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fernwehbookworm · 4 years

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Woke The F*ck Up- Chapter 29

August 15th, 2018

Three concerts down in her current world tour and Lena is crashing down from the high of it fast as she paces the new hotel room. Lena had released an album so shortly after her last that when it was announced that she was stepping back from music for a while, every venue sold out within the hour of tickets going up for sale. Right now though, she’s half-dressed in a new blue suit. The black pumps are waiting by the couch, and the jacket hangs by the door. She hates that she had to fly back to National City for this, but she has to see this through. Lena turns on her heel and paces the other direction while rehearsing in her head what she has to say.

“Lee,” Kara says softly from the couch.

Lena startles, forgetting her girlfriend is there. She turns to face Kara who has been watching her spiral into a near panic, pulling her out just in time. Lena smiles softly at her savior and goes to sit next to Kara. Kara immediately grabs both her hands, warm on Lena’s cold, nervous ones.

“Babe, you are going to be fine. I know it will be hard, but you can do this. We are all with you.”

“I know. I know. I got through Lex’s trial. I can get through Lillian’s. It’s just so personal this time. She kidnapped me, hospitalized you. It’s so much more emotional this time.”

“And you are even stronger.” Kara presses her forehead to Lena’s, and Lena closes her eyes and just absorbs Kara’s supportive presence.

A soft knock at the door and Lena’s assistant, Eve, calls that the car is waiting for them. Kara calls back that they will be right there, but she continues to sit with Lena for a few moments more. It’s going to be a long day. With a deep breath, Lena stands and Kara quickly follows. Kara holds Lena’s hand as she slips on her shoes and helps Lena into her blazer.

“In your own words, can you explain how you saw the events of the past year and a half?” the prosecutor asks Lena.

Lena’s pointer finger digs into the side of her thumbnail as she tries hard not to fidget. She has been briefed on this part and has practiced it over and over to try and be as calm and unbiased as possible.

She takes a deep breath. “It is no secret that I was estranged from my family. I took a path that was seen as unacceptable. My father did, however, leave money and a small percentage of the LuthorCorp stock in a trust fund before he committed his crimes that lead to his death. Before my brother was arrested, he legally transferred his shares to me as well. That left me with the majority and appointed me as the CEO of LexCorp, which my brother had changed the name to. I, however, have never had an interest in the corporate world. But as the new CEO, I had a very specific life insurance policy that essentially paid out large amounts of money to any kidnappers for my safe return.”

“And the defendant was aware of this policy?”

“I am sure she was. My father and brother had the same policy.”

“Did the defendant try to contact you before the alleged kidnapping?”

Lena tightens her hand into a fist at the word. There was nothing ‘alleged’ about it. “Yes. Several times. But after my brother’s arrest, I wanted nothing to do with my family. I already had an acting CEO managing the company as I decided what to do. My mother called and left messages that I ignored. She had made offhand comments about immigrants and the state of America before. I believe it alienated me even more. She was also not happy with my sexuality and people who were like me."

Jane Ramos paces in front of Lena as she pauses for the next question.

"How sure are you it was Lillian Luthor that kidnapped you?"

"One hundred percent. She was in my rental car when I was leaving National City Airport. She sprayed this aerosol spray in my face, and the next thing I knew I was waking up blindfolded and tied to a chair. She then proceeded to lay out her plan that either she would get the money from my insurance policy or would get to kill Power Girl when she came to save me. Or both. She was really hoping to Kill Power Girl and get the money. Cadmus had run out of funds since my brother's arrest."

"But you never saw her face after losing consciousness?"

"No. But that voice. I would recognize it anywhere. It has haunted me all my life."

"Why was your captor so sure the Power Girl would save you?" Jane asks.

"Power Girl was on a mission to end Cadmus. I'm sure she had made the connections. I'm also sure it could have been anyone that Cadmus took, and she would have been there."

"So Power Girl obviously rescued you. How?"

Lena knew this was coming. But she couldn't exactly put on record a secret government agency was working with the vigilante, who she was dating and whose sister was in that agency.

"I don't know. I was blindfolded the entire time. I remember hearing explosions and gunfire. A lot of shouting. Then something was tied around my waist, and I was hoisted upwards. Suddenly, I was on the roof with Guardian, and he was telling me to stay put while he went down and helped Power Girl get out. She took me on this zip line then and drove me to the police station. That was the last time I saw my mother before today."

Lena glances at the woman then. Lillian sits at the table next to her lawyer as stoney-faced as ever. She is careful not to show any emotion, but Lena almost cowls under the heat of fury in Lillian’s eyes. The lost little girl still trapped deep inside Lena wants to run away. Lena takes a deep breath.

“My mother is a very greedy person. She married for money and not love. She seized power wherever she could. Through connections or money or blackmail. The price of that greed has cost her more than she could ever imagine. Her husband is dead, her son is jailed, and her daughter never wants to see her again. In the end, she was the poison that tore our family apart and drove me away. I just hope our justice system doesn’t fail because my mother should not be a free woman.”

Murmuring ripples through the crowd in the courtroom following Lena’s statement, but Lillian does not make the same mistakes her son did. She stays quiet and allows her lawyer to cross-examine Lena. He tries to make it seem that since Lena never saw Lillian after losing consciousness that it could possibly have not have been Lillian afterall. After about twenty more minutes of questions, Lena is released from the stand and back to her waiting girlfriend and friends. Sam and Ruby sit in the row behind with Alex as Lena squeezes between Kara and Jess. Winn sits in the third row with Eve.

The rest of the day drags on as more witnesses are called and questions are asked. Jane warned Lena that this trial could go on for several days due to the sheer mass of crimes and how money was funneled in and out of the country. Honestly, Lena has planned to just come for this first day and then for the sentencing day. Kara squeezes Lena’s hand every once and awhile. After the lunch recess, the Arias women and Alex don’t return to the courtroom because of an increasingly bored eleven-year-old. Ruby has grown fidgety and her phone is no longer entertaining. Lena can’t blame the girl. She is going a little stir crazy also. Eventually, the judge calls a recess until the next day. It is so much like Lex’s trial but all so different. Cameras still camp out front, but this time, Lena leaves with Kara instead of Kara disappearing ahead of time. Jess, Eve, and Winn trail behind them. It touches Lena that she has more than Kara for her support. She actually has a support system with multiple friends. With a family that chooses her for everything she is.

In the end, Lillian is also sentenced to spend the rest of her life in prison, and Lena feels like a giant weight has been lifted off her chest. She returns to her tour feeling lighter and happier, going along even better with the brighter sound of her new album.

September 1st, 2018

“What do you mean you have to go? This was your night off! We haven't had any time together in weeks. Ruby starts back to school Monday, and who knows when we will be free again?” Sam stands in the living room on the opposite side of the couch from Alex as she slips on her jacket and pulls her gun from the wall safe behind a picture of Sam and Ruby. Alex had installed it when she started spending more and more time at their house.

“I’m sorry. But this is a high value target that they are bringing in. He’s been at the top of our list for awhile, and the task force finally nailed him.”

“But why do you have to be there? The whole point of this was so you would have more regular hours. All they are going to do is throw the man in a cell and fill out paperwork.”

“Because it’s my team! How can I expect them to look to me if I don’t show up?” Alex slides her gun to its holster with a bit more force than necessary. Alex reaches for the door knob and pauses. “I’ll be back in two hours. We can talk then.”

“Don’t fucking bother! Stay at work. It’s obviously more important.”

Alex tenses, ready to bite back with something that she knows she would regret. Instead, she bites the inside of her cheek and twists the door knob. Alex heads off into the night fuming and leaves her girlfriend near tears in the living room.

It only takes Alex about fifteen minutes to realize how big of a mistake she made. Another twenty minutes to get to the closest store that sells flowers and buy the biggest bouquet possible. Alex is back on Sam’s doorstep before the hour is over. She has called and let the Agent in charge of third shift know that she isn’t going to be in.

Sam answers the door, wrapped in a blanket and red eyed. “What?” she snaps.

“I was wrong. And an absolute idiot. You were right. I don’t have to be there for everything. I have to learn how to balance work and personal things. But you were wrong, work is not more important. You are. And Ruby. I’m sorry I lost sight of that.”

Sam stares at her, long and hard. She looks from Alex, to the flowers, and back up. Sam considers Alex’s words. “You are an idiot. But You are my idiot, and I love you.”

“You love me?”

“Yes, you big idiot”

“I love you too. Does this mean we are done fighting?”

“Take me to bed, Director Danvers.”

“Oh, gladly.”

December 20th, 2018

Lena’s bag feels heavy on her shoulder as she gets off the plane. A whole nine days off, but she is scared out of her mind because she’s spending them in Midville. To meet Kara’s mother. Lena takes a deep breath and walks through the airport to find her beautiful girlfriend. This is going to be a long break.

“Lee!” Kara’s voice rings out among the din of the busy airport.

Lena turns in a circle until she spots Kara. Kara hurries to her and sweeps her up in a tight hug before kissing Lena deeply. It’s been three weeks since they had last seen each other. Lena takes a deep breath of Kara because she’s missed her so much.

“It's not too late. We can get on the next flight out of here and run away.”

“Don’t tempt me. No, I should actually meet your mother. Even if she probably hates me.” Lena pulls away and fits her fingers between Kara’s to walk towards the exit. It’s a small airport about an hour from Midvale and amazingly peaceful with no cameras in sight. Kara walks Lena to the car she’s borrowed from Eliza.

“Eliza doesn't hate you. She’s really glad you are coming.”

“Glad to tell me off for breaking her daughter’s heart?” Lena slouches in her seat and crosses her arms.

“No, Lee. She’s glad to meet the woman that makes her daughter happy.”

“You’re probably right. Still, I’m worried.”

“Come on, time to cheer you up with some tunes. Alex and the Arias women will be here in three days. I need you in the Christmas spirit by then.” “Aren’t you Jewish?”

“Yeah, but the Danvers’ aren’t, so I was introduced to the joys of it. I still follow some of the bigger traditions like lighting the menorah and making latkes. Even though I don’t really follow it for the rest of the year, it’s a way to connect to my parents over the holidays. But it’s already over this year. It was at the beginning of December.”

Lena reaches over and takes one of Kara’s hands. “That’s very sweet.”

Kara glances at her with a small smile before looking back to the road, after a moment she says, “I have a whole Christmas movie lineup that starts tonight. Be ready.”

“For you, I’ll do anything.” Lena kisses the back of Kara’s hand and settles back into the seat for the rest of the ride while Kara sings to the radio.

It’s a beautiful landscape that leads to the seaside home, and Lena squeezes Kara’s hand tighter as they get closer. By the time Kara can shake her hand free from Lena’s grip to put the car in park, she can feel the blood rush back into her fingers as a thousand pricking needles. Kara unbuckles and turns to face her girlfriend. Lena bites her lip nervously and stares at the door.

“Just be yourself.”

“Myself is the problem.”

“Was. But now, we have been through a lot and are different people than we were.”

Lena takes a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

Kara grins and kisses Lena’s cheek before popping the trunk to get her bags. Lena opens the door and gets out. She takes a deep breath of the salty, fresh air and instantly starts to feel better. It definitely feels like a place to raise kids and call home. It feels safe. The door opens, and a blonde woman appears with a smile.

“I thought I heard a car door. Glad you made it back, Kara. Lena, it's nice to finally meet you.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Danvers.” Lena holds out a hand as she closes the door.

Eliza pushes it to the side and wraps Lena up in a hug. “Oh, please. Call me Eliza.”

Lena hesitates before wrapping her arms around the woman. She squeezes her eyes shut and let’s Kara’s mom hug her in a way that she hasn’t felt in a long time. Lena is fighting tears by the time Eliza releases her, but she doesn't say a word about Lena’s shining eyes. Eliza just cups Lena’s cheek briefly before turning to her daughter.

“All right, Kara, take those up to your room. I put the air mattress in there. Alex and Sam will be in the guest room, and I have the pull out in the den ready for Ruby”

Kara blushes scarlet. “Eliza—”

“Kara, I’m old. Not senial. Nor do I have any delusions about my daughters. I was your age once. At least I don’t have to worry about an unplanned pregnancy.” Eliza laughs and heads inside.

“See, she loves you already.” Kara says from behind Lena as they watch after the woman.

“Fine. You were right. But I’m still waiting for some sort of talk.”

Kara sighs and leads Lena inside.

Lena watches quietly from the doorway as Kara sifts through boxes of ornaments to decorate the tree Eliza has already purchased. Kara had been incredulous when she found out Lena had never decorated a tree before. The Luthor's home was always professionally done, and she didn't celebrate Christmas on her own. She never felt the need to. Kara has insisted that Lena help while they put on Christmas music and drink hot chocolate.

"Lena, dear. Would you mind carrying that tray for me."

Lena moves back into the kitchen to take the tray Eliza gestured too. It is laden with chocolate chips, marshmallows, marshmallow whip, candycanes, and whipped cream. "What is all this for?"

"The hot chocolate, of course. Kara loves adding so many things to hers that it becomes a meal."

Lena laughs because that is so much like Kara. She glances back through the doorway to the woman in question when a warm hand covers hers on the countertop.

"Listen, Kara didn't tell me everything that happened between you two. But she did say you both made mistakes. Whatever those were, I'm glad you two are working things out. She's happier than I've ever seen her. All she's talked about for the past two days is you," Eliza says softly, clearly not wanting to alert Kara to their conversation.

Lena takes a deep breath and smiles back at the older woman. "I'm glad too. Even if we had never worked things out, Kara made me a better person. Made me want to be one. She showed me that I deserved love. And I would never have stopped loving her for that."

Eliza squeezes Lena's hand as Kara shouts for them to hurry up, and Jingle Bell Rock starts playing from the speakers. It isn't the harsh talking to she’s been expecting from the mother of the girl's whose heart she broke. It’s… nice. Lena isn't sure what to do with that or the warmth she still feels on her hand even though Eliza has left the room with the tray containing the cups of hot cocoa.

The evening blurs into a flurry of sparkling lights and shiny tinsel and holiday music. By the time they finish, Eliza pops some popcorn on the stovetop and Kara has picked out a holiday movie, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Kara insists Lena has to watch all the classic claymation movies. Kara and Lena cuddle together on the couch while Eliza takes a comfy recliner. She disappears about halfway through, and Lena is thankful for her giving the two of them some alone time. Lena burrows deeper into Kara’s side, and Kara tightens her grip on Lena’s thigh, basically in between Lena’s legs. Kara just chuckles at something in the movie and reaches for another handful of popcorn. Lena watches Kara watch the television in the soft glow of multicolored lights.

Lena could write a whole album about this woman. Well, she technically already did, but Lena could write another one. And another one. She could write a thousand more and still not feel like she’s captured the beauty of this moment. Lena admits defeat and decides instead to just rest her head on Kara’s shoulder. Soon Lena drifts off to sleep. She eventually is vaguely aware of Kara helping her to her feet and pulling her upstairs.

December 23rd, 2018

The kitchen is covered in about a dozen different types of cookies and holiday sweets. Lena sprinkles more powdered sugar on the marble slab to roll out the sugar cookie dough while Kara selects another shape to cut out. A finger darts out in front of Lena and swipes up some sugar.

“Hey!” Lena exclaims as she turns to face the culprit.

Kara wipes the sugar on Lena’s nose with a laugh. “You’ve got a little something right there.”

“Huh, wonder how that happened.” Lena reaches for a hand towel to wipe it off when Kara’s hand stops hers.

“No worries, I’ll get it,” Kara says as she leans in and kisses Lena’s nose.

Lena scrunches her nose up with a smile. “Did I get any anywhere else?”

“Hmm… Yup. There is some right here,” Kara kisses one cheek. “And right here,” she kisses Lena’s other cheek. “And… right… here.” Kara kisses Lena’s lips.

Lena deepens the kiss and pulls Kara closer. Kara’s hands cup Lena’s cheeks while Lena’s hands cup Kara’s ass. Kara’s tongue darts out between her lips to brush against Lena’s and Kara chuckles. Lena smiles back and gives a couple more soft pecks.

“I know you’re sweet usually, but the sugar is just an added bonus to kissing you.” Kara teases.

“Oh, come on!”

The exclamation breaks them apart. Kara looks over her shoulder to see Alex and Sam laden with baggage and standing in the doorway. Sam turns and laughs into Alex’s neck as Alex fumes and blocks Ruby’s view of the kitchen shenanigans. Lena lets go of Kara and goes to hug Sam and Ruby. Kara hangs her head before turning to her sister. Alex is holding back laughter by the time Kara gets to her.

“What’s so funny?”

“You have sugar handprints on your ass,” Alex tries to say low enough that Ruby can’t hear.

Lena does cover Ruby’s ears. “That’s because she has a sweet ass.”

“Not in front of my daughter,” Sam exclaims.

“Relax, I covered her ears.”

“Not well.” Ruby laughs.

Sam shoots Lena a glare, and Lena just laughs and kisses the top of Ruby’s head. It’s getting harder and harder to do with each passing week as the girl becomes just as willowy as her mother.

“I heard voices, are the girls here?” Eliza calls from the den that doubles as her office.

“Yeah, Mom!” Alex calls.

Eliza emerges from the other room and hugs her daughter before being introduced to her girlfriend and girlfriend’s daughter. Eliza shows Ruby where the den is while Alex and Sam take their bags up stairs.

“Well, that was embarrassing.”

“Please, no worse than when you were fucking me on the pool table. Or when I walked in on them topless in the living room.”

“You what?”

“Oh, yeah. They planned a date night, sent Ruby to a sleepover, but forgot to tell me. I had spent thirty-six hours in the studio and went home to shower and sleep. Unfortunately, it was after dinner and wine but luckily before the pants had come off.”

Kara laughs and goes back to cutting out cookies. “At east for us we were in my apartment behind a locked door.”

“Very true. Come on, let’s get these cookies in the oven so that we can all decorate.”

December 24th, 2018

Christmas Eve brought about a party in the Midvale town square. Lights were strung up and local lenders had booths. A mix of barrel drums and outdoor electric heaters kept the temperature bearable for folks to laugh and play carnival games. Hot drinks flow freely with shots of alcohol available for purchase for the adults. Lena questions the fact that no one seemed to be ID’ing anyone, but Kara just explains that the town was so small that if you’re underage and wanted alcohol, you have to go at least two towns away to use a fake.

Ruby excitedly jumps from game to game, flitting back once in awhile to get cash from her mother for food or to introduce a new friend. Eliza is busy running a booth so it leaves the four women on a double date, sitting at a picnic table sharing stories and snacks.

“Yup, and then she left me with this poor clingy girl who just wanted to dance with her favorite star.” Sam laughs.

“Okay, but she was insane. You left out the part that she followed us to three different clubs, jumped a VIP rope, was tackled and thrown out of the first, dumped a drink on another girl for asking for my autograph, and told me she would lick my feet. That girl was off her rocker.”

“And you climbed out a bathroom window and only texted me twenty mintes later once you were safely home.”

Alex and Kara laugh at Sam’s eye roll as they continue to exchange story about one another. They also take turns getting drinks to warm themselves, alcohol spreading through their bloodstreams. Eventually, Alex and Sam drift off to join the festivities, and Kara sits sideways to wrap her arms around Lena.

“Hey,” Kara whispers close to Lena’s ear.

“Yeah?”

“So since we are all here…”

“Yes…”

“That means no one is at the house.”

“I like where this is going…”

“Have you ever done it on an air mattress?”

“I’ll try anything once. Come on.” Lena excitedly grabs Kara’s hand and pulls her to her feet.

They try not to run back to the house, but Lena is way too excited. It’s been weeks since she and Kara had been intimate. With Eliza just down the hall, Lena hasn’t been willing to risk it. They manage to make it all the way to Kara’s room before removing clothing and tumbling onto the air mattress wedged between the twin beds. The alcohol makes everything blurry and warm, and before Lena knows it, she is riding three of Kara’s fingers as Kara lays under her. The orgasm that takes her is slow and sure, but then a wave hits her and Lena sits down hard and chokes back a moan. Lena faintly registers a soft pop and a hiss.

“Oh, shit.”

“What?” Lena asks lazily.

“Ah… I think we popped the mattress.”

Lena realizes then that Kara’s hips are sinking as Kara’s head gets closer to Lena’s. Lena rolls off of Kara with a laugh, and the hiss seems to get louder as she lays down beside Kara on a rapidly deflating bed. Kara starts laughing with Lena, and they stop suddenly when they hear the front door and muffled voices from downstairs.

“Come on, we can sleep on the twin beds.” Kara whispers.

“Beds?” Lena whispers back.

“Or we can squeeze onto mine.”

“That sounds better. Plus then I can fuck you in your childhood bed.”

“Later, babe. We have a full house again.”

Lena pouts while Kara struggles to get out of the bed and throw Lena a shirt and shorts. It takes a few minutes, but they finally settle in the narrow bed with Kara spooning Lena tightly. Kara glances at the digital alarm clock that used to wake her up every morning. 12:01.

"Merry Christmas, Lee."

"Merry Christmas, Kar."

December 25th, 2018

Kara is woken by a ball of cloth thrown in her face. “What the— Alex!”

“You two snuck off last night. Here’s your pajamas.” Alex stands in front of the bed with her Arms crossed. “And now I know why. How did the mattress get deflated?” Alex raises an eyebrow, pointedly.

“Oh, sweet. Eliza went with elf pajamas this year. Did she get Ms. Claus for herself?” Kara accuses her sister’s accusatory looks.

Alex rolls her eyes. “Just be glad that I came up and not Mom. Be downstairs in five, or we are starting without you.” She turns on her heel a little dramatically and exits.

“I’m sorry, what did I miss here?” Lena wipes the sleep from her eyes and Kara kisses her lips before climbing out of bed over top of her girlfriend.

Kara strips off her sleeping shirt and pulls on a long sleeve button-up that looks very elf like. “Every year, Eliza and Jerimiah would give us pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve. Eliza still keeps up the tradition. I just assumed she wasn’t doing this year with all and the Arias’.” Kara pulls up the long pants that are red and green to match the shirt. “Here, there is a pair for you too. I wondered why she asked for your clothes size.”

Lena sits up much slower, glancing at the clock which reveals that it is still before eight. Lena wipes at her eyes again before standing and taking the clothing from her much too peppy girlfriend.

“You are lucky I love you,” Lena grumbles as she begins to pull off her shirt and put on the Christmas colored clothing.

“I count my blessings every day.”

“You are too cheesy sometimes.”

“You want me to stop?”

“Never.”

They make it downstairs before the five minute deadline and settle onto the couch with hot cocoa, despite Alex’s glare and Sam’s suppressed laughter. True to Kara’s word, all the women are wearing elf pajamas, and Eliza is wearing a set in red with a white apron printed on the front, very Mrs. Claus. Eliza hands Ruby her first present, despite Sam’s protests that it isn’t necessary, and then Ruby takes turns handing out gifts from youngest to oldest.

Colorful wrapping paper soon litters the floor as gift after gift is opened. Most are from Eliza to Ruby. The other women brought gifts for each other too, adding to the paper carnage.

“Alright, my turn.” Lena says and gets up. Instead of grabbing one from under the tree, Lena goes to the front door. “What are you doing babe?” Kara asks.

“I was warned you are a notorious present peeker.” Lena says, as if that explains everything.

“Am Not!”

“Are too!” Alex yells back.

“Am Not!”

“Are too!”

“Not!”

“Too!”

“Not!”

“Not!” Alex repeats.

“Too!” Kara exclaims, before groaning and slapping a hand to her forehead.

“Hah!” Alex sticks out her tongue at her sister.

“If we are done, your present should be here right about…” a knocking on the door, “Now.” Lena opens it to a warmly dressed personal currier with a large box. She balances it awkwardly as it seems to shift, and Lena pulls out a wad cash to generously tip the man working on Christmas. Lena walks awkwardly back towards the couch and carefully sets it down.

“What—” Kara begins to ask as the box shifts. Kara notices the holes in the said of the gift wrapped box and looks at Lena excitedly.

“Go on. Open it,” Lena urges.

Kara rips into the paper and hurriedly unfolds the top. A soft excited yip accompanies a shaking of the large box. Kara squeals and reaches inside, pulling out a white, wiggling, little fur ball. Everyone gasps and begins cooing about how pretty he is. Kara turns him to face the room revealing the black patch of fur stretching over one brown eye. The other was a bright blue that matched his new owner’s.

“What’s his name?” Kara asks.

“Hold on, I have the paperwork in my purse.” Lena grabs the envelope and hands it over the Kara who tries to open it and hold on to the squirming fluff ball at the same time.

When she manages to get the papers out, Kara scans them quickly. “It says Krypto.”

“Actually I think it’s supposed to be Klepto. The shelter said he kept stealing all the toys and treats and hiding them under his bed. It was an issue in the home his litter was born in, and because of his splotch no one wanted to buy him. So the shelter named him Klepto.”

Kara gasps and covers the puppies ears. “How could they do such a thing to such a beautiful creature.”

“Well, people buying purebred American White Shepherds usually do it for a show dog. The discolored fur wouldn’t look good. It’s technically a genetic mutation.”

“What a terrible thing. But don’t worry, you will be loved. And no more of this Klepto business. It’s Krypto now. Like the dog in the comics.”

“Whatever you want, babe. He’s yours now.”

Kara squeals again and lets the dog lick her face. Lena just watches her girlfriend for a few minutes before Ruby whispers in her ear. Kara gasps and hands Ruby the puppy as she sprints towards the back of the house.

“Where is she going?” Lena asks.

“To get your present.” Ruby says matter of factly.

“What do you mean? She already gave me the leather bound notebook and fountain pen.”

“You’ll see.” Ruby returns to playing with the puppy.

“Merry Christmas, Lee. I guess great minds think alike.” Kara arrives in the room room holding her own fur ball, this time black. Two little ears peek up above the Christmas bow tied to its neck. The kitten turns to the room and opens it’s green eyes, the pitch black fur only interrupted by a white streak over one eye. “One of the women in town had a litter and was going to give them all to the shelter if no one would take them, and you said you needed at least one cat.”

It’s Lena’s turn to get excited and she hops up to take the kitten. “What’s its name?” Lena lifts the cat above her head to check it’s rear end.

“I was Thinking Harry, like Harry Potter. You know, because of the ��scar’ above his eye.”

“Hate to break it to you, but this little guy is a girl.” Lena cuddles the kitten back to her chest after being sure.

“Harriet Potter?” Kara tries again.

“Ah, no.” Lena sits back on the couch and scratches behind the kittens ears to begin the purring.

“I’ve been calling her Streaky.” Ruby chimes in, while trying to contain the squirming pup.

“You have?” Sam asks.

“Yeah, they kept her in the den with me, and Eliza made me promise not to tell. I had to call her something. She has a white streak on her head. Plus, she’s very fast, and ‘blur’ didn’t have the same ring to it.”

“She’s really that fast?” Kara asks and takes the puppy from Ruby to try and let the puppy sniff the kitten.

The kitten stiffens in Lena’s arms as the sniffing nose gets closer. Then, before Lena can blink, the kitten is gone from her arms, and Krypto is scrambling to chase her. Lena and Kara look at each other before scrambling after the animals, Kara basically vaulting over the coffee table. Laughter erupts behind the couple as they chase the animals into the hallway and then into the kitchen. Lena worries about the chemistry of the two and hopes this won’t end poorly.

By the time they get to the kitchen, Krypto is pinned on his back while Streaky bite s playfully at his ear. Krypto’s growl is less than impressive as he tries to escape while also trying to bite Streaky’s tail.

“Look, they are friends already.” Kara grins.

“And adorable. Look at them, complete opposites. Black and white, dog and cat. He and she. Yin and Yang. So adorable.” Lena tries to catch her breath while still laughing. They leave the animals to continue their play.

Back in the living room, clean up is happening before they finish cooking brunch together. Ruby has disappeared to set up her new Nintendo Switch in the den. Kara puts A Christmas Story on the television in the living room. It’s an all day marathon, Lena has learned, and Kara intends to watch it at least twice.

Lena just goes along with all the Danvers family traditions, including making these fried dough things rolled in cinnamon and sugar. Kara informs Lena that they dubbed them Elephant balls as Lena takes a big bite. Lena almost chokes as a laugh escapes.

“They are what?”

“Well, they taste like the elephant ears you get at the fair. But in ball form. Hence elephant balls.”

“Well despite the name, they are delicious.” Lena grabs a second one.

After a brunch to rival all brunches, Kara pulls out a winter themed puzzle that they work on while the movie plays in the background. When that’s finished, Alex pulls out Clue. Then Sam drags Ruby and her new gaming system back into the living room to share and play some of her new games.

It’s the best Christmas Lena has ever had. It was the best holiday Lena has ever had. They didn’t do anything but spend time with each other. For dinner, they order Chinese food from the only Chinese restaurant in Midvale. Lena does coax Kara into actual clothes to take a cute picture sitting in front of the tree. Each of them hold their gifted animals and face Alex who is taking the picture. Then, while the animals face forward, the couple kisses. Alex is a fantastic photographer, and Lena tells her so when she gets her phone back to judge the image. Lena sends it to Kara so they can post it on their respective Instagram accounts.

Sometimes, your opposite can make you whole. Lena types out. Kara kisses her when she sees it.

Not as good with words as my girlfriend so… ditto.

Lena laughs and kisses Kara back. Then they both turn off their phones to rejoin their family for the rest of the evening. Later that night, Lena convinces Kara to let Lena return the favor. Kara cumming quietly while biting her own forearm and Lena’s tongue moving between her legs.

“Best. Christmas. Ever,” Kara whispers as Lena lays on top of her.

“Ditto,” Lena sighs out.

December 30th, 2018

Kara follows Lena from Midvale to Metropolis to support her as she sings for the Glenmorgan Square New Years Eve Party. It is blistering cold and windy as Kara drinks spiked, hot apple cider to try and stay warm. Even the VIP section is crowded as Kara waits for her girlfriend to be introduced. The VIP section is to the side of the stage on a raised platform so Kara will be able to see the performance and the crowd. Alex steps up and joustles her from one side, Sam shouldering in on the other as they try to share body heat. They have left Ruby with Eliza and the new animal family members and made the drive into the city. Lena has rented a suite of rooms in a nearby hotel for the four of them to stay in.

Lena’s nervous. She’s seen Kara a couple of times on tour, but this is the first time she’ll be singing in front of her. She’s told Kara as much, and Kara has kissed her deeply enough to make her blush in front of the stage hands. Now Kara is waiting as the minutes tick closer to midnight. Lena has a three song set that goes straight into the ten second countdown for the final stretch of the ball drop.

A hiss sounds softly over the crowd as smoke fills the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen, I give you… Lena Luthor!” An announcer yells over the crowd before the opening notes play.

Take your clothes and rip 'em, rip 'em off

Call these hoes and tip 'em, tip 'em off

Lena rises up from below the center stage to the cheers of thousands. She’s in full on Lena Luthor mode, and Kara is enraptured.

You can tell them you are mine

I'm sick of, sick of games

No more time, you lit the, lit the flame, yeah

We live in an age where everything is staged

Where all we do is fake our feelings

I've been scared to put myself so out there

Time is running out, yeah

Need to let you know that

Last night I woke the fuck up

I realized I need you here, as desperate as that sounds, yeah-eh

Last night I woke the fuck up

I realized I need you here, as desperate as that sounds, yeah-eh

Take these walls and rip 'em, rip 'em down

Take my (uh) and snip 'em, snip 'em now

I will tell them I am yours and very, very proud

I am forced to give in, give in now cause

Kara watches and sips her drink as her sister and Sam flirt with each other and share a night free of responsibilities. Kara has heard all of Lena’s music at this point, but watching her perform has made her more and more sure that they are heading down the right path this time. Kara is rubbing shoulders, literally, with famous people, but all she has eyes for is Lena as she begins her second song.

I was just an only child of the universe

And then I found you

You are the sun and I am just the planets

Spinning around you

You were too good to be true

Gold plated

But what's inside you

I know this whole damn city thinks it needs you

But not as much as I do

As much as I do, yeah

'Cause you're the last of a dying breed

Write our names in the wet concrete

I wonder if your therapist knows everything about me

I'm here in search of your glory

There's been a million before me

That ultra-kind of love

You never walk away from

You're just the last of the real ones

Kara laughs to herself. Lena told her this song was about Power Girl. It was Lena accepting that Power Girl was a part of Kara, but also sharing how much she needed Kara even though the city needed her too. It was sweet, and heart breaking. But Lena told Kara it was a good song. One that helped her process her feelings.

I'm here at the beginning of the end

Oh, the end of infinity with you

I'm here at the beginning of the end

Oh, the end of infinity with you

I'm done with having dreams

The thing that I believe

Oh, you drain all the fear from me

I'm done with having dreams

The thing that I believe

You drain the fear from me

Almost everyone around Kara is now fully focused on the performance. The crowd below is singing along, and it’s amazing. Just over four minutes are left until the new year as Lena begins her final song.

Out of the seven billion people in this world, there's only you.

Almost a million words that I could say, but none of them will do.

So many years that I have lived, but it feels like I've just begun.

Out of the seven billion people, baby, you're the only one.

I've been too many places. I've seen too many faces.

I wrote too many pages; never found a love like you. (Love like you)

I don't know how to say it. It's been more than amazing.

My whole life, I've been waiting; never found a love like you. (Love like you)

Sleep, dream, you, repeat. Live, die next to me.

Sleep, dream, you, repeat. Sleep, dream.

Out of the seven billion people in this world, there's only you.

Almost a million words that I could say, but none of them will do.

So many years that I have lived, but it feels like I've just begun.

Out of the seven billion people, baby, you're the only one.

You were unexpected, when our lips connected.

I was resurrected; never found a love like you. (love like you)

Don't care where I'm headed when the world is ending.

'cause you are my heaven; never found a love like you. (Love like you)

Sleep, dream, you, repeat. Live, die next to me.

Sleep, dream, you, repeat. Sleep, dream.

Out of the seven billion people in this world, there's only you.

Almost a million words that I could say, but none of them will do.

So many years that I have lived, but it feels like I've just begun.

Out of the seven billion people, baby, you're the only one.

Surrounded by numbers.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one

You brought me back to life.

You did the unthinkable.

Yeah, you are my miracle.

Out of the seven billion people in this world, there's only you.

Almost a million words that I could say, but none of them will do.

So many years that I have lived, but it feels like I've just begun.

Out of the seven billion people, baby, you're the only one.

Surrounded by numbers.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one.

Surrounded by numbers.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one.

(Numbers, numbers, numbers, numbers)

You're the only one.

On one of the big screens behind Lena, just under the Giant Ball slowly dropping it’s way to the new year. Just a few inches are left as the number ten flashes on the screen and switches to a nine. Lena calls out the numbers as the crowd joins.

“Here, hold my drink.” Kara calls to her sister, not waiting for a response before shoving it in her hand.

Alex sputters a protest as Kara grips the railing and vaults over it. “Hey!” her sister calls after her, but Kara sticks the landing eight feet down and strides across the stage.

“Three, Two, One!” Lena calls into the microphone.

Kara sweeps Lena into her arms as the confetti cannons explode and dips her into a kiss. The confetti swirls around them and leaves them in their own little world. Kara pulls Lena back up and kisses her again. Lena pulls confetti from her girlfriend’s hair, even though it’s pointless.

“Did you just jump onto stage to kiss me?”

“I had to kiss my girlfriend at midnight.”

“Just had to, huh?”

“I had to start the year off right. I have a feeling that it’s going to be a good one. “

“Me too.”

They kiss again before the calls of Sam and Alex pull them apart. “Ready to party?” Lena asks.

“Ready to babysit our friends? Because I’m pretty sure Alex is already drunk.”

Alex is. Lena and Kara spend the rest of the night dancing at a party while keeping one eye on Sam and Alex. Around three, they decide to lead the two back to the hotel. Alex and Sam have been slumped together in a booth saying some not so PG things to each other. Not that either are in a state to follow through on those things. Once both are laying on their hotel bed, Lena goes to get some water for both of them in the morning along with some aspirin to leave on the bedside tables.

Kara manages to take off their shoes and outer layers before Alex throws her arms around Sam and completely passing out. Sam has already beaten her to it. Lena comes back in to set the glasses and aspirin down.

“One more drink before bed?” Kara asks.

“No. No I don’t think so.”

“Do you want something else?”

“Yeah. I think I do. Kara, I want kids.”

Kara gasps, not expecting that revelation. “Really?”

“Yeah, really.”

Kara kisses Lena then, and Lena begins to push Kara back out the door towards their own room. They start tearing off clothing and tripping to get there faster. Kara chuckles a couple of times.

“Sorry, did you mean you want kids right now? If so, it’s about to be pretty disappointing. Also, I think I should maybe teach you about the human reproductive system.”

Lena laughs too. “No, not right now. Later you can give me a refresher course, but right now, how about we get some practice in?”

“I like practice.”

“Then shut up and fuck me.”

“My pleasure. And yours.” Kara adds cheekily before pulling Lena into the room and shutting the door.

#supergirl #supercorp #kara danvers #lena luthor #Singer #Vigilante #Au #fanfiction #WTFU

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bangays · 6 years

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Okay y’all, here’s a bunch of stuff I’ve learned about sustainable living and urban farming. Keep in mind, I’m no expert and I’m always learning, but what better way to share my knowledge and learn more than to make a giant post? I’m going to put this under a read more so when I update this I don’t have old versions floating around and so it’s not a super long post. Also, i’m more than happy to answer any questions or add in any knowledge you may have!

This is version 1.0, updated 4/24/18

Anyways, I’m going to do this in three main parts: “I have no yard but I still wanna grow my own shit” “I have a yard and wanna grow shit” and “I don’t wanna grow shit, what else can I do?” Keep in mind that tips for each area could be modified or used if you fit in another category, so reading through the whole thing could be worthwhile! For example, the “I don’t want to grow” category has a lot of tips for sustainable living outside of growing produce. Also, I’ve lived in northeast Ohio my entire life so this specific growing zone (6a / 6b) is what I’m basing everything off of and have experience in. This is a link to GROWING ZONES, which tell you how hardy a plant has to be to grow in your specific location. Most plants on their seed packet will say where they are best for growing.

But first! Good tips for everyone:

Keep all food prep waste and food that’s started to rot for compost! If it came from the ground, it can go back into the ground! Composting is an extremely easy way to reduce your waste and it’s literally free (and fertilizer is so crazy expensive) Here’s a wikihow article about composting!

If you’re going to throw something away, try to think of ways you can use it! I’m not saying keep the button that fell off your pants that you’re never going to sew back on bc you’ll just become a hoarder, but if you have old containers, or something antique looking, see how it could be reused! This is called upcycling! This helps stop waste, reuses perfectly good items, and keeps plastics out of landfills! This is a cute article about upcycling for examples!

Look into specific laws for your community! Some municipalities do not allow for farming on the tree lawn or do not allow for tall trees, fruit bearing trees, etc. If you go to or call your town hall there should be someone there to answer your questions bc going through legal documents is absolutely exhausting.

Look into if your city allows chickens / ducks or if you have a fairly large yard, goats! They’re super great animals (that I honestly have minimal experience with) but do require much more love and care than a plant. Farm animals can live for years and require professional medical care, so if you’re v tight on funds I would not suggest this. Also, if you would not be able to kill a farm animal, there are many places that will do it for you or that you could sell it to for a lil profit.

Rain barrels! Water from gutters is a great way to water plants, and some people even connect their shower drains (if they use plant-friendly soaps) to rain barrels to reuse the water for gardening! Obviously, do not use rain barrel water for human consumption because it has not been properly treated & we’ve put so much harmful shit into the environment. The simplest way is to get a giant ass bucket (like 20+ gallons) and reroute your gutters into them. (most gutters have one main gutter on the side of a house that most likely drains into the sewer system) (Also, do not make modifications to a house you do not own / are renting / etc) Here’s a simple way to make a rain barrel!

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP BEFORE WE START: If you want to plant something that does not naturally grow in your location, PLEASE make sure it is not an invasive species! This is a link to learn more about invasive species!

I have no yard:

Obviously, not having any green space makes any food production difficult. But! As long as you’re creative, there’s still a lot of ways you can grow your own produce. The best way if you don’t have any green space is to look into a local community garden. This is the best way to learn, because there’s always people outside tending their own gardens & they’ve always been super friendly. Also, this is a great way to get to know neighbors and get involved with your community! I know the community garden near my previous home in Cleveland had a start of the season fee, but they always had a garden coordinator on sight, tools available to borrow, and seeds to plant a garden with. Obviously, even community garden is different due to most being grassroots organizations, so I can’t speak for all of them. But, you’ll get a small square of land that’s all your to cultivate for a growing season! A small garden like this could easily be well managed by a 20 minute visit 3 times a week for weeding and watering. (If you live in a v hot and dry climate, you’ll need to visit more often)

Do you have windows in your apartment? (I sure hope so bc legally you have to) Window boxes are an easy way to grow herbs and small plants! These could be as simple as a old plastic container or if you’re crafty a wooden window box can be super cute! Here’s a link for how to make your own window box!

Do you have doors in your house? (God, again I sure hope so) Do you know those plastic shoe holders that go on the back of a door? Grow herbs in these! Obviously, this has to be in a room that gets a lot of natural sunlight. Or, if for some reason you don’t have doors, or just can’t stop yourself from slamming the door, just hang it up on two command hooks! This is a great way to grow your own herbs, because herb plants are typically p small and won’t rip through the plastic.

Grow your own potatoes / onions in planters inside! Potatoes and onions typically need much less sunlight than above ground plants. This is a link for indoor potatoes! This is a link for indoor onions!

I have a yard!

The first thing to do is see where water puddles in your yard. If you plant something in an area that typically has a 3 inch puddle when it rains, it’s not going to do well. Improving drainage is pretty labor intensive, so another option is to build raised beds! If you have the time and resources, here is an article about improving drainage!

The second most important thing is to look at where your yard has the most and least sun throughout the entire day! Plants are grouped into three specific categories, full sun (6+ hours a day), partial sun (4-6 hours), or full shade (Less than 4 hours). If you plant something that prefers full sun in a full shade area, it’s going to die practically instantly. This is an article that further explains sun / shade!

The next step is to design your garden! Every plant has a minimum distance it must be planted from other plants. Also, if you plan on having dogs or chickens, make sure you leave a space for the dog to poop & the chickens to graze so they do not destroy your hard work! Also, some vine-like plants (Such as tomatoes or beans) need a stake or a cage to grow around. There are many different garden designs and every yard has a different amount of sun, so pre-made designs should be used as a guide, not an absolute. This is a link to 19 different garden designs!

Do you want to grow corn or anything else tall? Great! DO NOT PLANT THESE IN NORTH-SOUTH LINES!! Corn grows to be 6-7 feet tall, and will cast a giant shadow on your other plants! If you plant them in a East-West line, they will cast a much smaller shadow on surrounding areas but will not impede the other corn plants.

I don’t want to grow my own food:

Hey, I get it. Some people don’t have time and some people just don’t want to grow things. There’s a lot of things you can do to help live a sustainable life!

Take the bus / public transportation as often as possible! I know this is a basic example and many people use this as their main trasportation, but there’s so many people that refuse to use public transportation. Yes, everyone has a public bus horror story, but 99% of the buses I’ve been on have been super clean & efficient! Also, if you live ina rural area, I know this is not really an option for you. If you cannot use public transportation, car pool! Currently, 86% of Americans drive by themselves to work, which is super wasteful!

Support your local farmers market! I know they’re known for selling honey for $7 for like three tablespoons, but there really is no better way to support you local farmers than to buy their produce! This also helps remove the grasp big business has on your community and keep money in your community, which most likely will be reinvested in your community! Most farmers markets are weekly and are held on weekends! If you look up your city / neighborhood there should be links to nearby markets!

Offer your yard to someone that wants to garden! I mean, free landscaping and they’ll probably offer you fresh food! But also, make sure you trust this person enough to give them free reign over your landscaping and you wouldn’t mind seeing them 3 times a week when they tend their garden.

Donate! Most urban gardens / garden collectives are 100% grassroots organizations, so donations keep these organizations going! I know living in the rust belt, we have so much land that was sitting vacant that is now brought back to productive use by urban farms! Urban farms help stabilize housing markets in neighborhoods and remove blight, and are one of the best hands-on ways to help fight food deserts in communities that cannot support a grocery store!

If you don’t have a local urban garden, start one! Even if you don’t want to grow food yourself, starting an organization that lets other people grow food in your community is a great way to bring a community together! Many land banks have programs where you can “rent” vacant land from them for a small fee (The land bank for Cleveland is $1 per year, I believe). Also, if you start an official nonprofit, that’s a great thing for your resume and all money you invest into it is tax deductible! giving your community the ability and the knowledge to grow its own produce is an amazing opportunity to bring a community together and has a great impact on a community’s health!

Thank y’all so much for reading & I hope this was even slightly helpful! Any questions, comments, suggestions, etc are greatly appreciated!!

#urban farming #sustainable living #gardens #gardening #sustainability

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darcyfarber · 3 years

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Yes! Married Couples Should Share a Bank Account

When Andrea and I got married in 2008, we opened up a joint checking account together. Both of our paychecks were directly deposited into the one joint account and all of our expenses came out of the same joint account. This is how we have handled our finances since day one and we both couldn’t imagine doing it any other way. But what about those who don’t share money in a marriage (or relationship)? When I first started teaching personal finance, I had my blinders on. My focus was showing people how to create a simple budget, save more money and pay off debt. One of the very first couples I started money coaching caught me by complete surprise: They had completely separate bank accounts!

Over 40% of married couples today have separate bank accounts.

Should you combine your finances?

My humble opinion – absolutely.

But, let me also tell you why I think it is so important.

Early on in our marriage I thought buying flowers for my wife would make her happy. However, her love language (per Gary Chapman’s The Five Love Languages), is acts of service and words of affirmation – NOT gifts.

Full Transparency is Good for Marriage

I’m not saying you have separate accounts because you are trying to hide anything from your spouse, but it could appear that way at no fault of your own.

If you’ve been married long enough, you know by now that communication errors between the two of you happen and when you take the 30,000 foot view of the disagreement, it’s often hard to pinpoint who was at fault.

Here’s an example:

The point of this example it wasn’t her fault or my fault – rather it was a simple misconception between us.

When you have SEPARATE accounts, there will be an increased chance for misconceptions.

Maybe you notice she’s wearing new clothes and you start wondering how much those clothes cost.

Then you start going down the rabbit hole of why she is spending this money and why she didn’t chip in more for groceries last month.

Oh, I see…your expensive clothes were more important that food for our family.

Then resentment starts to creep in and all of a sudden she starts asking why you’re so quiet.

And then she starts thinking that you’re hiding something and this is why you’re so quiet….and as you can see this plays out like a dog chasing it’s tail.

If there was one joint bank account, they could simply login and see you didn’t buy those expensive clothes.

They were free because you signed up for a free trial at Rent the Runway (place to rent designer clothes). You didn’t spend any money at all!

What Happens if the Unthinkable Happens?

Like I said above, Andrea have always shared one bank account since we said “I do”.

However, it wasn’t until a few years into our marriage when we sat down with a financial planner and he started asking questions about the finances.

I was quick to have all the answers and I will never forget when Brent (the financial planner) told me to stop answering all the questions because he wanted to see what Andrea’s response would be.

Andrea already knew about every transaction in our lives (she could see them), but she wasn’t quite sure how it was all managed. She knew how much money there was in our lives, but didn’t know where it all was and how to access it.

When Brent asked me why she didn’t know where everything was as, I replied with the obvious:

“Well, she can just ask me and I will tell her”.

Then Brent said,

“But what if you’re not around to tell her?”

Houston, we have a problem here.

He was spot on.

None of us know what today brings, right?

Also, I know the fact that you’re reading an email from me tells me that you are the one in the relationship who is the manager of the money.

Even if you currently share finances, something tells me you do most of the handling of the finances.

Am I right?

What happens if you’re not around to show you spouse the money stuff?

Can you imagine the stress you are going to add onto your spouse if something happens to you AND they have no idea how to get into any of the finances in your lives? Don’t let this happen. It’s time to start sharing the money.

You Will Share a Bed, But Not a Bank Account?

I stole this saying from One Bed, One Bank Account: Better Conversations on Money and Marriage by Carrie and Derek Olsen.

Let me ask this: are we really willing to share a house, kids, grandkids, a bed, and everything else – but not a bank account?

Food for thought.

Create Goals, Build Dreams and Plan Your Future

She’s thinking “yaaaay for the future”. I’m thinking “please pay attention” 😂

Money touches every single aspect of our lives. Everything.

You and your spouse should sit down together and create your goals, build on your dreams, and plan out where you want to both be TOGETHER in your future.

And guess what?

These dreams, goals and plans will depend on money at some point. Money doesn’t just buy “stuff”, it also buys your time and freedom from a life of working.

Sure, it may work to dream big and plan out goals with separate bank accounts, but how much easier will it be when the dreams and goals go from his and hers to “ours”?

5. Budgeting is SIMPLE with One Bank Account

Since 2015 I have helped over 1,000 families create a budget and some of them refused to combine finances into one account. So we built their budget with separate bank accounts.

One bank account would pay for the mortgage, the other bank account would pay for groceries. She would buy gifts for the kids at Christmas and he would then transfer money from his account to hers.

Then she would have to add this in as “income” into her budget but then offset it with the 50% she paid for gifts. Then there was a copay he paid at the doctor for one of the kids but since she had the health insurance, they had the discussion if it should just be a wash.

And, she made more than he did (by quite a lot) and he didn’t think it was right that the spending was 50/50 in terms of amount but not a percentage. We decided to give the 50% rule a try instead of splitting the dollar amounts down the middle, but now we were having to get a calculator out to figure out how much each would pay and if that would include overtime he qualified for.

Finally I said: This would be so much easier if we just had one account.

They tried it and it blew their minds — so much simpler!

3 Tips for Successful Combining of Finances

If you don’t currently share money and you’re thinking of giving it a try, I can already feel your nerves about it. I one hundred percent get it – if it were that simple you probably would be sharing money by now, right?

Here are a few tricks I have seen work over the years when couples make the move to start sharing money.

1. Fair and Equal are Not the Same Thing in a Marriage

This is just my personal opinion, but women spend more money frequently but men spend even more money a few times per year. My wife will spend about 98% of our “Department Store” budget each month.

Why?

Because I can wear the same clothes for 10 years and still like them. She cannot.

On the flip side, I will spend thousands of dollars on a new camera, a new tool, or a new grill – and this happens maybe 1-2x per year.

She probably still spends more money than me, but then again I didn’t have to push two kids out my belly after 9 months of back pain and 24 hours of labor.

Fair and equal are not the same thing.

2. Baby Steps to a Shared Joint Account is Okay

Many couples have a separate bank account because there was some financial issues in the past and trust was lost.

If this is you, then of course you are hesitant to move all the finances back together and you have every right to feel this way.

In this situation, what if you took a graduated approach to combined finances?

Maybe start with giving login access to each other’s accounts or sharing bank statement with each other?

Get everything out in the open – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Once this has been accomplished, next open up a joint account and slowly start combining finances to it.

Maybe the first month the account is just for the mortgage and you equally fund it. Then next month you move into groceries, bills, etc.

Over time of the transparency, it will become easier to combine finances versus the ripping the bandaid method.

3. Don’t Let Amounts Get in the Way of the Finances

Chances are you both don’t make the same amount of money.

Maybe one of you works full-time outside of the home for an income and the other works full-time inside the home without an income.

The point is both of you are necessary and both of you contribute to the income – either directly or indirectly.

For years, Andrea made way more money than me.

She was a television news anchor and I was an entry level firefighter. One thing we did really well is we made sure to never call it her money or my money – it was OUR money since it was in OUR bank account together.

Also, remember tip #1: fair and equal are not the same thing.

One of the saddest truths of today is that 50% of marriages will end in divorce. The #1 cause of divorce in North America is infidelity.

The #2 cause of divorce in North America is money problems and money fights.

I tell all newly weds I meet with that marriage is WORK and it’s 100% worth it. And, if you want to give yourself a giant advantage in a marriage/relationship – then combine the finances.

By doing this, you are essentially removing the #2 cause of divorce today!

Do You Share a Bank Account?

If yes, why?

If no, why not?

I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and let us all know your thoughts or ideas on one bank account verus separate bank accounts.

God bless and thanks for reading Money Peach!

Yes! Married Couples Should Share a Bank Account published first on https://mysingaporepools.weebly.com/

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kennethherrerablog · 3 years