What If? (Epilogue)
Premise: If Ethan and Cassie had met in college, would they still be inevitable?
Book: Open Heart (College AU)
Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine)
Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff.
Words: 1,550
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
A/N: Thank you to everyone for coming along on this rollercoaster of a ride with me. I’m so glad I finally worked up the nerve to write this AU.
Submission for @choicesmonthlychallengejune2022 Day 6 prompt “Reunited”
There were days when Cassie Valentine felt like giving up. And others when she was fired up to beat physical therapy’s butt.
Today though, today she was neither. She couldn’t work up the enthusiasm for the PT exercises, but she kept going through the motions because otherwise she might never get up again.
It had been three months since her accident and two since her ACL reconstructive surgery. The hardest part of the whole experience had been a sense of loss she couldn’t shake.
While the doctor hadn’t come right out and said it, she knew from the cautious words he spoke that ballet was no longer an option. Her knee might never support the type of hyperextension required for professional dancing.
Cassie consoled herself that getting a spot in a professional dance company had been a pipe dream. She was good, but not great enough to advance past the corps. And really, Valentines worked in the family business. So, it had all been moot. But it didn’t lessen the hurt.
“You’re a million miles away. It won’t work unless you focus.”
She looked over her shoulder to see Ethan standing at a respectful distance, watching her with concern in his eyes.
Here was someone else she couldn’t figure out.
He’d given up his summer internship at a community clinic to be there for her. He’d started showing up at her PT sessions, asking questions of her therapist, learning the exercises, giving her silent and not-so-silent encouragement from the sidelines.
Ever since that morning at the hospital, he’d done as she asked. Taking it a day at a time; never pushing or demanding.
She hated this version of Ethan. The one who never held her hand so that sparks flew when they touched.
Cassie wanted the arrogant boy—man—from the bookstore that had refused to back down. The one that had kissed her in a coffee shop in front of everyone and complained when she hogged all the popcorn.
She wanted the Ethan she’d fallen in love with; not this silent spectator who never made a wrong step and was almost clinical in his approach, like she was a patient.
Cassie didn’t even know why he was here since he was clearly not interested in her anymore in a romantic sense.
“I’m done,” she declared, gingerly disembarking from the stationary bike.
“You still have twenty minutes left,” he frowned, glancing at the clock on the wall.
“Don’t care,” she said dismissively, brushing past him to head to the women’s locker rooms as tears pricked her eyes. She was so done.
Cassie sat down on a bench, shoulders dejected, tears streaming down her face when the door behind her flew open and Ethan rushed in.
“You can’t be in here,” she objected, but he wasn’t listening as he advanced towards her.
“What is wrong with you?” he shouted, frustration eking through. “You can’t just quit PT if we’re to get you ready for the company’s next season. I know it’s taking time, but that’s how it works with an ACL injury!”
Cassie was surprised at the passion in his voice and the determination on his face. The placid Ethan of the last few months was nowhere to be found. She let him rail at her a few minutes long, recognizing that he was like a volcano that was finally ready to erupt.
“You and I both know that my days of dancing ballet are over,” she said quietly when he stopped pacing. “I have accepted it and you should too.”
“There’s still a chance,” he said, calmer now, his tone more rational. “I’ve read some promising case studies in the medical journals, spoken to a few experts…”
“You’ve been reading medical cases and talking to doctors about my injury?” she asked, unable to hide her shock.
“What?” he said absently at the interruption before continuing. “I mean, yes, it won’t be easy or quick; could take a few years to reach that level of athleticism again and there are no guarantees in medicine, but I believe you can do it.”
Cassie saw the resolve on his handsome face, heard the utmost belief in his voice, and she knew he wasn’t indifferent. Without another thought, she reached for his hand, feeling the spark as their fingers entwined of their own accord.
She tugged his head down, brushing her lips against his, lightly at first and then demanding. Tracing the seam of his closed lips with her tongue, she cajoled him to let her in and then he took over.
He placed his hands on her ass, lifting her up and she wrapped her legs around his thighs, confident he wouldn’t let her fall. His body pressing her back against the wall was so familiar, feeling him quicken against her lower belly as the kiss went to fiery to explosive.
His mouth devoured hers, tongues dueling, months of separation making them greedy. Her hands were everywhere, tracing his muscles, clutching his sides, burning up with want. He gave as he good as he got until she wanted to forget where they were and beg him to take her.
A sharp, piercing sound broke through the fog of lust surrounding them. He released her lips, his forehead against hers as they both struggled to catch their breath. He reached for the ringing phone in his pocket and dismissed the sound.
His eyes, those beautiful blue eyes, peered into hers and she could no longer hold back the words.
“I love you, Ethan.”
He went still and then moved back, no longer holding her up against the wall and her feet slowly drifted to the floor. Disappointed, she started to turn away, but he stopped her. His hands framed her face and his expression was solemn as he gazed intently into her eyes.
“I love you, Cassie. Forever.”
And then he smiled, slow and soft, and she knew they would be alright.
Eight years later…
“The two of you are nuts,” said Max, not for the first time since she’d called him two days ago and asked him to come to Boston. “Mom’s going to flip when she finds out you eloped and didn’t tell her.”
“I know, but you know how hard it’s been,” said Cassie, stroking the beautiful bouquet of daisies that brought a pop of color to the dull offices in city hall. “We hated being apart while Ethan completed his residency at Edenbrook and I finished my doctorate coursework. When we found out I got a spot on the hospital’s behavioral psychology team to complete my licensing requirements, we knew we didn’t want to wait any longer. After all, why delay things when we’re…
“Inevitable,” finished Max flippantly, rolling his eyes at the syrupy sentiment and making her laugh.
As much as he teased her, he couldn’t deny the two of them were completely devoted to each other. It had taken Max time to come to terms with Ethan, but the man was completely gone over his sister so it had been hard to not befriend him. And as long as Cassie was happy, Max was too.
“There’s Ethan,” he said and they both turned to watch him walking towards them.
His head was cocked as he listened to whatever his companion, a petite young woman wearing a wine-colored dress and carrying a bakery box in her hands, was saying
“Sienna!” cried Cassie, rushing forward to throw her arms around the other woman before stepping back to slip her arm around Ethan’s back. “I’m so glad Ethan was able to find you in time.”
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” beamed Sienna. “I even baked you a cake.”
She lifted the cover of the bakery box to show Cassie and Ethan the small wedding cake, smiling shyly when they both showered her with praise.
“Oh, where are my manners,” said Cassie, turning sideways to place her hand on Max’s shoulder.
“Sienna, this is my twin brother Max. Max, meet Dr. Sienna Trinh, pediatrics resident extraordinaire at Edenbrook,” she said. “Remember when I came to the hospital for my interview and got hopelessly lost? Well, I was afraid they would find my ghost wandering the halls for eternity and then Sienna appeared like an angel and rescued me. I’m so glad we’ll get to work in the same place. We’re practically besties already.”
Max smiled, amused at his sister’s enthusiasm about her and Sienna’s new friendship than the story of how they met. He nodded his head at Sienna in greeting and wondered at the vague disquiet he felt as he met her soft gaze.
He forgot all about that a short while later when he watched Cassie and Ethan face each other and recite their vows in front of the justice of peace, promising to have and to hold each other forever. As they exchanged their first kiss as husband and wife, they had eyes only for each other.
Max glanced to his side and his eyes met Sienna’s radiant ones, her smile watery as she took the tissue he handed her to wipe away her tears.
And then he felt it again. Something he couldn’t describe…yet. He only knew that his life had fundamentally shifted and it had something to do with one Sienna Trinh.
All Fics & Edits: @potionsprefect @trappedinfanfiction @bex-la-get @mysticalgalaxysstuff @genevievemd @choicesaddict5 @jerzwriter @rookiemartin @schnitzelbutterfingers @vi-writes-stuff @coffeeheartaddict2 @quixoticdreamer16 @dorisz @zahrachoices @lucy-268 @a-crepusculo @jamespotterthefirst @ofmischiefandmedicine @headoverheelsforramsey @takemyopenheart @gryffindordaughterofathena @queencarb @crazy-loca-blog @natureblooms24
Ethan & Cassie Fics & Edits only: @custaroonie @lady-calypso
@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics
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Toy Story
Book: Open Heart (Book 2 - AU)
Pairing: Tobias Carrick x F!MC (Casey MacTavish)
Rating: Mature
Warning: Non-explicit sexual context, cursing.
Words: 1885
Summary: They’re officially a couple, and it’s date night! Without any plans, except each other - then they wind up in a titillating place....
A/N: Based on this ask. Thank you for this Nonny! This was so much fun to write! I can totally see these two having a blast with this!
@choicesmonthlychallengejune2022 Day 9 - Date
CHARACTERS BELONG TO PIXELBERRY STUDIOS
TOBIAS/CASEY MASTERLIST
The bells on the door jingled as Tobias walked into Boston Pocket Deli, and Casey immediately came into sight. She was seated in a booth with her back to him, chatting animatedly with Aurora and Jackie. With the exception of Jackie's presence, it was exactly as it was the day he first met her. The memory brought a bright smile to his face. Less than a year had passed since that day, but so much had changed. He had changed, and the best part of it all? She was finally his.
He placed a loud smack on her cheek as he slid into the booth beside her.
"Hello there, beautiful," he beamed as she snuggled close.
"Ugh, and I just ate my lunch," Jackie grimaced.
Aurora put down her tea. "Oh, stop!" she scolded with a shake of her head. "After all it took for these two idiots to get together? Let them have their happiness."
"I want them to have their happiness," Jackie insisted. "But can they do that without nauseating me?"
"I'm not so sure," Casey grinned, pulling Tobias into a long, exaggerated kiss that he was all too eager to return. The two giggled throughout, imagining the looks of disgust on her friend's faces.
"Annnddddd… fortunately for us, we have to go!"
Jackie jumped out of her seat in record time, narrowing her eyes at a smirking Tobias.
"Oh, damn!" he chided. "Leaving on my account?"
"She probably would," Aurora laughed, "but no, we have someplace to be. Plus, we know it's your date night, and we don’t want to impede."
"Well, you'll be attending my barbeque this weekend, right?"
"I don't know," Jackie frowned, "will you be able to keep your hands off of my friend?"
"I can't promise that. But I will be providing free food and booze along with the show!"
"On second thought, I can tolerate your public indecency. I'll just be sure to drink enough that I don't care."
"And on that note," Aurora announced, "I’ll get her out of your hair! Oh!” she hollered back as they made their way out. “Casey, don’t forget, send me the name of the toy store you were talking about!”
“Will do!” Casey waved. Then the bells on the door chimed again, and Tobias turned to Casey with a gleam in his eye.
“And now I’ve got you to myself!”
“Mmm-hmm,” she grinned, “for the rest of the day!”
“And night!”
Casey giggled as he brushed the hair away from her neck, lavishing her freshly exposed skin with dozens of kisses.
“So,” he asked, stealing a French fry from Casey’s plate. “What toy store are you recommending to Aurora. ‘Cause last time Kerry’s kids were up from DC, I drove them down to Boing! In Jamaica Plain, and I’ll admit the place is pretty cool!”
Casey snorted, nearly spitting her coffee out of her mouth.
“Trust me,” she laughed, “you wouldn’t be taking Kerry’s kids to the kind of toy store we were talking about. Although, Boing! would be a novel name for it as well.”
“So, then what kind of….” his eyes widened as it dawned on him, and “OH! That kind of toy store.”
“Yep. That kind.”
“And here’s my girl handing out recommendations!” He announced proudly. “So, where are you sending her?”
“Good Vibrations.”
Tobias nodded in approval. “Cambridge or Brookline?”
“Cambridge. It’s easier for her to get to.”
“True, and it’s a quality establishment, but Brookline… I don’t know. It’s older… more austere… but there is a certain authenticity to it.”
Casey was keenly aware that he was watching her closely, looking to pounce on the slightest bit of unease, and she was not about to give him that satisfaction.
“That’s true,” she stated confidently. “But if she goes to Cambridge, it’s just an 11-minute walk to Hubba-Hubba, and between the two, she can definitely get what she needs.”
“Oh,” he marveled. “You’re familiar with Hubba-Hubba, too?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, I am.”
“Hmm. Now there's an idea,” he replied.
“What’s an idea?”
“I was thinking, we never made any definitive plans for our date outside of meeting here. What do you say we take a drive over and shop?”
“Brookline or Cambridge?” she asked with a twisted smile before popping the last fry in her mouth.
“I thought we established that Cambridge is two-for-one. Shall we?”
“Sure thing.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Casey was amazed that she kept her cool the whole ride. She had no qualms about going to the stores; she had been there before. But going with Tobias, her freshly minted ball-buster of a boyfriend, was bound to be a unique experience. She jumped out of the car as soon as they parked and rushed toward the store, leaving Tobias standing by the car, clearly amused at her combination of nervousness and bravado. This was going to be fun.
He stepped inside just seconds after Casey and tilted his head to ask.
“What are you doing?”
“Me? Shopping.”
“With a cart?”
“Uh, do you intend to buy anything?” she asked.
“Yeah,” he snickered, “I do. But I’ve never made shopping cart-sized purchases at a sex shop.”
“Well,” Casey smirked, “you’ve never been to a sex shop with me, have you?”
“No,” he smiled. “I can’t say that I have. But I’m looking forward to it. Lead the way.”
Casey walked in front of him… nervously asking herself… what aisle does one go to when shopping for sex toys with their boyfriend for the first time. She wasn’t letting it show, but she felt like she was about to melt. To break the awkward tension, she pulled an obnoxiously large, neon-green dildo off a display, pointing to a label as she brandished it.
“Glow in the dark!” She exclaimed. “I’ve always wondered about this. Why the hell is being glow-in-the-dark a benefit.”
“I don’t know,” he replied, “I can see the point. What if you have… an emergency… at 2:00 AM.”
“I mean, any self-respecting person should know their way to their toy chest. Even in the dark!”
“If you say so,” he chuckled as he waited patiently on her to continue.
Anxiously realizing he was leaving the ball in her court, Casey continued down the aisle. After spending ample time joking and teasing each other about restraints, nipple clamps, and various phallic devices, they found themselves much more at ease… and increasingly aroused.
Before long, his hands were on her waist, dipping to her hips, wrapped around her stomach. She knew his breath on her ear was just him trying to entice her, as he had no issues having discussions out loud, but she did not complain. After a gentle nibble at her earlobe and a delicious suckle on her neck, she turned into his arms, where he greeted her with a long, lingering kiss.
“AHH-HEM!”
They were broken from their reverie when a loud cough came from the counter up front. Casey stared at the store clerk with flushed cheeks, but Tobias wore his signature smirk.
“Sorry,” the clerk announced. “We are strictly monitored by the State. No live shows allowed you two!”
“It’s OK, my friend,” Tobias blustered, “we’ll behave… and you’ll be making a hefty commission today! We’ll even take the sex swing.”
Casey’s neck snapped back to him. “You want to buy a sex swing?” she shrieked.
Her face was as red as an apple, but Tobias remained as cool as ever.
“Well, are you opposed?”
“I mean, I’m not opposed…” she stammered. “I guess… I just really didn’t give it any prior thought.”
“Well, I did,” he leered, “and holy shit… the thoughts.”
Instinctively, he was back to nibbling at her neck as she descended into a fit of giggles. When her eyes opened again, they met the clerk, and she playfully shoved Tobias away.
“I’m sorry!” She blurted. “We’re sorry! But yes… don’t worry… we’re taking the swing too!”
“YES!” Tobias hissed in triumph as the amused clerk shook his head.
“You always figure something out to get your way, don’t you?” she whispered.
“When it comes to you,” he growled, “you better believe it! But why are you turning red, sweetheart? I thought you had a frequent shopper card here.”
She turned to him with mock indignation, “Well, I’ve been here before, sure… but I never exactly made out in the aisles. It’s a whole different experience. Of course, I’m sure you already know that.”
“And what makes you say that? As a matter of fact, this is my first time making out here as well.”
An obnoxiously tall, curly-haired man breezed past them at that moment. “I can vouch for that,” he said. “Hi, Tobias!”
Tobias reached over and shook the gentleman’s hand.
“Hey, Artie! How’s it going, my man. I want to introduce you to my girlfriend….”
“Casey?” Artie exclaimed. “You… and… you?”
“You know the manager?” Casey and Tobias said in unison as they gaped at each other before laughing uncontrollably.
“Oh, man! If you two aren’t a match made in heaven,” Artie chortled as he peeked into the cart. “And you’re finally getting the swing… uh… and the Clone-a-Willy kit….”
“A what?” Tobias gasped in horror.
“HA! I got you!” Casey danced triumphantly. “It was in the bargain aisle, and I tossed it in.”
“We are not getting that!”
“Sure we are!” she beamed.
“You don’t need that,” he stammered, “you’ve got the real me.”
“Sure, I do,” she teased. “But you’re off the market now. I was thinking… we mass-produce those suckers! We’ll be doing a public service.”
“We are not cloning my willy!” Tobias stated, far too loud, as heads turned their way.
“Annnddd on that note… I’m leaving,” Artie laughed with a tap to Tobias’s shoulder. “Have fun, kids.”
Tobias looked to Casey, who was positively glowing.
“What are you so happy about.”
“I embarrassed the great Dr. Tobias Carrick. This is the happiest day of my life!”
“Oh, is it,” he smirked, taking her back in his arms.
“It is!”
“Yeah, well, every day is the happiest day of my life when I’m with you. So, it all works out.”
“Hmmm… that’s nice,” she smiled as they kissed again.
“Can we still buy the sex swing?” he asked between kisses.
“Why not? Can we clone your willy?”
“Absolutely not,” he laughed, kissing over and over again.
“AHH-HEM!”
“We better get out of here,” Casey laughed.
“I think that would be a good idea.”
Tobias bumped Casey with his hip and took the cart from her, only to let out a wail. “Oh, fuck.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Look at the line! We’ll be here forever!”
“It’ll move fast, I think that….”
“Babe,” he said, nodding toward… willy… “I can’t wait that long.”
“Mmmmm,” she sighed, giving him a sensuous kiss. “Your car is parked right outside. And it is already dark.”
“It is,” he said, with another kiss.
“And your windows are tinted,” she winked.
“Hold on. Hey, Artie?” Tobias yelled. “Hold this cart for us, will ya? Uh, I forgot my wallet in the car. We’ll be right back.”
Casey laughed as they ran out of the store, “He didn’t believe that story at all.”
The car alarm beeped twice as Tobias opened the back door and pulled Casey in on top of him.
“I agree... and I really don’t care.”
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