#newborn hamper

[hamperorgiftsaustralia]

Personalised Newborn Gifts Australia | Hamperor

Find the perfect personalised newborn gifts in Australia at Hamperor. We understand that each newborn is unique and deserving of a gift that reflects their individuality. With our wide selection of personalised newborn gifts in Australia, you can be sure to find the perfect present for the precious little ones in your life. Explore Hamperor today and discover the joy of gifting like never before. Your search for the ideal newborn gift ends here. Visit: https://hamperor.com.au/

[cutiepatootiejonesboro]

Tie Dye  | Cutie Patootie

A little heart tie dye moment

Top:

https://cutiepatootie.online/products/tie-dyed-pleated-heart-top?_pos=1&_sid=69767ff0f&_ss=r

[thebearer]

Oh my god dad!carmy is absolutely everything!!! I’m so obsessed!! Would you be able to write about reader convincing carmy to try for baby number 2 and things get a little spicy?

"She asleep?" You hum softly, creeping towards Carmen on the couch.

Carmen tilted his head down, looking at the sleeping toddler on his chest. Cheek smushed to his shirt, lips apart blowing soft air out. She looked positively angelic in her sleep, a contrast from the screeching terror she'd been earlier. Carmen's heart melted looking at Teddy.

"Yeah, she fell asleep pretty easy tonight." He nodded, running a hand down her curls, still a little damp from her bath.

"You want me to take her?" You offered, leaning down to pick her up easily.

"Nah, I got it, honey." Carmen muttered, rising from his place on the couch, pressing a kiss to your cheek when he passed you.

You watched him, arms wrapping around yourself as he padded down the hall, pushing the door open to Teddy's nursery- Teddy's room. Your heart sunk, a reminder that your baby girl was growing up. Carmen, Richie, and Fak had moved her crib out, traded it for a little bed with railings so she wouldn't fall in her sleep but a bed.

You waited for Carmen in your bedroom, crawling to the edge of the bed while he stripped into his pajamas. "She stay asleep?" You asked. Carmen hummed in affirmation, shimmying his sweatpants to his feet, stepping out and tossing them in the hamper.

Your mouth watered at the sight, eyes trained on his briefs. "You turned the sound machine on?" You asked, nearly robotically.

"Yeah and the, uh, the night light thing." Carmen muttered, looking over at you, brows creasing. "You good?"

You nodded, looking up at him, his lips spreading into a knowing smile. He knew that look. "Hey," Carmen smirked, looking at you with a tilt of his head. "You good? Need somethin', baby?" He rasped, voice dropping to that octave that drove you wild.

"Yeah," You hummed, reaching out to rub your hands down his toned arms, pulling him closer to you.

"Yeah? Whaddya need, baby?" Carmen muttered, head tilting to slot his lips over yours, fingers tucked under your chine sweetly.

"I want another baby." You muttered, your tone hushed and light, so casually Carmen nearly missed it.

He faltered for a moment, pulling back to look at you. "Wha-What? What did you say?" He frowned, sure he misheard you.

You sighed, a short huff that followed with that pout, eyes batting sweetly up at Carmen. "I want a baby, Carm." You said again. Carmen felt his heart lurch in his chest, sure his face showed you the panic he was feeling. It did.

"We-We said-"

"-We said when Teddy got older." You gave him a pointed look. "She's older now, Carm."

"Don't." Carmen shook his head, lips pulling downward in a pout. He didn't want to think about the fact that his baby really was growing up.

You smiled softly, cupping his cheek in your hand. "She's three. Now is like the perfect time. I don't want them super spaced apart."

Carmen hesitated, rolling the idea in his head. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't been think about it. You'd been dropping hints for weeks about Teddy having a sibling.

You frowned at Carmen's silence, pulling away gently. "You don't want to?"

"No, I-I mean, no, it's just..." Carmen ran a hand over his face. "I gotta get some shit together before we do. Plan a little better this time." You pouted lightly, face falling. "I want to, I do. I just... I wanna be here with you this time. Be around more than I was with Teddy."

Your eyes lit up, lip rolling between your lip. It wasn't that Carmen wasn't present with Teddy, but he wasn't around as much as he would have liked. The restaurant was still being established, and truthfully, Carmen underestimated the difficulty of balancing a newborn and a business. He knew better this time, knew a little more of what to expect so he could plan for it.

"Do... Do you want another?" You asked, eyes lifting to his so sweetly his chest ached with that familiar warmth.

"Yeah," Carmen laughed softly, breathy. "I want a million fuckin' babies with you. Told you that and I meant it, baby." He had told you that. Your wedding night, in between the sheets, still high off pure adrenaline and bliss. The two of you just planning your lives together, spilling hopes and dreams for the future in shared giggles, sweet kisses, love drunk words and wishes.

"Just... let me get my shit more together and then we can start tryin'." Carmen schmoozed, lips fluttering over yours, capturing them in a sweet kiss.

"Alright." You muttered into the kiss, hands sliding over Carmen's, threading through his hair. "But," You pulled apart, nose pressed to his. "I mean, I still want to fuck."

Carmen snorted, grinning at your bluntness, heart skipping at your words. It amazed him how he still wasn't used to this, somehow. You. You still surprised him, kept it interesting, even after a kid, being married, being together for so much longer before that. You could still get him flustered, bending to your every whim, like you had when you first met him. When everything was still new, that stayed the same.

[erosdsire]

— T-shirt ! Spencer Reid x reader

| Summary: in which you listen to him {422 words}

| warnings: 18+! Mention of being a parent and potentially having a baby

* * *

Your hand makes its way under his shirt, craving the warmth, the contact. It was somehow more calming, more therapeutic to be up against him like you were. You place another kiss against his neck, your hand still wandering his skin. 

“Do you want it off?” Spencer asks. “I can take it off if you want me to, it’s not a big deal.” He rushes out. 

You laugh, finding his awkwardness to be cute. “You don’t have to, lovey. It’s just nice to be closer to you, you know?” 

He moves to throw his shirt over his head, throwing it across the room somewhere. “Do you know why?” he asks, turning to look at where the shirt had landed. 

“No, why?” you say. His eyes stay fixated on the shirt as he opens his mouth to answer you. You roll your eyes and laugh. “Go pick it up, Spence. I know you like it clean in here.” 

He smiles at you as he gets off the bed. “It releases something called oxytocin. It can be called ‘the cuddle hormone’,” he starts as he puts the shirt in the clothes hamper. “Because it promotes bonding. It also releases endorphins, which boost your overall mood.” 

You notice the spark in his eye as he continues to talk, getting more and more excited as he does so. “This is part of the reason parents do skin-to-skin with newborn babies. It helps calm and relax them both. Particularly the mother and baby.” 

“Really?” you ask, moving over so he could crawl back into bed with you. 

Spencer nods. “It also helps the baby adapt to life outside the womb.” 

You hum in response, watching his eyes dart to the side as he talks to you, too nervous to maintain eye contact. “That’s cool, I guess.” 

He smiles at you. “Thanks for listening.” 

You raise a brow. “What do you mean?” 

“Not many people do that with me. You always do, though. So, thank you for that.”

You rub a hand down his arm, leaning into his chest. “Of course, my sweet boy. Always will.” 

Your mind starts to wander, and you can’t help but picture him with a baby on his chest, his hand over their back to hold them closer. You smile, admiring the distant view. “What’s got you so happy?” he asks. 

“Do you think we could have a baby some day?” 

He thinks for a moment. “Yeah, maybe.” 

You lift your head to face him better. “Maybe?” 

Spencer smiles at your antics. “Definitely.” 

* * *

Follow @aheartsdsire and turn on post notifications to be notified any time I post a fic

[thee-horny-thicky]

The First Meeting

So, I have a Ko-Fi now, and was commissioned by @mikeyslvrr to do a piece showing when FES Suguru first met Jona. So, here it is! I plan to edit the FES series before moving onto the next fic, and this'll be added. However, until then, enjoy this sneak peak :)

Suguru didn’t consider himself an overly emotional man. Yes, sometimes he struggled to control his anger or was overwhelmed by his lust, but all in all, he maintained control over his emotions. But as he gazed upon his newborn son, still latched onto his mother’s teat, he felt a range of feelings.

Regret for missing the birth of his first child.

Worry; he’d walked in just as you had passed out.  

Pride, knowing that you’d pushed through, and the twins had followed his instructions.

And most of all, an immense joy that his baby boy was in the world, a soft whine leaving him as he greedily suckled the milk Suguru so loved.

You’d given him a son, an heir to the empire he’d one day forge, and he couldn’t be happier.

When the baby gurgled, he took him from your arms, uncaring that your breasts were on full display as he hoisted his son over his shoulder. He’d be perfectly happy if you were always nude in private. The twins didn’t share his sentiments, hurrying to cover your tits as a blush pinkend their pale skin. Once you were decent, the girls began to straighten up, milling about as they worked to return the room to normal.

“What’d she name him?” Suguru asked after a minute of admiring his boy.

Nanako took a break from cleaning up, her brows furrowing and her gaze confused. “Jona?”

Suguru tsked. You’d become smitten with the name, though he’d urged you to consider other options. Jona wasn’t a bad name, per se, but it wasn’t the ideal choice for his seed. He didn’t want to know the gender of the baby, so he’d chosen several options for both sexes. For a son, he would’ve liked Fumihiko, Genki, or Michio. Traditional names that conveyed strength and status. You went with none of them, settling for the mediocre Jona. He’d let you choose the name as you carried the child, and he wanted you to connect with it. Yet, when it was too late, he regretted giving you so much freedom.

“I was hoping she’d reconsider,” he mumbled as he bounced his son.

“I like the name,” Nanako said, returning to helping Mimiko tug away the sullied sheets and towels.

There were so many, he wondered if they had any left in the linen closet.

“Get a cloth for them, too,” Suguru called when they went into the bathroom, presumably to throw everything into the hamper.

He’d have to have a maid do the laundry earlier than usual.

 The twins came back within a minute, each carrying a damp cloth. He smiled at them, the two already model big sisters.

“Do you two mind tending to Yua a little longer?”

He didn’t cherish the thought of anyone else touching you, but the girls were an exception, and he wasn’t quite ready to let go of his son.

Mimiko shook her head. “We got it,” she said, crawling on the bed next to you, beginning to wipe your sweaty skin as Nanako dabbed her cloth on Jona’s little head.

As some of the grime was erased from your soft skin, your eyes fluttered open. You looked at Mimiko through hooded eyes, not making a move to stop her. That was until you realized your infant wasn’t on your chest. You shot up, forcing Mimiko to scramble back.

“Jona, where—”

“I’m holding him, Yua,” Suguru said gently, taking the spot that Mimiko had been occupying seconds before. “He’s alright. You did good, baby.”

“Is he breathing okay?” you asked in a small voice, making his eyes widen.

His confusion quickly turned into suspicion. He narrowed his eyes. “Why wouldn’t he be?”

“Because he wasn’t crying at first. I thought he was dead,” Nanako answered, too casual for his liking. “But Yua made us tap his feet, and everything was okay.”

Panic flared at Nanako’s words. His grip on Jona tightened, the idea that his son may have entered the world dead unbearable.

“Why didn’t you tell me right away?” Suguru demanded.

If something was wrong with his son, that should’ve been the first words out of the girls’ mouths.

Nanako shrugged, seemingly unaffected by the gravity of her revelation. “He’s fine, isn’t he?”

“That’s not the point—”

“Stop arguing with a child over something that’s over with, Suguru,” you ordered, the exhaustion in your voice shutting him up. “He’s fine.”

To confirm your words, he studied Jona’s tiny face, searching for any signs of distress. The gentle rise and fall of his chest verified he was breathing just fine, and he transferred his gaze to you. If there had been complications with Jona, he needed to make sure you were okay, too.  

“And you?”

“Peachy,” you said, your appearance contradicting your sarcastic reply. “I just pushed a baby out. How do you think I am?”

He sighed. Even in such a vulnerable position, you were defensive around him. He was your husband and father of your child. At this point, he expected you to be more docile, yet the best he could hope for was resentful cooperation. Coaxing orgasms from you, tasting your cunt, and burying his length deep inside you, was the only time he felt truly connected to you. Suguru wouldn’t trade you for anyone, but he wished you’d let the past go and embrace him as your lover and superior.

“The sarcasm isn’t necessary, Yua,” he admonished, reaching out and grasping your hand. “I just want to make sure you’re okay, sweetheart.”

Rather than addressing his worry, you scrutinized his loose grip on Jona. “Be careful with him.”

Frustration welled up in him. He was being sweet, he knew he was, yet you still rejected him. Focused on Jona instead of him.

He gritted his teeth and stood, making sure to hold Jona nice and tight like you wanted. “I’ll call your midwife in the morning. Get some rest, Yua.”

The twins bid you goodbye, then began to trail behind him, likely needing rest themselves. His hand grasped the doorknob when Jona sniffled. That sniffle turned into a whine, and within seconds, he was screaming his little head off.

Shit.

He hadn’t realized just how loud babies were.

“Bring him here,” you said, before Suguru had the chance to begin comforting him.

“I got it,” he responded, readjusting Jona so he could rock him with more ease. He looked at the girls. “Go to your rooms. It’s late.”

He received no protest as they opened the door and bounded away, leaving you and him alone with the crying infant. His efforts seemed to be paying off, his sobs turning into soft cries. Still, you weren’t satisfied with letting the argument end.

When were you? He liked how spirited you could be, but your mission to constantly oppose him grew tiring.

“He might need more milk. How long did he stay latched?”

Instead of answering your question, he said, “I said I got it. Do you think I’d hurt our baby?”

His tone was clipped, and he could see annoyance stealing away some of your tiredness.

“I don’t think you’d intentionally hurt him, but I’m not dumb enough to trust you with a child’s wellbeing,” you replied, returning his scowl with a glare. “Now give him to me.

He had much more to say, but it all died on his tongue when Jona cried anew, louder than before. You looked at him pointedly, your eyes narrowed. He considered hoarding the baby for a moment longer, but his heart clenched as his baby wailed. Before you both got raging headaches, he sighed and handed Jona to you. Immediately, you fussed over him, cooing and rocking him. He calmed but didn’t quiet down completely, not until your tits were back in his mouth. Suguru’s lip quirked into a smile. He was a greedy little fella.

Like father, like son, he supposed.

[glassbxttless]

[CLOSE] from the smut prompts okay? But stay with me for this one.

Paterson x Pregnant!Reader

Also maybe some lactation kink in there somewhere

Chapters

Paterson x f!Reader

summary: You delight Paterson with some very shocking news not too long after the birth of your first child.

word count: 2k+

warnings: 18+ MINORS DO NOT INTERACT, smut, postpartum, new pregnancy, pregnant reader, female reader, pinv, vaginal sex, a bit of fingering, lactation kink

You feel sick to your stomach as you hold Olive close to your chest, patting her back as she scrunches close. Her skin is clean, new, fresh, only eight weeks old. Your eyes are fixated on that little test strip on the counter. You press a kiss to the top of Olive’s head full of dark hair as you sigh. Two lines making tears prick the corner of your eyes. You knew it shouldn’t have happened then, that the two of you were just too focused on how your bodies felt— not your minds. Ten minutes of the sleepiest sex you’ve ever had, set you onto a path of two babies within the year.

You remember Paterson asking if you were okay afterwards, how he ran a bath and promised he’d take care of Olive. He brushed your hair and kissed your head and apologized for letting it get as far as it did. But you were just as much to blame, you apologized too and it hasn’t happened again. But here you are now. You take a deep breath and walk out of the bathroom, placing Olive into her swing just as Paterson walks through the door. Your heart stops as your eyes meet.

He starts to unzip his jacket and hang it on the hook. “There are my girls.” He has a smile on his face, leaning down to give you the softest kiss and a squeeze on your arm. He presses a kiss to the top of Olive’s head before ducking into your shared bedroom to change from his work clothes into something comfortable to wear around the house. Unbuttoning his shirt, he turns the corner into the bathroom. Letting the fabric roll off of his shoulders and then he’s tossing into the hamper, catching sight of the test on the counter. His heart stops as he steps closer, lifting the strip close enough to see the two pink lines clearly. He sucks in a breath, trying to calm those racing thoughts: Olive, your newborn is only eight weeks old. He places the strip back down on the counter, just like he found it. He doesn’t want you to know he’s seen it. You’ll come to him when you’re ready.

When he steps back out of the bedroom, sweatpants hanging low on his waist— white t-shirt covering his chest— you’re sitting on the couch, Olive tucked close to your chest as she nurses. Paterson’s quick to make sure your water cup is full and you’ve got a snack next to you before he’s heating up two portions of lasagna from your stash of premade dinners. He watches you, noting how unusually quiet you’ve been since he’s come in. You’ve never gone a day without asking him how work was.

But you’re lost in your own thoughts, something that you’ve grown used to since Olive’s birth. “Pat?” your voice is quiet, shaky, a quiet trill that seeps in like you’re about to cry. Paterson is quick to notice, walking over to sit down with you.

“Hey… what’s wrong?” He asks softly, reaching over to take Olive when you’re handing her over. He burps her and places her in her swing before he’s gathering you up into his arms.

“Think I’m pregnant.” You whisper and hide your face against his chest. He just rubs your back, holding you comfortingly as you continue to talk. “Olive is still so small and I don’t know what to do… I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for.” he says softly, sitting you up to wipe a stray tear off your cheek. He smiles softly as he meets your eyes— hand cradling your cheek. “If anything I should be apologizing. I did it.” he says softly, searching your face for that little crack of a smile you indulge him with. He kisses your forehead, pulling you back against his chest. Your knees are placed on each side of his hips. “I love you and you’re a fantastic mother. You’ve done amazing with Olive. If this is something you want, you’re going to do amazing with them too,” he says softly.

“I… I do want this.” You nod. You think of Olive and how much you love her. How much Paterson loves her. How good he is with her. How you both have begun to find yourselves within parenthood. “I want everything with you.” you whisper, thumbs brushing along his jaw as you pull him into a kiss. His eyes begin to flutter closed, one hand tightening on your hip and the other planting itself on the back of your neck to pull you closer. Your mouths part, heads tipping into each other. Paterson’s tongue chasing yours as you feel like every vein in your body is on fire. Your hips begin digging into his. The thin fabric of the sweatpants he was wearing is doing nothing to mask the erection growing underneath.

He’s not shy about it, dragging your hips against him as he scoots to the edge of the sofa. Hand moving from your neck to wrap around your waist as he stands. “Gotta take my girl to bed, huh?” He whispers, lips pressing a kiss underneath your ear as he begins to carry you to the hall— a quiet squeal of Olive’s name leaving your lips halts him in his tracks. “Go sit in bed for me, yeah? I’ll get her.” He kisses the top of your head, as your feet hit the ground. He steadies you with a hand on your waist, waiting for you to turn and disappear into your bedroom.

You make quick work of stripping down to just your t-shirt. The one that’s hanging on your shoulders by just a thread. It’s old and worn, stained by your breastmilk and dried tears from your eight week old baby. You flip on the lamp, dim light filling your room. You give Tessa, the Afghan hound/Rough collie mix you and Pat had adopted at the beginning of your relationship— who takes up residency at the end of your bed each night, a few little gentle pats on her back ushering her away, promising she can have her spot back later. She stands and stretches, wagging her tail before hopping off the edge of the bed and trotting out to the living room. No doubt to drink some water and lounge on the couch. And just as she’s leaving, Paterson is appearing in the doorframe. “Look at you.” Pat mumbles, kicking the door closed as he steps into the room. He admires the expanse of your thighs, the way your hips have gotten wider since the beginning of your pregnancy. He’s stepping closer, settling one knee on the bed as his eyes dip downward. They rake up over the fabric covering your chest, a hand settling on your hip to pull you closer to him as he settles into place in the middle of the bed. His lips close the gap between the two of you, legs placed out in front of him after he sits against the mattress. His heart is beating so fast in his chest, but the second your hands settle on his shoulders— legs wrapped around his waist— he starts to settle down. He gets comfortable, lets himself relax into the kiss you share. “Sweet girl.” he whispers, hands toying with the hem of your t-shirt. “I love you. Nothing will ever change that, okay?” he says softly, fabric raising and exposing more and more of the skin of your back before he’s tugging the shirt off completely.

You shiver, tugging Paterson’s own t-shirt off of his body. Smiling when it ruffles his hair up. His hands find your chest, cupping your tits gently and he gently brushes his thumbs over your nipples. Your fingers are threading through his hair as he dips his head down, taking your nipple into his mouth. His other hand cups and kneads at your tit, his eyes fluttering closed. He’s so lost in you, so enamored. Your hips are rutting closer to him. Your bare cunt brushing against the growing hard on in his sweatpants. Paterson lets a bit of milk drip down from his chin as he pulls away, rolling down his neck and chest. Your fingers bunch up his hair a bit, bringing him into a kiss. You taste the lingering flavor of sweet sweet almond on his lips, his breathing rapidly increasing as you pull your legs back to raise to your knees just to get his sweatpants off.

And he’s quick to discard them, throwing them towards the floor as your legs settle back down around his waist. His cock standing red and angry between your bodies, he’s pulling you close by your waist. Lifting you just a bit against his chest to slip his free hand under you, teasing at your cunt. His fingers are sliding through your folds, brushing ever so gently against your clit. “So lucky you’re my wife.” he mumbles into the skin of your shoulder, two fingers plunging deep into you for just a second before he’s retracting them and replacing them with his cock. You take him greedily. He can feel your cunt fluttering around him and fuck if it isn’t the sweetest thing he’s ever felt. Every time he gets you in bed like this, he revels in the feeling. Truly loving and present in every single moment. His eyes are closed now, head tilting back just that little bit. He swallows hard. Adam's apple bobbing as he does. And your hips rock with his, clinging to each other's bodies as your arms wrap around his shoulders.

You can’t keep your sounds at bay. The moans, the squeals, the hums. Paterson’s just too big. Settled fully inside of you, he stretches you wide, just the right amount of burning pressure to set your nerves on fire. The ache settled deep in your belly starts to fade away into a building sense of pleasure as your hips begin to move in time with one another. The way he keeps his arm tightly locked around your waist as your ankles stay wrapped around his waist, starts to make you feel hot all over. Paterson’s face buries into the soft space between your neck and shoulder, lips pressed against the skin there— leaving a dark bruise in their wake. His tongue darts out to soothe the skin he’s damaged, his cock settled deeper and deeper inside of you, hitting that spongy spot that starts to make your eyes roll back. “Pat…” your breath comes out in little pants, quiet into Pat’s ear. “I’m gonna cum.”

He’s just about there, feels that coil in his belly begin to wind tighter and tighter. He knows he’ll only last a few more minutes— and not even that long if you keep talking to him like that. When your hands leave his shoulders to press against his chest, trying to find anywhere you can grip. You settle on his biceps as your body begins to shake, thighs convulsing as your head leans against his shoulder. Flashes of white light blind your vision as a pleasurable warmth floods through your veins. And Paterson is right behind you, lifting your hips just a bit to thrust his into you as deeply as he can, painting the inside of your pussy with his spend. His heart is racing just as fast as yours. Chests heaving opposite one another. The sound of your breathing matching the other’s breathing patterns. You look him over, that fucked-dumb smile playing at his lips. You’re so in love with him. You take a deep breath, sucking in enough air to try and regain your strength. You’re pushing him flat against his back on the mattress, laying on his chest with a laugh. Your hand nestled right up against his tummy.

And then he’s laughing, kissing the top of your head. His cock still nestled deep into you. “We’re gonna be alright, mama. Another one’s nothing we can’t handle.”

tags ;;

[annieqattheperipheral]

Only caught the last bit of the 3rd of tonight's mcmattdrai orgy but this tells me more than enough

Davo playing thru some serious injury this season, came back too quickly for the heritage classic for the sake of the team thru their losing streak and his personal work ethic obligations for the big promo game

Add that on top of his no doubt spiralling mental health over.. everything... oilers

Obviously his insane skills are still there, but hampered by the above

He took so long to get up from that board slam😭😭😭 i want to wrap him up in a soft wool blanket and cradle him like a confused newborn calf figuring out his new legs

I feel like in that penalty shot moment he just went into auto-mode bc the immediate pain was cloaking any worry of not getting it, not winning it for his team, not doing well, not being mcdavid, not not not not etc. It was so easy for him, it was just complete loose muscle memory of reading the goalie and doing his sily lil' mcdavid things. Like in comparison to what he can do, it wasn't even his most impressive trick. So then he got to immediately relax when he got it in. Like one in, phew, pain was worth it, ok keep going, keep fighting.

Drai cleaning the loose tape off of hubby's stick 🥹😭 taking care of him like that i want love like that😭😭😭 he would've done that for him whether he made that goal or not

post-game:

This man is hanging on by a thread😞😣😫 how do i report these reporters for harassment. what in the Actual Fuck of journalism school are these questions. why are they asking a man at the edge of rock bottom to self-diagnose himself and his team. He legit is Not the team sports psychologist, team doctor, nor head coach. if he knew what was wrong he'd be doing it don't u think you fuckin blowhards

"i thought tonight was an emotional game" said in a wobbly voice 😢🫂

[abbadoabbadon]

just things I've seen in random places online and found it weird / interesting and maybe others will as well

In 2015-2023

Josh Peck gets married

Drake has a meltdown on twitter about not being invited causing a slew of drama

A "source" claims that Dan Schneider was invited to the wedding but take that with a grain of tiny tiny tiny salt.

The very next day after the news broke that Josh did not invite Drake to the wedding Dan posts a weird throwback behind the scenes photo from Drake and Josh of Drake where in the scene he is preparing egg yolks for cooking.

Attention was drawn back on "An Open Secret" in an article about the struggle it took to even get it out for people to watch

The Daily Mail UK wrote an article about Brian Peck, openly calling him a registered s/o pedophile and bringing up An Open Secret in the article.

Drake Bell is in a movie called Cover Versions

Josh is a member of the David Dobrik friend group on youtube around this time because it was before David Dobrik was outed for "allegedly" nearly getting someone killed while filming one of his videos

Josh actually made a number of videos with Drake during this period of time despite the fact that Josh claims they hadn't spoken in 15 years prior to Bell's outburst on twitter.

A zoey101 reboot was announced at an anniversary event, Alexa Nikolas was not invited to reunite with the cast, Dan Schneider was there.

Speaking of Alexa, 2018 was when she formally and publicly called out Nickolodeon and Dan for toxic sets and an environment that was unsafe to children.

Neds Declassified actors call Alexa out and imply she's just dramatic and making shit up

A formal investigation into Dan Schneider was launched in 2018, by the end of that year he was "quietly" let go and allegedly they gave him a lot of money upon his departure

Drake Bell starts releasing new music in mid 2018, he is interviewed by PEOPLE magazine, in this time period he does a lot of press, like actual press, not podcasts like he does now as he claims that no actual news places will have him as an interview.

Also in 2018, Brian Robbins stepped down as CEO of Nickolodeon and Butch Hartman (Fairly Odd Parents) left the network as well.

Josh has a baby with his wife, in late 2018, he publishes a photo on Instagram of Drake hanging out with the newborn.

Billboard music magazine interviews Drake on his new music

Jane Doe calls the cops and files a report against Drake Bell.

Drake cancels all upcoming concerts and shows during the length of the investigation.

Drake goes through this investigation and in the mean time he is still trying to release music, it is assumed at this time his finances were not good due, there is a rumor about a Drake and Josh revival in mid... to late 2019?

There is a rumor based on a Mexican meme where his fans from Mexico started calling him Drake Campana (which is bell in spanish), this happens in 2020 so I think it's funny that people claim that he changed his name and fled to Mexico in 2021 when these things happened before that, and another one is the talking point that people say Josh was distancing himself from Drake because of the child endangerment charge but the wedding incident was in 2017. Years prior to the public 2021 case.

There are social media posts about Drake Bell "changing his name to Campana after finding musical sucess in mexico", in 2020.... before the "fled to mexico" rumor started. There were also multiple articles stating that Drake Bell changed his name and moved to Mexico, rebranding himself based on the fact that his music was more popular there.

Drake promotes his "Lost Album" in early 2020

In late summer 2020, Drake's ex comes forward with allegations about domestic violence

Around this time, Dan Schneider allegedly has his lawyers try to get into contact with Alexa

COVID stuff puts a hamper on a lot of things, Drake starts doing at home instagram live singing sessions.

Dan had announced in early 2020 something about a project he was working on and that he was ready to get back to making shows.

Josh Peck distances himself from David Dobrik during this period due to allegations against David from multiple people, another person in the vlog squad was accused of SA so that probably didn't make Josh wanna stick around

A ton of articles pop up about Drake changing his name and moving to mexico, it stops being about him finding an audience for his music and people start to speculate it's because of allegations from his ex.

This starts to spread like wildfire on twitter and other social media platforms.

a pretty damning NYT article about Dan Schnider is posted online. noting that Dan does not update socials often anymore and is rarely seen out in public, the project he was working on in 2020 seemed to have not worked out.

Information regarding Drake's arrest come to light in 2021, the allegations against him from Jane Doe also come to light and the internet goes wild over it, tons of gossip articles and youtube channels post about it.

a 2021 article comes out about Dan, he responds to allegations of misconduct on the sets of his shows.

Kimmy Robertson hangs out with Brian Peck, shamelessly uploading a photo of them together.

The Jane Doe case is closed when Drake accepts the charges of child endangerment / attempted, and sending "texts of a sexual nature" to a minor (just putting it in quotes because that's how his defense said it)

Although the case is closed, the internet does not and start to make memes and calling Drake a predator, pdf, r*pst on any and all social media he has.

Alexa Nikolas takes legal action against her ex for SA, she also continues to call out Dan and nickolodeon, earning her a reputation from others as "overreacting" and "dramatic"

Sloan makes a video about Drake Bell, talking about the 2021 allegations but also bringing up Brian Peck, heavily "hinting" in his video that Drake is the John Doe from the 2003 case

Drake tries contact with Sloan to get the video removed, Sloan makes a bunch of weird videos about how he's being threatened and intimidated, he does not remove the video, he makes more videos on Drake and the 2021 allegations as well as bringing up the allegations from his ex(es)

Josh Peck and Drake Bell's on again off again "feud" shows up in the form of Josh claiming they hadn't talked in 15 years and that he "Had a tony soprano moment" at the VMAs in 2017, claiming he says "go apologize to my wife" regarding the wedding drama from 2017. Drake and his then wife Janet have one episode of their podcast discussing this and the failed D&J revival.

in 2022 Drake Bell was spotted in flordia allegedly huffing in the car with his baby in the back seat (oof dude wtf)

Alexa Nikolas amidst the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial drama starts doing her livestreams about exposing SA and more in hollywood.

Drake Bell gets more news stories surrounding his "odd behavior" and online spaces are still calling him a r*pist and p*do,

In 2023 Amanda Bynes has a mental breakdown and flags a car down to call 911, she is placed on a psych hold.

A few weeks later Drake Bell goes missing in Malibu, the police start looking for him and consider him to be "in danger" as some of these articles allege that he had sent upsetting text messages to his mother, and when he wasn't answering his phone, his brother calls the cops.

It's revealed that he was texting his mother, upset about things regarding his child visits as he and his wife had broken up some time before this but decided to co parent their son.

He is seen several times huffing in his car

There are screenshots from alleged conversations by Drake in his own discord, talking about how he's tired of being called a r*pist and that it'll never end.

His wife files for divorce officially

At this point he checks himself into rehab.

.

[middleearthpixie]

Better Days ~ Chapter Four (was Human Touch)

A/N - I changed the title because I think this fits better. Sorry for any confusion. 😁

Summary: Frerin Durin had the perfect life, until he found out his wife was cheating on him. Now, he’s navigating uncharted territory as an about-to-be divorced single dad. Dating is a mess, he’s dealing with the fallout where his kids are concerned, and really, he would just love a vacation away from all of it. 

Elena Madison is new to Sidleburg, new to the history department at the high school, and also navigating life as a newly single parent. The last thing she needed was for her daughter to come down sick, when she hasn’t even had time to unpack the moving boxes, never mind find a pediatrician. And the last thing she ever expected was to meet a man like Dr. Frerin Durin…

Neither Elena nor Frerin were looking for anything, but fate has a way of messing up even the best laid plans. However, both have been hurt and both aren't at all sure they trust themselves, never mind trusting someone else...

Pairings:  Modern!Frerin  x ofc Elena Madison

Characters: Frerin, Flynn, Maura, Jake, Elena, Alyssa

Warnings: None

Rating: T

Word Count: 6.9k

Tag List: @mrsdurin @i-did-not-mean-to @lathalea @linasofia @fizzyxcustard @legolasbadass @kibleedibleedoo @xxbyimm @arrthurpendragon @exhausted-humxn-being @rachel1959 @laurfilijames @sketch-and-write-lover @sherala007 @enchantzz @knittastically @notlostgnome @myselfandfantasy @medusas-hairband @guardianofrivendell @jotink78 @sorisooyaa @ruthoakenshield @frosticenow @quiall321 @dianakc @buckybarnes-thorin @glassgulls @evenstaredits @heilith @asgardianhobbit98 @albionscastle @absentmindeduniverse @way-too-addicted-to-fandoms @sazzlep

If you’d like to be added (or removed) to the tag list, please just let me know!

Previous chapters can be found here. 

Frerin yanked off the black mock turtleneck he’d just pulled over his head and hurled it toward the hamper. Christ, it’d been two decades since he’d had to worry about making a good impression on a first date and he’d forgotten what a pain in the ass it could be. And while this wasn't his first date since he and Toni split up, it was the first one where he was this concerned about making a good impression. The last time he’d had to worry about it, he was a cocky nineteen year old more concerned with figuring out how to get into Toni Francetti’s jeans than he was with making a good impression. 

Of course, he found his way into those Guess jeans and ten months later, he then found himself newly married, staring down at his newborn son, wondering just how the hell he was going to finish college and support a family at the same time. Toni wasn't supposed to get pregnant. They’d only been out a couple of times and he was seeing a couple of other girls on campus as well, and neither one of them had said anything about being exclusive. Never mind being young and stupid. Young and stupid and drunk at a frat party when they got carried away. But, her family had money and her father made it clear to him that walking away was not an option. So, thanks to Toni’s family, he was able to finish college, and medical school, while she stayed home first with Flynn, and then with Maura, and then finally with Jake. 

He was far from a perfect husband. School, residency, working his way to an attending position meant time away from home, away from the family. He’d come very close to having an affair with a charge nurse, but stopped it before it went beyond a steamy kiss in the parking deck. He’d come clean to Toni and they tried to salvage their relationship, deciding to try for their third and final child, but in the end, it was Toni’s affair with a boy only slightly older than Flynn that delivered the final blow. 

He had to admit, it was for the best for all of them. The kids were adapting to their new lives and with far less tension in the house, they were all better for it. If he was absolutely honest with himself, he and Toni never should have gotten married in the first place. They were too young. Too selfish. Too immature. 

Of course, at the same time, he wouldn’t trade those kids for anything. 

He sighed as he tugged open the door to the walk-in closet and flipped the light switch. The closet ran the length of the bedroom, and was almost a room in itself. When Toni still lived there, they divided it half but since she’d moved out, he’d taken it over and had more space than he really knew what to do with. Suits and trousers and shoes were on one side, more casual clothes on the other. He peered out the window overlooking the front yard to see it was snowing lightly. Maybe they’d have a white Christmas. It’d be the first one in years. He and Flynn spent the previous weekend putting out the Christmas lights, while Maura and Jake took care of decorating inside the house. They did their Christmas baking last weekend and they would spend Christmas Eve with him, but Christmas Day with their mother and he didn't want to think about that. It wasn't the first Christmas he wouldn’t see them, after all when he was an intern and then a resident, his schedule included nights, weekends, holidays. Now that he ran the department, he had a bit more say in his schedule, but he also made sure he pulled his fair share of crappy shifts along with the other docs on his service.

Frerin frowned as he flipped through the rack of button down shirts, then moved to the stack of cubes where he kept tee shirts and long-sleeved shirts neatly folded. He chose a black henley and tugged it over his head, then moved to the mirror in the middle of the closet. Better than the mock turtleneck by far. Why did he even still have those stupid mock turtlenecks? He never wore them. Toni’s mother bought them every Christmas for him and they remained folded and unworn all year long. 

He flipped off the light as he left the closet and closed the door behind him, then moved to the chair under the dormer window in the far corner to pull on his favorite pair of shoes—brown Doc Martens Crazy Horse boots. 

The kids were in the family room, and he paused in the doorway and just watched them—Flynn and Maura were watching The Mandalorian, Jake was doing his homework. “Okay, guys, behave. I’m heading out. Jake, Maur, Flynn’s in charge and don't give him any trouble.”

As Flynn offered up a smug smile, Frerin was quick to add, “And no abusing your power, or else I put Jake in charge next time.”

“Nice,” Jake said, offering up his best impression of an evil smile.

Maura looked over her shoulder at him. “Have fun on your date, Dad. Be careful.”

“It’s just dinner, I doubt I’m in any danger.”

“Still, be careful.”

“I will, Mom.”

That earned him a smile and she turned back to the television. “Have fun.”

“I will. I won’t be too late and I’ve got my cell on.” He lifted his jacket up from where it lay across the back of the sofa. “Jake, bed by nine.”

“Dad, can’t I stay up a little later?”

“No. Bed by nine.”

“Man…”

“I’ll see you guys later. Like I said, I won’t be too late.”

“Don't hurry on account of us,” Flynn told him with utter seriousness, “especially if she’s cute.”

“That’s enough.”

“He’s right, Dad. You have our permission to have fun.”

“What kind of fun can they have over dinner?” Jake asked.

“You’d be amazed,” Maura told him.

“Enough.” Frerin dug his keys from the jacket pocket, and moved to the front door. As he pulled the door shut behind him, it was as Jake was asking one of them to explain what kind of fun they meant.

A sigh touched his lips as he walked down to his car. In the year since he and Toni separated, Maura and Flynn seemed okay with the few dates he went on, but this was the first Jake really paid any attention to it. And while he’d been out a few times over the course of the last year, he hadn’t slept with any of the women he’d dated, and he had no intentions of bringing any women home to spend the night unless there was actually a possible future, and since that was something he was not looking for right now…

He sank into the leather seat and turned over the engine, then got the heat going. As he backed down the wide drive, he tried not think about how quiet the house would be in the coming days. He didn't like it when the kids were at their mother’s, when the house was too quiet for his liking. He and Toni had worked out visitation with only a little fighting, and while they’d been doing this since the summer, Frerin still wasn’t used to the silence that came with an empty house.

The only good thing was he’d be able to get his Christmas shopping done before his shift began Saturday. Of course, that meant he’d have to wrap everything, which he did not look forward to doing. He sucked at it and as a result, Toni usually wrapped everything but her own gifts. 

“I’ll worry about that Saturday,” he muttered as he eased to a stop at the end of their street and peered into the mirror. He scowled, raked his fingers through the dark hair that would be curly if only he’d let it. That was how he knew when he needed a hair cut, when it refused to lay in any way that wasn't bushy. “I should do like Thorin and just let it grow out.”

He was just pulling into traffic when his cell rang. Leda. “Hey, what’s up?”

“I’m sorry to bug you, Frerin,” she said. “And I hope I’m not calling at a bad time, but Andrea’s temp has gone up.”

He shifted into Drive. “What’s it gone up to?”

“One-oh-one and she’s really cranky.”

“She’s most likely uncomfortable from the fever. Have you given her anything?”

“Some Tylenol about half an hour ago.”

“Give it some time to work. Do you want me to come by and take a look at her?”

Leda hesitated. “Are you home?”

“On my way out, but it’s no problem to swing by.”

“Are you on call tonight?”

“No. Believe it or not, I’ve got a date.”

“What?”

He grinned. “Yeah. But, she’ll probably understand if I call and tell her I’ll be a little late.”

“No, God, don't do that. I’ll give it another half hour or so and try her temp again.”

“Leda, it’s not a problem if—”

“No, Frerin, please don't change your plans. I know I’m just being a nervous mom, but—”

“Leda, it really won’t be a big deal. If it’ll give you some peace of mind, I’ll call Elena and tell her I’ll be a little late. She’s a mom herself. She’ll understand.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’ll be there in just a few minutes.”

“Okay. But only if you’re sure.”

“Leda.”

“Bye, Frerin.”

He grinned as the call disconnected and he pulled up Elena’s number, smiling as she said, “Hello?”

“Hi, Elena, it’s Frerin. Durin.”

“I know it’s you,” a smile came through in her voice, “your name comes up with your number, remember. What’s up?”

“Uh, I’m going to be a little late. My sister-in-law, the one with the twins, just called. Her daughter’s temperature’s gone up again so I told her I’d stop by. I know you were planing dinner for six, so if you want to do this another night, I’d understand.”

“I’ll keep a plate warmed for you.” She hesitated, then added, “Unless you’d rather do this another night.”

“Whichever is easiest for you. I don't usually do house calls, but it’s my brother’s kids, so—”

“No, you don't have to explain. Family comes first.” She cleared her throat. “So, if you still want to come by—”

“I do, Elena. It shouldn’t take me long.”

“Okay. Then swing by when you’re done. Unless it’s really late, that is.”

“It shouldn’t be. But, what do you consider really late?”

“Eleven?”

He grinned. “I won’t be that late. I promise you that. I’ll let you know if anything changes, but I think my niece just has a cold.”

“Take your time. Chicken isn’t going anywhere.”

“I’ll call you when I’m leaving Thorin’s, okay?”

“Sounds good. See you later, then.”

“You will.”

 She clicked off and he drummed his fingers lightly against the steering wheel as he made a left onto Willoughby and headed out toward Route Seven. Thorin and Leda lived on the northwestern side of Sidleburg, in a dark gray Victorian with Pacific blue trim on three acres of land. A silver Honda Accord and a white Jeep Grand Cherokee sat in the driveway, with Thorin’s antique Mustang most likely in the detached garage, and he eased to a stop behind the Jeep. Snow began falling as he climbed out and made his way up to the wide, wraparound porch. 

Leda must have been watching for him, for the door opened before he could even reach for the doorbell. Her eyes were heavy-lidded, with dark circles smudging beneath them. She wore no makeup and her long blonde hair looked like she had a permanent case of bedhead. “Hey, Frerin, thank you so much.”

“No problem, Leda.” He stomped the snow from his boots before stepping over the threshold. “When was the last time you slept?”

“Uh… what day is it?”

“Leda.”

“I know,” she rubbed her face with both hands, then lowered them to add, “but Thorin’s got his hands full with the Dunraven and neither James nor Andrea is sleeping much, so…”

“I told her I can handle it,” Thorin thumped into the room, his screaming son in his arms, “but she’s fucking stubborn.”

“Thorin,” Leda spun around to glare at him, “that doesn’t help anything.”

Thorin rolled his eyes, gently bouncing James against his shoulder. “Neither does you being a zombie, Leda.”

“I am fine!”

“Okay, guys, don’t start fighting just yet. Let me take a look, okay?” Frerin cleared his throat as he reached for James. “Hey, little man, shhh… giving Mom and Dad a hard time?”

The baby let out a cry as Frerin laid his hand across James’ forehead. “He’s warm. What was his temp last time you took it?”

Thorin rubbed his forehead. “Uh… just below a hundred, I think.”

“Have you given him anything?”

Another shrill cry rang out, this one from the living room to his right and Leda tripped over her own two feet as she went to fetch Andrea. 

“Thorin?”

“No. Not yet.” Like his wife, Thorin’s eyes were ringed with bruise like smudged and his forehead furrowed as if thinking was hard to do. “I’m sorry, Frer. I’m so fucking tired, I can’t even see straight right now.”

“Yeah, I know the feeling well.” Frerin sighed. “Get the Tylenol and let’s give him some and see if that helps.”

“I thought fevers were good?”

“They are. It means their immune systems are working, but they’re miserable, Thorin. There’s no reason for any of you to suffer if none of you has to. Give them the Tylenol and hopefully they’ll sleep. And you and Leda both need to get some sleep as well.”

“Yeah, tell me something I don't already know,” Thorin growled as he thumped toward the kitchen. “How did you do this and get through med school and residency? How do you work those shifts still?”

“Toni took care of the kids when I was a resident and now? I’m used to it, more or less. And trust me, it will get easier. Sooner than you think and faster than you can imagine.” Frerin smoothed a hand over James’ hair, which was thicker and even blacker than his sister’s. The baby quieted against him, while his sister’s screams made up for it, and Leda looked ready to cry as she came back into the family room. 

Two pack’n plays were set up by the sofa, and Frerin carefully set James into the first one, then turned to Leda. “Let me see her, Leda.”

“She feels even hotter now,” Leda told him, rubbing one eye after he took Andrea from her. “Maybe we should just take her back to the ER.”

“Let me see first, okay?” He moved to the sofa to set Andrea on one of the cushions and unbuttoned her fleece sleeper. Andrea began fussing again, shoving a fist in her mouth to chew on. “Shhh, mimûna,” he whispered, laying his hand against her forehead, “You need to let Mommy and Daddy get some rest, too, honey.”

She let out another cry and Leda sank onto the cushion above Andrea’s head. “Shhh… baby… please stop crying…”

Andrea quieted for a moment as Frerin looked her over. “Get me the thermometer, please?” he said without looking up.

“Sure.”

“I got it.” Thorin came back into the room with a tympanic thermometer. He handed it to Frerin. “It’s got the little ear condom on it already."

“Thanks.” Frerin took the thermometer and gently slid it into Andrea’s right ear. She squirmed slightly, but then the thermometer beeped, so he eased it back out. “She’s at ninety-nine, Leda.”

Relief swept across her face as she sank against the arm of the sofa. “So, why won’t she stop crying?”

“When did she eat last?”

“About half an hour ago.” 

“She might have reflux. It’s fairly common in babies her age. Are you still nursing?”

She shook her head. “No. It was killing me, Frerin. We put them on formula a few weeks ago.”

“You might have to switch it up, try a few different ones and see if that helps.” He refastened Andrea’s sleeper and scooped her up to rest against his shoulder. She snuggled up against him, with a soft, tired sigh, and continued chewing on her fist. “In the meantime, I can give you a prescription for something, but honestly? I’d try an over the counter gas reliever like Mylicon first.”

“I can just get this at the store?” Leda asked.

“Yeah. It should be with the children’s cold medicine and cough syrup and the like.”

Thorin sighed. “I’ll go pick some up.”

“It should help. If not, let me know and I’ll write you the scrip.”

Leda let out a long sigh as Thorin clumped into the kitchen and grabbed his car keys. The kitchen door opened, then closed and a few minutes later, the Accord purred to life. 

“I’m so sorry I pulled you away from your date,” Leda told him, rubbing her eyes once more. 

“It’s okay. She understood.” He carefully got to his feet to rock Andrea gently as she cooed and gnawed away on her fist. “She’s got a kid herself, so she knows.”

“Tell me about her.”

He grinned. “There isn’t much to tell, Leda. I met her the other night in the ER and—”

“You dirty dog,” Leda let out a laugh, “you hit on a patient?”

“No. I’m not a grown-up doctor, remember? My patients are all under eighteen and I don't hit on any of them.”

“So, a sick kid’s mother? I’m not sure that’s better, Frer.”

“I didn’t hit on her in the ER. I just met her there. Remember the woman who came in to ask me about the discharge papers? The one you told me to hit on.”

“Oh, so you did take my advice. Then it’s all good.”

“I sort of took it. I didn't hit on her in the ER, though. I actually hit on her in the gym, instead. Her daughter is down with the flu, and she invited me over for dinner.” He smoothed his hand along Andrea’s back as she drifted to sleep. “And when I told her what was going on with these little ones, she understood.”

“Still… she’s the first one since you and Toni split up, isn’t she?”

“No,” he moved to the other pack n’ play and bent to carefully set Andrea in it, offering up a silent prayer that she remained asleep, “I’ve been out a few times, but they never amounted to anything.”

“Why?”

“I just… I’m not really looking for anything serious and most of the women I’ve met so far are hearing wedding bells instead of the restaurant’s daily specials.” He moved back to the sofa and sank onto the cushion on the far end opposite her. 

“At least tell me you’re getting hot sex out of it.”

He couldn't hold back his laugh. “I wish.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re not?”

“I’m not. And that’s okay, because I haven’t really been looking for that, either.”

“What?”

“I know, Thorin thinks I’m nuts, too. But to be honest, I don't have the time, Leda. Between work and the kids and boring-ass dates with women who don't really do it for me? Sex has fallen pretty low on the list of priorities.”

“It’ll happen again. Maybe with this new woman.”

“Yeah, maybe.” He raked his hand through his hair. “But if not, I don't even think I’d care a whole lot right now. I’ve got enough going on and this is only dinner. I’m not thinking much past it right now.”

Leda glanced over at the fireplace. “What time were you meeting her?”

“She’s cooking for me.”

“What?”

“Yeah. I mean, she’s not cooking for me. She was making dinner and just invited me to join her and her daughter.”

“Wait, she is cooking for you and you stood her up? Are you kidding me?”

He shook his head. “She isn’t cooking forme, Leed. And she understood.”

“Oh, Christ, Frerin, get out of my house and go have dinner. Thorin will be back in a few minutes and they’re both asleep, so get out while you can.”

“You sure, Leda? I can wait until he comes home.”

“Yes!” She laughed as she nodded. “I’m very sure. Go.”

He smiled as he rose from the sofa. “Call me if either one of them spikes another fever, okay, Leda? Don't worry about what time it is or where I am. If you need me, call me.”

“I will. Now, go.”

“What time is Dr. Hottie supposed to be here?”

Elena shot Alyssa a look. “I thought you weren’t going to call him that?”

“I said I wouldn’t to his face. And I won’t.” Alyssa didn't look the least bit contrite as she pushed her chicken around on her plate. “But, what time?

“He was supposed to be here for six, but his niece is sick and he was making a house call.”

“Mom, how cool would it be if you and Dr. Hottie got married? I’d never have to go to a doctor’s office again.”

Elena resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “Okay, first off, Dr. Hottie and I are not getting married. We haven’t even gone out yet and I’m not looking for a husband, besides. I had one of those, remember?”

“Dad is an ass. It doesn’t count.”

“Watch your mouth, Alyssa, and whether or not he is an ass is immaterial. I’m still not looking to get back into any serious relationship right now. I’m fine with this—” She gestured between them. “And even if, by some crazy twist, I did end up with Dr. Hot—Durin, you would still have to go to the doctor’s office because you’re almost old enough to no longer see a pediatrician if you really didn't want to, not to mention, it would probably be weirdly uncomfortable for both of you and I can’t imagine he would be willing to treat you as a patient anyway.”

“Yeah,” Alyssa’s nose wrinkled, “it wouldn’t be cool to have to get undressed in front of my stepdad. Or,” she amended as Elena shot her a look, “my mom’s boyfriend.”

“Exactly. Even if your father was a doctor, he wouldn’t treat you, most likely.”

Alyssa set down her fork. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m just not that hungry. I kind of want to just to back to bed.”

Elena bit back a smile. Alyssa did look utterly exhausted, her face still pale and her eyes still on the heavy-lidded and sunken side, with faint purplish smudges ringed beneath them. “Okay. Go get into bed. Do you want some tea or hot cocoa?”

“Maybe some tea?”

“Okay. Go get settled and I’ll bring you some.”

“Okay.” 

Alyssa pushed her chair away from the table and made her way down the hallway to her room. Elena remained where she was for a minute, just staring at the empty chair in the tiny dining room that was really more alcove than room. It was a far cry from the five-bedroom beach house where Alyssa had spent her first thirteen years. The two-bedroom, first floor apartment was a fraction of the size of that house, and yet they’d both adjusted with relative ease. It was amazing, how the absence of constant friction, of constant tension, and of frequent fighting rendered the size of the living space perfect. Elena found she didn't jump at creaking floorboards the way she used to, she didn't hear a car drive by and have her stomach twist into knots. She didn't have to worry about strange voice mails or why Dan was suddenly so protective of his phone. 

From where she sat, she could see the microwave on the counter beneath the cabinet that held their plates and bowls. It was nearly eight o’clock. Hopefully, Frerin’s niece was all right. Unless, of course, the niece was a ruse to get out of seeing her. That made her wince. It wouldn’t be the first time a guy lied to get out of seeing her, but she usually made it past a first date before being stood up.

Then the doorbell rang and a hint of shame swept through her. Not all men were Dan. She had to unlearn all of the self-preservation tactics being with him had left her with. 

She stood and made her way to the front door, smiling as she peered through the peephole to see Frerin on the other side. She’d forgotten how cute he was, and for the first time in what felt like a lifetime, her belly felt alive with butterflies as she unlatched the chain, flipped the deadbolt and tugged open the door. 

He jumped, but then smiled. “I know I’m really late,” he said by way of greeting, holding up a narrow paper bag, “but I brought wine so I hope that scores me a few points.”

“You’re late, but a sick baby is a perfectly good reason,” she pulled the door open wider, “and wine helps.”

“Good. I hope chardonnay works for you. Or did I just lose those points?”

“Chardonnay is fine, but the chicken might be a little cold.”

“Cold chicken is good.”

“Come on in.”

He stepped into the apartment as she said, “How is your niece?”

“She has a cold and probably reflux. She’ll be fine in time.” Frerin shrugged out of his black leather bomber jacket and draped it over his forearm. “Her parents might not survive it, though. Neither one of them is sleeping much and I’ve never been so thankful I didn't have twins.”

“That’s got to be rough on them, especially if they’re both sick. Here,” she reached for his jacket, “let me take that.”

She moved to the closet, pulling the door open as he said, “Yeah, their kids are not quite six months old, teething, and sick. The first year is always the roughest when it’s one baby. But two? No, thanks.”

“Right?” The jacket was heavier than it looked, and as she slid it onto a hanger, a softly spicy scent wafted from it. Frerin’s cologne, most likely. She couldn’t place the scent, but it was a nice one, whatever it was. 

“How’s Alyssa feeling?”

Elena closed the closet door and gestured for him to come into the dining room. “She’s feeling better, but tired.”

“Yeah, the flu knocks you for a loop, even kids.” 

“Sit down and I’ll fix you a plate.”

“Elena, just point me in the right direction and I’ll fix it myself. Sit down, have a glass of wine. You don’t need to wait on me.”

She smiled. “It’s only a plate.”

“I know.” He winked. “I can manage.”

“Okay. Then manage.”

“I will.” 

“Would you like a glass?” She held up the bottle of chardonnay.

“I’d love one.”

She retrieved the corkscrew and two glasses, then came back to pop open the wine and poured it into both glasses. Then, she sank back into her chair and watched him fix a plate from the dishes on the table, then went into the kitchen. “Where do you keep your waxed paper?”

“Top drawer underneath the microwave.” 

“Got it.”

A few minutes later, he settled in Alyssa’s chair. “See? I managed.”

Elena stiffened at the steam curling away from the potatoes and chicken on his plate. “Oh, damn… I told Alyssa I’d bring her a cup of tea. Excuse me a minute.”

“No problem.” He speared a bite of chicken. “I’ll be right here.”

She hurried back into the kitchen to set the kettle on the stove and turned on the burner, then came back to her chair. He smiled, lowering his fork. “This is delicious, Elena.”

“It’s just a roast chicken.”

“Yeah, but I do most of the cooking now and I am not a good cook by any stretch of the imagination.”

“Are your kids starving?”

“Jake might be.”

“How many do you have?”

“Three. Two boys, with a girl sandwiched between them. My daughter and Alyssa are in math class together. My oldest is a senior and my youngest is in the fifth grade over at the intermediate school.”

“Are you a weekend dad or full time?”

“Full time.” He lifted his wineglass for a sip. “My soon-to-be ex-wife gets them every other weekend for now.”

“For now?”

He lowered the glass, and sighed softly. “Our divorce is dragging out. She’s fighting me for custody. She should only know how I have to insist they go with her on her weekends.”

“How long have you been fighting over them?”

“Since day one.” He traced his finger along the glass’ stem. “They don't want to live with her. They’re in the house where they grew up and they’re old enough where I think a judge will ask them as well. But, Toni is stubborn, so…”

Elena didn't miss the way his jaw tightened with his words, the darkness that seemed to come to his eyes with them. “Can I ask what happened?”

“Sure.” He shrugged. “It’s nothing earth-shattering. Married too young. Kids too soon. We kidded ourselves we could work out all of the problems, but that was a lie, and then she had an affair. With a kid only a few years older than our son.”

Elena didn't know how to respond to that. What could she say? He said it bluntly, with almost no emotion in his voice, but at the same time, it hit her far harder. “What?”

“Yeah.” He rubbed his bearded chin with one hand, then lowered it to reach of his wineglass. “She was a stay at home mom until about two years ago. Then she decided she wanted to go back to school and finish her degree. Like I said, we got married way too young, and Flynn came only a few months after our wedding, so she didn't get the chance to finish college. The kids were old enough and I thought it was a great idea, so she went back. Then she gets paired up with this kid as her lab partner and the next thing I know…”

“An affair.”

“Yeah.” He met her gaze then, and offered up a humorless smile. “The kid’s younger brother was in school with Flynn. On the baseball team with him.”

Elena pressed her lips together at the soft words, at the pain that flashed in Frerin’s blue-gray eyes. “I can guess what happened,” she said softly.

“You’d probably be right. Flynn defended his mother and nearly found himself off the team as well.”

“Nearly?”

“Yeah. He got a two-day suspension, but the coach knows him, and knew what happened and let him stay on the team. It was a mess, but it’s all behind us now, thank Mahal. He’s doing a lot better than he was last spring.” He lifted the wineglass, took a sip, and lowered it to add, “And that’s a lot to drop on you and I’m sorry. You can just kick me under the table to shut me up.”

“No, it’s fine,” she said with a smile, shaking her head. “I appreciate the honestly. Too many guys would be all she’s crazy and fucked up and any other excuse they can offer to make themselves look good.”

He paused his chewing and just stared and for a moment, Elena wondered if she’d said too much. Then, he swallowed and with a shake of his head, said, “So, I shouldn’t tell you how you’re not like other women, then?”

“Only if you want me to toss out of my apartment.”

He smiled then. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

The kettle began whistling, so she said, “Excuse me,” and went to switch off the burner under the kettle and moved to grab the box of tea bags from the overhead cabinet. She set one in the cup she’d taken out for Alyssa and poured boiling water into it.

As she waited for it to steep, Frerin came into the kitchen, plate in hand. “I didn't freak you out, did I? I mean, I know my sad life story is really fascinating and all, but you didn't need me unloading like that.”

“It was fine,” she told him, leaning back against the counter. “And it’s not unloading. I asked because I wanted to know.”

“Yeah, but still…”

“No, no but still.” She smiled up at him as she took the tea bag from the cup with one hand and reached for the bear-shaped bottle of honey with the other. “I did want to know. And I’d like to know more about you.”

“More? Like what else?”

“Well, how long have you been a doctor? How long have you been at the hospital? What do you do when you’re not putting worried moms’ minds at ease with your incredible bedside manner?”

He chuckled. “I graduated med school ten years ago. Finished up my residency and boarded five years ago and I’ve been at the hospital for the entire time. I matched there out of med school, and they offered me my current position two years ago.”

“And what is your current position?”

“I run the pediatric department. So, when I’m not covering the ER or putting worried moms’ minds at ease, I’m stuck in budget meetings and buried under paperwork.”

“Poor Dr. Durin.”

“Hey, you should see what my in box looks like. I’m lucky I get out of my office alive some times.”

As he spoke he stepped closer, looming over her, all broad shoulders and wide chest. He was almost a foot taller than her, and seemed to block out the light from that single overhead fixture. 

“It’s a good thing you’re surrounded by doctors then, huh?” she asked.

“Yeah.” He nodded, bending toward her. “It is. At times.”

He hesitated, but then leaned closer still. Her heart sped up, a thousand butterflies going wild in her stomach at the thought of his kissing her. 

His lips were soft, his kiss gentle, and as he eased an arm about her waist, she did the same about his neck, and let her fingers creep up into his soft, wavy hair. His hand splayed across the small of her back, heat from his palm seeping into her as his lips parted, as his tongue eased between her lips to slick slowly along hers. 

His beard scratched lightly against her skin. The arm about her waist tightened, the edge of the counter bit into her hip as he pressed her up against it. For the first time in well over a year, Elena’s body hummed with desire, her fingers twisted of their own into his hair, her back bowed and as her breasts pressed firmly into his broad chest, she didn't miss the way his breath hitched. His kiss deepened further, his tongue tangling with hers now, slow and thick and teasing, and the hand on her back slid down over her left butt cheek to cup it and gently kneaded it. 

“Mom?”

Frerin pulled away, somewhat breathless as he nuzzled her and whispered, “The tea…”

Her head spun from the fire in that one kiss, the one that left her breathless as well, with a delicious heat swirling through her. Her face was warm as she cleared her throat and whispered, “I should probably take that to Alyssa.”

He drew back, his eyes heavy-lidded, his grin on the boyish side. “Probably.”

“I’ll—I’ll be right back.” She slowly pulled away from him, reaching for the mug with one hand, drawing her index finger along her bottom lip with the other. It had been a lifetime since anyone kissed her with that much fire, that much passion, and a hint of shyness swirled through her as she moved to the doorway. There, she paused, and smiled as he turned toward the sink and with a light whistle on his lips, ran hot water into the sink, then tackled the dishes in the basin. 

“Where do you keep your dishtowels?” he asked, smiling at her over his left shoulder.

“The bottom drawer on your right. But, you really don't have—”

He winked. “Alyssa’s tea is going to be cold.”

She smiled back at him. “Well, far be it from me to stop you washing dishes.”

“They’re in good hands. Trust me.”

She ducked her head and made her way down to Alyssa’s room, which was dark except for the glow of the television on her tall dresser. “Did you get lost, Mom?”

“Funny. No, I didn’t. I had to let it steep, remember.”

Alyssa narrowed her eyes. “Why do I not believe that?”

“Lyss.”

“Okay, okay. You were letting it steep.” She sat up and flipped on the lamp on her bedside table. “Did Dr. Durin make it or are you still waiting for him?”

“No, he’s here. He’s doing the dishes.”

“What? What guy does dishes willingly?” Alyssa took the mug and sipped, then added, “Aside from one who’d probably hoping for a good night kiss.”

“Lyssa.”

“What? You should totally kiss him, Mom. I bet it feels weird because he’s got a beard.”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ve never kissed anyone with a beard before.”

“Well, maybe tonight you’ll find out.”

Elena smiled as she smoothed the comforter across Alyssa’s lap. “Don’t you be worrying about that. You try to get some sleep.”

“I will, Mom.” 

She took another sip of tea, then her expression grew serious—serious enough that Elena said, “What is it, Lyssa?”

“Well, I think you should let him kiss you. Then you can tell me if it’s scratchy and weird or not.”

“Why do you need to know this?”

“A few of the boys at school have beards, like Grayson Markham, and I don't think I’d mind it if he kissed me, but I think it would feel weird.”

Elena bit back a sigh. Her mother always described Alyssa as an old soul and more often than not, Elena agreed. However… “You’re not even fourteen years, honey. You should be thinking about school and homework, not kissing boys with beards. And how old is this boy, anyway?”

“He’s a junior. He just got his license on Monday.” Alyssa sighed softly. “And it doesn’t matter anyway. He’s got a girlfriend and even if he didn’t, he doesn’t know I’m alive.”

Thank God for small favors. But, of course, she could say that out loud, so Elena patted her through the covers. “Your time will come, honey. I promise you. Don’t be in such a hurry.”

“I know, but still…”

Elena smiled as she bent over to kiss the top of Alyssa’s head. “I know. Thirteen is a tough age. But, you’ll be grown up before you know it and I’m not at all ready for that, so let’s not hurry it along, okay?”

“Okay, Mom. You should get back to Dr. Hottie. He’s probably wondering if you’re ditching him.”

“In my own home?”

“You never know.”

Elena ruffled her hair. “I’ll come check on you in a little while. You should try to get some sleep.”

“I will.”

“Call me if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Elena flipped off the light and after a last look in over her shoulder, left the room, pulling the door by as she did. As she rounded the corner of the kitchen doorway, she smiled at the sight of Frerin stacking the clean plates in the cabinet. 

Dr. Hottie, indeed. 

“Tell me I’m not putting things in the wrong place,” he said without turning around. 

“No, you’re fine.”

“Good. My former mother-in-law used to move things in my kitchen—would put them where she thought they should be instead of where we actually kept them, and it drove me insane.” He closed the cabinet and turned toward her, leaning back against the counter. “So, if I did that, please yell at me.”

“I’m still deciding where things should go, so I don't think there really is a wrong spot just yet.” 

“Even so. Tell me, okay?” 

“I will.”

“So,” he draped the towel over his shoulder as he towered over her, “I was thinking we should go out sometime, Elena. You free Sunday night? I know it’s a weird date night and ordinarily, I’d suggest something on Friday, but I’ve to work Friday.”

“I’m free most nights, so Sunday would be fine. It just can’t be too late, since I have to work on Monday.”

He smiled as he dried his hands on the towel. “Sunday it is. Dinner? Movie?”

“What’s playing?”

“I have no idea. I don't even remember the last time I was in a movie theatre.”

“Me, neither, so why don’t we skip the movie and just do dinner then?”

“Dinner sounds good to me.”

She looked up at him and smiled. “Dinner it is.”

“Good.” His eyes glittered in the soft glow of the single overhead light. “I’ll pick you up at seven?”

“You don’t sound so sure.”

“No, I’m sure.” 

“Okay, so do you need to get home or do you want to maybe see what’s on television?”

“If you’re not throwing me out, I’ve got no where else to be.” He folded the dishtowel and laid it on the counter. “Do you watch The Walking Dead?”

“I thought that was on Sunday nights?”

“It is, and that’s why God invented On-Demand.”

“Oh, is that why?”

He nodded. “Oh, yeah. So, do you watch it?”

“No, but if you don’t mind my asking questions, I’m game.”

“I don't mind.”

“Then I’m game.”

[babygiftsireland]

Baby Snuggle Box - Pink Cozy Baby Gift by BabyGiftIreland

Spoil a little one with the Baby Snuggle Box in pink from BabyGiftIreland. This beautifully crafted box includes soft, comforting essentials and adorable keepsakes, making it the perfect gift for welcoming a new baby girl.

[cutiepatootiejonesboro]

Valentine's Day Shopping  | Cutie Patootie

Come in and let us get you fixed up for Valentine’s Day!

[whentherewerebicycles]

no one asked for this but it’s fun making lists so here are the newborn things I actually needed or used frequently:

one place to put him down in every room when I need my hands free (for me, it’s a snuggleme lounger, a quilt on a table or rug, and a baby bouncer)

at least one baby wrap or soft carrier, but you’ll probably have to cycle through lots of different ones before you find one that fits. I tried solly, ergobaby, baby bjorn, infantino, and the beco 8. I loved infantino for the newborn stage (super easy to get in and out of) but switched to the beco when he got heavier and adore it.

carseat + a super lightweight foldable stroller caddy you can click the carseat in and out of (this makes quick trips to the store soooo much easier than hauling the big stroller out)

heavy duty stroller if you go on a lot of long walks (I got a bob stroller secondhand and love it sooooooo much but wouldn’t want to cart it around for errands)

upstairs place for him to sleep (crib) and downstairs place for him to sleep when his sitter is here (bassinet, but could also be a pack n play) + sheets

changing pad (I had the peanut changer pad but my mom claimed he didn’t like it so we switched to a traditional one with washable cloth covers. both were fine)

bottles & nipples

cloth diapers to use as burp cloths

4-5 lightweight swaddling blankets

a mix of short sleeve onesies & zippered footie pajamas

2-3 swaddles in a brand you like (we tried about fifty different kinds and settled on the swaddleme ones… I think any of the others would’ve worked too I just hadn’t learned the houdini/batwing swaddle trick to prevent him from escaping)

baby monitor (get a cheap security camera type and avoid the baby gear price markup)

more diapers and wipes than seem humanly possible for one baby to use (then triple it)

mini fridge to store overnight bottles in the nursery if you live in a two-story place or the kitchen is far away

car window shade decal thing to keep the sun off them in the car

laundry hamper for the nursery

diaper pail (honestly a trash can would work fine too but I do like our dekor pail)

baby bathtub

a foldable changing pad for on the go is nice, but honestly I’ve changed him on a blanket many times and it’s no big deal

things that seemed necessary but weren’t, at least for me:

bottle sterilizer

baby swing

rocking chair (he enjoys it but doesn’t seem to need it and prefers to be lightly bounced a little when he’s upset)

diaper bag/backpack (I just use my purse)

Idk I feel like my mom bought him a ton of swings, play gyms, interactive toys, etc that I assume he’ll probably be interested in later? but this kid is pretty content to just kick & look at stuff and also I’m trying to encourage a low-toy lifestyle lol

[blackhistorychatgpt]

Black Doctors and the Legacy of Racism in Medicine

Before we get to the AI - go buy "Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine" by Uche Blackstock. She's a high school classmate of mine and on a recent AI panel I was on I told people that I thought should be required reading ( The other book I made required reading were "Weapond of Math Destruction " and " Unmasking bias" ) Why should book not explicitly about AI be required reading for those involved with AI? One of the major dangers in AI is that it uses data that contains bias from our current society to predict future outputs/outcomes. So if we don't understand the racism and bias that is in medicine right now, using AI anywhere in healthcare essentially calcifies these biases behind opaque mechanical systems.

Here's what Perplexity says about the book:

"Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine" is a memoir by Dr. Uché Blackstock, an emergency medicine physician and CEO dedicated to dismantling racism in healthcare. The book delves into the historic health care inequities and systemic racism, detailing Dr. Blackstock's family legacy of black female physicians and her own experiences as a physician and patient. It offers a searing indictment of the U.S. healthcare system, serving as a generational family memoir and a call to action. The book sheds light on the profound and long-standing systemic inequities that lead to far worse health outcomes for Black Americans and endangers the well-being of communities. It also addresses the flawed system that hampers the progress of Black patients and physicians, making it a compelling and necessary read for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public[1][2][3].

Citations: [1] https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/66087028 [2] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/a-black-physicians-memoir-looks-at-the-legacy-of-medical-racism-in-america [3] https://www.harvard.com/book/9780593491287_legacy/ [4] https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/705871/legacy-by-uche-blackstock-md/ [5] https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Physician-Reckons-Racism-Medicine/dp/0593491289

So for today I wanted to highilight some other achievements of black doctors:

Some notable black doctors in American history include:

Dr. James McCune Smith (1813–1865): He was the first black American to earn a medical degree and practice in the United States. He also opened what is thought to be the country's first African American-owned pharmacy[3].

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1831–1895): She became the first black woman in the United States to receive an MD degree. After the Civil War, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, where she worked with other black doctors caring for formerly enslaved people in the Freedmen’s Bureau[2][3].

Dr. Daniel Hale Williams (1856–1931): He founded Chicago’s Provident Hospital, the country’s first black-owned, interracial hospital, and performed the first-ever successful heart surgery two years later[3].

Dr. Charles Richard Drew (1904–1950): Known as the "father of blood banking," he pioneered blood preservation techniques that led to thousands of lifesaving blood donations[3].

Dr. Louis Wade Sullivan (b. 1933): He became the founding dean of what became the Morehouse School of Medicine, the first predominantly black medical school[2].

Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller: He was the first black psychiatrist in the United States and became an authority on Alzheimer’s Disease research[3].

Dr. Marilyn Hughes Gaston: She published a study of sickle-cell anemia that led to a nationwide test for newborns and became the first African American and female director of a public health bureau[3].

These doctors overcame significant challenges, including racism and prejudice, and made pioneering contributions to the field of medicine in the United States[2][3].

Citations: [1] https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living/african-american-pioneers-who-changed-healthcare/ [2] https://www.aamc.org/news/celebrating-10-african-american-medical-pioneers [3] https://www.auamed.org/blog/african-american-doctors/ [4] https://guides.mclibrary.duke.edu/blackhistorymonth/chronology [5] https://interestingengineering.com/lists/black-doctors-medicine

From Gemini: Pioneering Healers: A Glimpse into the Lives and Achievements of African American Doctors

From overcoming systemic barriers to making groundbreaking contributions, African American doctors have woven a remarkable tapestry of resilience, dedication, and excellence within the annals of medicine. Their stories, etched in struggle and triumph, not only illuminate their individual journeys but also shed light on the broader fight for racial equality in the United States.

The earliest documented Black physician in America, James Durham, emerged during the tumultuous years of the Revolutionary War. Denied formal medical training due to his race, he honed his skills through apprenticeships and self-study, eventually serving Continental Army soldiers and establishing a successful practice in New Orleans. Dr. Durham's story exemplifies the resourcefulness and determination that characterized countless Black medical pioneers.

Throughout the 19th century, figures like David Augustus Chisolm, the first Black graduate of Harvard Medical School, and Rebecca Lee Crumpler, the first Black woman to earn an M.D. in America, defied prejudice and carved their own paths. They faced not only societal discrimination but also limited access to education and resources. Yet, their unwavering commitment to serving their communities propelled them forward, paving the way for future generations.

The 20th century witnessed a surge in Black medical advancements. Dr. Charles Drew, known for his groundbreaking work on blood plasma storage, revolutionized wartime medicine and saved countless lives. Dr. Dorothy Lavinia Brown, the first Black resident at New York Hospital, became a prominent surgeon and advocate for healthcare equity. Their achievements resonated far beyond the medical field, serving as powerful symbols of Black excellence and defying long-held stereotypes.

However, the journey towards equality has been fraught with challenges. Despite their qualifications and contributions, Black doctors have historically faced discrimination in hiring, promotions, and access to funding. The fight for equal opportunities continues, with disparities in healthcare access and representation still prevalent today.

Yet, the legacy of African American doctors remains an inspiration. Their unwavering dedication to healing, coupled with their courage in the face of adversity, serves as a testament to the enduring human spirit. Their stories remind us of the vital role they have played in shaping American medicine and underscore the continued need for equity and inclusion in the healthcare system.

Reading List:

"Black Doctors in White America: Mobilization & Progress During World War II" by Charles W. Eagles

"Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present" by Harriet A. Washington

"A Sickness in Our Land: Epidemics in the Atlantic World" by Virginia DeJohn Anderson

"Black Women Scientists in the United States" by Evelyn Fox Keller

"Charles R. Drew: The Man Who Saved the Blood" by Catherine Reef

"Dorothy Lavinia Brown: The Untold Story of the First Black Woman Surgeon" by Jessica M. Dorman

"Between Slavery and Freedom: Women of Color in the Civil War Era" by Stephanie Camp

"Medical Bondage: From Cotton to Crack" by Harriet A. Washington

"Black Skin, White Masks" by Frantz Fanon

"The Souls of Black Folk" by W.E.B. Du Bois

"Black Power: The Politics of Liberation in America" by Stokely Carmichael and Charles Hamilton

"Medical Nemesis: The Expropriation of Health" by Ivan Illich

"The Color of Violence: The Incarceration of the Innocent and the Making of an American Epidemic" by Evelyn Hoenig Jarvis

"Medical Racism: Race, Ethnicity, and Health Care in the United States" by Carlos V. Hill

"Do Black Patients Get the Same Care? Understanding Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care" by Charles R. King

"Unbroken: A Story of Strength, Faith, and Survival in the Ever After" by Laura Hillenbrand

"Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race" by Margot Lee Shetterly

"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot

"Educated" by Tara Westover

"Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents" by Isabel Wilkerson

This list, though not exhaustive, offers a diverse range of perspectives on the experiences and contributions of African American doctors within the broader context of American history and social justice. Through these voices, we gain a deeper understanding of their struggles, triumphs, and enduring legacy in the field of medicine.

It is important to note that the experiences of African American doctors are diverse and cannot be homogenized. This reading list attempts to offer a general overview of the topic, but further exploration into specific individuals and historical periods is encouraged.

[adamwatchesmovies]

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)

While I didn't enjoy this film, that doesn't mean you won't. No matter what I say, the people involved in this project did it: they actually made a movie. That's something to be applauded. With that established...

I like DC’s roster of characters, and I fear this has blinded me to some obvious flaws in films like Wonder Woman 1984, Black Adam and Suicide Squad. I won't make that mistake with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Four years after the events of the first film, Arthur Curry/Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Mera (Amber Heard) are married with a newborn son. Arthur is juggling his responsibilities as the king of Atlantis with his superhero-ing and fatherly duties when his enemy David Kane/Black Manta (Yahya Abdyl-Mateen II) reappears. Working with marine biologist Stephen Shin (Randall Park), Black Manta has obtained the mythical Black Trident. With it, he has the power to destroy Aquaman, his family and all of Atlantis.

This film has the pieces needed to construct a great story but doesn't know how. Unlike the other heroes in this universe, Aquaman has loved ones with super abilities. Even normal Atlanteans like his mother, Atlanna (Nicole Kidman) can hold their own in combat thanks to their enhanced strength, quasi-ability to fly (you can move in any direction underwater) and superhuman endurance. Mera can telekinetically control water. Black Manta is a regular, surface-dwelling human with a power suit. To get around this, the film hospitalizes Mera as soon as possible (was the decision made in response to Amber Heard’s courtroom drama? Who knows?), has all of Atlantis deadlocked in political squabbles that prevent them from doing anything - even though they’re all going to die if Black Manta isn’t stopped -, ignores elements from the first film (like that Leviathan we saw Aquaman commanding) and powers up Black Manta through magic strength. The setup alone feels cumbersome.

Black Manta’s plan raises the stakes appropriately, though I’m not sure how well it was really thought out. A part of you can’t help thinking “There had to be an easier way”. The point is, things are dire. With Mera and Atlanna unable to help, Aquaman needs to break his half-brother Orm (Patrick Wilson) out of prison and get him to help. Once Orm and Arthur are together, the movie picks up, largely because they form a tried-and-true dynamic. Aquaman is a goofball. Orm is serious. They’re former enemies, forced to work together. It worked so well in X-2: X-Men United but doesn’t here. Nearly every joke deflates the stakes rather than adds to the movie and with none of the action ever taking place on the surface world, Arthur is never the expert on anything. He’s always basically tagging along as Orm leads. Aside from the whole “waging war on the surface” thing he did before, you begin wondering if he wouldn’t be better suited as a ruler after all.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom has lofty ambitions. It wants to say something about pollution and the environment but in the end, doesn’t make any worthwhile points. The catastrophic disasters are mentioned only to give Aquaman a ticking clock; it barely affects his adventure and the resolution is an afterthought. Family is also an important theme… but it’s hampered by Mera and Atlanna being removed from the action so early. These major issues at the screenplay level are augmented by details throughout that make this film feel like it wasn’t thought all the way through. Black Manta’s minions, for example. We often see them walking around in these bulky deep sea diver outfits that must be heavy, difficult to maneuver and hamper the wearer’s vision. Why would they be wearing those outside of the water? How did he even convince said minions to join him on this quest for vengeance?

On a more positive note, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom feels like a true sequel to its predecessor. Orm grows as a character. Aquaman does as well. We follow up on Black Manta. We get to explore more of the mythology and history of Atlantis. Even so, it’s a disappointment. I don’t think anyone bought the love story between Mera and Arthur in Aquaman. This sequel does nothing to help. Black Manta was not a particularly deep or compelling villain before and he isn’t now either. I won’t criticize it too much for not having Willem Dafoe’s Vulko return - the movie already has a lot of characters - but it’s a shame not to see him again.

As the last film in the DC’s cinematic universe, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the equivalent of a shrug. The humor is much more miss than hit, the characters aren't used to their potential and the action isn't anything special. It does have a great mid-credit sequence - my favorite in a while - but overall, this is a clumsy, forgettable film. (Theatrical version on the big screen, February 11, 2024)

[terrakatten]

TW // Nonbinary-phobia, vent //

My parents have now both expressed contempt for the idea of nonbinary identity due to my aunt calling her newborn baby a 'they'

I'm never gonna get out of this gender closet, man. Even though my dad could perhaps come around to the idea of me being NB over the course of a few years, as he supports me being gay and supports trans rights (though would still be somewhat uncomfy for his own kid to be under the trans umbrella, entirely bc of the homophobic environment he was raised in still somewhat hampering him), my mom would never accept it. She's far too Catholic.

And so this whole 'theybie' situation just makes it all the more uncomfortable. Just. Goddamn it. Sorry for the vent but I wanted to just jot down these frustrations somewhere rq.

Edit: Like if it weren't for the irl friends at college I have who call me Terra and use my pronouns, shit would be so awful rn. At the moment its disconcerting but tolerable, but like. Man. *man.* Why must things be so difficult.

[thebabyedition]

Deluxe Baby Girl Hamper In Luxury White Magnetic Keepsake Gift Box | Jellycat Baby Hamper NB £42.99 including postage

The first addition to our new deluxe baby hamper range, this gorgeous newborn  baby girl jellycat hamper is sure to be a hit with the new parents!  Made up of 10 new rose pink/lilac baby essentials beautifully presented in a luxury white magnetic gift box and finished with a personalised gift message this is sure to be a top seller. Sizes available: Newborn What’s Included: (all clothing is high…