#Gladio and Pashmina

[yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy]

Magic and Miracles and BEYOND Chapter 14

Ya'll, when I say, that the writer's block for this story practically parked it's 18 wheeler sized ass in front of me, like a boulder on a mountain road AND THERE WAS NO WAY AROUND IT, to the point that I didn't know if I ever would get to write it again and I had to take a break for...way too fucking long. Also- for the record, all of this still happens in my head in 2018, you know, when I started writing this story, because BY GOD, all these characters should have had their weddings and a small piece of happily ever after BEFORE COVID comes to fuck everyone over. But Hazel's dress, that's still 2022 Pnina Tornay, it's a fantasy story, I'm fudging the timeline, a little. Also Hazel's engagement ring? Chocolate diamond. She's a foodie. It made sense.

Also, Yes, I do realize that I am face casting Alex Pettyfer twice. The first was as modern Ravus Nox Flueret, and then...as Dash Parr in my modern Incredibles AU Why So Jaded. Look, I just adore the guy ok? He's...incredibly good looking and talented, and HOT. They don't happen in the same alternate universe, it's fine, it's fine.

Anyway, so back to the road block, sorry, detour, anyway, so then, tragedy struck in my personal life, ok several tragedies kind of piled up all at once it felt like and shook me to my core, and suddenly those earthquakes, knocked that boulder off the road and opened up the creative roadway to this story again, then I wrote something truly horrific for this particular story. AND IT'S AWESOME, like it's brutal, will reach inside and grab your heart, put it into a blender before handing it back to you as you cry and say thank you, kind of awesome, so angsty.

But, I couldn't just...post it and not keep wrapping up other character's story lines because this was still "everyone needs to find their happily ever after" foundations laid. So. What that did, was give me a "if you want this- angsty thing to happen, how do you get the story from here to there, now that you don't have this fucking boulder in the way." and my brain finally went "I got it! TREDD IS AN ASSHOLE" and boom, problem solved. See I had- most of the components to this particular chapter, already written and mentally mapped out and planned out but the "go juice" to write it was empty.

But Tredd, lovable, asshole Tredd, gave me what I needed. I don't even know if I should tag who I used to tag...however long ago I used to post chapters to this story or if they have all changed their usernames and stuff or if any of them are still interested. But you know what? I'm gonna post it anyway. So enjoy.

Also, @the-immortal-marshal, thanks for sticking with me and hanging in there, THE PAIN IS COMMING NEXT CHAP. ENJOY the last moment of "peace and happiness where everything is perfect and nothing hurts" while it lasts.

Magic and Miracles and BEYOND

Chapter 14

“Hello Behbehs!” Selena cooed when she came home from school to her dogs and Duchess who eagerly greeted her before she got all the packages from the little stylish boxes she built out of pallets to create a little place for packages to be stored on her front porch before she and Ravus could get home and get them in their apartment.

“Ah thank goodness.” Selena breathed in relief when a couple of them were those pre prepared meal kits. Because with both her and Ravus being in school and both of them working too, they rarely had a chance to go grocery shopping anymore and the meal kits were a healthy alternative to fast food and surprisingly less expensive than take out and right now they were still in their “try everything once to find our favorites” stage. But Selena barely had them all unpacked and put away by the time her phone chimed.

‘Hope you had a good day today Darling’ Ravus texted when his phone chimed that she had made it home.

‘It’s been fine, busy, how about yours?’ Selena texted back.

‘Not great, I’ll be happy to call it a day soon.’ Ravus texted back as Selena frowned at her phone before she got an idea and raced up the stairs to get dressed in more business formal attire that was clearly flirtatious that covered up some ridiculously sexy lingerie and some really good ‘fuck me’ heels and put on some makeup and put her hair up in a quick bun then quickly left their apartment to go to Miracles Hospital where she parked next to Ravus’ car and purposefully strutted into the offices, using the badge keycard Sylva had made for her to get in before she made a B-Line for Ravus’ temperoary office while his was under construction before she checked in with Kathryn to make sure he was alone in his office before she opened his office door and struck a pose in his door frame with a smoldering look and a mischevious smirk on her lips that had Ravus’ jaw dropping to the floor at the vision she was.

“Hey. What are you doing here? Is there a problem with…?” Ravus began to ask as she closed the door, locked it then sauntered up to him and straddled his lap before she kissed him passionately as he eagerly held her and pulled her to himself as he kissed her back with equal passion that had Ravus thanking God that he put such an amazing, wonderful and sexy as hell woman in his life that could give him the one thing he wanted that he knew money could never buy- her love, priceless and perfect as it was. And with her love came devotion, loyalty, honesty, faithfulness and right now- desire and it was his life’s goal to make himself as desirable to her as he could possibly be because being the object of her affection was all he could ever want and he wanted her to feel as lucky that she had him for a partner- that he felt about her.

“How’s your day now?” Selena purred when they broke for air.

“Ah-amazing, I can’t, can’t complain.” Ravus answered truthfully, his mind desperate in it’s grasping for coherent thought as he was completely blown away and delighted by her little surprise visit as his hands traveled down her body, appreciating every nuance and curve she had.

“Good, now do you want to fuck me here or in the sleep studies wing, in the car or at home?” Selena asked and watched as he swallowed thickly as his own eyes grew a dark stormy gray with lust.

“Is there an ‘all of them’ option?” Ravus returned which made Selena smile brighter as he quickly hiked up her skirt the rest of the way to reveal that she had not been wearing underwear but was wearing thigh highs attached to a matching green silk garter belt ,which were his favorite kind of stockings as his cock tried to break through his pants trying to get into her as he gasped and ‘oohed’ in surprise and delight as she made quick work of his pants and underwear before she managed to seat herself onto him as he let his chair lean back and rest on a filing cabinet so they wouldn’t crash backwards and also so that Selena could ride him as hard as she wanted to without hurting anything as she opened up his silk dress shirt so that his chest and neck were bared to her before he yanked down her shirt and undid her bra so that her breasts, which had been pushed up to show her amazing cleavage before- were now bared to him in turn as he suckled as his hands went to her hips to guide her over him and when his other hand reached down to stroke her clit with practiced ease as he whispered some absolutely filthy things to her in French which he had discovered could get Selena all riled up and to hear and see and feel that was like a drug to him.

Selena could feel her orgasm approaching as her body and mind were in absolute bliss and to hear Ravus whisper, moan and growl in her ear in between kissing and licking and playfully biting every inch of skin he could reach as he drove up into her as hard as he could and rub her clit just right. Not too hard, not too fast, but as if he was delicately conjuring her soul through her pussy was the greatest pleasure she had ever known and she didn’t care what he was saying to her in French, but the way he said it, the way it rolled off of his very gifted tongue and the way he could enrapture her mind, body and soul so easily, as easy as he breathed and leave her so desperate for him, desperate for more. Just one more touch, one more kiss, one more thrust, one more profession of love, of promise, of adoration, everything. How she was his everything and how he was going to love her and cherish her for as long as he lived and she had the utmost faith in every word. And she knew that she was going to love him for the rest of hers. She didn’t care if he lost his fortune or the hospital or anything. She would keep him and he would keep her. And that would be all that mattered.

In rapid succession Selena came, her shuddering cry of bliss was the most perfect sound in Ravus’ ears as he smiled victoriously that he was able to give her the greatest pleasure possible before Ravus’ own face scrunched up as he came himself, a grunting, hissing moan. His cock throbbing but since his injections, there were no loads, other than an extra load of precum before they both collapsed in the chair as they held each other as Selena let her head rest on his shoulder as they recovered.

Selena traced random designs on his skin around his chest hair that was starting to fill in nicely along with more muscle mass that had started to build just in the last few months since he graduated highschool and gotten back from the most epic summer vacation. It was as if he was a late bloomer. All the bulky muscle he had always wanted was finally filling in the way he wanted it to and he was having to buy new suits and shirts because his old ones no longer fit him the way he wanted them to, but thankfully that glorious cock of his stayed the same, much to Selena’s utter and complete delight.

The only thing that hadn’t grown was thankfully his feet so that meant the man didn’t need to buy new shoes. Which was his own guilty pleasure and obsession, especially dress shoes. While they had gone cross country all summer, he and Luche would hit up all the thrift stores and speciality shops looking for old shoes to restore and when they had been in L.A. They had hit the mother load. All these places that had all the shoes from the old stars of hollywood, whether they became famous or infamous or never even made it on the map. But their very expensive and very good quality shoes were left behind. One shop in particular was run by a couple of older gentlemen that were so happy to see some younger guys were into this kind of thing that they gave them the deals of a lifetime and even Tredd and of course Ignis came along and between Ravus and Ignis, Luche and Tredd got quite the crash course education on shoes, in particular old dress shoes as the four of them practically bought the store out and had to ship out most of them back home because they wouldn't fit with their former travel plans. Ravus and Ignis were the way about shoes the same way some women were about fashion and purses.

Of course that wasn't the only "obsession" Ravus and Ignis had shared with Luche and Tredd, Ravus' mother and of course his grandparents were avid fountain pen collectors and when Sylva's parents had passed, they went over her parent's very, very extensive fountain pen collection that was in the thousands of pens large, Ravus insisted that about two dozen of them go directly to Selena so she could "impress" her more "financially affluent" clients she was starting to get as Sylva happily let those precious few go to Selena, then the rest were picked through by Sylva, Lunafreya who was also an avid fountain pen enthusiast as well as Ravus and Ignis who then coached Luche and Tredd of all people who showed an interest in what he called "rich people shit", just like jewels, yahts, jets, shoes and the like, which amused Sylva who humored him enough to go through what made a good fountain pen and what made different pens valuable and what the more "famous" or well known "name brands" were and what inks were best for which pens and corralating inks to the pens themselves as Luna did the same thing with Selena so that Ravus could coach Luche through the same thing too as the rest were divided evenly and "put away" so that they could become an "inheritance" for the next generation.

Meanwhile Ravus wasn’t the only one who had gone through some changes over the course of the summer and now fall, Selena too seemed to fill in quite nicely, she had gained some weight over the summer, her hips had filled out and her derriere had plumped out and her breasts had grown, filled in and rounded out and while she had gone up a few dress sizes, Ravus couldn’t be happier about the developments. Like she had transformed from lithe teen to full blown woman and he was all too happy to replace every piece of clothing in her wardrobe so that she was comfortable and could embrace her current body.

And with Selena landing what in her opinion was the dream job at Fosters as a junior designer and was currently designing all her friend’s houses as Oak Creek Estates under the supervision of a woman named Samantha Leeds, who had taken Selena under her wing and was showing her the ropes and helping get all the classes at the local college. Selena had had the hardest time understanding CAD but when she finally figured it out. She quickly excelled.

“So what’s going on?” Selena asked after they seemed to recover but were in no need to change their positions or state of partial undress.

“Something stupid in office politics.” Ravus huffed.

“Ok…” Selena urged.

“Some of the board members are getting greedy, in particular Mr. Greed, they look at how much Project Recovery is making them and they’re seeing dollar signs at the other pharma we produce.” Ravus revealed.

“But I thought your mom had a pretty good stance that when it came to life saving drugs like insulin and other medications like it- that you put a cap on all those so they’re affordable to everyone.” Selena frowned.

“She did, but the other board members see Luche and I coming onto the board and think they can get to us and pit us against mother or pit us against each other- thinking their greed is going to be contagious or something or that we’re too young to know what we’re talking about and too inexperienced to have valid opinions.” Ravus grumped before he kissed her forehead sweetly, grateful he could bare his heart and soul like this to her so freely.

“Well that’s not going to work right?” Selena said as she raised her head to fix him with a look.

"No, it's just frustrating to deal with until they retire, although I can’t imagine dealing with Roman or Ainsley is going to get any better, all I hear is ‘chip off the old block’ when Rob talks about them." Ravus shook his head.

"Is there any way we can get Mr. Greed to retire early? Get some peace before Roman and Ainsley come on board or is it not just Mr. Greed that’s giving you all the headaches?" Selena hoped.

"I wish it was just him. But it’s not. It just...comes with the territory. Besides if there was a way to make Mr. Greed and the others to retire early, I'm pretty sure my mother would have done it already. They've been thorns in her sides most of her life and they’re proving to be thorns in ours as well." Ravus mused as Selena frowned deeper.

“Don’t worry about it, it’s not your problem to fix, but thank you for listening.” Ravus thanked her gratefully as he held her comfortably in his arms. “And thank you for this, this was the best surprise.” He smiled appreciatively as he nuzzled her face with his.

“You’re welcome.” Selena smiled happily.

“Hey you wanna go out to dinner?” Ravus asked hopefully. “We could see if Lu and Ada wanted to join us?” He asked.

“Sure,” Selena nodded as she and Ravus worked on getting straightened up as Selena pulled her dress down a bit more so it was a bit more modest and pinned the top up to a much more modest height and by the time they got squared away and unlocked the door they saw Ada coming out of Luche’s office dressed similarly to Selena and Luche himself had the same love drunk smile Ravus was wearing.

“Hey,” Selena greeted as both Selena and Ada blushed before they looked pointedly at each other’s shoes then back up to each other before they both tried to stifle their giggles because they both knew exactly why the other was wearing those heels as they beamed knowingly at each other.

“Dinner?” Ravus asked as he self consciously smoothed his hair as Luche did the same as Luche gave Ada a questioning look and smiled when she eagerly nodded her head.

“Oh yeah.” Luche agreed before they all hopped into Ravus’ new Land Rover and drove to the restaurant that piqued their interest and hunger.

“So how’s the wedding planning going?” Ravus asked Luche while they looked at the menus.

“Good, still deciding on invitations, although we've narrowed it down to three different choices.” Luche answered.

“We did agree to use the same venue Sylva used when she got married.” Ada revealed.

“Yeah, that’s the same venue we decided on too.” Selena smiled happily.

“Do you have any ideas what dress you’d want?” Selena asked.

“Actually yeah.” Ada nodded as she scooted closer to Selena in the booth to show her the dresses she had found on Pintrist.

“Oooh, I like that one.” Selena agreed.

“It’s just going to be a challenge to find one that doesn’t drown me out. Because I’m so short and petite, but I don’t want to walk down the aisle in like 7 inch heels just to not trip over the dress.” Ada confessed as Ravus nearly lost it Luche’s grin as he had that ‘I wouldn’t mind’ kind of expression.

“Are you excited to go back to Kleinfelds?” Selena asked.

“Very much so, I’m already packed.” Ada confessed.

That weekend, the whole crew went back to Klinefelds for Ada to do her dress shopping. As Sylva made sure that Ada’s parents and Luche’s parents were in the middle couch while the boys made sure to keep Luche preoccupied while all the girls happily rallied around Ada as they all had their own ideas of what Ada should wear while Morgan got Sylva’s picks and other dresses into the room.

“Ok, this is Crowe’s pick.” Morgan said as she brought Ada out in the first dress.

“Aww,” they all awwed.

“You’re drowning in it though Love.” Ada’s mother noted as others kind of grimaced and nodded in agreement.

“So what do you love about this dress?”

“I love the bling, I love the tiered layers, it’s just a little too poofy.” Ada offered Morgan.

“Ok, so let’s try again, we’ll be right back.” Morgan offered the crew.

“Ok, so this is a mermaid, fit and flare,” Morgan announced as she brought Ada back out.

“It looks amazing, I just can’t really move because it’s so restrictive.” Ada realized as the rest of her family put in their 2 cents about it before she was back and tried even more, trying on her mom’s picks, Linda’s picks then finally getting to Sylva’s picks but Sylva made sure that Morgan didn’t tell Ada that they were her pick’s and instead urged Morgan to introduce them as her picks before sneaking one into Morgan’s hands that was brand new that had not been there when they had been there last.

Ada softly gasped when she saw it, it was perfect, it had the tiered layers but it also had lace and glitter and just a little bit of everything. It was perfect and when she put it on, she couldn’t help but cry. It was a soft, blushed ivory. It complemented her red hair and her skin tone gorgeously. She felt like a proper bride in this and she could see in her mind- so clearly- how Luche would probably cry tears of happiness if he saw her in this. This was it, this was the one.

“There’s that smile.” Morgan grinned victoriously as she looked at Ada in the mirror after she cinched the corset back closed and got it looking like Ada was born into this dress.

“This is it, even if all of them hate it, this is it.” Ada insisted.

“Well then let’s show them.” Morgan insisted.

Everyone could tell that Ada’s smile practically came from her toes, she was practically glowing with happiness as Sylva got choked up which caused Linda and Ada’s mom Amelia to start crying as all the girls started gasping and cooing before Morgan happily snagged an appropriate veil and put it on her and that’s when they were all practically sobbing.

“It’s perfect Love, absolutely perfect. It has those tiers that you love and the lace is so romantic.” Amelia cried as she squeezed her husband- Richard’s hand who was also getting choked up as they passed a box of tissues down the line.

“You look stunning Ada, really, just perfectly beautiful.” Linda praised as she had already made her peace with Ada being a daughter in law.

“And it still has enough sparkle and glitter to it, that even in low light, you’ll glitter like the jewel you are.” Sylva added.

“So, are you saying yes to the dress?” Morgan asked.

“Yes, I’m saying yes to this dress.” Ada confirmed happily before Amelia got up off the couch and hugged her daughter tightly before her dad hugged her tightly too along with her brother who had also been flown in for the event with his fiance.

A week later, Hazel and Sylva returned to Klinefelds as Sylva had flown out Hazel’s sister Mei and her mother Huan and her dad Tommy along with Titus' mother Helen and Titus’ sister Jenny in for the appointment. Helen and the rest of her family had been all too happy to welcome Hazel into the fold. Once Titus was thirty and then almost 40, Helen gave up on the idea that Titus would ever get married and settle down, especially when the rest of her children were giving her grandchildren at this point but it seemed she was too hasty when Titus finally met Hazel and seemed to get with the program and settle down “properly”.

Meanwhile Huan and Tommy were also over the moon that Hazel was finally settling down and even though Billy wasn’t wild about the age difference at first, the more he and Titus got to know each other, the better they got along, Tommy was happy that Titus made Hazel happy in addition to Titus’ character and stability and profession and Huan was so happy to learn that Titus was a good man, who had a house and was planning on building another with Hazel and when Titus and Hazel adopted Brutus who was Kona, Kahlua and Sasha’s sibling, while Tredd and Stella adopted Brutus’ brother King. To Huan- a grand-dog was close enough to a grandchild, for now. While she was always proud of Hazel for earning her own way though the world and earning enough to take care of them in their retirement, she had been on Hazel since she was in her twenties to have someone take care of her. And it seems Titus had finally come along and to do just that.

“So what are you looking for?” Meredith asked Hazel after everyone had been introduced.

“I’m looking for a very simple, not too many embellishments, comfortable, light weight wedding dress. Titus and I are getting married at the beach next May, right after school lets out, because he is highschool football coach. It’s going to be a very small, intimate wedding with just family and really close friends.” Hazel answered.

“Aww, that’s awesome, is there a price point we’re comfortable with?”

“Ten thousand.” Hazel answered.

“Ooh, more than enough to work with, well let’s go.” Meredith urged as she brought Hazel back into a dressing room to get changed before she went hunting for the perfect dress.

“Simple, light, comfortable.” Meredith echoed over and over again as she combed through the back room, her almost encyclopedic knowledge of the backroom to her aid as she went through all the dresses before she found several that would fit those criteria.

Charlotte came into the bridal shop, a giddy grin on her face as she came and “snuck up” on her family as Sylva turned her head and smiled at the newcomer.

“Surprise!” Charlotte announced to her family.

“Charlie?!” Tommy smiled happily as he got up and gathered up his daughter into his large arms. She may have been a wanted criminal and fugitive, but he was always happy to see her and to him, she would always be his "little Charlie".

“I thought you were overseas?” Tommy asked.

“And miss this? Nah, it’s Hazel’s first big day before the big big day, I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Charlotte happily murmured into her dad’s chest before Tommy put his arm around his daughter’s shoulders and introduced her to Titus’ family who were completely oblivious as to Charlotte’s true identity as Charlotte sat next to Sylva.

“It’s nice to see you again. Different kind of exciting this time,” Sylva offered with a mischievous grin that Charlotte mirrored.

“I take it you didn’t get any kind of trouble from the last time we were in each other’s company.” Charlotte offered.

“Nope, not a peep, thank you.” Sylva reassured her.

“You’re welcome, this was wonderful, thanks for letting me know, when you get to know their wedding arrangements, forward them to this number, I doubt the groom would be comfortable with Gil and I coming but I want to send them a proper wedding gift that won't be on any kind of gift registry, at least domestically.” Charlotte nodded as she handed Sylva a slip of paper written in Mandarin as Sylva read it quickly, nodded and put it into her billfold just as Hazel came out in her first dress and stopped when she saw Charlotte.

“Charlie?” Hazel gasped in excitement as she saw her sister.

“Hey you, don’t you look beautiful.” Charlie greeted as she set her large, heavy purse on the seat and came over and embraced her sister.

“I didn’t think I would see you again.” Hazel admitted as she hugged her sister tight.

“Sylva invited me, hope you don’t mind.” Charlotte explained.

“Nope, not at all.” Hazel readily assured her sister.

“Is Gil here too?” Hazel asked.

“He’s doing business, as usual, plus I don’t think Dad would be cool and I know your fiance wouldn't be cool if Gil and I showed up to the wedding itself, so this is the best I can do and this is exposed enough without making things difficult or uncomfortable or "unsafe".” Charlotte excused.

“I get it, I'm still really happy to see you and that you're here. It means a lot, especially to Mom and Dad, and of course me as well.” Hazel nodded as Charlotte nodded in unison.

“So is this your dress?” Charlotte asked, changing the subject.

“This is just the first one, you came just in time.” Hazel answered.

“Well then let’s get to it.” Charlotte insisted as she returned to her seat.

“So this is dress number one. What do we think?” Meredith asked.

“It’s nice, I’m not in love with it, but it’s nice.” Hazel answered honestly.

“It makes you look like you’re wearing a tent.” Huan criticized as Helen and Jenny nearly choked on their spit and looked at Huan in alarm as Charlotte akept her snickering quiet enough to pass it off as a cough as Mei just rolled her eyes and complained to her mom in Mandarin that she was being too harsh.

“You don’t look like you’re wearing a tent, but the cut isn’t quite right. You need a more flattering shape to the fabric.” Charlotte offered.

“Agreed.” Sylva nodded.

“Well, that’s what first dresses are all about, finding what elements can work and what elements won’t.” Meredith explained before they tried on a few different picks as Charlotte looked around as did Sylva at the other dresses on display at the other dresses in the store.

“That one,” Charlotte and Sylva said at the same time once they both locked eyes on it and pointed to it.

“Well go get it then, bring it to her, it will mean more to her if you do.” Sylva encouraged before Charlotte got up and strutted across the floor to get the dress in question before she asked to see which room her sister was in before she came to the appropriate dressing room, a security guard shadowing her.

“Try this one.” Charlotte suggested as she handed the dress over to her sister as Hazel gasped softly when she saw it before Charlotte saw her way out and went back to the group and waived the security guard back a little farther so his presence was not felt by everyone else.

“And?” Sylva prodded.

“She had the gasp and the smile.” Charlotte answered as she checked her phone.

“Please let this be the one, I’m running out of time.” Charlotte whispered as she looked at the time on her phone and read the messages her henchmen were sending her as they stood guard a short distance away as her driver himself was scanning the police channels as Gil’s other men were monitoring the area.

Hazel came out a short time later, wearing a smile that shamed the sun, moon and stars as everyone else gasped and oohed and awed.

“Now that’s the dress, you look exquisite Hazel.” Huan finally complimented as Charlotte and Sylva gave each other a meaningful smile as Hazel nearly burst into tears as Jenny and Helen were already crying too.

“It’s perfect, but still incomplete.” Hazel began as she stood up and pulled a special box from her bag and took out a set of jade jewelry and put it on Hazel as Huan and Mei cooed and practically giggled as they put it on her as Charlotte gave Hazel a special sachet as well before Charlotte’s phone chimed.

“Do you have to go?” Hazel asked as Charlotte’s eyes watered as she tried to put on a brave, happy smile but nodded yes.

“Thank you for coming and for all of this. Thank you for being my sister. I love you so much.” Hazel thanked her as the two hugged before Charlotte got to hug every member of her family as Sylva got to get a quick picture of them all together, both with Charlotte’s phone as well as other members of her family so that each one would have a picture of this moment to treasure forever before the Henchmen came over and cleared their throats to get Charlotte’s attention as Charlotte hugged her parents, specifically her dad one last time.

“I have to go, I love you.” Charlotte bid her family before she used her handkerchief to dry her eyes and left with the henchmen as her driver was already anxiously out front, waiting to take his Empress back to a safer, less ‘exposed’ space.

“How come she couldn’t stay?” Helen asked.

“She’s a very busy woman. She lives half a world away and she probably had to fly back pretty soon, and security at the airports is a nightmare.” Sylva delicately excused as she waived it off.

“But now that we found the dress and the veil and obviously the jewelry. Let’s get settled up and get dinner shall we?” Sylva encouraged with a bright happy smile.

When Sylva came back home from flying and taking care of all the other guests, she came home to see all of her kids and their fiances and their friends as they had made a really nice dinner for everyone as Pelna and Yasmine, Gladio and Pashmina, Prompto and Cindy, Luche and Ada, Libertus and Crowe and Craig and Iris were on their way as well as Luche’s family and Ada’s family.

“Hey! So how did it go?” Luna asked as she gave her mom a big hug.

“Good, Charlotte came and surprised Hazel and the family.” Sylva revealed which caused everyone to freeze and look at each other worriedly.

“Charlotte Stevens?” Luna asked, taken aback by the news.

“Oh don’t look so surprised, when Charlotte and Gil used the jet they left a single phone number for the pilot to give to me and said I get to use it once. And I knew Charlotte wouldn’t want to miss the milestone in Hazel’s life because Charlotte knows she probably won't be welcome at the wedding since Cor is one of Titus' groomsmen, so I used it and told Charlotte the plan and she was very grateful for the invitation since no one else in her family knew how to get a hold of her to tell her. Besides, Titus’ family was blissfully ignorant of who she really was and Hazel’s family got to have a nice little reunion within the realitive safety confine of a public space and Charlotte got to see Hazel in her wedding dress as a good sister should. It was fine, I mean she had to be carrying four guns on her and who knows how many knives on her person, she had to have two guns in her outfit and at least another two in her purse and her four henchmen were armed to the teeth as well and she could only stay for about an hour but Hazel found the dress and everyone gave it their stamp of approval and Charlotte gifted Hazel some really pretty jade jewelry which is customary for a Chinese bride to receive which honored that part of her heritage and traditions, which was really nice, it was a lovely time.” Sylva waived off as she got the picture and showed everyone the family picture she took.

“She has got to have the biggest balls in the world.” Tredd noted, impressed when he saw the picture.

“She’s got you beat, that’s for sure.” Stella teased.

“She’s got everyone beat.” Sylva laughed.

“So is this everyone or are more coming?” Sylva asked.

“More are coming.” Luna reported.

“How many more?” Sylva asked before her doorbell rang and slowly then all at once, everyone came as everyone started pulling all the components at the table, setting it up for a large extended friends and family meal before Luche and Ada came in last, both of them having anxious smiles on their faces.

“Is everything ok?” Sylva asked Luche as she tried to keep her knowing smile to a minimum.

“Yeah, yeah, everythings great.” Luche reassured her.

“You sure?” Sylva asked as she looked from Luche to Ada who had the same anxious smile on her face.

“Ok, so we have some news and we wanted everyone to be around to make the announcement and we don’t exactly know how it’s going to be received.” Luche hinted.

“If it’s what I think it is, I will do my best to lead the way in accepting the announcement with all the happiness and joy that such an announcement garners. But I also want to be the first to offer my congratulations.” Sylva reassured them both.

“Thank you.” Luche and Ada breathed in relief.

“Come on, dinner is getting cold.” Sylva encouraged them before they all came into the kitchen where everyone was getting something to drink with their dinner.

“So Luche and I chose wedding invitations!” Ada happily announced as she handed every couple an invitation as well as one to her parents and one to Luche’s parents as well.

“Wait, I thought we agreed on May 18th, this is in December..only three months, it’s the weekend before Nyx and Luna’s wedding?” Linda pointed out.

“Well that brings us to announcement number two. We’re pregnant, or rather Ada is.” Luche announced as there was just a hint of nervousness to his excitement as Sylva was the first to squeal, almost an excited scream in delight, only half a second before Crowe did which got everyone else to cheer joyfully as Sylva came over and hugged them both and offered her first “official” congratulations which got Linda and Ada’s mother Amelia and Linda to get over their initial shock and plaster on happy smiles and congratulate them before Ada was swarmed by the girls with hugs and congrats as the first ultrasound pictures were passed around that she had gotten the day before.

“So how far along are you?” Sylva asked.

“Ten weeks.” Ada announced as Tredd, Nyx and Ravus shared a rather knowing smile, but no money was passed between the three because Tredd and Ravus had “seen it” when Sylva had as well. Crowe especially was super happy because she wasn’t the only one pregnant anymore as her own little baby bump had seemed to pop out since her own wedding.

“Baby bump!” Crowe happily cheered as she gently bumped her little baby bump into Ada’s belly which got Ada to giggle as the two hugged tightly and couldn’t stop laughing.

“Congratulations man!” Libertus congratulated Luche as he hugged him super tightly.

“Thanks.” Luche laughed into the hug before he got more congratulations from everyone else as even Tredd was, for once, gracious.

“So what are you hoping for?” Tredd asked.

“A healthy baby and a non complicated delivery.” Luche answered honestly.

“Good. Ok, everyone listen up! Taking bets on due dates and gender, where’s a white board?” Tredd suddenly turned, raising his voice to shout over everyone as he received a mixture of laughter and groans from some of the adults as Sylva laughed the hardest as Tredd took the whiteboard off the fridge and the little marker and erased all the important reminders after taking a pic of what was on it so none of it would be lost.

“Ok so that technically puts Crowe five months ahead of Ada so if gestation is 40 weeks, that’s basically ten months and Ada is already ten of those 38-40 weeks in- that puts us at...holy shit you’re due on your original wedding date- May 18th. OK, So, taking bets on three day spreads May 18th, 19th and 20th? Any takers?” Tredd continued undeterred.

“You asshole, I announce my fiance is pregnant and you immediately turn it into a bet?” Luche laughed, not surprised by his friend’s behavior, but was hoping he would have at least five minutes before Tredd turned into “The Lovable Douche Asshole”, the lovable part was questionable though most of the time.

“May 12th through the 15th, and a boy and the winner gets bragging rights but all the money and proceeds go to Luche and Ada.” Sylva said as she fished several hundred dollar bills out of her wallet and handed them to Ada before discretely handing Tredd another one too.

“Sweet, first better, Sylva Caelum, May 12th through the 15th and a boy.” Tredd repeated as he wrote that down and put a note in his phone.

“Oh what the hell. Twenty quid on the 16th-19th and I want a granddaughter so I’m betting on a girl.” Amelia offered as she handed Luche and Ada the money with a laugh of her own.

“May 9th-12th, a boy.” Ignis said as he handed Luche a few hundred dollars as well.

“May 19 through the 21st and a boy as well.” Luna giggled as she handed the couple a few hundred dollars too.

“May 14th through the 17th, boy as well.” Ravus added as he gave Luche most of the money in his wallet.

“Amelia it looks like if it is a girl, you’re getting amazing odds, five to one, that’s pretty awesome.” Tredd grinned at Amelia.

“Oh hell, I say May 21st through the 24th, also a girl.” Linda added as she gave Luche and Ada some money too as soon Luche and Ada were holding wads of cash and laughing as their friends were giving them money as Tredd was taking “bets” from everyone as everyone joined in on this impromptu gamble.

“Ok, so this isn’t so bad.” Ada had to confess to Luche as they tried to organize their “winnings” into a “gift bag” that Sylva had on hand before they all sat down to eat dinner as Luche nodded his agreement to that. That had gone way better than he was fearing as Selena, Stella and Luna all looked at their fiances with thinly veiled suspicion as they were looking at each other knowingly as they also noticed that Sylva also seemed particularly smug as they all happily enjoyed a very nice friends and family dinner as they discussed baby shower ideas as well as when to plan all the bridal showers and such and made a new, accelerated timeline.

[squishybons]

🐺💚🐱🖤🦁❤️🐰💙

[thecandywrites]

Kinktober Day 22 Sexting/ Phone Sex

So the pic to this is *spicy* so it's under the cut.

But it does feature Pelna Khara, (whose likeness comes from Tausif Patel- who is actually pictured as he is in real life) from FFXV Kingsglaive and his gorgeous wife Yasmine (face and body cast as Priyanka Chopra Jonas) who is studying to be an OBGYN at Miracles Hospital where Pelna got hired on in IT by Sylva Nox Fleuret-Caelum because she just...adopts everyone who is even remotely her children's ages, who in my universe are young adults. In my Magic and Miracles modern EVERYBODY LIVES AU. Because Final Fantasy has this thing where they just...kill everyone off. So this is my middle finger to canon going 'screw you- these precoius cinnomon rolls are going to be protected and live the dream and live happily ever after, so there' *sticks tongue out at canon*

a jagillion thanks to @starsandskies for her kinktober prompts. These have been so fun.

Kinktober Day 22- Sexting/Phone Sex

‘Good morning Handsome’ Yasmine texted her husband as she got home from medical school and came home to their condo complex that they and all their friends were leasing condos together in the same complex and even had side by side condos. She pulled in already seeing Pashmina's car probably already in the garage while Gladio's Sherrif's SUV was already in the driveway and he was inside his condo with Pash as they were making dinner together and it smelled amazing.

But Yasmine, didn't have the strength or energy to cook. She had an extra long day, both in classes and in clinical hours and she was just plain exhausted. So she parked inside the garage and smiled bittersweetly at her husband's car. Because while his car was there, he was not. And while it had only been several hours since they kissed goodbye, she missed him something terrible.

She came inside and stopped at the laundry room and immediately took off her scrubs and put those into the washer with extra disinfectant since it was a messy day in the OBGYN today.

She looked at the time and she supposed it was supposed to be early morning, where her husband Pelna had flown overseas- just as she was getting ready to go into class that morning but while it was late evening for her, it was surely early morning for him where he was right now.

‘Good morning Beautiful’ Came Pelna’s immediate reply. 

‘You’re up really early already. So what’cha got going on today?’ Yasmine texted him as she went through their condo in nothing but her bra, camisole and underwear before she snagged a pair of short shorts to put on to serve as pajama bottoms. 

‘We have that presentation at the World Health Organization with the Eurpopean Union and then some more meetings with other nearby hospitals’ Pelna responded. 

‘Sounds like you have a full day’ Yasmine noted as she rummaged through the fridge to find some left overs so she didn’t have to cook dinner by herself for herself from scratch.

She found what she wanted and quickly put it into the microwave to reheat. Something she missed about having her husband home was whoever got home first got to make dinner.

And with Pelna flying with ‘Mom and the boys’ meant that she was on her own. Since Pelna got flying privileges as Sylva’s on staff IT Manager. Pelna did IT at Miracles Hospital, where she was currently doing her medical school and training and getting her clinical hours at the hospital.

And she was grateful that they could at least work together in the same place, even though Yasmine was training to be a doctor, an OBGYN specifically.

But with Yasmine being “adopted” by Sylva as well, meant that Pelna- also being in association with Tredd, Luche and Nyx and Ravus, Ignis and Noctis, meant he was one of the many “boys” Sylva practically adoptedtoo.

But Sylva had practically adopted her too way before she did Pelna because Pashmina and Yasmine had gone to Tenebrae Prep with Lunafreya and Ravus and Stella Nox Fleuret and at the time, Pash, Yasmine, Lunafreya and Stella all wanted to be doctors. Sylva herself was a doctor and the CEO and owner of Miracles Hospital and Sylva employed Yasmine's father as a Pain Specialist. And Pash had wanted to be a Pediatrition. But with Pash being squeemish, she ended up being Sylva's personal assistant instead. And actually made more than she would have being a Pediatrition at the hospital anyway. And she got to stay close and learn the ropes of being an Executive Assistant to the CEO.

But when Ravus and Luna transferred from Tenebrae Prep to Lucis High, while Sylva and Regis were dating and then got engaged and then married soon after. Lunafreya got triple credits for working as a medical assistant to the football team along with assisting a Chiropractor too.

So Yasmine and Pashmina transferred over to do the same and Yasmine got there just in time to do the same for Lucis High soccer team, which Pelna played both football and soccer.

They had actually first met at Sylva and Regis’ wedding since Yasmine’s father was a doctor at Miracles Hospital and were very good friends with Yasmine’s family. And since Yasmine and her family were Indian, they wore their traditional wedding saris to Sylva’s wedding.

And it just so happened that when Pelna came into the wedding with Tredd and saw Yasmine, Stella introduced them and he complimented her on her sari and they just happened to also speak not just English, but Hindi, Punjabi and Marathi. And when Pelna spoke those languages to her, her and her family immediately offered for him to sit with them and eat at their table. Since he was clearly Indian himself but had been wearing a western style suit to Sylva's wedding.

And Yasmine was used to guys hitting on her- all the time. Hell Gladio had even taken a shot at flirting with her but she ripped him a new one for it. But with Stella of all people claiming that Pelna was actually the opposite of Gladio and the nicest, sweetest, but also very intelligent but introverted and shy guy. Yasmine had looked over and agreed he was, actually really cute. And was ok with being introduced to him. And Stella was right on the money with Pelna. Pelna was everything both Yasmine and her family were looking for in a good match for Yasmine.

He was very intelligent, he was very active, he was sweet and charming and yes he was a geeky nerd sometimes. But his own dad was an IT manager at the largest tech company around. And their families actually had mutual friends that could vouch for both of their families to the other family. And Pelna had been the perfect gentleman for Sylva's wedding. He spoke several languages, he, being Hindu himself, worshiped at the same temple, worshipped the same gods, so they had the same religion. And the only way they had not met before was because his family just went on a different night than Yasmine and her family did. And after that, Pelna was Yasmine's date to all of the other weddings before they had one of their own.

Pelna's parents were actually overjoyed for it. Because to them Yasmine was the bride of the millenia and were eager to welcome her into their family the same way Yasmine's family had welcomed him into theirs.

And from there, once Sylva noticed the attraction, she did everything she could to help Pelna, including hiring him for IT at Miracles Hospital and letting him buy Yasmine’s wedding ring which was worth way more than Pelna could ever hope to afford but she only charged him a dollar for it. And with Sylva’s support getting Pelna hooked up with an amazing job with amazing benefits and with helping and supporting Pelna to get all the certifications he needed to be the IT Manager that he was now.

Pelna’s family and Yasmine’s family were more than happy to give their blessings and stamps of approval and were married shortly after graduating high school in between graduating high school and starting college. Much like their friends had done. 

And they had settled into life as a married couple, both of them pursuing their careers instead of having children right away, which especially for Yasmine was extremely important to her. Becuase she wanted to graduate medical school and at least get to be a Resident OBGYN at Miracles before she would have any child of her own. Which Pelna was happy to do. And was happy to let her take all the birthcontrol she wanted or needed so that neither of them hindered or interfered with the other's work and career.

‘I do, but we still have a few more hours before it’s day here’ Pelna texted. 

‘Did you get any sleep on the plane?’ Yasmine asked. 

‘Not much, decided to go over the presentation again just to make sure we have it down pat and I don’t fuck up any of the media while Noct, Iggy, Beavus, Sylva and Luche do the talking’ Pelna sighed as he laid in his hotel bed but didn’t feel tired, but instead, wished he could have asked for Yasmine to come with him for this trip. Because his body just couldn’t seem to settle down and find comfort enough to find sleep. He wanted to be home with his wife. He wanted to help strip her out of those dirty scrubs and make dinner with her or have found some way to get her to come with them. But she couldn't miss class or clinic, not when she really needed to be in those classes and get those clinic hours.

‘So where are you now?’ Yasmine texted. 

‘At the hotel. Presentation is in 4 hours which means we have to leave in three but I can’t sleep for anything. Because I’ve gotten used to sleeping with My Wife.’ Pelna complained. 

‘Aww, you poor baby!’ Yasmine giggled as she got her food out of the microwave before she sat down at the breakfast counter and dug into it. 

‘I should have found a way to get you to come with us.’ Pelna insisted. 

‘Yeah but then Selena and Ada would have wanted to go too and Pash didn’t even come so it’s literally just Sylva with her army of boys/employees. And we took the little jet this time so it was a tight squeeze already. Plus Pash didn’t want to push it with her pregnancy.’ Pelna sighed tiredly. 

‘Well I actually saw her today for her check up. She’s doing really good.’ Yasmine offered.

‘Can you tell me so I win the pool?’ Pelna asked hopefully since the moment Tredd knew Pash was pregnant, Tredd started up a pool of what it was and when the due date would be set vs when Pash would actually go into labor, just like he had done with Crowe and Ada so far. 

‘Still too early to tell.’ Yasmine grinned evilly because she and Pashmina went way back and Pashmina swore Yasmine to secrecy about the particulars. And Yasmine readily agreed because both for HIPPA and trying to some how try to get Tredd to lose the god damn betting ring. Because he and Sylva always put in their bets together and they always seemed to win. They had won with both Crowe and Ada and Pash didn’t want Tredd to win three times in a row. But Tredd and Pelna were also friends and Tredd had tried to sneak some insider info from Yasmine and she flat out refused and so to protect herself and Pelna, mostly from Tredd and a lawsuit regaurding HIPPA, she simply decided to keep her mouth shut about it until Pash and Gladio would announce it at their own gender reveal party in a few months, which Yasmine was helping to plan for her BFF Pash. 

And just as Pash was done with dinner, a bath sounded pretty damn good right about now. So she put the dishes in the dishwasher and set it to run while she went upstairs to do just that.

She looked at the special shower head and got an idea before she went into the bedroom to get her waterproof vibrator, got undressed and washed her face from all the makeup she had been wearing and started a bath before she hit the Duo icon on her phone that would video call her husband. 

“Hey, hey.” Pelna smiled brightly to see his wife naked and stepping into the bathtub. 

“Hey, so since you are all alone and need some sleep, want to have some phone sex?” Yasmine cooed as she used the water as her lubrication and put the phone into a special waterproof pouch so that she could use the phone to get closeups under the water. 

“Yes please!” Pelna nodded emphatically and stripped out of his pajamas and quickly got some hand lotion because that’s all he had on him to use as lube to see his damn sexy wife insert the waterproof toy as it turned on and started to pulsate in the water before she brought the phone out of the water so he could get a good view of his wife squeezing her own breasts as the hot water filled the tub up before she pulled the phone out of the waterproof pouch so that she could hear him and he could hear her. 

“By Brahma…” Pelna began to speak in Hindi which got Yasmine to smile because when Pelna would speak in his mother tongue, Yasmine knew he was happy, or really excited as they cooed and said the same amazing things in Hindi that just didn’t quite sound quite right in English but between Pelna’s heated and heady voice and Yasmine’s own voice and she barely had the water turned off before it overflowed the tub, it was still so sexy. Even sexier even because Pelna's voice got that dark- growly sexy tone to it that Yasmine really loved.

Yasmine’s body shook when her first orgasm rippled through her and her keening cry of bliss was all that Pelna needed to shoot a large load of cum onto his own belly as he used a tissue from the nightstand to clean it up as Yasmine reached to turn the vibrator off and pull it out of herself as she simply laid there and basked in the afterglow.

“Are you tired now?” Yasmine asked with a pleasured and sated smile. 

“Yeah, I think, I think I can get some sleep now.” Pelna agreed as his body finally felt tired enough to go to sleep now that he was sated. 

“Not as great as the real thing of course. But I needed this, thank you Yas.” Pelna breathed out as he fought to catch his breath. 

“You’re welcome. Get some sleep. You need it. I’ll see you the day after tomorrow. Be safe, I love you. You’ll do great.” Yasmine encouraged him. 

“Thanks,” Pelna grinned before they kissed the phone screens and ended the call before Pelna got redressed and rolled over and finally got some sleep as Yasmine rinsed out the tub after draining it and then practically collapsed into bed herself.

[yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy]

Magic and Miracles and BEYOND

AAAAnd here we have chapter 1 of my series that is the follow up to Magic and Miracles called Magic and Miracles and BEYOND. ok so underneath the line of klienfelds, if you are going from left to right, that first dress is Crowe’s dress, Luna’s dress is the next to, showing the front and back and then Selena’s reception dress is next to that and her wedding dress is all the way on the right, below that, again going from left to right, we have Selena’s veil, Iris’ veil and the middle is Luna’s veil. Then next to that is the top of Stella’s dress, then the light blush dress is Pashmina’s dress then on the bottom row from left to right is the choker Iris will wear at her wedding, the rest of the bodice of Stella’s dress, the middle is Yasmine’s dress, the next is Iris’ wedding dress and the last dess is the dress Ada had her eye on. (*wink wink*) 

So you can enjoy this on either AO3 or below, hopefully Tumblr will be cool and KEEP this under a cut. *fingers crossed* 

Um for now I’m just gonna tag @the-immortal-marshal if anyone from the Magic and Miracles crew wants to get tagged or if I have any new followers who want to get tagged in this, let me know and I’ll tag you. 

Magic and Miracles and BEYOND

“Ok, do you guys have everything packed?” Sylva asked as she watched Luche, Libertus, Crowe, Ravus, Selena, Nyx and Lunafreya pack everything they needed into her Escalade as Noctis, Ignis, Gladio, Pashmina, Pelna, Yasmine, Prompto, Cindy, Craig, Iris, Stella and Tredd packed everything they needed into two gigantic RV/ tour buses that Sylva had rented them and even got them drivers, since Noctis, Ignis, Gladio and Prompto would be doing a summer band tour. Their music that had been recorded performing for the kids at Miracles had gone viral on YouTube and they got calls to book gigs across the country and with a lot of planning they were all able to make one huge plan together which was really exciting to do.

First the whole group was going to Cedar Point for a few days during the week and then that weekend was Noctis’ and his friends first gig in Pittsburgh, which Sylva and Regis were going to be taking Gladio’s parents and Prompto’s parents with them to come and be in the audience. Then after that, Sylva would take Gladio’s parents and Prompto’s parent’s home and get some work done while Noctis and his group and Luna and her group were going to take a road trip to New York where Noctis and his friends would be doing gigs in between going to Klienfields again for all the girls to pick out wedding dresses and Sylva would be flying everyone’s family and extended family in for that too and then after that Luna and her group along with Crowe and Libertus would be house hunting in New York for when she and Nyx as well Crowe and Libertus would be moving there for college because Nyx, Libertus and Crowe had all got accepted to CIA too before Luche would leave with Sylva to continue working with her while Noctis and his group continued to tour while Luna, Nyx, Selena and Ravus would be going to their first vacation house, a cabin in Maine on the coast to check it out and see if they wanted to keep it or sell it.

And then Sylva and Regis and Luche would be taking Sylva’s super yacht down the coast to follow their kids who would be driving down the coast themselves and even boarding the yacht for some sailing and fishing in Myrtle Beach before they would meet in Miami at Luna and Ravus’ second vacation house before they would all take an extended family cruise on the yacht around the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands and all over the Caribbean for a nice summer vacation then once back, Luna and her group and Noctis’ and his group would continue their trek west, along route 66 on their nation wide food crawl while Noctis and his friends would continue to go on tours and stuff before they would reach the west coast where Sylva and Regis would go and Sylva and Regis would tour wine country and meet again in Ravus’ and Luna’s other vacation house in wine country before they would also go up the coast and then once they got to San Francisco and would go on two more cruises, one to Hawaii and then another to Alaska before coming back and Luna and her group and Noctis and his group would go up the coast to the north wast to Oregon and Washington where Ravus and Luna had yet another vacation house in Seattle before having a nice little trip through Vancouver, Canada before they would make their trips back east where they had another vacation house in Aspen, Colorado and then again in the other vacation house in Montana where they would all meet up again to do some fishing before heading through Chicago then back home in time for Luna, Selena, Stella and Iris as well as Noctis and Prompto to go to their classes for their senior year before Crowe and Libertus would get married that September, along with Gladio and Pashmina and Pelna and Yasmine before the winter where Luna and Nyx would get married and move to New York with Crowe and Libertus, Crowe got into the wine courses that the New York campus had and the business part of it too as well as the best Bar School New York had that was also in New York City.

But for now Sylva just went around with a clip board and went over everything with everyone to make sure they got everything and didn’t forget anything as they all answered and made sure they got everything that they needed packed. She had spent a small fortune making sure Noctis and his friends had really good instruments and speakers and stuff and of course plenty of merch and once they were all packed, they got one last family picture as the Ulrics, the Amicitia’s, the Shammas, the Argentum’s, the Lazarus’, the Ostium’s, the Altius’, Tredd’s dad, Stella’s parents, the Khara’s, the Patel’s, the Aurum’s and the Fosters all made sure their kids were all set too before they got one last huge group/family photo before all the kids took off and all the moms started crying before they went back inside to Sylva’s house where Sylva’s kitchen was stuffed with food and wine and stuff as all the parents officially celebrated a nice break without kids, of course, Luca, Luche’s little sister, Crowe’s younger siblings, Lily and Yusuf being the only ‘kids’ that didn’t go with the teenagers but they didn’t mind one bit, the parents were busy talking and gossiping in the kitchen and Yusuf finally worked up the courage to sneak himself and Lily off for just a moment.

“Where are we going?” Lily asked as she held onto Yusuf’s hand as he seemed like he was off to show her something special before Yusuf managed to find a lonely hallway near Sylva’s office and just around the corner and completely out of sight, Yusuf took Lily’s face in his hands and kissed her the way he had seen Gladio kiss Pashmina and kissed her sweetly. Lily made the tiniest of surprised hums and breathed in sharply before she pulled him to pin herself against the wall like she had seen Craig do to Iris on occasion and it was the perfect first kiss for the young couple and their budding romance that Sylva sensed would last their lifetimes.  

But in that moment, Luna and her group and Noctis and his all drove towards Cedar Point and went out to dinner that night once they got there and then into their hotel rooms, all of them staying in the same hotel, all of them, with some pleading with the hotel manager, managing to get on the same floor even. The next day the whole group took Cedar Point by storm, all of them getting the fast passes to cut all the lines and several times, they all got on the same train for all the rides which made for some epic ride pictures as well as great pictures period, Luche not feeling so bad being the third wheel even though he wished Ada could have come too but Cor was taking her to Canada instead, but they would be meeting up with everyone in New York because Ada wanted and needed to be there for when Crowe picked out her wedding dress since Ada was Crowe’s maid of honor.

After that, then when everyone got to Pittsburgh, they all tried to get rooms at a nearby hotel to where Noctis, Ignis, Prompto and Gladio would be performing before Sylva came with all the parents who also stayed at the nearby hotels too. Thanks to all the friends and family, the place was packed and they all cheered super loudly, Sylva doing so the most as she recorded it and was live streaming it to YouTube which got tons of hits and Sylva put Noctis’ band which they named The Chocobros- which was a reference to their favorite video game- schedule in the description. After the show The Chocobros were invited to perform the next night in another club, a bigger, nicer one and everyone stayed and a huge crowd gathered and Noctis and his friends got to sign autographs on the T-shirts themselves and sold out of half the T-Shirts the second night which Sylva immediately ordered thousands more and would be giving them to the group in New York when they would meet up again. Iris, Cindy, Pashmina and Stella setting up a table to sell them since they would be traveling with them all summer as Craig and Tredd would be running “security” and Pelna ran sound and Yasmine was their official ‘manager’ but really she was the best at negotiating pay, tour dates, keeping everyone on schedule and making sure they all stayed safe and after wedding dress shopping and house hunting in New York, Crowe and Libertus would be joining them, Libertus would help with security while Crowe would be running security for the girls at the merch booth to make sure they were taken care of too.

When they all finally reconvened in Klienfields, the whole group practically took up all of Klienfields waiting area.

“Moms, Grandma Edie, Grandma Susan,” Ravus began as he stood in front of the couch his mother, Sabrina, Edith and Susan were sitting on once he heard them oohing and awing the bigger ball gowns in the reception area and their murmurs of how Selena would look in them and knew he should step in because Selena wouldn’t necessarily tell them no.

“Selena and I have been looking at dresses on Pintrist and so I mean this with the utmost respect, but you guys need to abandon any vision you have of Selena in a big extravagant ball gown, she wants something simple and something lace and she doesn’t like ballgowns, it’s a summer wedding and she wants the dress to be light and comfortable and she doesn’t want to be a Disney Princess, she just wants to be her ok? For her, bigger isn’t better, whichever dress she wears that she’s wearing the biggest, brightest and most genuine smile, that’s her dress, despite however you personally feel about it, don’t push her or let anyone else push her to get something she doesn’t absolutely love, tradition be damned- ok? If you have issues or problems with this, you’re going to talk to me about it. The most important thing is that Selena will be happy and she will not sacrifice or compromise any of her own happiness to make you happy, you’ve all gotten your own weddings and they were hopefully what you wanted. It’s her turn to have her own wedding just the way she wants it.” Ravus communicated firmly with them, Ravus standing in front of them and taking turns looking each of them in the eye. Susan and Edith were taken aback by that, Sabrina blinked in surprise as before her face changed into a challenging frown as she crossed her arms over her chest but Sylva just beamed proudly at her son.

“You’re absolutely right, these appointments are all about finding the perfect dresses for the girls, I promise not to push my opinion on Selena, simply support her and give her my stamp approval on her favorite dress which I’m sure she’ll look gorgeous in, thank you for the reminder Dear.” Sylva placated.

“But,” Sabrina began before Ravus turned all of his attention to her. “Can’t she just at least try on, just one ‘Princess ballgown’, I’ve wanted to see her in one of those for 17 years, surely trying one on couldn’t hurt.” Sabrina reasoned as Edith and Susan nodded in agreement with that sentiment.

“Well that’s up to her, but again, I don’t want anyone to push her, persuade her, guilt trip her or talking her into doing something she doesn’t want to do.” Ravus insisted.  “Because I don’t do any of those things to her and I don’t want anyone else to do those things to her either.” Ravus pointed out and fixed them with a respectful but firmly determined look back. “Any other questions or concerns?” Ravus asked before they shook their heads no.

“Excellent,” Ravus beamed proudly before walking back over to Nyx and the rest of the guys who would be hanging out while their fiances would be doing wedding dress shopping while the brothers would be called back to see their sisters in their dresses.

“Wow, he’s uh, quite, protective isn’t he?” Susan noted.

“Yeah,” Sylva sighed wistfully. “I remember when his father used to do that to my parents. Tell them exactly when and where to get off when they were being overbearing. At least Ravus was respectful about it.” Sylva grinned proudly as she recalled fondly all the times Victor had gone toe to toe with her parents. “Trust me, it’s a good thing, especially when his goal is Selena’s happiness, that’s his driving force behind all his actions, once he has his eyes and heart set on something, he’s quite driven and always accomplishes his goals.” Sylva revealed before they were all shown the largest seating area to sit down and await their consultants. The guys continuing to hang out in the reception area.

“Selena Ulric?” Debbie asked and Selena raised her hand and waived excitedly.

“Hi, I’m Selena,” Selena greeted back happily as they two shook hands.

“And Lunafreya Nox Fleuret- Caelum?” Antonella greeted before she recognized both Luna and her mom from Sylva’s appointment. “Well hello again!” Antonella greeted happily. “Oh my goodness we have another big group today.” Antonella noted when she saw everyone as the other consultants came and greeted their brides and their families too.

“Yeah, it’s a family affair. So this is my husband Regis, I’m sure you recognize our son Noctis and his fiance Ignis, of course you remember Luna, this is Selena, our other son Ravus’ fiance who’s practically Luna’s sister because they’re best friends, her parents, Sabrina and Dorian Ulric, Dorian’s parents, Cliff and Susan Ulric, Sabrina’s parents Edith and Joseph Bakas and who you don’t see is Luna’s fiance Nyx who is Selena’s big brother who’s in the reception area and will be called back for when Selena picks her dress and Ravus of course is with him and Ravus will be called back for when Luna chooses her dress.” Sylva introduced as Debbie and Antonella went down the line to shake hands with everyone as the other consultants got to meet everyone else.

“Wow, ok, well what are you looking for Luna?” Antonella asked.

“Big princess ball gown with flowers and bling and poof galore actually I’ve had my heart set on this Malya Rovaolga gown,” Luna said as she pulled up her saved Pintrist images of the gown she found.

“We actually have that gown and you will look gorgeous in it.” Antonella reassured her.

“And what are you looking for Selena?” Debbie asked thoughtfully.  

“The exact opposite of everything Luna said, A line is all the poof I think I can stand, I really like sheath silhouette, maybe mermaid or even trumpet perhaps a fit and flare if the flare part isn’t too poofy and outragious and I’m looking for an all lace gown, now I won’t say no to a tiny bit of bling but I’m really wanting something  really simple.” Selena answered truthfully.

“And modest.” Sabrina, Susan and Edith added.

“And is there a price point we’re comfortable at?” Antonella asked.

“Nope sky’s the limit.” Sylva answered happily.

“Well we’d like to stay under five thousand.” Sabrina answered carefully.

“And if Selena falls in love with anything over that limit I’ll be more than happy to make up the difference.” Sylva volunteered as she heard all the other parents give their price points before Sylva piped up and stood up to make an announcement to the whole group.

“Ok, actually, the first figure they all just gave you guys is what they’ll pay for the first part, anything and everything above that, I’ll pay for, all these girls are like daughters to me, so none of these girls has a price limit, I don’t care if any or all of them fall in love with fifty thousand dollar dresses for their weddings and receptions each, I’ll pay for all of it, I want each girl to fall head over heels in love with their dresses and veils and accessories, no matter what the cost is.” Sylva announced and everyone cheered, the girls especially as all the girls bombarded Sylva with hugs and kisses from all the girls because Project Recovery had just hit the market that week and Sylva found herself fifty million dollars richer because of it and was feeling especially generous.

Ada got the distinct feeling that if she had stayed with Luche and was trying on a dress today too that Sylva’s invitation would have been extended to her too and that Sylva herself would have offered to fly her parents here for this too. But Cor was insistent, if not quite adamant that if they were going to get married, that they should do it all on their own and that David’s Bridal was just as good as any other dress shop and she needed to learn to be happy and content with just that and Cor was doing everything he could to save up for an engagement ring for her.

But seeing all the girl’s engagement rings had her feeling jealous, especially when Pashmina and Yasmine were flaunting the fact that Sylva had simply gifted them their large, gorgeous and stunning engagement rings and their right hand rings as Iris boasted that Ravus had given Craig one his father’s engagement rings that he had made for his son before he died because the two were like brothers and it’s because Iris and Craig had agreed that that was so sentimental that it would be her official wedding ring that she’d be getting after she graduated next year but that was why her ‘promise ring’ also from Sylva was as amazing as it was because Sylva was so touched by Iris and Craig’s sentimentality too, letting Iris have any and all rings and jewelry she wanted which she was currently sporting a diamond choker just for this occasion that she’d also be wearing on her wedding day that her parents would be taking home with them so it didn’t get stolen, lost or damaged during the summer.

Sylva’s generosity knew no bounds for her ‘kids’ but Ada felt and knew she wasn’t one of them. Not that Sylva was ever rude or mean or anything like that to her. Sylva treated her politely and in a friendly and kind manner but not near the adoring, loving and fawning nature she did all the other girls and Ada knew why and had made peace with that and knew not to expect it either. Ada had made her choice and made her bed and was now gonna lie in it.

However, since Luche had seemed to improve so much she found herself thinking back on all the good times they had had and feeling regret that she hadn’t been happy and content more then and maybe she should have seen Luche’s wisdom in trying to network that night of Sylva’s wedding and hadn’t needed to be so selfish that she needed to be his center of his attention in that moment in time, Luche always treated her like she was at any and all other times and he was doing it because he knew it would only help him take better care of her, Luche had been really good to her, and even now she was finding that she was drawing comparisons between Luche and Cor and since Luche had started improving and had dropped his problematic behaviors, the comparisons were starting to favor him more and more, even the pregnancy thing didn’t seem to bother her so much, especially once Luche had apologized for that and had explained his very flawed reasoning and had owned up to it all and took responsibility for it- at his own graduation party and that’s what really spurned herself to draw close to him again as a friend and was rediscovering him in a sense and seeing everyone all together like this, she found herself feeling hollow and saddened and regretful that she seemed to be or at least felt like she was on the outside looking in on all of it. All her friends were having the summer of her dreams without a care in the world while she was firmly planted in adulthood and unable to get out of it. Where she was finding out just how important Cor’s career was to him, how she found herself playing the supporting role to that and how doing anything fun was always reduced to how much it would cost and budgeting and stretching every dollar because living expenses were so high and while her parents had tried to teach her about it, now she was getting first hand experience just how hard it could be. Somehow she felt she knew her own wedding dress shopping experience wouldn’t nearly be as magical as this all seemed to be for her friends and that she found herself feeling somewhat sad while also somewhat jealous too but she had swallow all that down and not show any of that. This was about Crowe, so she had to just smile for Crowe’s sake.  

“Ok, well let’s get you girls back and into some beautiful dresses,” Debbie invited as she and Antonella brought Luna and Selena back as the other consultants got all the other girls into the changing rooms and talked with them privately to get further details on what they wanted, all the girls taking up a whole hallway.  

Once they were out of sight, Sabrina, Edith and Susan as well as all the other mothers all got up and went ‘shopping’ themselves. Sylva sighed exasperatedly and begrudgingly went after Sabrina, Edith and Susan, kindly repeating Ravus’ instructions, knowing Ravus would appreciate at least her trying to reign them in before she eyed a dress herself that she thought Selena would look ravishing in, perhaps as a reception dress and grabbed that before Sabrina, Edith, Susan and Sylva all walked to Selena’s room.

“Yes?” Debbie answered the door.

“We heard what you said but perhaps you could humor us and try these on too?” Edith asked as she held up her choice.

Selena sighed in defeat and decided to at least indulge them in trying them on before they came and hung up their dresses before leaving, Sylva staying behind a little as Sabrina, Edith and Susan happily walked back to where everyone else was.

“Ok, Ravus actually sat all of us down and told us not to do exactly what we’re doing and I’m sorry, I tried to stop them but as you can see they were bound and determined, please don’t agree to these dresses just because they are our picks ok? You have your vision and you should be true to that. It’s your wedding, not ours. Now that being said, I know your family is wanting something very modest for the wedding which is perfectly fine if that’s what you want too but might I suggest perhaps a second, tastefully provocative dress for the reception that you by no means have to do but if you felt so inclined I would love to buy for you whatever you decide.” Sylva grinned mischievously as she showed Selena her pick and grinned wider when Selena’s eyes widened and she ‘oohed’ at Sylva’s pick before Sylva hung it up with the others.

“Ok, I’ll do my best to keep them from interfering any further.” Sylva assured Selena before Selena got up and hugged Sylva tightly.

“Thank you so much for understanding and trying to curb them, I know it’s like herding cats.” Selena thanked Sylva gratefully as Sylva hugged Selena back just as tightly as the two shared a hearty laugh.  

“Of course Sweetheart, we love you, we just want to see you happy and that’s all the matters ok? Now get dressed and enjoy this moment. You don’t owe your mother, or me or your grandparents anything. Just have fun and relax and don’t worry about anything, Debbie is amazing and we’ll have no trouble finding you the perfect dress.” Sylva urged sweetly before letting go and left the room and Selena smiled appreciatively. “And that’s why I love and adore my future mother in law, supportive but indulgent at the same time.” Selena giggled as she looked at Sylva’s pick appreciatively as she realized she actually really loved it before she looked at the others blew out a breath, trying to decide which one she should put on first.

“Ok, put me in Mom’s pick.” Selena sighed in defeat as she pointed to the dress her mother picked out.

“It’s pretty, not what I’m looking for but pretty,” Selena admitted as Debbie put her into the dress.

“It is, but hopefully they’ll see how unhappy you are in it.” Debbie offered comfortingly as Selena made a face at herself in the mirror.

Luna and the other girls got out at the same time and gave Selena a questioning glace as they all looked at each other’s dresses first.

“My Mom and my grandma’s went dress shopping too. This is my mom’s pick.” Selena deadpanned as she gestured to herself in the dress while giving off an unimpressed if not irritated look before they all looked at Selena in various pitying looks while others quite liked the dress but for themselves.  

“Well it’s pretty, not at all what you’re looking for but pretty,” Luna shrugged which got Selena to laugh as all the girls agreed to that.  

“That’s exactly what I said!” Selena revealed which got Luna and the other girls to snort a laugh.

“Come on, let’s go out and show them.” Luna suggested.

“You go first,” Selena suggested before Luna and Antonella got in front of Selena and Debbie and all the other girls got in line behind them.

“May I present to you the most bodacious big princess ball gown ever!” Luna announced proudly as she marched up to that podium and let go of the underskirt to let it fall down to her feet as Antonella fluffed out the long skirt as everyone oohed and awed before Luna turned around, her brighter than sunshine smile lighting up the salon. “Tada!” Luna said as her arms gestured to her dress.

“Oh yeah, that’s the dress,” Noctis grinned which got Luna to squeal and clap in excitement as they all nodded in agreement.

“Go get Rae,” Luna told Noctis who obediently got up and got Ravus who after a few minutes appeared as Selena didn’t even bother to hide.

“What the hell?” Ravus asked when he saw Selena and went to her first.

“My mother and my grandma’s went dress shopping just after your talk with them.” Selena deadpanned before Ravus narrowed his eyes.

“I thought I had that handled but apparently I didn’t and I apologize for not being more explicit in our wishes Darling.” Ravus apologized before he went over to Lunafreya and smiled proudly when he saw how happy she was.  

“Wow,” Ravus breathed when he saw Luna in her dress.

“That is your dress Lunafreya, does it come with a matching veil?” Sylva asked before Antonella got one of the accessory consultants to find the matching veil. She came back and put the gigantic and over the top veil on as everyone fawned and gushed over the beautiful sight of Luna in her wedding dress.

“Ok, ask her the question,” Regis prompted Antonella as he wiped his proud and happy tears away, knowing that if Victor was still alive, he would have been sobbing by now because of how sensitive he was.

“Lunafreya, are you saying yes to the dress?” Antonella asked excitedly.

“Yes!” Luna cheered happily which earned a round of applause and hugs from everyone but Ravus stayed planted in his spot.  

“Ok, now I want to point out something, you’ve all adopted me right?” Luna put to Selena’s family as they nodded in agreement. “Ok, so you’re getting exactly what you want, one of your daughters slash granddaughters got the big princess ball gown and it’s everything I could ever want, now, let’s let Selena get what she wants.” Luna repeated pointedly at Sabrina, Edith and Susan who gave her unimpressed looks back as Luna gathered her dress up and got off the pedestal so Selena could get on herself but stood off to the side with Ravus.

“Ravus, you’re not supposed to see your bride in her wedding dress, it’s bad luck! Now go back with the rest of the boys.” Susan chided.

“And I thought I told you three not to pressure Selena into a big princess ball gown, but what exactly is she wearing?” Ravus turned and gave the three of them a pointed look who looked away guiltily as Selena came forward and Ravus held her hand and helped her up onto the podium but otherwise didn’t move from her side.  

“You look gorgeous baby,” Sabrina cooed at the sight of Selena in the big poofy princess ball gown.

“Yeah, but that’s not the same super happy smile Luna was wearing, that’s a polite, doesn’t want to hurt your feelings because she hates it- smile.” Sylva pointed out before Sabrina looked from the dress to Selena’s face and had to admit Sylva had a point as Ravus still refused to move and continued to stare Sabrina, Edith and Susan down.

“It is a gorgeous dress but Sylva’s right, you’re not happy in it.” Susan admitted first. “Don’t even bother putting my pick on, just find the dress that makes you happy.” Susan advised which got Selena to smile gratefully back and Ravus didn’t ease up until Edith agreed and told Selena not to try on her pick either before Ravus finally let up.

“Yeah, it’s pretty, but not the right dress, next.” Cliff said.

“Agreed, you’re beautiful, but that’s not your dress,” Dorian shook his head no which made Selena blow out a breath of relief and say a silent thankful and grateful prayer that everyone could see she wasn’t happy in it before Ravus beamed proudly back at Selena while she smiled appreciatively back at him for standing up for her the way he did.  

“Ok, thank you for indulging me Baby,” Sabrina nodded as she got one picture of Selena in the gown before Selena picked up the dress and happily got off the pedestal and off to the side before Ravus kissed her cheek sweetly before he returned to the rest of the guys, taking Noctis and Ignis with him while each girl then got her turn on the pedestal so all the family could appraise the dresses, all the dads especially choking up and crying at seeing their baby girls in wedding dresses, Clarus doing so the most before all the girls got off and followed Luna back into the dressing rooms. Luna got changed out of her dress and changed back into her regular clothes came out of her dressing room and got Nyx from the lobby since he could sit in for the rest of Selena’s and the rest of the girl’s appointments but Ravus couldn’t resist himself and had found a few dresses he thought Selena would like and possibly love and gave them to Nyx and Luna to give to Selena before they walked back to the dressing room Selena was in.

“Ok so who picked these out? Because these are actually what I’ve been looking for, your mom?” Selena guessed to Luna who shook her head no.

“Are you sure you want to know?” Luna hinted giddily.

“Yes,” Selena nodded as she looked from Luna to Nyx.

“Beavus,” Nyx answered which melted Selena’s heart and made her gasp softly.

“Really? Aww, the man knows me, I love them.” Selena smiled excitedly as she looked them over.”

“And I will be the first to admit that I know nothing about dresses but this one is my personal favorite, it’s the most...you.” Nyx said as he gestured to his favorite one that Ravus had picked out.

“And I completely agree with Nyx, this has to be my favorite too, although this one is really gorgeous.” Luna noted before she noted her mother’s pick. “But again, it’s all completely up to you, you don’t have to pick this just because we like it.” Luna reassured her.

“Thanks, actually your mom picked that one out for me, believe it or not, said it could be a reception dress. But don’t tell my mom or my grandmothers but I actually really love that one.” Selena informed them proudly.

“Go Mom! And don’t worry about it, that can be our little secret, what they don’t know can’t hurt them.” Luna cheered which just made Nyx roll his eyes and shake his head but he knew Luna had a point.

“I take it if you go that route, she’d buy the second dress?” Nyx guessed and Selena and Luna nodded adamantly before Luna and Nyx left and rejoined the group.

“So which is really standing out to you?” Debbie asked.

“This one, their favorite out of Rae’s picks, I love the peekabo back,” Selena decided giddily before Debbie put her in that one.

“Oh it’s so soft too!” Selena gushed as she looked at herself excitedly in the mirror and ran her hands over the lace of the bodice. “And I love the illusion lace at the top and I thought I wanted all lace but I really like how there’s a break here and I know I didn’t want poofy but this just the right amount, I’m actually ok with the little bit of poof, and it’s not heavy, it’s really light and really comfortable.” Selena praised.

“And the sweetheart neckline is perfect for you and the off white/ ivory really compliments your skin tone. It’s a beautiful, very romantic, very classic dress as well.” Debbie added. “And look at your smile! That’s the smile I think your future mother in law was talking about, you’re really happy in this dress!” Debbie smiled happily and knowingly before Selena started to cry a few happy tears.

“He found me the perfect dress.” Selena happily cried as she took a tissue from Debbie and dabbed at her eyes but couldn’t stop smiling her own brighter than sunshine smile, loving how she looked in the mirror as she just knew she had found her wedding dress, she felt like a bride and she felt like herself wearing the perfect dress, not like the dress was taking over and wearing her at all.

“Let’s go show them.” Debbie suggested before they walked out and Selena showed off Rae’s dress to all her friends who absolutely loved it and loved that Selena loved it and everyone oohed and awwed again before Selena revealed she felt like this was her dress which earned a round of cheers from all the girls who hugged and congratulated her before Selena practically strutted back out to everyone.

“There’s the smile,” Sylva smiled knowingly when she saw Selena come back to them in the second dress. Wearing her own brighter than sunshine smile and walking tall and proud.  

“She cried tears of happiness just putting it on.” Debbie informed them before everyone started to get choked up as Selena started crying and laughing at the same time again.

“It’s perfect baby,” Dorian cooed as he discretely wiped the tears escaping his eyes.

“It really is, that dress was made for you,” Cliff praised.

“You look like the perfect bride, everything about it is perfect.” Edith cooed.

“I agree, you’re so beautiful baby, this is your dress.” Sabrina cried happily before everyone else gave Selena and her dress their praise and stamp of approval too.

“Get her in a veil.” Sylva suggested again and Antonella left to go get a few different veils that could match the dress.

“And plus if you guys still wanted that grand train look, you can accomplish that with the veil,” Debbie pointed out as she put the grandest veil on Selena and everyone ‘oohed and awed’ again.

“Ok I gotta admit I do absolutely love the veil.” Selena admitted.

“You’re so beautiful Selena,” Nyx cried as Dorian put his arm around Nyx’s shoulders. “Beavus is so going to cry his eyes out when he sees you.” Nyx teased lightheartedly which got them all to laugh.

“He is, you’re going to have to stuff your pockets with as much tissue as possible.” Sylva immediately agreed.

“I have never seen you look more beautiful my Darling Divine,” Luna cooed as she got up and hugged Selena tightly. “You don’t have to tell anyone who picked this out ok?” Luna whispered and Selena nodded in understanding.

“Selena you look absolutely radiant and you look so happy in that dress, you found your dress,” Sylva praised and Selena nodded along and began to sway in the dress, watching it swirl around her in amusement.

“So, Selena, are you saying yes to the dress?” Debbie asked excitedly.

“Yes!” Selena answered brightly and everyone cheered. “But,” Selena began and everyone stopped and stared in surprise. “It was suggested that I could have a dress for the wedding and a second dress for the reception and there is just one more dress I want to try on.” Selena began with a meaningful look and smile to Sylva who returned it giddily. Selena’s family looked at each other curiously but the looks between Nyx, Luna and Sylva were the most telling before Selena left to return to her dressing room.

“Ok, I really love my future mother in law, this is just...this is amazing, I feel like a million bucks in this, it’s still pretty modest but it just hugs my curves just right while still allowing me to move in it and it has just that special something and it has just enough bling in the details and in the lace that I didn’t think I would like but I just...I love it. I really do.” Selena admitted as she tested to her movement in the dress to make sure she could still dance in it.

“Well that and you shine like a jewel in the dress too.” Debbie praised. “And you’re wearing an excited smile in this dress. I think Rae is really going to love you in this and just imagine his surprise when you change into this.” Debbie noted.

“Well I feel just plain giddy in this dress and all I can think is how much fun Rae’s going to have taking it off of me and how much fun I’m going to have having him take this dress off of me too.” Selena giggled which got Debbie to laugh too.

“And that’s the whole point of having a reception dress, Rae is a very lucky man.” Debbie cooed.

“He is but I’m just as lucky, if not luckier because I get to marry him and get to be in this amazing family.” Selena nodded. “OK, let’s go show them.” Selena suggested as she couldn’t help but squeal in delight and outright strutted out to her room to show all the other girls who cheered and hooted and hollered and whistled at Selena dancing seductively in the dress before she went and showed her family.

“Wow,” they all collectively said as Sylva beamed a smile so bright she shamed the sun.

“Yeah, I’m totally getting this as my reception dress.” Selena informed everyone.

“Well how much is it?” Sabrina asked a little warily.

“It doesn’t matter, I’m going to buy this dress if you’re ok with it Selena.” Sylva volunteered to which Selena nodded adamantly to that with a bright giddy smile.

“Ok fine, Ravus is in for a treat.” Sabrina grinned.

“Yes he is.” They all agreed.

“So, Selena, are you saying yes to this dress too?” Debbie asked excitedly.

“Yes!” Selena answered just as brightly and excitedly as she did the first time.

However not all the girls had an easy time finding their dresses. Yasmine was unbelievably picky while Iris had a hard time finding a dress that didn’t swallow her petite body whole before Selena offered the other two dresses that Ravus had picked out for her, Iris falling in love with one of them immediately and how simple yet very traditional it was on her, she didn’t think she wanted lace at all but the lace of this gown had her feeling like a bride- Gladio, Clarus and Rose and Rose’s parents and Clarus’ parents all practically sobbing tears of joy by how beautiful Iris was in it as Iris also got an over the top cathedral veil and added a blinged out belt and it was perfect before she got a reception dress that was shorter, to her knees and blinged out like crazy that was so Iris’ personality that her own parents and grandparents were ok with.

Pashmina and Yasmine were both having traditional Indian wedding dresses for their actual ceremonies, but they were there to find reception dresses that were the traditional white and Yasmine wasn’t happy until the actual designer came over and designed her- her own custom gown that had elements from all three of her favorite dresses as well as something perfectly unique just for Yasmine as her parents rolled their eyes and thanked Sylva repeatedly for paying for it since it was now quite expensive because Yasmine was a Princess in her how right too. Crowe had a hard time finding a dress that was ‘kick ass’ but when she found a high low dress that could be customized and once she learned that on the underside, they were willing to add actual camo to the underside and to the belt, Crowe was sold and finally really happy, actually crying tears of joy herself that had all the girls hugging her in a group hug. Sylva and Crowe’s mothers getting up to do a victory dance themselves that Crowe wasn’t going to leave empty handed because they had been sweating bullets because she was picky for completely different reasons. Stella however, was having a hard time finding a dress ‘sexy enough’ and Stella’s mom Samantha nearly pulled her hair out because it was a god damn wedding dress, not a burlesque outfit and that Stella wasn’t actually going to strip for Tredd at the god damn alter, before Sylva just huffed, stood up and marched over to a Pnina Tornai that was currently the sexiest dress Pnina had yet to design and brought it over.

“Samantha, it’s Stella’s wedding just let her get whatever she wants and make peace with it.” Sylva very firmly advised at her BFF before addressing her niece. “Stella, this is the sexiest dress in here, I know because for giggles I tried it on when I was here but it was too sexy even for me, if you don’t like the bottom we can customize it until it’s perfect ok?” Sylva offered as she handed the dress over and Stella’s eyes went wide when she realized it was mostly sheer and dripping with jewels before Stella happily took it back and practically ran back to her room with her consultant.

“God damn it, my aunt was right, it’s perfect, except for the bottom, if we could get the bottom of the other Pnina on this one, I’ll be happy.” Stella beamed happily as her consultant blew out a breath of relief before Stella strutted out in the dress, making the Amicitias and their parents and their grandparents, especially Rose and her mother start praying in Spanish and kissing their crosses and rosary and all of them doing the crosses over themselves- that Iris or Pashmina hadn’t picked anything like that as all the other girls who stayed in their wedding dresses watched on, Luna getting back into her dress just so that they could all get a picture of all of them in their dream dresses and Stella had been the last one to find her dress.

“Ok, now, Sylva, you made the best call because this is her dress, she just wants this bottom on this dress.” The consultant said as she went behind Stella to hold up the bottom of the dress in front of Stella in the mirror so Sylva, Stella and Samantha could envision it.

“Ok, yeah, you’re right, it’s perfect.” Samantha finally caved, desperate to just get out of there and grateful that Stella was getting a wedding period.

“So Stella? Are you saying yes to this dress?” The consultant asked.

“Oh I’m saying hell yes! Woo!” Stella crooned as all the other girls cheered before they all got together and everyone got pictures of all the brides to be in their wedding dresses.

However Sylva did notice that Ada herself seemed to be drawn to one of the gowns there and made an actual note in her phone that once Ada left Cor for Luche again, that she would bring her here just to try that gown on for her and to invite her parents and Luche’s mother and little sister for it too. However as everyone started to go through the check out process and Ada wasn’t looking, Sylva stayed behind and snagged another consultant to make sure that dress would still be there for them in 4-5 months time and was relieved when it would be. Sylva however knew that Luche’s mother wouldn’t be thrilled to have Ada as a daughter in law and knew she’d probably have to be the buffer for Linda, Luche’s mother between Linda and Ada but knew of a solution that would make everyone happy before she spotted another dress that Sylva felt Ada would look amazing in for a reception dress and made a note of that one too and made sure it would be there in 4-5 months too.

“Mom? What’cha doin?” Selena asked as she came up behind Sylva and hugged her from behind and set her head on Sylva’s shoulder before Sylva swore Selena to the utmost secrecy and told her what she was doing. Selena being both amazed yet saddened to hear what Sylva saw for Ada’s very near future but at the same time, happy that Luche would get the love of his life back at the end of summer and that he’d get his happily ever after- after all and that they’d be back here so that Ada could have her own magical wedding dress experience.

“So I’ll do my best to discourage him from getting another attachment while he’s with us.” Selena offered. “Yes, please, thank you Dearest.” Sylva thanked her daughter as she hugged her tightly.

When it was Sylva’s turn to check out, paying for the remainder of everyone’s stuff, she didn’t even bat an eye lash, in fact she was so all too happy when she did her own check out and simply charged it all to her black card, the one that didn’t have a limit because all her ‘daughters’ and their happiness’ were definitely worth it. Sylva got out of the office and saw Cor and Ada leave, knowing Cor was anxious to get home and get back to his case and all she could do is watch Luche become downcast that Ada was leaving.

Sylva then took everyone out to dinner at one of the best restaurants in New York City. The restaurant dividing the group up where the parents sat at one big long table while all the younger couples sat at another huge long table, Selena made sure that Luche sat in between Ravus and Nyx while the younger kids got their own table too. And the food was some of the best food everyone had ever had, Nyx and Libertus taking notes before Sylva had the chef come out and talk with Nyx and Libertus personally which was an honor they really appreciated.

Meanwhile Ada pouted and huffed from her spot next to Cor on the flight home, watching as picture after picture was posted to social media of everyone out for the evening, all of them out to eat and posting pictures of their food while she resentfully ate her airline pretzels that tasted stale to her. She wanted to stay with Crowe longer, she wanted to get to see Noctis and his band perform, she wanted to hang out with her friends and go out to dinner with everyone, to stay at the freaking Four Seasons Hotel with everyone that night and to go house hunting with Crowe the next day but Cor had to work the next day and Crowe had barely had gotten to pick out her wedding dress before Cor was chomping at the bit and pushing Ada to leave to get to the airport to get back home so they would have time to go through security and stuff and Ada felt so rushed and the rushing took her joy from it all, the whole group had gone to one of the best restaurants in all of New York City and Sylva had paid for everyone to stay at the Four Seasons and would be taking everyone who wanted to go to The Met for a ballet and was going to take all the girls shopping for appropriate dresses because all the guys had brought suits, well except for Cor, he didn’t want to do any of that and had only flown them there for the day because he wanted to see Iris get a wedding dress too but while Ada wasn’t into the ballet and Cor was definitely not, she still wanted to be with everyone and get a nice new dress and enjoy the new experience. She was missing out on so much fun damn it! And before she knew it she felt like she was seething.

“What is your problem?” Cor asked as her huffs got his attention.

“I’m missing out! I wanted to stay!” Ada snapped angrily as if that was glaringly obvious.

“Well I’m sorry, but I need to get back and I couldn’t leave you there by yourself.” Cor argued.

“I wouldn’t have been by myself! I would have stayed with everyone else, I would have stayed with Crowe.” Ada argued.

“Yeah, no,” Cor shook his head.

“Why not?!” Ada demanded.

“Hun, everyone was coupled up except for Luche, I’m not leaving you alone with him.” Cor pointed out.

“Oh, like you don’t trust me to be around him? Is that it?” Ada accused.

“I trust you, I don’t trust him.” Cor countered evenly even though he found himself getting jealous that they were talking and starting to be friends again and that worried him and her behavior towards Luche had started to bother him but he didn’t want to start a fight. Younger people always seemed to think that you can be friends with your exes and Cor’s experience had taught him otherwise.

“But he’s gotten better!” Ada argued as tears came to her eyes.

“Why are you crying? Why are we even fighting about this?” Cor asked, now he really was worried if Ada was so quick to defend Luche now.

“Because you love your job more than you want me to have fun with my friends.” Ada spat.

“That’s not true! Quit acting like a spoiled brat! I flew you here didn’t I? You still got to hang out with everyone all morning and we got to go to brunch afternoon, you got to see Crowe pick out her wedding dress. You got exactly what you asked for. So stop this nonsense!” Cor growled.

“Yeah, that was until, we got invited to go out to dinner, and got invited to stay, we could have stayed, Sylva would have flown us home in her jet with everyone else and all it would have cost us is our time. Why didn’t you take Regis up on his offer, he wanted you to stay, he wanted you to hang out with him! Him and Clarus did! The case would have still been there when we would have gotten home, it’s not that urgent. You won’t make any progress in the few days we could have stayed with them that you couldn’t have made in the few days after we could have gotten back.” Ada argued, trying not to cry and failing.

“Look, it just didn’t sit well with me alright?” Cor whispered, not wanting to cause a scene.

“Oh that Regis and Sylva would have paid your way?” Ada sneered.

“Yes and there is no way we could have afforded to go out to eat with them and we definitely couldn’t have afforded to stay with them, there’s just no way, we’ve over extended ourselves just for this already.” Cor explained.

“It was all a gift! You’re not freeloading! If your ego and your fragile sense of masculinity wouldn’t have been upset by them being generous with you, and if you would have had some bloody grace in accepting it, it wouldn’t have cost you a dime, so it’s nice to know that you hold your own ego ahead of me too. First it’s your job and now it’s your ego, what’s next? Sports?” Ada snarled angrily which just got Cor to growl in frustrations.

“Ada! Just grow up already! You are not the center of the world or the center of the universe, not everything revolves around you and you having fun. Get out of that fantasy dream world that you think everyone else is living in because sooner or later reality is gonna bite them in the ass and you’re just getting your bite first.” Cor hissed and Ada just wanted to strangle him, hit him, something. She couldn’t believe she was missing out because Cor just couldn’t accept a fucking gift.

Ada just glared daggers at him and just turned and looked out the window as her legs crossed and her arms crossed over her chest as she just stewed about it for a while. She knew she wasn’t the center of the world, she knew that. But Cor had always told her that she was the center of his and she felt and thought he was the center of hers. A sentiment she had no trouble believing or living for that matter...in the beginning, but the more time went on, she had a harder time believing that because while he said that, his actions didn’t always align with that while her own continued to prove true. And Cor had always treated her like an adult, as if she was already grown up, and she loved that about him but there was a line between between that and being blunt, harsh, critical and just plain mean which is how she felt Cor was being now. At least Luche always had been gentle with her emotionally and mentally anyway, and what had felt like babying before, was now refreshingly pleasant. And then her phone went off.

‘I’m sorry you had to go home early, I wished you could have stayed.’ Luche texted her and Ada wanted to cry, she got up out of her seat and went to the airplane’s bathroom and started sobbing.

‘I would have given anything to stay. But Cor needed to get back.’ Ada texted as her teardrops landed on her phone’s surface before she wiped them off.

‘I don’t mean to pry or anything but did you have to go back too? Did you need to work or something? You could have stayed with all of us and Sylva would have taken care of you and made sure you would have gotten back safe and sound and if Cor would have been worried about ‘us’ I would have stayed as far away from you as Cor would have wanted, you shouldn’t have missed out on all of this just because of me.’ Luche offered and Ada just sobbed harder, god damn it, she should have dug her heels in and refused to leave and to spite Cor she would have sat right next to Luche at dinner and would be having so much fun right now. Choosing Cor over Luche so far had cost her dearly and right this second, she regretted it.  

‘Cor is allergic to ‘charity’ and you’re right, Cor didn’t trust you to stay away even though I do, I know you would have and I know we would have been fine. He hates the idea of anyone paying his way and all that like it’ll make him less of a man if he accepts help.’ Ada revealed.

‘Does he think less of every guy here? Does he think that every father that was here tonight is less of a man because she chipped in getting all the girls their wedding dresses and for going out to dinner and for going to the hotel tonight or even to the Met? Sylva is just generous by nature and she knows that life is hard and she knows that most of us would never be able to afford any of this but she wants to lesson the sting as much as she can and she genuinely loves everyone and just wants to help and treat us all like family. This is a once in a lifetime thing and it’s a special treat and she’s just trying to make this moment perfect for everyone, that’s all it is, she can easily afford to do this, she knows it means the world to the rest of us. She’s just trying to help. What’s so wrong with accepting help and accepting gifts? Do you think I’m less of man for being here too? I don’t care if Cor thinks that but I do care what you think.’ Luche asked worriedly.

‘No! Not at all! I know that’s what’s going on! I don’t think less of you at all! In fact I think it’s brilliant that you can accept gifts with as much grace as you do! I just wish Cor could too is all.’ Ada immediately reassured him and Luche blew out a breath of relief.

“What’s going on with you?” Libertus and Crowe asked as they had been sitting across from him and watched his facial expression and he was texting under the table before Luche showed them his phone screen. Crowe’s face immediately twisting into an angry snarl.

“Oh he’s dead meat as soon as they land.” Crowe snarled.

“Babe, come on.” Libertus pleaded before Yasmine got a chance to look at it and just shook her head.

“That’s ridiculous and very unfortunate and a damn shame Cor feels that way because it’s literally all his fault that she’s not with us but at the same time...you know what? She’s made her bed, she gets to lie in it now and chances are he’d kick her out if she tried to come back and join us again. She can’t risk it. She’s just going to have to make peace with it. There’s nothing any of us could say or do to change his mind, Pelna over heard Regis and Clarus try their hardest to keep him here and if Cor couldn’t stay for Regis, who he was a groomsman for, there’s no way any of us will sway him either. I feel so sorry for her. I can’t imagine the shoe string of a wedding they’ll have, if Cor won’t accept any help at all? Does he not know that weddings in themselves are just ridiculously expensive these days? Everyone needs help. It pisses me off that he thinks less of every man here, especially my own father and everyone else’s father, how could he even be Regis’ groomsman, does he think that of Regis too?” Yasmine speculated.

“Ok but for Ada’s sake can we just keep this to us now? I don’t want things to get any worse for her than they already are.” Luche pleaded.

“Of course,” Yasmine immediately agreed before Luche gave a pointed and expectant look to Crowe.

“Fine,” Crowe grumbled as she stuffed her mouth before Luna changed the subject to something lighter.

“Yeah but I can’t imagine Ada will stay with Cor much longer if he’s going to be like that. That’s just ridiculous, she’s clearly not that happy with him.” Ravus murmured to Luche encouragingly which did give Luche a glimmer of hope.  

‘I just wish there was something I could to help but I know all that will do is cause more trouble and I don’t want to cause you more trouble than I already have because you need a break. All of us wish you could have stayed but we all get the feeling that if we all offered to fly you back right as you land, that Cor would get pissed and either force you to choose us or him and threaten to kick you out or even bring Baxter into this somehow if you chose us over him and we can’t do that to you. It’s really unfair and there’s no way I or anyone else can make it fair to you and we’re sorry. I’m sorry most of all. I would have gladly left and flown back tonight if it meant you could have stayed, you should never have to choose between your love life and your social life and friends.’ Luche texted and Ada just sobbed even harder and hugged her phone. How come Cor couldn’t see it that way?! God fucking damn it, she wished she would have just dumped Cor right then and there and gotten back with Luche that instant because then she would have just dealt with the fallout later. Luche still obviously still cared for her so much that he was willing to give up his own fun if it meant she got it instead. How come Cor couldn’t sacrifice himself for her like that? Did Luche really care for her more than Cor did if he was being that self sacrificing? Oh she never should have left him. If she had a time machine, she would have gone back in time and slapped Crowe for suggesting to find her own fun that night. She would have slapped herself and gone ‘HOE DON’T DO IT! IT’S NOT WORTH IT!’ but she couldn’t. Someone knocked on the door and Ada did her best to find her composure before finally stomping back over to Cor and sat back down and continued to sulk.

“Love...” Cor began, feeling guilty about this and was going to apologize as he gingerly reached out and tried to touch her outer thigh with his knuckles.

“Don’t call me Love, don’t fucking touch me unless you want whatever you’re touching me with to get chopped off and unless the next words out of your mouth are ‘I’m going to fly you back to New York as soon as we land’ without asking me to choose us over them or that you’re going to be making this up to me one way or another, heaven help you- or the biggest fucking apology ever for your ego costing me my social life and making me choose you over my own friends like some abusive boyfriend who won’t even let me have friends because how dare I have a life outside of you, I don’t want to hear anything you have to say.” Ada spat angrily.

“Fine,” Cor returned. She was being impossible and he wasn’t going to cause a scene. Let her stew and be angry if that’s how she wanted to do this whole cold shoulder, silent treatment to him, he could do it too, he had two hands to please himself and his spare bedroom was just fine to sleep in anyway and give her a taste of her own medicine for a couple of days and she’d come around just fine. Give her a couple of days and she’d gain some perspective and he considered himself a patient man.

That night Selena laid in bed and stared up at the ceiling for a few minutes as she thought over everything.

“Everything alright Darling?” Ravus asked as he came and got into bed with her.

“Yeah,” Selena nodded.

“Did you get the dress of your dreams?” Ravus asked.

“Yes,” Selena answered as her smile was brighter as she said that.

“But...I get the feeling there’s more to it than that.” Ravus gently countered and Selena opened her mouth to reassure him that nothing was wrong but hesitated.

“Oh no, what is it Darling?” Ravus asked worriedly.

“It’s not about me, or us. I absolutely loved my dress, or dresses I should say, your mother simply suggested I get a reception dress and picked out the most amazing reception dress and I am head over heels in love with both dresses, so don’t worry about that. No, I’m...concerned about someone else.” Selena worded carefully.

“Who?” Ravus asked and Selena took a deep breath and held it for a second before found she had to tell him, but only him.

“Ada.” Selena answered as she exhaled and cuddled up to his chest as he looked at her strangely.

“Well it is a shame things worked out the way they did for her today.” Ravus remarked as he held her close, happy to have her so close again and also happy that Selena wasn’t holding anything back from him and talking to him about what troubled her. Communication was key.

“Well, there’s more to it but your mom made me promise not to tell but I think she’d be ok with me telling you as long as you don’t tell anyone else because we shouldn’t keep secrets like this between us.” Selena ventured as Ravus nodded along with that before Selena told him what his mom had told her but Ravus didn’t look surprised at all by it which in turn surprised Selena.

“Yeah I figured as much myself, when I saw Luche get Ada that tea and when I saw Ada react to Cor being in the hospital I came to that conclusion myself. Cor’s in the hospital all the god damn time because he’s reckless with his life, always has been, always will be and the fact that Ada was the last to know was the biggest mistake Cor made. And today was just a glaring example of how it’s not gonna work out. Did my mom give an estimate on a time frame?” Ravus asked curiously.  

“Two months, three tops, Luche and Ada just might get back together by Crowe’s wedding.” Selena answered.

“Wow, ok that’s way longer than I personally gave them, like I gave them to the end of the week but my mom has always done this, she’s nicknamed ‘The Oracle’ for a reason because she’s always right too. Always.” Ravus chuckled. “But thank you for telling me. I will always want you to tell me whatever is on your mind and heart ok?” Ravus offered as he gently stroked her face with his hand.

“It was just...sad because I think all of us could see Ada wanted so bad to be included with all of this but couldn’t be. Hopefully when she goes back to Luche for good and we do this again for her, she’ll have her moment too.” Selena hoped.

“I’m sure she will.” Ravus nodded before he kissed her softly.

“So do you get all oracle-y too?” Selena asked Ravus thoughtfully.

“I used to as a kid, it’s just...a gift that’s always been in my family, I felt like I lost it when my dad died. Luna gained it when I lost it but I think she lost it when Andrew came into her life and I don’t know if she ever got it back. But when you came into my life, I got it back and it’s stronger now than it’s ever been.” Ravus confessed with a lop sided grin.

“Aw, so what do you see for us?” Selena asked giddily before Ravus rolled her over to her back with his body and pinned her to the bed before he started to sensually kiss her neck and chest as she relaxed completely and started to feel heated.

“Oh that you’d find your perfect dress today, that we’ll have the best summer this summer so far,” Ravus murmured into her skin between heated open mouthed kisses to her hot spots as his hands sensually took her pajamas off before his hands roamed and stroked her body, his touch igniting a fire in her as her breathing changed as her own hands took off his pajamas. “That we’ll build our dream house and that you’ll get inspired by all the vacation homes you’ll be shown this summer so that our house will be spectacular and perfect,” Ravus revealed before he attached his mouth to her breast and started sucking as hard as he knew she liked as he buried himself to the hilt in her as her silky soft legs immediately locked around his waist and hips, making her keen as her fingernails raked down his back. “That we’ll wait to have kids until after the house is finished and we’re settled and we’ll have a few at least.” Ravus murmured into the valley between her breasts before sucking on the other as Selena’s hands went to thread themselves in his hair as his hips worked up a good rhythm, grinding himself into her just the way they both liked.

“And that you’ll be the hottest MILF ever, that if we have sons, all their friends will get crushes on you.” Ravus predicted with a bright smile as Selena giggled at that notion as he kissed back up her chest to her neck to the hottest button she had and pressed it firmly with his tongue and grinned wider when she moaned and her back arched off the bed.

“Will our daughter’s friends get crushes on you because you’ll be a DILF?” Selena asked breathlessly.

“Yeah, but I will always only have eyes for you.” Ravus reassured her.

“Well, yeah, I think that would be a given.” Selena giggled.

“And you’ll be the best mom ever and when we retire early, we get to enjoy our own grandkids a lot.” Ravus predicted with a beaming smile.

“Awww!” Selena gushed but she knew she could put faith in every word.

Meanwhile in Luna’s room, she was holding onto the bedding for dear life as Nyx went down on her, holding her ass with one hand while the other palpitated her G-spot as his mouth sucked her clit, his tongue swirling over her nub and she was panting, writhing and keening and crying out in bliss because this was magnificent and because the Escalade had been so full of their friends they couldn’t get away with car sex or even fingering and so between all that pent up passion and the high of finding her dream wedding dress and it looking even better on her than she could have imagined and knowing her Daddy would have been sobbing today looking at his Princess in the perfect gown and seeing her Dad- Regis and even Dorian cry to see her in it too had been all she wanted and needed and she knew the moment she put it on, it was her dress. It was perfect and that high of finding it had yet to leave her.

“Nyx!” Luna cried out as she came and rode his face as her orgasm flooded her senses, making her whole body tense before it finally went lax as her brain swam in the endorphins.

Nyx licked his lips and grinned proudly, being quite pleased with himself for being able to still be the best at giving her that pleasure.

“Wow,” Luna panted as she caught her breath as her whole body seemed to hum and buzz but her smile was still brighter than sunshine itself as Nyx kissed a trail up her body before sheathing himself into her and groaning at how good it felt. He had missed her something awful and hadn’t realized how much sex they usually shared until they had an audience and couldn’t.

Nyx started up an earnest if not slightly desperate pace, enough that it rattled the bed a bit but Luna wanted and needed it just as much as he did.

“Oh God,” Luna groaned as she clawed his back and clung to him for dear life as Nyx licked, kissed, sucked and softly bit at her neck and chest, leaving hickey after hickey in his mouth’s wake before he kissed her deeply, swallowing down every noise she was making as they both hurtled towards release before Luna cried out in ecstasy as her inner walls fluttered and constricted and milked Nyx for all he was worth as he finally pumped her so full of his seed it came seeping out at their joining.

“And that ladies and gentlemen, is how it’s done!” Luna crooned which got both of them to start busting out laughing before he rolled off of her but they still cuddled close as Nyx kissed all over her face as he held her close.

“I love you.” Nyx professed.

“I love you too.” Luna giggled as she returned his kisses, his stubble tickling her lips a little. “I can’t wait for tomorrow, we get to go house hunting! Well, apartment shopping. I really hope we can find a duplex so Crowe and Lib are right next door.” Luna hoped as she rolled over to rest on top of him.

“Me too,” Nyx grinned as he pet her hair and scratched her back.

“I’m so happy everything is falling into place, once we get a place, that’ll be one less thing to worry about. I actually really want to take the chocolate class and the bread and pastry classes, just the one day ones.” Luna revealed.

“Me too, I think they might try to steal you away from medical school though.” Nyx playfully warned which got Luna to laugh.

“Yeah no, I’m happy to learn all that stuff but it’s gonna stay at home because a chef is a busy life and our kids are gonna eat really well, because I’ll be the one cooking for them.” Luna insisted.

“I’m sure they will.” Nyx agreed with a proud beaming smile as his hand subconsciously went to her lower belly and gently stroked it affectionately. “But not yet.” Nyx added.  

“Agreed, not yet.” Luna nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile in Crowe and Libertus’ room. Libertus had a firm hold of Crowe’s hips and was driving into her so hard her whole body was practically shaking. It had taken everything he had to get her to stop fuming about Ada and rough sex seemed to be the last resort. So he had her laying back on the bed as he held her pelvis up in his hands while he stood on his knees and had her legs had wrapped around his waist and he has pounding into her as hard as he could, he was pretty sure his fingertips were leaving bruises but Crowe had begged and pleaded for ‘harder’ until he was at his current pace, but this angle meant his dick was hitting her G-spot so hard she had cum hard and fast but Libertus wasn’t done yet, he wanted to prove it to himself that he could get her to two. But the moans and keens and desperate cries Crowe was making the exertion worth it. He had been the only one brave enough and smooth enough to finger Crowe in the car since they had taken the far back seat while Luche sat in the front with Ravus while Nyx sat in the back with Selena and Luna and Crowe had done amazing in hiding her orgasm and had used a blanket and pillow to hide their actions and also to hide her jacking him off in turn as everyone but Ravus who was driving and listening to music seemed to doze off.

“Lib!” Crowe cried out as her legs clamped down around his waist and hips to hold him still as her second orgasm snapped and flooded her senses as Libertus just ground himself in her and used her own second orgasm to get him off finally as his eyes rolled into the back of his head as he huffed and puffed and groaned himself before they collapsed on the bed, tired and spent but sated and happy.

“Holy shit Lib, WOW. You are the fucking man!” Crowe praised as she curled herself around him before she took the sheet to wipe all the sweat from him as he panted to catch his breath.

“Thanks Babe.” Libertus grinned in triumph before they gave each other a fist bump with a chuckle before they moved up the bed to get settled for sleep.

“I’m so happy you found your dress today.” Libertus admitted as his limbs felt like rubber.

“Me too. God I didn’t think it was gonna happen for a minute there. But thankfully we got it.” Crowe smiled happily.

“And hopefully we’ll find a decent place tomorrow.” Libertus hoped.

“Me too, I’m not worried about it, chances are Luna and Nyx will buy it outright and we’ll “rent” from them. I missed my baby.” Crowe admitted, referring to the bulldog puppy Libertus had gotten her for graduation that was currently in it’s own little bed on the floor nearby but had been at the same kennel Luna and Nyx had put Pryna and Umbra while everyone else who had dogs had gone and taken their dogs to as well and would be getting some obedience training while they were gone too. It had been a little boy they named Oscar and he was the cutest puppy ever in their opinion and they had both fallen in love with him so dearly and Crowe felt like a proud mom for taking pictures of him almost constantly and posting them on Facebook and Instagram and felt like she couldn’t take a selfie without him, that puppy was going to be their ring bearer for the wedding. He was just precious, he was mostly gray but with splotches of white and so many wrinkles and rolls. He was perfect. But after they found a place, Crowe and Libertus would be going with Noctis and his friends and Pashmina had kept Diana with her the whole time and now Diana would have a playmate on the road. Libertus had held onto Oscar in his own ‘dog purse’ all day, occasionally going outside to let it go potty and taking care of it while Crowe was dress shopping.

“Me too, goodnight Babe,” Libertus offered before he settled in for sleep with Crowe cuddling up with his chest for a few moments of quiet bliss.  

“Oh and remind me to ask Sylva for more birth control, cause I ran out at Cedar Point and I keep forgetting to ask her...” Crowe mumbled sleepily as she fell asleep but Lib was already out.

Meanwhile in Pelna and Yasmine’s room, they were currently doing their favorite position from the literal Kamasutra. Pelna had felt a little guilty for having sex with Yasmine before marriage but as soon as they knew they were going to marry each other and had found their one and only in each other, it couldn’t be helped.

They had spent the majority of their own spring break in their room because finding opportunities to have sex at home was really hard but thankfully after prom, they were able to bang again at the Nox Fleuret-Caelum house but once they officially got engaged, both of their parents eased up a lot and especially once Pelna had proved to her parents by his own job offer at Miracles that he could and would take care of Yasmine, they were especially pleased by that and Pelna and Yasmine had even found an apartment together in a really nice, really upscale apartment complex that was a whole 7 minutes away from the hospital and her medical school and would be moving in together once they got back. Plus they were both really happy that they shared the same languages and culture and food tastes. Yasmine had since actually really learned how to cook traditional Indian food from her mother, her aunts and her grandmothers whereas before she had little interest in it and they were so happy she was now leaning towards more ‘traditional’ ways because she wanted to make Pelna happy and before meeting him, she had always had the view of ‘what could this guy do for me’ but since Pelna was unlike every other guy she had ever met and restored her faith in humanity. Plus he was fi-yi-yine in her opinion and treated her like a goddess and in return she liked to treat him like a god. Because he really was, so sweet and so humble and so thoughtful and super romantic and yet they were both super health conscious and helped each other stay super fit too. And that’s what Yasmine needed, she needed someone to keep her focused and driven yet would never fat shame her which was a hard balance to have and achieve but together they had that down pat.

“Purna!” Yasmine keened which is what Pelna’s name sounded like in Marathi as Pelna held onto one of her legs that was over his shoulder before he moved his hands to her pelvis to really pound into her as Yasmine threw her head back in bliss. “Come on, come on, come on!” Yasmine pleaded desperately as Pelna reached and tried to stroke her clit, he wasn’t great at it but he was trying to do his best and once Yasmine came, Pelna followed before he collapsed on the bed with her, both of them cuddling up to each other as they pulled the blankets up to cover themselves and settle down to sleep as they continued to coo to each other in Marathi like two love birds.

Meanwhile in Stella and Tredd’s room they were on their third round of sex and now that Tredd was mostly healed and didn’t have to be on the bottom anymore, Tredd was currently reminding Stella of the out of this world sex they had in the beginning of the relationship and Stella was barely hanging on for dear life because even she had almost forgotten how great he could be. Fuck he was almost too good because she was barely coming down from one orgasm before he was giving her another and she was flirting pretty hard with over-stimulation. She was almost ready to beg and plead for mercy and a break so she could recover but she was sucking on Tredd’s fingers again so he could work her clit like the maestro he was and neither of them wanted this to stop.

Meanwhile Luche was just jacking off again in his room next to Ravus and Selena, only for a new change, he wasn’t imagining Sylva this time, no, instead he was back to fantasizing about Ada and imagining her in a wedding dress of her own, one that she would wear to their own wedding, because he just...he wanted her back. To see her so sad and disappointed as she left Kleinfelds really tore him up, and to text her and find out that it was because of Cor’s pride that they were going home pissed him off to no end. At least he could say in clear conscience that he had never done that to her, would never dream of doing that to her either, if he could have her back, he would never make her choose like that because her love life and her social life would kinda be one and the same. There would be no telling the lengths he would go to to just make her happy. He would have given anything for Ada to find her own perfect wedding dress that day but he also knew that if she had looked she would have had Cor in mind of who she’d be wearing it for and that thought literally made him sick. Cor didn’t deserve her. Cor was fucking up, in Luche’s opinion, way worse than Luche had ever fucked up and he felt like he was powerless to help, to do anything to say anything. He had his hands tied and he hated it. He felt there was a line between respecting her and her decisions and letting her experience the consequences of her actions and her choices and actually saving her from the more tortuous aspects of those consequences. He felt she had been through enough, there had to be a stopping point somewhere. But as long as Ada continued to choose Cor over everyone else and anything else, there was nothing to be done on Luche’s end. But Luche swore to himself that if he ever got the chance, he’d take Ada back in a heartbeat, his mom would be pissed but he didn’t care, he still loved her damn it only now he was more educated and equipped to show that love properly. Ravus had estimated that Ada and Cor’s relationship was on it’s last legs and all it would take is for Cor to fuck up one more time and Ada would be done. Luche could and would wait for that. That’s why he wasn’t going to join the band’s tour because he didn’t want to get distracted or meet someone along the way. He was going to stay with Sylva, she would keep him focused and keep him working on himself as he waited. It would be worth the wait. Ada would be worth the wait.

Meanwhile Regis was currently finally succumbing to Sylva’s machinations as she rode him with reckless abandon as she ground down in his lap as she rode out her own orgasm, her own keening cry of bliss echoing in his ears as they held onto each other tightly.

“So I’ve been thinking.” Regis began as he looked at his wife adoringly as they both came down from their respective highs.

“Oh?” Sylva blinked in surprise.

“I’m thinking this fall, when we’re not running around so much with the kids, I should get my knee replaced, you’ve only been on me about it for five years, I think it’s time.” Regis announced and Sylva lit up ecstatically.

“Really?! Yes! Finally!” Sylva cheered as she bounced and cheered in his lap in excitement before peppering his whole face in kisses. “I’m so happy and proud that you finally decided to do that!!” Sylva praised before she kissed him earnestly and started up round two.

“So what changed your mind?” Sylva asked as she started up another earnest rhythm because that decision deserved it’s own reward.

“Well seeing Lunafreya and Selena in wedding dresses reminded me that we’d be getting grandkids soon and I really want to bounce them on my knee among other things, like take them fishing and stuff and I think it should heal completely before that happens.” Regis reasoned as Sylva was near tears at the thought of getting grandkids too before she just started giggling while crying happy tears at the same time.

“We are going to be getting so many grandkids we’ll run out of knees.” Sylva giggled as Regis kissed her tears away.

“Yeah? How many do you think we’ll get?” Regis asked.

“Oh over a dozen. At least, just between Lunafreya and Selena, Noctis and Ignis will probably only adopt a couple of kids.” Sylva predicted. “Chances are, Noct and Iggy will give us our first grandkids, all it will take is for a mother to abandon her baby in the nursery and Noctis will pick up that baby, wonder how any woman could do such a thing, fall head over heels in love and all of us will be shit out of luck trying to get that baby out of his arms.” Sylva revealed.

“Oh lord,” Regis chuckled. “Yeah, that sounds about right.” Regis had to admit.

“But again, I’ll try to keep him out of the nursery until after he and Iggy tie the knot.” Sylva offered.

“Thank you.” Regis thanked her. “So who do you think out of every couple today will be the first to get pregnant?” Regis asked.

“Oh Crowe and Libertus, hands down, followed closely by Gladio and Pashmina.” Sylva grinned.

[yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy]

Magic and Miracles and BEYOND Chapter 5

Ahh, finally a good and proper chapter, by my standards anyway. Ok. so the middle picture on the left side is a picture of the interior of the ‘girl’s bus’ and the picture above Greg Blackford aka Luche Lazarus, is the bed’s for the girls bus where as the two pictures to the left of Miracle Laurie, aka Hazel Stevens are pictures of the boy’s bus because the Caelums have a thing for black edgelord while Sylva and the girls prefer white and lighter colors so day and night. ok and then then the necklace on the right of Luche is the necklace Sylva is letting Ada, the gorgeous red head in the middle wear and above that is Luche’s gun, note, neither of them know that they match but Sylva does because Sylva is the best game of life/chess player with people’s lives ever and she’s a BAMF and I love and adore her and want to be just like her when I grow up and again in my head she’s played by the gorgeous and charming Heather Grahm. Also Hazel is AMAZING and a BAMF too. I love and adore her as well. She has a gray morality to her character that I admire because her and Titus both have a ‘family comes first’ mentality. (*cough cough* HEARTH AND HOME *cough cough*) So now we start to see a divide based on loyalties. So seeing how that’s gonna play out and who picks which side is gonna be interesting to say the least. I’ve laid SOME GIANT ASS puzzle peices on the board this chapter, so hopefully everyone can put it together before it’s be a race to see who burns the puzzle table first, Cor or Gilgamesh. And if you look closely you’ll see references to Kingsglaive and FFXV all over the place. (Cor the Immortal Marshal, Luche the traitor) And getting Luche and Ada back together will bring back A LOT of early RaeLena vibes and paralells. SO MUCH PINING. SO CLOSE AND YET SO FFFAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRR. (My Eyes Adored You by Frankie Valli reference)

@the-immortal-marshal enjoy, read carefully, I added a bunch of stuff. 

You can go here to AO3 or read below. 

Magic and Miracles and BEYOND

Chapter 5

The next day, Titus had the start of football tryouts and so Hazel went to the hospital, hoping Luche was in town again, since he didn’t seem like he was really with either Luna and her group or Noctis and his in the pictures both groups posted on Instagram or Facebook and knew that he seemed to be blooming into his role of Sylva’s right hand man and she knew Sylva was still in town for the moment so there was a good chance he was with her now.

“Hi, is Mr. Lazarus or Sylva in today?” Hazel asked Kathryn.

“Yes, both are in but Sylva is about to leave for vacation any minute.” Kathryn answered.

“I need to see Sylva then before she leaves.” Hazel insisted just as Sylva left her office.

“Hey!” Sylva greeted Hazel happily.

“Hey, I know you’re about to leave but could I walk you out?” Hazel asked.

“Yeah, sure, what’s up?” Sylva asked as Hazel left and walked with her to the elevator.

“Um, where are you going on vacation?” Hazel asked.

“Oh, Regis and I are going to tour wine country by train in California for a week then we’re going on a couple of cruises with the kids to Hawaii and then to Alaska why?” Sylva asked.

“Is there any possible way you can take Ada with you?” Hazel asked.

“I can offer but there’s no way Cor will agree to it.” Sylva answered as they stepped into the elevator.

“That’s just it, he needs to because he’s going to get her killed.” Hazel blurted before Sylva stopped the elevator.

“This is a secure elevator and you have my confidence, what’s going on?” Sylva asked as she put her bag down and turned her phone off to make sure this conversation stayed confidential as she turned to face Hazel completely and gave Hazel her undivided attention.  

“Ok, I’m breaking a cardinal rule by telling you this but you’re the only one who can help. So Cor got close, too close to Gilgamesh, Cor was talking about it over dinner last night in front of God and everyone like a god damn hot headed idiot and Gilgamesh has since taken notice of him and sent a warning, in the form of my sister Charlotte showing up at my door to give the message to Cor myself which I was able to pass off on someone else to try to stay clear of it from Cor’s perspective but Charlotte came to me while Titus was with me and even though I locked him in my bathroom with my 9/11, she referred to him by name which means that now Gilgamesh knows of Titus and he’s my new soft spot and he’s going to be held above my head to keep me in line and he’s in danger and I’m doing everything I can to protect him but Cor and his ego and his god damn mouth and his obsession with Gilgamesh are going to get us all killed. I’m safe because I’m Charlotte’s sister and I’ve been respectful in the past and I know the rules and usually never break them and I’m lawyer-ed up so I’m covered legally. Ada is young and innocent, she has no business in this and if she dies because she’s close to Cor, that’s on him. I can’t say anything to her directly because if I do, that’ll get her killed quicker because I’ve had a tail since college and I’ve just gotten used to the constant surveillance. But if push comes to shove, they will not hesitate to kill her just to send a message to him to back off and I know Gil and Charlie will make me choose between Titus or Ada and them and I can’t do that, I love Titus, I can’t loose him. I can’t go to the authorities because Gilgamesh has moles in everything and I’ll be dead before I can make a statement and it’s because of those moles that I’ve never had any charges and my legal cases have gotten dismissed and never put on my record and it’s why my record is as squeaky clean as it is. Is there any way we can get Luche and Ada back together any quicker? Because if she was back with Luche, she’d be ok because Luche would keep her away from this shit storm.” Hazel explained as Sylva just listened while her eyes got wide as her stomach dropped and knotted.

“If I have to take her kicking and screaming, I will.” Sylva swore.

“Thank God.” Hazel breathed in relief as she leaned on the railing.

“Is there anything that I can do to help you and Titus though?” Sylva asked.

“If push comes to shove, I’ll have to go WitchHazel to get Charlotte out of whatever bind she finds herself in. And I could use access to a helicopter.” Hazel answered.

“Witch hazel?” Sylva repeated.

“I’ve had a few former boyfriends who were Marines, Special Forces and Black Ops, they all died trying to free me of this before and I got to keep all their gear when they died and know how to use it because all of them trained me very well. WitchHazel is what Charlie likes to refer me turning into her one woman army when her regular army fails her. I hate doing it and it’s almost landed me jail time but the moles and my lawyer, who also works for Gil, have been very good at keeping me out of it...so far.” Hazel answered.  

“Absolutely. Whatever you need. You’re family and Titus is family too and a family takes care of itself and each other. I will have the best lawyers lined up- who aren’t entangled in this- if need be and I will make myself and all that I have available for your disposal if, like you said, push comes to shove, however that comes to transpire, I can fly a chopper too if you need me to. Charlotte saved Lunafreya’s life, I owe her myself.” Sylva offered and Hazel broke down crying again as the two women hugged each other tightly. Hazel feeling so much lighter now that she wasn’t carrying that burden alone.

“Thank you so much, please don’t say anything about this to anyone. Not even to Regis, please.” Hazel pleaded.

“Of course, every woman is entitled to their secrets and this will be ours and ours alone.” Sylva reassured her. “Thank you for trusting me with this. I will never betray this confidence, I swear on all my kids’ lives.” Sylva swore.

“I trust you.” Hazel laughed as she pulled herself back together. “I was about to go tell Luche to try to steal Ada back if you hadn’t been here.” Hazel admitted.

“Oh don’t bother, I’ll handle everything.” Sylva assured her as Hazel nodded in understanding. “Is there anything else or is that it?” Sylva asked.

“No that’s it.” Hazel shook her head no and quickly wiped her face as Sylva nodded and resumed the elevator and turned her phone back on and once back on, she found she had a missed call from Kathryn.

“Yes?” Sylva asked.

“Hey, if you’re still in the building, Cor Leonis is here.” Kathryn informed her.

“Great, what bay is he in?” Sylva sighed.

“He’s standing right in front of me at your office, he says it’s really urgent.” Kathryn answered.

“I’ll be right there.” Sylva said as she pressed the top floor again.

“I should get off here, I can’t chance being seen with him while he’s under the microscope like this.” Hazel insisted as she got off the elevator on a different floor to make a clean get away.

“Understood, if you ever need anything, text me or call me or do whatever you gotta do.” Sylva encouraged.

“Will do. Hey would you mind some company on that wine tour?” Hazel asked as she realized her opportunity to make sure Titus was clear of this too.

“Like you and Titus? Doesn’t he have football?” Sylva asked.

“He has an assistant coach.” Hazel shrugged nonchalantly.

“I will text you the particulars.” Sylva grinned mischievously. “And if you’re going to ask him sooner than later, like I suggest ASAP, might I suggest putting on nothing but a sports bra and booty shorts and do one lap around the track, making sure he watches you then go ask him.” Sylva advised before Hazel nodded solemnly to that before the elevator doors closed and Hazel quickly went to the shops down the street to quickly buy just that.

“Hey, funny seeing you up here, without being banged up first.” Sylva teased Cor when she got out of the elevator.

“Haha, very funny.” Cor groused. “Could we talk please? Privately?” Cor asked.

“Sure,” Sylva nodded as she went back into her office.

“Uh, you’re about to meet up with all your kids right?” Cor asked once the door was shut.

“Yeah. We’re supposed to be touring wine country in California by railroad and then meet up with the kids for the cruises to Hawaii then Alaska.” Sylva nodded.

“Could you please take Ada with you and make sure she meets up with Crowe and Libertus?” Cor asked and Sylva blinked in surprise, having thought she would have had to literally bend his arm for him to accept such an idea.

“Yeah, why?” Sylva felt compelled to ask as she eyed him wearily.

“Well I’m getting close to catching Gilgamesh and it’s going to get hot and I don’t want Ada around just in case it gets messy.” Cor explained.

“Uh, ok, yeah sure, how soon until she can get packed? Regis and I are leaving tomorrow morning.” Sylva said as she texted Hazel those particulars.

“When and where will you need her?” Cor asked.

“At my house, we should be leaving the house around 9, after breakfast.” Sylva answered.

“She’ll be there.” Cor promised.

“Does Ada even want to go? I feel I should be asking her that.” Sylva furthered.

“Yeah, she’ll love it.” Cor insisted.

“Alright.” Sylva nodded.

“Just um, could you try to keep Luche away from her?” Cor asked.

“I’ll do my best.” Sylva offered.

“Thanks, I owe you big.” Cor breathed in relief.

“You’re welcome, just don’t go getting yourself killed while we’re gone.” Sylva urged him.

“I’ll do my best. Thank you so much Sylva, I really appreciate it.” Cor nodded before he left, Luche jumping back into his office to avoid Cor seeing him before he poked his head out and narrowed his eyes at Cor’s retreating form.

Soon after Cor got on the elevator Luche felt safe to leave his office and walked down the hall to Sylva’s office to see her walking out of it with a determined look on her face.

“Everything ok Sly?” Luche asked.

“Yes, pack, up, we’re leaving, as soon as you can get ready to go, we need to do some last minute shopping.” Sylva insisted as Luche nodded in understanding as Sylva followed him into his office as he shut his computer down and started packing up for the night as she shut the door for privacy.    

“OK, so change of plans, Cor is up to his neck in something he has no business being in and we’re taking Ada with us tomorrow to get all of us out of the shit show that will most likely go down while we’re away. Hopefully Hazel and Titus will be joining us, you and Ada are going to join the band team, hopefully Titus and Hazel can join Regis and I for the wine tour, then all of us are going to go on the cruises, keep Ada safe. Make sure she stays with the group at all times. Whatever she wants or needs, buy it for her. Use my card, you can even buy her and Crowe things together so it’s not weird. Be friendly, be charming, be gentle and crazy super respectful and not intrusive and try not to actively win her over. Be subtle and she will be magnetically drawn to you. Take this journey over the next three weeks as her friend and confidant. That’s all she’ll want and all she’ll need from you. You have to reestablish the base, the foundation of your relationship and build up from there. But it has to be laid well first. Got it?” Sylva ordered.

“Got it.” Luche nodded.

“Now, you and me are going to do a little shopping, if she’s going to be touring with a rock band she should look the part. You know her sizes still right?” Sylva asked as Luche ducked his head as his cheeks chained cherry.

“Yes.” Luche admitted.

“Good, we’re going to use that. Come on.” Sylva ordered as she nodded towards the door as he finished up and grabbed all the files and put them on Kathryn’s desk.

“We’re both leaving now, see you again in a few weeks ladies.” Sylva bid Abby and Kathryn.

“Bye.” They waived off as Sylva and Luche immediately started shopping.

Meanwhile Hazel was in the backseat of her SUV the school parking lot getting dressed in Sylva’s prescribed outfit before she gave herself a pep talk and strut out towards the field. The other boys noticed her first before Titus followed their line of sight and his jaw dropped, his whistle dropping from his mouth as it hung open as he watched Hazel come closer before she did a little waive and started jogging around the field, causing a distraction for everyone, especially Titus as he watched her breasts bounce and her ass and thighs jiggle as she jogged and barely could handle both the teams exercises and watching her and doing his best not to get a hard on in his shorts and he had never had to think of his grandma in a nighty so much in life to achieve that. He couldn’t even bring himself get mad or irritated as his possessiveness surged so strongly, it nearly undid him.  

“Hi,” Hazel nearly giggled as she caught her breath as she finished her lap around the field, Titus literally turning in his spot so that she was still front and center in his field of vision.

“Hi.” Titus returned as she noticed the sweat bead all over her skin, especially on her heaving chest since the sportsbra was giving her magnificent cleavage.

“So I have a question for you.” Hazel began as she swayed a little in place. “Sylva invited us to tour wine country with her and Regis and I’d love to go, could maybe your assistant coach take over next week?” Hazel asked sweetly.

“Uh,” Titus stammered as his brain was short circuiting having her damn near naked next to him was sending every other thought but her and what he’d like to be doing with her right about now- out of his head.  

“Or if you don’t want to go, I could always come to work with you and keep jogging around the field since I don’t have classes for a while.” Hazel prompted and did her best not to grin too evilly when Titus’ eyes narrowed at the notion as she took his hand and wrapped it around her waist, even though she was sure she was dripping with sweat at the moment but she nearly had him. “Please Baby?” Hazel cooed and Titus was putty in her hands.

“When?” Titus asked as his mouth both watered yet felt incredibly dry at the same time, no other woman ever had this effect on him and he was still getting used to her taking his breath away on a regular basis.

“Tomorrow morning at 9.” Hazel beamed.

“Seems...kind of last minute...” Titus noted.

“I’m being encouraged to go.” Hazel whispered as she stood toe to toe with him and placed her hands on his chest as his arm tightened around her waist as she gave him a meaningful look.

“Oh, you could have just said...never-mind, yeah, we’ll go.” Titus immediately agreed.

“Great, I’ll see you at your place after tryouts.” Hazel winked before she kissed him with promise and pulled herself away and sauntered away, sashaying her hips entirely for Titus’ benefit, making Titus pull every anti-boner image into his brain to keep from reacting to her.

“John?” Titus began before John, the assistant coach came over to him as Titus pinched the bridge of his nose as he thought of how on earth he was going to pay for it all as well as try to pull reason back into his head instead of the onslaught of lust that currently filled it.

“Yeah?” John answered.

“You’re gonna, you’re gonna have to take over, for the next week or so. I gotta...I gotta take care of...something personal, for at least a week.” Titus told him as Titus fought to gather himself together and not run after Hazel to fuck her right then and there as John snorted a laugh.

“Yeah, you have fun with that, I gotcha covered.” John reassured him as he gave Titus a congratulatory pat on the back.

“Thanks.” Titus nodded before he refocused himself back to the training.

The moment Titus came home though, he knew she was already there because her SUV was in her spot in his driveway and came running into the house because he was going to fuck Hazel so hard she wouldn’t be able to walk afterwards, because the moment he dismissed his players and got back into his truck, his cock got so hard he could drill through concrete with it and it would not go down. He noticed her bags by the door, already to go before she came down the steps, his luggage in her hand as she had already been packing for him.

“Hi,” Hazel greeted happily before he grabbed his bag out of her hands, let it drop to the floor as he walked her over to the closest wall and immediately started stripping all her clothes off roughly while kissing her fiercely.

“Oh wow,” Hazel gasped as she responded in kind and started stripping him out of his clothes too before he picked her up and pinned her to the wall and impaled himself quickly and roughly into her, her own wetness and the river of precum dripping from his head making that feat easy and making her moan and cry out in ecstasy as he growled, moaned and hissed in pleasure before he started up an enthusiastic and vigorous pace, slamming into her so hard, her whole body was shaking and they were threatening to put a hole in the wall in the shape of Hazel’s upper body as her legs tried to wrap around his waist since she was already clinging to him with her arms around his neck and shoulders. “Oh my God.” Hazel whimpered as Titus bit and sucked on all of her hot spots as his hands dug into her luscious curves, his fingertips especially digging into her ass as he used his hold on her that way to keep her up while the rest of him pinned her to the wall. Her breasts smooshed up against his pecks and her amazing soft belly rubbing up against his as her whole body began to writhe from the pleasure he was giving her as her keens and whimpers grew more loud and desperate and her face flashed pain as he hurtled them both closer to release and once attained, they both simply clung to one another, their heads resting on the shoulders of the other as they caught their breath.

“The next time you pull a stunt like that again, I’m fucking you like this at the god damn school, I don’t even care who’s around.” Titus warned her as she giggled gleefully.

“Promise? Because you could of, I waited a whole five minutes in the car just in case.” Hazel wagged her eyebrows suggestively with a scheming grin and Titus was ready to fuck her through the God damn wall but right at that moment his body was screaming for a break.

“Come on Baby, go easy on me, the next time you want to do something spontaneous or whatever, all you have to do is ask, you don’t have to go through so much trouble.” Titus reminded her as he pressed his forehead to hers.

“Ok,” Hazel agreed before she kissed him meaningfully as he regripped her and went ahead and carried her upstairs for round 2.

Meanwhile, immediately after Cor had left Sylva’s office, he went to Theo and Stacy’s to tell Ada the news.

“Hey Love,” Ada greeted Cor when she saw him stride into the restaurant.

“Hey, you need to get out of here as soon as possible.” Cor insisted.

“What? Why? I have like three tables, and one of them just got sat, I can’t walk out.” Ada argued.

“Yes you can, you need to, you need to go home and pack.” Cor returned.

“Wait, what? Where are we going?” Ada asked, thinking Cor was perhaps about to tell her he was taking them on a surprise vacation or something romantic like that.

“You’re going to go spend the next three weeks with Crowe and all them.” Cor answered.

“Why? Weeks ago you said I couldn’t do that, that we couldn’t afford...” Ada started to argue.

“Sylva will be taking care of you.” Cor interrupted as Ada blinked in surprise.

“Again, weeks ago, you didn’t want her taking care of me at all, you insisted you needed to, what the fuck changed? Does this have something to do with what happened at the restaurant because you haven’t been yourself since then.” Ada demanded as Cor looked around to see if anyone was listening to them before he pulled them to a lonelier place in the restaurant.

“Ada, I’m this close to catching Gilgamesh but if the past is any indication it’s going to get ugly and I can’t have you around just in case it does, you’ll be better off being with your friends, you’ll be safer with them.” Cor revealed, his eyes and his facial expression pleading with her to take him seriously and to understand.

“Well then learn from the past! And keep it from getting ugly then! You said you were always going to keep me safe remember? I always thought and felt that the safest place will be right here with you.” Ada countered as her eyes began to water as her hand spread over his heart. “You said that before I came into your life how you were reckless and how do I know you won’t be reckless again without me here?” Ada asked as her tears started falling from her eyes.

“I swear on my life I will not be reckless but I have to do my job Love. If they try to make this personal, I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you. I can’t risk you Love, I just can’t. Thankfully we have friends who can help ok? You just need to trust me and do this. When it’s all over and Gilgamesh is behind bars and can’t hurt anyone ever again, it’ll be ok and I’ll never ask you to leave me ever again, I swear. Please Love, I know Sylva will take good care of you, she’s doing this as a favor to me, just until things get better.” Cor pleaded as he held her hands in his before Ada just crumbled and rested her head onto his chest before he pulled her into a hug.

“Fine,” Ada consented as she wiped her streaking eyeliner and mascara and left him to go hand her tables over to other waitresses as Cor told Theo and Stacy himself that Ada needed to go away for a while, which they understood as they quickly cashed her out and Ada left with Cor to go home and pack what she could before making love with Cor as much as she could before she left.

Meanwhile Sylva and Luche were still elbow deep in clothes from not just hot topic but every other store in the mall and beyond. Sylva using visual dimensions rather than actual clothing sizes to make sure she got everything she could for Ada, trying to anticipate Ada’s every need and want, from new clothes, to bras and underwear and makeup and toiletries and things, but Luche could tell she wasn’t buying things with joy because she wanted to, she was doing this because she needed to. She was on a mission and Luche really started to worry since Sylva was so intensely focused and her face was a scowl of determination and they had been shopping non stop since the moment they left the office in mid morning to now, which was now the late afternoon.

“Sly, you should get something to eat.” Luche worried as he felt himself grow famished and his arms grow heavy from carrying almost everything, thinking Sylva wasn’t going to stop until she bought Ada’s literal weight in stuff as he pinned the pile of clothes in his arms to the wall and had buried his face into them trying to catch a few moments of rest.

“Uh huh,” Sylva hummed as she tested the jean’s size in her hands, trying to make sure they would fit. A little big would be ok but she didn’t want to get anything too small.

“Mom! Food.” Luche said a little louder with a little more bite and that seemed to snap her out of her haze.

“Huh? Oh food, sorry Lu, you’re probably starving, yeah, let’s just get this and um, hopefully the food court will have something decent.” Sylva shook her head and blinked as she quickly grabbed all the things she wanted to buy and continued to grab things as she walked to the cash register before they gathered the rest of their bags and quickly walked to the food court in the mall and got something to eat.

“So I take it you can’t really tell me the specifics of why Ada is coming with us tomorrow.” Luche ventured.

“Nope,” Sylva shook her head no as she focused on her food.

“Her life is really in danger then.” Luche concluded as Sylva hesitated for the smallest moment.

“And that’s a fucking yes. Fuck.” Luche growled angrily, having grown quite adept at reading Sylva unusually well.

“Luche, listen to me very, very carefully.” Sylva began as she stopped eating and reached out to put her hand over his to prompt him to look up at her.

“Ada is old enough to know there’s risk. Right now she thinks that the reward of being with Cor is worth the risk of staying with him. Your job, if you really love her, is to show her that there is a life outside of him that she could be living and a life she would be enjoying to the full and better off choosing by leaving him and coming back to you but no one can force her or push her to make that decision, she has to choose that on her own without any prodding from anyone. Hopefully over the next three weeks, she’ll be distracted by Crowe and the baby and all her friends and having fun and you need to remind her to live in the moment because the present is all we have. No one’s future is certain. I know you will make sure she is always out of harm’s way and that she’s safe. Even if you have to come off as a little overprotective to everyone else. In a year or so, you’re both hopefully going to look back on the next three weeks fondly. Make sure you make only good, positive memories for you both. That’s all I can tell you right now.” Sylva urged.

“Should I be bringing a gun?” Luche asked pointedly.

“Just in case, yes, because I know Gladio, Iris and Craig already packed theirs and one more couldn’t hurt.” Sylva nodded.

“Ok, after we’re done eating, lets go get one.” Luche proposed and Sylva nodded yes before she quickly finished her plate.

The next morning, Titus, Hazel, Cor, Ada and Luche as well as Rose and Clarus met up at Sylva’s house as Cor talked with Clarus, Regis and Titus while Luche chatted with Hazel about his new gun as she gave him tips on how to use it best as she revealed her own that she always carried in her purse as Rose did the same with her own gun since Sylva had told both Rose and Hazel that she encouraged Luche to get a gun to protect Ada and they were both relieved to hear it and were impressed with his choice.

“Good morning sweetie, I’m so happy you could come with us.” Sylva greeted Ada sweetly as she hugged Ada tightly as Ada had come into the house, knowing Ada probably needed a mother figure right about now as smiled sadly when Ada hugged her back just as tightly.

“Thanks for having me Mrs...” Ada began to thank her as she fought not to cry again.

“Sylva or Mom sweetie, it’s ok. Now I hope you don’t mind, but I got you a few things to help you enjoy your vacation with all the girls ok?” Sylva informed her as she reached up and wiped a stray tear away from Ada’s eye and gave her an understanding look and encouraging smile.

“Oh you didn’t have to,” Ada shook her head as she sniffled and tried to pull herself back together.

“But I wanted to so I did. So I wanted to run something by you first. Now Luche will also be joining the band group as well and he has a joint credit card with me and I instructed him to buy you whatever you want or need since I won’t personally be with you the whole time whereas he will be and I told him to look after you and take care of you and protect you and I trust him to do that while still maintaining a respectful distance, so think of him like your body guard ok? Is that ok with you or would you prefer me to ask one of the other boys? I know Gladio will be abreast of what’s going on soon and I know he’ll gladly be your shadow too, all the boys should be looking out for you and the other girls.” Sylva put to Ada thoughtfully.

“No, that’s, that’s fine.” Ada nodded in agreement.

“OK, so just in case you’re not completely comfortable with Luche paying for every little thing, here’s a thousand dollars to start off with. Use it for whatever you want or need ok? Don’t worry about a thing and if you try to hand in change and receipts to me or Luche or anyone else I’ll be disappointed.” Sylva gently teased as Ada smiled bashfully as she took the envelope full of money from Sylva.

“I know this is going to be really hard on you, just try to enjoy yourself and have fun and stay in the moment. You are and will be surrounded by surrounded by friends who love you like family and a family takes care of each other. Cor is a big boy, he can handle himself and handle himself well, he’s practically immortal at this point, it’ll be ok, he’s just being protective and so am I ok? Also you have my number, use it if you need or want anything ok? Sky’s the limit. Also I’m sending you with plenty of birth control, not that you’ll need to use it, but it’s important to your health that you stay regular ok?” Sylva urged.

“Thank you, so much.” Ada breathed in relief as Sylva gestured to the luggage Sylva had already packed for Ada.

“Also, we’ll be going on two cruises and they’ll be formal nights and I didn’t know your exact dress size so again, let Luche buy you some formal dresses ok? Also, I packed a few jewelry items to wear for the formal nights on the cruises ok? So when we get back, just make sure to get them back to me ok? Otherwise everything else is all yours, including the luggage. Do you like them?” Sylva asked as she unzipped one of the small carry on size suitcases to reveal a few jewelry cases and showed them to Ada as Ada gasped in astonishment, it was by far the most beautiful jewelry she had ever seen in her life as Sylva smiled brightly, knowing Ada would fall head over heels with some of the last of her mother’s favorite jewelry. Also knowing that if Ada would choose to stay with Luche permanently and faithfully, she would have no trouble gifting these pieces to her as another ‘daughter’ to her.  

“Oh my God! Wow! I love them, thank you so much for letting me borrow them!” Ada thanked her as she carefully touched the pieces reverently and fell head over heels in love with them.

“You’re welcome, I just want you to have fun and look fabulous while doing it, that’s all.” Sylva insisted with a shrug but Ada both could feel and see that Sylva was being completely genuine and that meant the world to her too.

“I’ll do my best.” Ada promised.

“And that’s all anyone can ask of you or anyone else. Also I got you some jewelry for you to keep and it’s in this jewelry case here, so when you get on the bus and get a chance to look it over, let me know what you think. I hope you don’t mind but I had to have Luche help me with this because he knows you and your tastes and sizes better than I do and I apologize if that makes you uncomfortable.” Sylva informed her.

“No, that doesn’t make me uncomfortable, that’s fine, that works actually, I haven’t changed much taste wise or size wise since we’ve been together. I’m sure it will all be great.” Ada nodded.

“Well I didn’t let him pick out your more personal and private items so don’t worry about that ok? All he told me was a bra size and a panty size and I sent him packing to pick out shoes and a good pair of rocker combat boots and he never saw any of those items and I packed all these bags myself.” Sylva explained.

“Whew, ok, yeah, that’s perfect.” Ada smiled in relief.

“Good, come on, we should get some breakfast in us before we go.” Sylva insisted as everyone got breakfast then afterwards got going. Luche went ahead and put Ada’s new luggage in the van since they needed two vehicles to cart everyone and all their stuff while Ada and Cor were saying goodbye as Luche kept his back to them, not wanting to see Cor’s tongue down Ada’s throat as he got used to the weight of the gun on his hip before Rose and Clarus promised Ada that they would look after Cor while she was gone which was really reassuring to her too.

“You’re gonna be ok kid.” Titus offered as he sat between Ada and Hazel in the limo before Ada just hugged his arm and rested her head on his shoulder and practically curled up next to him, the way any little girl would to her father and Titus couldn’t help but be reminded of how young she still was and pet her head affectionately, feeling his fatherly instincts kick in as Hazel continued to talk with Luche.

Once on board Sylva gave Ada a mimosa since that’s what she and Hazel were drinking on the plane but Ada only sipped at it as she was still pretty down before Luche just huffed and went behind the bar and got Ada some of Regis’ favorite whiskey, which was the best whiskey on board the plane and put it into a coffee cup as her tea steeped in another before he simply handed both over to her and walked away again, not knowing if he should talk to her right now or not and wanted to be supportive yet not intrusive and he could see she was already feeling down and he found himself feeling powerless to help before Titus saw Luche’s gesture and could only shake his head as he smiled sadly, knowing full well that Luche still loved her and he felt himself become torn because while he was happy for Cor for having Ada, he wasn’t so sure Ada being with Cor was the best thing for her though so he and Regis went over to where Ada was and sat down on either side of her and told Ada about some of the hi-jinks Cor got into not so long ago which did brighten her up and got her to laugh and smile as Luche stayed with Hazel and Sylva to give Ada some space for the flight as Hazel and Sylva both continued to give him subtle yet very vital advise as he listened to their council attentively.  

When they landed, Noctis and his gang as well as Lunafreya and hers were already there, waiting on them, Crowe being the first to run and practically tackle Ada with a hug as the two started crying as they were cackling with laughter as Regis and Sylva pulled their kids aside and told them what was up and how important it was that they all look out for each other and to take care of each other while Luche loaded up Ada’s things onto the girl’s bus which he was not surprised in the least was the nicer bus, with actual potted plants, like aloe and herbs in the windows and loads of fresh fruit and vegetables and fresh flowers in vases and perfectly clean and tidy and had actual air fresheners, making it smell like a flower shop inside a spa, it even had a little mini lawn in the corner for the puppies to do their business while on the road which even that was immaculately clean and didn’t smell of dog mess at all before he went and put his stuff on the guys’ bus and wasn’t surprised to see the carpet stained and covered with dirt and crumbs, junk food and trash and beer cans, both empty and half full everywhere and the fridge crammed full of left overs while the air literally smelled like stale farts and he wanted to hurl and immediately jump ship and get on the girl’s bus. He wanted to take pictures and send them to Sylva, knowing she would bark at her kids to clean the fuck up.

‘Please spend two seconds checking out this stye of a bus that the boys have.’ Luche texted Sylva real quick.

“So let me see how you guys are doing on the bus!” Sylva insisted with forced happiness as she pushed past Noctis and Ignis and the rest of the guys who suddenly looked like deer caught in the headlights.

“Oh my God. Boys!” Sylva snapped angrily as they all hung their heads in shame as she looked it over before noticing at least in the back of the bus where Noctis’ and Ignis room was- was actually really clean and well taken care of, most likely Ignis’ doing.

“All the boys on the boys’ bus now!” Sylva yelled angrily as they all obeyed and got on, none of them looking her in the eye as they all blushed shamefully as Regis came on board and gasped in horror too before looking at his son and his friends harshly as they ducked their heads even lower.

“Really?” Sylva demanded as she didn’t even want to touch the filth as she put her shirt, that she had thankfully sprayed with perfume over her nose for a moment to get a break from the smell as Luche, Ravus and Nyx just shook their heads in the back of the group. Nyx and Ravus at least grateful they were in a group all their own and had kept the Escalade clean at least.

“Who has severe intestinal distress? Because this stench is not normal, did you boys actually drag your asses on the carpet like a cat instead of wiping?!” Sylva demanded as all the guys snickered a laugh before Regis cleared his throat which got all of them to stop immediately as all the girls had gathered at the entrance of the bus and started cackling at that analogy.

“Yes!” Crowe called out before giggling as Libertus glared at her through the window.

“Also, I realize that for most of you, this is your first time away from home and you want to enjoy the rock star life style but I am not hiring a maid for you guys and the girls will not be cleaning this either, you all will. I will be in constant contact with the girls to make sure they don’t have to pick up after you, you are adults, not toddlers and are perfectly capable of taking care of yourselves and each other. Every five minutes on the five minute mark I want to see progress in cleaning this bus and I will be texting all of you for pictures and all of you will be doing your part. I will work out a rotating cleaning schedule if I have to, or better yet, Ignis, since I’m sure you’re the reason yours and Noctis’ space at least is clean, you are in charge of assigning everyone rotating tasks so that everyone does a little bit of everything. Seriously, this is disgusting. And when was the last time all of you showered? Because I smell B.O. too, put on some God damn deodorant- I packed a literal case of it, where is it? Has anyone used any? You better start because all those girls deserve better than this.” Sylva growled before Regis stepped in.

“And how could they ever expect you to take care of them if you can’t take care of yourselves? You’re lucky I’m not taking pictures of all of this and sending them to your parents.” Regis threatened, shifting back into Principal mode.

“You know what?! Maybe we should.” Sylva said as she got her phone out to take pictures as Regis did the same before they all rushed to stop them.

“No, no, we’re sorry, we’ll clean up, we’ll clean up right now. We’re so sorry.” They all swore as they quickly got to work.

“Thank you. When I see you in a week I want to see this bus just as clean as the girl’s bus is. Because I know Yasmine refuses to put up with filth of any kind and they’ve already been sending me pictures of everything. Now, I’ll see you boys later, I love you all, be good.” Sylva insisted as she hugged them all before she left and took refuge on the girl’s bus as Regis stayed behind to supervise the boys.

“And who has been buying beer?” Regis demanded as he picked up an empty beer can as all the boys looked at each other but refused to look at Regis or answer his question as he narrowed his eyes as he noticed half the boys were now sporting quite a bit of facial hair and were groomed to look quite a bit older than they were. Tredd especially.

Meanwhile back on the girl’s bus. “Oh this is so nice! I love it.” Sylva praised as she looked everything over and noticed the fresh flowers and how there wasn’t a spec of dirt or dust in sight and their cleaning supply pantry was stuffed with cleaning supplies the same way the boy’s fridge was stuffed with leftovers while their own fridge had some leftovers too but mostly fresh fruits and vegetables and some really healthy food choices which she was really proud to see, including several bottles of wine which she didn’t mind one bit, knowing that Luna and Selena would have most likely shared the wine and bar supplies from her parent’s estate which she didn’t have an issue with.

“Actually a lot of the boys like to spend time on our bus because our bus is so nice.” Yasmine admitted.

“Figured they would.” Sylva nodded as she held Otis and Diana, each dog on each arm as the girls showed off their bus and how they had put their own personal touches to all their personal spaces as Sylva praised their decorating choices as Yasmine gave Ada the last slot in the safe for her jewelry and passport. “Goodness, you babies are so precious, makes me want to get a puppy.” Sylva cooed as Otis and Diana tried licking at her face.

“Ok, well you girls take care of each other ok? I have a train to catch. Love you, bye.” Sylva cooed to all the girls as she handed the dogs back and hugged them all before she turned to leave.    

“Oh, and as a reward for being good and responsible and making me so, so proud, here you go.” Sylva winked as she handed them a stack of hundreds. “Divide it evenly girls.” Sylva cooed before all the girls giggled and squealed in delight.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a train to catch.” Sylva grinned as she walked off the bus and walked right back onto the boys bus.

“How are we doing in here?” Sylva asked as she poked her head into the bus to see all the boys with garbage bags and Clorox wipes while Regis took the cue as they both bid everyone goodbye and got off the bus as Luche was vacuuming and subtly mouthed ‘thank you’ to Sylva as Ignis did the same as she winked at them before Ignis and Luche looked at each other questioningly before Ignis pointed subtly to Luche who nodded.

‘Thank you.’ Ignis mouthed to Luche who nodded sagely at that and went back to vacuuming.

When Sylva got back on her plane and took off, Ada decided to pull all her bags out and actually go through them, curious and excited to see what was in them and noticed a lot of the clothes smelled like Luche and his cologne because he was the one to carry most of it and she may or may not have inhaled that scent deep into her lungs and welcomed the comfort that brought her. Happy and pleased that he chose so well for her.

Meanwhile back in the boy’s bus.

“Since when do you carry a gun?” Tredd asked Luche as he noticed it.

“Can’t be too careful.” Luche replied before Tredd frowned and looked at the other guys while Gladio had quickly finished his part and was on the phone with Cor, getting the real story over in a corner.

“Oh shit.” Gladio breathed before he went and got his own gun out of his bag and put it on.

“What the hell is going on?” Tredd demanded as he watched Gladio put only not only his own guns on but handed Iris hers as she came on board to get armored up too since she had just gotten off the phone with her mom as Gladio and Iris gave each other meaningful looks before Iris told Craig what was happening in Spanish before he went and got his too.

“Seriously! What the fuck is going on? Are we about to knock over Fort Knox?” Tredd asked.

“We can’t tell you cause you’ll run your mouth and ruin it,” Iris growled threateningly.

“Oh shit!” Tredd realized. “Ada’s in danger because Cor got close to someone he shouldn’t of didn’t he and she’s here with us to get away from the shit hitting the fan!” Tredd realized as he put all of that together before Luche pinned Tredd to the wall by the throat.

“If you run your mouth, you will get her and the rest of us killed do you understand?!” Luche roared.

“The guys we’re protecting ourselves and everyone else from have already killed thousands and thousands of people. We are easy targets. Just a bunch of kids against an army of very highly trained killers. How easy would it be to kill all of us? While we’re up on stage or at a gas station in the middle of nowhere? While the girls are selling merch or out shopping? How easy would it be for them to get snatched up? Or kidnapped? A million things can go wrong. So congratulations for figuring it out, now shut your mouth and don’t breathe a word of this to anyone or if we get caught I’m telling them to shoot you first.” Gladio snarled as he had Tredd pinned up against the wall too while Craig was holding Iris back from kicking the shit out of Tredd too.

“Ok, I got it, I got it, don’t choke me you bastard.” Tredd tapped on Luche’s hold on his throat before Luche let go as he and Gladio slowly backed away but stared daggers at him as did everyone else.

“Jesus,” Tredd coughed and just shrugged it off before Gladio held a meeting with all the guys on the bus.  

“Alright, in case you haven’t figured this out, Cor Leonis is about to nail one of the most notorious mobster boss and gangster that’s currently in the US right now. His name is Gilgamesh and no one knows what he looks like because he wears a freaky mask and this fucker has laid waste to entire police forces and swat teams before because they wear super advanced armor and only carry armor piercing rounds so they can kill everyone else while no one can touch them. He has an army of dozens of generals with thousands of foot soldiers under them. His right hand man is a woman, she’s simply known as the Empress and she’s just as lethal as he is and she has an ace up her own sleeve, someone known as WitchHazel, all one word, capital W, capital H or in Chinese it’s Jin Lu Mei, because she is either Chinese herself or knows Chinese as her mother tongue because the one account Cor has of her is the two of them talking to each other in perfectly fluent Chinese. When either another rival mob, or another rival gang or even another law enforcement force has cornered the Empress before, she makes one call or one text and within minutes WitchHazel comes and breaks her out of anything and everything and they slip away again and disappear, no one knows who she is, all we do know is that it is a she, but she’s clearly trained as special forces because she’s a sniper and takes out a building full of people with surgical precision, like she’s the Punisher and she is a one woman army. She’s trained with CDC and the best idea they have is that she’s a mercenary and she’s just as dangerous as Gilgamesh and the Empress. Now chances are, we’ll be cool because we personally don’t pose a threat to Gilgamesh and hopefully nothing will happen but we will be careful, the girls are counting on us and so is Cor. Everyone needs to look out for each other, no one goes off alone, especially the girls and especially Ada. Luche, Iris and myself will be on Ada duty but Luche is tasked with taking care of her for the most part because Cor asked Sylva to take care of Ada and when Sylva’s not around, Luche will be doing that for her. Iris, you’ll keep eyes on her while she’s on the girl’s bus. Guys, keep your girls close. We’ll just have to be the overprotective, possessive boyfriends until further notice.” Gladio ordered as all the guys nodded in agreement.

Once on the train, Hazel and Titus unpacked and relaxed and opened one of the bottles of wine already in their luxurious cabin.

“Where did all of this come from?” Titus asked as he grabbed her toiletry bag to put her toiletries away and saw fifty thousand dollars in it.

“The same people who encouraged me to get out of town.” Hazel answered as she took it and put the money in the little safe. “So I’m using it and splurging it on you and this trip and keeping you safe.” Hazel added.

“Those people wouldn’t be lead by a guy named Gilgamesh would they?” Titus asked as Hazel froze in fear so he put the bag down and gathered her in his arms. “Hey, no one is listening to us right now, no one is watching us, the curtains are closed, there’s no bugs in this room and I swear on my life whatever you tell me I will never repeat to another living soul, just...tell me, let me know what I’m up against. Please.” Titus pleaded with her as her eyes watered.

“It’s not Gilgamesh, or Gil as I know him, it’s Charlie.” Hazel finally admitted.

“Who’s Charlie?” Titus frowned.

“Charlie, short for Charlotte, Gilgamesh’s Empress, his right hand man that’s a woman, that’s my sister.” Hazel revealed as Titus’ eyes got wide as he looked at her in surprise, not having thought in a million years that Hazel was so close to the most dangerous criminal he had ever heard of. And knowing she wouldn’t be apart of this if she had a choice. She was trapped.

“...How? She’s not...” Titus tried to argue.

“White? No she isn’t. Her birth mother, is my adopted step mother who raised us side by side by twins because we were born on the same day, you know my mother is Chinese. She had an affair with an older black guy as a teenager and when her parents found out, they tried to force an abortion on her but she was too far along by the time they found out and had to drop out of school and brought shame on the family and they then tried to force her to give Charlotte up for adoption and she refused and my father, who was in the next room over and holding me while he grieved my mother because my birth mother died giving birth to me, he heard the commotion and came to my mother’s rescue and practically married her on the spot to save her from her own parents. When Charlotte was a little girl, we went to a family reunion and my uncle, my father’s brother, raped Charlotte, my dad killed him on the spot and it fucked Charlie up. Fucked all of us up. As a teenager she got in trouble and never, ever got out of it, just got into deeper and deeper trouble with increasingly more dangerous people. When Gilgamesh got a hold of her, he claimed he found his ‘Empress’ because he’s Chinese and obsessed with Imperial China and finding a beautiful blasian girl who was just as jaded and just as ruthless and cut throat as he is, but more importantly, was just as brilliant as he is, was all he wanted. Now that Gil and Charlie are together, they’re an unstoppable powerhouse. I’m safe from them and protected by them because I’m Charlie’s sister but you and everyone else is not. You can not tell Cor or anyone else any of this. No one can know any of this. If Cor were to find out and try to bring me in for questioning or use this against me, or them, it will cost him his life before he can enter the interrogation room. They’re not above mass murder, either civilians or an entire district of law enforcement, in fact I know they already have done both and they have moles in everything. I can’t go to the police, or sheriff’s office, I can’t go to the U.S. Marshals, I can’t go to the CIA or the FBI, definitely not congress because I’m pretty sure Gilgamesh has people in all of it, I don’t know who they are and thankfully I’ve never met them so even I couldn’t expose them even if I wanted to. I just know they’re there.” Hazel revealed as she expected Titus to withdraw from her but he stayed steady as ever as he listened with rapt attention.

“Ok. Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. I love you.” Titus nodded in understanding before he just tightened his hold on her and hugged her as she hugged him tightly, feeling even better now that she told him and he didn’t run or withdraw or anything. She took a leap of faith telling him and he caught her and was keeping her and that’s all she wanted and all she could ever ask for.

“I love you too.” Hazel murmured as she clung to him.

“We’ll get through this, together. I promise.” Titus whispered and Hazel for the first time, allowed herself to really believe that and put real faith in that because he really meant it.

“Just don’t try to free me from all this ok? Everyone who has ever tried has died. I can’t loose you.” Hazel pleaded.

“Ok,” Titus agreed but he was already mentally trying to figure out exactly how he was going to be the first to succeed. Having the odds stacked against him wasn’t new. These were just different odds is all. Instead of a football game or his career, it was his life and the love of his life. He couldn’t screw this up. He waited his whole life for Hazel to come along and now that he had her, he was not going to let her go, ever. And he’ll be damned if she ever felt powerless or helpless or she was like a prisoner or slave to anyone’s will but her own ever again. He just had to bide his time and be smart about this. Maybe he needed to play some chess with Regis while they were on the train to really improve his tactical thinking skills.

Meanwhile back on the girl’s bus, Ada was still going through all of the things Sylva had bought for her and was putting on a fashion show for the rest of the girls which boosted her confidence and made her feel better too especially once she got into her makeup and all the girls helped her put it on and got her looking like a model. Helping take picture after picture of her to send to Cor and Sylva.

While back on the boy’s bus Luche had just settled into his bunk, being ever so grateful Sylva invested in some outrageously comfortable mattresses for both buses and he had already packed a sheet set for himself and his bunk, not knowing who had slept on his bunk before him and not wanting to know who or what had happened, he just Lysol-ed the bunk then Febreeze-ed it then put on his own sheet set and bedding before putting on his own pillows too. He still had a lot of think over and mentally figure out. He couldn’t be rash, he had to be smart. That one rile from Tredd had him ready to take his friend’s head off. He had to remember that Tredd wasn’t the enemy. Gilgamesh was, although Gilgamesh wouldn’t even be an issue if Cor wasn’t a factor in everyone’s lives. Maybe if Gilgamesh could just take Cor out before he got taken down so the rest of them would be ok and unharmed, that would be ok. Honestly that would be, in his mind, the most ideal situation. Because he could more easily catch Ada from such an emotional devastation. But then again if that happened Cor would die a golden boy hero and she’d be liable to go find another just like Cor. Ok, maybe that wasn’t the greatest idea. Maybe Sylva’s idea was the best after all, Ada just needed time and space away from Cor to gain some perspective of her life and to enjoy this time with her friends and away from him and then when she got back she’d see how much he was really lacking compared to himself. He just had to prove himself better and more superior to Cor. But he still needed to be true to himself, but also he needed to do right by her too. He needed to do her justice and he needed to win her over without- as Sylva put it- ‘actively’ win her over. She said to be subtle, he needed to do subtle but meaningful gestures.

“Fuck, give those mice in your head a break, I can hear their wheels turning a million miles an hour from here.” Tredd teased from the bunk across the aisle.  

“Fuck off dude.” Luche bit out.

“Seriously, I can hear you huffin and puffin from here like a little bitch.” Tredd snickered.

“How many times have you gotten punched so far on this trip?” Luche asked to which Tredd just laughed harder. “And how many times would you like to get shot?” Luche snapped.

“Ooh, so now you got a gun, you’re gonna shoot your bro just for ruffling your feathers a little?” Tredd taunted as he reached out and poked into the curtain.

“What part of fuck off do you not understand?” Luche swiped at the intruding finger before Tredd pulled Luche’s curtain back a little.

“Look, I got ideas to help bruh, do you want to hear them or not?” Tredd insisted.

“If I do, will you leave me the fuck alone?” Luche droned.

“No promises.” Tredd grinned.

“Fine,” Luche huffed as he rolled over to face Tredd and ripped his curtain back. “What?” Luche demanded.

“Bruh, you were ready to kill me the moment you thought Ada would get hurt, no guy gets that fired up and ready to go on the rampage unless he really loves the girl.” Tredd grinned victoriously as Luche narrowed his eyes and looked out to see if anyone was listening or paying attention to their conversation.

“Oh relax, no one gives a shit. Look, the way I see it, Sylva hired you to be Ada’s bodyguard right? To protect her from everything and take care of her right?” Tredd reasoned.

“She didn’t hire me to do it but yeah.” Luche bit out.

“Damn, I was hoping you had some extra cash on you then.” Tredd teased before Luche grabbed his curtain to pull it back closed.

“Wait, wait, wait, that wasn’t my point, don’t be so hasty.” Tredd stopped him.

“My point is, you get to be her bodyguard and caretaker right?” Tredd furthered.

“Yeah,” Luche confirmed.

“On Sylva’s dime.” Tredd furthered.

“It doesn’t matter who’s dime it is.” Luche shook his head no, not wanting Tredd to get any ideas.

“Well my point is, still, pull out all the stops, go whole hog on her, now’s your chance to really take her back man, take advantage of it and just lavish all the stupid shit on her you can. Spoil her rotten whether it’s your money or not. Prove that you can take better care of her than Cor ever could. We both know you win out financially at least. You two are still friends, it’ll grow into something more before you know it. Now all you gotta do is be the perfect prince charming you usually are minus the uptight traitorous prick for snitching on us about the bus and you’ll be good to go.” Tredd grinned victoriously.

“I’m not a traitorous prick.” Luche argued.

“Yeah but you are hella uptight and you need to loosen up and have fun too, none of us can cut loose if you’re still uptight and we all think that everything we do is going to be repeated and reported to the biggest mom of all. Even if she’s the hottest MILF ever.” Tredd pointed out.

“Fine,” Luche groaned.

“That’s my bruh, happy to have you with us.” Tredd held out his fist for Luche to fist bump it which Luche returned their own bro handshake that was still unique to the two of them.

[yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy]

Magic and Miracles and BEYOND Chapter 9

FINALLY I’m able to show you chapter 9. I’ve been sitting on this FOR A YEAR. Ahhh, and finally I’m able to show it to you. Just so you know, there is a miscarrage scene at the end, so be mindful of that. @the-immortal-marshal and I agreed that the baby (who was less than 12 weeks) wouldn’t make it BUT THE DOG WOULD. So Baxter LIVES. (And don’t worry Luche will give Ada another baby soon enough, it’ll be ok). Also I was listening to ‘Bodies’ by Drowning Pool while I wrote this originally. Enjoy. 

AO3

Chapter 9

Meanwhile Cor heard the gunshot and came running out of the house and yelled for Ada at the top of his lungs before a neighbor yelled at him from the next street over, they had just been passing by their front window when they heard the gunshot, just in time to see Ada kidnapped by a black van as Baxter lay on the ground crying and whimpering and bleeding from getting shot. The neighbor’s wrapped Baxter in towels to try to stop the bleeding, they had already called 911 and Cor was already on the phone with Clarus. Within moments that felt like hours, Gladio and Clarus were there, only partially in uniform but already getting their gear on.

“I have a vet on standby, get to the hospital!” Sylva ordered as she was getting changed out of her business suit into her own gear as she texted Hazel.

Meanwhile Hazel was in the middle of putting dinner away before her phone and Titus’ phone went off at the same time before their phones shut off.

“Oh no, Titus, hide.” Hazel breathed as Titus was already getting the gun out of the hidden holster under the counter top before she pushed him into the bedroom in time to have Gilgamesh himself arrive at her door.

“You are needed Noble Consort WitchHazel. Your Empress needs you, I have been informed she was taken into custody only an hour ago by Warhorn Lion. You will get her out and get her to this address as fast as you can. How many henchmen will you need?” He asked in Mandarin as he came into her apartment and she shut the door as he gave her slip of paper with an address written on it.

“This is the last time I will be your Noble Consort and this is the last time I will serve my Emperor and Empress, I don’t need your henchmen, I have an army of my own because tonight, you will leave the country, Sylva Nox Fleuret will allow you to borrow her jet and take you and the Empress wherever you want to go and she will fly the chopper there herself, I will trade the Empress for Ada, do not harm her.” Hazel demanded.

“I will trade you Ada for the Empress, after you free her.” Gil bargained.

“Deal,” Hazel agreed.

“For every hour you take, Ada will receive a strike.” Gil put to her before he left and disappeared.

Hazel ran for the bedroom and got her bags out of the hiding place.

“What’s happened?” Titus asked as he got his combat boots on.

“Cor arrested my sister and has her detained, in retaliation- Gil has Ada and I was able to barter her life for Charlie’s, for every hour I take, Ada will get a strike, aka get beaten. If I take more than three hours, Ada won’t survive the beatings he’ll give her.” Hazel answered as she got dressed in her WitchHazel gear before she threw a face mask at Titus and handed him a set of her gear which fit Titus as if it was custom made for him.

“Come on, we got to get dressed and go to the hospital.” Hazel ordered.

“The hospital?!” Titus asked in confusion.

“Sylva knows, she’s helping me, I need to go there and get a plan together.” Hazel answered as she finished getting ready at about the same time Titus did.

“I’ll drive.” Titus offered as he grabbed the keys to her SUV and drove to the hospital and once driving he reached over and held Hazel’s hand as she did her best to keep them from shaking.

“Hazel, if we live through this, I’m marrying you.” Titus informed her which pulled Hazel from her dark thoughts as he kissed the back of her hand as he did his best not to shake either as he weaved through traffic to get there as fast as he could.

“Ok,” Hazel agreed with a small she was afraid to show all the way.

“And I’ll give you all the kids you want.” Titus added.

“Deal.” Hazel nodded before they arrived at the hospital as Titus drove to the top level where Sylva’s car and entrance was while Sylva was already geared up herself as Regis was pleading with Clarus and Cor to come there and several minutes after Titus and Hazel came, Cor, Gladio and Clarus came as Yasmine, Pashmina, Stella and Luna came in to operate on Baxter using the mini operating room next to Sylva’s office. Nyx and Ravus were both sitting on the couch, waiting to get orders while Selena worked on making sure everyone had alibis and was covered legally. Pelna became acquainted with the tech Hazel brought in so he could be her set of electronic eyes as he gained access to the city’s systems while Tredd, Hazel and Sylva talked over how to break into the US Marshal’s office while Titus listened attentively.

“What the fuck?!” Cor cursed when he saw everyone as Gladio frowned in confusion before he came over to Nyx and Rauvs and asked what was going on.

“Cor! Come here now, if you want to save Ada, this is the only way we can do it and walk away with our lives.” Sylva ordered as Cor came over and looked at the plans of his office.

“What the fuck is going on?” Cor demanded.

“You arrested The Empress. Now Gilgamesh has Ada and is holding her hostage until The Empress is returned to him safely, every hour we take Ada will receive a beating, she won’t last three hours. Now, you need to give up every idea you have of ever catching Gilgamesh and keeping The Empress and they will never face justice. You knew Gil put his sights on Ada if you got too close. You knew that before we even left this summer.” Hazel challenged angrily as Cor stared at her in disbelief. There should have been no way she knew that much. Unless...

“Cor, meet WitchHazel.” Sylva announced as she gestured to Hazel as everyone’s eyes got wide with realization except for those who already knew.

“The Empress is her sister Cor. It’s family. This is officially family business. Are you really going to sacrifice all of us just to get him?” Titus asked as Cor blinked as everyone stared questioningly at him.

“The only way all of us walk away from this with our lives is if we give Gilgamesh what he wants. And he wants The Empress so we are going to give her to him. It’s the only way, if you order a swat team, by the time they get ready and mobile she will already be dead.” Sylva argued. “So help us, help us get Ada back alive, and let’s just go on with our lives the best we can.” Sylva urged. “Or would you rather try to open fire and have that sniper on the building behind me a chance to kill you himself?” Sylva gestured to the wall of glass as Tredd simply stepped to the side so that Cor had a clear view of the windows lining the outside wall.

“Fine.” Cor finally caved as he finally kicked into gear and they all stood over Sylva’s desk where the plans were as Cor and Clarus both orchestrated how they were going to do this from their side as Hazel figured out how she was going to get in, get Charlotte to the roof so that Sylva could pick them up and fly them to the airport.

Within minutes they had a plan and put it into motion with Gladio, Nyx and Ravus being the drivers. They drove to the US Marshlal’s office and once there Tredd giddily help Hazel and Titus attach C4 to the back door while Pelna walked Nyx and Ravus through all the wiring to the building and on Hazel’s count Tredd aimed a granade launcher at the transformer while Gladio and Clarus kept watch at either end of the alley.

“On my count, 3...2...1…” Hazel counted down as she armed the detonator.

Meanwhile Charlotte simply sat at the interrogation table, idly cleaning out her nails that she had just gotten done when she had gotten ambushed and all of her bodyguards killed, such a pitiable waste, she had gotten to like those particular body guards, oh well, her Emperor would replace them soon enough. She was also calmly ignoring the guy on the other side of her that was practically screaming at her to talk, how he had enough on her to get her the death penalty blah blah blah, she wasn’t really paying attention. She knew the guy with him was one of the moles as he casually leaned against the wall so she was in no real danger as she mentally wondered what was taking her sister so long to get to her and let the poor guy make a fool of himself before the mole got a text right before the back door exploded off, the lights went out and the mole shot the guy in the head.

“My apologies Empress, WitchHazel has finally arrived.” He apologized as the emergency lights came on and he used the red flashing lights to unlock her handcuffs.

“Took her long enough.” Charlotte huffed as he then led her out of the room to the hallway as Hazel, Titus and Cor came down the hallway as Charlotte started giggling to see it was Cor of all people with her sister.

“How’d you manage this?” Charlotte asked in Mandarin.

“A Miracle.” Hazel answered as she took her sister’s hand and made for a run for the stairs as Titus and Cor covered for them just as they could hear the helicopter come to the roof as Sylva landed it as Hazel and Charlotte came to the roof with Titus and Cor coming before they all came onboard and got the special headphones put on before Sylva flew them to the airport and landed next to her jet as Hazel had to put her gun to Cor’s head to make sure he didn’t try anything like trying to go after Gil now that he could see him as Gilgamesh simply smiled smugly as he offered his hand to Charlotte so she could board the plane with him and his generals before it took off and once they were in the air Hazel got a text, the address where Ada was being held before Sylva flew there and landed on the roof of the building, Clarus making sure the Sheriff’s office didn’t interfere at all as Gladio drove the boys back to the hospital to regroup. The building still had the last of the henchman leaving but Cor killed all of them and kicked their asses with such fury all he saw was red before Hazel, Titus and Cor both searched the building to find the rest of it empty except for Ada who had been tied to a chair, bloodied, bruised and a black bag over her head and was unconscious as Cor got to her first and cut her free before he took the bag off her head to see her mouth duct taped shut and her eyes swollen shut, she got beat to hell and she had only been gone for an hour and a half.

“Cor.” Hazel breathed as she noticed all the blood coming from between Ada’s legs as she pointed it out to Cor and Titus who both gulped.

“Come on, we need to get out of here.” Titus urged as Cor picked Ada up and in an adrenaline fueled burst of energy ran with her all the way back to the roof as he did his best to assure her she was ok as he loaded her onto the helicopter as Sylva flew them back to the hospital where her best team was waiting for them. Once the medical team was taking care of Ada, Sylva met back up with everyone in her office to go over alibis and to get the “official story” straight before everyone went their separate ways.

Four hours later, Ada woke up in the hospital, her head hurt, hell her whole body hurt but more importantly, her belly hurt, oh yeah she had gotten kicked, repeatedly. She could feel the cuts to her lip and face. God she could feel the trauma start to burn itself into her memory. God that was so horrific.

She needed him...Then her brain supplied her two pictures, one of Cor and the other of Luche and she immediately started to cry.

“Love?” Cor asked when his head lifted from where it was resting next to her on the bed when he heard her weak cry and squeezed her hand that he had been holding with both of his and smiled in relief when she squeezed back.

“Am I in hospital?” Ada asked shakily as she fought to open her eyes, they were so swollen.

“Yeah, I’m so sorry Love, I didn’t think...I never wanted...they weren’t supposed to...” Cor tried to apologize but the words got garbled by his emotions and he couldn’t make himself finish the thought out loud because he wanted to say all of them at the same time.

Ada opened her eyes and saw how Cor looked how she felt, like shit, stitched up and bruised and starting to scab up already. His shirt was ripped and bloodied too. He hadn’t even changed since the fight.

“What time is it?” Ada asked, it felt like the middle of the night and that she needed to sleep for 12 more hours at least. Her throat was dry and felt like broken glass.

“It’s 2 am, you’ve only been here for a few hours.” Cor assured her.

“You look awful Love,” Ada croaked as she reached out with her other hand that had an IV in it and tried to stroke his face with it while trying not to touch any of his new wounds.

“I’m fine,” Cor dismissed but leaned into her touch all the same. God he could have lost her, she could have died, she could have been seriously hurt. Well, more than she already was.

“Why are my legs wet and sticky?” Ada asked as she felt a hot wet slick and sticky substance between her legs, did she get stabbed?

Cor sniffed and smelled blood, a lot of it. He pulled up the covers off her legs and realized she was sitting in a pool of blood, he had thought it was just a stab wound before but that was already fixed.

“Nurse!” Cor yelled as he immediately got to his feet and bolted for the door as Ada found the call button on the remote and pressed the nurse button.

“Can I help you?” The nurse asked.

“Hi, I’m sitting in a pool of blood?” Ada tried not freak out, fuck that was A LOT of blood, like, she just had two periods at the same time kind of blood before Cor managed to grab a nurse and drag her into the room.

“Oh, that’s not good, get out!” She ordered Cor before pushing him out of the room. “Need a doctor in 9 STAT!” She bellowed before a doctor and two more nurses rushed into the room and pulled the blankets down as Ada carefully spread her legs, and when she did another waive of blood started to pour from her vagina, completely destroying her underwear.

“Oh my lord sweetie, were you pregnant?” The lead nurse asked as she realized and recognized what was happening.

“I...I didn’t think...” Ada stammered in shock.

“You’re having a miscarriage, I’m so sorry.” The doctor tried to delicately and gently inform her before he punched in new codes into the computer in the room.

“I’ll get some towels and we can start to get you cleaned up, we’re so sorry sweetie.” The lead nurse apologized as she touched and squeezed Ada’s arm comfortingly before the other nurse got into the cabinet and got all that there was and got a warm washcloth before helping Ada out of her bloody underwear as she started to cry and really understand what was happening before all the floodgates were opened and she started bawling her eyes out. The nurse was able to get her out of bed and into a special pair of underwear that they gave pregnant women after labor to catch all the blood before having her sit down in the chair Cor had taken up residence in as she continued to cry as she changed the bedding and put more pads down on before helping Ada get back into a clean and fresh bed and by this point Ada was near inconsolable.

“Can you, can you tell him?” Ada asked, not sure if she had the strength to tell Cor she just lost their baby that she had no idea she had been carrying in the first place.

“If you want me to, of course.” She readily agreed. “I’ll be right back with warm blankets ok?” She offered.

“Then let him back in.” Ada directed.

“Will do.” She nodded as she put the soiled linens in the appropriate bin before taking her gloves off and washing her hands before leaving the room while the other nurse got Ada fresh warm blankets. Cor looked ready to hurl from worry and grief.

“Can you tell me what’s going on? Please?” Cor begged.

“She’ll be ok, she’s having a miscarriage, you’ll need to go easy on her and be extra gentle with her ok? Did you know she was expecting?” She asked thoughtfully and Cor looked just as shocked as Ada had been as he put both hands over his mouth and shook his head no.

“Can I uh…?” Cor tried to ask as he gestured to the room, his head swimming and his heart breaking all over again and she gestured for him to go right on into the room and Cor practically ran into the room and sat on the bed and pulled Ada into his arms and cried with her as she bawled into his chest.

“Love I’m so sorry, I didn’t know!” Ada tried to apologize as Cor shook his head no.

“Listen to me Ada, this isn’t your fault, none of this, not a single fucking thing is your fault ok? It’s mine, it’s all mine, I was reckless and stupid and you’re paying the price for my stupidity. I’m so sorry Love, I’m so sorry.” Cor apologized as he cried into her shoulder as he held her in his arms and rocked her and just whispered how sorry he was to her over and over again and told her over and over again how much he loved her and how this was never going to happen again until Ada cried herself to sleep until they were moved to an actual hospital room.

[yourcoolfriendwithallthecandy]

Magic and Miracles and BEYOND Chapter 7

YA’LL I’M SO SORRY. I didn’t forget about this I swear, I just got hella distracted by life and a million other things BUT I’M BACK. And I know this is a short chapter but trust me, MORE is coming. So I would just like to say this cruise ship is based off of Royal Carribean’s Syphony of the Seas and almost all these pictures are from the Royal Carribean site, which usually sails the Carribean but for the purposes of this story, it’s going to Hawii and something similar is going to Alaska because this is a fantasy story where I go ‘fuck you’ to reality and everyone’s happy and nothing hurts, YET. (dun dun dun). And the ship has a dog park which I don’t think the actual ship does. And Dani and the twins RETURN and they just keep spreading the baby bug. 

So @the-immortal-marshal sorry for the wait but here you go. 

AO3

Magic and Miracles and BEYOND - Chapter 7

“So? How was Disney?” Sylva asked Ada as all the girls walked into a designer dress shop as they looked for formal attire for the cruises.  

“It was amazing,” Ada sighed wistfully as she went through the rows of dresses and found a few that she liked.

“Oh good, did Luche behave himself?” Sylva asked.

“Of course, he’s been the perfect gentleman.” Ada reassured Sylva.

“Good.” Sylva nodded before they all got dozens of dresses and tried them all on.

“Oh this is gorgeous on you!” Sylva praised as she watched Ada twirl in an ivory gown that perhaps looked a touch bridal on Ada and Sylva knew that once Luche would see Ada in this gown, he’d be thinking wedding bells too and knew she just had to get it for her. “It looks divine, I absolutely insist on getting it for you and I have the perfect pearl necklace to go with it too.” Sylva urged her.

“Ok,” Ada nodded in agreement before she put on another dress, this one a brilliant aquamarine that just made her hair pop in contrast. It was perfectly gorgeous and elegant.

“And that one too.” Sylva insisted which got Ada to squeal and giggle and twirl in her dress as the other girls emerged from their dressing rooms, showing off their dresses to Sylva too, wanting to get her stamps of approval too which Sylva was more than happy to give out. And once all the girls got all the dresses they wanted and needed, Sylva was more than happy to buy them all before making sure that the guys got the proper suits and things to match on the other end of the store.

“Lu,” Sylva called out as she looked at a few shirts and ties.

“Yes?” Luche asked as he came to stand next to her.

“I’m really proud of you.” Sylva offered.

“Thank you?” Luche returned, not quite sure why she’d be proud of him.

“You’ve done really good with Ada and I wanted to make sure you knew that you were doing well.” Sylva encouraged.

“Oh, thanks.” Luche nodded.

“Now I need you to promise me something.” Sylva began and turned to make sure he was looking her in the eye before she continued. “You need to make sure you don’t have sex with her while on the cruises.” Sylva urged, dropping her voice to a soft whisper so that only Luche could hear her.

“Uh, ok.” Luche frowned in confusion, he had thought that would have been a given.

“I know it seems silly right now, but trust me, on the boat, wearing what she will be wearing, it’ll be a temptation and it’s of paramount importance that you make an honest woman out of her. She cheated once and from here on out, if she cheats on Cor with you, it’ll form a habit that will spell disaster for you both. Just trust me on this. Don’t kiss her, don’t give her any carnal pleasures whatsoever. This will be a new start for you both, give yourselves the best start you can, and that starts with respecting her and her current relationships, however doomed they may be. You need to do the right thing. Not what ‘feels right’ in the moment. But the right and proper thing over all.” Sylva urged before she got Ravus’ attention and brought him over.

“Ravus, I’m trying to make a point to Luche, when Selena was with Pelna and you two were getting close, did you two ever cross the line physically before her relationship with Pelna ended?” Sylva asked lowly.

“No, not at all, and I’m glad we didn’t. I mean it sucked, like a lot in those moments because there were so many times I wanted to, I would have given everything for it but looking back means that neither of us have any regrets with the way we got together and respecting her relationship with Pelna then- means that my relationship with her is respected now. It’s something you have to do if you don’t want the past repeating itself and I know Selena is much happier with herself and rests easy because of it too.” Ravus urged Luche.

“I don’t see why you’re making such a big deal about this, I knew going in that it would have to be like that.” Luche assured them.

“Did Ada get a white dress for the cruise or something?” Ravus asked his mother, trying to figure out what would prompt his mother to have this conversation before it dawned on him.

“Ivory. Wedding bells were going off in my own head when I saw her in it. She’s lovely, just, stay strong Lu, your future depends on it.” Sylva repeated as she grabbed Luche by the upper arms and shook him a little to emphasize her point with a laugh.

“Really?” Luche asked, a dopey grin spreading across his face.

“Yeah, you’re gonna have fun. Just, not too much fun.” Sylva narrowed her eyes playfully before she made sure all the guys were squared away too.

The next morning they were all in the terminal including Johnny, Anna and the twins and Dani, who had sorely missed Ravus and Selena who in turn had sorely missed them and outright refused to put down the twins, Selena commandeering Gabby as Ravus kept Izzy and Dani as they were waiting to board the cruise ship, all the dogs on leashes since the cruise ship had a dog park and a cat lounge on board and accommodations for dogs including a dog daycare so Ada wouldn’t have to be separated from Baxter, Crowe and Libertus could take Otis, Pashmina and Gladio could take Dianna and the Nox Fleuret- Caelums could take Pryna and Umbra and even Duchess was in a deluxe cat carrier, and Iris and Craig could take Noche since all the dogs had been traveling with the young adults all summer.

Sylva had gotten everyone suites, however with Ada being an add on and Hazel and Titus joining them too. It was a push to have everyone more or less together and on the same floor at least. Sylva was only slightly evil and mostly scheming, making sure Luche and Ada had side by side rooms where they could both sit on their balconies and see each other and talk to each other. This new cruise ship had everything. It had rock climbing walls, water sports simulators, it’s own water park, a traditional as well as an open dining option with over a dozen restaurants and buffets and golf, both a mini golf course and a golfing drive simulator, bumper cars, laser tag, an arcade that rivaled Dave and Busters, sports courts, an obstacle course, a sky diving simulator, zip lines, two trampoline parks, one was a traditional one and the other was with the harness and bungee chords so you would really jump high and even a trapeze school that had gymnastic equipment and a dozen different niche clubs and concert halls, ice skating, an escape room, a casino, dozens of shops on the boardwalk and throughout the ship, an out of this world spa and a bunch of other amenities that every active teenager and young adult could possibly want including loads of things for Dani and even a daycare for the twins. It was perfect.

Sylva got everyone’s boarding passes and room keys handed them out before they all waited to board, most of them thankfully having games on their phones and tablets as Sylva, Lunafreya, Ravus, Luche and Ignis did some last minute business for Miracles from their laptops while Regis caught up with Noctis. Ravus only having a little trouble since Izzy was in a carrier strapped to his chest and Dani draped herself across his lap and shoulder and cuddled into his chest while he reached around both of them to type on his laptop. 

“So how are you doing Hun?” Titus asked as he and Ada sat down side by side as Hazel was doing some last minute business of her own on her own laptop from her spot next to Sylva at the computer table, one of dozens that was specifically built that had dozens of outlets so that the laptops and cell phones and other electronics could charge while the guests waited to board the ship.

“Doing much better.” Ada smiled happily as she had Baxter laying on her lap as Titus pet Baxter too. “How was the wine tour?” Ada asked Titus curiously.

“I couldn’t tell the fucking difference between the cheap stuff and the good stuff, wine is wine in my book, the whole time I couldn’t help thinking…‘I could go for a whiskey right about now’, beer on the other hand, that’s more my speed, a good porter or stout and I’m good to go and thankfully there was plenty of that too.” Titus chuckled which got Ada to snicker a laugh. “But it made Hazel happy and we had a lot of fun and I’m glad we went,” Titus shrugged but smiled happily nonetheless since he hadn’t gotten a real vacation in..he couldn’t remember when. “Got to have a lot of really good cheese and charcuterie though and all the food was outstanding. Granted, not as good as Hazel can make it but pretty close.” Titus appraised because to him, Hazel was the best chef ever and made everything great and it was hard for any food to equal hers since she was his gold standard.

“Aw, I’m glad you had fun. The gang took me to Disneyland. That was epic and awesome and amazing and I got my real first spa day the day before and I felt like jelly afterwards.” Ada informed him proudly.

“Oh so you got your ears? Your Mickey or I guess in your case Mini ears?” Titus gently teased.

“Several pairs, yes.” Ada nodded. “And then we got to go to the beach and splash in the Pacific Ocean and go surfing. I think I swallowed half the ocean and seaweed touched my leg and I screamed bloody murder because I thought it was a jellyfish or a shark and I climbed Luche like a tree and nearly accidentally drowned him trying to get away from it.” Ada began as Titus barked a deep belly laugh just imagining that. “It was really hilarious, everyone laughed and it was recorded on the waterproof go-pros.” Ada giggled. “And then Tredd found a dead slash rotting fish on the beach and tormented everyone with it before Yasmine and the tothers beat his ass that he was gonna make Crowe miscarry because of how many diseases were probably crawling on it.” Ada recounted.

“Good for her.” Titus grinned proudly.

“And then we had a bonfire and a BBQ right on the beach too and charted a big fishing boat and went fishing and then Noctis and his band did a few shows over the weekend which were amazing, because when they weren’t on stage, which even when they were, I got to do back up vocals which was epic and we got to enjoy the rest of the concerts and go back stage and meet all the other bands and hang out and get pictures and get autographs and merch from the other bands and I got to help with the band merch so that all of us could take shifts and have breaks and stuff and that was really fun and we made money hand over fist. And everyone has gotten along really well and there wasn’t any fighting or arguing about anything. And we’ve all been taking care of each other and Craig’s been doing most of the cooking and he is an outstanding cook, like, Nyx and Libertus can cook really great too and there have been so many times where we just raid a Sam's Club and we cook for ourselves instead of going out to eat for every meal and between Pashmina, Yasmine and Pelna cooking a lot of Indian food, I mean their chicken curry and tiki marsala is phenomenal, and their chicken Biryani rice is outstanding and Luna, Rae and Stella all do wonderful French cooking and Iris and Gladio bring the Spanish flavors and Cindy, I know she doesn’t look it but she has a Paula Dean in her and she makes pies, from scratch, like old fashioned, flaky crust pies made with lard, that are better than any bakery and she’s gotten all of us into it and Selena and Nyx bring a lot of the Mediterranean flavors and they make the best baklava and pitas and hummus and all kinds of stuff. And even Tredd cooks, he makes the best mashed potatoes, actually potatoes period he makes all the potatoes the best, not to be racist but because he’s Irish, I think it runs in his blood and mac and cheese with so much cheddar. And Libertus is of course Italian so he’s made fresh pasta and these sauces from scratch that take like two to three days to make but they’re the best ever. And Iggy orchestrates all of us between the two kitchens on the bus and even on the girls bus there’s an electric smoker so we smoke a lot of foods, like salmon and cheese and of course every meat imaginable and make our own jerky and Iggy makes the best coffee, I don’t know how he does it but he does and it’s amazing and Luche and I just do whatever everyone else tells us to do. I swear I think I’ve gained like ten pounds since I’ve been with them, I’ve eaten so much, but it’s all been so good.” Ada beamed happily.

“So has Lu been behaving himself?” Titus asked curiously.

“Oh yeah, he’s been the perfect gentleman. Like perfect.” Ada answered with fawning, adoring smile and a wistful sigh and Titus cocked a half grin at that. Ada still loved him too. He supposed it was inevitable. Like moth to a flame but he wasn’t sure who was the moth and who was the flame at this point.

“Good.” Titus nodded.

“Oh and then the guys had a video interview! That was the best! Did you see it?” Ada asked as she pulled her phone out and showed Titus the video on YouTube.

“Hi I’m Laney for Rock360 and I’m with the Chocobros! Say hi guys!” Laney invited before they all waived to the camera, Noctis, a little awkwardly still.

“So anyone who knows you, knows you got your start performing for kids at Miracle Hospital and your videos went viral and you’ve gained quite a bit of notoriety on the circuit and in the rocker community for being as diverse and as inclusive as yours is and the band it seems, fluctuates because sometimes, it’s the four of you and other times there’s like a dozen people on stage, what can you tell me about that?” Laney asked.

“Well, how that started is some venues want to see the girls that they saw in videos so that’s where we ask the girls for guest appearances.” Ignis explained.

“Aww, that’s really great that they can do that. And speaking with the other bands I understand that your crew is unique and that the only people who are actually hired are your drivers, otherwise it’s just you and your friends and it’s noted that it’s very much like a family and you’re all pretty close knit.” Laney noted.

“Yeah we are, it’s awesome, it’s us and our significant others which is great and we all get along and take care of each other.” Gladio grinned proudly.

“Now I also know that there is a lucky charm.” Laney giggled.

“Yes! That’s Crowe, she got pregnant right in the beginning of the tour so right before we go on stage we pat the bebeh belly for good luck.” Prompto answered before the camera cut to Crowe behind the scenes eating a doughnut and waived as Libertus pet her belly to illustrate.

“And that’s Libertus, her fiance, he’s the proud father, obviously.” Prompto beamed as Libertus nodded ‘yes’ emphatically and gave a double thumbs up with a bright cheesy grin around his own stuffed cheeks since he was eating doughnuts too. 

“Aww, that’s adorable.” Laney fawned before she continued to talk to them about their music and their songs and what their songs meant to them and how fun their tour had been and what other bands they had been performing with before they ended the interview.

“Aw, that’s awesome.” Titus grinned proudly before they boarded the cruise ship and got to their rooms. Ada squealing in delight at how magnificent her suite was, especially since she got it all to herself, well kind of, she had Baxter with her and that’s all she could ever ask for, there were already food and water dishes set up for him too. This next week was going to be heaven. She unpacked her carry on bag and by the time she was done, her luggage got delivered and once that was all put away she rejoined the rest of the group, dropping Baxter off at the on board doggy daycare, sticking close to Luche and Titus as they explored the ship before hitting up one of the buffets.

“So has Cor ever told you why he never wanted kids?” Ada asked Titus who nearly choked on his spit and tripped over his own feet as he felt his soul leave his body to go to the astral plane for just a moment to have a mini freak out as he then tried to grab Cor from the astral plane to come here and have this conversation with her because while he felt like a father figure. This was just...not his area of comfortable conversation topics but Regis was too far away to pull into this to deal with this, Regis was better at this kind of thing but if Ada felt comfortable enough to bring this up, he needed to handle this with care.

“Sweetie, I think he’s seen too much of the worst of humanity to try to bring life into the world, at least, that’s what he’s told me, why?” Titus asked.

“Just, with Crowe being pregnant the baby bug is going around.” Ada shrugged as she then looked over at Selena who had Gabby on her hip while she piled her own plate with food for the both of them while Ravus held Izzy and did the same while also helping Dani with her plate and the five of them already looked like the perfect family and Ada felt a pang of jealousy while also noticing how Luche was also helping Dani and was doting on her too and Ada felt like she was seeing a glimpse of what he would be like as a wonderful father too and it both warmed while rendered her heart a bit because she wanted that too but she couldn’t have it.

“Well don’t let it bite you too hard. Babies are a lot of work, they’re loud and messy and stressful and will change your life forever.” Titus gently warned her with a slight air of a teasing tone even though he could see from his vantage point, Hazel talking with Crowe and when Hazel touched Crowe’s belly and just the look in her eyes and the expression on her face that she was getting bit by the baby bug and for the first time in his life, the baby bug bit him too and his slight panic at Ada mentioning babies suddenly vanished and was replaced by the urge and need to make a baby with Hazel, but he would have to make sure they were both in a position to feel safe enough to do so. Because while he was getting older, he wasn’t that old, not yet. 

“Besides, you’re still pretty young, how about you try getting to the legal drinking age in this country and enjoy your youth without kids first.” Titus gently encouraged Ada before he sat down with Hazel and he was just struck by how adorable their kids would be. So he just picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles sweetly as Hazel practically melted in her seat.

Truth be told, she was getting bit by the baby bug pretty hard too and it wasn’t the first time it bit, but it was the first time it bit with Titus and suddenly her mind started whirling with all of the possibilities. There was just two problems, 1. Gil. 2. Charlie. There’s no way with them still so close that she’d ever get the chance to have a family of her own. A relationship was already pushing it. Maybe Cor had what it took to end it. She was hoping that with all of them being gone, he would throw himself into his work unimpeded and not distracted by anything or anyone and finally be able to end this once and for all and with herself being out of the picture, she could distance herself. He had the next two weeks to do just that and she hoped he could do it, for all their sakes.

“Ok guys, who’s up for the rock wall?” Titus challenged the guys after they finished eating and went over to the rock wall, Titus and all the guys getting tethered in to race each other.

“Ok? Ready? Set? Go!” The climbing instructor challenged as they all raced up the walls, Ravus, Nyx, Luche and Titus got an early lead with Gladio, Prompto, Noctis and Ignis barely getting up there as the girls cheered them on, Regis cheering his sons and Titus on as Sylva was cheering everyone on while Hazel cheered for Titus the loudest but only seconded by Ada cheering on Luche. 

“How the hell are you climbing so fast?” Luche, Ravus and Nyx asked Titus as they watched him race up the wall with surprising agility for a man his size as they did their best to navigate the wall. But Titus had a trick up his sleeve, he had studied his wall from the moment he saw it and had mentally already mapped out his route and suddenly Hazel wasn’t the loudest cheerer, Regis was. Regis was because he wanted Titus to beat the younger kids to prove that age and wisdom sometimes gave you the advantage over youth and brute strength and in record time, Titus won by being the first to ring his bell at the top but Ravus and Nyx tied for second only a second later as they both held onto the wall and looked out over the sea and then looked down at the crowd below and waived before they went back down just as Luche and Gladio tied for third to reach the top, followed by Ignis who was fourth. Prompto and Noctis, Pelna and Libertus all tied for last. Sylva and Regis having to coach them on which foot holds and hand holds to use and Regis had an ice cold beer waiting for Titus when he came down.

“And to the victor goes the spoils.” Regis beamed proudly as Titus barked a deep laugh as he took it and quickly and easily drank it down as Regis drank one himself.

“Seriously, how did you do that Coach?” Nyx asked in astonishment.

“Study the wall, see? Look at your wall, it’s not random, see- there’s a pattern, see the zig zag?” Titus pointed out on Nyx’s wall, making sure Nyx followed his line of sight.

“Oh!” Nyx, Ravus, Luche and Gladio all groaned as they mentally figured out how they could have climbed their walls better.

“Rematch!” Nyx insisted just as Libertus came down his wall.

“No! I’m done, one was enough for me.” Libertus complained.

“I’ll go again.” Ravus offered.

“Me too.” Gladio and Luche added with grins, Luche agreeing if only to hear Ada cheering for him again. He had missed that more than words could say.

The second time around, all four boys were within hundredths of seconds between each other as they had taken Drautos’ advice and taken a moment as another round of competitors had used the walls to study the walls and mentally map out their plan of attack with great success before they all got dressed in their bathing suits and enjoyed the on board water park. It was going to be one hell of a week.