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chiaraanatra · 2 days

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Life as We Know It | Part 3

Summary: You and Seresin unexpectedly become the caretakers of Bradley and Natasha's baby girl, Nicole. Can you two put your disdain for one another aside for Nic's sake? Based on the movie "Life as We Know It"

Warnings: mentions of parental/character death and funeral, angst, arguments, and swearing. no use of y/n. Always check chapter warnings!

Word Count: 1.7k

AN: Here is part three, another sad chapter... It's not my favorite, but I think chapter 4 will be an upswing! Thank you for all the support on this series!

《 part 1 || part 2 》《 m.list || ao3 》

The funeral was a blur. You honestly couldn't remember much. What you did remember was the insanity of the gathering afterward. A sea of people, most of whom you had never met, let alone heard of, invaded the house. You and Seresin had spent most of the time talking up anyone and everyone who seemed like they may be a good fit to take on Nic.

When the dust finally settled and you were able to lock the door you were both exhausted. You and Seresin were seated at the dining room table, Nic was passed out in her crib and the fridge was stocked with enough casseroles to last a lifetime.

"WeII…" Seresin was the first to speak, "We could go with the cousins with nine kids. They clearly know how to keep a kiddo alive..."

"The stripper seemed nice." you half-joked.

"Yeah..." Seresin thought through his next few words carefully, "How did she know them?"

You couldn't help but laugh, "You know... she didn't say." you both erupted into laughter.

However, the laughter naturally died and he looked at you with soft eyes. "We're screwed...."

Your head collapsed onto the dining room table, voice muffled by the cold wood, "Yeah..."

You and Seresin had concluded that while you two may not be the best fit, you were better than foster care. The two of you decided to bite the bullet and gained joint IegaI and physical custody of Nicole Carole Bradshaw.

The three of you were making your way out of the courthouse and towards Seresin's truck. As you began to strap Nic into her car seat, he sank into a squat against the truck, his hands rubbing his face. "That's it? No drug tests, no questions? What if we're crazy murderers who like to eat human flesh? Eh, doesn't matter! Boom, 'Done, case closed.' You'd think they were giving those things away."

"Where is that stupid bunny that she Ioves...?" you rummaged through the car, laying across the floor of the lifted truck, feet kicking outside the door, trying to reach under the driver's seat.

Seresin shifted to look at your stocking-clad legs falling out of his truck. He shook any thoughts he may have had out of his head, "what are you doing?"

"Almost got it..."

Seresin couldn't take any more of your struggle. He grabbed your hips and lifted you out of the truck to stand on your feet. He reached under the seat with ease, grabbing the plush bunny before placing it in Nic's lap. The gesture made her smile, happy coos leaving her lips.

You huffed, blushing a little, "Thank you..."

You walked over to sit next to Nic in the back seat. There was one thing you noticed pretty quickly and that was that Nic loved car rides, meaning she would fall asleep immediately. Once her seatbelt was buckled, she was out like a light, and if you and Seresin were lucky she would remain that way for a while.

When the two of you got home you placed Nic in her crib and walked back downstairs. Seresin was on the couch elbows on his knees and his head resting his hands. He lifted his head when he noticed you coming downstairs, running his fingers through his sandy blonde locks.

You took a seat next to him. Your mouth opened like you were about to say something, but you couldn’t think of the right words. You took notice of the pull-out couch that he had spent the last few nights sleeping on. “Umm. Are you sure you don’t want to stay in their room?”

He didn’t skip a beat before giving his reply, “Positive.”

You could only nod in response. In the few days that you had been staying in their house, you both refused to step foot in their room. That was theirs and it felt wrong to step into their space. That’s how the whole house felt. You both felt that you were out of place, invaders in a house that was yours on paper but felt far from belonging to you or Seresin. Deep down, you hoped that at any moment Nat and Bradley would walk through the front door and life as you had know it would resume.

You took a deep breath, “Would you mind keeping an ear out for her...? I could really use a shower.”

His head returned to his hands as he took a breath of his own, “Yeah…”

The two of you felt like you were walking on eggshells around one another. Especially when it was the norm for small disagreements to develop into a fight. Neither one of you had any fight left in you at this point. So, you took your time standing up from the couch and making your way to the bathroom upstairs.

When the water hit, you so did everything else. You felt as though the world was falling around you. You couldn’t help but sit on the shower floor and let your tears fall.

When you walked through the door the house was silent. You weren’t sure if that was a good or bad thing, but since the alternative was the rantings of a 30-something-year-old man and/or a crying toddler, you decided things could be worse.

You quickly put groceries away before making it towards the stairs and up to Nic’s room to make sure everything was okay. As you approached her bedroom you swore you heard humming. Once you were just outside the doorway you noticed it was singing.

“Heads Carolina, tails California. Somewhere greener, somewhere warmer.”

What the hell..? You thought to yourself, but you couldn’t help the little smile that graced your lips.

You walked in, leaning against the doorway watching as Seresin sat in the rocking chair, that was placed in the corner of the room, with Nic in his arms. His voice was deep and carried a gentle tone as he sang to the little girl, lulling her to sleep. You felt your heart warm at his affection towards her, “What are you singing to her?”

“Everybody loves Jo Dee Messina. Do you mind?” He looked back at the little girl and began to sing again, “Up in the mountains, down by the ocean. Where it don't matter, long as we're goin' somewhere together.” His deep voice and southern drawl were more prominent in his own exhausted state. Nic didn’t appear to mind, as the lyrics faded to a hum, she was passed out before your eyes.

You watched Seresin lay her gently in the crib. He pushed you into the hallway before closing the door almost shut. “Told you it works.” You couldn't mistake the annoyance in his voice as he brushed past you.

You rolled your eyes shanking your head, “You know… would it kill you to be a little cheerful?

He lets out a sigh, crossing his arms and looking down at you, “Yeah. It might.”

You hated when he was short with you, “Come on, Seresin…”

“No,” he interrupted. “Why should I pretend to be happy? I'm miserable. Just let me be miserable.”

“You know what? I am so sick of aII your depressing IittIe comments.”

He interrupted you once more before you could elaborate, “No, you don’t get it, I ruined my life for her.”

You scoffed, “I'm so sorry parenting isn't the fun-filled ride you thought it was gonna be.”

“Oh, shut up. You're happy because your old life sucked.”

Your mouth fell open a little before you came to your defense, “My old Iife didn't suck!”

“Yeah” he leaned closer getting in your face, “It did.”

You roll your eyes, “You know nothing about me, Seresin! My life was great, my job was great. I made my own hours; I had free time.” You liked your life. You had your routine and it worked for you. You would never admit, especially to Seresin, that sometimes the monotony got to you.

It was now his turn to scoff, “To do what? Blog?”

“Oh my God!” You through your hands in the air, “You are beyond frustrating!”

“You have no idea what a great Iife is. I had a great life!” Seresin was pacing, “I went out all the time! GirIs would buy me drinks, they would throw themselves at me. I haven’t had a dry spell since i was 15!”

“You're disgusting!”

“Sweetheart, they say you can't have it aII, but I did, I had it aII and it was awesome! I slept with whoever I wanted whenever I wanted.” He turned away wanting to be done with the situation but decided to turn back to face you. “You know, maybe if you got laid you’d be more tolerable. Except to have sex you gotta find somebody who can stand you first.”

“Fuck you…” Before he could speak you spat back, “Of course you think that's awesome! AII you care about is getting with any girl willing to spread her legs for you and then praying she didn’t stick around till morning. God, even Bradley was embarrassed by you but he would never say anything because he was twice the man you are.” You turned to walk away. While you didn’t in the moment, you knew you would regret the words that fell from your lips.

You watched as Seresin’s face fell before turning away from you. He grabbed his keys from the entry way table before making his way towards the garage.

You walked over to him before he made escape, placing your hand on his shoulder, “Hey, don't drive angry and do something stupid! Your kid's parents died in a car-“

He quickly moved away from your touch, turning back to you and pointing up towards Nic’s room, “She is not my kid! She's not my kid…” The second time he said those words was much quieter than the first.

You paused, fighting the tears that threatened to spill over, “Then whose kid is she...?”

Seresin only shook his head in response before walking out the door.

At the rate the two of you were going, it was only a matter of time before you tore each other to shreds, and no amount of love either of you had for Nic would be able to prevent it.

《 part 4 》

As always, feedback, likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated!

Top Gun Taglist: @callsign-viper @luckyladycreator2 @saturnsbabe69 @desert-fern @pono-pura-vida @dempy @t-rexs-world @averyhotchner @drxgxnslxyer @daisydark @hookslove1592 @teacupsandtopgun

Series Taglist: @djs8891 @multiverseprincess @littlestatesman @sunshineandbradbrad @hockeybabestars @buckysteveloki-me @lovebittenandlanguishing @cassadilasworld @my-mind-isnt-intact @poppet05

𝑊𝑎𝑛𝑛𝑎 𝑏𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑑? 𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 💜

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50calmadeuce · 3 days

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Ch. 23: The Holidays

Warning: Mention of miscarriage. Some chapters have sex.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Top Gun: Maverick world, trademarked by Paramount Pictures Corporation. I do not claim ownership of the characters and the world that I am borrowing.

The story and situation I am creating are a work of my imagination and I do not ascribe them to official story canon. This work is for entertainment only and is not a part of the storyline.

I am not profiting financially from the creation and publication of this story, but I do hope it gives you happy thoughts.

These stories are my own, so please do not take them and use them for yourself without my permission. If you see them somewhere else, please let me know. :)

Three months had swiftly passed since Jake's departure, and now Thanksgiving was upon you. You managed to hire an assistant for the winter months, a move that significantly alleviated the burden of your grant work. Additionally, your employer brought on a paid intern to work alongside you. After revealing your pregnancy to them, your boss showed incredible understanding and support, making your professional life much more manageable during this pivotal time.

On Tuesday, you had plans to fly out to Jake's parents' house, a trip that also included a meeting with Dr. Colson at the school to discuss the grant. At this point in your pregnancy, you hadn't started showing visibly, and you hadn't shared the news with Jake or his parents yet. However, you noticed your clothes beginning to fit more snugly around you. Jake knew about your trip to his parents for Thanksgiving and was also aware that his parents would be flying up to spend Christmas with you. This series of visits was imbued with anticipation, not just for the festive gatherings but also for the moment you would eventually decide to share your pregnancy news, adding another layer of significance to these family reunions.

As you drove to the doctor's office for your monthly baby check-up, these thoughts swirled in your mind, intertwining with the everyday realities of pregnancy. You had entered your 14th week, and thankfully, the morning sickness wasn't too severe, though it had a knack for surprising you at the most inconvenient moments. This period marked the beginning of your second trimester, a time when many expectant mothers start to feel better, but you remained vigilant, aware that each day could bring its own set of challenges. The anticipation of the upcoming family gatherings, the necessity of revealing your pregnancy to Jake and his family, and the practical considerations of managing work commitments with your condition were all prominent on your mind as you navigated the road to your appointment.

Parking your F-250 in the hospital parking lot, you felt a mix of excitement and anticipation wash over you as you made your way to the entrance. Today was not just any ordinary visit to the doctor. You had been given the option to find out the sex of your baby during this appointment, and you had eagerly agreed. As you walked towards the entrance of the hospital's entrance, your excitement grew. This pregnancy was a week longer than the last one and all of your appointments showed great progress.

Lying on your back on the examination table, with a full bladder which is often recommended for better ultrasound images, you awaited the procedure with a blend of nervousness and excitement. The ultrasound technician applied warm jelly to your belly, a sensation that was both strange and comforting. As the tech started moving the ultrasound probe across your stomach, the cold of the gel was quickly forgotten, replaced by the anticipation of seeing your baby on the screen. The room was filled with the soft hum of the machine, a backdrop to the extraordinary moment unfolding.

"So, what do you think it is?" the ultrasound technician inquired, her eyes still focused on the monitor as she maneuvered the probe.

You gave a small shrug, mixed with a hopeful smile. "I, personally, think it's a boy," you said, the words carrying your wishful thinking.

The technician continued her scanning, her movements precise. "Well, as soon as...oh! There we go! You're correct! You're having a boy!" she announced, a note of excitement in her voice matching your own.

"Really?" Your smile broadened, a mixture of surprise and joy lighting up your face.

The tech adjusted the screen slightly, orienting it so you could have a clear view. "See, right there. That's a little penis." She pointed out the defining feature with professionalism, yet her tone carried a hint of shared joy.

Looking at the screen filled you with an indescribable feeling. You and Jake were going to be parents. The reality becoming real again.

That evening, you made your way through the mudroom and entered the kitchen, where Chuck was busy preparing dinner.

"How did your appointment go?" he inquired.

"It went quite well," you responded.

"Did they tell you what it is?"

A smile spread across your face. "It's a boy."

Chuck's smile mirrored yours. "Doc, that's fantastic news! The Lieutenant is going to be over the moon!"

"I know, I'm so excited. It feels surreal that this is happening again."

Chuck walked over and embraced you. "You're going to be an amazing mother."

After the embrace, you let out a sigh. "Now, the question is, how do I tell Jake's family without them spilling the beans to him?"

Chuck pulled back slightly, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he pondered your question. "Well, knowing them, keeping a secret might be a bit of a challenge. But maybe we can turn this into something fun, a kind of game."

You looked at him curiously, intrigued by the idea.

"How about during Thanksgiving you come up with a game?" he suggested. "We could say it's just to catch up, nothing out of the ordinary. And during the gathering, we give them a 'mission' – they have to come up with the most creative way to keep the secret from Jake, making it a bit of a competition among them."

You couldn't help but laugh at the thought. "That could actually work. They love a good challenge. But what about when Jake finds out? Won't he feel left out?"

Chuck nodded, considering. "We make sure that the reveal to Jake is something special, just between you and him. That way, the family gets to have their fun, but the most important moment remains intimate and personal."

"That's a great idea," you agreed, feeling a weight lift off your shoulders. "It keeps everyone engaged and makes the reveal to Jake even more memorable."

"Exactly," Chuck smiled, returning to the stove.

Pulling out your phone, you said, "I'll look up some bakeries and figure something out." Pondering for a moment, you added, "Maybe some Thanksgiving cupcakes, but with blue icing or a blue filling?"

"That sounds like a fantastic idea!" Chuck agreed enthusiastically. "So, when they unwrap them or take a bite, they'll be curious about what's going on."

Glancing at your watch, you noted it was Monday, and you weren't scheduled to leave until the following Tuesday. There was hope you could find a bakery in time. "I'm going to make some phone calls," you announced and made your way to the office to start the arrangements.

That following Tuesday as you disembarked from the plane, you made your way towards the waiting area where you knew Jake's mom would be waiting.

"Y/N!" she called out, spotting you in the crowd. She quickly moved towards you.

You both shared a warm embrace.

"It's so good to see you," she said as you both stepped back from the hug.

"It's great to see you too," you responded, the warmth of the greeting easing the fatigue from the journey. "I've been looking forward to this visit."

Jake's mom, with her ever-present smile, linked her arm with yours as she started to guide you through the bustling airport. "Have you heard from Jake?"

"No. It's been a couple of weeks. I know he's been doing some pretty intense training, so I'm not surprised. He did say he was going to try and call on Thanksgiving."

"That's good to hear," she responded, pausing with you in front of the baggage claim area.

Her expression held a mix of understanding and concern, a sentiment shared by families of those in demanding professions. "I'm sure he'll make the call. Jake knows how important these moments are, especially around the holidays."

As you waited for your luggage to appear on the conveyor belt, she continued, "We all miss him terribly, but knowing he's out there, doing what he loves and is passionate about, makes it a bit easier to bear."

Your luggage arrived, and together, you maneuvered it off the belt. With everything gathered, you followed her to the car, the conversation flowing effortlessly between you. It was comforting, this sense of family and connection, especially with Jake away.

As you settled into the passenger seat, Jake's mom glanced over with a soft smile. "So, tell me everything. How have you been? And how's work?"

The drive to their home provided the perfect opportunity to catch up, share stories, and for a moment, bridge the gap Jake's absence had left.

The following day, you made your way to Texas A&M to catch up with Dr. Colson. Upon your arrival, he welcomed you warmly, and you both embraced in a heartfelt hug.

"Y/N! It's so wonderful to see you!" He examined you from head to toe. "You seem different somehow, or is it just me?"

You couldn't help but smile, the secret you were keeping making his comment feel even more poignant. "It's good to see you too, Dr. Colson. And maybe there is something different," you said, your smile broadening as you spoke.

Dr. Colson raised an eyebrow, his interest clearly piqued. "Oh? Do tell. I hope it's good news."

Taking a deep breath, you decided it was as good a time as any to share the news with someone who had been a mentor and friend through many significant moments in your life. "Well, it is actually. I'm expecting," you revealed, watching his reaction closely.

The look of surprise quickly morphed into one of pure joy. "That's wonderful news!" Dr. Colson exclaimed, embracing you once again. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. How have you been feeling? And how does Jake feel about it?" he asked as he pointed to the chair for you to sit down in and you did.

"Jake doesn't know yet. I don't want him to worry like he did last time. Luckily, the grant was substantial enough that I could hire a few interns, and my job also brought on an intern."

"That's fantastic news. I'm pleased to hear things are progressing more smoothly than before."

"Me too."

"Well, now onto some business," he said, pushing a file across the desk towards you.

You picked it up, opened it, and after reading through it, looked up at him perplexed. "This is Dorian's research," you stated, a mix of confusion and curiosity in your tone.

Dr. Colson nodded, his expression becoming a bit more serious. "Yes, it is. I wanted you to take a look at it because we've realized that a lot of the work in the book was actually yours. I'd like you to review his work. Now, this will require you to spend a few weeks in Wyoming, but that's all. The university will cover all expenses."

"I'm not concerned about the money, Jason," you replied, meeting his gaze.

"I know that," he acknowledged. "Your concern is more about Dorian."

"It's not just that," you continued. "I'm also worried about how Jake will react. He was so relieved when I decided against taking the grant in Wyoming and you offered me my current grant." You set the folder back on his desk.

"Just give it some thought, Y/N. If you choose not to go, I'll completely understand. But I have to be honest, Dorian's work hasn't been up to the mark this time around," Dr. Colson said earnestly.

You inhaled deeply, exhaling slowly. "I'll think about it," you assured him, the weight of the decision settling on your shoulders. Standing up, you sought clarity on the timeline. "When do you need an answer by?"

"As soon as possible, I'm afraid. I'm aware the holidays might complicate things, but we need to keep moving," he explained.

"Can you send me what you have so far? I can at least start looking at the numbers," you suggested, hoping to make an informed decision.

"Gladly," he agreed with a nod, acknowledging your willingness to consider the request.

"You owe me, Jason," you half-joked, pointing a finger at him to emphasize the point.

"Don't I know it," he responded, a mix of gratitude and acknowledgment in his voice.

Later that evening, you entered Jake's parents' kitchen, carrying a box brimming with cupcakes. Cindy was the only one around.

"Y/N, you really didn't need to bother with dessert," Cindy remarked as you set the box on the counter.

"It's no trouble at all. Take a look—they turned out really cute!" You opened the box to reveal adorable turkey-shaped cupcakes peering up at you.

Cindy leaned over the box, a delighted smile spreading across her face. "Oh, these are just wonderful!"

"You should try one," you suggested, reaching in to pick up a cupcake and handing it to her. "I had one on the ride home."

Cindy laughed, taking the cupcake from you. "I shouldn't spoil my appetite, but who can resist something this cute?" She admired the detail for a moment longer before taking a small bite. Her eyes lit up, confirming her approval. "Delicious! The frosting is just the right amount of sweet." She inspected it closely, then her eyes widened at the sight of the blue filling. "Y/N, it's filled with blue. I think they made a mistake."

"No, the blue is intentional. The ultrasound tech confirmed it last week," you explained with a smile.

Cindy paused, processing the information. Realization dawned on her face as she looked up at you. "Y/N…are you…?"

You nodded enthusiastically.

Cindy's eyes widened in shock and delight. "OH MY GOD!!! I'm going to be a grandma again!?"

"Yes, you are!" you exclaimed, sharing in her excitement. Cindy rushed over and enveloped you in a warm, tight hug.

"This is such wonderful news!" Cindy said, pulling back slightly to look at you with teary eyes. "How are you feeling? Tell me everything!"

You laughed, thrilled to finally share the news. "I'm feeling good, a little tired, but it's all worth it. I wanted to wait until I was sure to start telling everyone."

Cindy wiped a tear from her eye and shook her head in disbelief. "This is just the best news. Jake must be over the moon!"

At the mention of Jake's name, you stiffened, and Cindy picked up on your reaction.

"Y/N, you have told him, haven't you?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

You shook your head. "No, and please don't tell him."

Cindy’s expression shifted from excitement to confusion, and then concern washed over her face. "Oh, honey, why haven't you told him? What’s going on?”

You took a deep breath, knowing that explaining this was going to be as hard as deciding to keep it a secret, even temporarily. "I've been trying to find the right moment. With everything going on at work and him being deployed, I just didn't want to add more to his plate until things settled a bit."

Cindy's expression softened as she reached out and took your hands in hers, her touch warm and reassuring. "You're afraid of what happened last time, aren't you?"

You nodded, the weight of your worries momentarily pressing down. "I love him, but what he did hurt. I've taken all the precautions this time. I have interns helping me, but I know Jake still thinks I shouldn't be doing my job."

"How far along are you?" Cindy's voice carried a mixture of excitement and concern.

"Just hit four months this week. Chuck has been helping me a lot too," you replied, grateful for the support.

Cindy's eyes shimmered with a mix of emotions. "Four months… you've been carrying this secret along with everything else." She paused, her gaze intensifying with empathy. "You're doing incredibly well, but you shouldn't have to do this alone. Jake needs to know, not just because it's his right, but because he might surprise you. He loves you, and he might just be scared too."

You felt a tear slip down your cheek, touched by Cindy's understanding. "I want to tell him. I really do. It’s just… every time I think about it, I get so anxious. What if he reacts badly again?"

Cindy squeezed your hands, a determined look setting on her face. "Let’s not assume the worst. He’s grown since then, and so have you. And if he reacts poorly, you aren’t alone this time. You have me, Chuck, and the rest of your family and friends who will stand by you no matter what."

Taking a deep breath, you nodded, feeling a surge of resolve bolstered by Cindy's unwavering support. "You're right. He's supposed to be calling on Thanksgiving. Maybe if we all tell him, it won't be so bad."

Cindy nodded encouragingly. "That sounds like a good plan. Having everyone there might make it a more celebratory atmosphere, and it’ll show him that you’re not alone in this. It’s important he sees the support system around you."

You felt a little more confident with the idea of having the support of the whole family when you shared the news. "Thank you, Cindy. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

Cindy smiled warmly. "You'll never have to find out. Just remember, whatever his initial reaction, it's just a moment. It will pass, and we'll deal with what comes after together."

Tags: @buckysteveloki-me @bellyliveslife @tgmreader @86laura11 @dizzybee03 @kmc1989 @guacam011y @nerdgirljen @hookslove1592 @dempy @djs8891

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