islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla raised a brow, "You mean that this is worse than your ex-girlfriend, whom you cheated on may I add, fell pregnant and ended up having your child so now you need to coparent with her until the end of time?" She shrugged back at him before putting the fry into her mouth. "Would explain a lot, like you're not as funny as you used to be." She teased with a smirk before reaching for yet another fry. Rolling her eyes at his words, Isla leaned forward a bit, elbows on the table. "Well of course I am saving it for a special occasion." She told him sarcastically. "Like I'd ever want to miss an opportunity to see you in a dress." She added before smiling. "It is going. We are yet to pick a venue, but my Pinterest boards should help guide us to the right place. It is going to be a winter wedding after all, so need to consider the weather." @dean-walker

“This is probably the worst thing that’s ever happened to me, I can’t believe you’re being so heartless right now” Dean continued to joke as he watched her take another fry from him, picking one up and eating it himself. “Being kidnapped by aliens does sound kind of cool, I wish that were the case” he said with a laugh, shaking his head. “I thrive in chaos?” He questioned, though he had never really considered how true it was. He’d lived half of his live in seemingly never ending chaos, he just hadn’t considered himself to be thriving. But really, he had a home, a son, his sister, and a bunch of friends who loved him- so he wasn’t doing nearly as bad as he thought he was. “You haven’t asked me to be your maid of honor yet, are you just waiting for a special occasion to ask me?” He teased her, “Because I already bought my dress and everything so” he continued his joke, laughing a little to himself. “How is the planning going?” @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla laughed softly at Hasad’s question as her eyes lighting up. "Okay, so I did think about fake snow for a minute—but Elian talked me out of it," she joked with a playful grin. Though it being Isla, it wouldn't have been surprising if it was true. "I think we’re leaning more toward warm lights, lots of candles, dark and moody colours with a hint of sparkle." She mused before pausing, clearly picturing it all in her head. "Even without real snow, there’s something so peaceful and romantic about December. It just feels like the perfect time to start a new chapter." Her smile softened. "And I’m glad we’re giving ourselves time to ease into it. Summer feels like this beautiful little pause before everything changes—in the best way." @hasadxaslan

THE END

Hasad's smile grew at Isla's excitement. It was contagious in nature. "We've had our ups and downs but that doesn't mean I can deny her talent." He'd looked through her social media after the two of them had reconnected. "You have earned those easy days before the wedding chaos," he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Are you going for fake snow, too?" He raised a brow, knowing Kismet was not likely to get a winter snowfall for the other's wedding. "Or just going for the magical lights and wintery feel?" @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla had retaken her seat on top of the closed toilet seat while she placed both hands on top of her knees to ground herself in some additional support. She could feel the knots tightening in her stomach, exhaling a deep breath as Elian appeared in the door. “I haven’t taken it yet.” She said, “I just chugged some water.” One of her hands moved to remove some of her hair from her face by letting it slide through her loose strands. “How was your day?” She asked, “We might as well engage in a conversation while we wait for me to take the test again..” @elianxbrowne

Hearing Isla calling from the bathroom, his footsteps were quick as he made his way there. When he reached the doorway, his eyes instantly drifted to the package laying atop the counter where it say. It stopped him in his tracks, even though it wasn't the first time they had been in this situation. "You okay?" He stepped closer, just crossing the threshold but not enough to crowd her. "Do you need me to get you anything? Or just wait with you?" Eli offered, unsure of what his soon to be wife needed in the moment. The stick had already offered them disappointment on many occasions. @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla had been keeping busy with work as much as she could despite another let down at an attempt at growing their family. She was currently behind the counter, unboxing some news that had finally arrived after being delayed a couple of weeks. Placing a few of the new linen blouses onto their hangers, she looked up when a familiar voice spoke. “Courtney, hi!” She smiled widely, putting the bag down as she moved a little to the side and in front of the counter. “It’s going good. Busy with news, trying to reorganise some things and get some of the news up on display.” She said. “How are things with you?” @courtneyxblake

Who: @islaricci and Courtney

Where: Della Moda

When: June 2025

In need of some retail therapy, Courtney found herself roaming the shops around town, and popping into every store on the block. As she passed Della Moda, she backtracked and made her way inside, seeing Isla behind the counter. Smiling and waving, she perused the aisles before making her way over to Isla. "Hey, I didn't know you'd be in today," she said with a smile, "how's it going?"

[islaricci]

Isla was eyeing the small package that was laying on top of the countertop in the bathroom nervously. She had just had a large drink of water, and was waiting for it to take effect. It wasn’t the first time in the past months that Isla had taken a pregnancy test in hopes that maybe this was it. That she would finally see those two pink lines on the stick when turning it over, it just hadn’t happened for her yet. Hearing Elian’s familiar voice had her reach for the handle on the door to pull it open. “I’m in here—“ She called out right back at him. “I’m in the upstairs bathroom.” @elianxbrowne

starter for @islaricci

location: their townhome at sunset ridge

His shoes clicked against the cement steps as he jogged up them after his day at work. "Hey, babe," he called, opening up the door after turning his key in it. "I brought back food for us for dinner," she had texted him about her craving and he obliged. Though Eli was sometimes a foolish man, he had made the mistake of ignoring a craving only once. "Isla?" His brows furrowed as he slipped out of his shoes and brought the food to the kitchen. "Are you home?" He saw her vehicle, but she could have stepped out.

[islaricci]

Isla’s smile softened with genuine kindness. “No worries at all!" She said, "Things happen, and I’m just glad you decided to came back.” She glanced toward the door thoughtfully. “Alli will be around later for sure—she’ll be happy to see you again I am sure. And don’t worry about the card issue; we completely understand.” She gave a reassuring nod. “If you want, I can hold that dress for you if it turns up, no hassle at all. We want you to feel comfortable and welcome here.” @marixcardoso

"You're welcome. It's truly amazing." She said with a beam and nodded. "Oh, I wish I did. It's one of those if I saw it I'd know it type of things, but it's really okay. I don't want to be a hassle." Mari told her, noting wanting her to go to any trouble for any of it. She would find another dress in the store, she was sure. "Yes." She nodded as the woman described who she was looking for. "I might just do that. She was so helpful the other time I was in and I just wanted to apologize for my cards declining when I was here. I felt so bad, but I was going through something financially and things are much better now." @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla nodded slowly, trying to steady her rising anxiety. “Yeah, it’s not exactly ideal, but you’re right—taking turns pushing might be our best shot.” She forced a small, encouraging smile. “And if we stay calm and keep shouting every now and then, hopefully someone will hear us.” She glanced out toward the horizon, then back at Dalia. “I’ll go first, no worries. We just have to stick together and keep trying. I know it’s scary, but we’ll figure this out.” Her voice was steady despite the fear lurking beneath—she wasn’t about to let panic win. @daliamdelgado

[islaricci]

Isla nodded slowly, trying to steady her rising anxiety. “Yeah, it’s not exactly ideal, but you’re right—taking turns pushing might be our best shot.” She forced a small, encouraging smile. “And if we stay calm and keep shouting every now and then, hopefully someone will hear us.” She glanced out toward the horizon, then back at Dalia. “I’ll go first, no worries. We just have to stick together and keep trying. I know it’s scary, but we’ll figure this out.” Her voice was steady despite the fear lurking beneath—she wasn’t about to let panic win. @daliamdelgado

"I certainly hope someone would come looking for us.." she muttered under her breathe, realizing that she didn't really have many people in town. Her cousin and her recently found half brother, but, she wasn't sure that her relationship with either of them was good enough to warrant a search party. Maybe they'd have luck with the other's fiance' though, surely. She exhaled as she looked up, only returning her attention to the other once she spoke. "I mean it's not my favorite idea but it may be all we've got." she exhaled. "I can go first if you think that plan is all we've got as well." @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla’s eyes widened, clearly surprised at his suggestion, but in a good way. “Yeah?" She asked, "That’s a great recommendation—I didn’t expect you to mention her!” She smiled warmly. “It’s nice to hear you two sound to at least be on decent terms?” She added curiously. “It’s great to know there’s someone dependable nearby if we ever need extra help. But for now, I’m just focused on enjoying this summer and soaking up every moment before the big day.” Her eyes twinkled with excitement as she added, “A December wedding really does feel like a dream come true.” @hasadxaslan

"A December wedding sounds like it will be magical." While Kismet Harbor didn't have snow, there was something magical about the time of year. "That's nice, though." Hasad smiled warmly at Isla, "Getting to enjoy someone's company is very special." Though he hadn't really enjoyed the company of someone else in quite some time. "I can, uh," he began to offer, "if you need a wedding planner, Laila is an incredible option." Despite their history, he had appreciated the work of hers that he found himself diving deep into after running into her. @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla let out a soft chuckle at the way Noah spoke to his daughter. It was sweet, watching him try so earnestly, and she could tell Eloise was a bit shy, which wasn't uncommon for that age she reconned. “Good choice,” she said with a warm smile, carefully setting the dress aside for them. “It’s light, breathable, and the cut is really flattering—plus, the flowers make it feel a little more special.” She glanced at Eloise with a conspiratorial wink. “We can pick out a couple more options if you want, just to compare. No pressure.” Her tone was easy, as if they had all the time in the world. “Any colors or styles you don’t like at all?" She questioned the girl, wanting to get the right feel of what she was looking for. @noahsinclaxr

[islaricci]

Isla's eyes lingered on him for a moment, her heart feeling incredibly full in a way words could never quite explain. “God, you say things like that and I forget how to function,” she said with a quiet laugh, setting her cup down and shifting just a little closer to him. Her hand found his, fingers intertwining with each other “You’re right—nothing will ever compare to what we’ve built back home. Kismet may not be the flashiest place, but it’s ours.” She leaned her head gently against his shoulder, breathing in the mix of coffee and Rome in the air. “But if I had to choose where next?” Her smile curled against his skin. “Somewhere warm. Somewhere with white sand and blue water. Somewhere we can forget about emails and deadlines and just be us. But really?” She looked up at him, eyes soft. “It doesn’t matter where we go, so long as we get to keep doing this—you and me." @elianxbrowne

"I'm glad we landed here, finally." They spent most of their lives circling each other. "Even if we fall in love with some place else, nothing will ever compare to home." Eli continued, "It won't beat the life we are building there. Our home included." He gave her a little nudge with his elbow, "But besides, my real home is wherever you are." The sentiment would remain true, no matter where they were in the world. "Where do you want to travel to next?" @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla let out a laugh, unbothered as she stole a second fry just to rub it in. “Wow, just one fry and you’re in mourning? You’ve gotten soft, Dean,” she said with a grin, settling into the seat across from him. “Clearly I showed up just in time to toughen you back up.” She nudged his foot under the table, a light-hearted gesture. “Busy, huh? I figured—only reason you’d ignore my texts is if you were drowning in responsibilities or kidnapped by aliens.” Her tone softened just a little, enough to show she meant it. “But I’m glad you’re doing good. You’ve always been the kind of guy who thrives in chaos.” She raised a brow. “As for me? Oh, you know. Just working, planning the wedding, being fabulous. And obviously not avoiding you—I was giving you time to miss me. You’re welcome.” @dean-walker

Dean feigned offense by her immediately stealing one of his fries, dramatically putting his hand over his heart. “I can’t believe you would do this to me” he continued to joke, “Well I was doing pretty well before you came and stole my fry, now my whole day is ruined” he said, but his bright smile on his face showed that he hadn’t been serious. “I’m doing good, yeah. Busy as hell now, it sucks” he complained a little. Though he did like his life right now; he definitely missed the carefree lifestyle he was able to maintain before his ex had gotten pregnant. “What have you been up to? Besides avoiding spending time with your best friend” he teased, referring to himself. @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla let out a soft chuckle at the way Noah spoke to his daughter. It was sweet, watching him try so earnestly, and she could tell Eloise was a bit shy, which wasn't uncommon for that age she reconned. “Good choice,” she said with a warm smile, carefully setting the dress aside for them. “It’s light, breathable, and the cut is really flattering—plus, the flowers make it feel a little more special.” She glanced at Eloise with a conspiratorial wink. “We can pick out a couple more options if you want, just to compare. No pressure.” Her tone was easy, as if they had all the time in the world. “Any colors or styles you don’t like at all?" She questioned the girl, wanting to get the right feel of what she was looking for. @noahsinclaxr

"Linen is good for summer." Noah found himself uttering, casting a look at his daughter who was looking at Isla and the dress as if she was questioning her life choices. "Do you like the blue flowers. Lo? Look how pretty they are." He pointed them out, tracing the outline of the flowers. "Same colour as our eyes, want to try it out?" He tried again, to which Eloise eventually, thankfully, nodded. "Okay, that's one." @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla felt a flush of pride rise to her cheeks at the compliment, and reviled an appreciative smile. “Thank you. That really means a lot. to hear” She said before she followed Mari’s gaze as she mentioned the dress, trying to remember what might’ve been on the rack a few months back. “We’ve rotated a lot of pieces out recently, but I might still have it in the back. If you remember the color or style, I can check for you?” She offered. At the mention of one of her employees, Isla tilted her head slightly, curious. “Dark hair and beautiful eyes?” She repeated, before she said “That sounds like Alli? She should be in a little later if you want to drop by again then?" @marixcardoso

Raising an eyebrow, Mari smiled at her. “You do? That’s amazing. This shop is so beautiful.” She praised her. It was honestly a cute shop and from what she could tell, the other woman was doing an amazing job with it. “Well, I was in here a few months ago and there was this amazing dress I wanted, but I don’t see it here.” She said as she glanced around again. “That’s my fault really.” Her eyes went back to the woman before her. “So, I’m just browsing. And I was looking for one of your employees. She had dark hair and beautiful eyes. Is she in today?” @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla could feel the panic within her starting to grow as she shuffled through her own bag. A water bottle, her wallet and her makeup bag. "Great--" she muttered to herself, before she exhaled a deep sigh and looked back at Dalia. "I mean, we could try?" She agreed, "But I also know that if my fiance doesn't hear from me in a while, he'll start to worry.." Especially with how communicative she usually was in the day and that she'd said she was going out to the sea with a friend. He was bound to miss her eventually, right? "Oh!" She said as if she'd just gotten an idea. "I guess maybe we could like.. Take turns getting into the water and try push the boat towards land.." She said though as she said it out loud she could hear how stupid it sounded so she slowly fell silent. @daliamdelgado

The confession that the other had left her phone in her car, Dalia exhaled as she shook her head. She certainly hadn't expected neither of them to have their phones, but now that they were stranded she was trying really hard not to panic. "This definitely wasn't on the list of things to do today." she exhaled, looking through her bag in the off chance she'd brought her phone, only to realize all she had was some cash and some lip gloss; always a priority but that wasn't going to help her now. "Okay.." she paused. "Maybe if we scream loud enough we can mange to have someone hear us." though she knew going that route they'd be exhausting in a matter of minutes. "I would say we could paddle but I don't think they gave us those and I don't feel confident I can push us back to shore.." @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla glanced up at her finace from over the edge of the cup that was currently occupying her lips, revealing a small smile from the corner of her lips. It warmed her to hear him still speak of her in such a manner. Taking her sip of coffee, she lowered the mug. "Mm, I have dreamt of moments like these with you almost my entire life." She smiled, "I am glad I finally get to experience them." Even more so now that she knew he was going to become her husband. "I'd love that!" She told him, "The only danger is maybe we'll fall in love with some place else than Kismet." She added with a soft chuckle, though she wasn't sure if that would be the case for them considering their lives were there. @elianxbrowne

The corners of his mouth tugged into a sleepy smile as she approached and one that grew as she pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Me too," he murmured, taking the coffee from her. He brought it to his lips, bringing his free hand to rest against her hip. "This is the dream, honestly. Which is also reality because every day feels like this with you." Even if all the other days of the year they were waking up in Kismet Harbor. He took another sip of coffee, "I know this is for work but maybe we should make a habit of getting out of Kismet Harbor every few months, just the two of us." @islaricci

[islaricci]

Isla smiled and hoped that she would be able to assist Noah and his daughter on their endeavours. Personally, she had developed a taste in her own fashion early on in life. It was much to her parents frustration, because for a minute she had changed her sense of style after every teen movie she watched and obsessed over. Walking over to the designated section she had arranged to be set up, her hand slid over the material of one of the dresses. "Well, this one is a linen dress--" She began, pulling it out, "It is primarily white, but it does have blue flowers on it?" She stated questioningly at the girl, not sure if it would be something she'd like. @noahsinclaxr

At the mention of new clothes, Noah smiled. "Perfect timing then. She just had a bit of a growth spurt, so we're in need of a new wardrobe." He spoke while following Isla over to the children's section, watching the clothes neatly hanging up next to each other. It was always slightly overwhelming, it being the days where he had hoped Eloise had a mother, or at least someone who knew for certain his daughter wouldn't walk around like a fashion blunder. "She's big on dresses right now. And blue, right pumpkin?" He said, looking down at his daughter who mimicked the word, albeit with a slight defect. At least the enthusiasm was there. "Think you have something Eloise approved?" @islaricci