#i found the painting in a tumblr post and i tried to track down whose blog it's from and i COULD NOT FIND IT lmao

[andwegogreen]

924 words, entirely inspired by this painting. historical/early 1900s, industrial town. daniel works at the factory and is heavily involved with the union/workers' rights. max is the eldest daughter of factory owner jos. thank you to @lilyrizzy and @thewindowatkirkland for cheerleading this <3

“Daniel, you need to leave. Go down to the pub, and we’ll come get you when it’s all done,” Michelle’s voice was loud, seemed too loud for Max, even as she couldn’t stop groaning in pain as another wave of it came over her. 

She had of course known that having a baby was not going to be easy, but it was never something she could’ve imagined. Victoria had told her as much as she could, having already had two babies of her own, but Max realised there was a big difference between hearing it and experiencing it, of truly understanding the pain. 

When Michelle’s words registered, she immediately grabbed onto Daniel’s wrist harder. 

“Don’t leave me, please, Daniel, you can’t leave-” 

“Maxy, I’m not gonna leave you I promise-” 

“-Daniel, you have to go, you can’t be here-” 

“‘Chelle, I swear to God, I am not leaving her. I am NOT!” Daniel never yelled, and maybe that was why Michelle gave up on arguing with him, instead leaving the room for a moment. 

Daniel crouched down next to Max, stroking her sweaty hair off her forehead and kissing her cheek gently. 

“I’m not leaving you, Maxy. I’ll be right here, yeah? Gotta be here to see you have our baby, don’t I?” 

Max could only nod helplessly as another wave of pain rushed over her, making her grab Daniel’s hand even harder. He kept stroking over her hair, whispering little things she could only half-make out: how much he loved her, how proud of her he was for this, how much he couldn’t wait to meet their baby, how he was never going to leave either one of them. 

The rest of it went by in a blur, but the only constant was Daniel. Holding her hand, stroking her hair, letting her lean back against him between pushes. And then she was there. Their daughter. Their perfect baby daughter, with ten little fingers and ten little toes. 

When the midwife placed her on Max’s chest, she could feel the heaving sobs from Daniel where he was pressed up against her. His big hands coming up to cover Max’s where they held their daughter so gently, his fingers stroking over her perfect little face. Neither of them could take their eyes off her, but Max leaned back ever so slightly, tilting her head to lean against Daniel’s as she whispered “she looks just like you”. 

It felt silly to speak louder than that, in the little bubble where only the three of them existed. Daniel’s chuckle shook through her body, the same way his crying did just moments before. 

“With a head like that, Maxy? She’s all you, through and through.” He whispered too, like he also couldn’t believe that this was happening, that this was real life. 

Max had to trace over her features, their perfect daughter’s perfect nose, the same way she always did with Daniel’s. 

“Not my nose though. This is of course yours.” 

“Your head and my nose, huh? Sounds like she’s ours then.” Max could hear the smile in Daniel’s voice, and she knew she had to see it. See his smile for the first time as a dad, in this new life for them. It was bigger and brighter than she could’ve ever imagined, even bigger than the first time he said he loved her, even bigger than on their wedding day. 

Easy as anything, Max reached out to place their daughter into Daniel’s arms for the first time. The same strong arms that had worked so hard for so many years, to provide for his parents and his sister and her children, and now for their little family, for their child. 

Daniel managed to tear his eyes away from the baby and meet Max’s properly for the first time. Seeing his smile widen, seemingly an impossible feat at that point, was enough to make her laugh, almost in disbelief. This was real. They were here. They had a daughter now. 

“So we’ve got our little Sophie, huh Maxy?” 

Even hearing the name out loud, the name that had been her mother’s, that would now be her daughter’s, was enough to bring fresh tears to her eyes. 

It had been so many years now since her mother had passed, but Max still missed her every day. She couldn’t help but wonder how she would feel about the woman Max had grown into, if she’d be proud. Max would like to think her mother would be. 

In the years they’d gotten with her, Sophie had always been loving and attentive, stepping in when their father thought she should leave it to the nannies. Max remembered curling up into her mother’s side as Sophie read her and little Victoria bedtime story after bedtime story, always agreeing to their pleas of “just one more story, mummy, please”, and how safe she’d felt there, hidden away from the coldness of her father. 

Max already knew that her daughter wouldn’t have those same experiences. She was so lucky to have Daniel as her father, would never know anything but love and support and warmth from him. 

Max could already picture him practicing his reading in preparation for her stories at bedtime, fighting the jumbled up letters for her. Max could also already picture how she’d join in, laying in the middle with Daniel’s head on one shoulder and little Sophie’s on the other, soothing them both to sleep with the same stories her mother once read her. 

[stopforamoment]

Part Three: I Am Wonder Woman (Series 14, Part 3 of 15)

Series Fourteen: Halloween Hijinks (15 Parts)

Part Three: I Am Wonder Woman (Series 14, Part 3 of 15)

Masterlist

Book: The Royal Romance (After Book Three)

Pairing: Bastien Lykel x OC Rinda Parks

Word Count: 1,523

Rating: M for Language

Author’s Note: Obligatory disclaimer that Pixelberry Studios owns the TRR characters and my pocketbook with those darn diamond scenes. OFC with all of her quirks is all mine. My apologies if Tumblr or I do something stupid when I try to post this. The keep reading link shows up on my laptop but not my phone. Ugh.

Thank you @asherella-is-a-dork-3​ for always being my sounding board! Thank you @cora-nova​ @silviasutton1989 @bobasheebaby for still being a part of the journey!

Series Summary: It’s Halloween! Bastien and Rinda are settling into their relationship, and Queen Riley enlists Rinda’s help to plan a Halloween Festival at her duchy.

Chapter Summary: Rinda is a crazy train hot mess as she helps plan the Halloween Festival. Hey, she’s Rinda!

Part Three: I Am Wonder Woman (Series 14, Part 3 of 15)

“Where in the Great Pumpkin did I leave my brains this time????”

It was Rinda’s notebook where she had checklists and her scribbles when an idea or another to-do item popped into her head. Everything was in that notebook, and she couldn’t find it. Again.

Henry sighed and retraced his mom’s steps for her, and he found it on a hay bale that was several yards away. In the beginning of the afternoon he teased his mom, telling her that she was the last one to use it, so she should know. Or he’d try to talk her though her last steps, just like Bonk did for him, to help her remember. But it was a long day and there was still a lot to do. It was in everyone’s best interest for him, Phillip, and Alex to keep track of the notebook for her and run the various errands she needed during set up.

But the boys didn’t mind. They had bragging rights that they got to help with the festival, AND King Liam and Queen Riley said they could spend the night at the duchy after the festival.

Now Rinda was mumbling to herself, asking and answering her own questions, looking around and pointing to things to reassure herself that yes, they were finished. Everyone who knew Rinda knew this was normal, and the staff at the duchy quickly learned that Rinda was quirky—and good natured. She was the first to laugh at herself, and really, she didn’t mind if they laughed with her. And they weren’t expected to respond to her Rinda Rambles—unless she lost her brains. Then she needed all the help she could get until someone found that notebook for her—again.

The planning had actually started weeks ago. The staff and event planners at the duchy had strict orders to listen to Rinda and follow her every order, no matter what. At first everything went well. The staff knew that everyone on the security team was an amazing teacher and they were excited to work together to make the night a success for all of the families. However, they didn’t realize that Rinda was a spitballer who would come up with the craziest ideas that she would work through. Sometimes the ideas were so crazy that she realized it right away. Other times, she needed other people to bring her back to reality. The security team was used to it, and they knew they could always call Rinda out on her crazy-ass shit. However, the staff didn’t have permission to do this. When Rinda realized the stress she was putting on them she felt horrible and quickly went to Gladys to apologize and figure out a way for staff to feel comfortable giving her the constructive feedback she needed so they could work as a team.

The compromise was that any staff member could politely, and professionally, tell Rinda that an idea “sounded similar to what Duchess Carmine did years ago.” Then Rinda knew she was being crazy train and unreasonable, and she would thank the staff member for telling her and say “we can’t do that, then. Everything must be different now that Queen Riley is here.” The poor staff, dealing with Rinda the clueless Wisconsin girl. She didn’t realize it was unreasonable to ask if a large field of corn could be planted in spring so they could do a haunted corn maze the following fall.

At first the staff was receptive. A small patch of corn in a garden? Yes. Of course.

Rinda looked at them in confusion. No. A corn maze. You know. It takes at least 3 acres and miles of trail, so it can take 45 minutes to get through them. And you have to plot the maze out ahead of time and cut the paths as the corn grows.

The staff looked at each other for a few minutes, unsure of what to say. But Rinda saw their polite reaction and helped them. “Did Duchess Carmine already try that?”

Gladys snickered. “Rinda, I don’t think even Duchess Carmine tried something that large scale.” Fortunately, there WAS a hedge maze that was already full grown. Perhaps that could become a haunted maze? And after a few minutes of laughing at herself for being such a Wisconsinite, Rinda profusely apologized and agreed that yes, that would be more than perfect. In fact, “it would be quite posh.” Then Rinda winked at Gladys to thank her for stopping the crazy train.

Gladys and her staff finally got comfortable enough with Rinda to bluntly say the word “dove” or the phrase “that’s not phoenix.” They were telling her no, without actually saying it, and Rinda loved it. Now they were working like a team.

Rinda also talked with Gladys to get her perspective on whether or not to use apples at the festival. Carmel apples, cider, and bobbing for apples were popular traditions, and it would be perfect to use Cordonian apples. However, since the orchards were burned Rinda didn’t want to use the scarce apples that could be sold for profit or used to feed local families. They decided to skip bobbing for apples and they’d have hot chocolate instead of cider. Caramel apples would be available, but donations would be accepted to help the farmers whose livelihood was impacted by the fire.

And while they were at it, they decided to cut corners on some of the decorating and activities, and instead put the money toward a free dinner for the families. Other staff members weighed in, giving suggestions to trim the budget, and they found volunteers who would donate food, help prepare it, and serve it. Bastien and Mara were able to handle the security concerns, and Rinda gave everyone a group hug. It really would be the perfect evening, and everyone was in agreement that Duchess Carmine had NOT done this before.

. . . . .

The night before the festival the security team and their partners stayed until the bitter end, and finally everything was ready. There were two haunted house sections in the duchy—one for younger children who were accompanied by an adult, and a scarier version for the older children. The haunted maze was for the older children. Some of the local high school students agreed to dress up and be actors in the maze and haunted house, and they would lurk in the corners and wait for the children who met up with . . . a dead end. For younger children there was a well-lit spooky path.

The menagerie was a petting zoo--well, at least with the animals that seemed kid-friendly. Rinda learned that Maxwell Beaumont had several peacocks, and she asked if the peacocks could visit for the evening. Maxwell was so excited that families could enjoy his beautiful peacocks, and Rinda didn’t have the heart to tell him why she really wanted the peacocks there. They made the creepiest noises that were perfect for a scary Halloween evening, and she knew from her visits at the Milwaukee County Zoo that they were fine to roam around the grounds (although Maxwell promised to corral them if they became a nuisance).

Outside they had separate stations for carving pumpkins and painting pumpkins. Leaf piles. Hay rides, and Queen Riley’s horse Marabelle’s Dream was helping to pull the wagon. A graveyard area with large tombstones for children to play ghosts in the graveyard or hide and seek. Throughout the festival area there were several stops where children could yell “trick or treat!” to get candy. And Drake insisted that they have a fire pit where children could roast marshmallows and make s’mores.

Everyone flumped on the ground, too tired to move. But they had to. Tomorrow was a long day. A fun day, but a long day.

Bastien needed to stay at the duchy and finalize some security details, but he would see Rinda after school the next day. Before Rinda left, Bastien gave her a well-deserved head and neck massage, and when the tension finally left her body, Bastien held her as she fell asleep. He felt the rise and fall of her chest, the warmth of her body as she snuggled against him, the softness of her curls as he kissed her head. He had gotten used to sleeping next to her, wrapping his arms around her as he fell asleep, and Bastien knew he wouldn’t sleep as well without his Tria. So he held her just a little bit longer before waking her up. When they said their goodbyes, Henry hugged his Bonk just a little bit tighter as Bastien whispered that he loved his Knuddelbär and couldn’t wait for tomorrow when they’d see each other again. Rinda gave Bastien a small smile as she stood on tiptoes to hug him goodnight, and when he lifted her up she wrapped her legs around him and hugged him close. “I love you, Tiger. So, so much.”

“I love you too, Tria. So, so much.”

When he set her down, Rinda playfully booped Bastien’s nose. “Now go get ‘em, Tiger!”

[thepachanga]

Lelu! 10 best fics of all time?

i’m so sorry for answering this 84 yearslater rip! keep in mind that the word best when you’re talking about art isvery subjective. i can’t tell you which are the best fics of all time but i can give you a list of my favorite fics of all time. i’ve read each one of these atleast three times, and they’re my to-go place when everything else fails todistract me. ALSO! i put two fics from the same author? i don’t know if thatcounts? sorry lol

10) escapade (buy the book there!) / reliefnext to me by dolce_piccante (tumblr: @haydolce)

rntm summary: AU. What happens when a baker and a graphic designer meet via avery specific Craigslist post? Fate, friendship, food, and maybe more. 

9) here in the afterglow by fondleeds (tumblr: @fondleeds)

“If you hadn’t noticed, I don’t have many friends,” Louis whispers, the blossom of insecurity in his stomach unfurling and clawing its way into his throat.

Harry is silent for a long time, and then he speaks; a soft, slow uncurl that makes Louis’ stomach shake. “I’ll be your friend.”

1970’s AU. In a tiny town in Idaho, Louis’ life is changed forever by the arrival of a curious stranger.

8) neverlet me go by loveisalaserquest17 (tumblr: @loveisalaserquest17)

“Harry! I’ll tell you what,” Louisexclaims, clapping his hands together. There’s a big grin on his face. “If bothof us are still single by your thirtieth birthday, we’ll marry each other.”Harry’s head snaps up, eyes widening. “What?” 

Harry and Louis have been friends forever,but they couldn’t be more different. One night, with a little too much alcohol,they make a pact to marry in ten years if they’re both still single.Now, one month before the deadline, Louis is willing to do whatever it takes toavoid ending up with his best friend. But is he, really? | Loosely inspired byThe 10 Year Plan

7) wildand unruly / loveis a rebellious bird by gloria_andrews & 100percentsassy (tumblr: @gloriaandrews& @100percentsassy)

wau summary: Harry is a cowboy sitting on the biggest oil reservoir in Wyoming,and Louis is the paralegal assigned to pressure him into selling hisland. 

liarb summary: AU in which the boys still make music. Louis is the concertmasterof the London Symphony Orchestra, Harry is the New! and Exciting! interimconductor/ex-cello prodigy who “has made Mozart cool again” accordingto Esquire Magazine (Louis hates him immediately, which is definitely why heinternet stalked him in his dark bedroom late at night that one time), andNiall is the best. Zayn and Liam are around too.Don’t hum Bolero.

6) paintme in a million dreams by green_feelings (tumblr: @greenfeelings)

Harry’s one of Hollywood’s biggest actors,has made a name for himself in prestigious films and lives the life of asuperstar. There’s just one thing missing to make it picture-perfect, but theone Harry’s in love with is completely out of reach for him. Enter Louis, oneof Hollywood’s biggest actors himself, who just came out of the closet and tapsnew genres in the industry. When Louis sacks the role Harry auditioned for inScorsese’s next big film, their irrational feud starts. Who could have guessedit would get even worse when for promo season, their teams decide to presentthem as a couple for publicity?

In short, Harry’s in love with someone anddoesn’t care about dating anyone else, Louis never felt home in L.A., Liamwrites love songs for someone he shouldn’t write love songs to, and Niall makeseverything better with good food.

5) swimin the smoke by whoknows (tumblr: @crazyupsetter)

“What about this, Captain?” Liam asks,nudging the boy kneeling between their feet with the toe of his boot. The boyhisses and swipes at him, slurring out something unintelligible around themakeshift gag Niall had to stuff in his mouth. He misses by a mile and triesagain, just as ineffectively.

Harry looks down at him, at the way thesun streams over his face and shoulders, at the way the gag stretches hismouth, lips pink and chapped. He’s lithe and pretty, smudged all over withdirt. They had found him tied up below deck, mostly unconscious, next to abarrel full of gold. He’s clearly a prisoner, but there’s something familiarabout him, something that niggles at Harry’s brain. Something he can’t quiteput his finger on.

“Put him in my cabin,” Harry decides,turning back to deal with the rest of the loot. The boys screams out jumbledcurse words at Harry’s back, muffled by the gag, and Harry can’t understand anyof it.

4) invogue by otpwhatever (tumblr: @otpwhatever)

‘Is that why David Beckham has beenfeatured multiple times on the pages of your life’s work? Does your criteriaseriously consist of one thing – a man’s ass?’'Well the ass is a man’s best asset,’ Harry smirks, holding the Martini glasshigh up his face. 'And don’t call the magazine my life’s work. There are farmore important things in life, Louis Tomlinson, than what’s printed on thepages of a magazine.’

Fashion AU. Louis is the editor in chiefof Vogue magazine, and Harry’s running British GQ. Featuring Zayn as the crazycreative director and Louis’ confidant, Liam as the sports writer that gets tosit front row at fashion week and DJ Neil as the only sane person in the wholestory. (There are no skinny jeans in this fic)

3) thewonderlands by stylinsoncity (tumblr: @alienproof) - AND its companionfic!

“Somewhere between chaos and control— these are the wonderlands.”

Harry’s daughter, Andy, is signed toLouis’ girl band. Her path to success is marked by competition, chaos, and forHarry, a love affair.

2) sayhallelujah say goodnight by alivingfire (tumblr: @alivingfire)

Louis is an angel who is just a little toobad to be good, Harry is a demon who is just a little too good to be bad, andthey’re both a little too in love to be impartial when angels and demons go towar.

Louis has been alive since life was a mereconcept; he watched the summoning of Man into existence, he was there when Evetook the apple. He’s seen seas break the world into separate pieces, he’swatched empires crumble into dust. He’s seen wildfire consume cities, he’s seenthe world painted white with snow. He has known the most beautiful humans towalk the planet, he has watched the most powerful mortals gather their richesand influence around them and then die just like the poorest, weakest humansdo. He’s met humans whose motives defy explanation, people who use their livesas battering rams, as tools, as weapons, as chess pieces.

None of that stopped Louis in his tracks.

But Harry did.

1) young& beautiful by velvetoscar (tumblr: @mizzwilde)

Louis, to his horror, attends an elitistuniversity in which the name Zayn Malik means something, Niall Horan doesn’tstop talking, there are pianos everywhere, and Harry Styles, only son of adrug-addled, clinically insane ex-rocker, has a perfect smile and emptyeyes. 

SOMEBONUS TRACKS for you anon, because the following authors are amazing!!!!

check out everything writtenby @icanhazzalou, @lads-laddylads, @lululawrence, @myownsparknow, @fullonlarrie, @louandhazaf, @rhuubarb, @suspendrs, @southerngothicau and @horsegirlharry!!!!!!!!!