#granny Lucas

[goosin-around]

This is so weird but I have so many headcanons about ouat and social media (mostly regina) so heres a lovely little list

people kept texting like they were writing a letter and it bothered Henry so bad he hosted a "learning how to text" session

Rumple and Granny both refused to attend

Regina went and still types like shes from last century but now she awfully misuses abbreviations and slang terms

Emma and Ruby are tiktok feins like they are so annoying

zelena adores AITA posts on tiktok with subway surfers gameplay

she regularly gets banned for offensive language and is on her 7th account

Emma tries to relate to Henry by using tiktok brainrot terms and he hates it

Snow and David have a joint spotify account and they argue daily about who gets to use it and when

they totally could get separate profiles but the refuse

Regina made a family life360 group and snow went ballistic when she got added and refuses to let Regina forget about it

belle is so deep into booktok

hook has an insane tiktok following because they think he's a pirate cosplayer

henry tried his best to explain his family tree on tiktok without explaining the curse and it does not go well

Ruby makes tiktoks following the swanqueen journey and people love it

Emma tried very hard to get Regina on social media but she ended up regretting it when Gina started commenting mean things on the charmings lovey dovey posts

(and dirty things on all of emmas)

the one and only tiktok post regina made on Henrys account got millions of likes

Emma makes a tiktok account for the sheriff's station and Regina doesn't know about it to this day

granny forces ruby to advertise the dinner and it is the worst video ever

(yk the one on youtube where ruby tells us to ask if theres avacado? imagine that but worse)

Regina had a flip phone and an ancient computer until Emma forced her to upgrade

Baby neal is a total and complete ipad kid (so is emma lets be honest)

henry hates the fact neal has an ipad with a passion; regina and him regularly send the charmings articles about the dangers of technology on youth)

regina claims to not have any socials and is a strong believer that its bad for you, but she secretly has accounts to keep an eye on henry and to watch horse videos

[intothewickedwood]

Ouattober 2023 Day 2 - Favourite Location: Storybrooke Wilderness Park

[whoruntheworld-lesbians]

I feel like the ouat universe is so messed up age gaps barely even matter in relationships except dear god don't you dare ship adult henry with any of the townspeople

[heatherfield]

I say we fight!

Once Upon a Time, 1.01 “Pilot”

[onceuponfandom]

Just some once upon a time edits I’ve made 💕

[whimsicallyenchantedrose]

Season 3 Rewatch Drabbles: 3x9 Save Henry

Summary:  A series of 100-500 word drabbles to accompany my    rewatch of season 3 of Once Upon a Time.  There will be a drabble–either a deleted scene, a “fix it” fic or a character musing for each episode of the season.  Focus will be on Emma, Henry, the Charmings and Killian–with an emphasis on Captain Swan’s epic love story.

Word Count: 843

Other Chapters: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (11) (12) (13) (14) (15) (16) (17) (18) (19) (20) (21) (22) (23) (24) (25) (26) (27) (28)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Note: It had been my plan to keep at least 3a thoroughly CS focused in these drabbles, with the POV changing from episode to episode between Killian and Emma (this episode was meant to be a Killian episode), but after watching this episode, the big sister/aunt/godmother in me, who has been around and helped care for babies all my life, absolutely had to step in and have someone give first-time mom Regina a little advice about how to handle a crying newborn. (disclaimer: I’m not a mother, so I’m well aware I can’t possibly know the full extent of what it means to be a parent, and I’m not in any way trying to lecture or Monday morning quarterback anyone about parenting, but I am affectionately known as “the baby whisperer” among my family, so I’ve got to be doing something right, right?)

Regina was at her wits end.  Everyone said parenting a newborn was hard.  Everyone said the lack of sleep would be difficult.

No one told her it would be like this.  She was so tired she felt like she was perpetually walking around in a fog.  She did everything she could for Henry–fed him, changed him, held him, rocked him, even tried singing lullabies to him, but nothing worked.  Nothing stopped the relentless crying.

Finally, desperately clawing for something, anything, that could help her, she’d brought her baby to Dr. Whale, sure that there had to be a physical reason for it all.

But he told her Henry was perfectly healthy (before scaring her to death by mentioning the possibility of genetic issues that she had no (legal) way of determining.)

Clutching at that last straw, she’d decided to call Sidney and have him dig into Henry’s sealed adoption records, and to get a moment of peace to do so, she’d handed her baby off to Mary Margaret.

The last thing she’d expected when she turned back around was to find her baby quiet and peacefully cooing up at the school teacher.

Regina’s heart dropped even lower.  What if it wasn’t a physical or genetic problem? What if it was…

”How did you do that?” she asked, walking over to her erstwhile nemesis.

”Do what?” Mary Margaret asked absently as she smiled and cooed down at Henry.

“Make him stop crying.” 

Mary Margaret shrugged.  “I didn’t do anything. He’s so sweet.”

Now was not the time to analyze the ins and outs of why this miracle had occurred.  Now was simply the time to enjoy it.  Regina took Henry from Mary Margaret.

And he immediately started wailing again.

 “Oh no!  No, no, NO!”

Mary Margaret fluttered her hands looking distressed. “I’m so sorry!  Did I do something?”

A cold, stinging sensation settled deep inside Regina.  It wasn’t anything Snow White did.  It was her.  All her. ”No.  No, you didn’t.  It’s me.”

“Well, that’s just nonsense,” came the no-nonsense voice of Granny Lucas as she breezed onto the scene.  “Here, hand him over.  I’ll show you a thing of two.”

While Regina’s first inclination was to stand to her full height and tell the woman she was fully capable of caring for her own son, she realized she really had nothing more to lose.  She deflated and passed Henry over to Granny.

The older woman took him, smiled down at him, and then placed him up against her chest, her hand gently but firmly holding his head to her with her other hand under his little bottom.  She began to bounce and sway, making little shushing noises.

Henry’s wails faded, and then came to a stop.

“But…how?” Regina asked.

“You don’t raise a daughter and then a granddaughter without picking up a few tricks along the way,” Granny said.  “First off, you’ve gotta relax.  You’re wound as tight as Leroy when I run out of bacon.  Babies…they can feel your tension, so you feel yourself tensing up?  Take a couple deep breaths.  Let ‘em out.  Set him in his crib where he’s safe and step away for a few seconds if you need to.  I’m telling you, it’s the key.  You relax; he’ll relax.”

“So…just breathe?  That’s your solution?” Regina asked, with a sardonic raise of the brow.

“Of course not.  That’s just step one,” Granny said.  “Next, look at how I’m holding him.  Ruby refers to it as the ‘Granny choke hold.’  Don’t look at me like that; I’m not choking your baby!  I’m just holding him tight.  Babies like to feel secure, and they like to nestle on your chest where they can hear your heart.”

“Breathe and hold securely.  Got it,” Regina said, “anything else?”

“Last step,” Granny said, “I like to affectionately call the ‘baby jig’.  Just kind of bounce and sway.  It’s soothing.  Gets tiring after a while, but then usually once you get ‘em calmed down you can generally move to a rocking chair.  You wanna try it?”

Did she?  Well, she quite literally had nothing left to lose.  Regina nodded.

“Good,” Granny said with a nod, “now take that deep breath.  That’s it.  Now let it out.  Feeling relaxed?”

Regina nodded.  Granny nodded again and handed Henry over.  He began to fuss, annoyed at being moved from his comfortable position, but remembering the steps Granny gave her, Regina carefully maneuvered him up onto her chest.

And then a miracle happened.  

Henry not only stopped crying; he actually burrowed into her, sighing contentedly.  A warm rush of maternal love washed over her, and she knew she would do anything for this little boy.

Parenting may be the hardest thing she’d ever done, but they would be okay.  They were a family.

Note: I learned how to hold babies from watching my own grandmother who liked to walk around holding babies exactly as Granny does here.  We always used to jokingly call it the “grandma choke hold”, but never fear.  Like Granny said, there is no choking involved.

NEXT CHAPTER->

[rypkema]

Headcannon.

I think it would be an interesting concept if Mulan just could not sleep in a bed. She can sleep on the ground, in a chair, and even on horseback, but Mulan actually sleeping in a soft comfortable bed will very rarely happen, and it's not because she wouldn't try to sleep in a bed. I think Mulan might be so accustomed with moving around and camping. and the fact she already probably has a messed up sleep cycle. That sleeping on a bed is just overwhelming. It is too soft and all the sheets and pillows are over whelming. That if Mulan ever makes it to storybrooke, she will probably end up sleeping on the couch at one of the many friends house that would love to host her (They would give her a guest room) or on the floor of the bedroom she is given at Granny's and it would probably drive a few of them nuts, because there is a perfectly good bed for you to sleep on.

[sentenceme-leni]

Day 64. Monday. Minimum 1 sentence.

---

Pinocchio squealed in high-pitched laughter as Belle caught him and twirled him around.

"Now you are it!" Their guest told Guepetto's boy, letting him free before turning around and setting off back across the gardens.

"Not fair!" Pinocchio cried out. "You have longer legs."

"And a heavier dress," Belle yelled back, still laughing. "Just run and you'll catch me."

From a distance, Red watched the pair.

Officially, she was out to enjoy the sunshine, smell the flowers and take a break from the endless little details that popped up when the new queen took a husband.

Unofficially, a vigilant eye had to be kept over the young brunette.

No one had expected the Dark One to respond in the affirmative to the wedding invitation. Powerful sorcerers made the guest list only as a token to reassure them that a kingdom wanted peace.

When the Spinner had sent back a message announcing he would send a one-person envoy, everyone had been shocked.

There had been rumors about the Dark One socializing more often. That a chatelaine now ruled in the Dark Castle when her master was gone. That the Dealer had traded beauty potions, or magic lessons, or safety from other monsters, for the right to a woman's bed. Neighboring kingdoms carried tales of a beauty paraded about on the Dark One's arm. Snow White wouldn't be the first monarch to be pressed into welcoming an unknown to her court.

That the woman in question was a bright-eyed, cheerful thing had only added to the general surprise.

"Looking at her," Red said thoughtfully, "no one could tell she's been shut in that gloomy castle for years."

At her side, Granny huffed. "Not for lack of rescue attempts."

After the announcement of her visit, men had approached Prince James, warning him not to mention freedom to the Dark One's pet. They spoke of losing days as a crawling pest on the grounds, and of painful rolling down the mountain. One or two had even spoken in the name of comrades who never returned from their attempt to take her back home.

Outside royal hearing, Red's sharp ears had picked on the less polite epithets used against the young woman.

Bitch. Because she said no.

Whore. Because she wouldn't come with them.

Stupid. Because she sent them away.

Red found it impossible to reconcile those descriptions with the actual woman.

"Do you believe what they say about her?"

Granny scoffed. "Which version? The disappointed knights, bemoaning feeling useless? Or Princess Abigail, who speaks of her in glowing terms?" Then she shrugged. "Not that it matters. She may be a saint or a demon; all that counts is that she's staying with Rumpelstiltskin and does as he bids."

Red bit her lip at the sound of the Spinner's name, but knew better than to chastise her grandmother. If the Dark One decided to answer that summon, it would be on his own head.

Granny was likely to take a bite off before he even said a word.

Laughter echoed around the garden. Pinocchio's was loud and enthusiastic.

"I doubt the Dealer told her to play with a little boy."

Granny pressed her lips in a stubborn line. "That boy was blessed by Reul Ghorm Herself. Who knows what that means among sorcerers." Put like that, Red had to concede that it looked suspicious. "I'm not taking my eye off him until that woman is gone."

Common sense said her grandmother was right.

Red still itched to join the game anyway

The End

03/06/24

[hitchell-mope]

(The Fate Of The Fake Queen And Her Older Sister The Wicked Witch)

Snow: Henry. Please. Stop this. Stop this now. While you still can.

Henry: sorry grandma. No can do.

Regina: why are you doing this?

Zelena: isn’t it obvious? He’s a dark one. It’s in their nature

Henry: oh so close zelena. But no dice. See. THIS!

(He slams Zelena’s face into the floor)

Henry: is for my father. And THIS!

(He slams Regina’s face into the floor)

Henry: is for Graham.

Emma: what the hell is going on?

Henry (cheerfully): hello mother! Welcome to the execution!

Emma: can I get in on this?

Henry: by all means.

(Emma kicks Regina in the face and shatters Zelena’s jaw with one punch)

Emma: that felt good.

Regina: I am your mother!

Henry (drawing Excalibur and pressing it into Regina’s neck): no. No you’re not. You’re a dictatorial, tyrannical, despot. And after tonight. Everyone will have what they deserve.

Granny: what the hell is going on here?

Henry: sorry for the mess granny. I’ll clean it up be out of your hair. But you might want to see what I’m about to do.

(He teleports everyone out onto the street in a cloud of golden smoke. Once there he casts a protection spell on all the buildings)

Zelena: where’s my daughter?

Henry: you mean my baby sister.

Zelena: where’s my daughter! I demand to see her! You can’t keep her from me! I demand to see her! I demand to se-

(Henry pulls out Emma’s gun and shoots Zelena dead mid sentence, splattering Regina in her sisters blood and causing her to scream in terror until Henry backhands her across the face and starts beating her up with his bare hands)

Henry: SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP.

Killian: Henry! It’s okay.

Henry: you’re right Killian. You’re right. Sorry everybody. I got carried away. It won’t happen again.

David: what’s going on?

Rumple: isn’t it obvious your majesty? He’s doing away with our enemies

Snow: Henry’s gone too far. We can’t save him.

Henry: oh grandma. I’m saving you.

(He takes out The Pen)

Henry: let’s see now. Oh yes. “The Great Usurper Regina Mills felt every bone in her legs and arms break into pieces within her”

(Regina screams in pain as her body is shattered into pieces)

Henry: “the anti magic cuffs appeared on her wrists and ankles)

(The anti magic cuffs appear on her wrists and ankles)

Henry: “in a shower of golden flame the bane of the royal family’s existence fades into the abandoned cell of Rumplestilskin. Fated to be alone, forgotten and to starve to death. Knowing that she failed to meet her accursed goals of revenge against The Rightful Queen. And that is where she stays. Until even her bones crumble to dust”.

(Regina is dragged off into a shower of golden flame, wailing pitifully like the injured bitch she is)

Rumple: well done Henry. I couldn’t have done it better myself.

Henry: of course you couldn’t have gramps. You weren’t The Author. Now let’s complete business shall we?

(Ornate crowns appear on Snow and David’s heads)

Henry (projecting his voice all over town): CITIZENS OF STORYBROOKE. TOUGH TIMES LAY AHEAD OF US. MAY I PRESENT TO YOU OUR TRUE LEADERS. MY GRANDPARENTS. KING DAVID AND QUEEN SNOW.

Emma (smiling widely): it’s about damn time.

(End of The Fate Of The Fake Queen And Her Older Sister The Wicked Witch)

[kazoosandfannypacks]

"Open to Interpretation" by kazoosandfannypacks

Chapter 13/16: Rain on Your Parade Pairing: CaptainSwan Rating: General Word Count: (1.8K/24K) Summary: Emma Swan is appalled at works by modern artist Killian Jones- until a handsome stranger convinces her otherwise- and after introducing himself as the artist in question, he invites her out on a date. As their relationship develops, they find that they might not be as different from each other as originally thought. Chapter Summary: Killian introduces Emma to many of his relatives and family friends. They later share a quiet moment together, which is awkwardly interrupted. Tags: au, fluff, captain swan, modern au Author's notes: for my next trick, I will cram the most random assortment of ouat cameos imaginable into this chapter /hj Taglist: @zahara @kmomof4 @jonesfandomfanatic @booksteaandtoomuchtv @jrob64 @tiganasummertree @anmylica @teamhook @undercaffinatednightmare @gingerchangeling @lonelyspectator @caught-in-the-filter @ultraluckycatnd @cs-rylie @pirateprincessofpizza @lfh1226-linda @pawshapedheart [if you'd like to be added to or removed from this list, hmu in my dms or askbox!]

Also on Ao3!

 Emma'd slept better that night than she usually did in new places, and when she made her way to the kitchen that morning, she was greeted by a kiss on the cheek and a "good morning, love" from Killian, as well as a pancake breakfast with him and his family. Afterwards they dove into last minute party preparations like decorations and getting the food ready, with his parents insisting Emma was a guest and didn't need to help, and Emma insisting that it was no big deal and she wasn't about to sit around and do nothing, and Brennan mumbling something about how if that's the case then opposites very clearly attract, as Killian had made a living off of doing just that.

 Once the rest of the guests started to trickle in, Emma then began to mingle with them, Killian introducing her to many of his relatives, former teachers, and family friends. A lot of them seemed somewhat insufferable in their own way, but there were a few kinder people among them. Most of these ones, Emma made it her goal to remember- she'd always been pretty good with names and faces, so it wasn't too hard.

 One of the first guests in attendance was "Granny" Lucas, a kindly widow who lived down the street. She apparently treated the neighborhood kids like her own grandkids, Killian mentioning how she'd let the kids play in her yard with trees to climb and dogs to run around with whenever they wanted. He mentioned as well how she'd bake them cookies and knit them scarves and blankets. To this day, from what Emma heard, Granny's backyard was the center of town for the neighborhood kids.

 They spent quite a while talking with Uncle Nemo, who gave Killian more than his fair share of teasing about the "lovely young lady friend" he'd brought with him that day, and though he seemed a bit embarrassed by his remarks, Killian still looked fondly upon his uncle. They talked for a bit about Uncle Nemo's contracting company, Nautilus Home Improvements, and how excited Liam was to soon begin his apprenticeship there. Nemo also seemed very proud of Killian's art career, saying he'd be certain to head down to the Nolan Blanchard to see his art himself at some point.

 Killian introduced Emma as well to his step-aunts, Ruel, Bell, and Astrid. Aunt Astrid brought a somewhat familiar face with her, her boyfriend Leroy. Emma quickly recognized him as the lead from the jazz band that'd played at the museum's benefit dinner, and realized that it was the family connection that had landed him that gig.

 Perhaps the most memorable person Emma met was Killian's cousin, Rogers. Killian had told Emma in advance that people always said they looked alike, though Rogers was a few older and neither of the two could see the resemblance. However, when Emma met him, she marveled at the powers that be, and how they'd been gracious enough to grant such perfect looks to two fortunate people. Rogers did look a little bit older than Killian, though he attributed the gray streaks in his hair to the stress of being a single parent, but aside from that, they looked so similar it was almost uncanny. Emma was secretly a little glad when he left early to take his daughter to dance class, because his mere presence was, admittedly, a little confusing. Even afterward, Emma almost felt it easier to pretend he was just a weird dream that never happened, as it made things a lot less confusing for herself and everyone involved.

 Sometime later, Liam introduced them both to a friend of his, a sweet young lady named Paige. Based on the side-glances and smiles Killian was giving Liam as they talked, Emma could tell that she was more than just a "friend" of Liam's- and if not, he was clearly hoping it'd head in that direction. She seemed impressed to meet a semi-famous artist, and when she mentioned having a great appreciation for the arts, Killian offered to give a personal tour of the museum should she ever come down that way, then not-so-subtly hinted that Liam was heading in that direction sometime soon and they might even consider going together. This, of course, was met by blushing and stuttering on both of the teens' parts, but neither of them seemed entirely upset by this suggestion.

 "I don't see why you said this weekend would be unbearable," Emma whispered to Killian when they'd found themselves alone in the kitchen, savoring a moment together before joining the rest of the guests back outside, "it's not so bad so far."

 "That's because you're here, Swan," Killian replied, "how could I be miserable with you by my side?"

 Emma could feel her cheeks turn red and looked down at her shoes, wondering how Killian always knew exactly what to say to fluster her so much.

 "Besides," Killian said, leaning against a kitchen counter, "my father is less critical of me when there's others around. Can't have anyone see how disappointed he is in me, now, can he?" "I'm sure he's not disappointed in you," Emma said, despite having heard quite a few statements otherwise from him in the brief time they'd spent together that morning, "and Liam and your step mom seem alright." "They're great people," Killian whispered, "but I never really knew them as family. I'm just beginning to connect with Liam, and you probably know my step mom about as well as I do by now."

 "Then maybe get to know them," Emma suggested.

 "It's harder than you'd think, love," Killian said, "the only thing we really share in common is my dad, and some days I wish we didn't."

 Emma rubbed his shoulder to comfort him.

 "Somedays I almost wonder if it'd be easier if I didn't have a family at all," he said.

 "It's not," Emma replied, so quickly she hadn't realized she was saying it until she'd already said it.

 "Great going, Emma," she thought, "what a way to comfort him- reminding him his life is so much better than yours and that he should just suck it up and deal with it? Is that what I just did? Maybe he won't notice."

 But the look on his face made it evident that he knew her response was borne of personal experience.

 "I'm so sorry," she said, "I didn't mean to…"

 She was interrupted by his arms wrapping around her, cradling her in an unexpected hug.

 "Here I am, complaining about my family," he whispered, "and you don't even have- gosh, Swan. I'm so sorry."

 "It's alright," Emma said, shifting in his arms so she could return his embrace, "just because your pain is different from mine doesn't mean it doesn't still suck."

 They looked up at each other, each reading something in each other's eyes, something that transcended words.

 "Apology accepted, love," Killian said.

 Emma smiled, so lost in him she forgot where she was- and so did he. They started to lean closer to each other, already holding each other tightly and trying very hard to remember why their lips weren't already back together– though they were already moving in that direction.

 They were soon reminded why, however, by Killian's dad's voice.

 "Killian James Jones!" Brennan said, in a tone equal parts shocked, appalled, and disappointed.

 Killian and Emma quickly snapped back to reality, letting go of each other and stepping a few feet away from each other.

 "Oh, uh," Killian said, "uh, hey, dad? Can I, uh, help you?"

 "I was going to let you know we're about to cut the cake and raise a toast," his dad said, condescension building in his voice, "but I can see you've still found some excuse to let your little brother down and bail on him yet again. Had I known bringing your friend along would be so much of a distraction, I never would've invited her."

 "I'm sorry," Emma said, her cheeks red for a different reason than usual, "I was, uh, upset about a family thing, and Killian was comforting me."

 "And do you still need to be 'comforted?'" he asked, "or is my son free to rejoin with the rest of his family?"

 "I'm good now," Emma said, needing comfort now more than ever, ashamed at embarrassing Killian in front of his father.

 "Then feel free to join us, but remember," Brennan said, "Killian can do just fine at disappointing us on his own; he doesn't need some pretty blonde distraction to help him out with that."

 "Yes, sir," Emma nodded, wanting to melt into her shoes and disappear.

 "I would appreciate if you'd show Emma a little more respect than that," Killian said, interrupting her shame to defend her.

 Emma and Brennan both looked at Killian, a little confused, though Brennan's confusion was tinted with disdain, and Emma's was tinted with awe.

 "What was that?" Brennan asked.

 "I don't mind that you don't respect me," Killian said, "I've gotten over the fact that no matter what I do, I'm always just the family disappointment. I'm okay with that. But I'd at least expect you to treat Emma with a little more dignity than that, seeing as it's not a high standard anyways. You can treat me like dirt all you want, but I draw the line at you treating Emma like that."

 The awe on Emma's face didn't fade as she watched him defend her. He'd been shrinking back in front of his father so much that to see Killian stand up to him for her was impressive, remarkable- and attractive.

 But the disdain on his dad's face didn't fade either.

 "And I'll draw the line at you disrespecting me," Brennan said, "I thought I raised you to respect your parents, and not to be so rude to your host."

 "I'd hardly say you raised me at all," Killian said, "seeing as I was raised to care about others."

 Before the argument could get any more heated, Fiona walked in.

 "Oh, there you guys are," she smiled, unaware of what had just been going on, "everyone's waiting outside."

 "It'd be rude to keep them waiting," Brennan said.

 As they followed his parents outside, Killian and Emma walked next to each other, though not quite close enough to be touching, not even on accident.

 "I'm sorry," Killian whispered.

 "Sorry?" Emma asked, "I was about to thank you for defending me."

 "I wouldn't've needed to defend you if I hadn't brought you here in the first place," Killian said, "I'm so sorry."

 "It's okay, babe," Emma said, "and I do appreciate you sticking up for me."

 "All in a day's work, love," he said.

 And despite how things had just gone so sour, Emma couldn't help but think to herself that, if him protecting her like that was all in a day's work, she wanted to spend every day she could by his side.

[goosin-around]

once upon an alignment table pt. 2

[martianbugsbunny]

Blue Skies Smiling At Me (A FrankenWolf Fic)

Well dearies I've got a new Frankenwolf fic for you! It's one of very few simple fluffy fics I've done in my life (what can I say, I thrive on the angst and the drama and the romance) so if it's maybe not quite like the rest of my fics there is a reason, I'm not just slacking. Anyway, I tried, and I think it turned out fun, so read on and enjoy!

Ruby settled in on her blanket on the sand, a cooler full of Coke on one side and a pile of books on the other. It had been a couple of weeks since anything catastrophic had happened to Storybrooke, and summer was in full swing with bright blue skies and brilliant sunshine, so a rather large portion of the town had decided to gather on the beach for an impromptu party.

Snow sat down next to Ruby, leaning back on her own blanket. “A moment to relax will be worth all the sand I’ll be sweeping out of my apartment for the next week,” she joked, putting on a pair of white cat-eyed sunglasses. “I might even take a nap.”

“How wild,” Ruby teased, opening her first book. She had a couple of hours to kill before Victor’s shift at the hospital ended, and a stack of unread romance novels a mile high. “I’ll nudge you if you start looking lobstery.”

Snow chuckled as she turned onto her stomach, nestling her head on her arms.

After a while the smell of barbecue filled the air. Ruby glanced up from the page she was reading (she was already halfway through her second book); the wolf in her was very interested in whatever meat was cooking. Over at the grill, Granny was bossing David around—it seemed hectic, but the large chunk of meat that was smoking away looked mouthwatering, so Ruby supposed it was a good enough system.

“Food’s ready!” Granny called. “Come and get it!”

Ruby waited only long enough to poke Snow awake (what kind of friend would let a friend miss out on good barbecue) before dashing across the sand to collect a paper plate for her own meal. A table was set out just past the grill with desserts, most of them from the diner, and Ruby piled her plate with both barbecue and a slice of chocolate pie before returning to her spot on the sand.

As she dug into her food, a pair of strong arms circled around her waist. “Hey good-looking, got a bite to spare?” Victor teased, his breath ghosting warmly over the shell of her ear. Ruby chuckled as he pressed a gentle kiss to her shoulder, then snatched a small chunk of the pork off her plate.

“Up for a swim later?” Ruby asked, pulling a bottle of Coke out of her cooler and handing it to Victor. “The bay is pretty calm today.”

“Hey, I didn’t buy this swimsuit just so you could look at me in it,” Victor said. “Maybe a little bit for that, but not completely.” His whole body shook as he laughed, and with his arms around her, so did Ruby’s. It was a red suit (she loved that he wore red for her) and it had a subtle darker crimson swirl pattern that matched the one on Ruby’s vintage-cut one piece.

“Help me finish this barbecue first,” Ruby said, offering him the plate. She scooted out of his embrace so he could eat, leaning back on her elbows and simply staring at him.

The warm summer breeze drifting across the beach ruffled the blond curls around the arms of his oversized sunglasses. He hadn’t been outside long enough yet for his skin to start turning red, but his face was a little bit flushed just from the heat. And best of all, he was looking back at her with what she knew was a mirror of the expression on her own face: pure adoration—and that was the most handsome expression she’d ever seen on him.

Ruby had cold soda, warm sand, blue skies, and the most wonderful husband in the world.

Life was good.

[renee561]

Happy Birthday to @sarahtarth!!! Amazing darling, you're another year older and perhaps not as wise as these two lovelies but one day 💜

Part two coming later tonight.

[stardreamer28]

if ya'll haven't yet, go see A World Record Christmas on hallmark. it has beverley elliott as the grandma who I was surprised to see, and overall the movie is AMAZING! I bawled my eyes out it was so cute and awesome!

[findusinthelibrxry]

Ruby wrote this. Snow (or Granny) amended it.