#Chesterfield moving services

[mrjohnwilson]

Chesterfield moving services: Discover reliable moving services in Chesterfield with We Do Your Move. Our experienced team offers comprehensive moving solutions, handling every detail with care and professionalism for a smooth and efficient transition.

[chamberlainsremovals]

Efficient Furniture Removals in Chesterfield: We Do Your Move

When it comes to moving homes or offices, the process can often seem overwhelming. From packing and loading to transportation and unpacking, every step requires careful planning and execution. In Chesterfield, efficient furniture removals are crucial to ensure a smooth transition. We specialize in providing top-notch Chesterfield moving services that simplify the moving process, making it hassle-free and efficient.

[juanmillerr]

Expert Move Out Cleaning Services in Chesterfield, VA

Royal Cleaning Services is the leader in move-in and move-out cleaning for clients in the greater Richmond and Chesterfield areas. Whether you are a homeowner, renter, real estate agent, or landlord, they invite you to call them now for a free and affordable quote. https://royalcleaningservicesva.com/move-in-move-out-cleaning/

[dielmanmoving]

Best Moving Companies in Chesterfield & St. Louis | Your Guide to Smooth Moves

Looking for a hassle-free move to or from Chesterfield or St. Louis? Look no further than Dileman Moving, the region's top-rated moving company in Chesterfield. With decades of experience and a dedication to exceptional customer service, we're committed to making your move a seamless and stress-free experience. Don't settle for anything less - choose Dileman Moving for your next move in Chesterfield or St. Louis. Contact us today to learn more!

[heroesmoving-storage]

Midlothian Movers

Are you interested in moving to the Richmond, VA area and looking for reliable movers? Heroes Moving & Storage has the right team of Midlothian movers to help you. Located in Chesterfield County, Midlothian, Virginia, just fourteen miles west of Richmond, is an unincorporated village known for its coal mining and railroad history, charming old churches, unique shops, and its growing commercial and residential community. With a history dating back over three centuries, Midlothian has become a popular Richmond suburb, attracting newcomers with its quiet countryside charm, friendly Southern community, and modest cost of living. Heroes Moving & Storage offers top-notch customer service, ensuring a stress-free move with specialized services, including piano moving and climate-controlled storage units. If you're ready to start your next move, contact Heroes Moving & Storage today and let our professional movers make your transition seamless.

[vincenttuckerva]

Quality Moving Services

About Us: Quality Moving Services stands as your trusted partner in seamless relocations, offering top-tier moving solutions across the U.S. With a focus on reliability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, we specialize in residential, commercial, and long-distance moves. Our team of experienced professionals ensures your belongings are handled with utmost care, providing packing, storage, and moving services tailored to meet your needs. Whether you're moving your home, office, or need specialized moving services, we're committed to making your transition as smooth as possible.

Contact Us:

Phone: (804) 796-4860

Address: 11923 Centre Street,Suite A-2, Chesterfield, VA 23832

Website: https://www.qmovingservices.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QualityMoving/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/quality-moving-services-va/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@qualitymovingservices3477

Business hour: Monday to Friday 8am–5pm, Saturday 8am–12pm, Sunday-Closed

Owner Name: Vincent Tucker

[tristramssales]

Why Choose Tristram's

Tristram’s Sales and Lettings are an award winning local independent Estate Agency covering Derbyshire Property Markets. Tristram’s have sometimes been known to go slightly further than these areas, such as Mansfield, Loughborough and Chesterfield. Tristram’s have won multiple awards for the service that they provide, including an award for Small Agency of the Year 2021, competing against agents from all over the country. To date this is Tristram’s most valued award. Tristram’s often get recognised in the local area as winners against our local competitors in such awards like, The British Property Awards. Who conduct local surveys to seek the best agents once a year.

Tristram’s was incorporated in 2015 when school friends James Tristram and Fraser Barron decided to introduce Tristram’s to the Nottingham Property Sector. Tristram’s began as a Letting Agency for two years before opening Sales and changing the branded name from Tristram’s Lettings to Tristram’s Sales and Lettings. The business grew quickly because of the high level of service Tristram’s were offering clients through the Sales and Lettings markets within the Nottingham Property Market.

In 2023 Tristram’s Sales and Lettings branched out into the Derby Property Market with an additional branch. As we start to expand our business into Nottingham’s neighboring city.

Tristram’s goals are to offer a high level of service to the East Midlands Property Sector and to be known as a well respected and trustworthy brand in the Selling and Letting of Residential Property.

So Why Choose Tristram’s?

Tristram’s are a proactive and enthusiastic company who love the Property Sector and offer a high level of customer service. Tristram’s move with the digital times to ensure that our services are as efficient and as seamless as possible when processing sales or letting properties to completion. Tristram’s are known for their quality of marketing when it comes to showing the property in its best light, Tristram’s always take professionally trained photographs, draw floor plans, write detailed descriptions and sometimes are able to offer video property tours. Tristram’s employ a media team where via social media such as You tube, are able to offer updates on changes to property legislation and insights into areas around the City, as to why people should buy homes or rent in the area. You won’t go wrong when choosing Tristram’s, so let us move to your home.

BOOK A VALUATION

[jcmarchi]

PTZOptics PTZ Cameras Transform Worship Streaming Experience - Videoguys

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/ptzoptics-ptz-cameras-transform-worship-streaming-experience-videoguys/

PTZOptics PTZ Cameras Transform Worship Streaming Experience - Videoguys

In the bustling world of church production, finding reliable, versatile equipment is paramount. Bethany Place Baptist Church in Chesterfield, Virginia, discovered the transformative power of PTZOptics cameras early on. With a commitment to quality and budget-conscious decisions, the church opted for PTZOptics cameras over manned alternatives, relying on these robust units for all their streaming needs.

Andrew Ryan, a dedicated volunteer on the production team at Bethany Place Baptist Church, attests to the unwavering performance of PTZOptics cameras. “We have never had an issue with them,” Ryan emphasizes. “They’re rock solid. They connect easily. Everything is controlled over IP.” The seamless integration with multiple streaming software and the user-friendly PTZ function via the web interface make these cameras a standout choice for churches relying on volunteer staff.

As part of Church Production’s Road Test User Experience, Bethany Place had the opportunity to test the new Move 4K cameras and SuperJoy Controller from PTZOptics. Ryan praises the solidity of these units, noting their resilience to vibrations, a crucial aspect in a dynamic church environment. The strategic placement of the cameras allowed for seamless transitions between different shots, enhancing the visual narrative of the services.

The plug-and-play nature of the cameras, coupled with features like NDI compatibility and 30X zoom capability, impressed Ryan and his team. “The 30X zoom is wonderful,” Ryan enthuses, highlighting its utility across various room sizes. Moreover, the potential for 4K recording and streaming opens doors for future expansion and growth, aligning perfectly with Bethany Place’s vision.

Ryan also shares insights into the SuperJoy Controller, commending its intuitive design and user-friendly features. The oversized focus and exposure knobs, along with precise PTZ control, streamline the production process, empowering volunteers to deliver professional-quality content effortlessly. Features like focus lock and exposure controls further enhance flexibility and adaptability, ensuring optimal performance in diverse lighting conditions.

From worship services to choir concerts, PTZOptics cameras have proven their versatility in countless applications at Bethany Place Baptist Church. “At this point, they work basically in any application, in any lighting,” Ryan confirms, underscoring the reliability and adaptability of these cameras.

In conclusion, Bethany Place Baptist Church’s journey with PTZOptics cameras exemplifies the transformative impact of innovative technology in the realm of church production. With steadfast performance, intuitive controls, and unparalleled versatility, PTZOptics cameras continue to elevate the worship experience, one frame at a time.

Read the full blog post by Deidra Blackmore for ChurchProduction HERE

[cempump]

How Our Concrete Pumping Chesterfield Offer Top Notch Services

We provide line pumps and boom pumps to handle any type of task, whether it's a large commercial building contract or a simple home garage. We have our pumps ready all day, every day.

Concrete and screed can be precisely pumped to the desired location

The wheelbarrow is quick, efficient, and neat; it does not traverse difficult terrain in a dangerous manner. Our pumps never go on vacation or take a break!

We are skilled at pumping liquid concrete into confined areas and challenging to reach places. Please take advantage of our full-service screed laying capabilities; we'll take care of the area prep, supply the concrete, pump the concrete to the required volume, and lay the product as needed. Whichever product you choose, you can be certain that the work will be done precisely, on time, and neatly and efficiently. Furthermore, our Concrete pumping chesterfield can design, build, and install a whole underfloor heating system to your exact specifications in your house or place of business. Please visit our home page for more information about the different concrete services we offer. We enjoy sparing our customers money, effort, time, and stress.

Installing concrete slabs, footings, foundations, garage and shed bases, and subfloors can be difficult, back-breaking jobs. The manual mixing and laying of concrete requires a lot of work as well. We will pump your chosen ready-mix product to the desired place, saving you the trouble of moving buckets of water, shoveling sand, and hauling heavy cement bags.

Employ Line Pumps for Concrete

Our concrete line pump vehicles are ideal for residential construction as well as for pumping concrete to garage bases, extension bases, concrete slabs, footings, foundations, and floor fills of any kind. This may prove to be a more economical and useful option than making use of a boom pump truck. Our line pumps can move roughly 32 cubic meters of concrete per hour to the specified location, and they have a dispensing range of 100 meters.

[tgcommercials]

T G Commercials Self Drive is dedicated to offering exceptional options when it comes to truck rentals. With years of experience in the rental trucks industry, we exude reliability and trust in our commercial truck hire services. Our diverse fleet of vehicles operating across Rotherham, Chesterfield, Doncaster and the surrounding areas, are guaranteed to take the hassle out of moving.

[chamberlainsremovals]

Chesterfield Moving Services: Reliable and Efficient

Relocating can be an overwhelming experience, but choosing the right moving service can make all the difference Chesterfield packing and moving stands out as a beacon of reliability and efficiency in the bustling relocation industry. This blog explores how they transform the chaos of moving into a streamlined and stress-free process.

Comprehensive Services

Chesterfield Moving Services offers a full spectrum of moving solutions tailored to meet the needs of each client. From residential to commercial moves, their team is equipped to handle every aspect of your relocation. This includes meticulous packing, careful transportation, and efficient unpacking, ensuring that every item arrives in pristine condition. Their commitment to quality service simplifies the relocation process, making it seamless and hassle-free.

 

Experienced Professionals

One of the pillars of Chesterfield relocation company is their team of experienced professionals. Each team member is trained to handle your belongings with the utmost care and precision. They understand the value of your items, whether they are fragile heirlooms or bulky pieces of furniture, and provide personalized attention to ensure everything is moved safely. Their expertise not only minimizes the risk of damage but also instills confidence and peace of mind throughout the moving process.

 

Customer-Centric Approach

They prioritize clear communication and tailored solutions to fit the unique needs of each client. From the initial consultation to the final item being placed in your new home or office, they ensure a responsive and accommodating service. This customer-centric approach is what sets them apart in the Chesterfield relocation landscape, making them a trusted partner in your moving journey.

Advanced Resources

Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and vehicles, Chesterfield Moving Services ensures that every logistical aspect of your move is covered. Their fleet of modern trucks and a wide array of packing materials guarantee that your belongings are transported efficiently and with great care. This integration of advanced resources in their operations enhances their overall service delivery, making them a standout choice for anyone looking to move within or beyond Chesterfield.  With their comprehensive services, experienced professionals, customer-centric approach, and advanced resources, they offer a reliable and efficient solution for anyone facing the daunting task of moving. Whether you are transitioning to a new home or relocating your business, Chesterfield Moving Services ensures that your move is nothing short of successful. Choose them for a smooth and stress-free relocation experience that you can rely on.

[miglaniorg]

3 Bhk Flat In Noida Extension Ready To Move 

Buying a home is a veritably instigative experience, especially if it’s your first home. It is the residence that brings together a lot of aspects to make your dreams come alive. Constructed by the world- notorious mastermind Miglani.org group and geography designed by internationally famed geography adviser Integral Designs, we offer you a beautifully planned design with wide open areas and comfortable homes (3 Bhk Flat ).

Comfort that’s beyond imagination

Migalni offers 3 BHK apartments in Noida extension with stirring graphic views that make you feel close to nature. Our 3 BHK apartments in Noida extension have wide open spaces and cross ventilation in the entire house with Vastu friendly layouts allowing ample flux of natural light while maintaining maximum sequestration. We offer commodious living and dining apartments with attached sundecks that open to beautiful green geographies. You also have access to a large mileage deck for the convenience of washing clothes and other ménage work. A contemporary kitchen ensures minimal sound and maximum sequestration with devoted spaces for all your ultramodern appliances to help you in cooking succulent food at home. Each room boasts of stylish- in- class ultramodern almirahs made from superior quality accouterments completed with a touch of finesse to offer you the sense and luxury of staying at a 5- star hostel.

We aim to reduce pollution and give a healthy living terrain by planting thousands of trees in our green area. This Green Area is accessible directly from the independent drop- off zones of each palace creating an aesthetically designed area for children and seniors ( 3 bhk flats in noida ) .

Our 3 BHK apartments in Noida extension are grounded on the ultramodern armature erected with superior quality accouterments offering great space and a well-balanced structure. Indeed the mileage & restroom shaft have been placed in a way that offers an unstopped view and openness indeed to the mileage deck.

Luxury Inside eschewal!

Flooring and Wall Penstocks

Vitrified penstocks flooring in the living room, dining room, and kitchen

Rustic/ Vitrified pipe flooring in bedrooms

Ceramic penstocks in toilets

Staircase & levees to be handed in Kota flooring/ marble or original

sundecks will haveanti-skid ceramic flooring.

Ceramic wall penstocks in toilets till the needed height and up to 600 mm height above kitchen counter arbor

Paint

Plastic conflation on interior walls and ceilings

The texture makeup finish of surface grade for surface walls

Kitchen

Kitchen counters inpre-polished determinedness/ decoration marble gravestone, electrical points for kitchen chimney stack & waggery. Stainless sword Gomorrah, decoration chrome plated fittings.

Restroom ( 2 bhk flat in noida extension )

Premium aseptic institutions. Premium chrome plated fittings

Electricals

All electrical wiring in concealed conduits; provision for acceptable light & power points. Telephone &t.v outlets and delineation, dining and all bedrooms; moldered modular plastic switches & defensive MCB’s

Safety & Security

Perimeter security and devoted entrance lobby security guards with CCTV cameras for fresh security, fire forestallment, repression, discovery & alarm system as per fire morals.

Structural Strength

Earthquake resistant RCC framed structure.

Our 3 BHK apartments in Noida extension

On- call laundry

On- call vindicated maid service

Genesets for 100 backup of exigency & safety installation, lifts & common areas

Multi-purpose hall

mileage shops

Swimming pool with changing apartments

preschool for children

Gymnasium

Cafe and chesterfield

Field tennis court

Basketball court

Table tennis and Billiards

Golf pretend room

Golf putting

Inner badminton and Squash

propinquity to Health and Education

Proximity to some of the stylish seminaries like Lotus Valley, Ryan International, Gaur International, Indo Global, and Sapphire International along with numerous others ( ready to move flat ) .

[petspeopletogether]

Los Angeles, California: Looking for a sweet, soft, teddy bear-faced senior pup to be your new BFF? Look no further than Javi, who is currently in need of a loving home with a seeing eye human guide.

Javi is visually impaired, but that doesn’t stop him from living life to the fullest even in a shelter setting. Javi is great on leash and is very good at being guided so he doesn’t bump into things. He loves treats and he is a fan of balls 🎾.

We would love to see this sweet-faced 9-year-old boy out of the shelter and into a loving home. Wouldn’t you?

1️⃣ Call 888-452-7381 with Javi’s ID # A1985842 & LAAS will share all information available.

2️⃣ If you’re interested in moving forward with the adoption/rescue, LAAS will take your information and complete the adoption paperwork by phone.

3️⃣ LA Animal Services will schedule an appointment for you to meet and bring your new companion home.

*Javi is currently at Chesterfield Sq/ South LA Animal Services Center – 1850 W. 60th St. Los Angeles, CA 90047

[elsanna-shenanigans]

August Contest Submission #11: Fleurs Anciennes

Words: ca. 5,000 Setting: Canon Lemon: lime CW: None

The sudden jolt from the train woke Elsa from her light doze. It no longer surprised her to suddenly wake from an unexpected nap, they happened often enough nowadays. Warm breath puffed against her neck. She looked down at Anna sleeping peacefully on her shoulder. Hair, having lost its bright red color to a snowy white years ago, tickled her nose and Elsa lifted a hand to caress her sister’s wrinkled cheek.

Tomorrow would be forty-five years together.

There were many things Elsa forgot over the years, the first time she used her powers, the sound of their parent’s voices, the names of the various princes who tried to court her. But she’d never forget Anna’s tearful confession that night in the library.

“I can’t do this anymore! I can’t keep pretending I only love you like a sister. I want to hold you, and kiss you, and take you to bed. If we could, I’d ask you to marry me and be by your side forever. I- I’m in love with you.”

Neither would she ever forget that first desperate, clumsy kiss, her response to Anna’s confession when words failed to move past her own lips. Now they were set to celebrate their anniversary at the Paris World’s Fair tomorrow. Yes, they would have to attend the opening celebration as Arendelle’s ceremonial ambassadors and stop by their country’s display but then the rest of the day, and the entire week afterwards, would belong to them.

Knock. Knock.

“Your Majesties, the train will be arriving in about fifteen minutes.”

“Thank you, Tabatha.” Despite them both abdicating the throne fifteen years ago after Arendelle officially became a democracy, most citizens of Arendelle persisted in addressing them by their former royal title. 

“Annaaaa…” Gentle shaking of her sister’s knee. “It’s time to get up.”

“Five more minutes…” faint snores

It didn’t matter if Anna was five or sixty-five, waking her up tended to be a long, slow process. 

“Anna, we’re almost there.” Shake shake. “Time to wake up.” Shake.

“Ugh. Do I have to?” Anna sat up and tiredly rubbed her eyes.

“Yes, my love.” Years ago Elsa stopped trying to figure out how her sister’s hair could stand up on its own. “Turn your back towards me and I’ll fix your hair.”

“Hmmm, thank you.” 

Soft lips brushed against hers in a sleepy kiss. Before Anna could pull back, Elsa stopped her with a tender touch to her cheek and deepened the kiss.

“Oh,” wide, no longer sleepy, smile, “I’m awake now.”

“Good. Now turn around.”

“Right.” Anna stole one more quick kiss then she turned to face the window. 

Nimble fingers picked apart the untidy bun and smoothed down the wild locks.  Elsa fastened the last pin in Anna’s hair when the train began to slow its speed.

Paris. 

Though not their first time in the famous French city, they still eagerly watched people and carriages drift by on crowded streets. 

Elsa’s gaze moved from the window to watch the love of her life instead.

Teal eyes moved from the window and met hers. 

“What?”

“Oh, nothing,” Elsa shrugged casually, “just enjoying the view.”

Eyes rolled but she didn’t miss the light dusting of pink on wrinkled cheeks.

Squealing brakes grew louder, signaling their final approach into the station. Shouts in French announcing, Elsa assumed since she didn’t speak the language, for all passengers to disembark for Paris could barely be heard over the hissing release of steam.

Knock. Knock.

“Come in.” 

Tabatha opened the compartment’s door, curtsied respectfully, then efficiently began gathering their personal belongings.

“Kaarina and Polk are going to the luggage car.”

“I can help with the bags, Tabatha.” 

“Please take your time; I will wait for you on the platform.” Another curtsy, and Tabatha, easily carrying three bags including her own, exited into the corridor. 

“Or not,” Anna grumbled.

Chuckling, Elsa rubbed her sister’s back comfortingly. Not once since Tabatha took over after Gerda’s retirement did she let either of them help with even the simple tasks. Absolute horror would be the only way she could describe the look on her face the first time they offered to help. She looked about ready to burst into tears when Gerda picked up their breakfast plates and declared Tabatha should ignore them. She followed that advice ever since.

They helped each other don their respective shawls; dark blue with Arendelle’s coat of arms stitched in silver thread for Elsa and the same for Anna but in dark green. 

Elsa’s eyes flicked to the compartment’s window and sighed unhappily.

This is why she preferred not to travel outside of Arendelle. Back home she could openly show affection for her sister and no one batted an eye at quick little pecks on the lips. Their relationship was an unacknowledged open secret. 

Anna passed over Elsa’s ice cane and they carefully made their way off the train. On the bustling platform they were greeted by a tall man in a perfectly tailored gray suit.

“His name is Radford, he welcomes us to Paris, and will escort us to the hotel,” Anna whispered in her ear.

The only foreign language Elsa could manage with ease was English while Anna had an ear for them and could freely converse in six different languages. An immensely helpful skill over the years when they traveled outside of Arendelle.

Once Kaarina and Polk arrived, both carrying a trunk, the small party followed Radford out of the station, over the wooden footbridge leading directly to the front steps of the Grand Hotel Terminus, and to the door of their suite on the top floor.

Anna smiled as she spoke with Radford.

Still unable to understand a word being said, Elsa’s gaze wandered to the lavishly decorated hallway lit by the new electric lights. She sighed enviously. Equipping the castle with these amazing electric lights would have to be a task for the next generation in charge of the castle. She’d looked into it already; cost and logistics made it impossible at this time. 

“Oui, Madam.” Radford handed Tabatha their room key.

Elsa’s attention returned to the tall man talking with her sister.

“Passe un bon séjour s'il te plaît.” He bowed deeply then walked briskly back to the elevator.

“He said for us to enjoy our stay.” 

Tabatha unlocked the door and held it open for them to enter.

There were advantages to being known as the old, eccentric, spinster sisters. No one questioned them insisting on only having their own servants take care of things. Pretending to sleep in different beds, keeping a respectful distance, curbing the affectionate little touches, anything that an unknown, foreign servant might find odd didn’t matter. 

Kaarina, Polk, and Tabatha walked right into the larger bedroom to deposit the luggage.

“I asked for dinner to be brought up to our room in thirty minutes. Unless you wanted to go out?” 

“No.” Now in the privacy of their room, Elsa leaned her cane against a nearby wingback chair and wrapped her arms around Anna’s neck. Three weeks of foreign guests and preparations for this trip had left them with horribly little alone time together. She had no intention of squandering this time with eating out.

“Good.” Anna’s arms wrapped around Elsa’s waist and pulled her close. “An evening alone with you sounds wonderful.”

Lips brushed against hers.

“Absolutely wonderful.” The whispered words were barely audible.

“Ahem.”

Elsa turned her head to smile at Kaarina and Polk. Years of having servants walk in on them kissing ceased to cause embarrassment anymore.

“Tabatha is unpacking your trunks, Your Majesties.”

“Thank you. Enjoy your stay with your cousin…” Elsa searched her memory, “Marie, was it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Kaarina grinned widely. “It’s been five years since we’ve seen her and the kids.”

“Have a pleasant visit. We will see you on the fourteenth.” 

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Both bowed then hastily exited from the room.

“I guess they were eager to start their holiday,” Elsa chuckled. 

“Mmmm…” Anna placed a lingering kiss on Elsa’s neck. “They aren’t the only ones.”

“Tabatha is still here.” Her cheeks warmed. Quick, little licks were added to the kisses landing on her neck. Elsa’s knees wobbled.

“There’s a spare bedroom.”

Forty-five years together and Anna was still temptation on two legs.

“N-no.” Elsa stepped back out of her sister’s arms. They were dirty from traveling all day, they didn’t have dinner yet, they were not alone… and there was an unoccupied spare bedroom.

Distraction.

They both needed a distraction.

Eyes flicked around the room. The balcony was out, the evening was still fairly chilly and she did not want to chance Anna getting ill. The dining area was also out, while beautiful with its intricately carved table and chairs, no distractions could be seen. The spare bedroom was absolutely off limits. The seating area… 

She had never been so grateful to see a tiny stack of letters before.

“We have correspondence to answer.”

“Of course we do.” Anna handed Elsa her cane and they walked over to the ornate desk. “Do we need to accept any of these?”

“No.” She quickly looked through them before handing them over. Luckily, there were only four letters. Unluckily, they were certainly all in a different language, meaning Anna would have to answer them herself. 

“Do I need to add anything special?” In the drawer Anna found a letter opener and began breaking the seals.

“No, just the standard declining of the invitation.” 

With nothing to do while Anna wrote, Elsa wondered about the room. Electric lights glowed bright as the sun began to set. Again, she wished it were possible to equip Arendelle Castle with such technology. There was even a telephone to communicate directly with the service staff. A truly marvelous new hotel.

On the dining room table she spotted her book. Tabatha must have set it there earlier.

Elsa retrieved it and settled onto the comfortable Chesterfield, eager to read more of the new character detective Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson.

Fully immersed in the story, the knock on the door with their dinner nearly caused Elsa to drop her book.

“Careful there, don’t want to lose your place.”

“Anna!” This time she did drop her book. Elsa turned to see her sister sitting beside her. “How long have you been there?”

“About ten minutes, I guess,” she chuckled and picked up Elsa’s book. “This must be good. I’ll have to read this after you.”

“Your Majesties, dinner is served.”

“Thank you, Tabatha.” Anna handed over the ice cane and escorted Elsa, still a bit dazed from being startled from her book so suddenly, to the table.

They sat down to two plates of steamed salmon, rice, and mushrooms. Conversation flowed easily from one topic to another; the opening ceremony for the World’s Fair tomorrow (“Ugh. I don’t want to get up that early. Can we skip it?”), things they were missing in Arendelle (“Kristoff was so excited. He and Bonnie get the grandkids for two weeks!”), books they had read (“That Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde book was creepy.”), what they would like to do during their week in Paris (“Could we go to the Louvre? We missed it last time.”), and even who to extend invitations to Arendelle next (“Ariel and Eric or Belle and Adam?”).

“I have drawn your bath. Is there anything you require of me before I bid you goodnight?” Tabatha folded her hands primly in front of her, ready to fulfill any request they might have.

“No, that will be all for the night.” Elsa smiled, eager to soak in the hot water. 

“Very well. Pleasant dreams, Your Majesties.” She gathered the empty plates to drop off on the way to her own room.

“Sweet dreams! Feel free to sleep in tomorrow.” Anna grinned hopefully.

Elsa rolled her eyes.

“Goodnight, Tabatha. We’ll see you early tomorrow morning.”

“What do you two have against sleep?” They both ignored Anna’s muttering though Elsa caught a slight quirk of the servant’s lips.

Tabatha bobbed a curtsy and silently left the room.

“Now,” Elsa grabbed her cane and began walking to the bathroom, “you can continue grumbling or you can join me for a bath.”

“Bath.” Footsteps hurried after her. “Definitely the bath.”

* * * * * 

Elsa concentrated on keeping her balance without the aid of a cane while she dried her hair. She hummed contentedly at finally feeling clean for the first time since they left Arendelle. Getting to lay in Anna’s arms for the last fifteen minutes while the water cooled had been exactly what she needed. Travel never allowed them much privacy and they’d been traveling for four days. 

Carefully, she stepped over to the counter with her cane. Elsa stopped halfway there. A full length mirror, fogged only along its edges with condensation, reflected her image back at her. Back in Arendelle, the candlelight did not shine nearly as brightly as these electric lights and every aging imperfection was perfectly illuminated in this light. Her once slim, hourglass figure now carried a bit more weight about her stomach and thighs, her breasts sagged and she now required undergarments for her clothes to fit correctly, and wrinkles were no longer confined to her face, they now covered her whole body.

She frowned.

Arms wrapped around Elsa from behind.

“Hey there, beautiful.”

“I don’t know about-“

“Ah ah ah.” Anna’s hand covered Elsa’s mouth, stopping her words. “What have I said? I will not tolerate anyone speaking badly about the woman I love even…” she removed her hand.

Elsa sighed.

“Ahem,” Anna raised an eyebrow.

“…even if that’s me.” Warmth spread at the sincerity of Anna’s smile.

“That’s right.” She placed a kiss on Elsa’s bare shoulder.

Turning around in Anna’s arms, Elsa leaned in and kissed her, taking time to slowly deepen it. Every single day this wonderful woman showed her how incredibly loved she was. 

“You know…” Elsa brushed her lips along a very familiar jaw. “We’re finally alone. No foreign visitors, no servants, no responsibilities until tomorrow…”

“Hmmm…” Eyes closed.

“The bed looked quite comfortable.”

“It is time for bed.” Anna’s hands rested decidedly lower than Elsa’s waist.

Arms resting on Anna’s shoulders, Elsa pressed her firmly backwards out of the bathroom. They could get her cane later.

Much later.

* * * * *

Elsa concentrated on Anna’s whispered translation of the opening ceremony of the World’s Fair and not the engineering marvel of the Eiffel Tower towering over them. These speeches all followed the same script welcoming the politicians who supported the event, thanking the major donors by name, claiming this to be the event of the century, and all punctuated with long pauses for expected clapping. They both sat through too many of these sorts of ceremonies in their life.

Finally the last speaker invited the crowd to enjoy the World’s Fair and bowed to thunderous applause.

People around them wasted no time in standing to find their friends and not going through the entrance, this crowd didn’t seem particularly eager to join the masses of regular citizens streaming into the event.

Once the initial rush died down, they wove their way around chairs and groups of boisterous people.

“Queen Elsa! Queen Anna!” called a deep voice in English.

Two heads turned as one to see a clean shaven, silver-haired gentleman with golden spectacles hurry their way.

“Richard!” Anna hugged the man the instant he reached them.

“It is wonderful to see you ladies here.” Richard hugged Elsa next, his laughter carrying over the din of conversation.

“I didn’t expect to see you.” Why had England’s longtime Ambassador to Arendelle shown up here? Elsa knew nearly all of Europe’s monarchies refused to participate in this World’s Fair celebration of the French Revolution.

“Don’t tell Queen Victoria,” he whispered mischievously. “Mildred wanted to hear Thomas Edison’s new phonograph.”

“Where is that lovely wife of yours?” Anna looked quite serious, “someone has to keep an eye on you.”

“Oh, I completely agree, Your Majesty.” 

“Mildred!” Anna turned to face her best friend.

“Hello, Anna.” They hugged tightly, delighted smiles on both their faces. “How was your trip over?”

“Not too bad!” With that the two excitedly began chatting about their trips.

“You would think our wives hadn’t seen each other in months and not two weeks,” Richard whispered in Elsa’s ear.

Both shared an amused look.

Elsa watched the two best friends quickly catch up, old memories surfacing. Decades ago, Richard introduced the younger woman from town he had begun courting and the two women connected immediately. After that, Elsa no longer felt guilty the few times she and Richard needed to discuss matters of state over dinner. Anna and Mildred could, and still did, enjoy each other’s company for hours.

“Do you think they remember we’re here?” Elsa whispered back.

“Absolutely not.”

They laughed at the old shared joke.

“I think they’re laughing at us, Anna.”

“Yup. They certainly are.” 

“We would never laugh at you.” Elsa tried her best to keep the smile off her face. 

“Uh huh.” Anna rolled her eyes and turned her focus to Richard. “How long will you be in France?”

“Two weeks, then we return to Arendelle.”

“We’re here for a week. Maybe we can meet up for dinner one night?” Anna asked hopefully.

“I don’t think we have anything planned for Thursday, if you’re free.” Mildred stood at her husband’s side and slipped an arm through his.

“We are free.” Dinners with their closest friends were always a pleasure. “We can meet- OH!”

Something hit her side hard causing Elsa to drop her cane as she fell sideways.  She closed her eyes preparing for the painful impact of hard ground.

It never came.

Relief flooded Elsa when two familiar arms caught her.

“Are you alright?” 

Elsa could only nod, her heart racing from the scare.

“Good. Good.” The shaky sigh of relief told Elsa that the near-fall scared her sister, too.

Once upright, Elsa turned to see what knocked into her. On the ground lay a laughing young man reeking of wine.

“Pardon, pardon!” More laughter.

Barely nine in the morning and this stranger was already falling down drunk. Elsa held onto Anna’s arm tightly, her sister looking ready to kick the drunk man while he was still on the ground.

“Pardon!” He still giggled as he reached for the dropped cane.

“It’s okay, I can-”

“Don’t touch-“

“I wouldn’t do-“

Three voices tried to stop the man before he touched it, though Anna remained silent, her glare intense.

“Glacé!” He dropped it immediately and shook his hand. “Glacé!”

“No, no.” Richard helped the drunk man up. “Amis?”

“Quel?”

“Amis.”

“Oh.” The young man gestured vaguely behind him.

“We will take him back to his friends. Which hotel are you staying at?” Mildred asked after positioning herself at the man’s other side. It obviously would take both of them to get him anywhere.

“The Grand Hotel Terminus.” Elsa spoke up as Anna remained silent and glaring.

“We’ll meet you there before going to dinner. Does five o’clock sound fine?”

“Perfect. We will see you at five. Enjoy the World’s Fair.”

Once the three started walking over to a group of laughing and pointing people, Anna leaned down to pick up the ice cane muttering something that suspiciously sounded like ‘I should have accidentally stepped on him,’ which Elsa chose to ignore. Anna’s protectiveness, which started prior to their relationship, had not waned over the years and, honestly, neither had her own. She probably would have discreetly frozen his feet to the ground and iced his undergarments had it been Anna he knocked down.

“Here.” Anna handed her the cane.

“Thank you, my love.”

Anna smiled at the term of endearment. 

Now that her sister no longer looked ready to find that young man and punch him, Elsa hooked their arms together and directed their steps to where Arendelle’s pavilion lay. She would have loved to stay and take in the Eiffel Tower but there were other days for that, distracting Anna was more important and they would have to walk right through the, reportedly, stunning garden exhibits. The gardens back home were Anna’s favorite place to be, to the point where, decades ago, the gardeners cleared an area just for her use. 

“Don’t you want to-“

“Tomorrow.” She kept moving them forward. “We should start making our way over.”

“If you’re sure…”

“Mmhmm.”

They were only six meters into the garden area when Anna’s eyes widened and her head started swiveling back and forth trying to take everything in. 

Even Elsa, with only a casual enjoyment of gardens, could see how breathtaking these displays were. Flowers exploded with color everywhere, tall green bushes hid the rest of the World’s Fair from view, beautifully carved fountains bubbled noisily, and butterflies could be seen fluttering from plant to plant. They strolled slowly through this second Garden of Eden without saying a word.

About halfway through the exhibit, she saw a stall down a side path and immediately decided that she needed to distract Anna so she could sneak back.

It seemed luck was on her side today. 

One of the many roaming gardeners paused to prune a yellow rose bush. 

“Anna, do you mind if we stop for a few minutes? There’s an empty bench here and I’m a little tired.”

“Of course,” her sister frowned. “Are you all right?”

“Yes,” she couldn’t help chuckling before continuing, “someone kept me up late last night.”

“That was your own fault,” Anna purred in her ear and placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

Elsa could feel her face warm up in a blush and she swallowed thickly.

“Y-y-yes. R-right.” All those years together and Anna could still fluster her with just a few words.

“Let’s get to that bench before anyone else, you seducer of younger women.” 

Completely speechless and face burning with heat, Elsa silently walked with Anna to the bench.

“Wait. I’m the only one who needs to rest,” the croaky sound of her voice betrayed her continued flustered state. “Why don’t you go look at the displays?”

“Are you sure?” Anna looked torn between staying with her and examining the garden displays.

“I’ll be fine. I just need a little rest.” She sat down and patted Anna’s side. “Go. Have fun.”

“Okay.” 

Elsa watched and waited.

Once her sister found herself no longer confined to the castle, her cheerful personality and eagerness to try new things helped her quickly learn the social skills they lacked after thirteen years of isolation. People naturally felt at ease around her and Anna enjoyed getting to know new people. There had been many times while Queen that Elsa used this to ease prickly meetings. They would both enter a room and before a word could be said, Kai would interrupt with a made up emergency that required Elsa’s urgent attention. By the time she returned ten minutes later, without fail, there would be smiles all around the room and the meeting would actually be productive.

It would only take Anna a few minutes to work her magic on the gardener then she’d be free to sneak away unnoticed.

Once the gardener nodded rapidly and started pointing at plants, Elsa stood and walked the two dozen steps to the side pathway spotted earlier. Another few dozen steps and Elsa reached the large wooden stall. The rich scent of chocolate filled the air and she pored over each of the five different assortment of chocolate boxes displayed. One glance at the chocolates in the purple box was all she needed. 

Box purchased and tucked in the small cloth bag at her wrist, which now held a discrete enchantment to keep it cool, Elsa hurried back to the bench. She needn’t have rushed. Anna and the gardener were still deep in conversation, oblivious to their surroundings. After five more minutes, and hating to break them up, she stood and called her sister over.

“Yes, Elsa?”

“I’m sorry to interrupt, however, we should be going.”

“That’s alright.” Anna linked their arms together and they resumed their walk.

“It looked like a good conversation?” If the last five minutes she saw were any indication it was.

“Yup! Gustav is a third generation gardener and came all the way from Bourges to be part of this. He was telling me…” Anna began excitedly sharing her conversation with Gustav.

Anna talked about all she learned and how that might work in her own garden while they walked. Even though she probably only understood about fifty percent of the information, Elsa still contentedly listened and asked questions.

After twenty minutes their destination came into view.

“Oh, wow.”

Elsa could only nod in agreement.

Being a small, relatively unknown nation, Arendelle had been placed behind the other well known countries. The wooden structure before them was larger than most of the buildings back home. Expertly made carvings of the native animals decorated the four doorways, the traditional design found on most buildings of crocuses, straight lines, and chevrons painted in blues and purples decorated the whitewashed walls, and teal tiles sat on the roof instead of the more common brown. Multiple tiered sections of roof with pointed spires and the small balcony over the door on which a banner of Arendelle’s time-honored crest hung, gave Elsa the impression of her Ice Palace meshed with traditional Arendelle buildings. 

What took their breath away were the hundreds, if not thousands, of crocuses surrounding the building on all sides. They weren’t the common royal purple found everywhere, but the color of snow. They were so rare in Arendelle that local legend said they only grew outside of town, atop a specific hill, under an ancient tree because that was where two sisters promised each other a lifetime’s fidelity. The area could now be found on local maps as ‘The Queen’s Joy.’ Little did the town’s people know that every year Elsa and Anna would go to that hill and plant seeds harvested from those same flowers.

Tears pricked Elsa’s eyes.

“Queen Elsa! Queen Anna! You made it!” An older woman with gray hair hustled down the steps over to them.

“This is beautiful, Helga.” Elsa’s voice softened. “Thank you.”

“You both are so much a part of Arendelle and we wanted to show that.” Helga grinned, obviously happy at their awed reactions. 

“I knew the committee chose the right person!” Hugs all around as they praised the Master Carpenter even more, causing her to blush.

“Thank you both for recommending me. But I do have one favor to ask of you, Queen Elsa.” Helga looked hopefully over.

“If I can grant it, I will.” She wondered what it could be.

“In the initial plans, we included elements that were to mimic your ice designs. None of the prototypes worked so we scrapped it. Do you think… maybe…” 

Back when Elsa realized more and more people not from Arendelle believed the stories of her powers were just myths, she stopped using them outside of Arendelle lest they put a target on her, and thus her home, by some power-hungry nation.

Elsa looked around. 

There were no visitors this far back yet. Most of the crowd had headed to The Gallery of Machines and the few walking to the pavilions certainly were visiting the massive, beautiful building Argentina built. 

“Did you have something in mind?” Ideas sprung up immediately and she tried to ignore them.

“I’ll leave that to you, Your Majesty. I do have one small request though.” Helga nervously shifted from foot to foot.

“Yes?”

“Could you put your snowflake on the middle spire in front?”

“I can do that.”

“Wonderful!” Wide waving of Helga’s right arm caught her eye.

People streamed past until all thirty or so workers stood behind them.

“I suppose everyone is here now?” Apparently the movements Elsa had assumed to be work being done was actually them waiting for Helga’s signal. She heard Anna snicker beside her.

“Ahem, yes.” 

“Is the area still clear?” Elsa asked loudly. Too many people surrounded her to see for herself.

Once the hum of multiple ‘yes’ responses died down, Elsa handed Anna her bag and cane.

Hands moved in a tight circle and her magic, as strong as ever, danced around her fingertips. The image of what Elsa wished for the magic to do set, she pushed her hands out sending it barreling to the building’s middle spire, she floated one hand down and the other up, coaxing the ice into shape.

Ice swirled up each of the fifteen spires, the tallest one proudly displaying Elsa’s snowflake, teal roof tiles sparkled with flecks of ice, enough to glitter in the sunlight though not enough to be dangerous should any repairs be needed. From the top of the walls down until around ten feet above the ground, flat clear ice shaped as snowflakes glinted in the sun.  Now the white crocuses thickly covering the ground looked more like snow than living plants. 

Satisfied with how her added decorations looked, Elsa twirled her hands once more.

“The ice should only melt when you begin taking down the pavilion.”

Silence. 

More silence.

Too much silence.

Elsa began to worry.

Cheers suddenly shattered the silence.

Helga waited a full minute before shouting over the noise.

“Okay everyone, back to work!”

“Oh wow, that was amazing!”

“It’s been years since I’ve seen Queen Elsa use her powers.”

“I can’t wait to write to my husband back home about this.”

“Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?”

“That made this whole job worth it.”

“Thank you so much, Queen Elsa. This is perfect. Though I’m sorry, I have to get back. A display board fell just before you arrived.”

“Forgive us for interrupting your work.” Anna apologized and handed Elsa back her cane and her bag.

“No need to, Your Majesties. It is always a pleasure. Besides,” she glanced back to the building, “they’re smiling now instead of looking nervous. Thank you.” Helga bobbed a curtsy and hurried back.

“I see a bench. Would you like to sit down? It was kind of a long walk.”

“Yes, I’d like that.” Despite their leisurely pace over, it had been a long walk and their commitments as Arendelle’s ceremonial ambassadors were now complete; they had nowhere else to be and a real rest sounded sublime.

“Your bag felt heavier than from this morning.” Anna commented once they sat on the bench nearby. “Please tell me you snuck in your book. I can’t wait for my turn.”

Elsa had planned to give her sister the box back in their room but here would be nice too. She pulled the cool box out of her bag and turned to face Anna.

“Are those for me?” She looked hopeful, no doubt catching a whiff of chocolate.

“Of course.” Handing the box over, Elsa could not help smiling at Anna’s excitement when opening it. Some things never changed.

“Flowers.”

Indeed they were. Twelve rose shaped, red tinted, chocolates lay on a bed of shredded paper.

Taking a quick look around and still only seeing people from Arendelle, Elsa leaned in and kissed Anna’s soft lips. Fingers tenderly caressed the back of her neck.

Every year Elsa would, without fail, give Anna flowers on their anniversary. One year an orchid lovingly cared for in a greenhouse, another year jewelry straight away deemed too special to be worn everyday, even a book of collected poetry which lived on her bedside table for the past twenty-three years… each flower-themed gift cherished beyond measure.

They reluctantly pulled apart, remembering they were outside, and snuggled comfortably together. 

There would be time for more later.

[tristramssales]

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[cherryplasmids]

☆ the lives you’ve left behind ☆

pairing: donny donowitz x reader

fandom: inglourious basterds—post-movie sequence

anon request: hi girl! i love your writing and i was wondering if you still write for donny donowitz? if you do i was wondering if you could do an angsty one? that's all i ask, you could take that and run with it however :)

notes: the reader has a kid  — aldo is referred to the reader’s child as ‘uncle’ but that doesn’t mean they are actually related. also, aldo is married to a girl name jenny

— the child is a boy named Alex for filler purposes

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"That's your daddy," You whisper, pulling the tiny bundle of joy closer to your chest. 

The infant, swaddled in a pale yellow blanket decorated with small brown bears, yawns but does not take notice of your words. Instead, Alex twists, stretches his arms out and settles back onto your chest. Without a care in the world, he just relaxes in the warmth that you've given him. An inkling of envy flashes through you—you would do anything to be that carefree again. But the war ruined everything, including your unbridled youthful attitude. 

"Handsome, isn't he?" You question as if the little one will respond. You'd be more scared than anything if he does. You wave the 4x6 photo forward to entice your baby to look. "The most handsome man I've ever seen. Everyone thinks so too, even your uncle Aldo but he won't admit to that.

"But don't worry, baby. You'll be just as handsome and charming as your old man was." 

As if he understands, the boy babbles happily, spit freely spilling over his lips and onto his cheeks. Grabbing a Kleenex from the bedside table, you wipe his face. It doesn't deter him. He continues to express his enjoyment through spit bubbles and random giggling. Your heart swells at the sight—his happiness contagious enough to erase your woes for the night. 

When the sun rises, you'll tell Aldo all about the affection your newborn has been showing. He'll run down the street to coddle his nephew. 

You don't continue until your baby boy calms down enough to the point where spit no longer seeps out of his mouth. By then, sleepiness is taking hold of him. He gives out a deep yawn. One of his tiny hands grips your right thumb while the other curls into a fist and rubs his eyes. A smile quirks at your lips. You take that as a sign to turn in. 

“I’ll tell you about your daddy’s love for baseball tomorrow okay? I’ll even show you his prized baseball cards. but you can’t tell him or he’ll have my head.”

He’s knocked out by the time you lay him down. You pray he’ll sleep through the night, allowing you to earn to some much-needed shut-eye he’s deprived you of for months. After tucking him in, you tuck the photo of Donny under his pillow. You press a gentle kiss on his forehead, whisper a few sweet words to him, and then glide out of the room, leaving the door ajar in case he wails for your attention. You make do with this system until Jenny, Aldo's wife, takes you shopping for a baby monitor. She knows a lot more about baby care than you do.

Sleepiness is taking you hostage too with a yawn escaping your lips every 1-2 minutes but you had housework to complete before the morning arrives. Mostly just clearing out boxes of gifts the Donowitz family had sent from Boston. Some of them were open, others weren’t. Gifts like a microwave or other kitchenware were left in their respective box. You’ll deal with those on a later date. 

There’s one box, though, that remains sealed. You inspect the plain cardboard container and see a word written across one side in neat cursive. But it isn’t the penmanship that has you gasping and dropping the box in shock.

No, it’s the word 'Donny' labeled across the surface that does.

It takes a moment or two for you to shake off the shock and another to get down to the ground. Sitting cross-legged, you stare at the box as if something will pop out and yell “surprise”—a harmful prank that will send you wailing for something you no longer had.

The knife seamlessly glides across the tape and you wonder when you reached for a knife in the first place. Your body is moving on its own accord without a thought concerning your mental wellbeing. While your heart thuds painfully against your ribcage, your hands steadily tear open the cardboard overlaps. 

Taking a deep breath, you open the flaps and find a single sheet of paper covering the rest of the objects. It reads “for my darling daughter, with much love.” It’s signed “Mama Donowitz”.

Underneath the letter reveals a boatload of miscellaneous items from Donny's youth that he's shown to you with pride. His prized Lefty Grove signed baseball, favorite Wrigley's chewing gum, and his worn and torn favorite baseball glove stood out the most. Little things like that made you grin to the point where your cheeks reached your eyes. Anecdotes of Donny's childhood run through your mind—his voice echoing pure excitement. You take your time admiring each item, trying to permanently engrave them into your memory just like you had with his stories. 

Then you find Donny's baby socks, embroidered with his name in red string.  All resolve you bottled up for months disappeared instantly. You completely crumble.

You press the little socks to your chest as tears freely stream down your face and onto your neck, coating the bare skin with liquid. A wail bubbles up within you, crawling up your throat at a steady pace. But when you open your mouth to scream, nothing comes out. It dies in your throat. The only effort you can commit to is to rock back in forth, allowing sobs to shake your body. If someone saw you, they might have thought you were convulsing. They might have even called the ambulance. 

The sobs don’t stop until hours later. By the time your heart calms down from its burning thrum, exhaustion envelops you. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

           Aldo kicks some dirt on the side of the road while lighting up a Chesterfield. It doesn't take long for him to reach your house since it's down the road. He checks his wristwatch before knocking on the front door. He has about 45 minutes to meet Jenny at the factory. He'll spend 15 minutes here for coffee before leaving. You always made better coffee than his wife. 

After some knocking and no response, Aldo takes it upon himself to check through the windows. Most of them are covered by curtains but the window facing the breakfast table isn't. He peers through, searching for you and his nephew wrapped in your arms. 

Instead, he finds you on the floor with no baby in sight. 

Aldo runs to the back door and searches for the hidden key. Besides the backdoor, he digs under the false rock where he remembered he put. It’s gone. The Chesterfield falls into the hole. He crushes it out and fixes the dirt on top. As an act of impulse, he stands up, goes to the backdoor, and punches out the small window panels on the door. The glass breaks easily and shards pierce his hand just as smoothly. Just glancing at it, he can tell his flesh is free from any lingering shards. A clean slice on his wrist bleeds moderately. 

He reaches on the opposite side of the door and tugs at the locks. Not a second later, the door slams open, and you shoot up in an upright position. 

Immediately, a fury of questions spews out of Aldo's lips, blending together and becoming unintelligible to your groggy brain. 

"Is it morning already? I swear I took a five-minute na—" You see Aldo's bleeding hand and gasp, reaching out to inspect his wound. Your current position on the floor completely escaping you for a moment. Aldo lets you worry for right now. 

You drag him up to the sink and run his hand over the open water. "Will I be alright, doc?" His odd accent leaves a few letters out. It reminds you of someone you try not to think about. "Ain't seen such a wound since the war."

Briefly glancing at him, he throws a wink and you gratefully smile. "You're the bane of my existence." You take his hand out of the water to wrap it in a big Band-Aid. It has crude miniature drawings of Mickey Mouse that make Aldo question them. "Just in case either your kids or mine get hurt, they'll immediately cheer up at seeing Mickey. Band-Aid should really invest in designing their product. Who knows how much money they could make?"

Aldo agrees as you finish. "You'll see another day, lieutenant"

He crookedly grins at you and thanks you for your service. You offer him some coffee which he enthusiastically agrees too. He checks his watch as he sits down at the breakfast table. Jenny will have his head if he's late. But he doesn't worry too much about that. She'll understand once he explains what happened. 

"Mind tellin’ me why I caught a heart attack on this fine Thursday mornin’? Findin’ you sprawled out like freshly ran over roadkill?"

"Disgusting, Aldo." You say while passing him his mug of coffee. You turn around to fix yourself a toasted bagel with cream cheese. "I guess I was so tired last night that I fell asleep sorting out the gifts." You lazily wave your hand at the unsorted boxes on the floor. 

Aldo walks over to the opened box in the middle of the kitchen and grabs the socks you dropped hours ago. He looks them over and notices a letter embroidered on the top. 'D' in red thread. 

"Those are Donny's." You confirm. Aldo meets your glazed gaze. 

Aldo sucks in a quick breath. It finally clicks in his head. Jenny will understand. 

“Darlin—" You look up at him with such a depressed expression that immediately shuts him up. All he does is gather you in his arms and rests his chin on your head.

 He hears you mumble something about how small Donny's feet were before you silently cry into his chest. 

After a few seconds, Aldo's cheeks become wet with his own tears as he mourns over not only his friend but the lives he left behind. 

────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ────── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ──────

word count: 1,661 published: august 21, 2020  edited: n/a