#miss fisher season 1

[cressida-jayoungr]

One Dress a Day Challenge

October: Silver Redux

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (s1 e6, "Ruddy Gore") / Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher

This stunning dress is referred to as the "Silver Lady" by @phrynefishersfrocks, who did a terrific writeup of the whole outfit with lots of attention to the coat and headpiece. For this post, however, I'm focusing on the dress itself. The material is just amazing! I've included a closeup to show the texture, embroidery, and beadwork.

Phryne seems to favor this sort of asymmetrical neckline. Compare with the purple dress from "Murder on the Ballarat Train," which has a mirror image of the construction.

By the way, here's what Miss S wore in the equivalent episode ("The Haunted Theatre").

[cassderangedinsanity]

Season 3 Episode 1

Death Defying Feats

(gifs are by @fisherobinson as indicated by the tags under the gifs)

[clarabowlover]

Essie Davis

Phryne Fisher’s costumes in 1.11 Blood and Circuses

[detectivejay]

Detective/Mystery Media List

Open to more recommendations if I’m missing any favorites I should check out, let me know! Particularly any other good Sherlock adaptations, but also interested in finding more female, PoC and/or queer-led detective media.

Watched/read/played/etc:

Sherlock Holmes (ACD canon)

Sherlock - Basil Rathbone adaptation film series

Sherlock - Granada, Jeremy Brett adaptation TV series (some episodes, need to rewatch) - shoutout to @thegreatandlovablespacedorito for reminding me to revisit this one

BBC Sherlock TV series

Sherlock - Robert Downey Jr movies

Enola Holmes (movies)

Moriarty the Patriot/Yuumori (manga and anime)

Ron Kamanohashi: Deranged Detective/Forbidden Deductions aka RKDD (anime, need to read the manga)

Hercule Poirot novels (not all but a large portion) - need to watch more of the TV show Spenser novels by Robert B Parker (not all but a large portion)

Auguste C Dupin - The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe (short story)

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (book)

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler (book)

Case Closed / Detective Conan (anime, some episodes/seasons)

Knives Out movies

Psych TV series

Only Murders in the Building TV series (caught up to the current season)

The Dresden Files books

Brookyln 99 TV series

House MD TV series

True Detective TV series

Monk TV series (watched some episodes)

Murder She Wrote (a few scattered episodes)

Hannibal TV series

Bones TV series (some episodes, not all)

Fargo movie and TV series (watched some episodes)

White Collar TV series

Justified TV series

Miami Vice TV series

Nash Bridges TV series

Killing Eve TV series

The Clue movie

Anita Blake book series (up to book 10)

Some Nancy Drew books

Ace Attorney video games (AA1-AA6 plus Investigations 1)

Professor Layton video games (not all but I believe at least the first 3)

Sherlock Hound

The Great Mouse Detective

Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century

Inspector Gadget cartoon

Scooby Doo cartoons

The Boxcar Children

Detective Pikachu movie

The Case Study of Vanitas (anime/manga)

The Millionaire Detective - Balance: Unlimited (anime) - @prapo237 got me into this one x3 so silly

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (read years ago, need to watch the show) - recommended by @holisticcomedian

Currently watching/reading/playing/etc:

Sherlock - Elementary TV series (on 2nd season, getting close to season 3)

The Invisible Library novel series by Genevieve Cogman recommended by a friend IRL - up to book 6 currently, The Secret Chapter

The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles (video game duology, includes Herlock Sholmes, almost finished with game 1)

Ace Attorney Investigations 2 (video game)

Persona 5 (video game) recommended by friends on the JR Discord

Sherlock Holmes and Co - podcast (currently listening to The Dancing Men Part 3, thanks to suggestions from @wasabitheweirdo and @cuil-chan)

To watch/read/play/etc:

My Dear Detective: Mitsuko’s Case Files manga suggested on the JR Discord

Detective L - Chinese Sherlock-inspired TV series on Youtube recommended by @meg-pond

Miss Sherlock - Japanese series also suggested by @meg-pond

Bodkin TV series on Netflix - Irish, female-led, recommended by @rubycountess

Columbo TV series

Remington Steele

More Auguste Dupin stories and other mysteries by Poe

Murder on the Orient Express movie

The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes film

Bonnie MacBird Sherlock Holmes books recommended by @romanathree

Soviet made Sherlock Holmes film recommended by @imlostatau on Youtube

Famous Five books

Midsomer Murders TV series

Twin Peaks TV series

Mindhunter TV series

Murdoch Mysteries TV series

Death in Paradise TV series

Phryne Fisher's murder mysteries books and TV show recommended by @milenathebrave

Turner and Hooch TV series

Magnum PI TV series

Father Brown TV series

The Professionals movie

Homeland TV series

Cadfael TV series

Broadchurch TV series

Criminal Minds TV series

Shetland TV series

Police procedural shows like NCIS, CSI, etc.

Baskerville play by Ken Ludwig suggested by @wolfyraged

Without a Clue suggested by @helloliriels

Young Sherlock suggested by @helloliriels

Vera Stanhope novels by Ann Cleeves suggested by @nightshadezombie

Charlotte Holmes books by Sherry Thomas suggested by @lej418

Sherlock Holmes stories by Anthony Horowitz ("House Of Silk" and "Moriarty") recommended by @bringerofworlds

Miss Marple novels by Agatha Christie

Any other Agatha Christie novels I haven’t read (Sad Cypress recommended by @romanathree )

AJ Raffles books by William Hornung recommended by @romanathree

Dead Boy Detectives on Netflix

The Hardy Boys books and TV series

Elemental Masters by Mercedes Lackey

Holmes, Marple and Poe by James Patterson - curious to see how this book treats these original characters inspired by the greats, the new characters are Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple (maybe related to Jane Marple?) and Auguste Poe (takes his first name from Poe’s detective, Auguste Dupin)

The rest of the Dupin stories

The rest of the Raymond Chandler books

More Arsene Lupin stories (including ones vs Herlock Sholmes)

Nero Wolfe novels by Rex Stout

Pet Shop of Horrors anime/manga recommended by @eden-falls

Otherside Picnic recommended by @eden-falls

Lonely Castle in the Mirror recommended by @eden-falls

The Angel of the Crows by Katherine Addison, saw this one posted recently by @seeingteacupsindragons and I'm curious so added it to the list

Magnus Archives horror/thriller mystery podcast recommended by @writingandwritten

EDIT: Last updated 12/2/24

[kwebtv]

TV Guide - February 27 - March 5, 1965

Donna Douglas (born Doris Ione Smith; September 26, 1932 – January 1, 2015)  Actress and singer, known for her role as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971). Following her acting career, Douglas became a real-estate agent, gospel singer, inspirational speaker, and author of books for children and adults.  (Wikipedia)

Irene Ryan (born Irene Noblitt, Noblett, or Noblette; October 17, 1902 – April 26, 1973)  Actress and comedienne who found success in vaudeville, radio, film, television, and Broadway. She is most widely known for her portrayal of Daisy May “Granny” Moses, mother-in-law of Buddy Ebsen’s character Jed Clampett on the long-running TV series The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971). She was nominated for Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1963 and 1964 for the role.  (Wikipedia)

Nancy Jane Kulp (August 28, 1921 – February 3, 1991) was an American character actor, writer and comedian best known as Miss Jane Hathaway on the CBS television series The Beverly Hillbillies.

In 1955 Kulp joined the cast of The Bob Cummings Show (Love That Bob) with Bob Cummings, portraying pith-helmeted neighborhood bird watcher Pamela Livingstone. In 1956, she appeared as a waitress in the episode "Johnny Bravo" of the ABC/Warner Brothers series Cheyenne, with Clint Walker. Kulp played the role of Anastasia in three episodes of the NBC sitcom It's a Great Life in 1955 and 1956. In 1958, she appeared in Orson Welles' little-known pilot episode "The Fountain of Youth" in the television series Colgate Theatre. In 1960, she appeared as Emma St. John in the episode "Kill with Kindness" of the ABC/WB detective series Bourbon Street Beat, starring Andrew Duggan.

Kulp appeared on I Love Lucy in the 1956 episode "Lucy Meets the Queen", performing as an English maid, who shows Lucy and Ethel how to curtsy properly before Queen Elizabeth. Kulp also appeared in episodes of The Real McCoys, Perry Mason ("The Case of the Prodigal Parent", 1958, and "The Case of the Deadly Toy", 1959), The Jack Benny Program ("Don's 27th Anniversary with Jack"), 87th Precinct ("Killer's Choice"), Pete and Gladys, The Twilight Zone (as Mrs. Gann in "The Fugitive"), and Outlaws ("The Dark Sunrise of Griff Kincaid, Esquire"). Kulp portrayed a slurring-drunk waitress in a scene with James Garner and Jean Willes in the 1959 Maverick episode "Full House". She played a housekeeper in a pilot for The William Bendix Show, which aired as the 1960–1961 season finale of CBS's Mister Ed under the title "Pine Lake Lodge". On the series My Three Sons in 1962, she portrayed a high school math and science teacher in two episodes under different character names, Miss Harris and Miss Fisher. (Wikipedia)

[phrynefishersfrocks]

The first stunning outfit of "Death Defying Feats" (Season 3, Episode 1) is a gorgeous draped navy blue sheer fabric with a silk underdress with a single dramatic sleeve attached with a jeweled bracelet, topped with a matching feathered headpiece.

Suitably sensational for the season three premiere, Phryne appears in a tabard made of French navy lace and dark beads creating floral and leaflike patterns. "The fabric in this tabard is simply stunning - it does all the work," Marion Boyce commented in an interview with the Guardian. A 'tabard' simply means a rectangular sleeveless piece of fabric covering only the front and back. The fabric connects on the side with beautiful diamond tabs. Underneath she wears a bias cut midnight blue slip with a straight neckline. An additional triangle of fabric attached to her wrist by a gem encrusted bracelet serves as both a sleeve and a cape as Phryne wafts through her scenes.

Miss Fisher complements her look with a headpiece made of a plume of dark feathers, as well as silk navy gloves and bejeweled blue t-strap heels. Her diamond earrings each have two angled lines holding a large gem between them. To finish it off, as she travels to the theater, Phryne dons a luxurious brown fur wrap with red silk lining to keep warm.

We see this ethereal gown not just in the first episode of season three as she's preparing for a night out with Jack, but also in a large series of promotional photos, worn instead with a curved jewelled hair slide with gems set on slender wires.

Screencap from here, promotional photos from the official Facebook (x, x, x, x) and various sources (x, x, x, x, x, x, x, x), exhibition photos from Dayna's Blog, Nikki Johnson's Flickr, and footprintsandfotos Flickr, behind the scenes photos from Pinterest (x, x).

[clarabowlover]

Essie Davis

Miss Fisher In The Episode “Murder In The Dark”

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2012-2015) ↳ 1x12 Murder In The Dark

[youbutstupid]

I’m so guilty of missing Elle out of my last post so here is why I think she was such an important character in season 1 in order to set the basis for the show and how, in my opinion, her journey represents the journey of the audience

At the beginning of the series, Elle seemed almost hopeful about the BAU and was very eager to make an impression on Gideon. She was determined and optimistic to make her mark on the team and to carve her place.

She was successful in this too and she made her mark clearly, especially with Reid and Morgan who both seemed to trust her immensely and consider her a friend quite quickly.

Despite this optimistic view on her job, she began to notice cracks and point them out to the audience, and these cracks were how law enforcement dealt with women, particularly female victims. Whilst the men on the BAU tried to sympathetic, they lacked tact and there are multiple episodes where Elle recognised this.

Despite this, she still remained positive in her involvement in the team and tried to fill in these cracks by herself as the only female field agent on the team at the time. That is until the Fisher King.

During the Fisher King, Elle realised just how flawed the team was; not only the team but the system itself.

She tried to call out for help but the only one who seemed to show up was Reid and as a 24 year old with a limited view, he wasn’t much help. She was completely alone and she realised that she was feeling the same loneliness that the victims she helped everyday was dealing with.

She tried to come back to the field, but as she watched the system continue to fail women and leave them vulnerable, she felt her own fear and took matters into her own hands, which would ultimately lead to her leaving the team as she would have no choice to.

Her story hits the audience with the fact that what they are watching is not justice being served; it is not a perfect crime show. They’re watching a team which is flawed be part of a system which is flawed and it forces the audience to view the victims in a different light as we were able to see their fear through Elle’s eyes.

The issues Elle raised also foreshadow the issues that’ll be faced in the exact season she leaves in. She raises the issue that female victims never actually get justice, and we see this in Season 2 episode 18 after she has left. She also raised the issue that the team were not there to help her when she needed it, and Reid suffers from this himself also in season 2.

At first, the audience may think of Elle as irrational however later in the season, after she has left, all of her points are proved right.

She was only there for one full season but her character was used very clearly in order to convey the flaws in the show that we are watching and we are made to realise some of the same things she does as she does. She started out with a positive view just like all of us did, but her loss of hope in the system causes the audience to question it, only for her to be proven completely right not long after she is gone.

Idk if I fully made sense there, but she was just such a perfect character

[itsss4t4n]

Who I write for /Rules

Masterlist

I'm new-ish to writing (i used to write fanfiction when i was like 13. i'm 19 now and write very rarely) but I really wanna do it again.

So this is a list of characters/fandoms I write for as well as some rules for asks. Some things may be missing from this list so if you dont see something on this list, feel free to ask. :))

Do add as much detail as you want to a request and please ALWAYS have at least some sort of prompt, as i'm really not good with coming up with storys on my own yet.

I WILL NOT DO SMUT SO DONT REQUEST IT! I might however do spicy stuff (Nothing more than making out or somewhat implied stuff tho).

My writing will be mostly pg 13 but please still be careful if the fic-warnings include sensitive topics, and i might repost some 18+ things so be careful when navigating my blog.

Please be nice and have manners when requesting.

Also please include what gender/pronouns you want the reader to have (i write for all genders). If its not included I will default it as gender neutral. :)))

I also write poly relationships and AUs.

Some things I will not write include: Pregnancy, toxic/yandere, student x teacher, love triangles.

(Also english isnt my first language, and even though, in my opinion, i speak it really well, if they are any mistakes, thats why.)

Heartbreak high

Harper Mclean

Quinni Ghallager-Jones

Darren Rivers

Spencer "Spider" White

Anthony "Ant" Vaughn

Malakai Mitchel

Sally face

Sal Fisher

Travis Phelps (male or gn readers)

Larry Johnson

Ashley Campbell

Harry Potter

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Charly Weasley

Bill Weasley

Cedric Diggory

Olliver Wood

Draco Malfoy (+6th year only)

Theodore Nott (+6th year only)

Marauders

James Potter

Sirius Black

Remus Lupin

Regulus Black

Evan Rosier

Barty Crouch jr

Pandora Rosier

Lilly Evans

Marlene Mckinnon

Hogwarts Legacy

Sebastian Sallow

Ominus Gaunt

Gareth Weasley

Poppy Sweetings

Imelda Reyes

Die drei fragezeichen / the three investigators

Bob Andrews

Peter Shaw

Justus Jonas

Skinny Norris

Twilight

Jasper Hale

Emmet Cullen

Carlisle Cullen

Esme Cullen

Rosalie Hale

Alice Cullen

Sam Uley

Paul Lahote

Charlie Swan

Leah Clearwater

Jacob Black

Pjo

Let me know if you want book or show

Percy Jackson

Annabeth Chase

Luke Castellan

Clarrisse La Rue

Selena Beauregard

Charles Beckendorf

Ethan Nakamura

Nico di Angelo (no romantic fem readers)

Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Will Solace

Travis Stoll

Connor Stoll

Hazel Levesque (no romantic)

Jason Grace

Leo Valdez

Piper Mclean

Magnus chase

Magnus Chase

Samirah al Abbas ( no romantic)

Alex Fierro

Blitzen

Hearthstone

Mallory Keen

TJ (Thomas Jefferson jr)

MCU (Avengers)

Bucky Barnes

Steve Rogers

Tony Stark

Sam Wilson

Natasha Romanoff

Yelena Belova

Peter Parker (tom holland and andrew garfield)

MJ

Wanda Maximof

Piedro Maximof

Clint Barton

Scott Lang

Stephen Strange

Kate Bishop

MCU ( Guardians of the galaxy)

Peter Quill

Daredevil (Season 1)

Matt Murdock

Karen Page

James Wesley

X-men universe

Deadpool

Wolverine

Francis

Xavier

Mystic

Angel

Kurt

Venom

Eddie Brock

DC

Harley Quinn

Jason Todd

Dick Grayson (any version, young justice, robin, nightwing,etc.)

Wally West (youngJustice)

Artemis (young justice)

Roy Harper (young justice)

Disney Descendants

Mal

Evie

Carlos devil

Jay

Benjamin Beast

Chad Charming

Audrey Rose

Jane

Lonnie Fa

Uma

Harry Hook

Gil

Rise of red

James Hook

Hades

Bridget

Ella

Cloe

Red

Morgie

Kingsmen

Eggsy

Tiny Pretty things (Netflix)

Bette Whitlaw

Oren Lennox

Shane Madej (no romantic fem readers)

June Park

Jennifers Body

Jennifer Check

Colin Gray

Ever after high

all characters

Redacted Audios

(no x reader, just ships)

literally all characters

[flapperdame16]

my top 10 favorite tv shows ever made

1- Downton Abbey 2010-2015 (6 seasons) UK

2- Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries 2012-2015 (3 seasons) Australia

3- A Place to Call Home 2013-2018 (6 seasons) Australia

4- Hamish Macbeth 1995-1997 (3 seasons) UK

5- The Tudors 2007-2010 (4 seasons) Uk/canada/ ireland/ USA CO production

6-Reign 2013-2017 (4 seasons) USA

7- Versailles 2015-2018 (3 seasons) FRANCE/UK

8-House of Eliott 1991-1994 (3 seasons) UK

9-H2O just add water (2006-2010) (3 seasons) Australia

10-Full house 1987-1995 (8 seasons) USA

[lingy910y]

Gallavich Lovefest 2025 (Part 2)

@gallavichthings

16. Favorite season

s3 bc it had that early season shamey vibe and it had mickey, jimmysteve, and karen

17. Favorite Mickey family/friendship relationship

mickey and mandy's relationship is complex if you think abt it. they're not friendly with each other, at best they tease each other and at worst they make fun of each other's trauma/insecurities. but they grew up in the same shithole and mickey is so protective of her

18. Favorite Ian family/friendship relationship

lip and ian make me very emotional

19. Favorite location relating to them

THE DUGOUTS. IT'S LITERALLY THEIR SPOT, MAN.

20. Favorite object relating to them

stargazer lilies

21. Favorite parallel

man.

22. Favorite metaphor

they need to drag me away from under my arms to stop me from obsessing over religious imagery

23. Favorite headcanon

gardener ian 🥺 it's perfect for him to look forward to and be proud of, and he's a very nurturing person

24. Favorite Gallavich blog

@jademickian i miss jade

25. Favorite Gallavich fanart

26. Favorite Gallavich fic up to 10k words

i can't decide but probably and thence we came forth to see the stars by @mishervellous. it's just so raw

27. Favorite Gallavich fic with more than 10k words

fragile little fate: the portrait of a marriage by siriusmickey. if i don't talk abt this fic then i am dead

28. Favorite Gallavich video edit

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by emily (@evernotte)

this is so cute

29. Favorite other fanwork

30. Favorite Gallavich event/group activity

gallavich gift exchange! it's so fun trying my best to make a gift that my giftee would like

[cressida-jayoungr]

One Dress a Day Challenge

May: Purple Redux

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries (s1e2, "Murder on the Ballarat Train") / Essie Davis as Phryne Fisher

I had this one on my list for the month but only just managed to track down which episode it's in! So it's really squeaking in under the wire. Worth it, though, for such a spectacular dress.

It seems to have a wrap structure; you can see there are gaps on both sides of the bodice where a piece overlays the front like a bib. The asymmetrical neckline is an interesting feature. I also think the belt ornament is beautiful and unusual--looks like winged roses! Other accessories include a hat trimmed to match her car, a white fur wrap, and a waveable dyed ostrich feather.

[stkildascommunity]

Collaborative Fic 1 - Rules

This rules/guidelines that will be used to create this first fic were extracted from the inscription form that you filled out a while ago.

No smut. We keep it M rating tops as we have a minor in the group. If the adults want to write smut/E we have a NSFW section in discord to do so and we can create another fic for that. Remember: we can have as many projects as we want.

2. Preferences in genre:

3. Should the story be centered around Phryne/Jack (Phrack)?

As you can see that’s 16,7% “yes” and 83,4% “yes, but I will also be happy with other things”.

4. What supporting characters would you like to include?

Most of us list: Mac, Aunt P, Dot, Mr Butler, Cec and Bert, Hugh, Jane, Rosie, Ruth. Basically, the main secondary characters of the show.

Though, someone mentioned not being good at writing Rosie.

5. What season do you want the story to be in?

I think it’s safe to say that the 3 seasons of the show are more popular than the movie or post-movie.

6. A list of what people DON’T want to write.

Here I’m listing everything as I think we should avoid all this topics. As some stuff is redundant I’ve made a comprehensive list.

Character death.

noncon/rape/sexual abuse.

Omegaverse

mpreg or pregnancy.

Sex/smut including specific/detailed kinks, foot fetishes, food and sex put together, fisting

Angst without happy ending.

Cec and Bert separated. They can have conflicts but not break up their friendship.

Locations out of Australia (unless is flashbacks).

Overly dominant Phryne or Jack.

Cheating.

Last response claims that a case fic would be ok as long as someone else comes up with the plot. I suggest that, if we write a case fic, the plot is decided together in the chat.

7. What would you like to write?

Again, I present you a comprehensive list of things that people would like to write:

Stories centered around Mac

Mac&Jack friendship

Mac&Phryne friendship

Phrack romance and/or smut

Case fics, murder, victims of sexual violence as part of case solving, Phryne or others taken hostage

Dot centered stories

Female friendships in general

Alternative ending of episodes

The little gold gun

Racism & the Stolen Generations from Phryne/the main characters perspectives

sexism

Adventurous Phryne

Dot's family

Hugh's family

8. Prompts:

Once again, I give you a comprehensive list:

How did Mack and Jack cope with Phryne being gone after season 3?

How did Jack and Phryne settled back into their Melbourne's life after the movie? Did they solve all their issues? Was it all happiness and romance? Was there some angst?

Mac discovers something estrange in a dead body and asks our favorite couple of detectives to investigate…

Jane and Ruth discover a murder on their way home to Miss Fishers

Murder on the tram/something to do with Melbourne Trams (I'm suprised this isn't an episode, the murderer could literally have thrown the victim in front of an incoming tram, easy)

Something at Flinders Street station? (surrounding it at present is a bunch of new buildings and the tap gates and stuff, that's why they couldn't really use it in the series, the station itself is the same as it would have been in Phryne's time)

Maybe all of these ideas shoved together...

[letmetellyouaboutmyfeels]

Favorite TV Shows

I was tagged by @peridotglimmer @mistmarauder and @princessfbi to share one gif from ten of my favorite TV shows. Oh boy.

9-1-1

Interview with the Vampire

Star Trek (TOS)

Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries

Timeless

Sense8

The Mentalist

Black Sails

Ghost Files

Critical Role (yes it counts!)

Honorable Mention goes to Bones - nothing hits like those early seasons, but unfortunately that quality is not maintained (in my personal opinion) and I stopped watching in later seasons so it was edged out.

Tagging: @captainofthefallen @buckttommy @givemeunicorns @lisbonsteresa aaaaaand Jess tagged everyone already didn't she. didn't she. goddammit.

[adventuressclubamericas]

Continuing our series of actors who appeared in both the original Miss Fisher, and in Ms. Fisher's MOD…Jane Allsop Delores, Season 3, Episode 5, Death & Hysteria, MFMM Shirley King, Season 1, Episode 4, Seasoned Murder, MFMMM

[stilldancewithyou]

the ending (part 1)

Summary: This is how I imagine the story should end if there was a season 4 and/or book 4 or expanded epilogue to the books. This is taking place a couple years after Belly and Conrad's wedding and it is kind of a mix of the show and the books with some extra added things. It's based on this.

Warnings: none that I can think of, except this is basically one giant spoiler, if you have not read the books, I would recommend proceeding with caution because there are SPOILERS AHEAD. otherwise this is just overloaded with cuteness and all the Belly and Conrad married couple content the books didn't give us.

Word Count: 1783

Sunlight streams through the windows, illuminating the whole house in a way the sun only does in the summer. Everything is ready, and everyone will be here soon. I take one last walk around the house, making sure everything is in its place, that everything is perfect. It has to be perfect, just like Susannah would have done it. There's vases of blue hydrangeas that Conrad helped me cut from the bushes outside scattered throughout the house, and the kitchen is stocked with cereal.

I look up at the pictures on the mantle, Conrad and I on our wedding day; Conrad with Jere and Steven; Taylor and I; a group photo of all of us and Laurel; one of Con, Susie and I on the day Susie was born; and a Fisher family Christmas portrait that Conrad absolutely hates; and in the center, a shot of Susannah and all of us kids from the last summer we spent with her here. I smile, reaching up to gently touch the frame with my fingertips. Susannah would be so happy we're having a big Fisher-Conklin family summer at the summer house again.

I open the sliding door and step out onto the back deck, looking out at the ocean and feeling the sun warm on my face. It's warm but not too warm out, and the sky is clear and blue. A perfect Cousins beach day.

"It's a perfect Cousins beach day," Conrad says as he comes outside behind me, shutting the door very carefully and quietly.

"Yeah," I laugh, looking over at him fondly. "It's like you just read my mind."

He chuckles and then he's silent for a long moment as he takes in the view in front of us and the sunshine. "It feels like my Mom is here," He says softly, and I can see the sadness momentarily flicker in his eyes.

I lean towards him, putting my arms around him gently. "Susannah would never miss a summer in Cousins."

"No," He smiles, burying his head in the space between my shoulder and neck, "she wouldn't."

I'm suddenly aware of another person who is also, at this moment, missing. "Con, where's Susie? Did you check on her?"

"She's sleepin' like a baby, Belly," Conrad replies, with that smirk on his face that has always driven me crazy. "She timed her nap perfectly, she should be wide awake and well rested by the time everyone gets here."

"I should go get her ready. Knowing my mother, she will be here exactly on time," I tell him, starting to untangle myself from his embrace. I would stay in his arms forever if it was up to me.

He laughs, thinking this over. "Oh yeah, Laur will definitely be on time. Jere on the other hand, will absolutely be late. Him and Steven both." He turns to watch me open the door and head back inside. "Do you need help with Suz?"

"No, I've got it under control Con. Can you just do one last check and make sure we didn't forget anything?" I ask him.

"We already checked, like, four times, Bel, but you know I'll do anything for you," He can't keep the smile off his face as he follows me inside, stopping to kiss me for a moment, soft and slow. He smiles against my lips before he pulls away slowly and reaches out to push my hair out of my face and tuck it behind my ear, letting his thumb brush against my cheek gently. "I love you."

Hearing Conrad Fisher say those words to me will never get old. Even after all these years, I still get butterflies and blush like a little girl every time he says it.

"I love you too," I smile at him, stealing one last kiss. It feels like getting the last word, getting the last kiss before I go upstairs. I have to kiss the smirk off his face, smooth out his lips, remind him that he's mine. Even though I know no matter how many times I kiss that smirk away it always comes back.

Upstairs, Susie is laying in her crib, just waking up. When she sees me she sits up, reaching out towards the bars on the side of the crib. Her blue eyes open wide, looking up at me and daring me to take longer than five seconds to pick her up. She has her father's eyes and his attitude. It takes me longer than five seconds to cross the nursery, so she pulls herself up, shaking the bars and making fussy, grumpy baby noises, devolving into crying. "Ma-ma!"

"Mama's got you, Susie," I say, lifting her out of the crib and holding her close to me, her little head resting on my shoulder. I rock her gently to soothe her, and her fussing slowly calms down. "I know, I know, it's hard to be a baby."

I lay her down on the changing table and play peekaboo with my hands, earning a smile and the sweetest little laughter from her. As I change her diaper and get her dressed in the pretty little baby sundress I picked out for her to wear today, I can hear quiet thumps and thuds from Conrad downstairs. He's opening and closing cabinets and doors, and moving things around. I smile to myself, knowing that despite him teasing me, he really is doing a final check. I know he wants this summer to be just as perfect as I do. Susie was born at the very end of last summer, so this is the first summer of her life, her first summer in Cousins. I know she won't remember it, but I want it to be special for her anyway, just like Susannah would have.

Susannah would be so happy that there's another little girl in the family, a Fisher girl. She'd be even happier to know that the nursery is in my old room, the one that was once Susannah's childhood bedroom. And she'd be absolutely thrilled that Conrad and I have made the summer house our home. It's my childhood dream come true. For me, this house has always been my home. Living here is like an endless summer in some ways, although every season in Cousins has its charm, especially winter. Waking up every day in this house with Conrad Fisher, I've never felt more at home.

I carry Susie downstairs, now that she's dressed and freshened up. Conrad is in the living room, refolding a blanket and fluffing up pillows on the couch, and his face lights up and breaks into a smile the second I walk in. "There's my girls," He smiles, giving me a quick peck on the lips and taking Susie into his arms. "Look at my pretty baby, all dressed up," He coos to her.

"She's all ready for her first summer," I say, smiling at the baby, "aren't you, pretty girl? All your favorite people are going to be here any minute."

"Yeah, you're so excited to see Uncle Stevie and Uncle Jere, aren't you?" Conrad says, still cooing in his baby-talking voice. "And Grandma Laur-" He's cut off by the sound of a car door shutting outside, and we hurry over to the door together to peek out the window, and speak of the devil, my mother is smiling and carrying some of her bags to the porch. When we open the door, my mother is standing there beaming at us. I don't think I've seen her this happy in a long time.

"Hi Laur! We're so happy you're here," Conrad smiles sincerely at her, moving in for a somewhat awkward hug since the baby is still in his arms. Susie is smiling wide at her, showing off her four little teeth.

I hug her next, and she squeezes me tight. "Belly, it's so good to see you. You're glowing, bean."

"Thanks Mom," I smile at her. "Now put your bags down and make yourself at home. Conrad will help you carry your things in."

"I'm holding the baby though, so I don't know if I can," He says teasingly, smirking. I know he was going to do it anyway, without anyone ever having to ask; he's still the same old Conrad who is all about duty and doing the right thing. But he likes to joke and tease, even when he's fooling no one. Or at least not fooling me.

"Don't worry, I'll take her off your hands, Connie," my mother smirks right back at him, reaching out and taking the baby into her arms.

Conrad chuckles and calls out, "Thank you, Laur!" as he walks toward the door to carry her bags in just like I knew he would from the beginning.

I look back over at my mom and smile. She's smiling at Susie and Susie is smiling right back at her, listening wide-eyed to everything my mother is saying to her. "I'm so glad you're here, Mom," I say to her.

"Me too," She smiles, "I wouldn't miss Susie's first summer in Cousins for the world. Susannah would never let that happen." She looks at Susie, who lets out a little laugh. "She would have loved you, Susannah Laurel Fisher."

Conrad comes back in then, arms full of my mothers bags and sets them down with a thump. "Geez Laurel, did you pack your entire house?" He jokes.

"No, I just packed the essentials, plus I stocked up on all the good bulk stuff at Costco. We should have everything-" My mom looks at all her bags as if she's remembering something. "Oh shoot, I completely forgot my diet Coke."

"Don't worry Laur, we've got you covered. We made sure to get some for you," Conrad grins at her.

"You must have had to drive so far to find it. I used to always complain to Susannah about how they don't sell it here," My mom says.

"Oh it was no problem. We wanted to make sure we had everything for everyone," Conrad assures her. "Speaking of everyone, the others should be here any minute now."

As if on cue, we hear a car pulling up outside. When we all move towards the door to peek out, we see Steven emerging from his car with a big grin on his face.

I guess now I know how the boys felt at the start of every summer, waiting for us to arrive. This is the hardest part, all the nerves and anticipation and waiting. Thank goodness the waiting will be over soon. Jeremiah and Taylor shouldn't be far behind Steven, and once they get here the summer can officially begin.

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I had originally planned on writing the whole thing as one long one shot, but I decided to just do it in parts so you can get a glimpse at what I've been working on. I hope you liked part 1. stay tuned and please let me know what you thought of this and if you want to read more!