ofsilentstorms

[ofsilentstorms]

Nodding when he confirmed he was fine, Blair helped herself to some water before moving towards the counter he was standing in front of. It felt like she was in some sort of a shop class - which would've been all the more reason for her to tune it out and play the 'dumb' card - but she'd always loved listening to Wyatt talk. It made it all the more interesting to her. She nodded, eyes meet his features for a second before looking back at the counter, vision landing on the first thing he mentioned. "I am." she nodded, doing her best to actually listen and follow along though, the thump from upstairs made her pause. "You can go check on her if you want." she stated. "I can make myself comfortable or read the instructions on the back of this or whatever." she shrugged. Though when he kept talking, making notes as he spoke she nodded along. "That sounds easy enough." @wyattxwheeler

"No, go for it," Wyatt didn't have a problem with her grabbing a drink. He shook his head, "Nope, this should about do it." He set the putty knife on the countertop alongside the other items he brought in. "I'll write this down," he told her, grabbing for a note pad that they kept in the kitchen and a pen. "You're going to want to fill the holes with this," he pointed to a tube and the putty knife. "Really want to get it in there." He was explaining and writing down on the paper. "Following me so far?" Wyatt asked, looking up at Blair just as he heard a thump from upstairs. "Nel must be have grabbed the laundry," he commented, "after you do so," he told her, "you use this," he pointed to the sanding block, "get it nice and smooth before you paint over it. Depending on the damage it might take you a few times." @ofsilentstorms

[ofsilentstorms]

"Thanks." Blair offered him a smile, small graze of her fingers against his shoulder as she walked past. She'd never get over that. "Actually water would be great." she stated, glancing at him as he said to help himself. "I can grab it if you don't think it's too much of an intrusion." she added, taking a few steps farther into the home before he spoke, holding up the trusty putty knife. "I'm glad you have one of those if I ever need one I know where to go." she laughed. If she were responsible for doing anything herself she would be using it to replace multiple holes in a wall. "Is there anything you need me to help you look for?" @wyattxwheeler

"Great," he smiled at Blair before moving inside the house. Isaac did not greet him, but that didn't worry him. He knew the dog was with Nel. He'd barely left her side when she was home, which he was grateful for. "Need anything to drink?" Wyatt asked, not wanting to be impolite to his guest as the both of them entered into the home from the garage. "Help yourself," he suggested, moving further into the home where their laundry room was. Wyatt saw that the dryer was running, close to being done before grabbing what he needed to. "Got the last thing right here," he held up the putty knife, "the trusty putty knife." @ofsilentstorms

[ofsilentstorms]

Blair didn't take her time making her way to Wyatt's house; in fact she felt herself having to stall as to not rush their immediately. She didn't want to embarrass herself by showing up before him; she was eager but didn't want to come across as crazy. So when she pulled into his driveway and realized that he was already there she closed the door behind her, smiling when he came back into view. "Hey." she greeted, nodding at his words. "What a man." she laughed softly, but nodded. "No rush. Take your time. I'm on no time crunch." @wyattxwheeler

Wyatt's lips remained in a smile, but her words struck a chord. They reminded him of the day she left. He said nothing, not for a moment, "Great, I'll see you there." Wyatt gave her one last look before turning on his heel to leave the store. He got in his truck and drove it the short distance to his home in Cresthill Meadows that he shared with Nel, Teo and Isaac. After he parked his truck, he began rummaging around the garage looking for the supplies that he needed for Blair. He heard her car door shut, "Hey, come on in inside, I've just got to grab one more thing but I've got most of it here." @ofsilentstorms

[ofsilentstorms]

"I wouldn't say into it, but, more in touch." she shrugged. "Job requires it sometimes." She chuckled herself, though let her eyes linger on his for a moment. Something about catching up with him warmed her heart, and she couldn't get enough of it. "For what it's worth for something like that it's justified." Blair laughed. "Who else to give you shit but Matt now that I'm now longer around." she added, bumping him with her elbow. Her voice contained every bit of a joke, but she was serious. She'd even put an emphasis on the words no longer around. When he told her she could come by now, she nodded. "Yeah, okay." another smile. "I can do that; it looks like you aren't that far from here so I'll meet you there." @wyattxwheeler

"And now you're into social media?" He blew air over his lips. "Alright, Blair." Wyatt chuckled, though there was a part of him impressed that she changed. He often didn't find that people were capable of change. "Yeah, Matt absolutely would give me shit for it. And I just don't think my ego could take that." He said with a lift of his shoulders. "You can come by now if you've got the time. At least pick up the stuff and then I can come by after work without having to run home to get it. I can probably fix it tomorrow." Wyatt continued, looking down at his watch. "Yeah, I won't have time to fix it tonight." He knew Dana would be leaving his shared home with Nel soon, probably before he got back. "But come grab the stuff tonight, won't be a problem." @ofsilentstorms

[ofsilentstorms]

"I've dabbled in social media enough in the years to have a small idea of what's considered school by the crowd under thirty these days." she admitted. She had never really been into social media when she'd been with Wyatt; not that she was against it, but she'd found things much more rewarding to do with her time. Wyatt for starters. Yet, changing career paths and shifting to a lifestyle photographer made her a little more in tune with the social media side of things; even if the excuse was that she was keeping an eye on social trends for the sake of her business. A business she barely did anything with anyways. "I can see you trying to use 'rizz' in a sentence properly. And Matt giving you shit for it." she laughed. That was something she wanted to be a fly on the wall for. "You're right, sounds like you though. Always resourceful, logical." she shrugged. "I appreciate it, thanks." she nodded. Tugging her phone from her back pocket, Blair smiled, turning the phone screen to show she got it. "That's perfect." she smiled, saving that to his contact for safe keeping. "When's a good time to come by?" @wyattxwheeler

"You're right," the memory of the incident brought a smile to his face, despite it having been a stressful one at the time. "You absolutely know what you are doing." Wyatt assured her in a playful tone. "You're even up to date on what the kids are saying?" He let out a low whistle, one that indicated that he was impressed. "I tried once but then Matt said I was still far behind so, I stopped trying to keep up." He said, lifting his shoulders into a shrug. "Yeah, not a problem at all." Wyatt's head gave way to a nod. "No point in buying anything you aren't going to use again." Despite all the way their marriage ended, Wyatt was not the type of person to not help someone out, even ones that broke his heart. Wyatt took out his phone, "Air dropped you my address and I'll meet you there." @ofsilentstorms

[ofsilentstorms]

The chuckle from her own lips - complete with the shake of her head - she looked over at him, eyes scanning him. "Hey, just because I ruined the toaster that one time and we had to repaint the laundry room wall when my makeshift laundry shelf fell and busted the entire container of laundry soap on the floor doesn't mean I don't know what I'm doing." Though that was exactly what it meant. She'd always relied on Wyatt to do the handy things before, and even though she'd done a few things successfully since they're break up, there was something about hearing Wyatt laugh at her misfortunes that she felt the smallest pang in her stomach. She missed him. "We listen and we don't judge, alright? Or whatever the kids are saying these days." she laughed again. It was truly only a few holes, but she wasn't going to correct him. This playful banter they had going instead was really sparking her mood. She listened as he stated he was working a lot, and even though she knew his work was busy, she hated to hear it. Or maybe she just hated the idea of him being too busy in general; less time for her to randomly run into him. Though it was his offer that made her smile widen. The first step in her plan was working. "Oh actually that would be great. You sure you don't mind?" she questioned, gripping the gadget in her hand as if to be contemplating his answer. It was an easy yes for her, but she had a part to play. "If you're sure, though, I'd appreciate it. I don't want to intrude." @wyattxwheeler

Wyatt's lips gave way to a small chuckle. When they had been married, Wyatt did all the projects, but it wasn't just because they were married. He had been doing his own projects since before they were married and even now, when he was engaged to someone else. "Only a few?" He arched a brow in her direction, but there was a playful glint in his eye. "Hm? Me?" Wyatt was caught off guard by the question in the local hardware store. "Yeah, I've just been working a lot and then projects." He admitted to her, a partial smile touching on his lips. "I've got some stuff at my house if you want to stop by so you don't have to buy anything. I can stop by and fix 'em for you." A seemingly platonic offer. @ofsilentstorms

[ofsilentstorms]

"Something like that." she laughed, taking her eyes off of him long enough to look back at the wall in front of her for a second. "I'm not sure what I'm looking for, but, you know, figured I needed to figure out how to do it myself eventually." she stated. She'd been fortunate that Wyatt had always been the kind of guy that did all the projects around the house for her; no questions asked. She'd never really needed to learn. "I have a few holes in the wall from where I tried to hang photos and may have hammered too harshly." she admitted, a shrug as if it were no big deal. "Nothing too major." Her smile widened as she looked at him, eyes focusing on his features. He was beautiful. She'd been stupid to let him get away. "You okay? You look tired." @wyattxwheeler

Wyatt was working on a few backyard projects with the warmer weather gracing them in Kismet Harbor. To no avail, whenever he was working on a project, there was always something he were missing or ran out of during the middle of a project. This summer was no different as he worked on upgrading the planter boxes for the small garden he had out back. Walking to the aisle that he needed, it was an all too familiar voice that caught him off guard. They'd been talking, more recently, as friends, but he hadn't expected to see Blair of all people in Handyman's Helper. It was the last place she would have stepped foot when they were married. "Blair," he smiled at her, "I'm good, just picking up a few things." He looked at where she had been staring, "You? Trying your hand at DIY finally?" @ofsilentstorms

[ofsilentstorms]

𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 @wyattxwheeler

Being the kind of person to fix things was never something Blair had had to worry about when she'd been with Wyatt; it was just something he'd always taken care of himself, no questions or comments made in the process. She'd adored it - or at the very least had pretended to - but now that she'd left him she often found herself fixing things in her apartment with ease. Likely better than Wyatt would have to begin with, or at least that's what she told herself anyways. She'd made her way to Handyman's Helper and was scanning the shelf for the appropriate nails - which she'd had in her hand nearly twenty minutes before she'd decided to stall - she'd recognize those footsteps anywhere. Exhaling as she pretended to be frustrated with her choice, she looked up as a figure joined her, eyes averting for a moment, counting to five before she allowed herself to pay him any attention, which was proving difficult as he smelled amazing. "Well, if that's not the most familiar face in Kismet Harbor." she beamed, turning on her heels so he now had her entire attention. "Wyatt Wheeler, in the flesh. How are you?"

[ofsilentstorms]

BLAIR CARRADINE-WHEELER is portrayed by KARLA SOUZA and is in Kismet Harbor temporarily to provide plot development (also chaos and angst) for WYATT WHEELER & PENELOPE RUIZ.

NAME: Blair Carradine-Wheeler (Blair Wheeler for all social purposes where it would matter, like Kismet Harbor) AGE: 39 LOCATION: Kismet Harbor OCUPATION: ex pre-school teacher turned lifestyle photographer KNOWN FOR: her signature lipstick, her impeccable gift-wrapping skills, and her unsettling ability to appear exactly where she’s least expected

BIOGRAPHY

Blair Carradine-Wheeler is a woman who has always known how to get what she wants. Raised in Kismet Harbor’s quieter circles of wealth and whispers, Blair learned early on that charm and control often go hand in hand. So when Wyatt Wheeler—a steady, loyal, salt-of-the-earth kind of man—fell head over heels for her, she leaned in hard. He loved her out loud, and she let him. For a while.

But for Blair, love was never about the long game. It was about the chase, the adoration, the way a man would light up just to be near her. Once the thrill faded and the routines set in—morning coffee, joint calendars, laundry folded the wrong way—Blair realized she was bored. And worse than that: underwhelmed. So on their third wedding anniversary, she ended it. Cleanly. Casually. Over eggs.

She told Wyatt she didn’t love him anymore. That wasn’t quite true. She just didn’t need him to love her anymore.

She left town. Changed jobs. Bought new sheets. But when Blair returned to Kismet Harbor and saw Wyatt again—happy, glowing, content without her - something in her snapped. Not in an overt, meltdown-on-the-sidewalk way. No, Blair’s unraveling is far more elegant. After a few years no contact, she began texting again. Bumping into him. Showing up to all the places she knew he’d frequently visit. Bringing gifts, cooked meals, anything to have Wyatt part of her life again. And then she saw him as a father. Something she’d wanted. Something that someone else had that she didn’t. Gifts for him turned into gifts for him and his son. Smiling too sweetly at Nell and calling her things like darling and hon. She insists she’s just being friendly. Mending a friendship she’d sacrificed when she’d left him and that the past is the past. But she still goes by Wheeler, in most social settings, even though no one asked her to. .

Because deep down, Blair doesn’t see herself as an ex-wife. She sees herself as his real one.And as far as she’s concerned, this little family of his? It was supposed to be hers all along.

[ofsilentstorms]

Everything below this post was used for the plot for Sawyer Vaughn.

[ofsilentstorms]

"I don't know if moving here is ever in the cards for me, but I won't count it out." he shrugged. "I'd want to get a job more local. Get some other shit situated first, but, I won't rule it out." he admitted, eyes focusing back on the design for a moment and then on the other. A shrug of his shoulders before he looked at the design again. "This seems like a lot of work to do today, man." he stated. "I can schedule an appointment to come back. When are you free for something like this?" @omarxmorrison

Omar brushed a few stray pencil shavings off the edge of the counter as he balanced his food in the other hand. "Appreciate that, man." he said, nodding toward the pointed out design. "Good choice." Omar loved both the pieces he had put together for Theo in the time he was gone, but he had picked out a good one. "If you ever move here," he joked, despite an underlying feeling of jealousy if this was the same Theo that Sawyer was back with, "first local discount guaranteed." He said with a lift of his shoulders into a shrug. "You looking to get it done today or want to set up a different time?" @theosanchez

[ofsilentstorms]

"I'd love to see it. You're work is nothing short of impressive and I'm always more than happy to help hype you." he smiled, hand squeezing her knee as he drove. It was only once her hand was in his that he lifted it, kissing the back of her hand before he let it relax back on her lap. "I've missed you, you know?" he smiled, giving her a quick glance before he placed his eyes back on the road. "I'm excited about dinner too; I hope your parents like me." A genuine comment as he hoped that her parents would like him. It was Theo's goal to always want his 'in-laws' to like him, and he'd messed up with Sawyer and her parents enough to know that this wasn't something he wanted to mess up more. @sawyervaughn

Sawyer got into the car and buckled up while looking at him and smiling as she saw that Theo had saved her parents address in his phone. It was definitely impressive and gave her an even better feeling about the night. This was all going to work out and this would be the start of them having a better relationship. "It was good. Got a lot of work done and some advertisements out there. I finished one for The Coffee Carousel I'll have to show you later tonight." She beamed with pride on her work. "Sure." She told him and took his hand before leaning in to pick music on his phone. @theosanchez

[ofsilentstorms]

"No problem." Theo smiled, letting himself move farther into the parlor, waiting to make sure Omar had a grip on the food before he let go. "This place seems great; the small town charm that everyone strives for." he nodded. "Almost wish I lived here." he laughed. Though it was only a moment later that the man told him to let him know which one he preferred. Giving them both a look over, Theo nodded. "Okay, these are fantastic, man." he stated. "I love them both, but I'm thinking this one." he pointed to the one on the right. "I think you took the vision right out of my head and put it on paper. You've got some wicked skills, dude." @omarxmorrison

Omar had just finished working up the mock drawings that he promised Theo when he heard the bells ring above the door. He looked up from his station, having opted to sketch in the main lobby. "Thanks, man," Omar said, standing and lifting his arms over his head in a stretch. He hadn't realized how long it had been since he last moved from his position until he stood. "She does know what I like," he was grateful for the waitresses and waiters that knew his regular order. "I've finished up the drawings for you," he gestured for Theo to come over to his station. "You just let me know what one you like best and we can get you scheduled." @theosanchez

[ofsilentstorms]

Theo kissed her cheek before he moved to the sink and grabbed a vase, putting water in it and then meeting her back at the door. Taking her hand once she'd locked up, leading her to his car, Theo kissed her one more time as he opened the door, guiding her into his car and moving to the driver's seat. He connected his phone in an attempt to get the blue tooth to work - which had been finicky recently - pulling up Sawyer's contact in his phone and using his GPS to lead them to her parents house. He was only slightly hoping that him saving it in her contact would earn him some brownie points from all the times he'd screwed up before. "How was your day?" he questioned, hand reaching for hers as he drove. "You can pick the music if you want." @sawyervaughn

She smiled as she saw the flowers and she took them from him. It was a pleasant surprise and she nodded before kissing him back. "I know you did." It was still a shock almost that he was there. She really did expect him not to show up, but there he was and they were going to be heading to her parents house. "Yeah. There's one under the sink." She said, handing him back the flowers to that he could put them in a vase. She got her jacket on in the meantime and after he was came back, she grinned at her boyfriend. "I'm excited too." She kissed him back again and leaned a bit more into it. "I missed you too. Let's go, though, before my mom calls me a thousand times." @theosanchez

[ofsilentstorms]

"Oh nice." Theo nodded, offering the other one a smile. "I have an uncle that lives in Baltimore; I was born and raised a Broncos fan personally but I've been to quite a few Ravens games. One hell of a team." he stated. He didn't know why he was hyping the other up. It wasn't like he had a reason. So he listened when the other stated that he moved back here - home - a year ago. "Sounds like Kismet's the place to be." He stated. "I live just outside of town myself; in Gearhart. But I'm here all the time." he stated. "Mostly for work." A lie. He was happy when the food became part of the conversation again, nodding when he said that he couldn't go wrong there. "Barbecue bacon burger that sounds like my kind of meal." he nodded. "I'll be back as soon as I can manage." he stated.

-- TIME SKIP --

Almost an hour and a half later Theo returned, a to go cup in his hands - straw placed in his own - with the bag with Omar's food in the other. "I didn't know what you wanted to drink but the waitress there insisted she knew your drink order so that's whatever is in this cup." he shrugged. "I hope she wasn't wrong."

"I played for the Ravens," he answered, "for quite a while, actually. I only retired in the last year." It was his words entering the space between them that he realized that he had been in Kismet Harbor again for year. "Yeah, came back home, which is here," he started, "last May after retiring and decided to pursue this as my new career." Not that the other had asked. "Yeah, sure," he said with a nod of his head, "that would be appreciated," he said, unable to refuse an offer for food. "Food's solid there too, if you haven't been." He told him, "I'll just take the barbecue bacon burger, fries," he told Theo before rolling back in the chair and reaching for his wallet that he pulled out of a drawer. He handed the man a twenty, "No need to rush back or anything." @theosanchez

[ofsilentstorms]

A bouquet of flowers in his hand, Theo hoisted them gently towards Sawyer as he leaned in to kiss her softly. "I promised you I'd be here." he nodded, hand reaching for her hand as she grabbed her coat. "Can I put these in a vase for you before we leave? Do I have time?" He didn't want to be late; he had left actual work early to make here on time and while he was happy they'd actually be able to so this this time, the nerves in his stomach were building more and more with each second that passed. A multitude of reasons why filled his brain, but, he was doing his best to push those aside and move forward with the night; he was ready for this next step. "After that I'm more than ready though, I'm actually excited." he paused. "Speaking of." he leaned forward, hand pressed to her cheek as he kissed her, slightly more passionately than before. "I missed you." @sawyervaughn

She took a deep breath before taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. “I’m going to hold you to that, you know?” She told him as she looked into his eyes. She so desperately wanted this time to be different for them, especially with her lingering feelings for Omar, and she wanted to believe he’d meet her parents now. “No excuses.” She said before leaning in and kissing him softly. 

**TIME SKIP**

Days passed and they had finally set up a good time for Theo to come to dinner and meet her parents. All day, she had been nervous that she was going to get a call from him that he had to cancel, but as six rolled around, Sawyer was ready to go and Theo was at her door to pick her up. A smile was on her face as she walked over and kissed him and looked at him. “Look at you. You’re actually here.” She beamed as she grabbed her coat. “Ready to head over there?” @theosanchez

[ofsilentstorms]

"Ah, yeah that makes sense. I wasn't never an artistic guy." he shrugged, though the information wasn't something the other had asked. Theo just had a knack for volunteering information no one else asked for. He hadn't expected the words NFL to leave the other's lips, so he was sure that his widened eyes were a giveaway that he was shocked. "Who did you play for?" Not that it was any of his business; he just happened to be a big sports fan. And it would be quite the bragging rights to say you were tattooed by someone from your favorite team if that happened to be the case. And Theo was just cocky enough to use that information for bragging rights; though it would get Omar more business it would also be for the right reasons. "I actually may do that." he nodded, taking a look at the time on his phone. "There's a diner I passed on my way in, Driftwood Diner or something. I'll run down there and grab a bite, sure. Can I bring you anything back?" It was a courteous thought he knew, but something about supporting the people in the service industry would always be something Theo aimed to do. They were overworked usually, so however he could help, he would. @omarxmorrison

"I've been tattooing for a few years. Drawing for most of my life." Admittedly, it was something he did to distract himself when life got bad. When his father passed, he felt like he lost a piece of himself as a kid. "I started after I left the NFL," he told the man, "wanted to do something different with my life and I had the means to pursue something else I was passionate about." Though even without his NFL money, Omar was doing alright for himself. "Not too much," he told the other, shaking his head, "I offered so I don't mind doing it. I can have it done in like an hour if you want to stick around or grab a bite to eat." @theosanchez