#OTP: Tyler and Esme Rake

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Trying to get the muse going!

Especially for you @tragiclyhip because you mentioned this scene earlier

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She stands at a section break wall that surrounds the lighthouse. Her palms flat against the cement and her shawl across the middle of her back; hooked around her elbows to keep it in place. And he smiles as notices the way the sunlight captures the natural red highlights in her hair and how the brilliant rays reflect off the water; causing her to squint her eyes and crinkle her nose.

There’s something pure about both the expression and her in that moment; completely oblivious to everything going on around her. Heels lifting out of her sandals as she stands on her tiptoes to see over the barrier into the water; hopeful to catch sight of the numerous turtles and other sea life known to frequent the area. Never losing her interest or excitement in seeing Australia’s various creatures and the abundance of scenery; always squealing and giggling when a friendly kangaroo or quokka eats out of her hand and forever taken back by stunning sunsets that paint the sky with vivid shades of orange, purple and pink.

She possesses a childlike enthusiasm when it comes to her surroundings; six years of living Down Under yet never tiring of those road trips along the coast or the little vacations up to The Kimberley or the visits into the big cities. Remaining in awe that this is actually her life; far beyond anything that she could have ever imagined or even thought possible. Everything she’s been through -in the past twelve and a half years and throughout her entire life- and she’s still so full of life; cheerful and optimistic and remaining a bubbly and welcoming social butterfly.

Even on the hardest of days -when he only gets out of bed because he knows his family needs him to- she never fails to make him smile. The lighthearted and loving teasing and the way she stands behind his chair and rubs his shoulders or combs her fingers through his hair; lightly gripping the strands and tipping his head back so she can press kisses along the bridge of his nose. Sending him memes and links to videos even if they’re sitting across from each other out on the deck; the way she chews on her bottom lip and her eyes sparkle with anticipation as she waits for his reaction. Always finding ways to maintain physical contact with him; her foot on top of his or their knees touching under the dinner table, pausing on her way past him as he stands at the kitchen sink; running her palms across his shoulders and down his back and then continuing on her way. Reaching over to take his hand as they sit together on the couch; never saying a word and her attention never wavering from whatever book or magazine she’s immersed in. Always aware of when he needs that contact with her, yet knowing he’ll never ask for it or seek it for himself; never calling attention to it and more often that not, making it seem as if SHE’S the one craving it.

“Tyler!” She calls to him now; that excitement in her voice and that little bounce of her heels reminding him so much of Addie. And she once more pushes herself up onto her tiptoes, eyes wide as she points to the water below with one hand and waves him over with the other. “It’s huge! You have to see this one! Come see it! Hurry!”

With a bemused grin he joins her; a palm settling on the small of her back as he peers down into the water.

“See it?!” She enthusiastically tugs at the side of his t-shirt; once more happily bouncing up and down on her heels.

He sees so much of Addie in her at that moment; the glitter of contentment in her eyes, the excited flush to her cheeks, the way her top teeth dig into her bottom lip. And the brief glimpse of childlike exuberance and innocence makes him think of the little girl she’d once been. Full of light and love and sheltered from her mother’s emotional abuse and torment by a father that adored her; his first daughter after a string of rowdy boys. He’d felt it when Millie had been born; the shift from boy dad to girl dad. He’d only had Austin for six years and had spent a lot of time away on tours in the Middle East, but he’d grown accustomed to superhero and sports themed apparel and little baseball caps and high top sneakers. He’d already started coaching soccer and t-ball; Austin a naturally gifted athlete from the time he was old enough to walk. Already into rough housing and climbing trees and jumping into mud puddles; his mother often finding worms and snails and various sized rocks in the pockets of his pants and shirts.

Even though he’d known he was having a daughter and had spent three months fretting over being a failure as a ‘girl dad’, he hadn’t truly felt like one until they’d placed that minutes old baby in his arms. Brand new and all smooth, pink skin and blond hair and impossibly long fingers and toes and slender feet. Her crying immediately ceasing when he’d gathered her tight into his chest; all of her fingers curling around one of his as she gazed up at him with piercing blue eyes. It all hit him at once; the reality that he was a father again -despite believing he never would be- after losing his son and how close he’d come to never even knowing of his daughter’s existence, never mind actually meeting and holding her. His second chance suddenly so clear and so real and all in one room. His tiny yet phenomenally strong and resilient wife exhausted after going through thirty-six hours of labour and now their little girl; wrapped tightly and securely in a pink and blue striped blanket. Her eyes never wavering from his as a nurse tugged a knitted cap onto her head. And in that moment, he’d cried like he’d never cried before. All of the anguish and the regret and the guilt he’d been building up since his son’s death finally coming to a head; mingling with the overwhelming love and adoration and complete awe that he felt for the two women in his life.

He’d become softer that day. Kinder. Gentler. After that his fears of being a girl dad ceased and he easily and effortlessly took to the role. Growing accustomed to the amount of pink in one closet and the amount of frilly socks and tights in one dresser drawer; his large, calloused fingers mastering the buttons on tiny dresses and no longer fumbling with impossibly small hair clips and headbands. He knows what Esme’s father had felt like in that moment he’d held her so many years ago; that softness and tenderness and the ferocious need to protect at all costs that doesn’t normally come with sons. And when he thinks about how all that love had disappeared the moment her dad had taken his last breath, his heart aches for her; a teenage girl suddenly left without her ‘person’ and the only adult that had ever shown her any love and attention.

“What kind is it??” she asks, effectively snapping him back to the ‘here and now’.

“It’s a sea turtle.”

“I know THAT. But what KIND of sea turtle? Can you tell? By looking at its head? Or its shell? You’re usually good at these things. At anything to do with animals. Not a snapper is it?”

“Not with that tail and that head. Looks like a Loggerhead. He IS a big one.”

“Take a picture of it! We can look it up on google on the way home. We can show Addie when she gets home from school. She’ll be so jealous.”

“I feel like I’m with Addie right now,” he teases, and slips his phone from the side pocket of his cargos; snapping a pic of the turtle before turning the camera on his wife. Catching her just as she turns and looks up at him; eyes slightly narrowed in the sun, wayward strands of hair blowing across her face, and a gentle smile curving her lips. So natural and beautiful; nothing but sun kissed skin and messy hair and pure contentment on her face.

“You’re not supposed to take pictures of me!” she scolds, giving him a playful shove and attempting to snatch the phone from his hand. Flashing a pout and dramatically stomping her feet each time he easily evades her; shooting him a glare when he holds the cell above his head. “That’s no fair!” She cries, as she perches on her tiptoes; one hand on his chest to steady herself as the other frantically -and vainly- tries to come in contact with the object being kept from her. “Unfair height advantage! You’re playing dirty!”

“Sweetheart, I can get way more dirty than this and you know it.”

“We’re not talking about THAT. I know how dirty your mind and actions can be. Just give me the phone! This isn’t fair! You’re a full foot taller than I am!”

“A foot and two inches, actually. What are you going to do about it? Besides, all is fair in love and war.”

“You’re supposed to be taking pictures of the turtle. Or of the scenery. Of something beautiful.”

“That’s EXACTLY what I was doing. Taking a picture of the most beautiful thing here.”

She finally relents; a brilliant, broad smile spreading from ear to ear and a slight blush creeping into her cheeks. Even after twelve and half years she finds it hard; accepting a compliment that’s one hundred percent genuine and said with the utmost love and adoration. A long lasting side effect of years spent suffering through her mother’s verbal abuse; constant insults and words of degradation that in doubt led Esme to make some of the bad choices she was notorious for in the past. Mark being the biggest one; ignoring the red flags because she’d thought she was in love and then staying despite the abuse but he’d successfully convinced her no one else would ever want her.

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Trying to get my muse flowing once again. It’s what @tragiclyhip would want. She was a massive fan of my writing and adored Tyler and Esme and would be so disappointed if I abandoned everything.

What do you think guys? Find some OTP questions? OC questions? I’m hoping to answering random questions about Tyler and Esme or Esme herself. I need something to just get myself going.

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@tragiclyhip

Tyler tends to fall asleep first, as he's the one that's up at the ass crack of dawn and keeps himself so busy during the day that he's exhausted by the time settling down comes across. Which means Esme has to try and fall asleep with him snoring lol

He's up before or wth the sun. Everyone sleeps while he goes and works out or takes a run on the beach. Sometimes both.

Tyler is very carefee, Very Aussie. LOL. He has zero fucks to give and is the parent that lets the kids try anything and everything (with supervision, of course). Esme is more uptight in a lot of situations. And can be a little neurotic lol

Opposites definitely attract with these two! Esme is an extrovert and very bubbly and talkative. She's a social butterfly and loves to meet people and make friends. Tyler is a notorious introvert, that doesn't allow many people in his circle. He's also very much the 'strong, silent type; he doesn't say a lot, but when he does, he means every word. She is his wild, and he is her calm :)

Esme LOL. Always cold. Even in the dead of summer.

Esme discovered he either has full out OCD or OCD tendencies. And that he can't sit still; he finds it almost physically pain not to be moving all the time. And she found out he can play the guitar and is a very at drawing. Tyler discovered that Esme is a book nerd, she loves to garden, crochet, knit, and is an excellent baker. She is also neurotic AF at times lol

While they both tend to go to sleep at a decent time, Tyler wakes up a few times a night and will tend to business matters, shit around the house. Esme has to encourage him to come back to bed.

Esme isn't as anal about clealniness, but I'd say she tends to be a bit messier. Although she can be extremely organized!

Tyler can be a bit impulsive with decisions regarding 'the job', whereas she's more impulsive about things about the house, the things she enjoys doing (like gardening) or adding animals to their horde lol

They're an introverted couple. To an extent. Esme knows he isn't the social butterfly type and doesn't force him out of his comfort zone. But he will venture out of it for her if there's something she wants to attend.

That's a tough one. He's come a long way! But I'll give this one to Esme. She can even make him blush.

Tyler had to get used to it, as touch is her love language. She loves to receive and give affection. Esme is all for it and always has been lol

Esme, LOL. Tyler's a great driver (like shown in the movies) and can be totally trusted, but he can be a little on the wild side lol

Tyler has to be tipsy or full out drunk to flirt LOL. Esme is very awkward at it, but adorable at the same time lol

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Tyler is definitely a classic rock guy. That's his favourite genre and he sticks with it. Esme is all over the place with her musical tastes and is pretty up to date when it comes to what's popular. Even if she's sometimes embarrassed to admit liking certain artists (like Taylor Swift)

Esme. She doesn't nearly have the patience or the confidence that Tyler does in that area. She gets frustrated easily and is more likely to give up

Esme lol. She's still holding childhood grudges lol

Tyler. She may not think he's paying attention or listening to the things she says she enjoys, but in reality he is saving all that information up. He knows the words to the cheesy pop songs she enjoys the most lol

Esme. She doesn't know when to keep quiet, it seems, and she isn't afraid to speak her mind. Tyler CAN be outspoken, but it depends on what it is, what someone has done, how irritated he is, etc. For the most part, he's the strong silent type. A man that says what he means, and means what he says.

Esme is quick to speak and does a lot of talking. Even if confrontational. He's become a lot more patient with her in that respect; he stays quiet and listens and is quick to apologize even before she demands one. He knows when he's fucked up or hurt her feelings and tries to make things right before they get out of control. It wasn't always that way. He too would be very confrontational and just fly off the handle. They really had to work at learning to both communicate and listen to one another.

Esme LOL. And she has more than enough reasons to. Whether it's him teasing her about her height, making some perverted comment, teaching the kids to swear, or tracking sand through the house. On her podcast, she even does a segment called "shit my husband says" lol

Definitely Esme

Esme lol. I can't see him being into that kind of thing. Even if she begged him to watch it with her lol

It's such a toss up between the two of them. Both would give the shirt off their backs.

Tyler LOL. Although it's more board shorts with him. He's had some for decades lol

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Tiny sneak peek :)

I've got a busy couple days coming up so I'm trying to write as much as I can. Here's some Millie :)

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“I really like this truck!” Millie enthuses from the back seat;  aggressively scratching at Lucy’s belly as the dog sprawls across her lap.  “It’s bigger than Uncle Duey’s!  And way cooler!  Totally bad ass!”

“That’s ‘cause I’m way cooler and bad ass.” Tyler reasons.

“I can look down at the people next to us. And spy on them! Give ‘em the finger if they deserve it!”

Esme casts a frown over her shoulder. “I don’t want you flipping anyone the bird, okay?”

“What if they don’t use their blinker? Or they keep riding up our ass?”

“Amelia…”

“There were a lot of bad drivers this morning!” The four-year-old gives an exasperated huff. “ People going too slow, people going too fast, people running the red, people cutting us off!  We flipped a lot of birds, didn’t we daddy?!”

“Oh, you did, did you?”  Esme shoots Tyler a smirk.  “Busy morning, huh?”

“And there was a lot of bad language!” Millie excitedly continues.  “I learned tons of new swears!”

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I don't think they are. Not generally sappy, anyway. Esme is always a little cheesy, I guess; she writes really sweet captions of photos she posts of him and gushes about being in love AND lust. Even thirteen years later. Tyler is sappy (and weepy) when he's drunk, but when he's sober, he's more straight to the point with his compliments and praise. Although she does tease him about being a 'big softie' when it comes to her lol

I'm not sure. They somehow just 'work'. She's very extroverted and he's a notorious introvert. She's bubbly and chatty (extremely chatty, at times) and he's more the strong, silent type. Tyler has the patience of a saint and she's more uptight and neurotic; he's able to calm her down and keep her focused when need be. And she's very much a morning person; she's cheerful and talkative from the second she opens her eyes and he's grumpy AF LOL

He's definitely more of a prankster than she is. And he gets the kids involved as well. She's been on the receiving end of some pranks lol

Esme. She's constantly taking pictures. Of everyone and everything, it seems.

They definitely can! She knows that his favourite food is a good surf and turf cooked down on the beach over an open fire. That's high on her list as well, but if he was asked what her favourite food is, he'd go with Mexican or a pasta dish like lasagna or chicken parm.

She calls him Tae, he calls her 'Me'. She'll often tease him and just call him 'husband' or 'big, bad mercenary man' lol. When they first started living together, he called her munchkin a lot

Well, the easiest way to cheer Tyler up is purely X rated and she knows it, but one of her stories where she's lively and animated and going in five different directions usually does it too. He knows that despite her bitching and complaining, teasing her about her size (or lack of it), is the easiest way to get a smile out of her

They really don't text each other a lot, unless he's away from home for work. But on a normal day, it's about 'what time will you be home', 'what's for dinner?' 'can you bring x up at the store?'. but she'll send something spicy out of nowhere. Just to keep him on his toes.

Esme loves when he wears jeans that fit 'just right', a white t-shirt, and a backwards ball cap. He's all about seeing her in leggings or yoga pants and if she pairs it with a shirt of his, he approves. He also likes the 'one of his dress shirts and nothing else' look.

Although squeezing the nape of his neck or his knee tends to be enough, Tyler often needs to retreat when he's in that kind of state. And she allows him to. He feels the need to 'get away'; whether it's to hide out in the gym, go for a surf, sit down by the water. It's healthy ways in which he copes and grounds himself, as when he's overwhelmed by a lot of emotion, he finds he reacts negatively if she tries to get close. So Esme lets him be and doesn't bring things back up when he returns. Unless he talks about them first.

Esme is all about being snuggled. Just being wrapped up in his big, strong arms and pressed against his body. Being able to smell him and feel the heat from his body. That's enough for her.

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Esme would say she's a rainbow sorbet. A mix of different favours. And remarkably colourful ;)

Baking. Esme is a horrible cook, and there's only a couple of things that she makes that Tyler has ever genuinely enjoyed and will actually ask her to make (chicken parm being his fave). But she's a terrific baker and he's been her test taster and biggest fan and supporter since they first met lol. He even gets two birthday cakes made for him. One that he can eat all on his own and one to share with everyone else.

She will not try sushi or octopus. Those are big NOPES for her. And she refuses to give vegemite a second chance

She has a surprisingly hearty appetite for someone so wee

She may try a couple sips or nibbles, but if she dislikes something that much, she'll just push it aside and hope they don't notice lol

Anything too spicy tends to upset her tum

She is all about the fruits and veggies! BUT I think her fave is actually meat. Idk if it's weird, but I think her appetite and the things she enjoys and indulges in may have been part of what attracted him to her. The girl loves her meat and potatoes lol

She's travelled a lot and she's always willing and eager to try the local cuisine. Especially the desserts lol

Her grandmother (the one that told her 'marry the man that would make an amazing father to your children) was a good cook and made a lot of hearty, comfort foods. Esme's fave would be meatloaf smothered in gravy with mashed potatoes and veggies.

She prefers home cooked food. Tyler is a really good cook and they've got a big garden they can incorporate veggies from. And they routinely catch fish and cook it over an open fire on the beach.

Macarons from her fave place in NYC are the ultimate treat. Tyler says they taste like wallpaper paste lol

No. She's okay with textures.

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Esme would choose a vintage red Valentino dress that Desi bought her as a birthday present when she turned forty. From 1960s, red crepe. spaghetti straps. She's got some bling that would go very nicely with it, and then when either choose an elegant up do or long, flowing curls. Not too much makeup; she doesn't want to take away from the dress. But with that dark hair? A red lip is the only way to go!

2. She's very much a cotton girl. Simply, easy to wash, nice against the skin.

3. Scars add beauty and character, as far as she's concerned. Each tells a story. She even has a favourite of Tyler's lol (the one across the bridge of his nose). He wouldn't Tyler without all his scars, in her opinion.

4. She wouldn't know what's trendy if it wasn't for having pre-teens in the house. She isn't one to keep up with the times lol

5. She always smells like a coconut, milk, and honey shampoo and body wash that she's been using for years. Add in that unexplainable scent of sunshines, fresh air, and salt water, and that's Esme :)

6. She would love vintage Oscar De La Renta trench coat. She saw one in NYC that was from the seventies that she fell in love wiht

7. Our girl LOVES purple and rose gold. All her jewelry (and Tyler has bought her some bling, even if she barely wears it and it stays in safe for the most past) including engagement ring and wedding ring are rose gold. He wishes she'd wear more red, though.

8. She had a lot of piercings when she met Tyler, those are all gone now. Except for the ones in her ears. That's the biggest change she's gone through. She's always been wearing casual with her wardrobe, even when they first met.

9. Leather. Not even synthetic. It's just not a look she's into.

10. She knows she can't pull off the goth look. She tried as a teenager lol. Goth or emo. She knows there's no way lol

11. Absolutely she would! Desi picks out amazing clothes for her, and Tyler buys her things all the time and knows what she prefers.

12. Definitely deceiving. She's tiny and cute, and seemingly fragile. People quickly learn that she's anything but soft and weak. She can handle herself in many a tough situation.

13. While she's never worn them in the bedroom (Tyler does tease about getting her a nurse's outfit lol), she loves Halloween and always dresses up!

14. She loves her Target bought sundresses and t-shirts or dress shirts of Tyler's worn with leggings

15. She would get a momma bear with a couple of cubs trailing behind her :)

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The Valentino from question 1

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@karimac

The big, bad mercenary man (as she always calls him) doesn't do well when she goes away. In fact, he hates when she does. Not because he doesn't want to wrangle all those kids alone (he's a pro at that) but because he hates realizing just how much he enjoys having her around. He's miserable without her, and everyone says it. LOL. Esme is the one constant he's had in his life after years of self inficted inconsistency, and everything just seems empty and out of place when she's not there. He struggles with sleeping as it is, so it goes worse during that time. BUT he always has little bodies that will sneak in during the middle of the night and fill up the rest of bed lol

While Tyler is the more fun bath giver (let's them play around until the water is cold, puts way too many bubbles in etc) Esme is the most efficient of the two. Get them there, get them clean, get the job done lol

Brookie has her horses and her drama club, Addie has dance and gymnastics, TJ is soccer, rugby, football, Delcan is rugby, Tanner doesn't really have anything yet, he does things for the book store. Takota is in soccer and t-ball, and Millie is in muay thai, mixed martial arts, and an art group/club

How worked up he gets over other men (Alcott for example, in Lost and Found) and the Australian slang never gets old lol. Especially when it's said with that accent. Which has become much thicker over the years

She goes all out. She has the house all decorated while he's sleeping, she and the kids make him his coffee and a smoothie and some breakfast.

No. Not really. He and Esme have been working their way through a joint bucket list, mostly of places they want to visit

Tyler definitely spoils the animals more. I mean, the man let chickens sleep in the bed with them lol

Definitely Tanner

She has at least two dozen of each lol. And can never resist buying more.

He only owns six pairs. And rarely wears them lol

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I can’t sleep so I wrote a bit lol

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“You did awesome.” He praises. “I think you might be a natural.”

“Maybe I can be a pro when I grow up!” Millie enthuses. “That would be awesome!”

“Trust me kiddo, you can be whatever you want.”

Even from the next room she can hear the pride in his voice. And can easily picture him sitting on the edge of Millie’s bed; this enormous hands with their callouses and scars and mishaps knuckles patiently braiding her hair.

“Have to practice lots though!”

“That’s the great thing about living so close to the beach. We’ll be able to spend a lot of time there. And you’ll get to practice as much as you want. What do you think? Is your hair alright? Am I getting better at this?”

“Much better! They’re almost perfect!”

“Your mom’s been letting me practice on her hair. When you’re sleeping.”

“You’ll be a pro at something too!”

There’s a slight pause in the conversation; a slight rustling of sheets and the faint creaking of the springs in the mattress.

“Daddy? Guess what?”

“What?”

“I love you. Bunches. Tons of bunches.”

Silence.

Tears well in Esme’s eyes; a mixture of relief and gratitude and mixed with lingering pangs of guilt and regret.

“I love you.” Emotion chokes at him. “More than you’ll ever know.”

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Oldies but goodies. IMHO, anyway lol

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[chickensarentcheap]

Who laughs and kisses their partner on the cheek while their partner isn’t happy about something trivial to try and make them feel better?

 What is something small that they would randomly pick up for one another?

If they were to have matching pajamas, what would they be?

Who would win in a pillow fight?

They are grocery shopping and this turns into a race on who can get their half of the list completed faster. Who wins?

Who playfully hugs their partner from behind when they are cooking/prepping food?

Who would they love to go on a double date with?

What is their song? (I know but say anyway)

Do either of them have a crazy ex?

Who accidental sets something on fire?

That is definitely a move Tyler would employ lol. Her love language is touch (one of her languages, anyway) and he knows how to get her to crack a smile. Sometimes, it even gets her to lighten up about him tracking sand through the house ;)

Tyler would definitely pick her up some Australian wildflowers or some cupcakes. Esme would get him his favourite tae- out coffee or smoothie

They always do matching family jammies at Christmas. That is the only one he will go along with that kind of stuff lol.

Tyler for sure. His size and strength are no match for her, even in a pillow fight

Tyler because Esme browses too much and gets easily distracted with buying what they DON'T need

Esme loves to give him a smack on the butt and a snuggle from behind, and a pat on the tummy for good measure. He has been known to smack her ass on the way by or drop a kiss on the top of her head or even put her hair up for her.

I think they'd love to double date with Andy and Clover

Their song is Crazy Love by Van Morrison. They had a very small wedding and no reception, but did go with their guests for dinner afterwards. There was a guitar player/singer on the outdoor patio and Koen told him that Tyler and Esme had just gotten married. And that was the song the man chose for them. It stuck :)

Esme has a psychotic ex husband. On the other side of things, Mia (if we go with canon) is very stable, successful etc and she and Esme get along well.

Esme in the kitchen. No doubt about it. Likely because she's tried to cook something new while being overwhelmed with all the kiddos and noise

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Who wraps their arms around their partner as they look them in the eyes and compliments them with a goofy smile?

Who loves saying ‘my wife’ or ‘my husband’ or ‘my spouse’?

 Who makes puns with numerous things that they find?

Who would sing a love song to the other in the car?

What do they say to one another before they go to sleep?

Who looks at the other person like they are their world when the other isn’t looking?

Who is in love with the other person’s laugh?

Who cracks open their beverage before handing it to their partner?

Who runs their thumb over the other person’s skin to comfort them?

Who knows the most obscure facts?

Who pulls the other closer while sleeping?

Who accidentally drinks too much caffeine and who has to deal with their partner bouncing off the walls?

What do they love about each other the most?

How do they comfort each other when they are helpless to do anything about the situation?

This is such a Tyler thing to do, especially if she's having a rough day or she's feeling pretty low about herself. Just pulling her into a tight hug or giving her a snuggle and either showering with genuine compliments or lightly and lovingly teasing her to get even the smallest smile out of her :)

2. Esme routinely calls him 'husband' when she's teasing him about something, but Tyler is one of those proud AF husbands that stands back and watches her charms people and lets everyone know that's his wife. And one of his nicknames for his (as you know) 'Pocket Wife' because of her tiny stature

3. Esme is definitely a lover of puns and will make one any chance she gets lol

4. Esme would definitely serenade him in the car. She's a passenger princess and in charge of the music, so she'd find something ;)

5. Other than the standard "I love yous"? Normally on her part it's 'get over to your side of the bed'. lol. Because she likes to be snuggled right up until she's ready to fall asleep, then requires some space. Because she says he's way too heavy to be draped all over her lol

6. Tyler. This is so him. Even the kids talk about he looks at their mom. Addie calls it 'heart eyes'

7. I think they both are, but Tyler doesn't let loose and laugh that often, so when she gets to hear it, it's a huge deal :(

8. Tyler. Always. Can of soda, bottle of water, doesn't matter. He's opening it before handing it to her.

9. Esme. This is actually one of the 'things' she does when attempting to calm him down when his anxiety is high or when he needs some kind of comfort, but doesn't want a big show being made of it.

10. Esme. Probably from hanging out with Tanner at the book store and listening to him ramble on. The kid is a fountain of information and looks up EVERYTHING

11. Tyler. He has this thing Esme calls 'the reach'. She can get up to go check on a kid or to the bathroom, and when she gets back into bed, he (without ever fully waking up) reaches out for her and pulls her tightly into him and drapes a leg over both of hers. Usually he buries his face in the nape of her neck for good measure. She's totally trapped after that lol

12. While Tyler tends to overdo it in the morning (for years his first coffee has included three shots of espresso lol), Esme tends to drink too much during the day and then he's left with her being even more hyper and chatty than usual. and that's saying something.

13. Esme loves that he's this huge man with an even bigger heart, He's compassionate and patient and gentle, but can quickly turn that off and become someone that protects her fiercely and would do anything to keep her safe. She also loves that he's an animal lover and will help and rescue anything that needs it.

Tyler loves that she's managed to hold onto that bright, lively, and cheerful spirit despite people trying to break her. And that she's such a great care-taker and nurturer; she's been by his side through a lot of horrible injuries and tough times and never once abandoned him.

14. Esme knows that sometimes comfort isn't what he wants or needs at the time, and instead knows that he needs to just walk away from a situation and clear his head. Whether that means he goes for a hike or a surf or to work out, she just lets it happen and is secure in the fact that he will turn himself around and be back. He's not going anywhere. And once he does return, she doesn't talk about what upset him or where he went and what he did. If he wants to talk about things, he will. She makes it his decision.

Tyler knows that Esme is all about physical touch and acts of service. So a long, tight hug or a snuggle, and a warm cup of tea. Sometimes even brushing her hair or stroking it. As long as he maintains physical contact, she will settle.

@watermeezer @bardic-tales @secretaryunpaid @youflickedtooharddamnit @alisbackalleybbq

@asirensrage @residentdormouse @mrsmungus @kmc1989

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It's Fun Fact Friday!

@bardic-tales @creators-club

I thought I'd share a handful of random little goodies. I hope that's okay :)

@tragiclyhip @mrsmungus @youflickedtooharddamnit @watermeezer @secretaryunpaid

@kmc1989 @ninjasawakenedmystar @asirensrage @residentdormouse @alisbackalleybbq

I know I'm forgetting people!

Esme was originally an OC that I created for Thor. While her personality was the same, she had an entirely different backstory and a connection to Tony Stark. The more I wrote things in the notebook dedicated to that fic, the more I fell out of love with the Marvel universe. I enjoyed writing Esme so much, that I totally revamped her backstory and brought her over to ship with Tyler.

2. I began writing Tyler and Esme before the first Extraction even had a release date. All that was known about Chris' character was his name, the fact he was ex-special forces and now a mercenary, and what he was going to look like in the film .

3. Esme was originally supposed to die at the end of the first fic. But there was such a positive reaction to her as a character and her and Tyler as a couple, that I decided to let her live and continue writing about them :)

4. I had considered giving them a boy as their first child (seeing as Tyler lost his son from his first marriage) and even had baby TJ in first chapter of the first fic. But as I edited it, I realized I'd made a mistake and decided to change it to a girl. That's when Millie came to be!

5. Esme was originally supposed to hook up with Alcott following her split from Tyler in 'Lost and Found'. The concept for the story was completely different: Esme and Alcott together, a child of their own and Millie still in picture, Esme hiring Tyler to get Alcott out of trouble, and then she and Tyler realizing there was still a lot of unfinished business between them. I never did decide if they would have gotten back together or if she would have stayed with Alcott.

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@tragiclyhip @youflickedtooharddamnit @secretaryunpaid @bardic-tales @watermeezer @kmc1989 @mrsmungus @asirensrage @residentdormouse @alisbackalleybbq

They have been brought up to be very mindful about the emotions of others. Especially when it comes to their dad. He's big and strong and to them he's the bravest, toughest guy in the world. So they needed to understand that it's okay that even he shows emotion. That it's nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed off. As Esme says "Even daddies cry."

2. Only if he's drunk LOL. Although he usually will sing along to something like Waltzing Matilda.

3. Oh, many times. Many, many, many times. And you know what happens? He wakes up to her sleeping next to him lol. She gets lonely, okay?

4. No LOL. He caves quick. She just has to look up at him with those eyes and a little pout and he's done for.

5. For Esme, it's poo. She'd rather catch vomit in her bare hands. Tyler can't even handle hearing someone throwing up. It makes him retch lol

6. Tyler is honestly better at doing the girls' hair lol Esme once told him, he could retire and take up styling professionally. Tyler the Styler, she called him lol

7. Esme always wears the same pair of diamond stud earrings combined with two small hoops in each ear and one at the top cartilage of the left. She also wears a necklace that he had made out of a piece of beach glass Millie found when she was little. Tyler wears a necklace (a black leather cord) that has a dog tag style pendant on it with their combined initials on one side and combined zodiac signs on the other.

8. Tyler would say shower and Esme would say bath. They tend to take more showers together. He has to be talked into a bath because she loves bubbles.

9. Most are extremely well organized and love to garden and be out with the animals, especially the goats. Addie and Brooke both tell stories like Esme does: all over the place. And most have the same squeal and bounce on their heels reaction when they're especially happy or excited.

10. Tyler would go barefoot everywhere if he could. He hates wearing shoes (so do TJ and Tanner, as evidenced in BPOM)

11. Esme can play the piano and the violin (not well, but somewhat good) and Tyler can play the guitar.

12. All the time. Both dogs sleep with them. When they lived in The Kimberley, the chickens sometimes slept with them. And it's not uncommon for someone (*cough* Tyler *cough*) to bring a baby goat in.

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At this stage in each of the kids' lives, the two who go to their parents the most are TJ and Millie. And it's a lot. Millie is nearing puberty, TJ isn't far behind (Esme mentioned in NGBA that his voice was even starting to change) and they're going through some stuff as they age. Millie tends to go to dad with things (like when she needed to tell someone she liked boys AND girls, she told him first) and TJ goes to mom.

2. Definitely trying to find the time for everyone. Trying to manage giving each some one on one moments with her, while trying to balance Tyler's stuff (and as much as she loves him, he has a lot of 'stuff' going on, mental health wise) and get everyone to their after school activities. Also, how messy boys can make the bathroom and how often she has to say 'get your hand out of your pants' in the span of one day.

3. The last time it was robin egg blue with white, yellow, and some hints of orange and purple.

4. They do LOL. They have Lady Di, Grace Kelly, Greta Garbo, Humphrey Bogart, Montgomery Clift, and Marlon Brando

5. Carrots and potatoes. Together. He'd eat them every night. With peas. He mixes it all together LOL

6. They have the woods across from their house (that is property they own) and Tyler made a path through them to a clearing that leads out to a part of their beach. It's very secluded and he put a swing that is just off the shore and you can put your feet in the water while sitting on it.

7. They do. Number one TWO. LOL. Like Esme says, that man has seen me push his big headed children out of my vagina. If he can't handle me taking a shit in front of him, we have bigger problems lol

8. They don't really have a go to. But I think the kids would say it's McD's

9. He has. He made her bed swing that they keep on the balcony off their bedroom

10. She's made him sweaters (that he doesn't wear lol) and an afghan for the couch in his office.