#Estate Agents in Italy

[gurugirl]

Can We Start Over? | Ch. 1 The Winter Ball

Series Summary: From the first day you and Harry meet, your relationship is beyond complicated. A one night stand leads to hurt feelings and then a job opportunity that you simply can't pass up is offered. But can you handle working for a man like him? rich!harry x plus size!reader | enemies to lovers

A/N: This is a 5 part series commissioned by @justfattiethings (thank you hon!).

Chapter 1. Summary: You meet Harry at your boss's retirement party and your night ends with a bang.

Word Count: 10k

Warning: 18+ only, smut, alcohol consumption, angst

Can We Start Over? masterlist

The winter ball was something Mr. Spector threw every year for his clients, colleagues, and other wealthy people he wanted to be seen with. This one was like the past three you’d attended, but unlike the others, this would be the last. Your boss, Mr. Spector was retiring, and he was moving to Italy. You were happy for him. Truly. He’d been good to you the past three and half years you spent working for him. You took on the duty of a personal assistant and friend. The friend part came naturally, of course. It wasn’t part of your job description but you honestly really liked Mr. Spector. He wasn’t nice to most people. But to you, he was kind of like the dad you never had. He was hard-nosed but he was fair and somehow you two just clicked.

You worked for one of the most elite household talent staffing companies out there. Your clients usually consisted of, not just wealthy people, but filthy rich and usually the kind that wanted to fly under the radar and needed the utmost discretion. In Mr. Spector’s case, he didn’t want his spiteful children to know how much he was really worth. Sure they were in the will, and they’d certainly do well upon his passing (that was all they seemed to care about), but they’d never see the real number of his assets until it was too late and everything was already doled out according to Mr. Spector’s wishes.

And so you helped him in any way you could to achieve this façade. You found a private accountant for him to move money about and helped him keep the appearance of not having the kind of money he actually did. You suggested, for example, that he not buy the Rolls Royce but that the Mercedes should be sufficient, and that rather than wearing a 31-million-dollar Patek Philippe, diamond-encrusted watch, he go with the more basic, 25-thousand-dollar stainless steel sports model Rolex instead. So he still maintained an air of wealth and prestige because there was no question to anyone that he was super rich. But you just helped him bring it down a notch.

And his winter ball was more like his retirement party this time around. He’d really gone all out. Despite your hesitation with some of his selections, you figured you’d give him this one. And you could admit that helping to plan his parties was one of your favorite tasks. You’d fly to venues all over the world seeking the best (once they’d been narrowed down of course) for him. Find the best chefs and mixologists, the perfect planners and decorators. You got to help select finishings, menus, and staff, right down to the types of linen and even the theme of the events.

And the theme of the night was A Secret Garden in the City. For this, you found a penthouse in Manhattan with full 360-degree views. The space was empty when you first arrived to look at it. You were told it wasn’t a place normally rented for parties but that the owner had intended to make it a fancy restaurant at some point. But it had been sitting for years, empty. And you found the place because Mr. Spector knew everyone. You had a number for a real estate agent to the wealthy in New York City and he gave you a bit of insider information. The penthouse space, he’d told you, could be negotiated by the owner to rent given the right price.

You had landscapers come in and make a garden of the space. Flowers, grass, trees, bushes, vines, even a lily pad pond… when everything was put together, it really did look like you were in a secret garden in the middle of Manhattan. Delicate string lights lit the space, the ceiling was painted a dark sky color so it felt as if you were outside. The table settings were like something out of a Hobbit’s Tale with knotty oak chairs with green silk cushions. The linens were of green satin silk with gold embroidery design and the napkins were gold satin. Centerpieces were potted leafy plants of all types, and moss was placed around the pots to give them that fairyland look. Tiny candles illuminated each table all around. Gold cutlery. Big golden lighted globes hung from the ceiling in various sizes between plants that cascaded down. It really was quite the spectacle.

You were proud of how it all turned out. And the 200 guests that Mr. Spector invited all appeared to be in awe of the space.

The stringed music playing for most of the event in the background was live. The musicians stood to the side of the room on a newly installed platform, trees lined the back of the stage. And now that the night was finally coming to an end, well, the main event had ended, it was time to drink and dance and let loose, the band was switched out for something rockier and more upbeat.

Mr. Spector kissed your cheek and gripped your arm, “My dear, you never cease to astonish me with your hard work. Thank you for this. I’ll see you in the morning okay?”

You tried to get him to stay and enjoy the after-party. And like every year before, he declined. He liked his private time. Liked reading and writing and the quiet. He preferred his guests to enjoy what he’d been able to give them. It was, after all, for them, he always said.

“Even though it’s your last event like this? You won’t get this again, sir. Are you sure?” You smiled at him and he nodded. You knew he’d decline to stay.

So, you ordered your second cocktail of the night once Mr. Spector left. Some type of green concoction with a blackberry-sized red flower floating atop. You didn’t know what was in it. All you knew was that it tasted delicious and it was going to get you into some trouble. But maybe that’s what you were looking for that evening. After all, this was your going away party as well. You’d be put back into the system as active again once you were officially out of Mr. Spector’s employ. It would be time to find your next role.

Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Many dancing, some sitting and chatting, others making their rounds to network and schmooze. You stayed at the edge of the dance area and let your body move to the rhythm. You kept your eyes on everyone. Even though you were trying to just enjoy yourself you still felt somewhat responsible for all the attendees. It was ingrained in you.

You definitely fit in with everyone, though. Your outfit was couture, high fashion like the rest of the guests. Mr. Spector had paid for everything for you, as always. You picked out a beautiful cowl neck, deep navy-blue velvet dress with a slit that went up to your mid-thigh. The back draped down tastefully but the drape at the front was dangerously low. Just like you wanted. You had red pumps with gold and ruby jewelry. It was always difficult finding things in your size that weren’t from a big box store but the hunt for the perfect dress and accessories was always worth it. And the dress? You felt absolutely sexy. From head to toe.

The song was swingy and fun. More people covered the dance floor and somehow you’d gotten pushed further in. You still had your drink in hand but now it was nearly empty so you were less worried about spilling any of the liquid on yourself.

A woman you recognized as a small IT business owner greeted you and you both chatted as you danced together. When the song changed Elsie pointed at your drink, “You’re low. So am I,” she lifted her glass to show you, “Should we grab more?”

The answer that night was yes. Yes to anything.

The bar that lined the wall opposite the band had people hovering, waiting for their drinks. You let Elsie take the lead in getting the attention of the bartender. She was a tall, slender blond with smooth shiny hair so you figured she’d do better at getting your drinks faster. And you were used to that. Being the fat one, you tended to get overlooked and ignored. When you were younger it hurt a lot more, but these days you learned to use it to your advantage.

It wasn’t that you thought you were ugly or unworthy. You just understood how most people perceived you, even if they were wrong. You were confident when it mattered and took good care of yourself. And you rarely ever mistook a man’s kindness for him flirting with you, which was nice in a way. You couldn’t ever wrap your mind around assuming every guy who was kind to you was flirting. A lot of your friends had that mentality. Any time a man would chat them up they’d automatically jump to thinking they were being sized up somehow. You couldn’t imagine feeling so confident that you thought a man having a conversation with you meant anything more.

So that’s why when the tall, gorgeous man with dark, soft curls, sharp green eyes, and an even sharper jawline leaned in and asked, “Are you having a good time?” You didn’t assume he was flirting with you.

“I definitely am. How about you?” You turned to look up at him. Deep pink lips, broad shoulders, a very expensive suit and shoes, cocky grin.

“Sure. But I had to fly out here to attend last minute. My assistant forgot to add the event to my calendar so I had to settle for this suit and here I am. I’ll deal with her later. Luckily Alfred always throws the biggest and best parties so it’s been worth it.”

You noted the tiny dig to his assistant in the back of your mind and nodded, “Yeah, Mr. Spector loves to go big. It’s turned out great I think.” You had planned on mentioning you were the man of the night’s assistant until Mr. Cocky complained about his own. So you’d keep that little detail to yourself.

He was drinking whisky, neat. And when Elsie finally returned to your spot at the edge of the bar she handed you your tasty green drink and you introduced her.

“Elsie, this is… uh… What was your name?”

“I’m Harry. Harry Styles,” he held his hand out, gaudy rings on most of his fingers toward the pretty blond and she nodded, “Elsie Powers. Nice to meet you.”

The pair got to talking the moment Elsie mentioned her company and so you decided to dip out. You didn’t need to stand around and watch them flirt, which is what you assumed was going on. They were both gorgeous so that seemed natural to you.

But before you could take even a step outside of the little bubble the three of you were in you felt Harry’s hand at your low back as he leaned down to speak into your ear, “Don’t go too far. I was hoping to ask you something.”

You looked down at his arm and back into his eyes, “Okay… I’ll be around. You can come find me.”

When his fingers slid off your back as you stepped away you still felt the heat of his skin where he’d touched you. You liked his touch, but you assumed it happened because you took up so much space. It was more likely, in your mind, that he hadn’t meant to touch you there at all.

After another cocktail and a bit more dancing by yourself, Harry did find you. You didn’t realize it was him at first. You felt a warm body dancing behind you, not touching, just near enough that the heat emanated from him to your back. But then you heard his voice, “Found you. Thought you left.”

You turned to look at him over your shoulder and spoke, “Was planning on staying til the end. Felt like I deserved to enjoy tonight.”

“And why’s that?” Harry’s hand brushed along your bare arm softly before he removed it. You felt the trail of where he’d touched your arm and it made you wonder if he’d done it on purpose.

“No reason. I just deserve it,” you kept swaying your hips and you felt Harry moving with you, standing over you. You could smell his cologne.

“You don’t mind me dancing with you, do you?” His voice was close to your neck as he spoke.

Shaking your head you turned your body to face him, swinging your hips softly, “Not at all.”

He grinned down at you and the dimple that appeared on his cheek had you taken aback. He was truly stunning.

“Good. Wanted to chat some with you. Find out more about you…” he took your hand in his and pulled you closer, shifting the mood a little as you both danced. You silently inhaled in surprise at his gesture.

“And what did you want to know, Mr. Styles?” You raised your brows and smirked at him. You weren’t sure at that point what he was doing. But he was certainly leading you to believe this was more than just a friendly chat.

“First, what’s your name?”

You laughed, “I’m Y/n. I guess I forgot to introduce myself.”

“Are you here alone, Y/n?” His free hand found a spot on your side over your hip.

“I am. What about you?” You weren’t used to receiving this kind of attention from anyone. Much less a wealthy handsome man.

“I’m here alone too,” he kept a cocky grin plastered to his face as he drew nearer and spoke lowly so only you could hear, “But was hoping I wouldn’t be leaving alone.”

It was at that moment you were truly surprised. Was he…? Couldn’t be. You’d surely misread this situation just in the way all your pretty girlfriends misread it every time a guy showed any friendliness. Maybe it was the three cocktails you’d drank and that had you wondering what was in them.

Harry's hand released yours and he brought his ringed fingers up to your shoulder where he brushed the side of your neck, drawing you in closer with his other hand at your hip, “What about you?”

You blinked your eyes and looked up at him in confusion, “What about me? What do you mean?”

Harry’s grin deepened as he looked down at your mouth and took a clear glance at your cleavage before responding, “Did you hope to leave with someone tonight?”

You scoffed and looked around the dance floor before looking back at him, still not quite believing the direction this conversation was headed, “I hadn’t imagined I would leave with anyone. Figured I’d just go back to my hotel room alone after.”

The ridiculously attractive man licked his lips and kept his gaze on yours, “Really? You don’t want someone to take you back to their room and help you out of this pretty dress tonight?”

You began to cough. You’d choked on your own saliva as you inhaled a sharp breath at the wrong moment. His words caught you off guard.

But now you were hacking and bent at the waist, red in the face like an idiot.

Harry patted your back and you heard him speak into your ear, “You okay, darling? Need some water?”

When you’d recovered you and Harry were standing at the edge of the dancefloor away from the crowd and he had a comforting hand on your back.

You laughed and shook your head, “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened…” you wiped your face, which was moist from the tears you’d forced out from all the coughing.

Harry took your hand and led you to a free seat, pulling a chair out for you and then sitting next to you, his hand still on your back, “Do you feel better now?”

You nodded and smiled at him. You hadn’t forgotten what he said. But now you were sure whatever he was getting at was all but out the window after your little display.

“Come back with me to my room, Y/n.”

Well, that just blasted your little theory.

You sat up straight and your jaw dropped open wide, “Why?”

Harry laughed, “Because I don’t want to go back alone. Spend the night with me tonight.”

Were you in a dream? Had you drunk too much and were blacked out and hallucinating?

“I don’t… I’m not sure what you…” you were unable to put your thoughts together coherently. You hadn’t expected it. You assumed you weren’t his type. Too chunky for a man like him. Imagined he preferred a more modelesque figure on women he found attractive given his appearance.

“Look. I’ll just be very straightforward with you. I think you’re gorgeous and I’d like to have you in my bed tonight. Naked. How does that sound to you?”

You whispered the word naked back to him as if it were a word you’d never heard before. You took a deep breath and looked around the room.

“What are you drinking? I’ll go get us another so we can chat a bit before you make any decisions.”

Now this question was one you could actually answer, “The cocktail is one from the menu. Called the Grove.”

Harry got up and left you at the table by yourself. You sat back in the seat and sighed. What were you going to do? He was mouth-watering, which is why you choked on your spit in the first place. Your mouth was literally watering at his proximity on the dance floor. And now he was asking you to go back to his room to hook up. He couldn’t have made it clearer. There was no room for you to misinterpret what he meant.

And why should you say no? Why should you go back to your own room and sleep in that big bed all by yourself? Well, mostly because you were worried about getting attached. Sure you didn’t even know the guy but that’s just how you were. You weren’t built for casual hookups or one-night stands. And you were sure that’s all this would be. Could you handle it? Would you be able to have sex with someone and then move on from it?

When you saw Harry walking back toward you you’d made up your mind. You’d finish your drink and tell him your verdict. You needed one more drink, though. Just to really loosen up. If you were going to do this if you were going to take a risk and have sex with a stranger, one more drink would help you relax about the whole situation.

Harry handed you your cocktail and sat down with his whisky in hand. He brushed his fingers over your arm as he spoke about how he knew Mr. Spector, “His cousin was my boss years ago. Before I got started in my current line of business. And since then, Alfred’s been inviting me to his parties. I can’t usually go but I rarely miss the winter ball.”

“And what is your line of business?” You asked before taking another sip of your verdant drink.

Harry grinned and licked his lips, “Let’s not talk business.”

You frowned and looked down at your red-painted nails. It wasn’t always polite to ask people what they did for a living but you figured given the circumstances, those being that he’d just asked you to have sex with him, it was okay. Clearly, you’d misjudged.

Harry gripped your chin and pushed your head back up to look at him, “Don’t feel bad for asking. You were just curious. I think the less we know of one another the better. Besides, work talk is boring. Don’t you think?”

You blinked again, his intense gaze was really working its way under your skin.

“Okay. Sorry. You’re right.”

Harry shook his head, keeping his hand at your chin, “And don’t say you’re sorry. Wouldn’t you rather talk about anything but work right now?” He let go of your chin and sat back in his chair as he kept his eyes on yours.

“I guess. It’s just that everyone here is networking and I thought it was only natural.”

“You and I are not networking, Y/n.” Harry grinned.

By the time your drink was but a clear puddle of melted ice at the bottom of the glass, you could feel how hot your face was from the alcohol. Your neck and ears were burning and all of Harry’s soft touches were making you fuzzy. The way he was whispering in your ear…

“Okay. I’ll go with you to your room tonight,” you spat out quickly before you could change your mind.

Harry’s gaze lowered to your breasts again, his arrogant grin in place, “I know, darling. I was just waiting for you to admit it. You ready then?”

If he wasn’t so hot you’d have changed your mind at his cocky response. But god was he alluring. And somehow, his egotistical attitude was putting you at ease a bit. Because it would possibly be much easier to not get your feelings mixed up for a guy like him. It could just be a one-night stand. Like so many other people indulged in (which you always found absurd).

You both walked to the coat check to get your things before Harry led you, with his hand at your low back to the elevators.

You draped your wool coat over your shoulders and stood awkwardly in the elevator next to the man you were leaving with. You couldn’t believe yourself. You were 28 years old so it shouldn’t have felt like such a big deal but it was. You’d never done anything like it before.

“Are you nervous?”

You sighed and nodded as you looked up at the man, “A little. Haven’t ever done anything like this.”

Harry hummed and nodded, “I can tell. That’s okay. I’ll take the lead.”

There was a black car waiting for you at the curb as soon as you exited the building. A man who was standing near the car opened the back door and gestured for you to get in. You followed behind Harry and the door was shut, closing you off from the outside and loud noises of the city to the dark leather interior of the car. Harry’s hand slid up your exposed thigh the moment you’d settled into the seat, “We’re gonna have a lot of fun, me and you.”

You turned your head to look at him, “Are you always like this? So confident about everything?”

Harry laughed and squeezed at your thigh, “If I wasn’t confident I wouldn’t be as successful as I am.”

You guessed that made sense. You just found it so strange that he was so sure of himself even when he hardly knew you at all.

You felt Harry’s long, ringed fingers slide upward over your plushy thighs in search of your panties most likely. And when he leaned over you and took your jaw with his free hand and smushed his mouth against yours it felt like crystalized water beginning to melt and drip and pool onto the ground.

He pulled your hand onto his lap and pressed your palm over his crotch, to which you felt as he grew harder and harder as the seconds passed with your lips connected.

When he was satisfied that you would be keeping your hand in place as you pressed down harder he raised his hand to your breast, his palm placed over the soft velvet before he lowered his mouth to your neck causing you to lean back the slightest for his access.

The car ride ended before you even realized you’d been moving through the city streets when the door you were sitting next to opened and the driver looked in at you two all disheveled and mid-kiss with his hand out for you to take.

Harry walked you into the hotel, which happened to be the same one you had a room at (how convenient you thought). The elevator ride up to his room was not unlike the car ride where you’d lost track of time and space when his lips were on yours and his tongue softly swiped at your mouth. You’d never had a man act this way with you before. It almost felt like desperation. Like he couldn’t keep his hands off you.

Guiding you off the elevator and to his room, you felt buzzy and your heart was bouncing around in your chest wildly. His hand was at the back of your neck, his long fingers gently ghosting over your skin.

The moment you were pushed into his room Harry stood over you and began to loosen his tie, “Take your dress off. God, I need to see you.”

You were already worked up as you panted, keeping your eyes on his, slowly unzipping the back of your dress and stepping out. You had forgotten that you were wearing a nude shapewear slip that kept your tummy rolls in place and your breasts pert. The back of the slip was low cut to accommodate your dress. You looked down over yourself and stuck your fingers into the fabric to pull it down and as your breasts were revealed Harry groaned and leaned down to wrap his pink lips over your nipple. You watched his tongue drag over your plump flesh and his fingers dig into your heavy tits as he worked his way around both sides.

You were pressed against the wall as he pinned your arms back and kissed his way up your tits to your neck and then he found your lips.

Finally, he backed away, giving you space to finish the reveal of your body to him as he continued removing his own clothes.

You watched tattoos appear on his skin and the more buttons he undid the more you saw of him. He was strong and muscular. His pecs were impressive and he had a soft six-pack hidden under the fabric that you only saw once he tossed his shirt off. Tattoos on his arms scattered over his skin.

Tugging at your slip to get it off you knew Harry’s eyes were on your body. But you weren’t going to stop now. Even if you were slightly embarrassed. This was happening and you knew he wanted it. Sometimes you worried about the logistics of sex being as heavy as you were, especially when it came to being with a guy who was not at all. But Harry’s build was masculine and broad and he was clearly going to be able to handle you.

When his pants were off and he was down to his underwear you knew he was enjoying the view of all your bits based on the thick lump under the fabric. You were left standing in your silky black panties when he stood over you and smoothed his hands up your arms and palmed over your tits, “Jesus fucking Christ look at you. Get on the bed for me.”

You swallowed and stepped toward the area of the room where the bed was and sat at the edge, watching as he stalked after you. His eyes were dark as he crawled over you and nudged you with him into the middle of the perfectly made bed, soft and luxurious feeling under your skin.

“You’re so fucking sexy,” he smoothed his lips against yours as he palmed over your skin down to your thigh, pinching at the fleshy insides as he pushed your legs open, putting his knees down into the mattress to keep you spread with his thighs.

He kept his lips working over yours, his tongue smearing against your tongue wetly as you felt his fingers dip down to your panties and then to the wet patch at your center. You could tell you were wet before he even touched you. He’d turned you on with ease. His voice, his body, his eyes, his confidence…

You felt him smile against your lips when he dredged his fingers up and down over your wet panties, right where your labia was. Soft strokes of his fingers pushed the fabric of your panties between your pussylips until he dragged a finger up and found your clit and you gasped. He circled over your clit, pressing the wet fabric into you.

When he lowered himself, using his lips and his tongue down your body as he went he looked up at your face after dotting kisses over your fleshy tummy, “You’re gorgeous and you smell so good. Such a dirty girl, though, aren’t you?” He dabbed more warm kisses down your stomach to just above your panties, “All wet for me like you’re desperate for cock,” he licked along the band of your panties and looked up at you again as he adjusted himself between your legs, “Are you desperate for cock, Y/n? Need me to take care of you tonight?”

You nodded, “Oh my god…” your words came out as a whisper, “Yes, Harry.”

When you felt his tongue glide up your crease over your wet panties your mouth dropped open wide. He was not holding back with the foreplay so far. You were usually disappointed in sex, the few times you’d had it. Foreplay was an afterthought. And only a handful of times did you ever receive any kind of mouth-to-pussy action, which you assumed was due to your size.

But Harry was having no trouble treating you like some kind of irresistible sex pot. He pushed your thighs harder and raked his tongue up and down over you until you’d bucked upward just a bit.

Harry’s fingers pulled at the waistband of your panties, “Taking these off because I need more.”

You felt your panties being moved down your legs then Harry returned with enthusiasm, his lips all over your cunt, sliding his tongue through your folds and his fingers pinching into your flesh before he poked the tip of his wet muscle to your clit and began to lick all around it, lapping you up and teasing you to the point you were shaking and whining, proving him right about how desperate you were.

When he finally stopped his teasing licks he wrapped his lips around your clit and sucked. You gasped loudly and moaned, to which Harry moaned into your pussy.

His shoulders were against the back of your thighs as he masterfully licked you out and kissed your clit until you were reaching down with one hand to slide your fingers into his thick curls.

And that only seemed to stir something more ravenous in him. He growled when he felt you pulling at his roots and suddenly you felt his fingertips at your entrance before he pushed them in slowly, the metal of his rings being nudged in the slightest. You were in an alternate universe. Somewhere that only existed you and Harry and the bed you were on as you laid spread out for him to pleasure.

He was good with his tongue. He used it over your clit like he understood what you needed, putting pressure where it was vital and then slurping you into his mouth making your entire body quiver in ecstasy. His repeated movements, soft tonguing, pulling at your clit, the bump of his fingers through your walls and into your delicate warmth, the precipice of your orgasm was taunting you.

“Harry!” You yelped when he sucked your clit in especially roughly and his fingers dug in deep making your pussy squelch.

He smiled and lifted his mouth, speaking against your cunt, hot breath coating your labia and clit, “Feels good, Y/n? You gonna let me give you an orgasm?”

You moaned pitifully and nodded to yourself as you scrunched your face when he attached his wet lips back to your clit and curled his fingers just right, “Yes! Oh my god…”

You had never felt anything like it before. Like Harry. And maybe it wasn’t that he was all that good at cunnilingus (he was), but perhaps it was the way he was handling you. The way he was so eager to make you feel good. The way he wasn’t worried about his own throbbing cock between his legs, growing heavier by the minute as he sucked and licked and kissed your cunt.

His focus was on you completely and you felt that. You felt his attention and his devotion to your pleasure before his. And that was what did it for you. It was the care and thoughtfulness of it all. It wasn’t like anything you’d experienced with any man before and it pushed you over the edge.

Your orgasm rolled out of you in waves as you writhed under him and cried curses and nonsense into the room. He held you down with one hand as well as he could so he could lavish you with his mouth until you were done with your unraveling. His fingers stroked your insides as you pulsed around them and felt the tingle of your clit being overwhelmed by his lips. You gasped and laughed at the way he continued ravaging you well past what was necessary.

Releasing his hair you pushed yourself up by your elbows to see his face still between your legs, his eyes closed like he was enjoying it just as much as you had. It might have been the hottest thing you’d ever seen in your life. But that could have been all those feel-good chemicals being released in your brain post-orgasm.

You pushed at his forehead to indicate you were done, “Okay!” You tried closing your legs but Harry pulled his fingers from your pussy and pressed you down as he licked up and up and up. Until finally he opened his eyes and looked at you, lips still making out with your pussy as you laughed and tried pulling away.

“It’s too much!” You giggled and moved your hips under him.

Finally, he parted from your labia and pushed himself up over you, caging you in as he hovered, “Good?” He raised his brows.

You rolled your eyes, “Obviously.” You laughed as you spoke.

Harry grinned and you watched him move away from you, pulling his underwear down and exposing his weighty cock, thick and long. Yes. He’d be able to handle you just fine.

He grasped it in his hand and moved next to you. You sat up and reached out to feel him, velvety and warm under your palm before getting to your knees and looking up at him as you lowered your lips to his shaft. You wanted to feel it on your mouth and in your mouth.

Dragging your wetted lips down until you reached the base you gripped him and tongued your way up to his tip and heard a shallow gasp from his chest. Licking around his crown you pulled at his skin and wrapped your lips around just the very tip of his head before slipping your tongue around him and sucking softly.

A beautiful deep moan was music to your ears. He was enjoying it. So you indulgently lowered yourself down a bit more, feeling the width of him take up space inside your mouth and on your tongue. Gentle strokes of your lips over the top part of his shaft and over his swollen head felt good for you. You hadn’t given head in a long time. And you could tell Harry was into it.

He smelled good. Nice and clean and warm. You used your hand to pull at the base of his shaft up to your parted lips as you sucked on him and lapped around his skin.

When Harry’s moans turned into a rhythmic panting you felt his hand at your jaw, nudging you up until your lips were pulled away from his pretty cock, “You are desperate for cock. Sucking me like that? If I didn’t want fuck you so bad I’d let you finish me off with that gorgeous mouth.”

You shifted back as Harry leaned over you and pressed his mouth against yours, his hand at your neck pushing you down into the mattress. His mouth was wet and smelled like you as he smeared his lips on yours. You moaned when he parted from you and got off the bed.

You could hear the crinkling of the wrapper from the condom as he sorted himself out and then crawled back next to you, taking your hand, “How’s that sound, Y/n? Want my cock inside your soft pussy? Hmm?”

Looking down at his hard length, covered in a condom, and back into his eyes you nodded, “Yeah,” you were breathless.

The grin on Harry’s face as he moved between your legs, his eyes on yours was like someone who’d just gotten the best news they’d heard all day. He thread his fingers through yours, pressing the back of your hand down into the mattress near your head.

The front of his strong thighs pushed against the inside of yours as he positioned himself over you. His cock heavy on your belly before he moved back, letting go of your hand to grasp himself.

“I’m gonna make you feel so good. I want to hear how good it makes you feel, okay?” His tip dragged through your wet labia, up and down, “Just lie there like the pretty little thing you are, and let me fuck you deep.”

You nodded as you watched his eyes. He was looking down at where his cock was brushing over your wet and puffy pussylips, his lips parted as he bumped into your clit and then smacked his girth down over you.

The sound of his cock dragging through your arousal made you feel like a different person. No man had ever taken the time to indulge the way Harry was. It was clear by the look on his face that he liked everything he saw and even how soaked you were.

You felt the tip of his broad head nudge into your entrance as he looked at you with dark pupils. He pulled his brows together as he savored the feel of you and gently pushed through the ring of your wet muscle. Just knowing that you were making him feel like that had you moaning with your eyes locked on his.

“Feel that, Y/n?” He slowly dipped in and pulled back, wetting the condom as he went, pushing in deeper on each thrust forward.

“I feel it…” your words came out shaky as his length was forced through your slick walls, spreading your insides apart slowly.

Harry inhaled a breath and let out a deep moan when his cock reached as far as he could take it, “Taking my cock so good,” he pulled back and looked down at the scene between your legs. All wet and puffy, his cock coated in your creamy arousal. He loved the way your pussy gripped him and your labia stretched around his cock, “Gonna be dreaming of this,” he pressed his thumb over the space where his cock was moving into your entrance and then up to your clit to rub circles softly, wet and warm.

“Ohhh…” you whimpered when his thumb pressed into your sensitive bundle of nerves. Your entire body was boiling and buzzing as Harry rocked into you, his balls thwacking slowly into your ass.

“Yeah? Tell me how you like it, pretty girl.”

How could you answer this man with his dick lodged so deep in your tummy? How did he expect you to make a coherent sentence with the way his thumb was stroking your clit back and forth? How could your brain form any sort of response when his cock was dragging through your insides and pressing into all your bits, hitting your hidden spots like his shape was made just for you?

“I want it… Mmm… like that…” was all you could bear to squeak out when he smacked into you in one harsh thud.

“Harder? Softer?” His thumb never ceased the yummy caressing of your fleshy pearl.

“Fuck!” You gasped when he smacked into you again, causing your body to jolt upward from the force.

“Like that? Need it a little rougher, Y/n? Need my cock to split you in half?” Again, a harsh thrust into your guts that had you gurgling and falling apart too soon.

“Oh she wants it a little rough, I can tell. Your cute pussy likes a good pounding doesn’t she?”

You held your breath when you felt him angle over you and sink down into you until it hurt. Until his long cock was buried in so deep his balls were tucked against your ass as he ground himself in, “Pussy like this needs a lot of attention. Lots of care…” he moaned when you clenched around him, “Want me to take care of you? Want to feel what my cock can do to this pretty little pussy?”

“Yes, please, Harry!” You grasped onto his forearm as he rolled solidly into you, deep and slow, slushy and sopping between your thighs.

“Yeah? Gonna stuff myself so far into you that you can’t breathe. Gonna make you come so hard you’ll never want another cock again.”

You moaned and felt his crushing weight over you as he continued grinding his hips against yours but then suddenly he was pulling out and you felt a sting on your thigh when he smacked you, “Get on all fours.”

You were blurry and floaty as you rolled over and pushed yourself up to do as he asked. Your pussy puffy and begging for more of his cock.

His hands gripped the side of your hips tight and you smushed your face down to the mattress before you felt his cock rip into you in one punishing stroke. You cried out and he did it again. And again. His cock pummeled into you repeatedly, punching the air from your lungs and giving your pussy the best fucking of its life.

You did like it hard. A little rough. Nothing wild, just something that you could feel for a couple of days. Something that made you gasp and brace for more.

“Holy fuck…” Harry gritted as he fucked into you, watching his dick disappear repeatedly. Your pretty round bottom bouncing and wiggling at each plunge. He dug his fingers into your ample flesh and spread you out so he could watch as you gripped him exactly like he loved. The little noises you were making had him reeling.

It was his favorite. A beautiful woman with her ass in the air as he railed her deep. But especially when it was a nice big ass. He loved to be able to grip something in his hands. To squeeze and smack. It always felt so much better to have something to hold on to. Not that he didn’t love slender women. He certainly did. But there was nothing like the feminine physique of a woman with meat on her bones, wide hips, a big tummy, and extra bits to touch and run his fingers over. It was fucking sexy.

You could feel him as he worked you open. He buried in deep and then pulled back until his thick tip was being pushed through your entrance again and again. He was long and every inch of him pulled and pushed through your walls, sliding along all your bits and ridges making your skin heat up.

Then you felt his chest against your back and his cock was angled so far inside of you that your eyes nearly crossed, “Love your little gurgles and moans, Y/n. Feels good on my cock?” He rolled into you, keeping himself stuffed to the hilt.

“Yes! Fuck, Harry!” You turned your head to speak so he could hear you and then you felt his lips on your back as he kept rocking into you languidly, never pulling back, only dipping into you, swiveling his hips to ensure you could feel every part of his cock moving through you.

You felt a tear drip from your eye as he reached down for your hand and moved it toward your pussy, “Rub that wet clit, sweet girl. Want to see you quivering under me again.”

The moment your fingertips came into contact with your puffy nub you moaned and all you could feel was Harry’s warmth and his big cock and your clit being worked just how you liked.

He began to rut into you with unforgiving strength. Your body was being smacked into and your skin was beginning to burn where his hips were striking your ass. It felt incredible. It felt like a man who knew what he was doing.

“Yes! Yes!” You shakily cried out. Harry’s long shaft was gliding in and out and you could feel him every time your fingertips moved back the slightest. His heavy cock slipping into your pussy vigorously as you ran your fingers back and forth, up and down on your clit.

Harry put a hand on your low back and settled his thumb into the top of your crack as he watched your cunt swallow him on each thrust. He bit his lip at the gorgeous sight and lowered his other hand to your right cheek, pulling at your flesh to give himself a better look at how you were taking him. How perfect you were for his cock.

When he noticed your moans growing louder and more desperate and then saw your thighs shaking he pounded into you with deliberate, long strokes so you could really feel him inside of you.

And feel him you did. His length filled you up and pulled back, before pressing back in until your world began to spin and your pussy was powerless to your orgasm. You reared yourself back onto his cock and cried out pathetically as Harry breathed heavily and felt your cunt sucking him in and spasming around him.

“Oh, baby…” he moaned and watched more cream coat his cock from your pussy. You were coming hard, lips wide open as you cried out and gasped, and the way you were clenching around his cock felt like the best thing he’d ever experienced during sex. You were fucking sexy.

When your voice lowered and your body stopped quivering Harry halted his movements and ran his hands on your back gently and down to your bum, keeping his cock lodged inside of you, “Creamed all over my cock, Y/n,” swiped his thumb around the area where you two were connected and lifted it to his mouth to taste.

You panted and smiled into the blanket when he suddenly pulled out and popped your bottom with his palm, “On your back. Want to see that pretty face again.”

You were on the verge of being completely wiped out. You knew he hadn’t come yet, though, and you felt like he deserved it with how fucking good he was. Two orgasms already. That was unheard of for you.

Harry helped you situate and he fit himself between your thighs. You looked down at his cock and noted he was right about you creaming all over him. White gobs of your arousal at his shaft and in the thatch of dark, trimmed hair at his base. God his cock was good.

“You feel so good on my cock, Y/n. You know that?” He pressed his tip inside of you, making you drop your mouth open and he gasped. The way he stretched you apart was insane. It felt incredible.

“Fuck… your pussy needs my cock inside of her. Yeah? I could fuck this sweet cunt all day and never get tired of it. Fuck, baby…” he moaned his words as he thrust into you, his hips dragging against you and your clit being pushed into with each plunge.

You took your breasts in your palms and kneaded at them as you watched Harry’s face twist up in rapturous despair. Every roll of his hips was torture for him. His body wanted to come but he had planned on you having one more orgasm. Wanted to feel you squeezing and pulsing around him as he came with you. The decadence of being able to feel your pussy coming around him as he was pouring into you would be bliss.

The edge of his hairline was wet with sweat. You knew he was working hard to give you his cock the way you needed it. His arms were flexing as he held himself up over you, back and thighs clenching and stretching as his muscles exerted, loosening and tightening.

Now there was no slap of skin or the sound of thuds filling the room, it was only hot breaths and gasps and wet pussy being fucked. The occasional distant sound of people moving past his suite on their way to their own.

Deeper and deeper he stuffed himself as he kept his radiant green eyes locked on your face. Your insides were bowing and tensing and vibrating with delight. It was the best you’d ever gotten and his handsome face watching you had your head spinning and your body melting under him. He was too good. The way he was tugging his cock inside of you and stroking your walls and fitting himself deep into your guts like he was trying to reach up into your spine and your lungs under your ribcage… it was going to stick with you for a long time. And he was probably right. You’d be dreaming of his cock. You were sure of it.

His pacing was perfect; smooth, wet thrusts and a satisfying angle that had your whole body resonating with sex and electric crackles like you’d never felt. His undulating hips kissing your clit each time he ground into you.

“Look at your tits jiggling, Y/n. Fucking so hot…” he panted his words like he was out of breath, “Damn baby,” he moaned as he slowed his stride for a moment to collect himself. His balls were already tightening against his body, ready to release too soon.

He leaned over you and pressed his lips against yours and it made your skin and pores and nerves spark and convect. Little by little your pulse accelerated until you could hear your heart pounding in your ears. His tongue inside your mouth and his perfect cock inside of your tummy, the smell of him and of you and the soft bed beneath your back- it had you nearly going up in flames.

When he finally began to move again, when he’d steadied his composure so he could last a little longer you gasped into his mouth.

Now his long strokes were thick and stunted, his shaft inching in and in and in until you couldn’t breathe. His nose pressed into yours and his lips moved around your lips, smearing saliva over your warm, plush mouth with his tongue. It was filthy, the way he kissed. Wet, aching. Like he was fucking your lips with his tongue at the same time he was filling your pussy with his cock.

You felt his muscles begin to shake as he parted from your mouth and looked down at you. Blown-out pupils, pink parted lips, and a flushed face. He was about to come and you could see it on his face and in the way he was panting and getting louder with each jerk of his hips. It was delicious.

“You gonna come, baby? Gonna milk my cock with your cunt, squeeze around me, and drain me?”

Grabbing onto his forearms you nodded and feebly whimpered, “Yes… oh my god…”

Harry groaned as he canted his hips sloppily and his thrusts grew erratic as he held back to wait for you to come first.

You’d always heard of the mythical concept of a cock fitting together perfectly with the right pussy and how it could make women come from penetration alone when they’d never been able to before. You’d never experienced it and thought it was just a made-up fantasy. A wild fable.

But you were wrong. Harry’s cock proved you wrong. He was nudging into things inside of you that even your vibrator missed and as shocking as it was to know you were about to come, yet again, you were of no mind to think too much about that because your body was submitting to the way he was handling you and your pussy was already beginning to flutter around him and pulse as you gasped and dropped your mouth wide.

Yes, you were having one of those kinds of orgasms that you could feel from the inside out. That made your ears feel stuffy and your vision go white as you cried out loudly.

Harry choked out a gasp as soon as he felt your walls gripping him and you tossed your head back, moaning his name over and over again like you needed the room to know who was making you fall apart.

Your pussy wrapped around him so perfectly and he looked down from your perfect tits to your face and he lost it. His own cry of your name was loud as he threw his head back and throbbed, releasing into his condom, his come filling the tip full as you milked him with your pulsing orgasm.

Divine. Complete and utter perfection. He hadn’t come so hard in years and the way you responded to him only coaxed him deeper into his own ecstasy.

When his cock stopped pumping and twitching he opened his eyes and looked down at you looking all fucked out and satisfied. Exactly what he had hoped for when he brought you to his room. Better even.

When your gaze finally found his he smiled down at you. He figured it would be nice to have you again in the morning if you were up for it because he certainly didn’t want to have you leave. Not yet. Maybe he’d order room service and you two could talk some more. Maybe another round or perhaps you’d both just crash after that marathon. But he knew he’d want to give you a parting gift in the morning at the very least. One of those soft and lazy morning fucks before kissing you and sending you off so he could catch his flight the following afternoon.

Yeah. That sounded nice to him.

But the sudden sound of his phone buzzing had him turning to look at the nightstand. You’d barely recovered from your scorching orgasm when he rolled off of you and quickly picked up the phone, his back to you, “Hello?”

You inhaled deeply. You still couldn’t believe you’d just done that. With a stranger nonetheless.

“No, I’m okay. Just ran to grab the phone is all.” He was panting just enough that whoever was on the line had wondered what he’d been doing. You turned your head to look at him. His back was to you.

“Sure, babe. See you then.”

You sat up quickly. Babe?

Harry stood from the bed and picked up his pants, “I’m sure you can get your clothes on and be on your way quickly. Yeah?”

You instinctively covered your chest with your mouth dropped open, “What?!” Harry paused before putting his shirt on and looked at you with an unamused expression, “I said you need to leave.” He raised his voice a notch as if the reason you asked him what was because you hadn’t heard.

You shook your head and slid off the bed feeling dirty and shameful, reaching to the ground for your discarded dress, “I know what you said. I was surprised that you were… never mind.”

The sudden change in his attitude toward you was a shock. He’d been so attentive and affectionate and now he was cold. Inconsiderate. You struggled to keep up with the abrupt shift in his temperament.

Harry walked to the window as you shimmied into your dress and attempted zipping it up, “Fuck…” you mumbled under your dress. The last thing you wanted to do was ask this asshole to help you but really didn’t want to walk out of his room with your dress half unzipped and your ass crack hanging out.

“Can you please help?” You sighed and looked over at him. God, you hated how attractive he was, especially now that he was being so cold to you suddenly.

 Harry silently shook his head to himself as he tucked his shirt in and walked toward you as if it were some terrible chore to help you.

“There. Now I really need you to go. Quickly.”

You hadn’t even had the chance to wipe up in the bathroom or pee. You were stunned at his behavior.

You gave him your dirtiest scowl, scooped up your underwear, and grabbed your small purse, stuffing your bra and panties inside. The slip you had to carry in your hands. As you pulled your shoes back on your feet one at a time, Harry was plucking the condom off the floor and looking around the room in a slight panic.

“Fuck you, Harry. This is rude. You didn’t have to treat me like garbage. Not like I was gonna fall for you or something you prick.” When your feet were securely in your shoes Harry walked across the room toward you as you tried to make your way to the door to leave.

“Y/n?”

You turned to look at him.

“Can you toss this in the garbage near the elevator for me? Thanks,” he pressed the used condom that was stuffed into a tissue into your hand and you nearly lost it. Nearly fucking karate chopped his ass to the ground and stomped on his face. But then you realized something. He was in a hurry to get you out of his room because he had someone coming up to see him. Someone he wanted to hide the condom from. A lover? Girlfriend? Wife?

Instead of responding verbally you flipped him off and slammed the door behind yourself. But before you walked away from the door you pulled the condom from the tissue and put it over his doorknob, nice and tight. The used rubber was still heavy with his come and you smiled as you dropped the tissue onto the floor and pulled out a cocktail napkin and pen from your purse, pressed your lips into it to leave it lightly stained with your leftover lipstick, and then wrote Thank you, Harry xx. You balanced the napkin right over the condom on the doorknob and then grinned to yourself as you walked down the hallway to the elevator. You sure were glad your room was in the same hotel. When the elevator doors opened a pretty blonde stepped off and rushed past you, headed in the direction of Harry’s room. She barely even glanced your way before you stepped onto the elevator and pressed 2 for your floor.

So maybe it wasn’t a terrible ending to the night after all.

Part 2

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[canonicallyobserving911]

Several Sentences Sunday

Fanonwriter2023 on AO3

Where CANON and FANON collide!

FANON FanFic: Buddie Multi-Chapter - “I’m still in love with you but... I needed to learn how to love myself too!”

Chapter 33 will be posted soon!

This is an EPIC LOVE STORY!

Currently 32 chapters completed: 1.465M Words; Rated: Mature

#1 {Previous snippet} #2 {Previous snippet}

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I'm excited to finish writing Chapter 33 because at the end of Chapter 32, Buck and Eddie got the call from Angelo, the real estate agent in San Gimignano, Italy regarding the house they bid on back in December and they were informed the builder accepted it. Later that evening, they told their found family at the 118 about it and they had a lot of questions including if they were going to immediately relocate to Italy.

Eddie explained they wouldn't do it right away but he included a caveat that if Buck or Chris say they're ready to go, they would pack up and leave, no questions asked. They still haven't told the Diazes yet and they haven't told Margaret and Phillip either. Will they tell them in the next chapter? Also, in Chapter 31, Buck and Bobby agreed to have a conversation at a later date regarding Buck's meeting with Captain Mehta and the job offer he got from Captain Clarke at the 115. Will they have that meeting in Chapter 33? 👀

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Here’s more from Chapter 33 of the conversation Buck and Eddie are having with Lindsey Brown, the executive producer of "All About Pasta", Emeril and the show's production team.

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When Lindsey finishes explaining the details about marketing ‘Buck Diaz’ as the new face of “All About Pasta,” Buck and Eddie look at each other and after a silent conversation, Eddie nods and Buck responds with a nod of his own, then Eddie takes over.

“I have a question.”

“Of course, Eddie.  Please feel free to ask us questions regarding the aspects of the show.” 

“Thank you and my question is what location will be used for filming the episodes?  I’m asking because earlier today, my husband explained to me most of your shows are filmed in New York City.”

A voice from one end of the table responds, “Eddie, that’s an excellent question and I’ll answer it.  My name is Steve, I’m the location manager and my responsibilities are to scout locations and to make sure the TV set is compelling.  Buck was correct when he explained most of our shows are filmed in New York City because that’s where our headquarters are located.  However, we do film two of our shows here in Los Angeles, mainly at Culver City Studios but we’ve also filmed at Paramount Studios on occasion.”

“Thank you, Steve for providing the information but how will this work for us because it’s my understanding Emeril films “All About Pasta” in New York City.  So, if my husband accepts, going forward, where will the show be filmed?”

Lindsey looks at Steve, they nod at one another, then Lindsey says, “Episodes can be filmed at Culver Studios, Paramount Studios or if you’d prefer to film in New York, that’s an option too.”

Buck and Eddie both raise their eyebrows because neither of them have considered New York as an option.  They discussed it on the way to the meeting and filming in Culver City is the only location they assumed would be available, however this new information is astonishing and they both tighten their holds onto each other’s hand.

After a few moments, Eddie thinks of another question and asks, “We understand the headquarters is located in New York City but what are the advantages for him to film there instead of here?”

Chelsea nods at Lindsey, then she responds, “Hello Eddie and Buck.  My name is Chelsea and as the casting director, my responsibilities include me obtaining and booking guest appearances for you along with scheduling them so you can partner with other chefs who already have TV shows on the network.  Furthermore, the primary advantage to filming in New York as opposed to Los Angeles is Buck will have more guests to choose from since 90% of our shows are filmed there and several morning talk shows happen there as well.  We partner with them in the off season during the summer months or in preparation for the holidays because our chefs are invited to prepare meals on set and sometimes they work with other celebrities including athletes, singers and television stars.”

After she finishes, Lindsey chimes in and admits, “That’s correct but you don’t have to film in New York unless you want to relocate.  We wouldn’t have a problem with you traveling to New York City for guest appearances but all things considered, it may be easier if you resided there to cut down on the amount of time you would spend traveling back and forth during the off seasons.  For the upcoming Spring season, that starts airing next month, Emeril filmed five episodes with guests and...”  She trails off and looks at Emeril.  They have a non-verbal conversation then she nods and explains, “He has four upcoming guest appearances on talk shows to announce his final farewell but they won’t be filmed until June and they’ll air during the summer months.  We designed it that way so the audience will be informed about the show having a new chef when it returns in the fall.  The next few months will include a lot of marketing and advertising meetings and planning sessions prior to the launch of the fall episodes, therefore filming in New York could be more advantageous but that decision is up to you.”

Once again, Buck and Eddie look at each other with raised eyebrows because they hadn’t considered the option to move to another city in the U.S.  They quickly nod at one another followed by them returning their attention to the team.

Silence engulfs the room until Steve speaks up and says, “I have a question.”

“Ok, please proceed.”  Eddie responds.

“Buck, you’re a firefighter, correct?”

“Um, yes, actually both of us are but…”  He stops talking, looks at Eddie, smiles his million-dollar smile that he saves just for his husband, then he gently squeezes his hand and continues.  “My husband’s also a paramedic and he just got promoted to a new role.  Starting in May, he’ll be the Critical Care Paramedic for Los Angeles County.”

“Congratulations!”  Are offered from everyone in the room.

“Thank you.”  Eddie replies with a smile.

The room gets quiet again and when Steve doesn’t continue, Buck asks, “Is there a reason why you asked about our employment?”

“Actually, there is because it involves the location where you chose to film.”

Eddie and Buck raise their eyebrows, glance at one another followed by Eddie asking, “How so?”

“Well, since our business involves chefs cooking with fire in enclosed spaces, we’re required to have a fire consultant and a paramedic on site during filming and because I’m in charge of locations, I know the consultant must be an actual FDNY firefighter.  If relocation is something you’re considering, my team could put in a good word with the fire chief and the EMS director for both of you and that way, Buck you can continue to work as a firefighter and Eddie you can continue to be a paramedic in New York City.  I can’t guarantee anything but I correspond with them on a regular basis and the Food Network’s relationship with the FDNY is impeccable.”

How are Buck and Eddie going to respond to the information about Buck filming in New York City instead of Los Angeles?” 👀

If Buck accepts the job, will they move to New York or choose to stay in L.A.? 🙃

Will they mention they have a new home in San Gimignano, Italy? 😉

If so, will it affect anything since Italy is the pasta capital of the world? 🤷🏽‍♀️

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Fic Summary: Months after Buck and Eddie were hit by the same lightning strike; they’re still struggling with the aftermath of it.  But before they make their love confessions, they’ll spend time getting to know themselves as individuals first. Eddie learns to enjoy the simple things in life as he participates in activities on his own and with new friends while Buck learns the rest of the 31-year-old deep dark family secret about his conception and birth. Their journey to forever is still a work in progress but once they finally admit they’re in love with each other, everything that follows their love confessions will be cataclysmic.

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Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1 - Eddie makes a new friend while Buck receives devastating news regarding the sperm donation he made for Connor and Kameron.

Chapter 2 - Buck does a lot of research to learn more about the abnormalities found in his red blood cells and Eddie starts a new therapy journey that’s all about him and not the traumas he’s experienced.

Chapter 3 - After more than a month, Buck and Eddie finally spend time together outside of work but it doesn’t end well and they part with a lot of uncertainty regarding their places in each other’s lives.

Chapter 4 - Eddie has a few realizations about his life which causes him to consider moving back to El Paso, TX while Buck continues to be reminded of his past which causes him to take an impromptu road trip across America.

Chapter 5 - Both Buck and Eddie have difficult conversations with their parents and Buck finally learns the truth behind the reason why his mother despised him while Eddie finally tells his mother about the way she tries to control him.

Chapter 6 - More than two weeks after Buck pushed Eddie away after suggesting they needed a break; Eddie decides to try again. Eddie’s there for Buck when he’s at his worst just like Buck was there for him when he was at his worst and he won’t let Buck give up.

Chapter 7 - After Buck’s mental breakdown, Eddie has his back the same way Buck had his when he had his own breakdown more than a year ago.  They share several vulnerable and emotionally intimate moments with one another and they begin to realize their small, sweet and caring gestures matter just as much if not more than any grand gesture ever could because these are the foundations of a long-lasting love relationship.

Chapter 8 - Buck, Eddie and Chris all have their own therapists and during their sessions, they reflect on their pasts while they’re in the present so they can prepare for their future together as a family.

Chapter 9 - Buck and Eddie are there for each other when Buck has to testify as a witness during the trial.  But by the end of it, they’ll both realize their individual and shared traumas are going to keep resurfacing until they talk about them, deal with the fact that they’re in love with one another and face the fact that they can’t live without each other.

Chapter 10 - As Buck and Eddie finally begin to confront their past traumas, they realize how much they need each other to fill in the gaps of their memories.  Additionally, the universe screams at them for what appears to be the one hundredth time so Buck can realize he doesn’t have to ‘find it’ because he already ‘made it’ and Eddie’s reminded tomorrow isn’t promised and he doesn’t have to die alone if he doesn’t want to.

Chapter 11 - A “virga” or dry thunderstorm is in the forecast but once the rain starts, the thunderstorm happening outside won’t be able to match the storm brewing inside between Buck and Eddie.  It’s the universe’s final scream and when the tumultuous winds begin to blow, they’ll have one last chance to hold onto everything they’ve built over the last six years or they’ll lose it all forever.

Chapter 12 - Buck and Eddie have always shared a deep physical attraction and an emotional intimacy that’s unmatched but now that they’re in a relationship, they’re learning how to navigate the romantic intimacy they’ve been waiting for six years to explore. The love they have for each other is a once in a lifetime, soulmate, love of their lives type of love that transcends space and time.

Chapter 13 - While navigating the newness of their romantic relationship, Buck and Eddie take advantage of every moment they spend together. As their individual lives, people from their pasts, time constraints and the possibility of losing each other again make attempts to interrupt and interfere with their journey to forever, they love, care for, support and hold onto each other even tighter to withstand it all.

Chapter 14 - Buck and Eddie can see the lights at the end of the tunnels regarding the results of Buck’s Cancer Screening along with everything else they’re dealing with. But are the lights they see exits to the tunnels or are they headlights on different runaway trains that are speeding towards them in an effort to interrupt their forever?

Chapter 15 - Buck and Eddie have known they were exactly who the other one wanted in a partner since they met six years ago when they agreed to have each other’s backs. They’re in a romantic relationship, they’re both preparing to ask the other one to spend forever with them and by the end of the seventh week into their relationship, together they will plan their most important and greatest adventure for their future.

Chapter 16 - As Buck and Eddie begin to prepare for their marriage ceremony that will take place in Rome, Italy in December 2023, they start planning their first international adventure as a romantic couple. Even though Chris is still the only person they’ve told about their relationship, several people who know them have already witnessed the love they share and as the days continue, others will witness it too.

Chapter 17 - As Buck and Eddie get closer to departing Los Angeles for their international adventure, a moment in time will remind them; life is fragile, tomorrow isn’t promised and every second of everyday should be cherished because everything can change in an instant. The result of that realization will cause them to hold onto each other even more.

Chapter 18 - As Buck, Eddie and Chris prepare for family gatherings before and during the Thanksgiving holiday, the “Santa Ana Winds” start to blow and all sorts of expected and unexpected familial drama ensues.

Chapter 19 - As Buck and Eddie get closer to their wedding day, the universe begins to align everything so that some of their parent and children's relationships are strengthened while others come to an abrupt end.

Chapter 20 - With only 14 days remaining until Buck, Eddie and Chris depart Los Angeles, CA traveling to Rome, Italy, for their first family adventure, an early morning conversation about “tying up loose ends” helps Buck and Eddie realize there are still several things left unfinished on their ‘To Do’ lists. The question is will there be enough time to complete all of them?

Chapter 21 - Buck, Eddie and Chris are finalizing their ‘To Do’ Lists, double checking their itineraries and packing their suitcases in preparation for their trip to Europe so they can board their flight that departs Los Angeles, CA on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 3:25PM.

Chapter 22 - While Buck, Eddie and Chris spend the first 8 days of their European family adventure in Italy, their primary reason for going will be fulfilled as well as several others they hadn’t considered or anticipated.

Chapter 23 - As the Diaz Family continues their Italian family adventure, they’ll say, “Ciao” or hello and goodbye to a lot of things almost immediately after they become an official and legal family.

Chapter 24 - After Buck, Eddie and Chris arrive in London, England on December 24th; the Diazes immediately start preparing to spend their first family Christmas together. During their stay, each of them will hear a few choice words that will be the life raft to get them home to complete their searches to be seen and to be found.

Chapter 25 - After spending more than two weeks in Europe, Eddie, Buck and Chris are back in Los Angeles and they’re getting ready to attend Maddie and Chimney’s New Year’s Eve party. During the event, they have plans to make two surprise announcements but the question is, who’s really going to be surprised, the Diaz family or their found family at the 118?

Chapter 26 - Buck and Eddie are once again faced with their greatest fear of losing each other but this time it could be permanent and if it is, then they won’t be able to spend the rest of their lives together.

Chapter 27 - After Buck resumes therapy, he’ll continue to face the fact that he “DIED” in March 2023 and during those sessions, he’ll learn about the 7 stages of grief. As he continues his healing journey, Eddie will be right by his side just like he promised and the Diaz family will start to deal with their three minutes and seventeen seconds loss as a family.

Chapter 28 - Two years ago, Eddie was asked, “What are you afraid of?”; twice, once by Frank and once by Buck but he only answered one of them without deflecting. Since that time, he’s been to therapy and him and Buck got married but the question resurfaces when Frank asks Buck the same question and Buck asks it of Eddie for the second time. However, when Buck asks, his reasoning will be about something else entirely.

Chapter 29 - After Buck and Eddie have an emotionally intimate conversation regarding their dreams, they make several decisions that will affect their future. When everything falls into place, they’ll realize one of those decisions will result in them no longer being work partners.

Chapter 30 - In 2018, Buck and Eddie met at the 118 and after some initial apprehensions on Buck’s part, they became work partners and they agreed to have each other’s backs. It’s been more than 6 ½ years, a lot’s happened, they got married in December 2023 and they have the family they both chose. With Eddie leaving the 118 in 3 months and Buck getting closer to moving past his grief, what will him losing his work partner mean for him?

Chapter 31 - As Buck’s life hangs in the balance from what’s suspected to be another bradycardia event, Eddie’s by his bedside, their son is being cared for by relatives and their found family is in the waiting room. During this time, many questions will surface that could possibly lead to the truth but will everything be revealed before it’s too late?

Chapter 32 - On January 2, 2024, the figurative skies over the Diaz family became gray and filled with storm clouds. Buck’s recent trauma, Chris’ school project and Eddie’s paramedic studies combined with the attack on Buck’s life, all those things contributed to the grief they’ve been experiencing. However, as the middle of February approaches, will the dark clouds dissipate so blue skies can return?

Chapter 33 - Will be posted soon.

__________

Read chapters 1-32 are available on AO3.

Continue reading on AO3

Chapter 33 will be posted soon.

[radicalgraff]

"Real estate agents servants of capital"

Seen in Bologna, Italy

[yatescountyhistorycenter]

Do you know Yates County?: Yates County Oddity No. 1 through No. 26

By Jonathan Monfiletto

Anyone who has conducted research either through Yates County’s digitized newspapers or the Yates County History Center’s subject files has likely come across items titled either “Penn Yan Oddity” or “Yates County Oddity.” These items – snippets might be a good word – provide information about various aspects of local history, seeming to answer some sort of question or mystery.

Seeing so many of these snippets – and finding the answers but seeming not to find the question – I decided to scour our digitized newspaper database to see if I could find all of them, the questions with the answers. It turns out the oddities – 90 Penn Yan Oddity items, 52 Yates County Oddity items – were part of an advertising campaign in the 1940s for Baldwin’s Bank, then located at 127 Main St. in Penn Yan, the present-day home of the Arts Center of Yates The Penn Yan Oddities ran in The Chronicle-Express in consecutive weeks from February 20, 1947 to November 11, 1948, and then the Yates County Oddities picked up right away in the newspaper from November 18, 1948 to November 24, 1949. So, for more than 2 and a half years, readers of The Chronicle-Express learned something about local history each week in the newspaper.

Each item started out as an advertisement for Baldwin’s Bank with the phrase “Do You Know Yates County?” at the top of the graphic followed by the question for the week. In the middle, the bulk of the ad, would appear information about the bank’s various services and offerings. The bottom would direct the reader to look for the answer elsewhere on the same page and then look for another Oddity the following week.

In this article, I present Yates County Oddity No. 1 through No. 26. Each question and answer has been transcribed exactly as it appeared in the newspaper, which changes made only for typographical errors and not for grammatical errors. The only time words have been removed from the items is in the case of references to photographs that appeared in the newspaper.

1) Where are there 10 different classifications of soil within ½ mile?

A Yates County soil analysis made in 1916 shows that at Fiveville, a little south of Italy Hill, there are 10 classifications of soil within a half-mile radius: Wooster, gravelly silt loam and stoney silt loam, Volusia flat phase silt loam and silt loam, muck, Holly silt loam, Papakating silt clay loam, Chenango gravelly silt loam, Lordstown stoney silt loam, and Genesee silt loam.

2) What farm still uses an “old oaken bucket?”

There is an “Old Oaken Bucket” well still in use on the old McFarren farm, Penn Yan, RD 4, now owned by H.M. Fulkrod. The bucket is lowered by a rope and there is a wood hand brake to slow the speed as it descends the well. When filled, the bucket is drawn up by turning the crank attached to the wooden spool.

3) Who was the first white child born here?

The great grandfather of Charles Beaumont, Penn Yan insurance agent and real estate brother, is said to be the first white child born in what is now Yates county. Joseph Hopeton Beautmont was born Sept. 26, 1798, to James Beaumont, native of England, and Mary Malin Beaumont, flollowers of Jemima Wilkinson. Their child was the first born in the New Jerusalem settlement. J.H. Beaumont died June 27, 1893, in the residence at 109 East Main street, now owned and occupied by Herbert Thayer. The old “Beaumont” horseblock may still be seen in front of the residence.

4) Bricks for what building were made of clay dug from the building’s cellar?

Sixty years ago this summer clay was removed when the basement for Ball hall of Keuka institute and college was being excavated. The same clay went chiefly into the making of the interior bricks from which the present structure was built.

5) What township was called Vernon?

From Jerusalem township of Ontario county in 1803 a new township, including what is now Milo and Torrey, was created and named Vernon. But Oneida county had created a Vernon township a year earlier, so confusion resulted. As a result on April 6, 1809 the state legislature changed the name of Vernon township, Ontario county, to Snell, honoring the state senator, Jacob Snell from Montgomery county.

Residents of this area apparently saw no reason for honoring a senator from another county, so assembled in a protest meeting at the inn of Luman Phelps, located at the corner of Main and Head streets in the young village of Penn Yan. The group petitioned the legislature to change the name to Benton township, honoring Levi Benton, the first settler in the region. On April 2, 1810, Albany nodded consent.

Milo township was set up and apart from Benton township in 1818 and Torrey township was separated from Benton in 1851.

6) What traditional birthplace of a people is in Yates?

Bare Hill in the western section of Yates county on the east side of Canandaigua lake is famous in legends of the early inhabitants of Yates county as the supernatural birthplace of the Seneca Indians.

7) What was the first name of Starkey town?

Both Starkey and Barrington townships were originally, along with Tyrone, Wayne, and Reading townships, now of Steuben and Schuyler counties, a part of Frederickton in Steuben county. Afterwards Reading was cut off and the Town of Wayne, including what is now Barrington, was organized. In 1822 Barrington was organized with the boundaries that define it today and in 1826, along with Starkey, it was annexed to Yates county.

8) Where was the nearest toll gate to Penn Yan?

A toll gate on the Penn Yan Branchport plank roead was near the site of the Allison and Daniels office – the old Hanford farm. The toll gate at the other end of the road was near Esperanza at the foot of the old road that ascends the hill west of the spacious mansion. Many older residents can remember the ruins of this toll gate house.

9) What surveyor was first settler of a town?

John Mower, 18, carried the chain, served as cook and was in charge of the pack horses for the crew which surveyed the new pre-emption line from Pennsylvania’s north border to Lake Ontario. In 1790 he settled in West River hollow, Italy township. Italy was originally part of Middletown township, organized in 1789, but changed to Naples township in 1808. Seven years later Italy township was set off. John Mower is quoted in history as saying that one spring he killed 314 rattlesnakes on the west side of the stream not far from the rocky ledges where they hibernated. The township was then rich in a dense forest of noble trees.

10) What rural cemeteries were once next to churches?

The cemetery near Swing’s or Ovenshire’s corners on the Penn Yan-Dundee road in Barrington and the Nettle Valley cemetery on the Penn Yan-Potter road, road were once adjoining churches. The church buildings have long since been removed and their location obliterated.

Do you know of any others in Yates county?

11) What was the first barn west of Seneca Lake?

In 1791, according to tradition, Caleb Benton built a barn 30 by 40 feet, starting on Monday morning with trees standing in the woods. These, it is said, were felled, hewed, and framed and the barn enclosed so that wheat was drawn into it by Saturday.

This was reported to be the first barn built west of Seneca lake.

12) Is there a battle ground sites in Yates?

The nearest any part of the present area of Yates county came to becoming a battleground was Sept. 9, 1779, when 400 of General Sullivan’s riflemen were sent along the west side of Seneca lake from the site of Geneva to what is now Kashong point and there wrecked the Indian settlement. Resistance of the [Native Americans] was insignificant if not entirely lacking.

The power of Indians had been broken in the battle of Newtown, east of Elmira.

13) What is Lake Keuka unlike other lakes?

Lake Keuka is unique, but not because it is shaped like the letter Y.

Geologists say that it is perhaps the only body of Y-shaped water with one of the upper branches an inlet and the other an outlet. Elsewhere nature has made the two top branches inlets and the base branch an outlet. Early glacial action, say geologists, created this freak. Water flows in at Hammondsport, the south end, also at Branchport, one of the north ends, and flows out through the other north end by way of the East or Penn Yan branch.

14) How old is the Friend house?

While commonly referred to as 150 years, the actual age of the Jemima Wilkinson house in Jerusalem is a matter of dispute. Arnold Potter, descendant of the early Friend settlers, believes the dwelling was some five years in the building and was completed in 1815. Her death occurred four years later. The Friend joined her followers near City Hill, Torrey township, in 1790 and there built the first frame dwelling in western New York. This would have been 25 years before completion of the Jerusalem home which still stands.

15) Where is there a Kentucky coffee tree?

On the east side of Route 14, the Dresden-Geneva state road, just before crossing the bridge over Kashong creek as one drives north out of Yates into Ontario county is a Kentucky Coffee tree – a rare sight in this vicinity. The tree is conspicuous because of its large leaf and uniquely shaped seed pod.

Does anyone know of any others in Yates county?

16) Through what bay does Yates rainfall reach ocean?

Practically all the area of Yates county drains into Canandaigua, Keuka, or Seneca lakes or into Potter swamp and runs eventually through the St. Lawrence river and bay into the Atlantic ocean. But a very limited section of South Italy and Jerusalem townships drain into the Cohocton and a bit of southern Barrington into Waneta and Lamoka lakes from when the water may flow through the Susquehanna system into the Atlantic by way of the Chesapeake bay, some 1,000 miles south of the St. Lawrence.

17) How many Yates places use Old World names?

At least four Yates county townships – Italy, Jerusalem, Milo, and Middlesex – have names which were long famous in England or on the continent of Europe. Also two villages – Dundee and Dresden.

Do you know of any other Yates community names borrowed from other countries?

18) What famous orator was born in this county?

Some of the addresses of Red Jacket, famed Indian orator, have been included in printed collections of the famous speeches of the years. But Red Jacket may or may not have been born in Yates county. Historians disagree upon the place of his birth. It may have been near Branchport or at Canoga, in Seneca county.

Robert G. Ingersoll, agnostic and brilliant orator, was born in Dresden Aug. 11, 1833. His birthplace is being preserved in his memory.

19) Where is the highest spot in Yates County?

The highest spot in Yates county is 2,130 feet above sea level and includes a few acres on the high plateau just west of the Jerusalem township line in Italy, about six miles west and a bit north of Branchport. It was in this area that a bomber crashed during World War II, killing all occupants.

20) Where is the lowest spot in Yates County?

The lowest spot in Yates county is above sea level – and is located somewhere in the bottom of Seneca lake this side of the Seneca county line which is in the middle of the lake.

Within the last few years Yates county has “settled” a great deal – some 400 feet roughly. Up to that time the eastern boundary of the county was highwater mark on the west shore of Seneca lake, which is listed as about 444 feet above sea level. This boundary caused much confusion. Game Protector Clay White, for example, apprehending a duck hunter or fisherman off the Yates county shore for some violation, had to take his man all the way around the end of Seneca lake, possibly 40 miles, to bring him before a Seneca county official. Assemblyman Vernon Blodgett introduced a bill a few years ago placing the county boundary in the middle of the lake.

In spots Seneca lake bottom is said to be even a bit below sea level.

21) How may lakes are there in the county?

There are no lakes in Yates county – entirely within the county, that is.

More than half of the Lake Keuka shoreline is within Yates, about seven miles of the Canandaigua shore line and over 20 miles of Seneca lake’s west shore. Lakes Waneta and Lamoka are just beyond the county boundaries.

22) How many railroads are there in the county?

Three different railroad companies operate lines in Yates county: the Pennsylvania, the New York Central, and the Lehigh Valley, the latter running diesel motors over the Middlesex Valley line between Geneva and Naples. These are the first diesels to be used in regular service in the county.

23) How many schools are there in the county?

While there are 50 rural school districts in Yates county, according to Superintendent Stephen Underwood of Branchport, but 26 of them maintain a school. Of the remaining 24 districts, 8 have sold their buildings; the others being idle, actually there are 32 schools in Yates county, if you add to the above 26 rural schools, the Middlesex Valley and Dundee central schools, St. Michael’s Parochial school in Penn Yan, the Penn Yan Union school (which has five buildings), Lakemont academy, and Keuka college with its several buildings.

24) How many miles of state road are there?

According to George Havens, county superintendent of highways, the total public highway mileage in Yates county is 1,813.44. Of this total 149.18 miles are in county highways, 109.16 state roads, and only 55.10 of town roads.

25) How many post offices are there in Yates?

Two of the Yates county townships, Italy and Barrington, have no post offices. Three townships have one post office each: Rushville in Potter, Dresden in Torrey, and Middlesex in Middlesex township. Milo and Benton have two post offices each: Penn Yan and Himrod in the former, Bellona and Gage in the latter. Jerusalem township with three offices, at Branchport, Bluff Point, and Keuka Park, and Starkey with  four, at Dundee, Rock Stream, Starkey, and Lakemont, bring the total number of post offices now operating in this county to 14. Years ago there were many more.

26) How many public libraries in Yates County?

Branchport, Keuka Park, Dundee, and Penn Yan now have the only libraries which are open to the public.

All of these are included as participants in the Yates County Community chest.

[ocprompts]

Those are the Characters in my Story Witchery Prep.

Priscilla Thunderflame - Fire Witch Potion Teacher owns a Fashion Label

Ophelia De Rain Rainbow Witch Real Estate Agent A Legend at the School.

Thalia Flake Ice Witch Queen Bee arrogant and vindictive but is willing to do right thing when necessary.

Milo Del Moor Shadow Warlock transparent and honest wants to prove to everyone that he is a good guy.

Sophie Blizz Snow Witch Thalia’s BFF Shy and Sweet but deep down very confident.

Fiona Lavender Mind Witch Headmistress Maternal and Eccentric she is metal fan.

Cedric Cane Candy Warlock funny enthusiastic and bubbly, but he hides a dark side.

Cassie Greyfire Mind Witch Student Body President Perky and Extroverted, she is more than she seems.

Miles Silvers Water Warlock Milo’s roommate shy awkward and clumsy but he’s getting a Neville Longbottom glow up.

Tessa Petals Flower Witch Chloe’s roommate Creative Mature and Levelheaded she wants to be a fashion designer.

Eloise Ombré Mind Witch who mysteriously disappeared in 1997.

Calliope Comet Oracle Witch Martha’s roommate and the daughter of a successful record producer. Several celebrities own her favors.

Godric Timber Water Warlock History Teacher Charismatic Stern Caring,

Arthur Lunar Moon Warlock Headmaster of Moonstone Academy Clever Creative and Witty.

Chloe Winters Mind Witch Tessa’s roommate extroverted crazy and mysterious.

Hazel Sunflower Creativity Witch Tina’s roommate curious, cautious and friendly.

Lena Tiempo Time Witch Martha’s BFF & Kumiko’s roommate she has 6 older sisters and a Hermione Granger personality.

Kyle Winters Mind Warlock Chloe’s brother and a student at Moonstone Academy He’s Awkward and Introverted.

Luna Brilliar Spell Casting Teacher Dramatic and Eccentric.

Mara Chandrama Illusion Witch Kira’s twin sister mischievous and gossip obsessed but kind and sweet. More hot tempered than Kira.

Kira Chandrama Illusion Witch Mara’s twin sister mischievous and gossip obsessed but kind and sweet. More mature than Mara.

Lenore Scythe Dream Witch student at Nightshade Institute she likes to give people Nightmares.

Vlad Moarte Air Warlock from Romania student at Nightshade Institute he likes to use his powers to suffocate people.

Tabitha Van Dark Shadow Witch Headmistress of Nightshade Institute Glamorous Eccentric and Compassionate.

Quentin Weeds Creativity Warlock New Teacher at Witchery Prep Boyfriend of Lena’s sister Sofia.

Martha De Rain the protagonist and a rainbow Witch daughter of Ophelia creative introverted outspoken and sassy.

Tina Cloudbridge Cloud Witch Hazel’s roommate seems scatterbrained but is actually smarter than she looks.

Mona Winters Mind Witch sister of Chloe and Kyle student at Nightshade the Black Sheep.

Enid Vipers Oracle Witch student at Nightshade gives people misleading information about their future.

Nicolo Tanari Fire Warlock from Italy student at Nightshade he literally roasts people.

Shadow Wave The Main Villain of the Story and Arch Enemy of Ophelia De Rain.

Kumiko Shinzō Emotion Witch and Lena’s roommate sweet bubbly and sensitive she loves to bake.

Damien Frost Ice Warlock and Nightshade Student he has a penchant for freeing people to death.

Sabrina Tears Shadow Witch student at Nightshade manipulative and seductive.

Beatrix Bloodstone Shadow Witch student at Nightshade Milo’s ex girlfriend cool and charismatic.

Jezebel Crow Shadow Witch student at Nightshade crazy and mischievous.

that's so many! how do you keep them straight?

[docholligay]

Eurovision: The winner tomorrow

So my other two posts: Maybe y’all will STILL care about random drama tomorrow, and WHY the running order matters, but after tomorrow, NO ONE will care about my thoughts about who might win, who I’d like to see win, and the odds. WARNING: I FEEL LIKE THIS IS OBVIOUS BUT I DISCUSS ALL THOSE THINGS BELOW

My preferred winner out of the top two (Sweden and Finland): Sweden. I have no particular love for Sweden’s song, but I am annoyed that Finland cannot sing his, at all. I have been singing this song during my slow runs, to test my theory that I could be doing a brief canter about a box and actually sing-talk that song, versus being held up by a backing vocalist on a song that is not difficult. I liked that song SO MUCH before my disappointment that he can’t actually do it. Sweden brings a VERY tight package, and while neither of those are my favorite, I prefer Sweden’s ability to hit the note they said they could.

My preferred winner of the top 5: There’s a wide gap between 2 and 3 in the odds, so I grouped these--I’d like to see Spain win. She has a very clear idea of what she wants to see happen onstage, and she executes this song perfectly every time. It won’t because the style is something that does not have mass appeal, but I’d like to see it.

My preferred winner of the top ten: Spain, above. Would have been France, but she’s not been executing in rehearsals.

My winner because I’m allowed to let whatever I want to happen: There are three!

Portugal: This is my favorite song of the year, I would LOVE to see more broadway/cabaret style music there, no one has EVER EVER won from second position, and I love that she’s just a 38 year old real estate agent.

Belgium: Not for love of the song, but love of Gustaph, which I DO think is a little bit of a crime, but there we are.

Croatia: I really adore this true punk shit, but also, in an early interview they said if they won they would be naked and have sex onstage, and I want that. More importantly, I want the BBC to have to deal with that.

Who i THINK will win: Sweden, and I’m not mad. they brought an excellent package, they will be great hosts, and I want to see Ireland’s record go down because it was only due to the language rule.

Odds top ten to win and my thoughts:

Sweden: Loreen is just, good

Finland: he would be a shoo in if it were tele only. I liked him a LOT before the semi where it was revealed he can’t deliver an easy to sing song (yes I am still mad abotu this)

Ukraine This high for political reasons. Not that it’s a shitty song or anything but it’s firmly midtable.

Israel: There was a fuck up in the jury show today that will keep her out of winning contention

Spain: Too divisive to win, but also in my heart. When people say they want ethnic music, they mean “stuff i already like but with a flute”

France: MAN, do I hope all this is wrong and she KILLS on Saturday.

Norway: I keep meaning to do a post on the difference between a whistle note and a high pitched scream.

Italy: I love this song; it is this high because of a tendency to favor Italian entries.

United Kingdom: I SO disagree with this to the point of being shocked when i saw it. I think the Uk is in danger of bottom 5. Maybe not because it’s a bop or whatever, but she is NOT performing this song well.

Austria: Love this song. Wish the staging rose to it.

[ilciambellano]

[willowsimisme]

Zita Ferrara (25)

Zita makes waves for many of her looks and fashion sense. But one thing she doesn't make waves for is her grandmother.

Zita is the daughter of Renzo Ferrara and Freya Ferrara. Renzo is a famous Tartosiano entrepreneur. Freya was a stay-at-home mom. Freya's mother was a legend, Judith Ward. Freya was an unintended event in Judith's plan for fame. So was the result of one of her most famous marriages. Due to this Judith doesn’t associate or bring up any of her grandchildren. The only time Zita has had a conversation with her grandmother was when they met at a Fashion show.

When she was just 17 she was spotted walking around Tartosa (Italy) with her little sister. A modeling agent explained that she had the possibility to be one of the most influential models. Zita discussed it with her mother. Zita was fearful that she would become like her grandmother and burn many bridges. Her mother encouraged her to take the risk and be the person her grandmother never was.

Zita is currently a Model for one of the biggest agencies in the world. Every fashion brand wants her to walk their runaway offering thousands of Simoleons. She currently lives in San Myshuno (New York City) She loves eating out, shopping, golfing, going to the beach, and visiting her family's estate in Tartosa every winter.

[mariacallous]

If you’ve been to Rome, there’s a high chance you returned home with a slab of guanciale, two Fabriano notebooks and a copy of the hot priest calendar in your luggage.

The hot priest calendar is not its official name but, over the past two decades, the moniker has stuck (for reasons clear to anyone who’s seen it). Next year marks 20 years since the “calendario Romano” was first published, during which time it has grown from labour of love to cult souvenir.

Each month of the A4 flip calendar is represented by a nameless man of the cloth, photographed in black and white and usually against an ornate liturgical backdrop. Some wear a cappello romano(a type of wide-brimmed hat), others a clerical collar. December, the unequivocal favourite among calendar fans, rarely changes – he is pictured holding a copy of Le vie di Roma close to this cassocked chest. Broadly speaking, each “priest” is “hot”.

Much like the Pirelli calendar, published by the UK subsidiary of the Italian tyre manufacturing company, the connection between the images and the subject being promoted can feel, at times, tangential. But the motivation is pure, says the calendar’s 60-year-old Venetian photographer, Piero Pazzi. It is, he says, a “clean and honest product that simply advertises Rome and its most eloquent symbol: the Catholic clergy”.

But confession time: “They are not all priests, and they are not all from Italy,” says Pazzi, himself a Catholic, who has spent the past few decades visiting Rome and Seville to take these pictures. He uses a Fuji camera and photographs the men during trips to the cities during Easter. It’s a random process of selection, he explains, which means it can sometimes backfire: in one instance, an estate agent from Spain was mistaken for a priest and appeared as 2008’s “Father March” (he was wearing a black tunic at the time). But those photographed in Seville “are mostly acolytes of the countless brotherhoods that parade in the processions of Holy Week”, according to Pazzi.

During its mid-2010s heyday, the calendar is said to have sold about 75,000 copies a year and, despite a dip during the pandemic, it remains in high demand.The 2023 iteration has just gone on sale, costing around 10 euros depending on which shop or kiosk you buy it from – and is already fetching three times the price on eBay. Pazzi prefers not to estimate how many are sold now in case he gets it wrong, but he will go so far as to say that “in Rome, it is quite common”.

Rather than “photographer”, he uses the terms “archivist and archive researcher”; photography, he says, is just a hobby. His favourite subject is actually animals, especially cats – he has two of his own – and he also likes photographing gondoliers, a calendar of which predates that of the clergymen, but it’s the hot priest calendar that turned him into the Rankin of Catholicism. He says he created it to “educate the tourists who visit Rome by providing precise information on the Vatican state” – with facts and titbits written inside. He describes this as “very simple information, which the average tourist fully disregards”.

Still, the calendar is not without controversy. It has been criticised for repeating the same images year after year, although Pazzi disputes this claim. “Sometimes I replace the pictures,” he says. Looking through back issues, it appears to be true that February, May and July often change. Some of the repeated priests occasionally switch months, too.

Equally, accusations of Vatican propaganda have found their way on to various chat forums (the Vatican did not respond to requests for comment). Pazzi says the two are not linked: “I have never been reproached or called into question by any religious authority for the calendar,” he says, adding that, about 10 years ago, the Vatican confirmed that “it was not its official initiative but that of a private individual”.

The calendar itself is printed by a specialist “and distributed in an artisanal way”, he says, rather than being mass-produced. According to the calendar bumf, profits go to Snap, a support group for women and men abused by religious and institutional authorities.

Pazzi says the absence of the priests’ names is simply proof that neither the calendar, or its poster boys, are “products of vanity”. As to whether the calendar has led to a lifetime of fame, he thinks not. “These are photos of priests,” he says, “not photos of film stars.”

[sweetswesf]

I Found an Old Goals List...

...and it made me chuckle...

by each of the "Want to Be"s, I put who I knew was currently in that role...some names, I don't even recognize...How I feel today is in red...

Want to Be

Fundraiser

Owner of Microfinancing Philanthropist

Financial Infrastructure Engineer

Data Scientist

Product Director

Trader on Wall Street

Enterprise Saleswoman

App Owner/Business Owner/Entrepreneur/Mogul

Professor

Teacher

Author

Investment Banker

Fantasy

Actress

Dancer

DJ (Hannah Bronfman)

TV Host (Desus & Mero)

Tour Manager

Don’t Want to Be

Attorney

Real Estate Agent

Rapper

Singer

Scientist

Fitness Coach

Event Planner

Office Manager

Financial Advisor

Financial Analyst

5 Year Plan – 2017 - 2021 – 24 - 28 YO (6/13 complete)

Establish connections, gain industry experience (happened)

Complete my 1st Marathon – 2017 (happened)

Raise & Promotion @ L – 2017 (happened 2018)

Leave L – 2018 (happened 2022)

Visit Cuba - 2018 (didn't happen, lost my passport and fought w/my mom pretty badly over this one...)

Join Netflix w/ 6 figure salary – 2018 (hahahah)

Complete UC Berkeley data science program – 2018 (no longer a desire)

Make 1st trade on NYSE - 2018 (happened 2019)

Visit KT in Bangkok/Bhutan/Charles in Singapore – 2019

Visit Japan - 2020 (happened 2018)

Become Mid-level Finance Manager – 2021 (ahahhaah)

Earn CFA - 2021 (not a desire)

Visit Switzerland - 2021 (not a desire)

10 Year Plan – 2022 - 2026 – 29 - 33 YO

Visit Capetown - 2022 (2023...2022 is over this week, I don't think this finna happen...)

Return to work in NYC on Wall Street as Financial Infrastructure Manager – 2022 (no, but I did work in NYC in 2021...)

Finish the NYC Marathon - 2022 (don't care to anymore)

Learn basic conversational and reading in Japanese – 2022 (I tried in 2021...but other things were prioritized)

Visit Hong Kong - 2022 (with that air pollution & covid?? nahhh)

Harvard Business School funded by employer – 2023 (could happen...)

Visit Dubai/UAE/Mecca - 2023 (I don't care to go there anymore...human rights reasons...)

Work abroad in Italy, South Africa, Japan or London – 2024 (could happen...)

Visit Brazil – 2024

Visit Australia – 2025 

Visit Tahiti – 2026 

First child with natural birth – 2026 (yikes...unless my future husband has 8 figures, miss me with this one...)

Own NYC loft - 2026 (we shooting big here!...can happen...)

Get hired at T4 or T5 SWE position at my top choice company - 2023

Get a $180k+ base salary - 2023

Start dating a guy a like and who likes me - 2023

Move to a 1 bedroom in Manhattan or Brooklyn, New York - 2023

Master all the topics I want to before June 2023 - June 2023

Look like Tamara Prichett, Melanie Alcantara, Jade Cargill, or Massy Arias - 2024

Update my app to be on React - 2024

Mentor an intern engineer - 2024

Get a promotion - 2024

Staff engineer - 2025

Visit friends in Milan - 2023

15 Year Plan – 2027 - 2031 – 34 - 38 YO

Visit the Amazon – 2027 (don't really care to do this anymore)

Fundraise for my own app – 2027 (2028)

Go public with my company – 2031 (2037, MAYBE)

Get married to a really rich man (2026)

Move back in with grandparents to code for my app full time or live off of my really rich husband - 2027

35 Year Plan – 2032 – 2050 – 39 – 58 YO

Grow company

Tech Invest - 2040

Own home in NJ or NY - 2040

Retire – 2050 

40 Year Plan – 2051 – 2055 – 59 – 63 YO 

Become teacher in LA – 2051

41 Year Plan – 2056 - 2060 – 64 - 68 YO

Become USC Trustee

It could happen...I have to believe and work hard...

[patrickpatrovichluxury]

CONSIDERING BUILDING.

Into a farm of about 15 hectares with overhanging large building built with stones,currently used partly as a dwelling (well renovated) and partly as a stable,barn and porch for a total of about 500 square meters for 2 floors.

The property is completed by another independent accessory building.

Dominant position,isolated and convenient to reach

- Connected cellar - Garden,connected apartment - Accessory land

Booking at: patrickcarafagroup@gmail.com www.linktr.ee/patrick.carafa

My company,based in Italy and experienced in residential,commercial,industrial,private,tourist constructions,is looking for building lands in Italy and abroad,with or without an approved project for the construction of villas,hotels,residences,cottages,flats,resorts and other.

NO AGENCIES,NO AGENTS.

Send your offer by DM or at patrickcarafagroup@gmail.com

Contacts:

patrickcarafagroup@gmail.com www.linktr.ee/patrick.carafa

All about the CEO,here: www.linktr.ee/patrick.carafa

My AUTOBIODATAPHY,here: www.flickr.com/people/communitycation

ALL my Social channels,here: www.linktr.ee/patrick.carafa

That's why,I inspire,I'm copied,I'm imited,I'm envied,like here: www.pinterest.it/patrickrafting/we-inspire

EXCLUSIVE CONTENTS,OFFERS,DEALS AND EPICS,NEWS,CURRENT PHOTOS and VIDEOS,UNSEEN,UNHEARD,UNLOCKED,ULTIMATE AFFAIRS,ONLY ON THE CLOUD by the CARD,here:

patrickcarafagroup@gmail.com www.linktr.ee/patrick.carafa

Everything else I do: www.pinterest.it/patrickrafting/just-patrick

Thousands of real projects,in the most varied sectors,created so far,here: www.pinterest.it/patrickrafting/advs-story-of-patrick

For our FRANCHISING,contact us at: patrickcarafagroup@gmail.com www.linktr.ee/patrick.carafa

With my construction company I have built residential,private,commercial,industrial,green,bio and normal construction sites.I managed projects,construction sites,materials,employees,vehicles.But visited also dozens of cities,spaces and properties from lakes to mountains,from the sea to rivers,from hills to plans.I spend a lot of time on my construction sites observing the progress of the works,the workers,the equipment and the technical means,the construction techniques and the materials,as I do for rafting,photography and communication.At first I also followed the real estate agent course and I was also involved in sales.

In this sector,too,I have now held almost all management roles and today construction is the main branch of my company,which split into:

- constructions 360 °; - bioconstructions,green buildings,passive houses. - acquisition and sale of Villas,Hotels,Resorts and Castles.

After the management of an hotel on the sea in Italy,I entered also in a trading round of acquisition and sale of Villas,Hotels,Resorts and Castles,one of the branch of mine present construction company.I also visited dozens of properties in the most exclusive places.

I did 6 months in New Zealand,lived in 3 different places and travelled a lot,where I was also able to visit and see new types of buildings,materials and techniques,useful for my construction company.

Over the years I have made dozens of improvements in my properties and rafting bases.In this last case,for the wooden structures that were added to the existing reinforced concrete ones,I acted as a consultant for an architect who managed European funds for mountain tourism.In addition to designing the wooden structures,I managed the redevelopment of at least three other structures in the valley,with bathrooms,changing rooms,bar,office and parking,relax area,solarium,gift shop,free tents area. In about 25 years of river activities I have tested dozens of rivers,locations here and there,as well as different types of rafts,hydrospeed,kayaks and other means for white water to understand the destination of spots for tourism and sports.

I founded Patrick Carafa Construction offerings range between the different sectors of the scope construction addressing stakeholders and not the field,because the activities aimed at the same are dedicated to individuals and companies that they want to make use of experience,knowledge and competence.News of Patrick Carafa Construction are the green building,bioconstruction,passive houses and restructuring and specializes in property management,as well as in "turnkey" taking care of the preliminary studies of feasibility and the acquisition,design and construction,the finishing and delivery,management,construction,renovation,purchase and sale.Villas,Hotels,Castles and Resorts are in the availability of the company.

Moreover I created a team of experienced professional engineers,architects,interior designer and project managers who create and develop ideas together with clients for custom built homes,villas and residences.We work on projects from the earliest stages of design to develop exterior and interior solutions,a cost plan and construction programme with design services for Interior/Exterior/Landscaping,Building Permits,Project Management & Construction and Additional Services.

[flavorfeastbd]

The Ultimate Guide to Buying Real Estate in Turin

Dreaming of a home in Italy? 🏡✨ Discover The Ultimate Guide to Buying Real Estate in Turin – from market trends to top neighborhoods and expert tips. Whether you're an investor or looking for your perfect Italian getaway, Turino has something for everyone.

Why Choose Turin? A Snapshot of the City’s Real Estate Market

Understanding Turin’s Real Estate Market Trends

The Process of Buying Real Estate in Italy: What You Need to Know

Popular Neighborhoods for Real Estate in Turin

Financing Options for Buying Real Estate in Turin

Tips for Buying Real Estate in Turin

To make the process smoother, consider the following tips:

Consider Your Long-Term Plans: Buying property is a long-term investment. Think about your goals—whether you plan to live in the property, rent it out, or hold it for future resale.

Visit the Property in Person: While it’s possible to view properties online, visiting in person allows you to get a true sense of the neighborhood, amenities, and property condition. If you’re unable to visit, hiring a local representative can help.

Check the Property’s Legal Status: Make sure there are no outstanding debts, liens, or zoning restrictions on the property. A notary or real estate agent can assist in this research.

Be Aware of Additional Costs: In addition to the property price, you’ll need to budget for notary fees, property taxes, and possible renovation costs.

[canonicallyobserving911]

WIP Wednesday

Fanonwriter2023 on AO3

Where CANON and FANON collide!

FANON FanFic: Buddie Multi-Chapter - “I’m still in love with you but... I needed to learn how to love myself too!”

Chapter 33 will be posted soon!

This is an EPIC LOVE STORY!

Currently 32 chapters completed: 1.485M Words; Rated: Mature

#1 {Previous snippet}

__________

I'm excited to finish writing Chapter 33 because at the end of Chapter 32, Buck and Eddie got the call from Angelo, the real estate agent in San Gimignano, Italy regarding the house they bid on back in December and they were informed the builder accepted it. Later that evening, they told their found family at the 118 about it and they had a lot of questions including if they were going to immediately relocate to Italy.

Eddie explained they wouldn't do it right away but he included a caveat that if Buck or Chris say they're ready to go, they would pack up and leave, no questions asked. They still haven't told the Diazes yet and they haven't told Margaret and Phillip either. Will they tell them in the next chapter? Also, in Chapter 31, Buck and Bobby agreed to have a conversation at a later date regarding Buck's meeting with Captain Mehta and the job offer he got from Captain Clarke at the 115. Will they have that meeting in Chapter 33? 👀

__________

Here’s a snippet from Chapter 33 of a conversation Buck and Eddie are having with Lindsey Brown, the executive producer of "All About Pasta", Emeril and the show's production team.

__________

Buck moves his hand underneath the conference room table and he takes Eddie’s hand in his.  He laces their fingers together and Eddie gives him a gentle squeeze to remind him that he’s right beside him.

Emeril’s response settles something deep inside of him because it’s one of the things he was nervous about.  He doesn’t want to consider the job if he’ll be tossed out like a loaf of stale bread in a few years.  Also, he’s been thinking about Chris and how they cook together a lot, therefore he has questions about the episodes.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”  Emeril replies.

“Lindsey, I do have another question but uh… I’m not sure if I should direct it to you or someone on the production team.”

“Please proceed with your question and whomever is responsible for it will respond.”

“Ok.  Uh… we have a son, his name is Chris and he’s my sous chef.”

Emeril smiles big and so does everyone else in the room.

“So… my question is would it be possible for him to join me on the show sometimes?  I—I’m asking because I’m teaching him how to make all my recipes, he knows the secret ingredients and we cook together all the time.  Last night, we made Ritz crackers crispy chicken and we’ve prepared several pasta dishes including one we made when we went to Italy in December.”

Lindsey looks at the producer and the assistant producer and after they have a quick silent conversation, she responds, “I’ll answer your question.  The great news about this being your show is you’ll have 100% creative control.  That means you get to decide the different types of pasta recipes you want to create along with the guest appearances you’ll have on the show.  You can even have an episode solely dedicated to you and your family and if you want to feature any recipes with your son, you can.  Also, if you want him to do an episode all on his own, he can.”

Buck nods, then he looks at Eddie who’s already looking at him.  They smile at each other, then Buck asks, “Eddie, will you cook with me and Chris?”

“Of course, I will.  You don’t even have to ask.”

They all laugh and after they finish, Lindsey continues.  “Buck, “All About Pasta” is your show and you get to decide how each episode is laid out including the recipes you want to prepare along with the schedule and everything else.  The 10 people on your team are all in here and they have specific responsibilities but they all have to coincide with the things you want on your show.”

“Thank you.  I—I appreciate that but I have another question.  Who’s responsible for making sure the ingredients I’ll need to cook with will be on set?”

“Buck, that would be me.  I’m Phil and part of my responsibilities as Art Director is to order the food, seasonings, utensils and whatever else you’ll need to prepare your meals.  The set will be designed however you like and we’ll spend time during the planning stage organizing everything the way you want it.”

He nods and exhales because that’s another important point for him.  He likes an organized kitchen and he wants to have some say so in how it’s designed.  “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”  Phil replies.

Buck takes a second to contemplate his next question and once he’s ready, he says, “The letter indicated that I would have a marketing team to assist me with completing a cookbook and possibly starting a cookware line.  I’m interested in all of those things so… um, how does that work?”

“I’ll answer this because it falls underneath my purview as the executive producer.  All of our chefs are marketed in the best way possible and the first thing we would do is have a brainstorming session with the marketing and advertising teams to come up with a catch phrase that will be used during your shows.  For example, Emeril says, “BAM!” so whichever word or phrase you decide on, our licensing team will make sure it’s not already in use.  Also, you’ll get to choose your own stage name.”

“My stage name?”  He asks with raised eyebrows.

“Yes.  For example, Guy Fieri’s last name used to be spelled “Ferry” until he changed it to match the original spelling of his family’s name.”

“Hmmm.”  He responds, then he looks at Eddie and asks, “What uh, do you think I should call myself?”

Without hesitation, he replies, “Buck Diaz.”

He nods and as he looks around the room, he notices everyone else is nodding in agreement.

After a few moments, Lindsey responds, “Buck Diaz it is and now that we have your stage name, there are all sorts of other things we’ll be able to market for you under that name.”

Is the Food Network production team giving Buck what he wants? 😉

Will Buck accept the job to be the new host of the TV show "All About Pasta"?😁

Since Chris is his sous chef, how many episodes will he be featured in? 🙃

Will Bobby contact Buck before it's too late? 😎

__________

Fic Summary: Months after Buck and Eddie were hit by the same lightning strike; they’re still struggling with the aftermath of it.  But before they make their love confessions, they’ll spend time getting to know themselves as individuals first. Eddie learns to enjoy the simple things in life as he participates in activities on his own and with new friends while Buck learns the rest of the 31-year-old deep dark family secret about his conception and birth. Their journey to forever is still a work in progress but once they finally admit they’re in love with each other, everything that follows their love confessions will be cataclysmic.

__________

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1 - Eddie makes a new friend while Buck receives devastating news regarding the sperm donation he made for Connor and Kameron.

Chapter 2 - Buck does a lot of research to learn more about the abnormalities found in his red blood cells and Eddie starts a new therapy journey that’s all about him and not the traumas he’s experienced.

Chapter 3 - After more than a month, Buck and Eddie finally spend time together outside of work but it doesn’t end well and they part with a lot of uncertainty regarding their places in each other’s lives.

Chapter 4 - Eddie has a few realizations about his life which causes him to consider moving back to El Paso, TX while Buck continues to be reminded of his past which causes him to take an impromptu road trip across America.

Chapter 5 - Both Buck and Eddie have difficult conversations with their parents and Buck finally learns the truth behind the reason why his mother despised him while Eddie finally tells his mother about the way she tries to control him.

Chapter 6 - More than two weeks after Buck pushed Eddie away after suggesting they needed a break; Eddie decides to try again. Eddie’s there for Buck when he’s at his worst just like Buck was there for him when he was at his worst and he won’t let Buck give up.

Chapter 7 - After Buck’s mental breakdown, Eddie has his back the same way Buck had his when he had his own breakdown more than a year ago.  They share several vulnerable and emotionally intimate moments with one another and they begin to realize their small, sweet and caring gestures matter just as much if not more than any grand gesture ever could because these are the foundations of a long-lasting love relationship.

Chapter 8 - Buck, Eddie and Chris all have their own therapists and during their sessions, they reflect on their pasts while they’re in the present so they can prepare for their future together as a family.

Chapter 9 - Buck and Eddie are there for each other when Buck has to testify as a witness during the trial.  But by the end of it, they’ll both realize their individual and shared traumas are going to keep resurfacing until they talk about them, deal with the fact that they’re in love with one another and face the fact that they can’t live without each other.

Chapter 10 - As Buck and Eddie finally begin to confront their past traumas, they realize how much they need each other to fill in the gaps of their memories.  Additionally, the universe screams at them for what appears to be the one hundredth time so Buck can realize he doesn’t have to ‘find it’ because he already ‘made it’ and Eddie’s reminded tomorrow isn’t promised and he doesn’t have to die alone if he doesn’t want to.

Chapter 11 - A “virga” or dry thunderstorm is in the forecast but once the rain starts, the thunderstorm happening outside won’t be able to match the storm brewing inside between Buck and Eddie.  It’s the universe’s final scream and when the tumultuous winds begin to blow, they’ll have one last chance to hold onto everything they’ve built over the last six years or they’ll lose it all forever.

Chapter 12 - Buck and Eddie have always shared a deep physical attraction and an emotional intimacy that’s unmatched but now that they’re in a relationship, they’re learning how to navigate the romantic intimacy they’ve been waiting for six years to explore. The love they have for each other is a once in a lifetime, soulmate, love of their lives type of love that transcends space and time.

Chapter 13 - While navigating the newness of their romantic relationship, Buck and Eddie take advantage of every moment they spend together. As their individual lives, people from their pasts, time constraints and the possibility of losing each other again make attempts to interrupt and interfere with their journey to forever, they love, care for, support and hold onto each other even tighter to withstand it all.

Chapter 14 - Buck and Eddie can see the lights at the end of the tunnels regarding the results of Buck’s Cancer Screening along with everything else they’re dealing with. But are the lights they see exits to the tunnels or are they headlights on different runaway trains that are speeding towards them in an effort to interrupt their forever?

Chapter 15 - Buck and Eddie have known they were exactly who the other one wanted in a partner since they met six years ago when they agreed to have each other’s backs. They’re in a romantic relationship, they’re both preparing to ask the other one to spend forever with them and by the end of the seventh week into their relationship, together they will plan their most important and greatest adventure for their future.

Chapter 16 - As Buck and Eddie begin to prepare for their marriage ceremony that will take place in Rome, Italy in December 2023, they start planning their first international adventure as a romantic couple. Even though Chris is still the only person they’ve told about their relationship, several people who know them have already witnessed the love they share and as the days continue, others will witness it too.

Chapter 17 - As Buck and Eddie get closer to departing Los Angeles for their international adventure, a moment in time will remind them; life is fragile, tomorrow isn’t promised and every second of everyday should be cherished because everything can change in an instant. The result of that realization will cause them to hold onto each other even more.

Chapter 18 - As Buck, Eddie and Chris prepare for family gatherings before and during the Thanksgiving holiday, the “Santa Ana Winds” start to blow and all sorts of expected and unexpected familial drama ensues.

Chapter 19 - As Buck and Eddie get closer to their wedding day, the universe begins to align everything so that some of their parent and children's relationships are strengthened while others come to an abrupt end.

Chapter 20 - With only 14 days remaining until Buck, Eddie and Chris depart Los Angeles, CA traveling to Rome, Italy, for their first family adventure, an early morning conversation about “tying up loose ends” helps Buck and Eddie realize there are still several things left unfinished on their ‘To Do’ lists. The question is will there be enough time to complete all of them?

Chapter 21 - Buck, Eddie and Chris are finalizing their ‘To Do’ Lists, double checking their itineraries and packing their suitcases in preparation for their trip to Europe so they can board their flight that departs Los Angeles, CA on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 3:25PM.

Chapter 22 - While Buck, Eddie and Chris spend the first 8 days of their European family adventure in Italy, their primary reason for going will be fulfilled as well as several others they hadn’t considered or anticipated.

Chapter 23 - As the Diaz Family continues their Italian family adventure, they’ll say, “Ciao” or hello and goodbye to a lot of things almost immediately after they become an official and legal family.

Chapter 24 - After Buck, Eddie and Chris arrive in London, England on December 24th; the Diazes immediately start preparing to spend their first family Christmas together. During their stay, each of them will hear a few choice words that will be the life raft to get them home to complete their searches to be seen and to be found.

Chapter 25 - After spending more than two weeks in Europe, Eddie, Buck and Chris are back in Los Angeles and they’re getting ready to attend Maddie and Chimney’s New Year’s Eve party. During the event, they have plans to make two surprise announcements but the question is, who’s really going to be surprised, the Diaz family or their found family at the 118?

Chapter 26 - Buck and Eddie are once again faced with their greatest fear of losing each other but this time it could be permanent and if it is, then they won’t be able to spend the rest of their lives together.

Chapter 27 - After Buck resumes therapy, he’ll continue to face the fact that he “DIED” in March 2023 and during those sessions, he’ll learn about the 7 stages of grief. As he continues his healing journey, Eddie will be right by his side just like he promised and the Diaz family will start to deal with their three minutes and seventeen seconds loss as a family.

Chapter 28 - Two years ago, Eddie was asked, “What are you afraid of?”; twice, once by Frank and once by Buck but he only answered one of them without deflecting. Since that time, he’s been to therapy and him and Buck got married but the question resurfaces when Frank asks Buck the same question and Buck asks it of Eddie for the second time. However, when Buck asks, his reasoning will be about something else entirely.

Chapter 29 - After Buck and Eddie have an emotionally intimate conversation regarding their dreams, they make several decisions that will affect their future. When everything falls into place, they’ll realize one of those decisions will result in them no longer being work partners.

Chapter 30 - In 2018, Buck and Eddie met at the 118 and after some initial apprehensions on Buck’s part, they became work partners and they agreed to have each other’s backs. It’s been more than 6 ½ years, a lot’s happened, they got married in December 2023 and they have the family they both chose. With Eddie leaving the 118 in 3 months and Buck getting closer to moving past his grief, what will him losing his work partner mean for him?

Chapter 31 - As Buck’s life hangs in the balance from what’s suspected to be another bradycardia event, Eddie’s by his bedside, their son is being cared for by relatives and their found family is in the waiting room. During this time, many questions will surface that could possibly lead to the truth but will everything be revealed before it’s too late?

Chapter 32 - On January 2, 2024, the figurative skies over the Diaz family became gray and filled with storm clouds. Buck’s recent trauma, Chris’ school project and Eddie’s paramedic studies combined with the attack on Buck’s life, all those things contributed to the grief they’ve been experiencing. However, as the middle of February approaches, will the dark clouds dissipate so blue skies can return?

Chapter 33 - Will be posted soon.

__________

Read chapters 1-32 are available on AO3.

Continue reading on AO3

Chapter 33 will be posted soon.

[jhontony736]

Exploring Global Opportunities with eXp Realty in Hong Kong and Italy

eXp Realty is revolutionizing the real estate industry with its cloud-based brokerage model and extensive global reach. For agents looking to expand their horizons, joining eXp Realty offers an unparalleled opportunity to work across international markets like Hong Kong and Italy. With its focus on technology, collaboration, and professional growth, eXp Realty has quickly become a global leader in real estate.

Let’s explore how eXp Realty in Hong Kong and eXp Realty in Italy are transforming the way agents operate and why you should consider joining this innovative platform.

eXp Realty: A Global Real Estate Powerhouse

As a cloud-based brokerage, eXp Realty allows agents to work remotely, collaborate virtually, and access real-time training and support. The company’s expansion into Hong Kong and Italy reflects its global growth strategy and commitment to providing real estate professionals with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.

By joining eXp Realty Italy or eXp Realty HK, agents can take advantage of the platform’s comprehensive resources, including virtual offices, global networking opportunities, and continuous training programs designed to keep agents ahead of the curve.

eXp Realty HK: Expanding in Asia’s Real Estate Market

Hong Kong’s real estate market is one of the most competitive in the world. With high demand for residential and commercial properties, the region offers tremendous opportunities for growth. Agents who join eXp Realty HK benefit from the platform’s ability to operate without traditional office spaces. This flexibility is especially valuable in Hong Kong, where real estate costs are significant.

eXp Realty HK provides agents with access to international clients, advanced marketing tools, and a vast network of real estate professionals. The company’s virtual platform makes it easier than ever for agents to collaborate with colleagues across the globe. This is particularly beneficial for those working in Hong Kong, as it opens up cross-border transactions and investment opportunities.

Agents in Hong Kong can also participate in eXp Realty’s innovative revenue-sharing model. By recruiting other agents, they can build a passive income stream in addition to their commission earnings. This model not only rewards productivity but also encourages teamwork and growth within the company.

eXp Realty Italy: Embracing Change in European Real Estate

Italy is known for its rich cultural heritage, historic cities, and beautiful landscapes. The real estate market here is diverse, ranging from luxury villas to urban apartments. eXp Realty Italy offers agents the chance to tap into this vibrant market while benefiting from the company’s global resources.

Like eXp Realty HK, eXp Realty Italy operates entirely online, enabling agents to work remotely and enjoy more flexibility. This cloud-based approach is a game-changer for Italian agents, who can save on overhead costs and dedicate more time to serving clients. The platform provides agents with marketing tools, lead generation systems, and access to a worldwide network of real estate professionals.

eXp Realty’s stock ownership program also extends to its agents in Italy. This means that in addition to earning commissions, agents can earn equity in the company as they close deals and hit milestones. This opportunity for long-term wealth building is a significant draw for real estate professionals looking to grow their careers in Italy.

Why eXp Realty’s Global Presence Matters

The expansion of eXp Realty Italy and eXp Realty HK signifies a shift in how real estate professionals operate. By providing a cloud-based, fully integrated system, eXp Realty empowers agents to work smarter, not harder. This global presence also means that agents can easily collaborate with colleagues and clients across borders, opening new opportunities for growth and success.

Whether you’re a seasoned real estate professional or just starting your career, eXp Realty’s model provides the support and flexibility needed to thrive in today’s competitive market. The company’s focus on technology, collaboration, and agent success is reshaping the real estate industry on a global scale.

Advantages of Joining eXp Realty in Hong Kong and Italy

Global Collaboration: Agents in Hong Kong and Italy can connect with professionals worldwide, expanding their network and client base.

Revenue Sharing: eXp Realty’s revenue-sharing model allows agents to earn passive income by recruiting others.

Cutting-Edge Technology: The company’s virtual office platform provides real-time access to training, support, and collaboration tools.

Stock Ownership: Agents can earn equity in eXp Realty, offering a unique opportunity for long-term wealth building.

No Geographic Boundaries: Agents in Hong Kong and Italy can work from anywhere, accessing clients and resources without being tied to a physical office.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Join eXp Realty

eXp Realty’s global expansion into markets like Hong Kong and Italy showcases the company’s commitment to providing agents with a modern, flexible way of working. Whether you are based in Hong Kong or Italy, joining eXp Realty opens up a world of possibilities. With its cloud-based platform, revenue-sharing opportunities, and stock ownership program, eXp Realty is truly a game-changer for real estate professionals.

If you’re ready to take your real estate career to the next level, now is the perfect time to Join eXp Realty. Embrace the future of real estate and position yourself for long-term success in this dynamic industry.

[bewitchingbooktours]

Release Day Blitz - Six Degrees of Separation by Amanda Mackey

Six Degrees of Separation

Amanda Mackey

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Amanda Mackey

Date of Publication: 5th October, 2024

ASIN:  B0DGCL3C32

Number of pages: 223

Word Count: 62,855

Tagline: What if the distance between you and your soulmate was 6 people?

Book Description: 

What do you do when you find yourself in a midlife crisis at forty after leaving an abusive marriage?

You buy a cheap villa in Italy and leave everything you knew behind to live in a remote town, perched on top of a hill, with nothing but a suitcase full of clothing.

Oh, and did I mention the only Italian word I know is ciao?

I question my sanity as I sit at forty thousand feet, seven hours into the flight.

But as soon as I reach my destination, I realize I've made the right decision.

My villa is everything I hoped for, apart from needing some TLC, but with my divorce money, I plan on turning it into a home. My home. My sanctuary.

When I find a cabinet in the garage left by the previous elderly owner, with a letter inside, I get my real estate agent and only acquaintance to translate it for me.

What she reveals is insane to say the least.

The letter is from a woman in search of her soulmate who had heard about a theory called Six Degrees of Separation. A crazy notion that everyone on the planet is connected by six people.

Method: Send out six letters to people you know who when forward them to six people they know. Continue the process six times and it'll reach your intended person.

By some miracle, the woman managed to meet the great love of her life and live happily ever after.

So, when my agent and budding friend talks me into testing the theory, I'm not expecting anything to happen. It can't be that easy, right? Plus, I don't know six people in Italy.

But she does.

And so, we send out the letters, partly as a joke and partly to see if it actually works.

But in the meantime, fate intervenes.

It's in the form of a younger man who steals my breath. A man I never saw coming.

It would seem we're not connected by six people, but two.

What then happens to the handsome stranger who replies to my letter?

Amazon     Amazon AU     Books2Read

Excerpt:

A very handsome waiter approaches us, all masculine energy and charm. With his arrival comes stronger pinpricks under my skin. It’s akin to getting zapped in winter from static. But as I glance around the restaurant, everyone else is carrying on as normal so I sit and try to act normal as I look up at the sexy as sin man. I’d peg him as thirty perhaps. Ebony, silky hair, styled back off his face. Deep eyes, Roman nose and full lips. What is it with Italian men? Are they all attractive at this age?

My eyes fully appraise him as my pulse jackhammers. My neck feels flushed, causing beads of sweat to form. God, can he see my reaction? I’m mesmerized like a hormonal teen, riveted to the spot.

His full smile adds to his beauty and for a moment even Bianca remains mute as he greets us. There’s a presence about him I can’t define. It’s that certain something that ‘just is’. The X Factor. Energy is pouring off him and I’m in the line of fire. Can someone please bring me a cold glass of water? Or an industrial fan?

She quickly recovers though and offers a ‘ciao’ which I robotically mimic, enthralled by his rugged beauty up close. The flickering light of the candle on our table, catches his high cheek bones and full mouth, stealing my attention for way too long. His short-sleeved black shirt fails to cover a tattoo which disappears up his forearm.

“Do you speak English?” Bianca asks for my benefit, a little too loudly might I add. When I peek at her, she’s wearing a knowing expression, right eyebrow raised, lips tipped up. Her foot taps mine under the table. When did she begin staring at me like that? Probably when I answered him like Siri.

“Of course. I’m fluent. I’ve been learning it since high school. Would you like a drink first?” That voice. Every syllable and word hit me front and center. The tone sounds like a deep lullaby I could be rocked to sleep with. Sheesh. What is happening with me tonight? Am I hormonal? My menstrual cycle is on point, my period not due for another two weeks so it can’t be that. If this heat doesn’t settle down, I’ll need to step into the bathroom to splash cold water on my face. I’m pretty sure the restaurant is air-conditioned too.

I look back to the waiter who is blatantly ignoring Bianca and watching me with his shockingly beautiful eyes. Eyes one could stare into if they wished to find all the answers of the universe. Eyes which see right through you and invoke a sense of belonging. As if you’ve seen them before. Familiar. Comforting. Ones I want to dive into and never leave.

They’re turning me into a hot mess. I need to get my act together. I’m acting so out of character. Like a schoolgirl, not a forty-year-old divorcee. My hands fidget on my lap as I glance around the room. It’s not big. A cozy, intimate space with guests lined up outside the door like we were moments ago. I count the tables. Fifteen. That’s all. I’m guessing they need to expand soon. Either that, or they want to keep it the way it is.

My eyes are drawn back to Mr. Handsome as he flicks his attention from Bianca and back to me again. It truly is getting too unbearably hot in here.

“Two glasses of your best wine. And would it be possible to have a garlic bruschetta?”

“Sure. Let me get that for you.” Finally he turns and saunters back to the kitchen, leaving me with heated cheeks and a flutter in my belly. But as soon as he’s gone, the temperature cools back down to normal. That’s strange. Is he running a fever? Does his body temperature run abnormally high all the time?

“Maybe he’s the one,” Bianca laughs. “He was checking you out.”

“And clearly younger than me. He was probably just being friendly to the tourist.”

But I doubt my own words. Men don’t make prolonged eye contact if they aren’t interested. Pity we’re leaving the day after tomorrow. I’d probably come back just to see his face again. A girl can dream. But how can he possibly be the one? Not the first hot Italian guy to speak to me. It couldn’t be that easy.

About the Author:

Amanda Mackey was born in NZ and moved to Australia as a child with her family. She’s been living in sunny Queensland ever since. An avid reader as a child, writing became an extension of that. She wrote her first book in her twenties, but it would take a further sixteen years to get her book published. That first book was the catalyst for her writing career, and she now has penned book number twenty. 

Amanda is both traditionally, and self-published and writes in multiple genres. She hopes to make writing her full time career. 

Next year Amanda and the cover model on Six Degrees of Separation, Alejandro Salomone who plays Nico in the book, are travelling to Italy, where the book is set, to film some of the scenes so stay tuned for that!

https://www.tiktok.com/@amandamackeyauthor 

https://www.instagram.com/amandamackeyauthor/ 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00DU1JGM4 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7069947.Amanda_Mackey 

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Exploring Global Opportunities with eXp Realty in Hong Kong and Italy

eXp Realty is revolutionizing the real estate industry with its cloud-based brokerage model and extensive global reach. For agents looking to expand their horizons, joining eXp Realty offers an unparalleled opportunity to work across international markets like Hong Kong and Italy. With its focus on technology, collaboration, and professional growth, eXp Realty has quickly become a global leader in real estate.

Let’s explore how eXp Realty in Hong Kong and eXp Realty in Italy are transforming the way agents operate and why you should consider joining this innovative platform.

eXp Realty: A Global Real Estate Powerhouse

As a cloud-based brokerage, eXp Realty allows agents to work remotely, collaborate virtually, and access real-time training and support. The company’s expansion into Hong Kong and Italy reflects its global growth strategy and commitment to providing real estate professionals with the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world.

By joining eXp Realty Italy or eXp Realty HK, agents can take advantage of the platform’s comprehensive resources, including virtual offices, global networking opportunities, and continuous training programs designed to keep agents ahead of the curve.

eXp Realty HK: Expanding in Asia’s Real Estate Market

Hong Kong’s real estate market is one of the most competitive in the world. With high demand for residential and commercial properties, the region offers tremendous opportunities for growth. Agents who join eXp Realty HK benefit from the platform’s ability to operate without traditional office spaces. This flexibility is especially valuable in Hong Kong, where real estate costs are significant.

eXp Realty HK provides agents with access to international clients, advanced marketing tools, and a vast network of real estate professionals. The company’s virtual platform makes it easier than ever for agents to collaborate with colleagues across the globe. This is particularly beneficial for those working in Hong Kong, as it opens up cross-border transactions and investment opportunities.

Agents in Hong Kong can also participate in eXp Realty’s innovative revenue-sharing model. By recruiting other agents, they can build a passive income stream in addition to their commission earnings. This model not only rewards productivity but also encourages teamwork and growth within the company.

eXp Realty Italy: Embracing Change in European Real Estate

Italy is known for its rich cultural heritage, historic cities, and beautiful landscapes. The real estate market here is diverse, ranging from luxury villas to urban apartments. eXp Realty Italy offers agents the chance to tap into this vibrant market while benefiting from the company’s global resources.

Like eXp Realty HK, eXp Realty Italy operates entirely online, enabling agents to work remotely and enjoy more flexibility. This cloud-based approach is a game-changer for Italian agents, who can save on overhead costs and dedicate more time to serving clients. The platform provides agents with marketing tools, lead generation systems, and access to a worldwide network of real estate professionals.

eXp Realty’s stock ownership program also extends to its agents in Italy. This means that in addition to earning commissions, agents can earn equity in the company as they close deals and hit milestones. This opportunity for long-term wealth building is a significant draw for real estate professionals looking to grow their careers in Italy.

Why eXp Realty’s Global Presence Matters

The expansion of eXp Realty Italy and eXp Realty HK signifies a shift in how real estate professionals operate. By providing a cloud-based, fully integrated system, eXp Realty empowers agents to work smarter, not harder. This global presence also means that agents can easily collaborate with colleagues and clients across borders, opening new opportunities for growth and success.

Whether you’re a seasoned real estate professional or just starting your career, eXp Realty’s model provides the support and flexibility needed to thrive in today’s competitive market. The company’s focus on technology, collaboration, and agent success is reshaping the real estate industry on a global scale.

Advantages of Joining eXp Realty in Hong Kong and Italy

Global Collaboration: Agents in Hong Kong and Italy can connect with professionals worldwide, expanding their network and client base.

Revenue Sharing: eXp Realty’s revenue-sharing model allows agents to earn passive income by recruiting others.

Cutting-Edge Technology: The company’s virtual office platform provides real-time access to training, support, and collaboration tools.

Stock Ownership: Agents can earn equity in eXp Realty, offering a unique opportunity for long-term wealth building.

No Geographic Boundaries: Agents in Hong Kong and Italy can work from anywhere, accessing clients and resources without being tied to a physical office.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Join eXp Realty

eXp Realty’s global expansion into markets like Hong Kong and Italy showcases the company’s commitment to providing agents with a modern, flexible way of working. Whether you are based in Hong Kong or Italy, joining eXp Realty opens up a world of possibilities. With its cloud-based platform, revenue-sharing opportunities, and stock ownership program, eXp Realty is truly a game-changer for real estate professionals.

If you’re ready to take your real estate career to the next level, now is the perfect time to Join eXp Realty. Embrace the future of real estate and position yourself for long-term success in this dynamic industry.