#10th Anniversary Wishes for Wife

[asim254]

10th Anniversary Wishes

10th Anniversary Wishes, Messages and Quotes It is said that time flies fast when you are in love, more so if you are married to the love of your life! Anniversaries are always a joyful occasion to celebrate for couples, but 10 years of marriage is something more special. Love language can be beautiful gifts or thoughtful words, and a 10th anniversary calls for the combination of both! Latest…

[oldmanyaoi-jpeg]

october 3rd is such a monumental date, so many historical events. among those, i'd like to wish a very happy 10th anniversary to cockroach wife ogtha and her loving husband

[moonferry]

Any idea on how KODI would spend their first anniversary after Kent came back?

we know it involves Starfruit,that’s for sure

SO. this depends on a lot of things:

- number one; do you mean when he came back in year two?

- number two: how old they were.

- number three: is the farmer around / does he have access to starfruit?

- number four: are they living in zuzu city?

in my mind (and according to the lore i've written for fsioy), kent went into service several times. this also means he came back several times.

the FIRST time he came back [july 20], he was eighteen years old. he had jodi had gotten married a few months prior [on april 10th] (nearly a week after his 18th birthday due to being drafted).

after he got settled back in, it was still ~9 months before their anniversary. * because kent left earlier than he should've due to reasons you'll have to read the fic for, heh*

at this point in time, they were still living in the city, so.. no farmer. however, if the traveling merchant was just starting her business of smuggling goods from the gotoro empire, kent may have stumbled upon it and bought the starfruit on a whim.

he then gives it to jodi and watches her eyes light up - i mean, it's been quite a while she she had starfruit. with war rations and how it was considered a "exotic fruit" of course, kent neglected to tell her just how he'd found it or how much he spent on it

( spoiler alert: jt was a LOT. he only bought it because, despite saving money for months in order to buy jodi a nice anniversary gift, he.. sort of.. forgot. until the day of. he bought it in a panic because he didn't want to disappoint her. he wasn't even thinking about the nickname at that point).

NOW, if you mean sdv years 2+, kent keeps this first anniversary in mind every single year.

he thinks about how excited jodi got when he gave her the fruit. he also knows that a new farmer has moved into town during his absence.

he goes to them in hopes that they have the fruit - despite how rare it is.

he doesn't care how rare it is or how much money he'll have to pay the farmer, he'd gladly do it just to show he cares about his wife.

so, the farmer brings him the starfruit and kent is like "hey! don't let jodi see." and he pays the farmer and leaves.

after this, kent waits until jodi leaves for her morning aerobics class (for purposes of this, their anniversary is on a TUESDAY).

he then goes into the kitchen and - after doing some careful research and getting some tips from evelyn on baking - he carefully cuts the fruit into thin, star shaped slices: he then sets a few aside and uses the rest to make a starfruit cake. (because he knows jodi loves sweets and mentions in the cookbook how she wishes the boys would cook for her)

after it cools, he grabs the starfruit he set aside earlier and uses them to garnish the top of the cake.

it looks something like this:

then, when jodi returns and she's exhausted from aerobics, kent wraps her in a hug and gently kisses her cheek.

jodi will protest, saying she's all sweaty from working out, but she will ultimately lean back into kent. (she just likes being held in his arms)

and kent will tell her he'll take care of dinner tonight because he knows how exhausted she is. (he makes baked fish!) he also wants to show his appreciation for his lovely wife.

so, jodi sits back and allows him to do this - just enjoying the moment of relaxation.

they eat dinner as a family and kent stands and makes an announcement - probably a short, sweet speech about how he's so grateful for jodi and everything she's done, then he motions to sam (whom he planned with earlier) and sam brings out the starfruit cake.

jodi is more than surprised. she is absolutely in awe. she can't believe kent did something this extravagant for their anniversary.

of course, jodi allows vincent and sam to get a slice before herself (and they sing happy birthday to vincent..**)

the entire time, she can't stop smiling and gently squeezing kent's hand. completely and utterly speechless.

kent just smiles to himself and then gently kisses her temple.

"happy anniversary, honey."

** oh yeah. their anniversary is spring 10, which is also vincent's birthday. OOPS. do with that what you will.. but most years they choose to celebrate vincent's birthday instead of their anniversary. they'll typically have a small gift exchange, but it's usually not this extravagant. they don't want to divert any attention from the birthday boy.

[crookshanksshipsdramione]

fluffy dramione story told through newspaper articles

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

this is part 5/ 10

Is there a new health crisis wihtin the Malfoy family?

Draco Malfoy seen entering St. Mungo's several times over the last weeks

London (2018). Apparently, Mr. Malfoy consulted none other than Hermione Granger, over concerns about his son’s health. Knowing what has happened to little Scorpius’ mother a few years ago, his precaution is probably wise. This newpaper was unable to find out what exactly is going on with little Scorpius.

Mystery surrounding donation to St. Mungo's solved

As this newspaper reported last week (August 2018), a large sum of money was donated to the Bugs ward of St. Mungo’s after month of fears over budget cuts which would have also put an end to a promising research project, led by, none other than the Hermione Granger. A spokesperson for the Hospital wasn’t ready to name the donor but confirmed the existence of a donation, big enough to keep the research running for decades. Investigative reporters of this newspaper can confirm that it was in fact Mr. D.L. Malfoy who made the donation. At this point it is unclear as to why Mr. Malfoy wishes to stay anonymous.

Daily Prophet

Society: The Potter family’s annual charity quidditch match:

One of the top events of the wizarding society, Potter's annual charity cup celebrated it's 10th anniversary this September (2018). Amongst the players were several big names: Harry Potter, his wife Ginny, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Victor Krum. As a surprise to many, amongst the crowd none other than don’t-are-about-quidditch Hermione Granger, was seen sitting next to George Weasley - who stopped playing Quidditch when his brother died. Ms. Grangers sudden interest in the game might have something to do with the fact, that afterwards she was seen in what looked to be an intimate conversation with Draco Malfoy – who, on top of that, beat Potter to the snatch at his own Quidditch event.

[raspberryconverse]

Amusing story of the day:

The holiday season after I finished my undergrad, I started working at Bath and Body Works. I had moved back in with my dad and few months prior with my tail between my legs (it was the start of the Great Recession) and was applying pretty much everywhere I had a vague interest in because I was unemployed.

Fast forward to 2016: I had just finished going back to school for an associates in Web Development that April. I worked a contract job that summer and left it early to work at my current job. The first weekend after I started my current job, I realized I just didn't have it in me to keep working at Bath and Body Works on the weekends. My bosses understood and asked me if I would stay on to do floorsets (periodic changes to all the tables on the sales floor). I said yes. I did offer to work some big days during the holidays too (Black Friday and "Candle Day").

In November 2018, I hit 10 years at Bath and Body Works. I had decided to hold out for that after my old boss (who oddly enough is actually the ex-wife of my sister's boyfriend of 8 years, which I did not realize until our mom died in 2017, not that you care) left to work somewhere else and realized on her last day she was so close to 10 years and kinda wished she had stayed on until then. Another floorset only coworker hit her 10 years and posted about how she didn't need to get married to get a nice set of pots and pans and that's what she picked as her 10th anniversary gift (we did get a nice set of pots and pans as a wedding gift, so I understand the excitement). So I worked Black Friday and "Candle Day" that year, but every time after that my boss texted to see who was available for floorset, I didn't respond.

Fast forward again to today. I've been at my current job for about 6.5 years. My whole team is contracted to the company where we actually work and they've been working on bringing us on as actual employees for years. The time has finally come, but since we're technically new employees, we still have to do all the silly new hire things, including a background check. This morning I got an email saying they were confused because their service says I stopped working at Bath and Body Works in April 2019, but I said I left in December 2018.

So I just had to explain to HR that I ghosted my very part time employer and after 4 month and they decided to stop giving me free stuff because I wasn't actually working for them. Whoops.

[latenightsleuth]

John Spira - STILL MISSING

DuPage County Investigators Seek Help Solving Myster Of John Spira, Missing Since 2007

March 5, 2020 at 11:16 am Filed Under:DuPage, John Spira, West Chicago

Image from: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/john-spira-missing_n_2065412

DU PAGE COUNTY (CBS) — DuPage County investigators are again seeking assistance as they continue investigating the Feb. 23, 2007 disappearance of John “Chicago Johnny” Spira.

He was last seen in unincorporated West Chicago. John Spira, who was 45 years old at the time of his disappearance, is five feet, nine inches tall, 165 pounds with brown hair and eyes. At the time, it was known that Spira was recruiting investors for business opportunities and start-up companies, police said.

His sister Stephanie McNeil told CBS Chicago three years ago that she has led searches and given interviews about her brother, hoping somebody will give her answers.

“It’s hard to talk about. And it’s funny, the longer that time passes, it almost gets harder,” she said at the time.

Spira was headed to Oak Brook and never made it, but his truck was still at the West Chicago cable company he owned, Universal Cable. He played area blues clubs with the Rabble Rousers band. He was a well-known guitarist.

The DuPage County Sheriff says Spira is missing “under suspicious circumstances.”

McNeil believes her brother is dead and that the wife he was divorcing knew something. But she died more than nine years ago.

“There are people out there who know. I feel like more than one person knows. And I really wish they would come forward, even anonymously,” she told CBS in February 2017, the 10th anniversary of her brother’s disappearance.

The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office is requesting that anyone who invested money with Spira to contact Detective Dave Chiesa at (630) 407-2364 or by email at david.chiesa@dupagesheriff.org

Read article in full:  https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2020/03/05/john-spira-missing-dupage-county/

[seaside-writings]

Hello, all you wonderful people!

I hope you're all ready for another super long prompt list because today is the 10th anniversary of the one and only "Gravity Falls" which to this day is still one of my favorite shows in existence.

The world-building and the characters are top-notch in my opinion, and it doesn't matter how many times I watch it, it never gets old and I doubt it ever will.

This amazing show that touched so people first aired in 2012 on June 15th, where it completely stole my heart thanks to a gnome puking up a rainbow.

Since then it's become one of my comfort shows and never fails to put a smile on my face, so celebrate "Gravity Falls" and all its weirdness, I've made this prompt list of all of my favorite bits of dialogue from every character.

I do hope you all enjoy this prompt list, and if it doesn't help you write, I at least hope it makes you smile and gives a little bit of nostalgia.

I hope you all stay blessed and safe throughout your day.

Lots of Love & Wishes: Celia 💙

Prompt List:

"You think the world makes sense? NOTHING MAKES SENSE! SO YOU MIGHT AS WELL MAKE NONSENSE!" - "You're scared. Of growing up. And who could blame you; I'm scared, too," - "Remember! Reality is an illusion, the universe is a hologram, buy gold, bye!" - "Three, four, five, six," "Your wife is going to be beautiful!" "Yes!" "Come on, we've got a big break in the case!" "Let's go!" "But will she love me?! - "Romance is like gum: Once it's lost its flavor, you just cram another one in." - If you accidentally eat the prize that comes inside your cereal, does that make you a specially-marked box?" - "He's looking at it, he's looking at it!" "Uhh, do you like me? Yes, definitely, absolutely?" "I rigged it!" - "Do we have a ladder?" "Studies show owning a ladder is more dangerous than a loaded gun. That's why I own ten guns, just in case some fool tries to sneak in here with a ladder," - "You! You can't even imagine what you just cost me! Do you have any idea what I'm like when I'm mad?" - "Is this legal?" "When there's no cops around, anything's legal!" - "Dude, am I a side character?" - "Hey, hey! Let go of my sister!" "Oh, hey there. You know this is all really just a big misunderstanding. You see, your sister's not in any danger. She's just marrying all 1,000 of us and becoming our gnome queen for all eternity. Isn't that right, honey?" "You guys are butt-faces!" - "The future is in the past. Onwards, Aoshima!" - "For one trillion years I've been trapped in my own decaying dimension, waiting for a new universe to call my own," - "Ugghh... I'm never gonna eat or do anything ever again," "Hey! There's still some left!" "EVIL!" - "But you can call me your new lord and master for all of eternity!" - "Songs are like hugs that mouths give to ears!" - "Now, who wants to put on some blindfolds and get into my car?" "YAY!" "Wait, what?" - "I must warn you, these statues come at a terrible price," "Twenty dollars?! I'll just take 'em when you're not lookin'," "What?" "I said I was gonna rob ya," - "You can't force someone to love you. The best you can do is strive to be someone worthy of loving," - "Time is dead and meaning has no meaning. Existence is upside-down and I reign supreme. Welcome, one and all, to Weirdmageddon!" - "Maybe that old guy was crazy after all..." "He did use the word "scrabdoodle"..." - "I don't know. I was in the friend zone, and then he pulled me into the romance zone! It was like quicksand!" - "He thinks there's no heroes in this world, but if we work together and fight back, we can defeat him. You wanna be her hero? Stand up to that psycho, and let us save her!" - "How many of these did you eat!?" "Beleven.. teen..." "Oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man," - "You really think you can outwit me, boy? I'm Sherlock bleeding Holmes! Have you seen my magnifying glass?! It's enormous!" - "Face the music, kid. You got no muscles, you smell like baby wipes, and let's not forget last Tuesday's... incident. - "Child, why have you come here? "Multibear, I seek your head! Or, one of them, anyway. There's like...six? Six heads?" - "What was that about?" "Nothing. I don't want to talk about it. Talk about what? Why is this table wet?" - "Food!" "Thanks there, sugar pot. I-I mean honey wasp, kitten baby, b-baby cow," "Ha! Silly... so silly," - "Okay, I'm not actually laid back. I'm stressed, like, 24/7. Have you met my family?" - “Stay curious, stay weird, stay kind, and don't let anyone ever tell you you aren't smart or brave or worthy enough," - "I'm legalizing everything!" - "We're gonna have to break in," "And here are your balloons; blue and pink!" "We're in," - "Oh, look. The "constable!" What are you gonna do? Throw me in "ye stocks?'" - "If you're watching this, you are one of eight people in these United States with clearance to view this information. In fact, I myself will be shot once the filming is complete. What? We're not doing? Ha! Well, that's a relief!" - "He is such a jerk," "Yeah, but he's a jerk with tight pants and a guitar," - "I just wanted to tell you that everyone makes mistakes. And when they do, you should forgive them. And also that tight pants are overrated," "Dude. You lost me," "I know," - "You're under arrest for violation of the Time Traveler's Code of Conduct," "It was those kids! And their leader, Waddles!" "That's a pig," - "You can hide, but you cannot hide!" - "I'll get you for this! I'll go back in time and make sure your parents never meet!" - What's going on out here, dudes? I heard a ruckus. Heh-heh, that's a funny word. "Ruckus"," - "I ate a man alive tonight," - "No, buts except yours out the door. now shut your yap and get to work," - "Well, we're still here," "Guess he forgot to go back," - "A darkness approaches. A day will come in the future when everything you care about will change... Until then I'll be watching you! I'll be watching you..." - Today, I learned that morality is relative!" - "I think I'm gonna go stare at a wall for a while and rethink everything," - "Why sweetheart, I wouldn't hurt a hair on your itty-bitty head. If you agree to be my queen!" "NO! Never! I will fight you till the day I- Gummy Koalas!" - "Oh yeah, this is gonna be your worst plot yet. They're fine; I saw them playing in the yard minutes ago," - "I was awoken by the sound of mockery. Where is it? Show me the object of ridicule!" - "Ow!" "I high-five hard," - "You know, kids? I've been thinkin'. At the end of the day, Summerween isn't about candy or costumes, or even scaring people. It's a day when the whole family can get together at one place and celebrate what really matters... PURE EVIL!" - "I'm giving none of this to charity!" - "YOU CAN RUN, BUT I'LL STILL BE IN YOUR NIGHTMARES!!" - "Maybe this is one story we should keep to ourselves," "Agreed," - "Yeah, dude. That sounds science-y enough to be true," - "Ah, the pool! Sparkling oasis of summer enchantment!" "Yeah, nothing like sitting in a moist tub with strangers. It's like the bus but wet." - "I am the lifeguard. I make the rules, sucka! Boosh!" - "Why would a sun need to wear sunglasses?" "It's best not to think about it," - "Wow, you work here?" "I found out lifeguards get free snack privileges. Plus I get the best seat in the house," "Yeah, you do!" - "Yes, yes... burn the child!" - "How long ya in for?" "Two hours for roughhousing, but I'm innocent!" - "Finally, a good reason to punch a teenager in the face! Let's roll!" - "I have never met anyone like you," "Me too. Except for a zombie, a gnome, and a couple of cute vampires," "I don't remember the vampires," "I don't tell you everything!" - "Well if it makes you feel better, the apocalypse is comin' soon! Bury your gold. You've been buying gold, right?" - "Me? Nothing. This? I was just eating some sour candy...so my lips did that...because the candy was so sour," "Can I have some candy?" "...No," - "Road safety laws prepare to be ignored!" - "Wait a second! Is something rooting through our trash? Hey, hey! Get outta here! Darn beautiful men always eating out of my trash. Wait what?" - "You can't put him outside! There's predators! And barbecues!" "That's just the natural order. It's not my fault your pig's potentially delicious!" - "Oh, I get it. You're trying to guilt me! Well, it ain't working, pal! Who cares if you're her favorite thing in the world? I can live without the kid talking to me all the time. Telling me her jokes... making me laugh," - "I've been cheating the last eight turns," "Haha, that's my girl," - "Here! Deer teeth! For you, kid!" - "Gimme that back or I'll..." "Or you'll what, boy? You'll what? Huh? Huh!? No muscles, no brains - face it, you're nothin' without this!" - "The entire lower half of your body is on fire," "Shhh... we're having a moment," - "Karaoke isn't about sounding good. It's about sounding terrible together," - "All right, you undead jerks, you ready to die twice?!" - "What is the ONE thing I asked you NOT to do tonight? "Raise the dead," "And what did you do?" "Raise the dead," - "Hey, well at least you can't deny that magic exists anymore, right? "... Kid, I've always known," "What!?" - "The only wrinkly monster who harasses my family is ME!" - "I'm not an idiot, kid, of course, this town is weird and the one thing I know about that weirdness is that it's dangerous. I've been lying about it to try to keep you away from it, to try to protect you from it. Looks like I didn't lie well enough," - "They're slow! Just power-walk away from them!" - "Dude, you're laying on my bra," - "Man, these movies are a lot less scary when you've actually fought real zombies," - "They sure are taking their time in there," "Didn't he say something about a monster!?" "Oh, no! I thought he was joking!" "You know his jokes are terrible!" - "You think you're so clever, don't you? But you have no idea what you're up against. You will never find the author! If you keep digging, you'll meet a fate worse than you can imagine," - "Would it be wrong to punch a child?" - "Don't stay up all night. The last time you got this sleep-deprived, you tried to eat your own shirt," - It was just a job, kid! No hard feelings. And I've been keeping an eye on you since then, and I must say, I'm impressed! "Really?" "Yep, in fact, you deserve a prize! Here, have a head that's always screaming!" - "I'm gonna stop you! I'm going to find that journal before you do, and I'm gonna stop you!" "Heh, but how can you stop me...if you don't exist?" - "Did he just make out with his puppets?" "I might've dodged a bullet there," - "The point is, I like you. How's about you let me give you a hint, huh? I only ask for a small... favor in return," "I'd never do a favor for you! Don't forget who defeated you last time!" "Right, you "defeated me". Well, if you ever change your mind, I'll be here for you, ready to make a deeaaal," - "Movies are great! You watch the movie, you scare the girl, the girl snuggles up next to you - next thing you know, you gotta raise a kid, your life falls apart... Forget that last part," - "Well, that just put me 90 minutes closer to death. Time you kids learned to watch the classics from my day," "Ooooh, old people movies! Get ready for references we don't understand and words we can't repeat," - "Love God! sign my face!" "Only if you sign mine, baby! LET'S GET WEIRD!" - "You're the worst," - "Just gotta splash this sucker with some anointed water and he should be out of your probably fake blonde hair," - "I was right about you all along. You're just as bad as your parents. Another link in the world's worst chain!" - "Look at who you're talking to, boy. I'm hosting a party for the most powerful people in the world. You think they'd come here if they had to rub elbows with your kind?" "My kind?" - "A forest of death, a lesson learned! And now the manor will BURN!" - "Hey, ugly! Over here! You want me to let in the townsfolk? 'Cause I'll do it! Just change everyone back!" "You wish to prove yourself? Pull that lever and open the grand gate to the town! Fulfill your ancestors' promise!" - "Is this thing broken?" "Our family name is broken! And I'm gonna fix it!" - "Ow! Hot Belgian waffles! Wait, I'm alone. I can swear for real! SON OF A..." - "I wanted to say that you're gonna hear some bad things about me, and some of 'em are true, but trust me—everything I've worked for, everything I care about, it's all for this family!" - "Is this the part where one of us faints?" "Oh, I am so on it, dude," - "What...? W-who is that?" "The author of the journals... my brother," - "You owe us some answers: What's the deal with this portal? Why did you keep this a secret?" "And what happened between you and your brother?" "I hope all of this aligns exactly with my fan-fiction. If not, I will be very disappointed," - "Greetings. Do kids still say greetings? I haven't been in this dimension for a really long time," "Whoa, a six-fingered handshake? It's a full-finger friendlier than normal!" "Heha, I like this kid. She's weird," - "Look, you gonna explain what's going on, here? You're acting like Mom after her tenth cup of coffee," "Listen, there isn't must time. I've made huge mistakes and I don't know who I can trust anymore," "Hey, uh, easy there. Let's talk this through, okay?" - "I'd lost him. I didn't know if he was dead or alive in some distant galaxy, but I knew his journal must have the answer to getting him back. Somehow," - "No, no! You don't understand what I've been through! I've been to prison in three different countries! I once had to chew my way out of the trunk of a car! You think you've got problems? I've got a mullet!" - "That's IT?! You finally want to see me after ten years, and it's to tell me to get as far away from you as possible?!" - "Have you come to steal my eyes!?!" - "My boy, do you know what this means? We must stop everything I've been working on at once... and PLAY!" - "Kids, if I die, make sure I get a bigger tombstone than my brother," - "Look, it's time we stop trying to be so "perfect" and be who we really are. We're crazed, angry, sweaty animals! We're not unicorns, we're WOMEN! AND WE TAKE WHAT WE WANT!" - "You lied to me! Where does that portal really lead?!" "Hoho! Looks like Mr. Brainiac finally got smart! Let's just say that when that portal finishes charging up, your dimension is gonna learn how to party! Right, guys?" - "MONEY!" - "TV lied, man! If you can avoid growing up, do it! I'd give anything to be twelve again," - "Well, it's a horrible opportunity for me! I had the worst day of my life! When we turn thirteen, summer ends and I have to leave everything behind. You're the only person I could count on, and now you're leaving me too?!" - "Look, things aren't gonna stay frozen this way. It's part of growing up. Things change. Summer ends," - "At last! At long, long last! The gate between worlds has opened! The event one billion years prophesied has come to pass! The day has come! THE WORLD IS FINALLY MINE!" - "I'll die before I join you!" - "Open up! This is the police. Time Police!" "Just play it cool, ditch the time-punch. Let me do the talking," - "This is crazy! I'm sorry about our fight, and I'm sorry things aren't great right now, but that doesn't mean you can stay in here forever!" - "Look, real-life stinks sometimes, okay, I'm not gonna lie. But there's a better way to get through it than denial, and that's with help from people who care about you," - "I thought you were living a fantasy, but look at me! I actually thought I was gonna stay here and be his apprentice! Spend my entire teens cooped up in a basement with a lab coat? How ridiculous is that? I don't know what's gonna happen in the future, but whatever it is, you don't have to fear because we'll do it together. I'm not taking his apprenticeship. We've traveled to Heck and back to get you and we're goin' back together. Leave this fantasy world. Let's beat this and grow up together," - "You mean it? You're really coming home with me?" "Yes. Definitely. Absolutely. Awkward sibling hug?" "... Sincere sibling hug," - "Aw, man, I never noticed how bright this place is, ugh! Have I actually been listening to the same song for an entire week?" - "Since the Mayor got captured, I elected myself de-facto Chief. The plan's to stay in here and eat brown meat until we run out. Then I vote we eat the gnomes," "Hey! I'm short, not deaf!" "Shh, shh! Stress will make you chewy!" - "You're insane if you think I'll help you!" "I'm insane either way, braniac!" - "Well, would you look at that! Those kids really care about you. And you care about them. DON'T YOU?!" - "Ohh, I can't believe this! The kids are gonna die and it's all my fault! All because I couldn't shake your stupid hand! Ugh, Dad was right about me. I am a screwup," "Don't blame yourself. I'm the one who made a deal with that psycho in the first place. I fell for all his easy flattery. You would've seen him for the scam artist he is," "... How did things get so messed up between us?" - "Do you really think he's gonna make good on that deal?" "What other choice do we have?" - "Heh-heh! Do a pretty good impression of my brother, don't I? Switch clothes and no one can tell us apart! Welcome to my mind. Surprised you didn't recognize it," - "Oh, yeah. You're goin' down. You're getting erased. Memory gun. Pretty clever, huh?" "Y-you idiot! Don't you realize you're destroying your own mind too?!" "Eh. It's not like I was using this space for much anyway," - "You're making a mistake! I'll give you anything! Money, fame, riches, infinite power, your own galaxy! Please! No...! WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME...?!" - "Hey, look at me! Turn around and look at me, you one-eyed demon! You're a real wise guy, but you made one fatal mistake: you messed with my family!" - "MY TIME HAS COME TO BURN! I INVOKE THE ANCIENT POWER THAT I MAY RETURN!" - "Heh. Guess I was good for something after all," - "You're a hero," - "We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when, oh I know we'll meet again some sunny day," - "Being a hero means fighting back even when it seems impossible," - "If you've ever taken a road trip through the Pacific Northwest, you've probably seen a bumper sticker for a place called Gravity Falls. It's not on any maps, and most people have never heard of it. Some people think it's a myth. But if you're curious, don't wait. Take a trip. Find it. It's out there somewhere in the woods, waiting,"

[chibitorra]

I usually never share my writing, but I really wanted to write a story based on the bizarre situation I’ve found myself in irl with someone I love that seems to have a lot of similarities to Charles’ past.

For context, irl I have the same name and similar appearance to his ex-wife, who he found out cheated on him. So, I’m doing the same with my farmer insert and Charles. Obviously, my name isn’t Taylor, but I wanted to give my farmer insert a gender mutual name, since it seems they’re trying to keep Charles’ ex gender neutral. 

It would be really cool if they wrote Charles a bit more scared when things start getting romantic... actually focus on the trust issues and trauma he probably has from having his trust betrayed by someone he loved. And his fear that it’ll happen again. He starts to get there when he talks about how lonely he is in the winter, but I guess we’ll see when the new heart events get released. 

Anyways, here’s a snippet of a story I’m calling Kintsugi Hearts. If you don’t know what Kintsugi is, look it up, it’s really cool. 

Taylor peered in the glass doors of the doctor’s office, and her heart sank when she saw the front desk was empty. Sure, sometimes Charles left the office to get some fresh air, or even get his hair worked on next door, but the fact that he wouldn’t talk to her last night… well, it made her worry to say the least. Taking a deep breath, she pushed in the door as the familiar chime of the bell sounded.

“Just a second, I’ll be right with you!” she heard Yuri call out from the back, but no Charles. She approached the counter and glanced at his computer, which didn’t even appear to be on. Her heart sank further.

Finally, Yuri popped her head around the corner to see who was visiting their humble office, and her face brightened when she gazed upon Taylor. There was something off about her smile though, she noted, like she was feigning her warm exterior.

“Taylor, hello! Here for some more vitamins?”

Taylor rubbed her arm nervously. If she didn’t know about her crush on Charles, she was about to figure it out. “N-no��� I actually came here to see Charles. Is he in?” she asked her.

Yuri’s face fell for half a second, something Taylor would have missed if she had blinked, before lighting up again in that false smile.

“Sorry, Charles is out today, he wasn’t feeling well… Pollen n’ all, y’know?”

Taylor sighed. Of course. “It’s always something,” she muttered half under her breath. If it wasn’t his stomach, it was his damn pollen allergy, or his bad back, or… something. It was always something. He was avoiding her, and she wished she knew why.

“Why don’t you come back tomorrow? I’m sure he’ll be back in by then,” Yuri offered. Taylor shrugged, knowing her disappointment was showing on her face. “Okay.”

She turned to leave, when something peculiar caught her attention, making her pause. The small desk calendar Charles kept next to his computer was still in April. That’s odd, she thought, with it already being the 10th of May. Charles was usually really good about keeping up with the calendar. Yuri took notice of her pause, and tilted her head.

“Is something the matter?”

“Oh—Sorry, it just looks like Charles forgot to change the calendar, that’s all. I can fix it.”

Yuri was eerily quiet, and this time she didn’t even try to hide the gloom on her face. Taylor reached over and flipped the page over to May, and suddenly a lot of things made sense. She realized with a jolt why he never responded last night, why he always seems so wishy-washy as of late… why he hated springtime.

It wasn’t about the pollen. It never was, she realized as she gazed upon the hastily scribbled words over the current date… words which had also been scribbled out in red ink.

“May 10th. Anniversary.”

[colorisbyshe]

"; I will just link y'all to my wishlist or to a song I want everyone to listen to." Can I have a song to listen to or playlist rec I don't want to send discourse to get it

Yeah! I'll just rec a bunch of different things cause idk what type of music you like!

"Cypress" by Sarah Kinsley has a fun mixture of ethereal vocals and kinda discordant, retro instrumentals.

"That Girl" by Bree Runway gets the bass bumping! It's not my fave song by her but it's 2 minutes long, which means it's an easy enough sampler for her ~vibe. I can recommend other songs if you like her, lol.

"Leggo" by Exid is my fave song off their 10th anniversary mini! Just an energetic kpop song

If You wanna just lay down and feel a bit melancholy but still want a transcendent sound, not just weepy acoustics, "Heaven's Only Wishful" by MorMor is incredible.

Similar vibe but more synth heavy, I guess, like same nostalgic mood but more... electric is "Formentera" by Metric.

Not feeling like lying down and staring at your ceiling fan for hours? Wanna rage? Bringing back a true classic... learn to sing along to BYOB by System of a Down. (We are all collecting ignoring Serj's emabrrassing NFT fueled behaviour.) The screaming can be a bit abrasive but that guitar (bass?) is sooo good. And the song is evergreen in terms of relevance.

That too much? Wanna be fucking silly instead? Wanna bop around to a song in a Japanese and perk up because the only lyrics you can sing along to are "Chicky chicky bang bang," "?????? tEQUILA!," and "HA HA HA!" Then have fun to this song from an anime I have never and will never watch. (On Apple music it's titled chikichikibanban by queendom but idk what other platforms call it.)

Or maybe you want an 8+ minute song with lots of horns and groove. "Street Player (Dance Mix)" by Chicago might do it for you. Or you might prefer the original R&B version of the song by Rufus and Chaka Khan. Or maybe you want a less disco and more modern dance club version of the song... well, the sampling in The Buckethead's "The Bomb!" is superb. 1995 isn't recent enough, you like the sample well enough, but wanna know what it'd be like if a Dua Lipa knock off interpolated it? Deep Down is for you! Have any entire Street Player-evolution playlist.

So... yeah! If y'all want recs, TELL ME WHAT SOUNDS YOU'RE INTO!

Want abrasive dance music? Got you.

Want syrupy sweet pop music? Sure.

Want a song that steals the bassline from the transition music in Ouran High School Host Club to make a subpar indie boy song? Oddly enough, I have that.

Wanna to know the song that was playing as the DJ called my best friend NAD HER WIFE over to cut the cake while me and my tablemates went NO FUCKING WAY THIS SONG??????? IN 2022??? Yeah. No escape from this song.

Or maybe you just want some chill instrumentals that still manages some forward momentum and headbops. Here ya go.

Ask and you shall receive.

[yuta-senpai]

Deceit Chapter 1 | Hendery

- Genre: Smut

- Warnings: Mentions of infidelity, lying, degradation, mirror sex, restrained hands, choking, unprotected sex, and mentions of divorce

- Word Count: 2.6K

Previous | Next 

You sat on the couch waiting for your husband Hendery to get back from work.  He was late as always, and tonight you had dinner plans for the 10th anniversary of your marriage which it seems like he forgot about.  You understood that being the CEO of an entertainment company required a lot of time and work, but this was not his first time missing plans and not even telling you he would be late.

He was officially 4 hours late and you had missed your dinner reservation, you were tempted to change and just go to sleep, but you wanted him to see what he missed out on.  You were pulled away from your thoughts when you heard the front door open and a soft giggle.  You stood up from the sofa and walked over to the door.

Hendery was standing there with his arm around his secretary, his eyes wide, then a big smile spread across his face, “Hehehe hi princess.  You look good.  Why you so dressed up, just want me to eat you up?”

You were wearing a tight pink dress, a white lace bra, and thong set underneath.  Pink was his favorite color, you weren’t crazy about it but would wear it for him.

His secretary bowed and apologized, “I’m sorry he went out for a meeting and got way too drunk on Soju.” You arched your eyebrow, “So he had a business meeting?  Would have been nice for him to tell me that.” She seemed annoyed, her eyebrow twitching, “I’m sorry it was last minute, did you two have plans for tonight?”

You nodded then sighed and walked over, taking his arm and helping walk him to the living room to sit on the couch.

“Thanks for bringing him home, I’ll deal with him.” She bowed again then left quickly.  You had always known he was fucking her behind your back, she was trying to win him over and she had won.  You understood why, Hendery was attractive, young, and rich.  He was only 32 years old.  You two met when he was 20, dated for 2 years, then got married and have been together ever since. 

Hendery underestimated your intelligence, thought that you wouldn't notice him coming home later than normal, him smelling like perfume, the lipstick marks on the collar of his shirts, and his sudden loss of desire to sleep with you.  He seemed to forget you were a college-educated woman with a full-time job, not just some naive housewife who would just take it.

You stood over Hendery who was slouched back on the sofa smiling really big. 

“You are just too pretty my princess, so perfect.  I love you so much, and want to love you forever.” He opened his arms to pull you down into his lap.  You shook your head ‘no’ and sat down on the table behind you.

He pouted, “Why do you not wanna sit on me?” Tears welled in your eyes, he really had no clue what today was, he had no clue why you had dressed up, he was too busy fucking his secretary, but you weren’t going to cry in front of him so you pushed the tears away.  You used to love him but he hurt you too much.

“Do you not remember what today is Hendery?” He thought for a moment, “Hmmm Saturday?” You rolled your eyes, “Yes but do you have an idea of what the date is?” He thought again and his face fell, “May 4th” You nodded and he seemed to sober up, “I’m so sorry princess, work has just been crazy and I forgot.” He leaned forward and grabbed your hands but you pulled away, “Sorry isn’t going to work anymore Hendery.  This keeps happening, you should just go to your secretary, you spend more time with her anyway, I don’t even know why we are married anymore.” He looked at you with sadness in his eyes, his breathing quickened.  “Y/N I can’t lose you, because I need you.  You are the air I breathe, the blood in my veins, and just my everything.” You noticed he just ignored the secretary comment which pissed you off and the way he seemed completely sober now as if he was faking being drunk, “You are a fucking liar.  You are only afraid of losing me, because I am always here for you, always putting up with your shit.  You don’t care that it’s me only that somebody is here for you.”

He took your face in his hands, his eyes watering, but no tears falling quite yet. 

“Please Y/N, don’t leave me.” Tears slid from your eyes as you finally broke down, he leaned in and kissed the tears away.  He hovered over your lips and eyed you as if asking for permission to kiss you.  

You knew he didn’t deserve it, and it would only hurt you more, but figured having sex with him one last time wouldn’t hurt.

You closed your eyes and he took that as a ‘yes, connecting his lips with yours.  He pulled you onto his lap, holding you close to him. He kissed down your neck pausing every couple moments to speak, “I - will - make sure - you know- just - how much - I - love you.”  

He slid your dress up your thighs and over your ass.  “Look at those pretty panties, I love them, you really know how to drive me crazy, but would rather see that pretty pussy of yours” He laid you down on the couch, and slid your underwear off, throwing them to the side.  

“I’m gonna make tonight all about you princess.  Make sure you feel good.”

He held onto your right leg, then kissed down from your ankle all the way to your inner thigh he lingered on your inner thigh, sucking and leaving a couple of hickeys.

He then kissed all the way down hovering over your core, he stared into your eyes then kissed your clit.  

A soft sigh left your lips, and you let both of your legs rest on his shoulders.  He focused on your clit, alternating between lightly sucking and licking.  You moaned and clamped your thighs around his head.  He chuckled which vibrated against your core making you shudder, “Don’t suffocate me down here princess, although at least I’d be dying because of your pussy.” You rolled your eyes and he smiled at you, then went back to work on your clit.  He was more aggressive this time, trying to work your orgasm out of you.  He backed away and licked his middle and ring finger on his right hand then slid his fingers into you.  You dug your fingers into his hair and moaned.  His fingers curled up inside you rubbing against the most sensitive spot and his tongue ran perfectly across your clit, electrifying your bundle of nerves.  You pulled on his hair and moaned, “Ahh right there Hendery.”

He let his tongue lap at that certain spot and made sure his fingers curled against the spot.  Your toes curled and your eyes rolled back into your head.  Your thighs clamped around his head as you came.  He stayed working on those spots, working you through your orgasm. 

Even if Hendery was basically shit at the husband thing he always knew how to make your orgasm.  Once you came down from your high you released your grip on his hair and opened your thighs.  Hendery looked up and smiled at you, his face covered in your juices.  He wiped his face with the back of his hand.  You smiled back making him crawl up your body and kiss you.  He hovered over you, then backed away, standing up.  He leaned down and picked you up in his arms, carrying you bridal style.  You giggled and wrapped your arms around his neck.

You thought he was carrying you to the bedroom but he turned down another hall.  You knew where he was going, he hadn't brought you here in months.  He pushed the door open and flipped the first switch. The room filled with a dim red glow. 

You looked around the room and sighed.  Hendery when you two were dating was all up for experimenting and loved the kinky side of sex, just like you.  So when you two got married and moved here he put together this room as a sort of a sexual retreat.

He sat you down on the floor.  Then walked over and flipped a light on so that there was a brighter glow from the floor by the mirrors. 

He walked over to you slowly, he untied his tie as he walked over.  He looked at you closely, eyeing your body like an animal ready to pounce. 

"On your knees now princess.  Face the mirror."

You got onto your knees and looked at him in the mirror.  He crouched down behind you and lifted your dress over your head leaving you just in your white lace bra.

He kissed your shoulder and wrapped his arms around your waist looking at you in the mirror.  You watched him closely, the way he touched you was just as loving as ever.  You had no doubt Hendery still loved you very much but he didn’t love you enough not to cheat.  He wanted to be married to you and have your love but he wanted to get the sex from somebody else.

He kissed along your neck leaving a few hickeys, then he unhooked your bra letting it fall.  He bit his lip, “Fuck, you are so sexy, princess.” He eyed the new large tattoo adorning your underbust and raised his eyebrow, “When did you get that?” You sighed, “Several months ago.  You would have known if you ever wanted to see your own wife naked.  I tried to ask you about your opinion but you ignored me.  Then when I decided to just get it, you never even gave me the chance to show you with all of those last nights at the office.” He looked sad, you think deep inside he knew he had lost you, that this was a goodbye.  He lost all of those wishes of having children, growing old together, and the broken promise of ‘till death do we part. 

*Flashback*

You laid on Hendery’s chest listening to the beating of his heart.  His hand slowly stroked your head. 

“I love you so much Y/N” “I love you too Hendery.  Forever and always.” You looked at him and he smiled, “Forever and always.” He kissed you and pulled you over to straddle him.  “I can’t wait to grow old with you, raise children together, and just be with you forever.  I don’t know how I will function in life without you, you are the only thing I will ever need.” *End of flashback*

It hurt you, you remember how just a few years ago things were so different.  You wanted to hope it would work, but nothing could repair this broken love.

He gripped your hands, “Can I tie your hands?” You nodded and he took his tie and wrapped it around your hands restricting you.

He helped push you forward, your face pressed against the floor and your ass in the air.  You watched in the mirror as he undid his belt and slid his slacks and underwear just far enough down to pull his dick free.

“Aren’t you going to get undressed?”

“Why?  I said tonight is about you.” You sighed, “But you know I like your body and I haven’t seen it in months.” “I don’t want to, now don’t ask again or I will be rough.” It felt degrading and not in a good way.  He didn’t even go to the effort to take his clothes off for you, and it made you feel like just a hole for him to fuck, not his wife.

He lined himself up with your core and sunk into you.  A deep moan left his lips and you whimpered.

The angle making his thrusts feel more intense since he didn’t give you a chance to adjust to his size.

You closed your eyes and bit your lip, “Eyes open princess, watch me fucking you, remember who your husband is and who this pussy belongs to.  Let me hear those moans.”

You opened your eyes to see Hendery’s jaw held tight in pleasure, his eyes dark, his hair perfectly framing his face,  his right hand pushing against your hands tied behind your back, and his left hand against your hip.  

It did annoy you that he claimed you as his but was out cheating, but you knew one of his kinks was claiming you and you used to love that but not anymore.

“Look at how beautiful you are full of my cock, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” Your face flushed, he moved his hand from your back to your hair, pulling you up against him.  Your back pressed against his chest and your breasts bounced with each thrust.  His hand wrapped around your throat.  He pushed on your carotid artery, closer to your ear, restricting the blood flow to your head making you feel light-headed.

Strangled moans escaped your lips.  Watching him fuck himself up into you was hot, his brow set in determination. 

His left hand moved down to your core, his fingers rubbing against your clit.  Your body jerked and he chuckled lowly in your ear, “Too much for you princess.  Can you not handle my cock?” You whimpered, “Ahh yes, of course, I can.  I don’t think you can handle this pussy and that’s why you cheat.” He snarled and started thrusting up into you harder, his grip on your throat tightening.  You had made him angry, and this further proved he was cheating, if he wasn’t he would have tried to reassure you he wasn’t.

Your hands pressed against his abs through his shirt as they were still tied up.

He bit down on your neck sending a wave of pleasure through your body.  You tightened around his member as you came, he grunted and had to slow his thrusts to not finish yet. 

He released his grip on your throat and slowly pulled out from you.  He held you against him so you could catch your breath.

“You did amazing princess.”  He kissed your cheek

He untied your wrists and just held you in his lap for a moment.

“Princess, I want you to ride me.” “Okay” You got off his lap and he helped you up, leading you over to the bed.  He laid down and pulled you down on top of him. 

You hovered over his dick then gripped it and guided it into you.  You both moaned and he gripped your hips. 

Leaning forward you braced yourself on his chest.  Watching him now made you wonder where things went wrong, what made you two grow apart.  You could still feel the love, like there was no doubt in your heart that Hendery loved you and always would but somewhere along the way he lost whatever had drawn you to each other.  

You held his shirt and went to unbutton it wanting to see his chest and abs one last time.  He gripped your hands, “I said no.” You raised your eyebrow then quickly grabbed the neck of his button-up, ripping the buttons off as you pulled his shirt open.  His chest and neck were littered with hickeys, not from you, and very fresh.

You froze and he held onto your wrists.

“I-” He tried to pull you down to hug you but you fought back.  You got off him and rolled down beside him. 

“Hendery I want a divorce”

[twwpress]

Weekly Press Briefing #16 - October 9th - October 15th

Welcome back to the Weekly Press Briefing, where we bring you highlights from The West Wing fandom each week, including new fics, ongoing challenges, and more! This briefing covers all things posted from October 9 – October 15, 2022. Did we miss something? Let us know; you can find our contact info at the bottom of this briefing!

Challenges/Prompts:

The following is a roundup of open challenges/prompts. Do you have a challenge or event you’d like us to promote? Be sure to get in touch with us! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

Trope Soup: A Josh/Donna Tropes Fest is open for prompt submissions and claims. The deadline was extended and fics will be revealed on Saturday, October 22. Learn more here.

The October 20 prompts in 20 days are up on Tumblr.

Big Block of Cheese Day is celebrating its one year anniversary with October’s prompts. 

 Photos/Videos:

Here’s what was posted from October 9 - October 15.

Janel Moloney posted a photo of some artwork of her dog, Ollie, given to her by her sister.

Rob Lowe posted pictures from the Los Angeles Dodgers game 1 | 2

Marlee Matlin posted photos from the Family Style Food Festival.

Marlee Matlin posted photos of her late parents and a tribute to them.

Marlee Matlin posted a video for National I love you Day.

Mary McCormack posted a photo of herself and Bradley Whitford during the run of Boeing Boeing, along with a birthday wish.

Richard Schiff posted a photo of himself and his wife along with a birthday wish for her.

Richard Schiff posted a photo of himself and Bradley Whitford along with a birthday wish for Brad.

Richard Schiff posted a video encouraging people to get involved with Bluein22.

Elisabeth Moss posted clips from The Handmaid’s Tale 1 | 2 (and a behind the scenes video.)

William Duffy posted a video and a birthday wish for Bradley Whitford.

Kim Webster posted a birthday wish for Bradley Whitford alongside a video from The U.S. Poet Laureate.

Donna Moss Daily: October 9 | October 10 | October 11 | October 12 | October 13 | October 14 | October 15

Daily Josh Lyman: October 9 | October 10 | October 11 | October 12 | October 13 | October 14 | October 15

No Context BWhit: October 9 | October 10 |  October 10 (2) | October 10 (3) | October 11 | October 11 (2) | October 12 | October 12 (2) | October 13 | October 14 | October 14 (2) | October 14 (3) | October 15 | October 15 (2)

@JanelMilfoney: October 9 | October 10 | October 10 (2)| October 11 | October 12 | October 13 | October 14 

@down_brad_: October 9 | October 9 (2) | October 10 (1) | October 10 (2) | October 10 (3) | October 11 | October 12 | October 13 | October 14 | October 15

Edits/Artwork:

#ALLISONJANNEY: the west wings reigning milf by zieglercregg [VIDEO EDIT]

#CJTOBY: i can’t make it go away by making you a villain by jenniferjoIie [VIDEO EDIT]

#SAMDONNA: two pretty best friends! by piketrickfoots [VIDEO EDIT]

 Miscellaneous:

Janel Moloney wished Bradley Whitford a happy birthday (and the internet lost its mind).

Bradley Whitford’s film Rosaline premiered on Hulu on October 14. Watch a clip featuring Brad here.

Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro is hosting a virtual fundraiser featuring cast members from The West Wing on Sunday, October 16 at 4PM Eastern Time.

Creator Spotlight:

Each week, we will talk to a fandom creator and interview them about their work and their process. We’ll also give you the opportunity to ask them questions, too! Want to be a featured creator? Find us via one of the methods listed at the end of the briefing!

This week’s creator is @zieglercregg on twitter and crossingdelancey on ao3. You can find the spotlight on tumblr or on twitter.

 Shout-Outs:

This is where shout-out members of our fandom (and the people who brought us the show, in one way or another). Got a birthday coming up? Did a friend start their first watch-through of the show? Let us know! Contact info is at the bottom of this briefing.

Happy birthday (October 10th) to Bradley Whitford! 

This Week in Canon:

Welcome to This Week in Canon, where we revisit moments in The West Wing that occurred on these dates during the show’s run.

Season 1, Episode 4: Five Votes Down aired on October 13, 1999.

Season 3, Episode 1: Manchester Part I aired on October 10, 2001.

Season 4, Episode 4: The Red Mass aired on October 9, 2002.

Season 7, Episode 3: Message of the Week aired on October 9, 2005.

Editor’s Choice:

Happy birthday to Bradley Whitford! Last week, we featured fics about Donna’s birthday in honor Janel Moloney, and this week we’re featuring fics about Josh’s birthday in honor of Brad.

... and many more by kiss_me_cassie | Rated G | Josh Lyman & Danny Concannon | Complete | What is it with women and birthdays anyway?

my whole heart (will be yours forever) by hanyolo | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | Leah sighs, beleaguered and impatient, in a way that’s definitely more him than Donna for once.

“That was before. Now I want a clown.”

“Are you sure?” Josh asks her. “What about a magician? Or the guy from the zoo who brings all the animals? Or, hey, what about a motivational speaker?”

But he can tell he’s gone too far, Leah’s bottom lip quivering dangerously as she blinks up at him, her wide blue eyes brimming with tears.

“I want a clown,” she tells him, pleading and sad. “Please, daddy.”

And really how can he say no to that?

// j/d kid fic with some plot, some vibes, hella fluff. or: josh hires a clown for his daughter’s birthday and it brings up some stuff

Birthday Surprises by Christina [archived by westwingfanfictioncentral_archivist] | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | It’s Josh's 40th Birthday

need you like cake on my birthday by thotsandfeelings | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete | “Josh, this is the first time I get to celebrate the way I always wanted to.”

i'd rather be there next to you by iwasfollowingyou | Not Rated | Josh Lyman/Sam Seaborn | Complete | josh isn't a fan of birthdays. until he is (just once).

Fics:

Presenting your weekly roundup of fics posted in the tag for The West Wing on Archive of Our Own. If you are so inclined, please be sure to leave the authors some love in the form of kudos or comments. Be mindful of posted warnings/tags for each story.

Josh/Donna

Running Mates by pipisafoat | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete red lights, stop signs by thefinestmuffins | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete The Tenant by electric_eel | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

this is the wonder (that's keeping the stars apart) by joshatella (shuuuliet) | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

i love the way that you try by fleurfemme  | Rated M | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

always thinking you're behind me by cleansl8 | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

the kinktober drabbles by flowersinapril, hanyolo | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | In Progress

i’m singing like a bird about it now by jimhopper for swancharmings, scullymuldrs | Rated E | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss | Complete

Other Pairings/Gen Fic

it started off with a kiss... now it ended up like this by imawkwardlysoc | Rated G | Sam Seaborn/Original Female Character | In Progress

different than before (after the sky) by jazzjo | Rated G | C. J. Cregg/Kate Harper | Complete

eppur si muove by jazzjo for rearviewmirror | Rated G | C.J. Cregg & Donna Moss (no pairings listed) | Complete 

Mistletoe by krazykitkat | Rated T | Danny Concannon/C.J. Cregg | Complete

slow down (you crazy child) by Khoshekh42 | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Sam Seaborn | In progress 

 Multiple Pairings

responsa by jazzjo | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, C. J. Cregg/Andrea Wyatt/Toby Ziegler | Complete

(back turned) towards the sun by jazzjo | Rated G | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Ainsley Hayes/Sam Seaborn, C. J. Cregg/Andrea Wyatt/Toby Ziegler | Complete

interlude by jazzjo | Rated G | C. J. Cregg/Toby Ziegler, Andrea Wyatt/Toby Ziegler | Complete

31 Days of Halloween by sam_writes_fics | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Abbey Bartlet/Jed Bartlet, Josh Lyman/Sam Seaborn, C. J. Cregg/Toby Ziegler | In Progress

Remember Me by mlea7675 | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Zoey Bartlet/Charlie Young | Complete

Not Quite the Parent Trap by eowyn_of_rohan | Rated T | Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Ainsley Hayes/Sam Seaborn | In Progress

Red, White, and Boo by fleurfemme (Scream crossover) | Rated M |  C. J. Cregg/Toby Ziegler, Josh Lyman/Donna Moss, Dewey Riley/Gale Weathers, Ellie Bartlet/Sidney Prescott | In Progress

THE WEEKLY PRESS BRIEFING TEAM CAN BE REACHED VIA THE FOLLOWING METHODS:

Twitter: @TWWPress

Email: weeklypressbriefing@gmail.com

Feel free to let us know if we missed something, if you have an event you’d like us to promote, or if you have an item that you’d like included in the next briefing!

xx, What’s next?

[thewales-family]

HAPPY 10TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY TO THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE ♡ -April 29th 2021.

I wish them lots of happiness and love for the next years and decades. I can't believe it was 10 years ago. I remember watching their wedding day when I was only 9 years old and didn't know who this beautiful couple was but I immediately fell in love with them. Catherine was breathtaking, literally gorgeous as well as William. William was impatiently waiting his future wife and when he finally discovered her in a stunning wedding dress, he told her "You look beautiful" and she smiled at him. When they went in the carriage, Catherine asked her husband "Are you happy ?" and he replied with a smile on his face "I'm just so happy you are my wife". Also do not forget that William literally broke the protocole to kiss his wife twice on the balcony, instead of once. This day was truly iconic and we will never forget it, everything was just so perfect ♡.

[royal-confessions]

“Sussex PR team working fast again to make sure it’s public that Harry and Meghan *privately* wished William and Kate a happy 10th anniversary. Why is this a headline that needs to circulate? Again another leak, and separately, it’s siblings wishing a happy anniversary. Hardly news-worthy anyway.” - Submitted by Anonymous

“Literally every time something happens with the BRF (no matter how small), we get articles about how Meghan and Harry “privately wished the x a happy birthday/anniversary.” We been knew their PR works overtime but it’s still so annoying. I just looked up Kate and Wills to see their engagement pics (so pretty btw!!!) and instead got more articles planted by Meghan and her team. They need to give it a rest and stop inserting themselves into every little thing” - Submitted by Anonymous

“So Meghan and Harry wished Will and Kate and private congratulations for their wedding anniversary, but then had a spokesperson publicly confirm it?! Either make a public statement or don’t....it just really never makes sense with these two I swear 😂” - Submitted by Anonymous

“I’m confused...if Meghan and Harry were treated badly by Kate and William, why is their spokesperson telling the media that they congratulated them on their 10 year anniversary? Why are they reaching out to the very institution they claim to hate? I thought they were toxic? Seems to me like some people aren’t ready to let go of that royal connection” - Submitted by Anonymous

“So allegedly Harry and his wife PRIVATELY sent wishes to William and Kate on their Anniversary. And do you know how I found out? HELLO Magazine and its sister publication HOLA. How can anyone seriously believe these two do not leak to Papers, Mags, Gayle-Oprah, and best friend Omid? I know Harry is unable to do this without crayons but does Megs know how to spell the word PRIVATE? Or even understand the meaning of the word. I doubt this even happened and the RF could care less if they ever heard from them again. But Harry and his wife definitely need the RF connection. Happy Anniversary to both Wm and Kate. I am wishing them so publicly.” - Submitted by Anonymous

“It´s embarrassing to see how desperate the sussexes are to insert themselves in the news cycle concerning the BRF and to show they still have contact with them by issuing statements informing the public at large that they are congratulating them for this or that occasion, or sending a wreath or a letter or whatever. Why the need to highlight these private interactions? Geez.” - Submitted by Anonymous

[before-we-get-started]

Safe Landing

One shot that is my entry to @what-is-your-plan-today’s #CATFA 10th Anniversary Challenge

Story:  You’re facing the most difficult time of your life and you’re doing it without the person that means the most to you.  Will your seatmates on an important flight help you make it through?

Pairing:  Steve Rogers & Ransom Drysdale x Reader (plus a surprise special appearance!)

Warnings:  Bad language, light smut, angst

10,000+ words

There’s not going to be a safe landing.

It was the unknown that was the hardest.  The what if.  What if you’d taken the time to slow down?  What if you’d given more than you took?  What if you’d appreciated it, not taken it for granted, not just assumed that it would always be there?

You were alone now.  You didn’t have anyone.  It was probably what you deserved.  You’d persevere, you always had, but knowing you wouldn’t have to if you’d been better caused your heart to clench.

The longest flight of your life was coming to an end, and you considered the travelers making this journey with you by chance.  You’d all shared a row on the plane that was taking you to meet your fate.  One - cynical, crass, growing up longing to be loved, incapable of committing, but under it all, possessing a fierce loyalty for those he deemed worthy.  The other – a gentle, loving soul, committed to service with honor and willing to give all, not just for those he loved, but for the greater good.  They were complete strangers who had seeped into your soul, spirits that would forever fill you, thoughts of them making you smile.

For better or worse, they’d helped you navigate the mine field that was your future. Now you’d endure the unbearable wait, the long walk, watching others unite with loved ones, hoping that maybe, despite all odds, there would be a reunion for you too.  You hoped the soul-soothing moments you’d shared with these two travelers over the last three hours would ease you into whatever awaited you at the airport gate.

Despite everything, you wished he’d be there.  

Three hours earlier

“Thank you for flying National Airlines.”  You forced a smile at the flight attendant as you boarded the plane.  It was going to be a full flight and you were stuck in a middle seat.  Appropriate, given the mood you were in.  You waited impatiently as everyone made their way down the aisle, hoisting bags that were too large to fit in the overhead, straps smacking you as they did.  You pitied your seat mates. You were in no mood for idle conversation. Your temper was wearing thin.

Finally reaching row 12, you were thrilled that no one else had arrived. You plopped into your seat, pulled out your compact and opened it, and grimaced as you took a quick look.  There were circles under your eyes, telling everyone you’d not slept well for days.  You’d definitely lost your sparkle.  You swiped some powder over your nose and ran gloss over your lips, something to make you look less stressed.  You opened your backpack and got a whiff of your grandmother’s scent. You ran your hand over her letter, lingering.  With a sigh, you took the cell phone, headphones and book out of your bag, tucked the letter into the book and stowed the bag under the seat in front of you. You found your seat belt and clicked it, giving it a tug.  Whoever was sitting by the window would have to step around you, you weren’t getting up again.  Music on, book open, you pushed all the sad and empty thoughts aside and got lost in another world.

Within a couple of minutes, you heard shouting and pulled off your headphones. 

You looked up to see a tall man in a blue cashmere sweater and gray silk trousers with his finger in the face of an attendant.  

“Let me tell you something.  You don’t know who you’re fucking with.  Drysdales don’t fly fucking coach – ever.  I’ll sue you and I’ll own this stupid airline.”

“Mr. Drysdale, I’m sorry.  This was the seat that was chosen when the ticket was purchased,” said the flight attendant in a surprisingly calm manner.  “This is a full flight and there is no room for you to upgrade to first class.  And despite what you may think, I had absolutely nothing to do with how the ticket was booked, nor do I have any ability to change the fact that you are in seat 12D.  Now, can I help you stow your bag?  I’ll have a cocktail cart here for you soon.”

You thought he might continue the fight, but he didn’t. Instead he slammed his jacket down on the seat next to you and made a show of slinging his bag into the overhead, muttering a string of expletives the entire time.  Then he looked down at you.

“Just fucking awesome,” he said angrily, picking his jacket up and wedging into the seat.  He was tall and he worked to figure out how to fit his long legs in the legroom designated for the impoverished that were banished to coach.  He sighed in disgust, his knees against the seat tray.  

You studied him for just a second, not wanting to stare.  He had a strong profile, chiseled jawline, dark blonde hair perfectly styled.  His skin was gorgeous, with a slight hook in his nose.  You looked down and caught how his biceps were stretching the sweater a bit and his big hands with long slender fingers settled in his lap.  He smelled of expensive cologne – musky and woody, and he probably had a cigarette before he came into the airport.  He laid his head back against the seat and closed his eyes.  You took the hint and put your headphones back in, finding the folded page corner in your book.

Within a minute or so, you were aware of a buzz among the other passengers.  You paused the music and pulled out a headphone, looking around and listening.

“I’m certain that’s him,” whispered the woman behind you.  

“No way.  There’s no way Captain America is sitting in coach,” said her husband.

“Do you think he’d take a selfie with me?” said their daughter.

You couldn’t see anything down the aisle and certainly didn’t want to stretch into your neighbor’s seat space given his attitude about having to fly with the peasants.  No need to stress about it though, because the overhead light was suddenly blocked out by an incredibly wide set of shoulders.  The tall blonde man looming over top of you in the aisle took your breath away.  Ice blue eyes, those shoulders as broad as a building, a t-shirt that was screaming to break free from the massive pecs, abs and biceps it struggled to cover, and jeans that hugged his tree trunk thighs.  You weren’t sure how this guy made it through the door of the plane, let alone how he was going to fit into a seat.  

“I’m sorry,” he said to Mr. Attitude next to you.  “I’m the window.”

“You’ve gotta be shitting me,” said Mr. Drysdale.

The blonde adonis just smiled and apologized again.  “Sorry, I should’ve already been seated, I got held up in security.”

The crab apple next to you rose and stepped out into the aisle. They were both the same height, and you took a long look, your breath catching in your throat.  There was a lot of handsome man standing in the aisle, and they were getting ready to make a hottie sandwich out of you.  You quickly unsnapped your seatbelt and stood so the blonde god could get past.

“Hi,” he said, a smile that revealed his pearly whites taking your breath away again.  “I’m so sorry, promise you won’t have to get up again.”

“No worries,” you barely squeaked out as that incredible ass in those tight jeans brushed past and slipped into the window seat.  You sat down, your arms at your sides, absolutely no room on the armrests for you with all of this man surrounding you.  Holy shit.

You looked to your left and the blonde extended a hand. “Steve Rogers,” he said, that million watt smile on again.  

“I’m Y/N,” you said, feeling the warmth and strength of his hand. How in the hell had you ended up on a flight next to Captain America?  You didn’t think anything could change your mood, but maybe you were wrong.

He extended his hand across you to the aisle seat occupant.  “Steve Rogers,” he said in his sexy baritone. Mr. Drysdale raised an eyebrow in annoyance and hesitated, then quickly shook his hand.  “Ransom Drysdale.  And I shouldn’t be sitting in this seat,” he said sourly.

Steve raised an eyebrow at you and grinned, unsure what to think about your seatmate.  You shrugged and smiled.

“We’ve been cleared for takeoff. Be sure your seatbelts are fastened, all items are stowed and tray tables are up.  We’ll be taxiing out to the runway in a few minutes.” The flight attendant walked up the aisle, making sure all the overhead compartments were secure.

You were glad you had pulled what you needed from your bag when you sat, because it would take a can opener to pry you out of your seat at this point.  You opened the book again and tried to concentrate on the words.  Captain Rogers was settling into his seat, turning off his cell phone and trying to pull the seatbelt around his waist.  With some effort, you finally heard it click.

“These seats are incredibly tight.  I’ve never flown coach before.  It’s crazy how little room there is.”

“Tell me about it,” said Ransom, rolling his eyes.  “When I get home, I’m firing my assistant over this reservation and making sure no one else will ever hire her,” he snarled.

You tried looking back and forth during the conversation, enjoying the view, but even that movement was difficult.

“So I thought Avengers traveled by quinjet,” you said to the captain.

He smiled at you.  “We normally do, but I had to get out of town quickly and there wasn’t one available. My wife is having early labor pains and I need to get to her as soon as I can.”  There was worry in his blue eyes.

“Oh, I love your wife,” you said.  “She’s amazing.  She has raised so much money with her foundation, done so much for so many. She’s an inspiration, and a badass,” you added.

He chuckled.  “Well, her badass days are behind her.  Being a mom kind of makes that difficult.”

You smiled at him and shook your head.  You were conversing with Captain America about his family.  Had this day taken a turn or what?

“I can’t believe they couldn’t find you a private plane or something,” said Ransom.  “I would’ve bitched to the airline if I were you.”

“It’s hard to find air transportation right now with all the events happening here and the weather cancelling flights.  I’m just grateful that I got what I got.  The doctors gave her something to slow her labor so I should get there in plenty of time,” said Steve.

“It’s your second, right?” you said.

“Yes, we have a son.”

“Do you know what you’re having?” you asked.

He smiled broadly, all the way to his eyes.  “It’s a girl,” he said, and you thought about what a lucky little girl she was to have a daddy so thrilled to be having her.  It wasn’t that way for everyone.

The plane jerked a bit as it began backing away from the gate.  You laid your head back against the seat, fighting the anxiety that was suddenly overtaking you.  You’d only flown a once before and you’d found taking off and landing nearly more than you could take.  On that flight, he was with you, his hand over yours, whispering in your ear that it would be ok and “I’ve got you, baby girl.”  You closed your eyes and smiled at the memory, imaging him next to you.  Then just as suddenly, the memory of him pressing you against the wall, kissing you with abandon flooded your brain and your eyes flew wide open, your body jerking a bit.

“You ok?” Steve asked.

You could feel the heat rise in your neck.  “Yes,” you said shyly.  “Just not a fan of takeoffs.”

“Flying is the safest form of transportation,” said Ransom matter-of-factly.  “You’ll be fine.”

You looked over at him, that chiseled profile staring straight ahead, a scowl on his face.  He’d better watch out or he’d freeze that way.  You grinned at the memory of your grandmother telling you that every time you rolled your eyes.

Steve reached over the armrest and took your hand, covering it with his.  “Flying isn’t my favorite thing either,” he said with a smile and you wrapped your fingers around his thumb.

The flight attendant announced that the cabin was secure and takeoff could commence and the plane slowed, stopping to let another plane pass. The engine whirred and the plane jerked forward, gaining speed, the noise louder and louder.  You squeezed Steve’s thumb a little harder and he returned the squeeze, holding your hand tightly in his big warm one.  The plane began to lift, knocking you back slightly and you went with gravity, straightening your back and laying against the seat, eyes closed, working on breathing normally.  It was unnerving feeling your body lifting from the seat a little.  The loss of control made your heart race, but gently, as the plane rose and then leveled off, your body was once again calm.

You looked over at Steve and he gave you a reassuring smile. “Thanks,” you said softly.  You let go of his thumb.

“No problem,” he said softly, pulling his hand away.  

“My boyfriend normally does that for me,” you said.  And, you were sad again.

“Is that where you’re traveling, to see him?” Steve asked.

You chewed on your bottom lip, looking down at your lap.  “No, my grandmother passed away and I’m going to sort out her home and belongings,” you sighed.  “He won’t be there.  He’s done with me.”  

“What does that mean?” asked Ransom.

You sighed.  “It’s kind of a long story.”

“Well, we’ve got three hours to kill,” Steve said with a smile.

“Jesus Christ,” muttered Ransom, pulling out the airline magazine in an attempt to disappear.

Steve nudged your elbow and smiled.  “Tell me about him.”

You smiled.  “I’ve known him since second grade,” you smiled.  “We started dating in seventh grade.  He’s the only guy I’ve ever been with.”

Ransom let out a disgusted laugh next to you.  You looked over at him.  “Not a romantic, Ransom?”

“Uh, no,” he sputtered.  “Hell no.  Seriously, how old are you?”

You told him your age.

“Jesus, and you’ve only ever been with one guy?  That’s ridiculous.”

You felt Steve’s hand pat your arm.  You looked at him and he rolled his eyes, looking at Ransom.  “I think it’s great you’re with your school sweetheart,” he said.  “You must have some pretty strong feelings for him if you’ve been that loyal to him.”

“I do,” you sighed sadly.  “I thought he was my forever.”

“How can you possibly know that?” said Ransom.  “He’s the only guy you’ve ever been with.”

“I just know,” you said.  “We have a history.’

“Tell me more,” said Steve.

“Well…”

“Where is she?”

“She’s up front, sitting on the pew.”

“What’s going to happen?”

“I heard she’ll go with her grandmother.”

The chatter continued at the back of the church just after the funeral had ended. Sitting all alone in the front was an 8-year-old girl in tights, a black velvet dress, black patent shoes and a bow in her hair.  A large spray of pink tulips flowed over the edge of the oak casket in front of her.  

While the adults gossiped, an 8-year-old boy in a suit and tie emerged from the back and walked up the aisle.  He stood at the edge of the first pew, then sat at the end and slid down until he was next to the girl.  He took her hand in his and when she looked at him, he gave a gap-toothed smile. “It’s ok Y/N.  I’ll take care of you.”  The little girl smiled back.

 “My grandmother passed away last month,” you told Steve.

His blue eyes showed concern.  “I’m so sorry.”  He patted your arm.

Ransom let out a sarcastic chuckle.  For someone who didn’t want to talk, he was finding his way into your conversation.  You turned your face to him, unsure what type of asshole laughs at someone’s death.

He looked at you and immediately his face was serious.  “I’m sorry too,” he said.  “I was laughing because my grandmother was the only person on the planet that ever gave a shit about me.  She was the most amazing person I ever knew.”

You couldn’t help but feel for him, despite his incredibly rough edges.

“Well, my grandmother was really amazing too,” you said.  “She got stuck with me when I was little and she did a great job raising me.”

You’d moved in with her at an incredibly difficult time.  Your grandfather had passed less than a year before, and then your mother, her only child.  Taking you in was never in doubt, she would do so gladly, but it was a challenge that she struggled with many times.

Enter him.  He was only a child, but he had, as they say, “an old soul.”  He became your constant companion and a fixture in your grandmother’s home.  You could feel her tension ease when he arrived.  For a little while, she didn’t have to worry if she was making the right decisions for you, bridging the generation gap.  When the two of you were together, you were in sync and well behaved.

You told them how, from the time you moved in with your grandmother, he became your protector.  He walked you to and from school every day, carrying your lunchbox so you could pick flowers along the way.  At recess, he ran to the teeter totter to save it until you got there, and when you climbed on a swing, he pushed you so high you felt like you were flying.

You played baseball with boys until sixth grade and he was always on your team.  When you made the cheerleading squad, he helped you learn all the cheers and during the game, you’d see him on the sidelines with the team, miming your cheers from memory.  

His family was difficult.  His father drove a truck all over the country and was gone for long periods of time.  His mother liked to drink, a little too much, and wasn’t always kind to her children. Despite her treatment, her neglect of her children, he had grown up well-mannered and respectful.  You liked to think your grandmother had a lot to do with that.

“I lost my Ma when I was in my teens,” said Steve.  You knew his story, and that he would have lost her decades ago, but losing your mother was still hard.

Ransom scoffed.  “I should be so lucky,” he said under his breath.

You looked at him.  “Did you just wish your mother dead?” you said sternly.

He looked at you.  “Trust me, the world would be a much better place,” he muttered.

You glared at him for a minute, then turned your attention back to Steve.

“My mom was wonderful,” you said, the memory of her flooding your mind. “She was that mom – the one that did all the fun stuff.  She was creative and an incredible cook and her house was open to everyone.  She was just, she was the best,” you said, tears creeping into your voice.  You felt Steve’s arm push into yours just a bit, the contact easing your sadness.

“My mother is a spoiled rotten bully.  All she cares about is spending money and making people think she’s better than everyone,” Ransom spat out.  “I honestly don’t know why she even had me – actually, I do.  She wouldn’t be nearly as happy if she didn’t have the opportunity to tell me what a disappointment I am every occasion she gets.”

“She sounds like a character out of a movie,” you said.

He looked at you.  “Absolutely fucking no one would watch that movie,” he said deadpan.

Steve cleared his throat.  “So, when did you and your boyfriend get serious?”

“I think we just always knew we’d be together,” you said.  “We were inseparable and we loved each other from that moment in the church.  No one ever invited just one of us to something, it was always both of us.”

“That’s special,” said Steve.  “Some people never find their soulmate.  I was so lucky to find mine when I did.  She helped me discover the world when I came out of the ice.  She’s truly the better half of me.”

You couldn’t help but poke the bear a little.  “Ransom, you’ve never been in love?  Ever?”

He looked at you and rolled his eyes.  “Nope,” he said, popping the P.  “Love is for fools.  Life is too short to be with one person.  There’s a buffet of beauty out there and I’m happy to be the first in line.”

You looked at Steve, who was suppressing a little smile.  “You just haven’t found the right person,” he said, also poking the bear a bit.

“There is no ‘right person’ for me, of that I am sure,” he spat. “I’m fine taking care of me. Don’t need to worry about anyone else expecting something from me I can’t give them.”  He was back to looking at his magazine, acting disinterested. “Besides, anyone that claims to ‘love’ me is lying – they’re really only in love with my money.”

“Aw, Ransom,” you said with a grin, “are you saying you’re not lovable?”

“Wouldn’t you like to find out,” he said in a deep, flirty voice, and for the first time, he smiled.

You could hear Steve chuckling softly next to you.

“Y/N, he’s here!”  You could hear your grandmother’s voice from the bottom of the stairs.  You looked in the full length floor mirror one more time. She’d spent hours making your prom dress, just like you’d asked.  It was a beautiful coral color, strapless with a beaded bodice and lace around the top and bottom.  It flared as it reached the floor, and you poked your pink-painted toes in strappy gold heels out from under it.  Around your neck were the pearls your mother had gotten from your great-grandparents for her high school graduation.  Your hair was half up with braids on either side joined in the back with a ribbon clip, the rest down in waves on your shoulders.  

Waiting for you was the guy you wanted to spend your life with.  Every moment with him was special.  Your love for him had blossomed and thinking of a future with him filled your heart.  Tonight, you were sure the two of you would come together in a way you never had. You were ready, past ready, and you knew he was too.  What you felt for him was so deep, you wanted to give him all of you, and you knew he’d take you, just as you are, and cherish you.

As you descended the stairs, he looked up at you and you thought, this must be how the bride feels when her groom sees her for the first time.  He consumed you with his eyes, taking you in from head to toe. With three steps to go, he stepped forward and reached for your hand.  He was so warm and he pulled you to him, a hug and sweet kiss to your glossed lips.  His smile was contagious.  

“You’re my dream,” he said, placing a corsage around your wrist, a pink tulip (your very favorite) in the center.  “Let’s go so I can show you off.”

When you walked into the gymnasium, you saw the looks you got.  Girls were wearing expensive dresses from the best designers, hair and makeup done professionally.  You knew your dress wasn’t as nice and that you stood out in comparison.  But he made you feel as if you were more.  He danced with you all night, making sure to stand in the center of the dance floor so everyone could see you.  “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered in your ear. “You’re exquisite.”  As you both worked the room, talking to friends, he would start the conversation with “how did I get so lucky?” or “look at my beautiful girl.”  You were so happy to be on his arm, by his side.

The evening flew by, the last song played by the DJ, and kids started filing out of the gym. You were sad to leave but your entire body was tingling with anticipation.  He opened the door to his dad’s car for you and as you drove away, you wondered if he was as excited as you.  You weren’t nervous, just anxious.

He drove you down the long road to the lake you’d been visiting since you were kids. He parked the car in a grove of trees, shielded by overgrown bushes.  When he looked at you, it felt like he looked deep inside you.  

He pressed a kiss to your lips, his fingers under your chin, lifting your mouth to his. You let out a little noise, deepening the kiss.  He pressed his forehead to yours, eyes closed, savoring your touch.

“Are you ready for this?” he whispered.  It sent chills all over you.

“Yes,” you breathed, kissing him again.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” he said reassuringly, but you were already pulling off the tie to his tux, unbuttoning the buttons at his throat and down his chest, your fingers brushing his pecs as you went.  He gently pulled the dress down your arms, exposing your bare breasts.  You’d seen him so many times but tonight, you wanted to devour his toned, muscled body, his tanned skin, the prize for hard work at his uncle’s farm.  You wanted to worship him the way he’d always worshiped you. You kissed his soft lips, pressing your breasts to his chest.  

He took a shuddering breath, moving down to kiss and nip along your collarbone to your neck as you pulled the shirt from his body.  You laid your head back, exposing your throat, allowing him to kiss along the shaft to your chest, down your sternum.  You looked in his eyes as he gently touched your breast with his hand, then dipped his head down to gently take a pebbled nipple into his mouth. He was so warm and gentle, you thought you might explode right then.  You lifted yourself to pull the dress off, leaving you in your lace panties and your gold high heels.  He leaned back to take a look at you, then dove in again to your breasts, giving each of them attention.  

Slowly his hands made their way down your belly to the edge of your panties.  He gently laid you back on the seat and you lifted your legs, reaching to undo his belt and pants.  He toed off his shoes and socks, then managed to pull his pants and boxers off under the steering wheel.  He pulled the condom from his wallet and stretched it over his hard, weeping cock.  With a look that made you shiver, he crawled over you, his arms caging you on either side of your head.  It was a tight squeeze but it worked.  As he began kissing you, you lifted your hips, touching him.  He was ready for you and you for him.  He lined himself up with you and very slowly entered you. You winced and his hands went to your hair, kissing your forehead, your nose.  

“You ok?” he asked softly.

“Mm hmm,” you hummed, pulling at his hips, feeling him go deeper inside you.  His lips found yours as he found a gentle rhythm. He took you in, his eyes roaming your face, that smile that melted your heart.  You laid your head back and he assaulted your neck with kisses as his rhythm picked up.  

No matter what you had imagined, nothing would feel like this.  He fit you perfectly.  Your heart swelled and you let out a little sob of happiness as his rhythm grew faster.

“I love you Y/N,” he said in your ear.  “Always.”

“I love you too,” you managed, followed by a moan from deep in your throat that made him growl in approval.  

He quickened his pace and you lifted to him even more, feeling the coil in your lower belly tightening.

“I’m – oh, I’m so…”

“It’s ok baby, I’ve got you.”

His voice was so soft and husky in your ear, you let go, a sound you couldn’t describe escaping as you reached your climax.  You ran your fingernails down his muscular back, then settled in the hair at the nape of his neck, pulling him in for a kiss.

“God Y/N, fuck, you feel so good, you’re so good for me.”  His movements began to stutter as he found his release and you held him tightly to you as he finished, his head falling to your shoulder.  You both lay there in the dark, panting, your bodies on fire.  

“You’re amazing,” you said in a soft voice, your fingers running down his back.

He lifted slowly, propping his head in his hand.  He trailed his fingers down your chest to your breasts.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” he grinned.

“It was so good!” you said.  You nuzzled his neck, kissing him softly there.  “I want more,” you breathed into his ear.

He laughed and kissed you. You both cleaned up a bit and you started all over again, this time straddling him on the seat.  He let you lead this time and you explored his hard, fit body, covering his face and chest in kisses.  When you lowered yourself onto him, your palms were flat against his chest as you mewled your release, and you held him through his.  It was incredible.  When he walked you to your door early that morning, you wrapped your arms around his neck and kissed him as if it would be the last time you’d have the chance.  You could tell you took his breath away as he came up for air.

“I love you,” you said, looking into his eyes and never meaning anything more in your life.

He smiled and pulled you to him.  “I love you too,” he whispered in your ear.

As he drove away, your mind was filled with your future, the two of you living a life full of nights like tonight.  As you drifted off to sleep, you could still feel his skin on yours.

 You shared, but not quite all of it, with your seatmates.  

“So if he’s so amazing, why won’t he be there when you arrive?” Ransom asked.

You knew hurt crossed your face, it was impossible to hide.  “Our lives, they just went different directions. I never thought they would, but they did.  And then –“ You let out a shaky sigh.  “Then he didn’t need me anymore.”  Your voice trailed off.

“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” said Steve, sounding like a father.  “It’s ok.”

“Maybe you should,” said Ransom, “get it all out so that if you’re disappointed when we land, it’s not so bad.”

You rested back against your seat and played it in your mind again. You told them a little about after high school and where you both ended up.

“It was my fault.  I gave up on us.  I pushed him away.  He wasn’t my priority.  For all I know, it didn’t even hurt him.  I’m sure it was much easier with me out of the way.”

“That’s a lot of conjecture,” said Ransom.  “Sounds like you had your reasons.”

“I guess he couldn’t really help being away from you,” said Steve sympathetically.  “I can tell you from experience there’s nothing worse than being separated from the one you love most.”

Ransom rolled his eyes.  “We all make choices,” he said sarcastically.

Steve sighed.  “I don’t regret any I’ve made,” he said sternly.

“Then be prepared to deal with the consequences.”  He looked at you.  “If your boyfriend really loved you, he wouldn’t have taken a job shrouded in so much mystery.  He would’ve been available to you.  Maybe him taking the job was just the coward’s way of saying he wanted to explore other options.”

“Or maybe he felt it was what he needed to do to take the best care of her,” said Steve.  You heard what you bet was probably his captain’s voice.

Ransom looked him dead in the eye.  “Look Captain Self Righteous, if love is that important to you, there’s nothing that says you’ve had to take the chances you’ve taken.  You didn’t have to become a super soldier either. Choices.  If Y/N’s boyfriend had made her a priority, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Steve gave an exasperated sigh and shook his head.

“I honestly don’t blame him for moving on, I just wish he’d tried harder to tell me we were through.  That’s all.” Tired of talking, you opened your book, put on your headphones and tried to get lost in the story.

 “Y/N, can you hear me?”

“Yes, barely,” you answered.  The connection was bad.  Who knew where he was calling from, or what kind of signal he had.  

“Don’t hang up,” he said hopefully.

“I won’t.”

It was the next natural step for you to go to college, but he needed something else. He was adventurous, energetic, crazy almost, and he needed something else.  So he’d joined the Army as you went away to school.  You were scared to be separated but he’d assured you the bond you had couldn’t be broken.  He got to explore the world, facing difficult situations and enjoying the adrenaline rush. You couldn’t help but worry but he told you not to, he was in his element.  And despite the distance, you’d made up for the time with letters, texts, phone calls, photos and even intimacy via cell phone.  Your senior year of college began the same time as the last year of his enlistment.  About halfway through the year, you sensed something had changed.  He was disillusioned with his superiors and had fallen in with a group of soldiers that were fed up.  

Each time he’d visit somewhere new, he’d send you a memento.  “Wish you were here with me.  This would be so much better with you.  Someday, I’m taking you all over the world.  I can’t wait until we’re together.”  You dreamed of it too, if you could just find the path to come back together.

Soon, many of those calls, texts and letters seemed to be from someone you didn’t know. And as he was moving forward and finding his path, you were finding yours.  You’d taken a job in Chicago, hundreds of miles from him and your grandmother.  It was your dream job, and you’d always imagined life in the city.  Some of your friends were headed that way and you talked of sharing an apartment and all the fun you’d have.  For the first time, you questioned whether he’d be a part of it.

Once graduation was over, you’d said goodbye to your grandmother and the small town where you’d grown up and headed off for your next adventure.  And he had begun his.  He left the service and took a job with the chance to make a lot of money so that the two of you could pick where you wanted to be and settle down, build your dream house and fill it with kids, just like you’d always hoped.  He just needed you to be patient with him.  

The job was tough.  He traveled for weeks without communicating and you found yourself living as if he wasn’t there anymore.  When you did speak, for the first time in your lives, it would end in a fight.  

“I’m doing my best here,” he’d say.  You could hear the stress in his voice.  “This isn’t forever.  I’m going to get to a place where we can be together and our lives will be just like we imagined.”

“How can you be so sure?” you asked, the words stinging as you said them.  “How can you be sure we should even still be together? We’re both so different.”

“We’re not, Y/N.  You’re still what I want.  We just have to hold on for a little while longer.”

 “Sounds like his job was pretty intense,” said Steve, his face looking serious.

“It was.  And very secret. He couldn’t tell me much.  I’m sure you know about that.”

“I do,” he said.  “It’s not easy to not be able to share everything with the one person you trust the most.  But sometimes it’s for your own protection.”

“I know,” you said.  “And I’m proud of him.  He didn’t always have it so easy,” she said, glancing at Ransom, “but he worked hard, and he was doing it for me.”

Ransom raised an eyebrow at you.  “I see.  I was handed everything and you think I’ve never done an honest day’s work in my life.”

You looked at his velvety smooth, sexy hands.  “Have you?”

He blinked.  “Probably not the way you think, but I’m not totally useless.  And you don’t have to risk your life every time you go to work to be successful,” he said, shooting Steve a look.

Steve grinned.  “Trust me, it’s not exactly what I would’ve chosen for myself.  It’s a situation that found me and I’ve worked hard to accept it.”

“Yes, must be brutal to be built like that.  Do you carry a club to beat the women away?  Or do you just ask them nicely to stop climbing you,” Ransom said with a sardonic smile.

You cleared your throat.  “Anyway, I could just feel things changing between us and I felt really lost, but also kind of empowered.  I’d moved away from home, stepped away from him and I was a success. And if I’m honest,” she said, eyeing Ransom, “I wondered what it might be like to date someone else.”

He let out a sarcastic laugh.

“And then everything changed…”

 A few weeks later, you’d received a text in the middle of the night.  “Meet me at the wheel at Navy Pier on the 25th at midnight.  There’s something I need to tell you.”

You’d scoffed at the invitation.  “If you’re coming to Chicago, come stay with me.  Why are we meeting at midnight?”

“It’s just the way we need to do it, for now.  Promise me you’ll be there.”

As the day approached, you found yourself immersed in work and trying to finish a project with an approaching deadline.  You didn’t understand why, after not seeing each other for so long, he wouldn’t just come to your place, let you make him dinner, spend the night with you.  Why must it be so clandestine?

You texted him – “You need to come to me.  I have a lot of work and I’m on a deadline.  If you love me, you’ll come stay with me so we can catch up properly.”

You didn’t hear back from him and on the evening he’d asked to meet you, you’d fallen asleep at your desk at home while working to finish your assignment.  

“Y/N, are you coming?”  “Where are you?”  “Please, I need to see you.”  He kept texting but the late hours you’d been keeping had you in a deep sleep.  

When your alarm went off for work, you shuffled into the shower, the hot water serving as a wake-up call.  Suddenly your eyes flew open ��� you’d slept through midnight!  You jumped from the shower, shampoo still in your hair, and grabbed for your phone.  It was dead. You plugged it in, finished bathing and scampered back to your nightstand for the phone.  

You read his texts and tears flooded your eyes.  He’d come all the way to Chicago and you missed him.  You called, then sent a flurry of texts but there was no response.  

He’d wanted to tell you something urgently and you’d totally blown him off.  How did you get here?  This was the love of your life.  You should’ve been there with open arms.  How long had it been since you’d held him, kissed him?  You suddenly felt as if you’d been punched in the gut.  You tried to catch your breath, frantically calling him again and again but no answer.

You began a series of texts explaining that you’d gotten caught up in work, and even though it wasn’t more important than he was, you’d fallen asleep and lost track of time.  Could you please meet him somewhere else?  You’d come to him, wherever he was.  You wouldn’t tell anyone where you were going, you just needed to see him. Despite pouring your heart out to him, there was no response.

Until one night, when you’d phoned him for the millionth time, and someone answered. “Hello?” said a sultry female voice.  Thinking you had the wrong number, you were about to speak when you heard his voice in the background.  She said his name and you heard his husky baritone, a laugh in his voice.  You quickly ended the call.

This was what he wanted to tell you – he’d found someone else.  No wonder he never called back, never returned your texts. It was over and you’d made it easy for him.

Despite the cramped quarters, both of your seatmates managed to doze off during the flight.  Steve had crammed his jacket between his head and the wall of the plane and was softly snoring.  Ransom, with no respect for body space, had allowed his head to dip over onto your shoulder.  You didn’t mind, you were glad he could rest.  You couldn’t help but feel for him.  It would be awful to have so much money, but be completely without anyone to love you, even your family.  He smelled good and you settled down into your seat, staying as still as you could.

The time was counting down until you arrived at your destination and you hadn’t read the letter.  You just didn’t think you could take it.  Hearing your grandmother’s final thoughts when she knew her life was ending (but no one else did) was almost too much.  Her last wishes were important, it was your responsibility to see them through.  With each of your seatmates comfortably resting, you slowly opened the envelope.  Your grandmother’s scent hit you immediately, and you felt tears burn at your eyes.

You unfolded the delicate stationery.  It was powder blue with a scalloped edge.  You’d bought if for her for Mother’s Day a few years back.  She loved writing letters and leaving you notes, and the delicate femininity of the paper fit her perfectly.

“My Sweet Y/N,

As you read this, please know that I’m so sorry that I’ve left you.  Raising you was my greatest accomplishment.  I made mistakes with your mother, so I worked hard to be patient with you, and really listen.  I cherish what we had and want you to know how proud I am of you, the wonderful young woman you’ve become.”

You wiped the tear that had begun to roll down your cheek and sniffed softly.  It was harder than you’d even imagined.

“I’m sorry I didn’t share my diagnosis with you until the end, but I wanted you to continue to move forward.  I knew that if I told you, you’d insist on being with me.  I didn’t want you sitting by my bed while I slept when you could be enjoying your life.  You gave me your very best, I owed it to you to let you go and find your future.”

You thought of all the times you’d meant to pick up the phone and call her, but something else had come up and you’d simply pushed her to the back of your mind.  The thought of it made you wince.  How hard would it have been to just call and say hello?   Had she not earned that from you?

“I’m not leaving much behind.  The house is yours to do with as you please.  I know it’s old and not what you might want, but I can’t help but think, knowing how good you are with decorating, that you could make it a home you’d love and enjoy.  However, if you choose to sell it, please know I’m fine with that decision as well. Don’t feel guilty.  Your future is where you make it.”

The house was certainly old and dated, not what you had in mind.  Not to mention you never planned to return to your old hometown.  You didn’t know what you’d do there if you did.  And now, there was even less reason to return.

“My biggest regret is not seeing your face when he proposed to you.  I can only imagine how it felt when he put your mother’s ring on your finger and asked you to be his wife.  That giant Ferris wheel at Navy Point was a perfect backdrop.

When he came to pick it up, he said he’d always dreamed of settling in this little house, but he knew Chicago was your home now, so he wanted to ask you in the place that was important to you.  I will rest peacefully knowing that you have someone so special to take care of you.”

You froze, then let out a strangled cry.  Steve jerked awake, his hand flying to your shoulder.

“Y/N, what is it?  Are you ok?”

Finally, you let go.  There was no holding back.  You put your face in your hands, sobs shaking your shoulders.

“Jesus, what did you do?” Ransom asked Steve as he touched your other shoulder, bending down to look at you.

“Nothing!  I woke up and she was crying.”

How could you have not seen this? Why did you doubt him?  It suddenly washed over you how he must’ve felt, standing there in the dark, alone, waiting for you, to ask you the biggest question of your lives.  

Your sobs increased, though you were trying to stifle the noise, considering you were on a full airplane with two beefcakes on either side of you worried.

“Y/N,” Ransom said, his lips close to your ear.  He put his hand on your back and rubbed gentle circles. “Talk to us.  What happened?”

You slowly sat up, Steve taking your hand in his.

“Oh my God, you guys, I blew it.  I totally blew it.  I broke his heart.  I can’t believe I did this to him.”

The two men looked at each other, question on their faces.

“Did what?” Ransom said softly.

You held up the letter.  “This is from my grandmother.  I’ve put off reading it because I was so sad to know it was the last communication I’d have with her.  He was coming to propose to me.  At Navy Pier. He picked up my mother’s ring from my grandmother,” you said softly.  Saying it out loud made it even worse. You couldn’t stop the flow of tears that fell from your eyes.

“Oh man,” Ransom said quietly, rubbing your back even more.

“Y/N, are you sure?” said Steve.

“Yes,” you sobbed, handing him the letter.  Ransom put his hand on your side and pulled you toward him, cradling you against his chest.

“It’s going to be ok,” he soothed.  “You didn’t know.  He should’ve told you he wanted to ASK you something instead of TELL you something.”

You blinked and sat up, looking at him.  “I mean, I don’t know if it would have mattered.”

“Of course it would’ve,” he said.  “This isn’t on you, it’s on him.  He should’ve been adamant that he wanted to ask you something.”

Steve handed you the letter back.  You could see the sadness on his face.  “I’m sure he was upset,” he said softly.  “He’d probably been waiting until the right moment.”

You scrunched up your face, fresh tears flowing.

“Jesus,” Ransom whispered to Steve, “you could at least be supportive.”

You wiped your finger under your eye to catch a tear before it dropped on the letter.  Your heart was racing and you couldn’t catch your breath.  You felt as if your stomach had dropped to your feet.  It was a desperate feeling, knowing what you knew and not being able to reach out to him and tell him how badly you’d screwed up.  

“You ok?” Steve asked softly.

“Yeah,” you said.  “And here I thought when I sat down in this seat I couldn’t feel worse.”

Steve laid his hand on your arm, squeezing a little.  “If everything you said about the two of you is true, this is something you can overcome.  It was a misunderstanding.  If those feelings are there, you’ll be able to fix it.”

You sniffed and wiped at your nose.  “Well, that’s the burning question, isn’t it?  How could he still have feelings for me after what I did.”

It was Ransom’s turn to bolster your confidence a bit.  “Look, misunderstandings happen all the time. And honestly, you hadn’t seen him in so long – did he not think you’d have misgivings about what he had to say when he wouldn’t come and stay with you?  He could’ve come to your place and then taken you somewhere special to propose. This isn’t on you, Y/N.  This is on him.”

You gave him a half-hearted smile.  “It doesn’t really matter though, does it.  In the end, he’s gone and I’m alone.”  You laid your head back on the seat, closing your eyes to ward off more tears.

Your mind whirled with memories – the two of you hiking near your home with your beloved dog joining you; going to the annual fair and riding all the rides that made you squeal and him laugh at you; laying side-by-side in your grandmother’s hammock on the front porch.  He never just held your hand – he always intertwined your fingers. He said if you looked from above, you couldn’t tell where he began and you ended.  

 Had you really been part of such an amazing love story?  You could hear his voice saying your name as he wrapped a hand under your ear to kiss you goodnight, and you could hear it when he called you from oh-so-far-away where he was lonely and probably afraid but never let on so you wouldn’t worry.

You let out a giant sigh and pulled your phone from the storage pocket in front of you.  You’d texted him before you got on the plane because it seemed like the right thing to do as you traveled back to your past.  He was too big a part of it not to.

“Did you get a text from him?” asked Steve, looking down at your phone.

“No,” you said, “I sent him one before I got on the plane.  I always imagined he’d be there with me through everything.  I just needed to reach out to him.”

“Mind if I look?” he asked.

“Sure, why not,” she half laughed.

She scrolled to the top of the message and handed the phone to him. Steve read silently, his eyebrows scrunching in concern.

I know we haven’t talked in a long time but today is going to be hard and I need you to know how much having you in my life has meant to me.  Even though we didn’t make it to the end, like we’d hoped, my life is so much better because of you.  If I were to die tomorrow, I’d do it knowing that in my life, I was truly loved by someone special.  For so long, I didn’t know how to be me without you.

I’m so proud of you, serving our country and then taking on a dangerous job to protect others.  I never told you enough how brave you are.  When I was worried or afraid, you’d be there like a safety net, making sure my heart was protected.  I’ll never be able to thank you enough for loving me.

This is going to be a hard day.  There’s not going to be a safe landing.  Everything I had, everything that made me secure, it’s all gone.  I’m sorry that I gave up.  I’m in uncharted waters.  I should’ve fought with everything I had for you.  I hope you’re happy with someone who will appreciate you and all you have to give.  Whoever she is, she’s a very lucky girl.

Steve cleared his throat, trying to remove the giant lump that had formed there.  “Wow,” he said.  “Those are beautiful words.”

“They’re from the heart.  I felt foolish as soon as I sent them and now I feel even more stupid.  I can’t imagine how much he hates me.”

“Mind if I look?” said Ransom.

“Yeah, and then if you want, pass it across the aisle,” you said sarcastically.

Ransom rolled his eyes and his mouth turned up in a grin.  He scanned over the text.

“Damn,” he whispered.  He looked at you.  “Look, I know I don’t know you at all and this has been a little slice of our lives, an unpleasant moment we’ll forget quickly, but if this guy got this text and doesn’t respond to you, he isn’t who you say he is.  Ok, you fucked up.  You should’ve met him that night.  But this right here would be enough for me to make a U-turn.  You had something really good.”

You grinned at him.  “Ransom, are you telling me it’s possible that a girl could win your heart?”

His face flooded with color.  “No,” he said a little too boisterously.  “Trust me, anyone that can take a little of me has their hands full.”

Steve chuckled.

“What?” said Ransom defensively.

“Something tells me you’re all talk.”

Ransom narrowed his eyes at Steve.  “What does that mean?”

Steve smiled a true American hero smile.  “It means, watching you with Y/N, I think you’re really a pussycat. Go ahead and act like a tough guy, but we all know the truth.  You’re a softie just looking for the right girl.”  He couldn’t help the smug look that replaced his smile.

“Alright Captain Jackass, you go ahead with your self-righteous psychoanalysis.  I’m capable of being nice to a woman without being a softie.  Seriously, the 1940’s called and they want their word back.”

You couldn’t help but smile at the two of them.  You never thought when you sat down between these two incredible hunks that you’d share your life story with them and they’d comfort you as you discovered a secret that would haunt you the rest of your life.

Ding

“You’ll notice the fasten seat belts sign has been activated as we make our descent.  Please secure your belongings and return your tray tables to their original position. We should be arriving at our destination in a few minutes.”

“Seriously,” grumbled Ransom, “how many people have died from errantly deployed tray tables.  Is that really our biggest concern?”

You giggled a little at his words and he looked at you, the first real smile he’d smiled all day gracing his handsome face.  He had the most piercing blue eyes.  You wished he would find someone who’d give him a chance. Underneath that gruff exterior, you just knew there was a loving, caring guy.

“Need a hand?” asked Steve, taking yours in his.  You smiled and squeezed gently.

It suddenly occurred to you what awaited when he arrived.  “You must be so excited!”

“I am,” he beamed.  “I’m going to meet my baby girl soon.”

“She’s a lucky little girl,” you smiled.

“Poor thing, just trying to imagine the first guy that comes to pick her up for a date,” Ransom grinned.

Steve raised an eyebrow.  “She’ll never know, I’m locking her in her room when she turns 15,” he smiled.

Slowly the plane began to descend.  Your heart suddenly leaped into your throat as you thought about what lie ahead for you.  You thought of walking through your grandmother’s home and a feeling of loneliness washed over you, causing an ache in your chest.  

“Doing ok?” Steve asked.

You turned to him and smiled.  “Yes, thank you.”   You looked to Ransom and back to Steve.  “This has been a great flight.  Thank you both for indulging me and listening, and for your support.”  You looked at Ransom.  “I know you said this is just an unpleasant moment we’ll soon forget, but I can tell you both I’ll never forget either of you.”  You fought the tears stinging your eyes.

“Yeah, well, it’ll probably be awhile before I forget you as well,” said Ransom.  

Steve pulled a pen from the bag in front of him and wrote his cell number on your palm.  “Put it in your phone.  Call or text me anytime you need to talk.  I mean it.”

That ache in your heart suddenly subsided.  “Thanks.  And I mean it too.”

Within a few minutes, the plane touched down roughly on the runway, then slowed and taxied to a stop at the gate.  You pulled your bag from under the seat in front of you.  You felt lightheaded so you closed your eyes and took a deep breath.  You could do this.  

Ransom took your hand and helped you up, and you made your way behind him into the aisle, Steve behind you, his hand on your lower back.  You walked out into the boarding bridge, walking slowly behind the crowd of passengers.  In a few minutes, you’d leave these guys who you’d never see again. You took your time shuffling along, prolonging the moment.

The crowd in front of you slowed and then stopped, as passengers found those that were meeting them.  That ache clenched your chest again.  You’d make your way to the rental car desk and get a ride to take you to what would surely be a sad, nostalgic evening.

“Hmm,” said Ransom.  “Interesting.”

“What?” you asked as he blocked your view.

“Probably just a coincidence.”

“I don’t know,” Steve said skeptically.  “Seems like too much of a coincidence.”

Now you were behind both of them and you couldn’t see anything but the backs of their gorgeous heads and their pants hugging their fine asses.  It was definitely the best view of the trip and probably the best you’d have for a long time.  You snickered thinking about it.

“Well, guess we’re going to find out,” said Steve as he took a couple of steps to his right and stopped.  

You were able to see ahead now as they parted, and the first thing that caught your eye was the pink tulips – a huge bouquet of them.  You looked above the flowers at the pink Petunias t-shirt, the blonde Van Dyke on his chin, his round wire framed glasses and spikey blonde hair.  Your breath caught in your throat and you stopped, unable to move.  You felt a hand at your elbow – Steve.  You looked up at him.

“You ok?” he asked.  It was a fatherly tone and you smiled a million watt smile at him, grabbing his hand and Ransom’s arm, pulling them forward.

You walked up to him, taking him in.  He was beautiful, even better than you remembered.  His body was toned and solid, tattoos peeking out from under the t-shirt.  Blue jeans graced his long sexy legs, high top Chucks rounding out the look.  You were overwhelmed by how much you needed him. How had you lived without him for so long?

“Hey beautiful,” he said in that sexy baritone voice.  He extended the flowers to you and you took them, inhaling deeply.  

“I can’t believe it.”  Your voice was so quiet you were sure he didn’t hear you.

“I’m here Y/N.  I’m here for you.”  He pulled you to him and you lifted the flowers, wrapping your arms around his neck. He touched his nose to yours. “Did you think I’d leave you to do this alone?”

You looked into his beautiful blue eyes and tried so hard to believe this was really happening.  “I didn’t expect you to be here.  Not after what I did to you.  I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.  Not until I read Gramma’s letter on this plane did I know. I can’t imagine how badly I hurt you.” You swallowed, pushing the hurt down deep.  “I understand why you moved on, I do.  And it’s ok.”

You saw the pain in his eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared.  “There’s no one else,” he said, “never has been.  I screwed it all up.  I just did it all wrong.  I should have come to you.  I wanted to see you so bad.  I just didn’t want to put you in danger.”  He looked down and swallowed, then looked back into your eyes.  “Did you mean it?  All those things you said in that text this morning?”

“Yes,” you said, your voice strong.  “Every word.  I love you so much.”

He pressed his lips, so soft, to yours and gave you the sweetest kiss. “I love you too.  Always, Y/N.”  He kissed you again, this one deeper, his arms wrapped around you so securely.  You could die right now and it would be ok.

Suddenly, you were aware of your surroundings.  You pulled away from him, an arm around his neck, and you looked at your seatmates.

“Ransom, Steve, this is the love of my life, Jake Jensen.  Jake, these are the superstars of Row 12 that got me through this flight.”

Jake extended his hand to each of them.  “Thank you guys.  Flying is not her favorite.  Appreciate you both being so good to her.”

Ransom eyed him carefully.  “You’ve got a really great girl here,” he said to Jake.  “Don’t fuck it up.”

Steve smirked at Ransom.  “He’s right,” said Steve.  “Take good care of her.”  He looked Jake up and down with his best Captain look.

“Shit,” Jake muttered and you laughed, kissing him reassuringly.  

“Thanks guys.  You’re the best.”  You stepped forward and kissed each of them softly on the cheek.

Steve nodded and smiled, then walked towards his handler, who’d escort him to a car and whisk him away to the hospital to be by his wife’s side.

“Good luck!” you called to him and he smiled.

Ransom secured the strap of his bag on his shoulder as he approached a leggy blonde in a tight designer dress with a figure to die for.

“Hey baby,” she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and laid a kiss on him that would make a stripper blush.

“Easy babe, save some for the hotel,” he said, wrapping an arm around her waist and walking away.  He turned and gave you a last look, flashing you a gorgeous smile.

“Damn,” said Jake, “if I was another guy, I might be kind of jealous and insecure about that, but I’m not some other guy, I’m your guy,” he said, rubbing his nose to yours.

“And don’t you forget it,” you said, kissing him deeply before pulling him by the hand away from the gate.  

“We’re going to have to go through all of the pictures you know,” you said with a devilish grin.

“Oh God, do we have to?  I don’t need to be reminded of what a dork I was back then.”

“You’re still a dork, but a very sexy one,” you said as you walked hand in hand towards your future.

Tags:

@what-is-your-plan-today  @captainsteveamericarogers

[desdealgunlugardelsur]

Harrison Ford: 2020 summary

A year like no other, as you must have heard countless times. The pandemic changed almost everybody´s life on this planet and Harrison wasn´t an exception. Our lil´ bean is strong and healthy but also has to be safe at home, so this year didn´t deliver many news about Harrison. Still, we had a new Harrison movie, The Call of the Wild, released in February, and a few other events before the lockdown. 2020 was also marked by the death of 3 former Harrison´s costars: Chadwick Boseman, Sean Connery and David Prowse. May all of them rest on peace on Heaven.

A new year begins, and we all wish Harrison (and everyone by the way) a productive, happy and healthy 2021. Stay safe!

JANUARY

Early January:  Harrison Ford enjoying his holidays in the caribbean island of Bonaire

25th: Harrison Ford with singer Carole Bayer Sager in a dinner in support of US Democratic candidate Michael Bloomberg

28th: The Call of the Wild “Adventure Companions” Featurette.  Harrison Ford talks about dogs and companionship in The Call of the Wild’s “Adventure Companions” featurette.

28th: not sure where these pics were taken. Probably in Wyoming?  (pics from Rich Elali)

FEBRUARY

3rd: Verizon Super Bowl Ad Features Harrison Ford And New Pearl Jam Song

Kathleen Kennedy Says Harrison Ford Is Still On For ‘Indiana Jones 5’

Early-mid February: the national and international promotion  of The Call of the Wild  begins

5th: In Mexico City:

Harrison Ford: America Has Lost Its Moral Leadership And Credibility:  The “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” star calls out U.S. policy on immigration and climate.

11th: On the Jimmy Kimmel Show:

More here 

13th: Harrison Ford, actor and watch designer.  Newly adapted from Jack London’s literary classic, “The Call of the Wild” transports us to the snowy expanses of Alaska in the 1890s, with Harrison Ford as prospector John Thornton. The actor talks about climate activism, technology and why mechanical watches beat smartwatches every time.

14th: Indiana Jones 5 Starts Shooting In Two Months Says Harrison Ford :  The long delayed fifth Indiana Jones film is finally about to get underway, as Harrison Ford reveals that he will begin shooting in two months. (that was what they were planning before COVID-19 hit the world...)

14th: Harrison Ford: Indiana Jones 5 Will “See Part of His History Resolved”

17th: “A Force ghost? I don’t know what a Force ghost is…I have no idea what a Force ghost is. And I don’t care!“. Legend.

21st: The Call of the Wild is released in cinemas

At the movie premiere in Los Angeles:

BRING ON THE PUPPIES:

More videos:

Call of the Wild Survival Tips!

SNACK??? (Kudos to that girl)

Find epic stories at your library! 

More news:

Of Course Harrison Ford Did His Own Call Of The Wild Stunts And 'Wore Out' The Stunt Team

Harrison Ford's shirtless chest is that buff (at 77) for his 'Call of the Wild' swim scene

26th: Steven Spielberg Won’t Direct ‘Indiana Jones 5,’ James Mangold in Talks to Replace  

27th: Harrison Ford Breaks Down His Career, from 'Star Wars' to 'Indiana Jones'  (Vanity Fair)

Late February: Harrison Ford visits Google´s offices in San Francisco to test the company´s self-driving car. [x] [x] [x] [x]

MARCH

14th:  Harrison spotted in South Hadley, Massachusetts [x].  Apparently Harrison and Calista went to Massachusetts to pick up their son Liam after college shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

MARCH

...

APRIL

3rd: Disney delay multiple release dates including Jungle Cruise, The French Dispatch, and Indiana Jones 5  

(…) Another big reveal is that Indiana Jones 5 – which will reportedly be directed by James Mangold – is being pushed back a year, from July 9, 2021 to July 29, 2022.

29th: Harrison Ford under FAA investigation after making a mistake while operating an airplane on the runway

According to the audio obtained by TMZ, Ford, 77, did not follow the direction of a tower operator to “keep short” on the runway because of “traffic”. It seems that the actor did not hear the direction. He nevertheless started to cross the runway, which prompted the operator to reprimand him for not following his instructions.

“Cross this trail now!” I told you to keep it short! You have to listen, “said the operator.

“Excuse me, sir, I thought exactly the opposite. I’m really sorry, ”said Ford immediately.

TMZ said there was no risk of an accident. The other aircraft was allegedly 3600 feet from Ford’s aircraft.

MAY

6th: Lucasfilm Reportedly Wants Harrison Ford To Return For Han And Chewie Star Wars Spinoff (Note: this hasn´t been officially confirmed by Lucasfilm)

15th: No news but I think this is cute: 

From twitter.com/siikasele

21st: The Empire Strikes Back 40th anniversary. 40 years ago, TESB was released on theaters the 21st of May of 1980.

27th: James Mangold Confirmed To Direct Indiana Jones 5.  Producer Frank Marshall confirms James Mangold is directing Indiana Jones 5 and says he's only just begun to work on his own script for the movie.

28th: James Mangold plans to take Indiana Jones franchise 'someplace new'. 

Indiana Jones Writer on How Pandemic Will Affect Film's Script

JUNE

Nothing happens but look at this

You are welcome.

JULY

13th: Happy birthday king!

AUGUST

23rd:  Harrison Ford dropping off his son Liam at College with wife Calista Flockhart via private plane (from tinyrebelstuff)

28th: Chadwick Boseman dies of cancer at the age of 43

Harrison Ford Calls Chadwick Boseman "As Much a Hero as Any He Played" 

“Chadwick Boseman was as compelling, powerful and truthful as the characters he chose to play,” Ford said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “His intelligence, personal dignity and deep commitment inspired his colleagues and elevated the stories he told. He is as much a hero as any he played. He is loved and will be deeply missed.”

SEPTEMBER

24th: Harrison Ford Cleared by FAA in Runway Investigation. "The FAA has closed the case involving the pilot who crossed a Hawthorne Municipal Airport runway without authorization on April 24, 2020. The FAA required the pilot to take a remedial runway incursion training course. When the pilot successfully completed the course, the FAA closed the case with no additional action," the FAA said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

OCTOBER

19th: Harrison Ford & Ed Helms To Star In STX Seafaring Comedy ‘Adventures Of Burt Squire’ 

22nd: Actor and Pilot Harrison Ford Becomes Airlink Spokesperson. Video here

31st: Sean Connery dies at 90.

Sean Connery: Harrison Ford pays tribute to his Indiana Jones father and 'dear friend'

"He was my father... not in life... but in Indy 3," he said.

"You don't know pleasure until someone pays you to take Sean Connery for a ride in the sidecar of a Russian motorcycle bouncing along a bumpy, twisty mountain trail and getting to watch him squirm.

"God, we had fun - if he's in heaven, I hope they have golf courses.

"Rest in peace, dear friend."

NOVEMBER

2nd: Harrison Ford And Lincoln Project Back Anthony Fauci, Advocate Firing Donald Trump  

In the waning hours of the 2020 presidential election, the Lincoln Project has enlisted Harrison Ford to narrate a new ad that plays up President Donald Trump’s suggestion that he will fire Dr. Anthony Fauci.

The spot features a scene from a Trump rally on Sunday in which supporters began chanting “Fire Fauci! Fire Fauci!” and the president responded, “Don’t tell anybody, but let me wait til a little bit after the election.”

Ford then says, “Tomorrow, you can fire only one of them. The choice is yours.”

3rd: Harrison Ford and Bloomberg on Biden 2020

7th: Destiel becomes canon. Harrison doesn´t give a single fuck.

Also Joe Biden wins the US elections. Trump is defeated. Harrison, we know you hate Donald Trump. Congratulations.

21st: Harrison Ford back in Boston, Massachusetts, to pick up his son Liam for Thanksgiving Day.

28th: David Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original trilogy, dies at the age of 85. Sorry, I didn´t find any words from Harrison on his memory... it seems they weren´t so close. Also, Jeremy Bulloch, the original Boba Fett, dies at 75 the 17th of december.

DECEMBER

10th: Indiana Jones: James Mangold, Harrison Ford Team to Close Out the Character  

Harrison Ford and James Mangold's Indiana Jones 5 will serve as the final chapter for the iconic character.

Disney changed the Indiana Jones logotype. I have a bad feeling about this.

15th: Rare, behind-the-scenes look at 'The Empire Strikes Back'

Including this jewel:

Gif from the @theorganasolo​

31st: And just at the very last day of this weird and strange year...

Disney Reportedly Wants Harrison Ford For Indiana Jones Streaming Show 

Thankfully, then, it seems that the fifth (Indiana Jones) outing may not be the last we see of the actor in the role, as insider Daniel Richtman claims that Disney wants Ford to appear in a series that’s being developed for their streaming service. Further details are unclear and the tipster doesn’t say if it’s an all-new show or a reboot of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, but as one of the Mouse House’s most valuable assets, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they wanted to continue mining the property once Indiana Jones 5 wraps up the big screen stories for good. 

Thanks everyone! Hopefully in 2021 the pandemic will fade and the world will return to normalcy. Luckily the production of Indiana Jones V will start this spring, as well as other Harrison projects such the tv show The Staircase and the movie starring with Ed Elms. Fingers crossed for a year full of (good) news about Harrison. Have a happy and safe 2021.

[apenitentialprayer]

Today, May 12th, is the anniversary of the death of Pope Sylvester II. Sylvester, born Gerbert, was the first French pope, a philosopher and mathmetician, and the first person to introduce Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, ... 9) to the Latin world. Gerbert was born in the 10th century, a lowborn son of either a shepherd or a priest (the Latin pastor can refer to either). After a passing monk conversed with a young Gerbert, the monk decided he saw potential in the boy and took him to live in a monastery in Aurillac; it seems this was what Gerbert considered to be his true home, as his letters later in life often speak affectionately of this community, but contain no reference to his family. At this monastery, Gerbert learned to read and write Latin eloquently, and became a master of rhetoric and dialectic. At the age of seventeen, Gerbert travelled to Catalonia and possibly even Muslim Spain in order to continue his studies in math, which would prove to be his greatest intellectual interest. There, he mastered geometry, arithmetic, and music, but he was especially well-regarded for his mastery of astrology (astronomy at this point was not a distinct field from astrology). After going on a trip to Rome, the Pope was so impressed by Gerbert that he was eventually made head schoolteacher at Rheims, and both future French kings and Holy Roman emperors studied under his tutelage. There is no doubt that “Gerbert the Philosopher,” as one monk styled him, was a brilliant man. Richer of Saint-Remy, one of his students, described the future pope thus: “when Divinity wished to illuminate Gaul, then shrouded in darkess, with a great light,” it was He who brought Sylvester back from Spain, for “Gerbert was directed by God Himself” in order to bring higher learning to Europe. Gerbert would introduce Arabic numerals, making more advanced calculations easier to complete; he invented a new type of abacus that could calculate sums up to an octillion - simply to show off the fact that he could, because there was not yet a practical use for calculating sums that high; he taught some of his students how to create celestial spheres, and may have been responsible for introducing the astrolabe (a common tool in the Islamic world) into Latin Europe. If the revolutionary methods of his students later in their lives are any indication, Gerbert was very interested in experimental science, shattering the idea that European intellectual life was limited to appeals to older authority. There was a time where to be a good mathematician was to be known as a gerbercist. Things took a turn for Gerbert when he was briefly made bishop of Bobbio; refusing to resort to bribery and desperately trying to keep the monks under his care clothed and fed, he made a lot of enemies with his poor diplomatic skills. Rumors began to circulate that he had a secret wife and children, and he was eventually chased out of Bobbio in disgrace. In the conflict between the Holy Roman Empire and the kingdom of France, Sylvester gave his loyalty to the former, and played a role in transferring the French throne to the Capetian dynasty. For his troubles, he was branded a traitor and excommunicated, living in hiding and exile after being snubbed for the position of archbishop of Rheims. It was under the reign of Emperor Otto III, whom Gerbert tutored as a child, that his luck began to change; his excommunication was lifted, he became an advisor to the young emperor, and eventually he was installed as pope. He took the name Sylvester, previously held by the pope who worked alongside Emperor Constantine after Christianity was legalized in the Roman Empire. This choice of name was telling; Sylvester hoped to reunite the Christian West and East under the rulership of Otto, creating a united Christendom that followed a model of governance similar to that of the Emirate of Cordoba that Sylvester had visited so many years before. His papacy was marked by the conversion of many Slavic peoples to Christianity, real strides towards reconciliation between Latin and Greek Christendom, and reform meant to consolidate the power of the papacy. Unfortunately, Otto III died of a fever at the age of 22. Heartbroken after having watched his dream die with the young emperor, Sylvester died about a year later. In the years after his death, he was known as a man of “incomparable scientific knowledge,” whose “glory blazed over all of Gaul like a buring flame.” The future Pope Sergius IV lamented his death, saying “the world was darkened” with the passing of Otto and his beloved pope. In one monk’s list of scientifically-oriented churchmen, Sylvester was the last entry and crowning glory of the list, “who among those shining, shone exceedingly.”  Later writers were not very kind to Sylvester; shortly after his death, he assumed a reputation for witchcraft and wizardry. One of his former students called him a modern Nectanebo, alluding to a sorcerer common in the romantic tales of Alexander the Great; William of Malmesbury, who comes off in his comments as a petty, vindictive, and anti-intellectual author, claimed that he learned necromancy from Arabs in order to amass wealth. Other rumors included his ownership of a mechanical head that could divine the future with simple “yes” or “no” answers to questions. There is a legend that, when the death of the current pope approaches, the bones of Sylvester II rattle in their grave. The most scandalous rumor about Gerbert was that he received his knowledge and eventually even the Papacy itself through making a deal with a succubus named Meridiana. She eventually told him that he would die shortly after saying Mass in Jerusalem, a prophecy that caused him to vow never to go there. After saying Mass in the Basilica of the Holy Cross of Jerusalem (a church in Rome), however, Sylvester realized he had been tricked, and repented before his death, asking that upon his death that his tongue be cut out and his right hand lopped of. Perhaps there is a kernel of truth to this story, if we see the demon not so much as giving Sylvester his intelligence but rather as his personified tendency to glorify his intellectual achievements for their own sake. When his grave was opened decades later, it was found intact without amputations, and it was recorded that a sweet perfume could be smelled. Pope Sylvester II was a complicated figure: he saw in mathematics the potential to glance into the mind of God, but often allowed these exercises to be ones of self-acheivement rather than devotion; he expressed almost no interest in acquiring religious texts for his library, but his works were peppered with Biblical allusions; he fought hard against administrative corruption, but spoke so harshly and arrogantly that he alienated those whom he criticized; and while he was heavily involved in politics later in life, he probably would have been happier if he could have remained the schoolteacher writing his scientific treatises. His legacy reflects these ambivalences. On Pope Sylvester II, Lord have mercy. Pope Sylvester II, pray for us. (Image Source) Info Source: The Abacus and the Cross: The Story of the Pope Who Brought the Light of Science to the Dark Ages, by Nancy Marie Brown