#ellies storytime

[jediavengers]

so i was sending nudes to this guy last night, and on snap you have the last person you snapped and then top groups below it. well.. i accidentally sent a video of me to my top group. guess who’s in my top group. my fucking managers.

[cyberpunkaddict]

2022 Letter.

So, I haven't been part of the Cyberpunk 2077 community for very long, but I'd like to say a few words. I'm adding a bunch of unreleased pics I dunno what to do with.

Read the "letter" below:

The year is coming to an end and I've been reminiscing. This is my last post for 2022. Here's to many more in 2023!

I've been doing art (drawing and photography mainly) since I can remember. It's always been an outlet for me. It's therapeutic. It's fun. However, I never really shared my work with anyone because I made stuff for me you know, until Tumblr.

I used to think that if I showed people my work they wouldn't care and I'd feel...selfish for sharing...for some weird reason...

But sharing stuff is about making people think, feel, laugh, smile, be inspired. That's what I feel about other peoples work, so why would I feel that way about my own stuff? Some people say you have to be a little crazy to be creative, so maybe that's why lol.

I wouldn't be into VP and gif making if it wasn't for you guys. You're the reason I keep doing this. Tumblr is toxic sometimes, sure, but the people in this community make it worth staying.

So, Dear Everyone ❤️,

To the lurkers, people I've gotten to know and everyone in between,

Your humor is funny as h*ll, your art is inspiring, amazing and beautiful, your likes, reblogs, messages and reblog tags make my day, your ocs are as incredible as you and it feels like they're alive. And...you help people escape a reality that is perhaps too difficult to handle... Thank you ❤️

Love,

Victoria

And now you know my name lol. Yes, the game gets awkward for me sometimes, especially since people in real life call me "V" lol.

I'll leave you with these BFFs:

Good Bye 2022! Hello 2023!

[astralnymphh]

Omg Ellie showing her kid savage starlight comics for the first time and geeking the fuck out when her kid loves it

♡♱— DON'T GET ME STARTED. this is what i mean by domestic!ellie being the best trope. she is quite literally the epitome of perfect parenting where bonding is stationed high upon a pedestal. can you imagine: nigh past midnight, a soft darkness blanketing each and every pane of glass, impelling the flash-lit orb brightening two expressions— one speckled, and one youthful— to sit in that gloaming. ellie had either indulged with excess enthusiasm or forgotten how swift time streaks by because the giggles and drama-worthy storytelling unquestionably narrated by she herself has kept her out of your shared bed— and in your child's. lain there, laxly tossed blanket to cover, limning the galactic world presented in the first savage starlight comic ellie was heavily (and obviously) disposed to read aloud. it does not matter how long you've been leaning against the doorframe, cracked just enough to contemplate every hand gesture, every vowel mouthed, every tooth that reveals under her tugging lips; heartfelt details emblematic of how much bliss this nighttime joy brings— why would you stop her now?

♡♱— in fact, it was so heartfelt, so moving, you quite literally begin to move towards the bed without the visible notice of ellie.. until the mattress begins to dip with your added weight sidling behind her turned body, "oh, is mama joinin' storytime?" snipping her last sentence to steer quiet attention towards you, who lifted heavying lids barely to catch the turn of her wrinkled-eye smile, and feel the gentle mount of her left hand nudging your thigh in little shakes; a comforting habit. "we we're just getting to the good part. actually, i think you'll remember this scene babe— however many times i read it to you."

too bad you fell asleep to even attempt remembering. ♡

MASTERLIST . DAILY CLICK . READ THIS . PALESTINE MP

[puppetmaster13u]

Once more thinkin about this Prompt/AU

And I decided to sketch the level 1 forms the team (& Ellie) have along with sketches of their lvl 200+ Forms. I do believe Klarion is having a blast with his new friends and the Young Justice Team is going to have some Trauma from not knowing this is a Game.

Tucker: Lvl 1 Cat | Sam: Lvl 1 Sprout | Valerie: Lvl 1 Golem | Danny: Lvl 2 Dragon Egg | Ellie: Lvl 1 Celestial Snakelett

(Click for higher quality) Also they are all now Mountain Sized or Larger. Also pondering them all having 3 stages to their bossfights. Second stages is when they start using more magic & less "minions" and final stage is when shit hits the fan & the surroundings get Wrecked. Like Tucker summoning a literal storm & getting lightning charged, or Sam fully emerging from the caves, or Valerie unearthing herself and the team realizing the entire dungeon-city was On Her Back.

@victoria-has-no-secret @qitsin Both y'all reblogged with fun ideas so here @bleuyellow93-storytime you had very VERY fun tags so also here lol [If u don't want to be tagged I apologize] Aaand finally, @radiance1 I think you'd like these

[derpy-thebdayclown]

cc oc yearly headshots. needed to add fish lol

anyways storytime. i’ve been a finger artist this whole time if you havent realized! i got a new phone and long story short, can’t draw on it properly bc new iphones dont have the same screen touch— thing?? so im on my ipad now.

i wont lie, i REALLY don’t like it. i am so used to using my finger to draw that using a pen is just RIDICULOUSLY hard for me. dont know what that means for my art. i just wanted to let people know that my art might look Funky for awhile

anyways. Camp camp ocs!!! i love my camp camp ocs. if you have questions about em, i’ll answer! (left to right, each row: eris, tiffany, andrew, mathilde, jingle, perry, VB, missy, rory, graham, lottie, ellis, fen, september, fish)

[camzverse]

fnaf spider-man au....................

-what are ness and greg's spider names?

-what do u want their suits to look like?

-does freddy + ellis tony and cassie know? do they help keep gregory and vanessa's secret?

-are the animatronics villains in this au??

-do you know how crazy this au is making me? /j

GIGGLES. FNAF SPIDER-MAN AU.....

-ok sooo. i havent decided what i want vanessas spider name to be yet but ive been calling her spider-van in my head lolzz. i literally cant pick what i want it to actually b tho.. i have no idea </2 (i would gladly accept any suggestions though Blinks rapidly.) andddd gregs is "spidey" ! (storytime. so its bc like. the press had just been calling him "spider-kid" and he thought that name SUCKED ((plus he thinks it makes him sound like hes some child and hes 15 in this au)) so he came up with it on the spot so that theyd start calling him anything but that and the name just stuck ^_^)

-i drew a little basic design 4 nessas suit actually!!

SO SOMETHING LIKE THIS !!! ill probably change it somewhat bc im not that happy with the colors n stuff but likee. :333 . its kinda based off the vanny costume (and ghost spider) ! also i realized . vanny has that same eye shape and bald ass head every spider-man has its really funny to me

anddd i havent drawn gregs suit yet but i was thinking it would look like the standard spider-man suit but the blue and red switched !!! and lighter shades!! so like a lighter mostly blue suit with red parts. ykwim ??

-cassie is the only one who knows ^_^ she was actually there when greg got bit and also when his powers kicked in. They were freaking the fuck out together<2 . at first she only knew ab greg but then she accidentally ended up finding out vanessas identity too lolz. anyway cassie keeps their secret LIKE NOBODYS BUSINESS. shes covering for greg so well she deserves a medal. ellis and tony have noo idea theyre cluelesssssss. they def find out eventually but thry have no clue for a long time lmao. also tony would totally be obsessrd with trying to figure out the spider duos secret identities. hed have a blog about it i feel it in my soul. Alsooo frankly im not even sure how ill fit freddy into this au. I REALLY WANT TO but i havent thought of anything. hm maybe fred has kind of like a reformed villain thing going on and ends up teaming up w spider duo to help them out. hmmm i actually like that concept.. if i do smth like that with him he'll most likely know their identities then

-ya the animatronics are villains!!! ill probably fuse some of them with the classic spider-man villains so like theyd be similar to those villains while still mainly being the animatronics if that makes senseeee

-vanny do u know how crazy this au is making ME. we will simply be crazy together

[muppet-facts]

Muppet Fact #571

The Muppets have done seven adaptations of A Christmas Carol over the years. Some longer and more elaborate than others. Of these adaptations, four are Sesame Street productions. The seven adaptations are:

Many elements from A Special Sesame Street Christmas (1978).

The Sesame Street Storytime Calendar 1982's December illustration displayed a final scene from the tale.

"Oscar's Christmas Carol (A Dickens of a Story)" in A Sesame Street Christmas, written by Pat Tornborg and illustrated by Tom Cooke (1982).

"A (Sort of) Christmas Carol" written by Ellis Weiner, illustrated by Dean Yeagle, which appeared in Muppet Magazine, Issue 5. (1984).

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

"Yet Another Christmas Carol" in A Very Muppet Christmas. (1999).

A Sesame Street Christmas Carol (2006)

Sources:

A Special Sesame Street Christmas. December 8, 1978.

The Sesame Street Storytime Calendar 1982. December illustration.

"A (Sort of) Christmas Carol." Ellis Weiner and Dean Yeagle. Muppet Magazine, Issue 5. 1984.

"Oscar's Christmas Carol (A Dickens of a Story)" in A Sesame Street Christmas. Pat Tornborg and Tom Cooke. Western Publishing. 1982.

The Muppet Christmas Carol. 1992.

"Yet Another Christmas Carol" in A Very Muppet Christmas. Ellen Weiss, Kiki Thorpe, Craig Shemin, Ben Eastman, John Barrett, and Corinda Cook. Running Press. 1999.

A Sesame Street Christmas Carol. 2006.

[crissiebaby]

The Padded Palace Act III: Chapter 17

DISCLAIMER: This story contains diaper usage, crossdressing, inappropriate language, humiliation, masturbation/diaper sex, and other ABDL themes. Be sure to check out the link in the description if you need to start all the way back from the first chapter in Act I! I hope you enjoy!

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*SNOOOOORE!*

As the final title card appeared on the screen to announce the end of Cinderella, Connor’s tired eyes gazed upon three sleeping Littles, with two of them snuggled up next to him. Scrunching up his face as another pinging cramp in his gut, he was insanely jealous that he couldn’t fall asleep nearly as easily as the girls could. Sadly, the pressure that his bowels were pushing on his prostate in such a way that he was never given a moment's peace. He couldn’t even get back to Little Space despite the diaper and nightie threatening to send him back with every crinkle and sizzle. And Goddess-forbid resorting to asking to use the bathroom. No doubt, the girls would probably pin him down and force him to mess himself if they knew.

Eying the door to the nursery, Connor could tell that he was running out of time. While the movie had been mercifully short, an hour was a long time to need to use the potty, especially with Ellie resting against the side of his gut. She would definitely be the hardest to sneak out from under so he decided to leave her be for now, starting instead with Riri since she was merely leaning against him. Pressing three fingers against her shoulder, he slowly tilted her away from him, with her eventually rolling away from Connor while still half asleep. He then waited silently without so much a single exhale, listening for Riri’s snoring to resume before continuing his escape.

*GUUUUUUUURRRRGGLE!*

Unfortunately, Connor wouldn’t get the chance to pry Ellie off him as an obnoxiously loud tummy grumble woke Ellie mid-sleep cycle. “Mmmm…aww, ish da movie ova?” she said in a small, sleepy voice, her tiredness landing her right back into Little Space. Her words caught Stacy’s ear, stirring her back to consciousness as well.

“Darn, I missed the shoe fitting,” said Stacy, pouting over missing her favorite scene where Cinderella smartly pulls out the second glass slipper right in front of her shocked stepmother. She let out a big yawn before looking to her naptime crib, her expression glazing over, “I think I’m out of go-go juice. Time for beddy-bye. C’mon, Riri.” She gently shook Riri awake, erasing the only progress Connor had managed to make in quick succession.

Mentally cursing his impatient stomach, Connor needed to pivot and fast. By now, it was too late at night to believably excuse himself for a Latasha check-in. His best option was to hurry the girls to their cribs so that he could make a break for it. “Okay, guess I gotta be Big again. Lemme help you girls get-OOF,” he said, his words caught off by Stacy tossing a pillow at him.

“Skye took her pillows to the convention so you can use one of mine,” said Stacy, gesturing toward Skye’s crib.

It took Connor a second to put two and two together. “Oh, th-that won’t be necessary. I’ve got plenty of pillows upstairs on my bed,” he said, his statement capturing everyone's attention.

“Sowwy, Connow. Padded Pawace rules awe dat babies seep in da nuwsewy,” said Riri, clinging to Connor’s nightie with weary hands, “Chus can use Skye’s cwib doh so dat chus don hafta shawe.”

Feeling much more amicable in part due to her drowsiness, Stacy grabbed Connor by the arms and yanked him up to his feet. “Come on, you little poof butt. I’ll give you the deluxe nighttime experience with a change and a tuck-in. No storytime, though. I don’t like reading,” she said, maintaining her firm hold on the Palace’s caregiver position, at least for the moment.

“That’s alright. Y-You don’t need to-,” responded Connor, once again finding himself interrupted as Stacy planted a long finger against his moving lips.

Using her free hand, Stacy reached down and grabbed a big handful of Connor’s mushy diaper fluff, causing him to go wide-eyed in the process. “You see, this is why babies don’t get to pick when they get diaper changes. Poor little things have no idea how wet they get,” she said, turning Connor into a blushy mess yet again. Only this time, it wasn’t for the reason she thought.

Having let out a silent fart in reaction to Stacy’s handsy behavior, Connor was now as stiff as a statue as he felt a distinct sliminess lubricating his butt cheeks. Unbeknownst to him was the fact that he, in fact, hadn’t pooped himself. It was merely a combination of sweat, his mental state, and his lack of experience with using a diaper.

It didn’t matter that it was all psychological though. In Connor’s mind, he had just sharted himself, lowering his status to being no better than one of the Padded Palace’s attendees. If Stacy saw what he believed he had done, he would never hear the end of it. He knew he needed to say something, ANYTHING to get out of this situation. Tragically, his power of speech was severely hampered for obvious reasons.

“Connow, ish jus a diapee change. We awweady seen evewyfing,” said Ellie, coming up behind Connor and hugging him from behind. This seemingly innocuous action was like a dagger in Connor’s pride. He leaped forward instinctually as the front of Ellie’s diaper mashed into the rear of his own, bonking heads with Stacy in the process.

Stumbling back with a hand nursing the impact spot on her forehead, the semi-good mood that Connor’s transformation had put her in disappeared in an instant. “Ahh! Dude, what the f- ....oh…” she said, her expression shifting from confusion and anger to devious and knowing the second she laid eyes on Connor. The slight stutter in his speech. The way he couldn’t stand still. The small beads of sweat on his face. And of course, his reaction to Ellie’s hug. There was only one explanation, “...Uh oh, girls. I think someone needs to go potty.”

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“Attention my naughty attendees! It’s time for a Padded Palace classic. Who’s ready to play Pin the Diaper on the Dork?” announced Latasha, earning a lofty reception from the over two dozen people packed into her hotel room, “I’ll let my lovely assistant, Aanya, tell you everything you need to know while I get everything set up.”

Clapping her hands together as she stepped into the center of the room, Aanya was chomping at the bit to play one of her all-time favorite ABDL party games. “Okay, diaper dorks, you’ve all played pin the tail on the donkey, I’m sure. Well, Pin the Diaper on the Dork is very similar in nature. One at a time, caregivers will be blindfolded and spun in circles. They will then have 30 seconds to tape their diaper on our designated dork. And we won’t stop adding diapers until our lucky dork can’t so much as crawl, much less waddle. Now then, I think I already know exactly who would be perfect for our first dork!” she said with an evil grin plastered on her face. Pointing a finger toward the playpen, her devilish eyes landed squarely on her pathetic, little sissy, Gary, “Garebare, come to Mommy.” She crouched down and patted her thighs with both hands condescendingly as if she were calling a pet.

As Gary reluctantly joined Aanya in the center of the room, Latasha was keeping herself busy but setting up several stacks of cheap, incontinence underwear. She wasn’t about to waste proper ABDL diapers if they weren’t going to be used as intended. All the while, she struggled to suppress her high-key annoyance over the fact that she was stuck setting up for a game she’d barely get the chance to participate in. Grabbing her red-solo cup filled with half red bull and half vodka, she angrily downed the rest of her drink before chucking the cup at the trash can sandwiched between the drink table and the changing table.

It wasn’t like anyone could blame Latasha for feeling bitter over how the evening was developing. She wasn’t the one pushing hard drinks on someone with the emotional stability of a toddler. What was Elma thinking? As if dealing with a drunken toddler wasn’t going to add enough stress to her night, there was no telling how bad she would be in the morning once her hangover inevitably set in.

Everything would be so much better if I’d just left Skye at home.

Freezing in place, Latasha’s heart skipped a beat as a horrible, intoxicated thought entered her brain. She knew she didn’t mean it but just having the thought alone was enough to scare her. Skye meant the world to her. What was she even doing? She should’ve known Skye wouldn’t enjoy this party as much as she would. In the back of her mind, she probably did. It had been two years since her last convention. Heck, since her last vacation in general. She needed this…at least that’s what she kept telling herself.

“Everything okay?”

Coming out of her zombie-like trance, Latasha released the death grip she had on the small stack of diapers in her hand at the sound of Elma’s voice. “Y-Yeah. Everything’s fine,” she said, wanting to apologize for what happened between them. It was her ego that refused to let go no matter how hard she tried, “How about you?”

“I’m okay. I’m sorry, Latasha. I overstepped my boundaries, both as a caregiver and as a friend. It wasn’t my place to say anything,” said Elma, eating her slice of humble pie in order to salvage the weekend with her old friend. In truth, she wasn’t all that sorry. What she said may have been rude but it was also honest. It was clear that Latasha wasn’t cut out for being a full-time caregiver but she also knew that there was nothing she could say at this point to get her to realize that.

Elma’s surprising apology allowed Latasha to let the air out of her lungs. For as long as she’d known Elma, she’d never apologized for so much as bumping into someone in passing, let alone a full-blown argument. Not wanting to be the lesser person, she readied herself to face the music. “Thank you. I’m s…Skye?”

“What?” said Elma, cocking her head to the side at Latasha’s bizarre statement. Following her gaze, she turned around to find Skye back at the drinks table with Jesi by her side, “Jesi, I’m positive that Skye doesn’t need anything else from that table.”

Raising a reassuring hand toward Latasha and Elma, Jesi was quick to clear up what was happening. “Calm down, you two. Skye just wanted some juice,” she said, stepping aside to reveal Skye clumsily pouring orange juice into a sippy cup while spilling a good amount of it in the process.

“Yeah, that’s fine but maybe don’t let her dump half of it on the table,” said Latasha, rushing over to help steady the carton in Skye’s hand. Looking down at her baby girl, she was saddened to find that Skye’s face was deliberately turned away from her. It wasn’t surprising nor unearned but it was heart-crushing. She topped off Skye’s sippy cup and set the carton aside before kneeling down next to Skye, “Mommy’s been a big dummy, hasn’t she?”

Nodding her head without looking at Latasha, Skye balled her fists up tightly as she held back tears. She didn’t want to fight with Mommy. But Mommy had been such a bad Mommy ever since they got to CrissCon. She rotated toward Latasha a little bit, allowing her to sneak peeks at Latasha from her peripheral vision. “I wans a hug,” she said, her bottom lip quivering.

“Oh, baby, come here,” cooed Latasha, petting Skye’s hair as she squeezed her close, “I’m so sorry, baby girl. I promise that tomorrow, you and I are going to do whatever you want. Just the two of us.”

Returning Latasha’s hug, Skye sniffled through her response, “I-I’d wike d-dat.”

Breaking from the hug, Latasha stood back up before arching her back to pop it. “Oof. Mama’s gettin’ old,” she said, garnering a titter of laughter from Skye. Taking Skye by the hand, she decided in her head that for the rest of the night-no…for the rest of the trip, she was going to keep Skye by her side at all times like a good Mommy should, “You wanna come sit with Mommy? We’re about to play a super fun game.”

Cracking a fragile smile, Skye nodded again, this time much more enthusiastically. “Dat souns nice,” she said, wiggling in a place like the adorable Little she was.

“Excellent. Let’s go grab a seat on the bed before they're all gone,” said Latasha, turning to move to the bed. However, she soon found her arm pulling in the opposite direction as Skye angled back toward the drink table, “Oh, did you still need something?”

Shaking her head, Skye grabbed a full red solo cup off the far edge of the table and turned to offer it to Latasha. “I fink dis ones churs,” she said, rotating the cup in her hands so that Latasha could see her name written in sharpie on the side.

Accepting the drink from Skye, Latasha lifted the cup to her eyes, confirming that it was indeed her handwriting. Had she poured a drink earlier and completely forgotten about it? She supposed she was drunk enough at this point for that to happen. “Well, I guess it is. Thank you pumpkin,” she said, giving Skye some well-deserved headpats, “Now let’s go. The show’s about to start.”

Latasha had no idea how much her words were about to ring true. As she was led away from the drinks table, Skye uncurled her fist, letting an empty wrapper and a crumpled-up Lisp Lolly stick fall to the floor.

TO BE CONTINUED…

« PREVIOUS l FIRST l NEXT »

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Heyyo! Can't wait until next week for more Padded Palace!? Subscribe to my Patreon, where you can get early access to main series chapters like this one, as well as exclusive content you won't find anywhere else! Join my dollhouse at patreon.com/crissiebaby!

Edited by AllySmolShork

[i-can-even-burn-salad]

Happy STS, Elli! Storytime first. I scrolled through your Till Death tag for like 15 mins looking for this sentence, bc I thought it was in 30 Days 30 Lines, only to realize it was in your wip intro and I should've just looked there. Oh well. Anyway! I think about this sentence often: One tiny barrier between his broken body and the teeth of the forest, but perhaps it was enough. "The teeth of the forest" is just beautiful. It haunts me. <3 Do you have any fave lines or moments you're super-special-proud of? Care to share?

Happy STS!

Aw, thank you 🥹 The teeth of the forest haunt him, too! :D

I have a few in Till Death, but they're also pretty spoilery.

Another I came across earlier I put in with a little giggle. This one is from Thorns:

Was this all it came down to in the end? The Ceodh’s sadistic pleasure to see them suffer, thinly veiled behind a made-up greater cause?

Yeah. The. The Ceodh's sadistic pleasure. Yep. Their fault. Not the author's.

Also you know, the last scene of Glass Shards. For the whole damn year I wrote it, I had this scene in mind, the two of them in front of the window, with the rainbow shards Damien put together, finally happy 🥹

[cyberpunkaddict]

Merry Xmas from the fam

Xmas stuff and food by @bnbc 💖

Bonus:

Life with cats. And Johnny.

[vibingouthere]

Somewhere In My Memory

“They’re just busy," she sighed. "Their family’s apparently big on traditions, so they’ve been running around like crazy for the last week, and… And I know that I shouldn’t hold it against them—that that’s selfish, and it’s their family, but I just—”

“You miss them.”

Kaimelia Christmas fic, rated G, hella fluff. Happy holidays everyone. As always, AO3 link at the bottom if you want it.

Amelia could distinctly remember a time in her life when staying up late on Christmas Eve had given her the most exhilarating feeling in the world. One of the biggest joys of her childhood, nothing—save for the events of the following morning—had ever come close to beating it. Of course, she’d later learn that most of those memories were built on lies—that there was no such thing as Santa Claus and that reindeer couldn’t really fly—but still: the echos of her excitement never failed to make her grin.  

Except for now.

Wide awake at 2 am on December 24th—well, December 25th—her past was currently haunting her, taunting her as she tried desperately to fall asleep. It was a cruel twist of fate: where she once would’ve felt euphoric at being awake at this hour, this Christmas Eve, all she felt was disgruntled, over-tired, and angry. No, wait… not angry. Just sad. Her eyes flicking over to the other side of her bed, ruminating on its unassuming vacancy, she sighed. 

Kai had been distant the last few days. Caught up in their family’s holiday plans, she hadn’t spoken to them much since they’d left for their mother’s house. Sleigh rides and storytime, snowball fights and Christmas lights—apparently their family did it all, leaving Kai with little time or energy to check in with her like normal. Usually, their silence wouldn’t have been an issue—Amelia wasn’t so co-dependent that their occasional absence from her life was entirely soul-crushing—but… 

It was Christmas. 

And Maggie and the kids had been binging Hallmark movies for the last three days. And Ellis had been singing that stupid “Twelve Days of Christmas” song since the start of December. And Nick was a surprisingly good baker, so the whole house smelled like cinnamon—like Kai—and all she wanted was to roll over and pull them closer. To breathe them in and hear their heartbeat in her ears. 

Because it was Christmas. And she wanted the fluff. She wanted the hot chocolate and the marshmallows and the candy cane daydreams. She wanted the lights and the snow and Jack Frost nipping at her nose. Something had changed between this year and last and suddenly Amelia wanted all the things she hadn’t cared about before. She wanted the festivity and the cheer and—them. God damn it, she wanted them…

With a groan, she turned over to “their side” of her bed, nestling her face deep into “their pillow” so she could pretend that it was them. If she were feeling better, she might chuckle at the irony—they seemed to have a knack for “causing her trouble” and “keeping her up”—but alas, all she could muster was a bitter roll of her defiantly closed eyes. Letting her imagination run wild, Amelia laid in uneasy silence until her limbs felt heavy and her mind felt sluggish, condemning her younger self for ever thinking that this experience had felt good… 

BANG!

Her Christmas morning started with a bang—literally—as her door smacked against the wall, Meredith barging into her room only a few hours after she’d finally fallen asleep. 

“Amelia, get up. We’ve got work to do.”

Instinctively, she grunted at her words, burrowing herself further underneath her covers. They’d been doing this for years now—waiting until Christmas morning to stage Santa’s midnight arrival—but never before had she felt less interested in the task, her pessimism and exhaustion still lingering in her bones. Through a puff of annoyance, Meredith reached out and shook her foot. 

“Amelia, I’m serious. We overslept. Nick, Maggie, and Winston are already downstairs, but the kids are going to be up any minute.”

She ignored her again, squeezing her eyes shut to try and return to her previous state of unconscious bliss. She’d been dreaming. She couldn’t remember exactly what of, most of it fleeting and spoken in gibberish, but she did know one thing for sure: Kai had been there. Their smile, their eyes, their hair—they’d been vivid in a sea of shifting scenarios. Their hand had felt solid in hers and their laugh had rung loudly in her ears and if she could just focus hard enough, she might be able to— 

Meredith shook her foot again. “Amelia, come on. It’s Christmas, we’ve gotta get a move on.”

Their ghost disappeared and it felt like a hole had been punched through her chest. Sputtering out indistinct curses, Amelia begrudgingly opened her eyes, glaring daggers at her sister as she indignantly swung her legs over the side of her bed. Bundling a blanket around her shoulders, she was quiet as she followed Meredith out into the hall. Her less-than-spirited attitude awkwardly filling the air, her sister was quick to offer her a half-hearted apology as they passed Maggie’s old room.

“I’m sorry about the rude awakening, but we’ve got to hurry. Plus, Link texted just a minute ago too—said he’d be over with Scout soon.”

“It’s fine,” she muttered, rubbing at her eyes. “It’s not about you.” 

Meredith shot her a concerned look over her shoulder. “Rough night?”

“Yeah,” she exhaled. “You could say that.”

At first, she didn’t respond, the only sound between them being Amelia’s heavy footsteps falling on the creaky floorboards, but then, leading the way down the stairs, her sister asked, “When was the last time you heard from Kai?”

It was uncanny sometimes, Meredith’s strange ability to pinpoint exactly what was wrong with her. Pulling her blanket closer to her chest, Amelia reluctantly grumbled, “The 23rd.” 

“Not even a text?” her sister questioned. 

“Nope,” she clipped.  

Though she couldn’t see her face, the resulting frown was evident in Meredith’s tone. “That’s so unlike them.” 

Amelia sighed as she landed on the ground floor. “They’re just busy. Their family’s apparently big on traditions, so they’ve been running around like crazy for the last week, and… And I know that I shouldn’t hold it against them—that that’s selfish, and it’s their family, but I just—” 

“You miss them.”

Meredith had stopped walking, having turned around to face her. Behind her back, Amelia could see slivers of the absolute disaster that’d overtaken the living room. There were bows and ribbons and scraps of wrapping paper scattered all over the floor. Only a measly handful of gifts had yet to make it under the tree. The stockings were unstuffed, the cookies uneaten. Maggie, Winston, and Nick were all stumbling around one another, trying desperately to hurry up but also failing miserably. Her shoulders deflated at the scene.   

“I do,” she weakly admitted. “I really, really do.” 

Offering her a tight-lipped smile and kind, warm eyes, Amelia let Meredith throw her arm around her shoulders, relishing in the physical comfort.

“I’m sure they miss you, too, Amelia… but it’s Christmas, yeah?” she optimistically suggested. “Today’s supposed to be fun. And I’m sure they wouldn’t want you to be so sad.”

She gave a slight nod of her head.  

“So then let’s go have some fun, alright? Once we get this situated—once Scout gets here—everything will feel a whole lot better, I promise,” Meredith said, her hope moderately uncharacteristic. “And then, after, you can call them, or they’ll call you, and everything will be perfect again. Okay?”

There was another slight nod of her head, and then she was being gently steered toward the living room, greeted kindly by her family as they immediately put her to work. 

Hurriedly packing everyone’s stockings, Amelia tried not to think about how Kai had probably done something similar the night before. Biting into Santa’s cookies and dumping the sour milk, she tried not to picture their niblings surging into their room at the crack of dawn, as she would’ve done when she was a child. Helping Maggie lug a particularly large gift under the tree, she tried not to imagine them still in their pajamas, quietly sipping on a cup of coffee while chaos broke out in their parents’s living room. 

The look on their face every time they opened something they liked; assisting their father in rounding up all the discarded wrapping paper; helping the kids break in their new toys—pushing through every last one of her Christmas morning duties, Amelia tried not to think about Kai at all.

(It hadn’t worked, of course, but at least she could say she tried.)

By the time Link and Scout arrived, the Christmas crisis had been successfully averted; and then, admittedly, everything had gotten a bit easier. 

Still clad in his Santa pajamas, Amelia’s heart nearly burst through her chest as she watched Scout’s sleepy eyes go wide, gasping as he took in Meredith’s new and improved living room. Pressing a kiss to her son’s blond locks, she took him from Link’s arms as he mumbled something about retrieving more presents from his car, carting her boy around the room so he could better inspect the changes. Mere seconds after Link made it back, thunderous feet were stomping down the stairs, Meredith’s children being unintentionally awoken by their cousin’s arrival. Greeting the adults with growing grins and a hunger for their gifts, Christmas was officially underway.  

As the hour beat on, Amelia basked in the spectacle of it all. The children were screaming in glee. Wrapping paper was flying through the air. Everyone was excitedly talking over one another. Holding tightly to the single gift Scout had presented her—a clumsily glued-together ornament he’d made at daycare—she could hardly even remember how heavy her heart had felt before. After an evening wasted wallowing in her own self-pity, she could almost be mad that Meredith had been right: it was all working out.

And then, just as everything was starting to wind down, only a handful of gifts remaining, there was a knock at the door. 

Her brows furrowed at the sound, every adult mind equally confused by who it could be; though they were expecting a few guests later in the day—Lucas would be coming over for dinner, and Teddy and Owen would be stopping by to say hello—neither of them were due to arrive for hours. All eyes eventually landing on Meredith, her sister huffed as she stood to open the door, everyone else awkwardly awaiting her return. Indistinct whispers floating down the hall, she re-entered the room almost as quickly as she’d left it.

“Amelia, it’s for you.”

Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head.

“Me?” she asked incredulously.

“Mhm,” Meredith nonchalantly hummed, returning to her seat.

“But… who is it?” she asked, carefully detaching herself from Scout’s side. 

“Just go and see,” she urged. Amelia raised an eyebrow at the evasive answer, mouthing a silent ‘What the hell?’ as she passed her by. Meredith continuing to feign innocence, she rolled her eyes as she slowly padded over to the door, wondering what in God’s name would be waiting behind it. 

Her jaw dropped to the floor.

There was snow in their hair. It had been sprinkling down all morning and they appeared to be covered in it, a healthy dusting sitting across their shoulders and atop their dirty blonde hair. She could see their breath coming out in little, white puffs, the tops of their ears glaringly red in the winter cold. Despite the weather, though, they looked completely relaxed, casually surveying the neighborhood while they’d waited for her to answer the door. 

She’d never been one to squeal in the past but Amelia found, on this particular occasion, it was a permissible reaction.

“Oh my God!”

At the sound of her voice, Kai turned around. Their smile mimicked the sun. 

“Merry Christmas.”

She couldn’t move. She couldn’t move, she couldn’t speak, just barely could she breathe. For the first time in years, she could feel that pure, unadulterated Christmas joy coursing through her veins, her body paralyzed in overwhelming elation. When she didn’t immediately move to greet them, her eyes the size of dinner plates and her mouth absolutely tongue-tied, Kai’s smile grew wider, their eyes sparkling at the sight of her.  

“What?” they teased. “Not happy to see me?”

It was just the kickstart she’d needed. 

“What?” she gasped. “No. No, no, no, I’m so happy. So, so, so happy.” 

She accentuated her point by enthusiastically throwing herself at them, the force of her hug causing them to momentarily teeter backward. They laughed, wrapping their arms tight around her body while she buried her nose against their chest. Their embrace was noticeably chilly, their fingers like icicles on her back, but she didn’t care: their spirit was warm and that’s all that mattered—well, except for… 

“B-but how?” she stuttered. She pushed away from them just enough to see their face.

They shrugged, still grinning at the sight of her. “I had two weeks off and my car gets excellent mileage. What else was I going to do?”

“You drove?” she shrieked. 

“Yep,” they nodded. “It was fun. I saw the World’s Largest Cow, and this massive penguin statue, and a huge frying pan—apparently not the largest, but still: gigantic.”

“But when did you leave?” she asked.

“Four days ago, just to play it safe,” they answered. Her eyes went wide again.

“Four days?!” she exclaimed. “You mean this whole time—this whole time?! B-but you said you were going to see your family for Christmas!”

“And here I am.”

Their resulting smirk was so self-congratulatory that it was almost gross, but again, Amelia found herself incapable of caring. Their words, their presence, their everything was making her heart do jumping jacks and, really, isn’t that what she’d asked for? When she finally pulled them down to kiss her, her hands tugging at the lapels of their coat, their stupid smile still lingered on their lips and, truthfully, she relished in the feel of it. 

Just as their tongue was starting to get a little more adventurous, any sense of decorum having flown out the window, their bubble of privacy was unfortunately popped. 

“Amelia!”

Her teeth accidentally grazed their lip as she sprung away from them, her head whipping around to follow the sound of Meredith’s voice. They involuntarily yelped and her cheeks turned red when she realized everyone had been watching. 

“You can kiss them with the door closed!” her sister ordered, distractedly trying to open one of Ellis’s new toys. “You’re letting all the heat out.”

Sheepishly, Amelia nodded, staring at the ground as she awkwardly shuffled away from them. Taking their cue to fully step inside, she closed the door behind them as Kai started removing their coat, looking far less embarrassed than she felt. Their smirk had returned by the time their eyes met once more. 

“You bit me,” they whispered.

“Sorry,” she cringed.

“It’s okay,” they shrugged, “you’ll make it up to me later.” The wink that followed was somehow more suggestive and smug than even their smirk had been. Flustered, she chuckled nervously, lacing her arm through theirs and dragging them into the living room. 

As they passed under the door frame, it was like Santa himself had arrived. And Amelia thought her chest had felt full before. 

They were immediately swarmed, Zola, Bailey, and Ellis all yelling over one another as they competed for their attention. Meredith shouting from the background that they should, “At least allow them to sit,” Scout also took an opportunity to bombard them as his cousins walked away, gingerly toddling over to them and then wrapping his arms around their legs. Fondly tussling his hair, they wordlessly picked him up, returning his unabashed grin as they made their way to the couch.

Though they’d missed most of the fun, Kai was no less enthusiastic as the celebrations came to a close. When the kids wanted to show them their new belongings, they listened attentively. When Scout eventually left their lap, they helped clean up wrapping paper. When Link was struggling in toy assembly, they immediately stepped in to assist. They were the first to suggest building a snowman. They fed Scout cookies until he conked out from a sugar crash. They kissed her under Maggie’s mistletoe. 

The morning silently rolling into the afternoon, everything that she’d imagined them doing earlier had come true right before her eyes, and then some. 

The family now scattered about the house, the more capable adults working tirelessly to prepare dinner, she was curled into their side on Meredith’s couch, their arm wrapped lazily around her and a blanket thrown haphazardly across their lap. Across from her, Scout laid peacefully, snoozing soundly with his head resting on their thigh. Meredith’s fireplace was roaring in front of them; Home Alone was playing quietly on the TV; her hands were toying with their free one.

“When do you leave?” she mumbled, her gaze focused on their hand. 

“Well, the lab opens back up on the 2nd, so… The 30th?” they guessed. 

She groaned, nuzzling her nose deeper into their neck. “I don’t want you to go.”

“That’s days away, Shepherd,” they deflected, their grip tightening around her shoulders. “And with it, we can do whatever you want. Sleep in, watch movies, make another snowman with this little guy… Anything you want.”

“Whatever I want?” she questioned.  

“Whatever you want.”

She leaned back just a fraction and pressed a tender kiss to the underside of their jaw. 

“I wanna stay just like this,” she murmured, following the phrase with another kiss. “Right here—” another kiss, “with you—” and another, “forever.” 

When they smiled, she felt it. “Okay then,” they easily agreed. “We’ll start with forever.”

[harmonyhealinghub]

Something To Come Back To Shaina Tranquilino November 11, 2024

Under a pale November sky, young Ellie walked hand in hand with her grandfather, James, towards the town’s cenotaph for the Remembrance Day service. She wore a red poppy pinned on her coat, just like everyone else gathered. The crowd stood solemnly, and Ellie felt a quiet anticipation in the chilly air as they waited for the service to begin. Ellie knew that her grandfather had been a soldier long ago, but he rarely spoke of it. Today, though, as they stood together, she could see something in his eyes—a blend of pride, sorrow, and strength—that made her curious.

As the crowd fell silent and the Last Post began to play, Grandfather James leaned down and whispered, "Did I ever tell you about the man who saved my life, Ellie?"

Ellie shook her head, her eyes wide with wonder. James, usually so stoic, gave her a small smile, and in a voice just for her, he began his story.

"His name was Charlie,” he said softly, as if speaking the name aloud could summon his friend’s spirit. “We were both young, and I was terrified in a way you can’t imagine, Ellie. We were stationed far away, in a place that felt like another world. One night, during a surprise attack, I froze. I couldn’t move, couldn’t think. Charlie pulled me out of harm's way, risked his own life to save mine. Later, he told me he did it because he thought I had something important to come back to. At the time, I didn’t know what he meant.”

Ellie listened intently, her heart aching for the man she’d never met but suddenly felt she knew. As they continued standing side by side, her grandfather’s voice grew quieter. "Charlie never made it home. But every time I see you, Ellie, every time I see the family we have, I think of him. He was right; I did have something to come back to. He gave me a chance to live the life he never had, and that’s something I can never repay."

As James finished, he squeezed her hand gently. Ellie could feel the weight of his words settle around her, like the comforting warmth of a blanket. In that moment, she understood that Remembrance Day wasn’t just about honouring the fallen, but about feeling deep gratitude for those who sacrificed so others could live freely.

The silence of the crowd broke as everyone joined in reciting, "We will remember them." Ellie’s voice joined her grandfather’s, and she felt the words not just in her mouth but in her heart. She realized then that every day she had with him, every laughter-filled evening and storytime adventure, was a gift passed down from someone she’d never met.

After the ceremony ended, Ellie tugged her grandfather’s hand, her voice small but filled with determination. “Thank you for sharing Charlie’s story with me, Grandpa. I’ll remember him. And I’ll remember to be grateful every day.”

Grandfather James looked down at her, his eyes misty yet full of pride. “That’s all I could ask for, sweetheart,” he said. Together, they walked away, the memory of Charlie’s bravery a silent presence with them both, a reminder of how precious their lives truly were.

[bluekidvoid]

Discover the Ultimate Creche in Bangalore Experience with Elly Childcare

Are you on the lookout for the best creche in Bangalore? Look no further! Elly Childcare offers an unparalleled early childhood experience that combines exceptional care with engaging activities. In this exciting article, we’ll dive into why Elly Childcare is your go-to choice for a creche in Bangalore and how it stands out from the rest.

Why Choose a Creche for Your Child?

When it comes to selecting the right environment for your child, a creche provides a structured yet nurturing setting that promotes early learning and socialization. A creche in Bangalore like Elly Childcare ensures that your child receives the best care while you go about your daily routine with peace of mind.

Introducing Elly Childcare: The Top Creche in Bangalore

Elly Childcare is a renowned creche in Bangalore that prides itself on offering a stimulating and safe environment for your little ones. From its state-of-the-art facilities to its dedicated staff, Elly Childcare is committed to providing a world-class Creche in bangalore   experience for children and peace of mind for parents.

A Safe and Secure Environment

Safety is a top priority at Elly Childcare, the premier creche in Bangalore. The facility is equipped with top-notch security systems, including surveillance cameras and secure entry points, to ensure that your child is always in a safe environment. The staff undergoes rigorous background checks and training to maintain the highest standards of care.

Experienced and Caring Staff

One of the standout features of Elly Childcare is its team of experienced and compassionate caregivers. Each member of the staff is trained in early childhood education and dedicated to nurturing your child’s development. The caregivers at Elly Childcare, the leading creche in Bangalore, focus on creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere where children can thrive.

Stimulating Learning Programs

At Elly Childcare, the focus is not just on care but also on education. The creche in Bangalore offers a variety of engaging learning programs designed to stimulate your child’s intellectual and emotional growth. From interactive storytime sessions to creative arts and crafts, Elly Childcare ensures that every day is filled with exciting learning opportunities.

Innovative Facilities and Equipment

Elly Childcare stands out as a creche in Bangalore with its state-of-the-art facilities. The center is equipped with modern educational toys, interactive learning tools, and age-appropriate play equipment. These facilities are designed to enhance your child’s learning experience and make their time at the creche enjoyable and enriching.

Healthy and Delicious Meals

Nutrition is a key aspect of a child’s development, and Elly Childcare takes it seriously. The creche in Bangalore provides healthy and nutritious meals that cater to various dietary needs. The meal plans are crafted to ensure that children receive a balanced diet that supports their growth and development.

Flexible Scheduling Options

Understanding the busy lives of parents, Elly Childcare offers flexible scheduling options. Whether you need full-day or half-day care, the creche in Bangalore is designed to accommodate various needs and preferences. This flexibility allows you to tailor the care your child receives to fit seamlessly into your daily routine.

Parent Communication and Involvement

Elly Childcare values open communication with parents. The creche in Bangalore provides regular updates on your child’s progress, activities, and milestones. Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s development and to provide feedback to ensure that the care provided meets their expectations.

A Focus on Social and Emotional Development

At Elly Childcare, the emphasis is not only on academic learning but also on social and emotional development. The creche in Bangalore fosters a sense of community and encourages children to develop essential social skills such as sharing, cooperation, and empathy. These skills are crucial for your child’s overall growth and well-being.

Positive Learning Environment

The environment at Elly Childcare is designed to be positive and motivating. The creche in Bangalore creates a nurturing atmosphere where children feel valued and inspired. This positive environment helps build confidence and a love for learning that will benefit your child throughout their life.

Parental Peace of Mind

Choosing Elly Childcare means choosing a creche in Bangalore that provides not only excellent care but also peace of mind for parents. The comprehensive care and attention to detail ensure that you can trust your child is in capable hands while you focus on your personal and professional responsibilities.

Testimonials from Happy Parents

Don’t just take our word for it! Hear from parents who have experienced the exceptional care at Elly Childcare. Many parents rave about the positive impact the creche in Bangalore has had on their children’s development and their own peace of mind. These testimonials highlight the dedication and quality of care provided by Elly Childcare.

Affordable and Transparent Pricing

Elly Childcare offers competitive pricing for its services, making it an accessible option for many families. The creche in Bangalore provides transparent pricing with no hidden fees, ensuring that you know exactly what to expect. This affordability, combined with high-quality care, makes Elly Childcare an excellent value for your investment in your child’s future.

Convenient Locations Across Bangalore

With multiple locations across Bangalore, Elly Childcare makes it easy for you to find a creche that is conveniently located near you. This widespread presence Creche in bangalore   ensures that you can access top-notch care no matter where you live in the city.

Special Events and Activities

To make the experience even more exciting, Elly Childcare organizes special events and activities throughout the year. From festive celebrations to themed educational workshops, the creche in Bangalore ensures that children have memorable experiences that enhance their learning and development.

Personalized Care Plans

Every child is unique, and Elly Childcare understands that. The creche in Bangalore offers personalized care plans tailored to each child’s individual needs and interests. This personalized approach ensures that your child receives the support and encouragement they need to thrive.

Join the Elly Childcare Family Today!

Choosing the right creche in Bangalore can make a significant difference in your child’s early years. Elly Childcare offers everything you need to provide your child with a safe, stimulating, and loving environment. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be part of the Elly Childcare family. Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule a visit!

Experience the difference with Elly Childcare, the premier creche in Bangalore, and give your child the best start in life.

[littleellyindiranagar]

Best Preschools, Nursery and Play Schools in Indiranagar | Little Elly Indiranagar

Are you looking for the best preschool in Indiranagar that offers a well-crafted blend of indoor and outdoor activities? Look no further than Little Elly Indiranagar, where we provide young children with a safe and nurturing environment to learn, play, and grow. Our preschool in Indiranagar is committed to fostering holistic development in your child, ensuring they have the best start to their educational journey.

Our indoor & outdoor activities are thoughtfully designed to stimulate your child’s creativity, curiosity, and cognitive development. From art and craft sessions to storytime, music, and interactive games, we provide a diverse range of experiences that keep children engaged and excited to learn. Give your child the best start in life by choosing the best playschool in Indiranagar — Little Elly Indiranagar.

Enrolments for the 2024–2025 Admissions open for Preschool, Playschool, Kindergarten & Daycare school in Indiranagar. Visit: www.littleellyIndiranagar.com

[slateir]

SOMETIMES REESE WONDERS WHAT THE HELL SHE'S DOING HERE. If it's not entitled parents complaining about the quality of their nachos, it's some kid screaming the 'plex down because Monty trashed his green room again and isn't doing visits, like it's her fault. But with Dorothy checked out, it's up to her to keep the heating on and make sure Ellie didn't starve.

"Heyyyy, Steven." Sure, they're in the middle of a lunch rush but the staff bots are... competent enough to get the job done and don't seem to have any feelings to hurt if tempers start flying. (That she can tell, the other animatronics are a million times more likelife but that might just be their ability to actually emote vocally.)

"Moony coming out to play more than usual?" She's not surprised, the lights have been weirdly on the fritz her last couple of shifts, nap time alternating between too early and too late, with one too many impromptu storytimes when they go out more than once. She's more suprised that Fazbear's actually doing something about it. (She's seen enough complaints get completely ignored during her time here, but considering their history, it's probably not a good look to lose power in their daycare, animatronic attendant or not)

"Trust me, Moony and the daycare kids are way more behaved than the ones you find out here." She's already shucking of her apron and making for the door, dodging staff bots dead set on their programmed route to meet him out front.

"It's just El Chips today. Sometimes i get swapped around by higher ups or get stuck bussing the tables, wherever they wanna stick me, really." Not that she can afford to complain. "Pretty sure i'm just there to give the guests someone to yell at though."

@slateir // starter call.

Steven likes the animatronics. He'd even say he loves some of them, especially if he's being asked by anyone higher than him on the corporate ladder. But he can't begin to fathom what they were thinking when they designed the Daycare Attendant.

The playtime mode isn't so bad, once you get used to it, but when naptime rolls around...

"Heyyy, Reese," he says with a plastered-on smile. You--I have to check out these complaints about the power levels in the Daycare. You wouldn't mind tagging along, right? It'll be good to have someone there who knows the place."

And who knows Moon. The animatronic has never directly given Bell cause to be alarmed--in fact, it seems to be even more of a stickler for the rules than Steven himself is--but there's just something about it that sets him on-edge. It's always got that look in its eye, like it's waiting for him to slip up. Hopefully it's a little more fond of Ms. Slater.

"Don't, uh, worry about finishing up here. I'll make sure no one bothers you about skipping out on the, um." What exactly is it that she does here during the week? The foodcourts aren't really Steven's domain. "On your tasks. This is pretty important."