#we'll do all we can to fight it but public health is already stretched so thin bc of the endless budget cuts

[itmightrain]

It's so funny to be working in one of the fields trump is going to be targeting and putting a clown in charge of, so funny to know just how crucial to the literal survival of every person in this country, but especially children, the work done in public health is. The ceaseless monitoring and action that you never hear about that keeps you as safe and healthy as you are now despite increasing republican-led budget cuts and political-interference. Already there are cracks in the system that are being felt, and it's about to get so much worse

[fal-carrington]

Just The Two of Us Pt.3

Pairing: Kamilah x Mc x Adrian

(Part 1) (Part 2)

Tag list: @galaxyside-0 @zoe6111 @scarlet-letter-a0114 @gavryllo @loveshamelessly @thecleveridiot09 @whoinvitedalx @rudeassmonkey65 @rocket-scientist07 @zerozone-80 @bucket-harrington @ilovekamilahsayeed @jen825 @incorrectbloodboundquotes @soundtrackforlife @rubyheartjane @desiree-0816

Disclaimer: All the characters belongs to PB

Prompt: After the last night fighting against Gaius, before his fall, he puts his plan into execution, changing the lives of Adrian, Kamilah and Mia forever. Friendships may end, a heart may be broken and a new love may arise. In the end who will win the girl's heart? 

Thunder crept through the black skies, and heavy rain fell outside, leaving drops of water on the glass windows as the temperature outside fell more and more. Mia kept her eyes on the window watching the rain fall, her arms crossed trying to warm herself in her white wool sweater, she was in Kamilah's beautiful and elegant office at Ahmanet Financial. That night Kamilah had asked her to go to her office so that both could discuss an important issue, she had not said exactly what, but something in the back of the girl's mind said that her life would change even more. She sighed impatiently. She had already paced through the office, watched every item, every object carefully for the entire time she was there waiting for Kamilah. Eight months had passed since the blonde had moved to Kamilah's house. Living with Kamilah was a different experience than she had imagined. Both had different schedules, which means they hardly saw each other at home. Kamilah was never present, which look like Mia lived alone, at least two or three hours of the day Kamilah would return home to shower and change clothes and return to her company. Which gave Mia the impression that the vampire was avoiding her. Her cell phone vibrated at that moment, Mia took it out of her pocket and checked it out. A new message. Adrian. The girl felt her chest tighten at the sight of that name on the screen. Adrian... The love of her life. They hadn’t talk since their broke up. Whatever it was... She had to find out. "I miss you. Deeply. Every day.” She read the message. "...You are here. Great.” Mia heard Kamilah's voice behind her, closing the office door behind her. The girl blocked the cell phone and put it in her pocket, turning to the vampire queen. "Yeah... You called me. It seemed urgent.” The blonde bit her lips anxiously. Kamilah stood in front of the door, studying her silently. From the way she looked at her, it seemed to Mia that she knew... She knew Mia was hiding something. Kamilah nodded silently and went to her private bar. "Do you want something to drink?" Kamilah asked. "Whatever you have is fine for me." Mia replied trying to sound casual. Kamilah made the drinks silently. When she finished, she approached the girl and handed her a glass of whiskey. "I apologize for making you wait. I was at an important meeting." 

"It’s fine." She shook her head. Kamilah sat down on the black leather sofa, pensive. "Please, sit down." She gestured and Mia did, sitting a few inches away from Kamilah. "You must be wondering why I called you here tonight, which could be so important." Kamilah's eyes turned to the girl, warm, hot as fire. Mia could smell the perfume radiating from the CEO's suit.

"... It is true that we married in difficult circumstances for both of us. It was not something planned, it was not something any of us could have some kind of control over. It just happened.” Kamilah said quietly, as if she was looking for the right words to say. "I have to confess that the only time marriage arose in my mind was when I was still young and idealistic in my time in Egypt. But of course this never happened... until now. " "Uh, for me too. My mother always dreamed about my wedding day, I think she always imagined that I would end up marrying Connor, and... Well, it did not work out. My parents knew about Adrian, but... I told them we broke up. I did not mention the wedding, of course. I'm still trying to find a way to tell.” She scratched uncomfortable her neck. "I see," Kamilah said. Mia kept her green eyes glued to Kamilah, still trying to understand what the CEO was trying to say with all that. "What happened between us that night... It's forever. It brought consequences for both of us. You and I were married in a supernatural ceremony, and we will not be able to undo this, I thought of making things legal. So I talked to my lawyers and I decided to make things right." "What does that mean?" Mia asked confused. Kamilah reached into her jacket, pulling out a velvet box. Mia could see the Tiffany and Co's insignia in the box. She opened her mouth, speechless. "This... is what I think it is?" She stammered, pointing to the little box. "Lily told me how you always dreamed of winning a Tiffany's ring. So I bought this for you, I hope you like it.” She opened the box revealing a gorgeous ring with a large white diamond on it. "I want you to marry me at civil. A real marriage for both of us." Kamilah took a deep breath, looking into her eyes with an unexpected vulnerability in those brown eyes. "The ring is... The ring is beautiful," Mia said shocked. Yes, she had always dreamed of winning a Tiffany's ring, but she never thought it would ever come true. "I spent almost a century building this company. My image... It's very important to me, Mia. The media always see me as inaccessible, and at some point I would have to change some things. As the head of this company, my image is everything. If you agree to marry me, this will only benefit you. I can give you at least 5% a month so you can do whatever you want with that money.” "I do not want your money. I never wanted that, I told you that I want to work and be independent.” Mia shook her head and held the briefcase to her, Kamilah stopped raising her hand. "I never said it was what you wanted. If you are my wife, legally, you can have anything you want, protection, comfort, I can give you a much better health plan, you can have everything you ever wanted." Kamilah said "In the other hand... You will go to some dances, and charity parties with me, as well as other commitments."

"So, you want me to play the perfect wife as return?" Mia concluded.

"I'm not imprisoning you. You can get involved with anyone you want, as long as you are discreet about your affairs and it is not published in any newspaper or magazine. You are young. Look at this as a contract and we'll both be happy with this deal." 

Mia remained silent, pondering. The chances of her ever having a bit of affection on Kamilah's part were high, but there was nothing she could do. Both were already married and bonded, and staying away from Kamilah was not an option. Then, suddenly Adrian show up at the corner of her mind.

“But... What about Adrian?” She asked uncertain, Kamilah’s perfect brows furrowed, she changed her posture.

“What about him?”

“This will... This will kill him. Even more than the bounding cerimony we did.”

“I know, but there’s not another way for the both of us, we all know that.” Kamilah said contemplative.

“This will be a lot worse than that. That night we both were forced into that wedding, now we are doing this by our choice. We are making this official, the whole world is going to know that I’m your wife, not his. He’s going to think... He’s going to think—” Mia was unable to continue, Kamilah stared at her patiently.

“What he’s going to think?” Kamilah asked. “...That you have feelings for me? We both know it’s isn’t true.” Kamilah said. “Leave Adrian with me, but this... This is about you and me and our contract.” Kamilah took a deep breath.

“Can you stop talking about this like a negotiation? I’m not your client or one of your employees! I’m your blood wife”

“Mortals...” Kamilah cursed under her breath. “Adrian may have your heart, but I have your hand and that’s all that I need. What do you want, Mia?" Kamilah asked.

“Oh, god... I’m going to break his heart doing this.” Mia felt the hot tears streaming down her cheeks, she quickly wiped, trying to hide from Kamilah, but Kamilah was quick enough to notice. "I sign the papers, but I want something," Mia said finally, Kamilah sighed patiently.

"Which is?" Mia looked at those deep brown eyes, timidly.

"The only thing I want from you, to agree to do this, if it's all right for you, I'd really like to get your last name, because... I've never had the surname of someone who cares about me. I know you said that you don’t. But... You saved my life in that temple, and I know how much it cost you, and if it's enough for you to hate me for the rest of eternity, whatever, I do not want your money, your property, your last name is the only thing I need it.” Mia took courage and said those words staring at Kamilah, who in response seemed to have taken a punch in the face, she had actually caught the queen by surprise.

“As you wish.” Kamilah answered coolly back. 

Mia held out her hand to Kamilah, who stared at it at first, not understanding, but then sighed, rolling her eyes, taking the ring and putting the girl's left hand. "It's absolutely beautiful," Mia said looking at the ring. "Just like you," Kamilah replied, causing the girl to look at her.

And there Mia was at the city hall at the end of that afternoon, waiting for Kamilah to show up. Mia should know better than that. She struggled with the pros and cons of this situation, after all, she was already married to Kamilah, she just wanted to legalize things, after all Kamilah was a public figure, and had an image to watch over, that is, Kamilah was only thinking about her business, as always. Deep in her mind, came the image of Adrian and how much he was suffering from it all. Poor Adrian.

The city hall was crowded with people, Mia looked around the long line that stretched down the hall, waiting for Kamilah. The girl bit her lips, her fingers tracing a long pattern on the fabric of her white dress. She waited at the end of the line, watching couples of their own free will marry. Couples in love. Lily was there uneasy beside her, Mia obviously called her as her bridesmaid, Lily anxiously clapped the sole of her boot on the floor.

"I can not believe this is happening," Lily said with a smile. "You're really getting married, and this time it's not going to be a ceremony by an evil priest." Mia sighed, definitely her best friend was more anxious about this than she was. It was all Kamilah's idea. Mia could remember perfectly when Kamilah proposed this, a civil marriage. A real wedding in front of the judge. It was not exactly a romantic proposal for marriage, it was just another contract for Kamilah.

"Have you told your parents yet?" Lily asked.

"Uh, not really. I plan on telling them in person, I guess it's not the kind of thing you say on the phone,” Mia said. "Where is she?" She looked out the back door, waiting for Kamilah to appear.

"Do not worry, she'll show up. So... After today you are officially rich. Can I call you Mrs Sayeed?” Lily teased a smile from Mia's face.

"Kamilah's last name is the only thing I'm going to get out of all this mess," Mia said, remembering her past conversation with Kamilah.

"Anxious?" Lily asked.

"It's not exactly the wedding of my dreams, but rather a little. Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

"She'll take care of you, love is a thing that builds up over time, Mia," Lily said. Mia shook her head.

"I'm not expecting Kamilah's love." Mia smiled shyly. Lily took hold of her hand, squeezing a little bit. Mia's attention was drawn to the city hall doors when Kamilah appeared, absurdly beautiful as ever, wearing a black suit and a blue social shirt, her hair and makeup always beyond perfection. There was something about Kamilah which intimidated her and attracted her at the same time. Kamilah walked to Mia and Lily with impeccable confidence attracting glances, she was talking to someone on the phone besides her was a woman in a impeccable suit.

"... Postpone my next meeting in forty minutes, I have an appointment now that requires my attention." Kamilah said for the woman, she hung up her cell phone and looked at Mia from above. "... You look very decent today." She praised her unexpectedly. Mia opened her mouth staring at the tall woman in front of her, speechless.

"Uh...Thank you? Who’s that?." She asked curious.

“Mia that’s my assistant Karen.” Kamilah did the introductions.

“Nice to meet you, Mrs Sayeed.” Karen gave Mia a handshake with a half smile.

“I’m not—” Mia opened her mouth to say something, she wasn’t used to be called like that and probably would never be. “...Nice to meet you too, Karen.” Kamilah gave a half smile.

"What are you doing in line?" Kamilah pointed at the staff.

"Waiting our turn," Mia replied as if it were obvious.

"Nonsense. Let's go. They're waiting for us.” Kamilah stepped out of the line and passed those people cutting the line.

"Kamilah, we can not cut the line!" Mia hurried to catch up. A man standing in front of the judge's office doors clasped Kamilah's hand with a smile on his face.

"We were waiting for your arrival, Mrs Sayeed. This way.” Mia and Lily exchanged glances as he guided them into the cabinet. They were greeted by a gray-haired old man wearing a black tunic, he smiled amiably and squeezed Kamilah's hand.

"How are you, Gilbert?" Kamilah smiled for the first time that day.

"Very well, I thank you for your generous contribution to our new forum pavilion, Kamilah."

"Just doing my duty."

"And is that lovely lady that I heard so much about it?" He squeezed Mia's hand, which smiled shyly in response. "She's really beautiful as you told me." Mia looked at her blankly. Kamilah scratched her throat.

"Can we start this? I have an important meeting in a few minutes."

"Sure, sure." Mia took her place in front of Kamilah, Kamilah reached out and took the girl's hands, at the same instant Mia felt the heat radiating from Kamilah, that electric current running through her body. The judge had already begun his speech about love and the duties of each couple. Kamilah's brown eyes studied her patiently, bottomless, drawing her ever closer. Mia ignored the treacherous thoughts that invaded her mind, she loved Adrian, only Adrian, but she was marrying Kamilah, it was no more than an act, a facade, having to play the CEO's perfect wife was her next mission and she hated every minute of it. As time passed, and they both listened to the judge's sermon, making their vows and promising things they would probably never do, Kamilah took a box from inside her jacket, Mia watched as she opened it and handed it to Lily as she picked up a pure gold ring .

"You bought rings," Mia said as she saw the ring in Kamilah's hand.

"Of course I bought it. Did you really think I was going to let you wear that horrible ring that Jameson arranged?” Kamilah took her hand from the old ring and replaced it with the new one. Mia did the same with her, putting the ring in Kamilah's hand, making the same promises she had made weeks ago.

"...You may now kiss the bride," the judge nodded to Kamilah. Mia waited for Kamilah to say it was not necessary, as she did the last time, but Kamilah surprised her as she took a step forward with her eyes still locked on Mia, touching the girl's cheek gently with her hand and lowering herself to the height of Mia to kiss her. Mia felt Kamilah's hot lips against hers, suddenly all that energy, that warmth, that attraction returned, she could feel how much Kamilah was holding on that kiss, standing on tiptoe and wrapping her arms around the neck of the CEO.

“YAY!” Lily screamed bursting confetti into the two, making them both look back to her.

"Lily! I told you not to do this here.” Mia called her attention.

"Sorry, sorry."

"All right, I'll get someone to clean it up," the judge said quietly. Mia smiled at him ungraciously. Kamilah stepped away before Mia could even protest, leaving a quick kiss on Mia's lips. Mia moistened her lips, still looking uncomfortably at her. Both signed the papers, after the bureaucracy they were dismissed. Mia followed Kamilah out of the room, who was cleaning her suit.

"I took so many pictures," Lily said excitedly looking at her cell phone as she walked them both out of the office.

"That was a lot faster than I thought," Kamilah said, adjusting her suit, her eyes on the marriage certificate.

"Yeah... quick," Mia said absently.

"How are you feeling?" Kamilah asked.

"I'm pretty sure you do not mind the answer," Mia replied, folding her arms, Kamilah rolled her eyes impatiently. "About our contract marriage? Well... It's confusing, strange, I don’t know, I—"

"...Since we arrived you keep insisting on complaining about everything, I've let things go faster, you in my point of view, you're earning as much as me with all of this," Kamilah said coldly.

"Uh, guys..." Lily called them.

"You're never satisfied with anything, you mortals are so selfish." Kamilah said trying to keep her voice down. Mia opened her mouth in revolt.

"Do not you dare start with that, Kamilah—" She pointed at the beautiful tall woman in front of her.

"Guys, I know you both love to fight, but who called those reporters?" Lily pointed to the glass doors, drawing their attention.

“I’m going to call the car.” Karen said.

"Oh, fuck," Mia said as she noticed the crowd of reporters crowding at the door. "What do we do? How did they know about us?!"

"This was supposed to be an intimate ceremony, clearly is not anymore." Kamilah said quietly. She brought her face closer to Mia's, giving her a wry smile. "Better get used to the attention, Mrs Sayeed, because today it's from here to worse."

Raines Corp

The elevator doors of Raines Corp opened, giving way to Kamilah, the vampire queen entered gracefully, being received by the new secretary of Adrian.

"Hey... Can I help?" The new girl asked, stammering as she got a cool look from the CEO, who walked into the boardroom where the Council met that night.

"I apologize for my delay," she said as she sat down to her usual seat. All the council members were already there.

“Nonsense, we were just waiting for our majesty coming back from her wedding.” Adrian answered angry.

“He knows.” Kamilah thought to herself.

"Look who it is, if not the newest bride." Priya gave a mischievous laugh, resting her elbows on the table. "How was the wedding? Tell me, does Mia is a good kisser? Oh, I suppose I should ask Adrian that too, don’t I? They both know the answer."

"Congratulations Kamilah, she's a catch." Lester smiled at her, receiving a angrily glance from Kamilah.

"That's enough," Adrian said, standing up and adjusting his suit. "I believe we have more important issues to discuss."

"Yes, such as how Kamilah's honeymoon is going to be," Priya pointed out. "It's okay to be jealous of Mia, Adrian, I’m as well. You were not the only one who wanted Mia just for you. "

"Shut your mouth before I cut your throat," Kamilah muttered.

"I can not believe I left Brooklyn to hear three bitter children quarreling." The Baron cursed.

"Right, right." Jax stood and stood beside Adrian. "I believe we have things more important than Kamilah's marriage to be discussed, for example, how we are going to distribute the clans to end the hordes of ferals in the city."

And there was three hours of discussion and no progress. When all the council members left the room, there remained only Adrian and Kamilah, who sat at the table, Adrian with his eyes on the glass, without looking at her.

"Adrian..." Kamilah started to speak, but was interrupted by he.

"How can you?" He raised his eyes, revealing a pained expression on his face, Kamilah opened her mouth to answer, but she could not. "How can you betray me like this? You. You are my best friend and sister. After all these years—"

"I had no other choice," Kamilah said.

"WE ALL HAVE A CHOICE!" He shouted, raising his voice. Kamilah remained calm looking at him. "You chose to marry her behind my back, and now the whole world knows, the whole world knows that she belongs to you."

"Oh, please. We were already married, I just legalized what was already done. You and I both know that there is no love in this marriage. I do not love her and she does not love me, we are not even sleeping in the same bed, I spend most of the week in my company."

"What's the story?"

"I met her at a business meeting, I called her for a drink weeks later. We fell in love, and we started dating in a few months, we married at an intimate ceremony in New York. The media loves these things."

“You did not even bother giving her a perfect marriage.” Adrian said disgusted.

"No, but I minded giving her a home, a better life," Kamilah replied. “What happens inside that house is my and her business, Adrian." Kamilah said.

"What did you offer her to accept that?" He asked standing up.

"All she could ever want."

"Except love," Adrian said coldly.

"She just asked for one thing, Adrian. And I gave her what she asked for."

"What?!"

"My last name." Adrian's eyebrows furrowed, and his look of anger shifted to hurt in a matter of seconds.

"Then that's it? A marriage of appearances? How do you think she'll live with that, Kamilah? This is not life for her, You can live on a facade, but Mia will not, keep that in mind Kamilah. You stolen my one true chance of redemption and married her, I will never forgive you for this and neither do she.”

“I can live with her hatred.” Kamilah said coldly.

Ahmanet Financial

It was an intense night at Kamilah's company, the CEO had just left a complicated business meeting with a Korean company, she had to use extreme methods to get a deal closed, and there was another one within the next hour. Her fight with Adrian had given her so much to think, deep down she felt horrible in all this situation, her disgust for Gaius had grown even more, if it was still possible. Kamilah sighed as she leaned back in her chair, checking the last reports she had received. The queen just wanted peace. A minute of peace and silence. She had even asked Karen not to let anyone bother her in her office.

When in that moment of peace was interrupted by the doors of the office bursting open, giving way for a rebellious Mia, followed by Karen.

"Kamilah!" That little blond creature with green eyes radiating fury, stared at the CEO as if ready to leap on her neck.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Sayeed, I tried to stop her." Karen tried to apologize in vain. Kamilah held up a hand to silence her.

"It's okay, Karen. Can you leave me alone with my wife, please?” Karen nodded as she walked out of her office as soon as she entered.

"You and I have something serious to discuss." Mia pointed at her angrily.

"Well, it should be for you to come into my office like you were at your house," Kamilah said patiently, taking a deep breath to keep calm.

"Oh, I have a good reason." Mia took the control of Kamilah's desk and turned on the plasma tv glued to the wall. "Us." She passed through channels and they all had a picture of Kamilah and Mia with the media popping out saying about how the dreamy CEO of The United States had married a young girl. "I got a heated call from my parents, they saw the news, they were so fucking angry with me, how could I marry so young and not tell anyone, not invite anyone from my family! My mother almost killed me on the phone! And my Nana... Oh my nana, when she finds out she will be so upset” Mia paced back and forth, running her hand through her blond hair, nervously.

"Oh, that's what this is about." Kamilah closed her notebook, not caring.

"Kamilah, that's very serious!" Mia stopped to approach the CEO's desk. "They're pissed as hell! I have to fix it! "

"Yes, you do. In the meantime try to avoid going into my office like that." Mia stopped in her tracks to look at Kamilah.

"What? You’re not taking the subject of family seriously?" Mia laughed.

"Did I say something funny?" Kamilah frowned. "Deal with this Mia." Kamilah shrugged, unbothered.

"No, you and I are going to solve this. We're in this together now.” The girl leaned her hands on the CEO's desk.

"Mia, they're your responsibility." Kamilah took a long breath. "I will not take sides to settle a fight between mortals."

"No, now you listen to me. You're not going to threw this on me, this I will not solve on my own. You agreed to that, you agreed to marry me. By the time you agreed to that, you became part of this family too, they are our family.” Kamilah opened her mouth to argue, but Mia interrupted her. "And I do not want to hear you say you do not mind, because from now on you and I are going to do it, whether you want it or not." She stared into Kamilah's deep brown eyes, which were returned by a cautious look from the CEO.

"Mia O'Connell Sayeed, are you challenging me?" Kamilah sat up in her chair resting both hands on her desk, her face inches from Mia's.

"Yes. I am,” Mia confronted her back.

"A bold choice, many people who chose this did not survive." Kamilah said between her teeth.

"Let's see then." Mia stood up, not taking her eyes off Kamilah. "You'll meet my parents and my family, and this discussion is over." She said taking her coat and going to the doors of Kamilah's office, leaving her angry and alone.

A dangerous combination.