#ziad x ines

[lucy-268]

Babysitting Weekend

A/N - So I got this request in my inbox from @choicesandanimeruleme to use ‘I hope you step on a lego’ for Bryce and MC. Because I like a challenge I’m also going to add in the weekly challenge “Why are you looking at me like that? I swear I didn’t do anything!” It’s also going to have the wacky drabbles prompt “Don’t get up. I’ll do it.” And day 2 of the monthly challenge. “and then”

I also created a new MC, because Charley may have hooked up with Bryce before Ethan, but Charley’s heart belongs to Ethan. So in any Bryce fics I write, my MC is Maggie. If I write more than three, I may do a Meet my MC post about her.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to PB

Warnings: none

Series/Pairing: Open Heart - Bryce x f!MC (Maggie); Zaid x Ines

Word count: 1,204 (Sorry, it was a request and three challenges. 1,000 wasn’t doable.)

“Be sure you sleep in the guest room and not our room!” Zaid ordered.

“You can sleep wherever you want to,” Ines said, glaring at her husband.

“The guest room is fine for us. It’s close to the kids rooms, so we’ll hear them if they wake up,” Maggie Lahela told them.

Zaid looked at Ines. “This is a bad idea, we shouldn’t leave the kids with people who haven’t taken care of…”

Ines put her hand on his arm and Maggie smiled at him. “Zaid, we may not have kids we take care of day-to-day-”

“Yet.” Bryce called from where he was sitting on the floor with four-year old Georg and three-year-old Tiana. Maggie glared at her husband. “But after my year on the diagnostics team, I moved to pediatrics.” She tipped her head at him and grinned. “Some people would think as a pediatrician, I’d be better qualified to care for children than you.”

Ines was still surprised at what Bryce had said. “Are you trying? You don’t have to answer, I’m being nosy.”

Maggie looked over at her husband playing with the children. “We’re talking about starting to try.”

Maggie herded them towards the door. “Go. We’ll be fine until Baz comes to take over on Sunday night. Enjoy your next five days.”

They gave the kids hugs before finally setting off. The kids ran back to their toys with Bryce following along after them. After a few minutes, he turned to look at his wife. “Why are you looking at me like that? I swear I didn’t do anything!”

“Excuse me if I would rather everyone not know that we may or may not be discussing starting a family,” Maggie turned on her heel and walked into the kitchen, pushing the swinging door with more force than was required.

Bryce followed after her, ready to apologize, even though he didn’t think he had done anything wrong. He remembered the advice Dr. Tanaka had given him. ‘Always say you’re sorry. It makes for a happy wife.’ “Maggie, I’m sorry. I didn’t think you’d mind-” he began.

“That’s the problem, you didn’t think.” She nodded towards the door. “What are they doing in there?”

“Building shit with LEGOs and Play Doh.”

“Do you know what kids that age do with LEGOs, Bryce?”

Bryce was confused. “They snap them together and build things.”

“As someone who works in pediatrics, let me tell you what other things they do. They stuff them where they aren’t supposed to go,” she informed him. “Do you know how to get a LEGO out of someone’s nose? I do; I’ve done it more than once. Or their ear. Play Doh can also be stuffed places.”

Bryce’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think about that. Should I take those toys away from them? I’m surprised Zaid and Ines let them in the house.”

Maggie watched him for a second. “Or you could go in there and watch them! Let them play with them, but watch them.”

“That makes sense.” Bryce remained in the kitchen, nodding. After agreeing that the children needed to be watched.

“Or I’ll go since you aren’t.”

“No, I’ll go. Sorry.” As he left out the kitchen, he thought he heard her say something and he thought it was ‘I hope you step on a LEGO,’ but he knew his wife wouldn't wish that on him. Maybe he should go back and…

“NO!” The scream came from the living room. Bryce turned to see what the kids were doing, but he wasn’t fast enough. Maggie ran out of the kitchen and got to the kids just in time for Georg to throw a long piece of Play Doh at  Tiana.

Tiana screamed again. “It’s a snake! Get it off!” while Georg laughed.

Maggie sat next to the two of them and pulled Tiana onto her lap. She gently pulled the Play Doh snake out of the little girl’s hair and turned to Georg. “Hey, Georg, your mom said that your favorite food is pizza.”

Georg nodded. “Can we have that for dinner tonight?”

“Actually, we can’t because your mom already made a stew that’s been cooking all day. But, if you promise not to throw Play Doh at your sister, we can have it tomorrow.”

Georg thought for a minute. “Just Play Doh?”

Bryce laughed and sat down with the three of them. “How about you don’t throw anything at your sister?”

Georg reluctantly agreed and Maggie headed back to the kitchen. The rest of the evening progressed rather uneventfully until Maggie and Bryce were settled into the guest room.

“You’re good with kids,” Bryce told her as she opened her book.

“I am.”

“I like to think that I am, too,” Bryce began.

Just then one of the kids called. “I need a glass of water!”

Maggie looked at Bryce, who was staring at the door. “Anyways, I was saying...”

Maggie rolled her eyes and got out of bed. “Don’t get up. I’ll do it.”

“What?”

“I’ll go take Tiana a drink of water.” She turned around to look at him. “You could go check on Georg.”

Maggie opened the door to the little girl’s room and brought her a glass of water. “Did you want this?”

Tiana nodded and drank while Maggie sat on the bed and watched her. “Will you tell me a story?”

“Why don’t you tell me a story instead,” Maggie asked her.

“I don’t know any.”

“Make one up.”

“How?”

“Why don’t you tell me about your favorite thing to do? If you can do anything you want all day, what would you do?”

“I would go to the aquar-um.”

“Is that fun? I’ve been here for six years and haven’t gone yet.” Maggie said. “What do you like best?”

“I like the seals bestest. And then they have a turtle named mert? No. It’s green.”

Maggie spoke. “I think her name is Myrtle?”

Tiana nodded. “Yeah. And then they have penguins.”

“Penguins sound fun. I love penguins.”

“Georg likes sharks, but I think they are scary. He called me a baby.” Tiana yawned and said she was tired.

Maggie re-tucked her in bed and turned to see Bryce leaning against the door jamb, a smile on his face.

He held out his hand and she laced her fingers with his and they went back to the guest room.

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

Two days later they were back at their own apartment after leaving Baz in charge.

Keiki was settled on the sofa and greeted them when they walked in. “How was pretend parenting for a weekend?”

“Bryce will tell you all about it. I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Maggie said going into the bedroom.

She returned fifteen minutes later and sat on the arm of the sofa. Bryce was just finishing up details about the weekend. “It was a lot of fun, but I may not be as ready for it as I thought?”

Maggie leaned over and wrapped an arm around him. “Really? You think you want to put it off a while?”

“Maybe?”

Maggie pulled a white stick from behind her back that showed a plus sign on it. “I think you have about seven months to get ready.”

@oofchoices  @openheart12  @jamespotterthefirst  @ohchoices  @catchinglikekeronsene  @aylamreads  @nerdydinosaursweets  @eramsey28  @queencarb  @thegreentwin  @lion-ess24  @caseyvalentineramsey  @txemrn

@choicesficwriterscreations  @wackydrabbles  @choicesweeklychallenge  @choicesmonthlychallenge

[amphtaminedreams]

Cannes Film Festival 2019: Best Dressed

Forget the Met Gala everyone, real ones know that the Cannes Film Festival is the fashion event of the year! In part because it lasts for 12 whole days so there’s more content to sit there in my pyjamas analysing but also because it’s way less hyped up and thus less likely to leave you disappointed, a fate I’ve now resigned myself to with the Met. For almost 2 weeks, the richest, most out of touch people in the world spend their days looking pretty on a red carpet and judging films; I should be grossed out, but it’s more a case of just wishing I was there. So I present to you a collection of my favourite looks! 

Winnie Harlow (left), in Jean Paul Gaultier here, was one of my stand outs this year. Yes, I remember her from America’s Next Top Model and yes, I’m going to blame the edit, because LOOK AT THAT FUCKING STANCE. I’m in awe. This is my favourite look of hers this year (mostly because of this particular moment) but it’s the first of a few I’m going to bang on about. On the right is Priyanka Chopra in Georges Hobeika, complemented by the walking accessory that is Nick Jonas.

Priyanka and Nick’s daytime looks were beautiful too (left), and if you’re not paying attention to the Cannes daytime looks YOU SHOULD. Stefanie Giesinger (right)’s outfit is sleek and crisp and effortless and everything I want to emulate but also a lot more accessible than the average red carpet look.

Similarly, here we have Izabel Goulart (left), Caroline Daur (both of the middle looks), and Chloe Sevigny (right), out and about in Cannes all looking elegant (I mentally pronounced that RuPaul saying eloquent) as fuck. I imagine a lot of these pieces cost more individually than I will ever have collectively in my bank account at one time, but there you go. I imagine they could be replicated for a lot less.

But, let’s go back to the red carpet so we can talk about Winnie Harlow again, lmao. I desperately want to know who her stylist is because her Richard Quinn dress (far left) complements her skin tone perfectly AND the accessories are PERFECT, which I’m impressed by because I feel celebrity stylists often tend to go over the top in that regard. Winnie’s Ralph and Russo look (far right) also flawed me; @ mystery stylist, I bow down. Elsa Hosk reminded us all that gloves can be subtle and looked as ethereal as ever in a white, puff sleeved Redemption dress (second to right) and the things I would do for Maya Henry’s Ralph and Russo dress (second to left) are unholy.

Of course Georges Hobeika, Zuhair Murad and Gimabattista Valli (invented the phrase Holy Trinity) dresses made an appearance, and I internally weeped as saving photos of them to my phone is the closest I’ll probably ever get to owning one. Left to right here we have Ana Beatriz Barros in Hobeika, Valery Kaufman in Zuhair Murad, Bianca Brandolini d’Adda in Giambattista Valli x H&M (more on that in a minute), and Shanina Shaik in Georges Hobeika too.

See, it was a good day for the Giambattista Valli x H&M collaboration because Kendall Jenner (far left) wore one of the dresses too, and it was probably her most iconic Cannes moment, not counting those photos of her and Bella Hadid laughing in rich on that yacht. Ultimate Victoria’s Secret model (trash company but it has given us some goddesses, let’s be real) Adriana Lima also looked phenomenal in Ester Abner, and Natasha Poly (second to left) and Josephine Skriver (far right) were born to wear Atelier Versace and Alberta Ferretti, clearly. The shade of Josephine’s lipstick is a beautiful touch.

Honestly, these were my initial 3 favourite looks of the whole festival. I’m a simple girl, I’ll pretty much lay down my life for anything blue or tulle, so obviously, Alina Baikova in Zuhair Murad (left) is one of my favourites. For the same reason, minus the blue part, I adore Araya Hargate’s Ralph and Russo dress, and CAN WE TALK ABOUT ELLE FANNING (right)!? The poor girl feinted after one of her red carpets and we could have a whole conversation about how fucked up it is that a sample size was so tight on a very slim woman that it caused her to lose consciousness, but for now, I’m just going to commend her for her services to fashion because it’s almost 1am and I need to get some bloody sleep. Regardless, the finishing touch of the flowers in the hair make this my favourite of Elle’s Cannes looks, and the dress is by Valentino.

More red carpet stand outs were, from left to right, Pixie Lott (yes, I didn’t know she was still doing her thing either but power to her, despite the fact Mama Do plays approximately 73 times a day at my work) in Yanina Couture, Madison Headrick in Ashi Studio Spring 2019 Haute Couture, and Michelle Rodriguez in Rami Kadi.

Farhana Bodi’s (far left) was stunning in a cobalt Atelier Zuhra gown, as were Hina Khan in Ziad Nakad (second to left) and Chris Lee in Gucci (far right). I kind of live for witnessing a lavender pixie cut a la vegan, marxist twitter on a stuffy red carpet, and I will also take a reprieve from this breakneck speed to congratulate DJ Kiddy Smile (second from right) for doing what Harry Styles should’ve at the Met. This is spitting in the face of toxic masculinity, men, not wearing a sheer blouse; your endless supply of pink suits can’t save you from our criticisms forever (I like Harry Styles, this is a joke, please no one hurt me).

Next we have, from left to right, Diana Penty in Nedo by Nedret Taciroglu, Elle Fanning again stepping on all our necks in Dior, and on the far right, Eva Longoria in Alberta Ferretti. Now, 3 things: firstly, I stupidly saved the 3rd photo without including a note of who she is or who her dress is by and so if anybody happens to read this and knows, HELP A GIRL OUT. Secondly, I still stan Eva Longoria for playing Gabby Solis in Desperate Housewives which is the most slept on show amongst millennials and I wanted to use this opportunity to make a passionate PSA and say EVERYONE WATCH IT so references from it (”Rex cries when he ejaculates” anyone?) can become part of our cultural zeitgeist again. Finally, Elle fucking Fanning, can you let us breathe, please? This old Hollywood inspired Dior look is so simple but probably one of my favourite looks from the whole festival because who knew it was possible to simultaneously look so glamorous and yet also so soft? It’s timeless.

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Taylor Hill makes the best dressed list twice. Obviously, she could wear a bin bag and look beautiful, but her stylist knows just how to elevate the whole angelic, other worldly being thing she has going on, and she was stunning in Ines Di Santo (left) and Fendi (middle) at the Rocketman premiere. Bella Hadid brought the same divine energy in a white, tulle Dior dress (far right).

Another one of Elle Fanning’s flawless Cannes moments was courtesy of Gucci (far left). On its own, I don’t think this dress would catch my attention as much as it did BUT the cape detailing with the red lipstick and the hair pulled back makes this outfit a stand out for me. To Elle’s right are Natalia Vodianova in Atelier Versace (second from the left), and Lea Seydoux (second from right) and Stacy Martin (far right) both in Louis Vuitton.

I’m gonna take a small break from Elle Fanning to fangirl over Guan Xiao Tong in Atelier Versace (far left). The quality of the photo I saved wouldn’t be out of place on 13 year old me’s HTC phone but I also think nothing captures how beautiful the structure of Guan Xiao’s dress was better than a semi aerial shot, and the same goes for Sririta Jensen in Michael Cinco (far right). Now back to admiring Elle Fanning, in Ryan Lo (second from left) and Vivienne Westwood (second from right).

Her daytime looks are just as good. Elle wears Marc Jacobs on the left, Miu Miu on the far right, and I have no bloody idea on the middle. If you’re reading this and you know, HMU. I promise, it’s not me being lazy; Elle.com doesn’t know either.

To go back to red carpet looks, I loved Izabel Goulart in Valentino Couture (left) looking like she just killed her husband, Dracula, after a domestic that resulted from her draining the blood of his afternoon snacks (I’m coming for your gig, Stephenie Meyer). Coco Rocha looked incredible in Elie Saab (middle); I’m surprised this was the only one of her dresses that stood out to me this year because I really like her designs. God knows I have spent far too long imagining myself in one. Lastly in this photoset, there’s Leomie Anderson in Rami Kadi (right) and, like, WOW.

Now, I’m going to whizz through these last few photosets. First is Sara Sampaio in Armani, then Alina Baikova in Zuhair Murad, Charlotte Gainsbourg in Christian Dior Haute Couture, and finally Sui He on the far right. I’m not sure who she’s wearing and Harper’s Bazaar and reverse image search is giving me dust so as always, if you’re reading and you know, hmu.

From left to right here: Stella Maxwell in Atelier Versace, Martha Hunt in Monique L’Huillier, Gayle Rankin in Delpozo and Dua Lipa in Valentino.

L-R: Madison Beer in Georges Hobeika (STUNNING, and I just read on Twitter that there was a gun pulled out at one of her concerts which is insane, and how has it become so commonplace in the states that something like that doesn’t make headline news?), Chloe Sevigny (again, I stan) in Miu Miu, and Hailey Clauson in Ralph and Russo.

L-R: Elle Fanning in Reem Acra (another fucking beautiful cape!), Elsa Hosk in Alberta Ferretti (Cannes 2019 has been GREAT advertisement for Alberta and power to her, am I right?), Jasmine Tookes in Zuhair Murad (I have LOVED this dress ever since its runway debut and there are few human beings out there who would do it more justice than Jasmine), and finally Araya Hargate again in Atelier Versace.

To finish, Eva Longoria’s sleek all camel day look is more of Alberta Ferretti doing what she does best, high fashion Twitter darling Sasha Luss’s dress is couture Chanel, and so is Margot Robbie’s. It’s the delicate touch of the plaits that I love with Margot’s look and Eva looks radiant, and both are a final reminder NOT TO SLEEP ON CANNES’ DAYTIME FASHION.

All in all, Cannes produced just as many extortionately expensive fairy princess looks as ever and, as always, I lived for it. I love dark, grungy fashion but still, the little girl in me can’t beat feathers, satin and sequins; there’s no event better suited for vicariously living out my French vanilla fantasy. 

It also brings together two of my favourite things in life: films and fashion. Call me a basic bitch, but I’m very excited for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (though I am conflicted about whether to see it in cinemas considering I just found out Leonard DiCaprio has known his current girlfriend since SHE WAS 11, like, what the fuck?), Portrait of a Lady on Fire sounds incredible, and I plan on seeing Rocketman this week.

If you read all this post all the way to the end, I hope you enjoyed it!

Lauren x