zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

Nodding, "yep. A seven year old, an almost five year old, and a little chunky six month old," she exhaled with a sigh before chuckling. It was a lot but she powered through, and of course her husband was a huge help and lifesaver. "Yeah," she averted her gaze from him momentarily before nodding and looking back at him and then her hands. "Hm, the burgers are always a hit," she lifted a shoulder in a shrug, "I don't think so. Pretty much a tried and true menu to be honest. What were ya feeling on having?" @lucaswilder

He raised an eyebrow. "Three kids? Yeah. That does sound like being busy." Being one of three himself, he knew what it was like so he figured that was definitely keeping her busy. He swallowed and nodded. "Yeah. It will be." Lucas put on a smile and continued to try not to think about the worst time of his life. "So, what's good here?" He asked while looking around the diner. "Any menu changes over the years?" @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

Never had Zoe ever been this emotional, wanting to break down and let go of everything from the day. She had seen her fair share of horrors, but nothing compared to the pain she felt unable to get in touch with anyone. Unable to to get in touch with her husband, or hear about their kids. The fear being unfathomable. As soon as she saw Bennett, she broke down, "I... I," she stuttered, "I was so scared. Are you sure?" She asked, looking up at him, and then at their son, instantly reaching to careers his head, pressing a kiss to his head. She just needed to be there with him, with their children. @bennettwhawkins

The day had been nothing short of chaotic. His phone had died nearly an hour after the earthquake ended from all the calls he'd tried to make; between Kennedy, his mom, his dad who he knew would hear the news and Zoe, only finally getting through to her for a brief 'we're okay, i love you' before they were disconnected when his phone died. And the rest of the day had been spent not only entertaining the kids questions, but keeping an eye on the news for updates or stories. Not to mention their youngest was currently in his teething stage and exceptionally clingy; add that to Carter and Carley's anxiousness that had them constantly in need of attention too, Bennett was struggling. Though, he was doing his best to remain calm despite it all, knowing that in the end his kids needed him; they needed him to be strong, to be the superhero that they'd always called him and he didn't mind it. Not at all. Keeping his kids safe - physically and mentally - was the most important thing to him. He could fall apart later. He'd just put the kids to bed after what felt like hours of reassuring them they were okay he'd let them sleep in their bed for the night. He'd needed the comfort more than they had. He was pacing, Camden in his arms sound asleep when Zoe made her way into the bedroom. Eyes met hers and he shook his head as she apologized, though he was sure it was obvious just how much he'd relaxed at the sight of her. "It's okay." he spoke softly, long strides taking him towards her. "C'mere." he whispered, arms wrapping around her as he squeezed as tightly as he could with a baby in his arms. Kisses pressed to her temple, reassuring her they were all okay. "We're okay, all of us." he reassured. "I"m just happy you're home." @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

"Yeah, but hey I wouldn't trade my kids for traveling," she let a chuckle escape and nodded. There was nothing she loved more than her family, her kids and husband. "I'd love to. Maybe when Cam is a bit older. But I'd love to travel with them. I'm sure my parents would love to bring them to Greece if I allowed them to," this time she laughed moreso. Nodding, she sipped on a drink she had nearby, "I totally get it. Hey maybe in a another lifetime both of us could do that. Or retire there one day." She laughed, closing her eyes against the sun and day dreaming of that. "But for now, we gotta work and be productive." @kennedyxhawkins

END

"Well that sounds like a damn shame if you ask me." Kennedy looked over at her, peering over her sunglasses with a playful look. "Do you plan to take Bennett and the kids over there any time soon?" It wasn't a judgmental question. Kennedy were merely curious as it sounded like a great family trip for them. "My favorite place," she hummed the question, more to herself as it gave her time to think. "I still think nothing has beat the Almafi Coast for me in Italy. That cute bed and breakfast that I got to work at was just the dreamiest little place. I swear I could have stayed there forever." @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

She gave him a half smile, nodding along, "yeah. And oh yeah nothing wrong with being busy at all. Three kids, a full-time job, two dogs, and a husband, I've definitely got my hands full for sure." She didn't mind it by any means, but sometimes she'd be exhausted and fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. As he asked about joining him, she was surprised a bit, "sure. And no pressure at all. It'll be nice to catch up." @lucaswilder

"Yeah." He said and shifted awkwardly a moment. Lucas listened to her talk and swallowed. "That's good. Nothing wrong with busy." At least not in his eyes. There were so many days he wished he was busy so he'd always take that over anything else. "You, uh, want to join me?" He offered and pointed to the seat. "If you want to. No pressure or anything." @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

Who: @bennettwhawkins and Zoe

Where: Their home

When: August 15, 2025

For the first time in her life, Zoe had witnessed a natural disaster in person. Sure she had plenty of training on the subject, via back in college and on the job. But when it came to actually experiencing something, it was totally different and all that training went out the window. Natural instincts had kicked in and though thankfully she hadn't been anywhere that she got stuck in or needed to be rescued, she helped with the efforts and hadn't been able to reach her husband for hours. Finally after what felt like eternity, she got through, able to hear his voice, and make sure their kids were okay. As she stepped through the front door of their home, she could feel the weight of the day lift from her shoulders, but she felt almost numb, not wanting her children to see her cry. She needed to comfort them after the day, and so she stepped inside and took a breath, the house being dark as the hour was late. Making her way up to their bedroom, she opened the door and just started to lose it. "I'm sorry, I I couldn't get through, not knowing if you or the kids were okay or hurt, or the dogs. I, had never been that scared in my entire life."

[zoexhawkins]

She nodded softly, "that's good. And I can imagine," her face softening, knowing the history of the man before her. Being that first responder on scene had affected her way back when, sticking with her to this day. But she wondered how the man before her felt, an aching that never goes away even as law enforcement she sensed it never left the other. And she had heard through the grapevine that he had been let out. But never expected to run into him. "I'm okay," she lifted a shoulder, "busy but okay." @lucaswilder

"I-I'm good." He stammered out. It really was crazy how quick the memories of that night kept flashing in his mind. "Getting used to being back in Kismet Harbor." For a moment, he wondered if Zoe had heard he got out, but his mother said something about the newspaper covering it so he was sure most of the town knew. It just made him more anxious about being back and possibly running into Sophie's family. "How are you?" @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

Who: @Wyattxwheeler and Zoe

Where: Downtown

When: August 15, 2025

On the orders of Gale, Zoe along with Wyatt went to investigate a distress call from an electronics store. Not knowing what they were going into, Zoe took a deep breath as they made their way to the scene. Earthquakes were something she hadn't necessarily ever gotten used to, whether the idea of the or the actual physical experience of them. But living on the west coast, it was inevitable and she was just hoping there wouldn't be as much damage as she thought possible. "You ready?" She asked Wyatt before they actually got the store, readying whatever she needed to as she had absolutely no idea what they were walking into.

[zoexhawkins]

Endless gifs of Hailey Upton (8/∞)

[zoexhawkins]

"I know," she replied and reached across the table, giving her friend a squeeze on his arm, "as are yours. But the one to getting work done quickly? Now that's a secret that I go to my grave with." She was only joking if course, not exactly even having a secret to getting work done but still, she had to keep up the ruse. "Nope, not even to Gale, especially not to him," her eyes were reflecting a seriousness only with a glint of a joke but the now wide smile on her lips told the real story. Nodding, she smiled more earnestly, "of course. That's what best friends are for," she poked the surface in front of them with a single finger, alluding to his earlier, rhetorical question. "Yupp, Carley is almost to Bennett's hip and Carter is catching up fast," she said as a matter of factly, though Carley didn't share their DNA, they didn't know how tall she'd be one day. "That's good, oh don't I know it. Cam must be sitting in on some of that chaos. Pretty sure if an infant he's got much more going on than both of us combined," her tone was light as she let out a laugh, before softening and smiling. "Ahh," then another laugh, "gotta start somewhere." @Wyattwheeler

"Hey, you know your secrets are always safe with me. What else are best friends for?" He teased, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "But not to Gale?" Wyatt leaned back, a breath pushing over his lips as if he were contemplating her words with seriousness. "That's a tough one," he paused, a moment passing between them as his expression softened with Zoe's words. "It means a lot, really, Z." His smile was warm as he looked at her. "Growing like weeds, huh? They're probably taller than my knees now, then," he joked, shaking his head with a light hearted laugh. "But Teo's good. You know, he's got that baby-sized chaos going for him." Considering he had only recently turned one years old. "He's got my throwing arm already," Wyatt only joked, as he were not biologically the father, "going to be a baseball star before he knows it. But, he's starting with food first." @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

"That must be it," she teased, her nose scrunching up, before the kids started to giggle along with her. The sound of laughter being her favorite one ehard throughout their home. She also knew Bennett just about as well as he knew himself, and vice versa with him knowing her just as well. The trust and understanding between them made their shared home inviting, warm, and peaceful for their kids. She was forever grateful for an equal partner in Bennett, someone she had adored and admired and would continue to do so for the rest of her life. He gave her the three greatest gifts in life, smiling as she kissed the youngest and then felt Bennett kiss her head in return. Turning to serve the two eldest kids, she started asking them what they did through out the day and if they had anything they wanted to share about it. As she started serving herself, she looked at her husband and then at Camden, "I think we can," she looked at the food on the table, "he's sitting up on his own and true." He looked at Carter and laughed as he was scaring down some chicken, "maybe some mashed potatoes?" She asked and lifted up the dish to hand to her husband. @bennettwhawkins

"Must be." he smiled. While she were a good detective - the best if you asked him - she'd also gotten to know her husband over the course of the last several years. "I think she just likes to keep me on my toes." he laughed. Life in Bennett's home was peaceful, something he'd vowed to do when his own parents had divorced when he was younger. He remembered the animosity, name calling, blaming that had gone into that split that he'd been determined; even if he'd never married the woman that he had children with - even if they'd been mortal enemies - he'd never speak an ill word against her. And he never had. Not even as much as a complaint when she burned dinner the first time she'd cooked for him. She was too good to him, and he truly loved the life they'd built together. As she kissed Camden's head, Bennett kissed hers, watching as she moved towards the table where she served their two oldest kids. He sat, slightly away from the table which gave Veda the idea to join. A shake of his head with a simple "bed" sent the dog pouting before he looked at the other three. "We can start him on solids if you think he's ready." Bennett nodded, sitting Camden in his lap, facing the table. "Carter was around this age when he started eating what we eat and now he eats more than I do." Bennett laughed. "What do you think, bud?" he asked, watching Camden who was eyeballing the food on the table. @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

Zoe leaned against her seat and turned to Franny, "yeah," she sighed playfully but she knew life had changed. But they were together now and that was all that mattered. "Oh absolutely, and you'll get to see how big Cam got. He's halfway to a year and I don't know where the time has gone." This time she feigned being upset, being a bit more dramatic. I reality she was but she also understood time didn't stop unfortunately. "Yes and oh absolutely, and they'll love it too." @frannyxreyes

She smiled and nodded. "I know." Though, it would've been longer if things went according to plan. Life changed, though, and so did everything that went with moving. "Good. Makes coming back here a lot better for me." She joked a bit and grinned more as Zoe talked about her kids. "I'm excited to see them. Gotta get in all the Auntie Franny time I can now." @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

@drewxcowan

[zoexhawkins]

"Must be the detective in me," she let out a soft giggle, her eyebrows wiggling a bit, "or I just like surprising you and have gotten good at it over the years." Either/or she just loved being able to do so, with him, their kids, both at the same time. Their family was her pride and joy, and the giggles eminating behind them was a testament to how cherished it all was. Her favorite job was to be a mom to her kids and wife to her husband, then her actual job came third. As Camden was in his father's arms, and she was free to help serve the food to their eldest, she stole a glance at her husband. A smile forming on her lips as the world around the five of them slowed down for half a moment. "Great and whichever," she agreed, thankful for the help from her partner, not just now but always as he was quite the hands on father. Nodding, she smiled and leaned to give their youngest a kiss on the top of his head before sitting down, "he's getting to be too quick with his hands," she replied and helped to give her two oldest some of the vegetables she made, "might be time to get him started on some actual foods soon." @bennettwhawkins

"That you can." he nodded. "There have been plenty of times you've pulled off surprises with me. I'm always impressed." he laughed, eyes focused on her and then shifting towards their kids. Watching them around the table never failed to send Bennett's heart soaring; he loved this life that they'd created together. He'd quickly say his best accomplishment was being a husband and a father. No questions asked. It was only once his youngest son was in his arms that his smile widened, lifting the boy above his head in an attempt to make him giggle; which right on cue the tiniest chuckle escaped the infant's lips. "Hey big guy." he smiled, bringing the child back to him, pressing kisses against the child's cheeks in admiration. Eyes focusing Zoe as she spoke, Bennett nodded. "That sounds perfect." he nodded. "But I'll hold him." he stated, eyeballing the table. "I can multitask and if he's too handsy I'll back away a little but, I'd like to hold him so he can join us for dinner." he spoke, though it came out more like a question. "Give you a chance to eat while it's warm without having to grab him in the middle." @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

"I haven't been in years, since marrying your brother actually," she said with a bit of a chuckle, not that she minded. She had plenty of fun back home, her and Bennett's home filled with laughter and chaos, both of which she thrived on. "But it was always my favorite place to go. The food, the weather, the beaches?" She playfully groaned and gestured with a chef's kiss before nodding in agreement. "I know the feeling, there's nothing like traveling," she shook her head before grinning, "so you have a favorite place you've been to?" Curious, wondering just how far her sister-in-law had ventured across the globe, as she found it fascinating when people traveled far and wide. "That's very true and thankfully, just don't jinx it," she playfully warned before grinning, "you and me both." @kennedyxhawkins

"I never got to explore Greece as much as I wanted but I've been dying to go back." Though her time back in Kismet Harbor was not as horrendous as she might have expected it to be. She kept a bag packed in her closet, just in case she chickened out while staying in town. "I get why'd you miss it. I mean, I just miss traveling in general. I should really have planned a trip for this summer but work got so busy that it slipped my mind." A first for her, really. The last several years Kennedy had been working in dream locations, making a living anyway she could and enjoying what each place had to offer. "I mean, I still think it's pretty rare that our winters are nearly as bad as others. We don't even get snow that frequently." That were a rare occasion in Kismet Harbor, "Regardless, I will always take the salty air and sun streaming through clouds any day of the week." @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

Waving him off, Zoe let him stir for a moment before she let out a laugh, "of course, and plus I know you. Or at least I think I do, and you don't have a harsh bone in your body." She let out a more earnest smile this time, only messing with him at first, and she knew he was a kind and gentle soul. It was one of the reasons she liked him so much. "True and Bennett did adopt her at only a few months old, so we have essentially molded her into who she is today," and they would continue to do so since she was only seven years old and had her whole life ahead of her. Seeing him smile and happy, made her to do so in return, "good. I'm happy for you, and exactly. Communication is absolutely key. Without it you'll never know." @josiahhuddington

Offing the other a smile, Josiah nodded. "Okay, good. I'm glad you knew I didn't mean that to be as harsh as it sounded." he sighed. "I've been trying to figure out how to word that for what felt like hours; I was so scared I was going to offend you." he laughed. Josiah was a sweetheart through and through, would never do anything to offend anyone if he could help it. SO when the other said that she understood what he meant he smiled, nodding slowly. "You have a point; I guess her personality would come from the two of you." he laughed. "You know, two cool people raising a kid would make for a cool kid." he winked. He truly did admire what Bennett had put into helping Carley and that she'd ended up with them. He knew without even knowing the whole situation that had been the best decision for the girl. When his friend commented on his happiness, Josiah nodded. "I am happy." he nodded. "There's not much about being around her that doesn't make me happy, I just want to make sure that whatever happens between us is what we both want this time." @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

Zoe grinned, her eyes soft, “I mean I think you are like Superwoman, actually. But I get it, you’re just doing what you do. Still, not everyone can juggle all of that and still look this calm with a glass of wine in hand.” She tapped her glass gently against Julieta’s, her smile widening. “And thank you," Though she was the last person to ever ask for help, it was just nice knowing it was available if need be. She leaned back, thankful for the down town, and time away from work and chaos. “I can only imagine how much of a handful two teenagers must be,” she laughed. “I'm not sure I'll ever be ready for that." Her oldest was only seven and not nearly a teenager but the future of her becoming one made Zoe sad and didn't want to think about that. "And we absolutely do. More wine and less work." @julietaxalvarez

"Hopefully you'll find out soon enough," Julieta offered a warm smile. "If there's ever anything I can help with you, you can always ask." While not one to ask for help herself, Julieta did not mind helping people that she were close to. It took time to break down the walls that Julieta guarded her heart with but since being with Quentin, so much of her had softened, even those walls. "I don't know about Superwoman," she half-joked in return, sipping on her wine. "I'm just ambitious and determined," which were adjectives she used to describe herself and not often ones others used, especially if they were threatened by her. "We all need more days like this." Julieta smiled, raising her glass to cheers the sentiment. "Wow," she laughed, "I can tell you, from having two teenagers in the house, that it can be a lot but they're great. Sadie and Lucas have really warmed up to me in the last while and it's great to see how much they've grown since I've met them." @zoexhawkins

[zoexhawkins]

The diner, a surefire way to end a late shift that drowned on and on. Comfort food that filled her heart while being away from her kids and husband for twelve hours or more. Some place where she could just sit in the silence and let her to ghts take over or escape her without judgement. But as soon as she stepped foot inside, the air felt different, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. Eyes carefully scanning the space for a seat when they fell upon a figure from her past. As she approached, memories came flooding back, ones that haunted her to that day. "Lucas," she said dipping her head with a soft nod, "it's good to see you too. How are you?" @lucaswilder

closed starter for @zoexhawkins location: driftwood diner

Being in Kismet Harbor was a lot to Lucas. The town was the same, but also different. He had been hesitant to go too far into town, especially anywhere near Emerald Mist or where the crash was. He did manage to go to one of his former favorite places, Driftwood Diner, and was relieved it all looked the same. He was about to get a seat when a familiar face stopped him like he saw a ghost. That night flashed in his eyes like it often did before he forced it back. "Detective Hawkins. It's... good to see you."