#also millie is not acting as someone who is having a first pregnancy

[australet789]

Imma be real with you, chat

I don't think Helluva Boss is going the abortion route with Millie and the proof is Western Energy

If you watched the episode, notice how much it took Blitz to get Loona a VACCINE.

Hell's healthcare system is horrible. Specially for the lower class. Now imagine how Millie might feel, since she comes from a poor family from Wrath, learning about this baby. She is aware that, even if she doesnt want to keep the baby, she cant afford it, and if she wants to keep it, it's also going to cost a lot. There's a risk in both decisions and that's why Millie ends up crying and asking Sallie May for help. Because Millie feels she will be a burden regardless.

And since there's confirmation that season 3 will dwell more into Millie's past and story, i feel the theories about her having a previous baby/miscarriage are somehow correct

Anyways, pregnancy is not fun and im glad Helluva is touching it! How scary and traumatic it can be, specially if you are someone who isnt ready. Whatever Millie decides, it's up to her only

[andinewton]

Healing the Hurt - Avengers Redemption Series - Part Two - Chapter 28

Characters: Bucky Barnes, Amelia Richards (OFC), pretty much everyone from the MCU appears at some point!

Pairings: Bucky x Amelia (ofc)

Warnings:  Chronic pain, physical disability, implied smut, eventual smut, swearing, fertility issues, pregnancy, angst with a happy ending, Stark has a heart.

Word Count:  151372 (complete with additional epilogues added)

Summary: 
Everything is going well at Avengers Tower, Bucky is integrating into the team slowly but surely; he longs for his confidence back but knows it's going to be a long road, never more than when he meets the new secretary at his doctor's office.

Amelia Richards is a career SHIELD agent, recruited straight out of college into the "company" but now she finds herself passed around from department to department, her latest position as a secretary at Avengers Tower proving monotonous compared to her former life, but when James "Bucky" Barnes walks into her office one Friday evening everything changes…

Join Bucky as he rediscovers parts of himself he had thought long lost with someone who considered herself broken for a long time, helping one another heal in more ways than one…

Master List

Chapter 28

Summary:  Date night! Or the run up to it anyway!

WARNING this chapter contains mentions of infertility and Darcy Lewis and her runaway mouth!

Nat had brought not only a selection of dresses to Amelia’s room, but also one Darcy Lewis, who, she had been assured, was a hair and make up genius. She loved the warm brown tones of Amelia’s hair and they soon had not only the ideal dress but Darcy knew the perfect makeup look to match. Darcy sat Amelia well away from any mirrors so she could let the entire look be a surprise, and although the style of dress already gave Amelia an idea she wasn’t expecting this. Her hair had been swept back off her face with bobby pins that blended seamlessly into her hair, and the length spun into large curls that framed her face and fell over her shoulders prettily. Her eye makeup was understated, smoky but subtle, with a dark eyeliner flicking out into a wing design, her lashes dark and lustrous. Her lipstick was matt red, a very big contrast to what she normally wore, preferring natural tones, but it matched her dress perfectly. The theme they had gone for was decidedly forties inspired and she would never have thought she could pull it off, but as she looked in the mirror at herself, in the sweetheart necklined red dress with black buttons down the centre to the waist seam where the material spanned out, she had to admit she looked good. The sleeves were short and trimmed in black, as was the neckline, and with the shoes Nat had loaned her, red with a two inch heel she could walk in once she raised the height of her crutch to accommodate the difference, she felt beautiful.

‘Just one more thing.’ Darcy said as she brought over a black faux fur shrug as Nat fastened a red flower to her hair just back from her temple. ‘We know you’re getting a cab, so you shouldn’t get cold.’ ‘Let’s see the whole look.’ Nat asked as she stepped back and laced her arm with Darcy’s and smiled at their work. ‘Oh, gloves!’ She dashed to the dressing table and brought back the black lace dress gloves. ‘Here. Now you’re finished.’ ‘You’re sure about this?’ Amelia asked, looking at them instead of her reflection. ‘You don’t think he’ll think it’s weird I look like a forties girl?’ ‘Forties pin up, more like.’ Darcy grinned. ‘No, he won’t think it’s weird.’ Nat assured her. ‘You look amazing.’ ‘Maybe I should have just gone with the black dress.’ She suggested but the both stepped forward and took one of her arms, making her look in the mirror. ‘If he doesn’t like this he’s blind and stupid.’ Darcy insisted. ‘You are going to stun him into silence when he first sees you and spend the rest of the night listening to him as he’s unable to shut up about how gorgeous you are.’ She managed a smile and it made Nat grin all the more. ‘Trust me, Milly, he won’t know what hit him.’ Nat was the only one who called her Milly, and she didn’t really mind, it was what her father had called her, it brought back memories, but Nat said it with a hint of her Russian accent, which made it endearing. ‘So, check list. Bag,’ Darcy handed her the small black shoulder bag which held a few essentials, ‘perfume?’ ‘On and,’ Amelia sniffed her wrist, ‘still emanating.’ ‘Phone to sneak off to the bathroom and let us know how well the date is going?’ ‘In the bag.’ She laughed. ‘Condoms?’ ‘What?’ Amelia looked at her in shock. ‘Well, if it’s a good date…’ Darcy wiggled her eyebrows. ‘I put some in your bag, just in case.’ ‘It’s our first date!’ She stated, having not thought this could even be a possibility. ‘But you and Bucky know one another well enough that it might not be long before you want to go to the next level, so better safe than sorry. Wrap it up, kiddo.’ ‘Oh my God, my face matches my dress.’ Amelia groaned, hoping she would cool off before she had to meet Bucky in the common room, which was only seven minutes away. ‘Breathe, Milly.’ Nat reminded her. ‘It’s just a precaution.’ ‘It’s a pretty big sign, what if I drop my bag?’ ‘Then he’ll know you’ve thought about it.’ Darcy reminded her. ‘And you can’t say you haven’t, because who wouldn’t? And you know, super soldier and friction being what it is, you might wanna double bag, just in case.’ ‘Enough, Darce.’ Nat said warmly before passing Amelia her crutch. ‘You’re prepared for every eventuality. Carrying them doesn’t mean you have to use them, but it’s good to be prepared.’ ‘Okay, fine, I can do this, knowing I’m walking round with, how many condoms in my bag?’ ‘Eight.’ Darcy winked at her. ‘How long do you think this date will last?’ She asked in disbelief. ‘Well, as he hasn’t dated or anything else but used self service for a while, chances are it might be fast.’ ‘Super soldier constitution, Darce.’ Nat reminded her as they encouraged Amelia towards the door. ‘She’s in for a good night, whenever it happens.’ ‘And you’ll tell us, right? Because girls night is coming up, and Sigyn is tired of telling us stories.’ ‘Okay, fine. When something happens I’ll share, a bit, but it’s not going to be tonight, and the condoms are a moot point, anyway.’ ‘Always better to be safe than sorry.’ Darcy reminded her. ‘Yeah, but he has super serum so I doubt he has anything I need to worry about, I know I’m clean.’ She fished the contraceptives out of her bag and held them out to Darcy. ‘And what about babies?’ Darcy pushed her hand back towards her with its awkward cargo. ‘I’m not going to get pregnant.’ She stated. ‘I, I can’t.’ ‘You can’t?’ Darcy glanced at Nat who knew only too well how it felt. ‘What do you mean, Milly?’ Nat asked gently, noting she swallowed before she spoke. ‘I mean I can’t conceive. They found out I have blocked tubes when I was recovering, and it explained a lot of what’s been going on with my body since I grew up.’ She laughed but there was a bitter edge to it. ‘It’s not something I’ve ever considered, anyway, having kids.’ Nat gave her a brief hug, knowing exactly what she was talking about. ‘She doesn’t need the condoms, Darce.’ Nat said quietly and the younger woman took them from Amelia’s hand without having to be asked again. ‘I guess I’m going to have to put these suckers to use myself.’ Darcy said and they all started laughing, having no doubt that she would. ‘Okay, now that we’re clear on that, you have your meds in your bag to take with your food?’ Nat asked seriously. ‘All present and correct.’ Amelia nodded. ‘Then let’s get you out there.’

Bucky was all but pacing the common room, while Steve and Sam sat at the bar, drink in hand, watching in amusement. He had shaved, and slicked back his hair but kept it loose. Steve had loaned him some cologne and on their advice he had avoided wearing a black suit. Instead the two piece was navy, although his shirt was black, but it fit him well, accentuating his form in a comfortable but flattering style. He had forgone a tie but his shoes were shined, and he knew he looked good, but he was nervous as hell. ‘It’s hilarious, like watching him wait for his prom date.’ Sam said and Bucky glared at him. ‘Come on, man, you’re acting like you’ve never done this before.’ ‘It’s been a while.’ Bucky checked his watch again. They were due to meet in just under five minutes. ‘What if she changes her mind?’ ‘Then she’s come to her senses.’ Steve slapped Sam’s arm as he replied. ‘She’s not going to change her mind, Buck. Other than missions, you’ve seen each other every day for weeks, and you’re still not bored with one another’s company.’ ‘I can hear giggling.’ Sam commented as he was nearest the door and Bucky straightened himself up, buttoning his jacket and pulling on the hem. ‘How do I look?’ ‘You look fine. Here.’ Steve threw him the small bouquet of flowers that Bucky had left on the bar and he caught it easily. ‘Thanks. Now scram, both of you.’ He nodded towards the elevators. ‘Sorry, pal, we want to see this.’ ‘Punk.’ He muttered, just as Darcy came into view first, grinning from ear to ear and holding her phone up, obviously filming him. He was about to ask her what she was doing when Nat came through the doorway with Amelia beside her. She looked…stunning. He was lost for words and Darcy had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from squealing with delight at the footage she got of his mouth first falling open, then the smile that grew on his face. He went to meet her, and she turned the camera to catch them both as Amelia grinned at him, so much more relaxed now they were together, as though the distance made it harder. ‘You look beautiful, sweetheart.’ He said quietly as he handed her the flowers, but Nat quickly took them from him. ‘I’ll get those in water.’ She promised as Bucky took her free hand and lowered his head, kissing her softly to the side of her lips to avoid smudging her lipstick. ‘Thank you, you look amazing. The blue really suits you.’ Amelia replied as they parted. ‘You want a drink first or shall we head out?’ She glanced around the room, at where Nat had now leant on the bar behind Steve, all of them smirking. ‘We may as well get to the restaurant, we’ll have an audience wherever we are and at least then we can get food.’ ‘Sounds good. Don’t wait up.’ He said to them before switching hands so they could stay joined as they went to the elevator. It was only once the doors closed that Sam spoke. ‘Fifty bucks says the night has a very happy ending.’ ‘Sounds like an easy win.’ Nat replied. ‘The real question is whose room will they end up in?’ ‘I say his.’ ‘I say hers.’ Nat replied. ‘Rogers?’ ‘I bet they don’t even make it to a room.’ He gave them a knowing smile, all of which Darcy caught on camera.

Chapter 29

[johnhardinsawyer]

“Going Public”

John Sawyer

Bedford Presbyterian Church

2 / 5 / 17

 Matthew 5:13-16

 “Going Public”

(Letting Your Light Shine (and Your Salt ‘Salt’))

 This past Wednesday, Beyonce – the pop superstar who only needs one name – went public with the news that she and her husband, Jay Z, are expecting twins.  Beyonce also released a special photo album to commemorate the pregnancy.  Now, I know that some of you have been so excited about this that you haven’t been able to sleep since you heard the news.  And, if this is the first time you’re hearing the news, I’ll let you know when I find out where they’re registered.

Beyonce and Jay Z are public figures who also try to lead private lives, but in going public with their big news – news that a lot of people might keep semi-private – they are literally telling the entire world in a big way.

Most of us will never rise to the level of fame that Beyonce and Jay Z enjoy, and there are many ways that we will never be like them. But, we are not unlike them in that we, too, have private and public lives.  There is who we are when we are in the privacy of our own home and there is who we are when we are out in the world – at work, or school, or the grocery, or Facebook, or Instagram, or wherever.  Each of us has a private life and a public life – those things that we keep to ourselves and those things that we share, from our deepest hopes and deepest secrets to the things in which we put our faith and trust.  We will usually share some of who we are, but rarely do we go public with all of it.

Jesus had just “gone public” with is ministry – teaching and preaching and healing among the small villages and towns beside the Sea of Galilee.  In today’s passage – which is part of his Sermon on the Mount – Jesus tells us what happens when our public lives are lived the way Jesus is calling us to live. When we “go public” and follow Jesus, we are like salt and light.

To people of a certain generation, if someone is described as being “the salt of the earth,” it basically means that that person is really swell or “thoroughly decent.”[1]  But when Jesus says, “You are the salt of the earth,” I don’t think he is saying here that his disciples are really swell, even though he might have thought that they were, indeed, swell.  In Jesus’ day – just like today – salt was and is used to flavor and preserve food.  Going back to the days of Moses, salt was also supposed to be part of a really good offering to God.[2]  It was also used as part of a covenant agreement that someone made with someone else.[3]  In the Book of Leviticus,[4] when people made an offering of grain to the Lord, they were instructed to not leave out “the salt of the covenant,” which was a sign that the covenant between God and the people would be preserved for all time.  God would be their God and they would be God’s people – forever.  A covenant of salt was everlasting.  It could not be broken.

So, when Jesus tells his disciples that they are the salt of the earth, he is saying that they are a sign of an everlasting covenant between God and the earth and that they should have a “flavoring, purifying, sacrificial way of life committed to the world’s well-being and loyal to God’s purposes.”[5]  Now, usually, priests in the Temple with all kinds of training and power and influence were thought of as being like the covenantal salt for the world, but according to Jesus, the priests at the Temple – the guys in charge of all of the salty offerings – had lost their saltiness.  Another way of translating it is that their salt “had become foolish.”[6]  They and their religious practices were good for nothing because – just like salt that has lost its saltiness – these powerful men were not accomplishing anything. Oh, they had power among the power-brokers of their day, but their words and their rituals were foolish and empty.

“So, don’t be like those guys,” Jesus is saying here.  “You – who would be my disciples – are the salt of the earth.  So, ‘Bam! Kick it up a notch!’ like Emeril Lagasse.  Bring the flavor of God to the world – a taste of God’s promise that cannot be broken, a promise of love and care and healing and wholeness.  Life in the Kingdom of Heaven is not bland, so don’t act like it is.”

“You are salt,” Jesus said, “but you are also light.”  “You are the light of the world.  “A city built on a hill cannot be hid.” (5:14)

Now, cities in Jesus’ day were built on hills because hills could be easily defended.  They could also be seen from miles away during the day and could especially be seen at night.  If it is dark enough out, it really doesn’t take a lot of light to be seen from far away. If it is dark enough, even just one little light will be enough to help us see.  Jesus says that we are to be lights – big and small – that shine and give hope amidst the shadows of the world.  But we can’t keep the light to ourselves.  “Put the light on a lampstand,” Jesus is saying.  “Shine the light everywhere so that others can see it, shed light on a different way to live, a different kind of kingdom, because the light you are shining is the light of God and God’s kingdom is right here, right now.”

There are some people that come into your life that, quite simply, shine.  They have a certain presence, a certain personality, a certain peace about them. They have tapped into something. . . holy. . .  and the light they shine becomes part of everyone they meet.  God gives each of us light to shine and share, but often we aren’t sure what to do with it or we are afraid to use it – especially in public. But we are not supposed to hide – under a bushel basket or under our fear of being discovered.  Following Jesus is not just a private enterprise – something that only happens when we are at home or when we go to church.  Following Jesus is a public enterprise.  We are supposed to be salty.  And we are supposed to shine.  In public.  Because that’s where we live in our own small, but not insignificant, ways.

Now, Jesus himself warns us in the next chapter of Matthew about how not to practice our faith in public.  We are not supposed to bring attention to ourselves when we make our offerings or pray on street corners just so others will see us and think we are good. (6:1-5)  “These people have received their reward,” Jesus says – these people have gotten a little fame and empty respect and that’s about all they’re going to get.  

No, when you are salt and light, it looks and sounds different. It is more authentic.  It makes more of an impact.  It is more difficult, but it is also more rewarding.

Earlier, I mentioned that today’s reading is part of Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.”  Jesus had come into the land around the Sea of Galilee preaching about a new kingdom – the Empire of Heaven – an empire that was, and is, different from all other human empires, and systems, and power structures.  The people who had lived their whole lives under the boot heels of the Roman Empire wanted to hear about this new and different kind of empire, so they flocked to where Jesus was.  And he sat down and began to teach them, by describing the characteristics of how those who live in the Empire of Heaven look and act.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek

[people who have power

but wisely choose to use that power gently],[7]

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

[for right relationships of justice and wholeness],[8]

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you

and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

(5:1-11)

Because this – all of this, all of the above – is what it looks like when you are salt and light, when you’re living in the Empire of Heaven.  But you can’t just be salt and light to yourself, for yourself.  You are the salt and light of the earth and to the world. You have to go public with the Empire of Heaven.

You know, these days it seems like if you go public with anything (even a baby announcement on Instagram) – if you take your worldview and share it with the world – you run the risk of offending someone.  People on all sides of every issue are really sensitive right now and it makes them emotional and emotional gives way to irrational.  The mere mention of certain words or issues provoke anger and outrage.  Political Correctness is at odds with Patriotic Correctness is at odds with just trying to figure out what is, indeed correct.  When it comes to disagreeing about the ways people see the world, we label one another and paint with a broad brush, that ignores the realities of complexity and nuance.  We live in a divided nation.  Can you believe that 53% of people in our country actually want the Falcons to win the Super Bowl tonight?[9]  Lord, help us!

When it comes to making peace with one another, using power in ways that builds others up instead of tearing them down, hungering and thirsting for the wholeness of the world, offering comfort, showing mercy, and all the rest, I’d go so far as to say that we need a new and different kind of empire.  Because the empires of power and politics, and media outlets, and sports franchises, and all the other things in which people publicly put their faith don’t have a lot of salt and shine very little light.

Only God’s salt and light can reshape the world into the Empire of Heaven.  This is why Jesus gives us a new way to see the world – a new way to be in the world – a world that so desperately needs you and me to be the salt and light that brings the everlasting promise of God’s love.  Now, if you go public with this love, it might not get you fame and fortune, or millions of “likes.”  It might take you where you wouldn’t normally go – way out of your comfort zone.  It might even get you persecuted.

But in the Empire of Heaven, the reward outweighs the risk. And, besides, we do not go public on our own.  We go in the strong name of Jesus, who invites us to this Table – this very public meal at which we are fed and nourished and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. This Table is a place where there are no divisions, where all of us are simply known as children of God who are called to be salt and light.

Be salt. . .  be light. . . so that the love and light of God may be known everywhere we go – even to the ends of the earth.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 -----------------

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salt_of_the_earth.  Last modified on December 24, 2016.  Accessed on February 2, 2017.

[2] See Exodus 30:35.

[3] See Numbers 18:19 and 2 Chronicles 13:5.

[4] Leviticus 2:13.

[5] Warren Carter. Matthew and the Margins (Maryknoll:  Orbis Books, 2000) 138.

[6] Carter, ibid. 138.

[7] Stan Saunders. Lecture on January 11, 2017, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA.

[8] Carter, 133-134.

[9] http://boston.cbslocal.com/2017/01/30/patriots-poll-super-bowl-li-atlanta-falcons/