#choicesjanuary2022

[lorirwritesfanfic]

I posted 1,567 times in 2022

119 posts created (8%)

1,448 posts reblogged (92%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@lorirwritesfanfic

@choicesjanuarychallenge2022

@missameliep

@storyofmychoices

@fanficmemes

I tagged 1,555 of my posts in 2022

Only 1% of my posts had no tags

#a little self reblog 😉 - 152 posts

#fanfiction - 136 posts

#choicesjanuary2022 - 121 posts

#choicesmonthlychallenge - 99 posts

#comment reblog - 80 posts

#lorirwritesfanfic - 77 posts

#playchoices - 59 posts

#the royal romance - 55 posts

#choices fanart - 51 posts

#blog updates - 50 posts

Longest Tag: 138 characters

#but i know that if i start playing it i'll get sucked into that fake perfect world and ignore that i have to eat/sleep/shower/pay bills 😅

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Because Of Him

Author's note: I wrote this in one sitting! Yes, that's all my notes are about. (sorry, it's been a few weeks since the last time I finished and posted a story.)

[Original characters are creations of this author. The others are owned by Pixelberry Studios]

Book: Perfect Match

Characters: Sloane Washington, Hayden Young, F!MC (Natasha Park)

Rating: G

Word count: 928

Reading time: 4 min

Summary: An incident reminds Sloane of how much Hayden (and Dipper) mean to her.

Based on the prompt: @sloanewashingtonappreciationweek​ day three: friendships

Sloane's left knee bounces up and down as she sits on the waiting room of the veterinary hospital they always take Dipper. She always told herself she's more of a cat person, but things slowly changed when she became Hayden's handler and she had to adopt a dog for him.

The idea of getting an animal so loud, clingy and with a potential to destroy her apartment was daunting, but sacrifices had to be made. Back then, she had no idea she would come to love Hayden as dearly as she would love a younger brother or how much Dipper would grow on her. But most of all, she didn't expect to feel so emotional when it comes to either of them.

She glanced around the room, then at her wristwatch, and chewed on a nail, knee bouncing frantically. Why is it taking so long?

Just then, Natasha's beaming face pops on the screen of her phone. Then she realizes it isn't her phone. But given how hectic the night was, it doesn't surprise her that she ended up switching phones with Hayden by accident.

"Hey, Natasha..."

"Sloane? Hey! Khaan dropped by to give back your phone. He said Hamza found it on the floor of his car."

"I didn't realize I didn't have it with me until now... but thanks... How's everything there?"

"Everyone left. I just finished cleaning everything with Nadia and she went home now. Where's Hayden?"

"He went out for coffee."

"Any news on Dipper?"

"She's on a surgery right now."

"Oh... I didn't know it was that bad..."

"It kinda is..."

A brief silence settles between them.

"I'm so sorry, Sloane..."

"It's not your fault, Natasha."

"But it happened because of me."

"It's nobody's fault. You couldn't have known Dipper was going to eat your slice of cake when you left and all of us got distracted."

"Yeah... I guess..."

"Everything is going to be fine. We just have to—" Sloane trails off when the veterinarian and Hayden walk into the waiting room.

"What is it?"

"Hayden and Dipper's vet are back."

"Oh! Is the surgery over?"

"Maybe? I don't know..."

"Go ask them! I'll wait here."

"Okay."

Sloane puts her phone in her jacket pocket as she stands up meet them. Much to her relief, Hayden smiles when the vet puts the fourteen carat diamond ring in his palm.

"Here you go, Mr. Young."

See the full post

26 notes - Posted February 13, 2022

#4

Kenna Rys moodboard for @choicesaprilchallenge day one: The Crown & The Flame

36 notes - Posted April 2, 2022

#3

Decisions

Author's note: Guess who’s finally posting a For The World To Know chapter? 😁 Took me three years to get this story unstuck, so please be kind to me if you decide to comment. [Original characters are creations of this author. The others are owned by Pixelberry Studios]

Book: The Royal Romance - Book Three

Characters: Liam Rys, MC (Jade), Madeleine Amaranth, Regina Rys

Pairing: Liam Rys x MC (Jade)

Rating: T

Word count: 4887

Reading time: ~20min

Summary: As the wedding approaches, Jade will struggle with the compromises she will have to make to become Liam’s wife.

Jade walked down the hallway leading to the main lounge of the palace, where she would decide the final details of her wedding. Though she wasn't looking forward to meeting Regina and Madeleine, any moment with her fiancé to talk about the future was still worth it. The thought of having cake and making the last adjustments about the ceremony and reception with her betrothed felt like paradise for her. Even if the other people there wouldn't allow them to enjoy this little piece of heaven for too long.

Her eyes sparkled with joy as she spotted Liam by the door talking on the phone. With a wide smile, the duchess approached her fiancé and encircled her arms around his strong frame, resting her head on his back.

"My apologies, sir, but I have a meeting to attend. Have a good day," Liam hung up, lifted Jade's hands to his lips, kissed her knuckles and turned around to gaze at her.

"You didn't have to hang up, Li. I could've waited until you finished the call."

"I could never leave my queen waiting," he said, kissing her forehead. "Are you ready for the last meeting?"

"No..." She made a face, making him chuckle. "I know what you're thinking, but it's not because it's a meeting with Madeleine and Regina. It's the last meeting."

Liam cupped her face, caressing her cheek gently. "Are you concerned about anything, my love? Are you having second thoughts?"

"No! I have no doubts about what I want. I was just thinking about our wedding. Time flew by us lately."

"Both of us are busier now, my love," Liam explained. "And I have a feeling our lives will get more hectic as the wedding approaches."

"I feel like we only see each other at courtly functions or formal meetings." Jade frowned. "We barely had any time alone this week."

"I did notice that. In that spirit, I'd like you to join me for lunch. We'll have plenty of time to talk in private. Maybe even kiss and do other things as well," he whispered as one hand rested on the small of her back.

"I'd like that. But we can start the kissing part now," the duchess suggested with a mischievous smile.

"You make a fair point as usual, my queen."

With that, Liam pulled her closer and leaned in, pressing his lips on hers. Jade tugged on his jacket and deepened the kiss. For a moment, time seemed to stand still for the two of them. But as heat began to spread within her, he pulled away.

"We should get in now," the monarch whispered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Five more minutes?" Jade looked at the King with her best smile and pleading eyes.

"We can't keep Madeleine and Regina waiting forever."

"Are you sure?"

He chuckled softly, but shook his head.

"Fine..."

She made a face that quickly dissolved by her fiancé as he kissed her cheek a few times before they walked into the private lounge.

As the guards opened the doors for the two of them, Queen Mother Regina gave the couple a subtle glare as she sipped her tea. Madeleine looked at her golden wrist watch then reached for her tablet.

"It took long enough for the two of you to arrive." Madeleine raised an eyebrow as the couple sat on the loveseat across from her.

"My apologies, Madeleine. Though our wedding ceremony is important to us, my role as the monarch of this country and Jade's new obligations as ruler of Valtoria also demand our attention," Liam explained.

"Of course, Your Majesty," the countess replied, looking down at her tablet.

Jade glanced at her fiancé with her eyes widened, who replied with a smile and a wink.

"We're eleven minutes late, so let's not waste another moment," Queen Mother said as she signaled for the maids to serve them tea. "Shall we take a look at the menu options once again?"

Liam and Jade nodded.

See the full post

42 notes - Posted September 16, 2022

#2

Heavy

Author's note: Late submission to day two of KLAW and day eight Royal n Noble April Tea Party. Sorry, I got a cruel disease that doesn't allow me to write much. [Original characters are creations of this author. The others are owned by Pixelberry Studios]

Book: The Royal Romance

Pairing: Liam Rys x MC (Jade)

Rating: M

Word count: 434

Reading time: 2 min

Summary: "Uneasy is the head that wears the crown."¹

Based on the prompts: @kingliamappreciationweek​​ - day two: Liam the King / @choicesaprilchallenge​ - The Royal Romance/Masquerade/Heir: The Rys

Warning: This piece contains adult material (brief mention of sexual assault attempt) that may be disturbing/offensive for some people. Reader discretion is advised.

The crowd rose to their feet when Liam walked towards the middle of the ballroom, where a platform and the throne were placed for the coronation of the future king. Wearing the royal cape and the crown he used as a prince for the last time, the young prince carried the royal scepter in one hand and the orb in the other and took his place before King Constantine so the coronation could start.

To all onlookers, it was a mystery yet not a surprise that the crown prince remained calm and solemnly took his vows, pledging himself to the service of ruling Cornodia. After the scandal that exposed the suitor believed to be the prince's favorite, anyone else in shoes would've stuttered, tripped in the middle of the room or panicked. But not him. Prince Liam wasn't the firstborn, but more than anyone else in the royal family, he was the perfect image of poise, strength and stability, traits all citizens agreed the kingdom needed.

The audience, however, often failed to see the man behind the stoic mask. While he pretended to be unaffected by the previous events of the night, deep within himself, he was hurting. His heart ached. He knew it was all a ruse. He knew about the broken lock of Jade's door. He knew that a man he once saw as a friend forced himself upon the woman he'd choose as his queen. He knew she wasn't approved by royal advisors and many would benefit from her downfall.

What the people failed to see is that he also knew her. He knew her intentions, her dreams, what she wanted out of life, and what she wanted from him. And this is precisely why it was so hard for him to stand there, become king and choose someone else when every part of him ached for her.

All his life had been planned out by others. He had accepted his fate. But now that he knew what love felt like, he was no longer the same. He was so close to having so much more than he ever hoped for and it slipped through his fingers like water. How could he keep going?

As the monarch's crown was placed on his head, he recalled a moment he had with her. She mentioned how the crown looked heavy in pictures and he explained the meaning behind its heaviness. Wearing the crown came with big responsibilities and he understood that much from a very young age. What he didn't know was how uneasy he would feel when that moment came at last.

____

¹ Shakespeare, William. Henry IV, Part II. 1600

44 notes - Posted April 18, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

I say ignorance is bliss, but when I see someone so ignorant to the point they don't know who to vote for today when the choices are a man that made Brazil the 6th most powerful economy in the 00's and a troglodyte that publicly mocked the people dying from COVID-19, I'm like

47 notes - Posted October 30, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #i'm glad there's only one shitpost between my top posts this year #specially because i'm still baffled by how real it still is #but yay! thank you for reading my stuff people! #happy holidays 💕

[bebepac]

Snow Day! ❄

I am participating in @wackydrabbles​​​ prompt # 131 I don’t feel so good will be in bold.

This is also day 25 of @choicesjanuarychallenge2022​​​​ for delivery.  

The Series: Mia’s 🌎 World The Book:  Crossover: TRR x The Freshman Series Pairing:  Mia x Jaiden (TRR MC x M!OC) / Freshman MC (Emily) x Chris Word Count: 1385 Warnings and Ratings:  Profanity and sexual innuendo / Teen

Song Inspiration:  We’ll Be Alright by Travie McCoy.

Original Post: 1/25/22 at 4:47PM EST

A/N: Recently my area has been hit with a lot of snow lately which has one caused us to have inclement weather plans at work, and I had to bring it out with this funny little story, aka poking fun at the south a bit for our insanity we get when snow comes.  I’m a transplant here, so I know what a real snow is. and I know this is far from it.  

Don’t be hating on our baby snow.  But this is truly quite the weather event here in North Carolina!!!!

I will be  also talking about the “Jeep Wave”  which I have found to be a very real thing. In 2019, I had a  Jeep as a rental car for a month while my car was in the body shop getting repairs.   Also the Jeep people to go off roading just because.  

And last but not least the infamous snow day.  Snow Days don’t bring the same splendor to most adults as they did when you were a child.  For me when the weather calls for snow, I get nervous, because of my job in Healthcare, it is very rare that we close.  Snow is not bad to drive on, it’s the Ice, and when things start melting and freezing back up, hitting a patch of black ice can be a scary thing.  So here’s to one of the few snow days I got to enjoy this go round because, I am on vacation.  It was a good feeling not worrying about the already crazy drivers in North Carolina, and then adding snow and ice on top of that.  As mentioned before, a lot of my Mia’s World content, is honestly based off of my college experiences. So even though I’ve made up the names of the characters, most of this is factual.  

Hope you enjoy the Snow Day I talk about here.  

Jaiden laughed as he watched the weather report.

"What's so funny?" Mia asked.

"Two to three inches of snow has North Carolina in a panic?!?! Snowmageddon, are they serious right now?"

"Hey not all of us are used to blizzards, Jai. The world shuts down here when we get snow.  You don’t know what happened during our last really major snow. There are memes because of it now. Google snowmaggedon nc memes.”

Mia took our her phone showing Jaiden a picture.

“That’s a real picture Jai. That’s Glenwood Avenue a few miles away from Crabtree Valley Mall heading towards Brier Creek.”  

“Why is there a car on fire?” 

“Because it’s North Carolina, we don’t do snow here.  And everyone rushes to the store for bread, milk and eggs."

Jaiden continued looking confused.

"Is French toast a winter storm food here or something?"

"No?"

"But then if you lose power, what are you gonna eat? Milk sandwiches and eggs you can’t cook? It doesn't make sense."

Mia thought for a second.

"You're right Jai, it really doesn't make sense."

"Why aren't you setting your alarm?"

"Because class is going to be canceled tomorrow."

"For two inches of snow? Mia, come on!"

Jaiden laughed even harder.

"When I was a kid in New York, walking home from school, I fell through a snow drift and the snow was waist high. Snow was not an excuse to be out of school."

"And I bet you walked ten miles to school all uphill and barefoot too right?"

"Now you sound like my Dad, Mia.  But you’re right.”  He kissed her nose.  “I’m still going to set my alarm though.  You might be wrong.”

Mia wasn’t wrong. The next day class was canceled due to snow.

“Guess we’re going back to sleep for a bit.”  

When they woke up again, it had finally stopped snowing and there was even more on the ground.  

Emily knocked on the door, before she walked in.  

“Are you guys decent?” Emily had her hand over her eyes in case.

“Yes we’re decent, and that was one time, and you didn’t knock. That was your own damn fault.”  

Emily peeked cautiously around her fingers.

“Just making sure I don’t  see your boyfriend’s ass, again. No offense to your ass Jaiden."

Jaiden shrugged his shoulders.

"None taken."

"But I already have a boyfriend that has an ass, that can also be one when he wants to be.”

“Hey I heard that!!!”  Chris screamed from her room.

“There’s a snowball fight at the quad in thirty. Teams of four. Get dressed.”

It didn’t take Jaiden long to get dressed.  Mia however was putting on layer after the layer of clothes.  She had on her jeans, two pairs of socks, boots, two shirts, her winter coat hat, scarf and mittens.

“Mia, it’s not that cold outside.”  Jaiden chuckled.

“Again, Jai, not all of us are used to two degrees, and blizzards.”

“Then I'll keep you warm, my little snow bunny.”  He pulled Mia by her scarf closer to him, kissing her lips softly. Mia melted into his kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.  

“I feel warmer already.”

“And getting you out of all that later will be like unwrapping a present.”  

His grip tightened on her hips.  

“Jai stop, if you don’t, we’ll miss the snowball fight.”

There were lots of students out on the quad by the time they all got there. And at first, the game was organized.  Teams going against each other and then things just unraveled.  Everyone was just having fun. Throwing snowballs haphazardly with no team goal or winning in mind.  

Snow angels and snowmen were beginning to be built.  

“We could dress our snowman in a layer of your clothes Mia. Promise you’d still be warm.”  

“Not funny Jai.”

“Emily too, she has on eighty five layers of clothes right now.”

“Ohhh you’re so funny Chris. You should try stand-up.”

“I don’t know why we let them pick on us so much, Em.”  

“You know the guys that picked on you in school are the ones that like you.” Chris said, kissing Emily’s cheek.

“Then you boys loooooooooovvveeeee us!”  

“Enough to get you some hot chocolate.”  

“Yessssss! Our heroes!!!!”

After enjoying hot chocolate, Mia thought they were heading back inside.

“Want to go sledding?”  

“On what?  We don’t have sleds.”  

“I have an idea. Come on Chris.  We’ll be back in a few.”  

A few minutes later Jaiden and Chris came back holding two mail baskets each from Jaiden’s work study job in the mail room.

“These will work, and they have handles for us to hold onto.”  

“Well what do you know Mia?  I didn’t think our guys could find it, but they did.”  

“Find what?”

“The thousand and first way to die.  I’m not sliding down a hill in that.”  

“I don’t feel so good.”  Mia shook her head.

“I mean it should work.  I’ll go first and prove it.”

Jaiden the tallest of them all had contorted himself to sit in the mail basket.

Chris gave him a push and Jaiden sailed down the hill screaming.

“Okay that looks like fun, I’m going next.” Emily  screeched, snatching Chris's bin.

Jaiden was running up the hill as Emily started down, unable to control the basket, she was heading right towards him.

"FOUR!!!!!" She screamed, as Jaiden leaped out of the way. Mia and Chris were laughing at the top of the hill.

"She's screaming four like it's golf!!!"

"Your face Jai when you thought she was going to hit you!"

Mia went next squealing in delight down the hill, against her fears.  

"I'm so glad you did this Mia."

"Me too. This was a good idea."

Jaiden kissed her. " You're freezing Mia."

"You're not, come closer."

She pulled him closer to her, and Jaiden gave her a tight hug and rubbed her shoulders and arms to give her more warmth.

"Let's get inside and order pizza and watch some movies."

They all trudged inside into the warm heat, as Mia sat on the bed to order the pizzas.

"Jai, it's a two hour wait for delivery.   I don't want to wait 2 hours for lunch. Let's go to the cafeteria to eat instead, and eat now, I'm hungry."

"No, order the pizzas, we're just gonna go pick it up instead. We'll take Rubi."

"Are you sure about this Jai?"

"Don't I always keep you safe Mia?"

"Yes, even when I am flying down a hill in a mail bin."

"Rubi can get us anywhere."

As they were driving Mia noticed Jai casually wave to people. It took her a few minutes to realize he was only waving to fellow jeep owners.

"Are you waving to just Jeep owners?"

"It's a jeep thing. It's the jeep wave. It's legit."

"I can't with you."

"What?!? it's for real!"

"Okay, if you ever get a jeep you'll notice it too. And you better wave."

"Old Blue will never die. But if she ever does, I'll keep that in mind."

They picked up the pizzas, and the only slide that was experienced was when Jaiden slipped a bit hopping out of Rubi heading into the Pizzeria.

Jaiden drove up on what was the grass and parked his vehicle right outside the dormitory to open the door for Mia.

"What are you doing?!?"

"Curbside drop-off isn't good enough for my lady, in this weather."

"Jaiden Brooks, I am so lucky you're my boyfriend."

"And don't you forget it." He winked and smiled as Mia feigned anger and gently shoved him.

He helped Mia take the pizza and sodas inside, and when Jaiden came back a security guard was standing beside his vehicle.

"You can't park here kid."

"I know, I just wanted to make sure my girlfriend got inside safely. I'm moving now."

Jaiden moved his vehicle back to the student parking lot and headed back to the dorm.

Mia smiled when he walked in.

"Oh thank God FINALLY! She made us all wait for you, before we could dig in."

"Yeah, he drove to get food in Snowmageddon for us. Jai you're totally on my Zombie Apocalypse team."

"Oh my god!  Can you stop stroking his ego already?" Emily laughed, grabbing for pizza.

"As long as she strokes something else later after I unwrap my present."

Mia playfully hit Jaiden's shoulder.

"Why is your mind so dirty Jai!!!!"

"I told you Mia, it's always the good guys you have to worry about."

Later that evening finally alone, and the bathroom door locked, so Emily or Chris couldn't come through, Jaiden and Mia indulged in some well deserved alone time.  

#bebepac writes #mia's world #mia x jaiden #Mia Jones #jaiden brooks #trr x the freshman series #trr mc x oc #emily x chris #cross overs #wacky drabbles #play choices #choices fanfiction #choices fic writers creations #choicesjanuary2022 #snow day #choices fandom #trr mia #trr jaiden #the freshman series #Chris Powell #emily day

[liaromancewriter]

Love I Found In You

Premise: Cassie and Ethan enjoy a quiet first day of their staycation, leading to small moments of contentment.

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine) Rating/Category: Teen. Domestic Fluff. Words: 2,000

A/N: I had received quite a few fic requests from the Romantic Gestures list and got this idea to combine them into one domestic fluff fic. For more on what they did during their staycation, check out Staycation and Antiquing Adventures.

Prompt requests: comparing hand sizes; a character kissing their lover's cheek or chest while being wrapped in their arms; forehead kisses while your lover is asleep; stealing your lover's clothes and refusing to give them back, but it's okay because “you look better in it anyway”

Submission for @choicesjanuarychallenge2022​ day 16 “Nothing”.

The early summer sun was rising in the sky outside, bathing the quiet bedroom in its warm light. The digital clock on the bedside showed it was almost six o’clock in the morning. Only one of the two people in the king-sized bed was awake.

Ethan Ramsey had woken up a short while ago, switching off the alarm on his phone before it had a chance to go off. Since he was on vacation, he wasn’t even sure why he’d set the alarm except that it was habit.

He turned to his side, propping up on one elbow to watch his sleeping companion, his gaze softening with every passing second.

Cassie Valentine had barreled into his life like a hurricane and he’d resisted for as long as he could. But now, three years to the day they had first met, he couldn’t deny their inevitability, not when it had been proven again and again. Despite the odds, they were still together.

She was sleeping on her side facing him, her breathing even; her sunny blonde hair was swept to the side and down, curling over her breasts. That mobile mouth was still, expressive green eyes closed; her long lashes rested on cheeks pale from working long hours this past week.

She had completed her residency last week and accepted a position as an attending at Edenbrook Hospital. In a few months, he would pass the leadership of the Diagnostics Team into her very capable hands.

But this week was just for them, a staycation away from the demands of the hospital. He could admit that before Cassie the idea of a staycation was an alien concept. What exactly was one supposed to do at home? Still, he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.

He bent down to press a kiss on her forehead, smiling when she snuggled deeper into the pillow. There was nothing she liked more than sleeping in and he knew it would be hours before she woke up.

He gave serious thought to waking her up for more pleasurable activities. But she had been very clear last night — unless the sky falling, she was sleeping until noon.

“So, keep your hands and mouth to yourself,” she’d told him with a severe look.

Of course, morning was hours away and he’d taken it as a personal challenge to show her last night how much she enjoyed having his hands and mouth on her.

Now, his fingers gently stroked her cheek, the touch butterfly soft, before he placed another kiss against her forehead. Sighing in contentment, he climbed out of bed to begin his day.

It was a little after eleven o’clock when Cassie’s eyes drifted open. For a minute she was disoriented at the unfamiliar surroundings and then she remembered that she was staying at Ethan’s this week for their staycation.

She turned on her back, letting out a yawn as she shoved the covers away. Her hand touched his side of the bed and found it cool to touch. She sat up in bed and stretched her arms before wrapping them around her upturned knees.

In the relative quiet of the apartment, she could hear the low drone of people talking. She smiled at the thought of Ethan doing something so mundane as watching a morning talk show on TV.

She climbed out of the bed and headed into the ensuite. A quick shower later, she stepped inside the walk-in closet to get dressed. She might have her own place, but over the last year or so more of her things had started to find a home in Ethan’s closet, her clothes and shoes sharing space with his.

She stepped into black, cotton shorts and reached into one of the drawers to search for a top. Her hands sifted through the limited options until she came across an old tee shirt crumbled at the back of the drawer, the fabric worn from use and multiple washings.

She shook it open, grinning when she saw it was a Green Day concert shirt. Of all the things she’d expected to find in Ethan’s closet, this was the furthest from her mind and she couldn’t wait to tease him for it.

She pulled the shirt over her head, untucking her hair from the collar before tugging the hem down. The shirt fell past her hips so she tied the ends in a knot at her midriff and nodded in satisfaction at her reflection in the mirror.

Cassie walked into the living room to see Ethan standing in front of the open refrigerator door, putting vegetables away into the crisper drawer. He must have gone grocery shopping, she thought, taking note of the near bulging bags sitting on the kitchen island.

He stiffened briefly when she wrapped her arms around his back and then relaxed, his hands coming to rest atop hers.

“Good morning,” she said.

“It’s almost noon,” he replied, amusement coming through loud and clear.

“Perfect timing then,” she said, her arms falling away as she moved to stand beside him.

She leaned back against the kitchen counter; arms folded across her chest as she watched him put away the rest of the groceries.

His brows knit together when he caught sight of what she was wearing.

“Where did you find that?”

“A-ha, so it is yours!” she said, slapping her hands together when she saw recognition dawn in his eyes. “I never could have imagined the opera loving Dr. Ramsey at a Green Day concert.”

“As I keep reminding you, I’m a millennial and Green Day was essential listening for anyone my age,” he said with a shake of his head. “Anyway, their American Idiot album could be likened to modern day opera.”

“Who are you and what have you done with Ethan Ramsey?” she asked suspiciously.

He ignored that, giving her a sideways glance. “I never gave you permission to borrow my shirt.”

“Want it back?” she smirked, reaching for the knot.

In response, he grasped her hips, lifting her to set her down on the kitchen counter so that they were at eye level. Placing his hands on the counter either side of her, he leaned in and caged her in his arms.

“Keep it,” he said, his lips hovering over hers. “You look better in it anyway.”

She cupped the sides of his neck and drew him down until his mouth covered hers. She held him close, her tongue darting past his lips to tease and tantalize before deepening the kiss.

The sound of a ping from his phone had them breaking apart. He fished inside his back pocket, glancing at the screen to see it was a message from his dad.

“No work today, Dr. Ramsey,” said Cassie, wrapping her legs around his hips to keep him close.

“Don’t worry,” he said, putting the phone away after tapping out a reply. “It’s just my dad reminding me I’m long overdue for a visit.”

“Ooh, road trip!”

He scoffed. “Need I remind you, again, that Providence is barely a commute.”

“Since we’re on vacation this week, no reason why we can’t go down to visit Alan.”

He stilled. “Are you sure you want to come? I can go see him on my own.”

“Are we or are we not in a committed relationship?”

“We are, but…”

The rest of his words were muffled when she covered his mouth with her palm.

“No buts,” she said gravely. “We’ve been together for a little over two years and I’ve only met your father a handful of times. You like to keep us separate, but your family is my family, and vice versa. If you don’t like that, I’ll remind you, again, that I’m extremely stubborn and you should just give up now.”

He muttered something beneath her hand, but she only lifted an eyebrow guessing correctly that he was complaining.

Recognizing defeat, he kissed the inside of her palm instead, enjoying the shiver that ran through her as his teeth nipped her soft skin before soothing it with his tongue.

“Nice try, Ramsey,” she grumbled, moving her hand away. “I’m hungry and you’re not getting any until I’ve at least had my coffee.”

“If you woke up at a decent hour,” he said helping her down from the counter, “we could have had sex, breakfast and coffee.”

She burst out laughing. “Don’t worry, babe. The day’s not over yet and at least two of those things don’t have an expiration date.”

As he emptied the remaining grocery bags, Cassie switched on the sophisticated coffeemaker taking up space on the far side of kitchen counter. Their shared love of coffee meant that she was one of a handful of people that appreciated the expensive machinery and knew exactly how to use it.

“What did you want to do today?” he asked, moving around her to restock the spice rack.

“Absolutely nothing,” she said, taking a coffee mug down from the glass-fronted cabinet above her. “That’s the whole point of a staycation.”

He grinned when she let out an almost orgasmic sigh of satisfaction after her first sip of coffee.

“If I didn’t know better, Rookie,” he began, “I’d think you were staying here only for the coffee.”

Her laughing eyes met his above the rim of her mug as she waggled her eyebrows and continued to enjoy her drink.

“Well, it’s really good coffee,” she chuckled. “And you guard your coffeemaker like it’s the holy grail. What else was I supposed to do?”

Later that evening, he was surprised at how quickly the day had passed even though they hadn’t done anything major. He had joined her for a run in the afternoon and they had returned all sweaty, which led to a memorable session in the shower. And yet another one just as they were getting dressed.

Now they were seated side by side on the couch as they debated what to watch on TV while waiting for their takeout to arrive.

“No, no, no,” she said vociferously when he pulled up a documentary about prohibition. “You can’t make out to that! Don’t you know anything about the rules of cuddling? We need suitable background noise, not be put to sleep.”

For the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what difference it made when they weren’t planning on paying attention anyway, but she was adamant. So, he handed her the remote and told her to just pick something.

He was pleasantly surprised when she picked a classic film noir. As the opening credits rolled on the screen, she nestled against him, tucking her legs beneath her. He draped his arm over her shoulder, his hand reaching down to find hers.

Instead of lacing their fingers together, she held up his larger hand in hers, palm against palm. Spreading her fingers open, she lined up the heel of wrist along his. The width of her hand spanned two-thirds of his, her long fingers appeared delicate against his. The contrast more evident when compared liked this.

She raised their joined hands, nuzzling them against her cheek as she glanced up at him, love shining clearly from those green eyes that had captured his attention from the first moment they’d met.

Wordlessly, they moved closer, wrapped in each other until it wasn’t clear where one ended and the other began. He bent to kiss her cheeks, first one, then the other, before his lips closed over hers in a sweet kiss that still managed to steal her breath.

When they broke apart, she rested her head on his chest. He felt the kiss she placed above his heart and tightened his arms around her, tucking her head beneath his chin. 

He shifted until he was sprawled down on the couch and she lay on top of him, her arm wrapped around his waist.

As they stayed liked that until their food arrived, he thought that maybe there was something to having a staycation after all.

@choicesficwriterscreations​ @openheartfanfics​

Tagging in reblog

#ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #choicesjanuary2022 #choices open heart #open heart choices #choices fanfiction

[genevievemd]

The Ramseys and their fur babies

A/N: for @choicesjanuarychallenge2022 Day 14: Pets

I HC that they rescue Oscar when they move into their dream house (E and G - and tiny humans - stay in city/apartment until Lizzie is 5 and Grayson is 3, then they move to the suburbs and into their dream home)

Oh and sweet Elizabeth named Oscar after Oscar the grouch from Sesame Street because that’s her favorite character (after Elmo) because “he’s grumpy like daddy”

(Tagging Separately)

#ethan ramsey x mc #ethan x mc #open heart #choicesjanuary2022 #choicesmonthlychallenge #pictagram #ethan x gen #grayson Ramsey #Lizzie Ramsey

[sillydg]

You make me whole again: Episode one. The secrets we keep.

Book: The Royal Romance Pairing: Liam X Drake Rating: 18+ Wordcount: 1.999 Mini-series: You make me whole again. Premises: Liam struggles with his feelings after the love of his life almost died saving the supposed to be love of his life. Episode one: It's the night before his wedding as Liam tries to deal with his feelings towards someone else who has some struggles of his own.

A/N: First off all, thank you for everyone who decides to read this! Thank you! A/N: This will be a very mini-series with mini episodes. A/N: Not using my usual drake taglist. Please let me know if you want to be added or removed! A/N: Characters and some lines belong to Pixelberry.

Warnings! Portays Infidelity!! Angst/longing, swearing, mentioning of trauma.

Episode one. The secrets we keep.

Liam.

Sometimes I let myself fantasize for a second when I look into your eyes. We're just us. No ranks, no pressure or duties.

Fantasize about telling you everything, how things would be if you felt the same about me if we could be a us of our own.

Propose to you, marry you and start a family of our own. Wake up in your arms instead of hers, smell you instead of her. Hold your hand and dance in front of court, kiss and consume you instead of her.

And in that one moment, I dare to let myself dream. I dare my heart to become whole again. Just for a second of utter happiness. Just one second of pure bliss before reality hits again. Before she walks into the room or before duties call again.

Before reality shatters my heart into a million pieces. The greatest feeling followed by the most painful one I ever endured.

With just a glance of an eye. Without you knowing. I surrender. I let you. Over and over again. Even when reality shatters me into a million pieces the second after. Because that one second of utter happiness, that one second of believing that you could be mine. That I could be yours. That we could be us is wort a lifetime of pain.

This is how I learned to breathe, how I survive. These one seconds are the only moments to live for, live to, and why it's worth living after.

The night before the wedding.

It's almost midnight and I find myself staring out of my bedroom window with a drink in hand. It's been a long day filled with preparations for the big wedding tomorrow. I rub my forehead. OUR wedding. It's supposed to feel like our wedding, but instead, I feel like a guest attending one tomorrow.

Two hands slide gently up over my back, making me instinctively turn around. She purrs, "Hello, baby!" I look down in the beautiful hazel eyes of my fiancée, fighting my mind drifting off to the ones I might rather see. Might? Who am I kidding? I force a smile, "Hey, love."

Her hands drift over the labels of my black tailored suit and she looks up at me with worry in her eyes. "What’s haunting you, love? We’re so close to what we fought so hard for, we’re finally going to be married. We’re finally going to get that happy ending. There’s nothing that can stop us!"

I open my mouth to say something but close it again since I'm lost for words. My heart sinks at her eyes filled with so much love and care. Ever since the night of her clearing her name, things went full-on autopilot. She did fight hard to get here. It was only logical that I asked her to become my wife. She endured so much, all that we could be us. Out in the open.

It felt like the right thing to do when I planned the proposal. It felt like the right thing to do during and even for the day after. It was what I had to do. I had to choose a wife. It was my duty and I have had long enough to accept it. And I have come to acceptance, even though I knew that my heart belonged to someone else.

To him.

For years I've been able to suppress it. My sense of duty always had the upper hand. Holding on to the little soothing thought, at least he's around.

Because he has always been around, he always will, and I had no choice but to settle for his loyalty. His friendship. I had to settle for the form that we were.

At least he was around.

But then he almost wasn't anymore. The love of my life almost died protecting the supposed to be 'love of my life' six months ago. I ascended from my body and never returned. Completely cut off from reality.

I became a numb spectator of my own life. Almost losing him. It had put things in perspective. My heart was not able to deny anymore and my feelings for him became bigger, stronger than my sense of duty, making it harder and harder to believe, to feel that I'm going to be her groom and not his. She is going to walk up to me down the aisle, while he stands right behind me.

I'm going to read my vows to her. The vows that I wrote with him in thought.

I'm going to tell her I do. Even though I know who my heart belongs to and always will.

Because I always knew. Always. I agreed to become crown prince, while I knew. I agreed to the social season, while I knew. I agreed to take over the throne, while I knew. I got on one knee, while I knew.

I made love to her, while I knew.

I drape my hands over my face in shame.

While I was thinking of him. Every time.

But it doesn't matter that I always have known. I have my duties. I have to make my sacrifices. So even though I have known it all along, with all my heart, I had to keep it to myself. I have to keep it to myself.

Planning on never finding out if these feelings were mutual, simply because we could never be. Simply because I don't want to drag him into a life of closed doors and secrecy. He is too precious for that. He deserves more.

So, I rather carry one burden more and have him around, instead of risking losing him at the mess our love would create. Our love. A man can dream, right?

"Liam," I hear a gentle whisper and I snap out of thought. "It’s fine if you want to postpone the wedding. Things have not been easy for us with the conspiracies. The people will understand.” I register her hand cupping my cheek, but it does nothing for me. I close my eyes and imagine it's his hand and I eagerly lean in.

She lets out a relieved breath. If she only knew.

"Baby?" she asks to gain my attention and I get dragged out of my fantasy. My eyes snap open and I meet her eye in question.

"Do you want to postpone?" She repeats with all the patience in the world. I shake my head and once again manage to put up a smile, "No of course not, love. Tomorrow we are going to be married."

A relieved breath escapes her once again and she gets on her tiptoes to kiss me softly. I force myself to let my lips react to hers. With a smile she finally withdrawals. "I came to tell you goodnight since we're not seeing each other until in front of the altar."

"Good night, my love," I breathe, hoping that it sounds convincing. Hoping that my relief of sleeping a night alone is not showing. "Good night," she smiles and after one lingering kiss, she finally leaves me alone with my drink and thoughts.

I take a deep breath, but it doesn't reach deep enough. It still feels like I'm suffocating. I loosen up my tie the moment I hear knocking on my door. "Who's there?" And my heart stops in anticipation. Is she back? Or is it... Him?

Drake.

I glance around at my room with a sigh. I've called this place home for so long, but still, I have only one bag of belongings that are truly mine. I place my weekend bag next to the door, before walking over to my desk. I let my fingers drift over the bottle of whiskey, the one I specially bought for him. To celebrate. Celebrate. Who the fuck am I kidding?

-Tap, tap, tap, tap-

My fingers leave the bottle and I groan in frustration as my eyes snap down to my feet. "For God's sake!" I force my feet to stop and growl, "Fuck, fuck, fucking feet."

It's happening every damn time today and it's fucking driving me crazy. My nerves have become worse and worse over the past six months up to a point today where's no hiding them anymore. I keep tapping my foot, and when I stop my feet I... I look down at my tapping finger.

"For fucking Christ's sake," my hand instantly forms a fists and I suppress the feeling of wanting to smack the wall out of frustration. Because when I would smack the wall, he would notice. He would ask. And I don't lie. I would never lie to him.

I only withhold.

My eyes snap to a plane ticket and passport lying next to the bottle. I feel my throat tightening at the thought of telling him. But I have to.

I have to tell him about going home after the wedding.

I'm going to have my heart ripped out during, but what comes after... I'll think I'll die if I stay here.

It's been hard to watch him getting numb by all the expectations and duties over the years, it's been hard to watch him get overrun by these gorgeous women during the social season... It's been extremely hard to help his favorite clear her name when he couldn't be there for her due to being engaged to another.

But I can't do it anymore. Hell. From tomorrow on I don't even have too anymore. Bittersweet. Watching him getting married is going to be the last time there is room for a nail to strike in my fucking wooden heart. It's full. It's done and it's going to be hard enough to see her walking up to him while I’m looking at the back of his head. Hearing him speaking his vows to her, filled with words I wished were meant for me. Hearing him say 'I do' to her, instead of receiving his 'I do' while being able to look him in the eyes.

I'm such a fucking coward.

He's going to be happy without me. He has her to look out for him. I will be forgotten. Hell. God, but what if I stay? What’s in it for me? Certain death! And in the deepest of my heart I still do not want to leave him.

But I have to. I have to. Because even if I by a miracle manage to survive seeing the love of my life becoming someone else's... Watching him become a father. Start a family with her instead of me. It would kill me. Hell, the thought alone is already enough to kill me.

I rub my temples. I'm leaving anyway... should I tell him?

No! I haven't held it inside for so long to tell him on the brink of fulfilling his duties. I don’t want to add more complications to his life. A best friend in love with a crown prince. One who could never give him the bloodline children needed. One that is far beneath his rank. Besides, wouldn't it be naive to think that a fairy tale ever ends with the best friend commoner marrying the prince?

Life is far from a fairy tale, Walker. Hell, you hate them and it's time to get your head out of the gutter, move back home and find a way to be remotely okay with life. Because true happiness is only when you look into his eyes and when you manage to believe for a second that he could ever love a fucked up commoner like you.

My right hand encircles the bottle, the other finds two tumblers. I'm going to tell him about leaving. Doubt circling in my mind. Should I tell him I'm leaving? I can disappear without saying a word tomorrow after the wedding. Even now.

I swallow. I'll figure it out. He's going to need a drink anyway. And with that I walk out of the more, making my over to what is still his room, before becoming their room tomorrow.

Thank you so much for ending up here!!!

Episode two: When the heart takes over.

#choicesmonthlychallenge #choicesjanuary2022 #choices fic writers creations #wacky drabbles #choices trr #choices royal romance #fics of the week #drake walker #the royal romance #drake x liam #liam x drake #liamxdrake #liam walker

[choicesjanuarychallenge2022]

Edits

Open Heart

Dolphin Adventures | OpH F!MC (Cassie Valentine), Sienna Trinh, M!OC (Max Valentine) - @liaromancewriter

Red Carpet Diaries

Bogart Hunt on social media - @theartoflovingthomashunt

Edit+Fanfiction

Open Heart

Let Them Eat…Healthy? | Bryce Lahela, F!MC (Luna Auclair), Keiki Lahela, OC (Maxine), OC (Dylan Yu) - @peonierose

Queen Of The Slopes | Bryce Lahela x F!MC (Olivia Hadley) - @storyofmychoices​

Fanfiction

Desire & Decorum

A Beautiful Night (Chapter 22 of Second Chances) | F!OC (Elizabeth Foredale) Briar Daly, Edmund Marlcaster, Annabelle Parsons, Hamid, Luke Harper, Dominique Foredale, Vincent Foredale, Mr. Sinclaire - @missameliep

A Night Of Firsts Times (Chapter 25 of Meant To Be) | Hamid x MC (Daphne Wang) - @lorirwritesfanfic

Mother Of The Year

No Matter The Distance | Levi Schuler x MC (Laura Day) - @storyofmychoices​  

Open Heart

The Cost Of Living | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kate Oppenheimer) - @starfurylord

The Interview | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kate Oppenheimer) - @starfurylord

Long Stories | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kate Oppenheimer) - @starfurylord

Love I Found In You | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine) - @liaromancewriter

Next Step | Ethan Ramsey x M!MC (Sydney Valentine) - @peonyblossom

Open Doors (What If?) | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kate Oppenheimer) - @starfurylord

Red Carpet Diaries

Feel Better | Thomas Hunt x F!OC (Alex Spencer) - @theartoflovingthomashunt

For The Love Of Coffee | Thomas Hunt x MC (Alex Spencer), Addison Sinclair, Chris Winters - @theartoflovingthomashunt

The Royal Romance

The Secrets We Keep (Chapter 1 of You Make Me Whole Again) | Drake Walker x Liam Rys - @sillydg

Moodboards

The Crown & The Flame

Dominic Hunter moodboard - @lorirwritesfanfic

Desire & Decorum

Drake the pug - @lorirwritesfanfic

Jaskier, the cat - @noesapphic

Sunny, the pug - @princess-geek

Open Heart

Pet - @choicesfanaf

The Ramseys and their fur babies - @genevievemd​

Other

Choices game: Tag your OC - @storyofmychoices​

#choices fanfic #choices edits #choices moodboards #the crown and the flame #desire and decorum #mother of the year #open heart #red carpet diaries #choicesjanuary2022

[choicesfanaf]

Pet

For Choices January Challenge Day 14:

A moodboard based on Open Heart Book 1 Chapter 12, when MC & their roommates adopt pets.

Tagging: @burnsoslow, @choicesjanuarychallenge2022

#pet #open heart #playchoices #choices stories you play #choices open heart #choicesjanuary2022 #day 14

[liaromancewriter]

Welcome to the Family

Premise: Max and Sienna add a new member to their family and it has Cassie buzzing.

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC); feat. Cassie Valentine Rating/Category: General. Fluff Format: Text and pic fic

A/N: I referenced this briefly in New Year, New Adventures but then @choicesjanuarychallenge2022​ Day 14 prompt “Pet” inspired me to make a fulsome edit.

Part 1: Say Hello

Part 2: Kindred Spirits

Perma-tags: @jamespotterthefirst @genevievemd @forallthatitsworth @queencarb @openheartfan @danijimenezv @potionsprefect @quixoticdreamer16 @schnitzelbutterfingers @mainstreetreader @tsrookie @bex-la-get @headoverheelsforramsey @thegreentwin @dorisz @custaroonie @takemyopenheart @jerzwriter @mm2305 @a-crepusculo @rosebudde @lucy-268 @crazy-loca-blog @writer-ish @wanderingamongthewildflowers @trappedinfanfiction @rookiemartin @anonymousrookie @natureblooms24 @cokesbetterthanpepsi @coffeeheartaddict2 @mysticalgalaxysstuff @lady-calypso @sincerelyscarring

Max & Sienna only: @gryffindordaughterofathena @utterlyinevitable

@openheartfanfics

#sienna trinh #choicesjanuary2022 #open heart choices #choices open heart #sienna trinh x oc #sienna trinh x max valentine #cassie valentine #open heart text fics

[genevievemd]

Evidence

January 4, 2021

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Genevieve McClure) Word Count: 1772 Rating: G Category: fluff Trope(s): and there’s a birthday

Summary: Though he’s asked her not to mention it, Genevieve insists on celebrating his 39th birthday -- even if it’s just for a moment. 

Warnings: none

A/N: My plan was to have this done for the 4th, but school and other things got int the way -- so it’s late. But it’s fine. Fun fact - this takes place on day 2 of 101 Smiles! And 4 days after Resolutions! Because, again, I seem to only write things in this universe -- which, honestly, I really enjoy because I feel like I’m expanding on their story, you know? Filling in the gaps and shit. 

Also a late submission for @choicesjanuarychallenge2022​ Day 8: Photos

He can feel her eyes on his back, as he washes their plates from dinner. Something he’s always been able to do. Long before they had started dating, the moment Genevieve entered a room or looked at him when he was desperately trying to keep from staring at her, Ethan could feel it. Like the warm sun rays of spring, thawing anything still frozen and cold. 

She melted his heart with that gaze, those green eyes of hers, disarming him. Tearing down every wall he’d ever erected.

And on most days, he embraces his new freedom with her, but not today. Today, he wants to run from her dazzling smile and sunny disposition. Escape into the shadows until the day is over. 

But he didn’t, because they have a rule. Simple though it may be. 

No hiding, no secrets, no running. 

Honest and open with each other no matter what. 

So, Ethan invited her over for dinner, held onto her – both physically and mentally – as tight as he could, buried the overwhelming urge to hide under the security of their relationship.

“Babe?” Gen’s voice breaks through the silence, like a calming wind at the end of a storm. 

“What is it, G?” He keeps himself busy in the muck and grime of their dishes, rinsing and placing them in the dishwasher with delicate precision. 

“I know I promised not to mention that today is your birthday —“ 

“Like you have since your intern year.” 

“— but seeing as how I’m your girlfriend now, I feel like I can’t just ignore it.” 

“You can.” 

“Ethan.” 

“Genevieve.” He turns around from the sink, eyebrow raised and voice deep with barely concealed emotion. “Can I win this one?” 

“No, because I already got you something.” She pulls a present out from the empty seat beside her. A rectangle box wrapped in blue paper and Happy Birthday sprawled across the top. 

“I told you, birthdays are —“ 

“Unnecessary, I know.” She smiles sweetly, rising from her stool to walk around the counter. “And I also know today is hard for you, and I’m not trying to take away from whatever it is you're feeling, but…”

Gen bites her lip, pausing to search for the rest of her thought. For a brief moment, Ethan thinks she’s about to finally take them out of emotional limbo, save them from the amount of pressure they’ve both seemed to place on one simple phrase. 

But she doesn’t, sighing deeply with a gentle hand on his arm before continuing. Sweeping whatever her original thought was back under the rug. 

“But, you are dating the self-proclaimed birthday enthusiast. It’s not in my nature to ignore birthdays.” 

“Mine you can, believe me. It’s just… a day.” He leans against the sink, grabbing the dish towel to wipe his hands. 

“To me, it isn’t. It’s my favorite day because it gave me you.” Genevieve moves until she’s standing in front of him, hands on his crossed arms. Unknowingly, quelling the urge he still has to run. “I promise, I won’t sing or make you blow out candles, it’s just a gift. My way of bringing you some happiness on an otherwise unpleasant day.” 

“Fine.” Ethan reaches for the gift still on the island behind her. “And for the record, Rookie, you bring me happiness just by being around.” 

“Good to know.” 

He tears at the paper, feeling her eyes on him still. He doesn’t have to look to know she’s biting her lip again, the nerves she’s feeling radiating off her in waves. 

Ethan doesn’t turn his gaze to her until he pulls back the tissue paper, eyebrow raised as a finger picks up the strap of a red lace teddy. “So this is one of those,’ it’s for me but it’s really for you’ gifts?” 

“Yes and no, you’ll enjoy that more than me, let's be honest.” She smiles, taking the lingerie and the top of the gift box from his hand, and placing them on the counter. “There’s something else.” 

He looks down at the box, pulling back the tissue paper with a quiet laugh. “Hiding the sentimental under the salacious?” 

“Just keeping you on your toes.” 

He hums, lifting the frame and tossing the now empty box onto his other gift. “There’s no photo.” 

“Actually, it’s a digital frame. Just press this button on the back to turn it on.” 

She presses the aforementioned button, the screen lighting up and revealing a photo of the two of them in Miami from her intern year. 

His heart swells at the image in front of him, the smile on her face prettier than the setting sun behind them. It was taken mere hours before that fateful kiss, one of their last moments as just an intern and an attending. 

“It’s the first photo we ever took together. I put a bunch in here, see…” 

The picture changes to one of them together from her second year, a week after the attack. She had stayed with him after the funeral, three weeks of seclusion in this very apartment. Learning more about each other than they ever thought they’d know. Sharing every terrible and painful detail, every moment of happiness. Making good on their promises to no longer hide from their feelings. 

The image in front of him now, was from one of the rare times they’d left their shelter, taking a walk by the river hand in hand. Halfway through, it had begun to snow, and Gen had all but begged him to take a selfie. 

The second photo of them together.

“There’s one from our trip to Dagger Mountain with the team, the one we took in your room, and the gala photo and then a bunch of ones we took over the summer, after we became official af.” 

“AF?” He turns to look at her, confusion marking his face. 

“As fuck.” 

“Right.” 

Gen steps closer, as impossible as it may be, hanging onto his arm, chin resting on his bicep. Without her heels on, the top of her head just meets his shoulder, making their height difference even more noticeable. 

It still amazes him that someone so small can be filled with so much empathy and light. So much courage and fire. A tiny hurricane that swept through his life, changed him on a molecular level. 

She’s changed the way he sees the world, taught him how to forgive. Even when it’s the last thing he wants to do. 

“And then I also put some from this past weekend in Montauk. It’s our whole journey together told through photos.” Gen looks up at him,breathtaking smile still on her face. “I remember you saying you wished you had a picture of us to put on your desk at work, and now you do. Ten of them, actually. And if we’re still together, you can add more as the years go by or whatever…” 

“If?” 

“I don’t want to presume, I still have boards to take and all that. I just meant —“ 

Ethan puts the frame down, taking her in his arms, cutting off her words with a searing kiss. 

When the need for air becomes too much, he pulls away. But keeps her close with his arms wrapped tightly around her waist.“You and I will be together for my next thirty-nine birthdays, that I can promise you.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Yeah.” He leans down, brushing his lips softly against hers, as if to seal his vow with a kiss. “Thank you for the frame, it’s perfect.” 

“You’re welcome. I just wanted to make sure you had something nice today.”

“You’re amazing.” 

“I’m alright.” Gen reaches up, cupping his cheek. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but if you want to talk about today and your mom, I’ll listen. Whatever it is.” 

“I know, but there’s not much else to say. Today’s my birthday and tomorrow’s the day she left. End of story.” 

“Did she at least call you today?” 

“No. I haven’t heard from her in months.” He can feel his throat tightening with emotion, like he’s being pulled back twenty-eight years and watching Louise walk out the door again. 

“I’m sorry.” 

“Don’t be.” Ethan clears his throat, taking a deep breath. “I have you.” 

“Always.” 

He kisses her again, tears forming behind his closed eyes when Gen places a hand over his heart. As if to safeguard it from the pain of the day. 

“Now, how about you let me enjoy the other part of my gift,” Ethan pulls away, reaching for the lingerie still on the counter. Determined to forget about everything but the beautiful woman in his arms. “And go put this on while I finish the dishes.” 

“So demanding.” Gen giggles, taking the delicate lace from his hands. 

“It’s my birthday, Rookie, I get whatever I want.” 

“I’ll be right back then.” 

He watches her leave and head towards the bedroom, those three words swimming around in his head again. 

If there was ever a moment to tell her, it’s this one. With the evidence of their love in a frame and his heart resting safely in her hands. Protected and cherished, like the most precious jewel. 

“Genevieve.” Ethan calls after her, heartbeat in his ears as she turns around, offering the softest smile. “I —” 

The rest of his sentence gets caught in his throat, the words he desperately wants to say disappearing from his extensive vocabulary. 

He shouldn’t be afraid to tell her, to solidify his feelings with words. It’s the truth, and would always be the truth. 

He loves her, completely. With every fiber of his being. 

“Ethan?” 

“Thank you, again, for the frame.” He throws it in a rush, the tips of his ears hot. 

“You’re welcome.” She smiles, walking back to him with a look in her eyes, like she understands what he was too afraid to say. Happy to be as patient as she needs to be for him to be ready to say what they both know. 

Genevieve kisses his cheek, then pulls away. Walking back towards his bedroom, winking at him before closing the door. 

Ethan looks down at the frame, the photos still fading from one to another. As he watches, he sees the difference in their smiles, the nervousness dissolve into security. But the one thing that stays the same, is the look in their eyes. Through every phase of their relationship, the love they share is there, sitting behind blue and green. 

They may not be able to voice it just yet, but the proof was right there in a frame. 

A love that will last a lifetime.

A/N: Don’t be mad, they say it 24 days after this night. 

Although, I’m thinking about rewriting their ILY, because I feel like it doesn’t match up now that I’ve been working on stuff from before the AU starts. IDK, we’ll see I guess

Also raise your hand if you also hate Louise Ramsey ✋🏻

(tagging seperately)

#ethan ramsey x mc #ethan x mc #open heart #choices monthly challenge #choicesjanuary2022 #ethan x gen #101 smiles #oph au #book 3? what book three... #we don't know her

[liaromancewriter]

Lost and Found

Premise: Cassie and Max celebrate their birthday under the Northern Lights and have a heart to heart about what’s happening in their lives.

Book: Open Heart Characters: Cassie Valentine (F!MC), Max Valentine (M!OC). References Ethan Ramsey and Sienna Trinh Rating/Category: Teen. Angsty Fluff. Words: 1,600

A/N: This fic was requested by @rosebudde​​: #29 "There is something missing, when you're not here with me." – from the Love Confessions prompt list for Cassie & Ethan. The story itself went in a very different direction though. Still, I hope you like it.

Set during Book 2 and references events from Forevermore, and last part of Three Seasons With You. Submission for @choicesjanuarychallenge2022​​ Day 25 prompt “Opposite”

Cassie Valentine lay on her back watching the green, red and sometimes yellow-gold lights swirling in the night sky above. 

Her eyes were round with wonder as she watched the phenomenon known as aurora borealis brighten up the atmosphere above the glass-domed ceiling in a way that she could have never imagined just from photographs.

“It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?”

She turned at the sound of her twin brother, Max, who lay on the bed beside her, one arm folded beneath his head, his eyes locked on the undulating waves outside.

“Best birthday ever,” she exclaimed, smiling when he turned his head to grin back at her.

“Despite the cold?” he teased remembering how much she had complained at the below freezing temperatures in the Arctic circle this time of year.

“Well…” she prevaricated before bursting into giggles. “I couldn’t live like this all the time, but for three days and this sight? Absolutely!”

The smile spread to his eyes as he blinked in agreement before turning back to watch nature’s light show. Max pulled out his cell phone, adjusting the settings on the camera app to capture the green wall of dancing lights in mid motion and then on video.

“Selfie time,” said Cassie, tugging him up to sit beside her as they both turned to face the camera lens, heads together, with the Northern Lights framed behind them.

After a few tries, she was satisfied with how the pictures turned out and pulled up the Pictagram app to post the best one. She changed the caption wording three times before she was happy and pressed the publish button.

“Want one?” he offered her the chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies Sienna had sent with Cassie as a birthday present.

“Don’t mind if I do,” replied Cassie with gusto as she took one before he changed his mind.

These cookies were his favorite, and she knew how touched he’d been that Sienna cared enough to bake them just for him. She bit into the gooey center, enjoying the nutty crunch and explosion of flavor in her mouth.

“I swear, she could make a killing with these,” said Max as he finished the last piece in two quick bites.

“She’d rather bake them for her friends,” said Cassie, smiling as she imagined Sienna happiest when concocting recipes in their kitchen.

Max checked his wristwatch and then reached for the bottle of champagne chilling in the bucket behind them. Cassie grabbed the two flutes, handing him one as he popped the cork.

“Happy Birthday, sis!” he said, his lips bussing her cheeks, his glass clinking against hers.

“Happy Birthday, big brother!” she grinned, falling back on the old joke between them. “You’re the best brother a girl could ever have.”

He raised his flute in a toast. “Right back atcha!”

“Right on time,” he said as both their phones signalled an incoming text.

“They never fail,” said Cassie reading the message from their parents in the group chat.

“They’re the best,” said Max, tapping out a reply while she did the same, promising to call them later during the day.

For the next few minutes, they both enjoyed the bubbly drink in silence, lost in the view. The glass igloo was warm despite the cold outside and the quiet soothing even though it should have been eerie.

Setting aside the empty flute, Cassie lay back down and pulled up the covers, wanting to cocoon herself in the warm blankets as her mind started to wander.

She glanced over at Max and noticed that his eyes had a faraway look. Knowing him as well as she did herself — the advantage of being twins and best friends — she knew that he was no longer focused on the lights either.

“Want to talk about it?” she asked, turning to her side and propping herself on one elbow.

He quirked one eyebrow, pretending to not understand and then he sighed when her earnest expression told him it wasn’t working.

“Sophie and I ended our arrangement,” he said, sitting up to face her.

“Was it her idea or yours?” asked Cassie, her hand reaching for his in sympathy.

“Mine,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Friends with benefits whenever either of us was in the mood? Sounded nice in theory and it was fun the last couple of years. But, I dunno, it was starting to feel empty, especially these past few months.”

Cassie stayed silent, her eyes never leaving his as he steepled his fingers together before tapping them against his lips.

“I feel…stuck, and maybe a bit lost,” he said, pausing as he sought to find the right words. “I’m still not sure I believe in the whole Valentine Gift of finding your soulmate, that one person you’re meant to be with. But then I watch our parents, you and Ethan, and I think, why not me?”

“You deserve love, Max,” said Cassie, her tone serious. “But you have to be open to it. You haven’t been, not really, since Eva. You’re kind and you’re generous, and there’s someone out there for you that will see those qualities for what they are. You need to let yourself believe though, because it’s the only way.”

Max didn’t respond, but he did nod to show that he’d heard her.

Cassie pursed her lips as she thought about everything happening back home. Ethan’s mother returning, the night after the Mass Kenmore game, and this pit-in-her-stomach feeling she’d felt before getting on the plane yesterday.

She uncurled from her position to sit cross-legged across from her brother.

“Twin Code,” she said, waiting until he nodded in agreement. “Ethan’s been pulling away from me, ever since we went to spy on his mother. I thought after the softball game we would talk about it, but then his dad showed up and I don’t know what they discussed. He won’t tell me.”

She took a deep breath. “I didn’t tell you everything before. His mom left him and his father 25 years ago, but Alan, his dad, still loves her. Ethan can’t reconcile why when she abandoned their family. And from what I saw when we followed her, I’m not sure she’s back for altruistic reasons.”

“Have you told him your suspicions?” asked Max when she didn’t continue.

“I wanted to, but I saw his face when I told him she was proud of her son. And I knew that a part of him is still that eleven-year-old boy who wants to believe his mom loves him. I can’t take that away from him,” she said with a small shrug, not meeting his eyes. “I worry though that he’s having second thoughts about us. That he might want to protect his heart because he also can’t forget that she did leave him. I can’t make him want to stay.”

“Hey,” said Max, taking both her hands in his and forcing her to look up. “I know you remember the stories grandmother told us about Valentines that met their one true love. But what you sometimes forget is that they all had to work at it, to fight for that love. Even Alma.”

“I wonder what some of those Valentines would have done with Dr. Ramsey,” she joked.

“You always tell me that you guys are inevitable,” urged Max ignoring her attempt to deflect. “If you believe that, truly believe it, then you’re going to get hurt, Cassie, because that’s inevitable too. When you do, you have to stand right back up and fight for him. If you can’t do that, then maybe you do need to let him go.”

“I can’t,” she said quietly. "There is something missing, when he’s not here with me."

“Then you know what you have to do,” he affirmed. “When you get back to Boston. For now, let’s just enjoy turning another year older.”

“But not necessarily wiser,” said Cassie with a laugh as she poured more champagne.

Several hours later as the night sky eventually gave way to dawn, Cassie was snuggled under the warm blankets, her breathing even. Max woke just as the sun was rising in the sky, bathing the trees with its warm light so that they sparkled in the distance.

He was used to getting up early and going about his day, but today he just lay in bed reflecting on the conversation with Cassie last night. If there was one person in this world who knew him better than he knew himself, it was his sister. So, he needed to consider she was right.

A short while later, he climbed out of bed and got ready for the day ahead. Cassie would sleep a while longer; he knew better than to force her out of bed on her day off. Luckily, the rest of their birthday plans weren’t happening until after lunch and there was no rush. Still, he wished they could prolong their time together because she always made him feel lighter.

He tidied up from their impromptu party last night and realized that he had never thanked Sienna for her thoughtful present. As he pulled up her number on his phone, he remembered that it was exactly a year ago today that he’d met her for the first time.

Theirs was an unlikely friendship, he thought, mentally calculating the time difference to make sure he was catching her at a good time. But despite their differences and the fact that they hardly spent much time together in person, it worked for them.

Opposites or not, his two dolphins knew exactly what to say and do to cheer him up.

@openheartfanfics​ @choicesficwriterscreations​

Tagging in reblog

#open heart choices #choices open heart #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #choicesjanuary2022 #open heart fanfics

[liaromancewriter]

Summer Vibes

Premise: Max and Sienna host a summer cookout and game night for their friends. 

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Domestic Fluff Format: Text and pic fic

A/N: It’s been really cold here this week (like -14C with windchill), so I wanted to cheer myself up with some summer vibes featuring my favorite fluff couple. Timeline wise, this is around the time of Piece by Piece.

 Submission for @choicesjanuarychallenge2022​, Day 4 prompt “Pasta”

Part 1: Weekend Plans

Part 2: Outdoor Living

Part 3: New Friends

Part 4: Game Night

Part 5: Testing the Waters

Tagging in reblog

#sienna trinh #sienna trinh x oc #choicesmonthlychallenge #choicesjanuary2022 #open heart choices

[liaromancewriter]

This Love is Ours

Book: Open Heart (post series)

Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC)

Format: Manip

Max and Sienna's first photo together as a couple. They took this shortly after Sienna moved in and it holds a special place in their home.

Submission for @choicesjanuarychallenge2022 day 31 prompt "art"

Tags under the cut

Perma-tags: @jamespotterthefirst @genevievemd @forallthatitsworth @queencarb @openheartfan @danijimenezv @potionsprefect @quixoticdreamer16 @schnitzelbutterfingers @mainstreetreader @tsrookie @bex-la-get @headoverheelsforramsey @thegreentwin @dorisz @custaroonie @takemyopenheart @jerzwriter @mm2305 @a-crepusculo @rosebudde @lucy-268 @crazy-loca-blog @writer-ish @wanderingamongthewildflowers @trappedinfanfiction @rookiemartin @anonymousrookie @natureblooms24 @cokesbetterthanpepsi @coffeeheartaddict2 @mysticalgalaxysstuff @lady-calypso @sincerelyscarring @beezybean

Max & Sienna only: @gryffindordaughterofathena @utterlyinevitable

#sienna trinh #sienna trinh x oc #choicesjanuary2022 #open heart #open heart choices #choices open heart #sienna trinh x max valentine #sienna x max

[liaromancewriter]

Cure for a Bad Day

Premise: When Max has a bad day, Sienna knows just what to do to cheer him up.

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Domestic Fluff Words: 1,025

A/N: This fic was requested by @gryffindordaughterofathena​ for the prompt: “a character hugging their lover from behind, snuggling their head into the crook of their lover's neck”.

Late submission for @choicesjanuarychallenge2022​​ Day 6 prompt “cuddle”

Sienna Trinh got off the bus at the corner of M and Potomac and started the quarter mile trek towards home. Walking past cafes, galleries and restaurants, she enjoyed the cool fall air on her face after spending the day inside overheated exam rooms. 

She had moved in with Max Valentine three months ago and was already in love with this section of their Georgetown neighborhood in DC. It was a relatively safe part of town, but Max didn’t like her taking the bus or walking this way alone especially in the evening. 

Still, lifetime habits were hard to break, and she found herself falling on them more and more now that she was working again. It seemed silly to her to call the car service when the walk from the bus stop only took five minutes.

She stayed close to the couple walking ahead of her as they crossed the footbridge above the canal, the path illuminated with streetlights just coming on. They turned left while she continued on alone to the end of the street, turning right on Water Street with the freeway overhead. 

Sienna walked a little faster towards the building complex entrance up ahead, not liking how dark it was under the bridge or how quiet despite the group of people enjoying the twilight in the park across the street. She didn’t realize how tense she was until she was inside the building and in the elevator heading up.

She let herself into the apartment and smiled when she saw Max’s car keys on the console near the front door. Ever since she had started working, their time together was often limited as they adjusted to the demands of work after several months of flexible schedules. So, she loved it when they were both home at a decent time.

She called out his name, frowning in confusion when he didn’t respond. The living room, their bedroom and his home office were all empty and she wondered if he’d stepped out anyway. Then she heard the faint strains of a jazz melody floating down from upstairs and followed the sounds.

The second level consisted of a game room and outdoor entertaining space. It was the best part about the apartment as far she was concerned, with beautiful panoramic views of the Potomac River. She hadn’t spent as much time out here with all the travel they did in the past few months, but she was looking forward to hosting cookouts the following summer.

As she came up the stairs, the music from the speakers muffled her footsteps. She saw Max’s silhouette through the open French doors leading to the terrace outside. His suit jacket was draped over the back of a chair. She watched him rolled up his shirt sleeves and loosen the tie around his collar before reaching for the whiskey tumbler he’d set on the low brick wall.

It was rare for her to catch him like this, lost in thought, likely reflecting on his day as he sipped his drink and looked out over at the water views beyond. She wondered if this had been part of his routine before she’d moved in.

He rolled his head around in a circle, trying to get the kinks out before he massaged the nape of his neck. She noticed that he did that only when he was stressed or had a long, tiring day. She felt a wave of emotions rise as she silently stepped outside.

He stilled and then relaxed as her arms wrapped around his waist from behind, her face pressing into his back as she inhaled his scent. It felt like home.

“You okay?” he asked as she snuggled close.

She just nodded against his shirt, closing her eyes as his hands came to rest on top of hers. They stood there lost in each other’s touch, savoring the quiet moment as the music coming through the speakers changed to something soft and romantic.

“I’m fine,” she said eventually, shifting away to stand beside him, her back to the wall as she faced him. “You looked like you needed a hug. Did you have a bad day?”

“Just tiresome,” he told her, finishing his drink after she shook her head when he offered it to her. “Nothing seemed to go right today. It was one frustrating thing after another.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” she asked, lifting his free hand to nuzzle it against her cheek.

“What I want,” he said, caging her in his arms, “is to lose myself in you and forget this day ever happened.”

“We can do that,” she said with a laugh.

His head bent down, and she angled hers up, meeting him halfway as their lips connected. His lips teased her, his mouth gliding over hers as his tongue slowly traced her lips, keeping the contact achingly brief.

Not satisfied with the pace, her lips parted beneath his and she thrust her tongue into his mouth, tasting the smoky flavor of whiskey mingled with a taste that was uniquely him. Feeling intoxicated, she drowned in him, her breasts aching and insides melting.

Her hands clutched at his shoulders as she closed the distance between their bodies. His hands grasped her thighs, lifting her up and she wrapped her legs around his hips as he carried her inside.

She straddled his thighs when he fell back onto the couch, his arms holding her tight against him. Feeling lightheaded, she broke off the kiss, her head falling into the crook of his neck as they both tried to catch their breath.

“Thank you,” he said, chuckling when she lifted her head to look at him, her eyes glassy and face flushed. 

“You’re welcome,” she joked. “But I’m so turned on right now that it’s amazing you still have your clothes on. Take them off!”

“We can do that,” he teased, echoing her earlier words as he undid the buttons on his shirt.

Later they couldn’t remember which of them had seduced the other, only that this was now their favorite way to relax at the end of a long, tiresome day. 

@choicesficwriterscreations​ @openheartfanfics​

Tagging in reblog

#sienna trinh #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #choicesjanuary2022 #sienna trinh x oc

[liaromancewriter]

Late to the Party

Premise: The day before a big trip, Max and Sienna contend with making new memories before a prolonged period of absence.

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC) Rating/Category: Teen+. Fluff. Words: 1,010

A/N: This was a Maxenna prompt request by @headoverheelsforramsey​​: “never getting used to how good your lover looks in a suit, always losing your train of thought when you see them dressed in one”. This is set a few days after Max & Si’s Halloween Bash and before Part 5 of The Only One. Enjoy!

Submitting to @choicesjanuarychallenge2022​​ Day 19 “hair” and Day 20 “embrace”. I’m also participating in this week’s @wackydrabbles​​ prompt, which will appear in bold.

Earlier that day…

Sienna Trinh knew she was humming as she set the table for breakfast, but she couldn’t help herself. She was in love with most amazing person in the world (and he loved her back!), living in a beautiful apartment in a lovely neighborhood, and she was enjoying her new job. 

For the first time in a long time, she was happy, but more importantly she was content.

She poured hot water into a pretty white teapot, covering it with a tea warmer before switching to the espresso machine to make her coffee. She had just plated their breakfast when Max slipped his arms around her waist, his front pressed to her back.

She shivered as he placed a kiss to the side of her neck and angled her head back to meet his gaze as he lowered his mouth to cover her lips. She fell into the searing kiss, wanting to capture this perfect moment as a memory to hold on to over the weeks ahead.

Sienna knew he had to travel—it was part of his job—but she wasn’t looking forward to three weeks of absence. She wished they didn’t have to work today because she wanted one day, just for them. But that wasn’t to be so she’d take whatever memories they could make before his flight tomorrow morning.

“Good morning,” he murmured when they broke free. “What’s all this?”

“It’s our last breakfast together for a while,” she explained, following his eyes to the Cali Breakfast Special she’d made as a nod to the first time they had breakfast together. “I just wanted to do something special.”

“I love it,” he smiled, folding her into his arms, “and I love you.”

She smiled back, placing a light kiss on his biceps. “I love you too.”

After breakfast, she left to get ready for work while he cleared the table and put the kitchen to rights. She was half-dressed and seated on the edge of a tufted chair rolling up her stockings when he joined her inside the walk-in closet.

“The dark gray one,” she said, looking over when he pulled two different suits off the rack.

As if by clockwork, they moved around each other as they got ready. She stepped into a floral-patterned dress, her hands reaching for the zipper on the back and huffing when it slipped from her fingers. But he was there, zipping her up, his fingers trailing over her exposed skin, oh so slowly.

She threw him a grateful smile and handed him a matching necklace. Sweeping her hair to the side, he placed it around her neck, doing up the clasp and pressing a light kiss on the nape of her neck.

He turned away to button up a light, blue shirt and tuck it in before reaching inside the drawer for a rolled-up dark blue tie with tiny checks. She watched as he stood in front of the mirror and deftly knotted the tie around his neck.

She moved to stand beside him in front of the mirror, tying her hair up into a ponytail. He pulled the suit jacket off the hanger and put it on, adjusting the cuffs displayed below the sleeves of the jacket. 

“What time do we have to be at your parents’ house tonight for dinner?” she asked, stepping into a pair of low-heeled shoes.

“My mom said eight, so we should head out around seven thirty, maybe a bit earlier. I was thinking we might…”

Sienna met his eyes in the mirror, her breath catching at the sight of him in a suit. Her face flushed as her mind started to wander at what she’d like to do to him.

She could have never imagined she would like a guy in a suit, let alone have erotic fantasies about him taking her up against the wall, her cries echoing across the room as he pounded into her.

She didn’t realize she had moaned aloud until she looked up to see Max waving his hand in front of her face, a knowing look in his eyes.

“I’d ask what you were thinking,” he said with a smirk, “but from the blush on your face, it’s fairly obvious.”

In response, she used his tie to pull him down just a little further and kissed him, her lips gliding over his, butterfly soft. Her hands cupped the sides of his face, holding him close as she pressed herself against him and deepened the embrace.

His hands grasped her hips, closing whatever distance remained when he lifted her up. Her legs wrapped around his thighs, feeling his need for her through their clothes as she burrowed into him.

She was this close to tearing his clothes off when he ended their kiss, his head falling into the curve of her shoulder while hers rested against his.

“You’re dangerous,” he said, panting as he tried to catch his breath. “We absolutely don’t have time for this right now. Let’s save it for tonight because there’s no way I’m not spending all night making love to you.”

“What’s in it for me?” she mewled at the thought of his hands on her, stroking her, teasing her.

Her legs tightened around him and her hand brushed the front of his trousers, reveling in this newfound feeling of having someone desire her as if she was their whole world.

“I think I just showed you, but if you want a further demonstration…”

Keeping her in his arms, he stepped forward and pinned her body against the wall. Swooping down to capture her lips in an explosive kiss, his tongue swept inside her mouth and he swallowed her ensuing cries.

Her arms circled his neck, her fingers digging into the back of his head as she kept him locked against her, not willing to let go until he’d imprinted himself on her and her on him.

If they were to do without each other for three weeks, she was going to make all of today count, not just one night.

@choicesficwriterscreations​ @openheartfanfics​

Tagging in reblog

#sienna trinh #sienna trinh x oc #open heart #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #choicesjanuary2022 #open heart choices #choices open heart

[liaromancewriter]

Dolphin Adventures

Premise: Cassie shows Kyra that life is worth fighting for while Sienna finds comfort from the unlikeliest of sources. Set during Book 1, Chapter 11.

Book: Open Heart Characters: Cassie Valentine, Sienna Trinh feat. OPH Gang and Max Valentine (OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff. Format: Text and pic fic

A/N: I’m doing a replay of Book 1 and this chapter inspired all sorts of ideas, including a Maxenna edit. Submission for @choicesjanuarychallenge2022​ Day 10 prompt “chocolate”

Part 1: Cassie

Part 2: Sienna

@openheartfanfics​ 

Tagging in reblog

#choicesjanuary2022 #open heart choices #choices open heart #sienna trinh x mc #sienna trinh #cassie valentine

[liaromancewriter]

Butterflies

Premise: Max and Sienna get ready for Cassie’s wedding, taking their duties as Best Man and Maid of Honor very seriously on a road trip from Boston to Newport.

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff Words: 2,775

A/N: I had received two prompt requests from the Sweet Romantic gestures list and they were perfect for this story I wanted to tell for Maxenna.

Prompts: “crying over how lucky you are to be loved by your lover,” and “packing your lover's favorite snack for a roadtrip”

Also submitting this to @choicesjanuarychallenge2022 Day 28 prompt “Privacy”

Outside, the sun was high in the sky on a cloudless and humid July day in Boston. Inside the apartment on the top floor of a brownstone in Beacon Hill, Sienna Trinh adjusted the angle of the small fan on her bedside table so that the cool air hit her overheated face as she finished the last of her packing.  

Sienna hoped the weather was nicer by the water in Newport as she wiped sweat off her forehead. As lovely as their place was, there was no denying that being on the top floor meant the apartment’s temperature was dependent on the elements outside.

She turned up the music not liking how quiet it was. Of her roommates, only Jackie was at home, most likely still sleeping as she was wont to do on her day off. The last few days had been a hive of activity, which had kept Sienna’s mind off how lonely she’d feel once Cassie moved out.

She’d kept busy, helping her best friend pack, dealing with a sudden rise of cases at the hospital, and coordinating with Olivia Valentine on Cassie and Ethan’s whirlwind wedding taking place on the grounds of the Valentine family estate in Newport. They had had only four weeks to plan, but Sienna soon learned that with Olivia leading the charge, nothing was impossible.

Now, the momentous occasion was only five days away. As maid of honor, Sienna had taken the week off work to join Olivia and her event planner at the estate to take care of last-minute details, and more importantly bake the wedding cake. The caterer said they could handle it, but Sienna wanted to make it and had started working on sketches as soon as the date was confirmed.

She tucked a sleeveless, cotton top inside the open suitcase, and adjusted the toiletries bag so that it was buffeted between two rolled-up dresses. She took down the garment bag hanging on the back of her bedroom door and lay it on top of her closed suitcase so that she wouldn’t forget it in the rush to leave.

She picked up the to-do list she’d made over the weekend and ran her finger down the line of items to make sure she hadn’t missed anything. She faltered when she came across Max Valentine’s name with a note to check with him about wedding rings.

Sienna hadn’t seen him since her birthday dinner last month before they’d learned about the wedding. He had been traveling the last few weeks, but Cassie had assured her he was on top of his Best Man duties. The last she’d heard from him had been a text message one week ago to say he was sending champagne for his sister’s going away party.

She knew he was continuing to keep his distance because she’d asked him to. Operation Fake Tea had been their plan to divert the attention of the tabloids away from her. But given their role in the wedding party, she would have appreciated some time on his calendar to compare notes.

She’d just unplugged her phone from the charger when there was a knock on her door. Thinking it was Jackie, she called out for her to come in while she gathered the bits and pieces spread out on her bed and shoved them inside a large tote bag, throwing her wallet on top.

“I’m heading out as soon as Olivia’s driver arrives,” she said without turning around. “There are still leftovers in the kitchen and you’re welcome to them since Aurora and Elijah have plans tonight.”

“Good to know.”

Sienna whirled around at the amused male voice that definitely did not belong to Jackie. Max was leaning against the door jamb, arms folded across his chest as he watched her with laughter in his eyes.

“What are you doing here?”

Her tone was abrupt as she felt the familiar butterflies rise inside her stomach at the sight of him and wondered if she’d ever get used to them.

“Well, hello to you too, Si,” he said, his smile still in place as he crossed the floor to stand in front of her.

“I’m sorry” she said, flushing at how unwelcoming she’d sounded. “I wasn’t expecting you. Your mom is sending someone to take me down to Newport.”

“I know. Me. Is this all your stuff?” he asked, grabbing the handle of her suitcase and folding her garment bag over his arm.

Sienna was still a bit in shock at seeing him after all this time, until she realized that he was halfway down the hall with her things.

“Max, wait,” she called out as she rushed past him, blocking his path. “What about the…”

“Forget the tabloids,” he cut her off. “They’ve moved on for now. Besides, we’re not royalty, Sienna, and paparazzi aren’t waiting outside your apartment building for the money shot. You need to relax and learn to trust me.”

She narrowed her eyes at the neutral expression on his face as he stared back at her. And then she deflated realizing how true his words were. She had enough to do without adding this to her list.

“Fine,” she said a bit ungraciously, “but we have a lot of work to do on the drive over, assuming we’re taking a car that is.”

“Two hours alone with you without any interruptions?” he said with a wink as she locked the apartment door. “You bet we’re taking the car.”

Forty-five minutes later, they’d left Boston proper behind and were heading south on I-93 with the music turned down low. His fingers tapped against the steering wheel while she went over her list with him and updated him on preparations, reminding him of everything he was responsible for. Even though it was a small wedding, there was a myriad of things to get done.

She could have saved herself the trouble and enjoyed the scenery had she realized that he’d been in constant touch with his mother on all the arrangements, had already organized Ethan’s bachelor party, and taken care of their getaway transportation.

“Wedding rings?” she queried, glancing up at him over the piece of paper.

“In there,” he said with a nod in the direction of the glove box.

“You left their wedding rings in the car when you went up to get me?” said Sienna incredulously, taking the jeweler’s box out and flipping it open.

“It’s not like anyone but me knew they were in there or that I’d left them out in plain sight,” he countered. “They’re lovely, aren’t they?”

“Yes, simple yet elegant, just like them,” she said softly before clearing her throat and putting the box back. “Back to the list.”

In response, he snatched the paper out of her hand and threw it over his shoulder to the back of the car.

“I need that!” she scowled, twisting in her seat to see if she could spot where it had landed.

“No, you don’t,” he said, speeding up to pass a slow driver. “Don’t forget, I was raised by one of your kind. You, like my mother, have that list memorized, likely color coded and annotated in that beautiful brain of yours.”

“Maybe, but I wanted that one,” she pouted when she realized how fruitless it was to try and find it in a fast-moving car in the middle of a highway.

“Did you eat anything today?” he asked.

“No, I was too busy packing,” she said, trying to ignore the hunger pangs in her stomach. “I’ll get something later.”

He glanced over, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses and she wondered what he was thinking.

“Why are we getting off the highway?” she asked, voice rising in panic when he took the next exit. “We have a schedule and no time for detours. Turn this car around right now!”

He ignored her, checking the side mirror before changing lanes again and then turned right at the stop sign. She was about to ask him again where they were going when he slowed down as blacktop gave way to gravel.

A few minutes later he parked the car in front of a weathered picnic table at an out-of-the-way rest stop. He switched off the ignition, unbuckled his seatbelt and turned in his seat to face her, removing his sunglasses so that she could see the sober expression in his green eyes.

“I need fifteen minutes with you,” he said, hooking the sunglasses in the vee of his shirt. “No wedding business, no lists, no schedules. Can we do that?”

She regarded him over the console, those damn butterflies fluttering inside her the longer they stared at each other and she knew she wanted this time too before they were swallowed up in the wedding festivities.

“Okay, let’s take a break,” she said, a smile hovering over her lips. “But I wish we could have stopped somewhere with food. I am really hungry.”

He burst out laughing. “Hungry? You mean hangry, right?”

“I wasn’t that bad,” she protested before admitting with dismay, “but I was getting close.”

“I know,” he smirked. “Come on.”

They both exited the car and she came around the front. He opened the rear passenger door and Sienna grinned when she saw him remove a picnic basket and blanket.

“Was this part of your plan?” she teased him as they bypassed the table for a shaded spot under the tree.

“You getting hangry? No,” he joked. “But every road trip needs snacks and there’s no way I was missing out on this experience with you.”

He spread the blanket on the ground, holding her hand as she toed off her shoes and sat down before taking his seat across from her. He undid the latch at the front of the basket and lifted the flaps with a flourish which made Sienna laugh.

“For your dining pleasure today, madam, we will start with bruised, mushy strawberries,” he said in an exaggerated posh accent as he set out their picnic. “Then, we’ll partake of these tiny cucumber and cheese sandwiches with a side of crushed kettle chips.”

He shook the bag, setting it down next to the sandwiches as she continued to beam at him.

“And for the pièce de resistance,” he handed her two plastic champagne flutes before lifting out a bottle, “we have tart and lukewarm lemonade. Only those with a discerning palate can enjoy such a delicacy.”

He broke character at the latter and started laughing at the ramshackle meal laid out before them. His amusement was infectious and before she knew it, Sienna was giggling too. Tears leaked from the corner of her eyes and she covered her face to try to control herself but it was a losing battle.

“Okay,” he said, coughing as he swallowed his laughter, “not exactly what I had in mind when I got everything packed earlier. The heat really did a number on this stuff, so did the drive for that matter.”

She shook her head in amusement as she glanced down at their picnic. Somehow he’d managed to pack all her favorites snacks and she couldn’t be more touched at the effort he’d made.

Always made. Just for her.

Despite everything that had happened, his friendship was the one shining beacon in her life and she’d be lost without it. Knowing someone so incredibly kind and compassionate existed in her life, with his optimism and larger than life personality; it made her realize how lucky she was.

As one thought led to another, she was deep in her feels. Her heart skipped a beat and the flutters in her belly increased as moisture pricked in her eyes and tears tracked unheeded down her cheeks.

“I’m so sorry, Si,” he said with a concerned look, his fingers splaying across her cheeks as he wiped away the tears that continued to fall. “Why don’t we throw this stuff out and I’ll find us a diner or café or something. You don’t have to eat…”

She leaned across the open basket to cover his mouth with hers. His hands cupped the sides of her face as she rose on her knees, her arms circling his neck, her hands on the back of his head pulling him closer. Her tongue darted out to trace his lips, loving the taste and feel of him when he deepened the embrace.

They broke apart when they heard the sound of another car pull in. Still holding each other, they turned their heads to see a family of four depart from a minivan and knew their private time was over.

They pulled away, sitting back down and sharing a secret smile. He held up one of the berries and she bit into the soft fruit, enjoying the way his breath hitched when she nipped the tip of his finger. He used his thumb to catch the trickle of juice that ran down her chin.

“Thank you,” she said eventually, pouring lemonade for both of them and handing him one of the sandwiches. “It’s a lovely picnic. I don’t know how you always manage to find out what I like and just make it happen.”

“I told you once before, Sienna. I know you, just like you know me,” he smiled, devouring the sandwich in two bites.

Then his tone became grim. “Once this wedding is over, you and I need to talk. Really talk. It’s time we lay our cards on the table.”

She pursed her lips as she considered his words, and then sighed. “I know. The day after the wedding, I promise. No more delays.”

He nodded and she squeezed his hand. They finished the rest of their meal talking of other things. His travels, the last days of her residency, laughing at jokes and teasing each other. It was an hour before they packed up everything and headed back to the car, her hand tucked inside his.

A blue butterfly drifted in view, its beautiful wings fluttering and Sienna held out her hand. She was charmed when the butterfly’s wings tickled her palm before it flew away. She followed its flight, eyes wide in wonder. When she looked back down it was to see Max watching her, his eyes soft and full of something she couldn’t quite fathom.

He took two steps and tugged her into his arms, his lips brushing against hers in a light kiss that felt more intimate than the one before. She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, her face pressed against his chest, his chin resting on top of her head.

“We need to get going,” he said with a sigh, his arms falling away. “My mother is probably getting ready to send out a search party as it is. Still want this?”

He held up the folded piece of paper that was her to-do list. She took it from him only to crumble it and throw it in the garbage can.

“If it’s okay,” she began as he held open her car door and she stepped inside, “I’d like to spend the rest of this road trip listening to music and making memories with you.”

“Nothing would please me more,” he said, gently bussing her cheek before shutting the door.

By the time they were back on the highway, music was blasting over the speakers as they talked over it about their favorite artists and concerts they’d been to. Olivia called shortly after, worried about the time, and Sienna told her they’d been delayed leaving Boston.

Max glanced over, one eyebrow raised at the lie tripping off her tongue, and she gave him a mischievous look. He chuckled thinking she could still surprise him and decided they might as well take the scenic route. He wasn’t in any hurry to end this journey and it seemed that neither was Sienna.

The sun was already low in the sky when they cleared the security gates and took the tree-lined road at the end of which the beautiful mansion waited. Just as they reached the curve, he pulled over and set the car to park but kept the engine running.

Sienna looked over at him, confused at the sudden stop. He leaned across the console, his lips closing over hers briefly.

“Last one before we go back to keeping a friendly distance,” he whispered, his forehead resting against hers.

Sienna’s fingers traced the line of his jaw, her eyes locked on his and then she smiled. “Five more days.”

He raised her hand to press a kiss on the inside of her palm. “Five more days.”

It was a promise.

AN 2: Want to know what happened five days later? It was Unforgettable. 😉

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics​

Tagging in reblog

#sienna trinh #sienna trinh x oc #open heart #open heart choices #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #choicesjanuary2022 #choices open heart #open heart fanfics