#pony’s in his musical shirt cos the red in it seemed nice

[your-unfriendlyghost]

Save me post-canon besties Cherry & Pony…

they’re talking about Paul Newman :))

maybe not the most canon-compliant. but like they’ve both been through so much let them have this

(Another color experiment- definitely not how I usually do it, but I’m having fun. I do like the Angela one better, but this one’s cool too)

Color palette & grayscale versions :

[wiypt-writes]

Too Loose And You’ll Lose It

Ch7: Old Habits Die Hard

Part 2

Co-written with @icanfeelastormbrewing​

Summary: It’s the day of Pooch’s wedding, emotions are running high and it all comes to a dramatic conclusion.

Pairing: Jake Jensen x OFC Stella Stevenson

Warnings: Bad language and a whole heap of angst. Smut (NSFW, 18+)

A/N: So here is part 2 of Chapter 7…and it’s explosive! Translation: Chinga tu madre, Cabrón = Go fuck your mother, asshole.

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. We do not own any characters in this series bar Stella Stevenson and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

TLAYLI Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 7 Part 1

Lay your demons at the door, this is what we're fighting for, trying to clear the air but nobody's talking. We've been breathing this disease, trying to find a way to see, but the end is in your eyes, let's finish this tonight.

“What I don’t get,” Jensen looked at the bridesmaid who watched him with rapt attention, twisting a strand of hair round her finger, “is why come to Mexico and not get married on the beach?”

“Well they thought about it, but then Jolene decided she didn’t want to get covered in sand.” The red-head shot back. “So they chose this terrace, it’s kinda on the beach, I mean, you can see the ocean.”

“But if you don’t want to get sandy, why come here in the first place?”

“Because it’s cheaper.” She shrugged.

“So you’re saying Pooch is a cheapskate.” Jensen raised his eyebrow and she hesitated before she shook her head.

“No, that’s…” she began to talk, protesting that wasn’t what she was saying when he heard Roque shout out Stella’s nickname.

“Hey, Arty!”

Jake instantly glanced over his shoulder to look for her, and when he saw her, the air was completely knocked from his lungs.

Her dress was a gorgeous watercolor-like ombre blue. The deepest of sky blue shade covering her shoulders with wide straps and a deep v-neck line that wrapped at her breasts and it lightened just at the lower ribs to a cotton blue, before trailing down at the hemline in a pale blue almost white shade. The cut exposed her leg to mid-thigh, giving just a peek of the petunia inked into her skin. Her hair was pulled back off her face in an elegant, sleek pony tail and her lips popped a deep, burnt red. Her blue eyes stood out under thick lashes and perfectly lined eyebrows, the rest of her make up remaining neutral. She'd only been in the sun a day, but just as it always did, it had kissed her body in a way that made each little freckle pop and her entire frame glow.

The salty sea air and sunshine always looked good on Stella Stevenson and today, the overall effect made Jensen's mouth water.

“Holy shit.” He muttered, turning away from the girl and conversation without so much as a goodbye, leaving her stood there shooting daggers at his back.

Stella smiled as Roque kissed her cheek, then Cougs and finally Clay before she stepped back and smiled as their Colonel’s arm curled around the slim, petite brunette to his right.

“Stel, this is Emma, Emma this is Stella.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Emma smiled, “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Why doesn’t that fill me full of confidence?” Stella laughed and Emma shook her head, smiling.

“Oh, no, I assure you, it’s all been good!”

As the two women continued to chat and laugh, Jake stood there, waiting for his turn, hands jammed into the pockets of his dress slacks. Eventually, Stella nodded and turned to him and he flashed her a smile.

“You know, that’s the second day in a row I’ve seen you looking like a grown up!” She quickly scanned him up and down, taking in his well-fitted, steel grey suit. The top button of his jacket fastened, nipping in at his slim waist and spanning over his broad chest and shoulders. The crisp white dress shirt underneath stood out against the suit, and matched his white pocket swatch, the entire ensemble pulled together by the steel grey tie which matched his jacket and slacks.

As she was looking, Jake leaned forward, her perfume sending him lightheaded as always. He placed a gentle peck to her cheek, his chin brushing her ear slightly. “You look stunning.” He whispered, and he didn’t miss the goose-bumps that appeared on her skin as she swallowed and pulled away.

“Thanks.” She stood still, simply looking at him, and the two of them were locked in a gaze before Stella cleared her throat, breaking the spell. “You guys know where we’re supposed to be seated?”

“Yeah, we’re on the right,” Clay gestured, “Grooms side or whatever.”

The gang moved to find their seats, Jensen stepping forward ready to offer Stel his arm but Roque beat him to it.

“Always the gentleman, huh?” She smiled at him and he chuckled, a deep, low timbre rumbling from his chest.

“You know me, Arty.”

Jake watched them go, before he gave a yelp and clutched at his side, glaring at Cougar.

“Stop drooling, Jensen.” Cougar peered at him from underneath his hat, smirking as Jake rubbed at the place on his ribs where he had dug him with his elbow.

“I’m not drooling, shut up Cougs.”

Thankfully, Cougar left it there and they moved to take their seats along the row that Clay, Emma, Roque and Stella had already occupied. Cougar, whether on purpose or not, reached the end of the row first and slid in next to Stella, separating her from Jensen. Jensen rolled his eyes, but before he could get too pissed about it, Pooch arrived, in a simple black pinstripe three piece with an ivory and red striped tie, and made his way down the aisle, greeting everyone. He stopped at the row that contained the Losers and smiled, Jensen pulling him into a hug, clapping his shoulder as he pulled away.

The thing with weddings, is that no one can actually tell you were the day goes. They seem to pass in a whirl and Pooch’s was no exception. What felt like mere seconds after The Groom had arrived, but was in fact more near to twenty minutes, the music started and Jolene appeared at the large arch at the back of the terrace, walking slowly with her dad down the aisle, in a gorgeous knee-length fitted lace dress, which set off her curves and legs perfectly, her curly ebony hair pinned up elegantly at the back of her head. As she reached Pooch, she reached up and straightened his tie and Stella heard a “Pay up, Captain” to her right. She turned to see Roque reaching over Emma, handing Clay a twenty, not even looking at him, and she let out a soft snort, shaking her head.

The Bride and Groom exchanged simple vows and Pooch head tears in his eyes as he made his declaration. At that point, Jake couldn’t help but take a glance at Stel to find her looking down at her hands, the fingers of her left twisting the white gold and ruby solitaire ring that sat on her right ring finger, a gift from him for her twenty-first. He swallowed a little, as he hadn’t seen her wear it in a while before she glanced up, and he took the opportunity to study her pretty profile for a second before he turned his attention back to the front for the ring exchange.  Before long the new Mr and Mrs Pooch headed down the red carpet in the middle of the aisle to cheers and the guests filed their way back inside for drinks whilst the staff set up the outside terraced area for the reception.

To Jake’s delight, there was no huge stuffy sit down meal, it was just a large buffet which meant he could eat what he wanted and how much he wanted, which suited him perfectly. What didn’t suit him, however, was that he didn’t see that much of Stella, at all. Post eating and listening to the speeches, whether intentionally or not, she avoided him, spending most of the time sipping champagne and cocktails chatting to Emma and few of Jolene’s friends. Jake was left to mooch around, mainly with Cougar who was absolutely trying to get into the blonde bridesmaid’s panties. Unfortunately, she was stuck like glue to the red headed one that Jake wasn’t interested in.

“You make a shit wingman.” Cougar gave a jab to Jensen’s rib with his elbow as the two girls wandered off.

“Good job I’m not a pilot then.” Jensen shrugged, taking a pull from his beer as his eyes scanned the room for Stella.

At that point they both got strong slaps on their shoulders as Pooch drew up behind them both, leaning between them a little.

“Your momma was a pilot.”

Cougar and Jensen both looked at one another before they slowly turned to glance at Pooch.

“Did you just drop a momma joke on your wedding day?” Jensen snorted

“A shit one at that.” Cougar added, tipping his hat slightly with the neck of his bottle.

“Come on guys! As you have just said it’s my wedding day so let’s have a drink together before Jolene’s, sorry my wife’s,” at that he grinned, “bridesmaids hunt you down again.”

“What if I want to be hunted?” Cougar shrugged

“Hence why I said before. Pay attention Cougs.”

“Chinga tu madre, Cabrón.” Cougar smirked, causing both Pooch and Jensen to snort as they knew that insult very well having heard it a few times.

“I dare you to say it to her face.” Pooch looked at him as Cougar merely smirked, giving him a wink.

Pooch rolled his eyes, “what about you, Jensen?”

“I don’t wanna fuck Momma Pooch!”

“Why? What’s wrong with her?”  Pooch looked at him.

“What? Nothing, that’s just gross!” Jensen pulled a face.

“He’s considering a trip down memory lane instead.” Cougar teased and Pooch groaned.

“Dude! Seriously, you need to get over it!”

At that Jake turned to look at Cougar. “No I’m not, stop making shit up!” Cougar shrugged, smirking slightly and simply held his gaze as Jensen groaned. “Whatever, man.”

Cougar merely shrugged, as chilled as ever whilst Pooch laughed and handed them a drink from a passing tray. “Well, I think that deserves a toast. To the first married Loser…oh, wait, that would be me! And to Jensen who seriously needs to stop flogging a dead horse!”

Jensen took a deep breath, once upon a time he’d fully expected to be married by now, full disclosure, to Stella. Maybe a kid on the way if there wasn’t one around already. And that thought gave him a perfect way out of this current train of conversation.

“How long till Baby Pooch comes along?”

“Dude, if it was up to me he’d be on the way already!” Pooch grinned.

“He?” Jensen shook his head. “Nah man, you want a girl.”

“What? No! I want a little Pooch. Why would I want a girl?”

“A girl always loves her daddy.” Jensen shrugged. “Like Gracie, man, she’s awesome. There’s just something about seeing her with Robert. It’s cute.” He paused and grinned. “I want a girl. Imma call her Daisy.”

At that Cougar let out a snort as Pooch began to howl with laughter.

“Who’s Daisy?” Clay asked as he appeared with Roque, the pair of them smirking at something.

“Jensen’s first born. Apparently.” Pooch wiped his eyes.

“Wait, what?” Roque frowned and turned to Jensen. “You have a kid?”

“No, it’s a hypothetical one.” Jensen shook his head.

“Good.” Roque blew out a breath. “Do me a favour and never reproduce, Jensen.”

“Fuck you Roque,” Jake snapped back. “I’d make a great dad.”

“Yeah, well, you might wanna start ‘daddying’ that chick in the red dress over there, because she’s eye-fucking you shamelessly.” Roque nodded over his shoulder and Jake turned around. He gave the girl a once over, she was pretty but…his trail of thought died as he spotted Stella was stood alone at the bar. He necked his drink and holding up his glass he stated, “need a refill.” before he turned and headed over the room.

“Yeah, sure.” Pooch rolled his eyes as Cougar gave a low chuckle.

“Told ya.”

“Man he just can’t help himself, can he?” Roque shook his head as the three of them watched Jensen who approached Stella, his hand dropping to the small of her back as he leaned over to talk to her.

“Nope” Clay let out a sigh as Stell laughed at something Jake said. “Ahh, leave him to it, we can always do damage control, as usual where he is concerned.”

“How do you damage control a suicide bomb?” Pooch looked at Clay and Roque snorted.

“Pooch is right, dude is basically a hand grenade right now.”

“Don’t get involved guys.” Clay shook his head and Cougar nodded.

“I agree with boss. If Jensen’s gonna pull the pin, he can dive on it.”

“The problem will come when he tries to ‘pull her pin’ and she kicks his ass. But, fortunately I will be enjoying my wedding night.” Pooch shrugged. “See ya, Losers. Don’t have too much fun!”

The three of them watched him wander off over the room, shouting to someone, and Clay’s eyes fell on his date, Emma, who was smiling at him and waving from her spot at a table.

“I will also be enjoying Pooch’s wedding evening.” Clay winked and walked off.

Roque turned to look at Cougar. “Don’t even think of it…”

Cougar merely chuckled, tipped his hat and also wandered off, hands in his pockets as he sauntered over to a group of girls.

“That’s okay, just leave me here, I’m good!” Roque called after them before he let out a sigh. “Assholes.”

****

As the hours passed they drank, a lot. And naturally, where alcohol is involved inhibitions start to lower. There was a lot of fun being had, a lot of jokes being shared and other stupid activities being partaken in, such as a raucous drinking game Stella and Jake played against  Pooch’s uncle and his brother.

Which they lost, spectacularly.

Stella was feeling fairly light headed thanks to the mix of champagne, beer and cocktails running through her system, along with a few shots of tequila and somehow, she had no idea how, the two of them ended up on the dance floor, dancing to some really random shit when ‘La Bamba’ started playing. Jake grabbed Stella’s hand with a whoop of joy and started twirling her round, her face creasing in laughter as they let loose, Jake showing off his pretty neat footwork

“I thought you said he wasn’t taken?” The red headed bridesmaid gestured to Jake as she stood next to Pooch and he snorted.

“He’s not”

“Could have fooled me.”

“It’s complicated.” Pooch shrugged. “Long story short, she’s taken, he’s not. He wishes she wasn’t as it’s his fault she is.” He turned to the woman besides him. “If that makes any sense.”

From the look on her face, it made no sense at all, which wasn’t surprising to Pooch as he struggled to make sense of Jensen and Stella’s fucked up dynamic, but before she could reply there was a slap on his shoulder.

“Ten bucks says they end up in bed together,” Roque slurred.

“No way man.” Pooch shook his head, “she won’t cheat on Evan.”

“Fuck that guy,” Roque snorted. “Look, she’s hammered, here alone, I’m calling it.”

Pooch was about to tell Roque that Evan present or not, Stella would cut Jensen’s balls off if he tried anything when the familiar opening bars of ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ cut across the dance floor.

Both Stella and Jake paused a little, Jake running his hand through his hair as he gestured to the tables, clearly asking Stella if she wanted to quit dancing when she shook her head, giving him a smile, which Jensen returned as she took his hand, the pair of them beginning to sing and dance along.

“Twenty bucks,” Roque hiccupped, upping his stake.

“You’re on.” Pooch shook his hand as the bridesmaid snorted.

“And you’re losing.”

Pooch watched her go and then turned back to the dancefloor to see Jake and Stella now dancing pretty close...

This had always been their song. That was why Jensen had asked if she wanted to sit it out when it had come on, but she’d refused, and as such he’d been twirling her round to the music just like he always had. After one spin, they end up facing one another, singing very loudly as Jake threw his arms up and around, Stella snorting and laughing at his antics.

“Do you remember dancing to this at prom?” Jensen grinned as he continued to throw his arms around wildly, Stella shaking her head. He smiled, his mind straying back to that night, how amazing the entire evening had been, not least for the fact it had been the first time they’d fully given themselves to one another. He remembered laying there, after, as they both giggled and kissed and cuddled, thinking there and then that was it for him, there’d never be another girl who came close.

And then he’d pulled a Jensen, and ruined it.

“Of course I do.” Stella smiled. “Life was simpler back then, huh?”

“Isn’t it always?” Jensen asked as he spun her back round, pulling her in so her back was to his chest, hands dropping to her hips as the electric guitar solo struck up signalling the song was almost at and end. He felt Stella take a deep breath.

“Well we were kids.”

“But it was easy.” Jensen dropped his chin to her shoulder, his cheek brushing hers. “It was just you and me and the rest of our lives ahead.”

Stella tilted her head to look at him as the song faded into ‘I’ve Had The Time Of My Life’ and she pulled away, turning to face him with a shrug.

“Didn’t quite work out the way we thought though did it.” She asked, her hands sliding round his neck.

Jensen sighed, his fingers flexing against her hips. “I know. I fucked up.” He swallowed, the lump thick in his throat and Stella shook her head.

“Don’t.” She warned. “Not now.”

But Jensen wasn’t listening. He had to get it off his chest, he couldn’t stand the sick, hot feeling he got every time he thought about her and Evan. He needed to tell her, even if she told him there was no chance for them ever again, at least he’d know.

“No, just listen to me, Stelly, please.” His eyes locked onto hers. “There’s not a day goes by I don’t regret it. You know that, right? And no matter what happens I’ll always-“

He was cut off as Stella landed a harsh, stinging slap to his left cheek, his head whipping to the right. He took a deep breath, stunned, before he turned his head to face her, shocked splashed across his handsome features.

A few people around them stopped dancing, and Stella could hear a few hushed whispers, along with a louder shout of ouch, from who she had no idea. She opened her mouth to say something, the tears spilling from her eyes before she realised she needed to get out of there, and fast. So she did.

She hurried out of the room towards the hotel lobby and elevator, wiping the tears that were falling down her face. She knew she shouldn’t have done that, and maybe it was a little harsh, but the anger she felt towards Jake at that moment in time was insurmountable. He had left her, twice basically, and continued to fuck with her head, and then had the audacity to try and ...well, she didn't even know what he was trying to do. Her head was a mess, a fuckery of conflicting feelings, and she was as drunk as she could remember being in a long time, which wasn't helping.

She was also well aware that she'd just made a complete scene at Pooch's wedding, potentially seen by his entire family and friends, and that not only embarrassed her, it also made her feel like crap for being that asshole guest that everyone would be talking about for months to come.

*****

Jensen ignored both Roque and Clay who had crowded round to ask him what the hell he'd done to deserve a slap, but he simply pushed them out of the way, only one thing on his mind, getting to Stella and making her listen. He hurried out of the room, skidding to a slightly unsteady halt in the corridor before he jogged down the hallway and into the lobby where he spotted her at the elevator.

“Stel!" He yelled her name in an attempt to stop her, drawing intrigued and surprised looks from the guests and staff alike in the atrium. "Stella, wait!"

She didn't turn around, but he could tell she'd heard him, well, everyone in the lobby had heard him, but if that wasn't evidence enough to show that his calls across the foyer had reached her, the fact that she began angrily slamming her hand against the elevator call button certainly was. Jensen hurried across the shiny tiled surface, the heels of his dress shoes clicking as he went, expertly side stepping a couple who were walking through with cases, cursing as he saw Stella stepping into the elevator. He continued running, but just as he skidded to a halt he caught a glimpse of her angry tear stained face as the doors shut.

"Fuck!" He shouted, banging his hand on the wall just above the call panel. Spinning, he almost collided with a young couple who were looking at him, and the man shot him a filthy glare as he pushed between them, running to the stairs. He took them two, sometimes three at a time as he raced to the fourth floor in an attempt to catch her, and he burst into the corridor in time to see her stalking to her room.

He paused to take a breath, relief flooding his system at the fact he'd manage to catch her before she got to her room, before he realised he still had to stop her.

“Stel!” His shout was a desperate plea, and she spun to face him, her face surprised clearly at how he'd managed to get there so quick, and whilst she was still he took his chance. “Look, I’m sorry I made you upset but-“

With that she gave an angry growl almost as she turned around and carried on, the heel of her shoe catching a little as she did, causing her to stumble and Jensen felt his anger boiling over, this was fucking ridiculous, and here he was shouting down a hotel corridor, to her fucking back.

"For fucks sake, Estella, will you a stop being a bitch and just listen to me?"

At that she stopped dead and wheeled round, sheer venomous disdain etched across her face. "I am SICK of listening to you Jacob." She spat his full name back at him, in response to him using hers. "It’s always the fucking same. You know if anything I should have listened to you years ago when you dumped me and stayed the fuck away from you and your stupid-"

"You just slapped me, Stella!" Jensen exclaimed "In front of everyone in the fucking room! The least you can do is hear me out, I deserve that surely?"

"You don’t deserve shit." She snorted. "Now take a hint and leave me the fuck alone!"

"What, like your boyfriend?"

The words flew out of Jensen's mouth before he had even registered them, and from the look on Stella’s face she was as shocked as he was that he'd gone there. She took a deep breath, looked at the floor before she raised her head and stared at him, fresh tears in her eyes and Jensen sighed in frustration at himself.

"You know, just when I think you can’t go any lower." Her voice was soft and sad now, and Jensen stayed silent as he knew that had been a low blow. She took another shaky breath, shaking her head. "I’ve never come so close to hating you as I have right now. You are an asshole."

"Stell, look, I’m sorry. I shouldn't have said that..."

"Go to hell." She stated, her voice flat as she turned and carried on walking towards her room.

"Cougar told me what Evan said." Jensen blurted out, more words he hadn't planned on saying, and once more she stopped dead.

"Fucking-"

"Did you say it back?"

There was no answer.

"You didn't, did you?" Jensen continued to press as she started walking towards her again. "That's why he isn't here, aint it? Because you couldn't say it, and you fell out, and-"

"You tell me," she stopped at the door to her room, foraging in her purse for her key, "I mean, clearly you have all the answers and know everything about how I feel and-"

"Damnit Stella, just-"

"You know what?" She spun to face him as he stopped besides her. "Evan might not be perfect but he’s never dumped me for no fucking reason, then used me as and when he wanted. But, I suppose that’s on me because I was never strong enough to tell you to fuck off and now that I am, you don’t like it." She raised her hand and jabbed him in the chest. "You don’t like the fact I’m not there when you want to fuck something because I’ve got someone else in my life-" another jab "-someone who… who loves me and I-."

"And you what Stel?" Jensen interrupted her rant with a snort and she fell silent, her eyes flashing. "See you can’t even say it, can you?"

Stella glared at him, a look that would make anyone else quiver in their shoes but not him, not now. He was too far gone trying to make his point, trying to make her see his point, to care how angry he was making her.

“Just admit it Stella," he arched his eyebrow, stepping forward. He planted one hand by her head, palm flat on the surface of the door as he leaned closer to her, his voice level and even as he stated, “you don’t love him, you never will.”

“Fuck you.” Stella stumbled over her words a little, before her hands planted on his chest and she shoved him. Jake stepped back, slightly off balance more to the alcohol in his system than the force of her push, but he steadied himself, moving forwards again. She made to shove him once more but this time he was ready, and his hands caught her wrists, fingers curling round them as her room key fell to the floor.

“Fuck me yourself.” He shot. At that she shook her head and scoffed. “What’s the matter, Stel?” Jake’s voice dropped a little as his grip around her wrists tightened, and he pressed her further into the door, his head dropping, face inches from hers. “Scared you might like it, still?”

“Asshole.” Her voice was nothing more than a whisper and she pulled her arms violently to the side, Jake letting go. Once more she pushed him, this time he stepped away so she could bend and retrieve her room key from the floor, which took her a few attempts, her hand and eye coordination impaired from the drink. Eventually, she grabbed it and stood, a little unsteadily, turning her back to him.

As she slid the card into the slot, Jake was once more in her space behind her, his hands softly on her waist and he leaned towards her, his breath hot on her ear.

“Don’t be a chicken, Stel.” His voice was gravelly and he braced, waiting for another blow, but it never came. She swallowed a little, her chest heaving, and she made no attempt to stop his advances. She'd let go of what she had to say, and now she was physically proving him right in his assumptions and her denials

Emboldened by this, Jensen placed a soft kiss to her neck as she pushed the door to her room open, causing her breath to catch in her throat. She turned to him, her eyes locking into his and Jensen could see the conflict behind them. There was a war going on between her head and her heart and, had he been sober, Jensen probably would have walked away, knowing what he was doing was pretty shitty and unfair. But he wasn’t sober. He was drunk, and not just on alcohol but sheer desire for the woman stood in front of him. His Stelly. The girl he still loved.

As her large, clear blue eyes bounced across each of his whilst she grappled with her internal turmoil, Jake stood stock still waiting for her to make her move. He took a deep breath, expecting her to shove him away for that final time, and he would have taken it then, having already proven his point to both her and him, but then he saw it, that familiar darkening of her eyes.

The spark Stell still carried for him, that small flicker of a flame that for so long had been starved of oxygen, suddenly exploded and she reached out, grabbing his loose tie, bringing his lips crashing down to hers. Jake surged forward, pushing her backwards as he continued to kiss her, kicking the door to her room shut with his foot before he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close,  pouring every single bit of emotion and frustration he’d felt over the past few months into the kiss.

It was urgent, it was desperate, and the pair of them stumbled around the hotel room, Stella pushing his jacket off and tossing it to the floor somewhere before she yanked off his tie, her fingers moving to undo his shirt. Jake's hands fumbled with the floaty tulle skirt of her dress as he pulled it up around her waist, trailing hot kisses down the side of her neck whilst Stella pushed his shirt down his arms where he shrugged it off. Her hands planted on his chest as she smoothed her delicate palms over the solid planes of muscle, sliding them down over his defined abs and he gave a soft hiss as he felt her nimble fingers undoing the buckle of his belt. In a quick move that made her squeak slightly, he reached down and grabbed her ass, hauling her off the floor, her legs wrapping around his waist as he backed her up against the large sliding doors which led out to the balcony. His lips pressed back to hers whilst her back hit the thick glass a little harder than he had intended, drawing a soft grunt from her mouth as it rattled in the frame.

“Ow.” she mumbled against his mouth, grabbing a fist full of his hair and tugging harshly so he looked at her. He gave an apologetic grin she looked at him for a moment before her hands moved and plucked off his glasses, in a movement that really shouldn’t be hot but for some reason it always was. He took them from her, depositing them in his pocket as his lips gently latched onto her neck, sucking at the pulse point. A barely there whimper sounded in his ear as he nipped at her skin and his attention moved downwards, hot, open mouthed kisses traced down her sternum which was exposed between the deep V neckline of her dress. A low moan left her mouth and her hips pushed down against the bulge in his trousers and he pressed into her, giving her the friction she was asking for. Her hands skimmed down his spine, her fingers making his skin burn and prickle as they danced over his back, coming to rest on his broad shoulders , digging into his muscles as Jake pushed his hips up again, grinding against her.

Neither of them were thinking straight, it was way past that point. This was a pure, carnal desire between two, once-upon-a-time long term lovers, both desperate to scratch that deep itch that they still had for one another. But still Jake paused, pulling back so he could take a moment to look at her. She was slightly dishevelled, strands of her hair had fallen loose from her up-do, framing her heart shaped face. Her cheeks were flushed, lips swollen from his kisses, but it was her eyes which caught him. He'd always loved her eyes and now they were staring at him with a wild, lust filled look that he knew so well. He swallowed a little, before she moved her hands to his cheeks, pulling his face back to hers. Jake moaned into this kiss and his hands moved round her back, her feet landed on the floor as her back slipped slightly against the smooth surface she had been pressed against. Their mouths remained open, pressed together, sharing air as Jensen slid the zipper of her dress down, causing it to gape a little at the front and he reached up, thumbs gently running on the underside of the straps before he slid them down her arms, placing a soft kiss to each of her shoulders in turn. As he pushed the soft, blue chiffon of her dress down to her waist he couldn’t help the carnal growl that rumbled in his throat as he saw she wasn't wearing a bra.

"Fuck, Stel. You're beautiful. You’ve always been beautiful." He muttered, his lips back on hers as his hands cradled her face. She stepped out of her dress, his hands moving down to grip her hips, fingers curling over the softness of her flesh as he pushed her back against the cold surface of the window. His lips claimed hers again before he moved his mouth, nibbling his way down the column of her throat, tongue dipping into the hollow at the base of her neck, teeth grazing her collar bone as he mapped his way down her body in a way he had done so many times before.

Stella felt Jensen's hands sliding down her bare thighs as he sunk to the floor and her brain had barely registered the fact he was on his knees, when he hooked one leg over his shoulder, shifting her soaked panties to one side. At the first touch his mouth made to her inner thigh she sighed in pleasure, the raw scratch of his short beard a contrast to the warm, softness of his mouth as he moved upwards before he finally gave one long lick over her sex, dipping his tongue into her a little, causing her to cry out in pleasure, one hand falling to his head, the other palm slapping against the glass surface behind her. He repeated his action, his tongue flicking up through her sensitive outer lips and this time he sucked on her clit, causing her back to arch, her had dropping back in sheer pleasure as her shoulders pressed further onto the glass in an attempt to keep herself up-right, all the time writhing at his actions.

His tongue and lips worked in tandem, un-doing her lap by lap, all the time she was vaguely aware of the fact she was begging him not to stop, her words punctuated by gasps and pants, manicured nails digging into his scalp as her hand curled over his head, fingers tangling into his short hair. It wasn’t long before Stella felt that familiar tightening across her stomach and her leg trembled slightly as she fought to keep herself upright.

“Fuck, JJ,” she stuttered, as he let out a groan, the vibration so pleasurable it was almost painful as his tongue dipped in and out of her entrance, continuing to fuck her the way he had always been able to do. The burning in her stomach suddenly took over her entire body and she gave a loud cry as she came, her head falling forward before it rolled back again against the window with a hard thud as the world around her went silent. She grasped Jensen’s shoulder as her leg gave way and he quickly stood up, catching her easily, a grin on his face as she opened her eyes and looked at him, her pupils blown with lust, her thighs once more locked round his waist. He kissed her again, the kiss absolutely filthy as he stepped back and turned them, crossing the room where he dropped her gently onto the bed.

She knelt up on the soft mattress, her now almost completely loose hair falling over her face as she hooked her fingers into the belt loops of his dress slacks and pulled him to her. In one smooth, fluid movement of her hands she’d undone his flies before she slid his pants and boxers down in one swoop. She dropped her head and took him in her mouth without so much as a warning, her eyes locked onto his.

“Shit, Stel” he mumbled, his hands tangling into her hair, guiding her softly as she moved, her head bobbing back and forth before she pulled away to lick along the base of his shaft, tracing the vein in the underneath, and Jensen knew then if she carried on he was going to blow his load before he’d even gotten to the main event.

“Get up here.” His voice was low as he cupped her face and guided her back up, kissing her again. With a gentle shove, Jensen pushed her back on the bed, stepping out of his remaining clothes before he crawled over her, sliding her lace underwear down her long, smooth legs. He didn’t give her a chance to say anything before he gave her ankles a soft tug, pulling her down further on the bed, crawling between her thighs, his mouth tracing its way up from her belly to her breasts which were heaving, nipples pebbled in excitement. Knowing exactly what would leave her nothing short of a wreck underneath him, he turned his attention to her right breast, lapping and sucking, grazing with his teeth whilst his hand palmed at her left. She let out a soft, breathy moan, which was music to Jensen's ears as his mouth and hand traded places. He worked her over, till she was begging to feel him where she needed him, her knees clenching around his slim waist, desperate for something to help the burning that was between her legs. He shifted his position a little, propping himself up so he could kiss her deeply again, hands on either side of her face as he buried himself inside of her, with a loud groan.

“God you feel so good, Stel.” His mouth moved over her jaw to her ear as he praised her, nipping at the lobe. At his words Stella gave a loud groan as he thrust up into her again, deeply, burying himself to the hilt before he rotated his hips in a dirty grind, a move he knew drove her wild. She cried out, clawing at his back and he groaned as she tipped her hips up to meet his.

"You know,” another thrust, "he’ll never be able,” another thrust, “to fuck you the way I can," he rotated his hips for another grind which caused her once more to cry out, nails biting at his back as he drove a little deeper, "because he doesn’t know you like I do."

To prove his point, one hand moved and gently wrapped round the front of her throat, giving the gentlest of squeezes but he knew that would send her feral. It was something he had discovered a long time ago, being so in control the rest of the time, Stella loved when he would take over like this, dominate her a touch and whisper cheeky, dirty little things into ear. It had always driven her crazy and tonight was no exception. He’d succeeded in throwing fuel onto the fire that was already raging, and a sharp, strangled wail of his name stuttered from her lips as he felt her fluttering around him.

"You were made for me, Baby Girl." Jensen’s own voice was a low growl as his hips picked up their pace, Stella's head falling back onto the pillows as Jake's mouth claimed hers again, the kiss sloppy and desperate matching the rhythm of his thrusts.

Because he was. He was desperate for this woman. Desperate like he’d never been desperate before.

“Jakey.” She keened underneath him, hands still clawing the muscles of his back which were flexing under her touch, equally as needy for him as he was her. He reached down to hook a leg over his shoulder causing her to mewl loudly at the change of angle and depth as he continued to drive into her like his life depended on it. He bent over, mouth swallowing another loud moan as he did, feeling her sweat soaked skin slick against his.

“Fuck, baby I’m close,” he stuttered, his hips snapping back and forth, “see what you do to me?”

Her beautiful eyes were wide, her mouth pressed to his as she let out a broken lament as her walls fluttered around him again, causing him to almost purr in delight as she did. She was close, so fucking close. And it felt good. As his cock dragged in and out of her, the feel of him sliding up against her spot had her worked into a complete frenzy, and she was teetering right on that edge.

“Don’t stop,” she panted, her head falling back further onto the pillow as she grasped his arms whilst he continued to fuck her into the mattress. And then, her stomach tightened and she felt the rush of pleasure that she knew was the end, beginning to wash over her. "Oh, God, Jake...I'm..."

"Come on, Stel." Jake growled, his hips still pumping in and out of her "Cum for me, Baby, just like you always do."

At his words, she gave a low, sultry whimper and her eyes fluttered shut, nails digging into his biceps as she shuddered underneath him, her back arching as her walls clamped down on him, milking his cock and that was it. He was done for, just like he always was when it came to this woman.

“Shit, Stel," he groaned as he felt his abs tighten as he came with a force he hadn't felt in a long time. His hips faltered as he cried out, shooting his load straight into her, before after one final, deep thrust he collapsed on top of her, his face buried into her neck.

The room was silent bar the sounds of their deep, heavy breathing as they both came down, fighting for control. Jake felt her hands gently move round to tangle in his hair, nails scratching his scalp and he raised his head, eyes still closed, enjoying her touch.

“Jake,” she finally whispered, still slightly out of breath but he didn't miss the tremble in her voice and he raised his head, opening his eyes to see her looking back at him. Her cheeks were flushed, hair all over the place and fuck, he’d never see anything so damned beautiful in his life as her undone underneath him. But her eyes, they were misting over with tears and he swallowed, shaking his head.

"Stel… " he began, and she turned her head away from his, screwing her eyes shut as her face crumpled.

"Fuck, what did we just do?" She whispered, opening her eyes and she looked at the wall to her right for a moment before Jensen tipped her face back round to him.

"Don't." He shook his head, pressing a kiss to the bridge of her nose. "Don't do this, not now." He pressed their foreheads together, his nose bumping hers and she gave a quiet sniff as he pressed his lips to hers softly.

“Do you want me to go?” He didn’t really want to ask the question, for fear of her answer but she shook her head, her eyes a little lost as she looked at him.

“No, I don’t. And that’s the problem.” She whispered.

He wanted to try and assure her that it was all okay and that they hadn’t done anything wrong but his words died in his throat, because he knew technically they had. Whatever was going on with her and Agent Shitname, she was still with him, meaning she’d cheated and he knew that would be cutting her up inside.

And now Jensen felt like shit for putting her in that position.

He gently pecked her lips again and with a soft movement he pulled out from her and lay on his back, his hand rubbing his chest. After a little pause he felt Stella turn into him and her head lay on his chest, his arm curling round her shoulder as she sniffed a little, turning her face into his sternum.

“It’s gonna be okay, Stelly.” He pressed a kiss to her head.

It was lame, but it was all he could thing to say. He wasn’t surprised when she didn’t reply, and there wasn’t another word spoken between the two of them before they both fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.

****

Stella woke the next morning, her bare back pressed into a hard, muscled chest and didn't even need to turn round to know whose arm was thrown round her waist. As the memories of what had happened the night before flooded her brain she squeezed her eyes closed, taking a deep, shuddering breath, fighting the urge to snuggle further back into the arms of the man she knew so well. Instead, she gently untangled herself from Jensen and without a glance back headed quietly into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She glanced in the mirror and grimaced as she saw the previous day’s make up was streaked all over her face. Grabbing her cleanser from her toiletries bag she wiped it away, tossing the cotton pads into the trash before she turned on the shower and stepped into the stream. She stood there for a while, her face titled to meet the water as it beat down on her, washing away the silent tears that were pouring down her cheeks.

Ten minutes or so later she stepped out, almost working on auto pilot and dried herself off, before grabbing one of the hotel provided towel robes. Once wrapped in it, she squeezed the water out of her hair, dragged a brush through it and then opened the door.

Just as expected, Jensen was still flat out in the bed, although he'd now turned onto his back. It had always been a joke between the two of them that he could sleep through a damned earthquake after a heavy drinking session, yet never failed to hear his alarm. Stella took a moment to study his face, a face she knew by heart, every freckle and line, the curve of his nose and angle of his jaw. Biting her lip, she moved towards the back of the room, made herself a coffee as quietly as she could before she retrieved her phone from her purse that had been tossed down carelessly the night before and headed out onto the balcony, closing the doors behind her.

She sank into one of the chairs, tucking her legs under her and glanced at the screen. There wasn't much battery left but she had a couple of missed calls. One from Clay and another form Cougar, both probably wondering where she had bailed to, and one from Evan. She swallowed as she also spotted she had a message from him too.

Ev- Hey, Pumpkin. Look, I'm so sorry about how things went down the other night. I overreacted, and that's on me. I really hope you're having a good time. Please call me when you can, and we can talk when you're home xx

Stella felt the guilt twist in her gut even more and she gave a sigh, tossing her phone onto the table.

"He’ll never be able to fuck you the way I can, because he doesn’t know you like I do."

Jakes voice rattled around her head and she took a dep breath, looking over the balcony down at the pool area below. Try as she might, she couldn't even deny he was right. The sex with Evan wasn't bad, in fact she would go as far as saying it was pretty damned good, likely to be earth shattering to most women. But, to her, there had always been something that held her back.

And now she was forced to admit head on what she'd been trying to deny for months. It was because he wasn't Jake.

Jake Jensen had worked her way into his heart from the day they had met when they were merely eleven years old, and try as she might she couldn't shake him. That year they had been apart, she'd tried so hard, and had been sure she'd managed, and then she'd seen him and they'd fucked, and fallen back into that awful cycle of being together but not being together.

She couldn't stay with Evan. She'd known that even before last night had happened but the fact she'd basically opened her legs so easily for Jensen went to prove that she didn't love Evan, and she wasn't sure she ever would.

She took a shuddering breath and then her attention jerked upwards as Jake opened the balcony door, his hair mussed, top half bare as he rubbed his eyes, his glasses in his hand.

"Hey." he offered, almost shyly and Stella gave him a nod.

"Hi."

There was an awkward silence as he sat down on the chair opposite her, slipping his glasses onto his nose. He watched as she avoided his gaze, glancing over the balcony, occasionally looking at her hands which were worrying one another. Eventually, he could stand it no more and he reached over to take her hands in his.

"Stel, look, last night..."

"Last night was a mistake." She spoke, her eyes locking onto his. Jensen felt his gut churn, her words an icy blade digging into his heart.

"So, you’re just gonna pretend like it didn't happen and go back to that prick?" Jensen looked at her, his voice measured and Stella shook her head.

"No, I can't do that. Not now. Me and Evan are over, I'm gonna tell him when we get back. I don't love him, you're right. Because if I did I would never have given in and slept with you." She licked her lips.

Jake swallowed and looked down at his hands which were clasped around hers before he raised his head to stare her straight in the eye. "I'm sorry." he said eventually. "I'm sorry if you felt like, well, like I pushed you..."

"No, that's not what I'm saying." She squeezed his fingers. "I just, me and you, we can't keep doing this. We go round and round in circles and…" She took a shuddering breath as she trailed off, unable to articulate what she was trying to say.

"No, I get it." Jake gave her a small smile. He let go of her hands and stood up. "I should probably erm, go,” he gestured to the door, “I need to shower before breakfast and the taxi to the airport arrives."

"Okay." She nodded.

She watched him open the door to head inside, before he paused and turned to face her.

"I know you said what happened last night was a mistake, but I just want you to know that I wouldn’t change it for the world."

With that he gave her a final smile and headed back into the hotel room. Stella could see him through the glass doors as he hastily dressed, before without so much as another word he left, and as she heard the door to her room close, the tears once more began to fall.

**** Chapter 7 Part 3

[wolfjustdraws]

AUgust Day 3 Single Parent AU Lockbinslyle

“Playdate” - Lockwood x George x Lucy

Lockwood and Co. Series

Summary: Playdates are for everyone, not just kids.

AU: Single Parents

————Lockwood————

“Nat. Natty, wake up, baby. It’s morning”

I shook on my daughter’s small shoulder, careful so to not be too rough. She groaned under the covers and rolled over until she was facing me. Her small hands appeared from under the blankets and balled into fists, rubbing her eyes and yawning in that childish way of hers.

“Good morning, princess” I cooed lovingly.

“Morning daddy” She smiled sleepy. I sneaked my arms around her and carried her off the bed. Natasha wrapped her arms around my neck and laid her head on my shoulder as I walked out of the room. Setting her down on the floor, she walked to the bathroom and I strode back to her bedroom.

It was a nicely decorated room with baby pink, plump unicorns trotting along the walls and fairies flying around them, with some birds singing as well. There was a big, white wardrobe and a boudoir full of stuffed puppies, kittens and more unicorns, of all sizes and colors, but mostly pinks and purples. My little Natty loves unicorns.

I opened the wardrobe and peered at the different shades of pink, white and violet that met my eyes, all different dresses, skirts and blouses. I finally settled for a soft bubblegum pink dress, white tights and shiny red shoes, which I laid on the bed for my daughter to dress with.

She came out of the bathroom, now awake and with her teeth properly brushed. I walked back to my room and went about dressing myself. Today was Saturday, so I didn’t have to go to work, and Nat didn’t have school or play dates with her friends, which meant today we would get to spend it together.

So, I dressed in a pair of slacks, a white shirt and my shoes, combed my hair and walked out of my room. Natasha was sitting on her bed, dress already on but struggling to pull on the stockings.

“Here princess, let daddy help you” I knelt before her and took the leotards on my hands. As I pulled and pushed the garments, I thought back to the first time I ever helped a woman with her tights. Deloris Wynter.

I met her back when I was in college; a young law student who tripped over a theater student on the halls. A fast encounter, not even long enough to count as one.Yet, that had been all I needed to be head over heels for her.

I looked for her all around campus like a mad man for weeks and when I finally found her, I asked her out and dated her. And we dated for long years to come. She helped me study for my exams and memorize my books. I attended all her concerts, plays and musicals.

And the night of her last presentation in college, I sneaked to the dressing room while nobody was watching. She had been adjusting her tight’s costume when I entered. She asked me to help her accommodate the hairnet stockings. When I finished, I did did what I had come to do. I proposed. And she said yes.

We got married a few months later, after I got a stable job in a good firm. We lived together on our own for two years before we knew Deloris was pregnant. The second best surprise I was ever given in my life.

However, it was only a few months after Natasha was born that the worst surprise of my life got here. Barely after midnight, a hand gripped and pulled me out of my slumber. I was shaken from the bed by my wife, who gripped tightly at her chest and wheezed with every breath. Something was wrong. I took my daughter and my wife and drove to the hospital as fast as the traffic let me.

The seeming hours in the emergency were a agony; the nurses couldn’t give me any updates on how Deloris was, Natasha wouldn’t stop crying and the old couple that sat at the other side of the room wouldn’t stop bickering.

And when a doctor finally came to look for me, it was only to tell me my cherished Deloris had just died from a heart attack. Spontaneously. No sickness on any organ that could have caused it. No genetic tendency. No sign that could have helped prevent this. Just like that, after falling asleep while watching one of my Deloris’s favorite movies in bed, the pain came, she was taken from me.

“Will you do my hair, daddy?”  Nat asked me once her tights were correctly placed.

“Sure thing, baby girl, want me to make it a pony tail?”

“Half pony tail!” My daughter exclaimed as she ran to her boudoir and brought back her brush, some rubber bands and ribbons.

It took me months to get over my dearest wife’s death. Months of anger, of crying, months of neglecting my daughter because I thought I needed alone time to get better. But no, I came to realize the only thing I really needed was Natasha. She got me through.

“Done!” I proclaimed, adjusting the bow on my daughter’s dark brown hair.

“You make the best hairdos, daddy!”

“Thanks princess! Now, let’s go make breakfast, shall we?”

“Yay! Pancakes!” Nat yelled and ran out of the room and down the stairs. I followed her down and into the kitchen “Can they be the chocolate chips ones, daddy?”

“I don’t see why not” I opened the fridge and took out the box of frozen pancakes “And, Natty, how about we go to the park today? We can go and look at the flowers”

“Yay!”

————George————

“Morning son”

“Hi dad”

Ben walked slowly inside the kitchen in his crumpled pajamas, rubbing an eye with his fist. In his other hand he held his favorite stuffed animal; a lion, without which, I knew, he was never able to sleep.

“You slept well?”

“Yes, and I finished my book!” He called out excitedly while taking a seat at the table. I looked up from my laptop and left it aside.

“And how did you like it?” I asked. Benjamin drank water from the glass that sat before him, carefully setting it back on the table. I stood from where I sat and started walking around the kitchen, thinking of what I could make for breakfast, after all, its not going to prepare itself.

“Well, I felt like it could have gone better if the Mr Addicot…”

As my hands got to work about making food, I focused on what my son was saying. Benjamin in some aspects was very much like me, for example his love for books, his insatiable curiosity and his unreadable handwriting. In some other aspects he was very much like his mother.

Silvia Ringrose.

Ever heard of ‘love at first sight? It was something along those lines, but we were more annoyed at each other. I had met her one night at a coffeeshop. I had been working late on a presentation I had to give the next day, and she had been arranging, fixing and rearranging charts for her finances project of the semester. We had been sitting right in front of the other without noticing, both absolutely engrossed in our computers.

After some time, one of the waiters brought something one of us had ordered, but since we were both so absorbed on our work we did’t listen to what it was and we both grabbed it at the same time.

From there, our relationship grew and became stable enough. Four years of dating each other while we finished our studies, and one year more after we graduated, then I proposed to her. I was love-dumbfounded back then and very content when she said yes without doubting for a second.

I let Silvia organize the wedding the way she wanted it, after all, party planning is not my thing, and I was fine with it as long as we did got married. For any men who’s not married yet, this is my only advice: never give you girlfriend absolute creative control over the wedding planning, or you’ll end up with a Kim Kardashian-level party.

It was only a few months later that our Benjamin was born. We both loved our son with everything we had to offer. Or at least I thought we did. Only two years later did I noticed how Silvia’s behavior changed: some days she’d call me during the day to ask me to pick up Ben from daycare and at night she’d call again to say how she wouldn’t make it home in time. Most of those nights I was already asleep when she arrived and would only get to see her before she woke up for work, though some other times she wasn’t even home by the time the sun rose.

Some other days she’d call saying she was home early, and when I got home she’d already be in bed, well tucked and fast asleep.

She had changed. My suspicions were confirmed one day when I arrived home. I wasn’t early or anything, this was a normal day for me. Benjamin was downstairs watching his favorite movie and eating candy. Apparently mommy was upstairs working with her friend. So I went up, and indeed, she was with her ‘friend’. Fucking on our bedroom.

A month later the divorce was signed and I had full custody of my son. Silvia walked out of my door without much as a second glance or a second thought.

“…and if Mr Addicot hadn’t tried to stop Sophie then she wouldn’t have ran away with the witch” Ben concluded.

“Yes, Mr Addicot was rather foolish, wasn’t he?” I finished making scrambled eggs and placed some bread on the toaster, then walked to the fridge “Milk or juice?”

“Juice please, dad”

“So, its Saturday” I placed the food on the table and sat down again “What do you want to do today?”

“mmmh…” My son’s hair was dirty blond and straight, falling on his forehead and close to his eyes, unlike mine which was sandy yellow and curly. That was one of the things he had gotten from him mum. His big brown eyes were mouse-like and he’d definitely look like a baby mouse if he was a bit chubbier “Can we go to the park today, dad?”

“Sure”

————Lucy————

“Mommy! Mommy! Wake up!”

The mattress shifted under me with new added weight and I felt as various figures moved about me. Two pairs of hands appeared on my shoulders and shook me insistently. I groaned in response and only shifted under the covers.

“Come on, mommy!”

The TV was suddenly turned on in the room and I heard the clicking of tiny things against the wooden floor as something else entered the room. Opening my eyes, I reached from under my pillows to the nightstand where a clock rested and read 10:28 a. m.

“Kids, its Saturday morning” I groaned and turned once more under my covers, resettling myself and closing my eyes once again.

“But mommy! We made you breakfast!” Now, that was concerning. I immediately sat straight on the bed and looked at the two kids sitting with me.

“You kids didn’t burn the kitchen, did you?” I asked them.

“No, we didn’t” The little boy said proudly.

“You didn’t spill anything, did you?”

“No” The girl giggled.

“And you kids did not set Bubbles’s bed in fire again, did you?”

“No! We were careful! We promise!” They raised their hands to their little chests and then offered me their pinky fingers of the other hand. I smiled tenderly and offered them my pinky finger.

“Alright then” Before getting up, Bubbles appeared beside me and jumped on the bed too, coming up to lick my face gleefully “Yes, yes, good morning to you too”

“So, come on then mommy!” My son, Freddy, jumped from the bed, took my hand and pulled.

“Ok, ok, I’m coming! Just give me a second” Pushing myself out of bed, I reached put my slippers on and let myself be dragged by my kids. Through the hall and down the stairs until we  reached the kitchen, the table set with three bowls ready, cereal, milk, a plate with biscuits and a jug of apple juice.

“Told you we didn’t burn anything” Rosie smiled at me.

“Thanks for preparing breakfast kids” I sat down between them at the table and served them. Bubbles came running from upstairs and immediately sat at my heels. I smiled contentedly at the sight of my children eating, milk dripping down their chins. And to think that some years back I would have done everything in my power to avoid a family.

The memories of my neglecting family had made me choose a single life, so when I started my studies as an art student, I decided to dedicate my entire existence to my art and nothing more. That got me successfully out of college with a bright and shiny future ahead of me. The world opened at my feet with open arms.

Still, like any sane woman with needs, I hooked up with many men, all of them from similar professions, and some times more than one of them at a time, but I never got myself involved into any serious relationships. I had no time for that.

Still, the inevitable happened. I got myself pregnant. With whom, I never knew and I didn’t cared. I was having a baby and I did not want that! I couldn’t have a baby, it’d ruin my career! That was all family was good for, ruining lives and making people miserable.

So, I made my decision. I’d have the baby and then I’d give it up for adoption. No questions asked, no father asking for money, no kids crying in the night. Problem solved.

As my pregnancy progressed, I found myself to be enormously inspired by the moods I was thrown into by the hormones. My paintings took a sharp turn and my productiveness spiked. I was in Artist Dreamland. Inspiration rolled off me in waves and I had nothing else to thank for than the baby that was growing inside me.

Then, when my pregnancy seemed to be going a little too fast, I was told I was carrying twins. That news scared me out of my mind: I had started to get fond of the little parasite, I knew, but now there were two. I realized with a heavy heart that I didn’t really wanted to give it away, but how could I take care of two kids on my own? Money was no problem, really, but I was a single woman, and proud to be, wouldn’t that affect the kids?

Before I knew it, my time for thinking was done, and I gave birth to a boy and a girl.

The new pride and joy of my life.

“I’ll go get Bubbles’s leash” Rosie chirped as she stood from her seat, leaving her bowl on the sink.

“What for?” I asked her.

“To go to the park!” Freddy exclaimed happily “You said we’d go to the park today!”

“I said that? I don’t remember” I said with a smirk.

“Mom!” The kids wailed in high-pitched voices. I laughed as they both hugged me and looked up with their best puppy-faces.

“I’m just kidding! Of course we’re going to the park”

————Lockwood————

The weather was very agreeable today. Not cloudy enough for it to rain all day, with a few patches of spring sun here and there, but with a promise of at least some drizzle in the late afternoon.

Hyde Park was only a few minutes away by cab. I sat at the back with Natasha sitting beside me, her favorite unicorn plushie in her arms. She was looking out the window excitedly, signaling here and there with her tiny, chubby hand and giggling happily.

The driver stopped in front one of the entrances and dropped us there. I paid for the ride and took my daughter’s hand in mine, walking away. The trees were bright green and fresh, the smell of wet grass lingering from this morning.

“Look daddy! Look at the flowers!” Natty pointed at the batches of pink, red and blue that out stood on the green “Aren’t they pretty?”

“Yes, princess, they are!” I said and swept her off the ground. My baby daughter screamed and giggled in my arms as I trotted blissfully on the path. After a few seconds of spinning her about I placed her on my hip and kept walking. She wrapped her arms and legs around me and placed a kiss on my cheek.

We kept going for a few more minutes until we arrived to the playground. There were kids everywhere, running around the place and climbing on the games. Some were playing on the sandpit and other laughed as they took turns pushing each others on the swing sets.

I placed Nat on the ground and kneeled down.

“Now, play nice with the other kids, do not be mean and remember to share Sugar Cookie with the other kids if they ask nicely first”

“Yes daddy” I hugged her one last time before letting her go. I watched as she ran to the sandpit with her unicorn in hand, then I moved around to find bench in which to sit.

There were many other kids in the playground, on the monkey bars, the swing sets and the sandpit, and some others playing on the grass with their own toys. Of course, the surrounding area was filled with parents like myself, sitting or standing, talking among themselves or silently reading books, some even had their phones out or laptops in which they typed furiously.

As soon as I found a place to sit from which I had a good view of the play area, I got a call from a client. I didn’t usually received calls on weekends, those were reserved for my daughter, but when I did got them, I made sure to answer.

I talked to my client, Mr Jacob Evans, for a while, until I noticed some of the kids were tumbling out of the sand with scared looks on their little pudgy faces. Among them, Nat ran out of the pit as well, still with Sugar Cookie on her hands.

“Daddy!” She called me scaredy. I got up to my feet hurriedly and took her in my arms “A boy is pushing other kids!”

————George————

“MOMMY!”

A shrill cry made all parents look back at the play area. Most of the kids were now running back to their mothers and fathers, or running off to hide behind the bigger games or trees.

On the sandpit, a small group of slightly older boys stood before three little figures. The first of the, a small boy in blue shorts and red shirt with a design of a robot on it, was standing challengingly before the older boys with tears running down his chubby cheeks, his tiny hands balled into fists. The other two sat on the sand; a little girl in purple skirt and blue shirt, looking like she just saw the monster under her bed come out. The last kid was Benjamin, crying freely and rubbing his cheeks, which were covered in dirt. I immediately rose to my feet.

A woman who sat close to the area ran up to where the kids stood. She looked between the two boys, then to the girl and Benjamin, then her gaze hardened like steel on a cooler.

“What is going on here?” She asked, her voice cold with anger.

“He pushed Benny!” The little boy rose a finger accusingly “And he was saying mean things to Rosie!”

“Ben?” I called him as I approached the scene. My son ran up to me and clung to my jumper as I got closer, burying his face on the fabric after I lifted him in my arms.

“Him, daddy!” A new, also frilly voice exclaimed. Another girl walked over, pulling a man, her dad presumably, with her. He too, like the woman and myself, looked pissed at his daughter was pointing at.

Not a moment later those boys’ parents came up too. Now calmly, the kids re-explained what happened and the boys were told to apologize by their parents, which they begrudgingly did. After that, they were taken by the hand, walked away and left.

“Are you ok, Benny?” The little boy in red shirt asked my son. In my arms, Ben wiggled a little until I lowered him to the ground.

“Yes, I’m alright” He mumbled.

“Yay! Then we can keep playing, right mommy?” He turned to look at the woman, who chuckled lightly while comforting the girl in her arms, apparently her daughter. Taking more time to bask in detail now, I noticed she wore some jeans overall covered in all-colors painting dots and slashes, a white blouse to go under it. Though loose and a little baggy, the overalls complimented her curvy and maternal figure, accentuating the wideness of her hips and her waist.

“I don’t see why not”

“Can we stay a little longer, dad?” Benjamin asked, looking up at me with the same pleading eyes with which he always asked for a new book. Now, this was an unusual occurrence. I know perfectly well that Ben is normally picked up on by other kids, and this was the reason why he normally disliked coming to the park. That he had asked to come was already unusual.

When I noticed him playing with other kids instead of just staring at them playing, I was fully convinced this day would be out of the ordinary. Whenever he came up to me, telling me that the other kids were being mean to him, Ben always asked if we could go back home, a request I was always happy to comply with. Like him, I have always been a difficult person to socialize, though for different reasons.

Now, he was asking that we stayed, not that we left like we usually did.

I eyed the kids once more: the small boy in shorts and red shirt, the girls in skirts and nice shirts, and once again to my son in his khaki shorts and sky blue vest. Then I smiled.

“Of course”

“Come Rosie!” The boy called as he pulled Benjamin along to the swings. The girl wiggled in her mother’s arms until she was let down and went behind her brother.

“Can we stay too, daddy?” The other, slightly-older-looking girl asked the man who’s hand she was taking. Upon closer inspection, again allowing myself to bask a little more on the details, I observed how well dressed he was; black slacks, white t-shirt and dress shoes. His slacks were tight on his long legs, his shirt well tucked into them, also a little tight-looking. Not exactly something to wear at a park.

“Yes dear, now run along” He said and the girl took happily off after the other kids.

————Lucy————

“Anthony Lockwood” The man in coat-less suit said extending a hand to me, a wide and gleaming smile flashing. It took almost all ounce of self-control not to put a hand over my eyes to cover the way the sun shined upon his pearl-white teeth. He stood at least a head taller than me, if not more, in that tight-fitting suit he seemed so weirdly comfortable in.

“Lucy Carlyle” I shook his hand, then he turned to the other man and again offered his hand. He had a mop of unruly blond hair that fell on his forehead but not near enough that it covered his bright blue eyes. He wore a green jumper and some cream-colored pants that told me that, like my own, his sense of clothing was rusty.

“George Cubbins” He said, shaking his and my hand, then pushed his round glasses up his nose.

“Is this a common occurrence?” The tall suited man, Mr Lockwood, asked while looking in the direction the kids ran.

“For my son, yes” Mr Cubbins said “He is usually victim to bigger kids wanting to do mischief”

“My daughter too” I agreed “But my son, Freddy, knows how to repel bullies”

“How?” Mr Lockwood turned to me.

“By yelling ‘mom!’ like bloody murder” I laughed and both men beside me chuckled light-heartedly “That always seems to catch them off guard. Then I appear and the bullies flee”

“No wonder why, I might have actually fled in terror myself” Mr Lockwood said while I and Mr Cubbins snorted amusedly.

“I’ll take that as a compliment, mr-”

“Oh no, just call me Lockwood! No need for formalities. After all, your kids seems to have befriended my daughter”

“Thank god they have” Mr Cubbins, or rather, George said with a heavy sight “I was starting to fear Benjamin would remain a hermit forever”

“Oh, my son finds friends even where there are none!” I exclaimed chuckling “His sister just goes along with him most of the time, except if she knows they’ll get in trouble”

“They sound like quite a pair”

“Our poor dog is witness to their mischief” Then I remembered. I looked back to the table I had been sitting in before Freddy yelled, and saw my bag with the notebook I had been sketching on open, Bubbles playing with a toy beside the table.

“Is that your dog?” Lockwood asked beside me.

“Yes, Bubbles, our puppy”

“What did your kids do to it?” George asked as we briefly watched the dog shaking the squeaky toy.

“They set his bed on fire after I left the kitchen to answer the phone” They laughed as they imagined the little white Pomeranian running away from a blazing dog bed.

In the end the three of us sat at a table and talked some more about our kids (told some embarrassing and some not-so embarrassing anecdotes about them) and some other matters, until we agreed it was getting dark.

We collected our children and exchanged numbers in hopes of later arranging playdates for the kids to see each other again. Then we all took out leave.

As I drove back home and watched my babies dozing off on their seats, I thought back to the two men, Lockwood and George. I was surprised to find that when we talked I had been comfortable enough to share stories about my kids, which I normally didn’t with almost nobody. I preferred to keep the matters about my family to myself, but today I chatted and chatted like a teenager talking about her crush with her best friends.

There was something about them, I wasn’t sure what, that made me feel at ease. Something reassuring and uplifting that inspired trust and gave my stomach a giddy softness.

For some reason I was excited to see when the playdate would be arranged.