#i think this could work.... just make the search and his reception home absolutely miserable

[borrelia]

OH OH BRAIN BLAST

okay the other echidnas can be holed up in another dimension or something (the appropriate amount of stc's really VAGUE interpretaions of games) and for the past few thousand years theyve been occasionally sending out scouts to try to find mobius and the floating island again. they know that, bc of tikal, they will b able to safely return when knuckles is there. many scouts fail to find mobius or die/vanish.

dr zacharys a really learned guy who had a real good plan for finding mobius. he was sentenced to/volunteered as a scout. he spent years braving the horrors but determined to find mobius. he found it, but before knuckles got there. when he returned to the others and they found out knuckles wasnt there they said mm okay well not right now then. he was devastated, betrayed. he'd been thrown to the wolves for nothing?! instead of telling them where the island is, he makes his way back to it in whatever slow transport he has procured. he will steal the chaos emeralds and have his revenge on those ungratefuls... unfortunately for him, THIS time knuckles WAS there..

[80s-roger]

when love must die pt2: joe mazzello

note: if you want to be tagged on my permanent taglist, make sure to message or ask me!

I'll just cope with Roger Taylor one shots because I get super inspired

masterlist (there's part one, everything's organised)

warnings: tissues

words: 1,939

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That night when Joe and you made love, it was the night you'd stay pregnant. The first trimester was extremely hard for you. The headaches, the sleep deprivation for many nights, the nausea and the vomits exhausted you but you knew it would pay off at the end. You never fought again after the next day. You were both so excited to welcome to your world the newborn.

You were seven months pregnant by now. You still couldn't believe how natural it happened. After doing the test with all these suspicious symptoms you were finally sure about your pregnancy. You enjoyed caressing your tummy and playing with the fetus inside you. Joe was extremely happy, he couldn't miss a chance without sitting or laying next to you and talk to the baby.

The doctor warned you, it would be a difficult period for you and the fetus. You had to be home until the day you'd give birth, your organism couldn't handle the previous fertilisations so it disposed them like it was some random microbe. Maybe after all these known procedures, your organism accepted the fact you wanted a baby, so it produced antibodies. Organism are you okay hun?

"Baby, I'm home." Joe came back home.

"Hello!" You greeted him after checking him on the door. You were at the couch laid, watching tv. "How was your day?"

"Boring, I was counting the hours down to come back home and see you." He smiled and sit over your legs, having them at his thighs and of course he tickled your big tummy so the baby would react but you did too. "Hey little buddy!" Joe leaned at your belly smiling.

Your finger tickled that area and the baby kicked. His little foot could be seen. Joe and you laughed in awe.

"Your daddy's here! Did you miss me?" He smiled at the tummy and the baby was joyfully kicking.

"We missed you!" You said smiling and he leaned to your lips, kissing you.

"Can't wait to see this kid running among us." He laughed.

The baby was kicking from joy to nervousness. It was kicking like crazy. It wasn't a wonderful feeling but a painful one.

"What's wrong?" He seriously asked watching you in pain.

"It's kicking nervously." You closed your eyes in pain. "It's okay, baby, please stop." You caressed your stomach trying to calm it down. You almost teared from pain.

"What do you want me to do? Are you alright? Joe lost it seeing you crying by now.

"Fuck..." You moaned in pain. "It's kicking. I am hurting." You complained.

He caressed your hand trying to relax you but his gaze was stuck to your pants, at your privates area. His eyes were wide opened. He was shocked.

"What is it?" You asked in terror.

"Y/N, you're wet down there." He touched some of the liquids over your pants, trying to figure out the smell. "It's not pee but are these from the baby? Is... Is it blood?" He nervously asked and you were on the edge on having a panic attack. "Calm down! We're going at the hospital! Don't move!" He caressed your cheek and picked you up on bridal style, taking you out to your car. He placed you at the back seat and after getting at his seat, he started driving frantically.

"Joe I'm scared." You whimpered and you felt more blood exiting your vagina.

"Don't be, love! Maybe it's coming earlier than we thought!" He hold your hand while driving, he didn't want to lose your touch.

After ten minutes you were at the hospital. He got you at his arms again, running fastly to reach the maternity department. Two nurses brought a bed and led you to the emergency services.

"What's wrong?" The nurse asked.

"I don't know, she was just laying and the water broke, I guess?" He said confused.

"In which month is she?" She added.

"Seventh." Joe was sweating, ready to cry.

"Alright, we'll let you know in a few. Just give your personal information at the reception." she calmly said and went at the surgery in where they got you in.

"Full anaesthesia in eight, seven, six..." You felt weak as the seconds reached four. You had no idea what was going on. You didn't even have the time to hear Joe's soft words before leaving you here.

Joe was out there, praying to God to keep you and the baby safe. It was a difficult pregnancy, you both knew about it but why so sudden? A difficulty can't be shown so suddenly. It all went so well. He was sitting at the chair crying, seeing the doctor and the nurses running and working hard in there. He had no idea what was going on and neither did you. Especially you. He had to call his best friend and your brother, Ben.

"Hey man, what's up?" He asked unconsciously.

"Run to the hospital now! It's y/n! She's at the surgery!" He frantically said with his voice shaking.

"What the fuck, I'm on my way!" He immediately hang up the phone.

After five minutes, the doctor came outside. Joe stood up like an elastic material.

"How's she? What's happening?" Joe asked the doctor, nervous.

"Internal bleeding and inside the surgery, turned out external from the vagina." Doctor neutrally nodded his head.

"H-how? It was all normal an hour ago!" Joe lost it.

"It's called placental abruption. It's a very rare case at this stage. It's usually happening at the first trimester. I'm afraid it's difficult." He was pessimistic and Joe could read his expression.

"How can this happen?" He asked.

"Maybe the fetus kicked strong enough... There's no stable answer to that." The doctor replied.

"How's the baby?" it was the only thing he could say.

"We are trying to save its life. A placenta abruption, causes oxygen loss to the fetus's environment. It's God now..." He left and went back to you, trying to save the remaining. You. The baby was actually gone. It died before exiting your vagina. They were trying to save you now from septicaemia.

Ben arrived minutes later, seeing Jon being a total mess. He sat next to him nervous. Joe couldn't stop crying thinking of the worst.

"How's she?" He asked placing his hand around Joe's shoulder.

"I don't know... They're trying to save the baby." Joe moved his head nervously.

"But h-how did it happen?" He asked confused.

"We were just at the living room, I just came home by then and we were tickling the baby and it suddenly started kicking strongly, that caused pain to y/n until I saw blood at her pants." Joe narrated.

"And how does the doctor call it?" Ben asked searching for your body.

"Placental abruption." He silently said. "If they die...-"

"They won't die! Everything's going to be alright! It's just a hard time!" Ben supported his friend.

"I can't live without her." Joe cried.

"Me neither. She's my older sister. I love her." Ben started crying. "I didn't even tell our mother she's at the hospital right now. She'd have a cardiac arrest." Ben implored.

"You did good Ben. It's just us." Joe nodded his head, hugging his pal.

An hour passed and a nurse came out. Joe and Ben stood up, going to her place asking for answers.

"Why is no one telling us a thing? How's she? I want to know!" Joe desperately shouted and Ben looked at him shocked, so did the nurse.

"I'm sorry... The baby didn't make it..." The nurse admitted and Joe was staring at her shocked. His legs were cut, he couldn't move a muscle. He was in a comma.

"Joe? Joe, you alright?" Ben gently pushed Joe's back.

"What do you mean it didn't make it?" He asked confused, trying to realise what was really happening.

"There wasn't enough oxygen to stay alive inside the placenta. It was removed from the vagina, it was already inside the cervix." The nurse didn't tell much stuff. They were all trying to save you.

"How's y/n? Is she okay?" Ben asked.

"We are doing our best to keep her alive. We have to prevent septicaemia." she went back at the surgery.

"I can't do this Ben. I can't lose them both." Joe cried his heart out. Neither could he stand the thought of not being able to see you, hug you kiss you, nor being a father of your child. "I love her so much, I'm in pain." He  continued.

"I'm sorry man... All we have to do is pray now." Ben whispered.

-

Many hours passed but Joe didn't stop whimpering and praying to his beloved God. Ben didn't leave his side. He was as scared as his best friend was they were about to lose something equally important. You. Sister, Wife, Daughter, a close enough mother.

Doctor came to their place with disappointment and discomfort at his face. Joe recognised that gaze but still hoped for a miracle. He was in agony to find out.

"Well?" He asked searching for answers.

"There's no hope..." he closed his eyes, his head staring at the ground. "They're both gone." He had to say it and not trick their minds. You were gone and so did the baby. You were finally a mother up there but seeing Joe debastated and an absolute mess hurt your delivered soul.

"What do you mean they're both gone? Y/N is still in there fighting for herself!" Joe shouted with his remaining stamina.

"She's died due to septicaemia... The baby was already dead when we took it out of her vagina." Doctor was trying to keep him steady but that was impossible. Ben wrapped his arms around him, comforting him. "My condolences..." He left the waiting room and there was Ben and Joe crying on each other's arms.

-

Move on in life baby, I'll be up here taking care of you with our beloved son. He's finally happy and so am I and so will you. Find a worthy girl, make a family with her. You couldn't make it with me, but it'll happen with her. I want to see you glow again the way you did when we got married. Remember our baby and I love you so much.

Joe woke up sweating after seeing this... nightmare? No, it wasn't a nightmare. It was you, appearing in his dreams, sending him a sign of hope and love. He was devastated for over two years. Alone, sad and miserable, trying to stand on his feet. Until the doorbell rang. He walked through the hallway, reaching the door. There was a woman looking like you did before passing away.

"Are you looking for something young lady?" Joe asked mesmerized by the similarity. A young female, around her early thirties, beautiful and fully energized with a big smile decorating her round face.

"Um, hello! I am uh... I just, moved here and I'm greeting the neighbours. My name's y/n." She gestured her hand to Joe's side, asking for a hand greet.

If that was not a sign from up above then what it is? You fixed his life in seconds. There was that woman who would resurrect him from the living dead. A woman who looked like you, had the same name as you and certainly a woman who would finally help Joe stand on his feet. They would both have a big family, insisted of three kids and Joe was grateful every time he closed his eyes and talked to you.

[i-am-a-closet-fanfic-fiend]

First Choice ~ Steve Rogers x Reader One shot (Modern!AU)

A/N: Hello my lovelies!! Happy Monday! I hope this is the start of a great week for everyone. 

This fic is for the lovely @kaunis-sielu ‘s Marvel Musical Challenge  Go check out this amazing writer! (Persephone is a personal fave) 

I am constantly inspired by you, darling! Thanks for letting me participate in this challenge! 

Enjoy! 

My song was Perfect by Ed Sheeran. 

Summary: You’ve always been Steve’s first choice whether he realized it or not. 

Characters/Pairings: Steve Rogers x Reader 

Rating: K+

Warnings: Language, mentions of a deceased parent, I think that’s it. 

Word Count: 4851 (This one kind of got away from me) 

You rolled your shoulders back, desperate to release the tension that had been building through eight hours of pouring over merger documents.

Your phone buzzing distracted you from debating a seventh cup of coffee. You smiled when you saw Steve’s name and photo pop up on the screen.

“Hey,” you greeted when the video cleared up.

Steve was clearly still in bed and had probably just woken up. It was only seven in the morning in New York.

“Hi, stranger. Sorry I missed your call last night. It was showcase.”

“No worries. I totally forgot about that. How was it?”

“Really great. I have some very promising students, and seeing them get such a positive reception was so awesome.”

“That’s wonderful.”  

He sat up and ran a hand through his messy blonde hair, yawning through his next words. “What did you do last night?”

“Not much,” you shrugged. “Just watched some Netflix. Did some laundry.”  

“So you worked,” he guessed, calling you out.

“Maybe.” 

“You look stressed. Have you been taking care of yourself?”

“Yes. Work’s just kicking my ass. This merger is like three days from finalizing and it feels like I need to do another six months of work before it’ll be ready. But other than that. I’m alright.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“No, it’ll be done in a few days. Just need to push through.”

“You can do it. You always pull through.”

“Thanks, Stevie.”

“What comes after the merger?”

“I’m not really sure. Once it goes through, there will be some restructuring so I’m not quite sure where I’ll end up. What I do know is that I’m definitely taking a vacation as soon as possible.”

“You definitely deserve it. Are you going to be able to take any time for your birthday?”

“I don’t think so. If I’m lucky it will wrap up the day before. And frankly I would take just being able to breathe after all this. I wish you were here,” you mumbled as you dragged your knees up to your chest.

“Me too.”

You chatted for a while longer before you begrudgingly admitted that you should probably get back to work.

“I’m glad you called. I needed it.”

“Anytime. Have a good week. You’re going to kick ass. And try to have fun on your birthday.”

“Thank you. I love you, Steve.”

“I love you too, y/n. Talk soon.”

“Say hi to Bucky for me.”

“Will do. Bye.”

Placing the phone face down, you smiled at the picture of you, Steve, and Bucky that sat in the corner of your desk. Steve’s bright grin stared back at you and not for the first time since you moved to London two years ago, you ached for your best friend.

 Despite your worries, the merger went through without a hitch. The London office broke out the champagne as soon as the papers were notarized. The party moved directly from the office to the pub. Mr. Peterson opened a tab and the drinks flowed freely.

“Come on, y/n. Get off your damn phone. No more business,” Allie teased.

“It’s not work. I’m trying to convince my friend that I’m not drunk,” you slurred loudly.

“But you are drunk,” she giggled.

“I know, but Stevie doesn’t need to know that. Come here and take a selfie with me. That’ll convince him.”

She was drunk enough to agree that this would totally convince Steve you were fine. After ten minutes and about 15 photos that were just blurs, you gave up and in your infinite drunken wisdom decided to face time him.

“Hi, y/n,” he chuckled.

“Hi, Stevie. I just wanted to tell you and call that I’m totally drunk not.”

He hummed, obviously unconvinced.

“Clearly. Do you think you’ve had enough, sweetheart?”

“Nope.” You popped the “p”.

“Will you at least drink some water and eat something?”

Your friends were cackling at his attempts to mother hen you from 3000 miles away.

“I ate some pretzels. And some chips. That’s French fries here,” you tried to whisper.

“Okay, that’s good sweetheart.”

“Y/n, get off the phone and come do singles shots.”

“I’ve got to go, Stevie. I love you.”

“I love you too. Please be safe, sweetheart.”

His earnestness cut through your alcoholic haze. It always did.

“I will,” you promised.

“Good. Go have fun. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Oh, and happy birthday.”

You blew him a kiss and ended the call.

“Where’s my shot?”

 You arrived home shortly before dawn with a couple coworkers in tow and collapsed.

It was around two o’clock when you finally regained consciousness. Allie and Jasmine were just starting to stir when you handed them aspirin and Gatorade.

“Thanks, boss,” Jasmine mumbled.

Allie groaned something at you.  

“Well, it’s officially single’s awareness day. What do you ladies want to do tonight?”

“We could go to the pub,” Allie suggested perking up.

“Seriously?” Jasmine groaned. “I am partied out. Besides the pubs will be miserable tonight.”  

“How about a girl’s night in? Take out and mushy movies?” you suggested.

“And wine,” Allie added making you roll your eyes.  

“Alright. And wine. How does food from that Italian place down the street sound?”

“Delicious. In about three hours when I’m not nauseous anymore,” Allie grumbled.

“It will probably take that long to get delivery on Valentine’s Day anyways. I’m going to hop in the shower if you want to check out the menu.”

You tossed them the flyer and headed for the bathroom.

An hour later all three of you were showered and dressed in comfy clothes. The food had been ordered and you were searching Netflix for the right romantic movie to start off the night. You had just settled on While You Were Sleeping when the door buzzed.

“There’s no way the food got here that fast.”

Allie and Jasmine shrugged as you crossed the room to the buzzer.  

“Hello?”

“Delivery for Miss Y/l/n,” a man responded in a somewhat rough accent.

Weird. You glanced over at your friends who shrugged. It was your birthday you supposed, so maybe your dad had sent you something.

“Okay, come on up.”

You buzzed him in, in no mood to trek down four flights of stairs. He moved quickly; you had just enough time to grab your wallet to tip him when he knocked on the door. When you checked through the peephole, all you could see was the giant bouquet and a baseball cap.

Warily, you pulled open the door.

“Here you go, miss,” he said in that strange accent. It definitely wasn’t British but it was familiar. The closest comparison you could make was a Brooklyn accent.

He couldn’t possibly…

You were already grinning as you pulled the roses out of his hand.

“Oh my god, Steve! You’re here,” you squealed, tossing the roses on the island before jumping into his arms.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

He easily maneuvered you inside, pulling his bag with him and shutting the door.

“What are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“Well, I was going to just send you a care package with a few of your favorite things, but then I thought I am your favorite thing so I bought a plane ticket instead. Surprise.”

He was being flippant, but you could see the way he was cataloguing your appearance. He’d been worried about you. He wanted to take care of you.

“Besides, I wasn’t about to let my best friend celebrate her birthday without me.”

“It’s your birthday?”

Jasmine smacked Allie for interrupting the two of you. They were both leaning over the back of the couch watching intently.

“Yes,” you giggled as you finally peeled your attention away from Steve. “I guess that cat is out of the bag. You guys remember Steve right?”

“How could we forget?” Jasmine commented pointedly and you glared.

She insisted that you two were madly in love after he came to take care of you when your appendix burst the summer before. She was half right.

“Nice to see you both again. Are you keeping y/n out of trouble?”

“Absolutely not,” Allie assured him with pride.

“Good.”

He grinned and glanced down at you. Although he’d set you down on your feet, you were both still holding each other.  

“You’re just in time. The food will be here in a little while and we were just about to start our movie marathon for the evening.”

“And what are we starting with?

“While You Were Sleeping,” you grinned.

“Your favorite. Do you ladies mind if crash your party?”

“Not at all.” Your friends answered in tandem.

 After four movies, Jasmine and Allie decided to call it a night and head out. You offered for them to spend another night, but they both declined shooting you mischievous grins as they left.

Once they were finally gone you curled up next to Steve on the couch.

“How long do I get to keep you?”

“You’ve always got me. But I’ll be in London for the week. It’s February vacation.”

“That’s so exciting,” you squealed. “This is the best birthday present ever.”

“That reminds me. I’ve got a real present for you.”

You whined quietly when he pulled away but he just chuckled and kissed your forehead.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be right back.”

He retrieved a rectangular package from his suitcase and handed it to you before wrapping his arm around you again.

You shook it curiously before meticulously removing the wrapping paper. When you flipped back the lid on the velvet box, you immediately began to tear up.

“Oh, Steve. This is… thank you.”

You pulled the charm bracelet up to inspect it more closely. There were twenty charms in total – one for every birthday you had had with your mom before she passed.

“Thank you so much. Here help me put it on?”

You put the box on the side table and handed the bracelet to Steve before extending your wrist. His large fingers worked the clasp much more easily than you would have thought possible. He pressed a kiss to your palm and then wiped away the tears that had been gathering on your cheeks.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart.”

You wrapped your arms around his waist and burrowed into his side. Steve held you close.

 It was quiet for a long time. Both of you content to just be with each other.

“So how’s home?” you asked finally.

“Not the same without you.”

You scoffed.

“I’m serious.” He gently moved you off his chest and you furrowed your brow. “Y/n, there’s something I’ve got to tell you.”

The clear emotion on his face was worry which sent your heart hammering. You ached to reach out and touch him but since he had put space between you, you refrained. It was a relief when he covered your hand in both of his.

“Y/n, I…. I’ve always�� I mean you’ve always… I mean… ugggh.”

He hung his head. You reached out to stroke his cheek with your free hand.

“Hey. You can tell me anything. It’s just me.”

“That’s just it. You’re not just you. At least not to me. Not anymore. I’m not making any sense am I?”

“Not really?”

“You and Bucky have been my best friends for as long as I can remember. It was always the three of us. When you left everything felt a little off. Bucky and I both felt it, but eventually he got used to it. But for me it never felt right. I kind of ignored it and started dating Sharon.”

You had no idea he felt this way. And honestly you had no idea where he was going with this.

“When you had appendicitis last summer. I was a wreck when we hadn’t heard from you for more than two days. When your dad finally heard and called me, all I could think about was getting to you to take care of you.”

You smiled and squeezed his fingers.

“I didn’t tell you then, but Sharon and I broke up that day. She said that me packing up to come here at the drop of a hat was the final straw. And she gave me a choice. Stay or break up.”

You weren’t sure how to respond. You knew Sharon didn’t like you very much, but breaking up with Steve because he wanted to take care of a sick friend?

“I’m so sorry, Steve. I didn’t mean to cause a rift.”

“Y/n, you didn’t do anything wrong. You never asked me to come. I wanted to. And even if you had asked me, it was my choice. I would have done the same thing if it had been, Bucky.”

“Of course. And he and I would do the same. That’s what our friendship has always been like.”

“I know. And I tried to explain it that way, but she insisted that what I felt for you was different than what I felt for Bucky, and that it wasn’t the first time I had clearly cared more about you than her. Honestly, she had been pissed for months because her friends had seen me in the jewelry store around Valentine’s Day and they convinced her that I was going to propose or at the very least buy her a nice set of jewelry. So when the holiday rolled around and she got flowers and monogrammed journal and pen, she got pretty bent of shape.”

“Wait. Why were you in the jewelry store?”

“I was talking to them about your bracelet. I wanted to get it done for you last year for your 25th. But I couldn’t get the charms from your dad on time.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. So when she gave me a choice between picking you and her, it was a no-brainer. You’ve always been my first choice.”

“And you’ve always been mine.”

His answering smile was soft, before he sobered slightly still needing to get through what he had to say.  

“Like I said before. For me, you and Bucky were everything to me. But you were a package deal. Never one without the other. But, everything changed when I stayed with you for a month. Or maybe it didn’t change, I just finally opened my eyes. Either way. It was the first time that there was no Bucky. No Wanda or Sam. No anybody. It was just you and me. And god, it felt so right. I finally had that missing piece back.”

He raked a hand through his hair and took a deep breath before trapping you with his cerulean gaze.

“I know that this will change everything for us. One way or another. I was scared to tell you for a long time because I was scared I’d lose you, but I’ve always believed in you, and I’ve always believed in us. And whether you feel the same way or not. You deserve the truth. I’m in love with you, y/n. I think I always have been.”

You squeaked at his confession. You had never dreamed that Steve would feel the same way about you.

You could see the nervousness growing on his expression, but you couldn’t find the right words so instead you leaned forward and kissed him firm on the lips. He was stunned at first, but after a moment, he responded eagerly.

“I take it that means you feel the same way?” he laughed as he leaned his forehead against yours.

“I’m so in love with you, Steve. I’ve always been in love with you. Ever since we were kids.”

He kissed you this time, soft and timid. His large hands framed your face, thumb running along your cheekbone as your lips moved in tandem.

 The next week was pure bliss for you. Despite the craziness of the merger, you managed to make time to spend with Steve. Being with him felt completely right, and you had been so close for so long, that a lot of the “future” conversations went a lot deeper than “what’s next in your career?” You could see a life together.

Despite that, you both agreed to take it slow until you knew what the restructuring would mean for you. You had told Steve that it didn’t matter if you got offered a full time position – that you would move back to New York so you could be together. But he knew how much the job meant to you and he made you promise that you would consider the offer.

“We can make anything work between us. We’ve always made the best team,” he reminded you as you walked along the river.

“I know, but I want to know what plans we get to make.”

“It’s only a few weeks, right.”

“Right?”

“What’s a few weeks in a lifetime?”

 The restructuring that you expected to take a few weeks ended up taking a few months, and in June you were still in London. And you were both getting antsy.

You and Steve were having your weekly skype session and he had been distracted during the whole morning.

“What’s wrong?”

He opened his mouth to continue before snapping it closed.

“What is it?” you pressed again.

“Nothing.”

“Steve,” you warned lowly.

“It’s dumb and unhelpful.”

“Just tell me.”

He sighed and debated a few more moments before speaking.  

“I know that you still don’t know what long term is. But I was wondering if you were going to be able to visit for 4th of July?”

You knew what he was really asking. Were you going to make it home for his birthday?

“I hope so. But I’m not sure. Everything is still pretty chaotic here.”

“Okay. Well, let me know when you find out.”

He did his best to hide his disappointment. He wasn’t very successful.

“I will. I promise I’m going to do my best. And it wasn’t dumb and unhelpful. I want to be there. When are you and Bucky heading up to the lake house?”

“June 25th. Bucky will be there for that weekend and then come back on the 2nd.”

“So early?”

“Well we didn’t get up during Memorial day so I need to actually open the house get it cleaned up and aired out before everyone comes up for the bash.”

“Gotcha. Well I’m sure it will be a blast.”

“Yeah. I’m excited.” He offered you a bright smile, but you could see the tension in his jaw.

“Hey, the partners have been meeting pretty frequently over the past two weeks. Hopefully I’ll hear something in the next few days. I’m sorry.”

“Hey, no. Don’t be. I’m sorry. I just miss you.”

“I miss you too.”

 The following day at work, you had just gotten out of a review meeting when your boss stopped you.

“Y/n, could I speak with you please? In my office.”

“Of course, Mr. Peterson.”

You followed him, to the upper floor of the building.

“Please, sit.”

You smoothed your pencil skirt and folded your hands in your lap as you waited for him to speak.

“I wanted to speak to you about your future. Now, I know that you were brought in as an external member of the merger team when we started two years ago. But I would like to think of you as part of the Peterson family.”

“I appreciate that, sir. I have certainly enjoyed my time here. It’s a wonderful company.”

“I’m pleased to hear you say that. I have a proposition for you. I would like you to head up our acquisitions department at our new office in New York.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Would that be something you’re interested in?”

“Absolutely.”

“Great.” He pulled a folder from the bottom of the stack to his right. “I’ll believe you’ll find the offer more than fair. Why don’t you take a few hours to review it and see if there’s anything that is a deal-breaker.”

“I will, sir.”

You locked yourself in your office for the rest of the morning. You couldn’t believe how perfect the. It was everything you had ever wanted on a platter. And you would get to be back in New York with Steve permanently.

 In the afternoon you walked back into Mr. Peterson’s office with determination.

“Was everything alright?”

“Yes. It’s an extremely generous offer. I just have a few questions.”

“Of course.”  

“When would the position start?”

“I’m afraid that is the one sticky part. We will have filled the position here in next week but the New York office won’t be functional until the beginning of August. You’ll be compensated of course, but I’m afraid you won’t have much work in that time.”

You had to hide your excitement. The timing was working out perfectly.

“That’s no problem, sir. It will give me an opportunity to relocate and hit the ground running.”

“An excellent attitude. What other questions did you have?”

You ironed out a few more details and the contract was sent to HR for approval before you signed it. As soon as you got out of the meeting, you started planning your surprise. There was one very important call you needed to make.

 Steve felt strange making the drive up to the lake house by himself. Usually it was the three of you going up, but you were stuck in London and Bucky had bailed at the last minute, citing a work emergency. So he cranked the radio in his truck and let his thoughts turn to you.

He was expecting the house to be musty when he unlocked the door, but it smelled of fresh flowers and baked goods instead. For a moment he was concerned that he had walked into the wrong house, but the familiar height tracker on the wall told him differently.

Silently he lowered his duffel to the floor and pulled the baseball bat out of the hall closet. He heard running water and soft humming coming from the kitchen and crept forward.

When he glanced around the corner he couldn’t believe what he saw. You had your headphones in and were dressed in workout shorts and your track team shirt from high school, and you were dancing as you washed the dishes.

God you were gorgeous. And you were here.

He hadn’t realized that he dropped the bat until he heard it clatter and you whirled around.

“Steve! What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here?”

“Bucky said you wouldn’t be here until later this afternoon. I had a whole plan. Romantic dinner. Candles. Pretty dress. Instead you’ve got a bit of a jet-lagged mess. Sorry to disappoint.”

He shook his head as he strode over to you and pulled you in for a bruising kiss. You sighed when he swiped his tongue across your lips as he sought entry. His hands on your hips urged you to hop up and he placed you on the counter, eliminating the height difference.

“Let’s be clear, y/n,” he rumbled when he finally let you breathe. “You are beautiful. No matter what you’re wearing. The only thing that matters is that you’re here.”

“I’m here.”

“Wait a second. So are you the reason Bucky bailed on me at the last minute?” he teased with an arched eyebrow.

“Guilty as charged. When I found out that I had the time off, I wanted to surprise you. And much as I love Bucky, I also wanted you to myself for a few days.”

“That was a very good idea,” he growled as he captured your lips again.

Instinctively you wrapped your legs around his waist and before you knew it he was carrying you upstairs.

You happily reunited with Steve for a few hours before you kicked him out so you could execute the surprise you’d been planning.

Once he was gone, you quickly assembled dinner before showering and changing into your favorite dress. You left your hair natural and your make up light and pretty soon you were ready. You just had to wait for Steve to return.

Right on cue, you heard the crunch of gravel in the driveway and hurried to the bottom of the stairs so he’d see you right as you came in.

“Wow,” Steve whispered when he opened the door. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

You were surprised by the awed look in his eyes.

“These are for you,” he held out the bouquet of red roses, and you inhaled.

“Thank you. Again. Let me put these in water and then I have dinner waiting.”  

“Where are we eating?” he asked as he peered into the dining room and living room and didn’t see anything set up.

“You’ll see.”

You set the vase on the counter and took his hand to lead him outside. The food and candles were set up on the picnic table near the end of the docks. Soft music was playing from your Bluetooth speaker. You’d even managed to string up the fairy lights and lanterns from your graduation party.

“Someone was busy. This is amazing, sweetheart.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

You pecked him on the cheek before nudging him towards the table.

“So how was the last day of classes?”

“Really good. One of my kindergartners made me a hand print stegosaurus because I had helped her with her speaking part.”

“Oh, that’s so cute.”

You honest to god swooned as you looked at how he lit up talking about his students. It was dreamy. You couldn’t help but think about him as a father.

“There were a few very sweet eighth graders who came to say goodbye and tell me that they had already signed up for summer art classes. They were pretty bummed when I told them I wasn’t teaching this year.”

“Why aren’t you?”

“They asked but, I wasn’t sure if I would be spending my summer in London or not.”

It was the perfect opportunity to tell him the news, but he stood up abruptly.

“Dance with me?”  

“I’d love to.”

You kicked of your heels and let Steve pull you up into his arms. The two of you swayed as the sun finally dipped below the horizon and the stars started to come out.

“So I have some news. I talked to Mr. Peterson recently about my future with the company.”  

You expected him to tense up but he didn’t, he just gestured for you to continue.

“He offered me a full time position with the company. It’s pretty much everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“That’s amazing. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll call Phil in the morning and let him know he needs to start looking for a replacement.”

It was so matter of fact you rocked back for a second to look at him in surprise.

“Don’t worry. It won’t be out of the blue or anything. I already gave him a head’s up a couple of weeks ago. I told him that I wasn’t sure because you were waiting on an offer, but potentially I would be moving to London to be with you.”

You were floored by his comment. You had thought that the two options were either you moved back or that your relationship was long distance. You never even considered asking him to leave Brooklyn. You didn’t doubt that he would for you, but you knew how much he loved New York and his students. Hearing him so open to that made your heart happy.  

“I am so in love with you,” you breathed.

“Well that’s good,” he chuckled at the unprompted expression of affection. “Because I am very much in love with you. And I’m so excited to start a life with you in London.”

“Not so fast. I’m moving back to New York.”

You expected joy not the frustrated disbelief and disappointment you saw.

“What?”

“Kinda thought you’d be happier.” You mumbled taking a step back from him. Or rather trying.

His hands moved from your waist to your shoulders to keep you in place.

“Y/n, please tell me you didn’t turn down your dream job for me?” Steve groaned, and you realized he misunderstood and the smile returned to your face.

“I didn’t turn down anything, Steve. I’m moving back for the job. Mr. Peterson has asked me to head up the acquisitions department at his New York office.”

“Really?”

“Really,” you grinned.

“YES!” he yelled as he picked you up and spun you around, peppering your with kisses.

“That’s more of the reaction I was looking for,” you giggled.  

“I’m sorry, darling. I just couldn’t bear the thought of you giving up what you love for me.”

“Neither could I. I know how much you love your students. And I’d never take you away from them.”

“I love you, y/n. You’re always going to be my first choice.”

“I know. And you’re mine.”

“But,” you both said at the same time, laughing.

“But, you can choose me without giving up what you love,” you reminded.  

“Agreed.”

Steve hugged you close and kissed the top of your head, and you danced through the night whispering I love you’s against each other’s skin.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed! Thanks for reading! And thanks again for letting me participate @kaunis-sielu this was a ton of fun! <3 <3 <3 

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[thelibraryfanfiction]

Chapter Six

The children’s section of the library that was filled with more than just picture books. It had brightly coloured, small seats perfect for children, a few stuffed animals and a few board games there. It was a place that was meant to entertain and delight but I had never seen someone look so miserable while sitting in the children’s section of the library.

Ian was sitting there, with Maggie in his lap, trying to teach her how to play connect four. She was a little young to get the concept of trying to get four tokens of the same colour in a row, but she seemed to like placing the coins in the slots of the top and watching them fall.

She was enjoying herself. But Ian was not.

I could see he was trying to hide it from his daughter, but he was obviously upset and I desperately wanted to know why. But more than that, I wanted to make him feel better. I wanted to see him smile again.

It seemed wrong that he should look so unhappy when his daughter, who he so obviously loved and adored was in his arms.

She squealed in delight when she found the button that caused all the coins to fall from the board onto the plate beneath it. Hearing his daughter’s delight, Ian cracked a crooked, bittersweet smile that did not reach his eyes.

I could see he was trying to be happy for the sake of his daughter but he was seriously upset about something and it showed.

The door to the library opened and I looked through the bookshelves to see Jemma strut through the library. Her high heels clicked against the floor as she looked around. I ducked behind the shelf so she wouldn’t see me.

Eventually she spotted Ian and Maggie over in the children’s corner and approached them, “Maggie. Let’s go home.” She demanded.

She didn’t even say hello.

Ian looked up at her, his eyes watery, “Can I just have one more minute with her?” he practically pleaded.

“No.” she snapped, “I have an appointment at three.”

“Da, da, Daddy.” Bumbled Maggie as he clung to her father.

The expression that came across Ian’s face was absolutely heart breaking and my heart went out to him.

But Jemma had no such reservations as she leaned down and practically pried her from his arms with caused Maggie to bawl.

Ian was left sitting there, practically blinking back tears as Jemma carried a screaming Maggie out the door. As soon as they left, I watched as Ian’s lip trembled before he covered his eyes with his hand for a moment.

I could see he was fighting back tears as he dabbed at his eyes and attempted to right himself as he sat there. It broke my heart to see him so upset. To see how much having his daughter taken away from him hurt him. It was both touching and sad.

Placing the last book away from my stack of put-backs, I resolved to do something about it. He was so sad that I doubted I could do anything to make him smile, but I at the very least wanted to distract him.

He didn’t see me approach as he was too busy trying to hide the tears that had fallen down his face. I announced my presence by taking a coin and dropped it into a slot, the clanging of it sounded around the library and seemed to startle him.

He looked at the game for a moment, seeming confused before he looked up at me.

His beautiful blue eyes were filled with tears that threatened to spill but despite that, he still tried to smile at me. A sad smile that didn’t touch his eyes and only lasted a second, but it was there none the less.

I smiled back briefly, a smile that was full of sympathy and that I hope conveyed some sort of understanding for what he was going through.

Turning back to the game he seemed to deliberate for a moment before he very slowly took a coin and dropped it down into a slot, effectively starting the game.

When he looked up at me again, my smile was genuine as I sat down, though he was looking at me with an unreadable expression.

We played the game in silence and with each move, a smile tugged at his lips, always threatening to break into a true smile, but it never did. But just that hint of happiness was enough for me. To know he was sad before and to know I was the reason he might be feeling just a little better.

                                            …

Maggie was perhaps the most loveable child I had ever met. I held her against my hip as we walked around the library.

Every time she saw a ‘Please Be Quiet’ sign, she would put her finger to her lips and say “shh” just like the sign did. It was adorable.        

We ended up playing a game of hide a seek between the bookshelves with both Ian and Maggie hiding while I searched for them. When I found them, Maggie screamed in delight before she put her finger to her lips and made the “shh” sound again.

Eventually we sat down in the children’s section and I read to them from one of my favourite fantasy books ‘Into the Land of the Unicorns’ until I noticed that Maggie had fallen asleep in Ian’s lap.

I stopped reading and smiled at her, she looks so cute and peaceful.

“What?” asked Ian, obviously wondering why I had stopped.

“She’s asleep.” I whispered.

He looked down in surprise at his daughter resting peacefully against his chest, “We must have tuckered her out with hide and seek.” He summarized.

I smiled in response.

“Her mother will probably kill me for screwing up her sleep pattern.” He sighed, a dark look creeping into his eyes.

“She had fun.” I reminded him, quick to move off a subject that would cause his good mood to sour.

“Yeah.” He agreed, “That’s the main thing.”

He then turned to look at me with that same unreadable expression. I noticed more and more these days he was looking at me like that. As if I was a piece of art that he didn’t quite understand but still liked to look at anyway.

I didn’t know what to do when he looked at me like that so I simply smiled and said, “I should probably get back to work.”

“Alright.” He agreed, “I’ll let her sleep a bit longer while I look for a book.” He told me.

I nodded in understanding before I headed back over to the reception desk where James was waiting.

“Oh there you are!” he said as soon as he saw me, “I was being harassed by a pair of Kardashian wanna-be’s would couldn’t understand why a library doesn’t have magazines.”

“Dear god, that must have been horrible for you.” I commented dryly.

“Well it wasn’t as fun as what you were doing, playing happy families with Ian Harding.” He told me.

“I was hardly playing ‘happy families’, we were just hanging out.” I dismissed.

“Oh please,” he scoffed, “You looked like you were modelling for an adoption agency catalogue.”

I rolled my eyes and smiled at him just as Ian came over to the reception, Maggie was still asleep, her head resting against his shoulder as he placed a book on the counter top.

“Aw, they’re so adorable when they’re sleeping.” Commented James as I scanned in Ian’s book.

“It’s probably just because they’re quiet.” Replied Ian.

I smiled as I handed him back the book and he smiled back as he turned to leave, Maggie raised her little head and said, in a tired sleepy voice, “Bye Clara.”

“Aw,” cooed James.

I couldn’t help but smile at Maggie as I waved ‘goodbye’, she was just too adorable.

Watching them go, I turned to James who was smiling at me smugly, “What?” I asked.

“Happy families.” He grinned.

“Shut up.” I dismissed before I got back to work.

                                           …

“You will never guess who I did a screen test with today!” said Barbara excitedly as she heaved herself up onto the counter as I making dinner.

“Who?” I asked with mild interest.

“Sam Hueghan.”

“Who?

“Sam Hueghan! Jamie from Outlander.” She reminded me.

“That’s the show about the time traveller and the Scottish people yeah?” I asked.

“Yeah.”

“They have like a lot of sex in that show.”

“So?”

“So? You’ve seen that guy naked! Wasn’t it weird meeting him and knowing what he looked like naked?” I asked pointedly.

“Honestly, I didn’t think about it.” She shrugged.

I shuddered as I stirred the pasta sauce I was making, “I could never do anything nude. I wouldn’t want so many people knowing what I looked like.”

“Hey, if I was a guy and had a body like his, I would never wear clothes.” She commented.

I laughed, “I’m sure a lot of women would thank you for that.”

“You can’t tell me you don’t think Sam Hueghan isn’t sexy?” she demanded.

“He was fine… I mean, I like his accent and everything.” I shrugged.

“Ah huh. But your more into nerdy guys who like books.” She guessed.

“Well, yeah.”

“And who have black hair.”

“Okay?”

“And blue-grey eyes.”

“Stop it!” I said, finally realizing what she was up to.

She grinned wickedly, “How is Mr. Harding?”

“He’s fine.” I said, refusing to meet her gaze.

“Don’t you mean ‘damn fine’?”

“You sound like James.”

“James, I love that boy. The three of us need to do coffee sometime.” She mused.

“By coffee you mean tea right?”

“Obviously. Tea is better.”

“And the Brits don’t know how to make a decent cup of coffee.” I added.

“That too.” She agreed as she jumped off the kitchen counter.

                                              …

“One, two, three!” we chanted.

On the count of three, both Ian and myself, holding Maggie’s hands, lifted her off the ground and swung her through the air. She cried out in delight, kicking her little legs in excitement. I couldn’t help but smile as I saw the joy on her face as the three of us then went over to the children’s section to try and choose a picture book for Maggie.

“Oh my god, I loved this book growing up.” Said Ian as he pulled out a book from the shelf.

I turned and looked over his shoulder to read the title, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.’

“Yeah. I loved it as a kid.” He smiled.

“That’s adorable.” I commented.

“What was your favourite picture book as a kid?” he asked curiously.

“They don’t have it here because it’s an Australian book. But it was called ‘Possum Magic’.” I told him.

“And what was it about?”

“It was about this possum that became invisible and he had to eat different Australian foods to become visible again. Things like lamingtons and vegemite sandwiches.” I explained, “As a fat kid, it just really spoke to me.”

“You were a fat kid?” he asked, sounding chocked.

“Oh yeah.” I smiled, “I even went to fat camp.”

“Ok, what is fat camp? I heard about it, but I don’t even know what it is.” He said, sounding interested.

“It’s basically a camp for obese kids that shows them how to eat healthy and gets them doing fun activities outside for like exercise like rock climbing and horse riding. It was based on the premise that most fat kids sit inside and play video games all day, eating unhealthy things.” I explained.

“Is that what you did?”

“God no. I sat inside and read all day. Completely different.”

He laughed.

“Daddy! Hungry Caterpillar!” said Maggie as she pulled a book from the shelf and brought it over to her.

“We have this one at home baby,” he told her gently.

“Oh the Hungry Caterpillar. Yet another children’s book that spoke to me.” I joked wistfully.

“I’m sensing a theme here.” He commented.

I laughed and he seemed to smile at the sound.

The three of us went over to the reception so he could borrow a picture book for Maggie and a novel for himself.

Stepping behind the counter I scanned the books just as James came gliding through the door, practically bouncing with excitement.

“Big news!” he declared as he ran over to the reception.

“Your late.” I said dryly as I placed the books on the counter.

“Did you not hear me?” he demanded, “I have big news!”

“There are a stack of put backs you need to do.” I said pointedly.

“Let me try this again,” he began, seeming to get annoyed, “B-I-G N-E-W-S.” he spelled, chanting like a cheerleader, “Big News!” he cheered, throwing his hands up in the air.

I rolled my eyes, when James was excited there was no dissuading him.

Ian seemed to realize the same thing as he smiled, “Ok James, what’s your big news?” he asked.

“Friday, I’m in love!” he declared in a sing song voice.

I failed to get the reference, “What?”

He sighed dramatically in aggravation before he thrust his left hand forward, “I’m engaged!”

I blinked in shock before I smiled, James and Craig had been dating for a while and now they were engaged? That was just fantastic.

“James, that’s great.” Said Ian happily.

“Let me see the ring.” I smiled as James placed his hand in mine, on his ring finger was indeed a small silver band incrusted with a row of tiny diamonds around its circumference.

“Aw James, its beautiful.” I told him.

“I know.” He squeaked, “It was so romantic. We were out to dinner and then we went for a walk and he got down on one knee and-”

“And that’s my cue to leave.” Said Ian before he turned to me with a smile, “See you next month.” He told me.

“See you.” I smiled.

“Bye Clara.” Said Maggie.

“Bye Maggie.” I smiled.

James was still bouncing with excitement as he came around the counter to dump his bag and Ian walked out the door. He then proceeded to tell me how Craig had taken him to Paris and proposed to him by placing a padlock on the famous love bridge.

“Wow, so when’s the wedding?” I asked.

“Next month.” He smiled, “I’ve always wanted a June wedding.”

I blinked in shock, “What?”

“My parents are coming over next month so its perfect timing.” He explained.

“Talk about a shot gun wedding.” I marvelled, “are you sure you’re not pregnant?”

“Ha. Ha.” He said sarcastically, “No, he’s been planning it for months. His parents are coming over from Wales at the same time mine are over. It will be great. We’re even going to do it at the registry office next door because, you know, we met here.” He said happily.

“That’s so cute.” I smiled, “I’m really happy for you.”

James eyed me for a moment suspiciously.

“What?” I asked innocently.

“Stop that.” He commented.

“Stop what?”

“Stop looking so happy. It’s freaking me out.”

I laughed.

“I’m the one who is engaged and you look happier than I do. It’s not right.” He said.

“Sorry.” I smiled as I focused on arranging the books that needed to be put back.

“I know what’s making you smile.” He revealed after a moment silence.

I turned to him expectantly.

“Ian.”

“What?”

“Ever since the two of you reconnected you’ve been nothing but smiles.”

“We haven’t reconnected. We’re just spending more time together. He’s been having a tough time lately with the separation and I’m just helping him out.” I dismissed.

“Uh huh. Sure.” He said knowingly, “Just be careful.”

“Careful of what?”

“That you’re not the rebound girl.”

“I’m not going to be the ‘anything’ girl. We’re just friends.” I assured him.

“For now.” Said James ominously, “I smell double wedding.”  

I shook my head as I handed him the pile of put backs, “You were late. So you get to do the put backs.” I declared.

“What? Oh come on!” he whined, “I’m being punished for not wanting to leave my fiancé the morning after we get engaged?”

“Yep.” I said popping the ‘p’ sound, “I should think you want to come to work all the more, seeing as you have a wedding to pay for.” I said pointedly.

“Holy shit, I completely forgot about that.” He said, his face going blank with shock.

“Uh huh. Go put the books away.” I told him.

He grumbled unhappily as he walked away but I still couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

                                               …

Sometimes I doubted the existence of my ovaries.

My all laws of nature, being in possession of a pair of ovaries meant two things; you loved the movie The Notebook and you liked shopping.

I had never seen The Notebook, so that was moot point.

But right now I was supposed to be shopping for a dress to wear to James’s wedding and I was hating every minute of it.

Half the dresses I thought looked good, only looked that way because of the model.

The other half of the dresses I couldn’t ever see myself wearing.

But finding a dress that’s design I actually liked was hard enough, I didn’t like anything too tightly fitted or too baggy, nor anything that was too short. I didn’t like high necked dresses because they always made me itch, nor did I like halter neck dresses because I couldn’t wear a bra with them and I needed to wear a bra. Anything with ruffles or a plunging neckline was out of the question.

There was then the problem of colouring, with eyes as blue as mine and hair that was practically platinum blonde, there were a lot of colours I just couldn’t wear. Any pale colours made me look washed out with my complexion. Bright colours like yellow or pink made me look sick. Black was always a safe option, but I heard it was bad taste to wear black to a wedding.

So that left a very small percentage of dresses that I actually liked.

But then I had the problem of not only price because I would absolutely not be paying a ludicrous amount of money for a dress I would wear once. Even the thought of paying the shipping fee filled me with loathing, but that was only a small problem compared to the other challenge I faced, which was size.

For some reason dress makers tended to think that if you were skinny, you were also short. But if you were tall, you were also fat. There was no way you could be tall and skinny like I was.

On the miniscule chance, I found a dress I liked I either didn’t want to pay the price that was asked, or they did not have the dress in my size.

Not only was the whole exercise endlessly frustrating but it was beginning to make me question my sanity in how much I was beginning to hate the very idea of shopping.

When Ian walked through the door, with Maggie clutching his hand, I was almost relieved to have an excuse to turn away from the computer and greet them.

“Hello you two.” I smiled.

“Hi Clara.” Smiled Maggie.

“Do you want to give Clara your book?” asked Ian.

Nodding enthusiastically, she held out the picture book she had borrowed last month to me, reaching up on the tips of her toes so the tip of the book brushed the edge of the counter.

“Thank you.” I said as I took the book from here, “Did you like it?”

“Yeah!” she said happily.

“Did you tell Clara what book we found in the book shop the other day?” prompted Ian.

“What book?” I asked.

“Possum Magic!” smiled Maggie.

“Wow! Really?” I smiled.

She nodded happily, “The possum ate lots of food.”

“He did indeed.”

“She’s been telling me all month she wants to eat a vegemite sandwich.” Said Ian sighing in a way that made me feel as if the two of us were sharing some private joke.

I laughed in delight.

“Ian,” greeted James as he swung around in the desk chair, “What do you think of my new glasses? How do they look? What do they say?” he asked putting his hand up to the thick black rimmed glasses he was wearing.

“I think they’re very hipster.” He told him.

I chuckled as I scanned in his books.

“I’ll have you know my fiancé loves them.” Said James seriously.

I rolled my eyes, James was using any excuse he could to rub his new-found material status in everyone’s faces.

“You should come,” said James, “We’re having a June wedding in Hyde Park because the weather will just be beautiful.”

“I’ll see if I can make it.” He smiled before he took Maggie’s hand and they made their way over to the books.

Now I really needed to find a dress to wear to the wedding.

[ecotone99]

[HR] Christian ghost story featuring addiction. I'd love some feedback!

He’d found out his wife was cheating on him when he started having symptoms of HIV. She’d blamed him, of course, systematically attacking all his weaknesses and deepest fears as intimately as only a wife of twenty years could. He’d heard it all before, though, and had finally had enough. He told her she’d never see another penny from him to fund her alcoholism, and she left within an hour, destination: God knows where.

He had welcomed the silence of the empty house, his mind beginning to heal even as his body began to be sick. He settled into a routine that didn’t involve constant emotional abuse, and felt his breath come back. He marveled at how effortless it was to have pleasant conversations with his friends and family as he rekindled those ties; she’d kept him away from them for so long, he was starting to think he was only capable of fighting with others.

She called him drunk on their anniversary, trying to guilt him into a date. He found this unbelievable, and told her so. They had the divorce conversation. He didn’t hear from her again.

The next time he heard news of her, it came in the form of two somber police officers knocking on his door one Saturday afternoon. She’d gotten so drunk she’d passed out, aspirated, and died in some motel room. The police told him to get her bank accounts sorted out right away, because whoever had been with her and called 911 had also stolen her wallet.

That night, the footsteps started.

He was laying in bed, trying in vain to sleep, when he heard footsteps pacing in the living room. The dog, Edie, went to the bedroom door and started wagging her tail.

He got his handgun out of the bedside table in case he needed to defend his life, put his password into his phone so that he could quickly call emergency services, and opened his bedroom door. There was no one there. He searched the house, even looking in closets. No one. He double checked, and all his doors and windows were locked. While he was in his guest bedroom, he heard footsteps in the living room again. He walked to the hallway, his heart pounding, but as soon as he entered the room, the footsteps ceased.

“Hello?” He called.

No response.

He didn’t think he believed in ghosts, but he had heard the footsteps, and even felt their vibrations in the floor.

“Francine?” He haltingly called his wife’s name, flustered.

The lights flickered, as though there was a momentary power outage. He couldn’t decide if that was relevant, but he was spooked enough to take notice.

He retreated to the master bedroom and retrieved his Bible for comfort. Didn’t the Bible help with ghosts, or something? Maybe that was demons. So far, it was the only plan he had, so he just went with it.

As he read his favorite passages, he began to calm down. There were no further disturbances.

The next day, when he came home from work, he was startled to find the end table next to the couch tipped over onto the floor, the lamp that had been on it broken. The dog was outside, and he couldn’t think of a logical explanation. He searched the house again.

He went to the hardware store and got new locks, replacing them that very evening. He had no idea who might break into his home and do such weird things, but considering his wife had possessed a key and kept awful company, anyone might have access to his home.

That night he heard the footsteps again, and finally decided he was being haunted. It could only be his wife. But why hadn’t she gone on to the afterlife? Was she afraid she’d go to hell? He had to admit, with her alcoholic antics the last five years, hell was a real possibility.

He tried to sleep, but suddenly the head board of the bed started clonking repeatedly into the wall.

Something must be done.

But what?

All he had was his Bible to go on. He knew that God could be swayed by you if you made a good case. Maybe he could pray for her to go to heaven… She had emotionally abused him for the last half decade and drunk his retirement money, though. Still, he didn’t think she deserved hell. Before she’d turned to alcohol, she’d been the sweet and easygoing love of his life.

God knew the truth of his heart, though, and he couldn’t pray for her to go to heaven until he forgave her for the way she treated him. If even the man she abused prayed with his whole heart for her to go to paradise, then surely, she would be saved and desist her charged haunting of their house. Forgiveness was going to be a monumental task.

“God,” he began, “I’m going to talk this through with you.”

He thought for a while.

“She used to be one of the best Christians I knew, God. She was yours through and through. She used to be kind, and had the moral of putting others before herself. I knew her to help family and friends with their problems, and she used to treat me well. I used to love her so much. When she worked, she gave ten percent of her income to the homeless shelter, and she would volunteer sometimes at the food bank. That seems like a lifetime ago, but she did, God. She did good in her life.”

He wondered how to explain his feelings, and took comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit could interpret for him no matter what actually came out of him.

“Well…I think I need to try to understand where it went wrong. Maybe if I put myself in her shoes, I can come to an understanding and get past this. She used to be such a good person, and every once in a while, I’d see that person, even recently.

I think it was when her dad died. She couldn’t handle it. I knew she was getting depressed, but I didn’t realize it was so bad until she got fired from her job. She’d been staying home to sleep all day without telling me. Then she started just sleeping all the time, and crying, and not eating – it was terrible. I couldn’t help her – I had to work extra hours because we didn’t have her income. I was gone all the time, and she just kept getting worse. That stage of her life I think I can understand. It wasn’t her fault, God. She just couldn’t handle the death of her father.

Then she turned to alcohol, and you know how that changed her. That’s what I have to get over.”

He paused and took a few deep breaths. It seemed as though the house was listening to him, and it disconcerted him. In the bathroom to his right, the fan began turning on and off.

“She turned to alcohol, and you know how that went.” He continued, ignoring the fan. It stopped.

“I guess I knew it was to manage her depression. I tried to get her to go to therapy, but she wouldn’t listen to me. She didn’t want to give up alcohol, and she knew that’s what a therapist would focus on. She wouldn’t listen to me, God.

“I don’t know if I did everything in my power to help her. Forgive me, if I didn’t. Help me have the strength to forgive her, God. I know that she was in the shadow of the valley of death and just spiraled out of control…maybe no one could have withstood the pain she felt.

“Was this all part of your plan, God? Did you mean for her to die just five years after the dad she couldn’t live without? I think I could accept it, if you needed me to withstand five years of abuse in order to be strong for some future event. I’ve grown tougher as a person, and she didn’t take the me away from me. No one ever could, now.”

He thought about the adultery and the HIV, and became so bitter he decided to end the prayer for the night.

“Amen.” He said.

He slept restlessly, feeling as though he were being watched. The headboard periodically clanked against the wall, waking him. He resolved to end this matter sooner rather than later, no matter how much anger and sadness was in his heart.

The next night he read a few passages of the Bible, then, encouraged by the strength he found there, started again.

“God, I’m going to address the HIV. She did commit adultery, and I know that’s against the ten commandments.

“I think I can forgive her. I would say that hatred is like poisoning yourself and hoping that the other person dies, but she is literally dead. This anger does absolutely nothing but make me miserable. God, I need your help with this. Will you take my anger from me? I don’t want it – I want to move on.”

He felt a sense of peace come over him. Now he felt more ready to forgive his wife.

“God, I really think her soul is still good. I think that if she hadn’t died, perhaps she would have eventually come to terms with the death of her dad and given up alcohol. Either that, or maybe she’d have hit rock bottom and gone to rehab, and recovered that way. She just needed to be receptive to professional help.”

“I love the person I know she is without alcohol and emotional crisis. I always will. She was my wife. Don’t hold the way she treated me against her, because I forgive her. I don’t think she should go to hell. She doesn’t deserve eternal torture. Please take her to heaven. I don’t know why she’s haunting me, but I think she should go to heaven, now. Amen.”

He never heard or saw any evidence he was being haunted, again. Over the entire course of the rest of his life, only one person ever believed him when he told them about it.

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Sites For Sale Dublin - An Overview

Referral Reputation usually means that you have ceased the daily grind of trying to sell/buy houses. You become inactive, however if you stage somebody who wants to purchase or sell a house for the realestate company, you obtain a percentage of their commission. Say goodbye to pleasure and leisuretime. Here's a week: • Friday. Mailings, customer searching. CHAPTER 6: THE CLIENTS CHAPTER 5: THE "Oldtimers" This provider that "hired" you will now send one to a training "school" (all these are organizations which, to get a price tag, educate you on exactly concerning the actual estate business and allow you to pass their state necessary evaluation). Here is 2 months of classes that have related to the career. At several occasions during the week, then you're going to receive yourself a two hour stints. The idea is the fact that clients will call in looking for a realtor since they've a house they need to purchase. I'd suppose that this has occurred after in the history of authentic estate. The majority phone calls to the oldtimers. You did not think such a thing was liberated, did you? Here's the rundown about charges: If you are lucky enough to find someone to express they will use one to offer their own house, you need to know that their house is worth much more than the one three doors down which is exactly the same. Exactly why? I don't understand. They're delusional. Maybe they're dumb. Maybe they're covetous. Maybe they're upside-down on the house. Maybe they just want the money. It is probably each of the above. • Thursday. No Thing is needed. Here is your weekend, enjoy. Don't spend money there's no necessity it. I'm sure it is different in YOUR area, however, and so they're telling you the facts when they state so... When I say "old timers", I am speaking to the agents which happen to be at office for over the usual year. Since they assume one to really be absent in a month or two they are going to make eye contact at 1st and so they don't really need to waste their period. Once you've been there for 2 weeks, they'll start providing you with the "prospect" to sit down in their receptive houses on these. What they're actually asking you to do is sit in a house for 3 hours that no 1 will visit, and basically sell it to get these, to the offchance that you can find yourself a client from it. • Business cards. They are free! Well, sort of. The basic, crappy versions are free, the ones which scream "I am new for the!" You've got to pay for to get ones that are nice, using a film, and also you've got to pay for the movie. You will probably be asked to fundamentally alienate everybody by begging for referrals, you realize and make situations. Events, church, college, the gymnasium - everywhere...that you need to be angling for house customers or house vendors. It is horribly awkward for everybody concerned. Don't neglect to utilize the R pin you go! Their perfect agent is somebody who is miserable and divorced, sitting down on a heap of money money or an available field of credit, also just needs something to keep them busy. Next in line is simply, also some body who is married, sitting on an open line of credit or a pile of dollars needs something to keep them out of the house and far from their spouse. If you're not one of these two, that's OK - you'll be taken by them. It's weird to be involved a substantial financial project for someone who you realize. They will use you to buy or sell a house, but no one wants you to know their monetary business, therefore it's tough. Your family and friends might need little favors, like...they'll need all of their money back. Yes, badly. I had a relative petition when I'd give them back all of my commission if they utilized me to obtain a house. I dropped, and also the request was the nail that secured my property coffin shut. • Saturday. Mandatory coaching...every day. Done with all the mandatory 15-week coaching? Start off education that repeats that which they taught you in the 1-5 week training! CHAPTER 7: Your Lifetime AS a Realtor • Associations. The County Realtor Affiliation. It's mandatory that you combine it. It costs money...every yr. Their State Realtor Affiliation. It's mandatory that you join it. It charges income...each calendar year. The National Realtor Association. It's mandatory that you combine it. It charges money...each calendar year. Combine this organization. Join this organization. You will secure a publication, and possibly even a snaredown. It's all mandatory, and it all costs money. They have complimentary biscuits at the conferences however. • Tuesday. In-house coaching, or "just how to squander 3 stable hours of prime job time." I am 1 man. The Realtor's affiliation is a conglomerate that has lawyers around the payroll. My brother in law is an attorney...however I still feel outnumbered. So you're going to see that I refer to real estate agents, not Realtors. • Monday. Mandatory meetings and house tours. The meeting is more useless, and that's the reason you may rarely see old-timers there, they slough off following the house and end upward God-knows-where. They are likely at the pub. The tour is pretty fun, even even though. You have to hear everyone else whine about everything that they work with and everything from the houses. You get to stroll through a stranger's house and hear your co-workers (proudly displaying their title badges) criticize the homeowner's choices whatsoever. Cases: What were believing for this particular carpeting? Have they cleaned the particular room? Wow, those are some ugly kiddies in this picture. I can not think they abandon Prozac AND Paxil . Realestate offices are constantly listing positions, so it's easy to find an interview. As you know what, avoid being overly anxious? You are hired. This is simply not a meeting, it truly is a Peptalkabout You could walk in and inhale at the reception, you're probably hired. • real estate agent fees make you the "Realtor" pin. This really is. CHAPTER 3: LICENSING CHAPTER 4: Costs, FEES and FEES There are laws that state that while your certification training is taking place at a realestate office, that no one from that office may "amuse" you. Expect to get recruited. One of the instructors was a Business X manager and obtained a special interest. He required me to start open houses at high priced homes during the months of practice, introduced me to everybody at any office, took me and also took me out. The entire time, '' he spoke about how Business Y (who had sent me into this practice) was horrible, and why Company X was way superior, and definitely the place for me personally. Moral? No. Interesting? Indeed. I still went as it had been the right point to do together with the organization that delivered me. This usually means that if you own a person that wishes to market their house for $330,000 but you and everybody else understand it won't bring £250,000, you tell them which you will list it for his or her price, and after that gradually enable the price drop when people chuckle at your house. CHAPTER 2: THE INTERVIEW Bear in mind that you have two choices here: you can either become a Realtor or you can become a Realtor. Yes, you read that right. I'll make no judgments on the value of this organization, with the exception of to say that sitting through the most boring training ever nets you a tiny R pin. Absolutely nothing says I am a triumph a lot better compared to a pin using an R on it...right next to a name tag. Ethics principle #1 is "only acquire the listing." • Automobile. They'll pay for the car! No, they won't. If you are 1 among the very best 2 manufacturers, and would be happy to place a God-awful giant decal over the sides and rear of your (correctly colored) car or truck, they will pay a nominal amount to youpersonally. Why not they? It. CHAPTER 10: AFTERTHOUGHTS • Cardkey. Now you require this to access into any house that's up for sale. Yes, you have to pay for it. And also they The original source can't send it; you need to drive 30 miles to pick it up. • Tip 3: Everyone you realize will soon feign encourage when questioning your choice and making fun of you personally. I'm critical, and you know that this. You have despised with, did you not? • Office Assist. They despise you. The day that I met with Travisthat he was at the middle of a hissy-fit because somebody had murdered his Cross pen. Because it's not like that they sell them in drug stores for a few dollars, this really is clear. Yes, even they are indeed sold by them . Even the fit lasted one hour or so, and contained our manager sending a telephone message to every single agent from any office to please return the pen should they had it. Travis also maintained a watch that one would use to send out these mailings. You had to ask the precise number to get them. You will find 25 in the sheet and also you would not get three sheets when you're printing 6-8 labels. And keep in mind, exclamation points are used by top producers! Tons of these! They perform! Only an FYI. I suggest a FYI!!!! • Licensing. If you talk to a true estate corporation you choose the class and obtain licensed earlier, they will cover the class. Well, kind of. They'll pay for it, then spend the commission back out of your commission. Wait patiently, who's paid because of it then? It's true, you did. You did not think that was free, did you really? You are hated by them. • computer systems. Don't know a computer system? Do not stress, no one else can. Everybody I worked with was horrible with any instrument that is technology-related, although idon't know why. They needed help and the PC's were always down having a virus of some kind. • Sunday. No more football matches, family picnics, etc.. as you require to take a seat in Open Houses. This is my narrative. Don't let it change your mind if you want to goes into the world of residential property estate. I had a previous property agent explain to me what a idea that it was and that I went together with my program that is idiotic. • Mailings. I lucked out with firm Y, and they also cover for mailings. This means the marketing stuff are provided by them and they pay the postage for a certain total be sent out. A Rottweiler protected speeches you might send mail to's database at our office, a man I will phone Travis. Travis was exceptionally tan year-round, with hair, also he had been dressed as a 1970's JC Penny mannequin daily. If he was homosexual, I don't understand, however that I bet that his boyfriend had been. Whenever there are not enough newbies at your office, they will battle over your house-sitting attempts, and may even offer you income (do not get excited, I'm speaking about $20.) Get paid '' I never did get taken care of out helping someone. • Hint 1: There is a ton of income being produced in real real estate. It is just not likely to be made by you. In truth, a lot of it's actually going to emerge FROM you. The real estate companies themselves earn an obscene sum of money in part by fighting folks through their "apps" and spitting them out using emptier pockets. CHAPTER 9: "ETHICS" (note quote marks) •The Multi-List Technique. You simply cannot be a actual real estate representative without even access into this MLS. It must be free? No. CHAPTER 8: "Assist" (note quote marks) • Tip two: There's not any wages. Make sure that you have enough money in the bank to eat and pay your bills for 6 months. And start searching for a occupation that is actual . By the time you get it, then you're going to be out of money. I landed a position at a company 6 weeks and one day out of the day of my lay-off. When it was not for Un Employment, I would have already been living in a cardboard box awaiting for the real estate profession. You are hated by them. • Your web site. The business has set a page up to get you in the website, you require to fill it using useless ideas that no 1 cares about, such as "resident of (our overall spot) for umpteen years" along with Realtor and also "person in (Our County) Real Estate Club. None of that can help them or you, however, it does fill the webpage, even though no 1 can appear at it. It's possible to place up a picture . Whatever you have to do is pick up the telephone, tell the business telephone number and their title and where they're searching. What exactly is? NOW it's payday. I understand people who made on referrals than I did as a real estate agent, many occasions around. You didn't think that was liberated, although there's a charge to become from the app, did you? Also to remain "referral status" you require to take ongoing coaching. • Signs. Big signs, indicators, plastic signs, metal signs, name signs, for sale signs, open house signals. You've got to have them, you need to cover these, plus so they cost tens of thousands of dollars. • Name tag. Great information is absolutely free. The awful news, you have to put on a name label. Back after I experienced a real project, '' I knew a gentleman who always said "In case a man must put on a name label throughout his job, he is not so profitable." I'd a gorgeous Ford Mustang GT when I got this "job". I purchased it because I had been told that you need to take your clients all over the spot to view houses. Out together with the sport car, in addition to the Volvo station wagon (at the horrible corporate shade, needless to say.) As it turns out, no 1 wants to ride with their real estate agent; they want to follow you about. This is for many reasons: that they could escape you when they need, so they may discuss the houses without you hearing them (even though you are not their trusted adviser)...oh, plus they despise you. I truly overlook that Mustang. • Wednesday. "Twilight" open houses. This means that your nighttime is shot. How does one make matters? You will get their country included! CHAPTER 1): SOME Swift Rookie 'S TIPS • totally free trips! 5 years from now, if you beat perform hrs ALL the likelihood and sell all that you buy near, you may possibly find yourself a complimentary journey. Don't hold your breath.