#tasha mack

[247liveculture]

July 25th, 1967, Actress Wendy Raquel Robinson was born!

[filth-thezine]

Cowardice prevents many organizations from following through on their mission statements, from following them to their logical conclusions. Ste-Émilie took care of children, taught hairstyling, and hosted read-aloud clubs rather than hosting Molotov cocktail happy hours; like many anti-authoritarian service organizations in the city, we contributed to the dual power safety net that made possible more confrontational modes of activism. As such, we had access to that safety net, allowing us to take risks from which other organizations might have shied away.

https://cmagazine.com/articles/the-grace-of-it-all-movement-building-as-durational-choreography

[the-lady-writes-what]

A very long time ago, I received a lovely DM from @marziemoo when they asked about what are some recommendations for wlw/sapphic books about or written by authors of color. I apologize that it has taken me so long.

Allow me first to give some caveats:

I am very, very, very white. I am NOT a person of color. Please take my opinion with a grain of salt.

I take FOREVER to read books so, the ones I have read is small list but I have included ones that I researched and ones that have been on my To Read List for a while.

I tend to read mostly fantasy, so this list will comprise mostly of fantasy because that is what I read. I'll try to diversify with other genres. Everything except "The Jasmine Throne" I have not yet read.

Tasha Suri is a South Asian author whose work "The Jasmine Throne" depicts the story of an imprisoned princess and a priestess who hides from her past. It's passionate and powerful.

Warning: this book does depict or implicate harsher subjects and themes such as sexism, human sacrifice, and contains violence.

Kalynn Bayron, a black author. "Cinderella is Dead" tells the story of Sophia, who is forced with other girls to be forced into marriage two hundred years after Cinderella and her tale died. Sophia is joined with Constance, the last descendent of Cinderella and her step-sisters, to bring down the king. I haven't read this one yet, but it sits on my giant pile of To Read stack

This book by Leah Johnson tells the story of Liz Lighty, a midwest black girl. She's hoping to find financial aid so she can attend the college of her dreams. In order to do that, she has to become prom queen. Along comes Mack, the new girl, who is also vying for the prom queen crown. Sounds like rivals-to-lovers to me? I don't really read contemporary fiction, but the story premise is cute.

In Chinelo Okparanta's book, Ijeoma grows up as her nation gains independence and by the time she's 11, civil war breaks out. Ijeoma is sent away to safety where she comes across another displaced child. Friendship blooms and becomes a star-crossed romance. Again, I don't read a lot of contemporary fiction, but I might had this one to my reading list myself.

With the world's survival at stake, two teenagers are selected to journey to the Fairy Queen to fix it. Kaede and Taisin are drawn together during the mission. As members of their party succumb to unearthly attacks and fairy tricks, the two come to rely on each other and even begin to fall in love. This is a prequel to Malinda Lo's series, Ash.

Originally published in 1995, LarissaLai weaves a story in and out of medieval China to contemporary Vancouver. The book follows a thousand year old fox spirit, a 9th century Taoist poet and nun, and a young Asian-American named Artemis.

Makeda Hicks just lost her job and girlfriend in one fell swoop. She doesn't want to hear stories from her grandmother about her whirlwind affairs with royals and agents. So when Beznaria Chetchevaliere crashes into her life, Makeda can't resist. Only one bed and fake marriage hijinks insues!

Lei, in Natasha Ngan's book, Girls of Paper and Fire, lives with her father years after her mother is taken by the royal guards and disappeared. Now, they've come for Lei, whose rumored beauty has intrigued the king. Lei enters the opulent yet oppressive palace to train with eight other young women to please the king. A forbidden romance begins with Lei and she begins to question how far she would go for revenge.

In Tehlor Kay Mejia's premiere novel, 'We Set the Dark on Fire,' writes a compelling story that mirrors real world issues of immigration and equality. Daniela Vargas is the top student at Medio School for Girls. As a top student, upon graduation her paths are limited, run a husband's household or raise his children. Will Daniela chose the life of privilege her parents fought for or will she join the resistance to bring true freedom to Medio, and perhaps forbidden love?

Seventeen year old Lil and her twin sister, Kizzy are captured and taken away from their traveler community. Forced to work in the kitchens, Lil is drawn to another slave, Mira. Lil and the others discover and fight for a fate of their own making. (Through some research, I discovered that the author, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, is of Indian descent through her mother and lives in Oxford.)

Yetu remembers everything. She remembers the people who came before her, the pregnant African women thrown overboard by their enslavers. In order to escape this burden and the memories, Yetu travels to the surface to discover her past and a future for her people.

Manuela Azul lives a confined life in a small Florida apartment hiding from both her father's crime family in Argentina and ICE. On the run, she discovers a world within our own and one which Manuela discovers something about herself that could rock her world.

This Hugo award-winning novel by S.L. Huang, is a retelling of the Western fairy tale classic, Little Red Riding Hood. Only this time, Red Riding Hood is done with wolves and forests. Combing fairy tale nostalgia and Chinese folklore, the main characters, Rosa, Red Riding Hood, and Hou Yi the Archer join forces and set forth on a quest to stop the deadly sunbirds from destroying everything they hold dear.

[thegeminisage]

WELL. it is time for the final tng update (until the movies ig). last night we watched the series finale, "all good things" parts i & ii.

all good things (not differentiating parts):

my main takeaway from this episode is that they somehow managed to bring back tasha yar, only to 1. have her do absolutely nothing 2. die again?? they have killed tasha yar three times. hat trick for dead tasha yar

second takeaway: old people makeup. i couldn't find any gifs for this episode because when you go in the tag they're all just comparisons with picard the show. which IS kind of fun, admittedly. losers in the old people makeup department: riker. winners: beverly. hers was kinda hot ngl. milf.

conceptually this episode kind of fucked. like, three eras of having to be in the same place, coordinating stuff over 4D space via rapid shifting...that's cool. there was a cool episode buried in here somewhere. i think the problem was 1. it took way too long to figure out what was going on 2. the three eras in question were season 1 of tng (bad), season 7 of tng (also bad), and tng 25 bad future. i have lots to say about the bad future in a sec but let's not get distracted. because all of these eras were bad, it wasn't very exciting to be coordinating stuff across them. i TOTALLY understand the temptation to bookend the show by going back to the pilot, but the sad truth is the pilot was AWFUL. q has largely been annoying and the trial was one of his MORE annoying appearances.

on the bad future: worf and riker fighting over deanna being DEAD somehow and us not getting any more information was pretty awful, especially since they sort of seemed to be having a fight about deanna in the present-day too. i don't like them fighting over her but i REALLY thing the deanna/worf was so rushed...riker is normally so chill too, it doesn't make any sense. plus it's absolutely bonkers that picard came back and DIDNT warn deanna she had 5 years to live. come on!!!

if geordi really grew back his eyes bc of the anomaly, why are they blue in the future? they look like prosthetics or something. also can't we just give him brown eyes cmon. also, it's SICK AND DISGUSTING they married him to leah. i like geordi, but his thing w women made liking him difficult, so thanks for reminding us of his absolute WORST moment right as we're saying goodbye to him forever

someone on the aos team did not do their research. romulus was destroyed in 2387, and the last season of tng is in 2370. that means this future era took place in 2395, eight years after romulus was destroyed. it would have been such an easy thing to avoid, too. you could have simply had spock and nero travel back from 2395 instead of 2387. like it's that easy. NOTHING would have to change except a number. this isn't even tng's fault like how could they know what crimes that man would commit. this is all on him. i like the aos movies but girl what the hell

wins for the future: data crazy cat lady. and everyone gaslighting picard. and beverly being soooo hot

the problem w this future is that it doesn't say anything about anyone except "you guys drifted apart without the mission to hold you together and forgot you needed each other." actually, it didn't say that second part, though i wished it had. the episode was also a bit muddied in that respect...like, what did it episode SAY about those three eras, other than "don't stop being friends later"? what did it SAY about picard and his crew? this is the finale, and there weren't any goodbyes or big character moments for anybody except picard, who had to have his big character moment in the fucking farpoint courtroom.

we did get canon worf/deanna and picard/beverly but she TURNED HIM DOWN EARLIER and only started macking on him when she found out she might die (just in time to get herself on the will and no that's not my joke). STAY STRONG...YOU DON'T NEED HIM...beverly crusher, i could be your man.

in a final act of hilarity, at the very end, picard INVITED HIMSELF TO CARDS. while i am always thrilled for poker games, and was feeling a genuine emotion about the last scene being a poker game, the profound silence when picard showed up at the door really dragged me out of it. "you were always welcome" HE LITERALLY TRIED TO DO THIS ONCE AND YOU GUYS THOUGHT IT WAS WEIRD

oh yeah. final note. can't believe they pussied out of shearing jonathan frakes for that flashback section. they just photoshop magicked that shit. it was clever, but it was cowardly

i really wish s7 of tng had been good...we had a few good ones near the beginning but the ones near the end were ALL duds. i could have forgiven so many crimes if we had gone out on a high note. tng WAS very good sometimes. i know they had it in them. unfortunately they generally chose to be ass instead, and as a result tng went out the way it came in: in the very worst courtroom scene in the entire world. rest in pieces.

NEXT TIME: ds9's "tribunal" and "the jem'hadar."

[cheviitheegoddii]

Thee Tasha Mack!!

Wendy Raquel Robinson in The Steve Harvey Show, 1998

[lboogie1906]

Wendy Raquel Robinson (July 25, 1967) is an actress. She is known for her roles as high school principal Regina “Piggy” Grier on The Steve Harvey Show and as sports agent Tasha Mack on The Game.

She was born in Los Angeles. She attended Howard University, where she graduated cum laude with a BFA. She made her acting debut in 1993 on an episode of Martin. She guest-starred on episodes of Thea and The Sinbad Show. She co-starred in Minor Adjustments. She appeared on the short-lived sketch comedy series Cedric the Entertainer Presents. She made guest appearances on The Parkers, All of Us, and The New Adventures of Old Christine. She has appeared in several films including The Walking Dead, followed by roles in A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Ringmaster, Two Can Play That Game, and Rebound. She played Miss California in the film Miss Congeniality.

She appeared on Grey’s Anatomy. She was cast as Cruella de Vil in The Descendants. She has appeared in the film Flatliners and had a recurring role in The Mayor.

She was cast in the comedy-drama series Grand Hotel. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #sigmagammarho

[fantaseaaa]

I feel like every black girl needed a Clair Huxtable, Vivian Banks, Lisa Landry Sims, Harriette Winslow, Tasha Mack (yes, Tasha Mack), Tanya Baxter and Florida Evans.

[delta7of96]

'The Game': Wendy Raquel Robinson And Hosea Chanchez On Show's Staying Power, Tasha And Malik's Ever-Changing Dynamic And More - SHADOW & ACT

[kimberlychapman]

Indeed, and some of us take those TNG Tech Manual documents and apply them to the Sternbach blueprints and make ourselves excessively detailed ship maps so we can better-than-canon-accurately number all the rooms we invent for our fic.

[image: Detailed deck labelling for the Enterprise D.]

This is my main blueprint for writing the SpaceDad Stories. I bought the Sternbach blueprint box and photographed them so I could markup my own digital versions while preserving the paper ones. I used Preview to draw pleasingly rainbow lines by decks so it's easier for my eye to follow all the way along. And yes, they extend to the fore in a separate graphic but I rarely use that one.

I also took a screencap from a digital version of the Tech Manual (I have the paper version from when it was newly released, I am that old of a nerd) and used multiple Preview windows to line them up, then drew these grey dash lines over the drive section to label the drive's sectors on here.

I can then refer to whatever deck I need in the rest of the blueprints and use the Tech Manual's descriptions to suss out a logical room number.

For instance my OC's room is on this deck, so I have done extensive work here, including defining turbolift stop numbers by the same numbering system:

[image: Detail and notes for Deck 31 of the Enterprise D.]

So this way I can describe that anyone visiting Anna in her lab or her quarters can get oft the turbolift and the door is more or less right across the hall. This also lets me define other parameters of those rooms in a consistent way.

What happens if I want a room that isn't on the blueprints? I fanfic it...that is, I make it up. But I edit the blueprints (again, in Preview, I don't have the money or spoons for fancy editing software) so that I know where things are, thus allowing my writing to be incredibly consistent. In Book Four, which I am currently writing (but I've been ill a lot so it's taking forever), a lot of time is spent on this deck so while I defined some of these spaces in Book Three, I rely on my edited blueprints more heavily in Book Four, actually describing what the characters see in the rooms because I have it right there in my blueprint notes:

[image: Deck 39 of the Enteprise D with edits and notes.]

Mack is another OC, another survivor of the same colony Tasha Yar escaped from. In fact Tasha helped her escape and brought her aboard as cargo crew, and as a friend of Tasha's the senior officers are very protective of her. I wrote her before Prodigy was on the air, but her trauma is a lot like Rok-Tahk's, only more grown-up, CW CW CW.

Anyway, in one of the earlier books I needed my main OC Anna to use industrial replicators, and there aren't any on the blueprints, so I defined this space as Mack's bay where she oversees those and other cargo issues. So I drew in a wall's worth of large replicators that can "print" flooring sheets for Jefferies tubes because that's what Anna was experimenting with at the time.

Aisling Navarro (and the whole Navarro family) is another OC, her family being introduced more in Book Four, and she has a habit of taking vulnerable young women under her wing, hence her lunch room down near where Mack is. In her group is canonical character Ensign Tyler, whom Memory Beta gives a first name of Andrea in some semi-canon works. Given that Book Three covered "Phantasms" you can expect some discussion of Tyler's crush on La Forge in that lunch room in Book Four.

So yeah, to answer the OP way up there...the crew know their way around, and so do us hardcore fic writers. :D

star_trek_empty_corridors

[copiouscouples]

Tell Me There Are Other People Out There Watching The Game Reboot on Paramount+

I can’t be the only one?

I just binge watched the first season and first couple episodes of season 2. It’s really good.

Some Thoughts:

It’s definitely more of a dramedy than a sitcom.

While it’s an ensemble cast, it seems to be primarily driven by Tasha Mack and Malik. Tasha Mack is definitely the most dynamic and interesting character, but I’d love some of the other characters to be fleshed out more. Like Garrett. We just need to see more of Garrett, ok?

I like Brittany and her roommate while a bit off-putting at first (who doesn’t let a friend crash at their place for free for a few days? I mean, I know it turned into something long-term, but asking for rent minutes after your friend shows up seems a bit much) has grown on me a bit. I think their friendship is kind of cute now.

Hmm, the way the manager guy looked at Garrett during his interview with Raquel - something’s fishy there. 

I’m not really feeling any of the current ships outside of Tasha and her husband. Raquel and Garrett don’t really have chemistry. As much as I like Brittany, I kind of would rather the Jamison and Allison relationship be explored instead.

I think outside of Tasha and Brittany the female cast is weak - very few women on the show in general and essentially only two that are main characters. We could use a few more women added to the show.

And maybe they’ll touch on it again soon considering the timeliness of the strike and such, but it seems like they kind of dropped Malik’s mental health storyline. Ultimately, I’d like to see it where he goes in to see a therapist and talk some of his issues out. He and his mom might be fine now but it’s clear he has some jealousy issues about her and her other clients that he needs to sort out. 

I’m not sure how I feel about the strike storyline. Overall, it’s not that interesting of a story and I kind of hope they jettison past it soon. Opinion wise, I’m not sure where I fall. On one hand, football is a contact sport and high risk - insurance is needed because you never know what might pop up later in life. On the other hand, the lowest salary for NFL players is $600K a year. There are so many people out there who don’t even make 1/20th of that who have the same or worse health conditions caused by their workplace. It’s not like you don’t know what you’re in for when it comes to football as opposed to working class people who are exposed to toxins, chemicals, etc. that weren’t part of their job description. TL;DR: I get where they’re coming from and why they want what they want but I’m not gonna sob into my pillow at night about it.

Final Thoughts: Season 2 looks to be more drama-filled than the first and I’m here for it.

[ijustthinkevilunoisneat]

[baileysbabbles]

I just watched Lottery Ticket and it’s actually pretty good. It’s mostly lighthearted and sweet but it’s got pretty funny moments and it’s not very inappropriate. The characters are really well done and so is the acting. The plot was pretty predictable but that didn’t really make it very boring. It was just a really cute, funny and crazy story with a very feel good message at the end. I especially liked Kevin and Stacy and Kevin and Benny’s friendship was really sweet. Mr. Washington and Kevin’s other four buddies were my favorite side characters.

[prowrestlingpost-com]

Brace for IMPACT for 7/15/21 (Slammiversary Go-Home Show)

What is in store in the Go-Home edition of #IMPACT leading into #Slammiversary ? Brace for IMPACT on 7/15/21 #IMPACTonAXSTV

Slammiversary returns live on pay-per-view this Saturday night. It’s been a long road from Rebellion, but now it’s time for Kenny Omega to defend the IMPACT World Championship. Last week, Kenny signed the contract along with his opponent Sami Callihan. But we still have to put all the pieces together for the stacked card on Saturday night. This is Brace For IMPACT for 7/15/21, where we break down…

[riveramorylunar]

The Purple Haired Beauty

Chapter 2 of Diamond Ridge University

Pairings: Nemuri x Reader

Warnings ⚠️: Just Nemuri flirting with Reader 👀

Pet Names/Nicknames: Darling Girl & Cutie

Word Count: 1,213

Y/N's Pov:

I woke up the next morning when a blinding light had shown through the window. "Rise n shine rommie" I heard a cheerful voice say and I just groaned before putting a pillow over my head. "Come on you don't want to be late for your first lecture of the day" the cheery voice said and I huffed before sitting up. I looked up to see a girl with blonde hair and hazel eyes.

"Come on" she said and I got up off my bed before going into the bathroom.

As I walked out of the bathroom after taking a shower and getting ready I saw the girl sitting on her bed while texting on her phone. "I never got your name" I said and she looked up before blushing. "Right uh it's Stella it's nice to finally meet you" she said before standing up. "It's finally nice to meet you too" I said smiling and she smiled back. We walked out of our dorm room heading to the elevator.

We arrived at the main building where all the lectures were. "Y/N" I heard Peter shout and I looked up to see him and Alice walking over. We walked into the building together as we talked.

"NEMURI'S BACK" I heard someone shout as I was in the cafeteria with Stella, Peter & Alice. The whole cafeteria went silent as I looked up from where I was sitting and saw the most beautiful woman in the world walking into the cafeteria. She had the most beautiful long dark purple hair and sky blue eyes. She had a navy blue blazer resting on her shoulders while she pushed her rimless glasses up. As she was walking towards the counter we locked eyes and she smiled before walking over to my table. She leaned against the table with her hands flat against it.

"Well hello cutie what's your name" she said making my face flush. "Shouldn't you be with your friends" I heard Stella say and I looked over at her to see her glaring at the purple haired beauty. Nemuri just ignored her and just kept looking at me. "So you're the new girl Tasha and Mack were right when they said you were cute" she said before chuckling. She leaned closer to me before placing her pointer finger under my chin while her thumb was just below my bottom lip. She pulled me closer to her and our faces were only centimeters apart. I felt her breath against my lips and I gulped before looking down at them. Her lips were stained a dark red color. I looked back up to see her glint with mischief causing my face to flush again. She leaned even closer to me and I felt her breath against my ear. "You're cute when you're flustered I'll see you later cutie" she rasped out before pulling away completely. She winked before walking away.

"What a total bitch" I heard Stella huff out and I looked at her. "She's hot though am I right Y/N" I heard Peter say and my eyes widened in shock. "I- I have to go" I stuttered out before standing up and rushing out of the cafeteria as I felt a pair of eyes watching me.

I didn't realize I had walked off campus until I heard her voice. "I finally found you I've been looking for a whole hour" I heard her say. I turned around and gasped when her face was directly in front of mine. I backed up a little and she leaned back as she shoved her hands into her pockets. "Wait did you just say an hour" I said shocked as I looked at her. She nodded before tilting her head a bit. "You're not on campus either that's probably why your friends couldn't find you" she said stepping closer to me but I took a step back. She raised her eyebrow before smirking as she slowly started walking me back. My back hit the wall and I looked up at her as she pinned me against it. She caged me in between her and the wall. She grabbed one of my hands with hers, bringing it up to her lips before kissing each knuckle.

"I didn't have the chance to ask you this but would you like to come to a party I'll be hosting this weekend at my sorority house" she said interlocking our hands together. "Peter and the other two told me to stay away from you guys" I said, removing my hand from hers. I put both of my hands behind my back as I just looked up at her. She dropped her hand to her side and just looked down at me. There was a cold breeze and I shivered before wrapping my arms around myself. She stepped back before shrugging off her blazer and holding it out for me. "I- I can't take it" I said and she just rolled her eyes before shoving it into my arms. "You don't always have to listen to your friends you know, you can do whatever you want to do so think about my request alright" she said and I stayed quiet for a minute or two. "Alright " I said and she smiled before walking away. I looked down at her blazer that was in my hands before bringing it up to my face. I got a whiff of Lavender and what seemed to be oak wood. I decided to put it on when another cold breeze hit me. The sleeves were long on me going right past my hands but I didn't care. The only thing I cared about was that it was warm and surprisingly comfy.

I walked back to campus and spotted my friends with a green haired boy. "Hey guys" I said and they all immediately stopped talking before turning around. "Where the hell we-" Peter was cut off by the green haired boy. "Are you wearing Nemuri's blazer" he said and I looked away before rocking back on my heels. "N-no" I said as I continued to look away. I spotted Nemuri talking to a group of other women to distracted that I didn't hear Stella shouting. I was shaken out of my trance and I looked over to see Alice giving me a questioning look. "So it is hers" Alice said and I just looked at her. I looked at the green haired boy "who are you " I said and his eyes widened in surprise. "Oh uh I'm Izuku Midoriya but most people call me Deku" he said and I was about to shake his hand when Peter shooed my hand away. "Don't change the subject Y/N you need to stay away from her" he said and I huffed before folding my arms. "Well that's going to be hard since she invited me to a sorority party and I'm thinking about going" I said and I heard the four of them gasp. "What the hell you can't go Y/N you can't go" Stella said and I just looked at her. "Well you're not the boss of me so I'm going, end of the discussion" I said before walking off as I heard them calling after me.

"Who the hell do they think they are" I scoffed out as I walked back into the building. "It's just a college party" I said as I walked through the halls towards my next lecture of the day.

🏷️: @blckwidowsbf @inluvwithfictionalwomen

[thewidowsghost]

The Welcome Christmas Surprise (Natasha Romanoff x Wife! Reader)

3rd Person POV

Natasha wakes early Christmas Eve morning, watching her wife sleep. (Y/n) had taken to sleeping on her side, facing Natasha, recently. 

Natasha smiles tenderly at the (H/c) haired woman, resting her head back on her memory foam pillow, her dark ginger hair splayed out on the pillow. 

(Y/n) shifts drowsily, her hand coming to rest lightly on her stomach. 

Natasha turns to her side, watching her wife with a soft look in her eyes.

The door squeaks softly as the Bohemian Shepherd puppy sticks his head into the room.

Bear springs lightly onto the bed and lies down at (Y/n)’s feet. 

(Y/n) sleepily opens her eyes, smiling drowsily at Natasha. “Morning, Nat,” (Y/n) says, blinking at the light streaming through the burgundy curtains. 

"Morning, Love," Natasha says, leaning over, and placing a kiss on (Y/n)'s lips. 

(Y/n) lets out a happy little hum, shifting closer towards her wife; her eyes fluttering closed again. 

But then, (Y/n)'s eyes flash open. "What time is it?" she asks, panicking slightly. 

"Hey," Natasha soothes, rubbing her thumb atop her wife's hand. "It's only eight."

(Y/n) lets out an uncomfortable noise as she raises herself from the bed, and Natasha moves her wife's pillow against the wooden headboard, and (Y/n) rests her back against the pillow.

(Y/n) turns her head slightly to the right, and smiles at Natasha.

"The others should be here around three," Natasha tells (Y/n), and the (H/c) haired woman nods thoughtfully. 

Natasha and (Y/n) had bought their own house a few weeks ago, just before they had gotten married. The other Avengers, as well as Daisy, Wanda's girlfriend, Pepper, and Morgan, were coming for Christmas, and to also see the house with the couple's things in it, for the first time.

"I think I should make Christmas dinner," (Y/n) tells Natasha, a teasing glint in her eyes.

"I agree," Natasha says with a chuckle. 

"Yeah, but you better help," (Y/n) says with a laugh. 

"Yeah, but I burn water, so," Natasha says and (Y/n)'s eyes flicker with amusement. 

"You can cut potatoes," (Y/n) replies simply. 

Natasha smiles and (Y/n) leans over, placing a kiss on the redhead's lips before she gets up from the bed and walks over to the bathroom. Bear jumps up and trots after the woman before she can close the door.

A few minutes later, (Y/n) emerges from the bathroom, wearing a pair of jeans, and a Stitch Christmas sweater.

Bear trots at (Y/n)'s feet before he jumps onto the bed. 

(Y/n) smiles at her wife before she climbs back into the bed, moving to snuggle up to Natasha's side, the redhead wrapping an arm around (Y/n)'s waist, pulling the (H/c) haired woman even closer. (Y/n) rests her head against Natasha's shoulder and she begins fiddling with the ends of Natasha's hair. 

"You're so quiet today," Natasha says, looking at (Y/n) thoughtfully. 

"I'm just excited to give you my gift," (Y/n) says simply, her eyes sparkling.  "Now, if you excuse me, I'm off to start dinner at eight-thirty in the morning." 

Natasha chuckles and (Y/n) kisses her cheek before getting up from the bed, Bear trotting after her. 

Around two-o-clock, Wanda Maximoff, and (Y/n)'s cousin, Daisy Johnson arrive. 

Wanda hugs (Y/n) tightly and Daisy smiles at her cousin brightly. 

"Here, Wanda made this," Daisy tells (Y/n), handing her a nine by thirteen casserole dish of sweet potato casserole. 

Daisy smiles at her girlfriend as (Y/n) takes the dish. 

"Thanks, Tremors," (Y/n) nudges Daisy, "and you, Wanda."

"No problem," Wanda says, following (Y/n) into the kitchen as Daisy takes the bag of gifts that she was carrying and sets it by the Christmas tree. Natasha smiles at the brunette as Daisy sits down on the couch, the two beginning to chat animatedly.

"I'm making pie," (Y/n) says, smiling down at Wanda. "Wanna help?"

"Of course," Wanda says. 

"Pumpkin or pecan or both?" (Y/n) asks, pulling ingredients from the pantry. 

"Daisy's favorite is pecan and everyone likes pumpkin, so, I'd say both," Wanda says, making (Y/n) laugh. 

"So, how are you and Daisy?" (Y/n) asks as she and Wanda start. 

"Good," Wanda says, smiling at the thought. "How are you and Nat?" the girl liked to keep tabs on her mentors. 

"Good," (Y/n) grins down at the piecrust she was rolling out. 

"You're so excited about something," Wanda says, noticing the change in (Y/n)'s behavior. 

It wasn't as though (Y/n) wasn't ever cheerful, but Wanda notes that she seemed a lot more excited and cheerful at the moment. Wanda chalks it to be Christmas spirit and drops it.

The doorbell rings again, and Natasha stands up from her seat next to Daisy. Natasha opens the door and smiles at Tony and Pepper, and their young daughter Morgan. 

"Hey, Red," Tony says, setting down a box of gifts and hugging his daughter-in-law. 

"Hi, Tony."

"Hi, Nat," Pepper smiles at the redhead, a covered dish in her hands. 

"Pepper," Natasha nods to the auburn-haired woman. 

"Hi, Natty," Morgan says happily, jumping into Natasha's arms. 

"Heya Morgan," Natasha hugs the little girl. "Come on in, you guys," Natasha steps aside so the three could walk inside.

Tony carries the box of gifts and set them around the tree while Pepper carries the dish into the kitchen where she finds (Y/n) and Wanda sliding four pies - one pecan and three pumpkin - into the oven, and she sets the dish on the counter. 

"Pepper!" (Y/n) rushes over to hug her step-mother. 

Pepper laughs, returning the hug warmly, "Hi, (Y/n), Wanda." 

The witch smiles at Pepper and accepts the hug Pepper offers. 

"It's good to see you, (Y/n)," Pepper says as she sits down on one of the barstools against the island. 

"As am I," (Y/n) says, sliding a ham out of a second oven. 

"You've been busy?" Pepper asks. 

"Well, you know Tasha can't cook, but it hasn't been too bad," (Y/n) answers, looking up from the mashed potatoes and gravy on the stovetop. "She helped me chop a lot of things."

By three-fifteen, everyone had arrived. Steve, his boyfriend Bucky, Sam, (Y/n)'s uncle Rhodey, Bruce, Clint, Laura, Lila, Cooper, Nathanial, Maria Hill, Phil Coulson, and his team - Mack, Jemma Simmons, Leo Fitz, Melinda May, and Elena Rodriguez - and finally Bobbi Morse and Lance Hunter.

Phil walks into the kitchen to find his honorary daughter pulling things out of one of the ovens. 

"Hi, (Y/n)," he says, taking a potholder and pulling things out of the second. 

"Dad, when did you guys get here?" (Y/n) asks, looking over at Coulson. 

"The team and I got here a few minutes ago. Let's just say Cap was a little surprised to see me," Coulson says and (Y/n) chuckles. 

"Wanna help me carry this out into the dining room?" (Y/n) asks, grabbing a dish from off the granite countertop. 

As Natasha sees (Y/n) and Coulson bringing out dishes, she excuses herself from her conversation with Wanda and Daisy and goes to help; a moment later, everyone was helping move food into the dining room. 

Once everything, except the deserts, was on the table, Natasha nudges her wife into the chair at the head of the table. 

(Y/n) stands up once everyone's seated at the table and everyone turns to look at her. 

"We're really happy that you guys could come out today," (Y/n) says, then pauses. "That was the most formal sounding I've been in my whole life," she smiles and everyone chuckles. "Eat food, it's there," (Y/n) sits down, and everyone cheers. 

Natasha smiles at her wife and passes her a bowl of mashed potatoes. 

(Y/n) winks at Natasha as she takes a scoop of the potatoes and passes them to Wanda, who was sitting on her left.

The conversations at the dinner table were cheerful and Wanda, Pepper, and Jemma help (Y/n) clean the dishes before everyone sits around the living room to open gifts. 

Natasha smiles as (Y/n) leans into her on one of the many couches in the living room. 

"You okay?" Natasha murmurs in (Y/n)'s ear. 

"Yeah, just a little tired," (Y/n) answers with a tender smile. 

The group opens their gifts until (Y/n) gets up towards the end and grabs a final gift from the back of her closet. 

(Y/n) stands in the doorway, watching as everyone opens their last gifts. 

After a moment, (Y/n) walks over and kneels in front of Morgan. 

"Wait until everyone is done, then open this one," (Y/n) murmurs in the girl's ear. 

Morgan looks curiously at her older sister but then nods.

Natasha glances at (Y/n) as she walks back over and sits beside her on the couch, scooting over, their shoulders brushing. 

(Y/n) suppresses a grin as Morgan opens her last gift from (Y/n). 

Morgan looks excitedly up at (Y/n) as she reads what's written on the shirt. 

"What does it say?" Tony asks, the excited look on his youngest daughter's eyes making him curious. 

Morgan turns the shirt around so everyone can see what's written on it, Only the best sister gets promoted to an aunt.

Natasha looks wide-eyed at (Y/n) as everyone begins to give their congratulations. 

(Y/n) nods and Natasha wraps her wife in a tight hug. "Are you really pregnant?" Natasha murmurs into (Y/n)'s ear. 

"Yeah," (Y/n) breathes, placing a kiss on her wife's lips. 

"I'm so excited," Natasha says, then looks over at Tony and Coulson, whose eyes were wide. "I think you broke your dads."

(Y/n) kisses Natasha on the cheek before walking over to Tony, being stopped a couple of times by her friends, who continue to offer their congratulations, but then move off to congratulate Natasha. 

(Y/n) sits down beside Tony on the couch, and places a hand on his arm. This jolts Tony out of his reverie. 

"Dad, are you okay?" (Y/n) asks, her worry showing in her eyes. 

Tony's eyes soften, and he wraps his daughter in a hug. 

(Y/n) lets out a laugh, returning the hug. 

"I'm happy for you two," Tony says, pulling his daughter to look at her arm's length away. 

"Aww, thanks Grandad," (Y/n) says with a small laugh, leaning forward and kissing her father on the cheek. "Love you. Now I've got to go shock Coulson out of his own reverie."

(Y/n) crosses the living room, glancing back over her shoulder at all their friends and family congregated around Natasha, and the bright smile on the redhead's face. 

"Congratulations," Jemma says, bounding over to (Y/n) before she can reach Coulson. 

"Thanks, Jemma," (Y/n) steps forward, wrapping her scientist friend in a tight hug. 

"You going to help Coulson?" Jemma asks, her British accent prominent in her question. 

"Sadly, he still gets shocked by things that come out of my mouth," (Y/n) grumbles. 

"Well, good luck," Jemma says with a smile, and Fitz, who had walked over, grins at (Y/n).

As (Y/n) reaches Coulson, she sits down on the couch. The two have a similar conversation to (Y/n) and Tony's, and it ends with a hug. 

"Now, go see your wife before she kills us all," Coulson says and (Y/n) looks over, catching Natasha's eye. 

"I guess I will then," (Y/n) rises to her feet. "Love you, Dad."

Coulson smiles. "Love you too, kid."

(Y/n) crosses the living room, and makes her way through the group surrounding Natasha, and sitting down on the couch beside her. Natasha wraps her arm around (Y/n)'s waist, and (Y/n) lies her head on Natasha's shoulder. 

After about half-an-hour, everyone clears out of the house, leaving Natasha and (Y/n) alone. 

"I can't believe we're going to have kids," Natasha says, leaning her head against (Y/n)'s. 

"I'm so excited," (Y/n) murmurs, closing her eyes. Bear jumps onto the couch, resting his head on her knee. 

[bmars-news]

ICYMI: SILK SONIC, ARI LENNOX, MAXWELL, ASHANTI & MORE SET FOR 2021 SOUL TRAIN AWARD PERFORMANCES

The 2021 Soul Train Awards are set to take place Sunday, November 28 at the Apollo Theater and the show has announced performers. The annual award show will bring R&B super duo Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, R&B/Soul songstress Ari Lennox, soul singer/songwriter and producer Leon Bridges, R&B singer Lucky Daye and more to the stage.

The “Soul Train Awards” annual Soul Cypher, a tradition started by former show host Erykah Badu, will return, featuring D-Nice, Musiq Soulchild, Jac Ross, Koryn Hawthorne, Elle Varner, and Tone Stith. As a nod to the 20th Anniversary of her self-titled album Aaliyah, the late R&B great’s hit single “Rock the Boat” provides both theme and instrumental for the cypher.

BET has also announced the first round of presenters including H.E.R., Tristan Mack Wilds, and the BET casts of Games People Play and Sacrifice, a BET+ Original series.

BET has announced three-time GRAMMY award-winning singer-songwriter, producer, and Neo-Soul icon Maxwell will receive the “Legend” award at the 2021 Soul Train Awards. This year’s “Lady of Soul” honoree will be multiplatinum singer/songwriter, actor, entrepreneur, and author Ashanti. Both artists will perform.

“It’s an honor to be presented with the Legend award by a community that’s been growing with me throughout my career,” said Maxwell. “I’m so grateful to be sharing this moment with everyone and returning to the Apollo for an evening of excellence.”

“I’m honored to be recognized as this year’s ‘Lady of Soul’ honoree,” said Ashanti. “This is a full circle moment for me because I received the ‘Aretha Franklin Entertainer of the Year’ Award at the Lady of Soul Awards in 2002. As we commemorate 50 years of Soul Train, I’m proud to be a part of this legacy and to return to the Apollo to celebrate.”

BET has also announced the official nominations for the show, led by H.E.R. with eight nods including ‘Best R&B/Soul Female Artist,’ ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award (x2),’ ‘Best Collaboration (x2),’ and ‘Video of the Year’. Jazmine Sullivan and Chris Brown garnered the second most nods with six nominations each. Jazmine Sullivan’s nods include ‘Best R&B/Soul Female Artist,’ ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Album of the Year,’ ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award,’ ‘Best Collaboration,’ and ‘Video of the Year’. Chris Brown’s nods include ‘Best R&B/Soul Male Artist,’ ‘The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award,’ ‘Best Dance Performance,’ ‘Best Collaboration (x2),’ and ‘Video of the Year’.

Wiz Kid and TEMS are the third-highest with five nods each, followed by Blxst with four nods. Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic, Doja Cat, and Yung Bleu each have three nods.

The show will once again be hosted by Tisha Campbell and Tichina Arnold.

You can see the full list of nominations below.

BEST NEW ARTIST: BLXST CAPELLA GREY MORRAY TEMS TONE STITH YUNG BLEU

CERTIFIED SOUL AWARD: ANTHONY HAMILTON ASHANTI CHARLIE WILSON THE ISLEY BROTHERS JAM & LEWIS T-PAIN

BEST R&B/SOUL FEMALE ARTIST: ALICIA KEYS DOJA CAT H.E.R. JAZMINE SULLIVAN JHENÉ AIKO SZA

BEST R&B/SOUL MALE ARTIST: BLXST CHRIS BROWN GIVEON LUCKY DAYE TANK USHER

BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD: BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON JAMES FORTUNE KELLY PRICE KIRK FRANKLIN MAVERICK CITY MUSIC TASHA COBBS LEONARD

SONG OF THE YEAR: BLXST FEAT. TY DOLLA $IGN & TYGA – CHOSEN BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC – LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN H.E.R. – DAMAGE JAZMINE SULLIVAN – PICK UP YOUR FEELINGS WIZ KID FEAT. TEMS – ESSENCE YUNG BLEU FEAT. DRAKE – YOU’RE MINES STILL

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: BLXST – NO LOVE LOST DOJA CAT – PLANET HER GIVEON – WHEN IT’S ALL SAID AND DONE… TAKE TIME H.E.R. – BACK OF MY MIND JAZMINE SULLIVAN – HEAUX TALES WIZKID – MADE IN LAGOS

THE ASHFORD AND SIMPSON SONGWRITER’S AWARD: CAN’T LET IT SHOW – WRITTEN BY: KATE BUSH, DURRELL BABBS (TANK)

COME THROUGH – WRITTEN BY: CARL MCCORMICK, CHRIS BROWN, H.E.R., KELVIN WOOTEN, MICHAEL L. WILLIAMS II, TIARA THOMAS (H.E.R. FEAT. CHRIS BROWN)

DAMAGE – WRITTEN BY: ANTHONY CLEMONS JR., CARL MCCORMICK, H.E.R., JAMES HARRIS, JEFF GITELMAN, TERRY LEWIS, TIARA THOMAS (H.E.R.)

ESSENCE – WRITTEN BY: AYODEJI IBRAHIM BALOGUN, ONIKO EDDIE UZEZI, ONIKO EVAWERO, RICHARD ISONG, TEMILADE OPENIYI (WIZKID FEAT. TEMS)

LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN – WRITTEN BY: BRUNO MARS, BRANDON ANDERSON, DERNST EMILE II, CHRISTOPHER BRODY BROWN (BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC)

PICK UP YOUR FEELINGS – WRITTEN BY: BLUE JUNE, CHI, AUDRA MAE BUTTS, JAZMINE SULLIVAN, KYLE COLEMAN, MICHAEL HOLMES (JAZMINE SULLIVAN)

BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE: CHLOE X HALLE – UNGODLY HOUR CHRIS BROWN, YOUNG THUG – CITY GIRLS LIZZO FEAT. CARDI B – RUMORS NORMANI FEAT. CARDI B- WILD SIDE USHER – BAD HABITS

BEST COLLABORATION: CHRIS BROWN, YOUNG THUG FEAT. FUTURE, LIL DURK, LATTO – GO CRAZY (REMIX) DOJA CAT FEAT. SZA – KISS ME MORE H.E.R. FEAT. CHRIS BROWN – COME THROUGH JAZMINE SULLIVAN FEAT. H.E.R. – GIRL LIKE ME WIZKID FEAT. TEMS – ESSENCE YUNG BLEU FEAT. DRAKE – YOU’RE MINES STILL

VIDEO OF THE YEAR: BRUNO MARS, ANDERSON .PAAK, SILK SONIC – LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN CHRIS BROWN, YOUNG THUG FEAT. FUTURE, LIL DURK, LATTO – GO CRAZY (REMIX) H.E.R. – DAMAGE JAZMINE SULLIVAN – PICK UP YOUR FEELINGS NORMANI FEAT. CARDI B – WILD SIDE WIZKID FEAT. TEMS – ESSENCE

- source: thesource.com