#toddler sarah

[mariatesstruther]

toddler sarah would LOVE “try again” by aaliyah and would definitely use it as a stim/self-regulation tool when she messes something up like

picture baby sarah trying something new at the playground, completely wiping out, then singing to herself “if at first i don’t succeeeeeeeeed, i dust myself and try again. i can dust it off and try again, try again 🥰😋🥳” instead of getting major upset. joel would turn into a puddle of tears

[elrielffs]

Elain didn’t return Lucien’s gifts cause home girl honestly couldn’t be bothered to or force herself to interact with him more than necessary.

They don’t mean anything to her. She doesn’t think about him.

The people you have feelings about most also hurt you the most because you care.

Reach further babes, I’m sure you’ll eventually reach some emotional intelligence.

[small-z24]

One-Shot: Bat Boys Babysitting Adventures

Summary:

What happens when the bat boys are tasked with babysitting a toddler sized Nyx. 

Word Count: 780

Warnings: None

The sun was barely up over Velaris, casting a soft golden light over the House of Wind. Feyre, Mor, and Nesta were preparing for a much-deserved day out, leaving behind their formidable mates with one important task: babysitting Nyx.

"Are you sure you guys will be okay?" Feyre asked, glancing between Rhysand, Azriel, and Cassian.

Rhysand, ever confident, gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll be fine, darling. Go enjoy your day."

Nesta raised an eyebrow at Cassian. "Remember, he's a toddler. Not a sparring partner."

Cassian laughed, scooping up Nyx, who giggled and tugged at his hair. "Don't worry, sweetheart. We got this."

Mor gave Azriel a pointed look. "Keep an eye on these two. Nyx is not to end up in the Illyrian camps."

Azriel smirked, nodding. "Understood."

With one last round of goodbyes and warnings, the women of the Night Court left, leaving the three bat boys with a very excited Nyx.

"Alright, little one," Rhysand said, ruffling Nyx's dark hair. "What do you want to do today?"

Nyx's eyes lit up with mischief. "Play!"

Cassian grinned. "Play it is! How about we start with a game of hide and seek?"

Nyx clapped his hands excitedly. "Yes! You hide, I seek!"

The game started innocently enough. Azriel, Rhysand, and Cassian took turns hiding while Nyx sought them out with surprising efficiency. But soon, Nyx's boundless energy and knack for mischief began to take its toll.

By mid-morning, the library was in disarray. Books were strewn about, and Nyx was using a particularly large tome as a stepping stone to reach higher shelves.

"Nyx, no!" Azriel called out, swooping in to catch the toddler just as he toppled off the stack of books.

Rhysand chuckled, though there was a hint of weariness in his eyes. "This might be more challenging than I thought."

Cassian, meanwhile, was trying to coax Nyx away from the kitchen, where he had discovered the wonders of pots and pans. The clanging was deafening.

"Nyx, buddy, let's play with something quieter," Cassian pleaded, rubbing his temples.

Nyx looked up with wide, innocent eyes. "But this fun!"

As the day wore on, the house bore the signs of toddler chaos. The living room cushions were now a makeshift fort, several vases were knocked over (thankfully unbroken), and Nyx had managed to get into the art supplies, resulting in a rather colorful display on the dining table.

Azriel found Nyx trying to climb up the curtains in the grand hall. "Nyx, those are not for climbing," he said, lifting the giggling toddler down.

"But I'm a dragon!" Nyx declared, spreading his little arms wide.

Azriel couldn't help but smile. "Alright, dragon. Let's find a safer place to fly."

By the time the sun began to set, all three bat boys were exhausted. The house was a mess, but Nyx was finally starting to wind down, looking as angelic as ever with a tired smile on his face.

Rhysand flopped down on the couch, looking around at the chaos. "I don't know how they do this every day."

Cassian nodded in agreement, sprawled out on the floor. "I have a new respect for them."

Azriel, holding a now sleepy Nyx, smiled down at the toddler. "At least he had fun."

Nyx yawned, his eyelids drooping. "I love you, Uncle Az."

Azriel's heart melted, and he kissed the top of Nyx's head. "I love you too, Nyx."

When Feyre, Mor, and Nesta returned, they were greeted by the sight of the three bat boys, looking utterly worn out, and a house that looked like a tornado had passed through.

Feyre raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Rough day?"

Rhysand gave her a tired smile. "You could say that."

Nyx, now sound asleep in Azriel's arms, looked like the picture of innocence. Nesta shook her head with a laugh. "He certainly kept you busy."

Mor walked over, gently taking Nyx from Azriel. "Well, it looks like you survived."

Cassian groaned, sitting up. "Barely."

The women shared a knowing look, and Feyre gave Rhysand a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, all of you. You did great."

As they began to tidy up the chaos, Rhysand looked at his brothers-in-arms with a grin. "Same time next week?"

Azriel and Cassian groaned in unison, but there was a shared sense of accomplishment in their eyes. They had survived a day with toddler Nyx, and that was no small feat.

As the house slowly returned to order, the bat boys knew one thing for sure: they would sleep very well tonight.

And as for Nyx, he would wake up the next day, ready for more adventures with his favorite uncles.

[azrielsbreedingkink]

You do not have a right to everything automatically. You do not get to force someone to include you, especially if doing so will cause them pain.

A lot of y’all weren’t told No enough as a child and it shows.

[pineapplesquid]

I’m looking for book recommendations that I can get through Hoopla or Libby (yes, I realize Libby will vary by library). A series would be ideal, I’ve been going through things faster than usual recently. Types of things I tend to like:

1. What I think of as “new sci fi”, which probably needs a better name. Ancillary, GtN, Murderbot, Long Way To A. . ., etc.

2. Not super serious mysteries, with characters that will keep me interested (the mystery itself isn’t really enough for me). I like Sayers, Elizabeth Peters, Louise Penny, Cadfael.

3. I’m more into nonfiction than usual recently, but it’s hard to predict what will grab me. I’ve been reading mountaineering disasters (why? I don’t even know) and biographies of interesting people doing things I’d never known about (the one on one of the first codebreakers in the US was fascinating). I want to read more about environmental justice issues, but I’m typically more interested in the story of a specific person/place/legal case than a broader survey.

Anyway, an eclectic set. Anyone have any recommendations? I need something to read, and I’m just not finding it myself right now.

[hey-you-i-just]

every time I talk about my son on here I am shot back to 2013 tumblr when we used to call the superwholock guys our sons

[belsasim]

Aaah, toddler life... to play with your siblings, to learn new skills (yes, Sarah was delighted to have to potty train another set of twins), to be told many stories...

[autism69]

i need to watch the labyrinth again............ <-me every time a thing ever happens

[eva-knits12]

Steve's Favorite Girls

Trigger warning: nothing that I can think of, just fluff and Steve's daughter just wanting Daddy cuddles.

Summary: Steve and James wants to watch his beloved Yankees play, and his daughter just wants daddy cuddles. Also, the family of four will become a family of five.

It's based on this video here.

It was a typical Sunday at the Rogers household. Breakfast was already made, and you and Steve made pancakes and sausage. Your son James, ate his happily, and even ate his fruit. James was now drawing at the table, and Sarah was making scribbles on paper with her palm crayons.

The Yankees were playing that afternoon, which means you and Sarah get to spend some mother daughter bonding time. It wasn't like at your cousin's bridal shower, where you were trying to keep your daughter entertained and she was bored the entire time. She just wanted to spend time with Steve and her brother, and they got to spend the afternoon swimming, and then watching the boats. Sarah wanted to do that, too. But she had to be at the bridal shower because she was one of the flower girls. Sarah threw a tantrum because she loved swimming, and she loved the beach.

"We'll go later, honey. I know you're bored. I brought you your palm crayons and your coloring book, and your favorite Barbie doll", you said, trying to soothe your toddler. Your daughter perked up at the crayons and coloring book, so you pulled it out. You also brought some books, so you spend the rest of her afternoon reading to her and coloring with her. You realized that it was hard to keep a toddler entertained longer than three minutes at a time, and you had your phone turned off. You did join Steve and James at the beach after the shower, and even let Sarah play in the water for bit. You then went to the hamburger/hot dog stand, and got everyone cheeseburgers and fries for dinner and lemonades to drink, with ice cream cones for dessert.

"I've already got the subs ordered for you, honey. I'll pick them up when Subway opens," you say, giving Steve a kiss. You and Steve still feel like newlyweds, and you both have been married for six years. Steve gave up going on missions when he found out you were pregnant with James, and three years ago, he took even more of a backseat with the Avengers when he found out your were pregnant with Sarah. He just wanted to enjoy this life that he never had with Peggy, and that he had missed out when he was frozen in the ice. He found that with you when he accidentally bumped into you when you were working at the Avengers tower as Tony's receptionist, and you had to help Tony file paperwork. You were busy trying to make sure that the paperwork was in order, and looking through everything. You weren't paying attention to where you were going, and you ran into Steve. Steve, being the gentlemen he was, stopped to help you.

"It looks like you have ton of papers there," said Steve, as he was helping you pick up the papers.

"Thanks. Can I get you a cup of coffee later?", you ask Steve.

"I haven't seen you here before. Are you new here?", asked Steve.

"I just started here a week ago. I'm still trying to find my around. I feel like this is a huge task, and Tony hasn't introduced me to the Avengers yet," you say.

"I'm Steve. Steve Rogers. I'll take the offer for coffee", said Steve.

"I'm Eva. And I can't wait to see more of you", you said.

From that first meeting, and that first coffee date, you and Steve have been together ever since. A few years ago, on your birthday, Steve had planned a party. He found a room at a nice Italian restaurant. and he rented out the room for the night. He then invited the Avengers, and everyone said something about you. Steve's turn finally came, and at the end, he got down on one knee, and pulled out the small, black velvet box in his pocket. It was his mother's ring, and you said yes. You felt that Sarah was with always with him. You also went home with a lot of gifts, and you felt like a kid again.

Your wedding was a beautiful affair held at a local church. You're an agnostic, but you knew it was important for Steve to have the wedding in a church, seeing as how he was raised Christian. The reception was held in the lake house in Central Park, and it was set up and looked elegant and beautiful. You wore a vintage inspired wedding gown, because it would match your ring better. The sunset behind you, and you're wedding photos were in there. Steve even twirled you around the dance floor during your first dance.

You and Steve went to Rome for your honeymoon, and you both enjoyed it. You got pregnant on your honeymoon, and you told Steve on his birthday.

"Honey, this just makes our honeymoon and my birthday special", said and excited Steve. His hand went to your stomach.

Steve was in tears of joy. Everything he ever wanted in life was happening, and was thanks to you. The guy that became unfrozen never lost sight, it was just buried. You explained that when you had to accompany Nick Fury and Maria Hill to the safe house, and since you had been promoted, and now worked more closely with the Avengers, you sometimes had to go on missions with them, and help with their tech and communications. You weren't on the front lines at that point, you worked more behind the scenes, and that suited you just fine. You felt like Jake Jenson from The Losers. You and Steve had become more serious at that point, and he had been wanting to take a backseat for a while. It was after the events of Ultron that Steve started to take more of a backseat, and worked with new recruits. He was still doing paperwork, and helping out on missions at that point, but you and Steve had become even more serious and even bought a house upstate that was close to the compound. Tony lived right across the lake from you.

It was Sunday, and the Yankees were playing that afternoon. Steve and James wanted to watch the game on TV, which meant you and Sarah had to make yourselves scarce. You would be going to the retirement home that afternoon, so you could help with the Sunday afternoon Bingo, and you often brought along James and Sarah. Steve would come, too, and would visit with Peggy. You didn't mind, Peggy knew about you, she had worked with your Papa at one point, and it was often a family thing. Peggy had met James and Sarah already. While you were busy with Bingo and serving snacks and drinks to the residents, James would often draw and Sarah would often nap in her stroller. The resident's loved James and Sarah.

You told Sarah that it was just going to be you two today, so you planned on having a mother daughter date with Sarah. You told Sarah that the Yankees were playing and that Steve and James needed to spend some father son time together.

"No, no, Daddy's mine today", said Sarah.

"Sarah, Daddy loves the Yankees. They're his favorite team. Daddy and James need to spend time together, too," you explain.

"No, Daddy. I want to Daddy to cuddle me", says, Sarah.

"I know, baby, but it's only for one afternoon. I know you want Daddy cuddles, but you can get Daddy cuddles later," you say.

"No, Yankvess play some other time. Daddy," says Sarah, who is now starting to cry because she just wanted Steve to cuddle her.

This breaks you heart. So, you agree to take Sarah to Barnes and Noble to get a book, and get a toy.

You and Sarah leave the house, and you take her to Starbucks, and get her an apple juice, along with a cake pop. You got a regular coffee with cream and sugar, and you get a chocolate donut. You and Sarah both sit on the patio, and you wait for your friends to arrive. Normally, Steve would watch the kids while you met with your friends for your weekly coffee date, but today, you had no choice but to bring Sarah.

You color with Sarah while you guys wait, and Anne comes first, followed by Sandra, then Jean, then Debbie, and Jenny arrives last. You all sit, and you grab your knitting, you all sit and knit for a while, and talk.

After a few hours, you all say your goodbyes, and go about your afternoon. Sarah is sitting in her stroller, and you walk down to Barnes and Noble, and go into the kids section and you get Sarah a book and a toy. You got a cozy mystery for yourself, too.

Before you pay for the books and leave, you let Sarah play for a bit, and then you guys pay for your books and her toy. You then head to Subway to get the sandwich for Steve and James, and you get a sub for yourself, too. You get a little kids meal for Sarah, and pay for the purchase.

You and Sarah sit at the table, and eat your lunch. Sarah happily chews on her small sandwich, and you eat your meal. After a while, you and Sarah head off to the retirement home, and Sarah is napping in her car seat.

You arrive at the retirement home, and Sarah, who usually sleeps the entire time, screams.

"DADDY! DADDY!", Sarah screams. Sarah is upset because all she wants to do is spend time with her daddy.

Meanwhile, Steve and James are watching the game. Sam and Tony are over, and so is James' godfather Bucky. The game starts soon, so everyone grabs some of the sub, and sits in their spots.

It was an exciting game, and the Yankees won. It didn't go into extra innings, if it did, you would have gotten a call to stay out longer, which would be impossible with a toddler.

While the boys were bonding and watching the game, you and Sarah were at the retirement home. You were helping Victoria with the Sunday Bingo, and the kitchen staff even gave Sarah a some apple juice, some cookies, and some apple slices to snack on.

After that, you stayed for a bit to talk with the residents, and Sarah was getting antsy. You were even talking with the guitarist from the Monkees, Peter Tork, who wasn't your favorite, but you were friends. He loved it when you brought James and Sarah. Some of the residents were even in your book club, Peter included. You started the book club for the residents. You even introduced Doris to audio books, and it opened a world for her.

You order some Chinese for dinner, and bring it home.

"Hi, doll. Did you and Sarah have a good time?" asks Steve.

"Sarah and I had a lovely time. She really wanted you, though," you say.

"Hi, Sarah. Are you glad to see me finally?" Steve asks.

"DADDY!" screams Sarah. Sarah runs up to Steve, with her arms out, and Steve picks her up. Sarah is finally getting her Daddy cuddles.

You are busy dishing out the Chinese, when you tell Steve to finish up. Your morning sickness has kicked in right now, and you need to throw up.

"Are you okay, doll? Steve asks, concerned.

"I am, Steve. In fact, there's going to be some more love in the Rogers household", you say.

You give Steve the positive pregnancy test, which you took several days ago. You had it confirmed on Friday, and were just waiting for the right time to tell Steve. You also give Steve the ultrasound photo.

Steve kneels down and kisses your stomach.

"I can't wait to meet him or her," says Steve.

"Steve, I'm happy. I always wanted three kids, and it's thanks to you," you say.

"Wait, I'm going to be a big brother again?" asks James.

"You sure are, James," you respond.

"Sarah, did you hear that? You're going to be a big sister," you say.

"No, no. I'm the baby", says Sarah.

You and Steve are cracking up.

"No baby. I'm the baby", says Sarah.

James is now laughing.

"Sarah, you still have a lot to learn about being a big sister," says James.

Dinner is finished, and James and Sarah are watching The Incredibles on the Disney Channel. You talk to your stomach.

"Just wait, little one, you'll be part of the organized chaos, soon," you say.

Steve says, "We can't wait to meet you, little one", and kisses your belly again.

This is was the dream for both you and Steve. Steve couldn't stop smiling.

You try to snuggle with Steve, but Sarah kept pushing your arm away. You try to hold Steve's hand, but Sarah kept pushing it away. You were not going to get between Sarah and her Daddy cuddles since Sarah had a lot to say about it. Nobody comes between Sarah and Daddy cuddles.

Sarah was basically telling you "Not today Satan" in her own way right now.

Steve starts laughing.

[ana-bananya]

Support the Jad Al Haq family

I've been asked by the family to make this post to help clear up the rumors of fraud surrounding them. All of these campaigns have been vetted by trustworthy sources and I have linked proof of verification for each of them. You may see similar photos and wording in their campaigns, but that is because they are all sisters.

Please share and donate where you can to help the Jad Al Haq family be able to reunite with Doaa in Egypt.

kr85,535 SEK/kr300,000 SEK

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@dodoomar12345 and her son Omar evacuated to Egypt. Omar is autistic and nonverbal, and is suffering from shock and trauma caused by the bombings he and his mother lived through.

Doaa is seeking to get Omar therapy and enroll him in school, but she needs support to cover the expensive weekly fees for his treatment. Her campaign has been vetted by 90-ghost.

$3,694/$5,000

@free-gaza2 is Doaas other account for her second campaign. This fundraiser is to help her purchase the equipment she needs to restart her sewing and embroidery business so she can support herself and Omar. It was also verified by 90-ghost.

$3,481/$65,000

Vetted by 90-ghost

This fundraiser is for 3 of Doaa's sisters: Tahreer, Fidaa, and Aseel. All of them were recently forced to evacuate where they were sheltering and find themselves displaced again. The funds will be used to help them afford necessities and evacuation so they can join Doaa in Egypt.

@tahreer1990 and her husband Ahmed have 4 children: Fatima, Khamees, Sarah, and Ameer. Ameer is a toddler with a broken pelvis and in desperate need of medical care. Khamees also recently underwent a tonsillectomy without proper conditions/medications due to a severe infection.

@fedao and her husband Hashem have 4 children: Dima, Abdullah, Islam, and Duaa. Hashem has an arm injury and needs medical care.

@aseelo680 is a young ambitious English student who is taking care of their elderly parents. Both their mother and father need treatment to help with their medical conditions, but Aseel cannot afford the care they need. Her father also recently suffered a stroke after losing his home, job, and relatives.

Aseel also has a second fundraiser to help with her parents' treatment and evacuation.

$6,693/$20,000

Vetted by 90-ghost

@/ebenrosetaylor is also doing an art raffle for Aseel's fundraiser. You can read the details here.

£7,301/£20,000

246 on the verified fundraiser spreadsheet vetted by nabulsi and el-shab-hussein

@hanaa987 and her husband Muhammad have a 2 year old son named Youssef. Their family has now been displaced more than 6 times. They were recently forced to evacuate Khan Younis and were able to afford another tent thanks to the donations they received, but they still need support so they can afford evacuation.

$6,000/$75,000

Vetted by 90-ghost

@safaa18mero is a law school graduate who dreamed of becoming a lawyer to support her family. She is currently in need of support to afford milk and diapers for her 5 month old son Amir who she gave birth to during this genocide.

$8,022/$40,000

Vetted by 90-ghost

Additional information can be found here

@falestine-yousef and her husband have a 3 month old son named Youssef that Falestine gave birth to during this genocide. She is struggling to provide enough milk, diapers, medicine, and vitamins for her son. She also fears for Youssef's health because of the unsanitary conditions in their camp. The tent they live in is next to a dilapidated public toilet where sewage, dirt and waste is everywhere, putting her family at greater risk of contracting deadly diseases.

[ds-angel1]

Daddy´s least favorites

cw: SMUT(18+), incest, fingering, reader cries, ward is a bad parent like always, SO. MANY. NICKNAMES., DEAD DOVE: DO NOT EAT!!

wc: ~ 2,8k

a/n: hellooooooo! didn´t exactly (carefully) proof-read this one, sorry!!

You had always been sensitive—Rafe loved to call you a crybaby for it, teasing you relentlessly. But even as the sting of his words faded into affection over the years, you knew there was a painful truth beneath it. You felt things deeply, and that wasn’t always easy.

Growing up in the shadow of your family’s wealth might sound enviable to outsiders, but it didn’t shield you from the heartbreak of vying for your father Ward’s approval—or the devastating loss of your mother. Those experiences carved you into someone tender, someone raw, and someone Rafe couldn’t help but try to protect, even in his messy way.

Your older brother could be cruel with his jokes, sure, but when it truly mattered, Rafe was there for you. Always.

When you cried as a toddler because you’d lost your favorite stuffed animal, 8-year-old Rafe handed you a piece of candy and made silly faces until your giggles broke through your tears. When you were inconsolable over your father’s constant favoritism toward Sarah, Rafe sat beside you in quiet solidarity, gently murmuring, “I know, I know… it’s okay.” He did know. The two of you shared an unspoken understanding, a bond rooted in the same aching void your father’s love failed to fill.

Then there were the teenage years, full of heartbreaks and disappointments. On the eve of your 15th birthday, when the boy you liked stopped talking to you out of nowhere, you collapsed into Rafe’s arms, sobbing uncontrollably. He didn’t hesitate. Pulling you close, he kissed your forehead and promised, “Everything’s gonna be alright.” You were too wrapped up in your heartbreak to notice the smirk he hid behind your back.

Now, at 19, you’d just scraped through college with barely passing grades—another milestone your father dismissed with a half-hearted nod. You weren’t the smartest person, and you knew it, but Rafe had always found ways to make you feel like you were enough.

A bad grade? He’d distract you with stupid jokes or drag you out for ice cream until your mood lifted. Summer school? He rode the bus with you every single day, waiting patiently for the final bell so he could walk you home under the blistering sun—because your parents couldn’t be bothered to make time.

Sarah and Rafe may have been closer in age, but you and Rafe were something different, something deeper. The five-year gap between you didn’t matter when it came to the bond you shared. He wasn’t just your brother; he was your anchor in a house that often felt more like a storm.

That’s why, during your weekly FaceTime call, when he announced he’d be coming home for an entire week during autumn break, you couldn’t contain your excitement. You squealed, clapped, and practically counted down the days like it was Christmas.

The morning of his arrival, you woke up buzzing with energy. You hadn’t felt this happy in weeks, maybe months. Without really thinking about it, you found yourself putting on your cutest top and skirt, doing your makeup, and styling your hair with care. It was silly, you told yourself—he was just your brother. But something about seeing him again made you want to look your best.

“Rafe’s here!” your dad called from downstairs, his voice carrying through the house. Four minutes early. Your heart leaped at the sound, and before you knew it, you were sprinting down the stairs, nearly tripping over yourself in your excitement.

You skidded to a halt at the front door, and there he was, standing in the entryway with that familiar crooked grin. His duffel bag hung over one shoulder, and his eyes lit up the moment he saw you.

“Rafe!” you practically screamed, throwing yourself at him. Your arms wrapped around his neck, squeezing tight as you buried your face against his shoulder.

“Hi, sweet girl,” he chuckled, his voice warm as he hugged you back. One arm tightened around your waist while his other hand came up to cradle the back of your head. “Miss me?”

“So much,” you mumbled against him, your voice muffled but heartfelt. It had been months since you’d last seen him, and the comfort of his presence was overwhelming.

“You gonna let go anytime soon?” he teased, tilting his head back slightly to try and meet your gaze.

“Mm-mm, nope,” you replied, your grip only tightening. The faint smell of his cologne mixed with the crisp autumn air clinging to his jacket, and for the first time in a long time, you felt completely at ease.

—————————

The rest of the day, you stuck by him like a shadow, trailing him wherever he wandered in the house. It was as if you couldn’t bear to let him out of your sight, and truthfully, you couldn’t. Having him back after so long made you realize just how much you had missed him. The house felt whole again, and for the first time in months, so did you.

At dinner the whole family sat around the dinner table, conversations flowing and everyone eager to catch up with the 24-year-old who had been gone for several months.

“So,” Ward said, glancing at Rafe while cutting into his steak. “You seein’ anyone?” His tone was casual, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

Rafe paused for a moment, shifting in his seat. “Oh, uh… not really,” he replied, his voice light. “Been talking to this one girl, but it’s nothing serious.”

You froze. A mix of emotions churned within you—anger, sadness, jealousy. You hated the idea of him seeing someone. It wasn’t fair; he’d already been away for months, and now he might share what little time he had left with someone else.

As Ward launched into a nostalgic story about his heartbreaker days, your thoughts spiraled. Rafe, however, didn’t miss the way your lips had curled into a subtle pout. Leaning closer, he lowered his voice to speak only to you.

“You okay, pretty girl?” His words were soft, almost tender, and his piercing gaze sent your heart racing.

Caught off guard, you quickly smoothed out your frown and replaced it with a small smile. “Oh, uh—yeah. Of course, I am,” you replied, your voice not as convincing as you’d hoped.

Rafe studied you for a moment longer, clearly unconvinced, but decided not to press. He leaned back in his chair, ready to return to the conversation, when you blurted out in a hushed tone, “So… you’re talking to someone? Is she… nice?”

You’d meant to sound casual, but the words came out hesitant, laced with something you couldn’t quite hide. The moment you saw his eyebrows shoot up and that familiar smirk stretch across his face, you knew you hadn’t been as subtle as you thought.

“Aww, are you jealous?” he teased, his voice quiet but amused as he leaned in closer. The soft chuckle that followed made your cheeks burn.

“What? No—” you stammered, your protest weak and unconvincing.

Rafe only grinned wider, his blue eyes twinkling mischievously. “Yeah, yeah. Sure, kiddo.” He reached over and lightly tapped your hand resting on the table. “C’mon, you know you’ll always be my number one girl.”

His words sent a warmth through you that you couldn’t quite explain. You tried to hide the pleased smile tugging at your lips but failed miserably. Instead, you muttered a quiet, “Thanks…” and hoped he didn’t notice the blush creeping up your cheeks.

—————————

The glow of the fridge light spilled into the darkened kitchen, the quiet hum of its machinery the only sound cutting through the stillness of the evening. You stood there, staring blankly at its contents, your hand gripping the cool edge of the door. It was the first moment all night you’d been away from Rafe since he came home. He had asked you to grab him a bottle of water while he disappeared to the bathroom, and of course, you obliged. You always did.

As your fingers curled around the condensation-covered bottle, you heard the faint sound of footsteps behind you. Instinctively, you turned, your breath catching as your father’s figure emerged from the shadows. He stood by the kitchen counter, the sharp lines of his face illuminated by the faint glow. His posture was firm, his expression unreadable, save for the weight it carried—heavy, commanding.

“You’re happy to have Rafe back, aren’t you?” he asked, his voice even, though its edge cut through you. His fingers drummed slowly against the countertop, each tap sinking into the silence like a stone dropped into water. “Maybe it’s time you start thinking about your future too. College, maybe? Something worthwhile.”

“Dad, I—”

“I don’t want to hear any excuses,” he interrupted sharply, his words like a door slamming in your face.

“But Rafe and Sarah—”

“It doesn’t matter what they’ve done,” he barked, his voice rising impatiently. “What matters is you. You need to get your act together and stop wasting your life on things that don’t matter.”

The words stung. Each one a deliberate wound, striking deeper than the last. You opened your mouth to defend yourself, to explain, to plead for understanding, but every attempt was drowned out by his voice—louder, harsher, cutting you down before you could stand.

By the time the tears slipped from your eyes, hot and unbidden, you couldn’t stay any longer. Your chest tightened, your breath faltered, and without another word, you turned and fled. His voice followed you, sharp and biting, as you took the stairs two at a time and stumbled into your room. You shut the door hard behind you, muffling the world outside as sobs wracked your body.

“Pretty girl, what’s wrong?”

The voice was soft, familiar—steady as the tide. Through your blurred vision, you saw him: Rafe, sitting on the edge of your bed, his brows knit with concern. He looked at you like you were something fragile, something precious, and in that moment, the storm inside you softened just a little.

“D-Dad,” you choked out, your voice cracking as the words tangled with your tears. “H-he… he said—”

“Shh, angel,” Rafe murmured, already rising and closing the distance between you. His arms enveloped you, pulling you into his chest. “It’s okay. I’m here.”

His warmth surrounded you, his hands steadying your trembling frame as he held you close. You buried your face into the soft fabric of his shirt, your tears soaking into him as the safety of his presence began to untangle the knot in your chest.

“Ward said something to you?” he asked, his voice low but laced with barely contained anger. His hand moved to the back of your head, stroking your hair gently as you struggled to speak.

“H-he’s just so mean,” you finally whispered, your voice cracking like a splintered branch. “Why does he have to be like that? Why is he always so mean?”

Rafe sighed softly, his lips brushing against the top of your head. “I know, angel. I know,” he murmured, his voice filled with a tenderness that soothed even as your tears kept falling. His thumb wiped a stray tear from your cheek, his touch warm and deliberate. “He shouldn’t talk to you like that. You know that, right? He’s wrong.”

You nodded weakly, your exhaustion weighing heavier now, your sobs quieting into soft, uneven breaths.

“Let’s get you settled, yeah?” Rafe whispered, shifting slightly as he cupped your thighs to guide your legs onto the bed.

“But… I don’t have my PJs on,” you mumbled, your voice small and thick with the remnants of your tears.

“Don’t worry, princess, just relax. Let your big brother take care of you,” he said reassuringly, starting to pull the zipper of your plaid skirt down.

“Rafe, what—!”

“Shh… it’s okay,” his words cut you off, pressing kisses to your forehead and petting your hair — the affectionate gesture making your brain go fuzzy.

As his large hands tugged your skirt off, his lips trailed down to your neck, innocent affectionate kisses turning desire-filled and nasty—sweet to sloppy.

Your mouth stood agape, eyes fluttering shut as your head fell back to be cast upward. Rafe’s slender long fingers deftly hooked around the hem of your shirt, pulling it up your arms and torso, over your head, and onto the white rug next to your skirt.

Suddenly he pulled away, his lips disappearing from your now burning skin which caused you to straighten your head again and look at him — now with an embarrassingly noticeable flush coating your cheeks and chest.

It didn’t matter though, he wasn’t looking at your face; no, he was intently studying your body, only clad in a mismatching lace bra and underwear set, seated on the bed before him.

As you peered down at your attire along with him, taking in the revealing sight — a bra, baby pink and completed with small little flowers and intricate details on top. Your panties, are virgin white and accompanied by swirls and frills of lace at the top hem of the soft fabric.

You knew this was not how you should be dressed in the presence of your brother.

“C’mon, bedtime.” You knew sleeping in your bra wasn’t good concerning breast development but you didn’t say anything. Choosing to instead crawl into bed and cozy up in the warm scarlet sheets.

As you cuddled into your blanket and pillows you felt the mattress dip behind you, upon further inspection after you had turned your head, you saw Rafe climbing in next to you.

“You doin’ a bit better, princess?” The question made you remember the argument and the tears shed. You answered with just a small curt nod, turning back around to face the wall to hide the tears that started filling your eyes again.

Soon enough you felt Rafe’s hard chest pressed against your back and his comforting arms wrapped around you.

“I’m so sorry, pretty girl, you deserve so much better,” he whispered as he ran his fingertips over your arm.

“I’ll help you cheer up, okay? Just… just hold still for me, okay? Be a good little sister.”

With a confused face, you hesitantly agreed. Said confused expression soon turned to shock when Rafe’s hand tread scarily close to your thighs.

“You’ve grown so much.” His breath hit your ear tantalizingly as his hand gripped your thigh and pried it apart from the other.

"You’re a real woman now, huh? So proud of you. So so so proud of you, baby.” Your heart flourished and your mind melted, his praise overloading your body too much to even register that he had reached your panties and was tracing the edge of them.

A small kiss was placed on your shoulder, followed by a low, “I can give you what you deserve.”

His index finger snaked its way down into the fabric, making you gasp as he barely touched your most sensitive and private body part.

“I’m gonna provide for you one day.” His finger ran through your slit, teasing your puffy clit when he reached it. “I’ll take such good care of you.” He probed at your entrance, circling it like hyenas do their prey. He ignored your gasps and mewls and spoke further. “We’ll leave this place behind and we’ll be happy. Together. Forever.”

Two of his gnarled fingers plunged into your tight hole, pushing and stretching against the walls.

Your back arched and you let out a series of moans and blubbers — soon to be shut up by Rafe clasping his hand over your mouth.

He continued pumping his digits in and out of you, trailing kisses from the front column of your throat to the nape of the back of your neck.

You knew it was wrong, what you both were doing was so so incredibly wrong but it felt so great.

“You’re mine, yeah pretty girl? All mine,” he snarled as you reached your intense and overpowering high, your orgasm crashing onto you with a force of gravity itself.

Rafe slowly fucked you through your blissful haze, slipping his hand out of your now wet panties and licking his fingers coated in your essence clean.

“Rafe…” was the first word you spoke when he removed his hand from your face. Your voice was trial and shaky, your eyes wide and guilt-ridden as they looked at him.

“I know, I know. C’mere,” he inveigled your body to lay flat on his as he intoned validations and easements.

His hand glided up and down your bare back, repeating the same phrase under his breath — his version of a lullaby to get his baby sister to sleep.

“I got you, sweetheart, I got you now.”

[4vanaa]

— MODERN FAMILY.

an outer banks alternate universe

— PAIRINGS dad!rafe cameron x mom!reader | dad!jj maybank x mom!kiara carrera | dad!pope heyward x mom!cleo | dad!john b routledge x mom!sarah cameron | singlefather!topper thornton | uncle! barry |

— SYNOPSIS a slice-of-life series that takes you into the heart of one big, chaotic, and loving family. at the center of it all is you and rafe navigating the ups and downs of parenthood with your own kids—ranging from toddlers to teenagers—while trying to balance your relationship, your personal growth, and the wild, unpredictable moments that come with raising a family. but it’s not just about you, the obx cast is all here. they all have their own families, with different parenting styles, dynamics, and struggles.

— TROPES/TAGS established relationships, slice of life, chaotic family dynamics, fluff, very mild angst, humor, original characters, everyone’s married, parenthood, no real plot, everything is a standalone.

TEASER

—MEET THE FAMILIES 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 |

REQUESTS/DRABBLES.

HEADCANONS.

ONESHOTS.

SMAUS/TEXTS.

a/n: credits to @zyafics for the layout!! this work is also inspired by @papercranesandinkstains elementary smau. and credits to @vesearartistry for the dividers!! heavily inspired by modern family. there is no plot, every drabble/headcanon are all in the same universe but not needed to understand the other. if you’d like to request something you’d like to see just comment below here, or send an ask.

🏷️ taglist: if you’d like to be tagged for this smau, or any future or current ones, you can reply and i’ll add you!!

[echointernationaljumpers]

As the headline says, my wife has a special touch - a special skill when it comes to horses who has been hurt or mistreated. And I don't think that Romance has been mistreated as such. She has just been forgotten, and not been handled a lot.

This morning we had the vet over here, and he deemed her 3 years old when he looked at her teeth. She is also very clearly a Hanoverian mare, and actually has a brand on her left thigh that I only actually saw this morning, because she was so dirty when she got here.

But wifey aka Sarah went into the joined stall today to see what she could do about the mare's skittishness and nervousness. The mare watched her closely from afare to begin with, but as Sarah just sat on the stall floor, minding her own business, not even looking at the mare as she rummaged around in the bedding with her hands the mare got curious.

Soon after the mare was sniffing the ground that Sarah was touching, and then sniffed Sarah's hand. She was accepted just like that.

So Sarah put on her leadrope after the mare had allowed her to pet her, and took her into the arena. Apparently it won't be a problem to train this one, at least not for Sarah, because she is not exactly nervous. Not as such. She is very curious, and a little shy. She needs to bond with her handler, before they are allowed to touch her. Something to dot down for a future owner, I'm sure.

The mare was soon after turning nicely when the pressure on the rope got greater, and I am sure this one just need to be trained slowly, even when used to a rider on her back. The breaking in definitely won't be a problem, she just needs time and space to be able to learn.

In the end of the training session, they were just standing calmly together, Sarah patting the mare's neck, while speaking softly to her.

Our, me and wifey's, daughter Ellie had come home from kindergarden. She is not that old yet, only barely 2 yo, but she loves horses with all her heart. She definitely has her mother's take on horses, though she is sometimes a little too eager.

When she got up to the joint stall she reached out for Romance, and the mare just looked at the little girl in wonder. Not really knowing what to do she just stood there, watching Ellie. That's a good sign I guess. Children, especially at that age, can be unpredictable, and horses who has been through what Romance has been through often doesn't like that.

"Hey, darling?" Sarah said, coming from the side as I was kneeling on the floor, trying to fill up the bag with hay. I had dropped it, and the hay had gotten all over the place.

"Yes, hunny?" I replied, and was rewarded with a kiss on my cheek.

"Are you almost finished, so we can start on dinner?" she asked me sweetly, hugging me from the side.

"Yeah, sure. I just need to finish feeding the horses hay, and then I will be right in. Ellie can stay here with me, while I finish this, if she wants," I offered kindly, and hugged her back.

"Great, I will get started on dinner then. And yes, I'll just let Ellie stay here. It's easier anyway to make dinner, when you don't have a toddler running around your legs. Just keep an eye on her ok?" She kissed my cheek again, then let me go.

"Of course. See you in there!" I then began finishing up the feeding.

[cerisereids]

𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀, 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲- 𝘀.𝗿.

wc- ~2k

pairing- young dad!spencer reid x fem!mom!reader

summary- baby diana can’t bring her stuffie into day care with her, so spencer promises to take good care of it at work. the bau jumps at the opportunity to help, even if they weren’t technically asked.

warnings- sfw, whoooole lots of fluff, analyst!bau!reader, reader uses she/her pronouns, spencer and reader are married, the baby girl is 3!, spencer is in his s4 era, s and r show pda at work, set in modern times

a/n- based on this tik tok! dividers from @reveriesources and @saradika-graphics!!

diana reid’s monstrous wails pierce through the air, ringing through spencer’s head like a gong. she has a death grip on her favorite toy, lamby, and won’t go into daycare unless the stuffed lamb goes with her. spencer rubs at his temples, desperately searching his expansive mind for an idea, any idea, that will alleviate his daughter’s heartache.

“honey, i’m so sorry,” he coos, desperate to calm the toddler’s screeching, “you can’t bring lamby to day care, i’m sorry sweetie,” he frowns, each scream like a shot to the heart. he brings his thumb to wipe her red, tear stained, chubby cheeks, smoothing his finger over the soft skin. she settles into his touch slightly, a sweet sigh escaping her lips, just before they downtick into another pout.

“no!” she wails, holding the lamb tighter to her chest, “no! lamby!” she exclaims, and he curses himself for passing along his theatrics to his baby girl. his eyes fall shut and he reaches inward for his last semblance of patience, taking a big inhale. a sigh falls from his lips on the exhale, and that’s when it hits him. lamby is her baby, he’d be just as upset if, god forbid, he didn’t know where his baby was all day.

“listen, honey,” he states, ready to strike a deal, “if you give lamby to daddy, he can take her to work!” her big, brown eyes soften at this, and his mirror hers exactly, “yeah! i’ll take good care of her, hm? i promise,” he rubs her little belly with both hands, which has made her giggle every time since she could walk. this time proves to be no different, a tiny little giggle breaking through her blubbers.

relief floods his chest like sunlight pouring through a window, “i promise, okay baby?” he holds out his hands, brow stern but eyes soft, “but you gotta give lamby to me now, okay? then you can go inside and see miss sarah,” he bribes her with the mention of her favorite daycare teacher, and her sad eyes light up at her name. her chubby hands place lamby in spencer’s, but not before she gives her a goodbye kiss. he’s next, of course, his long arms capturing her tiny frame in a protective hug against his chest, “love you, sweet girl,” he murmurs against her temple.

“love you, daddy!” she exclaims over her shoulder as she takes off in a blast, little feet pattering up the porch steps to miss sarah like she wasn’t just crying her eyes out mere seconds ago.

spencer’s late to work by 23 minutes and 14 seconds. he’d texted his wife, informing her of his unfortunate timing, before taking off in the beamer she’d gotten him for his birthday. it was a ridiculous, congratulatory gift for the new skill he’d adopted in fatherhood. his wife had been in the office early that morning with penelope, finalizing analytical details on the case they just wrapped up. therefore, she quirks a brow at the familiar plushie, now in his own vice grip. he rhythmically inhales and exhales, his eyes falling shut as he leans over to rest two closed fists on his desk, head hanging low.

he perks up when he feels a loving hand caress the small of his back, the smell of coffee wafting up his nose, “got you your favorite,” his sweet wife whispers in his ear, pecking him on his flushed cheek after.

she nearly hangs on him, both her hands piled on one shoulder as she drapes herself along his side. her sweet floral scent intoxicates him, the same way it did the first day they met, blissfully overtaking his senses.

he marvels at how she can still manage to understand his wild mind, after all these years, she still knows exactly what he needs, when he needs it. he’s not sure anyone’s ever understood him so deeply, so purely. he can only hope his love makes up for a fraction of hers, the sweetest privilege granted to him in this life.

he takes a big sip, notes of cinnamon and vanilla washing over his tongue, the heat tickling his throat, “thank you,” he whispers, leaning in to peck her gently on the lips.

“whatchya got there, loverboy?” derek teases him, ruffling his hair as he nods towards lamby, now sat upright at his computer.

he can see his wife shift in curiosity out of his peripheral, so he moves his coffee to his left hand, snaking his right around her waist, pulling her in to kiss her temple before he begins.

“well, this is lamby,” he gestures to the stuffed toy with his coffee cup right as emily and jj enter the bullpen, “the poor baby girl couldn’t bring her into daycare today, and she was crushed, just absolutely wailing. she wouldn’t leave her with me unless i promised to take good care of her at work,” he lifted his brow in the most serious manner, a small smirk aimed at his soft smiling wife.

“aww, poor baby,” she frowns, and he kisses it off, quick but loving all the same.

“no way…and you actually did it?” derek chuckles in disbelief.

“of course i did! i wasn’t gonna lie to my child!” spencer insists earnestly, spurring on derek’s teasing even further.

emily laughs with him, but jj shakes her head, crossing her arms over her chest, “laugh all you want, i’d do the same thing,” she nods towards him, and he thanks her for her vindication.

the sweet chime of his wife’s laughter rings in his ear, and a smile spreads across his lips. she kisses it off this time.

“shoo, lovebirds!” rossi exclaims, and the flapping of paper pulls spencer’s lips away from hers, “it’s catch up day, and you both have reports that were expected on hotch’s desk weeks ago. let’s go!” he lightly taps a manila file on spencer’s desk, effectively cutting through his wife-induced haze. his gaze flits to hotch’s office momentarily, hotch sporting a knowing smile as he completed his own paperwork, “reports…” rossi points at spencer with a raised brow before returning back to his office.

lamby ends up spending her whole day with spencer. she accompanies him to the coffee machine, to the filing cabinets, to the conference room for meetings. he documents all of this, of course, snapping pictures with his phone of the little lamb ‘holding’ a coffee mug or a file.

throughout the day, his coworkers become more and more integrated in these photographs. it starts with derek posing with her at his desk. in one of them, derek’s fingers pinch the tiny front legs and use them to type on his computer. another shows him and lamby hunched over a case file, a pensive look on derek’s face.

it graduates to emily and jj taking her to the filing cabinets, spencer snapping shots of the girls holding lamby, blowing kisses to sweet diana, and helping lamby put files away. she ends up in the conference room because of penelope, who snatched her from rossi, who was in the middle of doing his crossword with her.

hotch even joins in at that point, setting lamby up on his laptop, working with her to finish a report of his own. spencer can’t remember the last time he spent the entire work day laughing, but leave it to diana reid to work a miracle. he spends the entire day reveling in the love of his wife, the care from his team. hotch lets both of them go home together early, and they link pinkies the entire way down to the parking garage, parting ways at their cars.

spencer holds on to her hand as she goes to walk away, spinning her back to him. his free hand grips her waist as she collides into his chest, his lips crashing down onto hers. they’re soft and glossy, and they move against his like a dream. her nails scrape the nape of his neck and he shudders, deepening the kiss before pulling away just as fast.

“i’ll see you at home,” he breathes, desperately heaving to catch his breath. her smile warms his soul like the sun.

you pull up in your driveway just behind spencer, the porch light of your virginian townhome aglow. your parents helped you and spencer relocate when you’d unexpectedly gotten pregnant 3 years ago, lucking out in a suburb close to quantico, one with great schools, parks, and libraries. it seems like just yesterday you and spencer were deciding that those three aspects were essential in choosing where to start your family.

you grin at him as he exits his car, hair shaggy, eyes tired, smile bright. you extend your hand to him, walking through the threshold together. the second you enter, the patter of little feet carries from down the hall, getting louder with each step.

“sweet diana!” you exclaim as she runs into your arms, a sweet ‘mommy!’ tumbling from her lips as you scoop her up.

“i heard you had a rough morning, sweet girl!” you say, rubbing her tummy with your palm. she just shrugs, plopping her thumb between her lips and staring at you with wide eyes.

“i miss lamby,” she murmurs around her thumb, but before she can get too sad, spencer’s there to save the day, as always.

you gasp as spencer squats next to you, nuzzling the stuffed toy into her belly, “who is it?!” you ask as if you’d seen the queen, jaw hanging open as you watch your baby girl’s eyes light up.

“it’s lamby!!” she exclaims, yanking it from her dad’s hands. she hugs it tight against her chest as if it were her own baby, and a wave of deja vu washes over you. watching her is like looking in a mirror of your past, blended together in creation of this beautiful being.

“daddy took such good care of lamby for you today, sweet girl,” you coo, rubbing your hand gently up and down her back, “we all had so much fun with her today at work, do you want to see some pictures?” she nods enthusiastically at this, and her and spencer make their way over to the couch.

you join them after you walked your mom out, thanking and hugging her for picking up diana at daycare. you and spencer settle in on either side of baby diana, arms looped around each other as your daughter snuggles between you. spencer pulls out his phone and scrolls to the first photo of the day, lamby with his mug by the coffee pot.

“lamby! you’re so silly!” she throws her head back in a cackle, “lamby drink coffee!” she squeals, throwing her chubby hands up over her face in hysterics. it’s infectious, you and spencer shaking with laughter around her.

“lamby wif uncle derek!” she shrieks when she sees the (many) photos of derek with the toy, snuggling it, feeding it, working with it. she loves them all, of course.

her favorites are the ones with emily, jj, and penelope. she loves her aunties so much, she was not expecting a crossover of her favorite people with her beloved toy. her eyes go wide at the ones of lamby in the conference room, “lamby working!” she exclaims, pointing a little finger at spencer’s phone, “wif uncle hotch!” her eyes go wide at the photo of lamby on aaron’s work laptop, working very hard to help him solve the case.

aaron became uncle hotch out of her sheer desperation to be just like mommy and daddy, who answer all their work calls from him with a succinct, “hotch?” she slowly begun parroting you, until uncle aaron was no more. she struggles just slightly with the double h, so it always comes out ‘uncle ‘otch!’ it makes you and spencer laugh every time.

you do so now, locking soft eyes with your husband as you giggle. adoration seeps through you, every inch of your skin warm.

“yeah!” spencer responds, kissing her temple with a pronounced ‘mwah’, “lamby worked so hard today, sweet baby, she helped us solve lots of cases!” he coos, and your heart melts at the sight.

you chuckle in disbelief, unaware of exactly how you got this lucky. you wish to burn this moment into your brain forever- the warmth of spencer’s arms around you as you cuddle your baby girl, the soft strawberry scent of her shampoo mixed with spencer’s woodsy aftershave, his soft voice as he coos to the young girl that he kept her promise, of course he did. you allow your eyes to fall shut for a brief moment, soaking in the love you’ve been so generously afforded.

[belsasim]

They didn't really understand what was happening, but the twins could certainly sense the sadness their parents and housemates were feeling after Jade's passing. Their grandma wasn't around anymore for cuddles or sweet little tunes on the guitar.

Kit and Zinnia had a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep. Even the independent Kit called out for his parents a lot more than he used to, needing their reassurance and attention.

[imdoingwhateverisnext]

Sarah's Candor

When my niece was almost 2, she and my mother would go shopping together. On this day, much like the others, Sarah was sitting in the buggy talking to her imaginary friends, and living in a little world she had created.

Behind my mother in the check-out line was a frail, white-haired, elderly woman. She seemed to be interested in Sarah, and what she was doing. "Aren't you a pretty girl! Are you helping your Nana? You are such a sweet little thing!" She was enamored by and fawned over Sarah.

Sarah just looked at the little hunched over woman spewing compliments to her. Then she smiled and spread her arms out in a 'come here and give me a hug' sort of manner. The lady smiled and looked at my mother. My mom nodded, as if she were giving this stranger permission to hug my niece. The lady leaned in and reached out to hug her. As she got close to her little open toddler arms, Sarah did something unexpected. She wrapped her hands around the lady's throat; in a choking motion!

My mother yelled out and grabbed Sarah's hands. She was mortified. "Sarah! Oh ma'am, I am so sorry! Sarah! You don't do that! You don't CHOKE people!" My mom was straightening the lady's shirt as she repeatedly apologized; all the while simultaneously scolding my niece. She was always good at multitasking back then.

The lady laughed after she pulled away from Sarah's grasp. My mother apologized again. "It's okay," the lady chuckled. My mother, thoroughly embarrassed, finished checking out as quickly and quietly as she could.

As she was wheeling the buggy out of the store, she started scolding again. "Sarah, why did you choke that nice lady? You are not supposed to do that EVER! That is NOT NICE at all!" My mom was trying her best to be clear, but age appropriate with her words. She did not want this to ever happen again. She was shocked it ever happened at all. She had no idea where it came from. Who or what was influencing her? "Sarah, tell me, why did you do that?"

Sarah stated promptly with toddler's speech and candor, "I was only choking her a little bit".