#gotta go get on a plane tomorrow to go to Florida and I don't really want to but I also do want to.

[memento-morri-writes]

TBR Tag Game

I'm hopping on an open tag from @tc-doherty to share 9 books I read this year, and 9 books I'm hoping to read next year.

Read This Year:

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson

Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland

The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickenson

A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine (also read the first book)

The Spirit Well by R.K. Ashwick (@ashen-crest)

The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner

Snowblooded by Emma Sterner-Radley

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune

The first 5 were my favorites of the year (in no particular order), and the rest were honorable mentions.

Hoping to Read Next Year:

The Tyrant Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

A Captured Cauldron by R.K. Ashwick (@ashen-crest)

Voyage of the Damned by France White

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

Strictly No Heroics by B.L. Radley (@radley-writes)

The Quicksilver Court by Melissa Caruso

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

I don't have a 9th I'm super excited about, despite having more in my TBR, so 8 will have to do. I'm most eager to read the top row, but I'm excited about all of them!! I do really want to re-read the Gentleman Bastards series, though... I need to read about the original Idiot Bastard Man (affectionate).

Tagging @transmasc-wizard @space-writes @writeouswriter @cryptid-s-wips @emrowene @talesofsorrowandofruin

[ashley-jones]

Jealousy and Protective are Very Different

Welcome to the after party of Multiverse of Madness, where paparazzi get a little too confident with a wrestlers girlfriend

Warnings: Possessive Behavior, Protective Girlfriend, Fighting, Blood, Harassment, Drinking

Character Name: Celeste Johanson

Characters: Rhea Ripley, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Alexa Bliss, Roman Reigns, Scarlet Johanson

After-party's where always the best way to come down from the high of finishing a high maintenance movie. It allowed the actors to calm down, sit, and just drink away the movie before the premiere. Not only that but you could invite whoever you wanted, and just party.

Celeste was bringing Rhea, and even invited a few other wresters she's gotten to know over the the year of dating the Australian wrestler. But before leaving, Rhea had gotten another match heading into Florida, meaning she'll be gone for at least a month. If Celeste had been told this the day before the after-party, she wouldn't even be going.. A slight argument struck between the two, but ended quickly because she it wasn't the wrestlers fault.

But arguments leave impacts, which is why Celeste was in the upper kitchen on the second floor with Florence, Zendaya, Becky, and Alexa, each downing shots one by one while just talking. Rhea was downstairs with Nikki, Roman, and Scarlet. "Relationships... Are rough, no matter the situation." Alexa slowly spoke. "It's not her fault.." Celeste softly replied. Green eyes staring into the empty shot glass. "I know it's not her fault, but it still hurts to know ahead of time... I mean that's not difficult to put out there right?" she quickly asked.

"of course not! Ugh Rhea's a complicated person, in both person and ring." Becky spoke. Her arms wrapped around the shorter ones shoulders rocking her back and forth, her red hair fanning over her blonde ones. "Relationships.." Zendaya whispered. "Careful Holland's Spidey senses might hear you." Alexa and Florence whispered. "Oh fuck your right!" Zendaya quickly said. The small group laughing at the taller female, who looked downstairs then looked away covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

Becky let the younger girl go, making the other look up towards her watching as she took another shot from one of the waiters. "Keep downing those and they won't let you on the plane tomorrow." Florence teased. The wrestler just shrugged her shoulders, as Alexa also took another shot. "Gotta have the crazy act somehow right?" she giggled.

"Shit ton of paparazzi out tonight.." Florence spoke. "Anything to get one picture to wreck their hard ons." Celeste mumbled. The girls looked at her with amazement, which she shrugged. "I hate paparazzi! I can't even buy a coffee without having a camera in my face! And they follow you everywhere, it's awful." she quickly said. "Knock em out." Becky joked. "That's why I have security." She teased. "Rheaaaa." Alexa whispered while poking the girls side.

"Rhea won't come out much with me because of paparazzi. Every now and then when we're going to gym but that's about it. She doesn't ask, and I don't push her." Celeste softly replied. Lifting the glass to her gloss painted lips and downing the champagne in seconds. She wasn't a heavy drinker, and tried not to get drunk at things like this, but she had a lot on her mind and wanted to wipe it clean with her best ability.

Becky lifted the younger up onto the counter earning a gasp. The two got along really well, despite Rhea hating her. The two could talk for hours of the most random things. Celeste loved hearing about her babygirl Roux, and even enjoyed seeing the pictures of the little one. Then there was Alexa Bliss, the girl was insane on WWE, but a sweetheart out of the ring. Roman was really sweet to her as well, the two knew one another before she started dating Rhea. Nikki was okay, the two didn't really have time to speak to each other due to their busy schedules.

The only two she didn't get along with that are at the party is Charlotte and Shayna. She speak with them every now and then, but not enough to call each other friends. If anything the two always look like they want her slam her into the floor. Which is probably because she's dating Rhea Ripley, their nightmare. But who knows right? Because she sure doesn't..

Florence and Zendaya where dragged away by Holland and Scarlet, Alexa and Becky staying with Celeste. Rhea watched the three from the stares, eying her girlfriend that was sitting on the counter with Becky beside her, arm across the younger ones lap, and Alexa leaning against the counter with a full shot in front of her, each smiling and just talking with one another.

"you know.. I'm kinda offended that you changed your hair." Alexa pouted. Celeste laughed softly pushing her hair back only for the curls to fall back in place. "Yeah.. I hate it, I gotta get it redone. They had to change it to match the style of the movie. Has extensions in it and everything.. Hurt like a bitch." she whispered the last part to the older wrestler who giggled. "I liked your pink and blue, it was cute. Matched your personality." Becky said lifting one of the curls in a teasing tone. "I very much agree." Celeste confidently spoke.

Alexa was engaged and Becky was married with a daughter, but that still didn't stop Rhea's jealousy from flaring. Celeste wasn't blind to the teasing, she just knew how to respond to it without pushing it away.

Her and Becky grew closer than Rhea would have wanted, she didn't the mind the two talking at first but as time went on the two grew into really good friends. Becky was invited to gatherings just as she was, the two hugged and talked like sisters. Celeste would gush over Roux and smile brightly when the older wrestler would hug her. But then against, she reacted the same way when she was with Scarlet.

Just like sisters.

But, her jealousy just gave Rhea an even bigger reason to kick Lynch's ass in the ring. The man has no chance against the nightmare.

"You have security guards with you right?" Scarlet quietly asked. "No.. I wasn't expecting a lot of paparazzi." Celeste whispered. She looked around in search of Rhea, Becky standing beside her with her arms crossed. Celeste stepped away from the door, the flashing lights giving her a headache. Spotting Rhea, she pushed her dress out so she wouldn't trip on it, making her way towards the wrestler.

Placing her forehead against the woman's shoulder, an arm wrapping around her waist holding her close. She was talking to Roman, the flashing not seeming to bother either of them like it did the actress. Her hand traced the actress' back in a soothing motion, stepping forward slightly allowing her body to lean against her stronger frame. She looked like a teenager looking for comfort from their mother.

"They attack you guys at all?" Roman questioned the actress. She looked up placing her head against her girlfriends shoulder. "They'll surround you.. I've personally never been attacked, groped yes... But never fully attacked." she softly answered. "Pigs.." he rasped. She just shrugged her shoulders, having been dealing with it for over 15 years. "I'm gonna start heading to the car.. I wanna take these heels off." she pouted.

She walked away, Scarlet smiling softly and following her baby sister. Becky stood on the staircase watching the two girls closely, along with the paparazzi. Pushing past the men and women, not at all phased. But the moment Celeste's dress was grabbed and pulled, she stumbled, feet already killing her, so when she fell to her knees a Yelp leaving her. Becky was the first to interact, and the moment her Yelp sounded towards Rhea she was out there pushing Scarlet back and away from the scene and interacting immediately.

Becky pushed one of the bigger men back, their camera falling and shattering. "Fucking touch her! I dare you!" she yelled. Celeste was quickly lifted to her feet and removed by security, and placed inside the car which was immediately put on guard. Blonde hair messed up, dress torn around the shoulders. Pulling her heels off and tossing them to the floor, the driver's side opened, Rhea getting in and slamming the door.

Celeste just leaned her head back pushing her fingers through knotted strands. A heavy leather jacket landing on her, covering the fallen straps of her gown. Slowly lifting the jacket so it covered her chest and shoulders fucking her nose into it. "Should have brought security with you." Rhea spoke. "Scarlet has her own.." Celeste whispered. "Yeah well they weren't fucking good enough!" Rhea snapped. Celeste didn't respond, she just placed her head against the seatbelt, nails digging into the skin of her thigh as a distraction. She's never brought security to events like these, the paparazzi is something she's grown use to. Which is awful to say, no one likes them, but they never go away..

"Stop doing that with your leg." Rhea growled. But Celeste couldn't hear her, mind scattered. "Dammit Celeste I said stop doing that!" she growled. She grabbed her hand forcing it against the shift underneath hers. Celeste looked over quickly then at their hands whispering a soft sorry. Rhea didn't reply, instead just watched the road. The Aussie didn't want to come off as mean or harsh, but things like this pissed her off. Celeste allowed these people to walk all over her, which she understood this shit came with the job, but she could stand up for herself better.

But of course.. One wrong move could cost her everything.

[lovingthereign25]

Never say Goodbye

Part 7

Baby, I got to go Jules  is here crying" I lie 

"Okay Mama I love you call you later" Derek says

" I love you too," I say hanging up.

"What're you doing here?' I say

"Y/n, it's Lyndsey, she in the hospital" Joe says

"What?, Why? " I panic

"I'll explain on the way, grab your things I'll grab Noah.

Joe explain the Lyndsey passed out at work and hit her head pretty bad

"When Josh called me you automatically came to my mind, you two are closer than anything" he says placing his hand on yours.

"Thank you, I appreciate you coming to get me and Noah" I say

When I  arrived at the hospital, I was greeted by Josh and my parents telling you Lyndsey was stable but couldn't remember much and was asking for me.

"Joe can you please sit with Noah" I ask 

"Of course" he smiles, taking Noah from me.

After I saw Lyndsey, I stepped out to call Derek noticing I had a missed call from him.

"Yea Y/n, how's Lyndsey?" He asks

"She's…..wait how'd you know? I ask confused

"When you didn't answer, I called Julianna and it turns out she was at the hospital already waiting to get in touch with you, so my question is where were you?" He asks

"I was at the hotel on the phone with my husband, they sent Joe to pick Noah and I up" I say

"Yea of course, Joe ...is this always gonna be a thing Y/n?" He asks

"What? I ask

"This you and Joe shit, I thought when we got together you were over him, he was past was the past and we were the future, but now it seems there's situation with you and Joe" he says annoyed

"Derek, there is no me and Joe, we are friends, that's it and that's all" I say 

"I gotta go, the team is waiting for me" Derek says hanging up not even saying " I love you" .

*A few weeks later* 

I was sitting at home planning Noah's first birthday while he was napping when I heard our  front door open. 

"Hey," Derek says walking into the dining room where I was sitting.

"Hi," I reply looking back to the laptop screen of party supplies.

"Where's little man?" He asks

"Napping finally, his back teeth are coming in pretty bad" I say

"Damn poor kid" he says, grabbing water from the kitchen.

After a few minutes of being silent, which was nothing new in the last couple of weeks ever since Joe brought you to the hospital to see Lyndsey.

"You working?" He asked

"No, just planning Noah's party" I smile

"Without me?" He asks

"It's not official just themes he would like, places, and guest list" I explain

"I was joking Y/n, so what're we looking at here" he says sitting beside me

"Well he's into Mickey Mouse and…"  I was cut off by Derek's phone ringing

"Hold that thought"  he says looking at his phone and leaving the room.

Later that night I just finished putting Noah to bed. I went into our bedroom, Derek was on his laptop.

''Don't forget to send you mom her ticket for the he plane ride to Florida for Easter" I remind him

"Shit, I completely forgot, there's a big case in Colorado we're we wanted for,  I leave tomorrow." He sighs

"What? Derek you just got home a few hours ago." I say

"I know baby, but it's part of the job" he says 

"Fine I'll send her the ticket information, will you at least be here for Easter ?" I ask

"Can't promise anything," he says closing his laptop.

Easter had come and gone, Derek of course was still away now on a new case, spending a few extra days in  Florida I ran into an old friend  who wanted me to design her wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses. Of course I accepted, she also told me about a small boutique her fiance's mom was selling.

" I immediately thought of you, and how incredible it would be for to to be able to sell your designs, Y/n you're so talented everyone should see it " she smiles

"Awe, thanks Trish I'll definitely think about it, this would be a dream come true for me to have my own shop" I smile

When I arrive back home Derek is already home, he takes Noah as I grab our bags bringing them into the house.

"How was the case?' I ask

"Exhausting, miss my boy" he smiles at Noah"

"Oh, yea thanks, I missed you too" I joke

"Like you didn't have a good ole time in Florida, I'm sure Joe was around" he says

"What the hell's that supposed to mean?' I ask

"Nothing forget it" he says 

" Derek, how long are you gonna keep throwing what I did with Joe up in my face, I've apologized countless times, I don't know what else to do'' I say

" Make a decision our family or Joe" he says

"You're not serious, Derek that's crazy" I laugh 

"I am serious Y/n, Noah and I or Joe" he say again

"Derek, you and Noah are my life, there's nothing between Joe and I, he's  my past like your exes are your past" I say stepping closer to him

"Good, whatta say we go out to eat, just the two of us, I'll see if moms can keep Noah" he smiles kissing my head

All I did was not, trying to register how in the hell I was gonna cut all ties to Joe.

At dinner I tell Derek about running into Trish, about her wedding and the shop.

"Congratulations sweetheart, but how are you gonna run a shop in Florida from Virginia" he asks

" That's the problem, I'll to be in Florida until I get the shop fully staffed and running properly" I say

Just as Derek is about to speak I get a awful pains in my abdomen hitching over in pain

"Y/n, are you okay?Baby Girl talk to me"  Derek says but I can't answer the pain is too unbearable. 

Next thing I know I wake up in the hospital. 

Derek and I lost our baby.

*October 2016*

Noah's birthday was emotional, and wonderful. Derek's sister Desiree, Lyndsey and I planned the most amazing sesame street birthday party. 

All of my family and Derek's family came to celebrate our favorite boy. 

I had rented a house in Tampa, so I can be close to the shop and my family. Derek flies down as often as he can. The shop is coming along great, I hired a few girls to help run the shop, and Lyndsey is  the manager.  I was setting up a manikin with a gorgeous sun dress I had recently designed when I heard a tap on the window.

I look up seeing Joe.

"Hey stranger how's it going?'' he smiles

"Hi, yeah sorry been a little distracted" I smile.

I know what you're thinking, but I couldn't do it, I couldn't cut all ties with Joe he meant to much to me, and after talking to Lyndsey she had suggested that I tell Derek what he wants to hear and pretend to cut all ties with Joe but really I would be discreet about still being friends with him.

"I see that, the shop is coming along nice, oh by the way this is for my buddy Noah, sorry I missed the party" he smiles handing me a gift bag.

"Joe you didn't have to" I say

"I wanted too" he says 

"Thank you" I smile 

"Hey," Joe says grabbing my hand." Sorry to hear about the baby, if you need anything I'm here,"

"Thank you, that means a lot," I say .

"Oh, before I go I'll have Jojo this weekend, she's been bugging me to see Noah..maybe we can set something up?' he asks

"Yeah of course, I'll call you" I say .

*March 2017* 

The shop was getting more business that I could ever imagine, I was originally supposed to give up the rental house a few months ago but with the business I had to postpone that plan, Derek helps when he can, which hasn't been very often so I left Lyndsey in charge of the shop and Noah and I headed to Virginia to see Derek. 

"Y/n, what brings  you here?" Erin Derek's boss asks as I enter the office with Noah.

"Hi, Erin, just came to surprise Derek" I smile 

"He got so big, looks just like you and Derek, and he's in his office" she smiles 

I knock on Derek's door.

"Come in" I hear him say

As I enter in, I see Derek at his desk and a blonde woman sitting in a chair in front of his desk.

"Sorry I didn't know you were busy we can wait" I say

"No Y/n, it's fine we were just finishing up paperwork on a case come in… and this Nina she's a new team member here."  He says

"Hi" I greet her

"Nina this is my wife Y/n, and our son Noah" he smiles picking up Noah

"Hi, Derek he's adorable!'' she smiles

Derek takes Noah and I for lunch 

"So how'd you like Nina?" He asks

"She's nice" I say cutting Noah's food

"Glad you like her, she's my new partner" he says

"Wait what about Kevin?'' I ask

"He's out on leave, and with no given date on his return I asked for Nina" he says

"Hold on, you asked for her?, And why was that?" I ask 

"She's a great cop, she basically ran a whole unit in Colorado" he shrugs

"Reassign her'' I say

"What? Y/n are you crazy?" He snaps

"No, I'm not crazy. I saw the way she looked at you Derek" I say

"Y/n, come on you're being ridiculous" he says

"Are you sleeping with her?" I ask

"What? Y/n this is nuts!" He says

"Answer me, there was a big case in Colorado was there?, You went to meet her, are you sleeping with her Derek" I almost yell

"Y/n, I think we need to discuss this his at home" he says .

"No, Derek I don't we do..I think I just got my answer" I say grabbing Noah and walking out of the restaurant.