#but she started using because of kristi going missing

[booasaur]

From (2022) - 2x06

[garciaasfluffypen]

i'm not stubborn

pairing: jemily x reader word count: 1.9k warnings: y/n is stubborn but doesn't want to admit it request from this ask

it had been two weeks since hotch put you on bed rest. you were going absolutely crazy. 

you, in a moment of weakness, tripped during an unsub chase and found yourself with a pretty bad sprained ankle. sure, you were able to hobble around quantico on your crutches and stay behind to help garcia, but it wasn’t the same. you loved your computer whiz of a best friend, you really did, but nothing beat being out in the field fighting bad guys in person. you hated the absolute worry that went through you every time your team went to the locations where the potential unsubs were. it bothered you that you weren’t there to help, smirking at morgan when you expertly picked a lock instead of having to kick the door down. or body blocking reid so he didn’t get hit by an unsub shoving a dresser in your direction in an effort to get away, not realizing that matt was behind him. and to be quite frank, you missed your team. 

garcia had sent you home roughly four hours ago, telling you that if she needed your expertise she would call you. you knew it was probably because the team was assisting in a raid that you longed to be there for. you had been doing what the kids these days were calling “rotting” on the couch since you got home at lunch, only getting up to weakly hobble over to the sink to place your dirty dishes inside. but you could only rot for so long before you started getting antsy. 

it was difficult without your girlfriends in the apartment with you, because at least when they were home you always had something going on in the background. it was too quiet without them here, even with dateline nbc playing over the soundbar that matt and kristy got you for a housewarming gift. for a moment you considered calling kristy to come over, but you knew her kids would be running up a storm and that it was hard for her to find last minute babysitters these days. from what you remember, the three she usually cycled through all went off to college. and if you were being honest, garcia did not have the time to vet any of the new potential people. 

with a huff you looked around the apartment, deciding now that your need to clean trumped anything else going on within your healing ankle. with a crutch tucked under one arm, you went over to the front closet where you kept all the cleaning supplies and decided that the loves of your life deserved to come home to a clean apartment. it was the least that you could do for them. they had done so much for you over the past year, it was only fair that you tried to do something nice for them before they came home. and if all went well with the raid that had happened prior to garcia sending you home, your girls would be home by dinner. 

that reminded you that you needed to pull out the chicken that you were planning on cooking for dinner tonight, and grab the pasta shape you wanted. and while you were in the kitchen you probably should unload the dishwasher and reload it with the dishes you created while the team was in maryland. which then reminded you that you were almost out of dishwasher pods, despite the fact that you used them rarely since you were out of the apartment so much for work. it was crazy how fast the little packs went away when you were stuck at home for days with no end in sight. and besides, hand washing dishes was so annoying. it was so easy to just pop them in the dishwasher and call it a day. turning around to make sure you wrote down to grab more dishwasher pods, you accidentally hit one of the potted plants with your crutch. 

cursing, you looked down to see a nice big pile of dirt where the pot had fallen over. thankfully the pot itself didn’t break, but a bunch of the dirt was now on the white marble tiles of the kitchen and emily would be really upset with you if she came home to her plant on the ground. you picked harold up as gently as possible, placing him back where he belonged next to the edge of the breakfast nook. sergio, as if sensing your distress, came and rubbed up against your ankle before deciding that was the perfect time to roll around in the dirt. tears of frustration pooled in your eyes as you used your crutch to shoo sergio away from the pile. you just wanted them to come home to a clean apartment and everything was going wrong. 

you hobbled over to the bathroom, completely forgetting everything that happened in the kitchen to turn on the water to bathe sergio. there was no way you were letting emily’s pride and joy be dirty when she got home. when the water level was enough, you went back out to the living room and grabbed one of sergio’s catnip toys, knowing it would get him into your arms within a moments notice. you squeaked it once and then again, smiling fondly at him as he hopped up into your arm. you dropped the toy, turning around and heading towards the bathroom. sergio, the smart man he is, chose that exact moment to start screaming and clawing at the crutch under your arm as he looked for his toy. 

“fucking- fuc- AAAAH!”

you threw your crutch down in fury as sergio struggled against your hold, almost as if he knew exactly where you were taking him. was it a bad idea to walk without your crutch? probably. but sergio was dirty and you needed to clean him. sure, it definitely didn’t help that you never gave him a bath before, but bathing a cat couldn’t be that hard… right? 

“ok buddy, we can do this. you’re dirty. you gotta be clean when mom comes home.” 

bending down so you were on your knees, you slowly started scooping water onto his back as he screamed the cat equivalent of bloody murder at you. scrubbing the bubbles into his coat, you slowly put him closer to the water before you heard the faint click of the front door. 

shit. 

sergio used your momentary lapse in holding him semi-tightly  to jump out of your hands, running out of the bathroom towards the sound of emily’s voice. you froze, not entirely sure how to handle the situation. they weren’t supposed to be home for at least another two hours. you thought you’d have more than enough time to finish cleaning before they came home. did hotch send them home early? 

inwardly cursing to yourself, you pushed yourself into a standing position using the edge of the tub, hobbling out into the main room. emily stared at you, a look of disappointment on her face. you couldn’t find the words to explain what was going on, instead folding yourself into a shell and hoping that she wouldn’t try to get you to say anything because if you did you most definitely would start crying. you then realized that your pants were covered in dirt and your shirt was soaked with the bath water from your attempt to bathe sergio. you shifted to your good leg, leaning up against the corner of the wall so you could take some of the pressure off your bad foot. 

“what’s the meaning of all this?” emily’s eyebrows raised. “why is sergio covered in bubbles?” 

jj walked through the door, grocery store bags in her hands. “is there a reason the vacuum is out?” 

“you’re supposed to be on bedrest.” emily let out a sigh. 

“lovey,” jj set the grocery bags down on the table. “come ‘ere, lets sit you down on the couch.” 

“‘m tired of sitting down!” you whined, accidentally stomping your bad foot in your miniature tantrum moment. “i don’t wanna sit anymore!” 

emily gave you a pointed look. “bedrest means not doing anything strenuous.” 

“i don’t wanna just sit around.” you pouted. “i wanted to do something.” 

“and i don’t really care about that.” your face fell as emily’s disappointment showed. “why were you up and moving?” 

jj sighed, coming over to stand next to emily. she had an inkling that you would be going a bit stir crazy, considering garcia told them she sent you home early. part of her wanted to go to you and just scoop you up in a hug and tell you it was okay, but the other more logical part of her knew that she couldn’t be that person right now. maybe in five minutes, but they needed to make sure you understood how important healing properly was. she knew that feeling of being cooped up all too well, and how stir crazy it made someone feel. of course, she just wanted you to feel comfortable, but she knew emily would need to be slightly disappointed in you for a few minutes before she realized what was going on. it was just the way it worked, most of the time. 

“tell me what happened.” 

you swallowed. “i wanted to clean the apartment for you so you didn’t have to do it when you got home today so i started cleaning. and then i knocked down harold by mistake and sergio started rolling around in the dirt so i wanted to clean him off and then-” 

“so you thought it was a good idea to what, walk around without your crutches?”

“it was hard, okay?” your pent up annoyance started getting to you as the tears fell from your eyes. “i didn’t want to feel useless.” 

jj automatically broke and went up to you, pulling you in for a hug. you dug your head into the crook of her neck as you let her wrap her arms around you, ultimately making it so you didn’t have to put much weight on either of your feet. you let jj scoop you up and bring you back to the couch, groceries forgotten on the table as she adjusted you both so you were on her lap. 

“it’s okay, lovey. i know. we just don’t want you to get more hurt, okay?” 

“i know.” you pouted. “i got bored. is emmy mad at me?”

jj gave emily a pointed look. “i don’t know, is emmy mad at you?” 

“no,” emily sighed as she came over to the couch. “but jj is right. we don’t want you making it worse.” 

“i was being careful. i promise.” 

“we don’t doubt that, love.” emily placed a kiss to the top of your head. “after you have your recheck next week, maybe we’ll let you do some more things, okay?” you nodded. “good.” 

“‘m sorry.”

“don’t be sorry.” jj’s hand rand through your hair. “it’s okay. do you wanna watch a movie? hotch gave us the weekend off.” 

“yes please. can we watch haunted mansion? the one with eddie murphy?”

emily chuckled. “of course we can, lovey. i’ll go get the popcorn, okay?”

“okay.” 

you smiled, snuggling back into jj’s side. your girls were back and you had them for the whole weekend? maybe it was worth it to get a little wild. 

maybe. 

[thewintersoldierdisaster]

a/n: a little festive mat fic! written fairly quickly and minimally edited, but i wanted to get something out for the holiday! not too much more to say except i hope you guys all have a wonderful holiday and i’ll be quiet for the rest of the year, writing and stockpiling fics lol

word count: 4.8k

tw: a little innuendo, nothing crazy

summary: after spending the day hanging out with the team, you have some news for mat

“The snow was a nice touch,” you grin at Holly Horvat. A light dusting of snow is falling outside, the grass in the Horvats’ backyard already white.

Holly laughs, “oh, you know me. I have a connect to make sure even the weather is perfect for our events.” She pours M&Ms into a few small ramekins that are going to be placed around the kitchen island and dining room table where the kids will be decorating gingerbread houses.

The house is bustling with people and noise and you can’t help but love it. You miss having huge family gatherings, ever since your parents moved off Long Island and down south. The rest of your family is scattered to the winds, so it’s nice to be folded into the big team family get togethers. Joining a group of women who love any excuse to throw a party has been one of the biggest benefits from your relationship with Mat.

Half a dozen kids run past you - you spot the Bailey boys and Brock’s two oldest kids in the group as they blur by - holding jackets and their sneakers. “Mini sticks is getting moved outside,” Noah grins as he breezes past you, swiping a handful of M&Ms from the little bowl.

“Stay warm,” you tease, watching him follow the kids out the back door. A parade of adult men follow him - Wahlly, Casey, Josh, Brock, and finally Mat, who stops to give your waist a little squeeze.

“Kiss for luck?” He asks, puckering his lips at you in a dramatic duck face. You giggle and plant one on him, pulling back before he can slip his tongue past your lips.

Mat leans slightly against you, his face a little flushed already from the twenty minutes of mini sticks that’s been going on in the basement. “What do you need luck for?” You ask, carding your fingers through his hair.

“Jacky’s got a wicked wrister,” Mat grins, referring to Casey’s oldest, “and no idea how to aim. Do you know how many pucks to the head I’ve dodged?”

A snort of laughter makes Mat’s lips turn down in a frown. “Oh, I guess you just don’t care about my health,” he sighs dramatically, pulling away from your side. “It’s fine. I’ll take a slap shot to the head and then you’ll see how much you miss my charming personality.”

“Dramatics,” you murmur affectionately, hooking your fingers in his belt loops. “He’s five and you guys use a Nerf ball. I think you’ll live.”

“Maaaat!” Jack comes barreling through the room and crashes into your fiancé’s legs. “C’mon! Everybody’s outside.” The little boy looks adorable in his puffer coat, a little beanie pulled haphazardly over his blonde hair. He wrinkles his face up at Mat in an impatient frown and you can’t help but egg him on.

“Yeah, Mat,” you prod him in the side, looking innocent, “everyone’s outside already.”

He rolls his eyes at you, but grins down at Jack and swoops him into his arms, making Jack shriek with laughter. You prop your chin in the palm of your hand and watch Mat tickle Jack’s belly while he carries him outside. Jack’s little sneakered feet are kicking in the air, narrowly avoiding Mat’s head.

“He’s really good with the kids,” Kristy Cizikas comments, coming into the kitchen with baby Cole propped on her hip.

You scrunch up your face at Cole to make him laugh, “it’s because he’s a big kid himself, right Coley? Huh? Is Matty a big kid?” You giggle at your own baby talk and warmth blooms in your chest when you’re rewarded with a gummy baby smile. “Ooh, you make cute babies,” you tell Kristy.

She shakes her head affectionately, “I swear, they’re all Casey. It’s like my genes didn’t even try.”

“Hey, in like six months you and Mat can start catching up to the rest of us,” Sydney Martin teases, easily passing Alice to you when you reach out for the one-year-old. Alice immediately grabs a chunk of your hair and you wince, untangling chubby fingers from the strands.

You hum noncommittally as you work. “We’ll see what happens,” you shrug. “Might be nice to just be the two of us for a bit.”

“But don’t you want that all the time?” Syd laughs, gesturing to you now that Alice’s fingers are hooked in your mouth. You pretend to nibble on them, making her shriek with laughter. She finishes helping Holly set out the candy, knowing the rest of the kids will start wandering their way into the kitchen.

“One day, definitely,” you nod, settling Alice more securely on your lap, one arm looped around her stomach. The little girl slaps her palms happily on the countertop and you giggle, resting your chin on her head. “No rush though.”

As you settle at the table with the kids, the other guys trail in and out of the backyard, the noise of mini sticks floating inside.

You get to be in charge of Alice during decorating, sitting in between Syd with Winnie and Ashlee with Luca while the kids decorate their pre-made houses. You squirt a line of frosting onto the roof and Alice uses her little pincer grip to place M&Ms on the line. “Oh, good job,” you tell her in a bright, encouraging voice. She rewards you with a half melted piece of candy smushed against your cheek.

“Mommy,” Winnie’s little voice pipes up, “Ali’s makin’ a mess.”

“So are you, Win,” Sydney laughs, wiping up a smudge of frosting off of Winnie’s sweater. “Everyone is going to make a little bit of a mess and that’s okay.”

From your spot at the island, you can see right out the back door and you watch the mini sticks tournament that’s happening. Kids versus adults and honestly, it looks like the adults are having a rough go of it. Mat’s on the ground, a pile of children fighting him. Whally has Cal’s oldest on his shoulders and you honestly wonder how that ended up happening. Sticks have been discarded and the Nerf pucks are strewn around. You watch Casey pull Jack out of the pile on top of Mat, his little arms and legs kicking. From the ground, Mat jokingly sticks his tongue out at Jack and you shake your head. Of course he has beef with a five-year-old.

Bo and Gunnar join the fun outside and Mat slaps the little boy’s hand in a high-five. Your stomach swoops a little. It’s always such a turn-on when Mat interacts with kids, but it’s a little different now.

Alice pats your hand and grumbles a little. “Whoops, sorry, Al,” you squeeze more frosting onto the house for her to decorate.

“Distracted?” Ashlee asks, pulling Luca’s frosting covered hand away from his hair. She wipes his fingers off with a napkin and gives him a pretzel to stick onto his little house. She pops another pretzel into her own mouth.

You hum. “Just making sure he’s not being totally steamrolled by a pack of kids,” you laugh lightly. While Alice works on the roof of her house, you put a few Starburts in place to act as a little pathway going to the door.

In the backyard, Mat stands up, Mack and Wyatt Bailey hanging from each arm. He shakes them gently and you can see both boys’ heads fall back with wild laughter. Meg looks up from where she’s helping Blake with a pattern of Smarties on her roof. “Honestly, if he wasn’t busy with, you know, his actual job,” she laughs, “I’d hire him as a babysitter. The kids loved when he lived with us.”

The entire kitchen of women laugh when the back door slides open and Mat steps back inside, shaking melted snow from his short hair. He stops and looks up, scanning the room full of laughing women. “What?” He asks, eyebrows drawn together. “I interrupt something? Want me to leave so you ladies can keep talking about me?” He laughs brightly, flashing his teeth.

“You can stay,” you offer generously, tilting your head up as he passes for a kiss. Mat’s hand is freezing when it cups your jaw and you flinch a little. He mumbles a ‘sorry’ against your lips before kissing them. When he pulls away, to a soundtrack of ‘awww’s from the women and a joking ‘get a room’ from Sydney, you continue, “but you have to take orders from toddlers, if you do.”

“Like I’m not already doing that,” he laughs, swiping a thumb over your cheekbone and sucking it into his mouth. “Frosting,” he explains, smirking. Your cheeks flush.

Winnie stands up on her chair and leans into you, poking at your cheek with her fingers. “Red, I wanna be red!” She bounces a little and looks over at Mat who scrunches up his whole face at her and tickles her sides, making her shriek with laughter and flop back into Sydney’s arms.

Sydney laughs and tickles Winnie’s side, “girlfriend, you’re collecting boyfriends around here like they’re Pokémon cards.”

Satisfied by the chaos he caused, Mat backs into the hallway, explaining, “I was sent to get more jackets and gloves and sh-stuff,” he course-corrects before letting the curse slip. “It’s freezing out there.”

He’s gone, rummaging through the massive hall closet, before reappearing wearing his own coat and holding an armful of the other guys’ outerwear.

“Who’s winning?” Holly teases, while you all watch Mat struggle to pull a beanie on without dropping anything. He fails spectacularly and gives up when he realizes that everything’s slowly falling to the floor.

Mat scoffs. “The kids, obviously. They’re unhinged,” he grins widely and you can tell he’s having a blast. There’s a chorus of his name being shouted from outside and Mat scoops up the dropped outerwear before dashing off to rejoin the fun.

Sydney leans in and nudges your side gently. “He’s going to be a great dad,” she whispers, smiling knowingly.

You chew at the inside of your cheek and manage a barely convincing smile. “One day, definitely,” you reply, holding an Oreo for Alice to chew at.

She shoots you a little side eyed look and you studiously ignore her, focusing on telling Reese Cizikas how great her house looks. Things start to get messy - well, messier - after a while and the kids get antsy until they’re turned loose from the table to run off around the house. While you clean up the candy, the guys come back inside with the older kids and you can’t help but laugh at how the three youngest men, including your fiancé, have kids hanging off of them.

“If you kids let go of the guys,” Holly says warmly, “I’ll pass around some hot chocolate.”

It’s a mad scramble for the kids to abandon Mat, Noah, and Oliver - and they actually look mildly offended when the kids just toss their jackets back at them in their dash for hot chocolate. You take some of the gear from Mat and lean up on your toes to kiss his cheek, “don’t look so sad, you can have another play date with your friends soon.”

“Menace,” Mat grins, reaching around to pinch at your ass.

“I’ll text Kristy,” you giggle, continuing the joke, “Jack can come over and beat you at mini sticks again.”

“I’m gonna toss your phone into the ocean,” Mat deadpans.

You lower your voice and lean closer to him to whisper, “how will I send all those pictures you like?”

“You can keep the phone,” Mat replies immediately and you laugh, tugging at the open edges of his jacket. He pulls you close and you wrap one arm around his waist, his body warm even though his hands and face are cold. You bury your face in his chest and stifle a yawn. Mat’s hand is warming your back where he rubs it up and down your spine. “Still feeling gross after that bug?”

“Not gross,” you tilt your head to look up at him, still cuddled against his chest, “just tired. Haven’t been sleeping well.”

“We can head home, if you want,” Mat offers, but you shake your head again. You like it when the whole group is together and you want to keep enjoying the time with your friends.

You pull back slightly from Mat’s arms, his hands still resting on your back. “I just need a little bit of sugar and I’ll be good to go,” you smile at him. His eyes twinkle before he leans down and plants a smacking, dramatic kiss on your lips.

“Good to go?” He teases when he pulls back.

“Not that kind of sugar,” you giggle, delighted by him always.

“You guys are disgustingly cute,” Ashlee says, breaking into the Mat Barzal bubble that you’ve been enveloped in for the last few minutes. You startle a little and some of the other wives laugh.

“Oh god, she forgot we’re even here,” Sydney shakes her head, an exaggerated frown on her lips.

Meg smirks, “thank god we interrupted them before it went too far.”

Your cheeks are warm from the teasing and Mat just turns on the charm, grinning widely at his teammates’ wives. “It’s all part of the Barzal charm,” he wiggles his eyebrows.

“What charm?” Bo chirps, coming into the kitchen with Tulsa on his hip. “All you’re good at is league mandated iPad time.”

“Don’t forget all the time he spends sitting on his ass on the ice,” Noah grins wickedly.

“Tell us,” Casey asks you, “is it part of his charm when he messes up common sayings?”

You giggle, sucking your lips into your mouth when Mat glares down at you.

“You guys suck,” Mat flips them off, immediately apologizing when he realizes some of the kids are still in the room. “Sorry, Holly, Meg.”

They waive off his apologies, sending him into the den with a tray of snacks for the kids. They’re watching a movie, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer if the familiar music is to be believed, and you know half the dads are also in the den, napping on the couches. Mat disappears for a while too and you leave him to the movie, knowing he’s exhausted. You get to hang out with the girls for a few more hours, interspersed with hugs and drawings from Gunnar and Winnie, before the party starts to break up.

Everyone’s gone slowly and then all at once, and you and Mat are walking the three blocks towards your house. He bumps your hip with his as you walk, his fingers laced with yours. “You coming to the game tomorrow?” He asks, getting a sense of what the week ahead will look like.

“Mhm,” you hum, “I’m going to go with Syd, so I’m not sure if I’ll end up staying the whole game. So make sure you do all the good stuff in the first.”

Mat bumps your hip again and you laugh, the sound echoing in the cold air. “I save all my best stuff for you,” he retorts, unlocking the front door and letting you step inside before him. He winks at you, his entire face scrunching up in his terrible attempt.

You scoff at him and flip the switches to turn on the Christmas lights, bathing the whole house in the warm glow of multi-colored string lights. You sigh happily, loving the over the top decorations you’d insisted on and the way the entire house smells like pine and cinnamon from diffusers and candles left open but unlit. Mat crowds your space and kisses the back of your neck.

“Couch time?” He mumbles against your skin.

“Couch time,” you agree, muffling another yawn.

You race to the bedroom, changing out of your clothes as quick as possible to get into comfy sweats and sweatshirts. Mat tosses a pillow at your face to distract you, but you swat it out of the air, nearly getting your foot stuck in the leg of your sweats.

“You like when I’m a weighted blanket,” Mat says, voice muffled by the sweatshirt he’s pulling over his head. “Why are you racing me to be on top?”

You don’t waste time pulling on your sweatshirt in the room and instead dart back out to the hallway and skip down the stairs, flopping onto the couch in just your sweats, completely topless. Mat’s hot on your heels and grumbles when he sees you yanking the fabric over your head. Smugly, you reply, “I don’t wanna be squished today. I want to use you as a body pillow.”

He submits to his fate and flops down onto the couch, oversized enough that the two of you could lay side by side and be comfortable, and opens his arms for you to crawl onto his chest. The both of you love the soft pressure of the other person laying on top of them so you’ve had to come up with a contest over the course of your relationship - first person on the couch gets to be on top. More often than not, you end up sprawled over Mat since it’s an easy way to transition into couch sex.

Now, you’re so tired you definitely will be keeping all of your clothes on. But you hum happily when you settle on top of him, your knees tucked nicely against either side of his hips, straddling his lap. When you curl up against his chest, your lower back stretches pleasantly and you wiggle a little, wrapping your arms around his torso and tucking your head under his chin. Mat’s arms wrap around you, one hand covering the back of your head so his fingertips can stroke against the shell of your ear.

He pulls the decorative blanket off the back of the couch with his other hand and arranges it over your bodies, making sure his feet stick out on the end so he doesn’t overheat. “You good?” He asks, his jaw bumping against the top of your head when he speaks. You nod against him and close your eyes, settling into his warmth. Mat turns on the TV, flipping it to ESPN before letting his hand rest low on the curve of your back, fingers grazing the top of your ass.

Mat’s heart beats steadily under your cheek and his hand is warm where it rests on your head. Couch time is exactly what you needed today. Your eyelids flutter shut every so often and you must fall asleep for a little nap because the next thing you know, it’s darker outside and Mat is running his thumb over your cheekbone.

“Hey,” he whispers and you lift your head to look at him blearily, momentarily confused.

“Hi,” you mumble sleepily, brushing your nose against his chin. “What time’s it?”

“Just after 4:30,” he replies and now the TV’s playing a rerun of The Office. He chuckles at a joke and rubs his fingertips against your scalp in a little massage. “You’ve been out for like forty-five minutes and I would’ve let you sleep, but I’m starving.”

Your heart skips a beat and you’re fully awake now. “Oh, same,” you say casually, rolling off of Mat and tucking yourself against his side. “I actually would love a piece of that gingerbread house that I ordered.”

“Gingerbread house?” Mat raises an eyebrow. “When’d you get that?”

“It was delivered the other day,” you explain. “I wanted something cute for our first engaged Christmas.”

Mat sits up, taking you with him and you wiggle around so you’re sitting cross-legged on the couch, facing him. “I totally forgot to show it to you,” you shrug, proud of yourself for being so normal. “But why don’t you go take a look and bring me back a piece?”

“Yeah, okay,” Mat shrugs, scratching your scalp once before getting up. “Dessert before dinner usually means eating you out, but gingerbread is cool too.”

He says it so casually that you don’t really process what he says until he’s already in the kitchen. You bounce up on your knees to look at him over the back of the couch, yelping his name when it finally sinks in. He’s laughing as he pulls the new box down from where it’s been sitting on top of the fridge. “Took you long enough,” he laughs, popping the top of the white cardboard. “That nap really must’ve taken it out of you.”

You scowl at him but don’t reply, anxiously waiting to see his reaction to the gingerbread house. He pulls it out of the box and his lips quirk up in a little smile. “It’s cute,” he says, looking at the house, professionally decorated. “Way better than the ones the kids made today.”

A laugh works its way out of your mouth as he studies it, taking in the details. “Huh,” he mutters, more to himself than anything else, “three people. Must’ve read your order wrong, Squeaks.”

“Oh?” You breathe. “There were supposed to be me and you…” You trail off.

“Yeah, they’re here,” Mat reads the little names iced onto the gingerbread people. “There’s you and Mat and…” he falters, squinting at the third figure, bringing it closer to his face, “Baby B?”

He looks over at you, forehead creased and eyebrows drawn together over his nose. “Baby B?” He repeats the question and you smile carefully at him, hand sliding across the back of the couch so your fingertips rest on your stomach.

“Baby B,” you confirm shakily. Tears well at your lower lash line and you watch Mat for his reaction.

He blinks at you, eyes darting between your face, your stomach, and the gingerbread figure held in his hand. “Wait? Seriously?” He sounds dazed and you can’t blame him. You were freaked out when you took the test a week and a half ago. It’s been the hardest secret you’ve ever had to keep. “You’re…there’s a baby?” His eyes are wide and his jaw hangs open a little.

You nod. “It’s, um, been hanging out for like six-ish, seven weeks,” you whisper, flattening your hand over your stomach. Mat’s eyes track your movement and he exhales a shaky breath.

Mat breathes your name and crosses the room in a few large strides. He cups your cheeks in his hands and studies your face, wiping at the tears that drip from your eyes. “Hey, c’mon, why’re you crying?” He asks, panic edging his tone.

“I know it’s earlier than we planned,” you shrug, “I’m going to be insanely pregnant at the wedding. We won’t get to be, like, newlyweds at all and the honeymoon’s going to have to change or be cancelled altogether.” You ramble on, all of your stress releasing in run-on sentences. You already love the baby, but getting pregnant before the wedding definitely wasn’t the plan.

Mat chuckles a little and you realize it sounds a little watery, like he’s trying to hold back his own emotion. “We’ll figure it out,” he says gently, squatting down so he’s closer to your eye level. “I’m gonna be a dad?”

“Yeah,” you confirm again. “Are you freaking out? Because I’m freaking out.”

“I’m definitely freaking out,” Mat confirms on a hysterical little laugh. His fingers tremble a little against your cheeks. “But it’s a good thing, right? Like, we’re gonna make the coolest babies.”

You nod. “They’re going to have amazing hair,” you giggle wetly.

Mat leans forward to kiss you softly, tasting the tears on your lips. When he pulls back, he rests his forehead against yours, quietly breathing with you. “That, uh, wasn’t a stomach bug last week, was it?”

“No,” you shake your head against his. “I’ve had some pretty aggressive mid-morning sickness this past week.”

“How the hell did I miss that?” He asks and it’s mostly rhetorical because Mat is not the most observant of men on a good day, let alone during a week and a half period where they’re playing a game every other day.

You lean back and tap at your stomach with your fingers, “baby’s already pretty good about not inconveniencing you. It was bad after you’d already left for practice.”

“I kind of can’t believe our baby’s in there,” Mat says, looking down at your stomach. His hands fall to the back of the couch and his fingers twitch, like he wants to reach out and touch you, but he doesn’t.

“Me either,” you admit. “And I’ve had a week to get used to the idea.”

“Shit, Squeaks,” he shakes his head again, a little smile playing on his lips, “a baby. We’re gonna be in charge of a real baby.”

Your answering laugh is a little hysterical. You’re obviously not the first of your friends to have a baby, but it feels insane that you’re here, especially before the wedding. Your parents are going to be so annoyed. “Good thing we have friends who know what they’re doing,” you murmur, covering Mat’s hands with yours and lacing your fingers together. You look at your joined fingers and your heart lurches in your chest. Quietly, you ask him, “we’re going to be good at this, right?”

“Hell if I know,” Mat admits. You frown at him - that was less than reassuring, but at least he’s honest. He jolts a little, his eyebrows lifting into his hairline, and you cock your head at him in a silent question. “I realized,” he says, a little sheepishly, “that I never said I was happy about this, but I am. I’m excited, scared as shit, but excited.”

“Me too,” you let loose a relieved laugh. You hadn’t realized how much you needed to hear Mat say he was happy about the baby. It’s been a weight on your shoulders ever since that positive pink line appeared on the test. “Um, there is one thing you could do for me right now though.”

Mat perks up and nods, “yeah, whatever you need, babe. You’re going to be so sick of me and how attentive I’ll be.”

You have no doubt about that, but for now - “can you get me a piece of that gingerbread? I’ve been craving it since the stupid thing was delivered yesterday.”

Mat laughs and stands up to retrieve the cookie, much to your delight. It’s been taunting you for more than twenty-four hours now and you nibble at the gingerbread version of yourself happily. Mat flops down onto the couch next to you and you tuck yourself up against his side. His hand absently runs up and down your arm, his eyes focused in the direction of the TV, but not actually paying attention.

You’re quiet at his side, knowing he needs to process the news. You were lucky in that you were alone when you found out so you could freak out without Mat seeing just how scared you were. Now that it’s been a week of knowing and Mat’s reaction wasn’t a total meltdown, you can relax a little, even start to get excited about having a little summer baby. Mat will get to spend time with you and the baby since you’re due in late August, by your admittedly shaky math.

Subconsciously, Mat’s hand wanders down your side, splaying on your waist, fingers stretching to cover part of your stomach. He rubs his thumb against your ribs and a little huff of disbelief leaves his throat. “Too bad you’re not due before the wedding,” he says, looking down at you with a little smile, “she could’ve been in the wedding, like Gracie at Bearsy’s wedding.”

Your throat clogs with emotion, thinking of your baby being at the wedding, and you bury your face in Mat’s side so he can’t see how tears well up in your eyes again. “You can’t say cute shit like that to me right now,” you mumble, “my hormones are in overdrive.”

Mat pulls you onto his lap so you’re straddling his thighs. He kisses the corner of your mouth and you sigh, resting your arms on his shoulders. “Let me know when I can start saying cute shit,” his grin is shit-eating, “because I just realized that there’s a chance we could put the baby in the Cup this summer.”

“Gotta win it first,” you counter, teasing him. He rolls his eyes and lets his hands drift over your stomach, broad palms covering the expanse of the still flat area.

“Got a new motivation now,” Mat replies and even though he still looks stunned, you can see how excited he’s getting about the baby.

You look down at where his hands cover your stomach and it’s all too easy to picture his hands holding a newborn baby with his eyes and your nose, a little shock of Mat’s dark hair on its head.

You can’t wait.

[futfemfantasies]

“She’s my daughter too!” - Alex Morgan x reader

“That’s the problem, I don’t think Charlie has ever seen me play for my national team” You take a breath as you fight back tears and loosen you hand around your phone.

“You know I want her with me and the girls” You faintly hear the room door open and close due to being on the balcony. You turn around and see your roommate Steph and best friends Mackenzie (Macca), Caitlin and Alanna.

“She’s my daughter too! My name is on the birth certificate just as much as yours. Hell, she has my last name. I think you forget that sometimes she’s mine too”

Too angry to hear your wife, you hang up and sit on one of the plastic chairs. You don’t see it but your friends give each other a look and Steph decides to go out and comfort you. You breakdown in her arms and the rest come out for support.

“Why d-doesn’t she trust me w-with Charlie?” You ask your friends with bloodshot eyes.

“We aren’t sure what’s going on y/n/n but we all know one thing, you are an amazing mum. Nothing is going to change that” Alanna mentions, putting a hand on your knee.

“Thanks Lanz”

Macca offers to join the four of your friends for a walk and maybe some ice-cream on the way back from the place downstairs. You respectfully decline and the girls leave, giving you a tight hug each. You decide to have a long, hot shower before cuddling up in bed for a quick nap before dinner.

On the other side of the globe, Charlie had woken up hearing your voice on the call. She then proceeded to start crying because she couldn’t see you in the room. Charlie looked everywhere and in all the drawers and cupboards she could open and still nothing. While this was happening, Alex slipped on one of your Matilda’s hoodies and moved to scoop Charlie into her arms.

“Smell like mama” Charlie mumbles into Alex’s neck.

“We can call her later if you want baby” Charlie’s eyes light up and a wide smile spreads across her face.

The pair get ready before going downstairs for breakfast with the team. Alex walks into the meal room with Charlie on her hip, scrunching the yellow, green and grey material tightly in her small hands. Kelley catches sight of the mixed matched outfit and is about to say something before Alex gives her a stern glare. Alex grabs her vegan breakfast and some pancakes for Charlie before sitting with Kelley, Sonnett, Lindsey and Kristie.

“You ditching us for the girls down under Al?” Kelley teases.

“Never. Charlie’s missing y/n and she stopped crying when she had this so” Alex shrugs.

“I think Sam was saying she hasn’t seen Charlie since she could just walk” Kristie mentions earning a slight nudge, as to tell her to shut up.

Alex begins to think how long ago that was and it was at least a year ago, if not more. Alex realises what she’s don’t and she feels sick to her stomach. She pulls Charlie off her lap before taking the hoodie off and giving it to her. Alex grabbed her phone and moved to the side of the room before making a call.

You finish dinner when you see your phone ring from beside your plate. The photo of you and Alex on the beach pops up and you know she’s FaceTiming you. You decide to ignore it for now and call Alex back later. After a quick talk from the manager, you were all allowed a free night. Steph informs you she’s having a movie night with Caitlin and a few others if you wanted to join. You decline as you have to call Alex back.

You eventually get back to your room and you flop on the bed. You press the FaceTime button and put your arm behind you, slightly flexing your tattoo sleeve and muscles.

“Hey ba- oh my god” You laugh and take a screenshot of Alex’s face.

“What’s up Al?”

“I’m sorry for everything. I don’t mean to keep Charlie with me all the time. I’m just so used to you being here with the Wave. I didn’t give it a second thought. I’m really sorry baby”

“Hmm, it might take a little more than that” Alex rolls her eyes and calls Charlie over. She flips the camera and Charlie races over to Alex, as fast as her little legs can take her. You see something in Charlie’s hands and notice it’s your Matildas hoodie.

“She wouldn’t stop crying until I wore it” Alex mentions.

You talk with Charlie and Alex for a few hours until Steph came back in the room. You all talk for a little while longer until you and Steph both yawned.

“Mama and Aunt Steffy go to sleep now?” You looked at the time and realised you all talked for the last 2 hours or so.

“I have to go bubs so I can be ready for my game tomorrow”

“Okay mama. You call before play?”

“Of course I will. Te amo mucho princesa” Alex smiles at the interaction out of cameras sight.

“Te amo Mamá. Bye Aunt Steffy! Love you”

“See you soon baby girl, I love you too” Steph gets up from you bed and mentions she’s having a shower.

“I love you baby. I’m going to make it up to you both when you get home” Alex promises.

“Can’t wait my love”

You end the call and look up at the ceiling with a smile on your face. When Steph comes out of the bathroom, you two wind down before eventually going to sleep.

You finish the Cup of Nations on a high. You not only win the entire cup but get Player of the Tournament and the golden boot after scoring 7 goals in 3 games. You pack your suitcase and put your trophies plus your winners medal safely between clothes. You go down to the lobby and see most of the team there as some as staying behind to see family. Since it’s late at night, the bus to the airport is quite and most people are exhausted from the last 10 days.

After check in, customs and security lines, you and Emily arrive at your gate with 10 minutes to spare. You put your bag in the overhead and get comfortable in the seat. You pull out your phone to send Alex a quick text.

Hola mi amor, I’m finally on my way home. See you and princesa very soon. I love you Ale xoxo

See you soon baby x We can’t wait to see you

A short 18 hours later, you land and feel more tired than before the plane ride. After leaving the plane and getting your suitcase from the carousel, you text Alex to see where she is since Emily already left with her girlfriend.

Hey babe, I’m in the arrivals part. Where are you two?

Turn around x

You follow Alex’s instruction and you see Charlie running towards you. You meet her half way and lift her up in the air before you give her the tightest hug. You don’t realise you’re crying until you feel someone wipe your tears from your cheeks. You open your eyes and see Alex looking at you with sad eyes and a pout sporting her lips.

“No cuddles for me?”

“There’s always cuddles for you my love” You move Charlie to your hip and kiss Alex softly before giving her a hug.

“Let’s get you home”

Alex takes your luggage from beside you and you carry Charlie out to the car. You buckle Charlie in when she immediately grabs your hand tightly.

“Sit with me Mama” You nod and move around to the other side to put your seatbelt on.

The whole journey home consists of you holding Charlie’s hands and you both falling asleep. Alex stops at a red light and asks you a questions and when she doesn’t get a response, she turns around and sees you two cuddled up together. She takes a quick photo before driving the rest of the way home. Alex parks the car in the garage and goes to unbuckle Charlie when you tighten your arm around Charlie protectively.

“Hey, babe it’s just me” Alex reassures you.

“I’ll get her Al”

Alex gets your bag and starts going inside the house. You walk around to Charlie’s side and lift the toddler out of the car seat.

“We home Mama?”

“Yeah baby, we’re home”

You walk into the house with a half asleep Charlie resting on your shoulder, when you feel your shirt getting wet. You calm Charlie down before asking what’s wrong.

“What’s wrong bubs?”

“Missed you Mama” You pout and kiss her temple.

“I’m not going anywhere for a long time baby. I’m staying right here”

y/ninstagram story

[horeformilfs]

Breathe

Cate Blanchett x Fem!Reader

TW: Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Panic Attack

------------------------------------------

You and Cate had been dating for about six months and you have never been happier. You never told her about your social anxiety because you didn't want to burden her with your problems. You always felt like you were holding her back, that she could be doing more but instead she was helping you. You had gotten away with not going to any movie premieres with her because you always told her that your had work that needed to be finished or that you were not feeling well enough to go.

Cate had just finished filming Ocean's Eight and the premiere was tonight. You knew that she was going to start getting ready to go and you were still in your office on the other side of the house. You had finished your work for the day hours ago but told Cate that you had to catch up on other patient files. You hear a knock at the door to your office door and turn to see who is it. "Come in." You say quietly as you turn to see cate walk in. "Y/N darling we need to start getting ready to go." She says as she come and puts her hands on your shoulders. "I know, I just have so much more work to do. I got three new patients today, and need to look over their files." You say as you turn back to your desk. "Y/N, you said that you would come with me to this premiere, you have missed the last few." She says as she turns you back around to face her. "I know and I'm sorry I have missed them but I'm just so busy with work right now, and you know I don't like those types of things. "I know darling but Helena, Sarah, and I were hoping that you would be coming, you could just sit with us. Nothing too drastic" She says. "Alright, I will come but I don't even have an outfit." You say and she just smiles at you. "I knew that you would say that so I had one put together for you. Now come with me." She says as she takes your had and walks out of your office with you closing the door behind both of you.

You both make it to the main floor of the house and see Cate's team there ready to help you both with your hair, make up, and outfits. "Y/N these are my stylists they are some of the best." She says. "Ladies this is my girlfriend Y/N." You give them a small but nervous smile. "Both of your outfits are in your room Cate, I will be outside the door if you need any help. My name is Anna by the way. The blonde is Kristie and The one setting up the makeup is Alissa." She says to you. "It's nice to meet you all." You say to them. You both make your way into your bedroom and see two bags one with Cate's name and one with yours. You take yours and go into the bathroom. "Y/N I'm ready you can come out whenever." You hear Cate say through the door. As soon as you walk out Cate's jaw is on the floor. "Y/N oh my god you look amazing." She says. You took up at Cate and see she is wearing a blue suit with a white blouse and black heels. "You look amazing as well love." You say. Once you both are done with hair and makeup you leave the house and get into the car and leave for the premier.

---

Once you get there you start to get even more nervous, there a photographers and reporters waiting for you and Cate to get out of the car. You look to Cate and see her smiling at you. You push back your feeling of anxiety and smile back at her. "Are you ready darling?" She asks looking at you. You nod your head and she lets the driver know that you are ready to get out. Cate steps out first and puts her hand out to help you out of the car. You hesitantly give her your hand hoping that she won't notice it shaking. Once you are out of the car you plaster on a smile and wrap your arm around Cate. You both make your way to the red carpet stopping to take pictures and talk with reporters. Once you have gotten through it, you make your way into the venue and find your way to the rest of the cast members. You hug each of them and sit down at the table and start to talk. 

"So Y/N how have you been?" Helena asks. "Cate said that you have been super busy and that's why you haven't been able to come to these events." Says Sarah. "Oh yeah, I have been super busy with work, I just got more patients so work has been piling up." "What is it that you do again?" Sandra asks looking at you. "Oh I'm a clinical psychologists, but I mainly work with teens." You say giving her a shy smile. You and the rest of the cast keep talking while the movie is playing, seeing as most of them didn't like watching themselves. You had been feeling relaxed but once everything started to slow down and the adrenaline had died down you started to feel nervous again. Your palms became really clammy and you started to shake. No one was really paying attention besides Helena who was sitting next to you. Cate had just walked away to talk to the director and you didn't see where she had gone. You quickly get up making everyone else at the table turn to face you. "Are you okay Y/N?" You hear Sarah's voice but your mind is so clouded that you can't really focus on her. "Umm y-yeah I'm fine, I just need some air." You says not very convincingly. You can see that Helena doesn't believe what you are saying but you don't stop to talk with her, you can hear her following you from the sound of her heals. 

Once you make your way out of the main room you frantically look around to see if you can find Cate but you come up empty. You see the bathroom and quickly make you way into it. It is a fairly large bathroom with a separate lounge room. You close the door and stand in the middle of the room not knowing what to do as Helena comes in behind you. "Y/N are you okay? What's going on?" She asks as she makes her way in front of you. "I-I can't umm, there are too many people. I can't find Cate." You were trying to explain what was happening but you couldn't calm down. "I'm going to get Cate, I saw her talking, I will be right back." You nod your head as she leaves. 

A few minutes late she comes back with Cate right behind her. "Y/N darling what's going on?" She asks as she guides you to a couch against the wall. You tried to talk but your breathing was out of control. "Okay Y/n I need you to call down for me alright? Now I want you to tell me five things you see." You nod to her and list off the first five things you see. Her, Helena, the door and two different paintings. "Alright now I want you to tell me two things you hear." You tell her that you can hear her voice and the movie playing in the other room. You breathing was starting to slow down and you were feeling calmer. "Okay now tell me something you can smell." She says holding you hand. You immediately wrap your arms around her waist and bury you head in the crook of her neck. "Your perfume, I love the way it smells, it always calms me down." You tell her with a smile on your face. She gently smiles back at you and hugs you. "Are you okay? Can you tell me what happened?" She asks. You nod your head and pull away from her. "I was diagnosed with anxiety when I was a teenager over the years I have gotten better at coping with it but when I'm around a lot of people it gets out of control sometimes. I panic and it's really hard for me to be able to calm myself back down." You explain looking down at your hands. She gently lift your head and your eyes meet hers.

"Why didn't you tell me before? Is this why you never came to any of these events?" "I didn't tell you because I didn't want to bother you with it, I mean I'm a psychologist for gods sake, I would think that after going to school and helping all of my patients that I would know how to use the coping skills." You say.

"You know that it's okay to ask for help and to need it once in a while? Right?" Helena asks as she take a seat across from you and Cate. "I know I just feel like I should be able to do this." You say. "I get it, and these things are not even that fun. Helena and I were thinking that some of us could leave early and we could order food and have a girls night. What do you think?" Cate asks as she looks at you.

You nod your head quickly in agreement earning a laugh from both of the actresses. "Who would be coming?" You asks. "We would go back to mine. I would probably just be me, Cate, you, Sarah and Sandra." Helena says. You nod your head and stand up with Cate.

"Alright let's go let the others know, but promise me Y/N, if you ever feel like this again to come to me or any of the other girls, they would be happy to help you." You turn to Cate and give her a hug. "I promise." 

[revisitingstoneybrook]

#44 Dawn and the Big Sleepover: Chapter 5

It's OMGEMERGENCYMEETING time! Will Kristy steal credit for Dawn's Great Idea?

At the OMGEMERGENCYMEETING, Dawn's fears are put to rest, as Kristy does the unthinkable and lets Dawn explain the project. When Dawn's finished, Mallory says she votes yes to go along with it, and Claudia chimes in too. But Miss Napoleon Complex quiets them down and says they must make a motion to put the project to a vote. 

The BSC uses Robert's Rules? You're a babysitting club, not a deliberative assembly! Shut up, Kristy. You too, Mallory, for even bringing up the topic of voting in the first place. I'm surprised Kristy isn't making sure they have a quorum (they do, btw).

Claudia complains that Kristy's being a domineering bitch (well, not in that language, or else Kristy would chop off her side ponytail), but Kristy ignores her and demands she be specific about what she's motioning to put to vote. Sure thing, Your Highness! Claudia motions for them to vote about whether they should help out Dawn, and Mary Anne seconds, because she's Kristy's little yes-girl. Kristy asks who's in favor and obviously, everyone's hand shoots up. It's unanimous! Don't ask Claudia to spell "unanimous."

Dawn says she'll tell Ms. Besser the good news, and Mallory will enlist the Pike Army to tell their teachers and friends. But that isn't enough for Kristy! I don't know...the Pike Army is awfully big! Dawn suggests making a flyer, and Claudia immediately volunteers herself for the job, grabbing a pad of paper to sketch it out. And no one stops her. Haven't these girls learned anything about NOT LETTING CLAUDIA DO ANYTHING INVOLVING WRITING?! They're going to end up with this: "The BSC is haveing a projekt project prajekkct to help the Zooni Kids in New Meksico. We're coleckting foode, clothing, and money! Please help by donateing! Thank yoo!"

They decide they'll do a door-to-door collection of non-perishable food and clean clothing. And Dawn volunteers her barn as a drop-off location for everything. Damn, that barn gets so much use, thanks to the BSC! Though...wouldn't the logical thing be to drop off the donations at the school? It would probably be more convenient for the kids. Whenever my school did a food or toy drive growing up, we'd bring the stuff to school with us. The BSC, of course, doesn't think about this. They're the ones in charge dammit, not the teachers! Claudia pencils the barn into the flyer, though knowing her, she probably wrote "Bring the donayshuns donnait donayysh stuf to Dawn's barnn."

Then Mallory gets a Great Idea. Damn Kristy, you're losing your touch! Mallory thinks they should give prizes or awards out, to get the kids really excited about the project. Mary Anne adds that they should have a big party for everyone who participates, because it's wrong to instill a sense of competition in children, Mallory. Mallory agrees and suggests something like a school picnic. Only the BSC is running it, the school is just following orders, Mallory. Kristy says she heard of a school that let the kids and teaches switch spots for a day. She would. And how would that work, there's a bigger number of students than teachers, so some would get left out, Kristy!

Since everyone's having Great Ideas besides Kristy, Dawn comes up with another. They could have a big sleepover! *DING DING DING* We have a book title! Dawn says they could use the gym (what, is the barn unavailable that night?) and maybe some of the school staff could participate. Because all seven of you could handle a bazillion kids since you're such wonderful babysitters. Try thinking of the legalities there, since you guys are children yourselves.

Claudia smiles at how cute it would be seeing all the little kids in their pajamas (ew?), and Dawn starts to formulate the plan: they can serve pizza for dinner, and maybe get a place to donate pies, serve pancakes in the morning, play games and give out awards. Everyone likes the idea of it, and totally forgetting the shitfit she threw about Claudia not following parliamentary procudure, Kristy asks who's in favor of doing a sleepover. Nice. Everyone raises their hands, and because she's a dweeb, Mallory raises both hands.

Kristy then throws everyone a curveball when she realizes that fliers aren't the best way to go, as they can't guarantee the kids will bring them home to their parents, and some of the kids can barely read, just like Claudia. And what about the rest of Stoneybrook? And the fundraiser? hey end up concluding that they'll leave fundraising ideas to the kids. I'm guessing Peter Lerangis got lazy and couldn't think of something big for everyone to do.

So Jessi and Stacey show up on time on penalty of death and they forget about the problems they encountered. No more Good Ideas? It's time for a certain gifted charge to save the day. And no, thankfully it's not Karen.

[womanwithahotdogstand]

Jordan’s (probably very dumb) Ideal Lineup For The Impending USA/Sweden Game. ✨

Formation: The 4-3-3 lineup only works when you have enough offensive sparks on your team to get the ball that far up the field in order (we are desperately missing Tobin, Cat, Mal and Christen in this moment.) So, what do you do when your team is clearly struggling to get more people up the field?! You make a formation change that will literally put more people up the field for you. I think a 3-4-2-1 is a perfect formation for this group.

The Forwards: Listen, I love Alex, but she has not been anywhere close to the level we need her to be at right now. She doesn’t deserve to start over these three. The only way we are going to beat Sweden is by coming out FAST, like goal in the first 15 fast. And these three (and Alyssa) are the only three I trust to truly make that happen.

The Midfield: I have previously mentioned how building the team around 1 person is harmful 99.9% of the time. It is abundantly clear that Vlatko has slowly been building this team around Lindsey for the last year and change and I think one of the best courses of action, and a very sneaky one, would be to bench her for at least the first half of the game. At that point everything Sweden has studied about the United States is rendered pretty useless, especially since when Lindsey hasn’t played this past year+ Rose is usually the one to slip into the 7 which cannot happen. Kristie is a great starter because of her connection to Lynn AND her raging intensity. We need that on the field as much as possible to start the game as strong as we can. Missing Rose could be the thing that does us in completely. We could crumble or we could start 2 of the best attacking midfielders in the entire NWSL. Crystal has been lights out for Portland this season and with Rose out I think it’s a perfect time to move her into the midfield and let her offensively EAT. And I know a lot of skeptical people will say “we don’t know if her midfield prowess will translate to the national team!” And to that I say — the last time we saw her in the midfield for the national team during their 2 game series against Russia in 2017 she scored 4 goals. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching Savannah get her time to shine but in a potential elimination game i’m going Ashley Sanchez all the way. She is technically the closest player we have to Rose Lavelle and her incredible on field relationship with her Spirit teammate up top makes her my obvious pick for this match. Her creativity. Her speed. Her genuinely impressive soccer brain. We’re going to need all of that on the pitch as soon as that ref blows the whistle to start the game.

The Backline: A lot of people are not enthused about Alana and some of the opinions i’ve seen are valid but I also think that a big part of her problem is having a shaky 6. I think putting her in behind Julie Ertz is going to do WONDERS. Sweden is a very aerial team (literally every goal they scored against Italy were headers) and having a 5’9” center-back is something we need to use to our advantage. I think her, Kristie and JJ could be a phenomenal clean up crew for any set pieces Sweden will definitely be trying to score on.

Giving Kelley the armband: I don’t want to slight Lindsey or Alex, both of whom were probably exhausted after that Portugal game both mentally and physically, but the fact that Kelley O’Hara was the first one over to comfort an (apparently) crying Rose Lavelle and let her know how much this team loves and needs her speaks VOLUMES to me about Kelley. The fact that she was the first one to speak and bring the team together after that match, while only playing 3 or 4 minutes tops, speaks volumes to me about Kelley. I also simply just think seeing Kelley in that armband is an extra boost of morale that this team so desperately needs.

[dwtsfun]

Top 5 Edyta Partners

We're gonna go ahead and do the other longstanding season 1 pro, Miss Leg Warmers herself, Edyta! Edyta, I think is a pro that doesn't get enough credit for what she accomplished on the show. For one, she appeared on the first 10 seasons of the show and was the longest running pro at that time. She also managed to have several incredibly successful seasons, including a second place finish. She doesn't get the praise that she deserves. Especially because she has also had some tough seasons and difficult partners to deal with. So I'm here to give her her flowers before the end of 2023.

5. Lawrence and Edyta, Season 8

So I am only putting LT here for one reason and one reason only. He was actually one of Edyta's better dancers. The man easily could've been a semi-finalist in season 8 if he actually wanted to be there. His technique was good enough. He was extremely light on his feet. I actually think he could've been a better dancer than Emmitt Smith (someone I consider to be a top 3 NFL player on the show). Even with him not wanting to be there, Edyta managed to get some great performances out of him. Their last 4 dances actually had moments of greatness. Favorite Dances: Waltz, Argentine Tango

4. John and Edyta, Season 4

John wasn't originally Edyta's partner on this season. I'm honestly glad that he ended up signing on for the show because I really enjoyed this partnership. John was fun and dedicated. He also actually tried to learn each dance and perform them to the best of his ability. I love that I was able to see not only the performance aspect, but watch John really pay attention to the technical aspects of the dances. Unlike many older white men on this show, he did not rest solely on being charming and a performer. As a result, he and Edyta ended up having a truly respectable season. Favorite Dance: Foxtrot

3. Joey and Edyta, Season 3

During my rewatch of season 3, I dubbed myself this couple's biggest hater. However, that has nothing to do with my feelings of these two's partnership, but rather the way that the judges seemed to take things easy on them in comparison to many of the other couples. That being said, I actually quite enjoyed these two together. Joey was an awkward mover with a ton of potential. What Edyta was able to do with him was truly incredible. By the end of the season he transformed from a man who felt like he had to keep up the masculine image, to a man that let go and allowed his body to just move naturally and not care that the dance wasn't quite so masculine. He embraced his femininity. That is no easy feat and I will always applaud the female pros when they're able to break through the straight male psyche and toxic masculinity and pull out a more balanced man than they started the season with. Favorite Dances: 2nd Rumba, Foxtrot

2. Cameron and Edyta, Season 5

I was originally going to have Cameron and Joey swapped. But after rewatching their dances, I remembered how much I enjoyed Cameron. To me, this couple was the counterpart to Jennie and Derek (another one of my favorite Derek partners). TV star that had a lot of potential, was up and down in scores throughout the competition and found their footing toward the end of the show. Cameron and Edyta looked good together, worked well together and had great chemistry. Cameron's improvement from the time he started until his last dance was something to be applauded. Favorite Dances: Paso Doble, Viennese Waltz

1. Jason and Edyta, Season 6

Jason was a very talented dancer and Edyta was able to realize this and took full advantage of it. Edyta gave us her best choreography and pushed Jason to be the best version of himself on that dancefloor. Now, Jason's Latin wasn't always the best, but his ballroom was top notch. He was one of the most graceful men that I've ever seen dance on this show. It sucks that their season was basically Kristi's to lose, and she and Mark never ever let up on the gas. I truly do believe that in most other seasons, as long as they kept up the same level of dancing, Jason would have won. These two had an amazing journey and provided us with several great dances. Favorite Dances: Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Tango

[toournextadventure]

I am back and feeling better than I was last week! Hopefully this analysis is better than last weeks lol.

But anyway, this weeks analysis was hard because of the Tyler picture. So that’s the one I’m starting with first. Get the hardest out of the way.

I scanned every part of this story and read through so many asks but I couldn’t find any reference to Tyler at all. I don’t know if I missed it or what (I’m gonna feel like an idiot if I missed it lol) so I’m just gonna go off if this being the first mention of him. And my reasoning for it being Tyler and not a random barista is because you could’ve used a random Starbucks employee pic instead but you chose Tyler specifically. Now, there are 2 possible things that involve Tyler. The first is that Wednesday meets him after the shit that happened last chapter. Or Marcus and Kristi know him and use his Hyde (if he’s still a Hyde in this universe) to try and keep Birb in check. That’s the best I got with the info I have.

The second picture I analyzed was the one of someone sitting by a river or creek. It’s either a reference to maybe a flashback of Birb and Nicky or that’s where Birb goes and isolates herself. A lesser theory is that it’s Wednesday looking for Birb at some point.

The next picture I looked at was the little meme. I think that little meme isn’t a direct reference to anything but more so about Birb’s mental state during everything. Like her whole life is being torn apart, she’s loosing all the progress she made but she’s still trying to pretend she’s ok.

The one of the person in handcuffs gave me a few ideas. It could be that Marcus and Kristi called the police on Birb for something. It could be Wednesday getting arrested after the two menaces framed her for something to separate her from Birb. It could be someone from Birb’s adopted family that tried to take Birb back. My hopeful thought is that it’s Kristi and Marcus getting arrested finally for the shot they’ve done.

That’s this week’s analysis! I’m looking forward to know what I got right lol. And if there was some mention of Tyler anywhere 🤣

Ayy welcome back, bestie! I'm glad you're feeling better! 😊

Okay, about Tyler, no I don't think he's been mentioned before (it's bad that even I don't remember 😪) so don't worry, you didn't miss anything!

As for everything else, you've picked up a good amount of pieces. I'll admit it's a little unfair cause I'm throwing a lil bit of new stuff in this chapter, so I'm cheating a bit but you still got pretty close even with that!

Can't wait for y'all to read it! I always love comparing y'all's analyses to the chapters, it's some of the most fun I have all week 😌

[armswideopen]

Last night, I had a dream that there was a supernatural amount of lightning striking down on the plaza that I go to at Peoria Avenue. I was watching it from afar and I was afraid to go there, but I believe my family was there. When I started driving down the road to get there, which is 35th Ave., lightning bolt started striking down on the street, and these blue portals shot down from the sky, and anyone who drove through it was going to face some sort of paranormal experience. The sky had blue spirit things flying around and they could penetrate through cars and humans. The lightning bolts missed me as I was driving, so I never got hit, but Kyle was trying to roll his window up to protect himself I think, and a blue fish spirit, but a scary one, flew into his car and into the side of his neck. Something happened, and there was a way to try to stop the spirit from fully entering his body, but by the time we figured out how to stop it from entering, it got stuck and lodged into his neck, so its tail was sticking out of the left side of Kyle‘s neck. 

The second dream I had was about work. My boss and the CFO, Kristi, weren’t getting along at all. Kristi was argumentative and my boss was in the right. I believe my boss was depicted as Mrs. Whipp. I was the middle man that everyone liked but I kept standing up for my boss. My boss asked me who I thought the owner of the company would get rid of between the two of them, and I said he’s probably opt to keep the CFO over her because they’re good friends/he seems to really like her. She agreed and became kind of unsure about her longevity in the company. Later, I had a convo with Kristi where she was asking me about whether or not Elizabeth would care about something. I was advising her and said that probably not, and this is how she’d likely respond, etc. She looked at me with a twinkle in her eye and told me that I’m “almost a leader.” I told her with confidence that I felt that way too, and that I’m almost to that leadership point. She looked at me kind of shocked that I would agree or talk about my strengths, but she said “Well I’m glad you feel that way about yourself.” Almost as if she expected me to just accept the compliment without affirming it. I think the dream changed and suddenly I was with Lifex colleagues, Alisha & Viola. There was some restaurant I went to and Ethan Hoover worked there. He gave me some sort of discount on my food, and then asked if I could come help out at the restaurant some days since I lived across the street. I agreed to do it. When we left, we exchanged gifts. Alisha gave me something I can’t remember, and Viola gave me a key to the front door of the facility. They left in the car, and I was walking on foot in front of a movie theater. There was some event going on where this new, younger generation went to the movies every night to walk around the parking lot listening to their own music in headphones, but not talking to anyone else. Singing their own songs out loud and showing off for others. Main character behavior. There were tons of them out there. I began walking through all of them trying to get to where I was going and they looked kinda scary, like zombies. I remember feeling like I couldn’t understand or relate to this new generation. I got to another building with Kristi and other colleagues again, but this time Kyle Mc from Lifex was there. They all knew that I was the most liked on the team, but they felt like they had to strategize about how to be the next most liked so that they could survive on the team? Idk, but we got stuck in a building and I helped us get out along with one other person on our team. When the doors were open, most of us ran to freedom, but Kristi and Kyle stayed in the building. Kristi was putting on an act about how she wasn’t done working yet and she had so much on her mind that she was going to stay and strategize. When I left, I overheard her talking to Kyle about how I’m a “carrier” but not an “action taker.” Essentially, I can carry the team, but I don’t do anything to take initiative to get ahead and strategize for the team. She said, “Don’t get me wrong, Joy is such a sweet girl. She really is, but she doesn’t have what it takes to lead the team.” I felt hurt because she had just told me I was almost a leader, but upon hearing her talk to Kyle, felt like she was fake and had lied to me. I also was among the group who led everyone out of the trapped building, and felt like I had taken initiative, but that she had ignored that effort. They walked out of the building and I think I was hiding behind bushes or trees so they couldn’t see me. I don’t remember Kyle saying anything about me or agreeing with her, but I remember feeling betrayed by him anyway since he was in the conversation with her. I went to his IG story and was thinking about saying something to him about how I overheard their conversation.

[themovieblogonline]

FROM Season 3 Episode 3: Boyd’s Hope and Tabatha’s Crisis

If FROM were a rollercoaster, Season 3, Episode 3 is when the ride plunges you into the deepest loop, flips you upside down, and leaves you wondering why you ever got on this ride in the first place. It’s packed with so much tension that even Boyd Stevens (Harold Perrineau) is cracking under the pressure—this man deserves a medal for the emotional baggage he’s lugging around. Now, Episode 3 doesn’t waste any time. We jump right back into the madness with Jim being verbally slapped by a voice pretending to be his son Thomas. I mean, it’s already bad enough your family’s been missing for months, but now the creepy phone calls start taunting you too? Welcome to FROM on MGM, folks, where misery loves company, and apparently, it’s got a phone line. https://youtu.be/dNgh0azv9u8 But let’s not beat around the bush—this episode dives into heavy stuff. We’re talking Boyd’s plan to catch a monster, Kenny trying to keep it together after losing his mother Tien-Chen, and Fatima munching on what looks like spoiled garbage while questioning whether she’s carrying a human baby or the spawn of Satan. Yup, it’s that kind of episode. Boyd’s Big Plan: Catching Monsters Like Pokémon? Boyd’s idea to catch a monster is, well, ambitious. He’s got this grand plan to use a talisman to trap one of the monsters. I’m all for creative problem-solving, but is this really the best strategy? Boyd’s out here like Ash Ketchum, trying to catch ‘em all, but with, you know, flesh-eating night creatures instead of cute little Pikachu. But hey, we can’t blame him for trying. Boyd is the glue holding this ragtag group together. He’s been through more trauma than any one man should have to bear, but his sheer will to keep hope alive is what keeps everyone else from completely falling apart. It’s like watching someone try to keep a sinking ship afloat with duct tape and good vibes. (Spoiler: the duct tape’s fraying.) Fatima’s Cravings: Demon Baby or Just Really Weird Pregnancy? Meanwhile, Fatima’s pregnancy is giving Rosemary’s Baby vibes. I’m not trying to judge, but the girl is out here snacking on rotten veggies like it’s a five-course meal. Tilly, ever the enigma, catches her in the act and tells her that she used to have weird pregnancy cravings too. Apparently, licking the insides of eggshells was her jam—umm, what? Fatima’s breakdown during this scene is gut-wrenching, and you can’t help but feel for her. She’s terrified of what’s growing inside her, and who wouldn’t be? If there was ever a moment to call in Kristy for a second opinion, it’s now. Somebody please get Fatima to a doctor because this baby might not be on board with normal human food. Jim and His Mystery Phone Calls Let’s not forget about Jim, who’s STILL getting those freaky phone calls. This time, Thomas—or whatever it is—warns him to keep an eye on Ethan and Julie. And of course, Jim just hangs up the phone instead of telling Boyd what’s going on. Come on, Jim! Haven’t you learned anything in this town? Communication is key, my guy! Jade’s Hallucinations and Kenny’s Crisis Jade continues his spiral into madness, which culminates in a terrifying vision of a colonial dude nailed to a tree, drinking blood from a skull. Just another day in FROM, right? Jade’s descent is getting darker by the episode, and you can’t help but wonder if he’s the next casualty of the town’s sinister forces. Meanwhile, Kenny’s still reeling from his mother’s death. He’s trying to keep his emotions in check, but it’s clear the weight of his responsibilities is dragging him down. At one point, Kristy tries to comfort him, but Kenny brushes her off—because really, what can you say to someone who’s seen the worst this town has to offer? Tabatha and Henry: The Road Trip That Never Ends Finally, let’s talk about Tabatha and Henry. Just when you think Tabatha is going to figure something out, they get T-boned by another car. Seriously, I was THIS close to getting some answers about Miranda’s bottle tree, and then, bam! The writers throw us a curveball. Are they even in the real world? Who knows at this point, but one thing’s for sure—Tabatha’s headed back to FROMtown, and the nightmare isn’t over yet. Final Thoughts: From Confusion to Chaos FROM Season 3 Episode 3 keeps us guessing, and it seems like the more answers we get, the more questions pop up. Boyd’s heroic efforts to inspire hope are commendable, but the dark forces in FROM are relentless. Tabatha’s brush with death? Just another twist in this endless cycle of terror. Will Boyd’s plan to catch a monster actually work? Will Fatima’s baby be the end of all of them? Who knows, but one thing’s for sure—I’ll be glued to my screen next week, trying to make sense of this madness. Read the full article

[sharksa-shivers]

Max is sick/more texts between character stuff cuz why not?

Kristy: Max

Kristy: Max, cmon dude, need you to wake up! We kinda need you today!!

Max: Ive been up ffs been trying to sleep tho

Max: damn that sucks cuz i feel like shit

Kristy: Ughhhh, look, i get it, depression but like…You can't just keep sitting stuff out because of your depression???

Max: ??????? It's not depression tho???? Hshshshshs fuck

Max: Im fuckin sick lol im not coming sorry to disappointt

Kristy: Yeah, sure, ok. Nice prank buddy

Kristy: Now get up and get dressed, we need to go!!!

Max:(sends a pic of him holding up a wad of used tissues, Max looks out of it in the picture, he is obviously sick) sorry lol would you like a snot or cough sample to prove that im not fucking lying?

Kristy: …….Oh…….

Max: YEAH LMAO

Max: you try fuckin sleeping when you can't breath, having a tiny nose thats clogged doesn't help when im trying to inhale oxygen

Max: throat hurts, head hurty, nose blocked tf off, can i sttay home now mom??? please???? Im so tired and i feel like shit lol

Kristy: …..I guess you're kinda gonna have to, hmmm….Trying to think…

Max: how about fuck the mission, tkae a day off???

Kristy: No!!!

Max: lol you should

Max: i love demon fighting and shit and you nkow i do but like…life is nore then labor ok? Enjoy it

Kristy: ……That is so weird of a phrase to come from you of all people who's suicidal af

Max: IM NOT SUICIDAL EVERY FUCKING DAY GODDAMNIT SHSHSHSHSHSH IM ONLY SUICIDAL MOST DAYS OK?.??? THERE IS A DIFFERENCE

Max: in seriousness tho, eh. Today feels kinda good mental health wise, its just my physical health thats shit today lololol Kristy: Well…Guess it is what it is then…

Max: hey lol can you get me some food and some meds plz? Im cozy in bed dont wanna spread germs and shit but a bitch needa eat lol (also meds would be p nice i miss breathing…oxygen bb plz come back im sorry;~;)

Kristy: Yeah yeah lmao, i can. I'm gonna assume no food preferences today?

Max: No lol just plz, im so hungry, blehhhh (preferably something i can fucjing taste and that wont hurt my throat much tho lol)

Kristy: Okayyyyyy, i'll see what i can do.

Max: Best friendo ever lol you da best!!! 💗 ---------------- And now some rambling text info bout The Trio derps whenever sick cuz why not tho? --- Trio derp sickness levels (this sickness meaning like…ig nausea levels --- Kristy: So Kristy is least likely to like get sick like that. With her having magic and the amulet and whatnot, she gets very used to rapid, disorienting movements over time (though at the series start, i can see this being more of an issue but also with Kristy's determination, i can see her blowing that shit out of the water pretty quick, her determination being the stronger of the 2) Kristy can still very much get sick tho, if she's in a very disorienting situation for a long time period, she's gonna get fucking sick… 🍃🍃🍃

Sharky: So with Sharky, he can get sick and he does from time to time. It's either him getting motion sick, him getting actual sick (from like food poisoning and bugs and whatnot) or it's the third option and that tying into him being a shark (but i'll hop back to this in a sec)

Sharky is kind of harder to get motion sick because he does have the advantage of being born in the ocean so…He's used to that sort of thing, like a ride or whatever isn't going to give him motion sickness, he gets it more from like…Being thrown around rapidly with 0 control or from magic use or things like that…

So for the other thing…So…him being a shark yeah? So a reminder; Sharky can throw up his entire stomach, like wholeass organ…This is because he's a shark and it's something Sharky REALLY REALLY FUCKING HATES part cuz it's so weird, part cuz it's disgusting and part because it fucking hurts since he's very not used to doing that…Sharky can vomit up either his entire stomach or he just throws up normally…Sharky doesn't really have much control over this but if it's a higher stress situation, it's gonna be the entire organ coming up. (this whole bit happens more if Sharky's scared or very fucking stressed or in a big emergency sort of thing…Otherwise, Sharky's probably gonna just throw up normally…) Sharky learns he has this ability during the series and i kinda megadoubt he ever utilizes it like Slash does BUT Sharky does learn how to control this a bit better and when he feels it happening, he tends to insta-calm down to try and prevent the whole thing from coming out… 🦈🦈🦈 Max: Max defs gets motion sickness probably the worst…This is probably another reason why Max isn't the biggest on dizzying shit or boats or things like that because it probably fucks him up alottttttttt… Unlike Kristy he has no magic And unlike Sharky, Max does not have any sort of help from the ocean soooooooooo…Yeah, rip dogeboi [i kinda feel like Sharky throws up more then Max does tbh but i think it's cuz Sharky's put in more situations where that can happen vs Max…] 🐶🐶🐶 Now for sickness sickness, i feel like Sharky probs gets sick in that way the least cuz of his height honestly (it's harder for germs and shit to bother him if they can't reach his face…If somebody coughs near him, it ain't gonna be near his face so…) I feel like Kristy's second And i feel like Max probs has it worst here again tbh (i defs feel like Max has really fucking awful allergies tbh…Idk why but it's a vibe i get, probably if i had to guess, something with his fur picking up things that make him sneeze and cough and whatnot, rip dogeboi again)

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

super cool character meme Kristy?

2-4 songs that are probably on their iPod: All That Jazz (Chicago), Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond), Tiny Dancer (Elton John), One Song Glory (Rent)

the one place they sometimes end up falling asleep – where they’re not supposed to: For all that Kirsty never sleeps, she can fall asleep anywhere at all — most often she falls asleep at Miss Patty's and in the diner

the game they'd destroy everyone else at: twister oh my god, Kirsty is the twister champion of Stars Hollow

the emoticon they’d use most often: ☕

what they act like when they haven’t had enough sleep: If she's caffeinated then there's no difference because she never has enough sleep, but under-caffeinated and exhausted Kirsty is snippy, bitchy, and generally someone you just want to avoid

their preferred hot beverage on really cold nights. or mornings. or whenever: coffee, always coffee no matter what, though she does also like earl grey tea and hot chocolate when she's being denied her coffee

how they like to comfort/care for themselves when they’re in a slump: Kirsty is so bad at self care, she has to be forced into it (usually by Jess) – but when she does, it's usually either hot chocolate, a soft blanket, and reading a good book or it's going outside with her camera and getting fresh air and just taking pictures

what they wanted to be when they grew up: Kirsty has only ever wanted to be a dancer!

their favorite kind of weather: Kirsty is her mother's daughter, snow is absolutely her favourite (though she loves rain too)

thoughts on their singing voice (decent? terrible? soprano? alto?): Kirsty is a good singer, if a bit untrained! Dance has always been her only focus so she doesn't start taking vocals seriously until after Cats, when she sees singing as a way to expand her future dance career options

how/what they like to draw or doodle: Kirsty doodles on her shoes and her pants, little flowers and stars and stuff — she also likes to doodle on the tips of her pointe shoes, much to Miss Patty's endless frustration

super cool character headcanons meme

[darcyfangirlsfrequently]

If I Wrote the Reboot, part 2

Part one

The first scene back at the BAU + explanation for missing characters

The team is milling about, just hanging out, starting their morning. Luke comes in and begins setting up and Rossi asks him, "How's the girl?"

Grinning (because he's a lovestruck fool) he says, "She's great. She sends her love, and she's baking tonight, so tomorrow she sends love and cookies."

Tara then asks Rossi if she's heard from Matt about how his book tour is going. "Oh, it's going great. He's having the time of his life, and Kristy are the kids are loving all the travel experience they're getting."

"I'm surprised you didn't go with him, after all, you are the resident expert, and helped write the book."

"Ah, book tours are overrated for me now. I've done too many of them. Besides, it's his retirement. I'll let him do it."

"Did you ever think that of all of us, it would be Matt who pulled a you and retired to write books?"

"Oh, absolutely not."

"Speaking of," Emily says. "Reid has officially pulled a Morgan and quit for his family. He said he might be available for the occasional over the phone consultation for details, but he wants to keep his focus on teaching and Max, especially with her due date close on the horizon."

This is where JJ says "Yeah, he and I were talking the other day, he and Max are going on their last solo trip before the baby arrives."

"That's going to be their last solo trip for a very, very long time," Rossi points out.

"Yes, it is," Emily says, "so we will not be calling him for any consults for the foreseeable future, I want him to be able to spend as much time with his wife as possible."

Part three will be linked here when ready

[itsmaddienotmaddy]

Road to WC 2023 bay-bee. Time is an illusion.

USWNT v Haiti

Casey Murphy - called upon, came up BEAUTIFULLY and also pleased the goal post gods. I’ll take that defensively all day.

Nervy day for typically v collected center backs. Becky with some wonky positioning leading to those dangerous plays. And Alana completely asleep on the play where Murphy had to come save the day. If they can get back to usual, this is the game I’d rather have that happen so… whatever. This certainly does not change my trust in either of them.

Miss Emily Fox, exiting the national team and soccer altogether to become a water bottle model. Okay but for real, aside from the PK, she had a good game. Making good passing connections with her side to create offensive pushes. But her and Kelley both were out of position more than usual because they would move centrally or up and then because the game was so slow, they were almost lollygagging back.

Kelley. My god I thought those studs went to her head. Not that visible cleat marks immediately is a good thing, but shit. Def a red though, that was dumb. Her cross to Alex was lovely and felt really 2019 and that is what we need.

Sofia. So good. Limited minutes, but does what does. There is no level drop, she’s so solid.

Andi. Bri Scurry is saying it as I type this. She just needs to work with the center backs and have them all get on the same page. She had a good physical game and put her body on the line a lot. But wasn’t able to make the connections like she should have.

Lindsey. That fuckin knee. To be fair, I felt like she was less apprehensive than in the last Colombia games. And to make it weirder, she played harder and more aggressive AFTER getting fouled and having that scary moment with the knee. I want more aerial presence from her like usual. She feels like this weird limbo, wanting to help out the 6, and playing more offensively.

Rose didn’t find her stride this game. She had to play defensively a lot which doesn’t let her open up. We kept going wide and weren’t finding spaces in the middle to utilize her. I’m okay keeping her fresh and not overdoing it off the bat.

Sanchez did well coming in with energy and was absolutely getting in the right spaces. Her little flicks and tricks weren’t going to the right spaces but I LOVE the attempts.

Kristie, finally giving us some long balls. Idk why she seems to be the only one who can do that. She was putting players on the ground and not taking any shit. And her cross to Miiiidgeeeee!!!

Sophia…. Whatever she has an injury with, her quad or hip flexor, whatever was wrapped…. BIG NO THANK YOU. It was affecting her play and she was not herself. At all.

Mal had an okay game. She had some really great runs with the ball but her final pass was failing her. But she felt solid and her assists to Alex was great.

Pinoe was fun to see and her offsides assist was fucking amazing. She plays with joy as she nears the end of her career and I’m soaking it all up.

Midge!!! You know WHAT? She was not great when she came in. And she did not mind. She grew into the half and she did awesome. She beat defenders, she started strong offensive plays, and you know, I’m gonna give her two goals because she scored twice in my book. I REALLY LOVE IT.

And ending with Alex, because WOOOOOOOO! All three goals (including the offsides one,) were fucking SICK. It felt familiar and wonderful and I’m all for her going off in this tournament.

I’ll take the W, on to the NEXT. (Okay but also I still feel a slight off vibe with the team and I would love if the gals got together, without coaches, and worked on that together.)

[reidgraygubler]

hey, sweet pea (simmons/reader)

Title: hey, sweet pea Requested: no Couple: matt simmons/kristy simmons/fem!reader Category: smut, fluff Content Warning: SEXUAL CONTENT (threesome (mff), penetrative sex, unprotected sex, breeding and impregnation kink, pregnancy kink, grinding/groping, oral(fem), mommy/daddy kink, fingering), pregnancy, polyam relationship, mentions of child birth Word Count: 7,006 Summary: matt, kristy, and reader take a mini vacation and end up with new information they weren’t expecting. A/N: i’m just giving matt and kristy what they deserve, and what they deserve is a wife. thank you all so much for the support! i really do appreciate it. check out my masterlist!

{***}{***}{***}

Matt and Kristy Simmons have been in my life for the last 10 years. At first we were just friends. That’s usually how adult friendships are, just friends. But 5 years into our friendship, they asked me for more. It was a weird thing too, because they’ve been married for years. What was weird about it was, they both asked.

But here we are… the three of us together, five years later. Their kids didn’t think anything of it either. I think they liked having two moms to be honest with you. Who wouldn’t like having two moms?

“We were thinking of taking a trip,” Kristy looked at me with a smile. I looked back at her and smiled. The way she looked at me told me that the we was the three adults, and just the three adults. That was something we all needed too. Especially with Matt being gone all the time with work.

“Where to?”

“Myrtle Beach. Thought it’d be fun! Matt’s already got the time of! My parents will watch the kids. And we already have a hotel booked.”

“Oh so it’s not even thinking! It’s.. We’re going on vacation!” I looked at her with a raised brow. Her face fell slightly with my statement but she ultimately smiled and nodded.

“We wanted to surprise you! And since our five year anniversary is coming up soon!” She then explained. I hummed and nodded. “I wanted to tell you before Matt did.”

“I’m very excited then,” I mused before leaning closer to her. “Love you,” I whispered before quickly pecking her lips.

“Love you too.”

{***}{***}{***}

“Are your parents okay watching the kids?” I asked as I looked at Kristy from the back seat. She looked back at me and nodded. “I just ask because I know how it is watching those kids alone.” I nervously laughed.

“They’ll live. They’re always saying how much they miss them. Besides, I want a night off from being a parent,” Kristy explained as she looked back at me. I really appreciated the loving look in her eyes. “I think we all deserve a night off from being a mom or dad,” she included as she reached out to me. I smiled as I grasped her hand.

“Sometimes I think you guys love each other more than you love me,” Matt teased as he looked over at Kristy, then up at me through the rear view mirror.

“We coulda flown to the beach and the love would be shared equally.” I smiled back at him. I watched as he shot me a playful glare before looking back at the road. “Why’d we drive the 6.5 hours to Myrtle beach?”

“So much time would have been saved… pee breaks wouldn't be as often...” Kristy joked as she looked over at Matt. I laughed and shook my head. “You forget that I’ve been pregnant 5 times.” “And I just have to pee all the time.”

“First of all,” Matt started, lifting an accusing finger towards Kristy, “I did not forget you were pregnant 5 times. I’m too busy driving keeping the loves of my life safe,” he finished as he grasped Kristy’s hand.

“Mhm, sure,” I teased. He looked up at me and squinted.

“Secondly! When is it your turn?”

“Oh! My turn? For what? Driving? Pull over we can switch now. Though I know you lov-”

“To have my children.”

I looked at him, my mouth instantly falling open. A slick smile grew across his lips as he looked between the road and me. I quickly looked back at Kristy, noting that she was looking at her phone. Was she really not going to say anything? “I-Uh… What? I thought you guys were done with having kids?” I finally asked after a long moment of silence. Kristy smiled as she glanced at Matt.

“I never said I was done having kids,” he enunciated his words as he lifted his and Kristy’s hands. I glanced at Kristy and noticed she was looking back at me, an amused smile donning her lips.

“M-More kids?” I asked, feeling a sudden nervousness surge through my chest at the thought of anymore than 5 kids running around that house. I love those kids to pieces, but the thought of anymore was nauseating.

Sure! I’ve wanted kids since I was a kid. Matt and Kristy’s kids are like my own, they even call me ‘mom’. I was okay that they weren’t my own biological children. I was still getting what I wanted. Kristy is just the one who did all the hard work. This, however, was the first time me having kids was ever brought up with Matt.

“It’s just a conversation, Sweet Pea. Nothing serious. When you’re ready, I will be more than ready with you,” Matt assured as he glanced at me again. I stared at him for a moment, feeling my heart leap to my throat.

“Same here.” Kristy looked at me with a smile.

“You can’t even do-”

“I like the practice.” She shrugged. I looked back at her with a deadpan stare before shaking my head. “Besides, you’re damn good in bed, too. You’re crazy if you think I’m not going to join you guys.”

“What if you get pregnant?” I looked at her with a smirk. Kristy looked back at me with wide eyes and a still face. “That’s exactly what I’m getting at if you join us.”

“That is a risk I’m willing to take, Sweet Pea,” she cooed. I rolled my eyes as I looked at her.

“So, is this the point of this trip then? You were both quick to get on the idea of a trip without the kids.” I shrugged as I looked out the window. The world whipped by us as Matt stepped a little harder on the gas. Obviously he wanted to get to our destination sooner rather than later. “Not that I’m complaining,” I mumbled.

“Yeah, this would be the point of the trip,” Matt nodded.

“This trips about you,” Kristy quickly added as she looked at me. I stared back at her, feeling a lump grow in my throat. It wasn’t a nervous lump, it was an excited lump

About me...

{***}{***}{***}

“Are you ready to be the center of attention,” Kristy asked as he wrapped an arm around my waist. I looked back at her before pecking her lips. Other than our playful banter, the elevator was pretty much silent. Her hand was clasped around mine, and I really did feel like the center of attention.

“Am I not already?” I looked up at her with a raised eyebrow. Kristy laughed and nodded. “That’s what I thought,” I whispered before pressing my lips to hers again.

Once we were in the room, I put all my stuff to the side. Before I even got the chance to do anything else, Matt was instantly in front of me, his hands holding my hips and holding me close. I smiled as I looked up at him.

“Kristy’s in the bathroom,” he whispered as he looked at me. I nodded lightly. I pecked his lips and smiled. “She’ll be back in a second.”

“I don’t blame her. You’re the one who had us drive 5+ hours. I peed in the lobby,” I giggled. Matt laughed again before nodding. “Thank god I haven’t been pregnant at all.” “Yet,” he mused. I looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Yeah, sure yet,” I whispered.

“Just… Be quiet, okay? Let us take care of you,” he whispered. I swallowed roughly and nodded before he pressed his lips to mine again.

‘I’m the center of attention,’ I thought to myself as Matt’s lips pressed gently to my jaw. His hands were firmly placed on my hips, pulling them hard against his. It nearly took my breath away as I felt his bulge against my body. My hands and arms held on to him so tightly, ensuring that I wouldn’t fall. But the way Matt held my hips, I was guaranteed to be held upright.

‘I’m the center of attention,’ I thought to myself as Kristy came up behind, her lips instantly connecting with my ear lobe. I almost couldn’t handle it when she gently began niping and sucking across my neck. Her hands roamed across my back before moving the rest under my breasts. I dropped one of my hands from Matt and moved it behind me to hold, or at least touch, Kristy.

The softest whimper fell from my lips, and Matt swallowed it like it was candy. I’m sure Kristy was more than jealous of Matt’s sweet treat. I’d be more than willing to give her one later in the night. In fact, she’ll probably end up with more than Matt once we’re done.

“God,” I whined once Matt pulled his mouth from mine. “Please, please don’t stop touching me,” I begged. The beg, however, was unneeded. They’d give me anything I wanted without me ever opening my mouth. Of course, I’d do the same thing for either of them.

“It’s okay, Little Girl, mommy and daddy’s got you,” Matt whispered as he lifted a hand to hold my face. I looked up at him as he pulled my face to his. “We got you,” he whispered before bringing his lips to mine. I couldn’t keep back the soft whimper as he deepened the kiss.

While Matt was kissing me and holding me close, Kristy slipped her hands across the front of my hips. I could feel my chest beginning to heave as she started unbuttoning my jeans. And when she finally succeeded, her hand quickly slipped into the front of my pants.

My knees buckled slightly as her fingers deftly moved between my folds. I sucked in a deep breath of air as my head fell back to Kristy’s shoulder. She softly moved her finger against my clit, causing the softest moan to come from me.

“You’re so pretty for us, Sweet Pea,” Kristy hummed before she pressed her lips to the side of my head. I lifted a hand to hold her face.

“You’d look even prettier carrying my child,” Matt whispered, quickly earning my attention back to him. If I thought my breath was taken away before, I was dead wrong. With 7 words, Matt made it impossible to breathe or think. He was totally serious, too… “Just like Kristy,” he added once my eyes were on his.

“Y-You-You mean it,” I struggled to get out. Instead of answering with his words like a normal person, he captured lips lips in a sweet kiss. Of course he meant… Why else would it be brought up on the way here?

‘Don’t stop, don’t stop, don’t stop,’ I whined as Kristy hastened her movements between my legs. I thought what I was saying was out loud, but everything I was saying just came out as pathetic little whines.

“It’s okay,” Matt whispered as he brought a hand to my face. I stared at him, feeling my face falter slightly. Kristy was too busy pressing her lips along the column of my throat, and her free hand caressed my chest. I don’t think she was caring about what was happening between Matt and me.

“P-Please,” I whimpered. My eyes shifted down his face before landing back on his eyes. He nodded lightly before looking over at Kristy. It was like he was giving her some sort of signal, because the next thing I knew, she was removing her hand from me. “What was that for!” I shouted as they both moved away from me. I looked at them, watching as they sat on either side of the bed, leaving just enough space for me.

I stayed still at the foot of the bed, watching the two be gentle with each other. Jealousy was bubbling in my chest as I watched them shift closer to each other. It was bad when I got jealous, they’re the ones who invited me into their marriage, not the other way. So why was I getting so jealous?

“Are you coming, Sweet Pea,” Matt asked as he looked over at me. I stared at him for a moment, watching his hand move back and forth in the space between him and Kristy. “Plenty of space for all of us.”

“C’mon,” Kristy whispered. Her eyes landed on me, a special kind of softness in them. Even though I loved Matt, only Kristy could drag me to bed.

Before climbing into the bed, I toed my shoes off. The couple gladly wrapped their arms around me before coveringing me in kisses. It was hard to hold back playful giggles as they moved across my face, neck, and eventually collarbones

“Just because we’re married, doesn’t mean our love for you is any less,” Matt whispered as he brought a hand to my face. I looked at him and nodded. “You don’t have to be jealous. I know that look in your eye when you get jealous,” he continued.

Kristy’s hand slipped up my shirt, her fingers moving up my side and stomach. I took a deep and shaky breath before looking over at her. A soft smile grew over her lips as she moved her hand further up my chest.

“Besides, last time was about me. This time it’s you… Remember,” Kristy whispered as her fingers danced over the cup of my bra. I nodded before sitting up away from them to pull my shirt off, and tossing it to the floor. Kristy quickly pulled me back down between them, and then pressed her lips to mine. “You know how much I love taking care of you,” she hummed against my mouth.

“Will you let us show you how much we love you?” Matt whispered as his hand fell to my waist. I looked back at him and nodded. He quickly pecked my lips before slipping out of the bed. I watched as he walked to stand at the foot of the bed, just between my legs.

Matt grasped my ankles and carefully pulled me to meet him. I looked up at him before looking up at Kristy. She was looking between Matt and me, watching as he unbuttoned my jeans. I swallowed roughly as I lifted my hips, letting him pull my pants off.

“You’re going to feel so good, you won’t even know what to do with yourself,” he whispered as he looked down at me.

“Please,” I whispered. Matt smiled before pressing his lips to the inside of my leg. A soft breath fell from me as he moved up my leg. Kirsty appeared above me, a smile still across her lips. Her excitement only made me more excited.

“You’re so pretty,” she whispered, her hand cupping my face as she spoke. It seemed like she was distracting me from whatever it was Matt was doing between my legs. Because just as his tongue moved down my thigh, closer to my cunt, Kristy pressed her lips to mine. The softest moan came from me as he pressed his lips over my still clothed.

“Lift your hips, Sweet Pea,” Matt said softly. I swallowed roughly before lifting my lips slightly. He hummed happily as he pulled my underwear off. Just as his tongue moved past my folds, my hand lifted to Kristy’s head, combing through her hair to keep her close to me.

Her lips moved in tandem with mine, even as I tried to catch my breath she knew what I was doing. She clearly enjoyed any sound that came from me. To be fair, I enjoyed everything she was doing, and everything Matt was doing.

It was so hard to keep my legs still and my noises low the more Matt lapped at me. When Kristy kissed down my neck and over my collar bones it made it harder to even breathe.

“Please keep going,” I whined as I dropped my hands to the back of Matt’s head. My fingers combing through his hair to keep him in place. The soft hum that came from him drove me a little bit more crazy.

Kristy quietly moved so she wasn’t hovering over me, but instead sitting beside me on the bed. I glanced at her before looking up at Matt. He slowly moved away from my center and up my torso. Inside I wished he continued till I finished, but was thankful when his face met mine.

“Ready for me, Sweet Pea?” he asked as he ran his hand up and down my sides. I closed my eyes and bit my lips as I nodded rapidly.

“More than I’ll ever be,” I breathed out as I looked back up at him. He quickly pressed his lips back to mine and caused us both to hum softly.

Matt carefully pushed one of my legs down a little bit before moving the head of his cock against me. I struggled to take a deep breath as he slowly pushed into me. His lips peppered across my skin as he pushed totally into me.

I swallowed roughly as Matt pulled me closer to him, my legs wrapping around his waist. Soft whines came from me as he pushed deeper into me, reaching the deepest parts of my body. I didn’t realize it was possible to get that far. Of course, Matt had a certain goal that he was aiming for. And in the moment, I wanted it too. I don’t think want is the word I’m looking for. I need it.

“M-More,” I whimpered as I looked up at him. Matt smiled softly and nodded as he readjusted his position, somehow going deeper.

“Is that good?” Matt whispered as his hands fell to my waist. I bit my lips together and nodded lightly. He smiled before leaning closer to me and pressing his lips to my face.

It was only a brief kiss before Kristy pushed him away and took over kissing me. I was honestly fine with it. Although I don’t think Matt was content with the action. Whatever, this is about me. If I wanted to give our wife a kiss, I would give her a kiss.

“I love you,” I murmured against her mouth. She hummed happily before deepening the kiss for a moment.

“I love you too, Sweet Pea,” she purred. A soft moan fell from me as Matt rolled his hips closer to mine. It nearly caught me off guard as he pulled my hips hard against his.

“Fuck!” I gasped as I pulled away from Kristy. Matt was looking down at me, a smirk donned his lips as his eyes met mine.

“I know we said this was about you… But I’d still like some attention,” he mused as he looked between me and Kristy. I let out a struggled laugh as he placed a hand on my chest.

“I love you too, Matt,” I mumbled, grasping his wrist. He smiled before lowering to kiss me.

“Love you too,” he whispered. As Matt pressed his lips back to mine, I hardly noticed as Kristy snuck a hand between our bodies and moved it towards the crest of my legs. She carefully moved her fingers around my nub, drawing out a loud moan from me. Matt started moving his hips with a little bit more vigor than before.

“Finish in me,” I cried out as my grip around his wrist tightened. Matt lifted his head and looked down at me with a raised eyebrow. “Please.”

“Are… Are you sure?”

Obviously I wanted it. I knew what that meant. But thinking about our brief conversation about me having kids in the car… I can’t stop imagining my kids. I was apprehensive about it before… But now, I wanted that. I wanted that so bad.

“Please, please, oh my god please,” I begged as I looked up at him. He smirked again before glancing over at Kristy.

“Okay, okay,” he whispered before pressing his lips to mine. As his movements picked up, Kristy’s fingers moved a little faster too. It was a matter of moments before I finished, with Matt finishing shortly after me. He pressed his lips to the base of my neck as he slowly moved his hips, even though we had both finished.

Once we were all good with him thrusting into me, Matt rolled off me, only for Kristy to crawl over me. She smiled as she looked down at me.

“My turn,” she whispered as she shoved her knee between my legs to hold them open. I took a shaky deep breath as she peppered kisses across my face then chest. Her hands ran up and down my sides before slipping one of them between my legs.

“K-Kristy, what are you… What are you doing?” I asked as she ran two fingers over my leaking hole. She hummed happily as she scooped some of Matt’s cum onto her fingers before carefully pushing her fingers into me.

“My turn, Sweet Pea,” Kristy hummed before pressing her lips to mine. I whined as she kept moving her fingers in and out of my still sensitive core. She knew I wasn’t going to last long, thank goodness. Because when I finished for a second time she quick fell to the bed beside me.

“N-Next you decide to do that, a warning would be nice,” I looked over at Kristy. She laughed before pecking my lips.

“I’ll do that next time,” she whispered against my mouth.

“I would’ve done it, but she beat me to it,” Matt said, pulling my attention to him. I looked over at him with a smile before laughing.

“Sure… After what you had just done. Like Kristy had said… her turn,” I chuckled before reaching to press my lips to his. He laughed lightly before deepening the kiss.

“How about you go take a shower? We’ll be in in a minute,” Matt murmured against my mouth. I smiled and nodded lightly.

“Good luck,” I said with a smirk as I looked between him and Kristy. I knew exactly what they were about to do. And I was okay with it. Obviously. “Have fun,” I said as I slipped out of the bed and saunted towards the bathroom.

{***}{***}{***}

This is Matt’s fault. It’s his fault that I was having an anxiety attack in the bathroom. The pit in my stomach was quickly moving up my throat, and it was Matt’s fault.

To explain why I was suddenly so anxious, I was sitting on the floor in the bathroom with a pregnancy test sitting on the floor in front of me. I don’t know why I was anxious, everyone wanted this. No one would be mad. Was I excited? Sure, but I think it was the anxiety that was taking over anything else. Maybe once I knew if I was pregnant or not, I’d feel better.

It was only a few minutes, a few being less than 1 minute. I don’t even know why I said a few minutes. Because now it’s only a matter of a few seconds and my life will be changed.

And when my phone’s timer went off, I quickly grabbed my phone and the plastic stick. With one final deep breath, I flipped the stick around and saw two faint, but still there, lines.

Pregnant.

I could barely breathe. The world around me stopped but at the same time wouldn’t stop spinning. I didn’t feel like I was going to be sick, but if I threw up I’d probably feel a little better. But I really had to act like nothing was wrong.

Now I just have to tell them...

But how the fuck am I supposed to tell them I'm pregnant? Would they be upset? Matt wasn't cheating on Kristy, because she was there. She was kissing me while I came… I said her name… So it wasn’t cheating when it’s a threesome. But shit, what am I going to do?

I quickly cleaned up, hiding everything I had taken out and then returned to the living room. I was half expecting Matt, Kristy, or the kids, to be watching TV, but it was empty. Silently, I thanked God as I took a seat on the couch, curling into a small ball.

Fuck.

“What's wrong, Sweet Pea? You look like you're thinking too hard,” Matt asked as he entered the living room. I pulled my thumb away from my mouth as I looked over at him. “Are you okay?” he asked again.

“Mhm? Sorry. Yeah, I was thinking,” I mumbled as I looked at the empty space beside me. Matt must’ve taken that as an invitation to sit beside me, because he sat down, facing me.

“About?”

“Nothing.”

“Please, I know a liar when I see one,” Matt whispered as he looked at me. I can’t believe I forgot Matt was a fucking profiler. So lying was definitely out of the question.

“You won't get mad at me, will you?” I glanced over at him. The same nerves I had felt earlier today were back, making my heart leap to my throat. I hated this. He shouldn’t be mad at me, right? I mean, he wanted this. So why the hell did I ask if he’d be mad at me.

“When have I ever gotten mad at you?” Matt assured as he reached over to grab my hand. My eyes fell to where our hands were sitting.

“I-I'm pregnant,” I whispered, keeping my head low. I hated how long Matt was quiet for. So, I glanced at him again, noting that he was staring at me, frozen in his spot.

“I'm sorry, it sounded like you said you were pregnant,” he enunciated his words. I swallowed roughly and nodded. I don't know why he was anxious and confused. He's the one who wanted me to get pregnant with his baby. And it happened. So why was he surprised?

“Because I did,” I confirmed as I looked at him.

“Does Kristy know?”

I didn’t get the chance to answer the question. Because Kristy walked in the very next moment. Of course she was happy and clueless as to what was happening in my head and between Matt and I. Well, she will in a minute.

“Does Kristy know what?” she asked as she walked around to sit on the arm chair. The smile she wore on her lips made me feel very safe and made me realize that this was a safe space. She wouldn’t be mad at me. I think if anything she’d be happy. Considering she’s been pregnant 5 times…

“How much we love you,” Matt said at the same time I spoke.

“That I'm pregnant.”

“What?” The married pair asked at the same time. I swallowed roughly and looked back at the coffee table.

“I thought we said if we were going to do this we weren’t going to lie,” I stated firmly as I looked at Matt. He looked back at me with wide eyes. “I literally just found out... I was going to wait to tell you but…”

“Finally,” Kristy breathed out as she looked at me. I looked at her with confusion on my face. She had a bright smile on her face as she looked back at me. “It’s not me for once.”

“I-I…” I furrowed my eyebrows as I looked at her. “You’re okay with this? With me being pregnant?”

“I’m more than okay! It’s not me being pregnant!” Kristy exclaimed as she stood up and came over to me. She silently told me to move over so she could sit beside me. “You’re already a great mom with the kids that aren’t biologically yours,” she whispered as she wrapped her arms around me. A small smile grew across my lips as she continued to embrace me.

“Well I’m happy one of you is happy.” I smirked as I looked over at Matt. He was looking at Kristy and I with wide eyes.

“Hey now! I never said I wasn’t happy!” “Was he confused when you said you were pregnant?” “Yep.”

“Did that all 5 other times.”

“I’m literally sitting right here,” Matt cut in as he looked at us.

{***}{***}{***}

Kristy was very quiet during dinner. It was rather unusual how quiet she was being. When either Matt or I asked her what was wrong, she brushed it off or said she’ll tell us when the kids weren’t around. It made me rather nervous.

But once we sent the kids off to bed, Matt and I were talking, and she sat on the couch silent. She had no witty comments or jokes, or any sort of input on something either of us said. Something was clearly wrong, and I hated that she wasn’t talking to Matt or me.

I stared at her as I stood from my spot on the love seat, leaving Matt behind, as I walked to the couch. She looked over at me as I sat beside her. My body instinctively turned to face her and I reached out for her hands.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, keeping my voice soft as her eyes met mine. I was patient as she looked over at Matt. A certain worry crease grew in her brow as she pulled her hand from her face.

“I…” Kristy paused, looking around the room, avoiding the conversation and question altogether. I glanced over my shoulder and looked at Matt.

“Kirsty,” Matt finally spoke up.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispered.

My eyes widened as far as they could as I stared at Kristy. I could feel the shock take over my face as I realized what it was she just said. I couldn’t even move because of her words.

“P-Pregnant?” I whispered as her eyes met mine once again. She nodded. “H-How does that happen?” I asked, referring to the two of us ending up pregnant. I know for a fact that the last time Matt and Kristy had sex was when the 3 of us were together in the hotel. Unless they did it before the trip, which is possible.

“That’s amazing!” Matt finally exclaimed after a moment. I dropped my shoulders before looking over at him. I could sense Kristy glaring at Matt, too. “Best possible outcome if you ask me! Both my girls are pregnant!” He looked between Kristy and me with a bright smile. I shot him a glare and shook my head.

“Shut up, Matt,” I scoffed.

“Okay, well when you have to do all the heavy lifting for 9+ months, then you can have input.”

“I’m just saying! This is great! Now our baby,” he paused and gestured towards me, “won’t be alone!”

“What about Rosemary? Our baby would’ve grown up with her!” I exclaimed. At some point I had gotten up and started pacing the space between the wall and the coffee table. My thumbnail was between my teeth as I nervously bit it. “Not to mention, Rosemary is only 8 months old!” I involuntarily shouted as I looked back at Matt.

“Sweet Pea,” Kristy started. Her voice was soft as she spoke, nearly catching me off guard. She appeared beside me, her hand holding mine. A sudden calm took over as I looked over at her. “This isn’t as bad as it seems. You’re just overwhelmed,” she whispered as she looked at me. I stared at her for a minute, taking in the way she looked at me.

“That’s just a lot of kids,” I whispered before looking down at the ground. She hummed out a laugh before turning me to face her. “Seven kids… Three parents…” I shook my head as I thought about that fact. Although the image of seven kids running amok in the house was amusing, it did scare me a little bit.

“Yeah, but we’re already the greatest parents in the world. You’ve already got practice with babies with Rosemary. All the kids love you like you’re their mother.”

“Because you are!” Matt said from his spot on the couch. I looked over at him before looking back at the ground.

“It’ll be nice being pregnant with someone else. Though, I do admit, the thought of seven kids is a little terrifying,” Kristy chuckled as she looked at me with a smile. I nervously glanced at her and nodded. “Maybe me being pregnant with you will be easy for you,” she whispered.

“And for you,” I included with a smile. She laughed and nodded. “Sorry I… I got upset. I’m just… I guess I’m scared. I didn’t mean to overreact.”

“Hey, Sweet Pea,” Matt started as he got up from his spot. He quietly walked over towards Kristy and me. “It’s okay. You’ve never been pregnant before.”

“You’re going to be the one to tell the kids that we’re both pregnant,” I stated as I looked over at him.

“I’ll be the one to tell the kids,” he clarified with a nod. I smiled as I looked at him.

{***}{***}{***}

8 months… I actually hated it. Sure I loved the idea of having a baby… But I hated it so much. I didn’t know how Kristy did it 5, now 6, times. At least the kids were excited about their new siblings

“Do you know how exhausting it is being pregnant?” I groaned as I laid back on the couch. Kirsty, who was sitting on the other side of the room in the recliner, answered my question with a groan. “I was asking Matt,” I laughed as I looked over at her. Although he wasn’t even in the room. I suppose my question was just for the room.

“I feel bad for having him do all the work for us… But… He’s the one who got us pregnant,” she said softly as she looked over towards the kitchen, where Matt was with the other 5 children. All of the kids, except Rosemary, wanted to make us dinner. Which will, inevitability, end in Matt running out to get pizza or chinese or italian or tacos or all of the above.

“He wasn’t even trying to get you pregnant this time,” I pointed out as I readjusted to get comfortable. Comfort, however, was no longer my friend. It wasn’t even an acquaintance at this point. And sleep, too, has long since become a stranger. I miss sleeping and being comfortable.

“I think he was,” Kirsty stated with a roll of the eyes. I smiled and shrugged.

“At least you’re not alone this time.” I looked at her. Kirsty hummed happily before nodding lightly. “And, to be honest, I’m happy I’m not alone,” I sighed deeply as I pulled a blanket over my body.

“That’s a very good point. But I am never getting pregnant again.”

“You said that last time, didn’t you?” I raised an eyebrow. Kristy laughed before nodding.

“I think I’ve said that every time,” she sighed deeply. I laughed as I looked towards the TV. A silly little soap opera was on, it was all she wanted to watch it seemed. I’m not complaining. At first I didn’t understand but then the drama happened and it was all I wanted. Although, if it were up to me we’d be watching The Bachelorette.

Matt entered the room, the youngest child on his hip while the other 4 were around him. Kristy and I looked over at him, waiting for him to break the news that dinner was a no go.

“Dad burnt dinner,” David said from behind his dad. I looked over at Kristy, feeling a small smirk grow across my lips.

“I did not,” Matt scolded as he looked at the child. I stifled a laugh and nodded.

“Well, we know it wasn’t us... And the kids aren’t supposed to touch the stove or the oven,” Kirsty said as she sat up a bit in her chair. I could feel my smirk turn into an amused smile as she looked at Matt.

“Alright, alright, I burnt dinner. What do you guys want?” Matt sighed as he gave in. All the kids, myself, and Kristy, cheered. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t looking forward to their cooking. I appreciate their efforts though.

“Tacos and Sweet and Sour Chicken!” I exclaimed as I looked at him. The kids all said pizza, while Kristy called for cheeseburgers and tacos. I don’t think I’d ever been so excited for food before in my entire life. But I thought that last time he brought food home.

“Take the kids with,” Kristy looked up at Matt as he walked towards the door. All the kids cheered again as they ran towards the front door. Matt dropped his shoulders as he looked between me and Kristy. “Please.”

“I don’t think I have much of a choice,” he mumbled as he approached Kristy. She smiled as he stood in front of her. After he quickly pecked her lips he came over to me to kiss me. “I’ll be back soon with everyone’s food. Call if you need anything… Actually,” Matt paused for a moment, “yeah, call if you need anything.”

“Bye!”

“Love you!”

With that, it was just Kristy and me left in silence. It was a silence I didn’t realize I had missed. Did I want to nap? Talk to Kristy? Nap? What was it that I wanted to do the most now that the kids were gone and it was quiet. All my time was going to be wasted on thinking rather than doing.

I glanced over at Kristy and noticed that her eyes were closed. And if she was having any luck with sleep like I was, she was just closing her eyes. She wasn’t actually asleep, though she wanted to be.

“I’m going to be so jealous of you if you’re actually asleep,” I said out loud. Kristy gave me an amused smile as she opened her eyes to look at me. “That’s what I thought.”

“I’d say I’m finally comfortable, but I’d be a liar,” she hummed a laugh as she readjusted her position. I swallowed roughly as I sat up.

“I don’t think I’ve been comfortable since a basketball appeared under my shirt…” I looked down at my belly and sighed again. “I keep telling myself that it’ll be worth it. But like… I’m so tired all the freaking time.”

“It’s going to get worse… Seven kids with 3 of them under two…”

“Please, please don’t remind me,” I begged as I looked at her. Kristy smiled at me and shrugged. “Has it ever occurred to you that we’re going to need a bus? Or two minivans? Or… I don’t even know…” I looked at Kristy. She laughed and nodded.

“Only every day do I think about it, Sweet Pea,” she laughed as she readjusted her position, again. “We’ll let Matt deal with that. They’re all his kids anyways,” she laughed again as she waved a hand in the air.

“He’s lucky we love him,” I returned the laughter and nodded. Kristy nodded in agreement.

“He better hurry up with our food. I don’t know how much love I have left for him.”

“Oh be quiet, Kristy.”

“I’m just saying.”

{***}{***}{***}

“I forgot how cute new born babies were,” I whispered as I looked between the two cots, holding a baby each. Kristy looked over at me with a small smile and nodded. It’s funny, they were both born on the same day, with only a few hours in between. Kristy gave birth to a boy, they named him Philip. He was born a few hours before our daughter had made her appearance. And once she was born, we were stuck on names.

I’d never named a baby before. Any name Matt or Kristy offered just seemed wrong for her. She almost came home without a name till Kristy offered Thea. And it was perfect.

“We both think that… But we won’t be saying that when they’re shitting at 3 in the morning,” she chuckled lightly. I closed my eyes and hummed a laugh as I looked at her.

“That’s true. They’re lucky they’re ours,” I whispered again as I looked at baby Thea. I hesitated before scooping her into my arms. The baby cooed and wiggled a bit before going back to sleep.

“Look at you, a natural already.”

“I did help take care of Rosemary, remember?” I kept my voice low as I ran my finger down the baby’s nose. Kristy smiled as she turned to face me.

“You’re going to do a great job,” she whispered as she looked at the baby in my hands.

“I hope so,” I said softly as I looked at the baby.

Our moment of silence was cut short by the sounds of several feet running around the house, with several kids talking at full volume, followed by Matt telling them to quiet down. I looked up at Kristy and smiled.

“Your 5 other kids are here, and they’ll fight you on whether or not you’re doing a good job,” Kristy laughed as she looked between me and the babies. “I’m gonna go out there. You take all the time that you need,” she whispered.

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll be there in a minute,” I mumbled as I looked back down at the baby. She pecked my cheek before leaving the nursery.

The room was back in silence, and I was left with two infants who were fast asleep. It amazed me how they slept so soundly, yet they were still able to scream and cry. Thankfully the twins wanted to help out as much as they could.

I looked down at the baby in my arms as I navigated towards one of the several rocking chairs. The silence in my room felt safe, and my baby stayed asleep the entire time I stared at her. Everything about her still felt so… Serial to me. She was just there, asleep, as if she didn’t change my life however many months ago…

And I loved her.

if you have any comments/questions about this part, let me know here!