#faithie answers

[fandomgirlz01]

👾 kiss, marry kill! (For the both of you since this is important information)

From Shrek, Lord Farquaad, Gingy, and Doris

(Mine is kill farquaad, kiss gingy, marry Doris, obviously!)

ALSO CONGRATS TO THE BOTH OF YOU 🎉 💚

{Faith} Oh my goodness my sweet sweet Kay, You absolutely never fail to make me just crack up in laughter. I adore you so so much. Anyway seeing as this is a VERY important question 😂 here is my answer.

Obviously I'd have to say... Marry Gingy Obviously because he's the sweetest (no puns intended... 👀😏),Kiss Doris only because I don't dislike her as much as I do we all know who 👀😒, and Kill Lord Farquaad and while I always admired him a little bit growing up, I mean he's a little person showing that you can definitely overcome obstacles that may seem to big for a little person (Ex: become king even when small and Conquer anything in your way...) That was a big thing for little tiny Faith to learn growing up. I always saw him as bad, but I definitely also admired that even though he was bad there was still a good lesson attached to his story and character in some awesome way.

Also Thank you my sweet sweet Friend, you mean the world to me. I'm so glad I've had you as an amazing support as a writer and a friend. You are one of my (not very) many people I can run to for both writing advice and life advice and that means the world to me. You are one of the many that push me to strive to be a better writer so THANK YOU. Can all of my readers and followers please please go over to her page and give her lots of incredible love? 

{Nat} Omg I love this question lol. I honestly haven't seen Shrek in so long so I don't even remember these characters that well (don't kill me) except I always loved Gingy for some reason. So based on the pictures I'd probably say Kill Doris, Kiss Lord Farquaad and Marry Gingy.

[headfullofpresley]

✨💕✨ List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the ask box of the last 10 people that reblogged from you ✨💕✨

The smell of books.

Screaming to @woundmetender on discord.

A certain mister Presley.

Food.

My mom.

[yibss]

faith chambers & sam barnes for @slothseasims’s love is blind challenge

✝️ faith ✝️

21 || she/her || straight || unemployed || big happy family aspiration || family-oriented || jealous || loves the outdoors 

❤️‍🔥 sam ❤️‍🔥

27 || he/him || heteroflexible/bicurious || registered nurse || noncommittal || music lover || romantic

about faith: faith chambers, or “faithy” as absolutely nobody except for her everyone calls her, is a pastor’s daughter, head camp counselor, and all around perfection. she’d rather be premiering as the newest addition to the cast of real preacher wives of del sol valley, but she needs to find a husband first. she has dated some in the church, but it’s hard to find a guy around her age who’s willing to accept the responsibilities of caring for pastor chambers’ only daughter (not to mention, that little conceited, toxic streak she likes to pretend she doesn’t have). she’s hoping to go on this show to find the one -- settle down, have kids, and establish a lucrative, multi-platform home/family/lifestyle brand on socmed.

fun facts

her dream honeymoon destination: mt. komorebi in summer

her dream wedding dress: the beo collection six dress

likes: hiking, singing on sunday mornings, one-on-one attention

dislikes: competition, being challenged, rock music

about sam: behind sam barnes is a string of broken hearts and bad decisions. for every person you ask him about, it’s the same answer: “i just wasn’t ready to commit” or “i’m too different”. he’s happy in his career as a pediatric nurse at willow creek children’s and having jam sessions on his days off, but he thinks something’s missing. he thinks that now, after recently starting therapy to explore his commitment issues, he’s FINALLY ready for that special person, maybe some babies, and to ride off into the sunset. and finding romance on reality tv is just different enough for him -- looking for a partner in regular life hasn’t worked, so this will. right?

fun facts

his dream honeymoon destination: san myshuno in the fall

his dream career: international rock star -- but he’d miss his patients too much!

likes: midwestern emo, IPAs, deep conservations (as long as you’re not talking too much about marriage)

dislikes: quiet, a lack of change, sub sandwiches

[i’d so put these two up for download with careers, for real likes and dislikes, talents and weaknesses, etc. if you guys want them and they’re not picked but !!!! omg i’m so excited.]

[shadowsndaisies]

Omg that last chapter has me crying and in shock even though I knew what was coming in the end cause I LIVE for the show, but still had me shocked to my core. Dude your an amazing author. I’m so in love with this series!

I can’t wait to see what happens next. Bro I’m so glad I found your page. It’s like somehow you know when I’m in the dumps and you post then my day feels a little better because of each chapter. Thank you so very much 💙🧡❤️‍🔥

THIS IS SO SWEET, holy fuck, dude, like this message made me melt a bit- which is impressive (bc im really salty from the nhl nyi @ tbl game 5 results from tonight) but seriously, i know i've said it before but messages like these fucking make my day!!! i really hope your day improves, and that my writing continues to bring you a little bit of joy, also feel free to come rant to me whenever!!

this chapter had a lot going on, but i mean, what else are you expecting from a failed martian brain meld exercise, honestly the bat should've known better, but whatever lol.

[adorethedistance]

Yup definitely the same thing. 😂 anyway I’ll resay it. When are we getting a next part for that one? Because honey you know mama need to know more....

😂 I’m sooorry for that lame flynn reference.

My goal is to have it out some time next week but I’m not gonna make promises bc odds are this one is gonna take a lot longer than the others for... no specific reason...

[feartheliiving]

🧟  ――――        NEGAN  NEVER  THOUGHT  HE'D  BE  ABLE  TO  FIND  A  WOMAN  AS  STRONG  AND  RESILIENT  AS  FAITH  WAS.  sure,  he  had  laura  in  his  court  who  was  undeniably  loyal,  but  faith  took  that  loyalty  to  a  whole  other  level.  she  sought  out  those  that  went  against  negan's  rules  and  those  that  took  it  upon  themselves  to  attempt  war  against  the  saviors.  there  had  been  times  that  faith  had  saved  his  ass  from  walkers  and  humans  alike.  no  one  looked  after  him  like  she  did.  she  was  more  reliable  than  any  of  his  henchmen.  that's  why  he  didn't  consider  her  as  one;  he  considered  her  as  someone  much  more  important,  his  right  -  hand  man.  she  was  smart  and  cunning,  all  traits  that  negan  couldn't  deny  that  he  was  irresistibly  attracted  to  her  for.  he  had  daydreamed  countless  times  of  putting  his  hands  on  her,  having  his  way  with  her,  seeing  just  how  submissive  she  could  get  for  him,  but  he  had  a  feeling  she  wasn't  one  to  follow  orders  in  the  bedroom.  no,  it  would  be  much  more  challenging  and  much  more  fun  than  he  ever  thought  possible.  he  took  his  time,  though.  half  the  fun  was  the  chase,  and  he  could  chase  her  for  days.

HE  NODDED  AT  HER  WORDS,  RESPECT  GLOWING  IN  HIS  EYES,      ❛      smart  girl.  question  is   —   do  you  trust  me     ?      ❜     he  asked,  curiosity  eating  at  him  of  her  answer  to  come.  what  was  going  through  that  pretty  head  of  hers,  he  needed  to  know,  he  had  to  know.  when  she  had  placed  her  hands  delicately  on  his  strong  chest,  a  smug  smirk  stretched  his  lips  from  ear  to  ear,  eager  with  anticipation  of  where  she  was  going  to  take  this.  they've  never  been  this  physically  close  before,  and  he  was  eating  every  second  of  it  up,  wanting  more.  she  had  a  way  of  doing  that  to  him   —   just  by  looking  at  him.  he  soaked  up  every  word  she  uttered  from  her  mesmerizing  lips,  completely  hypnotized  by  her  words,  and  found  himself  unable  to  think  or  move  for  a  moment.  she  had  a  grip  on  him,  but  he  wasn't  going  to  reveal  that  to  her.        ❛      trust  me,  faith,  there's  nothing  else  i  rather  do  than  handle  you  right  here  and  right  goddamn  now   —   the  thought  crossed  my  goddamn  mind  just  about  two  times  right  now.  god,  girl,  you  fuckin'  do  nasty  things  to  me   —       ❜     he  responded,  chuckling  under  his  breath  softly,  but  then  his  breath  hitches  when  she  leans  up  only  to  breathe  against  his  ear  and  basically  shatter  all  of  his  delusional  dreams.  he  didn't  see  that  one  coming,  and  it  only  made  his  desire  for  her  grow  more  immensely.  he  laughed,  gripping  his  handle  tighter  in  frustration,  shaking  his  head  in  disappointment  but  undeniably  impressed  with  her  way  of  shivering  his  spine  effortlessly.  he  found  her  gaze,        ❛      gotts  say,  that  was  fucked  up,  faithy.  you  just  fuckin'  blue  -  balled  the  shit  outta  me     !!      ❜     he  exclaimed,  still  grinning  nonetheless.  he  scoffs,        ❛      yer  tellin'  me  it's  my  wives  this  whole  goddamn  time  why  we  haven't  had  a  little  roll  in  the  hay     ?     there's  enough  of  negan  to  go  around,  don't  give  me  this  jealous  crap.       ❜

 Faith had made a solemn promise to him that she would prove her worth and demonstrate unwavering loyalty. She has consistently upheld this commitment, not just to Negan but also to the neighboring communities. Without any hesitation or questioning, she would promptly take care of anything that required attention. The only thing she hadn't managed to do yet was put Simon's backstabbing betraying ass on the fence. The only thing that was stopping her? Negan hadn't given her the go yet. Every day, she meticulously gathered evidence, building a case that would leave no room for doubt. The weight of the truth was becoming unbearable, urging her to take matters into her own hands. She knew that once Negan finally gave her the green light, there would be no turning back. After she finished with Simon, Dwight was next on her hit list. 

She raised her hand and gently wiped away some blood from the corner of her mouth. However, her gaze immediately met Negan's. The way he stared at her was all too familiar. He possessed the eyes of a predator on the prowl. But Faith was never someone to be prey. No, Faith was indeed the huntress. " Learned at a young age not to rely on anyone but myself. " It was either sink or swim and she wasn't going down for anyone. No pun intended. His words made her back straighten and chills cascade down her arms. She would be lying if she tried to say she hadn't taught about his hands being on her several times. Even as he stepped closer she refused to look away, almost as if challenging him. No doubt she was wild through and through but one thing she was never good at was sharing. Two could play the little game he's playing with her. Her hands reached up, delicately grazing his firm chest. " You challenge me and I like that. " She began. " I just don't know if you could handle me or not. Baby, I've got muscles you've never even dreamed of and in places that would leave your head spinning. Maybe I should ask you how many times you've thought about my legs wrapped around you? " Faith inches up onto her toes letting her lips linger against his ear - her warm breath grazing his skin. " I'd love to show you what I could do to you, sadly though, I'm not into sharing. " Now stepping back her tongue rolled across red lips.

[nurse-buckley]

Laundry Day

Fandom: 9-1-1 Word Count: 1,455 Pairing: Evan Buckley x Reader Warnings: Mentions of fall down the stairs, broken bones and injury that comes from it.  Tagslist: @firemedicdiaz​, @fireladybuckley​, @winterreader-nowwriter​, @dayrin085​, @spnheartfic​, @alexandrianicolegrey-oc​, @mrspeacem1nusone​, @park-it-here-bitches​, @iamasimpingh0e​, @gigglyparker​ @faithie-brock-gillespie01 (want to be added to my tagslsit? Just send me a message!) Prompt: Angst or Hurt/Comfort "Hurts."  "I know.  It's going to hurt some more, okay?"  "Deep breaths.  I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Written for @911readerinsertweek​ Beta’d by the amazing @spnheartfic​ thank you lovely 💕 

Request fill for @faithie-brock-gillespie01

Being a firefighter was easy. Running into burning buildings? A walk in the park for you. Abseiling down the sides of buildings or into sinkholes? Just another day at work for you. You faced danger at work every single day, rarely coming away with injury, yet you were still one of the clumsiest people when it came to everyday life. As skilled a firefighter as you were, it just didn’t seem to transfer. One person who knew this more than anyone else was your boyfriend, Buck. He’d had to patch you up more times than either of you could count, from scraped knees from tripping on the sidewalk to mishaps with knives or hot pans in the kitchen.

Lately you’d been racking up the overtime at work, leaving you with a lot of down time. While you were thankful for the time off, you were sad that Buck wouldn’t be joining you. Still, it’d give you the day, undistracted, to catch up on the mountain of laundry you and Buck had produced. Buck had left earlier that morning, with a kiss and the promise of you being careful as he walked out of the door. You’d rolled your eyes at his warning, but knew he meant it as he gave you a knowing look before leaving.

You and Buck had been texting in between calls and laundry loads. The firefighter had complained that he was bored but not even daring to text the “Q” word in case he jinxed his team for the shift. It was the next text alert that had distracted you as you were carrying another load down the stairs. With no free hand, you can’t catch yourself as your foot slips, rolling your ankle as the momentum sends you tumbling down the hardwood stairs, cracking your head as your body slams into the floor.

You’re not sure how long you’re out for. Wincing as you open your eyes, confused as you’re no longer in the loft separating darks and lights, but in a heap of dirty laundry on your back at the bottom of the stairs.

Your breath begins to come in quicker as the shock of the accident sets in. Slowly you move each arm, testing for injury. Finding you’re able to move each limb you move on to each leg, letting out a cry of pain as white hot plain flares in your leg. The jolt of pain alerts you to the pain in your head, feeling around you’re met with an egg shaped lump forming at the back of your head.

Steadying yourself, you fumble around, attempting not to move too much as you reach into your pocket and pull out your phone. You try Buck first, trying to not let your emotions cloud the logical part of your brain as he doesn’t answer. Sending up a silent prayer they’re not on a call, you try the next contact in your list, Chim.

You sigh a breath of relief as you hear the phone click and his familiar voice. “Y/N, knew you couldn’t stay away for long. Missing us already?”

“Chim…”

The way your voice falters as you say his name has him immediately on high alert, “Y/N, what’s wrong?”

Taking a shaky breath, trying to not let your emotions overwhelm you, you reply. “I-I fell down the stairs,” you hiccup, “I think I tripped? I can’t remember. I can’t get hold of Buck. Are you on a call?”

“Take a deep breath, we’re at the firehouse. I’m going to go get the others and we’re going to come and get you alright? Did you lose consciousness at all?”

“I-I can’t remember. I remember being in the bedroom, folding laundry and then at the bottom of the stairs.”

“I need you to stay still and try and stay awake for me, okay?”

“Okay,” you reply, a little less shaky now you know help is on its way.

You hear shifting in the background, and then Chim explaining to your colleagues, your family what had happened. Buck’s voice sounds in the background, becoming clearer as you hear him taking the phone from your friend.

“Hey, sweetheart. What did I say about being careful?”

You let out a chuckle, forgetting about the throbbing pain in your ankle for a moment at the sound of Buck’s voice.

“Don’t you know by now, I never listen.”

You hear Bobby shouting for Buck to follow in the background, shortly followed by more shuffling and the muted sound of sirens as the 118 pull out from the station. Buck stays on the phone the whole journey, only putting the phone down as you hear the keys fumbling in the lock as your friends enter the apartment.

He’s by your side before you even have the chance to fully process the arrival of your crew. “Y/N, sweetheart. It’s alright, I’m here. Don’t move alright,” he soothes, giving you a once over for all signs of external injury.

“I’m alright…” you begin.

“Let us be the judge of that,” Chim cuts you off, setting his equipment at your side.

Usually, you’d be embarrassed having the whole team’s focus on you, but truth be told you were in so much pain, you didn’t care.

“If you really wanted to see us that badly, you just had to come down to the station. This is a bit extreme,” Hen announces from your other side.

You let out a chuckle, groaning as the movement causes a fresh wave of pain to radiate through your head, “Ow. Don’t make me laugh, it hurts too much!”

You know by the looks on the faces of your friends surrounding you that the next part isn’t going to be pleasant. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Hen getting the equipment ready to stabilise your leg, with Buck stabilising your head, you hadn’t gotten a good look at your injury but the feeling alone tells you it’s broken.

“We’re going to have to stabilise your leg before we move you. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s going to hurt,” Chim warns.

Although Chim had given you painkillers to take the edge off, you knew this was still going to suck.

“Hurts,” you wince, letting out a cry of pain as the medics jostle your leg while they slide the splint underneath you.

“I know. It’s going to hurt some more, okay. Deep breaths,” Buck soothes. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” you can tell how much it’s hurting Buck seeing you in pain, so you do your best to hold in your cries. Thankfully the pain is short lived, a combination of the break being splinted and the medication kicking in.

It doesn’t take long for Hen and Chim to stabilise you, a collar around your neck and secure you to a backboard, despite your protests.

The team leaves you in the capable hands of the doctors, Bobby shoving Buck through the doors he’s usually not allowed to pass into. He waits in the waiting room much to his own protests, allowing the doctors to triage and settle you before he can see you.

It’s not long before you’re x-rayed and cleared and Buck is allowed to see you again. The look on your face doesn’t take a genius to work out that the doctors had most definitely given you a stronger dose of medication if the grin on your face when Buck walks through the door means anything.

Buck acknowledges the nurse fiddling with your pillows, ensuring your leg was elevated and your IV was okay.

“Buck!”

“Hey sweetheart, how’re you feeling?”

“Good. This is Mike!” you point towards the nurse, “He’s great. Do you know what else is great?”

Buck looks between the pair of you, shaking his head but playing along, “What?”

“Morphine!” you reply with a goofy smile.

“Good stuff, isn’t it?”

You nod vigorously in return, groaning as the action hurts your head, despite the drugs in your system.

Buck’s at your side in an instant at your pain, smoothing back your hair and placing a gentle kiss to your forehead. “Take it easy.”

“Doc says you’re going to have a cast. Going to be out of the job for a few weeks. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay…” you reply sleepily. “I’ve got you…but there’s one thing,” your eyes begin to droop and Buck knows consciousness will be leaving you very shortly, “you can do the laundry from now on.” You emphasise your point by poking his chest, snuggling into his comforting embrace.

“Deal,” Buck chuckles. He pulls up a chair making himself comfortable, his hand never leaving yours, rubbing soothing circles on the back of your hand as you drift off to sleep.

[renee-writer]

Accidentally Roomies Chapter 86

AO3

“It’s a paddock and where the horses are exercised.” Wee Ian explains. Faith stands wide eyed and watching as a horse is lead around.

“Can we ride it?” She asks, not taking her eyes off it.

“Not him. That’s Donas and he is mean. Daddy and mammy says only Uncle Jamie can control him.” Maggie answers. She stands beside her holding Kitty’s hand.

“Jamie is strong. He is good to Faithy.”

“Aye, he is a grand uncle. He always plays with us when he comes by.” Wee Ian nods. “We can’t ride Donas but we can ride the ponies.”

Faith moves her head away from the huge black horse and to the boy standing beside her. “Faith ride?”

“We will have to ask mammy and daddy. They let Kitty ride with one of them beside her and your older.” Maggie announces.

“Ask them now?” The two older siblings look at each other and shrug.

“We can.” Wee Ian decides. They all head back to Jenny who stands a bit away watching them.

[fandomgirlz01]

Girl, I love you and everything, I know you're busy and have other stories to edit, but I need Love Uncovered 5 asap😂

Hi! I am so sorry this is so late! Love Uncovered Pt. 5 is in the works, unfortunately I {Faith} am having a small burst of writers block with that one as well as being super busy with my new job as well as my grandma being in a bad place right now. life is just a little stressful and I promise I write every chance I get. I even write on my 15 minute brakes, but I don't really get a lot done in those times. I promise it'll be up real soon, its just taking a little longer then normal.

~Faith

[itsjustmyfantasyroom]

Past Hurt

This was a request from @faithie-brock-gillespie01 I hope you like it and its what you were looking for. I did change one thing around casue it just happened and it fit :)

Warnings: This does speak of an abusive boyfriend (as per the request) I tried to tread really lightly on the details of this type of relationship as I know this subject can be quite triggering for many (to my usual tag list, completely understand if you don’t read it) everything is under the cut so please keep scrolling if you think this will trigger you, I don’t want that 😘angst with a fluffy happy Nick ending.

WC: 1689

Enjoy x

Nick had noticed a change; you were quiet and what was a big red flag to him was how you were dressing and presenting yourself had changed. No light make-up anymore, your hair in a low lose pony tail and in the middle of summer you had been wearing turtle necks, shirts with longer sleeves and you were straight out the door as soon as your shift was over or he could see and feel your destress when you had to stay back for a case. He had asked you multiple times a day over the last couple of weeks if you were ok or if there was anything you wanted to talk about, but you shut him down every time.

The final straw for him to push you to talk was when you had gone into a convince store to question a witness about a house across the street you had gotten intel on, you hadn’t been focused since Liv had said you and Nick were going to do an overnight steak out the next night. He could feel the tension radiating off you during the questioning and half way through you excused yourself to go to the bathroom. When Nick finished the questioning, he went out and waited in the car. He pulled his sunglasses off his face when he saw you walking out, he frowned his brows as you walked towards the car, when some kids yelled at each other as they rode past on their bikes and you jumped, a tear rolling down your cheek.    

Nick couldn’t sleep that night thinking about how jumpy you were the rest of the day at the most normal things, like loud noise or loud voices in the bullpen, he wanted nothing more than to go to your apartment and pull you out, but he couldn’t, he didn’t know for sure what was going on, but he had seen enough to figure everything out.

You had stayed in the car when he walked down to the next block to get a coffee and a snack, back before you knew it. The car was silent for a long time, you both sipping on your coffee and eating your power bars, your phone buzzing over and over the only noise filling the car,

“You going to answer that?”

“Its not important” you muttered back taking a sip of your coffee.

“Must be if it keeps ringing”

“Nick, you need to drop it” you snapped

“Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”

“There is nothin-“

“Enough with the lie, Y/N”

“Nick, I’ am not lying”

“Who are you kidding? Yes, you are. You have changed, I have seen all the red flags, I know what’s going on”

“Nick, you don’t know everything. There is nothing”

“Y/N, stop it. You need to talk about it. You need to leave”

“I can handle it Nick”

“Well clearly you can’t. I’ am your partner Y/N and you don’t trust me?”

“I do trust you, if there was something to tell, you would be the first I would”

“How can we work together with you hiding things. You don’t trust me with anything, because if you did you would tell me now and not lie or brush it off” he raised his voice slightly.

He saw you freeze, your hands started to shake and your breathing got heavy. Nick’s heart broke and tears came to his eyes. He sat his coffee in the cup holder taking yours out of your shaking ones putting it into the other cup holder and he put an arm around your shoulders. You tensed into his touch and you felt his hand go to your cheek guiding your face to look at him,

“Y/N, I’ am sorry, I shouldn’t have raised my voice. It’s me sweetheart, I got you”

You started to sob and fell into Nick’s chest, covering your face with your hands. Nick wrapped his arms around you tightly, and he kissed your forehead.

“Oh Nick” you sniffed “How did I get into this mess?”

You sat back off him, his hands grabbed yours and you started to open up. Months and months of horrible situations that had happened to you by the hands of your boyfriend. You showed him photos in a private folder on your phone, doctors reports emailed to your work email, parts of your body that had been hurt and had told him the times you had been forced to do things you didn’t want to do so he didn’t get physical with you. Nick squeezed your hand, tears running down his cheeks listening to you,

“I need to handle this” Nick muttered.

“No Nick. You’re not losing your badge for me”

“If you won’t let me fix it, you need to tell Barba. He will charge him, for everything”

“Nick” you shook your head and your hand went to his cheek, he leaning into it “How many men have we built cases against, Rafael takes them to court, their lawyers tear the victim apart and they get let off. It’s he said, she said. I don’t want to go through that, I don’t think I could”

“But you have all the evidence. I won’t leave your side; you can’t let him get away with it”

It had been 3 weeks since the night you had told Nick everything, you were staying in his spare room after that night. You both went to Liv the next morning and you were in Rafael’s office that afternoon prepping for a trial after he was arrested and charges were filed. Nick, Fin, Sonny, Liv and Amanda going to your boyfriends apartment the following weekend getting all your cloths and most valuables, which wasn’t much, he making you sell most of your things before you moved in with him. You hadn’t slept the night before the trial, tossing and turning most of the night. Nick drove you to court that morning, Rafael waiting for you outside the court room,

“I want to sit you on the stand” Rafael grabbed your shoulder “I now this is going to be hard today, so I just want you to sit and focus. I’ll be there and won’t let anything happen to you”

You nodded back at Rafael giving him a little smile and the three of you walked in. You walked up to the stand, Nick coming to stand in front of where the jury sits and Rafael was organising his paper work on the table. Your eyes were scanning around the room that you had sat in so many times, when the doors to the right opened pulling your attention to them and your heart stopped. Your ex-boyfriend walked in with his lawyer and you gasped when you saw the anger flash across his face like you had so many times before when he set eyes on you.

He started yelling loud at you, horrible, hurtful things that you had heard before as he walked towards you. Rafael yelled for security stepping in front of him and Nick rushed over to you grabbing your hand, pulling you down off the stand and he put his arm around you as he guided you out of the room and to the car. After the incident Nick taking you back to the station, Rafael ended up recording your statement so you didn’t need to be there and Liv told Nick to take you home.

The case ended up going on longer then you had all thought it would, but finally after 6 weeks it was over with, your ex charged and Rafael requested the maximum. You finally felt like yourself again, living with Nick was the best thing that had ever happened to you. You were running with him when you got home, he was teaching you to box, you were going out again with the squad and most of all you were starting to smile and laugh.

You had both come home late after questioning a victim, showering and going straight to bed to be in court at 9am with the latest case in. You had drifted off to sleep quite quickly, not asleep for long when you were shocked awake after having a horrible dream.  You screamed for Nick, over and over till he came rushing into your room with a worried look on his face. Nick rushed over to the bed wrapping you in his arms and you cried into his bare chest,

“Y/N, darlin’ its ok. I’ am here” One of Nick’s hands came up to run through your hair and his other running up and down your back “It was bad dream. It’s over babe, I’ll never let anything happen to you again. You’re safe, I’ll always keep you safe”

It took you a while for you to relax into him, but when you did, you nuzzled into his body more, your head going into his neck and your arms around him. Nick held you till you had stopped crying, hearing his heart beat in his chest calming you,

“Thank you, for everything” you sat up off him and your eyes locked with his

“Of course, Y/N. You have no idea how hard it was to see someone you have feeling for go through what you did. But seeing you get through it the way you did, made me fall in love with you. You’re brave and strong and I’ am so proud of you” Nick’s hand went to the side of your head and he gave you a soft smile.

“I love you too” you blurted out “You make me feel so worthy of love, you make me feel like me”

“Baby, you have always been worthy of love. You are so amazing, please let me show you when you’re ready”

You wiped your tears away with the back of your hand and lent over kissing him lightly on the lips. Nick let you take the lead, not deepening it but kissing you back gently.

“Your my rainbow after the storm. I love you Nick Amaro”

“I love you just as much mi amor”

 Tags: @alwaysachorusgirl @ben-c-group-therapy @lovebishoplosamiguelgalindo

[let-the-dream-begin]

In My Daughter’s Eyes Chapter 32: Beginnings

Chapter 31

Read on AO3

December 31

“Faith, baby, wake up.” 

Currently, her little face was smooshed against Jamie’s shoulder, lips open in sleep. It was 11:55, and Faith was down for the count at 9:00 this year, despite having made it all the way to midnight last year. It was probably due to the fact that she was up at three in the morning last night, stimming and screaming her head off with glee until breakfast, Risperdal and Angus no match for the will of autism and a wound up five year old. Even Claire was entirely too exhausted to be awake, New Year or not, but she wouldn’t have missed this party for the world. 

“Come on, lass,” Jamie jostled Faith a bit in his arms. “I’ve got ye a wee blower. I ken ye like those.” He tickled her nose with the noiseless paper blower, and she stirred, rubbing her nose roughly against his shoulder. Jamie and Claire both chuckled.

“Come on, Faithie! It’s almost midnight! New Year! Remember?”

Her eyes opened, rather reluctantly.

“There she is,” Jamie said. “Here ye go.”

He deposited the blower in her hands, and she seemed to completely wake up in a split second.

“I wish mine was sleeping,” Jenny groused, watching her son run circles around the coffee table with Thomas and a few typical siblings that were as hyper as he was. “I wouldna be waking him up fer anything.”

“Believe me, I know I shouldn’t be waking her,” Claire said. “After the morning we had. But little celebrations are very important to Faith. Right, lovie?”

The little girl was currently preoccupied blowing into her toy and allowing the unfurling paper to hit Jamie in the face. He was giving quite an animated, exaggerated reaction that was sending Faith into fits of giggles that kept her wanting more.

“What did I tell ye,” Jenny mumbled. “He’s a giant child.”

Claire snorted, shaking her head lovingly. “I do love that about him.”

“It’s good he’s found someone who does.”

Mary and Alex had been more than happy to add Jamie and his entire family to the invite list once Claire had timidly asked. She’d felt strange doing it; it was one thing to ask to bring her boyfriend that was practically Faith’s father, and entirely another thing to ask to bring three more adults and two more children that they’d never met. Jenny had offered that they’d find something to do on their own, that Claire needn’t bother, but Claire had insisted that they spend the holiday together, even if Mary and Alex couldn’t swing it. She’d been fully prepared to have the entire Fraser-Murray clan in her apartment. 

But Mary had been surprisingly enthusiastic about having Jamie’s family over, intrigued as she was by the man himself, and invested as she was (from the beginning) in their relationship.

“His sister is terrifying,” Mary had whispered after the first few minutes of the party. “She looks stone cold.”

“She’s not,” Claire assured her. “We get along really well. She’s really quite lovely underneath all that. You’ll see.”

With under a minute left until the new year began, Claire got up from where she’d been perched on the arm of the couch, and Jamie stood up with Faith. Ian scooped his wriggling son off the floor and settled him on his hip while Jenny reminded him with no little bite in her voice that he was not to scream and clap when the ball dropped.

“It’s a different kind of party, a quiet party. D’ye understand?”

“Aye, Mam.”

Maggie had been asleep for hours in her stroller, among a throng of other babies and toddlers strewn around the living room in carriers and strollers, but Brian scooped her up, careful not to wake her. Gillian slid in next to Claire and laced their hands together, just as she had always done for the countdown.

“Bit different this year, no?” Gillian whispered, smiling.

“Yes…a bit,” Claire smiled crookedly at Gillian, then up at Jamie.

“I hope it keeps getting different,” Gillian said, shoving her lightly with her shoulder. “If ye ken my meaning.”

Claire blushed furiously. Before she could open her mouth to reply, to chide her friend for implying right in front of Jamie that they ought to be married for the next New Year, the countdown from ten began, a quiet chant bubbling through the crowded living room. Jamie wound his arm around Claire’s shoulder, the arm that was not holding Faith, careful not to disrupt her grip on Gillian’s hand. Claire couldn’t put her finger on why that touched her as much as it did. His care to never overstep, to simply be an addition to their lives and never a replacement, always touched her.

“Five, four, three, two, one!”

Before Claire could blink, Gillian was loudly and grossly kissing her cheek, and she laughed out loud, grimacing in disgust.

“Of all the obnoxious…”

“Just staking my claim!” She winked up at Jamie, who was jolting violently with laughter.

“Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ…”

“Ach, come here, lass.”

Claire craned her neck up as Jamie squeezed her shoulders, leaned down, and kissed her soundly. Claire felt Gillian give her hand one final squeeze before releasing it, and Claire used it to cup his face. This was by far not Claire’s first midnight kiss on New Year’s…but God, none of them had ever felt like this. Like a beginning, a promise, a gift, all in one.

They had to break away when Faith’s paper blower kept smacking both of their cheeks.

“You silly goose, happy new year, love,” Claire said, giggling. She signed it, coaxing Faith to copy. They’d been working on that one with her in school, along with Merry Christmas. “Yes, good job, baby. Tell Jamie, tell him happy new year.”

She did, rather lazily and hastily, preferring to blow the paper blower in his face again.

“Aye, happy new year to you too, ye wee heathen.”

Jamie kissed Faith’s cheek, and she squealed, squirming away. It became a game; every smack from the unfurling paper blower earned her a kiss on the cheek from her chosen victim. Jamie and Claire kept it going until Jenny popped over to wish them a happy new year, and Faith was blowing into her face too, and getting kiss after kiss from her Auntie, her Uncle Ian, and her Grandda. She was acting like she hated being bombarded like this, but Claire knew she was loving every second.

Claire turned around to find Gillian, to tell Faith to wish her a happy new year as well, but she was a bit busy getting her own New Year’s kiss. Toni had been with friends before arriving at 11:30 to watch the ball drop with Gillian, and soon they’d be off together to get wasted until God knows when with Toni’s friends. Toni had initially felt weird about coming at all, given that most, if not all of the attendees were kids and families she worked with, and Gillian had scoffed.

“If ye think Mister Jamie isna going to be snogging his lass in front of all the kids…”

That had earned her a smack on the arm from Claire.

Well, if anyone was closest to snogging, it was Gillian herself. Though it wasn’t all that bad; Toni and Gillian knew better considering the company they were in.

Claire turned back to Jamie to see that he was looking at the pair of them as well. They both smiled at each other, then pecked each other again.

“Happy New Year, Sassenach.”

“Happy New Year, my love,” Claire answered, nuzzling his nose with hers. “Here’s to more beginnings.”

“Aye.” He kissed her nose. “You are my beginning, Claire.” He kissed her right cheek. “And my middle,” then her left, “and my end.” He punctuated his profession with another kiss, and Claire melted.

She didn’t think she’d ever find a way to compete with his Shakespeare-like tendency for flowery words of love…but she didn’t think he minded. 

——

January 15

Claire glanced nervously at the tea kettle, near to whistling already.

“It’s no’ a ticking time bomb, Sassenach,” Jamie chided.

“I know that,” she snapped.

“Hey…come on, now.” He sat down at the table and tried to meet her eye, and she obliged guiltily.

“Sorry.”

“It’s alright,” he brushed it off. “Ye said her first interview went great. What are ye so nervous about this time around?”

“Last time I scrubbed the apartment top to bottom, I picked up every barbie and lego and dog toy, cleaned out any leftovers that might have smelled…” She put her head in her hands. “I could prepare, you know? But there’s really no preparing someone for Faith. Or vice versa.”

“I see,” Jamie said. He took her hand, rubbing circles on her knuckles. “But listen. Ye said she was sweet as anything, sounded like she and Faith would get along great. And even if they don’t…it’s no’ the end of the world. There’s dozens of other staff that Morgan can pull out of her file. One of ‘em, or two, I suppose, are bound to be a good fit. No?”

“I know.” Claire sighed, squeezing his hand. “I know. Thank you. It’s just this…lingering panic from the days where every introduction was a disaster, and the disaster was my fault.”

“Those days are over, Sassenach.”

“I know.”

The previous day, Jamie had taken Faith to the park while Claire interviewed two potential candidates for Self Direction staff for Faith. Claire had done research before their move, and had applied for the program as soon as she’d gotten her work visa. She’d been told it would be one or two years before things would be set in motion for Faith to actually have staff, which is why she’d had to resort to finding Mrs. Lickett and paying her out of pocket all this time. Two weeks ago, Claire had finally been set up with a broker, Morgan, and from here on out, Medicaid would be paying Mrs. Lickett and the two new staff. Never again would Claire have to stress about being home in time to take Faith to the stables; that was something staff could do. There was always staff with some of the other kids at the stables, and Claire had always looked on longingly at the relationships they had. She’d go with them, of course, for the first few weeks, get Faith used to going with someone new, but in the long run, it would save her a lot of trouble.

The tea kettle started screaming, and Claire jumped up to stop it just as there was a knock on the door.

“I got it,” Jamie went for the kettle, nodding toward the door. “Go on.”

Claire smiled gratefully, feeling frantic and rushed despite the fact that she’d been sitting waiting for Leina’s arrival for twenty minutes now. Faith was climbing on the windowsill again to see who it was, and Claire pulled her down, lest she upset her plants (again). Claire wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans before opening the door.

“Hi!”

“Hi, Leina, great to see you again.”

Claire ushered the girl inside. She was petite for her age, twenty years old with shimmering dark hair and olive skin.

“Oh my goodness, is this Miss Faith?”

The little girl in question cowered behind Claire’s legs, wrapping her arms around her thigh for dear life.

“Yes, here she is.” Claire cupped Faith’s head. She beckoned Angus over in case Faith started getting upset over Leina’s presence. “And that’s Angus.”

“Wow, Faith. You have a really nice dog. Is he your best friend?” Leina signed friend, and Claire smiled.

“Go on, Faith. Tell Miss Leina that Angus is your friend.” Claire crouched down, so Faith latched onto her shirt instead, hiding her face in her mother’s hair. “Go on, tell her.” Faith signed friend, still not looking at Leina. “Good job.”

“That’s awesome, Faith. Good job,” Leina said warmly. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

Jamie appeared from the kitchen just then, and Faith bolted away from Claire and right into Jamie’s legs. Knowing exactly what she wanted, Jamie sighed and picked her up.

“Hi there,” he said. “I’m Jamie.” He stuck out a hand for Leina to shake, and Faith buried her face in his shoulder, her plan to retreat to Jamie apparently backfiring.

“Hi, nice to meet you. Claire told me so much about you.”

Leina had been incredibly receptive to the unusual family unit that Claire had presented her with. She hadn’t asked any questions when Claire had said that the father was not in the picture, she’d smiled widely when she’d explained Jamie’s role in their lives. Claire hadn’t wanted to bombard any candidates with “the boyfriend” before she knew it wasn’t going to be uncomfortable, which is why she’d had Jamie take Faith out.

“Do you want tea?” Claire jumped in. “The kettle just finished.”

“Oh, sure, thanks so much.”

Leina had accepted Claire’s offer of tea last time, so this time, Claire made sure to have everything ready, remembering just how Leina had liked it. When she returned with it, Jamie was gently yet firmly telling Faith that she needed to play, that she could not sit on his lap until Leina left. She silently thanked him as she handed the mug to Leina, knowing that he was preparing Faith for the eventuality of Leina playing with her.

Leina and Jamie sat on opposite ends of the couch, and Claire perched herself on the arm on Jamie’s side so as to not crowd the girl.

“So,” Jamie began, chipper. “Claire tells me ye’re in school for special education.”

“Yeah, sophomore year at Hofstra,” she said. “I went into it because my brother has autism, too.”

“Right, Claire told me. He’s verbal, though?”

“Yeah, I’ve never worked one-on-one with a nonverbal child, but I’ve interacted with them in a group setting where someone else was in charge.”

“And ye know signs?”

“Jamie,” Claire chided quietly. “It’s not an interrogation.”

Leina blushed, but she laughed. “It’s okay, I get it.”

“She was signing to Faith when she got here,” Claire said.

“Yeah, I’m not fluent by any means, but I know some.”

“Well, neither is Faith,” Claire said. “She’s absolutely still a beginner, and so am I, really. Jamie is the expert.”

Leina chuckled again.

“So, remind me of your availability?” Claire said.

“I’ve got class and volleyball Monday through Friday, except I’m free Wednesday nights.”

“Well, ye need time to do homework,” Jamie said reasonably. “Especially if we eat up yer weekends. Unless you want Wednesday nights?”

“I wouldn’t mind at all! I’m totally used to squeezing schoolwork into my schedule.”

“Well, the more hours the better, right?” Claire said with finality. “Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday it is.”

“Wow, okay, great.”

Granted she gets along with Faith, of course.

“D’ye have any questions fer us?” Jamie asked.

“Claire answered a lot of them yesterday, but I’d love to hear more about what Faith does at the stables?”

Jamie then launched into the whole process, including her transition to a new therapist given the new situation. He even went into the science behind the therapy, why it was effective, how it changed children’s bodies and minds. Claire adored watching him like this, going on and on about the part of his life he was most proud of, Faith’s presence in that part of his life making it all the more sweet.

When the conversation petered out, they all knew it was time for Leina to attempt to talk to Faith. She’d been playing a video on her tablet and waving around a mermaid barbie, Angus’s head in her lap. Leina sat on the floor about four feet away from her and waved.

“I really like your mermaid, Faith. She’s super pretty.”

Claire and Jamie watched with bated breath, clinging far too tightly to one another given that they had company.

“Can you tell me what color her tail is?”

Faith kept her eyes on her tablet screen.

“Faith, I want to talk to you. I think it’s time to turn off the tablet.”

Claire bit her lip fiercely, her stomach flipping.

“Faith, listen to Miss Leina,” she said firmly. “Turn off the tablet. It’s all done.”

Leina threw a grateful smile her way as Faith exited out of all her apps and turned it off.

“Good girl,” Claire said.

“Thank you, Faith,” Leina said sweetly. “Can you tell me what color tail your mermaid has?”

Faith kept her eyes downcast, fidgeting with Angus’s fur, but she signed: blue.

“Yeah! Good job!” Leina said. “And what else?”

Faith signed purple.

“Yeah! So pretty, right?” Faith wiggled the doll, biting her lip. “Can you use your device to find colors?”

Faith picked up her communication tablet and said blue, then, when Leina prompted, purple.

“Yeah! Good job, Faith. What about her hair? What color is her hair?”

Yellow.

“Wow, you’re really smart.”

Faith giggled.

Claire felt Jamie’s eyes on her, and she glanced down at him. His eyes were wide, and he was grinning, making a “she’s amazing” face if Claire had ever seen one. Claire beamed back at him, and then Leina and Faith were shuffling into Faith’s room. Claire could hear Leina prompting Faith to name everything in her room, could hear the device answering, and could hear Leina’s praise when she signed colors.

“I’m seriously going to cry if this doesn’t work out,” Claire said. “I love her.”

“I do too,” Jamie said quickly. “Did ye tell her how much Faith loves naming colors?”

“No! I didn’t! She just knew exactly what to do!”

“Christ, I might cry if it doesn’t work out.”

Before long, they’d exhausted every item on Faith’s tablet to name things in her room, and then Claire heard the rattling of a puzzle.

“Do you think Leina is getting it? Or Faith?”

“Dinna ken.”

“Shh!”

“A puzzle? Do you want to do a puzzle with me?”

“She brought it to her!” Claire repeatedly smacked Jamie’s shoulder.

“Aye, I can hear!”

Faith, on her own, of her own volition, was inviting Leina to play with a toy of her choosing, one of her favorites, of all things.

“It’s working out, Jamie! It’s working out!”

“Shh!” It was his turn to hush her, her whispering getting a bit too loud. “Ye’re gonna scare her away, then it’ll be yer fault it doesna work out.”

“Oh, don’t even say that.”

Jamie squeezed her shoulder, reassuring her. “Nah, Sassenach,” he whispered. “Ye’re right. It’s working out.”

——

Valentine’s Day was a grueling Tuesday, a long day and a late night. Despite her exhaustion, Claire didn’t even have it in her to trudge up the staircase to her front door; it was bloody freezing outside. She shivered and breathed heavily as she fumbled with the key, opening and shutting the door so fast, she didn’t even see him right away.

He was there, as he’d been on their one month and a few anniversaries after that when she was working, and she’d somehow never managed to notice his car parked on the street any time. He was sitting with Amy, the other staff they’d taken on along with Leina. He could have sent her home before Claire arrived, but he’d likely not wanted to cut the woman’s hours short. She was a forty year old divorcee with children of her own and other clients already; she’d been looking to fill in holes in her week so she’d be closer to a forty hour work week. Faith got along with her just as well as she had with Leina.

“Hi,” Claire stammered, a little breathless.

“Hi there,” Jamie said, standing and revealing a ridiculous bouquet of roses. He never showed any shame in doting on her in front of whoever was there with Faith any given night, no matter how it made Claire blush.

She sighed with forced exasperation, given Amy’s presence, but she could feel her cheeks getting hot, burning hot.

“He’s just the sweetest thing, isn’t he?” Amy said, zipping up her coat, throwing her purse over her shoulder, and pulling her keys out.

“Yes…” Claire cleared her throat. “Ehm, thank you, Amy. She was good?”

“Oh, yeah, just fine,” Amy said. “I’ll get out of your hair. See you Thursday.”

“Yes, see you Thursday,” Claire replied, and with a gust of piercing cold that was there and gone, Amy left.

“Jamie…when are you going to—”

Claire was abruptly cut off by a mouth on hers, Jamie’s to be specific. She whimpered in shock, but then melted into him.

“Ye have no idea what that blush of yers does to me, mo ghraidh.”

This only deepened said blush, and he kissed random parts of her face, and it took her a moment to deduce that he was following the path of her blush, as it grew more blotchy and red by the minute. The longer he held her, the less often she found herself shivering, and she moaned in delight, stopping his kisses to bodily press herself against him.

“You’re so warm…” she mumbled, clinging to him. “I’m freezing.”

“Aye, so ye are.” He tenderly rubbed her arms, then took her hands in his, covering them completely. “This help?”

“God, yes…” she groaned.

“Careful of those wee noises, Sassenach,” Jamie warned, his eyes dancing with mirth. “I’ll no’ have much restraint left by the time ye’re warm enough to undress.”

She groaned again, this time in dread, shoving her face into his chest. “Can’t you just fuck me in my coat?”

He snorted into her hair, wrapping his arms fully around her, rocking gently. “Ah, Sassenach. I could make love to ye in anything, any time, anywhere.”

He kissed the crown of her head, and she shivered for an entirely different reason. “Thank you for the roses,” she murmured into his shirt. “They’re lovely. You really didn’t have to.”

“Of course I did,” he said, sounding almost offended. “That’s what a man does fer his lass on Valentine’s day.”

“And what about a lass for her lad?” Claire said.

“I got the Starbucks and chocolates at the stables,” he assured her. “Toni even heated up the coffee in the back room so it’d be ready when I got there.”

“That was good of her,” Claire said fondly. “Doesn’t feel like enough, though.” She pulled away enough to look into his eyes. “Nothing I could ever give you would ever be enough to show you how much I love you.”

“D’ye think a few dozen roses are enough to show how much I love you?” He shook his head, aghast. “I could fill this room, this apartment, the whole island, the whole world wi’ roses or anything else ye could ever want, and it would never come close.”

Claire’s self-deprecating pout morphed into a liquid smile, and she kissed him sweetly. She shook her head as she pulled away. “Nothing I could ever say would work, either.”

He chuckled. “Dinna fash, lass.” He kissed her again, harder, more urgent. “When I hold yer small, hot body in my arms, and ye look into my eyes, ye make that face while we  make love…”

“What face?”

He hushed her. “…That’s more than enough for me to ken the truth of yer heart. Ye give me so much wi’ yer body, Sassenach. D’ye understand?”

Her breath caught in her throat as she exhaled with a tremble. “I understand.”

He kissed her one more time, then kissed her nose, then her forehead. “D’ye think a nice hot shower would warm ye up? Or d’ye just want to burrow into yer blankets?”

“No, that actually sounds like a lovely idea. As long as there are blankets awaiting me after.”

“Of course.”

“And as long as there’s a big, warm, human-furnace Scot awaiting me after.”

“Of course.”

“Although…you don’t have to wait until after.”

She gave his arse a smack, and he growled, swiping for her, but missing as she sidestepped him.

“Be a dear and start the water, won’t you? I want to put these in a vase.”

He shook his head, smirking darkly at her. “As ye wish, Milady.”

By the time Claire arranged the roses to her satisfaction and put them on a counter, far enough away from the edge that Faith couldn’t stretch and knock them over, the shower was steaming as she approached it. Jamie’s shirt was already off, and she fought the urge to lick her lips at the sight.

“You’re in luck, my lad,” Claire said. “You’re going to get me naked after all.”

He chuckled as he undid his fly. “How d’ye know that wasna my intention all along?”

“You brute!” she said, feigning an obnoxious damsel voice. “Baring my body for your own selfish needs rather than for my own comfort!”

He pulled his pants down, laughing heartily. “Ach, dinna fash. Your needs will be duly met, my Sassenach.”

Claire chuckled, heat gathering in her core. She sputtered then, realizing she was still in her bulky winter coat in the middle of the steaming bathroom. She made a mock-striptease of removing it, and Jamie shook his head, laughing. As each new area of skin was revealed, she broke out into gooseflesh, shivering violently.

“Come on, lass,” Jamie purred, now fully naked along with her. “Let’s get ye warm.”

The hot, nearly scalding water was a balm, and in a mere ten seconds, she’d stopped shivering. She sighed, leaning bodily against Jamie, not wanting to hold herself up, yet not willing to lean against the cold tile walls. She wrapped her arms around his torso as he slid his hands up and down her back, her arse, her shoulders, gliding smoothly in the water. When he took healthy handfuls of her arse with both hands, kneading and squeezing, pulling apart and pushing together, she could stand it no longer, and she stretched up to kiss him.

Oh, yes, she was quite warm now.

Tongues danced, teeth nipped, lips suckled, and Claire stroked Jamie’s hot, searing length until he begged her to stop before he spoiled the rest of the evening. Claire knew it was taking all of his control to not bend her over and have her right then, but he restrained himself, scrubbing her body gently and thoroughly, washing her hair and massaging her scalp with all the tender care in the world. She returned the favor, unable to resist a kiss here and there, as he’d been unable.

When they were satisfied with their cleanliness, the kissing resumed, and then Jamie was turning her around, kissing down her back, her arse, her thighs, getting onto his knees.

“Hold on, mo ghraidh.”

His breathy purr brushed against her, and she shivered, despite the chill in her bones having been long gone. She braced herself on the wall, not at all certain that she wouldn’t slip, and then he thoroughly devoured her, sending her reeling with his mouth alone. She came hoarsely, sharply, trying to curl her fingers into something but finding nothing but slippery tile. Jamie was on his feet in an instant, catching her around the waist, holding her up, cupping the tender spot he’d abandoned to stop her fall. She gratefully rode his hand, gyrating lazily, riding out what was left of her orgasm, her head thrown back into the crook of his neck.

He cupped her until the aftershocks ceased, and then his hands roamed up to squeeze her breasts, as if they were the only thing keeping him upright. He was hard as a rock against the small of her back, and Claire ground her arse against him, giggling when he groaned in misery.

“Come on, love,” she purred, shutting off the water. “I’m all warm now.”

Jamie stepped out and quickly dried himself off, stopping Claire before he was done.

“Let me.”

And, despite how painfully aroused he must have been, he tenderly patted down every inch of her, squeezed out her hair methodically, gently. He then wrapped her in a second, dry towel, something Claire never allowed herself to do, and he scooped her up in his arms, leaving the two wet towels on the bathroom floor, and carrying her, naked, to the bedroom. Claire locked the door for him after he shut it with his foot, and they giggled into a kiss as Jamie walked her onto the bed. He laid her down among rose petals that he’d likely scattered hours ago, and she shook her head at his thoughtfulness. She watched as he lit candles, resting her head on her hand and biting her lip to keep from laughing at the extravagance of it all. He flicked off the light when the candles were lit to his satisfaction, and then he turned back to her.

“Hurry back,” she whined, only partly joking. “I’m getting cold again.”

He wasted no time, closing the distance to the bed and rolling her onto her back, hovering over her.

“Canna have that.”

He unfolded her towel and kissed every inch of her pebbling skin, as if kissing away the goosebumps. He stayed for a while on her nipples, lapping at her there until she was panting and arching her hips into the air.

“Warm enough yet?” He smirked up at her from between her breasts, and she nodded desperately.

A man on a mission, Jamie tossed aside her towel and finally, finally straddled her, bracing himself on his elbows so their mouths were inches apart.

“God…” he groaned, kissing her one more time as his tip teased her entrance. “I’m the happiest man alive.”

“I love you…” Claire murmured, and then with one snap of his hips he was fully sheathed within her, as if the words propelled him forward against his will.

He tried to take his time, Claire could tell, but it didn’t take long for him to take up a maddening pace, slamming into her, and then rubbing rough circles on her clit so she could follow him into oblivion. She did, losing her grip on reality so thoroughly that she did not know where she ended and he began, did not know whose cries she was hearing.

She quite literally didn’t open her eyes again, physically unable after her long day and the activities she’d just finished. So Jamie tucked her in under the excessive amount of blankets she kept on the bed in winter, and she drifted off to the sound of him blowing out candles, only fully surrendering to sleep when he was once again at her side, tucking her into him like she belonged there, like an extra limb, an extension of himself.

My Valentine.

[little-miss-buffy]

"Yeah, you didn't hear any complaints RIGHT after," Buffy sighed out of frustration. "But, he's confused NOW because one minute, you're talking to him, one minute you want nothing to do with him and he doesn't want to bother YOU about it, so he's asking Willow and I for advice about how he should behave around you. He doesn't know if you want to be friends or not have anything to do with each other. I'm not you, Faith. I can't answer that and it's FRUSTRATING!" She paused to catch her breath. "This is between you and him and I'm somehow in the middle. I don't belong in the middle. I belong within a thousand feet in the middle. I just want you to talk to him and set things straight with him and keep me out of it. WAY out of it. In-another-state out of it. Is that too much to ask?" She was aware that she was rambling, but it wasn't anything that wasn't true. She didn't hate Faith for it. Faith had her way of doing things and that was fine, but it wasn't Buffy's business. She just wanted out.

@faithie

@little-miss-buffy​ liked for a starter.

         “Look B, I get it. Your pissed. Xander was just there and I heard no complaints. Not before, during or after, so ya gotta let it go or you and I are gonna have problem.” warned the younger slayer. Doe eyes laced with the irritation from the cold shoulder that Buffy was giving her.

[wcnderlnds]

the truth / peter maximoff x reader.

Pairing: Peter Maximoff x Reader Description: You slip up and Wanda takes things into her own hands. Warnings: none. Word Count: 1045 A/N: straight up, this isn’t the best because ya girl is sick but i wanted to get it done and out there. Requested by @faithie-brock-gillespie01​

Westview was the happiest place on Earth. There wasn’t a person that didn’t have a smile on their face or friendly to anyone they met. It was almost too good to be true but you couldn’t imagine living your life anywhere else. Westview was all you’d ever known. It was the only place you could ever remember being which sometimes seemed odd to you. There were memories that sometimes came in flashes of a mansion and people who you felt like you knew but any thought like that was almost squashed instantly by the force in your brain yelling you it was all your imagination. Westview was the only place for you. Why would you need to be anywhere else anyway? You had everything you needed right here. It seemed funny that the life you were living in Westview was the life you’d always dreamt of happening. Sometimes it did feel like you were in a dream or living in some kind of fantasy world — life felt too perfect sometimes.

Maybe that was because you were with the perfect man. Peter Maximoff was your boyfriend and you were crazy about each other. Nobody could even compare to him. He was sweet, caring and most important he always made sure you knew how much he loved you. There wasn’t a day that went by where he didn’t say those three words to you. You really were the luckiest person on the planet.

The house you shared was right next door to Peter’s sister Wanda’s house. The two of you got along amazingly — you’d clicked that first day you’d shown up on her doorstep with Peter. For some reason she kept calling him Pietro and he never corrected her so you went along with it. It was his birth name anyway — he just preferred to be called Peter. Most days were spent with you and Peter hanging out with Wanda and Vision and today was no exception.

It was game night and after a few games with the twins, Wanda had sent them to bed so it was just you, Peter, Wanda and Vision. That was when the wine came out. A bright smile made it’s way to your face as Wanda handed you a glass. Peter’s arm was slung around your shoulders as you sat sit by side on the floor, leaning against the couch. 

“You doing okay, princess?” Peter whispered in your ear, pressing a kiss to your cheek.

You hummed happily. “I’m great, Speedy. Don’t you worry about me.”

For some reason he always seemed to be a little bit on edge — like he knew something you didn’t but you tried not to dwell on that. All you wanted to do was enjoy the life you shared here with him. If it was important then you were sure he’d tell you.

The chatter continued and the four of you ended up playing a long round of Monopoly which Peter somehow ended up winning. A glance at the clock showed you it was late. Wanda must’ve been thinking the same thing because she got to her feet with a stretch.

“How about you two,” she pointed to Vision and Peter. “Take the games back to the basement while us ladies clean up here.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Peter saluted earning a chuckle from you. The two men took all the games you’d been playing that evening and left leaving you and Wanda alone. The two of you had been left alone many times before but, for some reason, something felt a little off tonight.

“Had a good night, (Y/N)?” Wanda asked, watching you get to your feet now finally. 

A quick yawn passed your lips before you answered. “Always, Wanda! Nothing like a night with my favourite Maximoff’s. I’m exhausted now, though.”

“Get yourself home to bed! I’ll let Pietro know you’ve left.”

“Oh, no. It’s okay! If he knew I’d left him alone with his fake sister he’d probably start panicking and you know what he’s like when he panics. It’s a whole mess.”

“What did you just say?” Wanda’s tone of voice had completely changed. It was more menacing and her eyes were almost glowing red.

It was then you realised what you’d said. It was then you’d realised everything around you was a lie. Whatever hold Wanda had had on you had come loose and now you remembered everything. You remembered everything about your old life — the mansion, your friends and your powers. Fear was the only thing you felt as you took a step back away from the stranger in front of you. Why had she brainwashed you to think she was Peter’s sister? How had she dragged you and Peter here? By now, Wanda had a ball of glowing red energy flowing between her hands, head titled as she looked at you. 

“Wanda, please. I just… I want to go home,” you pleaded, taking a step back as she moved forward.

“Yeah, maybe you should go home,” Wanda smiled sweetly at you and before you knew it you were hit in the chest with the ball of energy she’d been playing with in her hands. 

You crashed through the wall and went flying, a scream making it’s way out of your mouth. You closed your eyes bracing for the impact of the fall but it never came. Instead you were caught in the arms of the one and only Peter Maximoff. You clung to him, sobbing out of pure fear and the pain from where Wanda’s magic had hit you. You didn’t want to go back, you couldn’t go back to Wanda now. Peter placed you down onto your feet, wrapping his arms around you so you didn’t fall.

“Pete,” you cried, burying your head into his chest.

“I know, baby. I’m here. I promise I won’t let anything bad happen to you,” he stroked your hair, trying to calm you down. 

“I’m not going back. I can’t.”

“We’ll hide you, okay? I just… there’s some things I need to do and then we’ll find a way out of here.”

You didn’t say anything instead just opt to nod your head. If there was anything you were sure of it’s that you trusted Peter Maximoff and he would never let you down.

[allthingsfangirl101]

A Family Circus–Phillip Carlyle

Masterlist

Request by @faithie-brock-gillespie01​

I placed my hand over my stomach, eager to tell Phillip what the doctor just told me. Phillip and I have known each other our entire lives. Our families were really close and we grew up together.

We finally realized we were in love when we were in high school. We were already inseparable but after we started dating, no one could tear us apart. Eighteen months after high school we got married and a year after that we had our son, Daniel. It's been four years and we were having another baby.

The entire trolley ride home, I eagerly bounced my knee. As we rode through town, all I could think is, "How have I been pregnant for three months and didn't know?"

"First child?" A lady across from me asked.

"I'm sorry?" I asked.

"Not to pry," the woman giggled, "but the way you're rubbing your stomach is kind of a giveaway."

"No," I chuckled. "Actually, she would be our second. We have a four-year-old son."

"Well, congratulations."

As she turned her attention back to her book, I looked down at my stomach. When the trolley finally came to my stop, I looked over and immediately saw Phillip and our son, Daniel, waiting for me. I smiled when Phillp picked up Daniel and pointed at me. I bit my lip, forcing myself to stop the happy tears as Daniel eagerly waved at me.

I got off the trolley and walked over to my husband and son. Daniel practically jumped out of Phillip's arms and ran to me. I leaned down and picked him up.

"Mommy!" Daniel said loudly as he hugged me. "I missed you."

"I missed you too, baby," I chuckled as I kissed his forehead.

"Please don't let Daddy make me lunch," Daniel pouted.

"And why is that?" I asked glancing at Phillip.

"Apparently," Phillip sighed as he walked over and grabbed my bag from me, "I don't make peanut butter and jelly sandwichs as well as you do."

I laughed as I leaned over and kissed Phillip. He draped my bag over his shoulder, grabbed my hand, and led us through town.

"So, how was the doctor? Did she find out what's been going on with you?" Phillip asked.

I glanced at Daniel in my arms and sighed. "Maybe we should talk at home."

Phillip looked over at me, his eyes wide. He pulled on my hand, stopping me.

"What?" He asked, his voice cracking. "Is something wrong? Are you. . . Is it. . ."

"Phillip," I said gently. "It's nothing bad, I promise."

I smiled as Phillip let out the breath he was holding. "Don't scare me like that, Y/N. For a second I thought I was going to lose you."

"You will never lose me." I leaned over and pressed my lips to his. I giggled into the kiss as Phillip immediately started kissing me back.

"Ew!!" Daniel giggled. Phillip and I laughed as he pushed us apart.

"Daniel, baby, you know Mommy and Daddy will always be here for you, right?" I asked as we started walking home.

"Of course," Daniel said, slightly oblivious to the tense moment we just had. "You're my Mommy and Daddy. You love me."

"Yes," Phillip chuckled, "we do."

                       * * * * *

After Daniel went down for his nap, Phillip and I sat down to have our conversation.

"Okay," Phillip said. "What did the doctor say?"

"I'm pregnant."

"What?!" I giggled as he stood up and pulled me to my feet, wrapping his arms tightly around me.

"I'm sorry," he said as he let me go. "I shouldn't lift you and spin you around. In fact, you shouldn't have carried Daniel the whole way home. How far along are you? Did Dr. Amiee tell you when you're due? I think we still have most of Daniel's baby stuff. Then again, all the clothes are for a baby boy. What if it's a girl? Maybe Barnum has some leftover clothes from his daughters we can borrow. Or we can buy our baby new clothes. The circus is doing well and the profits are great. I can talk to him when I go to the circus tomorrow."

"Phillip," I cut him off. "Baby, breathe."

"Sorry," he laughed. "I just. . . I feel like I panicked when you were pregnant with Daniel and I wanted to be more prepared this time."

I grabbed his hand and led him back over to the couch, making him sit next to me.

"Dr. Aimee said that I'm three months pregnant. She thinks that this pregnancy shouldn't be too different from our first. My body should react the same way it did when I was pregnant with Daniel. There is one big difference though."

"I'm not the father?" Phillip joked. I sent him a look that made him laugh.

"Don't even joke about that."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," he said as he leaned over and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "What's the big difference?"

"We're having a girl this time."

"Really?" He gasped, his eyes filling with tears. "We're having a little girl? You're carrying my daughter?"

"Yes," I giggled. "We're having a little girl."

Phillip leaned back and smiled. I could tell he was imagining things from the far off look I'm his eyes and the way he was subconsciously rubbing my palm as he held my hand.

"I'm going to have a Daddy's Little Girl."

                       * * * * *

I held Daniel's hand as we walked to the circus. Phillip doesn't know that we were planning on surprising him with dinner. As we got close to the circus, I held Daniel's hand tighter.

The group of men waiting outside the circus has been getting bigger, louder, and drunker. I ignored their taunts as I guided Daniel inside.

"Where's Daddy?" He asked, bouncing on his toes.

"I'm not sure, baby," I answered as I scanned the room. "He should be around here somewhere."

We walked backstage, stopping to say hello to the people we passed as we searched for Phillip. As we went up to his office, we heard some yelling outside. Daniel looked up at me but I just smiled.

"Are those people outside mad?" He asked as we finally got to Phillip's office.

"Yes, baby," I sighed.

"Why are they so mad?" Daniel asked innocently. I looked down at my son and wished there was a simple answer for him.

Instead, I said, "Well, they don't like the circus."

"Why not? It's fun!" Daniel giggled when we saw Lettie walking up the stairs. She waved before disappearing into her dressing room.

I opened the door to Phillip's office but it was empty. I walked in and looked at Daniel. We sat and waited, but Phillip never showed.

"Mommy?" Daniel said, looking up from his toys. "Can we eat yet? I'm hungry."

I checked the clock on the wall and sighed. I reached into my bag and grabbed Daniel's sandwich.

"You can start eating, baby. I'm going to try and find Daddy."

I stood up and was about to grab the door handle when the door was pushed open.

"Y/N," Lettie gasped. Her eyes glanced down at Daniel and they filled with tears. "We gotta go."

"What's going on? Where's Phillip?"

"I don't know," she stuttered, "but the building is on fire."

Phillip's POV

My heart jumped into my throat when I saw the building on fire. I looked around and started taking a headcount.

"Phillip!"

I turned my head to see Lettie holding Daniel as she ran over to me. Daniel had tears streaming down his cheeks as he reached out to me.

"Daddy!" He cried out. I instant took him from Lettie, holding him close to me as I kissed his head.

"What are you doing here?" I asked softly as I moved some hair out of his face.

"Mommy wanted to bring you dinner. We thought it would be fun," he said through his tears. My eyes widened as I looked back at Lettie.

"Y/N's here?" I asked, my breath getting caught in my throat. "Where is she?"

"She sent me out with Daniel while she. . . I'm so sorry, Phillip," Lettie tried to explain.

"She's still inside?" I stuttered.

"Yes," she said, her voice cracking. "I'm so sorry, honey."

"Can you watch him?" I asked as I put Daniel down. I was about to run inside, but a small hand grabbed mine and stopped me.

"Daddy, don't leave me!" Daniel cried. "I'm scared. What's happening? Where's Mommy? Why is everyone running around? Why is it so hot? Is Mommy okay?"

I knelt down and grabbed my son's shoulders. "Mommy is inside and Daddy is going to go get her."

"You're leaving me?" He asked, his voice breaking as his lips started to quiver. I sighed as I pulled him into my chest.

"Stay with Lettie, okay? I'll be right back." I kissed his forehead, my lips lingering on his skin.

I stood back up and turned towards Lettie. Before I could say anything, she grabbed Daniel's hand and nodded. I started to run into the building but I was stopped again.

"What are you doing?" Barnum asked as he stopped me from running inside the burning building.

"Y/N's stuck inside," I said quickly. I was about to run inside but he stopped me again.

"Stay here."

Before I could say or do anything, Barnum ran inside the circus. I looked over when I heard Daniel calling out to me. He ran away from Lettie and jumped into my arms. I held him close to my chest as he sobbed.

"Is Mommy going to be okay?" He asked through his sobs.

"She's going to be just fine," I said, trying to reassure him and myself. "Mr. Barnum went to get her. He'll bring her to us soon."

I held my breath as I waited for any sign of Y/N and Barnum. The longer it took Barnum to find Y/N, the more worried I got. We all seemed to be holding our breath as we waited outside.

Y/N has been like a mother to everyone in the circus. Even though we didn't pay her, she still comes as much as she can and helps out wherever it's needed.

My breath got caught in my throat when I saw Barnum carrying Y/N out of the building. Emergency personal ran over to them and met them halfway.

"Daniel, stay with Lettie," I said as I put him down.

"But Mommy. . ." He stuttered.

"I got her," I tried to reassure him. "Stay with Lettie."

I ran over and knelt next to Y/N. With shaking hands, I reached over and moved a piece of hair out of her face.

"Is she going to be okay?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

"She has a lot of smoke in her lungs but she should be alright," the EMT explained. "As long as she doesn't have any medical concerns or. . ."

"She's three months pregnant," I cut him off.

"She is?" I heard Barnum ask but I was too focused on the EMT getting Y/N connected to oxygen.

The EMTs started talking to each other as they worked faster. I felt numb as they lifted her and gently carried her to the ambulance. Barnum knelt next to me, clearing his throat to get my attention.

"So, Y/N's pregnant?" He asked, trying to lighten the tension.

"Yeah," I said, my voice barely working.

"How far along is she?"

"About three months."

"That's great!" He chuckled. "Do you know the sex yet?"

I cleared my throat as I nodded. "It's a girl."

"That's wonderful news," he chuckled. When I didn't respond, I heard him sigh. He gently grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to look away from the retreating ambulance.

"Phillip," he said. "Y/N and the baby are going to be just fine. I know it."

"If something. . . If she. . . If we lose. . . It'll be because I didn't protect my wife."

"Phillip," Barnum sighed. "The fire wasn't your fault. Those rioters set it and you didn't know that Y/N was there until Lettie ran outside with Daniel."

"But what if. . ."

"No more what if's," Barnum chuckled. "Y/N's a strong girl, Phillip. And if your daughter is anything like her, she's gonna be just as strong."

                       * * * * *

I decided to leave Daniel with Y/N's mom when I went to the hospital to see her. I wasn't sure how Y/N looked and I didn't want him to see her like that. I followed the doctor down the hallway, my breath getting stuck in my throat when we finally stopped outside a door.

"She's right in here," the doctor said kindly. "She's a little groggy but she's fine."

"And the baby?" I barely got my question out.

"Your daughter is perfectly healthy. The smoke did a little damage on Mom but absolutely none on the baby."

"Thank you," I said, letting out the breath I've been holding since the fire. The doctor nodded before heading to aide another patient. I turned back towards Y/N's room and hesitated. I took a deep breath before knocking on the door.

"Come in," I heard weakly from inside. The second I open the door and my eyes met Y/N's, she smiled.

"Phillip."

I quickly walked inside and sat next to her bed. I immediately leaned over and pressed my lips to hers. I felt her smile as she kissed me back. I broke the kiss and leaned my forehead against hers.

"What were you thinking?" I whispered. "I know how much you care about the circus and the people but you could've. . ."

"Phillip," she cut me off. I leaned back and looked into her eyes. "Is Danny okay?"

"He's fine," I said. "Lettie got him out of the building and he's with your mother now."

"Good," she said, letting out a sigh of relief. "What about. . ."

Y/N's eyes filled with tears as she gently placed her hand over her stomach. I reached over and placed my hand over hers.

"The baby is just fine," I whispered.

"Really?" Y/N asked, her voice breaking.

"The baby takes after her mom," I chuckled. "Strong and too stubborn to get hurt. You and the baby are going to be just fine."

Y/N leaned her head against the pillow and closed her eyes. I reached forward and caught a tear that had started streaming down her cheek.

Her eyes fluttered open as she turned her head towards me. "I thought. . . If something had happened to you, Danny or our little girl, I don't think. . ."

"Y/N," I interrupted her. "We are all fine. Our family is still intact. Like it always will be."

"And the circus," she stuttered.

"Don't worry about the circus," I laughed as I shook my head. "Worry about you."

She reached over and grabbed my hand, immediately intertwining our fingers.

"I love you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. I leaned over and pressed my lips gently to hers.

"I love you too, Y/N."

[adorethedistance]

Oops 🙊 I meant you’r wholesome guy series or are they the same thing? I’m confused now. I’ve thrown myself off 😂

Lol they’re the same thing I just call it the wholesome guy series bc that’s the first part. Literally no other reason lol

[atths--twice]

A Christmas Wedding

It’s Christmas and the year is nearly over. What better way to end it than with the happiness only a wedding can bring? ❤️

From my Family Series stories. God, how I love writing this series. I love creating this little world in which they have continued on after the series. Creating characters and bringing them together just makes my heart so happy.

Today is Skinner and Rachel’s wedding day and only a small group will gather to celebrate, the world being the way it is at the moment.

Hope you enjoy this story. It’s so sweet and fluffy, it nearly gives me a toothache. ❤️❤️

December 27, 2020

“Hey, can you help me with this?” Mulder asked. Scully turned around and frowned slightly with a smile, setting down her mascara wand and walking over to him.

“Help you with your tie? Something you’ve done on your own for… Mulder, this tie has little Santa Claus’s on it,” she said, holding it in her hand as he adjusted his collar.

“I know.”

“How did I not know that?”

“Because I didn’t tell you?” he said with a cheeky grin and she shook her head. “Is it straight? Does it look alright?”

“It has Santa Claus’s on it,” she said again and he nodded.

“Hey, if he can wear a tie with alien heads on it to our wedding, then I am wearing one with Santas on it to his.” He raised his eyebrows as he fiddled with the knot of it and she laughed softly as she shook her head again and smoothed down the blue tie with tiny pixelated Santas on it.

“It’s a cute tie. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.”

“You get married during the holiday, at a Christmas tree farm, you’re getting a Santa tie,” he stated, looking in the mirror at the tie and then at his hair, fixing it with a few swipes of his fingers. “You about ready?”

“Yup. Just gotta finish up here and put on my boots.”

“Those boots, Scully,” he said with a growl, and she smiled as she reached for her discarded mascara wand, pushing in front of him to get to the mirror.

“They’re just boots, Mulder,” she stated, laughing as he wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled at her neck.

“Boots that go past your knees,” he murmured, nibbling at her earlobe, causing her to moan. “Such sexy boots.” His hands moved down and she let out a shaky breath, her eyes closing.

“Mulder,” she breathed warningly, his fingers beginning to gather the material of her deep burgundy dress, pulling it up her thighs. “Mulder…”

“Mm-hmm?” he hummed as he kissed the side of her neck, his fingers sliding under the dress. “Wha… tights?” He pulled back and looked down, letting go of her waist and shaking his head.

“Yes, tights,” she laughed, smoothing down her dress and pushing him away gently. “It’s cold and we will be outside for hours. Do you want me to freeze?” She turned and stared at him, his eyes on her legs clad in tights, his expression sad. She cleared her throat and he looked up. Her eyebrows raised, she smiled and he sighed.

“We have to be there in a little over an hour. You’re already dressed. I need to finish getting ready. We still need to get Faith dressed as soon as she’s awake.” She set her mascara wand down again and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Did you really think we had extra time for that?”

“It wouldn’t take too long…” he said, locking his arms around her waist, and she laughed.

“Even after this morning?” she asked, and he moaned.

“This morning was…”

“Mm-hmm…” she hummed, knowing that that morning had been exceptionally good and definitely worth being woken up early.

“It was hours ago,” he whined and she laughed, pulling him down for a kiss and then pushing him away, just as they heard Faith waking up with a yawn and calling for him.

“There, see? Your daughter is calling. You go get her ready, let me finish doing the same.” He stared at her and she stepped closer, Faith calling for him or Bella. Scully smiled as she ran her hands down his chest.

“Let me get ready- finish up with my hair and makeup and put on my boots.” He groaned and she smiled. “Then later, you can help me take them off.” She kissed him softly and slowly, knowing it drove him crazy. “The zipper is really long. It could take awhile.”

“Scully,” he moaned, kissing her deeply, his hands on her ass.

“Dada! Help! Help me!” Faith yelled, and Scully laughed against his mouth.

“You better go,” she said, kissing him once more and stepping back, pushing him toward the doorway. “Her dress is laying on the changing table, plus her tights, and the onesie for under. You get her dressed, bring her in here and I’ll fix her hair.”

“Mmm… yeah. I’m going, but I’m gonna hold you to that promise.”

“Hold me to that and a lot more later,” she said to his retreating back, smiling when his step faltered. Shaking his head, not turning around, he mumbled something under his breath and walked out of the bedroom.

Turning back to the mirror, she smiled as she picked up the mascara wand again, and put it into the tube, freshening up the mascara and applying it to her eyes.

“Meow!”

Looking in the mirror, she saw Grey sitting on the counter by the tub licking her paw and wiping her face, and she smiled. Closing up the mascara, she traded it for her eyeliner and lightly lined the top and bottom lids, a little darker than usual, especially recently, but she liked it.

“You happy you don’t have to worry about this, girl?” she asked, turning to look at Grey, who paused in her cleaning, raising her blue eyes to Scully’s and blinking before shaking her head and resuming her wash up. Scully laughed quietly and turned around again, picking up her lipstick.

“Mama?” Faith called, walking into the bathroom, and grabbing onto Scully’s leg. “Hi, Mama.” Scully set her lipstick down and picked Faith up, squeezing her tightly.

“Hello, love. You ready to go see Uncle Walter and Auntie Rachel?” She kissed her temple, breathing in her warm sleepy scent.

“Hi, Grey! Mama down. See Grey.” Scully laughed as she set her down and picked up her lipstick again, applying it quickly and placing it back into her makeup bag.

Reaching to let her hair out of the ponytail she had placed it in to apply her makeup, Mulder stopped her as he walked into the bathroom.

“What are you doing?” he asked, and she turned toward him. “Leave it up.”

“Really? Why?” She glanced in the mirror at her rather messy ponytail and looked back at him. “It’s not what I had planned.”

“I like it like that,” he said, coming closer and tucking a stray piece behind her ear. “Feels like you’re going to tell me about the results of an autopsy.” He smiled, his thumb stroking her cheek and she chuckled.

“Will you be able to handle a ponytail and the boots?” she said with a smirk and he narrowed his eyes before kissing her softly.

“I’ll take my chances.” He kissed her again and then swooped Faith up, kissing her cheeks as she laughed and Scully redid her hair, creating a smoother ponytail.

Picking up the basket of Faith’s hair stuff, Mulder set her on their bed, as Scully gave her a toy kept for these moments, and began to brush her hair. With deft fingers, she had her hair divided down the middle and separated into two french braids, continuing into regular braids. Bringing them together, she added a red ribbon clip and gently brushed the unbraided bit of hair.

“There, all done. Good girl. You want to see?”

“Yes, Mama. See.”

She handed her the handheld mirror from the basket and Faith looked at herself with a smile.

“Ohhh. Pitee. So pitee.” She looked at Scully and smiled. “Mama pitee. See, Mama? Pitee.” Scully looked in the mirror with her and nodded.

“We are pretty. And smart and kind. You ready?”

“Yes.” Faith handed the mirror back and turned onto her stomach to slide down the bed. Mulder caught her and lifted her before her feet hit the floor.

“You look beautiful, Faith Mulder. It always amazes me how you do the braids so quickly.” He shook his head as he looked at Faith’s hair and then at Scully. She smiled as she put the stuff back into the basket.

“Surgeons hands,” she said, wiggling her fingers. “Gotta be quick and sure.” She stood up as he laughed and made faces at Faith. “Will you let Bella out one more time and get her shoes on?”

“Bella’s?” he asked cheekily and she smacked him playfully.

“Obviously not,” she answered and rolled her eyes. “I meant Faith’s. I’ll get my boots on and meet you downstairs.” He groaned and nodded, turning toward the door.

“Best to be out of the room when you put those on. Come on, Faithy my love, let’s go downstairs.”

“Grey! Come, Grey!” Faith called and Grey bounded after them with a little chirpy meow. Scully laughed as she put the basket of hair stuff away and walked to the closet, taking out her boots.

Smiling as she sat on the bed and put them on, she had to admit they were rather sexy boots. Something about the height of them, the feel of them around her knees, made her feel sexy.

We’re in for some fun later, she thought, zipping up the last boot and standing up, smoothing down her new dress, loving the length as it just skimmed the tops of the boots. Taking a deep breath, she glanced at the bed with a smile.

“Later,” she promised quietly, turning out the lights and walking out of the room.

Walking down the stairs, she smiled as she looked at Faith. The little black shoes were perfect with the dress Rachel had picked out, sending ideas to Scully and asking for her opinion, as Faith was to be the flower girl at the very intimate wedding.

The dress had a white soft sweater on top, with white embroidered swirled roses. A red satin ribbon was around the waist, the sweater poking through over a full red flowing skirt. White tights, black shoes, and her hair braided… she looked absolutely adorable.

“Okay… everyone ready? Bella in?”

“Not yet. I’m just grabbing her some snacks and her cup.”

“For Bella?” Scully asked, echoing his question and smiling at him as he looked up from loading the backpack.

“Smart ass,” he said under his breath and she laughed. His eyes fell to her shoes and he shook his head, muttering something she did not catch. Choosing to let it go for now, she began to gather their coats.

Turning around, she smiled as she watched him stop by the gift she had given him for Christmas, a small clear jar with a lid shaped like a UFO . He scooped out a handful of sunflower seeds, and dropped it in his suit jacket pocket, replacing the lid and finishing his task of readying the backpack with items for Faith.

“Ready,” he said, zipping up the backpack and smiling at her. She nodded and they headed toward the door.

Bella brought back inside and treats given to both animals, they set off for the wedding. Faith was holding the grey striped stuffed cat she had gotten for Christmas, feeding it with her toy baby bottle. Smiling as she turned around, Scully sighed happily.

“I really hope that cat stays away from the tree while we’re gone,” Mulder said quietly and Scully laughed, thinking about Grey’s interest in the tree from the minute they put it up.

She had been under the tree, pawing at it and at Mulder, as he had pushed the screws into the trunk of the tree, tightening them to secure it in the stand.

“Get away, Grey,” had been a comment said many times over the past few weeks. She had been moved, chased, and threatened with no treats, if she did not get down and leave the tree alone. Ornaments were found on the floor in the morning, even one shiny gold one being left in Mulder’s slipper.

Bella had been interested in it too, but not like Grey had been; batting at the lower ornaments until they had moved them up. Though there had still been the occasional one on the floor the next morning, nothing had been broken, thankfully.

Mulder had woken Scully up early on Christmas, so they could have their own time together before Faith woke up, just like the previous two years. They had sat drinking coffee, with generous amounts of Irish cream, and exchanging gifts. Both had been in stitches as flamingos seemed to be the theme of the holiday, with her giving him red and green lawn flamingos wearing Santa hats and him giving her flamingo pajama pants with a long sleeved black top.

They had also helped Faith make flamingo crafts, separately and without the other knowing. Mulder had created a clear hanging ornament with Faith’s handprints in pink paint which were turned into flamingos, the date written on the bottom. Scully had done something similar, but the handprints were on a large glass picture frame. It created a border around a picture of them taken on one of their many hikes, all of them squished tightly together and smiling happily.

Once Faith had woken up, the morning had gone by in a flash. Wrapping paper had been strewn around the room as Faith ripped open her gifts, leaving the paper and trying to unbox whatever was inside. She had received a baby stroller, cradle, and bag of items to care for her baby doll. Also, a happy, smiling plush set of the solar system, a rocket ship, an alien, a star and a cloud. Mulder had lined them up and began to tell her about each planet when she grabbed Mars, put it in the baby stroller, and walked away.

“So that’s how it is,” he had said as Scully laughed. He had sighed and she rubbed his back gently.

After eating breakfast later than usual, Scully had put away the dishes as she listened to Mulder and Faith playing ‘baby,’ a game of which she recently could not get enough. It involved them pretending to be the baby and Faith would be the one taking care of them. She would bring them toys or a blanket, and rub their faces and heads as she shushed them softly.

It was the cutest goddamn thing and Mulder especially loved to play it with her, his smile one of Scully’s favorites as he stared lovingly at Faith.

The last dish put away, she had walked over to the couch where Mulder was sprawled, Mercury, Saturn, and a toy baby bottle beside him. His eyes closed, a hint of a smile on his face, she had knocked his knee with hers and his eyes had flown open. “Scooch over,” she had said and he grinned, scooting back on the couch as she picked up the planets and the bottle, handing them to Faith. "Here, baby.” “Tank you, Mama,” Faith had said, putting them in the stroller with a nod and pushing it past them. Scully had laid down beside Mulder, cuddling in close, their limbs entwined. She had breathed him in as he kissed her head and they both sighed happily, yet tiredly.

“I’d say she’s had a good Christmas,” he had said softly, his fingers massaging her scalp. She nodded against his neck, her eyes closed with a smile as she listened to Faith doing laps around the couch, the wheels of the little stroller running along the hardwood floors.

Denis and Violet had come over later that afternoon for drinks and cookies on the porch. Denis brought Faith a set of wooden animals he had been working on all summer. Every one of them was painted and not at all according to the true color of the animal. There was a pink elephant with purple polka dots, a black tiger with pink stripes, an orange cow with tiny teal flowers, a purple whale with a white underbelly, a light red rabbit with green hearts, a pale yellow panda with pink ears and paws, and a dark blue hippopotamus with blue eyes and light green feet.

Faith had loved them, carrying them around and setting them down on the porch, talking to them as the adults drank spiked eggnog and ate deliciously rich cream cheese cutout Christmas cookies.

Now, they were on their way back to the Christmas tree farm, two days after Christmas, for a winter evening wedding surrounded by the wonderful scent of pine trees.

Scully smiled, as she crossed her legs and she heard Mulder growl as her dress slipped past her knees, exposing the black tights she wore under her dress.

“You’re going to have to rein it in when we get there. No more growling.”

“I make no promises.” She laughed and reached for his hand, squeezing it and resting their joined hands on the middle console.

Pulling into the tree farm about thirty  minutes later, they got out and put on their coats and masks, Scully laughing at the one Mulder had chosen. Faith stood in the back of the car as Scully put on her coat, buttoning it and shaking her head. She looked back at Mulder and he pumped his eyebrows.

The mask he wore was black and had a red and blue spaceship on it. Santa was highlighted under the yellow light of the tractor beam as he pulled up a Christmas tree.

“Mulder…” she said, trying to appear stern, but giggling at the thought of Skinner’s face when he saw it.

“What? It’s cute, right? You like it, right Faithy?” He got closer to her and she touched his face, smiling up at him.

“Santa. Santa a.. and a tree. And flying. See? Flying.” She touched the spaceship and Scully grinned, watching Mulder’s eyes crinkle, knowing he was smiling under his mask.

“Yes, it’s a flying saucer. A spaceship. One day I will tell you all about them.” He picked her up and squeezed her tightly before setting her back down and looking at Scully. “Don’t worry, this is just for effect. I have a plain black one in my pocket for the ceremony.”

“Smart man.”

“Just a little.”

“Sexy too.”

“Hey now… we had a deal.”

“I am under no obligations, nor did I agree to any such deal.” He stared at her as she smiled at him with her eyes and he shook his head.

“Dada. Down. Me down.” He glanced at Faith and stared Scully down as he lifted Faith from the car and held her to his chest.

“Best behavior from here on out…” he said, and she stared back, grabbing the backpack and closing the door. Pretending to give it a think, she looked down and then up at him. Nodding her head, he turned to head through the white wooden gate.

“No,” she said, just loud enough for him to hear and he turned around, his eyebrows up.

“No?”

“No. I can’t make that promise while I’m wearing these boots.” She walked past him and heard his sharp intake of breath, smiling as she continued on, knowing his eyes were on her shoes.

“Dada, go. Get Mama,” Faith said and Scully chuckled, turning around to find him standing in the same spot.

“Oh… I will,” he said, walking toward Scully, his eyes dark. “I definitely will.” She hooked her arm through his and laughed as he growled low and said her name, her head leaning against his shoulder.

“Ohhh. So pitee,” Faith said and Scully smiled as she nodded in agreement. It was pretty.

White fairy lights were strung up in a cleared area, a handful of white folding chairs sat under them, staggered and spaced far apart. Six tall portable heaters were placed along the outside of the chairs and the area felt much warmer.

A large dark wooden archway, with white fairy lights and burgundy and white sheer colored drapes wrapped tastefully upon it, was at the end of a long burgundy aisle runner. Two long tables were set close to the building, deep burgundy tablecloths with silver runners covering them.

“Wow… what a difference than when we were here a couple of weeks ago,” Mulder  said and she nodded.

“It looks perfect. Christmasy, but not overly so. It’s beautiful.” Scully smiled and nodded at Betty, who had just come around the corner in a long sleeved emerald green dress, a white apron covering it as she carried a basket.

“Here, let me help you,” Mulder said, handing Faith to Scully and stepping toward her.

“Oh, so kind of you, Fox. I’ve got it, but there are two more just inside the door if you could grab those. They’re blankets, just in case the heaters aren’t enough.” He nodded and headed to the small building to grab the other baskets.

“Hello to you two,” she said, setting down the basket and coming over to Scully and Faith, though she kept her distance. “Don’t you look so pretty, little one.”

“Pitee,” Faith agreed, pointing at the lights above them. “So pitee.” Betty’s eyes crinkled behind her glasses, her smile unseen beneath her mask which matched her dress.

“Thank you, I’m happy you like it,” Betty said, lacing her fingers together, her hands down. “It’s so hard for me to not want to take her from you and squeeze her. It’s all I want to do.”

“I know. I would feel the same if it was me.” Scully held Faith closer and Betty smiled again.

“We have a tent set up for each of them and Rachel asked me to send you over when you arrived. It’s just past the building on the right hand side,” Betty said as Mulder returned with the baskets. “I’ll send Fox over to Walter when he’s done here.”

“Okay,” Scully said, nodding at them and winking at Mulder as she passed.

“Bye, Dada! Bye!” Faith yelled as they walked away and he waved with a laugh.

Pushing open the door to the tent, Scully set Faith and the backpack down and took off their coats, the room warm. Rachel’s laughter came from behind a white curtain and then she was walking from behind it and both Scully and Faith gasped.

“Oh, Raycho. So pitee.” Faith hurried towards her and Rachel bent to pick her up, laughing behind her burgundy mask as she stood up.

“I think you look so pretty, Miss Faith,” she said, hugging her close. She caught Scully’s eye, her own shining. “The dress is perfect. She looks so adorable it makes me ache.” Scully laughed and shook her head.

“Rachel… you look so beautiful.” Rachel dropped her eyes and then looked back at Scully.

“Thank you.”

Her dress was white with thin long sleeves. There was a wide burgundy silk sash around her waist, the ends of it crisscrossed at her back and cascaded down the dress. At the bottom of it, a wide band of burgundy skimmed the tops of her heels in the same color.

Her hair, which had teal colored highlights in it since Scully had met her over two years ago, now had burgundy scattered throughout, and it fell in loose curls down her shoulders.

She was mesmerizing.

“That dress is beautiful and I could not imagine anyone aside from you who could wear it so well. And your hair…” Scully shook her head and smiled. “I love it.”

“I was going to have it be just brown now, no more of the blue hair, but Walter said he didn’t like that idea. He said part of what drew him to me was the blue in my hair. That it was something he would have found silly on anyone else, but on me it was beautiful.” She said it as she looked at Faith, touching the soft sweater of the top of the dress she wore, not meeting Scully’s eyes. Scully grinned and shook her head again.

“I agree, though my statement is not as disgustingly romantic as his,” she teased, and Rachel looked at her. Scully laughed and she joined in, Faith gently touching the small diamond drop earrings she wore.

Putting Faith down, Rachel looked at Scully with a shake of her head.

“Is it weird that I’m nervous? I mean, we drove here together, from the residence we share. What do I have to be nervous about?” Scully laughed softly as she stepped closer to Rachel and took her hands in her own.

“It’s not weird at all. I felt the same way when Mulder and I got married, and not only had we driven to the church together from the home we share, but…” She gestured to Faith, who was touching the bottom of Rachel’s dress and the tips of her shoes. They both laughed and then Rachel sighed.

“My stomach is so nervous, I’ve barely eaten anything the past couple of days. I’ve felt that excited first day of school, going to Disneyland, first kiss, kind of feeling and it would wash over me and I…” She put a hand on her stomach and one at her throat. “I never thought I would be here, getting married. I’d… I’d given up on that as something for me. And now…” Her eyes filled with tears and she shook her head as she smiled. “I’m so happy, Dana.”

“I know you are. I can see it in your eyes.” She rubbed Rachel’s arm and smiled at her. “Now, no more crying or you’ll ruin your makeup.” They both laughed and Rachel nodded, dabbing under her eyes.

The next twenty minutes were a flurry of activity. Scully was introduced to Rachel’s mother Vivian and her friend Leann, who buzzed about getting the last minute preparations done. Betty came in with little snacks and cups of tea with straws to avoid any spills, bringing everyone to a standstill and creating a much needed sense of calm.

Faith was given a small basket and shown how to drop flowers on the ground, but no one really expected it to go according to plan, seeing as she was barely two years old. Rachel shrugged with a smile, beyond caring about anything aside from marrying the man she loved.

Scully left Faith under Betty’s watchful eye and picked up her coat, walking back out into the cold. Making a split second decision, she walked over to the tent Skinner was using.

“Hello?” she said, loud enough to be heard as there was no door on which to knock.

“Come in,” came Skinner’s reply and she stepped inside with a smile. Mulder was not there, only Skinner standing rather nervously in the middle of the room.

“Well, look at you,” she said, shaking her head and walking closer, embracing him quickly.

“God, Dana…” he said, shaking his head with a sigh. “Why in the hell am I nervous?” Scully laughed and squeezed his hands.

“I’d say it’s more excitement than being nervous.” He nodded and she smiled. “You know it’s not too late. We could make a run for it.” He looked at her and laughed, remembering his words to her on her wedding day. He squeezed her hands and then let go of them.

“Far too late for that,” he whispered, and she patted his cheek. “Besides, I think your husband would have something to say about that.”

“About what?” Mulder asked from behind her. She turned around and laughed softly, stepping towards him.

“Nothing. Just wanted to see how well you both clean up. Oh, I like this.” She touched the boutonnière on his lapel, a winter one with small pine cones, holly, and sprigs of cedar all tied together with red twine. “It’s pretty and yet it smells very manly.”

“Shut up. Get outta here, woman.” He smacked her lightly on the ass and she laughed.

“Glad to see you changed your mask,” she said, pulling hers down and lifting his up to kiss him quickly, before fixing both of them. “See you out there.” She waved at Skinner and started humming “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” as she caught Mulder’s eye. He growled quietly at her and she laughed as she walked out of the tent and made her way to her seat.

Music was playing softly as she sat down and took a deep breath, smiling happily. Within minutes, Skinner and Mulder walked out and stood in the archway, a few feet apart, the pastor behind them. Mulder winked at her and she winked back, watching Skinner taking deep breaths and fiddling with his jacket.

Howard and Betty came out and sat down, both of them exuding happiness. Vivian walked down the aisle and sat in the chair in front of Scully. She nodded at Skinner, and turned to look back down the aisle.

Scully turned and smiled as she saw Faith walking toward them, holding her basket in her hands. She was staring into it as she grabbed a handful of the white rose petals, and then tossed them onto the red runner. Everyone chuckled as she looked up at them with a huge grin.

“Mama!” she said, seeing Scully sitting there. “See? Pie coh!” She reached in the basket again and took out a small pine cone, holding it up for Scully to see. “A pie coh!”

Everyone laughed harder as she put it back and took out the flower petals, tossing more onto the runner. When she reached in again, it was empty and she looked up at Mulder.

“Uh oh, Dada. All gone.” She showed him and he nodded.

“It’s okay, love,” he said and she looked in the basket again.

“Come on, honey,” Scully said softly, standing up and pulling Faith back, setting her onto her lap.

Leann came out next and then everyone stood up as Rachel walked to the end of the walkway and paused. She had taken her mask off and her smile was radiant. Taking a step with her bouquet in hand, similar to the boutonnieres the men wore, she continued down the aisle, her eyes only on Skinner. He had taken off his own mask and his smile matched hers, their happiness undeniable.

As they all sat back down, Faith playing with her pine cone as she sat on Scully’s lap, the pastor began to speak, but Scully found her mind wandering to her own wedding day and how happy she had been. She glanced at Mulder and his eyes locked onto hers, a silent conversation taking place. He looked away and down, and even with his mask on, she could see his smile.

“Walter and Rachel have a few things they wanted to share. Rachel would you like to go first?” the pastor asked and she nodded, wiping at her eyes before taking Skinner’s hands.

“I’ve always wanted to be married. To have a family. I thought… thought that was the pinnacle. But then… life doesn’t always work out the way we’ve planned or imagined. I… it didn’t happen.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Not until I met you.” She wiped at her eyes again and Mulder handed her a tissue. She smiled through her tears as she used it.

“It feels cliché to say that, but it’s the truth,” she continued and Skinner smiled at her. “But from the second I met you, I felt it. There was something different. You were… everything I wanted and had no idea I did. I’ve loved you for so long, it feels impossible, but it’s true. That’s all that matters to me. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” She shrugged and everyone sniffled, Harold asking Betty for a damn tissue, causing everyone to laugh through their tears.

“Walter?” the pastor asked, still chuckling.

“Right,” he said quietly, clearing his throat. “I was married before- years ago. I loved her and it was good until it wasn’t. I was on my own for a long time. Work was my focus and that was fulfilling enough. But…” He shook his head and smiled at her. “I cannot deny that I was incredibly lonely. Coming home to an empty apartment… it was not what I had wanted.” Rachel dabbed at her eyes again and took a deep breath.

“The last few years, that loneliness became greater and I know it made me grumpier-” Mulder snorted beside him and Skinner turned to look at him with a glare. Everyone chuckled again and Mulder put his hands up in apology. “As I was saying…” Rachel laughed and shook her head. “When I met you, you terrified me. You were so sure of yourself and my… game, for lack of a better word, was off. I…”

“Took forever to call me,” she cut in, finishing his sentence.

“Yes, I did. I was an idiot.”

“Hmm,” she said with a shrug and everyone laughed again.

“I was scared, feeling I was too old and not what you truly wanted. But…” He grinned and she raised her eyebrows. “I shouldn’t have worried.”

“No, you shouldn’t have,” she whispered and he nodded.

“This past year… it’s been-”

“Shitty,” Rachel stated. “Completely shitty.” Skinner glanced quickly at the pastor and he nodded in agreement.

“Amen,” he said, and everyone laughed harder than before.

“It’s been a shitty year,” Skinner agreed with a grin. “But the bright spot in all of it has been you. Rachel, I never would have made it through this year without you. Cut off, keeping my distance from people… it would’ve… I don’t want to imagine how my life would have been without you, in any capacity, but especially this past year.” Rachel took another tissue offered by Mulder and wiped at her eyes and nose, shaking her head as she let out a deep breath.

“It might seem like it’s soon to get married so quickly after only just becoming engaged, but… this year being as shitty as it was… it was made livable, bearable, and survivable because of you. 2020 may be a year we look back on with disdain, but it was the year I fell in love with you and knew beyond a doubt that a life without you was not one I wanted, so it had to be the year we got married.”

“Walter,” she whispered and held his face in her hands, kissing him softly.

“Don’t remember reaching that part of the wedding yet,” the pastor teased and everyone laughed, Rachel pulling back smiling, her cheeks flushed.

Scully wiped her eyes as she smiled, her heart full of happiness. She thought of all the times Skinner had protected her, put himself on the line for both of them, but mostly her. How he was there for her when Mulder was missing, caring for her and making sure she was alright. She thought of how he had grumbled at first about holding William, but the look on his face when William had settled and gone to sleep had been priceless.

As Faith shifted on her lap, Scully thought of how much he cared for Faith, how much they both did, seeking her out and spending much of their time playing with her when they saw one another.

Scully wiped her eyes again, sending up a prayer that they would have the opportunity to be parents, however it happened for them. Everyone cheered and Scully realized she had missed the ring exchange, but saw them kissing as the pastor pronounced them married. She cried and wiped her eyes as she cheered and Faith clapped, her pine cone in her lap.

Skinner and Rachel walked down the aisle and try as she might to hold her back, Faith wiggled from Scully’s grasp and ran after them, calling for her “Unco.” Skinner turned around and quickly put his mask on, before he scooped her up, laughing happily as he held her close, Rachel grinning at both of them.

Everyone began to move around when Mulder walked over to Scully, putting out her hand to help her up. She grinned and took off her mask and he did the same, his lips on hers before she could say a word. She hummed and kissed him, hoping to put all she had been feeling during the wedding into her kiss.

“I love you,” he whispered, as he pulled her close. “I want you to know that.”

“Of course I know that,” she whispered back, her arms around his neck. “I’ve always known.” He pulled back and stared at her, his expression serious. She frowned, confused by it.

“I know. But, Scully.” He cupped her cheek and she raised her eyebrows. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t say it enough and I want you to hear it. You have bewitched me body and soul…” 

“Don’t you…” she warned, their recent viewing of Pride and Prejudice fresh in her mind; especially the way he had repeated that line to her before she had climbed into his lap and they had made out on the couch, his touch, as always, making her weak with desire. 

“And I love, I love, I love you.”

“Oh… Mulder,” she whispered, pulling him close, her tongue sliding into his mouth as everyone milled about them. “God, I love you so much.” She kissed him once more and they separated, both of them breathing hard.

“Come on now, it’s not your wedding, Jesus Christ,” Skinner growled and Scully laughed as she turned to him. He rolled his eyes, Faith grinning at them as he held her in his arms, her small pine cone in her hands.

“So sorry, Sir,” she teased and he stared at her with narrowed eyes.

“I’ve seen enough of you two kissing to last a lifetime,” he grumbled and they both laughed.

“Unco… see pie coh?” She showed it to him and he nodded, his eyes crinkling with a smile. Scully reached out for her and he scoffed, walking away holding Faith as she waved at them with a grin. Mulder laughed and they followed him to the tables.

Over the next couple of hours, they ate, talked, and laughed. Skinner and Rachel took to the small dance floor, dancing to a song Scully had never heard, but was so beautiful it made her cry. Mulder stood up and took her hand, bringing both her and Faith to join in the dancing, laughing as they spun around.

Goodbyes were said as they left, holding a half asleep Faith, her pine cone still held lovingly in her hands. They hugged Rachel and Skinner, wishing them well and making plans to see each other soon.

They drove home, both of them quiet and happy. Mulder reached for her hand, his thumb running slowly over and over the top of her hand, the simple gesture making her heart race.

“I’ll get her,” he said a bit later as they pulled up to the house. Looking back, they both smiled at Faith sleeping with her mouth open and holding onto the pine cone. “Glad you changed her into pajamas before we left.”

“You married a smart woman.”

“Don’t I know it.” He leaned in and kissed her, her hands holding his face. “My heart is, and always will be, yours.” She groaned and kissed him again, her fingernails scratching softly along his cheeks.

“You… you better get our daughter inside,” she whispered between kisses, pulling back when she began to feel dizzy with desire. “God, Mulder.”

“Hmm…” he agreed, kissing her once more and leaning back with a smile. She shivered and shook her head.

“Using Jane Austen movies against me…” she said, opening the door as she shook her head. 

"More like in my favor," he said softly as they each opened a back door on opposite sides of the car. She smiled with an eyebrow raised, glancing at him as she took out the backpack and the plate of extra wedding cake. He took Faith from her car seat and carried her to the door, handing Scully the keys to open it. 

As he took Faith upstairs, Scully let Bella out and pet Grey, scratching her under the chin as she put away the cake and Faith’s items from the backpack. 

She heard Faith crying as she opened the door to let Bella back inside and then listened to Mulder singing softly, Faith's cries beginning to subside as she calmed down. Smiling as she locked up, Scully said goodnight to the animals, turned out the lights, and closed the gate at the bottom of the stairs as she went up to bed.

Washing her face in the bathroom and taking her hair from the ponytail, she grinned at her reflection. Quickly, she took off her dress and threw it in the hamper, her boots, tights, and underwear followed. Taking a sexier bra and a pair of underwear from her drawer, she brought them and her boots into the bathroom. Changing quickly, she brushed her teeth, smiling as she glanced down at the song she had downloaded onto her phone. Leaving the bathroom door halfway closed, she waited behind it until she heard Mulder walking in and closing their bedroom door. 

And then she pressed play, her boot clad leg hooked onto the bathroom door.

“Well, I finally got her to sleep and… what…?”

You keep sayin' you got somethin' for me Somethin' you call love but confess You've been a'messin' where you shouldn't've been a'messin' And now someone else is getting all your best

She stepped out and sang along as she stalked towards him, her heels loud on the hardwood, as his mouth dropped open at the sight of her.

These boots are made for walkin' And that's just what they'll do One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you

Her fingernails ran down his chest, gripping onto his waistband as he stared and made incoherent noises.

She turned around before he could touch her and by the growling sound he made, she knew he had seen exactly which underwear she was wearing: the rather plain looking black ones that were actually a thong, her ass on full display.

She shimmied, not turning around as she sang the next part of the song, listening to his clothes beginning to land somewhere in the room.

You keep lyin' when you oughta be truthin' And you keep losing when you oughta not bet You keep samin' when you oughta be a'changin' Now what's right is right but you ain't been right yet

She bent at the waist to touch the zip on her boot, his low groan causing her to smile.

These boots are made for walkin' And that's just what they'll do One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you

“Oh, Scully… Jesus Christ,” he breathed as she turned around and found him half dressed, his remaining clothes askew, his erection prominent in his underwear.

She walked towards him, reaching for his tie and tugging it, pulling him to the edge of the bed. Spinning them, he sat down with a grunt, his eyes on hers as she stood between his legs, his hands on her hips.

You keep playin' where you shouldn't be playin' And you keep thinkin' that you'll never get burnt (ha) I just found me a brand new box of matches (yeah) And what he knows you ain't had time to learn

“Oh, fuck,” he murmured as she began pulling his tie loose and tossed it onto the floor. His hands slid down her ass, pulling her closer to him, her breasts in his face. Her hands went to his hair and held his mouth at her chest, his breath warm and moist.

These boots are made for walkin' And that's just what they'll do One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you

“Who knew this song could be so sexy?” he asked as it ended and he latched onto a nipple through her bra.

“Hmm…” she hummed with a moan, his hands kneading her ass.

Clothes were scattered and as she lay on her back at the edge of the bed with her foot on his chest, he started to unzip her boot, but then paused with a grin. She stared at him as he brought her other leg up to join its mate and she wrapped them around his waist.

“So fucking sexy,” he breathed as he pushed into her, completely naked aside from the boots she wore, and she moaned.

He bent over her, whispering how amazing she felt and how much he loved her boots, the heels of which were now pushing into his ass. Her nails scraped his back, his breath sucking through his teeth at the sensation.

“Oh, that feels so good,” she breathed, digging her nails in harder as he hit the spot that made her toes curl and his name fall repeatedly from her lips. The bed creaked as they set a harsh rhythm, both aching for their release.

“Gotta… fix… that…creak...” he panted, pounding into her, her hands on his muscular upper arms, nails digging into flesh, knowing she was leaving a mark he would show her tomorrow, his eyes dark with lust and his kiss bruising.

“Don’t stop,” she begged and he nipped at her neck as he bent close, his mouth moving to her ear, his teeth biting her lobe. She cried out as she came, shuddering around him.

He groaned, stilling inside of her as she shook and her legs trembled, moaning as she tried to catch her breath. When she too had stilled, he kissed her, pulling out and sliding back in, hissing as he did.

“Scully,” he breathed into her neck and she arched into him, her body feeling like liquid heat.

A few more thrusts and he came, her name breathed repeatedly as she pulled him even closer and he collapsed on top of her, both of them out of breath, her hands running up and down his back.

“God,” he said with a soft chuckle. “I’ll never be able to hear that song again and not think about you walking out of the bathroom. I nearly had a heart attack.”

“No. I knew your heart could take it. I mean I was completely nude this morning and you were just fine.”

“It’s these boots, Scully. They are just… hot as hell.” He reached back and ran a hand down her leg, his fingers sliding into the tops of her boots. “So goddamn hot.” She laughed quietly and soon he was moving and pulling her up with him.

He kissed the tops of her knees as he unzipped the boots and took them off of her. Pulling her once again, he brought her into the bathroom where he turned on the shower and she grinned.

Falling into bed a bit later, their bodies warm, pink, and nude, they cuddled close together under the covers, both of them yawning tiredly.

“You have bewitched me, body and soul,” he murmured once again and she hummed. “And I love, I love, I love you.”

“And I am completely, perfectly, and incandescently happy,” she whispered, kissing his throat and burrowing closer, his fingers trailing lightly across her back, as he hummed a chuckle, and hitched his leg up higher.

A soft rain began to fall, hitting the windows at a steady beat. Together they took a deep breath and within minutes they were asleep, held close by the one they loved most, both of them perfectly and disgustingly happy.