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elvisabutler · 1 year

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1k angst prompt “Did you really think it’d be that easy?” With your Elvis! Selkie au please

and never again i'll go sailing

fandom: elvis presley | elvis ( 2022 ) rating: t with brief implications of sex pairing: elvis presley x female reader word count: 4069 warnings: mentions of seal skin. me playing fast and loose with selkie myth. jerry is a werewolf. mention of gambling. mentions of the colonel. mentions of elvis's poor health. mentions of implied violence against other people. the reader briefly being concerned about violence against her. elvis's anger issues. fights in pools. author’s note: thank you for this anon! i apologize for how long you had to wait because i had a whole issue trying to write this. i do enjoy how it turned out and i hope if you're still reading this that you enjoy reading it! this was done for my 1k gala that's been closed since march, based on angst line “did you really think it’d be that easy?” this is based on/in the same universe as the selkie au i wrote. not required to read it but it makes things make a lot more sense. y'all know the drill, real elvis or austin elvis works fine for this despite the moodboard. also seriously anyone who likes this au earns my undying adoration. i truly never thought anyone would enjoy this let alone multiple people so it delights me to see it. i also thrive on comments as usual and welcome them into my askbox.

As it turns out detangling a man who signed away his life under what you feel were dubious circumstances at best was harder than it looked. It's a fact you shouldn't be surprised about, you figure, after all, since the very moment you laid eyes on Colonel Tom Parker across the table with your eyes peering at him over your cards. You knew he wasn't perhaps the most honest of men. You know that carny men were always slippery as snakes when it came to business. Once upon a time you had run into a lawyer who- while a piss poor poker player was actually quite competent at his job. Problem was that you never had quite clarified with him what branch of law he specialized in. His business card didn't even help on that front either. A voice inside the back of your head reminds you to point that out to the man. Partially out of the goodness of your heart but also in the interest of keeping the man practicing and under gainful employment, just so you could use of his services if need be beyond this particular day.

"His contract- it's- it's not ironclad, there's some wiggle room but it's a tricky one to get out of." You end up opening and closing your mouth several times before the lawyer- Aiden, you think his name is, takes pity on you. "You didn't think this was going to be easy did you?"

Your face hardens just slightly, a fact both Elvis and Aiden pick up on before Elvis lays a comforting hand on your shoulder and squeezes.

"Down, darlin'," he says before leaning closer so that only you can hear his next words, "down my yittle seal wife. Ain't gonna do us any good to have get angry and start barkin'. Leave that to me."

Your chest shrinks down from the puffed out position you were in as you side eye him, your words coming out a harsh whisper, "Hard to bark if you haven't been able to shift."

It's a cruel comment that you at least partially regret the moment it leaves your mouth. Elvis's face had fallen, hurt coloring his features before he plasters a smile on his face and looks over at Aiden. "Can ya help me though? Get me outta this mess- this lil trap he's got me in?"

Aiden looks between the pair of you and the papers in front of him and exhales. "I can but you have to give me a bit of time. Especially if you want it done right."

"I'm supposed to go on a tour in a month," Elvis frowns, "that too tight of a timeframe for you?"

"Depends, is your girlfriend going to be the one I'm having to tell that to or you?" He tries to quip but you aren't as good at gambling as you are without recognizing a person's tells. There is no way he can do this in a month but he isn't about to admit it to both of you.

You manage a hint of a smile before shaking your head. "Oh no, you'll be telling Elvis that all on your own. I won't have a thing to do with it."

Aiden looks at you suspiciously but manages to compose himself well enough to make it so Elvis doesn't notice- or doesn't care to pay attention. You figure he can sense that you know what he's saying is complete horseshit but for the sake of everyone involved it's best to just let it sit for now. It's best to let things sit and not press lest something blow up in everyone's faces.

The meeting goes for another ten minutes but it feels almost closer to an hour before you find yourself walking out with Elvis, his arm around your waist pulling you close enough that his nose buries itself in your hair as he murmurs to you. "Ya think he was lyin'? Think it's gonna be that easy for him to get it done that quick?"

"We'll see," you answer as you step into the car, not wanting to crush his hopes just this once, "we'll see."

In hindsight, not telling Elvis might have done more harm than good as you come to realize after the fourth argument in less than two weeks between him and the Colonel. You figure it's about the fact that he wants to be let go from the contract without paying an arm, a leg and Graceland to this man but tonight you realize the real reason. You realize that yes it's partially about that but it's also about you. It's about the skin.

"I told ya we've got it safe. She's keepin' it safe like she's supposed ta. Like ya were supposed ta, ya goddamn toad." Elvis's words are muffled through the door but you don't dare walk in to your shared room just yet. Perhaps it's because you want to spy a little or perhaps you're worried about his mood being taken out on you, not that he's necessarily given you the indication that he ever would do that. Normally he might somehow sense you're on the other side of the door but today he doesn't. It's silent for a moment except for Elvis's breathing and you almost make the move to enter before you hear another yell.

"Jus'- jus' lookin' out for me. That's fuckin' rich. Might've started out that way but keepin' the damn thing away from me damn near killed me. Ya would've fuckin' killed me if she hadn't-" There's a brief pause before he launches back into his tirade again. "No, I don't care that she lied 'bout it. Hell, she was gonna come clean. She- it ain't like 'Cilla, she's it. She's it and I wouldn't've known if she hadn't won it from ya. Jus'- Stop goddamn actin' like ya care. Stop actin' like my daddy."

The slam of the phone makes you jump on the other side of the door and finally has you turning the doorknob to get inside. Elvis is angry, it's clear as day from the tension in his shoulders, the way his chest- his glorious chest- heaves up and down with heavy breaths. It's clear as day and makes you feel surprisingly a little skittish as you walk up to him and place your hand on his shoulder.

"Calm do-" you start to say before stopping yourself, and making it so Elvis turns to face you, "breathe."

There's something fascinating in the way that Elvis relaxes at the request. You've known he doesn't take orders from anyone, truly and that if he doesn't want to do something and it doesn't involve his fans and performing? Oh, he won't do it. He is the quintessential ideal of you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. But this time, in this case he relaxes so quickly that you can't help but smile and move to give him a kiss in a show of thanks.

You open up your mouth to ask him what that was about before he cuts you off, seemingly reading your mind. "I knew he wasn't gonna wanna let me go. Knew he'd hate ya 'cuz even when- even 'fore I knew ya had my skin he wasn't a fan of ya. Made it worse when I took my skin back from ya," your eyes tighten and water at the memory as Elvis continues, "and he told me that it wouldn't be easy. Told me comin' back that bein' wit' ya'd be hard as anythin' 'cuz I wouldn't know if ya wanted me even if ya couldn't control me. Didn't have my leash. And he jus' won't let it go. Won't admit to himself that he ain't gonna have me footin' his gamblin' bill and lifestyle much longer. I- I'm real thankful for everythin' he did but-"

"You want to be free. You want to do what you want with your career." You finish off his thought for him and move to cup his cheek. "You know you're going to get that, right? You know I'm not going to let him drag you back here. We're gonna get you untangled and we'll make plans to go to let you tour and I'll come with you. You'll get to swim in the Northern European waters. Get to swim in the Mediterranean."

Elvis's jaw tightens as he grips your wrist. "Yeah. If I can 'member how t' shift. Mama'd be embarrassed to see me strugglin' this bad."

A laugh, a small little chuckle leaves your lips as you shake your head. "From what I've heard she'd probably be more mad at the Colonel for keeping you from your skin for so long to cause it. You- You're putting too much thought into it."

Elvis hums before moving away from you. "Ya- Baby, Darlin', ya don't get it. Ya my yittle seal wife and ya got a goddamn seal who can't show off. Wanna let ya have me swim beside ya, wanna have ya watch me swim circles 'round ya. Without that- I ain't a very good selkie am I?"

You want to tell him that's not why you're with him. That the skin doesn't mean anything to you. You want Elvis no matter what he is or how his body betrays him. You want him mind, body and soul because he's already captured yours wholeheartedly. It's hard to explain that though, hard to explain that even if he wasn't a seal you'd still have fallen for him. You're so lost in your own thoughts swirling around your head that you miss some of his words and only catch the tail end of his last words.

"Can't have ya leavin' me for someone else."

Your heart threatens to break in two at the implication, at the mere idea of leaving him for someone else. It's never been about the skin even if it might have pushed you two together in ways you're both so very unsure of. It's been about him wiggling his way into your heart through talking and kissing and coming back after he was given back his skin. It doesn't take you a minute before you're practically forcing your way into his arms, your arms wrapping around his torso and pulling him in tight. He needs to feel how your heart beats for him and how you may have never figured you'd fall for him of all the people but God, you have fallen so irrevocably in love with him that there's no turning back. He doesn't speak and doesn't move for a long while before you feel him nuzzling at your hair and hear the inhale of his breath as he murmurs a few words.

"Promise me you won't take home away."

Promise you won't take you away is what he means you think and you can't help but nuzzle into his chest, his chest hair tickling your nose just a little as you whisper back. "They'd have to drag me away."

"I can't do it like this. Ya know how many people are goddamn watchin' from their rooms?" Elvis manages to keep his voice down to not attract more attention but all it does it aggravate you more.

"Do you have a better idea that works? You told me you don't think the bath works and it's not like we can just go off to Lake Mead. There's a finite amount of options, Elvis." You mutter, running your hand across your face. "You want to practice trying to shift and tomorrow's shows are canceled. It's the perfect time to do it."

Elvis hates how nervous he sounds when he speaks again. He's a man who doesn't get embarrassed, who's been in the spotlight for damn near two decades- there's no reason for him to be so shy about this but it's different. Shifting isn't supposed to be done where other people can see it unless he trusts them. Only Jerry and you and maybe some of the Mafia are supposed to see. Family is supposed to see, not fans who want to catch a glimpse of Elvis Presley. "They're gonna see and it's gonna be-"

"It's gonna be what? Elvis, it is 11PM, I don't know who you think is being nosy and looking outside their window but it's just me here. It's just your goddamn seal wife trying to help you shift." Your anger and frustration are starting to get the better of you and you can feel your body heating up the angrier you get. "Just relax, Elvis."

In a flash Elvis is in front of you, his wet hair sticking to the sides of his face and the top of his head. Another time and you'd think this was the most attractive you've seen him for a while but right now all it does is frustrate you. "Can't relax with ya tryin' to yell at me. It's- goddammit, Y/N, ya don't- it's supposed to be easy. Like breathin' for me. And here I am struggling to even get one part of my body to turn the way it should."

Your first instinct is to push back at him, to remind him that you're not trying to yell at him but he's pushing every single one of your buttons and the two of you are far too alike when it comes to that. But you hear the frustration in his voice and the hurt that his body won't cooperate. He's been able to halt the damage caused by not having the skin for so long but he can't seem to reverse this damage. His body is still betraying him even after he gave it the one thing it was missing. Your chest twists a little at the realization as you watch Elvis tread the water with you in the pool. Looking at his face you're reminded of the little boy he must have once been learning how to shift from his mama and in that moment you swear you feel a cold breeze wash over you that has you shivering loud enough for Elvis to pull you close to him.

"Ya alright?" He asks, but there's this pleading edge to it, a desire for you to answer yes even if you're not.

"Just a little wind, E," you answer simply before moving to cup his face. "Did you really think it was going to be that easy to relearn how?"

His face is bashful when he answers and if you weren't still at least a bit frustrated with him you'd have laughed at how it turns him into what feels like a sixteen year old boy in trouble with his mama. "I did. I learned it once from mama. Should be able to 'member how."

A hum leaves your lips as you shake your head. "You also didn't shift for over a decade. You forget things, bury them down when they aren't useful to you any more. Just- breathe, Elvis. Relax and take a deep breath and try again. Picture you and I in Hawai‘i when this is all over. You swimming around me, nuzzling at me. Showing everyone I'm yours."

The pair of you shut your eyes together, just swimming next to one another, treading the water and breathing until you hear a splash that has your eyes shooting open. The pool is darker than you'd like but you had been able to see Elvis up until now. Your breath quickens as you quietly call out his name. You can't see him and there was that splash and the panic threatens to wrap around you before you feel a nudge against your leg. You feel a large nudge that's only able to be done by something not human against your leg and you look down to see what looks like a seal in the water. The only response that comes to mind is a squeal as you see him, delight overwhelming you before Elvis manages to peek his head above the water. The bark he makes at you sounds so much like his laughter that you can't help but laugh and pull him into a hug, ignoring just how slippery he is.

He shifts back quicker than you think he'd like but it's progress. It's a step in the right direction.

You were right about Aiden not being able to make it so Elvis didn't have to go on the tour and Elvis's reaction isn't pretty to say the least. He keeps himself in check purely because you're there reminding him that Aiden is trying and it's just one more tour. It's just one more grueling tour before he can take easier ones. Before he can take his time spending days at a time in cities if he wants. The reminder helps but once you're back to the hotel and the Colonel is knocking on the door you know what you're destined to deal with is Elvis's anger and depression over the matter. You have pressing issues you have to attend to and it's the only reason you don't stay up there during the meeting and why Elvis doesn't press.

Two hours later and you enter a dark room with Elvis reading something in the low light of a lamp by the bed. Any other time and you'd slink out of your clothes and climb in next to him but you choose to remain in your clothes and sit on the edge of the bed. "That bad?"

"That bad," he answers simply, turning a page with pursed lips. "Ain't gonna get a wink of sleep. Added one more date to make up for my foolishness and- I jus' wish ya were comin'. Know ya can't 'cuz there ain't a damn thing in our life that can be easy but- ya'd have made it better. Made it easier to handle. Ya gotta make him work harder, darlin'. Can't do another season like this. I gotta get outta here."

The aggravation and hurt seep into your voice despite your best efforts. You've known Elvis expects a lot from the people he cares about but you've been trying harder than anyone else to make sure he can run free. To make sure he can swim whenever and wherever he wants. You're the one in charge of his skin, you're his seal wife and he's damn near treating you like an actual one. "E, you don't think that's what I've been trying' to do? That's all I want for you. I don't want you tied down like you have been. I don't think you have many years left in you if you are. You need to be able to get out of this city permanently. Sure, you can come back if you want but not- you need to not be tied down and be forced to come back year after year. You deserve freedom."

Freedom to do whatever even if it means running off from you and finding someone who doesn't know about him being a seal. Who he can count on being in love with him without a skin binding them together. You don't necessarily want to be his legal wife but getting called his yittle seal wife hurts sometimes. As if all you're there for it to be another bodyguard for Elvis Presley. "I'm trying."

Elvis looks up from his book and notes the hurt on your face before setting it down on the nightstand and opening up his arms as a hint for you to cuddle up to him. When you do he presses a kiss to your temple. "'m just angry, darlin'. Keep havin' things get in our way and I- I felt like this with 'Cilla. Felt so in love and I don't feel like losin' that again. Wanna make a life wit' ya. Travel the world. Have ya meet my lil pup." His words trail off as he moves his hand down to your torso, not saying another word for a moment. "Wanna build a life that we can both enjoy, ya know? Don't wanna push ya away. Don't wanna- I jus' want things to be a lil easier for us. Ain't we been through enough already? Jus' need a break from God. Been askin' him for one."

You're not nearly as religious as Elvis but you've been praying for God to do it too. He deserves it and you like to think you do too. It's a simple request that just hasn't been fulfilled yet. You bite your lip before you speak. "Maybe it's coming soon. It's like your shifting, Elvis. Just give it time."

"Darlin', like ya said, I ain't sure I got a lot of that left."

It's funny how something about that night changes things. He goes on tour and gives brilliant performances and you hear about the articles and the reporters talking about how he's more invigorating than he has been in years and it fills you with warmth. He's showing off the man you fell for. The man who has all the energy in the world for his fans on the stage and off it. He's a man with a new outlook on life and it does something to you. It reminds you that all this is going to be for naught if he has to come back her to wilt. Aiden is more a little terrified of you after the second time you come by in less than a week, demanding an update better than he's working on it.

A judge has to get involved and you have to get Elvis's permission to use funds to keep things hush hush and out of the papers. This is a private matter for now, it doesn't need to be plastered everywhere, tarnishing his reputation and tarnishing the goodwill he's receiving. The judge as it turns out takes one look at the contract and the circumstances surrounding it and throws it out. Doesn't make the Colonel pay anything back and lets him keep small residuals of Elvis's income- a fact you're not a fan of but will concede to just as much as Elvis does. But they free him.

Elvis has to get a new manager and asks Jerry to step in at least for a little bit, just to smooth over a transition unless he wants to balance him and the Beach Boys. Jerry does and it's- it works better than you think it will as you watch the two men work together with an ease you almost envy. A world tour is planned faster than you think was possible until Jerry tells you everyone's had it in their back pocket without Elvis knowing. They only realized it might become a reality when they saw how you and him interacted. They saw a hope that they thought was gone for good.

The first night at Graceland is calmer than you think it would be and you find yourself against Elvis's chest, playing with his chest hair as you both bask in an afterglow that rivals the best of shows or the best of poker hands. Elvis voice rumbles in his chest as he speaks. "Finally get to do what I want when I want. Think it's gonna get easier now?"

"Maybe," you murmur, kissing his chest. "But, there's a quote, I think, that goes something like nothing worthwhile in life is easy. And I like to think all of this qualifies. Figure you and I do too." You pause. "I wouldn't complain if it did get easier though. It's been an exhausting time."

"Mhmm," Elvis hums, "think we oughta take a vacation after the new tour. One where I don't work. Hawai‘i and the two of us with Cilla and Lisa sounds-"

You cut him off with a kiss. "Sounds like perfection and like the easiest thing in life for us to do. Four months traveling the globe and stopping there for another month."

The smile that crosses his face is brighter than any sun and you can't help but smile back. "That- That's why you're the perfect seal wife for me. Goddamn brilliant woman."

"Goddamn charming seal." You quip back before he lets out an mock offended gasp and rolls on top of you as you both laugh until you're breathless.

It might not have been easy but it's worth it.

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briancereal48 · 2 years

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kevkesblog · 5 years

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Translation: Kai Havertz portait in ZEIT newspaper (January 2019)

NOTE: Hey guys! This time I tried something new. I translated an exclusive portrait the german weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT did with Kai in January. They interviewed him as well as Kai’s family. Its very candid and has alot of details. I hope you guys like it, since DIE ZEITs writing is usually very difficult - even for germans. And I apologize for spelling errors as usual.

The original text in German

Kai Havertz: the peace itself

(January 23, 2019)

People praise Leverkusens national player Kai Havertz, 19, for his serenity with the ball which put him on the radar of many European top clubs. His parents start to realize that he is likely becoming world famous.

By Jörg Kramer

The most promising german football talent these days picked a table very far behind in an restaurant somewhere in Cologne to order himself some spagetti gnocchi – inconspicuous.

There is no star posturing with Kai Havertz. The 19 year old could even go through as a normal university student; with his bright hoodie and somewhat cheap and not even special occurence.

And with his voice, which has this typical regional dialect, without the typical empty phrases that young football player use to often in order to cover up their meaningless sentences. But people know his face by now. So thats why he doesnt sit right next to the entrance.

He belongs to the celebrities of the football scene. European top clubs are scouting the young men in stadiums, team mates from Bayer Leverkusen praising him and forecasting him to have the potential to become a world star.

He already scored nine goals this season, decided some games by his own and played his first games for the national team. Havertz became the centre of his clubs game by playing at the centre midfield. His role only changed slightly and the importance of his role not at all, since Peter Bosz took over as head coach. He views this very relaxed and talks in an restaurant somewhere in the Belgian Quarter of Cologne about Leverkusen being the „perfect place“ in order to develop as a young player. And thats where he wants to give his all for the last half year ahead. Ooops!

His last half year? That was a slip of the tongue of course, he meant to say the next half year. Because his contract with Bayer is still running until 2022 without an exit clause. But things now are developing in a rapid way which runs parallel to his explosive performance currently. Its just a matter of the perfect timing that someone like him will end up going to Barcelona, Manchester or at least Munich – a choice between summer 2019 or summer 2020 maybe.

Havertz walks over his misspelled sentence like nothing happend. Once in Nuremberg in the middle of a turmoil of an rainy game, it seemed as if he stopped – as if he was reconsidering the situation with him having the ball. Like if somebody pressed a ‚Stop‘-button. And he chiped to ball in an cool and unemoitional and scored.

Coaches and team mates are citizing his body language, he says. So he works on looking more aggresive. He even participates on useless discussions between his teammates and referees after controversial decisions on the pitch, in order to get a penalty for the other team or some revenge. But it doesnt really look good him when he does it, he admits – even after a though tackle or when going after the ball. „I’m a player that shines with his tranquility.“ A nice sentence that gives away his elegante style of play.

Havertz remained an artist on the pitch. Every foul is a sign of weakness. Everytime he gets the ball, which is his job as an offensive player, he never runs into his opponents – he anticipates. „I try to imagine, which options my opponent has, what he would do if I were him.“ He then runs with a planned pass way and he gets the ball.

Havertz learned in the past almost two and a half years all systems and tatics of modern football. Starting with a radical system, almost a raid-strategy under coach Roger Schmidt, by which the goal keeper kicked the ball high and it flew wide over the pitch – almost always directly aimed at Havertz‘ head – because he is 1,88 meters tall.

Then the mixed system under Heiko Herrlich. He always had to look for his team mates before he passed. Now with Bosz, a planfull offensive style with flat passing. He runs through all the chapters. The first began on October 15, 2016.

It was a Saturday. A day where the Havertz family from Mariadorf near Aachen still couldnt realize that their youngest son, will probably end up living off football and perhaps even become famous. They cant really believe it up until today, says Anne Havertz, his mother.

On that day – October 15 – Kai was a youth player, in a big house next to the woods in Mariadorf having breakfast – when suddently coach Schmidt called. Lars Bender, professional Bayer-player who was supposed to play against Werder Bremen that evening, got injured and had to quit. Kai had to come to Bremen, immidiately! His mother drove him to Leverkusen. A special shuttle took him to Bremen. His whole family was sitting in front of the TV that night.

Kai was sitting on the bench as expected. Then, during the 83th minute, the commentator saw already more than the viewes and said: now we are experiencing a debut. Kai Havertz was ready to get subbed. In the real Bundesliga. Anne Havertz said: „Oh my god!“.

(Credit: Instagram: kaihavertz29)

Kai’s mother, who worked as a lawyer until she got pregnant with her eldest son, came to the restaurant in Cologne one day after Kai to talk about life as a family of an future world star. She brought her husband – Kai’s father, and her daughter Lea, Kai’s sister. The sister is studying marketing and digital media in the city.

People can reach his father in an emergency by dailing 1-1-0. He is a police officer working at the police station 3 in Cologne-West. He says he is really impressed, about how cool and routinely his football playing son manages post-game interviews and how we stays cool when people recognize him in public and everybody is watching,

The Havertz family is still perplexed about a football world where colleagues of their son, order their own cooks to cook for them at home. And whenever he puts his legs into an special bag in order to regenerate. Almost the whole family – except his oldest brother and the dog – are having apple pie and salate and looking back at the stages of his career, which started at Alemannia Mariadorf. Kai skiped two age-groups. He then played with older players than actually intended. Then he transfered to Bayer Leverkusen. All because the scout was tough but not intrusive like the other scouts. By the age of ten, Bayer drove Kai to training sessions three times a week.

4 year old Kai Havertz (Credit: kicker tv)

He was still among the smallest players in the team by the age of 14. Then suddently - a growth spurt which resultet in issues with his knees and his back. They were responsible for Kai loosing his fixed spot on the team. This was also the hard time because he left home and moved to Leverkusen. The club doesnt have an academy so he stayed at a guest family – the family of the stadium announcer from Bayer, together with two other players. A year later he moved into an apartement with his older brother, until Jan had to move to Nuremberg – he has a marketing job at adidas now.

A lasting memory: endless discussions within the Havertz family about the overarching question: does the boy need a german high school diploma (Abitur)? Will he pass the tests when he is travelling around with his professional teammates?

Kai Havertz attended the Landrat-Lucas-Gymnasium. An elite school of sports where he could skip classes in the morning for training. But he always had to catch up school stuff from the day. Once he played with Leverkusen at the DFB-Cup at Sportfreunde Lotte. He was subbed late, it went into penalities and after the team was eliminated from the cup he arrived home late – at 3am. At 8am he had an English exam.

The family became a team. His mother and sister helped him with biology exams. One day the young football player said to his family, he has no power left anymore. „But he never said: I want to quit!“ his mother insists. This was a breaking point by which his parents thought about quitting and stop pursuing the Abitur. But suddently coach Roger Schmidt intervened and said Kai should pull through. The whole Bayer team will support him.

The Abitur became a factor of will power, a test of life. The school supervisor of Bayer, a former athlete herself, said something memorable: it will shape his whole life if Kai quits school now. Whenever something becomes difficult, if something goes beyond your pain barrier, he will always have this option to quit in his head, that you can just give up.

Kai Havertz choose the pain, the Abitur. Now he will always choose the hard way if the theory of his supervisor holds.

On this January afternoon in Cologne, he is being asked what other job he would have picked if it wasnt for football. He likes the job as a barber, for men’s hairstyle. He smiles. Some curls are hanging on his forehead from left to right. A Barber. He wouldnt have needed an Abitur for that.

He is a genius at football. He won the German junior championship with Bayer and scored 19 goals in 29 games. He got awarded as a Under-19-player as the best of his age with the Fritz-Walter-medal from the DFB. Kai made it onto second place on his position after Marco Reus from Dortmund in a list of the football magazine „kicker“ which they publish every half year – but seven spaces in front of Munich’s Thomas Müller.

Coach Heiko Herrlich says Havertz reminds him of Toni Kroos. Football critic Reiner Calmund compared him to Franz Beckenbauer. His head goals remind him of Michael Ballack. Mesut Özil was always Kai Havertz idol, because of his tranquility with the ball and his ability to read a game. Sometimes Kai misses the final conciseness in front of the goal, which was visible after the recent 0-1 loss against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Having the ability to remain calm, even when you get tackled is the result of a deep confidence in your own strenghts: screen your surrondings – in short time if necessary – and then make the right decision. Joachim Löw praises Havertz „good orientation“, something he said about Özil years ago. What he means is a certain sense of space on the pitch – an inner compass. Something that has to do with attention and memory. Havertz, who is a master of navigation, doesn’t even need practice. Some creatures have special senses and are able to find orientation on earth through a magnetic field – like migratory birds for example.

Kai Havertz likes watching Champions League games. And while watching them, there is always a wish inside him to participate as well whenever the big games of the quarter- and semifinals are on. „I think you can only reach that level by going to a top club at some point“ he says.

Mother, father and sister Havertz say, they don’t expect things from him. Something they never did in his career. But if someone asks them, who will follow Kai in a foreign country to get used to everything – they start to think about it. They would alternate. One week his mother would visit, next week his sister and then his grandmother maybe.

Kai Havertz still has a room back home in Mariadorf. Back in the day he used to have posters from FC Barcelona. So it could happen maybe one day, that youngsters in Barcelona will have posters with Kai Havertz on them.

++END++

#kaihavertz #kai havertz #bayerleverkusen #bayer leverkusen #German NT #diemannschaft #DFB Team #dfb #bravertz #julianbrandt

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dracosollicitus · 6 years

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“Sugar Sugar”: Chapter Two

Lots of anons and your replies told me that I should probably publish the next chapter of the Sugar Daddy Damerey AU.

First Post is Here

Thanks to @dame-reylo-ve for the gorg moodboard <3

PS: if you want to see the rest of this fic (I have a lot more planned) let me know <3

Chapter Two (rated M, for sexual content at the end), Word Count: 5396 words

“We should really talk about a contract,” Mr. Dameron said after he’d paid the bill – he’d frowned when Rey instinctively reached for the check, and she’d sat on her hands, blushed and whispered sorry, which seemed to more than mollify him.

“A contract?” She blinked, twice, trying to understand. “I’m sorry, but what do I need a contract for?” She hated documentation. Hated it. She had a file at her apartment, filled to the brim with documents. Her intake form from when she was five, and they had found her in that wretched place. The subsequent stacks of forms from foster homes she’d been dragged to after they couldn’t find any family; the foster homes she ran away from (police reports to go with that, reports listing her runaway status), and then dragged back to. The forms Unkar Plutt had filled out when he’d gotten his hands on her at fourteen –

The form he’d made her sign at 18, promising she wouldn’t work anywhere but at his junkyard. Finn had found that one, right after they’d become friends, and shook his head violently, loudly insisting this isn’t legal, Peanut, he can’t hold you to this, and she hadn’t believed him, had cried and insisted it was real, she belonged to Plutt, belonged in the junk, and Finn had called Ben Solo, a friend of a friend who was a high-powered lawyer who sat her down and shook his head at the document that had been haunting her and told her she was free.

He’d also encouraged her to burn the document, to kill her past – but Rey liked reminders. She needed to remember not to trust people.

So when Mr. Dameron said contract, she balked. “There’s no need,” she said, as Mr. Dameron tilted his head at her, not quite frowning, but not looking happy either. “I won’t – I wouldn’t tell anyone about … what we are.”

He frowned softly and shook his head. “No, Rey, it’s not just an NDA, although that’s part of it. This would be to protect you just as much as me. Make it clear what you should expect, and what I should expect from this. I’ll have my lawyer write something up, and we can look it over at lunch next week.”

And Rey had agreed because something about the soft openness of his face made her believe him, made her believe it was for her own good, and then she went home and writhed against her sheets, her skin too small for her body. Before she could fall asleep, her phone buzzed on the floor next to her mattress, and she rolled over to check it.

Her phone was a second generation iPhone that she’d salvaged from the trash – had watched, indignant, as a frat boy had chucked it the second he opened his new phone – and kept alive through sheer skill. Sure, she was mildly worried it might actually catch fire some day soon, but it worked. And she’d pieced it together, kept it alive. It was hers. But she didn’t often get texts.

[Unknown Number]: I had a great time tonight, sweetheart. I hope you sleep well.

Rey blushed. No one had ever sent her a goodnight text before. She had a limited data plan though, so she fretted about sounding a response – you could ask him to get you the next step up in your data plan, the calm, calculating part of her brain pointed out – but then she did, not wanting to seem rude. And it was sweet of him to think of her.

She saved him to her contacts (you have five full friends now, Smith!) and then responded.

[Rey]: Thank you for dinner, Mr. Dameron. Can’t wait to see you next week. Xx.

She fired it off before she could think better of it and then shrieked quietly into her pillow. She was never that flirty. X’s? Like she was in middle school still? Rey Smith, who never so much as sent a folded-up love note to a would-be paramour, suddenly dotting her texts with kisses – what was next? Emojis?

What the fuck.

She hadn’t even done it to be performative, she knew. She … really wanted Mr. Dameron to think she had a good time. She wanted to make him happy.

Fuck. If only she could afford therapy.

Rey giggled hysterically at the thought of asking her sugar daddy to pay for a few sessions of therapy, I mean, I clearly have some unresolved issues, but then frowned. She knew, really, why the idea of a contract had bothered her. It, like all the other documents in her life, would be a constant reminder of what she was. An accessory, an unnecessary addition, something that could be removed and moved and taken away, left behind.

Rey didn’t want to be a piece of paper to Poe Dameron. She wanted to be more. Wanted him to smile at her on her own merit, not because she was a young woman who agreed to spend time with him in a monetary, controlled transaction. She wanted to – to --

God. She was already fucked.

***

Across town, in a penthouse that overlooked the majority of Coruscant, Poe Dameron looked up from the open document that his lawyer had finished, express, this evening. There’d been past documents to start from, of course, from other girls who’d entered into this arrangement with him – but Poe wanted it to be perfect. It needed to be perfect, and different, and he was probably being selfish, but he wanted more than anything for this to work. Not fizzle out after three months when the girl moved on, understandably, to a younger, more suitable man, one who wasn’t quite as fucked up, one who didn’t hide behind his money as a poor exchange for intimacy.

His phone had buzzed – it was past midnight, and he hadn’t expected a response, but his heart skipped a beat, seeing the now-familiar name on the screen.

[Rey Smith, 12:21 a.m.]: Thank you for dinner, Mr. Dameron. Can’t wait to see you next week. Xx.

He groaned and buried his face in his hands. He hadn’t even asked her to call him Mr. Dameron. A part of him – unconquerable, so it would seem – almost wanted to let slip his military career, let her know that it was technically Major Dameron. But wouldn’t that call forth a whole lot of uncomfortable questions that he’d feel obligated to answer? Poe shook his head. That was the beauty of this arrangement. They didn’t need to ask each other uncomfortable questions.

But I’d tell her, he thought randomly. I don’t know why, but I would. Poe clenched his fist and stood to fix a drink. He stood in the window overlooking the city and sighed through his nose. Three hours with her, and she’d gotten under his skin. What was he doing?

It started when he realized she had no idea who he was. At first, he worried that Paige had told her to play it cool, to not let it slip that she recognized his name, his story. But Rey Smith was guileless. She blushed and giggled and had no idea which utensil to use and when – and he was charmed. Immediately. The second she said his name, Mr. Dameron? the syllables sounding so damn right in her voice, rounded slightly by a British accent – he knew. He didn’t want to mess this one up.

Poe went back to the contract only to save his changes and then headed to bed, a full two hours earlier than normal. He looked at the text one last time, greedily, before he fell asleep, focusing on the two small x’s at the end of the text.

Maybe she’d let him kiss her.

There’s a thought.

***

Drawing up the contract was not nearly as awkward as Rey feared it would be. A car had pulled up outside the coffeeshop she was studying at – even if she couldn’t afford fall tuition for her Master’s, she could always keep studying, and the coffeeshop had free WiFi – and Rey waved at the driver nervously.

“Ms. Smith?” The man unfolded himself from the car and opened up the door for her. Rey frowned – she really could have done that for herself, no need to inconvenience anyone – and nodded.

“I’m Rey,” she said, sticking her hand out. The chauffeur raised his eyebrows but took the offered hand.

“Snap Wexley,” he said cheerfully. Rey hopped in, and he returned to the driver’s seat. It was a nice car, and Rey hummed appreciatively at the sound of the engine. It was efficient, and no-nonsense, and probably the nicest car she’d sat in – she’d taken apart nicer ones, of course, but she was sitting in this, which was worlds different.

“Do you work for Mr. Dameron?” Rey asked curiously while they pulled away from the curb.

“I do!” Snap grinned at her in the rearview mirror, and Rey smiled back.

“For how long?” She asked, fiddling with the strap of her bag, an old crossbody she’d found thrifting six months ago.

“I left the Army a year ago, and Mr. Dameron offered me the job so I could work while I went to school,” Snap said, turning left and getting on the expressway towards uptown. The sky lightened up considerably while they drove around from her side of town, which Rey rolled her eyes at. Of course, rich people got nicer weather, too.

“Oh! What are you studying?” She could see a stack of textbooks on the front seat, and Snap’s neck turned a little red.

“Aeronautics and engineering. It makes sense, right?”

Rey frowned. The comment didn’t make a lot of sense, but she didn’t want to be rude. “Aeronautics is super cool,” she enthused, slightly wincing at her diction. Whatever. She was young, she could sound young. And it was super cool. “I went for Mechanical Engineering, myself. I love taking things apart and putting them back together. Got me in trouble a lot when I was younger.”

Got me evicted from more than one house. She didn’t add that part.

Snap laughed and shook his head. “I can’t imagine you being in trouble.”

“And what does that mean?” Rey pretended to sound indignant.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m just supposed to believe that you were a troublemaker, ever. Your shirt has daisies on it, Ms. Smith.”

“It’s just Rey,” she corrected hurriedly, and she snorted, looking down at her outfit. A comfortable grey shirt with daisies on it, skinny jeans, and converse. “Maybe these are poisonous daises. Real bad ass stuff. Weaponized flora.”

Snap laughed harder at that, and they spent the rest of the drive snarking back and forth.

She felt much more relaxed by the time they pulled up outside of an upscale restaurant. Rey shook her head when they got out, sliding quickly to beat Snap to the door. He huffed in pretend annoyance, and Rey stuck her tongue out at him. He stuck his tongue out back, and Rey heard a familiar voice.

“Rey?” She and Snap startled apart, both looking like kids who’d gotten their hands caught in a cookie jar.

“Mr. Dameron!” She squeaked. God. Oh God.

He was even hotter than she remembered. All the research on this sort of dynamic that she’d done the last four days threatened to fall right out of her head at the sight of him. He was wearing a plum button down tucked into grey pants, and his hair was much more tame today. Was this his lunch hour? Did he work? Rey stumbled forward, and when he held his hand out, she took it, expecting them to shake again.

He kissed her knuckles instead, bending at the waist to brush his lips over her hand, and Rey shivered, not unpleasantly. Her skin prickled into gooseflesh despite the fact that it was seventy degrees, and Mr. Dameron looked up at her under hooded eyes. They held eye contact for easily five seconds, long, agonizing, eternal seconds, and Snap cleared his throat.

“I’ll get going then,” Snap said, and Rey startled and looked back at him.

“It was lovely to meet you, Snap!” She beamed at him.

“It was absolutely a pleasure to meet you as well, Rey.” He tipped his hat at her, got in the car, and pulled away back into the light traffic of mid-day.

“Charming my employees?” Mr. Dameron asked, and Rey looked over at him, worrying at her bottom lip with her teeth. “Should I be worried?”

“Definitely.” Rey smirked at him before she remembered why they were there, and she frowned at the building behind him. “Why do I get the feeling that a plate in there costs more than what I spend on utilities each month?”

“I mean, it probably does,” Mr. Dameron sounded unbothered, and Rey sighed. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m not dressed very nicely,” she pointed out. “When you said lunch, I was thinking, like, burgers or something.”

“I’m fairly certain they serve hamburgers here,” he teased. “And if they don’t, I could ask them to.” She had a feeling people didn’t say no to Mr. Dameron; he was an odd combination of charismatic and demanding. She fidgeted all the same. “What is it?” He looked concerned now.

“Could we – could we go somewhere less fancy?” Rey asked. He opened his mouth, probably to argue, but she plowed forward. “I just – the idea of sitting somewhere nice, looking like I don’t belong, when I already know I don’t – it’s really stressful.”

The therapist she’d managed to see for five months in undergrad was probably applauding somewhere. Mr. Dameron looked taken aback, like that honestly hadn’t occurred to him.

“Of course,” he said smoothly. “I’ll just step inside and cancel the reservation. Do you want to look at Yelp and see what’s in walking distance?” He smiled at her and went into the building, and Rey opened her phone, calculated how much data it would take to download an app like Yelp – she tried opening her browser, remembered that she turned off data for Chrome, and went back in to turn it on in her settings.

She was still fumbling when Mr. Dameron returned. “Sorry!” She stammered. Making people – especially men who were larger than her – unhappy still freaked her out, even after years of self-defense classes and a complete awareness that she could take down most people with extreme ease. She just did not like to displease people. Ingrained reaction. “Sorry, so sorry, my phone is –“

“On its last legs?” Mr. Dameron didn’t sound condescending, but he did shoot her phone a weird look before pulling out his own – and was that model even out yet? – and typing in something rapidly. She saw a folder tucked under his arm, and she squirmed realizing that must be the fabled contract. A pen was in his front pocket, and the sunlight was hitting his cheekbones just right, and –

“Good hamburgers, two blocks over,” he reported, grinning at her when he looked up and caught her staring. “Do I have something on my face?”

There were a hundred and one witty comebacks she could have gone with, but Rey opened her mouth and said, “You’re just really handsome, is all.”

Oh, fuck you, Smith.

His grin softened into something that made her heart clench, and he held out his arm for her to take, nodding in the direction of the new restaurant. Rey unthinkingly slipped her hand through his own, and not through his elbow, realizing halfway through her motion what he had intended. He didn’t seem to mind. At least, she hoped he didn’t.

“So, I saw the address you sent.” She’d dropped a pin at the coffeeshop. She wasn’t ready for him to see where she lived. “Do you go to that coffeeshop often?”

“Yeah,” Rey smiled at the sidewalk while they walked. “Maz has really good tea.” And she lets me drink it for free, a pastry thrown in too, if I fix her appliances every now and then. “And it’s in walking distance of my apartment, which is nice.”

“You live with Paige’s younger sister, right? Rosie?”

“Don’t let her hear you call her that,” Rey laughed. “Rose hasn’t gone by that nickname for as long as I’ve known her.”

“I knew her when she was a lot younger, I guess,” Mr. Dameron allowed, and she snuck a glance at him. He looked thoughtful, and he wasn’t looking at her, so she re-directed her attention to the sidewalk.

“But she is my roommate, yeah,” Rey remembered that he’d asked her a question. “For now.” She lived in a nicer apartment, for now. She had someone to come home to, for now.

“Moving soon?” They turned left and continued walking down the block. The storefronts looked a little more accessible, a little more homey now, and Rey saw a diner at the bottom of the hill. She hoped that was their destination.

“Rose is moving out with her boyfriend, Finn. He’s my best friend,” Rey said that last part proudly. Finn Trooper was the best person she knew – they’d even tried the romance thing when they were 18, but after a disastrous series of events and dates, they’d laughed and decided to be platonic soulmates; he’d met Rose a year later, and they’d been together ever since. “And they want their own place.”

They’d invited her to come with them, of course, but the rent was just a little more than she could afford, and she knew they were just being nice. Because they were both nice people. No one would really want her tagging along when they were starting a nice, new shiny life.

“So you’re hunting for a new apartment, then?” They were slowing as they neared the diner, and Rey’s stomach rumbled in anticipation. If he heard, he didn’t comment. “I know a realtor who can help you find a good deal.”

Christ. If the apartments she were looking at required a realtor, she probably wouldn’t be here right now. She’d be swimming in a tub full of money, like Scrooge McDuck. Unbidden, the image of Poe Dameron swimming in a bathtub of money came to mind, which made her snort and also blush.

“No, no,” Rey said as he opened the door for her, and she walked into the diner. “No, I’ll find something.” She actually had her eye on a place for 900 a month. It was over in Niima, a neighborhood of Coruscant that was less than stellar, but it was near the bus stop, and the metro, and the building had a lot of families in it, so it couldn’t be that bad.

They seated themselves, which already meant this place was more her speed. Rey didn’t even bother looking at the menu, just chirped “Biggest burger you have!” at the waitress, who snorted at Rey’s eagerness, and then looked over at Mr. Dameron.

He was regarding the menu with a strange look on his face, and when the waitress cleared her throat, he startled. “I’ll have the biscuits and gravy, thanks.” The waitress nodded and walked away, and Rey leaned over the table to smirk at him.

“Biscuits and gravy?” She teased. “Do you even know what gravy is?”

“It’s basically meat in condiment form, right?” He was absolutely deadpan, and Rey rolled her eyes at him. The food came out alarmingly quickly after they’d made some more small talk, and she wasted no time hoovering down her entire burger.

Mr. Dameron had eaten about half of a biscuit, slathered in homemade gravy, by the time she crunched her last pickle spear. He looked absolutely shocked, and mildly impressed. “Hungry?” He asked. “Or are you practicing for some kind of competition.”

“Where I grew up, you ate your food quick before someone could take it away from you,” Rey shrugged. “If they even bothered feeding you.” She frozen taking a sip of her water at the look on Mr. Dameron’s face.

He set his fork and knife down carefully. “What?” He asked. His stare was arresting, and Rey couldn’t look away. She flushed with embarrassment, then. She shouldn’t dump this on him. Whatever was going on between them, it didn’t come with the necessity of him shouldering her tragic backstory.

“Nothing.” Rey whispered and looked out the window. “Nothing that matters.”

“Are you sure about that?”

She didn’t answer the question, and instead asked one of her own. “So. The contract?” She nodded her head towards the folder he’d set down next to him on the table. Rey wiped her fingers on her napkin and reached out for it. “May I?” Mr. Dameron handed it over, but he looked no less pensive while she opened the folder.

Her brow furrowed while the unfamiliar words swam past her eyes. A lot of legal jargon, something about ‘discretion’ and ‘privacy’ – this must be the NDA. She shrugged. “This part looks fine, I don’t intend on telling anyone. I mean, Rose knows because of Paige, but Finn’s my only other friend, and he isn’t very nosy.” She held her hand out without looking up, and Mr. Dameron placed the pen in her palm. Rey signed quickly and flipped to the next page.

“Oh.” She squinted and frowned – why did legal documents have to have such tiny font – at the list of clauses Mr. Dameron had provided. “Three dates or events a week, maximum, one date a week, minimum…provision of allowance…” there was a blank next to ‘ in the amount of,’ and she looked up at her dining partner.

Mr. Dameron smiled at her. “I figured you could give me a figure, and we could write it in.”

“Uhm,” Rey looked down and then back up and then back down. “Well...I mean, isn’t like, twenty dollars normal?”

“…An hour?” Mr. Dameron’s face twisted in confusion when she glanced at him.

“No, like, a week.” Rey snorted. “God, Mr. Dameron, my job doesn’t even pay me twenty dollars an hour.”

“You want an allowance of twenty dollars a week?” Mr. Dameron still didn’t look any less confused, but amusement was creeping into the corners of his expression.

“What?” Rey closed the folder to wave it at him. “I saw it on TV once. Allowances are like, twenty dollars a week.”

“Sweetheart.” Mr. Dameron reached across the table, and she took his hand without thinking. His thumb stroked over the back of her hand soothingly, and she took a deep breath, waiting for him to speak. “How about we set it at 2000 and move on from there?”

“Two…thousand…” Rey spluttered for a minute and then shook her head. “No. No, it’s too much.”

“I want to give it to you,” he said. “Please. It’s…sort of part of this.” Rey frowned and then tapped her fingers against the folder. She owed about 50 grand in student loans from undergrad…twenty five or so weeks of this, and she could pay it off. And hadn’t she just read, bolded, underlined, in red: ‘no sexual contact shall be expected as part of the relationship; any sexual contact will be initiated by both parties and under full, adult consent of both parties outside of the pre-arranged relationship.’ It’s not like taking his money meant that she was expected to do sex work. And she’d even considered that method of paying the bills a few times in her life – she just didn’t like the idea of sex enough to consider it, preferring to work with her hands.

What an odd arrangement she’d stumbled into, then. Paige Tico would either prove to be her salvation or her destruction.

Mr. Dameron was still talking while the gears of her mind whirred. “… We can always increase it later, if you want, but that would be your independent spending money. It’d be nice if you bought things, and I could see you using them, of course, it’s…something I’m interested in, but then there will be the things that I buy for you, and –”

“Okay.” Rey cut him off and flipped the folder back open. She scrawled $2000 in the space provided in the allowance clause and then signed rapidly at the bottom of the page. “This all looks good.”

“There’s still another page.” His smile was impossibly fond, considering this was their second meeting, and Rey turned to the next page. “And if there’s anything you want to change, let me know.” Her eyes skipped down the page, catching on certain phrases:

R. S will let P. Dameron know of any necessary expense, so that he may cover it –

R. S will consent to weekends away, not to exceed one weekend per month –

R. S be provided one copy of key to P. Dameron’s Coruscant residence, to be used at signatory’s discretion, but to be surrendered at the termination of contract –

This contract will be revisited and edited as needed, or terminated, in three months, on September 15, 2018.

“Three months?” Rey asked, not looking up.

“It’s to see if this works out,” he said steadily, as if expecting the question. “This would be a sort of probationary period, where we learn about each other, see if we’re compatible to continue in this sort of arrangement. Either one of us can agree to terminate it before then, however. We’d just have to sit down and renew it by that date.”

Rey shrugged and signed the last few lines, initialing here and there where necessary – noting that he’d already filled out his lines – before closing the folder carefully. “Can I … can I have a copy of this?”

“I’ll have it sent to your apartment later today,” he smiled and took the last bite of his meal, sopping up the gravy with his biscuit. “God, I haven’t had this in forever.”

“It’s fairly easy to get,” Rey teased. “I’m sure one of your cooks could make it for you.”

“My mom used to make it, actually,” Mr. Dameron said quietly. “Haven’t had it since she passed.”

“Oh.” Rey flailed internally. She didn’t know if her mom had been a cook. Her mom wasn’t even really much of a mom. Is now when she should say well, my mom sold me for drugs when I was four, so … ? She went for, “Was she southern?”

Was. She. Southern.

WhatthefuckiswrongwithyouRey?!?

Mr. Dameron didn’t seem affronted by the question, but the sadness in his eyes dimmed somewhat. “No, actually, she was Cuban. But she moved to the South when she was a kid, and that was one of her favorite foods. It always reminds me of her, though, when I see it or think of it.”

“Food connects us to our past,” Rey said. “Reminds us of who we were, and who we are.” She was thinking, in all honesty, of the meal she’d eaten at 14, after Unkar had beaten her again for breaking something that she had sworn was already broken, the half-mangled sandwich she found out back of a restaurant in town – she’d eaten it, lip still bleeding, her hands raw and sore from working too much, but she’d eaten it, and she’d known she’d survive, no matter what, she could do any fucking thing she wanted to, if she could only survive, and –

Mr. Dameron beamed at her, breaking her reverie. He had no idea the turn her thoughts had taken, obviously, and Rey wasn’t about to tell him. “Exactly.” He pulled out his wallet and thumbed through for a fifty – Rey’s eyes almost fell out of her head while she watched him go through his wallet (and she totally would have pickpocketed him six years ago, the man had more money than God, what the ever loving fuck, there had to be more than eight hundred dollars in there). He set the money on the table and held his hand out for her. She didn’t hesitate in taking it, and they strolled out onto the street, the folder in his free hand.

“So,” he said, releasing her hand to take out his phone. He typed quickly while talking. “I have an event on Friday. I’d like for you to be my date. It’s black tie; send me your measurements, and I’ll take care of everything.” Mr. Dameron finished typing, and he smiled at her look of surprise. “Send me your address too, will you? I’d like to send the copies of these forms over, and probably a few other things.”

“Okay.” Rey nodded, unquestioningly, but then she remembered – “Um. Would it be alright – I mean, if I came to you? After I got ready? I don’t want – it’s just.” Rey sighed and buried her face in her hands. “Your car would stick out on my street, and I want to respect your privacy.” Also, I live in general squalor and I’d rather die than see you figure out where to hang your Armani jacket in my shitty ass apartment.

“Of course.” Mr. Dameron smiled at her, and Rey sighed in relief, dropping her hands from her face. “Until Friday, then?”

“Until Friday,” she confirmed. Rey leaned in and kissed his cheek on impulse. “And don’t worry about sending for Snap, I can get home just fine on my own.” She squeezed his upper arm and darted down the street towards the metro before he could fight her on it or even say goodbye.

Friday. Three days away. She could do this.

She paused right before swiping her metro card at the entrance to the station – fuck. Now she needed to shave.

***

Poe watched the girl leave with utter bemusement. She was fiercely independent, that much was sure – twenty dollars? And she’d said it like it was a lot of money? God, he was going to have so much fun spoiling her rotten – and while normally that would have irritated him in this kind of arrangement, Rey blew off the normalcies of the typical dynamic with a mixture of bravado and innocence that was deeply, troublingly alluring.

He went back to work and left his phone in his bag during a series of meetings, but he had a text waiting for him in reward when he got out around 6:30.

[Rey Smith, 4:25 p.m.]: This is so weird to put in a text! But I’m 5’7”, and my measurements are 32, 23, 34. I’m a size four, I’m pretty sure, and I wear a size 8 shoe.

[Rey Smith, 4:26 p.m.]: Oh! And my favorite color is green. Anyway, thank you for lunch. See you on Friday. Xx

The damn kisses again. Poe was going to lose his fucking mind at the memory of her soft lips against his cheek from this afternoon – what had inspired her to do that? She had seemed almost as surprised as him at the action, and she’d scurried away before he could react properly.

Out of his last five relationships, all of which involved some version of the contract they’d signed today, three of them had been sexual. And they’d been deeply exploratory, very kinky – but ultimately a little dissatisfying, a little performative. The women had all assured him they enjoyed the sex, and he’d enjoyed it too, but he knew now he couldn’t look for sex while also paying someone’s way.

But Rey Smith’s large, doe eyes were just tempting enough for him to be inspired to think about, say, bending her over the desk in his office and fucking her forty stories off the ground, her breathy voice panting ‘Thank you Mr. Dameron, thank you’ with each thrust – maybe pressing her against the glass, stripping her completely naked while he took out his cock and remained completely dressed, holding her hands above her head while he fucked her from behind – setting her on his chair, throwing her legs over his shoulders, and finding out if she tasted as sweet as her laugh – running his hands over her lithe, perfect body, whispering how beautiful she was in her ear while he rocked into her gently, his name a soft exhalation in his ear while they both meandered their way to a warm, loving climax –

Holy shit. That was definitely a new one. Poe’s eyes flew open, and he dragged his hand over his face. He couldn’t expect that, any of that – especially not that last fantasy, where she was very obviously his girlfriend – from her. It wouldn’t be fair.

He needed to regain some of his self-control.

#damerey #jedipilot #light smut #sugar daddy au #fic #writing #moodboard #seriously do people want the rest of this?

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michaelandy101-blog · 3 years

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Who Is Responsible for Meeting Website Accessibility Compliance?

New Post has been published on http://tiptopreview.com/who-is-responsible-for-meeting-website-accessibility-compliance/

Who Is Responsible for Meeting Website Accessibility Compliance?

The pandemic of 2020 has changed the lives of everyone.

Were businesses and schools ready to meet the challenges for website accessibility compliance?

Adapting to new ways to work remotely or go to school was not always effortless, especially for persons with disabilities.

And meeting accessibility compliance historically took a back seat to just about every other business goal, creating a business risk.

Though remote work provided some with opportunities to continue to conduct business online, consumers and students quickly uncovered all the ways in which they could not do their work – preventing people from:

Doing their jobs.

Taking tests.

Completing assignments.

Holding meetings.

Ordering supplies during quarantines.

This created frustration on top of an already difficult time.

Somebody needed to be responsible.

For digital marketers, the rumblings about website accessibility may be unimportant until a client receives a demand letter or worse.

Getting an ADA accessibility lawsuit creates alarm, followed by confusion over the next steps.

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While the client is wrestling with this new expense, they may even ask why they were never made aware their website or mobile app was not accessible.

There have also been increasing concerns like:

Who is responsible for building websites, software, and mobile apps that not only are accessible but adhere to the accessibility laws of the country or state they reside in?

Is it ethical to create search engine marketing strategies for websites that are not tested for accessibility compliance?

Why is accessibility testing not included in usability testing, user research, software testing, and split testing of landing pages?

Are marketers, web designers, and developers legally liable if a client’s digital property fails to meet accessibility compliance requirements?

A Changing Work & Home Life Environment

It is estimated that 1.4 billion people around the world have a disability or impairment.

They are treated differently and even ignored in some countries.

The stigma with imperfection means that many people hide their impairments such as failing eyesight, dyslexia, or the inability to remember what they just read.

When companies sent their employees home to work remotely many adjusted to sharing bandwidth and computers with other members of the household.

Parents became teachers.

Students became bored.

Employees met on Zoom.

The time saved from not having to commute to work allowed for more time to study, practice skills, and for creating new projects.

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Some companies clearly thought it was high time to mess with our heads and make unexpected changes to their existing products.

Like changing Google’s branded icons into something that increases errors because we no longer understand what each icon refers to anymore.

Or that Facebook’s new user interface redesign better resembles a corn maze.

Or that the new Google Analytics is not even recognizable anymore.

It doesn’t seem logical to see so much attention on changing branded icons and user interface layouts when there are millions of people trying to work and study at home and facing accessibility barriers.

Gathering Data

Marketers look to data to decide how to improve page optimization for search engines and adjust marketing strategies.

They especially watch how Google is ranking webpages.

And the research into search behavior is extensive.

But even Google’s Core Web Vitals does not look to accessibility as a metric.

The use of assistive devices such as screen readers could provide some insight into how many students depend on them to access assignments by their teachers.

What is the performance like?

What computer devices were used?

Does speed matter to someone who listens to a page?

How about the student who needs more time to take notes from a page heavy on text?

Mobile is Google’s darling, but for many people with disabilities, it isn’t.

I record webpages for my clients with the MAC VoiceOver and Safari combination screen reader.

Listening to what their webpages sound like helps to understand the user experience for people who are blind, sight-impaired, or have reading and cognitive difficulties.

Little else makes an impression than hearing what you designed or built.

Nothing sells better than proof.

The Motivation for Web Accessibility

There has to be motivation other than the threat of ADA lawsuits to make companies care about persons with disabilities.

Regular accessibility testing and site compliance audits should be part of all design and development planning and QA procedures.

In addition to budget restraints, there aren’t enough developers trained in accessibility design for websites, mobile apps, and software.

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For many WordPress platform-dependent site owners, failing to meet WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines is common because theme remediation can be difficult.

And for third-party plugins, it’s next to impossible.

Welcome to 2021.

The rules have changed.

Accessibility Overlays

Imagine if you require a wheelchair to get into a store but before you can enter you must first:

Paint the lines for your handicapped parking spot.

Order the handicapped parking sign.

Build the ramp into the sidewalk.

Install the automatic door opener.

Redesign the aisles to allow more room for you to move around in.

That’s what an accessibility widget does.

Before a person with a disability can enter the website, they need to design it to work for them first.

This is discrimination.

There is no such thing as a perfectly accessible website or application that will automatically work for everyone with a disability.

The reality is that automatic accessibility overlays working in the background are a cheat based on false promises.

Despite the clever marketing and video of the convincing guy insisting your days of worrying about owning an accessible website are miraculously over.

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Artificial intelligence cannot replace humans.

We are each unique. Our brains are different.

We use computers in unique ways and depend on them to work when and how we need them.

Every time we tell ourselves that we know better than anyone else how a webpage should be used, we remove the right to choose what works for persons with impairments or disabilities and their specific needs.

Most people choose their own settings in their computer devices and browsers to help them interact with webpages and apps.

Accessibility widgets that override their settings, mimic, or conflict with them are not helpful.

The message sent by accessibility overlays and widgets is that your company didn’t bother to design and develop an accessible website and gave the whole experience to AI.

This raises a flag to legal firms looking for websites to sue.

The Accessibility Legal Landscape

Web accessibility litigation in the U.S. for 2020 shot up and shows no signs of slowing down.

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The U.K. and Ontario escalated their accessibility requirements, too.

What you should know:

1. ADA Laws in the U.S. as They Pertain to Websites Remain Unclear

There is a lack of precise ADA guidelines on websites up to this point.

The exception is Section 508 for government and GSA contract websites.

2. Serial Plaintiffs Look for Websites to Sue

Decisions differ by state and plaintiffs can sue outside their own state.

Serial filers are sometimes known as “testers of compliance” and plaintiffs do not need to use your website to be able to file a complaint.

Also, there is no limit on cases.

One well known serial plaintiff with a physical disability filed approximately 500 cases since October 2019.

3. What to Do After Receiving a Demand Letter

If you receive a demand letter, contact a lawyer who specializes in ADA and accessibility law immediately.

4. There Is No ADA Law in the U.S. Enforcing the WCAG Standard for Public Websites

However, related laws and various circuit court judgments are chipping away with decisions based on ethics and non-discrimination.

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5. The Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA) Takes Effect January 1, 2021

The AODA requires all digital content to conform to WCAG2.0 AA standards by January 1, 2021.

There are fines for non-compliance.

They provide online guidance, site testing, training, and filing compliance report policies.

6. WCAG 2.1 Adoption in Europe

The U.K. updated EN 301 549 which specifies the accessibility requirements for ICT products and services.

The standard to meet is WCAG2.1 AA.

Websites and mobile apps must provide an accessibility statement.

The deadline for meeting their digital accessibility regulations was September 23, 2020

In the U.S., on October 2, 2020, a bill called the “Online Accessibility Act” (H.R. 8478 – the “OAA”) was introduced.

It would amend the present ADA to add a new Title VI prohibiting discrimination by “any private owner or operator of a consumer-facing website or mobile application” against individuals with disabilities.

Already coming against a negative reception by disability rights advocates, this latest attempt has a similarity to H.R. 620 which never got past the House in the present administration.

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This is because it placed the burden on the person with disabilities to pursue and subsequently wait for remediation to occur.

The OAA allows 90 days for remediation of a complaint.

If not satisfied, then it goes to the Department of Justice, which has 180 days “to investigate.”

Steps to Take Now to Protect Your Business

There are automated tools that are free to use that provide a quick assessment of the most common accessibility issues on websites.

It’s important to note that they catch about 25% of the problems and don’t replace manual testing.

WCAG 2.2 is in draft format now, with an expected release next summer.

One of the additions is a change to the guidelines for the focus state, which is what we see when we navigate without a mouse.

Use CSS to enhance the focus state.

Web Developer Tools offer a built-in accessibility section that can be added to.

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Developers also have their own preferences.

Web developer tools can be enhanced to include additional testing tools for accessibility.

A different example of web developer tools in Firefox.

High on the list for manual testing is looking at the way headings are structured.

Not only are heading tags important for SEO, but they are also of particular interest for screen reader users who sort content by them.

WCAG2.1 spells out guidelines for headings that include making sure there is only H1 on a page.

If you look carefully, you will see a duplicate heading below, which is technically a failure, and even worse would be if both were linked to the same landing page.

Even if the page looks like it makes sense visually, with a screen reader the experience is very different.

If you were to listen to this page with a screen reader, you may wonder what’s behind “Everything you need to find.”

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For accessibility, understanding content in context makes even more sense when you listen to your content.

Descriptive headings and link anchor text requirements appear more obvious when you listen and hear what’s missing from your presentation.

The ability to manually look for areas to improve accessibility is easier with the proper tools.

No accessibility testing is complete without manual testing.

There are various tools available for web developers to use to help identify any issues.

Moving around a webpage without a mouse is a manual test performed by pressing the TAB key on your keyboard.

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The reading order should begin with a Skip to Content link, which should be there (and if not, it should be).

Each TAB key click should proceed to the next link in the DOM and is highlighted visually with a focus state.

Common errors with manual keyboard testing are:

The focus state disappears as it goes through the navigation and sub-levels.

Site search.

The sudden appearance of ads and pop-ups.

Sometimes Accessibility Compliance Is Difficult

For those who develop a serious interest in building inclusive websites or mobile apps, there is a large community of accessibility advocates, educators, and certified accessibility specialists who make themselves available.

There are free podcasts and videos providing instruction on how to make documents accessible, and how to use screen readers.

Look for webinars. Many are free.

There are guidelines for colors, images, layout, understandability, and compatibility with a broad range of user agents.

The most difficult is learning Accessible Rich Internet Applications or ARIA – which can conflict with HTML5 – but is necessary for screen readers to figure out what’s happening on each page.

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Who Is Responsible for Accessibility Compliance?

We are responsible for the content on our webpages.

This includes our videos, podcasts, forms, themes, and interactive elements.

It’s a lot to ask of beginners.

And for those who opt for ready-made websites, it’s a risk they may be unaware of.

Do yourself a favor and get an accessibility site audit done.

Hire a consultant or find an agency that offers accessibility testing as a service in addition to designing web sites or marketing them.

Add accessibility testing to your in-house projects.

It wouldn’t make any sense to produce products that are not ready to work for everyone.

Hire agencies that test with people with disabilities.

They are your best investment.

In 2021, you may be required to own an accessible website, mobile app, or online software application.

The best offense is knowing what you need to know.

Join me on January 12 at the SEJ eSummit where I deliver a presentation on “The Emergency Guide to Website Accessibility Compliance.”

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More Resources:

Image Credits

All screenshots taken by author, November 2020

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#General

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michelle-maricemopkins · 5 years

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Michelle MariceMopkins A Bounteous Amount Of Tips And Tricks Towards Better Legal Situations

Michelle MariceMopkins Skilled tips provider. Have you discovered that you need a lawyer? Regardless of your reasons, you must understand that lawyers are expensive and legal matters are frustrating. However, if you use the tips given in the following article, you can hire a reliable lawyer without breaking the band. Read on and learn.

If you're accused of a type of serious crime, hire a lawyer right away. Don't try to do this alone or you may get into a worse mess. Lawyers have the experience necessary to take care of your situation.

Michelle MariceMopkins Proficient tips provider. Do not hire a lawyer without doing some background research. Look their name up on the Internet and talk to friends or relatives who might know the lawyer you are interested in. It is always in your best interest to choose a lawyer with an excellent reputation and good ethics.

Make sure that you have a decent interaction with any attorney before you invest any money. You may have to spend a good amount of time with your lawyer, so it is important that you choose one that you don't have any issues working with. Take the time to sit down with any potential attorneys and see if you get a good feel for them.

Try to educate yourself on what you are dealing with. You should not be relying solely on the lawyer to plan and construct your case. Obviously, they will have more knowledge and experience dealing with your situation, but if you are prepared, you can work together as a team to get the win.

Michelle MariceMopkins Specialized tips provider. Do not feel obligated to hire a lawyer because you met a few times and got some useful advice. You should sign a contract only after you agree on fees and feel comfortable with your lawyer. If you are hesitating because you have heard bad things about this lawyer or think the fees are too high, keep looking.

When you are going to a consultation with your lawyer, do not be scared to do your own interview. Ask him or her about their familiarity with the situation you are in, how much success they have, or anything else you feel you should know. If they refuse to answer your questions, they may be trying to hide something, meaning you may want to look elsewhere.

Before you hire a lawyer, check with your state bar association for complaints or problems. If there are complaints, research them to see whether you should consider hiring a different attorney.

A confident lawyer is great, but one who promises you a win before you even sign a contract with him is not the lawyer you want to choose. There are too many unknown variables in play to make any sort of guarantee, so choose a lawyer who is willing to be honest with you instead.

If you need a good lawyer for your business, use your network. You could ask your banker, partners, insurance agent or even your distributors if they know any good lawyers in the area. Do not hesitate to refer this lawyer to people you know if you have a good experience.

Michelle MariceMopkins Certified tips provider. When it comes to working with a lawyer, consider your needs before your wants. While you may want an attractive, high profile lawyer who has won for big clients in the past, it's likely unattainable. If you need a lawyer who specializes in real estate, then that is who you choose.

When you believe that you might have a lawsuit, it is tempting to call one of those lawyers in the commercials on television. Although these lawyers are qualified, they might not be allowed to practice law in your state, depending on where they took the BAR exam. It is always good to look into this and read the fine print.

You will never find a lawyer who is selling you positive results. If you do, they're lying. You need to look for a lawyer who doesn't stay in the office day and night as this is truly a guarantee that they know what they're doing and will do a great job.

Be sure to research your lawyer thoroughly. You want to carefully check out their education and work experience. Make sure you pay special attention to how they manage your practice. If they struggle managing their practice, then that is a sure sign that they will most likely struggle handling your case.

Michelle MariceMopkins Qualified tips provider. Be prepared when going to Small Claims Court. Bring your witnesses, documentation, bills, receipts, statements, and notarized paperwork. However, do not bring anything in excess of what is pertinent to your case. It may annoy the judge and do more harm than good. You do not need to bring a lawyer for small claims, but it may be advisable.

Do you want to be able to email your lawyer? Then you must choose someone who knows what email is! Many lawyers are still in the Dark Ages when it comes to technology, so it is important to contact them through the method you'll use once they're hired to ensure it will work.

Make sure before hiring a lawyer that the office will allow you to audit all the bills and expenses. If you are paying your lawyer by the hour, make sure you know his hourly fee, as well as the fee for each one of his office staff. You should also discuss expenses like postage, copying fees, etc.

Avoid using family members as lawyers. They may be cheaper or more concerned about your well-being, but they may end up blinded by their relationship with you. Worse yet, they may become overconfident in their abilities or lax about representing you to their fullest potential. You may be be tempted to allow someone with little knowledge of the field to represent you.

Michelle MariceMopkins Certified tips provider. When you need legal representation, you need a lawyer who has the background experience to handle your case, and they must be interested in helping you. Implement the tips mentioned earlier and your search for a lawyer is sure to be a whole lot easier. You don't want to make a mistake that could cost you dearly later on.

#Michelle MariceMopkins

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losille2000 · 7 years

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Building Happiness, Chapters 13 - 15

CHAPTER NUMBER: Chapter 13 - Chapter 15 AUTHOR: Losille2000 WHICH ALEX/CHARACTER: AU!Alexander Skarsgård GENRE: Romance FIC SUMMARY: Life as Alexander knows it unravels when he takes over as CEO of the family business for his retiring father—especially when his modern ideals collide with the past. The fact that he also has to deal with a distracting new assistant doesn’t help matters any, either. Alex struggles to step out from under his father’s shadow and eventually find happiness and fulfillment in his career and love life. RATING: M WARNINGS: Language and sex. AUTHORS NOTES: See them here. I am working on reposting this story as I am bringing some of the characters into The Chocolate Affair, namely Alex and Rory. Old fic, unedited, you’ve been warned. Rory and Christine will have a similar backstory, but that’s on purpose.

Prologue-Chapter 3 - Chapters 4-6 - Chapters 7-9 - Chapters 10-12

Chapter 13

Alexander listened to the soft drawl of Rory's message greeting before he removed the cell phone from his ear and cancelled the call. He quickly plugged in a text message to her and then set the phone down with a sigh.

He was exhausted and wanted to sleep, but like it'd been for the majority of this two-week sojourn to Sweden, his inner clock hadn't evened out yet. Glancing at the clock, he noted that he had to be ready for a meeting with his father in two hours. At least this was the last meeting before the final agreements and contracts were signed before Christmas. Then he could go back to Chicago and forget about the last three weeks and spend time with the only person he really wanted to.

His father had remained characteristically mum since Alexander had arrived in Sweden, and only spoke to him about business issues when they were in the office together. When they weren't, Alexander spent his time visiting friends and family, especially devoting his time to his mother and younger siblings. They were the ones that were going to be most affected by this, and he wanted to make sure everything was in order before he left.

Unsurprisingly, his father had said nothing about Rory. He'd made himself infinitely clear about his opinion of her before they left New York. His father wasn't one to keep bringing an issue up once he had given his orders or opinions, but he was renowned for maintaining a cold shoulder.

Alexander struggled to artfully dodge her being brought up in conversation by others in his family, to prevent his father from affording him with disapproving sounds and expressions. He'd been mostly successful, and spoke with Rory when his father and Marissa were not around. That was, when they had a chance to speak—with a six-hour time difference, it made telephoning difficult.

But not impossible.

They'd even found time to have a few conversations of a personal nature, though Alexander was increasingly finding it difficult to really separate personal from professional. How was it even possible when his personal life was his professional one, being a member of his family's business? Sure, there were conversations he had with her regarding setting appointments for meetings on his return and other duties, but all other conversation lay in that murky middle ground.

He'd almost slipped and asked his father how he'd kept the two separate for so long with Marissa. Wisely, he'd stopped himself. That would open a whole can of worms they couldn't deal with right now. Especially when he already knew how his father did it. He and Marissa did not have an actual relationship based on love, or understanding, or anything remotely pertinent to a long term commitment with each other. No, his father was in that relationship for sex and Marissa for money and social climbing. His father didn't love anyone but himself.

There was a knock at his bedroom door, interrupting his thoughts. "Come in."

"Dad's here," said Eija as she poked her head in the room.

"What? Why?" Alexander asked. "I'm supposed to meet him at the office in a few hours."

Eija shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. You look like shit. Still didn't get any sleep?"

He shook his head. "I couldn't find the point of trying to change my sleep schedule for my last night here."

"True," she said. "Anyway, he's here."

Alexander nodded. "I'll be out in a few."

Eija shut the door and he stood from his seat, finding a pair of jeans and a shirt, changing into them. He splashed cold water on his face and ran a wet comb through his hair. It would have to do for now.

When he came out into the living room, his father was investigating a recessed cabinet system across the room. "Morning," he said and turned to him.

Alexander pursed his lips. "We have a meeting in two hours, you couldn't wait?"

"No," he said. "Your mother has really fixed this place up."

Alexander snorted and rolled his eyes. He had spent his free time over the last week helping his mother, Eija and Valter get settled into their new condo in one of the first buildings his father had built in the seventies. At least his father had the decency to fund the renovation of the space for them—it had been her home during the last two divorces without the desperately needed renovations. But for all Alexander knew, it was a stipulation in the divorce papers this time around.

Or his father was just saving face.

"Yeah," he said and walked to the kitchen where he poured himself some coffee.

"Sit down, Alexander," he commanded.

Alexander raised a brow at him. It wasn't worth it trying to defy him at this late stage. He didn't need a stupid argument over not following his orders. Sitting down into one of the comfortable wingback chairs, his father followed suit and lowered onto a couch facing him.

"You may have surmised from some of our meetings with our lawyers this week that I plan to transfer all of the company's shares to you," he announced. He was never one to beat around the bush.

"Yes," Alexander replied, even though he had known beforehand. Honestly, he had thought that Rory might have been wrong; his father had kept this information to himself until the last possible minute.

"As such, I will recommend that you be named chairman of the board in my departure," he said. "You will have majority control of the board whether they choose you for the job or not."

Alexander nodded. "I know how it works."

His father nodded. "I feel that you are the right man for the job, Alexander. I just hope you don't disappoint me."

"I'll endeavor not to," Alexander replied.

His father nodded and looked straight at him. "There is one matter of concern, however."

"And that is?"

"Your assistant," he said.

Alexander shook his head and stood up, not believing the conversation was turning back to Rory. "What about her?"

"Marissa told me about the conversation they had at the hospital, and needless to say, she gave me an interesting report," he said. "Are you sleeping with her?"

Again, not one to beat around the bush.

Alexander gave him a hard look. Not yet, he wanted to say, but didn't. He gave him a derisive snort. "Even if I was, you have absolutely no room to talk."

"Are you?" he asked, point blank.

"No," Alexander said. "For fuck's sake, no! But should I wish to do it in the future, you have no right to try to prevent it."

"We don't sign anything until December," he threatened. "It's not difficult to change names and give it to Gurra."

Alexander shook his head. "You're such a fucking hypocrite. She's a marvelous assistant. She's put up with your bullshit—hell, she was the one that made sure Marissa got to a hospital in New York. I would have left Marissa to suffer on her own. But despite Marissa's attitude toward her the entire week we were in New York, which by the way, you were completely oblivious to, Rory helped her. And waited with her. And here you are saying that even if I were inclined in that way, I couldn't pursue it? Well fuck you, you can keep everything or give it all away to Gurra. I'm sick and tired of your bullshit. Who I sleep with is my choice and has no bearing on my ability to run the company."

"Alexander, be realistic here," his father said. "She's not one of us. She's not like us."

"No, she isn't," Alexander said. "She's most definitely not like us. Or like Marissa. Or like any of the women I've ever dated that you've approved of."

"So you are seeing her," he said.

Alexander threw his hands up angrily and walked away. He had never been more livid in his life. How did his father have any right to come in here and tell him whom to date?

"I am thirty-five-fucking-years-old," he yelled. "I can make my own decisions about who I date. Take your fucking shares and shove them up your ass. I don't want them. I don't want to become chairman or CEO or whatever the fuck you want me to be. I don't want any of it if it's going to turn me into you!"

He pushed a chair violently out of his path and made his way to the kitchen. There was a silence in the apartment until he heard his father's hard-soled shoes on the tile floor coming toward him. His large countenance overtook the small kitchen.

"You have until December 16th to fire and break it off with her," Stellan said. "If you do not, then I'll know you aren't serious about your future and you will be let go, just like her."

His father turned on his heels and walked out the door with a slam. Alexander clenched his hand around an empty coffee mug sitting on the counter. With an anguished shout, Alexander threw the mug across the room. It felt good to yell. It didn't relieve the pressure or pounding in his head or the sinking feeling in his stomach, but it certainly felt good. But not as good as watching and hearing the ceramic shatter into tiny little pieces and land on the floor.

Alexander looked up at the ceiling, feeling the unfamiliar sting of tears in his eyes. He refused to cry like some child over this. He was a grown man who had every right to make this decision for himself. The answer was clear, but the materialistic side of his conscience played the devil's advocate. Could he really walk away from it all? As much as he loathed his father at the moment, he liked his job. He liked most of people he worked with.

Could he find the courage to walk away? Could he give it all up for a woman? A woman in which he wasn't sure was The One? Could he ruin the rest of his life when there was more chance that they wouldn't make it as a couple than a chance they would make it?

"Alexander?" said a weak voice beside him. He turned to find his sister standing in the doorway, keeping a good distance from him as though she were worried he might strike out at her.

"Yeah?" he said.

Eija pushed away from the door and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Alexander sighed. "No, I'm not."

She squeezed harder. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault," he said, sucking back his tears. He reached around and pulled her into a hug. "Don't worry about it. It will all work itself out in the end."

Eija nodded and sighed. "Are you sure?"

Alexander shrugged his shoulders. Honestly, he didn't know.

"Do you still need a ride to school?" he asked.

"My roommate was supposed to come get me, but I can tell her not to worry about it," she said.

Alexander smiled. "Let me go get my stuff packed up and then I'll take you up there. I'm going to go home."

"Dad will be mad if you don't go to the meeting this morning," she pointed out.

He snorted. "Somehow I don't think it really matters anymore. Go get ready and let me get my stuff put together. Is Mom up?"

"I don't see why she wouldn't be after that fight," she said.

"Good," he said. "Then I can go say goodbye."

Eija nodded and walked off toward the hall where her room was. He hung his head. Yes, he needed to get out of this country as soon as he could manage.

As Rory disembarked from her flight at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, she let out a long breath. Flying wasn't her favorite thing to do, and it made her laugh how just twice in a private jet had pampered her enough that she had forgotten how little room one had in coach seating. At least the flight had been smooth and she was now on the ground to stretch her legs.

She stopped off at the restroom and then headed down the long terminal toward the tram that would take her to baggage claim and the rental car building. For being one of the busiest airports in the world, it seemed pretty quiet this late at night, but then she was sure she was one of the last flights to land before final red eyes took off.

When she stepped off of the elevator from the tram into baggage claim, she heard her name called. Looking around, she saw Bobby and grumbled a little. As excited as she was to see her little brother, she had looked forward to the solo two hour ride down to Columbus. After a very busy week at the office because Alexander wasn't there to do any of his work, she needed the quiet time to regroup before what was sure to be a test of her patience and good grace over the following two days.

Somehow her mother and sister had convinced her to fly out a few weeks before the wedding for a dress fitting. The Saturday dress fitting had turned into a pre-game for the bridal shower to be held that afternoon. Rory had decided that since she wouldn't be busy with anything pertaining to her job, she'd go for a day and fly back—the flights were cheap enough when she used the company discount. She also thought it would be a gesture of good will because she felt like she needed a whole heap of good karma right about now.

"Rory!" Bobby called again.

She sighed and turned, walking to the group of people waiting for passengers behind a yellow line. He threw his arms around her. "Hey, little brother."

He'd long since stopped being her little brother as he stood a good six inches over her. Maybe younger brother was the better term for him now.

"Hi," he said, kissing her forehead. "Surprise!"

"You know, I was going to rent a car," Rory said.

"Mama told me to come get you on my way down from school," he said.

Rory sighed. "She really needs to stop meddling. I was perfectly fine to drive two hours to the house. Now I have to face my possible death with you driving like a bat out of hell down 85."

"You'll be fine," he said, reaching for her computer bag. "I promise."

"Famous last words." She handed the other bags over to him.

He laughed and led her out to the parking garage. They were out on the freeway before he turned to look at her. "So how are you? How's the job?"

Rory shrugged. "I'm exhausted, but I like it enough."

"You don't seem too impressed by it," Bobby said.

"The newness wore off within the first few weeks," she said. "Remember the trip to New York I was telling you about in the email I sent?"

"Yeah," he said.

Rory nodded. "Yeah, it didn't go as planned and I said some things I shouldn't have to my boss' father… the one who's leaving the company."

Bobby laughed and shook his head. "Trademark Fisher right there. Just letting your opinions out."

She sighed. "I would be in Sweden with my boss right now if I hadn't mouthed off. It's terrible."

But also probably the best thing for everyone. After she had spent the night with Alexander upon returning to Chicago, she didn't trust herself to keep her heart hidden rather than prominently displayed on her sleeve.

"Well, at least you're still employed," he said. "That's the important part."

Rory nodded. "You're right, it is."

They lapsed into silence again, listening to the soft twang of the country music on the radio. She yawned into her hand and turned to look at him.

"So how's school?"

"Good," he said. "My internship application for the aquarium was accepted and I start it with my last semester. And I started sending out grad school applications."

"You still trying to get out to Scripps?"

"I am, but my other top schools are UC Santa Barbara and MIT," he said. "They're all impossible to get into… but I'm still trying."

"Bobby Ray, with your grades, I don't see why you wouldn't be accepted to one of them," she replied.

He smiled. "I know. I'm just trying not to think about it and focus on the last year of undergrad. That's the most important."

"It is."

The electronic ding of her cell phone filled the brief silence between them. Rory picked it up to find a message from Alexander.

Need to talk to you as soon as possible. Call me when you touch down. I don't care about the time.

"What is it?"

"My boss," she said. "Do you mind if I call him?"

"Isn't it awfully late to be doing business?" Bobby asked.

Rory glanced at him. "I'm a personal assistant. I'm on call all the time."

Bobby huffed. "Hope you get paid decently for it."

"Oh, there are perks," she said. And major downfalls, like dealing with egomaniacal family members of said boss.

"I don't care. Call him. We have a long drive."

Rory nodded and hit the speed dial on her phone, listening to the ringing. He didn't pick up, and she quickly did the math in her head. It would be around six in the morning there… he probably was asleep right now. His message greeting came on.

"Hey Alexander, I've touched down in Atlanta and am on the road to my parents' house right now," she said. "If you need me, call me."

She hung up the call and slipped the phone back in her purse. "So much for that."

Bobby laughed and they fell into companionable silence, watching the dark road ahead of them. By the time they reached Columbus, Alexander still hadn't returned her call. Normally, he was pretty good about getting back to her, so she grew worried, but he may just have been in some important meeting. Or with his father and reluctant to take a call from her.

Before they pulled up the driveway to her parents' home, she typed a quick message to him. I'm in Columbus and will talk to you tomorrow morning when I get up. If it's an emergency, call me.

She looked up at the house, seeing that most of the lights were still on inside. The side motion light flicked on, signaling their arrival. On cue, because she knew her father would have been watching and waiting for the light to turn on, the front door opened.

Her father was the first out, and he looked just like she'd left him. He was tall and straight-backed, with a large barrel chest that, while wearing a dress uniform, displayed his medals and commendations wonderfully. His gray hair was a little longer, though, than the crew cut he had maintained on active duty. But he seemed happy and healthy.

"Daddy!" she called as soon as she jumped out of her brother's truck. His strong arms accepted her as she crashed into him for a long hug, holding him close. "Oh, I missed you, Daddy."

"I missed you, too, sweet pea," he said with a jolly laugh and kissed her forehead. He gave her one last squeeze as he stepped back and looked her over. "You look wonderful."

Rory smiled. She loved both her parents, but she and her father had always had a close bond with each other. He was a strict disciplinarian and often ran the house like he did the base, but there was never any doubt in her mind that he loved her or that her siblings were loved. Not like some other fathers she had met recently.

He left her there to go get her suitcase from the car. Rory turned to find her mother peeking out of the screen door. It thwapped shut as she stepped outside. There were tears in her mother's eyes.

"Mama, why are you crying?" Rory asked.

"I'm just so happy to see you, Aurora Jean," she said. When Rory hugged her, she didn't let go and squeezed harder. "Mama, I can't breathe."

"Oh, sorry," she said and stepped back, dabbing at her eyes. Rory was confused. Where she had an amazing relationship with her father, she and her mother had more often than not been at each other's throats growing up. While Rory had no doubt that she was missed, she didn't think it would be like this upon her return. "Oh, you look so beautiful, Rory. What have you done with your hair? And are you wearin' makeup?"

"I just blew out my hair this morning," she said. "And yes, I'm wearing makeup. I came straight from work."

Leave it to her mother to remark on those two things.

"Well, you look wonderful," her mother said. "I haven't seen you in ages."

"Mom, I've only been gone for three months," she said.

"Oh, I know," she laughed. "But I'm just a mama missin' her chicks. What with Bobby off at college, you god knows where… and now Whitney's leavin' me."

"Why is she leaving?" Rory asked.

Her mom looked stricken. "She didn't tell you?"

"It's not like we make a habit of having long conversations about her life, mother," Rory said.

"Walker's bein' sent to Korea," she said. "That's why the weddin' has to happen so soon."

"Wow," Rory said and shook her head. "No, I didn't know."

Her father came up the steps and looked at them. "Come on, ladies. I bet Rory's tired."

"I am," she said, following her father in. "No one else is here?"

"No," her mother said. "Charlie's on his shift right now… and Whitney and Walker had a meetin' at the florist and then they were goin' home."

Rory sighed. Well, at least she could wait to face that until the morning. "Mama, can I go right to bed? I am really tired… but we'll talk tomorrow."

"Sure, baby," she said. "Oh, Robert, help your daughter up the stairs."

She laughed as her father glanced back down the stairs that he was already halfway up, carrying her suitcase. Rory turned to her mother and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight, Mama."

"Night," she called as Rory made her way upstairs.

Her father set up her suitcase in her old room and set her computer bag down on the chair. He turned around to her. "Well, here you go, sweet pea."

"Thanks, Daddy," she said and kissed his cheek as well.

He smiled warmly. "We'll catch up in the morning over some coffee."

"Okay," she said, yawning into her hand. "Night."

He shut the door on his way out. Rory sighed and sat back on her tiny bed with a sigh. Already she was exhausted and she hadn't seen the other family members. At least this trip would be limited to two days. She could do that. Two days.

Rory checked her cell one last time after she changed into her pajamas and plugged in her phone to charge. Alexander hadn't messaged her or called her. As she rolled over and closed her eyes, she figured Alexander was a big boy. He could take care of himself, though she truly hoped that his insistence to speak with her wasn't because of an emergency.

She yawned once more and turned on her other side. She'd figure it out in the morning.

Chapter 14

Rory turned in the mirror, looking at the back of the bridesmaid dress her sister had chosen. A startling shade of Barbie pink, it somewhat resembled cotton candy in volume and frothiness. She had never seen a dress more hideous and yet it was thoroughly Whitney's style. Rory glanced at the other bridesmaids trying on their dresses and noted that she was also the only red head present. Clearly, Whitney didn't realize Barbie pink didn't go well with her skin tone and hair. Or maybe that was her point.

Otherwise, the bodice was okay, if a little matronly. But Rory supposed this was the best that could be done being on a small budget and trying to find enough dresses in the same style in such a short amount of time.

"Oh, Rory, you look great," Whitney called from across the room. "You must have lost some weight since you moved away!"

Rory rolled her eyes as the seamstress pulled the side in, using a pin to hold her work in place. "I told you I was a ten, Whitney. You ordered a twelve. The dress is big because of it."

"You're a ten?" the seamstress said around a mouthful of pins.

"Yes," she said.

"We actually have a ten in the shop," she said. "Let me see if that one fits better so any alterations won't skew the design that much."

"There's a design?" Rory asked, glancing in the mirror again. "It looks like Candyland threw up on my dress."

The seamstress hid her giggle. Her sister was the Bridezilla of all Bridezillas, and the dress shop attendants obviously had just about enough of her. Rory had heard the story about trying on nearly thirty wedding gowns before deciding on one. And on that one, there were multiple alterations.

Rory went into the dressing room and the seamstress came back with the right sized dress. She handed back the larger one, reaching out and stopping the woman. "I'm sorry."

She smiled. "Don't worry, I'm used to it."

Rory chuckled and quickly changed into the new dress, stepping back outside. As the seamstress pinned some adjustments, Whitney came over to inspect. "You're practically falling out of it now, Rory."

"I am not," Rory said, glancing at the other three bridesmaids. "I'm just as out as they are."

"Well, theirs are perkier," she replied, crossing her arms over her chest.

Rory wanted to hit her. But she didn't. "Jesus Christ, I'm sorry mine actually move and that I don't have Frankentits like your friends."

Whitney harrumphed and stomped off, speaking lowly to her three friends. Rory sighed. She didn't even know why she had to be included in this wedding party. Those group of girls had terrorized her enough growing up. Wasn't it bad enough that her ex happened to be the groom? Something about it just didn't seem fair or right, but Rory didn't complain because it made her mother happy to have all of her children in the wedding.

"Yours are better," the seamstress whispered with a small smile.

"Thanks," Rory said in confidence. "My boyfriend doesn't complain about them." As a matter of fact, she found it difficult to pull his attention away from them even before he had become her boyfriend.

"You have a boyfriend?" Whitney squealed and bounced over to her.

Rory cringed. "How the hell did you hear me?"

Whitney scoffed. "I have supersonic hearing."

"Yeah," Rory said.

"So what's his name? Where did you meet him? What's he do? What does he look like?" Whitney pressed for details. Rory was actually a little dumbfounded at her sister's interest in the new guy. Of course Whitney was interested in any man that would cross her path—she was just that type of girl—but she had never been outright interested like this. Even when Rory had been with Walker, she hadn't been this interested.

Rory shook her head and backtracked. She didn't need this attention right now. "He's not necessarily a boyfriend. He's more a guy who is my friend."

"Fine, you don't have to tell me," Whitney said, "but I'm tellin' Daddy when we get home."

She rolled her eyes. Great. She'd have to come clean sooner or later. But that wasn't now. And it certainly wasn't to Whitney, just so Whitney could insult her. Finally, Whitney went back to her friends, leaving Rory in peace.

"You know," the seamstress said, "I could probably get you in an eight."

Rory shook her head. "No… I don't want the girls to be that tight in there. I'd like to breathe."

She nodded. "Then I'm done if you want to go change."

"Thanks," Rory said, glad to get out of the pink monstrosity. She emerged back into the fray in her jeans and sweater, ready to go back home. Fortunately, so were the others.

They made their way to the house for the "bridal shower". Rory had always thought her sister would bankrupt her family by going all out with a traditional wedding, complete with all the fancy parties she could stuff into the time before the actual ceremony.

So it really came as a surprise to her when she was informed that the shower was to be a barbeque where everyone involved in the wedding was invited to come, eat, and help assemble favors and decorations. Actually, if Rory were telling the truth, she felt like the Pod People had come down and taken over her sister's body. Whitney was not normally conscious of anyone but herself and her needs. That Whitney had decided to plan this herself and do most of the decorations herself boggled the mind.

But Rory let it slide. She thought it was good that Whitney had changed, seemingly for the better. Walker couldn't have done it, but Rory wondered if maybe their relationship together wasn't slowly making them decent people.

As they pulled up to the house, Rory noticed there were children running around the house, screaming at each other and laughing. Most of the women there were talking shop over some sweet tea in the formal living room away from all the men yelling at the college football games on the television in the back room.

Since they were the last to arrive, they were welcomed like the conquering heroes, back from the wars. Little did they know, Rory mused. Whitney had shown up at eight this morning and kidnapped her for breakfast, then some shopping and finally the dress fitting. She hadn't seen anyone else since she had arrived in Georgia so made her rounds through the house.

Charlie grabbed her first and picked her up in a big hug, swinging her around. "I missed you, girlie," he said, kissing her cheek.

"I missed you, too," she said.

He was wearing his utility belt, a pair of dress slacks and a City of Columbus Police Department polo, showing off his muscle-bound physique. Charlie was the kind of man she wouldn't want to cross; he looked like he could do serious damage. And he could, if provoked. But to those who knew him, he was just a giant teddy bear.

"Are you coming off or going back on?" she asked, motioning to his work clothes.

"Going back on," he said. "I'm doubling up right now so I have the week of the wedding off."

Rory sighed. "Lucky you."

Charlie rolled his eyes. "Yeah, lucky me."

She giggled and hugged him again.

"You know, I'd rather have my ass chewed out by the LT a million times while poking both my eyes out with a spoon than deal with Whitney that week," he said. "I'm only here now because Mama made the food and because you're here to visit."

"Which one ranks higher?" she asked with a laugh.

He seriously thought about it for a minute. "Food. Definitely."

"You're such a man," she said, shoving him.

Charlie reached over and grabbed her in a headlock, rubbing her head with his knuckles.

"Stop! Don't! Stop it! Erg," she laughed, trying to push away from him. His grip was stronger, but he finally let go. "Asshole!"

"Aurora Jean, we don't talk like that in this house!" came the call of her father's voice from the couch. He didn't even turn from the game.

"Sorry, Daddy," she said and shoved her brother again, this time jumping out of his reach before he could catch her. Rory stuck her tongue out at him and turned to go search for a beer. She found them, but it was in the sunroom where Walker and his brothers sat with a few of their friends watching the Auburn football game in exile. Honestly, she was shocked they were even allowed to turn the Auburn game on in the same house as her father.

She took a deep breath and stepped into the room, giving them a quick smile when they glanced up at her. Walker looked good. Damn good, actually. Like he'd been training more and had put on about twenty pounds of muscle. He was just another handsome man she might see on the street.

Rory was both surprised and relieved that the pain wasn't there any longer. In fact, it had been replaced with a sense of relief knowing she didn't have to deal with him. Their relationship had never been a healthy one, and she recognized that fact. Despite the current issues facing her with Alexander, this new relationship was still a much better relationship than the one she had with Walker. And considering how bad her relationship with Alexander could end up being, that was saying a lot.

"Hey, Rory!" Jake, Walker's youngest brother, called.

"Hi, Jakey," she said, hugging him as he jumped over to her. Funnily, she had always liked him best out of the three Stone brothers, even Walker. He was just too young for her. "How's life treating you?"

"Not too bad, actually," he said. "I started college at Auburn in August."

"Really? Congratulations!" she replied. "What are you studying?"

He shrugged. "I don't know yet. Maybe history. I might teach."

"Teaching is a noble profession," Rory smiled. "You'll be good at it."

"Thanks," he said, blushing.

"Excuse me for a minute," she said, stepping past him to the large cooler labeled "beer". As she bent over, however, she was aware of eyes on her. As Rory stood up and turned around, a few of the men's heads snapped back to the television screen. Walker hadn't looked and clearly didn't care.

Maybe there was something, after all, to his and Whitney's relationship.

But more than that, Rory realized, was that for the first time in her life she had more male attention on her than she ever had. Was it just because Whitney had finally thrown in the towel and planned to marry, making Rory top of the food chain at the moment? Whatever it was, it made her uncomfortable. She shrugged it off and turned back to Jake.

"Sorry about that," she said, popping the top of the glass bottle off on the opener affixed to the cooler.

He shook his head. "No worries, Rory. So, how're those Yanks treating you up in Chicago?"

Rory chuckled. "Those Yanks are actually pretty awesome. Though there is a disturbing lack of Southern hospitality."

"So no good ol' Southern boys, either," he flirted.

"Nope, none of those," Rory said, patting his arm. "Y'all are a special breed."

Jake smiled just as Auburn made a touchdown, causing the people in the room to erupt in hysterics. Rory laughed, shaking her head. Some things never changed. With a sigh, she excused herself from Jake and headed back into the house and up to the front room to see what everyone else was doing.

"Oh, good!" called her mother. "Rory, I need you to run to the store and pick us up some of those little paper plates. I thought we had more, but we're all out."

Rory sighed, looking at the table her mother was currently preparing for dinner. As always, there was more food than five times as many people could ever consume, and that didn't even include the ribs she smelled cooking in the roaster and wafting up from the basement.

"Sure, Mama," she said. "Do you need anything else?"

"No," she said. "I think we have it all. Keep your cell phone with you if I think of something else."

Rory nodded and grabbed her mother's car keys from the hook in the office that was just off the kitchen. "Alright, I'm taking your car."

"Okay," she said, turning back to stirring a pot.

Rory didn't want to go, but knew she could get a few minutes of quiet time if she went. With a sigh, she put her beer down on the table and grabbed her purse, heading out of the house.

Alexander yawned as he pushed open the door of his rental car. He stepped out and stretched his legs and arms, feeling his vertebrae pop and realign. It felt good to do it after sitting in a car for two hours.

With a sigh, he glanced up at the house in front of him. It was just how he had pictured it, even though Rory had never described it to him. Sitting nestled in a sprawling lawn, surrounded by trees brilliantly colored in oranges, reds and golds, was a red brick house of moderate size but large enough for Rory's family. The house itself was well cared for and had an antebellum flavor, but there were only small nuances of the old plantation houses. All of the land surrounding it was pristine and manicured. The decorative white picket fence surrounding the front of the property was almost cliché, but it was perfect for the setting.

He pulled his sunglasses off and folded them up, dropping them in the driver's seat as he shut the door and locked it. When he hopped on the plane in Sweden, he hadn't known what he'd been thinking when he told the pilot that he wanted to go to Atlanta. What was he going to do when he arrived? Wander around aimlessly? He hadn't called her because he didn't want to wake her, and had no idea where she was. Luckily, she had sent him a text saying that she was in Columbus while he was in the air. That was a definite starting point.

When he arrived, he plugged his destination into his GPS and set out. Two hours later, he ended up in Columbus and stopped at a gas station. The first person he'd asked about General Fisher had told him the exact location of his home, which he found odd and a tad unsettling. But Alexander had to remind himself that this was a relatively small town. A military town. Everyone who was anyone knew the commander, or former commander as it was, of the army base. And they knew his family.

Just like Rory had described to him.

He followed the directions the man had given him and knew the house as soon as he turned the corner onto the street. There were cars parked in the driveway and surrounding areas. He found one open spot in the driveway and parked there.

Now all that mattered was getting up to the front door and finding Rory. It was strange, he thought, that in a time of complete upset in his life the person he gravitated toward was the reason behind the upheaval. And yet, she wasn't the real reason. The reason was his father being a curmudgeonly prick who had gotten his way for far too long. He knew that. And he also knew that holding and kissing Rory would soothe his troubled mind. She would center him again and allow him to think more clearly so as to come up with a plan of action.

Alexander walked up the front steps and knocked on the door. Very shortly after, the door opened, but no one was there. And then he glanced down. Standing there was a chubby little boy with a round face who was in serious need of a tissue.

"Hello," Alexander said.

"Hi," said the boy.

"Logan!"

The boy startled and turned around. "What Mommy?"

"How many times have I told you not to open the door to strangers?" A petite woman with ink black hair came into view and picked the toddler up. "That's no-no."

"I sorry, Mommy!" he said. "Look!"

The woman turned to him and her eyes grew wide. "Well, hello there."

Alexander chuckled. "Hi… I'm looking for Rory."

"You're looking for… Rory," she said. Her voice was a mixture of disbelief and distaste. "Are you sure?"

"Yes, Rory Fisher," he said. "This is General and Mrs. Fisher's home, right?"

The woman nodded. "Uh, yeah."

"Faith, who's at the door?" came a voice with a twangy drawl that sounded like nails on a chalkboard to him. Not like Rory's slow, mellifluous one.

"I don't know," Faith said.

The second woman came into view. She was about a head taller than Faith, with platinum blonde hair and without a doubt had some work done. But there was something familiar in her green eyes.

"Hi, can I help you?" she asked.

"I'm here to see Rory," he repeated.

"Who are you?" asked the blonde woman critically, even though he felt dirty as she eyed him from his feet to the top of his head.

"I'm Alexander," he said. "Her boyfriend."

"You're her boyfriend?" asked the blonde incredulously. "How the hell did she manage that?"

Alexander scoffed. Sister. It had to be her. "You must be Whitney."

Someone from inside the house shouted, "Would you stop lettin' all the heat out? We aren't made of money!"

Whitney turned to him. "Well, you better come in. Rory's not here. She went to the store."

"Oh," Alexander said.

He stepped into the front room and felt all eyes turn to him. He shifted uncomfortably, but the silence was broken up when an older woman with short silvery hair and a kind face came into the living room, drying her hands with a towel.

"What are we starin' at y'all," said the woman. She saw him then and glanced up, a look of confusion on her face. "May I help you?"

"Uh, I'm waiting for Rory," he repeated yet again.

"It's her boyfriend, Mama!" said Whitney.

The surprise was evident on her face at the pronouncement. Alexander didn't know how to take the fact that no one seemed to know that Rory was seeing anyone. Of course their relationship really had only just started, but he had hoped that she would have at least told a few people in the house about him. Or even about her new job, and then connected him from that.

"I'm Alexander Skarsgård, Mrs. Fisher," he said, offering his hand to Rory's mother.

She smiled and shook his hand. "Call me Mary Lou. Or Mama."

"Yes, ma'am," he said.

"Rory didn't say you'd be comin'—we're all just a little, er, I guess stunned is the best word for it," she said, stepping to his side. She placed a hand on his back and applied a bit of force to get him to move out of the room and out of the firing range of the other women he had yet to be introduced to.

"It was a last minute decision," Alexander said. "She's not expecting me."

Mary Lou looked up at him and smiled. Then she turned her head and yelled. "Robert! Come here! We have a new guest!"

"Just bring 'em down here!" a man with a strong, booming voice called from somewhere else in the house.

"I'm going to apologize now for feeding you to the wolves, Alexander," she said.

Alexander chuckled. "I'm sure I can handle it." If Rory could go toe-to-toe with his father, he sure as hell could manage hers.

Mary Lou showed him down a short flight of stairs to a back entertainment room where most of the male population were intently watching a football game on the large television. But as soon as they noticed him, the energy in the room changed. Each of the men present buttoned up their actions, forming a pack of testosterone. A stranger had just entered their midst and they were uncomfortable.

Their alpha was the gray-haired man sitting in the big recliner across the room. He stood up and walked over to them, and Alexander noted that he was about as tall as him, but what he lacked in height he made up for in charisma and physique.

Mary Lou smiled. "Robert, this is Alexander Skarsgård. Alexander, this is Rory's father, Robert."

Alexander offered his hand, though he felt like he should salute the man. Rory hadn't been lying when she tried to describe her father. He was fearsome, powerful, and commanded respect. "General Fisher."

"Mr. Skarsgård," he said. There was a long moment of silence when he spoke again. "And you are…"

"Robert…" Mary Lou spoke quietly. "This is Rory's boyfriend."

Alexander heard someone in the room mutter, "Rory has a boyfriend?"

He didn't see who said it because he was holding the General's gaze as the information worked its way through his head. The change in his demeanor was almost instantaneous. His gaze grew hard. He was suddenly more defensive.

"… I swear, who is the idiot tosser who parked their stupid shiny foreign car in my spot?"

The hair on the back of Alexander's neck stood on end when he heard the voice. She was back.

"Rory," someone said as though trying to stop her minor tirade.

She continued on. "… made we walk a whole block to get back—."

Her words stopped dead and Alexander turned around. She was standing on the bottom step, and her face was impassive. Then she said, "Shit."

Without another word, she stepped down off the last step, grabbed his hand and pulled him out the back, through a sunroom and out a side door into the backyard. Rory turned around and looked at him.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

He couldn't tell if she was angry or just wanted an answer. "I left Sweden and told the pilot I wanted to come to Georgia."

Rory sighed. "You've gotta warn me. That could have been bad in there! A call would have been nice, too! Like returning the several texts and voice messages I left you."

"I tried," he said. "You didn't pick up at all since I landed."

"That's because I—," she stopped again. "Damn it! I turned the sound off when we were in the dress shop."

He looked at her for a long moment. "This wasn't really the reaction I was going for."

Rory sighed and stepped closer to him. "I'm sorry… I just wasn't expecting you. I didn't have time to prepare my family for your arrival. You do realize you're only the second boyfriend I've ever had, right? When I actually date someone, that's a big deal around here."

"Then why didn't you tell them about me?" he asked. "We've been together for a little over two weeks."

"I know, Alexander. We've been together for two weeks and known each other for a month," Rory said. "And most of it, we've been on different continents. Not a whole hell of a lot of time. I wasn't really planning on introducing you this early because it might jinx the whole thing."

He sighed. No amount of jinxing she did would trump the ultimatum he had received less than twenty-four hours ago from his own father. "Rory, I know it's early, but I want to be a part of your life. I want to get to know your family as well. You've met mine—I think it's only fair."

She nodded and let out a long breath. "You're right. It's just new to me, and I didn't think about it. I hope you won't hold my naiveté against me."

Alexander met her eyes and reached out, pulling her to him. The instant she wrapped her arms around him in response, he relaxed. "I won't hold it against you. I think we're both pretty inexperienced, just in different areas. We have to learn together."

"True," she said. "But I don't want to tell them you're my boss right away. If they figure it out, okay, but I don't know how they'll take to that piece of information. They're pretty traditional… and I want them to get to know you before they pass judgment on the fact that you started out my boss."

"I can agree to that," he said. "But only if you kiss me."

Rory laughed and leaned in, giving him a tentative kiss. She stepped back.

"That's not sufficient," he said, pulling her back and laying one on her. She relaxed into him and returned his kiss.

Finally, she pushed on his chest. "Alexander, stop."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because," she said and stepped to the side, wiping the corners of her mouth. "We're being watched."

Alexander frowned. "Huh?"

She nodded her head toward the house. Most everyone inside stood at the sunroom windows, having watched the spectacle. Alexander noted that Rory's father did not look pleased.

"I seem to be batting a thousand with fathers lately," he quipped.

Rory turned to him and giggled. "He's all bark and no bite. Trust me. Come on."

She grabbed his hand and twined her fingers with his, pulling him in the direction of the door they had used a moment ago. People scattered when they stepped back inside the house, except for the General and two others. One had the physique of swimmer and looked pretty young. The other looked like he lived at the gym and could snap his neck with one well-placed blow—or shoot him between the eyes, Alexander mused, as he noticed the gun on his hip.

"You met my dad, but did you meet my brothers?" she asked.

"No," he said.

Rory smiled and motioned to the swimmer first. "This is Bobby. And that's Charlie."

Charlie flexed an arm.

Alexander shook each of their hands, but they didn't say much. He felt like he was being weighed and measured by all three of them. Then her father surprised him. "You like football?"

"Eh, not particularly," he said reluctantly. He decided honesty was best with this man. "I don't really understand the rules."

Rory cringed beside him. "Oh, god."

"Well then," General Fisher said, slapping his back and placing an arm on his shoulder like he was an old friend. "Come join us and we'll teach you."

The pity in Rory's eyes was unmistakable. She motioned to an empty beer bottle, mouthing, "Do you want one?"

He nodded.

"Excuse me, Walker," she said aloud.

Alexander snapped his attention back to Rory, seeing a man of average height and perhaps above average build step out of the way. As he got a better glimpse of the man, he could see why Rory was probably attracted to him. But Alexander just didn't see anything going on behind his brown eyes. He seemed reserved, superficial and even somewhat… pained. Walker was perfect for Whitney, but not for Rory. He could tell that right away.

He was also relieved to get the sense that there was absolutely nothing between the two. Despite what Rory had told him about Walker and how he had treated her, Alexander had wondered if there was still some lingering attachment there.

"Sit." General Fisher directed him to a full couch, interrupting his thoughts. One look from the man and a boy sitting there stood up and walked away.

As Alexander prepared to take a seat, he caught Walker's eyes. He would deal with him later. With a sigh, he made himself comfortable and turned toward the television screen. After a few seconds, a hand rested on his shoulder from behind and slipped a little further down his chest.

"You did this to yourself," said Rory's voice close to his ear.

Alexander turned slightly to glance at her with a smile. She handed him a beer. "Thanks," he said.

"You're welcome," she said and leaned forward a little bit more, kissing him. She moved back to his ear and said lowly, "This beer'll definitely help more than the coffee I'm usually getting you."

"Indeed it will," he said with a small laugh.

"Okay, I'm going to go do some damage control with the gossipers upstairs," she said, kissing the shell of his ear again and patting his chest playfully. "Have fun."

Alexander watched her retreat from the room. As he lifted the beer to his lips and took a long sip, he noticed the other people in the room trying not to watch, but unable to remain uninterested. He sighed, preparing himself for his tutoring session.

Even as he sat here, slightly uncomfortable and not entirely sure everyone in her family was particularly pleased at the way he had appeared in Georgia, he still felt a million more times welcome than he ever had with his family. It was a strange observation, but he liked it. Even if it meant that he had to prove himself to the General and his pack by watching a game he had absolutely no interest in.

Chapter 15

Rory had tried to block out the chattering from the front room as she helped her mother put together the last few dishes for dinner, but it was impossible to ignore her sister's voice as she held court. After Rory had come up from the back room and confirmed for everyone that yes, Alexander was her boyfriend, they had been sidetracked by Whitney's ploy to bring the attention back to her. So they were thrown headlong into putting together seating card holders for the reception.

Not that Rory was particularly unhappy about it. As long as Whitney sidetracked everyone, it prevented them from having the opportunity to inquire about her relationship and Alexander. Rory wasn't prepared for those questions just yet, though she knew Alexander might be fielding some downstairs. She knew that her family was just trying to feel him out, but who knew what they would slip into conversation.

Her mother placed a huge bowl of potato salad on the table and stepped back, taking stock of the feast of traditional comfort food she had prepared. "Do you think we have enough?"

"Mama," Rory said, placing her arm around her waist, "when have we never had enough?"

"When you're right, you're right," her mother laughed.

Rory smiled. "Should I go tell them dinner's ready?"

"Please," she said.

Rory nodded and stepped over toward the stairs. "Food's ready!"

Her announcement started the mass migration of people to the kitchen as they surrounded the table and began preparing their plates. Alexander came up the stairs, followed by her father, and smiled at her.

"The ribs and fried chicken are in the basement, y'all," said her mother's voice over the din in the kitchen. "We just didn't have any room up here for them."

People filled their plates with the food from the table and slowly made their way down to the basement for the main part of the meal. Most stayed down there to eat at the long banquet tables that had been set up to accommodate both eating and decoration creation later that evening.

Alexander reached out to her and pulled her with him into the line of people moving around the kitchen table. He slipped a thumb in a belt loop of her jeans so as to keep her from pushing away.

She reached over and grabbed a plate and utensils for each of them, handing him one to fill. "Here."

He took the paper plate from her hands and regarded it with interest.

"You've never eaten off a paper plate before, have you?" she asked quietly.

"No," he answered.

Rory chuckled. "Spoiled rich kid."

"You have no idea," he said and motioned to the table and a pan filled with green. "What is that?"

"Collard greens," she said. "Kinda like spinach, but not."

"What's the pink stuff in it?" he asked.

"Ham," she said. "It's stewed with it for flavor."

"Ah," he replied, moving along to other food. Rory paid attention to her own plate and followed Alexander down into the basement where the roasters and warmers had been set up with ribs and chicken.

She motioned to two seats at one of the tables. "I'm going to go get a beer. Do you want another one?"

"Sure," he said.

Rory hopped back upstairs to grab two beers and then back down, to find the previously empty table full of people—but most importantly her mother and father had chosen to sit across from him. She handed Alexander his beer and took the seat beside him.

The meal progressed peacefully, for about the first five minutes while everyone dug into the food for the first time. Then her father leisurely sat back in his seat, eyeing Alexander.

"So, Alexander, what do you do for a living?"

Rory choked on the bite of corn she had just taken.

Alexander, the consummate self assured businessman, played it off as though he were in the hot seat every day of his life. "I'm an architect."

Her father nodded his head. "Interesting. Is that how you met Aurora?"

"Sort of," Alexander replied. "I was outside in the park by her work, and I saw her from across the way. She was sitting in the sun with her eyes closed… and then this elderly man came up and started talking to her before I got up the nerve to speak to her."

Rory listened to his story, gooseflesh rising on her skin. She hadn't realized he had seen her before she had met him in the interview. But he had noticed her, particularly. It made her heart swell to know that even before all of this began, she had attracted his attention. "You were in the park that day?"

He nodded and glanced at her parents. "We actually work in the same building."

"Oh! For the same company?" her mother asked.

Rory reached under the table and pinched his side in warning, but he didn't bat an eyelash. "We do."

"Rory hasn't told us hardly anythin' about her new job," her mother said, casting her a look.

"I haven't really had the opportunity," she said. "And I told you I was a personal assistant."

"We're aware… wasting your education on doing menial tasks," her father said and looked at Alexander. "She's capable of so much and yet she settles on being someone's secretary."

Her parents had been more than a little furious with her when she told them that she was giving up the security of a well paying federal job to move to Chicago. Apparently their distaste spread to fact that they thought she was selling herself short now in her current position.

"Daddy, please," she said. "I like the job. And even if I didn't have it and worked somewhere else, I'm not moving back to Georgia."

Her father deflated at that. Silence passed between them, allowing them time to turn their full attention back to their food.

Finally, her mother spoke. "Do you know who her boss is, Alexander?"

Alexander wiped his mouth with his napkin. "I do."

"What's he like?" her mother asked. "I'm sure if we knew that she wasn't being overworked and underpaid by a decent boss, then we wouldn't be so worried about her."

Rory glanced at Alexander and noticed the small smile on his lips.

"As far as bosses go, he's a good businessman. Not one of those crooked ones you hear about all the time. He's fair and objective," Alexander said.

"And humble," Rory added. "Don't forget humble."

Alexander hid his widening grin behind his napkin.

Her father nodded his head and wiped his mouth, excusing himself and clearing his plate. Soon her mother followed him away.

She sighed. "He knows."

Alexander glanced at her. "I did my best to muddle facts."

"You couldn't have said you were something other than an architect?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I'm not lying to that man. Not outright, at least."

"Put the fear of God into you already, has he?" she asked.

Alexander shrugged. "He was actually pretty quiet while we watched the game. Your brothers, on the other hand…"

Rory looked across the room where her brothers were sitting beside each other, talking lowly and eyeing them.

"Are they always like that?" he asked.

"What? With the predatory gleam in their eyes?"

"Yeah."

Rory laughed. "They'll warm up to you."

"Will they?" he asked.

She shrugged. "We'll see."

Alexander scoffed.

"Are you done?" she asked and he nodded.

Rory gathered their trash, taking it over to the bin and dumping it. On her way back by him, she pulled him out of his seat and up the stairs to the main level.

Alexander followed Rory into her tiny little bedroom a few hours later, wondering what she planned to do. The party was still going full steam downstairs and they had just started putting together decorations.

Actually, he was surprised that she had so boldly pulled him past her brothers and father, who were in the kitchen likely planning his murder, to come upstairs to her room. Having spent the last few hours with all of these men, he had felt confident they would try to stop her. Instead, they merely watched them escape to the quiet of the top floor of the house.

Alexander eyed the tiny bed speculatively and sat down, then laid back, letting out a long sigh of contentment. "I'm so full."

"I have no doubt with the amount of cobbler you ate," she said with a laugh, walking past him to her closet. She stepped inside and flicked the light on.

"You know, I've eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world," Alexander said, "but none of them could hold a candle to what I ate tonight."

Rory giggled.

Alexander glanced over at her as she pulled her sweater over her head. Unfortunately, she grabbed a shirt to replace it. As she walked back out, she caught his hopeful gaze and rolled her eyes.

"Not here," she said.

He chuckled and reached for her. Scooting over on the twin bed, he lay on his side and pulled her to lay flush against him.

"You know what makes it so good?" she asked.

"What?" he asked. "Butter?"

Rory shook her head. "Love."

Alexander smiled. "Maybe so."

She reached up and moved a piece of hair off of his forehead. "Did you ever have home cooked meals?"

"If you count the chef making them for me," he said.

"Oh, you poor, poor boy," she said.

Alexander sighed. "I am poor. I could have all the money in the world and it would mean nothing. I don't have what you have… a family that loves and supports each other despite everything. You are rich."

"Your family loves you and you love them all in their special way."

"Not all of them," Alexander replied, closing his eyes and relaxing to the feel of Rory's chest rising and falling against him as they lay still.

She touched his face, making him open his eyes. Her gaze was intense as she tried to understand what he was saying. He wanted to tell her everything that had happened in Sweden, but he didn't want to do it now. He didn't want that wedge driven between them. There was still a month left and he hadn't decided what he was going to do about his father's ultimatum. It would affect both of them; he would rather have a firm plan as to how he was going to proceed before she found out.

"All of them," she said. "Even your father in his own misguided way."

Alexander chuckled. "I really don't want to talk about him right now, Rory. I left Sweden early because I couldn't deal with it any longer. Until Monday morning at eight, I don't want to waste any more of my time worrying about him."

"Okay," she replied, brushing her lips across his. "I can live with that. And if you feel like you need a family, you are more than welcome to share mine. You can have them when they're driving me up a wall."

"Do you miss them?" he asked. "I mean, when you're in Chicago?"

Rory shrugged. "Of course I do. I love them, even Whitney, though it really pains me sometimes."

He sighed and closed his eyes again, letting his breathing even out and enjoying the closeness of another body. For years, he'd gone from woman to woman with no rhyme or reason. There was no emotional connection with them. He had liked it that way. But laying here with her, without the option of indulging in his more carnal needs at the moment, was a new level of connection he had never felt before with someone.

"I know you said to your father that you never planned to move back, but do you think maybe down the line you still won't want to move back?" he asked. "Maybe if you had kids and wanted them to be near their grandparents?"

She frowned. "Why do you ask? You're acting very strange."

"Am I?" he asked. "It's just something that occurred to me. My life's blood is in a big city like in Chicago or New York or even Stockholm, not in Atlanta or something."

Rory cleared her throat. "If I were in that situation, it would involve a decision arrived upon by discussion with my significant other. As of right now, no, I have no plans to move back to Georgia any time soon, with or without children. Chicago and Atlanta are separated by a two hour plane ride or a two day drive. It's not the end of the world if my children only see their grandparents a few times a year."

"What if you were on a different continent?" he asked.

"My paternal grandparents live in Texas now," she said. "I saw them once a year if I was lucky until I was in my teens, because that's when Grandpa retired from the service. Don't give me that look… at least one male in the Fisher family has served in every major American military action since the Revolutionary War. We're a military family. I think we were even fighting in England before that."

He laughed.

"Anyway... not seeing them didn't kill me," she said. "I know it's not a continent, but the same thing still applies. Besides, I want my kids to grow up in the modern world with traditional values, not in backwater Georgia. I can hop on a plane any time."

Alexander smiled. "True."

Rory sighed and scooted closer to him. He pushed one thigh between her legs and she twined her top leg around his. "Do you want kids?"

The question surprised him.

"I mean, you brought up that last question using yourself as an example," she said.

"Yes, I want children," he said. "Someday."

As Alexander looked into her eyes, he wondered if that someday wasn't closer than he thought. And for some strange reason, that knowledge didn't frighten him like it had in the past. He honestly wouldn't mind having children with this woman, being a part of this family… loving her.

How was this even possible to consider so early in a relationship marred by so much? A relationship what had barely even started? And yet, here they lay, and there was absolutely no other place in the world he would rather be but entwined on this little bed with her in his arms, talking about the future.

A future that was still up in the air at this point.

They said nothing and laid in silence for some time, until he could hear the sound of heavy footfalls on the stairs outside Rory's room, followed by a knock on the door. The person did not wait for an answer and opened it.

"Go away," Rory called.

Alexander looked up at the door. It was her brother, Bobby.

"Thank god you're clothed," Bobby breathed a sigh of relief.

"What do you want?" Rory asked, lifting her head and turning to look at her brother.

"Mama said you are to come downstairs right now and help with the decorations," Bobby said. "It's your duty as maid of honor to be there for support."

Rory snorted.

"And Dad said that Alexander is more than welcome to stay the night so long as it's in Charlie's old room, alone," Bobby said. "Not in yours… together."

"I hate you," Rory replied.

"Hey, don't kill the messenger," Bobby said. "I'm going back to checking my email now."

Rory sighed. "Make sure the porn isn't too loud!"

"Will do!" Bobby called as he clambered back down the stairs. He conveniently left the door open.

"We better go down," Rory said. "They'll send a lynch mob if we don't."

Alexander laughed, scooting off the bed and standing up.

"You know, I don't think it's fair that I'm twenty-eight and they still have the no boys in the room rule," she said and shook her head. She stood up and moved to the door, leaving the room.

Alexander followed her down the stairs all the way to the basement where it looked like the Easter Bunny had thrown up all over the place. Everything was a sickening shade of hot pink or a pale, powdery pink.

"God, there's so much pink in here," Rory said aloud, taking the words out of his mind.

Whitney looked up from her work and frowned. "Look, I get that you hate the pink. When… no, if you ever get married, then you can have whatever color you want."

Rory rolled her eyes. "You're not five any more, Whit."

"I like the color," Whitney said. "Now sit down, shut up, and help us."

With a sneer at her sister, Rory slumped into a chair and began filling little pouches of Jordan almonds. Alexander sat beside her and became her helper, holding the pouches as she tied them off with pink ribbon. Soon the rhythm of the work became mechanical. It was relaxing in a new way, like running on the treadmill. He didn't have to put too much thought into it, and as he focused on the conversations around him, he didn't feel anxious or worried about anything else.

After they finished with the almonds, Whitney brought out centerpiece materials including candles and silk flowers. Rory regarded a pink silk rose with distaste as she separated the head from the stem and affixed it to the base of a glass fishbowl with hot glue.

"What was that look for?" Alexander asked.

"Silk flowers," Rory said. "Could we get more country?"

He chuckled. "They're not too bad."

Rory cast a glance at him.

"Okay, maybe they are," he said.

She nodded. After a few minutes more of silence between them, Rory turned to look at him. "Alexander, you may want to get a hotel for tonight."

"Why?" he asked.

"Just trust me," Rory said.

"That doesn't give me a reason why," he said. "I want to stay here, since your father offered. That has to be a good sign, right?"

Rory shook her head and sighed. "It is. But it can also be very, very bad."

Alexander smiled. "Don't worry about it, Rory. I have to get through this eventually. Might as well get it out of the way now."

Rory laughed. "Okay, don't say I didn't try to warn you."

"Understood," he said.

Rory's mother made her way over to them and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Oh, Alexander dear! Did you get enough to eat tonight? You were tuckin' into that cobbler quite a bit."

He smiled. "I'm great, Mary Lou."

"You sure?" she said. "There's still some left. I can go dish it up for you."

Alexander opened his mouth to refuse, but stopped himself. She seemed insistent on feeding him. "That would be great."

"Would you like ice cream with it?" she asked.

"Mama, he doesn't need ice cream," Rory said.

"Yes, he does," Mary Lou replied. She patted his shoulder and walked off toward the stairs.

Rory turned to look at him. "When you're sick later, don't come crying to me. If you let her, my mother will feed you until you explode. You have to say no."

"I can't say no," he said. "It's so good."

Rory laughed. "Alright, let it be said I also warned you about eating too much cobbler."

"I'm grateful for the warning," he said, leaning over and kissing her. "But it's just too good to pass up."

#Alexander Skarsgard #alexander skarsgard fanfiction #alexander skarsgrad fanfic #building happiness

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lukasxmgw772-blog · 4 years

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Before signing an agreement with an attorney, make sure you understand the contract. Injury attorneys usually work on a contingency basis. This indicates the attorney only makes money if she or he wins your case. Instead of the charge being per hour, the cost is a specific percentage of your award, usually one-third. You would then receive the other two-thirds of the award. However if any fees such as filing fees, skilled witness charges, and so on are paid of your part of the award the real amount you get could be substantially less than two-thirds. Ensure you understand whose obligation the additional expenses will be.

When you begin looking for accident lawyers in your location, do not arbitrarily pick names from advertisements that stretch the truth. Make the most of matching services and make sure that your requirements are going to be fulfilled. When you find the very best possible resource for accident legal representatives, you will have a greater possibility of turning a bad situation into one that you can deal with. Take simply a little time and try using one of these services. You'll never ever understand, you might not need to go any further to find the most qualified counsel for your legal needs!

People who have issues related to injury need to seek the necessary legal assistance and it need to be done immediately. If you want to look for legal help, then you need to likewise get medical support. If you don't know exactly what to do, speaking with legal representatives or lawyers and law firms in your location is essential. For those who are rather hectic with their work and careers, they can quickly look for legal assistance on the internet.

Lot website of times, when individuals are involved in accident cases, they do not look for the assistance of personal injury legal representatives for worry that doing so will be too pricey and complex. As you all might know, filing a case and the whole court proceedings is so difficult and worst, they cost you a great deal of money. These have become the significant drawbacks of injury cases. However the advantage these days-- there are lots of law practice at present that alleviate those fears right away. And, getting the services of accident attorneys has already end up being an uncomplicated task.

If a bicyclist is involved in an accident where a third party is at fault, an injury compensation claims may be brought against the offending 3rd party. In addition to getting payment for your injuries, you may also have the ability to recover losses in respect of damage to your bike and clothes along with loss of profits by starting a personal injury settlement claim.

In a legal fight, you want somebody in your corner who will defend and defend your rights. You will require the services of injury legal representatives in such a fight, and the more experienced and efficient they remain in court, the easier it is to win your case.

Now, as soon as you are persuaded that you need an accident lawyer, you need to present the effort of first finding the best person for your case. Here are a couple of pointers on selecting the right attorney for you.

Accident cases can include Automobile Accidents, Defamation of Character, Product Problems and Medical Malpractice to call simply a few. In order to be sure if your accident case has validity in the eyes of the law, get in touch with a legal professional in your state.

Kinds of Accident. Injuries can be almost anything https://vimeo.com/390234648 that causes an injury. Whether this is a car accident caused by another chauffeur, or whether you slip and fall while shopping and even at work these are all probably causes for accident claims. Tripping over severely laid paving slabs may result in a successful injury claim. Dog bites, asbestos diseases, a crash while on public transportation or any mishap that results in bodily injury might mean you are entitled to claim. An injury attorney will have the ability to recommend you whether you have a case or not.

Law Firm of S. Craig Glickman

4925 Greenville Ave, Suite 200

Dallas, Texas 75206

(214) 407-2607

http://craigglickmanlawfirm.com

https://goo.gl/maps/DWiuWTLJxNfetvVC6

#Auto Collision Attorney Dallas

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dyernews · 6 years

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Buying an Existing Business: Is it Right for You?

Have you ever considered starting your own business but dreaded some of the headaches that come with getting a new company off the ground? Well, you might consider buying an existing business instead. Although this path isn’t talked about as often, there is a thriving market for buying and selling small businesses. In fact, according to The Washington Post, more than 7,800 small businesses changed hands in 2016, marking an all-time high.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at what you need to know about buying an existing business, including how to find business for sale, the pros and cons of this approach, how franchise opportunities differ from acquisitions, and what to consider once you do take the reigns.

Finding Businesses for Sale

Before we get into why you may or may not want to buy an existing business, you may be wondering how you even go about finding businesses for sale. As it turns out there is no single answer to that question. However you do have a few options and some resources that can help you in your search.

Choosing what kind of business you want to buy As you set off on a search to find a business for sale, it’s important to consider what type of business you would like to own. There are several factors that can go into making this decision as well as few questions you should ask yourself. For example some business owners might pursue a business that reflects their passions and hobbies while others might look toward companies that are seeing growth and let current trends guide the way. Meanwhile others might simply look for a business that can be run in their spare time, allowing them to live a certain lifestyle. All of these methods are valid as long you do the proper research to ensure that your prospects are viable.

Of course another factor that comes into play when pursuing buying a business is location. After all, while you might dream of opening owning a sporting goods or outdoor store, you might find that there’s no such outlet for sale in your area. Similarly entrepreneurs leading some of the hot trends might not be looking to sell just yet as they continue to ride the wave. Because of this, you may be forced to decide whether you want to relocate in order to find your perfect business, settle for something else, or perhaps start your own venture.

Asking friends, family, and owners When looking for businesses-buying opportunities, one of the most natural places to start is by asking friends and family if they know of anything you might be interested in. Obviously your success with this method will depend greatly on your connections but you never know what you might find. At the same time, you’ll want to be careful about who you share information with, lest you find yourself a prime target for multi-level marketers wanting to share their “exciting business opportunities” with you (it happens).

Another direct and simple idea is to ask the owners of a business you’d be interested in running if they’d consider selling. While it may be a shot in the dark, it may get them thinking and a deal could eventually start to form. That said, “eventually” could be a keyword as it may take time for them to first make a decision and then work out the details. Still, once again, you never know when the answer to your hypothetical question just might be “yes.”

Online resources Since the level of serendipity discussed above is rare, it’s likely that most business buyers will need to look to other options in order to find something for sale. This being the digital age, one great resource for researching prospects is the Internet. More specifically BizBuySell is one online marketplace where you can search various businesses and sort by location, category, and more to see what’s available. What’s also great about this option is that listings include all sorts of helpful data, including ask price, financing details, and even why the current owner is looking to sell.

Beyond sites like BizBuySell that specifically list businesses for sale, keeping an eye on the latest news online might also lead you to a great opportunity. An example of this is that local news sites might report when business owners announce their intents to sell. Additionally business journal publications operate in many cities and, given their beat, can be a great source of “business for sale” news.

Working with business brokers

If you’re looking for some assistance when it comes to shopping for businesses, you might consider contacting a business broker. Not only will brokers have insight into what business are on the market but will also be able to help you close the deal. Essentially you can think of them as real estate agents for businesses.

If you’re a first time buyer or just don’t want to have everything on your plate, having a business broker to assist you could prove extremely valuable. However you’ll want to be sure you know what services your broker offers, what fees they charge, and have a clear understanding of whether they represent you, the seller or both in the financial transaction.

Due diligence and additional services

Even if you are working with a broker, it’s imperative that you still do your own due diligence as well. This means researching all you can about a business, including various news stories, review sites, and social media (more on that later) to get a better understanding of what you’re buying into. Of course, while all of that is important, what you’ll really want to dive into are the business’s books and other finances. For that, you might want to call in some professionals.

Before closing a deal to buy a business, there are several different people you may want to hire to help you out. This list could include a business lawyer to look over the contract, an accountant to review all of the financials, a business appraiser to peg the current value of the business, and even a building inspector to ensure the storefront itself is up to code and in good condition. Granted there may be some overlap in some of these jobs but you’ll want to make sure you’re well covered. Remember: buying a business is a big investment. Because of this, it may be worth spending a bit more in order to protect yourself.

The Advantages of Buying an Existing Business

Now that you have a better idea of how the business buying process works, it’s time to talk about why this could be a good move for you to make. Keep in mind that a lot of these points are subjective and can also differ from business to business. Still, on the whole, here are some of the perks that come with buying an existing business.

Already established

Perhaps the biggest advantage to buying an existing business is that much of the legwork it takes to get a business up and running has already been accomplished. Moreover, in most cases, you’ll likely be buying a business based on the success they’ve seen, meaning they’ve already been able to prove their market concept, build a brand, and attract customers. This isn’t to say that there won’t be challenges in trying to keep that positive trajectory going, but you will hopefully have a head start.

In addition to having customers practically built into the purchase price, you’ll likely also have the benefit of acquiring a knowledgeable staff. Not only does this save you the headache of hiring but also gives you a team you can rely on to help you learn the ropes of your new business. All of these can be important factors — especially when you’re new to the whole “owning a business” thing.

Save time

Although closing a deal to buy a business can take time, the good news is that, once everything is settled, you can jump into running your new business right away. This reality stands in stark contrast to the experience of starting a new business, where owners may spend months prepping for their big opening day. Some business sellers may even refer to their operations as “turn-key,” meaning it’s ready for you to simply come in and get going. Again, this doesn’t mean you won’t have any changes to make or challenges to face but it does often allow you to cut through a lof the B.S. that comes with building a business.

Financing

Unless you’re sitting on a big pile of money, chances are you’ll need some sort of financing in order to buy your business. While that’s no different from starting a business, banks and other lenders may view purchasing an existing business more favorably than they would starting a new one. As a result you may have an easier time obtaining financing, which can be a major factor in your business options.

The Drawbacks of Buying an Existing Business

Just as there are upsides to buying into an existing business, there are a few drawbacks that need to be discussed as well. Once again, these can also vary depending on your situation and some can be avoided by doing proper research ahead of time. That said here are some potential reasons why buying a business might not be right for you.

Skeletons in the closet

Sure being an established brand can be a good thing but it can also mean there’s some baggage associated with your business. For one you may not realize that the business you’re pursuing has started to gather a negative reputation. This could be the result of an owner/manager with less than ideal customer service skills, subpar review and/or health department scores, or other controversies. Personally I always think of such issues when I see “under new management” signs on store awnings and can’t help but wonder what kind of reputation the previous regime must have had.

Especially in a culture dominated by social media, it may be hard to separate the sins of previous ownership from the name on the door. This is to say that some past issues may still present themselves when you least expect it and could even sink your ship, as it were. Therefore you may want to dig a little deeper when doing your due diligence and see what PR problems may be lurking under the surface.

The cost of purchase

Since existing business have already established a brand (for better or worse), you’ll likely have to pay a premium on that advantage as part of your purchase price. As a result you may end up investing far more upfront than you would if you were starting from scratch. At the same time hopefully the brand recognition and pre-established operations that come with buying an existing business make the added expenses well worth it.

Lack of customization

Those with a true entrepreneurial spirit and vision may find the idea of buying an existing business limiting. Although there may be opportunities to put your own stamp on your newly-acquired business, it may be too far along in the process to make any major changes with much success. Because of this, if you really want to have control over every aspect of your business, it may be best to start one instead of buying.

Not all of the customization limitations are creative, however. In some cases the choices the previous owner made could affect your finances. For example your purchase could mean being locked into a lease that you believe is overpriced. Similarly you may have existing contracts with vendors that weren’t properly negotiated. These issues may be correctable in time but they’re definitely something to watch out for before you buy so you can be prepared.

Considering Franchises

Up until this point, we’ve looked at differences between buying a business that’s already established and starting your own from nothing. However there’s actually another option somewhere in the middle that deserves discussion as well: buying a franchise. Without further ado, let’s dive into the concept of franchising and what the pros and cons of this model can be.

What is a franchise? Franchising is a business model where existing brands allow entrepreneurs to open and manage their own stores under the company’s banner. A classic example of this are various fast food locations. Although McDonald’s is a large corporation and may operate some corporate stores, many of their locations are actually owned by individuals who license the right to use the McDonald’s brand and serve their products.

Despite restaurants being perhaps the best-known application of the franchise model, there are several other businesses that offer similar arrangements. In fact it’s not just jumbo-sized brands that offer franchise opportunities but many successful smaller companies as well. That said, just as due diligence is imperative when it comes to buying a business, you’ll also want to research any franchise opportunity both in terms of their fees (more on that in a minute), what services they provide to franchisees, and the health of the company overall.

Pros In many ways, opening a franchise is kind of the best of both worlds. This is to say that you get to open your own business from the ground up but also get the built-in brand recognition that can help you to attract customers before you even open your doors. Because of this, many entrepreneurs have found success with franchising and it’s not uncommon for some individuals to own multiple franchise locations.

Another benefit that often comes with owning a franchise is that you’ll have the support of a corporate team that can help guide you through some operational challenges. On that note, you’ll want to vet the company you plan to franchise from to not only understand what assistance they’ll offer you along the way but also ensure that your business visions and ethics align. Assuming you have a strong corporate backing in place, franchising can be a great way to “earn your wings” as a budding business owner, perhaps gaining the knowledge and insight necessary to launch future businesses solo.

Cons Even if you have a corporate team that has your locations best interest at heart, some franchise owners may grow frustrated with their inability to change certain aspects of their business. Although franchisees do have some wiggle room with which to get creative in, your franchisor may have strict rules and guidelines you must adhere to. In fact one of the first stumbling blocks you may encounter is that the franchisor isn’t willing to open in a location in the area you prefer. Because of this you may either need to compromise and swallow your pride and look elsewhere.

Turning to finances, another major downside that comes with franchises are the various fees. In addition to having to pay an upfront fee to buy the rights to a location, you may also be responsible to cover build-out costs and other expenses. Once your location is open for business, the fees don’t stop. For many franchises, you’ll have to pony up a percentage of your sales as a royalty fee to the franchisor and may also have to chip in for advertising and marketing costs. Keep in mind that the types of fees each franchisor charges can vary so be sure to learn what you’re getting into well ahead of time so you can weigh your options.

After You’ve Made Your Business Deal

So you’ve made the decision to buy a business — congratulations! As a new business owner, there are a couple more things you should think about. This includes making a plan for a smooth transition and preparing for a potential exit down the road.

Tips for transitioning Once the ink is dry and the keys to the business are in your hands, the real work begins. Not only are you now responsible to keep the success of the company going but will also need to learn the ropes along the way. Moreover there may be some transitional considerations you may not have thought about.

If you’re taking over a business with an established staff, you’ll want to be mindful about how to make the best first impression with them. At the most basic level this could mean introducing yourself, getting to know them, and gaining an understanding of their role. Going beyond the basics could also mean asking your new staff for their insights and having them share what they know about the business. While it may be instinctive for new owners to want to change things right away, taking on a more observatory role and getting feedback before making sweeping operational changes can set the foundation for a smoothly run business. Remember: at this point, your staff will likely know the day to day operations of your business better than you do.

Another decision you’ll want to weigh is whether it makes sense to promote your new ownership or not. As mentioned, hanging an “under new management” banner may seem harmless enough but it may serve to give current customers pause — even if they didn’t know the old owners. While making an event of the business’s change of hands may make sense in some cases, other times it’s best to let the shift go unnoticed.

Making your own exit

As we discussed, buying an existing business can be a smart option for first-time owners who want to get their feet wet. However, as time goes on and you grow into your position, you might start to consider opening another business. In these cases you do have a few options, including opening another location of your existing business, starting a new venture and splitting your time, or perhaps bidding adieu to the business you once bought. While this may be a bittersweet prospect, if it is time to make your exit, just think of how your experience with the business helped further your aspirations and look forward to doing the same for another budding entrepreneur.

Being a business owner doesn’t necessarily mean you have to start from scratch. In fact, for many, the option to buy an existing business may be more appealing. While there are pros and cons to all paths — including the potential to franchise a business instead — ultimately it’s up to you to decide what makes the most sense for your career, your goals, and your family.

The post Buying an Existing Business: Is it Right for You? appeared first on Dyer News.

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