," he told her, pinning a snowflake button onto her dress that said 'Birthday Girl!'

He was truly the man of her dreams and this just proved it. "Sam I have no words." Following him to the train she giggled as she took her seat taking off her coat. He pulled out the snowflake and she let him pin it on her. "Its perfect."

"My beautiful birthday girl." He leaned in and kissed her again, making sure to keep himself well behaved since there were plenty of children around. He glanced past her and out the window. "As annoying as the snow has been, I bet it'll be pretty to look at now."

Mercedes kissed him back. Looking out the window, she reached over and grabbed Sam's hand. "The train is moving!!!"

"How else did you think it was gonna get to the North Pole?" Sam teased.

Mercedes felt like a little kid but she didn't care. "Sam thank you for this."

"You're welcome, baby." Sam smiled proudly, really glad that she liked it. She'd done so much to make him smile and he just wanted to do the same for her. The cart came around soon enough and they got their cookies and hot chocolate, cuddling together in their seats.

When the cocoa came she frowned. "Where is Tom Hanks and the Hot chocolate song." she teased. Leaning against him, she smiled brightly. "How are you so perfect for me?"

"Sadly, this train is Tom Hanksless," Sam told her with a pout. "But they do read the book over the speakers! And that... that just happened. I'm pretty happy about it too."

"It may be Tom Hankless but it has Sam Evans so its where I wanna be." she kissed his cheek.

Sam leaned into her, humming happily. He wrapped an arm around her and pressed a kiss to her temple. "You know, you're even more of a cougar now."

Mercedes snorted. "Your cougar sugar momma!" she laughed.

"The very best one," Sam declared as he cuddled beside her. They started to read the story over the speakers and they settled back, enjoying their hot chocolate. Soon the train started to slow. "Look, there's elves out there!" He pointed out the window at the people dressed up, waving at them.

It was all so magical, all so perfect. Mercedes snuggled with Sam enjoying it all. She waved at the elves. "Have you been a good boy this year Sam?"

Sam ducked his head down and lowered his voice. "As the one who's been sharing a bed with me, I'm pretty sure you know the answer to that already," he whispered, grinning at her. "C'mon, let's go visit Santa."

Mercedes giggled. "Mmmm you are gonna have to remind me later if you are good or not." She teased. Standing she nodded. "Yes lets."

"And here I thought you liked naughty Sammy," Sam laughed, resting his hand on her back as they walked off the train. He stepped off and helped her down before heading to the room they had set up in the second train station, fully decorated for the season. "We have to wait in line with the children."

"Oh I love naughty Sammy. Need to see him soon." She teased. Standing in line she sighed. "I am so excited I feel like a little kid."

Sam grinned knowingly. "You can have him all night if you want him, baby."  He leaned over to see Santa sitting on his Christmas throne and nodded along. "Same, to be honest."

As the line moved, she loved seeing all the happy faces. As they moved closer she bit her lip. "Its almost my turn and I am legit nervous."

Sam giggled, just feeling good that he helped make her so happy. "Well, do you know what you want for Christmas?"

She smirked looking at him. "All I want for Christmas is you." She sang.

"Okay, Mariah," Sam teased, poking at her side. "I don't think you'll need Santa for that."

Mercedes laughed. "I mean I can always use a new laptop or something. What about you?"

"Hmm... Nintendo Switch. And chapstick," Sam decided. "Also if he knows anyone at Marvel, another Antman movie."

Reaching the front of the line she smiled sitting on Santa's lap. "This feels so weird." "Ho Ho Ho and what would you like for Christmas?" Mercedes looked at Sam. "Sorry Santa, I have everything I could ever want standing right there."

Sam pulled his phone out to take some photos. He smiled as she spoke. "She flatters me, Santa. It's her birthday though, so you gotta give her a Ho Ho Happy Birthday!"

Santa laughed. "You got yourself a good one young man, better hold onto her. As for you, Ho Ho Ho Happy Birthday!!"

"Believe me, I plan to," Sam said as he took a video. He quickly went over himself and sat on the arm of the chair. "But while I'm here, could you just fill my stocking up with chapstick this year? Cause winter does a number on these lips and I gotta keep the lady happy."

Mercedes snorted at Sam's request.

Santa laughed. "I will see what I can do." Mercedes took a picture of Sam and Santa then looked at the Elf. "Could you make a birthday girl happy and take our picture?" "Of course." Mercedes moved over to Sam and smiled for the photo.

Sam stood once the pictures were taken and gave Santa a fist bump. "Thanks, Santa. You're a bro!" He took Mercedes' hand and headed back to the train for their return trip.

Mercedes waved goodbye as they walked back. "Sam, this was perfect. Thank you "

"I'm glad you liked it." Sam leaned over and kissed the side of her head. "You deserve the best birthdays. And all the other days too."

"I dont think I will ever have a bad birthday again." She said honestly.

"Not if I have anything to say about it," Sam agreed with a smile. Once everyone had had their turn with Santa and reboarded the train, it started its trip back to the station they began at. "So, I also got us a hotel room for the night."

Mercedes looked at him wide eyed. "Well look at you being all romantic. "

Sam smiled slowly and shrugged it off. "It's your birthday. And you deserve to be as loud as you want on your special day. Cause trust me... I plan to make you scream."

She shook her head with a laugh. "So this is more a gift for you than me huh?"

He raised a challenging eyebrow. "I'm sorry. I was under the impression you enjoyed it when I worshipped you from head to toe."

"Oh trust me I do. I love every time you do it. But its been a while since I have ben worshipped." She couldn't help but be excited for what Sam had planned for her.

"Well, we'll make sure to change that tonight, babe," Sam promised her. He leaned over and pressed a kiss just beneath her ear, the tip of his tongue peeking out ever so slightly.

She shuddered at his kiss. "Mmmmmm I love when you do that and you know it."

"Yes, I do." Sam winked at her, but settled back in his seat before they scarred any children. He slipped his hands into hers and interlocked their fingers as the train started back up to head back to the station.

Mercedes laid her head on Sam's shoulder as they rode back. If this was her life from now on, she would be happy for the rest of it.

#pmercy

[unholyhelbig]

Mitchsen Prompt-Aubrey Posen has always had her life planned out for her. Go to college, get a degree with the highest accomplishments, go to law school and become a lawyer. It’s the Posen way, and Posens will always want to be the best of the best. But when Beca Mitchell ask what Aubrey wants in life, not what the Posen want but just Aubrey as a person. Aubrey can’t help but feel lost. And as Aubrey ponders, she makes some revelations. One involving the DJ

[A/N: This has been a long time coming. But I loved writing it!]

The old room was desolate. There were not posters littering the cold brick walls. Not lights hung around a tacky cork board that had the memories tacked into the malleable material. There wasn’t even a rug against the tiled floor- just a drab grey duvet that looked like it had never been slept on, a book (that looked like it was by Rudyard Kipling) And a reading lamp.

It’s what Beca imagined prison to be like, without the wires of course, but the closest thing to it. There was nothing personal about the small room in the New York City apartment. And she wasn’t much of a decorator herself- but one could figure some interests from the large amount of mixing equipment she always had close by, and the picture of her girls that rested in a frame crafted during a bonding exercise. But this? This was sad.

“She doesn’t really talk to any of us,” the stranger that had let Beca into the apartment spoke. She looked like a nice enough girl; brunette and snide. If anything, she reminded the Dj of an eel with dark placid eyes. She said something about being a classmate of Aubrey, sharing a few conversations with her. “She’s neat and pays rent on time, so we don’t ask any questions.”

“Yeah,” Beca nodded softly, turning to face the girl. She was leaning heavily on the doorframe, stare occasionally scanning over the woman’s frame. She had her arms crossed over her chest almost like she was studying her for something. Law Majors. Beca thought bitterly. “That sounds like Aubrey.”

And it did. At least the neurotic parts of the girl hadn’t shifted since she informed the group that she had given up on the retreat. It wasn’t what her father wanted her to do with her life. She was wasting good potential and was better suited for a life in the city. This didn’t’ look like the best fit to Beca. All she saw was a sad gloomy room where houseplants came to die. She had even noticed that most of the woman’s boxes were unpacked, and it had been almost eight months. This wasn’t home by a long shot.

“Hmm,” The stranger nodded with absence, “Well, she usually comes home around five from class, but the rain might be keeping her… feel free to crack a book.” She hesitated “Well, one book.”

“Thank you,” Beca stated. What else was she to say? The woman had her own things to attend to, letting the door close simply behind her. It left the brunette to stand in the middle of the room- almost afraid to move like she was in an art exhibit. A man with a yardstick would come over at any moment and tell her not to touch the art, it was only an installation piece to be looked at.  

She was lucky she wasn’t dripping grimy rainwater all over the floor. She was careful to shake herself out before she even knocked on the door to the apartment. The thick scent of must was still in the air- almost like it clung to her black pea coat. It did, at this point, a bad cold to shake. One that rocked her to her core and ate away at her stomach. Maybe it was better this way. Better than getting a dosage of Aubrey’s signature scent. The kind that warmed her in an almost opposite effect.

It was vanilla. Not like the cheap stuff that you could buy at a craft store to mask an odor for a few minutes. The kind with glitter and shine laced into the liquid. No, this was something that reminded Beca of the cooking extract. Picked clean from the trees and condensed into a little amber bottle with a rubber dropper that looked like an old medicinal tool from the 1800’s. Aubrey always smelled sweet and dark at the same time- a library with hundreds of novels just waiting to be dusted off. A little diner in the middle of the night riddled with mysterious characters. An evening spent in curled up by the fire while snow collected at the window sills.

Yeah, the rain was better. Less painful.  

She eventually settled for lowering herself against the corner of the bed, not exactly sitting, but not standing either. She smoothed her palm over the centered wrinkles her added weight created. It shattered the illusion that she wasn’t’ really here. That her eyes didn’t’ begin to flash over the bricks and count them by two’s.  

It was only when she heard the creak of the bedroom door that she pulled herself from her memories. Her midnight eyes flashed towards the offending object. She stood quickly, not sure if she should shove her hands in her pockets or let them hang to the side awkwardly. She wouldn’t dream of crossing them over her chest- as if not to scare the blonde away.

The Aubrey that she saw in front of her was anything but composed. It wasn’t the same confident woman that was at the retreat or the one that looked so elegant sitting across from her in a dimly lit restaurant that was too expensive for its own good. It wasn’t the woman who sat around in her sweatpants and cried over weddings in cheesy lifetime movies. It was someone broken, and tired.

Her hair was damp from the rain, usually, forest eyes faded to a dull grey. Her skin had paled from winters hand, a leather bag hanging off her shoulder. It was weighted down with a laptop and textbooks, no doubt. She had to stop herself from dropping it, fingers wrapping with haste around the strap.

She didn’t know what to say, so Beca spoke first.

“Your roommate let me in.”

Beca licked her lips. They tasted earthy, cold from the weather. Aubrey simply herded herself into the room, shutting the door carefully behind her as she let her bag hit the floor with a dull thud. Her chest was heaving, no doubt from the many flights of stairs that she had to climb. Maybe from the way, Beca stared at her now. If this room at access to a fire escape, she wasn’t entirely sure Aubrey wouldn’t bolt.

“I think she would have questioned me more if she wasn’t so curious about the type of people that you know.” She said. “Knew.”

Aubrey nodded, sniffing. It sounded like she had a cold, or maybe it was just the rainwater that still dripped off her features. The way she had that determined stare that made Beca’s heart warm in a way that she hadn’t felt in a long while. She almost yearned for the woman’s touch again. Completely forgetting about past arguments that lead to why they were in this situation now.

It was the Posen way. That brought the young lawyer to New York in the first place. She left behind her business, her friends, her family- and the love of her life. Or at least, that’s how Beca regarded herself by how often Aubrey had said it. How often she thought she meant it. She was her father’s daughter, and nothing about his demanding future struck Aubrey as odd. It clouded her, and now that was all Beca had come to realize.

Aubrey didn’t think herself was good enough for anyone because that was the household she was brought up in. It caused her to drop everything in Atlanta to go back home- to work at her family’s firm. There was no time for love or loss. She hadn’t allowed herself to feel anything towards the situation. And it had all come rushing back to both girls.  

“I had to ask you a few questions,” Beca stated.

“The phone works well.”

“You wouldn’t have answered.”

No, she wouldn’t have. They both knew that. After a few months, Beca had stopped trying altogether. She knew when she wasn’t wanted. The brunette had her own career to focus on, part of the reason she had flown to the city in the first place. It was just the devils’ hand and the cruel sting of curiosity that brought Beca to ask Chloe for her ex-lover’s current address. The ginger reluctantly gave it up.

Aubrey nodded with care, not pulling herself away from the door. She was scanning Beca, almost like the roommate, but this time, it sent an undeniable wave of pleasure through the woman. She cursed herself, wishing her body wouldn’t betray her the way it had- a form of wetness drumming up between her legs. Her heartbeat pounding with more intent.

She ignored it.

“Are you happy?” It wasn’t the question that Beca had intended to lead with, not in a malice or ill-intended way, either. She was curious. Because this? This certainly didn’t look like the room of someone who enjoyed what they were doing in life. “You know, here, in your new shiny life.”

Aubrey scoffed, her life was far from shiny. It was clouded over and scared her shitless, but part of her didn’t’ want Beca to know that. To know that the rash decision to move with loomed with the desire to pull the younger woman into her arms once more and breathe in her scent.

“No,” Aubrey didn’t have to lie, she was sure that Beca knew she had a tell. It was one of the things neither could forget. No matter how comprised Aubrey was, she couldn’t’ lie. Not to Beca. The corner of her lip would twitch in the slightest of ways. It was almost endearing, how observant he girl was about her. “But is it about happiness?”

“If it’s not, then what could be driving you?” She shot back with another question, gaining more of a nerve. “Your father’s approval? Your five-year plan?”

No matter how much she hated to admit it, she was not apart of that plan. Beca knew that Aubrey had her quirks: the way she left crumbs on the butter that rested in the fridge, the way she would lose her lunch the second things grew too stressful, and the way she had the meticulous five-year plan about her feature. The one that was skewed the second Beca had embraced her after a shouting match between the two. It was the best sex they had ever had, to this day. Passionate and a mix of rage and love. Painful and relinquishing all at once. Almost like they gave up a part of themselves that night. Settled for just being in each other’s arms in bliss.

“Are you asking me what I want?” Aubrey finally settled her breathing, pulling herself away from the door. Her muscles cried in pain, mixing of the temperatures telling her body to relax and tense up at the same time. She stared Beca down.

Beca swallowed, she wasn’t sure. “It clearly isn’t this.”

“I am supposed to be here, Beca.” She said “I make money here. I’ll own the firm one day-“

“I’m not asking what General Posen wants.” It took everything in the smaller girl not to add a twinge of jealousy into her voice. The man clearly had blinding power in the situation that she didn’t possess herself. Her voice was raised, heat in her cheeks. “What do you want?”

With each word, she jammed her finger into Aubrey’s collarbone. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt her, maybe just a bit irritating. Each time her skin made contact with Aubrey’s her heart seemed to grow louder, deafening as the rain picked up past a cloudy window.

The kiss should have come out of nowhere, it should have shocked Beca into complying and letting her tense feelings melt away. Instead, it was completely expected and heavenly. Aubrey clasped her hands gently into Beca’s damn brown locks, pressing her cold nose against her cheek as soft lips met in the middle. The kiss was filled with passion, dear god, that passion.

Beca nipped back lightly, her heart so dominating at that point. It wasn’t an answer, it wasn’t something that she could lull over. Something that made her think more about how the woman in her embrace let her go with so much delicacy. No doubt, crying on the plane as Beca curled into the silk sheets they once shared. Yearning for that vanilla scent- something she felt now. Something she pushed herself flush against.

The answer was clearly and simply put. “You”

#Beca Mitchell #Aubrey Posen #Mitchsen #Mitchsen fanfiction #pitch perfect #request #asks

[stormedchaos]

℧℧℧℧ and bonus ℧

Send ℧ and i’ll generate a scenario for our muses | accepting | from: @southsidelover​

under the cut because this got long™

Featuring; Jughead Jones, Veronica Lodge, FP Jones, Alice Cooper & Sweet Pea ( who isn’t even on my blog that’s how much ily )

JUGHEAD JONES - ‘Jughead Jones and Toni Topaz stuck in an elevator together ’ 

               ‘I told you we should have took the stairs~’ that grin present on her features, well at least one of them were finding this funny. “ hilarious, Topaz.” he retorts, snake skin sliding down the cool metal behind him til he sinks to the floor, knees pressed up against his chest, of course they would be in a damn elevator right in the middle of a blackout. Just his luck, his backpack already tossed down on the floor at his side, looking up at her, clearly seeing the funny side to this far more than he was. A sigh on his lips as he shrugs off his beanie, fingers raking through his hair. Looking at her with seriousness, “ please tell me you at least have snacks in the bag of yours, who knows how long we’re gonna be stuck here –” food, as always at the fore front of the Jones boy’s mind. 

             Tugging over his own bag, there was at least a pack of oreos in there, maybe some less than fresh cheeto’s. Pulling out with a triumphant ‘AH HA!’ holding the good up like treasure to her, “ I’m even willing to share, seeing as it’s you — guess there’s worse people I could be stuck in an elevator with –” playful teasing as she slides down beside his, a sharp nudge from her as a reminder of just that. Fingers reaching out to interlock with hers, seriousness for a moment as he remembers where they are and why they’re here, stuck in a hospital elevator, on their way to see their fallen brother, catching the look on her face, subtle, but the worry painted in her eyes doesn’t go unnoticed, he’s learned to read her, to know the things she isn’t saying as well as the things she does, a small hopeful smile tugs on one side of his mouth, “he’s gonna be fine y’know, the bullet missed everything major —he might be pissed we ate his oreos though~” grin spreading, nudging her shoulder soft, head coming to rest there too.

            Of all the people to get stuck in an elevator with, Toni Topaz wasn’t so bad after all. 

VERONICA LODGE - ‘Veronica Lodge and toni topaz are part of a team, but their constant arguing causes problems. They have to pull it together for the sake of the team.’

             Cheryl’s warning to them stern, hands on hips as she scalded the pair, told to buck up or they’d BOTH be off the squad. And Veronica would be dammed if she was being booted off the Vixen’s due to ill spent bitterness towards her ex-girlfriend. A secret summer whirlwind romance coming to bite her metaphorically on the ass, now forced into politeness when neither of them quite over the bruises they’d left on each other’s egos. The spoilt rich girl casting her aside when she’d had her fun, when Toni no longer a convenience to her, knowing the hurt it caused, the heart break she might not admit to in the open, but under the cracks and splinters that crept to the surface painted them out clear.               All the Vixen’s had left for the lockers, only Veronica and Toni remained, a heavy sigh filters on her lips. Knowing they didn’t HAVE  to play this way, tearing chunks out of each other when they were both already holding it together by the skin on their teeth. Veronica’s home life a chaotic mess, she’d cut ties with her father, some sense of finality in it this time, and Toni – her gang, her family left in ruins too, at the hands of dirty dealing made on the part of her own father, Hiram Lodge. This resentment that ached in them both had no place anymore, misplaced anger and hurt directed at a girl who she’d once loved, maybe still did. 

            “ she’s RIGHT. ” swallowing as brown eyes come upon her, arms folded across her chest, still defensive. “ you know it’s funny,  I was so scared of what my father would think if I brought you home, and now? — he’s hauled up in the Wyrm with Riverdale’s underbelly – I’m sorry. Truly, for what I did, for the way  i did it — i guess…” her voice trailing off, in the wake of all the crazy, she’d barely taken a minute to breath, “ things work out for a reason, right? – you and Cheryl, you seem happy,  I’m happy for you, Toni…” and she was, but that didn’t mean it didn’t sting, even when she had no right, she had a boyfriend, and still jealousy reared it’s ugly head time and time again at practice, and she wonders if THIS  was how Toni felt when she was Archie Andrews. 

FP JONES - ‘fp jones is the lead singer and toni topaz is the guitarist in a band.’

              Well this was a goddamn disaster, they had shows booked solid for the next two weeks and their guitarist had broke his damn arm. “ Fred we’re screwed, what we ‘spose to do, CANCEL? ” but apparently Fred had a solution to the problem, that went by the name Toni Topaz, FP’s face screwing, laughter spilling on his lips, “Toni Topaz — is that like a stage name?” the look shot back from the pink haired girl answering his question, watching as she walked in head held high. 

              FP’s hands held out in surrender, a wink shot her way, watching intently as she slung on her guitar and started playing, his mouth agape in shock and how damn good she was, and gorgeous too. “ well shit, she’s better than Dave — you think you can learn out set by next week, doll? not that i’m doubtin’ ya, not after that –”   it took a lot to impress FP, but she had it. The skills he hadn’t expected from a pretty little thing.

               “ Gig’s yours if you want it, we got shows booked for the next few weeks, money’s split even, and who know’s ya might even have a little fun~ ” a wry grin etched on his features, Fred shaking his head in the background, FP was a serial flirt if ever their was one, unlike Fred, who was already as good as married to Mary Andrews. FP on the other hand, liked to keep his options open, but then that went along hand in hand with the front man persona. 

ALICE COOPER SMITH - ‘alice cooper and toni topaz at a wild party.alice cooper doesn’t want to be there.’

             It wasn’t like Alice Smith not to want to party, usually she was the first to drag them off to some wild party, always looking for trouble, but it usually had a way of finding her first. Eyes rolling as Toni tugs at her arm to keep up, “ i don’t know why we had to come here tonight. ” defiant and irate, the fight with her father earlier still leaving a bitter taste in her mouth, she hated how he favoured her sister, jealously twisted up inside her, coupled with the sting of FP’s most recent antics left her feeling anything like partying tonight. 

            “ I swear T, if he is here we’re leaving – ” him being FP, her fingers running over the switchblade crudely stuffed into a suspender belt around her thigh, it wouldn’t be the first time she’d threatened FP with it. A sigh as they moved through into the kitchen, Alice pouring them both a beer from the lukewarm Keg, nose scrunching as she tasted it, needing something harder, with more of a kick if she was survive the night. “ you got anything on you tonight? — a little pick me up? ” grin forming on crimson painted lips, brows quirking hoping the other girl would say yes, and to her delighting a little baggie surfaces and the two stumble off to the bathroom. 

SWEET PEA -  ‘ toni topaz and Sweet Pea as children playing together.’ 

JULY 2010

           Skint knees and bruises scattered over his legs, it was the height of summer, which meant freedom for Sweet Pea and Toni , no school for the next two months and the whole of the southside their playground. A triumphant smile on his lips as he pulls out two Hershey’s bars outta his pocket, stolen of course, from the little convenience store on the corner.  Handing one over to her, she was taller than him still, Sweets still waiting on the growth spurt the rest of his class seemed to have hit but him. “ i woulda got more but the stupid clerk was watchin’ me. ” he tuts, shrugging, still annoyed at the assumption that he was up to no good, even when he was. 

            Picking up his old beat up bike, a hand me down from one of his Dad’s friends, not like his old man ever got him anything worth shit. Climbing on, leaving the seat free for her to ride on, “ hop on then. ” waiting as she climbed on behind him, her arms hugging around his waist as they set off, headed down to sweet water to spend the afternoon exploring, maybe she’d make him swim — still reluctant, at 10 years old no one had even bothered to teach him how, but embarrassed to tell her that, making excuses instead, every time. 

           “ y’know one day we’ll swap this bike for a real one~” even at ten years old, already set for a life mapped out in her names legacy, grinning, a brief look at her over his shoulder, the wind blowing back her hair, that smile on her lips that make his stomach flutter, he didn’t know what it meant yet, but he would in time. 

#southsidelover #💕 [ southsidelover ] ❛ when the fear comes in & i drift towards the ground i'm lucky you're around ❜ [ joni ] #💕 [ southsidelover ] ❛ it pulls you close ; it pushes you away it's a magnetism we can't escape ❜ [ veroni ] #💕 [ southsidelover ] ❛ they know you walk like you're a god ; they can't believe I made you weak ❜ [ toni + fp ] #🌪 ❛ meme me up scotty ❜ [ answered ] #💎 ❛ snakes don't shed their skin so easily ❜ [ alice cooper ] #💎 ❛ brass knuckles & split lips ❜ [ sweet pea ]

[yesimgoingtopeacecorps]

The Guinean Peace Corps Guide to Packing

This list obviously isn’t perfect, but I’m sure if you’ve stumbled onto this blog post you’re looking for a good Peace Corps packing list, especially if you’ve just been accepted to Guinea and you’re getting ready to leave. I’m currently in my 6th month of living in Guinea and I’ve received a few things from home along the way.

Just as a reminder, you’re technically only allowed two large suitcases, at 50lbs each for the trip. However, I knew some people who paid extra for another bag, and, looking back, I should have just done that. It would have saved me and a lot of people at home money on the expensive overseas shipping to Conakry.

Things I packed:

Clothes

a note about clothes, try to get things that are quick dry or make for an active lifestyle. You will be washing your clothes by hand and you’ll want things that are very easy to clean, don’t show dirt, and don’t hold smells. I suggest Lululemon, Athleta, Patagonia, and those kind of brands. You can find cheaper and discounted clothes online at backcountry.com and Sierra Trading Post (also a great place to find any of the camping or hiking gear listed on here). You  can also check out TJMaxx and Marshalls. Also, you’re going to get clothes made here and people are always leaving stuff “up for grabs” at the regional houses, so don’t pack too much clothes wise.

For girls, I will say, error on the side of caution when it comes to shorts, skirts, and tops. You can always cut things or have them tailored but where I live is pretty conservative and as much as I hate it, I wouldn’t be caught dead walking out of my house in a thin strap tank top.

  3 pairs of pants that youcould wear in an office setting but also wear hiking (try Athleta for these)

1 pair of hiking or durable pants that you don’t mine messing up- I use mine to garden

1 pair of black leggings

2 pairs of running/workout leggings

3 pairs of shorts (try to  make them longer/knee length)

2 pairs of compression     shorts/spandex

1 pair of jeans

5 or 6 nice shirts (at least one long sleeved one, I promise there are places that it does get cold here)

2 or 3 tank tops

5 casual t-shirts/workout shirts

2 skirts (well past the knee and flowly)

3 day dresses

1 or 2 nice dresses (but not heavy or thick, the place where you train for three months is very hot)

10 pairs of underwear (check out ExOfficio for great travel underwear)

6 sports bras

2 or 3 regular bras

2 or 3 pairs of hiking/thick socks

7 pairs of regular running socks

1 pair of Chacos or tevas (I live in these shoes)

1 pair of running shoes

Hiking boots or closed toed shoes with a very good grip (the only real tourist thing to do in Guinea is hiking and you will definitely use them. I also use mine when gardening)

1 or 2 bathing suits (these are hard to find in Guinea)

1 good durable raincoat

1 lightweight jacket

1 sweatshirt

1 sweater/cardigan

Other wearables:

A good hat

Cheap sunglasses (you can buy more here and I’ve already broken three pairs)

Two scarves

HAIR TIES

Non-valuable jewelry if you  like that sort of thing

A good backpack

A small foldable bag for market days

A purse

A small cross-body purse

 Electronics:

INSURANCE INSURANCE INSURANCE     (Clements Worldwide is the one I use. It was $150 for a year but it saved     my life when I got robbed during training and was reimbursed almost $2,000     for the stuff stolen

My Macbook

A kindle or tablet- I use     mine every day

An iPod (I also brought my     old iPod touch in the case that I got robbed… it was definitely a smart     move)

A smartphone (MAKE SURE YOU     CAN REMOVE THE SIM CARD AND PUT IN A DIFFERENT CARRIERS SIM… I had a lot     of friends have issues with that because they were tied to Sprint or     another carrier that had the phone locked)

A lifeproof or otterbox case     for the phone

A rechargeable external     battery

A solar battery charger for     phones (I recommend DragonX brand)

2 Luci Lights (look it up,     it’s a solar light)

2 headlamps

4 power adapters/converters

A surge protector- trust me,     my iPhone died my first month because there was a power surge and it fried     my phone

Multiple charging cables for     anything USB related

Three pairs of good earbud     headphones

An external hardrive (2TB)     (mine has hundreds of movies, tv shows, and workout episodes on it. I     highly recommend this)

A digital watch

  Home and Kitchen

Scrubba Wash Bag (look it up,     in my opinion it makes doing laundry here a lot easier)

Duct Tape (if you forget     everything else, remember to bring duct tape)

Electrical tape

Can opener- trust me on this     one

Garlic press

A few good kitchen knives

Thin, plastic cutting boards

Three quick dry towels

Compressable pillow (I     recommend ThermaRest brand)

An all purpose tool

Toiletries

Shampoo and conditioner     (Seriously, you will want this. I ran out of both during training and     there was no place to buy either of them where we were. You can also try     LUSH bars, solid shampoo and conditioners, expensive but worth it.)

Dr. Bronner’s All Purpose     Soap

Toothbrusth and toothpaste

Facial toner and cleaner

Face wash

Hairbrush

Lotion

Sunscreen (you are given some     but I’ve found it clogs the pores in my face)

Basic makeup: eyeliner,     mascara, lipstick, coverup, blush, and a small thing of eyeshadow.

Tweezers

Your favorite nailpolish

Headbands

Deodorant

Razors

Nail clippers

File

Alcohol wipes or a small     bottle of alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.. Peace Corps doesn’t issue this     and this has definitely saved me from infections a few times

Medical tape

For girls, Diva Cups (they will save you from using the crappy tampons medical gives us and keep you from having to buy pads, which are expensive)

Baby powder

Hairbrush

Mini bottles of travel hand sanitizer

Mouthwash

A few toothbrushes and a toothbrush top

 Other Gear

A really good pocket knife

A few pens

Colored markers or crayons

A mini stapler

Rubberbands

A portable mini safe (I use mine here and just wrap it around the table leg. I keep all my extra money, my passports, and my credit cards in there.)

A mini sewing kit

At least two Nalgene water bottles

Liquid chalk markers (are cool for writing things on your walls and for using in the classroom)

Hair cutting scissors (multiple uses and of course, for cutting your hair)

Tape measurer

Wooden clothespins

  Things I wish I brought:

My Birkenstocks or my Rainbow     flipflops

A nice travel yoga mat

A nicer pair of dressy  sandals

More packets of dried food (knorr pasta sides, etc.)

Cliff bars, energy bars, etc.

Tuna packets (you can find sardines here but tuna is almost 3 dollars a can)

Workout gear

More photos of my family and friends

A small projector (I got one brought over for me and cost me 85USD. It’s perfect for movie nights and doing presentations)

Lots of charging cables

A small and light extension cord

Small fan (you can also get decent ones here when you get ready to move to site, but not having one during training was brutal)

Essential oils (can be used to do all sorts of things, especially when it comes to repelling bugs)

A good set of twin sized bed sheets. (SHEETS ARE EXPENSIVE and the sheets here not always that comfortable. Dig up your bedsheets from freshman year of college and bring them along)

 Here’s a list of things you can totally live without, but are nice to have:

 For the Cook in You:

Rennet tablets (for cheese     making- a project I’m still learning how to prefect)

A scoby to use to start making your own kombucha

Lots and lots of spices (you can buy them here but they’re expensive)

Measuring cups and measuring spoons

A small KitchenAid type  handmixer and blender

A mini mortar and pestle

Beeswax

Cheesecloth

Small bottle of Truffle oil

Peanut butter

Lots of water flavoring or     Gatorade packets

Oatmeal packets, dried food     packets

Dried cheese powder (cheese     isn’t a thing here and you’ll miss it more than you realize)

Bottle opener and wine opener

Any snacks you can think of     that you can eat without preparation (training is rough when it comes to     food verity, I legit ate a can of green peas once because all I wanted was     something besides rice and sauce)

 For the Workout Fanatic:

Soccer ball (I had a deflated     one sent to me, just add it to a care package list you won’t want to take     this with you)

Soccer cleats

Soccer socks

Resistance bands

Yoga mat

Arm band for iPod or phone     for music

 For the Gardener:

A good pair of gardening     gloves

Packets of all kinds of seeds

A small hand shovel and small     hand rake

  For the Hiker and Camper:

A hammock with a mosquito net     or a small tent

Carabineer clips

An ultralight sleeping pad

Compressable pillow (I     recommend ThermaRest brand)

Moleskin for blisters

A dry bag to store your stuff     when it rains

A steripen for water

 For the Future Pet Owner:

*I got a kitten in Guinea and it was the first thing I did when I got to site. If you’re preparing to get yourself a furry friend, here’s a number of things you’ll want because buying anything pet related in country is super expensive

Cat or dog collar

Flea collar or medication

Small toys for them

Deworming medication

 Things you can leave at home or could buy in Guinea:

High-heels. Trust me on this. You will never wear them (except maybe at Swear-In, but if you want there     are places to find cheap heels here.) Save the space in your bag.

Most kitchen utensils (but I  would suggest bringing at least one fork and one spoon)

A lot of books- theres lots     of them here at the regional houses and if you bring a kindle or tablet,     you can buy more or trade kindle books with other volunteers

A portable camping shower     (you’ll get use to bucket baths and trying to set it up was much more     effort than it was worth.)

A hair straightener and mini     blow dryer. (You won’t use them)

 That’s all I’ve got for you! I hope this list helps and if anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me or shoot me a message!

  Sarah

#peacecorps #packinglist #lifeofapcv #howiseepc #theroadnevertraveled

[cloversreblogs]

Brass in the grey- Chpt. 10

Previous chapters (AO3 only): 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9

Links: FFN.net, AO3, Wattpad

Read on Tumblr: 7 / 8 / 9 / X / 11

Christmas chapter because Christmas! :D

Pairing: FrUK

Genre: Modern AU, Artists AU

Chapter rating: K

Chapter warning(s): None!

Just some quick Christmas fluff for the holidays :) The bolded lines are the phone dialogue, btw.

João- Portugal

Angus- Scotland

Just as swiftly as the transition of November to December, Autumn left and Winter arrived.

The snow had a delicate magic to it. It turned whatever it touched into something sublime and enchanting. The park's trees had long lost its leaves the previous week, but this morning, a blanket of snow had covered the park so that it was like a piece of Narnia had dropped into London.

"Anything else on your mind, Francis?" The therapist asked.

"Erhm… no, actually," he replied. It was actually the first time in a while that he had meant it when he said those words.

"Alright, fantastic!" She said with a smile, and they shook hands. "I think that you've made quite a lot of progress over the couple of weeks! I'll be visiting my family back in Suffolk, so I won't be here for the rest of the year, sadly. Are you planning to do anything for Christmas?" she asked as Francis grabbed his coat.

"Not much. I'll probably just Skype my dad and such. One of my friend's brother have a Christmas party going on at their place, so I'll probably be there."

"Sounds great! See you next year! Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas to you too!" And then he left his therapist's office.

Dr. Turner was a therapist who Francis saw every two weeks. Even though this was only their second session, Francis was starting to feel better already.

Her office was across a mall near the apartment block, so as he walked through it, he could hear the Christmas cheer everywhere.

Carollers were singing the carol of the bells, a Christmas tree that touched the ceiling stood proudly in the centre of the room, a line of children lined up for a mall Santa, and people carrying bags of wrapping paper as well as toys and other gifts buzzed like bees. A violinist who busked outside of the mall played Silent Night, and Francis tossed a shilling to the violin case.

It was even snowing a bit, just enough to dust the people in snow, but not too heavily as to cover people up with snow entirely, which added to the nice Christmassy atmosphere.

Very soon, he made it back to the apartment. The apartment was decorated with tinsel and Christmas lights. Gilbert plugged in the Christmas lights, making the Christmas tree in the middle of the room light up.

The TV was showing Home Alone, while on the couch, he could see Antonio chatting with his (recently declared) boyfriend Roderich.

"Hey Fran!" Antonio called out. Gilbert, on the other hand wasn't as certain.

"Ah, Fran! Erhm… how was the therapist's?"

Sure, Francis had felt better, but ever since he had told him about his anxieties, Gilbert had started restraining everything that he said.

"Gil, it's fine, you don't need to censor everything you say. I wasn't being completely honest with myself over the last couple of months, so I'm trying to do so right now. I'll just remind you whenever I want the topic to be changed. OK?"

"Hm, kay." Gilbert still seemed distracted. Francis sighed. He was a perfectionist, and hated causing problems.

Before he could answer, there was a knock on the door. While turning the doorknob, a small part of him wondered if it was Arthur. Turned out, it was Antonio's brother, João, who had came all the way from Portugal. He greeted him, and went over to the sofa before promptly going into a lengthy conversation with Antonio.

As Francis stood, and looked over to Antonio with João and Roderich, he realised something.

Arthur on the other hand lived alone, as far as he could tell. He never mentioned much family, either. Was Arthur spending Christmas alone?

He walked into the bedroom, and dialled Arthur's number.

"Hello?"

"Arthur! Hi! We're having a Christmas party at a friend of mine's, do you want to come?"

"Erhm… no thanks. Parties aren't exactly my thing."

After some more small talk, (how were you, etc) they hung up.

Francis thought. Maybe he could go over to his apartment, but then there was the Christmas party over at Ludwig's house, and he didn't want to miss that. On the other hand… how alone was Arthur? Maybe he could just give him a gift or something.

He knew that Arthur liked to read, but his bookshelves were full, and besides, it was sort of a predictable present. Arthur wasn't great at cooking, so maybe he could cook him something. Maybe a casserole? They still had more than an hour until they needed to be at Ludwig's. Yes, that sounded good.

And so he got to the kitchen and got to work.

Watching re-runs of Doctor Who while embroidering and sipping hot chocolate was a good way to spend Christmas, in Arthur's book. He wasn't the type who got too festive of anything, he just hung up some tinsel and called it a day.

He held up the embroidery hoop, and examined the piece of embroidery. The blanket stitches hadn't worked as well as he had hoped, and were a bit wide for his liking. Again, the satin stitch-

A knock on the door distracted him, and he stood up. He was pretty confident that it was Francis, though he wasn't sure why he was here, especially so shortly after a phone call. He took a deep breath in. The worst case scenario would probably be Francis accusing him for not wanting to go to the Christmas party, though he reasoned with himself that it'd be insanely unlikely. The best case scenario would be that Francis decided to spend Christmas with him or something like that. The most likely thing would be that Francis decided to drop in for a quick "Merry Christmas", maybe even give a card or a gift or something.

As per with his third prediction, Francis was standing at the door carrying a casserole pot.

"Hi, Arthur!" He greeted before handing him the pot with a smile. "Merry Christmas."

"Ah." He took the pot. Even with the lid closed, he could smell the savoury content of the pot, and it smelt absolutely mouth watering. "Thank you. Erhm, wow, you didn't have to give me a casserole." Francis smiled, and shrugged.

"It's the least I can do. I have to go now, unfortunately. Bye!"

Arthur waved while Francis walked away to join with another small party of people. Arthur looked down at the hallway, and then down at the casserole, still warm in his hands. It had been awhile since he was given a Christmas present. Sure, there were still the Christmas cards given by that overly festive co-worker, but otherwise, it had been awhile.

He brung the casserole back into his apartment and onto the table. Actually, it had been awhile since he had something close to a proper Christmas dinner. During Christmas, he usually went out to eat, whether if it was at a fancy diner or at a takeaway place. The last time he had a proper, hearty Christmas dinner was…

Was…

Seven years ago.

Had it really been that long? Wow. Seven years. Almost an entire decade.

He grabbed a dish and opened the lid. The tantalising aroma of hot lamb, rosemary, potatoes, and peas flooded the room immediately. His mouth watered. It smelt delicious!

A memory popped in his head. One year during Christmas, Angus tripped on the cat and fell into the trifle. He snickered at the memory. Mum wouldn't let the cat sleep on the dining room floor after that.

After he put some of the casserole into the dish, he noticed the way the potato slices were arranged so that they overlapped like fish scales. His own mother would just stack them.

He blew the casserole piece on the fork, and ate it. A million memories of Christmas during his childhood flooded his mind.

It tasted good. It tasted like home.

Arthur went on to finish half the casserole, and put the pot into the fridge. While he did, he wondered: shouldn't he give Francis a Christmas present as well?

He thought. What would Francis like as a present? Something music related, maybe? The stores were closed already, so if he was to give him a present, he would had to improvise. He definitely couldn't give him something cooked, hell no. Well he did have books…

There was this book he bought earlier in the year. Arthur walked over to his bookshelf. He had only read it once or twice, so it should be somewhere at the bottom shelf…

Ah! There it was wedged in the bottom. He pulled the book out, and brushed the cover.

For a second, he wondered if it was a good idea. Was he really going to give him a book? At least the casserole had effort put into it, this book was pretty much just something he pulled out of his ass.

Arthur took a deep breath in. The shops were closed, and he couldn't think of anything more suitable as a present. At least the book wasn't at the same calibre as, say, gifting Francis a used napkin or a plastic bag, at least there was some thought put into it. Besides, the book was still in a pretty good condition.

After reminding himself of those things, he felt better about it, and went out and headed downstairs.

"Hey, Fran, I think that this is for you or something," Gilbert called out as he came back from collecting mail the next day.

"Hm?"

"Here. It's from that Arthur guy." He handed him a book with a post-it note stuck onto it. A book from Arthur? Huh. The cover had a blue trombone on it. The reason that Arthur had picked this one was probably because it was about trombones, which was somewhat close to saxophones. Sure, Francis didn't like trombones more than saxophones, much less know how to play one, but he appreciated that at least Arthurĺ tried to pick something that peaked his interests.

"Thanks, Gil." He read the note:

Hi, I found this book while rummaging through my things. It's a book about a girl with sound-colour synesthesia, and it's quite an interesting read. The shops were closed, so I wasn't able to get wrapping paper, I must apologise. By the way, thank you for the casserole.

Merry Christmas,

Arthur

He flipped the book over, and read the summary. Reading books were not exactly his thing, but the premise sounded interesting. He reached for his phone:

Thank you for the book! <3

A few seconds later, there was another text:

You're welcome :-)

The book, trombones are blue, is a real book, by the way, though it is a WIP by @wildrhov. Thank you, Rhov for letting me mention the book!

I'll be taking a bit of a hiatus to figure out what's going to happen in the next couple of chapters, so no chapters next month, unfortunately. But on the other hand, thank you for the comments last chapter!

Happy holidays, everybody!

#aph france #aph england #brass in the grey #my writing #fruk

[vintagemichelle91]

A Little Lesson in Expecting: Chapter 3

Authors’ Note: Happy Sunday dear readers!! Hope you all had a restful weekend! Now, as we move into month four of Natalia’s pregnancy...lets find out what she will be having!!! @rauliskafan and hope you enjoy! We so look forward to your feedback!!!

           Clutching Rafael’s hand, Natalia took a deep breath. This wasn’t her first pregnancy, but after all that had happened she did not want to take any chances and chose to err on the side of extra caution. The cool gel swirling around her belly soothed her nerves as the technician prepared for the test, and Rafael stared at the screen, always looking mesmerized by the mere idea of twins.

           “You okay?” he gently asked when Natalia squeezed his hand a little tighter.

           She let out a small, shaky breath, “I’m fine… still just trying to take it all in.”

           “It was unexpected…”

           “In more ways than one,” Natalia conceded as she turned back to the screen and listened to the heartbeats. Two lives growing inside her this time… two small souls that would fill their lives with more love than what they could have ever imagined.

           “You know I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone but you,” Rafael whispered before placing a kiss on her temple. Smiling back, Natalia nodded her head, ready to speak when the technician spoke up.

           “Are you two ready to know what you’re having?” she asked.

           Glancing at each other, Rafael and Natalia shared another smile. “Yes,” he started. “I think we’ve had enough surprises.”

           “Point well made, Atticus.”

           He smirked and again they were in sync. “What are we having?” he asked.

           The technician zoomed in a bit on the monitor, no doubt to make sure she was correct before delivering the news. “And… it looks like you’re having two little girls! Congratulations”

           With a light laugh, Natalia sighed in relief. “Two little girls… I love the sound of that.”

            “Violetta will have to make room for them at her tea party,” Rafael said, blinking back a stray tear and kissing his wife’s hair.

           “You think she’ll be excited?” Natalia asked, her mind racing nervously as she imagined what Violetta might say on the matter, her three-year-old going on forty who was never afraid to speak her mind.

           “I’m sure she will, hermosa,” Rafael replied, pecking her brow.

           With his assurance, Natalia relaxed, picturing three sweet smiles, giggling one moment and weeping the next, her emotions and hormones in a beautiful state of overdrive leading towards happiness.

           “Atticus?” Natalia asked as scrolled through his email, most likely catching up with work since he had taken the rest of the day off to accompany her to the ultrasound appointment.

           “Hmmm… everything alright?” he quickly asked, forever a little worried this second time around whether she liked it or not.

           “I’m fine… are you?” Natalia tilted her head slightly and noted the faint exhaustion in his emerald eyes.

           “Why wouldn’t I be?” he challenged. “Got the verdict we wanted this week. Got you and the twins in the best of health.” Bowing his head, he kissed her belly, and Natalia tousled his hair.

           “It’s just… I can’t help but wonder if you… if you would have liked for one of the babies to be a boy,” Natalia said. “I mean I would understand if you---”

           To her surprise, he laughed and slipped his phone back into his pocket, Natalia’s eyes narrowing as she tried to follow his thoughts.

           “Glad my concern amuses you,” she said.

           “No, it’s not that…”

           “Then what?” Natalia questioned with a slight hitch to her voice, her hormones threatening to send her into a screaming fit.

           With a sigh, Rafael pulled his wife closer, taking her hand into his and bestowing a tender kiss on her palm. “I am laughing at my own joke…”

           “Care to let me in on it?” Natalia’s brow arched.

           “I was simply thinking that I’ve had so much more practice with girls that I should be considered an expert.”

            “I don’t know if I would call that a joke, Atticus,” Natalia replied. “But now your expertise is going to put to the ultimate test.”

           “And I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Rafael assured with another kiss as the cab rounded the corner to their street. The leaves on the trees were just beginning to change from green to different hues of yellows, reds, and browns. Change was coming in more ways than one, but now it promised to arrive without a hint of fear.

“As long as these babies are happy and healthy, this news is just fine by me, hermosa.”

           His lips met hers before she could say anything else, and relief washed over her in a calming wave as the happiness of what was to come enveloped her. With another kiss, Rafael guided her out of the cab towards the townhouse steps. His hand found his way toward her tummy, and he peered into her sparkling brown eyes.

           “All good?” he asked.

           “Perfect. I’m sorry. I was just worried…”

           “Which is the last I want for you.” Rafael cupped her face in his hands and lightly pressed his forehead to hers.

            “I’ll do my best to remember that,” she said.

           “Our daughters are the luckiest girls in the world,” Rafael said with a hopeful smile, and Natalia couldn’t help but fall into his arms. “To have a wonderful Mami like you…”

           “And a perfect Papi like you.”

           “Remember that night we spent picking out Violetta’s name?” Natalia began to set the table for dinner, a personal pineapple and olive pizza for her per her craving and pepperoni for the others.

           “We played hooky and came up with a great name,” Rafael said, scooping Violetta into his arms and smothering her with kisses and tickles.

           The little girl giggled and squirmed in his hold. “The best name, Papi!”

           “Lo mejor para, mi muñequita,” Rafael concluded with one more kiss before setting her on the booster seat.

           Violetta clapped her hands in excitement. “First we eat and then we pick out names for the new babies!”

           “Think we can do it tonight?” Natalia asked.

           “I don’t see why not, hermosa.”

           The tattered book remained on the kitchen counter during dinner. Which the family ate quickly before moving to the living room, the pressure on, and Violetta determined that they would indeed have two names selected before the night was out. With bowls of ice cream in their hands, they settled on the sofa and Natalia flipped through the well-worn pages.

           “Mimi is such a cute name,” Natalia mused as she jotted it down on her notebook.

           Rafael’s brow quirked. “Another operatic name to go along with Violetta?”

           “Why not? One more and we could have our very own trio,” Natalia laughed lightly as she turned the page.

           Setting her bowl of ice cream down, Violetta narrowed her eyes at her parents. “That my thing. Sorry, but try again.”

           Rafael sighed but had to agree with her. “She’s right... and since mi hermosa flor is about to add to our garden…” Taking the book from Natalia’s hands, he began to page through the contents. “…some flowery names might be best.” Grinning, he found the page he was looking for and handed the book back to his wife.

           “You might be onto something here,” Natalia said as her eyes swept over the page.

           For the next hour or so, they played the name game, tossing out monikers such as Rose, Lily, Daisy, and every floral title that passed under their eyes. Violetta kept adding her input even as she became distracted by the latest episode of Doc McStuffins, making sure to remind Harold to pay attention for the next time they would need to fix a toy should their weekly tea parties get too rowdy.

           “I am not naming one of my daughters Petunia,” Rafael stated determinedly with just a hint of frustration in his voice.

           Violetta turned her attention away from Harold and the television screen. “That not a good name… it sound funny.”

           Natalia sighed and found herself agreeing with both of them. “I’d like them to match on some level… two perfect pretty sounds.” Sighing heavily, she closed her notebook. “Lily is pretty for one girl, but Lilac for the other baby is just not going to cut it.”

“It’s like we’re setting one up to be a debutant and the other is destined to take up residence in a commune or something,” Rafael groaned. Natalia nearly told him that that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world when her mind flashed back to their awful dinner with Ingrid Dodds, and she let the idea drop.

           “We need a break,” Natalia said. “To clear our heads.”

           After a short evening walk, the Barbas came back to the townhouse no closer to the solution, and Natalia felt slightly defeated as they returned to the sofa to look through the book one last time.  

           “Maybe we’re just over-thinking this?” Rafael suggested as he poured himself a serving of scotch.

           “But I want it to the names to be beautiful,” Natalia said.

           “Cause you guys did that the first time round,” Violetta giggled as she settled next to her Mami on the sofa, her green eyes focusing on the pages of so many names.

           “History can repeat itself,” Rafael insisted as he sipped his drink, and Natalia sighed.

“But it’s getting late,” Natalia said. “Maybe we should just pick this up in the morning.” Standing, Natalia set the open book beside Violetta, open to the H names.

           “H for Harold,” the little girl said, taking the big book to her tiny lap. “H my most favorite letter. It start happy and Harold and… okay I got it!”

           Rafael and Natalia turned around to face Violetta with amused expressions on their faces. She kicked the book to the ground and stood tall on the sofa cushions.

           “What did you get?” Rafael asked curiously.

           “The names. Come here, Mami.” Violetta motioned for Natalia to move closer, and she obeyed, still slightly confused. “Really, sweet pea? What are the names?”

           Violetta placed one little hand on Natalia’s belly. “You Hazel…” Then she moved her other hand to the other side. “…and you Holly. Okay. We done now.” With that she hopped off the sofa taking Harold with her.

           Suddenly Natalia felt the twins come alive from their slumber and with a flurry of little kicks, and she glanced back at Rafael, smiling as tears brimmed in her eyes.

           “I think they like it,” she placed a hand over her tummy as the kicks continued.

           Rafael smirked and set his glass down, picking Violetta up to kiss her pink cheeks. “As always, mi primera flor is right.”

           Violetta’s smile grew wider, seemingly just as proud of herself as he parents were.

           “Told you we could do it, Papi.”

           The night, Violetta got three songs and a story. Rafael couldn’t help but indulge her. She had figured out what they deemed impossible. But Natalia reminded herself that anything and everything could happen with a daughter like her. And a husband like…

           “She cracked the case,” Natalia said as Rafael entered their bedroom.

           “I wonder where she gets that from?” Rafael teased as he settled under covers with Natalia, his hand running gently across her tummy, the twins still, now named, still twirling.

           “Where in the world?” Natalia joked as he pulled her into his arms and their lips met. “I wonder---”

           “There are so many things I can make you wonder right now…” His hands brought down her nightgown strap, and his kisses found her shoulder.

           Natalia pushed him back slightly. “Before I allow you to… I thought I was your first flower?” she pouted, pretending to be hurt.

           Rafael stole kiss from her lips and held on to her as he whispered, “Tu eres la mejor flor… the one that makes the garden and every happy moment possible.”

           “Could you say anything sweeter?”

           “You have all night to find out.”

           Satisfied with his answer and hoping for more as her heart soared, Natalia settled into his arms, completely content as Hazel and Holly finally fell asleep.

#rafael barba #law and order svu #svu fanfiction #raúl esparza #natalia barba #violetta barba #Rafael Barba/OC #a hard lesson series #a little lesson in expecting #raul esparza

[backtomylakearearootsstory]

BTMLAR S1E21

[ROUGH DRAFT FROM BOOK]

[“Mid August to Early September, I met a first cousin that I had no idea existed. She’s my aunt’s daughter. I met her by facebook, via my sister’s knowledge of our family history. This summer, we went down to Southwest Louisiana for the first time in a few years. The surpise came to us [via Jameson]nwhen our aunt left us a few things of hers. She left me her old recipes. As a little girl, I took to making dessert. By 10, I was baking cakes and pies. There was a time, when I would sale pies and pastries for extra money for college. It was through Jameson that my sister was informed of relatives in Long Beach. Yvonne and I had a conversation over coffee and that is when I reached out to her. She has three children who are around my childrens age. Her eldest is about three years older then my oldest son. Her youngest and my youngest are like wonder twins! Those two are so much alike that they could’ve been separated at birth. They all get along well but those two are two peas in a pod but I digress. Faye’s story is that she and my aunt moved out here early on and stayed with our relatives in Sacramento. They eventually settled in Long Beach. She’s been in California since she was 10 and was pretty candid about the move. Her and my aunt had been struggling in the Bayou State. In poverty, they kept contact with our cousins in Sacramento. That came in handy with the transition when aunt Clarisse decided it was time for a change. She lived with my mothers cousin in Sacramento while she studied to become a therapist. They eventually settled in Long Beach and have been there sense. It was through Faye that I got a bit of insight as to the dismantling of the family relationships……………..”]

It was an overcast morning as Abram’s last class for the day ended. "Long weekend begins now!" he said as he headed back to his dorm room. As he arrived to his dorm, he noticed that his roommate was already packed and ready to go. "You don't waste any time do you?"

“nope" Ricardo said. “You need to do the same”

After Abram packed, the two of them decided to go to get a bite to eat.

“Let’s go to that taco joint down the road”

“Good idea”

At lunch time, Ricardo has loaded his taco salad with shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and pinto beans. 

Ricky wasn’t naive to Louisiana culture. His dads people were from the St. Charles Parish and his great grandmother arrived in LA during the 50s. His complexion could be described as light tan color with fine hair. As there food arrived, they figured they had about an hour to eat and gather their bags. 

After a response confirming the message he called the Uber. After eating, the pair waited outside for 15 minutes before Uber arrived. After returning to the dorm, Abram grabbed his MP3 player, his suitcase, and his phone charger and the two headed out. Once their ride arrived, they wasted no time. Stopping for gas only once. Their trip ended in LA a quarter after 6:00. They arrived at Abe’s house around 7:00pm. Yvonne was looking out of the kitchen window at the time. Surprised, she happily walked out and hugged her son. 

They sat for a bit with Yvonne at the kitchen counter making small talk. Wanting to know Ricardo a bit better she asked him his major

As they were carrying on their conversation, Zach and Phil returned with the food. Phil being caught off guard blinked momentarily before realizing that his son was in from college.

After they ate, Ricardo decided that he needed to let his parents know that he was in town. “I’m gonna head out” he said shook Phil and Zach’s hands. I’ll see you all tomorrow, if that’s okay”. “Sure” Yvonne said as Abram walked him out. After watching him exit the driveway, Abe decided to put his bag in his room before talking with his parents. 

Later that night after everyone had showered and Abram got comfortable in his room, Phil knocked on the door. “Come on in” Abe said as he closed his laptop. “Hey son, you settled in?” “Sure did”-Abram responded. Abram hadn’t seem his bed since June, not to mention he missed the Privacy that this bedroom allowed him versus the dorm room where his bedroom was the size of a shoe box and the walls were paper thin. He couldn’t have a phone conversation w/o someone banging through the doors. Masturbation or sex was out of the question.

Abe is kind of a homebody, just the fact that he went away for college is a surprise. Granted it’s about six hours away. He spent the rest of his night watching movies on his laptop before dozing off. Yvonne went to his room and cut the light off, leaving the door slightly open when she left. He got up around 1:00 am to get a cup of water before going to back to bed. Around 9:00 am, he woke up and met Yvonne on the porch. “What’s on your agenda today?” she asked.

“I’m gonna get in my car and ride! Haven’t had my car in months! I’m having lunch with a buddy and then going to get home in time to help you get ready for company tonight.”

“Be careful out there, traffic’s been nuts and police are everywhere”

“Duly noted”

He ate breakfast before taking a short run. Upon his return, he took a shower and got dressed. His outfit consisted of a pair of dark khaki shorts, an orange polo and a pair of Sperry shoes. He sat at the house for a couple of hours and talked with his mom about school and what he’d like to do when he got out. He expressed concerns about the job market when he got out and the worth of his bachelor’s degree. He got in his car for the first time in months and turned the engine on, letting the car warm up for about five minutes before taking off.  He plugged his iPod in, turned the air on savoring the ride anticipating the freedom once he would be able to bring his car on campus. He met Ricardo and Vincent downtown where they’d eat lunch.

“I’m in the mood for a burger” Vincent said

“How about that grill over there?” Abe said, reminding them that he didn’t want to overdo it as he would be eating with family tonight. They walked to the grill, being relatively early, they had no trouble getting a table. Abe ordered the smoked turkey sandwich before breaking the ice for table talk.

Back home, Phil and Quincy were preparing supper. They decided to put steak and chicken on the pit with mashed potatoes a garden salad. Deja made a confetti cake and as well as a chocolate cake.

“So how you cooking those steaks” Quincy asked.

“Medium well” Phil said.

Phil managed to get a good deal from the newspaper. Abram was rather simply to please. A good steak or Mexican food was always a preference of his.

“So Abe liking college so far?”

“Yeah, so far so good. He says he gets along with his roommate”

“Has he picked a major?”

“Not yet, but he was talking about Business”

“Good deal”

“Man what about you? What’s the job search like now?”

“I do a little merchandising, picked up some work mystery shopping now.”

“Any bites?”

“Talking to someone in the hospital about possibly clerking”

Quincy decided to go in the house and get a beer as Phil flipped the steaks. As he came back outside to resume the conversation, Phil asked how that connection came to be about.

“Well going to the VA office to fill out some paperwork initially I spoke with a woman who works as a janitor in the evenings. She put in a word at the hospital she cleans at. Call was unexpected”.

He got a text as he was talking “gotta take this”

He called and it was the woman from the hospital. “Uh huh, yes. Okay. Thank you”

He called Deja, “I got a job”

“I’ll start In a week, lady told me that if I want it it’s mine. So there you have it”

“That’s great babe”

“Well it’ll be something until I can get a better paying one. Anyway I’m gonna go pick up the kids. You heard from your sister?”

“Yep she’s in San Francisco, they’ll be here in a couple of hours”

Quincy left the house to get the kids from school. He dreaded the long line that he’d encounter due to the time he left. After picking up the children, he returned to Phil’s house around 4:00 PM. Zach had managed to hitchhike a ride from a friend in P.E.

“Hey pop”

“Good evening son, how was have a good day at school?”

“It was okay I guess, got a current event assignment in Geography. Due Tuesday”

While Phil was making small talk with Zach,Quincy made the revelation that he just secured employment.

“Good deal”

“Well I’m gonna go to my room for a bit.”

“Company’s coming at 5”

“I know, I remember”

In his room, Zach decided to put together a playlist and crank out the music for a bit before Faye arrived. He returned outdoors later on to help Faye with some items in her car. Quincy said. Ian and Malachi caught up over the last couple weeks with Zach, while Junior and Darius went inside for a bit. Abram, Ricardo, and Vince were sitting on the sofa as the company while company begin to arrive. Walking outside, Abram noticed some unfamiliar faces. 

“Hey Abe, this is your mother’s cousin”

“Hi, cousin Faye”

“Abram”

“You doing okay?”

“Yes ma’am”

“It’s nice to finally put a face. Your mama has been talking about you for the last two weeks”

“Good right?”

The boys were on the porch where Ian asked “is that our cousin?”

“Yea that’s Abe” Zach said

“Howdy Howdy!” Abe said to Malachi as he walked up. After greeting Malachi with a handshake and a hug, Ian introduced himself.

“How’s it going man?”

“Good” 

“So how are y’all  related to us?”

“Our mom and your mom are first cousins”

“This is going to be an interesting conversation later, but nice to meet you”

“I have two sisters and a brother, they’re inside”

“QJ’s inside too” Malachi interjected. Abram went inside, to get a soda and say hello.

”Junior! Whats up?” 

“Hey Aundrea” he said followed by a hug, before introducing himself to the other three “I’m Abram”

"Nice to meet you three. Ricky and Vincent”

“Hi”

He then washed his hands and decided to grab a Dr. Pepper. “We’ll probably be eating in a little bit”

“Good!” QJ exclaimed “I’m starving”

After the rest of the company arrived and welcomed Abram home, there was a prayer, and then the meal was served. Steak, chicken, potatoes, salad and two desserts to choose from. 

“Y’all remember that ice cream machine that uncle Pete used to have?” Faye asked. 

“Yeah, he normally used that around summer time. He’d use a little ice, milk, almond oil. The texture was kind of funny. Almost like a sorbet” Yvonne laughed. 

The evening was filled with laughs and eats. Abe was pretty simple to please. Food, snacks, kids hanging out. After the kids ate, they decided to take a walk. 

“I’ll go with them” Abe said. “Come on yall”

After the kids and teens left, Deja asked about  the relatives in Sacramento. “We’re trying to get around to meeting them in the next few months”. Clarissa said.

15 minutes later, the kids were in the front yard with two cop cars following closely behind them. “Is everything okay?” A concerned Quincy asked. “We received a complaint about a suspicious group of black kids roaming the streets” the officer said. “No, this is my son and his friends. These are my nieces and nephews”.  He then instructed them to go back to the backyard. Quincy stood out there with the officers and explained that his nephew was in town for the weekend. “I’m glad that you allowed them to prove themselves instead of taking matters into your own hands. Thank you officer”

Inside the Malachi and Aundrea were sitting down Yvonne and Abe cane in. “I’m glad that you all made it home. This situation could have ended completely different. I dream of a time when this won’t be an problem. Maybe in the year 3000 when we are all the color of a brown paperback, that will be so. In the meantime, we have to continue to h e these talks with you. We’d be doing a disservice otherwise. I wouldn’t instruct you to behave any differently. Don’t make any sudden movements. You should be almost motionless. Abe, I’m telling this to you too when you’re out there in San Francisco. Y’all can go back outsid now, go get a piece of cake.”

Ricardo and Vincent decided to eat a piece of cake and head home. 

“I’m gonna drop them home and I’ll be back” Abe said.

The ride was relatively quiet, “y’all okay?”

“Yeah, I’m Good” Vincent affirmed

“How about your cousins?” Ricardo added. Abram assured them that all was well, but he did say that his mom informed him of the possibility of this happening. She even gave me a lecture before I went on my run this morning. After dropping Ricardo off, he brought Vincent home. He greeted his parents as he haven’t seen them in a while and wanted to touch bases. He stayed for about 1/2 hour before ending his night back home.

He returned home where everyone had come inside for the evening. “Did you have a good time?” Deja asked

“Yes I did, thank you”. He enjoyed tonight despite the incident. He then joined them on a watching television show 

“Is everyone else alright?”

“Yes son, all’s good” 

Miriam drove up and as she went to the kitchen to fix a plate, Abe told her “You missed some crazy stuff today”

TO BE CONTINUED WITH EPISODE 22