#spending time together

[krazycattgurl]

Eating and drinking together 🧡😊

[elejahfanfic]

Fides Cordis |

_Del Shepherd

Lt. Malcom Reed_

*

@darknightfrombeyond

[euesworld]

"Good morning, the days are getting longer and that is so amazing cause I get to spend all of these beautiful sunny days with you.."

I couldn't imagine not spending my days with you - eUë

[honeycombhank]

1/1/24

Today my love and I went for a short hike.

We wanted to do a longer one but my seizures were pretty hectic this morning so I had to sleep until about 12 and couldn’t really function until about 4pm, also there was a sign for a cougar siting in the area so we wanted to get back before the sun started to go down, this meant we only had time for the shorter hike this time,

After the hike we went grocery shopping together and then came home and made home made macaroni and cheese with salad. We also shared a cream soda.

Now I’m working on cleaning the rat cages and hoping to still have time for some art before bed.

I think the first day of 2024 has been a good one.

I hope you all had a good first day of the year as well, but if you didn’t, there is always tomorrow to try again.

[atths--twice]

Chapter Five

Fox takes Dana to a bookshop that he loves, to show her something he finds endearing.

“I liked this one,” Dana said at the end of her shift the next day, returning a book he had let her borrow. “It was interesting. Buuuuut…” She made a face as she sat opposite him in the booth, her gloves held in her hands. 

“But what?” he asked with a smile, fingering the tear on the bottom of the dust jacket. 

“I don’t know,” she shrugged. 

“What?” 

“The main female character…” she said, rolling her eyes.

“What about her?” 

“She just… is it… do you really think someone could fall in love that quickly? That their eyes could meet and you just know?” She sighed and shrugged again. “Seems a bit like a fairy tale.” He laughed and nodded, knowing he had felt the same when he read it. “My eyes nearly rolled out of my head when I read that, but I genuinely liked the rest. And I did grow to love her, and even cried when she was separated from him, but it was slow going. I want that noted.” 

“Did you write it in the margins?” he teased and she shook her head with a frown. 

“I wouldn’t do that to your books. I… I know I do it to mine, but… I wouldn’t do it to yours.” 

“I wouldn’t mind if you did. I actually like that you do. Shows a book’s been read in depth and has been enjoyed.” 

“You mean that, don’t you?” she asked, searching his face. 

“I do,” he assured her, nodding with a smile. 

“But you’re a writer. I always thought you’d like books to stay in good condition. I was hesitant to share mine with you at first, thinking you’d judge me for the way I treat them.” 

“No, I wouldn’t,” he said softly, looking down at his book, fiddling with the dust jacket again. Lifting his eyes, he smiled at her. “Can I take you somewhere?” 

“Now?” she asked, her eyebrows raised. 

“Your shift is over, right?” 

“Yeah, but… aren’t you busy?” She gestured to his laptop and he shook his head. 

“I can do it later,” he said, closing the laptop and packing up. “One of the perks about being a writer is that I’m my own boss. Well, sort of. My agent might say otherwise.” 

“I don’t want to stop you from working.” 

“Not at all,” he said, shaking his head and then stopping his clearing up. “Oh, maybe you have plans? I should have waited for your answer.” 

“No. I don’t have any plans.” 

“So… yes? You’ll come with me?” 

“Yes. I will,” she said with a smile. 

“Fantastic,” he smiled, packing up the remaining items and leaving cash on the table for Lucy. “Let’s get going.” 

_____________

“Thanks,” Fox said, paying the cab driver and getting out, holding the door for Dana. 

“I don’t think I’ve been down here before,” she said, looking around. 

“I don’t come down here often, but…” He turned to the right, walking on the outside of the sidewalk while she walked on the inside. “There is a great bookshop just up ahead.” 

“A bookshop?” 

“Yeah,” he said, smiling at her. “When I moved here, well actually before I did, I checked the area for bookstores. There are the chain ones of course, and some small used bookshops, buuuuut, only a couple that I really like to visit. This is the best one.” 

“Hmm… you’re living rather dangerously.” 

“How’s that?” he asked, stopping at the steps leading down to the shop. 

“Bookshops are rather my weakness,” she said and he chuckled with a nod. “That and bakeries. I mean, how am I supposed to decide on a pastry when they all look so delicious? Cream horns, Napoleon’s, croissants, petit fours… it’s impossible to choose.” 

“So you usually get one of each?” he teased, starting down the stairs. 

“Except for the petit fours. I have to get a few of those as they’re so small. And they also make me feel like Alice when she was in Wonderland, eating the cake to make her grow. That was my favorite story as a child. I like the movies too, both the cartoon and the live action one.” 

He smiled at her as they reached the door of Lantern Books and she smiled back shyly, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. 

“I like this store because of the character it holds. I think you’ll like it too.” 

“I’m sure I will. Probably too much. I’m not buying anything. Not buying anything…” she said quietly and he laughed as he turned the knob and opened the door, a bell tinkling overhead. “Oh no, I’m in trouble.” 

The bookshop was not overly large, but it was packed with books on many shelves. Comfortable overstuffed chairs sat sporadically around the room, encouraging people to sit and enjoy the books. 

It was dark inside, being at the basement level and having a lack of windows. The shop was instead lit by golden light from well placed sconces, adding to the ambience of the shop. It was as if a person had traveled to a different time, the world outside awaiting their return. 

“I love it. God, doesn’t it smell so good?” she whispered as she took a deep breath. “The scent of books, especially old books… it’s intoxicating.” 

“Could not agree more,” he said, smiling as he gently cupped her elbow and led her to the back, to the collection of books he particularly wanted her to see. 

“I’ve spent a lot of time here,” he said, bending his head close to her ear. “When I first moved to the city, I would come in here and look around, missing my old shops back home and finding comfort in the books. I discovered this section back here and when you shared your first book with me, it made me think of them.” 

“Why?” she asked as they stopped in front of a wide bookcase painted purple, and trimmed in gold. He smiled as he took an old blue hardcover book from the shelf and handed it to her. 

“The shopkeeper calls these books “hallowed royalty,” hence the painting of the bookcase to signify it. Open it. You’ll see why.” He smiled again as she opened the book and exhaled a breath, looking up at him with a smile. 

Inside the front cover was the previous owner's name, Ella Willows, written in beautiful cursive, and a drawing of a person in a chair, reading the same story Dana was holding. She closed the book and looked at the cover, the title written in gold with embellishments surrounding it. Opening it again, she smiled as she touched the drawing. 

“Keep going,” he said, watching her as she turned the pages, knowing what she would find as he had looked at that particular book many times. 

Inside the pages, there were drawings on the margins, smiley faces, exclamation marks at the end of passages, underlined and boxed sections, and questions and comments at the ends of chapters. The printing was small, concise, and incredibly neat. 

There were some notes written to someone named Zee, and Fox often wondered if Ella and they had shared the book. There were no corresponding comments, so his imagination ran wild as to who it could have been and if they had ever seen the notes. 

“This is…” Dana said as she turned the pages, stopping to read some comments and tracing the doodles on the pages. “I’ve never seen anything like it. I… when I read, I find I have to make notes in the book because it helps me absorb it better. Like I said, I was almost embarrassed to share mine with you because I don’t know many people who draw or write in their books. Seeing this, I kinda feel a kinship to Ella. She’s got a lot to say and she obviously loved this book very much. Oh…” She laughed softly as she turned to the back cover. “It’s a detailed description of what she loved best. Wow…” 

Fox watched her as she read, her lips moving slightly and she did, before curving into a smile. Her eyebrows raised and she laughed quietly, her thumb rubbing the cover in soft circles. She looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes. 

“Oh. Are you okay?” he asked, frowning as he reached out to touch her arm. 

“I am. I don’t know what the story is about, but I need to buy this book.” 

“So much for your mantra before we walked inside,” he said with a small chuckle. 

“It’s too beautiful,” she said, shaking her head and smiling as she wiped at her eyes. “It might be expensive though, I’ll have to see, but I’m gonna hold onto it.” She sniffled as she put the book in the crook of her arm and looked at the shelf, picking out another book. 

He smiled as he watched her thumbing through the pages, her eyes lighting up as she looked at what others had written. 

“You finding everything okay? Oh, Fox, hello,” a voice said and they both turned at the sound. 

An older woman stood there, smiling happily at them. Her short white hair was styled impeccably and green eyes shined behind a pair of glasses, her face soft and round. She wore a dark green sweater with the outline of golden bells upon it and black pants. Small golden bells hung from her ears and a bell necklace laid upon her sweater. 

“Mary, hello,” he said as they embraced. “Happy Holidays to you.” 

“And to you,” she said, patting his back as they separated. “Haven’t seen you in awhile. Your writing been keeping you busy?” 

“Uhhh… yes and no,” he said with a laugh and she smiled with a nod. “I’ve got it written here and there, but… it’s still percolating.” 

“Best way to write, in my opinion,” she stated and he nodded, turning toward Dana. 

“Mary, I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Dana. Dana, this is Mary. She owns this shop.” 

“Nice to meet you,” they each said, shaking hands. 

“Oh… I see you’ve discovered one of Ella’s books.” 

“One of them?” Dana asked with a look of surprise. 

“Oh yes,” Mary answered, nodding with a smile. “There are… four, I believe.” She stepped closer to the shelf and hummed as she searched, pulling one out and handing it to Dana. 

“Oh!” Dana said, smiling with a small laugh. “It’s Alice in Wonderland! I… can you hold this one?” She handed the book she had just taken down to Fox and walked to the nearest chair.

Taking off her puffy coat, she laid it on the back of the chair and sat down. Placing Ella’s first book beside her, she opened Alice in Wonderland with a sigh and a small smile. 

Fox smiled as he held the book and watched her as she gently touched the front cover. Looking back, he found Mary holding out another book. He reached for it, but when she did not let go immediately, he met her eyes with his eyebrows raised. 

She cut her eyes to Dana and looked back at him. No words were voiced, but he heard the question in her expression loud and clear. 

“Just a friend,” he said quietly, for only her to hear. 

“Mmhmm,” she hummed, letting go of the book and taking the other one from him to reshelve it, her eyebrows raised. 

“She is.” 

“Mmhmm,” Mary hummed again, though the tone of it was different. He smiled and shook his head as her attention returned to the shelf, looking for Ella’s last book. 

Finding it, she added it to the one he was holding. Glancing back at Dana, she nodded knowingly at him, squeezed his arm and walked away. 

Shaking his head, he looked down at the books and he knew they would be leaving with all of them, regardless of the price. He would pay for them and anything else she wanted, if it meant he saw her as happy as she was right now. 

Walking over to her, he set the books down on the arm of the chair and smiled at her. She looked up in surprise and he laughed. 

“Were you somewhere in Wonderland?” he teased and she nodded with a smile, looking back down at the book. 

“It feels like I’m sharing a book with a friend, as crazy as that may sound. Especially considering I’ve never even met Ella.” 

“I don’t think it’s crazy at all. That’s why I’ve enjoyed reading your books. It’s like I’m getting a look inside your head, how you were feeling when you read it.” She lifted her head and he smiled. “You take your time here, I’m gonna have a look around.” He tapped the other books and nodded as he stepped past the chair and went to look around the rest of the shop. 

He had seen it all many times, but Mary was forever getting new and old books in to fill the shelves. Not having a particular need, he simply walked around, seeing what was new or what caught his eye. 

Turning to the right twice, he was in the children's section. Large floor pillows in rainbow colors sat on a black area rug with stars, clouds, rainbows, and happy faces. 

Two little girls were lying on their bellies, the older of the two reading a joke book out loud, both of them giggling hysterically. He smiled as he passed their mom, sitting in a rocking chair and smiling as she took a video of them. 

He was not sure what drew him to the shelf, but the first book he saw was a story about pandas. Smiling, he took it from the shelf and leafed through it. It was cute, but he put it back, the story not exactly what he was looking for. 

“Oh…” he said quietly, noticing a shiny pink glittery book. Pulling it out, and looking at it, he nodded. 

It was a book and journal combination with writing on only a few pages. On one side of each page was a short story and a blank page opposite where a picture could be drawn or the story could be continued. Thinking of the drawing Ivy had made for him, he wanted to buy the book for her, if Dana approved, to encourage her to draw more illustrations. 

He continued walking around, hearing the girls laughing as he browsed the shelves, giving Dana time to look at Ella’s books. He  found a few for himself and added them to the one he had chosen for Ivy, when Dana walked up to him with a smile. 

“You found some then?” she asked, nodding to his books. 

“I did. I actually found this as well and wanted to ask if it was okay for me to buy it for Ivy.” He handed her the book and she held it, Ella’s books held in the crook of her left arm. 

“You want to buy this for her?” she asked, turning the pages and smiling softly. 

“Yeah. If it’s okay. I don’t want to overstep,” he said, watching her face. 

She sighed as she touched the pages, closing the book and handing it back to him. 

“You bought us a tree and the trimmings-”

“It’s different,” he interrupted, still watching her. “I don’t want to… imply anything or have her… I just…” He stopped talking, not exactly sure of how to word what he was feeling. She smiled as she touched his arm, nodding slightly. 

“I understand. I do,” she said softly. “My friend, Fox…” She sighed again as she held his gaze. “… I think she would love that book.” 

It felt as though they were the only people in the bookshop. In the city. The world. Time seemed to slow as he heard what she was and was not saying and he understood the trust she was placing in him. 

“Thank you,” he whispered and she squeezed his arm slightly in response as she nodded. 

“Are you ready to go?” 

“Yes,” he said with a nod, swallowing down the sudden lump in his throat. 

They walked to the register and Mary smiled at them. 

“Oh, I’m so glad you enjoy the treasures,” she said, reaching for Dana’s books. “I have always enjoyed reading Ella’s in particular.” 

“I actually need to know the price before I buy them. I realize they are written in, but that only increases their value, in my opinion anyway. But I don’t know if I can afford all of them. Can you tell me how much they cost first?” She bit her lip and Fox wanted to tell her that he was buying all of them, but a warning glance from her silenced him. 

“Well, as you said, they are written in, but they are also old editions and, aside from the writing, they are in rather good condition,” Mary said and Dana’s face fell even as she nodded in understanding. “Each of them is forty dollars.” 

“Oh…” Dana said, sighing deeply and nodding again. “I’ll just take the Alice in Wonderland one then. I can’t… that’s all. I’ll put the other ones back.” She smiled tightly and took the other three, turning around and walking to put them back on the shelf. 

He sighed as he watched her, looking back at Mary with pleading eyes. 

“I’ll get them later,” she said and he thanked her with a nod. “You buying all of the remaining ones?” She pointed to the ones in his hands and to Dana’s. 

“No. Just mine here. I’ll wait for her to pay first.” Mary smiled and glanced back at Dana as she joined them again, still smiling rather tightly. 

“This is my favorite of the four,” Mary said, ringing up the book. Wrapping it in tissue before placing it into a small brown bag, she handed it to Dana. “You’ll have fun reading it.” 

“I’ve enjoyed what I saw so far,” Dana said with a smile, a real one this time. “It was my favorite book as a child, I feel like I’m reading it for the first time, but sharing it with a friend.” 

“Oh,” Mary said, beaming at Dana. “ I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I know exactly what you mean.” 

“We should stop and get some petit fours for your reading adventure,” Fox said as he handed Mary his books. 

“Oh, that’s the only way to read it,” Mary agreed, taking Dana’s money and Fox’s books. “The prettier the better.” Dana laughed and nodded, hooking the bag over her arm. 

They said goodbye as Mary handed Fox his bag. He raised his eyebrows at her and she nodded with a smile, waving to them as they walked out the door. 

Catching a cab, they stopped at the bakery Dana liked where she purchased half a dozen petit fours, smiling happily as she watched them being placed in a pink box. 

They were quiet as they walked to her apartment and he wondered what she was thinking. He did not want her to feel bad about leaving the other books behind, so he hoped she was not hung up on it. 

At the door to her building, she turned to him with a smile. 

“Thank you for this afternoon or… evening. And for sharing that shop with me. It was so beautiful and cozy and… exactly what a bookshop should be,” she said, looking down at the bags on her arm. “I’m going to enjoy my evening greatly. I’ll call Ivy and then settle in with my treats and a glass of wine.” 

“Glad to hear it,” he said with a grin. “I’m happy you enjoyed it. I’ll wait until she’s back to give this journal to Ivy, if that’s okay.” She nodded and smiled. 

“More than okay.” 

“Good,” he said with a relieved sigh. “Well, enjoy your evening and I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

“Tomorrow,” she said with a smile. “Thank you again.” 

“You’re welcome,” he said quietly, clearing his throat and stepping back. “Night.” 

“Goodnight.” She turned and walked through the glass door, waving to him and he waved back with a smile. 

Walking a couple of blocks, he flagged down a cab, and rode back to Mary’s shop. 

The bell tingled as he walked in and she was standing just across the threshold as though she had been waiting for him. She nodded and he followed her to the register where Ella’s other books sat ready to be picked up. 

He paid for them, taking the receipt and the bag of books. They were each wrapped in different colors of tissue paper and tied with brown twine, the lantern decal bearing the shop's name hanging from it. 

“Thank you, Mary,” he said softly and she nodded. 

“Just a friend, huh?” she asked, a knowing smile on her face. 

“Yes,” he assured her and she nodded. 

“Mmhmm,” she hummed with another nod. He smiled and stepped away from the register, waving goodbye once again as he walked out the door. 

Who exactly are you trying to convince? he thought as he walked up the steps, smiling as he shook his head, not quite sure of the answer.  

[kangaroosmile]

You make me feel secure 🎄

description: After a long christmas show Minho is very tired but Jisung makes it his mission to make his Hyung feel better.

pairing: Minho x Jisung

genre: caring, relationship, tired Minho, after a christmas show

word count: 1.3 k

Do you want to read the other Advent Calendar days? Here is the Masterlist 24 to 25

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

It had been a long day but finally it was over. Following Chan, he slowly exited the stage that had been filled with hundreds of idols just a few minutes ago for the big finale of the Christmas show. Jisung felt Felix's small hands on his shoulders. Softly he patted them.

In silence the eight men walked through the corridors till they got to their room.

"Alright guys. Please hurry up a bit. You will be the third in place to leave today", explained their manager. Jisung let out a sigh and closed his eyes a moment before he started to pack everything up. He didn't expect they would have such scant time after their performance. Within a few minutes he had packed everything up and stood at the entrance waiting for the rest of the boys. It was then, when he noticed Minho's behaviour. It wasn't unusual for him to be tired after a show but he looked more tired than usual. Jisung felt bad. Minho had a lot of stages, two more than he had and he didn't even think about asking how he was, or maybe being near him. But before he could walk up to his Hyung they had to leave the room.

Outside people were waiting for them, screaming and taking pictures but luckily they didn't need to walk far to get into their cars. Softly Jisung tapped Felix on his shoulder.

"Can I have your seat and you go into the other car?", he whispered and tried to look at the younger one with puppy eyes. Felix's eyes went from Jisung to Minho and back.

"Sure. Take care of him." Jisung nodded and smiled at him.

"Of course I will."

"Good, good, Seungmin and Jeongin will go out to eat with Chan and I will stay at the other dorm." Now Jisungs smile grew into a smirk.

"Have fun with your boyfriends." For that he got a smack on his arm but Felix couldn't control the heat that was getting up his cheeks.

“I hate you”, his nearly twin muttered but turned to walk towards the other car.

Jisung got into the car right after Minho and sat down next to him instead of leaving a seat free. Minho on the other hand had his eyes closed and didn't even bother to open them to check who sat down next to him. Jisung waited till the car doors were closed and the car started to drive, only then he intertwined their hands.

“Leave me alone”, he heard the older one mutter quietly, who was trying to loosen their hands.

“You did really well today and I know that you are tired”, Jisung whispered, while he carried Minho's hand.

“Why are you so annoying?” Minhos words hurt Jisung a bit but then he also knew that he didn't mean them.

“You know me. I will annoy you no matter what”, he whispered with a soft smile on his face. “The other will be out but I will take care of you, Hyung.”

“I don't need you to take care of me. Can do that myself.” To Jisung the older man sounded like a stubborn child.

“I will do it”, insisted Jisung, laying his head gently on Minho's shoulder.

“Do whatever you want.” That was not a no. Jisung let out a satisfied sigh and closed his eyes for a moment.

When they arrived at their building, Minho loosened their hands and walked ahead. Sometimes Jisung hated Minho, not really of course but he hated that Minho wouldn't show how he was really feeling. Of course there were moments when his Hyung would openly show him his emotions but it was really rare. He hated that even after all the years they knew each other Minho didn't want to be a burden for him, for all of the boys. Needless to say that he would never be a burden to them.

Jisung closed the door behind him and was met with silence. For a while Minho just stood in the middle of the entrance and didn't move. Fastly Jisung got out of his clothes and then walked up to Minho.

“Let me help you”, he offered and started to open the older one's coat. While he hung up the coat Minho got out of his shoes and then looked towards Jisung. With a warm smile the younger man pulled Minho towards the living room. “Sit down. I will make us something to eat and maybe tea?” Jisung placed his hands on Minho's shoulders and pressed him down onto the sofa. Then he quickly walked towards the kitchen and looked for ramen and herbal tea. While the water was boiling, he cutted some vegetables and prepared two bowls. Tea-kettle started to whistle. Jisung poured the water over the ramen and closed them with two plates. He poured the remaining water into two cups and placed the tea bags in them.

In the meantime Minho had covered himself with one of their heating blankets and was watching recent videos of his cats that his mother had sent him. When Jisung entered the living room with a tray in his hands, he nearly cooed over Minho who was looking all soft right now. He placed the tray on the coffee table in front of the sofa and sat down next to Minho. Slowly Minho looked up from his phone. He looked tired but now Jisung could also see something else.

“I made ramen”, he whispered, taking the plates away.

“It's smelling good”, muttered Minho. He laid down his phone on the armrest and stretched out his hands while he closed and opened his hands. With a giggle, Jisung handed the bowl and chopsticks over. They ate in silence but it felt strangely healing. Jisung never had that before with another person. Maybe Minho was just different.

“Let me take the empty bowls away”, Jisung muttered after they had both finished their ramen. When he came back Minho lifted up his blanket. He didn't say anything but this silent invitation was enough for Jisung. He got under the blanket next to Minho, who started to hug him right away. Smiling, Jisung laid his head against Minho's chest and closed his eyes for a moment.

“I… I'm sorry for earlier”, breathed Minho as he was playing with Jisungs hair.

“Sometimes it's hard to show how you are really feeling, I know that. But I think, over the years I got better at reading you. I'm there for you no matter what, Hyung.” Jisung backed off a bit to have a better look at his Hyung.

“Thanks for having patience with me Jisungie.” Jisung nearly melted.

“Always”, he responded and gave Minho a little kiss on the cheek.

“You know”, started Minho to say, a light smirk appeared on his lips and his eyes started to glim mischiefly. “Im super tired from this long, long day and I think a kiss on the lips would give me some energy again.” Jisung didn't wait long to fulfil Minho's wish. His lips met Minho’s in the middle. Their kiss was slow and calm but Jisung still felt warmth building up inside him. His hands found their way towards Minho's soft cheeks, while the latter pulled him even closer.

“You know, you could have ask for his earlier, if it makes you feel less tired”, giggled Jisung against the older one's lips, when they parted.

“Next time I will ask right away.” Their lips met again. The way Minho was holding Jisung made him feel secure.

“I love you”, whispered Jisung.

“I love you too, Hannie”, Minho responded and Jisung couldn't feel any happier, because it was the first time Minho had said it back to him. With a wide smile he kissed his Minho again.

❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

You can find more of my stories under Stray Kids Masterlist

[howifeltabouthim]

We had never had so many hours together, and by morning we were changed.

Siri Hustvedt, from The Blindfold

[emotionsofateen]

Selena Gomez Via Priscilla’s Instagram 😁

[crazycatkatetrap]

Long Live The King Chapter 11 : Secrets, Secrets

So after Moon was abandoned by the caravan, he was helped out by and became good friends with a fellow drifter named Monty (That's actually why this chapter is titled that; nobody knew about Monty, and especially no one in the palace knew Moon would sneak out to visit him😉)

Wonder what Monty meant by ON the Nile . . . .🤫

[thylocalswampcreature]

I am alive btw

I am spending time with one of the most important ppl in my life <3

[mias-back-from-the-dead]

tbh i think the funniest phenomena that's been happening in the last couple years is "youtuber, having gone too deep into the research hole, has been made an investigative journalist against their will"

[dreamaboutwhathappens]

i read the first outlander book and loved it so much and then started the second one and i’m so devastated

[euesworld]

Us when I go for the remote when we are sitting on the couch together..

[atths--twice]

Chapter Fifteen

It's Ivy's birthday and an invitation has been extended to Fox to join them for her special dinner.

Tuesday 

“I have something for you,” Dana said, coming to Fox’s table Tuesday afternoon before she left for the day. 

“Do you?” he asked, smiling at her. 

“I do. Ivy wanted to give it to you herself, but we’re having dinner with my hairdresser friend tonight. Tomorrow we have to get some things done before we go to my sister’s for Christmas and we need to get the birthday goodie bags ready for Ivy’s classmates on Thursday, so we wouldn’t have time to swing by before then.” 

“Okay,” he laughed when she had run out of breath. She smiled and handed him a small envelope covered in birthday stickers. 

“It’s an invitation to join us for her birthday dinner on Thursday at our apartment.” 

“Oh,” he said, peeling off a large pink balloon, opening the envelope, and taking out the card inside. 

Uneven lines had been drawn across the blank card and words were spelled out in a child’s handwriting. Words had been left to continue onto the next line, the space having run out, but he could understand what it said. He grinned as he nodded, his finger touching the smiling panda sticker beside Ivy’s name. 

“Can you make it?” Dana asked softly. “You will be the only guest as my family is too far away to come down for the night. We’ll celebrate when we see them soon.” 

“The only guest?” he asked and she nodded. “A very high honor indeed. Please tell her that I’d like nothing more and I’d be delighted to attend,” he said and she laughed through her nose as she nodded. 

“She’ll be ecstatic to hear it.” 

______________

He stood outside their apartment on Thursday evening, having held the door for a man who was laden down with Christmas gifts. Their muffled voices could be heard through the door and he smiled as Dana laughed. 

He knocked on the door, shifting his gift for Ivy from his right to his left hand. It grew quiet as he waited, but a few seconds later, the door was opened and Dana stood before him in black yoga pants and a dark green sweater, her hair down and wavy, smiling happily at him. 

“Come in,” she said, stepping aside and reaching to take the large rainbow colored bag, with the many pieces of brightly colored rainbow tissue paper inside, from him. 

“That’s okay. I got it,” he said, nodding as he walked inside, breathing in a wonderful aroma of whatever she was cooking, and she closed the door. “Sorry for not calling up, I followed one of your neighbors inside.” 

“That’s okay. We were just-”

“Fox!” Ivy yelled, running into the room and stopping short, her eyes widening when she saw the bag he held in his hand. 

He smiled as he looked at the outfit she wore. Over black leggings, she wore a vivid rainbow colored tutu, a dark purple long sleeved shirt that had the design of a large cupcake with a pink shiny wrapper, white frosting, rainbow sprinkles, and six multicolored candles, and a pink headband with rainbow letters that said Happy Birthday on her head, her hair in two long ponytails. 

“Is that for me? For my birthday?” she asked and he nodded. 

“It is,” he said, handing her the bag and smiling when she wiggled happily as she held it. “Happy birthday, Miss Ivy.” 

“Thank you, Fox! Oh, it’s heavy! Can I open it right now, Mommy?” 

“Sure, baby. It’s your birthday.” 

“Yay!” she shouted and set the bag on the floor, pulling out the tissue paper excitedly and dropping it to the floor. 

She took out the first gift and tore off the purple tissue paper to find a large box that held a pop up pink castle tent, and her jaw dropped. 

“Ohhhh! Wow! It’s a castle! I love it!” 

“Do you already have one?” Fox asked nervously, watching her reaction. 

“Nope! My cousin has one that has mermaids on it, but this is so much better! It’s a castle!” She smiled at him and he sighed in relief. 

“Good. I thought maybe you and Pandy would like to play in it.” 

“Ohh… Yes! Hang on!” She set the box down and ran to her bedroom. 

“She’ll love that. Thank you, Fox,” Dana said quietly and he turned to look at her. She smiled softly and he nodded. 

“You’re welcome.” 

They continued to look at one another, neither of them speaking, until Ivy returned and his attention diverted to her. 

“Pandy! Look, it’s a real castle! Just like you’ve always wanted!” 

“Oh!” Ivy said in Pandy’s high British voice. “It’s simply beautiful! But it looks small. Is it small?” 

“No, Pandy,” Ivy, in her regular voice, said with a giggle. “It’s not out of the box yet. It will be much bigger.” 

“I see,” she continued as Pandy. “Then could we have it built? Excuse me, Mister Fox, could you please build the castle for me?” 

“And me!” Ivy said, raising her arm into the air and jumping up and down. 

“Of course,” he said, grinning and then laughing, as he glanced at Dana who was covering her mouth and hiding her smile. “Give me a couple of minutes and I’ll have it up in no time.” 

“Good,” Ivy said as Pandy and Fox pointed to the gift bag. 

“How about you check out the rest of the gifts and then we could put up the tent?” 

“Tent? No, it is a castle,” Ivy said as Pandy, shaking the panda’s head and sighing loudly. 

“My apologies, your Highness. It is indeed a castle. Let’s wait for Ivy to open the rest of her gifts and then I will build the castle.” 

“Thank you.” Ivy bowed Pandy toward him and he laughed. She set Pandy down on the table and looked into the bag once again. 

Taking out a flat gift wrapped in red tissue, she tore it off and smiled. 

“A coloring book!” she said, dropping the tissue onto the floor. “Oh. No, it’s not. What is it?” 

He laughed and took the book from her. It was the notebook he had bought at the bookshop with Dana, of which he had carefully removed the previously filled pages. Now it was blank and ready to be filled. 

“So, it’s a journal, but it has places on each page to also add a picture to correlate, to go with, your story. Like the picture you drew of Funny Bunny? Well, you could draw the picture here,” he said, showing her a blank page. “And then you could have your mom help you write the story, or you could do it yourself, explaining your picture. I thought you would like having all your stories in one place.” 

She took the book back and thumbed through the pages, nodding as she started to smile. 

“I could put lots of stories in here. Thank you!” 

“You’re welcome.” 

He smiled at her and she smiled back as she set the book onto the table and reached into the bag for the last gift. 

She ripped off the blue tissue paper from the box and it also fell to the floor. He glanced at Dana and she shrugged with a smile. 

“Ohhhhh! It’s a… it has lights! Ohhh! I love it.” 

“It’s a night light for you to make, however you want it to look.” 

“It has bunnies! And a tree with pink leaves! And mushrooms!” 

“They’re called toadstools,” he corrected her and she nodded. 

“Right. I heard that word before. Can we make it now? Will you help me, Fox?” 

“Sure!” he said, turning his head and looking at Dana. “Are we eating soon?” 

“It can keep. If you want to do it now,” she said, smiling at both of them. 

“You sure? I don’t want…” 

“It’s stew and bread. It can keep.” She smiled again and he frowned. 

“Stew?” 

“You don’t like stew?” 

“No, I do. I love it, actually. I’m just surprised because… didn’t you say she picks her birthday meal?” 

“I did,” she said with a grin. “And every year that she’s been able to express what she wants, it’s been stew.” 

“Well,” he said, raising his eyebrows and smiling. “She’s got good taste. It’s been a while since I’ve had a good stew.” 

“Mommy makes the best stew in the whole entire universe,” Ivy said, looking at the night light kit box. 

“The entire universe? Even better than her chocolate milk?” He teased her and she raised her head, tilting it in consideration. 

“Yes. But the chocolate milk is still very good.” 

“It is,” he agreed and Ivy nodded. “Okay! Let’s get started on that night light!” He clapped his hands together and began to unbutton his coat. 

__________

“So why do you pick stew as your birthday meal?” Fox asked, a half an hour later. 

The night light had been made and was currently sitting in the middle of the table, the small strand of lights shining. The bunnies had been placed beside a toadstool each, the tree standing in the center, and the clear lid had been placed over it.

He had also put the castle up, blowing a pretend trumpet to announce when it was finished. 

“Thank you, Mister Fox,” Ivy said as Pandy, bowing to him once again. “It is a truly splendid castle.” 

He had bowed in return, holding the door flap open for her as Ivy walked inside of it with a giggle. Showing Pandy around, she had then decided to add blankets and pillows to the castle as he had cleared away the mess he had made. 

“No one should have to clean and help with boring things on their birthday,” he had told Dana as he threw the trash away and she had ladled steaming stew into a white bowl with rainbow colored polka dots. 

“Of course not,” she had said, smiling at him. “Or eat out of boring, everyday bowls. These are special occasion bowls.” 

“I like the way you do birthdays,” he had said and she laughed as she reached for the next bowl.

Fox watched Ivy fish a carrot from her bowl and eat it, then dip her bread in the stew before he asked her again. 

“Ivy?” 

“Yes?” she replied, taking a bite and looking at him. He smiled and handed her a napkin to wipe her mouth. 

“Why do you pick stew for your birthday meal?” 

“Because I like it.” 

“I can see that you do,” he said with a chuckle. 

“And Mommy says that having special things on your birthday is how it should be celebrated.” 

“Okay,” he mused, taking a bite of what was possibly the best stew he had ever eaten. “So what if you asked for stew next week?” 

“But my birthday is today,” she said, looking at him as though he had lost his mind. He started to laugh and nodded his head as he chewed. 

“Okay. I understand now.” 

“Okay,” she said and ate a big piece of potato, wiping her mouth on her napkin. 

“Yeah,” Dana said, catching his eye and smiling as she handed him another piece of bread. “Best not to question things sometimes.” 

“I’m beginning to find that’s the case,” he laughed, taking the bread from her. “Thank you. This is delicious.” 

“I didn’t make it. I bought it at the bakery.” 

“No, I meant the stew,” he explained and she smiled as she tilted her head. “Oh, I see. You’re both gonna tease me? The enigmatic Scully women find my confusion comical… how kind.” 

“Oh, enigmatic… I like the sound of that,” Dana said, taking another bite of her stew. He laughed and then they fell silent as they ate their meal. 

When they were finished and Ivy had gone back to her tent, Fox helped Dana clear the table and offered to wash the dishes. 

“You don’t have to, I got it.” 

“I don’t mind,” he said with a smile, turning the water on to warm up and pushing up the sleeves of his dark gray sweater. 

“You like folding laundry. Like washing dishes,” she said and he looked at her over his shoulder as he scraped and rinsed off the dishes. 

“I’m not sure like is the word I’d use, but I don’t mind doing it,” he explained and she hummed. 

“And you’re still single, why?” she asked in a teasing tone and he nearly dropped the plate he was holding. 

“Mommy!” Ivy called and thankfully Dana’s attention was diverted and she did not see how red his face had become. 

He paid better attention to the task at hand, not saying anything to Dana when she set the dirty crock of the slow cooker beside him and gently touched his back. 

“I got her an adorable cake,” she said softly and he nodded, still not trusting his voice. “A small one, as it’s just us, but I really like how it turned out.” 

“That’s good,” he said, clearing his throat. 

“Yeah.” 

Dishes done, he washed and dried his hands. Turning around, he saw she was standing behind him watching Ivy as she played in her tent and talking to her stuffed animals that had been brought inside. 

“Life goes by so fast,” she whispered, shaking her head. “She was a baby… and now she’s six. So big and so grown up.” She sighed and he looked over at Ivy, hearing her laugh as she moved one of her animals. 

“She’s still little,” he said, trying to reassure her. 

“Oh, I know,” she agreed with a small smile. “It’s just… things change so fast. It doesn’t seem like it when you’re in it, but they do. I was thinking about when she laughed for the first time, a really deep belly laugh. I cried.” She looked at him and rolled her eyes as she smiled. 

“That’s understandable.” 

“Yeah…” she said with a sigh. “When she rolled over, crawled, walked… I cried every time. And when she said mama for the first time…” She shook her head and he saw tears in her eyes. She laughed and then exhaled a crying breath. “I was a mess.”

“She’s your child. That’s your heart living outside of your body. Of course you cried. You experienced first hand the love that your heart holds.” He smiled and shrugged as her mouth opened slowly and tears slid down her cheeks. 

“That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard,” she breathed and his eyes widened as more tears fell. 

“I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m sorry.” 

She took a step closer to him and grasped two of his fingers, squeezing them gently. He smiled softly as he stared into her eyes, raising his hand to wipe away her tears. She closed her eyes and he drew in a deep breath. 

“Can we have cake now, Mommy?” 

Dana’s eyes flew open and she let go of his hand, her cheeks very pink. She wiped her face and stepped back two steps. 

“Mommy?” 

“Yes, baby. Let me get it ready.” 

“Okay.” 

“Dana,” Fox said softly and she shook her head as she looked away from him. 

“Could you get the plates? They’re in that cupboard there.” 

She pointed, not meeting his eyes as she opened the refrigerator to take out a pink bakery box. He sighed as he nodded and took out three plates that matched their dinner bowls. 

“It’s okay,” she said, cutting the tape from the box with a knife. “I’m just a little emotional today. Don’t mind me.” 

“Dana,” he said again and she smiled at him with a nod. 

“It’s okay. We’re good.” 

“Okay.” 

“Now,” she said, opening the box. “Take a look at this cake. Ivy, love, come here and see it.” 

He watched Dana as Ivy squealed and ran over to join them in the kitchen, but he did not see any further signs of sadness or awkwardness. She hugged Ivy and kissed her repeatedly on the head before Ivy pulled away, laughing and asking to see the cake. Dana lifted her up and Ivy gasped as she saw it. 

“It’s so beautiful!” 

“Do you love it?”

“I do, Mommy! Thank you!” Ivy squeezed Dana around the neck and she laughed as she hugged her back. 

“I’m glad you do, Ivy, Ivy bo-bivy,” Dana said and Ivy giggled. 

“Mommy, mommy bo-bomy,” Ivy replied and they both laughed. 

Fox smiled even as he felt the familiar pang of loneliness inside of him that he had been feeling lately, especially when he was around them. He felt like an outsider, even though he had been invited in, and he found he did not like it. 

Did not like feeling apart from a life he now realized he dearly wanted. 

And not just a life, but this life. A life with them. With the woman who had intrigued him since their first meeting. Her intelligence and sense of humor  had pulled him in immediately. Finding out about Ivy had only drawn him in further. 

He wanted to be a part of their life, but he knew that voicing his desires could possibly scare her and destroy the best relationship he had ever had. 

Friendship, he reminded himself. You’re just friends. 

“Fox, do you like my cake?” Ivy asked and he blinked his eyes as he let out a sharp hum, his thoughts miles away. 

“What?” he asked, frowning as he shook his head. “What did you ask me, Ivy? I’m sorry I didn’t hear you.” 

Dana was still holding her and they were cheek to cheek as they stared at him. Ivy was smiling, but Dana was wearing a concerned expression. 

God, he wanted to hug them both, to pull them to him and squeeze them tight. To laugh at their inside jokes and make his own with them, hearing them laugh at something he said. 

Instead, he smiled and shook his head again. 

“I’m sorry, I was thinking about what you could possibly wish for when you blow out your candles since you already have an actual castle in your living room.” 

Ivy giggled and turned to look at the castle near the Christmas tree. 

“Maybe an even bigger castle?” she asked with a sly smile and he snapped his fingers as he pointed at her. 

“That’s some good thinking,” he said and she laughed as Dana set her down. 

“Go to the table and I’ll bring out your cake so you can make that wish,” Dana said, patting Ivy’s bottom and giving her a small push toward the table. 

Turning around, she looked at Fox and he smiled with a nod. 

“Candles?” 

“The drawer behind you,” she said, pointing to the left. He nodded and went to get them. 

He selected six pink and white striped ones and brought them over to her looking at the cake for the first time. 

It was round with teal frosting, pastel colored confetti sprinkles along the bottom, and pink swirly dollops of frosting along the top. 

“Perfect cake,” he said, as Dana took the cake from the box. 

“Thanks,” she said and he held the candles out to her. “You can do it if you’d like. I’ll get the lighter.” 

“Oh… yeah. I can do that,” he said, smiling with a nod. 

He placed them in carefully and smiled again when he was done. 

“Could you get the lights?” Dana said softly as she started to light the candles and he nodded, looking around for the light switches. 

Every light was extinguished aside from the lights on the tree and he looked at Ivy as Dana carried out the cake. 

“Happy birthday to you,” Dana started to sing and he joined in, watching Ivy’s grin grow as the candlelight lit up her face when the cake was placed in front of her. 

“Happy birthday dear Ivy,” they sang and she took a deep breath, rising up onto her knees in her chair. “Happy birthday to you.” 

She took another deep breath and closed her eyes, her mouth moving but no sound coming out. He glanced at Dana and saw she was smiling at Ivy. He smiled and turned his attention back to Ivy who was still speaking without sound, her hands planted on the table. 

“A long wish,” Dana said under her breath and through her teeth. 

“Hope you’re up for it,” he said back in the same manner and she snorted softly. 

Ivy drew in a very deep breath and blew out all of the candles in one go, smiling up at them when she was done. They clapped and Fox went to turn the lights back on while Dana grabbed the plates and utensils. 

The cake was confetti pink, he was informed when he exclaimed over it as Ivy was given her piece. 

“It’s the best cake,” Ivy said as she took a big bite. 

After tasting his own piece, he could not disagree. It was delicious. 

Plates and cake cleared away, he knew he needed to leave soon. Ivy had school in the morning and still needed to take a bath before bed. 

Reluctantly, wishing beyond anything that he could stay and find his place in this little family, he stood up and rubbed his hands together. 

“Well, I should be going,” he said, smiling ruefully. “Thank you so much for inviting, me Miss Ivy. I had a fabulous time.” 

“Thank you for my castle, Fox,” she said, coming over to him and hugging him around the waist. He smiled as he patted her back and rubbed her head, her headband long gone. 

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you and Pandy now have a castle.” 

“Me too,” Ivy said, squeezing him tightly. He laughed and she let go, smiling up at him. 

“I like my night light too. I’ll sleep with it in my room tonight.” 

“Good,” he said with a nod. She smiled again and then went back to her tent. 

He turned around to see Dana smiling as she leaned against the wall by the door with her arms crossed. He put his coat on and buttoned it, taking his scarf from his pocket as he walked toward her. 

“Thank you for inviting me,” he said quietly and she nodded. 

“Thank you for coming.” 

“You’re welcome.” 

He stared at her as he put his scarf around his neck. The sudden urge to kiss her was very strong, but he pushed it away, smiling as he put his hands in his pockets. 

“See you tomorrow,” he said and she nodded. 

“Tomorrow.” 

She moved to stand directly in front of him, her eyes holding his as she breathed in deeply. Her hands came up a little and then she put them back down, swallowing as she let out her breath. 

“Goodnight,” she whispered, turning to unlock and open the door. 

“Goodnight,” he whispered back, taking his hand from his pocket and gently squeezing her upper arm as he passed her. 

At the top of the stairs, he looked at her, smiling with a wave. She waved back and he began to walk down the stairs. Halfway down, he looked up and she was staring at him, her expression one he had never seen before. 

He waved again and she waved back, but her expression did not change. 

He thought about it the entire time he walked home and as he laid in bed attempting to sleep, wondering what had caused her to look at him that way. 

[pangur-and-grim]

oh, my beloved croissant.....

[lokutofu]

Father-Son mediation 🌿