#baby girl my dad cherishes all his kids and he forgot to pick my up from school

[kiingbiing]

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[sunshine-on-my-mind]

Sunday Morning

pairing: Frank Adler x Reader

words: 761

warnings: Fluff, husband Frank, dad Frank, mentions of showering together, kissing, cuddling, soft, holding hands, cute nicknames, kids (is that a warning?)

summary: A Sunday morning in the Adler household. How Frank spends this morning with his lovely wife, his niece and his three year old daughter (OFC)

a/n: have i mentioned before how much i love Frank? i guess only a few thousand times (oops) here is another Frank Adler soft fluffy one-shot. when it comes to writing about Frank, @rodrikstark is an inspiration!! I love how she writes him. Also recently reading @suchababie ‘s drabble inspired me more to write something. And how can I forget “Foolish” by @mjolnir-steve that is such a good story!! hope you all like this!! feedback is appreciated.

do comment and reblog if you like this.

DO NOT COPY MY WORK

Sunlight peaks in through the window but the reason behind the warmth in their room isn’t because of that. The warmth is radiating from the couple nuzzled up together, still asleep. At least one of them.

(Y/n) shifts gently and opens her eyes to see her beautiful husband sleeping peacefully. She caresses his cheeks gently and kisses his nose. Frank smiles slowly, letting her know that he is waking up.

“Now, this is a good morning” He says, voice raspy, eyes still closed, the smile getting bigger. “Time to wake up mister.” she presses another kiss, now on his forehead. He finally opens his eyes and pouts. “But it’s Sunday, love.” Frank pulls her closer and holds her tight. (Y/n) smiles, it still feels unbelievably amazing to wake up next to the love of her life, even after being together for six years.

“Exactly, it’s Sunday, so you know the girls will be extra excited today to spend some family time” Frank rolls his eyes at her words. When (Y/n) tries to pull apart from his embrace, he stops her.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Well initially I thought we could take a shower together to save time but since you wanna sleep some more it’s alright, you can sleep while i go and take a shower.”

Frank gulps a little as he takes in her words and notices the smirk on her face. He is trapped, but so happy to be trapped like this. Frank gets up quickly, “Who needs more sleep? I surely don’t, you’re the lazy one baby, come on get up now, we don’t have much time before the girls come looking for us. And I want to take my time with you, hurry up.” Frank rushes (Y/n) to the bathroom as fast as he could and she cannot stop giggling at her husband’s eagerness. This is definitely a good morning.

————————

The couple just barely exits the bathroom when they hear voices from the living room, footsteps approaching their room.

She quickly wears a t-shirt and shorts, all while Frank is still in a towel and staring at her. “Frank stop staring and get dressed the-“ she is interrupted by the knocks on their door.

“Ma!! I’m hungry” their three-year old, Hope, yells from the other side of the door. “So am I” Mary joins in.

“Coming!!” (Y/n) replies and rushes out of the room, Frank dresses up and follows behind quickly.

“Good morning (Y/n)” the older kid says and (y/n) wishes back. Mary is such a caring girl, she takes care of Hope so well. (Y/n) pats Mary’s head gently with admiration. She loves Mary and Mary loves her, Mary thinks Frank is lucky he gets to be with someone as amazing as (y/n).

Meanwhile Frank picks up Hope in his arms. “Hey bug, how’d you sleep?” he asks while pressing kisses on her cheeks. “Stop daddy, it tickles.” she says in between of giggles.

“So what do you girls want for breakfast?” at this question the kids share a look. “Anything but Frank’s special breakfast” Mary says with a roll of her eyes. “Hey! not fair” Frank replies. His daughter puts her small hands on his cheeks and giggles “It’s true daddy, we don’t like your special cereal breakfast” (Y/n) tries not to laugh but fails. Frank looks at his favourite girls giggling and laughing. These are the moments he will always cherish, nothing better than seeing his best girls happy.

“Fine, we won’t have my special breakfast, but instead of (y/n) cooking for us today, why don’t we all go out to grab some breakfast?” he suggests and the girls burst out in excitement “woohoo!” they exclaim in unison.

“Alright then, let’s get ready and head out!” (y/n) says. “Yes Ma’am” the rest reply together.

The kids quickly go to their room and the couple moves towards their. Before entering the bedroom Frank grabs (Y/n)’s wrist and pulls her close. “I love you sweetheart” Frank touches her forehead with his. “I love you too Frankie” she smiles as Frank joins their lips together.

They get lost in the kiss and don’t notice Mary coming out to look for something she forgot in the living room. “Oh my god, get a room” the sassy kid remarks. (Y/n) pulls apart from Frank chuckling. Frank gives Mary a look. “Stop roaming around and get ready” he says. Mary goes back to her room with a smirk.

(Y/n) holds his hand and they walk towards their bedroom, “Now, this is a good morning” she echoes his words.

[fundielicious-simblr]

Harvestfest

(Adalynn’s POV)

(Ignore the fact that some people are missing, in spite of having a detailed pose planned out I forgot to add some people and it was too late to go and add them, at the point I’d spent 4 days trying to get almost 50 people to pose and was at the end of my rope 😂)

Happy Harvestfest! It felt so good to gather with all my family as we focus on being together, being grateful, and sharing in the blessings the Lord has showered on all of us. With so many of us now married and having to split holidays between our family and our in-laws, we all sat down and decided that the holiday that would bring us all together at the big house in Newcrest would be Harvestfest, meaning that we’re left to be with our other family at Winterfest. This year there were 46 people to fill up my parent’s house, which just goes to show how much the Lord has blessed us in the past 12 years, before I got married there would only be the 15 of us around the table digging in to the 2 turkeys that us Zoe and I would wake up at 4am to pick fresh from the farm, sharing in the sides that Macie would prepare for the evening, and laughing and singing together. One thing I’m very grateful for are all the children that are running around again, growing up it would be Charles, Parker, and Ashton that entertained us all with their shenanigans, but once they grew up and grew out of it then we all missed the sounds of having children around the house. Now there are 22 children that run around and call my parents ‘grandma and grandpa’. 

(Updates on the family are under the cut!)

Allan (55) and Casandra (52) Collins

My parents are thriving in this season of life they’re in! This year they’ve completed 34 years of marriage, what a testimony! Dad is still the pastor at Newcrest Baptist, the Lord has blessed the church abundantly allowing for dad to hire on additional pastors, which gives him the chance to speak at various conferences whilst not having to worry about his congregation in Newcrest being left stranded. Mum has been finishing up school with Ashton, the last kid in the Collins Homeschool, can you believe it? She’s managed to successfully homeschool 13 children from Kindergarten all the way to the end of highschool, which is no easy feat considering how different we all are. At Ashtons graduation party we’re planning on honouring her for all that she did to homeschool us and how she did and continues to pour into all of us. Since Ashton is basically self sufficient with schooling, mum has a lot more time to travel around and visit her grandbabies, since Barrett and Kyleigh’s kids are the closest to us she’s always having them over at the big house or going over for a few hours a day to continue to pour into the lives of her grandchildren. She also gets invited to speak at different ladies’ meetings in the wider area, as well as joining our dad on speaking engagements, either accompanying him to speak at different churches or speaking with him at loads of different marriage conferences. It’s such a blessing to see my parents be so richly rewarded for their dedication to the Lord!

The Leonard Family - Mason (34), Adalynn (33), Noah (10), Luke (8), Aaron (7), Paul (6), Joshua (4), Caleb & Jonah (1)

We’re excited to be expecting baby number 8! As time passes and I’m blessed with more children, I’ve realised I have a very consistent pattern of getting pregnant when the youngest child is almost 2 years old. Well, since the twins 2nd birthday is coming up I decided on a whim to take a pregnancy test and it was positive! As usual we’re not finding out the gender until the baby is born, but with the current numbers I’ve got I’m going to guess that this baby is a boy. The boys are excited to have another sibling on the way, but while we wait for the new baby to join us I’ve got the boys focusing on their school work. The oldest four boys are steadily progressing in their work and are loving school, they also love working on gaining their scout badges before the end of the year so they can progress onto the next level. Another exciting thing in our house is the nativity play that our church is putting on this Winterfest, the boys are in the children’s choir meaning that all our music practice has turned into Winterfest practice. Mason’s sister Molly is getting married soon as well, so the family has been gearing up to host people at her wedding in the next few months.

The Collins Family - Barrett (31), Kyleigh (29), Chloe, Allan Jr & Benjamin (8), Rose & Violet (6), Daisy (6), Marigold (5), Olivia (3), Preston (1)

Barrett & Kyleigh are also expecting a baby, this baby joining the family will be baby number 10 with the gender being a surprise! They live in Newcrest so they’ve got the advantage of being by the big house and seeing my parents all the time, as well as all my siblings who still live at home. Kyleigh and I are in the same boat are up to our ears in school books, but when you add in the fact she’s got 2 extra kids than I do, it’s amazing how calm she is about it! You’d never know she’s actively homeschooling 7 children whilst also running after two toddlers, she makes it look so easy! With everything happening in their house they’ve got plans for even more disruption, an old family friend that owns a construction company has offered to add an extension to their house purely to be a blessing to them! They currently live in a 3 bedroom house and the current plan is to add a second floor to the house to give them more room to grow, and with them adding a new baby every year I can tell there is going to be a lot of growing for their family to do.

The Moreno Family - Francisco (33), Zoe (29), and Javier Jr (2)

Francisco and Zoe are also expecting, and when we were all together they shared that they were having a baby girl! They’re not sharing the name they’ve picked out now, so we’re all waiting for baby girl to make her appearance so we can hear the no doubt beautiful name they’ve picked out. Little JJ is growing in leaps and bounds, it’s so hard being far away from family, which makes us cherish these times that we get to be all together even more. In other news, they’ve officially moved out of Oasis Springs and are excited to be starting out this new season of life as they get settled in Windenburg. They’ll be stationed there for the next 2 or maybe even 3 years, meaning that Zoe gets a few years living close to our sister Amira as well as our cousin Brittany. 

The Wright Family - Shane (26), Maggie (25), Arlo & Iris (1)

Shane and Maggie are enjoying their new season of life with the twins growing into toddlers and enjoying the learning curve that comes with having not one, but two toddlers running all over the place. Shane continues to work at the design agency, and now that the twins are slightly older Maggie has started going back to doing more freelance photography jobs, and is hoping to start back at the office full time soon. Their current plans for the winter include a family skiing vacation at Mt Komorebi along with Reece and Stacie and their in-laws for Winterfest. 

The Collins Family - Reece and Stacie (24), Liam (3), Hazel (1)

Reece and Stacie are also enjoying life with their family of 4 after the addition of little Hazel. Liam is starting kindergarten which is keeping Stacie busy with them as they start an official homeschooling programme, with the addition of Hazel’s basic toddler care as she attempts to be like her big brother. As well as starting school, the mother’s at their church have created a play group to help the kids socialise with each other since most of the families homeschool their children, so Liam is making new friends at church too. Their plans for winter include a ski holiday in Mt.Komorebi with Maggie, Shane, and their in-laws as well as with Stacie’s mother and sister.

The Collins Family - Beckett (23) and Mandy (21)

Beckett and Mandy made the journey home from Selvadorada in time for Harvestfest with the entire family. There’s not pregnancy news on the horizon for these two, but their lives are full of blessings in other forms; They’re in the process of fundraising to continue to build a church in Selvadorada, they hope to be able to educate the Salvadoradian population on the ways of the Lord with this new church. Currently Beckett pastors at an old church building, with Mandy helping teach english and Bible at the local school, she also sometimes helps the local midwives with deliveries and aftercare for postpartum mothers. While they’re in Newcrest they’ll be travelling to various churches in the local and wider area to help fundraise, as well as catch up on all their shopping whilst they’re still here, they’ll also head over to Oasis Springs to see Mandy’s family before they leave. Over the winter they’ll be hosting Macie, Celeste, Annette, as well as other youths from Newcrest Baptist as they head over to Selvadorada on a missions trip! 

The Eichelburg Family - Thomas (23) and Amira (22)

Amira is also expecting! The couple announced their pregnancy to the family when they arrived at the big house, she’s currently in her second trimester and currently doesn’t know the gender of the baby. In Windenburg she helps with the children’s church programmes or volunteers at a local charity shop in her spare time whilst Thomas is at work, now with the pregnancy she’s got other things to keep her busy. She’s planning to have her baby shower in her third trimester, so that should happen sometime in the next month or so, it’ll definitely be easier for her with Zoe moving close to her now. Their winter plans include planning the baby shower, escaping on a quick babymoon, and preparing to welcome their new addition before the new year! 

The Roberts Family - Felix (25), Priscilla (20), and Andrew (1)

Priscilla and Felix are enjoying this new season of life with little Andrew, he’s definitely put Priscilla through her paces as she learns how to deal with a toddler that’s her own child and not a child she can give back to their parents at the end of the day. Felix is working at his father’s offices as an Attorney, so is kept busy during the day before coming home to Priscilla and Andrew in the evening. Whilst Priscilla is loving time with Andrew, she can’t deny that she’s definitely praying to get pregnant soon! Their winter plans include helping campaign for the local conservative candidate in the local primary elections, as well as Priscilla helping coordinate their church’s winter show.

Charles (19) and Lorilee Mitchell (18)

These two are engaged! Charles proposed to Lorilee just before Harvestfest, hence the now allowed hand holding. The family is so excited to have another boy get married, with the couple planning a winter wedding in the bride’s hometown of Windenburg. Charles finished up with his pilot’s license soon before he proposed and he’s started working with the missions centre attached to Newcrest Baptist to help with their ministry efforts. He’s saved up enough to buy a small house a few miles away from my parents, so the couple will have a house to move into after their wedding.

Macie (31), Annette (21), Parker (18), Ashton (16)

There are the current singles at home, Macie is still living at home but is making herself useful to those around her in an effort to be a blessing and to pour herself into others to glorify the Lord. When she’s home in Newcrest she helps Ashton with difficult work and cares for the garden, visits her local nieces and nephews, serves at church, and bakes goodies to gift different members of our church family with. When she’s not home she’s travelling to see her many siblings and nieces/nephews scattered around everywhere, she also leads programmes at various christian retreats for young ladies and older single ladies as well. This winter she’s travelling with others to Selvadorada on a missions trip and will stay with Beckett and Mandy, as well as helping to prepare for Charles and Lorilee’s wedding.

Annette is primarily works as a babysitter/mother’s helper for the different women at church, as well as helping babysit her nieces and nephews or even her cousin’s children. When she’s not doing that she’s travelling to women’s retreats with Macie to help run the programmes or work in the kitchen.

Parker has graduated highschool and has started working for a construction company that is owned by a member of Newcrest Baptist, he’s starting out as an apprentice and hopes to learn enough to make this a full time career.

Ashton is the youngest and is currently the last Collins child being homeschooled by Casandra, she’s working through her final year and is on track to graduate early in the spring. The family is planning a graduation party to celebrate the youngest child finishing school, and the official retirement of our mother as our teacher!

The four pregnancies

The four pregnant women got together for a picture, it’s such a blessing to be pregnant at the same time as my sisters and my sister-in-love! Between Zoe, Kyleigh, and I we’ve got a combination of 17 children, and we’re adding 4 more since we’re all having singletons. Once all these children are born my parents will have a total of 26 grandchildren, what a blessing!

(AN) I just want to say thank you to everyone who left their condolences after I shared that we lost a friend, her funeral was last week and some friends were able to fly back to the states and see her laid to rest with full military honours. This is such a great community and I love being a part of it, thanks to everyone for being so great 💛

[emrysarthurpendragon]

When they noticed his slow changes, the Emrys family had been stunned. What caused him to age again, slightly faster than his own son? One day, he had been Merlin, the goofy young man. The next, he woke up looking like a forty-year-old man. Another week passed, and he looked around forty-five. Until one day he presented a sixty-year-old grandpa. Old enough to be who he was: a father and grandfather to young Hunith. For an obscure reason, no one in the district seemed to notice the change. They still saluted him by a quick “Morning, mister Emrys”, they still ask for advice when someone got sick in their family, and they even told him he looked younger by the day. Which was fun, because he clearly did not. With his wrinkles, he felt like by now, Freya and himself could do the pair. With a sigh, the man left his couch and headed toward the door and outside, where he collected the mails. Most were just adverting for the local shops and then, there was this envelop. Brown with a delicate calligraphy on it. The letter was addressed to both Merlin and Gaius Emrys. At the moment, Gaius and Alice were at work and the old man babysat his granddaughter. Hunith was currently playing in the main room. Short after her birth, the family moved back to the countryside, in the house Merlin owned since forever. To the local, they were just the descendant of a long last lineage finally coming back to their birth land. From the window, Merlin watched the goats jumping and running. Today was a beautiful, sunny day.

“Hunith, love,” he said, chuckling when the six-months-old stopped her games, her mouth forming a perfect ‘o’ with biscuits leftovers all over her face. “Do you want to go for a walk?”

“Meeeeh Meeeh!” she half scream and giggled.

“Yes, you can pet the baby goats. But not before we clean your face. You look like a little piggy. Where is my beautiful baby girl?” Merlin teased, and the girl’s soft laugh erupted. Hunith was laughing all the time, like most kids should if they were as lucky as his granddaughter. With a wet towel, Merlin whipped her face from all the food left and they headed outside. For those who believed the UK was in a perpetual bad weather, today could definitely prove them wrong. The moment they stepped outside; various animals ran toward them in a cacophony of attention whoring beasts. Hunith had eyes for the baby goats only and giggled when one managed to lick her little feet. Unknown cats and their babies appeared too. From the distance, they heard their horse, named Lancelot. When Merlin asked his daughter-in-law when she picked that name, she just said it was fun, since he was a Merlin, to have a Lancelot around. In fact, if he had not stopped her with the Arthurian’s naming, half their animals would have such names by now. Together, first and third generation sat in the grass. Merlin smiled. The little one was so advanced compared to the others. With his help, she already tried to stand and laughed when she succeeded. At this rate, she may even talk before she turns one-year-old. Together, they enjoyed their time and Merlin cherished all the memories. With him aging again, he knew that one day, he would have to say goodbye. That knowledge pushed him to share his numerous stories with the baby. From the time he woke up on an abandoned island, with no memories, to his life with his spouse and all the happiness afterwards.

“You are so loved, baby. This world is a hard place to live in, but one day, I’m sure you can change the world. You’ll find someone you love and, if you want, build a family with them. You can even stay single if you want, because love is not just about romance, but friendships too. Friends are so important; they are the family you chose. They keep you safe and sometimes, they are a real pain. Trust me,” Merlin laughed, the vague memory of a group of men flashing for a second. “And even if it doesn’t last, you have to cherish their memories, as they helped make you the way you are now.”

 How ironic, though a voice in a corner of his mind, making the former immortal frowned. Don’t be a fool, Merlin, you know deep down that you never followed your own advice. You forgot them all.

 Was his conscience having a conscience? With his luck, probably. He was that kind of man. Immortal for centuries. Suddenly not that much, when he held Hunith for the first time. Now, of course, he had to debate with himself about the same past he forgot for a reason or another. Still, Merlin crawled back into reality when he heard a car coming their way. From afar, he recognised Alice’s car and so did Hunith. The child clapped her hands and rolled on the grass while laughing. Whenever he heard her, Merlin felt the world becoming purer. The weight on his shoulders lifted, leaving him with a smile and no worries. From the driveway and between the trees, the familiar grey car appeared and parked under the old oak. From the driver sit came Alice and Gaius from the passenger’s. Lately, Gaius started growing his hair slightly more and they now reached his shoulders in small waves. Merlin guessed this was so kind of new fashion among young people. He was becoming too old for these things.

“Dad,” Gaius acknowledged him, picking his daughter to kiss her on the cheek. “How was the day?”

“Good, she’s an angel, as usual. Yours?”

“Alice had to sex up a teen penis’ after he stuck it in a soda can.”

“I wonder how we, as humans, can still exist with such specimens around,” Merlin laughed. How in hell did that kid thought it a great idea? Why, in the first place, people with penises felt like putting their wee bird everywhere? “Anyway… do you want something to eat or drink? I was bored when Hunith napped and made a cake. Also, a letter came for us, I waited to open it.”

 As a family they entered their home. Alice collapsed on the couch and hugged her daughter. Working women were not that common in the area and there was a lot of judgement from time to time. Merlin guessed harsh words had been spoken to his daughter-in-law by the way she held her baby. In a possessive and yet calming manner. Probably feeling her mother’s turmoil, Hunith started babbling cutely and playing with Alice’s hands while the men set the food and tea on the table. They talked and laughed together while they ate.

“So, what about that letter?”

“Oh, right!” Merlin stood and took it from where he left it earlier. They opened it with a knife and Gaius started reading. Whatever was written made him pale as he handed the paper to his father. Just like on the envelope, the writing was delicate, from the same person – nothing surprising here – but what was inside made Merlin feel dizzy and hopeful.

 I know where is Freya Emrys. Come to the Isle of Rum. I’ll wait for you.

 “The Isle of Rum?” Merlin murmured with a gut feeling. If he were right, and he certainly was, this was the name given to the former Isle of the Blessed. Where he opened his eyes as a new Merlin. The one place he swore he would never go back to. According to the old legends, the Isle was a portal to the land of Avalon, just like the lake in London. Funny, right? That was the reason he couldn’t even trust the old stories. How two distant places were meant to belong to the same land? It was like telling King’s Cross was both in London and Dublin. Stupid.

“You know that place? You think it’s serious?”

“I… I went here, once,” Merlin explained. “A long time ago. Way before I met your mother. When the roman’s expansion was a thing. There’s a strange energy around the place. Coming from a sword trapped in stone… no, Alice, don’t start with King Arthur again.”

“Well, the sword thing is quite obvious. You can’t deny it,” Alice answered. “Plus, what’s so bad with the legend? Some people just don’t care about it but you… you almost seem afraid. You’re a brave man, Merlin. You fought in wars we can’t even imagine, you faced Death more time than any humans… I just can’t believe mere fairy tales can scare you.”

From the corner of his eyes, Merlin noticed his son’s smirk. He knew the young man always wondered the same things as he grew up. He always noticed how Merlin flinch when the legends were mentioned. Which happened often, with a name like his. His family started wondering, after some time, if there were not some sort of correlation between the myth and his reaction. Just like Alice now. Still, if Freya had been seen near the Island or even on it – for what reasons, he wondered – he had to go. Even a small chance was more than enough. Even if it meant leaving his family for a while. As usual, Gaius knew what was on his mind before he spoke and he heard him talk.

“I’m going with you. It’s mum.”

“We leave in three days. Alice, you can find someone to babysit Hunith? I guess you don’t want to skip work, and I understand.”

“Don’t worry. Go find my mother-in-law,” she whispered, smiling at the two hopeful men.

 * * *

 Three days later, the two Emrys’ left their home and took a train to Mallaig and then booked a boat. They charged as much food as possible before heading to the island. When they made their route plan to the life saver, the men had been surprised. No one ever visited that place because of the dangerous waters surrounding it, except for the last week, when a woman took the same route. In a glance, both men thought Freya had been the woman and they kept that thought in mind while they navigate toward their destination. The more they went into water, the more waves became stronger and stronger. They almost fell in deep waters more than once but, by some miracles, they made it in a couple of hours and attached their boat to a pontoon. The moment they set foot to the ground, something switched in the air. Gaius frowned at his surroundings.

“It seems familiar…” he whispered. “We never travelled here together, not even when I was little?” Gaius asked, the feeling growing stronger as they speak. Merlin did not answer though. His blue eyes we widen. He too was fighting that emotion. He felt anger and sadness mix in a dangerous cocktail, ready to explode at the first spark of fire. He saw a man, waiting for him behind a door. Like a ghost he stood there, not able to cross that wall between them. He needed him but feared what may come with that person.

 Two faces of the same coin… growled a deep voice inside the former warlock. Two faces? Who was the second face? That blond man? The soldier with a sad smile and slight disappointment written on his features?

 “Dad?” asked Gaius worried voice. “Are you okay?”

 Merlin shook his head, attempting a poor smile. He had not escaped that place for so long for no reasons. The mere thought of the sword, that cursed item lost and forgotten somewhere between the now huge forest and crumpled stones made him shiver. What if nothing had changed? Why in all the kingdoms on Earth and above had Freya decided to come here?

“Yes, sorry my dear boy. It’s just this place. It gives me the creep,” Merlin admitted, and he soon heard his son mutter a quick ‘language’, as his parents did to him in his early years. “We travelled a long way today… it’s time to sleep. I’ll set up camp and…”

“Dad, you’re old now. I can do it.”

“I can do it too, Arthur,” Merlin growled, quickly realising what he said. “Gaius. I meant Gaius.” Why did he…? And why did he almost call his son ‘prat’ like a forgotten habit with someone else? Were they memories? He knew he should not have come here in the first place. If it were not for his loving wife… well, with ‘if’ one can change the world. With Gaius, they set up camp for the night and for the first time, they slept together in the wild. Merlin always hated nights out. He always feared bandits were coming for them, mercenaries, even when the world changed enough for them to vanish in the cities.

 Had not he been so tired, Merlin would have heard someone’s feet brushing against the cold green grass. He would have noticed a white hand pull a tissue on his son’s face, with enough drug to make the young doctor sleep soundly. He may even have shown surprise when the frail figure picked the biggest man with no effort before dragging him in the darkest part of the wood, deliberately leaving a trail to lead him the next morning. He missed everything, until the sun rise.

 * * *

 The young woman gently placed Gaius on the altar, where people of the Old Religion used to practise sacrifices long ago. The world has changed though. If magic was to come back, there won’t be such killing anymore… except if they have a chance to go back to their time. Where they had a chance to start over and change the world. Even in that case, she knew Merlin would look after all magic users with a careful eye and play with the rules. He was, after all, their king. In a way. Long ago, they were enemies. Before that, they had been close friends. A spell put on her twisted everything and turned her into a monster but now, with help coming from Avalon and time to heal, the witch felt more like herself again. Of course, Uther betrayal still hurt, but not as much as a world without magic. Yes. Morgana was back on her track and she’ll do whatever it takes to save them and allow Arthur back in the living world. She knew of Freya’s failed attempt near lake Avalon, when Merlin almost remembered but shut everything the moment Arthur’s death started submerging him again. She knew how his magic’s leftover vanished the same day his soon-to-be mother was reborn, leading the man to the land of the dead. Should he die, naturally or not, before he regained his memories and magic… and even before his mother met once more Balinor and got pregnant… he may never come back again. That’s why they were in a hurry.

“I won’t hurt you, Gaius. I know I did in the past, but I’m me again. I am the Morgana Pendragon who loves her brother and care for her friend. I just need your help for a couple of hours…” she whispered, wearing the same green dress she offended arbour in her life. “I waited for so long… just like Merlin and Mordred, I travelled through ages. I don’t know why we survived like this. I guess the Source banned Mordred and I from Avalon because we committed many crimes. It was our punishment… and when Merlin banned magic, it gave us a second chance. We often met with Mordred. He’s a good man now. He bought a farm in Ireland; he is waiting for a sign and will join us eventually. He was there when they found you in Dachau. I was too. A nurse, but no one noticed me. Except Freya, of course. I sent the letter to Merlin, telling him about the camp so he can meet us and save you.”

 She continued her tale. Words flooding from her mouth and she never noticed Gaius was now awake. The young man was watching her, still groggy but focused. At least, she missed his stare until he whispered words she had not heard in a long time.

“Lady Morgana…” there was no hatred, fear or resentment in him. Just curiosity. “Am I dreaming?”

“No. You’re not. The Source is so close it makes people like us remember who they were in the past. Well, for those who died and came back,” the lady explained, pointing to a perfectly clean sword. It shone under the moon, like time never altered it for one minute. “My guess is, if you touch the sword, you will remember everything. But it’s up to you.”

“Wait… wait… why did you take me here? Where’s my dad?” Gaius asked, sliding back to his current life.

“I needed a bait, so he will come here. I’m sorry. I know he is scared of the past. But he needs to remember. We need him. The Once and Future King is waiting. He’s ready to rise, I dreamed about it… he’s waiting because without them, Albion will burn. The world will burn and all the people, men, women and children will too.”

Gaius knew, for an unknown reason, that the woman was telling the truth. He had many questions but for an answer, Morgana guided him to the sword. Something tickled his finger when he seized the hilt and pulled. The weapon did not even budge but still, he felt a burning wave rose and screamed. Memories rushed into his mind. The first time he met Merlin, as an old physician. The way the boy always got into trouble with young Prince Arthur. That time he almost got burn to protect his ward. Hunith worried letters, the way she missed her son. Wait… so now… he was his surrogate son’s son… and Hunith was his son’s granddaughter? Headache. In chaotic orders, he even remembered his first mother. The time Merlin told him about Freya, the lady of the Lake. The day Alice died in his first life; except they never had a child. When Balinor left Camelot, after the Great Dragon had been captured. Morgana, slowly turning to an evil creature, unlike the woman she was now. He remembered everything and when he looked up, tears were blurring his vision.

“I’m so happy to see you again, Milady,” he bowed, but the woman shook her head.

“I am the one who need to do this. I have harmed you so much and now, I need your help to trick Merlin into taking back the sword.”

“How, if I may ask?” this time, even Morgana noticed the change between the memory-less and memory-filled man.

“I’ll have to be like Morgause’s puppet again. I’ll have to pretend to kill you.”

 * * *

 Merlin ran between the trees. His legs hurt but he awoke at a scream from afar. His son’s yell of pain and he couldn’t handle it. As he rushed between the trees, getting closer to where he knew the sword was, memories harassed him.

 “I’ve been training my whole life to kill people.”

“Oh, and how long I’ve you been training to be a prat?”

 No. No don’t come back. I don’t want you.

 “You can’t talk to me like that!”

“Sorry. I meant, how long I’ve you been training to be a prat, Milord.”

 Their friendship started here. Later on, after a few months, Arthur had admitted he teased him that day, just to see if he would change his behaviour after knowing he was the crown prince. When he remained the same, part of him already enjoy that side of his future manservant, since most people were pretending whenever they faced royalty. With a violent slam, Merlin muted the memories again, but the fight was harder with all his wild emotions. Gaius was hurt. He had to find him.

 He was no longer in the woods. He was in Ealdor and his mother, Hunith, was dying… no. No. Hunith was his granddaughter… wait… mother… or? He remembered the day she was born, and he thought it was funny to call her his grandchild. Was it because she had given birth to him in another life?

 With full force, Merlin stumbled into a clearing and froze. There stood the sword, still in the stone, but what caught his eyes were the two people here. A woman waited with a wicked smile. She had a knife in her hand, one like those used in the old times. Tied to the stone was Gaius, his eyes wide with fear.

“Dad!”

“Be quiet, or I’ll kill you faster,” warned the woman. Gaius already had blood on his face, which made Merlin furious. “Now, Merlin. We meet again…”

“I… do I know you?” he asked, his voice shaking.

“Of course, you do. You tried to kill me, and failed, obviously,” she mocked. He heard her voice before… he knew it for sure.

 “Merlin, stay back!” a man yelled, standing in front of him as a shield. The witch arrived, cloaked in black clothes and with a dark sword in hand. Everything from her posture to her glare asked for blood.

 “Merlin? Can you please ask Gaius for more potion? My nightmares are back and I can’t seem to sleep.” The same lady asked, but with kindness and he felt like liking her. Calling her a friend.

 “You have a choice to make, Emrys. Pull the sword, free you and us all… or watch your son die. I’m sure his blood won’t be enough to bring magic back, but it will satisfy me.”

“No, please! Please take me instead!” he begged, fear paralysing him on spot. A part of him wanted to run, grad the sword and do whatever the woman want but something else, the side who got hurt before what caused him to lose his memories fought against the mere idea. “I’ll do everything!”

Not happy with his answer, Morgana – how did he know her name? – lifted her arms, aiming for Gaius’s heart. Time slowed down at that moment. His body reacted on instinct. His left hand closed around the sword hilt, the one he fled for so long… he felt energy course in his arm and body. The blade slide like a knight in butter. Golden light erupted from the stone and his eyes burned with the same energy.

“Gaius, run!” he screamed, the ropes falling by a simple wave of his hand. He did not even watch; he knew his son always followed his orders. At all time, even when they were disagreeing on things. In front of him, of them, the old temple started returning to his former appearance. Huge doors appeared, made with heavy wood and stones from Avalon. “Morgana. I thought I warned you… don’t touch my family, ever again…” he was not Merlin anymore, for now, he was Emrys and his fury threatened to burn his enemy. “Magic is banned from these lands. I don’t care about the world. I don’t care about the people. I gave everything for a prophecy and it gave me nothing but pain. Now, just leave me to what’s left of my life or I will kill you. Understood?”

“And what about Arthur?” Morgana asked, tears rolling on her pale cheeks. “Please, I want to see my brother again, to do the right things.”

“Arthur is dead. It’s time to grow up and stop believing in fairy  tales. The dead are not coming back… he won’t just rise from the lake,” Merlin whispered, his heart bleeding like it did thousands of years ago. “Farewell, Morgana.”

 One last time, Merlin used his magic to transport both him, Gaius and the stone and swords to their house. He put a spell on his family, erasing all their memories of a trip or even a letter. He did the same thing to Morgana, to Mordred, to all the people involved in their story. The warlock just forgot one thing: he didn’t know Gaius had retrieved his memories from Camelot so he couldn’t erase them in the process. Deep in their house basement, in a room they never used, Merlin placed the stone and watch Excalibur. What if Morgana was right? What if Arthur had been on his way? No. She just played her usual trick… he decided and with a gasp, he put the sword back where it belonged, in the heart of all magic. He felt the void where his memories vanished again. He felt the pain in his heart. He felt like dying when he went to bed.

 Oh Merlin… what have you done?

[searchingwardrobes]

This past week has been a busy one for my original published novel. A lot of exciting things have happened, including starting my writer’s blog: melanietillman.com . I have had extra unpublished content for What Hindered Love for a long time, but I wanted to get my blog up and running first. Now that I have, I will now be releasing that content both on my blog and here on tumblr. Up first is this: the unpublished epilogue to What Hindered Love full of steamy moments, hot dad Micah, and loads of family fluff. Spoilers ahead, naturally, so the entire thing is under the cut.

Tagging those who may be interested: @xhookswenchx @branlovestowrite @sherlockianwhovian @thislassishooked @ekr032-blog-blog @ultraluckycatnd @snowbellewells (Marta, I know you haven’t finished it yet, but you can mark it for later) @kday426  @onceuponaprincessworld - I’m forgetting who else has read it! I apologize if I got any of these wrong or forgot anyone. 

And if you haven’t read What Hindered Love yet, you can always get it on Amazon. After all, what better time of year for a romance novel?

October, Two Years Later

Chloe was surprised when she woke up to see that her clock radio read only a little after 6 am. She wasn’t a morning person at all, and usually it was either her alarm or her children who roused her. She was also surprised that she was completely naked beneath the sheets. She had evidently slept more soundly than she had in a long time.

She wasn’t surprised, however, when Micah’s arm circled her waist, and he drew her close against his bare chest. He never needed an alarm to waken, and Chloe had yet to rise before he did. He nuzzled into her neck and mumbled a good morning against her skin. She turned in his arms to better gaze into his bright blue eyes, which were slightly bleary from sleep.

“I told you last night I would fall asleep. You should have let me get dressed,” she scolded him.

Micah’s hands began to roam and his lips caressed the pulse point behind her right ear, “What’s wrong with falling asleep naked in your husband’s arms?”

Chloe couldn’t help giggling, “Nothing,” she pulled his head from the track he was making down her collar bone to make sure he was really listening to her, “but when said husband and wife have three children, they have to be prepared and fully clothed for interruptions.”

“Good point,” Micah chuckled, but he then proceeded to continue the path she had interrupted, mumbling the rest of the words against her skin, “but isn’t this a glorious way to wake up in the morning?”

Chloe attempted to squirm out of his embrace even as he elicited a moan from deep in her throat. “Micah,” she panted, pushing him away, “I have to get up. Today’s a big day.”

After Micah’s confession almost two years ago, Chloe had yanked him inside her apartment, their kisses frantic and passionate. She had pushed him into the kitchen table, both of their hands roaming until she had slid hers down to the button of Micah’s jeans. With a groan, he had closed his hand over hers and shook his head.

“No, Chloe,” he had said gently. “I want you. You have no idea how badly I want you. But this time, we’re doing this the right way.”

She was tempted at first to be frustrated, but when she had seen the tender love shining in his eyes, she had felt so cherished. So instead, they had surprised Luke by picking him up to decorate the tree early and tell him that Mommy and Daddy had gotten back together. The joy on their son’s face had been indescribable.

They had fallen in love hard and fast as teenagers, then became best friends over the course of a year as adults, so there really was no need to drag things out. Three months later, on Valentine’s Day, Micah and Chloe were wed. She had said at first that a small ceremony with their closest family and friends was okay with her, but he would have none of it. Chloe had never had a wedding, and she deserved her dream one. Besides, Micah had joked with a wink, she was marrying into the perfect family to pull it off. And pull it off they did. It was the wedding she had always dreamed of and thought she would never have.

On their wedding night, when they had finally become one again after 6 ½ years, Chloe literally wept at the intensity of it. Their love had always been so deep and consuming. Now it was also sacred. Micah Barrett was now not only her lover, not only her best friend, but her soul mate.

Chloe rose from the bed now with a giggle on her lips at her husband’s pouty face. She quickly stepped into a pair of underwear, then grabbed Micah’s discarded t-shirt from the night before and slipped it over her head. She walked around the end of the bed and headed for the door, but Micah reached out and grabbed her, pulling her back into bed. She laughed and straddled his waist, resting her hands on his chest.

He smiled up at her, “This is one of my favorite looks on you. On top. In my shirt.”

Chloe shook her head and grinned down at him. She lowered her head, her hair falling like a curtain over his face. Their lips met, chaste at first, but then the kiss grew hungrier. Her hair kept getting in the way, so she pulled him up to a sitting position, wrapping her legs around his torso. Chloe pulled back, suddenly overcome with a familiar feeling.

“What?” Micah asked with a tender smile.

Chloe wrapped her arms around his neck and shook her head, “I just dreamed of this for so long, that sometimes I still can hardly believe it really happened.”

Micah cupped her cheek, “Me too, sweetheart.”

They resumed their kissing, lips and tongue giving and taking hungrily, but then sounds from the baby monitor pulled both of them from the passion of the moment. Chloe tilted her head back in frustration while Micah gave an irritated sigh. He grabbed the video monitor and looked at the tiny screen. He grinned and turned it so she could see. She couldn’t help the grin that filled her face, either. Their daughter wasn’t crying, but squealing loudly and shaking the side of her crib as if it were a cage she wished to break free from. They could clearly hear her ten month old babbling through the monitor:

“Ma ma ma ma ma ma!”

“Our little princess is demanding attention,” Micah quipped.

Chloe glanced at the clock: 6:30 am. “It is time for her breakfast,” she admitted, giving her husband a pout.

He leaned forward to give her a quick peck on the lips. “We can resume these activities any time,” he told her with a wink.

Chloe crawled off his lap and headed for the nursery. Clara was eager to see her mama, and reached chubby hands towards her. Chloe scooped her up, blowing raspberry kisses against her cheeks. Clara squealed with glee. This was the way she always greeted the day, with smiles and laughter. Clara had by far been the easiest baby for Chloe. She slept through the night by the time she was two weeks old, took to nursing like a champ while also taking bottles of formula with ease, and was generally content to sit and watch the world go by with a smile on her face. Chloe changed her diaper now, chatting to her as Clara babbled back. Chloe smiled down at the amber eyes that matched her own. After two boys who were each the spitting image of their fathers, Chloe was beyond delighted to have a mini-me of her very own, right down to the dimple in Clara’s chin and the golden locks just beginning to curl at the nape of Clara’s neck. Once the baby had a fresh diaper, Chloe settled into the rocking chair to nurse her. She knew that as soon as Clara finished eating, the boys would be awake.

Sure enough, Chloe heard thunderous feet pounding down the hallway as she burped Clara, followed by squeals of “Daddy!” She didn’t have to witness it herself to know that a tickling/wrestling match was now occurring in her and Micah’s bed.

Chloe came out into the hallway with Clara on her hip just as Micah exited their bedroom with Luke daggling from his back and Lincoln wrapped around his leg. Even though he was already hauling the weight of both boys, he reached out and took Clara.

“I’ll get the kids breakfast,” he told her, “so you can take your time getting ready for church. Today’s a big day for both my girls!”

Chloe’s heart constricted as Micah bounced Clara on his hip. “You look so hot right now,” she told him, and he did. Fatherhood looked good on him. She missed this with Luke, and she didn’t take it for granted now.

Micah wriggled his eyebrows, “That’s me. A hot dad.”

Chloe laughed and smacked him in the chest as she rolled her eyes. She couldn’t deny the truth of the statement, however, and couldn’t wipe the smile from her face as she headed for the shower.

She stepped out of the bathroom, tying her bathrobe around her waist, to the sound of loud knocking on the bedroom door. “Mommy!” Luke shouted. “Are you dressed?”

Chloe shook her head and chuckled, “Yes, sweetie, come on in.”

But it wasn’t just Luke, but all three children plus Micah, who walked through her bedroom door. Luke carefully carried a tray containing a plate of pancakes and a side of sausage. Lincoln carried a fistful of yellow daisies, and Micah carried a glass of orange juice in his free hand while balancing Clara on his hip. Her boys were also all singing “Happy Birthday” as Clara clapped her hands gleefully. Chloe shook her head as tears stubbornly welled in her eyes at the sight. She didn’t think she would ever get used to how blessed she was.

There was a birthday candle stuck in the pancakes, and Luke and Lincoln begged for her to make a wish, bouncing up and down with excitement. She bent over and blew out the candle, only realizing later that she never did make a wish.

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

Chloe bounced Clara on her knee as she watched Micah and the praise band warm up. Luke sat on the steps leading up to the stage fiddling with his baby Taylor which he insisted on bringing with him every Sunday morning. Lincoln ran around the sanctuary with his cousins, Haley and Noah Barrett. Every once in a while, one of the adults had to admonish them to behave. Tom Barrett sat next to Chloe just like he had every Sunday since she and Micah started dating and driving to church together. She still remembered the first Sunday he sat down beside her, clearing his throat nervously . . .

“Chloe,” he had begun, seeming somewhat nervous, “I’ve never seen Micah so happy in my life.”

She had smiled back, “I’m pretty da-darn happy myself, to be honest with you.” Chloe had blushed furiously at her near slip-up, but Tom had just laughed.

His laughter turned to a frown as she had fidgeted nervously in her seat. “I owe you both an apology and a thank you.”

Chloe shook her head in confusion, “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“I owe you an apology for the way you were treated at Community Fellowship all those years ago.”

She had dropped her head, suddenly studying her nails with intense scrutiny, “Some would say I should apologize for destroying your church.”

Tom’s face had softened at that, “Oh, Chloe, no! On the contrary, I have you to thank for saving it. When I saw how my congregation treated a hurting young woman, not to mention how they treated my own son, it was a wakeup call. I knew that wasn’t what the church was meant to be. I lost members yes, but I regained truth, compassion, and the true gospel of Christ.”

“But you’re not in that beautiful building anymore.”

“No, but a church is more than a building. It’s people. And yes, we had very few of those too when we first moved to this warehouse. But look at us now! We’re full every Sunday, but more importantly, we’re a group of people who have learned to truly love others. This is now a church that practices grace. And I don’t know if that ever would have happened if not for that little boy right there.”

He was gesturing to Luke, who was patiently showing Lincoln how to wave one of the worship flags. The smile on Tom’s face was so full of love, not that it surprised her in the least. Luke’s grandparents had always adored him. But then Tom turned towards her, his face still filled with love and acceptance. Chloe never would have believed it possible, but in Tom Barrett she found the father figure she never even knew she wanted or needed.

Now, Tom eagerly took little Clara from Chloe’s arms and bounced her on his lap. Clara rewarded him by grabbing his cheeks with her pudgy little hands.

“She isn’t wearing the christening gown Elizabeth bought,” Tom pointed out, eyeing Clara’s cotton dress covered in pink butterflies.

Chloe laughed, “I’m not putting that on her until the last possible moment. I’ve seen that episode of The Office.”

Tom nodded in understanding as he smiled and cooed at his granddaughter. Chloe thought back to when she used to be afraid of mentioning TV shows and other entertainment around Tom and Elizabeth. But eventually she had stopped trying to censor everything she said when she came to the realization that Tom and Elizabeth were normal people just like anyone else. Whatever normal was, anyway.

“Well,” Tom said, eyes focused on the baby girl in his arms, “Clara is beautiful no matter what she’s wearing.”

A few hours later, after the worship set, Chloe Barrett stood at the front of Community Fellowship, Micah at her side, holding a precious bundle of white in her arms. And they were surrounded by family. Yes, Chloe Barrett, surrounded by family. More family and friends than she would have ever thought possible, two years almost from the day that she had made the bravest decision of her life. Here, on her 28th birthday, they were dedicating to the church their precious baby girl.

Chloe wiped the tears from her eyes as Micah draped his arm around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. She looked up into his eyes and thought of the long and winding road they had to travel to get here. But if that broken road was what it took to get them here, she would gladly walk it all over again.

Tom said a few words to the congregation about how dedicating a child to the church meant that they all had a responsibility to love that child, teach her, and guide her. He had Chloe and Micah repeat a few words after him, and then asked the congregation to respond “yes” as he asked them to assist the parents in raising the child up in the way she should go.

“Now I invite Clara’s immediate family to come up and pray blessings over her,” Tom announced.

Lincoln walked forward and leaned over his baby sister. He was five now and in kindergarten. He had grown into an extremely precocious child who was already reading well. He also loved to tell stories, and Micah and Chloe were always amazed at his imagination. Micah’s mother called Lincoln an old soul, and Chloe had to agree.

“I prayed for a baby brother,” Lincoln said now, as the congregation chuckled, “but I guess you’re okay. And even though you smell bad sometimes, you’re pretty cute once Mommy and Daddy change your diaper.”

The congregation laughed again, but Chloe glanced at Micah, who was swallowing hard. Lincoln had started calling him “Daddy” not long after their wedding, but it still moved them both. Scott at first became “my other daddy,” and now Lincoln had taken to calling him just plain “Dad” while Micah exclusively was “Daddy.”

“So,” Lincoln finished, heaving a small sigh, “thanks for making me a big brother.”

Luke came forward then, eight years old now, the top of his head now hitting the bottom of Chloe’s chin. But he still liked to kick the soccer ball in the backyard with Micah. (The backyard of their split-level, brick ranch. Chloe had watched enough House Hunters to know that most couples would turn their noses up at the dated 1980s style, but Chloe still pinched herself sometimes to remind herself that it was actually their home.) He still loved Star Wars and pirates, and he still wrestled his little brother on the living room rug. But Chloe knew how fast the years would fly, so she was determined to cherish every little boy moment.

Luke cleared his throat and shuffled his feet. “When I was a little kid, I told Gramma that I wanted my Mommy and Daddy to get married so I could have a real family.”

Chloe stepped closer to Micah and threaded her fingers with his.

“So Gramma told me to pray and ask Jesus. Well, he did it, and it’s so awesome. You’re gonna love this family, little sister.”

Then Chloe thought she might die of sheer joy as Luke bent his dark head over his sister’s blonde one and kissed her gently. Once Luke stepped back, Micah relinquished Chloe’s hand so he could gather his baby daughter in his arms.

“Clara, the first time I held your brother Luke, fear gripped my heart. I knew I wasn’t ready to be a father,” Micah cleared his throat, and Chloe lay a comforting hand on his arm. It still wasn’t an easy time for him to talk about. “God used that moment to change my life, and I will never forget it. But my sweet little girl, the first time I held you, it was like I was holding hope itself in my arms.” Micah was choking on tears now, but he swallowed and continued, “I pray for you, my daughter, that you never lose hope, no matter what darkness may surround you. And never doubt my love. No matter what you do, no matter where you go, you can never make me stop loving you. And God’s love? It’s even stronger than mine. Never forget that.”

Tears were streaming down his face now as he handed Clara back to Chloe. Most of the congregation was sniffling, too. Chloe was surprised to find that she was calm, maybe because she was nervous about talking in front of everyone, but that didn’t mean Micah’s words hadn’t moved her deeply. She’d never been more proud of him than she was in that moment. She smiled at him, and then gazed down into her daughter’s smiling face.

“Clara, when your big brother Luke was born, your daddy and I were all alone with a storm raging around us, in more ways than one. But when you were born, we were surrounded by friends and family, and joy just filled the room. The moment you arrived, I laughed with joy – literally laughed. The doctor laughed, too. She said she’d delivered hundreds of babies over the years and not once had she laughed like that. We named you Clara, sweet girl, because it means light. After so many years of darkness, our family is finally bathed in light.”

Chloe placed her hand tenderly on her daughter’s head, “I pray you would be brave, sweet Clara. Brave enough to love freely, without walls. Brave enough to cling to hope no matter what difficult times may come. Brave enough to be a light in the midst of darkness.”

Chloe lifted her head to see her entire family watching her with eyes full of love and pride. It was then she could no longer hold back her tears.

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

“Micah,” Chloe sighed, shifting a sleeping Clara in her arms, “is this really necessary? Can’t it wait until Monday morning?”

“I’m sorry, sweetie, I hate to do this on your birthday, but if I don’t get those cupcakes into the refrigerator, they’ll go stale.”

Chloe regarded him with a quizzical expression as he unlocked the event center door. A smile was flirting with the corners of his mouth. What was he up to?

He grinned wider at her as he flung the double doors wide to reveal a room packed with people shouting “surprise!” Chloe startled, and so did little Clara, who started to fuss. Micah took the baby from her arms as she took in the people filling the place. All of Community Fellowship seemed to be there, as well as her co-workers from Dr. Carter’s office, Adam Murray, and even Ally and Pete from the diner. Chloe bit her lower lip, overwhelmed at the community that surrounded her. Hannah bounced up to her with a cupcake on a plate. It was decorated not only with a birthday candle, but with a small spun sugar bird’s nest with a tiny chocolate heart resting inside.

“The Wren?” Chloe asked her husband.

He winked at her, “Of course!”

“Make a wish!” shouted Kate from the corner where she held little Noah in her arms. Soon, a chorus of voices were demanding the same thing.

Chloe looked around the room at all of these people who loved her, her gaze finally settling on her husband and three children who were standing close by, grinning from ear to ear.

“I’ll blow out the candle,” she finally said, “but I don’t need to make a wish. I already have everything I could ever want.”

With a prayer of thanks on her lips, Chloe leaned over and blew out her birthday candle.

[thosequeenboys]

36: Reset (Joe Mazzello x Y/N)

Summary:  His 36th birthday a recent memory, Joe is eager to reset himself with a positive focus on his future.  Taking care of his precious nieces leads him into a situation that may change his future – and help him realize his dream of having a family.

A/N: I love picturing Joe as a loving husband and dad and wrote this after Joe’s 36th birthday.  Recently I wrote Y/N’s version of this story: 36: Half Full.  Joe’s family members are written as fictional characters.  Any likeness to his real family are unintentional and coincidental.  Song lyrics that came to me while writing are bolded and referenced at the end.  

Warnings:  Fluff, Angst and brief references to a deceased parent, masturbation and Joe as Daddy (!) and a drop of swearing

Joe threw three days of clothing into a duffle bag and took a stab at being grateful.  His 36th birthday coincided with the reality that he was between jobs, between relationships and plagued with a little too much uncertainty for his taste.  He needed a new narrative, a reset – and a jolt of positivism.

‘Here goes,’ he thought. Being in between gigs allowed him to care for his adoring nieces fairly regularly over the last few months.  And now, he’d be staying with them while his sister and her husband attended a wedding.  This was a gig he knew well and particularly as of late, cherished.  Since his dad died, he found comfort and stability in those two little girls: Josephine, Josie, his dad’s namesake, a growing toddler of 15 months, and Jessie, a highly articulate and bright second-grade graduate.   The loss of his dad still stung, but from it was born this intimacy and his solidified dream that now more than ever, he was destined to be a father, with his own loving father as a role model.   But for now, the role of beloved uncle would have to do.

He climbed the steps of the stately brownstone and let himself in, bellowing “Hellooooo,” which cascaded up the high ceilings and the floors above.  In an instant, he heard a sound that made him feel whole and gave him solace like no other. “UNCLE JOOOOOOEEEEEE,” Jessie ran to him with a huge smile and outstretched arms, and he swooped her up into a big hug.  Teetering toward him was Josie, a broad smile on her face, Joe’s sister Patty, trailing behind.  

“Jojo!!” Josie said, followed by gibberish. “You said my name??!!” Joe exclaimed happily. He was amazed. Only last week, she didn’t try to say his name.  Joe leaned down, perching Jessie on his knee and bringing Josie in for a hug.  “My two best girls,” he cooed, bending to kiss each of them.

“Ok, Girls, give me a few minutes with Joe. I have a lot of instructions to go over.”  You’ll have him to yourselves for three days soon enough.Joe’s sister, Patty said.  “YAY!!!” Jessie yelled jumping up and down, the embodiment of youthful enthusiasm.  

“Hey, Joe,” his sister said warmly, as she removed Josie from him and put her on the floor. “Jessie, watch your sister.”   She turned to Joe. “Let me walk you through everything.”

“Ok,” Joe said, adding, “I feel pretty well versed, I mean, I’ve been babysitting them and…”

Patty cut him off.  “I know.  But this is the big league.  Every moment. Lots of details.  You usually get them at their best and then you can walk away. Let’s start in the kitchen.”  

Patty had all the meals and snacks listed in detail, as well a grocery list.  “And make sure Josie ONLY gets Stonyfield Farms YO-BABY yogurts!” she implored. It was indeed a house of many yogurts. “Here’s Jessie’s water bottle for camp,” she pointed to it on the counter.

“YO, PATTY, I got it,” Joe said, containing a smirk, and glancing at the pile of papers.  The family recipe for nachos-really? He could make them in his sleep.

They proceeded upstairs to the bedrooms where Joe was schooled in Josie’s daytime and bedtime routines (which he knew) and Jessie’s camp routine.  “And be sure to hang the bathing suit EVERY NIGHT so it dries COMPLETELY!!”   Joe loved his sister deeply, but at that moment his tensed his mouth to avoid responding cattily, “No, I think I’ll leave the wet suit in the bag so it smells gross and is damp for her the next day.”  

“Sure, Sure,” he uttered lightly instead.

Fortunately, Joe was saved by the bell in the form of Peter, a strapping accountant with a penchant for murder mysteries, working out – and getting on the road.

“Come on Patty.  Quit torturing him before he runs out of here screaming. He can text us.  And by the way, he’s been helping out a lot this summer. I told you I wanted to get on the road by 6:00. It’s 6:15.  Let’s go.”  Peter hefted a suitcase and bounded down the steps.   Joe gave him an appreciative nod.

“Go,” Joe said gently to Patty. “We will be fine. I’m looking forward to it.  Pete’s right.  I’ll text you if I need anything.  You guys have a great time away together.”

“I know.  I’m sorry to be a nut.  I’m just - well. It’s hard to unwind.  And so much to keep track of.  You’ll see when you’re doing it all-work, family….” She sighed and planted a kiss on his cheek.  “Thanks for doing this.”  She went to pack a few final things before Peter came to collect her suitcase.

With a kiss to the girls, Patty and Peter hit the road.  “OK, who’s ready to show me some bath toys?” Joe said as he closed the door behind them.   “I am!” Jessie bounded upstairs to the bathroom, with Joe carrying Josie behind her.

The next morning was Friday. and Joe arose early. He prepared breakfast, packed lunches, put away random toys and checked the shopping list.  He woke and dressed the girls, collected Jessie’s backpack and threw in her lunch and bathing suit.  After brushing their teeth, he stuffed his own backpack with snacks, lunch, diapers, and wipes, and threw a towel and water toys and sunblock in the stroller basket. He hoisted Josie and grabbed the stroller, and ushered Jessie out the door, which he locked behind him.  He ran through a checklist in his mind hoping he remembered everything.  He had to admit, Patty was right-it really was a lot of details to manage-along with the constant banter with two young people, eager for expression and interaction as their worlds unfolded with each new day.

They walked half a mile as the summer sun warmed the city pavement.  They entered the YMCA that housed Jessie’s camp and proceeded to a large gym where groups of kids gathered by age. Jessie ran to a woman who was waving to her.  She had a warm smile and wore a neatly pressed shirt and capri pants with sneakers. She seemed to be taking in everyone-campers, caregivers, staff, while answering questions and ensuring everything was running smoothly.  Carrying a clipboard and an array of keys on a lanyard around her neck, she looked very official.  

“Hi, Jessie,” she greeted Joe’s oldest niece. “Hi, Josie,” she added bending slightly and peering into the stroller.

“Hi, Y/N, this is my Uncle Joe. He’s taking care of us while my parents are at Cousin Carol’s wedding in…” Jessie provided a litany of details as Joe and Y/N looked at each other and laughed.  When Jessie paused, Joe extended his hand.  “I’m Joe, nice to meet you.”   He suddenly felt awkward.  Should he have presented himself more formally, more guardian-like?   She smiled.  “Hi, Joe. Patty wrote a note saying you’d be helping with the girls.  That’s so nice.  I’m Y/N/Z, the Assistant Director of the camp.  If you need anything please let me know. Jessie is a wonderful camper!”  She winked at Jessie who smiled.

Now there’s a woman who knows how to introduce herself, Joe thought.  And she’s pretty and warm.

“Thanks,” Joe said, as Y/N turned to speak with a parent.  Joe hugged Jessie. “You have your lunch and water bottle?” Joe suddenly felt panicked.  “Oh, Crap! I forgot your water bottle. Should I bring it?”

“It’s ok. I’ll use the fountain.” Jessie said.

He appreciated her flexibility, but his inner voice said, “parenting fail!”  He thought Patty would freak if she knew.  “Good plan. Thanks for being flexible.  Have a great day.  We’ll see you at 4:00.”

Jessie walked toward her counselor and friends. Joe leaned down to check on Josie who was sitting comfortably in her stroller playing with a toy. “Playground?” he asked.  “Pway” she responded, and he gave her a kiss on her leg.

As he headed out, he noticed Y/N on the side, speaking with some counselors. She was really pretty.  Really together.  He wondered what she did when camp ended.  She certainly must like kids, he thought.  As Joe reached the exit, still watching her, she turned and waved to him. He waved back with a smile.  

Joe and Josie headed to the playground for a morning of water sprinklers, swings, and monkey bars. He followed her around, speaking to her and encouraging her to play with other children.   Josie handed another girl her ball.  “Say thank you,” the woman with the child said to her. “Very nice, Josie.” Joe praised.  Josie suddenly began to get winey, and Joe sensed that she needed to eat before she melted down. “C’mon, let’s have lunch.”

They ambled over to the shady bench, and Joe changed her diaper and washed their hands with a wipe.  Then he set out their lunch and they ate turkey sandwiches, the very popular Yo-Baby Yogurt and cut-up peaches, which were perfectly sweet and juicy, symbolic of summer. They sipped water from a bottle, taking turns.  After lunch Joe cleaned up. and Josie played a little more. But the sun was at its peak, and Josie was fading.  “Let’s go home for a nap.” Joe said as he picked her up. His phone pinged with a text from Patty.  “How is everything?”  “Great, just taking Josie home from PG for a nap.”    

Joe lugged everything – including Josie and himself - up the steps and into the house.  He had to admit he was tired. He dropped the stroller and backpack and carried Josie up the steps. She wrapped her arms around Joe’s neck and leaned into him. When he got to her room, he realized she was asleep. He didn’t want to put her down. He sat in the rocking chair and put his feet up on the ottoman.  He felt soothed as he held her against his chest.  He closed his eyes and without being aware, he dozed.  An image of Y/N came to him.  It was he fall She was in a flowing dress, cinched at the waist, a blazer and heels.   He was dressed in dark jeans and a leather jacket. They kissed and walked hand-in-hand down the street, chatting and laughing.  

He was jarred awake by his phone ringing. Ben!  He picked it up. “Hey, Buddy-give me a minute!”.  He put the phone on the ottoman, got up carefully and laid Josie in her crib gently, moving the stuffed animals away and covering her with the light blanket.  He slipped off her sandals and left them on the changing table as grabbed his phone, walking out of the room.

“Hey, Ben.” he said.

“Hey-how’s your 36th year treating you so far?” came the response.

“So far, so good.  I’m taking care of the girls for the weekend. Patty and Pete are at a wedding.  It makes me realize that I want to have kids.  Really badly.  Like more than before.  If I can’t get it together by my next birthday, I’m going to get a surrogate and do it that way. On my own.“

“Whoa, that sounds really extreme.  Isn’t that where you have to jerk off into a cup? You don’t even get to have any fun? Wait: Bet you’d meet a smart, pretty and mature woman on Tumblr who’d gladly assist ---try that first. “ Ben laughed. Joe was annoyed, feeling Ben didn’t see how important this was to him. Joe didn’t want to continue the discussion.

“That’s not the point,” he said curtly.  “Moving on, you ok?

“Yeah, yeah, still filming this bloody movie. We should wrap in a few weeks.”  

“Finally! Let me call you next week. I got to get Josie ready so we can pick up Jessie and shop for dinner.”

“You really are Domestic Daddy, aren’t you?” Ben laughed again.

“I hope so.  One day.”  Joe replied softly.

“Seriously.  Those girls are lucky to have you. You’re an amazing Uncle. And you’ll be a super dad.”  Ben said.

They ended the call warmly, and Joe checked himself in the mirror.  He looked like he had been in the hot park running after a toddler most of the day and thought that should be addressed-before he saw Y/N again.  He changed his shirt and freshened up.  He went to the nursery and saw Josie stirring.

“Hey big girl. You ready to get up and see your sister?”  He lifted her out of her crib, still sleepy and laid her on changing table and changed her diaper, shirt and shorts.  He kissed her feet and she giggled.  He buckled her sandals and took her downstairs.

He filled up the water bottle.  ‘Ok, we are ready to roll.”  He scooped her up with the stroller and they were on their way.  

They arrived at camp a little early.  He wheeled Josie in and saw Jessie playing her favorite game, Chinese checkers, with a young counselor. Josie was getting restless and he let her out of the stroller, following her as she walked around.  

“Hi, Joe.”  It was Y/N, still looking fresh after a full day. She bent down to Josie. “Did you have fun in the playground with Uncle Joe?”

“Fun Un JoJo!” she responded as she toddled around and clapped her hands.

Y/N laughed and turned to him.  “A standing ovation. I’m impressed.”

“Ha, well, we had fun, but I have to say, it was tiring. And I’m just watching one! Amazing you look so, uh, calm after running the show here. “ Joe said admirably.

“I’m a third-grade teacher so I’m used to it,”  Y/N said. “I’m working on my admin degree so I can be a Principal one day.  This gives me good practice,” She said.

“Wow, that’s impressive,” Joe said sincerely.  His eyes followed Josie who was headed toward her big sister. Joe followed, with Y/N behind, stopping to check in on various groups.  

“Hi Uncle Joe.  I’m winning,” Jessie said, self-satisfied.

“Creaming me is more like it,” the Counselor said.

“Well, that’s great, but be a good sport about it,” Joe said pointedly to Jessie.  “It’s important to have fun and tell her it was a good game-no matter who wins.”

A counselor came by with an ice pop. She asked Joe. “Would she like one?” “Sure, thanks,” Joe said, as he unwrapped the watermelon flavored pop and took a bite.  It was refreshing and quite tasty.  He offered some to Josie, who nibbled on it, and it started to drip.  He took his backpack off and unzipped it with a flourish, retrieving a napkin to wipe her up.

Meanwhile, as the counselor planned her move, Jessie eyed Y/N, who had sidled up next to her. “Y/N, did you know Uncle Joe is a FAMOUS MOVIE STAR?” she bellowed.

Joe felt the red rising from his neck to his face and he was pretty sure he was creating a new addition to the Crayola 64 pack.  Fucking Embarrassed Red.  Kids really do say the darndest things.  He bent his head down focusing on getting the pop into Josie with minimal mess.

“Wow, interesting,” Y/N responded, playing it cool.  “And he’s a GREAT UNCLE!”

“Who is successfully making a mess with this pop,” he retorted, wiping his mouth and giving Josie another wipe, before she took off for the crafts table. One of the counselors hoisted Josie on the bench and set her up with some crayons and paper.  “You sure?” Joe said not wanting to be a burden. “Oh, not a problem,” the counselor said cheerily.  

Joe looked behind him for Y/N, who had vanished.  He wanted to ask her out. He knew he had a brief window of opportunity, before he took the girls home. This would be the last time he’d see her.   He looked around hoping she’d dart back into the gym. Meanwhile, he moved to Jessie who was close to winning the game.  After a few minutes, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a changed Y/N. He turned to take all of her all in. She was wearing a flowery sundress with wide straps and a deep neckline that accentuated her figure. Her sneakers were replaced with heeled strappy sandals  She looked really lovely. You’re just too good to be true.  Can’t take my eyes off of you. (1) He didn’t want to take his eyes from her.  His plan to approach her was interrupted by Josie waddling over to him and Jessie and the counselor yelling ‘Good Game!”

“C’mon girls,” Joe headed quickly to retrieve the stroller near where Y/N was bidding good-bye to parents.

“You look…nice,”  Joe said, trying to sound neutral. “Big night out?” He wondered if she had a date.

“Thank you.”  Her faced flushed.  “I’m meeting some of my college friends.  One just got engaged and another is expecting.”   “Lots to celebrate.”  Joe said, relived she wasn’t off to a date.

“Yeah,” she said wistfully. “You know, life in the 30’s.”

‘Uh, yeah,” Joe uttered. Suddenly Joe turned, distracted by the girls. He took a deep breath and leaned down. Jessie, can you help Josie into her stroller, please,” Joe said, hoping Jessie would bring it home for him to let this moment unfold.  I can't be contented with yesterday's glory. I can't live on promises winter to spring. Today is my moment, now is my story. (2) Turning to Y/N he said,  “Y/N, I was wondering, if, uh, one day, you might want to grab dinner.” He said.  He held his breathe.  She looked at him.  “I’d love that.  Here, let me give you my number.” She hastily wrote on a paper in her clipboard and gave it to him and he smiled.

He turned to Jessie who was helping Josie into her stroller.  “Thanks,” he said, giving her a big smile.  “You’re such a good helper.  I really appreciate it.”

“Great,” Joe said to Y/N.  I’ll probably need 2 days to recover after my sister gets back,” He laughed. I’ll text you. Maybe we can get together next weekend?  

“That should work,” she said.  “Bye…” her voice trailed off, as a counselor interrupted.

“Have fun tonight,” he called after her, with a brightness in his voice and a spring in his step.  He turned the stroller and grabbed Jessie’s hand. “Bye, Y/N” Jessie called. “You like Y/N don’t you,” Jessie said to Joe.  Kid didn’t miss a thing. “She seems really nice.  Ok. Dinner.” said Joe, changing the topic. “How about we go to the supermarket for nachos ingredients.”    When they arrived home, Joe headed to the kitchen, unpacked the groceries and started cooking dinner as the girls watched Dora the Explorer.  “UNCLE JOE,” Jessie yelled.  “Josie smells!!  “Oh crap,” Joe uttered to himself.  “literally. WTF, I am in the middle of dinner.”  He asked Jessie to hang up her wet swimsuit before he addressed the diaper. . The evening ended with a yummy dinner, The Lion King and a few bedtime stories, which Joe read in a few voices, eliciting giggles from the girls.

Their fun-packed Saturday featured excursions to the Farmer’s market, library and small zoo. After a Thai food dinner, the three of them headed to bed early, exhausted.  

Joe woke too early on Sunday.  The girls would sleep another hour. His sister and Peter would return in the afternoon. Thoughts swirled through his head non-stop, even before he mobilized himself to make coffee.  His first thought was that they could make pancakes; the girls could pour batter into cookie cutter shapes set in the pan.  His second thought was ‘Wow, Ben was right, I really am Domestic Daddy.’ His third thought was Y/N.  He wondered if she told her friends about him-that she was looking forward to their date.  He wondered….Say you'll see me again even if it's just pretend in your wildest dreams. (3). He rolled over and pulled the soft blanket up to his neck, willing to give sleep another try. He drifted off and saw Y/N in his dream. It was winter and they were both bundled in jackets and scarves, holding hands and walking fast, dodging the cold.  

“Two, at least,” she said. “What do you think?”  

“For sure.” Joe said and he turned to her and stopped.  “Well, now that that’s set, we should think about a wedding date first.”  They laughed.

He suddenly felt a warm body climbing on him and he opened his eyes.  “I’m hungry.” a sleepy Jessie said. Joe rolled over moving her next to him. “Good morning.  Me too.   How about pancakes. In cookie cutter shapes?”

“Yay!” Jessie responded.  “I know where mom keeps them.”

“Great. I’ll meet you downstairs with Josie.”

She ran out, and Joe collected himself as he rolled out of bed. He felt positive and hopeful.  Bring on 36!  

SONG NOTES

1.       Can’t take my eyes off of you, Frankie Valli

2.       Today, John Denver

3.       Wildest Dreams, Taylor Swift

[slut4supersoldiers]

Pt 2: If it comes back, it's your’s.

Pairing: Billy Hargrove X OC Fem reader

Summary: You and Billy always find a way back together. But is this the end?

Words: 2k+

Warning: mentions of: death, cancer, angst, maybe typos.

A/N: People actually liked <<If you love something, set it free>> ! I am still in shock. I had not intended to make another part but I am sucker for happy(-ish) endings! So here we go. 

I OWN NEITHER STRANGER THINGS NOR THE GIF.

PART 1: If you love something, set it free

MASTERLIST

REQUESTS ARE OPEN

When you were seven years old your best friend from hawkins middle school stopped talking to you a week before your birthday because she thought you weren't “cool” because you had invited everyone at your house for your birthday instead of throwing a party at the mall (like the cool kids did). Following her public proclamation of your breakup half of the student body refused to talk to you let alone attend your birthday party. That night you sat on the couch sobbing uncontrollably, wiping away the tears and snot. That night your dad promised you that nothing and no one would ever hurt you like that again on his watch. You believed him and he believed himself too. Till the present day.

After a night of squirming and waking up screaming after falling asleep for a while you dad picked you up and sat you down on the couch. Now as the morning rays seeped through the blinds you had curled up on the couch in a fetal position from the sitting position. You refused to move, eat or drink anything. Your tear ducts had ran out of tears and your body lacked motivation. The steady breaths leaving your lips was the only thing that assured your dad you’re alive and breathing. With trembling hands and tears threatening to spill out of his own eyes he reached out to pat the top of your head. When he got no response he sat down next to you cautiously.

“(y/n) sweetie, you have to eat something.” He tried his hardest to sound strong, for your sake.

As much as you would have preferred being alone the comforting tone of his voice provided you with the warmth you needed. So you broke down once again. This time your dad pulled you up and ran his finger through your hair as you sobbed into his chest. He hated seeing his little girl. Without meaning too a small whimper left his lips. Taken aback you looked up. The expression on your dad’s face resembled your’s. You wrapped your arms around his shoulders while he comforted you. Your loving moment however lasted for a short period when the shrill voice of your mother fell on your ears.

“This would have never happened if you would have settled with the boy I chose for you. He did what I had anticipated stomped over your heart and walked away like an irresponsible, reckless person that he is.” Your body suddenly stiffened. The sorrow that had made its place in your heart was now replaced by anger that began coursing through your veins as you looked at your mother. Pulling yourself from your dad’s hold you stood up. With your fists balled by your side you took long strides to her. There was not even a hint of pity in her eyes, let alone regret for her actions. The glint of pride and triumph in her eyes was a reminder of last night, it was a reminder of the broken face of your lover. 

“How dare you?” Your voice sounded like a growl. Your mother now stared at you as if you were speaking in a foreign tongue.

“How dare you speak of my husband? Have you not done enough damage? Have you not hurt both him and I enough?” You could feel the tears forming in your eyes.

“I hurt you? Your beloved husband did this. It is his mess tha-

“Enough! I said enough.” You bellowed.

“You know nothing about Billy. Nothing. You never tried to get to know him. You never acknowledged the efforts he made so that you could approve of him. You, the woman who never accepted him just like his father, his peers. Yes he has messed up in the past. But no one has grown as much as he has. He works harder than anyone around him just so that he could provide me with all the things i need. Nobody has given me the love and affection that Billy has. And you took that away from me. You made him feel like he is not enough for me. So yes, you have hurt him and me. And I am ashamed to even call you my mother.” You angrily wiped at your tears and without sparing another glance at your mother- who stood stunned as if she had seen a ghost- you walked to grab the key by the door to your parents’ car.

“I am leaving and I am never coming back.” Your voice sounded much hoarser.

“(Y/n) stop.” You halted in your tracks when you heard your dad’s voice. Out of everyone, you didn't think your dad would be the one to stop you from going after what made you happy.

“Daddy.” You felt like you could shrink into a shell when you looked at your father.

“I am not letting you go.” Your dad said firmly. You stared at him in disbelief but before you could object your dad said, “I am not letting you go alone. Not in this state. I will drive you.” For a second you could feel all the worries melting as a smile made it's way on your face.

Before your mother could process what was happening you and your dad dashed to the car. With hope in your heart, you clasped your hands together waiting till the ride got over so you can finally convince Billy to see that your love was strong enough to beat all the odds.

Yours and billy's apartment was cooped up in the heart of Santa Monica. The town was lit up with Christmas decorations. It wasn't as cold as Hawkins but you could feel a shiver run down your spine as your dad neared yours and billy's apartment. The confidence and hope that had taken over you suddenly began slipping away when your destination arrived. Before getting out you turned to look at your father who looked ahead with a far away look in his eyes.

“Daddy I am sorry.” You whispered timidly.

“Don't be.” Your dad cracked a small smile as he looked at you. You looked at him questioningly.

“You know when I held you in my arms for the first time I thought i’d never be able to have something as precious in my life. I promised myself then that I would protect you and give you all my love, so much that no one would steal my little princess from me. But when I saw you with Billy I realised that he loves you a lot and he will always protect you. That's when i knew that he was the one and that I could not have parted with you to anyone less worthy.” Your dad extended his hand out.

Sniffling you took his hand and looked at him.

“Now I know you are not my baby anymore. You’re an adult and i will treat you like one. Billy's a good man, just talk to him. He loves you. And if you still need your old man, I’ll always be available.” Your dad squeezed your hand.

Nodding your hand you gave your dad a smile and dashed to the second floor to your apartment.

It was pretty late and you assumed Billy would be asleep so instead of ringing the bell you retrieved the house key from your purse and unlocked the door. The moment you heard the click you smiled, you wanted nothing more than to sit down and talk to billy like you had promised each other you would whenever a calamity occurs in your relationship. But your hopes of holding your husband in your arms were ruined when you took in the silence that had fallen on your small flat.

The otherwise immaculate apartment looked like a storm had hit it. Your flat suddenly seemed like a metaphor for your inner emotional turmoil. The books from the shelf were scattered on the floor. The pillows had experienced the same fate. The marble kitchen counter was covered with shards of glass. But you were still hopeful that somewhere in this mess you’d find asylum in the form of your husband. So with trembling hands you pushed open the door hoping to see Billy. But much like before you were met with an empty, destroyed room with an air of melancholy evident in it. You fell to your knees when you saw that Billy's stuff from your closet was gone. There was no sign of Billy only the mass destruction that he had inflicted upon your home and your heart. 

Crawling on all fours you pulled the box that read “Happy memories” in your writing and a messily scribbled “damn i got lucky” in Billy’s handwriting. You half-hoped that if Billy had really left he would have at least left the things in that box intact. So holding your heart into your hands you reached in only to realise that every part of your relationship all the polaroids and trinkets were still in place. Your eyes fell on the pictures from your wedding. With tears in your eyes you picked up other things. Tickets of the movie from your first date (that you found hidden in a box under Billy’s bed back in high school much to his embarrassment), a small decorative umbrella from an ice-cream sundae (that you two had stolen from scoops ahoy without Steve’s knowledge); a tissue paper with your lipstick stain, mixtapes and finally the box in which billy had kept your engagement ring in (he admitted that he was going to sell his car for buying you a ring with a big rock but thanks to your insistence he didn't).

Instinctively you looked at the ring on your finger. It wasn't as big as Billy wanted it to be, in fact it wasn't big at all but it was the ring his mother wore. He cherished it and when he gave it you it was like he had given to you a part of him. But now he was gone and he had taken a part of you with him.

You were sure he had left you forever without an antidote for your misery, so when you heard the jiggling of keys followed by the opening of the latch your ears perked up and before you could open the door to the bedroom somebody beat you to it. Your eyes moved up and suddenly your heart forgot how to beat. 

Billy stood in front of you with his hand clutching the doorknob. He was wearing a pale blue shirt. There was prominent stubble on his cheeks and hollow, dark circles under his red rimmed eyes. Before you could stop yourself you reached out to cup his cheek. Instinctively Billy leaned into your touch. Both your eyes filled with tears and before you could reach out to wipe the tear that had involuntarily rolled out of his deep blue eyes he pulled away.

You followed Billy out to the hall, neither of you speaking a word.

After what seemed like hours Billy spoke up.

“I visited Maxine.” He mumbled. You loved how despite of the distance between you and tension in the air the conversation between the two of you somehow rolled out easily.

“How is she?” You asked. The moment your voice fell on his ears Billy exhaled loudly as if he had been relying on hearing your voice to breathe. 

“Good. Susan and Dad had gone away.” He murmured nervously tugging at fray threads of his ripped jeans

Before you could address the giant elephant in the room, Billy spoke up, “I visited mom.”

You knew very little about Billy’s mom. Billy hated talking about her because the more he talked about her the more it hurt. So you never pried. But you knew that whenever Billy wanted to think straight he would go to his mom’s grave. Knowing how much Billy was hurting and suddenly very aware of the pain you felt, you went and sat on the floor by Billy’s knees and placed a reassuring hand on Billy’s knee.

Startled at first Billy continued, “She would have loved you. When she was diagnosed with cancer she knew it was bad. She never talked about the pain she felt but her frail body was a constant reminder of that. During the last months she told me that when she...uh...dies she would send someone to look after me. I always thought it was some cheesy shit and hated her because she was hellbent on leaving me.” He sniffled and wiped the tears away before continuing.

“But the night you tended to me and held me when I crawled into your window with a beaten up face instead of telling me how useless i am or how i was soiling your carpet with my blood or whatever, I thought maybe she was right. Maybe my mom had sent someone to look after me. You have always been good to me. Before you the only form of contact i had was in the form of throwing punches or receiving them. But with you in my life i realized what love is. For the longest time i selfishly held onto you because i loved how you make me feel.” He cracked a small smile.

“I’d like to believe I made you happy at least once in a while. But I don't think that will last forever. I can never stop loving you (y/n) but I am scared that someday like everyone you’ll see me for who i am. You’ll get tired of how broken I am. You’re not entitled to look after me. So if you want to walk out you can. I won't stop you. I’d rather have a broken heart than break your’s.” He choked out a sob before grabbing my hand tightly in his own. 

Running my fingers through his hair you said, “You really think my heart would stay intact if yours is broken? Billy we are a unit. We complete each other. You are not the only with flaws. I have my own flaws, my own doubts and insecurities but when I am with you, I am sane, I am happy. Love is not easy B. But I’d rather take on it with you.”

Billy rose from his hunched position and let go off your hands. That's when you knew you had lost him. He probably didn't want to fight for you two anymore. But your negative thoughts were interrupted when Billy sat before you and nervously whispered, “I am not the most perfect person and I might fuck up a lot but I promise you i will always love you.”

“You’re perfect to me Billy Hargrove. I trust you and I love you more than life itself.” You inched closer to him. Billy followed suite and placed his forehead against yours.

“Can I kiss you, please?” Billy questioned, a sense of urgency and vulnerability laced is his voice.

“God, yes please.” You smiled in what seemed like ages. Billy mirrored you as a wide smile crept on his face. Cupping both your cheeks Billy pulled you close and kissed you. Though urgent and sloppy the kiss held all the emotions you two had bottled in, all the words that were unspoken and all the love that you two wanted to shower on each other. And now you had all your lives to share that love with one another. 

[helstrome]

Lost Track (Pt. 1)

Main idea & storyline by just-listen-once (you know ily and i added some ~spice~ don’t kick me i’m shy)

Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3

She had gone out of the house and live alone in an apartment near university for a while now, since everything was easier that way. She was used to it already, but she always missed the time she always spent together with her little brother and their parents when she was still living together with them. They were the kind of siblings who rarely got in fight, Jeno knew his sister was the type to cuddle and spoiled him rotten, and he cherished it. Being 5 years apart made her a lot more mature, and he loved that his older sister vibe managed to calm him down whenever he was stressed out, and her advices worked well. They were as mischievous as any other siblings could get, though, like backing each other up whenever someone got into a problem with their parents.

It had been almost 5 years since she moved out, and her little brother Jeno had grown up to be one of the most popular guy in school. She didn't know how the boy who still peed his pants at the age of 8 and was such a chubby adorable ball turned into this tall, manly boy with muscles and a face to die for. He was always interested in sports, like football when he was in elementary, swimming and basketball too as he grew older but now he focused on basketball, mainly. She knew what being a basketball player in high school meant, more popularity and attention. She was half relieved and half worried since she didn't have to deal with his fangirls, which he liked to rant to her about, but being far away meant she couldn't really take care of him either. That was why she always made time for her little brother. She occasionally picked him up from school on Fridays when she wasn't busy, having a cup of coffee with him somewhere over updating each other about their lives, especially when she couldn't come home for the weekend. Jeno would be the one to mainly dominate the conversation, talking about his passion of playing basketball. She was so proud that he got to be a vice captain despite not in his senior year yet. He was gifted in the sports department, the family always knew of it. One day he told her about the skill-up training held by inviting over two special basketball coaches from outside the school. He fell deeply for the training, boasting about the coaches with sparkling eyes and overly excited gesture after the first two weeks of not meeting her. He told her that the training sessions were held every Tuesday and Thursday, but it turned out that after the first two weeks, Fridays were added to the schedule too. He seemed like he didn't mind, though, when he ran out of the gym to ask her to wait at the school cafeteria for around 20 minutes until the training was over. He forgot to tell her about the extra day and didn't want her to leave without him, so he insisted and of course she couldn't say no. He gave her a big grin and practically rolled down the hall hurriedly back to the indoor court. The first three Fridays of the new routine, she just waited around the cafeteria, getting her papers done and surfing YouTube videos like she always did in her spare time until Jeno came to get her. At the 4th week, they were holding a practice match with students from other school, and since she rarely got a chance to actually watch Jeno play, she decided to visit the gym. She sat on one of the available spot at the bleachers, and she could see how Jeno stood out from the pack. His movements were efficient and spot on, he aced the shoots with impressive accuracy and he was certainly agile. She cheered along when the home team won, the proud feeling flooded out of her bones while seeing her little brother's grinning face. The crowd immediately dispersed into the arena, the students were flocking around both teams, especially the girls who squealed and screamed in unison, probably admiring the cool basketball players and flirting with them. She shook her head and smiled, reminiscing how teenagers behavior never changed, the good old high school days. She came down from the seats and waited for Jeno, who spotted her leaning against the wall near the exit door. "Noona! Did you watch the match?!" She grinned playfully. "Uh? No, you took a while so I decided to come pick you up here instead." His grin turned into a frown almost immediately, making her cackled. "Of course I did! My baby boy is all grown up now, huh?" She ruffled his damp hair. "Look at all those girls, cheering and shooting heart eyes to the vice captain Lee Jeno." "Noonaaaa." He whined, running his fingers through his hair to fix it. She could practically hear squeals of his fangirls somewhere behind Jeno. Girls these days.... "Noona! While you're here, I'll introduce you to my team and the hyungs! They're really cool." He suggested, grabbing her wrist and pulled her to walk with him across the court. A huge mass of students had left earlier, so the court looked a lot less cramped than before and the school team could be seen sitting around at the bench. "Mark hyung! This is my sister!" He called a boy with blonde curly hair, who turned around and grinned, standing up while wiping his hand on his shorts. "Hi, noona, my name is Mark! He told me a lot about you." The boy bowed, and she bowed back while smiling, the boy was adorable. He was startled because of her politeness toward him that he blushed and stuttered. Jeno eyed him weirdly which made him averted his gaze and cleared his throat. She shook her head lightly in amusement. "This is Renjun, and then Donghyuck, Chenle, and the maknae Jisung!" Jeno continued, pointing to the other guys who stood up and bowed, and she returned the gesture. The one named Donghyuck wiped his forehead with the towel before speaking in a hushed tone, which was still kind of loud to be heard. "Yah, Jeno, you never told us your sister is pretty!" Jeno flung his empty plastic bottle to him that hit him straight in the forehead, earning a roar of laughter from the team. The ruckus made two guys sitting on the far side with their back facing them turned their heads around distractedly. "Hyung! Hyung!" He dragged her by her wrist again to where the two guys sat. "This is Ten hyung! He's in charge of game plan and tactics. But he's also a dancer!" He beamed to her, and the guy named Ten stood up to bow and shake her hand. "Hi, my name is Ten!" He smiled brightly at her. "You're Jeno's noona? Wow, you diligently pick him up after training every Friday..." "I live alone now, so I'm trying to take care of him more on weekends." She replied, explaining the situation to Ten. He nodded understandingly, his smile back on his face again. "Are you an uni student too like us?" She got a little confused by the word 'us' he was using, but realized he was referring to the other coach at the end of the bench whose head was down, eyes glued to the screen of an iPad in front of him. "I'm attending graduate school." "Oh so you're my noona as well then!" He grinned. "I'm a last year undergrad student, noona." He spoke casually, melting the ice. "Do you always pick Jeno up after practice ends? You should come earlier and watch the training!" She playfully eyed Jeno. "Wouldn't want this one blaming me for chasing off all his fangirls, now, would we?" Jeno groaned in annoyance. "Noona!" "I'm kidding!" She giggled. "I always wait at the cafeteria or somewhere around, I'll make sure to come by sometimes, Ten." "Okay, great!" He clapped his hand excitedly. "Oh I almost forgot. This is my friend, Jung Jaehyun. We coach together." The other guy looked up and she froze right after she saw his face. She thought she had lost her mind. This Jaehyun guy looked exactly like Jung Yoon Oh, her junior when she was an undergrad student. His eyes flickered to her face for a second before calling out a 'nice to meet you' and threw his gaze down to his iPad again. She was still frozen, but she tried her hardest to conjured a smile and blinked like nothing happened. "Jaehyun hyung helps me a lot with my shots, noona! His accuracy is deadly." Jeno chirped in, clueless about what was happening. She was contemplating whether the man in front of her didn't recognize who she was, hence the cold exchange... But it was impossible, the memory was fresh on her mind. There was no way he didn't remember her, it wasn't like they were separated for the whole lifetime or anything. "There's a reason why I told you that you had to come today, noona." Jeno continued. "I want to extend the practice to Sundays too." Her mind was in a blank mode still but she slowly caught up to what he was saying. "Huh...? Oh sure, I'll be the guardian. Why didn't you just tell me beforehand, you could've just done it on your own." "The school rule need you to sign papers, noona. For the permission." He handed her a piece of paper filled with the consent to sign. She signed the paper and gave it back to a happy Jeno. "Jeno-yah!" Ten appeared from beside. "I can't coach on Sundays, though, so you're going to be with Jae alright?" Jeno nodded enthusiastically and she let her mind slipped off somewhere instead, shutting down what was happening around her, wanting to get out of the situation quickly until Jeno shook her shoulder a little and told her that he was finished. The conversation in the car steer clear from the sensitive topic as Jeno asked her about her days instead, but then he said something that made her cursed inside her head. "Noona... Can you pick me up at 5:30 p.m. on Sundays from tomorrow...?" He looked up at her in an unsure gaze. "This is another reason why I need you to sign the form, mom and dad want me to study and I go to the library every weekend but if I tell them they won't let me play basketball afterwards. Problem is public gym is not close to the library and I need a ride home... I can't take the train." She cursed again under her breath, but his pouty face made it impossible to say no, so she could not do anything but letting it happen by accepting the request. After dropping Jeno off that night, she tossed and turned on the bed, replaying the scene from the past couple hours. Holy fuck, she thought. The Jung Jaehyun was undoubtedly Jung Yoon Oh, the person who had been floating in the back of her mind along with all other not-so-good memories she had during her university life. She had forgotten about that part of hers and thing had been going well, but he decided to come back into her life just like that. She didn't even know what they had back then, was it considered a relationship? Was he her ex? Were they two even dating? She wasn't sure, maybe it was those kind of 'I like you, but I don't want a commitment' kind of thing. It never sat straight between the both of them. Back in university, she was always around with her circle of friends. She rarely mingled around that much, but how she befriended the old Jung Yoon Oh was fated by the universe. He was one of those people who liked to study in the library every so often for exams. Mostly alone, sometimes with friends. She first noticed him because every time she glanced at the direction of the windows, he would be there. The seat near the huge window felt like it was reserved for him. He looked serene most of the time, but once in a while his eyebrows would furrow in concentration. His bottom lip would jut out in a pout, maybe when he found a question difficult. If she came early, she would be granted with a view of his pale, transparent skin complemented by the sunshine flooding inside from the window. She believed they exchanged glances here and there, but no one ever initiated anything. Nonetheless, he became one of the reasons she enjoyed visiting the library. Things changed when a bunch of guys sat with him in a study group, looking as if they were just there for the sake of accompanying him. One of the friends was loud and chirpy, she noted from where her study group resided. He looked like he was bored or frustrated, and his gaze fell upon her study group. His eyes unexpectedly lit up when it locked at hers. He got up from his seat and confidently walked over to her group. "Hey! You're in Mr. Park's advance math, right?" He demanded. She probably saw his face somewhere but she wasn't sure. He maybe was her classmate, but Mr. Park's class was huge, it consisted of 100 students. Mr. Park's class was the popular one, since the professor was quite young, tall and handsome. Even people who didn't need to take advance math sometimes took his class just for the sake of seeing him. "I am... But sorry, I never saw you in class." She hit her lip, unsure about her answer. "Oh, never mind! I always come late and sit at the very back." He grinned. "I'm Johnny. We're supposed to have this exam next Tuesday right? I was studying by myself since none of my friends take the class and I got frustrated. Can I ask you some questions?" They spent the rest of the study session by him bombarding her with questions, ending up with her helping him solve all the mock test problems. He apparently found her fun to talk to, and the result of his exam that came out the next day was an A, and he was over the moon. Afterwards, he always insisted on being taught by her everything he needed to know whenever he came by the library and spotted her there. 3 weeks after the encounter that brought Johnny into her study group, someone tagged along behind him when he came to her table. "Guys, I told him to join me studying here instead of by his own but he is our junior so apparently he felt uncomfortable or whatever. This is Jaehyun, 2 years younger than us." The first impression was still clear as day in her mind. The quiet glances that she had been sharing with him for the past month suddenly turned into an actual approach. Awkward introduction, he was as shy as he looked on the outside. She thought nothing except he was adorable, and she understood completely of his reasoning. It must have felt uncomfortable for her too, if she was to join a bunch of unfamiliar seniors in a study group. The image of a young, naive freshman automatically stamped inside her brain since he spoke for the first time. "My name is Jung Yoon Oh, but people calls me Jaehyun. I always saw your group studying for a while now, but I don't want to be rude and interrupt." His face was flushed pink and his gaze was on the floor, avoiding people's stare. Everyone welcomed him warmly, and she did too. He blended in well after a while; he was just shy around strangers, but he wasn't an introvert at all. He was a little crazy, even. In an adorable way, since he was kind of the maknae in the group. Everyone treated him with care, and he returned the favor by making them laugh every so often. He lifted the mood of the study group, making the atmosphere better. She didn't have a lot of personal time with him, though, as they were always moving as a group. No one really had a close relationship with each other, everyone was just a friend who was fun to hang with. Not that she minded either, she hadn't think a lot about having a boyfriend or someone special to support her. She had her family to come back to when she felt down, and her little brother was the boost she needed to get through her dark days. Her feelings shifted, however, when Jaehyun came into the equation. He was different, it felt like he held the key to light up a tiny lamp of happiness inside her heart. Whenever he smiled at her with those dimples, sparks ignited and warmth spread all over her being. Thankfully, it seemed like she wasn't the only one feeling that way. Jaehyun talked to her about his problems, he opened up to her a lot more than when he was with others in the group. As the days went by, they naturally got closer too. That one autumn day was the turning point of their platonic friendship before it blossomed into something unexplainable. He casually invited her to study in his dorm room, only the two of them. It was nothing special, but it made something inside them clicked. He continued to invite her for the next day, and the next, and the next... Each passing day, they would sat closer than the day before. Their elbows and knees would brush each others', and the unmissable heat radiating off of his body could be felt by her, by how close they were. It turned into little gestures like resting her head on his shoulder when she was bored or she began to feel sleepy, him slipping a strand of fallen hair behind her ear or stroking her hair in hovering touches. It made her think of what they were, where they stood in the line of relationship. What he thought about them, was he feeling the same thing as she did. He didn't speak much, but his gestures showed how he distanced himself around other people, unlike when he was with her alone. It made her believe that she was somehow special to him. Memories of the past consumed her head; when one question popped up and resonated louder above the others. Was he really pretending to not know her? Like it was the first time they meet? It made her nauseous to think of all the possibilities the next day might held, she worried about meeting him again, she worried about how she should act in front of him. She worried about the day after tomorrow.

[lollytea]

I have a three hour class coming up, so naturally, I need to give you something that will take you three hours to write to make it fair. Gimme all of them for either Satin Diamond or Jazzle, your choice.

Idk enough about Puzzle to do ALL of these about Jazzle so I went with the sparkles.

1: Who spends almost all their money on the other?

Now I’ve said that Guy is a HUUUUUGE impulse buyer who would probably throw money at whatever remotely reminded him of Satin. But I also imagine Satin as the type to spend MORE on stuff for Guy.

Just because while he’ll buy anything that holds his attention long enough, she’s more focused on the quality. If it’s expensive, its good. All shit that goes on her boy gotta be designer and she is hellbent on dressin him pretty.

So Satin. Its Satin.

2: Who sleeps in the other’s lap?

Guy. Whenever he has a tight schedule, he’s either working or napping cuz damn son hes exhausted. But the thing is, that leaves him with very little time to spend with Satin. So sleeping in her lap is the best he can get.

Meanwhile, my girl has a way better sleep endurance than he does. She can pull off an all-nighter and still seem perfectly composed the next day. Satin’s fuckin incredible.

3: Who walks around the house half-naked and who yells at them to put on some clothes?

who tf u think

4: Which one tells the other not to stay up all night and which one stays up all night anyway?

Guy is often begging Satin to get some sleep. But listen, if she’s in the zone, you cant stop her. Yes, Guy, she’s aware its 2am.

5: Which one tries to make food for the other but burns it all by accident and which one tells them that it’s okay and makes them both cookies?

Neither Satin or Chenille have much experience in cooking. They were pretty spoiled and never had to lift a finger in any kind of housework during their childhood and teenage life. Both of them have had to learn since they moved out but they gotta stick to the basic stuff.

Bless her, Satin’s heart was definitely in the right place. But what she tried to cook was gourmet which she sure as hell was not ready for yet.

Guy’s childhood ran more on a chore wheel kinda thing. He and his siblings had to take turns cooking dinner each week so like he’s a lot more acquainted with it. But is he proud of Satin’s obvious efforts, that’s his girl! You did amazing for your first try!

Tbh he probably tries to eat some of it just to be like “Nonono its fine, we can totally eat this for di-” *Chokes and has to spit it out* “Yeah ok imma make some cookies. You did a good job tho I love you”

6: Which one reads OTP prompts and says “Oh that’s us!” and which one goes “Eh, not really”?

At a petstore, Guy points at two lizards lying on top of eachother “That one’s me and that one’s you.”

“There’s a fine selection of squeaky toys over here and I'm going to pick one just to whack you with.”

7: Which one constantly wears the other’s clothes?

I mean Guy wears the clothes Satin MAKES so

I'm sure he’s tried on her actual clothes a couple times tho

8: Which one spends all day running errands and which one says “You remembered [thing], right?”

Satin: “Okay okay, so it was a good day. A really good day. A productive day. Bought the groceries for dinner tonight, made the phone calls, picked up the dry-cleaning, went to the post office, got the car fixed, vacuumed the living room-”

Guy: “Aww baby, that’s great. Hey, where’s Jade?”

Satin: “Where’s who now?”

Guy: “Our 2 year old son? You-you picked him up from day-care, right?”

*Sounds of Satin grabbing her keys and tripping out the front door*

Guy: “.....was that a yes orrrr?”

9: Which one drives the car and which one gives them directions?

Guy cant read maps so he drives. Also if they have a kid (or theyre babysitting the other kids) Satin’s better at telling them to behave so its better if she’s not behind the wheel.

10: Which one does the posing while the other one draws?

Guy poses, Satin draws. Its like part of their whole model/designer dynamic. Duh

11: If they were about to rob a museum, which one does backflips through lasers and which one is strolling behind with a bag of chips?

Guy backflips, Satin has chips

12: Which one of your OTP overdoes it on the alcohol and which one makes the other stop drinking?

After the first article of clothing is removed, Satin is forced to confiscate Guy’s glass.

“Sweetheart, listen. We cant afford to do this again. We cant go back to jail.”

13: Which one likes to surprise the other with a lot of small random gifts?

They both do ofc

14: Which one keeps accidentally using the other’s last name instead of their own?

Satin did when she was really little but Guy hadn't the foggiest clue why she kept doing in. He just piped up with “That's not your last name, it’s mine, silly!” Then proceeded to tell her what her last name was in case she forgot.

She did start calling herself Satin Diamond a few years before they got married. Like it wasn't his real last name so it didn’t matter much. Plus it sounded classy as hell. You wouldn't wanna fuck with a lady called Satin Diamond.

15: Which one screams about the spider and which one brings the spider outside?

Neither of them are huge fans of spiders but as Guy always had to suck it up and take spiders out for his little sister’s sake, he’s a lot more equipped to dealing with it.

16: Which one gives the other their jacket?

Satin often doesn't wear jackets so if she cold, Guy’s on that shit in an instant

17: Who keeps getting threatened by the other’s overprotective older sibling?

They both got a pretty good relationship with eachothers siblings. Guy’s brothers are all lovable nerds in their heart so they adopt Satin immediately

Meanwhile Chenille is like a sister to Guy so like she knows he’ll cherish Satin with all his heart but like. Like a sister. Tell me Chenille hasn't blown her top several time cuz her annoying little brother/her sister’s boyfriend is being a shit again

18: Who’s the first one to admit they have feelings for the other?

Guy probably. Their relationship kinda develops from friends to occasional flirting to more recurring flirting to constant flirting and like Guy is almost CERTAIN they’re on the same page. Orrrrr flirty might just be a budding aspect of Satin’s personality because hey, it does suit her very well.

Eventually he just gets confused and impatient and blurts out like “HEY ARE WE DOING WHAT WE’RE THINK WE’RE DOING CUZ I LIKE YOU A LOT AND-”

19: How good would your OTP be at parenting?

Pretty good, considering they weren’t really ready to be parents. The whole nine months was like last minute cramming for a test. They read so many baby books my fuckin god.

But no Satin’s a natural mom. Not as high energy as Poppy and a lot more subdued but still very caring and considerate. She’s calm and logical when helping her kid deal with problems and makes sure he always feel comfortable when talking to her. Jade is REALLY close with his momma.

Also if he gets caught sneaking out at night, he’s shish kabob. But he respects and understands that. His mom is the best person in the world. He just wouldn't dare fuck with her

Guy is also a very devoted father and tends to act as the sillier parent. His relationship with kid can be best described as “Lovingly argumentative.” But no matter, how much he makes fun of his Dad, Jade is probably his biggest fan. He knows the man’s complete filmography by heart and aspires to be an actor too. (Jade cant act for shit but ssssh he’ll change his career choice when he’s older)

But yeah, Guy spent years as his acting coach and tried so hard too because he personally believed his boy could do anything. Turns out he couldn't but ehhh, its the thought that counts. Guy loves Jade to bits and vice versa.

20: Which one types with perfect grammar and which one types using numbers as letters?

Neither of them use perfect grammar but Satin is most definitely the number thing. Guy is not.

21: Who gets attacked by a bully and who protects them?

I dunno if either of them are the type to get bullied. At least in the case of Satin, she just doesn't take crap. But I guess in the case of Guy, who’s just so unashamedly himself, he might piss off a few other kids with that toxic masculinity mind-set. It probably doesn't happen often but if it ever did, Satin would bite their heads off. She aint here for this bullshit.

22: Who makes the bad puns and who makes a pained smile every time the other makes a pun?

Guy: *puns*

Satin: “You’re doing amazing sweetie” (I imagine death so much, it feels like a memory.)

23: Who comes home from work to see that the other one bought a puppy?

Hear me out. Guy is the impulse buyer, which is why it shocks everyone when Satin is the one to buy the puppy. She was going through an emotional week ok?? Leave her alone

Guy actually has to be the voice of reason here because babe do we have time for a dog idk if we can do this

They end up keeping it and tbh they are TOTALLY the type of people to call themselves the dog’s mommy and daddy. They’re those people fite me

24: Which one gives the other a piggyback ride when they’re tired?

Satin doesn't get tired easily but she wears pinchy shoes a lot so Guy gives piggybacks when she needs it

25: Which one competes in some sort of activity and which one does the overzealous cheering?

I need to tattoo “Guy is Satin’s biggest fan” to my gotdamn forehead

26: Who takes a selfie when the other one falls asleep on their shoulder?

Satin. Guy hates candid photos so fuckin much so like nobody has any pictures of him laughing or sleeping or just walking around with no makeup on.

Except for Satin. Satin has like a billion. Guy just doesn't know about them cuz she knows he’d make her delete them.

27: Which one would give the other a makeover if they asked?

I mean Satin DID give Guy a makeover when he asked. You don't think the legendary Guy Diamond look was a one man job, do you? Nah, the twins helped create the icon.

Hell, his first experience with makeup was Satin hiding him the girls bathroom stall when they were like 12 and covering up the acne on his chin after she caught him getting upset over it.

28: Which one owns a pet that the other is absolutely terrified of?

Look if Satin ever gets a snake, Guy aint gonna be pleased

29: Which one holds the umbrella over both of them when it rains?

Okay but listen to me. Guy makes a big deal every time his hair gets wet. He hates rain. He hates it so fuckin much.

One time when they were teenagers, they agreed to meet at the other end of town to see a movie. Ofc theres a downpour and Guy’s standing with his umbrella at the bustop, waiting for Satin’s bus to show up. But once she steps out, she looks frazzled af, clearly having not expected the rain.

So its been a long day and Satin is pacing back and forth, unintentionally splashing puddled as she rambles about an unfair detention she received, about Chenille stealing her hairdryer, about her homework not making any sense.

The rain suddenly stops pelting her head and a shadow falls over her frame. She turns around to find him with his arm outstretched and his umbrella looming over her.

Guy blinks, confused as she stares at him in shock, his hair a soaking mess. “What?

And Satin is just internally “Imma marry him. I stg imma marry this loser.”

30: If your OTP went on vacation, where would they go and what would they do? Who would take the pictures?

Wherever there’s city lights and rooftop penthouses. Theatres, restaurants and glitzy ballrooms. They live for the night glow. Tbh take them to Paris. Let them dance under the Eiffel Tower at midnight. Tell me that isn't the pinnacle of romanticism.

Also Satin takes the pictures. She’s the better photographer between them. Guy gets too eager and so many of his pics are fuzzy

[theartificialdane]

Galactica, part 237

In this Violet thinks, Courtney goes for a run, Fame get’s a text and we go to a special concert!

Thank you @veronicasanders @samrull and @toriibelledarling <3

“Good girl.” Violet smiled as she gently wiped Frida’s paws in a soft towel, the damp november earth sticking to her puppy. It was early morning, the sun barely up and Violet and Frida had just returned from their walk, Sutan most likely still in bed. Violet opened the door to the house, slowly creepy inside with Frida in her arms, making her way upstairs to the bedroom where her boyfriend was snoring away, Violet laughing quietly, even though she was still slightly annoyed from the day before, but Sutan sleeping like that was always a treat. She had tried to tell Sutan many times that he always snored whenever he got drunk, but he never believed her. Violet considered filming him for a moment, but decided not to as she put Frida down, the little dog happily finding the basket they had brought up for her. Violet slipped back into bed as well, crawling underneath Sutan’s arm, silently deciding to herself that he properly hadn’t meant anything by it the day before. She was an adult, she could stand up to herself, she didn’t need his help. Violet ran a hand over Sutan’s arm, the tattoos there so familiar to her, like old friends.

“What are you doing?” Violet could sense Sutan waking up, his voice low and deep with sleep.

“Nothing…”

“Doesn’t feel like nothing.”

Violet’s hand was still touching her boyfriend’s skin as she still reeled from the day before and how Sutan had taken her opportunity to stand up for herself away from her just like that. “Are you excited about Shane’s concert?”

“Very excited.” Sutan smiled and brushed a little of Violet’s hair away, the girl looking up. “You’re cold.. Were you outside?”

“Make love to me.” The words spilled out, Violet not expecting them at all, both of them staring at each other.

They stared at each other, Violet blushing, shame washing over her, and then, he laughed, a warm, kind sound, the man pulling her into a lazy, wonderful kiss, Sutan manhandling her like she weighed nothing at all, Violet soon laying on her back, her hands above her head, Sutan smiling like the chesire cat as he leaned down, their lips almost touching.

“Your wish is my command my lady.”

The glint in Sutan’s eyes made Violet smile, the tenderness in his expression, the careful way he pushed up her dress, his hot breath in her ear, his warm body, the heavy comforter creating a world where it was only them and no one else, their bodies rocking together, their tongues dancing, Sutan’s hand in her hair anchoring her as Sutan came, his seed filling her, satisfying her, the physical mark calming her mind in a way nothing else could. She was still sad, still upset that Sutan so clearly didn’t believe in her abilities, and her will to make her own way in the world, that she didn’t need someone asking for favours on her behalf and protection her, but they would work on it. They had to, because that’s what you do when you love someone.

***

Courtney could feel her calf muscles burning as she jogged down the block, sweat dripping down her back, picking up speed in a futile attempt to clear her mind. Fat raindrops began to fall, hitting her face and hair. She lowered her head and continued, unable to get rid of the nagging thoughts that had been plaguing her.

She knew, when she moved in with Bianca in January, that it was setting up a very specific power dynamic. She’d gone willingly, gladly, into that dynamic. But then as the months wore on, as their relationship evolved and grew more serious, she’d found herself feeling more and more regretful about the way things started. Because at first, she really thought that they’d be able to grow together, into something more egalitarian, and eventually Bianca would respect her as an equal partner.

But as time went on, she found herself doubting that more and more. Thinking that not only was Bianca unable to ever see her as an equal, but maybe she didn’t want to. And where did that leave her? Sure, she could go on the way they were now. She’d be loved and cherished and taken care of, for as long as Bianca wanted her, which could very well be forever…but would this anxiety ever go away? This feeling that she was, ultimately, a very expensive and prized possession?

As the rain came down harder, pounding down onto her back and shoulders, drenching her hair, she bit her lip and tried to shake the thoughts out of her mind once more. The thoughts that she wished would just go away, so that she could return to the bliss she used to feel, the hopeful, happy, wondrous bliss before it all started to get so fucking complicated.

***

“Did you break something last night?”

Ruby looked at the breakfast spread that had been put out in front of her on the bed, Max sitting with Ruth in his lap, the cat purring happily.

“Should I?” Max smiled as he picked up the teapot he had forced Ruby to buy weeks before at an antique store in Brooklyn that Max had made her go to as he was searching for graffiti

“No one has ever made me breakfast in bed before…” Ruby picked a cup and held it up, Max pouring for her. Ruby still didn’t like tea very much, but it had become so associated in her mind with Max that the bitter mudwater wasn’t all that bad. “Are you sure you’re not apologizing for something?”

Max laughed, the man getting underneath the covers with her, Ruth running off, offended that Max had dared to move away. “I promise.”

“You’re too perfect elfman. Way too perfect.”

***

Bianca sat at her parents’ kitchen table, arms crossed, tapping her feet restlessly, staring at the two phones in front of her. She hated, fucking HATED, when Courtney went out running without taking her phone. And today she was in an unfamiliar city. And it was raining. And what if she got lost or forgot their address, or got HURT? Did she have cash on her? Bianca let out an aggravated groan and stood up so quickly that she nearly toppled the chair.

“She’ll be fine, Bianca. Chill out,” Vanessa said blandly.

Bianca walked to the door for the 80th time, staring out the window, her breath fogging up the glass. “Maybe I should take dad’s car out…”

“Maybe you should date a grown-up,” Liz snarked, pouring herself a glass of orange juice.

“Maybe you should shut the fuck up!” Bianca snapped back at her, whipping around.

“Bianca!” Aida exclaimed. “Watch your mouth!”

“Ugh!” Bianca stalked out of the room, flopping into the couch beside her dad, brother and Vanessa’s husband, Carlos, who were watching some sports bullshit on the TV. Bianca had no idea what, and she didn’t care, but she needed to get away from the oppressive, judgmental energy of her sisters. She clutched a throw pillow in her lap, fingers digging into it tightly, trying to quell her strong desire to punch Elizabeth right in the face.

She leapt up in relief at the sound of the front door opening, grabbing a blanket from the back of the couch and rushing to the foyer.

Courtney was dripping wet from head to toe, obviously having been caught in the storm mid run. “Oh my god, baby, are you okay?!” Bianca exclaimed. “I was worried sick!” She tried to wrap the blanket around Courtney’s shoulders, but the blonde pushed her away slightly.

“She’s not kidding,” Liz added, appearing in the kitchen doorway. “She’s been stomping around her for the better part of an hour worrying about you getting lost and melting away or some shit.”

“I’m fine,” Courtney said. “I just need a shower.”

“You forgot your phone–” Bianca started, following her.

Courtney whirled around. “Yeah, and I survived! People lived without cell phones for thousands of years! I’m not an idiot, I know how to hail a cab!”

“I’m just saying, maybe you should go running in an unfamiliar city without–”

“I’m not gonna stop exercising because it makes you uncomfortable! And it really doesn’t help when you treat me like a fucking child.” Courtney started to climb the stairs.

Bianca glanced over at Liz, who was still in the doorway, an infuriating smirk on her face. “Shut the fuck up, Elizabeth,” she said.

“Hey B, if you want her to stop exercising, just marry her,” said Carlos, earning laughs and high-fives from the other guys.

Bianca shook her head. If only it were that easy…

*** Fame had picked up her phone the moment she stepped inside her house, Sutan’s words from the night before still ringing in her ears. Raja and Raven had dropped her off, her friend giving her a sweet kiss and Fame knew she had looked utterly devastated since Raven didn’t even react, the faint ghost of Raja’s lips against her own still clinging to her skin as she poured herself a glass of wine. That had been hours ago, and here she was, sitting on her couch, an empty bottle of wine on the table in front of her, and just like the bottle, Fame felt empty, like she’d never be full again. She knew she was being a bitch, knew she was pushing everyone in her life away, knew that Raja was growing tired, that Bianca didn’t need or want her, that her assistant absolutely hated her, and normally none of that would matter since she had Patrick, her husband that was always there at the end of the day, but now, she had nothing. Fame didn’t even feel the tears until she was crying. She felt the phone buzz in her hand and looked down, trying to figure out what it meant.

PATRICK: I hope you had a good Thanksgiving. It feels strange to be here without you. I’m sorry that things are so…I’m just sorry. I should probably not be sending this but you know how heavily I drink when I’m with my brothers. Anyway. Have a good night, Fame.

Her pulse quickened. It was the kindest word she’d heard from since before he’d left, and she couldn’t help but have a glimmer of hope. She began to type out a reply, but her fingers shook. As she drowned the rest of her wine, the liquid sticky on her tongue, she looked up at the empty wine bottle, deciding that she needed something stronger.

Fame walked over to the bar and poured a generous amount of bourbon into one of Patrick’s highball glasses. She attempted to slug it down quickly, wincing as it burned her throat. How dare Patrick send her that text, as if all they were having but a minor disagreement, and not a divorce she didn’t ask for?! By the time she’d managed to choke down all of the liquor, her cheeks were red and her head was feeling slightly fuzzy. She stumbled back to her phone on the sofa, calling Patrick quickly before she lost her nerve.

“Hello?”

“Wh-?” Fame had just been about to give Patrick a piece of her mind, to tell him what she was really thinking, how angry and betrayed and furious she was with the fact that he had left her, how much she missed his stupid, sorry ass, but the voice on the phone didn’t belong to her husband at all. “Who is this?”

“Fame! How lovely to hear your voice. We missed you dreadfully at dinner yesterday.” Fame felt her stomach sink, by some cruel luck of fate she had gotten Patrick’s mom on the phone, the woman not finding it weird at all that she had answered her adult son’s phone.

“Oh…yes, hello, Joan. How are you?” Fame tried to sound normal, choking back her tears, over-enunciating her words so as not to slur.

“And how are you coping, dear? You know, with everything??”

“… What…um…do you…?”

“Now, now, we’ve known each other a long time, Fame. Let’s not pretend. We know all about the divorce. I have friends in New York, too, you know.”

Fame could feel her heart leap into her throat.

“We’re going to make sure Patrick sues you for everything, you know.”

“… Excuse me?”

“That silly little fashion house of yours. We both know you would have never gotten it off the ground without Patrick’s help.”

“That company is my life’s work.” Fame stood up, beginning to pace the floor, anger rushing through her.

“Of course, dear heart, he won’t leave you destitute! He’s not a monster! But the days of private jets all over the world and and a bottomless hedge fund are over for you, I’m afraid. So it might be wise for you to remember where you came from, and exactly who you have to thank for your illustrious career. Goodnight, Fame. And you’d do well to leave Patrick to enjoy the rest of the holiday in peace.”

With that, silence. Fame stared at the phone, tears coursing down her cheeks. She’d always known that Patrick’s mother was capable of being cold and ruthless, but it hadn’t ever been turned on her, not like that. She tried to breathe deeply, lying down on the sofa. Charles walked over to lick her cheeks, and somehow that made everything so much worse, grief settling deep into her bones. How the fuck was she supposed to survive this?

***

COURTNEY: Ben, you know I love you, but can you please stop wearing my clothes to gigs? You’re ruining them. They don’t fit you.

BEN: Are you calling me FAT?

COURTNEY: YOU ARE A SIX FOOT TALL MAN

BEN: You rude bitch. For that I’m stealing this little silver frock with the open back…it looks better on me anyway, your chest is too flat.

COURTNEY: Ben. I’m not in the fucking mood for this.

BEN: Uh oh. Meeting the in-laws didn’t go so well?

COURTNEY: We’re on the way to the airport. I’ll tell you all about it when we get home.

BEN: That good?

COURTNEY: Have booze and chocolate ready.

BEN: #YIKES

*

ADORE: So did my sisters destroy your relationship?

COURTNEY: Funny

ADORE: Seriously. You alright?

COURTNEY: Well, let’s see. I’m apparently a gold-digging slut who’s not special enough for Bianca, not old enough to be taken seriously, and not smart enough to remember an address.

ADORE: Okay but other than that, was it fun?

COURTNEY: Super fun

ADORE: Maddie says that her classmates are gonna be soooooooo jealous. Her snap story is off the chain.

COURTNEY: I’m a big hit with the under 10 crowd.

ADORE: Know your demographics!

COURTNEY: Can we please go dancing like, the second I land?

ADORE: Sure thing, boo

***

The bar was way, way too classy.

No, calling it a bar didn’t feel right. It was a club, an exclusive jazz club in Manhattan and before going backstage, Shane already saw some people wearing actual suits, ordering 30 dollar glasses of whisky. He clutched his violin tighter in his hand, accepting any comfort he could get, but honestly wanting to just lie down and count cracks in the ceiling or obsessively wonder if the shirt he was wearing was appropriate for the setting. The worst thing was, the stage was being set for them; they were just supposed to walk out and, like professional musicians they obviously weren’t, find their way around in seconds and just start playing.

“I think this is the nicest place we’ve ever played.” Raga offered Shane a beer with a wide grin on his face. At least he was in a good mood, the words “anxiety” and “stress” being foreign to him tonight since he was way too excited by his girlfriend being back from her Japan holiday and finally supporting him during the show. Shane had expected the bar to be emptier so soon after Thanksgiving, but he hadn’t been right at all.

“It is, isn’t it? I miss Brooklyn though.” Ruby fluffed her hair up, for some mysterious reason drinking water instead of her usual beer.

There was nothing to do but sit down and wait, so Shane did, gulping down his beer and wishing it could take the edge off at least a tiny bit. He was mentally going over all the notes he was going to play when the door opened and a tall, fair haired man peeked in, smiling timidly and looking straight at Ruby.

“Max!” The girl grinned brightly, getting up in a flash and running to the boy to hang herself around his neck for a hug. “You came!”

“I asked you if I could myself, don’t you remember?” Max kissed the top of Ruby’s hair, keeping her tucked against his side as he greeted Shane and Raga. “Good luck tonight, guys. The club is already packed.

“You know I’ll only be looking at you, right?” Ruby looked up at Max with starry eyes, reaching out to run a hand against the side of his face.

“Ugh, you guys are so sickly sweet I’ll have to check my blood for diabetes tomorrow.” Raga quipped, making Ruby turn to glare at him.

“Says a guy with Evah’s lipstick all over his face.” Raga rolled his eyes, clearly not falling for Ruby’s taunting. He had only just sent his girlfriend out of the backstage area.

“Oh fuck. Are you kidding me? A little help here, guys?”

The stage call came before Shane was ready. Would he ever have been ready? Probably not.

***

“Come on, Betty, we’re gonna be late!” Violet didn’t whine, but Betty was pretty sure the woman had basically just done that, no matter how much she would later deny it.

“I have no idea why I ever said yes to going with you, it’s like the rule of the universe that it’s physically impossible to be on time when going with you!” Betty tried to avoid the mud while Violet nearly dragged her towards the entrance, their steps turning into leaps.

“You’re the one who wanted to stop for coffee.”

Betty looked down at the Starbucks cup in her hands and tossed it in the nearest trashcan, getting rid of the evidence. “And you’re the one who had me help you with your Marie Claire shit.”

“You volunteered.”

“Shut up. I can’t believe I’m going to miss the first number. Shane must be freaking out.”

Violet pulled the door to the bar open, holding it for Betty while they slipped in, looking for familiar faces around or a free table they could occupy. Betty rolling her eyes when she saw Max and Sutan sitting at a table, but they had saved a place for her, and that was all that mattered, Violet giving her boyfriend a hug and a kiss like she hadn’t seen him in months, even though Betty knew that had just driven down from Long Island together.

“Is everyone ready to get their drink on or what?”

[impulseoflife-blog1]

Temporal Rummage

Why? 

I am glad that I have a platform where I can type these three letters and scream out loud, and no one would judge me or ask me to keep it to myself or be submissive. Why should I be submissive and be subject to any atrocities? Does being a woman mean that I demean myself? 

From the moment of conception, millions of thoughts run in our society. Why a girl? How are we going to raise her up? What if she brings shame to our family?These are just some questions that I have heard over and over again. With the advent of the 21st century, I took it for granted that all of these prejudices and skepticisms would change. Little did I know that I was born into one such society till I moved to India. Personally, my life has been immensely blessed. I had the privilege of being born and raised in a country so far away, with no intervention of society. I held on to my faith and the rich Indian culture. I never knew that the system was shattered back in India. You, like me could have had a very blessed life. But, I am taking this opportunity to voice out several other souls who do not deserve this in any way, shape or form.

Womanhood is not a curse. And in a culture like ours, it is heartbreaking to see how womanhood crashes down most of the time because of ‘women’ themselves. Such an irony! I have been blessed with a wonderful family which let me take pride in my womanhood. Fortunately, I have been designed to be an empath. Fortunate I say, because I feel the pain of those who are less fortunate, and feel much privileged to voice their torment.

Men and women have been designed to complement one another, but in no way exercise power or superiority over each other. Often times, people mistake ‘respect’ for power and control that we see women submitting to the slavery that they are forced into.

My recent encounters with women in different stages of their life, stuck in the bondage, instilled in me a notion to ponder upon their unacceptable status. Beginning with being judged for being raised in a city or a certain circumstance to reasoning for her every action, women are subject to the opinion of a large mass. The people that form this society do not influence a woman for the better, rather trump her down and lead her to questioning her very existence. For understanding this, I think it would be most appropriate to walk through a journey of a woman from her teenage till her marriage.

The instant a woman attains puberty, it is the mark of a whole new life with prejudices and rules which is reinstated and passed on from generation to generation. These rules may lean towards good and bad, but the intention with which these rules are conveyed is purely out of the joy of seeing another woman in misery. Yes! “Don’t smile too much when you talk”, “Don’t touch any guy”, “Be more submissive”, “Why are you still running around like a kid?” are some of the several dialogues that you keep hearing bouncing off the walls. Overnight your life changes! I remember spending sleepless nights and praying that I had one more day to enjoy being a kid. Of course I never heard any of this from my mom, but of course our society never lets parents take charge, does it? I have always wondered if these dialogues could ever be replaced with “Be more vigilant”, “We have all been through this. And we’re here for you”. If you’re one of the lucky ones who has had a better experience, cherish the people you had and have in your life. There’s only a handful.

The next phase is adolescence, which is marked by the excitement of college life. Besides the area of study, there are several challenges that you face - making new friends and creating lasting memories. The relationships that you form here can make your or break you, since it is such a vulnerable stage of life. This stage or any stage of life, for that matter can be aptly compared to a ‘performance stage’. You perform your best to please the audience (the so called society). Any mistakes made here is always blown out of proportion. You have limited chance to learn from any of them, because by the time you learn from your mistakes you are trashed and brought down to a very belittling meaningless object. I have seen women taken advantage of, abused, manipulated and ruined. Do these women deserve to be judged? Do these women deserve to be wronged? Who are we in all this? Who are we to judge? The innate tendency of a woman would be to condemn evils and bring goodness to all. I still recall several women being blamed for mistakes that they never did. The reason being, if a man was involved, it was always a woman’s fault. This only makes me question, are men the weaker sex? Is it so hard to accept mistakes? Remember, this is indicative only of the few demeaning men that I had encountered, who are the most poisonous ‘weeds’ among the others. (Let me refer to these men and woman who cause eternal damnation on earth as ‘weeds’, for the purpose of making this more specific to those with such evil notions). So, from here you try to unload your baggage and try walking upright. It takes a lot of strength and courage to do it. What do we do when we watch inspirational stories of world leader who failed several times, but made it to the top due to persistent effort? We respect and honor them, but we don’t do it to women. Women who face these challenges and take a leap forward are often termed with offensive words and respected by a handful.

Soon after, she is displayed with the finest of jewels and clothes and adorned with sweet fragrance. Oh yes! this is how she is sold for her marriage. I was once told that being a woman was a curse and that it was a very expensive one. My father would never approve of this statement, nor will my brother, but remember I said weeds, yes one of those weeds. I was deeply affected and felt like a burden since I never felt any of this till I moved back to my own country. I also recall my father having to face people who often told him to be careful with his money since he had to marry me off. I salute my dad for responding to all of them with a smile and a few powerful words, “Such a family will never deserve my daughter”. And he remains true to those words till date. During this phase, I encountered women displayed in those art galleries with a price tag and weeds walking down the aisle picking and choosing the best price. Forgot to mention that the color of a woman’s skin was an added benefit. I saw some weeping as they were forced into getting betrothed. I saw some preparing to put up with a life that they had no clue about. I was stunned and shaken. Soon they were all sold. But nothing ends here. Here are some ‘truths’ and ‘facts’ that I had learnt from few of the ones who were subject to this kind of life. 1. “If you’re honest with your better-half about your baggage, you are assured of abuse in some way, shape or form. You are mistaken if you think trust can be built through honesty”. 2. “No matter how bad you’re tormented, put up with it, since your relatives will have to respond to the questions from the rest of the society”. 3. “As a woman, you’re considered temporary with regard to everything. Your job, friends, parents, possessions are all temporary”. 4. “Your in-laws use you to live their fairy tale”. 5. “A woman is a machine. She is meant to produce babies. The sooner she does, the better”. 6. “You can never live a fairy tale that you had dreamt of in your younger years”. Again, I think at this point it is worth mentioning that i am taking about the weeds and not everyone. Living with these truths and facts become second nature. Do any of these people take a moment to think of how sacred marriage is? Do they take one minute to realize that any major life changing decision is personal between the couple and God and none have the right to interfere whatsoever. The frustration of not being able to fulfill your purpose and live the life that you’re meant to live is a curse in itself. And it is the society and the weeds among men that impose this curse.

Faith has been my very pillar that led me to believe that there is a fairy tale that is designed for each of us and when we look up to God, we are always safely placed in the path that he has designed for us. I married into a family which believes in God and love. I have encountered God’s perfect love through the very existence of my beloved. My father proved himself right to the society which tried to bring this curse on me. I have broken through every chain that could have pulled me back into the pits and now live a life that I could have never imagined. But, through all of this, I see how rapidly empathy is growing within me. I use the strength that I have mustered up with the help of my husband, to pen these brutalities without a second thought. If you are one of the many women who go through these cruelties, it is time that you seek out God’s purpose for your life. It is imperative that we kill the weeds as and when they start blooming. I have witnessed the destruction that they can cause.

All of this only brings me to one thing. When we have an innate tendency to love and give to people, irrespective of their gender, why do we let evil creep in? Why?