#for this one i got sent an entire pinterest board. and it was delightful

[sleepnoises]

Mossy mushroomy A-frame cabin commission, with its little pals

I got no photos of my favorite design decision: ceramic "rafters" supporting the needlefelted moss. They'll get their time to shine whenever the felt biodegrades, which will be a while.

[quote-tournament]

I sent in a quote the other day and it got added to the honorable mentions and I'm so excited!!!! I have an entire Pinterest board called 'words' that has been collecting quotes since like 2012. I look forward to this tournament so much because it fuels my little quote hoarding heart.

Question- are we allowed to send multiple quotes? If so, would you prefer them in one ask OR one quote sent in sporadically?

Hooo I'm interested in that Pinterest board 👀

And the more quotes the merrier! Send in as many as you like, just keep in mind that the honourable mentions are listed per round, so the ones you send during the third round will all end up on the same masterpoll. So if you don't went to have them all clogged up you can keep some ready for the upcoming rounds as well

And however you send them is the same to me, if you want to see my thoughts on a specific quote just give it an ask of it's own

I am always happy to read quotes and I am delighted you guys are too

[magpiemorality]

Prompt, if you don't mind, Remus working out a plan to win Patton's heart, canon or AU is up to you

Mmm, I like. I’ve gone for Canon but I may do another one in AU at some point because I’ve got a soft spot for the pairing now!

Without further ado, leggo

Warnings: some gory imagery, general Remus warning, some implied bad intrusive thoughts.

AO3

***

It starts with a crayon drawing. 

(Actually it starts with a sunny smile and a faintly nauseous feeling that Remus is instantly addicted to, but then comes the crayon drawing, because he needs to feel that always.)

Luckily Logan quickly (and a little frantically) corrects his initial misinterpretation and tells him Patton would probably not appreciate having his actual beating heart stolen by Remus, no matter how cool it would be to pull off a Mission Impossible heist and no matter how cool and romantic Davy Jones had made it seem in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Just… no. 

Well, there goes that plan. 

The second plan is also done in crayon- a lot of greens and pinks, that combine to form a blob that Remus insists is just him giving Patton a big old squishy hug but looks more like someone threw up their insides. Remus is fairly bothered by that, because while he’d normally love to draw someone throwing up their insides, this time he was actually trying to draw something nice. 

The next plan is worked out aloud, while Remus is balancing on his back on his tentacles, throwing hairballs at the ceiling of his room to make them stick. “I could always leave him presents? He loves presents. Maybe I can make him some food or- no he likes giving other people food. Maybe I could make him a new cat outfit? Ooh skintight, like a catsuit… with no cr-” 

He grunts when his tentacles give out in his excitement and he falls heavily to the floor. Deceit, passing by the open door, pauses to raise an eyebrow at him until Remus confesses, and then makes damn sure that plan is also scrapped (Patton had better thank him for this). So back to the drawing board it is. 

The next time they’re all together is the second inaugural Family Movie Night. It’s part of a tentative trial peace between the Upstairs and the Downstairs, and they’re all careful around each other until Logan spills the beans of his neutrality and Virgil lets out the most relieved sounding sigh he’s ever made. They relax, and Remus sits firmly on his hands in the big chair where Deceit sat him, trying to contain his joy at the whole experience. 

Patton asks for help bringing in the snacks and he jumps up, loudly offering his tentacles as making him the best helper in that regard, and then, goreintestinesbrainsanddeath Patton smiles at him and beckons him to the kitchen. 

Well darn; Remus is hard pressed not to fall to the floor and declare his undying love and loyalty then and there. How he manages to get all the way to the kitchen on his own two legs is a mystery. 

It’s a sweet kind of torture trying to be serious and helpful and earnest, and Patton asks why he’s frowning when he hands over the chips to an eager-to-please tentacle. Remus is surprised to find he is, but he smiles sheepishly and explains he’s just trying not to disappoint Patton and Patton pats his hand and tells him he’s doing great. 

Later in his room Remus will give in to the urge to give himself literal heart eyes, making Deceit shriek when he bursts into his room to gush about his crush. For now he just gazes at the other side and finds himself unable to make a sound. 

A month later and nothing much has changed. It is a shame too, he hasn’t got any plans left. The crayon drawings are all stuck to his wall with tentacle goo, taunting him in their bright, colourful numbers, but promising hope even still. Remus’s thoughts had taken a brief, worrying turn that fixated on some of the darker ways he could have Patton forever until he’d tearfully begged Deceit to take them away. He feels guilty at how much it had taken out of the side to affect him in that way, but it was worth it. 

-

He’s been tucked away in the Downstairs for the last week and a half, shamelessly enjoying the brief respite from being… him. He wonders if this is what Roman feels like sometimes, but he’s interrupted from his dreamy repose by a knock on his door. 

The room pulses and turns a warm, grassy green when Patton comes in bearing cookies. It’s been looking a lot plainer since Deceit worked his mojo, and he’s tucked in a comfortable nest of blankets. True to creative form the floor turns to actual grass under Patton’s feet as he walks in, and the furniture all perks up on seeing the cheerful side, but stays thankfully put in place. 

“I brought you something to eat while you’re recovering!” Patton says brightly, sitting on the bed and touching his forehead gently. “Goodness you’re cold. How are you feeling kiddo?”

Remus has died and gone to heaven. 

“Um, fine. I’m just on… break?” He squeaks, and Patton looks at him with sympathy. 

“Yes you must rest. We need you back on top form, don’t we, you and those handy-dandy tentacools!” They beam at each other, and Remus takes a cookie to chew on. 

Patton sits with him for a while and at some stage nearly blows Remus’s mind by taking hold of his hand and telling him stories of the things going on Upstairs. Thomas has been a bit boring in social situations, he says, and Patton is looking forwards to being challenged by Remus’s limitless ideas again. It’s fun, he says, in the same way he thinks Logan finds word puzzles fun, or Deceit enjoys their (now fairly frequent) courtroom simulations. He can’t wait to see Remus back on form, and Remus is ready to confess then and there. 

“And of course, I’d love to teach you to bake,” Patton says at some point, before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek and then running off with a blush and a shy smile. 

“Wait, what?” Remus says aloud in the empty room, staring at the door. 

So apparently one of Remus’s crayon drawings had somehow ended up in Patton’s room. Apparently it was the one where Remus had painstakingly managed to draw himself making halloween treats with all of his tentacles. 

That had been one of Roman’s ideas, actually- he’d sent over multiple videos and started an entire Pinterest board of spooky and gruesome looking food that Remus had delighted in. Sometimes he was a dang good brother. 

But regardless, Patton had seen his picture and he hadn’t been disgusted and he’d kissed Remus on the cheek and he’d made him cookies (that were filled with runny red filling that looked like blood) and everything is perfect. 

Maybe he hadn’t yet won Patton’s heart, but he’d made an excellent start. 

Turned out the crayon drawings were the trick all along!

[rosesisupposes]

If you're craving prompts, might I humbly request DLAMP, "we keep doing everything out of order."

…this took much longer than I planned, and is far longer than I planned. Also, much fluffier. But I hope you like it, dearest @potestessemagishomosexualitatis 💗💗

Last To Know

Pairing: (hurtling towards) DLAMP

Warnings: immigration, marriage of convenience, mild swearing? I think that’s it

Word count: 3,135

Tag list: @residentanchor @royally-anxious @bewarethegrammarpolice  @jemthebookworm @arandompasserby  @sparkly-rainbow-salt @astral-eclipse​ @thelowlysatsuma @adorably-angsty @max-is-tired @almostoveranalyzed  @hawthornshadow @mariniacipher 

read on ao3

There was a very reasonable explanation for all of this. It had been purely a logistical decision. Four acquaintances of Logan’s needed a place to live in his city; Logan had four vacancies in the house he owned and rented. He always kept the top floor for himself, making new tenants a risk, but he at least knew of the others through a combination of mutual friends, shared classes back in undergrad, and generally living in the same area.

They’d settled in fairly easily, right up until Roman confessed his visa was running out and he would likely have to leave the country. Patton had immediately started crying and hugging Roman and insisting they’d find a way to keep him there. Logan was unaware of when Patton had started caring so much. But even Virgil looked distressed, and Damien started wondering aloud how well they could hide him in the house so that he didn’t have to leave.

“Why can’t you apply for a new visa?” Logan asked.

“I’m no longer a student, and I’d need a more regular job for them to sponsor me for a full green card…” Roman said, facing Logan with some difficult thanks to Patton still being twined around him.

Dee’s dark eyes alit. “I know! You should marry one of us! Spouse visa! And then you can work on citizenship!”

“Isn’t that a bit extreme-” Logan started, but he was interrupted by Patton and Virgil both raising their hands as volunteers and Dee cackling in delight.

“But how to choose,” Roman said mournfully. “All my best friends in the world, how could I possibly marry only one of you!”

Virgil suddenly smirked, and Logan looked over curiously. “You know…” the dark-clad man said thoughtfully. “If you’re marrying someone for a visa, it really should be someone responsible and trustworthy. Someone who could believably support you.”

Logan had no idea what he was talking about, but suddenly all heads were turned towards him, and there was a more-than-a-little disturbing resemblance in the mischievous grins on each of his housemates’ faces.

Roman gently dropped Patton back onto the couch, and strode over to Logan wearing his “pompous prince” face (as coined by Virgil, of course). Stopping a foot away, he bowed elegantly.

“Dearest Logan, generous landlord, resident nerd, first stop for endearing space trivia and Sherlock obsessions, would you do me the great honor of giving me your hand in transactional matrimony?”

Logan blinked once. Then twice. Then attempted to speak but only achieved opening his mouth like a particularly stunned fish.

“Is that a yes?” Patton whispered to Dee in the background.

“I think it’s just gay panic,” Dee whispered back, looping an arm around the smaller man’s waist.

“…me?” Logan finally got out.

“Yes, my textually-charged academic,” Roman purred, taking Logan’s hand in his. “I need a man to support me in this foreign land of haw-yees and rednecks, you are the only one I trust to protect me.”

“Hey, we’d protect you too!” Virgil objected, sitting down on top of the couch. “But if you were in trouble, Patton would cry, I’d probably end up punching someone by accident, and Dee’s plan would either end in flames or crimes or both.”

“…isn’t this proposal also Dee’s plan?” Logan asked weakly.

“Yes, but this one is wonderful,” Roman said, kissing Logan’s hand in a way that was not distracting at all, thank you. “Plus, this way you don’t need to find a new lodger midway through the year!”

“I suppose that is a perk,” Logan admitted. “And the immigration process is so convoluted, this would likely be easier…”

“That’s the spirit! Almost!” Patton cheered. “Logan, you own a tux, right?!”

“Yes, why?”

“For the wedding, silly!”

~~~~

Logan really should have thought this through more. But the house had dived into preparations before he could properly object. Dee had made a Pinterest board and “ironically” sent Logan post after post of nerdy wedding aesthetics. Patton kept sneaking up on Logan and Roman with cake samples to try. Virgil popped his head into Logan’s room on a regular basis with out of the blue questions like “Black Parade could be a reception song, right?” and “How many volts of fairy lights could we run without fucking over the electric bill?”

And Roman just kept… being Roman. Flirting outrageously in that way that clearly meant so little to him but was starting to mean something to Logan himself. He’d taken to kissing his hand a lot and greeting him as “my darling fiancé,” and sitting next to or practically on top of him whenever the group was in the same room. Logan found himself agitated by how easily he was blushing now, all the time.

Roman had apparently opened the floodgates, because everyone was being far too affectionate now. Yes, Patton had always been a hugger, but now he kept planting kisses on Logan’s cheek, and holding hands with Dee, and sitting on Virgil or Roman’s lap and sometimes both at once. Dee flirted with, Logan was quite sure, every single person he laid his eyes on ever. But now he kept upping the ante and using fantastical phrases and wordplay tailored to the object of his attention. Logan had had no idea that being called ‘starlight’ would be quite so jarring and endearing and infuriating all in a moment. And Virgil had entirely betrayed him. They used to be the two reasonable ones, or so he thought. But no, Virgil was willingly participating with all of this madness, and had an amazing irritating habit of rubbing the nape of his neck when he was stressed so that all his muscles went involuntarily fluid and relaxed.

Logan arrived home one day to see their small backyard decked in lights, all the lawn furniture moved to the side so that the patio was clear. Patton greeted him at the gate with a hug and yet another cheek kiss as he said, “Lolo! Thank goodness you’re home, you need to get changed!”

“Whatever for?”

“Silly, it’s the 15th! The wedding!”

Logan stopped in his tracks. “I thought we weren’t going to the courthouse until next week?”

“Yes, but the semester will be over and all our friends still in undergrad won’t be able to make it. So we’re having the reception part tonight. We had this whole conversation after the movie last week, don’t you remember?”

But Logan did not. He didn’t even remember which movie it had been. Because Virgil had been slowly stroking his hairline, right at the back of his neck, and Patton had been lying across his lap so that he was across all three of Roman, Logan, and Virgil, and Roman had been giggling and leaning into his side in a way that it only made sense for him to lift his arm and drape it around him, and Dee had been telling Virgil how lovely his eyes were and… Logan had absolutely no memory of any other conversation that may or may not have happened.

But apparently that meant they had a party tonight.

Virgil convinced him to wear the tux still, and Patton blocked off the kitchen to finish the cake in secret. Dee kept making cracks about helping him change, but Roman was mysteriously absent all afternoon. Logan definitely didn’t miss him. It had only been a couple of hours! That would be silly and ridiculous and not what a highly logical person would do.

As 5pm arrived, Logan was in his well-tailored midnight-blue tuxedo. Dee, grinning in a tux with a bright yellow tie and matching gloves, arrived at his bedroom door to ‘escort the groom to the festivities.’ Somewhere on the walk down the stairs, Virgil joined them in a plain but nice-looking suit in black with a purple vest.

They walked out into the yard, filled with friends from the city and university they’d all attended. Everyone was in various forms of ‘their best’ from sundresses to cocktail dresses to gowns, from suspenders to jackets to tuxes, and some wonderful mixes of the two. Patton, glorious in a blue dress, had a microphone (where had they found a mic?) and greeted all his housemates happily and loudly.

“And now that the whole gang’s here, we can welcome the star of our hearts and the show! Roman, come on out for your first dance!”

Logan was pushed into the middle of the patio and Virgil held his shoulders facing away from the house. He could hear the door opening behind him and some “awws” and gasps from the crowd. Logan turned to look but Virgil held him, grinning. “Patience,” Virgil said teasingly.

Finally, the arms released him and Logan turned. Roman was only a couple of feet away, and he looked… stunning. He was wearing a gorgeous fluffy gown of red and gold and sequins, and matching makeup. Logan reached out a hand without thinking, and Roman took it with a smile. Music began to pour out of the speakers.

“It’s a beautiful night/We’re looking for something dumb to do/Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you”

Logan snorted. “A little on the nose, perhaps?” he murmured.

“I wanted to be precise,” Roman said back, lacing their fingers together and placing his free hand on Logan’s waist. With Roman taking the lead, they started to dance around the small dance floor of the patio. Virgil had done an amazing job with the fairy lights, rigging them to create a ceiling of sparkles that cast them all into a warm golden glow.

Roman suddenly smiled wide, and spun Logan around, letting his hand go free. Before Logan could catch himself, Dee caught his hands instead. Now Logan and Dee were waltzing around the floor in parallel to Roman, who was now dancing with Virgil. Their height difference made it a little awkward for Virgil to reach Roman’s shoulders, but then he lifted Roman by the waist to spin him through the air. The watching crowd whooped, and Roman laughed out loud, and Logan accidentally stepped on Dee’s foot because he forgot to watch where he was going. He stumbled, but was caught by something soft and blue. He looked down into huge blue eyes and a freckle-dappled smile.

“Thank you, Patton,” he said. “I’ve not quite got the hang of this dancing thing.”

“Maybe I can help!” Patton replied, pulling Logan close and guiding them into a simple waltz. “One-two-three, one-two-three,” he counted softly, and Logan followed the count, watching his feet.

He kept looking up slightly and then down again. Something about how bright Patton’s smile was, and how the lights reflected in his glasses and eyes, he just couldn’t look too long. But he did note that Dee and Roman were dancing now, some complicated dance that Logan felt himself mentally tripping just watching. But the two biggest drama queens of their house were in perfect sync, moving with fluid precision and both grinning hugely.

A tap on his shoulder pulled Logan’s attention to his side. Virgil smiled comfortingly. “Can I cut in, Lo?”

“Of course, Virge!” Pat said, stepping back. Logan was going to object to yet more dancing, he was, but Virgil had dressed up for this, and he was just self-conscious in front of crowds, so it would just be more polite to not turn him down. Virgil guided Logan’s hand to his hip, and Logan most definitely did not blush to be able to feel the shorter man’s muscles even through his formal outfit. And Patton had swirled off to dance with Ro, something much less regimented but with plenty of twirls and giggles. Dee kept the music going with “Can’t Keep My Eyes Off Of You,” and Logan and Virgil danced sedately, just swaying and turning.

“Virgil, why isn’t anyone else dancing?” Logan asked. “I thought after the first dance, the guests joined in?”

“Well, that is how it works for traditional weddings, yeah,” Virgil said in his familiar rumble. “But what about this is traditional?”

Logan chuckled at that, and let himself relax into the dance. Roman parted from Patton to change the music as Dee and Patton started to swing dance. Virgil and Logan both grinned watching them. Clearly all those old movie marathons had paid off.

Finally, Patton broke off and grabbed Virgil away from Logan. As the shortest members of the household, they were matched perfectly, and Virgil was willing to twirl and lift Patton to make the other man wriggle and laugh. Roman took the opportunity to pull Logan into his arms once more, and the crowd finally started to fill out the dance floor.

“Have I told you how good you look tonight, Logan?”

Blushing would absolutely be his cause of death. He hoped there wasn’t an afterlife, otherwise he would never live it down.

“I… thank you. Your dress is very dramatic and a little ridiculous but it’s so you.”

“They told me I couldn’t have a quinceñara,” he replied with a sniff. “So what better way to celebrate now?” They spun in relative quiet for a moment, when Roman smiled softly. “So, are you enjoying our wedding so far, Lolo?”

“You know, I rather am,” Logan admitted. “My feet are starting to get a bit tired, though.”

Roman swept Logan up off his feet and into his arms. “Is that better?”

Logan blushed hotly, muttering, “I meant I needed to sit down.”

“But is it better?” Roman wheedled. “No lying to your almost-husband, dear nerd.”

“…yes,” Logan admitted, and Roman laughed. The world was fairy-lights and glittering gowns, Logan was surrounded by his favorite people in the world, and later there would be five-tier cake and Crofter’s. It wasn’t something he’d ever expected, but he wasn’t such a stick-in-the-mud that he wouldn’t admit that it was magical.

~~~~

The flourescent lights of the courthouse were a far cry from the dreamlike lights of their reception, but today was the day and they were getting legally married. Logan was still a bit unsure about how they had reached this point, but found he cared less and less.

The whole house had come, of course, Patton linking Virgil’s and Dee’s arms around his own as he bounced in excitement. They waited through the decently-sized line until they finally reached the desk.

“Good morning, we would like a marriage license, please,” Logan said.

The clerk grinned just a bit bigger. “Congratulations! And what date would you like it made out for?”

“Today, please,” Roman said happily, linking his arm with Logan’s and squeezing. Patton make a sound of delight behind them.

The clerk nodded, and typed on the computer until they were interrupted by a question. “Do you know if it’s possible to enter a legal partnership with more than one person in this municipality?” The seemingly-idle question was in Dee’s unmistakeable drawl.

“Oh, yes, certainly! Marriage, domestic partnerships, and adoption can all be amended to have any number of partners. I think we need special permission at ten or more, but even that is still possible, just a longer process.”

Roman squeezed Logan’s arm tighter. “Lo? Is that okay?”

Logan looked back in confusion. “This is for you, Roman. Whatever you’re most comfortable with.”

Patton squealed again, and hugged them both from behind. “Form for five, please!”

Logan supposed that was all right. That would make it more believable, right? If Roman was equally committed to all his housemates, that would be more reason to let him stay in the country. And it made Patton so happy.

He felt slightly divorced from his body as he went through the motions of showing his ID, and signing the forms, but suddenly they were finished, and Roman had his arm looped around him on one side and Dee was on the other. Pat and Virge were on the outside, both snickering as the group tried to walk down the hallway without detaching with varying levels of success.

They were married. All five of them. And Roman would get to stay.

As they got home again, they all ended up sprawling across the couches. They fell into their most comfortable configuration, with Logan the only one sitting normally. Patton was taking full advantage of being the small one to sit across their laps. Dee was lying on the back of the couch up against the wall, fingers intertwined with Roman’s where he lounged diagonally with Pat’s head in his lap. Virgil was upside-down from the back of the couch, curled oddly so his head was on Logan’s thigh but Pat could still hold his hand.

Logan sighed contentedly.

“Whatcha thinkin’, Lolo?” Dee asked, a little sleepily.

“I was just reflecting on how comfortable I feel with you all. Even though we started as mere acquaintances, I do think of you all as very much like my family, now. And it’s rather nice that we’re legally a family now, for however long.”

Logan didn’t see the glances exchanged around and over him, but did hear Roman’s question. “How long would you like us to be, Logan?”

“Well, as long as it takes for your citizenship, of course.”

“What about after that, L?” Virgil asked.

“I… I don’t know. Divorce is rather a process, I suppose we could stay in this arrangement until a large enough inconvenience comes along to justify it.”

“So… you would like to stay married to us all?” Patton asked. Logan couldn’t tell what his tone meant, but there were hints of… curiosity.

Logan answered slowly. “I believe… yes. I would. I am… rather fond of you all, and always appreciate the time we spend together, for whatever reason.”

Roman smiled softly, and reached out to pat his face. “We love you too, Logan.”

Logan blinked. “Love? In which sense of the word?”

“Romantic, you dummy,” Dee muttered, practically falling asleep on the back of the couch.

“…wait, you… all? Romantic? Love?” Logan stuttered.

Virgil rolled his eyes. “Yeah, man. Normally that’s what marriage means. Plus our first dances? Of the people in love?”

“Hey, don’t make fun of Lolo, he’s not that good at his own feelings,” Patton chided. “Yes, cupcake, we all love you. We thought you knew.”

“Oh,” Logan said, blushing. “I… apologize for being the last to know. I suppose it’s a good thing that I’ve fallen in love with you all, too. We keep doing everything out of order, don’t we?”

“Nah, ‘s just you,” Dee said, snuggling into the blanket Roman had just passed him, seconds from sleep.

“But we all got here in the end,” Virgil said, a comfortable rumble on Logan’s left.

Logan ran a hand through Patton’s soft hair, and smiled at Roman, who’d started it all. “Here’s to arriving, then. I look forward to being your collective husband.”

“We love you too, Lolo.”

[vintagemichelle91]

A Hard Lesson in Matrimony: Chapter 2

Author’s Note: Thank you all for the lovely feedback on last night’s first chapter! @rauliskafan and I are always so excited to hear from you guys! We hope you enjoy chapter two and make sure to check back a little later because there is something we would like to ask all of you guys!! 

           “Maggie, do you have a fairy godmother?” Violetta asked curiously, pulling her soft peach blanket up to her chin and snuggling at Maggie’s side as Cinderella’s raggedy pink dress transformed into a sparkling blue ball gown that was sure to capture the entire kingdom’s eye.

           Maggie was slightly taken aback by the strange question from her niece She paused the movie and turned to face Violetta with an arched brow. “Unfortunately, no. But there are so many people in my life that have helped me.”

           “Like who?”

           “Well, like your Mami and Papi for sure,” Maggie replied sincerely. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that she would never be able to repay them for all they had done. In so many ways, they rescued her from herself.

           Violetta nodded in agreement. “Me too. They help me lots.”

           Maggie giggled. “Of course they do, silly. You are so lucky to have such kind parents.”

           “Can’t say the same for Cinderella,” Violetta stated sadly as she pointed towards the flat screen. A small tear glistened in her eye and Maggie couldn’t help but cuddle her closer.

           “Don’t worry; I’m sure she’ll get her happy ending,” Maggie promised as she pressed play and the movie continued. Natalia and Rafael would return from the opera soon before the night was out, sure to laugh at their sweet pea’s sympathy showing through the sass. Someday, Maggie hoped for a little girl just like---

           With a sudden knock at the door, they stirred from under the blanket and glanced at one other. Maggie checked the time on her phone and noted that they were not expecting anyone this soon, and their dinner had been delivered over an hour ago. Balancing Violetta on her hip, Maggie went to go answer the door with slight hesitance.

           “What are you doing here?”

           “Trevor!” Violetta bounced excitedly in Maggie’s arms as she saw the older man standing on the doorstep with two small pink gift boxes in hand. “You bring presents!” Her little eyes widened in excitement as Trevor smiled.

           “For my best girl,” he said as he kissed the top of her head.

           “Maggie, put me down!” Violetta squirmed until the ballerina complied with her demand.

            “You come here expecting to buy your way into her heart?” Maggie huffed.

           “Maggie, be nice! Or I tell Mami!” Violetta threatened as she tugged at her skirt.

           “Quite right, Mind your manners, Maggie.” Trevor chuckled as he got down to Violetta’s eye level. “Now, I have one for you and one for Harold.”

           Violetta smiled in pure glee as she patted Trevor’s cheek. “Glad to see you have your riorities straight.”

           “Priorities, little one.” Maggie corrected gently as she avoided Trevor’s gaze. Maybe Natalia had reconciled with the man. But she just couldn’t allow herself to let him in, especially after all that had happened in London.

           “That’s what I said!” Violetta declared with a roll of her eyes as she shook the pretty pink box. “Can I open it? Please?”

           “Of course! I want to be sure that you like it.” Trevor encouraged her with another kiss to her cheek, his gaze softening as Violetta tore into the package. Maggie couldn’t help but hold her breath, wondering what it would have been like to know him as a child, wondering if he could have shielded her from her mother’s many moods.

           “Oh just what I needed!” Violetta exclaimed excitedly as she pulled out a small sparkly tiara. “Harold and I can play queen and princess!” She opened the other box and appeared pleased to see a much smaller tiara for her hippo friend. “I go show her! Thanks, Trevor!” Violetta kissed his cheek.

           “You are most welcome, your majesty.” Trevor bowed and seemed to relish the sound of Violetta’s delighted giggle.

           “So…” Trevor started. “How are you?”

           “Wonderful,” Maggie said quietly. “You know you’re unbelievable.”

           “Why do you say---?”

           “Because you come around and fill Violetta’s head with stories,” Maggie quickly responded. “But I’m not so easily swayed.”

Trevor tried to draw nearer to his daughter, but she placed a harsh palm in front of him.

“Maggie, please. I’m not here to cause any trouble.”

           “Then why the hell are you here?” Maggie asked exasperatedly. He shuffled his feet and spoke slowly.

           “I… I wanted to congratulate you on your engagement and… and tell you that I am happy for you,” Trevor said gently.

           “God, Natty talks way too much,” Maggie said, none too pleased and thinking that she might have to have a little conversation with her sister tonight about sharing her stories out of school.

           “Natalia only means well,” Trevor continued. “She loves you Maggie.”

           “She has a funny way of showing it sometimes.” Crossing her arms over her chest tightly, Maggie held her ground, wanting him to turn away and not take another step.

           “She only wants the best for you. And so do I.” He dug into his breast pocket and pulled out a small black velvet box. “This is for you. I hope you like your gift, too.”

           Maggie cast him a weary glance and reluctantly took the box from his hands. For a few moments, they stood in silence, neither one knowing what to do next.

           “Why should I accept a present from you? Isn’t it too late for this now?” Maggie struggled to keep her voice from cracking. Far too many painful memories flashed across her mind and she so desperately wanted to move on… move past them. To forget and hope for the future.

           The pitter patter of Violetta’s feet filled the silent void as she returned to the doorway. “Tia Maggie. Trevor bring you a present, too?” she asked as she curiously eyed the box.

           “It would seem so.” Maggie bit her lip and sighed.

           “Open it! I wanna see!” Violetta jumped up and down tugging on Maggie’s free hand. Against her will, she opened the box and her breath hitched. Inside were a pair of antique sapphire earrings. The most exquisite pair she had ever laid eyes on and a part of her was slightly taken aback by the grand gesture.

           “Oh those are pretty!” Violetta said as Maggie passed her the box and the little girl gently traced her tiny fingers around the blue gems.

           “Something old, borrowed, and blue for your big day.” Trevor’s voice was but a mere whisper. “Even if you won’t… if I can’t attend, I still want---”

           Maggie snapped the velvet box shut and looked to her father. “Thank you. But this is too much.”

           Trevor shook his head. “It isn’t nearly enough. But it’s… it’s the least I can do.”

           “You wanna watch the rest of Cinderella with us?” Violetta asked as Trevor smiled down at her and Maggie tensed.

           “I’m afraid I can’t say. But you girls enjoy. It’s a lovely story.”

           With that, he waved goodbye before disappearing into the night.

           “He so nice!” Violetta mused as the little tiara glistened amongst her honey-colored tresses and Maggie blinked back a few stray tears.

           “Not as nice as the fairy godmother. Come on little one.” Maggie took hold of Violetta’s hand and led her back to the living room. “Let’s see what happens at the ball.”

She left the black box on the side table, wanting to forget it for the rest of the night.

           “Maggie, look I found this on Pinterest.”

           Natalia pulled out her phone to show Maggie a centerpiece idea. She had spent the past few weeks pinning to a virtual mood board to help Maggie plan. Rafael rightly pointed out that her novels lay long forgotten on her nightstand because she spent most of her time before going to bed incessantly scrolling through her iPad

           “Natty, you showed me that the other night.”

           “Oh?” Natalia’s brow furrowed. “Did I? I can’t remember.”

           “Yes, you did. And you sent it to me via text message.” Maggie pulled out her own phone and showed her sister the text.

           Natalia’s cheeks turned a bright shade of pink. “Sorry. I know I have been going a little crazy.”

           Maggie smiled. “I know. But I mostly have everything covered.”

           “You do?”

Rollins glanced over her shoulder while she browsed the endless racks of dresses.

           “Yes. Mike thinks I’m going overboard but---”

           “Watching Cinderella helped,” Violetta said as she climbed onto a plush chair to get a look at the picture on Maggie’s phone.

           “Cinderella sure has some expensive tastes,” Rollins pointed out with a light chuckle.

           “Maggie,” Natalia whispered. “Are you sure you don’t need us to help?”

           “Everything is fine, Natty! Now let’s get me a gown.”

           Liv arrived at the bridal shop to help as Maggie tried on dress after dress. Two hours later, the room was overflowing with tulle skirts, lace mermaid-style dresses, and heavy beaded garments that sparkled against the chandelier hanging above them.

           “Mami, I hungry,” Violetta whispered to her mother as they watched as Maggie turn this way and that in her latest selection.

           “Oh no, this isn’t right at all,” Maggie said, scrunching her face in disgust.

           Natalia patted Violetta’s cheek and offered a granola bar from her purse. “I know, sweet pea. I promise we’ll go eat as soon as Tia Maggie is done.”

           “Got another granola bar in there?” Rollins asked.

           “I have a spare box of Noah’s Teddy Grahams somewhere,” Liv said as she rummaged through her large tote bag.

           “At this point, I’ll take a crumb,” Rollins sighed as Maggie disappeared into the fitting room to put on yet another dress. Violetta hopped off Natalia’s lap and handed Rollins the rest of her granola bar before walking to the dressing room door and knocking as hard as she could.

           “You know Cinderella was happy with what she got, Tia Maggie. And she not make such a fuss,” Violetta scolded as the others burst into laughter. Natalia couldn’t help but see so much of Rafael in her at that very moment, eager to tell him as much when he returned home that night.

           “Smart girl,” Liv said as she smiled at Violetta.

           Maggie quickly flung the door open. “I thought we had each other’s back, little girl.”

           “Not when I starving,” Violetta whined as she made her way back onto her mother’s lap.

           “She has a point, Maggie,” Natalia said as she gestured towards the many discarded dresses. “I mean, the last one was lovely on you.”

           “And this one.” Rollins stood to present a heart-shaped strapless gown with pink embellishments. Liv followed her lead and pulled out the second one Maggie had tried on, another strapless dress with flowers cascading down the bell-shaped skirt.  

“This one looked great, too,” Liv said.

“I like this one!” Violetta declared.

“I thought you wanted me to narrow this down,” Maggie teased. Everyone seemed to have a different style in mind, and the bride-to-be stood before all four dresses and listened as each lady made a case for their choice.

           “Okay then,” Maggie started. “It will be one of these. I’ll keep you posted and let you know what I decide.”

           “Keep us in spense why don’t you.” Violetta threw her little arms in the air and fell back to the plush chair.

           “Suspense, sweet pea,” Natalia corrected as she sat next to her.

           “Well, as long as we can go eat I have no objections,” Rollins said as she started gathering her things. “Maybe we could try that new place on 7th?”

           “Yes! Rafael said it was wonderful!” Natalia buttoned up Violetta’s little white cardigan and sent him a quick text.

           “Bill said something about it, too. Said the paninis were the best.” Liv also typed a quick text as she slung her tote over her shoulder.

           “Not so fast, ladies. There’s a bunch of dresses I want you all to try on.” Maggie emerged from the fitting room dressed in her own clothes. She paid no mind to the groans coming from her bridesmaids and her little flower girl.

           Violetta sighed. “You paying for lunch when this over, Maggie.”