#this is lucy :) she showed up on our porch almost a week ago

[real-life-cloud]

trying to convince my dad to adopt this sweetie on our porch.......

[marveloussupernerd]

Trick or Treat! - V

Every night this week I’m doing randomly generated Halloween prompts for the mysme characters :) hope it gets you in the Halloween mood

Prompts: trick or treating with their kid (in the future), their daughter (shoutout to this sweat bean in the forgive ending), dressing as superheroes!

Summary: you and V take your adopted daughter out trick or treating. v chill family domestic fluff. V is lowkey OOC I think but also it’s set in the future ? So who knows. I actually super like him in this tho

“You excited for trick or treating this year, Lucy Lou?” You asked your daughter, picking her up to take her to her room to get ready. She had definitely gotten big since you and V had adopted her. It was hard to believe that was more than two years ago. She was the sweetest seven year-old on the planet; she had that kindness that you saw every time you looked at V, and just a genuine appreciation for nature and everything around her. She seemed wise beyond her years.

“Yes!!” She swung from side to side in your arms. You plopped her down on her bed once you got to her bedroom and made your way to her closet to get her costume. “Is Daddy going with us?”

“He sure is. He’s getting dressed up right now too!” You pulled out her costume, a little Wonder Woman dress. Lucy had been a princess last year, but this year she was super into superhero shows and wanted to be Wonder Woman. You and V had to get involved of course. What sort of parents wouldn’t want to dress up with their kid on Halloween?

You helped Lucy get her costume on, fluffing out the skirt so it sat nice and fastening the Velcro on the back. “You look pretty cool, you know that? It might be kinda cold though. Maybe we should bring a coat just in case...” you started going through the closet again to find something that would match her outfit.

“Mommy! Wonder Woman doesn’t wear a coat. I don’t need one either,” she poured.

You rolled your eyes and chuckled, grabbing a jacket and throwing it in her trick-or-treat bag just in case.

“Knock knock,” you heard your husband at the door. “Can I come in and see your costume?”

“Yes!!” Lucy squealed excitedly. V swiftly made his way into the room, cape flying behind him, and swooped up Lucy.

“Wow! You look great!” He cheered, holding her back a little so he could take a good look at her costume.

“And you look exactly like Superman,” you complimented, reaching out to fix his cape so it felt nicely. “I would’ve thought you were him if it weren’t for the hair, y’know,” you teased. He did have his hair gelled into place just like the superhero, but the blue shade was sort of a dead giveaway. He looked very handsome though.

“Okay, okay. Your turn! Go get dressed up,” V urged you, pushing you out the door.

“Yeah Mommy! Don’t make us late.”

“Sounds like she’s turning into you,” V giggled, shooing you out the door. You stayed in the doorway for just a minute to watch the two together, V picking her up and helping her ‘fly’ around the room. You were both nervous to have your own child to take care of, but Lucy was perfect. You were happy you could give her the life she wanted and deserved.

You shook your head, clearing your thoughts, and got to work getting ready as quickly as possible. You were (miraculously) able to find a batgirl costume that wasn’t extremely sexy and revealing, but actually had some character integrity! The batgirl costume was really a lot like the Batman costume, but people loved to make it into a short dress. Fortunately, you got the spandex suit version. Win. You made your way back to Lucy’s room to present yourself for judging.

“Mommy! You look so... cool!” Lucy exclaimed.

“She’s right,” V pressed a kiss to your cheek. “You look amazing.” He raised his voice to sound all authoritative and superhero-y. “Now it’s time to go. We’ve got a city to save.”

You chuckled, grabbing the candy bag and leading the way out the door. Lucy was super excited during the first few houses because she got to see all the neighbors. You were lucky to live in a neighborhood with a few kids her age. In fact, you decided to go with one of the neighbors and their son, who was close with Lucy. He was dressed up in one of those inflatable T-rex costumes and you were all constantly making sure he wouldn’t run into something.

After the trip around the block, the neighbors gave in and called it a night, but Lucy, all sugared up from a full-sized Hershey bar from the previous house, wanted to do more houses.

“You sure you’re not getting tired?” You asked. She shook her head excitedly.

“Come on, a superhero’s work is never done,” V defended her, looking over at you and smiling. He had taken over holding her candy bag. It had gotten quite heavy, and that seemed like a job for Superman. Plus, Lucy was holding your hand as you went around.

“Okay. Just a few more houses and then we’ll start heading home. It’s getting cold out, huh Lucy?” You asked, using your mom voice to be assertive.

“I’m okay! I’m not cold and I’m not tired. I could do this all day!” She bounced excitedly on her toes. “Plus, look how close we are to Uncle Yoosung’s house! We have to go.” She was so excited, in fact, that she skipped over a few houses just to greet her uncle, who was sitting on the porch with a bowl of candy in his arms.

“Uncle Yoosung, Uncle Yoosung!” She called, breaking free of your grip to run up the stairs to hug him. She tackled him in a hug, almost knocking him off his chair. You and V followed closely behind. “Do you like my costume?” She did a twirl to show it off.

He squinted for a minute, really holding it out for dramatic effect. “Wait! Is that you, Lucy? I thought you were actually Wonder Woman. How’d you get Batgirl and Superman to join you, huh? Do your Mommy and Daddy know you’re out with them?”

She giggled, swaying slightly. “This is Mommy and Daddy! We all dressed up like superheroes!”

“Hi Yoosung. How are you doing?” V asked, putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

Yoosung smiled; seeing the two patch their relationship, especially with Rika back and everything that went on with that, was nice. “I’m doing good.”

“How’s Rika?” You asked. It had been challenging for you and V to forgive her, but you were happy you did. She had a lot of issues that weren’t her fault and was trying to fix them and be a better person. You couldn’t blame her for that. Even V was quick to forgive her; you had to come to terms with the fact that he had loved her immensely. You were fortunate to have formed a decent relationship amongst all of you.

“She’s doing pretty well. Her book is getting a lot of positive feedback and she’s been doing a lot of talk shows,” Yoosung nodded along as he recounted her whereabouts.

“That’s great! Her book was really lovely,” you complimented. And it was. It was extremely motivational for Rika to be so open about her experiences and to show the reader how to overcome your past.

“You read it?” V asked curiously. He didn’t sound upset or anything, just genuinely surprised.

“Of course I did.” Your eyes trained on the ground. “I wanted to support her.”

He wrapped an arm around your waist and kissed the top of your head. He didn’t need to say anything; you knew he was thanking you silently.

“So do you have any candy for me or what?” Lucy asked, breaking up the conversation.

Yoosung’s eyes lit up. “Oh do I!? I’ve been hoping you’d show up.” He reached under his chair and pulled out a little goody bag. “Lots of different candy in there, all your favorites especially for you.”

“You’re the best, Uncle Yoosung. Will you thank Uncle Yoosung?” You asked, nudging her along. She was very polite but still needed to work on her manners when it came to people she knew well. She uttered a thank you and launched into his arms for another hug before bidding him goodbye.

You had hardly gotten down the stairs when Lucy started to complain. “I’m sleepy...” she was walking slower now, trudging along.

“Oh no. I was afraid this would happen,” V said, picking her up into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder.

“Cold too,” she muttered.

You giggled. “Good thing I brought you that jacket, huh?” You took the bag from V and shuffled the candy around so that you could grab the jacket. It really was a tag team effort for him to turn Lucy around and help you get the jacket on her very sleepy, unresponsive form.

The two of you began the walk back to your house, Lucy fast asleep already. “She really burnt herself out going to Yoosung’s, huh?” You joked. He chuckled, glancing down at her. She must have shivered or something, because he swung his cape around so that it was also covering her up. “You’re so good with her. It makes me happy to see.”

“You’re so good with her too. I’m happy we can give her a good life,” he smiled. “Thank you for reading Rika’s book. You’ve shown her a lot of kindness.”

“You’ve done so well forgiving her too, Honey. I know it couldn’t have been easy, but I think our support has really helped her.” You, once again, were fixated on the ground. It still felt kind of awkward to talk about. “I’m happy to see her successful and doing well mentally.”

“Me too.”

“You ever think she’s gonna meet Lucy?” You asked, breaking the simplicity of the conversation.

He stopped in his place, thinking. The second he realized he had stopped, though, he kept walking. “Not yet. I forgive her but... thinking about what happened with her and I. Imagining something like that with Lucy... I can’t risk that.”

“You’re so protective and sweet. I love you so so much V.” You stopped on your front porch, pulling out the key to unlock the door.

He grabbed your hand to stop your motion, pulling you in for a kiss on the lips. It’s not that you didn’t kiss on the lips often, but you did try to keep it to a minimum, as Lucy was at the phase where that was absolutely disgusting. The kiss was long and romantic, well, as romantic as it can be with a child in one arm and your significant other in the other.

“Ew,” Lucy piped in sleepily. “You guys are gross.”

The two of you couldn’t help but laugh, rushing inside as quickly as possible to give Lucy a taste of your medicine and shower her with kisses too.

[iamtrebleclefstories]

Every Day I Love You More - Ch. 5

Chapter 5 - YOU DIDN’T KNOW? 

After having drunk sex, Jo and Alex are having a baby. An actual baby. Here’s how everyone finds out.

-Sequel to I’m Happy Right Here with You-

Alex slips up, more people find out. 

It had been three days since Callie found out about Jo’s pregnancy and there had been no shortage of teasing remarks from Callie and Cristina. Every time Jo or Alex were left in a room with either of them, they were forced to hear the endless jokes being made about them and their drunk sex baby. Jo found it funny if she was being honest. The lightheartedness of this pregnancy was so refreshing considering what happened the last time. The jokes were a welcome distraction from the fact that Jo was in the process of filing from divorce from Paul and her lawyer was going to submit those papers by the end of the week.

That morning, she’d woken up before Alex did, which wasn’t unusual. However, for the first time in weeks, she woke up without the sudden need to vomit. She laid there on her side and stared at his sleeping form for a while longer. It was surreal waking up next to him. This morning especially so, since it wasn’t clouded by overwhelming nausea. Jo was convinced that there was no way that this was her real life. She had to be dreaming.

She had been stroking his hair for a few minutes when Alex spoke, “You know, watching people sleep is kind of creepy.”

Alex opened his eyes only to find Jo rolling hers, “Can’t you be normal and just say, ‘Good morning, babe. I love you and I can’t believe you’re carrying our baby.’ Can’t you do that?”

“Good morning, babe. I love you and I can’t believe you’re carrying our baby,” Alex gave Jo a quick kiss as Jo gave him a look of annoyance. “Hey! You’re not throwing up today. That’s a good sign.”

“Yup,” Jo nodded. “I feel great, actually. I think the baby finally decided to cooperate.”

Alex placed his hand on her flat stomach, “I can’t wait until you have a bump.”

“You mean until I get fat? Honestly, neither can I,” Jo smiled. “But Lucy said it might be a while before I start showing. I have a retroverted uterus so I’ll probably start showing later than most women. But I guess that’s a good thing. The longer I can hide my pregnancy, the less of a chance for Paul to find out and try plea presumed paternity and make our lives a mess.”

“He can try and try, but he won’t win, Jo. This is our kid and if we need to do a paternity test to prove it, then we will. He has no rights here,” Alex assured.

Jo took a deep breath and thought of how supportive Alex had been ever since she had confessed to him about her marriage. She exhaled, “You’re right. He has no rights. This baby is ours and he can’t take it away from us.”

They laid in the bed for a few more minutes in silence before deciding it was time to get up and get ready. After having been on Peds for over a month now, Jo had switched onto a different service for the next couple weeks. A part of Jo was a bit disappointed that she wouldn’t get to spend the entire day with Alex anymore, but she supposed she should be excited for a chance to learn something new. For the next two weeks, she’d be on neuro with Derek Shepherd.

When Jo and Alex arrived at the hospital, they parted ways and Jo went down to the residents’ lounge. She smiled as she saw her friends getting changed into their scrubs for the day. Jo grabbed a clean pair of scrubs and started to change clothes. Just as she was pulling her shirt off, she heard Stephanie whistle.

“Damn, Jo. Did you do anything different? Because your boobs look great,” Stephanie commented.

“Oh,” Jo laughed awkwardly. “It’s just a new bra… is all. Ever since Alex and I got together, I decided to update some pieces of my wardrobe if you know what I mean.”

“Look at Jo, trying to be all sexy for her man,” Stephanie teased.

“I bet he loves it,” Leah wiggled her eyebrows. “How many times a day do you catch him staring at your boobs in that thing?”

“Way too often,” Jo admitted.

The girls laughed and continued to get dressed. Once ready, Jo made her way to the Neuro ICU where she’d be meeting Dr. Shepherd for rounds. It had been a while since she had been on a neurosurgery, so Jo was excited for the next couple of weeks. The first patient she’d be rounding on was a trauma that came in last night. The man had massive internal injuries that were addressed immediately after coming into the hospital. He had not been stable enough last night to take in for surgery that would stop a slowly growing brain bleed, so Dr. Shepherd would take him in first thing this morning to correct it.

“Wilson. It’s good to have you on my service again,” Derek smiled as they walked out of the patient’s room. “How are you doing? I haven’t really gotten a chance to speak with you since you and Karev got together. He’s been hogging you to his service.”

“I doing great,” Jo grinned. “Excited to be on neuro again.”

“Well, you will be getting just a bit of peds today,” Derek shared. “We’ve got a baby with spina bifida that we’ll be working on this afternoon with Karev. Are you thinking about going into peds?”

“Honestly, I don’t know,” Jo shrugged. “I like everything. I do love peds, but who knows? Maybe I’ll end up in cardio or neuro or ortho. Don’t tell Alex I said that, though. I think he’s trying to be my Robbins.”

“No worries. Your secret is safe with me,” Derek chuckled. “Come on, let’s go. We’ve got a brain bleed to stop and a couple aneurysms to clip before our fun spina bifida surgery.”

The day went by pretty smoothly for the most part. The guy with the brain bleed came out of surgery without any major deficits. Jo had assisted in a couple aneurysm clippings and now they were on their way to the pediatric wing to visit the spina bifida baby in the NICU. When Derek and Jo arrived, Alex was already giving the parents a brief rundown of what their baby—Brandon’s—surgery would entail. Derek explained the procedure in a bit more detail and encouraged the parents not to fear.

While Jo prepped the patient, Derek and Alex prepared to scrub in together. Alex looked up at the older man, "Hey, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, Karev. What is it?" Derek nodded.

"Has Jo been okay today? I'm just wondering because she looked a little dizzy and unsteady this morning before we left the house," Alex inquired.

"She's seemed alright to me," Derek encouraged. "We've performed quite a few surgeries today and she hasn't swayed once. Why is something wrong?"

"No," Alex shook his head. "I was a little worried. She just got over the morning sickness a couple days ago and it was pretty hard on her. I didn't want the next thing to be dizzy spells that could affect her work."

Unsure what to do with the new information he'd received, Derek just decided to go about the conversation as if he know what was going on, "Oh, well she's fine. Great even."

Alex nodded thankfully as Derek mulled over Karev's words. Alex must've thought that Derek already knew about Wilson's pregnancy from Meredith, so he decided to go about the procedure as if nothing had happened. The surgery was successful and Derek decided that he'd let Wilson leave early. Everything else could wait until tomorrow.

As he arrived home that night, Derek kissed his wife and kids. He ate something quickly and spent the next few hours on the phone with D.C. as they tried to come up with more plans about the brain mapping initiative. Finally, at around eleven o'clock, he was able to get ready for bed. Derek had been sitting in the bed reading a medical journal when Meredith walked into the room.

“How was your day?” Meredith asked as she climbed under the covers.

“It was good,” Derek smiled. “I had Wilson on my service today. She is a very good and capable resident. Incredibly sharp. We clipped a couple aneurysms, stopped a brain bleed, and operated on a little boy with spina bifida.”

“Awe, like Zola,” Meredith commented. “Sounds like you had a pretty calm day today. Those are nice when you come home to two kids under the age of three.”

“You are so right,” Derek nodded and gave Meredith a quick kiss. “Oh! I almost forgot. Why didn’t you tell me that Alex is having a kid?”

“What?” Meredith sat up from the bed. “What are you talking about?”

“Wilson is pregnant,” Derek stated. “Karev mentioned something about how he was glad that she was mostly over the morning sickness now. But he said he wanted to keep a close eye on her because this morning at the house she seemed a bit dizzy.”

“What?” Meredith was confused. “Wilson is pregnant?”

“Wait… You didn’t know?” Derek asked.

“Would I be reacting like this if I knew?” Meredith was shocked. There was no way one of her best friends was having a kid and she didn’t know about it. “No. There’s no way. Alex would tell me if he were having a kid. He’s one of my best friends.”

“I don’t know,” Derek shrugged. “He mentioned the morning sickness so casually, it was like he assumed I already knew. That or he slipped up and didn’t realize what he said.”

“No, I’m sorry,” Meredith jumped up from the bed. “I can’t sit here wondering. I’m going over there right now to find out.”

“Meredith! It’s midnight. Don’t go bother them. You’ll see them tomorrow,” Derek tried reasoning with his wife.

“I can’t wait,” Meredith shook her head as she threw on a pair of jeans. “This is huge. This is life changing, Derek. This cannot wait until tomorrow.”

Before long, Meredith was on her way to Alex’s house. When she parked in the driveway, she searched around her purse for the old set of keys to the house. Finding them, she made her way up the porch steps and let herself in through the glass door. She walked up the porch steps and stormed into Alex’s room yelling, “You guys are having a baby?”

Alex and Jo—who’d been sleeping peacefully—startled out of sleep. Jo screamed as she saw Meredith’s dark figure lingering by the door. Alex sat up quickly, trying to assess the situation and determine if they were in any immediate danger. Finally realizing it was Meredith, he slumped back down onto the bed, “Dude. What the hell? Why are you yelling?”

“Is it true? Wilson are you pregnant? Are you guys having a baby?” Meredith interrogated.

“What?” Jo said, distraught.

“Derek said that Alex mentioned how he was happy that your morning sickness was gone, so then he asked me if I knew that you guys are having a baby.”

“Shit… I didn’t even realize I said that,” Alex rubbed a hand over his face. “Jo, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to tell him.”

“It’s okay,” Jo shook her head.

“So, it is true?” Meredith asked. “You guys are having a baby! Alex, how could you have a baby and not tell me about it? This is huge!”

“What is going on?” Cristina had woken up to shouting coming from down the hall and came to investigate once she recognized her best friend’s voice.

“Did you know?” Meredith turned to Cristina.

“Did I know what?” Cristina made a face. “And why are you screaming?”

“Did you know that Alex is going to be a father?” Meredith demanded.

Cristina froze, eyes wide, “Um…”

“Oh my God! You knew and you didn’t tell me,” Meredith accused. “I can’t believe you wouldn’t tell me this. I had to find out about it from my husband.”

“Hold on, you told Derek before telling Meredith?” Cristina looked at Alex. “That’s a crappy move, man. Even for you.”

“I didn’t mean to tell Derek,” Alex defended. “I said something about Jo’s morning sickness and he must’ve thought that Meredith already knew.”

“Hello, pregnant person over here wants to speak,” Jo gathered everyone’s attention. “Look, Dr. Grey. We didn’t want to tell anyone until I hit twelve weeks. I’m sure you can understand that. Yang found out because she lives here and saw the pregnancy test boxes in the trash, and Torres found out because I had to leave the room for an x-ray. I’m sorry you had to find out like this, but if it makes you feel any better, there’s an ultrasound picture on the fridge downstairs.”

“Even Callie knows?” Meredith sighed. “Look, I’m sorry. I was just a little blindsided finding out this way. I’m happy for you two. I’m sure you are going to make wonderful parents. Wait, you said you have an ultrasound picture already? How far along are you?”

Jo grimaced, knowing that as soon as she shared how far along the was there would be a whole new slew of questions. Jo took a deep breath, "Just a bit over ten weeks."

"How are you ten weeks? My birthday was ten weeks ago and you guys weren't together then," Meredith scrunched her face. She lowered her voice and sat down in front of Jo. "Are you sure Alex is the father?"

"Mer!" Alex chastised.

"What? I'm making a valid question," Meredith lifted her hands in apology. "As far as I remember, Alex, you and I had a conversation at my birthday party where I told you that you were being stupid and to make a move because I couldn't stand seeing you pouting and staring from afar."

"We did?" Alex asked. "I don't remember."

"Well, yeah figures, because you were completely wasted," Meredith reminded. "So, explain this to me so I can understand."

Alex and Jo both sat in silence, reluctant to verbalize what had happened that night between the two of them. Cristina, on the other hand, had been waiting for a moment like this to present itself. Bursting at the seams, Cristina blurted, "They had drunk sex the night of your party and accidently made a baby."

Meredith stood there stunned for a moment before breaking out in laughter, "Oh my... oh my God… you guys… Haha, you made a drunk sex baby. you know I can't say I'm surprised that this is how you are becoming a father, Alex. It's karma for all those years of being a man-whore. You on the other hand, Wilson, you surprise me. Didn't think you had it in you."

Jo buried her face in her hands in embarrassment and Alex glared at Meredith and Cristina as he felt his face get hot. This was not how he had pictured Meredith finding out about his kid, but he guessed that there was really no other way that would feel like them. Alex was glad that Meredith knew, because now he could ask her tons of parenting advice and tips on dealing with the hormone changes Jo would be experiencing very soon.

"Wow. I can't believe it," Meredith said after calming down. "Alex Karev. In love. A father. you're all grown up. You see, I told you that Wilson would be good for you."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. You were right," Alex grumbled. "Now get out of my room and go home."

"I'm not going home," Meredith stated. "I'll stay with Cristina. Now, Jo you said something about an ultrasound picture?"

"Yeah... it's downstairs on the refrigerator," Jo replied, removing the hands covering her face. "Well, at least we don't have to worry about hiding it when you come over."

Meredith smiled, grabbing Cristina by the arm to drag her down the stairs to look at the sonogram. Just as Meredith was about to leave the room, she popped her head back in the doorway, "Oh and just so you know, I fully expect to get a copy of every ultrasound photo from here on out."

"Get out!" Alex huffed.

"Goodnight," Meredith grinned.

[ronninoir]

Can I Steal You for a Second? CH13

Summary: Adrien is forced to participate in a new dating show, but becomes more excited when Ladybug says she’ll participate as her civilian self.

AKA: AU where Adrien doesn’t know Marinette, the superheroes are 22 and Gabriel is mean and ruthless but not Hawkmoth.

Read on AO3

Start from the beginning Chp 1 on AO3

Chapter 13

Adrien was slightly nervous as he got ready for the cocktail party. The producers had been kind enough to allow Adrien to sleep in, and he was feeling more refreshed than he had in many weeks. Still, as he buttoned up his shirt and pulled out his suit jacket, he couldn’t help but feel as though he had actually gotten no sleep. Plagg was even kind of nervous, as he kept mumbling into his cheese and darting out of the room before coming back in a couple of seconds later.

As soon as he woke up, he contacted Mini-Natalie and told her that he wanted to arrive at the cocktail party 30 minutes early. She gave him a questioning look, but did as he asked. By the time Mini-Natalie showed up to escort him to the mansion, he was feeling sick and had gone through a thousand possible ways tonight could go. He worked very hard to keep his hands still and sipped out of a water bottle on the way.

After what felt like an eternity, Adrien was standing outside of the mansion’s back porch, where he would wait to enter until all of the girls were situated in a living room and he could come in and make a speech before talking to the girls one by one. He took this time by himself to breathe and to resist the urge to stressfully run his fingers through his recently styled hair.

He walked a little bit into the mansion and grabbed the first producer he saw and tasked her with finding Marinette. ��You can’t let anyone know though, please? Not even one of the other girls. It’s something I’m not ready to share on camera yet.” The producer smiled kindly at him and briskly walked deeper into the house. A couple of minutes later, she returned with a confused looking Marinette in tow.

She looked stunning. She was wearing a dress that shined, even in the regular lighting of the back porch. The top was solely made of jewels in intricate patterns and hugged her neckline tightly. There were no sleeves on the dress and if he wasn’t mistaken, the jewels were sewn on a clear fabric, where the coloring that shined through was solely her skin, which complemented the jewels very well. The skirt was a cream color and it flowed out from her waist, making her curves stand out. When she breathed, he could see the top separating from the skirt, clearly a two-piece dress, showing off her well-toned abs. Adrien forgot how to breathe and only remembered how to after Plagg elbowed him in the ribs.

“Good evening Marinette. You look amazing tonight.”

Marinette gave a slight blush, but there wasn’t a smile on her face and it didn’t feel right. “What’s all this about Adrien?” Marinette asked, not meeting Adrien’s eyes and clearly nervous.

Adrien sighed and shook his head, clearing out the slightly inappropriate thoughts he was thinking about Marinette out. He had called this meeting for a reason. “Marinette, I needed to talk with you without the prying eyes of the cameras and possibly the other girls around.” Adrien paused, reminding himself of what he was going to say before he charged ahead in his speech. “My Father came and talked with me after the date last night and I felt as though what he told me needed to be addressed with you before any decisions were made.”

Marinette looked up at him then and the fire in her eyes almost made him step back. “Whatever your father said about me, I promise I have an explanation.”

“Then I’m going to ask you my questions and I want only the truth from you. If we want to build our relationship, we have to do so on honesty and trust.” Adrien paused before continuing, trying to remember exactly what his father said about Marinette the night before.

“Marinette, why did you come on this show?” Adrien watched as she hesitated to answer. A small warning light went off inside his head. If she hesitated, then she most likely was lying.

“There was something about you. Something that made me want to get to know you better. I’ve had a crush on you before, from your modeling and such, and I wanted to see if you and I could make a relationship work. I wanted to find out if it was possible that you could like me too. I signed up to get to your heart, Adrien.” A smile had grown on her face and her expression softened as she talked. If she was lying, she was very good at it.

“You’re into fashion, right?”

“Yes. I’m studying it at University and it’s been a passion of mine for a while.”

“Did you come on the show to get into good graces with my father’s company?”

Marinette blanched a little at Adrien’s question. Adrien wanted to take the words back, but he couldn’t since he needed an answer. “Wha- I’d- No! Adrien, I didn’t come here to get close to your father, I came here to get close to you!” She had tears in her eyes now and Adrien had the urge to pull her into a hug and wipe the tears away as they fell. Instead, he stuffed his hands in his pockets. “It’s true that I applied to be one of your father’s interns, but that was months ago! Weeks before I applied to be on this show. I’ve admired Gabriel’s clothing lines for years, but I’d never use you to get to him. You don’t deserve to be a pawn like that.”

Adrien looked into Marinette’s eyes, really looked and saw that she was telling the truth. The look in her blue eyes gave him a sense of calm and reassured him, like when he was talking with Ladybug. The sensation was so real, he began to wonder if maybe Marinette was Ladybug. He wanted to ask her right then and had opened his mouth to do so when, “What happened last night at the date?” came out instead. Adrien was a little shocked at the question, but he wanted to hear the answer all the same.

“The truth?” Marinette asked, her gaze not wavering this time.

“The truth, please.”

Marinette sighed before she began. She told him about being whisked away by a producer, walked all throughout the hotel, and finally ending up in the indoor pool room. She told him how Gabriel was waiting there, how he told her about the unauthorized shirt, and how he would have kicked her out then if he could. She even mentioned how she had explained that it was an accident putting it on in the morning in a rush. As she spoke, Adrien’s frustration at his father began to boil anew.

“Wait. You mean to tell me that he talked to you for 2 hours about how you wore a non-Gabriel shirt to a date by accident?” Adrien clarified.

“Yeah. I assumed that was what you were talking about.” Adrien’s face must have shown her there was more, because after a beat she asked, “Why, what did he tell you?”

“He told me that you weren’t here for the right reasons. That you were here to boost yourself in the fashion industry and that you didn’t care about me.”

Marinette’s jaw dropped and she quickly responded, “Oh, Adrien that’s not true, I promise! I... I was going to tell you this later tonight in our time together, but I’m really starting to care for you. I’m definitely crushing, hard.” The blush began to return on Marinette’s cheeks and Adrien felt his heartbeat speed up.

 “So, you’re not here for the wrong reasons?” Adrien asked, allowing some of his hopeful tone to show through.

“I promise I’m here for you and only you, Adrien.”

“Thank you for being honest with me, Marinette. You can go back and join the others. I’ll talk with you tonight and you can tell me whatever you were planning on telling me for the cameras.” He paused, suddenly remembering his father and his want for Adrien to get Marinette off the show. “I need to warn you though. My father... he’s a tough man. I like to think that he has my best interests at heart. Just know, if you stay on the show, it’s not going to be easy. For either of us.”

Marinette stepped closer to Adrien and he instinctively pulled his hands out of his pockets to grab hers. “If you’re willing to keep me here, I’m willing to fight for you.” She leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before turning and walking back into the house.

Adrien watched her go with a smile. Plagg flew out of Adrien’s suit jacket and watched as well.

“Well that conversation went pretty well. Do you believe her?”

“Absolutely,” Adrien said, a little dreamily. Plagg gagged a little before flying back into his pocket.

“If it accounts for anything,” Plagg said, a little quieter this time and with no sarcasm, “I believe her too.”

                      ----------------------------------------------------

Marinette went straight for the bar and served herself a shot of tequila when no one was looking. She was technically only allowed two drinks during the cocktail party, but tonight, Marinette was going to need all that she could. With the haunting knowledge that her new fight was going to have to be with Gabriel Agreste, she needed something to get her through the night.

She made her first “official” drink, and took it into the living room. She was one of the last to arrive, as the producer had snagged her while they were giving instructions for the night. She searched the girls and found Hanna and Juliette waving at her, where they had saved her a spot. When she sat down, she knew they would have questions.

“What did they need you for Marinette?” Hanna asked, leaning closely so where only their group could hear.

“They wanted to interview me about not having time with Adrien at the date yesterday.” The lie coming easily. She figured as she was walking back that this would be the most convincing thing to tell anyone who asked.

After they had gotten back last night, Lucie made a big deal about Marinette needing to get checked out by the doctors. They had cleared her, of course, with a perfect bill of health, but word had gotten around quickly. Lila, of course, was unsympathetic that Marinette didn’t get any time, whereas Lucie, Juliette, and Hanna, had made it their goal to get Marinette time with him tonight.

“Oh, that makes sense,” Hanna said as she leaned back. She had opened her mouth to say something, when a hush fell over the room. Mere seconds after the quiet hit, Adrien walked in, smiling.

“Good evening, ladies. I’ve had a wonderful week with all of you and I’m so honored to have been able to get to know all of you a little better. Cheers for deeper conversations tonight and growing relationships.” All of the girls raised their glasses and took a sip. After Adrien had lowered his glass, Gabrielle virtually leaped towards him and stole him away. Adrien led her away from the group as they all began chattering.

“Desperate is not a good look for Gabrielle,” Lila said with a sneer, loud enough for the whole group to hear. Zoe looked like she was about to throw down, but Lucie had her hand on her shoulder to stop her. Marinette understood why Gabrielle was desperate to talk: she didn’t have a date this week and needed that time.

“Lila, leave her alone. You’re just being a jerk because you already have a rose tonight.” Marinette shocked herself a little as the words poured out of her mouth. Clearly that shot of tequila was doing something to her.

“Oh, like you have room to talk.” Lila shot back with a satisfied smile on her face.

“What are you even talking about?” Marinette asked, not keeping the annoyance from her voice.

 “Oh, rumor has it you signed up for this show to further your fashion career, not to win Adrien’s heart.” Marinette blanched, shocked at how this was the second time that night that she was accused of this.

All 16 pairs of eyes stared at her waiting for some kind of explanation. She calmed herself and looked directly at Lila, ignoring everyone else. “I don’t know what you’re talking about and I don’t know how you are capable of seeing my reasoning for doing anything.” Marinette replied, with thinly concealed hatred.

Lila didn’t move but her smile was pure evil, like a cat going in for the kill of a mouse. “Then why did you have a 2-hour conversation last night with Gabriel Agreste? I heard that he walked away from the talk with a file that included a resume and various designs you have made in the past.”

Marinette was speechless. The only people who knew about her conversation with Gabriel was Gabriel, herself, and now Adrien. How did Lila know these things?

Before Marinette could defend herself, chatter began around the room. “She was missing all night.” “Now that I think of it, I didn’t see Gabriel at all after we arrived.” “She is constantly sketching and playing with her designs, it only makes sense she’d want to do this for herself.”

“I promise, that wasn’t at all what happened. I’m not here to promote myself or doing anything with the Gabriel brand. All I want to do is get closer to Adrien—”

“So you can have a way into the company? It’s obvious, Marinette. How could Gabriel not hire someone his son dated recently. It was a good plan, but if you aren’t here for Adrien you shouldn’t be here at all.” Lila stood gracefully and left the room, slowly followed by a pack of girls. Marinette stood up as well and went in the opposite direction. She needed to talk to Tikki and figure out what was going to happen. She was just about to lock herself in a bathroom when...

“Marinette! Wait up!” It was Hanna and Juliette. They stopped her and both grabbed her in a hug.

“Is it true Marinette?” Hanna asked, not breaking from the hug.

“In a way. I did talk with Gabriel yesterday during the date but not as an interview.” Both girls pulled away to look at Marinette as she explained. “Juliette, you remember that shirt that I wore to the morning part of the date?” Juliette nodded. “I told you it was a shirt that I had designed and made, and Gabriel saw the footage and confronted me about it during the date. He told me he was going to encourage Adrien to kick me out tonight and that I had made a poor decision and what not.”

“Oh, Marinette I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have encouraged you to wear it.” Juliette said, as she buried her face in her hands, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Juliette it is not your fault.” Marinette grabbed her hands and forced her to look at her. “I was the one who put the shirt on yesterday morning. I was the one who brought a nice shirt I had designed in the first place. I don’t mind making an enemy of Gabriel, I just need you both to understand,” Marinette let go of one of Juliette’s to grab one of Hanna’s, “I am here for Adrien. Only for Adrien. I have never considered this to be a way to get to the company. I’m here for love, because I really feel like I could love Adrien.”

Juliette was nodding at Marinette, tears still rolling down her face. Hanna’s face, however, looked contemplative. “How did Lila know?”

“I’ve been wondering that myself. How come I feel like she always knows more than the rest of us.” Marinette responded. “But that doesn’t matter for now. I’m just glad you guys believe me,” Marinette paused, almost afraid to ask the question. “You do believe me, don’t you?”

“Of course we believe you, Marinette!” Hanna reassured her.

“We’ve seen the look on your face when you talk about Adrien. It’s clear you’re here for him and only him.” Juliette added.

Marinette blushed slightly at that, but then pulled the two girls back into a hug. “Thank you so much. I’m so glad I have friends like you.”

They stayed like that for a minute before they pulled away. “Juliette and I are going to go around and explain to the girls what really happened. They’re more likely to listen to us. You just need to focus on getting time with Adrien. Sooner or later, someone is going to say something to him and you need to be the one to clear the air.” Juliette nodded. The girls shared one more hug before splitting up to complete their missions.

                    ----------------------------------------------------

Marinette was on her third drink and it was solely Lila’s fault. She had spent the last hour and a half trying to talk to Adrien, but every time she went to interrupt, someone beat her to it. She was at least thankful that she had already cleared the air with Adrien, but it still frustrated her that if this was the first time he was hearing about it, she wouldn’t be able to defend herself.

Luckily for her, Adrien ended up seeking her out instead. She was sulking in the main living room sipping her third drink and watching Lila laugh and shoot eyes at her, when Adrien walked into the room. All of the girls sat up straighter and fluffed their hair or did something to acknowledge his presence. Adrien, however, only had eyes for Marinette at the moment.

“Marinette, can I steal you for a second?” Adrien asked, he smiled kindly, but his eyes worried. Marinette nodded and allowed him to lead her away from Lila and her knowing looks.

They sat down near the back of the house on some patio furniture that had been set up for Adrien and the girls. Marinette had opened her mouth to speak, when Adrien beat her to it.

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. You disappeared last night on the date and I was worried about you.” He grabbed her hand and gave her a look that said, “play along I have an idea.”

Marinette nodded shyly and gave a small smile. “I’m so sorry about that. I... got pulled away for an interview and was kept for much longer than I expected.”

“Interesting,” Adrien said, holding her gaze steady. “I want to be honest with you, Marinette because I really like you and if this is going to continue between us, then it needs to be addressed now.” Adrien paused for a moment and Marinette prepared herself to tell the complete and honest truth like she did earlier. “I’ve had some of the girls tonight express their concern about the reasons that you are on this show. Now I know you like fashion, right?”

Marinette nodded as she responded, “Yes, I’m actually studying to be a fashion designer, like your father.”

Adrien gave her an encouraging smile as he continued, “That’s really wonderful. If you can design clothes like you can put together outfits at a fashion show, then I’m sure you’re amazing.” Marinette blushed slightly at his words. “With that being said, I want to ask you a question, and I need you to answer me honestly.”

“I will always be honest with you, Adrien,” Marinette responded with a smile. They were holding hands now and his fingers were playing with the rings on her hands. She was suddenly aware of the silver ring on his right hand, which had to be his miraculous. She had never really looked at it before, but then again, until recently she had never seen it de-transformed.

“Why did you come onto the show? Did it have anything to do with my Father and his work?”

Marinette took a deep breath before answering. She had been preparing what to say, knowing that Adrien believed her, but that the cameras may not. “Adrien, I can honestly say no, I did not. I came onto this show because you interested me. When I was younger, like 14, I had this huge crush on this boy who I only saw in magazines. He was gorgeous, strong, sensible, and all of these other things I imagined. I had pictures of him plastered all over my walls. As I grew up, I realized that what I was in love with was a poster, an image of a boy who I had never met. I pushed the love to the side and even focused on other boys, ones that I interacted with in real life. But, I never forgot about him, and my heart always jumped a little whenever I saw his picture on a billboard, or a new magazine cover. When I heard about this show I thought it was crazy. I ignored it. Then, I heard about who the Bachelor would be, and I allowed myself to open that box again, remember all of the wonderful things I had envisioned in my head that this boy was like. I signed up for this show because I wanted to get to know the boy behind the picture. I wanted to see if that model that I had crushed on in middle school was anything like that in real life. I wanted a chance to live this out and see if he could feel anything for me.”

Marinette paused after her speech and watched Adrien. His eyes were wide and it almost looked like he was going to cry. She had told almost the whole truth, simply leaving out anything involving Chat in this process. But, she hoped it would be enough to convince everyone that she really was here for Adrien.

Adrien cleared his throat a little before responding. “Wow, Marinette. I didn’t know. I’m so sorry I ever doubted you.” He was looking at her so sincerely that she knew he wasn’t just playing for the cameras.

“Adrien, I’m really falling for you, hard, and I just need you to know that I would never use you like that in any sort of way.”

“Thank you, Marinette.” He had gotten closer to her, so much so she could see the different shades of green in his eyes, and see how wide his pupils were blown. “I really appreciate you telling me that, and I need you to know that I’m starting to have feelings for you as well.” He leaned in a fraction of a centimeter more and Marinette closed the rest of the distance between their lips. The kiss wasn’t very heated, but it spoke volumes about how they were each feeling. They broke apart, and Marinette just wanted to stay there in his arms forever.

Sadly, the time had come for them to part. A producer walked up and cleared his throat, letting Adrien know that it was time for him to decide who was getting roses tonight. He leaned over and gave Marinette one more kiss and whispered a quick, “We’ll talk right before I leave tonight so please stick around,” before he got up and followed the producer away.

                    ----------------------------------------------------

Marinette wasn’t nervous about this rose ceremony, but she was a little jittery to be around all of the other girls again. As they waited for Adrien to decide, she grabbed Hanna and Juliette for an update on how the night went. They were able to convince about 10 of the girls that Marinette was innocent, but it was mostly girls like Sasha, Lucie, and Alice, who had had conversations with Marinette before and found it hard to believe that she would do something like that.

When they lined the girls up for the rose ceremony, it was obvious who was for Marinette and who was for Lila. Lila’s crew constantly gave Marinette looks and looked huffy and annoyed at her still being here. Marinette felt pretty confident that a rose was coming, but was still anxious for the end of the night.

It wasn’t long before Adrien walked into the room. He smiled at them all before beginning. “Thank you, ladies, for a great night. I appreciate our conversations tonight and how honest you all were with me.” Marinette wasn’t for sure, but it seemed as though Adrien had shot a look at Lila, and some of the others that had supported her. “I’m very grateful that you guys have opened yourselves up to me and I am so excited for this group moving forward. I knew being the Bachelor wasn’t going to be easy, and the decisions I made tonight I didn’t make lightly.” Adrien bowed his head and reached for the first rose.

“Lily,” Adrien began and Lily parted through the crowd to walk up to him. “Lily, will you accept this rose?” Lily whispered something while nodding and gave Adrien a hug before walking back to her spot.

It continued for what felt like forever. One by one, Adrien called them up to get a rose: Constance, Zoe, Lucie, Marie, Camille. Marinette was hyper-aware of the fact that the cameras were constantly circling her and Lila, she knew that she was the one everyone was holding their breath to see if she would get a rose.

Alice, Sasha, Gabrielle, Juliette. Marinette smiled slightly when Juliette’s name was called. Chris Harrison stepped out of the shadows and addressed them. “Ladies, Adrien, this is the final rose tonight.” He turned to Adrien and placed his hand on his shoulder, “When you’re ready.” Then he disappeared back into the shadows.

Marinette was nervous. Everyone was looking at her, the camera wouldn’t leave her face and there was one rose left. She stared at a spot right next to Adrien, because she didn’t want to look at him and ruin the moment.

Finally, Adrien picked up the rose, twisted it in his hand and said, “Marinette.” She almost fell over and heard some murmurs from the other girls as she walked towards Adrien and her rose. “Marinette, will you accept this rose?” Marinette smiled, the relief clear in her face and responded, “Always.” She gave him a hug and felt him whisper in her ear, his face hidden in her hair, “Please don’t forget to see me afterwards.” She gave a minute nod before rejoining her spot with the other girls.

Chris had reappeared and was looking at the group, scanning for the girls without roses. “Ladies, I’m sorry. If you did not receive a rose tonight, please take a moment to say your goodbyes.” Alicia, Sofia, Ines, and Pauline were going home. Everyone was hugging and crying and being kind to the girls, but Marinette took a step away. All four of those girls sided with Lila earlier against Marinette. It must have been a coincidence, but Marinette knew that the last person they wanted to say goodbye to was her.

Clearly that wasn’t true. Victoria, one of the main producers, stepped forward to call each girl up to say their goodbyes. Alicia, Ines, and Pauline went quietly, but Sofia was a little more upset. As her name was called, she walked up to Adrien and slapped him. It was audible, and caused all of the remaining girls to gasp. Adrien seemed more taken aback then hurt by the hit.

“This is because of her, isn’t it?” Sofia asked angrily. The other girls looked around, equally confused and none of the producers had stepped in to stop her, not yet at least. “This is because I told you that she isn’t here for the right reasons. YOU GAVE HER A ROSE INSTEAD OF ME!” She screamed.

Adrien tried to calm her, “Sofia, I promise it had nothing to do with Marinette. We just didn’t have a very strong connection—”

At that, she raised her hand for another hit, and the producers decided that was the best time to intervene. As they carried her out, she screamed some more, but this time it was aimed at the remaining girls. “Be careful what you say about his favorites! If you say the wrong thing, you get kicked out!” Once she was dragged out of the room, the silence left behind reverberated.

The remaining girls were quickly ushered out of the room, but Marinette lagged, just slightly. She made eye contact with Adrien from across the room and he jerked his head to the left, indicating that she should follow. They ended up in a corner where they were hidden from the production crew as they tore down their equipment for the night.

“Oh my gosh, Adrien are you okay?” Marinette asked as she examined his face. There was definitely a mark forming and it made her heart contract.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Not the worst hit I’ve gotten.” Adrien replied nonchalantly. Marinette almost forgot to be shocked at that, considering she had seen almost all of those hits (a certain cataclysm incident with Chloe’s friend Sabrina comes to mind) but of course, she wasn’t supposed to know that.

“Okay, well anyway, what did you want to talk about?” Marinette asked, quickly changing the subject.

“Oh right! I actually wanted to make sure that you were okay. I heard some horrible things from a bunch of the girls tonight. How did your conversation with my Father get out?”

“I honestly don’t know. Lila’s the one who brought it up after Gabrielle went to talk with you tonight. I mean, she was there at the date, but how could she have known that that’s what I was doing?” Marinette was trying to remember that now was not a time to touch Adrien, even though she really wanted to reach out and grab his hands.

“I’ll have to look into it.” Adrien said while shaking his head. “I have another thing I wanted to ask you though...” his voice trailed off and Marinette looked at him fully. “Did you mean those things you said? In front of the cameras?” He asked in a quiet voice.

Marinette did grab his hands then, “Adrien, I told you that I would never lie to you. I meant every word I said. I... I was slightly embarrassed by my old crush on you that I hadn’t brought it up earlier. But as the night went along and I started hearing more and more stuff from the other girls, I really felt as though you needed to know. Plus, I hoped it would sell the crew and maybe the future viewers of my innocence. But I promise it was all true.” She could feel the slight blush on her cheeks and was grateful that it was kind of dark in their little corner.

“Thank you. It—It made my night.” He said quietly. He then brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it lightly. She didn’t want him to leave, but knew it needed to be done. As he lowered her hand and began to walk away, a large crash and scream were heard from right outside of the mansion.

Marinette turned towards the sound and began to move. Adrien was already outside and she hoped he would be on his way to transforming as well. As she ducked into a bathroom, she heard a voice, much closer now yelling, “I am Malady and I need to find and destroy Marinette!”

“Uh oh, another super-villain looking for you.” Tikki said worriedly as Marinette locked the door.

“And I have a feeling I know who it is. Tikki, Spots On!”

~

~

~

Hey everyone! Today is my sister’s BiRtHdAy which means I decided to gift you all with a new chapter! I hope you enjoy the present.

Things are getting good, we are coming closer to my favorite part of the story. Keep with us y’all we are almost half way done!

Let me know if you wanna be added to the tag list

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[nevrgoinoutastyle2876]

Hey so I don’t normally posy other fandom stuff on here but this is my most followed account and I need some advice on a fic. It’s destiel, please tell me if it’s any good and if you like it I’ll post the link to the rest of the story

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"Very well. Have it your way," Crowley turned to Azazel and Alistair, "boys, shall we?" I saw a smirk cross all their features, and before I knew it, Crowley and the others were shoving me and my friends into the water.

My name is Castiel Novak, and I'm a mess.

One big giant mess. Let me tell you about my day, how it went from good to bad, and how I ended up getting pushed into a lake.

Today, it was summer. Well... months into summer. School would be starting in just about six days. I woke up to quickly find out that it was one of the hottest days of the year. The sun was beating down like thick blanket and never left the clear sky. If I had to guess I'd say the kids in my neighborhood were all playing in sprinklers and having fun, trying to make the most out of what little they had left of summer. Since school was starting very soon, I thought that I should possibly do the same thing, and make the most of what I had left of the season.

I woke up early in the morning. I traveled down the stairs to see an all to familiar view. My Dad was no where in sight, probably in his room writing. My mom was sitting at the kitchen counter reading a magazine, completely ignoring the chaos in the living room.

To tell the truth, what was happening in the living room wasn't all that bad, but, still disturbing. Even though I've seen a lot worse go down in that room. The tv was on and Gabriel, my little brother was sitting on the floor in front of it, constantly changing channels. Anna, my sister, sat on the couch. She was pressed all the way to the end of the couch, trying to still sit there while being as far away from the other end of the couch as she could.

Why was she trying to stay away from the other end of the couch you might ask? Well... Luci, my oldest brother, was there, and so was his boyfriend, Michael. Michael and Luci have been dating for about a year or so. I was shocked they'd made it this long, seeing at they were polor opposites. Michael graduated highschool with a perfect GPA and taking a all advanced courses, while being a star football player as well. Now, he's going to college and spends his free time either with Luci or shadowing the doctors at the hospital so that it'll be easier for him to get a job there. Probably as a heart surgeon or something. Also he had a spotless criminal record.

Meanwhile, Luci had probably all E's in his classes before he dropped out. Never once touched a football and spent most of his time smoking weed with the other bleacher-creatures during the games. He was not attending any colleges and was job-less. His free time was spent either with Michael or at the police station, and it sure as hell wasn't for volunteering. I remember a couple times mom and dad refused to bail him out, so Michael had to go do it.

So yeah, I'm shocked they made it a year. But anyways, right now Michael was over and sitting on the couch with Luci. Well, it was more like Michael was sitting on the couch and Luci was sitting on top of him. They were making out. It was disgusting.

They were making weird moaning noises as Michael's hands practically groped Lucifers torso and chest. I wanted to gag.

I soon decided very quickly that I didn't want to be here, so slipped out the front door before anyone would stop me. Mom and Dad never cared if we went anywhere so I figured they'd be fine if I just left for a little while.

I opened the door and quickly went outside. I closed the door behind me and took a step out into the morning air. If I had to guess I'd say it was about 9:00am, the sun was blazing across the sky as I sat down. I let the warm air and occasional cool breeze wash over me. It was one of those, buy ice cream, go to the beach, summer days. I wasn't much of an outside person, but I enjoyed them none-the-less.

I stood up in my short sleeve, buttoned, baby blue shirt, and jeans before I began to walk down the street. My friend Charlie lived a few blocks down from me, and a few blocks down from there lived Dorothy. See, I had friends, but, there was only two of them. I have known Charlie forever, so we were always close. We met when we were probably five. I remember being at the park with Luci when I saw a small red-headed girl fall from the jungle gym. She looked hurt so I ran from Luci to see if she was alright. She was bleeding, but shockingly, not crying. I went to the bench where Mom was. I rummaged in her purse for the Band-Aids I always made her keep in there for reasons such as this.

I helped the girl bandage her arm to stop the small amount of blood. When I finished she turned to me with an incredibly bright grin and said, "are we best friends now?" And ever since then, we've never left each other's side.

Then Charlie met this girl named Dorothy when we first started middle School in sixth grade. She was pretty badass for a twelve year old and she shockingly decided to sit with us. So she became part of our group too. Now sixteen and we were all inseparable.

Charlie was the fun nerd in our group, she always had the best and craziest ideas out of all of us. Her bright and spunky personality made her instantly loveable. Dorothy was a bit more grounded but was always up for adventure, so when Charlie got an idea, Dorothy was the one to make it happen.

I was the downer of the group I assumed, mainly because I always tried to talk them out of their crazy ideas. But they were both stubborn and I bet if they had the chance to go to Oz they would take it in a heartbeat. They never listened to me, and of course, dragged me along with them every time they were up to some shenanigan. Like the day Charlie said we should go downtown and take edgy pictures of the train tracks, so we could be douchy hipster wannabes. The next day Dorothy grabbed her camera and yanked us downtown to the train tracks. That day we almost got hit by said train on the tracks.

See what I mean? Bad Ideas. But I will admit, there has been some good ones. Like two summers ago we were all sitting at Dorothy's house, bored with nothing to do, so Charlie randomly said we should go into town and take some weird class. We spent the whole afternoon learning pottery and making clay. That was fun.

So, in conclusion, I love my friends and their idiotic selves. That's why I was on my way down there now, to go do something interesting. I approached Charlie's house very quickly. Her house was small, probably the smallest out of all our houses. She was an only child and therefore really didn't need that much space. Her house was painted a red-ish orange color, it was like a burnt faded orange kind of. I don't know how to describe it, but it was pretty. Her grass was bright green lined with pink flowers around the house. Cute little white shutters to match with the windows.

The door was a plain brown and I smiled at it before I knocked. I always liked her house. I waited only mer seconds before the door burst open. Charlie looked like she had just been running. She grinned at me when she saw me standing in the doorway.

"I saw you coming from my room and came running." So I was right. She waited a bit before turning to stick her head into the house, "MOM IM GOING OUT WITH CAS!" She called, slamming the door shut immediately after.

I smiled at her again as she linked her arm with mine and started off down the porch steps. Today Charlie was wearing baggy jean shorts that went down to her knees, as well as a Star Wars t-shirt. Her head phones were wrapped around her neck and the cord trailed down her back into her pocket, where her phone probably was.

"Anyways, hi best friend!" She finally greeted once we made it to the sidewalk. I couldn't help but smile, even if it was faint.

"Hello Charlie." I greeted back, watching her long red hair bounce with each step.

"I was hoping you would come by today." She told me, seeming determined. I tilted my head a bit.

"Oh? Why's that?" I asked curiously, taking notice we were on our way to Dorothy's.

"Cant I just wannna see my friend!?... Alsooo when you were sick last week, me and Dorothy went out and discovered something really cool. We gotta show it to you." She sounded excited and picked up her walking pace subconsciously.

We made it to Dorothy's shortly after leaving Charlie's. Dorothy come out almost as fast as Charlie had, giving us her signature smirk before heading out. She was wearing skinny jeans and a brown shirt with her brown hair in a side bun. She was gorgeous I always thought, but not that I was into that kinda stuff.

We started walking down the road together, I started to sweat.

"Man it's hot out." Dorothy complained, sighing and wiping her forehead. Charlie smirked,

"Well duh, that's cuz I'm out here bitches," she grinned as Dorothy gave her a playful shove. I smiled shyly.

"Shut up," she told Charlie, still grinning, then laughing.

"So can anyone tell me where we are going." I asked curiously, changing the topic. I noticed Dorothy smirking.

"You'll have to wait." She told me, causing Charlie to suppress a smirk. I frowned.

"Guys, we are getting far away from town and-" I was quickly cut off by Charlie.

"Oh my gosh Cas, don't be such a stick in the mud. We'll be fineee." She urged, but I wasn't convinced.

"It's just that, you guys don't always have the best ideas..." I mumbled. Charlie looked fakely offended.

"How?!" She questioned while I just looked down sheepishly.

"Well, like... The train incident... that time you almost got us stuck on a flight to India, or when you and Dorothy got me to join your prank fight and we got covered in quick drying paint. Or when we went to the movies and that guy-"

"Okay, okay! You've made your point!" She informed quickly, a flustered blush forming on her face. I couldn't help my grin just a little bit.

After walking for what felt like forever, we were at what I thought was the edge if town. We lived in Michigan, smack dab in the center of the glove, in a town that, if you walked far enough, it turned into all wilderness. I think that's where we were now because on our very long walk we passed a bunch of trees and ponds. Now we were at the end of the dirt road, the very end before it faded into trees.

I would say I was scared, I would say being in the woods made me uncomfortable, I would say we should head back, but, I love nature. Nature is calming and beautiful, how could I say to turn back when we are in the best part of our town?

Charlie turned to me and grinned, Dorothy walked ahead of her. While Dorothy cleared the path, Charlie grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the opening Dorothy made by moving tree branches.

"Close your eyes." Charlie told me, and started guiding me through the forest.

"Please don't run me into anything." I pleaded, not fully trusting my red-headed friend. I could practically feel her eye roll.

"I won't," she grumbled, even thought she probably had been planning too before I stopped her.

"We're here!" Dorothy said, excitement filling her voice. Charlie smiled brightly and let go of my hand.

"Open!" She commanded cheerfully. I let my eyes flutter open and widen at the sight in front of me.

It was an absolutely beautiful lake.  It seemed almost deserted. No one was here and it appeared to be a place where no one ever went. The sun was shining bright and created a sparkling reflection in the crystal water. Trees surrounded the entire lake, lillypads and cat tails laid where the water meets the grass. Flowers, exotic ones that were bright orange and neon pink were also by the trees. I was shocked.

I took a step forward and grinned wide. I turned my head back to my two friends who stood behind me.

"How did you-" I started to ask how they found it, but Dorothy was already answering.

"Find it? Easy. We were going for a walk in the woods when, poof! Here it was! No one was here, and we knew we had to show you." She told me, smirking proudly as her and Charlie came closer to stand next to me.

"Well... I love it..." I stutter, speechless. I heard Charlie laugh next to me but I couldn't drag my eyes away from the beautiful sight to look at her.

I wasn't sure how long we had been there. It was a while that's for sure. We sat on the edge of the grass, our feet hanging in the water. We were just chatting about school and such when we heard something. It was yelling and laughing in the distance. The noises we're coming closer and I tensed. I recognized the noises all to well.

It sounded like Crowley and his friends. Fergus Crowley MacLeoud was his full name, but he had everyone call him Crowley. He was basically the head jock at school, despite him not being particularly that athletic. He somehow still made the football team and managed to be the most popular boy in school. He hung out with Azazel, Alistair, Lilith, Abbadon, and a few other of the popular kids. He didn't even like Abbadon, hated her to be exact, but still hung out with her because she was popular and head cheerleader. Lilith was another cheerleader, and incredibly beautiful at that, but very rude, she also had a little sister four years younger in Gabriel's grade. Her name was Ruby. Azazel and Alistair were just super creepy and rude. I hated them both, they always wanted to pick on someone. That someone usually being me.

They all seemed to follow Crowley blindly, except Abbadon, but she cooperated. I could hear their annoying screams and laughs getting closer, so I decided to stand. Charlie saw and stood too. Dorothy looked up at us both.

"Guys, it's okay, nothing's is gonna-" I knew Dorothy was gonna say nothing was gonna happen, and that we'd be fine, but she couldn't. That was because guess who came through the trees.

Crowley and his friends. I'm not typically one for swearing, but I really wanted then to f-off. Dorothy saw them and finally stood as well, glaring a bit as she watched the tree branches move, revealing them all.

"Well, well, well..." Crowley announced in a British accent. Today he was wearing black jeans and a black v-neck t-shirt. Lilith wore a white sun dress and Abbadon wore a t-shirt saying, "the devil made me do it," and jeans. Everyone else wore very similar clothes to Crowley.

"Why are you here?" Dorothy asked bravely. Crowley grimaced.

"This is our spot so I'll have to ask you the same question." He growled, clearly very annoyed. Charlie jumped next to me.

"Anyone can come here, it's not just your spot." Dorothy spat, taking a step closer. No no Dorothy stop. Why do you have to be so brave?

"I suggest you leave before someone gets hurt." Abbadon threatened, pointing a pale, flawless, slender finger at Dorothy. Her nail was long and painted a bright shade of red that matched her lips perfectly.

But obviously, Dorothy wasn't going to back down. "Excuse you, but who the hell do you think you are. You don't own us." She snarled in return. Abbadon looked offended at her words, almost recoiling. A scowl formed on her sharp features. Then before I knew it, Crowley, Azazel, and Alistair were walking over.

I gulped, wishing that Dorothy just kept her mouth shut. Crowley stood right by us with his minions behind him.

"Leave." His one word filled the whole forest with venom and left a sting right in my throat because suddenly I couldn't speak. And even though Crowley was shorter then me, chubbier then me, and probably less strong, the way he carried himself made him so much more intimidating then I ever could be.

"We aren't leaving." Dorothy stated harshly. Crowleys stern facial features quickly changed and he back away from me and grinned.

"Very well. Have it your way," Crowley turned to Azazel and Alistair, "boys, shall we?" I saw a smirk cross all their faces, and before I knew it, Crowley and the others were shoving me and my friends into the water.

If someone reads this and likes it, please let me know and I'll post more chapters

[welllpthisishappening]

hi! I have a possible canon prompt for you..? I was reading the blue line one shot where everyones drunk & getting tattoos, which is just so fun & entertaining, and it made me picture canon emma & killian getting similarly drunk for whatever reason and probably just being really adorable and cute but also probably annoying the dwarfs (turn the tables since it’s usually the other way around) I don’t even know, maybe snow and charming are involved too cause Henry and Ella minding the kids?? Idek

This also includes first birthday balls (because I got that prompt a couple weeks ago and didn’t do anything with that, sorry anon) and uncomfortable not-quite-royals and scandalized Henry because there should really be more Henry in these family fics. And Elsa and Mulan. Give Elsa a canon girlfriend 2k4ever. Sorry this took forever, anon. The ever-continuing saga of Laura writes canon continues to get more and more ridiculous:

“I honestly cannot breathe.”

Killian’s eyes flash her direction, something that Emma is sure could be the actual, living embodiment of the word mirth in his gaze, but she’s far too focused on maintaining consciousness to be worried about the linguistics of her internal monologue. “It’s got to be almost over, love.”“You say that longingly.”He makes a dismissive noise in the back of his throat, gaze snapping back to the pomp and circumstance and they’ve been to their fair share of balls and royal events now, what with Emma’s princess’dom and an all-realm that seems obsessed with celebrating even the most menial things, but this is the first time they’ve attended a ball that was in honor of their daughter and, well, it was kind of, honestly, sort of…the worst.

Like. The worst.

Emma’s ribs are never going to recover from whatever her mother promised was the height of Camelot fashion and the linguistics of that sentence are just as absurd as ever. And, really, Emma doesn’t harbor any lingering resentment to the kingdom of Camelot.

She doesn’t. Honestly.

Guinevere has been wonderful and fantastic and Henry and Ella spent two weeks at the castle a month ago, documenting the history of several fantastic and magical items, but Emma’s got memories and dark corners and her brain really can’t function when she’s not getting consistent oxygen to it.

“Why did we agree to this again, though?” Killian asks lightly, leaning back against a column with his hand tracing idle patterns on the small of Emma’s back. A knight of the round table looks positively scandalized.

Do they still have a round table? They might not. She should probably know that. It kind of seems like a weird question to ask though.

Hi, Guinevere, sorry Arthur died, but you were kind of into Lancelot anyway, right and remember that time Arthur killed my husband? Right, right, do you still have knights and would they be interested in signing up for the all-realm police department? Yeah, that’s definitely a weird name for it.

“Swan,” Killian says. He turns on her when she makes a noise, like she’s surprised to see he’s there and dressed in full-scale pirate regalia because they may have been introduced with royal titles, but they’re still them and half the reason they did agree to this was because of the clothes.

Or at least that’s half the reason Emma agreed to it.

“You’re drifting again, love,” he smiles, fingers moving to the curve of her jaw while his hook settles on the jut of her hip and they’re really going to cause a scene.

That happens sometimes at these royal events – Emma’s not used to it and Killian’s kind of uncomfortable and she’s normal, she can’t be expected to not want to make out with her husband when he’s got that much leather on.

That’s just an absurd notion.

Surely the knights of the round table can understand that.

Probably not.

“It’s because I really can’t breathe,” Emma mutters, letting her head fall slightly and the jacket he’s wearing inexplicably smells like the ocean. She assumes that’s some byproduct of magic that she doesn’t actually want to talk about. “And don’t bother making a joke about how I still look good, I really can’t process compliments at this point.”Killian chuckles, pressing a kiss to the crown of her hair and the actual crown she’s wearing because she’s a princess, and Emma resists the urge to magic them anywhere else. They wouldn’t be able to leave Hope.

She’s the worst royal mother in the history of any of these realms.

“I really don’t think I’d use the word good,” Killian argues. “That’s rather lackluster, all things considered.”“You’re doing it right now.”“Complimenting?”Emma hums, and she feels his laughter before she hears it, which she assumes is also important to their general and continued happiness, but she might have been lying to herself about her lingering resentment towards the entire kingdom of Camelot. “We agreed to this, partially because you’d wear that vest and partially because it’s Hope’s first birthday and we’re supposed to be royal.”“I’m not sure what birthdays have to do with titles, but I do appreciate the first part of that sentence.”“Yeah, I figured you would.”

“You sound rather upset by that fact.”“No, I’m not. I’m just…” Emma sighs, shaking her head and she’s going to ruin her hair. She should have magic’ed her hair. Or invent magical hairspray. People would buy that. And then the knights of the round table wouldn’t be scandalized when her hair inevitably moved out of place after she inevitably started making out with her pirate husband.

Right there in the middle of a goddamn ball to celebrate the first birthday of Her Royal Highness, the princess of Misthaven, Hope Swan-Jones.

Emma had nearly fallen over when they’d used those exact words at the announcing – a term she didn’t actually know was a thing until Elsa whispered in it her ear.

“Aye,” Killian nods, an understanding expression that Emma appreciates because she’s not sure if she could actually explain the rather large maelstrom of feelings in the pit of her stomach. Although she assumes he’d be impressed by the use of the word maelstrom. “It is a little strange to be back here, isn’t it?”“You’re telling me.”

“We could circle back to your thoughts on my apparel, if that would help distract you.”Emma grins, slow and easy and she’s thankful for the wall behind her because she’s suddenly at very real risk of swooning. “First birthday parties are insane,” she mutters. “She’s not going to remember it. This is, possibly, supposed to be for us, but I think it’s more for my mom and diplomatic relations with Camelot.”“Are those being threatened?”“I honestly have no idea. Ask Henry, he’ll probably know.”“Where is the lad? I haven’t seen him since we did whatever that was on the stairs.”“The announcing,” Emma says, appreciating Killian’s very obvious disgust with royal traditions. “Elsa told me. That’s not something I knew off the top of my head.”“Ah, but you’re doing a very good job of looking the part of crown princess, darling.”He leans forward, hair falling dangerously close to his eyes, which really isn’t unfair because then Emma’s thinking about his eyes and how long they could feasibly be gone before anyone noticed they were missing and–

“Aw, c’mon,” Henry groans, appearing as quickly as if he’s the one in the family with teleporting magic. Lucy’s pressed to his side, Ella in a dress of her own that’s probably leaving lasting impressions on her spleen and Emma’s not entirely sure what her entire soul does when she sees her son holding her daughter, but it kind of feels like the fireworks her mother promised would happen at the end of the ball.

A goddamn ball.

For her kid.

“Didn’t this happen enough while I was growing up?” Henry continues, only half bothering to keep his voice down and Emma narrows her eyes. “You guys got to cross realms to do it now?”“Do it,” Killian echoes slowly. Emma hopes the knights don’t hear this part of the conversation. They’ll never be allowed back in Camelot.

That might not be the worst thing in the world.

Henry shrugs, tilting his head like that’s the majority of his argument and it was the same when he was sixteen too. Ella looks incredibly amused. “How come you guys aren’t dancing?” he asks. “You dance. I’ve seen you dance.”Killian twists, presumably to arch an eyebrow and Henry’s expression shifts slightly – like he’s about to get grounded for breaking curfew or lingering on the front porch with Violet for too long that one summer after they, well, defeated all of evil.

Emma needs to sit down.

She needs to get out of this gown.

She needs a drink. Several drinks.

“Is that actually code for something?” Ella asks softly, mostly to Henry, and Emma makes a strangled noise. Killian’s whole body tenses.

Henry chokes on the sudden surplus of air around them, squeezing his eyes shut and pressing his lips together and his head shake looks as awkward as this entire moment now feels. Emma keeps mumbling oh my God under her breath. She’s not entirely sure Killian is speaking English.

“What are those words?” Henry asks lightly, something that sounds like laughter clinging to the question. “Those aren’t the usual pirate curses, are they?”“How often were you on the receiving end of pirate curses?” Ella grins. Henry grits his teeth, and they’re attracting a crowd, the quiet tap of heels and quicker tap of different heels and Anna practically squeals when she sees the baby in Henry’s arms.

“Not that much,” Henry promises, but both Killian and Emma click their tongues and Anna squeals again.

“That was impressive,” she yells. “Did you two practice that?”

“Anna, you’ve got to keep your voice down, or we’re going to have a shrieking baby on our hands,” Elsa chastises. Her voice lacks any real sense of threat though, mostly because she looks so incredibly happy and Mulan looks even better and there are already tiny snowflakes floating in the air above Hope’s head.

Emma smiles.

“Right, right, right,” Anna says quickly. “Sorry. I just…it was an impressive show of parental control, you know?”

Henry’s going to do permanent damage to his throat if he keeps choking like that. “Not on purpose,” Emma says evenly. The tips of Killian’s ears go red. “And it wasn’t really that much, but there were a few warranted pirate curses and what was that one thing?”

She glances at Henry, shuffling awkwardly on his feet as he tries to ignore Ella’s curious gaze and Killian’s decidedly paternal stare and Snow White is going to be disappointed none of them are dancing.

“What was the one thing?” Ella prompts, tugging on Henry’s shirtsleeve when he doesn’t answer immediately. “When was the one thing?”Henry shakes his head again.

“Is no one going to tell the story?” Mulan asks, and Emma knows she doesn’t imagine the note of disappointment in her voice.

Killian sighs. “He was sixteen,” he starts, Emma biting her lip so she doesn’t actually start to cackle. “And wanted to learn how to drive.”“Except Mom wasn’t around,” Henry adds. His mouth twitches when he glances at Killian.

“Exactly. Dealing with something from what was it, Swan?”“The Land of Untold Stories, almost always,” Emma answers.

“Of course, of course. So, something with the Land of Untold Stories, but the lad needed to practice driving and I’d gotten fairly good at working the machine–”“–Oh my God, Killian, eventually you can just call it a car,” Henry interrupts, but his jaw clacks shut loudly when he’s met with another vaguely paternal stare and pirate seems to just radiate off Killian in moments like these.

“Zelena let us borrow her automobile,” Killian continues, a rapt audience with wide eyes and a cooing baby and even more snowflakes. “And things were going well, until we started driving towards the town line and the wildlife decided to attack.”“What?” Elsa balks.

“It was diabolical.”“Or so the story goes,” Emma amends. “It was a rabbit. Ran into the road while Henry was driving. He swerved, drove off the road and really did more damage to the tree than anything else. Unless you’re counting Killian’s frayed nerves.”

“We’re not,” Killian intones.“It was enormous, Mom,” Henry promises, the same words she’d heard a few moments after the incident and a frantic phone call and the whole thing still kind of made her laugh because they’d both been incredibly worried about the state of the rabbit.

It had run back into the woods almost immediately.

“I’m sure it was, kid. Monty Python-esque.”“No one ever made claims that large, Swan,” Killian reasons. “But it was rather big and very much in the road and, well….it led to several curses and a variety of words that Henry was told never to repeat again.”

“It was a learning experience,” Henry chuckles.

“Did the Wicked Witch ever find out?” Mulan asks, eyes flitting around like Zelena will descend on them at the mere mention of her name and demand monetary payments for the damage.

Emma shakes her head. “There was, uh…some magic involved. Possibly my magic.”Anna and Elsa make almost identical noises of surprise and something that might just be glee, wide smiles and bright eyes and Hope absolutely loves the sound, tiny hands reaching up for either one of them. They spend a lot of time in Arendelle.

Emma probably wouldn’t hate her dress so much if she were wearing it in Arendelle.

“That is sneaky, Emma,” Anna accuses, but she can’t really argue with it and possibly mumbles something that sounds a bit like pirate under her breath if only to see what happens to Killian’s face. He smiles.

And kisses her hair again.

Henry groans.

“Shall we repeat ourselves, my boy?” Killian asks, but Emma’s mind gets caught on more linguistics and possessive pronouns or something. “It’s not as if you’re entirely unused to it.”“That was a confusing use of double negatives,” Henry says.

“And yet I’m fairly certain you kept up. That all-realm knowledge truly coming into play.”“Ah, that and like…a vast knowledge of pirate curses. What language was that before though, seriously? Mermaid?”“No, that dialect is far too hard to master. It was an old fairy curse, actually.”“Ah, well, yeah, of course.”Killian flashes him a grin – all white teeth and teasing of the parental variety and Emma knows Henry didn’t come over there just to rag on their kissing tendencies. “It’s kind of weird being here, isn’t it?” he asks, running a hand through his hair. “I mean…I know Guinevere’s, you know, trying to make everything not weird, but it’s–”

“–Aye, a little weird,” Killian finishes.

“And you guys looked kind…uncomfortable?”Emma winces, but she knows she can’t argue that either and her inability to breathe probably didn’t have much to do with the corset to begin with. Killian knew that. She’s a terrible liar. “We probably would have been cool with a first birthday that included crappy store-bought decorations and like…I don’t know, she really likes Doc McStuffin reruns.”“What is that exactly?” Elsa asks, genuinely curious and Killian shudders like he’s been told he has to watch more fake surgery on cartoon animals.

“Actual torture,” he answers.

Henry’s knees buckle when he laughs, eyes closed and an arm around his waist and it is kind of ridiculous, but they’re also at a ball and Emma’s seriously about to challenge that one knight to a duel and he might just be, like, security and they kind of look like they’re loitering. She wonders if they’ll ever make new Doc McStuffins episodes or if she and Killian are just fated to watch that one where Farmer Mack’s goats start acting strangely on repeat for the rest of their lives.

“Ah, damn now I’ve got the theme song stuck in my head,” Emma complains.

“Torture,” Killian repeats. “Actual torture. She’s not even a medical professional.”“She’s like…five years old,” Henry laughs. The other actual fairy tale characters around them look incredibly confused.

“That’s neither here nor there. Her practice is horribly run.”“Is there someone you can complain to about that?” Anna asks, and Emma has to actually cap her hand over her mouth to stop whatever sound she makes from echoing in the grand ballroom of Camelot’s largest castle.

There were multiple castles to choose from for this ball.

“Alright, alright, alright,” Henry says, waving his hands in an almost valiant attempt to keep this conversation on track. “Strangely enough we did not come over here to talk about you guys cursing in my youth or the car incident or Doc McStuffins.”“Who would have thought it,” Emma mumbles.

“We came over here to offer our babysitting services for one night and because we know it’s weird to be here, you know, after everything and…here.” He reaches into his pocket, a move mirrored by Kristoff who’d been entirely silent until he thrust a flask into the center of their small circle and Elsa twisted her wrist, a tray of actual iced shot glasses balanced on her palm.

“We don’t know the specifics,” Elsa explains. “But Henry filled us in on the…well, they’re mostly just lows here aren’t they?”

“Yeah, pretty much,” Emma admits. “Death and darkness will do that to you.”“Right, so we’re going to ignore that entirely and–”“–Drink?” Henry asks, but all of them are already nodding and Lucy’s running back to the other side of the hall to find Regina because, well, that happened at a Camelot ball too and really none of them should have agreed to this.

“You didn’t start without me, did you?” Regina asks, a hand on Henry’s shoulder when she skids to a stop. He shakes his head. “Good, good. Guinevere wanted to discuss trade routes and I thought I was going to have to threaten fireballs if she didn’t stop.”“Diplomacy at its finest,” Emma whispers, working another laugh out of Killian and they haven’t really moved out of each other’s space since the making out got interrupted.

Regina lifts her eyebrows. “Would you like to try it? Camelot’s a landlocked kingdom and they’re greatest export is stone and knights for hire–”“–Are they really called knights? I couldn’t remember.”“I honestly do not know. I think there’s a petition to change it, but that’s so far down my list of things I care about, that I–”“–Do you think we could table the knight discussion for a moment?” Kristoff asks gruffly, and he looks more uncomfortable than the rest of them combined.

Emma nods. “Of course. Uh…happy birthday, Hope.”The small crowd echoes the sentiment, downing shots in magical glasses with an alcohol no one has actually named, but the liquid lands in Emma’s gut and she’s positive it sends a jolt of warmth through her entire system immediately. And she’s not really sure how it happens, but the music starts to fade a little and Killian’s arm never leaves her waist and, at some point, she realizes she’s rather drunk.

They all are.

Except Henry and Ella. Who have to look after kids. Like responsible adults.

“How did this happen?” Emma asks, stumbling forward slightly and both Killian and Elsa try to catch her. She lands on his chest with a not-so-soft thump and she hopes her mother doesn’t see her. This is not princess behavior.

Pirate, maybe.

But certainly not princess.

There are still snowflakes in the air, but they’re starting to look less like snowflakes and more like snowblobs and that thought leaves Emma snickering into Killian’s vest. He kisses the top fo her hair.

“I think that drink is rather potent, Swan,” Killian mumbles. HIs voice is still frustratingly even, but Emma knows he’s starting to feel the effects of the alcohol too, eyes glazed slightly and mouth going slack whenever he looks at her, like he forgets what she’s wearing and is struck all over again every time his eyes land on her.

It’s kind of nice, honestly.

“It’s troll’ish,” Elsa says. Her body’s wobbling quite a bit.

“What?” Emma snaps. “Troll. Rock troll.”“Can rock trolls get drunk?”“Not very easily.”

Emma laughs, the sound bubbling out of her like several different and metaphorical springs and Henry keeps muttering in Ella’s ear, quiet smiles and whispers and she resists the urge to point out the whole thing is kind of hypocritical. She presses up on her toes to kiss Killian’s cheek.

“I think it worked better on us than it did on the trolls,” Anna whispers. She doesn’t do a very good job of actually whispering.

“Maybe we should get some air,” Killian suggests. “It’s rather warm in here.”Emma doesn’t think he means to move his hand, but it shifts anyway, drifting down her spine and closer to her hips again “I think you’re drunk,” she says. Henry makes that choking noise again. “Kid, this was honestly your plan.”“Yeah,” he nods. “I didn’t come up with troll alcohol, though.”

“Please don’t use those words in that order again,” Killian mumbles. Henry salutes. “You’re not nearly as funny as you think you are, lad.”“And you and Mom are drunk at a ball.”“Again, your plan,” Emma repeats. “But, uh, yeah, if we go get some air are you going to tattle on Mom and Dad to me?”“Who are you asking?”

“Don’t tell Snow White and Prince Charming that we snuck out of the castle,” Regina says, and it probably isn’t fair for Henry to be on the receiving end of so much parental authority when he’s very clearly the most responsible adult in this situation.

Henry grins, wrapping an arm around Ella and she’s holding Hope now which is really probably for the best. “Sure thing, Mom. Don’t get into too much trouble.”

They do, in fact, get into plenty of trouble.

And earn a few more pirate curses and Emma almost gets the hang of Mermaid dialect by the end of the night, wincing every time she moves because there was apparently some kind of tattoo master in the city that doesn’t actually have a name outside the castle.

“You know that’s very fantasy,” Emma says, hours later. She’s propped on her side, blankets pooling around her waist and Killian’s eyes aren’t glazed anymore. If anything, they’re somehow even sharper, He keeps staring at her, gaze flickering from her face to her wrist and the ink that she knows, rationally, is dry, but it kind of feels like it’s working its way into her soul or something and they’re going to have a very stern talk with the trolls about the contents of their alcohol.

“What is?” Killian asks. His fingers dance along her side, working a path up her arm towards her hair and the shell of her ear and Emma can’t help but shiver. He grins.

He’s not wearing the vest anymore.

“A generic city outside the castle walls. One without a name, that just gets referred to as city and–”

He cuts her off before she finishes, which is honestly for the best because she forgot her point when her eyes fell to his lips and his own presumably dry ink on matching wrists and Emma had never really gotten the chance to be young and stupid, at least not in some cliche, John Hughes type of way, so she was going to be almost middle aged and very in love with her husband.

He kisses her with something that feels like desperation and matching, drunk tattoos and Emma could hear the fireworks going off when the needle pricked her skin.

She assumes that’s a sign.

Of something.

Like happily ever after or fresh chances and slightly brighter memories.

They fall asleep eventually, smiles still on their faces and limbs tangled together and Emma’s head pounds when the first pinpricks of light filter through the curtains the next morning.

“Go back to sleep, love,” Killian mumbles, mostly into her hair. It’s got a tendency to get everywhere. She never hung up her gown. It’s still in a pile a few feet away, next to Killian’s boots and sword belt. “It’s still early.”

Emma hums, letting her eyes flutter shut again and they’d never really come up with a second part of the plan for picking up their daughter. She’s never really worried when Hope is with Henry though, and she can’t do much more than burrow closer to Killian’s side when his hook wraps around her wrist and Emma knows he’s smiling.

She opens her eyes slowly to find just that, a slight twist of lips and almost palpable happiness and her thumb brushes over the marked skin on his right arm. “Any regrets?” she asks, careful to keep her voice easy, like it isn’t a huge question, but he’s already shaking his head and she knew the answer anyway.

“Not a single one, Swan.”He kisses her again, a quick brush of lips and feeling and he doesn’t wince when her feet collide with his shins because they’re always cold and he’s used to it. That’s nice too. Indefinitely.

They get a few more hours of sleep before there’s a knock on the door and a baby on the other side and Emma takes her gratefully, peppering her stomach with kisses while Killian draws patterns on her arm and Henry grins knowingly when he notices the matching marks on their wrists – a tiny black indefinite symbol and always and something death couldn’t touch.

Emma’s a philosopher when she’s hungover, apparently.

“Good call,” Henry grins. “Grandma wants to eat breakfast as a family.”

“We’ll be right there,” Emma promises, and they’re only a few minutes late, hangovers magic’ed away while they were still in their rooms and it might be the best ball they’ve ever gone to.

[hotdogjumpingfrog5]

It’s Strange - Chapter 18

Previous Chapters: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six, Chapter Seven, Chapter Eight, Chapter Nine, Chapter Ten, Chapter Eleven, Chapter Twelve , Chapter Thirteen, Chapter Fourteen, Chapter Fifteen , Chapter Sixteen, Chapter Seventeen

~

March 21st, 1987

It was Thursday night, and both the Byers and Hopper side came together for the first time for dinner. Jim and Joyce were now serious, and they figured now was a good time for both families to interact. 

Both Will and El hadn’t interacted a whole lot, but tonight would be an opportunity for them to get to know each other a bit better.

Johnathan and Emma on the other hand, knew each other more, but were not 100% close either. 

Jim and Joyce had decided to go to a local Italian restaurant, a place where everyone will like what is served. Compromise. 

Hopper, Eleven, and Emma were the first ones to arrive, and about two minutes later, the Byers had entered.

After being seated, there was a few moments of silence while everyone looked at their menus, while at the same time figuring out what to say to each other. 

“So,” Hopper began, “How’s everyone’s life going?”

“Good.” Johnathan and Emma responded

Hopper and Joyce looked over at Eleven and Will, while Johnathan and Emma turned around to look after they didn’t respond

Will and Eleven were sitting across from each other, staring into each other’s eyes intensely, almost as if they were communicating through telepathy. 

“Will? Jane?” said Joyce

They had the same response as Johnathan and Emma, but almost immediately went back to staring at each other. 

“So Johnathan, how is university coming along?” Jim asked, “And how’s Nancy?”

“It’s going good, I have a few exams coming up in a couple of weeks.” Johnathan responded, “And me and Nancy are doing well, thanks for asking.”

“Very good.” Hopper smiled

“And what about you, Emma?” said Joyce

“It’s good. Zoology is interesting.” Em replied

“I bet it is!” said Joyce, “Oh, how’s your mother and stepsister doing?”

“They’re good, me and my sister Lucy’s relationship is better than it was two years ago of course.” Emma laughed

As Joyce, Johnathan, and Emma were in their own conversations, Jim had zoned out and looked over at Eleven and Will. 

They were still staring into each other’s eyes intensely, not looking away nor blinking. Almost as if they were having an internal conversation with each other; another language nobody else could understand.

“Jane. Will.” said Jim, “Join in on the conversation.”

The two of them had broken eye contact, and joined in with the rest of them.

“Do you guys stare at each other like that when you hang out?” Johnathan chuckled

“We’re only now getting to know each other.” said Will

Emma gave her younger sister a look, in which Eleven responded with an annoyed expression.

As far as the night was going, all of them felt some sort of connection with each other, aside from Joyce and Hopper, who had already felt a connection between each other a long while.

Johnathan and Emma knew each other since it was only four of them including Nancy and Steve in their group, but Johnathan and Emma were getting to know each other a bit better.

As for Eleven and Will, it was almost as if they felt an immediate connection right away.

Because who knows, they could be possible step siblings very soon.

~

April 3rd, 1987

It is just after 5:30, and Ella was going to head to Beverly’s house for the night. After she finished her mother’s chicken noodle soup. But she knew her and Beverly would be having takeout later on, but she’d never tell her mother of course.

“Okay Ellie bear,” said Sonia, “Make sure you take your vitamins with you, or you will get sick.”

She didn’t like being called Ellie, and her mom was the worst for saying it. But as normal, gave her a fake smile and replied with “Yes, mommy.”

“Good girl, and make sure it’s just you and Marsh tonight, aside from her guardian.” Sonia continued, “If you shower, make sure you use towels Beverly hasn’t used; I wouldn’t want her to give you any STDs or AIDs.”

At this point Ella wasn’t listening, and made her way to the porch to get ready to leave.

“And where do you think you’re off to?” Eddie came in, sounding just like their mom

“I told you earlier, Bev’s.” Ella responded, “And by the way, you’re my twin brother, not mom.”

“I’m older than you, I know what’s best.”

There hasn’t been a week where Eddie hasn’t said that to her.

“Yeah, right.” El responded, and shut the door behind her

She made her way down the path which lead to the end of their driveway, and Richie was just lurking around the corner, headed up the path.

“Hi Ella.” Richie said smugly

“Don’t talk to me, trashmouth.” El mumbled, still pissed about the ridiculous April Fool’s jokes he pulled the other day

“What did I do?” said Richie, “All I did was pour water in your backpack on Wednesday!”

“You also trashed my room and went through my stuff when you were up on Wednesday you sicko!” Ella said annoyed

“You like it.”

She gave him the bird in response, not wanting to be bothered with Richie

“Rude!” said Richie, “I’m going to tell Mrs. K you were not being nice!”

“Perv!” she said while punching in the arm, then ran off

As soon as Ella hit the next block, she caught her breath and chuckled at what she did, not wanting to show any sort of emotion around Tozier

Later on that night, Beverly and Ella walked the streets that evening after dinner, getting up to shit neither Bev’s aunt or Ella’s mom would not approve of.

That stuff being two sixteen/fifteen year old girls walking around at night. 

But as long as they didn’t find out.

Eventually, the two of them made their way back to Bev’s apartment, as they were both getting exhausted

It was 11 o’clock when they got back, but they decided to go to bed earlier than they normally would. But would stay up chatting for a while, of course.

This time Ella slept on the floor. Tonight Beverly was feeling okay, and wasn’t getting any sinister flashbacks about her now deceased father. 

“Did you get up to much after school today?” Bev asked

“Not really,” El responded, “Eddie has turned into our mom, and Richard is a douche.”

“Oh dear, what did those boys do this time?” Beverly chuckled

Though it was all minor, she still gave a short rant about the two.

“But why did Richie go through your stuff?” Bev questioned, “Based on what you told me and what trashmouth has done to you in the past, it does sound to me that he likes -”

“No Bev,” El rolled her eyes, “Not gonna happen. I can’t see myself going after my brother’s friend.”

“You suuure?” Beverly smirked

“Yes, please stop.” El chuckled, “How’s you and Ben doing anyway?”

“We’re good”

Ella just then remembered of what happened a month ago the night she looked after Georgie. Bill had originally asked Bev to do it, but Beverly had to cancel last minute.

El vaguely remembers Bill giving her the key, and played a game or two with Georgie before he did his own thing and she sat in the living room. 

Nothing seemed too out of place until Georgie stared at her with a creepy grin from across the room before muttering “Come join the clown, Eds.”

“Uh, what?” El asked, confused

“I saw a clown before.” Georgie giggled, “He was so funny!”

Then, would go back to himself. No more creepy grin, and Georgie continued as if that episode never even happened.

She had mentioned it to Bill when he got home later that evening, and Bill was slightly suspicious himself. Though he had said this rarely happened, and brushed it off as Georgie’s imagination going wild. Besides, Georgie hadn’t done anything else that entire night. 

Eddie had told her about a particular clown the other losers faced months before El had joined them. Could it have been the same one? 

Ella had mentioned that to Beverly on the spot, and Bev’s expression changed as she stared up to the ceiling, heart thumping

“Something wrong?” El asked

“Did you see anything?” Bev questioned

“No, why?”

“Okay. I just hope It’s not back.” said Beverly, “I could have sworn we killed that clown two years ago. Did you feel like you were being watched after Georgie said that?”

“Kind of, but I guess that’s just because it freaked me out.” Ella brushed it off

Beverly sat up in bed, wondering why this happened. Though Ella’s weird encounter with Georgie happened a month ago, no one has gone missing in Derry-Hawkins.

El mentioned that she forgot about it as soon as she left, and as did Bill, as he did not mention it to the group.

“You know, I see why Eddie is overprotective of you.” 

“Nah, he’s just being his bossy self, Eddie might as well be my second mom.” Ella shrugged

“No El, you don’t understand!” Beverly insisted, “He doesn’t want you to be in any form of danger, or fall into It or whatever is out there’s clutches.”

“But what else could be out there? I thought you guys said It was gone?”

Both the losers and the party have encountered seeing something weird one by one, but no one could lay a finger on it. No one has gone missing since two years ago, and Derry-Hawkins was considered safe again, even though the 7 pm curfew sign was still up in front of Derry High, two years later. 

The Derry police never did take it down.

Beverly sighed, not knowing how she was feeling at this point, but mostly fearful

She felt this chill go up her spine, and realized El was the newest member of the losers club, and hoping It wouldn’t come back for El, since she too was a girl.

But It can’t come for her though, Beverly thought, It only comes out every 27 years, right?

~

Next Chapter: Chapter 19

[petri808]

Catch Me

Fic Writer’s Appreciation- January 2018 Writing Challenge January (2018) Day 11 Dawn

Rushing up to the table where Levy and his best friend are sitting Natsu startles her with a hug from behind, “Lucy, let’s go on a mission!” he sing-songs, “We’re running low on food money.”

“Aye!!” adds Happy as he hovers over the dragon slayer

Lucy starts shrieking, “Why are you hugging on me?!” trying to unfurl his arms from around her waist.  

Levy giggles at the pair.  “You know,” closing one eye and making a box frame with her thumbs and pointer fingers she holds them up centering the couple in it, “you guys make a really cute couple!”  

Natsu, “Cute?”  He lets the frazzled blonde go.  “Why’d you call us cute?”

The script mage chuckles, “So you didn’t mind the word couple, just not the word cute?”

“Well that’s because we are a couple, there’s two of us, isn’t that what it means?”

Laughing hysterically, “No Natsu a couple is…”

Lucy cuts Levy off, waving her hands between them, “Never mind, never mind.  Natsu alright, just go and pick a mission.”

Turning back to his friend, he flashes his cheeky grin, “Already got one; it’s something about finding a missing ring.  And look it pays 300,000 Jewel!”  He hands her the flyer all excited.

“Wow, I wonder what kind of ring it could be to garner that much, but look the requestor says it must be a couple, a male and a female who responds.”

“Don’t know, don’t care.  We’re a male and female so, Let’s Go!”

Trying again, Levy opens her mouth to speak but Lucy just covers it.  “Don’t bother Lev, he doesn’t get it.”

“Come on!” Natsu grabs Lucy’s wrist and drags her out the door.  

After the pair leaves the guild hall Mira walks up to where Levy is still sitting.  “Well he took the bait,” Levy snickers.

“Yup.” A grinning Mira replies.  “I hope the ring calls to her.”

“Yeah, those two need a push…”

After two miserable hours on the train, the trio arrives at their destination.  Too sick as usual Natsu can’t get off his seat without help.  “Ugh, every time I have to carry you off.”  Lucy sighs.  “Happy help me!”

Snickering in his head the blue exceed whines, “My wings are sore today, he’d much rather you carry him.”

“You little traitor!” yelling at the blue exceed as she struggles under Natsu’s weight.

After stumbling out of the train she props him on a nearby bench to give him some time to recuperate.  When he finally comes around Lucy pulls on his arm.  “Natsu let’s get to the requestors house.”    

“I’m coming, I’m coming.”  He replies still a little groggy, “You don’t need to pull so hard Luce.”

Letting his arm go, “Tch, I should make you piggy back me there like I had to, to get you off the train.  You’re really heavy for me you know!”

“Fine!”  He grabs her and throws her over his shoulder, “Big baby!”

“Natsu Put me Down!” she beats her fists against his back

“Nope, you wanted to be carried so… be carried.”  His hand accidentally slips under her skirt when he shifts her body to keep her from falling over.

“Hey!  Watch where you put your hands!”  she slaps his head

“Then stop squirming!”  he repositions her again and keeps his hand on her skirt to keep it from flapping up.  

They head to a house on the outskirts of town that is listed on the request.  Walking up the path they see a fairly large mansion on a hill, big but old and looking a little worn down.  Natsu puts her back down grinning when they reach the porch.  She huffs as she smooths her clothes back down and knocks on the door.  A butler opens it, “Yes, may we help you?”

Lucy, “Hi, We’re the wizards from Fairytail; you put in a request about a lost ring?”

“Oh yes, please follow me, the matriarch is in the parlor.”  He leads them into a lavish parlor where an old woman sits next to the window.  

“Madam, you have guests from Fairytail.”

“Ah yes, please come, sit.”  The butler directs them to a couch near the woman.

“So you’ve come to help me find my lost ring?”

“Yes ma’am.”  Natsu declares happily.

Lucy, “Could you tell us a little about the ring, what does it look like, where you think you lost it?”

“Of course my dear; the ring has a gold band, with a large diamond and two emeralds on either side of the diamond.  I believe it fell off somewhere near the forest where I sometimes like to walk, Trevor can direct you to the location.”

“Why didn’t you look for it yourself?”  Natsu asks sounding a little annoyed over such an easy job before getting slapped by Lucy, ‘What!’  he mouths to her

But the woman just laughs; turning to them they can see the answer, “Because I am blind.”

“Sorry, sorry!”  Lucy starts to bow, “Please excuse my idio, I mean friend here!  He tends to speak before thinking.”

But the woman just laughs some more.  “Child do not worry, it doesn’t bother me.  I can sense you two are very close no?”

“C-close!  We’re j-just friends,” Lucy stammers

Smiling, “Time will reveal all,” and with that she calls the butler back in.  “Please take these two to the forest and show them where I think the ring might have fallen.”  Bowing, he does as he is told.

“Follow me; it is not far from the mansion.  Madam likes to go on walks once a week and normally I am the one who takes her but that day I wasn’t able so she went by herself.”

Lucy, “But she’s blind?”

“Yes, but she wasn’t always, that came with age.  She has lived in this home and on this land for 70 years, she knows it quite well.”  Pointing to the edge of the forest, “That is where she believes it happened.  Good luck, I hope you find the ring, it means a lot to her.”

Thanking him the trio start to look around.  “This is impossible, how are we going to find such a small ring in all this grass and bushes?!”  Natsu whines.

“Hmm,” Lucy taps her chin, “well she probably stayed on this path, I doubt she would have strayed from it, and it couldn’t have bounced far.  Do you think the ring will still hold her scent on it?”

“I don’t know; metal doesn’t always hold scent long.”

“But the clasps holding the stones may still have skin cells on them,”

“I’ll give it a shot.”  He proceeds to sniff.  “Hey I’m actually picking something up,” as he drops on all fours.  A short distance away he picks something up, “Is this is?”

Handing it to Lucy, “Yeah I believe it is!  Good Job Natsu!”

“That was easy.”  Getting to his feet he brushes off his pants, “Well let’s go give it to her and get our reward!”

“Right, let’s…” Lucy’s words trail off as her eyes glaze over; she appears to be in some sort of trance.

“Lucy, hey Earthland to Lucy.” He calls to her and waves his hand in front of her face.  No response.  “Lucy?”  Starting to panic he physically shakes her, “Lucy, Lucy, What’s wrong with you, Talk to Me!”  But all she does is gaze forward unresponsive.

“Lushee,” Happy begins to cry, “Natsu, What’s wrong with Lushee?”

“I-I don’t know Happy,” as tears of his own build at the corners of his eyes.  

Picking her up, Natsu races back to the mansion.  He kicks the door open and runs to the parlor.  “What’s going on!” he demands.  “We found the ring and after holding it she went into a trance!”  He stands Lucy upright and pulls the ring from her stiff fingers.  Handing it to the lady, “Please, tell me what is going on!” salty liquid trickles down his cheeks.

In a calm voice the lady speaks, “Do not worry young man, she waits to be awakened.”

“Huh!?”  Natsu shouts, “Awakened??!!”

“This ring is a magical engagement ring.  It was mine, but now it calls to her.”

Sobbing, “I-I don’t understand!”  he wipes at this face.

The woman stands up, makes her way to Natsu and places her hand on his shoulder, “Sit, I will tell you a story and then how to get your girl back.”  Nodding he helps Lucy into a sitting position on the couch and takes a place right beside her; he grips to her stiff fingers as he listens to the woman’s tale.

“Many, many years ago, I found this ring in my mother’s jewelry box.  At the time I was dating a man and was very much in love with him.  As I stood admiring the ring something happened, the same thing that happened to your friend here; I fell under a spell.  It was my mother who found me like that and I could see and hear everything going on around me but I couldn’t do anything about it.  I saw her rush out of the room and come back with my boyfriend.  She told him the only thing that could bring me out of the trance was my True Love.  But it wasn’t that simple, it’s not like in some fairytale where the Prince kisses the Princess and she magically awakens.  There was no specific way to wake me up, something had to happen to do that and she didn’t know what.  It could be as simple as a kiss or it may even be a life or death situation because both sides have to feel the same way.”  

At this last sentence Natsu gasps, “L-life or Death!” he stutters, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets.  “I can’t lose her!”  He shudders at the mere thought.

“Then you must find a way to break the spell.  Come I will let you stay here until you can.”  

She calls the butler in, “Trevor, please take them to one of the guest suites.”  Nodding, he turns to walk away, “I’ll be right back for you, I will prepare a room.”

“Do not fret young man.  I am sure you will find a way.”

“How did you come out of it?”

Smiling, “He proposed to me.”

Upstairs in the room, Natsu has laid Lucy down on the bed.  Her eyes still frozen open stare up at the ceiling.  “Oh Lucy, I promise I’ll find a way to bring you back.  I-I can’t lose you, not before I have a chance to t-tell you…” he sees a single tear fall down her face.  Gasping, “Lucy?  You can hear me can’t you?  The lady said you could.”  Another single tear.  He pulls her into his lap and cradles her head against his chest, “Please come back to me…” he whimpers.

Rambling thoughts begin to spill from his lips while a slow trickle of tears slide down along his face.  “You can’t leave me Luce, I-I can’t even imagine what my life would be like if you weren’t with me.  I mean who else can stop Stripper and me from fighting, without bashing our heads together?  Who else knows how to make my favorite foods?  Sigh   You’re the only one who can make me feel better when I’m sad…. Or puts up with my irritating personality…  Yeah I admit it, I know I can be a pain at times, and act goofy but it’s just to hide my real...  Never mind…  Please Luce you’ve got to wake up, Please!”  his bawling gets louder.  “Ugh, why’d I have to pick this stupid mission!”      

Happy has curled up at her feet sobbing quietly to his self, ‘Lushee please wake up…’  

Natsu lies down on his side next to her and puts his arm over her waist.  He continues to speak softly to her despite his weeping.  “I wanna go home… I wanna curl up in your soft bed with you Luce… I just want another chance to peek over your shoulder while you write your stories… Please…  I wanna be kicked out when I catch you coming out of the shower, anything, just give me a second chance…”   As his eyes grow weary from all the crying he falls into a deep slumber nuzzled up against her.

“Natsu!  Natsu get up,” Happy slaps his friend’s face, “Lushee is gone!”

Springing up from the bed, “What!”  He runs to the window and throws it open sniffing the air.

“I can track her scent, it goes this way!”  he points.  Hopping onto the window’s ledge, “Happy hurry!!”  

The exceed grabs onto Natsu and flies them out the window.  Sniffing the air Natsu directs him which direction to head.  The first faint traces of morning are just starting to reveal themselves and as they pass through the forest and come out into a clearing, they see Lucy walking towards something.  “Oh, my Mavis, Happy, that’s a cliff!!”  Panic in his voice escalating.  “Hurry up!”

“Aye!”  Racing towards her as fast as his wings can take them they get there just as she reaches the edge.    

“Lucy stop, Don’t do it!”  Natsu screams as Happy releases him.  She doesn’t respond but turns her head and takes a step.  “LUCY NOOOO!” he launches himself towards her.

Held by one arm, “N-Natsu, what is…” Looking down she starts to scream as she realizes she is dangling from a cliff.  “Natsu!  Natsu!” she sees the swirling dark waves beneath her.  And grips for his hands; her fingernails dig into his skin, but he doesn’t care.  

“Don’t look down, Luce I’ve got you, I’ve got you!”

“NATSU!”  she continues to scream absolutely terrified out of her mind, she can’t help but keep looking down into the blackness below her.

“Lucy, Lucy look at me, Look at ME!”  She looks up at him.  “Baby just keep looking into my eyes.  I will Not let you go!  Do you trust me?!”  

She nods, “I-I trust you Natsu.” but her eyes still show her fright.  

“Okay I’m going to count to 3 and I’m going to pull okay.  One. Two. Three!” He yanks as hard as he can, pulling her up and over the edge.  The momentum causes them to roll backwards but he wraps his arms around and pulls her head to his chest to protect her from the fall.  Finally stopping after a few tumbles with her on top of him.  

“Natsu you saved me just in time…” she weeps into his chest.  “I-I could see and hear everything, the lady telling the story, you in the room.  But I-I don’t really understand why I was compelled to come to this edge!”  

He strokes her hair, “Shh, Lucy, it’s okay, you’re back now safe in my arms and that’s all that matters.”  

“But why this way, I could have died!”  her whole body trembles

“I, I think it’s my fault it had to be this extreme.”

“You’re fault, why would it be your fault?”

Now crying as well, “It’s because I was too weak.  Even though she told me how to save you, and I knew in my heart I had to confess to you, I-I just couldn’t get it out no matter how many times I tried.”

“Confess?  About what?”

“Lucy, if I had just told you I love you, maybe it would have brought you out of the trance sooner!  So it’s my fault this happened…”

‘Because both sides have to feel the same way’…… Shocked Lucy stops crying.  She grabs his face and kisses him hastily on the lips.  When she releases him, he stares back stupefied, “Then I am just as guilty as you.”

“I don’t get it.”

She smiles, “Since I could hear everything being said, I heard the part of only my True Love can break the spell.  But even at that point my heart didn’t want to admit my feelings for you.  Remember the woman told you ‘both sides have to feel the same way.’  It took being at the edge of life and death to break both our hearts free.”

“Lucy…” he whispers caressing her cheek.  “I’m so glad I have you back…”

She smiles sweetly at him, “You’ve caught me Natsu.”

“And I’m never letting you go again….”

[dargeereads]

Title: Hooking Him Series: How to Catch an Alpha #3

Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds Publisher: Montlake Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: June 16, 2020

Blurb

Anna McAlister needs a new life. But that doesn’t mean she needs a new man. After leaving her fiancé and Chicago behind, she promises herself no dating until she finds what she’s looking for. But meeting one seriously hot and determined detective has her questioning herself.

Calvin Miller is that detective, and he’s been burned by women in the past. It’s easy for him to sleep alone and focus on his work, but the moment he lays eyes on Anna, he starts imagining sexy nights with her wrapped in his sheets. Maybe it’s time to get back out there.

But just as the attraction between them begins to sizzle, Anna’s past shows up to create trouble. And to make matters worse, a string of murders forces Calvin to juggle his new relationship and his career. His worst fear? That the two are somehow connected.

Can they find love together, or will her past and his duty sink their hopes?

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Excerpt

Suggestion 1

FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE EVERYTHING. DIDN’T YOUR MAMA TEACH YOU THAT?

ANNA

“Are you happy?” my friend Lucy asks, and I instinctively tighten my fingers around my cell phone as I put my bare feet up on the wooden rail in front of me. I’ve lived most of my life in the city, surrounded by skyscrapers and the constant sound of chatter and traffic, with air clogged with the scents of food and exhaust. Now, sitting on the back deck of my studio apartment in a small coastal town in South Carolina, with the ocean mere feet away, the sun warming my skin, and a slight breeze playing in my hair, I wonder how I survived in Chicago for so long.

“I’m getting there,” I answer, smiling as I watch a young family laughing and playing in the surf nearby.

“Even living in a small studio apartment and working at a bakery?” She sounds skeptical, and I remind myself she just doesn’t understand. Like everyone else back in Chicago, she doesn’t get why I’d choose to go from making over $60,000 a year, living in a beautiful penthouse apartment, planning a wedding to a good man—who also happens to be gorgeous—to moving to a town where I know almost no one. Where I’m renting an apartment the size of my old bathroom and working a job that pays in a month what I used to make in a week.

“Even living in an apartment and working at the bakery,” I reply, keeping my tone neutral before adding quietly, “I do miss you, though.” It’s not a lie: Lucy has been in my life since I can remember. Our parents were friends, so we practically grew up together.

“I still don’t get it,” she says with a sigh, and my heart sinks. I keep hoping she will, but as the months pass, it’s becoming more and more clear that she won’t. None of my friends or family do. They don’t understand that I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to give everything up. Every day for years, I woke up and looked at myself in the mirror, disliking the materialistic, shallow woman I was becoming. Until one day I decided to do something about it.

“I should let you go. I’m sure you have stuff to do, and I promised Edie that I’d go with her to bingo.”

“Bingo? You’re playing bingo?” She laughs.

I can’t help the smile that tips up my lips. “Yeah, it’s actually kind of fun.”

“If you say so,” she says, sounding distracted, and then a moment later, a distinctive male voice in the background asks her something, and I know it’s Lance, my ex-fiancé, who’s a partner at her firm. “Sorry, I gotta go, Anna.”

“No problem,” I tell her, feeling nauseous. “Bye.” I hang up before she has a chance to reply and then sit forward, dropping my head into my hands as I think back to the look on Lance’s face when I gave him back his ring and told him that we were over. He didn’t say a word and walked away, looking devastated. The hardest part about leaving Chicago wasn’t the lifestyle I was giving up; it was losing him. Even though I wasn’t in love with him, he was my friend. For the five years we were in a relationship, he was a constant in my life, someone I depended on for support, and he was one of the few people who understood the dysfunctional relationship I had with my parents and encouraged me to take a step back from them when they hurt me with their carelessness.

Not wanting to spend the day dwelling on something that would leave me depressed, I pull in a deep breath, expecting to inhale the fresh sea air, but my nose wrinkles when the distinct scent of pot hits me. I open my eyes, get up from my lounger, and stop midway across the deck when a big puff of smoke floats up from the porch below. I walk quietly to the edge and look over the rail, wondering if someone from the beach has decided to hide out and get high. But then I shake my head when I see Dixie and Pearl, my landlady Edie’s best friends, who are in their seventies, standing at her back door and sharing what looks like a joint: an object that seems out of place, given their grandmotherly appearance. Both women are dressed like they’re about to go golfing, in their pastel polo shirts and khaki capris, all capped by white hair that’s styled, like always, in an array of curls.

“Isn’t weed illegal?”

Both women jump, and Dixie, who’s holding the joint, tosses it away, yelling “Oh shit!” while Pearl screams, searching until she finds me on the deck above.

“Anna!” Pearl says, glaring. “You scared the dickens out of me.”

“Dickens,” Dixie says with a giggle as the back door opens.

“What on earth is going on out here?” Edie asks, stepping outside wearing a white linen outfit with her short hair feathered back from a gracefully aging face.

“Anna tried to give us heart attacks,” Pearl says accusingly, pointing up at me, and Edie tips her head back, smiling when she spots me.

Edie was the first person I met when I moved to South Carolina. She had an apartment for rent in her house, and when I answered the ad, she invited me over to view the space. I fell in love with it because it was right on the beach, but after spending an hour with her, I also wanted the apartment because it would give me an excuse to spend time with her. I didn’t understand why I was so drawn to her at first, but something about being in her presence made me feel hopeful. Then one night, over wine, she opened up about her past and told me about her ex-husband, who she was with for more than twenty years before she found the courage to leave him. And when she did, she found a way to be happy, even when he and her family were all sure she would come back with her tail tucked between her legs. I guess her story gave me the hope to fight for my own happiness.

“They’re smoking weed,” I inform her, waving my hand at both women.

“I have glaucoma.” Pearl plants her hands on her hips.

“Really?” I ask, and her eyes narrow on mine in challenge.

“It’s time for us to go anyway,” Edie announces.

“Found it!” Dixie shouts, and Pearl breaks her stare-down with me to turn to her friend, who holds up the joint like it’s a trophy.

“Anna.” My eyes move to Edie. “Meet us at the car. I want to get to the bingo hall before Carol so she doesn’t take our table.”

“That woman is annoying,” Dixie mutters.

“She’s such a show-off,” Pearl says, taking the joint from Dixie and wrapping what’s left of it in a tissue she pulls from her bra. “Who cares that you have five grandkids when they don’t even like you?”

“Right!” Dixie agrees while opening the door for Pearl to go inside before her.

“Meet us in the driveway,” Edie says, and I narrow my eyes on hers. “What?”

“I notice you’re not saying anything about them smoking pot. Did you smoke with them?”

“Not today.” She winks, then disappears inside. I watch the door close behind her, unsure if she’s joking. She, Pearl, and Dixie might all be older than me, but you’d never know by the way they act and the things they say.

“Well, today should be interesting,” I sigh to myself before going into my apartment and shutting the door. I walk between my bed and the open kitchen to the closet and slide my feet into a pair of flip-flops before grabbing a plaid button-down shirt and tying it around my waist. I learned the first time Edie dragged me to the bingo hall that they keep the room a degree above freezing—something that wouldn’t have been bad if I hadn’t dressed for the heat and humidity outside. I stop and grab my keys, along with my purse, then lock up before taking the stairs down to the driveway, where Edie, Dixie, and Pearl are waiting.

“I can drive.” I hold up the keys to my Ford, and they all turn in my direction.

“Where’s the rest of your shorts?” Pearl asks, and I look down at my denim cutoffs, which are short but not any shorter than what girls wear nowadays. Still, they’re shorter than anything I would’ve worn a year ago.

“Oh, stop. If you had legs like hers, you’d show them off too,” Edie scolds, and I glance up, catching her shaking her head at her friend before she looks at me. “Anna, you drive like an old lady. You’re riding shotgun. Get in.” She presses a button on her keys, and the doors unlock.

“I don’t drive like an old lady,” I say to defend myself as I open the door to her red BMW convertible and pull the seat forward for Pearl and Dixie to get in the back.

“The last time I rode with you, you drove thirty in a fifty.”

“It was a construction zone. I was following the rules.”

“It was after eight at night. They weren’t even working.”

“Whatever.” I push the seat back into place and get in. I reach for my seat belt as she starts the engine and lowers the roof. As soon as the top locks into place, she backs out of the driveway, and I’m reaching out for the handle on the door when I hear her laugh.

“Relax, child. I’ve never gotten in an accident.”

“Really?” I glance at her quickly, not wanting to take my eyes off the road, even though I’m not the one driving.

“Well . . . maybe I should say I have never gotten into an accident that was my fault.”

“That sounds a little more believable,” I reply, then pull in a sharp breath as she turns onto the on-ramp for the highway and presses her foot more firmly on the gas. I hold my breath as she merges into traffic and then squeeze my eyes closed as she zooms forward to pass in front of a semi. I feel the car start to slow and open my eyes. I release the breath I’ve been holding as we take the next exit and stop at a red light. When the light turns green, my fingers tighten on the handle of the door, turning my knuckles white as she takes a right and presses the gas once more. I start to pray when she hugs the bumper of the car in front of us, and then my heart drops into my stomach when I hear the distinctive sound of police sirens.

“Oh shit,” comes from the back seat as Edie pulls over and places the car in park. I look over my shoulder and watch Pearl reach into her shirt, pull out a white tissue, and shove it under the seat in front of her.

Oh my God. “Was that your joint?” I shout, and Pearl glares at me.

“Just be cool. This isn’t a big deal.” Edie wraps her hand around my upper leg, and I focus on her and nod, not feeling cool at all. My leg starts to bounce as we wait for the officer to get out of his car, and by the time he gets to Edie’s window, it’s jumping like crazy.

“Edie.”

A deep voice greets us, and I turn my head, noticing first the long, masculine fingers wrapped around the top of the door, then dark jeans, a black belt with a badge attached, and a form-fitting blue button-down that’s tucked in, making it clear the guy is fit. I slowly lift my head as I take in his broad shoulders, and my heart starts to pound for a different reason when I reach his face. Holy wow, even with his eyes covered with a pair of silver aviators that look amazing on him, he’s still heart-stoppingly gorgeous. I stare at him, unsure if it’s his dark hair, sharp jaw, or full lips that have me entranced. All I know is it’s a good thing he has those glasses on. I don’t think I could handle seeing all of him at one time.

“Calvin, how’s your mom?” Pearl asks sweetly from the back seat, and he turns his head just slightly to look at her while I keep my eyes on him. Calvin—that name fits him. It makes me think of those old Calvin Klein ads with Marky Mark that my friends and I used to drool over.

“She’s good.”

“Tell her I say hello.”

“Will do.” He dips his chin before shifting his attention back to Edie. “Do you know why I pulled you over?”

“I have no idea,” Edie says. Then she asks, “Was I speeding?”

“You weren’t speeding. But I followed you onto the highway and off, and I’m a little concerned with your lack of turn signals and the way you tend to test the boundaries of your brakes when driving behind someone.”

“My car has great brakes,” she informs him with a smile.

“That might be, but I doubt you’d feel that way if the person you followed so closely had to hit their brakes and you, in turn, hit them.”

“You’re absolutely right.” She places her hand on her chest, looking surprised. “I never thought of that.”

“I’m sure.” His jaw tics, making my fingers, still on the handle, clench. “If I see you driving like that again, Edie, I’ll give you a ticket. And you and I both know you can’t have any more points on your license.”

Points? She already has points on her license?

“How many tickets have you gotten?” I blurt, and all eyes rest on me, including a pair covered with a silver tint.

“I still have my license,” Edie tells me.

“One more ticket and you won’t,” Calvin adds.

“One more ticket” meaning she’s gotten a few? “I knew I should have ignored my need to respect my elders and demanded to drive. First, Pearl and Dixie smoking a—”

“Pardon?” Calvin rumbles, cutting off the word joint, and my eyes widen. Oh crap. My mouth goes dry. I wave my hand in his direction and shake my head once more. “They were smoking a cigarette. Even at their age, they should know those things kill.” I can’t see his eyes, but I still feel them bore into mine. I shift in my seat but try to keep my expression neutral. “I’ll make sure Edie’s more careful when she’s behind the wheel.”

He acknowledges my statement with a grunt and comes out of his bent position, which forces me to tip my head back. “This is your last warning.” He taps Edie’s door before he walks back toward his car. I turn to watch him, thinking even from behind, his broad shoulders and slim waist are attractive.

“I can’t believe you were going to tell him that we were smoking a joint,” Pearl hisses.

“She didn’t and she covered for us,” Dixie mutters. “I don’t blame her for getting weird. He’s handsome, and that happens when you’re talking to a handsome man.”

“Do you think he’s handsome?” Edie asks me, and I look over at her, noting a calculating look in her eyes.

Damn.

“Of course she thinks he’s attractive. She’s female,” Pearl says from the back seat.

“Well?” Edie asks.

“Um . . .” I shift under her stare. “He’s okay.”

“Okay?” Dixie snorts. “That man is not just okay, darling, and if you think that, you need to be checked by a doctor to confirm you actually have a pulse.”

“Whatever. Shouldn’t we go? Aren’t you the one who didn’t want to be late to bingo?”

“Fine, you win this one,” Edie says after a long moment, and then she puts the shifter in drive, flips on her turn signal, and checks her mirror. The moment she starts to pull away from the side of the road and into traffic, the car is jolted to the right, and the sounds of metal crunching and scraping fill the air.

With wide eyes and my heart pounding, I turn and meet a pair of mesmerizing blue eyes belonging to Calvin. Holy cow, we just sideswiped a cop! I drag my eyes off his and focus on Edie. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Are you?” Her eyes scan me from head to toe.

“I’m good.” I look over my shoulder and see Calvin backing up behind us, then look at the two wide-eyed women in the back seat. “Are you two all right?”

“I’m okay,” Pearl says shakily.

“Just a little shook up, but I’m okay,” Dixie replies.

“I’m going to make sure Calvin is all right.” I unhook my belt and open my door.

With my legs shaking, I walk around the back of the car, but I stop short when I see Calvin bent over and looking in the open trunk of his cruiser. Without even a glance in my direction, he booms, “Get back into the vehicle.”

“But—”

“Back in the vehicle.” He doesn’t move except to turn his head, and his eyes come to me. “It’s not safe for you to be out here.”

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” I tell him, and he comes out of his bent position and walks toward me slowly.

I should back away. I want to back away, but I hold my ground until he reaches out and wraps his hand around my upper arm.

“What are you doing?” I look at where he’s holding me and automatically try to tug free, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, he starts walking, forcing me to go with him. When we reach the passenger side of the car, he opens the door and urges me to sit.

“Stay,” he orders, and I blink up at him in disbelief.

“I’m not a dog you can just order to do something,” I hiss, tucking my feet into the car.

“Yeah, I know. My dog actually listens.” He slams the door and walks away, leaving me fuming.

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Author Bio

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose wildly popular series include Until, Until Him, Until Her, Underground Kings and Shooting Stars.

Her writing career started in an attempt to get the outrageously alpha men who resided in her head to leave her alone and has blossomed into an opportunity to share her stories with readers all over the world.

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[dargeereads]

Title: Hooking Him Series: How to Catch an Alpha #3

Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds Publisher: Montlake Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: June 16, 2020

Blurb

Anna McAlister needs a new life. But that doesn’t mean she needs a new man. After leaving her fiancé and Chicago behind, she promises herself no dating until she finds what she’s looking for. But meeting one seriously hot and determined detective has her questioning herself.

Calvin Miller is that detective, and he’s been burned by women in the past. It’s easy for him to sleep alone and focus on his work, but the moment he lays eyes on Anna, he starts imagining sexy nights with her wrapped in his sheets. Maybe it’s time to get back out there.

But just as the attraction between them begins to sizzle, Anna’s past shows up to create trouble. And to make matters worse, a string of murders forces Calvin to juggle his new relationship and his career. His worst fear? That the two are somehow connected.

Can they find love together, or will her past and his duty sink their hopes?

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Excerpt

Suggestion 1

FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE EVERYTHING. DIDN’T YOUR MAMA TEACH YOU THAT?

ANNA

“Are you happy?” my friend Lucy asks, and I instinctively tighten my fingers around my cell phone as I put my bare feet up on the wooden rail in front of me. I’ve lived most of my life in the city, surrounded by skyscrapers and the constant sound of chatter and traffic, with air clogged with the scents of food and exhaust. Now, sitting on the back deck of my studio apartment in a small coastal town in South Carolina, with the ocean mere feet away, the sun warming my skin, and a slight breeze playing in my hair, I wonder how I survived in Chicago for so long.

“I’m getting there,” I answer, smiling as I watch a young family laughing and playing in the surf nearby.

“Even living in a small studio apartment and working at a bakery?” She sounds skeptical, and I remind myself she just doesn’t understand. Like everyone else back in Chicago, she doesn’t get why I’d choose to go from making over $60,000 a year, living in a beautiful penthouse apartment, planning a wedding to a good man—who also happens to be gorgeous—to moving to a town where I know almost no one. Where I’m renting an apartment the size of my old bathroom and working a job that pays in a month what I used to make in a week.

“Even living in an apartment and working at the bakery,” I reply, keeping my tone neutral before adding quietly, “I do miss you, though.” It’s not a lie: Lucy has been in my life since I can remember. Our parents were friends, so we practically grew up together.

“I still don’t get it,” she says with a sigh, and my heart sinks. I keep hoping she will, but as the months pass, it’s becoming more and more clear that she won’t. None of my friends or family do. They don’t understand that I didn’t just wake up one day and decide to give everything up. Every day for years, I woke up and looked at myself in the mirror, disliking the materialistic, shallow woman I was becoming. Until one day I decided to do something about it.

“I should let you go. I’m sure you have stuff to do, and I promised Edie that I’d go with her to bingo.”

“Bingo? You’re playing bingo?” She laughs.

I can’t help the smile that tips up my lips. “Yeah, it’s actually kind of fun.”

“If you say so,” she says, sounding distracted, and then a moment later, a distinctive male voice in the background asks her something, and I know it’s Lance, my ex-fiancé, who’s a partner at her firm. “Sorry, I gotta go, Anna.”

“No problem,” I tell her, feeling nauseous. “Bye.” I hang up before she has a chance to reply and then sit forward, dropping my head into my hands as I think back to the look on Lance’s face when I gave him back his ring and told him that we were over. He didn’t say a word and walked away, looking devastated. The hardest part about leaving Chicago wasn’t the lifestyle I was giving up; it was losing him. Even though I wasn’t in love with him, he was my friend. For the five years we were in a relationship, he was a constant in my life, someone I depended on for support, and he was one of the few people who understood the dysfunctional relationship I had with my parents and encouraged me to take a step back from them when they hurt me with their carelessness.

Not wanting to spend the day dwelling on something that would leave me depressed, I pull in a deep breath, expecting to inhale the fresh sea air, but my nose wrinkles when the distinct scent of pot hits me. I open my eyes, get up from my lounger, and stop midway across the deck when a big puff of smoke floats up from the porch below. I walk quietly to the edge and look over the rail, wondering if someone from the beach has decided to hide out and get high. But then I shake my head when I see Dixie and Pearl, my landlady Edie’s best friends, who are in their seventies, standing at her back door and sharing what looks like a joint: an object that seems out of place, given their grandmotherly appearance. Both women are dressed like they’re about to go golfing, in their pastel polo shirts and khaki capris, all capped by white hair that’s styled, like always, in an array of curls.

“Isn’t weed illegal?”

Both women jump, and Dixie, who’s holding the joint, tosses it away, yelling “Oh shit!” while Pearl screams, searching until she finds me on the deck above.

“Anna!” Pearl says, glaring. “You scared the dickens out of me.”

“Dickens,” Dixie says with a giggle as the back door opens.

“What on earth is going on out here?” Edie asks, stepping outside wearing a white linen outfit with her short hair feathered back from a gracefully aging face.

“Anna tried to give us heart attacks,” Pearl says accusingly, pointing up at me, and Edie tips her head back, smiling when she spots me.

Edie was the first person I met when I moved to South Carolina. She had an apartment for rent in her house, and when I answered the ad, she invited me over to view the space. I fell in love with it because it was right on the beach, but after spending an hour with her, I also wanted the apartment because it would give me an excuse to spend time with her. I didn’t understand why I was so drawn to her at first, but something about being in her presence made me feel hopeful. Then one night, over wine, she opened up about her past and told me about her ex-husband, who she was with for more than twenty years before she found the courage to leave him. And when she did, she found a way to be happy, even when he and her family were all sure she would come back with her tail tucked between her legs. I guess her story gave me the hope to fight for my own happiness.

“They’re smoking weed,” I inform her, waving my hand at both women.

“I have glaucoma.” Pearl plants her hands on her hips.

“Really?” I ask, and her eyes narrow on mine in challenge.

“It’s time for us to go anyway,” Edie announces.

“Found it!” Dixie shouts, and Pearl breaks her stare-down with me to turn to her friend, who holds up the joint like it’s a trophy.

“Anna.” My eyes move to Edie. “Meet us at the car. I want to get to the bingo hall before Carol so she doesn’t take our table.”

“That woman is annoying,” Dixie mutters.

“She’s such a show-off,” Pearl says, taking the joint from Dixie and wrapping what’s left of it in a tissue she pulls from her bra. “Who cares that you have five grandkids when they don’t even like you?”

“Right!” Dixie agrees while opening the door for Pearl to go inside before her.

“Meet us in the driveway,” Edie says, and I narrow my eyes on hers. “What?”

“I notice you’re not saying anything about them smoking pot. Did you smoke with them?”

“Not today.” She winks, then disappears inside. I watch the door close behind her, unsure if she’s joking. She, Pearl, and Dixie might all be older than me, but you’d never know by the way they act and the things they say.

“Well, today should be interesting,” I sigh to myself before going into my apartment and shutting the door. I walk between my bed and the open kitchen to the closet and slide my feet into a pair of flip-flops before grabbing a plaid button-down shirt and tying it around my waist. I learned the first time Edie dragged me to the bingo hall that they keep the room a degree above freezing—something that wouldn’t have been bad if I hadn’t dressed for the heat and humidity outside. I stop and grab my keys, along with my purse, then lock up before taking the stairs down to the driveway, where Edie, Dixie, and Pearl are waiting.

“I can drive.” I hold up the keys to my Ford, and they all turn in my direction.

“Where’s the rest of your shorts?” Pearl asks, and I look down at my denim cutoffs, which are short but not any shorter than what girls wear nowadays. Still, they’re shorter than anything I would’ve worn a year ago.

“Oh, stop. If you had legs like hers, you’d show them off too,” Edie scolds, and I glance up, catching her shaking her head at her friend before she looks at me. “Anna, you drive like an old lady. You’re riding shotgun. Get in.” She presses a button on her keys, and the doors unlock.

“I don’t drive like an old lady,” I say to defend myself as I open the door to her red BMW convertible and pull the seat forward for Pearl and Dixie to get in the back.

“The last time I rode with you, you drove thirty in a fifty.”

“It was a construction zone. I was following the rules.”

“It was after eight at night. They weren’t even working.”

“Whatever.” I push the seat back into place and get in. I reach for my seat belt as she starts the engine and lowers the roof. As soon as the top locks into place, she backs out of the driveway, and I’m reaching out for the handle on the door when I hear her laugh.

“Relax, child. I’ve never gotten in an accident.”

“Really?” I glance at her quickly, not wanting to take my eyes off the road, even though I’m not the one driving.

“Well . . . maybe I should say I have never gotten into an accident that was my fault.”

“That sounds a little more believable,” I reply, then pull in a sharp breath as she turns onto the on-ramp for the highway and presses her foot more firmly on the gas. I hold my breath as she merges into traffic and then squeeze my eyes closed as she zooms forward to pass in front of a semi. I feel the car start to slow and open my eyes. I release the breath I’ve been holding as we take the next exit and stop at a red light. When the light turns green, my fingers tighten on the handle of the door, turning my knuckles white as she takes a right and presses the gas once more. I start to pray when she hugs the bumper of the car in front of us, and then my heart drops into my stomach when I hear the distinctive sound of police sirens.

“Oh shit,” comes from the back seat as Edie pulls over and places the car in park. I look over my shoulder and watch Pearl reach into her shirt, pull out a white tissue, and shove it under the seat in front of her.

Oh my God. “Was that your joint?” I shout, and Pearl glares at me.

“Just be cool. This isn’t a big deal.” Edie wraps her hand around my upper leg, and I focus on her and nod, not feeling cool at all. My leg starts to bounce as we wait for the officer to get out of his car, and by the time he gets to Edie’s window, it’s jumping like crazy.

“Edie.”

A deep voice greets us, and I turn my head, noticing first the long, masculine fingers wrapped around the top of the door, then dark jeans, a black belt with a badge attached, and a form-fitting blue button-down that’s tucked in, making it clear the guy is fit. I slowly lift my head as I take in his broad shoulders, and my heart starts to pound for a different reason when I reach his face. Holy wow, even with his eyes covered with a pair of silver aviators that look amazing on him, he’s still heart-stoppingly gorgeous. I stare at him, unsure if it’s his dark hair, sharp jaw, or full lips that have me entranced. All I know is it’s a good thing he has those glasses on. I don’t think I could handle seeing all of him at one time.

“Calvin, how’s your mom?” Pearl asks sweetly from the back seat, and he turns his head just slightly to look at her while I keep my eyes on him. Calvin—that name fits him. It makes me think of those old Calvin Klein ads with Marky Mark that my friends and I used to drool over.

“She’s good.”

“Tell her I say hello.”

“Will do.” He dips his chin before shifting his attention back to Edie. “Do you know why I pulled you over?”

“I have no idea,” Edie says. Then she asks, “Was I speeding?”

“You weren’t speeding. But I followed you onto the highway and off, and I’m a little concerned with your lack of turn signals and the way you tend to test the boundaries of your brakes when driving behind someone.”

“My car has great brakes,” she informs him with a smile.

“That might be, but I doubt you’d feel that way if the person you followed so closely had to hit their brakes and you, in turn, hit them.”

“You’re absolutely right.” She places her hand on her chest, looking surprised. “I never thought of that.”

“I’m sure.” His jaw tics, making my fingers, still on the handle, clench. “If I see you driving like that again, Edie, I’ll give you a ticket. And you and I both know you can’t have any more points on your license.”

Points? She already has points on her license?

“How many tickets have you gotten?” I blurt, and all eyes rest on me, including a pair covered with a silver tint.

“I still have my license,” Edie tells me.

“One more ticket and you won’t,” Calvin adds.

“One more ticket” meaning she’s gotten a few? “I knew I should have ignored my need to respect my elders and demanded to drive. First, Pearl and Dixie smoking a—”

“Pardon?” Calvin rumbles, cutting off the word joint, and my eyes widen. Oh crap. My mouth goes dry. I wave my hand in his direction and shake my head once more. “They were smoking a cigarette. Even at their age, they should know those things kill.” I can’t see his eyes, but I still feel them bore into mine. I shift in my seat but try to keep my expression neutral. “I’ll make sure Edie’s more careful when she’s behind the wheel.”

He acknowledges my statement with a grunt and comes out of his bent position, which forces me to tip my head back. “This is your last warning.” He taps Edie’s door before he walks back toward his car. I turn to watch him, thinking even from behind, his broad shoulders and slim waist are attractive.

“I can’t believe you were going to tell him that we were smoking a joint,” Pearl hisses.

“She didn’t and she covered for us,” Dixie mutters. “I don’t blame her for getting weird. He’s handsome, and that happens when you’re talking to a handsome man.”

“Do you think he’s handsome?” Edie asks me, and I look over at her, noting a calculating look in her eyes.

Damn.

“Of course she thinks he’s attractive. She’s female,” Pearl says from the back seat.

“Well?” Edie asks.

“Um . . .” I shift under her stare. “He’s okay.”

“Okay?” Dixie snorts. “That man is not just okay, darling, and if you think that, you need to be checked by a doctor to confirm you actually have a pulse.”

“Whatever. Shouldn’t we go? Aren’t you the one who didn’t want to be late to bingo?”

“Fine, you win this one,” Edie says after a long moment, and then she puts the shifter in drive, flips on her turn signal, and checks her mirror. The moment she starts to pull away from the side of the road and into traffic, the car is jolted to the right, and the sounds of metal crunching and scraping fill the air.

With wide eyes and my heart pounding, I turn and meet a pair of mesmerizing blue eyes belonging to Calvin. Holy cow, we just sideswiped a cop! I drag my eyes off his and focus on Edie. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Are you?” Her eyes scan me from head to toe.

“I’m good.” I look over my shoulder and see Calvin backing up behind us, then look at the two wide-eyed women in the back seat. “Are you two all right?”

“I’m okay,” Pearl says shakily.

“Just a little shook up, but I’m okay,” Dixie replies.

“I’m going to make sure Calvin is all right.” I unhook my belt and open my door.

With my legs shaking, I walk around the back of the car, but I stop short when I see Calvin bent over and looking in the open trunk of his cruiser. Without even a glance in my direction, he booms, “Get back into the vehicle.”

“But—”

“Back in the vehicle.” He doesn’t move except to turn his head, and his eyes come to me. “It’s not safe for you to be out here.”

“I just wanted to make sure you were okay,” I tell him, and he comes out of his bent position and walks toward me slowly.

I should back away. I want to back away, but I hold my ground until he reaches out and wraps his hand around my upper arm.

“What are you doing?” I look at where he’s holding me and automatically try to tug free, but he doesn’t let go. Instead, he starts walking, forcing me to go with him. When we reach the passenger side of the car, he opens the door and urges me to sit.

“Stay,” he orders, and I blink up at him in disbelief.

“I’m not a dog you can just order to do something,” I hiss, tucking my feet into the car.

“Yeah, I know. My dog actually listens.” He slams the door and walks away, leaving me fuming.

Also Available

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

AUDIO / PAPERBACK

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

AUDIO / PAPERBACK

Author Bio

Aurora Rose Reynolds is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose wildly popular series include Until, Until Him, Until Her, Underground Kings and Shooting Stars.

Her writing career started in an attempt to get the outrageously alpha men who resided in her head to leave her alone and has blossomed into an opportunity to share her stories with readers all over the world.

Author Links

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