#anyway i open in the infant room tomorrow so i'm going to make sure i get to sleep as early as i can

[ilseofskadi]

TODAYS COWORKER BULLSHIT IS A TWO IN ONE SPECIAL

first:

there's this one kid who is super oral, like anything and everything goes in her mouth. like. we've caught her licking the floor. several times.

it became a huge problem when we found her putting tiny beads in her mouth during nap time and we had to move her spot

so jane did what jane does best and shoved herself into the situation and got her a chewy necklace

and okay yeah that's not a terrible idea i will admit that. my niece had one for awhile (tho hers had other stimmy objects in it too) but she was like five or six when she had it (maybe she still has it idk i haven't seen her in awhile)

however this kid ended up putting the whole entire necklace in her mouth, and we had to take it from her because she kept putting her fingers in her mouth with it

of course jane texts me saying that it "seems to be working so far"

like yeah you did have good intentions i admit and it's not a terrible idea, but it's not working towards the problem of getting her to STOP putting things (toys, works, her fingers) in her mouth

second:

we do a little show and tell every thursday for the letter of the week. this week is the letter V. naturally a good amount of kids didn't have anything

well jane likes to have a bag of things that start with the week's letter. fine. okay. whatever. as long as it's not a distraction

WELL this week she just ended up making a confusion among the kids

she had gummy vitamins, a violet colored pencil, a vhs, a votive, and a valentines themed rubber duck

OF COURSE the kids who picked those things didn't know what they were (except the kid with the vitamins)

violet colored pencil? nope it's purple. a votive? nope it's a candle. the valentine duck? nope it's just a duck

and the vhs? she gave it to the most autistic kid in the room. this kid literally just turned four, and mostly repeats what he hears. of course he calls it a movie

what kid even knows what a votive is?? I didn't even know what a votive is!!!

the point of show and tell is so the kids can find things around them and associate them with the letter it starts with. some kids brought tot vegetables, one kid brought a valentine card, one brought a vanilla ice cream toy, another a tiny vase, one had a vice grip wrench, and my favorite was the kid who brought a funko-pop marceline the vampire queen

if we bring in things the kids don't know, they're not learning the letter or learning to associate the letter with word identification, and here jane is confusing them!! of course a kid is going to call a votive a candle!! of course a kid is going to say purple before even thinking violet!!! a duck that has hearts on it? what kid would even think of associating it with valentines!!!!

sorry this got long

thankfully mobile still has a read more option

[gublersquill]

Forwards Beckon Rebound ౨ৎ - gublersquill

I wanted to try putting some of my writing on here for the first time. idk if i will continue with this or not lol

Marauders era canon-compliant fic, the spell Regulus casts on James to make him forget their life together wears off after Regulus dies.

tw: a bit angsty, deals a little with grief, mention of a loved one suffering with implied depression symptoms

Work count: about 900

Villain and violent infant and innocent

Baby both arms cradle you now

Both arms cradle you now

"So, what are you saying? That I'm hard to love, that I'm a bad person? Because I already know that, James."

"No, I'm saying you're selfish, and I can't keep giving up parts of myself for you until there's nothing left."

"So, what? This is it then?"

"Yeah... I guess it is."

The baby’s shrieks echoed through the room, bouncing off the walls and rattling the wobbly dining table. The old house creaked, almost in protest, as the bedroom door drifted open. Nimble feet swished across the carpeted floor, slipping into the room. Warm hands found the baby’s face, gently rubbing calming circles on his cheeks.

“It’s okay, Harry, love,” James murmured, his voice soft as he began to sing, swaying gently like the bow of a ship in the waves. As he moved to leave the room, his gaze was caught by a shock of red hair spilling over the pillow. He smiled, shutting the door quietly to let his wife sleep.

He plopped the boy beside him on the couch, settling a blanket around his shoulders. James flicked his wand, summoning a mug of tea that floated over to him.

“It’s five o’clock in the morning,” he said with a tired swipe at his eyes. “Just in time to watch the French Quidditch game. That’s my boy.”

His hand ghosted over the baby’s head, smoothing his hair—or trying to, anyway. Harry huffed, a low rumbling sound, as if imitating a car warming up.

“Are you excited to see Bathilda tomorrow?” James smiled, trying to chase the shadows of doubt from his face. “I know you’re going to want to go out with the other kids, but you’re too young this year.”

The lie twisted his chest. Harry leaned against his father’s arm, snuggling in. Unease settled in James’s chest, the claw of guilt gripping his heart. They were safe—that was the main thing.

He glanced out the window. The sun hadn’t quite risen yet, casting soft shadows over the garden and illuminating the infinite sky of twinkling stars. James peered closer at the stars, as though the knowledge of the divine might tell him something—something to fix the ache in his chest. As though someone might whisper the right words to answer questions he hadn’t asked.

He wasn’t sure what he was looking for anymore—only that it wasn’t here.

The echo of the television set calmed James as he sank further into the couch, putting an arm around his boy. His eyes flicked listlessly at the screen, glimpses of polished mahogany and manicured lawns in the background. Unmoving, his lips pressed into a tight line, his vision began to blur.

He supposed he should get up and start cooking Lily some breakfast. She was getting more and more distressed, stuck inside at all hours of the day. Maybe a new paint set would cheer her up, he thought. She hadn’t been painting much lately—only ominous pictures of the ocean beneath a gathering storm. He should feel more guilt about it, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care much. He couldn’t find it in himself to care about a lot of things lately.

There was this hollow feeling—like a vacuum pulsating around him, a wall that he could almost push through. Then the feeling would stop, and he would be back in this house, back in this room. He hugs Harry closer trying to find comfort in the warmth of his son, his soft breaths and babbling along with the plays of the match. Harry wiggles putting his little hands on the couch.

His hands tremble, the pressure in his chest tightening with each breath. James runs his fingers over his throat, feeling the weight of something he can’t name. His gasp stirs the air, a ripple that shakes the world around him, pulling at his focus. He blinks, glancing at the room, watching as it flickers, unstable. Back and forth, he’s caught between the cold, dark ocean pulling at him and the warmth of the blanket over his lap, his son's small hand on his arm, grounding him.

Then—nothing. Nothing.

James looks up, his face reflected back at him from the television screen, but it’s not him. It’s something else—dark curls floating above a pale face, grey eyes wide open, the mouth frozen in a silent scream. The features are there, but they feel distant, foreign, as if someone else is looking back. He lifts his right hand, staring at the gold sun ring on his finger. A joke gift from? Who? James can't recall.There’s a hollow feeling, like a space inside him that hasn’t been filled. He searches for the sensation of completeness, the pull that once tied him to something, to someone—but it’s gone. That sense of balance, of wholeness, is missing, and he can’t quite place where it’s gone. The sounds of the Quidditch game play in the background, distant and hollow, the light too sharp in his eyes, almost pulsating in the dark living room.

A cave somewhere far from here, a boy takes his last breath.

James gasps, a lifetime flickering before his eyes.

He’s dead.

Regulus Black is dead

If you got this far thanks sm for reading if yall have any advice i would be so glad to hear it <3

[randomsevans]

The Lawyers Lies

Summary : he has it all the money, the status , respect from all those around him . The wife . He has the life everyone wants it's perfect. But he isn't. He cant help himself to himself or his wife for that matter ,this only leads to lie after lie .

Warning: swearing , cheating (if it bothers you then dont read )

The Rogers law firm was the most successful firm in all of Brokyln , all of the New York . With the leading man being one of power and strength as he had never lost a case , and built the empire he now sits on . His a boss that could easily leave his job to other but that's far form who Steve is , still takes case no matter how big or small and never loses , impressing everyone around . Yet despite the power , the life he leads you have Learnt that Steve has a caring nature and one were he protects those who cant protect themselves, that why he came into the job he is today. He has the life , the wife and as his right hand women went it comes to cases you learned to learn about Steve very well. Too well that the pit you feel in your stomach only grows more and more . And you are unable to keep your feeling in check as you have fallen for the taken caring man . But that didn't stop him from falling for you too . Or so he says .

The annual gala was in full swing . As one of the top lawyers at the firm you had to attend, as much as you didnt want to . You were wear a stunning satan black dress that flowed against your figure with a slit on on of the legs . It caught the attraction of many man that have come over to you more then once . Sending straight back were they came from as you wernt interested. You dont think you'll ever be interested in any other man that wasnt Steve Rogers . You knew it was wrong but you could help your feeling you had fallen for a married man . Your boss on top of that . This 'affair ' as much as the word sickens you because you arnt proud of it . That's what it was at the end of the day . The both of you had a little but to much whiskey as you were building a case on night and one thing lead to another. And you havnt been able to stop that night was 8 months ago . And the little crush you had , has formed into you being a women madly in love . But your not stuiped you know he would never care for you as deeply as you care for him nor would he ever leave his wife . And you were okay with that , you could live with that .

But your child cant and you want let them. The shook of what you discovered this morning is still very much with you . You dont know what you are going to do . Other then you know you have to end this with Steve and quit Rogers firm . It would be for the best . He would keep his wife and build a family with her, while you take care of your child by your self . And with that you were surprisingly okay about .

As you stood at the bar with your orange juice you were oddly becoming exited over the thought of being a single mother. You know it wouldn't be easy , but the love you had already form your infant you like nothing you have ever experienced. A smile small placed on your lips, despite knowing your child will never have a father you were okay with that , and hopeful him of her would be too .

Your smile quickly fell tho as you heard the boming chuckle of that so soothing voice you love so much . You turn your head to see as smiling steve with his wife Sharon with a wide smile as well looking up at him in awe , with his arm around her waist pulling her closer . A pang of jealousy ran through you . As a larger group appeared in front of you , you lost view of then, 'thank god '

As the the clock on the wall was almost at 11 pm you thought it was about time to leave . Well not after one last trip to the ladys . As you left the bar , you made your way through out the crowds . You turned a corner that lead to a corridor with rooms and the bathroom at the end. As if came into sight you speed up . Only to be yanked backwards you almost trip over your heels as you stumble backwards and pushed into a room . Your back hits a wall and you hear a door lock and are caged with two armed at either side of your head . It all happend quickly you couldn't process it . Until your eyed locked with two blue orbs that stared right back at you . With s sweet smile .

"Well hello there " his sweet rough voice broke . As you inhaled a sharp breath you didnt know you needed as the scent of whiskey hit you .

"Steve are you crazy, some one could of seen ..." you were silenced with his lips on your as he hands fell to your hips . This would have been a good place to end things but you didnt want to not yet anyway apart for you doesnt want it to end ,that's why you made a deal with your self 3 months tops and you would be out of Steve life. It would give you enough time for closure and prepare for your child.

As he pulled back his forehead came and rested on your "I really need to do that, if wanted to do that all night " he placed another peck on your lips "you look so beautiful in that dress "

"Your not bad your self you know " you said with a smirk making him chuckle that made your heart flip.

He took a step back "I should... I should probably get back "

You nodded with the familiar pit forming in your stomach. He cupped your cheek "but ha I'll see ya tomorrow eh ?" He said with his Brooklyn accent coming through think .

"Yeah... "

"If your not that hungover " he finished for you with a chuckle. It was far from the truth .

He place a hand on the door handle " right " he placed a chase kiss on your lips " bye love " and will that he was out the door as you stood in the dark room for what felt like an entity . Until your body gave you a reminder of where you were ment to heading. You left the room and bolted to the bathroom.

++++++++++++

Your stomach was turing as the small of coffee hit you as you entered the building . Your arms tightly around case files as you tried to balance your self on your heels . You entered the lift only for it to be near enough full . As you step in you look round as put names to faces . Your heart drops and you see the women who has the heart of the man who has your. Sharon was standing at one side with her head down looking through her phone as you stood at the far end to avoid her and the guilt that eats you up. You still love around and calm as a tall brunette came and stood between the too of you . The lift door closes and begans to move .

" morning y/n " the brunette had a warm smile .

"Morning James " you replied .

The lift door open and you both exit the lift leaving Sharon and the others in their. As you both began to walk the corries you make small talk. About his wife and your best friend Nat . And laugh at her anitic .

"Are those the Rowln files " he pointing at the files as you almost made it to your desk .

" yes there are ... I was wondering if actually you could do me a favour ?" You ask in shy voice as the pair of you stop infrount of your desk .

"Of course , anything for family " you laugh at that since the 3 of you (nat , james and you ) don't have relative so you call each other your family .

"Ummm I was wonding if you would take the files to Rogers for me and maybe .... take over the case " you scrunched up your face.

"Are you sure. It's a big case , if would do good to anyones carrer, and I dont want to take that away from you "

You knew this. But it was apart of your plan to began distancing your self from Steve . The less cases you worked on the less time you would spend together. The easier it would be when you permanently remove your self form his life .

"I'm sure . If its okay with you . I just have other cases and I dont really care much for the publicity "

"If your sure .... " you place the files in his hand

"I'm sure!" You giggled . "Take the damn cases Barnes "

"Okay ,okay " He stepped backwards hands in the air in surrounder as he held the case files in one hand . Chuckling . " I'm sure the team and Rogers will be disappointed losing the right hand women to be replaced with me " he joked .

"Eh there get over it " you said walking around and plonted your self in your chair . As your feet and ankles already ached , you made a mental note to stop wearing heels for fbe next 8 months. You flung your hand at Bucky , "dont you have a case to build "

"Yes ma'am " he turned as walked away with the biggest smile on his face. You knew that this case would be good for his career . You too a deep breath. And brought your chair under you desk as you began the long day at work .

+++++++++++++++

Lunch came around and went as you wat your usual only for it to end up down the toilet 20 minute later .

Your head was stuck in a file as a shadow loomed over your desk . You brought your eyes up . To be met with a pissed Steve .

"You gave your case to Barnes " his anger and disappointment showed both in his voice and face.

"Indeed I did Mr Rogers i have other cases , I think Mr Barnes would be good for this one as well as I dont very much care for the publicity. " you said honestly but missing the key reason as much as if hurt you , you needed to get away from Rogers end this . Without the words that would cause you to cry. You hope this would end with your feeling gone as your 3 months plan would unfold.

His eyes soften and place his hand on your desk to hunch over and meet your eyes

"But you are always on these cases with me " he said as a winning child .

"I'm sure Mr Barnes will be a great advantage to the team as well as your to have much fun with "

"That as much as I would with you " his whispered with a devilish smirk which caused you to have one of your own as you placed your pen down . And put your full attention to Steve .as he leaned closer in. " come and meet me tonight, usual place ya ?" He ask in his husky voice that was hard to resist.

"I cant sorry " you said as you looked back down at the file .

"What?" I stepped back with bus hands now in his pocket "why ?" He almost sounded hurt " Sharon's going on a girls night out so we have nothing to ... "

"So am I " you interrupted him.

"Sorry?" He questioned.

"I'm going out with Nat tonight "

"Oh " now you could see the hurt in his face. As you tied to ignore it . But this is what you had too do . And it's not like your lying you are going out with Nat because you knew Steve would ask . As much as it hurt you , as much as you wanted to be in his arms you needed to end this .

"Have ... have I done something...."

"I have cases to get going back to Mr Roges and I'm sure you do to " you interrupted him as you saw people approaching and he followed your gaze and gave a knowing nodded and you both tried to mask your feeling.

"Of course miss y/l/n " and with that he was gone

++++++++++++++

"Hiiiiiiiii " you heard the squeal that belonged to your best friend ,as you approach the bar she was sitting at . In the dark club with only a couple of lights lightening the surroundings

"Hi there " you took the seat next to her.

" how you been ?" The stunning redhead asks

"I'm doing good , what about you ?"

"I'm really good actually " she began then elbow your side with a smile. " thank you by the way "

"What for?" You gave her a confused look

"For giving Bucky the case . He was very VERY happy about it " she said with a wink

"Well your welcome " you chuckled

The two of you caught up on your day as the bartender approached .

"What can I get the two for you ?"

"Two shoots of tequila and two red wines please " Nat answered for you

"Um no actually " you said before the bartender could make the drinks .

" what it's our usual! " nat argued.

"Could we have one glass of wine and a lemonade " you glanced at Nat " but keep the two tequilas "

For Nat of course , the bartender nodded and headed to make the drinks

"What is with you ,? Why ain't you drinking?" She paused for a moment her eyes grow double in size " your not pregnant are you?"

"What of course I'm not !" You laught it off as now is not the time to spread the news no matter how much Nat is your best friend you couldn't risk her spilling in front of Bucky that would the lead to Steve .

"Some got to be driver , as well as my heads still pounding form last night " you lied .

"Oh okay, thank god " she laughed as the drinks appeared in front of you .

The night went on and the place got more crowded, Natasha had maybe too much to drink but was still standing stronge as she dragged you too the dance floor . With the bright lights you and were laughing and dancing 'who says you need to be drink to have fun '

As Nat spun you around, you stopped dead in your tracks as your eyes landed on a certain booth . With a certain blonde blue eyed man. The booth was in the darkest corner but you would notice those blue eyes anywhere. A women was sat next to him as there stared at each other with him giving her a cheeky smile . You assumed it was Sharon and maybe he went out with her after all she is his wife .so you were about to turn round when the women went to grab her drink of the table as a light quickly shined on her face . The reveal Peggy Carter his assistant. You couldn't tear your eyes away

'Maybe it's just friends having a drink '

Your heart dropped as his lips met hers as he bright her closer to him , in hunger and passion Everything froze . Your chest tightened and heart hammered . You ran out in a hurry sicken at the sight . Your surroundings turned into blurs and silence as you rush out the doors missing natasha yelling your name . For your hot sick to reach the bitter bit of outside .

You have seen him with Sharon multiple times and yeah you have always got jealous and abit bothered but he always assured you on how he felt about you . But this was worst . As the reality set in . He never ment anything he said . The times he told you he cared for you had feeling for you . Was all a lie . Yes you were the other women but you wasnt the only one and that hurt so much more then anything . Yes you was going to end this soon but it doesnt make it hurt less .

As your back hit the brick wall you inhaled a shaky breath as your eyes were blurry and tears rolled down your hot cheeks causing a bitter bite against the night. Nat came rushing by your side and pulled you into her side as you let out a loud sob .

"Ha ! What's going on " she rubbed the side of your arms in confert .

"I'm an idiot and stuiped fuckin idiot . " you whispered

"What ! Of course your not " she brought your face into her hands and lock eyes with you "now y/n you tell me what's going on right now " you shook your head in response you didnt want to burden her but you need to tell someone "NOW " she damned

You calmed your self down and brought out the shaky sentence "I'm.....I'm pregnant " you looked away " a... and its ..st..steve Rogers "

You turned your head to look at Nat who was in pure shook . You could see herself fighting with her self whether to shout and scream at you for being so stuiped or be supportive . Her nicer side won and pulled you back into a hug .

"Okay , okay your coming back with me so you calm down and then you tell me everything. EVERYTHING!"

"As long as you dont tell anyone .. promise "

"Promise "

[katedrakeohd]

A Very Valtorian Christmas - Part 2

[Masterlist]

****************

Part Two: Say my Name / Silent Night

Sitting with her legs crisscrossed on the sofa, Kate rubs her hands soothingly over her belly and hums softly. The warmth of the fire wraps around her like a cocoon and she closes her eyes, feeling at peace.

“It's almost Christmas little one, would you like to hear a song?” she asks quietly.

A flutter of movement is her answer and Kate smiles, “You're very much awake I see, so perhaps something to help you sleep.”

Swaying gently side to side, Kate starts to hum Silent Night.

Out in the front hall the door opens and Drake and his two dogs blow in with a cool breeze. As he pushes the heavy door shut, Gracie and Fluffers shake off the snow clinging to their fur. Drake grumbles as he chases after them with their doggy towel in an attempt to dry them.

“Come here you!” he growls at Gracie as she tries to wiggle away. Gracie enjoys the towel chasing game after a refreshing trip outside into the snow or rain. Especially the tug of war that usually results. The more Daddy grunts and growls in frustration, the more she tries to wrestle the towel free from his grasp. Sometimes she wins, resulting in a brisk head shake and whipping of Daddy's shins. But most of the time Daddy wins and Gracie gets pinned to the floor and roughly rubbed dry. Which feels good anyway so it's all fun for her.

After Gracie gets a thorough rub down, Drake reaches and snags Fluffer by the collar and does him too. Although the whole exercise is meant to achieve a dry pair of dogs, it most often results in Drake or whoever kneeling or standing in wet puddles on the floor and covered in dog hair. So happy dogs, but unhappy humans.

Drake takes a small measure of satisfaction by giving each dog a fierce, but playful slide across the wooden floor and watching them scramble to their feet. “Off you go guys, wheeeeeee!”

As they recover their footing they come racing back and jump all over his lap. Drake laughs as they lick his face, “Ugh, yucky doggy kisses. You two are disgusting, but damn you're cute.”

Brushing himself off, Drake gets up from the floor and puts his winter stuff away. The dogs have already run off back toward the great room. “Go find Momma guys.”

Walking back down the dimly lit hallway in his sock feet, Drake heads for the golden glow coming from the great room. As he makes it to the doorway he can hear Kate singing softly, and stops to listen.

“Silent night..Holy night..

All is calm, all is bright…”

Drake can't help but smile, his heart tugging at the tenderness and love in her voice. He walks quietly into the room and stops behind the sofa.

“Holy infant so tender and mild,

Sleep in heavenly peace,

Sleep in heavenly peace.”

Kate's eyes are still closed as she hums the next verse. Drake can see her facial expression change to one of amusement as she feels the baby move. Leaning over the back of the sofa, he gently places his hands on her shoulders and gives her a kiss on the cheek. "I love you Kate," he whispers.

Tipping her head back she opens her eyes and smiles, raising her hand to touch his cheek. "I love you too."

Leaning his chin on her shoulder he slides his hands down to cradle her belly.

"So what do you think Mama, boy or girl?"

Kate giggles as the baby kicks, "Soccer player, just like Daddy."

Drake chuckles as she places her hands over his. "Hey I felt that too. Seriously doesn't that hurt?"

Kate shakes her head, "Not really. It feels a little weird though. I suppose in a couple months when baby starts to run out of space it'll bother me more."

Drake gives her another kiss on the cheek, and then stands up to go stir the fire in the fireplace. Kate grimaces slightly as she unfolds her legs and straightens them out.

"Ow," she says quietly.

Drake turns so quickly he almost drops the hot poker on his foot. His eyebrows shoot up with surprise and concern.

"You Ok Honey?"

Kate holds her belly and laughs, waving off his concern. "Yes dear I'm fine, just been sitting in one position for too long. My legs are stiff, and my foot's fallen asleep."

Drake puts the poker back in its stand and runs his hands back through his hair, grinning sheepishly. "Oh, I see."

Kate picks up her eggnog again and finishes it as she tries to wiggle her toes. She covers her mouth and tries to swallow without laughing.

Gracie and Fluffers move out of the way as Drake walks over to sit down on the rug at Kate's feet. "Here, put your feet in my lap and I'll massage out those pins and needles."

Kate sighs happily as Drake's warm hands rub over her feet and ankles. As he massages around her toes with his thumbs, a pleasant jolt shoots up the inside of her thigh and she gasps at the tingling warm sensation it generates in her crotch.

"Mmm, did I ever tell you that you have magic hands Drake?"

Drake grins, moving his hands up to massage the back of her calves, "I think you've told me once or twice."

Kate wiggles her toes against his thighs, gripping at the wrinkled fabric of the denim in the vicinity of his groin. Drake gives her a lopsided grin and then scoots closer so that he can kiss the top of her knees.

"Legs and feet feeling better now?" He asks, as he hugs the back of her calves and rests his head on the edge of the sofa next to her thigh.

"Much better thanks," Kate smiles, stroking her fingers through his hair.

"Baby still doing somersaults?"

Kate shakes her head, "I know it's tradition for the gender of the Royal Heir to not be revealed until birth, but I feel odd this far along in my pregnancy still referring to him or her as just 'baby'. Would it be against the rules to start picking out names?"

Drake sighs, understanding her frustration. "Officially yes, but unofficially no. I'm anxious to think of our kid as someone with a name and a face too."

"Are there any traditions as far as names go in the Walker family?"

Drake frowns, absently patting the top of Gracie's head as she lays down next to him, "None that I know of. What about the Darlings? Is there a rule about passing on names of past aunts, uncles or whatever?"

Kate draws little hearts and question marks on her belly as she thinks about it, "I don't think so. Why don't we start a tradition of our own?"

Drake tilts his head side to side, rubbing the stubble on his chin, "Maybe. But can I make a suggestion?"

"Sure sweety, what are you thinking?"

"No weird made up names, or naming our child after fruits, vegetables, colors, or inanimate objects."

Kate laughs, "No problem there, but would you be against floral names for a girl? Like Rose, Iris, Lily, Daisy, Poppy, or Heather."

Drake shakes his head, "Not at all, but bear in mind that our possible daughter is going to be royal. So maybe a flower as a middle name instead? You need to imagine 'Princess' or 'Queen' in front of her first name."

Kate nods, "That's a good point. So what about boy names? Or unisex names that would work for both boys or girls?"

Drake shakes his head, "No offense to all the Taylors, Ryans, Bobby-Joes, Baileys and Rileys of this world, but I don't want to confuse people. Although the prefixes Lord, Lady, Prince and Princess, King or Queen would make their gender more defined."

Kate stifles a yawn, "I'm sorry, didn't mean to yawn. Just all this talk of what our child's name can't be is wearing me out. Growing a baby is exhausting work."

"I suppose it is getting late, and tomorrow is a busy day."

Kate reaches her hands up over her head and stretches, "Yes, it is. Plus Nicholas, Hana and Maxwell arrive tomorrow too."

"There goes our quiet Christmas together." Drake groans in protest.

Kate braces her hand on Drake's shoulder for stability as she gets up off the sofa, "Oh stop complaining, you have to play Duke of Valtoria every once in a while."

Drake sighs, "Oh I guess so. I'm still trying to get used to having a Duchy full of people thinking I'm so important."

Drake gets up from the floor and wraps Kate in a gentle hug.

"Well don't forget you're super important to us," she says, giving him a kiss.

"Never, because my family is the most important thing to me too."

---------

@jlpplays1 @ao719 @jlpplays1-41daysofcheerchallenge

@dcbbw @drakeandcamilleofvaltoria @walkerswhiskeygirl @sirbeepsalot @texaskitten30 @jovialyouthmusic @emceesynonymroll

[dangertoozmanykids101]

My Sassy Cat Burglar

Okay y'all, this isn't a Tom Hiddleston or Loki story. ['So what's the point in posting here, Tooz??? You're taking up prime TH space on the dashboard!' Ha ha, very funny. Bite me!] But if you bare with me, maybe y'all can help me out? When I had my husband read my story, he thought it was funny. (He better. It's about his spawn.) But he looked at me, "I'm confused. When does Tom Hiddleston come into it?" He thought I would put Hiddleston-smut in a story about our daughter! Does he think that is ALL I think about all day long? (That was a rhetorical question, by the way!)

Like a lot of parents in this day and age, I post about my kids on Facebook. I honestly haven't kept track of anything anywhere else. I didn't do baby books. I don't have the attention span for scrapbooking. And a diary or journal is way too much commitment. Facebook, though, I can handle. I especially enjoy posting stories about how ridiculous living with these 4 monsters feels some days.

When the twins were infants, I would post video after video of the 2 of them crying at the top of their lungs. I wanted to provide that sample taste, if anyone needed a baby-fix. Or I posted the photo of my daughter's tantrum when she emptied out all of her drawers onto the floor. Endless photos of them filthy, naked, and usually crying. I need to assemble a montage of how every video seems to end with me saying, "Oh, forget it!"

One of my favorite videos of the twins around 1 yr old is only 5 seconds long. Instead of helping me put cans into the bag for recycling, they had emptied the bag all over the living room. With Lincoln's eyes glued on me, defiant from birth, I sweetly ask, "Now can we put the cans INTO the bag?" He reaches in the bag, grabs a can, holds it out, and basically does a mic drop with the can, never taking his eyes off of me.

Today, I wrote this story, My Sassy Cat Burglar. WITHOUT Hiddleston smut. If you're lucky, maybe tomorrow I'll post another version WITH Hiddleston smut. But I promise nothing.

My Sassy Cat Burglar

Veronica peeked into the living room, spying me asleep on the couch. I no longer have a fever, so Rob went back to work today. I'm laying on the couch though, because my head is still aching and my throat is sore. Mind you, if a mother is dozing, that never guarantees that she doesn't hear every single sound around her. I could easily discern Veronica's footsteps as she quietly padded back into the kitchen. Her tiptoes sound completely different from Jack's patters or the twins shuffles.

She pulled a chair slowly to the fridge. The floor is filthy again, so moving any chair silently on that nasty floor would be impossible. Between the spilt sugar, ground up chips and crackers, and dripped strawberry smoothie for added stickiness, the chair pads made a loud grinding squeal for the entire 18 inches that she dragged the chair.

My little burglar paused, listening for any sign of life from me, I'm sure. Yet I wasn't going to move a muscle, unless I had to. Once she'd concluded that her stealth hadn't been compromised, she stepped up onto the chair to reach the treasures on fridge-top. The chair creaked more than the floor as she carefully shifted her weight from foot to foot, then back down into the floor.

She's actually getting very good at this. With her recent growth spurt, a whole world of goodies are suddenly within her reach. The cabinets and shelves have never been more interesting to her than they are now. But I knew exactly what she was seeking this time.

Earlier this morning, she had already asked me if she could have a brownie at 10am. Actually, her request started with, "Can I have one if Daddy's York Mint Patties?"

"No." I don't think she was surprised by my answer to that. I may not have even needed to be conscious to provide that answer. Those are Daddy's special treats he takes to work.

"Then can I have a brownie?"

"No!" I actually had to glance at the time before I answered that one. I'm desperately trying to be more of a 'yes' person. I truly am. But no one needs brownies at 10am.

"Then, what CAN I have?"

No shock to her, I'm sure, I sternly retort my standard answer, "How about REAL food?"

In turn, my sassy little thing stomps off in a melodramatic huff. "I'll just starve then!"

So a few hours later, after playing outside and making sandwiches for her and the boys, I don't mind if she finally has that brownie she wanted. I haven't heard any fighting. That is a rarity any day. Granted, I wish she would learn to put meat and cheese back into the fridge when she's finished, but I'll nag about that later. So far today, she's been a great big sister.

As soon as I hear the brownie wrapper pull open, I holler out to her, "If you're going to have a brownie,..." I pause, and she stops rustling the brownie wrapper. "Do you hear me?"

A quiet little "yes" squeaks out of the kitchen.

"Please put the brownie box back up on the fridge when you're done. If the babies get into the brownies, they'll eat them all. And Dad will be PISSED!"

No answer. "Do you hear me? Don't leave that box on the table. OK?"

“OK."

After that, this mom's dozing-radar went off high alert, and I drifted back off to sleep - until I heard more plastic rustling. Rustle. Rustle. Rustle. Dammit Veronica! I can't trust you to help at all! I knew those babies would devour all the brownies. It won't be the first time I find the box empty with brownie wrappers covering the table and floor. The twins are worse than puppies! They use scissors!

Using my firm mom-is-patient-but-serious voice, "That's enough of the brownies!"

The rustling pauses for a moment, leaving only silence. But then, to my shock, the rustling starts again. How dare they!!!! "Do you hear me? I said no more brownies!"

There's only a mere second of pause this time before the rustling starts again. Ooooh, I'm angry now. This means I have to get up. (Well, it's time for more Motrin anyways, since that headache is back. But that's not the point.) So I stand, and fly into the kitchen to catch the culprit in the act, rustling away.

No kids.

No box of brownies.

No empty wrappers.

Just Bingo on the table, biting and tugging on the plastic bags of cereal left on the table. She looks at me with the sweetest, more expectant face, giving a hopeful little "meow!" She jumps off the table and runs to her food bowls, putting a paw on the tupperware, with another pleading "meow."

Veronica pops her head in the backdoor, "Did you call me?"

@alexakeyloveloki @haute-macabre @dianamolloy @missdibley @missanonwrites @largebeeffriedrice @ohhhmyloki @redfoxwritesstuff @bambamwolf87

So I guess we could find Tom sitting on the table fussing with the cereal bags, instead of Bingo? The ties on those bags aren't necessarily easy to undo. What do you think? ;-)