#eddie is short for edmund but also short for eddie the head
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When Mike Wheeler, red faced and still faintly tear stained, asks him how he knew he liked both Steve doesn’t know how to tell him it was his sister.
Before Nancy Wheeler it had only been boys. Before Nancy Wheeler Steve had been sure he was gay and knew well enough to keep it to himself; dating around enough to earn himself a protective reputation. Before Nancy Wheeler there’d been Marcus Summers, from the baseball team, during freshman year. Steve had gone to every game, and had been forced to make up excuses about schoolwork and his other commitments when asked why he hadn’t tried out for himself. Before Nancy Wheeler there’d been Tommy Hagan. The summer between seventh and eighth grade had been very kind to Tommy, he was sunkissed and boy next door sweet, Steve had wanted to hold his hand and count the freckles across the bridge of his nose.
Before Nancy Wheeler there’d been his first love, a boy who only visited one summer, the year Steve turned ten. His name had changed every time they hung out but he’d favored E’s. Eli, Emmett, Elliott, Eric, Excalibur, Excelsior, and once for about an hour Wayne. His hair brushed his chin in pretty brown curls and his big brown eyes were always bright with excitement. He always got storm off mad when any of the other boys they’d played with that summer said he was acting like a girl, E would run off to the woods and Steve would always follow. E always came up with the best games anyway, he didn’t like playing soccer or HORSE or anything else with rules that couldn’t be bent; he preferred imagination games where they were knights or wizards. He didn’t laugh when Steve said he always liked playing house, but never wanted to be the dad because why would he want to be someone who never wanted to spend any time with his kids. E who, while insisting on being called Samwise all day, was his first kiss.
Cause he knows what Mike wants to hear. He’s seen the way Mike and Will have danced around each other since the last portal closed. He’s heard the things Mike has said to and about Will. He’s heard all about the week that Will was in the Upside Down. He’s heard all about the summer of ‘85. He’s heard all about the final off again that seems to officially mark the end of Mike and El romantically. He knows that Mike wants him to say that he’d never even thought about boys before he met Eddie. That there’s just something special about Eddie that makes him want to give up his lady killing ways. That Eddie was different. That it was okay that he was having these scary new thoughts, maybe Will was just an exception.
And Steve doesn’t know how to have that conversation. When he realized he liked both it was a relief, that maybe he could have something normal and wouldn't have to spend his life lying or hiding.
But Eddie was different. Eddie was special. Eddie was probably it for Steve which is scary in a different way that he’s not ready to touch yet -- not when it’s only been three months.
There’s never been another girl since Nancy Wheeler, not really
There will never be another boy after Eddie Munson.
So he tries to help, as best he can. It’s easier with Eddie there, not quite dozing against his shoulder -- the kid’s emergencies always seem to come so late at night these days. “When I was ten, there was a boy whose name kept changing who decided prince charming should get to kiss his faithful knight. And when I was sixteen, your sister-”
Mike’s goodwill diminishes quickly as his sister gets introduced to the conversation.
“Stevie,” Eddie says. It’s not an admonishment for bringing up Nancy. It’s awestruck and watery. “You remember that?”
“Of course I remember the first boy I ever loved," that word catches up with him a second later. Remember.
Cause there's Eddie with his riot of brown curls and his Bambi eyes. Eddie, who has explained why soft feminine words chafe against his skin leaving him itchy and anxious. Eddie, who has an Uncle in Hawkins. Eddie who moved to town the summer before he entered high school with a buzzed head and his mother's last name. Eddie who finally settled into an E he liked best.
"Wheeler, here's a tip from me to you," Eddie says, his advice is always better received than Steve's anyway, "if you have to ask you probably already know."
"Straight people don't really spend much time wondering if they aren't really straight," Steve agrees.
They don't rush Mike out the door, a crisis is a crisis and even in the wake of new discoveries Mike deserves to be heard out. Deserves a chance to cry and rage and feel those emotions someplace safe from his Reaganite father -- just as much as Will deserves to have someone who knows what they want come to him, deserves better than experimentation.
They cross the bridge from late into early by the time Mike sets off. The sun is creeping up over the horizon and Mike looks solid, certain; the dawn hints at the man he is growing up to be. Though every instinct of Steve's begs him to drive the kid home, Eddie's soft hand lingering at his hip holds him fast. They wave instead, encouraging Mike to go home and to bed before he does anything; knowing his front bike tire is already pointed toward the Byers-Hopper place.
"The first boy you ever loved, huh, Stevie?" Eddie teases before the door has even managed to click shut.
"And the last, I'm hoping, if I play my cards right."
"You were always pretty good at that. You were the only person that summer who called me by my name, except Wayne."
"It was your name." He knows that's too simple. Knows how hard Eddie has had it, continues to have it. But that summer it had been that simple, Eddie trying on names like shirts each one fitting until they didn't. "For what it's worth, I like Eddie a lot more than Excalibur."
"Oh fuck off, I was going through a fantasy knight phase. Which I know you remember."
"Right a phase, and how much longer is this fantasy 'phase' going to last?"
They're the kind of tired that makes you feel drunk, when Eddie tackles Steve and sends them both to the floor and to giggles. Eddie might not have been his bi awakening, but Steve is pretty fine with him being his everything else.
#steddie#steve harrington#eddie munson#trans eddie munson#implied byler#steddie fic#my fic#i do worry that sometimes i come across as a nancy hater#which i cant emphasize enough is not the case#nancy is a complicated character and i love her and she and steve are not good for each other#also eddie trying on wayne because wayne was the first adult he told that he wasnt a girl and who handled it well#wayne at the breakfast table like okay then what is your name if its not [redacted] and eddie does not have an answer yet#so wayne says well just tell me when you get up what youre going by#so he decides while playing that day that its wayne#and that lasts exactly as long as it takes for steve to call him that before hes like nope thats weird#eddie is short for edmund but also short for eddie the head#eddie contains multitudes
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A Recipe for Disaster (Chap. 10)
Pt. 1 | Pt. 2 | Pt. 3 | Pt. 4 | Pt. 5 | Pt. 6 | Pt. 7 | Pt. 8 | Pt. 9 | AO3
AAHHH!!!! I've had the majority of the wedding scene written since i started planning this AU, so you get two chapters in a row 😈 next chap will be the last and will include the coronation and a bit of an epilogue
Steve wakes up uncomfortable, but warm.
He nuzzles his face into his pillow an–why is his pillow scratchy?
Blinking his eyes open, he sees Eddie looking down at him. “Good morning, sweetheart.” Eddie says, his voice low and raspy with sleep.
Steve smiles sleepily, pushing his face back onto Eddie’s chest. “We stayed out all night.”
“We did…” Eddie’s voice has a smile to it, and his arm tightens around Steve’s shoulders..
Wait.
Steve throws himself upright “We stayed out all night!” Eddie’s hand is rubbing Steve’s back as he has his short panic attack, and Steve turns to look at him.
Steve catalogs the other man; He cannot be comfortable, and he stayed like that all night? His upper back and head are propped up on the trunk of the tree behind him, and from the look of the roots around him, he must have a big chunk of one digging into his lower back right now. Eddie doesn’t seem phased by that though, he only looks concerned for him.
Steve smiles, his panic settling into tired laughter as he hunches forward and puts his head in his hand. Eddie sits up beside him, crossing his legs and pulling Steve into his side. He feels more than hears Eddie's chuckles, and definitely feels the brush of what could only be his lips against the shoulder of his hoodie.
Steve rubs his eyes clear of their sleep gunk and looks out around the lake, seemingly glowing in the soft pink light of the sunrise, the fog catching the rays as it rolls over the glass-smooth water.
He stops on an odd sight though, There is a man rowing a boat a good ways away. Steve squints. “There’s a man on that boat.” he says aloud.
“Hmm?” Steve feels Eddie turn his head to look, keeping his cheek pressed to his shoulder. “Probably just a fisherman.” He turns back to place his lips on Steve’s shoulder, sending a thrill through him.
Yeah, that could make sense. They are a ways off from the palace, so this could be a random citizen, or maybe a palace worker getting in some early fishing before going into wo–
Steve watches as the man hastily sets the oar handles down into the boat, and fishes around for something at his feet, not taking his eyes off the two of them as he does. Steve’s stomach starts to tighten as he waits, starting to lean away from the man on instinct even though he must be at least 50 yards away.
The man finally gets a grip on what he was looking for and lifts it into Steve’s line of sight.
His stomach instantly turns to lead and drops down into his feet. Past his feet. And his heart is quick to follow.
Steve gulps. “With a video camera?” a legit video camera too. One of the big ones that are usually reserved for members of the media.
Eddie freezes beside him, doesn’t look up when Steve turns his head to him.
That’s all he needs.
“You’re pathetic.”
Steve throws Edmund off of him and stands, yanking the rest of his blanket out from under the dazed man.
He can hear Edmund scrabble in the dirt to get up behind him as he stalks off toward Sandy.
“No, Stevie, wait! I have no idea–”
“You know, it’s really a shame you didn’t get me naked last night, huh? You motherFUCKER.” Steve turns halfway and throws his wadded up blanket in Edmund’s face, leaving him to struggle with it as Steve jogs the rest of the way to Sandy. Seeming to know the exact mood he’s in, Sandy is also ignoring Danny beside her, and nips at him when he gets too close to her.
“Steve, wait, I have nothing to do with this! Stevie, please, hold on!” Steve hears his voice crack.
It’s the most coordinated he’s ever been, throwing his foot into one stirrup, the other over the saddle, and giving Sandy a nudge forward in one fluid motion.
“Steve, you have to believe me, that’s not my boat!”
“You know what, Edmund? Have a nice life.” Steve doesn’t look at him, can’t look at him.
He nudges Sandy with his heels twice more and she takes off, running hard and fast back to the stables. Lucky for him too, because the tears that betray him and fall on their own either fly off his face or dry out almost instantly.
Everything between leaving Edmund under that tree, to him bursting back into his room is a blur.
There were trees rushing by him in one second, then he was handing over Sandy’s reins to a very confused Gustav in the next, and now he’s here.
And so is Joyce.
And Robin (Who is pulling herself out from under his covers).
“Steve? What is going on?” Joyce asks, looking him up and down.
Steve opens his mouth to say…something…but is cut off by Murray coming into the room.
“Prince Steve, I think you should see this.” Murray goes straight to his TV and turns it on.
Oh no.
“After years of boring royals, Genovia finally has a world class scandal!” the voice of that god awful woman from the local morning gossip channel filters through the TV and into Steve’s ears.
He feels like he’s going to pass out.
The whole screen is dedicated to the view that the camera man had, showing everything. Realizing the camera was there, Steve throwing himself from Eddie’s embrace, and onto Sandy’s back.
The whole time the video is playing back, that woman’s voice is narrating “What will Princess Nancy have to say about this? Will she stay or will Lord Muñoz be Genovia’s new King? Maybe we'll see the continued reign of Queen Joyce!”
The footage stays on Eddie a for a good second or two before it cuts back to the hostess and Steve kicks himself for feeling a pang in his heart from how heartbroken and dejected Eddie looked after he left.
“No matter what, it’s out of the frying pan and into the fire for Prince Steve. Keep your eggs sunnyside up!”
Steve crumples to the floor head between his knees and arms over his head.
His ears are ringing.
Someone is rubbing his back.
He hears Robin’s voice beside him “I’d like to tell her what she can do with her eggs.” she must be the one rubbing his back.
Her ministrations pause for a moment.
Robin’s hand leaves and Steve feels a presence sit down beside him.
“So?” It’s Joyce.
Steve lifts his head and rests his chin on his arms, now crossed over his knees. “I got played.” He sniffles, his face is wet.
“Uh huh.” he can see Joyce nodding in his peripheral. “The real question is, do we still have a wedding?”
If that question didn’t alone make a new flood of tears threaten to spill over, seeing Nancy bursting into the room absolutely did.
Steve can’t even register that she doesn’t even look mad before his vision is blurred out and his face is scrunched up. “Nancy! Nancy, I am so sorry.” She touches his shoulder, but he jerks away and snaps up to his feet as fast as he can, backing away from her. “Please Nancy, please know I wasn’t trying to hurt you, I am so sorry, I hope we can still be friends after I leave Genovia–”
“Steve, wha–” Robin sounds concerned but Steve can barely think, barely function, he just keeps backing up until he hits the wall.
“Please, Nancy, I promise it wasn’t all bullshit, I really do care for you,” he just needs to shuffle a little faster.
“Steve I care for you too, what are you–”
“I’m sorry, so sorry, you can be happy with Jonathan now..” he bolts to his ensuite and locks the door behind him. Sliding down the back side of the door and just dissolves against it.
You ruin everything.
“Steve?!” Robin’s voice is muffled through the door, she sounds concerned.
You’re Pathetic.
“Steve, please come out and talk to us! I still think this marriage is a good idea.” Nancy’s voice is next, calmer, but she sounds bored, like she is talking to a child.
You’re disgusting.
“Steve, darling, please come out.” Joyce’s voice comes last, she sounds so disappointed
You think these people really care for you?
He can’t take this anymore. He lets out a noise that’s more scream than anything, and suddenly the tile floor seems like a great place for a nap.
—-
“Lady Sinclair? What are you doing outside Lord Muñoz’s room?” She hops up on her feet and pulls Hopper around the corner.
“He didn’t do it.” Erica looks up at Hopper; she has a shocked, somewhat sad look on her face.
“I’m sorry?”
“Eddie didn’t do it, he’s been yelling to his dad about the lake thing since he started packing. His dad called the paparazzi..”
Hopper processes that information, and files it away. “I’ll make sure to tell Steve. You are not to tell him yourself, promise?” He sticks out his pinky to her and she looks at it incredulously.
“What do I get?”
“I’ll tell you a secret of mine.”
“I already know you and the queen have something going on.” she crosses her arms. “That’s what happens when you slow dance in an empty ballroom in a palace full of people.”
“Fine, you’ve got me there. Tell you what, you don’t tell Steve about Lord Muñoz, and you can tell him about myself and her majesty.”
Erica grins and locks his pinky with his.
Once she runs off, Hopper moves to knock on Edmund’s door.
“Yes dad, I’ll be home later tonight. Bye.”
Hopper knocks as soon as he hears the call end.
“Come in?”
“Hello Edmund.”
“Hopper.” Edmund looks scared seeing him in the doorway. He puts his hands up and takes a step back “I swear it wasn’t me, I would never want to hurt Steve, I promise! He’s so important to me, I just wanted a taste of the life I could’ve had with him and–and–” He’s stopped by his own throat choking him up. He clears his throat and continues on “Genovia will still have their rightful king, he’s going to marry Nancy…and I’m so in love with him.” Eddie finishes softly, looking at the floor.
Hopper steps forward and Eddie flinches, looking back up at the other man “I knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed in you.” Hopper says, clapping a hand to his shoulder.
“Edmund, you absolute motherfu–” Robin bursts in behind Hopper, Nancy at her side.
“Oh good, Hopper’s already here. Now we don’t have to explain anything.”
“Explain what, Your Highness?”
“Why you may or may not have found Lord Muñoz dead in his quarters.” She shrugs and Robin stalks forward toward him, a baseball bat (‘Where did that come from??’) in her hand.
Hopper, bless him, doesn’t react. He just puts a hand out to stop her from closing in on Eddie.
“He’s leaving today.”
Eddie looks at Nancy. “Nancy, I’m so sorry for the grief this’ll cause you two; I’m sure Steve won’t have anything to do with me after this so you won’t have to worry about seeing me around anymore.”
“Good.” Robin turns around immediately, hefting the bat onto her shoulder and waltzing back out the door.
“I told you nothing good would come of it if you were spotted together.” Nancy scolds, and he nods. “We were all rooting for you Edmund, no matter how weird that sounds. We were. We told you as much.” She takes a deep breath. “Goodbye, Eddie.” and with that, she too leaves.
Hopper places a big hand on his shoulder and Eddie looks up at him. “I will have your uncle come down to see you off if you’d like.”
Eddie’s throat tightens up so completely he can’t breathe. All he can do is shake his head.
Hopper nods. “I will come collect you in ten.” he pats Eddie’s shoulder and he too takes his leave.
As soon as the door is closed behind him, Eddie sinks to his knees, to his elbows. Crumpling up into a ball, hands on the back of his head, tears slipping silently off his nose and into the carpet.
—-
Steve finally gets himself under control a good five hours later.
He immediately wants to go back into the bathroom at the sight of the four people still there after his tirade. They all turn to face him.
“Steve,” Robin is the first to him, moving so fast it was like she’d teleported straight to him. “Can I touch you? I want to give you a hug.” She asks, searching his face.
If there were any tears left in him, they would’ve sprung forth at that. But he was empty.
He nods and she pulls him down to her immediately and holds on tight. He holds onto her and looks over her shoulder. Joyce, Nancy, and Dustin are all there, the former two looking at him in pity, and Dustin looks– “Dusty, have you been crying?”
Steve removes himself from Robin and moves to Dustin, holding out his arms. Dustin’s face scrunches up and he throws all his weight into Steve “Steve I’m so sorry, I can’t believe I’m related to that asshole.” Steve hugs him tighter “Wayne told me last night, and now he does this shit? I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.”
“Hey, Dustin, buddy, it’s not your fault. It’s mine.” He pulls back and Dustin lets him clean off his face with his sweater sleeve. Steve rubs it all over his face, making Dustin huff out a laugh and back away with a sad smile.
“Steve?”
He turns his attention to Nancy and his stomach shoots up from where it’s been in his feet since this morning, only to shoot back down again.
“I don’t know if you heard me before, but I am still here for you, for this.”
He thinks back, “I thought you sounded bored, like you wanted to be literally anywhere else.” He looks around, everyone around him is silent. “That was just me, wasn’t it.”
“Yeah, I think it was just you, Dingus.” Robin comes up from behind him and rubs between his shoulder blades.
“Steve, honey, we are all here for you.” Joyce assures him. “No matter what you decide to do.”
Nancy steps up to him, taking both of his hands in her tiny ones. “Listen to me carefully, Steve. If you’ll still have me, if you still want this,”
“More than anything.” Steve says immediately.
Nancy smiles softly at him, “Then we are going to stand up in church and say ‘I do.’ and tomorrow we will be husband and wife.” She squeezes his hands. “And you are going to make an amazing King of Genovia.”
He looks around at the four most important people in his life…and nods. He pulls Nancy to him and kisses her forehead. “Thank you, Nancy.” he murmurs into her hairline, “You’re very welcome, Steve.”
Robin, Dustin, and Joyce all crowd in around him.
“I really am sorry, I shouldn’t have been so stupid. It could’ve cost us everything.” he directs the last at Joyce, once they all pull away.
“It’s not all your fault, Dingus. I think we were all rooting for you and Eddie, even though it couldn’t really happen.”
“Is he–He’s gone then, isn’t he?”
“Left this morning, not before we threatened him a little bit.”
Steve sputtered at that, “You threatened him??”
“Yep! I brought your bat with us, hope you don’t mind.”
“Ohmygod, Robin!”
“And Nancy too, she was there too!”
Nancy just giggles in response. Actually giggles.
He looks at Joyce and Dustin, who aren’t reacting “And you guys knew this too?” his face is threatening to break out into a smile.
Joyce nods, and Dustin says “You were in the bathroom a long time, dude.”
—-
Hopper, bless him, doesn’t make a fuss about having the car drop him at Chrissy’s, and not his dad’s.
He goes to the back entrance to her apartment above a boutique on main street, and knocks loudly.
She’s there lightning fast. She had to’ve known he’d come here.
“I am so mad at you.” She hugs him close and pulls him in the door.
“I’m just gonna wallow on your couch, okay Chris?” he trudges up the stairs behind her.
“Anything, E, you know that.” he drops his duffel and himself onto the couch, face first, and doesn’t plan on moving from this spot until…well he doesn’t know until when.
“I take it you aren’t going to be going to the wedding tomorrow?”
Eddie moans into the cushion.
“Thought not.”
—-
The next morning, Steve wakes less than rested. He’d really thrown himself for a loop with his impromptu bathroomfloornap yesterday, then last night, could barely sleep with the added nerves because,
“I’m getting married today.”
He says the words and they still don’t feel real.
He dresses in comfy clothes while he can, knowing he’ll be stuffed into a suit sooner than later, and heads to join everyone for breakfast.
When he gets to the dining hall, he’s surprised that when Joyce’d said everyone will be at breakfast this morning, she really meant everyone. She, Robin, and Nancy, Mike, the Hendersons, the two younger Sinclairs, Will and El, Max, even Jonathan, all seated along the dining hall table.
No one says anything, no one really acknowledges he’s joined them, they all just continue on with their meal, and Steve wants to thank whoever it is that told them all to not mention it. Though Wayne does level Steve with a look that he thinks says ‘I’d like to talk to you later, but if not, know that I am sorry.’ Steve nods at him, and he returns it, placated.
After breakfast, he goes with Nancy and Robin to Nancy’s suite, planning on lounging around and judging while she gets her hair done for the ceremony. They’ve got a chair set up for her in front of a mirror, but the chair is facing the wrong way.
“The stylist they are having come in is a bit…eccentric.” Nancy explains when he asks why not have her facing the mirror. “He likes to do a reveal to himself first before he lets you see.” She shrugs and before Steve can say anything, the man himself waltzes in.
“Ah, Paolo.” She greets. He’s a rounder man, with a shiny bald head and multiple shiny rings. His coat is hastily taken off his shoulders by his two assistants before he reaches both of his hands forward for Nancy’s, giving each set of knuckles a quick kiss in greeting.
“Buongiorno Principessa, ah! And Principe Stephan! Wonderful to see you, are we getting you done for the ceremonies too?”
“Ohhohoho, no. I am all good, I know exactly how to take care of mine just fine. Thank you, Paolo.” Steve waves his hands (probably a little too much) fending off the stylist.
“Ah, good man, good man, knows his angles, his features!” Paolo seems to only talk with his hands. “Let us get started then Principessa.” He waves Nancy back into her chair and gets right to work.
Steve and Robin lounge back on Nancy’s bed, scrolling social media, scrolling faster past any mention of he-who-must-not-be-named, and waiting to react accordingly to each style Paolo attempts to wrangle Nancy’s hair into.
Once the first attempt is finished, Paolo does, in fact, do a reveal to himself. His assistants covered Nancy’s face from his view with headshots of previous clients and pulls them apart from each other at his command. Strange, but okay.
Nancy turns to him and Robin first, and they both have to stifle laughs “You should definitely look first, Nance.” Robin tells her.
She does, and her eyes go wide. “I look like a moose.” Paolo had split her hair down the middle and twisted the gathered strands on each side upon themselves to twist up off the top of her head. “I have antlers.” She sounds absolutely mortified.
“Yes, but a very cute moose.” Paolo defends, “Make all the boy moose go HWAAAAH.” Steve and Robin lose their shit at his exaggerated attempted moose call, both of them also bursting out in their own moose calls.
He attempts a more floofy, curly look next. This time all Nancy can manage when Paolo spins the hand mirror to her is a strained “I look like a poodle.”
She really does, and Paolo knows it. Doesn’t even try to defend it. Just dives back in with a “Here we go again!”
“She really does look like a poodle.” Steve comments from his new seat on Nancy’s couch. A poor choice, really, because he’s within arms’ reach of Paolo. Who grabs his spray bottle of water and spritzes him directly in the face.
“I like it.” Robin comments idly, not looking up from her magazine in the chair on Nancy’s other side.
This time, Paolo reacts much better, lifting Robin’s hand from the arm rest and kisses it reverently. Then gets back to work on Nancy’s hair. Robin’s still reading her magazine like nothing just happened.
Steve’s still stunned from the whole water to the face thing and stands to leave. “I need to go get ready, I’ll see you there Nance?” He questions as if he doesn’t already know the answer.
“Of course, Steve, I’ll be the one in white.” She gives him a wink and Robin belts out a singular loud “HA!”
On his way back to his suite, who should he run into other than Lady Applejack herself.
“Hey Erica, you look great!” she’s in a puffy-sleeved, pastel pink/peach colored dress, pristine white Converse high-tops, and an expensive-looking bag on her shoulder.
She rolls her eyes, “I know I do. But thank you.” she nods “It’s a Selkie dress.”
“I have no idea what that means, but good for you?” he starts walking away, “I’m heading up to get ready myself, can’t be late!”
“Oh, wait!” Erica calls, and he turns back to her in the hall. “I forgot to tell you about Joyce and Hopper!” she sing-songs as she skips up to him. “Me and Ed—SOMEONE ELSE saw them slow dancing all love-y with each other in the ballroom the other day, AND I have it on good authority that he proposed.” She crosses her arms across her chest and smiles smugly up at him.
With everything else going on with him recently, he’s completely missed this whole thing happening between Hopper and Joyce? Well not really, there’ve always been vibes between the two, but still.
“That’s…actually that makes a lot of sense. I hope she said yes.”
After a couple seconds, her stance softens and she drops her arms, looking a bit sheepish.
“Hey, Steve? I know we all really like..him. But we’re all on your side if you'd like us to be. Even Will seemed ready to kill him for that, and Will is definitely more tame of all of us.”
Steve huffs out a laugh at how easily he can imagine both Will and Ellie, somehow with some sort of psychic powers, lifting Edmund off his feet and exploding him into tiny bits.
“Thanks Erica, I’m really lucky to have you all.” He pulls her into a short hug and sends her on her way, telling her he’ll see her at the chapel.
—-
The rest of the morning is a blur, and suddenly, Steve is standing with Hopper on the opposite side of the chapel’s heavy wooden doors.
He’s in the black version of his (what must be trademarked at this point) pear tree print suit, maroon bowtie, and a silver version of his grandfather’s crown set atop his hair.
“Hey Hop, I want you to know that I’m 100% in support of you and Joyce.” he looks up to meet Hopper's eyes.
Hopper stares down at him. “Erica knows everything.” Steve says with shrug as a form of explanation and turns back to face the doors.
After a moment, Hopper heaves a long sigh. “Highness, before you go in there, you should know,” He pauses. “Eddie did not set you up at the lake.”
Just that one sentence and Steve’s thrown off his axis, the most overwhelming feeling of hope floods his senses. He snaps his head to Hopper once more. “Are you sure?” he manages to whisper out.
“Erica knows everything.” Hopper echoes with a smile, then leans over to whisper: “She happened to overhear him having a very heated and incriminating phone call with his father yesterday.”
Steve gives him a shaky smile, but then he can hear his cue play from behind the double doors, and a moment later, they open in front of him.
Steve and Hopper walk through the doors, Hopper stopping at the pew at the very front to take his seat beside Joyce. Steve takes his spot next to the bishop in a daze. That really wasn’t Eddie? Does he dare to hope that Erica is telling the truth? That damn father of his…. Steve feels like an idiot. He’s planted his feet where they are supposed to be and looks out at the people in the pews.
Well. Here he is.
At the last step he needed before he’d be able to become King.
Standing in front of the world’s most important people, the only thing Steve could think was that there was one face missing from the crowd.
The only face that mattered.
Steve turns to Robin (his best man) and by his look alone she says, “Take a right, third door on the left. I’ll tell them you’ll be right back.”
Minutes before Nancy was to walk down the aisle to him, Steve was walking the wrong way back up it, and out the door.
He doesn’t register the murmurs and tittering of the crowd, doesn’t register Hopper telling Joyce “It’s alright, he’ll be back.” and sitting her back down at the front of the church, doesn’t register what Robin is announcing to the crowd, the only thought on his mind was ‘Find Nancy.’
He found her exactly where Robin said she’d be, Chrissy helping her with the last couple things.
“Steve?” She sees him enter in the reflection in front of her, and turns to face him in the doorway.
“Nancy..” He has no idea what to say. No idea how to explain to her what he wants, what he’s planning on telling everyone.
Nancy hurries forward and closes the door behind him before she takes him by the hand and sits him on the bench in front of the vanity. She crouches down in front of Steve, a hand on his shoulder, face level to his. Steve’s focus is halfway between the present and completely faraway, and she knows.
“So, do you think I should change out of my dress then?”
Steve blinks fully back to the present, searches her face and only finds determined honesty. Steve laughs until his eyes let loose a couple of tears. “Only if you want to, Nance.” He looks down at her, “You look beautiful.”
She pulls him into a hug and Chrissy rubs his back comfortingly.
“Steve,” Nancy pulls back, “do you know what you are going to say?”
He thinks for a much shorter moment than he thought he’d need, and says “Yes.”
“Do you know that if you do this now, even if it works, Parliament will find a way to get you back for this later? Even if they seem to agree now?”
“Huh?”
“Exposing them to the whole world at once may not bode well for you in the future.”
Steve hadn’t thought about it that far ahead. But he knows this is what he needs to do. “Will you be there to help me when it bites me in the ass?”
She smiles, “Of course I will Steve.”
“Then I’m good.”
Nancy wipes his eyes clean with the handkerchief Chrissy holds out for her, and studies his face for a moment. She must’ve decided something, because she nods, pulls him up from the stool, and heads out the door to lead them both back to their ceremony.
They get to the doorway, hand in hand, and Joyce is there with Hopper, having been waiting for them.
“Aunt Joyce I–” Steve’s cut off as Joyce hugs him tight. He releases Nancy and embraces the Queen, wondering to himself how she knows.
Joyce pulls back and cups his face. “You’ve got this honey, remember, I am on your side no matter what.”
Steve smiles and grabs her hands from his face, gives them a squeeze, then turns back to Nancy. They give each other a nod and start down the aisle together. The orchestra starts up with the bridal march as they were told to, and everyone stands to face them.
—-
The second Steve appeared in the chapel doors on his screen, Eddie bolted up. He had to get there, he had to be there. Steve looked gone. Confused. It was a pull he hadn’t felt before.
He ran to the bathroom, and changed into his suit as quickly as he could, thanking Chrissy with all his soul that she’d thought to have it set up for him in case he changed his mind about going.
“No one’s going to want to see me there, Chris. I can’t do that to him.”
“Well then, if you decide to torture yourself, it’s ready to go.”
He didn’t even get his tie on, just shirt, pants, jacket, and shoes. He didn’t need to look like he was getting married, just not like he’d been wallowing the last 24 hours at least.
He’s pulling his shoes on when there are gasps and tittering from the gathered crowd in his phone. He snatches it up and watches as Steve marches back down the long aisle of the church.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!” He crams his feet the rest of the way into his shoes, throws himself down the back stairs of Chrissy’s apartment, and out onto the nearly deserted main street.
He doesn’t have to go far to the chapel, it being just around the corner at the end of Main street, but when he does round the corner, “Jesus H. Christ.”
Duh. Of course there’s going to be crowds outside too.
He manages to sneak down a side alley to the back side of the church, and where there should be legions of guards, there is only...
“Dustin? Dustin please, I have to see him.” Eddie calls to him, jogs the rest of the way to the teen.
Dustin glares back. “Eddie, I don’t know how you think I’m going to let you in after what you did to Steve.”
“Please, Dusty, you’ve gotta believe I didn’t do this. Look, Wayne may not have told you already but–”
“No, he did.”
“He did.” Dustin nods, and Eddie forces himself to recover from that. “Okay, so you know exactly why I am now trying to get away from this damn family. I swear Dustin, I had nothing to do with it, my father was trying to set me up–Steve up– to fail. And I don’t know what else he’s going to try and pull, but I need to be there when he does.”
Dustin’s eyes squint closed even more, but he says “Swear on my mother.”
Eddie breathes a hesitant sigh of relief. “I swear on your mother.” raises his hand in pledge just for an added measure.
“Okay, you can go (“Thank you!”) but you better go fast,” he turns his own cell to show him, “They’re walking down the aisle right now.”
“Oh fuck!”
–
Steve and Nancy reach the front row of pews and Steve lifts a hand to stop the bishop as he opens his mouth to speak.
Nancy places a hand on Steve’s shoulder and holds something out to him, he opens his palm and she drops his grandmother’s ring into his hand. The two of them smile broadly at each other as the whole place gasps at once. She releases his shoulder and moves to stand beside Jonathan (who should be snapping pictures at the moment, but is just standing there staring at her as she slots into place next to him at the wall, his face beet red).
He moves to stand in front of the microphone and podium off to the side, clears his throat, and speaks.
“Good afternoon everyone. I know you are all wondering what this is, what is happening.” he takes another steadying breath. “I am not going to be getting married today.” The crowd breaks out in a wave of startled whispers, and Steve continues. “I am standing before you today because one month ago, someone else decided for me that one half of any possible group of people I could fall in love with one day, was too much of a risk for Genovia. A risk of what? I am not sure. But I was given an ultimatum. Marry an eligible noblewoman or forfeit the throne.” Another round of titters and gasps wash over him and he can only imagine how wild the chat is on the palace’s livestream right now.
“I am not going to lead this country in a loveless marriage like my father would have before his death. I know very well that his ascension to the throne would not have been a welcome change to the majority of people in this beautiful country and I mean not to have the people of Genovia be led into that with me.
“I love Nancy. She has been an additional rock to me in this whirlwind of a month, and I will forever be grateful to her and I will always be her friend. All this to say that I believe I have proven myself as a leader, and with Nancy’s continued support, the support of my aunt, and with the support of the people of Genovia, I will continue to prove myself over and over if I need to.
“So I ask the members of parliament to reconsider their ultimatum, and if they still do not deem me worthy of being your King, I will concede, and Lord Muñoz can take my place.”
“I won’t,” Eddie calls from the chapel entrance, this time, Steve joins the gasps of the crowd. “I refuse to be King of Genovia. Steve has proven himself more than worthy.” The crowd dithers and chatters amongst themselves, and Steve can see Viscount Muñoz stand up sharply from his seat. ‘Oh boy..’ Steve thinks
“He does not need anyone on his arm for him to shine. And just imagine how handsome he’d look on our postage stamp.” Steve likes to think he knows Eddie well enough to know the exact smirk and wink he just gave before turning and marching back out the way he’d come, even though he can’t see it from where he is.
“Handsome on a postage stamp?? You would look handsome on a postage stamp!” Steve watches as Viscount Muñoz struggles out of his seat, over the fabric barrier at the end of the pew, and hobbles off down the aisle after Eddie, Hopper stepping fully in front of Joyce as he passes with lackluster bows her way.
The chapel doors are closed firmly behind him.
Wayne steps up to Steve’s podium then, “Your highness, you should make a motion for a vote.”
There’s suddenly a huge pit in his stomach. This was not a good idea, what parliament members are going to vote to keep him on the throne after this??
“You will be alright, my boy. Trust me.”
Steve gulps, but turns back to the microphone, casting a glance to Robin and Nancy, both of whom give him encouraging nods, and Robin gives him a sly double thumbs-up.
“Prime Minister Henderson, I move for a vote. To overrule parliament’s previous decision on Viscount Munoz’s contest to my right to the crown.”
Wayne nods, and calls across the gathered guests to all the members, wherever they may sit. “I will also be adding the amendment that any current and future member of the royal family may marry any person, or persons, of any gender they wish.” Steve is floored, gaping at Wayne. “All those in favor, say ‘Aye’.”
Silence. Too long of a silence.
Steve can feel his resolve crumbling with every passing second, but he holds strong.
“Aye!” Steve whips his head to the voice, not a parliament member, but Erica Sinclair. She’s stood herself onto the seat of the pew, arms crossed, and Steve feels like crying.
“Apologies, Lady Ap–Lady Sinclair, you aren’t a vote we nee–” Waye starts.
“I don’t care. ‘Aye!’ He’s the best person to be King and everyone here knows it.”
There's another, shorter stretch of silence, and Lucas stands beside his sister (not on the seat, but still). “Aye.”
“Aye!” Nancy steps forward from the wall, grinning at the other two (and holding tight to Jonathan’s hand).
“Aye!” Chrissy this time.
Steve feels like he’s going to combust when he realizes what they are doing; they’re using their own pull, their own royal and royal-adjacent power to show everyone else who is going to be on Steve’s side here, no matter what the actual decision from parliament will be.
It’s another slap to the face of parliament when the to-be King, and current Queen of one of Genovia’s closest allies stand with a joint “Aye!” Steve thinks Mike is actually being sincere and not nearly as embarrassed as he could be, standing tall with his mother.
Then Lord and Lady Sinclair stand in agreement, seeming spurred on by Karen taking the leap for him.
There is another beat of silence, with Wayne coaching Steve in his ear (“Stare them down, nope, not that hard, gentler. There you go. Show them you aren’t going to back down on this.”) before that one oldest member of parliament stands shakily with his cane.
Steve braces himself internally.
“I have young grandchildren, Your Highness.”
“Lord Palimore?” Wayne urges when the man does not continue.
“I believe they will be in excellent hands with you as King. Aye.” he nods sagely and his face crinkles up into a smile.
Steve sucks in a breath, forcing his heart to slow it’s jackhammering.
After him, there is a slow trickle of agreement, ‘Aye’s come from the three members Steve admittedly gave a bit too much shit to when he proposed his idea of converting the winter palace into a children’s shelter, then there is a flood of ‘Aye’s after them, as if the others aren’t about to be outdone by the others, or maybe they just don’t want to be seen on the wrong side of history.
Either way, “The ‘Aye’s have it!” Wayne calls, and there are cheers from the majority of the crowd, and listening over them, there’s a booming cheer coming from the people outside the chapel as well. “Congratulations, your highness.”
There’s a brief moment of celebration and Steve has a thought, “Murray!” he calls the man toward him, “Give me your earpiece and mic?”
Murray grins at him and hands them over. “Oh, don’t act like you know what I’m going to say.” Steve shakes his head at him, then holds the earpiece to his ear and speaks into the mic.
“Hop?”
“Your Highness?” His voice is tinny, and Steve can see Joyce turn when he addresses him.
“Might as well not let all this go to waste, huh?”
Hopper is silent in the earpiece and Steve can see him standing stock still at the other end of the church. “That’s something you’ll have to ask Her Majesty.”
“Oh come off it, that’s your job isn’t it?” he drops the earpiece and mic at the same time, showing his hands to Hopper ‘Hah! Can’t hear you!’ He thinks at him.
He gives Nancy a whistle and tilts his head to the end of the aisle ‘Hop’ he mouths at her. She has no clue what he’s trying to say. Robin shoots up “I’ve got it! Bouquet please, Nance?”
She passes it over, and Robin power walks down the aisle just in time, Hopper is removing his mic and earpiece, and holds his arm out for Joyce. She’s beaming when Robin passes the bouquet into her hands, and she’s still beaming as she addresses some of the crowd (“Sorry for the short notice, but you were already dressed!” she jokes), and beaming brighter still when she reaches the bishop.
Steve takes back Nancy’s bouquet from Joyce, and she gives him a loving pat on the cheek.
“My lord archbishop,” she faces forward again, “I would like to take this man as my husband, if you please.”
“Finally.” he says, smiling at his queen and Steve hides his laugh behind a flurry of coughs. “We are gathered here today for a different wedding.”
Joyce and Hopper exchange short vows, all they need, a simple ‘With this ring, I thee, finally, wed.’.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.” the bishop tells Hop, and he wastes no time pulling Joyce to him in a crushing, loving kiss.
Last part here!!!
@henderdads @sadcanadianwinter @hopefulslothcollecter @steveshairychest @sidebarre @resident-gay-bitch @kaspurrcat @melkene @livewondrousss @steddieasitgoes @mightbeasleep @princessstevemunson @totallybitchin @potentialheartofdarkness @spectrum-spectre @munsonfamilyband
#steddie#steve x eddie#steve harrington#stephan artur harrington-renaldi#eddie munson#lord edmund munoz#st#st fic#stranger things#stranger things fic#the party#robin buckley#chrissy cunningham#nancy wheeler#jonathan byers#will byers#mike wheeler#dustin henderson#el hopper#eleven#max mayfield#lucas sinclair#erica sinclair#murray#joyce byers#jim hopper#buckingham#jancy#byler
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Katie
Imagine a three-year-old Edmund walking with Anthony, holding his hand, calling out to his Amma and when she doesn't respond, he shouts, "KATIE!!"
Anthony looks shocked for a moment at the sudden outburst. Then he doubles up laughing in delight at the sight of his little son, screaming on top of his tiny lungs for his wife, by her name.
Kate skips through the stairs, hearing the shouts of her sweet hellion.
"KATIE!"
"KATIE"
"KATIE!"
She reached the morning room and saw Anthony and Eddie standing in the middle, their faces flushed red. Anthony had tears streaming down his face from laughter and Eddie was looking impatient, his eyebrows scrunched.
Her heart thudded loudly as she took in Eddie's lit up face when he saw her. She took a second to compose her face and walked towards them.
"Did someone call for me? I kept hearing someone shouting my name." Kate looked at Anthony as she spoke, feigning disinterest and ignoring Eddie jumping excitedly beside him. jumps breezily,
"Amma, me! It was me. Amma!"
Kate struggled to keep her face straight as Eddie continued to jump, waving his hands in the air.
Anthony looked at her in question and she gave him a tiny wink. He smiled and shook his head.
Kate could see from the corner of her eyes that Eddie was getting frustrated, and she was starting to feel a little bad for her boy.
Finally, like a violin string snapping, Eddie shouted,
"KATIEEEE!!"
Kate's eyes widened at the vigour in his voice.
She finally looked at Eddie to see him staring at her, his lips pouting.
"Oh! It was you. You were calling me?" She pressed a hand to her chest dramatically and crouched down in front of him.
Eddie grinned and nodded furiously.
"Aww my poor baby, I am so sorry." She pulled him into her arms, hugging him tightly.
She pulled away, "You were shouting for Katie? I thought it was Papa. Wow you have a big voice, my kutti." Eddie preened at the compliment, nodding his head enthusiastically.
"I apologize. Amma made a mistake. Come here, let me apologize properly." She started peppering kisses on his face and Eddie started giggling.
"Papa, help me. Amma is tickling me."
Anthony laughed, "Oh we can't have that now, can we? Let's tickle Amma. Come here, champ."
Anthony joined their tickle fight and soon the three of them were lying on the plush carpet in a tangle, completely exhausted; their cheeks hurting from laughter and tears running down their faces.
Continued from this oneshot of Kate and Anthony places a bet on little Eddie's first word
Check out List Shenanigans for Kanthony and Baby Edmund short stories 💜
Also @jeanvanjer, read this and let me know if the HC still lives, unscathed? 😄
#bridgerton#the viscount who loved me#bridgerton season 2#kate sharma#anthony bridgerton#edmund bridgerton ii#kathony#netflix bridgerton#anthony x kate#kate x anthony#kanthony#eyra drabbles
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I blame @kenmoos for the Free!AU fanart (which is fucking amazing by the way go check it out) and @notasimp4joey for morphing that into a swimmer!Steve/rockstar!Eddie, and when I say blame I mean I am kissing you guys on both cheeks for the inspo and hope you are having a great Valentine's day, or just a good fucking 14th day of February 2023 if you're not celebrating (like me). 😘😘
Summary:
Gold Olympic medalist Steve Harrington decides to retire at 25 years old and become a newbie swim coach.
Eddie Munson, frontman of the well-known rockband Corroded Coffin, is also 25 when he realizes it's getting too embarrassing to be an adult who never learned to swim.
Technically, they are strangers. But not really. Not with the way they have secretly followed each other's careers over the years.
AO3 link
Steve's POV
To the great surprise and devastation of his coaching team, his parents and the general public who follow swimming, gold Olympic medalist Steve Harrington decides to retire at 25 years old. Officially, it's due to a shoulder injury; in reality, he's completely exhausted and sick of all the pressures and bullshit of pro sports, of waking up every day at 5am to train, of never getting to eat what he likes, of not remembering when was the last time he actually enjoyed swimming. Sick of feeling like if he lets himself relax for even a moment, his performance will slip and he'll disappoint everyone. Might as well just get the disappointment part over with, on his own terms. No more expectations, no more worrying about that every single minute he's in the water.
After pondering his further career options for a while, and turning down several prestigious pro coaching positions (after which, his father just stops calling), Steve settles for a job as a coach for newbies at a swim school. The school principal, Nancy Wheeler, makes him an offer without even pointing out that he's massively overqualified for the job. Later, as they talk over lunch, she explains that she knows what it's like, needing to make a drastic change in your life. Steve doesn't pry further, but he did catch a glance of a cute young woman's photo in Nancy's wallet as she paid for her coffee, and he thinks he understands.
Steve absolutely adores his job. For the first time in forever, he's excited to wake up in the mornings again. Most newbies are kids, and he loves that he can teach them the joys of swimming without being the asshole who drills a child to swim 50 laps at 6 in the morning and scold them for so much as making an unnecessary splash, like his coach used to (god forbid pro swimmers have any fun during training). He also loves helping the occasional adult students who don't believe in themselves at first, like maybe if you don't learn swimming as a kid you never will, and seeing the excitement and glee on their faces when they can finally complete a lap on their own, without a kickboard keeping them afloat.
***
Steve's getting ready for a private lesson, putting away all the buoys and kickboards the kids he was teaching left floating around the pool despite him yelling after them to tidy up after themselves; in vain, because they no longer pay attention to him, babbling excitedly about some game they're going to play together as they head for the doors. He's not really mad at them, never could be. It's great that their group has become such tight friends over the past few months. Plus, it's actually kind of fun to swim around the pool, chasing the floating objects and throwing them towards the edge; no pressure, no timing, no roaring crowds.
He wonders about his new student, another adult - Edmund Mason, apparently, is the name; must be some truly loaded guy, paid to have the whole pool to himself for all his lessons. Steve's just gotten out of the pool when he hears the locker room door open, and speak of the devil, the guy comes in. Black swim shorts, multiple tattoos on his broad chest and muscular arms, long curly hair up in a messy bun, a kind of deer-in-the-headlights look in his huge brown eyes - oh. Oh.
That was definitely not the real name he signed up under, and it makes sense why he'd book the whole pool. That, or Steve is having a very vivid hallucination, because no way did Eddie frigging Munson, of all people, sign up for Steve's swim classes.
Steve was never really a Corroded Coffin groupie; couldn't afford to, with his lifestyle, between the training and trying to attend evening classes at college. He's never been to a concert, but he's followed their music from the start, buying all the albums and singles on both cassette and vinyl and then CDs as they started coming in, and never missing a magazine with an article about them.
Because in addition to loving CC music, Steve used to have a massive, massively embarrassing crush on their frontman. The guy who not only wrote mindblowing tunes and lyrics, whose slightly growly voice sent shivers down Steve's spine, but who was also so unfairly hot. And cute, in a way you wouldn't expect of a rockstar. Steve's seen him giggle and give the dorkiest answers during interviews, goof around with his band onstage between songs, get down on one knee in front of screaming fangirls reaching for him and kiss their hands and call them "my ladies". There were rumors that he was queer, which he never bothered to deny, merely smirking at the interviewer and replying with his signature phrase, "I don't kiss and tell, sweetheart."
Eddie seemed to live his life completely uncaring about image and expectations and all that bullshit; Steve admired that and was, admittedly, always a bit jealous. Eddie was the real deal. And never in a million years did Steve expect to meet the real deal. And even if he did, he never expected Eddie Munson to look so fucking… nervous?
After a moment of just silently staring at each other, Steve silently scolds himself. The guy is just like any other adult who's come to his class. Maybe worried about getting in the water, maybe embarrassed that he has to take a class that's essentially, for the most part, designed for children. He really doesn't need Steve gawking at him like an idiot. So Steve lets his face slip into the most reassuring and welcoming smile he can muster, and he grabs a towel to dry his hair with one hand, steps forward to offer his other hand to shake.
"Hi. I'm Steve".
Eddie's POV
Eddie Munson, frontman of the well-known rockband Corroded Coffin, is 25 when he realizes it's getting too embarrassing to be an adult, living in LA of all places, who never learned to swim. Because of course he never did; a perpetually horny queer teen from small town Indiana, going into a locker room full of hot naked guys? A wet dream, in theory. In reality, a fucking nightmare. So it's not like it's his fault that now he cannot even approach a pool during parties, because people keep pushing each other into it as a joke and he might actually fucking drown from that.
At least these days he's loaded with cash enough now to amend this unfortunate predicament while sparing himself the embarrassment of prying eyes. Making up his mind, Eddie finds a swim school closest to home and enrolls for private lessons under a fake ID he sometimes uses for anonymity. He really doesn't need a crowd of fans waiting for him outside the lockers every day.
***
In hindsight, Eddie really, really should have asked for the coach's name in advance. He's heard the rumors, of course, that Steve Harrington had retired to become a regular swim coach at some school in LA. But he'd never imagined that fate would be so cruel as he exits the locker room (with private cabins, thank fuck) into the pool area, and sees the guy getting out of the water.
For a moment, Eddie seriously considers just turning around and quietly leaving and never coming back. But in that moment, the guy lifts his head, and well, Eddie's completely and utterly fucked. No way can he just act normal around Steve fucking Harrington.
It's not that Steve's famous; Eddie's been around a fair share of famous people. It's just that this is the dude whose magazine pics he stared at for longer than he'd ever admit, even back when Eddie was 16 and Steve was still in the junior league. His best friend at the time, Chrissy, used to buy them for him, because it was possible for a girl to buy magazines about swimmer boys and not get as much as a raised eyebrow. (It was a very mutual arrangement, since Eddie used to get her magazines that were acceptable for guys to buy.)
Those magazines were very much part of the reason for Eddie coming to terms with the fact that he did not want to kiss girls. And to be totally honest, that swimwear ad Steve did two years later, all dripping wet, running his hand through his gorgeous hair and grinning at the camera, was no longer just for looking at.
Eddie's had a fair share of experiences after his music career unexpectedly took off, both with girls (which he wasn't particularly into, but he was 20 and touch starved as fuck, sue him) and later, as he gained confidence and learned to navigate the scene, guys (and he was really, really into that). But seeing the man he's had multiple wet dreams about, all hard muscles, dripping wet and gorgeous just like in that swimwear ad, nearly turns him back into an 18-year-old blushing virgin.
Steve's already noticed him, but maybe he should run anyway. But in the end, he doesn't, because Steve suddenly smiles and walks towards him, and Eddie's dragged forward by his feet like a moth to the flame, unable to resist; and Jesus H Christ, now he's standing in front of a shirtless and wet Steve Harrington - so much fucking chest hair, he must have shaved it all the time back when he was pro - who's casually introducing himself. Like he's a totally normal stranger. Like Eddie doesn't have his name burned into his brain along with the exact shape of his abs and pecs and everything that fit into that tiny swimsuit he used to perform in by some kind of miracle.
The one functional braincell he's got left makes him grasp Steve's hand and shake it.
"Hey," he manages to somehow match Steve's casual tone. "Eddie. Nice meeting you."
__________________
I don't know if there will be a continuation. No promises. I WANNA TRY, but I am good with one-shots, terrible with multichapter WIPs bc inspiration strikes me once every few weeks and runs away the next day.
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In every part of you, I drown.
a short plotless medieval royal!buddie au .
also known as a week of mind-numbing work and buck has been on my mind. trigger warning: mentions of blood, depictions of dysfunctional families & low self-esteem.
Water under his tongue, salty and it burns seconds before he chokes, lump caressing the strained flesh of his throat and it drips down his lips like the ghosting teardrops.
“Evan,” there’s a low sigh, he doesn’t need to look to see those pinched lips but he does anyway. A creature of habit. “Manners , please.”
He inclines his head in apology, between the shadows that flutter on their silver plates and the soft clink of his father’s goblet on the wood. A small sheepish smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes, as the candles flicker against the wax, and his skin itches beneath his sleeves ( it’s salty , mother , his lungs scream , just like before ).
Silk, a deep blue flattening against his chest, a birthday gift from his sister for his nineteenth and it still fits , eight years passing as it still crinkles the same way, a thin thread hanging from the edge of the cuff. It was also not the outfit that had been chosen for him, requested by his mother, but her voice did not share the brittle edge it might have done if they didn’t have guests. At least she was seeing him, caught in the low glow of the flames, it could not shine through him here.
A brush over the tip of his shoe, his leg almost jerks, a flinch that rolls through his muscles and pools away with the tension as it becomes a pulse pressing down on to his foot. His palm descends to his thigh before he has even registered the grip, fingertips pushing into the thrumming nerves, and he swallows hard.
A hesitant glance up over the long, but blessedly thin wood and platters of fruit, those eyes are watching him. Dark brown, Eddie's eyes, soft, and furrowed, and the pressure on his foot falls away with a gentle nudge.
( two households both alike in dignity, and all that )
“I must say, Prince Edmund-”
“It’s Edmundo,” his fork clicks against his teeth, murmuring softly, and his mother’s eyes narrow, as Queen Margaret brushes over them like the glaze in wine-soaked eyes. But a mistake it was not, no fumble of her tongue no matter how her wrist gestures lightly to her goblet, like an airy joke she never quite says.
Dark brown, they're back, like ripples on his skin. Drawing the air from his lungs in every capacity and his palm splays further across his thigh, jaw tightening. He’s not angry, now, neither seeing or seeking judgment beneath them ( ‘ you know, we’re not here to be enemies, that's the whole point of this trip.’ like he didn’t know that, like it was easy ), not since the flood, and the river, and little Christopher.
Before then too, if he’s willing to admit it, when they rode out to to help Sir Robert.
“I had not expected your Madre to be so agreeable.”
Eddie blinks, a line of tension working its way between his shoulders, and seems to straighten a fraction more. Evan didn’t think it could be any straighter ( always proven wrong ).
“Agreeable?”
There’s a hint to his tone that King Phillip catches. A sharp flicker up from the bones of his plate, slowly, methodically working through the meat with a precise number of chews, letting the idyl conversation slip by from the other end of the table. Until he wasn’t, like a needle finding a pinpoint, he jumps in.
A brilliance in diplomacy, damage control.
“Indeed, it is a mother’s instinct to protect their children, we only thought she might have preferred you home, rather than to venture out so soon after that disastrous flooding.”
Eddie’s eyes jump down, glancing between the two with an unreadable expression.
Evan doesn’t buy it, he knows exactly what his mother was thinking, and a small vindictive part of him dearly hopes that Eddie too, sees behind the washed-out fabrics of their politeness. But then, he's not supposed to buy it, they spare little time caring for what he knows.
“I did not bring my son for that very reason.” Eddie offers, leaning back in his chair, letting the tension smoothen out from his muscles, balancing the fork delicately between his middle and forefinger.
Redirect. Smart.
Manners of conversation always win out. He wasn’t afforded that civilness.
He remembers being younger, wondering if everyone could feel their tension, like bruises painted in the air around their skin, always feeding into the wrong things - he never said the right things. Could they feel it too? Their eyes were discarded to their plates or shoes, never to comment on the inner workings of the royal Buckleys. did they laugh in their homes about the shattered visage they could clearly see through, or was it just Evan who felt so exposed between the cracks?
“How is the dear one?” Margaret falls for the bait, and Eddie falls back into his comfort zone.
“Good, he’s been obsessed with horses lately,” a small, fond smile peeking at the edges of his lips as the pressure returns to his foot, a faint push down, and then it withdraws, and Evan relaxes his fingers. “Thank you for that, by the way.”
Let it be said by him first, Prince Edmundo has such nice eyes. And if that is one thing history remembered him for, Evan could live with that.
“Thank who?” Philip asks politely, brow furrowing.
“Evan. He’s the reason Christopher is interested in them, and honestly, I can’t thank you enough. We took him out riding the other day.”
The light on Eddie’s face is enough to make his chest swell, a warm blush flooding along his cheeks.
“We’ve seen Christopher ride before?”
‘Not on his own.”
The air leaves his lungs. First, its every scenario under the sun, ever fall, ever crack, ever possible reason Chris could have bled leaps across his mind. And then, then it's the look, slightly wet, crooked smile, like the whole world tilts just before him, and it’s Eddie keeping him in balance.
( it worked . he did something right )
He exhales, a low shudder in his chest.
“On his own?”
Almost a whisper, leaning forwards, desperation licking at his heels, and for once he does not care that his mother would most definitely disagree with his display of emotion, the rawness clawing up in his throat. But Eddie, Eddie just grins, this frazzled, goofy smile, like he’s been waiting to tell him that all day.
And it strikes him in his chest that, knowing Eddie, he probably had.
“We were all there of course, he didn’t do much more than trot, but he was so happy Evan.”
Another shuddering breath, as the candles flicker warm flames over Eddie’s glowing face, blurring just slightly at the edges with water glistening under his eyelashes. For a second, it was just them and their gaze in the room.
King Phillip clears his throat, and he falls back into his chair, pretending not to notice his mother’s frown as he swipes a hand over his eyes.
Faint music drifts from the other side of the doors, braced against the balcony not hiding not hiding not hiding.
“Hiding?”
He almost jerks, fingers tightening on the stone, neck aching as his head swings round and oh.
It's (just) Eddie.
Prince Edmundo with his warm smile, like a soft summer breeze and a touch of dawn, like dreams, and ghosts in his eyes that smoothen out as the stars in disarray gleam in the evening air. Prince Edmundo, whose thumb brushes over his knuckle, a slight hesitancy as he rocks back on the balls of his feet - is this okay?
Evan presses his knuckle up, just a little, bumping against the palm of Eddie’s hand, as it smoothes fully over the thin scratches still healing on the back of his hand. The heat of blood, and the cool balcony, smothered under stars and yet not, out from the looming shadows of the castle.
“I..”
Lips heavy, throat dry, a thousand words flooding into his mouth and fumbles over themselves to answer. But they’re so close, two open wounds pushing up against each other to keep the pressure on, closing each other up until the blood stops flowing, faded bruises of restless winds and soft kisses.
Soft kisses. God he wishes .
“I’d hide too.” Eddie murmurs knowingly, lips twitching, breeze ruffling his hair. They’re so close, he could touch it.
“I’m sorry,” Evan breathes instead, looking away, over the ridges of the two splayed out below and the treeline, to the moon just peeking in the distance.
“For what?”
‘Them.”
Eddie’s fingers disappear, a soft vacant cold left in their wake and he squashes the lurch of disappointment from his chest.
“They aren’t your mistake to make up for, Buckley.”
Warm breath ghosting his ear, and a graze, slightly ticklish, grinds his teeth as his skin thrums strangely, and that same warm palm circles around his elbow.
“And you are not theirs, either.”
Was he that obvious?
“Still,” he swallows, carefully shifting his eyes back to Eddie, just below his chin, nothislips, lump burning in his throat. “Sorry.”
There’s a soft sigh, and a squeeze against his arm.
“I leave tomorrow at noon.”
He knows this, it was just a short visit, one night nothing more. Evan still didn’t quite know why, but he liked it, that buzzing in his chest because Eddie wanted to visit him. Not just see him in passing like so many others. He leans in, tipping his head forwards pressing against Eddie’s, skin yearning for the heat of contact, and closes his eyes. His breath catches. A nervous whisper cowering in his throat, it's a wonder Eddie even hears it.
“Stay.”
A palm cupping his cheek.
“Carino, I can’t.”
He hates the water prickling behind his eyes more than anything in the world.
“But,” his breath stutters in his throat, lips brushing over his, he dare not open his eyes. “You could come with me?”
“They’d never allow it.”
“Don’t ask.” Eddie’s soft whisper, and then, even softer lips, gentle, like fallen petals catching in the wind, and cinnamon, a pleasant taste of chance ever bottled in that moment.
“I won’t.” He takes the leap.
#evan buckley#eddie diaz#911 fox#buck x eddie#buddie au#buddie fanfic#evan buckley fanfic#buck owns my heart#neptunes royal buddie au#neptunesbuck#i only found 911 this year on disney plus and promptly binged all of it so#sorry if any of this seems out of character#but the timeline is slightly different here#both eddie and buck are princes from neighbouring kingdoms#i am also thinking about spider verse!buck . singer!buck and possibly writing some actual canon related stuff#buddie 911#911 fanfic#911 fandom#evan buck buckely
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THE BLUE PARADISE
1915
The Blue Paradise is a three-act operetta with a book by Edgar Smith, music by Edmund Eysler and lyrics by Herbert Reynolds. It is based on the German operetta A Day in Paradise by Leo Stein and Bela Jenbch. Additional musical numbers were by Sigmund Romberg, Leo Edwards and Cecil Lean.
The original production was produced by the Shuberts, with staging and scenic design by J.H. Benrimo, and choreography by Ed Hutchinson.
Set in Vienna, it tells the story of Mizzi, a flower girl at the Blue Paradise Inn, who must say goodbye to her sweetheart Rudolph, as he travels to America to find his fortune. When he returns many years later, however, he finds that the sweet girl he loved has turned into a bitter shrew.
The musical is remembered not for its plot, but for containing one of Romberg’s runaway hit songs, “Auf Wiedersehn”. It was also notable for being the Broadway debut of Vivienne Segal, who took over the leading role of Mizzi during out-of-town tryouts in Washington DC. It launched an impressive career.
Speaking of out-of-town tryouts, The Blue Paradise played at Atlantic City’s Apollo Theatre on June 15, 1915. Cecil Lean (Rudolph) was the star of note. Reviews were mixed.
“Miss Mayfield...her songs were delivered in a region of the head known in surgery as the occipital frontalis, and most of her lines were chanted, rather than spoken.” ~ LOUIS W. CLINE, PRSS OF ATLANTIC CITY
The out-of-town tour also played Providence RI, Hartford CT, Washington DC, Asbury Park NJ, and Long Branch NJ.
Just days before the Broadway opening, producers postponed for a few days to make some last-minute adjustments to the cast. This was likely to give Vivienne Segal, who had recently replaced a performer said to be ill, more time to adjust to the principal part of Mizzi.
The Blue Paradise opened on Broadway on August 15, 1915 at the Casino Theatre on Broadway and 39th Street. It was a smash hit. At the end of May 1916, the show moved to the 44th Street Theatre to make way for another smash hit, Very Good Eddie. Eddie had been evicted from its first home, the popular Princess. Blue finished up at the 44th Street a month later with a record-setting run of 356 performances. It is now considered the fourth longest run of a book musical during the 1910s.
In February of 1930, the Casino Theatre was demolished to make room for the expanding garment district. The 44th Street Theatre was razed in 1945 to add to the New York Times building.
A pre-air conditioning story about The Blue Paradise:
“It was warm last night - very warm. It was the sort of a night that makes the theatre ono of the lost places the general public thinks of going. The real test of it theatrical production's merit Is the 87-in-the-shade evening. Half a house means It Is a hit; three-quarters a big success, and capacity a marvelous show good for a year on Broadway. The mediocre play cannot successfully combat heat, whereas It may struggle along fairly well against rain or cold. And all this brings me to my story, I stepped up to the box office at the Casino last night, possessing an ambition to see ‘The Blue Paradise.’ Good seats would be plentiful, I thought, because of the heat. Tickets for the last two seats on the lower floor were handed me and the treasurer said I was lucky to have arrived early enough to get them. The house was sold out.”
In the Fall of 1916, the show spawned three road companies that began in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn, respectively.
The song “Auf Wiedersehn” was heard in the 1932 musical short Mail Order Bride. In 1954, it was on screen again, sung by Helen Traubel, in the Sigmund Romberg biopic Deep in My Heart.
The film premiered in Atlantic City on Christmas Eve at the Apollo Theatre on the Boardwalk, the same venue that had hosted the live out-of-town tryout of The Blue Paradise nearly 40 years earlier. Although it was only for the span of “Auf Wiedersehn” - that brings this blog full circle.
#Blue Paradise#Operetta#Broadway#Broadway Musical#Auf Wiedersehn#Sigmond Romberg#Deep in My Heart#Vivienne Segal#Atlantic City#apollo theatre#Boardwalk#Casino Theatre#44th Street Theatre
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I don't even know what I am asking for but can we get some headcannons for Stitches? Maybe some NSFW ones or possibly just some cute fluff showing the family dynamics with everyone? 🥺🥺
Thank you for gracing us with all your amazing work, it's honestly just, mwah - ✨
aaaa thank you so much!!! so I know this says nsfw but i also want to talk about stitches as a general gal (aka you) so were gonna delve into that a lil bit. (also sprinkle in a lil sumsum well see more of in future chapters)
@captainsamwlsn @cinewhore @ficsilike-reblogged (idk if i should tag those on the taglist for the fic because these are just short headcanons so uhh????)
You never went to college. Never felt the need to really. You worked from a young age for your father, even if you never thought of it as working. Sweeping up the shop when you got off from school as a child, sorting fabrics and clothes. He always told you he didnt want you to help “that’s why i have employees, little bee.” but you’d just smile wide and tell him you liked helping him.
At a young age you loudly told him you demanded he teach you how to sew. Because you wanted to grow up to be just like him. He began to teach you during breaks at work and everyday after you came home from school, it was a quick hobby for you to pick up. If you weren’t sewing, you were watching him sew, and taking mental note of how calm he was and how fluid he’d move his hands to adjust the fabric and so forth. Any scraps were quickly snatched up by your tiny hands and taken off to your own sewing machine where you’d fashion it into whatever little project you were working on.
Your father did actually want you to go to college. You were a smart kid, intuitive and stubborn, if you wanted something you would work until your bones ached to get you one step closer to it. He knew you were destined for more than this old shop, but everyday after finishing your homework you’d be by his side, listening intently as he taught you how to hem a dress and then excitedly showing him the latest shirt or stuffed animal you made.
Even well into highschool, he talked to you about nearby universities and even some out of state. Sure the money would be a tight squeeze but he’d do it, for you. You were his everything.
You gave in, told him you planned on taking a few economics classes at a local community college. “So i can help keep the shop running.” you told him with a proud smile.
He didn’t want you to run the shop. The place was doing well but he knew one day itd run into the ground. A mall was opening up nearby, he knew that would put them out of business for good. He just hoped it’d be by the time you were gone, in college and pursuing a good job, a stable career. He wanted to make you proud, and he did that more than enough when you were young. He didn't want to shatter your image of your old man as a business owner by letting you know the shop was going to die.
It wasn’t until the night of your junior prom that he finally gave in. When he saw you bounce down the stairs in a magnificent gown. Something that looked like it could be seen on a runway, something that surely could cost hundreds.
But he knew. From the way you giggled and twirled, that you had made it yourself.
“Made by yours truly! All the girls are gonna be so jealous! They're gonna wish they had come to us for their dresses!”
He knew then and there, you were gonna continue to bloom and create all your life. That he’d have to keep the business running for you to take over and watch it bloom
After prom, many girls came to you for your sewing services, often coming to you to make cheap copies of the latest brands and swarming you for dresses for graduation and future dances.
You began to take classes at the community college your senior year, doubling your workload. your father often found you snoozing at the dinner table, textbook open and smushed against your face.
He couldn’t have been more proud of you.
More about your father.
His name is edmund, but goes by Eddie!
This man has so many friends. He's the type of guy who smiles and the clouds part. He makes friends literally anywhere he goes.
Which in turn means that you had a metric shitton of adult friends growing up. Just random grown ups who'd come by for every holiday, pat you on the head and ask how school was.
It was odd at times, realizing how much of a large unconventional family you had. But at some moments it was comforting.
Like the two days you spent in the hospital after your father’s car crash. Many came and went, offering their comfort to you as you hoped and prayed for his survival and strength.
They offered their comfort once more at the funeral but you were less receiving then.
One of the closest men in your non-blood related family was Rodrigo. A portly man who owned a 24 hour restaurant just down the street from your sewing shop.
In your early twenties, you and his son Benjamin dated for a few months. You laughed and traveled and did all the stupid shit you were supposed to do in your twenties together, but ultimately decided you were better as friends.
But his father would always fondly call you the one that got away because his “dumbass of a son couldn't man up and make you his daughter-in-law.”
You never met your mother. Your father didn't have any pictures of her in the house either.
You would ask about her constantly as a child, he always gave you the same response.
“Your mama and I had a fleeting relationship little bee, it just wasn't in the cards for us to stick it out together.” He would always get this wistful smile though.
“But i'm okay with that. Because she gave me you. And you're the best damn thing that could've happened to me.”
In his last moments, your father had a smile on his face and realization in his eyes as if he saw somebody before him. Some nurses said he saw an angel, ready to lead him to heaven.
You always wondered if he saw your mother.
Though you had never seen the woman, you dreamt of her often. But they were always vague. A warm smile, a gentle caress to your cheek and a sweet voice speaking to you.
You never knew what she was saying, but you always felt safe with her.
if you couldn’t tell im back on my maxwell bullshit so if yall want some asks or headcanons feed ME BABEYYY
#maxwell lord x reader#maxwell lord x you#maxwell lord#valerie lord#valerie lord x reader#maxwell lord x valerie lord x reader#roosasut#wonder woman 1984#WW1984#uhhh idk id im missing tags or nkr#pedro Pascal#pedro pascal characters
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@jstking sent:
✉️
send “✉️” to read a handwritten letter my muse sent to yours. / accepting!
to the just king edmund of narnia,
i hope it’s not too boorish to ask how one shall adress you in note? i had been debating if i should lead with “ king edmund pevensie ” or “ king edmund the just, ” but i curiously cannot find which of these flow most naturally, as in my head i simply call you ‘ that short boy, eddie... ’ of course, i mean this in kind jest. no one is more deserving of my respect, if i had any to be earned. it should be fairly obvious that i don't normally write letters to my esteemed colleagues outside of hyrule, but i imagine with you should be an amicable enough start to a substantial correspondence. i can only ask that you be merciful in turn.
i hope this letter finds you extraordinarily well. i'm merely curious, will you tell me if it's currently snowing as you receive this letter? hyrule is all but a ways away from yours, i only wonder if there is a disparity in our climates as the seasons change around our globe. snow in central hyrule is often sparse come winter, but perhaps it could very well be in the middle of springtime in mystical narnia.
oh, i find the colder seasons to be quite lonely... far it may be, often i feel like the soil of my land yearns for your next humble visit. nayru's tide is due to come around in a few weeks, & although we do not normally accept guests from overseas during such a holiday, i'd like to make an exception & cordially extend a personal invite to your majesties for a royal banquet & perhaps a trip around town. you are free to lodge in our many rooms --- the castle doesn't nearly have enough people running about, if you ask me, so any royal pevensie is welcome to liven up the place for a few days.
speaking of visits, i ought to let you know that someday i do hope to find myself in the land of narnia... it would be nothing short of embarrassing if hyrule has seen more pevensies than narnia has seen of me. i'll make sure that i'll visit your beautiful country shall i be afforded the liberty... once hyrule's personal affairs are dealt with. i've also been hoping you'd tell me a little more about your land & what you like most about it, mostly so that i would be all but a clueless fawn when i find myself in your borders. well, i was told that your horses could speak, & i ought to ask a king myself shall i find that someone is surely pulling my leg.
tell me i've been ribbed... but if your horses do speak, have you ever thought to ask them what makes one an awful rider? i'm only asking for a close friend.
kindly extend my well-wishes to your majesties, your kin. i'd beg you all to take it easy & refrain from tiring yourself, but it appears that such a thing is much to ask of a royal these days.
consider me a friend & a willing helping hand whenever you find yourself in any time of need,
#jstking#( HEHEHE HOPE THIS IS OK )#( zeIda really would tbh )#🌟 ❝ ic / like a river's flow; it never ends.#🌟 ❝ asks / if you find me; will you know me?#🌟 ❝ botw; 01. / brush your wings on my head.
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THOBM S1:E4
While I’m here I’d like to obnoxiously discuss why Episode 4 of Bly Manor is my favorite, regarding the portrayal of Dani’s inner struggle with her sexuality, through a point-by-point chronological analysis.
Part 1: First Flashback
The episode opens with a flashback to Dani’s childhood, revealing the owner of the glasses as Eddie. Dani says she needs to go home, but Eddie insists she stays. At this point, persuading her to stay is relatively innocent. Some day, it won’t be.
We then leap to the moments before Dani and Eddie’s rehearsal dinner. Eddie asks if she’s ready, and Dani hesitates, giving a weak “I think so,” which Eddie brushes off without much concern, perhaps chalking it up to stage fright.
Dani does not speak at the rehearsal, but Eddie does. In his speech, he reveals that Dani had to dare him to kiss her, presumably because she couldn’t do it herself. He calls her “Danielle”, never “Dani”. Additionally, Eddie spent their adolescence and early adulthood asking Dani to marry him, each time receiving a “no” until Dani finally caved in. Why Eddie is so surprised about being dumped later on is beyond me.
Eddie’s mom, Judy, catches Dani escaping the dance floor and gives Dani her old wedding dress. Dani holds the dress in front of herself before a mirror and Judy asks her to say, “Good morning, Mrs. O’Mara,” in reference to both the first time she met Dani, and Dani’s wedding day when that will also become her name, too.
During this segment, both Eddie and Judy insist that Dani knows what she wants. Judy even encourages her to speak her mind. This puts some responsibility on Dani for her predicament, and it’s not entirely undue. Dani is passive. She is trapped, yes, but she has also taken no measures toward freeing herself.
Part 2: Day of the Funeral
The flashback ends and Dani’s in her room at Bly, getting ready for Owen’s mom’s funeral. The timing of Dani remembering her impending wedding on the day of a FUNERAL is incredibly telling, as is the obvious link between Judy’s dress and Dani’s only black one.
Jamie comes in, and when Dani expresses her reservations Jamie doesn’t pressure her to go if she’s not comfortable doing so. Jamie’s, “I don’t need you to be my date to Owen’s mom’s funeral” suggests they’ve discussed going together, probably sometime that same morning, but Jamie doesn’t trap her in that arrangement. She readily gives Dani a way out and doesn’t shame her about it. (Compare to Eddie and Dani before the rehearsal).
Dani asks Jamie to help her out of the black dress (just the zipper!). The point of this isn’t merely sexual tension, it’s also symbolic of Jamie freeing Dani from a life she equates with death. Eddie’s specter shows up, right on schedule, to guilt Dani for her intimacy with Jamie.
Part 3: The Kitchen & Dani’s Nervous Episode
Jamie returns from the funeral to find Hannah, Dani, and the kids preparing supper in the kitchen. Jamie eerily foreshadows the struggle she and Dani will face in their future relationship, as well as her own character development, when she discusses care for someone with a terminal condition.
Jamie catches Dani staring at her. Dani averts her gaze but keeps glancing back even as she approaches the kitchen sink. Eddie makes an appearance, as expected, and it thoroughly rattles Dani because his form has become physical as he places his hands on her hips. (It may be somewhat of a stretch, but the physicality of Eddie might imply that Dani's private thoughts toward Jamie were trending toward the ‘physical’). She excuses herself in a panic; it’s all coming to a head because she’s starting to realize what this means for herself.
Part 4: Second Flashback
Dani’s getting Judy’s old wedding dress fitted. Judy and her own mother watch. For such a short scene, this one is DENSE. Allow me to draw your attention to a few spicy quotes:
“Luckily, Danielle does not share my taste in men.” - Dani’s mother.
“Well, lucky for Edmund; he’s the lucky one in this equation...” - Judy.
“Danielle’s father helped pick [my dress] out, and look how THAT turned out.” - Dani’s mother.
Everything here has double meaning. From the obvious implication that Dani doesn’t have a taste in men at all, to the more subtler “THAT” referring to both Dani’s mom’s bad marriage and how Dani ‘turned out’ (to be non-heterosexual).
The tailor flirts with Dani. Or seems to. Either way, Dani hones in on it; how she compliments her shoulders, gives her a smile, lets a hand linger on her lower back. Dani sees their reflections together in the mirror.
When Dani resurfaces from this flashback she looks solemn, even grim, with realization. She’s still looking at Jamie, but now she understands why.
Part 5: Third Flashback & The Bonfire
Dani joins Jamie, Owen, and Hannah for a bonfire outside. She spaces out and recalls the night Eddie died. They went to dinner that night. Dani nervously bites her fingernails and Eddie says, “Hey, easy. You’re going to hurt yourself.” Dani replies, “I’m sorry. I keep trying to stop.” Some more subtext there. It should also be pointed out that Eddie doesn’t even ask what’s wrong, or if she’s okay. He just assumes it’s the stress of planning their wedding. Little does he know, Dani’s about to break up with him. She almost doesn’t, at first. She tip-toes around it. “I thought I wanted it. I wanted to want it... [there’s] so many people to let down...” Then Eddie says, “For a second it almost sounded like you didn’t want to get married at all,” and the opportunity is finally right in front her, put in words, because she hasn’t been able to do it herself.
They talk in the car. Dani says she didn’t want to hurt anyone, because she still loves Eddie, just not like that. “And it’s just what we were doing... If I could just stick it out, eventually I would feel how I was supposed to.” They’ve been physically intimate, but Dani’s been unable to feel any emotional connection.
Angry and hurt, Eddie exits the car, gets hit by a truck, and dies. This is the source of the guilt that haunts Dani. She blames everything on herself. If she had just married him, or had the guts to be truthful about herself earlier, Eddie would still be alive. This is her flawed logic, and it sabotages her every time she tries to move forward. She sees Eddie in reflections because she can’t bear to confront herself.
Back at the bonfire, they toast the dead. Jamie toasts the late Wingraves. Dani, too, surprisingly. What’s important is that she praises who Dani is: “a bit of a weirdo, but stronger than she thinks”. It’s brief, but significant when you contrast it with Eddie’s speech at the dinner rehearsal, where he gives no real indication that he even knows who Dani is. To him, Dani is Danielle, “this amazing, beautiful girl” and while those are nice things to say, he speaks nothing of Dani’s character.
Part 6: The Greenhouse
Dani and Jamie sneak away to the greenhouse, where Dani elaborates about her fiance and confesses how she still ‘sees’ him. Jamie doesn’t say she’s crazy, instead focusing on what matters: that Dani’s surviving. Jamie knows grief and trauma. She knows how it can fuck people up in different ways, from first-hand experience. It’s acceptance and the peace of being heard and seen that compels Dani to kiss her. She doesn’t have to dare Jamie, she doesn’t passively wait for it to happen, no, she takes the initiative to make a move first because for the first time possibly ever, Dani knows what she wants. But her guilt’s still there. It ruins the moment when she sees Eddie again.
Part 7: Drunk Dani Putting the Past to Rest
After drinking courage into herself and nearly getting fucking bodied by Viola on her way out, Dani tosses Eddie’s glasses into the bonfire and confronts his ghost a final time. She knows what she wants, but she first needs to make peace with the past and with herself.
In conclusion: This episode was a true delight from a critical point of view. Dani’s journey from realization to self-acceptance was filled with subtlety and heart the whole way through and I had such a good time picking out the parallels, subtext, and symbolism. I know S1:E9 is probably more popular, because yeah, that all happened, but S1:E4 was so well-written, personally relevant, and teeming with storytelling devices that the writer in me could not for a second consider any other entry as my favorite episode of the season.
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PREVIEW || Scars That Heal
• Ch. 10: Who Needs You •
"You!"
The howl of fury from Sonia Kaspbrak brought a whole new sense of fear to the Losers as they stood on the opposing end of her finger. Having fled the gruesome house on Neibolt, the Losers, in a great panic, had managed to haul their injured friend away from Neibolt and back to his own front lawn. Thanks to Mike, who while thinking quickly, had placed Eddie in his own bike's basket, the two were able to escape on their bikes with the rest of their friends. And though the horrid scene was now blocks away, not a single Loser dared lose a notch of speed, and did not stop until they had discarded their bikes on Eddie's front lawn, panting heavily.
"You did this!" She hissed, immediately separating Eddie from his friends.
The seven friends parted hesitantly as she forced him by the nape of the neck across the lawn towards her car.
"You know how delicate he is." She huffed, earning a few heavy eyerolls from a select few.
Bill stepped forward after them, finding his voice, and powering through his stutter.
"W-We were attacked, M-Mrs. K,"
She opened the squeaky passenger door, just about shoving Eddie inside and turned on the seven friends. She stared each of them down, fiery gaze meeting with each pair of eyes.
"No! Don't," she ordered, slamming the door shut, caging a still frightened Eddie. "Don't try to blame anyone else."
Her hands shake with a rage, causing her ring of keys to slip from her fingers and land on the pavement. Seeing this, Beverly bends down after them.
"Let me help-" She offers, only to be cut off and shooed away by the woman.
"Get back!" She bellows.
She steps forward, retrieving her keys and straightens enough to lean in close to intimidate Beverly.
"Oh, I've heard of you miss Marsh," Mrs. Kaspbrak sneered. "And I don't want a dirty girl like you touching my son."
"Mrs. Kaspbrak, please, if we could just explain-" Y/n pleas were soon cut short.
"Enough!" The woman roared, her puffy face turning red.
She looked Y/n up and down with a snide look in her eye, as if the young girl was nothing more than something she had dragged in on her shoe.
"Don't think I haven't heard of you either, you filthy little thing! Following this harlot around town," she quickly throws Beverly a hostile look. "begging for scraps like some stray. Wouldn't be surprised if you picked up on her dirty little habits and I certainly won't have you lurking around my son any longer!"
Y/n stood unnaturally still, taking the conjectures she had heard almost her entire life with surprising composure. But that wall she had built up, cracked, just ever so at the mention of Eddie and she glanced past the screaming woman and into the car where Eddie's small stature was barely visible over the windows in the low seat. This was the first time he had allowed himself to look at one of them, and it was at Y/n.
Their eyes met, her gaze was distant, and she seemed to be disconnecting from reality as if to spare herself from the pain of saying goodbye. As if she knew his mother would finish her lecture, get in the car, and drive away with Eddie and that would be it. She knew that Eddie wouldn't stand up for her. Get angry for her, or even for himself, and finally stand up to his mother. But she didn't blame him, he had barely escaped death, and even still, he had a horribly broken arm.
But that didn't stop her heart from breaking as she saw his large doey brown eyes staring back at her. They were fightened, and sad but also docile as his mother continued shouting abuse at the her; The girl who was quickly after his heart.
"You are not to speak to my Eddie, you are not to set foot within five hundred feet, of my Eddie Bear, nor can you even-" she stopped suddenly, roughly turning the girls head to look at her, and lowered her voice. "You are not to even look at my Eddie."
She leaned forward into the girl's face, and glared spitefully.
"I don't want my son catching fleas." She spit.
Everyone had stood silently in shock, not expecting such venomous words from the woman. Nor were they expecting a heated comeback from Richie who stepped forward beside Y/n, fists clenched despite his otherwise cool exterior.
"With all due respect, Mrs. K, Y/n isn't the problem," Her wild glare shifted to the boy. "If you're worried about fleas, Eddie's more likely to catch 'em from living up your v-"
Richie was suddenly cut off by a hand clamping over his mouth, it was Y/n. Who albeit, very much appreciated the gesture, and would definitely laugh about it in the future, still wanted at least a sliver of a chance of both her and Richie getting to see Eddie again.
The woman took a long deep breath, and glared daggers at the boy. Anyone would know a million things were running through her head in that moment; several things she would have liked to have said to the no good heathen that her son always clung to, but she knew she could waste no more time. Her eyes said enough.
"Don't start with me young man, this is far from over." She seethed.
And with that, she whirled around on her heel and wobbled over to the driver's side.
"Thanks, Richie," Y/n croaked, a silent tear streaking her dirtied cheek.
"Catching fleas," Richie grumbled. "Honestly, and you guys actually think my mouth's the one that outta be sewn shut."
×××
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Forever Beloved
Disclaimer: AMC is owned by ABC/Disney.
Author's Note: I have been on the AMC fanfiction fandom. There is only one story for Maria and none for Edmund or Edmund/Maria pairing? Seriously? I thought it was time for one. Thanks to LilMisFit5290 for inspiring this one shot! Which couple name for Maria and Edmund do you like EdMaria, MarEdmund, Edaria?
A/N 2: This will be AU. I know life isn't fair with the way their pairing ended, but hey, I can reimagine it, right? Also, since it was not mentioned where Maria goes to college, I will assume she attended college at Texas State University at San Marcos. When Maria and Edmund were dating on-screen, she had mentioned her grandmother lived with her family growing up, so I am going with the flow.
Premise: What if she failed romance with Del that dashing Edmund comes to town where she is attending college? Will sparks fly then?
Spring 1987
The last several months had been tough for nineteen-year-old Maria Santos. While her studies towards her biology major were going well, social life was going well; just not her love life. She couldn't help it; she was wanted to create a relationship that was like that of her parents, loving and caring that was filled with children, lots of children. The problem was the guy she thought was the love of her life, Del Henry, had gotten her pregnant and not long after she had miscarried. To make matters worse, he smashed her heart pieces when he dumped her. She cried about it and was comforted by her roommates. But she didn't allow herself to wallow for too long. So, Maria swore off dating for a while, but fate had other plans. One fateful spring day and near the end of her sophomore year, she had gone to meet up with her friends and roommates, Kimberly Edwards and Colleen Miller, for lunch before studying for her finals.
As reached the lecture hall where English, Creative Writing, and Journalism were taught, she heard the lecturer's deep voice. She had heard about the lecturer, Edmund Grey wasn't even thirty. Yet he was already a well-traveled correspondent who has covered everything from wars to treaty signings and everything in between. Not only that, he already had a Pulitzer Prize to his name. Two of her friends and roommates were had been saying how handsome he was. Since she hadn't seen him yet, she wasn't sure what to think. For the time being, took their word for it.
Entering the lecture hall, Maria saw the guest lecturer. She fanned herself when she saw him; he was so handsome. His draw made him all the more appealing. He is so easy on the eyes. Wait, did you forget Maria, you know what happened with your last boyfriend. You really want to go through it again?
Nevertheless, he was so handsome, now she was torn. She had completely zoned out that she hadn't noticed that the class had ended and her friend Kimberly had walked up to her was calling to her. "Earth to Maria, earth to Maria, are you okay?"
Maria shook her head and said, "Yeah, I am fine."
Kimberly, however, was not easily persuaded. She saw where Maria's gaze landed on. She smiled. Maria deserved the best after what the jerk did to her. Kimberly had wanted to him a piece of her mind, but Maria had talked her out of it.
Kimberly said, "Come on, I will introduce you to him."
Maria said, "No, no, you know student-teacher relationships are frowned upon."
Kimberly replied, "Come on, relax, will you? You're not his student, so it shouldn't be a problem."
Without getting a chance to say anything, Kimberly led Maria to the front. After he and the other student finished talking, Kimberly spoke up, "Mr. Grey, I would like you to meet my best friend and roommate, Maria Santos."
When Edmund looked up and saw Maria, he was dumbstruck. There stood the most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life. Of course, he has seen his fair share of beautiful women as he traveled here and abroad, but the young woman with long chocolate brown hair standing him smiling a bright smile takes the cake.
Kimberly noticed the stares between the two. She knew that had something significant to get her friend this speechless and said, "Well, I guess I will let you two be. I will just go to lunch with Colleen and see you later for our study session, right?"
Maria got out of her daydream and only nodded her head before turning back to stare.
Before long, the hall was empty but not for long before the next class filed in. Edmund broke the silence and said, "Ms. Santos, why don't we go to lunch, and it will be my treat. From there, we can get to know each other if you like."
Maria couldn't hold it back! She let out a quiet squeal. Here was the most handsome, debonair man who was interested in her. He helped her forget all about Del.
Whoa, Maria, don't go there! Not unless you want to ruin a good thing!
Coming out of her trance, she agreed, and they headed out. Instead of going to diners on campus, Maria took them to get good old-fashioned tacos. It was the next best thing when she wasn't home to have her mother's cooking. As they ate, they talked and got to know each other. Edmund learned that she was PreMed and working towards becoming a neurologist. Edmund learned that she had four younger siblings, the youngest being three years old. Maria found out that Edmund was an only child and had a sad childhood. He left home when he turned eighteen and already had seven years under his belt as a traveling journalist.
Edmund made a bold move. Taking her hand and asked, "Maria, I really like you and want to see you again. But I also know the rules about dating students, so how about when you finish your exams maybe I can take you on an actual date?"
This time Maria squealed louder. This was a dream come true. True, she was still cautious after the last relationship, but she knew this could be the real deal for her. She took a leap of faith and exchanged contact information with Edmund.
After he paid for lunch, he walked back to campus. Edmund kept his promise and let Maria finish her exams and the semester before contacting her. Edmund took her out on a date with the school year over, came by to help her pack, and gave her a ride home.
As Kimberly and Colleen watched as Edmund drove off, Colleen commented, "You did good Kimberly. Maria will be off the market for good."
Kimberly nodded, "Yep, for sure!"
A few hours later, they arrived in San Antonio, he had dropped her off, and after planning for their first official date, he went off to find an apartment for the short term and work. Now for work, he could find a temporary job at a newspaper or magazine office. With his resume, he landed an appointment with the in no time. When Maria wasn't volunteering at the local clinic or helping at home and Edmund wasn't busy working at the newspaper, they spent time with each other. They did everything together, including baseball games and roller skating.
One day Edmund had come by taking her out to a new movie that was coming out. However, when he arrived and knocked on the door, and the door opened, he saw that Maria looked frazzled with a squirmy little girl in her arms. When she saw Edmund, she gasped. "Edmund, I am so sorry that I didn't call you. At the last minute, my father had to work extra hours, and my mother had a big special sewing project she has to work on. She needed me to watch over my siblings for the tonight."
Edmund smiled. He loved kids, and now that he had seen with Maria with one of her siblings and how gentle she was, he knew she would be the one.
Edmund replied, "No, no, Maria, don't worry about it. Do you need help?"
Putting four-year-old Rosa down but holding on to her hand, Maria said, "No, I couldn't ask you to spend your evening watching two of my siblings with me."
Edmund calmed her down by saying, "No problems, my love. I love kids remember?"
Maria said with a smile, "Okay, if you want to, but I warn you, my siblings, while they can smile angelically, they can also be a handful. Especially Rosa here."
Looking at Rosa, she crouched down and said, "Rosie, can you say hi to my friend Edmund?"
Rosa stopped fidgeting when she saw someone new. Hiding her face in her big sister's shoulder but peeking her head and said, "Hello Ed, Ed…."
Edmund crouched down to the little girl's height and, with a smile, said, "Nice to meet you, Rosa. You can call me Eddie if that makes it easier for you."
With a little more confidence, Rosa said, "Hello, Eddie."
Edmund soon met eight-year-old Anita, and following a few hours of fun with the two younger kids, helped put them to bed. Later that night met the two teenagers, seventeen-year-old spitfire Julia and fourteen-year-old trying to act macho Mateo. They were wary at first. However, it didn't take the two teens to warm to Edmund.
Later that night, they spent time together. Maria had seen how good he was with kids when he helped put Rosa to bed when she was cheeky and a handful. For that, she loved him even more. They were so absorbed in the kissing they didn't hear the door open and close. It was only when they heard a gasp and Isabella yelling, "Maria!"
With Hector saying, "What is the meaning of this? Who is the man you are kissing?"
Maria and Edmund jumped apart like they were teenagers caught doing something naughty. Maria got off the couch, went to give her father a hug, and said, "Sorry, Papa. But this the Edmund Grey I told you and Mama about. You know the Pulitzer Prize journalist."
Maria looked at her parents and then at Edmund. She said to him, "Edmund, I would like you to meet my parents, Hector and Isabella Santos."
Edmund went over and offered his hand to shake and said, "It is nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Santos."
The stern looks on their faces didn't stay for long. Hector smiled and came over instead of nearly wanting to clobber Edmund for snogging his perfect eldest daughter and instead shook Edmund's hand. It didn't take long for Isabella to respond with a hug. Maria smiled. No guy had ever gotten approval that quickly. The one time she had a male classmate over for a project, her parents watched them or more, the guy like a hawk. As time went on, even her Grandmother Estella took a liking to Edmund.
As the summer progressed, their love grew, and she felt like the luckiest girl ever. Edmund made all the college guys look so immature as he was more worldly and debonair. One night after seeing the new movie that came out, Roxanne went back to his place for dinner in the local movie theater. Knowing that he could cook was a big plus. She remembered the day when she was at his home for lunch, he had made her a mean huevos ranchero. From that time on, she had fallen deeply in love with Edmund.
Of course, being an award-winning traveling war correspondent would require him to know how to cook. During one meal, he began talking about one person, in particular, a Peggy Moody. She was the one who taught him to cook when he was young. Edmund said to Maria, "One day, you will meet Peggy, and you will love her."
Maria said, "I am looking forward to that day!"
After dinner found the lovebirds on the couch alternating in snuggling and cuddling with a passionate make-out session. During one particular heated make-out session, she was sitting in his lap, and he let his hands roam her body. While she enjoyed the sensations when she felt him toying with her shirt, she broke the kiss.
Looking deep into her eyes, Edmund asked, "What is wrong, baby?"
Maria bit her lip and asked, "Um, you know I love you, right?"
Edmund asked, "You're not ready for sexual activity aspect of the physical intimacy?"
Maria takes a deep breath and tells him why she didn't want to jump into bed with him yet. She told him of how Del Henry betrayed her. When she was finished with her story, Edmund was steaming mad. How could a guy like him take advantage of someone sweet and smart? He was so angry, he said, "If I ever saw this Del guy I would like ring his neck."
Maria sighed. She loved that he was protective. Giving him a sultry kiss on the lips, she told her beloved, "Edmund, honey, you're so sweet, but your hard-earned career isn't worth trading for a jail cell."
Though still steaming, Edmund nodded and cooled down. For now, they settled for making out on the couch and hand-holding. Edmund was more than patient with Maria about getting her in bed. Soon summer drew to an end. They knew it as Edmund's profession required him to be at the frontlines to report on the news that was happening, and their time together had come to an end. But that didn't' help ease the pain of the breakup any easier.
On their last day together, Edmund had a plan to romance her like no other. What he didn't know was that he was in for a surprise himself. First, he picked her up from her home. After she hugged them goodbye and thanked the Santos family for their hospitality, Edmund drove Maria back to San Marcos. Once they arrived, they went grocery shopping before heading to her apartment. Maria said they would have the place to themselves, and they did. Maria explained that her sorority was new and selective, so they were still small. Because of that, they didn't have enough members yet to have a house, so she and two of her sorority sisters, Kimberley and Colleen, shared an apartment.
After he helped her bring up her stuff and helped her unpack some things, Edmund said, "Maria, my love, why don't you go and take a bath and relax while I make dinner for us?"
Maria sighed; she was a lucky woman to be with a man who had many talents. So, after she got him set up, she took a relaxing herbal soak. After putting on moisturizing lotion, she dressed in a casual outfit, a very casual outfit. Tonight would be the night that she would sleep with Edmund. Even though they would be splitting up soon (or so she thought), she wanted to give him a part of her.
Maria walked into the dining room. She sauntered in enticing two-piece lingerie that not hugged her in the right places; it also elongated her legs. Right then, Edmund finished dinner and lifted his head and nearly dropped what he had made. He leaned on the counter for support.
He thought Maria looked so sexy. When they were in San Antonio, he had tried to be the perfect gentleman and not stare at her, now he could do sp without shame.
She walked to the kitchen, wound her arms around his waist, stood a little on her tiptoe, and was kissing his neck. Edmund tried his best not just abandon dinner and just take her right then and there. Edmund knew she was giving signals that she was ready.
During dinner, she began to play footsie with him, alternating with flirting. The way that Maria was acting was driving Edmund crazy and antsy and wanting her more and more. Now, all Edmund wanted to do was to forget dinner and ravish her.
They quickly finished dinner, stored the leftovers, had the dishes washed, and put away. Maria took his hand and led him to her room. Once the door was closed, she gazed into his eyes as he did with her. Both saw smoldering lust burning in their eyes from dark brown to raven black. She had placed her hands on his face, pulled him down for a kiss, and Edmund responded, and the kiss turned fiery in no time flat.
He let his lips roam her cheek, jawline, neck, and shoulders. As his lips meandered, Maria sighed contentedly and ran her fingers through his thick curls. Not wanting to wait for more kisses from his soft lips, she pulled his head upwards and connected in a steamy lip-lock.
As they continued kissing, she walked him towards the bed. Right, when they reached the side of the bed, they broke the kiss, and Edmund sat down. He scooted towards and soon was leaning against the headboard. As they held their gazes, she helped him out his shirt by undoing the buttons. When it was opened, she pushed it off and saw that he had the right amount of hair; not a hairy like a Neanderthal or bare-chested like her ex.
Maria let her hands roam his muscular chest. Feeling her fingernails on his skin felt like a trail of fire for Edmund. As she continued hands continued walking his chest, she kissed all the skin she touched Edmund withered under her. Tonight, he had wanted to make it about her, but now he was under her spell. He couldn't take it anymore. He placed his hands on her face and pulled her in, and sweetly kissed her and let his hands roamed down her clothed body.
Parting lips, Edmund whispered, "It's time, baby."
He helped her out of her top and saw that she had no bra on. He felt his breath hitch. Here was a sexy Spanish beauty sitting in his lap, topless. Edmund preferred women who had curves, and Maria definitely had curves; she was perfect. So perfect that Edmund instantly felt like it was hot in the room. All he could get out was, "Wow!"
Maria was beginning to feel a little shy and had covered up her chest when Edmund placed his hands on hers moving them. He covered them with his own hands and began by gently massaging her chest. The heavy fullness of her chest fit in his hands. Maria moaned salaciously as he continued his loving touches. He leaned in said, "Maria, you are so sexy."
Maria whispered to him and exclaimed, "I love you, Edmund, take me now!"
Before long, he had wound his arms around her and pulled her down as he slid down, and they laid on the bed itself. He paid attention to all parts of her body and what touches would make her moan with pleasure and had her withering under him. She was now ruined for all other guys. She was his forever.
-x-
A few hours later, Edmund and Maria were awake and laid in peaceful quiet. Maria was relishing how her first time with Edmund was more affectionate than Del. Del like it rough and was all about him. At the same time, Edmund likes to be a little bit of both gentle and rough. Edmund, on the other hand, was thinking of one thing. Now that he has spent a special night with Maria, he didn't want to leave her and leave it to chance for them to meet up again. He knew that someone of her beauty and intelligence, any guy, would be lucky to be with her, and he would be an idiot to let her go. When Maria stirred, Edmund kissed her forehead. Maria smiled and looked up at her beau.
With soulful eyes, Edmund leaned down, kissed her, and said, "Maria, I was thinking instead of us parting and meeting if our paths crossed later on. How about we stay together and see where it takes us?"
Maria looked perplexed and asked, "What your writing career? I don't want you to pull the plug on your success just by waiting while I work towards my medical degree."
Edmund smiled and replied, "Don't you worry, I just know we will make it work."
She didn't know was that Edmund had signed a contract with the San Antonio Express as a war correspondent and come back to rest and work as an editor on the side. Maria couldn't believe it. She was going to be with Edmund longer, possibly forever. After another round of lovemaking, there were up and getting ready, eating breakfast, and relishing what little time they had left. He wouldn't be able to visit until either Thanksgiving or Winter Break.
Unbeknownst to her, Edmund a surprise up his sleeve. He took out a ring box and handed it to her. Surprised, she put down her fork, picked up the box, and when she saw the ring, she gasped. It was a gorgeous Solitaire Round Diamond Infinity Promise Ring.
Breaking the quiet, Edmund took her hand and said, "Maria, baby, I give you this ring as a promise that one day we will make a reality."
Not knowing what else to do, she jumped up from her chair and threw a hug around him. She could only say, "I love you, Edmund, more than you will ever know."
After breakfast ended, she helped Edmund get his items to his car. After a long embrace and lingering kisses, Edmund was off to catch his flight to Washington DC to cover the US and USSR talks.
After he was out of sight, she sighed and went back up to her apartment to clean. She managed to and had to sit down and stare at her ring and daydream about Edmund. She was so deep in her fantasy that she didn't hear the front door open, and Kimberly and Colleen come in. When they saw Maria in her own world, Kimberly said, "Uh-oh, either Maria is in a good mood or foul mood."
Colleen said, "If she was in a foul mood, she would be in her room already studying."
They gently approached, and Colleen asked almost timidly, "Um Maria?"
Maria shook her head and then looked at her two roommates, and then a dreamy smile appeared on her face. The two of them instantly knew something good happened. They chatted and caught up on what they had been doing since their last call and when Maria had told them the 'plan' for them to split up. Then Maria brought out her left hand and showed her roommates. When they saw Colleen and Kimberly let out high-pitched squeals and pulled Maria into a monstrous hug.
Calming down after Kimberly asked, "So are you and Edmund engaged?"
Smiling, Maria replied, "Not quite. But he promised me that one day he would make it a reality."
Colleen added, "Oh girl, I am so happy for you! You deserve the best!"
During her junior and senior years, Maria spent her time with Edmund when he was home while maintaining her studies. A few weeks before Maria's college commencement, he went to visit Hector and Isabella. He only one mission on his mind, ask for the blessing and parents from the parents.
Feeling the ring box cut into him, Edmund knocked on the door to the Santos house. Soon he was ushered in, and Edmund began, "Mr. and Mrs. Santos, as you know, I have fallen so deeply in love with Maria that I don't ever want to live without them in my life. I'm ready to ask Maria to marry me."
Isabella was as impressed as Hector was. Their darling Maria knew what to look for in a man. Plus, Edmund was an award-winning writer, a Pulitzer Prize no less.
Before Hector could speak, Isabella asked, "May I see the ring?"
Edmund pulled out the ring box and set it on the table. Isabella picked up the ring box, opened, and gasped. In it was a ring with a pear-shaped diamond in the middle surrounded by two round diamonds.
Isabelle said, "You have a great taste in jewelry Edmund."
Edmund replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Santos. I have my mother to thank."
Isabella added, "Uh-uh, you shall now call us mama and papa, because..."
Hector added, "I am happy to see our Maria is going to marry the right man. You, Edmund, have our blessing."
Edmund grinned. All he had to do now to plan the proposal and to pull it off. Now he knew he needed to talk to the Dean of the Department of Biology and the Chancellor himself to put his plan to propose at the graduation ceremony a reality.
When graduation came along, commencement itself was a grand affair. The entire Santos family, along with Grandmother Estella, was in attendance. It was a big day for the family; Maria was the first to graduate from college.
As the name was being announced, each graduate came up to get their diploma. Cheers and applause followed as each graduate walked off stage. That was until Maria came on the scene. Just as she got her diploma and shook hands with the Dean, with her father taking photos of the momentous day of the Santos family. However, they knew something that Maria didn't know was about to get another surprise, a big one.
The Chancellor of the College, Dean Anderson, walked over to the podium and began talking. "Attention, Ladies and Gentlemen and fellow graduates, may I please have your attention."
The graduates and their families settled down, wondering what is going on. Once it was quiet, Dean Anderson said, "Now I know that most of you graduates are ready to get out of here but will Ms. Maria Santos, please come up back on stage for an extraordinary gift."
Maria raised one as an eyebrow and looked over at her best friends, Kimberly Edwards and Colleen Miller. They managed to look just as confused when they knew what was about to happen. Maria had her friends hold her diploma and then made her way to the stage.
Edmund, who was hidden from view, watched as she made her way on the stage and when he saw that she had reached the podium. He had concocted a reason why he couldn't make that he had a story he had to cover and wasn't going to make it back in time. When in reality, this was the way he could come in unseen.
Maria was on stage, and standing next to the Dean continued. "Ms. Santos has achieved many great things during her four years here. She is not only the first in her family to graduate from college, but Maria has also worked hard to earn a 4.0 GPA. Therefore, she graduated Summa Cum Laude. You all also know that she would be starting medical school in the fall. But that is not why I called her up here, for she has a special present."
Hearing his cue word "present," Edmund made his way out from his hiding place with a bouquet of red roses and on to the stage. When Maria saw him, she gasped. She thought he wouldn't make it; he had said he couldn't get a flight back in time. She was going to get him for that later. She then ran to him and hugged him, bringing about cheers and applause. Once it quieted. Getting the microphone from the Dean and began, "First, I want to thank the Dean and Chancellor for allowing me to do this."
Turning to the love of his life, he said, Maria, my darling, I love you. Your family and I are so proud of you. Today that you have worked hard and are reaching your goals and continue to set new goals and achieve them."
Edmund paused for a minute while wiping away the mists that were already forming in Maria's eyes and then said, "I have loved you from the first day that I met you. As time went on, I loved you more and more. Maria, do you remember when I gave you this promise ring?"
Maria smiled and slowly nodded, and Edmund continues, "Well, it is time to make that promise a reality."
Maria's eyes widened when Edmund momentarily let go of her hands. He then pulls out a small velvet ring box, which causes the audience to buzz with sudden excitement. He opened the box as he got down on one knee and causing Maria to let out an audible gasp. He continued, "Miss Maria Santos, I cannot imagine living the rest of my life without you. Will do the honors in becoming my wife, will you marry me?"
Completely caught off guard, Maria took a few minutes to recover from the sudden shock to her system. When Maria saw Edmund get down on one knee, she took a step backward and let out an audible gasp. Seeing the love of her life on one knee made the proposal all the more real. Her boyfriend of three years, the guy who she has been in love with since their first meeting and had helped her completely heal her broken heart, had asked her the most crucial question.
She then answered as loud as she could because she wanted everyone to hear her answer, "Yes, a definite yes; Edmund Grey, I will marry you!"
Her fellow graduates and the commencement crowd all cheered deafeningly after Maria gave her response while Edmund removed the promise ring but instantly slid a one-carat pear-shaped diamond-accented 14K Yellow gold ring on her finger and got up and gave
Maria an amorous hug and a sweet kiss and then spins her around.
After the commencement ended, Maria got congratulations from all around: her sorority sisters and other former classmates. Kimberly and Collen surrounded her with a monstrous hug, and Kimberly saying, "Congratulations, girl! I am so happy for you!"
Right then Kimberly said, "I want to see the ring!"
Maria obliged. When Kimberly saw the ring she exclaimed, "Wow! That is huge!" said Kimberly when she saw the diamond.
"Yeah, no kidding!" commented Colleen and Kimberly at the same time, causing all of them to let out a burst of laughter.
Maria grinned broadly when she suddenly asked, "Colleen and Kimberly, I have something I want to ask you."
Her two friends looked, Maria attentively waiting for her to continue. Maria looked at them and said, "Kimberly and Collen, you two have been my closest friends since the start of college. I would like you and Colleen to be my bridesmaids."
Kimberly was caught off guard when Maria asked her. When she got her voice back, she replied, "Of course, girl I would be so honored, thank you."
Maria turned to Julia and asked, "Jules will be my maid of honor?"
Julia's eyes bugged out she heard Maria's request. Julia was the one who manages to say something after. "Oh, sis, I am honored to be a part of your bridal party to stand next to you on your special day."
Maria felt a tug on her graduation gown and heard a little voice call out, “What about me sissy?”
Maria looked down and smiled at her baby sister Rosa who asked with an adorable smile on sweet face. Maria kneeled down to Rosa’s level. She picked Rosa up and as tickled her she said in a funny voice, “You my baby sissy will be my beautiful flower girl.”
After giggle, Rosa replied, “Yay!”
After the graduation celebration held in her, Kimberly, and Colleen's honor, the two love birds are left for alone time.
As they contentedly snuggled on the couch for a while, Maria spoke up. "Edmund sweetie, I think we need to pick we are going to pick a date so we can get the planning started and don't worry, you will have your say in the planning process. I promise."
Edmund looked at his stunning fiancée and said, "Okay, do you have a date in mind?"
Maria pondered and said, "Well, you know the next step for me is the police academy, and I think we should get married sometime before the end of this year."
Edmund asked, "Hmmm, how about the thirty-first of December? I know how much your mom loves to prepare for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This way, we have time to plan and time for her to prepare for the feast."
Maria looked at Edmund and saw nothing but love and compassion in his eyes. "I love the day you picked. So, the thirty-first of December, it is. And this way, we can have two weeks to ourselves and still make back in time for our first Christmas Eve and Day as a married couple."
With that, their initial plans for their wedding were made. They both look forward to the start of their impending marriage and new chapter in their lives. They know that they would be together forever, no matter what.
Epilogue: Fifty Years Later, December 2039
Their time together had flown by in an instant. After Maria finished med school, she had been hired at Pine Valley Hosptial by Doctor Joe Martin, who was then the current Chief of Staff. There had bumps in the road, many, many bumps, infertility, the adoption, and finally having a baby only to be thought dead but returned alive. The most painful was how Edmund thought Maria was killed when she was wedged on the part of a plane that fell over a cliff. Years later, he had married Brooke English only for an amnesiac Maria to return. After her memory fully returned, they continued to stick together. This was especially true after Edmund was shot. Maria was with him every step of the way. After a near-fatal blow to the head that almost caused Edmund his life, they decided it was time to leave Pine Valley. They moved to California, joining the rest of the family, including Haley, Mateo, Enzo, Isabella, and Rosa.
Now they were in Las Vegas, celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Edmund was now eight-two, and Maria was seventy-two. While Edmund had all white hair, Maria was still as stunning as the first day he met her. Edmund supports himself with a cane while holding his wife's hand as they stand at the altar.
When it came time, Edmund recited his vow. "Baby, I had promised you before when first got married that we are here renewing our vows in Vegas and here are in front of our kids and grandkids renewing our love. Fifty-five years ago, I first set eyes on you in that lecture hall at Texas State University at San Marcos. I felt something ignited in me. I knew I need to get to know that beautiful young woman. While we were together for one summer, it was the best time of my life.
During our marriage, we have had many ups and downs. I know you were hurting from a breakup; I was there for you. We struggled to have our family, but then came Sammy and Maddie. When I thought I lost you the first time, I thought I couldn't make through, but with our kids and family and friends, I made it."
Looking at their children and grandkids, and he said, "Sammy and Maddie, you along with our grandchildren Jenna, Isabella, Joshua, and Hector are the lights in our lives."
Looking at Maria and said, "My love for you has grown exponentially and will continue to grow forever and always. Where we go. I hope that we can continue our travels."
Maria choked up and began her vow. "Wow, Edmund. You said everything I planned on saying. I will keep mine short. I was unsure when we first met if I was ready to start dating again, especially after my heartbreak. You helped me heal my broken heart. You were the consummate man who was loving and gentle with me and didn't push. Well, we did have our challenges we overcame it and became stronger. With our kids and grandkids here, I promise to be with you for all of eternity."
Indeed, their meeting had led them to be forever beloved.
A/N 3: Thanks for reading Forever Beloved. Reviews are appreciated!
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Querencia Pt. 2
Gif not mine
Summary: Pregnant and alone, you stumble upon a man in the middle of a quarry. You save him from a walker. It all happens fast, but you are in labor and the man you just saved claims to know someone who can help. Will you accept his help or turn the other way?
Querencia - (n.) A place where one’s strength is drawn, where one feels at home; the place where you are your most authentic self.
Author’s Note: Yay! Part two! I’m not too sure about this part. This could be because I’ve read it so many time that I’ve become numb to it. Creative criticism is welcomed. Also, if any of you know how to make my dialogue less awkward, I’d appreciate it! Without further ado, here is part two!
Warnings: Swearing, violence, blood, my grammar.
Word Count: 5.4k
Series parts: Part 1, Part 2,
The Doc, who I had learned was named Hershel, had ordered me to bed rest for a whole twenty-four hours. He said that it was to monitor how the mother and the baby were doing. Fortunately, I had some company to entertain me.
Beth had been by my side for most of the day. She had been tasked with taking care of Edmund. Throughout the day she and I had gotten well acquainted with each other. I found out that she was seventeen. Also, she used to babysit.
I told her how I had gone to college to become a teacher. I mentioned that I ended up dropping out because I didn’t have enough money. Beth told me that before the world ended, she hadn’t fully decided whether she wanted to go or not. Then I told her about how I met Derek and how he died. She had squeezed my shoulder.
“Do ya miss him?” Beth suddenly let out.
“Yes. He was my first love, but I’ve had some time and I’m over it.”
“What do ya mean?” Beth’s lifted her eyes to meet mine. She had her brows furrowed and a small frown on her lips.
“I was out there, alone, for a long time. The time let me think and as the days passed, I came to terms with his death. It also made me think about how I would die. I always figured it’d be in childbirth, but thanks to Daryl, not only do I get to live, but my child does too.” A small smile formed on my lips.
I watched as Beth slipped into her mind. There was a long pause as she thought over something. Suddenly, she came out of her thoughts.
“I don’t know what I’d do if my boyfriend were to die.”
I frowned. What could she mean? It’s been a while since the world ended and communication has been down just as long. How could she possibly know if her boyfriend was alive?
“How do you know if he’s alive?”
She giggled a little, “He’s here on the farm. It was the third day after the world ended and he came rushing into the farm. I was overjoyed to see that he was still alive. He had come to the farm to see if I was too.”
“That makes a lot more sense.” After a moment we both started to giggle. Man, it felt good to have a lighthearted moment again.
After our talk, Beth eventually had to go to sleep. Edmund had been put to bed sometime during our talk. With goodnights exchanged, Beth was out the door heading to her room.
~~~~~~
It was the next morning. I got up and walked to the old crib Edmund was in laying in. Hershel was kind enough to lend me the crib they had used for Beth. I picked up my son and sat down in the chair next to it. I began feeding Edmund.
Suddenly Beth appeared. “Daddy said that you’re able to go outside now,” Beth announced as she leaned on the door frame.
“Okay, thanks, Beth.” The girl walked off and I focused on the task at hand.
After Edmund was full, I had burped him. Soon after, I got both of us dressed. Someone yesterday must have gone out and grabbed a few baby clothes. Since there was a box full of clothes.
There were several onesies and each of them had their own pattern. I soon found my favorite, as I pulled out one with little pirate ships spread across the fabric. Along with the onesies, there were a few t-shirts and baby jeans for when Edmund got older. I was surprised that someone had thought that far in advance.
I made my way out with Edmund in my arms. The door shut behind me and I surveyed the area outside. When my eyes landed on the camp, I noticed that it was further from where I thought it was.
Examining further, Daryl’s group had built their camp around a small fire pit. The fire pit had several chairs around it and behind the chairs were everyone’s tents.
I noticed quickly that Daryl was nowhere to be seen. I knew that Hershel had let Daryl go back to his tent last night. There was a commotion that happened which had woken up Edmund who was sleeping in my arms.
“I heard that you had quite the adventure a couple days ago,” A woman with a short hair approached me.
“Anyone still alive has had an adventure. I, fortunately, made a few choices which led to a good situation,”
“I guess so. I’m sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name’s Carol.”
“Nice to meet you, my name’s (Y/N).” I flashed her a smile, “This little one is Edmund.” I walked closer to the woman to show her the little munchkin.
“Well, hello there Edmund,” Carol turns her attention back to me, “He’s adorable.”
“Thanks,” A smile found its way to my lips.
“I have a little girl,” her lips from a frown for a moment and tears welled in her eyes, “I’m sorry. It’s just that, she’s all alone out there. She got chased by those things.”
My eyes softened. “If I’m not mistaken, Daryl was out there looking for her when I found him.”
“Yes, he’s been dead set on finding my little girl. I have been very appreciative of him. He keeps the hope up.”
“I can tell you that he is dedicated. Even while he was bringing me here, he always looked like he was watching for something. Now I know what. Y’all are lucky to have someone like that.”
“I know. Everyone here has been supportive and always looking for an opportunity to look for her. I just hope that we’ll find her soon. It’s already been a while and I worry.”
“As mother should,” I gave her a soft look. Carol smiled and nodded. “Do you happen to know where I can find Daryl? I wanted to thank him for what he did for me.”
“He’s out there by the crumbled wall,” Carol pointed toward the line of trees.
My eyes moved in the direction that Carol was pointing. As I examined the area, I found a demolished wall. Beside the wall were a fairly sized tent and a small fire pit. While examining the area, I watched as the woman who shot Daryl walked away from his tent.
“Isn’t that the woman who shot Daryl?” I turned to Carol.
“Yes, she must be apologizing to him. She felt awful after she found out she shot the man. Her name is Andrea just so you know. That way you don’t have to go around calling her as ‘the woman who shot Daryl’.” Carol gave me a small smirk.
“Andrea, okay. Well, I think that I’m gonna go visit Daryl. I haven’t had the chance to thank him for saving me and my baby. I’ll talk to you later.” I waved at the woman beside me and she waved back. With that, I walked toward Daryl’s small camp.
I looked down at Edmund, he was being jostled around, yet he still found a way to sleep. His little head was laying on my chest with his fists balled around the neck of my shirt. Tearing up, I realize Edmund wouldn’t have been a thing in my life if Daryl didn’t come into my life.
Once I reached Daryl’s tent, I tapped on the thin door. There was a shuffle. I waited for some sort of acknowledgment. When there was nothing, I spoke up.
“Daryl?”
“Yeah?”
“Can I come in?”
“Yeah”
I attempted to unzip the tent. It wasn’t something easily done since I only had one hand. As I struggled, I’m pretty sure I heard a little snort from the other side of the door. Finally, I got the door opened and I made a quiet gasp.
Daryl was splayed out with his shirt opened. A few buttons were undone which exposed some of his chest. This made an odd sensation grow in my belly. Feeling a warmness spread across my cheeks, I hoped that Daryl figured that it was from the heat.
“Ya just gonna stand there and gawk?”
“Sorry, sorry. I was just making sure you were okay. I saw what you looked like after you were shot. It didn’t look good, Daryl.”
“‘m fine. The bullet jus’ grazed me. How’s the little tyke?” Daryl tried changing the subject.
“Well, it took an hour and a half but the little guy is as healthy as can be. Beth has been helpin’ me take care of the little guy. He’s got himself a pair of lungs.” I smiled as Daryl chuckled at that.
“’s a boy? Ya, name ‘im?”
“Yeah.” My smile broadened, “Daryl, meet Edmund Joseph (Y/L/N).” I sat Eddie down beside Daryl. Edmund looked up at Daryl’s face as he cooed.
“Nice ta meet ya, Lil’ Risk-taker. The name’s, Daryl Dixon,” I made a look. Daryl saw it, “He took a risk deciding to come out at the time he did. Put his mama through a lot.”
There was a little squeal as Eddie examined the ground beneath him. Daryl and you both moved your gaze to him. A few quiet minutes passed. Both of you watched Edmund for a little while. I let my eyes migrate to the man in front of me.
The corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, and his eyes were trained on the baby as he played. There was a warmth to Daryl I hadn’t seen before. Yet, from the way that Beth talked about him, he didn’t seem like the type of guy to spread the love. Daryl must have a soft spot for kids.
“’m thinkin’ ‘bout goin’ back out there soon.” I automatically wanted to oppose the idea, “I’m assumin’ they told ya about Carol’s lil’ girl’.”
“Carol actually told me. Besides that, how can you even want to move around? You just got shot.”
“I have to find her. She’s out there alone. I found her doll. If I jus’ had one more day, I’d have that girl back here ‘n no time!”
“Daryl, calm down. I get that you want to be out there as soon as possible, but you must think rationally. You’re hurt. You need to take a break. I could maybe take someone out to where we were and look in that area-”
“No. You got Lil’ Risk-taker to take care of. You can’t go riskin’ ya life out there. I already feel better and I know the area now. I will be fine moving around.”
“Just because I have Edmund doesn’t mean that I’m going to stay back and watch as y’all risk your lives. I want to contribute to the group.”
“An’ Ya can do that here! Lil’ Risk-Taker don’t need ta lose his momma right after he’s born. Bein’ a kid without ya parents is hard an’ he don’t need that.” As Daryl was talking I couldn’t help but think that he was talking from experience. The thought jerked my heart.
“What would I do then? I don’t even know if y’all want me to stay.” Daryl tried to interrupt, but I kept talking, “I know you guys don’t know me and some of your members look a little territorial-”
“Would ya shut up?” Daryl glared up at me, “Yer a part of the group now. Carol an’ the Grene girls have been talkin’ like ya one of us. I sure as hell ain’t lettin’ ya leave. I’d drag yer ass back here myself. People need groups to survive now an’ now that ya have a baby, ya need us more than ever. So ya ain’t leaving. If ya want to start helping, ya can do it without riskin’ ya life. ‘m sure Carol could use the help and there’s much ta do here at the farm. Maybe you n’ I can go scoutn’ or lookin’ for the girl later.”
I was running my fingers over the floor of the tent as Daryl ranted. When he mentioned about me being a part of the group, I looked up, surprised. I didn’t know What, Carol or anybody else really thought of me. All I knew was there were a few weird looks I got from some of the members. Especially from the man who carried me to the Greene house.
I was also surprised he admitted to going out looking for the girl. I would’ve gone out without his permission, but the fact that he’d want me to go with him was somethin’ else.
“Okay, Lil’ Risk-taker and I are here to stay.” Daryl lit up when I called Edmund by his nickname. “And I’ll take ya up on the offer to go looking for Sophia with you.”
It became oddly quiet. I gazed down toward Edmund. There he was with his arms tucked under him, asleep. Eddie’s mouth was slightly open and his little chest rose and fell every time he took a breath.
“Alright, seeing how he’s ready for nap time, I’ll leave you to get some sleep for yourself.”
“I’m fine. Jus’ waiting for this damn wound to heal up so I can go look for Sophia again.”
“Don’t do anything stupid. I can’t lose the only person who tolerates my presence.” Daryl rolled his eyes as I stood up.
I leaned down to carefully picked up Edmund. Carefully, I stepped out of the tent. Closing the flap behind me, I examined the sight in front of me. Patricia, Beth, and her boyfriend were standing by a truck while talking amongst themselves. At the other end of the camp, a woman and two men were talking heatedly to a kid. I didn’t see where Carol was, so I decided I’d put Edmund in his crib and then go see what was going on.
I slipped into the room that I’ve been using for the past couple of nights. I laid Edmund down. The little guy was out cold, so he didn’t really notice when he left my arms. His eyes were closed and his mouth was still open. The fuzz he had for hair was sticking up in all directions. My heart filled with unconditional love.
Once Edmund was tucked in, I closed the door behind me and walked out towards the camp. As I approached Beth, the woman and two men from before were walking toward us. I looked at Beth with a confused look. She just waved it off.
“Alright, looks like we have someone else joining us.” The man nudged his head towards me. He was standing with his hand on his hips and a smile on his face.
“Um… What exactly are we doing?” I asked.
“We’re going out for shooting lessons. You wanna join?” The man next to the one from before spoke up. I instantly recognize this man as the one who carried me into the Greene’s house.
“I guess I can. Is Carol coming? I’m gonna need someone to look over Edmund.”
“I think she is but I’m pretty sure Dale won't mind looking over your little one.” The first man reasoned.
“Okay, I’ll talk to him before we go,” Suddenly, I blurt out, “I’m sorry! I haven’t introduced myself. I’m (Y/N) (Y/L/N).” I waved at the new group.
“I’m Rick Grimes. This is my wife Lori and that is my partner Shane Walsh.” Rick motioned to the two people beside him. Then the kid from before appeared. “And this is my son Carl. Carl, this is (Y/N).” The kid waved.
“Nice to finally meet y’all. It’s been a while since I had people to talk to. So, sorry if I’m a little awkward.” My shoulders lifted and my lips formed into a small smile.
“How long were you out there alone?” Everyone looked like they were genuinely interested to hear my answer.
“Uh, I don’t know. The only person who was with me was my boyfriend. But he died a month after the world ended.”
“You poor thing! you were alone for most of it!” Lori was looking at me with her brows knitted. Suddenly, she was walking to where I stood and was wrapping her arms around me. “I can’t imagine being out there, alone for that long. How did you do it? Especially while pregnant?”
There was something in Lori’s eyes. It was like she wasn’t just asking out of curiosity, but almost for herself. There was obviously something going on there. I’d have to ask Carol or Daryl if they knew anything about it.
“I just survived. I found whatever I could and kept walking. I lived all the way back in Iowa. So, I got pretty far. Though honestly, until Daryl came, I thought that I would die while in childbirth.” There were a few pitying looks aimed in my direction.
“Well, we're glad you made it. And your welcome to stay here with us. Nowadays, you need other people to live.” Rick motioned with his hands as he talked.
“Daryl told me the same thing. And I have decided that I’m staying,” I chuckled a little, “Daryl even said he’d drag me back if I attempted to leave.” Everyone chuckled at the thought.
After that talk, Rick went over the plan with me. It sounded like stuff I had already learned on my own, but I figured that the practice wasn’t a bad idea. Plus, it might be a little different since I’m not nine months pregnant anymore.
Before we went off, I introduced my self to Dale and asked if he would watch over Edmund for me. I didn’t want to assume that he would watch over him.
“Hey, Dale right?”
“Yes, ma'am. You’re (Y/N)?”, He must have seen the confusion written on my face as he reassured me, “I talked to Daryl and he told the group about how you two met. Pretty interesting story if ya ask me.”
“Oh, yeah. He would have been walkers lunch had I not walked in when I did.” Dale nodded his head, “I was wondering, Rick wants me to go with the group to the shooting range-”
“I’ll watch over the little one. He’ll be safe here.” I was surprised by his sudden comment.
“Thank you. I know y’all don’t know me much, but I appreciate everything that you’ve done, and what you are doing for me and my son.”
“It’s no problem. Babies are cute and it beats havin’ to sit in the sun all day.” I smiled at the older man.
I left Dale to do what he was doing before and walked toward the others. Everyone except Rick and Shane was ready. The two men were fussing over a bag of guns. One would pull a gun out and the other would put it back in. They would argue a little more and the process would repeat itself. I giggled as I reached Carol’s side.
“Do you have any idea what they’re doing?” I whispered in Carol’s ear.
“They’re trying to decide which guns to take with us. It’s hilarious to watch.” I giggled at Carol’s last comment. She turned to look at me. “How was the talk with Daryl?”
“It went fine. He got to see Edmund for the first time. It’s funny, he even gave Eddie a nickname, Lil’ Risk-Taker,” Carol snorted, “What? I think it’s cute.” I eyed Carol. She was smirking.
“Looks like there are a few more things you think are cute coming from that man,” I felt my cheeks heat up.
“Oh, shut up! Things aren’t that way between us! We just met.” I hurriedly tried to explain myself.
“I was just teasing. I didn’t imply anything but your reaction did give away a few things.” I just rolled my eyes. Keeping my mouth shut was probably the best idea at that moment.
“Hey, do you know anything that’s going on with Lori? I know I don’t really know her, but she seemed a bit off.”
“Not that I know of. Now that you mention it, she has been a little weird, but it’s probably just emotions. She’s only had her husband back for a month or two.” I just nodded. That would make a little sense.
“Alright, I think we’re ready to go,” Rick spoke up as he stopped in front of the group. He beckoned us to move towards the cars. Walking towards the cars, I noticed that Shane already at the cars with the bag of guns slung over his back.
Carol, Beth, and Patricia followed me into a car. In the car next to us, Shane and Andrea rode together while behind us, Rick, Lori, Carl, and Beth’s boyfriend rode in another car.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We had stopped and Rick and Shane told us that we’d be walking the rest of the way. Thankfully, it didn’t take too long. The area we stopped at was a wide opening in the forest. There was a fence that happened to be connected to a neighbor of the Greene’s.
I watched as Shane and Rick set up our targets. The targets were just cans set on the fence posts. We all moved closer to the area. When Rick was ready, he went over the basics.
“Alright, This here is the safety. You’re gonna want ta switch it if any of you want to even begin to shoot. Now, from there it sounds pretty easy, but is probably one of the hardest things you encounter when tryin’ ta shoot.” As Rick talked, Shane was nodding beside him.
“I remember when I was shootin’ for the firs’ time and it took a lot out of me. I was a stubborn son of a bitch and I was there practicin’ for what felt like days. I would wake up and go practicing. My advisors had to drag me out of the range, just to get me to finish my other responsibilities.” Shane was here, talking, but he was somewhere far away in his head.
“I remember you almost knocked someone out tryin’ to stop them. You were so determined then. Not that you aren’t now. It’s just the situation is different.” Rick was smiling at his partner as he recollected his memories.
“I got in so much trouble. I dragged you into everything too.” Shane had a smile on his face until he looked at Lori.
I watched as the smile on Shane’s face fell. Lori and Shane didn’t vocalize anything, but there was something in their eyes. Yep, there was definitely something going on between those two.
Soon, the men started handing out guns to everyone. When they got to me, they both smirked. Shane started to riffle through the gun bag. The looks they gave me, it was like they were the hunters and I was the prey.
“We saw that you were carrying a shotgun with you when you came to us. We figured you wouldn’t need any beginners training. So we’re gonna let you give this a try.” When Rick had finished talking, Shane walked up to me holding what looked like a hunting rifle.
“Oh my. I don’t know… The only things I’ve shot with are a handgun and my shotgun. You really sure about this?”
“We’re sure. From what we gathered from Daryl, you know how to carry something of this size. Plus, We’ll be there to help ya out if ya need it.”
“Okay, I guess I’ll try it out. One question. If I get good enough, can I join the watch list? I’d be nice to contribute.”
“Sure, I’m pretty sure once Shane has taught you that you’d be more than fit to join.” Rick looked at his best friend and smiled.
“Cool. Now, is there anything, besides basic knowledge, that I need to know before firing this thing?” I glanced toward the men while raising the rifle.
“You fired a shotgun, right?” I nodded, “Then you’re good. This bad boy is gonna have a lighter kick than your shotgun. And I’m pretty sure ya know how to aim down ya sights. You’re good.”
“Alright, so Where am I going and what am I aiming for?” With that question, Rick motioned for Shane to take me to where I’d be shooting from.
“Now, you gonna want to aim for that branch all the way over there. I made sure to put a can on top of it. Can ya see it?”
Getting into position, I looked into my scope. Sure enough, there was the can. “I see the can. Do ya want me to go ahead and fire?”
“Yep. Just aline the scope with the can and squeeze the trigger.” I followed Shane’s instructions.
As I squeezed the trigger, the bullet went zipping through the clearing. Looking back into the scope, I found that I missed he can. There was the tiniest hole stuck into the branch just below the can. The can stood proudly on top of the brach. It was like it was mocking me. I’ll show you can.
“Not bad. Okay, now pull back the bolt to reload.”
I followed Shane’s instructions again and got back into my position. I took a big breath in. While I breathed out, I squeezed the trigger and sent another bullet flying. As soon as the bullet was shot, I was looking in the scope. I watch just in time to see the can fly off the branch and hit the ground.
I move back and jumped up and down is excitement. I was whooping as well. When I looked at everybody else, I saw they were cheering along. Without thinking, I pulled Shane into an elated hug. When I pulled back I blushed and apologized.
“No problem girlie. It’s an exciting moment for you.” Shane flashed a smile at me. I gave him a smile back and headed to talk to Carol who looked like she wanted to squeeze the life out of me.
~~~~~~~~~
We were riding back to the farm. I was pretty pleased with what I had accomplished. Shane said that if we had a few more practices, then I could be put on the watch list. I’d officially have a job. He also said that he and Rick would introduce Their scavenging friend to me.
I was squished in between Carol and Carl this time. I expected the car ride to be a quiet one, but I was mistaken.
“I’m so bored! Why did we have to go out so far?” Carl was sitting to my right with a scrunched up face.
“Because. We don’t want the noise to attract any walkers and draw them to the camp.” Rick was eyeing Carl from the rear-view mirror.
“Is there any way we can get home any quicker? Or a way to make the time go by quicker?”
Rick was about to speak, but before he could, I voiced my opinion. “Of course there is!” Rick looked at me confused. “Gimme something that starts with the letter A.”
Carl thought for a second. “Can it be an animal?” He asked looking up at me.
“Sure,” I answered back with a shrug.
“Okay, how about an armadillo?”
“Awesome! So, I’m going to the Zoo-”
“Oh! I know this game!” Carl’s face brightened up.
“Sweet! Do you wanna start or do you want me to?”
“I’ll go since I chose the animal.”
“I’m going to the Zoo and I’m bringing an armadillo.”
We got through the entire alphabet. By the time we had reached Z, all the adults were tired of our voices and wanted to get home as soon as possible. We reached the house with a happy Carl and an annoyed group of adults. I was content because I made Carl happy. I did this all the time with the children I worked with. That was when I was in my college education class.
When I clambered out of the vehicle, Shane was by my side and Rick was walking over here with an Asian man beside him. He was slightly shorter than Rick. There was a baseball cap on his head which made him look a lot younger.
“(Y/N), meet Glenn.” I smiled and held out my hand for him to shake.
“Hi, nice to meet you” I watched as Glenn shook my hand. Once he let go, I let my hand fall.
“Nice to meet you too. I hear you’re a good scavenger, me too.” He smiled, “It’s nice to have someone else. I’m always the one to be asked to go out. At least this time we can take turns risking our lives. Not that you should with the baby and all.”
I chuckled as Glenn rambled. He scratched the back of his head. While Glenn and I were talking, Rick and Shane must have walked off because neither of them were with us.
“Don’t sweat it. I’m not just gonna sit around and do nothing because I’m a mom now. I want to help you guys out and if it’s going out there to scavenge, then that’s what I’ll do. Plus, I got pretty good at it back when it was just me. I know how not to get killed.” Glenn relaxed once I finished talking.
As we talked, someone eventually called for Glenn and we went our separate ways. It was at this time I decided that I should go check on Edward and then thank Dale, once more for his kindness.
I entered the room where I left Eddie and I found that he was awake. His attention seemed to be drawn by a little mobile hanging above his crib. I frowned. I didn’t remember it being there before I left.
Upon closer inspection, I recognized a few things attached to it. There was a little wooden arrow, a bow, and a few feathers. They were all tied to a metal band which hung from the ceiling. Looking at the embellishments, I knew that it must’ve come from Daryl. As it spun, I notice a small block of wood that had something carved into it. It was the nickname Daryl gave Eddie. Lil’ Risk-Taker.
~~~~~~~~~
It was the next morning and I was sitting with the camp. Eddie was sitting on my lap. He was as happy as could be as he looked around him
I was handed a plate of eggs and some meat by Carol. I smiled at her and she gave me a smile back. I dug into my food and happily chewed my fluffy eggs. The texture wasn't like normal eggs, but hey, it’s the zombie apocalypse. What can you expect?
Suddenly, Daryl sat next to me. He had a bit of a struggle as he tried to avoid opening his stitches. Also, he had one less hand because he was carrying a plate of food. I quickly placed my plate on the group to help him.
“Here let me help.” I took his plate as he eased himself into the fold up chair.
“Thanks.” Daryl took his plate from me.
“No problem. You’ve got stitches. It’s the least I could do.” The only response I got was a grunt.
With that, I examined the camp. I haven’t been out here much so I was looking at everyone’s living situations. There were tents everywhere and clothesline hanging from the trees. There were a few chairs surrounding the fire which Carol was currently cooking breakfast.
I noticed that each family had grouped together. Or Rick, Lori, and Carl were all together. Shane was standing next to them, Andrea was sharpening her knife, and Dale stood at the edge of the camp. I noticed that T-Dog was beside Carol, helping her cook. Glenn was gazing at Maggie who was standing on her porch.
When I looked at Maggie, I saw that she was shaking her head at Glenn. What was that all about? When I looked back at Glenn, I saw he had stopped googling at Maggie and had is eyes on Dale. Dale was nodding his head. Did everyone know something I didn’t?
I was going to ask Daryl if he knew anything, but before I could, Glenn shot up and moved to stand in front of the camp.
“Uh… Um. Guys. So,” There was a long pause and Glenn looked around nervously. “The barn’s full of walkers.”
Tags: @jodiereedus22
#daryl dixon x reader#daryl dixon fanfiction#daryl dixon fanfic#twd daryl#daryl dixon#twd#twd fanfiction#TWD series#daryl dixion imagine#Querencia
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Red&Toby reply to Ur post: 1) Re: Robbie Rog. the 1st short blurb describing S4 says Arnold on spy hunt & Culpers dodge the bullet, but Abe runs into an unexpected consequence. Cud that UC be that Arnie flushes RR out of where he'd gone after nabbing Andre? That cud mean that RR runs back to Setauket to hide, forcing Abe's hand somehow. We too luv luv luvved the RR Abe interaction in S3. Character relationships drive this show. All are brilliant.
Red&Toby reply to Ur post: 2) Thanks for freezing the trailer. Concur that is not Robbie T, but def is Arnold. Don’t remember billiards at Rivington, but cud have been in background. Def a dead redcoat behind Judge Dick. Hat/arm seen & he’s yelling about murder. We think might be that dispatch rider from end of trailer. Looked hard at 2nd peep. Don’t have a pic handy to see if Mary & Dick same height. That cud be big clue. Also this portrait scribbler noticed “soft” chin cud be female, but ???
Red&Toby reply to Ur post: 3) It wud be awesome to get our 2 fave GENTLEMEN together. But that wud mean 2 even better pairings: We wud sell our souls to see Burn & Ian work together. If we ever write a Fanfic, we have them in scenes. ALSO it would mean that Edmund & Caleb cud be the 18th Century Odd Couple. We can see Caleb trying to teach awkward Eddie about birds & bees so he can renew Annlett IF he isn’t so broken hearted that he breaks it off. & Eddie trying to put a bit of polish on Caleb!!
Red&Toby reply to Ur post: 4) Agree w/you GW likely talking about Arnie & wud likely just put a hit—say it ain’t so George—on Eddie, but we KNOW that AMC has suckered us w/ apparently obvious plots before, esp in trailers & the episode sneak peeks. They have used lots of clever edits to throw us off the scent. That’s why we were wondering if MAYBE GW’s comment cud have something to do w/ a bloodied Eddie sitting on his bum in the dark of night. Prob grasping straws, but we WANT Eddie in US
Red&Toby back about Eddie’s photo. Lightened considerably AND PRINTED. 100% sure wrist is slashed or cut by tight binding—rope/piano wire kind of thing. Def cut: either jagged in middle or clotting blood. AND WHY IS HE SO CALM. We still think that he is either in shock or has been conked on head. Reasoning: If we were cut that bad, we’d be showing pain–Ed not even a grimace–AND we’d be doing 1st aid. But Eddie is so demure we think he HAS TO BE dazed & GW kidnap/killing most likely. NO KILL!
1. I suppose Abe’s unintended consequence could involve Rogers? But honestly, Abraham Woodhull has such a talent for finding trouble that it could be anything at all. I’ve been thinking it’s something that seriously compromises the safety of his home or loved ones, given the bit in his bio about having to choose between “his country or himself.”
2. I’ve likewise been thinking that it’s likely the dispatch rider lying dead behind Dick and mystery (wo)man. Meegan Warner is a good five or so inches shorter than Kevin McNally, but the two characters aren’t standing next to one another in a way that lends to a very clear comparison.
3. Hewlett and Ben, Hewlett and Caleb, Hewlett and GWash – I am on board for any and all of these! I freaking love seeing Hew interact with new characters (as can probably be inferred from the way I’ve written fic about him meeting all three of those gents).
4 / 5. I want Eddie back in America as well – good lord, do I want that! – but whatever the circumstances of his bloodied state, I think his plotline is far, far more likely to be linked to Simcoe or directly to Abe rather than involve Washington in any significant capacity. George has his own shit to deal with right now, and I have a hard time imagining him getting too het up about some Brit an ocean away while he’s got very immediate threats & personal vendettas far closer at hand.
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The Chase Files Daily Newscap 9/17/2019
Good Morning #realdreamchasers. Here is your daily news cap for Tuesday, September 17th, 2019. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Daily Nation Newspaper (DN).
EARLY CLOSURE -The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training is reminding parents and guardians that all public schools will be closed today, Tuesday, September 17. Schools will close at noon to facilitate meetings called by the Barbados Union of Teachers and the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union. (BGIS)
BELMONT BLUES – Teachers were falling sick. Parents were sick of the situation. And even the minister responsible for the environment was bemoaning the conditions at Belmont Primary School yesterday. Staff and parents gave the My Lord’s Hill, St Michael school a failing grade as classes had to be suspended because two teachers fell ill after allegedly inhaling paint fumes.Belmont Primary was one of 20 public schools which were not ready for the start of the school term last week Monday due to incomplete maintenance work.Over the weekend, teachers learnt that the summer repairs programme had not been completed and as a result, many of the classrooms were still in disarray up until Sunday.Some also became upset and said they felt insulted on learning they would be required to use chemical toilets after a plan to have adequate bathroom facilities in time for the start of school fell short.(DN)
PLEASANT SURPRISE – The Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) appears to be throwing the weight of its membership behind a longstanding fight by their secondary teacher colleagues who are demanding payment from the main regional examining body for payment for marking School-based Assessments (SBA). For more than a decade the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) has been agitating for Barbadian teachers to be compensated for marking the SBA component of the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) examination which forms part of several subjects offered across the region. The hierarchy of the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU) say they are pleasantly surprised that their sister union has finally come around to their position. “We have been fighting this at the level of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) since 2006 and the BUT never spoke up on this and never encouraged their members to take a stand. So, I am very surprised now at the fact that they have. I don’t know if things have changed because there is now representation from the secondary school level in the leadership of the BUT and now persons have firsthand knowledge of the problem,” said BSTU President Mary Redman, noting that Spencer, who ascended to the presidency of the BUT two years ago, would be among the persons involved in marking SBAs. The SBA issue is to be one of the main agenda items when the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) meets tomorrow at Solidarity House, resulting in all public schools being closed from midday. It was reported that BUT president Sean Spencer made it clear that his union would not be relenting on the issue. However, in an interview with Barbados TODAY this afternoon, Redman noted that the BSTU had been battling with the CXC on this matter since 2006 on their own, leaving them to wonder what could have inspired the BUT’s change from their non-interventionist position 13 years later. She contended that the BUT members would have been disadvantaged by not having this type of representation until now, as a fragmented approach among the teaching fraternity did not augur well for the chances of success. Redman also revealed that her union has always been open to dialogue with the BUT regarding a plan of action to tackle the longstanding issue and that offer still stands. “The BUT has not discussed anything with us besides the statement that they have made in the press. We do not know what position they intend to take up. This was a discussion that we were trying to have with them for years and we have never closed the door for such discussions to take place,” she said. However, the outspoken trade unionist made it clear that the added support will only make a difference if it means that this time around that teachers are prepared to make a unified stand on the matter. She pointed out that each year CXC has been offloading more of its responsibilities on teachers and it appears that the council won’t stop until teachers are being made to carry the entire burden. “This is now a purely industrial relations matter and the buck stops at the hand, the feet of the teachers in this country. They must do what they need to do if they intend to ever get compensation. The solution rests with the action of the teachers. Besides having made complaints to CXC, they continue to add more and more responsibilities, to the point where they now have the schools responsible for registering the students online as well as all of the data entry on grading,” said Redman. (BT)
NEW PROGRAMME TO TRAIN JOB SEEKERS – School leavers and the unemployed will get a shot to enter the job market and to be better equipped for the world of work. This is after the launch of the Clarkeson Foundation Inc life and work skills programme at the Weston Community Centre, Weston, St James on Saturday.Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson said even though a job could not be guaranteed, it was sure that those who stayed for the approximately ten sessions will become more employable.“The skills that this will give you will bring about self-esteem, the ability to relate to an employer, to understand that because someone offends you, you don’t have to start world war three.”He also admonished those tempted to use of drugs that marijuana has not been legalized and it messes with the mind.“Men when you go for a job interview you should not go with your pants all down there. The employer would say that you will not be ready. And women, you with the straps and short skirts. So we will help you to know how you should approach the employer.”Hinkson spoke of a previous student who received three prizes at the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts (NIFCA) and added that the programme was there to help those who had small business ideas.For new employees, the programme will provide financial counselling.“It is good to see the change in confidence and those who were once shy and how they have [transformed.]” At the end of the programme those who graduate will receive a certificate as well. (BT)
TOURISM UPSWING – Long-stay visitors are up, as well as the money they have spent in the first seven months of the year. This was reported yesterday by Minister of Tourism Kerrie Symmonds while addressing the launch of Tourism Week at Pelican Village in The City. He expressed satisfaction with the 433 363 arrivals, an increase of 20 666 from January 1 to July 31, compared to last year. During that period long-stay arrivals from the United States were up by 11 per cent.Symmonds said visitors from CARICOM had increased by just one per cent, having experienced a dip earlier this year that had now stabilised.Though the minister did not give specifics, he said he was particularly pleased to see, according to the Central Bank, an increase of 5.5 per cent in visitor spend over the same period when compared to 2018. (DN)
PORT PINCH– The business community is feeling the pinch as the Customs and Excise Department continues to battle implementation challenges with the new ASYCUDA World system. While Government has been appealing for patience, a number of importers and exporters yesterday voiced frustration that their goods were stuck in the Bridgetown Port, in some cases for up to three weeks. Businessman Eddy Abed, one of those affected, stressed that with the “peak shipping season” starting next week, an urgent solution was needed, otherwise the Christmas shopping season could be affected. Merchants are also facing thousands of dollars in demurrage charges, with their cargo in some cases having already exceeded the allotted time at the Bridgetown Port. (DN)
HOT SALES – Scorching summer temperatures have been netting huge profits for stakeholders in the air-conditioning business. Corporate, residential and even automobile clients have reportedly been flocking to stores, which sell A/C units, fans and other cooling systems leaving some local businesses out of stock and contemplating expansion. “From August and September 2018 to 2019 sales have actually gone up 33 per cent because of these heat waves that are passing,” Director/Owner of Subzero Services Ltd Allan Hodgkinson reported. “People are saying that they just can’t take the heat and the lack of wind. We actually had someone coming in from Bottom Bay. I never sold an air condition in Bottom Bay before but if Bottom Bay is hot, then everywhere is hot in this island because that is where the wind comes from first.” At popular chain Cost-U-Less, a supervisor said the popular 16-inch LASKO fans were completely sold out, leaving just a “couple” Tower Fans, and a gap of over a week before more stock arrives. “All small A/C units are sold out… there are only 10,000 and 12,000’s [air conditioning units] left,” the official reported. “The majority of questions we’re hearing are about fans and even on a day like today [Monday] when rain is falling, customers are still coming in to ask about the fans.” Automobile Air-conditioning units have reportedly also been selling “like crazy”, according to Managing Director of Cool Air Auto Clinic Kandrew Callendar. (BT)
PORK, POULTRY CASES ‘MAY HEAD TO WTO’- The global free trade watchdog, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), may soon be asked to back a preferential trade agreement for Barbadian pork and poultry products, Minister of Small Business Entrepreneurship and Commerce Dwight Sutherland has said. Sutherland has hinted that some manufacturers may be in line for similar support while contending that pork farmers have for too long been priced out of the market by cheaper imports. Although the WTO generally disapproves of preferential arrangements and similar protectionist measures, its rules do make provision for exceptions in cases where regions, sectors and industries may be unfairly disadvantaged. Sutherland told Barbados TODAY: “We have the capacity and the scope in my view to be self-sufficient in pork production in this country, but having said that, we are signatory to the WTO regulations and indeed the technical barriers to trade, require that we have imports. “However, we need to create the policy space through the WTO trade law mechanisms, whereby we can indeed build out our industries. “Not just the pork industry but also poultry and some manufacturing industries as well.” The Minister noted that while there must be exceptions, it was imperative that local producers are allowed the space within their home market, otherwise they would be forced out of business. He said: “There are certain manufacturers that need to import certain parts of the pigs for their products and indeed we cannot stop that, but what we can do is discussed with the WTO through their trade law mechanism to create that policy space that we become self-sufficient in pork production. “Those special cuts that come into the country that are being used in manufacturing and the hotels must still be allowed to come in. “So we have to sit with the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Ministry of Commerce to see how we can create that policy space.” He continued: “For the year thus far we had 1.1 million kilograms of pork imports. That represents $6.3 million going out in foreign exchange. In 2018, we produce 2.8 million kilograms of pork and in 2016 and 2017, we produce 2.5 and 2.6 kilograms of pork respectively. “So, you can see that the space is there for us to empower our small pork producers. We can’t have persons selling in this country, what would be termed in other countries as a dumping price. “I understand pork was on the shelves for less than $5 per kilogramme. Our local producers cannot bring pigs to market at that price.” The Minister’s pronouncement should be music to the ears of pork producers, as two months ago they complained through CEO of Barbados Agricultural Society, James Paul, that the market was being flooded with pork. They called on Government to immediately address the issue. At the time the farmers reported a slump in the number of pigs being slaughtered on a weekly basis as a result of the imports. According to one farmer, his numbers fell from 40 carcasses per week, to eight. Another farmer said that his numbers decreased from 100 per week, to between 60 and 25, contending that the situation was simply untenable. Farmers complained that the market was being flooded with pork from the United States and Germany, resulting in a severe slump in their sales and threatening their survival.(BT)
JACKMAN BREACHES BAIL CONDITIONS – Andre Omar Jackman, known as Lord Evil, has been granted bail by the High Court, even after breaching the conditions of his bail last weekend. He was arrested by police from the Northern Division on Saturday.He was released under the same bail conditions originally set, which include a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, and the case was adjourned until September 26. Jackman, 40, of Stroude Bay, Crab Hill, St Lucy, was seen by police who were at the Alexandra School in Queens Street, Speightstown, St Peter, around 1 a.m., which was outside his curfew hours. When he was approached by the officers he ran off but was later apprehended. He was taken to the District ‘E’ Police Station where he was kept in custody before going before the Supreme Court today.(BT)
REVENGE ROBBERY – An act of retaliation, carried out over three days, has landed a 30-year-old pregnant woman on remand. Stancha Clerona Augustine, of No. 78 Crystal Heights, St James was remanded until October 14 when she will learn her fate on a burglary charge. The nail technician admitted to trespassing in the house of Thelma Warren between April 7 and May 8 and stealing $5,413.10 in items including a fan, rice cooker, convection oven, stereo set, binoculars, hand mixer, food grinder, electric oven, blood pressure unit, five sheet sets, food items and alcoholic beverages. According to the facts presented by police constable Victoria Taitt the complainant returned to Barbados after a month abroad to find his apartment ransacked, with the laundry room door broken and the lock on the bedroom door “knocked out”. A check was made and Warren discovered foodstuff, household items, personal documents and other items including meats from the freezer missing. Augustine admitted to police that she broke into Warren’s house over a three-day period and removed the property. According to the prosecutor, Augustine also told lawmen that she threw away the items in various garbage cans and dumps as she left the residence. None of the property was recovered. The woman also explained, according to Constable Taitt, that Warren broke her finger among other things earlier this year and she reported the matter. When the matter was brought before the court a magistrate ordered that Warren pay her $800 in compensation. However, the woman said she did not believe that the sum awarded was enough for her pain and suffering and as such she decided to get revenge on the complainant by breaking and entering his house and stealing his property so that “he could suffer the way she suffered.” After hearing the facts, Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant remanded Augustine pending sentencing. However, she also has another theft matter before the District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court to which she pleaded not guilty. Augustine is accused of entering De Hill Mini Mart and Sports Bar as a trespasser and stealing several items including 30 bottles of assorted alcohol, 140 packs of cigarettes, deodorants, cornflakes, a case of mincemeat, hot dogs, shampoo and conditioner totaling $4,642.50 belonging to Francina Reece. The crime is alleged to have been committed between April 15 and 16. She was granted $2,500 bail in that matter.(BT)
ST GEORGE MAN CHARGED WITH CAUSING SERIOUS BODILY HARM - Police have charged 31-year-old Willis Andrew Ifill of Melverton, St George, with causing serious bodily harm to Shawn Hunte, 39, of Upper Brighton, St George. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. at Mount, St George, on September 12. Ifill appeared at the District ‘C’ Magistrates Court, St Matthias, Christ Church before Chief Magistrate Christopher Birch, where he was not required to plead to the indictable offence. He was remanded to HMP Dodds and is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday, October 9. (DN)
REHAB CHECK FOR ACCUSED – A 52-year-old will spend the next three weeks at the Psychiatric Hospital’s drug rehabilitation section being evaluated following a request for professional assistance for his addiction. Richard McNeil Cheltenham, of no fixed place of abode, pleaded guilty to possession of apparatus for the misuse of cocaine when he appeared before Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant today. According to the facts, police responded to a report about 12:15 a.m. on September 15 where they saw the accused. A search was requested and he handed over a plastic container containing a small bottle with burnt wire mesh and white residue suspected to be cocaine. “That is my lil apparatus, I ain’t get no stones though give me a break man,” Cheltenham reportedly said to lawmen. When he appeared in the No. 2 District ‘A’ Magistrates’ Court attorney-at-law Lesile Roberts submitted that Cheltenham was a person who was “right” for drug treatment or drug rehabilitation. Cheltenham, who is known to the court, also told the magistrate that he wanted help, as he had never received any in the past. He will make his next appearance before Cuffy-Sargeant on October 7 to find out whether he is a suitable candidate for drug rehabilitation at Verdun House.(BT)
TRIDENTS BROKEN BY THE TALLAWAHS –Veteran opener Chris Gayle surpassed 13 000 Twenty20 runs as Jamaica Tallawahs broke a four-game losing skid with a four-wicket victory over Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League last night. Playing in steamy conditions following a 1 p.m. (2 p.m. Eastern Caribbean time) start at Sabina Park, Tallawahs stifled the Tridents with spin, restricting them to 140 for nine off their allotted 20 overs. Ashley Nurse, batting at number seven, top-scored with an aggressive 18-ball 37 while South African left-hander JP Duminy struggled for fluency in his 31 which required 35 deliveries. They were the only two to pass 20 as left-arm spinner Zahir Khan weaved a web around the Tridents batsmen to end with three for 20 from his four overs.(BT)
There are 106 days left in the year Shalom! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps #bajannewscaps #newsinanutshell
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The Reunion X
((The thrilling conclusion! Pretty short, nothing really to be warned about. The begging question is finally answered: will Eddy accept Rumble? Will Stone physically fight Eddy? Let Chomper say fuck! Everything and more will be answered, read on!))
Rumble was a bit disappointed that she couldn’t spend the holiday with the Staffords, it was a great deal warmer here, but she knew that her dad could probably only stand about a week with them. That, and having to eat nothing but seafood really seemed to bother him. Her dad was pretty persnickety, and didn’t like too much repetition in a day. He says that one of the joys in life is that there’s so much variety, and that’s why you can’t settle on just one thing forever. She smiled as she thought of this silly advice while she was getting the last of her things packed up.
One thing she wasn’t going to miss was sharing a bed with her half brother and him kicking and hitting her while she was trying to sleep. Guess the myth that sharks don’t stop moving, even while sleeping, is true.
“Rumble? Sugarcane? Are ya almost ready t’ go?” Max poked his head through the door, “I dun wanna rush ya any but we gotta be at the airport in an hour.”
Rumble shoved her suitcase shut and quickly zipped it up, “Yup! Ready now!”
“Alright! Everybody’s waitin’ outside already, sayin’ their goodbyes ‘n such.” Max held the door open for her, and gently shut it once she was out.
They could hear the chatter from outside from there, until it suddenly went quiet as they were just behind the door. Max opened the door for Rumble again, and helped put her bag in their rental car. Once it was set, Max joined up with everybody. Rumble, on the other hand, hung back to take a few more pictures.
“Thank you for coming over, Max! It was wonderful to meet you.” Chomper held out his hand for Max to shake.
Max took it and shook vigorously, “Oh, believe me th’ pleasure’s all mine.”
“Yeah, maybe come back in the spring so we can play some ball.” Leo laughed.
Max nodded, “You bet, I’ll whoop yer butt so hard you’ll be beggin’ for some ice though.”
Vardaman cleared his throat, “We…probably not this spring though.”
“Right, right, prolly next spring or so.” Max puffed up, “So sorry to leave ya in anticipation.”
“S’alright. Have a safe trip though.” Eddy hesitantly bopped Max on the shoulder lightly, “Good seeing you again.”
“Good seeing you again too, Ed.” Max bopped Eddy back, a little harder, “If you guys are ever out for the 500 or something, give us a call and we’ll do lunch.”
Eddy nodded, and Chomper spoke up, “Definitely!”
The soft clack of Rumble’s claws announced that she was coming up the driveway. She was still a little nervous around Eddy specifically, so she decided to stand near Leo.
“I’m gonna miss you.” Leo whispered, “Make sure you text me, alright? And next time you come out you should play with Max and I.”
Rumble knew what Max was like when he was playing sports and wasn’t too sure about playing with him, but she gave a ‘yes’ anyways. Leo smiled, and Rumble could see that his tail was wagging slightly.
Rumble’s parents turned to her, and Stone asked, “Hey are ya all set?”
“Mhmm,” she nodded a bit, “Are you?”
“Yeah…we gotta go,” Stone looked down at his watch, “I’m sorry to cut the goodbyes short but you two can call each other when we land.”
“Oh! Oh! Wait, one moment, we packed you guys a lunch for the trip. I know airport food is so overpriced.” Chomper rushed back inside to grab up a few paper bags, each labelled for a different person.
“You’re too kind.” Vardaman practically blushed.
Max and Stone seemed a little off put by the food, it seemed a bit like they were little kids being sent off to school. They said thank you regardless. Rumble tucked hers into her hoodie pocket, before giving the Staffords each a hug goodbye.
Rumble and her parents them piled up into the car and drove away without any incident. They were a bit late to the airport, and their bags were sent on a different plane, but they managed to board in time for their plane. While they were up in the air, Rumble took her paper bag out. On top of the sandwich, there was a letter folded into threes. She took out the letter, and looked around. Stone, who was sitting next to her, was already sound asleep. Max and Vardaman were way in the back of the plane. She didn’t have to worry about any prying eyes. She quietly unfolded the letter, so it wouldn’t wake Stone up, and began reading.
Hey Rumble,
I know we didn’t get off on the right foot (or the left), and I’m sorry that I blew up on you the first time we met. You really are a good kid, and you make your parents proud. Leo seems very happy to have a sibling finally, even if it’s half and you’re several days’ drive away. Chomper also likes the idea of having another kid to dote on. I’m not super good with words so I’m gonna get straight to it: I’d be fine with it if you wanted to call me ‘Bio’ instead of ‘Dad’. It’s not fair to your actual dad that you call me that, it nullifies all the work he did to make you the person you are now. Which, as I said above, is a good person.
Welcome to the family,
Edmund “Bio” Stafford
P.S. I hope you like rocks because Chomper insisted I give you one.
P.iS.S. This letter was supposed to be in an envelope but I opened it to see what Ed wrote. Sorry >.< ! <3 Your step-dad(!), Chomper
P.P.S. I’m sorry I had to put in the extra i, I couldn’t help myself
P.P.iS.S. I’m sorry for Ed’s crude humor. <3 Chomper
P.P.P.S. I was sorry for the first one but I’m not sorry for that last i. Feel free to mail me back. The envelope was supposed to include a stamp but Chomper took the envelope and the stamp with it. That was my last stamp. Instead, I have included 49 cents in this bag. Have a nice flight.
Rumble beamed, and honestly teared up a little. She was definitely going to show this to Stone when he woke up.
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2021′s Best chapters
Unspoken Desires - Battle of Sexes
‘Don’t say you are so upset about a stupid game?’ Beatrice asked to confirm their suspicions.
‘It’s not any game…it’s the game of the year - WW II - Hellfire.’ Edmund was almost offended by his sister words.
‘Of course, they do not understand the seriousness of the situation, Edmund. Their brain is made of glitter.’
‘You say that again, I’ll rip your tongue out of your head!’ Briar threatened.
Beatrice gestured to calm her friend and dared, ‘Try us.’
‘Short version: we have six hours to pass the three most complex levels of the game. If we win, we will dethrone the team that has been at the top in Eton since last year. The problem is that we have two casualties in our team - Luke got stuck in extra training and George is grounded.’
‘We can take their place.’ Beatrice said.
‘You?’ Harry laughed scornfully, ‘This is not like playing with dolls.’
‘I kind of agree with him,’ Edmund added, ‘The game is a little… How I’d say it…well … graphic? I think you will not enjoy it.’
‘We don’t play with dolls any more. We just keep a collection of dolls…it’s quite different. Also, if you two play this, it can’t be that difficult.’ Beatrice replied proudly.
‘Very well… It can’t hurt to try.’ Edmund handed him the two remaining console commands, ‘Don’t let me out, soldiers!’
‘Are you crazy?! We will end in last place and I will blame you for that for the rest of your days, you can be sure, Eddie!’
‘Harry, play first, be dramatic later, please.’ Edmund was running out of patience. ‘Soldiers, we have precisely 5 hours and 49 minutes to complete the 3 missions of the second act. The troops under the command of General E.S_89 completed the mission an hour ago, but they suffered many casualties… This is our chance to show what we are made of!’
‘He should use this voice more often. People would take it more seriously.’ Briar whispered to Beatrice.
‘Private Harry, you know what to do! Beatrice, you take Luke’s place in the air force! Briar, you stay with us on the floor! Recruits, you just shoot when I say! You know what keys you have to press to fire?’ The girls nodded. ‘At your position, soldiers! Let’s crush them!’
Chapter VII - “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?“(Summer Adventure III)
“I have been dying to kiss you for a long time.” Luke caressed her blushing cheek.
Their lips were only a few millimetres apart. The two young hearts were beating wildly. Beatrice felt his every whispered word touching her lips making her body trembling with anticipation. Despite she was feeling about to faint, every fibre of her was more alive than ever before. Nothing she had read in books (or fanfics) had prepared her for that moment. “I am dying to kiss you too, but I have no idea how to do it.”
“So, we can figure it out together.” Luke smiled, tucking a loose curl behind her ear and gently tugging her chin closer.
Like in the books, their eyes instinctively closed. Beatrice felt Luke trace the outline of her lips with his thumb. A shiver ran down her spine making her gasp for air. She tilted her head up as she felt him leans closer. After some nose bumps, their lips finally met. It was a fleeting touch, yet full of promises, warming her from head to toe. The second time, the young lips advanced with a little more confidence. She buried her hands in his hair, bringing him as close as possible. Even with her eyes closed, Beatrice knew that Luke’s smile matched hers. It was like all the butterflies that she had held on her stomach for months were released at the same time and flew high into the sky, taking her with them.
It wasn’t just the intimate touch and all the sparks it was arousing in their bodies. Their lips and tongues were speaking a new language, letting their souls talk for the first time. His soul sweet words made all her fears and worries fade away. No man’s language could do it justice because it is neither written nor spoken, it is interpreted with the heart.
@choicesfandomappreciation thank you for all you did for us this year! The blog was one of the best things of 2021!
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meep meep
zekerc1
ZekeRc1