#oc alama | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

dragonmuse · 1 year

Text

List of OCs in Leda House and the Kraken Verse

Should I add this to More to the Story? Feels like reference material.

NOTE: There are characters in the Leda verse that have an OC feel or seem like they are, but are not: Charlie Bonnet is a misnaming, accidently then on purpose, of Louis Bonnet. In universe this is retconned that Charlie is his middle name. Flint and Silver are borrowed from Black Sails. Read and Bones are based on the historical Mary Read and Anne Bonny.

Last names are listed if they were mentioned in ‘verse in more than one story or prompt response. Please let me know if I missed anyone!

Main verse:

Love Interests:

Faith Callahan - Izzy’s high school sweetheart. She has orange-red hair, watery blue eyes, physically small and appears fragile. She died on July 14, 1995 at 17 years old.

Felix Cardoso - Alma’s first boyfriend and eventually, Charlie’s husband. He’s tall, broad, and has flyaway dark curls. He is a pitcher in major league baseball and has played for a few different teams.

Erika Rover- Alma’s wife. She’s on the short side, chubby, dyes her hair pastel colors and wears large circle gold-rimmed glasses. She is a published author and has a doctorate in literature with a focus on children’s literature.

Hands/Norris Clan

Jonah Hands - Izzy’s older brother. The largest Hands, broad and tall, a bruiser. He worked legally as an HVAC repairman and illegally as an enforcer for a loan shark. He was murdered in the early 00s.

Candy - Jonah’s girlfriend. She has long beautiful and creatively manicured fingernails. She was the manager of a shop.

Aaron Hands - Izzy’s younger brother. He looks a lot like Izzy, but styles his hair into a ‘helmet’. He’s a missionary, along with his wife.

Delilah ‘Delly’ Norris- Izzy’s younger sister. She also looks a lot like Izzy, wears her hair long and has a slightly softer jawline. She does sale based high-end furniture sales.

Thomas Norris - Delly’s husband. He’s big, strong and shaves his head. He’s a firefighter.

Dylan ‘Pickle’ Norris - Delly and Thomas’ daughter. She stays petite, has the Hands strong brow and jaw. Her job is to ‘be six’ or basically student/kid.

Ma Hands- Izzy’s mother. Undescribed.

Da Hands - Izzy’s father. A bulldog of a man.

The PPP (Alama’s friends, they date each other at some point, but not together by the time they reach adulthood)

Ingrid- She’s the shortest of a short group, shaves her dark hair off at various points, her style is ‘oversized and comfortable’, she is heavily tattooed, pierced and has high cheekbones. She becomes a social worker.

Owen - He’s a little stocky, medium height, always keeps a goatee and wears a beanie whenever possible, his style is slouchy and comfortable, also heavily tattooed. He works in the music industry doing something with insurance. Amir (listed below) is his boyfriend.

Shawna- Tallest of the group, she is striking, often wears her hair in long box braids and while her fashion changes, she always gravitates to neon colors. She’s a professional model and then Stede’s P.A. after Lucius.

Charlie’s Circle

Schmidty- Tall, tattooed, swimmer’s build and otherwise undescribed, he is Charlie’s first fuck buddy and they stay friends. He’s an elementary school teacher.

Amir Shariq- Shorter than Charlie, but taller than the entire PPP, he’s got a swimmer’s, dark eyes and a bright smile. He’s a world record, gold medal Olympic swimmer and eventually a doctor, specializing in emergency medicine. (Amir’s mother Kaijah Shariq and father Rashad Shariq make brief appearances)

Roach’s Family:

Marvin Feldman- Roach’s adoptive father, shorter than Roach, pleasantly round, mostly bald and wears glasses. He is now retired, but formally did remote tech work.

Audrey Feldman- Roach’s adoptive mother, she is the same height as her husband, wears a lot of bright breezy clothes, including a variety of perfectly matched headscarves. She is now retired, but formally was an editor for a large publishing house.

Yara - Roach’s spiritual mentor/friend/auntie. She was once tall, but is bent with age and dresses in perfectly tailored, elegant clothes. She is now retired, but was a seamstress and clothing designer.

Other:

Rita - Read’s brief maternal figure in her late teens. She’s medium height, medium build, wears her gray hair closely cropped and wears nonsense clothes, still has some pieces from her biker days. She is a middle school history teacher.

Javier ‘Javi’ - Felix’s friend. Looks are not described. He’s a pitching coach for the Eagles.

Mina- Ivan’s girlfriend. A tiny woman who wears her hair natural and has deep brown eyes. She has an ‘okay paying job’.

Céline Isabella Cardoso-Bonnet- Charlie and Felix’s daughter. She is a baby and has dark hair.

Discussed but never seen:

Blue Toby- Employee of Hornigold Securuty first under Hornigold then Eddy.

The Barista - Doesn’t actually appear in any story, but Jim’s enmity is so strong that he makes the list.

AU of the AU She Says You Can’t Hurry Love

Whina Teach- Eddy’s mother. She does exist in the mainverse, but is dead and her name isn’t mentioned. She’s Izzy’s height, frail-looking though she does a lot of manual labor and dresses very plainly. She was a housekeeper, but Eddy helps her to early retirement.

Dave Black- Pete’s father. Stocky, stooped and medium height. He worked a construction job and was a union leader. He and Whina eventually have a romantic relationship.

AU of the AU Wake Myself in the Shadows

Raven ‘Bird Boy’ Bonnet- Alma’s son. Underweight, undersized, black hair and big eyes. He’s a precocious kid, who is very attached to his Uncles Izzy and ‘Cha-Cha’.

#leda house and the kraken verse #for reference #all the ocs #I think #writing this all out was another *stare into space* moment ngl

10 notes · View notes

paracosmink-u · 1 year

Text

My OC Alama :)

#traditionalart #alcoholmarkers #illustration #oc stuff #oc art #original character #aroace #aroace pride

3 notes · View notes

lumpsbumpsandwhumps · 2 years

Note

I remember you did a story about some old ocs of yours one was a giant fox knight and a mouse girl I thought they were neat! For the clothing drawing ask can you draw either of them in 2D or 1E pretty please!

Wow you're an old fan!!! Have an Alama for your troubles

#ask #anon #ask game #my art #i drew her once like 2 years ago and i dont feel like reffing that so #consider this a soft redesign lmao

16 notes · View notes

showrunnerihardlyknowher · 2 years

Text

It's A Bittersweet Symphony And I Am Tone-Deaf

AND SO WE BEGIN, BABES. For the next 25 days, we will be writing small, bittersweet oneshots featuring a variety of OCs I've used prior and will be posting the full stories of after this challenge is over. After this, I will officially be going on hiatus for a bit, so I hope a 25 chapter fic of mini ficlets will be enough to satisfy for now

We're starting off with some lesser known characters, but also baby's first g/t OCs from waaaaay back in the day, Alama and Cassius! For a quick rundown, Cassius is a fox who serves as a knight for the kingdom, while Alama is a mouse who lives in a village of prey within the kingdom's land. Cassius was head over heels for her the moment they met, but Alama knows better than to think a predator can truly love her...

Day 1: Proposal (Alama/Cassius) // AO3 Link

To be invited within the halls of the elders was a highly sought out honor few were ever given no matter how desperate they were to prove themselves as worthy. Villagers were more likely to be cast out by those wise, whispering elders after their private exchanges than they were to actually speak to any of the members face to face. It was regarded as a sacred blessing to be seen as someone with equal poise and intelligence by the circle of leaders, to be worthy enough that they could be graced by their just presence and bestowed upon private insight. So many others would kill to be called upon, all of which were probably stewing in indignation that such a humble little mouse girl had been urged to come at once.

So why was Alama despising every minute of every word spoken to her by the revered ones?

Her heart felt like it was going to beat straight out of her chest, a nervousness that should not be mistaken for the same excitement other villagers might dream of feeling. Anxiety must be rolling off her in unmistakable waves as her mother reached over to clasp one of her clammy hands between her own. The warm touch did help to ground her slightly, but the tremble in all her limbs refused to dissipate as the elders continued to droll on about the most awful situation before them.

Cassius had asked for her hand in marriage.

Once upon a time, Alama could have laughed at such a ridiculous notion. A fox wanting to wed a mouse, purely out of the love in his heart? And not just the typical, towering man like so many other predators, but an honored knight as well, a protector to the kingdom that carelessly ruled over the gaggles of prey villages in addition to their own kind. It was preposterous, it was destined to fail before the honeymoon! They must think her a fool to believe there were any good intentions behind the fox’s desire to claim her as a bride. Sure, for the entirety of the self proclaimed courtship, he was nothing short of a proper gentleman, but she was not going to be persuaded so easily by his manners and bashful smile.

“No,” she caught herself saying after one of the elders finished laying out the terms of agreement. Her ears were pinned back into the waves of brown that she fussed into a bun, foolishly hoping her appearance would make a good impression on the esteemed council. Had Alama known this is what she would be subjected to, she might have made herself as decent as a nightwalker to dissuade the decision. Perhaps that was what she should have done the first time the fox had shown the barest amount of interest in her.

The elder formerly speaking, a man with far too many wrinkles to count, furrowed his bushy brows at her. “I beg your pardon?”

Alama swallowed nervously. Gods, who did she think she was to defy the council so boldly? She could sense her father bristling next to her for speaking out of turn, though he did not dare to punish her while he was also in full view of the elders. “No, I…I do not wish to marry him.”

“This has nothing to do with your wishes,” the same elder said, the multitude of wrinkles morphing into a hard frown. “Sir Cassius has agreed to a most generous offer of continuing his personal service of guarding our village in exchange for your hand. We will not be refusing.”

We? You act as if you all are being forced to be his bride! The mouse wanted to scream. How could they tell her this union had nothing to do with her desires when she herself was one half of the marriage! Cassius, ever the noble knight, had already been doing a valiant job in protecting the village in addition to his actual, important duties to serve the kingdom that ruled over them both. He had taken it upon himself to prove that he was a sufficient protector of Alama and her people the first time he requested to court her, mere days after their first formal meeting, and now it seemed he was ready for his payment.

She couldn’t believe this. Her life was really being negotiated in a contract, to sell away her very being to repay the cost of a guard no one asked to hire. Of course, she had known the fox was in this for the long con, but no one ever believed her claims. It didn’t matter how many lovely outings he took her on, how he never touched her without her express permission (of which she rarely granted), how he looked at her as if she were a goddess rather than a palm sized maiden. Predators and preys just simply did not mix, not as allies, and certainly not as spouses. True, Alama hadn’t the faintest idea of what Cassius could be planning that would require them to become husband and wife, yet she didn’t care to find out.

Alama squeezed her mother’s hand. “And I have no say in this?”

“You can say you agree,” Another council member said, leaning forward to steeple his bony fingers. “And it would be very wise of you to do so.”

No, she couldn’t stomach the thought and she shook her head as now her throat was threatening to close up. Her mother cooed to her, drawing one her hands away to cup Alama’s flushed cheek and turn her towards her. “Sweetheart, you said it yourself, he’s a kind man. He wants to take care of you, is that so bad?”

“He’s a fox,” Alama whimpered. “He serves the same crown that hardly sees our kind as anything more than…than pests. And you want to give me away to him?”

To her mother’s credit, there was a similar shining of unshed tears brimming in her eyes. She gave her daughter a watery smile, though her ears remained downturn. “He adores you, Ala, surely you can see that.”

It was true, she could see the utter devotion Cassius inexplicably had for her and it was sickening. How could he care for her so much? Did he not comprehend that on the social hierarchy she was nothing to him? Even within her own colony of mice, Alama did not bear any high ranking status that might catch the eye of a suitor. She was a common maiden, and a tiny mouse at that, yet everyone acted as if she was the hysterical one for being wary of the fox’s hidden intentions. She should be grateful. She should feel blessed. Instead, she only felt terrified.

Alama sniffled, resisting the urge to hide in her mother’s chest as if she were a little girl. She was already putting on an embarrassing display of pitiful defiance before the elders, there was no need to worsen their sour opinion of her. “But why does he want me? Why can no one else see how deranged that is?”

“Love makes the heart do strange things,” her mother crooned.

“But I don’t love him!” The tears were on the verge of running down her flushed face, her trembling voice cracking at her confession. Could it still be considered a confession if she had made her stance on this one sided romance as clear as ice since the first time she caught the knight looking at her with such desire? Previously, she had mistaken it for a hunger all predators instinctively felt when catching their natural prey, yet somehow the revelation that he wanted more than a simple meal from her was all the more distressing. “Why do I not get a say in my own marriage!?”

“You’re acting like a child,” her father snapped. It was a miracle he was able to hold his temper for this long, especially while his daughter was blubbering away in front of the council. He grabbed her roughly by the arm to yank her out of her mother’s embrace, forcing her to sit straight and forward in front of the burning eyes of the elders. This was feeling less like an honor and more like a sentencing.

Her nose and throat burned, but the simmering injustice within her soul was sparking far hotter. She pulled her arm from his hold, directing her anger towards him rather than face the men who were trying to send her to her doom. “I am a child, I am your child! Your only daughter is to be married off to a predator and you feel no sympathy?”

Another elder at the far end of the sprawling desk scoffed. “It is you who should feel sympathy, girl. This betrothment is what will guarantee an era of peace and protection. A member of the crown is willing to give up his time and energy to ensure the safety of an entire village, but you want to be selfish.”

“Do you really think a woman in your position is more valuable than the community of a near hundred?” The wrinkled elder added. “All you’ve told us is that you believe the village that sheltered you, the people who raised you into the ungrateful woman you are now, are not worth the comfort of protection in exchange for a few vows.”

“There are princesses in arranged marriages who are married off to cruel kings. You should be grateful to have a husband who can find it in his heart to care for you at all.” The bony one said.

The barrage of accusations on her character stung worse than any backhand her father would be delivering to her in the privacy of their home. Tears dripped down Alama’s chin as she ducked her head in shame, the rage that wanted to spread into a wildfire for her bodily rights extinguished just like the many women who had tried to stand up for themselves before her. “N-no…no, that’s not, I-I didn’t–” It was a useless debate to begin with. The answer was never hers to make and had already been decided long before they requested her to be present. The council wasn’t seeking her permission, they were simply letting her know the terms of agreement before she would be whisked away as a bride.

Her mother’s hand caressed her now dampened cheek again, but Alama refused to turn and meet her eyes. “You don’t know that this will be an unhappy marriage…”

She did know, because they were not even wed yet and already she was unhappy. She was unhappy during their courtship. She was unhappy when he continued to stalk around the village, a blushing fool whenever their eyes met. She was unhappy the moment the fox had been spotted by the other mice as he made his rounds on the royal land. And every time, her unhappiness was shoved aside by the insistence of others for her to do the right thing at the expense of her wellbeing. It felt as if her happiness in general did not matter, no matter how much her future fiance insisted it did.

If Cassius genuinely cared so deeply for her like he proclaimed, he would have left Alama the hell alone.

The elder with spindly hands clapped them once. “The matter is settled then. Alama Pernelle shall wed Sir Cassius in exchange for his continued services. We will tell him her answer at once.”

Her answer was no! It has always been no! Yet Alama knew better than to expect her honest answer to be the one that was given. Her brooding silence was close enough to a ‘yes’ for all parties involved in this affair, just short of the new bride herself. When all the elders stood from their lines of seating, her father had to pull her shoulder to make her rise as well. She blinked away a few lingering tears in confusion, watching as the men impatiently waited for her by the grand doors that lead to the courtyard.

“N-now? We’re telling him now?” Alama squeaked. After all she had just been put through, they now expected her to face the man who would soon be her husband in this state? Her eyes puffy and dress wrinkled from how tightly she balled the fabric in her fists, voice ready to choke on an ill timed hiccup. Well, perhaps that wouldn’t be too miserable of a display to put on for Cassius. Maybe then he would finally get it through his head that she was not worthy to be doted on by such a glorious predator, never mind wedded to one.

“Yes now. Do you not listen?” Her father grumbled, shoving her forward to follow the men outside while her parents exited behind their daughter.

Just as expected, Cassius was waiting for the group to appear, looking as imposing as ever in his steel gray armor that encased his slim figure. Upon seeing the flock of mice approach him, he dropped into a kneel, though Alama did not miss the way his orange tail began to swish once he had spotted her amongst the others. His eyes refused to stray to any of the other smaller beings, a warm smile that twisted her heart gracing his handsome face. Had he been of similar size, the mouse was certain she’d be swooning. However, it was because of the size Cassius was cursed with that she felt so faint. She couldn’t bear to look upon his brilliant expression when she knew she was unable to mask her own and kept her head lowered.

The moment she looked away from him, the delight slipped from his features, immediately assuming his question had been met with rejection. And he was right, but her rejection didn’t matter as it was effortlessly outvoted by the elders. Still, Cassius, the wonderful lovestruck fool that he was, had the audacity to put her emotions before his own and hesitantly reach a hand towards her. The fox didn’t touch her, he never dared to touch her unless she allowed it, but the silent offer was presented to her.

“Alama, are you alr-”

“Sir Cassius,” The wrinkled elder cut in. “Your proposal has been accepted.”

This took him by surprise as Alama’s disposition did not invoke the same energy as that of a blushing bride, much more like a recent widow. “It…has?”

The elder nodded. “Alama Pernelle has agreed to become your wife, and in exchange we ask that you continue on with your gracious task of preserving her homeland from threats.”

“Oh, oh yes, right, I mean, that was always a given,” Cassius chuckled nervously, still eying up Alama’s suspicious lack of joy. Really now, what was he expecting? It wasn’t as if she ever presented herself as a bundle of sunshine whenever she was asked to be in his company. The mouse had always closed herself off around him. There were a few times she had found herself actually…enjoying his personality, allowing a few smiles to slip through and a handful of giggles to be hurt. These were the moments that hurt her the most because she knew she was teetering on a dangerous ledge. One wrong move and she may go off the deep end, head over heels the whole way down to her demise.

If only fate had been a little kinder. If only she had been born into a family of cats or wolves, a species that could offer him a better wife to fawn over.

She heard Cassius’s breath hitch. “Alama, you’re crying.”

Was she? Oh, gods, she was. Hastily, she rubbed the backs of her hands over her eyes to rid herself of any more tears that might give her away. She sniffled, a noise which immediately morphed into a strange sobbed that she barely had time to muffle behind her hand. No, no, no. She couldn’t lose her composure like this. Not in front of the council, not in front of Cassius. Surely this was a sign for a doomed engagement if the bride was on the verge of breaking down into a fit of tears.

No one else cared, though. Her mother was quick to wrap her arms around Alama’s trembling shoulders, but she offered her comfort to her future son rather than her own daughter. “Tears of joy,” her mother reassured the wary fox, “A wedding can cause so much excitement for a young woman, why, there’s just no other way to express it!”

“She’s always been an emotional one,” her father chimed in. Though her vision was blurred from a fresh wave of tears, she knew Cassius didn’t believe him for a second considering she forced herself to show the fox only the bare minimum. Besides, all women were hysterical weepers to men like her father. She hardly doubted her mother was also sobbing tears of happiness this late into her union with him.

“And you’re sure this is what you want?” Cassius asked, lowering himself further in an attempt to make Alama look at his sweet, trusting face.

One of the elders stepped forward. “Of course this is what she wants. It would be nothing short of an honor t-”

“I’m asking her,” The fox said. His tone was clipped, but it wasn’t as harsh as many other predators would growl. Regardless, it was more than enough to make the man clamp his mouth shut and move away towards the group of other council members yet again. “If she wants to be my wife, I want to hear her say it.”

Oh no. Please, gods, no. Though his intentions appeared noble, he had no idea what kind of pressure he was putting on her at this very moment. He was leaving the decision to wed entirely up to her, something she wanted more than anything as her answer was the one that went against the grain. It was a chance to express her true feelings, to set the record of their relationship straight, to stand up for herself as a young woman. But she couldn’t. The fallout that would come of it was a weight too heavy to bear alone. The village would shun her for her selfish deed, perhaps even execute her as punishment for leaving them to succumb to the fate of a predator. Whether or not that would be Cassius who tore the village to shreds was undetermined, but either way it was a massacre waiting to happen.

“Alama,” No, please, no. Don’t say it. Don’t ask. “Will you marry me?”

With a struggling gulp of air, Alama managed to silence any remaining sobs that fluttered in her chest. She shrugged off her mother’s unhelpful touch, mustering her courage to look up at the fox who even now, with her tear stricken face and burning cheeks, still revered her as if she were the golden sun. Beautiful, bright, warm, all things she could never be.

“I…” She swallowed again. When his hand inched closer to her, she did not refute his touch and let him rub his thumb against her face to wipe away the wet trails that still clung, brushing a few waves of hair out of her eyes in the process. It was unreal how gentle he could be given his size and profession. A man like him shouldn’t exist, at least not in the body of a predator. “I-I do.”

The dazzling smile Cassius flashed made her want to throw up.

#g/t #macro/micro #giant/tiny #gianttiny #g/t ocs #g/t fearplay #g/t fluff #size difference #g/t angst #oc alama #oc cassius #fairy tale rip off #g/t writing

73 notes · View notes

mutilatedmadonna · 4 years

Photo

Local Mouse Woman Tormented By Knight’s Unyielding Love And Devotion, More At 11

Decided to dust off some old ass OCs because why not. TLDR Cassius (the knight, who is also part fox) is completely smitten by Alama when they first meet and her village forces her to grin and bear it in exchange for his protection from other predators. She is not a Fan™️

#g/t #fearplay #i guess?#i mean she's definitely afeared #Macro/Micro #Giant/tiny #gianttiny #g/t ocs #my art #my ocs #listen #i am nothing if not a sucker #for the 'scary giant madly in love with one specific tiny who reciprocates nothing but terror' trope #i mean its not like cas is a bad guy he's hella sweet #hes just also like twenty times her size and a hybrid of a predator with a royal title that means he gets to go stabby

76 notes · View notes

alj4890 · 4 years

Text

Misfortune's Intentions

(Liam x oc*Elisse Millan) (Drake x Riley) in a Choices The Royal Heir fan fiction

A/N We will have one more chapter after this one to conclude this series. Thanks so much for reading along with this idea of mine. I know I'm behind in responding to comments, just know that I have loved reading each one. In this chapter we begin life for Elisse and Liam while taking the next step forward into their future.

@gkittylove99 @krsnlove @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @hopefulmoonobject @yourmajesty09 @mom2000aggie @ofpixelsandscribbles

Masterlist

Chapter 6 Taking the Next Step

Streets of the Capital, Cordonia...

There is something almost magical about being awake while the rest of the world sleeps. Sounds one normally doesn't notice during the day captures the imagination. Shadows beckon to be explored. Streetlights dot the different paths one can choose for an adventure through a terrain changed by darkness.

"I can't believe we managed to escape Felix and Bastien." Elisse whispered.

Liam chuckled, wrapping his arm around his bride of twelve hours. "I learned from the best how to slip away."

They walked along the freshly rain washed streets in search of the places that meant the most to Liam. He offered stories of himself and his friends, sneaking out during his social season and unity tour. Each memory was made sweeter by sharing his past with the lady by his side.

He still marveled at the fact that less than a month ago he managed to convince her to marry him. Elisse's doubts that she should remain with him left the moment he told her just how much she meant to him.

After all that Liam had experienced with love not being returned, Elisse's declaration of how much she loved him had made him grateful that he had not kept her at arms' length.

He doubted he would have been able to if he had tried. Everything about her drew him ever closer to her.

They walked on in contented silence. Each was lost in the whirlwind that had been the days leading up to their wedding. The entire country had been both surprised and pleased when he announced his intention to marry the viscountess from Monterisso.

Alamas had given her own press conference once back in her country. No one doubted that this was a love match after more interviews were conducted. It also just so happened to be a match made in diplomatic heaven. With Corodnia's riches combined with Monterisso's technological advances, the two would be a powerhouse that countries around the world wished to be an ally of.

Regina had thrown herself happily into planning a wedding for the couple. She was determined that theirs would outshine Riley and Drake's. A bit of motherly revenge guided her toward making everything bigger and more romantic. She was thrilled Liam had found someone who absolutely adored him. She also found a kindred spirit in Amalas joining to help with the preparations. The two were driven to give the couple all they deserved.

Liam and Elisse were usually caught smiling at each other or sharing a sweet kiss at events held in honor of their upcoming nuptials. Their happiness spread to all corners of Cordonia, making everyone forget about Liam's past with Riley and Madeleine. Everyone agreed that Elisse was perfect for him.

A few days before the wedding, Riley held a dinner for the couple at Valtoria. She and Drake were relieved that Liam was no longer alone. Though Elisse smiled and thanked them warmly for hosting them, she still held some bitterness toward the two.

She was both thankful that Riley's refusal of Liam's proposal led to him becoming hers and hurt that he had to suffer such heartache and betrayal in the first place. Seeing Liam no longer negatively affected by their presence went a long way for Elisse to manage to be polite.

Though their wedding day was plagued with cloudy skies that soon turned to a storm, nothing could take away from their happiness. Once inside Cordonia's oldest cathedral, hearts were touched by the sweet vows shared by the couple.

Elisse's wedding gown drew gasps of delight from the congregation. Cameras zoomed in to capture the petite lady in a sleeveless mermaid style dress. The lace that draped the white satin and then formed a slight train shimmered in the candlelight from the sparse crystals that were carefully placed as to not detract from the beauty of the design. A diamond tiara that Liam had given her the night before completed the veil less look.

For a noble from a country notorious for its secrets, her choice to not wear a veil was symbolic that she wanted to hide nothing from the man she had given her heart to.

Though the king and his soon to be queen were the envy of fashionistas around the globe, no one could ignore the fact that neither tried to disguise how completely happy they were.

Whispers of delight were shared among the guests the moment Liam took her hand and raised it to his lips. The little touches that neither could stop during the ceremony added even more to their sweetness. His wiping of her stray tears with the back of his hand. Her smoothing his lapels, only to have him press her hand to his heart.

It was a wedding that no one would ever forget.

In the midst of their reception, the couple thanked Regina and Amalas for everything before sneaking off to finally be alone.

Once inside the royal chambers the couple could finally be as close as they desired. Kisses were shared between whispers of love and attraction. Caresses became frantic as wedding clothes soon dropped to the floor.

All their moments falling in love led to this, being with the one who truly had lost their heart to them. Liam at one point paused in his movements to simply gaze down at his bride in the throes of passion that he had brought her. Her dark eyes met his fiery blue. Words were not needed. Breathless from his touch, she gently cupped his cheek as she pressed a tender kiss to his lips.

As they calmed their racing hearts in the aftermath, they shared the occasional kiss and smiles. Sleep eluded them as the excitement of the day still thrummed within their veins. Quickly getting dressed, the pair snuck down to the now quiet kitchen to raid the pantry.

Once enough sweets were between them, they sat on the counter, talking about their favorite moments of the day.

Then they discussed the honeymoon plans that had been kept from the press.

Their first stop planned was Boston for Elisse's appointment with Dr. Ramsey.

Once Liam saw her worry, he had insisted on their sneaking out of the palace and going for a walk.

His stories though, could only distract her for so long.

She stopped once they were near the shore. A smile briefly flashed when Liam folded his arms around her from behind.

His lips brushed a kiss to her ear. "What are you thinking about?"

"What Dr. Ramsey might say." Elisse relaxed back within her husband's arms. "I know after all that I have been told that I shouldn't get my hopes up." She let out a deep sigh. "But I can't help it."

He hugged her closer against his chest. He knew nothing could possibly top how happy he was with her, except having a child of their own. It was no secret to either one of them that they had each dreamed of one day having a family. Neither wanted to hear it was impossible.

Liam wanted to see a child with Elisse's dark hair and eyes, one he could spoil and proudly present to the world. Elisse wanted the same with his blue eyes and infectious smile. To see their own child sharing not only the physical characteristics but also those personality traits they adored in the other was something neither wanted to miss out on.

"We should probably return." Elisse turned in his embrace, smiling when he kissed her. "We still need to finish packing if we are to leave in a few hours."

The way his lips moved over her skin made all thoughts of packing seem less important.

Liam's smile held a hint of wicked mischief when he saw his wife's befuddled state.

"What am I to do with you?" She teased once he took her hand to lead her back to the palace.

"I will gladly go into detail once we are back in our bedroom." He winked at her, drawing another giggle from her lips.

*****************

Edenbrook Hosptial, Boston, two days later...

Olivia paced the confines of the examination room she had been placed in. Anxious to finally begin the decision she had made a month earlier, she was dreading to hear the news that she couldn't be the one.

After confirming that Elisse would be unable to carry a child full term, Olivia's offer to be the surrogate had shocked both the royal couple and the doctor sitting across from them.

It was the most logical decision in Olivia's mind. After all, wasn't she the one strong enough to do so? She was the one who put safety above all else. Who else would guard and protect their child just as well, if not better than them?

"Would you give us a moment, Dr Ramsey?" Liam had asked.

"Of course." He stepped out into the hallway, telling them to let him know when they were finished.

"Olivia," Elisse struggled to find the words. "We can't ask this of you."

"You're not asking.” She explained. “I’m offering”

"This is nearly a year of your life you're giving us." Liam countered. "Possibly longer if the first procedure does not take."

"It will work the first time." Olivia declared. "My body is trained in not accepting failure."

Elisse snorted softly, her heart starting to gain hope in Olivia's gruff determination. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

The duchess eyed them both before nodding. "I decided this a long time ago. Once I knew your medical history and saw Liam falling in love..." Her shoulders squared while her chin lifted, "I knew I should be not only a Guardian of Corodnia, but also a guardian of the future prince or princess."

"Olivia," Liam took her hand and kissed it. "I have no words to express how much your sacrifice means to me."

Her sharp gaze softened. "You owe me no words, Liam." She cleared her throat. "Now, call the doctor back in."

Olivia listened carefully to all that Ethan explained. She beat Liam and Elisse in her questions, then demanded more explanation from the renowned physician.

"Let's get on with the examination." Olivia demanded, as she stood up.

Ethan narrowed his eyes at her. "There is more to it than a simple physical exam. We need to--"

"I am ready to do whatever is needed." She spoke over him. "Are you not ready?"

Ethan bristled to the challenge he heard in her voice. Gathering Elisse's chart, he excused himself. With a jerk of his head toward the duchess, he walked out the door.

"Follow me, Ms. Nevarkis."

After blood was drawn and a physical given, Ethan asked her to get dressed then to wait until he returned.

She paced, wondering what was taking so long. She herself had one of the best doctors in Cordonia give her a physical a few weeks earlier. What if Dr. Ramsey noticed something that no one else had before?

Just as she was about to storm out and demand answers, Ethan returned.

He sat down and motioned for her to sit across from him in the only available chair.

"Well?" She bit out. "Am I healthy enough?"

"Physically, yes." He responded. "Now for the next part."

"When will the implantation be? Three weeks, isn't it, after I begin fertility medications?" She asked.

Ethan held his hand up to silence her. "The next part is a psychological examination."

"Excuse me?" Her eyes narrowed.

"Your mental health in this is almost if not more important in undergoing something like this." He explained. "You will be experiencing all the emotions an expectant mother goes through, yet you will be giving the baby to someone else."

She waived off his words with a flick of her hand. "I know exactly what I am doing."

A muscle spasmed in his jaw. "Ms. Nevarkis, why are you doing this?"

"Because I am able to." She folded her arms. "I'm the best one to do this for them. I have no intention to marry anyone in the near future. I do not have any sexual partners. I am free of any encumbrance."

He slowly shook his head. "Why do you want to do this?"

She blinked. "Why?"

"Yes. What is it about Liam and Elisse that you would be willing to do this?"

"They are my king and queen. Surely, you--"

"Personally." He insisted. "Why are you willing to give them a year of your life?"

Seeing he wouldn’t move forward with the plans, her carefully maintained shield dropped revealing a vulnerability she rarely allowed others to see. "I...there are two reasons."

Ethan leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. His piercing blue gaze warmed as he tried to be less abrupt. "What are they?"

"Liam was...is...someone I owe everything to. He is the one who helped me get over my parents' deaths. He has done nothing except stand by me through the years." She explained.

"I see." Ethan rubbed a hand down his stubbled jaw. "That is a strong, emotional reason to want to do this. But you said you had another one. What is it?"

Olivia swallowed. "Let's call it a chance to prove once and for all that I am worthy of Cordonia."

"Worthy? What do you mean?"

Briefly closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and explained her family's treacherous past and her surprise marriage to Anton.

One thing that helped her get through her past, was Ethan's lack of response. He didn't interrupt her nor did his face reveal what he was thinking.

"This is why I want to do this." She explained, her voice was full of emotion. Even she could hear the need, sadness, and desperation. "I need to do this for Liam and my country. My people."

She jumped when Ethan rested his hand over hers.

Giving a gentle squeeze, he nodded. "Then you are indeed the one who should be the surrogate."

***************

"I will stay here for the injections." Olivia explained to Liam and Elisse. "Dr. Ramsey will keep a close eye on me. When you come back in three weeks, we will begin the implantation, and then in two weeks know we are expecting."

Ethan rolled his eyes. "Am I needed here at all to explain this?" He waved toward his desk. "Perhaps you should sit there."

Olivia ignored him. "Go and enjoy your honeymoon somewhere else. There is no need for you to remain here."

She grunted when Elisse enveloped her in a tight hug. Her tearful thanks were spoken in a whisper.

Liam in turn hugged her while Elisse surprised Ethan with a hug too.

"How will I ever be able to thank you enough for never giving up on me?" She asked him.

He patted her back and smiled down at her. "You don't need to." He shook Liam's hand while promising that he would do all he could to make this go as easy as possible.

***************

Edenbrook Hospital, Boston, five weeks later...

Olivia absentmindedly rubbed at the spot where blood had been drawn. She glanced at the couple who had all their hopes placed within her ability to carry their child.

Please, she silently prayed. Please let me do this for them.

Ethan returned with a smile on his face. "Congratulations. You're pregnant."

Elisse covered her mouth as a sob broke through. Liam wrapped her in his arms, tears sparking his eyes.

Olivia nearly sagged in relief. "And my offer?"

Liam and Elisse looked up. "Offer?"

"I have asked Dr. Ramsey to come to Cordonia to monitor us throughout the entire pregancy." She explained. "In exchange for not only his help in establishing a research hospital in Lythikos but in Cordonia possibly offering a grant to Edenbrook."

Liam nodded. "Of course. I was planning on doing so in Elisse's name after all that you and your hospital did for her."

Ethan cleared his throat. "I have been encouraged by our board and a few others to accept. It is a very generous offer that I can't refuse."

"Thank you!" Elisse hugged Olivia and pulled Ethan in on it. "I can never thank you both enough."

**************

The Royal Palace, two months later, Cordonia...

"Shouldn't we wait on Liam and Elisse?" Oliva asked.

Ethan continued to type in information. "Your blood work came back with some surprising results. I want to confirm my suspicions before we talk to them."

She reclined back on the padded exam table as he performed an ultrasound.

The east wing of the palace had gone through numerous changes. Given the equipment Ethan needed to monitor Olivia, rooms had been divided up for examinations and lab work. His own personal quarters were across the hallway from his work.

He had been shocked when Elisse showed him that they had knocked walls down to make him an apartment similar to the one he had in Boston.

"I want you to feel at home as much as you can while you're here." She explained. "You still will be welcome to join us whenever you wish for meals and events, but I know you need a space that is all your own."

Touched by her thoughtfulness, he had accepted the hug graciously that she still felt was needed to express her gratitude.

Liam also invited him to treat the entire palace as his own also. He personally gave him a tour, taking Ethan to the library at the end.

"One of Corodnia's previous rulers was fascinated with medicine." He led him over to a section of shelves on the second floor. "My mother shared his interest and she and I, in her honor, have made certain to keep up with the latest research."

Ethan saw not only many names he recognized through medicine's history but also some he had only been able to gather pieces of. Having a chance to read through all this at his leisure was an unexpected perk to living within the gilded palace.

The entire country was in baby fever. Riley was nearing her due date, causing added scrutiny whenever she and Drake were caught outside of Valtoria. The rest of her pregnancy had gone much easier now that the stress of having the royal heir was removed.

Cordonians were struck speechless when Elisse held an interview openly explaining her fertility problems. When she announced that Olivia would be the surrogate to hers and Liam's baby, the duchess was hailed once again as a hero to Cordonia.

The people in Lythikos were eager to share their opinions that they always knew she was a noble worthy of admiration, but they were also humbled by her willingness to do this for their monarchs.

Olivia and Ethan were soon the ones to dominate the public's interest. The American doctor was asked on numerous occasions how the pregnancy was progressing. Unused to such attention, his deadpan expression with quick, decisive words somehow helped to eliminate any anxiousness the citizens felt.

Olivia looked over at the screen. She failed to recognize what exactly Ethan was studying.

"Well?" She prodded, impatient over his continuing silence. "What is it that you have determined?"

A reluctant smile formed at her trying to disguise her worry with irritation. He took a few pictures and printed them out.

"That we were wrong." He told her.

All color drained from her face. "What do you mean?"

"We suspected twins." He reminded her. "Which was why I wanted to do more bloodwork. Your HCG pointed at that not necessarily being the case."

"Ethan." Olivia narrowed her eyes. "Tell me. I am at least carrying one child for them, aren't I?"

"No. You're carrying three."

#misfortune's intentions #choices the royal heir #liam x oc #drake x riley #trh liam #olivia nevrakis #ethan ramsey #choices stories you play

21 notes · View notes