naomi-temel

[naomi-temel]

noelledupont​:

Good wine, no, the best wine with good friends was what Noelle worked so hard to enjoy. When Omi and her got to talking there was no knowing when the conversation would end. Especially if they were drinking. “Pfft, no. They’ll just be happy we’re not working.” Noelle snickered right along with the other woman bumping back into her. One of her eyes closed while she tried to focus on what Omi was saying and when it registered she let out a loud cackle. “Oui, yes, oh my-” she held her chest and gasped for air. “I can’t breathe.” Tears were starting to form in the crinkles of her eyes. “Aren’t they the best though? Such sweet humans. Why on earth are they with us?” She laughed again.

-

“Oh, Noelley, you really should try what I’ve been doing the past year.” Omi was certain she wasn’t slurring her words but she took her time to settle down in a comfortable position, ensuring no wine was spilled in her plop down. A true master at her craft. “I took a few steps back, not many, just...two and a half...two...ish. And oh it’s heaven. I couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s like retirement but...nicer because I don’t feel like a sack of useless bones.” she laughed which only got louder as she joined Noelle in imagining Andre in a wig. “He has the cheekbones too!” she squeaked before her laughter turned silent and she had to sniff and gasp for some air. “They’re far too sweet, I think we trapped them with our dazzling personality and now they realized there’s more than one, it’s too late.”

[naomi-temel]

yaseminxtemel​:

;

“He did.” Yasemin confirmed, nodding her head as she counted in her mind. “He said, shit. Yas, it’s me. I was trying to do the cute…sh- from the movies. I’ll pay for that.” she stated it almost word for word in a matter of fact tone. She didn’t know why Omi seemed so shocked, was four a bad number of dates? Were you meant to have more? But how were you supposed to fit in that many? She needed her routine as untouched as possible. “Um…yes, four. The Phoenix, Art Gallery, Drive in and then the dinner but I didn’t like that one very much because they made all the food touch on the plate.” Yasemin rambled and then nodded with a smile. “John is great, he was fun.” she chuckled, remembering the way he let her line up all his tools for him and pass them when he needed them. “Well, Ru is very sweet he’s kind of awkward and quiet but he’s nice. I think he’s a little self conscious but I’ve not said that because you’ve told me that’d be rude to point out.” she clasped her hands together. “At least it was a small stone?”

-

Omi chuckled warmly at Yas’ receiting and she nodded with a small grin. “He sounds eloquent.” she teased, because that wasn’t a requirement that Naomi actually cared about. She just enjoyed humor in all its form. Then, the mother nodded again about the dates as a softer smile appeared, she just hoped Yasemin was happy and safe, at the end of the day that’s all that mattered. “Sounds like he likes you a lot. What sort of Temel charm did you do on him? But, he’ll have to get better at choosing restaurants, huh?” she laughed. Yas’ observational skills always impressed Omi, because it just proved how much misinformation existed about her daughter’s diagnosis. Those cold and cruel assessments that claimed no social awareness or empathy. There was plenty, it just looked different. “Maybe that’s why he likes you, hm? You make him feel like there’s nothing he needs to be self conscious about. Not many people are like you, Yas. So, you can make him feel better about himself without saying it, you know? As long as you don’t forget what I always say. It’s not our job to fix people. Just help as they help themselves.”

[naomi-temel]

emiraxtemel​:

•

“I’m really not,” Emira grins, “your energy says forty-five tops,” she adds good-naturedly. “Besides, even if you were old, which you’re not, you don’t dress like it.” Her mom is one of the most fashionable people Emira knows. While her own wardrobe leans monochromatic, she learned how to experiment with clothes from Omi. “You definitely could. I say go for it. Maybe grab a business card when we leave.” She admires a lot about her mom but her tenacity and forceful spirit are some of the things she tries to emulate most. 

“Yeah, it’s all good. You don’t have to worry about me, Mama.” Despite the subtle, unwelcome ache in her chest, Emira seeks to reassure her mothers and sister that she’s fine. Because she is. Because she’s not even sad about…him. Because that would be stupid and foolish to have let her heart get tangled up in a web she’s already broken free of. And Emira is too smart for that. Emira takes a sip of her coffee and grins at the thought of her moms on the show. “Just remember it was my idea when. you win season five hundred and something. Yas is fine. She’s just, you know, into him I guess. I’m happy she’s happy.” It’s the closest she can get right now since she doesn’t really think Ruben is the best choice but also knows saying as much wouldn’t be productive in the least. “Big John reached out and said he can come on Monday to fix it.”

-

Naomi gently pats at her hair as Emira spilled the compliments, a little smug but playful smile tugged on her lips at the same time. “I wish these catch ups were a little more often if this is how you’re gonna keep starting them.” she laughed before sighing. “You’re only as old as you feel, I guess that’s what keeps me going.” she was a firm believer in it, and obviously the privileges she’s had in life certainly helped. “I think I will, maybe ambrosia will have a touch of Omi next time we come. Ambromia.” she winked as she bobbled her head back and forth knowing the joke would probably bring out some kind of smirk from her daughter.

“Oh I know, and you handled big old New York all by yourself so I don’t doubt it but what else am I gonna do with my time? You might have a kid of your own one day and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s not worry worry, it’s just a constant, I hope they doing good.” she smiled but she could see Emira had all of the head strong attitude she was raised around. In fact, both the Temel girls embodied it and that was exactly why Naomi knew they’d always be okay. “I’ll make a little sign like Emira Made Us Do It.” she laughed before humming about Yas. “I’m happy too even if I’d prefer it if she didn’t like someone who broke windows but hey, everyone deserves their movie moment, I guess? I bet she was unhappy about having to stop streaming.” she laughed knowing her daughter’s routine well, since it hadn’t changed for years. “Good luck to him, in fact, good luck to anyone who can deal with the two of you. Especially together.”

[naomi-temel]

@marikaxtemel

[naomi-temel]

marikaxtemel​:

“all of the years we’ve been together and you still start a sentence like that.” marika shifts to lay on her side, not exactly freaking out but an anxious wave making her concerned. she sighs when the news is not exactly news, laughing. “did you want us to raise two bigots that voted for a wall?” marika shrugs in gesture to the two of them. “wasn’t gonna happen, honey.” then the laughter hits again, in remembrance of the snow angel danny anderson left on emira’s birthday. neither her or omi have even talked about it with their daughter, not wanting to embarrass her but did she really think she’d sneak somebody in without even atlas noticing? “all we can do is hope they know when to back out if none of it serves them anymore.” marika says, reaching out a hand to take naomi’s. “it’ll be fine, southside isn’t exactly the wild west despite the stories, right?” she has no idea and doesn’t ever want to judge people based on stereotypes because if people did that to her, she’d have overalls and a toolkit. she does but that’s beside the point. “right?” she lifts her head up, worrying. “it’ll be fine won’t it? now look, you got me thinking what if the stone hit yas or emira and they’re adults.”

-  “Sorry, sorry. It was a figure of speech.” Omi laughed softly, tapping her wife’s hand that reached out for her. Her laugh only got louder at Marika’s very true statement and she snorted slightly, turning to face her. “Can you imagine if we did?” she gasped at the hilarity of it. “I mean, it’d make for interesting Christmases and dinner parties but my god, imagine the stress.” Omi chuckled warmly, tapping Marika’s hand again lightly. “We raised them well, honey. I’ve got nothing but trust they know what’s best for them.” she said, heartfelt and honest as she leaned back slightly to glance at the time. “Well, we missed our breakfast reservation.” she noticed, raking her fingers through her bed-head for a moment. “Eggs?” she then asked, looking back to Marika who she quickly noticed had gone on a little spiral. “Wild west? Marika, honey.” Omi said reassuringly, turning the full way again so she could face her. “It’ll be fine, worry is just love and you know what love does? It doesn’t control. You gotta redirect it. Yas is smart, Emira is smart. Sometimes I feel sorry for whoever thinks they’re brave enough to be with them. Thinking of it that way helps too.” she chuckled. 

[naomi-temel]

emiraxtemel​:

It had been a stretch to say she’d just gotten back but Emira doesn’t point this out as her mom coerces the couple rom the couch. “I don’t think anyone would ever call you old, Mama,” she says with a grin, taking the seat beside her mother, one leg tucked under the other. “But I agree. It’s like the hunger games to get these. I’m sure you could convince the manager to invest in at least one more.” If Naomi Temel is one thing, it’s persuasive. Emira can only hope to be half as convincing as her mom on a good day. She visibly brightens at the mention of her mother listening to her podcast and leans back in her seat, shrugging as she wraps decorated fingers around her mug of coffee. “Well, they’re not always about murder, sometimes they’re about mysteries,” that most speculated ended in murder, “or schemes or things like that,” she explains, though she knows what her mom’s getting at. She’s thrown herself into work these past two weeks, unwilling and unable to think about the way her chest feels tighter and her shoulders heavier with regret. And maybe sadness, though she’ll never admit as much to herself, much less her mother. “Yas and I have been watching that Amazing Race show. I still think you and mom should apply. You’d probably win.”  

-

“You’re just saying that ‘cause you have to.” Omi gave a playful laugh, getting comfortable right in the corner of the couch so she could angle herself to Emira. “That,” Naomi raised a finger to signal her point after he daughter spoke. “Is a good idea, my sweet. In fact, I could probably help them re-arrange all of this to get the optimal space.” she said, glancing around at the tables. The cogs were certainly turning and now Emira had possibly sealed their fate at this coffee shop, with Naomi asking who she needed to speak to before they could leave. “No, no. Of course not, but a little you time is always good. Helps with creative flow, too.” She wasn’t going to tell Emira how to structure her life but...it was hard to care and not seem overbearing. A difficult thing for any parent to balance. ���It’s all going good, though?” she asked, eager to know her daughter was living life in a way that served her. Naomi let out another bright laugh, readjusting the end of her blouse as she considered it. “Maybe twenty years ago, but we’ll have to watch it to be sure. Who knows, you might see us both on T.V. Little Yas is okay? After the whole...stone?” Omi could barely keep a straight face, but it was hilarious.

[naomi-temel]

at: the temel house @marikaxtemel​

-

“Don’t freak out.” Naomi approached the subject calmly as they rested in bed together, knowing that between the two of them they could both worry about their daughters. “But, I think we raised our girls to be a little bit too unprejudiced.” she added, even though there was no such thing. Glancing to Marika with a small grin, Naomi propped herself up on her elbows. “We have smart capable women as daughters who love men who make snowangels when they fall out the window and throw stones through a window.” the connection between windows wasn’t lost on her and she gasped, curiously. “I wonder if that means anything.” she whispered, mostly to herself. “Southside boys obsessed with windows?”

[naomi-temel]

marixwest​:

location: naomi and marika’s house 

starter for: @naomi-temel​

;

“Oh my God.” Mari jumped herself awake to the sound of her friend’s snoring. The blanket was half way to being a noose, her shoes flung to the other side of the firepit that was now lowly burning in comparison to the warm comforting flames they all fell asleep to. The aftermath of wine bottles said everything she needed to know. “Omi.” she whispered, not wanting to disturb Marika who was drooling. “Omi.” she tried again a little louder. “Omi, wake up.” she leaned up on the patio couch, scooting towards the other women. “Did we have a threeway? I’ve not done one of those since…well. Vegas.” she talked to herself but clicked her fingers. “Omi wake up.”

-

It always ended up the same way, the fire pit was destined to make everybody sleepy as soon as they sat around it. The wine helped too. From what Naomi could remember it was a fabulous night, with gorgeous food and copious amounts of laughter. She was already awake because of Marika’s head giving her a dead arm. “I’m up, funny-lady.” she responded quietly, but Mari didn’t seem to hear her. Carefully, she tried to not disturb her sleeping wife as she got free from the arm lock she was in, still trying to answer back to their friend. “If you can still walk, then we didn’t.” she laughed quietly, clambering over the large outdoor couch she designed. “Honey, I can’t say I’m awake any more times. I’m moving around right in front of you.” she waved a tired hand, the jingle of her bracelets making Marika turn over. “Ssssh...don’t wake the lioness. Let’s get breakfast.”

[naomi-temel]

yaseminxtemel​:

;

Yasemin didn’t really know who else to call, she figured her mama would know the best people to get a window fixed. “Does it help that he’s going to pay for it?” she flopped her head to the side, impressed at how the stone seemed to be perfectly thrown in the center of the window. She gave Naomi a wry smirk, knowing she hadn’t been forthcoming with Ruben’s existence. “I didn’t think it was worth mentioning, because it’s just been four dates.” she shrugged. “He’s the tall one that works at the post office.” Yas added, reluctantly giving the information over because she knew Omi had seen him when she came to collect her for coffee. “He wasn’t trying to do a romcom, don’t worry. He left his phone and wallet and keys in his car and his brother took off. And then he knew I hate the…” she pointed at the door. “The noise the thing makes.” Yas chuckled. “So it is kind of sweet?”

-

“I don’t know, sweetie. Maybe if he offered the second he put through the window.” Naomi smiled, walking through the living room to get her phone from her purse. “Four!?” she jolted, always forgetting that her girls were adults now and had a life of their own. Even when Emira was in New York, Naomi thought she knew everything that was happening. “Sorry, Yas honey. That sounds lovely.” she corrected herself, flipping through her contacts to find somebody that could fix up a window as soon as possible. “You mind if it’s Big John? He did your bedroom windows when we made them a crescent moon shape. Remember?” she asked, wanting permission to who was invited into Yas’ safe place. Then Naomi thought about the tall man, knowing Ruben Gray immediately just because of Emira’s taste for Danny Anderson. Where did it all go wrong? “Oh...well, color me surprised. And does this tall glass-smasher treat you better than he treats windows?” she tried to sound happy for Yas and she was, along side being concerned. Naomi glanced back to the window when her daughter called it sweet, trying to make sure she didn’t say the wrong thing. “That’s...one word for it.”

[naomi-temel]

at: noelle’s home @noelledupont​

-

The good thing about being friends with the DuPonts was the fact they always had wonderful wine to hand and Naomi was never going to say no to a French red. Poor Andre realized he had lost his wife to the sauce a bottle and a half ago, and Marika had received a wobbly worded text to let her know Omi was way too sozzled to get behind the wheel. “I wonder if we’ll be in trouble.” she snickered uncontrollably as she nudged into Noelle. “I mean, maybe not. We managed to marry the sweetest people. You know, I have a theory that if Andre...” she paused, to hiccup. “If you put Andre in a wig, he’d be Marika.”

[naomi-temel]

at: ambrosia, after securing the couch table @emiraxtemel​

-

Omi had a gentle way of getting things to go how she wanted. After a young couple beat them to the couches, she approached them regardless with her hand softly on Emira’s shoulder. She proclaimed her daughter was just back from New York City, they hadn’t had time to see one another and they were exhausted from the journey back from the airport. It absolutely was a lie which also homed a few truths and they got the couches to themselves and Omi was proud to get comfortable. “Sometimes a little smile can go a long way.” she smirked to her daughter, resting the coffee tray down. “You know, I don’t know why coffee places don’t have more than two couch tables. Because once an old lady sits in one of them it’s out for the count.” Naomi nodded over to the other one, where in fact an older lady was sat all by herself occupying it. Then Omi laughed. “Wait, I guess that’s me these days. The prophecy has been fulfilled!” she said gallantly. “Anyways, I heard your new episode, baby. Loved it. How do you find all this stuff? I hope you make sure to unwind and clear out that negative energy, always thinking about murder.”

[naomi-temel]

at: yasemin’s apartment @yaseminxtemel​

-

“Well, it’s not the worst thing a man has ever done in the history of things men have done.” Naomi said, hand on her daughter’s back as they both surveyed the hole in the window and the stone that was still resting on the floor. She took a few steps forward and bent down to retrieve it, offering it out to Yasemin on the flat of her palm. “So every time I’ve been asking what’s new with you, you didn’t think a guy willing to put a hole in the glass was worth mentioning?” she teased with a light laugh. “It’s easily fixed, baby.” Omi then added, pressing a kiss to Yas’ cheek. “And while I do that, you gotta tell me all about him and why he thought an 80s romcom was gonna work on you.”

[naomi-temel]

tracee ellis ross via instagram

[naomi-temel]

general:

Name: Naomi ‘Omi’ Temel Age: 60 years old Birthdate: Jan. 10th, 1963                                       ☼ Capricorn                                       ☾ Cancer                                       ↗ Scorpio  Born: Lockwood Springs, CO Occupation: Owner of Omi Homes Architecture Aesthetics: PINTEREST Likes: Karaoke, Kissing Marika, Her Family, Dinner Parties, Relaxed and Glamorous outfits, Gold Jewelry. Dislikes: Negative vibes, being told she can’t do something, pretentiousness, reading emails with a hangover.  Good Qualities: Creative, Free-Thinking, Loving Bad Qualities: Perfectionist, Persistent, Stubborn. Orientation: Lesbian, married to Marika Temel.

Naomi Jackson was born in Lockwood Springs to a playwright mother and illustrator father. Their unconventional lifestyle certainly impacted Naomi but in the most positive ways. In between the homemade dollhouses and intricate storylines, Naomi found a love for making buildings go from simple structures to foundations of emotions.

Knowing that she was going to work within architecture, Naomi went off to college in Denver but not without her best friend Marika Temel as her roommate. They still joke to this day that their experimental phase never ended and they ended up with their wedding rings and a home together accidentally. Of course it was far from an accident, it being obvious to everyone around them how madly in love they both are.

Building an architectural business from the ground up was no easy journey but Naomi made it look it all while renovating the rural home her and Marika purchased back in Lockwood Springs. Eventually the time came where the discussion of becoming a family was in the air. Overjoyed, Marika and Naomi looked into adoption but eventually began their IVF journey.

The treatment for Marika worked quickly and the couple were overjoyed when they welcomed Emira into the world. A few years later, they wanted to expand their family again but unfortunately Naomi’s treatment was consistently unsuccessful. They agreed for Marika to carry the pregnancy again, and their little family of three became four when Yasemin arrived.

Naomi doesn’t see her infertility as a heartbreaking journey, she’s a firm believer that the universe can give what we need instead of what we want and Emira and Yasemin are her daughters through and through regardless of the specifics.

Wanting the best for both of her girls has always been at the forefront of Naomi’s mind but she tries her hardest to navigate being supportive instead of overbearing.

These days, her company has wings all of it’s own and she can enjoy the fruits of her labor in a more relaxed environment. She hosts dinner parties which often come with copious amounts of wine and jazz music, a few interpretive dance routines from Naomi before falling asleep with blankets on the patio by the fire pit.