#the christmas ranch : a.m.

[annaphoenix1994]

Familiar Touch

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Within the next couple of weeks, Kiera began to stress that Christmas was coming as well as the dire need to get back to work, but Simon wouldn't let her exceed her limits as she endured the healing process.

But just like Simon, she was stubborn - which created conflict.

Every other night, Kiera began showing signs of night terrors, causing her to lash out in her sleep at practically nothing, Simon keeping her close once she calmed down. Once she began walking on her own, she began to get a harder personality than others, recoiling back to her comfort of wanting to intake alcohol more frequently and keeping herself distant. Simon took notice of this rather quickly - recognizing it as his own behavior that he portrayed when coming home from a deployment.

But Kiera never lashed out at him. She resigned her behavior to him although she had been distant - wanting to seek that familiar comfort of their relationship by being around him when she needed it most.

It was a Saturday - which was a day the ranch usually worked cattle in the pen to prepare for an evening sale. Kiera had gotten up early that morning with high hopes of participating, but she knew better. She managed to get up on her own without Simon's help, which was a big step in the healing process, although she couldn't fathom the thought of looking at herself in the mirror, afraid of the reflection. The swelling in her eye had gone down, giving her the comfort of seeing out of her right eye again, leaving a dark bruise with yellow edges as well as a sure-to-be scar on her cheek, leaving her to forever guess what had caused it.

Simon was still asleep, having been awake throughout most of the night as he suffered night terrors of his own, but Kiera let him sleep in as he had been going out of his way to ensure her comfort before his own.

She winced in pain as she moved slowly throughout the house, her wool socks keeping the cold floor from nipping at her toes as she moved into the kitchen, her mouth salivating at the thought of hot coffee for both her and Simon, looking down at her phone as she sent a text:

Looking at the clock above the stove, it read a quarter past seven a.m., which was late for Simon to be sleeping, but she knew he deserved it, so she did her best to sneak out of the bed that morning.

Deciding on eggs, toast, and bacon for breakfast, she desperately tried to make the commotion in the kitchen as low as possible to not wake him up. She wanted to embrace him with a warm breakfast and hot coffee - just as she pictured taking care of him as a housewife with a little bump prodding at her stomach. One day, she pondered, hope crossing her mind at the thought, hoping he wanted the same.

The bacon sizzled in the pan as she finished cooking it, setting it to the side to cool down before making her way to the bedroom to wake him up, the smell of bacon and coffee lingering throughout the house.

She entered the bedroom, still warm from the space heater she had on her side of the bed for extra warmth. Simon was laying on his stomach, which was a position he rarely slept in unless he was truly comfortable. She knew he'd never admit it, but he loved her Jersey material sheets and fleece comforter. She herself loved it, too, reminding her of the feel of a comfortable t-shirt as she slept.

The pillow was pinned between his head and arm, and the muscles of his back relaxed as it was bare to the room - something else he would do when completely comfortable. He hadn't woken up to her presence yet, which was rare for him too.

But he had never taken melatonin until he had come home with her from the hospital.

He swore it was the best invention.

She moved to sit on the edge of the bed, tracing her fingertips along the divot of his back, feeling his back tense at her warm touch. Her hand stopped at the back of his neck, her fingers gliding over the chain of his dog tags before they moved to his hair, massaging his scalp lightly as he began to stir in his sleep. She grinned, pleased that he had been getting sleep despite having to comfort her hours prior during one of her night terrors. She almost got up to leave him to his slumber and take breakfast on her own, but she enjoyed massaging his scalp as his hair happened to be softer than hers, raking her fingers through the top of his head and feathering back the longer tresses back towards his nape. I'll always be jealous of you, babe. Long eyelashes, soft hair... Yet I'm over here having to put on extensions to have long lashes and use a certain shampoo! She giggled to herself.

He grumbled in pleasure, embracing her familiar touch as his hand slipped from behind the pillow to grasp her left hand that was raking through his hair, bringing it to his lips and pressing a tender kiss there before making himself turnover, his dog tags clicking together as he turned onto his back. "You look refreshed." She commented, watching him stretch his hands above his head.

"I feel refreshed," He replied, sighing after bringing his arms back down to toy with her fingers again, unable to resist the urge to bring her hand to his mouth again, pressing another kiss to her hand in the middle of her palm. "How long have you been up?"

"About an hour," She whispered, swiping her thumb over his growing stubble. "I didn't want to wake you up."

"It's okay, love, I wish you would have."

She shook her head, "Nah, it's my turn to cook your breakfast."

He chuckled, fluttering his eyes shut for a few seconds, the familiar smirk of a sarcastic comment tickling his lips, "I'd rather eat an MRE."

She giggled playfully, lightly tapping his arm in a playful fuss, watching him bring her knuckles to his lips again. He truly couldn't get enough of it. "You weren't saying that when I cooked supper the other night."

"Yeah, well I was starving. When you're starving, you eat what you can get." He teased.

"Fine, then I guess you're starving this morning because I wanted to be a good partner and cook you breakfast since you've beaten me to it almost every day since we got back." She pouted.

He chuckled again, "You know I'm just playing with you, love."

"Really?" She asked, watching him motion for her to press her body against him as he was desperate for her warmth. He didn't give a fuck about the breakfast waiting on him, although the thought of food satisfying the grumble in his stomach was tempting, engulfing her in his arms was more desirable.

He grinned as she willingly accepted his cuddle invitation, helping her ease down onto her side as it was clear she was still sore. His arm was secured under her head under the pillow as his right arm snuck around her waist, rubbing his fingertips along the exposed skin of her hip as his face nestled into the crook of her neck, placing a delicate kiss there as he felt her relax into his touch.

They both needed it.

"Really. You make the best meals when I'm starving." He continued to tease, chuckling at her scoff, knowing she rolled her eyes at his remark.

"Then I guess you're the family cook from now on." She scoffed.

"About time you promoted me." He whispered, pressing another kiss to her neck.

"You're lucky I love you."

"Mhm, well as much as I love you, at least I tell you when I don't like your cooking." He poked, Kiera able to feel the smirk on his lips as they were pressed against her neck.

She stayed silent, closing her eyes at his embracing warmth from his bare torso.

"I'm just messing with you, love." He whispered, wondering if he had taken his jokes too far.

"I know," She hummed. "I, however, won't tell you when your cooking is bad."

"Well, you compliment me every time I cook for you, so I don't believe you."

They chuckled, embracing their remarks toward each other. She hummed, reaching down to grasp his hand that was resting on her hip, bringing it up to her mouth as she peppered kisses on his fingertips, his forearm nestled between her breasts as she held his arm close to her, "I'm going to end up falling back to sleep."

"Then fall asleep, love," He replied, inhaling the scent of her shampoo lingering in her hair as his head relaxed into the pillow, fighting the temptation to fall back asleep as well. "We'll eat breakfast later when we wake up."

"Bacon isn't good when it's cold. I put on coffee too." She mumbled, twining her fingers with his as she still clutched his hand close to her face, his thumb sneaking a swipe at the bottom of her chin, seeking contact with her face as the rough pad of his thumb grazed along her jaw.

"It's okay," He assured her, feeling her body nudge closer to his, seeking his comforting frame to warm her. "I'm not picky when it comes to food, you should know that." He teased.

She huffed playfully, "I'm too comfortable to get up now."

"Good, because I wasn't going to let you up anyway," He whispered, peppering another kiss to her neck before his left arm shifted under the pillow her head was laying on, wrapping it around her shoulder as she nestled her face into his elbow, inhaling his scent as it was truly blissful to fall asleep to. "I can feel how tired you are."

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Simon ended up waking up around nine a.m., leaving Kiera to catch up on sleep as he got up from the bed, placing a kiss on her shoulder before leaving her in a slumber to relieve himself and brush his teeth before finding a fresh set of clothes for the day.

He smirked at the plate of bacon she had cooked earlier, putting the plate in the microwave and warming it, eating it for himself as he retrieved the pack of bacon from the fridge, turning on the stovetop to make more bacon for her - fresh.

Seeing that the coffee was still hot on the heat plate, he couldn't resist the temptation to pour himself a cup, careful in the first sip as he felt it was much needed. Taking the hot bacon from the pan, he reached into the cabinet to get a plate before glancing through the fridge to get the tray of eggs her mother brought her from the chicken coop that was in her parent's backyard.

Although her mother wasn't fond of being around horses and cattle, she took to raising chickens as a hobby throughout her retirement.

Turning the pan to low heat, he cracked four eggs into the pan, sprinkling a pinch of salt and pepper into the eggs as they cooked, taking a fork and scrambling them together, hearing Kiera's faint footsteps behind him.

She clutched a blanket around her shoulders as she grinned at him. He towered over the stove - the top of the stove being parallel to his waist as it looked like he was straining to keep his head down to face the task at hand. She watched as he emptied a portion of eggs onto a plate before dispursing the rest onto another plate, putting the empty pan into the sink to cool off, stepping aside to reach for the bread in the breadbox and turning on the toaster. Fuck! I forgot to call him! She scolded herself as she suddenly remembered that Price would be available for a call in twenty minutes after she had texted him first. I'll send him a text later. 

She walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head between his shoulders. "Beat you to it, love." He said lowly, grasping her hand with his.

"Aren't you just a housewife." She poked, feeling the rumble of a chuckle within his chest at her words.

"You'd be better at that. I didn't want to wake you up."

"Mhm. You just don't want to admit that you don't want to eat what I cook."

"You know I'm messing with you, love, stop it," He shook his head, patting the top of her hand lightly, knowing they were still bruised as he reached across the counter to put the bread into the toaster. "Butter or jam?"

"Jam, babe." She answered, humming her response against his back, feeling him turn around to face her as he leaned against the counter.

"Say it again." He asked, the pet name sending yet another tingle throughout his chest, having heard it only once when they returned home, it was a comforting welcome.

"Babe." She smiled, looking up at him, leaning against him as she forced herself to stand on her toes, desperate to feel his lips on hers as they had been abstinent from kissing for what felt like months.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, his arms stabilizing her by her waist as he avoided the areas on her back that was still healing from the grafts, sighing heavily through his nose as he welcomed the warmth of her lips on his. So fuckin' long, he thought, remembering their first kiss on Thanksgiving.

He forced the thought of arousal from his mind as he knew it wasn't time yet, but fuck, it was so difficult to resist. He wanted to pleasure her so badly, to love her how she should be loved, to touch her so delicately as if she were glass, to worship her as a goddess, and to make sensual love to her that he knew she deserved.

She wanted it, too. The sexual tension between them had been growing relentlessly for months. If she had to be particular - since the day she had bumped into him after her shower in the barracks.

Since then, her core pooled at the thought of him between her legs.

But it was too soon - too soon for him to feel like he was taking advantage of the arousal she effortlessly gave him.

So he fought it desperately. He didn't want her to think he was rushing anything.

But that didn't mean he was going to resist her kisses, embracing them with every chance he got.

His hands rested on either side of her hips, gripping them slightly as she used his body to crutch against as her balance was offset.

She pulled away for a breath, looking up at him as he pressed his lips against her forehead. "I'll bring you your plate."

She lowered her weight onto her heels, smiling up at him, "At least let me serve you since you won't let me cook."

He shook his head, "No, love, if I'm taking care of you, I go one hundred percent. Now go sit down."

She huffed in defeat, shaking her head with a smile as she did as she was told, pulling out a chair at the small table nearby, feeling his presence come up behind her with a plate of fresh breakfast, setting it in front of her and pressing his palm against the back of her head, swiping his thumb against her scalp, pleased to discover that the lump on her head was dispersing. "What do you want to drink?"

"What's on the menu?" She giggled.

"Well, you're supposed to be drinking water when you take your medicine in the morning, especially since you haven't been eating a lot, but since you haven't been as stubborn this week as you were last week, there's soda and juice...and water." He poked, resting his hand against the back of her chair.

"Hmm. Dr. Pepper, please." She giggled, eager to satisfy the craving for her favorite soda.

He nodded, returning to the fridge to get a can of the soda, using his index finger to flip the tab to open it so that she wouldn't have to use her regaining strength to do it herself, setting it down in front of her as she took a sip of it first before taking a bite from her scrambled eggs.

He soon joined her with his own plate, taking a sip from the glass of water after he took a bite from plain toast. "No jam?" She asked.

He shook his head, "I'm basic."

"I'll say," She scoffed. "You're missing out."

"I'll try it eventually."

Throughout their breakfast, they sat in silence. Simon took glances at her every few minutes to ensure himself that she was eating with no issues, even though she took a lot longer to take a new bite of food as it was clear she was still having trouble eating.

Thankful that she had at least eaten all of her eggs, he frowned as she set her fork aside and leaned back into her chair. "Did you take your medicine?" He asked her, concerned.

She nodded, releasing a deep breath and frowning, "I can't finish it. It looks so good, but my stomach feels so full."

"You need to try, love," He spoke lowly. "You'll get sick if you don't eat."

"I feel sick right now. I took it on an empty stomach." She sighed.

"Well, when we eat something for dinner, I'll make sure you take it after we eat."

She shook her head, "I don't know if I can eat dinner, Simon."

He reached over the table to grasp her hand with his right, his thumb rubbing her ring finger as usual - a touch that she was growing to love, "Only one way to find out."

[marionmorse]

Ughh the gosh darn- how do I- how do I describe this?

While Helmet Party is my #1 always and forever, I ADOREE Zhanna/Soldier to no end. In another of a series of TF2 sitcom-esque plots, picture Heavy coming home for a short visit, maybe looking forward to a quiet holiday with his loving, warm family. Then he walks in and it's. Soldier there, Zhanna's fiance. (Also - how did Soldier beat him there? Heavy not only left earlier, but also took the quickest possible plane and boat trip he could? This puzzles him.)

And it's just - just a series of Misha trying to be at peace, while Jane introduces hardcore AMERICAN-SPIRITED traditions (maybe it's at Christmas time?) and the sisters fall in love with the energy, the wackiness all, leaving Misha just kinda... there, a little alone.

By the end he comes to accept that things have changed in a very - again, sitcomy - way. He still gets time with family, particularly with his mother, just differently than expected.

As for placement in the TF timeline, it's IMPOSSIBLE considering Solly and Zhanna meet up in the post-game comics and it's implied that Heavy is on vacation from the Gravel Wars but shh, shhhhh, uhhh... Ao3 tag: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence and bam! That covers that.

Another Christmas - specific plot revolves around Scout and Pyro visiting Scout's family in Boston. (Pyro is there not only because the two are BEST BUDS, but also because Pyro doesn't really have a place to go for the holidays)

Queue Jeremy introducing his friend to his many brothers, and THEIR many kids, all in this crowded Boston home. There's wackiness to that.

Most importantly, SPY is there? My favorite way to characterize Spy's fatherhood is that he's always known and has been a bit protective for that reason, but let's say he only realizes it AS SCOUT WALKS IN! (Again, gotta smooth out the timeline with that one.) Jeremy is absolutely oblivious as Spy is out of uniform, obviously, but PYRO is the one to immediately recognize the Frenchman and they make just the most... Bewildered eye contact. While Jeremy bumbles around all: "So, tough guy, think you're good enough for ma?"

Think of Scout and Spy coming up with elaborate backstories to keep cover about their mercenary work, with Spy in particular digging in for the humor of it. Of course, the fluffy Christmas bits - Pyro's new friends, Scout's Ma getting to see her little guy again. It's cute. Very... you know... Sitcomy.

(Also, picture an alternative where Jeremy DOES recognize Spy - and they dance around in the whole elaborate backstory thing while having a side of pissed-off arguing when they can, keeping it all under wraps when any family is around. They both dig deep into the other's 'careers' while around folks just to show each other how mad they are.)

I'll keep the last one short and sweet - reaffirming my headcanon in which Engie has like... 14 nieces and nephews, with parents, grandparents, and their families on a beautiful piece of land in Bee Cave. Like Pyro, Medic doesn't have any thing particular in mind for the holidays, so he tags along with his buddy to Texas. He's a bumbling little German guy thrust into a very Texan culture-heavy scenario, all the eccentric extroversion, the COOKING, the amount of PEOPLE, but also... Seeing Engie as a family man, seeing him unwind and be more human than ever. A.M. coffee watching the sunrise type stuff. It's kinda sweet.

By night, of course, the Science Party shenanigans ensue with Engie showing off his now rather dilapidated workshop elsewhere on the ranch. His father's and grandfather's work, old prototypes, nerd bonding. That type of stuff.

[new-largo-fl]

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[valkyrie-selfships]

The Christmas Ranch : Chapter One

Summary : the start of a story. Georgia Rothbone gets a call she'll never forget and decides to go visit a longtime friend. I said i was gonna write this hehehe Warnings? : nothing tbh Tag list : @tekkai @1980ssunflower @polkadotheart @rebeccaselfships Word count : 1,046

The sun was shining on an early December morning in the city, and a girl was bustling down the street, in quite a hurry. This was Georgia Rothbone, hustling down the street, coming to an abrupt stop in front of a small storefront, her store. She sold all sorts of things she made, and it was a compliment to her online store, which gave her a boost in sales she appreciated quite heavily.

Her world was a dream for her, she worked on her own hours, she did as she chose to. She spent her day drawing in a leatherbound journal, as the 70s rock pandora station played over the radio in the store. She only took a break for her lunch, or for when a customer came into the store. This was how her life had been for years, this was how her life continued for another week. She was sitting at work when her phone rang. Thr man on the other side of the call sounded exceptionally official. "Miss Rothbone?" "This is she." The woman offered, propping her cell phone between her ear and her shoulder, bustling around to restock shelves." "I hate to be the bearer of bad news Miss Rothbone, but i'm afraid you're going to have to vacate the premises of your store." She stopped in her tracks, hands halfway to the shelf. "Pardon me?" "The company that owns your store has not paid the utility bills in almost six months. Unless you think you can run your store with no heat, no electricity, and no running water, or can come up with a little over four thousand dollars on exceptionally short notice, i'm afraid we're gonna have to shut the building down." "I'm- this is my livelihood. Don't you people realize that? I was barely scraping by selling online, having a storefront that i could sell out of gave me the chance to not worry about paying my own bills!" She sighed, throwing her phone on the counter after putting the call on speaker. "Is there someone I can talk to? I can't lose this store." "They're kicking me out of the store! Can you believe this shit?" Georgia was fuming. She had just gotten off a nearly hour long phone call, which was mostly hold music, telling her that she was being removed from the storefront that people were renting her, because the people were months behind on all kinds of payments, and basically, unless she could get up the roughly four and a half thousand dollars to pay their back payments, she was seven shades of screwed. "So basically, the store is going to be closing, restricting me to just my online sales, my piece of shit boyfriend left me, and I am spiraling, Abby. What am I gonna do?" "I've got an offer. Come spend Christmas out on the ranch with John and I, might give you a chance to clear your head and come up with another plan." It had been three days since she was kicked out of her store, she had her things packed up. She had spent the last three hours staring at the wall in her apartment as it snowed outside, until her phone rang. One of her closest friends was on the other side. Abigail Roberts was one of the first people that had talked to a young Georgia in school, and they were close friends. Until Abby grew up and met John Marston, and moved out west with him. They still kept in touch over phone calls, Abigail keeping Georgia updated on her life out west, sending pictures of her son, who Georgia was absolutely in awe of. Cutest little kid. "So, you're offering me the chance to spend Christmas with you and your other half out on a ranch in the middle of nowhere?" "Pretty much, yeah." "Will you come pick me up from the airport?" "I'll see if I can convince John to let me borrow the truck for the day. It just snowed." Abigail ended her sentiment with a giggle, and Georgia was already looking at plane tickets. "So now, as I see if there's a cheap ticket westward bound, onto my second problem. Good for nothing Alexander decided I wasn't worth the stress." "Well good riddance. If he can't see what he's losing, that's his own damned fault." The call lasted another hour or so, both women complaining about everything they could come up with, before the call finally ended. Three more days and she'd be on a plane, headed west, to spend christmas on the ranch, and hopefully by the time she saw her apartment again, she'd have a plan on where to go from here. At least, she hoped she would. Three days flew by like there was nothing to them, and Georgia was packed and tapping her foot outside gate 3 at the airport. An early afternoon flight a few hundred miles west, into Montana. Where she

would have a chance to re-evaluate what her life had become, and spend some time with a friend who she hadn't seen in person in a very long time. Onto the plane, into her seat. Georgia still had figuring out to do, and figured her time on the airplane was good enough to start. She flipped her laptop open, spending the few minutes it too to turn on after the plane was in the air ordering a drink. The flight attendant was kind, the drink was good, and frankly, Georgia thought alcohol was just about what she needed now. She opened her laptop and the first thing she did, before she even started on the work she had to do to straighten out her business, was a little research of her own. Van der Linde Ranch. Google spit back a handfull of entries right at the top of the results about roping trophies from years past, and then there was the article. She learned a lot. The place she was headed was supposedly ran by a guy named Dutch van der Linde, but he shared ownership with a friend of his, Hosea Matthews. Biggest ranch in America, and despite many attempts to get the land out from under them, Dutch and Hosea were going nowhere fast.

[dailyunsolvedmysteries]

Disappearance of Steven Koecher

On December 10, 2009, Koecher apparently left St. George in the early morning hours and drove his Chevrolet Cavalier 300 miles (480 km) north on Interstate 15 to Salt Lake City, where he bought some gas with a debit card. He then travelled west on Interstate 80 another 125 miles (201 km) to West Wendover, Nevada, where he again pulled off the highway to refuel. After that he continued another 100 miles (160 km) to the Ruby Valley ranch of the Neff family.

Koecher had in the past dated Annemarie Neff and visited the ranch; he told her parents, who had not been expecting him, that he thought he would stop in to see her. She was not there, but the Neffs served Koecher lunch anyway. He told them he was on his way to visit family in Sacramento, California, but was not certain whether he could continue in that direction due to bad weather. After two hours he left, and decided to return to St. George the way he had come, stopping to buy gas again in Salt Lake City and Springville, followed by dinner at a Taco Time in Nephi. By the time Koecher returned home he had driven nearly 1,100 miles (1,800 km).

During the day Koecher talked with his mother on the phone. The two discussed his plans for returning to the family's Bountiful home for Christmas. Koecher's mother said he seemed upbeat about the upcoming holiday and his job prospects despite his financial difficulties. He did not tell her of his road trip that day.

The next day, while handing out flyers for his employer, Koecher encountered two young girls who had inadvertently been locked out of their family's apartment. Learning of their plight, he tried to call their mother. When she did not answer, he looked for someone in the neighborhood who could take them in temporarily until someone arrived who could let them in. That same day, Koecher spoke with his ward's bishop, who also described Koecher's mood as positive. The bishop was also trying to help him, and had promised Koecher he would have a job available by the beginning of 2010.

On December 12, Koecher again hit the road. That morning his phone pinged a cell tower near Overton, Nevada, at the north end of Lake Mead. In the evening he bought gas and snacks at a convenience store in Mesquite, Nevada, along I-15, just over the Arizona state line. Why Koecher went to Nevada that day is unknown; three hours after his Mesquite purchase, Koecher bought a baby's bib and cookies, believed to be Christmas gifts for his brother and his family, whose names he had drawn in the family's annual Christmas gift exchange, at a Kmart outside St. George.

A neighbor of Koecher's recalled seeing him return to his apartment around 10 p.m. A half-hour later, he left again; while he was not seen to return later that night it was possible he could have. The next morning, December 13, Webb called Koecher, saying he was on his way back from Las Vegas and feared he might not make it to St. George in time for the 11 a.m. service, asking if Koecher could lead it in his absence. Koecher said he, too, was in the Las Vegas area, 150 miles (240 km) away, but would return home if needed. Webb told him not to worry and that he would try to get back in time. Another ward member called again later that morning with a similar request, which they dropped when Koecher told them where he was. Neither he nor Webb asked Koecher why he had gone to the Las Vegas area that morning; they found nothing unusual about their conversations with him.

At 11:54 a.m., a home security camera on Savannah Springs Avenue in Sun City, a retirement community in the Anthem development in southern Henderson, recorded Koecher's car driving into the cul-de-sac where it was later found. Six minutes later, a figure believed by his family to be Koecher, wearing a white shirt and slacks, walked the opposite direction down the sidewalk in front, carrying something in one hand that appeared to be a file folder or portfolio. Shortly afterwards another security camera in a garage on adjacent Evening Lights Street caught his reflection as he walked north. Koecher has not been seen since.

Koecher's phone remained active. Around 5 p.m. that day it pinged a tower at the intersection of Arroyo Grande Boulevard and American Pacific Drive, more than 10 miles (16 km) northeast of where he had parked. Two hours after that, it pinged another tower near Henderson's Whitney Ranch subdivision, two miles (3.2 km) north of the previous ping. Early the next morning, the phone pinged a tower at the interchange between Interstate 515/U.S. Route 93 and Russell Road, two more miles to the north. Koecher's landlord sent a text, and then an hour later it was used to check Koecher's voicemail. The phone remained in that tower's vicinity for the next two days, suggesting that its battery died. There has been no activity since.

A day after that last ping, Sun City's homeowners' association parking enforcement took note of the car at the end of the Savannah Springs cul-de-sac and tried to find its owner. Through theiwindows they saw one of the flyers Koecher had been distributing for the window-washing company in St. George and called the number on it. Eventually they spoke with the owner, who gave them Koecher's cell phone number, where they left a voicemail. Later they called his mother; she returned their call on December 17, and, realizing no one else in the family had talked to him in a week and were unable to locate him, reported him missing. Koecher's brother and sister drove to St. George from the Salt Lake City area to start searching.

The case remains unsolved.

[snelbz]

The Ranch {19}

An A Court of Thorns and Roses, Nesta x Cassian, Modern AU, fanfiction.

Collaboration: @snelbz​ x @tacmc​

Summary: Nesta had spent years in Paris, living her dream and drowning in riches as a gourmet chef, capturing the hearts of the city and its people. But, after her father passes away unexpectedly and leaves his cozy, countryside B&B to his oldest daughter, Nesta is moving back home to the tiny town of Velaris, where the ranch, her sisters, and her father’s unfulfilled dream, awaits.

Sidenote: Being posted between two blogs, it is too chaotic to keep up with a tags list, so all chapters will be tagged with “#TheRanchNessian” & “#SharaCollab”.

Nesta stood in the paint department and looked at the wall of samples in front of her. She wanted something light, but something that stood out, too. She didn’t want anything like her father had chosen back in the nineties and-.

She shook her head, trying to free her head of the deja vu that washed over her and chuckling quietly. She had been here before, had done this before. Things were just...a little different this time.

As if she wanted to remind her mother of this fact, Nesta felt a sharp pain against her ribs and she inhaled sharply through her teeth. Beau looked up at her, brown eyes wide. He hadn’t left her side since the beginning of her third trimester and Nesta had learned to love the constant, comforting presence.

“Your sister is using my ribs as a punching bag,” she told him, regardless of the fact that he couldn’t understand her. He opened his mouth in what Nesta swore was a smile and his tongue hung to the side.

He always smiled when they talked about the baby.

Nesta was floored as she realized how different her life had become in twelve months. A year ago, she’d been deciding whether or not she should give up everything she’d ever wanted, to move home and run her father’s crumbling dream of a bed and breakfast. Now she was about to have a baby, her perfect, little girl, and she was going to marry the man of her dreams, the man who gave her the gift she never thought possible.

“Nesta?”

She froze, recalling how someone had called her name the last time she’d been here, who it had been when she turned. But it wasn’t Tomas, just Azriel standing in his old, torn jeans and black hoodie. Out of all of them, it was Azriel who looked the least the part of a rancher, but he sure as hell knew what he was doing.

“Cass said you were running into town, but this was the last place I thought I’d see you,” Azriel said, when Nesta said nothing. 

Nesta, collecting her thoughts, gestured to the wall of paint samples. “Nursery color.”

“Ah,” Azriel said, huffing a laugh as he stopped next to her and looked at the wall. Beau brushed up against his leg, and he gave the pup a loving scratch behind the ears. “What about purple?”

Nesta frowned, looking at the endless samples of purple. She had gone over the lavender hues ten times already. “Too predictable. Pink, too. I’ve ruled them both out.”

Azriel chuckled. “Fair enough. Cass wants to paint it green.”

Nesta rolled her eyes. She had to admit that she had her eye on a neutral olive color, but it didn’t seem right, it wasn't special enough.  “So I’ve been told. I told him no, though.”

It was true. In fact, the night before they’d had a heated debate over what color the nursery would be. It ended in them making love on the nursery’s carpet, but that was irrelevant. 

“How about blue?” Azriel suggested, picking up a few different swatches. “There are a ton of different shades of blue, surely there’s one you two can agree on.”

It was her favorite color, but it limited her decorating choices. Both the camouflage and rodeo nursery ideas were nixed last night as well, and Cassian was still pouting about it.

“I’ve been leaning towards a softer yellow or orange.” She lifted a buttery yellow card from its slot. It was too bright, too rich. She added it to the stack, knowing it may look different away from the fluorescent lights. “Like the sunrise. First light.”

Azriel was nodding. “Why don’t you ask Feyre to paint the sunrise?”

Nesta was going to blame her stupidity on pregnancy brain as her eyes went wide and she said, “I hadn’t even thought of that. She’d love that.”

Azriel just smiled, softly. “Feyre would be honored, if you asked her.”

Nesta nodded, slowly, then picked out a couple different shades of yellows and oranges. “Since you’re here, please take me to get some tacos. I’ll buy. Might even bring some home to Cass, if he’s been good this morning.” Azriel’s grin widened as they began walking toward the exit. “A little cranky, I must say, but I think that’s just because he’s hungover.”

Nesta snorted. After their fight over paints, he’d indulged himself - one beer too many, perhaps. “It doesn’t take much to be hungover when you wake up at five a.m.”

“True,” Azriel agreed. “I could do tacos, though.”

“Good,” Nesta said, putting the paint swatches into her purse as she and Azriel walked out onto the sidewalk, Beau close behind. 

It wasn’t until they were down the street at a taco vendor’s food truck that Nesta asked, “So, when the hell are you going to ask my sister to marry you?”

The bite he’d been in the process of taking nearly came back out. Nesta didn’t even flinch. She’d spent so much time throwing up in the past eight months that partially chewed food didn’t even phase her. She blinked and waited for him to collect himself before he took a drink of the Corona in his hand.

“You just go straight for the balls, don’t you?” He laughed.

She raised her eyebrows. “Have you met my fiancé?”

“Fair enough,” he laughed, but he sighed. “You want the honest truth?”

Nesta suddenly realized she wasn’t sure. She was meddling and the only person who hated meddling more than she did was Elain. But she nodded.

Az took a deep breath and said, “I’ve had the ring for almost six months.”

“What?” Nesta’s eyes must have nearly bulged out of her head, because Az backed up a step. “And why exactly haven’t you proposed?”

His smile was soft but proud, as he said, “I don’t want to take this time from you, or from Cassian. You’re having a baby. Like, Nesta, you’re growing a literal human inside of yourself.” He chuckled and smiled fondly. “Did you know that even when we were in high school all Cass wanted from life was to rope and have a family. You’re giving him one of those things and I can’t ever thank you for making my brother so happy. And I don’t want to take that spotlight from y’all. I want you to have your moment, so that when the time comes, Elain can have hers.”

Nesta hated Azriel for making her cry over her taco, and yet, tears were sliding down her cheeks as she set her taco back down onto her plate and observed him. Eventually, she cleared her throat and said, “Elain is a lucky woman.”

Azriel just shook his head as he took another bite. “That woman deserves the world. If anyone’s lucky, it’s me.”

Nesta found herself completely overwhelmed. A year ago, she hadn’t believed love existed, but now? Her and Cassian, Elain and Azriel, Feyre and Rhysand...this type of love was rare, Nesta was sure of it, but somehow they all ended up in a fairytale romance. Her sisters were happy, she was happy...it was perfect. 

“Don’t tell your sister that I made you cry,” Azriel went on, shoving the last of his taco into his mouth. “She’ll kick my ass. She’s scary when she wants to be.”

She shook her head, dabbing at her eyes with a scratchy napkin. “She’ll understand when you knock her up. I cried yesterday during a Christmas commercial.” Azriel waited, knowing that was somewhat common. “A commercial for cattle feed.”

He nodded. “I believe you. Doesn’t change the fact that your sister will punch me in the dick if she finds out I was the cause of your tears.”

They both laughed and Nesta smiled. “Thank you for making her so happy.”

Az gave her that full smile that so many rarely saw. “It’s my pleasure.”

Nesta finished her tacos and ordered some for Cassian for the road. “Word of advice,” she said, getting into her car. Beau already patiently sat in the passenger seat. “Don’t ask her on a holiday. Girls don’t want to share their special day.”

Azriel’s eyebrows raised. “I...hadn’t thought of that.”

Nesta chuckled. “You were going to propose on New Years, weren’t you?”

He nodded once. “Yes, I was.”

She laughed, full and bright, and said, “How about this? You tell me when it’s time, I’ll plan a family dinner and voila, you’ve got yourself a fiancée.”

“Really?” Azriel asked, stopping in front of the driver’s side of the truck’s door.

“Of course,” Nesta said, crossing her arms, the bag of Cassian’s food hanging on her arm. 

“Thank you,” he said, and she knew by the look in his eyes that he meant it.

Although they were going to the same place, they said their goodbyes and Nesta drove home, slowly. By the time she made it back home to the ranch with her paint swatches, Cassian was mowing the lawn. He was shirtless, of course, and was chugging a bottle of water as he rode the lawn mower across the grass. As Nesta pulled into the driveway, he was waving and putting it in park. 

He was covered in sweat, but Nesta still didn’t stop him as he pressed his lips to the side of her head. “The grass was long.”

Nesta nodded. She had wanted to ask him to mow, considering she was too pregnant to do so, but hadn’t wanted to interrupt his daily plans. “I brought you tacos.” 

“Mmm, that’s exactly why I’m marrying you,” he said, pulling her onto his sweaty lap and opening the box in her hands.

She squirmed out of his arms, as best as she could at eight and a half months pregnant and said, “I’m going to go hang the swatches on the wall, come see when you’re done?”

He nodded, shoving an entire taco in his mouth.

She chuckled, but shivered as a brisk wind blew by. “Cass, I know the sun is straight on you, but it’s forty-five degrees out. Don’t you think you should put a shirt on?”

He finished chewing and said, “How else will I keep my tan year round?”

She shook her head and said, “I’ll be inside, call me if you need me. I love you.”

He smiled at her, those hazel eyes sparkling from the joy he felt inside. “I love you too, darlin’.”

She turned and started up the porch steps and heard, “Hey.”

Nesta looked back at him and he asked, the sparkle replaced by his usual mischievous glint, “You got any green swatches in there?”

Nesta rolled her eyes as Azriel pulled the truck in next to her little car. “No.”

She continued up into the house, laughing when she heard Az ask why the hell he wasn’t wearing a shirt. She pulled the swatches out of her purse, including the couple of greens she’d snagged on their way out, along with her phone and she and Beau made their way up to her old room.

The room that she grew up in was the same room her daughter would too.

As she was taping swatches to the room, in various lighting, she called Feyre, putting her phone on speaker.

“Hello?” her sister answered a second later.

“Hey,” Nesta said, looking around the room. “I have a favor to ask.” “Ask away,” Feyre said.

Nesta admired the swatches she had chosen before clearing her throat. “Would you mind...helping me paint the baby’s nursery?”

There was a slight pause, then Feyre’s quiet voice came through, “Of course.”

“I was thinking the sunrise,” Nesta continued, trying not to cry for the tenth time that day. “Bright, cheery, calming.”

“I can do that,” Feyre breathed. “I can come by this weekend?”

“Perfect,” Nesta agreed. There was a few seconds of silence before Nesta said, “Thank you.”

“Anything for my niece,” Feyre said, then added, “And anything for you. And that idiot fiancé of yours.”

Nesta peeked out the window where Cassian was still mowing without his shirt on. He always acted like it was spring, even in the winter. Although their town stayed pretty mild, winter-wise, there was still a little chill in the air. “Idiot he is, but he’s my idiot.”

Feyre chuckled. “Still on for dinner tomorrow?”

“Of course,” Nesta promised. “I’ll see you then.”

They said their goodbyes before Nesta was left alone, in the silence, observing the room around her. Five minutes of planning in her head passed before heavy boots padded up the stairs and Cassian appeared, now wearing a hoodie, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. “Can I help with anything?”

She was admiring the colors in the direct sunlight. “You can tell me which of these you like best.”

“Hmm.” He came up behind her, pressing his big hands against her belly. Even as round as she was, even at over eight months pregnant, his hands still covered most of it. But then they slid upwards until he was cupping a breast in each hand. He made a show of weighing them and squeezing them gently, and said, “I don’t know, I think I’m pretty partial to the left one.”

She rolled her eyes, laughing, and pushed away from him, walking towards the wall. “I meant color, baby.”

“Oh, well that’s easy,” he snorted, coming in closer as well.

It turned out that it was, in fact, not easy.

After forty-five minutes of arguing and an almost silent quickie with the door open to make up, they had narrowed it down to New Spring Chick and Frosted Tropical Apricot.

They would let Feyre make the final decision in the morning.

“Don’t you have to get back out there?” Nesta asked.

Cassian shook his head. “For now, Az has it covered, it’s been an easy day. I was thinking you and I could go out to dinner, though.”

Nesta lifted a brow. “Dinner?”

Cassian nodded, then gestured to her belly. “We only have so much more time before baby comes. We should have a date night while we can.”

Nesta watched him for a moment before saying, “Okay, fine. But does this mean I have to get dressed up?”

Cassian grinned. “You could wear fucking sweatpants for all I care, but I’m taking you out.”

She wouldn’t wear sweatpants, but she also didn’t plan on wearing another real pair of pants until after this baby was out of her.

Cassian pressed a soft kiss to her stomach, which he did every chance he took, and left to go take a much needed shower. Nesta got ready, slipping on a pair of comfy black leggings and a baggy sweatshirt. Cass ended up dressing nearly identically, except he did wear sweatpants.

They hopped in the “play truck” and right before they left, Cassian said, “Shit, I’ll be right back.”

Nesta sat straight up, hands forming a protective cage around her stomach. “What? Is everything okay?”

He jogged into the house and came back out a minute later, backpack tossed over his shoulder. Climbing back into the truck, he tossed it in the backseat and put it in reverse.

“What is that?” she asked. “You scared the shit out of me.”

“This,” Cass replied, putting his free hand in Nesta’s and rubbing soothing circles into the back of her hand, “is our emergency bag. It’s got everything we’ll need in it in case you go into labor. Clothes, insurance paperwork, phone chargers, snacks.” He began a smooth back and forth motion. “Diapers, binkies, onesies, little socks and blankets, and everything else our precious girl is going to need.”

She blinked, and hated that tears were, once again, rolling down her cheeks. “You have truly thought of everything, haven’t you?”

Cassian shrugged. “You’re literally growing my child inside of you. As your baby daddy, it’s my job to take as much stress off of you as possible.”

Nesta leaned over the center console and pressed her lips to his cheek. “Thank you.”

He grinned, fully satisfied with himself, as he pulled onto the road and headed into town. They drove to a little Italian restaurant because Nesta had mentioned she could use a plate full of breadsticks. Cassian ordered it to go, though, and hopped back into the truck before driving a mile down the road to the old high school. He parked in the parking lot before hopping out and putting down the truck bed.

“Come on, babe,” he called, already taking the boxes of pasta out of the bag. When Nesta came around, he helped her onto the back of the truck before joining her there, his thigh brushing hers.

She ate her alfredo happily, indeed chowing down on an insane number of breadsticks that Cassian swore he didn’t count.

He was rubbing her feet when she asked, voice quiet, “Are you scared?”

He looked at her, at how she was staring off toward the football field, pretending not to notice him staring at her. “Am I scared of doing something stupid? Yes. Am I scared it’s going to be a lot more than we’re expecting? Yes. Am I scared we’re going to get in over our heads? Yes. Am I scared that there’s about to be a miniature version of you running around? Hell yes.” He turned her face toward his, forcing her to look at him. “But am I scared to be a father? No. Am I scared to meet our daughter? No. Am I scared to do this with you? Absolutely not.”

She whispered, “Quit making me cry.”

But he shook his head, softly. “I love you, Nesta. And yeah, I am scared, but I can’t wait. This little girl already has me wrapped around her finger and she’s not even here yet.”

A tear slid down her cheek that he quickly reached up and brushed away. “Are you scared?”

Nesta took a moment to think about it, but then she sighed. “Yes, and no. It’s complicated.”

Cassian chuckled, in full understanding.

“I’m scared because I don’t know what to expect,” she said, after a minute. “I’m not sure how to handle the not knowing.”

“That’s why we have each other, sweetheart,” he kissed the top of her head. “Come on, let’s get home. I have a shitload of furniture to build tonight.”

The egregiously overpriced infant's bedroom suit that Nesta had seen online had been delivered that afternoon. Cassian couldn’t understand how Nesta could justify spending as much as some people spent on a vehicle on furniture that was just going to get covered in shit and baby barf.

Not to mention that it had been shipped from overseas.

They packed up their trash and got back in the truck, heading for home.

“While I carry all of the boxes upstairs, why don’t you take a nice bath, baby?” He asked. “And then when you’re done, you can read me instructions that I won’t listen to while I figure out how to put it all together.”

Nesta shook her head, unable to stop herself from chuckling. “At least you’re honest.” 

He took her hand and pressed his lips against her knuckles. “I am that.”

Nesta had to admit that the thought of a bath sounded incredible, though, so she didn’t argue. Once they got home, Nesta was making her way, slowly, up the porch, inside, and up the stairs while Cassian got to work on gathering the boxed nursery furniture. They had a changing table, a bookshelf, a dresser, and a crib, all of which Nesta had bought from a small French boutique that had always caught her eye in Paris. When Cassian asked why they couldn’t just go into town and buy something that was already assembled, Nesta’s answer was simple: she was getting what she wanted, and she wanted the modern, white, sleek furniture she’d on her walk to work every day.

Cassian didn’t argue. 

While she was soaking in the tub, she could hear Cass moving around in the other room. She’d hear a thump as a box was dropped or something would start dragging across the floor. At one point, she heard a loud bang followed by Son of a bitch!

Nesta laughed quietly to herself and smoothed a hand over her belly, which stuck out of the water by a considerable amount. “Daddy’s getting your room put together, sweet girl, and then we’re ready for you to get here whenever you are.”

She leaned her head back against the cool, porcelain tub, sighing happy. Life had become so crazy lately, but she couldn’t find it in herself to be stressed about it.

Her phone vibrated on the small table by her head and when she leaned up to glance at it, her hand slipped on the slick surface. The table knocked against the tub and Nesta gasped as her phone fell into the water.

“Shit,” she breathed, grabbing it out and tossing it onto a nearby towel. She decided that was the end of her bath and got out drying herself off and getting dressed.

She tried to power her phone back on, knowing she shouldn’t but hoping it hadn’t been in the water long enough to do any damage. The logo popped up in the middle of the screen then it went black and began to make a whirring noise.

“Damn it.” She sighed and made her way downstairs, throwing it in a bag of rice to see if it could be salvaged. Otherwise, it looked like she’d be going into town the next day for a new phone.

Cassian was padding down the stairs a moment later, his brows furrowed. He took one look at Nesta and froze, then looked down at her phone in the bag of rice. “Your phone take a bath, too?”

Nesta’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe.” With a deep sigh, she leaned back against the counter. “I’m pissed.”

“Me too,” Cassian mumbled, throwing open the fridge and grabbing two beers. “I’ve decided that I hate France. Or at least French furniture. Fuck France and their fancy furniture.”

Nesta snorted and came up behind him, attempting to wrap her arms around his waist, but over her giant bump, she hardly managed to reach around his sides.

Cassian's body shook with silent laughter as he turned to face her. “Bump in the way?” He asked, before setting one of his beer cans on the top of it, which only made Nesta roll her eyes.

“It’s not a table,” she laughed. 

“Seems pretty convenient to me,” he shrugged, popping open a can and chugging it down. He brushed his hand over her bump, and just when he touched, baby girl kicked wildly from inside, which only made Nesta groan. 

“That either means that she loves me, or that she’s telling me to fuck off,” Cassian said, which made Nesta laugh. After he kissed her forehead, then the bump with the wild, little Nazari inside, he said, “Alright, baby mama, come upstairs and watch me struggle.”

She smirked and headed for the stairs as he tossed the empty can in the trash, opened the second and grabbed a third to take upstairs. “I already do that on the daily. What’s so different about building furniture?”

She heard him mimic her words in a mocking tone and she laughed as she topped the stairs and made her way into the nursery.

It looked like a styrofoam factory exploded. There were pieces everywhere and screws littering the little catch-all tray he pulled from his tool box. She sighed, realizing it was going to be a long night.

But when she looked out the window, into the starry, cloudless night, and screamed Cassian’s name, she forgot all about furniture and messy packing materials. She forgot all about her phone lying useless on the kitchen counter. She even, for a moment, forgot her own name.

Because the stables were catching on fire.

Cassian was instantly behind her, his eyes wide as he swore violently. “Stay here,” he ordered, and then he was gone, pulling out his phone on the way out the nursery door. 

Nesta could only stare in horror as Cassian's dark figure, only outlined by the light of the moon, sprinted down the path that led to the stables.

It was quickly going up in flames, all consuming, raging flames. Nesta didn’t understand how it could have happened.

Only moments ago, she had been down in the kitchen and the stables were fine.

Then, the thought that had her heart stopping entered her mind. It hadn’t been an accident, couldn’t have been an accident, but that didn’t make any sense. 

A slow panic crept into the pit of her stomach, she was breathing heavier, her heart beating wildly as she sobbed, holding onto her bump, the only thing that allowed her to keep her sanity.

Nesta remembered that Az had told her he’d put the horses in the pasture this morning, since it wasn’t supposed to rain, and she was thankful to whatever god whispered in his ear and told him to do so.

She needed to call someone, needed to get the fire department here. Needed to call her sisters, to call Az. Without thinking, she turned and ran from the room, carefully making her way down the stairs and into the kitchen.

Her phone wasn’t on the counter where she’d left it and she frantically looked around the kitchen. 

She plunged into near darkness as the lights went out and a frightened scream burst from Nesta, followed by a sob.

She needed Cassian.

She screamed his name, her voice full of shaking terror as she reached around, trying to find something to hold onto. Eventually, her hands found the edge of the counter and she told herself to breath, in and out. Stress wasn’t good for the baby, panic wasn’t good for the baby.

But she couldn’t help it, and as if the infant in her womb knew that something horrible was happening, she kicked wildly.

Nesta felt the need to puke but she couldn’t move, not in the darkness, not as far from the city as they were. Even as her eyes adjusted to the lack of light, she couldn’t see through the endless tears.

She tried one more time to scream Cassian’s name, but her voice came out broken, terrified, and it was no use, he was too far away.

She thought she heard a door open and close across the house and she froze. Her voice cracked as she called, “Cass?”

There was no answer.

Something was wrong, something was very, very wrong. She held onto the counter as she quickly ran for the back door - only to find that it was jammed shut, a two-by-four under the doorknob preventing it from opening.

She began to hyperventilate as she realized that this, all of this, was deliberate. The fire still blazed outside, and Nesta heard a creak from the old, wood flooring in the other room. Her blood chilled as she realized that she wasn’t alone in the house.

She ran for the front door, finding it stuck shut as well. “Please, please, please!” She sobbed, pulling on the door as hard as she could. There were unmistakably footsteps from the dining room and she cried, “Please, I’m pregnant, please.”

She hurried back to the kitchen as quietly as she could and silently opened a drawer, pulling out a large knife. She held it out, blindly as she took shuddering breaths.

Then he appeared, in the doorway, wearing a dark hoodie, the hood pulled up. He was tall, his shoulders broad, but slim.

She knew who it was.

She would be foolish to convince herself it wasn’t him. He hadn’t gotten what he wanted from her, had stalked her for months without saying a word. He didn’t come any closer.

Nesta did not lower her knife.

She tried to convince herself to look unafraid, to sound calm, but she couldn’t help the tears that continued to stream down her face.

Inside of her womb, the infant became utterly still.

Nesta swallowed and lifted her chin. “Leave,” she ordered, the demand echoing in the silence. “Or I will kill you, and I will not hesitate.”

Even as she said the words, she wasn’t convinced they were true.

Cassian couldn’t breathe. There was smoke in his eyes, it was unbearably hot, and he couldn’t stop coughing, but then he was out in the fresh night air, his back hitting the soft grass.

He knew that Az had led the horses out before he left today, had watched him take them out one by one, but he had to make sure. He had to verify that there wasn’t one down somewhere.

He found nothing, not a horse or person inside.

Except the overwhelming smell of gasoline.

This fire wasn’t natural, it was intentional. This fire was set.

He’d called Azriel before his feet had hit the landing of the stairs telling him what was happening and asking him to call the fire department. He didn’t know what else to do. It’s not like he could turn on the garden hose and put it out. With as much accelerant was used, it would burn all night.

He knew exactly who it was, he didn’t try to delude himself into anything else.

A truck door slammed and Feyre and Rhys were running toward him.

“What happened?” He asked, helping him stand. Cassian saw that his arm was covered in soot. “I have no idea. We were building baby furniture and the barn was fine, came down to the kitchen so I could grab a beer, and when Nes got back upstairs it was in a blaze.” He coughed, but continued, “Smells like a damn Mapco in there, there was so much gasoline dumped.”

“Gasoline?” Feyre asked, covering her mouth in horror.

Cassian nodded. “Tomas did this.”

Rhysand stilled as Feyre’s face paled.

“I have to go to Nesta,” she breathed, backing away from the fire, even though she wasn’t close to it. She glanced back at the dark. “Is she down at the cabin?”

Cassian’s face fell as he glanced up at the big house, then, he was sprinting.

If Tomas had done this, which Cassian was sure he did, he would still be close. He ran without stopping, without a breath, until he was up the back porch. The door was wide open, a piece of wood sitting off to the side.

Cassian was inside of the kitchen before he screamed, “Nesta?!”

There was no reply in the dark house, no movement or creak or whisper. He frantically flicked the light switch, nothing happening.

“What’s going on?” Feyre called, catching up and coming up the stairs.

Cassian opened his mouth to reply, but there was a banging from the front of the house. “Nesta?!”

He was running through the dark house immediately, finding Azriel and Elain on the other side of the front door. It was jammed closed as well. “Move!”

They did as he said and he put all of his weight into the motion as he tried to shove the door open. On the second try, it gave way.

Elain was already crying when she and Az ran in. He said, “Fire department is on the way.”

Cassian was about to say something when Rhysand’s shaking voice called out from the kitchen. “Cass… come here.”

The sound of his voice chilled Cassian’s blood. He hurried back, could see from the glow that either Feyre or Rhys was using their phone’s flashlight function.

He stumbled into the kitchen, nearly tripping over himself and ran to the other side of the island.

He froze.

One of the kitchen knives was missing from its spot in the open drawer, but it laid on the floor, just a few feet away.

There was so much blood.

She was gone. He took her. By taking her, he took them both.

Cassian heaved over the kitchen sink, everything within his stomach emptying out. He knew he was crying, but he didn’t care. He knew he was sobbing, but no one tried to comfort him. Knew no one was sure how.

Nesta was gone. His baby girl was gone. Tomas had taken them. They were gone, the only hunch of where they had gone written on the kitchen floor: a long kitchen knife and a puddle of blood. 

Cassian was ready to set the world on fire.

“I have to find her,” he breathed, he cried, as his face fell into his hands next to the kitchen sink. “I will find her.”

“Cass-.”

“No,” Cassian interrupted Rhysand before he could even say a word. “He’s out there, and he has my fucking fiancée and child!” 

But Rhysand only shook his head. “I know. I’m coming, too.”

“Me too,” Azriel agreed, then looked to Elain, who nodded.

“We'll take care of things around here,” Elain promised. “Go to the police. Now.” 

Cassian was already near the front door, just as a fire truck pulled onto the grounds. 

“I’ll go talk to them,” Feyre said, and kissed Rhysand quickly on the cheek before hurrying out the back door, Elain close behind. 

Cassian was looking around the house as he walked, even though he’d already searched the entirety of it. Rhysand and Azriel were on his heels as they exited through the front door.

Rhysand’s truck had the most room, and they knew letting Cassian drive wasn’t the smartest. The first logical place to go was the Carlson ranch, only to find it deserted. Cassian looked at the window, where he’d hurled the brick back at him.

“Where would they go?” Azriel asked, kicking something aside as they searched through his workshop.

Rhysand’s phone rang and he answered it. A quick conversation took place, and Feyre said the police needed to talk to Cassian.

They loaded back up into the truck and went back to the ranch. The police were there, along with the fire department and an ambulance, and the second Cassian’s feet hit the ground, questions were being asked.

“What happened?”

Cassian replayed the situation, from the second Nesta had noticed the fire blazing up until the point he realized they were missing. 

“You have to find her,” he told the police, after he told his story. “She’s thirty-eight weeks pregnant, nearly ready to go into labor, you have to fucking find her.”

“We will do everything we ca-.”

“Find her!” he yelled, grabbing the cop he’d been talking to by the shoulders. No one reacted, everyone stayed calm, even the cop that was being grabbed.

The young cop simply took a deep breath before saying, “We will look for her, adamantly, starting now.”

Cassian released his shoulders and nodded, and said in a quiet voice. “Thank you, just… I have to get them back.”

He looked over to where the stables once stood. Now it was a smoldering pile of wood and cinders, all that time put in, all those memories. Gone up in a blaze.

They told Cassian he couldn’t stay in their house that night, that they’d be combing through it for any evidence.

He asked a passing officer, “Will you please, please tell me if that’s her blood?”

The dark red hair, the amber eyes. He was a Vanserra, no doubt.

He nodded. “As soon as we know something, we’ll let you know.”

They let Cassian go in, accompanied by Elain, to get what he would need for the next few days. 

Elain did most of the packing, although she cried the whole time. Cassian couldn’t stay focused though, couldn’t concentrate on anything other than her.

All he could think about was Nesta and their baby, where they were, what he was doing to them.

But per the cops request, Cassian went home with Azriel and Elain to wait for further word.

But he didn’t sleep, didn’t rest.

And he wouldn’t until he found them.

Nesta, and his baby girl. 

[burningred92]

The Short Love Story Of Jake Gyllenhaal and Taylor Swift

Taylor and Jake were first seen together publicly in late October 2010. A source told Us Weekly: "The relationship is very new, maybe two or three weeks old. They’re both into it." Gyllenhaal was said to have initiated the relationship, emailing Swift to tell her of his admiration for her talent.

Apple picking in upstate New York

They were spotted at the Fishkill Farms in Hopewell Junction, N.Y on October 23, where they toured fall foliage and went apple-picking. An onlooker told Us Weekly: "They were walking through the trees, having fun together. They looked happy. Some of the customers tried to take a photo of them, but they were hiding from them in the trees. They drove through the orchard and bought the apples on the way out." Gyllenhaal, 29, paid the $3 tab.

In the audience of Emma Stone's SNL episode

Later that evening, the pair attended the broadcast of Saturday Night Live in Manhattan, which was hosted by Swift's good friend, Emma Stone. According to a PEOPLE source, "They showed up together. They walked around together backstage, but they were careful not to be seen too close. It was hard to tell if they were together, but everyone was shocked that she brought him." Meanwhile, an eyewitness told Us Weekly: "Swift initially sat down with her bodyguard, but after the lights dimmed, he got up and Gyllenhaal occupied the seat. They chatted a lot, but no kissing or hand holding or anything affectionate." Sources at SNL told Lainey Gossip: "She was totally into him. They were close the whole time, and awkwardly cute-flirting, some undercover handholding ... It was more than just friends." Added Lainey: "As you can imagine, she was beyond delirious. I’m told she looked like she was dreaming while she was there. And they left together."

Brooklyn brunch with friends including Emma Stone

On Sunday October 24, Swift, 20 and Gyllenhaal, 29, brunched with Emma Stone and another guest at Al Di La in Brooklyn and, said a Us Weekly source, looked "friendly."  According to E! Online's Ted Casablanca: "They sat side-by-side the whole time. Taylor, who was sporting some heavy makeup and looking rather stiff and uncomfortable in the Brooklyn hot spot, managed to throw in a few smiles and laughs. Jake played the cool, older guy as he chatted with the waiters and couldn't stop smiling. Plus, our sources say he was looking super hot and proud of himself in his classic V-neck and sleek aviators." They were also spotted together strolling around Brooklyn's Park Slope neighbourhood.

Jake meets Taylor's mother

On October 25, Gyllenhaal accompanied Swift to a taping of an NBC Thanksgiving special. He spent time in Swift's dressing room with the singer and her mother.

Weekend break in Big Sur and Santa Barbara, California

From October 29 to November 1 the couple stayed at the exclusive Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California. According to PEOPLE, "they spent most of their time in their room - the most expensive one in the hotel, with a fireplace and ocean view-they did step out for a romantic dinner at Sierra Mar. They were very cute. They looked happy." An onlooker told Lainey Gossip that the couple "were seen together over breakfast and also by the pool. Swifty was wearing a beret. There was some handholding and their arms were around each other and she was touching his hair and getting lost in his cute ass amazing face." Us Weekly's witness saw the couple at the hotel's pool: "Taylor laughed at everything Jake said. At one point, she measured herself against Jake on her tiptoes." (An observer added that Gyllenhaal "held her hand.") Late on Monday November 1, the couple arrived in Santa Barbara, stopping for ice cream upon arrival. They came in [Monday]," an employee of McConnell's Ice Cream told E! Online. "There were young customers in here, and our girls who worked here are young and they recognized them right away. Everyone was excited and asked to take pictures with them, which they obliged to do. Taylor got a suggestion from one of our workers. They were very nice and seemed comfortable around each other. They weren't lovey-dovey though." Us Weekly reported: ""They looked at all the flavors and couldn't decide, so they asked the counter girls for help," a staffer says of the duo, who were "happy" and "friendly." "Taylor was very interested in what I was doing in the back making ice cream and said, 'Wow, you guys are legit!'" Their ice cream picks, which Gyllenhaal paid for: Swiss chocolate chip for him, yogurt with rainbow sprinkles for her. After savoring their treats inside McConnell's for about 20 minutes, the pair split. When they were approached by excited college-age fans in the parking lot, they "happily obliged" for photos. "They smiled a ton!"

Minibreak in London; dinner at the Paltrow-Martins

On November 11, Swift jetted from Nashville to London and promptly holed up at the five-star Dorchester Hotel. Gyllenhaal, in town to promote Love and Other Drugs, was staying at the same hotel. Said a Us Weekly source: “It was a secret. Taylor came early to be with Jake [before her promotional duties.] It was a love-in!” The tryst marked the fourth weekend in a row they spent together. According to Us Weekly, Swift’s arrival in London was so stealth even members of her own camp hadn’t heard about the last-minute itinerary change. Neither ventured outside the luxe hotel, and on November 12, Swift ordered in Chinese food. “It was enough for two or three people!” says a hotel source. Not even staffers caught a glimpse of them together before Gyllenhaal left for NYC November 13 (Swift flew to Japan the next day). But the romance is definitely heating up. “He’s crushing on her,” said a Gyllenhaal source. And Swift, said an insider, is “excited. She wants it to be official.” During the trip, the pair "were driven from the Dorchester Hotel to Gwyneth and Chris Martin's house in Primrose Hill for dinner. Gwyneth seems to have played a role in their relationship." When USA Today later asked Paltrow about the intimate gathering with Gyllenhaal, 30, and Swift, 21, the actress initially tried to play coy. "Where is this coming from?" she asked, adding that she's "scared to say" much about the couple's blossoming romance. "It's so weird. I wonder how people find out these things. It was a while ago, so I don't know why it would come out today. I've just known Jake for a long time and he's a great guy, and Chris has a friendship with Taylor."

Thanksgiving with Jake at his sister's house in Brooklyn

On November 25, Swift celebrated Thanksgiving with Gyllenhaal's extended family in Brooklyn, New York. Around 10:30 a.m., the pair popped into Park Slope's Gorilla Coffee for specialty maple lattes, made with pure Vermont syrup. "They were really sweet, really really sweet," said a source at the shop, adding that the duo also tipped well. "Taylor sipped Jake's maple lattee to try it and was giggling a lot. She looked like a high school girl in love for the first time. Jake was smiling at her the whole time. It was kind of sweet to watch. Jake is usually not chatty when he comes in, but with Taylor he was talking and laughing the entire time." They then stopped off at Union Market for last-minute Thanksgiving supplies. An onlooker said they were like "love-struck teens ... They seemed very comfortable together." A source told Us Weekly that Swift arrived in New York on Thanksgiving eve: "Jake invited her to New York for Thanksgiving. It wasn't planned in advance, but she said, 'Why not? I can do it, and I'm going.' Her parents weren't thrilled, but she explained to them that she gets to see them all the time and wasn't able to spend much time with Jake during the publicity madness. She loves his family and he loves hers. There was no diva behavior. She pitched in to cook and to clear the dishes. She also seemed very interested in the family and asked them a lot of questions about themselves."

Visiting Taylor's extended family in St. Louis, Missouri

The couple then travelled to St. Louis on Taylor's private jet to spend time with her extended family. Before Thanksgiving, Swift had told reporters she planned to spend the holiday in St Louis: "I have a big family there and most of them are women so we'll all crowd in the kitchen and make things and tell stories and laugh. It's a good time."

Jake spends time in Nashville

On November 27, the couple resurfaced in Swift's adopted hometown of Nashville, where they were spotted getting a late breakfast at Fido. "They were smiling and laughing. They were talking a lot and enjoying each other's company," a diner named Elaina Mishu told PEOPLE. "They didn't look like friends." Customer Emma Rice, who snapped a photo of the pair, called the duo "very cute" and said, "They seemed close. They were not trying to be discreet by any means. They were definitely a couple. They looked very happy." Later that day, they visited the Gaylord Opryland to look at the Christmas decorations and the Garden Conservatory. "She stayed close to him the entire time," an eyewitness told Us Weekly. That night, Gyllenhaal was spotted making a solo Whole Foods run. On November 29, they dined at Crema in Nashville. "They ordered two coffees at the counter. When they sat down, they stayed very close to one another and held hands for a second. They were just sitting there for about half an hour in really deep conversation. And when they were leaving, Taylor cleaned up the mess on the table. She seemed very nice!"

On November 30, they stopped by Nashville's Frothy Monkey for coffee, with a source telling TMZ that the couple had visited the cafe for "several" consecutive mornings. An onlooker told Us Weekly: "She had her arm around his, and when they left they were holding hands." That night, they stopped by CityHouse for dinner.

Taylor visits Jake in LA; Jake calls cops on paparazzi

As soon as she landed in L.A. in a private jet on December 8, Swift hightailed it to Gyllenhaal's Hollywood Hills home. The next day, the pair were spotted out on afternoon drive around town. As Gyllenhaal navigated his Audi, he also made an effort to amuse his date. "Jake and Taylor seemed to be catching up and were chatting nonstop in the car," an onlooker told PEOPLE. "Jake was making Taylor laugh and she looked very happy." However, later that afternoon, an angry Gyllenhaal called the police because of the paparazzi's dangerous driving. The couple was being followed while driving through a residential neighborhood in Beverly Hills. “This was scary,” a source close to Gyllenhaal told Gossip Cop. “This was not about a celebrity saying, ‘Don’t follow me,’” said the insider, adding that Gyllenhaal and Swift “felt they were in jeopardy.” But it wasn’t just Swift’s safety and his own that Gyllenhaal was concerned about. “There were people on the sidewalk, families” in the neighborhood who could have potentially been injured. “It was really dangerous,” reiterated the source, who said the police stopped six paparazzi cars that were right on Gyllenhaal’s car. Unfortunately, after Gyllenhaal drove on, there were four more paparazzi cars – out of the police’s view – who still followed the couple.

Swift and Gyllenhaal were both spotted wearing pink plastic bracelets during the period, with Gyllenhaal revealing in an interview that it had been given to him by his niece, Ramona.

Gyllenhaal was also photographed wearing a scarf, identical to one previously worn by Swift

Split announced in January 2011

News of a split broke in early January 2011. "Jake reached out to her and started all of this, but now he’s not acting as interested,” a source explained to Us Weekly about the breakup, which reportedly occurred right before New Year’s. “He said he wasn’t feeling it anymore and was uncomfortable with all the attention they got. Taylor is really upset. We told her not to move so fast with this, but she didn’t listen.” “Jake cares about her, but [the publicity] was a lot for him,” the source said. “He wants to keep his private life private, and that’s hard to do dating Taylor. Jake just told her it wasn't working out. Taylor is really upset and hurt. She doesn't know what she did for him to put a stop to it. She feels really burned by him."

Jake visits Taylor in Nashville

On January 19, Swift and Gyllenhaal arrived quietly together at Bound'ry, a restaurant near Swift's Nashville condo, and were led back to a table for two, according to another patron. "They did eat," the patron told PEOPLE. "They were cordial to one another, but not affectionate." And another source told PEOPLE that they seemed friendly. "There was no holding hands, but they seemed happy together," the source says. "They sat next to the fireplace just chatting away."

Intense discussion at Vanity Fair Oscar party

On February 27, Swift attended the Vanity Fair Oscar party with pals Emma Stone and Ashley Avignone. During the event, Swift and Gyllenhaal were seen "outside near the restroom having a discussion. It seemed a bit more serious – it certainly wasn't a 'Hi, how are you?' talk. It seemed like they were catching up, sorting something out." A Washington Post reporter seated near Gyllenhaal and Swift remarked: ""Gyllenhaal is using words like 'care' and 'feel'. It is not a good spot to linger."

In late 2013, Swift shared: “I heard from the guy that most of 'Red' is about. He was like, ‘I just listened to the album, and that was a really bittersweet experience for me. It was like going through a photo album.’ That was nice." Maggie Gyllenhaal was asked in another 2013 interview if her brother was the subject of 'Red': "Y’know, I have no information on whether that’s happened or not but I think it’s kind of amazing to have a big pop song written about you, right?! As far as I know, nobody’s written any about me!"

[emmettrook]

black friday

Maybe it was missing his family on Thanksgiving.

 The Kovali held a party, and while he was there he’d been able to forget what he was missing, but it wasn’t the same—not when Dakota wasn’t there to turn on the Macy’s Day parade because she loved to see the balloons, or when the kids (even though they weren’t kids anymore) didn’t get sent outside to burn off energy while the turkey was in the oven, or when they didn’t pile into one of the ranch trucks to drive out and cut a Christmas tree.  Molly facetimed later that day, right before they sat down for dinner in Montana, but it wasn’t the same.

 Maybe it was the fact that, despite the pauses and delays of scant cell service on Molly’s end, he could see Jimmy’s parents there.  The O’Carroll family was small, so they’d always come over, the adults gathered at one end of the table and the “kids”—no matter how old—at the other.  So it was nothing new—but before, Jimmy’d been there. Emmett had been there.  And now they were missing, for different reasons.

 And maybe that was why Emmett dreamed about the war again.  Because it had split his life into before and after, and no matter how many times he’d replayed it in his dreams he kept seeing the truck explode.  Kept seeing Jimmy die again

 and again

 and again.

 And that was why Emmett spent Black Friday drinking.

 He hadn’t planned it like that.  It’d started like normal, waking up with a shower to wash off the cold sweat, a glass of whiskey to try to chase away the memories.  A walk for Janey.  A beer with lunch to take the edge off.  And when it didn’t, he’d gone to Farley’s, thinking he’d only be there a few hours.

 But Dave was there, his wife having ditched him for shopping, and then Matt came in, and Aaron, and they played pool, and shot the breeze, and Anna and Dylan came in for the Cincinnati vs. Memphis game and got them all into watching (as long as they promised to root for Memphis), and then of course they had to celebrate when Memphis won, and then Matt’s girlfriend showed up with a bunch of her friends, and Emmett wasn’t quite sure if the girl he’d gone home with was one of those friends or just somebody else who’d happened to be there.  He wasn’t quite sure what her name was, either—honestly, at that point he wasn’t sure he even remembered his own name.  He didn’t remember much of anything, except that when they’d left Farley’s it’d been dark out, and that had surprised him. He hadn’t thought they’d been there that long.

 And he hadn’t planned on spending all night with a stranger.  But when he finally woke up and checked the time—11:41 Saturday morning, his battery on 2%--Janey’s grinning face lit up his lockscreen.

 SHIT.

 Tripping around the half-darkened room, collecting his clothes with his head pounding and mouth dry, he left without waking the girl up, stumbling into the blinding daylight and too-loud city noise of a Chicago hangover.

 He didn’t know where his truck was—outside Farley’s, probably with a ticket on the windshield, or maybe towed already.  Hell, he didn’t even know where he was, but he caught a taxi before making it to the corner to read the street signs.  He’d been gone almost 24 hours—poor Janey would be ready to burst.

 And she was, running out the door as soon as he opened it and doing her business without pausing to chase the cat who’d been perched on the railing or inspect the split trash bag someone hadn’t bothered to throw in the dumpster.  “Sorry, kid,” Emmett told her, scratching her ears once she’d come back to him.  He hadn’t made it farther than the stairway.  “You have a crazy night too?”

 But when they got back inside, he realized that she’d had a hungry night, and a thirsty one.  She’d been clawing at the cabinet where he kept her food—he couldn’t fault her for that—and her water bowl stood nearly empty, and a pang of guilt ran deeper than his headache.  Shit.

 “Sorry,” he told her again, scooping a generous portion of kibble into her dish and filling her water while she wolfed it down.  “I didn’t mean to…I thought I was comin’ back.”  He’d thought he was going to be back so much sooner.  He’d thought he was going to take care of her.  He’d thought he was going to be okay.

 But when he went to crash on his bed, offering a “C’mon, bud” and figuring she’d be happy to jump up and flop next to him—she didn’t come.

 “Janey?”

 She was still in the kitchen, watching him with an expression he couldn’t place.  “Janey,” he said again, “here, girl.”

 But she still didn’t come, and when he finally ordered her because he couldn’t figure out what else to do, she crouched low to the ground, slinking toward him like she hadn’t done since the first day he’d brought her home, when she’d been brand-new and not sure whether to trust him.

 And Emmett felt like shit, but he got up again, sitting on the edge of the bed to call her over—and then he saw that she’d had an accident on the floor in the corner, and she looked so damn guilty about it, like it was her fault when the fault was all his, and his heart broke.

 “Jane,” he said, and was crying, and she was at his side, whining and licking his face like he was the one who needed comfort, and she was more than he’d ever deserve. “Janey—I’m sorry—I’m so sorry, baby—”

 She wormed her way into his lap, all sixty pounds of her, and whined in his ear and pawed at his arms and let him cry in her neck, and he gave her a hundred apologies she couldn’t understand and forgot about his hangover because he’d been out drinking while she was here, alone, hungry and guilty and trying her best and not knowing it wasn’t her fault—

 It was his fault.  It was his, and he knew it, and for the first time he couldn’t try to deny that something needed to change.

 “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, “I won’t leave ya again—promise—”

And he didn’t deserve it, but she stayed with him, steadfast and loyal and dependable, like he should have been, like he wanted to be.

 Like he wished he’d been for Jimmy.

 “C’mon,” he said finally, crawling back into bed.  He’d clean up after her later—he had lots of cleaning up to do.  Starting with his own mind.

 So, as Janey stretched out alongside him, thumping her tail against his knee and breathing dog breath against his face, he dug his phone from his pocket—1% battery.  Caught in the nick of time.

 [text: Doc] You know what you said in the ER?

 Emmett had come in a few weeks before with a boxer’s fracture—maybe unsurprising on its own, but it’d been 3 a.m. on a weeknight.  And although he hadn’t told Roe why he’d punched a wall—hadn’t told him about the dreams, and the panic attacks, and the rage at how helpless he felt—Roe had known something was going on.  And Emmett hadn’t listened, then.

 But he needed to, now. For Janey’s sake, if not his own.

 [text: Doc] You got some of those numbers?

 His phone died seconds after he’d sent the text, and he fished around for the charger, plugging it in and turning it on silent.  He’d check later, after a nap, maybe.  Janey would wake him up.

 Running his hand over her skull—the same hand she’d bitten when he’d rescued her, the same hand he’d broken—he closed his eyes, settling in despite how much she smelled like a dog. She needed a bath, at some point. One more thing to clean up.

 “You and me, kid,” he mumbled.  “We’re gonna figure this shit out.”  

 He sighed; she licked his hand.  

 “Promise.”

[annaphoenix1994]

Ch.26 - Familiar Touch

Previous Chapter - Masterlist - Next Chapter

Simon continues to care for Kiera; Kiera begins her pursuit of a surprise.

Within the next couple of weeks, Kiera began to stress that Christmas was coming as well as the dire need to get back to work, but Simon wouldn't let her exceed her limits as she endured the healing process. 

But just like Simon, she was stubborn - which created conflict. 

Every other night, Kiera began showing signs of night terrors, causing her to lash out in her sleep at practically nothing, Simon keeping her close once she calmed down. Once she began walking on her own, she began to get a harder personality than others, recoiling back to her comfort of wanting to intake alcohol more frequently and keeping herself distant. Simon took notice of this rather quickly - recognizing it as his own behavior that he portrayed when coming home from a deployment. 

But Kiera never lashed out at him. She resigned her behavior to him although she had been distant - wanting to seek that familiar comfort of their relationship by being around him when she needed it most. 

It was a Saturday - which was a day the ranch usually worked cattle in the pen to prepare for an evening sale. Kiera had gotten up early that morning with high hopes of participating, but she knew better. She managed to get up on her own without Simon's help, which was a big step in the healing process, although she couldn't fathom the thought of looking at herself in the mirror, afraid of the reflection. The swelling in her eye had gone down, giving her the comfort of seeing out of her right eye again, leaving a dark bruise with yellow edges as well as a sure-to-be scar on her cheek, leaving her to forever guess what had caused it. 

Simon was still asleep, having been awake throughout most of the night as he suffered night terrors of his own, but Kiera let him sleep in as he had been going out of his way to ensure her comfort before his own. 

She winced in pain as she moved slowly throughout the house, her wool socks keeping the cold floor from nipping at her toes as she moved into the kitchen, her mouth salivating at the thought of hot coffee for both her and Simon, looking down at her phone as she sent a text: 

Saturday 7:25AM

When you can, let me know when you're free for a call.

Looking at the clock above the stove, it read a quarter past seven a.m., which was late for Simon to be sleeping, but she knew he deserved it, so she did her best to sneak out of the bed that morning. 

Deciding on eggs, toast, and bacon for breakfast, she desperately tried to make the commotion in the kitchen as low as possible to not wake him up. She wanted to embrace him with a warm breakfast and hot coffee - just as she pictured taking care of him as a housewife with a little bump prodding at her stomach. One day, she pondered, hope crossing her mind at the thought, hoping he wanted the same. 

The bacon sizzled in the pan as she finished cooking it, setting it to the side to cool down before making her way to the bedroom to wake him up, the smell of bacon and coffee lingering throughout the house. 

She entered the bedroom, still warm from the space heater she had on her side of the bed for extra warmth. Simon was laying on his stomach, which was a position he rarely slept in unless he was truly comfortable. She knew he'd never admit it, but he loved her Jersey material sheets and fleece comforter. She herself loved it, too, reminding her of the feel of a comfortable t-shirt as she slept. 

The pillow was pinned between his head and arm, and the muscles of his back relaxed as it was bare to the room - something else he would do when completely comfortable. He hadn't woken up to her presence yet, which was rare for him too.

But he had never taken melatonin until he had come home with her from the hospital. 

He swore it was the best invention. 

She moved to sit on the edge of the bed, tracing her fingertips along the divet of his back, feeling his back tense at her warm touch. Her hand stopped at the back of his neck, her fingers gliding over the chain of his dog tags before they moved to his hair, massaging his scalp lightly as he began to stir in his sleep. She grinned, pleased that he had been getting sleep despite having to comfort her hours prior during one of her night terrors. She almost got up to leave him to his slumber and take breakfast on her own, but she enjoyed massaging his scalp as his hair happened to be softer than hers, raking her fingers through the top of his head and feathering back the longer tresses back towards his nape. 

He grumbled in pleasure, embracing her familiar touch as his hand slipped from behind the pillow to grasp her left hand that was raking through his hair, bringing it to his lips and pressing a tender kiss there before making himself turnover, his dog tags clicking together as he turned onto his back. "You look refreshed." She commented, watching him stretch his hands above his head. 

"I feel refreshed," He replied, sighing after bringing his arms back down to toy with her fingers again, unable to resist the urge to bring her hand to his mouth again, pressing another kiss to her hand in the middle of her palm. "How long have you been up?" 

"About an hour," She whispered, swiping her thumb over his growing stubble. "I didn't want to wake you up." 

"It's okay, love, I wish you would have." 

She shook her head, "Nah, it's my turn to cook you breakfast." 

He chuckled, fluttering his eyes shut for a few seconds, the familiar smirk of a sarcastic comment tickling his lips, "I'd rather eat an MRE." 

She giggled playfully, lightly tapping his arm in a playful fuss, watching him bring her knuckles to his lips again. He truly couldn't get enough of it. "You weren't saying that when I cooked supper the other night." 

"Yeah, well I was starving. When you're starving, you eat what you can get." He teased. 

"Fine, then I guess you're starving this morning because I wanted to be a good partner and cook you breakfast since you've beaten me to it almost every day since we got back." She pouted. 

He chuckled again, "You know I'm just playing with you, sweetheart." 

"Really?" She asked, watching him motion for her to press her body against him as he was desperate for her warmth. He didn't give a fuck about the breakfast waiting on him, although the thought of food satisfying the grumble in his stomach was tempting, engulfing her in his arms was more desirable. 

He grinned as she willingly accepted his cuddle invitation, helping her ease down onto her side as it was clear she was still sore. His arm was secured under her head under the pillow as his right arm snuck around her waist, rubbing his fingertips along the exposed skin of her hip as his face nestled into the crook of her neck, placing a delicate kiss there as he felt her relax into his touch. 

They both needed it. 

"Really. You make the best meals when I'm starving." He continued to tease, chuckling at her scoff, knowing she rolled her eyes at his remark. 

"Then I guess you're the family cook from now on." She scoffed. 

"About time you promoted me." He whispered, pressing another kiss to her neck. 

"You're lucky I love you." 

"Mhm, well as much as I love you, at least I tell you when I don't like your cooking." He poked, Kiera able to feel the smirk on his lips as they were pressed against her neck. 

She stayed silent, closing her eyes at his embracing warmth from his bare torso. 

"I'm just messing with you, love." He whispered, wondering if he had taken his jokes too far. 

"I know," She hummed. "I, however, won't tell you when your cooking is bad." 

"Well, you compliment me every time I cook for you, so I don't believe you." 

They chuckled, embracing their remarks toward each other. She hummed, reaching down to grasp his hand that was resting on her hip, bringing it up to her mouth as she peppered kisses on his fingertips, his forearm nestled between her breasts as she held his arm close to her, "I'm going to end up falling back to sleep." 

"Then fall asleep, love," He replied, inhaling the scent of her shampoo lingering in her hair as his head relaxed into the pillow, fighting the temptation to fall back asleep as well. "We'll eat breakfast later when we wake up." 

"Bacon isn't good when it's cold. I put on coffee too." She mumbled, twining her fingers with his as she still clutched his hand close to her face, his thumb sneaking a swipe at the bottom of her chin, seeking contact with her face as the rough pad of his thumb grazed along her jaw.

"It's okay," He assured her, feeling her body nudge closer to his, seeking his comforting frame to warm her. "I'm not picky when it comes to food, you should know that." He teased. 

She huffed playfully, "I'm too comfortable to get up now." 

"Good, because I wasn't going to let you up anyway," He whispered, peppering another kiss to her neck before his left arm shifted under the pillow her head was laying on, wrapping it around her shoulder as she nestled her face into his elbow, inhaling his scent as it was truly blissful to fall asleep to. "I can feel how tired you are." 

*

Simon ended up waking up around nine a.m., leaving Kiera to catch up on sleep as he got up from the bed, placing a kiss on her shoulder before leaving her in a slumber to relieve himself and brush his teeth before finding a fresh set of clothes for the day. 

He smirked at the plate of bacon she had cooked earlier, putting the plate in the microwave and warming it, eating it for himself as he retrieved the pack of bacon from the fridge, turning on the stovetop to make more bacon for her - fresh. 

Seeing that the coffee was still hot on the heat plate, he couldn't resist the temptation to pour himself a cup, careful in the first sip as he felt it was much needed. Taking the hot bacon from the pan, he reached into the cabinet to get a plate before glancing through the fridge to get the tray of eggs her mother brought her from the chicken coop that was in her parent's backyard. 

Although her mother wasn't fond of being around horses and cattle, she took to raising chickens as a hobby throughout her retirement. 

Turning the pan to low heat, he cracked four eggs into the pan, sprinkling a pinch of salt and pepper into the eggs as they cooked, taking a fork and scrambling them together, hearing Kiera's faint footsteps behind him. 

She clutched a blanket around her shoulders as she grinned at him. He towered over the stove - the top of the stove being parallel to his waist as it looked like he was straining to keep his head down to face the task at hand. She watched as he emptied a portion of eggs onto a plate before dispursing the rest onto another plate, putting the empty pan into the sink to cool off, stepping aside to reach for the bread in the breadbox and turning on the toaster. 

She walked up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head between his shoulders. "Beat you to it, sweetheart." He said lowly, grasping her hand with his. 

"Aren't you just a housewife." She poked, feeling the rumble of a chuckle within his chest at her words. 

"You'd be better at that. I didn't want to wake you up." 

"Mhm. You just don't want to admit that you don't want to eat what I cook." 

"You know I'm messing with you, love, stop it," He shook his head, patting the top of her hand lightly, knowing they were still bruised as he reached across the counter to put the bread into the toaster. "Butter of jam?"

"Jam, babe." She answered, humming her response against his back, feeling him turn around to face her as he leaned against the counter. 

"Say it again." He asked, the pet name sending yet another tingle throughout his chest, having heard it only once when they returned home, it was a comforting welcome. 

"Babe." She smiled, looking up at him, leaning against him as she forced herself to stand on her toes, desperate to feel his lips on hers as they had been abstinent from kissing for what felt like months. 

She wrapped her arms around his neck, his arms stabilizing her by her waist as he avoided the areas on her back that was still healing from the grafts, sighing heavily through his nose as he welcomed the warmth of her lips on his. So fuckin' long, he thought, remembering their first kiss on Thanksgiving. 

He forced the thought of arousal from his mind as he knew it wasn't time yet, but fuck, it was so difficult to resist. He wanted to pleasure her so badly, to love her how she should be loved, to touch her so delicately as if she were glass, to worship her as a goddess, and to make sensual love to her that he knew she deserved. 

She wanted it, too. The sexual tension between them had been growing relentlessly for months. If she had to be particular - since the day she had bumped into him after her shower in the barracks. 

Since then, her core pooled at the thought of him between her legs. 

But it was too soon - too soon for him to feel like he was taking advantage of the arousal she effortlessly gave him.

So he fought it desperately. He didn't want her to think he was rushing anything. 

But that didn't mean he was going to resist her kisses, embracing them with every chance he got. 

His hands rested on either side of her hips, gripping them slightly as she used his body to crutch against as her balance was offset. 

She pulled away for a breath, looking up at him as he pressed his lips against her forehead. "I'll bring you your plate." 

She lowered her weight onto her heels, smiling up at him, "At least let me serve you since you won't let me cook." 

He shook his head, "No, love, if I'm taking care of you, I go one hundred percent. Now go sit down." 

She huffed in defeat, shaking her head with a smile as she did as she was told, pulling out a chair at the small table nearby, feeling his presence come up behind her with a plate of fresh breakfast, setting it in front of her and pressing his palm against the back of her head, swiping his thumb against her scalp, pleased to discover that the lump on her head was dispersing. "What do you want to drink?" 

"What's on the menu?" She giggled. 

"Well, you're supposed to be drinking water when you take your medicine in the morning, especially since you haven't been eating a lot, but since you haven't been as stubborn this week as you were last week, there's soda and juice...and water." He poked, resting his hand against the back of her chair. 

"Hmm. Dr. Pepper, please." She giggled, eager to satisfy the craving for her favorite soda. 

He nodded, returning to the fridge to get a can of the soda, using his index finger to flip the tab to open it so that she wouldn't have to use her regaining strength to do it herself, setting it down in front of her as she took a sip of it first before taking a bite from her scrambled eggs. 

He soon joined her with his own plate, taking a sip from the glass of water after he took a bite from plain toast. "No jam?" She asked. 

He shook his head, "I'm basic." 

"I'll say," She scoffed. "You're missing out." 

"I'll try it eventually." 

Throughout their breakfast, they sat in silence. Simon took glances at her every few minutes to ensure himself that she was eating with no issues, even though she took a lot longer to take a new bite of food as it was clear she was still having trouble eating. 

Thankful that she had at least eaten all of her eggs, he frowned as she set her fork aside and leaned back into her chair. "Did you take your medicine?" He asked her, concerned. 

She nodded, releasing a deep breath and frowning, "I can't finish it. It looks so good, but my stomach feels so full." 

"You need to try, love," He spoke lowly. "You'll get sick if you don't eat." 

"I feel sick right now. I took it on an empty stomach." She sighed. 

"Well, when we eat something for dinner, I'll make sure you take it after we eat." 

She shook her head, "I don't know if I can eat dinner, Simon." 

He reached over the table to grasp her hand with his right, his thumb rubbing her ring finger as usual - a touch that she was growing to love, "Only one way to find out." 

[tnbc-thoughtsandheadcanons]

The Nightmare Before Christmas: 25 Years Anniversary

Since there are a LOT more things coming out to celebrate the film’s 25th anniversary, I thought I’d make a master post to share everything that has and IS going to happen. Obviously there’s still a lot of the year left, so new things are bound to come(predictably in October), but I’ll be updating it as time goes on! Here’s a master post of all the celebrations for TNBC’s 25th anniversary:

The Nightmare Before Christmas Visual Companion

Much like The Film, the Art, the Vision, which was published by Frank Thompson and foreworded by Tim Burton himself ages ago, a new book is going to be released sometime later this year filled with behind-the-scenes content of The Nightmare Before Christmas. It is made by Dave Bossert and is claimed to have material fans have never seen before...Hopefully some information of more recent news will make it in there. (include that Jack/Sally graveyard storyboard scene you COWARDS!)

Showcasing of The Nightmare Before Christmas Tattoo Art

(Continued from above) Dave Bossert is also going to showcase a selection of Nightmare Before Christmas-themed tattoos in two pages in The Nightmare Before Christmas Visual Companion. If you have a TNBC tat, chances are you’ll want to send him something. So if you have a photo or JPEG you’d like to send him of your tattoo, send it to NightmareTattoos@gmail.com. If they pick yours, they’ll get you to sign a release and give you credit. So don’t miss out on that!

The Nightmare Before Christmas Sequel Comic Book: Zero’s Journey

As I’m sure everyone of us has heard by now, there was a released comic book published by TOKYOPOP serving as the “sequel” to The Nightmare Before Christmas. It focuses on Zero getting lost in Christmas Town, and by now only a couple of issues have officially released. They’re published monthly, so be on your watch for a new one as the months go by. It should be available in comic book stores or online somewhere. It’s cute and the art is well done!

The D23 Comic-Con San Diego Panel (July 21st, 2018)

In 2 days from now, the Official Disney Fan Club(D23) is hosting a panel at the San Diego Comic-Con featuring Henry Selick, Anthony Scott, Kelly Asbury, and Edie Ichioka. It’ll be a behind-the-scenes retroactive panel in room 6BCF from 7:45-8:45 P.M. at the San Diego Convention Center. Takes notes if you’re going - we don’t hear much from this part of the cast!

The “Pocket Pop-Up Experience” (July 21st, 2018)

An artistic celebration is going to be hosted at the Davis-Horton House, 410 Island Avenue in San Diego from 8 A.M.-8 P.M. On the 13th minute of every hour, they will be handing out special Nightmare merchandise to lucky people in line. Go if you want a chance at merchandise or if you’re interested in this celebration. If you have any time after this, try and make it to the D23 panel!!

Merchandise...LOTS of Merchandise.

Nightmare has always been exploited. The same thing will be happening for its 25th anniversary. New merchandise has been released, including action figures, a new special edition DVD, collectibles, statues, ornaments, posters, calendars, snow globes, etc. More merchandise is being released for the Resident characters, so if you’re interested in that, keep an eye out! These are gradually popping out in stores as we speak.

Cinestory / The Story of the Movie In Comics

There will be a Cinestory comic published by Joe Books LTD releasing for the anniversary, featuring rare concept art from the Disney archives and Tim Burton. The publisher is also releasing a graphic novel adaption on July 31st, 2018 called “The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Story of the Movie In Comics”. These will be available in stores like Walmart, Target, and Amazon, and are available for preorders right now.

Cinema Screenings and Orchestras

Yes, it turns out that some cinemas ARE returning The Nightmare Before Christmas for its 25th Anniversary. Street Food Cinemas of King Gillette Ranch in Malibu, California will be hosting an event on September 29th(X). The Florida Theatre in Jacksonville will have a 7:00-8:30 P.M. screening on July 22nd, 2018. The Paramount Theatre will also have a showing on August 5, 2018 at 1:00 P.M in Austin and October 15, 2018 at 6:15 P.M in Aurora.

The Pittsburgh Symphony will also be playing Danny Elfman’s score at Heinz Hall on October 18th at 7:30 P.M(X). The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra will be performing the score at the Powell Hall on November 3rd(7:00 P.M.) and 4th(2:00 P.M.)(X). There will also be a screening in Chicago at the Auditorium Theatre on October 31 with the Chicago Philarmonic performing the score. This event welcomes attendees to dress up and celebrate in the lobby. Tickets will go on sale on July 27th at noon here.

Keep an ear out from your local cinemas in case they decide to screen Nightmare sometime soon, as well as any orchestrated events near you. 

If any of the information is incorrect or if you have any questions, just let me know. I expect further events and celebrations to come, this is just what I know of right now. Have fun, everyone!

[travelingtheusa]

GEORGIA

13 Dec 2019 (Fri) – Today was a cold and miserable day.  It rained all day long and the temps never got out of the 40s. We spent the morning wrapping Christmas gifts then packing them up to ship back to New York.  At noon, we realized it was not going to stop raining so we went out to post office and mailed off the gifts and cards.  We went to Olive Garden for soup and salad for lunch. It hit the spot.

    We drove around Skidaway Island for a while, admiring the houses and shops.  We spotted a sign for an aquarium so we following the directions to it.  It turned out to be a small set of tanks at the Georgia Institute of Oceanography.  It was cute but in no way was it anything near an aquarium.  There were maybe 12 tanks with different kinds of fish indigenous to the area.  We did discover that there is a reef right off the shore of Savannah.  Grey’s Reef is a national maritime park.  I thought all reefs were in warmer waters in the Caribbean Sea.

12 Dec 2019 (Thu) – Brrrrrr.  It was cold and overcast all day today and yesterday.  What a difference from the first day we arrived when the temperature was in the high 80s.  Now it’s been in the low 50s.  Just plain uncomfortable.

    We drove an hour to Hilton Head Island. There was a plantation called Coastal Discovery Museum but was really more of a ranch (they call everything a plantation around here) with a main house and several outbuildings.  We walked around the property but didn’t see much of interest; except in a pole barn where they had a piece of space junk that fell into the water off Hilton Head.  NASA didn’t want it back so they put it in the barn and there it sits.  No sign or description of what it was part of or what it was supposed to do or anything.  Weird.

    We went to lunch at Hudson’s Restaurant. It was a seafood eatery sitting right on the intercostal waterway.  You could see that the place is very popular in the summertime.  We could see the one and only bridge onto and off the island in the distance.  Given the fact that they get some pretty bad weather here and there is lots and lots of swampy land and water, you’d think they would give themselves a couple of ways to get off the island.  Hmmmmm.

    Hilton Head was very different than what we imagined it would be.  We thought there would be lots of high rises but there weren’t any.  Every town was a gated community.  The malls were set up to look like quaint main street shops. There was lots of greenery – live oaks, flowers, and bushes.  We counted over 20 golf courses looking at the map.

    On the way back to the campground, we stopped at Staples to get something printed.  Target was in the same mall so we stopped in there to get batteries for my hearing aid then headed home.

I APOLOGIZE. I THINK THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TUMBLR WEBSITE.  SEVERAL TIMES, I TRIED TO POST ON THE PAGE BUT WHEN I WENT BACK, THERE WAS NO NEW POST THERE.  WHATEVER THE PROBLEM WAS, IT SEEMS TO HAVE RESOLVED ITSELF.  THANK GOODNESS!

11 Dec 2019 (Wed) – We drove to Savannah and toured the American Prohibition Museum this morning.  It was very enjoyable.  I never realized how divisive the issue was.  People were divided into the Wets (against prohibition) and the Drys (for prohibition).  The Temperance Movement was strong and various characters emerged to warn people of the evils of drink.  One man, Billy Sunday, was a former baseball player turned minister.  He gave very rousing speeches against alcohol consumption. When he passed away, thousands of people celebrated and thousands of people mourned his loss.  Prohibition caused the rise of the mob and the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan.  It lasted just 14 years and changed America forever.  At the back of the museum, there was a speakeasy that sold cocktails just like they made them back in 1920.  I had a Mary Pickford and Paul had a Twelve Mile Run.  They were tasty.

    Following the museum, we walked down to Belford’s and had lunch.  The food was pretty good.  Then we walked down the street to tour the African American Baptist Church.  It dates back to the 1700s.  Unfortunately, we couldn’t get into the church.  There were work crews doing all kinds of rehab to the building.  And they weren’t offering tours until 2 pm (it was only 1:10 pm).  We were disappointed and left.

    Next event was a drive out to Fort Pulaski.  When we arrived, we realized that we had been there before.  We really have to start reading our blog about the area we go into so we don’t repeat things.  The fort was nice and we didn’t mind seeing it again but we really want to do new and different things.

    On the way back to the campground, we shopped at PetSmart for pet food and at WalMart and Publix for groceries.

 10 Dec 2019 (Tue) – We packed up and left Charleston, SC at 9:30 a.m. On the way, we came across a fifth wheel that had a flat tire.  Paul tried to help the couple but one of the lug nuts was stripped and they couldn’t get the tire off.  We left them waiting for a mechanic to arrive.  After three and a half hours, we arrived at Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah, GA.  The campground is lovely.  There are lots of spreading oak trees with Spanish Moss hanging from them. It has a fairyland quality to it. The campsites are very spacious with lots of rooms between sites.  We bought firewood at the office when we checked in and had a wonderful campfire tonight.  It was delicious!

[janicecpitts]

Ideas To Inspire Your Dream Bathroom Remodel | House & Home

Contents

Ceramic tile porcelain

-list guests … today

Laxer vaccine rules

Top 5 home remodeling regrets

National transportation safety board

Aug 15, 2016 … 15 Stunning Bathrooms That Belong In Your Dream Home … is that, in the meantime, you can still dream a little… because it never hurts to collect inspiration . …. A full bathroom overhaul isn’t the only way to spice things up.

In 2018, my wife and I were blessed by the addition of a new baby boy, I got a promotion, we bought a new home … your family. My family didn’t know how the first Thanksgiving or Christmas was going …

Room of the Day: A Dream Bathroom in 90 Square Feet … A bathroom remodel can make a huge impact on your homes comfort level, not to …. Inspiration for a large transitional master gray tile and ceramic tile porcelain floor and gray floor.

Modest, Average, Luxury Budgets For Bathroom And Kitchen Remodels Timeline: Kitchen and dining room upgrades took a few months for design concepts and installation. The bathroom project took about four months. budget considerations: “The

The Founder, OUR BOSS, Our Friend. Peter S. Jenson, Founder, President of the Board of Directors, General Manager of Explorama Lodges and friend to countless guests throughout the world…

Dec 10, 2018 … When it comes to great bathroom design, the inspiration is endless. … Here, we’ ve rounded up 80 of our favorite bathrooms for the best ideas to revamp your own . … A spacious master bath in hotelier Alan Faena’s Miami Beach home is …. The powder room in this upstate New York ranch house features a …

Bathroom ideas to help you create the bathroom of your dreams. Includes information on bathroom remodeling and bathroom design ideas.

Taking home the top prize for A-list guests … today, I’ve transposed it at Louis Vuitton: A house of multiple expressions.“ For the show, the designer juxtaposed many of the ideas and styles of yest…

Gottlieb, who has been commuting weekly to Washington from his home in Connecticut, wants to spend more time … The resignation was not sought by the White House. A senior White House official said G…

Tesla’s $35,000 Model 3: Brilliant Move Or Hail Mary? Tesla’s App Now Sends Repair Status Notifications From The Service Center Your Weekend Reading: Another Mad, Mad Week For Elon Musk Tesla Website And Elon Musk Differ On Model 3 Delivery Dates. Two Weeks? Four Months? Tesla Model 3 Vs. 21 Competitors (specs & Prices) — Which Car Is The Best Value For The Money? State Lawmakers Pushing For laxer vaccine rules Despite Measles Outbreaks More Measles, More Exposure Sites In Clark County Amid Measles Outbreak, Ore. Eyes Vaccine Requirements

Home backup power options can … A generator can help keep your lights on. Sure, you’ve got a closet shelf full of AAA, AA, C, and D batteries. But when it comes to powering your entire house, you’ll …

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“Just keep those families in your prayers,” Harris said … A neighbor asked Michelle to check on her home, across the street from the house where Pete was raised. “I had to tell her it’s gone,” she s…

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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 2/17/2019

Good MORNING  #realdreamchasers! Here is The Chase Files Daily News Cap for Sunday 17th February 2019. Remember you can read full articles for FREE via Barbados Today (BT) or Barbados Government Information Services (BGIS) OR by purchasing by purchasing a Sunday Sun Nation Newspaper (SS).

ONE DEAD, ONE INJURED IN NEW ORLEANS SHOOTING – The stillness of a lazy Saturday afternoon was abruptly interrupted yesterday when the sound of gunshots rang out in New Orleans, St. Michael. The incident left 31-year-old Lorenzo Joseph, of Chapman Lane, St Michael and Goodland Park, Christ Church, with injuries to his body and a second victim, 25-year-old Rio Walkes, of Sobers Lane, St. Michael, was also shot. Both male victims were transported to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by private ambulance. Police confirmed that prior to his arrival at QEH Joseph succumbed to his injuries however, Walkes’ condition was still unknown. An adult male is assisting police with the on-going investigations.   (SS)

NEW ORLEANS VICTIM IDENTIFIED; SECOND MAN INJURED –  Lorenzo Joseph, of 3rd Avenue, Chapman Lane, St Michael and No.35 Goodland Park, Christ Church is this island’s 12th murder victim for the year. The 31-year-old was shot and killed around 5:20p.m. on Saturday, February 16 following a shooting incident between 5th and 6th Avenue, New Orleans, St Michael. Joseph was reportedly liming among a group of men in the area when a lone gunman approached and opened fire, striking him about body. Another man was also injured. He transported by private vehicle to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) where he succumbed to his injuries. The deceased was a former Empire Club footballer who also represented the City of Bridgetown in the David Thompson Memorial Football Classic. The second man, 25-year-old Rio Walkes, of Sobers Lane, St Michael was taken to the QEH by private transport. However, police say his condition is unknown at this time. A man is currently assisting lawmen with their investigations into this incident. (BT)

POLICE RELEASE NAME OF ST GEORGE VICTIM – Police have released the name of the man whose lifeless body was found “lying on the road in a pool of blood” following reports of a shooting at Rock Hall, St George near Taitt Hill this morning. He is 22-year-old Graham Norville, of No.14 Lemgreene Development, Lemon Arbour, St John. Investigations are continuing into this island’s 11th murder which occurred today, February 16 around 11:52 a.m. Police are asking anyone with information that can assist with their investigations to call emergency number 211, Crime Stoppers at 1 800 TIPS(8477) or any police station.  (BT)

LOCAL CAST MOURNS FOR MURDERED ACTOR – The quiet of the Rock Hall, St George community was shattered just before noon today when gunshots rang out. When the dust had settled, 22-year-old Graham Norville lay in the road dead. The father of two, of No.14 Lemgreene, Lemon Arbour, St John is the island’s 11th murder victim for 2019. His lifeless body was found “lying on the road in a pool of blood” following a shooting at Rock Hall, near Taitt Hill around 11:52 a.m. Saturday, February 16. Norville is known for his role as Short Boss on the Barbadian web video series Badness. Dwayne Harris, director and lead actor in the popular series told Barbados TODAY that the cast was devastated by the news of Norville’s murder. He said the deceased who was seeking to further his career in the local film industry had “great potential”. “He was a very great individual. He had some things about to happen for him in the film industry. It is just sad that he had to pass so early,” Harris said, while adding that he hoped the content of the web series would not be aligned with the circumstances surrounding Norville’s death. Prominent youth activist and facilitator of the Nature Fun Ranch, Corey Lane, who has also acted in the web series, shared that Norville was also a songwriter, singer and an artiste. The activist issued a call for early intervention of the nation’s youth so they would not fall victim to crime and violence. “If we could only facilitate our young men . . . within the society . . . we could really put a dent in the fatalities, the murders and even everyday crime and violence in the society,” said Lane. He went on to suggest that the public use Norville’s death as a motivation to rescue the island’s youth so the cycle of violence would not repeat itself. “The saddest comment that I have heard thus far is that these guys live by the gun and therefore they will die by the gun and while it maybe a fact, I think there is much more we can do as a society to be proactive as opposed to reactive. One of the other things that is very important is prevention and reaching our teenagers, of young teenage age, to prevent them from having to walk down this road because it is much easier as the saying goes to bend a boy than break a man. “His death does not have to be in vain. His death can be a rallying call for all of us to double down and save our youth and save our society,” he said.  (BT)

COW ITCH CLEARED FROM NEAR BLACKMAN AND GOLLOP – The clean-up of cow itch infested lands to the east of the Blackman and Gollop Primary School got underway this morning. It took place under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment and the owner of Staple Grove estates who refused to be identified. Also on hand were members of the executive of the Blackman and Gollop Parent-Teachers Association and Minister of Environment Trevor Prescod.  (SS)

24 HOUR POLYCLINIC SERVICE COMING JUNE 1 – The 24-hour health care service, to be introduced at two of the island’s polyclinics, will be officially launched on June 1. From that date, patients will be able to access medical care on a continuous basis, Monday through Sunday, at the Winston Scott Polyclinic, Jemmotts Lane, St Michael, and the David Thompson Health and Social Services Complex, Glebe Land, St John. According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the initiative is aimed at cutting down on the time patients currently wait to be seen at the Accident and Emergency Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital by offering them round-the-clock service at alternative venues. Services offered will include urgent care, which refers to illnesses and injuries which require immediate care but are not life-threatening, as well as routine care, which may include follow-up care for chronic conditions and health checks. In a statement, the Ministry revealed that it would be meeting with the major trade unions and workers’ representatives in early March to provide an update on the initiative. The meeting will report on the actions taken to address security concerns and human resource issues raised at earlier stakeholder meetings. The organizations involved are the National Union of Public Workers, the Barbados Workers’ Union, the Unity Workers Union, the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners and the Barbados Nurses’ Association. With the introduction of the 24-hour polyclinic service, the public will be encouraged to visit the Accident and Emergency Department of the QEH primarily for emergency care, which is defined as life-threatening conditions or conditions which need an emergency response. For all other medical issues, they are encouraged to utilize the polyclinic services which will be fully staffed and equipped to meet their needs. (BGIS)

LAUNCH OF VISION 2020: WE GATHERIN’ NEXT FRIDAY – Hundreds of Barbadians are expected to converge in Bridgetown next Friday, February 22, for the launch of Vision 2020: We Gatherin’. It will be held in Parliament’s Courtyard and two screens will be set up so members of the public may view the ceremony on Broad Street or by the Palmetto Square Market. Vision 2020: We Gatherin’ is a 12-month global celebration of Barbadian excellence and a recommitment to this country’s successful future and core values that have defined us as a people. 2020 has been designated as the year for Barbadians and those who love this country to come home, reconnect with family and friends, and invest in the rebuilding and development of Barbados. Purposeful Pursuit of Barbadian Excellence is the theme of the year-long celebrations, which is an initiative of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley. It is designed to reinforce Government’s mantra of building the best Barbados together. Vision 2020: We Gatherin’ will comprise structured events at the national level, which will be coordinated by Government with input from its social partners. However, community groups, churches, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, and regional and international persons with Barbadian connections, among others, will be encouraged to produce other events. The initiative will begin in the north of the island in January 2020, and move southward every month, allowing each designated parish to showcase its icons, social life and the food for which it is renowned. The parish celebrations will culminate in St Michael in November, and Vision 2020: We Gatherin’ will climax in December with a Christmas extravaganza for all Barbadians – at home and abroad. (BGIS)

DIGICEL PLEASED WITH PERFORMANCE - After more than a decade of operating in Barbados and despite continued economic challenges, telecommunications company Digicel (Barbados) Limited, says it is pleased with its performance so far. Acting Chief Executive Officer Katherine Payne said the company’s 15 years of operations here have been fruitful for customers, the country and the company, adding that Digicel would continue to expand its offerings and grow its operations in order to capture a bigger piece of the pie. Opting not to give details Payne said: “LTE was one of our largest investments of late and our technical team and business strategy team are always looking at what is the next best thing in terms of not just the company but the country. While I have nothing to announce right now you can look out for things in the future.” She was speaking to members of the media on Friday night at the Barbados Hilton Resort where the company awarded about a dozen winners with cash prizes, cellular phones, free months of service, plane tickets and a home entertainment system for taking part in its Christmas 2018 promotion. She said the response for the competition was a positive one and that there was “nothing that we regretted with our Christmas promotion. It was very, very well received.” Barbados Community College employee Vercia Webb walked away with the grand prize of a brand-new Suzuki Swift. Other top prize winners were Debbie Brathwaite, a Liberty Store employee, who walked away with $20,000, and Barbados TODAY employee Maria Bascombe, who received two LIAT plane tickets. Digicel customers had the opportunity to win once they top up, purchase a handset or SIM card, pay a bill on time or sign up for a new service. Speaking on the progress of the company over the past 15 years, Payne said Digicel had played an important role in the development of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector here by breaking the monopoly. “What this basically means is that as a country the average citizen can afford to have access to varying levels of communication, so it is not just about mobile anymore. Digicel is a full-service provider, we service not just mobile customers but home and entertainment. We provide now fixed line and TV services to our customers, and then full ICT solutions for our business segment. So it really has provided an opportunity where the country as a whole can expand when it comes to telecommunications,” Payne explained. She said while the company did not yet have 100 per cent coverage of the island, she was satisfied that “the coverage is good” and was continuously improving. “We have increase bandwidth from a home and entertainment perspective. For our corporate customers as well, we have one of the largest customer bases in the country. In fact, for most of the Digicel offices across the region we have been expending not just from a corporate space but into government as well. We have signed deals over the last eight to nine months in Dominica and other Caribbean islands,” she revealed. “So Digicel is not just about providing mobile but about growing the telecommunications infrastructure of the country,” Payne added. During the brief award ceremony on Friday night, Director of Consumer Sales Dionne Emtage delivered remarks on behalf of the company’s board director Ralph Bizzy Williams. In that speech, Emtage said Digicel had played an exceptional role in Barbados and the region in providing “well-paid jobs for hundreds of people”. “The impact on the economy of the island has been tremendous all because Digicel aimed to break the monopoly of a single operator to bring the price of communication down drastically,” she said. Emtage also pointed out that Williams Industries benefited from the company as a result of partnerships. (BT)

HARRIS PAINTS PARTNERS WITH UNFPA IN PROACTIVE HURRICANE RESPONSE - By partnering with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Harris Paints is joining a proactive effort to help women and young girls in the region – should a natural disaster strike. The Caribbean paint company has provided space in its main Barbados warehouse for the UNFPA to store 1264 “dignity kits.” This storage allows the UNFPA to respond rapidly to the needs of affected populations in case of an emergency. In 2017 Harris Paints worked to ship water and supplies, provided by the company, staff and the wider public, for the hurricane ravaged islands of Barbuda and Dominica. This included the distribution of several dignity kits provided by the UNFPA. This current collaboration allows the UNFPA to be even better positioned in advance of a potential disaster. Randy Warner, Programme Clerk with the UNFPA, explained, “that during natural disasters many women and adolescent girls become more vulnerable to sexual exploitation and lack basic human necessities and protection. Left unattended, it is a situation that becomes progressively more acute. Dignity kits help women and girls maintain their dignity during humanitarian crises. Preserving dignity is essential to maintaining self-esteem and confidence, which is important to cope in stressful and potentially overwhelming humanitarian situations. Supporting women’s self-esteem and confidence also assists them in providing care and protection to their children.” These kits help mitigate some of these issues and contain toiletries like soap and toothpaste, sanitary supplies and clean undergarments to provide basic hygiene. In other humanitarian efforts UNFPA also works with ministries of health in the region to provide reproductive health kits during emergencies that include items to support clean delivery, rape treatment, the treatment of sexually transmitted infections and other essential drugs, basic equipment and supplies. “This storage space from Harris Paints allowed us to create and store more dignity kits to facilitate better pre-positioning of emergency supplies should any Caribbean nation face a natural disaster,” said Warner. Some of the kits will be stored locally but the majority will be sent to the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) in Antigua and Barbuda where they can be distributed throughout the region. Tracy Johnson, Product and Trade Marketing Manager, welcomed the effort. “It’s great to partner with an organization like UNFPA who work to support women and adolescent girls when they are at their most vulnerable. We were happy to be able to provide a staging post in their efforts and to assist, should the need arise, in making sure these supplies are available and can get to those that need them as quickly as possible.”  (BT)

WEST INDIES BRACING FOR STRONG CHALLENGE - With the odds yet again firmly stacked against West Indies in the upcoming One-Day International series, marquee batsman Shai Hope says the Caribbean are bracing for a strong challenge from England but also plan to counter with firepower of their own. West Indies are ranked ninth in the ICC one-day rankings and face a number one-ranked England side, already pencilled in as firm favourites to win the World Cup at home later this year. However, Hope said while the Wes Indies were cognisant of the challenge, they were not intimidated and would be looking to spring a surprise, similar to what occurred in the preceding three-Test series. “We’re an international team, we’ve come here to play cricket and we just view it as a challenge. We know they’re going to come at us hard and we’ve got to do the same – fight fire with fire,” Hope said here Saturday. “It’s a lot to look forward to, very exciting times especially leading up to the World Cup so I’m sure the guys are ready and raring to go. We’re just coming off a Test series win so it’s important for us to continue in that vein and try to get the series win as well.” He added: “We can use this as a good gauge for us going into the World Cup. We’re still looking at some plans [in terms of] what is the best fit and [team] combination but it’s a good challenge for us and we’ve got some work to do.” The two teams clash in the opening ODI at Kensington Oval here, with the hosts seeking their first series win over their opponents in 12 years. They will be motivated by their performance in the Test series, however, where they tore up the form books to crush the English in the opening two Tests, and regain the Wisden Trophy or the first time in a decade. (BT)

BAJAN SKIS INTO 2ND PLACE – Barbadian free skier Victor White placed second today in the Europa Cup in Poland. His win saw him receive an outpouring of congratulatory messages, including one from Minister of Sports, John King.  (SS)

TAMIS WILL BE OFFLINE FOR MAINTENANCE ON SUNDAY –The public is asked to note that the Tax Administration Management Information System (TAMIS) will be offline on Sunday February 17, 2019 from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. for scheduled maintenance. As a result, TAMIS registration as well as corporate and business tax filing will be unavailable during that time. We regret any inconvenience and look forward to your understanding.  (BT)

GIVE IT A HIGHER PLACE – While praising music teachers for the tremendous job they have been doing in schools with limited resources available to them, Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw is saying it is time music be placed as a priority on the curriculum. Bradshaw said it is impossible to change attitudes towards music, or to build a vibrant local music industry, if education is not included in the process. Speaking at the media launch of The School’s Music Festival, at the Ministry’s Elsie Payne Complex, Constitution Road Office this morning, Bradshaw said it is time a conversation is started about how important the arts are within education. She said some Barbadians have been fortunate to attain success in the entertainment industry, however, at the same time, she firmly believes that there was significant room and need for more persons to make a living out of entertainment. “I don’t want to underscore the role education plays in so many different facets of everyday life. But particularly relation to the creative arts, we have to start with the foundation. “And the foundation is when students go into primary school, and they play a recorder, we have to make sure that the teachers are skilled, that they are trained, that they understand the basics and the fundamentals of music. It is there that it starts in terms of being able to create a vibrant music industry,” Bradshaw said. The Minister said she agreed that students who are upcoming musicians must be prepared for competition, but should also be taught a certain level of confidence that would enable them to hone their craft. “It doesn’t make them feel as though one person is better than the other. But rather that they develop a certain camaraderie to be able to come back on another occasion. That is the spirit with which I believe education has to move forward in relation to the arts. We have to be able to overcome some of the challenges in terms of resources,” she said. The Schools’ Music Festival was established to provide participants at both the primary and secondary level, with the opportunity to develop their musical performance environment. While the festival climaxes with two distinct primary and secondary showcase events, the aim is to provide structures for the ongoing development of outstanding and promising participants, while also exposing them to the business elements of the music industry. This year, the two audition rounds scheduled to be held on February 21 and 22, at the Prince Cave Hall, District ‘A’ Police Station, would be closed. The Grand showcase events would be held on Saturday, March 23 for the primary schools, and Sunday, March 24 for the secondary students, at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium. Deputy Chief Education Officer (Planning) Dr Roderick Rudder said one of the fundamental changes that underpins this year’s music festival is that there would be no competition, just a showcase. Dr Rudder said the decision to move away from the competitive element was made to ensure that students have the opportunity to demonstrate their true potential without having to face the fear of competing. “Now, one of the fundamental changes that we really want to drive home this year, is the collaborative partnership between the teachers in our schools, the students who would be performing, and the practitioners from the industry who would be assisting with the development of the skills and the talents to be identified by the panel that will be assessing talented students who would be participating in this year’s Schools Music Festival. Additionally, there would also be the provision of a framework for ongoing artiste development in the long term,” he said.  (BT)

For daily or breaking news reports follow us on Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter & Facebook. That’s all for today folks. There are 318 days left in the year. Shalom! #thechasefilesdailynewscap #thechasefiles# dailynewscapsbythechasefiles