#the stuff our mamas and grandmas and aunts used on us when we were young--

[thebeautifullydamnedone]

Better Than Me

       I roll over to the sound of my phone buzzing loudly on the nightstand behind me. I blink against the harsh white light of my phone screen. I rub my eyes and sit up quietly, trying not to wake up the sleeping child beside me. I yank the phone off the charger and answer without checking the caller ID, just assuming it to be work if it’s this late. “Hello?” I let out in a raspy, sleepy voice.

           “Hayley….” My heart skips a beat when I hear his voice. I immediately start to slide out of bed as quietly as I can.

           “Spencer, what’s going on? Are you okay?” I blink against the moonlight coming in through the white curtains. I’m whispering and I’m sure he can tell there’s a reason. I grab my robe and start to loop my arms through it as I quietly slip my house shoes on and tiptoe to the bedroom door that leads into the hallway.

           “Yeah, sorry, is it late? Oh God, it’s three. I’m sorry. I just…...I can’t sleep.” I let out a small sigh that I hope he doesn’t hear. It had been a while since I’d gotten a late-night call from him. Months, but I knew with Ava’s birthday coming up it might trigger him.

           On the way down the hall, I peeked into Mackenzie’s room to see her sleeping comfortably, her unicorn night light in the corner brightly lit. I tiptoed further down the hallways to the living room pulling my robe tightly around me. “It’s fine. Are you okay?”

           I could hear his husky voice threatening to spill the tears over. “Y-Yeah, yeah I’m okay. I’m just…. I guess I just missed you if I’m being honest.” I closed my eyes tightly as I sat on the edge of the chair. I hated this. I hated this separation, even if it was needed. We’d been down this road before. I hated the separation more than anything, and it had hurt both of us. But after all the late-night arguments and the girls slowly realizing something was wrong, we had to do something.

           “I know.” I said through half-gritted teeth. “But we’re doing this for a reason right? I mean, Kenzie is six, and Ava is only turning three and they could see how unhappy we were. Spencer, we can’t just keep ignoring our problems. The constant fighting, I just…I couldn’t do it anymore, you know?”

           I heard him take a heavy breath against the receiver and knew he was probably just as close to tears as I was. “I know. I know. It’s just, I miss my family.” I blinked away the tears that overflowed from my eyes and nodded even though he couldn’t see me doing it. I’d told myself I wouldn’t miss him this much, but it was like the first few months of dating. Every second away seemed like an eternity. And he’d only been gone two weeks. But the girls asking where dad was every day was slowly wearing me down.

           We’d been telling them that daddy was on a work assignment, but I knew that Mackenzie at least saw right through it. “We just need to figure things out, Spence. I can’t keep doing this back and forth. We either figure our shit out and raise our girls together, or we separate for good, and we co-parent the best we can….”

           “I don’t want to just co-parent. I want my girls. I want you. I want our family back!” I heard a slam of his fist against something as he said the last part and I could tell he’d been drinking a little. I took a deep breath to keep my cool, I didn’t want this to be another one of our fights.

           “Spence, I know you’re upset right now. Do you want to meet for coffee in the morning? My mom is coming over to see the girls while I run some errands.” I heard rustling down the hallway and could tell one of the girls was awake. I tapped my toe against the floor as I glanced down the hallway and heard a quiet “mama?”

           “Um, yeah. Want to meet at our spot around 9?” I heard the feet in the hallway now, the slow shuffle of a small child coming my way.

           “Yeah, I’ll see you then, okay? Spence, get some rest?” I heard him make a positive sound as I quickly hung up and resisted the intense urge to say “I love you” before I hung up. Something Spencer and I had been doing for over nine years now.

           I glanced up just in time to see Mackenzie round the corner to the living room, rubbing her eyes against sleep. “Mama? What are you doing?” I smiled at her and walked over to her, ruffling her hair under my nails.

           “Sorry baby, Aunt Penelope just needed my help with a work question. Let’s get you back to bed, Grandma will be here bright and early to play with you girls.” I put my hand around her shoulder and led her back to bed after ensuring her little sister was still fast asleep.

           After barely sleeping the rest of the night I finally got up around 7:30 and made myself a cup of coffee and waited for the girls to wake up. When they did, I made the waffles with strawberries and patiently waited for my mother to make her appearance. Within ten minutes of being dressed I heard the doorbell and the girls running to answer it. The usual excited squeals to see their grandma died down as I walked into the living room with my cup of coffee and smiled at my mom.

           She shooed the girls to clean up their breakfast and looked me up and down. “Since when do you wear make-up to run errands…...” She gave me a sly smile as I sighed and sat on the edge of the couch.

           “Since Spence and I are having coffee this morning to talk some things over. He called last night, late, and was a mess. I’m worried about him with this split.” My mother came over and smoothed a wrinkle on my shoulder and tucked my hair behind my ear.

           “Honey, he’s not the only one who’s a mess about this split. You just have two little girls to worry about full-time. If you think it’s time to work things out, then do it, sugar. Because you two deserve all the happiness. And you guys are good for each other, trust me, I’ve only been a marriage counselor for the past fifty-some years.” She smiled slightly at me again and I rolled my eyes.

           Mother would never let it drop that when Spencer and I started having issues we didn’t come see her. I felt it was a major conflict of interest, and she loved Spence so much I had a sneaking suspicion that she’d choose his side in most arguments. “I know, Mom, it’s just hard, okay? There are young children involved and I don’t want them growing up the way I did. Watching you and dad fight all the time was brutal.”

           Her face fell a little, because I knew talking about her and dad was a hot topic. Yet, it truly was the reason that I wanted my girls to either witness a happy marriage between their parents or grow up in two households where the main focus was them. I stood up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Make sure Mackenzie does some of her reading while I’m gone. And no matter how many times Ava asks she is not allowed to have sweets before lunch, got it, pushover?”

           She gave me a sly grin and nodded. “Yeah, yeah. Get going, fun-killer.” I smiled at her before grabbing my purse off the rack and heading for the car. The entire drive there was nerve wracking and when I pulled up and he wasn’t there I began to worry he wouldn’t show.

           I grabbed my purse and headed inside, only to find it was dead in our usual coffee shop. Our usual booth by the window in the corner was open so I ordered my drink and went to sit down with it to wait. Spencer pulled up a few minutes after nine and rushed inside apologetically. “I’m so sorry! Garcia called with a case last minute but I’m meeting everyone else later, I’ll drive there instead of flying. It’s only a few hours away.”

           He pulled the chair opposite me back and sat down quickly. “You could have rescheduled, Spence. I would have understood.” He was shaking his head before I had even finished my sentence.

           “No. Part of the reason we’re split in the first place is because I’m always at work. I’m not about to put work before this.” I nodded quietly and took a long sip of my coffee as we settled into the awkward silence that we were often so used to. I clicked my teeth together as I waited for him to say something. Unsure of what we were really doing here.

           He was tapping his fingers against the table and then he blurted it out. “Do you remember when I got shot? A-And you came to the hospital after that big fight we had?” I blinked because I wasn’t sure where he was going with this. I bit on the inside of my cheek and nodded slowly.

           He reached across the table swiftly and took both of my hands within his. He squeezed tightly, as if his life depended on the next few things to come out of his mouth. “You came into my room, and you took my hands and you said you couldn’t imagine your life without me. And you told me that I could never leave. That you’d never leave, and you didn’t want me to leave either.”

           The tears began to well up in my eyes as I remembered all too well the day he was speaking of. I was terrified he was going to die. He’d been shot by an unsub, and it had been very touch and go for hours. It was days after finding out I was pregnant with Mackenzie, and I couldn’t imagine how I was going to make it through everything without him. And then he’d woken up and asked me to marry him.

           I nodded and pulled one of my hands away to wipe a tear that had escaped down my cheek. “Yeah, Spence, I do remember saying that stuff. A-And I meant it. I meant every word.” He nodded quickly and grabbed my hand back after wiping a stray tear away himself.

           “I can do better. I can. We can both do better. I’ll go to counseling if that’s what you want me to do. I’ll take a leave of absence from work and spend more time with you and the girls. These past few weeks have been brutal, and I can’t do it anymore. You and those girls are my entire world. And I can’t imagine my life without all of you in it. I don’t want to separate. I don’t want to split up and only get to see you when we exchange the girls. I just can’t live life like that. Just give me one more chance. Just one. And I’ll prove to you there’s absolutely nothing more in this entire world I want than you and those girls. If I ruin it, I’ll leave. And I’ll let you move on with your life.”

           I stared at him for a few minutes. Unsure of what to say. Because my mind wanted me to take time to think about this. But my heart? My heart already knew exactly what to say. But my heart was the one who was constantly getting me into trouble. Because I always listened to it and rushed into things and then got myself hurt. “Spencer, if you come home, it’s got to be better. Okay? I’m serious. No more fighting. I won’t have the girls grow up around this anymore. I grew up around constant fighting and I can’t have them grow up the way I did.” He was nodding before I’d even finished my sentence.

           “I swear. I absolutely swear on everything I have to offer you that things will be different. These past weeks have shown me what’s at stake and I won’t risk our family for anything. Not anymore. I mean it.” He was squeezing my hands so hard I was losing circulation, but I didn’t mind at all, because I was squeezing just as hard.

           He stood up, pulling me up with him, and hugged me so tight I thought I’d lost consciousness from lack of oxygen. “We’re going to be okay; I promise. I’ll make this better.” Something about the way he said it, my head was finally understanding that he meant it. It wasn’t just my heart that believed him anymore, they both did. I squeezed him back and inhaled his scent that I’d missed so much in the past few weeks. “I know you deserve better than me, but I’ll be better for you. I swear on my entire life.”

           I shook my head because he was exactly what I deserved. But I knew he meant it. Somehow, I felt it. This was a new beginning for us. Our entire relationship had almost crumbled into destruction because we’d lost sight of what truly mattered and forgotten how much we loved each other. We wouldn’t let that happen again.

           We were still a mess, nothing about that had changed. But this mess was ours. And we were going to keep it forever and always.

#spencer reid #spencer x you #criminal minds #sequel #newwork #love story

[misc-headcanons]

(The Straw Hats and Scabbards at the castle ruins, as well as Katakuri's children and O-Tama are eating dinner. The large dining room in the castle has been mostly cleaned of dust and cobwebs, but it's clear that it's been abandoned like the rest of the area for years. Vanilla is talking excitedly with O-Tama, Fritter is keeping to himself, Dochi and Ube are eagerly listening to Luffy talk about his previous adventures, and Maple is expertly eavesdropping on every conversation at once while she eats.)

Vanilla: Wow, you're a ninja-in-training, O-Tama? I'm a witch-in-training! Or, well, I dunno if "witch" is the right word. My momma always says that not everyone who uses magic's a witch, but I like saying it. Papa says I'm too cute to be a witch, but I think witches can be cute. Ninjas can be cute too, right?

O-Tama: I guess so. But I wanna be strong and stealthy as a kunoichi, not cute. I'm training to be a force to be reckoned with!

Vanilla: Yeah, but I think you can be a great fighter AND cute. I mean look at Mr. Chopper! He's a member of Luffy's crew so he can fight really well, but he's super fluffy and sweet too.

Chopper: Awww, who're ya calling a good fighter and cute? How dare you, hehehe~

Vanilla: See? Cool AND cute, just like you, O-Tama!

(Sanji notices Fritter's silence so far and gently puts a hand on his shoulder.)

Sanji: How do you like the soup, Fritter?

Fritter: Oh! Um, it's...it's really good. I'm happy I finally got to eat something you made, even if it wasn't at the castle. You really are a good cook, Uncl--Um, Not-Uncle Sanji.

Sanji: I think I remember Pudding saying you wanted to be a chef one day when you grew up, right?

Fritter: Uh-huh. Dochi and Ube wanna be fighters, and Maple's gonna be in charge of communi--um...comm-you...

Maple, offhandedly: Communications. What Uncle Monty does, remember?

Fritter: Yeah, that. So everyone in the family can talk to each other easy and not get messages wrong. And she's probably gonna be a really important Minister too, since she's so smart and good with magic. But I just wanna cook and bake in the kitchen with the chefs. They like to let me watch while they work, and I have my own chair where I sit and watch and everything!

Sanji: I bet you'll be a great chef, just like your Aunt Chiffon with cake and your Aunt Pudding with chocolate.

(Fritter smiles up at Sanji.)

Fritter: Thanks. I'm gonna make people happy whenever I cook something, just like you!

(Dochi and Ube are seated next to each other, practically bouncing in their seats as they hear more and more about the Straw Hats and the Scabbards)

Dochi: Wait, Miss Nami, you managed to make Zeus YOUR familiar!? Holy crap, that's so cool! I mean, Grandma probably doesn't think it is, but still...wow! Do you use magic like mom?

Nami: Well, I dunno if it's how your mom does things, haha. I mean the people I learned from were called "weather wizards", but it's more about science and learning about climate and stuff than spells.

Maple: Mom always says that "magic is just science turned sideways." Both have solid theories on how they work, and experimenting with both makes you more knowledgeable and powerful. Plus, even if it isn't powered by magic specifically, your staff seems like it has similar functions to mom's.

Ube: And Luffy, I still can't believe you fought Papa and didn't like...die! He's never fought anyone like you before. And the way you two weaponized your softer powers with rubber and Mochi with Armament Haki!? That was so cool!

Dochi: Yeah! Me and Ube were going nuts the whole fight while we watched through one of Auntie Brulee's mirrors. If Mama hadn't held us back, we woulda definitely tried to watch in-person.

Ube: And WE wouldn't ruin it the way Flampe tried to, either. I can't believe she thought Papa needed her help. OOOH, and when she started making fun of Papa's face--

Dochi: Yeah, that was WAY out of line... Mama had to put me and Ube into our own bubbles so we couldn't hop in there to kick her ass!

Vanilla, in a scandalized tone: Dochi! Don't say that! Auntie Flampe was really mean, but still...

Ube: You're right, 'Nilla. We were ready to kick Flampe's butt. And with that dress she wears all the time, it woulda been easy to kick that big, stupid, floating BUTT of hers!

(Fritter, Vanilla, and O-Tama snicker and try to hide how much they're smiling and giggling behind their hands.)

Luffy: How is Katakuri, anyway? I didn't really get to see if he got taken care of or anything before I had to get to my ship. That Mirror Lady probably got to him, right?

Ube: He had to stay in bed for a few weeks, but Mama and Auntie Brulee worked hard to make him better.

Vanilla: And me and Fritter, too! I helped with healing magic on his little cuts and scrapes, and Fritter always fluffed his pillows and stuff.

Fritter: Yeah, and I helped the chefs make donuts for his Meriendas too!

Ube: Oh. Uh yeah, they helped too. But most of it was Brulee being a good nurse and Mom being good with her magic. The day we fell through the portal here, he was taking walks and stuff every day.

Dochi: Heh, and practicing with his trident whenever he knew Mom wasn't around to scold him for getting too carried away.

Luffy: Aw, I get that. Chopper's always saying I'm not healed up enough to do stuff sometimes after a big fight, but I just do it anyway. I bet Katakuri's the same way with your mom.

(Maple's attention is turned to Law.)

Maple: So, I imagine that if you and Luffy are allies, you're the one with a plan to take Kaido on. You seem more...um, strategic than him.

Law: That's one way of putting it...Yes, I do have a plan.

Maple: Hm. You know, now that I know you two were planning to target him, some of the news about you makes a bit more sense. Destroying the main resources for SMILE production in Punk Hazard; kidnapping that idiot scientist to use as leverage in Dressrosa; defeating Doflamingo, Kaido's most powerful ally outside of his own crew and a major source of intel, manpower, and influence...I had a feeling that there was something tying it together.

Law: You're pretty sharp for someone your age. I'm not surprised your Uncle Mont-d'or would want you as the head of communication and intel for the Big Mom Pirates after he's gone.

Maple: Thanks. I'm just glad that there's some explanation for why you and Luffy's crew were seen traveling and fighting together so often. Though to be honest, I was surprised to hear that Doflamingo was sent to prison; if what I'd heard and seen about your history was true, I was expecting you to kill Doflamingo in Dressrosa. But Luffy doesn't seem to support killing your enemies if you can help it.

Law: How do you--

Maple: Don't worry, the Big Mom pirates don't know about that. Not even Uncle Monty does.

Law: And how do you?

Maple: The same way I know the Scabbards over there got sent through time and how they're the surviving retainers of Lord Oden, and that they're trying to defeat Kaido and this Orochi guy so Momonosuke can take his rightful place on the throne. Keeping secrets from me is a pretty hard thing to do.

Ube: Yeesh, quit acting so mysterious. You know everyone's business because you know Mom's spells on reading someone's memories and the All-Seeing Eye and--mmpgh!

(Maple's uses a quick spell to make Ube's tongue stick to the roof of his mouth. She narrows her eyes and frowns at him.)

Maple: And how to stop brothers from sharing too much with strangers. For someone who wants to be a leader within Big Mom's pirate crew, you'd think you'd remember that loose lips sink ships, Ube.

Vanilla: I thought most of Gramma's ships sank after people shot a bunch of cannons and bombs at 'em...

(After she stops giggling, Dochi uses some of her own magic to free Ube's tongue. Ube glares at Maple before turning to ask Zoro about what it's like to fight with a sword in your mouth.)

Maple: Look, I know you're a smart man and you clearly have a talent for strategy. But I just want to make what the backup is in case things go wrong.

Law: You're a newcomer, you don't even know the full extent of the plan, and you're demanding to know more? Just because you're a clever kid with magic, that doesn't mean I'm going to reveal every step of this to you. Your uncle had to have taught you that only one person should ever know the full strategy plan, and that's the one who planned it out.

Maple: Yeah, he did. I'm not asking you to trust me that much; if I were in your position, I certainly wouldn't. All I want to know is what my siblings and I can do to help and ensure that when things go wrong, we can be useful and get things back on track. You've just been handed a very valuable wild card, and I want to make sure you use us wisely.

Dochi: Whaddya mean 'when things go wrong', Maple? With Law's crew, the Straw Hats, the Scabbards, and all the allies they've got here, we're all super strong and you said that Law's really good with strategy.

Maple: True. But when it comes to HIM...(Maple gestures to Luffy, who's gulping down the last of his soup) you have the wildest card of all. And he seems to blow through any well-laid plan without any second thought. (She leans back in her chair a bit and crosses her arms) Whatever plan you have in mind, Mr. Law, it's pointless if you really haven't got a backup in mind for whenever he manages to completely ruin it.

Kin'emon: Do you really think someone as young and inexperienced as yourself could come up with a better idea?

Maple: I'm young, not inexperienced. Believe me, as the eldest in a family of five siblings imbued with magic and various forms of Haki, I'm an expert in making plans that are bound to be thrown off course by the chaotic whims of someone close to you. So, Mr. Law...what have you got in mind?

#one piece #one piece oc #dochi #maple #ube #vanilla #fritter #oc #wano #wano spoilers

[mysteryofren]

So happy together part 3 (Ben Solo x Reader au)

Part 2

Note: Thanks for the likes on the last few chapters!! theres not too much ben in this one just a lot of sappy shit with ya gramps. also starting next chapter im gonna start naming them.

______________________________________________________________

  A day had passed and you had heard nothing from Ben. You wondered if he was still on campus or if he was just staying with his uncle until it was time to come back. It's not that you cared, it's that something told you to be worried about the guy. He seemed so defensive. You talked to Elaine about it over the phone. She told you not to worry about him, that he was just another rich kid asshole like everyone else at the school. She also took the time to try and lure you to her house for the week. You happily informed her you wouldn't be spending Christmas alone anymore. 

“See i know your grandpa wouldn't leave you hanging,” she said over the phone, “i just wish you would get over it and call your parents to see what they're doing.” 

  Your parents. You did try. They didn't bother to call back, not even send a text back. You didn't have the heart to tell her though. 

“My parents are actually in Russia for some business so it's hard to get a hold of them, but my pop pop did say he's having people over Christmas day, you want me to see if you can come?”

“I don't think my parents will let me. We usually do our gift exchange the day after remember?” 

“Shit that's right, I forgot. My bad, maybe you can still come over to his house for the exchange.”

“Yeah id love to see him again, besides I haven't seen him since the thing”

  The thing being your grandma's funeral. Mama and pop pop were the idea of what love is. They met young and were together right until her last breath. You were there too. You loved them both to death. They raised you more than your actual parents did so when mama died, you were heartbroken. You stayed with pop pop about 2 weeks after. He drove you to class everyday and picked you up after. You guys spent every moment together for a month after the funeral. The day you said goodbye to her was also the last day you saw your parents. They didn't stay long. Claimed they had a flight. That's when you decided you were done trying to connect with them.

“yeah , i'm sure he misses you. You're basically his other grandchild.” 

You heard someone over the phone call her name. “Hey I've gotta go, dinner time. Talk tomorrow?”

“Of course, have fun. Say hi to mom for me!”

“You know I will! Love you, bye” she shouted as she hung up.

You wondered what it was like eating dinner like a real family.

 A couple days passed and it was finally Christmas eve. You woke up earlier than normal, showered, and got dressed. You played some music while you packed a bag for the night and next day. You looked out your window and saw Ben walking across campus. Probably headed to his uncle's office. You decided to ignore him and kept packing. 20 minutes later you finally get a call from your pop pop telling you he's down stairs waiting. You have a car. You know you could just drive, but you love that he still insists on getting you. You lock your dorm and run downstairs when you run into a wall you were positive was never there before.

  You took a step back and saw the wall was in fact Ben. He turned around and looked at you with an unreadable face. Was he mad? Annoyed? What's with this dude in the first place? He opened his mouth to say something before he shook his head and walked off. After the awkward encounter you skipped out the doors and over to the old truck you were all too familiar with. To put it lightly your family was loaded. Your pop pop especially, but he still found it wasteful to buy a new car when he has one that still works. Even though he's had it since your dad was a kid. 

You threw your bag in the bed and swung the door open. 

“Hello there,” you heard your grandpa say. It was his classic greeting.”I've been looking forward to this since our conversation on the phone.” 

You got in the truck and slid towards him to give him a hug. You always loved his hugs. They were warm and comforting, and made you feel at home. You look at him and notice his hair was a bit longer than when you last saw him. He usually kept it short and simple.

“I missed you so much.” you say as you two separate. 

“We saw each other last month.”

“I know but that's too long to go without seeing you.”

“I know it is my dear, but hurry and get your seat belt on. I've got treats waiting for you at the house.”

You quickly put your buckled up on and looked out the window. That's when you caught another glimpse of Ben. He was walking again, looking at you in the truck. You give him a smile and wave goodbye. He stared at you, as if he was wondering what was wrong with you. Then he looked at the ground and continued walking. That's okay though, it didn't get to you. Almost nothing bothers you when you're with your grandpa.

  The entire ride to his house you guys listened to his old country music. Country wasn't exactly your vibe, but the old CDs in the glove compartments, and his favorite radio station were your entire childhood. You sang along with him as you approached the woods where his house was. Even though they were always business savvy, and spent their time in the city, your grandparents were country folk at heart. They had a condo in the city that they always stayed at from time to time when they had a lot to do in the city, but how for them was the house in the woods. They both took part in designing the whole house. They wanted it to be their perfect home.a place to raise their kids, retire, and take care of their family. It wasn't small, but it wasn't unnecessarily massive like your house was. It was 3 stories, had 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. It had a cute little den for your grandparents when it was just them, a bigger living room for when they had company, and  a beautiful dining room. It had a long elegant table and the whole room was nothing but windows looking out towards the hills and forest. It was your favorite part of the house.

  He pulled into the driveway and stopped the car. He got out of the car and rushed over to open the door for you. You stepped out and grabbed your bag from the bed of the truck while he went to open the house. You stopped for a second to take in your surroundings. You listened to the sounds of the trees moving as the wind blew, you heard the animals calling out to each other. You saw the trees sway above the house, and watched the bird fly back and forth between their nests and the ground. You walked to the front door after your grandpa, and headed upstairs to the guest bedroom. You set your stuff down, dug out some pjs, and changed. After that you stopped by a photo of mama in the hallway. You looked at it remembering how beautiful and angelic she was. After a moment you headed back down stairs to see what was planned for the night. 

“Pjs already? You don't waste a single second young lady.” he said as he pulled out pots and pans,”so here's the plan for tonight. We are going to make a super special pancake breakfast, then we're going to watch movies and bake cookies, then for dinner have ingredients for homemade pizza, and we can do presents after my final surprise.”

“Sounds like the things needed for the best Christmas ever,” you exclaimed, “have you heard from mother or father lately?” 

“Last i spoke to them they were packing for a trip. I do wish they would come spend the holidays with us. Your aunt and cousin are on vacation with your uncle's side of the family, so they won't even be able to come” 

“We don't need 'em anyways,” you say playfully, “cause we're already having a better time than them.”

  The day went by fast. Faster than you would have liked it to. Your cookies came out great, although the last batch was a bit burnt. He had bought all your favorite toppings for the pizza too. You guys spent most of the day watching the movies on the little TV he kept on the kitchen table. You funneled through all the classics before it got dark. 

“Okay so gifts, who's going first?” he asked as you two munched on cookies in the den.

“Let me give you yours first,” you said as you stood up and made your way upstairs.

 You opened your bag and dug to the bottom when a flat gift wrapped in regular brown paper was laying. You grabbed it and held it close as you ran back downstairs. 

 “It's not too big. I hope you don't mind,” you handed it over to him. 

  He tore into it with a big smile and looked down at it. His smile dropped as he gazed in awe at it. You had saved up for 2 months to get this for him. It took a lot of money, but it was worth it. He always had a favorite painting of mama when she was younger. He loved it so much, it was the photo he chose to display at her funeral. She was done up pretty formally. Had her make up, and hair done, and was wearing the most beautiful jewelry you could imagine. I had recreated the painting for him but with me in it. I had gotten every little detail, even down to the small beauty mark under her left eye. 

“ you're even more beautiful than her.” he said as tears welled up in his eyes. You were glad he liked it.

 He placed it down and got up to hug you. You stayed in each others arms and quietly talked about how much you both missed her. After the tear fest was over he pulled an envelope out of his pocket. He sat down and handed it over to you. 

“It's not nearly as good as this was, but it'll have to do.” you gently took the envelope from his hands and opened it. Inside were two plane tickets. You looked at the destination. 

“Italy?” 

“Yes I asked Luke and he told me when spring break was so I could plan accordingly,” he said as he searched for a place to put the small painting.”You and I will be spending the week in Italy, seeing what the city has to offer. Were going to explore Florence so we can see all the amazing art in the city, the Venice, Rome and finally Milan” 

Italy was always your dream. It was a beautiful country filled with art, fashion, culture, and history. You adored fashion and art above anything else. He chose the perfect gift. After you helped him find a spot for the painting you hugged him tight. Believe it or not as rich as you were you had never been out of the country. You always figured it was something to do later in life. Now you can actually experience it. 

“Now for my final surprise, follow me.” he walked out of the den and towards the dining room. You followed after wondering what was up. As you walked into the dining room you noticed he had added curtains along the giant windows. You could tell it was to hide whatever he had waiting outside for you. He opened the door leading to the backyard and motioned for you to walk out. You slowly walked towards the door and stepped outside. Sitting in the middle of the yard was a large tent with little lanterns sitting outside of it.

“We used to do this all the time when you were a child. I thought it'd be a nice comfort to do it again.” the memories hit you all at once. Every weekend your nanny would drop you off at their house. You, mama, and pop pop would camp out in the backyard. You would all roast marshmallows, while the sound of their old country records played from inside the house. You all would gather the blankets from the house and lay them out in the tent as cushions to protect you from the cold harsh ground. Every morning the sun would shine through the tent waking you up and you would shake your grandparents awake so you could all watch it rise together. 

  You didn't realize that tears were falling down your face until he wrapped an arm around your shoulder, giving you a good squeeze. You wiped the tears from your cheeks and you turned to hug him. The tears continued to fall when it occurred to you. Nobody could ever love you this much. Not as much as they always did. Nobody would do little things like this to make you happy. Mama was already gone. What were you going to do when pop pop was gone too. 

“I love you,” you said sniffling, as you withdraw yourself from the hug, “I love this.” 

He wiped the tears away and looked like he was going to cry himself, “I love you too my dear.”

  You made your way towards the tent and unzipped the opening. It was exactly how you remember it. All the blankets were spread out. He had included pillows too, and you even noticed an old princess pillow you had left here once when you were a kid. You crawled in and felt at home. He crawled in after and sat down with a grunt.

“I suppose my old body isn't what it used to be.” he huffed out as he pulled a blanket over himself. You two stayed up talking. He told you about everything happening at his company. If you were quite honest you still weren't sure what he did for a living. What type of company did he run? It was something to do with weapons of some sort. It didn't matter though, you still listened. He asked about classes, and he even asked about how Elaine was doing. You seized the opportunity to ask if she could come over the day after Christmas to spend time with you guys, and of course he said yes. You also told him about the friendship you apparently had with Hux, even he was shocked by the news of your friendship. The town you lived in was fairly small, there were 4 main families that dominated and worked together. The Skywalker Family, the Hux family, the Palpatines, and your family, the Kenobis. The Hux family was known best for how professional and uptight they were, your father's words not yours. 

It felt like you two had spoken for an eternity before you eventually drifted off.

#teen!ben solo #ben solo fanfiction #bensoloxreader #ben solo #ben solo x reader #star wars tfa #star wars au #star wars fanfiction #star wars tros #star wars #kenobi!reader #star wars x reader #teen!reader #reader insert #obi wan kenobi #armitage hux

[purrincess-chat]

Marinette and the Lost Temple CH3

Finally finished typing this up. Would have gone faster if my cat didn’t sleep on me for two hours and then crawl over me the whole time I was typing it. Things are about to change next chapter ;) Get your bodies ready

Read on AO3

Chapter 3

“Is this really all you’re going to do on this vacation?” Plagg’s voice in her ear startled her into dropping her shovel as he peeked out of one of her pigtails. “You’re just digging in the dirt all day.”

“I’m spending time with my grandmother,” she hissed, casting a nervous glance across the garden to where Grandma Cheng was clipping damaged leaves from her pepper plants. “And we’re not just ‘digging’ it’s called gardening.”

“It’s boring! When are we gonna do something fun?” Plagg whined.

“You told me yesterday to relax, and I happen to find gardening very relaxing,” she said matter-of-factly, retrieving her phone when it dinged in her bag. “Ah, here’s something that should cheer you up. Grandma, I’m gonna take a break and go explore town a little.”

“Alright. We can pick back up this evening when it cools off again,” Grandma Cheng said, waving her on as Marinette removed her gloves.

“Where are we going?” Plagg asked as she cleaned up, and a small smile curled on her lips.

“You’ll see,” she winked. “Mama, I’m gonna go walk around town and mail some post cards to my friends.”

“Okay, sweetie. Lunch should be ready when you get back,” Sabine said as she trotted for the door.

“Is this field trip going to actually be fun, or are you just saying that so I’ll come along?” Plagg poked his head out as they biked up the dirt road.

“As if you have a choice,” Marinette laughed. “I think you’ll find it pretty enjoyable.”

The post-office was only a few minutes away, and she leaned the bike against the side of the building before heading inside. She passed the man at the counter a card that Master Fu had written for her, and he disappeared into the back, returning a few moments later with a box. Marinette thanked him awkwardly before shuffling back outside. Stuffing the box inside her basket, she rode a short ways up the road to a secluded bench along the street to open her gift. Plagg poked his head out the moment she broke the tape, sniffing excitedly.

“Could it be? My precious Camembert!” He flitted from her hair into the box as she retrieved a folded letter taped inside.

Dear Bugaboo- She rolled her eyes.

Here is a portion of Plagg’s Camembert stash. To prevent him from greedily eating his entire allowance for the week in one sitting, I’ve arranged for packages to be delivered each day of your trip. I hope you have a purrfect vacation, and I eagerly await your return to Paris.

With Love,

Your dearest Chat Noir

P.S. Don’t go falling for anyone! I am your one and only soulmate.

“That cat is so full of himself,” she sighed, flipping the letter over. “Nice stationary though, and he has surprisingly excellent penmanship. I wonder how he can afford so much Camembert.”

“His family is super rich,” Plagg said around a mouthful. “I really do have it made.”

“Hey, no personal details!” She covered her ears with a scowl.

“Lots of people are super rich, it doesn’t prove anything,” Plagg waved it away. “Personal details would be telling that his phone is full of pictures of Ladybug.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” She sighed, leaning against her fist. “That cat is so obsessed.”

“It’s hardly different from your wall of photos of that model boy,” Plagg said pointedly with a belch, patting his swollen belly.

“Okay, but that’s-” she started, but when Plagg cocked a brow, she deflated. “Touché.”

“You’re both lovesick, and personally, I find it revolting,” he stuck out his tongue, and Marinette suppressed a giggle.

“C’mon, let’s ride around and see the sights a little,” Marinette prodded him with her finger.

“Eh, you’ve seen one tree and rustic building, you’ve seen them all. I’m gonna take a nap in your bag,” Plagg squirmed away and phased through the box down into her purse, and Marinette rolled her eyes before standing up and loading her bike.

The countryside really was beautiful, but it did make her a little homesick. She hoped that everything was going okay in Paris…

***

“Tikki, can I ask you something?”

Adrien leaned against his fist glumly, swiveling side to side in his chair as he turned a Chinese notecard over in one hand. The small kwami floated over from the bed where she was reading and came to rest next to his stack of cards with a prompting smile.

“Do I have any chance with Ladybug?” He asked, and Tikki averted her gaze. “I keep hoping that she’ll fall for me, but it seems like she’s just getting more and more fed up with me lately.”

“Well, you do tend to flirt during important battles,” Tikki said pointedly.

“I know, but if I don’t flirt during the fight then I don’t get another chance. She always rushes off as soon as the battle is finished. We barely have time to talk,” he said leaning back in his chair with a pout. “Does she ever talk about me?”

“Well,” Tikki rubbed the back of her head, and Adrien deflated. “Ladybug takes her job very seriously, and I think she feels like you don’t take it seriously when you crack jokes and flirt all the time. If you want to win her over then just show her that you’re serious and focus on being her partner, not her boyfriend.”

“It’s not that I don’t take our job seriously, I just…she makes me a little crazy. She’s so smart and incredible, and I just want her to look at me,” he sighed.

“You really do love her,” Tikki remarked, and Adrien’s cheeks flushed.

“She’s the most amazing girl I’ve ever met,” he rubbed the back of his neck with a small smile.

“Just be patient and don’t push. Show her that you can be soft and caring too, and don’t blame her if she doesn’t reciprocate,” Tikki advised. “Doing so is only going to push her away from you.”

“You’re right, Tikki,” Adrien said, shifting his gaze to his lap. “I guess I’m just not good at this stuff.”

“You’re young and learning. Just think of it this way, there are probably people in your life looking at you the way you look at her who feel the same way you do right now,” Tikki said. “The boy Ladybug loves doesn’t see her civilian self either, but she can’t help her feelings any more than you can.”

“What kind of boy could be so blind? How could anyone ignore the most amazing girl in the world?” Adrien scoffed in annoyance, and Tikki averted her gaze.

“Just lay off the heavy flirting during akuma battles, and be patient. I’m sure she will be far less annoyed with you,” Tikki said before hovering back over to her book.

She’d been alive since the creation of the universe, but truthfully, it took every ounce of her will power not to bury her face and scream. Hopefully Marinette’s journey would speed up their fight with Hawkmoth, so they could hurry up and reveal themselves. She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take.

***

Marinette’s vacation was going swimmingly.

She and her grandmother were getting along, the scenery was giving her all kinds of inspiration for new designs, and for the first time in a long time, she was able to relax. Every morning she woke up and checked the news in Paris to ensure that things were going okay and was relieved each time her partners defeated another akuma themselves. Chat continued to include love letters in each box of cheese he sent for Plagg, but she didn’t mind it so much. It gave her a laugh each time and reminded her of home.

But time was running out, and she still had Master Fu’s request to fulfill. With only a couple days left on her trip, she knew that she would have to make the journey soon.

“Plagg?” She prodded him awake one evening after her shower.

“What?” The black cat moaned groggily.

“We need to come up with a plan to find Fu’s place soon,” she whispered, and Plagg sat up with a yawn.

“Oh yeah, that,” he said, stretching his limbs. “I almost forgot.”

“I’ve relaxed enough, we should go tomorrow,” she insisted, and to her surprise, Plagg didn’t argue.

“We’ll go after breakfast. Tell your family you’re going on a nature walk through that trail your aunt mentioned to get some inspiration for your designs. I’ll take you to the place,” he said with a seriousness she’d never seen from him before, but just as quickly as it had come, it faded. “Got any Camembert left?”

“Not until tomorrow,” Marinette rolled her eyes as a knock sounded on the door. “Come in!”

Plagg darted under the pillows as Grandma Cheng poked her head in.

“I brought you some tea to relax you before bed,” she explained, setting the tray on the old vanity and preparing a cup. “Have you been enjoying your stay?”

“I have,” Marinette said, accepting the cup and taking a sip.

“I know it’s not as exciting as the city, but I’ve loved spending time with you,” she set the pot down and picked up an intricately carved brush. “May I?”

Marinette nodded, turning her back as her grandmother ran the brush through her wet hair, gently combing through tangles.

“Your mother used to love having her hair brushed when she was little. Every night she would come sit in my lap, and I’d brush her hair until she fell asleep,” she said with a small smile. “I see a lot of her in you, and not just in your pretty face.”

“Maman used to brush my hair too. She’d tell me stories about visiting her grandparents in China,” Marinette said, closing her eyes. “Sometimes I wish I could be closer to my Chinese heritage.”

“You are still young, my dear, it is never too late to learn,” Marinette smiled at that, breathing deeply as her grandmother’s hands worked through her hair. She felt like a little girl again, listening to stories before bed.

The next day, Marinette packed a bag in preparation for her journey, silently hoping that no one questioned her too much.

“Marinette.” She jumped at the sound of her own name, spinning around to find her grandmother standing in the doorway. “I’ve been saving something for you for quite some time.”

Marinette tilted her head to the side as her grandmother laid a dark pink cheongsam on the bed.

“It was your mother’s when she was your age. Your great-grandmother sent it as a gift for her birthday. Why don’t you try it on?”

Marinette’s heart lurched, a warm smile curling on her lips as her grandmother helped her into it. She paced over to the mirror and turned side to side to see every angle. It was beautiful, and she felt a sense of pride wearing it.

“Fits like a glove,” her grandmother said proudly. “Normally we only wear them on special occasions, but you should wear it today.”

“Are you sure? I was planning to go on that nature walk Aunt Jie told me about,” Marinette ran her hands along one of her pigtails. “I’m such a klutz, I would hate to ruin it.”

“I’m sure you will be fine. I’ll pack you a lunch in case you get hungry along the way. You’ve got a long road ahead of you,” Grandma Cheng cupped her cheek before retreating from the room.

Marinette turned back to the mirror with a smile before pulling down her hair and tying it up into buns. When she emerged with her backpack, Grandma Cheng was wrapping a small lunch box for her.

“The dress looks so good on you, Marinette,” Aunt Jie remarked. “You really do resemble Sabine.”

“Thanks,” Marinette’s cheeks flushed.

“Try not to get lost,” her mother pulled her in for a hug.

“Don’t worry. I have my phone,” Marinette patted her purse.

“Have fun, sweetie!”

Marinette set out up the road, and after she’d put a considerable distance between them and the house, she dug out her instructions. Plagg floated out lazily as she read over them with pursed lips.

“What do you need these for? I know where we’re going,” he said, sticking his head through the paper.

“You said it had been a while since you’ve been there. Things may have changed,” she said pointedly, and Plagg pressed a paw to his chest.

“You don’t trust me!” He gasped accusingly. “After I’ve put my neck on the line for you, and this is the thanks I get? I am speechless.”

“No, no, it’s not that I just-” Plagg turned away stubbornly, and she sighed, tucking the note away and smiling. “Okay, Plagg. I trust you. Lead the way.”

“This way, if you don’t mind,” he instructed pointing in the direction of the woods. “Or was it that way…”

Plagg led her on a long, winding journey filled with lots of wrong turns and dead-ends. After an hour, she was beginning to suspect that he’d forgotten the way after all until his expression grew solemn.

“We’re getting close,” he said with a tone she’d never heard from him.

“We’ve been wandering around in the woods for a long time, and there hasn’t been anything but trees,” she said with a hint of skepticism.

“That’s because the place we are going is hidden by magic. Only those with a Miraculous can get in,” Plagg said, stopping short and causing Marinette to nearly bump into him. “We’re here.”

Marinette surveyed the overhanging trees with a creased brow as Plagg led the way forward, and as they traveled deeper down the grove, the scenery began to shift and change before her eyes, the ring on her finger glowing green.

“Welcome to the temple of the Order of the Guardians,” Plagg said, holding his arms out to encompass the remaining archway and stone slab. “What’s left of it anyway.”

“So, this is the temple that got destroyed because of Master Fu’s mistake?” Marinette’s eyebrows raised.

“Yeah, he really messed up,” Plagg said, placing his arms behind his head and crossing one leg over the other. “I’m starving after all that walking; did you bring any cheese?”

Marinette rolled her eyes and pulled her purse over her head, setting it down on a nearby stump.

“In there. I’m gonna look around a little, okay?” She said, glancing over her shoulder as Plagg dug out a wedge of Camembert.

“Sure thing,” he waved her on, watching as she cautiously crept forward, and in a flash of light, she disappeared the moment she stepped through the arch.

“Good luck, Marinette.”

#miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain-cheng #plagg #adrien agreste #tikki #marinette march #my writing

[harringrovehouse]

AU where Steve’s Mother is from a small town in the Northern most part of Alaska and they’re just a little too much into Christmas.

Steve takes Billy ‘home’ the second year they’re together, because now Steve’s sure Billy’s the one, the person he’s going to spend the rest of his life with and Steve wants his extended family to get to know Billy. So he takes Billy with them to Derevnyasanty, Alaska to the village his grandparents own. It’s rustic, and red and everything is covered with wreaths and holly, and all the residents are much shorter than the standard American. Steve talks Billy’s ear off about his four Aunts and their nine daughters.

“Dancers! All nine of them! It’s nuts man, let me tell you how many times I had to watch their routines growing up!!” Billy watches Steve ramble with a dopey smile on his face. “I have to warn you that my Nana, Mary, she’ll probably try to force feed you milk and cookies the second you get inside the house, we can work those off later, and my Aunt Noel will need our help checking her many, many lists! She’s got one for every member of the family, sorry. I hope Auntie Christy isn’t gonna ask you to dress up as Santa with me, they think it’s funny cause I’m the only boy. Every year I get this huge red coat and this massive black boots but we go to the local children’s clinic and I get to play ‘Santa�� for the day so it isn’t too bad. Aunt Carol is in charge of the deer, she makes sure they’re all penned up for the night and by the time we get there she will just be starting to round them up, can’t wait to see you rope a deer.”

“Just after my body, and at Christmas none the less.” Billy winked and Steve snorted, leaning into the wheel as he laughed.

“My Aunt Tinsel is the youngest, so her kids are pretty young too. They always need help repairing gifts and she’s also in charge of wrapping for the older kids so she’ll definitely need our help at some point.” Steve tossed Bilyl an apologetic look as he turned the car down brick road.

“Tinsel?”

“Yeah. Like the decorations. My family is pretty into Christmas, all my Aunts are born in the summer but they all have Christmasy names. It’s weird but kinda cool.” Steve shrugged. “Even my mom’s name is Christmas themed. She’s Eve, and my Aunt Christy is Christmas. They’re twins.” Billy opened his mouth to ask why on Earth anyone would name their babies Christmas Eve when Steve turned the car again and they came to a stop in front a huge white gold gate. It stood open, a clear invitation that anyone was welcome. Billy stared in awe at the gate, marveling at the beautiful red ribbon that wrapped around the bars, making the whole gate look like a million dollar candy cane. “They never close the gate, I don’t even think the pinpad works anymore.” Steve smiled as he continued up the drive.

Billy marveled as the large main house came into view. It was a huge stone and log cabin, it’s many windows adorn with lights and bushy wreaths. Tiny candles sat on each sill, a bussle of holly under them. Steve beamed at him and Billy stared back, this was a damn winter wet dream.

“Come on, we’ll grab the bags later!” Steve smiled wider and Billy wondered when his cheeks became so red.

“Wear your scarf babe! You’re cheeks are so rosy.” Billy followed Steve out of the car, tightening his scarf as he made his way towards the red front door. A huge pine cone wreath hung between the stain glass panels set in the door. The heavy smell of baking hung around the house, and warmed Billy’s insides. Behind them Steve’s mother and father climbed out of their own car, Eve Harrington smiling ear to ear as she rushed forward, throwing the door open for them.

“Mama! Papa!” She called out. “Tinny! Carol! Christy! Noel!” The sound of dozens of voices chattering away stoped and then an explosion of noise happened, and what seemed to be hundreds of people decended upon them. Billy let out a small yelp as a wave of hands pulled Steve and Eve into the house, leaving him and Jack Harrington standing on the porch.

“Don’t relax just yet.” Jack sent Billy a dark look. “They’ll realize we’re here any second.” And sure enough, a woman slightly older than Eve turned to look at them. Her huge amber eyes widening as she detatched herself from the huge group and made her way to them. She beamed at Billy, and gave Jack a curt look.

“And this must be Billy! Our little Stevie new turtle dove!” Billy nodded, he’s never heard anyone refer to someone’s boyfriend as their ‘turtle dove’. “Hi Jack Frost, blow into to any foreign ports lately?” Billy tired not to snort at the look Jack Harrington gave his sister in law. “Come in! Mama is just finising dinner, once that’s done we’ll put the deer away and then we can eat.” So this must be Aunt Carol, the deer hearder.

Billy followed Aunt Carol into the house, eyes wide as he took in the many, many pictures on the walls. Images of a young Steve sitting a top a man dressed as Santa’s knee, pictures of young Eve and her sister playing with some deer, a huge red wood sleigh filled with boxes and boxes of gifts sitting outside a hospital surrounded by the family and a few of the patients. They looked like such a happy family, it made Billy feel like an imposter.

“Aren’t they lovely!” A warm voice whispered in his ear, and Billy jumped. Behind him stood a plump woman, her grey hair tucked under a limp red cheifs hat. Nana. “We take one every year! The one from last year us above the mantle, come on.” She lead Billy through a maze of halls and into a massive living room. A fire roared in the harth, and a massive 10 foot tall Christmas tree sat in the corner. Presents of every color sat under and in it’s heavy branches. Steve and his mother sat surrounded by people in the middle of the room. Their eyes sparkled, and their skin glowed. Everyone in the room looked like something out of a water color Christmas card. Billy’s mouth fell open, as he watched the scene. “It’s so wonderful to have everyone here for Christmas.” Nana said as she tucked her hands into her apron. “Come help me bring out the coco Billy, then I’ll have them all introduce themselves to you properly.” Billy nodded, following Nana into the kitchen. Where a little over a dozen people were working.

They were short people, and Billy felt bad for staring at them until he saw their ears. Pointed ears, that stuck out under their hair and hats. Elfs? One of them smiled, and handed Billy a tray before returning to her large pot. No, people wearing costumes, right! Nana began loading cup after cup onto the tray, smiling as she dropped different colored marshmallows into each of the cups.

“And a blue one for Billy, you’re favorite color.” Billy wrinkled his nose in embarrassment, Steve didn’t need to tell his family everything about Billy! “Come on now dear.” She lead him back into the living room and guilded him to an ornate coffee table and helped him set the tray down. “Okay, now the fun begins!” And then she starter calling out names. The youngest to the oldest. It started with a small girl, Joy, no older than two, who pushed herself up onto shaky legs and waddled over to her grandma. Billy handed her a small sippy cup filled with warm milk and a sinlge pink marshmellow. Five more girls followed little Joy, Faith, Hope, Ella, Fae, Nicole, before Billy was handed his cup, and then Steve, who got a cup shaped like a Santa. His family giggled and Steve blushed, sipping his coco happily nonetheless. Next the last three girls were called, Mary, May and Dove, then their mothers, Tinsel, Noel, Eve, Christmas and Carol. Finally Nana took her cup, blowing softly at the steam. Six cups remained on the tray, Billy glanced down at them wondering for the first time were the husbands and fathers of these girls were. “They’re in the den downstairs dear, watching the game of all things!” Nana laughed. “Papa is in his work shop right now, I was actually wondering if you and Stevie would take him his coco and remind him that dinner is almost ready. He’s so busy at the moment, but his family still needs him.” Nana lifted the only lidded cup and set it in Billy’s free hand.

Steve disentangled himself from his manu aunts and cousins and made his way over to Billy. “Let me guess, we’re on workshop duty?” Nana laughed softly.

“Well someone needs to stay here and make sure the ham doesn’t burn!” Steve pressed a soft kiss to her cheek before taking the cup from Billy and motioning for him to follow.

“My Granddad’s workshop is in the back yard. He builds toy prototypes for a company based in Anchorage.”

“He makes toys?” Billy asked, carefully avoiding a second smaller tree in the hall that lead to the backdoor. A pile of boots lay next to the door, coats of every color and size lay on the bench next to the huge pile, Steve picked through them before eventually finding his and Billy’s.

“Yeah. Toys of every kind! Some stay here in the US, others go overseas to like Japan and stuff.” Billy shrugged his coat on, taking the cup back from Steve who shrugged his coat on while Billy waited by the back door. “You’d be surprised how in demand toys are.” Steve lead him out of the backdoor and down a stone path, to a second even larger cabin. Smoke billowed from the many chimneys and music could be heard from just behind the doors and windows. Steve didn’t even bother knocking, just pushed his way inside. Billy followed at a slower pace, every bit of Steve family home was amazing. This workshop was filled with toys, old toys, new toys, pictures of toys that dated to the victorian era if Billy was correct.

His mind whirled. Steve’s family was in the toy making business, had been for apprently hundreds of years, they employed short people with ears so pointy they could probably pop balloons, they were obsessed with Christmas, had a freaking deer in their yard. This had to be a joke, Billy turned to smile at Steve who seemed utterly clueless that Billy’s mind seemed to be playing tricks on him. There was no way, Steve’s familt wasn’t, they couldn’t be.

“Oh! There he is!” Steve said pointing up the winding stairs to a figure. A figure all in red, with heavy boots on and a fuzzy hat.

Billy watched, mouth open as the man turned around to face them. His cheeks red, and his smile huge. His belly shook as he laughed, a latge booming ‘Stevie!’ echoed around them followed by what could only be described as a ‘hohoho’. Billy felt Steve take the cup of coco from him, which was good because Billy was sure he was about to faint as he watched his boyfriend cross in front of the many workers to embrace Santa Claus.

#harringrove #billy hargrove #steve harrington #LOOK AT THIS CRACK!! #this was a dream #and i couldn't resist #sorry!!!!

[nicecarito]

Did you ever had a sad experience in your life?

Well, I think everyone had a sad experience but I always like to see these experience like...mmmh how to say it, an opportunity to learn something? I already told my story about my eating disorder but another experience was when my grandma died.

I was five years old when Grandma came to live with us. She had diabetes and my Mom decided to take care of her. It was like a transition. When Grandma came to live with us she was able to walk, cook, go outside and do everything by herself, I was a little kid back then, I remember her always reading books in her bedroom or watching old mexican movies in the T.V  (she wasn’t really watching , she fell asleep everytime), When Dad and Mom hang out at the nights, I used to sneak in her room to sleep with her because I was scared or make her sign the school reports instead of my mom to not get in troubles xD, but then years passed and she started to lose her forces.

Sometimes young people complains that taking care of kids is SO HARD. Yes indeed but there’s a BIG difference between taking care of little kids and taking care Old people... little kids grow up and they become independent, they learn to do things by theirselves and there’s a point that they doesn’t need you anymore but Old people who are used to be independent get dependent.... and they doesn’t want to admit it so they become stubborn, they feel kind of embarrased when they need help to go to the bathroom, when they fall down in the ground, when they can’t control their urges and they can’t reach the W.C by theirselves, when they doesn’t want to take medicines or use a diaper. I saw that transition and I had to be part of it because Mama had to go to work so I had to look after my grandma. There were times that I lost my patience because Grandma started to get a bit crazy...mmmh no, crazy isn’t the right word, maybe senile? to be more especific, she turns into a little kid doing any kind of naughtiness but it was a mental issue. There’re many old people who doesn’t experiment this but there’re other who sadly start to lose the sense of everything, my poor grandma lost it. And it was kind of sad you know... because when I got mad with her by doing all of this, then I feel so ashame for scold her, it wasn’t her fault but I was there for her still. She used to call my name every night when she got up and she was a bit disoriented. I remember kids in my school saying that changing diapers from old people was disgusting or bath them or whatever, I wasn’t disgusted of my grandma, she need it, she need us, I learned to do all of that because I love her. when you love someone you don’t care to much about all of that. My Mama started to get so tired and stressed and the doctor warned her that she needed to rest or she was going to died first than my grandma by the stress so my grandma had to leave the house... I was 14 and I felt like if someone took my heart away but my Mama need to rest and my Aunt decided to take care of Grandma. I felt lonely and kind of lost, like, she was like a baby and someone took my baby away from me. But three years later, my Aunt had some economical problems so Grandma came back to us but she was already like a raisin, hehehe bad example but yes, a Raisin.... she was skinny, she couldn’t move anymore, she was in bed all the time.... it was a baby completely and it was more easier to check on her but still...

Having her back to our house makes me happy. We had to give her her food in feeding bottles and change her diapers just like a baby and then when I was 20, 7 March to be exact, My Mom was in my grandma’s room feeding her and she was moving her from the seat to her bed and in her arms she just died.... I remember my Mama screaming and I ran to her Room and I just saw Grandma in the bed like... with her eyes open but she wasn’t there. I put my head on her chest and I could hear her heart beating slowing and stopping, we tried to get her back but she just passed away. I remember that I hugged her crying, she just passed away just like that, I wanted to tell her that I loved her one last time, sometimes we thing our beloved are forever but no... all of us will levae this world one day and we have to tell them we love them EVRY SINGLE DAY. I remember that I dressed her with her favorite pajamas and I helped my mom to take off her diaper and clean her, People sometimes says that touching dead is disgusting... when you love someone very much you don’t care about that. It was so sad like I don’t know.... She suffered so much in her life, she had 15 pregnancies and she lost eight childs, but she was still strong, I don’t know how she did it to not get insane and her other childs didn’t even took the opportunity to pay a visit  to her when she was sick... My mother have that resenment towards her siblings... until Grandma died, they came to see her at home, like crying and saying -noooo mama- but where were they when she was alive?. We had an economical problem that time so we couldn’t bought a coffin or pay for funeral services, everything was at home, she in the bed.... I prepared coffee for the visits and stuffs and then the funeral services (just for cremation) came to get her and.... in that so hard for me because they were going to take away in a stretcher, like, they wrapped her in a blanket if she was just a doll and then they just took her away in a pretty poor van, it didn’t look like a funeral van, it was just a van..., she born poor and she died poor And they were taking her away from me in that way and well, I couldn’t do nothing else.

Sometimes people have resentment towards their parents and sometimes they just abandon them when they get old, maybe because they weren’t -nice parents- or whatever but it’s really sad to see old people just being abandoned.... I think even if they weren’t the nice persons or they were, my grandma were nice but most of her childs just forgot about her,  they doesn’t deserve to live in misery....

at least she was loved by me, by Mama, Papa and my older siblings.

and yes, It was a sad experience but thanks to her I learned to be tolerant, to love my parents, to be patient, to always have desire to help others and never turn the back at them and to forgive... I forgive the rest of my family for not being there when we need them but if they ever need me or are alone, I will be there because that’s Love!. I think the person who I am is thanks to her! Maybe she died without a fancy funeral but She just jump to the heaven to see God and be happy forever next to Granpa and her little angel childs! I think that’s the perfect reward, at least for me since I’m catholic and I believe in that.

I think Sad experience can suck but we can take them and learn about them! I learned a lot and I’m sure this will help me when my parents or even my siblings needs me one day.

Sad experiences, Angry experiences, happy experiences, etc.... makes us grow up like humans and we can move on but you decided if you want to take the positive stuff or not! Even if there are not positive stuff we can turn the bad stuff into a learning to make us grow up. If you decided to be sad forever then you will never be able to look forward. Isn’t wrong to be sad, we never end to be sad but I prefer to  remember all the times Grandma makes me laugh, makes me get angry, makes me cry and I remember her eyes looking up at me with love, that the best thing ever!

[sage-the-mage]

Sometimes the littlest things that happen when you're young can have massive impact on you when you're older.

So I've been thinking a lot lately. About my childhood, mostly, trying to figure out why it is that I am the way I am.

I'm nonbianary. While I've never really felt like much of a girl, it took me until this last year to fully realize it. And even now, I'm hesitant to tell people. On here, I have no issue being who I am and proud of it. But irl, very few people know. My wife knows, obviously, and a few of our friends know too, and all of them use my preferred name, Sage, instead of my birth name. A couple other people met me after I'd come out to my wife and friends, and they know me as Sage, but not that I'm nonbianary. And no one really ever uses the right pronouns, and I'm always too afraid of upsetting everyone to correct them. I mean, my wife tries when she remembers. One of the friends I told is just bad at remembering, it was honestly a bit of a struggle to get her used to the correct name. And the other two I remember telling don't see us as much to get used to it, on top of never hearing the right ones.

No one in my family, or my wife's, knows. Her grandpa, who we live with, is older and we know wouldn't really understand it, so I never really intended to tell him. He's out on the road a lot so it's not a big deal anyway, plus as everyone's gotten used to calling me Sage, when he's home everyone seems to use that and Meg interchangeably, so he's sorta picked up on that and will call me that sometimes. My mom and my grandparents and all the rest of them still know me entirely as Meg though. And I want to tell them, I really do. They're my family, they raised me, they're honestly a tolerant bunch, especially considering the area we live in. But the idea causes me anxiety.

Just like the idea of telling anyone at all did.

Just like deciding on a new name did.

Just like the idea of telling anyone that doesn't already know.

Just like how as much as I'd like to throw a stuffed animal and pout at anyone referring to me as she or girl, instead I sit back quietly because I'm afraid of stirring up trouble or causing any upset.

But, why am I like this? My mom was my best friend, I used to tell her everything, surely I should at least be able to tell her? And if any of my siblings ever have gender identity issues, I'm sure having a sibling that understands would help them immensely. I've had these thoughts running through my head for ages, but only now am I really acknowledging them.

For as long as I can remember, I saw most things as either boy things or girl things, with very few things that both were allowed to like (silly bands being one of the few "both" things.) I thought that girls weren't allowed to like boy things, and same for boys with girl things. I thought it was an actual rule, too. I don't know how or why exactly this got started, but I'll bet it had something to do with always being taken to the girls section for toys and clothes, to the point I didn't think I could go into the others.

I repressed a lot of my likes and interests. Sure I liked Barbies and playing with them and a lot of most of my other "girl" toys, but I would've loved playing with toy cars, not that I'd have admitted it then. I liked climbing trees and getting dirty, and yes I thought those were boys activities. I wanted to play sports. I did wind up playing basketball in third grade when I found out there was a girls basketball club, and around fifth grade I did climb trees and stopped worrying so much about getting dirty after I saw girls my age playing like that. By then I'd started realizing it wasn't so clear cut.

I said I hated superheroes, despite my favorite show being Kim Possible, a superhero/spy type. And, once I discovered it, I loved Teen Titans, and my excuse for why was because there were two female heroes as part of the main characters. I adamantly denied liking any other superheroes until I was thirteen and saw Danny Phantom and Iron Man Armored Adventures. After that I finally gave up the pretenses of hating superheroes, at least to myself, and to others a few years later.

In forth grade, I found a show, Bakugon I think is what it was called, probably spelled entirely wrong, that I wound up loving and watched before school. When it stopped airing at that time though, I didn't look to find out when it did, because I was afraid of my own mother judging me for liking boyish things, even though I knew she had said stuff before about parents judging their kids for liking stuff commonly associated with the other gender being wrong and stupid. To this day, this is the first I've told anyone about this, aside from maybe mentioning it once to my wife, if that.

Over the years, I've collected a fairly big wardrobe, a few things I've gotten myself or my mom got me, most of it coming from my grandma though. And it's all highly feminine, because while I did and do like that it was expected for that to be all I liked. Some days the thought of wearing my hyper feminine wardrobe was so off putting I'd stay in my pajamas all day, because at least that didn't involve effort. Other days, I'd find some skinny jeans and hope I still had a fairly plain t-shirt to wear, because that was a pretty neutral look. Or I'd stay in my work clothes. Or I'd be feeling like looking feminine and make full use of what I did have.

The thought that I wasn't really a girl was always there. For as long as I can remember, at the back of my mind was the nagging feeling that, while I liked enough feminine things and I certainly wasn't a boy, I didn't really feel like a girl. I would cringe when people would say I was such a cute girl, such a beautiful young woman, I'd grown into such a wonderful lady. Because that's the sort of thing I'd hear from people, any compliment for some reason needing to bring up my gender, as though that was important. Why couldn't I just be called cute, say I've gotten so big or mature, a beautiful young adult? And, furthermore, why was it always pretty and beautiful used for girls and women, but handsome was reserved for the boys? Maybe sometimes I want to be called handsome, or at least feel like it's a possibility to be called that. I always preferred being referred to as a kid, my mom's child, one of the grandbabies, instead of daughter or anything like that. Niece never bothered me so much, mostly because I don't really know much of an alternative,(similarly, I'll probably be called Aunt by my siblings' children) and I could go either way with sister vs sibling, because sister sounds a touch more personal but sibling is neutral like I'd prefer, and not that impersonal sounding. And I'm sure I'll be Mommy or Mama or even just Mom to my kids because calling a parent parent sounds fucking weird, though I might go with Ma because it's not as commonly used anymore and that's among the first sounds a kid makes anyway, or make something up or maybe people will have a gender neutral set of parent tiles like Mom and Dad and the variations of those by then, I mean I can hope right. Wow this got off track but my point is I've never felt like girl was the right thing for me to be called, for as long as I can remember it's felt wrong, but up until just a few years ago I didn't know that neither boy nor girl was even an option, and until earlier this year for those thoughts to really edge their way to the front of my mind to make me confront them.

And I'm happy I've found an identity that fits me, I really am. But I'm so terrified that everyone that doesn't know would judge me if I told them because I'm supposed to be a girl, I've always been a girl, and basically those childhood thoughts my family accidentally brought forth by always taking me to the girl sections and buying me girly things and never even walking me through the boys sections until my first brother was born, when I was 10 and already deep in the mindset, those thoughts and fears just won't leave. And I can't help thinking that maybe the reason why the people who do know rarely use the right pronouns because they don't believe me, they think I'm lying or something because I still show feminine interests, I wear mostly feminine clothes because I can't afford to get rid of most of my wardrobe and buy new stuff that's more neutral and balanced like I'd like it to be, and my fear of that along with the days when I don't look feminine kicking in has lead to me wearing my wife's sweatpants and shirts a lot. And it certainly doesn't help that large boobs run in my family, and I can't even afford or know where to look for a binder to keep them down, so I rely on too small sports bras and baggy jackets and hoodies when I'm not in the mood for them. I mean I don't want them gone entirely, for when I'm wanting to look feminine, but I'd like them a lot smaller so they for one don't hurt my back, and for two they'd be easier to hide with a slightly loose fitting shirt and a sports bra that actually fit or something for when I don't want to.

Wow this got really long but like. There it is. This has been on my mind for days now.

#i really needed to get this out #i just... #i need someone to listen #and i need #i dunno #advice? #guidance? #reassurance that what I'm going through is valid? #I'm not sure #and I'm better at saying this stuff here #where it's in writing #where people can pay attention to it or not and I'm still getting it out #instead of feeling like I'm annoying someone with my problems #or they dismiss and ignore me and I'm not getting it out at all #so here it goes #gender identity issues #nonbinary #okay to reblog #okay to interact with #okay to like

[ericschumacher]

A new post, (A Letter to My Mom on Her 70th Birthday), is available at Eric Schumacher

New Post has been published on https://www.emschumacher.com/a-letter-to-my-mom-on-her-70th-birthday/

A Letter to My Mom on Her 70th Birthday

Dear Mom,

Happy 70th Birthday!

Years ago, you made me take all my boxes of stuff from the attic. So, I’ve assumed you’re trying to declutter and don’t want more stuff. So, instead of a birthday present, I thought I’d write you a letter.

When I think through my childhood memories of you, the memories are good and are more than I can recount here. There is so much I admire and appreciate about you. Your words and example taught shaped who I am and want to be. So, I thought I’d recount a few of the things you taught me.

Jesus loves you.

Beyond anything else, you taught me that Jesus loves me and is a Savior who can be trusted. I remember you sharing about hearing Billy Graham and putting your faith in Christ. You followed his example in sharing with me about the love of Christ, his death for our sins and resurrection from the dead, and how he forgives us when we trust in him.

You shared the Good News with me through bedtime stories, songs, and books you gave me, and by sharing about other Christians’ lives. You set an example through your service at church—especially as you served alongside Judy, Marilynn, and others to share Christ’s love in Sunday School. I remember you and Judy making banners (that still hang in the church) and telling me about their biblical significance.

Your words and your example taught me that that I had a God who was worthy of worship, a Savior who loved me, gave himself for me, and was always there for me.

Live with honor.

You taught me not only to believe in Jesus but to live, act, and speak in ways that honor him.

I was in first grade when I discovered (while reading the graffiti in a Hardee’s bathroom) how to spell the “F-word.” I thought it would be impressive to use it as a word playing Hangman with a friend.

I hid the paper in my bookbag so as not to get in trouble with the teacher. I failed to remember that I have a nosy mother. Upon finding it, you sat me down on the porch and had me think about what my language says about those I represent.

I was very young when I told you to “Shut up!” in front of a friend. I don’t remember how you transported me from the living room to the bathroom, but I do remember the taste of the soap.

There was a right and a wrong way to speak to one’s parents, and you made sure I learned.

As a teenager, I thought it would be cool to have posters of swimsuit models in my room. I asked you if I could get one. You asked me, “If Jesus returned and found that hanging in your room, would you be ashamed or proud of it?” I didn’t get the poster.

I still ask myself if I want to be thinking, speaking, or acting in a certain way in front of my Lord.

“Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

I heard this saying from you more times than I can count. Having two younger brothers who were always doing bad things and mistreating me, I had plenty of provocation for revenge.

When I struck back and was disciplined, you wouldn’t listen to my appeal, “But Mom! They did a bad thing!” You’d say, “Two wrongs don’t make a right!”

My calloused backside and several broken spanking implements bear witness to the fact that it took me a while to learn what that statement meant.

But I find myself saying it often now, especially in a world that thinks that another’s evil justifies our evil.

“The ends don’t justify the means.”

Another saying that is burned into my memory. Oddly, I can’t recall the situation in which you said this to me. So, I can only assume I overheard you saying it to my brothers on one of the many occasions they disobeyed.

I did learn from their correction. No matter how good an outcome might be, we’re never justified in choosing evil to get it. There are principles of right and wrong, and we ought to live consistently with our principles.

It’s never too late to do the right thing.

There are more times than I care to remember that you “encouraged” me to apologize to someone I wronged or disrespected. Even though I’ve blocked those memories, I am glad you taught me to apologize and make things right.

You told me about the time that, as a child, you stole a few dollars from the concession stand at the Glidden Swimming Pool. (I think the statute of limitations is past, and you won’t be prosecuted for the petty theft committed as a juvenile. But if not, I promise to visit you in jail.) Years later, as an adult, when you were managing the pool, you returned the exact amount to the concession stand money box. (You probably owe them for inflation and lost investment income, but what government has ever managed money well?)

Your example taught me that no matter how much time has passed, it’s never too late to try to make things right.

Always tell the truth.

I had just learned how to draw a star and decided to demonstrate my skill on the porch wall. Shortly thereafter, you brought me to the porch, pointed to the star, and asked if I had drawn it.

I said, “No.” So you asked if I knew who did.

I told you that Andy drew it. In most cases, given my younger siblings’ incredible insubordination, this would have been a reasonable suggestion. But since I was the only one who could draw a star (and had recently been on a star-drawing kick), you saw through it, and I learned (again) that two wrongs don’t make a right.

You showed me that we should always tell the truth, even when it means we’ll get into trouble. It’s easier to carry the consequences of our lies than it is to carry the guilt. And, repentance and honesty are so often met with mercy and forgiveness.

Don’t be afraid to speak up.

I’ll admit it. There were times in my childhood that I did wish you’d shut up choose not to speak. But Grandma Pickett’s genes wouldn’t let you stay silent when something was wrong, and someone needed to speak up.

Like the time at A&W when a booth full of construction workers were loudly using profanity, you said (loudly enough for everyone in the restaurant to stop, look, and hear), “EXCUSE ME! IF YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED, WE HAVE A TABLE FULL OF CHILDREN. DO YOU THINK YOU COULD MIND YOUR LANGUAGE?” They apologized and stopped. (I crawled back up from under the table, and today I’m seeing a wonderful therapist.)

On a serious note: looking back, I appreciate how you were a “mama bear” that stuck up for your family. Like the time we were for a drive to look at Christmas lights. A drunk driver ran the intersection, causing Dad to slam on the breaks.

By the time we picked ourselves up off the van floor (we didn’t wear seatbelts in the early 80s), the driver had walked over to the driver’s window, apologizing in slurred speech.

From the passenger seat, you leaned across Dad and were just about out the window, telling that man to look at the children he could have killed. I think that talkin’-to sobered him on the spot.

Those occasions (and others!) assured me that my mom would stop at nothing to protect me, provide for me, and support me. And that’s what you’ve always done. Even when it might have embarrassed me, you were never ashamed to love me, defend me, and support me.

I’m thankful that you taught me this. (I’m also grateful that when I get into trouble for opening my mouth, I can blame my Texan grandma with the fiery red hair.)

Everyone matters.

Your heart is full of love for the overlooked and easily forgotten. I remember countless trips to the nursing home to see your aunt, who had suffered a stroke. It wasn’t exactly where a young boy wanted to go after school, but I didn’t have a choice. You taught me to look at her, speak to her, and spend time with her. You cleaned her fingernails, washed her face, and cared for her.

Visiting my great-aunt is just one of many examples I could pick. You’ve spent your time visiting those who are alone, serving those who can’t care for themselves, and sticking up for the underdog.

You taught me that every human being is created in God’s image and should be treated with dignity and respect. Their stories matter and should be remembered. Even when they lose the ability to control their bodies, minds, and words, their value has not diminished.

Don’t dilly-dally.

(Aren’t you glad that I worked “dilly-dally” into this letter?)

You taught that if you’re going to do something, you ought to do it with all your might. You never did anything half-way. You are a competitive woman with an unconquerable work ethic.

I remember you working outdoors, hands in the dirt, muscles flexed and soaked with sweat. I never outworked you in the yard, and I doubt I could today.

I remember challenging you to a footrace at the campground, boasting that “You can’t beat me because boys are better than girls.” I learned my lesson.

You’ve always loved to work and to work hard. I still haven’t caught you, but I often find myself thinking of you and saying to myself, “If you’re going to do this, do it the best you can.”

It’s okay to be sad, but get up and keep going.

Your life, from the time you were little, hasn’t been easy. But you have always modeled perseverance.

When I was in third grade and wanted to join you on a two-day, one-hundred-mile bike ride (and we didn’t have good bikes, helmets, lights, or practice on long bike rides on the highway), you told me that it would be hard, that you wouldn’t wait for me, and that I’d have to finish the whole thing. There was no quitting. I didn’t quit, and my butt still hurts.

You haven’t been afraid to cry. You haven’t shied from sharing about what hurts. But pain or hardship has never stopped you.

I’ve watched you study for certifications, learn new skills, find jobs, and solve problems. I’ve watched you confess sin, ask forgiveness, and fix your mistakes.

That’s the best kind of mom a boy could have: one who acknowledges that the world hurts, who owns her imperfections and failures, who trusts in Jesus and relies on his grace and keeps pressing forward in what her Lord has called her to. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

And so much more…

Decades later, I’m still not perfect in the things you taught me. (But, as the song says, “Mama tried.”) And there are a lot of other lessons that you taught me as a boy, such as:

Don’t pee your pants.

Don’t poop your pants.

Don’t wipe your boogers on things.

Don’t put things in the electrical outlets.

Don’t eat hard-boiled Easter eggs that someone hid in the sandbox, and you dug-up in June.

Don’t keep an Andes mint in your pocket “for later,” especially in Texas—and if you do, don’t decide to take it out, unwrap it, and attempt to eat it while your parents are trying to rush the family from one terminal to another in an airport.

Don’t pee in a cup and offer it to your brother to drink on a hot day.

Don’t push your brother off the porch face-first into a brick.

Don’t dump a pile of pigeon dung* on the babysitter’s head.

Don’t slam a plastic bottle of barbecue sauce against the edge of the counter because you thought “shatterproof” meant “unbreakable.”

I could say more about all those stories, but I don’t think people would be interested in those stories.

I LOVE YOU!!!

I don’t tell you often enough, but I love you very much. I’m proud and honored that you’re my mom. I’m thankful that God gave you to me as a mom—always have been and always will be.

Any good quality in me is due in part to your influence and example. (Any bad quality in me is due to my younger brothers.)

Thanks for being a great mom and a wonderful grandmother.

I love you very much.

Your son,

Eric

*Aren’t you proud I said “dung?” I still taste soap, just thinking of the other word.

#family #story

[5hfanfiction]

"I Hope I'm Not Dissapointing You" (Camren)

[Lauren/Camila]

“I don’t get what the big deal is! It’s not like it’s some big surprise!” I’m frustrated, I’m frustrated that I came out here with my daughter to join my other daughter with the intention of making their birthday one to remember. A memory that they can look back on and enjoy. Instead I’m frustrated that they can’t seem to get their attitudes in check long enough to not be brats to my girlfriend.

“Lauren I know ok, I’m sorry it’s my fault-” “No! It’s not, you’re not the one that’s being an ass when you’re the only one who really should be!” “Laur, just try to calm down ok it’s the day before their birthday and …. I think they just wanted it to be us.” “What makes you say that? Did they say anything to you?” “Amelia told me she had a dream that the four of us were together. That she dreamt that we were together and happy.”

I can’t help but just think; why isn’t Camila pissed that Lucy is here? Why isn’t she an ass to her like our daughters have been all afternoon? I start to think why and then I just turn and ask her.

“Oh…” ask her “Hey, why are you so nice to Lucy?” “Huh? What do you mean?” She asks almost as if she seems genuinely confused I even asked. “Yeah…like I said, you of all people should be the one that’s pissed. I mean- we..you and I-” “Lauren” she giggles “I like her because..well because you like her, you trust her enough to bring her around our kids and your family and me. Why would I try to ruin a good thing for you? Just because it didn’t work out between us, doesn’t mean it can’t work out with anyone else.”

I look at Camila in front of me and the words she just uttered are the very reason why I fell in love with her. She’s compassionate, she’s kind, honest, doesn’t have a single bad bone in her body.

“And why didn’t it? Camz?” I see her a little taken back by the sudden nickname that I haven’t called her since we split, it just felt natural in this moment. “Why didn’t it work out between us?” She sighs “oh, Laur we were young and stupid. We fell too fast, we were bound to crash sooner or later. We argued over stupid shit-” “Every couple does. What was so different about us? And if memory serves me right, you left me-” “And you didn’t come after me.” “I…I- I didn’t know you wanted me to.”

———-

[Emma/Amelia]

“Mama’s pissed I can tell” I pace Amelia’s bedroom wondering what kind of punishment Mama is coming up with. “Relax” Lia says all nonchalant “It’s our birthday tomorrow, what’s the worst that could happen?” I stop dead in my tracks “Uh, we could get sent to boarding school in Timbuktu! We’ll never see Mommy again and then Mama will end up marrying Lucy and then our whole lives are ruined!!!” “Stoppppp! You’re overreacting. What we need to do is get Mama out of the room with Mommy and get her alone with Lucy.” Lia starts grinning. “Why would we do that? That’s the complete opposite of what we are trying to accomplish here, have you not been paying attention to anything!!!”

Suddenly our bedroom door opens startling us both

“Woahhh what’s with all the yelling twins?!?” “Aunt Dinah!!!!” We couldn’t be happier to see auntie Dinah, which means Auntie Mani and Ally are here too. We need all the help we can get if we’re gonna pull this off. “So what’s up short stuffs? I could hear you pacing and yelling all the way from the front door, and this place is huge so what’s up?” Dinah asks seriously Both Amelia and I look to each other then back at auntie Dinah “You love Mama right?” I ask “Yeah?” “You love Mommy, right?” Lia asks “Yes?” “How do you feel about Lucy?” I ask, this time a bit quietly She sternly looks at us both “What the hell are you two plotting?”

————

“Honestly girls, in the grand scheme of things she’s not that bad. She’s actually really nice and kind and she takes great pictures” Ally says cheerfully trying to get everyone on board “Of course she takes great pictures, she’s a freaking model Ally!” Mani says “Whatever” Ally scuffs “Ok so wait, run through the plan again” Dinah asks the twins “What plan?” Lauren says as her and Camila make their way into the twins room startling all five girls who were huddled together in a circle in the middle of the room.

“Ohh nothing we were just asking where they wanted to go tomorrow-"Dinah starts "Right tomorrow for their-” Ally continues “Birthday! Yep their birthday the big uno y uno! Right!” Mani finishes

Both Lauren and Camila look at all the eyes starting back at them with confusion and almost wanting to say “What the fuck?” Obviously they can’t they’ve got two eleven year olds in the room who are very impressionable. Eventually Mani, Dinah, and Ally get the picture and make their way to exit the room to leave the mothers and daughters alone. But not before Camila subtly pulls Dinah aside and quickly whispers “we’re going to talk about whatever that was.” She points towards the room and then gives her a stern look meaning she’s serious before turning her attention back to Lauren and the twins.

———-

“Ok, here’s the deal” Lauren quickly jumps into it while clapping her hands together starling both the twins and Camila “No more being mean to Lucy, or anyone for that matter! We raised you girls to be kind hearted good girls, not what you’ve demonstrated this whole afternoon. I don’t like punishing you guys especially right before your birthday but I will because there are consequences for the actions you take.” “Mama we’re really sorry we just wanted it to be us four and then when Mommy said she was bringing her girlfriend and you were bringing Lucy-” “What?” Lauren cuts Emma off and turns to Camila “You’re dating someone?” Camila kinda sidesteps the question and continues on with the girls punishment “Still girls, you weren’t being nice and we taught you better than that. So the day after your birthday you’re on ‘house arrest’ so no going out with grandparents or aunties and no phone for either of you. Got it?” “Yes ma'am” both girls say in unison “Ok, go downstairs and see if grandma needs help with dinner. Lia stay so we can talk for a bit yeah.” Lauren says she looks to Camila who gives her a reassuring smile as she walks out with Emma attached at her hip.

“How’s everything babe? Despite what happened this afternoon?” “Mama, I’m sorry I just…I don’t know..I just. It surprised me seeing you with her again.” “Nugget, you and your sister mean the absolute world to me. I would do anything for you guys, I mean anything.” Lauren pauses for a bit “Hon, is there a reason you don’t like Lucy?” Amelia starts sniffling “She’s not Mommy” “Babe” Lauren wraps Amelia up in her arms “Babe, you don’t have to get upset…I know our family isn’t the ideal family dynamic but…I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want. I hope I’m not disappointing you.” “Mama we love you-” “Yeah babe I know and I-” “No Mama we love you.” “Amelia-” “WE love you.”

A/N : Lets get some more comments on here yeah? I’d really like to know what you guys think? Also on Wattpad @LernJergi_H4rmony . What’s A Soulmate (Camren)

#UPDATE #series #camren #normally #laurmani #caminah #alren #normila #camally #norminah #laurinah #dinally #angst drama #humour #romance fluff #submission #I Hope Im Not Dissapointing You

[chickchocmuffin-blog]

My pretty miserable life

I am was only 13 when my life got from worse to more difficult my mom died just before I wrote my exams and I was so crushed because I was looking forward to her being at my fair well graduation from primary yo high a school. The way I was told that she had passed on to glory was more shocking as even today I can not believe it. I do not know if I am still in denial or I do not know how to deal with pain in general. I was left there all by myself both my sisters had to go to school and I had to finish my schooling at the primary I was at. My big sister was in varsity will the second born was in middle school. Well I was leabing under the care of an old couple who was looking forward to stay with me forever but they were denied the previllage to take care of me until I finished school. My family from my mother's side came and took me back to the village were I was lwft with no care. And ended up being and doing what I do now. I am a quiet person might stick people as rude because I only talked when I was spoken too. I started school in middle school of their choice. Never liked schooling there but hey nothing was in my favour. Mama died and I felt so alone. Couldn't reach out to anyone but my self and my thoughts. No one in my family understands me nor tries to do so. You wouldn't believe it is I told you I am from a royal clan. They look so perfect in the eyes of the public but to be honest it's complet B.S. the family hates one another they do not even commmunicate to each other they can even pass one another like they are complete strangers. It's a lot to deal with because when people are is on the street they think are the most happy family and our childhood was so perfect. But that's not true I am a loner. I got to middle school lives at my cousins place for a whole year And a half which was hell as I was treated like a slave and constantly accused for doing bad things then I decided to move back home which was stressful too. There I was alone but the house was full of people 13 people lived in that house fights were there. All my 3 aunt's And my grandma 2 of my aunt kids and 3 of my aunt's first born kids my grandpa and his grand son and my uncle all of us same yard. I have never flat like I was home. It felt as though I was invading people's personal space. If my 2 sisters came home it was really a full house. And we were often illtreated most of the time. I am not sure if we are being punished for our parents sins or luck is never on our side. I got through middle school and went to high school at an Afrikaaner school there I was forced to study subjects I didn't like the to my family thinking we are all alike we like science but all I wanted was to do business subjects as I am good at them. First year was hell in my high school I failed my first year and changed my stream went to the business stream were I did good the following year. I was 16 years when I failed my grade 10 that's a year behind. Next year I did my grade 10 point 2 and did well. The following year i was in grade 11 it was great. Then comes the dating life I meet a guy older than I was dated the guy up until he wanted to marry me I agreed but it never happened because he always thought i was young and did not understand what he was asking me. Well I was ready as I loved him so much after all he was my first true love we dated up until 2012 it was so hard for me to move on as I loved him with my all I saw myself in him. Yet he still left me thinking I was not matured enough even though we still talk to this very day because he then realised I loved him and I still do. After all your first love is your first true love. I saw him as my true soul mate whom I was going to spend the rest of my life with even though he has a son with another women my love for him did not change I still loved him. In that 3 year relationship it was not easy. As I was never around but wanted me to be in the house 24/7 never to party not drink I was only allowed to do so with him and him alone. I did not see a problem with that as I loved him. He was never around and thought money was the answer, he would give me more money than I needed. But it was not enough I needed him and wanted to be with him just an hour or two but there was no time. I felt he was hiding something from me but the love I had for him made me believe I was wrong. Never trusted my gut feeling up until it was late. One day while I was home someone logged know facebool and went me hush messages which got me so confused and angry. So he claims that his account was hiked which I failed to believe. That person told me I am wasting my time and that the guy does not live me and stuff. I tried calling him for a full month no answer no response it was the most breaking time of my life. I felt betrayed and used. But that is not the end of it I reached out and yd me he was attmitted for the whole month was in a coma i had to take his storie bevause he was telling it he was the writer of his own story ever since that incident nothing was the same. Now there was lies , and it was bad he would say he is coming and did not pitch up and never return my calls up until he was horny. It was so hard as I thought hard and long that I can not be married to such a person who we selfish and did not care if they hurt me or not. Then the communication stopped and life just took us to different routes notice no one till this day has ever broken up with another person. That is why we are both confortable calling each other anytime we want too as we both still in love with one another. It's difficult yes but I one of us had to do it. 2013 I meet a guy we were just friends I got my self a house to rent and stayed there mindue I was still in high school. Then we decided to date it was a very short relationship which led to me agreeing to get married with him. He looked and sounded like a person I wanted to be with in less then 6 months I was engaged to married in a year and 3 months I as married in 6 months in marriage the was divorce threats in a year and 7 months I was summoned then I finally decided to let him go as he wanted out. I gave him what I wanted. But we are still in th process of divorce. I got a prophecy at church that I must not divorce him as God did not create divorce but as for him he already made up mind. I gave him what he wanted. It was like we were under some certain power which controlled us it was so bad that while we were married we would fight like we were not lovers. The separation was suggested by a certain pastor in Pretoria west we separated and grew over one another as both our pride did not let us reach out to one another so that we can fix our marriage at all I was ready and had released him because I saw he had moved on. During our marriage fights were caused by no family members and his parents. I did not agree to what they were saying I was being told all the hush words one could imagen and that knew I had no one to run to as my family is not as close as they are. Afte our marriage we moved to Pta at his aunt's place as I was pregnant and was in matric but did not finish it. Our stay there was sad and brought all the fights.I remember one day a want to do grocery shopping at a local store in Pta and came back I was supposed to package the meat and did not because we forgot the plastic bags to do so. Well I left the meat in the fridge. The aunt came and confronted me rudly so tried telling her why I did not package the meat she did not want to listen and said rude stuff to me. Guess what my so called husband came and did nothing about it as I told him what had happend a day went and the daughter to the aunt texted me on a certain social network which the message said I am must not come with my rotten behaviour which I got from my family and I must not disrespect her mother like that. First that was an insult to my family let alone myself. I told her to keep my family out of this and adress me as an individual. She kept in texting I showed my husband those messages that's when he saw his thing was we serious and I needed him to do something he then called his cousin to shut her up but it was not enough at kept texting. Insulting me until it went to the husbands parents I had had enough as it was not only that that had happened to cut this hurtful story short I then decided to go home as I felt unwanted and wanted to just leave their home. He bagged me to stay but enough was enough as that showed me that they did not respect him not his wife. To be continued...