#we had a very very small ceremony with my little sister and niece as witnesses

[gildedtragedies]

hey guys so sorry for the inactivity i was GETTING MARRIED???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[tragicallywicked]

bella asks alice about the time before she and jasper joined the cullens

Happy birthday to Bella!!!!

So here's a fun little family time. This turned out a bit different, though they do talk about Alice and Jasper’s two years together it’s more of Bella and the fam try to embarrass Alice and then be nice to her cause Esme said so. Very cute Bella and Alice sister-in-law/best friends bonding too. And obvs Jalice cuteness PS.: It's set in 2017 for timing purposes.

Birthdays were my favorite. Even if we couldn't eat cake, we could still celebrate and party. On previous occasions, Bella's birthday had been the cause of commotions in the family. But since we had an eternity of those now, I wanted the impressions to be new about the date. Bella was my best friend and now that she wasn't human or aging anymore, I hoped that she would be glad with a party. Of course, it was just our family. 

She spent lunch at Charlie's while I had the rest of the family organize the house with me.

"Are you sure she wants this?" Rosalie eyed me as she passed on with a pile of present.

"Over on the round table, Rose," I said simply as she rolled her eyes amusedly. "We celebrate everyone's birthday here."

"Yeah, but it's not like she likes it, Alice." Rosalie mocked lightly and I sighed. Of course, they were comparing it to the previous times.

"Sure as hell it's always eventful!" Emmett came in saying it, poking Jasper on the ribs. I rolled my eyes dramatically and waltzed to my love, pecking his cheek.

"Don't mind him, it's in the past," I whispered against his ear. 

Jasper planted a hand on my lower back and nodded, "I know. Thank you." We exchanged a brief kiss and were off to finish up the decorations.

There was a cake that would be mainly for Renesmee, but it was three tiers tall, light pink with petals around it. Some appetizer plates around it as well. Anyone could easily think we were all going to eat and Edward made a remark about that.

"Ness doesn't eat that much food." He mumbled and helped Jasper place some of the helium balloons around the birthday table.

She can have it throughout the week; I thought knowing Edward would catch that, Jacob can have it too whenever he visits.

"Well, Bella hates birthday parties, so you're setting yourself to lose." He murmured with an amused smirk. Irritating, really. That thought only made him smile further, obviously.

"Get out of my head and get to work, Edward."

I joined my niece into wrapping the presents and heard as Emmett made yet another joke to Jasper. I was glad he didn't take it to heart, nor Edward. That's just how family was. It would take them some time to let go of the incident on Bella's birthday a few years ago.

Bella obviously was appalled at the party, but she gave in seeing how Renesmee was happy about the entire celebration. That much I had predicted way ahead when I first decided to plan it, so I was very excited with the outcome.

We sang her happy birthday and opened the presents with no incidents. Bella joined me on the couch as I finally sat back to relax and watch the family.

"Thanks." She mumbled, snuggling to my side for a moment. I smiled and poked her ribcage.

"I knew you would like it in the end." Honestly, sometimes her lack of faith in me bothered me a little.

"I don't like parties." She insisted, making me roll my eyes.

"When you married Edward, I told you that you would have to live with it." I loved throwing parties, so that was something Bella would have to accept.

"How come you never have parties celebrating you?"

"Yes I do, we celebrated my birthday."

"We gave you gifts and you went on a trip with Jasper."

"Believe me, we celebrated me," I smirked and my eyes quickly moved around the room until they landed on Jasper. He wasn't looking at me, but I knew he had heard it when I gazed at the side grin across his lips. When my eyes landed back on Bella, she was rolling hers amusedly, having witnessed the exchange. "I guess my sisters are not as excited as party planning, that's all."

My tone was merely teasing, but Bella seemed to take it to heart. "Oh, Alice. I'm sorry."

"Bella, I was just messing with you." I laughed heartedly, giving her a side hug.

"Ah, right." She gasped and sighed in relief, leaning into my hug. "Hey, when is yours and Jasper's anniversary?"

"You don't have to throw us anything." I clarified after the vision invaded my mind. Bella frowned, clearly distressed.

"Maybe I want to."

"I don't need to be a psychic to know you most certainly don't."

Bella seemed convinced of that much but then added, "Well, when is it? I don't think you ever told me."

"October 16th," I told her, and the date now made Jasper look at me. I gazed at him briefly and beamed. "Of nineteen fifty-two."

"Oh! You'll be married for 65 years this year!" I nodded excitedly, eyeing Bella with joy. They had been the best sixty-five years getting to share it with the love of my life. "I thought you were already married when you joined the family."

I shook my head, "Jasper and I were living in sin." At the time, that was what people thought about a woman and a man living together without being married. "We met in forty-eight and then came to the family in nineteen-fifty. It was Carlisle that suggested we get married because of what people would think."

Bella nodded; it was a no brainer that people's marital habits had changed a lot. "But you didn't think of marrying before?" I shrugged.

"We were enjoying our time together before we met the family in Calgary. You know how it is when you first do it as a vampire." I smirked, and even if my tone was a little lower, I was aware all the vampires in the room had heard it. "But not just that, we had found each other recently, we were madly in love, but Jasper had gone through a hell lot. I wanted to take my time."

I noticed the presence behind me and smiled. "That's no accurate," Jasper said it, taking the seat next to mine, talking directly to Bella now. "Alice was worried I would desert her if she pressed too hard, even if she didn't ever see it happening." Jasper's hand rested on my knee, and I placed mine on top of his, briefly looking at him.

"Like I said, you had been going through a lot." My eyes trailed back to Bella. "You know that part. I just didn't want to have him think I was trying to manipulate him or push my agenda."

"Did she tell you she got the jitters?" Rosalie said from afar, siting with Renesmee as they organized the gits. I rolled my eyes as everyone was suddenly attempting to make me the embarrassed one. Bella looked extremely surprised at Rosalie's reveal.

"She was worried I could be hiding the decision to leave her at the altar," Jasper added and I groaned.

"I like this, making Alice embarrassed. Go on." Bella chuckled. It was Edward who began approaching us with a smirk.

Don't you dare, I told him mentally, but he couldn't resist.

"She went on rambling that this was a mistake, and it was too soon to marry," Edward told them. I was appalled about this turn of events with my family, brow furrowed in annoyance.

Emmett jumped in too. He was carrying a helium balloon and I saw it happening before he did it.

"Emmett, do not." He inhaled a fair amount of helium and blasted out words that I had said on that occasion. 

"He's the one, you know. I can really ruin it. There won't be anyone else, ever." They all cracked into laughter more at Emmett's voice than the actual words. I had to admit it myself that it was indeed a little funny.

"Oh, you lot, leave Alice be," Esme said as she was with Carlisle by the kitchen counter, organizing the party's leftovers. "She's always throwing all of you memorable events, be kind. Besides, it's completely normal to get anxious at your wedding. We all had it."

"She's right, sorry, Alice." Bella pinched my elbow with an apologetically grin. Emmett passed by me and brushed, more like messed though, my hair.

"It was still funny." He said it and I rolled my eyes.

"It's fine," I assured as Jasper's hand brushed my knee, making me look up at him.

"For what's worth, I was worried you would realize I wasn't worth all that dedication and trouble." Jasper leaned to peck my cheek as I felt the entire room get filled with tenderness, love.

"Never."

"Get a room, you two." Emmett squealed out, his voice still slightly pitched. It made us both crack up in laughter again.

"It's decided," Bella said. I looked at her, puzzled that I hadn't seen what it was."

"What?"

"Ah, I like this. Jasper distracts you, and I can actually decide things privately." Her tone only made it more challenging for me. I searched for recent events, choices she was making for the near futures and landed on October 16th.

A beautiful gazebo in our backyard, our family gathered together and some of our friends as well. Not a big party, no. A small ceremony, a celebration very modest and beautiful, like something Bella would plan. She was by the gazebo's steps, in a pale mauve dress that cascaded from bellow her bust all the way to the floor. Next to her was Rosalie in the same dress, both stunning, holding a white bouquet of wild followers. On the other side were Emmett and Edward, dressed in suits and smiling. But my heart raced fast on my eyes fell on Jasper standing inside the structure, my stunning groom.

I walked down the aisle with Carlisle holding me by the arm. And joined my love on the renewal of our wedding vows. Or the making of them for those who didn't know our relationship had been sealed already, long ago.

Bella was clearly frustrated when I came back to my senses.

"Well, so much for gloating."

Jasper, who seemed a little lost, asked, "What's going on?"

"Seems like we'll be having a wedding soon." Edward chuckled.

"It's too closeby to send out invites, Bella."

"No, no, no. You let me handle that." She protested and then eyed Rosalie over her shoulder as if asking for her aid. The blonde joined us quickly now.

"It'll be great, Alice!"

"I have to agree." Carlisle echoed and Esme too was beaming.

"Am I too big to be a flower girl?" Renesmee asked, standing up to come sit with the rest of the family around the couch.

"Of course not, sweetie," I told her and then looked at Jasper. "Are you on board with that? We could always just skip and elope in Alaska, or Vegas again."

Sharing a smile at the memory that got everyone but Edward, with his intrusive thoughts, with a confused gaze at us.

"Tale for another time." Jasper clarified, as a wave of relaxation hit us all. "There's nothing I'd like more than marrying you again."

Bella grinned, and for a second, she looked too much like me, happy and excited. "It's going to be great, you guys. I promise."

I leaned into her, giving her a tight hug, "You're just happy you're not the center of attention anymore."

"You're damn right."

We all laughed.

"I just want to do something nice for yet another birthday celebration." Bella sighed contentedly into our hug.

"Alright, alright..." We were silent for a moment before eyeing Bella. "I always knew we'd be best friends. Happy birthday, Bella."

Send me a Jalice prompt

[mwolf0epsilon]

Maybe a story about Norman being a good parent?

Summary: Mindless beast or not, the Projectionist was a Polk, and the Polks did not hurt their young, or whatever they perceived as such.

You all knew it was coming inevitably...

---

[[MORE]]

     Norman's and Margarite's marriage had come as a surprise to the entire Polk family. A simple signature on a piece of paper, and a pair of battered rings that had belonged to Nanna and Poppop Polk (gifted to him by the former who always knew he'd be a better fit for them). No fanciful ceremony with pretty dresses or suits, expensive cakes and extensive guest list.

A disappointing waste, his mama had proclaimed over the letter she'd sent as a reply to his own that detailed his status as a married man in a far off city. She'd wanted to witness the event, shed her motherly tears as one of her little ducklings became a real man ready to start a family.

But, to Norman and Maggie, the marriage wasn't a motive of celebration like his mama thought. It was insurance against further discrimination towards them. They were, after all, the black couple that lived in a quaint apartment in New York city.

Already that was a challenge of its own, as said apartment was populated primarily by white hot-blooded tenants, with only one more laying vacant for a (hopefully) friendlier family.

Their downstairs neighbor clearly hated them from sight alone, and the others were unsure how the new additions fit into their "perfect" lives in the Big Apple. If any of them were to discover that they both enjoyed the full spectrum of the gender binary, well... Accidents happened in the big city. Accidents that targeted specific minorities for some "unfathomable" reason.

So yes, as shameful as it may be, their wedding was strictly business. Rings for show, public displays of affection to dispell the gossip, and overall just the usual married life arguments in the grocery store to sell the deal (neither of them could care less about which type of sugar made the best apple pie crust, or what brand of soap was better, but it sure made the couples they passed by smile knowingly at the common domestic disputes). There was just one thing left to do to really make a statement on their relationship status.

  "Three of my coworkers are getting maternity leave. It's been a few months, I think it's time."

Children were a sensitive topic. Both Norman and Maggie wanted kids, had a vague idea of how many they planned to raise, and were quite certain they'd make beautiful and healthy younglings with one another. The question was: Was it fair to bring in chidren into a farce of a matrimony? What if one day they found their actual ideal partner?

  "Yous better be sure it's the right time darlin'..." He'd urged her to think more on the subject. "Don't want to rush things like that now, do we?"

  "I'm ready." She'd stared him in the eye with a certainty and confidence he couldn't begin to imagine. He knew she was, but was he? Was he truly ready to bare such a responsibility?

That night he relented to her wishes and they had finally consummated their marriage. Nine months later, little Nancy was born a small but relatively healthy baby. Upon seeing his firstborn for the first time ever, and then holding her gently in hands that dwarfed her little head greatly, Norman immediately understood he was ready to be a parent. And a loving one at that.

-

     In total, Norman and Maggie had five children. Three boys and two girls. Nancy was their eldest child and the more levelheaded of the bunch. The apple of her mother's eye, and her father's baby girl, she was the perfect balance of their greatest qualities and teachings. A clever and determined young girl with big aspirations for her future. She wanted to be a doctor.

Aaron was the second eldest child and the one most like his father. Clever and with an eye for detail, enough so that he had taken up an interest that fits his perceptive nature: Photography. The walls of the Polk household were filled with his works, at first done with Norman's own old and battered camera, until he'd bought the young lad his very own fancy new model.

Louise was the middle child, and the troublemaker of the bunch. She was a bit of a tomboy, and liked to scrap with the boys in her class, to the point where it wasn't uncommon to see her with several bruises and band-aids, and haphazardly taped wireframed glasses. She kept both Norman and Maggie on their toes.

Albert was the second youngest and the quietest. A little bookworm that appreciated the art of literature over anything else. He wanted to be a novelist, even at a very young age, and often shared ideas for stories at the dinner table. There was no doubt in Norman's heart that his little boy would write a best-seller one day. Maggie fretted for his social life, however, as he was the least sociable of their children. Far too shy.

Finally the youngest child was Willard. An outspoken young toddler that was definitely as confident as his mama. A little tot with a very big personality indeed, that Norman couldn't wait to see grow up into yet another fine young boy. If any of their children was to ever get what he wanted in life, it'd definitely be Will.

Truly there was nothing in this world that Norman loved more than his offsprings, and indulging in their interests was always an adventure. One to be shared with three other members of the family.

The vacant apartment had been occupied by Norman's younger brother, Alfred, and his own two children. By then almost all their neighbors (minus the one that hated them from day one) had warmed up to them. So another set of friendly faces was a good addition to their home life.

Norman absolutely loved watching over his nephew and niece, especially because his children were delighted to have other kids around their age to play with.

It reminded him of being back home in Louisiana, his own brothers and sisters sparring with him and playing whatever games they could come up with on the spot. Watching Louise and Nelson tumbling about fighting as equally dirty as the other, really stirred up some good memories he had of his older sisters.

"Bite her Nelson! Bite her!" Lydia cheered as her older brother pinned their cousin to the ground.

"Louise tug on his ears! Pummel him!" Aaron called out to his little sister, encouraging her to fend off her opponent.

"Lydia and Aaron! What I tell y'all 'bout encouragin' yous's siblings t'fight all nasty?!"

"Not to...?"

"Exactly."

Granted some play-fighting needed to be monitored when most of the audience were enablers, and neither his middle child nor his nephew had any qualms sending each other to the hospital. They were still learning about consequences after all.

Still, there wasn't anything else in the world that built better character than teaching the children that they were equals to one another in all their shared activities. Respect was an important lesson to be learned. One Norman wished every parent taught their child.

The world would be a better place otherwise...

-

Sometimes the Projectionist would inevitably be unable to fend off sleep. The exhaustion would wear it down and give way to the nightmares of a life it could barely remember. Then it would wake up and scream, trying to rid itself of heinous visions of itself ripping its offsprings apart.

Norman Polk would reawaken inside its brutish body and lash out, hoping to either physically fight away his own broken psyche or perhaps cripple the Projectionist so that it could never fulfil these dreamt up acts of violence.

A Polk was all about family, and the thought of becoming the sort to bring harm upon his own children... Well, Norman had heard the stories. Knew why Poppop was such a taboo topic. He did not want to be the man besides his Nanna in the portrait above the fireplace... One he'd resembled if his eye wasn't wrong and he'd grown out his beard...

The Projectionist didn't have the mental faculties to understand this distress however, but it seemed to recognize that what it saw in dreams was bad. That what it did to the vermin, it should never do to those innocent little youngsters that looked at it with love instead of fear and hatred. So... Why did it do it in dreams? Why did it kill when it wanted to be docile? The children were not a threat, so why...?

It made no sense... But it didn't much care for elaborate existential crisis like that. Norman's consciousness would freak it out, but ultimately loosened its grip and go back to being dormant. The lumbering beast resuming its tiring trek through the endless maze. A cycle that would repeat itself the next time it fell asleep.

It was in the aftermath of yet another nightmare that the Projectionist came across something completely new to it. Something small and living, and very much intruding on its space. Something that very vaguely looked like it...

A living being with a body similar to the ones the horrible botched critters that ran around in packs had, yet with no visible imperfections to it. Its head though... It was kind of like a projector, but not. Square in shape, with a lens, a tube, dial and something very round that kind of looked like a big ear. A camera, like the one Aaron had gotten for his birthday.

It seemed to have gloves, shoes and a belt that sort of looked like the speaker lodged in the Projectionist's torso, but it was hard to tell since the strange being was on the ground flailing about like a dying fish.

The towering amalgam stared at the tiny new thing in dumbfounded silence, unsure how to react to such a strange discovery, until it realized why the thing was flailing about to begin with.

One of its legs was pinned under a crate that appeared to have fallen from a nearby stack, and the Projectionist could tell the limb was broken. Nearby lay a series of Ink Hearts that had been resting on the fallen crate.

On any other occasion it would have simply walked over, raised one heavy foot, and crushed the intruder's skull for daring to try to steal from it. This time however, was completely different... Something primal was urging the Projectionist to do something completely alien to its usually aggressive nature. Something instinctive.

The poor creature grew agitated upon finally noticing the Projectionist's presence as it approached, but its broken limb ensured it stayed put even after the crate was picked up and tossed aside. It shook fearfully once the Projectionist knelt down to pick it up by the torso. It stopped shaking once it was brought to rest against the much larger beast's chest, cradled gently like an infant. The Projectionist rumbling softly so as to reassure it that no harm would befall it.

The little creature, with a head that was not a projector but a distant relative of a sort, stared up with its own dark lens before reaching out to gently pat the Projectionist's "face". It seemed to understand its intention to help it, rather than exterminate it.

The lumbering beast carried on in its path, now carrying a most precious cargo. It would find something to help treat the injury and then it would begin teaching this newly adopted offspring to survive in the studio.

Mindless beast or not, the Projectionist was still a Polk, and the Polks cared for their younglings. This tiny sentient camera was its child now, and the beast would protect it from the horrors of this horrid studio.

[imagine-loki]

Gifted

Title: Gifted (Sequel to Giftless)

CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 54/?

AUTHOR: nekoamamori ORIGINAL IMAGINE: 

Imagine that you are Stark’s niece and you secretly share a strong relationship with Loki since he entered the crew. One day you get hurt so bad during a mission that you are about to die.  Loki knows a spell that will save you and share his immortality with you but you and he will be linked forever sharing thoughts, pain, emotions…

RATING: T NOTES/WARNINGS:  Also on AO3 click here

You took a second to survey the room when you stepped through the portal. It was a cold underground dungeon-like basement. Maybe the lower level of a warehouse. It didn’t matter. What mattered was Loki. He was chained on the far wall from where your portal dropped you out. You ran to him with Thor on your heels while Tony and Astrid scanned the room for threats and making sure you were guarded and safe. You saw Sif’s hesitation. She wanted to go to Loki too, to help her brother-in-law.  She steeled herself to do her duty and turned her back on you and Loki to defend the room.  You and Thor would take care of Loki and yourselves. 

You reached Loki first and were immediately horrified by what had been done to him. You didn’t think you could handle knowing how he’d gotten as injured as he was without being sick. And you were a healer, you thought you’d seen everything before.

  Loki was hanging against the wall, bound by thick manacles on his wrists, the chain between which had been thrown over a hook in the wall, a heavy metal collar etched with runes around his neck. His feet could barely touch the floor, so he was barely breathing. He was battered and bruised, bleeding from who knew how many injuries. You could sense the broken bones. He looked starved, tortured, broken.

The thing that horrified you the most was that Balder had sewn his mouth shut.

Blood was still leaking from those wounds on his lips, from the cord woven through his lips, sewing them together.

You were hesitant to even touch him, he was so injured, but you had to in order to heal him. You wrapped your arms around him, carefully taking his weight. “Thor, get the hook,” you told him firmly, since he was just standing there stupidly, staring horrified at his brother. He snapped back to himself and nodded, smashing the hook with his hammer. 

Loki collapsed against you, making a small noise of pain from behind his sewn lips. It broke your heart to hear.  “Shh, love. I’m here,” you told him softly. Thor helped you lower him gently to the ground. Loki tried to open his eyes, though you saw how difficult it was. “I told you you was coming,” you smiled at him.

“Kat, there is not much time!” Sif called to you when she saw the state Loki was in. 

You nodded, you knew that already of course, but there was something you had to do first, something you had to do for your poor peacock of a soulmate before you began the full healing. You pulled the slimmest, sharpest dagger you could from the sheath at your back and carefully, so very carefully, cut the cord sewing his mouth shut. If you could heal nothing else, he would at least not scar from that. You would make sure of that. You worked quickly, but so very carefully and managed to remove the string and heal the wounds with no scarring.

You threw your healing magic into the rest of him. There was only the hint of a spark of him still there.  You were running out of time. You dumped more power into him, holding him to his body as you healed it around him.

“Thor, Uncle Tony,” you said softly, but even soft was enough to get their attention. They both turned. “This is an all or nothing healing. You both understand that, right? Either we both come out of this, or neither of us will.” You said the words sadly, but you knew you would go through with this healing regardless of the risks.

“That is what a soulbond is, little sister,” Thor replied with a hint of a smile. He understood.  It was in his people’s culture.  

You nodded, grateful for his understanding, then turned to Tony, demanding his answer.  You were doing this whether he agreed or not, but you needed to make sure he understood that.

“If you don’t come through this, I’m going to kill you, imp,” Tony growled.  He couldn’t stop you, not when he knew how much this meant to you.

“I expect nothing less,”

“Kat. It’s time,” Sif told you urgently. You nodded, focused briefly on the healing magic you were throwing into Loki, then you moved so his head was cradled in your lap. You took both of his hands in yours. You hesitated another moment, the words tried to throw themselves out of your mind with fear, horror, and Loki’s pain. Loki had done this to save your life once, you could be strong and do it now. “Blessed be…” Sif prompted when you’d hesitated too long.

You threw all thoughts of this healing, of the torture Loki had been through, of your fear, of everything else out of your head. Instead, you thought of the last time you had said these words, standing in front of Loki in a ceremony in front of the entire court and all of Loki’s family. 

You took on more deep breath before you started.  “Blessed be the name of Frigga, queen of Asgard, and of Odin her king.” You spoke the words calmly, clearly, trying to focus on your Loki at his best, at his worst, every single facet of his being.  He was the other half of your should.  You knew that and understood it now. “In their names, with their power, and with joy in my heart, I make this vow. With their blessing, and with their heirs as witness, I give this gift. I choose you. To stand by your side and sleep in your arms. To guard and cherish, to bring joy to your heart. To learn with you and grow with you. Without your love, I am incomplete. I bind myself to you with these vows, willingly and wholeheartedly, free from doubt or reservation. With love I will tell you the truth as I understand it, I will honor and respect you. I will rejoice in your joys and weep in your sorrows. I will love and cherish you without cease, without pause, without hesitation for all of our days. You are my equal, my partner, my life. So I give this gift to you and you alone. I share my life and my soul with you. All that is mine is yours, I bind myself now to you, from this moment until the end of all of our days.” 

You leaned down and kissed him, sealing the vow, praying desperately that it would work. For a long, terrifying moment you thought that it wouldn’t. Then you felt the surge of power between you. The piece of your soul that had been trapped in him when he broke the soulbond rejoiced when it was reunited with the rest of your soul. The soulbond snapped back into place like being separated was the strange thing, not being together. It was like it was always meant to be in place.

“Hurry, Kat! We don’t have time! Balder knows we’re here!” you heard Tony’s shouts. You ignored him. The soulbond was back in place and Loki’s lifeforce was draining your power far too quickly. You weren’t out of this yet, just because the soulbond was back in place where it belonged. You dove into your power, throwing every drop of healing magic and power that you could muster into him. You heard roars and shouts and sounds of battle around you. You didn’t even look up from Loki. You couldn’t.  You were too trapped in the healing spells. You didn’t care that your vision was turning black. You didn’t care how dizzy you were. You didn’t care that you had burned through the energy that you had gotten from the awful monster-coffee concoction.

The only thing that mattered was saving Loki’s life.  Saving your own in the process.

“Kitten, it is time to pay attention to the world around you,” a gentle voice bid, the accent was familiar, but you paid it no heed. You were a bit busy at the moment. The owner of the voice grabbed you gently around the waist, pulling you away from Loki and carefully to your feet. Your healing spells snapped when you lost physical contact with Loki. You swayed, dizzy and unable to clear the darkness from your gaze. “Focus, pet.” His hands were still on you, holding your arms, keeping you on your feet. You forced your hazy mind to think, tried to focus, tried to clear your mind, your vision, anything. You blinked rapidly and your vision finally started to clear. You looked up at the figure holding you on your feet, the only reason you were standing. You was somehow expecting Thor. The accent. It had to have been the accent.

Instead, it was Balder.

Of course it was fucking Balder.

You shrank back, terrified of being in this state in front of Balder. Fear cleared your mind a lot easier than his kind words and tone had. You tried to back away from him, break his grip on you. “There is my little pet,” he chuckled. He let you go, but you only managed a step backwards once before you had to lean on the wall for support. “I am not planning on harming you, pet,” he told you calmly. You glared at him and reached for a dagger. “I would not do that,” he warned. “You would not like the consequences.” He gestured behind him. You finally saw behind him and all of your friends and family were unconscious, bleeding on the ground. You dropped the dagger and held your hands up where he could see that they were empty. “You have lost, kitten. You are out of magic, or very nearly, your friends are defeated, your lover barely alive, and you can barely stay on your feet.” All of these were very valid points and points that you couldn’t dispute.  “Now, I could kill your friends, take you for my plans, and keep my brother just alive enough that he does not kill you with that reforged soulbond of yours. Neither of us want that, now do we?” he asked kindly. He paused, his silence demanding an answer.

“No, we don’t want that,” you managed to answer. Your words were slurring. How were you even still vertical?  Stubbornness?  That had to be it.

“I did not think so. You would be quite sad and uncooperative were your friends dead. So let us make a bargain,” he said pleasantly.

You wanted to strangle him.  

“What bargain?” you asked warily. You had nothing to bargain with and you were quite sure he knew it.  Which meant you had to agree with whatever he wanted in order for you to survive.

“You and my little brother will come with me, that part is not up for negotiation. You come quietly and I will forget that your friends are here. I will let them go, even Thor and Sif. I will even give you Loki as a consort. You can continue healing him and you will not have to fret about his safety. You have until you lose consciousness to make a decision, pet. Come with me, or your friends die, your lover chained in the dankest darkest dungeon I can find and you will never see him again,”

“Why?” you asked. “Why bargain?” you wanted to know why he didn’t just take what he wanted. You were defeated and you knew it.  He was just gloating at this point.

“I want you to make the decision,” he replied easily.  He was having far too much fun with this. You had no choice and he knew it. He wanted you to choose to be the villain, though, to align yourself with him to save everyone you cared about. Like that would make you a villain. You would just fight him another time.

You hesitated, tried to look like you were fighting to make the difficult choice. “You’ll let them live? You won’t hurt Loki?” you asked, letting fear creep into your voice. 

He nodded. “I give you my word,” he purred.

“Then I’ll come with you,” you told him softly, though you hated that you had to say it.

“Wise decision” he commented. He called to someone outside of the room. A huge man came in to the room. “Make sure my Queen’s lover is taken safely to her chambers,” Balder ordered the man. He nodded and lifted Loki carefully in his arms, and then teleported from the room with your Loki. You stepped off the wall, towards where they had been, as if to follow after them, tears in your eyes from your mistake of letting your Loki out of your sight. “He is safe, pet. I will even have the other healers care for him until you have recovered. I do not wish for my queen to be unhappy,” he added. You bit back a sniffle as you fought back the darkness overtaking your vision. “Now, let me help you home. How you are still on your feet is a mystery to me.” He stepped closer and you had to reach out and hold onto him to steady yourself. You hated it.  Hated all of this.  And especially hated him.  He pulled you to him. “Shh, you do not need to fight anymore,” he whispered as he picked you up in his arms. You were too weak to fight him. You had drained too much of yourself into saving Loki, into bringing him back from the border of death. “Rest, kitten,” he bid you softly, almost like he…cared.

The world spun and darkness roared around and through you. You couldn’t fight anymore and had to submit to the darkness and the drastic overtaxing of your body and magic.

[bbrandy2002]

Switched

Prologue

Book: TRH AU

Pairing: Liam x Riley, Savannah x Bertrand

Chapter A/N: Takes place in Chapter 19, The Last Apple Ball. Some dialogue and situations are canon with a few creative differences. I haven’t written much in the last 2 months soooo Im a little rusty, hopefully, its not too distracting.

Series A/N: Evil Savannah, Loss of Baby Warning!!!!! Language, murder, attempted murder, bombing, infidelity and angst (Oh the angst). This is not The Fall of Cordonia; I currently have no plans to go on a ravenous murdering spree of the entire court.

Song Inspiration: Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve

Series Summary: Riley and Savannah are both expecting, but, when disaster occurs, both give birth. Only one woman returns home with a baby, one she knows doesn’t belong to her and will go to great lengths to protect her noble status and her secrets.

Thanks @dcbbw for bouncing around ideas with me and my lovely, pre-readers @burnsoslow and @jessiembruno

Excuse any grammatical errors. I proofread it before posting, but, always miss something.

*******************

Savannah

Savannah’s eyes widened with earnest pleading, her lip quivering desperately at her Aunt Leona. It was now or never, her cozy life and marriage could continue on, her secret remaining buried, or it could all vanish in a matter of minutes.

Bianca swept a tousled strand of her daughters brown hair to the side, unable to look at her for fear of bearing witness to the evil her sister and youngest child had conjured up. This was not the same little girl she left behind all those years ago; this Savannah was capable of doing unthinkable things.

Leona gave her niece a nod, quirking her brow in anticipation; the grin she spirited was almost as if she were in a state of amusement. She made very little attempt at hiding her giddiness over what she considered a true and just form of karma. Her arms outstretched, “We have to do this now”, she whispered urgently.

Bianca grabbed Savannah’s arm, mindful to keep her voice low, but, fervent, “Don’t do this, Sav, I’m begging you”.

Savannah shoulders slumped from the weight of her decision; the chaos of the moment exacerbated by monitors beeping, carts rolling, lights flashing and the medical jargon she had been inundated with earlier. The events of the evening still fresh in her clouded mind…

His perfect blonde, coiffed hair, those striking blue eyes, the brawny, regal exterior with that million dollar smile; Savannah couldn’t take her eyes off Liam all evening. She had always been completely mesmerized by him and who could blame her, he is charming, rich and the epitome of the royalty she had longed for. Not that being the Duchess of Ramsford was insignificant or lightweight, it certainly came with all the prestige and wealth she sought, however, the only caveat being, it didn’t include-him.

Her chocolate brown eyes swept across the lavish ballroom, filled with gold and crystal, diamonds and filigree, intricate delicacies on the finest china, to a short-statured man sipping on lemon water as if it were a priceless chardonnay. He removes a pearly, white handkerchief from his inner suit pocket and proceeds to carefully dab at the beads of persperation on his forehead and upper lip, briefly catching her sullen gaze. Savannah feigns the brightest smile she can muster at him in the moment; Bertrand would return it with his own counterfeit one.

She gathers her black clutch and slowly rises from her chair at an empty dinner table, wincing slightly at the ache in her lower back and swollen feet, shifting her stance to adjust to the added weight she was carrying. She smooths down the black, silk chiffon that had bunched around her enlarged midsection and straightens her posture, tilting her chin upward slightly, trying desperately to emulate the gathering dignitaries and nobility.

Savannah proceeds to weave her way through the crowds and bustling staff, as graceful as she could at nine months pregnant. She realizes her presence is largely overshadowed by the other expecting woman in the room.

Riley…the Queen…Liam’s Queen.

She halts her movement and studies this woman, whose husband has a protective hand placed gently on the small of her back, stepping into the center of the ballroom. The swell of Riley’s stomach is perfectly rounded, her complexion flawless, her hair is shiny and smooth and not a strand out of place. Her peach and white sparkling gown flows gracefully behind as Liam spins her elegantly into the first waltz position.

He looks down on her lovingly, proudly, as the spotlight beams upon them and the orchestra begins to play. In that moment, he has her on display before the hundreds of adoring eyes and onlookers that are instantly drawn to this young, attractive couple. Stepping in sync and rhythm with each other, a little slower than normal under the circumstances, Riley flashes her signature bright smile at her soul-mate. The radiance she exudes on her face, is one only Liam can bring out in her. Gliding effortless across the floor, they are having the time of their lives and in every sense of the word, completely and hopelessly in love.

Savannah’s heart sank, longing to be that woman who held Liam’s heart so unconditionally, who became light as air in his arms.

At one time, Bertrand made her feel that way, practically falling over himself to be near her. If Chuck had not spoken so freely of their short lived rendezvous during the wedding ceremony, perhaps things might have been different. Her pregnancy announcement could not have come at a more opportune time. Bertrand was not about to let her give birth again to their second child, alone. Savannah can only hope that the child she is carrying has the Beaumont blood running through its veins and not of the gruff ranch hand from Texas. This baby allowed her to be forgiven and bought her time to enjoy the affluent lifestyle she felt was rightfully owed to her. The marriage, however, had turned into nothing more than appearances for Bertrand and a means to an end for Savannah.

She absentmindedly grabs a glass of champagne off the tray of a passing waiter, bringing it to the edge of her lips, hesitating. She watches the royal couple finish their dance, Liam’s hands resting on Riley’s stomach as she nuzzles into his broad chest. Bitch! She downs the glass, savoring its refreshing burst on her tongue. Savannah no longer gave two shits who saw her, grabbing an abandoned tumbler of whiskey from the table she was standing near, tipping it back in one swift motion.

“Give me that!”, Bianca ripped the near empty glass from Savannah lips, causing small droplets of leftover liquid to dribble down her chin, onto her dress.

With a contemptuous stare, Savannah used her bare hand to wipe away the dribble on her face, “Have you lost your mind, mother?”.

“Have you lost yours”, Bianca bit back, “what is the matter with you…drinking. You are due any day now”, she slammed the empty tumbler down on the table.

Leona scoffed at her sister’s dramatics, “Lay off of her Bee, I drank during my entire pregnancy”, she remarked, sipping at her own glass of whiskey.

“Yeah and where is your child now, Lee? That’s right, he doen’t exist?”.

Leona shrugged her shoulder with a coy grin.

“Both of you are complete morons, now just shut the hell up!”, Savannah silently screamed back, overly annoyed by their presence.

Riley and Liam

“Hey, Leona!”, Riley yelled as she quickly approached the trio with an entourage of Liam, Drake and Maxwell following closely behind. Leona turned to face her just as Riley’s open hand crashed across her cheek. “You’ll not get an ounce more of hospitality out of me after what you did!”.

The ballroom went completely silent, chatter muted, music stopped playing, all heads turned towards the disturbance . Liam stood behind his wife, wrapping his arms around her chest to hold her back, knowing how pissed she was. He, himself, was furious over the information Amalas had just shared with them. There would be no excuse sufficient enough, that would ever justify endangering his wife and their unborn child.

Leona reached for her stinging cheek, dumbfounded by this action against her, yet, she knew before anything further was spoken, why. “You…you know?”

Bianca turned to her sister, “Lee, what’re they talking about?”

“I…I betrayed Liam and Riley. I put them in danger and their baby in danger…I never meant for anyone to get hurt”.

“What did you do, Lee?”, Bianca asked with a curious glare.

Leona shifted nervously, noticing the eyes of the entire court was thumbing their noses at her. Her own nephew, a commoner like her, stood in place with his hands on his hips, staring at her derisively, like some lowly criminal. Those feverish eyes, those sneering glares, those scowls of shame, from the very same people who had always looked down on her family. Everything fueled her anger at once and she remembered why she did what she did in the first place. She snapped callously, “I told those photographer where to find Liam and Riley at anytime… I got paid nicely for it too. I was getting revenge for all the wrongdoings they’d done our family.”

“So you admit it”, Liam asked.

Leona nodded imperviously; it wasn’t that she didn’t care that her actions may have had serious consequences, it was that she would be damned to give them the satisfaction of knowing such. She would not let those snooty royals have that kind of power of her.

Riley pointed her finger at the older woman, who had caused so much grief for she and Liam, baffled by her unsympathetic demeanor. “Leona Walker, I hearby banish you from this palace and all of Cordonia. I never want to see you again.”.

Leona sneered backed at the Queen, whose face was now flustered and her breathing labored, “You can’t do that”.

Liam released his hold on his wife and stepped around her, “I assure you she can”. He motioned for his head guard to approach them, “Bastien, please escort Ms. Walker from the premises and see to it that she leaves the country at once”.

“Yes, sir”, he bowed, gripping Leona"s upper arm, nudging her forward, a stunned Bianca staggering after.

Liam took Riley’s hand and pulled her flush to him, wrapping her vigilantly into a warm embrace. “Darling, are you okay?”.

She snuggled Liam closer, as much as her sizable baby bump would allow, melting with exhaustion in to him. “I’m so tired, Liam”, she mumbled, almost inaudibly into his broad chest.

He chuckled to himself, “Love..”, he remarked, before kissing the top of her silken, brown hair and tipping her chin up to him, “go to bed, I’ll finish up here”.

“Really?”

“Really”

Riley slid a hand behind Liam’s neck, gently tugging him down to her, placing a tender peck on his lips. “Has anyone ever told you how sexy you are”?

“Hmm, I think Drake has a few times…maybe Maxwell”.

Riley grinned at him, “well, they can’t have you. You are all mine, King Liam”.

He leaned down to kiss her again, stroking his thumb across her cheek, “I am all yours, My Queen”.

Savannah rolled her eyes as she eavesdropped nearby; gag me with one of Bertrand’s precious spoons. She cautiously watched Riley maneuver her way through the crowd, deciding she would confront her about the travesty of kicking her aunt out of the palace and Cordonia, away from Liam. It wasn’t that she cared a great deal for Leona, she barely tolerated her, but, it was Riley and that was all the excuse she needed. She grabbed another flute of champagne, sipping liberally as she trailed after her.

The Last Apple Ball had been eventful to say the least. Cordonian and International nobilty and wealth had attended, along with Liam and Riley’s closest friends and family. Liam was overly pleased by the show of support and anticipation over his soon-to-be born heir…his baby. As anxious and impatient he was to meet the newest love of his life at any given moment, he couldn’t stop thinking about the discovery he and Drake made earlier. He wanted Godfrey found immediately; he needed to confront him over the poisoning of his mother and he wanted answers desperately. The King’s guard was busy sweeping through the palace and local area for any signs of him at this very moment. He hadn’t shown up to the ball, which was peculiar considering he was a large part of the planning that went into it.

“You look like you could use one of these”, Drake remarked, handing Liam a scotch on the rocks.

Liam gave a grateful, but, weary look to his lifelong friend, taking Drake’s offering, “Thanks”, he stated, gulping on the drinking, “but, what I really need is Godfrey. I need answers, Drake”.

Drake took in his crestfallen face, noticing the new worry lines that were forming on Liam’s forehead. He gripped his friends shoulder, reassuringly, “They’ll find him, Liam…he can’t get too far”.

Liam sighed heavily, “I hope so Drake…I can’t let anyone else hurt my family”.

Riley made her way out of the ballroom and into the rear corridor, where it was mostly empty, with the exception of a butler sweeping nearby.

“Riley!”

She knew it was Savannah before she even turned around. Riley took in a deep breath and made a concerted effort to wipe the dread she knew was written all over her face. Shit.

“Savannah”, she regarded, her tone friendly, but, with a great effort, “I was just about to retire to my chambers”. You gold-digging mooch.

“You WILL hear what I have to say first. How dare you throw your…your commoner weight around like some power tripped hussy. Did you take pleasure in kicking my aunt out of this country…it sure seemed like it?”

Riley narrowed her eyes at Savannah, “Are you seriously that stupid, need I remind you, you were common longer than I was. You should be thanking Bertrand for taking pity on your sorry ass and keeping you around all this time”. Riley let a relieved breath she didn’t know she was holding in, “Damn, that felt good to say”.

Before Savannah could retort, the lights in the palace went dark. Both woman stood in place, unable to see anything around them; the sound of increaing chatter and confused commotion echoing from the ballroom.

In the ballroom, Liam reached into his suit pocket and pulled out his cell phone, tapping the button to turn on the flashlight. Two members of the King’s guard quickly approaching him protectively. “I have to get to Riley, now”

“I’ll go with you”, Drake added as he stepped behind Liam.

The lights flickered back on, but, before anyone’s eyes could adjust back to the light, a loud voice in the back of the room screamed, “It’s a bomb!”.

The blast came suddenly and shook the foundation of the palace and exterior rooms, causing pieces of the ceiling, windows and walls to blast out. Screams soon followed as another blast occured, causing even more damage. Piles of rubble and debris flew throughout the room with cries of anguish and horror filling it.

Liam eyes slowly fluttered open, his soot filled lungs were making every breath torturous. He made an effort to lift his head, but, it wouldn’t budge. Tears formed in the corners of his dusty eyes. I just want to see my baby.

His whole body shook violently before it began to relax ever so slowly. Liam"s broken heart and breaths finally stopped.

Perma tags: @emceesynonymroll @romanticatheart-posts @burnsoslow @dcbbw @ao719 @eileendannie @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore @jessiembruno @hopefulmoonobject @texaskitten30 @drakesensworld @janezillow @merridithsmiscellany-blog @mskaneko @beardedoafdonutwagon @queenjilian

[alj4890]

None But You

(Thomas Hunt x oc*Amanda) in a regency era romance as requested by @pixieferry

A/N: I believe we are nearing the end. I'm both excited and saddened by such. There will be at least one more chapter if not two for our story to conclude. It will live on, I know, in requests (which I have already received, LOL, so thank you for that). Shall we begin the end?

Masterlist

@graceful-popcorn​   @krsnlove​   @alleksa16​   @hopelessromantic1352​    @pixieferry   @emceesynonymroll​   @buzz-bee-buzz​   @hopefulmoonobject​    @rainbowsinthestorm​   @lxaah11​   @my-heart-beats-for-ya​ @everythingmarvelsherlockspn​ @friedherringclodthing​   @aworldoffandoms​   @ab1901​   @i-bloody-love-drake-walker​​  

Summary: Lord Hunt hosts a party a few days before the wedding for his neighbors and tenants. All come to meet the lady he is to marry. During such a gathering, Lord Ryan comes to a decision concerning Lady Millie. And of course, the wedding day has come...but will all go according to plan?

Chapter 14

Thomas, dressed for riding, paused on his way out when he heard the sound of ladies laughing and talking. He moved silently toward the drawing room and peeked inside.

Something about seeing Amanda hosting tea for some of the ladies that lived near Kirkwood Manor made him feel, well, happy.

She had easily settled into the role of mistress of his home.

He couldn't wait for the four remaining days until their wedding to hurry by.

He stepped inside and bowed to those that called out a greeting. His lips curved when he asked if they would excuse his lady.

"I need to speak with her about tomorrow night's gathering."

The group watched, fascinated at the affectionate expression on his face when he took Amanda's hand.

Once the couple left, whispered questions were asked of Lady Millicent, her mother, and of Lady Lucinda.

"I knew they were well matched." Lucy replied, a secretive smile forming. "When he appeared at Almacks, willingly mind you, I knew that he had fallen in love with my niece."

Gasps of delight were expressed while others urged the London ladies to share more observations.

****************

"Is something wrong?" Amanda asked once Thomas shut the door to his study.

"No." He swiftly pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Her startled laugh turned into a soft moan from the heat of his kiss.

He smiled softly at the bemused state his kiss had caused. "That was all I wished to discuss."

Amanda looped her arms around his neck. "As much as I enjoy our discussions," she teased, "I am most curious as to what brought this on."

He gave a brief shrug. "I saw you sitting there and needed to kiss you."

"I see." She pressed another kiss to his lips. "Feel free to pull me away whenever you wish."

He chuckled and followed her out into the hallway. "I'll be back soon, my lady." He took his hat and gloves from a patiently waiting Berger. "Lord Gabriel was wishing to see the new construction we did on one of the mills."

"Enjoy your ride, my lord." Her smile was warm when he bowed and lifted her hand to his lips.

Thomas kissed the inside of her wrist before letting it go.

****************

An hour later, many of the ladies left with invitations to visit their homes along with expressing how much they looked forward to furthering their acquaintance with Lord Hunt's chosen bride.

One particular lady remained behind to await her brother. Ms. Harriet Blake, younger sister to Mr. Richard Blake, Kirkwood's vicar, had found kindred spirits with Lady Millie and Lady Amanda.

"Have you ever been to London, Ms. Blake?" Millie asked once Lady Lucy and Lady Henrietta departed to finish the wedding plans.

"I haven't. And please, call me Harriet." She insisted with a bright smile. "Some of the families in Richard's parish refuse to do so, fearing it is somehow disrespectful to the Church." Her nose wrinkled. "No matter how much I insist I have little to do with his sermons."

Amanda laughed into her teacup. "Oh dear. Surely they don't."

"They do." Harriet slumped back in her seat. "Which puts me in the dreadful position of having to keep my teasing nature hidden whenever they are about." Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "My family was always one to have a laugh. My brothers and I played pranks and joked throughout our years growing up. A couple of the ladies that visited you today are the very ones that insist that a vicar and his family be more somber than either Richard or I are used to."

"Clearly they have yet to read the verses where the Lord says to have a cheerful heart." Millie said dryly.

"Indeed." Harriet muttered. "It didn't matter that Richard preached that very subject the following Sunday." She sighed. "Unfortunately, I am unable to stop laughing whenever something humorous happens. And my dear, angelic brother makes it so much worse with his whispered comments." She shook her head, grinning. "There will definitely be no courtship offers from the gentlemen of the more serious minded families."

"Your eldest brother, Sir James?" Millie inquired. "He recently married, did he not?"

"He did to a lady I can find no fault with." Harriet explained. "Theodora has a wicked wit that is the perfect foil for James." She chuckled while stirring her tea. "My dear brother thought himself clever until he encountered her."

"It is amazing to see those we love find their perfect match." Amanda cut her eyes to Millie. "Even if they aren't too happy at the discovery."

"Oh do hush." Millie grumbled.

Amanda ignored her and explained the unusual relationship Millie had with Lord Ryan.

"I'm awaiting the announcement of their engagement." She told her, refusing to acknowledge the glares Millie sent her way.

Harriet smiled at the news. "My congratulations will be given as soon you decide to share it."

***************

Two nights later...

"Seems everyone is taken with your chosen lady." Ryan teased.

Thomas observed as his intended was asked to dance by the blacksmith's nine year old son. His lips curved when Amanda dropped into a curtsy worthy of the king himself.

Her smile was tender as she took his hands and allowed him to spin her around.

His neighbors and tenants had fallen for the lady he had been introducing the past week or so.

Just like he knew they would.

Amanda had entered their homes, eased their nervousness, and listened to their stories and concerns. He had seen from the beginning that her quiet gentleness was precisely what his people needed from their lady of the manor.

And to think, I had almost allowed myself a chance to lose her.

He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard her laughing plea for a chance to rest when some of the other children ran up to her.

"Better go and save her." Ryan whispered. "I think young Brandon will try and steal her away from her if you aren't careful."

Thomas chuckled. The little boy did have a look of pure adoration on his face as he looked up at Amanda.

He made his way past the party guests and eased his way through the children.

"Pardon me." He gently patted Brandon's shoulder. "I need to have a word with Lady Amanda."

The young lad bowed before them and took off to join in on a game with the other children.

"Thank you." Amanda slipped her arm through his, squeezing it affectionately. "I wasn't quite certain how to say I wasn't up for a game of Blind Man's Bluff after Brandon's dancing."

"Summers suggested I hurry and do so before he stole you away." Thomas teased.

She laughed and shook her head. "Have no fear. I think his love for me died a swift death when I expressed my dislike of toads." She looked up at him. "No proposal is imminent, not with little Jane saying she loved them."

"Good. I wasn't quite prepared to challenge him for you." Thomas smiled when she laughed once more.

He led her over to the table that was nearly buckling from the number of pies and cakes the guests had brought.

The weather had turned out clear and perfect for the outdoor party. The surrounding gentry had been surprised when the viscount had invited them and the commoners to a party. Kirkwood Manor had not seen a gathering like this in years, much less combining all who lived nearby.

Word had spread quickly that he was hosting it for a chance for everyone to meet the future mistress. There had not been one refusal to his invitation. Everyone was curious to see the nearly reclusive viscount and the lady he had met in London.

None had been disappointed. The couple made sure to spend time with everyone, thanking them for coming.

When asked about the wedding, the couple explained that they wanted a small service. This party was in lieu of an extravagant ceremony with plans to host a yearly celebration.

Words of encouragement, marital advice, and congratulations were given from those young and old.

Thomas could not imagine a more perfect way to introduce her to the people that she would be over or for them to see how perfect she was.

"Lady Amanda!" One of the matrons called out. "Have you tried the jam tarts? It is an old family recipe that..."

The couple listened as the woman prattled on about her tarts being hailed as the best in the land while each taking a bite.

"These truly are the best I've ever tasted." Amanda answered when pressed for her opinion by the matron.

Thomas took advantage of the woman bragging to her neighbors and excused them.

Amanda laughed softly when he murmured that he now remembered why he had attempted to not host parties.

"I think you have a talent for it." She squeezed his arm. "Everyone I have talked to seems not only fond of you but also has been impressed with this gathering."

"I think they are more fond of the curiosity I cause than of myself." He told her. His lips eased into a smile. "Though I do think that now that they have met you, I am now considered wise for choosing you."

Amanda rested her head against his shoulder. She opened her mouth to say something sweet only to be interrupted by Sir Peter's poetic recital getting louder the closer he came.

"And the angel with hair the color of spun gold, the very one my heart once foretold, is now once again before me." He grasped Millie's hand as she tried to escape. "Thus allowing me to speak on bended knee."

Amanda's lips trembled as she tried to suppress her laughter. "Thomas, did you invite Sir Peter for a particular reason?"

He slipped his arm around her waist. "Why ever would you suspect my motives?" He watched as Ryan scowled at the man trying to woo Millie. "I certainly would never use it as a chance to gain a bit of revenge on our closest friends and their interference in our courtship."

His lady covered her mouth to muffle her laughter when Millie tried to keep the man standing.

"Sir Peter, you mustn't kneel! Please," she looked around at the attention he was drawing, "lower your voice."

"Lady Millie, it has been agony being so cruelly parted from you all these weeks. Our time together in London was not nearly long enough to keep my heart from dying bit by bit from not seeing you." Sir Peter pressed her hand over his heart. "Feel how it has sprung back to life with being near you once more."

"I am flattered." Millie mumbled. "But I--"

"Get ahold of yourself." Lord Ryan snapped, pulling Millie away. "You are causing a scene, sir."

"A man cannot be blamed when reunited with the very reason he breathes." Sir Peter uttered.

"Good lord, man. Do you hear yourself?" Ryan grumbled. "No one feels such."

Millie stiffened. "I beg your pardon!"

"Not now." He warned.

"Oh! You--" Millie's voice rose in irritation.

"Millie," he growled. "You will tell Sir Peter what is in your heart. That will halt his musings."

Her blue eyes narrowed. "And why would my heart cause him to stop?" She stuck her nose up in the air. "No one has yet to claim it."

"Oh dear." Amanda whispered. "What are we to do with them?"

Thomas shrugged while enjoying his oldest friend's struggle with succumbing to a life with the prickly miss beside him.

"I have a claim on your heart!" Ryan snapped. "By your own admission--"

"Merely a slip of the tongue." Millie responded, escaping his grip. "Tis hard to continue to feel anything for a man who does not return my affection."

She smiled warmly at Sir Peter. "Do go on, sir. I have always admired your unique ability to form verses."

Ryan fumed as the two walked off together.

"Thomas, we must fix this." Amanda urged.

Her intended softly groaned before approaching the marquis. "Summers? I think you know what you must do."

"Do not say it." Ryan pleaded. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I refuse to spend the rest of my life with a woman who takes offense to every little thing."

"My lord," Amanda began gently, "Lady Millie is one of the most loyal, sweetest--

"Not you too." He pinched the bridge of his nose. With a deep sigh he turned toward the happy couple. "I am well aware of Millie's attributes." His eyes narrowed at seeing Sir Peter take Millie into his arms for a waltz. "Dash it all! Why the devil is she the one that my heart has chosen?!"

He stormed away from his friends and approached Lord Gabriel.

Millie's father broke into a delighted smile with Ryan's question.

***************

"Sir Chris," Lady Lucy nodded toward a young woman he had met earlier. "What do you think of Ms. Blake?"

"She seems amiable, Lady Bridgerton." He carefully responded.

"I agree." Lucy studied the clergyman's sister. "Mr. Blake's older brother has the barony near Bedford."

Chris wondered why Lady Lucy was explaining all this."

"Ms. Blake came to keep house for Mr. Blake once their brother married." She continued.

"That seems to be the way people do things." He muttered.

"She appears to be a cheerful, bright young lady." Lucy nodded toward the one they were talking about.

Chris followed her gaze. Ms. Blake was standing with her brother, laughing at a story the doctor and his wife were sharing.

"I suspect that it won't be too long before Mr. Blake settles down." She gently tapped her chin as if in great thought. "A gentleman with both fortune and family will be snapped up before he knows what hit him. Poor Ms. Blake. It is hard for a lady to surrender the ingrained need to be head of a household."

"I wouldn't know anything about that." Chris narrowed his eyes playfully. "Lady Bridgerton, are you up to you old tricks?"

"Me?" Lucy placed her hand to her heart. "Why sir, whatever do you mean?" Her eyes twinkled. "I would never want to see a nice young man matched with a lady of equal sweetness."

He chuckled. "Lady Lucy, what would you have me do?"

"Ask her to dance." She gently patted his arm. "Then see what happens."

Chris shook his head. "You're lucky I am so fond of you, my lady."

"I know, my dear." Lucy urged him away. "Thank you for indulging me."

**************

"What do you think of Lady Amanda?" Richard Blake whispered to his sister, once they were alone.

"I like her very well indeed." Harriet responded. "I am most surprised at how changed Lord Hunt is after meeting her."

"Seeing him so happy is a surprise." Richard responded. "After meeting her, I look forward to knowing her better."

Harriet rolled her eyes with a laugh. "Yes, I saw her eyes light up with interest when you brought up your weekly discussions of literature with Lord Hunt." She nudged her brother. "I think your invitations to visit Kirkwood will continue if not increase once they are wed."

"Excuse me, Ms. Blake."

Harriet turned with a smile. "Sir Winters? Right?"

Chris nodded, flashing her a smile. "I was wondering, with your permission Mr. Blake, if I might have the next dance."

Richard eyed him for a moment then his sister's delighted smile. Feeling the brotherly need to tease her, he slowly nodded. "I have no objections if Harry does not."

Harriet's smile disappeared at the nickname her darling brothers declared described her perfectly. Her light brown curly hair was known to have a mind of its own, especially when she first awoke in the mornings.

They still liked to howl with laughter over her plight to tame it.

"Forgive me," Sir Chris looked about. "Who is Harry? I don't think I have been introduced to him."

"Have you not?" Richard continued, his smile growing. "I could have sworn you were--"

"Ignore him, sir." Harriet interrupted. "He is an evil man intent on tormenting me."

Chris's confusions gave way to worry. "This Harry is causing you trouble?"

Richard burst into laughter. "Forgive me, sir. Harry is what I sometimes call Ms. Blake."

"My name is Harriet." Ms. Blake added in case the young man was unaware. Her own teasing smile appeared. "My brothers are not known for their intelligence when it comes to appropriate monikers."

Chris couldn't help but smile as the siblings handled the good natured ribbing with more humor.

As the first notes of another waltz were heard, he bowed before her. "Ms. Blake? May I have this dance?"

She took his hand and allowed him to lead her to the area cleared for the dancers.

Once in his arms, she smiled warmly at him. "I have heard you had a hand in helping Lord Hunt's courtship."

He nodded. "I along with Lady Millicent, Lord Summers, and Lord Rodriguez." His lips eased into a smile. "They were a little too stubborn in their refusing to admit to falling in love with one another. We were there to help give them the necessary push toward matrimony."

Harriet laughed softly. "You should be commended. You did a marvelous job of matching them." She turned her head toward the couple who seemed to only have eyes for each other while they danced. "I must confess with the years I have known Lord Hunt, I have never seen him like this."

"Neither have I." Chris responded. His smile grew, dimples deepening. "Now once Lord Summers and Lady Millie are settled, I will only have to worry about Lord Rodriguez."

Harriet's eyebrow lifted. "Sir, have you developed a love for matchmaking?"

"I believe I have Ms. Blake." He winked at her, causing a delightful blush to form on her cheeks. "There is something so satisfying in being proven right." He leaned closer to whisper. "And to see your friends struggle with the inevitable trip down the aisle."

She laughed out loud, drawing a few curious stares. "Sir Winters, I don't know if I hope you also decide to help myself and Richard find a proper match or pray you never feel the desire to."

His eyes settled on the velvety chocolate color of her eyes before dropping down to the pert, thin nose, and then her lips curved in good humor. "I might know someone who might be your perfect match." His eyes lifted to hers. "Of course, before I can reveal who the gentlemen is, I would need to spend more time with you to gain a proper look at your character."

She shook her head as another chuckle slipped out. "I would suspect nothing less from a professional matchmaker."

**************

"Rodriguez!" Ryan called out. "Have you seen Lady Millie or Sir Peter anywhere?"

"Sir Peter is talking to Lady Henrietta and I saw Lady Millie over by the desserts." Matthew pointed out. "Is something wrong?"

"No. Only the ending of a man's life." Ryan responded.

He marched over to the lady in question. "We need to talk."

Millie turned around with a chocolate éclair. "We do?" She took a bite and ignored his presence. "I do not see what we could possibly have to talk about."

Ryan grit his teeth. "Would you accompany me on a walk, my lady?"

"I've already had a walk," Millie informed him in a friendly tone of voice, "with Sir Peter."

"Yes, I know." Ryan bit out. "Now I need to discuss something personal with you and wish for a secluded place to do so."

"Tempting, my lord, but I believe I will rest here and enjoy these delectable offerings." She finished her éclair and began to search for something else to eat. "Thank you for the off--" she let out a yelp when he gripped her arm and half dragged her away.

"Lord Summers!" Millie huffed. "Let go of me this instan--" she nodded her head and smiled at the vicar. "Good evening Mr. Blake."

"Same to you, my lady." He responded, smiling at the pair as they passed.

"Let go!" Millie hissed once they were out of earshot.

"I can't." Ryan responded in an even tone. "I tried, Millie. Lord knows I've tried to let you go."

Her brow furrowed at that odd speech. Her lips parted to question him, but she remained silent as she followed him further from the party.

Ryan paused in the garden near a bench. "Please sit."

Millie did so without a word of argument.

He kept hold of her hand as he stood before her. "I spoke with your father earlier."

Millie tilted her head to the side. "About?"

"I asked for his permission to ask for your hand in matrimony." Ryan knelt before her. "He said I have it along with his blessing. All I need now is you."

Millie's lips parted. "But you don't like me!"

"I do too!" He snapped. "Yes, you can drive a man to the very brink of insanity, but I would rather be driven crazy by the woman I love than one who I feel nothing for."

Millie's gasp slipped past her lips. "You love me?"

"Would I continuously put myself in your path if I had not already lost my heart to you?" He asked.

"Ryan!" She jumped into his arms and kissed him.

He pulled away for a moment. "This had better be a yes I love you too and want to marry you kiss, or so help me Millie I will--"

"It is!" She said, pulling him in for another kiss.

Just as he responded, she pushed him away. "What kind of morally ambiguous lady do you think I am to kiss a man I'm not intending to marry?!"

He crushed her to him as his mouth captured her lips. Lord Ryan found himself immensely pleased by how pleasant it was to silence her grumblings with such an action.

*****************

A few hours later, Thomas held his glass up. "A toast: to all of you who came this evening to help celebrate my good fortune in meeting the lady who has my heart." He lifted Amanda's hand to his lips. "To our family and friends for helping us plan this and our wedding." He smiled down at them. "And to the day after tomorrow when my new life begins."

Everyone cheered and drank one last toast to the couple before departing for the evening. Once there were only a few remaining, Ryan and Millie shared their own impending nuptials. 

Lady Henrietta dabbed at her eyes as she spoke excitedly to Lucy about the need to start planning the moment Thomas and Amanda finished their vows. 

While the group talked, Harriet leaned over to whisper to Chris. "It appears you have succeeded once more, sir."

"Indeed I have, Ms. Blake." His smile turned tender. "Indeed, I have."

****************

Night before the wedding...

Thomas hesitated at the connecting door between his room and Amanda’s. Knowing the superstitions of not allowing the groom to see his bride before the wedding, had him wondering if he should not join her this evening.

As if sensing his indecision, the door opened and Amanda smiled softly at him.

“I wondered if you were going to join me tonight.” She reached for his hand and tugged him into her room.

“I thought perhaps we should spend tonight apart.” He explained, watching her settle in her bed. “What with tradition and all.”

She laughed softly. “I think given our unusual courtship that we might be encouraging bad luck to visit us if we remained apart.” Her eyes met his. “Besides, I’m not certain that I can fall asleep without having you near.”

His gaze softened at her words, knowing he would not rest either if they were apart. Without another word of argument, he climbed into bed beside her.

The moment she was within his arms, he could feel his body relax once more. He brushed a tender kiss to her lips, smiling when she snuggled closer. 

“Are you nervous?” she asked.

“About what?” Thomas leaned back some so he could see her face.

“About marrying me tomorrow?” Amanda gently caressed his cheek. “Most men seem to be a bit uneasy when faced with the loss of their freedom.”

“As I have told you numerous times, I cannot wait to have you as my wife.” His lips firmed into a frown. “The only way I would remotely feel uneasy facing my wedding is if it were any lady other than you.”

She propped herself up on her elbow and kissed him. “I am very happy to be marrying you tomorrow.”  Her eyes held his. “I had no idea that I could have this much joy in my heart.”

Thomas urged her close for another kiss. He whispered his love for her then urged her to sleep. 

Amanda settled within his arms, smiling at what awaited them in the morning.

****************

Thomas and Amanda's wedding day...

Time, like all things, seems to want to crawl by when there is something you are anxious about and yet seems to fly by in the moments one wishes to hold onto for eternity. For the couple awaiting their wedding day, it seemed to be a bit of both.

It seemed that no time had passed from the party to rushing about to get dressed for the chapel. Servants dashed about to finish their chores so that they could witness their viscount marry the lady they had come to respect and care for.

Lady Lucy was unable to do too much other than blubber into her handkerchief when she saw her niece in her wedding gown. She was appalled at her own behavior but seemed unable to stop.

"Aunt Lucy?" Amanda reached out for her.

"No dear!" Lucy jerked away. "Tears will ruin the satin." She accepted Henrietta's spare handkerchief. "You look perfect, my darling."

Amanda turned back around to critically study her reflection. The gown her aunt had designed for her seemed to showcase all her assets in the best possible way. The rich satin hung perfectly with glistening crystals throughout the skirt. The white material had hints of blue in it to keep her from appearing sallow.

Her lace veil draped over her carefully pinned curls and had a band of red roses holding it in place.

Millie sniffed back her own tears as she gently hugged her. "You look gorgeous."

Amanda returned her hug. "Thank you." She included her aunt and Lady Henrietta. "Thank you all for helping me."

Henrietta clucked her tongue and bustled about to keep her tears at bay. "I would have been upset if you hadn't needed me." She pressed a kiss to Amanda's cheek and fluffed her veil. "We will see you at the church." She gave a tearful smile as she tried to tease her friend. "I'll attempt to stop Lucy from sobbing."

"Oh!" Lucy swatted Hen's arm. "I would remind you of the mess you were when Michael and Cora wed." She gave a quick kiss to Amanda's cheek. "Don't let her dress get caught in the carriage door." She ordered Millie.

The two matrons left in a stream of tears, more teasing, and excitement.

Amanda's lady's maid, Peggy, came inside and dabbed at her own eyes. She went about the room, putting things away.

"Are you nervous?" Millie asked.

"In a way." Amanda admitted. "Not over Thomas, mind you. More nervous that something is bound to go wrong.” She let out a slightly tense laugh. “I’m more worried about tripping down the aisle and having that be what I remember whenever I think back over my wedding day.”

Millie laughed while squeezing her friend’s hands. “I believe Lord Thomas would not allow you to fall. If anything, your clumsiness would only add another sweet moment for your special day.”

Amanda hugged her once more. “What would I do without you?”

“Most likely still ignoring Lord Thomas’s argument that he loved you.” Millie grumbled.

Peggy smiled softly as the two young ladies continued to tease each other. 

“I will be downstairs keeping a watch for the carriage, m'lady."

******************

Evil intent begins...

Outside Kirkwood Manor, Charles and John watched Lord Rawlings' carriage leave with the remaining wedding guests.

"Now." Charles whispered.

The two men, under Duke Viktor’s employment, crept into the servants' entrance and made their way up the back stairs.

The halls were deserted, save for the one maid they saw leaving a wing of the manor.

With a tilt of his head, John led the way, checking each bedroom they came to.

****************

Outside, near Kirkwood Manor...

"Every bride has to have flowers." Little Jane explained.

"That's why I picked these." Young Brandon held up a mixture of wildflowers and flowering weeds, some with the roots dangling.

"It's so pretty!" She clapped her hands together. "Lady Amanda will love it."

"We better hurry before she gets to the church." He told her, taking off at a run. "My mum said that brides always go last."

Jane sprinted after him, ordering him to be careful of the petals.

****************

Amanda checked the time again. "I do wish the carriage was already here." She paced about her quarters.

The door opened and she spun around with a smile. It dimmed to confusion at the two strange men that stood there.

She backed up toward the desk, blindly reaching for her letter opener when they came in and locked the door.

Millie came back into the main room after attending to her needs and froze. "Who--"

"We will have to take her to." One said. "She'll alert the entire town if we don't."

Amanda paled. "Don't hurt her."

Millie narrowed her eyes and jerked on the cord for the servants.

The one with an evil leer slowly shook his head. "You shouldn't have done that my lady." He backed her into the wall and struck her with his fist, knocking Millie out.

Amanda cried out in alarm, she swung around to jerk open a drawer for the letter opener, when a gag was tied over her mouth.

"Please, m'lady." The second man pleaded. "I don't want to hurt you." He gripped her hands and tied them behind her back.

Her eyes sparkled with tears as he tightened her bonds. She looked over her shoulder as Millie was swept over her abductor's shoulder.

"Hurry John." He ordered. "We are running out of time." He left the room.

John turned Amanda back around to face him. His hard expression softened when he looked into her fearful face. "I'll make sure the duke will do right by you."

Her brow furrowed as she tried to speak around her gag.

John threw a black cloak over her head and picked her up over his shoulder. He spoke calmly as she struggled against him.

"M'lady, it is no use. I will only hurt you more by tying your legs together if you don't stop. I don't want to have to do that to you."

She stilled.

"What--Who are--MR. BERGER!" Peggy screamed out when she saw John holding a tied up bundle. "MR. BERGER!"

John knocked Peggy down as he sped down the hall. He ducked out to the servants stairs and nearly jumped down them.

Amanda let out cries of pain each time her ribs hit his shoulder. She tried to brace herself as best she could.

The cloak slipped off of her when they burst outside. She blinked against the bright sunlight and saw two faces looking up at her in shock.

She tried to speak around her gag for them to hide, cursing the fact her hands were tied behind her back.

John didn't see them as he continued to run toward the plain carriage. He could hear the shouts of servants behind him.

"Take her!" He all but tossed Amanda at Charles so he could scramble up and take the reins.

Charles dumped her into the carriage before resuming his seat with John.

With a few flicks of a whip, the carriage lurched forward, dumping Amanda into the floor.

As she struggled to sit up and get her veil out of her face, she heard a laugh that caused a chill to run down her spine.

Hands grasped her arms and set her in the seat. They then brushed her hair out of her eyes and tossed her veil out the window. Amanda looked next to her at a still unconscious Millie, now bound and gagged.

"I am glad you decided to join me, Lady Amanda." Viktor chuckled at his own humor. "I'm sure Lord Hunt will understand within the next hour that I was right. You did decide on marrying a better man."

[wild3flow3r]

Epilogue

2021

Two years. Two years amounted to numerous missed calls, a handful of visits, three consecutive weeks of not knowing whether the relationship would make it, one pregnancy scare, an engagement (because not even Harry could stick to his own plan), and a reunion of the lifetime.

Mister Cunningham, Lorelai’s boss, decided to expand his business to the United Kingdom at the end of last year and he was looking for a new CFO for that office. Lorelai applied for the position, Brian did not. Brian was so sure that the current CFO would retire, like he’d told her he would after two more years. The CFO didn’t retire, Brian didn’t get a new position, Lorelai did. There were many tears shed by both Lorelai and Harry the night she found out.

Now Lorelai’s stood in her new living room holding a paintbrush. Harry bought them a house just like he said he would. Lorelai’s only condition was that it would need a little work done. She wanted them to do it together and make the house their own. Harry comes up from behind her and wraps his arms around her waist and leans his chin on her shoulder.

“Well, you’re not an artist.”

Lorelai playfully swings a punch backwards to land on his shoulder. “Shut up.”

In theory, Lorelai’s idea was nice, but neither she nor Harry really knew what they were doing. Somehow, Lorelai had messed up painting the wall in front of her, and she doesn’t understand how when she’s only been using one shade of blue.

“We can still make the house our own without actually having to do all the work.”

She knew Harry’s been meaning to bring this up to her for the last few days. He was smart to wait until now, when she was at her wits end. “Alright.” Lorelai finally gives in.

Harry presses kisses against her shoulder and up to her neck. “We’ve also got a wedding to plan.”

“Hmm,” Lorelai murmurs while leaning her head back so that she can stare at Harry. She’s been back home for a month now, and she still can’t believe it. Every morning she wakes up feeling like the luckiest girl in the world, and every night she goes to sleep scared that she’ll wake up in the morning only to find out it was all just a dream. “I’ve got a dress fitting this weekend. The workers are probably going to hate me, I’m bringing everybody.”

“Everybody?” Harry asks with an eyebrow raised and a teasing smile. “I wasn’t invited.”

Lorelai rolls her eyes. “I can’t invite one sister and not the other four. Plus my sister-in-law wants to come along too. And of course my mother, along with your mother and Gem. And I think my three oldest nieces are coming as well. That’s twelve people Harry. You get to go to your suit fitting during your lunch break by yourself.”

Harry shakes his head. “My mum’s asked to come to that as well.”

“And?”

“I told her I’d let her know.”

There were no truer words than time heals all wounds. A year after everything had happened, Harry called his mother. He asked her to attend one of his therapy sessions with him, that way his therapist was able to mediate the chat. They’ve been continuously making amends since. Harry’s said before, he loves his mother, he always will, and he can learn to forgive her for her past mistakes, but that doesn’t mean their relationship will ever go back to the way it once was. Xavier has had less luck with Harry, but Lorelai knew that he wanted to reach out to his uncle before the wedding ceremony.

From upstairs, a small yip is heard before there’s some pounding against the stairs. A four month old tan pitbull barrels his way into the living room and face plants against Lorelai’s leg. She can’t help the laugh as she bends over to pick him up.

“Got scared when no one was there after you woke up from your nap, huh Waffles?” Lorelai cradles the puppy against her chest. He only licks her chin in response.

Lorelai can practically hear Harry roll his eyes, from both the puppy's name and from how she’s babying him. As if Harry didn’t do it all the time when he didn’t think Lorelai was watching him.

“You got daddy wrapped around your little paw too, right? I saw him sneak you some of the bacon off of his plate this morning.”

“Because he wouldn’t stop whining.”

“Because daddy likes to spoil his baby, hmm?” Lorelai coos while scratching Waffles behind one of his ears. “Daddy’s got such a soft spot for you. Maybe even more for you than me.”

“I’m going to bed.”

Harry takes two steps back, and at the movement Waffles practically leaps from Lorelai’s arms to Harry’s. He catches him right before the puppy would have fallen into a can of paint. Harry sets Waffles down carefully and starts to walk away again. Waffles follows right on his heels, even nipping at the ends of Harry’s pants.

“Unbelievable. Both of you will be the death of me.”

Lorelai laughs until Harry exits the room with Waffles hot on his tail, and even more when Waffles barks for Harry to carry him up the stairs and Harry groans (because for some reason going down the stairs was okay, but going up them was a tricky task). Harry tries to act like he only tolerates the dog for Lorelai’s sake, but of all the puppies they looked at together Harry was the one to pick Waffles out. And every day Lorelai could see his act slipping away.

“Lorelai! Come get your son! He’s peeing all over the bath mat!”

Well, most days she can see the act slipping away.

~

2023

Lorelai thought she’d only be able to fall in love with one boy with bright green eyes and soft brown hair, but she was very very wrong. Wyatt Styles would also steal her heart. Born on May twelfth, after seven hours of labor, Lorelai and Harry welcomed a baby boy into their small family. Four months later, they couldn’t be more sleep deprived or happy.

Although Harry hadn’t really wanted to be the one to work on the house, he was keen to set up the nursery and build everything himself for the baby. Lets just say, there were lots of bandaids and even a hospital visit when Harry accidentally hit the hammer against his thumb. And he stood with Lorelai every step of the way through the pregnancy. He went to every appointment, every class, and would get up in the middle of the night to find whatever weird craving she was having.

Watching Harry with Wyatt is Lorelai’s new favorite scene. Some nights she’ll wake up to hear Harry humming quietly through the baby monitor, sometimes even whispering sleepy nonsense to the baby while feeding him a bottle. Some nights when she comes home from work, Harry and Wyatt will be napping on the couch together, drool coming from the both of them.

“What’re you three doing?”

Harry and Lorelai alternated in the mornings on who would be awake with Wyatt. This was Harry’s morning, and Wyatt was being particularly quiet, which was abnormal to say the least. Wyatt seemed to love the sound of his own voice, or more the sound of his cry.

Harry snaps his head up at Lorelai’s voice, his eyes frantic as he waves his hand as if to tell her to be quiet. He’s kneeling in front of the couch, Waffles and Wyatt lying together in front of him. Lorelai rounds the couch to kneel next to him.

“I thought you said Waffles isn’t allowed on any of the furniture?” Harry had come up with that rule when they first got Waffles, and while Lorelai didn’t particularly care where Waffles relaxed, she enforced the rule.

“That was before I found out Waffles was the best nanny in the world. Look!” Harry whispers, exasperated but also excited by his new findings.

And he wasn’t wrong. Waffles laid curled up, and against his stomach sat Wyatt. The dog's head was pressed against the baby's stomach. Wyatt pressed his hands all around the dog's face before he looked up at his parents with wide eyes. Waffles stayed there and took Wyatt’s grabby hands like a champ. And for once, Wyatt wasn’t crying.

“Waffles has secret powers.”

Lorelai stares at Harry, her face giving off an ‘are you serious’ look, but Harry was still too busy looking at Waffles with amazement.

“Or our son loves dogs.”

“I’m going to stick with my theory.”

Then Waffles licked Wyatt’s hand, and a sound that sounded awfully like a laugh, his first laugh, passed his mouth. Both parents' jaws drop, before forming into large smiles.

“Waffles has secret powers,” Lorelai finally agrees.

~

2025

“No, don’t want.” Wyatt shakes his head over and over again. He pulls his hand hard enough that Harry is forced to let go of the toddler's hand, and then he runs out into the hallway. Two seconds later he comes back, but he’s tossed over Jones's shoulder and giggling. A ten year old Rebecca enters the room right after them.

Jones and Rebecca moved to London about a year ago. Jones was offered a new job, and Rebecca enjoyed spending time with Lorelai and helping to watch Wyatt, and now Lauren.

“You don’t want what?” Jones asked as he set Wyatt back down on the ground.

“A sister! Asked for a brother!”

The night before, Lauren Styles was born. Now she’s wrapped up in a blanket, being held by her mother. Harry sits on the hospital bed next to his girls, carefully running his fingertips against her face. Blue eyes blink slowly, before closing completely and drifting off for a nap. Rebecca comes up on the other side of Lorelai.

“Why’s she bald? Wyatt had hair when he was born.”

“Some babies are just born bald,” Lorelai explains. “She’ll grow hair soon enough.”

“What’s her name?”

Lorelai pauses before looking up to Jones who is now holding Wyatt on his hip and is standing behind Rebecca. “Lauren,” Lorelai responds. Jones's eyes snap to hers.

“Like my mother?” Rebecca gasps, leaning over the bed to get a better look at her new cousin.

“Exactly like your mother.”

“Daddy used to call my mom Ren, can I call her that?”

“Of course.”

Lorelai shifts so that Harry can hold Lauren. “Do you want to hold her?” He asks Rebecca, who nods enthusiastically. They move to a chair nearby.

“Mummy,” Wyatt whines and reaches out for her, not liking no longer having all of the attention on him. Lorelai opens her arms and Wyatt presses his head against her neck.

“I don’t know what to say,” Jones mumbles, trying to hold back tears.

Lorelai shakes her head. “You don’t have to say anything.”

Jones leans down and presses a kiss against Lorelai’s cheek. “I love you.”

Lorelai playfully pats his cheek. “Love you too.”

“Daddy! Look! I’m holding the baby! All by myself!” Rebecca shout whispers as to not to disturb Lauren.

Even Wyatt looks over at this. He’d been given the option to hold her, but immediately refused. He’d entered the room earlier this morning demanding to see his brother, and was rudely shocked to find Lauren instead. Then he proceeded to run around the hospital, Harry having to chase him up and down the hall.

Rebecca was in fact holding Lauren herself, but with a pillow on her lap to help support her arms. Harry kneeled in front of them just in case, his smile wide. Wyatt scrambles out of Lorelai’s arms and Jones sets him back on the ground. Everyone knew what he was about to do. He seems to copy everything Rebecca does.

“I wanna do,” Wyatt pouts, pulling at his father’s sleeve.

“You want to hold your sister?”

“Please?” He stands on his tiptoes and spreads his arms out. “All by myself.”

“Daddy will have to help a little bit, alright?”

Wyatt pouts, but still he nods. Harry takes Lauren back from Rebecca, who now goes to sit next to Lorelai, and then he takes a seat on the chair. Wyatt crawls into his lap and sticks his arms out again, and Harry places Lauren down in front of them. Wyatt’s arms wrap around the baby but he still looks unsure about her.

“Next time give me a brother please,” Wyatt mutters.

~

2028

Two kids had been the plan, a boy and a girl just like Harry had said eight years ago. But this year they started it with three kids. Now that it’s three months into the year, Lorelai and Harry feel like they’ve been dragged through the mud, but the smiles and laughter make it completely worth it.

Wyatt’s four now, or if you ask him, four years and seven months. He’s a spitting image of his father, but he takes to his mother’s more kind nature. Lauren, now two, has brown curls that fall down her back, and has taken her mother’s brown eyes. She prefers to be the boss, much like her father. Sarah Styles, aged eight months, was born with blonde hair that still hasn’t darkened, and eyes still the color blue.

“Daddy! Wyatt pinched me!”

“I did not! She’s lying!”

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

“Please, can you guys be a little more quiet. Sarah’s down for a nap,” Harry begs his children as soon as he enters the living room. “Now, what’s happened?”

“Wyatt pinched me!” Lauren responds, although she does lower the volume of her voice.

“Daddy, I didn’t I promise. She’s only saying that because I don’t want to let her play with my truck.”

Harry kneels in front of both of them. He looks between the two of them, and he knows who is most likely telling the truth. It wasn’t the first time Lauren lied about being hurt, and if she really was then she would have started crying by now.

“Did he actually pinch you, Lauren?”

Lauren stares at her father, but then looks away on the ground. “He wouldn’t let me play with his truck, daddy. My Barbies wanna go to the beach, and his truck can fit all of them.”

“Lauren, we talked about lying and about respecting your brother’s toys. That’s going to be two minutes on the naughty step.”

“Sarah gets to grab at my toys and she doesn’t have to sit on the step!” Lauren pouts and stomps her foot.

“Sarah’s only a baby. If she’s still doing it when she’s a little older then she’ll get punished as well. Now go on.”

Wyatt goes back to playing with his truck gleefully, and Harry stands out of view of the step counting down the time. With his job, most days he’s allowed to work from home. Typically, he has a nanny help him with the kids while Lorelai is at work, but she was taking her vacation this week. Finally, he gets Lauren to apologize to both him and her brother. Then Sarah starts crying, and Harry’s jogging back upstairs.

“Hello? I’m home!”

“Mummy!” Both Wyatt and Lauren scream. They leave their toys forgotten on the ground and race to go to Lorelai.

Lorelai drops the bags of takeout on the ground and kneels to hug both of the children at once. “Oh my, I missed you guys so much.”

“Don’t go then, mummy! Stay home with us.” Lauren whines while pressing her lips against her mother’s cheek. “Want to have a tea party tomorrow.”

Lorelai smiles sympathetically. “I’m sure daddy can have a tea party with you tomorrow, and you can pick any teapot from my collection alright?”

Lauren nodded reluctantly. When Lorelai stands, Wyatt tugs her hand towards the kitchen. “Mummy look what I made in preschool today. Daddy hung it up on the fridge already!”

Lorelai places the bags on the counter now before being dragged to the fridge. Wyatt drew stick figures of both of his parents, himself, Lauren, a really small one of Sarah, and Waffles, although he was drawn to be as big as Harry.

“Good job baby, that’s so pretty.” Lorelai kisses his nose and Wyatt giggles while playfully swatting her away.

“Mummy, me and daddy went to the park today with Sarah and I went down the big curly slide all by myself.”

Lorelai ruffles her hair. “Oh my, you’re so brave baby.”

Harry enters the room then, holding a wiggling Sarah in his arms, and Waffles following close behind them. Both parents are anxiously waiting for the day their youngest finally learns how to walk, knowing she’ll be getting into everything much like the older two.

“Hey Skipper,” Harry murmurs while he’s pressing a kiss against her lips. Wyatt and Lauren both yell in disgust before trotting back into the living room to their toys.

“How was today?” They both know from experience, single parenting for a day with three kids is one of the hardest things any human can endure.

“Alright. No one had to go to the hospital, so I’ll call that a success.” He hands her Sarah so that he can start unloading the food.

Sarah coos at her mother and reaches to play with the teapot charm around her neck. Lorelai blows a raspberry against her cheek, surrounding the room in giggles.

“Zachary’s going to pick Wyatt up from school tomorrow, and Xavier’s coming by my office tomorrow for Lauren and Sarah, and then both of them will drop the kids off by dinner.” Harry tells her as he starts setting the table.

“Your mum’s going to call me tomorrow about the family vacation she wants to plan this summer.” Lorelai says. She puts Sarah in her high chair and begins separating the food onto plates.

Harry comes from behind her and places both of his hands on her hips. He presses his forehead against her neck. Lorelai reaches back and runs her fingers through his hair. He’s come so far these last years redeveloping his relationships with his mother, Zachary, and Xavier. He’s trusting them to help take care of the kids, is willing to go away for a few weeks for a family vacation, and he can have actual conversations with all three of them, even Zachary.

“Thank you,” Harry mutters.

“For what?” Lorelai hums.

“For everything.”

“Like?”

“For the kids. For marrying me. For loving me back. And…” 

“And?”

“For letting me catch you. I’d be lost if you hadn’t.”

Fin.

[iliketowrite1996]

Royal Wedding Series-  The Big Day

OKAY, SO I tried to tie some traditions from African weddings, because I love how the film borrowed from different customs and such. I have not bene to a wedding in seven years, so I did my best from what I remember combined with my research. If you have any requests with other traditions or other characters from Marvel, message me! I like writing and would like to try my hand at writing personal imagines. Also, I tried very hard with this one. I hope you like it!

TRIGGER WARNING- Mentions of pregnancy and extreme nervousness.

The Wakandan sun shines into your window, lighting and heating your skin with its warmth.

This is it. Today is the big day.

   Today is the day of your wedding to King T’Challa Udaku, the Black Panther, the love of your life.    

   And the butterflies have returned in full force.

   You get a notification on your kimoyo beads and it is Shuri.

   ‘’Hello, big sister. It is good to see that you are up. Kya and Ayo are on their way to escort you to the palace, where we will all be getting ready.’’

   ‘’Thank you, Shuri. I’ll eat breakfast now so that I am ready when they arrive. I’ll see you soon, little sister.’’

   You say your goodbyes and hang up.

   And you’re ready to begin the day that will forever change your life.

   Shuri is laughing when you arrive, taking a sip of her tea.

   ‘’T’Challa considers them his friends now, but he is such a homebody that he’d rather have stayed in with Y/N.’’

   ‘’I mean, could you blame him,’’ you ask, entering the room.

   ‘’The bride is here!,’’ your mother squeals, rushing over and giving you a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

   ‘’She is late.’’

   ‘’I’m never late. You are early,’’ you tell them, taking a seat at your vanity.

   ‘’You are too late. I’m not gonna chastise you, though, because you’re gonna have my adorable niece or nephew one day. And, you know, you make my brother  But here, I got you some water,’’ Shuri hands you a water bottle that says ‘’Bride’’ in cursive letters, ‘’Deonna is being extra.’’

   ‘’You love it,’’ Deonna claims from her spot on Shuri’s bed, where she is arching her eyebrows.

   ‘’Never mind that. We have a lot to do. Y/N, the makeup artist is here. Let’s get moving.’’

   The makeup artist , Ashanti, is a young girl, no older than Shuri, but she’s worked wonders. The makeup job that she gives you is seamless, and you can hardly tell you’re wearing makeup because she made it looks so natural.

   ‘’Would you like a bold lip choice, or something more subdued,’’ Ashanti asks, pointing to her lips, ‘’I am wearing a new shade that I designed. If you want, I could let you wear a small sample of.’’

   The red lipstick contrasts with her dark skin, and she looks like a queen.

   You’d like to feel like a queen as well.

   ‘’I really like that, perhaps for the reception?’’

   ‘’Alright,’’ she nods, then continues to work on your eye makeup.

   A half hour after she began, Ashanti turns you to the mirror, and you gasp at the woman in front of you.

   She is you, and she is just as beautiful as she was before, but there’s something in her eyes. Excitement miss with daringness mixed with love.

   She looks like a bride.

   ‘’I love this,’’ you turn to Ashanti, ‘’Thank you! How much do I owe you?’’

   ‘’Not a bit, my queen. Consider this my wedding present to you and King T’Challa,’’ she smiles gently before moving on to finish your mother’s makeup for her.

   ‘’Y/N, come. It is time for me to help you into your wedding dress.’’

   You have a little under an hour now until you are to meet T’Challa at the altar, and the butterflies in your stomach pick up speed at the thought.

   Shuri holds the ball gown gently, and you begin to step into it.

Shuri pulls it up then and you smooth out the ball gown skirt, marveling in the delicate pattern that Ayanda stitched.

‘’There. It is traditional, yet modern,’’ Shuri says as you continue to stare at the dress, ‘’You look stunning, Y/N.’’

You really do, you realize, as you step into the white heels that Shuri designed for you.

‘’I feel beautiful,’’ you smile at your reflection, twirling in your custom designed dress.

‘’And now, for the most important accessory,’’ Shuri dances over to a golden box that is sat in a chair next to the vanity.

She pulls out a long, lace veil, carefully placed it on your head, and the leans back to admire her work.

‘’Alright, big sister. I’m going to get dressed and make sure that Efua is here. The choir is here, Steve and Tony are helping them get set up to sing as you come in. ‘’

‘’Alright. Thank you, Shuri,’’ you tell your soon to be sister-in-law before she flounces out of the room.

That’s when the nerves kick in.

The butterflies are moths now, and those moths are doing somersaults in your stomach. You feel like the wind has been knocked out of you, your legs are shaking, your head is spinning, and your thoughts are racing.

What if T’Challa changed his mind?

What is this is a mistake?

What if he still wants to be with Nakia?

What if he regrets this?

What if you?

Ramonda enters and sees you sitting in the chair that Shuri had removes the box from, dress still undone and struggling to breathe.

‘’My daughter,’’ she rushes to you, placing a hand on your shoulder, and hand on your cheek, and staring into your eyes, ‘’What is it? What is wrong?’’

There are so many things that you could say: That you’re not sure about getting married anymore, that you wish you could have had just a little bit more time to plan, that you have cold feet and you’re not sure what could make it better.

Instead, you say, ‘’I’m scared.’’

And those two words carry with them the weight of a thousand things left unsaid.

‘’My dear,’’ Ramonda sighs, kneeling in front of you and taking both of your hands into hers, ‘’Why?’’

‘’I keep worrying about what could go wrong,’’ you tell her, again leaving so many things unsaid.

‘’Y/N, any number of things can go wrong. But so many things about you and T’Challa are right. You can drop everything and run, or you can face your fears and what comes will come. A lifetime of happiness for thirty minutes of nerves. What do you say?’’

Deep down, you know that she’s right. You love that man. You finally understand what those old songs about love mean, because he’s it for you.

He’s sunshine and he’s warmth and he’s a breath of fresh air.

Your heart breaks a little at the thought of not being able to spend forever with this man.

So why are you coming up with every possible reason to not walk down the aisle.

‘’You know that you love T’Challa, that he loves you, that you want to marry each other. You know that you will be queen and the responsibilities that that entails. I think that what may be bothering you is the fear of the unknown. You can not possibly know every twist and turn that life’s road has in store for you and T’Challa. That can be a pretty terrifying thought.’’

Once again, Ramonda seems to understand more about how you feel than you do.

‘’And, my dear,’’ she helps you stand, beginning to lace your dress up for you, ‘’It’s more than normal to be a bit… apprehensive when one is expecting their first child.’’

You turn to her then, eyes widen as she stares back, her warm eyes a shocking difference from the smirk on your face.

‘’I didn’t… how did… I’m not… what?’’

‘’I noticed that you were not drinking your wine at the rehearsal dinner, and Shuri noted that you did not drink anything but water last night. Your dress still fits but it is a bit more snug, despite being custom made. You seem a bit more tired lately, and not at all like yourself. You are practically glowing, my dear. All of the signs and pieces were there, it was just a bit harder to piece them together to see the big picture.’’

And, yet again, she amazes you.

‘’T’Challa and I wanted to keep it a secret for a bit longer. Something private between the two of us. I am sorry for not telling you. I am only eight weeks along.’’

By the time you figured out your period was late, the panic had set in and this just made it grow.

But T’Challa is who he is, and he’s terrified but he is as ecstatic as he was when you told him about it a week ago today.

‘���Y/N, you have nothing to apologize for. T’Chaka and I were the same way when it came to T’Challa. Enjoy this now, before you have to tell the world.’’

She pulls up the time on her kimoyo beads, tells you the time- ‘’Thirty minutes until showtime!’’- says goodbye, and leaves.

You stare at yourself in the mirror again as she leaves, enjoying the moment you have to yourself before this day really becomes hectic.

T’Challa is worth it, though. You would not dream of doing this with anyone else, and you wouldn’t want to. He’s already yours, you are already his.

Today, you look in the mirror and see a bride.

A teacher.

A daughter.

A friend.

A sister.

A leader.

A philanthropist.

A queen.

A wife.

And a mother.

And with a nod, you grab your bouquet, turn towards the door, send one final glance at the mirror, and walk out.

Ready to be thrust into all these roles, some old and some new, and ready for T’Challa and your new life.

This is it. This is the big moment.

You are about to become Mrs. Y/N Udaki, Queen of Wakanda.

There are different news stations from all across the world there, and many of them are just excited to witness the first wedding ceremony that Wakanda has allowed others to come to.

You see Ayo, Kya, and Okoye standing guard near T’Challa, but you can tell they are just as excited about the big day as you are.

Steve Rogers is sitting next to Natasha Romanoff, Bucky Barnes, Tony Stark, Everett Ross, and a few others you do not know.

The instrumental version of your favorite love song starts, and this is it: everyone is in position and ready to go.

First, Ramonda and your mother are escorted down by a member of the Jabari tribe, and they take their seats.

Efua is strolling down the aisle now, carrying a small bouquet rather than a traditional basket of flowers,

Khari and Deonna are next, and you watch as she gracefully glides down the aisle, throwing a wink back  to M’Baku, who looks at you with a surprised smile on his face.

There may or may not be another wedding sooner than you think.

Then Kofi and Ellen glide down, her arm looped through his and shy grins on both of their faces.

Then Tatenda and Katherine stroll down, their long legs letting them match each other's strides perfectly.

Your bridesmaids all look stunning in their silk, golden bridesmaid dresses. Efua looks like a little doll in her white dress with a small, golden flower on the waist.

The groomsmen are wearing black tuxedo jackets and white shirts, gold bow ties and black pants. All because T’Challa had a certain look in mind, and he knows he looks good in white, and their black tuxedos was meant to contrast his traditional, white and golden clothing.

That’s your man, waiting for you at the altar, no doubt looking like a snack, even from the back.

Yup, you’ve definitely been friends with Deonna for a long time.

But the words still ring true.

M’Baku escorts Shuri next, and she looks liken the princess that she truly is.

Her braids are hidden underneath a hair scarf that perfectly matches her golden dress that fits her perfectly, and looks like it is shimmering under the sunlight that is streaming in through the skylight.

‘’Are you ready for this,’’ your dad, your arm looped through his, ‘’Are you calm?’’

‘’Am I ready? Yes. Am I calm? No.’’

‘’Look at me,’’ he tells you, and you gaze up at him for the first time all day, ‘’That man loves you, and you love him. Of course you're scared. Because this is all new. But the way to step into a new life is to walk into it like you walk into everything: one step at a time. Literally. They’re playing the music, Y/N. We have to go.’’

You laugh then, because that’s exactly what you needed to hear, and you take a deep breath.

Because you are ready to dive right in.

   The choir, your students, your children, sound beautiful as they sing your favorite love song as your dad walks you down the aisle.

   True to his word, T’Challa’s back is to you. It eases some of your nerves, and also stops you from running straight down the aisle and into his waiting arms.

   Shuri is standing there, blinking rapidly, trying not to cry.

   Ellen is holding Efua’s hand as they watch with waiting smiles.

   Katherine is smiling as well, happy that the day you joked about before moving to Wakanda is actually here.

   Deonna is giving you a thumbs up and wishing you luck, mouthing, you got this.

   You take a chance at glancing at your mother, who is sobbing.

   As is Ramonda.

   Finally, you look to M’Baku, who is grinning from ear to ear and nothing something to T’Challa.

   ‘’Don’t freeze when you see her,’’ you read his lips, and you almost have to fight back our own tears.

   It is not until you finally reach T’Challa, your soon to be husband, that you finally feel overwhelmed.

   He stares at you and of course…

   He freezes.

   It takes your dad clearing his throat for T’Challa to break out of it.

   Your dad takes his seat then, and T’Challa takes your hand in his.

   ‘’You look breathtaking,’’ he tells you, and you reply that he does as well.

   And, so, the ceremony begins.

   ‘’Welcome family, friends, and colleagues. Welcome to all of Wakanda and the rest of the world as we gather here today to celebrate the love and unity of T’Challa Udaku, son of T’Chaka Udaku, and king of Wakanda and Y/L Y/L/N. y, ‘’Now, in keeping with tradition, the two shall tie the knot.’’

He motions towards Kofi, who has the cloth in his hands.

Kofi hands the beautiful cloth to Jelani, who uses it to tie your left hand to T’Challa’s right one.

’The couple has decided that they will write their own vows. T’Challa, my King, would you like to go first,’’ Jelani questions.

   ‘’Yes. Thank you,’’ T’Challa takes a folded up piece of paper out of his pants pocket and takes your hand again, rubbing soothing circles with his thumbs, ‘’Y/N... since the day that we met, I knew that we were meant to be together. Not are you beautiful, but you are smart. Courageous. . Kind. Loving. And so good with children. You are strong. Not just when you have to be, because you just are.. You… you balance me out. I’ve always lived very safely. I’ve always calculated every option. Maybe it was against my own character to pursue you, but I have never been more glad to have taken a risk. I may have fallen, but you definitely You keep me on my feet, and you don’t let being king get to my head. I am not perfect. I am a work-in-progress and I always will be, but I thank you for seeing the goddess instead the mess. I honestly can't imagine my life with anyone else. I am so glad to have you on this journey through life. I am so happy that you are the woman that is going to be the Queen of Wakanda, the mother of my children, and Mrs. Udaku. I can not wait to spend the rest of my life getting to know you even more.’’

   He presses a kiss to your forehead then, and straightens, looking at you with so much love in his eyes that it brings tears to your own.

   ‘’And now, Y/N,’’ Jelani gestures to you.

   ‘’T’Challa Udaku, you are the love of my life. After So many first dates that never turned into second dates, texting and phone conversations gone wrong, it was nice to meet you. You were like a breath of fresh air for me. And, like a breath of fresh air, you’ve been good or me. You've shown me the parts of myself  that I need to work on, that I want to better for you. I believe that you balance me out as well, that you smooth my rough edges. There are so many things that I could say about you. I mean… you really are a dram come true. You really are a prince. You treat me like a queen, like your equal, like your best friend. You are so much more than my husband, because you are all of those things and then some. I couldn’t imagine spending my life with any other man. Thank you for helping me become who I am meant to be, and thank you for becoming who you are meant to be, so that we can spend this life together, side by side, becoming who we are both meant to be. As individuals and as a couple, and eventually as a family. I love you, T’Challa Udaku. I can not wait to make this official. I’ve always been yours and you have always been mine, since the day that we met. This ceremony is just the formal declaration of what we already knew.’’

You hear someone sniffle, and look to see M’Baku imitating Shuri, looking up at the sky and trying not to cry.

‘’That was simply beautiful,’’ Jelani tells you honestly, ‘’And now, the rings.’’

M’Baku hands him the rings, and Jelani takes them, removing your engagement ring and giving T’Challa the wedding ring that he has for you.

It is beautiful. It is a beautiful, pear-shaped, sapphire stone wedding ring.

‘’We are gathered together here to unite this man , T’Challa Udaku, and this woman, Y/N Y/L/N, in the bonds of matrimony. Now, my king, do you take Y/N Y/L/N to be your lawfully wedded wife? If so answer "I DO.’’

‘’I do,’’ T’Challa grins at you, eyes never leaving yours.

With Jelani’s help, he slides the ring

‘’And do you, Y/N Y/L/N, take this man, T’Challa Udaku, to be your lawfully wedded husband? If so, answer ‘I do’.’’

‘’I do,’’ you beam up at T’Challa, placing the simple, gold band on his finger.

‘’By the power vested in me by the nation of Wakanda, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.’’

T’Challa cradles your face in his hand before pressing two gentle kisses to your lips, pulling away with a laugh as your family, friends, colleagues and others cheer.

‘’Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you for the first time, T’Challa and Y/N Udaku, King and Queen of Wakanda.

There’s cheering then, and clapping. There’s news reporters telling everyone what just happened, there’s crying and hugging all around.

Most importantly, though, there is you, there is T’Challa.

And for a moment, you remind that time is frozen.

Stolen Moments

You have thirty minutes to yourselves before the reception, and you’re in his chambers, getting ready to change into your outfit.

Right now, though, you are wearing leggings and a button down shirt. Ramonda had thought it best that you two eat before the reception- ‘’We are not going to have my grandchild hungry if you two do not get a chance to eat at the reception!’’- and here you are.

Okoye is guarding the entrance as two waitresses bring in a small sample of what the guests will be having for their dinner at the reception.

You and T’Challa are swaying back and forth, his hands on your waist. You have one hand on his arm, and the other playing with his tight, black curls on his head. Your eyes are closed, as are his, but there’s a peaceful smile on both of your faces.

‘’You froze,’’ you whisper to him when you hear the door close behind the two young women.

‘’I did. You took my breath away,’’ he tells you, before pressing a kiss to your forehead, ‘’You looked stunning. You still do.’’

He’s already managed to mess up your lipstick when he pressed you to the wall gently, placing his lips on yours as soon as you got to his room.

He does so again, groaning into the kiss and pulling you even closer, ‘’I love you so much.’’

‘’I love you, too, T’Challa.’’

He slips one hand under your button up shirt, pressing it to your growing stomach, ‘’I love our little prince or princess, too.’’

‘’I know you do.’’

When you told him that you were pregnant, he nodded, took a deep breath and asked what you wanted to do next.

You talked about how, since the baby is not due until next year, you’ll be fine to travel and teach and look for a replacement to take over for you after you have the baby and take your maternity leave.

‘’I can not wait to announce it to the rest of the world,’’ he continues.

‘’Neither can I, my love,’’ you guide him over to the table and you to begin to eat, feeding each other food off of your plates.

‘’I’m not surprised my mother figured it out. She just knows these things,’’ T’Challa shrugs, taking a sip of his own water.

‘’She sure took me by surprise,’’ you laugh then, taking his hand in yours, ‘’We only have fifteen minutes left. Let’s make the most of our alone time.’’

‘’Are you ready,’’ T’Challa asks twenty minutes later when your makeup has been fixed and you are in your gown for the reception.

‘’I am.’’

For the first time, you say that with more confidence than anything.

‘’Presenting, T’Challa and Y/N Udaku, king and queen of Wakanda.’’

There’s cheering as you two enter the massive dining hall, and your mother and Romanda are still wiping tears from their eyes even now.

Dinner is served to the guests now, and you and T’Challa go around and greet others, spending time talking to all of your guests, especially the elders.

A half hour later, M’Baku is tapping his glass ,and you now that it’s time for the speeches.

‘’Please, don’t let him embarrass me,’’ T’Challa sighs, laying his head on your shoulder as you both chuckle.

‘’I have known T’Challa as a friend for only a few years now. However, in those years, he has become like a brother to me. He’s helped the Jabari tribe resolve differences with the rest of Wakanda, he’s opened our borders and we are helping those in need. Sometimes the person who gives takes so little, though. Which is why I am glad that he has found Y/N. These two are perfect for each other. And you make T’Challa happy, you care about Wakanda, you laugh at my jokes. You’re alright with me. I hope that you and T’Challa have a long and happy life together,’’ he raises his glass of champagne, ‘’To T’Challa and Y/N!’’

Next is Shuri.

‘’I’ve known my brother my whole life, and he’s always been a very selfless person. Of course, he has his flaws. He can be stubborn. He freezes. He doesn’t understand memes. He-’’

‘’Shuri.’’

‘’Sorry, Mother. Anyway, T’Challa has always been there for me. He created an environment for me in which I could be myself and grow, but I always had someone to support me. He’s always been protective of me, has always ensured my happiness over his own, How lucky is he that he found someone that now does that for him? How lucky am I to not be losing a brother, but to be gaining a sister? Y/M and T’Challa, I wish you nothing but joy, happiness, and peace. To the happy couple!’’

Now, it is your friends’ from back home turn.

‘’We were going to make a speech, but we did this instead. We contacted Ramonda in order to get baby pictures and pictures of T’Challa growing up. We hope you like this!,’’ Katherine explains.

They present the most adorable slideshow, showing how you and T’Challa have grown, and then some of you as a couple.

It ends with Today’s date and aa picture of you both dressed in traditional royal Wakandan clothes.

Yup, here come the tears.

Your parents take the microphone next, and you’re sure that these tears are about to flow.

‘’I am honored to be here today to watch our daughter marry the love of her life. I mean, she always thought she was gonna marry that guy from that movie she likes, and then she thought she was going to marry that singer in that band.’’

‘’Mother.’’

‘’I am glad that she has found someone that treats her so well. T’Challa, you are now a member of this family,’’ your dad continues, ‘’You make our daughter happy, and that makes us happy. You are welcome at out home any time.’’

‘’And so are our future grandchildren,’’ your mother finishes.

Everyone else laughs while you and T’Challa both choke on your water, shooting each other a glance.

‘’I guess this is my cue,’’ Ramonda stands gliding up to the microphone, ‘’Hello, everyone. If you do not know me, my name is Ramonda. I am the mother of T’Challa and Shuri. I now also have a daughter. Today, while everyone had their eyes on the bride, I had my eyes on my son as he greeted his bride. He froze. That is a good sign, though. Because he looks at this woman like she is the most amazing creature in existence. I mean, look at him right now.’’

You look up to see T’Challa staring at you, that same goofy grin and heart eyes evident.

‘’He is so very much in love. They both are. Love, while it can be scary, is a very beautiful thing. These two are the embodiment of true love. They remind me so much of T’Chaka and I at this age. And I wish nothing but love, health, and prosperity for them and their children, and for Wakanda. To our king and queen!’’

You and T’Challa soak in the applause before he stands, still holding your hand.

‘’Thank you all for coming. It means a lot to Y/N and I that you are here to celebrate the start of our new life. It means so much to us that you are all here, because we would like to consider you all are family. Thank you for making time to come support our union, even though the it was a little short notice. Now, let the party begin!’’

There is dancing then, some traditional, others not. There’s different music and laughing and smiling and love.

There’s so much love in this room that it overwhelms you.

You don’t cry, though.

Even as you and T’Challa have your first dance to his favorite love song, you don’t cry.

It’s not until later, when the guests have left and you two are dancing in his chambers, bags packed so that you can leave for your honeymoon tomorrow, that the tears shed.

You are wearing no makeup, your hair has started to come undone and lose the product that you placed in it, your husband is in shorts and t-shirt, as are you.

‘’I love you, my queen,’’ he presses a kiss to your cheek then, ‘’I love you so, so much.’’

‘’I love you, too,’’ you tell T’Challa.

T’Challa Udaku, king of Wakanda.

Your husband.

The love of your life.

You two are stepping into the future.

And, yes, the future looks very bright.

The End

I may do an epilogue. Please send in requests! I’ll make a list of the other things I have written and who or what I will write for.

@abrunettefangirlnerd @inaworldofimagines 

[anonwriter27]

Chapter 18 :)

“Is my tie crooked?” Bran asked Jojen, adjusting his tie for the fifth time. “Here.” Jojen said correcting it for him.

“I can’t believe it’s happening, it seems like just yesterday I met Myrcella, now she’s going to be my sister.” Bran said wistfully.

He thought back to the day, remembering the beautiful blonde in her unicorn wellies. The way she grabbed his hand and assured him his brother was fine. Although he barely knew her, he believed her, and he knew his brother would be safe with her. He chuckled remembering Robb’s look of jealousy.

“Less that 6 hours to go.” Jojen smiled.

Jojen remembered how welcoming Myrcella had been. He had never had a boyfriend before Bran, let alone meet the family. Her smile calmed him immediately, she was an outsider like him, and they would stick together.

The pair were grateful to have Myrcella, she could comfort someone and take away all their pain.

“We better finish the decorating.”

………….

“She’s so cute.” Arya said, holding her beautiful niece. “She’ll be a heartbreaker.” Gendry said coming into the room.

He was in his tuxedo and Arya nearly swooned (Arya was not the kind of girl that swooned).

“You look beautiful.” He told her, and he was right. Arya wore a simple dress, the bridesmaids didn’t have time to find matching floor length gowns but Myrcella had insisted they wear something they liked.

She was in a yellow dress with a black collar, the skirt flaring out. She blushed at his compliment.

“I’m glad Robb found her.” Arya said after a few moments of silence.

She thought back to when she first met Myrcella. She remembered thinking ‘dear God’ when she walked into the bar with her bumble bee jumper; but as soon as she smiled, Arya knew what all the fuss was about. They were polar opposites, yet they never ran out of things to talk about. Myrcella made her feel important, when Arya herself felt below average.

Gendry agreed.

He loved his little sister. Everyone had turned him away, the ‘bastard bull’ they would sneer, not Myrcella. She was the first family he had ever had, and he knew she would always be there, this ray of sunshine casting light on every dark corner.

“She’s one in a million.” Gendry said fondly.

………..

“I still don’t see why you get to be best man.” Rickon said crossing his arms over his chest like a child.

“I’m more mature than you.” Jon said smugly. “You mean your old.” Rickon joked. “Do you want me to fix your tie or not?” “Yes, sorry.”

Jon had been correcting Rickon’s appearance for the best part of the morning. Rickon kept trying to readjust his outfit, he would roll up his sleeves or hike up his collar. Jon wouldn’t allow it though.

“Is Myrcella gonna be my sister now?” “Yes she is, problem?” Jon chuckled.

Rickon thought back to the night Robb came back to him. His brother had smiled at him for the first time in years. He owed it all to Myrcella; her quirky style and kind eyes had pushed away the dark cloud that hung over his big brother.

“No, it’s definitely not a problem.” Rickon smiled. “Good, she’ll be a good sister.”

Jon had seen it all from the start; every awkward conversation or look of adoration, he witnessed it. He remembered when Robb had invited her to celebrate with them; his cousin looked so proud of himself. Myrcella was the cause of that, the reason Robb had smiled, the reason he pushed himself, it was all her. He would always be grateful for that.

“Let’s go help Bran and Jojen.” Jon said. “Yeah, we can’t let down my new sister.” Rickon smiled.

……….

“Are you ready dad?” Tommen poked his head through the door. “I can’t get this bloody tie to sit right.” Robert said frustratedly. “Here.”

Robert had come with Tommen, Myrcella deciding she wanted him to give her away, the sign of a fresh start.

“You look good lad.” Robert said. “Thanks dad.” Tommen chuckled, finally fixing his dad’s tie.

He went to leave but Robert stopped him.

“Would you sit with me a moment.” “Of course.”

They sat on the end of the bed, both unsure and a little nervous. Tommen had never really spoken at great length to his father, he had a feeling that was about to change.

“I apologised to Cella, I didn’t show you the same courtesy though.” “Dad it’s fine really…” “No no, I should have. I let you down, in the worst possible way. No number of apologies will make up for that, I know, but I intend to spend the rest of my life doing what’s best for my children. I won’t let you down again son, I promise.”

Tommen was taken back, no one had ever apologised to him.

“I know you will dad, thank you.” He said, holding his dad’s hand. “Cella will be proud of us.” Robert chuckled.

He was right. Robert had always been amazed by how forgiving his daughter was. He had dismissed her, left her to the lions, and she still invited him to her big day. He would constantly tell himself, I don’t deserve her, he believed it, but that was no excuse. Those big green eyes of hers will always be imprinted in his mind, they would forever reassure him that he was worthy.

“Yeah she will be. I’m proud of her too though.”

Tommen had watched his sister stand up again after every beating she took for him. It would have been easy for her to give up, to hand him over to Joffrey, to scream and shout and beg. She didn’t though. She was the perfect amount of both their father and mother, headstrong and poised; she kept fighting when they gave her nothing to fight for. Then she met Robb, someone who would protect her, and take her away from the madness.

“Tommen?” Sansa called out, “Oh! Sorry, I’ll come back later.” “It’s fine love we’re done here.” Robert said.

“Tommen, I was wondering if you could help me with the flowers?” “Of course!” He said eagerly.

Sansa left and he made to follow.

“A word of advice.” Robert said and Tommen whipped his head around to turn to his father.

“Don’t take too long before you ask her out, you’ll never forgive yourself if you miss your chance.”

Tommen smiled, “Thanks dad.”

……….

“I didn’t think there would be this many!” Sansa said.

They were helping decorate the Gods Wood, wrapping wild flowers around the chairs.

“They’ll look beautiful though.” Tommen said encouragingly. “It’s all happening so quickly, I just want to savour it all.” She spoke softly.

Sansa loved her big brother, when he left for war she was heartbroken. She had been so excited when they told her he was coming back, but the reality wasn’t what she expected. She wanted her brother back, not the imposter that never smiled, and turned away from her. It had hurt her, more than she’d ever tell. Then he walked into their home, and it was Robb, her big brother; he smiled at her like he did when she was a little girl. The girl he held on to was the cause of it, this angel sent down to them. Myrcella gave Sansa her brother back, and now Robb was giving her another sister. Sansa felt very lucky indeed.

“Hey Sansa? I was wondering if perhaps you’d umm…. Like to perhaps…umm, go out some time….maybe….”

Like brother, like sister, Sansa thought.

“I’d love to go out with you some time Tommen.” She smiled, and Tommen swore his heart had skipped a beat.

………..

“You look handsome.” Catelyn said. “Thank you.” Robb blushed. “Nervous?” She asked. “A little. Not in a cold feet way, I just want to get this right.”

Catelyn smiled at her eldest child, she went over to him to correct his tie.

“I was so nervous before I married your father. I didn’t eat of sleep for days before the ceremony.”

“Really, why?” Robb asked, falling for Catelyn’s plan to distract him from his nerves.

“I was marrying one of the great Stark’s of Winterfell, our wedding was the talk of the North and Riverlands; it felt like all eyes were on us.”

Robb nodded in understanding.

“None of that mattered though, the minute I saw your father. All the worries I had, the scenarios I’d made up of me falling flat on my face, they all disappeared when I saw him. I looked into his eyes and I was home, the safest place in the world.”

Robb smiled at his mother’s memory.

“Just look at her, and everything else will disappear.” She assured him. “Thank you mother.” “Oh it’s nothing…” “I mean for everything. It can’t have been easy for you, having me for a son, me being in the state that I was. I’m sorry I put you through that, thank you for not leaving.”

Catelyn swallowed the lump in her throat, “Your my son, I’ll always be here.”

They hugged each other, and Catelyn remembered the day she held him in her arms for the first time. He was perfect, this beautiful little boy with his bright blue eyes; she loved him instantly, and she loved the man that he had become, a man like his father.

“Myrcella is going to look beautiful.” He said almost dreamily and she chuckled.

She thought back to the day that sweet blonde girl stumbled into her office. She was a hell of a risk, but seeing how her son smiled, she knew it had payed off.

Jon knocked on the door, “It’s time.” He said.

The three of them headed to the Gods Wood.

………..

“There you go, perfect.” Ygritte said, having finished her hair. “Thank you, it’s beautiful!” Myrcella said.

She was in her dress now, it was flowy and long sleeved, lace trim adorned it and velvet buttons tied it at the back. She was a vision poets wrote sonnets about. Ygritte had placed small white flowers in Myrcella’s hair and it made her look ethereal.

“Will I do?” She turned to Ygritte and asked. “Robb needs to watch out, I might steal you away.” Ygritte joked, and they both giggled.

Ygritte had never had a best friend, she didn’t get on with girls very well and she assumed most guys were only after one thing; but Myrcella, this beautiful and sweet girl had chosen her to be her best friend. She remembered the day Myrcella (quite literally) danced into her life, the way she blushed at every compliment she was paid, or how she never missed a chance to make you feel special. I’m lucky to have her as my best friend, Ygritte thought to herself.

She remembered the day she curled Myrcella’s hair for her birthday meal, and now she was readying her for her wedding day.

They stood in Myrcella’s room, bride and maid of honour, waiting for a knock on the door.

“We’ve come a long way Baratheon.” “Indeed we have, any advice?” “Don’t fuck it up!” Ygritte chuckled, quoting their favourite queen.

Knock knock.

Robert walked in and gasped when he saw her. “You look beautiful sweet heart.” He said, tears in his eyes.

“Thanks dad.” She said, trying not to smudge her make up. “You ready?” He asked. “Don’t let me fall?” “Never.”

The three of them headed to the Gods Wood, Ygritte bringing Bran’s paper fan, just incase.

………..

Jojen switched the music on and Sam Tarly (the officiator) motioned for everyone to stand; all heads turned to the the back of the aisle.

First was Arya, she walked down with Rosie, who was smiling like a Cheshire Cat. The two looked so sweet together.

Second was Sansa. She walked elegantly with her head held high, her purple dress swaying as she walked. She sent Tommen a cheeky wink.

Third was Ygritte, she wore a dark green dress, a striking contrast to her red hair. She not so subtly winked at Jon who blew her a kiss in return.

Finally it was time for the bride. Robb was eager to see her, no one had told him anything about what she was wearing or how she would look. He wanted to see his bride.

Her and Robert turned the corner and everyone gasped when they saw her. Robb watched her walk towards him. This beautiful creature is going to be my wife, he thought. He had never seen a sight so perfect.

“Wow.” Sam said, and bowed his head when he saw Robb and Jon look at him.

She kissed her father on the cheek, and he sat in his seat wiping away his tears; Catelyn wrapped a comforting arm around him.

“Hi.” Robb said. “Hi.” She giggled.

“Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony…” Sam began the ceremony.

Myrcella and Robb weren’t aware of the words being spoken or how long they had been stood there; they were too busy watching each other, counting each freckle, watching each other’s lips, and staring into each other’s eyes.

Sam wrapped a ribbon over their joint hands (they decided to do things the old way).

“Will you please recite the words.” Sam said.

“Father, smith, warrior, mother, maiden, crone, stranger, I am hers and she is mine from this day until the end of my days.”

“Father, smith, warrior, mother, maiden, crone, stranger, I am his and he is mine from this day until the end of my days.”

“I am delighted to pronounce you both, husband and wife. You may kiss the…”

Robb didn’t need to be told, he pulled her in for a kiss so passionate, he had to hold her steady incase she fell over from dizziness.

Everyone cheered and applauded.

“I love you.” He told her. “You have no idea.” She said.

……….

“Shut up and dance with me!” Jojen sang at the top of his lungs.

The reception, although small was hilarious. Everyone danced and sang, and demanded go make a speech after far too many drinks.

Myrcella was dancing with Jon when cover girl came on. He went to excuse himself but Myrcella wouldn’t let him escape that easy! She knew he knew the words, Ygritte had played Rupaul enough times for him to pick it up.

As he twirled her he finally let loose, “Cover girl! Put the base in your walk, head to toe let your whole body talk!” He sang and Myrcella couldn’t help but join in.

The night was full of laughter, even Robert, who had remained sober the whole night, was enjoying himself.

“Mrs. Stark.” Robb greeted her, as he pulled her in for a slow dance. “Why if it isn’t my husband.”

They started swaying to the music, everyone pairing off to do the same.

“Was today all you hoped for?” He asked. “It was everything and more.” She said wistfully and rested her head on his chest.

Myrcella thought back to the day she met Robb Stark, she could have sworn he hated her, every time he grimaced at her outfits she was certain he would fire her. Then he warmed to her, he let her into his world, he told her his story, and he let her love him. Now they were dancing together in their wedding day, blissful in their little bubble.

Arya walked over to them, “I’m gonna put Rosie to bed, she’s looking a little tired.” Myrcella kissed her daughter goodnight and Robb thanked Arya for taking care of her.

Robb watched his wife watch their daughter go. He remembered the day she walked into his room, wearing an outfit she deemed sensible. He remembered the countless hot chocolates she offered, and the way she almost cried when he asked for coffee. He remembered the first time she hugged him and the day he finally kissed her. She never left his side no matter how rude or insufferable he became. She was his everything, the reason he got up in the morning, and she was his.

“How did I get you?” He asked. “I ask myself the exact same thing everyday. I like to think we’re being rewarded for something.”

He smiled at that.

……….

“Again?” “Again.”

Their wedding night had lasted the entire night, neither one ready to go to sleep.

She straddled him, taking him inside her again. She would never get enough of this, the feeling of him inside her, or the way he looked at her.

He thrust in and out of her, enjoying watching her fall apart on top of him. I’m definitely being rewarded, he thought.

He came with a shudder, calling out her name and she fell back on the bed beside him, both out of breath and smiling.

“It’s a good thing Rosie had a babysitter tonight.” Robb laughed. “I know, I don’t want to get out of this bed!” She exclaimed and rolled into his side, he wrapped his arm around her.

“I never imagined this Cella.” “What’s that?” “A happy ending.” “This isn’t an ending Robb, we have far too much to look forward to for this to be an ending.”

He kissed the top of her head. She was right, she was always right.

[minimuffinmountain]

Welcome to the Family (One-shot)

Summary: After you elope with your now-husband Bucky Barnes, Tony agrees to let your family spend Christmas with the Avengers at the Compound. But when it’s revealed that your family is nothing short of “Fantastic”, things start to unravel and family secrets are found out.

Relationships: Bucky Barnes/Pregnant!Reader

Warnings: Swearing

A/N: I have not seen the Fantastic Four reboot, so I’m using the early 2000′s versions in this story (meaning Johnny Storm is played by Chris Evans, not Michael B. Jordan). Also, I had no idea how to end this so I’m sorry if it stops abruptly >_>;

“Oh my god, I can’t wait for you guys to meet them!” you said, all but bouncing up and down with joy. You would’ve been bouncing if not for your hugely pregnant belly and overprotective husband, James “Bucky” Buchanan Barnes. He was already eyeing you warily, and not just because he was afraid of you bouncing off the walls.

Eight months ago Bucky had gotten you pregnant after about a year of steady dating. Being from the 1940’s, Bucky’s first instinct in such a situation was to get down on one knee and beg you to be his wife, preferably before your father found out and shot him. You had agreed on the condition that it’d be a small ceremony, and Bucky agreed. However, Bucky’d never imagined your idea of a ‘small ceremony’ was being married in the NYC courthouse with only Steve and Natasha as witnesses.

In other words, the two of you had eloped.

Bucky was - for the first time in a long time - scared out of his mind. Tony had agreed to let your family come to the Compound to celebrate Christmas, meaning he’d be meeting his in-laws for the first time. Your parents had passed away in a car crash when you were in your early 20’s, leaving your older sister, her family, and your twin brother to make the trip. They were all coming up together, much to your brother’s complaint.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Barnes?” said F.R.I.D.A.Y.

“Yes?”

“A family by the name of ‘Richards' is here to see you. They say they're family?”

“Yes! Omygosh yes, let them in!” You turn to the Avengers with a megawatt smile on your face. “You all stay here, I’ll go get them!” You turn on your heel and waddle into the elevators. As the doors close you see Bucky give you a look of wide-eyed panic.

Oh, let the fun begin!

------

“Jesus, this place is in the middle of nowhere!”

You smile as you hear your brother complaints echo through the garage. You turn the corner and there they are.

“Susie! Reed! Johnny!”

The three turn and you rush toward them. Reed is holding his and Sue’s four-year-old son Franklin, and Sue is holding a baby carrier that must be holding your new baby niece, Valeria. Johnny has a big smile on his face, and you can tell he’s trying not to laugh at your ridiculous waddle-run.

“Y/N! It’s goo-” Reed is cut off as Franklin squeals and jumps out of his father’s arms and runs full speed toward you.

“Auntie Y/N!” he yells, but before he can collide with you, two hands grab him under his arms and pull him back into Reeds arms.

“Good catch Reed,” you laugh as you rub your belly.

“Yeah that could have been a disaster,” chuckles Johnny. He scoops Franklin out of his brother-in-law’s arms and twirls him around at arms length. Franklin immediately stops pouting and squeals with delight as he flies through the air.

“Johnny, stop it before you make him sick.” Sue huffs at your brother and he laughs. He listens to her though and hands Franklin back to Reed.

“Aw, c’mon Sue. Let me spoil my favorite nephew.”

“Careful Johnny,” you smirk, “my son might get the wrong idea.”

Johnny spins around so fast you’re afraid he’ll get whiplash. “You’re having a boy?” he asks, a smile plastered on his face. You laugh and nod, rubbing slow circles along your belly. Johnny whoops with delight and does a little dance. “Yes! Boys for the win!” he shouts. You laugh at your brother’s antics along with Franklin. Reed and Sue just shake their heads.

“So where is this new husband of yours?” asks Sue. “I was looking forward to meeting him.”

“And setting his ass on fire,” adds Johnny.

“Johnny…” warns Reed, “little ears are listening.”

Franklin giggles and you smile. “He's upstairs with everyone else. Oh, and Johnny?” Your brother turns to you. “Captain America's here too.”

You and your twin share a devilish smile.

“Well, this should be fun,” he chuckled, rubbing his hands together wickedly. You cackled fiendishly, making your sister and her husband sigh and roll their eyes.

This was going to be a long night.

------

“What’s taking them so long?” Bucky mutters under his breath as he paces the room. The rest of the Avengers look at him with mixed emotions that range from exasperation to amusement. Steve gets up from his stool at the bar and walks over to his friend.

“Relax Buck,” he says, putting his hand on Bucky’s shoulder, “I'm sure they're just catching up. Come sit before you wear a hole through the floor.” Bucky opens his mouth to say something, but before anything can come out Bucky hears the sound of voices approaching.

“Here we are!” you say, throwing your arms open in a ‘ta-dah!’ fashion. Bucky turns to see his wife leading a woman and a man around the corner. The woman has blonde hair and is holding a baby carrier, while the man has dark hair with silver side streaks and is holding the hand of a small blonde boy. “Everybody, this is my family; my sister Sue, her husband Reed, their two children Franklin and Valeria, and my brother…” You pause, realizing your brother is not there. “Johnny?”

“Right here!” he says as he rounds the corner. You hear an intake of breath from behind you and turn to see all the Avengers staring between your brother and Steve. Steve himself looks like he’s swallowed a porcupine and your husband is as pale as a sheet and looks like he is about to vomit.

“... What the hell?” Clint hissed. You try not to burst into a fit of giggles.

“Everybody, meet my twin brother Johnny Storm!” Johnny smiles and you hear Bucky make a strangled sound.

“T-twin?” Bucky stutters, still not believing the doppelgänger of his best friend is here in this room, let alone related to his wife.

“Yep! Older by 12 minutes,” Johnny declares as he slings his arm over your shoulders. You roll your eyes and shake his arm off to go and stand by Bucky.

“Susie, Reed, Johnny, this is Bucky Barnes, my husband.” Bucky nods a ‘hello’ at the trio, and Johnny grins devilishly.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” greets Reed as he shakes hands with Bucky.

“Y/N has told us so much about you,” says Sue.

“So you’re the asshole that knocked up my sister,” Johnny growls as he mock-glares at your husband.

“Johnny!” you and your sister yell as Reed covers Franklin’s ears. Bucky gulps.

“I-I uh….”

“And then you had the balls to convince her to elope,” your twin continues.

“That was my idea Jonathan,” you seethed.

“Aw, c’mon Y/N, you know I’m only joking!” he chuckles. “And did you really have to use my full name?”

“Well technically your real name is Jonathan Lowell-”

“Ack! Stop!” he yells as he covers his ears, and you and your family laugh.

“Uh… how about we stop standing around gaping and eat?” asks Tony. “The food will be cold by the time we eat if we keep this up.”

“Sure thing Tony,” you giggle as you lace your fingers with Bucky’s and everybody walks to the dining area.

-------

After dinner was done with and everybody had gotten to know each other, things ran a bit more smoothly. Until, of course, the subject of your “wedding” (or lack thereof) came up.

“But seriously Y/N, why would you choose to elope?” asked your sister, a look of hurt on her face. You sighed, sinking further into the living room couch, knowing that this was not going to be an easy subject.

“I didn’t want the fuss of a big wedding like you and Reed had,” you said. “It took you, what, three tries before you finally tied the knot?”

“I thought it was four,” supplied Johnny. Sue glares at your brother.

“But you couldn’t have at least called one of us so you could have a family member there?”

“Who said I didn’t have family there? Steve was the Best Man!”

“Look-alikes don’t count,” chastised Johnny. You simmered in your seat on the couch, creating a patch of ice crystals at your feet.

“Who’s side are you on?” you spat at your brother, who just chuckled and shrugged. “Besides, Steve is family, and I can prove it!” You pushed off the couch and waddled over to the giant flat-screen that doubled as a computer monitor. “F.R.I.D.A.Y., pull up the family tree I’ve been working on.”

The screen flashed blue before displaying your family tree. You were technically a biologist, but you had dabbled in genealogy in college. It had started with a small family tree of just you, your siblings, your parents and grandparents, but as the years passed you added more and more until you were tracing your family back to the 1800’s.

“See? Here we are,” you zoomed in and pointed to your family’s names almost at the bottom level of the tree (you had added Franklin and Valeria recently), “and here is Steve.” You scrolled up to your great-great-grandparents and scooted over to their first child, Grant Rogers, and his wife Sarah. Sure enough, branching off below the couple was a box with the name Steven Grant Rogers in the center followed by the date July 4, 1918.

The room was silent for about 2 seconds before it erupted into chaos. Johnny, Clint, and Sam burst out laughing; Natasha, Wanda and Vision entered a heated discussion over the odds of Johnny looking like Steve over such a vast generation gap. Tony began demanding samples of everybody’s DNA to really see if they are related, with Bruce and Rhodey trying to calm him down. Sue and Steve were in a state of shock, and Bucky had his head between his legs while doing deep breathing exercises. Your brother-in-law was the only calm one, as he was thoroughly examining the family tree on the monitor and explaining it to Franklin - who, for the record, was more focused on Steve than listening to his father.

“We’re related?” Steve gasped. “How?”

“You’re father was my great-grandmother’s brother, making us first cousins twice removed.”

“I-I remember my Ma saying my dad had a sister, but I never knew she had a family or that I had cousins. I never met them because she moved to the Midwest after the Great War.”

“Well, now you know,” you smile. Bucky lets out a moan.

“What the fuck…” he groans, his head still between his legs. “I married Steve’s cousin… what the fuck…”

“Don’t forget you got her pregnant too,” adds Johnny, and Bucky has to go back to taking deep breaths before he passes out. You glare at your brother and waddle over to your panicking husband to try and help calm him down.

“It’s okay Bucky, you didn’t know. Hell, I didn’t know we were related until a couple weeks ago when I was given some old paperwork that had been pushed to the side and forgot about.”

“... At least there was some family at our wedding,” Bucky says after a while. You smile.

“Yeah, I guess there was.” Steve scoots closer to Bucky and claps him on the back.

“Welcome to the family, Buck,” he chuckles. Your husband just groans and buries his face in your neck as he wraps his arms around your middle, vowing never to let go.

[mountainju-blog1]

India, Nepal and the best day of my life.

Often when people are asked when the best day of their life was, they will answer with a significant birth (daughter/sons, niece/nephews) or the day they got married, which are answers you cannot doubt nor deny. For those who aren’t quite up to such life stages, they tend to think about the question for awhile. What would sound good? What would others say? Maybe dabble a few options like the day they bought their car or their trip to Europe in general.   It isn’t usually a day people think about in the off chance they ever get asked. For me, the 10th of August, 2016. There are times that I treasure with the full capacity of my heart and mind but never have I experienced another moment where everything going on inside seized and I literally thought to myself “holy moly, this is the real deal”.  And I have no doubts that my answer may change with age but a part of me wonders if that pause in time and the captured acknowledgement will happen again.  As a lover of all things cultural, I travelled to Zimbabwe independently following trips with my sister to Bali and Fiji after finishing high school. Despite coming home feeling rich with experience and infected with infatuation for Africa, there remained the personal quest for different. 21 was coming up and the most contrasting location I could think of for a special trip away was India. I predicted chaos, over-population and full use of all 5 senses. In the popular areas of Bali, a western front is presented to please tourists. Aside from the unique gratitude exhibited by those who are less fortunate, my favourite part of Bali was the flowers placed at door entries and up and down each street for the Gods each morning. Rain, hail or shine. As a country very much, if not fully dominated by its own kind, I envisioned India to be almost 100% authentic; exactly what I was after. And boy, oh boy, was I right. Wrong is anyone who thinks they’re going to find a western-style toilet made for tourists (excluding in hotels) pretty much anywhere besides the Taj Mahal, or a Maccas with ‘normal’ McChicken’s for the desperate bogan cuisine - no chance. I found a small-group tour that was affordable, provides a glimpse into rural as well as the advertised India, but it also included a week in Nepal which was the icing on the cake.  There wasn’t much thought or research done. I threw myself into the deep end and that became overwhelmingly evident when my family was in the car waiting for me, to head to the airport. I felt the strongest urge to nervous-poo, vomit and pee all at the same time and was considering pulling the plug on a $4000 venture.  I got to Delhi a day before the tour started, stayed in my hotel room and cried non-stop. There was no wifi, I was too upset to go try and get a meal so it was just me and my thoughts making promises to never, ever travel anywhere ever again. I think I even wrote it in my phone so that I could remind myself of the feeling next time I considered travelling.  After what felt like a year (but was actually a little over 24 hours) the group all met for dinner and it was there that I publicly declared myself as the one-who-gets-sick so I was on a naan bread and white rice diet for the next few weeks. Prevention is better than cure right?! The group was wonderful and quickly became a family. A couple in their early 20′s from the UK - Emma and Jim, a recently married couple from the UK - Ashleigh and Kyle, an elder couple (but crazy-in-love) - Suzi & Dave who were also from the UK, and a family of 5 who live between Qatar and England - Del, Lisa, Ella, Lucia, Oscar. In addition, an elderly lady from Canada, myself and our tour leader, CP.  If I could use one word to describe India, it would be loud. The roads are shared between cars, buses, tuktuks, bikes, pedestrians, goats, pigs and plenty of cows which naturally creates a loud atmosphere but it is topped by the fact their indicating blinkers are not used. Horns are. For every (non-existent) lane change, overtake, turn, basically every move in general, there is a toot, beep, honk. Round-a-bout rules are.. mmm to put it simply: there are no rules. You just go. Any direction.. Whenever seems fit. Or even when it doesn’t.  Locals often asked for pictures and I’m pleased to say that as a solo young girl, it never felt unsafe although our guide may have contributed to that as he was well respected in each town we visited. My side curls from the humidity were the biggest pest of all.  My 21st birthday landed on the day we met Varanasi - India’s Holiest city and the most popular spot to visit the Ganges. Unfortunately it was high tide so we were unable to get onto a boat but it was still beautiful to witness people physically immerse themselves into a river that they believe is worthy of receiving deceased bodies and ashes. Mum was worried that I would see floating arms or legs, or heads, but I left without seeing anything too strange.  Our guide surprised me with a gorgeous balloon set up in my hotel room and each member of our new family crouched down awaiting my entry before singing happy birthday. In the evening, a perfect group dinner with a cake.  Just before leaving India and heading across to Nepal, we spent a night in a rural town called Orrcha. Coincidently, a significant ceremony was in Orrcha that evening so people were flooding in via foot due to transport restrictions put in place. Unlike places such as Delhi and Agra where people frequently visit to see world-famous attractions, Orrcha had people who were seeing foreigners for the first time ever. It was quite surreal. You couldn’t help but notice the way you were looked at and inquisitively wondered what they thought.  I’m not sure if it was a privilege that we should have declined but our guide treated us to a climb to the top of a temple to see a 360 view of the entire town. Entry was permitted after a bribe and a few men had to hold back a crowd of desperate worshipers physically pushing to enter the tiny rock door that was being unlocked for us. We urgently hurried in as the door was locked behind and started climbing stone stairwells that were suitably sized for primary school kids. There was so much adrenalin after the intense entry but we made it to the top (with sore necks, backs and dusty every-things) and were truly taken back by what we saw. After a week on our toes trying to keep up with the rush of India, everything was suddenly calm as we watched the sun set against a flourishing green town with a river through the centre, and passionate believers filling the temple surroundings we were hundreds of metres above.  Exhausted but still excited, we crossed the border the next day. Lots of rain meant our trips to sacred Buddhist locations were impacted but we got through everything on the to-do list in due time. Our first day in Nepal was wrapped up early in the afternoon and as we were driven to our hotel, I remember feeling a sense of relief. Bright coloured houses against a beautiful mountain backdrop. There was just something about Nepal. I felt that from the minute I saw women in the street with their open arms warmly inviting their children who had just finished school to run for a big warm hug. Maybe it was just something India lacked but it seemed special again.  Throughout the trip we were left guessing whether the hotel each night would have wifi, warm water (no - they never did), air con or fans, etc. Although they were luxuries we all secretly hoped for, our home-stay was well explained so we knew what we were in for - basics. “There’s no wifi or aircon for two nights but you will have your own shower, toilet and beds built in your little hut”, we were told. As any conscious person travelling to a 3rd world country would, we were more than content with anything that less-fortunate people could provide for us. Grateful.  We arrived early in the morning and were greeted with blessings on our foreheads and a list of the cold drinks they have ready to order from their small but impressive bar. All I remember well is how ridiculously beautiful one of the girls was - Pocahontis resemblance. Long black hair, flawless olive skin, thin, tall and radiated naturally. Emma and I ended up telling her how much we admired her while she was trying to style my hair the same as hers.  After lunch and a shower, we all met at the end of our row of huts and invited some children down for a game of volleyball. We played in a 5m2 patch of grass that had bindys, was up to our knees and had who knows what else within, but nevertheless, it was very much fun. Some of us were certainly less-talented than others (myself included!). That went on for an hour or two. Some of the older kids would randomly run away and come back with additional friends who gladly joined in.   Following this, the family that was looking after us for our stay offered a village walk or bike ride to entertain us for the next few hours. Majority of our group opted the bike ride - not imagining that it would be the highlight of our trip.  We hopped onto our bikes and started the journey when a group of young boys quickly caught up and introduced themselves whilst trying to avoid the muddy water filled holes along the light dirt path. As we peddled slowly, taking in everything around us, we noticed families coming out of their homes with their children to wave and welcome us, elderly individuals would stop and smile, the incredible scenery and freedom was breathtaking, the birds chirped in the background and the weather made it so peaceful. Riding past houses built from materials earth provided, parents who obviously didn’t have a lot of money but were wealthy in the time they had to play with their children, not one person ignored our presence and the simplicity of one tiny corner store and a market a few kilometres away each weekend being enough to survive was humbling. It was during these few hours that I felt happier than I had ever been before.  The kids who joined our journey were limited with their English but brief conversation was still possible. The giggling was contagious. Myself and two of the boys eventually decided to hold back from the group and race! The finish line was back with the group. Eager to win and not stopping for anything, we all ended up with mud in our hair, all over our clothes, legs, arms, face. I had white bonds undies on that day and they were far from white after rinsing them in the shower that evening. We raced a few times and the smiles made an un-saveable outfit completely worthwhile.  The bike riders and the walkers ended up meeting together at a lake for sunset. The sand was brown. Water calm. The sun was dimming between glorious mountains - Nepal’s strongest asset. We were told to look out for Rhino’s but thankfully we had the area to ourselves for the duration. My group and I split amongst the children, playing games, exchanging English and Nepalese words and chatting away. I remember looking over at the group of the Nepali men who had lead us to where we were, smiling, almost suggesting they were as thankful for us as we were for them.  From the energy and conversation at dinner that evening, it became obvious that the experience touched everyone.  I suppose it was a combination of components that made the day as meaningful as it was. The reminder of who we are and what we have when you minus the materialistic costume, the warmth between different people, from varying walks of life who were genuinely happy to be on the earth with each other, the pride in making children laugh and smile, and the gratitude for the opportunity to be somewhere so incredible.  Moving on from the Chitwan region, we hopped back onto our bus and made our way to Pokhara. We were warned: the drive should take around 6 hours but may end up taking over 15.. It didn’t take long until we understood why.  The drive is along a double lane road that is the only route between two significant locations, curving up and down steep mountains with corners that some sized trucks cannot physically fit around causing lengthy hold ups and generally being disastrous to fix. It could have been worse but we ended up being in a minor hold up - delaying our trip by about 2 hours. Stopped on the road, the doors opened and CP said “let’s go!”. Clueless around what was happening, we all go out - each of us mentally and physically tired of the squishiness of the bus and cramped leg positioning. CP started walking up the hill and we followed. Each vehicle had its doors open with a driver that was sleeping or eating, the road side accommodated small set ups for rural families selling chips and stale soft drinks and there was plenty of music blasting. Eventually we got to a huge walking bridge - roughly 200 metres long, that swung on top of a river. We strolled across and took some pictures. The views were stunning!  On the way back a few of us needed to go to the loo - a task that is much easier for males when travelling a 3rd world country and in particular, a rural area of a 3rd world country. CP pointed to a concrete something. I don’t know what word could accurately describe it. Maybe 2 metres square, roughly the same dimensions as a port-a-loo. The boys were quick to go in and out and didn’t seem to phased so I walked over. I opened the door and it was quite literally an empty thing that had a dip in the concrete along the edge and a hole cut out in the corner. Basically you just need to pee and aim for it to stream down the side and out onto the grass. The gender aspect became apparent after using toilet paper from the role in my side bag and realising there was no where to dispose of it. Men just shake it off - no toilet paper needed.  The days flew and home time was suddenly at our doorstep. Our little family had become very close so goodbyes turned out to be quite emotional. Our farewell dinner was filled with memories leaving a bittersweet feeling. Each day at breakfast the group would describe and compare their poo, how their tummy is holding up - no holding back on descriptive lingual, and our evenings would end with non-stop laughter and joy despite the Delhi-bellies, exhaustion, bugs, bites, etc. We each cared for each others wellbeing as much as our own and that’s an extremely important attribute for any group travelling India and Nepal to have. Most of the girls cried whilst giving tight hugs, there were big thank you’s amongst everyone for their unique contributions to the experience, and a genuine hope to see each other somewhere in the world again one day.  With one of the earliest flights the next morning, I was first to leave the group and was picked up by the airport transfer car with teary eyes and an overwhelming feeling towards all that had been. I felt like I needed more time to get to know Nepal because there was this connection I didn’t and still can’t fully comprehend. Nepal had moved me from the beginning and continued to do so until departure. There was a male driver and a female in his company wearing a business shirt. She asked lots of questions which I originally assumed was just to avoid awkward silence. The drive was around 45 minutes and within that time this complete stranger opened up to me about her abusive parents and fleeing her home with her brothers, spending time in India and overcoming being a lone woman there and other topics that I sense she had kept to herself for a very long time. We arrived at the airport and she got out to assist with my luggage and walked with me to the gates. I remembered having Nepalese money in my wallet that was obviously not needed from then onwards so I gave what I had to her. She gave me a business card and asked me to contact her the next time I’m in Nepal. She mentioned the corporate side of being able to help with transport but it was as if her emotions took over as she asked if she could hug me and began to cry. I sat at the airport completely confused but thankful to have crossed paths with her. I have an undying urge to return to Nepal and hope that when I do, the pieces of the puzzle all fall into place. 

[kevinmoyer]

Garden Party Wedding in D.C. with Modern Details :: Erica & Jason

Photography by Kate Headley.

Erica & Jason’s D.C.wedding combined the classic elegance of a summer garden party with fresh, modern elements for something truly unique – and totally gorgeous. With the expert eye of Pineapple Productions overseeing the design and planning, the couple were able to ‘relax’ (i.e. finish grad school, work full time, and deal with an interstate move!) knowing every detail would be taken care of. Honestly, though, I don’t think I could focus on much else after seeing the jaw-dropping asymmetrical back of Erica’s Romona Keveza gown, which was just so perfect for both the warm D.C. weather and the old-world-meets-contemporary vibe of their day. And I always love an involved and thoughtful bride, so be sure to read all of Eric’a answers below!

Event Planner & Designer Allison Jackson of Pineapple Productions told us the story behind Erica & Jason’s gorgeous stationery suite and welcome bags. “The rose watercolor artwork was custom created by Swiss Cottage Designs and was a nod to the groom’s last name (Rose) as well as Erica’s love of the roses in her grandmother’s garden [where they initially wanted to have the wedding]. For their welcome bags, Erica and Jason wanted to use a motif that was a nod to the Philadelphia LOVE statue, as they were living in Philadelphia through most of their engagement. Bags were filled with DC Brau, mini Sofia Coppola Blanc de Blanc cans, chocolate covered Oreos in the likeness of Penny (Erica and Jason’s beloved dog), White House White Cheddar popcorn and mini emergency kits made by the ever-prepared Erica!”

How did you spend your wedding morning? While getting ready I wanted to a calm, relaxing environment. I invited several friends to meet me for coffee near the hotel, and then I excused myself mid-morning to get ready, and they could continue to socialize with each other. While getting ready, it was just me, my mom, my sister, and my niece. Having just immediate family was such a relaxing way to get ready! We had a lot of fun. (And I have to mention, my friends and I saw Caitlyn Jenner in the coffee shop in the morning, which was an exciting way to start off the wedding day!)

Why did you choose this location for your wedding? I grew up in Washington, D.C., and it’s the city where Jason and I met and lived in the beginning of our relationship. I had always envisioned my wedding in my grandmother’s garden, a place I visited every weekend as a child. When we started planning the wedding, we realized how logistically challenging having the wedding at my grandmother’s house would be. When we visited Meridian House, we immediately fell in love with it – the outdoor space reminded me a lot of my grandmother’s garden, and it had a beautiful indoor space as well. It felt like it was meant to be! My grandmother hosted a beautiful engagement party for us in her garden, which was a wonderful way to incorporate that space into our celebrations.

Are there any details that help tell the story of your wedding? I had a very specific idea of what I wanted in a wedding dress. It took me forever to find my dress, but I was glad I held out to find one that I loved. The dress captured the modern and geometric style we incorporated into our wedding. It was simple, but unique!

Erica says, “our ceremony was a traditional reform Jewish ceremony, which we modified to incorporate interfaith elements (as Jason’s family is not Jewish). We had an intimate ketubah signing before the ceremony, with just our immediate families and two close friends as our witnesses.”

The Ceremony

Is there anything special you’d like to tell us about your ceremony? On the day of the wedding, there was a 60% chance of rain. We had a rain plan that we were comfortable with, but we decided to set up the chuppah outside and take the risk. (We had an indoor ceremony set up nearby, and were prepared to do the ceremony without the chuppah if it started raining.) We felt so lucky that the rain held off! The ceremony was beautiful, the sun came out, and it felt so natural in the garden space.

Your ceremony in three words. Simple, reform-Jewish, inclusive.

How did you go about planning your ceremony? We both wanted a simple, traditional ceremony that included our large families. To this end, we decided to have a small bridal party, with my niece as Maid of Honor, and Jason’s best friend as his Best Man.

What was your ceremony music? We chose a string quartet to play our ceremony music, which felt like the right sound for the garden space and style. They continued to play for the cocktail hour, which was held in the linden grove.

Processional: Here There and Everywhere by The Beatles Bride Processional: Can’t Help Falling in Love With You by Elvis Presley Recessional: All You Need is Love by The Beatles

Who officiated your ceremony? How did you choose him/her? We chose the rabbi from my family’s reform congregation to officiate the wedding. Over the years, Jason and I had seen him lead several services. He had a template he uses for interfaith weddings, and we modified it to include the elements that were important to us, and eliminate the elements that didn’t feel right. We met with him several times before the wedding, both through Skype and in person.

What were your ceremony readings? The seven blessings (Sheva B’rachot) are the heart of the Jewish ceremony. The blessings represent the joy of creation both in the ancient times and the newest creation, which occurs under the chuppah.

What were your vows like? We used traditional Hebrew vows.

Did you include any other traditions in your wedding? We included a lot of family pieces in our ceremony. I wore a bracelet from my great-grandmother, and held my great-great-grandmother’s handkerchief. In addition, we used my great-grandfather’s Kiddush cup during the ceremony.

What was your favorite thing about your wedding ceremony? We were really happy to be able to include our large families in the ceremony, while still keeping the ceremony straightforward. We had each of our parents and siblings read interpretations of the seven  blessings, which was such an important piece of the ceremony. My nephews were our ushers and ring bearers, and my niece was the Maid of Honor. In addition, the ketubah signing ceremony beforehand was a special moment with just us and our immediate families. It gave us a chance to spend time alone and take in the moment.

In terms of aesthetics, the chuppah even more stunning than I ever imagined. I hadn’t seen it beforehand, so it was such a beautiful surprise as I was walking down the aisle!

Did you have a signature cocktail? Yes, we had two signature cocktails: a Rose Garden Gimlet (Boyd and Blair Potato Vodka, Orange and Rosewater Lemonade, St. Germain, Orange Twist, Edible Flowers) and a Bittersweet Bourbon Street (Bulleit Bourbon, Simple Syrup, Bitter End Thai Bitters, Absinthe, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, Lemon Twist, Cherry.)

What inspired you when you were planning your wedding? Every summer, my grandmother has a beautiful garden party, which was the main inspiration for the overall look of the wedding. We wanted the evening to feel like a garden party, while incorporating some more modern elements to represent our personalities and lifestyle.

The Reception

How would you describe your reception? We wanted our reception to feel like a festive garden dinner party. We wanted to bring the garden inside for dinner and dancing, and the florist and caterer worked together to design a floorplan that achieved this look. The décor incorporated trees, in addition to a lot of greenery and florals. It was important to us that the evening felt elegant, without feeling stuffy. For instance, In addition to assigned tables, we had assigned seating which made the seated dinner a bit more formal. However, we had a family-style meal, which balanced the formal seating with a more informal dining style. We wanted the reception to feel romantic and whimsical, but sophisticated and modern at the same time. Our Event Planner & Designer, Allison, was so skilled at coordinating our vendors to achieve the overall style.

Allison told us “the geometric touches we used were a nod to Erica’s love of science and the fact she is a scientist. (Erica has a PhD in biostatistics and is an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at the CDC working to control the spread of infectious diseases.) We had geometric lanterns, geometric vases, a custom bar with a geometric laser cut front, geometric toasting glasses, geometric escort cards.”

What advice do you have for other couples in the midst of planning a wedding? Pick vendors you love and trust! We trusted Allison, our planner, 100% to make the right decisions. Early in the process, we felt confident she understood our priorities and style, and as a result it was easy to relax and not obsess about the details. If there were any tough decisions, we followed her advice.

It’s also important to remember that not every single detail has to be the most meaningful. Pick the elements that are important to you to be special and meaningful, and focus on those.

What was your wedding menu? Before we started planning our wedding in detail, we decided we wanted a family-style dinner. Jason and I felt that sharing a meal family-style was a more intimate experience that would give our guests an opportunity to interact and connect around their tables. Early in the planning process, the florist had the idea of having lazy susans on each table, and using the food as a centerpiece. Our tablescapes and menu were designed around this idea. When guests were invited into the dining room, there were small floral centerpieces on trays and little bowls of olives and nuts for guests to enjoy. Before the entrée dish was served, the trays were removed from the lazy susans, and the food was presented.

What type of cake or dessert did you serve? For our wedding cake, we had almond cake with raspberry jam and Chambord buttercream, as well as elderflower soaked lemon cake with blackberry jam and vanilla buttercream.

What was your favorite moment or part of the reception? There were so many favorite moments! Having such an organized wedding planner and well-organized vendors, we felt like we were able to be in the moment. Also, prior to the wedding we took several dance lessons. The first dance was a really fun moment for us to show off our newly acquired skills!

What was your first dance song? Father/daughter or mother/son dance? Jason’s favorite artist is David Bowie, and so we chose Bowie’s Rock and Roll With Me for our first dance. We took dance lessons in the months leading up to our wedding, which turned into one of our favorite date night activities!

When I was in middle school, I always wanted to listen to the Top 40 radio station on the way to school. My dad generally disliked all of the popular songs (it sounded “like noise”), except he loved Shaggy’s Angel – so it seemed perfect as our father-daughter dance song. Jason and his mom danced to Stevie Wonder’s You Are the Sunshine of My Life.

Erica told us, “as well as our wedding cake, we served mini desserts. Then at the end of the evening, we passed mini root beer floats, Jason’s favorite!”

If you had it to do over again, is there anything you would do differently? We knew I would be finishing grad school in the spring of 2017, but we did not know any more details than that when we picked our wedding date and venue. It turned out we had to do a long-distance relocation, and my new job started two weeks after our wedding. As a result, we moved out of our home in Philadelphia before our wedding, but had not yet moved into our new home in Atlanta. It was a bit stressful and chaotic juggling a move and wedding at the same time. We were so glad to have such an amazing planner and vendors – they made it possible to stay calm and keep everything organized! When we initially planned the wedding, we had no idea that in the lead up to it our household items would be on a moving truck, or that we would be living with my parents! At the same time, having to juggle the move and our wedding, I did not have time to obsess about little details. It may have been a blessing in disguise!

The post Garden Party Wedding in D.C. with Modern Details :: Erica & Jason appeared first on Snippet & Ink.

[one-of-us-blog]

Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself (TGG, Season 3, Episode 5)

Today Eli is forced to watch and recap Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself, Episode 5 of the third season of The Golden Girls.  Will this episode be an uplifting reminder of all that is good about the show, or will the whole thing go down in flames?  Keep reading to find out…

My recap is shamefully tardy once more, but before I get started, I have to chime in on Jon’s review of Journey’s End!  Cap, it’s really hard for me to believe that you’ve already completed Series 4 of Doctor Who!  I’m glad that you enjoyed Catherine Tate’s run so much, but also very sad that you had to experience the tragic ending to the Donna Noble story arc.  I really don’t mind a sad ending to things, and even thought that Rose’s tearful finale in Series 2 was quite good.  But like you, I feel like they went out of their way to give Rose a happier ending, even creating a human clone of the Doctor in the process to stay with her.  I don’t necessarily mind that as a story choice (okay, I feel like it cheapens the original tragedy somewhat), but it’s a shame that it is paired with Donna basically forgetting everything she has been through in her time aboard the TARDIS.  That’s almost more heartbreaking than a death scene to me.  It took Catherine Tate a while to grow on me, but I really appreciate what she brought to the show, and how different her character was from those who came before.  At any rate, I’m really excited to see what you make of the series of specials (The Next Doctor, Planet of the Dead, The Waters of Mars, and The End of Time, Part I & II) that come before the start of the next full series.  From my memory they are a pretty mixed bag, but I enjoyed The Waters of Mars in particular.  And there’s one element of The Next Doctor in particular that I think you’re sure to find enticing.

Anyway, enough rambling…let’s head to Miami!

Episode written by Christopher Lloyd, directed by Terry Hughes

As the episode opens, Sophia is hard at work baking lasagna for a cooking contest.  Dorothy and Blanche are lured in by the aroma and want a taste, and Sophia is happy to oblige.  They both declare the dish a success, but Sophia has incredible standards (and a mild to moderate sense of paranoia) and claims that neither of them had “the look” that every great chef longs to see.  Therefore, the lasagna is garbage food.  Rose enters with the mail, and she is clearly in distress.  She has just learned via letter that her Aunt Gretchen has died.  Wait, how many of Rose’s relatives are going to kick the bucket this season?  Has her death curse moved beyond her love interests to her extended family?  Aunt Gretchen (who Rose hated) didn’t leave her a prized swine with the promise of major pigbucks, but she did leave her an obligation to speak at her funeral.  Rose is at her wit’s end, and not just because she is a reluctant eulogizer; it turns out that public speaking is her biggest fear.  However, as the oldest niece of the deceased, speaking at the ceremony is her sacred obligation, for reasons.  Dorothy gives her some completely original and never-before-dreamed-of advice, telling her that she can overcome her anxiety by picturing the audience naked.  Heck, she might even have a laugh!  The advice backfires on Dorothy when both Blanche and Rose try this out on her, and lose themselves in a chucklefest.

We cut to a new scene, and Sophia is working on attempt number two for the cooking contest.  This time, a nice veal parmesan is on the menu.  It must be magical, because a “picture this” story reveals that this very meal was responsible for Dorothy’s conception.  Personally, I’m just thankful that my mother still has a filter.  Rose continues to be worried about her speaking gig.  After all, she totally choked when she gave a speech as her school’s valedictorian.  This nugget of information comes as a bit of a surprise to the other girls, but Rose reveals that she was awarded this honor despite being ranked fourth in her class; by now, we should all be aware that everything that happens in St. Olaf is perfectly logical.  In a further attempt to be encouraging, Dorothy reveals that she once had a fear of flying.  She was forced to overcome this fear in order to attend her sister’s wedding, but therapy did the trick.  Blanche claims not to have had a major fear, but she used to have a troubling recurring dream in which she was trapped in a small space with bald men, and heard the voice of God.  Positive thinking got her through, and the girls encourage Rose to think positively herself and go work on her speech.  When she leaves, Blanche and Dorothy both want to know what the other would have to say at their funeral, and Blanche’s statements are (not surprisingly) less flattering than Dorothy’s.

Later, out on the lanai, Rose is ready to practice her speech.  She has trouble and begs Dorothy and Blanche to come to the funeral to lend moral support.  The friends reluctantly agree, and Rose goes to make plane reservations as her aunt is being buried in the Bahamas.  Wait, plane reservations?  On a small plane, no less?  Is Dorothy over her own fear?  Judging by her reaction, probably not.  As a side note, I’ll just assume that the girls traveled exclusively by boat back in Vacation.

The girls are getting ready to leave for their plan ride (already dressed in their funeral garb), but Dorothy tries to weasel out of the trip by claiming that her mother is sick.  Unfortunately for her, Sophia walks in the front door and spoils her clever ruse.  Ma Petrillo apparently needed some wine for the big cooking contest; not for the food, mind you, but she wants to get liquored up in case she needs to cut a bitch.  Dorothy and Rose are both ready to bail on the whole trip, but Blanche gives them a great pep talk and away we go!  Buttocks tight, everyone!

On the plane, Dorothy is bruising Blanche’s arm (and head) for comfort while the flight attendant presents the safety information and Rose summarizes her eulogy.  Blanche suddenly realizes that they are on a plane with exclusively bald men, and reveals that her dark recurring dream ended in a plane crashing into the ocean.  Oh well, at least she hasn’t heard the voice of God.  At this moment, Captain Lord decides to address the passengers from the cockpit…

Now that the girls are all good and nervous, they decide that if they have to go down, at least they get to go down together.  Captain Lord reveals that they are now about to fly into a tropical storm, but this particularly dark cloud has a silver lining.  For the sake of everyone’s safety, the plane is turning around and heading back to Miami!  Dorothy can stop flying, Blanche can stop worrying, and Rose won’t have to give her speech after all!  Rose feels disappointed that she didn’t get to face her fears, however, and with a little prompting delivers her eulogy for Aunt Gretchen to her fellow airplane passengers.  It goes pretty well, even if Aunt Gretchen honestly sounds pretty scary.  Rose then gets scolded by the flight attendant, and Captain Lord delivers some playfully sadistic airplane humor to his captive audience.

Back at home, Sophia is surprised to see the girls return so soon.  She reveals that she won the cooking contest with her mussels marinara, even though the contest was close.  A little too close, actually.  Sophia was in a neck-and-neck competition with one other competitor, until that particular opponent dropped dead – unexpectedly – at a cooking contest – in competition with Sophia.  Well, I’m pretty sure you can add one more to Ma Petrillo’s unacknowledged murder total.  With one final sadistic turn, Sophia also reveals that she volunteered Rose to deliver her latest victim’s eulogy.

The End.

This was a pretty good episode!  Even though this was a somewhat Rose-centric episode, I mostly enjoyed the payoff of an airplane full of bald men to torment Blanche.  Hey, what’s wrong with bald men?  We’re pretty great!  I also always find it delightful when Blanche is insistent upon receiving compliments from her friends, but only reciprocates by complimenting them in a way that is very self-serving (as in her eulogy discussion with Dorothy).  Rose had a pretty great St. Olaf story to share, and the episode clearly gave me more fuel for my Sophia conspiracy theories.  So with all of that in mind, I will happily give Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself a score of 4 poofy hairdos out of 5!

Stop back in tomorrow (or possibly today, given that I posted my recap late), when Jon gives us his thoughts on another Doctor Who Christmas special, The Next Doctor.  And be sure to check in on Friday, when I will be reviewing Letter to Gorbachev, the next episode of The Golden Girls.  Until then, as always, thank you for being a friend, and for being One of Us!