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Queen Buffy - Episode 2

First Episode

Episode 2

Buffy and Dawn are sitting with Joyce in her room, waiting for the doctor to come back with the results of the blood tests and schedule for surgery. While they’re chatting, Buffy occasionally wipes a tear from her eye and lets it drip onto the rim of her mother’s glass before handing it to her to drink.

Joyce takes the glass and smiles at Buffy, “Buffy, I’m perfectly capable of pouring my own drinks.”

Buffy smiles at her from the chair, “I know mom, but if I didn’t, you’d have to relinquish Dawn.”

Dawn reaches out and takes a lump of jell-o from the table in front of Joyce, “Uh huh, and then I wouldn’t be able to steal your jell-o. Hey, one of my friends at school says that gelatin is made from ground up cow hooves. And that every time you eat some jell-o, some cows somewhere are limping around without hooves. I think they’re wrong, and that they kill they cows before they use their hooves.”

Joyce makes a face, as though the sheer idea is nauseating, “Look, girls. I’m sure that the creamed spinach is lovely, but you should go out and get yourselves something proper to eat.”

Buffy smiles and puts a hand on her mother’s arm, “Hey mom, we’re doing fine here. Aren’t we Dawn. What more could we want? The three of us spending quality time together without any distractions.”

Dawn smiles and nods, “Yep.”

Buffy puts another tear on the glass, even though she knows it won’t help with the tumor, as it’s not actually a disease. That’s on top of the fact that they won’t reach full potency until her fingernails start showing a difference.

Buffy looks at the back of her hand, “Mom, if I had a way to protect you and Dawn. Not only from the things that try to kill me occasionally. But also from diseases and things like cancer. Would you want me to use it on you?”

Joyce reaches out a hand and places it comfortingly on the back of Buffy’s neck, “Honey, not if it meant selling your soul to something equally as bad.”

Buffy smiles at them, “No selling of souls involved.”

“Then it would probably be irresponsible of me to turn it down. Especially with Dawn in the picture too. Even so, I don’t think I’d want to accept it, as I think you need your slice of normality.”

Buffy smiles at the two of them.

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Shortly after the food has been taken away, and Willow popped around to bring gifts and check in on Buffy, the doctor returns. As he walks around the end of the bed, Willow discretely leaves and closes the door behind her.

“Good evening ladies. I have some good news for you.”

Buffy and Dawn both smile at the doctor, while Joyce looks confused and upset as the doctor continues, “Your bloodwork has come back, and you have a clean bill of health. That means that we can continue with the surgery, and we have booked it for 10am the day after tomorrow.”

Buffy nods, “That’s great news, what do you think mom?”

Joyce’s voice turns harsh and she turns her head towards Dawn while speaking, “I think this fucking hotel sucks, especially having to share it with freaks like you.”

Buffy winces, and waves a distressed Dawn out of the room. As the door clicks shut, she turns back to the doctor, “Doctor, being honest. Based on the shadow, and what you saw during the biopsy, how fast is this progressing?”

The doctor hides a wince, “It’s not the fastest growing tumor I’ve ever seen.”

Buffy nods, “Would it be possible to put my mom on a light dose of blood thinners and a strong anti-inflammatory?”

The doctor sighs, “I don’t know what you’ve been reading, but for this tumor blood thinners won’t help. We’ve already got her on the strongest painkillers and anti-inflammatories I dare use.”

Buffy thinks for a moment, running through what she can remember from Vivian’s medical training, “Does that mean it’s on the posterior of the lobe with a single attachment point?”

The doctor shakes his head, “Close, it’s between the skull and the lobe, and pushing backwards into the frontal lobe. We’re lucky in that respect, as it will make it easier to remove the largest mass without damaging the brain tissue. But, it’s location is compressing the local blood supply, and depending on the position of her head, and her blood pressure.”

Buffy slumps, “The effect of that is magnified or mitigated. And, of course, it’s the brain so there’s bugger all free space to begin with.”

Impressed the doctor asks, “Impressive, are you going to go into surgery?”

Buffy shakes her head, “Psychiatry, I’m majoring in psychology at college, and I’ll have to see about finding a medical college once I graduate.”

The doctor sighs, “We can always use more of those. Especially at the moment. Our secure ward is overflowing with patients at the moment, and the directors have taken the decision discharge the patients that aren’t a danger to themselves or others.”

Joyce blinks owlishly, before her expression returns to normal and she looks around, “Buffy, where’s Dawn?”

Buffy glances at the doctor, “Ah, she had to step outside as there were some distressing things being talked about.”

Joyce smiles at her, “Why don’t you go and see how she’s doing. I’m sure I can spend a couple of minutes talking to the doctor.”

Buffy nods before kissing Joyce on the forehead and leaving the room.

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As she walks outside, she can see that there’s a mental patient walking towards Dawn and Willow, saying something about ‘not having any pictures’

As she walks up behind an increasingly distressed Dawn, the patient catches sight of her, and screams before he runs down the corridor crying about not wanting to be caught in ‘the inferno’ or ‘the black tide’.

The nurses that were accompanying the mental patient share a glance before jogging after him.

Buffy taps Dawn on the shoulder, “Hey Dawn, are you ok?”

Dawn jumps, with a squeak, while Willow just jumps at the sound of her voice. Spinning around, Dawn grabs Buffy and starts to cry, “Buffy, is there something wrong with me?”

Buffy smiles into her hair, “No Dawn. You are exactly the way you’re supposed to be.”

Dawn sniffs, “It’s just, he’s not the first one to say stuff like that.”

“You better not be getting my top snotty. Anyway, he was looking at me when he started to scream about fire and tides. So, if there’s something wrong with you, then there’s something wrong with me too.”

Willow looks at Buffy worriedly, “Buffy, do you think there’s anything to what he said about you. After all, there’s what happened earlier.”

Buffy smiles at Willow and lies, “Nope, no clue. Probably the effects of the hellmouth or something. You’d know better, being the brainy one around here.”

While they’re chatting, the intern, Ben, comes out of a side corridor, “Was he bothering you?”

Buffy shakes her head, “Not really, he scared Dawn a little before he ran away screaming about fire and tides. Dr Kriegel mentioned something about a rash of cases.”

Ben nods, “There are. The directors are starting to send them home. They shouldn’t be doing that, as these people need around the clock care.”

Buffy sighs as her memories paint Ben as an idealistic young man that hasn’t yet grasped the problem of finite resources. Rather than arguing, she just smiles and nods, and leads the three of the to the vending machines.

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A few hours later finds Dawn and Buffy playing cards in their mother’s room. A moment later Buffy looks up as Joyce angrily says, “Why won’t this work?”

Buffy stands up and walks over to Joyce’s bed where she’s stabbing the call button for the room. Gently she takes the button from her mother, “Mom, they probably heard you. But they have other people to care for too.”

Joyce looks down at where Buffy placed it, “I bet it’s not even hooked up to anything. Just like the push buttons at the crosswalk that are supposed to make the signal change.”

“I’m sure someone’s seen the light, and they’ll be here as soon as they can be.”

As Buffy finishes talking, the door opens and Dr Kriegel walks in. When Joyce notices him, she turns to Buffy, “Oh, tell him, Buffy. Tell him, ok?”

The doctor looks up at Buffy with an expectant look, so Buffy sighs, “Look, Dr Kriegel, we wanna go home.”

The doctor gives a crooked smiles, “Well, of course. You can come back and visit your mother first thing in the morning.”

Buffy glances down at Joyce for a moment, “No. We. I mean all of us. My mom too.”

The doctor glances upwards, a little surprised, “Oh. Well, I understand that, but it’s not necessarily the first thing I’d recommend.”

Joyce stutters, “I-I can’t. I-I can’t stay here waiting for two days for this operation. I just can’t.” She turns to face the doctor, “It makes my head hurt to be here. Can’t you tell that?”

The doctor looks down at Joyce, “Joyce, there’s no reason to get upset.”

“There’s no reason to get upset. Oh, right. Sorry. I must just think there is ‘cause of my brain tumor!”

As Joyce turns towards Buffy, and her mouth drops open in concern, Buffy turns around and sees Dawn fidgeting with her book about spells and looking very uncomfortable. Fishing around in the mini pocket of her jeans, Buffy pulls out a dollar note of some denomination and holds it out to Dawn, “Here, Dawn. Why don’t you get something from the machine?”

Everyone waits silently as Dawn leaves sullenly, an uncomfortable expression on her face. Once she’s gone, Joyce looks at Buffy, “I’m sorry I said that. I’m just so tired.”

Buffy rubs her mothers arm, “I know. Listen Doctor. I don’t see why we can’t just take her home, you know, just until… I-I mean, wouldn’t it be better for her to be in a familiar location. It would also free up this room for another patient.”

The doctor looks at Buffy gravely, “Even if it would mean some work for you, taking care of her?”

Joyce looks to the ceiling saying, “Oh, thank God” and lays back in the bed.

Buffy nods, “I’ll do it.”

The doctor shakes his head, “There are medications to administer. I’d have to go over those with you. And I’d need for you to check her vitals. Watch her pretty closely. I’m afraid you won’t get a lot of sleep.”

Buffy shrugs, “I wasn’t planning on it anyway. I’m not looking forward to the nightmares.” She makes sure to glance towards Joyce as she says that.

Joyce abruptly sits up in the bed, “Can we go now? Let’s go now.”

Buffy gently, but firmly pushes her back into the bed, “Hold on a minute. I need to go through the medication and observations that Dr Kriegel needs.”

The doctor nods, “She’s right. We don’t want to forget anything.”

It takes another half an hour before the three of them are able to return home with Joyce’s medication. As they’re walking out, there seems to be some sort of emergency happening in a ward, what with staff from ER running towards the ward with crash carts.

As she drives the family home, Buffy mentally muses that she really should get around to doing her driving test now she’s over 18, rather than relying on a learners permit. Even it will be superfluous in a few days. A black Humvee catches her attention, as it hurtles around a corner towards the hospital, and she glances into the review mirror to see what’s going on. A movement from Joyce reminds her that she’s got more important priorities tonight.

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Once they’ve got Joyce settled in her room, and all of the lights outside the rooms that aren’t actually in use turned off. Buffy searches her jewelry and the house for anything she could use for scribing a runic spell on. In her jewelry, she finds a brass charm bracelet with a blank heart, and a blank sun charm, on it. She also digs out her old compass from the back of a cupboard where she dumped her school supplies after the mayor thing happened last year.

Down in the basement Buffy’s lucky enough to find an old poker set with no inserts on the chips. Carrying her supplies up to the lounge, she places them on the coffee table before noticing the open DVD case.

“The Matrix, really Dawn.”

Dawn looks at Buffy with pleading eyes, “Please Buffy. You’ve seen it, and you’ll be here.”

“What would mom say?”

Dawn points at the stuff Buffy’s put on the table, “I can watch it next year when I’m old enough? What are you going to do with all of that?”

Buffy glances down, “I’m going to make a spell so that I can put the equivalent of a magical baby monitor, combined with one of those machines in the hospital, on mom.”

“Can I watch?”

Buffy gives Dawn a long look as she considers the pros and cons of that course of action, viewed through the lens of bringing her into the hive as soon as possible. Buffy blinks a few times, and shakes her head, “Um, sure. Though it’s not the same sort of magic Willow and Tara use.”

Dawn looks confused, “There’s different sorts of magic?”

Buffy nods, “Apparently so. There are people and creatures that are born with more magic than mu… normal people. Because of that, they produce more magic on their own, and they can use that in a variety of ways. Then there are magic, users, like our friends, who channel magic from the world around them, or use spells imbued in a book or an item.”

“Huh? Why hasn’t anyone said anything about that before?”

Buffy slumps down onto the couch and starts scratching at a poker chip with the point of the compass, “Because it wasn’t possible before. Dawn, I made a mistake earlier.”

Dawn sneaks the play button on the TV control, “What happened?”

“Do you remember I left you with Riley this morning?”

Dawn nods, “He took me to the roundabout with the horses, and bought me ice cream.”

Buffy smiles, “Yeah, he’s good like that. I needed the space to process what I’d just been told. When I remembered that magic exists, I went to Magic Box and asked if there were any spells or rituals to help.”

Dawn blinks, and looks at Buffy suspiciously, “Buffy, you’re being awfully open about this. What happened to ‘Dawn’s a fragile little child that needs to be protected’?”

Buffy chuckles mirthlessly, “Let me finish my story, and I’ll tell you.” She pauses to allow Dawn to nod, “During that conversation, I wished there was something I could do to help mom. After that, I found out that Glory was trying to summon that giant snake thing, I left to try and stop her. That’s where I got infected by what I now know was an adoption egg from another dimension.”

“What? Like Hell?”

Buffy shakes her head, “I don’t think so. I think that it’s a place where the rules were different.” Buffy taps her head, “I’ve got the memories of several adults, and lots of aliens up here now.”

Dawn glances back from the TV, “What, like demons?”

“No, like Star Wars. I’ve got memories of looking at alien suns, and walking on alien planets.” She laughs, “There’s more than that, but the memories have just been coming as needed. I still have to practice the things I want to do.”

Buffy flicks the poker chip she was using into the trash, and picks up another one, that she starts scratching at.

═══════ ೋღ ֍ ღೋ ═══════

A couple of hours later, Dawn has fallen asleep on the couch, and Buffy lifts her hands in a cheer as she successfully finishes carving a poker chip. The nine failures are all in the trash, along with the scraps of paper she’s used to try drawing the runes out after the first few failures.

Dawn wakes with a start as the sound of a crash comes from the kitchen. Both of them hurry to the kitchen, only to see Joyce leaning over the fridge with her dressing gown on. On the stove a dry pan is hissing and smoking.

While Dawn heads over to Joyce, Buffy coughs and hurries over to the cooker, and turns everything off while moving the pan off the heat.

Turning around, Buffy asks, “Mom, what are you doing?”

Joyce stands up and sneers at Buffy, “I’m making breakfast. You shouldn’t eat any more. You’re disgustingly fat.”

Buffy swallows her first response, and puts a hand on her mothers arm, “I know, it’s all the lounging around I do. Come on mom, let’s get you back to bed.”

Joyce’s vision clears, and she shakes her head gently, “Oh, Buffy, I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Buffy smiles at her mother, “It’s ok, your tumor was just pressing on your brain, and leaving you confused. Let’s get you back to bed so that you can get some rest. Dawn, can you check the other appliances and make sure they’re switched off.”

While Buffy deals with the medicines, and taking her observations, Dawn starts to tuck Joyce into bed.

Dawn has just finished tucking her in and strokes her hair a couple of times, when Joyce sits up with a gasp, “Don’t touch me! You… You thing.”

Dawn stands up and backs away, with a shaky voice she says, “Mom, please.”

“Get away from me. You’re nothing. You’re a shadow.”

Buffy tries to interrupt by saying “Mom!” But Joyce carries on.

“I don’t know what you are or how you got here.”

Buffy tries again, “Mom, it’s Dawn.”

Joyce looks towards Buffy and then starts to scream.

As Dawn runs out of the room, Joyce’s face clears up and she calls out, “Dawn honey what’s wrong?”

Buffy turns back, “You just had a funny turn, and she’s tired. We all are. Come on. Go to sleep.” Once Joyce has lain down, she adds, “I’ll check on you in a little bit.”

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Buffy closes the door to Dawn’s room softly, “Hey Dawn.”

Dawn sits heavily on her bed, “She hates me, doesn’t she.”

Buffy sighs and sits down next to her, “No, she doesn’t. She’s just losing her lucidity occasionally.”

“She called me a thing.”

“And she screamed when she saw me. Dawn, there’s some things I want to talk to you about later. But not until you’ve had some sleep. Until then, just remember that she loves you, as do I. She’s just not herself because of the tumor.”

Dawn shakes her head, “No, not just Mom. It was also the guy at the hospital, and a guy outside Magic Box. He called me a thing too. Said I didn’t belong. He said I wasn’t real. Why does everybody keep doing that? What’s wrong with me? You did it too.”

Buffy chews her lip as she looks down, “Dawn, can you trust me for a bit, and leave this till tomorrow. I’ve also finished the first spell, so if you think you can stay awake for half an hour, I’ll make a different one and show you what it does.”

Dawn’s expression wars between wanting an answer now, and wanting to see what Buffy’s been doing. In the end, her curiosity about magic wins over, and she uncurls from the bed, “I’d like to see.”

Buffy smiles, “Let me activate the spell for mom. If you could move the rest of the stuff on the coffee table into the kitchen, I’ll show you how to do this.”

As Dawn scrambles for the stairs, Buffy smiles and snaps her fingers, the carved poker chip appearing in her other hand. Walking into her own bedroom, Buffy reaches under her bed and pulls out a sharp axe.

Carefully, she cuts the tip of her thumb on the blade and ignores the sizzling sound as her blood starts to etch the metal. Instead, she runs her blood along the runes that have been carved around the inside of where the insert would go.

Instead of sizzling, the blood instead seeps into the runes and stains them a bright red. Walking back into her mothers room, she sits on the edge of the bed before placing the poker chip on Joyce’s chest, just over the heart, and muttering the incantation to the medical monitor spell that Bathsheba Babbling has re-carved into hospital beds so many times. As a faint shimmer covers Joyce’s body, she stirs slightly from the drug induced slumber.

Leaning over, Buffy kisses her mother on the forehead, before standing up and making her way downstairs, poker chip in hand. While she’s holding it, she can feel the information from the spell in the back of her mind. Though, even with the memories to help, she doesn’t understand most of what the spell is telling her. Hardly surprising considering the spell is designed for mediwitches and healers. As she makes her way downstairs, she slips the poker chip into her bra, so that she doesn’t lose contact with it.

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Buffy smiles a Dawn as she walks into the kitchen and turns the light on, “Hey Dawn, she’s asleep now.”

Dawn leans her head on her hands, “Thank god.”

Buffy sits down at the table, “Thank medicine, as I don’t think she’s going to sleep long.”

“Is the spell working then?”

Buffy nods, “It is, though I don’t understand most of what it’s telling me. I can tell that her breathing is slow and even, with the occasional hitch that I think is pain causing her to wake up slightly. Anyway, I was going to show you a spell.”

Dawn looks over eagerly, “What spell?”

“A Norse night light. According to Beth’s memories it’s one of very few surviving examples of Norse magic that they kept after the introduction of the wand.”

With all the practice she’s had over the last couple of hours, it’s easy enough to sketch out the runes for the night light on paper.

Dawn looks at the neat spiral of runes in confusion, “How does that work?”

Buffy smiles, “You need to be fluent in Old Norse, and then you write out the spell neatly in the mathematically correct pattern. Beth’s memories suggest that modern witches and wizards didn’t use runes like this anymore, as wands could make something like this in seconds. But I don’t have a wand yet.”

“Wait, you can speak Old Norse?”

Buffy nods as she starts to painstakingly carve the runes into a poker chip, “And High Egyptian, Yautja, Skali, and Laprey.”

Buffy’s about half way through carving the runes when she carefully lifts the point of the compass and looks up towards Joyce’s bedroom, “Mum’s just woken up.”

Dawn jerks her head back, where she’d started to doze off, “I’m awake.”

Buffy smiles, “I know you are. I just said that mom’s awake.”

Dawn’s about to ask how Buffy knows, when Joyce starts talking about eyes that look like pools of petroleum.

As tears start to form in Dawn’s eyes, she stands up to turn the radio on, and Buffy shakes her head, “Don’t. I know you want to, and I want to as well. But I need to be able to hear if she calls out for help. You fell asleep half way through The Matrix earlier, so you could find the last bit you remember. Or you could grab a blanket, and sleep on the couch for tonight.”

Dawn sits back down, “Could I have a hot chocolate please?”

Buffy smiles and clicks her fingers. Behind her, the electric hob turns on, and a saucepan floats over to land on it, followed by the milk from the fridge. Moments later, the milk is warming gently on the stove, a wooden spoon stirring it gently, while Dawn looks on with awe.

“Buffy, are you doing that?”

“I am. Now, give me a moment, as this is a tricky bit.”

Dawn’s eyes travel down to the poker chip that now has deep grooves spelling out the runes that Buffy has been writing. A couple of minutes later, Buffy lays the compass down, and hands the poker chip to Dawn.

As Dawn looks at it under the light, she can see a neat spiral of angular scratches that seems to rise out of the center of the chip, “How did you do that?”

Buffy smiles mistily, “Too much time spent drawing Angel’s eyes, and memories from a person with a Mastery in Ancient Runes. Think college degree.”

“You still miss him, don’t you.”

Buffy nods, “I do. But I think I miss the idea of him more than the reality.”

Dawn shakes her head, “That doesn’t make sense.”

Buffy sighs, “I’m glad it doesn’t. But it will one day. Now all I need to do with this is activate it.”

“How do you do that?”

Buffy smiles, and snaps her fingers, summoning the axe from her bedroom. Without hesitation, she cuts her thumb again, before smearing blood on the runes. Dawn jumps up and runs for the first aid kit when she sees how deep the wound it.

Buffy just laughs, and sucks the blood off her thumb to show clear skin, “I didn’t just get memories Dawn. If I survive, then there’s not much I won’t heal from anymore. But you might want to take a plaster out for yourself, as I need you to prick your finger and put a spot of blood on the center of the spiral.”

Dawn gapes at Buffy, “Buffy, why?”

Buffy picks up a chip and flicks it end over end, “Without a wand, the Norse used carved runes for their spells. They were able to do highly impressive feats of magic, some of which still haven’t been duplicated. However, they needed to link the spell to themselves so that they would channel magic properly. Though, this is more like a magical item than a spell. The theory is the same. It needs magic to activate the runes and allow it to draw from my own magic. You need to donate a spot of blood before mine would dry so that you can use this without this sort of magic.”

Hesitantly, Dawn stands up and gets one of the smaller kitchen knifes, before poking the side of a finger with it. She winces as it draws blood, and Buffy’s hand shoots out to hold her finger steady while she carefully touches the poker chip to a drop of blood.

Dawn watches in amazement as her blood is absorbed into the chip, and sheen seems to run across it.

Buffy smiles as the coco powder moves over to the hob beside her, and a few spoonful’s are added to the milk, along with some cream, “If you touch your finger to it and say ‘Ljós’ it will activate the light. ‘Njól’ will turn it off again. ‘Dagr’ will make the light brighter, though you shouldn’t look at it while you say that.”

Dawn looks at Buffy as though she’s just spoken Klingon, “What did you just say?”

“’Ljós’ to turn it on, ‘Njól’ to turn it off, and ‘Dagr’ to make it brighter. Probably best not to try that last one around friendly vampires, as ‘Dagr’ means Day or Daylight.”

Dawn sags, “I’m never going to be able to say that.”

Buffy smiles, “Sure you will, it just takes practice. Come on, just practice the first two a few times. When you get it right, it will turn on or off. That should give you just enough time for the hot chocolate to be ready.”

By the time the chocolate is ready to drink, Dawn has managed to turn it on, and is half-heartedly trying to turn it off while looking at the swirling ball of pale blue light that’s hovering above the poker chip.

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It’s an hour later, and the washing up is doing itself in the sink while Buffy tries to go through the memories of the people she’s got in her head, of their experiences with becoming part of the hive, without dipping into any of the memories before Arry became Queen of her hive.

Suddenly, she sprints upstairs when the spell warns her that her mother has stopped breathing, and is currently panicking. As she hurries through the door to Joyce’s bedroom, she spots something lying on top of Joyce, and launches herself across the bed, catching it around what seems to be it’s waist.

Whatever it is, doesn’t have legs, however, it’s arms are abnormally strong, as it tries to wrestle free of Buffy’s grip. As it frees itself from one of her arms, she reaches out for something, anything that could help her. As she does so, instincts rear up in the back of her head, and she snaps her fingers, bringing the axe from the table downstairs.

As the axe lands on the floor with a clatter, the creature spits some sort of goo all over her face, trying to make her let go. Instead, she holds her breath, and blindly reaches out for the head of the axe. When she finds it, she grasps it as tight as she can until she feels her blood running down her wrist.

With the now gaping wound on her hand, she lets go of the axe head and slams her palm into the face of the creature above her. As her blood gets into its eyes and mouth, it rears back in agony, and Buffy takes the opportunity to rip whatever it spat on her, off her face. Now able to see more clearly, Buffy picks up the axe and disappears with a pop at the same time it darts through the door.

Reappearing at the top of the stairs, she blindly swings the axe up at the ceiling, and pulls the axe all the way through the swing after it hits something with a meaty thunk. With dispassionate eyes, she wrenches the axe out of its side, and kicks it over onto its back.

As Dawn scrambles up the stairs, she looks at her, “Check on mom, I need to make sure this is dead.”

Dawn looks at the creature with it’s sizzling face, and darts into the bathroom with a retching sound and takes a swig of water from the tap. Then she goes through the bathroom door into Joyce’s room.

Hefting the axe, Buffy brings it down at the top of the things sternum. Then, using both hands, wrenches the ribcage open until she finds its heart.

From downstairs comes a loud crash as the front door is kicked in, and men in black combats pour in, weapons at the ready. By the time they get upstairs, Buffy has almost lovingly removed the heart, being careful not to cut through any of the ligaments that hold the organ in place.

With a smile, and her hands dripping green blood onto the wooden floor, Buffy says, “Excuse me gentlemen, I need to get this into a container, and into the fridge.”

As she walks down the stairs, she hears the two men whisper, “Is that really Riley’s girlfriend?”

It’s only a moment later that she enters the kitchen, and sees Spike sitting in a chair with two guns pointing at him.

“Where did you find him?”

Riley says, from behind her, “We found him in the basement.”

Buffy grabs a Tupperware container, and puts the heart in the fridge, “What on earth were you doing in the basement?”

Spike looks up at her, “I, um, that is.”

Buffy shakes her head, “Whatever, just get out of the house, I need to check on mom and Dawn and make sure they’re both ok.”

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#btvs #fanfic #also on ao3 #Queen Buffy #fanfiction #buffy summers

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chappythegardener · 1 year

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How long can you keep squash seeds? Squash seeds can actually be stored for several years if they are properly cared for.The key to storing squash seeds is to keep them dry and cool. They should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.If you follow these simple guidelines, your squash seeds will be viable for many years.So, the next time you have a bumper crop of squash, don’t worry about planting them all right away. You can save some of the seeds for next year’s garden. How many squash seeds should I plant? It is recommended that you plant about 5 to 10 squash seeds per hill.You should plant the seeds about 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil.If you are planting more than one seed per hill, thin the seedlings out so that there is only one plant per hill. When the squash plants have two or three leaves, you can fertilize them with compost or manure tea. How many squash will one seed produce? One squash seed will produce between two and six squash fruits.The average weight of a squash fruit is between six and eight pounds.The average weight of a seed is between one-half and one ounce.There are approximately 30 seeds in one pound. How long does it take for squash to grow from seed? Growing squash from seed is a easy and rewarding process that can be done in just a few short weeks.With a little patience and the right conditions, you can be enjoying fresh squash picked straight from your own garden in no time.Here are a few things to keep in mind when growing squash from seed:-Squash seeds need warm temperatures to germinate, so it’s best to start them indoors about 2-3 weeks before the last frost date in your area.-Sow the seeds in individual pots or cell trays filled with moistened potting mix or vermiculite. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and keep them moist but not wet.-Once the seedlings have emerged, give them plenty of light by placing them under grow lights or near a sunny window. How fast do squash germinate? Squash seeds germinate best at temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with most varieties germinating within 12 days.The ideal soil temperature for squash seed germination is 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit.If the soil temperature is too cold, the seeds may not germinate at all.If the soil temperature is too hot, the seeds may germinate unevenly or produce weak seedlings.

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ahogechef · 1 year

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"Today's an extra special day! That's right! Iiiiiiit's...! National Nougat Day and National Spinach Day today!! How cool is that?" *kaito laughs as he then reveals the tasty candy that he had hidden behind his back, having cut it into small cubes and placed a singular leaf of spinach on all of them!*

"You wouldn't believe how excited my uncle was to help me make these, especially after I told him it was for my buddy's birthday. In fact, he was so eager to help that he watched over me every step of the way just to make sure it would be extra tasty! As it is, I had to add the spinach in right before I left 'cause he kept saying I should leave it as is, haha~!!" Kaito then pulls Kaede into a huge hug, even going as far as to lift her off the ground a little bit!

"C'mon, c'mon!! After you have a few, let's go do something fun together! We have all day to celebrate, but you're the birthday girl so you get to decide what to do~!"

{ Birthday Asks! 🍰 }

"E-Ehehe, ohhh it's not all that-huh?" She blinks when he states the two other things also today is. "National Nougat... and Spinach Day?! I didn't know that... I guess that's pretty cool; but hey! Aren't you forgetting tot mention the third thing to celebrate here, pal?!" She jokes with a smirk, laughing along with him as she playfully swats his side. Then when he pulls out the nougat, her eyes were about to light up! "! Ohhh-!" ....Until she saw the spinach leaves on of each one. "......hhh......... ..........." Never did the smile on her face disappear as fast as it did just now. Made even worse by the fact they apparently did look normal at first, until Kaito placed the leaves on them after he finished making them. "Oh.....I see....." Kaito's uncle's attempt to spare this poor girl of the boy's bizarre cooking methods, were to no prevail.........

And just before she could voice her complaints, she lets out a surprised squeak when he lifts her up into a bear hug. Which she liked, as she goes to wrap her arms around his neck, but still let out a whine at the thought of even trying those with spinach on top!! "Whaaaaa, dangit Kaito, why didn't you listen to him?! I don't wanna try spinach nougaaaaat!"

She gives the lightest bop to the top of his head. Oh why does he love to torment her, so... but he still did go through the trouble of making her something, and was set on having fun with her today. Maybe... just this once: she'll indulge... and then secretly take the spinach leaves off the rest when he's not looking. "O-Ohhh, fine.... I'll try just a couple for now! I'm gonna really make you spoil me more in turn for that!! You'll regret giving me this much freedom to decide how we'll celebrate today, heheh!" Her smile grows playfully mischevious, before it softens. "Really though, ahaha.... thank you, Kaito! I know I'll have so much fun celebrating today with you! And I suppooooose I'm still thankful for the nougats... but don't make spinach ones again, you hear me! In fact, you'd better snack on some, yourself! I won't suffer alone!!" She laughs, giving him a tight squeeze in the hug. She's sure at the end of the day, it'll be something they both laugh off, together.

#JFNNJKFDJKDF I CAN'T BELIEVE HE WAS ACTUALLY SERIOUS!#THERE REALLY /IS/ A DAY FOR GODDAMN EVERYTHING!#AND SPINACH NOUGAT OH MY GOD!!!! KAITO PLEAS E!!!! FJFDJFJD CAN'T EVEN SPARE THIS POOR GIRL OF YOUR CRAZY CREATIONS ON HER BIRTHDAAAAAY!!!!#KNJFDKJD sHE'LL EAT LIK E TWO WITH THE LEAVES ON AND CRY INTERNALLY....#KJDFNJKD these two are so stupIT I LOVE THEM #thank u for this chaotically beautiful ask hehe~!#Kaede answers;;#essenceofjustice

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cardio-clear-7 · 2 years

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Cardio Clear 7 Reviews – Is Cardio Clear 7 Really Help For Cardiovascular? Must Read!

Cardio Clear 7 Reviews - What Is Cardio Clear 7 Reviews? Does Cardio Clear 7 Effective For cardiovascular? User Truth Exposed! Read about its working method

What Exactly Is Cardio Clear 7?

Naturally, you want to make good choices when it comes to nutrition. However, it is not always easy to know what to believe and what to reject. This article gathers together several nutrition tips that are reliable and effective. Read on to see what they are, and then try them out for yourself.

Eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and nuts. You should try to eliminate snacking all together, but if you find yourself craving something to munch on throughout the day or for a midnight snack, try having a piece of fruit. It can be just as filling as a cupcake or cookie but it's a lot healthier and a lot less calories.

Always read your nutrition labels when you are purchasing food from a store. You can make yourself aware of ingredients to avoid and also make healthier choices to add to your diet. Keeping track of food this way can ensure that you do not overeat by providing you with serving sizes.

When it comes to pregnancy cravings, watch not only what foods they are but how much you want. In other words, if you must satisfy an unhealthy craving, do it in a healthy way. Watch your portions and what is in what you desire. This is not a free period to engorge yourself on junk as not getting enough of what you need can harm you, and possibly the baby, later on.

How the Cardio Clear 7 Work?

If you are concerned about healthy nutrition, you will want to look into the growing movement for locally grown food. By buying produce from local small farms you get a fresher product. It hasn't been shipped across country in refrigerated cars! If organically grown, it won't be laden with pesticides.

Raw vegetables are some of the very best foods to include in a healthy nutrition plan. It is not enough to eat vegetables in any form. Cooking vegetables, leaches vital nutrients and vitamins out of them. Many recipes for vegetables call for the addition of unhealthy, fattening taste enhancers. It is better by far, to develop a taste for vegetables in their natural, unaltered form.

Omega 3 fatty acids are a key part of a nutritionally balanced diet. They help your heart, organs and blood remain healthy and are increasingly accepted by the medical community as a great way to stay healthy. You can find Omega 3 fatty acids in fish products or by taking a pill.

When trying to add the nutrition of grains to your diet, be sure to read package labels carefully. Products that claim to contain nutritious grains may not be providing the whole grain that is essential for good nutrition. Look for the words "whole grain" on the label to make sure you are making the most nutritious choice for your body.

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If you are on a diet that highlights fruits and vegetables, do not forget to eat the skins on these foods. The skins are packed with nutrients and minerals that your body requires, and can go a long way in helping to curb your appetite so you do not eat poor quality foods later.

If you avoid beef because you think it's unhealthy, try grass-fed beef as a healthier alternative. The Heart Health fats it does have, are the more healthy kind and it's higher in certain vitamins, like E and A. Many people also think it tastes better than grain-fed beef, which is the more common kind.

Keep your refrigerator and freezer stocked with quick-to-prepare healthy convenience meals. If you know you have some healthy TV dinners at home, you are much less likely to run by the fast food place after a harried day at work. Convenience meals shouldn't be a nutritional staple but they sure are nice to have occasionally.

Sometimes salads are best when they are all green! Just include a variety of lettuces and spinach. Add some edamame and some chickpeas, maybe some sliced bell peppers, and whatever else you can think of that is green. Finish it all off with a low-fat dressing, and rest assured you are eating very healthy indeed.

Ingredients used in the Formulation of the Cardio Clear 7 :

Always be aware of your sugar intake. Many times people will drink juice thinking it's a nutritional choice, when really it can be filled with sugar. Some juices actually contain Cardio Clear 7 more sugar then a can of pop. Read the food labels of everything you eat, and if it has a lot of sugar, skip it.

When keeping up your nutrition during pregnancy with high-protein foods like meat, poultry, and eggs, it is important to avoid bacterial food poisoning by making sure these items are fully cooked. Pregnancy brings an increased risk of a more severe reaction to food poisoning. In rare cases, it may affect the baby too.

A golden rule is to try not to eat anything that has more than four grams of sugar per serving. This will save a lot of calories and it is particularly helpful for you to follow this rule if you are unfortunate enough to be stricken with diabetes.

Cardio Clear 7 Review: Conclusion

Even if your nutrition during pregnancy is nearly perfect, taking a prenatal vitamin supplement can make sure that you are getting the right amount of some very critical nutrients. Even if you think you're getting what you need, almost all women can benefit from the folic acid and iron found in all prenatal supplements.

To get a healthier body, consider eating your fresh fruits and vegetables raw. It is easier for your body to break down foods in their original state. Cooking food can leech nutrients, so raw fruits and vegetables are better for you. Eat raw food in smaller portions for better digestion and health.

If you have a craving for a salty or sugary snack, try eating unsalted nuts. Almonds, peanuts, and walnuts are low in calories and high in protein and vitamins. People who eat nuts are less likely to have heart disease and are more likely to live longer. They are also relatively inexpensive.

As you can see, all of these tips are practical and reasonable. It is clear that following them will help you in your efforts to have good nutrition. Why not take one of these tips a week and implement it in your life. You will soon feel better and look healthier.

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study-coffee-chicago · 2 years

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December (A Halstead Brothers + Halstead Sister + Upstead as Parents Imagine)

A/N: Thank you for reading! Since a lot of you liked "October" I figured I'd do something similar, but with Christmas. Please remember to reblog and comment! I love hearing your thoughts!

You walked through Midway airport in Chicago, desperately looking for a Starbucks. When you finally got there, you stood in line behind all the people who had decided to arrive at 9 am as well. There were at least twelve people ahead of you, but Lord Jesus, you needed coffee. Waking up at 3:45 am for a 6 am flight was no joke.

And, as luck would have it, Jay texted you the minute you finished counting the heads of the people in line ahead of you.

You could've cried with happiness when you read the text.

I'm here. Brought coffee and breakfast.

Jay was a lifesaver.

So, you left the line for coffee and ventured out of the airport and into the freezing air of Chicago. Yeah, you definitely didn't miss the harsh winters of Chicago when you were in Tennesee for grad school.

At least Jay was parked super close to the exit.

"Hey, I missed you," Jay said and embraced you in a hug once you got to his truck.

"I missed you, too... but I missed Lilly the most."

"Of course you did," Jay laughed. "But, I think she missed you more. That little girl loves you."

"Oh, I know," you agreed. "Definitely more than Will."

"Here, let me take that," Jay said and took your suitcase from you.

After the two of you were finished loading your stuff into the trunk of his truck, you both got inside, the heat of his truck welcoming you.

"How'd you get so close to where I'd be when there's this huge line?" you asked.

"It's amazing what flashing a badge will get you." You rolled your eyes. Of course, he flashed his badge. That was a thing that Hailey did that had rubbed off on him. But, you weren't mad about it one bit; it was too cold to walk super far trying to find him. "Caramel Brulee latte and a spinach and feta egg wrap," Jay said as he handed you the large hot coffee and the small bag with the Starbucks logo containing the wrap.

"You're a lifesaver."

"Don't I know it. Oh, and Lilly doesn't know you're coming today. She thinks I'm at work."

"Perfect." You pulled out a small gift bag. "Now I can surprise her with this right after breakfast."

"Please tell me there's no candy in there; you know how she gets, Y/N."

You laughed maniacally. "There is. It's all her favorites, too. Don't worry, she'll have a sugar crash, and then she'll take a nap." You yawned. "Shit, I might have to take a nap with her."

"I dunno. Fresh sheet of snow, she'll wanna play outside."

"Nuh-uh. Count me out. You know I don't do snow."

"You grew up in Chicago!"

"And I left Chicago! Playing in the snow is your job, mister. Me and Hailey will just sit inside where it's warm."

"Nah, she'll give you those puppy dog eyes when she asks to go sledding and you'll cave so fast. You always do and you know it."

"You do it, too!"

"I know that! And Hailey hates it when I do that because she's gotta be bad the cop."

You laughed and then took a sip of your latte. "Where was this good cop Jay when I was growing up? You were always the hard-ass."

"Well someone had to be. Will definitely wasn't."

"No, he was not. Remember that one time when you were going to stalk me on my first date and Will and Hailey basically had to restrain you?" you asked.

"First of all, it wasn't stalking. It was just me going out to dinner by myself, at the same restaurant I knew you'd be at. Second of all, I didn't realize Will was that strong."

"That's the textbook definition of stalking." You took your wrap out of the bag and took a bite. "Mhmm, so good. I was about to murder someone to get coffee and food at Midway."

"And you're telling me off for stalking. Here you were plotting a murder."

"So you admit it? You were stalking me!"

"That was over ten years ago, Y/N! Give it a damn rest!" Jay laughed.

You sighed. You knew you were going to have to ask this, so you decided on sooner rather than later. "She doesn't hate me, does she? For missing her birthday?"

"Who? Lil?" You nodded. "No way in hell that girl could ever hate you. Sure, she was sad at first, but when we told her you had big girl school and she opened your gift, she got over it."

"So the art kit and easel was a good choice then?"

"You know, maybe you could've gotten one without finger paints though, right?"

"Oh, I know. That part was to piss you off more than anything."

"Of course it was." Jay rolled his eyes.

"I still can't believe she's five."

"Me neither, believe me."

"Seems like just yesterday I was frantically searching for red-eye flights because Will called me and said Hailey was going into labor."

"She's in labor?" you asked as you took a phone call from Will outside of your lecture hall.

"Yes, that's what I just said Y/N," Will said.

You ran back into the lecture hall and grabbed your backpack. "Tell her I had a family emergency," you whispered to the girl next to you. "My sister's in labor so she better not count this one against me."

Then, you rushed out of the room.

"Okay, I'm back. I'm putting in my headphones so I can talk to you and look up flights."

"Y/N, it's like 6 pm. There's no way you're going to be able to get a flight at this time."

"I'll find one. I don't care what airline. I just need to be out of here asap." You scrolled through your phone while you just kept Will on the other end, neither of you speaking.

After a few minutes, you found one.

"Got it! There's one seat available and the flight leaves at 7:30."

"Y/N, it's 6:05--"

"Will, I can make it." You quickly booked the flight as you were walking to your car.

"Got it!"

"What are you gonna do? Go from school straight to the airport? What about clothes? Toiletries? Missing lectures?"

"I still have some clothes at home so I'll just wear those. As for toiletries, I'll buy some when I'm in Chicago. I can email my profs and explain the situation to them."

"Did you even buy a return ticket--"

"Will, I have to drive to the airport. I'll see you in a few hours."

"Y/N are you--"

"She's at Med, right?"

"Yeah. But are--"

"I should be there by 10." Then, you hung up the phone and sped off to the airport.

No way were you missing the birth of your niece.

***

"Please tell me I made it, Mags," you said as you rushed into the ED, school backpack and all.

"I don't know. You know the way to Labor and Delivery?" she asked.

"Not really."

"Doris, cover for me. I'll be right back. This way."

Maggie led you to the labor and delivery floor and you saw Will, Kim, Adam, and Kevin all waiting in the waiting room with huge smiles on their faces.

"Did I miss it? Did I miss anything?" you asked frantically.

"Thanks for that landed safely text, Y/N," Will said sarcastically.

"Will, I don't have time for this. Is Hailey okay? Is--"

"She and the baby are totally fine, Y/N. Relax. She gave birth around fifteen minutes ago so we should be able to--"

"Family of Hailey and Jay Halstead?" a nurse asked as she stepped out of the room holding an iPad.

"That's us," you said and then quickly followed the nurse into Hailey's delivery room.

"You made it," Jay said when he saw you, his baby girl in his arms. Hailey was asleep in the hospital bed as labor had taken a lot out of her.

"It was a rush, that's for sure." You walked closer and saw the little girl. "Hi, sweetheart," you cooed. "I'm your auntie Y/N and I can promise you that I'll spoil you and I'll look pick you up when you sneak out in high school."

"I don't even want to think about that right now," Jay said. "Wanna hold her?"

"Can I?"

"Of course. Just take off your backpack and be sure to support her head."

You did as you were told and then held your niece for the first time. "She's so beautiful, Jay. You and Hailey really did good." She yawned. "I know. It was a lot of work coming out to see the world wasn't it?" You paused. "Wait, what's her name?"

"Lilly," Jay answered. "Lilly Ann Halstead."

Jay and Will shared a look.

"It's beautiful. But, am I missing something?" you asked.

"Yeah, actually you are," Jay said. "Her middle name doesn't have an "e". It's A-N-N."

Your jaw dropped slightly and you smiled when you realized what he was saying. "You gave her my middle name?"

"Mhm," Jay said with a big smile. "Your middle name is the same as Mom's, so I figured we should make it a third-generation thing."

"Hear that, Lilly Ann? We have the same middle name. That means I have to be your favorite."

"Rude," Will scoffed. Then, he looked at his younger brother. "And all this just from a Valentine's Day getaway."

"How did you...?" Jay trailed off.

"Simple math, man," Will replied.

"Wait, so that's why so many babies are born in November?" you asked, finally putting the pieces together.

"Yes, damn that took you a long time," Will said. "Now give me the baby, Y/N."

"No, I want her," you argued.

"No. Actually, I want her," you heard from the right of you.

You turned to see that Hailey was awake.

"What Mama wants," you said as you walked over to Hailey and handed Lilly over to her, "Mama gets."

"It's a good idea if you remember that now, Lil," Jay said. "Mama gets mad when she doesn't get her way."

"Like you're any better," Hailey joked.

You laughed at their banter. Just when you thought they had gotten over the honeymoon phase after two years of dating and a little over two years of marriage, they surprised you once again by how good they were together.

"Congratulations you two," you said. "Lilly Ann, you're going to have two of the best parents in the world. And, I know they'll protect you like their life depends on it."

***

"She doesn't know you're coming by the way," Jay said as he pulled into the driveway. "She thinks you'll be here late on Christmas Eve."

"So where does she think you are right now?" you asked.

"Work. Fighting the bad guys."

"Of course you told her you were fighting the bad guys."

"Hey, it worked when I told you about it when you were little when I went off to Afghanistan."

You rolled your eyes. "I guess."

Jay parked the truck in the driveway and you could see a very excited Lilly Halstead peeking through the window. Of course, she knew the sound of her daddy's truck, so she'd run up to the door.

"We'll grab your stuff out of the truck later," Jay said. "For now, we need to get inside before Lilly sees you and cracks her head open by slipping and falling on the ice."

You laughed. "Sounds like something I'd do."

"Probably," Jay agreed and then the two of you got out of the truck.

Jay walked into the house first and you followed.

"Daddy! I dought you were-- Auntie Y/N!" Lilly yelled and then ran over to you.

You quickly crouched down to her height just in time to catch her in a hug. "Hi, Lilly Ann! I missed you so much!" You pulled away. "And, I'm sorry I couldn't make it for your birthday this year."

"Dat's okay! Mommy and Daddy told me you had big kid school."

"I did! But I would have rather been here with you. You're so much more fun than school."

"Really?"

"Yes, really, silly."

"Did you bring me presents, Auntie Y/N?"

You laughed a little and Hailey's eyes went wide. You were about to say that you did and you just needed to grab it when Hailey scolded her daughter.

"Lilly Ann Halstead, how many times do me and Daddy have to tell you not to ask for things like that?" Hailey scolded.

"But, Mommy," Lilly whined, "Auntie Y/N always brings me presents."

You laughed. "She's right, Hailey," you agreed. "I'm basically a conditioned reinforcer now because she always gets a reward from me." Hailey looked confused and Jay raised an eyebrow at you. "Sorry, psych thing, more like psych 101, but you guys wouldn't get it." You turned back to Lilly. "Now, me and your dad are gonna go get my stuff out of the truck and then I'll give you your presents, okay?"

"Can I help?" she asked.

You looked at Jay, quite shocked at the question.

"We made a sticker chart and she can get stickers when she shares, asks people to help and actually does it, and then other random things like picking up her room or toys without arguing, things like that. And then when she gets enough stickers, she can either have a Mommy-Lilly date or a Daddy-Lilly date."

"Ah, a token economy," you said.

"Another psych thing?"

"Sort of. More like a behavior modification/behavior analysis thing, but close enough. I still think it's cute that she offered to help, though."

"Alright, kiddo, c'mon. I'm sure we can find some stuff of Auntie Y/N's that's not too heavy for you to carry," Jay agreed. "But, big coat and boots, please. I don't want you slipping or getting too cold."

"Okay, Daddy!"

Lilly pulled on her snow boots that were next to the door while Jay grabbed her coat and then held it out to her. Once she had it on, Jay crouched down and zipped up her coat.

Then, the three of you went outside and unloaded Jay's truck. The only thing light enough for Lilly to possibly carry was the present you had for her. That's all you were going to have her carry until Jay handed her your empty Starbucks bag with your wrapper and empty cup inside. She took it and quickly walked inside (she tried to run, but Jay warned her not to) with the caveat that she couldn't open her present until you and Jay were back inside.

Once you and Jay were back inside the warm house and had dropped your stuff next to the door, all four of you gathered in the living room so you could watch Lilly open her present. You told them it wasn't that important, that she didn't need for the three of you, but Jay and Hailey insisted.

"Candy!" she exclaimed when she tore the tissue paper out of the light blue, snowman-decorated gift bag.

"Ugh," Jay groaned, to which you smacked him across the chest.

"Candy canes...gummy worms...Laffy taffy...kisses! Dank you!"

She put down her bag full of candy and ran up to you to give you a big hug.

"Oh, you're welcome, kiddo. Now, which one do you want to eat first?"

"Gummy worms!"

When Hailey didn't speak up, Jay looked at her with a look of shock. "You're seriously gonna let her eat them now? It's like ten in the morning."

"Jay, you know as much as I do that I love candy as much as her." She leaned in to whisper in his ear. "Besides, then she'll have a sugar crash and I can get some presents wrapped."

"Fair enough," Jay agreed.

"Mommy," Lilly said and walked up to her mother. "Can you open?"

"What's the magic word?" Hailey asked.

"Please."

Hailey nodded and smiled and opened the bag. "Here you go, baby."

"Dank you. You have one, too?" She held the bag out to her.

"Thank you," Hailey said and took two gummy worms.

She did the same thing to you and Jay, Jay taking one and you taking two.

"Can we watch Grinch? Please?" Lilly asked sweetly.

"I don't see why not," Hailey said. "Jay?"

"Sure," he agreed.

You laughed. "Remember the last time we watched The Grinch?"

Jay laughed in agreement, throwing his head back in the process. "Oh, how could I forget that?"

"I say we watch Die Hard," Jay suggested.

"No!" you exclaimed. "It's not even a Christmas movie! Just because it's set during Christmas time doesn't mean it's a Christmas movie."

"Will, what do you think?" Jay asked.

"I think Y/N's right. Not very Christmas-y, Jay," he agreed.

"Unbelievable. I thought you'd at least side with me. Now what are we gonna watch?" Jay asked.

"The Grinch? Or we can watch The Princess Switch if you'd rather watch that. That one's good too."

"Ew, no romance movies. The Grinch it is."

"You get it set up," Will said. "I'm gonna go grab some beer."

"And I'm gonna go make a bag of popcorn," you said quickly.

You followed Will into the kitchen and then set your plan in motion.

"Will," you hissed. "Can I have one of those grapefruit beers?" you asked, making sure not to be too loud because you didn't want Jay to hear.

"Y/N, you're still underage," he laughed.

"I'm 19, Will. Isn't that close enough?"

Will sighed. If you were gonna drink, he'd much rather have you do it at home than go out and do it somewhere else.

"Just one," he caved. "And, we're putting it in a tumbler because Jay can never find out."

"Deal."

You put the bag of popcorn in the microwave and started the microwave. While it was popping, you grabbed a tumbler from the cupboard and Will opened the bottle for you and then handed it to you. You took a sip from the bottle and then poured it into the tumbler.

"Hmm, not bad," you said after you had taken your first sip.

"Don't get used to me doing this. Consider it a Christmas present from me."

The microwave beeped and you carefully pulled the bag from the microwave and opened it and poured it into a big bowl.

"Jesus," Jay said when the two of you came back into the living room. "Took you two long enough."

"Shut up," you joked and set your drink on the end table closest to you and furthest from Jay. "You wanted popcorn, didn't you?"

You got no reply. Instead, you got Jay reaching into the bowl of popcorn and you rolled your eyes. You took that as a yes.

Jay hit play on the movie and the three of you drank your beer (well, Jay assumed yours was water) and ate popcorn.

***

"The- The- The--"

"The Grinch!" you yelled as you got to the part of the movie when Cindy Lou Who met The Grinch.

The lights in the apartment flickered a few times and then everything went completely dark.

Your brothers groaned.

"What do we do now? Light candles? Play board games?" you asked excitedly. You couldn't remember if you'd ever had a power outage before and you hoped it'd be like the movies!

Jay furrowed his eyebrows and then turned on the flashlight on his phone.

"No," he started. "Typically we'd just go to bed. Why are you so excited?"

"I don't remember if I've ever had a power outage before," you said.

"What? Of course, you have. We used to get them all the time in Canaryville."

"No, Jay," Will agreed with you. "She was just a baby when they switched from above-ground to underground powerlines there. Didn't get many power outages there after that."

"Well, in that case, what do you want to do, Short Stack? We can either go to Will's or we can stay here." Jay asked.

"Can we stay here?" you asked excitedly. "And light candles and play board games and card games?"

Jay laughed. Only you would be excited about a power outage.

He went to get some candles and board games from the closet, while you went to your room to grab a blanket, your portable charger, and some slippers. You also grabbed one of your candles that made you think of Christmas, the one which was called sugared pear. Then, using the flashlight on your phone, you made your way to the kitchen where Jay and Will were setting things up on the table.

Jay was lighting tea candles while Will set up the board game Aggravation.

"I brought a scented candle, too," you said and set it down on the table for Jay to light. "I also grabbed my portable charger so we can listen to Christmas music."

"Good thinking, Y/N," Will praised. "Now, we have Aggravation, Skip-Bo, and a regular deck of cards. I think there's more in the closet, but these are the only ones Jay grabbed. Start with Aggravation and then go from there?"

"Sounds like a plan," you said excitedly and sat down in a chair.

You and Will picked out what color marbles you wanted and then waited for Jay to finish lighting the candles.

Once he was finished, the three of you started the game. You stayed up until past two am just playing games and laughing.

And, you didn't tell Jay about Will letting you have a beer that night until your 21st birthday.

"I want da lights to go out!" Lilly exclaimed once you and Jay had told a shortened version of the story, without the alcohol being included.

Hailey laughed. "No, you don't, baby. Then you can't see and it gets really cold."

"Oh. I don't like da dark!"

"I know you don't. But, we can still play games tonight if you want to do that?" Hailey suggested.

"Can we play Go-Fish?"

Jay smiled. "I think we can make that happen, kiddo."

***

Later in the day, despite your protests of it being too cold, you were sitting in the back of Jay's truck with Lilly next to you and three sleds in the box of the truck.

"You excited to go sledding?" you asked Lilly after you had taken another sip of coffee.

Despite thinking that Lilly would need a nap after the movie, she was surprisingly energetic and all she wanted to do was play. So, to help her get some energy out, Jay and Hailey agreed to go sledding at a park near their house.

"Yeah!" the little girl exclaimed. "You gonna go wif me and we race Mommy and Daddy, right?"

"That's right! And we're gonna win."

"We are? But Daddy's really good at sledding!"

"I know he is! Both he and Uncle Will are both really good!"

A few minutes later, Jay pulled into the parking lot.

"Baby, time to put on your hat and gloves again, okay?" Hailey said and Lilly nodded and pulled on her hat and gloves again since she had taken them off on the drive here since it was warm in the truck.

"We go now?" she asked excitedly.

"Yes, we go now," Jay laughed and helped his daughter out of her car seat and then out of the truck. "Can you be a big girl and pull one of the sleds for me?"

"Okay!"

Then, Hailey and Jay took the other two sleds while Lilly pulled one behind her. She had one hand pulling the sled and the other holding onto your hand.

Once you got up to the top of the hill, Lilly said that she wanted to race, and none of you could say no to her, so you let her get in the sled in front of you and then got in behind her and you made sure you held to rope tightly in your hands. You waited for Jay and Hailey to do the same thing, Hailey in the front of the sled and Jay in the back, and then counted down.

"Go!" Lilly shouted once you had gotten down to one.

You pushed the two of you off and flew down the hill.

Once you hit the bottom, you looked up just in time to see Jay pick up his hands from the snow. He had put them down and had been dragging them to slow him and Hailey down to let you and Lilly win. But, in doing so, he had gone to the right a little and was now about to hit a tree.

"Shit! Jay!" Hailey yelled.

With her childhood, she hadn't gone sledding a lot like Jay had, so Jay was way better at steering a sled than she was.

"Pull to the left! Hard!" Jay yelled.

She did, but nothing happened.

"Jay!" she yelled again.

Jay quickly grabbed the rope and pulled as hard as he could to the left and leaned to the left as well.

"Oh, shit!" Jay yelled as the sled started to tip.

And then the two of them quickly tipped over in the sled...but they missed the tree.

"You okay?" Jay asked frantically once he got his bearings.

Hailey just started laughing. "That was so fun!"

Lilly quickly let go of your hand and the sled since you had started walking over to where you'd go back to the hill.

"Mommy! Daddy!" she yelled as she ran as fast as her little legs would carry her toward her parents. "Are you okay?"

Jay quickly pushed the sled off him and Hailey and then held a hand out to help her up.

"We're fine, kiddo," he reassured her. "But, you won!"

"Mommy, you sure you okay?" she asked again.

"I promise, baby. Now, you wanna go again? Maybe you can sled with Mommy and then Auntie Y/N and Daddy can race and we can watch?"

"Yay! Auntie Y/N, you gotta beat daddy."

"I'll try my best, Lilly Ann," you said.

Then, the four of you started your walk back up the hill.

"Turns out you're better at steering now than you were over twenty years ago," you joked.

"Hey, that tree came out of nowhere," he defended.

"Whatever. Mom was so mad when she got a call that we were on our way to the hospital."

"Wait, what happened?" Hailey asked.

"I broke my arm sledding with Jay and Will one year. Mom was not happy."

"Alright, here's $50. Do whatever you want, but nothing dangerous, and don't be home any earlier than five," your mom told you and your two big brothers.

Your mom and dad had decided on your first Christmas that as soon as you were old enough to snoop for presents, that they'd have Jay and Will take you somewhere for the day. You were currently seven years old. For the past two years, every December 23, Will, Jay, and you would spend the day together. You thought it was just for fun and because your brothers loved you so much that they wanted to spend the day with you, but it was really so your mom and dad could wrap Christmas presents and hide them. Because, if you were anything like Will and Jay, you'd tear the house apart trying to find your presents. Luckily, your parents had made sure Jay and Will hadn't taught you that just yet...and hopefully never.

"We got it, Mom, we got it," Jay said and took the money, seeing as Will was holding his pair of ice skates and yours.

"Please, make sure she doesn't hurt herself while skating," your mom urged your brothers.

"Don't worry, Mama," you said. "Jay Jay and Will helped me learn how so now I can skate good."

"I'm sure you can, honey. But just be careful."

"I will!" you quickly gave your mom a hug and a kiss. "Bye, Mama! Love you!"

"Love you, too, honey."

Then, you followed your brothers and you and Jay grabbed the sleds from the garage, Jay pulling two and you pulling one.

"I say we sled first and then we skate," Will suggested once the three of you were in his car. "There's lights around the outdoor rink, so it won't be too dark."

"I think that's good," Jay agreed. "As long as we get food in between. I do not want to be starving while skating."

"Oh, yeah, we're definitely getting food in between."

"Can we get iHOP?" you asked from your booster seat in the backseat. "Please?"

Will laughed. "I don't see why not. But, let's do some sledding first."

***

You had been sledding for roughly an hour and were gonna go down the hill a few more times before stopping to go get lunch.

"Now it's me and Jay Jay's turn to race you, Will!" you yelled as you practically sprinted up the hill after you and him had raced Jay and won.

"Okay, okay. But wait for us!" Jay yelled as he and Will trudged behind you.

Once they were up at the top of the hill, Jay got in the sled and then you did and Will got in his own sled. You counted down from three and then yelled go.

You flew down the hill as Jay held the rope. You looked over to the left of you and saw that Will was behind you, so you were winning!

Will seemed to see the course that the two of you were going towards before Jay did...and you were going straight towards a tree.

"Jay!" Will yelled. "Look out!"

"Fuck!" Jay yelled.

You didn't know what that meant, but you knew Jay wasn't happy.

"Tree, Jay Jay, tree!" you yelled, gripping the sides of the sled in fear.

Jay pulled the rope as far to the left as he could, but he knew it wouldn't matter as it wasn't turning as fast as he wanted it to.

Jay didn't have time to really think about what he was doing. All he was concerned about was making sure you didn't fly headfirst into that tree.

He quickly let go of the rope and tightly wrapped his arms around you. Then he leaned hard to the left, which caused you and him to both fall out of the sled.

You felt Jay's body on top of you and heard the sled fall into the snow to the left of you with a thud. You had landed on your arm and despite all of the cushioning from the snow and your winter coat, it still hurt really bad.

"Shit," Jay whispered to himself as he lept off of you. "Y/N, kiddo, you okay?"

Tears stung your eyes.

"Y/N!" you heard Will saying frantically. "Talk to us."

You tried your best to roll over with your good arm so that you weren't face down in the snow.

"My- My arm," you cried, still lying on the ground, but this time face up. "It hurts really bad!" Then, you burst into tears.

"It's okay, it's okay," Will said quickly and crouched down beside you. "I'm gonna help you up now, okay?" You nodded with tears streaming your face...which was also covered in snow. Will saw that you were cradling your right arm with your left hand, so he gently placed his hand around your left bicep and helped pull you up.

"Can you move it?" Jay asked once you were standing all the way up.

"It hurts. I don't wanna!" you cried.

"I know. But can you at least try?" Will asked.

You nodded with snot running out of your nose and let go of your right arm and tried to move it...which just ended with you crying out in pain.

"What do we do?" Jay asked frantically. "Do we go home? Call Mom? Just go to the hospital now?"

"We can beg for forgiveness later," Will said. "Let's get her to the hospital. We can call Mom on the way."

"And that's how I ended up breaking my arm while sledding," you finished telling Hailey.

"Yeah, I'm really glad Jay knows how to steer now. I don't really feel like going to the hospital...I feel like we're there all the time for work or on-duty injuries."

"What can I say? Danger's my middle name," Jay joked and Hailey whacked him across the chest. Clearly, she was not amused after all the times she had seen him in the hospital. But, he'd started being more careful now that he had a little girl who needed her daddy to come home every night.

"Yeah, more like dumbass is your middle name," you muttered.

***

Will met you at Jay and Hailey's house around noon the next day. The five of you were going to the mall to go Christmas shopping and to have Lilly visit Santa. You thought it was a little late for her to be visiting Santa seeing as it was the 23rd of December, but you knew with Jay and Hailey's job that they both weren't guaranteed to be around, and you knew they both wanted to be there when Lilly saw Santa.

Despite Lilly's protests, you were riding with Will. You needed to talk to him about something, and it was urgent. You had less than two days to get this done.

"So, I know we're taking her shopping for Jay and Hailey first after we see Santa," you started once Will started driving to the mall, "but, after when Jay and Hailey take her to get something for us, I think me and you should go off and get Lilly something."

"You didn't get her present yet?" Will asked. "There's less than two days until Christmas, Y/N!"

"Well, with this one I thought we could go in on together," you suggested.

"Why?" Will asked suspiciously.

"Last night I asked her what she wanted from Santa and she said she wanted a kitty. But, me and you both know that Jay and Hailey won't get her that, so we're the only two people who would get it for her."

"You're crazy if you think I'm going against Jay on this one. No way."

"Please," you begged. "She'll be so disappointed if she doesn't get one! Do you really want that to happen? And, you're the big brother, so you can go against Jay. And, I can guarantee once Jay and Hailey see how happy Lilly is with a cat that they'll let her keep it."

"What about their jobs? Who's gonna take care of it?" Will questioned.

"Will, it's a cat, not a dog. If they're gone for a night, it'll be fine. They just leave it with food and water and make sure the kitty litter's clean and then it'll be fine. They're not as much work as you think."

"And you know this how?"

"One of my friends in grad school has a cat and you know how hard it is to get everything done in grad school."

Will sighed. "Fine. But if Jay gets pissed, I'm putting all the blame on you."

"I can deal with that."

***

Lilly was sitting on Santa's lap and telling him that she wanted a kitty when you remembered something. It was by far one of your favorite Christmas memories from when you were a little kid.

"Jay ever tell you about the time he surprised me when I went to see Santa?" you asked Hailey.

"No," she answered. "What happened?"

"Oh, this is a good story. It's like those youtube videos about soldiers coming home," Will said. "We should show her the video sometime."

"We should," Jay agreed. "Pretty sure the tape is up in a box in the attic somewhere."

"Santa can bring me anything, right?" nine-year-old you asked your mom as you walked hand in hand with her through the crowded mall, Will on the other side of you.

Will was back home for winter break and was in his last year of undergrad and Jay was currently deployed somewhere where he was fighting the bad guys. Your mom told you he was across the ocean and you knew from history class that, that was really, really far away!

But, what you didn't know was Jay's return date. Everyone else in your immediate family knew Jay was coming home from his two-year-long deployment, except for you. But, you'd find out soon enough.

"He can bring you anything," your mom confirmed. "Do you know why?"

"Because he has Christmas magic!"

"That's right!"

"So, he can bring Jay Jay home from fighting the bad guys?"

In any other instance, your Mom would've explained that things with humans and Christmas magic is tricky. But, since she knew that Jay was going to surprise you, she didn't say that.

"Oh, yeah. As long as you were good, Santa can bring Jay Jay home."

"I was really good! I shared at recess and I listened to my teachers and I listened to you and Dad."

"That you did! Now, I think we should get in line to see Santa before he has to go back to the North Pole, don't you think?"

You eagerly nodded your head and walked for about two more minutes before getting in the very long line to see Santa.

***

"And what do you want for Christmas, Y/N?" Santa asked as you sat on his lap.

"I just want my big brother to come home," you answered. "Mom said you can make that happen because you have Christmas magic."

"Well, I certainly have Christmas magic. Where is your brother now?"

"Jay Jay's far away fighting the bad guys. But- But I just want him to come home, Santa," you said as you started to get choked up and you closed your eyes, trying not to cry.

Unbeknownst to you, the photographer made a come hither motion with her hand and someone came out from behind the red curtain strung up between two tall Christmas trees behind Santa's chair.

"Oh, don't cry, kiddo. I'm not actually that far away."

Your eyes snapped open and you saw Jay crouched down in front of you, clad in his camo uniform and light brown boots and camo cap.

"Jay Jay!" You jumped off Santa's lap and catapulted yourself into his arms. "I missed you so much!" you cried as you buried your head into his shoulder.

"I know. I missed you, too," he said as he held onto you tightly. "Santa's Christmas magic was what helped me come home."

"Really?" you asked, pulling your head away from his shoulder with tears streaming down your cheeks.

"Of course!" He wiped a few of your tears away with his thumb. "Now, what do you say we go find Mom and Dad and Will the best Christmas presents ever?"

"You're staying?"

"I'm staying," he confirmed.

The two of you started to walk away to your mom who was crying as well, and Will, who was holding back tears, when you remembered something.

You turned around.

"Thank you, Santa! This is the best Christmas present ever!"

"You're welcome! Merry Christmas!" he said in his jolly old voice.

"Merry Christmas, Santa!"

And for the rest of the time that you walked around the mall to shop for presents, you didn't let go of Jay's hand for one single second.

***

A few hours had gone by and now you and Will were on your way to the Humane Society.

"You do know you need an application to adopt a pet from there, right?" Will asked.

"Oh, I know, I did it already," you said flippantly.

"What? I thought you said that you didn't know she wanted a cat until yesterday."

"I mean, she always tells me when she sees a kitty or puppy, so I had a hunch," you began to explain. "So, in October, I filed an application and it went through."

"Who'd you put down as references?" Will knew you didn't put him down and if you put Jay or Hailey down, they would've gotten suspicious, so he knew you didn't put them down either.

"Sylvie and Kim," you answered.

Will shook his head. You had an answer for everything.

***

You walked along the hallways of the Humane Society with a worker, looking at all the cats.

"And lastly, we have Peppermint," she explained. "He's been with us for a little less than a year now after his owner passed away unexpectedly."

"Why's he been here so long?" you asked as you looked at the fluffy black and white cat.

"Probably because he's one of the older cats we have. He's five years old."

The same age as Lilly, you thought.

"And, he's kind of shy. He doesn't like loud noises or a lot of people or strangers," she explained.

"Oh, poor baby," you said. "Can I put my fingers in the cage?" you asked.

"Sure. He doesn't bite."

You stuck two fingers through the holes in the cage. "Hi, Peppermint, you're a fluffy boy aren't you? Can I pet you? I bet you're really soft," you said in a baby voice. Will held back his laughter. Peppermint meowed. "Oh, I know, I know you're scared because you don't have a mommy and daddy anymore, but I don't have one either, so we have that in common. It's okay. I won't hurt you. I promise."

As if he understood what you were saying, he came up to you and nuzzled his head against your fingers. You tried to pet him as best you could.

"I think this is the one," you said to Will.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I'm positive. And, he's the same age as Lilly. She'll love that."

So, an hour later after getting some cat supplies and cat toys, you brought Peppermint to Will's house as he would have to stay there for the night since you couldn't give him to Lilly just yet.

But, the plan was to give him to her tomorrow, on Christmas Eve, so that he'd only have to spend one day at Will's house. And, since Will had to work first shift tomorrow, you knew he could be over at Jay and Hailey's tomorrow night to give Lilly the gift she wanted more than anything this year.

***

"Can we open pajamas now?" Lilly asked impatiently. "Because Uncle Will's here now?"

Every year on Christmas Eve, everyone would get a new pair of pajamas and wear them that night to bed. This tradition was started when your grandparents would give Jay and Will pajamas every year on Christmas Eve. They had passed before you were born, but your mom and dad carried on the tradition. And, once they passed away, Will and Jay made it a point to keep it going. And here you all were, doing the thing your grandma and grandpa had started with Lilly, who would be their great-granddaughter.

"Actually," you started, "me and Uncle Will have presents to give you now besides pajamas. And we have to give them to you now."

Peppermint was currently sitting in his carrier in Will's car and you didn't want to leave him out there very long.

Jay gave you a confused look. "Why now?"

"Just...you'll see."

Without waiting for an answer, you went out to Will's car and helped him grab the cat bed, cat toys, and Peppermint. There was also cat food and a litter box and kitty litter, but you told Will not to bother wrapping those because they were boring and Lilly didn't need to open those.

You walked inside first since Will was carrying Peppermint in his carrier.

"So," you started, "a little birdie told me somebody wanted a kitty for Christmas," you said.

Jay's eyes went wide. "You--"

"You got me a kitty cat?" Lilly asked excitedly and ran up to you and then jumped up and down a few times.

"Will, you can come in now!"

Will walked inside and Lilly squealed with excitement. "You got me a kitty cat!"

"Shh," you said gently. "He doesn't like loud noises so we have to be quiet at first, okay? He needs to know he's safe."

"Okay, shh," she whispered and put a finger to her lips.

Will put down the carrier and opened the door to it. "Hey, buddy," he said quietly. "This is your new home and Lilly is very excited to meet you. But, it's okay if you stay in there a while, we know you're scared."

"How did--"

"Shh!" Lilly said and turned away from watching Will talk to her new cat. "Daddy, Auntie Y/N said we gotta be quiet."

"Lil," Will said, "you wanna come see him?"

She nodded excitedly and laid on the floor across from the cat carrier. She reached her hand inside.

"Hi, Peppermint. Can I pet you?" she asked and kept her hand in the carrier. After a few seconds, she became disappointed. "Mommy, he won't let me pet him."

"You just have to wait for him to come to you, baby. Remember, this is all new to him," Hailey reassured her daughter.

"So I keep my hand in and wait?" she asked.

"Yup. He'll come to you when he's ready," Hailey confirmed.

Jay locked eyes with you. "Both of you. Kitchen. Now," he hissed.

You gulped. That was Jay's trying not to yell voice.

When you got into the kitchen and Jay started talking, you knew he was making a conscious effort to keep his voice down. "You got my kid a cat? Without talking to me or Hailey first? We're the ones who are gonna have to take care of it!"

"Jay, it's a cat, not a dog," you reminded him. "Much easier to take care of."

"That's not the point. You should've asked us first."

"Well, I knew you wouldn't be getting her a cat and Santa wouldn't be getting her a cat, so I roped Will into it and we got her a cat. What's so--"

You were cut off from an excited gasp coming from the living room.

You, Will, and Jay walked over to where you could peer into the living room and saw that Peppermint had exited his carrier and was currently nuzzling Lilly.

"He likes me, Mommy!" Lilly whisper-yelled.

All the anger Jay had towards you and Will not asking him faded away at that moment as he almost melted at the cute scene of his daughter and a cat in front of him. She was so gentle with him. She whispered so she didn't scare him and she didn't pet too hard or pull his tail or fur or whiskers.

Jay sighed. "Fine. As long as Hailey's okay with it--which by that smile on her face it looks like she's more than okay with it--she can keep the cat."

Will clapped Jay on the back. "Man, I knew you weren't a monster."

***

The next morning you were woken up at a little past seven by a very excited Lilly Ann Halstead who said that it was Christmas and that Mommy and Daddy said that they could start opening presents now. She also told you that Peppermint was still on her bed sleeping and that she thought it was a good thing because he might be scared by all the noises.

You held Lilly's hand and walked into the kitchen to see Will, Jay, and Hailey all sipping from cups of coffee.

"When did you get here?" you asked Will, who was wearing a Santa hat.

"Like, fifteen minutes ago," he answered.

"Can we open presents now?" Lilly asked impatiently.

Will laughed and looked at Jay. "Like father like daughter," he joked.

"Shut it," Jay quipped and then turned to his daughter. "Yup. C'mon, let's go to the living room. Will, you're Santa since you wore the Santa hat."

Lilly opened all of her presents and now it was time for the adults to open theirs. You typically had each person open one present and then kept going until there were no presents left instead of going person by person, but Lilly was so excited that Will just kept giving Lilly all her presents and skipping everyone else's...which earned him a few glares from Jay that Will just laughed off.

"To Will, Jay, Hailey, and Lilly," Will read off the envelope. "From Y/N. I'll do the honors." Will ripped open the envelope and pulled out four tickets to your school and a brochure to a zipline and horseback riding back place in Tennessee. "Huh?" he asked.

You laughed. "They're tickets to my graduation in May," you answered. "Then there will two Doctor Halsteads in the family. And, the zipline thing is because I pulled some strings."

"Pulled some strings how?" Jay asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I talked to Maggie, who then got me in touch with Goodwin, and then I talked to Platt and arranged for you all to have two weeks off for my graduation so that we can all have a vacation in Tennessee," you answered.

"You're joking," Will said with a giant smile on his face.

"Dead serious," you said. "Call Maggie or Goodwin or Platt if you don't believe me."

"This is great, Y/N, really," Jay said and stood up to give you a hug.

"We see horsies dere?" Lilly asked.

"We will. And, we'll go horseback riding."

"Yay! I'm so excited! We go soon?"

"Not for a few months, baby," Hailey said. "Y/N, I can't believe you did this! It's so sweet."

"I tried my best to cover hotel rooms for when you're there for my graduation and I paid for the horseback riding and zipline tickets, but I couldn't afford everything else. So, you're gonna have to pay for your hotel when you're there the rest of the time. I don't think all of us could fit into that tiny apartment."

"That is more than okay," Jay said. "It'll be a great vacation."

Will handed you a backpack. "This is from all of us."

"Thanks," you said. "I needed a new backpack."

Will laughed. "You didn't seriously think we were only getting you the backpack now did you? Look inside!"

You opened the backpack and there was a new laptop case and tons of gift cards to restaurants.

"I know hard it is to not have time to cook, but also not have a ton of money to eat out in grad school," Will explained. "So, we figured we'd get you a lot of gift cards so you don't have to worry about all that."

"Thanks, guys. Really, this will help me a ton when I'm, crunched for time...which is pretty much all the time." You felt around the bottom of the backpack and pulled out an envelope. "What's this?"

"Open it and find out," Will said.

You did and pulled out a folded piece of paper. As you started reading it, your jaw dropped.

"You got into a post-doc for neuropsych at Med? How?"

"Well, I figured if you couldn't get into one in Tennesse, it might help to have a backup plan," Will explained.

"But, I didn't even submit an application to Med!"

"I sang your praises to Dr. Charles and he agreed to make an exception and let you in since he oversees both the psychiatry and psychology departments at Med."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" You gave Will, Hailey, and Jay giant hugs.

"Wait!" Lilly yelled. "I gotta go get you my present!"

Then, she raced off into her room.

She came back with two bracelets in her hand, obviously made by little hands.

"This one's for you," she said and handed you your bracelet. "And this one's for me." She slid her bracelet onto her wrist. Hers read Lilly Ann and yours read Y/N Ann. "Now we have matching bracelets and matching middle names!"

"Ahh, I love it!" you exclaimed and slid on the bracelet and then gave her a giant hug. "Thank you so much! It's my favorite bracelet ever!"

Hailey snapped a few pictures of the exchange.

Then, you felt something soft brush against your foot. "Oh, hi Peppermint."

Jay ripped off some wrapping paper from what was discarded on the ground and rolled it into a ball and threw it, causing Peppermint to chase after it and then start rolling it around with his paws.

"And you said you didn't want a cat," you said to Jay and rolled your eyes.

But, you knew that Lilly would love Peppermint forever and ever and because she loved him, so would Hailey and Jay.

A/N: Thank you for reading and remember to reblog and comment and tell me what you think! As always, if you want to be added to my taglist, just tell me and I’ll add you!

taglist: @theambracer88 @virtualreader @kelelas-life @celyndavies @brookerz122493 @musicismyescape27 @anotherfan07 @thexplosivegirl @dreamingwithlens @xoxmariaxox @onechicago18 @iamasimpingh0e @i-like-sparkly-things @herecomesthewriterwitch @liampayne88

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curlynerd · 3 years

Text

You're Bacon Me Crazy Word Count: 2K Rating: T Summary: "I can like more than one kind of burger, you know!" Or, Dean comes out through complicated burger metaphors. Notes: humor, canon-adjacent, coming out, established Destiel, #pray4Sam

Also read on AO3!

"You're really having two burgers, Dean?" Sam asks in his most smug, most obnoxious "I’m eating kale for lunch" voice. Dean really hates that voice.

Dean straightens his back and spreads his hands out, like the two wrapped burgers, the extra large fries, and the soda with two straws are a majestic bounty. “I’m a growing boy, Sammy."

“Uh-huh,” Sam deadpans. He lifts the takeout lid of his salad and starts carefully drizzling the vinaigrette cup over his bed of leafy greens and grilled chicken. “And you’re definitely not going to bully Cas into splitting them with you? You know he doesn’t need to eat.”

Something tight and anxious curls in Dean’s chest. “No!” he blurts out, realizing a second too late that it’s normal for him to share his food with Cas. Just because he’s been doing it more now that he and Cas are finally together does not mean that it’s weird now.

In response to Dean’s defensiveness, Sam raises a self-righteous eyebrow in sync with his salad-laden fork. “Can he even really taste them? I thought he didn’t like food in angel mode.”

Dean swallows down a multitude of answers. He likes sharing the experience with Cas anyway. He thinks the way his face scrunches up at the molecules is cute. It makes him feel all warm and fuzzy inside that an angel -- his angel -- is willing to put up with something so silly and mundane and human as taste-testing different burgers.

He really, really needs to tell Sam the truth about him and Cas. Hell, he’s been trying to for months! But every time the perfect opportunity presents itself, he turns into a fuckin’ coward.

And today definitely is another perfect moment. The conversation has naturally turned to Cas. They’re sitting at a picnic table at the park, with nobody around to overhear Dean spill his guts in the most agonizing and uncomfortable way possible. They’re working a case, so immediately after the conversation Dean can bury himself in research and hunting and not have to deal with Sam’s big, obnoxious “let’s make a huge deal out of this!” puppy dog eyes. And Cas isn’t even here right now to make things more awkward. He’s still checking out the victim at the coroner's office across the street.

Dean tries not to think about what a big baby he’s being by ignoring this golden opportunity. “He just tastes stuff different as an angel. He’s learning how to pick out the nuance.”

Sam rolls his eyes. “Because there’s so much nuance to ‘extra cheese’ or ‘hold the tomato.’”

“Oh like you’d know, Mr. Tofu Burger.”

“You’d eat a burger off the floor. Are you really trying to convince me you care about what kind of burger it is?”

Dean huffs and levels an indignant glare at his brother. “I absolutely have a favorite burger.”

“Then why’d you get two different kinds?”

"I can like more than one kind of burger, you know!"

Sam snorts. "That's just an excuse to eat more burgers." He spears a forkful of tomato and spinach with a smug little twinkle in his eye.

"It's so not," Dean insists. He gestures at the two wrapped foil rounds in front of him. “These are two unique burgers that both have their own delicious qualities.”

“Really?” Sam’s expression is so pompous Dean kind of wants to throw a french fry at it. Except that would be a waste of a perfectly good fry.

“Yes ‘really.’ Look--” Dean carefully unwraps his first burger. “This is a pickle burger. And not just any ol’ pickle burger. The best, most amazing, and -- dare I say it? -- sexiest pickle burger in the entire continental US.” He smirks as Sam rolls his eyes. “Now I can tell by that condescending look in your eye, you’re wondering, ‘What the hell is so special about a pickle burger? It’s just pickles!’ But that’s where you’re wrong.” Dean lifts the top bun and points down to the burger, looking almost gleeful at all its toppings. “Fried pickles, pickled red onions, relish…Sour and sweet and crunchy, the perfect compliment to a juicy, meaty burger. And one this big? You’ve gotta have a little something special to handle all this meat.” Sam tilts his head, his mouth twitching like Dean said something embarrassing. Was it waxing poetic about vegetables? Probably. Dean chooses to ignore it.

“Ya know,” he continues, “for the longest time I didn’t think I’d like a pickle burger. For years I’d be at diners and think, ‘...maybe? I dunno. Probably not for me.’” Dean pulls his mouth down into a thoughtful frown and bobs his head to mimic his past thoughts. “And then...I’m not sure, I just figured, why not at least try it? All those burgers I’ve had all over the country; I could at least give it a whirl. And it. Was. Awesome!” Dean gently places the bun back on his burger and gives it a little affectionate pat. “Now I can’t get enough of ‘em.”

Sam's expression does a complicated dance that Dean can't even begin to follow. But it suddenly clears into a look of dawning realization, followed quickly by horrified guilt, before it clamps down entirely.

Weird.

"Well...I can't fault someone for enjoying a good pickle burger," Sam says slowly. He doesn't meet Dean's eye, keeping his gaze down as he delicately stabs at his salad with his fork. He frowns at the cucumber slice he spears and carefully dislodges it from the prongs. "Especially if they really like, uh, pickles?" Sam cringes a little down at his greens. Dean can't blame him. It's a sad looking salad.

"Exactly!" Dean gestures down at the burger. "I'm a meat man and a pickle guy." Sam looks up toward the sky and then down toward the ground below with a sort of pleading desperation. "This is a great burger for me. And don't even get me started on the sauce--"

"Okay!" Sam's voice pitches up several octaves. Dean frowns at him, but before he can ask, Sam takes a deep breath and plasters a warm, understanding smile across his face. "You know what? You're right, Dean. After all this time. All those, uh...burgers. I'm glad you've figured out which one you like best."

"Well, not quite. I mean, this one…" Dean carefully unwraps the second burger. "Is there anything sexier than a breakfast burger?" He practically beams down at the golden-brown bun, the fringes of fried egg drooping over the side, crisp bacon peeking out from under the patty.

"I...I don't know?" Sam has the same terrified expression as when Dean drags him onto ramshackle roller coasters at crappy county fairs. God, he's such a baby about cholesterol.

“Yeah. C’mon, you know they’re great!” Dean says cavalierly, because he’s not going to miss a chance to gloat about the awesome food Sam misses out on with all his salads. “Bacon is, you know, bacon! It’s the best tasting thing in the world! Salty, greasy, crunchy…”

Sam’s brow furrows so deeply it’s like it’s mining for coal, his unfocused eyes searching the empty space between them like he’s trying to figure out the deep, dark mystery of bacon.

Dean rolls his eyes. Of course he wouldn’t understand. The dude eats low sodium turkey bacon. "I know you haven't had good, real bacon in ages--" Sam looks offended. Then confused. Then offended again. "--but trust me, man. It's awesome. When ya got bacon in your burger, it automatically makes the burger a hundred times better. Can’t get enough of it!” Sam groans like he's in pain.

Dean grins and keeps going. “And you’ve gotta admit, a fried egg is a thing of beauty. Give me a good silky, drippy egg all over my burger and I’m a happy guy.” Sam’s nose scrunches up into abject horror. “You get that gorgeous, soft yolk oozing everywhere...It’s creamy and delicious and unctuous and--”

“Dean!” Sam shrieks. He lets his fork fall into his bowl and covers his face with both his hands. His voice is muffled, but it’s definitely a tormented whine. “I know this is a tough topic for you, but can you please just say you’re bi and never use words like ‘unctuous’ again? I’m begging you!”

Dean freezes. “Wh-What?” Did Sam really--? He--? How does he know?!

Sam pops up from his elbows, dragging both hands through his hair as he frees his face from hiding. “I get it, dude. Okay? I get it. I mean...I don’t get it.” He glances down at the two burgers with a perturbed look and holds up his hands in surrender. “But I get it.”

Dean stares at him. “Get what?” he demands. His heart is pounding fast. Bi. Sam knows he’s bi. When did he figure it out?! Why’s he bringing it up now?!

Sam fixes him with a flat look. “The burgers? The...God...bacon sex metaphor? The pickle guy thing? I get it. Please. Please stop talking about eggs like that. I’ll never eat an omelette again!”

Sex metaphors? Pickle guy?! Dean takes a moment to think and...yeah. Yup. He really did say “I’m a pickle guy,” out loud. Wow.

Maybe he should just...roll with it?

Because otherwise Sam is definitely going to mock him for that for the rest of his life, and honestly, coming out is the much better option.

“You got me,” Dean says with a small laugh. He spreads his arms out with a bit of a flourish, and it’s a relief to say it. It feels good. “What can I say? I like all kinds of burgers. And hotdogs. Tacos. Kielbasa...”

“Please stop,” Sam groans, rubbing at his eyes with his hand.

Oh yeah, this is definitely the better option. Dean fell ass-backwards into a conversation he’s been dreading for months, and the only person feeling awkward and miserable here is Sam!

Really it’s a win-win.

Dean grins from ear to ear as he relishes Sam’s mortification. “Hey now, I thought you were supportive! What happened to ‘I’m happy for you and your burgers?’”

“I am happy for you, I just wish this wasn’t happening over lunch…” Sam whines as he drops his hands on the table.

“What’s Sam happy about?” Cas asks, startling the both of them by approaching their picnic table. His eyes are earnest and sincerely curious, which only causes Sam to send a miserable, pleading look his way while shaking his head.

“Sam thinks pickles are gay,” Dean says to Cas with the same sort of smug glee of the teacher’s pet tattling about note passing in class.

Cas scrunches his face in confusion as he sits down beside Dean. “Sam, that’s...nonsensical.”

“That’s what I said!” Dean lies, because the way Sam’s eyebrow is twitching right now is too damn funny. “Wait til you hear what he thinks about bacon.”

Sam drops his face into his hands again. “This is the worst day of my life,” he groans as he massages his temples with his fingers.

Cas furrows his brow at him. “You’ve been to Hell.”

“And I’m still there, apparently!” Sam flings his hand up in exasperation. Cas quietly takes a sip of Dean’s drink, which for some reason just pisses Sam off more.

“You know, you could have just been normal about this. No weird, gross food metaphors. Just--” Sam drops his voice several octaves and bobs his head in a deliberately annoying parody of Dean. “--‘Hey Sam, by the way, I’m bi and totally in love with Cas, no big deal,’ or whatever.”

Dean goes still while Cas tilts his head at the two of them.. “Who says I’m in love with Cas?” Wait. Is that obvious too? Shit, well, looks like he gets to rip two bandaids off today. Thank God for the hilarious panic on Sam's face, because otherwise Dean would be the one freaking out here.

Sam’s eyes go huge, all color draining out of his face. “Oh shit. I didn’t-- I’m sorry, I--”

Dean can only manage to maintain the ruse for a few seconds before he bursts out laughing. “Nah, I’m just messing with you. Where have you been, man? Cas and I have been together for ages. I thought you were the smart one!”

Sam looks like he wants to leap across the picnic table and strangle Dean.

With a glare so sour it could peel paint, Sam snatches Dean’s extra large order of french fries and storms off toward the car to sulk. About three paces away, he stops, turns around, and levels a stern finger at Dean alongside his scowl. “For the record. I’m proud of you. And I’m honored you chose to trust me with this information,” he hisses in a frustrated huff before he spins on his heel and marches away.

Dean wipes a tear from his eye, still chuckling under his breath. Cas stares after Sam in concern.

“Why is he so mad?”

Dean shrugs off the question as he slides the pickle burger in front of Cas and nudges him with his elbow to try it. “Hell if I know. If you ask me, dude needs to have a burger every once in awhile.”

#destiel #deancas #destiel fanfiction #deancas fanfiction #supernatural #spn #destiel fanfic #deancas fanfic #katie writes things #this is either the best thing I've written or the worst thing I've ever written. possibly both #I'm very sorry for making you read the bit about the fried egg

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thorniest-rose · 4 years

Text

reddie halloween prompt #6 pumpkin

Eddie had lived in denial for a long time. It was a denial that had clung to him since he’d been a little boy. Never letting himself get dirty. Being scared of falling ill. Not letting his eyes linger too much on the handsome men he saw in the pharmacy or at the grocery store. And never letting himself enjoy food. Because food meant gluttony. It meant allergies and intolerances. It meant turning out like his mother, who he watched grow bigger and rounder every year.

He spent years like that, not letting himself enjoy anything. Convincing himself he was so frail that all he could eat were egg whites and leafy greens or the leanest chicken with a plate of boiled vegetables. No gluten. No sugar. Hardly any fats or carbs. For more than 20 years he was as austere as a Puritan. And he told himself it was for the best.

Until Richie, that was. Until they had finally defeated the clown.

Things started to change then. Slowly at first but surely. Eddie left his sham of a marriage; he came out of the closet; he admitted to Richie one night, as the two of them shared a bowl of ice cream by Richie's swimming pool, that he was in love with him. And then, after he let himself try a slice of challah one day at a coffee shop downtown, toasted gently and spread with honey, Eddie let himself fall.

First, Eddie made banana bread using some old, overripe bananas on their kitchen table. Then he baked chewy oatmeal cookies one morning after he’d served up their overnight oats. Before Eddie knew it, he was cooking up a storm: he ordered cookbooks, watched videos, bookmarked blogs. And he started to love the act of cooking. Looked forward to planning out their meals and going grocery shopping. There were fluffy ricotta pancakes in the morning; a cheese and spinach quiche with salad in the afternoon, chicken thighs baked in white wine, olive oil and parmigiano reggiano in the evening. And then, teasingly, a silky mousse or sliver of cheesecake.

Richie, who had the biggest appetite out of anyone Eddie had ever known, scarfed down everything Eddie made as quickly as a dog. He'd been happy to see Eddie enjoy food more and actively encouraged his cooking.

What Eddie hadn't expected was how sexy Richie had found it. How he watched Eddie cook with his blue eyes lit up with some kind of mischief. Sometimes coming up behind him so he could trail his hands over Eddie’s hips as he cooked, snaking a hand around his chest to tweak a nipple through his t-shirt, or to press the flat of his palm to Eddie’s lower stomach in a vaguely territorial touch that had Eddie half-panting as he stirred.

Eddie always kicked Richie out eventually, swatting him away with a wooden spoon or elbowing him in the stomach. But it didn't stop Eddie from growing ruby-cheeked or getting hard in his pants. Something Richie definitely noticed as he chuckled and said, "You feeling okay there, baby?"

Which is probably why he should have seen this coming. Not that he thought it would happen that morning, as he prepared a homemade pumpkin pie for the first time. That he’d end up pushed up against the counter in their spacious, airy kitchen with Richie's jeans shoved down his thighs and his cock balls deep inside Eddie's ass.

The pie looks good. Eddie had completed the crust, and he’s busy with the filling: mixing eggs, spices and fresh pumpkin purée in a bowl. Or at least he was trying to. Because Richie’s cock was nudging his prostate, and every time Eddie tried to focus on what he was doing, Richie would tilt his hips slightly and brush up against his sweet spot.

Richie had spent the whole time cooing into his ear, telling him what a good boy he was, as he stroked Eddie's hips like he was a skittish, easily frightened domestic pet.

The whisk clatters to the counter as Eddie lets out a high-pitched moan.

“I can’t do it,” he says, his head hanging down between his shoulders.

Richie leans in and swipes his tongue against the bare skin at his feverish nape.

“I think you can,” he says. “Come on, baby, you’re doing so well.”

Richie hadn’t fucked him that morning like he usually did, making the excuse that he had an important Zoom meeting. That he had to get ready for some presentation with the big suits about the future of his show. Eddie had said okay, that made sense, but he couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed as Richie kissed him on the cheek and disappeared out the room.

But it turns out this was why. Richie had been saving it for this.

Eddie tries not to moan at how deep Richie is inside him. There’s nothing between them, not even a layer of latex, and it’s almost too much. Richie’s cock is stretching him wide - with a shiver, he can imagine how obscene his hole must look around Richie’s cock - and on each small thrust into him, Eddie can feel Richie’s balls brush against his thighs.

“I hate you,” he mutters as his arms tremble, hands clenched so hard around the edge of the counter that they're porcelain white.

Richie tsks against his neck. “That’s not a very nice thing to say to your finance, is it? When he takes such good care of you.”

Eddie laughs, and it sounds manic. “Is this what you think taking care of me looks like?”

He expects a joke, or a witty retort. Instead what he gets is Richie’s fingers tightening to a bone-bruising grip on his hips. Eddie would cry out, goes to, except Richie shoots out a hand and shoves three thick fingers into Eddie’s mouth, stifling the sound.

With an edge of steel Richie says, “Why don’t you stop talking back and do as you’re told?”

Eddie starts to say “okay”, only he can’t, not with Richie’s fingers in his mouth, how they press down his tongue. So he nods his head as much as he can to get the point across. He’ll make the pie. He’ll be good.

“That's better,” Richie says.

He pushes his fingers deeper into Eddie’s mouth, getting them wet to the knuckle, the force of it making Eddie gag. It feels like a warning. That Eddie better be good because he's not in the mood to play. Then he pulls them out as fast as he’d pushed them in, bringing them back to Eddie's hip.

"Go on then," he says, but this time there's the hint of a laugh in his voice. Like he finds humiliating Eddie like this funny.

Eddie feels winded, the corners of his mouth feel bruised, but he picks up the whisk again and starts swirling the filling. It’s not as fast as he’d usually do it, but it’s the best he can do. Behind him, Richie starts to pick up the pace a little, pulling out and pushing his cock deeper into Eddie’s needy, clenching hole. He hits his prostate again, making him arch back against the tall line of Richie’s body.

“R-Richie, I can’t,” he says, on the verge of dropping the whisk again. Of abandoning the pie and begging Richie to fuck him.

But he knows that won't do.

From behind him Richie says, “Why don’t you shut the fuck up? I thought you could be good? Do you want me to pull out?”

Eddie shakes his head. He doesn't. Even though it was maddening: the torturous, slow push of Richie’s cock inside him, the feeling of his zipper rubbing up against his ass, the drip of precome at the end of Eddie’s dick where he’d grown flushed and hard against the counter. But the thought of Richie pulling out and leaving him there while he went to the bedroom to jerk off was even worse. He has a thought of Richie coming all over their bedsheets, of wasting his come instead of depositing it deep inside Eddie where it belonged, and he almost whines.

“No Richie, I want it so bad, please. Please don’t pull out,” he begs, in a voice he doesn’t even recognise. Something high and wanton. A voice he didn’t even know he could make until Richie laid him down on his bed one night all those months ago and pushed inside him for the first time.

“Beautiful boy,” Richie says sweetly. “Finish it, come on,” he murmurs.

So Eddie does. As Richie continues his slow, tormenting pace, Eddie finishes whisking the filling and lifts the bowl with shaky fingers so he can pour it into the pastry shell. He almost drops it, but manages to right the bowl at the last second. Afterwards he stares at it: the beautiful, flaky, butter pastry crust with its autumnal filling, and that floaty feeling of satisfaction comes over him. He’d done good. He did exactly as Richie told him.

“I’ve done it, Richie,” he sighs, his voice sounding faraway. “I’ve finished the pie.”

He melts when Richie kisses him on the side of his neck, scraping his teeth over his pulse point where it jumps rapidly.

“I knew you could do it, Eddie, I knew you could make me happy.”

And Richie rewards him for it. With one hand he pulls Eddie’s hips back and with the other he pushes Eddie’s cheek down against the counter until Eddie's bent at an obscene angle. At a fuckable angle, Eddie thinks with a shiver. But that’s the last coherent thought he has for a long time because a moment later Richie’s pulling out until just the tip of his dick is spearing Eddie open, and then he does what Eddie’s wanted all this time. He shoves back inside, the squelch of the lube pornographically loud in their quiet kitchen, and he rails him hard, letting that hidden, ferocious side come out.

It’s the hardest fuck Eddie’s had in days, and fuck it feels so good, his ass bouncing off Richie’s sharp hips on every thrust, Richie's cock punching his tiny hole open, and the low-pitched growl coming from Richie’s throat making his dick drool at the tip.

It's something he can't believe he's denied himself for so long.

"I kind of want to eat this pumpkin pie out of you," Richie suddenly says. "Would you let me do that? Just finger it inside of your dumb cunt and then eat it out of you?"

And it shouldn't sound hot. It should sound ridiculous. But it doesn't stop Eddie from crying out or his balls drawing up.

"I'm going to-"

He cuts off on a high whine as Richie reaches around and grabs him in warning.

"You better not. Not until I say."

Eddie nods, and Richie starts fucking him again, hammering his prostate on every push inside him, muttering so filthy it makes Eddie flush all the way down to his chest.

And when Richie finally tells him to come he does, clenching around him until he shoots sticky white all over the counter.

“Good boy,” Richie says as he pulls his cock out to smear the sticky head against the sore skin at his hole, making Eddie quiver. “Now let's go for that money shot. How much do you think you can make Daddy come?"

And Eddie, with gusto, shows him.

#halloween reddie #reddie #reddie drabbles #minors dni #d/s #dom/sub #tw food #tw eating #tw daddy kink #tw food kink #dom richie #sub eddie #tw feminization

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avengerscompound · 3 years

Text

The Tower: Family - 18

The Tower: Family An Avengers Fanfic

Series Masterlist PREVIOUS //

Pairing: Avengers x OFC, Bruce Banner x Bucky Barnes x Clint Barton x Wanda Maximoff x Steve Rogers x Natasha Romanoff x Tony Stark x Thor x Sam Wilson x OFC (Elly Cooper)

Word Count: 2354

Warnings: Pregnancy, smut (fff threesome, pregnancy sex, sex toys, multiple orgasms, vaginal and anal penetration with toys)

Synopsis: With new powers, Thor now living on Earth full time, a wedding to plan, and Natasha and Wanda expecting, a lot is changing for Elly and her large and rather unconventional family. When Elise’s parents try to reestablish connections, Elly questions what being a family actually means.

Chapter 18: Girls’ Time

After talking with the others I decided I’d wait a little while before meeting my mother. In the end, I felt like I needed to be sure what she was doing was genuine or not before I agreed to see her. It wasn’t like I didn’t have other things that were more important to think about. I had the ultrasound coming up to check for abnormalities and where we could find out the sex of the baby. I had had this feeling that because three of us were pregnant, and because we already had two kids that there wouldn’t be enough excitement to share. Often with second children people aren’t quite as hyped as the first one, partially because they’re busy with the first one, partially because all those baby things you need to buy you already have, and partially because the other people in your life don’t share your excitement. With that on top of the fact, there were three people pregnant and I was the least pregnant, I thought by the time I hit all the milestones everyone would have been a little burnt out.

To my surprise, that was not the case. I don’t know if it was just that there were ten of us and we were all excited about the new family members that we fed off each other to keep that going, if the others were trying to make it up to me from last time, or if the fact that when I was pregnant with the twins so many of them weren’t around and I had nothing to compare it against, but everyone was buzzing. They’d go from happily feeling Natasha or Wanda’s stomach for kids, to saying how they wished they could feel kicks from the baby I was carrying too. They’d talk about potential baby names for the three girls and then start speculating what sex the baby I was carrying was so they could name it too.

It felt good. I loved how buzzed everyone was. I loved how special they made not just me feel but Wanda and Natasha too. I couldn’t wait to meet the four new members of our family and I was buzzed to find out what I was having.

Wanda, Natasha, and I all now had crazy cravings too. Wanda was craving a lot of food she made with her mother. She was vegetarian now, so she was adapting recipes that included bell peppers stuffed with pork to be vegetarian. She was also making desserts from puff pastry and quark cheese. Interestingly, her usual aversion to hot food had gone completely and she was enjoying all these things warm and fresh out of the oven. Natasha’s were completely different. She was craving high fat and high salt, which delighted Clint. Pizza. Burgers. French fries. Natasha was ordering them all hours of the day and night. Her cravings annoyed her. She was careful to try and balance them with salad or at least something less processed and she hated that she didn’t have the willpower to ignore them completely. For me, I was craving sugar and things that were high in iron. I was drenching spinach in honey mustard dressing and eating every dessert that was offered.

The men were all very keen to take care of us too. If we had a craving they were rushing to the kitchen or ordering in takeout to cover it. It wasn’t just food we were craving. Our sex drives were out of control and with the kids at school we were spending a lot of days dragging people off to bed with us. Interestingly our sex cravings were all different too. Wanda was completely off penetration of any kind but if you went down on her she came so hard and so quickly it would make your head spin. Natasha really, really liked being spooned. Which was another thing that annoyed her, because she normally liked being so dominant and in control. That didn’t annoy her nearly as much as she started getting weepy when she climaxed. And for me? Well, I was really into anal. I had no idea where it had come from, but I could climax from anal alone.

The day before my ultrasound, Wanda, Natasha, and I were spending some rare time where it was just the three of us. We’d dropped the kids off at kindergarten, come home via a nail salon where we’d gotten mani-pedis, and then come home to have a very mismatched lunch that catered to our different cravings.

“Please stop thinking about sex, Elise. It is very distracting,” Wanda said in a tone that was half scolding and half playful.

“Don’t worry, Wanda,” I teased. “I’ll take care of you.”

“Elly!” She squealed and threw a dinner roll at me.

I laughed and caught it, tearing it in half and feeding a piece to each dog.

“Elise,” Natasha scolded. “Don’t feed the dogs from the table.”

“Why not?” I protested. “Clint does.”

“Oh yeah, Clint’s who you want to model your behavior on,” Natasha snarked. Wanda started giggling and Natasha wrapped her arm around Wanda’s shoulders. “I bought you a new toy, by the way,” she said. “I think given your current desires you will like it quite a lot.”

“Natasha,” Wanda whined. “Why are you teasing me.”

“I’m not teasing you,” Natasha said, nosing at Wanda’s cheek. “We haven’t had girls time in forever. Let’s go upstairs.”

Wanda wrinkled her nose and nodded. “Yes, please.”

Natasha smirked and stood, offering Wanda her hand. Wanda took it and let Natasha lead her away from the table. “Elly, are you coming? I got a nice present for you too.”

I got up as quickly as I could and followed after them, curious about what Natasha had in store for us, and already a little wet knowing it was going to be good.

When we got to the bedroom we helped each other strip off. It was pretty far from sexy. We were all different levels of pregnant. Wanda was huge. Probably as big now as Natasha would be full term. She was finding it hard to even get her pants on and off by herself these days without help from someone else or using her powers. Natasha wasn’t as big, and she was more mobile, but she was still a little awkward and she wasn’t exactly able to pull off a sexy striptease anymore. I wasn’t quite as big as her, but it was like my body had realized it was pregnant and just gone straight into the third trimester despite the fetus I was growing not being anywhere near ready yet. So I was not exactly co-ordinated as I got out my maternity sweats.

When we were finally all undressed Wanda and I climbed up onto the bed while Natasha went and gathered the things she had ordered. She laid out a selection of toys and lotions on the bed before getting up on the bed.

I think that all three of us were having trouble with actually feeling sexy. It is hard when you feel slightly awkward in your own body. But the way they looked at me, it was easy to believe I was the most desirable person in the world.

“I think we might need to take turns,” Natasha said. “It’s a little awkward otherwise.”

“Let’s start with Wanda,” I said. “She’s gonna get off from just us anyway so we should get her before it becomes too much.”

Wanda giggled. “So thoughtful, El.”

Natasha lay down so she was spooning her. She took a little vial of gel and squirted a blob onto her index finger before slipping it between Wanda’s folds and rubbing it slowly onto her clit. I began to kiss Wanda and massaged her tits. Wanda moaned softly into my lips and held onto me.

“Oh,” Wanda gasped, breaking the kiss. “That tingles.”

“Mm-hmm…” Natasha hummed taking her hand away and grabbing the vibrator. It was small and pink with a white cap on the end. She turned it on and it hummed softly as it buzzed in her hand. Natasha slipped it between Wanda’s legs and pressed the white end against her clit. Wanda hummed softly but that didn’t seem to be the reaction Natasha was looking for. She kept moving the toy, just a little wriggle as she upped the buzz. “Fuck!” Wanda gasped and covered her mouth.

“There you go,” Natasha said, holding the vibrator in place. “You foul-mouthed girl.”

I leaned in and started to suck on Wanda’s breasts. I’d suckle and nip at her nipple until it was hard and then move to the next. Wanda started panting very quickly and her hips jerked out of her control.

“Nat...Natasha, please,” she begged, her voice soft and needy.

“It’s good, isn’t it?” Natasha hummed. “Hitting that exact need, right?”

“Oh god, yes,” Wanda moaned. Her orgasm was coming on very fast and seemed to be hitting her much more intensely than normal. Her whole body had begun to jerk and her legs were shaking. Natasha held her in place and upped the buzz on the vibrator.

Wanda’s body seized up and she cried out as she squirted hard. Natasha didn’t ease up though, and as Wanda’s orgasm passed, a second hit immediately and her legs kicked out wildly as she moaned loudly.

Natasha pulled the vibrator back and kissed Wanda’s neck. “You want one more?”

“No, no… I need a break. That was…” Wanda babbled.

“Fast. It got you fast,” Natasha teased.

“Seriously,” I laughed. “That had to be five minutes and she squirted. What the hell is that?”

“Satisfyer pro,” Natasha said. “It has suction. I got one for each of us. And you’re next.”

“Oh goody,” I said, as we moved around. Wanda was moving slower and her eyes looked a little glazed as she moved in front of me.

Natasha handed Wanda a different vibrator that looked just like the one Natasha had used on her and Natasha took another toy and showed me. “Wanda’s going to use the vibrator while I fuck your ass with this.

The toy in her hand was beautiful. It was a clear, shimmering glass dildo. The shaft was wavy and it had a thick round end. Running right through the center was a blue feathered design so it almost made it look like an icicle. It looked more like a sculpture than a sex toy.

“Pretty,” I said. “That’ll be the prettiest thing I ever had in my butt.”

“Elise!” Wanda scolded and spanked my thigh playfully.

“What? It’s true,” I laughed.

Wanda took some of the stimulating gel and rubbed it into my clit, obviously trying not to laugh as she did. The gel was warm and made my clit tingle. Behind me, Natasha lubed up the toy. We were pressed closely together. Wanda’s stomach touched mine, while Natasha’s pressed into the small of my back. Wanda and I began to kiss and she turned on the toy and pushed it between my folds. I hummed at the soft buzz and Wanda tilted her head and moved it around and increased the intensity.�� When she touched it on my clit, the small device sucked the sensitive bundle of nerves and vibrate around it. I gasped and tense up, digging my fingers into Wanda’s side.

Behind me, Natasha teased the cool glass toy over my asshole. She was patient, and even as the toy sent pleasure rippling through me, making me muscles clench and spasm, she didn’t start easing the dildo in until I’d relaxed enough to take it.

She began to fuck my ass with the toy as Wanda sucked on my breasts and held the suction vibe on my clit. My cunt clenched and spasmed, and my toes curled. I wasn’t going to even last the five minutes Wanda took. It was intense and every single one of my pleasure centers seemed to be hit at once, with such perfect accuracy.

“Oh god… oh fuck…” I babbled, cursing over and over. My whole body seized up and I jerked hard between them and came, my clit twitching under the toy. Neither Wanda nor Natasha eased up though. If anything Natasha seemed to start to fuck my ass harder. Wanda turned the toy up and pressed her teeth down on my nipples.

I came again, my toes curling and my hips jerking. My belly bumped into Wanda’s but even still they didn’t stop. Wanda turned up the vibe and I screamed - my third orgasm hitting me hard.

They both stopped and kissed me softly as they let that last orgasm shudder through me. “Natasha’s turn,” Wanda said.

I moved behind Natasha and took a thin g-spot vibrator from the collection. Wanda took the other suction vibrator and applied the gel to Natasha’s clit as she kissed her deeply. I kissed Natasha’s neck and lubed up the vibrator.

As Wanda pressed her vibrator between Natasha’s fold, searching for her clit, I sunk the g-spot vibe into Natasha’s cunt. I fucked her with it as Wanda held the other vibe on Natasha’s clit. Natasha rutted her hips slowly between us, moaning into Wanda’s lips. I sped up my pace, angling the toy so it would hit her g-spot and vibrate against it.

The sounds Natasha made kept getting louder and more primal. She jerked between us and came gushing onto my hand. We kept going, fucking her with the toys, kissing her neck and breasts. Her skin became flush and sweat clung to it. She came again, and even as that orgasm rocked through her a third hit, making her whole body shake.

“Stop, stop…” she begged and Wanda and I took the toys away immediately. They were both a sticky mess and we put them with the others to clean up. The three of us lay back. Wanda and I giggled as Natasha panted between us.

“Shit,” she sighed. “Why don’t we do girls' time more often?”

“I don’t know,” I said, rolling over and kissing her shoulder. “But we definitely should.”

// NEXT

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lykegenia · 3 years

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It's become a regular thing, Nate cooking her dinner after sparring with Mason. She enjoys the time she gets to spend with him. But all it takes is one little slip to remember that having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't so easy.

Chapter1/3

The waft of enticing aromas hits as I enter the kitchen, a wall of warmth and a faint haze of steam, with the lilt of classical music as an accompaniment to whatever is sizzling on the hob. Fairy lights dance above the antique dining table and reflect in its polished surface, but at the sound of my footsteps the brightest thing in the room by far becomes Nate’s smile, as welcome after my sparring session with Mason as the hot jet of the shower to relieve tense muscles. He sets down a pan of something – sautéing garlic, by the smell – and reaches out to draw me into his side. I sink into the embrace with a sigh as he presses a kiss to my forehead. His hand splays across my back.

“You smell nice,” he murmurs, without pulling away. It’s a new shampoo, fancy stuff from an online boutique that guaranteed the use of natural ingredients that I’d hoped would be easier on his senses.

I smirk, satisfied. “So does dinner.”

The lazy smile as he leans back teases the unspoken innuendo, mirth clear in his brown eyes, though after a moment he lets his gaze fall in careful inspection, his hand trailing up my arm.

“How was training?”

“Either I’m getting worse or Mason isn’t holding back so much anymore,” I chuckle. “At least he’s teaching me so many tricks the guys at the gym are getting jealous.”

“I’m sure it’s the latter,” he says as I roll my neck to stretch it out.

The new array of bruises across my body protest at the movement, and I make a mental note to ask Nate for help later – Elidor gave me some kind of magic salve so the injuries can heal faster, some of which are harder to reach than others. But food comes first.

“What’s on the menu?” I ask.

Still with one arm around my waist, he smiles wide and makes a sweeping gesture over the bubbling pots and pans. “We’re having pan-seared duck over a bed of parmesan mash, with wilted spinach and a side of roasted seasonal vegetables.” He finishes the movement with a swift kiss to my knuckles, and I can tell that beneath the smirk he’s waiting for my reaction.

The first time he cooked for me he confided that he enjoyed making food for others, but since the rest of Unit Bravo doesn’t eat human food it leaves me as his only guinea pig. It’s become almost a ritual for us since then, intimate, something to share, and the effort he always puts in to impress me still ties my insides in knots. No one’s ever cared so much about my opinion before.

“You know,” I tease, nudging closer, “if you keep trying to outdo yourself, eventually you’ll set the kitchen on fire.”

He laughs. “Perhaps. But until then… taste this. Tell me what you think.”

He lets me go to fish for a teaspoon in the cutlery drawer, which he dips into a saucepan of simmering, brownish liquid and holds up for me, the other hand held carefully underneath to catch any drips. If anyone else tried to feed me like this they’d end up wearing the spoon as a hat, but his gaze is expectant, hopeful, and my stomach is gnawingly empty. With my fingers on his elbow to steady his hand I take the offered mouthful. The moment the sauce hits my tongue I have to pull back, hiding a giggle behind my hand. The flavours are complex, savoury then sweet with a hint of spice trailing at the end.

“What is it? It’s…”

He preens at the reaction, just a little. “It’s a jus made with pomegranate molasses. Do you like it?”

“Definitely,” I answer, closing the space and reaching up on tiptoes, and he obliges by dipping his head so I can kiss him. “You’re amazing.”

“No more so than you,” he purrs without missing a beat.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” We had this argument early on; I’m not one to sit by while others work – I never know what to do with my hands.

“I still need to finish the mashed potato, if you want to prepare the duck breast?” he points to the island in the middle of the kitchen where a package sits wrapped in brown paper stamped with the logo of the butcher who runs a stall at the local market. “It needs scoring and seasoning.”

I nod. “Got it.”

Unfolding myself from his side with a final squeeze of his hand, I set about my assigned task. After washing my hands, I take one of the hardwood chopping boards from the rack on the countertop and a slim knife from the stand next to it, and set up my little work station with my back to Nate so he can get on with whatever fancy technique he’s using. The Agency spared no expense with the equipment in any of the warehouse’s rooms and the kitchen is no exception, despite how little it’s used. I’m not exactly lost when it comes to cooking, my limitations more due to laziness than a lack of skill, but half the utensils that fill the drawers are ones I’d never seen before coming here.

There’s a burst of soft fragrance as I pluck a few sprigs of thyme from the planter on the windowsill. Soft scales of piano notes trickle in to fill the silence, soothing the last of the tension from my day of paperwork and solving petty crime.

“What music is this?” I ask as I lay the newly unwrapped meat on the board and start to cut into the skin. “I like it.”

“This piece in particular?” I hear him check on something in the oven. “I’m not certain. It’s from a collection of overtures I found in the Agency’s music library.”

“Overtures…” I consider. “That’s the bit in the opera before they start singing, right?”

He chuckles. “That’s a good way to put it.”

“See? I’m not just a pretty – shit!”

“Leah?”

I’ve already brought my finger to my mouth, the taste of iron welling against my tongue. Of course I wasn’t paying enough attention. The Agency’s knives are sharp – the sting feels like I’ve sliced half way to the bone. Without thinking, I pull my hand back to examine the wound, assessing damage, and instantaneously a bloom of deep red erupts along the white line of the cut.

There’s a gasp behind me.

Shit.

I turn but Nate’s already there, a solid wall so close I have to crane my neck back to see his face. A tiny, wild animal part of my brain shouts an alarm that he shouldn’t have made it there so fast, with so little noise. He catches my wrist, half-lidded eyes on my hand, entranced as a droplet of blood grows too heavy and escapes like an unspooled ribbon down the length of my finger. The moment stretches. His throat bobs in a dry swallow, lips slightly parted.

“Nate…”

His eyes flash up to mine for an unsteady instant, unfocussed and intense, before dropping to my mouth. A harsh breath eases between my teeth, but when he leans closer I realise what must be drawing him.

“Nate.” My voice is firmer, more urgent.

He blinks. The strange, vacant light slips from his eyes.

“The tap,” he manages through a clenched jaw, still fighting for control.

The small, calm part of my mind registering my body’s reaction, prey to predator, struggles with the non-sequitur. The pointed tips of fangs peek out from beneath his upper lip.

“You need to run your hand under the tap. The smell –”

“Nate,” I answer, in the voice they trained into us at the academy for talking down drunks and people with weapons, “you need to let go of me.” The grip on my arm is gentle, certainly not tight enough to hurt, but it’s not one I could escape by force.

Another weightless instant passes – and then he drops me, curling away like a leaf under flame, breath ragged as I count steps across the kitchen floor and all but lunge for the sink. My face pushes into a grimace as my finger hits the cold stream of water, but what blood there was is washed away in a matter of seconds. For an instant, my shoulders sag in relief, only to seize up again when a bang like a gunshot has me flinching for cover.

It’s just the door. It hangs open, swinging with the force that slammed it against the wall, and as I watch, breath heaving, a chunk of mortar falls out of the dent made by the handle and crumbles to the floor.

Nate is nowhere to be seen.

#the wayhaven chronicles #twc #n sewell #nate sewell #nate sewell x detective #nate sewell x f!detective #nate x leah #leah kingston #my writing

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amjcpvr · 3 years

Text

“Where are you going?” My brother, Woogie, asks as he comes home from work. His colleagues and him had gone out to have a drink after a long day and he had just gotten home. I was pretty dressed up for a night in, especially since it was getting late into the evening.

“Umm…” I follow him to the kitchen where he thanks me for making dinner for him and begins to dig in.

I grab my phone and keys and put them in my bag before glancing up at him.

“So I have to tell you something and you have to promise me you will NOT freak out.” I speak slowly as if that will make this better.

“Just spit it out.” He snorts. He probably thought it was something stupid like I got period blood on the sofa again.

“There's this guy and-” before I could say anything else Jay, one of my brother’s coworkers, interrupts me. My eyes widen as I suddenly jump and back away from the kitchen entrance.

“The fuc-” Another coworker, Harry, who had tagged along, quickly covers Jay’s mouth and smiles nervously.

I should’ve known. These guys always come over with Woogie. I had known them for the longest time, and if this was any other day, I wouldn’t have a problem with their visit. Today just wasn’t good timing.

“We’ve been talking for a long time and I really like him bro. He’s so sweet, and I know you’d like him too!” I quickly say before anyone else could interrupt me. I look at him with my Puss In Boots eyes as I await a response.

“The fuck-” Jay curses again but Harry once again covers his mouth.

I hear an engine coming from the distance and immediately recognize it. My heart skips a beat and I glance up at my brother.

“He's here.” I reveal as I look at the street from the kitchen window. His car pulls up a few seconds later.

I look over at Woogie with questioning eyes waiting for him to say something, anything. He stands from his seat, this whole time he had remained silent and I could feel sweat building on my forehead. He silently exits the house and I quickly follow behind him. Jay and Harry follow closely as well.

He looks over at the car and puts up two fingers before rolling them towards him In a “come here” manner.

The guy who was here to pick me up immediately steps out of his car and runs up our driveway.

“H-hello,” He bows down to show respect.

He walks over to my side when Jay puts out a foot to trip him.

Harry helps him stay steady and smacks Jay uptop his head.

Jay shrugs his shoulders and childishly sticks his tongue out directed to the back of my date's head.

I smile at the interaction. Jay was so silly.

“Woogie, meet my date, Woojae.”

Before he could respond, Haon comes walking over from Minsiks house.

Haon and Minsik were my next door neighbors. We were all pretty close since we had no one else to hang out with growing up. They knew Woojae and were waiting for us to reveal the news to my brother.

He was just passing to his house when he noticed Woojae’s car. He looks from the car to us back to the car over and over again.

He randomly runs back to Minsiks house and yells.

“They finally did it!” Out of nowhere, Minsik comes running out and also notices the car.

He looks over at us and gives us a thumbs up.

They walk over to us and immediately back us up.

“Dude! Woodie here is a good guy. He's been staying single as a Pringle just for ya daughter, you know?” Minsik starts as he hooks his arm around my brother.

I groan and pull him off.

“Not helping.” I growl at him and he immediately cowers away like a sad puppy.

They stand at the sidelines next to Jay and Harry. I see and hear all four of them asking questions to get caught up on the situation. I ignore it and continue looking at my brother.

“Why do you like my sister?” My brother finally speaks after what feels like years.

“The fuck that's the only thing you gonna ask. Let me at him bruh.” Jay threatens as he throws air punches while Harry holds him back.

“I've been training with Zombie. You better catch these hands mother-” This time it was haon who cut him off and mumbled something about 'if you're angry just take a moment and look at yourself, the person you see is not you…”

I roll my eyes and focus back on My date and brother’s interaction.

“Why do you like drinking?” Woojae asks my brother. I look at him bewildered.

This better be good.

I could tell my brother was thinking the same thing.

“It tastes good.” My brother comments with a smirk. He knew where Woojae was going with his answer so he was probably expecting Woojae to say.

“Well your daughter tastes good.”

Or something like that.

“Exactly. Everybody has different taste buds. For example, my mother hates beer but my father loves it. Taste buds are different in everybody's mouth. Your sister likes spinach and I hate it. Taste buds are like feelings. Everyone has different feelings for different people. You might see Minsik as a nice next door neighbor but I see him as guy who loves to party. I like her because she tastes good to my taste buds.” Woojae finishes.

I stared at him with tears in my eyes before I hug him. I could see Jay tearing up as he curls up next to Harry.

Woogie was still emotionless as always.

“Okay. No later than 9pm.” He quickly replies before he sits back down, this time on a chair we had outside on the porch, and takes a deep breath.

I look at Woojae and hold my hand out to him. I already know I had an embarrassingly bright grin on my face. He gladly takes it and leads me down to his car.

“After you, milady.” He coos sweetly as he opens the door for me.

“Why thank you, mister.” I reply as I get in and make myself comfortable.

“Where did you learn that?” I ask him as I stare at him with hearts in my eyes. We were on our way to the movies already.

“What?” He questions with a giggle. He was getting shy.

How cute.

“That amazing way with words.” I flirt exaggeratedly as I continue to stare at him dreamily.

“From you. You're my muse.” He responds but then shys away and cringes.

“Ahh” he screams like a little girl.

I burst out laughing but my heart skips a beat nevertheless.

“Ah! My heart is beating too fast!” I tease as I hold my heart.

He screams again and makes the final turn to enter the parking lot.

“I like that.” I continue with a smile.

“What? The movie theater?” He asks as he focuses on parking perfectly.

“No. I like that corny mouth of yours.” I purr as I send him a wink.

“Oh baby. This mouth can be more than just corny.” He winks back, but he can’t hold his face for more than three seconds before screaming and cowering away.

“You know what my mouth could be?” I challenge him as I lean closer to him.

“What?” He glanced at me suspiciously.

“Yours.” I whisper in his ear. I back away to catch his reaction and witness a horrified look cross his face.

“Baby, I wasn't ready.” He quickly says while shaking his head.

I giggle and another beat skips in my chest.

He quickly gets out and opens the door for me.

I exit and immediately intertwine our hands and swing them back and forth as we walk into the theater.

“I can't believe we didn't go on a single date these past few weeks.” I make conversation as we wait in line.

“Me neither. You know how long I've been wanting to hold your hand?” He cheeses as he holds our hands up.

“Mmm… a few weeks?” I tease him. I laugh at his eye roll that follows and lean into him.

“Finally.” I snuggle into his arm and freely breath in his cologne.

We pay for our tickets and snacks and sit in our spots.

Before the movie starts we talk about what had happened earlier.

“For a second I thought your brother was going to throw me into a trash can.” He explains his worries as he digs his hand into the popcorn bowl.

“What? My brother isn't that mean.” I laugh quietly as I recall the events from earlier that day.

“If anything you should be grateful Harry was there to stop Jay from jumping you.” I retaliate as I laugh out loud.

I visibly see woodie shiver as he remembers Jay's words and actions.

“Does he really train with Zombie?” He quizzes with fear in his eyes.

“Yes.” I reply teasingly. His eyes grow before he looks away in fright.

“Don't worry! I won't let him.” I quickly reassure him as I squeeze his cheeks.

He groans and gets another fistful of popcorn.

“Stop it or else you'll finish all of it before the movie even starts and I am not sharing my nachos boi.” I nag him as I smack some popcorn out of his hand and back into the bin.

He squeals and reaches for it again before fitting it all in his mouth.

I burst out laughing, earning a few daggers and a “shhhh” from somewhere.

We giggle quietly and wait for the movie to begin.

Throughout the movie, we held hands, and leaned on each other. The date was even better than I imagined.

“You want to go eat? It's 8:30… oh wait, gotta be back by 9.” He finished with a sigh.

“We can get McDonald's and then eat at my house.” I suggest.

“What if everyone's still there?” He worriedly questions as he looks at me doubtfully.

“Well everyone already knows how much we're seriously about each other, so I don't think It's a big deal.” I respond with a shrug.

He thinks about it for a while before nodding.

We pass through the l McDonald's drive thru and get our food before heading home.

When we get there, haon and minsik, are gone. Jay, Woogie, and Harry are the only ones still outside just sitting around and talking. Thankfully they aren’t consuming alcohol, that would’ve been both hilarious and disastrous.

“Here goes nothing.” Woodie whispers as he opens his car door. He runs over to my side and opens my door as well.

“Thank you, sir.” I playfully curtsy after stepping out.

“You hired your own valet boy?” Haon jokingly asks as he comes walking down the road with a basketball in his hand.

There is a group of guys behind him. They call themselves Kiff clan or something like that.

“Haha very funny.” Woojae replies with a stoic expression.

I pinch his cheek to break his angry expression and sling my arm around his neck.

“No, even better, I got a date.” I counter as I squeeze him to me. He giggles and pushes me away only to give up and squeeze me just as tightly.

“Eww. Let's go Kiff We GOt a SWaG.” Haon exclaims as all his buddies follow him into his house.

“Okay now let's go eat. I'm starving.” Woojae Says as he rubs his tummy . I could feel his cheek moving because we were right next to each other, cheek to cheek.

We separate and grab the bags out of the backseat as well as the drinks.

“Hi brother.” I greet as I lead the way up the stairs with Woodie behind me.

Before he could ask what Woodie was doing back here, I hold up a bag of food.

“Who's hungry?” His eyes immediately light up and he snatches the bag away.

“I brought some for everybody, even you Jay.” I tempt evilly.

“B-b-but my diet.” He cries. He literally looks like he is about to die.

I shrug my shoulders and wink at him.

I place four drinks down and realize I have an extra one.

“Minsik was gonna come back for a shirt he left over here or something like that. Not sure what he said, just give it to him.” Woogie comments as he pulls the drink down and places it on the table.

I nod and walk inside with Woodie.

We walk to the kitchen and dig in.

“Yo if this big Mac was a person, I'd leave your ass.” I joke as I take another bite.

I feel a balled up napkin hit my forehead but ignore it.

“Oh yeah? If pizza was a girl I'd leave your ass too.” He turns away with his arms crossed.

I choke from laughter. Once I recover, I get up and give him a back hug, because his back was still to me.

“I'm sorry.” I apologize as I pry his arms away from each other.

“No, you're not.” He childishly replies.

I sigh.

“You're right.”

He looks at me with a bewildered look on his face and pushes me away.

I laugh and sit back down.

We finish our food with me trying to get him to talk to me and him continuously ignoring me.

“Wanna play Mario Kart?” I question as we throw our trash away.

His face immediately brightens.

“Is that even a question?” He asks as he runs to the living room.

I follow him with a chuckle and set the game console up.

We begin with small bets of 5 dollars but it soon increases to dares like “I dare you to go on the roof and throw something on Jay.” Which we end up not doing because we are too scared.

“This is the last game okay? You have work early tomorrow.” I state as I hit the play again button.

After an intense race I win.

“Okay whats the last dare?” He asks as he looks over at me with pleading eyes.

“I dare you… to…” I meet his eyes and wiggle my eyebrows before continuing. I crawl closer to him and sit down.

“Make my lips yours.” I finish as I look up at him.

He sends a small grin.

“Now that, I can do.” He whispers as he leans closer.

Our lips meet and I swear I hear fireworks go off in the distance.

We kiss until we can’t breathe anymore.

When we finally pull away we look into each other's eyes and smile.

I give him another peck and he does the same. We keep doing that until he engages me into another long kiss.

Finally we pull away, for real this time, from each other and he gathers his things.

“Thank you for today.” I tell him as I smile. He looks down at me with a smile too.

“I'll see you later babe.” He tells me sweetly.

We open the door and see Jay passed out on Minsiks lap. Minsik is just surfing through social media completely unbothered.

My brother and Harry were busy talking about work.

They look up when they hear the door open.

“Thank you for letting me take your sister out tonight. I promise I will protect her.” He smiles politely as he bows his head.

“Yeah. Thanks for the food I guess.” My brother gives in awkwardly as he gives Woodie's shoulder a pat.

Jay wakes up as if he senses my date’s departure.

“You!” He points at woodie.

Woodies eyes widen and he freezes in place.

“M-me?” He asks as he points at himself.

“Yes, you! How did you know I liked chicken nuggets? Come here bro!” He grins, to everybody's surprise. He pulls woodie to him and shakes his hand.

Woojae gives a nervous smile and reciprocates the handshake.

“See you man.” Minsik says as he also shakes Woojae hand.

It seems like Jay just barely notices him.

“What the- Minsik? Da fuq? Why am I sitting on your lap? You pervert!” Jay yells. He tilts the chair they are sitting on and Minsik falls with it.

I sigh and a few chuckles escape.

“Sorry.” I apologize to him. He shrugs.

“I'm used to it.” He replies as he rubs his arm.

I walk woojae down to his car and we sadly say our goodbyes.

“Text me when you get home.” I demand as I begin walking away. Our hands are intertwined but our fingers begin to separate the farther I go.

“Okayyy. Come here.” He whines as he pulls me back. He hugs me and gives me one last peck before we finally let go.

He drives away and I wave to him until I no longer see his car.

I walk back up to the porch and hear minsik comment something.

“What is this? Your first date or your first anniversary?” He asks as he rolls his eyes.

“Youre just jealous because your single.” I retort as I stick my tongue out at him.

“Jay is still single and he's 31.” He points out carelessly.

We laugh at the mentioned man’s hurt face and then run when he gets up from his seat looking like he was going to murder us.

I walk inside after seeing Minsik get spanked by Jay and get ready for bed.

When I get out of the shower I realize I have a message from woojae.

Just got to this house.

He then sends a picture of his house and I laugh.

Whyd you call it this house?

Because my only home is you.

I could already see him squirming around in his bed and screaming into a pillow.

Go to sleep you teenage girl. I can hear your screams all the way over here.

Why you gotta be so rude~ don't you know I'm human too~

Good night woodie.

Okay okay. Good night babe.

————————

Wrote this when I was on something or sleep deprived idk. I had this in my drafts for like 3 years and I’m just cleaning out my drafts and deciding whether things should be posted or deleted. DID NOT PRROFREAD! I’m sorry! I will proofread soon, probably after finals!

Let me know if this type of writing is something you’d like to see again in the future!

———————————

Woodiegochild x oc

Woogie as your brother

Jay as your brother’s overprotective friend

Haon and sikk as your neighbors

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Enjoy!!!

#h1ghrmusic #woodiegochild #crack au #jay park #woogie #pH1 #haon #sikk

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lovemesomesurveys · 3 years

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How are you doing today? It’s only 1:56AM, but so far I’ve just ate a bowl of ramen and watched a couple YouTube videos. What was the best thing that happened to you today? My ramen was quite delicious, ha. Which cell phone network are you on? Verizon. Do you like the smell of cinnamon? Yesss. What was the last book you've read? I just finished, “The Secret She Kept” by Elle Gray and I’ve started, “Autumn’s Strike” by Mary Stone.

Are you hungry right now? No, I just finished eating. What was the last thing you've had to drink? Water. How often do you visit this website? I’m on Tumblr all the time. Do you like frogs? No. Are you afraid of dying? Yes. Do you like bananas? I love bananas. Do you like the show American Dad? Meh. It has its moments, but overall I’ll pass. I don’t ever watch it by my own choosing, I just catch it here and there because my family watches it. What TV show do you miss the most that's no longer on TV? Gilmore Girls, Degrassi, and True Blood come to mind first. Are you currently fighting with someone right now? No. Is your life full of drama? No. I have other stressful things I’m dealing with, but not of the drama variety. How long can you hold your breath underwater *shrug* Where's the last place you've been to out of state? When I went to Arizona to visit my grandparents about 6 years ago. Have you ever been kissed in the rain? No. What letter does your last name start with. -- What are you listening to right now? I’m watching Gilmore Girls. Have you ever had a pet that died? Yes. Would you rather use a trackpad or a mouse? Trackpad. Do you consider yourself politically intelligent? No, not at all. Have you ever done any volunteer work? Yeah, I’ve done a lot with Girl Scouts, school clubs, and class assignments. Do you like the Beatles? I like some songs. Is it night time where you're at right now? Yeah, it’s 2:08AM. Do you like steak? Nope. Do you eat healthy? No, I definitely don’t. How often do you work out? I don’t. What was the best gift you've ever received? I couldn’t possibly choose. Have you ever participated in a spelling bee? Nope. If you could have one wish right now, what would it be? Good health. Do you owe anyone an apology right now? I kind of do. Are you the jealous type of person? I can be, but it’s not something I feel much. Or at least haven’t felt in a long time. I feel envy more. Have you ever tried doing yoga? Nah. Do you like getting massages? I’ve never gotten one. Would you rather be too hot or too cold? Cold. Are you good at telling jokes? No, I’m pretty much the worst. I don’t tell many jokes. When was the last time you've attended a sleepover? Several years ago. Tell me one of your pet peeves. Eating sounds. Do you wear glasses? I do. Do you like to keep your nails painted? I haven’t painted my nails for the past few years. Have you ever had a pedicure? Nope. What is your favorite smell? I have several favorites. Do you like the TV show Full House? I do. Would you rather listen to country music or rap music? I like both. Are you a Duck Dynasty fan? Nope. Have you graduated high school yet? Uh, yeah, back in 2008. What kind of person were you in middle school? Quiet, shy, awkward. Nothing has changed. Do you have any major regrets in your life? I have a few. :/ Do you like pixie sticks? Eh. I did as a kid, but I don’t have much interest in them the older I get. Do you like French toast? Mmm, yes. Are you a fast typer? I am. Are you good at doing math in your head? Nope. Or at all. Have you ever played with Silly Putty? Yeah. Do you take in a lot of caffeine daily? I do. I love my caffeine. Do you like watching Football? Nope. Or an sport. What language do you wish you could speak? Spanish. Do you know a lot about history? No, I wouldn’t say that. If we could travel back in time, where would you travel to? Can I travel back to childhood? Would you ever consider joining the military? No. I couldn’t anyway, I’m physically disabled. Are you a cigarette smoker? No. Have you ever done something you didn't want to just to look cool? That’s kind of how it was when I used to drink and smoke. I wasn’t a big drinker or smoker, only did so socially, but still. I also did so on my own accord, I’m not blaming anyone, and I’m not going to say I hated all of it because I did have good times, but there was a big part of me that did so because I felt I had to. My friends liked to do it and I wanted to partake with them and not sit out on the sidelines by myself. It’s just that truth be told I think I would have rarely drank at all if it weren’t for that and likely would have never smoked. It had its fun moments, but I didn’t feel the need to partake all the time like they did. Do you like zombie movies? Nah. Have you seen The Hunger Games? Yep, all of ‘em. Do you have a favorite piece of clothing? All my graphic tees, t-shirt dresses, leggings, and lounge shorts. All my comfy clothes, basically. Do you own any Uggs? Nope. Are you wearing any rings on your fingers? No. Name a TV show that you absolutely can't stand. Most sitcoms today. Do you have any unusual talents? No. Or any kind of talent. Do you look like your age? *shrug* I’ve been told I look younger. Do you feel confident in a bathing suit? Nooo. Do you do a lot of online shopping? I do. Do you like the Harry Potter films? Yeah. Do you judge people based on their sexual orientation? No. I care about who a person is, their personality, and whether we vibe. Have you ever been told you had an accent? No. Have you ever ridden an elephant? Nope. Are you allergic to pollen? I do have seasonal allergies. Have you ever eaten sushi? Ew, yes. Not a fan. If so, do you like it? Nope. Are you a fan of anime? No. Would you rather play Xbox or Playstation? Playstation. Are you a big fan of seafood? I don’t like seafood at all. What kind of food are you craving right now? I’m good right now. Are you currently in a relationship? No. If not, are you happy being single? Yeah, it’s for the best. Do you like to go fishing? No. Are you a fast runner? I used to be. I don’t have the energy or strength anymore for that.

Have you ever worked at a fast food place? Nope. What's on your mind right now? Now I’m thinking about food cause of some of the previous questions. Are you texting anyone as you're taking this survey? No. Have you ever had a nasty rumor spread about you? No. Have you ever sent someone sexual pictures of yourself? No. Do you like who you are on the inside or the outside more? Neither. :/ Are you good at drawing? No, I have no artistic abilities. Do you know how to dance? Nope. What's your favorite reality TV show? Catfish, Teen Mom OG, Teen Mom 2, The Voice... Do you think Kim Kardashian deserves to be famous? I don’t care. Are you excited for Christmas this year? I’m always excited for Christmas. Do you celebrate Halloween? I mean, I put up some decor, watch scary movies, and partake in treats. I stopped dressing up and carving pumpkins a few years ago. Have you ever had a concussion? No. Do you pretend to be someone you're not? No. I certainly wouldn’t pretend to be... *gestures vaguely* this. Do you listen to heavy metal music? No. Were you sad when Michael Jackson died? I was just surprised. Do you have more upper or lower body strength? I barely have any strength anymore it feels like, but I used to have really great upper body strength. Have you ever been in a tanning bed? No, and never want to be. Do you like hot tubs? No. Do you know anyone who is battling cancer? No. Have you ever donated money to a charity? Yes. Do you get bored easily? More so nowadays. I didn’t used to. Have you ever peed your pants in public? Maybe as a little kid. Are you afraid of roller coasters? Yes, except for the Cars and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coasters at Disneyland. Are you good at doing tongue twisters? Not really. What was the last movie you've seen in theatres? Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Have you ever been to a drive-in movie? Yeah, a few times but it’s been a long time. I’ve been wanting to go to one, though. Are you good at doing fractions? Meh. I’m alright. Me and math don’t get along, but I could do some things somewhat. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and Halloween. Do you prefer Apple or Android? Apple. Would you rather have a tablet or a computer? Computer. Do you like things that are touch screen? Yeah. What age did you have your first kiss at? 16. Do you regret losing your virginity to whoever you lost it to? I’m still a virgin. Do you have a good relationship with your mother? Yes. Do you like the color lime green? Sure. What are your plans for tomorrow? I don’t have any. Would you rather wear jeans or yoga pants? Yoga pants. Do you like your clothes to be baggy and comfortable or tight and revealing Baggy and comfy. Do you wish you could change something about your hair? Yeah, it’s really not a good look right now. I pretty much chopped it off a couple months ago for reasons and it’s in that awkward phase as it grows out. I want it to be longer and dyed red again because currently it’s all natural and I don’t like it. Have you ever gotten a makeover? Yeah. Do you get mad easily? No. but I get frustrated and irritable easily. Have you ever punched someone in the face? No. Do you think the minions from Despicable Me are cute? Ehh. Did you have a Gameboy as a child? I did. Would you rather have chocolate or gummy worms? Chocolate. I’m not a gummy fan. What are your favorite pizza toppings? Extra cheese, garlic, green onions, spinach, cilantro, crushed meatballs, and pesto. Have you ever auditioned for a talent competition? No. I don’t have any talent. Do you make good sandwiches? I think theyr’e better from a deli or when my mom makes them haha but sure. Would you rather get high or get drunk? High. Have you ever failed a drug test? Nope. Do you like the Silent Hill movies? I actually haven’t seen them. What is one thing you need to work on to make yourself a better person? I have a few things I need to work on.

#personal #text #survey #surveys

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chappythegardener · 1 year

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Squash Seeds

We're excited to offer a wide selection of rare and unique squash seeds that have been cultivated and preserved by small farmers throughout the United States. At our store, we believe in the importance of preserving these special seeds to ensure that future generations can enjoy the diverse and delicious flavors of squash that have been cherished for centuries.

Squash Seeds FAQ

How long can you keep squash seeds? Squash seeds can actually be stored for several years if they are properly cared for. The key to storing squash seeds is to keep them dry and cool. They should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. If you follow these simple guidelines, your squash seeds will be viable for many years. So, the next time you have a bumper crop of squash, don’t worry about planting them all right away. You can save some of the seeds for next year’s garden. How many squash seeds should I plant? It is recommended that you plant about 5 to 10 squash seeds per hill. You should plant the seeds about 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil. If you are planting more than one seed per hill, thin the seedlings out so that there is only one plant per hill. When the squash plants have two or three leaves, you can fertilize them with compost or manure tea. How many squash will one seed produce? One squash seed will produce between two and six squash fruits. The average weight of a squash fruit is between six and eight pounds. The average weight of a seed is between one-half and one ounce. There are approximately 30 seeds in one pound. How long does it take for squash to grow from seed? Growing squash from seed is a easy and rewarding process that can be done in just a few short weeks. With a little patience and the right conditions, you can be enjoying fresh squash picked straight from your own garden in no time. Here are a few things to keep in mind when growing squash from seed: -Squash seeds need warm temperatures to germinate, so it’s best to start them indoors about 2-3 weeks before the last frost date in your area. -Sow the seeds in individual pots or cell trays filled with moistened potting mix or vermiculite. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil and keep them moist but not wet. -Once the seedlings have emerged, give them plenty of light by placing them under grow lights or near a sunny window. How fast do squash germinate? Squash seeds germinate best at temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with most varieties germinating within 12 days. The ideal soil temperature for squash seed germination is 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. If the soil temperature is too cold, the seeds may not germinate at all. If the soil temperature is too hot, the seeds may germinate unevenly or produce weak seedlings.

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#chappygardener #Farming #garden #gardening #grow #organic #seed #seeds #squash #vegetable

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13-reasons-ideas · 4 years

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Can’t Go Back Part 9

A/N: *sneaks onto your dash with this chapter and runs away quickly* I’m sorry for the delay. Addy’s mum’s birthday dinner will be in the next next chapter. I felt this one was long enough. Feedback is appreciated. Much love as always- Em

During our wind down time in the evening, I decided to bring up the idea of my friends coming over for dinner. He was done working on an assignment, reading over some sports book on the sectional. I was curled up on the other end of the couch, typing a for fun idea I had. “Can you pass the almonds, please?” I asked him. He passed the bowl over to me without looking up and I took a handful. After he put the bowl down, I asked him, “hey so, how would you feel about my friends coming for dinner on Saturday?” He laughed, assuming it was a joke. When I didn’t laugh, he looked up and looked at me funny.

“Oh. You were serious.”

“Yes.”

“Why would we have people who don’t like me over for dinner?”

“Because they’re my friends? Scott and Charlie come over for dinner. So does Justin.” I set my laptop aside on the coffee table.

“Addison, the difference between them and your friends is that they like me. And are supportive of our relationship.”

“Well this morning you talked to Clay and you weren’t horrible to him and he wasn’t horrible to you.”

“Being nice in a coffee shop in public is very different than having them over to our home in our private space. For all I know, it will be ‘why you’re terrible for our friend’ to me or ‘why did you make such an awful choice’ to you. I’m not going to sit here and let them do that to you. I really couldn’t give a shit what they say about me.” He had gotten up for a drink about halfway through his response.

“I wouldn’t let them do that to you. In fact, I was planning to tell them if they said anything like that, they would be asked to leave. Also, you need to stop moving around so much. The doctor said to rest.”

“That’s fair. But still. I don’t think it’s a good idea. I am not bedridden Addy. I can get myself a bottle of water.”

“I would do it for you.”

“Babe. My friends like you. Hell, I think Bryce likes you.”

“Happy joy. Bryce Walker likes me.” I muttered under my breath. “If you give them a chance, they might like you.”

“If I give them a chance? Addy, I don’t think I’m the half of this equation who needs to give someone a chance.”

“Okay, you’re right. I just don’t want them think this was some spur of the moment, ‘let’s go to Vegas’ thing. And I don’t want to have to choose between my friends and my husband. Because we all know that I would choose you.”

“I get it. You don’t want to lose your friends.”

“Exactly. I feel like maybe if they saw us together outside of school, they might realize that you aren’t as bad as they think you are. That they might see that I made the right choice.”

“I don’t know Addy. I don’t like it. We don’t like each other. I don’t see it going well.”

“I would do it for you.” I gave him my very best puppy dog eyes.

“That’s not fair. This isn’t you trying to get me to go to the store for ice cream. This is dinner with your friends who don’t like me.”

“Would you do it if I said we can play hooky to have sex when you get cleared?”

He was quiet for a while, contemplating my offer. “Would the sex start when we get home from the doctor?”

“Depending what time it was, yes.”

“If they say anything out of line can I kick them out immediately?”

“Maybe give them a warning first. If they say anything else, then you can.” He was quiet again. I watched him take a sip of water, crossing my fingers for a yes. After many minutes, he sighed and reluctantly agreed, “fine. They can come over. They better behave.”

“I’ll tell them to be on good behaviour.”

“Good.” Monty checked the clock on the wall and yawned. “It’s getting late baby. We should probably head to bed soon.” He placed his hand on my ankle and rubbed it up and down.

I nodded and grabbed my laptop to save my work. I got up and smirked playfully, rubbing his hair. “Addy.” he exclaimed as he laughed. I smiled prettily at him. “No touchy.” I shook my head in response and headed to our room for the night, where he joined me a few moments later.

The next morning, I left Monty at the car and went in search of my friends.

“Nice shirt.” Jess laughed when I approached them. I couldn’t tell if she was serious or being a bitch.

“I was tired this morning. Ripped jeans and Monty’s baseball shirt were in easy reach.”

“Late night?” Justin asked.

“I fucking wish.” I muttered quietly. I cleared my throat before answering normally, “not really. Just one of those mornings where the bed is so much more comfortable than it was when I was going to bed. I think going to bed at three thirty the other day messed with my internal clock. Anyway, I talked to Monty last night. He agreed to have you guys over on Saturday. You need to behave because it’s our house. It is our private space. We can and will ask you to leave if you don’t keep it together. No questions about his family. Not negotiable.”

“And if we don’t behave?” Zach asked.

I tried to keep from rolling my eyes. “You will be asked to leave.”

“That’s it?”

“It depends on what you say or do.”

“That sounds fair.” He replied. The first warning bell rang, and my friends left Justin and I to talk for a bit and walk to class.

“So, what did you have to promise him to agree to that? Or rather, how much did you have to promise him?”

“Hooky once he is medically cleared. And I might need to take the next day off too.”

“Damn. Sounds like a fun time.”

“It’s only been like four days and I already have an itch. That clearance can’t come fast enough Justin.”

“I believe it. Why do you think I hardly ever go to your place?”

“We aren’t that bad.” I rolled my eyes at him.

** **

Friday night was usually reserved for football and a movie or possibly Monty going to Bryce’s for a party. One nice thing about people not knowing about us, was that I wasn’t subjected to the parties. I was concerned that I would have to go with him now that people know about us, but he chose to stay home tonight. I was silently thankful for that as he had a tendency to… overindulge and come home late sometimes after spending time with Bryce. It wasn’t a very frequent thing, but it had been the cause of some discussions and arguments both before and after we got married.

I decided to stay home from the game since Monty wouldn’t be playing and my lack of sleep recently had begun catching up with me. For dinner, I had decided to make stuffed shell pasta. Half of them had spinach and the other half only had cheese. We watched Oliver & Company while we ate and cuddled on the couch. When that movie ended, we watched this week’s episode of FBI before calling it a night. I’m so tired. Climbing into bed in one of Monty’s t-shirts and a clean pair of underwear, I snuggled up under the blankets. He got in bed beside me and I cuddled closer. It was just passed two o’clock.

I was almost asleep when I heard him speak up. “Addy?”

“Hmmm?” I mumbled.

“I’m uh… I’m kind of horny.”

“That’s nice dear.” I mumbled patting his chest gently.

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

I could tell he was expecting a legitimate answer now, so I sat up some. “That’s unfortunate for you then.”

“Come on babe. Please?” He asked, gesturing to his growing hard on. You have no idea how much I want to say yes. But sleep. Sleep is good. I decided to have a little fun with this before going to sleep. I’ll pay for this when he gets cleared, but I’m not going to complain.

“I mean… there are other things we could do….” I said, seductively.

He smirked, playing innocent. “Like what?” I have him exactly where I want him.

“Like going the fuck to sleep.” I told him, promptly rolling over as I laid back down. He made the cutest, most disappointed sound I had ever heard, and I had to fight to hold back an ‘awe’.

On Saturday mornings we usually had Scott and Charlie over for coffee and breakfast. This morning, Charlie had a little too late of a night, so it was just Scott. I was up early-too early for how late we went to bed-to get a start on making breakfast. I had decided to make coffee Belgian waffles and buttermilk biscuits since it was just the three of us this morning. I would go back to making my more traditional breakfast meals next week. Or if Monty’s friends really do like me, possibly scale the meals up a little in the future. I didn’t bother to throw any pants on, since it was so early.

Monty and I had a rule about him sleeping in on Saturdays unless there was an imminent event happening that he had to be awake for. We did not deem groceries or awkward dinners with my friends, imminent issues. I swayed around the kitchen, humming to myself while I cooked. “If I knew this would be my view as often as it is on Saturdays, I would never have made the sleeping in rule a thing.”

I jumped slightly, not expecting Monty to be up yet. I had a spoon in my mouth, tasting the espresso and buttermilk mixture to see if the ratio was right. “Morning.” I greeted. “Needs a little more espresso.” I muttered to myself, using a teaspoon to sprinkle more in.

“Need any help?” he offered, making his way over to me. The crutches were easy for him to use at this point. He grabbed his favourite mug and poured a cup of coffee.

“Sure. Can you grab me the ricotta from the fridge? And put the mixing bowl and whisk in the freezer?” He nodded and went about the tasks.

“Anything else?”

“Do you want fruit? I’m also making biscuits.”

“Fruit sounds good. What do we have?”

“There are some berries in the fridge that have to be eaten. If you use apples-.”

“Wait until closer to breakfast, I know.” I laughed at him.

“Anything else you want to add, go ahead.” He nodded and got to work at the table, mixing the salad.

While the waffle batter hydrated, I went to get changed and get ready. I settled on a purple long sleeve dress and a pair of leggings so I wouldn’t have to change when we went to the store. I curled my hair and pulled it into a ponytail and did some quick makeup, so I looked a little more presentable. By the time I was ready, Monty had started mixing the biscuits together at the table. I watched him for a few minutes, as he poured the buttermilk in the bowl and used the back of a wooden spoon to mix it together into a shaggy mass. “There’s something very attractive about a man who can cook.”

He chuckled, rolling the dough out. “Come help me cut them out? Round or square?”

“You choose.” I watched as he decided what to do. First, he grabbed the circle cutter and used the back side of it to see how much dough he would have to reshape after. Then he used the back of a knife to measure how many squares he could get out of the dough. He nodded to himself, focusing on his task.

“Square. Re-rolled biscuits are gross.” I walked over to the island and grabbed the spatula and a cookie sheet. After transferring them to the sheet, I set them in the oven he had preheated.

Ten minutes later, Scott knocked on the door. I answered it and Monty manned the waffle iron. “Hey Scott.” I greeted as he pulled me into a hug.

“Hey Addy. How are you?”

“I’m good, you? I heard you guys had a pretty late night last night.”

“Well you know how it is.” He replied, brushing it off as though it was no big deal.

“I know. Biscuits are about to come out of the oven and waffles are on.”

We walked into the kitchen, where Monty was cutting up an apple into chunks. “Hey Scott.” He greeted his friend, not looking up.

“Hey Monty.” He could immediately tell there was something off about him. “What’s up with him?”

“He’s cranky that we can’t have sex.” I half muttered back.

“I can hear you guys, you know.”

“I know. But I’m not wrong.”

“I’m not cranky.” He replied, petulantly.

“Mhmm. Sure thing sweetie.” I poured more batter in the waffle iron as the timer went off on the oven before setting to work on espresso whipped cream.

“I’ll get it.” Scott offered.

“Great.”

“Is the fruit supposed to make us feel better about the carbs?”

“Yes. Carbs are more to make you feel better about drinking last night.”

“How do you know I was drinking, hmmm Addison?” I gave him a come on look and he conceded. “Fine. Maybe I had a couple of beers.”

Our conversation flowed easily over breakfast. “Her friends are really coming over for dinner tonight? Here?”

“Yes.” I responded before Monty could.

“And this is something you agreed to?”

“Reluctantly, yes. I reserve the right to tell them to get the hell out of my house though.” Monty replied, motioning to the door.

“Whose bright idea was this exactly?”

“Justin’s. He thinks it would be ‘beneficial’ for her friends to get to know me outside of school.”

“Ohhh. Okay. Are we placing bets on how awfully this will go?”

“No.” I said, firmly.

“Addy, no offence but this is going to be a disaster.” Scott told me.

“Maybe. But if it is, do I really need to consider them my friends?”

“No, you don’t. I just don’t understand why you want to have them over for dinner.”

“Because I like to cook and if we did coffee, they wouldn’t stay long enough to listen.” Scott ruminated on that for a while and shrugged.

“These waffles are amazing by the way. What’s in them?”

“Coffee.”

“Because just coffee isn’t enough caffeine for you?”

“Not really, no.”

“What are you going to do when you get pregnant and can’t have caffeine?” My eyes widened and Monty choked on his food. We exchanged a panicked look with each other. “Oh shit. You’re not… are you?” Scott asked, thinking our exchange was something that it wasn’t.

“No!” I replied quickly. “No tiny humans. Not that we wouldn’t have them, but not for a long time.”

“Okay good. I would have needed to go talk to Zach about how to remove my foot from my mouth then.” Monty laughed at Scott’s comment and I couldn’t help but laugh a little along with him.

“Can I keep a tally of how many times he puts his foot in his mouth tonight? Please?”

“Yes. But only so you can tell Scott about it.”

“Can I get out of grocery shopping this week?” Monty asked.

“Why?”

“Because I’m injured. I’m supposed to rest Addy.”

“You just want to stay home and watch the game before my friends get here. But I suppose since you’re supposed to sit with it elevated, you can stay home. I’ll need help when I get home though.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t make a mess.” Mhmm.

Scott left shortly after breakfast and I got my things together to go to the store. “List, keys, wallet, dad’s cash for tomorrow’s dinner, phone, re-useable bags. What am I forgetting?” I mumbled to myself.

“Shoes?”

“No, I have sh-. That’s it. Shoes. Thanks love.” I threw on a pair of black Converse and kissed Monty goodbye. “I’ll be back in a while. Call if you need anything.”

“I will. I love you.”

“I love you too.” With that, I ran out the door on my way to Kroger.

The store wasn’t super busy for just after noon on a Saturday. I texted Justin while I checked my list. Hey, I was thinking chicken stuffed peppers tonight? I’m at the store now. “On to the list.” I muttered quietly. I made my way around to the deli and bakery section of the store to grab bread and prosciutto for the wellington tomorrow night. Justin’s ringtone interrupted my audiobook. I answered the FaceTime quickly. Thank God I’m wearing headphones. “Hey Justin. What’s up?”

“You know, the usual. How’s the store?” He was sitting on the counter in their room.

“It’s okay.”

“I asked Clay and he said stuffed peppers is fine.” He replied, popping a piece of popcorn in his mouth.

“Okay. I’ll grab some ground chicken while I’m here.” I grabbed some milk and puff pastry from the frozen section, because we didn’t have enough of the batch I made.

“Clay also asked if we should bring anything? I told him no.”

“No, but you can tell everyone to leave their attitudes at home.” He laughed.

“Don’t worry Addy. I did. Clay knows he doesn’t want to be in the doghouse with you.”

“What about Zach? What’s gotten into him by the way?”

“Well Zach might be a little harder to control. I think he’s upset he missed that you guys were together. I don’t know. He’s my friend but sometimes he’s hard to read.” I nodded, before directing my attention to the butcher counter.

“Excuse me?” I asked.

“Hello, how may I help you Miss?”

“I was wondering if I could get a one-kilogram beef fillet please?”

“Sure thing Miss.” I watched as he went through the case to find the right size one and get it prepared for me.

“Thank you.” I said as I took it. He nodded in acknowledgement.

“Mom wanted beef wellington for dinner tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Dad gave me the money for it.”

As I made my way through the aisles while we talked, I grabbed the few things we needed for day to day eating until I got to the produce. There, I grabbed cremini mushrooms and some other vegetables. “These peppers look okay?” I asked Justin, holding up a bag of assorted peppers.

“Yeah. That looks fine.” I was about to head to the till when I got another call.

“Hang on, Monty is calling me.” I placed my call on hold and answered my husband. “Hey honey. Everything okay?”

“It’s good here. You’re still at the store?”

“Yeah, why? Did we need something?”

“Can you grab me some more fruit snacks please?”

“Or and hear me out for a minute. I could get you some real fruit.”

I could practically hear the face he made. “No thanks. I was hungry but didn’t know what to have, so I finished the last pack.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll get you your precious sugar shapes.” I laughed and we hung up. “Sorry. We had a fruit snack emergency.”

“He ran out again?”

“Yup. I’m going to run and grab some before heading home. See you tonight. Love you.”

“See you with friends in tow. Love you too Addy.”

Thankfully, checkout was quick, and I was able to get home by one. Monty helped me carry the light bags in the house and I put the groceries away. From the corner of my eye, I saw him going to grab another bag of fruit snacks. “No. Put it back. We have real food, you know.” I heard him sigh and skulk over to the fridge, which he opened for two seconds before closing again.

“I see no real food here. And fruit snacks are real food.”

“I mean food that isn’t just sugar with the word fruit written on it, so people think they are being healthy. And yes, we do. I know because I was just at the store.”

“I don’t want that food.”

“Have a bowl of cereal then.” I heard him grab the container and turned around from getting the beef tenderloin wrapped, to watch him stick his hand in it and eat straight from the bin. “Monty.”

He gulped his bite down. “Addy.”

“Did all of our bowls go missing while I was out?”

“No. I just don’t feel like dirtying a dish.”

“But that is shared food.”

“It’s not like we haven’t shared anything worse.” He retorted, that sexy little smirk spreading across his features.

“That’s different. Also, don’t start you.” I pointed at him.

“You love me.”

“I know. Can you set the table please? And stop eating out of the box.”

“Why? It’s only like one thirty.”

“Because this way we don’t have to do it later.” I shrugged.

He sighed again and set to work. “The good tablecloth and dishes?”

“No, just the regular ones are fine. We will use the good stuff tomorrow for an actually special occasion.”

My friends arrived around four thirty. I was putting the peppers in the oven, so Monty answered the door. I held my breath waiting for someone to say something. Nothing was said. Not a word. He merely led them into the kitchen and looked to me, expectantly. I gave him my best say something look. Justin cleared his throat awkwardly. My friends, Monty, and I all just stared at each other as though we were waiting to see who would crack and speak first.

“I know you said not to bring anything, but Mom made me bring something because it’s polite or something like that. So, she sent me with a loaf of fresh bread.” Alex offered, awkwardly handing the loaf to Monty. He doesn’t bite. Or at least, he doesn’t bite people who aren’t me.

“Um, thanks Alex. That’s….” He looked at me, begging for help. I nodded at him encouragingly. “nice of you.” His smile was very obviously forced.

“Thank you, Alex. Tell Carolyn we appreciate it.”

“I will. It’s still weird you call her by her first name even when she isn’t around.” He laughed. I joined him and it seemed to break the tension.

“Need any help Addy?” Justin asked, not noticing Monty shaking his head frantically at him. Zach, who still hadn’t said anything, looked at him strangely. I don’t know if the fact that he hasn’t said anything is good or bad.

“No. In fact, out of the kitchen. You know the rules.”

“I know, I know. Just thought I would offer.” I didn’t miss the look he and Monty shared.

“Rules?” Clay asked.

“Yes. Cooking for people is generally my thing. If I need help, I’ll ask for it. If one of you had offered, I would have been more polite, but since Justin spends about as much time here as he does at home, he knows better.”

“Scott already helped this morning. I’m surprised she didn’t have an aneurysm or something.” Monty added.

“We were both busy and all he did was take stuff out of the oven. I have everything under control. Go play nice boys.”

I heard Zach mutter to Clay and Alex as Monty and Justin led them back to the living room, “notice Monty isn’t doing anything to help her.” The boys nodded.

I looked to see if Monty heard him. He didn’t appear to as he sat and elevated his leg. Good. No fights before dinner. Yet anyway. I cleared my throat, catching their attention. “Two things. One, he helped me all morning and is under doctor’s orders to rest. And two, keep your comments in check. I wasn’t kidding about you being asked to leave if you can’t be nice.”

“Sorry.” Zach muttered. Clay and Alex nodded and at least looked a little guilty.

I went about my business in the kitchen while the boys spent time in the living room. Jessica had a family thing tonight, or at least, she said she did, so she wasn’t joining us. Glancing over at the group of men in my living room, I noted the clear division between them. Monty and Justin were seated in the accent chairs, while Clay, Alex, and Zach were seated on the sectional. Their conversation seemed stilted, though that was unsurprising. They don’t really have a lot in common. And also, don’t really like each other all that much. At some point, Zach, Monty, and Justin must have started talking about football because Clay and Alex came wandering back into the kitchen. I chopped some romaine for salad as they pulled up the bar stools at the island.

“Drove you away already?” I asked, smirking.

“They’re talking sports.” Clay said.

“Ah yes. At least it’s a safe topic I guess.”

“That’s true. How’s he doing, by the way? I don’t know if it would be weird for me to ask him, since you know. We don’t like each other.” Alex asked.

“He’s doing okay. I think it’s starting to get to him a bit, especially since he has to go to practice and games, but the pain and swelling have decreased. I don’t think it would be weird. Awkward maybe.”

“Should I even bother asking you to explain what actually happened?”

“Something about falling and bending and extending. I’m not really sure to be honest. I spent most of that night and the next day in varying degrees of shock.”

“That really sucks. I’m sorry Addy.” Clay smiled, sadly.

“It’s okay Clay. It could have been a lot worse, so he got pretty lucky.” Raising my voice slightly, I asked the whole group. “Does anyone want anything to drink?”

I was met with a chorus of water, no thanks, and whatever is in the fridge from my friends. “Well Justin, there are multiple things in the fridge, so what would you like?”

“I don’t know. Is there any of that passionfruit something something juice left?”

I opened the fridge to check, even though I knew there was. Neither Monty nor I liked it very much. “Yes. Since you’re the only one who drinks it, do you want to take it home?” While he thought about it, I went about getting drinks together.

“Nah. You guys can keep it here.” He responded after a couple of minutes. I rolled my eyes.

Back in the kitchen, I muttered to Clay, “I’ll send it home with you.” He nodded. I took the peppers out of the oven and let them rest on the stove for a couple of minutes. “Hey Zach, can I borrow you for a minute?”

“Sure, why?” He replied, getting up and walking over to me.

“While I’m thinking about it and have you here, can you grab the food processor from the cupboard up there?” I asked, pointing to the corner cabinet. He nodded and placed it on the counter for me. “Thanks. I need it tomorrow morning and I don’t feel like waking Monty up because I fell off the counter.”

“Again.” I heard him say as he came up behind me and placed a soft kiss on my head. We could both feel my friend’s eyes on us.

“I did not fall off the counter.” I complained.

“You would have if I hadn’t caught you.”

“Well if you didn’t put everything up on the shelves I can’t reach, we wouldn’t have this problem.” I argued playfully.

“But then I wouldn’t get to enjoy watching you struggle.” He teased.

“Enjoy watching her struggle…?” Clay asked, quietly. Monty turned to my friends.

“She makes these little grunts and her face does this frowning, determined, narrowing thing. It’s funny.” My friends shared looks with each other. Justin laughed at them. They have no idea what to make of this. Monty is actually a normal human being? I slipped my hand under his elbow and noticed he wasn’t using his crutches.

“Babe.”

“What?”

“Your crutches are… where exactly?”

“Over there.” he replied, pointing to the living room, where they were propped up against the back of the chair.

“And they aren’t here, with you because?”

“I’m not in pain or anything Addy. It’s fine.” I gave him my best wife isn’t impressed look.

“Mhmm. Just don’t complain to me when you’re in pain later.” I patted his arm and kissed his cheek, once again leaning against the counter and his arm.

“They do this. Everything is fine.” Justin told our now highly perplexed friends.

“Are you in shit?” Clay asked Monty, skeptically. He chuckled.

“Nah. She says I can’t complain about it, but as soon as you guys leave, she will be ushering me to the couch and pestering me with pillows and ice.”

Clay nodded as though he understood, but he was obviously still confused. This might be a little too much humanization a little too quickly. I transferred the peppers onto a serving plate and set them on the table. “Dinner is ready.” I offered, cheerily. The awkward tension that had returned during our exchange was beginning to get to me. The boys all smiled at the mention of food. “Sit anywhere except there and there.” I told them, pointing out Justin and Monty’s usual seats. I knew the seat next to Monty would be left empty for me.

Zach had stayed fairly quiet before we sat down. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before he started back on his new talking without thinking thing.

“Seems a little soon to be needing a two-bedroom house, don’t you think Addy?” I looked up from my salad at him, my eyes darting back and forth trying to make sense of him seemingly random comment.

“Um, no?” I asked. It was my turn to be confused.

“So there won’t be any… additions… to your little family any time soon?”

Once again today, I turned to Monty in shock. He was staring at Zach with wide eyes. “Uh. No. No tiny humans. Not for a very long time.” I turned my attention to Justin, “do I look pregnant or something?” “No. You look perfectly normal.”

“Thank you.” I looked at Zach again. He seemed to be itching to ask a follow up question. “Yes, Zach? Go ahead.” I clutched Monty’s hand under the table.

“I’m just going to assume I’m not the only one wondering how you guys afford to live here. I mean, you’re seniors in high school.”

I sighed, knowing this question would be coming sooner or later. “It’s my parent’s rental house. This was their wedding gift to us.”

“Okay?” He asked, gesturing for me to continue.

“They felt like since we will be going off to college next year, they would rather have us focus on school instead of how we were going to pay rent and stuff. That we should worry about that when we have to, and not when we live in town.”

“And they didn’t think living with the in-laws was a very good idea as newlyweds.” Monty added.

“So, as a gift to us, they let us live here rent and utilities free. Obviously, our personal expenses are our own to deal with, but as far as living expenses go, they are covered until we move to wherever we end up going next year.”

“Interesting.” Zach muttered.

“It’s not like they kicked their old tenants out. Their lease was up a few weeks before we got married and they were moving away. They just decided not to relist it.” Monty explained.

“Plus, both houses are paid for and it’s not like they need the money.”

Justin laughed. “You’re not wrong.”

“I know. Gran has started checking in now that I’m married. Wants to know if she needs to update the will.”

“Why?” Clay asked, seeming genuinely interested.

“Seems Zach isn’t the only one wondering if there will be any kids soon. She wants to know if she has to split my alleged trust fund.”

“She still ranting about how you guys didn’t ask her to come?”

Monty shot him a look. “Justin. It’s her grandmother. She’s old and rich. What do you think?”

“I don’t know, maybe she forgot?” he replied, shrugging.

“She’s cranky, not senile. How well do you think it would have gone if she was here?” I questioned.

He contemplated his answer for a moment. The colour and smile slowly slipped from his face. “No. That would have been bad.”

“Exactly.”

“Why would it have been bad?” Zach asked, but I assumed he could guess why. The guy drives a sixty-thousand-dollar car for Christ’s sake.

“Because he isn’t an obscenely rich white dude who wears suits to school every day. She would have probably stopped the whole thing and brought in some son of an Earl or something.”

“Kind of figured. Son of an Earl you say? Which one?”

“I don’t know. Maybe Sandwich? If not an Earl, some other rich British guy who would be boring as hell.”

“Are you saying I’m not boring?” Monty gasped.

“Well… you’re kind of broken right now so if I was your wife I would say yes.” Alex replied, quietly. I turned to Monty, trying to gauge his reaction. He looked… amused. And then he burst out laughing. Clay turned to me, with his brows raised high.

“I would argue it makes me more exciting.”

“How?”

“I get to come up with all new ways to annoy her.”

“Like what?”

“Making me pick up more fruit snacks at the store because he couldn’t eat the food we had here for some reason.” I interjected, smirking slightly.

“That isn’t food.” Clay said.

“See! I told you.”

“Yes honey.” Monty muttered, patting me on the head. I turned and pouted at him. He raised his brow challengingly and I could feel my pupils begin to dilate slightly. Justin cleared his throat quietly and when I turned back to the table, thankfully it didn’t seem as though anyone else noticed our exchange. How am I going to make it until he gets cleared for sex when he looks at me like that? Why was I so worried about him? I’m the one who is struggling.

“Oh and Zach?” I asked.

“Yeah?”

“Don’t act like you didn’t have the silver spoon shoved in your mouth as soon as you were born.”

“What’s that supposed to mean Addy?”

“It means you don’t get to comment on the fact that my parents let us live here for free. Your first car was a freaking brand new Audi.”

He shrugged, almost admitting I was right. There was a somewhat awkward silence while we ate, which I wasn’t sure was good or bad. On the one hand, no talking while eating mean’s the food is good. On the other hand, it’s dinner with my friends and my husband. Alex broke the silence, asking, “how did her parents react to her bringing you home? No offence but you’re… you. And she’s… her. Or more specifically, Mr. Hawthorne is him.”

“Better than I expected and definitely better than Addison expected. She sat in the car for close to fifteen minutes, just staring at the house.”

“He wasn’t a total dick to you?” Alex’s brow raised.

“Not really. Asked me a couple of questions and that was it. It struck me as kind of odd, but I wasn’t going to say anything. I thought he would be more interested since I was dating his daughter and like you said, I’m probably not what he expected.”

“You mean, you didn’t say anything yet.” Justin added, pointing his empty fork.

“Right. But that isn’t a talk for today. That will require more time and possibly popcorn.”

“Popcorn? Couldn’t have been that exciting.” Zach said.

“It was. Also, can it Dempsey. I didn’t suggest this so you could be an ass all night.” Justin told him. “I’ve had far more experience with her dad than any of you. He knows what he’s talking about.”

“Okay, sorry.” Zach raised his hands in surrender.

With that sorted for now, the rest of dinner was mostly quiet. It was still awkward and there was some stilted small talk, but I think I had begun the process of humanizing Monty to my people. Hopefully in the future, they could all become something akin to friends. Or maybe polite acquaintances. “Do you want us to stay and help clean up?” Clay asked, after a not so discreet elbow in the ribs from Justin.

“No, it’s okay. Thank you for the offer though.” I told him as we ushered my friends to the door. Monty stood behind me with his hand on the door, ready to close it the second they left.

“Dinner was good by the way.” Zach told me.

“Thank you, Zach.” I nodded. Everyone needs to leave. Get out. I want to be alone with my husband. I smiled politely and Justin seemed to realize what I was doing.

“This was fun. See you Monday guys. Tell Margot I said happy birthday tomorrow Addy.” He gave me a quick hug.

“It was and I will.” They left moments later and Monty closed the door firmly.

“Fun? He called that fun?”

“I guess so. I mean, it went better than I expected.” I shrugged, walking back to the kitchen to put the dishes in the dishwasher.

“I expected to kick them all out before we sat down. I would most definitely not call it fun though.”

“Go sit. I’ll have a bag of ice for you in a minute.” I ordered, pointing

towards the couch. He sighed and I heard him limp over and sit.

After the dishes were loaded and leftovers were put in the fridge, I went to

change into some fuzzy pj pants so I could be comfortable while I started

getting the beef ready for tomorrow. I grabbed the fillet out of the fridge and

got the plastic wrap out to wrap it tightly. Dinner prep was done for the

night moments later and I was able to go sit with Monty on the couch for a