#grandma chose her grandson in law and said

[randomjreader]

Zo: Oh we aren't dating

Grandma: ...the fuck

[ashandkatiewrite]

Summary: It has been five long years since Thanos snapped half of all existence into dust along with half of Bucky's heart. He runs to the life of an assassin as the Winter Soldier once again until he is caught against his wishes in Madripoor. "There is a chance," Steve told him with tears in his eyes. "We're going back. To fix everything." They could all go back to the past. But Bucky had a different plan in mind. And it didn't have anything to do with any infinity stones but everything to do with the reason he'd been running. He was going to fix the biggest mistake he'd ever made.

WRITTEN BY: @if-you-onlyknew & @katiekinswrites

Pairing: Bucky Barnes/OFC

Rating: M (Mature) & E (Explicit)

PART 2/3 in the: Maggie/Bucky What If (AU) Series - READ PART ONE HERE

CHAPTER 15

preview...

Caroline insisted on seeing her son. She was near hysterics as she cried and laughed during the FaceTime call. 

And then she asked where the hell they were. The room behind Bucky, his son and brother in law was vast and strange looking. Especially with the time heist platform behind them.

Christopher deferred to Bucky to answer that question. 

“James?” Caroline asked. 

Bucky felt an inner qualm every time he lied to Caroline. She still didn’t know exactly who he was after all. 

“We’re at the Avengers Compound upstate.”

Caroline’s mouth opened slightly. “Why…?” She asked slowly. 

Steve chose that moment to walk in with Bruce right behind him in all of his green and bespectacled glory. “Buck? We need you.”

“Buck?” Caroline repeated. “James, even I know who that is behind you. If Daniel was here…” Her words trailed off for a moment. “I want all three of you to come to Philadelphia.”

“Okay, Mom,” Christopher answered her. “As soon as we can.”

“Now,” she stressed. “Chris,” she said, looking at her grandson, “Make sure, okay? Grandma needs her boy's home.”

“Okay, Grandma. Love you.”

Bucky got up from the couch and approached Steve and Bruce. “What is it?”

“Tony did it… and Rocket.” Steve looked anxious. “The stones are ready for the glove.”

Bucky’s eyes widened. “Shit.” His heart was suddenly slamming against his rib cage. “Not yet. I… I need someone at home for Maggie. She won’t understand why she’s alone.” His hand was in his hair as he looked back at Chris and Christopher. 

As much as he needed to be there when Maggie came back — because she would, there was no other choice — he had to be here to make sure it happened. 

“I’ll go. I need to see my sister again,” Christopher said as he approached. 

Taglist: @ocappreciationtag • @sendmylcve • @arrthurpendragon • @darkwolf76 • @cas-verse • @victoriapedrcttis • @cjand10 • @roosterbradshaws • @seb-soph • @eddysocs  • @darylandbethfanforever9

[william-t-sickofyourshit]

Charlotte was defintiely pleased (and positively surprised) when she heard from Sebastian that William has many friends and is well-liked by many. She looked over at her grandson, and William recognized that she was surprised, so he swallowed his food and explained right away.

“Sebastian is right. I know that… I was always introverted and not very social, but ever since I became friends with Sebastian I got encouraged to go out more and just… yes, I have a lovely circle of friends now.” He grinned, looking happily at his boyfriend.

“Oh, I see. Well then, seems like I have to thank you then, Sebastian.” Charlotte smiled as well, showing her appreciation. It was good to know that her grandson really wasn’t lonely and living in seclusion as a priest. That sure was a relief.

Then, Sebastian mentioned Henry, and Charlotte nodded. “Yes, I would love for Teddy to also have someone. Henry’s wife is very nice. He definitely chose better than my son.” She rolled her eyes, of course meaning William’s father. Phew, it seemed she didn’t much like her daughter-in-law. “But really all I want is for him to be happy. So I always respected his choices.” She sighed then. Apparently she came to terms with William’s priesthood, even if it was not easy.

Honestly, William just looked down at this bowl of soup and ate quietly, his cheeks getting red. His grandma had no idea, and yet it just felt like there was an elephant in the room – his and Sebastian’s relationship. So maybe it was better to change the subject then.

“Oh, grandma…” William casually spoke, just trying to steer this conversation into some safer and more casual subject. “I’m really doing fine, Sebastian is… making me go out there more. For example… for his birthday we went to a concert together, it was so much fun. So you don’t have to worry, I have great friends back home. And Sebastian is the best one, so that’s why… that’s why I wanted you to meet him.” he made such obvious heart-eyes at Sebastian as he said that.

For I have sinned...

The principal cleared his throat, eyes scanning the notes that he had wrote down before this meeting. It already lasted an hour, and the teachers gathered in the faculty room were becoming restless and bored. But indeed there were some things to discuss, with the concert that the senior class was supposed to perform at the end of the semester, and with recent staff changes. 

William glanced down at his watch, sighing softly. His class was starting in 15 minutes, so at least, whether the meeting will be done soon or not, he will get to excuse himself. He looked out of the window, his mind wandering. Principal’s voice turned into white noise in the background. It was a pleasant day, late summer. But William was looking forward to a slightly cooler weather. Wearing all black could really be bothersome at times. 

“And lastly, I am pleased to announce that we have finally found replacement for the violin teacher. Dear Mr Tanaka, may he rest in peace, was with us for so many years that I’ve been concerned we won’t be able to find someone as good as to fill this position.” the principal spoke. “But Mr… Michaelis, was highly recommended to me, and he indeed has impressive references. He will be starting this week, so please welcome him warmly once he will arrive. Ah yes… about that. He will arrive today at noon, I need someone to pick him up from the train station and bring over for the tour around the school. Any volunteers?” 

William was barely listening, and definitely not paying much attention. He glanced at his watch again, and saw that it was time to leave, as his class was about to start. He raised his hand to excuse himself, and little did he know, he just volunteered.

“Father William! Excellent!” the principal exclaimed. “Just don’t be late, the train arrives at noon.”

“Train…?” William questioned, raising his brow. He had a feeling he was missing something…

***

Right after the meeting, William had to run for the class, so he had little time to clarify what exactly he had volunteered for. He was a piano teacher in this Music Academy, but also he served as a priest in local church. Well respected, and rather liked. So when he later found out it was about the new violin teacher, he didn’t refuse. Who, other than himself, would be a better choice to introduce a newcome to their community?

So even though he raised his hand by accident, he accepted this fate.

After classes, at noon, William took a taxi and drove to the train station, to pick up their new teacher. Wearing black trousers, and a black shirt with a thin tie, was absolutely dreadful in this weather, so William quickly found shelter under the roof of the station platform, that provided some shade.

The train had just arrived. William had no idea how Mr Michaelis looked like, but he figured he will just look for someone carrying a violin case with them. 

He was in for a bit surprise.

@crazyvik97

[llaevateinn]

Short, unfinished figureskating AU i wrote and idk what to do with it. So, yeet.

The first time they found out that Jin Ling spent his time after school and on weekends on the ice rink, the reaction was pretty bad. Jin Ling was braced for the usual "what are you a girl" remarks from anyone who thought that figure skating was "just for girls". However, he was unpleasantly surprised.

"So you're the one who keeps hogging our rink!"

"What?"

Jingyi flailed his arms when words failed him, which was not new. Jin Ling deftly dodged the almost perfect left hook thrown his way.

"My hockey team! We barely have any rink time because of the figure skaters!"

Now Jin Ling was scowling.

"What? You're on the hockey team?" And then: "You guys are the ones scratching up the ice so it's barely usable for me!"

"You're the one making holes in it with your stupid ice picks for skates!"

Sizhui on the side sighed long-sufferingly. These two were constantly at each other's throats enough as it was – add the age-old ice hockey vs figure skating rivalry into the mix and he just knew he wasn't going to have a peaceful minute again in his life.

"Boys," he tried to placate them. "Both of your sports are awesome, and you're both really good. There's no need to fight."

"We're not fighting!" they both shouted in unison.

Sizhui pinched the bridge of his nose. Why was he friends with them again?

Jin Ling had transferred to their school this semester, a grade below them. Initially he had not made any friends. He was gloomy and brash, arrogant even, and he never participated in any after-school activities. Sizhui and Jingyi had jointly made the decision to approach him. They had swiftly become fast friends, despite how they bickered sometimes. At least now that they knew about Jin Ling's figure skating, it made more sense that he barely had time for anything else.

"My grandma on my mother's side wanted me to do ballet," he explained once. "She was a really famous ballerina, and she got my uncle into it too. My mom never really liked it though, and I don't like ballet much either."

"How did you get the idea for figure skating then?"

"Um. That's- … My uncle- …" He hesitated. "It's complicated. But I had another uncle, besides the one you guys know of. Both my uncles on my mother's side used to figure skate, until my other uncle went away. I saw videos once, of their competitions. That's when I decided I wanted to do that."

"And your uncle, Mr. Jiang, is your trainer?"

"Trainer and choreographer," Jin Ling said proudly. "When my mom realized I was serious about figure skating, she said she wouldn't have anyone else train me. And he's the best! I've been competing in the Juniors Championships for a while now, and I even got bronze last year! Maybe next year they'll let me join the Seniors' competitions."

"Wow, that's so cool!" Jingyi exclaimed, rivalry between hockey players and figure skaters forgotten. "You're winning medals? You're awesome!"

Jin Ling blushed a little, though he proudly lifted his chin.

"Yeah, I am. Maybe one day I can even go to the Olympics!"

At fourteen, he already had such ambitious dreams, and judging by how well he was doing, they might one day even come true.

 Despite having decided to devote his life to ballet, Jiang Cheng had been on or around the rink for his entire life. It began when his adopted brother chose figure skating as his hobby – and then later, to make it into something more serious. Jiang Cheng, always eager to follow his siblings wherever they went, had followed him onto the ice too. Ballet became a mere accessory to figure skating, as the two trained and showed enough talent to compete.

When his brother continually rose higher, winning medal after medal, trophy after trophy, while Jiang Cheng himself remained empty handed? It did not take much for his mother to convince him to go back to ballet instead.

But the ice never left him. It stayed with him as he accompanied his brother to his competitions. It stayed with him when his brother up and left, after their sister and brother-in-law's near-fatal accident. It stayed with him when his nephew, all of four years old and bright eyed, watched an old recording of the two of them racing over the ice, and said: "I want to do that too!"

Ballet was his work. His blood, sweat and tears were poured into it, to make his mother proud. So that he could take over her ballet studio, once it became clear that he would not excel in ballet either. Despite having studied under renowned teachers in Paris and Moscow, despite having joined famous companies and starring in productions on world tours, it was only enough to lend his name to a small, unambitious and kids-friendly ballet school.

That is, until Jin Ling announced that he wanted to become a pro figure skater.

There was no question as to who would teach and train him. Even though Jiang Cheng's mother clearly disliked it, she could not say no to her only grandson. Or to Yanli, who was the apple of her eye. Or to Jin Zixuan's money that would finance Jin Ling's dream.

"Make sure he wins," was all she said to Jiang Cheng, turning away in disinterest.

Jiang Cheng had not, in fact, made sure that Jin Ling won. He had made sure that Jin Ling would never, ever lose his joy and enthusiasm for the sport, however.

Though he was already too old for professional ballet, much less pro figure skating, he always accompanied Jin Ling onto the ice. He guided him through the basics, ignited his passion for music and choreography, and pushed his limits. But never further than Jin Ling was willing to go.

That he was damn talented and excelled at both the athletic and creative aspects of figure skating was just the cherry on top. That he began to compete in junior tournaments – and began to eke his way towards the medal rankings – was just incidental, in Jiang Cheng's eyes. Because he believed that Jin Ling's success was only due to the fact that he truly loved what he was doing. Without that, Jiang Cheng could force him to do drills as long as he wanted to, and it wouldn't make a damn difference.

When Jin Ling was fourteen, there were a few changes in their lives. Two, in fact, that were the most impactful. They came in the shape of one Lan Jingyi and his cousin, Lan Sizhui. The two boys, who were a year older than Jin Ling, quickly became his best friends when Jin Ling joined a new school that was geared towards young talents in sports and arts. Lan Jingyi was also a sports prodigy, showing a promising talent for ice hockey. Meanwhile, Lan Sizhui was an art major, a musical genius who specialized in traditional instruments.

The two of them became a fixed presence at the edge of the rink and in the stands, accompanying Jin Ling to trainings as well as competitions. Therefore, Jiang Cheng was not surprised to see them sidestepping all protocol and joining Jin Ling in a room below the stadium that was supposed to be for competitors only.

What did surprise him was the third boy accompanying them.

"Who is that?" he asked Jin Ling, only to get a blush the color of chili peppers in return. He sighed. "Just don't let him distract you from your performance today."

"Yes, sir."

Another sigh.

"Go, say hi. But then you come right back and continue your warmup."

"Yes, sir!"

That boy, he thought fondly.

[cascadingpearls]

Make a Wish (or Two or Sixteen) Part Two

Okay, here we go! Part two of what I think is going to be a three part fic.

Enjoy!

Part one here

—

“Hello! We’re here!” Bex calls as they enter the house. 

“In the kitchen,” Cece’s reply is slightly muffled. 

Bowie and Bex head towards the kitchen, while Andi lingers looking around at the dining room set up.

Cece put up lanterns Andi made out of lucky red envelopes. There is a large fruit platter including Asian pears, oranges and- to Andi’s surprise dragonfruit! Dragonfruit is hard to find in Midwest. Cece outdid herself. When Andi notices the extra plate settings she puts the pieces together, Aunt Mei must be coming after all. Oh boy, this was going to be a memorable birthday.

When Andi wanders into the kitchen, she sees her parents have put on aprons and are helping Cece. Bex is at the stove tending to some bok choy and Bowie is carving the duck.

Cece smiles warmly and gives Andi a hug. “Happy birthday, Andi!”

Andi sighs into the warm embrace, squeezing her tightly. “Thanks, Cece." 

When pull away, Cece tucks a lock of hair behind her ear, and sighs. "You look beautiful. I can’t believe you’re sixteen! Feels like only yesterday you were in diapers.”

“I know,” Bex moans. “Time flies.”

Andi does her best not to roll her eyes, already having heard this multiple times today. “How can I help?”

Cece maneuvers Andi to a stool at the counter. “You don’t need to do anything. You just sit and relax.” Andi and her mother exchange a look… that has never been Cece’s philosophy. “You know, your birthday falling on the Harvest Moon Festival is very auspicious,” Cece continues as she begins chopping mushrooms. “You were born on the Harvest Moon Festival, and here it is again falling on your birthday! It means you find a love like in the festival folklore.”

Andi looks at Bex again. ’What?’ She mouths. Cece had strict anti-boyfriend/relationship rules. Bex makes a face and shrugs. 

“What’s the folklore?” Bowie asks, ending the nonverbal conversation. 

“Long ago, there were ten suns in the sky. All living things were suffering under the immense heat. So Hou Yi, a skilled archer, climbed atop a mountain and shot down nine of the suns. 

“To reward Hou Yi for saving the planet, the Queen of Heaven gave him a bottle of the elixir of life. 

“Hou Yi was very grateful but could not imagine life without his wife, Chang'e. So he kept the bottle at home for safe keeping. 

“One day, one of Hou Yi’s fellow soldiers, Peng Meng, broke into their home to steal the elixir. To prevent Peng Meng from taking the elixir,  Chang'e drank it herself. Becoming immortal, she floated up into the sky. 

“That night, when Hou Yi returned, his maids recounted the events of the day. Distraught,  Hou Yi took his bow and set off to find Peng Meng and make him pay. But as he walked out of his house, he noticed the moon was full and bright. And he saw a figure on the moon resembling Chang'e.

“It turns out, Chang'e couldn’t stand the thought of being so far from Hou Yi, so she chose to live on the moon, the closest being to earth, to watch over her husband.  And once a month, the lovers are reunited when the moon is the fullest and brightest because of their love for one another." 

"Wow, that’s beautiful, Cece.” Bowie murmurs. Andi nods, it’s been a few years since she heard that story. Now that she’s older she appreciates it more.  She understands the power of love, familial, platonic and romantic… well, kind of the last one.

Cece smiles, “It was my favorite folklore growing up." 

"Is that why you’re so calm, even though Aunt Mei is coming?” Andi asks. 

“Mom, you didn’t tell me Aunt Mei was coming!” Bex was just as surprised as Andi. 

“Because she isn't…” Cece said slowly.  “Andi… did she tell you she was coming?” Andi could see panic in Cece’s face… the serene Cece from moments ago was disappearing, fast. 

“No!” Andi exclaimed. “I saw the extra place settings and assumed…”

The room collectively exhaled in relief. Cece waved her hand, as if she was shooing the tension away.  “Oh no! An old friend of mine is in town visiting her family and I invited them over,” she looked over and Andi with an impish smile.  “And she has a grandson who’s about your age. He’s very good looking…”

“Mom, no! Just because she’s sixteen now doesn’t mean you can play matchmaker!”

Cece tried to look innocent. “I’m not… I’m just saying…” she swatted Bex away from the stovetop and began sauteing the mushrooms. 

“Mom, I’m serious,” Bex warned. 

Cece merely shrugged and continued stirring the mushrooms. 

Bex motioned for Andi to leave the kitchen, so she hopped off the stool and headed for Andi Shack.

Andi caught glimpses of her mother and grandmother talking through the window.  They weren’t yelling, but it looked a little heated.

Andi sighed and pulled out her phone.  

Andi [5:16 PM]: Grandmother’s can be so weird. I swear Cece has done a complete 180 today. She told me about her friend’s cute grandson!

BF ❤ [5:17 PM]: I hear you. I love mine but she’s extremely giddy rn… and I haven’t seen her in a few months but giddy is not a word used to describe her.

Andi [5:17 PM]: Grandmas, amirite?

BF ❤ [5:18 PM]: lol. 😂 I gotta go,  we’re leaving for dinner but see you after?

Andi [5:18 PM]: Have fun!

BF ❤ [5:19 PM]: You, too!

After a few minutes, her dad pokes his head out the back door and waves her back into the house. When she returns to the kitchen, Cece and Bex are silently putting together platters of food. “Smells good in here,” Andi says quietly.

Cece lets out a chuckle and wipes her hands clean before taking Andi’s hands in her own. “I’m sorry if I made you feel like you were being set up. I’m just very happy to see an old friend, and we were joking about how we finally could become family if our grandkids got together. But I don’t want you to think I’m forcing you to date or like someone.”

Andi nods and gives Cece’s hand a quick squeeze. “I know.”

The doorbell rings and Cece lets out an excited squeal. “She’s here!” She takes her apron off, fluffs her hair and heads for the door.

Andi looks bemusedly at Bex as they follow Cece, “Do I know who this is?”

Bex shrugs, “Maybe? Auntie Ying moved away a long time ago, but she visits every few years. She can be… terrifying… I think you would remember her.” 

Andi thinks for a moment, “I don’t know if I’ve met her. I think I’d remember terrifying…”

Bex smiles, “Well, you get to meet her now!” 

Cece is checking her reflection in the mirror, when they reach the entryway. Cece looks them up and down, nodding in approval before throwing the door open. “Ying!” Cece embraces the woman on the other side.

“Celia!” Auntie Ying replies. As they pull away from hug, Andi gets a good look at Auntie Ying. She’s a little bit taller than Cece, her long dark hair swept up in an elegant bun. “Your home is lovely as always. And your family is here, Bex it’s good to see you again. And you must be here husband, Bowie. I’ve heard a lot about you. And I’m afraid I’m going to ask you a lot of gardening questions.” Auntie Ying shakes Bowies hand before turning to Andi. 

“And Andi, I haven’t seen you since you were a little girl.” She hooks a finger under Andi’s chin, examining her face. “You’re so beautiful. I heard it was your sixteenth birthday. And to fall on the Harvest Moon Festival, very lucky,” she says pulling out a red envelope out of her purse. “Happy birthday.”

Andi smiles, a little awed, and takes the red envelope, “Thank you.” She usually only receives red envelopes for Lunar New Year. Auntie Ying isn’t that scary. 

Auntie Ying continues by introducing her son and daughter in law, David and Christina. Andi can’t help but notice there’s no cute grandson. If he’s as good looking as Cece claims, he probably already is taken. Besides, she has a cute boyfriend.

There’s a light knock at the door, and Auntie Ying moves towards the door. “That must be my grandson, my sunzi,” she says proudly.

Andi’s not sure why her heartbeat quickens when the door opens. The grandson’s face is partially obscured by a tall orchid. He steps inside and moves the orchid. He bows to Cece and hands her the pot. “Nai Nai said you love orchids, and this one smells so fragrant I thought it would be a nice addition to your plants.”

And can’t stop her jaw from dropping. Is he for real? Cece thanks him and murmurs “I told you so,” to her as she walks by to put the orchid in the living room. 

Andi watches as Auntie Ying introduces Bowie and Bex to her grandson. When he turns towards her, he has a big smile on his face and her heart begins to beat even faster. She’s frozen in place as he approaches with his hand held out. “Hi. Nathan.”

She feels a nudge from behind her - Bex probably- and she snaps out of it. She goes to shake his hand, “Andi.” His hand is big and warm, when it covers her own, and she feels her cheeks flush.

“Andi, something tells me we’re going to have a lot of fun tonight,” Nathan says, eyes twinkling.

“Yeah,” she says faintly.  She doesn’t realize they’re still shaking hands until Bowie clears his throat in a very dad like manner making them jump apart.

“Should we join everyone in the living room?” Bowie asks.  Nathan nods. “After you,” Bowie says gesturing towards the room and Nathan heads in first.  

Yes, this was going to be a very interesting evening.

—

@dancerdramatic14 I hope this answers your question!

[stygian-omadas-epic-chronicles]

My thoughts on STYGIAN by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Book review)

The new installment in the Dark-Hunters series doesn't disappoint. It has everything I love about these novels: heartache, humor, great battles, and heartfelt down-to-the-earth moments. And, of course, a great love. 

I know that I sound like a broken record in my SK's book reviews but she always surprises me with her books and I love that. Stygian has its good share of surprises. Although, I admit that the plot twists aren't as mind-blowing as they had been in some of the earlier books. The story both takes you to the deepest pit of angst and makes you roar with laughter until your belly hurts. 

Also, it shows the Apollite/Daimon world like we've never seen before. We see how the betrayal that meant Apollo's curse to his own people warped the Apollite mindset, specially Stryker's. To tell the truth, I stopped hating Daimons a long time ago. Don't get me wrong, I don't like them killing and stealing human souls but I get why they do it. Being in their shoes, I don't know if I'd do the same.

And now, I get them even more. 

One of the things that I like the most of the book is that it fills some of the gaps left by the previous books and has amazing cameos of the characters we know, like seeing Wulf in passing before he became a DH.

Stygian is a fine example of Sherri's great talent and exceptional imagination. Once more, she takes us to this amazing world she has created during all these years and let us live in it for a while.

Not wanting to spoil anyone who hasn't read the book yet, I'm spilling all the juicy details below the cut.  It's really long and full of explicit spoilers so read at your own risk.

If you're still with me, let's dig in. I have so much to tell you.

URIAN

*sighs dreamingly* Urian... Uri... my Urimou.  This adorable man, gosh, you have to love him. Since birth, he's the cutest thing ever (well, being the biological son of who he is, I don't know why it surprises me. I guess that being raised by Stryker I thought he wouldn't be THAT cute but he's even more adorable). Anyway... what I was saying? Oh, yes, I died of cuteness overload with him.

He’s so passionate, so loving, loyal. He’s willing to do anything for those who he loves

His childhood wasn't easy. At all. Between the raw and devastating sense of treachery because of the curse that Apollite race had (and still has, rightly so) and Urian's own (inexplicable at the time) sense of not-belonging had a great impact on him. As it did the blatant discrimination of everyone toward him. Seriously, they had not even an ounce of compassion to feed him?!! Bastards all!! 

It didn't help either the tough love he got from his family, especially his brothers, which more often than not were a bunch of assholes (pardon the language but that’s what they were) with him like the rest of the people. However, there's something that can't be denied. Despite that brotherly animosity, Urian was a loved child. By his brothers and sister, by his surrogate mom and Stryker. They LOVED him and they had his back, no matter what. That makes me happy.

All that made him the amazing person that he is.

URIAN'S LOVE LIFE

It breaks my heart that because nobody would feed him, Urian fell into the claws of Xanthia. Marrying her out of necessity is so heart-breaking. My poor Urimou. He wasn't in love with her but he respected her as his wife and the ungrateful cow cheated on him!!!  And no less than with his brother-in-law! How dared she?! The only good thing that was worthy in that marriage was the children. Gosh, reading how much Uri loved those kids and they loved him was so great. 

Then, it came along Bethsheba, who was like a few steps up in the healthy relationship ladder but not nearly high enough. He wasn't in love with her either and she was a rebound. She cared about him but treated him as a trophy husband. She reminded me of Sera (Max's dragonswan) when the dragons first got married. Well, it makes sense. Both Sheba and Seraphina were Amazons and in their culture men were inferior.

It broke my heart the guilt Uri felt when Sheba was killed (without mentioning how awful her death was). He cares so much about everyone in his life and all he wants is protect them.  Watching them die and incapable of doing anything to stop it literally destroys him bit by bit.

It doesn't surprise me that after such bad experiences with marriages he took so long for getting married again. 

Centuries pass until he meets Pheobe at last. For what we knew from previous books, we all thought she was the love of his life, and yes he loved her very much but that relationship was condemned to failure from the beginning and not just for the obvious my-father-wants-you-and-your-entire-family-dead thing. 

If there's something (I think it's the only thing Phoebe is right in reproaching him at the end) is that he withheld things from her since the beginning. True, he told her that he was Stryker's son and all but he didn't tell her that he had killed her grandparents, which he should have.

And just like his 2 previous marriages, this one was likewise for necessity. This time it wasn't Urian the needy part but Phoebe. She needed him for feeding and sharing the souls because she wouldn't kill a human for them. Also, she needed him for both her own and her family's protection. Maybe, she didn't mean to but put him in a tough situation. He was split between protecting her and being his dad's second-in-command.

Urian also has a responsibility in this. He chose to lie to his dad. Granted, Stryker isn’t the most understanding person but as we learn later, Stryker might’ve supported him. Crazy, I know.

And there's another thing. I never thought Phoebe would be as petty as she was. So whiny. I agree with Stryker when he says she was immature and insipid. I think her lowest point was getting mad because Cass wanted Wulff with her when they get to Elysia. As if the case was reversed she would've done the same thing with Uri.  I know she was worried about him, rightly so, but I don't know... her attitude was spiteful. It riled me up.

I guess going trelos was helping her mood, to be honest.

And her hissy fits at the end and working with Apollo!!! Yeah, nope. I don't like Phoebe anymore.

On the other hand, I love Sarraxyn. I think she's perfect for Uri. I've been thinking that since she first appeared and paired her with Urimou without knowing she was truly his HEA. I don't know how I got that idea but it was back when I was reading Dragonbane or Dragonmark, I'm not sure. That's why the revealing of Phoebe being alive threw me off so bad at the end of Dragonsworn. It's been a year of wondering who Urian's true love was (In fact, I mentioned in this review). I love that Sherri chose Xyn. I'm over the moon because of that.

I love that Xyn wasn't willing to settle for less than what she deserved. She knew that as long Urian needed other women to feed and kill humans for their souls, their relationship wouldn't work. It didn't have to do with the love they felt for each other but their circumstances. I think they handled it the best possible having only a yearly rendezvous instead of forcing things, which would have destroyed them both.

Besides, if they had stayed together, Urian wouldn't have met Phoebe, Stryker wouldn't have cut his throat, and neither Ash would have saved him and turned him into a no-daimon.

I can't wait to see more of Xyn and Uri in the coming books.

APOLLYMI

One of the most delightful things about this book is how much we see of her. As I've repeated a gazillion times already, I love Polly and, honestly, now I love her even more. The whole grandma/grandson thing going on between her and Urian is simply amazing. Because that's what she is to him. Twice his grandmother, actually. First, because of Stryker, right. But also because of Styxx. She officially adopted him too and we know thanks to the Chronicles of Nick that Styxx will eventually call her Matera. He's not there yet but he will.

My goodness, she loves Urian so much. We get to see her most kind side with him, especially when he was really young. I just adored the scene when she invites him to see the sunrise in the pool in her garden. 

Of course, she wouldn't be her if she didn't have a plan to use him eventually but wow, you better not harm Uri or you'll feel her wrath. 

I laughed so hard when Apollymi appeared almost at the end when Uri was seeking Phoebe and she says that if it wasn't because the lot of them were there because of Urian she would have split them into oblivion.

That's who she is. She protects fiercely those who she loves.

STRYKER

Okay, I officially nominate this man for the best dad in history award. Even if he cut Urian's throat. Don't care. Since I read Silent Night, I knew he had a heart but damn! Not like this! 

I have to thank Apollymi for choosing him as Urian's surrogate dad because I don't think there's anyone else who could have done a better job. Well, except for Styxx, of course. 

When Stryker says that Urian is his pride and joy is because he truly is. The fact that he didn't kill Phoebe and kept her alive all these years because he couldn't harm what his son loved is astonishing. As it is that he cut his son's throat not out of anger as he made everyone believe but out of pain, in a foolish and reckless desire to protect both Urian and himself from further heartache. Like he said, he cut his throat but couldn't kill his son.

I'm so glad that he and Urian are in so much better terms now. That fills my heart with joy because, despite everything that has happened, Urian loves Stryker as much as Stryker loves Urian.

CRAZY FAMILY

If we thought only Urian's adoptive Apollite/Daimon family was psychotic and crazy, well, his blood family isn't too far behind. Oh, my goodness! I laughed so, but SO hard the scene when Ash comes back after sending Uri to Kalosis and Styxx is waiting for him. That was hilarious. Seriously, I just remember about it and I start laughing out loud.

I think Acheron needs to start thinking before acting, especially when his family concerns. I mean Styxx and Beth overprotection gets overboard but if there's anyone who could understand where that comes from is Ash. And if the situation was the opposite and Styxx would've sent Katra to some hellish place without telling his brother, Ash's angry fit would have been even worse. 

Too funny is seeing Beth in Mama bear mode. So it is Styxx trying to calm her down before she attacks Stryker and then Apollymi.

The moment with those 2 that melt my heart was when Stryker shared his memory of Urian as a child and Styxx declared that from now on they're brothers. See! That's why I adore Styxx, my baby!

Now, they all are a crazy, amazing and big family. 

OTHER FAMILY MATTERS

Seeing Urian's point of view as he got to know Styx was amazing (and made me cry all over again because, you know, it's Styxx and all the feels). In conclusion, Urian is me when it comes to defending his best friend/dad. My favorite scene on Styxx is when Urian bitchslapped Ash for how he treats his twin brother and, in this book, it got better with the new details. I won't get tired of reading that. Ever.

A note on Urian having children:

Let's be honest. Urian asking Apollymi to make him infertile didn't work as he planned. I mean, I understand his point of not bringing children to this world to suffer the curse and watch them die but he loved Geras and Nephele as his, so he had the heartbreak he was trying to avoid anyway. The same thing happened when he adopted his nephews and nieces later on.

Urian's exact words to Apollymi when he asked her to take his ability to procreate were "Can you please make it so that I will never father any while I’m an Apollite?” but he's not an Apollite or Damion anymore. Does that mean he can have children now with Xyn if they wish so? 

RANDOM STUFF

I love Ruyn Widowmaker. I need to know so much more about him. Like, right now!

I never thought I would cry for the death of a Daimon but oh, boy, how I did! Several times and bitterly.

Urian using Moppet as a nickname for Wulff is the funniest thing ever. Does Wulff know that? I think not or he'd have staked Uri LOL!!

I love seeing CoN bunch in the main series.  Shadow, Kaziel, Aeron, Brynna. It makes me crave Cyprian's books even more. Gah! I wish SK would say the release date already.

And, of course, I'm so excited for the truce between Daimons and Dark-Hunters. I think it's more than necessary now than ever because Helios joined the list of baddies to defeat as if we didn't have enough with Apollo, Zeus, Noir and Azura, Kessar, Morgen.

NEXT

We have the title (Queen of All Shadows) but not the description. But for the epilogue we can guess is Xander/Brynna story. I can't believe we're having a DH/human pairing for the next book!! So good to be back to the roots. It's been a really long time since the last novel, which if I'm not mistaken it was Dark Side of the Moon with Ravyn and Susan. Because even if Devil may cry and No Mercy are about a DH, Sin wasn't truly one and Katra is far from a human; and Samia was indeed a huntress but Dev is definitely NOT human. 

And after that, we'll have Shadow's book!!! Shadows Within. That hasn't a description either and I can't do a wild guess who his HEA is.

What I like about this line up is that connects a lot with the chronicles of Nick and we could get the much-needed details about what the hell went/is going/will go on that front. I'm desperate to know.

I know there's a million of details I'm forgetting but I think I've covered the most important things. Anyone who wants to talk about the book, feel free to message me on this blog or on my main one ( @green-arrows-of-karamel  ). I'd love to know what you all think about it.

Pax.✌

PS: Wait for my favorite quotes from the book that I’m about to post too 😊

[shego1142]

Do y’all rent or own y’alls place? Cuz if y’all rent your landlord is supposed to get rid of the rats. (Usually) like that’s their responsibility not really y’alls.

We own, or my grandma owns it anyway, but I think rn the house is on a bond deal for my grandma’s grandson in law (or whoever the hell it was that was dumb enough to get arrested for drunk fighting in a bar and then came over begging for help and my grandma helped them like she always helps everyone but herself)Sorry if that sounds rude, I’m just... stressed? I’m trying very very hard to help but there’s nothing I can do... I can’t work, I’m not able to help clean most days, I have no money and no income... it’s just my grandma, on her own. Doing everything for everyone...And I can’t help. I feel so helpless right now that I just feel sick... like what I posted, I feel like debt. And I’ve been feeling that way but now more than ever...I just feel very costly. And I don’t know how to fix it. I want to find something I could make to sell, or do something entertaining so maybe I could earn my worth... But I haven’t been able to yet. I thought I could sell some of my stuff on letgo but the gas money to take it to people would cost more than we’d make I thought I could sell fics but I can’t finish a fic to save my life. (Shoutout to the person who wanted a drarry fic, I am still working on it) I thought I could maybe sew some stuff, or craft some stuff to sell but I’ve been dizzy and sick for the past few weeks And I’m just sick and tired of thinking about money. I feel like Eddy from EEnE, always looking for another quarter, episode after episode of making people disgusted with me because I’m asking for money.But the bottom line is the only thing that will fix this is money. We were trying to get a government grant but we aren’t eligible in our area or whatever bull crap they said... But it’s 3 people a cat and a dog living off less than $600 a month... And we all have medical bills and we have the utility bills and car payments and groceries to buy Oh and my food stamps got cut off for this month until they have proof that I’m not able to work so that’s happened Sorry if that’s a lot of info to dump on you and anyone else reading this but I’m just at my limit. There are good things that have happened too, the fundraiser raised $110 and we got the fleas and ticks sprayed for and we got a lot of stuff to take care of the pets (like litter and food and we had a bit of a safety net to take Patches to the vet with; she got sick a week ago and we had to take her to the vet on an emergency basis, she’s fine now tho!) But it’s just... not enough. It’s never enough, And it sucks. It sucks so much. I want me and my family to thrive but poverty is a vacuum and the less you spend the more you pay for later My grandma might actually lose vision in her eyes, they’ve gotten so bad since she hasn’t been able to go to the doctor... The floor in the kitchen is actually sinking in, the wood is beyond rotted out. And like I said, the fridge, the dishwasher, the microwave, the rats chew anything they can and they’ve just destroyed it all... And the thing that is really annoying is that we aren’t the only ones in the neighborhood to have rats, the whole neighborhood had them, but everyone around us has money I wouldn’t say they’re rich but they’re all definitely above middle class, well above poverty. So they got the rats removed, or gassed, or whatever they chose to do, they got rid of them. But we can’t... They eat our food, they destroy our home, it’s like we aren’t living in our own house, we’re living in the rats house. And my grandma gets things for me that we can’t afford. Things I don’t necessarily as for but things she knows I need. And that’s why I’m feeling like debt right now. And I want to pay her back. I want her to know how awesome she is. I want all of us to thrive but especially her. She basically raised me since I was born. She’s just always been there for me and she’s going to be 81 in a few weeks and I feel like I’m running out of time... So yeah... that was a lot to say just to answer one question but my filter is gone

[moonlitonyxandopal]

Day 4: Lawyers

“My grandson Sasuke,

I know managing a law firm is tough but I know you really can succeed especially when you have a love your life with you. I have known your secretary before. She can be your inspiration.

So i’ve wanted you to date your girlfriend of years, every friday for 2 months to get your inheritance. I’ve entrusted Shisui to watch  over you, so you can really accomplish this.

You can use your inheritance to improve you law firm. But it’s up to you my grandson, use it in accord to your liking.

With lots of love, Nana Uchiha”

He read the letter and again and again wishing for the letter to change. His brows narrowed every now and then denying the truth. He cannot believe what the condition made by his grandma to receive his inheritance. As much as a 30 year old honorable practicing lawyer that he was, all he muttered was… “What the fuck?”

Itachi and Shisui went closer to him as they heard him curse. They asked what was inside the letter. As the two heard his condition, there was an awkward silence.

Itachi asked, his mouth agape, slowly shaking his head. “You’re not dating your secretary?!”

Sasuke blankly glared at him.

Shisui absent-mindedly repeated the question. “Wait.. You’re not dating your secretary?!”

Sasuke shifted his brooding glare at the taller man.

The two muttured the exact words for the next deadly seconds and Sasuke was not amused. And so what that he was not dating his secretary? But his phone rang, the caller id’s name belong to his sevretary.

“I thought you’re not dating her then why is she calling you?” Itachi reassured, hoping his brother lied earlier. Shisui agreed, repeating what he asked, making the younger Uchiha more uncomfortable.

He ignored them then answered his phone. Her voice was melodic but Sasuke became furious after seconds of answering. He was about to bid her goodbye for sharing the news but he caught the two eyeing him, as if waiting for him to say the i-love-you part, then later he hung up. “Bad news and Good news.”

“Bad news first.” Shisui demanded. “No, good news. I’ve had enough of bad news, knowing that my little brother was not dating-” Itachi was interrupted.

“Enough with the dating! Tch…

Anyways, bad news, she reported if the current situation of the law firm will continue for the next 3 months, the grandma’s legacy will be bankrupt…”

“And for the good news, I’ll have the money if-” Sasuke paused uncomfortably.

The two older men’s eyes started shining in the most impossible way, holding on at the thought that Sasuke and his secretary will be seriously dating.

“I… Succeed… In getting…. My inheritance…”

In every word that he said, their eyes gleamed brighter than he could not imagine. Dating his secretary will be possible, very possible. They can’t wait for this life-changing milestone! A new part of the family, and it was a female!

::

Sasuke called his secretary for a private meeting. She willingly obliged then went tp his office. She patiently stood infront of him, with the office desk and leather seats between them. “Sir Sasu-”

“Sasuke. Just Sasuke.” He faced her and eyed her features, she was too good to be his secreatry and too good to be his lover.

She calmly nodded then willingly sat down to one of those hardly been used leather seats. He opened up the problem of the law firm and presented an unusual solution. He explained his inheritance as not as crazy as possible. He chose his words carefully, with one wrong choice and the whole law firm may be gone with just a snap.

Her eyes narrowed when it came to his inheritance condition. She shared a laugh with him at the thought that his grandmother thought they were dating. But the atmosphere in his office became serious as he explained how will he have the money. He leaned forward then awkwardly lowered his voice, she leaned forward as well.

“You.. Ah-You’ll be… My fake girlfriend…”

Hinata bravely looked at him on the eye, her lips were straight and brows furrowed. He looked back, assuming that this was too much for her but to his surprise, his heart skipped a beat as he heard his 29 year old secretary.

“Okay, I can be your… fake girlfriend

for the sake of saving the law firm…”

Sasuke was amused and was caught up in the moment. To his happiness, he absent-minded held Hinata’s hands. “I could kiss you right now.”

He was startled, blushed a little. She blushed too but a cinnamon roll that she was, she was brave enough to say, “Ah..Maybe you… Should.”

And his office was their favorite spot every now and then.

[queen-of-deans-booty]

After All These Years- Part 2

Characters: Dean x Pregnant!Reader, Reader’s mom, Reader’s son, Mary, Alex, Jody, Claire, Sam, Mick (mentioned once), Crowley (mentioned), Castiel, there might be one or two more.

Word Count: 2,564

Warnings: None, this is pure fluff. Well, the reader’s dad died but it’s just mentioned twice. 

Request: This is probably Corny ass fudge, but can you do a part two of the Dean soulmate imagine where they get married? Also they have a two year old son?

Read part one HERE

Author’s Note: So I understand that most of you are upset at the Supernatural finale last night so here is an uplifting fic for you guys. I hope you like it!  Please, if you want to be tagged, leave an ask or message and I’ll add you! Same goes for my Series Rewrite!

Feedback is always appreciated

Tags at the bottom

Your name: submit What is this?

“Mommy!” Your son squealed, hitting you in the face. You groaned and opened your eyes to see your beautiful baby boy smiling. He was a spitting image of your fiancé, Dean Winchester. You were so glad you met Dean all those years back.

Meeting Dean was the best thing you could have done and having this child was the second best. Okay, you lied. Today was your wedding day. This was the best day of your life. You decided that Dylan would be with you instead of Dean. Never, in your whole life, would you think of yourself married.

Or even married to another hunter. But now, you couldn’t see yourself doing this any other way. When you met Dean, it was like your eyes finally opened and when you met Castiel, and he told you who your soulmate was, you were speechless.

Now here you were, 5 years later with a beautiful boy and a beautiful husband to be. Sam welcomed you in the family with friendly arms and tight hugs.

Your parents think you got your degree from NYU but you couldn’t have the heart to tell them where you were. You did tell them you met a man and you even got Dean to meet them in California. When you had Dylan, they flew to you and stayed at the Bunker.

You were glad that your dad got to meet Dylan and Dean before he passed. You were heartbroken when you heard the news and you flew to them to be with your family. Dean stayed behind with Dylan but he always called to check up on you.

You never told your mom what the Bunker was really used for. You just said you found this beautiful home and Dean loved it. Your mom thought it was weird you were living with both Dean AND Sam but you were thankful she didn’t question it further.

Your mom was flying down to Kansas for the wedding. This was going to be a small wedding. You wished John Winchester would get to attend but Mary was just as important as he was. Cas was going to be the officiator since he is an angel and can officially make it official.

You were staying at the Bunker while Dean volunteered to stay at a motel near you. You would never think that you would get married.

“Baby, are the girls here yet?” You smiled, pulling Dylan in your arms.

“Yeah!” He smiled widely. Jody, Claire, Alex, and Mary were with you while Sam, Castiel, Mick, and Crowley were with Dean. You felt bad for Dean because of Crowley but you were so excited for this day. You just hoped that Crowley would be on his best behavior.

You got up with Dylan on your hip, walking into the library where the girls were.

“Yay! You’re up!” Jody smiled and got up, giving you a hug.

“Dylan, go to grandma.” You set him down and he giggled as he ran to Mary.

“Are you excited?” Claire said with a smile. You got to only chose one bridesmaid since Dean only had one groomsman. You decided to choose Jody because she was your second mother and you needed her to be there with you.

Your mom wasn’t here with you right now because she was on her way here. But you had everyone else and that was good enough for you.

“I am very excited. I’m so glad you’re here with me.” You smiled at the girls in the room.

“We wouldn’t want it any other way.” Mary said with a smile.

“Okay, I believe we don’t have any time to waste. Alex, I’ll let you do my makeup and Claire, you’re on hair duty. Mary and Jody, you’re on dress duty and Dylan duty. I can’t have him ruin anything.” Jody nodded and you showed Claire and Alex the huge ass bathroom you had.

You had so much fun with the girls. They did a splendid job and you couldn’t have asked for a better crew. You wondered how Dean was doing but you knew that in the hands of Sam and Cas, he would be fine.

“So, are you nervous?” Claire asked with a smile.

“Yeah, I am. I hope you both get to experience this because it’s amazing. To spend your life with the one person you fully trust and love, I couldn’t have asked for a better man to love.” You smiled, already getting tears.

“Alright, don’t ruin what I did.” Alex joked, making sure you didn’t ruin your makeup.

“You kind of didn’t have a choice. I mean, he’s your soulmate, right? Wouldn’t you two get together eventually?” Claire asked, pinning your hair up.

“I understand what you’re saying but it’s different. You hear about people having soulmates and how everything is perfect but it’s not. Dean and I fight. Dean and I don’t always like each other and I guess that’s better than perfection. We have a beautiful boy together and…” You stopped yourself from saying anything else.

“And what?” Alex said, putting blush on you.

“Okay, but you gotta promise not to tell anyone. Jody knows because, well, she’s Jody. But I’m pregnant and I have a feeling this one is going to be a girl.” You grinned.

“Are you serious? That’s amazing! Does Dean know?” Alex asked with a smile.

“No, he doesn’t. I’ll tell him after tonight. I just want this day to go perfectly.” You smiled. The girls got done with you in record time and now it was time for the dress. You walked out of the bathroom and into your bedroom where your big beautiful white dress was.

Dylan was sitting with Alex and Claire as he watched Jody and Mary help you into the dress. It took some time but you got fitted in it and grinned at your reflection.

“You looked absolutely beautiful.” You looked towards the door and gasped when you saw your mom.

“Mom!!” You smiled widely, walking over to her and hugged her tightly.

“Look at you. I am so proud of you.” She smiled.

“Thanks mama.” You smiled widely.

“Now where is my grandson?” Alex brought him over to her and he squealed, going into the arms of his other grandmother.

“Now I know the real reason you came here,” You joked, turning back around and walking back to the mirror.  A phone ringing cut you off and your mom pulled out her phone, grinning when she saw who it was.

“Hey Sam,” She answered with a smile.

“Sam’s calling? What happened?” You immediately got worried.

“Oh don’t worry about it… Oh you are? That’s wonderful. Well, she’s just about ready. We’ll be there soon.” She hung up and turned to you.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, everything is fine. They arrived at the reception. Dean’s so nervous.” She let slip. Your heart fluttered at the thought of Dean Winchester being nervous.

“I am too,” You chuckled nervously.

“Don’t be. You’re marrying a wonderful man.” Mary said with a smile.

“Thanks Mary,” You smiled at her.

“So, Claire, Alex, would you mind walking with Dylan? He likes to run everywhere if he’s not holding someone’s hand.” You asked the two teenage girls.

“Of course.” Claire nodded.

“Okay, and these are for you. Don’t lose them.” You took out the rings that were going to be used and handed one to Claire and one to Alex.

“Wait, is that…?” Mary said when she saw the rings.

“Yeah, it was John’s. Dean never took it off after he died. He always wore it on his right hand until he asked me.” You smiled at Mary who got tears. She didn’t say anything else and you turned back to the girls.

“We’ll take care of them.” Alex said with a smile.

“Okay, Jody, you said you would bring the car?” You looked at your second mother.

“Yeah, come on.” Everyone filed out of the room, excited to start the day.

“Wait, Mary, hold on.” You gulped and sighed, nervous to be asking her this.  

“Yeah?” She asked, stopping by the door.

“Well, you can say no to this but… My dad isn’t with us anymore and John isn’t here at all to do this and I was wondering if you would…” You couldn’t find the words to ask her.

“Y/N? I’d be glad to give you away.” She said with a smile.

“Really?” You promised yourself no crying.

“Of course.” She took your hand and you walked out of your room and to the car where everyone else were.

“Damn, Jody, you really outdid yourself.” You said when you saw the limo outside.

“What? You have to arrive in style.” You laughed and nodded, getting inside the car. Jody wasted no time getting to the place you were having it. Because you were a Hunter, you were wanted by the law everywhere. You’ve changed your name so many times so this one was being done illegally but to you and Dean, you knew it was the real deal.

You had everyone there that you loved and you didn’t care if it you would be legally married. You were going to get married to Dean Winchester tonight.

“I’ll go let them know you’re here.” Your mom said when she got out of the car. She took Dylan with her because he was missing his dad. You got out and Mary and Jody led you to the “bridesmaid and bride” area where no one could see you. You didn’t want Dean seeing you at all.

“Oh God, I am so nervous.” You breathed out, biting your lip.

“Don’t be. You’ll do great. Stop biting that lip. You’ll ruin Alex’s hard work.” Jody said. Speaking of the girls, they entered the tent with smile.

“Dean’s so nervous.” Claire laughed.

“Can I come in?” You looked to the entrance and saw a large hand wave in.

“Come on in, Sam.” You smiled. He entered the tent and smiled when he saw you.

“You look amazing.” He said, his dimples making a deep appearance. He held Dylan in his arms and he squealed when he saw his mom.

“Mommy!” He reached for you.

“Your mom needs to get ready, buddy.” Sam said, chuckling.

“I’ll take him.” Sam handed Dylan to Alex and he was content with that.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” You smiled and walked to him. He gave you a hug and pulled away.

“Dean is a lucky man. I’m a lucky man to call you my sister.” You giggled and swatted his arm playfully.

“Is Cas is ready? Is Dean?” You wondered, a lot of thoughts started to crowd your mind.

“Yes, Cas and Dean are ready when you are. Don’t worry about it. I hear I’m walking with Jody?” He asked with a smile.

“Yes sir.” Jody took Sam’s arm and he led her out of the tent.

“Okay, girls, after they walk in, please walk him. When you get to the end, you can hand him to my mom. She’ll probably be in the first row.” They nodded and left the tent with Dylan.

“You ready?” Mary asked when it was just you and her alone.

“I wish my dad were here for this.” You bit your lip to stop yourself from crying.

“He is. He’s always with you.” She said, taking your hand.

“I know. Thank you, Mary, for doing this. It means a lot to me and Dean.” You smiled at her.

“You’re my child now. Of course, I’ll do this for you.” You smiled at her words. You walked out of the tent and to the entrance of the place where you would get married to the love of your life.

Sam and Jody stood in front while the girls and Dylan stood behind them. Just beyond this door was Dean waiting, no doubt with a big smile on his face. The music started playing and Sam took that cue to start walking in. You couldn’t see Dean from where you were until Alex and Claire walked in.

Your breath was taken from you. He was so beautiful, standing there and waiting for you. You gasped when you saw all the seats where taken. You rolled your eyes slightly, knowing they were mostly demons in those seats. You just hope they wouldn’t do anything to ruin this night.

You walked through the doors and you immediately made eye contact with Dean. You smiled as you walked with Mary. He got tears, drinking in the sight of you. He couldn’t believe he would get married but ever since he met you, he knew that you were the woman for him; soulmate or not.

Everything was moving in slow motion as you made your way down the aisle, to the man of your dreams. Your heart was pounding and butterflies swarmed your stomach. This was the best feeling in the world.

When you got to the end, you turned to Mary with a smile and she kissed your cheek, letting you go. You gave a quick look to your mom and she gave you a thumbs up. You turned to Dean and walked the rest of the way until you were holding his hands.

Castiel immediately started the ceremony but you couldn’t focus on the man besides you. All you could focus on was the swirl of green staring right at you. This man was everything you needed in life.

“Now, ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom have prepared their own vows.” Castiel said, letting Dean go first.

“Y/N, before I met you, I didn’t think I would ever find happiness. When my dad died, I was a mess and I didn’t think I would ever come back from that. But then I met you and that all changed. You gave me purpose and you gave me hope. You gave me a beautiful son and I am grateful for that. I love you so much and I will spend the rest of my life, making you feel the same.” You got tears and let one slip, not caring if you were ruining your makeup.

“Dean, I love you with all my heart. I never thought I would get the chance to be up here. I was alone most of my life, always passing by a good time or meeting new people. Then I met you and my whole world changed. You’re the love of my life and I can’t wait for our existing family to grow even more. You make my life whole because you’re the missing piece. I love you so much.” You finished.

Castiel smiled and Alex gave Dean the ring to give to you. Dean slid it on your finger, it fitting perfectly. You took the ring from Claire and slid it on Dean’s finger. Castiel finished the rest of the ceremony.

“Dean, you may kiss the bride.” You smiled and Dean leaned in, capturing your lips with his. Applaud erupted from the place but you couldn’t focus on that. You were too busy kissing your husband. This man, you loved him so much and you couldn’t wait for the rest of your lives together.

Masterlist

Forever tags:

@love-like-lies @maddieburcham1 @ginamsmith @mogaruke

Dean Tags:

@akshi8278 @mega-mrs-dean-winchester

Other tags:

@jensen-jarpad @jpadjackles @notnaturalanahi @mysteriouslyme81 @deathtonormalcy56 @27bmm

[marymosley]

“He Chose His Poison”: Grandma Implicates Grandson As Bomb Thrower In Portland Attack

We have been discussing the criminal cases emerging from incidents of rioting or arson around the country over these weeks of protest.  One case out of Oregon however seems to capture the divisions in the country.  Gabriel “Rico” Agard-Berryhill, 18, has been charged with throwing an explosive device. The primary witness against him is his grandmother, Karla Fox, 69, who is also a Trump supporter.  What is most notable is the defense that Agard-Berryhill has raised, which is similar to the one used by Samantha Shader in New York. There is also an interesting twist on the basis for a potential obstruction or attempt destruction of evidence charge.

Fox recognized her grandson from television coverage showing the throwing of what police say was a makeshift bomb at the federal Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse in Portland.  The reason is that he was wearing an olive vest with word “ICONS” that she bought for him. While she supports Trump, she wanted to protect him after he was hit by rubber bullets.  She even posted a rave review of the vest online with the clothing site Hibbett: “I got this for my grandson who’s a protester downtown, he uses it every night and says it does the job.”

That is the review that Fox said her grandson later asked her to delete. That would seem an effort to destroy possibly incriminating evidence. It turned out that the grandmother was already going public with her identification.

Posting as “@TRUMPSGIRL2020,” Fox tweeted in response to the photo from protest: “This is my only grandson, I love him to death, and didn’t know he was going to do such a bad thing, I had been posting several things about the antifa and BLM, he knows I am against those riots bigtime … he chose his poison.”

In the meantime, Agard-Berryhill (who turned himself in) seemed to admit that he threw the device and also set a record for the use of the word “allegedly”: “The device I’ve been accused of allegedly throwing was allegedly given to me by an unknown protestor with full face coverings. I was allegedly told that it was a strobe firework that wouldn’t damage the building or harm anyone around it. Law enforcement has not contacted me for any alleged crime as of right now.” He told police that he was told to throw had “yellow cardboard packaging with blue stripes, was the size of a small ‘V8’ can, and had a green fuse.”

That is a familiar defense.  Shader reportedly blamed three African Americans with giving her the Molotov cocktail that she used to torch a police vehicle in New York.

Fox’s rave review of the vest in prominently quoted in the charging documents. She said that her grandson said that he was engaged in peaceful protests. He was shown protecting a naked woman during the protests.

Agard-Berryhill is not only looking at a federal charge of arson but he was on probation for a felony conviction when he was a minor after spending the past two years at Rogue Valley Youth Correctional Facility in southern Oregon.

    Gabriel Sebastian Agard-Berryhill Facebook (2)

  “He Chose His Poison”: Grandma Implicates Grandson As Bomb Thrower In Portland Attack published first on https://immigrationlawyerto.tumblr.com/

[athomewrebecka]

Pictured From Left: Event MC Sherri Williams, Vic Clevenger, Lisa Keys, Mark Banick

Impossible to fit eleven days of Food Sport into just two posts, so here’s WFC 2018 Recap – Part 3.

The “Grand” Throwdown: 

After a long week of competing at the World Food Championships and hosting the 2018 Yacht Club Progressive Dinner Party, my friend and sous chef Lisa Keys were faced with a totally different kind of challenge: competing against each other in the WFC Second Annual “Grand” Throwdown. 

About The Event:

As a part of the largest Food Sport competition in the world’s mission to showcase culinary talents of all backgrounds and ages, WFC has added a grandparents-only cooking challenge called The “Grand” Throwdown.

The new challenge was developed after experiencing the grand success and response from last year’s Granny Grilling challenge. Click here to view Delish.com’s video recap of the event. The 2017 Granny Grilling Champion Sherri Williams will serve as the host for this new cooking competition and prepare to pass down her coveted title to the next grandparent cook.

“The grannies enjoyed themselves in last year’s challenge so much that we decided to give the grandpas a chance to join in our the fun food and show off their chops alongside the ladies,” said Mike McCloud, President and CEO of WFC. “We are always looking for new ways to inspire all competitors from all generations and backgrounds to join Food Sport. We are really excited to see these talented grandparents battle it out in Grill-Arena.”

The grannies and grandpas will be tasked with creating a tasty dish with ingredients found in the WFC pantry with the hope that their culinary creations will please the panel of kid judges’ palate. The “Grand” Throwdown winners will take home the “Grand” trophy, grandparent bragging rights and a Golden Ticket for WFC 2019. Source: World Food Championships

Meet the Grandparents:

Mark Banick 

Age: 62

Home State: Salem, Oregon

Nickname:  The ones that can talk call me Bocca Mark

Number of Children: 2 children of my own and 4 girls from my wife Kim that I call my own, (blended family).

Number of Grandchildren: 4 grandchildren

Vic Clevenger

Age: 50

Home State: Kissimmee, FL

Nickname: The Cookin’ Comedian. But I’m Papaw to my grandson

Number of Children: 2 Daughters + 1 Son-in-law

Number of Grandchildren: 1 grandson

Rebecka Evans

Age: 58    

Home state: Pearland, Texas

Number of Children: Gam Gam or Gamma

How Many children? 5

Number of Grandkids: 6

Lisa Keys

Age:  61

Home state: Kennett Square, PA

Grandma nickname: Kiki

Number of Children: 2 children (Caitlin & William)

Number of Grandchildren: 1 grandchild (Annabelle)

Source: World Food Championships

Crazy Fun Competition: 

This contest was a hoot! The “Grand” Throwdown is a black box challenge where the grand parents are given just 15 seconds each to pick 1 ingredient from a table of produce; taking four turns consecutively, based on oldest to youngest. Minutes after picking our produce the grandparents were all sardined into a car and whisked off to the WFC pantry to pick 10 items including but not limited to a variety of WFC Sponsors meats, butter, and sauces.

I filled my basket of 10 sponsor ingredients in just under 10 minutes time; 2 packages of Wampler Omega 3 Sausage, Springer Chicken (just encase I decided to go a different direction with my recipe), Hawaiian Rolls, Koops Mustard, Challenge Butter, and Challenge Cream Cheese.

Grandparents were given the option to use the grill, a portable burner, or both, to create our recipes. I planned to make a breakfast sandwich in a Gotham Steel pan on the burner and forego starting the grill. 

Best Laid Plans: 

I was thrilled to have a plan of action for my contest recipe, but that enthusiasm was squashed almost immediately when we returned to the WFC Grill arena. Hosts, Sherri Williams and Nancy Manlove, pulled the ole switch-er-roo and made us trade baskets with the grandpas! ACK! 

I got Mark Banick’s basket and I can tell you I wasn’t happy about it! He picked SALAD. Yup, ingredients to make salad to serve to a panel of kid judges. What was he thinking?

His basket had a sparse amount of ingredients, including Romain lettuce, tomatoes, BBQ Sauce, Springer chicken breast, rolls, season salt, and cream cheese. Thankfully, grandmas know how to roll when it comes to making recipes on the fly with whatever is in the fridge. I made a quick decision to grill the chicken and make a vinaigrette with the BBQ sauce and cream cheese, ultimately leading to my use of both the grill and the burner.

During our cook time, MC’s Sherri and Nancy gave us several chances to run and grab a few more items from the produce table. I picked grapes, asparagus, and mushrooms. I grilled the asparagus and smoked some croutons made from the rolls, tossed in some of the vinaigrette and season salt. I was amazed how delicious they turned out. 

BBQ Chicken Salad with Grilled Asparagus and Croutons

Not a Chance of Winning:

I didn’t think I had a chance to win the challenge with Mark’s basket of salad ingredients, especially since our judges were kids and the other grandma, Lisa Keys, made a stunning recipe with grandpa Vic’s basket. My dish was not visually appealing in my opinion, but it must have tasted great because the kid judges loved it and chose my recipe as the winner of the grandma challenge. I was shocked to say the least but it was a pleasant surprise! 

If you can believe it, in the crazy twist of baskets, Mark won the grandpa challenge with my basket of goodies making pineapple chicken sliders. Way to go Mark.

Mark and I both won a Golden Ticket to compete at WFC 2019, paid $300.00 entry fee and a stunning hand-made platter by Sparta Ware. Thank you! 

Special Thanks:

Special thanks to Mike McCloud, MMA Creative, World Food Championships and WFC Staff, Walmart and all the other WFC sponsors.

I hope WFC invites Mark and I to share MC duties at the 2019 WFC “Grand” Throwdown, in our new host city and my home state, Dallas Texas. Hope to see you all there!  

Sherri Williams, Mark Banick, Rebecka Evans, Nancy Manlove

WFC 2018 Recap – Part 3 Impossible to fit eleven days of Food Sport into just two posts, so here’s WFC 2018 Recap - Part 3.

[marilynnewbury-blog]

Oh, My Bleeding Heart!

"How long before Mom kills this one?” my children predict, more than ask, every time I bring home a plant.  My husband and daughter-in-law chime in their agreement.

I laugh to myself.  I’m not sure that it matters, as plants are cheap.  Their survival is not as important as the colour and design of the pots, the contours of the leaf shapes, and the vibrancy of the flower hues - in the rare event that one of my plants actually blooms.  If one dies, I replace it as I would a broken dish.

I am not attached to plants like my house cleaner, Angelica.  She talks to my plant victims and apologizes for my neglect. If a plant is unresponsive or dying, I give it to her.  After a few weeks, she shows me pictures of the now-humongous plant with gorgeous blooms.  Oh well, I think. The plant would not fit in its pot, anyway.

When my daughter, Julia, was growing up, I would let her pick out plants for her room.  Under my tutelage, she would choose one for its visual attractiveness and how it would match the room colour.  If the plant died, I just bought her a new cheap one, always of the smallest size, since my budget had to withstand many plant purchases.

Julia now has her own home and has discovered that her mother never knew anything about horticulture.  Ruth, my son-in-law's mother, has blown my cover.  She is teaching my daughter to consider such boring factors as the type of soil, time and quantity of sunlight, and when and how to water the plant.  Apparently, even the pot size matters.

Too many things to think about, in my opinion.  It is so much easier to just consider how the plant foliage will look next to the colour of the pot.

No wonder none of my plants survived.  I placed them in rooms where they looked best and didn't worry about sunlight.  I gave them a good dousing when I thought of it or happened to notice their wilted appearance.  Unfortunately, I often forgot to look, especially during the first three months of my pregnancies when I absolutely did not think about feeding greenery when I myself could barely drink tea or eat crackers.  All plants needed replacing.

When we moved to our current residence, I decided to cease my growing efforts.  I gave all of my plants to Angelica and successfully kept my house plant-free for over a year.  Then I read on facebook that we would sleep better if we had certain oxygen-emitting plants in our bedroom.

I dutifully traipsed off to Rona to buy these supposedly insomnia-healing plants.  The clerk, probably thinking that I had failed high school biology, patiently explained to me that ALL plants give out oxygen, not just the five facebook recommends.  But I persisted, and purchased four of the five suggested specimens - with plant pots to match.  I resisted the rest of the colourful displays until a cute cactus with bright yellow blooms caught my eye, reminding me of my father's love for both cacti and the colour yellow.  Four plants became five.

My family did not admire the plants, not even the sentimental purchase, but rather engaged in another round of mockery in the game of How Long Will These Last?  They did not have to wait long, for one soon to show signs of dying.

For Mother's Day, my daughter offered to help me weed and plant the small flowerbed under my front window. I politely tried to distract her from this line of thought, hoping to avoid another plant disaster, but she persisted.  I finally gave in, knowing that I needed help, given my questionable skill level with dirt and living plant organisms.

My artistic side wanted to immediately shop for new plants, but Julia wisely insisted that we needed to weed first.

The flower bed was a disaster, in the same state as when we purchased the house.

Two huge rocks, a profusion of weeds, two stone ladybugs, renamed Poop by my grandson, and one lone plant, awkardly placed - a bleeding heart.

Amazingly, I actually knew the name of this plant.  My grandmother, Julia, (also my daughter's namesake), grew this perennial.  I remember her telling me the legend of the bleeding heart as she pulled the flower apart, showing me the bunnies, earrings, slippers, sword, and stabbed heart.  I will forever treasure the precious times sitting beside my grandmother, feeling her love and affirmation in those suspended-in-time moments, as she retold the same story over and over.

For those memories, I had to keep this plant and so ruthlessly transplanted it to a better spot,

figuring that any plant called a bleeding heart could survive being cut off at the roots.

My daughter does not think it will survive, but if it is still alive next summer, she will buy me dinner.

As usual, most of the remaining plant choices were for their design and colour scheme of white, pink, and periwinkle blue with a splash of yellow.

Some made the cut for sentimental reasons.

Spirea

I partially chose this shrub as I had grown it with modest success in a more northern climate, but mostly because it reminded me of my wonderful Aunty Betty who once had a lovely profusion of spireas by her front walkway.

Silver Mound

My cousin, Sherry, is a successful gardener, despite our shared gene pool.  Ever since she told me how much she loved her Silver Mound, I try to plant one everywhere I live.  She told me that no matter how you damage it, it will always grow back to a round shape.  We'll see.  My daughter is doubtful.

Jack Frost, but I call it a Forget-Me-Not

As I recall, my Dad loved forget-me-nots.  My Mom had a forget-me-not china tea set - because Dad liked them, she told me.  In any case, I like the periwinkle flowers, and will think of my father every time I look at them.

Nameless Plant - My Substitute Rose Bush

For my father, who loved yellow roses

Actually, yellow was the only colour he could easily recognize, due to his colour blindness.  He failed Kindergarten because he coloured tree branches brown and tree trunks green.  Too bad the teacher did not notice that his suns were always coloured yellow.

A few years before he died, he commented that he recognized how much I loved colour:  this meant a lot to me, since he saw colours differently than most.  He deserves yellow flowers in his honour.

For my mother, who loved roses, especially red ones, and could grow them anywhere

I admit, the flowers are not red, and they are not roses, but I am not foolish enough to attempt to grow roses - of any colour.  The yellow flowers on the nameless pseudo-rose plant will have to do as stand-ins for red in honour of my mom.

It was a good day.

My daughter and I bumbled along together, guessing at how deep to dig the holes, how much water to use, and how to follow the instructions to massage the roots. With high hopes for success, we randomly sprinkled bone meal and mixed soils with varying degrees of proportion.

I named the first two shrubs Betty and Betsy. My daughter said that I couldn’t use alliteration and so named the third Caroline.

Mostly, we giggled at my lack of skill and knowledge. She laughed when I told her that I had considered marrying a farmer and that a higher power had saved me from such a disaster, knowing that I would be better suited to managing unruly students in a classroom than rampant weeds in a vegetable garden.  My daughter said she was happy for the said farmer.

We laughed as we threw newspaper on the ground and covered it with mulch because the internet said we could.  We disagreed amicably and proudly viewed our work.

Not all of our days have been so.

Somewhere, starting in the preteen years, the arguments outnumbered the good times.

Pictures of family events do not always evoke pleasant memories.

Thankfully, my daughter and I are finding a new rhythm in our relationship.

Hurting hearts lie mostly buried and new growth is emerging as we share experiences of marriage and motherhood,

preferring the safety of common ground to unpacking potentially explosive landmines of the past.

New pictures of family are emerging...

My daughter and I in front of my new beautiful flower bed with all of its colour and variegated foliage.

I treasure the memories this day symbolizes, of easy mother-daughter banter and the sounds of Julia singing “Sweet Caroline”.

Other Thoughtful and Symbolical Mother's Day Gifts from my Family...

A hand-carved wooden spoon made by my son-in-law, Jeremy @Lotholz and Company

Multi-coloured daisies from my husband, Cliff, each colour representing a different season in our marriage.

His message in my Mother's Day card was appropriate for this as yet unwritten article:  You ground me.

An African Violet from my daughter-in-law, Breanna, displayed on my Grandma Ida's sewing machine, well-used in days gone by.  Breanna had no idea how much my mother loved African Violets.

A framed picture from my son, Stephen, and his wife, Breanna.

To make this beautiful keepsake, Breanna used dried flowers from a birthday bouquet from my siblings and a quote from my blog.

My son, Stephen, and I are taking our relationship to a new level as he repairs our basement and edits my blog.

Grandchildren...sharing the scents and blooms of the fresh growth.

I am grateful for the opportunity for forming new family relationships.

A  red rose bush from my son, Michael, in honour of his grandmother and me, his mother.

My relationship with my son, Michael, is marked by elements of unpredictability and the unexpected.

Once, before he could even talk, I asked him for a kiss, but he kissed the wall instead.

I love the times when he surprises me with a symphony concert or a rafting trip.

Today, as I watch him plant the roses, I celebrate the past, present, and future of family.

While I wonder how to cope with the inescapable challenge of growing these red blooms, I embrace the pain and struggle of nurturing both roses and relationships.

Meanwhile, the jury is still out on the bleeding heart's survival,but it is showing new buds and flowers, boding well for the future.

Perhaps human bleeding hearts can also survive - and even bloom.

POSTSCRIPT

I just saw a facebook post about six plants that repel mosquitoes.

Tempting..

Previously published on https:www.marilynnewbury.com

[namelesswater]

It has been a month since I got married. A month and twelve days.

Weddings are as horrible as I imagined them to be. I spent most of the day sitting in front of a mirror with lights on them to get my makeup done. At makeup time I didn't cry once. Instead I sat calmly, for hours. I tried to be someone else. I did feel like I was someone else. I didn't recognize any parts of that day; the relatives from far away, people coming in and out of the hotel room congratulating me. But I did recognize myself in the mirror even after the makeup. Just everything just felt very strange, like watching a movie.

I don't know how it's done in other parts of the world but in Indonesia, weddings are usually separated to two events. First is the religious event, second the reception. My wedding was like that too. A total bore. It was held in an old hotel in Jakarta. The hotel was old school and outdated, but the whole wedding still cost around $40,000. I still wish I could spend the money differently, but in Indonesia weddings are not for the couple. Weddings are for the parents, to invite their friends and business partners, and to show their measure of wealth. Of course most of the guests were the parents'. I didn't invite that many people.

In fact for months I didn't say I was getting married. I told everyone close to the day of the wedding. Now that I think about it, perhaps because it was because I didn't want to pretend I was a happy bride to be to anyone, or have friends who know me say that I shouldn't do it. If I could, I wouldn't do it. I didn't want to argue with anyone that it was simply not possible for me not to do it. I still don't.

At the religious part of the wedding, I cried when I had to ask for my parents' permission to get married. But at the same time it felt funny, because the wedding was what my mother wanted and I didn't need her permission. My father was there too, and was one of the only good things about the wedding, that I could see him again. My mother almost didn't invite him though; it took my husband telling her that I really wanted him to be there.

For the reception, I wore a white dress. I opted out traditional wedding because it was a hassle. The dress was already a hassle. I wanted flower crowns but my mother wanted the tiara. And then I realized I didn't care what I would be wearing; it didn't matter anyway. I showed my picture in wedding dress to luc, and she said the woman was pretty, but she didn't recognize her.

I stood for two hours to be congratulated by everyone. Yes. In Indonesian weddings, the bride and groom and their parents stand in a stage and ALL the guests who come will congratulate them in person. It's a stupid practice. I wore 4 inches white wedges. My feet hurt a lot by the end. There was music but I didn't hear it at all. I was busy smiling and thanking everyone.

After everyone left and there were only family members, I couldn't take it anymore. I said in tears to my husband that I wanted to leave, to go to our room. I snapped at the wedding photographers because they wanted us to pose. It wasn't their fault that I felt terrible of course, so I apologized a few days afterwards. My husband took my wedges off and he carried them while we walked in a hurry to our room. My relatives called for us, my father in law asked me if I wanted to eat anything, but I just shook my head and kept going.

The first thing I did when we got to the room was burst to an ugly cry. I yelled to my husband to take my wedding dress off and he did it in a hurry. The dress was hard to get into and was hard to get out, but I was glad it was just a dress and not some traditional getup that would take longer to take off. After that, naked with only my underwear, I lied down in the huge bed and cried. My husband took out all of the bobby pins in my hair while I cried. When he was about to run the bath, he found that the bathtub was already filled. Only now did we notice that there were rose petals everywhere in the room.

To my surprise, I didn't cry for long. I began taking my makeup off. My husband said the water I used to wash my face was of another color. It took several tries and half a bottle of cleansing oil to get my face clean. I had eight total fake eyelashes on, four on each eye. After that, we both soaked in hot water. I said to my husband that weddings are nightmares and that I'd rather die than do it again. He chuckled, still with a worried expression, but by that time he already knew that I like to talk about death and dying.

When we were done and went back to the bed, I finally noticed that they had put up two towels shaped like swan, a heart shaped cake, and two bottles of grape juice in a bucket of ice. The fucked up thing was that our parents chose the non alcoholic beverage for us. We both drink alcohol, but our parents are muslims. At the time I wished I had alcohol, but the only beer in the room was Bintang and it's the shittiest beer so forget it.

My cousins came to the room to check up on me. They're also one of the only good things about the wedding, the people who made everything bearable. One of my cousins cried the whole day, she was so sweet. We hung out in our room for a while until they left. My husband and I ate the cake and drank the juice before we fell asleep. People in Indonesia make a big deal of the first wedding night where couples are supposed to fuck (for the first time of course), but I wonder do people really do that? Because weddings seem to tire you to the bone.

We had two complimentary days in the hotel, but on the first morning we met every family who came to our wedding and stayed for the night at the hotel's breakfast buffet. The old relatives asked how I was, and when I said I was tired they said of course, new couples should be tired! while snickering like teenagers, winking and elbowing me. It was terrible.

I don't remember much about how I spent the day, except for a few things. I think I just lied down and watched Celestial Movie channel in the hotel room after my cousins said goodbye and left with my favorite uncle and aunts. I watched a few Hong Kong movies. They always remind me of Nicole. For lunch we had Japanese in a restaurant downstairs, and then we went to a massage place. It was one of the best massage I've ever had.

That night, I cried from the fact that I'm now married. I think it just hit me. My husband held me. I reminded him of our promise, that if he can't make me happy in five years I'll kill myself. It's a terrible promise. But it's what keeps me go on, the sweet promise of death if I can't stand it anymore. My husband said he remembers, and that he would try to make me happy before I die, at the very least.

The next day we went home, to his grandmother's house. I didn't want to live there at first but I felt sorry for his grandmother, who's immobile and lives alone with two caretakers. He's her favorite grandson, the closest one to her.

She's a sweet little old lady. When I met her for the first time at a hospital, she told me that my husband is a kind and patient person, but he's a crybaby because he's easily touched. I remembered one time when we had both been reading something in our laptops and he'd suddenly had tears in his eyes. When I'd asked him what's wrong, he said that he was reading the manga One Piece. His favorite arc is one where a major character died and he'd said he was touched by the power of friendship. In the hospital, I told his grandma I know.

But his house always had people in it, more than I'm used to, so the first night in his grandma's house I cried again. The only saving grace was that we're flying to Tokyo the next day, for our two-week honeymoon.

Of course Tokyo was wonderful. This time I took more pictures of the city. I began to remember the train lines. Sakura was in full bloom, they're everywhere. I think I enjoyed Tokyo more when I've stopped associating it with Irene. It's no longer a city I share with her. It's a city I love on my own. Two weeks in Tokyo and around didn't feel enough. In Tokyo, I was really happy.

I'm getting tired of writing, but I want to write about our room. In the grandma's house, we have the second floor all to ourselves. It wasn't very big, but it's enough, like a small apartment. When we got back from Tokyo, our room was ready, but it wasn't to my liking. I already asked for a vinyl floor that resembles wooden floor, but the paint and other things I didn't like. We spent the next month going back and forth to IKEA, bought new furnitures until I'm satisfied. I found another thing about my husband: he loves assembling IKEA furnitures, so I don't have to make him do it or pay someone else to do it. At one convention where Indonesian creators sold merchandises, I bought a lot of stuff to decorate my room.

The truth is, I never really decorated my rooms before this. Turns out I love decorating. Or maybe I have just grown to become one of those women who love rose bushes or built in china cabinet. All the IKEA furnitures I bought are white, except for that one Alex cabinet by mistake. We thought we'd picked the white one, but when we opened it, it was gray.

I quit my work before the wedding, so now I have nothing to do for most of the day. I read books, watch something or play video games. I try to look for a place to roleplay but come up with nothing. Maybe that part of my life is over. The people in this house never tell me to do anything, including my husband. Before work he prepares my breakfast, when he gets home he makes food for me if there's no food. The help cleans everything. His grandma loves me, and will try to have me stay around her and talk to her longer.

My mother in law comes most of the mornings and brings us food. I'm not used to a family who will give me anything I ask, or remembers my favorite food so I can have more of them. My mother usually just had the help to make something healthy or something that she wanted.

I don't talk to my mother much. I rarely reply to her messages, and I haven't visited her house since coming back from Tokyo. My husband talks to her more in my place. We plan to visit her this weekend, but the truth is I don't feel like going. I just don't feel like going.

[mirthing-blog]

Woman gives birth to her grandson to help daughter who can't conceive

It might appear to be odd to a few people, however to 48-year-old mother Megan Barker and her little girl, Maddie, it's a colossal constructive.

Recently Megan brought forth her grandson.

Gripping child Gus in a maternity ward in Chico, Calif., Megan conceded that she was depleted after the work, yet she was likewise happy, the UK's Daily Mail detailed.

Why the part inversion? At the point when Maddie was 14, she was determined to have a condition known as Mayer Rokitansky Kuster Hauser Syndrome. That implied that her cervix and uterus did not completely create as she developed, implying that she could never have the capacity to convey and bear kids.

As they cleared out the arrangement at Stanford Hospital in tears, Megan guaranteed her high school girl that she would convey her tyke if and when she inevitably needed to begin a family. What's more, she kept her pledge when, after 10 years – on Oct. 22 of this current year, at 7 pounds 7 ounces – Megan conveyed her grandson, Maddie's child and first tyke with her significant other Tyler Coleman, who was considered through in-vitro treatment.

Somewhat bizarre at first

In a meeting with People magazine, Maddie stated, "My mother was with me at the arrangement and we were both smashed. We cried and held each different as we strolled to the auto. Be that as it may, she halted me, looked at me without flinching and stated, 'When you get more established and need a kid, I'll convey your infant.'"

Being a young person at the time, Maddie said she imagined that would exceptionally bizarre and even somewhat abnormal.

In any case, a year ago, when specialists found a tumor on one over her ovaries, she chose to take her mom up on the guarantee made 10 years before.

Before having the tumor evacuated in June, specialists revealed to Maddie that she ought to consider ripeness treatment in light of the fact that the surgery may make her menopausal. At that, she chose to have her eggs solidified, and afterward moved toward her mom in the wake of talking it over with her significant other first.

Maddie said the couple had taken a gander at surrogacy in any case, at about $75,000, it was restrictively costly. Also, she stated, "At to begin with, I couldn't wrap my psyche around the possibility of mother conveying our infant." However, subsequent to setting aside some opportunity to get a mental grasp on the thought she conquered her delay, and was "for the most part energized thus thankful" to her mom.

At the point when Maddie asked, Megan promptly consented to convey her grandchild. She said she saw how imperative it was for her girl to wind up distinctly a mother, and however there were different decisions – like selection – she "needed her to know an organic child was a reasonable choice," she told People.

The surrogate grandma said she was staggeringly lucky to have the capacity to give her little girl and child in-law the opportunity to have their own organic infant, and that the IVF treatment worked the first run through.

Prepared to do it once more

"It's the best blessing," Megan said.

"She's my mother, and she's my closest companion," said Maddie. "I believe it's astounding that a mother would do this for her kid."

Megan said she was prompted that since she was the physical "mother," she could build up some forceful passionate binds to the infant. Be that as it may, she said that luckily that never happened in light of the fact that she knew from the start that naturally, the child was not quite of her. "I was only an exclusive Easy-Bake Oven," she disclosed to CBS subsidiary WAFB.

"When I see Maddie and Tyler holding him and encouraging him and being the mama and daddy, it's the best thing," she said.

Furthermore, Megan conceded that she isn't done being a surrogate mother – that is, if her girl and child on-law need another kid.