#Midge is really good at parenting

[teamcomet-askblog]

caspian, how does it feel to know you will soon be forced to pay taxes?

[clockwayswrites]

Catching Cold, Part 3

WC: 1061, Masterpost

CW: Past vivisection, general discussion of wounds, bad parents Jack and Maddie

The duffel bag had a full med kit in it.

Danny was grateful for it, beyond grateful, but why did the bag have a full med kit in it? Why did Danny know where the bag was? Why did it have clothing that fit him and extra shoes and a wad of cash? Danny stuffed the cash back into the sock he had found it in and opened the med kit.

It was very, very well stocked. He was past when he should change his bandages, really. His chest pulled as he peeled off his shirt and he bit back a noise at the pain. Maybe sitting in the truck the whole day hadn’t been the best for him. His bandages looked clean at least, no seepage.

He had just gotten the wrappings off and was gently cleaning the wound when there was a knock at the door.

“You in there, kid?” It was Midge, the driver Danny had been riding with.

“Yeah?”

“Can I come in? Got some stuff for you.”

“Um, sure.”

The door opened and Midge froze at the threshold. “Jesus, kid. Who the fuck did that to you?”

Danny stared at his chest in the mirror. It really did look gruesome, he supposed, reddened skin still stitched together, cut in a y from collar bone to sternum and down the center of his chest. Everything around it looked like one massive bruise.

“I had to have surgery,” Danny mumbled.

“Yeah? What for?” Midge asked, edging a little closer, like Danny was some wounded animal.

Maybe he was.

He felt like one.

He shook his head. “Sorry, what?”

“What was the surgery for, kid?”

Danny opened his mouth then slowly closed it. He… It… his brows furrowed. He shook his head. “I don’t know. It happened suddenly. My parent said we’d talk about it when I was better.”

“The doctor didn’t explain?”

He shrugged. It pulled at the wound. “I don’t remember a hospital.” Was that weird? That was weird. “I went to sleep at home and woke up about a week later back in my bed.”

Midge didn’t say anything, just watched Danny’s reflection with their expressive brown eyes. Finally they gave a decisive little nod. “Okay, kid. I got you some shampoo, soap, and deodorant. The showers are through that door. You got a change of clothing?”

Danny nodded.

“Okay. I don’t have room in my cab for you to sleep, but Kenny is in the stop too and Paul isn’t with him, so he’s got room for you on a bunk in his cab. You want to head out with me when I leave?”

“You’ll let me?” Danny blurted out, too surprised by the offer to just accepted.

Midge’s eyes softened. “Yeah, ‘course. You said wherever I was going and my haul isn’t done yet. If you want to go with me, seat’s still yours.” They set the small bottle of shampoo, bar of soap, and tube of deodorant on the top of his duffel bag.

Danny stared at the little collection of items and had to blink back tears. “I, yeah. Thanks.”

“Okay. Clean up. I’ll meet you in the diner part of this joint in fifteen or so.”

“Thanks, Midge.”

“Sure kid.”

It took Danny a good few minutes just to gather himself enough to head into the shower room to quickly clean off. As he re-bandaged his chest with too practiced hands, his mind spun.

He didn’t remember a hospital, not for a single moment.

His parents were keeping something from him.

The stitches were in the same neat rows that his mother used to use stitch up his broken stuffed animals with.

Danny rushed to the toilet and threw up what little was in his stomach.

What had they done to him?

-

Midge was sitting in one of the peeling linoleum booths, looking freshly showered and talking to another driver. Danny tugged on the edge of his hoodie as their eyes turned to him.

“Kid, over here.”

Danny shuffled over. He sat down across from midge, tucking the duffel bag next to him. He’d stuffed what could be useful from his backpack into it and thrown away the rest. He wouldn’t need that chemistry textbook anymore.

“Kid, this is Kenny. Kenny, the kid,” Midge said with a little wave between them.

“Nice to meet you, Kid,” Kenny said like it was Danny’s name. He had a big busy beard that was going grey around the edges and a kind smile. “Guess you’re bunking with me tonight.”

“Yeah, thanks for letting me…”

“No issue. Normally my man Paul rides with me, but he’s helping his sister move this week,” Kenny said. “So dropped him off in the last city and I’ll try to find a job to get back to him soon enough. They could use the time though if it takes a bit.”

“Kenny is a talker,” Midge said. Midge very much wasn’t a talker. “What do you want to eat, kid?”

“I, um, not really hungry,” Danny said. His belly flip-flopped uneasily at just the thought of food.

“They do oatmeal. How about some oatmeal?” Kenny suggested.

Oatmeal… could work. Danny gave a silted little nod.

“Great! I’ll put in an order then go get cleaned up. They’ll call for it right over there when it’s ready,” Kenny said, motioning with one of his large hands as he stood and headed off before Danny could protest Kenny paying for him.

“Kenny is a good man, so’s Paul. Them and me and others, we have this group. We look out for each other at stops and on the road. We don’t let anyone cause any shit for any of the others of us. See, we ain’t the most typical folks. Kenny and Paul are married, been together ages before that. I don’t much care about gender, mine or others. We’ve got drivers who used to be one thing an’ are now another. We’ve all found our place on the road,” Midge said. It was the most Danny had heard them talk. “If you don’t have an issue with any of that and need to stay moving, we can see you safe. Just gotta help out when asked.”

Danny’s fingers knotted in his hoodie. He had to clear his throat. “I can do that.”

“Okay. Then welcome to the Rainbow Road, Kid.”

-----

AN: Danny's going on a journey! Whether he wants it or not. At least he found a group willing to fiercely protect a hurt kid. He's not the first one they helped out, even if his wounds are a new level of fucked up from what they're used to.

I no longer tag, but you can subscribe to the masterpost.

[renslo161605]

PART THIRTEEN - DEAD FOX (written form /w illustrations)

Isaac had spent hours being tortured by O'Driscolls. He is barely alive. They have him tied to a tree, not as if he can go far.

Read under cut \/

"Isaac. Pst. Isaac wake up."

"please... I'm begging you. I don't want any more trouble. If your gonna give me more grief just put me down, i beg."

Isaac had spent the entire night with nothing but torture from the other O'Driscoll's. He didn't even recognise Dermot's voice, he just wanted peace.

"i mean it boy. Get up n'keep quiet."

"please, please, I don't want anymore trouble just shoot me."

A pathetic plea muffled by tiredness and the ground.

Dermot gave Isaac a gentle kick to encourage him up.

Isaac finally realised who was talking to him, reluctantly he dragged himself up, limping and lethargic as he was.

An emotion Isaac couldn't read flashed over Dermot's eyes. He looked him up and down, at his wounds and at his shaking legs. A mix of pity, guilt and, grief maybe even loss?

"good god, they've really torn ye' up."

Isaac looked at the ground.

"are you still mad at me?"

Funny how even after endorsing the second worst punishment possible - torture, right behind death - a child will still look for forgiveness from a parent.

But Dermot didn't answer.

"Get movin', yer' horse is waitin' fer us."

Despite his harsh tone, Dermot wrapped and arm around Isaac and untied him from the tree he was bound to.

"your helpin' me?"

A tiny spark of hope.

"shut up, don't want anyone hearin' you."

Dermot practically dragged Isaac into the deeper woods. Silently, Isaac didn't argue. What could he do? As far as he was aware Dermot wanted him dead. As loving as Dermot was to isaac. Loyalty comes before love, be it conscious or subconscious. And Dermot was loyal to the O'Driscolls.

Isaac, could barely see, whether it was from exhaustion, pain or the swollen eyelid covering his vision be didn't know. His body ached all over, he didn't think there was a square inch of him not beaten or bruised by a former associate.

Eventually, they emerged from the shrubs to a clearing. There waited Midge. Her gorgeous, pitch black mane looked like a void in the dark of night. Her eyes lit up at the site of Isaac and she trotted towards him. She wasn't used to all the tack Dermot had equipped her with, it was his own tack. A saddle back also sat across her flanks, presumably Isaacs things.

"You - You really are helping me escape. B-but wheres Daisy, whys Midge got all her tack on."

"isaac i can't... I'm not..." Dermot stuttered and Isaac was sure he saw his lip quiver.

"your not what?"

Isaac's heart had awakened with hope and he was thinking much more coherently now.

"Daisy's... Old. Your horse will go further with less dead weight."

Dermot eventually sighed. He grabbed Isaacs shoulder, tighter than normal.

"Isaac. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. Really I am."

"what do you mean? I'm the one who-"

"no. I'm an adult. I should've listened to you and what you said about Keiran. Oh, Keiran."

Isaac started to tear up, he had forgotten about Keiran, how could be have forgotten about Keiran?

"But I'm an old man now. And forever an O'Driscoll. It's what I'll die as. It's who I am. I chose that path a long time ago. But you don't need to choose that path. Make your own life. Your an amazing little boy. Your love for horses is something that could take you far. Use it. Forget about how you were raised, forget about your blood. Change your name if you have to."

"why are you telling me this? Dermot I'm scared."

"oh I'm sure you are, mac, I'm sure you are. But without fear there would be no bravery. And you, have been braver than any boy your age should have been. Come here."

He yanked Isaac into a hug. He held him tight, put his hand on the back of isaacs head and swayed. Almost like he was rocking a babe to sleep, something he had never done to him since he had never known Isaac as a baby. Still he held the boy he raised, the baby-boy he had never had, the boy he had bathed, the boy he had tucked in, the boy he combed the hair of, the boy he dressed. Loved as his own. The child whose relationship was not bound by blood but by a mutual loss. And he loved and he loved, until he had to let go.

Floods of tears spilled from Isaacs eyes. Expected, but also Dermot's eyes.

"C'mon, let's go."

He lifted Isaac up, like he was lifting him onto an unusually high countertop, about to patch up another scraped knee. Placed him on top of his horse. The horse he had given him. His first horse. He stared at the scar on his chin, a wound he had treated when he first met him.

"I HEAR 'EM, THEY'RE IN THE WOODS. "

"C'mon Dermot we gotta go! Get on!"

Dermot stood on his toes, reaching up to Isaacs face and gently placed a hand on it.

To Isaac, Dermot had never looked older than he did in that moment, his dulling ginger hair truely frayed with the white. His green eyes started to grey. The wrinkles on his face twisted into a sob, his flesh was sunken and weary.

"What are you doing! They're coming Dermot! We have to go please"

Isaac grabbed Dermot's hand and desperately tried to haul him up, of course it did nothing.

To Dermot. Isaac had never looked so young. Had never seen him cry like a child. Like a child should, something bitter sweet about seeing it for the first and last time.

"WE FOUND 'EM, THEY'RE IN THE SHRUBS!"

"I love you, son."

Dermot smacked Midge and yelled something Isaac didn't catch. Midge bounded away. Without Dermot on her back.

"Dermot! Wait! No! We need to go back! Midge stop!"

Isaac pleaded.

In the distance he could see a horde of O'Driscolls engulf Dermot. He desperately tries to yank on the reins. But somehow Midge new the mission. She knew she couldn't stop.

"Stop! Miriam Bridget you stop right now and turn back for Dermot, I mean it!"

He yanked on the reins, her hair, her saddle horn. Anything he could grab but she didn't stop for anything. She knew there was nothing they could do.

"please! I'm begging you!"

Isaac draped himself forward onto her neck, an exhausted attempt. He couldn't bring his frail body to do much more.

"please."

The steady drum of horses hooves beat his ears. And tears stung his face. He couldn't see much. His eyes had started closing, he fought it as much as he could.

Eventually he gave in. He let his body finally rest. It felt pathetic. Like a baby who hadn't had a nap yet. And in the back of his mind he knew he'd wake up to next to nothing. No parents, no home, no money, No Dermot. Just his horse. Always his horse.

[coolgal5]

STARMAN - A. STEENBECK

Auggie Steenbeck x reader

Part one of ????

Part two https://www.tumblr.com/coolgal5/738210108662775808/starman-a-steenbeck

(GN reader, we need more auggie on this app)

You had wanted to be an astronomer since you were younger. You had always had an affinity for outer space and even more so you loved the unknown. Something about trying to find the answers to things nobody had ever known had always been the best to you. So when one of your closer colleagues, Dr. Hickenlooper, invited you to travel with her to a Jr. Stargazers convention you knew you had to go.

Asteroid city was familiar to you, you had grown up in a nearby town. You however had never seen it this packed before. School children, parents, cowboys, military men, you even noticed a movie star. You were staying with Dr. Hickenlooper for the most part of the trip but after you guys had unpacked at the motel she was pulled away by someone to work on preparing stuff for later in the day. This left you on your own for about half an hour. You recalled seeing a small diner on your way into town and you figured you should probably eat something.

You waltzed into the diner and glanced around. There was a few tables spread around and a bar. You thought about where you should sit when you noticed someone familiar. Midge Campbell, the film actress sitting at the end of the bar. You walked over, pulling out the seat beside her and sat down.

“Pardon me, Midge Campbell?” You spoke softly as to not startle her

“oh yes hello?” She quickly replied, glaring at you through the thin frames of her glasses.

You offer out your hand for her to shake.

“Hello! I’m familiar with some of your work and it’s very good, you’re very talented.”

She smiled lightly, seeming to ease up.

“Oh yes thank you. I’m glad you think s-“

She was cut off by a snapping sound from the other end of the bar causing the three of you to snap your heads around to the cause of the sound.

A man sat there, around his early forties with who you assumed was his son.

“You took a picture of us” Midge spoke, glaring at him as if he was something she had found on the bottom of her shoes.

“Mhm” He nodded.

As you looked at him you began to think to yourself. You noticed he was REALLY attractive. He had messy hair and a scruffy beard that was patchier than a pair of old jeans but he seemed to pull it off WAY too well.

“Why?” Midge continued to interrogate the man.

“I’m a photographer” Even the way he spoke was attractive, the way he seemed so sure of himself and you found your cheeks heating up at the thought.

“You didn’t ask permission”

“I never ask permission”

“Why not?”

“Because I work in trenches, battle fields and combat zones.”

“Really?” “Mhm”

“You mean you’re a war photographer?” You chimed in.

“I sometimes cover sporting events, my name is Auggie Steenbeck.”

“What will you do with it?”

“I’ll probably try and sell it to a magazine now that you mention it, Midge Campbell and her friend, eating waffles.”

“Make us a print first, to approve”

You listened to the way midge spoke, she had a REALLY pretty voice. It felt really strange to see someone who you had only seen on the screen in real life.

Just then, the younger girl beside midge raised her hand.

“This is Dinah”

“This is Woodrow” Auggie stated, motioning towards the boy beside him.

“I have a question” Dinah finally spoke as Auggie nodded.

“Have you ever been shot? With bullets?”

“Have I ever-“ he chuckled lightly “Once or twice, just grazed”

“He got shrapnelled in the back of the head once, show her” Woodrow tipped in before Auggie turned around, revealing the mark on the back of his head.

Midge took a sip of her coffee before speaking again.

“I don’t say I forgive you yet by the way”

You all turned back to your food, but you continue glancing off to the side at Auggie

This was going to be a long two days.

[docholligay]

Doc are you concerned with falling student proficiency levels, in regards to Midge's education down the line?

Hm, as far as Beeb being a fool? Maybe, but she does have me, and her mother, both of whom are readers and who prize critical thinking. She also is being raised with a religious framework that prizes study and knowledge and debate.

We also don't allow her to have a lot of screentime, she will not be allowed to have a tablet, and she won't be able to have a smart phone until she can buy it herself. I'm no fun at all! She can and will have a computer. She can get up to enough bullshit on that. We read to her twice a day.

But, iron sharpens iron, and I do worry about that. If her peers are easily led screen zombies, she has no reason to better herself. But I have a really limited number of options! If we had a non-religious private school with an emphasis on academic excellence, I would consider pooling literally all my family and friends to send her, but, all the schools are religious, and not even "religious but extremely academic" I mean, religion is their raison d'etre. Because we're gay i probably couldn't get into a solid 3/4 of them anyhow. I don't have the skills to homeschool unless I could get together a decent homeschool cooperative. (I would be SUCH a good lit and history, possibly spanish, teacher to whatever 4 high school age kids there were)

If I'm concerned, what am I supposed to do? We don't have school choice so I can't get her into the rich kid public school. I could lie and say i live with my father, I guess, who lives in a much wealthier end of town (it was not when my folks bought the house more than 30 years ago) That's not off the table, if I have to.

The best I can do is keep my side of the street clean. I will teach beeb how to look stuff up, how to think, how to talk to people, how to do all of this, actually perform the business of parenting, and you know what? If she keeps up with it, she could be so far out in front of everyone that she does just fine.

[poltergeistsoup]

Kenny’s Family: the Sleaters

Barb/Midge

Mom (Elizabeth) age 52

Manager of a mature women’s clothing store

Tightly wound and very particular— freaks out over anything out of place

Kenny’s way of being makes her insane, tells her “you’ll grow out of it, everyone has that phase”

Won’t lose it in public because she needs to save face above all else

Married her first and only boyfriend

Says marriage is about loyalty

Likes Midge because she’s quiet, hopes Barb’s girliness will rub off on Kenny

Dad (Robert “BoB”) age 55

Plumber— spends most of his time at work

Sits in his recliner with a beer and his Facebook “car go fast” videos

Wanted a son; Kenny’s his favorite

Likes Kenny because she shares his interests, but doesn’t really care for her interests outside of his own

Parenting style is “listen to your mother”

Doesn’t remember which of Kenny’s friends is Barb and which one’s Midge

Lisa, age 23

Top of her class

Doesn’t understand why Kenny doesn’t think makeovers are fun

Gets everything she wants

Gets along with every sister but Kenny, though Tilly has become disagreeable

Kenny, age 19

Black sheep of the family

Close with her dad, fights with her mom

Tries to bond with Mimi

Has never gotten along with Tilly

Used to share a room with Lisa

Mathilda “Tilly,” age 12

Thinks everything is cringe

Sephora 12 year old

Used to be close with Mimi

Fights with everyone

Nightmare tween

Miriam “Mimi,” age 10

Very shy and quiet

Used to be close with Tilly, but Tilly has decided she’s too cool for everything

Kenny and Lisa are nice to her

Not good at making friends

Mom is overly critical of her and Kenny

[frazzledsoul]

So season 5 of Gilmore Girls was my favorite season for a long, long time. It's the Luke/Lorelai season of dreams (or so it seemed) and there are many great moments. Also, Rory finally moves on from her high school boyfriends and does something more interesting at Yale other than go on bad dates and whine about her study tree.

However, the entire season is chock full of completely fabricated drama.

ASP did not want Luke and Lorelai together. Christopher was her favorite. She LOVVVVED Christopher, and sought every opportunity to pull him into the story because she thought his love story with Lorelai was so compelling. I have not watched Mrs. Maisel, but I have heard that she pretty much plays the same card with Midge and Joel, arguing that he's the true (romantic) love of Midge's life even though her life is centered on other things. ASP would give interviews around season 2 where she flat out stated she brought Jess in to be an obstacle between Luke and Lorelai, but would go on and in about how Lorelai and Christopher were so compelling and how great it would be if he got his shit together and blah blah blah. She wanted Milo to stay for longer, but he declined: once he was gone and Rory and Jess's constant presence was no longer an issue to Luke/Lorelai, she married Luke off and brought in an upper-class love interest for Lorelai while she wrote the most mind-numbingly boring insurance industry storylines featuring him.

During season four, the ratings dipped. The audience did not appreciate Luke/Lorelai being delayed again, they didn't like single Rory, they missed the boyfriend drama. Supposedly the show was in danger of being canceled, so ASP got rid of Jason and hooked Luke/Lorelai up to save the show. For her part, ASP said that she only agreed to get Luke/Lorelai together so David Sutcliffe (who was on another show during S4) could show up and Christopher could cause trouble to make things interesting. Max and Alex and Jason didn't need Christopher around for ASP to write their storylines, but he was absolutely necessary for her to write Luke/Lorelai because she just can't handle it unless he provides an obstacle. Okkkkkkaaaaay.

Also, Rory is now a bad girl who sleeps with married men and has casual sex with the rich campus Lothario who has family connections to the industry she wants to join. Look, I get it. She was boring. Milo and Jared wanted to move on. No one wants more storylines about urine mints, after all.

In season 5, Emily and Richard (especially Emily) suddenly becomes super interested in Lorelai's life. The grandparents until then had appeared to disapprove of Lorelai's career choice and had to be begged to attend the opening of the Dragonfly. They both openly seem to think that she wasted her potential and that this isn't a satisfactory way of earning a living. (It's not clear why they think journalism, an industry that doesn't pay well and isn't really a practical choice to support oneself to support oneself is so much better, but whatever). Suddenly Emily is super invested in Lorelai's life now that she owns an inn and Luke isn't good enough. She also appears to personally disapprove of Luke because he lives a working class lifestyle and is divorced (so is Christopher, but again....whatever, I guess) and it makes no sense that she cares. Suddenly it's become imperative that her choice in men are people that her parents find acceptable when in the past they didn't care. Lorelai's choice in men is just one of the ways in which Lorelai rejected them, and they don't seem to mind. Jason was in their social class and I suspect Max was closer to it than Luke was, but that didn't make Emily like them any better. But now it's a huge, huge problem and drives the storyline of the entire season.

We also have Christopher's re-emergence, and suddenly it becomes very, very important to Lorelai to fix his life and comfort him. She went the last two seasons content to stay out of his life and staying out of whatever relationship Rory might have with him (which is nonexistent, because unless it might involve sex with Lorelai, he can't be bothered) but now she has to drop everything to help him with his parenting woes, she has to check in on him to see how he's doing, his dad died so she decides to show up with tequila and spend all night "comforting" him even though she already has a boyfriend and this is not anything close to appropriate (and of course lie about it until she has to confess what happened before Christopher does).

I accepted all of this as temporary drama at the time period. In retrospect, her behavior is pretty disturbing, and makes it clear that she doesn't have appropriate boundaries with Christopher, that she will clearly view him as her first priority and drop everything else in her life to make him feel better, and is not going to be someone who can be trusted in a monogamous relationship unless she sets boundaries with him. Lorelai's behavior in the second half of season six bears this theory out.

The show doesn't take that view. Luke and Lorelai's breakup is all a result of Emily's meddling, not Lorelai having an inappropriate relationship with her ex in the first place, and the entire Luke/Lorelai storyline is just a vehicle to get them to fight again. I also don't like that Luke becomes a complete disaster during the break-up, when he seemed to function just fine after their rift in S2 and after their break-up in S6 even seems to...flourish, improving as a dad and a support system to other people (I think some shippers hate S7 for this reason, because he didn't let it destroy him). In S5, so much of his existence is as a vehicle to Lorelai's plot and this stupid Emily/Lorelai conflict that ASP wanted to write, either because she didn't really want to write the ship or wanted to make it clear who the main character was. It seems that before and after this time period Luke was able to exist more as an independent character, with things that mattered to him besides Lorelai, even if those plots were not great (hi, April).

(And I get that Milo couldn't appear, but if he had and we had gotten more if an update on Jess I think it would have done a lot for making Luke be someone other than a plot device).

So Luke and Lorelai get back together and the grandparents forget they ever opposed the idea. The last third of the season is focused on Rory's drama and whether Luke and Lorelai want to get married and have babies (that whole thing with Lorelai wanting to travel the world instead of settling down is hackneyed drama and makes no sense...she never really had shown a deep desire for wanting to make that her life and she just opened her dream business a year ago). The grandparents don't bat an eye at Luke and Lorelai getting engaged, they don't care that Luke has an illegitimate child that dropped out of the sky, they want to support them and buy them a house. When Lorelai married Christopher, Emily buys them an ugly painting and wants to throw a real reception, but she also confronts Lorelai, tells her that Christopher is basically a loser but she picked him so it's her funeral, and urges her to take the marriage seriously.

The grandparents only care about disapproving of Luke during this ONE SEASON. Before and afterwards, they shrug it off. In AYITL, Emily spends the entire series chiding Lorelai for being a commitmentphobe. It was all fabricated drama in the first place.

All of this does not mean I don't ship Luke/Lorelai and enjoy them during their better moments, because I do. But so much of S5 relies on a plot structure that makes no sense, so it is definitely not my favorite anymore.

[jellymeduza]

Hi Meduza! I just came cross your edited version of Midge's adoption memory mod, however it conflicts with Midge's Step-Parents Baby Wants Satisfied mod (midgethetree tumblr com/post/182666490574/develop-crushlove-sims-have-an-option-to-develop). Is there a workaround for this? Thank you!

Hi!

Apparently you're not the first person who have asked about making these mods compatible. 😅

I have updated my edit by adding two new versions of my edit of Midge’s mod: midgethetree_stepparentsbabywantssatisfied-babywantfix_children and midgethetree_stepparentsbabywantssatisfied-babywantfix_toddlers. They incorporate “Step-Parents Baby Wants Satisfied (with TwoJeff’s baby wants fix)”. If you want one of these versions delete z_midgethetree_adoptionmemorymod_children, z_midgethetree_adoptionmemorymod_toddlers, Midge’s “Adoption Memory Mod” or “Step-Parents Baby Wants Satisfied (with TwoJeff’s baby wants fix)”, whichever you have, and TwoJeff’s mod.

@tirion-picture-gallery asked:

Hi! I love your Cynnix' TSM Veil as an accessory! Such a good idea! Would you maybe also be interested in turning hriveresse's Palla hair into a veil accessory? It's a pretty veil, but the hair not so much. It can be found in part 2 of hriveresse's SS gift to heimskur, post 1 of this thread, halfway down the post where the Greek part of the gift starts: https://www.medievalsims.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=241&t=6966&p=44694&hilit=stola#p44694

Hi! I'm currently not really interested, but I'll keep it at the back of my mind. :)

[wonderlandleighleigh]

He shows up on a Monday night in February, after she gets home from the show with a record in his hands, looking sheepish. It’s late and the kids are sleeping. Her parents are out.

She hasn’t seen him since that day at the airport. Truthfully, she never really thought she’d see him again after that, but here he is. He looks tired, and a little defeated in the eyes, butt there’s a tiny bit of hope too.

Midge tilts her head, trying for a smile. “Lenny...?”

“So I’ve got a couple show in town,” he tells her. “And this new record came out and I really think you’ll dig it.”

“The kids are sleeping,” she reminds him gently.

He nods, but heads for the record player. “We’ll put it on low. It’s not the kinda song you listen to loud anyway.”

Midge follows him, watching him curiously. “Lenny, are you okay?”

“Good. I’m-” he sighs, his shoulders slumping a little. “I just- “

She waits.

“Miss you,” he says quietly. “And I just uh...” he fiddles with the record. “If you’re tired, we don’t have to do this, I just got jazzed is all. It came out late last year, but i just caught the other day so I...”

Slowly, she steps up to him and takes the record, putting it on the player and setting it to player softly. 

Tonight you’re mine completely You give your love so sweetly Tonight the light of love is in your eyes But will you love me tomorrow?

Midge closes her eyes, letting the music wash over her, swaying a little.

This man.

This dumb, sweet, beautiful man that she can’t stop thinking about, even with the chaos of two children, a volatile ex-husband, a roller coaster of a job and two deeply opinionated parents breathing down her neck.

She doesn’t really know when Lenny pulled her into his arms to sway with her, but she’s not complaining.

Tonight with words unspoken You say that I’m the only one But will my heart be broken When the night meets the morning sun

She wraps her arm around his neck tightly, her face buried into the shoulder of his jacket, breathing in the smell of cigarette smoke and coffee and Lenny, and when she turns her head, her lips connect with his jaw and she’s being pulled closer.

So tell me now And I won’t ask again Will you still love me tomorrow?

He dips his head and kisses her tenderly as the song fades, and Midge sighs against his lips, her hand gripping him tightly.

“Just wanted one more dance?” she asks as they part.

“And another, and another after that,” he admits.

“You drunk right now?”

Lenny shakes his head.

“You other things?” Midge asks.

Another head shake. “It was too final, seeing you at the airport. Too much like...never again. It bothered me. And I know I should just let you go. But I never claimed to be a smart or strong man, Midge. Mostly I’m just weak and a slave to my proclivities, and I think you might be one of them.”

She grins a little. “So? You’re here tonight...I assume you’re back out west in the next few days. What do we do?”

“Keep dancing?” Lenny offers sheepishly.

“And after that?” Midge asks gently.

He gazes at her. “I’ve done crazier things than try to make a bi-coastal relationship work. There’s phones...wildly sexy letters...visits. And after all, I have a lease, not a mortgage...nothing says California is forever.”

Midge gazes at him softly, and thinks over his words. How good it all sounds. How she hasn’t been the least bit tempted by any of the men in her life since being with Lenny. How much she’s missed him. Just hearing his voice over the phone sounds so much better than going on dates with another man. “Yes.”

“Yes?” he asks quietly.

She nods and smiles. “Yeah. It’s a yes. Let’s make it work.”

The smile she receives for her response is one she’s never seen on his face before, and she kisses it tenderly, before turning back to the record player, setting it to replay the song.

[bonefall]

i am definitely one of those people who gives their cats warrior names so here r my parents' two young cats:

"Cloudbound"-> Haipipip "fat cloud bouncing." He is a big floofy ragdoll himbo and he reminds me of a cotton swab.

"Flywhisker" -> Ffawshusspap "keen fruit fly." There's not yet words in the lexicon for her name I think, so I used "bee sensing with carpal whiskers" as a placeholder which is kind of what I want to get at but she's really more of a fruit fly yk? And I couldn't find a personality adjective for an observant cat or a proficient hunter, which I think could be a good addition regardless. Anyways she is a very skittish and twitchy little black and white spotted cat and i am her favorite person because i walk quietly.

Don't feel obligated to answer this ask, i just wanted to share :]

FLIES

Fruit flies are actually quite rare, and mostly only seen in ThunderClan because of their notorious love of including fruit in their recipes. This climate is very cold, and fruit flies are most common around human settlements where there's a year-round supply of fruit (pre-infested!) coming in from supermarkets.

So I'll add fruit flies when I get around to a legitimate entry on flies as a whole, but for now, there's a whole bunch of teeny flies that could be very fitting here.

Let's start with the broad "categories" of "Fly" that Clan Cats have plus some related words;

Fly (Generic) = Usprr Any insect that primarily flies to travel, but is not a butterfly, dragonfly, or midge. Bees are a type of Fly in Clanmew. (Midges include craneflies, robberflies, and mosquitoes)

Waste = Bloh Translates directly. A waste. Something that can't be used.

Gall = Oorp Swollen bumps and shapes that rise off plants to house certain types of insects, very popular with certain types of flies, but also used by some mites.

To Harmlessly Pretend/To Pretend To Be Busy = Aweerron/Aweerro/Aweerr This is a REALLY hard verb to translate into English. Translated directly, it means "doing the act of being dandelion-yellow." Translated roughly, it means to don the color yellow so you're left alone by something with a greater threat-level. It can mean 'compliance,' or it can mean to 'mind your own business,' or it can even mean 'looking busy.' A verb that describes several animals, but especially types of flies, of which bees are a type. Their yellow coloration acts as a deterrent to bigger animals who want to avoid being stung. If you've ever been at work and just done something pointless when the boss rolls around, so you don't get assigned more work, you were doing this.

Maggot (of any fly) = Ulae The most general term for baby flies of all types. Also used for bee larvae. NOT derogatory in Clanmew.

Maggot (of green bottlefly) = Huli The medicinal maggot, a VERY important species for use in treating SEVERE wounds.

SPECIFIC CATEGORIES OF FLIES

Hover Fly = Hafrr Little flies capable of a true hover, coming in various odd shapes, but most are dandelion-yellow. Just like butterflies, a fly that is capable of performing this difficult flight pattern is highly respected, but in a cutesy, diminutive way. Hover flies are primarily pollinators, seen around flowers. Being likened to a hoverfly is like being called "spunky."

Building Fly = Kyybr Most bees, wasps, hornets, certain gall flies. Flies that build another structure. Ants temporarily become these at certain times of the year, according to the Clan cat interpretation of an ant's nuptial flight. There are a TON of other subtypes under this, wasps, solitary bees, swarming bees, etc, which I'll get into some other time.

Bristle Fly = Bfurr Probably what you imagine when you hear "fly." Round, bristly, buzzy things, which are often attracted to rotting things and waste. A little fruit fly is a type of bfurr, but so are bottleflies and the golden dung fly. Some flies which are not drawn to decaying matter, such as the Red Parasite Fly, get lumped in here too.

Lace Fly = Honrr Clear-winged, slender insects. Includes scorpionflies, some sawflies, actual lacewings, and the bay sucker.

And lastly, a couple of interesting species.

Scorpionfly (Panorpa Communis) = Yykrn The web-pilferer. Named for its habit of snatching the prey of spiders right out of their webs!

Cleg (Haematopota pluvialis) = Grawr The MOST annoying fly in the entire Clans, absolutely detested. A nasty creature whose bite contains an anticoagulant, causing it to bleed profusely. Common in WindClan and near the edges of conifer forests (such as the plantation near ShadowClan). Considered a lot worse than mosquitoes, which are just itchy.

Marmalade Hover Fly (Episyrphus balteatus) = Fsi Yes. Marmalade can be a valid warrior cat prefix if you'd like <3 The most common hoverfly, traveling in swarms and looking almost exactly like a bee. Their maggots kill aphids and the adults pollinate flowers, causing them to be looked at especially fondly in ThunderClan.

Green Bottlefly (Lucilia sericata) = Holibf The species that is attracted by Clerics so its maggots can be used in medicine. A fly species you're definitely already familiar with, for its shiny, green abdomen.

[theycallme-thejackal]

One MidgeLenny x TSwift Fic Per Day

182. The Archer

She still finds herself wondering how Joel could have ever left her.

But then how could he stay?

They just weren’t right for each other. As horrible as the way he left was - having an affair and then taking her suitcase - if he hadn’t left, she would still be in a marriage that didn’t make her happy. Not really.

She wonders if there’s anyone who could stay.

On a snowy November night, she thought she’d found someone who would. She thought that inevitable night with Lenny was the beginning of her endgame, but she even pushed him away. With her own bull-headedness, she made sure to nix any opportunity to see just how far this thing between them could really go.

He’s been away for months - god knows where - and she misses him. She misses having someone see through her. He sees who she really is while also being able to see right through all her bullshit.

No one has been able to put her back together since he left. She’s been working and working and working, but personally she’s a mess. And granted, being a mess makes for some damn good comedy, but she’s tired of feeling this way.

She’s so damn tired in general.

He appears one night at her show, and she feels like he’s a mirage until after her set, when he steps up beside her, gently grasping her elbow and guiding her out of the club.

On the sidewalk, she collapses agains his side, feeling just on the edge of consciousness. “Midge?” He whispers.

“'m so tired,” she whimpers, feeling tears in her eyes.

He sighs through his nose, which is resting against the top of her head. “Let’s get you home.”

She nods and lets him guide her to a cab.

---

She’s always been the caretaker in her relationships, so it’s strange to see him roaming around her kitchen, getting her water, rummaging in the fridge for leftovers. “Drink,” he commands gently as he sets down a glass of water in front of her.

She sips, finding it unbelievable how delicious water tastes right now. But then when was the last time she actually took care of herself? She’s taken great care of her children, her parents, even Joel, but she hasn’t taken any time for herself since Carnegie Hall two months ago.

“Thank you,” she whispers when the glass is empty. He sets down a container between them. Chinese food from...two nights ago? She takes a fork and stabs some of the chicken. It’s spicy as hell, but maybe it will give her a jolt.

She chews thoughtfully, and he coughs when the spice hits his tongue. “Holy shit,” he chokes out, chugging his own water. “How the hell do you eat that?”

She shrugs, the movement feeling difficult now that she’s actually acknowledging how tired she is. “How did you know?” She asks quietly.

“Know what?” He asks as he gets up to refill their glasses. 

“That I was running on fumes,” she answers. “I...I didn’t even know.”

He sets her glass in front of her and takes his seat again, nudging the chicken toward her.

“Because you pay attention,” she realizes aloud. “You know how much I’ve been working.”

“Yeah,” he confesses. “I know it’s partly my fault. I told you to work, and I - ”

“It’s not your fault, Lenny,” she interrupts. “I just...I lost so much momentum this year, and I was trying to get back to where I was before Shy dumped me.”

“I know,” he murmurs. “But I also know you. I should’ve known that when I said work, you’d take it to the extreme.”

She sighs, closing her eyes for a moment. It feels really good to be understood like this. To be cared for this way. She vaguely registers his chuckle, and then he’s guiding her to her feet and scooping her up in his arms.

She rests her head on his shoulder as he takes her down the hall to her bedroom. “Now I’d undress you, but you’re close to unconsciousness, and as you once pointed out, I am a gentleman.”

“S’okay,” she promises. “Need help.”

He sets her on the bed. Oh, her bed is so comfortable. The show corset decidedly less so. 

He unzips her as easily as he did that night in his blue room, and she stands with his help, letting the dress fall to the floor as she kicks off her shoes. He helps her out of her corset, and through her bleary vision, she can see him struggling not to look at her.

“You’re allowed to look, Lenny,” she mutters. “It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.”

“Yes, but if I look, I’m going to have a little bit of a problem,” he reasons, half-joking.

She manages to laugh softly as she tugs her girdle off. “Can you get a nightgown?” She asks, pointing to the dresser.

He nods and heads that way, and she watches him open the drawer. He pulls out a nightgown and gives it to her, letting her slip it over her head as he pulls down the covers.

She used to sleep on the left side, but she’s been sleeping on the right ever since that night with him. She slips under the sheets, resting her head on the pillow, and she feels him press a kiss to her forehead. “Night, Midge,” he whispers before turning to go.

“You could stay,” she whispers. He stops and then turns to her slowly. “If you want,” she adds. “I just...miss you.”

He looks at her for a long moment, and it’s the last thing she sees before sleep overtakes her exhausted body.

Ten hours later, she wakes to find her head pillowed on his chest, and she feels like she can take on the world.

[clockwayswrites]

Ok, I may not have voted for it, but I'm appalled that catching cold has 0% in the pol!!!! What????? The first part was amazing and that last sentence, "They really did it, didn't they? They took it from me." Made my stomach DROP I was like oh SHIT!!!! I was hooked, then the next part where Sam and Tucker realize Danny doesn't know he was Phantom, man that just adds even more context to the first part!! And danny not taking his medicine and them running away was so gratifying, like yes!!! Something IS wrong and you should NOT trust your parents!!! And then the beginning of his journey, the start of it all where he meets Midge!! It's all so good and I will not stand for this Catching Cold slander!!!!!

(Catching cold anon) and also the ONLY reason I didn't vote for Catching Cold was bc I saw salt in the bones right under it and I remembered Danny's little skeleton gecko friend and I was like "Squiggles :]"!!! I also didn't really think the poll was that big of a deal, but if I knew Catching Cold was gonna be done dirty like this I would have voted for it!!!! I cannot stand for this injustice!!!!

Poor little Catching Cold! I'm also very shocked that it doesn't have a single vote!

I knew that City Pigeons would do numbers since it is the active wip on the list and so on people's minds but some of the others surprise me! I'm shocked Bury the Years doesn't have more considering the response it has had, for example. And the vague 'something Danny/Dick' has far more than I expected! I'm not surprised that Neon Adjuration and Talons are that low, rip my babies. (And one of those Neon Adjuration votes is me so I can see the poll!)

But truly, Catching Cold having zero is completely shocking to me. Poor little fic *pets it gently*. It's okay, I still love you.

And ty for letting me know you do too!

[lovepollution]

TMMM 5x07 thoughts

SPOILERS UNDER HERE

(Watched last night but only just remembered to post this, oops.)

Moise and Shirley are always fun, so that was a good opening - the bit with Midge trying to explain to them that she works at the Gordon Ford Show gave me a chuckle.

A flashforward I actually enjoyed?! I’m shocked too, but I like the dynamic between older Midge and Rose, mainly because Midge actually still feels like Midge.

Midge parenting Ethan and sending Abe when she’s too busy with work shows again how her ending up a terrible parent makes no sense. 😒 I really liked the stuff with Abe at the school, too.

I’m sure Jason Ralph is a nice guy, but I don’t see the point of Mike - outside of him maybe needing to be a minor side character not really worthy of a name. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Midge and Noah scenes are scarce, but there should be more because I like the way they bounce off each other. Astrid is always a treat to watch, too.

“Fuck Ford” Susie always knows what’s up because unsurprisingly, Gordon Ford still sucks.

Midge accepting someone doesn’t “get her”, not wanting to ruin things for James, all the while being gracious yet still determined is the Midge we know and have hardly seen this season. Even seeing Midge break down privately later felt so much more like the real her.

Midge not caring about losing the money so she can make Rose happy in “the time has left” was heartbreaking but perfect.

Only two episodes left and I really, really miss Lenny. 🥺 Even just to see him pop up randomly would be so lovely. 😩

[bosesmikas]

Kitty Forman and Bob Pinciotti 

Oh yessss <3

Kitty

-I downright despise her. Like seeing almost any defense of her pisses me off and I hate how it seems illegal in the fandom to hate her.

-As I’ve said several times, Kitty did not have “character assassination” (imo at least) in T9S. Who she is in T9S is almost identical. Maybe she might be a little less serious, but people tend to loosen up a lot when they get older. I actually like T9S!Kitty more because the writers finally stopped portraying her as this beacon of virtue and let her be flawed yet a good person more like in S1 of T7S.

-the way she treats Eric, Donna, and Laurie downright makes my blood boil. And idc if Laurie is Satan on whatever, no child should have to deal with hearing stuff like “Rosemary had a better baby than me” and “I love you because I have to” from their own MOTHER.

Bob

-I don’t think I have any, but I think he might actually be the best MAIN parent on the show. Definitely not while with Midge, but after that, he grows a lot as a person imo and into a really good dad to Donna. (Overall tho, I think WB is the best parent but out of the main parents, it’s Bob with Red as a close second.)

[docholligay]

Admit it, Doc. You know you can't measure up to Bandit's ability to spend hours and hours playing make-believe with his kids and that's why you can't show Midge Bluey!

I do think it actually sets a really weird expectation of parents!

I'm probably going to get roasted for this, but I don't actually think it is some perfect ideal to have parents frequently drop everything in order to playact intricate games with their children. I don't think we need to go full "throwing the children outside if they speak" or anything, but I do think that parents are under ever-increasing stress, as the expectations of parents grow and grow, and that it actually will not kill a child to be forced to play pretend by themselves.

I've never seen Bluey, so I can't actually give a good critique of the show in literally any direction, but I do know that the dad dog, who i presume is Bandit, apparently does not have to work or clean house or whatever because he can spend endless amounts of time playing pirate or whatever with Bluey and...is there a sibling? I feel like there is. Good for Bluey. That's not the life that I have to offer Midge.

I love having her help in the kitchen and with chores and all that, but I do not have the space in my mind or the day to handcraft her a spaceship or whatever.

[aliypop]

That's Alright For Such a Night (Rewrite Chapter 6)

Word Count: 3,293

Writers Note: So far I'm enjoying rewriting this, and Now I'm adding and Rewriting my fanfic series Anyway you do into it to really solidify the timeline.

Warning: mostly fluff / Historic Language and Values

Pairing: POC OC x Elvis

Plot: During the Louisiana Hayride two breakout stars meet in a rush only to learn they've dealt their cards in the hands of fate.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8

Tennessee July 3rd, 1956

"How am I gonna cover this up, my boy."

"Any way you do." Elvis shrugged. Tom was nearly devastated, sitting in his office looking at Elvis like a parent would, "You are already in trouble for dancing like a colored man... Now this!" he slammed the newspaper on the table, 

 "Lightin' up, Colonel. It was just some fun." Elvis smiled, thinking about all the fun he had that night. He felt like Elvis again, not the Elvis that was available for everyone, but the small-town poor kid from Tupelo who was with the love of his life.

"We were just gettin our kicks," Cecelia said, putting on her pink sling-back heels.

"Some kicks!" Denise shouted, "Cecelia Shanel Valmos! Just on the other side of us in Alabama, there's the bus protest where we're getting beaten and slandered for having this skin color," 

"It's not that serious." she rolled her eyes, "I mean, the bus protest is, but Pres and I.."

"Pres and you doing what. You could lose fans over this." 

"You could lose fans over this, Elvis." Tom slammed his fist on the table,

"Already lost 'em with that damn hound dog trick Colonel," he said, pushing his hair back. 

"What's so special about him anyways..." Denise asked, sitting back in her chair. 

"Mama..." Her mother glared at her when her Southern accent arrived,

 "Mother, he's kind and sweet. He's crossing barriers. Maybe I could, too." Cecelia said as she looked love sick, her mother slash manager hating every inch of it, 

"The only barriers you could cross is in music."

"Maybe that's what I wanna do," she mumbled, 

"And besides, why not Chuck Berry or Little Richard." her mother kept listing artists. Cecelia was picking up a pattern here, but she wouldn't call her mother out on it.

"Mama Little Richard ain't exactly uh... well..a lady's man." she hinted as her mother rolled her eyes, "And besides, El is good people. We're neck and neck on the charts." she smiled, "And we toured together."

"Yeah, neck and neck on the charts with a colored woman who pretends to be you," Tom mentioned as Elvis groaned, 

"She ain't pretending to be me. If anything, she's better than me." 

"How's that, my boy..."

"Well, she's got stage presence. It's like she commands the crowd, and they listen." 

"They do the same to you." Tom rolled his eyes, looking at contracts.

"Yeah, but when she does it... it's I can't explain it..." he sighed. He was lovesick. And he had it so bad it was like a fevering cold. 

"She's..."

"Brave, mother, I mean, he goes up there coat tails looks like a butler still manages to look handsome and, Mornin Midge." 

"Morning, Cece, talking about Mr. Presley again."

"When is she not." Denise sighed, "Lately, he's all she's got on her tongue." Midge nearly choked at her boss's words,

 "Well, uh, You've got some memos and calls, Mrs. Valmos," Midge said as she was walking towards her desk in the office, 

"From who?" Denise questioned,

"Frank Sinatra, Ella, Sammy, Dean, Sam," Midge sipped her coffee, "And an Elvis A Presley." she smiled as Denise took the card that had Elvis's number on it,

"Oh no, this is for Ms. Valmos only." Midge took the card from her hand,

"For me..." Midge gave her a nod, 

"Tell him I'll call him back."

"Tell him to stop calling the studio so damn much..." Denise rolled her eyes. 

"I'll handle it..." Midge smirked, 

Cecelia dialed the number on the card. She could hear the phone ring as a lump in her throat appeared. It wasn't like they didn't talk all the time, but Cececlia had never been scared to have someone answer the phone,

"Hello, Elvis, darlin!" 

"Who is this..."

"Cecelia Valmos and you are?" 

"Mrs. Gladys Presely, his mother." she glared at her son, who was in the kitchen eating a quick lunch, covering the bottom half of the phone. She took a deep breath,

 "Elvis Aaron Presley...How many times have I told you stop givin' those wayward girls the family phone number?"

"Mama, I-I..."

"There's one on the phone now, Booby. Says her name is Cecelia Valmos, which can't be right cause the only Valmos I know is the jazz singer and-"

 Elvis took the phone from his mother as he cleared his throat from embarrassment. 

"I-I uh uhm Cece, Hi!. Hey..." he tried to play it cool as she laughed,

"Hey El, I was, uhm, returning your call. My manager, Uh, well, she hung up on you." Cecelia laughed as she leaned against the wall, trying to act cool as Midge walked by and rolled her eyes, laughing at her. 

"Figures... Hey, look, you doing anything tomorrow night," 

"I can't. I'm flying to New York for a performance taping."

"O-oh, I see." he had a tone of despair. 

"Why, what's wrong?" 

"Nothing." 

"El...EP... Pres.. Sugar... Dumplin, Mr. Pretty Blue Eyes, tell me." she said as he blushed,

 "Nothing Cece, uh, enjoy New York an bring me back one of them big hot dogs." he laughed. 

"Thanks..." she sighed. Something had to be wrong, but what was it. 

"You look sad, Booby.." Gladys sighed, 

"I'm fine, mama."  

"Looks like it's about a girl..." Vernon smirked,

"It seems like it always is with you." Gladys shook her head,

July 4th 1956 Memphis Tennessee, / New York City

The plane ride to New York was relaxing, but all she could think of was why in the world did Elvis sound so upset. Did she say something wrong, or did her mother say something wrong? Laying back in her seat as she was overthinking, Cecelia was rushed to NBC studios and her dressing room.

"Midge," Cecelia called out as she looked at the dresses picked for her to wear. They were all more modest and hardly even danceable, not that she had a problem with modesty, but she was known as the rock n roll pinup. The Risque roller. It was an image she was leaning into.

 "What's wrong, Cece." 

"It's about Pres," she sighed, dressed in the bright yellow detachable cumberbund skirt dress. 

"Oh, tonights the Russwood Park Concert." Cecelia looked at her, confused,

 "It's the biggest event in anyone's career," Midge smirked, "Your mother also booked you here so you wouldn't run into Elvis cause of your current scandal..." 

"Can we still get back in time before he performs..." Cecelia asked, ignoring her last statement. 

"I can arrange something." 

After Cecelia performed, she sat in front of Ed Sullivan, in front of an America that didn't resemble her. But here she was on her best behavior. 

"Lovely to have the daughter of the Legendary Valmos with us tonight. Tell us how you keep your nails so pretty while playing the guitar." 

"A guitar pick and practice." she smiled.

"And those moves. Now I remember seeing you on another show dancing like a... ah, what's his name, the Elvis fellow." he laughed, "Tell me any inspiration from him?"She sighed, knowing what question was coming next, "How's it feel to be compared to him as the lady Elvis... or are you perhaps his lady..." she was asked as she was about to open her mouth.

"I'm joking. You might not even be Elvis's type." Ed laughed, "Since you two are kinda similar," as Cecelia laughed. Cecelia wanted to vomit,

"Actually, he and I are great friends..." she smiled, "We've been on tour from 54 to 55 together, and we learned a lot from each other."

"So when do you plan to settle down."

Thousands of screaming fans flooded the park as the cop cars and escorts drove into Russwood Park. Elvis was trembling like a leaf, with one person on his mind, and she wasn't there. He'd thought about what she'd say or a little joke she'd tell him, but it wasn't the same without her there. 

"What are you gonna sing, my boy." 

"I'll know it when I feel it." was all he had to say. He was all dressed in black. And he was ready to make a statement. Elvis wanted to be taken seriously. Sure, he was a singer. He was young. Elvis also wasn't a fool. And Elvis wanted his fans to know he wouldn't be some tails-wearing guy who would change for some lousy TV people from New York City. Elvis was a Tupelo, Mississippi, boy. And he was proud of it. And if anyone was looking for trouble, they came to the right place. 

"Midge, can you drive any faster!" Cecelia shouted, the two nearly racing down the street in Midge's red Chevrolet Bel Air, 

"And get a ticket and end up in jail and dead, fuck no!" she sighed, putting the pedal to the metal. Bobbing and weaving through traffic, 

"You did it when we were on tour!"Cecelia smirked,

"Oh, what the hell, let's go!" Midge smirked back,

"You're gonna do great out there, Booby..." Gladys smiled, kissing his cheek, 

"Just don't go wigglin a pinky, son," Vernon laughed. Both Gladys and Elvis shook their heads at his joke.

"Come on, come on, come on..." Cecelia sighed. The lines were atrocious, and the security was multiplied by 100. Getting an idea, Midge looked at Cecelia and groaned, "You're not ripping that dress... It's custom-made Dior." 

"Don't care..." Detaching her skirt, Cecelia took her shoes off as she began to climb the hot metal gate, hoping security wouldn't notice her and her tree-climbing skills wouldn't fail her now. 

"Hey, you in the yellow!"

"Shit..." she mumbled to herself,

"Me..." she pointed to herself.

"Yeah, you!" The guard pointed to her. Cecelia was at the top of the gate. The height from where she was was a tad too high, but either she jumped or missed the performance in total.

 "Ain't you that jazz singin' colored woman's kid."

"Yeah, I am..."

"Then get yer ass down here!" Cecelia gulped and jumped. Now, she had to find a way to get closer to the stage. There was a straight line in the middle, but it was also the color barrier, and Cecelia couldn't risk breaking it. Or maybe she could, 

Midge grumbled, looking through the gate. She could see Cecelia preparing to make a run for it via the segregation rope God. Did she hope Cecelia would do what she had in mind?

"Godspeed, Cece..."

"Those city folks ain't gonna change me none!" the music began to start, and so did her feet, 

"Oh, her mother's gonna kill me." She was on the wrong side of the tracks, running as if her life depended on it. But at the same time, this was her boyfriend. Midge only hoped he'd be there for her the way she was for him. As the performance ended, Cecelia went to find him backstage, running like the flash to get to him, until Cecelia saw a beautiful blonde kissing him. Her heart sank, and suddenly, all she could think of was running towards the studio and recording her feelings. 

How do you think I feel?

Well, I know your love's not real

The Boy I'm mad about is just a gadabout

How do you think I feel?

King Creole Premier Hollywood, California July 2nd, 1958

"Elvis, look at the camera!"

               "No, look at this one!"

"Elvis over here!"

The crisp California air was no stranger to Mr. Presley, nor were the cameras and interviews. This had been his 4th movie premiere in the span of only 2 years, and the press and women loved him. But there was something still missing, or more like someone still missing. Elvis had taken The Colonel's advice to try to forget about Cecelia. But it was hard, especially since she hadn't talked to him much between her interviews, tours, and films. And he couldn't blame her. She wanted to go on a break with their relationship, but He'd been on numerous dates, some his mother didn't approve of, others that she did approve of too much. But they weren't her.

As he continued walking down the red carpet, he heard and saw the commotion coming from down the carpet. He could smell the scent of Femme de Rochas perfume, making him do a double take on the scent, and he could feel the ground shift from the switch in her walk. 

        "Cecelia tells about your tour!"

  "Ms.Valmos, The Lucile Ball radio show? How's that going?"

           "When are you gonna settle down?'

Cecelia had been the talk of every household. And now, on the red carpet, her once long locks of 1956 were now cut into a short bob, similar to Betty Boop. She was in a skin-tight lilac dress with a satin ribbon bow around her waist and black Dior gloves, walking further down as she smiled. Cecelia loved it, but she had to be honest. Cecelia missed Elvis. Sure, things had gotten rocky after Russwood Park, but he was her best friend. 

  "All the rumors are true," she said with her signature smile. Cecelia had been busy, now finding her footing in Rock n Roll and blues, becoming a heartthrob, and attending rallies with King since her debacle in 56. She was quite the cat's meow. There were still more questions, and she answered them all the best she could. As Cecelia kept walking, Midge saw, some friends of hers that she wanted to say hi to. 

"Say there I've never seen you be..." 

"Elvis..."  her heart was pounding, he was more handsome than she remembered,

"Fore..." Elvis looked at her as she hugged him, 

"Look at you and your hair..." he was mesmerized by her new look. Standing before him wasn't the same 21-year-old woman running him out of crowds. No, she was a beautiful bombshell, and he couldn't take his eyes off her when she hugged him. He wanted to hold her forever. He wanted. To apologize for all the stuff he'd done. Elvis wanted her back.

 "Pres.." she kissed his cheek, red lipstick lingering, 

"Oh, sorry, you probably got a girl now an-"

"Actually, I don't... I-I uh, I came here by myself minus The Colonel." he laughed, "Bet you got a ton of men following you." 

Cecelia laughed, "Oh me, nah, came with Midge. You remember Midge, right?"

"Your mama's assistant,"

"Yeah." she blushed, her eyes lost in his own. Something about him in the suit was doing it for her. It was like she was back during the Hayride days, and she had first glanced at him,

 "Would you maybe wanna be my date then?"

"Me your date?" she laughed,

"Oh, come on, doll, you know you're still in love with me." he laughed as she looked up at him. This was true, but she'd never admit it, so she'd hoped she wouldn't.

 "Where'd you hear that Pres." 

"One of those magazines." he laughed, taking her hand and walking into the theater. Midge wasn't too far away, but she gave them space. 

Watching Elvis act had been one of her favorite things, especially when it came to his kiss scenes. She'd imagine herself instead of the actresses, which was how her mother caught her accidentally kissing a microphone.

She was on the edge of her seat the entire time, and he was loving every second of it. Raking his arm, he placed it over her shoulder as she leaned closer to him. He had been focused on her the entire time, almost like he wanted to see the world through her eyes, the way that she saw him. He had noticed that when he sang Trouble she was breathlessly mesmerized, in a trance even. 

"Hey, Cece..."

"Shush... you're singing," she responded as he chuckled a little. When the movie finally came to an end. There was Cecelia and Elvis walking out together laughing, and joking like they used to do, 

"I never asked why you stormed off during Russwood." She felt her heart sink again as she remembered that night. 

"You saw me..."

"In bright yellow," he added,

"I had to leave early..."

"Cece..." 

"An emergency..." 

"Cecelia Shanel Valmos, don't lie to me..." 

"I saw you kiss another girl and." 

"You thought I was cheating on you..."

"Yeah, I did..." Stepping closer to her, Elvis took her hand on his cheek, 

"Doll, I would never hurt you like that... But,"

"The Colonel made you do it." She took his hand away from his face as he nodded, 

"Yeah, he did, actually..." Elvis sighed as Cecelia shook her head, "You gotta tell him what you're going to do, who you are, your Elvis Presley, Now Danny Fisher." she poked at him as he smiled, " Most importantly, A man I'd like to kiss again." the last part slipping out of her mouth. 

"You wanna kiss me again?" he blushed,

"I wanna kiss Danny Fisher."

"Darlin, I am..."

"Are you, though?" Cecelia said as she winked at him. Elvis tilted her chin up as he leaned in and kissed her sweetly. A bit of need and longing. Her arm was around his neck, the other on his chest. When he pulled away, her knees nearly went weak, and she could hardly stand. "Darlin... I think there's somethin between us and... It's the most alive I've ever felt." Elvis said, 

"Pres." She looked at him. "What do we do about this..."

"I don't know, but it's gotta be before September."

"Why's that?" She looked at him,

"Well... I leave for Germany." he sighed, kissing her hand. "Right, the draft." a sad look in her eyes,

 "Hey, It's only July. We got time." he grinned, "

Guess we do." she smiled, "So let's make the most of it." 

Memphis Tennessee July 4th, 1958,

"Wanna explain who's this girl you're kissin?" Gladys said as Elvis sunk down like a puppy dog. "Who we haven't met yet..." she smiled at him, both hands on her hips as Vernon smirked,

 "Cecelia Valmos and it was just a kiss, nothing else." he blushed hard, 

"Damn, you're just as red as the carpet," Vernon mentioned, "If you like her all that much... then let us meet her." he shrugged, 

"Cecelia, you can't keep compromising yourself." Denise said, she sighed, "We cleaned your image, and now you're kissing him on red carpets!" 

"What's so bad about that!"

"You're not of his kind!" she slammed her fist on the table, 

"I KNOW THAT, MAMA!" she sighed, "But give him a chance." Cecelia tried to calm down. She took a deep breath."I'm 23 now, and I can make my own decisions." 

"Baby, he'll only hurt you, like you know who. Hurt you! she shouted, watching her daughter leave out the door.

"DON'T YOU WALK AWAY FROM ME CECELIA... DAMN IT!" 

"Where's she going, Midge," 

"I don't know." 

Tears streamed down her face as she drove like a bat out of hell to Graceland. It was late, but she needed to see him. She needed to get away from the madness, away from feeling like a cooped-up songbird in a cage. 

"Hold me close, hold me tight," she heard her radio start to play, " Make me thrill with delight." she took a deep breath, "Let me know where I stand from the start." she could see the gates sprinkled with fans waiting, " I want you, I need you, I-I love you..." pulling into the gate, she drove to the front of his house.  

"With all my heart..."

"Cecelia..." she ran into his arms as she sobbed, " Won't you please be my own? " she looked up at him. As he wiped her tear-stained cheeks. "Never leave me alone.

'Cause I die every time we're apart..." he focused on her voice, 

"I want you, I need you, I-I-I love you...With all my heart"

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