#marriage celebrant in Sydney

[celebrantofmarriage]

Crafting Your Dream Day with Wedding Packages

Your wedding day is more than just an event; it’s the beginning of a lifetime of love and commitment. The journey to that special day should be as enchanting as the moment you say "I do." To make this dream a reality, wedding packages offer the perfect blend of convenience and customization, ensuring every detail aligns with your vision.

Imagine stepping into a world where every element of your wedding is meticulously planned, leaving you free to savor the anticipation of your union. Wedding packages are thoughtfully designed to take the stress out of planning, providing a comprehensive solution that encompasses everything from the venue to the finer details. These packages allow you to focus on the beauty of your love story, knowing that the essentials are handled by professionals who understand the significance of your day.

For those who cherish intimacy and simplicity, elopement weddings offer a romantic escape from the traditional fanfare. Picture yourselves standing together, surrounded by nature’s splendor or a historic landmark, with only the soft whispers of the breeze as your witness. Elopement weddings are perfect for couples who desire a ceremony that is deeply personal and free from the pressures of a larger event. These packages often include a marriage celebrant, a photographer, and a picturesque location, ensuring that your day is both meaningful and memorable.

Finding the perfect package that suits your budget shouldn’t be a daunting task. In fact, affordable wedding packages near me are designed to bring your dream wedding to life without compromising on quality. These packages offer exceptional value, combining elegance and affordability in a way that allows you to focus on the moments that matter. Whether it’s a lavish affair or an intimate gathering, these packages cater to a variety of tastes and preferences, making them accessible to all couples.

The role of a marriage celebrant is central to any wedding package. They are the storytellers, the ones who bring your love to life through words and rituals that resonate with your journey. Whether you choose a traditional ceremony or something uniquely yours, a marriage celebrant ensures that your vows are more than just words—they are the foundation of your future together. For couples in Sydney, a marriage celebrant in Sydney adds a local touch to your day, blending your love story with the charm of the city’s iconic landscapes.

In the heart of Sydney, your wedding can be as grand or as intimate as you desire. Wedding packages in this vibrant city offer a variety of options, from waterfront venues to lush gardens, each providing a stunning backdrop for your celebration. The beauty of these packages lies in their flexibility—allowing you to tailor your day to reflect your personal style and preferences.

In conclusion, wedding packages are more than just a convenience—they are a way to ensure that your wedding day is as magical as you’ve always imagined. Whether you’re drawn to the allure of elopement weddings, seeking affordable wedding packages near me, or desiring the expertise of a marriage celebrant in Sydney, there is a package out there that will make your dream day come to life. Embrace the journey, and let your wedding be a reflection of the love you share.

[ornabinderweddingcelebrant]

Why a Marriage Celebrant Makes All the Difference

When planning a wedding in Sydney, the city’s vibrant landscapes and iconic landmarks offer a myriad of breathtaking venues. However, the true magic of your special day lies not just in the setting, but in the words spoken and the moments created. This is where a Celebrant in Sydney steps in, making all the difference between a standard ceremony and a truly memorable experience. A Sydney marriage celebrant is not just a figurehead; they are the architect of your ceremony, crafting a unique narrative that reflects your love story.

One of the greatest advantages of choosing a wedding celebrant Sydney is the flexibility they offer. Unlike traditional religious ceremonies, which often follow a strict script, a celebrant allows you to infuse your ceremony with personal touches. Whether you want to incorporate cultural traditions, unique rituals, or heartfelt personal vows, a celebrant can accommodate your wishes. This customization ensures that your ceremony is a true reflection of your relationship and values, making it deeply meaningful for you and your guests.

A seasoned celebrant for weddings brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. They are skilled in the art of storytelling, able to weave together anecdotes and emotions to create a captivating ceremony. Their eloquence and warmth set the tone for the day, guiding the audience through the joyous journey of your union. Moreover, a celebrant's experience with public speaking ensures that the ceremony runs smoothly, with a professional yet heartfelt delivery that keeps everyone engaged.

Another key benefit of hiring a Sydney marriage celebrant is their ability to handle the legal aspects of your marriage. They ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed correctly and submitted on time, so you can focus on celebrating your love without worrying about the finer details. This peace of mind is invaluable, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the joy of the occasion.

The role of a celebrant extends beyond the ceremony itself. They often provide invaluable guidance and support during the planning stages. From helping you choose the perfect location for your vows to advising on the timing and logistics of the day, a celebrant’s insights can be crucial. They can also offer suggestions for readings, music, and other elements that will enhance the ambiance of your ceremony.

Furthermore, a wedding celebrant Sydney can cater to diverse needs and preferences. Whether you are planning an intimate elopement or a grand celebration, they adapt their services to fit your vision. For couples looking for a relaxed and informal vibe, a celebrant can create a light-hearted and fun atmosphere. For those who prefer a more traditional or formal approach, they can craft a ceremony that exudes elegance and grace.

In conclusion, a Celebrant in Sydney is much more than a person who officiates your marriage. They are a storyteller, an organizer, a legal guide, and a supportive presence throughout your wedding journey. Choosing the right celebrant means having a ceremony that is not only legally binding but also emotionally resonant and uniquely yours. Whether you envision a heartfelt, intimate gathering or a large, festive celebration, a celebrant for weddings can help bring your dream day to life, ensuring that every moment is cherished and remembered.

[celebrant-guru]

How to Register Marriage in NSW: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Getting married is an exciting and joyous occasion, but it also involves certain legal formalities that need to be fulfilled. If you're planning to tie the knot in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, it's important to understand the process of registering your marriage. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step procedure of how to register a marriage in NSW. From the legal requirements to the necessary documents, we've got you covered. So, let's get started!

How to Register Marriage in NSW

Planning to register your marriage in NSW? Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through the process smoothly.

1. Understanding the Legal Requirements

To register your marriage in NSW, you must fulfill certain legal requirements. These include:

Both parties must be at least 18 years old or have obtained a court order for a marriage under 18.

Both parties must freely consent to the marriage.

You cannot be married to someone else.

The marriage must be between two people and not prohibited by the law.

You must have witnessed and solemnized the marriage in accordance with the law.

2. Gathering the Required Documents

Before registering your marriage, you need to gather certain documents. These include:

Proof of identity (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or driver's license) for both parties.

Original birth certificates for both parties.

If applicable, divorce or death certificates of previous spouses.

If you've changed your name, a name change certificate or a change of name order issued by the Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages.

If you're a non-Australian citizen, a valid visa or authority to marry in Australia.

3. Booking an Appointment with the Registry

Once you have the necessary documents, you need to book an appointment with the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. You can do this online through their official website or by calling their helpline. It's important to book well in advance to secure your preferred date and time.

4. Attending the Ceremony

On the day of your appointment, you and your partner need to attend a ceremony conducted by an authorized marriage celebrant. The ceremony can take place at the Registry's office or at an approved venue of your choice. During the ceremony, you will exchange vows and rings in the presence of your celebrant and two witnesses.

5. Completing the Marriage Registration

After the ceremony, the authorized marriage celebrant will complete the marriage registration paperwork. They will ensure that all the necessary details are accurately recorded, including your personal information, the date of the marriage, and the names of the witnesses.

6. Receiving the Marriage Certificate

Once the marriage registration is completed, you will receive a commemorative marriage certificate on the day of the ceremony. This certificate is not an official legal document but serves as a keepsake to celebrate your special day. To obtain the official marriage certificate, you will need to apply to the Registry and pay the applicable fee.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How long does it take to receive the official marriage certificate?

A1: After submitting your application and payment to the Registry, it usually takes around 10-15 business days to receive the official marriage certificate.

Q2: Can I register my marriage in NSW if I'm not an Australian citizen?

A2: Yes, non-Australian citizens can register their marriage in NSW. However, additional requirements may apply, such as having a valid visa or authority to marry in Australia.

Q3: Can we choose our own marriage celebrant?

A3: Yes, you have the freedom to choose your own authorized marriage celebrant for the ceremony. Just ensure that they are registered with the relevant authorities.

Q4: Is it possible to register our marriage in NSW without a ceremony?

A4: No, a ceremony conducted by an authorized marriage celebrant is a mandatory requirement for registering a marriage in NSW.

Q5: Can we change the date of our appointment with the Registry?

A5: In some cases, the Registry may allow you to change the date of your appointment. However, it's recommended to contact them well in advance to discuss the possibilities and any associated fees.

Q6: What if we need to register our marriage urgently?

A6: If you have urgent circumstances, such as impending travel plans, you can contact the Registry and explain your situation. They may be able to provide guidance on expedited processes or special considerations.

Conclusion

Registering your marriage in NSW is a straightforward process, provided you fulfill the legal requirements and complete the necessary paperwork. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free registration process. Remember to gather the required documents, book your appointment in advance, attend the ceremony, and apply for the official marriage certificate. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, and best wishes for a lifetime of love and happiness together!

[head-heart-health]

10 Unique Wedding Ceremony Ideas to Wow Your Guests

Say Goodbye to Boring Ceremonies When it comes to planning your wedding, you want every aspect to be unique and memorable, especially your ceremony. As an experienced marriage celebrant specializing in non-traditional, modern ceremonies, I am thrilled to share with you 10 extraordinary wedding ceremony ideas that will leave your guests in awe. These ideas are designed to infuse your special day…

[cotswoldhil]

Marry Me Zoe

Ceremonies can be boring. Not mine! I make wedding celebrations that are modern and ridiculously fun. It's all about you feeling happy, relaxed & loved up.

[nikkisheep]

Will there be a new Part of To Be Alone With You ?

To Be Alone With You (Part Seven)

Anthony Bridgerton x female!sharma!sister!reader

Mentions of Benedict and reader

Warnings: ANGST, so much ANGST, swearing, Violet Bridgerton giving advise, Edwina feeling betrayed, Kate giving advise, we learn that Edwina is not in love with Anthony and never was, a few uses of Y/N just as a placeholder, ITALICS ARE A FLASHBACK, this got a lot longer than expected.

a/n: The official ending is going to be Anthony. He was the original ending and I think that there is so much potential with him and the reader. However, I will be making an ending for Benedict fans (me too) and it will be written as an alternate ending.

Summary: As the wedding between Anthony and Edwina nears, you must decide if your love for the viscount is worth sacrificing your relationships with your sisters, Benedict, and potentially yourself.

Playlist:

"The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived" Taylor Swift

"Because I liked a boy" Sabrina Carpenter

"You're Losing Me (From The Vault)" Taylor Swift

"The Last Time (Taylor's Version)" Taylor Swift

Taglist: @shealuna , @m-rae23 , @littlepeanut03 , @aellabridgerton @sydney-m, @faatxma , @wildthoughtnananna @uraesthete, @themadhattersqueen, @theroyalmanatee, @urfavnoirette, @budugu, @helen06dreamer, @galactict3a, @imagineme2you. @sabii5, @anehkael, @aesthetic0cherryblossom, @lxovesgy, @lemonwithstupidity, @luvwithau, @stvrdustalexx, @jess4rush, @tallrock35, @msrawog , @diduzzula , @myheartfollower , @yunho-leeknow , @jeysbae, @delusional-4-fake-people, @kiddeecat , @lucistarrrrs, @marvelouslyme96 , @weshhhhhhhhhhhhh, @lafrone

Dearest, Gentle Reader,

It appears that while the Viscount Bridgerton is engaged with one Edwina Sharma, the same can not be said about his eyes. Last night during the Featherington's Ball, it appeared that Lord Bridgerton's eyes were on one particular Sharma sister, who was not his betrothed. With the wedding so near, this author fears that this engagement will end in scandal and not a wedding. Let us not forget that Mr. Benedict Bridgerton also seems to be smitten by a Sharma sister. Will the Bridgetons have two weddings on their hands this year?

Lady Whistle down, Society Papers 1814

---

"Brother, I had not known you were taking it kindly with a Sharma," Anthony said, a glint in his eyes. "Is it Miss Kate Sharma? I've seen you look at her a few times."

Eloise had been reading Whistledown to the family hours prior to the brothers gathering into Anthony's office for a few drinks, to celebrate the engagement and the wedding so near.

"Kate? Absolutely not. She is a wonderful woman, strong headed, beautiful, but is more so a sister to me than a potential bride," Benedict stated, rather off put by the idea of marrying Kate. She was a lovely lady, one like a sister to him. She was just not who he had his eyes on.

"Well that only leaves one other Sharma brother," Colin said, nervous at his brothers realization.

"NO!" Anthony declares. "Not her!"

Benedict looks up with a sly smile, not realizing that Anthony knew of them.

"Yes, Miss Y/n Sharma is a lovely woman who has quipped my interest," Benedict says, smiling as he takes a sip of his drink.

"Have you compromised this woman?"

"I am a gentleman, brother," Benedict says, but his smile gives it away.

"You have!" Anthony states, he already knew from the note he left you when he snuck out of your bedroom all those weeks ago.

"Yes and I am not proud of it, I am simply waiting for your wedding to be over so I may propose. No need to steal your spotlight."

Anthony debated on telling Benedict that she was already compromised before he got to her. Now with the talk of marriage, his brother deserved to know.

"Brother, I must confess something that I am not proud to say."

"And that is my cue to leave," Colin said, bidding goodnight as he knew what was to come.

"Miss Sharma was already compromised when you laid with her during your art session," Anthony said quickly before downing the burning liquid from his glass, grabbing the bottle to pour more.

"But how would you know that?" Benedict said, confusion growing onto his face. "And why would you know that?''

Anthony takes in a deep breath before turning back to his brother.

"Because the man who compromised Miss Sharma was me."

Benedict, now standing, paces across the floor as he takes big breaths to keep his cool. He then turns to Anthony, storming up to him and grabbing his collar.

"You fucked her and then left her?" He yelled, anger flashing across his face. He was fuming. Anthony had never seen this kind of emotion in his brother before. Benedict was always the calm one. Always the one who kept his cool when it came to getting angry. This was new.

"I did not intend-"

"You compromise that woman and then propose to her sister!"

"Ben-"

"And then what? Don't tell me you knew of the two of us!"

Anthony looked down at the floor, Benedict stepped away from him for a moment.

"Do.not.tell.me.that.you.knew.of.my.feelings.for.her!"

"I knew not of your feelings, just your actions," Anthony said. "I told her that she should choose you because I was engaged to her sister. It was before my engagement, before all of the wedding talk, and before you set your eyes on her."

"How many times did you sleep with her?" Benedict asked, tears in his eyes.

"It only happened, maybe a few times."

"Did any of it happen after you found out about her and I?"

Anthony doesn't answer immediately but based on his silence, Benedict already knew.

"Brother, I love her!" Benedict yelled, hurt and betrayal creeping in his voice. "And you aimed to take her away from me!"

"I love her, Benedict. I tried to stop it. I tried to stop my feelings but I couldn't. I wanted to leave her alone after I found out about the two of you," Anthony says.

"But you did not!" Benedict yelled back at him, his blood boiling.

"It was Miss Sharma who ended things between the two of us, Ben. I told her that I loved her and then realized that it made me weak. I could not let her feel the same pain as Mother did after Father's death."

"You don't get to keep using that excuse, Anthony!" Benedict cried. "We have given you so many passes because of that one excuse and I understand how much Father meant to you but you do forget that I was close in your age when Father died as well. It is as though everyone forgets that he was my father too."

"Brother-"

"You have always been seen as strong and brave and mature for taking over the head of the house, but forget that you are not the only one who has the burden of remembering Father's passing." Benedict says, "I used to stand there, outside your study, listening to your pen scribbling across papers. I would listen to the sounds of you stumbling through the office and papers falling along with books from the shelves as you make your way back to your seat because you were so overcome with sleep. I would want to reach out to help you but it was not my place. I had to lose my father and watch my brother lose himself. So for you to deprive yourself of happiness, it is the worst mistake you could make."

"I have to protect her from it, brother. I will not let Y/n face the same pain and fate Mother did."

"Brother, you can not hide from love. It will find you. It always does. You can choose to turn away from it or you can embrace it with everything you have," Benedict walks over to his brother, a man who is clearly struggling to contain his emotions as he stands before his younger brother.

Benedict grabs the back of Anthony's neck, comforting him.

"Make it right with her brother, if you love her within half of what you claim, make it right."

Benedict turned and walked out of the office, leaving Anthony in the candle lit room alone.

---

"Whistledown writes lies," Edwina states, holding the piece of paper. "Anthony does not have eyes for one of you, does he?"

"Never," Kate says. "He is completely entranced by you."

You sit with a book as you listen to them. Edwina had been growing weary of the wedding. Almost having second thoughts before deciding that she would continue. You remember the conversation with her and Kate.

---

You three girls were all gathered in the library, looking through the old books as you gossiped about the ladies of the Ton.

"Did you see how Lady Datherington was dangling onto Lord Kemp?" Kate asked?

"I don't know if I want to continue with the wedding," Edwina says softly. "I am just not sure if he is the one for me."

"What makes you say that?" Kate asked.

"Yes, you seemed happy with the courtship," You said.

"It just seems as though we are not meant to be, rather that he may be interested in someone else."

"Someone else?" Kate questioned, looking at you for support.

"Darling, he is not interested in anyone else. You are the diamond of the season, why would he be interested in someone else instead."

"But that is the issue, Y/n, why isn't he interested in a different woman?" Edwina says, confusing the both you and Kate.

"Do you want him to be interested in someone else?" You ask.

"It would make more sense than him being interested in me just because the queen said he should be," Edwina says. "He doesn't even want a love match. He just wants a wife to take care of his home."

"His huge home," Kate gives a nod.

"Kate, I think what she means to say-"

"Not what I mean to say, what I am saying is that he doesn't love me so why is he so committed to this marriage? Why does he not try to get to know me if he wants to be my husband?"

You move to hug her and Kate does the same. At this very moment, you ponder if you should tell her that you were in love with her future husband, and a small part of you hoped that she would forgive. You thought that it would be a good time to tell her, give it to her while we are on the topic of the viscount, but just as you open your mouth, Edwina states that she is to still marry him.

"I suppose that I must marry him with the wedding so close. I can not pull out now," Edwina says with a small smile.

"You are to still marry him?" You asked.

"Well, I have to now since the wedding is in two weeks."

"What would make you not marry him?" You asked, Kate looked at you confused.

"Why do you ask?" Kate says slowly.

"Because I would want to know what it would take for a man not to marry me."

"I suppose him telling me he was in love with another woman because I would not want him to be in a loveless marriage and yearn for another," Edwina says.

"Anything else?"

"Maybe if the woman told me she loved him as well." ---

You close the book you are reading when a piece of paper falls out of it, Anthony's note. You had not seen it since the morning you found it laying on your bedside table. You quickly move to grab it, but Edwina swoops it in her hands from the floor.

"Look Kate, Y/n has a secret love letter!" Edwina squeals.

"I had no idea you were getting letters from gentlemen," Kate teases, walking up beside Edwina as you stare at the piece of paper in horror.

Edwina starts to read aloud, "My Dearest, Miss Sharma."

"Oh my, it has a comma after Dearest," Kate gushes as she beams brightly.

"I love you as deeply as the deepest parts of the oceans and even further than that," Edwina reads on, smiling as she does so. "I wish there was a way to sleep in the same bed as you. To stay in the same home with you, to hold you love as close as I can until it was the only thing I knew."

"Oh Y/n, this man is deeply taken with you!" Kate beams as she runs to hug you tightly. "You must tell us what his name is! Oh and we must tell Mama!"

Edwina's eyes grow large, her smile dimming and horror falls onto your face. Kate turns back to Edwina and tilts her head in confusion.

"Bon, is everything alright?"

"Why would you do this to me?" Edwina says, staring at the paper.

"Edwina, I can explain."

"How could you do this to me?" Edwina says again, anger growing into her voice. " 'How I wish I were able to say "I love you, Mrs. Bridgerton. My viscountess."' "Do these words ring any bells? And the "A.B."?"

"Edwina, please!" You start to shake your head at her. "I am truly sorry. I never meant-"

"He wrote to you that he wanted to marry you in a different reality, one where he was not marrying me and that he may actually be able to marry for love!" Edwina cries at not the thought of him not being faithful to their courtship and engagement but because it was you he was being unfaithful with.

"Edwina, all of that was before he announced your engagement," You plead. "I did not expect for Lord Bridgerton to be interested in me nor I in him. I did not want this to happen. I cut it off because I saw how happy you are with him."

"So at every ball, when the two of you danced, you loved him? Or was every insult you said to him was truly a love confession?"

Kate stood there in shock as she read the first line, "I awoke with a perplexed train of thought as I watched you blissfully sleep."

"Did the two of you do what married people do?" Kate asked, interrupting the two of you.

"I...Yes, we did but it was not something that I knew to be the marital act at all."

"Y/N, he has compromised you and he has left you aside!" Kate said, anger slipping in as she thought of seeing Anthony.

"Edwina, I never meant to cause harm to you." You say, slowly walking to her, she steps back a few steps.

"It is not that I am happy with him because I am not," Edwina said, for the first time since the engagement she could speak how she truly feels. "I am not happy with Lord Bridgerton. And I can not make him happy. I am going into a loveless marriage and he is in love with my sister. I knew that he could never love me, I just never expected you to be the one he loved."

"Edwina-"

"I am not done!" She shouts, stomping her foot. "I foolishly expected that one day we could love each other but we cannot. I shared my doubts, my concerns, and my feelings with you, and this entire time, you were secretly the reason behind all of them. I am not upset that you love him or that he had secretly been meeting with you, I am angry because you felt as though you could not tell me your feelings for him."

"I am so sorry," You cry, shaking as you stood there in one spot, frozen due to your mistake.

"I thought we were closer than anyone," Edwina said. "And yet you could not tell me small things like how you took interest in Lord Bridgerton and you kept it from me."

Edwina walked out of the room, tears in her eyes, and you stood there in your spot until she had left completely before breaking down. Kate rushed to catch you as you slid to your knees as you cried.

"He said he loved me, Kate. He said he loved me. Why did he have to tell me that he loved me?"

"Shhh, I know. I know." Kate had only one thought as she held your shaking form in her arms, she was going to have a nice long conversation with Anthony.

"I never meant for this to happen," You cried. "I just wanted someone to love me and he said he did. I didn't mean for it to hurt her. I never wanted to hurt her. I just wanted someone to love me."

Kate gently takes your face in her hands and kisses your forehead.

"You are loved. You need not a man to love you. To love someone else is to first love yourself. You can not love someone else unless you are willing to accept love for yourself," Kate smiles. "Anthony is an idiot for making you feel this way. For that I am terribly sorry and you will survive because you have survived many things in this world for you are a woman.''

"But Edwina is upset with me."

"She is upset, but she is not angry. She understands that you love him, she is rather upset because you had not been truthful with your feelings."

"Do you think she will forgive me?" You ask, looking up at her with hope in your eyes along with unshedded tears.

"Oh darling, she has most likely forgiven you as soon as she walked out of the room. You know Edwina may be upset with you, but do not think that she doesn't love you or will not forgive you. She is just hurt."

"Kate, you have no idea how much I am going to miss you when you leave for India again."

"And I will miss you as well. But for now, lets not talk on that topic. I have a very important thing to do right now," She smiles.

"Oh of course," You move to get out of her arms.

"No silly, my important task is to hold you until you feel better," She smiles as she squeezes you tightly.

"But I already feel better," You giggle.

"Well at least until I feel better."

---

Anthony walks into his mother's drawing room as she sits there stitching up a pillow which she puts down when seeing the state of her son.

"What is it, my son?" Violet smiles softly.

"Mama, I made a huge mistake and I do not know how to fix it."

"Oh my son, come sit."

Violet moves a pillow and she pats the couch beside her. Anthony sits down and tears well up in his eyes.

"Oh, darling what troubles you?"

"I love someone and I can not possibly let her suffer a painful life as you have since Father," Anthony says as he struggles not to cry in front of his mother.

"Anthony, I have not lived a painful life." Violet places her hand on Anthony's cheek. Normally he would scold her or move away but he realized that he deeply craved his mother's touch.

"I shared a wonderful life with your father and when he died, it felt as though a part of me died, but without the love and heartache that I gained throughout our marriage, I would not have you or the rest of my children. I would be lost in this sea of life without having Edmund, but I have my children, the greatest honor of my life, to hold me anchored."

"But Mama, I can not have her suffer."

"And what do you think you are doing to her now?" Violet knew who her son was talking about and she knew how you were feeling.

"Mother, I can not let her love me. I can not rest peacefully if she were to be in pain and agony because of me!" Anthony's tears fell from his eyes, and Violet's thumb wipes them away.

"Oh my sweet, sweet Anthony, you put so much on yourself." She smiles sadly. "Are you saying that you do not deserve to have happiness with the one woman who not only loves you but understands you more than everyone else?"

"Well, not more than you," Anthony laughs softly. "I just do not know if I can let her love me openly and deeply."

"Son, you are so much like your father. He too struggled with accepting love, but when he did, he did it with so much embrace. He is extremely proud of you and he would want you to be loved as deeply as he loved me or I loved him."

"Mama, what have I done to deserve her love? I have brought her only suffering and I am not dead yet."

"My darling child, love is not something that one is deserving of because it should be unconditional," Violet smiles. "You know what you must do now?"

"Yes, I believe I do." Anthony smiles as he hugs his mother, Violet gasped in surprise at the action. He had not done so since he left for Oxford all those years ago.

"I love you, Mama."

Violet smiled and tears came to her eyes as she squeezed him tighter.

"I love you too, my son."

---

There was a thunderstorm and lightening was cracking against the sky and thunder boomed across the earth. You had crept into Edwina's room to talk.

"Edwina, I wanted to say I am sorry."

Edwina had not answered. She laid still on her bed.

"I have decided that I am going to tell Anthony that I am leaving for India with Kate and I thought I should also tell you."

As you were speaking, thunder clapped in the sky and a small whimper left Edwina's lips.

"Bon?"

Nothing but another whimper. You move to Edwina's bed and you sat down. Edwina looked over at you and you open your arms. She quickly rushed into your arms as you moved to her pillow. She wrapped herself in your arms and clung to you with wide eyes and a racing heartbeat.

"Edwina, you are safe. I have you, you are safe." You stroked her hair and you both slowly drifted off to sleep as the rain poured down from the sky, as if it was cleansing the earth of mistakes and washing your mistake with Edwina down with it.

"I love you Edwina," You said.

"I forgive you," She whispers before you hear snores drifting through the air.

[thebearer]

Carmy and mama making a sex tape during the early years of dating, then finding it when they’re many years into their marriage and the girls are older. They have a date night where they drop the girls off at friends and rewatch it (and maybe recreate it 🙈)

"When did we... When did we even make this?" Carmen frowns, the TV mirroring your old phone, years old, you were surprised you found an adaptor for it.

"After the restaurant got it's star, remember? You threw a celebration thing for Sydney." You looked at him, brows raised teasingly.

Carmen flushed, a blush creeping up on his cheeks. "Right." He nodded. "God, I can't- I can't believe we actually did that."

"Me either." You grinned. "Can't believe we forgot about it, too."

The video loaded, the blocked play button in the middle of the screen. You turned the volume up, a wicked, excited smile beaming toward Carmen. "Ready?"

Carmen smirked, nodding slowly, hand running against the couch, blood already rushing to his crotch. You scurried beside him, right before a younger version of you came on screen- clad in a lacy lingerie set, straps already sliding off your shoulders.

"I think it's on- yeah, it's on." The version of you on the screen giggle, propping the phone on the dresser. Carmen's old dresser in your shared apartment, you had just moved in together.

Carmen rested his hand on your thigh, you curled into his side, eyes on the screen. "So what do we do, huh? You want me to look at it." Carmen on the screen asked, eyes cutting nervously towards the phone.

"No, don't look at it!" You shrilled through the speakers of the TV. "Just look at me, ok? Want it to be natural like we always do." The purr in your voice- it had the same reaction on Carmen then and now. Both tensing, knuckles whitening when they gripped onto you.

"Ok, alright," Carmen nodded, hands sliding over your hips in the video, squeezing the fat of your ass. "You want me to make you feel good? Take care of you? Since it's your video."

Your thighs pressed together, even now. Two kids, ten years of marriage, nearly fifteen years together. It was amazing, how it made you react at the beginning of your relationship and even now.

"Yeah," Younger you nodded, eyes already glassy, arms looping around his neck.

"Yeah? Lay back f'me." Carmen rasped, the bed squeaking through the speakers when he pushed you back on it lightly, fingers hooking around the crotch of your lingerie set.

"You still got that?" Carmen muttered, eyes cutting to you, hand gripping your thigh on the couch.

"That? I don't think so." You grinned, your own hands creeping closer on his thigh towards his bulge. "Even if I did, wouldn't fit. Had two kids since then Berzatto."

"C'mon," Carmen rasped, shaking his head at you- you could see the reflections of the TV in his eyes, the way he kissed down your body, teasing you. Your tummy flipped, rushing with heat. "You're beautiful, always been."

You blushed, rolling your eyes. "You're horny." You muttered, your fingertips brushing over the crotch of his sweatpants. Carmen's hips lifted into your touch, a stuttering exhale falling from his nose.

"Yeah, well, can you blame me?" Carmen groaned, nodding towards the screen. "Look at you."

Your eyes flickered towards the screen, Carmen's head now buried between your thighs, your own moans and breathy whines falling through the speakers. Hips rising and bucking, Carmen's hand pressing on your hips to keep you in place, eyes lifting to yours on the screen. It made you throb.

"Think we should recreate it? See if we've gotten any better?" Carmen grinned, hand creeping towards your own clothed heat, a finger tip tracing down your thigh.

"Y-Yeah." You nodded, shuddering under his touch.

Carmen grinned, wide and salacious before you were pinned on the couch, him wedged between your legs, kissing you fierily. Hot breath, lips hovering over your skin, shoving your sweatpants down, teasing you over your panties- just the way you liked. He knew better now, knew your body better than you did sometimes.

The Carmen on the screen had just begun to learn, at the beginning of his journey with you- with himself. Now, Carmen was more secure now, less scared, confident even. Especially when it came to using his tongue on you, diving between your legs, hands intertwined in yours, holding you down while he devoured you on the couch.

[preciouslandmermaid]

nothing’s gonna hurt you baby (carmy x f!reader) - bonus post-epilogue chapter

Note:  I randomly wanted to write a wedding, but I don't actually include the ceremony, so this is more like a "pre-wedding/post-wedding" story if we're being honest ! Also it takes place about 2 years after the epilogue :)

Warnings/Tags: 18+ Content! (Explicit Language/Sexual Content).

(Read on Ao3) /// (Masterpost)    

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

Sydney held the wooden spoon toward you and the scent of the honey and ginger glaze tickled your nostrils. Earlier in the afternoon, she rolled the sleeves of her dark green sweater to her elbows and the beaded bracelet (a gift from Richie’s daughter, Eva) slid partway down her wrist.

“Alright, it’s your entree. You get to try it first.”

“I thought that was the chef’s honor?”

“Yeah, well, you’re the bride so…” she trailed off, shrugging. “I think that superimposes chef’s honor.”

You smiled and raised both eyebrows at Syd. She didn’t have to help, especially considering how busy The Bear is nowadays, but she offered and you gratefully accepted. Wedding planning – as it turned out – was a stressful affair. You and Carmy had your location set, but the guest list, wedding registry, and menu were woefully incomplete. You tangled yourselves into knots over the planning, but the goal remained firm in your mind; a celebration with Carmy and your friends mixed with the legality of marriage. You would overcome any hurdles you needed to cross because all of it would be worth it in the end.

Wordlessly, you closed your mouth over the spoon. Your lips puckered and your tongue recoiled to the safety of your back molars.

“Oh, oh shit,” Sydney said emphatically, “you hate it.”

“N-no!” You coughed, swallowing, and grabbing your glass of water. “The acidity is just a little...strong. It needs to be adjusted, that’s all.”

“Fuck,” she said, slapping her palm on the wooden countertop. “Okay – uh – that’s okay. We can – I can totally fix this. No biggie.” When she tasted the glaze, her expression pinched before she stuck out her tongue and gagged. “Yeah, nope.” She released a forced, short laugh. “There’s no saving that one.”

You loved Syd’s earnest, anxious awkwardness. Her blunt nature had been the first foundational stone of your friendship. You liked that she didn’t let Carmy off the hook, regardless of his experience and talent, and their partnership was an integral component to the Bear’s continued success.

“Back to the drawing board,” you said, drumming your fingers on the countertop. “Maybe ginger is too sharp? Do we lean more savory?”

“Interesting idea coming from the baker,” she teased.

“Hey!” You pretended to be offended and infused your tone with as much indignation as you could. “Just because I run a bakery doesn’t mean I have a sweet tooth.”

Syd laughed. “There is literally a bowl of candy by the entryway.”

“It’s for Halloween.” You crossed your arms and said, “There are a ton of families in this building.” In truth, your lack of nicotine intake after quitting smoking had manifested into a ravenous sweet tooth and, the lollipops – although bad for your teeth – were monumentally healthier than cigarettes.

“Dude, Halloween is seven months away.”

“We’re prepared.”

“What for like kids who don’t know how to like tell time and show up a few months early?”

“Obviously.”

She finished scraping the glaze into the trash. “You’re fucking ridiculous.” Her bright smile faded and the light entered her dark eyes. You recognized it as her ‘I have an idea face’ and your mood lifted—the overly sour glaze quickly forgotten. When Carmy said he wanted The Bear to cater your wedding, you had been shocked, and concerned about the additional stress it would add to your lives. However, with Syd in your kitchen, the pan gripped in her hand and her expression rapt with wonder, you realized that you had nothing to worry about. The wedding’s menu and food preparation were in the best hands.

“Do you have any soy sauce?” she asked, “Worcestershire sauce will work too, or liquid aminos if we’re desperate.”

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

Carmy watched as your fingers held aloft over the keyboard and the spreadsheet glared menacingly in a harsh blue-white glow. The guest list had been easy to start. The obvious ones were Syd, Natalie, Peter, Richie and Eva, and your best friend, Taylor. The harder choices were family and how to arrange the tables. Your eyebrows angled in confusion and you drew your hands away.

“I’m not inviting my dad,” you said after a moment’s pause.

Carmy nodded. “Okay.”

His neck prickled uncomfortably. It wasn’t the flushed heat that arrived when he felt embarrassed. No. This discomfort traveled from his neck to his fingers. It raked across his skin like a thousand needles, pricking every nerve, and drawing blood. He thought about going to his coat pocket and withdrawing a crumpled pack of cigarettes. The quick, cold rush of nicotine would ease his headache and calm his nerves. But, if he smoked, then he’d need to walk downstairs and into the blustery sharp gray wind of March. And he didn’t want to bail on you. The puzzle of who to invite and who to sit with whom was a project for the both of you to untangle.

“I dunno if I should…” He cleared his throat and looked away when your eyes met his over the laptop screen. “I dunno.”

“Your mom?” you correctly guessed.

Carmy sniffed, scratched the side of his nose, and nodded. His heart thumped into his ribs. Maybe he should take a walk. Maybe the March air would clear this dreadful feeling from his skull. His stomach hardened into a pit at the idea of his mom coming to his wedding. But, at the same time, his dread and fear congealed into a sharp guilt that curdled his stomach acid. His mom was a force to be reckoned with. A hurricane of a woman. He loved her. He didn’t know if he wanted her at the wedding. He knew she’d be upset if she weren’t invited. But, both of you decided to keep the guest list small. The careful cuts were necessary, and not just due to the frugality aspect, but in terms of everyone’s enjoyment.

“She’d make it about her,” he said, “remember Sophia’s second birthday?”

You placed your hand on the middle of Carmy’s back, right between his tense shoulder blades, and he forced a harsh exhale through his teeth. They almost called the police, Carmy thought with a frown. His mom showed up and seemed fine, and then shortly before cake and presents, she buckled little Sophia into her car and claimed that Natalie hated her and didn’t want Sophia to have a relationship with her grandmother. His niece, at the age when separation anxiety often occurred, cried so much that she threw up on her special birthday dress.

“I do,” you said and your eyes softened.

“I’m a terrible son,” Carmy said, “I’m a fucking asshole. We have to invite her, don’t we? She deserves to be there.”

“Carmy, you’re not.” You rubbed his back. “Do you think I’m an asshole for not inviting my dad?”

He quickly said, “No.” The pit in his stomach gnawed at his smoke-deprived lungs. “It’s different.”

“How so?”

“He has another family.” Carmy stood, raking his hand through his hair. “My mom only has Nat and me.”

“So you have to sacrifice your happiness and comfort for hers?”

“Yes!” he said immediately followed by a quick, “No. I don’t know.” He reached into his coat pocket hanging by the door and fished out the squashed packet of cigarettes.

You trailed after him and wound your arms around him, pressing your face into his back, your hands coming to rest over his heart. Carmy froze. The pressure of your hands on his chest made him realize how fast his heart was beating. He squeezed the cigarette packet and it crinkled beneath his clammy fingers.

“Remind me,” you said, voice faintly muffled by his t-shirt, “what was the possible diagnosis your therapist gave her?”

“Borderline personality disorder.” His therapist also said his mom could have narcissistic personality disorder, but BPD was more likely, based on his descriptions of childhood. It helped to have a name for it. It gave him a better understanding of everything he went through.

“Which defines her behavior but doesn’t excuse it,” you said as you circled around him to face him. “Carmy, I love you.” You cupped his face in your hands. “I will support you if you want to invite Donna and I’ll weather any storms she brings with her. Who knows...maybe it’ll be a good day for her.” Your tone toward the end of your sentence became dubious.

Carmy sighed. “I don’t think I want to invite her, but I feel like I should.” He frowned. “That doesn’t make sense, does it?”

“No, it does. You feel an obligation as her son to share this big moment with her. I get it.”

“Do you feel guilty about not inviting your dad?”

“A little.” Your lips pursed. “But, if I visualize our wedding, the thought of my dad standing beside me doesn’t make me happy. I don’t feel excited about it. I just feel…”

“Dread?” he guessed.

You smiled faintly. “It’s more annoyance and anger for me.”

“Mm, yeah. Makes sense.” He leaned his forehead and touched it to yours. How did he get so lucky? He imagined the wedding. He imagined seeing you across from him, sliding the ring on your finger, and stuttering through his vows. The usual nervousness bubbled up inside his chest, but it was smothered by the overwhelming warmth and affection he felt for you that bled across his skin like thick honey.

“I don’t think I can invite her,” he whispered.

“That’s okay, Carm.” You kissed him softly. “That’s okay.” You repeated against his mouth. A sensation of cool and blissful relief extinguished the last lingering remnants of his dread.

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

“Something is weird,” you said, leaning forward in the passenger seat. “Why are there two florist vans? Did we accidentally get two?” You didn’t recognize the name on the second van either. Must be a local shop, you thought, although that doesn’t explain why they’re here.

“I don’t think so,” Carmy said.

As everyone poured out of their cars, their garment bags slung over their arms or over their shoulders, a sharply dressed black woman emerged from the entrance and strode purposefully toward you and Carmy.

“You must be the Berzattos,” she said breathlessly as she shook your hands. “It’s good to meet you. My name is Vivienne and I’m afraid I have bad news.”

“What sort of bad news?” Richie said, “The kind that gets us a discount?” He grinned at Carmy and your husband-to-be rolled his eyes.

“Perhaps.”

Richie whispered, “Oh shit.”

“We’ve had some technical issues with our new scheduling program.” She wrung her hands together. “The venue has been double-booked.”

“Okay,” you said slowly, noticing all the additional staff buzzing to and fro across the manicured lawn.

Vivienne said, “I’m so sorry for the mistake. If you’d like, we can reschedule you.”

Your stomach dropped into your shoes.

“Absolutely not,” you said, “people flew out to be here. We can’t reimburse flights and accommodations, and nor should we have to considering this is your error.” You sighed, feeling a headache press into your temples. “Why didn’t you notify us?”

“How about a discount and you can split the venue?” she offered, “we only realized the mistake when the two catering companies showed up.”

“Well, that’s convenient,” said Richie.

“Fuck,” Syd said.

Natalie crossed her arms. “I’m sorry did they say double-booked?”

“Mommy!” Sophia pulled at Natalie’s pant leg. “Mommy, look! Sunflowers!” She pointed at the floral van carrying out their arrangements.

You shared a glance with Carmy. “Can we have a minute?”

“Of course. Again, we’re so sorry.”

You and Carmy broke away from the group of your closest friends and family. You rubbed your hands down the length of your face.

“We can’t reschedule,” you said, “but how the hell are we going to share the venue? They have one kitchen and we paid for our guests to stay the night.”

“Maybe the timing works out,” Carmy said, taking your hand in his. “You want to stay here?”

“Yes.”

“Then fuck it. We stay.”

“Okay, fuck it.” You smiled. “Let’s negotiate a good discount.”

“Say the word and I’ll send Pete in,” Carmy joked.

You laughed. “God, we might need him.”

The organization was a cluster-fuck. The venue manager, Vivienne, assured and promised that the space was large enough and that the other party – the Carmichael's – were having a noon wedding with a 2 PM reception and everything would be cleaned up for your 4 PM wedding and 5 PM reception. But, you noticed the proverbial cracks in the foundation. The necessary kitchen prep work, the clashing decorations, the intermingling guests, and the underlying stress and confusion permeated every interaction. You practiced intentional breathing and hoped you’d make it through the day without bursting into stress-induced tears.

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

The zipper was halfway up when it broke. You felt the snag, then the tug and pull, and the abrupt separation. You pressed your hand to your mouth and muffled the noise of discontent and frustration that threatened to break free.

Taylor pushed her long, thick dark braid over her shoulder and pursed her red lips at you. “We can work with this,” she said after a long moment of contemplation. “We can fix it.”

You released a strangled, “can we?” You blinked back your burning tears—you didn’t want to ruin your makeup.

“Yeah, most of these places have emergency sewing kits,” your best friend said while digging through the drawers, “also, this might be a bad time, but is the chef single?”

Despite everything, you laughed. “Which chef?”

“The tall blonde one with the accent.”

“Luca?”

Taylor’s eyes brightened. “Yes!”

“I’ll find out for you,” you said while reaching for your phone. You smiled at the sight of your phone background, a black and white photo of you and Carmy, and Taylor snickered.

“I remember when you told me about him,” she said.

“You do?”

“Yeah, you were all tied into knots about it...and now look at you! Tying the knot.” She winked. “I’m glad you guys figured it out.”

Your chest warmed with pleasure. “Me too.”

“Aha!” She held the little sewing kit aloft. It had the venue's name printed on the front of the bag. “Do you think they write this so nobody steals it?” She asked while tapping the swooping decal.

Before you could answer, your mom bustled into the room, her billowing lilac sleeves trailing after her arms.

“Oh! Look at you!” She grabbed your chin and kissed your cheek. “I’ve got something for you. A little tradition.”

“Mom, I don’t know if I can stomach any more surprises.” Taylor began to fix your zipper and the cold metal teeth periodically kissed your skin.

“You’ll like this surprise.”

Your mom removed a potted plant from her purse. The dark soil clung to her fingertips, the plant likely got knocked around more than once, as she set it down on the vanity. You recognized the wide, verdant leaves.

“A basil plant?”

“Normally, we give a flower of some type, but I chose a basil plant instead.” She smiled, pleased. “Nurture the plant as you nurture your future and it’ll thrive.”

Your throat tightened. “Thanks, Mom.” Your shoulders jerked as Taylor finished zipping and she whooped in triumphant delight.

“There we go, crisis averted,” said Taylor, “now we don’t have to worry about walking down the aisle naked.”

You rubbed your fingertips along the basil leaf and smiled at them.

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

“God,” Richie said, fixing his tie, “I can’t believe you’re getting fucking married, cousin.”

“Yeah, me either.” Carmy scratched the side of his nose.

“I always thought Mikey’d get married before you,” he said, “he was just more charmin’, you know? He had a way with people, women especially, God…” Richie shook his head. “He couldn’t walk down the street without getting some chick’s phone number.”

Carmy stared sullenly at his reflection. “Yeah, well, maybe it’s a good thing he didn’t? ‘Cause then he’d have an ex-wife, or a widow, or a kid or somethin, I dunno.”

Carmy wondered if he’d forever be in rooms with Mikey’s shadow stuck to the corners. It didn’t suffocate him as much anymore. Mikey’s memory lurked within every conversation – like slivers of light through the paneled window shades. Today of all days though, Carmy suspected those slivers would blind him. Mikey should’ve been here, could’ve been, and he wasn’t.

“Yeah, good point.” Richie turned the side and smoothed his lapels. “Still, it should be him.”

Carmy’s neck flushed with indignation. Did Richie seriously have to be such an asshole? His brow furrowed. It was his fucking wedding day for fuck’s sake!

“Cousin—” Carmy began.

“Standing here, I mean, as your best man,” said Richie. “Look, there’s no takebacks and this would be a hell of a time to change your mind but it should’ve been Mikey. Not me. I get that, okay? That’s all I’m trying to say…” He fixed his tie again. “And I’m gonna do everything to make sure that this day doesn���t go to shit. I can promise you that, alright?”

Carmy blinked, at a loss for words at Richie’s admission. It had been six years and counting since Mikey’s death and Richie had been with him for every one. If he was being honest with himself and not caught up on nostalgia, if Mikey was here, then Carmy wasn’t sure he would have trusted him with all the responsibility. Hell, Richie organized a pizza-making bachelor party for him. He offered to trash the other couple’s wedding.

“Who else would it be?” he asked softly, “you’re family, Richie.”

Richie sniffed, nodded, and clapped his hand on Carmy’s shoulder, jostling him. When Carmy met his eyes, they were glassy and bright.

“I know.” His lips twitched up into a grin. “Let’s get you fucking married!” He pulled Carmy in a one-armed, half-hug and shook him. “Put a fucking smile on that face, Carm. Come on! Come on!”

He affectionately pinched Carmy’s face in one hand, squishing his mouth, and Carmy shoved Richie away, annoyed, but laughing—in the same way he’d get annoyed and laugh whenever Mikey goofed around with him.

“Fuck off,” said Carmy, without any heat.

“Hey,” Syd poked her head into the doorway, “you ready? The photographer wants to see all of the groomsmen.”

“Shouldn’t you say grooms-people? To be like politically correct or whatever,” Richie asked, “or groomsmen and women considering you’re among us.”

Syd made a face. “Richie shut up and come pose with us.”

“Hey, I’m just trying to be inclusive,” he said loudly.

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

If someone asked you to recount all the details of your wedding—you didn’t think you could. It was the busiest and most stressful day of your life. You’d always remember the finer details like Carmy’s thoughtful, flustered vows, Richie starting a limbo competition, or Syd’s dad dancing with Taylor—at least for a while until she disappeared with Luca in tow. Good for you, you remembered thinking as you watched her form retreat down the hall.

But the rest of the day was an exuberant blur. It had been long and you were grateful to relax into the lush pillowcases with your short silk gown kissing your skin.

Carmy climbed into bed after showering and peppered kisses along your nose and jaw, his hands finding your hips beneath the covers and holding them.

“I can’t believe you’re my husband,” you said with soft laughter before chasing his lips with yours.

“And you’re my wife,” he said, lifting your wrists and placing them over your head, “keep those there.”

You said, “We’ve been married less than twelve hours and you’re already bossing me around?”

Carmy chuckled and his breath puffed over your peaked nipples. His tongue laved over the silk, and moistened it before he drew your nipple between his lips. The soft silk and warmth of Carmy’s tongue was a heady, back-arching mixture.

“Oh, fuck,” you whispered, plunging your hands into his damp curls and scraping your nails over his scalp.

“Yeah?” His calloused palm felt its way down your thigh, “Are you wet for me already?”

“A little,” you admitted as you parted your legs for him.

“God,” he muttered before mouthing along your breasts and wetting the silk with his tongue and lips. He held one of your breasts in his hand and squeezed, pushing the mound into his mouth again and sucking your hard nipple. The sensation turned to liquid, sticky heat between your legs. You moaned, pushing upward into his grasp and gyrating your hips in askance. His hand was frustratingly close to your cunt, but not close enough. He rubbed up and down your inner thigh from knee to apex, letting his knuckles occasionally brush your pussy, before drawing away without adding any pressure. The fucking nerve of him!

“My wife is so fucking hot,” Carmy said, and hearing the words sent a hot, fresh thrill trembling through you.

“And my husband is a fucking tease,” you said, digging your fingertips into his hard, sculpted shoulders.

Carmy pulled his mouth away from your wet breasts. The silk had darkened where his mouth had been and you could faintly see your nipples through the semi-translucent fabric.

“Am I?” He drew his hands away from you and grabbed your wrists again, pinning them above your head, “I thought I said to keep these here.”

You snorted. “When have I ever listened?”

“You’re a great listener,” he said honestly.

“I want to touch you, Carmy,” you said, matching his honesty with your own, even as his praise sang through your ears and warmed your skin.

He softened. “Okay.” He pulled your wedding ring-adorned hand to his mouth and kissed your knuckles. The moment he released your hand, you slid your fingers down his chest, smiling at the way his eyelashes fluttered and his cheeks darkened. You wiggled your fingers beneath the tight waistband of his boxer shorts and found him hard and pulsing within your grasp.

“Fuck.” He shuddered. “I feel like I could come just by looking at you.”

He jerked his hips into your touch as your fingers encircled him. You craned your neck upward and kissed him, finding the familiar rhythm of tongue and teeth, and moaning wantonly into his mouth when his hand cupped your wet folds. He hissed when his index finger pledged into you and your mind went white-hot and blank.

“Do you think the stress of the day has manifested into being super horny for each other?” You asked, your other hand cupping the back of Carmy’s neck, pinning his face close to yours so you could kiss him. His pretty blue eyes blinked at you.

“Maybe. But, I think I just want to fuck my wife.” His cock twitched in your hand and you grinned.

“It turns you on to call me your wife, doesn’t it?”

“It does.”

His admission made your walls clench around his index finger. Maybe you liked it too. Maybe. You felt Carmy smile against your lips. “Can’t wait to be inside you,” he muttered, “filling you, listening to you moan.”

You gasped and your eyes rolled back into your skull. It wasn’t often that Carmy engaged in dirty talk, so when he did, it was a rare and special treat that never failed to drench your core. Carmy ran his tongue along your neck, tasting your sweat before a second finger speared between your folds and coaxed that inner fire.

“Keep this on,” he said, dragging his teeth across the strap of your gown, “when I fuck you.”

“Mm – fuck. Okay,” you groaned.

“Actually, I—” his words were suddenly lost to a moan as you adjusted your grip on his cock, your fingers slicked with pre-cum. “Fuck, baby. I need you on top of me.”

“Gladly.”

Carmy rolled onto his back, yanking his shorts down, and you smiled at the sight of him – as desperate as you were with his chest heaving and his wet curls falling onto his forehead. Your walls clenched in anticipation as you hiked the hem of the dress over your hips. Carmy’s hands settled on your thighs and he watched hungrily as you held the base of his cock and slowly lowered yourself onto him. Your spine convulsed and the sensation of him stretching you and filling you wiped out every lingering thought in your mind.

“God,” his voice was strangled, “you feel so fucking amazing.”

You cupped his face, resting your forehead on his as you rode him, and said, “so do you.”

“I love you so much,” Carmy said reverently, “so goddamn much.”

Your heart threatened to break and regrow the from sheer tenderness of his words. Carmy, you learned over the years, expressed his love with acts of service and he said ‘I love you’ most often while having sex. However, something about this ‘I love you’ was different. It was more intense on your post-wedding night. You buried your face into his sweaty neck, your bodies and hearts joined, your futures intrinsically linked.

“I love you too.”

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

You tilted the watering can over the thriving basil plant and smiled.

“Auntie.” Sophia, freshly eight years old, held something in her hands. “I found a worm.”

You blinked at her. “Put it back?”

“Okay!” She replied cheerily and dropped the worm back into the potted rosemary. She spun when the balcony door slid open. “Hi Uncle Carmy! Do you want to see the worm?” She pointed.

Carmy smiled, first at his niece, and then at you. “Let me see,” he said, crouching. He balanced his wrists on his knees and the sunlight gleamed off his wedding band. Your heart skipped. My husband. You wondered what your grandfather would say if you could tell him that his death led you to your soulmate, a second family, and a range of new friends. Knowing him he’d tell me that he would’ve died sooner if he knew how happy it’d make me. Your grandfather had had a wry sense of humor.

Carmy stood and put his arm around you. “We’re going to need to re-pot the basil if it keeps growing like this,” he said absentmindedly.

You leaned into him and kissed his cheek.

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

A certain mega-narc was noticeably absent from Victoria’s big 50th birthday bash here in London. I wonder if this was a bruise to M’s ego… Any thoughts on this? She basically has paid PR friends who are d-list actresses like herself and its pretty pathetic. I bet Meghan envisioned her life being very different than the sad reality it actually is, as she’s still a massive fraud and a failure, but now on a global scale. I don’t think she will ever get to the crème de la crème of elites that she craves to be like and obsesses over. Even Misha Nonoo married better than poor old Meg. I think Harry is well and truly stuck with her because she will never find anyone as weak or as spineless or as stupid as him. He’s not wealthy enough for her lazy good for nothing ass, but beggars can’t be choosers - and she has been a desperate grifter and beggar all her life. I truly believe this toxic marriage is her ultimate karma and it couldn’t happen to a nicer person.

The Beckhams put a stop to Meghan's PR shenanigans with their family in 2021. The cracks have been there since 2018.

Sometime in late 2017/early 2018, Meghan accused Victoria of leaking about her to the tabloids. Harry called David to confront them about it and there was a row. Supposedly they patched things up and the Beckhams were invited to the wedding. (Revealed in 2022)

Harry asked David to be an ambassador for the Sydney Invictus Games and David agreed. But when the Games were actually taking place, Harry refused to meet, see, or speak to David. It pissed David off and he soured on Harry.

Meghan asked Victoria for free clothes. Victoria declined; she doesn't give freebies. (First revealed in 2019, resurfaced again in 2023.)

Fast forward to 2021 when the Beckhams' son has gotten engaged and they're planning the wedding. Meghan issued several PR stories and a blind item about how the Beckhams are scheduling their son's wedding around the Sussexes' availability.

The 2021 PR manifestation for invites to the Beckham wedding seems to have been the final straw that broke the Beckhams' back. It's pretty plausible, IMO; there haven't been any articles, stories, or blind items about the Sussexes and Beckhams hanging out. In fact, the Beckhams have been pretty solidly aligned with the Waleses since early 2022 and appear to have cut all ties with the Sussexes.

July 2022. David and William do a mental health thing together.

December 2022. David leaves the FIFA Qatar World Cup for a whirlwind trip to Boston to present at Earthshot 2022.

May 2023. David gives King Charles a jar of honey from his bees. (Becks got into beekeeping during the pandemic. It's covered in their documentary.)

July 2023. David and Victoria throw a huge party in Miami to celebrate Messi's first game with the team. All the celebs from LA attend. No Sussexes.

April 2024. Sussexes are in Miami for polo party. No Beckhams. Not even a hint or trace of PR - in the olden days, Meghan would've at least tried to manifest a lunch or cocktails.

And of course, we can't forget David queueing for 12+ hours to pay his respects to The Queen. If that's not a sign to the rest of us that he's exclusively TeamBRF, then I don't know what is.

[agentmilayawithshield]

Claire and Sydney parallels... Claire and Carmy parallels...

How about Claire and Pete? The parallels between these two. How one is celebrated but the other is looked down upon.

Both are normal people with regular jobs, but one is seen through a romantic filter while the other is bland, annoying, overeager, and not up to par to keep up with them.

And it's all connected to sexism (Yes, I'm going there).

Someone like Natalie having a normal, boring partner is seen as the ultimate miss, and her loving, stable husband is reduced to a loser who's too eager to bond with his in-laws.

But Claire is the cute, "sweet girl next door" normal. She's the one true love that swoops in and saves a doomed individual. Beautiful ER doctor whose job is a million times more stressful than running a restaurant, but who even cares? Richie wants her with Carmy because he sees them as a fix-it for his own failed marriage. But it doesn't work like that. Even if she was his true love, it's not her job to fix anyone. She can't help Carmy in the ways that therapy and Al-anon could. But guess what, the hit of dopamine you get from liking someone works faster than therapy, so he is never seen attending after they get together. Richie famously doesn't get better until he does the work himself, without his ex, years after they divorce.

To bring it back to Pete. He and Natalie work together. He is affectionate, kind, loving, supportive, and understanding of her crazy family. He exposed her to an environment where healthy communication is encouraged. Everything Claire is set up to be. But since he's a man in a nurturing role, and since he's Natalie's significant other, he is the butt of the joke. While no one is rallying for Natalie to dump him, and they respect her choice to be with him, no one is thrilled Natalie married someone who doesn't fit into their environment. Never mind that he wasn't freaked out by Donna crashing her car into their house, that he chose to attend family functions even without her to show he cares, or that he was 100% on board when Natalie joined the Bear. Because what's there to "fix" about Natalie? She's not the addict or the sad, panic attack prone youngest. Natalie is the glass middle child who stayed to see her older brother fall apart, who was heavily abused by her crazy mom. But she turned out "fine" so everything is fair game.

[celebrantofmarriage]

Celebrant of Marraige in Sydney

Your wedding day is one of the most significant moments of your life, and a wedding celebrant Sydney plays a vital role in ensuring your vows are brought to life with grace and authenticity. Whether you're planning an intimate elopement or a grand ceremony, a skilled marriage celebrant in Sydney creates a personal and meaningful experience that reflects your unique love story.

A celebrant of marriage is much more than someone who officiates your wedding. They are your storyteller, the voice that narrates your journey as a couple. From the initial consultation to the final "I do," the celebrant works closely with you to craft a ceremony that resonates deeply with your values, beliefs, and personalities. Every couple is different, and a thoughtful celebrant ensures your ceremony is a true reflection of who you are.

Selecting the right celebrant Sydney is crucial. You want someone who not only understands your vision but also brings warmth and professionalism to the occasion. A great celebrant has the ability to set the tone, whether you're after a light-hearted and fun atmosphere or a more traditional and solemn event. Their expertise in the art of ceremony ensures that every moment feels special, from the exchange of rings to the heartfelt vows that will linger in memory for years to come.

One of the most important aspects of working with a marriage celebrant in Sydney is the personalization they offer. While some couples prefer traditional vows, others may want to write their own, weaving in personal anecdotes and promises that are meaningful to them. Your celebrant will guide you through this process, helping you find the words that capture the depth of your commitment.

Additionally, a seasoned celebrant of marriage takes care of all the legalities, making sure the paperwork is in order so that you can focus on the joy of your day. This not only includes registering your marriage but also understanding the specific requirements for ceremonies in Sydney and Australia, ensuring everything runs smoothly.

In the end, a wedding celebrant Sydney helps transform your ceremony into more than just a formal event. They create a moment that is personal, heartfelt, and uniquely yours. Choosing the right celebrant is an investment in ensuring your wedding day is not just memorable, but truly unforgettable.

[ornabinderweddingcelebrant]

Wedding Packages for Marriage

Planning a wedding is a journey filled with excitement and countless decisions. One of the most important choices is selecting the right wedding packages to suit your needs. Whether you envision an extravagant celebration or a more intimate affair, there's a package that can help bring your dream day to life.

For couples looking for a simpler, more private experience, elopement packages offer a perfect solution. These packages typically include all the essentials needed to make your day special without the stress of a large event. Often, elopement packages cover everything from the ceremony location to the services of a marriage celebrant, ensuring a seamless and memorable occasion.

Finding affordable wedding packages near me can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Many venues and service providers offer customizable packages that cater to a range of budgets. These packages often include key services such as venue hire, catering, and the expertise of a wedding celebrant in Sydney. By choosing a package that fits your financial plan, you can focus on what truly matters: celebrating your love with those closest to you.

A well-crafted wedding package takes the guesswork out of planning, offering a curated selection of services that ensure every detail is handled with care. Whether you’re dreaming of a grand celebration or a simple, intimate ceremony, there’s a package designed just for you. A wedding celebrant in Sydney can guide you through the process, ensuring that your ceremony reflects your unique love story.

In conclusion, choosing the right wedding package can transform your planning experience from overwhelming to enjoyable. With options ranging from elopement packages to affordable wedding packages near me, there’s something for every couple. Trust in a skilled marriage celebrant to bring your vision to life and create a day you’ll cherish forever.

[gallaghersgal]

celebration reqs masterlist! * indicates smut.

— LIP GALLAGHER

roommate trope + "are you wearing my shirt?"

highschool sports au + “shut up and kiss me already”

“i’ll take good care of you” + “is this okay?”*

"this is a one time thing" + "if you called me just to get off on my voice, i'm hanging up."*

rivals + high school au

friends to lovers + "you're mine, you've always been mine"*

"you look good with my hand around your throat"*

grumpy x sunshine + bakery au

"i'll take good care of you i promise” + “was it good for you too? its never been like that before”*

vacation au + “you’re such a fucking tease, you know that?”*

— CARMEN BERZATTO

"that really does make you hard, i can feel you pulsing inside me" *

second chance romance angst

marriage of convenience

— SYDNEY ADAMU

detective au + only one bed trope

— MARCUS BROOKS

sports au + mutual pining

— FIONA GALLAGHER

bandmates au + fake dating trope

— KEVIN BALL

mutual pining + "you're so good for me, so fucking good around me, fucking made for me" *

i’m not wearing any underwear. thought you’d like to know. *

[vasilissadragomir]

🐝 (title) Hair of the Dog

fandom of your choice!

i’ve got two for two different fandoms lol

Vampire Academy - canon-compliant, post-Bloodlines, pre-epilogue

The day Dimitri had planned to propose to Rose was also the first day he ever requested off from Christian. He took it, too, and not because they were celebrating their engagement all day long as he’d planned. Before he could get down on one knee, Rose stopped him, insisting that she was too young to get engaged.

Which is how Dimitri found himself in the company of the Russian barman at the 24/7 Court bar in the middle of the day, wondering how the girl who’d saved his soul wasn’t ready to commit to him. For another thing, as his hangover crept up on him, he was now dreading a return to the nocturnal schedule after his blissful, drunken reprieve. And things got worse when, at seven in the evening, who walked in but the poster boy for a perfect married home life?

Adrian Ivashkov had stopped by his old stomping grounds in search of some liquid courage before the first meeting with his father since announcing his marriage to Sydney. He felt the circumstances warranted a drink, and, living on a human daylight schedule, the hour was acceptable, even. He did not expect to see the man whose picture could be found beside the dictionary definition of self-control in a blubbering, Russian puddle at the end of the bar.

Could an evening drink with his former rival for Rose’s affections be exactly what Dimitri and Adrian needed to get their heads on straight?

The Hunger Games - modern au

The night Glimmer breaks up with Peeta is also the first night he’s ever taken his best friend Finnick up on his offer to go clubbing. If he’s honest, the love hadn’t been there for a long time. But there was something about his high school sweetheart (perhaps his mother’s approval?) that felt safe, habitual, and he hadn’t been prepared to let that go.

Now, faced with no reason to stay in control, he decides to go out with Finnick. He’s hoping maybe, just maybe, the alcohol will give him the courage he needs to make a move on his best friend, who he’s harbored a crush on since the minute they met. But when he spots Finnick in the VIP section locking lips with a beautiful redhead, he takes the shot that makes the world go dark.

The next morning, Peeta wakes up on a sticky floor under a couch to someone prodding him with a broomstick. After bumping his head, he looks up into the most beautiful grey eyes he’s ever seen. As he follows the scowling, striking woman to the bar for a pick-me-up, he can’t help but wonder…had all the heartbreak been worth it?

[apinchofm]

Fic Rec Friday

Meet Me at Midnight series by @dreamstone28737

It's the anniversary of this beautiful and brilliant series!! Have a read or endure a curse of a thousand years! Kanthony, Angst & Fluff, Modern Era

child with a child pretending by emilybrontay (@sennenrose)

never knew how much i needed mom! sydney but i absolutely adore this fic and carmy being the dad who stepped up!!

name a thing, and you own a piece of it by FormerlyIR

ive been in a dune mood and one of my favourite fic writers has been fuelling this with this angsty continuation au where paul and chani are still in love but she hates his holy war (it's so good!!) paul/chani, canon-divergence, angsty hot couple.

rumors fly through new skies by me!

arranged marriage fluff that i had been thinking about and I actually didn't hate reading my own fic - maybe the antidepressants are kicking in! Have a read to celebrate 🎉 fredwina, arranged marriage, slice of life.