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liaromancewriter · 1 month

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Sweet Cravings

Premise: Sienna’s late-night cravings won’t leave her alone.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff. Words: 785

A/N: Submission for @choicesmonthlychallenge March, dialogue prompt "Is it too late to start over?"

She wanted a cookie, and it was just her luck they were all out.

Sienna Valentine placed her hands on her hips and scowled at the empty shelf in the kitchen pantry. Her brown eyes narrowed in concentration as if she could magically make the box of her favorite brand of cookies appear.

When that didn’t work, she growled in frustration. Literally. The sound resembled a lioness unhappy with her pride. Sienna wouldn’t have made the connection, but she’d just finished watching a documentary about lions on the Animal Channel.

Her pregnancy was far enough along that every little thing annoyed her, from feeling fat and ugly to swollen feet and a lingering ache at the small of her back she could never quite reach. Lately, their little bean had taken to somersaulting in the middle of the night, so sleep was a distant and fond memory.

If she didn’t love Max so much, she’d surely leave him for putting her in this position.

Deciding that nothing would do but make herself the damn cookies, Sienna reached inside the pantry for the baking supplies she always kept at hand. And then stopped when she saw the flour on the lower shelf.

Beetling her brows in frustration, she stared at the canister and then her protruding belly. Lately, bending down was an exercise in patience and rationalizing if the thing she dropped was really worth keeping. She meant to ask Max to move everything to the middle shelf, but it had slipped her mind.

Sienna started to ease herself down, just enough to grab the flour, but her stomach kept getting in the way. Maybe if she…nope, that wouldn’t do. Or she could…. No, that was clearly a bad idea, she thought as she felt a cramp in her thighs.

She huffed in annoyance and threw her hands up in the air, grumbling under her breath about the indignities of being pregnant. As if waddling and peeing every five minutes wasn’t bad enough, now she couldn’t even fill a late-night craving without becoming a contortionist.

“What are you doing?”

She held back a yelp, barely, as she turned around to see Max leaning against the kitchen entrance. Dressed in a tee shirt and sleep pants, messy hair stuck up in spikes, he yawned and rubbed sleep from his eyes.

“Iwantcookiesbutwe’realloutandIcan’tgrabtheflourtobakesomebecausesomeidiotputitonthebottomshelfandmybackhurts,” she whined, the words rushing out in a long, breathless sentence.

She must have surprised him, for his eyes went wide, and he tripped over his feet as he straightened from the wall.

“Why do you need cookies at,” he glanced at the clock on the wall, “two-thirty in the morning?”

“I’m pregnant,” she said in a steely tone, implying he’d better be smart enough not to argue.

Max clearly wasn’t that smart.

“And?”

“And your son won’t let me sleep, and I’m hungry! Any other questions you want to ask the pissed-off pregnant lady?” Sienna challenged, folding her arms under her breasts and raising her chin, eyes fired up.

"Is it too late to start over?" Max said in a conciliatory tone, holding up his hands for emphasis. “I’m sorry for being an idiot.”

He padded cautiously toward her, much like the lion in the documentary. When he was close enough, he reached for her hands and tugged her into his arms.

Sienna wanted to pull away, ride high on indignation, to resist his charms. She really did. But then he started massaging her lower back. And she melted into him, letting him take her weight, a sigh of relief escaping as his clever fingers eased the ache that had settled in the groove above her hips.

“Yes, just like that,” she moaned as his thumb pressed against a particularly stubborn spot.

“I’m pretty sure that’s what you said when I got us into his mess,” Max joked, and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

He was probably right, but she had long suspected that her impulsive seduction of him after a heated argument was the conception point.

“If you’re really craving cookies,” his breath brushed against her ear, “there’s a twenty-four-hour CVS on Dupont.”

Sienna lifted her head off his chest and gazed at him with puppy-dog eyes, smiling cajolingly.

He sighed. “Looks like I’m making a CVS run.”

“My hero!” Sienna gushed, stretching on her toes to kiss the underside of his jaw.

Later, Sienna bit into the gooey chocolate cookie and hummed in pleasure as the flavor exploded on her tongue. She glanced sideways at Max, who had dropped onto the couch and promptly closed his eyes.

She silently chortled. Being pregnant wasn’t so bad as long as she had a hot husband to massage her back and fetch her cookies on demand.

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All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @justyourusualash @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Max & Sienna only: @aallotarenunelma @storyofmychoices @kyra75

#open heart #open heart fanfics #open heart fanfiction #sienna trinh #sienna trinh x oc #choices fanfics #choices fanfiction #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #sienna trinh x max valentine #playchoices #open heart choices

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choicesficwriterscreations · 2 months

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Open Heart F/AotW - Feb 19-23, 2024

✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨 = Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🏳️‍🌈 = LGBTQIA |🔹Submitted by creator

BRYCE LAHELA

Bryce Lahela Fanart 🎨 by @bayleedraws-sometimesx

Bryce Lahela Fanfic ✒️| Bryce Lahela x F!MC - @sunshine-gumdrop

A Dinomite Find ✒️🔹| Bryce Lahela x F!MC - @storyofmychoices

From the Nest to Flying Free (Series) ✒️| Bryce Lahela x F!MC - @dalishessence Chapter 1: Hatchling in the Nest

Rafael Aveiro, Vincent Valentine (M!MC), Bryce Lahela Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈 - by @hydn-jpg (C: @griffinsboyfriend)

Sexy and Silly Selfies ✒️| Bryce Lahela x F!MC - @sunshine-gumdrop

ETHAN RAMSEY

Beach Clean Up Date 📱🔹| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @liaromancewriter

OPEN HEART MC

Green Eyed Girl 📱🔹| Cassie Valentine (F!MC), Max Valentine (M!OC) - @liaromancewriter

Positive Reaction ✒️🏳️‍🌈🔹| Casey MacTavish (F!MC) x Jessica Phillips (F!OC) - @jerzwriter

RAFAEL AVEIRO

Rafael Aveiro, Vincent Valentine (M!MC), Bryce Lahela Fanart 🎨🏳️‍🌈 - by @hydn-jpg (C: @griffinsboyfriend)

SIENNA TRINH

Sienna's Dream Wedding ✒️| Sienna Trinh x OC - @rafasgirl23415

TOBIAS CARRICK

Happy 40th Tobias! Part 1 📱🔹| Tobias Carrick x F!MC, Ethan Ramsey - @jerzwriter

Happy 40th Tobias! Part 2 📱🔹| Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

Love in the Afternoon✒️🎨🔹| Tobias Carrick x F!MC - art by @liiyaan fic by @storyofmychoices for @jerzwriter

Tobias Carrick x Casey MacTavish (F!MC) Fanart 🎨🔹by @lilyoffandoms for @jerzwriter

MAIN CFWC F/AotW LIST

#playchoices #choices stories you play #open heart #open heart choices #choices open heart #bryce lahela #ethan ramsey #rafael aveiro #sienna trinh #tobias carrick #playchoices fanfic #playchoices fanart #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #cfwc art of the week

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aprilchallenge · 1 year

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Fics of the Week

Open Heart

Paring: Ethan Ramsey x (MC) Kaycee

Choosing you 🌺 @jerzwriter

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

New York Moment 🌺 @liaromancewriter

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Kaycee)

A different fate… 🌺 @jerzwriter

Pairing: Tobias Carrick x F!MC (Casey)

Worth the wait 🌺 @jerzwriter

Pairing: Tobias Carrick x F!MC (Casey)

We’re having a baby… 1/2 🌺 @jerzwriter

Pairing: Tobias Carrick x F!MC (Casey) Feat: Bryce Lahela

Any day… 🌺 @jerzwriter

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC)

An early morning 🌺 @storyofmychoices

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC)

Other character: Malia Lahela (F!OC)

Our Future Doctor 🌺 @storyofmychoices

Paring: Ethan Ramsey x f!OC (Tatum Erikson), with special appearances by Tobias Carrick and Julian Santiago (m!OC)

Heads up 🌺 @txemrn

TRR & TRH

Pairing: MC is widowed, Past Pairings Riley x Nico (Riley x M!OC) , Past Pairing of Liam x Riley

Where do we go from here? 🌺 @bebepac

Series: Part 8 of the Cordonian Arrangement.

Pairing: None - mostly Liam and Hakim bonding, mentions of Hakim and Constantine's friendship

Legacies 🌺 @lizzybeth1986

Chapter 1: The Statues

Pairing: Liam Rys x F!MC Riley Brooks-Rys, OTP ‘LiRi

Cappadocia 🌺 @tessa-liam

Pairing: Liam x MC (Phoebe Summers)

The Start of Forever 🌺 @liaromancewriter

Wake the dead

Pairing: Eli Sipes; Jim, Florence & David Sipes (his family)

A Mother‘s Journal - Part 4 🌺 @jerzwriter

Red Carpet Diaries

Pairing: Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer (F!OC)

Distraction 🌺 @theartoflovingthomashunt

Edits & Artwork

Olivia Claire Hadley

Yellow 🌺 @storyofmychoices

Characters involved: Cassie Valentine (F!MC), Max Valentine

Reminiscing 🌺 @liaromancewriter

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x Victoria Clarke

Chilled Sundays 🌺 @potionsprefect

Characters involved: Sadie Oakley and Sienna Trinh

Sadie‘s Sunday Self-Care #28 🌺 @peonyblossom

Characters involved: A Picta edit of Aru and her college friend (Monica)'s photo taken by another friend (Apoorva)

Purple Pals 🌺 @choicesfanaf

#choices april monthly challenge #fics of the week #open heart #trr #wake the dead #red carpet diaries #the royal heir

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openheartfanfics · 1 year

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Newly Added Fics

Feb 11 - 17, 2023

BRYCE X F!OC

After Dark: Satisfaction Guaranteed - @storyofmychoices ☁💘

Bryce has a special surprise waiting for Olivia.

I’m a Sucker for You! - @peonierose ☁💘

Bryce and Luna spend some time on Valentine‘s Day (even though they’re not the biggest Valentine’s Day fans).

Love, Rosie - @peonierose 📷💘

It’s February 14th, Maxine‘s Birthday. So all her family & friends share some love on her (not) beloved day. Valentine‘s Day.

Once A Shattered Heart - @a-cloud-for-dreams 🦚

As Chandini and Bryce work on planning their wedding, he helps her deal with a heartbreak that never healed. [Wedding]

ETHAN X F!MC

A Valentine's Surprise - @peonyblossom ☁💘

Ethan is woken up early by his daughter, who needs his help making a Valentine's Day surprise for her mom. [Domestic; Family]

Abundance - @jerzwriter ☁💘

It's their first Valentine's Day together, but they still have to keep things secret... and Ethan isn't helping.

Accidental Valentine - @cariantha ☁💘

It’s Valentine’s Day and Ethan and Sawyer get “stuck” spending the evening together.

Afternoon Delight - @coffeeheartaddict2 ☁💘

It is Valentine’s Day and Ethan sends Casey a cake to help get her through the afternoon.

Caked - @txemrn 🎭Ⓜ

After receiving horrible life-changing news from the hospital's lab report, Tatum is overcome with worry with having to be the bearer of bad news to the couple. TW: Depiction of dysfunctional eating

Death Stare - @headoverheelsforramsey ☁💘

A friendly staring contest turns into a heated competition. Who will emerge as the winner? Ethan or Meera? [Donahue's; Friends Intervene]

Flowers - @jamespotterthefirst 🎭💘

She is stung when he sends flowers to someone else on Valentine’s Day. [Jealous]

Making a Mark - @txemrn ☁💘Ⓜ

Despite med school exams, Ethan and Tatum plan on spending time together for their first Valentine's day; but their plans take a different course... literally. [Jealous]

Not the Right Person - @lucy-268 ☁💘

Various “Celebrations” for Valentine’s Day when you aren’t celebrating with the right person. Feat. Sienna Trinh, Aurora Emery

Okay to treat yourself - @amortentiaopenheart ☁💘

Ethan receives an anonymous gift.

Special Surprise - @potionsprefect ☁💘

Luke and Lily enlist Aunt Sienna for a very special mission. Feat. Sienna Trinh [Domestic; Family]

Staying In - @potionsprefect ☁

Victoria is left disappointed when she is sick on her birthday. [Birthday; Illness/Injury]

Valentine Memories - @liaromancewriter ☁💘

When Alan finds a box of childhood memorabilia, Cassie teases Ethan about his romantic past. Feat. Alan Ramsey

ETHAN X M!MC

The Art of Doing Nothing - @dr-colossal-pita ☁💘

They don't do valentine's cards...until they do.

PLATONIC/ENSEMBLE

Stained Glass and Stuffed Animals - @peonyblossom ☁💘

Sienna continues her own little tradition of Valentine's sleepovers with her friends, even if most of them already live in the same apartment.

The Galentine’s Day Queens: A TRR / Open Heart Crossover - @bebepac ☁💘

Daniel takes Riley and their friends on a special night on the town as Galentines. Feat. F!MC

SIENNA X M!OC

The Reluctant Valentine - @liaromancewriter ☁💘

It’s Valentine’s Day, and Max can’t say no to his favorite girl.

TOBIAS X F!MC

Ground Rules - @jerzwriter 📱Ⓜ

Not long after they finally made it official, Casey just wants to set some things straight. Can Tobias wear her down?

No One Else - @jerzwriter ☁💘

Misunderstandings, changes in plans, a blast from the past, and secret admirers threaten to turn Tobias & Casey's first second Valentine's Day upside down.

Part 1

Simple Pleasures - @jerzwriter ☁💘

Tobias is driving himself crazy trying to create the perfect Valentine's Day for his new wife and momma-to-be. [Pregnancy]

SUBMIT OPEN HEART FICS & WRITERS HERE

#open heart #open heart choices #choices open heart #open heart fanfics #open heart fanfiction #choices fanfics #choices fanfiction #playchoices #bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #tobias carrick #tobias carrick x mc #sienna trinh #newly added fics

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choicesjuly2023challenge · 2 years

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Week 1 Masterlist

Crimes of Passion Farewell, Rose | Trystan Thorne x f!MC (Nora Rose) | by @inlocusmads

Desire and Decorum You're my oasis | Princes Hamid x f!OC (Elizabeth Foredale) | by @missameliep

Open Heart A Unique Blend | Ethan Ramsey & Tobias Carrick | by @jerzwriter

Baby Talk | Tobias Carrick x f!MC (Casey MacTavish) | by @jerzwriter

By Your Side | Tobias Carrick x f!MC (Casey MacTavish) | by @jerzwriter

DTI Fanart | Tobias Carrick x f!MC (Casey MacTavish) | by @jerzwriter

Four | Sienna Trinh x m!OC (Max Valentine) | by @liaromancewriter

ME! | Tobias Carrick x f!MC (Casey MacTavish) | by @jerzwriter

Missing You | Sienna Trinh x m!OC (Max Valentine) | by @liaromancewriter

Play Time | Tobias Carrick x f!MC (Casey MacTavish) | by @jerzwriter

The Beauty Inside | Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Dr. Meera Bose) | by @headoverheelsforramsey

The Perfect Gift: For Your Eyes Only | Tobias Carrick x f!MC (Casey MacTavish) | by @jerzwriter

You Weren't Meant For Me | Ethan Ramsey x f!MC (Cassie Valentine) | by @liaromancewriter

You're On... Again | Tobias Carrick x f!MC (Casey MacTavish) | by @jerzwriter

Red Carpet Diaries A Reminder | Thomas Hunt x f!MC (Alex Hunt) | by @theartoflovingthomashunt

Stars and Stripes | Thomas Hunt x f!MC (Alex Hunt) | by @theartoflovingthomashunt

#choicesjuly2022challenge #choices july 22 week 1 #masterlist #week 1 masterlist #desire and decorum #open heart #red carpet diaries

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choicesjanuarychallenge2022 · 2 years

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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

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choicesnovchallenge2021 · 2 years

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Edit

Open Heart

Loving You, Loving Me | Sienna Trinh x M!OC (Max Valentine) - @liaromancewriter

The Moment I Knew | Sienna Trinh x M!OC (Dan Ramirez) - @gryffindordaughterofathena

Fanfiction

Desire and Decorum

Best Part Of The Night | Ernest Sinclaire x F!OC (Alisha Hastings) - @lorirwritesfanfic

Desire and Decorum AU Drabble | Hamid x MC (Daphne Wang) - @lilyoffandoms

Open Heart

Little Things | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine) - @liaromancewriter

Moodboard

Open Heart

Cupcake moodboard | Sienna Trinh - @peonierose

#choices fanfic #desire and decorum #open heart #choicesnovember2021 #day ten

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liaromancewriter · 5 months

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Giving Thanks

Premise: Two Picta moments from this year's Thanksgiving.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairings: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine); Sienna Trinh x M!OC (Max Valentine) Format: Edits

A/N: Using @choicesflashfics week 59, prompt 1 in 2nd edit. Also submitting for @choicesholidays Thanksgiving. Posting early because I might forget on Thursday lol

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All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @lucy-268 @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Ethan & Cassie only: @cariantha @custaroonie @youlookappropriate @zealouscanonindeer

Max & Sienna only: @aallotarenunelma @storyofmychoices @kyra75

#open heart #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #open heart choices #choices fic writers creations #sienna trinh #open heart fanfics #open heart fanfiction #open heart edits #cfwc fics of the week #ethan ramsey x cassie valentine #sienna trinh x max valentine

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liaromancewriter · 20 days

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Unlikely Adventures

Premise: There's only one person who can convince Sienna to take a chance on a life of adventure.

Fandom: Choices Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff Format: Text and Pic Fic

A/N: A lifetime ago, @jerzwriter sent me a prompt that I knew would work for Maxenna. Finally found the inspo for it. Submission for @choicesmonthlychallenge March challenge, prompt: "outdoor activities+sports"

Part 1: Indoor Adventures

Part 2: Outdoor Adventures

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Max & Sienna only: @aallotarenunelma @storyofmychoices @kyra75

#open heart #playchoices #sienna trinh #open heart fanfics #open heart fanfiction #choices fanfics #choices fanfiction #sienna trinh x oc #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #sienna trinh x max valentine

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liaromancewriter · 4 months

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That Funny Feeling

Premise: Three nights in Sienna’s life when she felt something deep in her soul.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff. Words: 1,355

A/N: I saw the Seven Nights prompts from @creativepromptsforwriting on my dash, and it inspired this fic. I'm using the first 3 prompts. Tagging for reblog to @creativepromptfills.

I. Falling Star

Nothing was how she wanted it to be, and she desperately wished for this night to be over. Sienna Trinh glanced around the nearly empty emergency department and wondered how life could change in an instant.

In the last few hours, she and her friends had triaged hundreds of casualties from the subway tunnel collapse. Red, yellow, green, black. Colors she could never see in quite the same way again because now they were a symbol of who lived, who got help and who didn’t.

This is what she’d signed up for, she consoled herself. Being a doctor was all she’d ever wanted, but it was not without its share of heartache. And yet, those precious moments when she truly made a difference? That’s what made all the bad days worth it.

Sienna caught sight of Danny, the friendly nurse, on the other side of the room. Her brown eyes softened briefly at his calming presence. He looked busy, and she started to turn away before he could catch her staring at him.

As if sensing her perusal, his head shot up, and their eyes connected across the room. He smiled briefly, and she lifted her hand in an abbreviated wave. Her heart fluttered for a second, and she wondered what this funny feeling meant. She was in a strange mood tonight.

He looked away first when a patient tugged at his arm. Sienna was grateful for the reprieve and walked away before she could talk herself out of it. She wasn’t ready to face this, not barely an hour after she’d broken it off with her boyfriend of six years.

Her pager remained silent, but she still had patients to check on. Nibbling on her lips, a nervous habit from her childhood, she stepped into a waiting elevator. On impulse, she pressed the topmost button on the panel, gripping the steel railing behind her as the car quickly ascended.

The helipad on the roof was quiet this time of night. City lights twinkled all around her, a kaleidoscope of colors she couldn’t make out. The wind whistled around her, but it was strangely soothing, not eerie.

Sienna made her way to a pair of garden chairs someone had placed in the corner overlooking the water in the distance. She sank into a chair, rubbed her arms for heat, and wished she’d thought to grab a hoodie from her locker.

Tilting her head back, she absently drummed her fingers on her torso and wondered what it was like to watch stars twinkling in an inky sky. In New York and now here, the city lights were too bright for the night sky to ever be dark.

A falling star streaked across the sky — she refused to believe it was a passing airplane — and she mused, how am I single again after all these years? And what now?

II. Electric Storm

The night was still young. Everything was possible on a night like this. Maybe it was the tequila shots she’d been downing all evening, or perhaps it was the handsome man with the mysterious smile. Sienna didn’t care.

She wanted all the possibilities this night had to offer. She longed to feel Max Valentine’s arms around her, his scent enveloping her. For him to flash that flirtatious smile at her and not the busty surgical resident hitting on him at the bar.

I saw him first, she grumbled internally. She frowned as jealousy reared its ugly head. She had all his other lovers to contend with and didn’t need more competition for his attention.

She saw herself marching over there and dragging the other woman off him, marking her territory. How, she wasn’t sure. But surely, the horny pheromones would give her away.

She mentally dismissed the fact that pheromones likely didn’t work that way. Facts were immaterial in this case.

When Elijah glanced at her perplexed, Sienna realized the dismissive wave hadn’t been quite so mental after all. Maybe that last tequila shot (or two) hadn’t been such a good idea.

She shrugged an apology and practically pounced when her phone signaled a text, and Max’s name flashed on her screen.

Cute?!? She muttered under her breath. That was a word reserved for sisters and children and maybe sister’s children. She was a grown woman for crying out loud. She was surely a step above cute?

Ugh, she sulked. Great. I meet a gorgeous guy, and he thinks I’m just cute. Sienna wanted to slap herself when Max replied, and she realized she’d texted him her inner thoughts. What exactly was in that last shot of tequila anyway?

Before she knew it, Max was there, holding out his hand. Sienna slid out of the booth, placing her hand in his, her smile wide as he led her to the impromptu dance floor at the back of Donahue’s.

It wasn’t a song made for slow dancing, but his arms slipped around her waist, pulling her in. She gazed into his green eyes, and her mind emptied of everything except him and the music beckoning them closer.

Oh, kiss me, beneath the milky twilight Lead me out on the moonlit floor Lift your open hand Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance Silver moon's sparkling So kiss me

Sienna felt that funny feeling in her heart and wished she could be as bold as the woman in the song. As if reading her mind, he leaned in, and she tilted her face up. She felt the electric storm raging between them and gave in to her desires.

Max captured her lips in his, the touch butterfly soft at first, deepening with every passing second. Sienna wished the kiss could go on and on, but it wasn’t the place. She rested her head on his shoulder instead and let the magic of the night carry her away.

III. Starstruck

Light fell through the window, illuminating the couple lying in bed, entangled with each other and perfectly content with it. This night, this man, this place, it was theirs, and that made it enchanting.

She trailed one fingertip along his hipbone, marveling at their differences. Max was lean, with muscles in all the right places. His skin was hard, whereas hers was soft. There were callouses on his palms, but not the kind from hard labor.

Sienna traced a light scar on his forearm and wondered how he’d gotten it. It looked old, so maybe it was a mishap in his childhood. There was so much she didn’t know about him, or him of her. But they had their entire lives together, and there was no rush.

Butterflies fluttered in her chest with a funny feeling as his lips quirked endearingly at the edges as if he could read her thoughts. No surprise there. Max knew her better than anyone else.

He made her feel delicate but powerful, too. She grinned as her fingers teased his hard length. What a difference really good sex makes, she chuckled to herself. She’d clearly been missing out most of her life.

But it was more than that between them, she marveled as he cupped her face and gazed into her eyes. His were full of wonder as if he couldn’t believe she was there. Hers were likely starstruck that of all the beautiful women he could’ve had — and did — he chose her.

They chose each other, Sienna decided vehemently, her expression turning fierce. She’d chosen Max despite everything, and he’d picked her because of everything. It was love, it was friendship, it was deep caring and it was desire.

It was desperation and longing, waiting for the stars to align so they could be together. Her fairytale romance with her Prince Charming and a happy ever after.

And then Max rose above her, his erection nudging against her inner thigh as his mouth covered hers, coaxing a response. She surrendered to her seduction, her moans bouncing off the ceiling.

Forget Charming. Max might just be the Dark Prince instead, Sienna thought wickedly as he thrust deep inside her. And then she wasn’t thinking at all.

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All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @genevievemd @headoverheelsforramsey @lucy-268 @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Max & Sienna only: @aallotarenunelma @storyofmychoices @kyra75

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

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liaromancewriter · 8 months

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Public & Private

Premise: Three public moments captured on Picta burn up private chats.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairings: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine); Sienna Trinh x M!OC (Max Valentine) Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff Format: Text & Pic Fic

A/N: Submission for @choicesseptemberchallenge2023 Day 14 prompt "picture"

Part 1: Cassie

Part 2: Sienna

Part 3: Max

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @doriopenheart @genevievemd @headoverheelsforramsey @lucy-268 @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @takemyopenheart @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @midnightmelodiz

Ethan & Cassie only: @cariantha @custaroonie @hopelessromantic1352 @mrs-ramsey @youlookappropriate

Max & Sienna only: @aallotarenunelma @storyofmychoices @kyra75

#open heart #ethan ramsey #choices fic writers creations #open heart choices #ethan ramsey x mc #sienna trinh #open heart fanfics #open heart fanfiction #choices fanfics #choices fanfiction #sienna trinh x oc #sienna trinh x max valentine #ethan ramsey x cassie valentine

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liaromancewriter · 6 months

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This Little Bunny

Premise: The kids are out trick-or-treating, but there’s one bunny too many for Max to handle.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC); feat. OC children Rating/Category: General. Fluff. Words: 1,650

A/N: Ages ago, I received a prompt from @jerzwriter about any of my characters losing their kids while out and about. Finally found the inspiration for it. I'm using @choicesflashfics week 57, prompt 3. Submission to @choicesprompts Flufftober.

Amelia Valentine was excited for her first Halloween. Her siblings had done it millions of times, but then they were older than her. Of course, it wasn’t really her first Halloween; she was four years old, after all. But she didn’t remember the last ones on account of being too little. So, as far as she was concerned, they didn’t count.

Her big brother Noah boasted about all the candy he was going to get, but Amelia was more excited about Daddy taking them trick-or-treating and her costume. The white bunny with big blue eyes and floppy, pink ears was her favorite character from an old children’s movie.

Amelia squirmed in excitement, her eyes locked on the furry bunny suit laid out on the bed. She was already wearing thick leggings and a thick sweater since it was cold out. She didn’t want to wear a coat on top of her costume because then no one would see it.

“Hold still, Melly,” scolded Mommy as she brushed the tangles out of her hair.

“Is Daddy home yet?” Amelia asked, trying to hold herself still, but her body was vibrating with excitement. “He promised to take us trick-or-treating!”

“Yes, he came home while you were taking a bath,” Sienna Valentine said, rolling her eyes at Amelia’s apparent preference for Max.

What am I, chopped liver? Sienna thought in amused exasperation. Still, she was well used to females of all ages falling for her husband’s charm. Their daughters were hardly an exception.

She tightened her hold to keep the little girl still while she finished making her hair. Amelia was the only one of their children to have blonde curls, and taming them was an exercise in patience.

“There, all done,” Sienna said, sighing in relief. “Now, let’s turn you into Snowball.”

Amelia stepped into the jumpsuit, and Sienna zipped up the front and adjusted the hood with its floppy ears over her head. She applied a little gloss on her lips, drew thin whiskers with an eyeliner and dabbed some blush on the tip of her daughter’s nose to complete the look.

“Look,” she said, turning Amelia around to face the mirror.

When Amelia gasped in delight, preening at her reflection, Sienna smiled and snapped a picture on her phone. She would post them on the family group chat shortly for both sets of grandparents to gush over.

At the last minute, she remembered to pin a card with her name and phone number behind one of the ears. It was probably not needed, but she’d rather be safe than sorry.

“Cute bunny ears,” Max commented as they joined him and the other kids in the foyer. Amelia ran toward him, and he lifted her up in his arms for a hug. “Ready for trick-or-treating, Amelia Mai?”

“Are you sure about this?” Sienna pursed her lips worriedly as they stepped into the outside hallway.

With two of Belle’s friends joining them, Max would be responsible for supervising five children under the age of ten. Usually, Sienna would go trick-or-treating with them, but the baby was running a slight fever, and she didn’t feel right leaving him with the nanny.

“Please,” Max scoffed, raising one brow arrogantly. “I run a multi-billion dollar company. I can handle five kids. Piece of cake.”

A short while later, Max waited for the light to change and gripped Amelia’s hand in his as they crossed the street. He glanced at the gradually darkening skies and hoped the rain would hold off for another couple of hours.

Noah and Belle walked ahead of them with their friends, heads together, planning their route for optimal candy collection. His son was dressed up as Nick Fury, declaring him the coolest character from the Marvel universe. Belle was still in her princess phase and wore a tiara and poofy gown under her thick coat.

They reached a section of their neighborhood that had been closed off to traffic for the evening. Here, the houses were decked out for Halloween, from the macabre to the absurd.

The air was filled with the sounds of children shouting and running around and music from a band of musicians dressed like ghouls that had set up in the center of the street.

“Look, Daddy, there’s another Snowball.” Amelia tugged at his hand for attention.

Max glanced at the other trick-or-treaters on the pavement. There were a number of animal costumes, including several white bunnies, clearly a popular choice this year.

“My costume is better,” she sniffed dismissively.

He smirked at the hint of competitiveness in her tone. She could be shy at times, but Amelia was a Valentine through and through, he chuckled.

Letting go of her hand so she could join her siblings, he followed close behind while they visited the first few houses. He remarked on their candy haul, carried Amelia’s bag when she got tired after the third house and snapped a few pictures to send to Sienna.

It was all going well until they reached the sixth house. While the kids did their thing, Max leaned against a wrought iron railing and scrolled through the messages on his phones.

A few minutes later, the kids came tumbling down the steps, and he spied a white bunny out of the corner of his eyes. He absently grabbed Amelia’s hand, finished sending a text with one hand and pocketed the device as they continued down the street.

Two or three houses later, Max glanced down at the top of Amelia’s covered head and wondered why she was so quiet.

“Everything okay, honey?” he asked, frowning when she didn’t reply. “Amelia?”

He placed a hand on her shoulder to hold her in place while keeping one eye on the four walking up ahead.

“Noah, Belle, hold up,” Max called out and saw the older kids stop and start to walk back.

He crouched down on his haunches, turned Amelia around to face him, and almost fell on his ass when a stranger stared back at him from below the hood.

“Who are you?” Max whispered, his voice coming out strangled.

“Tommy,” the other boy said, scrunching his nose as he shrugged.

Max peered intently and realized it was a little boy roughly Amelia’s age and height. Given the similarity in their costumes, he reasoned it was an easy enough mistake to make. Not that it mattered. Sienna was going to kill him anyway!

“Dad, where’s Melly?” Noah asked, staring at the little boy in the white bunny costume. Max held up one hand in a gesture for Noah to wait.

Max tamped down the fear gripping his heart. It was a useless emotion. What he needed right now was to focus, find his daughter and return Tommy to his parents. He would have plenty of time later to relive this nightmare.

“Do you know your parents’ names, Tommy?” Max kept his tone gentle so as to not scare the kid. He sighed in relief when Tommy nodded and plopped a thumb in his mouth.

“What are their names?” Max prompted.

Tommy removed the thumb and whispered, “Mommy and Daddy.”

Okay then, Max thought, trying to hide his amusement at the response. “Did you come trick-or-treating with them?”

“Daddy brung me,” Tommy said.

“Let’s go find him. Okay?”

Formulating a plan, Max rose from the pavement, took Tommy’s hand and gazed at his son, who was looking worried.

“Noah, it’ll be alright. Please get Belle, Emma and Amy and follow me. And stay close,” he added when Noah turned to do as he asked.

Keeping all five kids in tow, Max retraced his steps to where he thought the switch might have occurred.

He remembered being distracted on his phone a few houses down and grabbing hold of what he thought was Amelia. But he hadn’t seen her face under the costume, and she hadn’t come running down the steps to show him her candy as she’d done before.

They were halfway there when his phone started ringing. He saw Sienna’s name on the screen and accepted the call, signaling the kids to stop and stand off to the side.

“How’s it going?” she asked, amusement coloring her voice.

“Oh, you know, fine,” Max stalled, sending a silent prayer that she couldn’t see the panic in his eyes.

“I see,” she said neutrally. “So, the phone call I just got from Tommy’s dad was a hoax, and he doesn’t have our daughter?”

Crap, crap, crap. Max closed his eyes briefly.

“I’m sorry, Si,” Max said, sighing deeply. “I’ll explain when we get home, but I’m pretty sure I know how this happened.”

“I can’t wait to hear this story. I’ll have the wine waiting,” Sienna laughed. “I’m texting you the dad’s number so you can meet up. If it’s any consolation, he’s just as embarrassed as you.”

A few minutes later, Max met up with Tommy’s dad and made the exchange. Both hemmed and hawed as they explained how they’d made a mistake, but they were also relieved at averting disaster.

The father and son waved goodbye and disappeared into the crowd of trick-or-treaters.

Noah and Belle surrounded Amelia, asking lots of questions, but Max plucked her into his arms and hugged her tight.

“Daddy, that’s too tight,” she complained against his neck.

“You really scared me, kiddo,” he said, loosening his hold to gaze into her eyes. “I’m so sorry I lost you.”

Almost an hour later, and after dropping Belle’s friends off, Max unlocked the front door and shepherded his kids inside. They rushed into the living room while he hung up his coat in the hall closet.

He walked in to find them gathered around Sienna, who was nodding and smiling as they narrated their adventures and showed off their bags of candy and snacks.

She glanced at Max, her eyes brimming with mischievous laughter. “Piece of cake, huh?”

------------

All Fics & Edits: @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @headoverheelsforramsey @lucy-268 @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Max & Sienna only: @aallotarenunelma @storyofmychoices @kyra75

#open heart #open heart choices #choices open heart #playchoices #sienna trinh #sienna trinh x oc #choices fanfics #open heart fanfics #choices fanfiction #open heart fanfiction #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #flufftober #sienna trinh x max valentine #amelia valentine #writers on tumblr

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liaromancewriter · 10 months

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The Love Language Test

Premise: Sienna and Max explore which of the five love languages works for them.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff. Words: 1,350

A/N: Requested by @storyofmychoices from this prompt list - preparing lunch. Submission for @choicesprompts Rewrite challenge. It's inspired by this Blue Bloods scene in S11 between Eddie and Jamie about their love language. I'm also using @choicesflashfics week 40, prompt 1 (in bold)

“What’s your love language?”

Sienna Trinh pursed her lips as she glanced over the top of the tablet and waited for Max Valentine to answer.

It was after dinner, and they were in his home office. He was catching up on emails while she was parked on the couch, keeping herself busy. She had started hanging out here when he wasn’t on calls and found it comforting to have him close.

“My, what now?” he asked without looking up, his hands flying across the laptop’s keyboard, eyes focused on the screen.

“Love language,” she said. “You know, the way you like to express and receive love. There are five of them, but we each have one or two that speak to us the most.”

Sienna explained patiently, repeating the words she’d read in an online article. “If couples communicate using each other’s love languages, the relationship can become even stronger.”

“Sex,” he chuckled, turning his head to wink at her. “Just let me finish here, and I’ll happily show you.”

Sienna rolled her eyes. “Be serious.”

“I resent that,” he joked, eyes back on the laptop screen. “I’m always serious about sex.”

“Why does Cassie know all about this, and you don’t?” Sienna mused, fighting back a yawn as she stretched out on the comfortable couch and pulled a fleece blanket over her legs to keep them warm.

Until recently, she had been under the impression that as twins Cassie and Max were more alike than different in their tastes and interests. But she was slowly realizing the error of her ways.

Cassie loved junk food, and Max was all about eating healthy. Cassie inhaled coffee by the gallons. Max preferred tea. She was an optimist and a big believer in fate. Her brother was a realist and inherently skeptical. And yet, Sienna loved them equally but in completely different ways.

“I keep telling you, babe. We’re twins, not clones,” Max retorted. “Besides, Cassie majored in psychology at Georgetown and has always been interested in this stuff. I’d be surprised if she didn’t know it.”

Sienna rubbed her eyes and checked the time at the top of her screen. She should get up and get ready for bed but felt way too comfortable to move. She’d just started a new job last week, and her body was still adjusting after a two-month break.

That reminded her. She still had to put her lunch together for tomorrow. She’d meant to do it earlier, but it slipped her mind.

She yawned again and fought to keep her eyes open, losing the battle as she sank deeper into the couch.

Sienna woke up the next morning in their bed wearing the Wharton tee shirt she’d stolen from Max’s closet. Slightly disoriented at first, she gazed at the ceiling as she tried to remember the events of last night.

She remembered bantering with Max about love languages, and then her memory was fuzzy. She had wanted them to do an online quiz, but she must have fallen asleep before she could suggest it.

Sienna really wanted to learn his love language, and hers too in this relationship.

Max had arisen before her as usual, but his side of the bed wasn’t cold to touch, so it must not have been long. She yelped when she saw the time and quickly climbed out of bed.

A short while later, she was dressed for work except for tying back her hair. Desperate for coffee, she rushed into the kitchen to throw some snacks together since she wouldn’t have time to make anything.

She pulled up short at the sight of Max behind the counter and delicious aromas wafting from the stove.

“Good morning,” he said affably, walking around the kitchen peninsula to lock his hands around her hips and buss her on the cheek. “You look beautiful today. You should wear your hair down more often.”

He turned away to pour coffee and handed her the mug. “Heard you moving around and figured you’d need this before long.”

“Thanks,” she smiled, enjoying how his hand lingered over hers around the mug before he let go.

She sighed in pleasure as the first hint of caffeine hit her taste buds. “Something smells amazing, and it’s not just the coffee.”

Sienna watched him above the rim of the coffee mug. He wore the loose pants and tee shirt he’d slept in and hadn’t showered or shaved.

“I made you lunch,” he said, voice muffled as he reached inside the lower cabinet for a roll of wax paper. “It’s a roast beef melt on a French baguette with caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms. Just the way you like it. ”

Sienna felt her heart turn to mush as he deftly wrapped the sandwich and covered it with foil to keep it warm. That’s when she noticed her lunch bag on the counter, the cover unzipped and flipped open. Inside were a trail mix snack, a small container of strawberry yogurt and three chocolate chip cookies.

Setting her mug down on the counter, Sienna moved into Max and wrapped her arms around his waist, tilting her head back to meet his puzzled gaze.

“Thank you for this,” she nodded toward the lunch, “and knowing exactly what I need.”

“You’re welcome,” he said, cupping her face. “Taking care of you is my absolute pleasure. I’m so grateful fate brought us together.”

“I thought you didn't believe in fate,” she teased.

“I didn’t...until I met you.”

She smiled dreamily at the words, stretched on her toes and kissed the underside of his jaw.

Max tenderly put two fingers under her chin, raised her face, and then lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was short, sweet, and perfect for the moment, she thought, their foreheads leaning against each other.

“Let’s have a quick breakfast, and then I have to grab a shower and get dressed,” he said, stepping back. “I’ll make sure to be at home on time today. Maybe we can watch a movie or hit the blues club? A night out on the town. Would you like that?”

Sienna shook her head out of a daze as she glanced around the kitchen, her eyes narrowing as she put two and two together.

“Wait a minute.” She placed her hands on her hips. “Did you just practice the five love languages on me?”

She held up one hand and started counting. “Gave me coffee, complimented my appearance, kisses and hand touches, made my lunch, and a mouthwatering one at that, just because, and now quality time as a couple.”

Max just shrugged. “I read up on them last night, and they looked interesting. I didn’t know which was yours, so I figured I’d run an experiment and do all five.”

“I find that incredibly romantic,” Sienna admitted, mind boggling at the lengths he’d gone to at such short notice. “And also mildly terrifying because of how good you are at them.”

He smirked. “What can I say? Valentines are competitive as fuck and overachievers when we go after what we want.”

Max reached for her hand and tugged her close. “By the way, your love language is definitely acts of service. You practically had heart eyes when you looked at the lunch bag.”

“I know,” Sienna said. “I’ve always done things like this for everyone, but someone is looking after me for the first time in a long time. And it makes me feel so cherished.”

He squeezed her hand in acknowledgment. “In case you’re wondering, mine is quality time. I know I can be a workaholic at times. Okay, most of the time,” he amended when she made a face. “But spending time with you, just us, even if it’s having you hang out in my office while I answer emails? That’s what I love most.”

Hand in hand, they stood in the middle of the kitchen, eyes locked on each other. They needed to get to work, but both were loathe to let go of this perfect moment.

“Five more minutes?” she whispered.

“Five more minutes.”

---------------

All Fics & Edits: @annfg8 @bluebelle08 @coffeeheartaddict2 @crazy-loca-blog @doriopenheart @genevievemd @headoverheelsforramsey @lucy-268 @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter @lady-calypso @mainstreetreader @peonierose @potionsprefect @queencarb @quixoticdreamer16 @rookiemartin @socalwriterbee @takemyopenheart @tessa-liam @trappedinfanfiction

Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Max & Sienna only: @aallotarenunelma @storyofmychoices @kyra75

#open heart #open heart choices #choices open heart #sienna trinh #open heart fanfics #open heart fanfiction #playchoices #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #choices fanfics #writers on tumblr #choices fanfiction #short story #my writing #sienna trinh x max valentine

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liaromancewriter · 3 months

Text

Just Pretend

Premise: Max and Sienna play a fun and flirty game of "what if" over text.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff. Format: Text Fic

A/N: A million years ago, @jerzwriter sent me an AU prompt for Maxenna. I finally found the inspiration for it. Submission to @choicesfebruary2024 Ludus prompt, flirting.

Part 1: Prologue

Part 2: College Sweethearts

Part 3: Lifeguard Rivals

Part 4: Epilogue

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Submissions: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Max & Sienna only: @aallotarenunelma @storyofmychoices @kyra75

#open heart #open heart choices #playchoices #open heart fanfics #sienna trinh #sienna trinh x oc #open heart fanfiction #choices fanfics #choices fanfiction #choices fic writers creations #cfwc fics of the week #sienna trinh x max valentine

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liaromancewriter · 10 months

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Singled Out

Premise: Max and Sienna are in a predicament when their son is excluded from a birthday party.

Book: Open Heart (post series) Pairing: Sienna Trinh x Max Valentine (M!OC); feat. Noah Valentine (OC) Rating/Category: Teen. Angsty Fluff Words: 1,575 TW: Bullying, use of an ethnic slur

A/N: This fic was requested by @jerzwriter. Submission for @choicesjunechallenge prompt "children"

Noah Valentine was excited to start first grade and wear the navy blazer that was part of his uniform. It was like the ones his father wore to work, and it made Noah feel like a big boy. It was just too bad he didn’t have to wear a tie. Then he would really be like his dad.

On his first day at Briarwood Academy, he waved a hurried goodbye to his parents. He rushed into the classroom, sure that it would be the best day of his life. It was, and it wasn’t.

He supposed the teacher was nice but not as friendly as the ones in his Kindergarten with the colorful walls and ice cream on Fridays. He liked the kids in his class and was happy no one had stolen his crayons.

Aunt Cassie had warned him to be on the lookout for crayon thieves. His dad just rolled his eyes and told her to let it go already.

But there was one boy, Samuel, who kept staring at him. He was bigger than the rest, and the mean look in his beady eyes made Noah feel funny in his tummy.

When the bell rang, the teacher, Miss Penny, led them outside and told them it was time to play. Noah waited in line to go on the slide when Samuel pushed past, shoving him to the ground.

“Excuse me?” Noah said, expecting an apology the way his parents had taught him to do if he bumped into someone.

Samuel didn’t even look at him, just muttered something Noah didn’t understand. He puzzled over what ‘half-and-half’ meant but forgot all about it later when his parents asked him about his first day at school.

But from that day on, Samuel made it a point to pick on him, and Noah tried to ignore the bully. School tried his patience, he thought, remembering the word his mom often used after a long day at work.

A few weeks later, all the kids were bubbling in excitement as Samuel handed out invitations to his birthday party during the break. When Noah stepped up to receive his, the other boy stared at him with a nasty look.

“You aren’t invited to my party,” he sneered. “My parents say mixed blood is worse than being a Chink.”

Noah didn’t know what the words meant, but it sounded bad. He walked away, holding back tears until he was out of sight.

As soon as the school bell rang, he quickly left the classroom, ignoring Miss Penny’s voice behind him, telling everyone to have a good weekend. Tears slowly rolled down his cheeks, but he didn’t care who saw.

Mrs. Banks was waiting outside, chatting with their driver, Danny. She glanced over when he ran out the doors and down the steps, her face falling as it had when he’d skinned his knee in the park during summer break.

“Noah!” she exclaimed in shock and rushed toward him. “What’s wrong, honey?”

Noah threw himself into her arms, big, heaving sobs escaping. He shook his head when she questioned him again, and he heard her sigh. He felt Danny pick him up and carry him to the car while Mrs. B patted his back.

As they drove away, Noah decided then he was never going back to school.

Later that day, Sienna anxiously paced the floor before the elevator waiting for Max. He’d texted to say he was leaving the office. Sienna calculated the drive time, factored in traffic at this time of day and figured he should be arriving any minute now.

When the doors slid open, she breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn’t stopped along the way.

“Hey, you.” He flashed her a smile as he stepped off the elevator. “I wasn’t expecting a welcome party, but I’ll take it.”

Max leaned down to kiss her lips but stopped halfway, concern furrowing his brows. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Noah,” she replied.

Needing comfort, Sienna slid her arms around his waist, rested her head on his chest and proceeded to tell him everything she’d managed to extract from their son.

Noah had been inconsolable since coming home from school. Worried he’d been hurt physically or worse, Sienna held him in her arms, gently coaxing him until the full tale of Samuel’s bullying and the birthday party snub had come tumbling out.

The latter didn’t bother her as much as the unkind words. She had hoped the world would’ve changed since she’d faced her share of name-calling, casually racist comments and discrimination. Perhaps she’d been naïve in thinking her children would be spared.

“…this has been going on for weeks. He didn’t say anything to me or Mrs. Banks,” she said, and her expression became crestfallen. “You had Man Day last week. Did Noah—”

“I would’ve told you, Sienna,” Max said, tilting her face up so she could see he was deadly serious. “He was quieter than usual but in good spirits.”

Sienna sighed, tears pooling in her eyes. “I knew our children would be biracial, but I really thought society had evolved enough for it to not matter anymore. What kind of parents tell their child it’s okay to say such horrible things?”

“I can’t pretend to understand what it’s like for you,” Max said, brushing his thumbs along her cheeks. “But our kids will always be part of two worlds, and we’ll have to teach them to navigate both.”

She burrowed into his embrace, seeking his strength, her voice muffled against the fabric of his jacket. “I’m a bad mom. I’ve been so busy with work lately that I didn’t notice our son was being bullied.”

“You don’t get to take this on yourself,” Max snapped, letting frustration leak before he controlled himself.

“Sorry. I’m just…” He inhaled and exhaled deeply. “Let’s go inside. We need to talk to Noah together and figure out the next steps. Informing the school and his teacher is step one, and then….”

Sienna leaned back in his arms, her eyes narrowing at the shrewd expression on his face.

“Why do I think you’re already planning retribution?” she said warily.

“The kid is six, Sienna,” Max said, rolling his eyes, amused. “His parents, however, are another matter.”

He unlocked the front door, and they walked inside. “It’s never a good idea to piss off a shark.”

That night Max tucked Noah into bed, handing him the stuffed dolphin plushie—a gift from Cassie—he refused to sleep without and switched on the night light.

“Hey, Dad,” Noah called out just as he started to close the bedroom door. “Were you ever bullied?”

Max turned back and sat down on the side of the bed. He reflected on the difficult conversation he and Sienna had with Noah earlier and thought being a parent was harder than anything else he’d done in his life.

“Yes,” he said. “Remember how Aunt Cassie and I lived in different places growing up?”

Noah nodded. “When you were little like me.”

“Yes. We were often the new kids in class, and sometimes that meant other kids would pick on us,” he said, keeping his tone deliberately neutral. “I remember there was this one kid who said we were lying about being twins because twins are always identical, and we were not.”

“Did you beat him up?” Noah asked with a frown.

Max grinned. “No. My dad taught me there’s only one way to handle people like that.”

“Grandfather Robbie?” he said in awe, eyes widening. His grandfather was one of his favorite people in the world.

At that moment, he looked and sounded so much like Sienna that Max felt his heart lighten. They had agreed before not to overwhelm Noah, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt for him to learn how to deal with bullies now.

“Do you want to know what your grandfather told me?” he said, smiling inwardly at Noah’s vigorous nod.

“Well, bullies like to see you react. It makes them feel powerful,” Max explained. “So, you ignore them. Turn your back and walk away, pretend you can’t hear them. They'll lose interest in you when they see their words can’t hurt you.”

Noah seemed to be thinking over the advice but didn’t say anything. Max lovingly stroked the side of his son’s face, adjusted the bedcovers and started to stand.

“I don’t want to go to Samuel’s birthday party because he’s mean,” Noah said, yawning loudly. “But all my friends at school are going, and I feel left out.”

“I know, and I’m sorry about that, Noah,” Max said gently. “Maybe we can do something special that weekend. You can invite your other friends, your cousins. Have your own party. Or we can go somewhere, maybe a weekend on the beach at St. T?”

“Can we go to St. T and Disneyworld?” Noah said excitedly. “It’s on the way, wouldn’t take long.”

“Both in one weekend? You’ve definitely inherited the Valentine overachiever gene, not to mention our art of negotiation,” Max chuckled. “But let’s pick one thing, buddy. Save the rest for another time.”

“Okay…” Noah yawned again and closed his eyes. “I’d rather have a party. And it’ll be even bigger and better than Samuel’s.”

Max coughed, swallowing back laughter at the stubborn determination in his son’s sleepy voice.

An overachiever and competitive to boot, he thought as he closed the door behind him. The kid was a Valentine through and through.

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