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[alj4890]

Mixed Signals

(Dr. Tobias Carrick x F!MC *Chris Valentine) (Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC*Chris Valentine) (Dr. Bryce Lahela x F!MC*Chris Valentine) in an Open Heart Fan fiction.

Masterlist

A/N Sorry for taking so long to post. My health decided to do some wild things since the last post on top of the writer's block just having a field day with this storyline 😑 Anyway, we'll pick up where the last chapter left off.

Chapter 2

Chris slowly came awake. Though she knew in an instant that she wasn't in her own bedroom, the massive hangover she was currently under caused her to not really care where she was. Pulling what had to be some of the softest sheets she'd ever felt up over her face, she began to try and remember what happened the night before.

Flashes of her celebration at Donahue's flickered through her mind. Groaning over not only her actions with drinking way too much, she remembered what happened with Ethan.

Her eyes shot open.

Oh no. Did I go home with Ethan?

Peeking out from under the covers, she tried to discern the furniture around her.

Unless Ethan had done a major renovation since the last time she'd been in his apartment and had moved to a lower floor, she knew she wasn't in his place.

Chris clutched her head.

I know I'm not at Bryce's either. He wouldn't have brought me to his place with Kikei there.

She softly gasped.

Don't tell me I went home with a stranger!

Chris kicked the covers back and breathed easier to see she was still fully dressed. There was no indication that anyone had slept beside her. She did a quick examination of her body and knew she hadn't had sex.

Where am I?

She yanked the covers up when the bedroom door opened.

Tobias grinned at her.

"You're awake."

Chris gaped at him. "I went home with you!?"

He chuckled as he walked into the room.

"You demanded that I bring you to my place."

"Oh lord." Chris buried her head in her hands. Smoothing back her tousled hair, she looked up at him. "I'm so sorry."

He shrugged it off as not a big deal and sat down at the foot of the bed.

"I didn't..." Chris took a deep breath. "I didn't push myself on you, did I?"

Before he could respond, she shook her head.

"Of course I bloody well did. Why else would I be in your home?" She rubbed her hands over her face in an attempt to clear the cobwebs. "You should have given me back to my roommates. Then you wouldn't--"

"Hey!" He chuckled once more. "Easy there, Valentine. Normally, a woman in your condition would not be in my home." He patted her leg. "But, um, you were adamant that your doctor take you to his home."

"My doctor?" Her brow furrowed as she tried to remember the events of the previous night.

He laughed at her confused expression.

"Yeah, Ethan was not too thrilled when you declared I was not only your doctor but also the only doctor you trusted."

Her eyes widened.

What else did I do last night?

"You also told your roommates that you needed me to take you home since you had some medical concerns."

She vaguely remembered talking to Sienna.

"Anyway, I was going to actually take you back to your apartment after your friends left." He explained. "When I checked your wallet for a driver's license--"

"You saw that I still had my I.D. from Inverness." She finished with a groan.

"As much as I wanted to get you safely home, I wasn't quite up for the journey to Scotland." He teased.

Chris flopped back on the pillows with her arm draped over her eyes. This was quite possibly the most embarrassing moment of her life.

She then remembered she should be at work.

"What time is it?!" She sat up too quickly and immediately regretted such a rash action.

"Half past two." Tobias told her.

"Half past--" She scrambled out of bed.

"Whoa!" Tobias stopped her. "Where are you going?"

"I'm late!" She searched in vain for her shoes. "My shift at the hospital started hours ago!"

"Chris." He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I called Ethan this morning and told him you weren't coming in."

"You did what?" Chris gaped at him. "Why?"

"As your physician," he winked at her, "I realized that I never gave you the all clear to return to work. Plus given how many drinks you had last night, I knew you wouldn't be in any condition to help your patients."

"Oh." She sank back down on the bed.

Tobias sat down next to her. He studied her worried profile in silence for a few seconds.

"Hey?" He nudged her with his shoulder. "Why don't you take a shower while I see about lunch?" He nudged her again. "Or breakfast for you?"

Chris snorted back a laugh. "Yes, please feed me after I forced my drunk self into your home."

Tobias grinned at her. "You can force yourself on me anytime."

She burst out laughing then gave him a playful shove.

He got to his feet to open a nearby closet.

"My sisters-in law leave clothes here so they don't have to pack so much when they come for a visit." He explained. "See if there's something of theirs that might do for now."

"I appreciate it," Chris began "but I shouldn't impose on you any--"

"You're not." He went into the guest bathroom to start the shower. "Plus, I insist you stay until I know you're okay."

With a smile that made her heart flip, he left her alone.

Twenty minutes later, Chris found herself clean, dressed in leggings that were too short and in what was supposed to be an oversized sweater, yet just barely went past her waist. She'd finally found a pair of wooly socks to keep her always cold feet warm and began to make her way downstairs, admiring Tobias's townhome along the way.

She paused in the hallway to discern just where her host was.

Tobias called out from a room farther to her left.

"I'm in here, Chris!"

She followed the sound of his voice, pausing at how inviting his kitchen was. Though modern, the warm colors he'd chosen for the walls, decor, and cushions somehow worked. It should have clashed, yet she found herself thinking of her grandparents' home. They had been given all new appliances a couple of years ago. The silver, sleek look met the older bread box, flower towels, and ruffled cushions and soon settled into a hodgepodge that they all ended up loving.

It made her homesick to sit down at Tobias's table.

"Coffee?" He asked from behind the counter.

"Please." Chris rubbed her forehead in an effort to clear the fog she was still slightly under.

"How do you take it?" He poured her a cup.

"Lots of cream and lots of sugar." She mumbled.

"How much is a lot?"

"More than true coffee aficionados can tolerate." She responded.

"This I have to see." Tobias teased.

He brought over the pot of coffee along with cream and sugar.

Chris blushed under his attention as she prepared her cup. Once she was finished, the rich black was replaced with a light beige color.

Tobias chuckled. "I bet you've gotten more speeches on your coffee from Ethan than you have medicine."

"You'd win that bet." Chris took a long sip, sighing in pleasure. "Don't tell me you're a coffee snob too?"

"I'm a to each their own coffee drinker." He teased. "Who am I to judge when I'll drink it any way someone prepares it? Though I will admit, I like mine with a little less cream than you do."

Chris rolled her eyes. "What about the sugar?"

Tobias leaned closer to her. "Who doesn't love something sweet?"

Having him close enough where she could see the flecks of gold in those amazing hazel eyes of his caused Chris to become momentarily tongue-tied.

His cocky smile creeped up at seeing her like this.

His attention next drifted over her face, taking in the strawberries and cream complexion he found rather cute. Her nose had a slight tilt that more than hinted at a stubbornness he'd been witnessed to on previous occasions. Her eyes held such emotion. Those gray eyes of hers could make a man hesitate for fear of wounding her.

How does Ethan keep it professional, he wondered. I don't know what I would do if the positions were reversed and she worked closely with me.

"So?" He cleared his throat and settled back in his chair. "Want to talk about last night?"

Chris's nose wrinkled at the very mention of it.

Tobias eyed her over the rim of his coffee cup. "You don't strike me as the kind of person who regularly gets drunk."

"Because I don't." She took another sip of coffee. "It was stupid of me to drink that much."

"What happened?" He prodded. "One minute, you seemed happy then the next you were downing drinks like you'd seen a ghost or something."

She snorted. If he only knew how right he was. There was nothing worse than a visit from the Ghost of Relationships Past.

Chris tried to avoid his question by focusing on her fork picking at the scrambled eggs on her plate.

Tobias wasn't going to let this go. If Chris really did consider him her doctor then he was going to make sure she was not only physically well after the attack but also emotionally. They were becoming friends after all. Weren't friends supposed to share problems?

He placed his hand on hers, causing the fork to slip from her grasp and clatter onto the plate.

Chris swallowed a tad hard before lifting her eyes back to his.

Tobias searched her steady, vulnerable gaze and gentled his tone.

"What's wrong, Chris?"

Unshed tears began to fill her eyes.

"I--I don't..." she sucked in a deep breath before burying her face in her hands.

Tobias got up and knelt by her chair. He gently brushed back her damp hair. As much as he wanted to demand she talk to him, he knew he could only wait and let it be her decision.

"I'm sorry." She lowered her hands.

"No need to apologize." He tucked her hair behind her ear. "If you don't want to talk about it, we--"

"I don't but I know I should." She took another deep breath. "It's a long story."

"Good thing it's my day off of work." He teased in the hopes of seeing her smile again.

Her lips curved briefly before falling once more. "I guess I should start at the beginning."

Tobias returned to his chair. He remained silent as Chris poured out everything that occurred since she first arrived at Edenbrook. There were many times he wanted to question her and express shock as she told him about her odd relationships with Ethan and Bryce.

Ethan hadn't been able to resist her after all, he thought to himself.

"And then Ethan pulled me away last night and it all began again." She explained. "After he kissed me and wouldn't say what we were, I just needed an escape. Not from him, but I needed to get away from myself."

Tears slipped down her cheeks.

"How can I go on in life in the same, exact, frustrating manner after being given a second chance?" She looked up at Tobias. "I should be making sure that nothing is wasted with this time I've been given, right?"

Tobias slowly nodded. "I think you shouldn't waste your time on anyone who doesn't give you what you deserve."

"Exactly!" Her breath hitched. "If I'm willing to give everything to someone, I should expect he give the same to me."

She wiped her tears away with the back of her hand.

"I know some say you should love without expecting anything in return." Her eyes searched his for understanding. "But I tried that and ended up miserable. I can't be that person again. I won't! It takes so much out of me and gives me nothing but mere crumbs to live on."

Tobias opened his mouth to reassure her again, only to fall silent when she continued.

"But what if I miss out? What if Ethan or Bryce is the one? What if I ruin what could be the relationship that will eventually give me what my heart needs? Am I suppose to fall back into what they want in case--"

"Whoa." He took her hands in his. "Easy there, Valentine. You're going down a rabbit hole of what if's."

"I know." She admitted. "That's all I do. I start off saying I won't put myself through this over and over and yet turn around and doubt my decision. I always end up here, questioning whether or not I should change anything."

Chris propped her chin on her fist while staring out of the kitchen's bay window.

"I am drowning in doubt." She admitted. "I am certain in everything I do in life except for love." She refocused on Tobias. "I don't know how to fix this."

Tobias didn't either. If she was suffering from the attack either physically or mentally, he'd have known exactly what to do. When it came to matters of the heart, he knew he was the last person who should give advice.

"The only thing I can recommend," he began a bit hesitantly, "is to only accept what makes you happy."

He took her hand once more. "As a friend of yours, I don't believe you should settle for anything less than what you want."

"That's what Sienna's been telling me for a while now." Chris mumbled.

"See? How can you ignore the advice coming from two different people?" He prodded.

Chris's lips quirked into a brief smile. "You and Sienna couldn't be any more different."

"It's a sign that it's the right thing to do." He argued. "You should tell Ethan and Bryce."

"Tell them?" Chris murmured. "You mean--"

"Tell them exactly what you want, what you expect, and see if they can step up and be that for you." Tobias told her. "Keeping it to yourself is only making you miserable. Plus, if they honestly don't know what you're wanting, how can they give it to you?"

Chris slowly nodded. She had tried to hint and kinda explain what she wanted each time with Ethan, but she'd never talked to him seriously about it. With Bryce, she kept things light and fun. Perhaps she was more responsible for her unhappiness than she originally thought.

"You know what you need?" He relaxed back in his chair. "You need a night out."

Chris blinked. "Isn't that what I did last night?"

"No, that was a celebration. You need a night out with no expectations, no questionable relationships, and no drunken escapes."

Tobias grinned at her. "You took me to your hangout. It's only fair you visit mine."

She began to laugh. "You sure you trust me to see where you love to go?"

"I guess I do." He murmured, grinning even more. "How bout it, Chris?"

"I really should get some sleep." She argued halfheartedly. "I have work in the morning."

"No, you don't." He reminded her. "Remember, I haven't given you the all clear yet."

Chris rolled her eyes over that.

"We both know I'm fine to go back to work."

"I don't." He laced his fingers behind his head to stretch. "You'll have to schedule an appointment with me for a final checkup." He winked at her. "Nice try, but there's no getting out of tonight."

Chris motioned to herself. "I don't have anything to wear."

"I'll take you by your place to change on the way." Tobias got up to clear their plates. "What do you say?"

Seeing no way out of this and was a little curious over where he went to unwind, she decided to give in. Chris admitted to herself that having a drink somewhere without Ethan or Bryce to distract her might be just the change she needed.

Plus, it might help her get the courage up to talk to them.

"If my doctor insists, -" Chris mumbled.

"I do." Tobias interrupted

"Then, I'd love to."

[alj4890]

Round Robin

Choices Books/Characters Used So Far: The Royal Romance, Platinum

Word total: 2,552

Masterlist for the Round Robin event

Next writer: @kingliam2019

Hosted by @choicesprompts

Chapter 4 Initial Meeting

"Gah!"

Bertrand jerked awake from the nightmares he'd been trapped in. Sweat beaded his forehead yet he felt chilled to the bone. His breathing was labored as he kicked the covers off of himself. He glanced at the clock on his nightstand and decided that four in the morning was a perfectly acceptable time to give up on sleep.

"How could I possibly rest after that?!" He grumbled.

Slipping his robe on, he quietly left his suite.

The resort he'd secured for this endeavor was on an island off the coast of Cordonia. It had its own airfield, dock, and rolling hills with thick forests to block the hotel from any possible onlookers from the mainland. The front of the hotel faced the ocean and possessed the only beach the island boasted of. The rest was a rocky shore line that few well seasoned boat captains could navigate around.

The secluded area allowed his more famous clients a chance to work through the planned events without paparazzi and the public watching. This would also allow Bertrand to film and have exclusive rights to said progress of these well known individuals.

This has to work, he thought to himself. It must!

Once he made it to the main lobby, he drifted on until he found the hotel's kitchen.

He paused when he heard noise within.

Peering around the corner, he felt both relieved and irritated to see Maxwell rummaging around the industrial size refrigerator.

"Are you still up or have you decided to begin getting up early to start the day off right?"

Maxwell jumped in surprise and whirled around with a large tub of ice cream in his arms.

Bertrand released a resigned sigh at the sight. He knew his brother too well to even hope he had gone to bed at some point during the night.

"What are you doing up so early?" Maxwell asked in order to avoid further questions of his late night activities.

"After the nightmares I've had, I decided that sleep will no longer be of any use."

Bertrand started a nearby coffeepot.

Maxwell found a spoon and hopped up on the counter. Digging in to his tub of Rocky Road, he hummed his concern.

Bertrand rolled his eyes. "Was that an indication of sorrow over my predicament or am I supposed to take it as an inquiry?"

"Both." Maxwell said around a mouthful of heavenly flavors. "What'd you dream about?"

"What else other than the very thing that is weighing heavily upon my mind?" Bertrand grumbled.

"Ah." Maxwell ate another spoonful of ice cream. "How bad was it?"

"Horrible." Bertrand shuddered. "The worst case scenario one could possibly imagine. We were unable to help a wealthy client from Spain reveal her family's questionable background and we had a client murdered by one of our agents."

"Who did the murder?" Maxwell leaned forward with renewed interest.

"Someone I didn't know." Bertrand poured himself a cup of coffee. "It certainly made me rethink my policy of hiring from outside our social status."

After taking a sip, he launched into another rant of how this company had to succeed, that the world was watching and these people needed to be given a chance to prove they could be something other than their reputations.

Maxwell set the tub of ice cream down to search through a nearby cabinet. He came across a bottle of brandy that he figured couldn't hurt. He poured a healthy dose into Bertrand's coffee mug.

"What are you-Maxwell!" Bertrand scolded. "You might be able to flagrantly ignore the pressure we're under, but I--"

"Need to calm down." Maxwell finished for him.

"I can't be drunk on our first official day!" Bertrand argued.

"That teensy splash isn't going to do anything except help you relax." Maxwell pointed out.

Bertrand's jaw dropped when he saw the bottle.

"That's Courvoisier L’Esprit! Do you have any idea how expensive that bottle is?"

Maxwell shrugged. "So? You rented this whole place and all that comes with it. Enjoy it."

"I don't have the luxury of enjoying anything." Bertrand grumbled. "Much less indulging in spirits that costs nearly seven thousand dollars a bottle."

"Live a little." Maxwell patted his back. "It'll do you some good."

"Good? Like it did everyone here?" Bertrand snorted. "All I need to make this company falter is to show I'm no better than they are."

"So they've been caught doing a little bad behavior." Maxwell resumed his ice cream snack. "They're here now, ready to make things right. We'll help them. Word will spread how awesome we are. Badda bing badda boom: everyone wins!"

"Only you could make this sound easy." Bertrand mumbled as he sipped more of his spiked coffee.

"With our people working this, it'll be a piece of cake!" Maxwell exclaimed. "Just you wait and see."

**************

A few hours later, Olivia Nevrakis, Duchess of Lythikos, was disabling a computerized lock of one of the suites on the tenth floor. With a satisfied click, the door opened without any further trouble.

Her nose wrinkled at the sight before her. The living room area had been completely trashed. The wet bar was littered with empty tequila bottles and strawberry margarita mixes. Lamps had been knocked over. Couch cushions were dirty from shoe prints. Clothes littered the floor and led the way past half eaten appetizers towards the master suite.

Not even bothering to knock and give warning to the occupants, she stormed into the bedroom and opened up the curtains.

There in the bed lay the client she was given. The sunlight revealed that the infamous musician was sandwiched between one of the resort's staff and one of the three Michelin chefs that worked in the kitchens. The two had the decency to sit up and mumble apologies while Raleigh Carrera casually stretched his naked body.

Olivia rolled her eyes at the sight before her.

"Out." She told his guests.

The two hastily left, swiping up their clothes along the way.

Raleigh groaned over the light and cracked one eye open to see what time it was.

He cursed when he saw that it was barely seven in the morning.

"Why are you in my room?" He grumbled.

"Why else?" Olivia replied. "You agreed to do this."

He rolled over on his back and took a deep breath before glancing her way.

"Who are you?" He demanded.

"Olivia Nevrakis." She replied, not fazed at all by him being fully naked. "Duchess of Lythikos."

"Beaumont sent you here for what?" He muttered. "Torture?"

"Trust me, if this was torture," she smirked, "you wouldn't be talking right now."

He snorted as he rolled out of bed. Unabashed at her seeing him in all his glory, and secretly hoping it pissed her off, he walked towards her and paused a hair's breath away from her.

Holding her steady gaze, he reached behind her for one of the half empty tequila bottles.

His brow furrowed when she didn't react to his nearness. Lifting the bottle to his lips, he went past her to look out the window.

The morning light made him wince worse than the alcohol burning down his throat did.

"So?" He said. "I take it you're my shadow that Beaumont was talking about yesterday."

"Correct." Olivia pulled out her phone and began to scroll through some documents that had been sent over the night before. "And you're the PR Nightmare."

He snorted. "Nightmare, huh?" His smile grew hearing that. "I guess you could say that."

"Seems ridiculous to me." Olivia remarked. "Your drinking, carousing, and destruction of private property hardly seems worth my time."

"Giving up on me already, Red?" Raleigh teased. "And after your delightful wake-up call, I thought we'd be friends."

Olivia's chuckle had a cold edge that caught his attention. "Friends? No. I don't do friends with people like you."

His eyes narrowed upon her. "You got a problem with singers or tattooed people?"

"Neither." She replied. "In fact, I'm even slightly fond of someone who has a tattoo." Her own eyes raked dispassionately over him. "What I don't like is someone who rolls over and gives up."

"Gives up?" He threw his bottle down. "On what? What have I given up on?"

"From the few minutes I've been forced to endure your company, I would say self-respect." She shrugged. "I have very little patience as it is, so don't expect me to cheer you on during these next few weeks."

Olivia straightened her suit jacket, and walked out of his bedroom without a second glance.

Raleigh cursed as he chased after her.

"Wait a damn second!" He ordered. "What do you mean, I don't have any self-respect?" He gestured around his room. "What, just because I know how to throw a good party and enjoy life the way I want to; that gives off that I have no self-respect?"

"No." Olivia perched her hip on a table. "The fact that you allowed it to be the only thing you're known for proves you don't have any. Who cares what you do during your private time? You're the only one who has allowed this reputation to develop."

"Hold on!" He ran his hand through his tousled curls. "My former PR reps, the record label; they all demanded I date the new stars to help build up their reputations. I then was told to publicly break up with them and stage wild parties."

Olivia merely raised an eyebrow over that explanation.

"I don't need this shit!" He snapped at her. "Believe whatever the hell you like, but I do other things than screw starlets and trash rooms!"

She didn't even blink over him shouting that last bit.

A knock at his door had him swinging around in agitation to jerk it open.

Maxwell stood there with a camera propped up on his shoulder. His jaw dropped at the sight of the famous singer without a shred of clothing.

"Ummm." He cleared his throat. "I can...uh..."

He swallowed when Olivia appeared behind Raleigh's shoulder.

"Give us a few minutes." She ordered.

"A few minutes for what?" Raleigh griped. "I'm not going to participate in this bullshit another--"

The wind was knocked out of him when Olivia flipped him over her shoulder. He tried to breathe but lost the battle when she straddled his chest, pinned his arms down with her knees, and flipped a dagger in her hand so that the edge was right below his eye.

"Listen closely, because I will not repeat myself." She hissed.

Raleigh heard Maxwell breathe out, "Holy sh--" before Olivia kicked the door closed.

"You desperately need someone to right your image. Your label is already threatening to drop you. Your fans are sick of all the drama you do with fresh faced singers and actors." She told him.

Olivia leaned closer, her words dripping like venom.

"I personally don't care if you waste your life or not. You are nothing to me. You will never be worth my time." She paused. "But, I do have loyalty to the Beaumont's so I will improve your image."

She got off him, replaced her dagger in the strap above her thigh, and straightened her skirt.

"So here's how it is going to go." She informed him. "You're going to get off your hungover ass, get dressed for the camera, and do everything I tell you."

Her eyes narrowed upon him. "If you don't, then your little anonymous community centers in low income neighborhoods will cease to exist."

Raleigh shot up when he heard that.

"You know about those?"

Olivia slowly smiled. "Here's a helpful hint when dealing with me: I know everything before anyone else does."

She motioned towards his bedroom. "Go get dressed."

He got to his feet. "How did Beaumont find out about those? Nobody knows about that."

"Bertrand doesn't know. I conducted my own investigation on you like I do with everyone I interact with." She replied.

Raleigh blinked over that.

The last thing he wanted was for the kids in his old neighborhood to lose out on something to make their lives better. He had plans in place to build more of them across the United States. He couldn't let his true passion die now that he'd found it.

"You really think you can fix my image?" He asked.

"Of course I can." Her smile was full of smugness. "I never fail."

Raleigh took a deep breath and slowly released it. He knew he really didn't have a choice, which stung a bit. Still though, what did he have to lose by letting her try and repair his image? It was either going to work or it wasn't. Couldn't be much worse than what his other agents had attempted.

"Okay." He looked up at her. "I'll do it."

"Get dressed." Olivia ordered on her way to the door. "I'll tell Maxwell we'll be ready to film shortly.

"My nakedness bothering you, Red?" He teased to get a rile out of her.

"Hardly." She rolled her eyes.

"So you do like what you see?" He countered.

She eyed him, a hint of a genuine smile drifted across her lips.

"You're going to wish I did." With that, she stepped out of his room.

***************

A few minutes later, Bertrand joined Maxwell outside of Raleigh's suite.

"How's it going?" He asked.

"Well," Maxwell hedged. "It's, um, it's been an interesting start."

"Really?" Bertrand's excitement couldn't be contained. "Let me see what you have so far."

"Maybe you should wait." Maxwell countered. "I mean, I haven't got all the angles right and I should really get some more footage of--"

"Nonsense!" Bertrand snatched the camera out of his hands. "I've been sitting on pins and needles. I just know that..."

His eyes widened at the sight of Olivia throwing a naked Raleigh Carrera over her shoulder and straddling him.

"Good God!" He screeched. "What on-- why?"

"It's okay!" Maxwell quickly reassured him. "Olivia said Raleigh will be ready in a few minutes. We can--"

"I can't release this to the public!" Bertrand cried out. "We're ruined! Those few seconds of footage will shut us down faster than--"

"People are going to love this!" Maxwell argued.

"Yes. Voyeurs of the worst kind." Bertrand raked his hands through his hair. "No one will ever hire our company again after seeing one of our agents physically attacking a client."

He groaned as the realization struck him. "My nightmares have become true."

"But I think--"

They both became silent when Raleigh opened the door once again. He was clean, dressed in his usual rocker style, and actually had a pleasant smile on his face.

"Sorry for the wait." He jerked his head towards his room. "I'm ready when you are to start filming."

Bertrand' gaped at the man. "You are?"

"Yeah." Raleigh glanced back at Olivia. "Gotta do something to fix this, right?"

"Er, right." Bertrand cleared his throat. "Well then. Maxwell, don't keep the man waiting."

He pushed his brother into the room. "I'll leave you to it, then."

Bertrand forced a smile as Raleigh shut the door then sagged back against the opposite wall.

"Oh thank God." He whispered.

With this strangely auspicious start, he wondered how the other initial meetings were going.

[alj4890]

Can't Take My Eyes Off of You

(Maxwell Beaumont x Olivia Nevrakis) in a Choices The Royal Romance Crackship

Masterlist

Part 5

"Can I ask you something?" Riley picked up another stone to skip across the small stream.

"Sure. You can ask me anything." Maxwell tossed his.

"Have you ever been in love?" She asked.

**************

Ramsford...

"Maxwell? Hey!" Riley waved her hand in front of his face.

Maxwell blinked a few times as he slowly came back to the present.

"Good to have you back." She teased. "I was worried you were going to leave me all alone with our caviar creation."

She held up a container of paprika. "I'm also pretty sure you're going to make it to where my fingerprints are the only ones found on this so Bertrand will know who to kill if these appetizers don't come out right."

He chuckled while taking the paprika from her.

"Nah. I'd never let you take the fall for one of my ideas." He began to sprinkle a little on top of each spoonful.

"What else needs to be done?" Drake asked while coming around the corner. His nose wrinkled over their choice in food. "Or am I free to go?"

"Um..." Maxwell picked up his phone and breathed a little easier. "Oh thank God. Bertrand found a caterer. All we have to do now is clean up the place."

He slipped his phone back in his pocket then helped Riley and Drake put the trays of hors d'oeuvres back into the fridge.

Once Riley left to check to see what Bertrand wanted them to focus on next, Drake spoke up.

"You seem more distracted than usual."

Maxwell paused in scrubbing the counters. "I do?"

"Yeah. You're quiet. It's almost as if you're in deep thought." Drake added.

Maxwell shrugged. "I guess I have been."

Drake eyed him over the handle of his mop. "Is something wrong?"

"You mean beyond the obvious money woes of House Beaumont?" Maxwell quipped. "Or my brother pointing out every single mistake I make? The pressure he feels and is passing onto me if Riley fails to win Liam."

"We all know Liam's going to pick Riley." Drake reminded him.

He went back to mopping the floor and muttered, "Who wouldn't choose her?"

"I hope so." Maxwell completely missed the hint that Drake might have fallen for Riley too. "Then maybe my life can begin."

Drake paused once more. "Begin? What are you--"

Maxwell tossed his scrubber in the sink. "We should um, probably go see what Bertrand wants worked on next."

He hurried out before Drake could ask him to clarify.

Maxwell spent the next few hours trying to work alone. Normally he'd be over the moon to be preparing for the annual Beaumont Bash. He had a sense of pride that their parties were the ones held to end the social season on a high note.

This year though, he wished they could skip it completely.

It wasn't just the money troubles or the fact that Bertrand was one temper tantrum away from a massive stroke, it was the competition that was getting to Maxwell. He knew Riley and Liam were soulmates and honestly, he couldn't be happier for them.

His own happily ever after though seemed less likely to occur than ever before.

Ever since his conversation with Olivia on the beach, the two had not interacted. At Applewood, he kept his distance and focused on encouraging Riley. Olivia in turn did the same with him, yet she seemed to go out of her way to talk to Riley. Surprisingly, both usually were smiling and not in the I really hate you but appearances demand I look like I adore you type smile that many at court were forced to wear.

Maxwell was dying to ask Riley what Olivia said in those moments. He summoned all his willpower to hold those questions at bay and tried instead to keep things light and optimistic for Riley's sake. Bertrand was adding so much pressure on her as it was that the last thing Maxwell should do would be to involve her in his own miserable love life.

If anyone has a real shot at being with the one they want, it's Riley and Liam, Maxwell thought. So I should do all I can to make that happen.

He released a deep, heartfelt sigh. He knew it was pointless to pretend he didn't still want to do all he could to win Olivia. He was simply, for the first time in his life, unsure how to go about it from this point.

**************

The next evening...

Olivia took the lead of ladies walking into Ramsford. She glanced around noting all the typical decorations that the Beaumont's were notorious for. She knew that by the end of the night most of it would be strewn about, tangled up with the drunken people who would later try and pretend they were decent nobles.

She ignored the whispers of the ladies wondering what might happen tonight. She already knew they'd be beyond intoxicated before three in the morning. She could care less about the party or the food or whatever shenanigans the Beaumont brothers had up their sleeves.

She only wanted to see two things.

The first was to be able to observe more of Liam and Riley. She'd spent time since the beach watching them throughout the stay at Applewood. There was no denying the mutual attraction the two shared. Since Maxwell insisted that Riley was sweet, she began to go out of her way to talk to her.

As much as it galled her to admit, Maxwell was right. Riley really was sweet. Thankfully, she wasn't too sweet or Olivia would lose all respect for her. After interacting with her at Applewood, she realized that out of everyone here, she might be able to tolerate losing Liam a little easier if she lost to the American.

The second thing she wanted to see was how Liam and Maxwell acted with herself.

Her lips firmed into a thin line the moment she stepped into the ballroom. While the ladies behind her cooed over the decorations and Riley's sparkly blue gown, she focused on the one man who'd thrown her whole way of thinking out of whack.

Maxwell was beaming with delight over the praises he was hearing. As happy as he was, one would think he'd been the one to prepare the food and decorate the place.

Olivia waited until Bertrand pulled Maxwell away for a private word before approaching Riley. After a quick greeting that wasn't as smug or cold as she normally would have given, she sat down at one of the front tables.

It was the perfect vantage point to watch Liam. Her eyebrows furrowed for a second to see him in a tux that not only matched Riley's royal blue gown, but also the Beaumont colors. It was a blatant statement that Liam had not made for anyone else during the season.

It wasn't manners that made him wear it. If that was the case, then he'd have worn what she'd offered him at Lythikos. He was polite about the red jacket with black dress shirt and slacks, but told Olivia he couldn't wear it since he was supposed to be giving every suitor equal treatment.

I see that notion didn't last long.

"You noticed it too?"

Olivia looked up at Madeleine.

Madeleine's court mask slipped to reveal her obvious disdain. "I think it's in poor taste."

Olivia humphed. "I never suffered a moment of doubt that you would think of it that way."

Madeleine narrowed her eyes upon Olivia.

"This doesn't bother you?" She snapped.

"It's clothes, Madeleine." Olivia replied. "He's yet to get down on one knee and propose to Riley."

"I would have thought you'd be furious with this statement he's making. After all," Madeleine sneered, "you are madly in love with Liam."

Olivia glared at her.

"There's the reaction I was expecting." Madeleine needled. "I'm surprised you haven't challenged her to a duel."

Olivia's glare slowly turned to a smirk.

"It must be hard for you to lose out twice for the crown." She struck back. "Seeing Liam go ahead and voice his choice without saying a word probably makes you think how you'll have to return home in shame once more."

Madeleine stilled at her words.

"But you have parents who understand failure, don't you?" Olivia smiled at her. "I mean, they would have to by now, wouldn't' they?"

Before Madeleine could utter a denial, Olivia waved towards the back of the ballroom.

"Better go find your seat Maddie. One would hate to be caught gawking over the loss of another prince."

Madeleine stormed away with her head held high.

Olivia smiled to herself as she reached for her wine glass.

Tonight might not be so bad after all.

*****************

After dinner...

"Excuse me." Olivia glanced at Riley then turned towards Liam. "May I speak to you for a moment?"

"Of course." Liam still had a hold of Riley's hand. "It's been days since I've had a free moment to speak to, you, Lady Olivia."

Olivia watched as he leaned close to whisper to Riley. His lips brushed the delicate shell of her ear before placing a kiss right below it.

Riley's and Liam's eyes met in a heated exchange as she vaguely promised to think about it.

Olivia mentally rolled her eyes. Clearly they were planning a rendezvous. Any imbecile could see that. They needed some lessons in subterfuge if they were going to try and hide their mutual regard for one another.

It'll all be over soon. Then there will be no reason to hide anything.

She blinked over that thought. It wasn't because she thought about it, but rather the lack of emotion it evoked. It was as if her heart already accepted the fact that Liam was in love with someone else.

Her mind though, still needed proof.

Once Riley disappeared into the crowd, Liam turned expectantly back to Olivia.

The loud music, laughter, and shouts of conversations left little chance to discover if Liam truly felt nothing for her. Taking his hand, she pulled him down a hallway that led to the Beaumont's study.

Once they were behind closed doors, she perched her hip on the edge of the desk and studied her prince.

Liam lifted an eyebrow when the silence stretched between them.

Olivia searched his eyes. "You've made your choice, haven't you?"

"I..." He rubbed the back of his neck while a sheepish smile played about his lips. "I suppose there's no hiding it from you."

He gave her a decisive nod. "I have."

Olivia blinked over actually getting him to admit it.

"Riley is your choice?" She prodded.

He nodded. "I'm in love with her."

Olivia grimaced. As much as she knew this was the case, it still stung to have her dream destroyed in one conversation.

"Are you certain?" She found herself asking.

"I am." Liam grinned at her. "I can't tell you how good it feels to admit it to someone who is a close friend of mine."

"I can imagine." She mumbled.

Shaking off the sting of his declaration, Olivia asked him a question she hoped would help herself.

"How do you know that Riley is the one?"

Liam sat down on one of the leather wingback chairs. He propped his chin on his fist while staring off into the distance to think of how to answer her.

Olivia took the chair across from him and did her best to wait patiently for his answer.

"There are so many things about Riley that made me realize she is the one for me." He began. "From the moment we met, she has been all I can think about."

Olivia grimaced somewhat. If one were to go with her own mind, they would find it filled with Maxwell. It was irritating how often he took over her thoughts.

Liam's pensive expression softened as he continued to explain. "When we kissed, I felt an instant passion. Not just desire, but a need for it to never end, as if," he hesitated in trying to describe it to her, "as if my body only recognized her touch."

Olivia blinked over that. She recalled both kissing Liam and Maxwell the night of her ball. Of the two, Maxwell's had ignited a passionate response in her.

But is his touch the only one my body will recognize?

"The few precious moments I've had with her and getting to know the type of person she is, the more I want to be around her." He turned his attention back to Olivia. "I fell in love with her during those moments. Riley is everything my heart yearns for."

Olivia gave a brisk nod. "I see."

Liam reached over and took her hand. "I know that many believed you would be my choice. Most of my advisors insist upon you being my choice."

She stilled, not entirely sure she wanted to hear what else he had to say.

"If I had never met, Riley," he lowered his eyes to their hands, "I would have chosen you. You are one of my oldest friends. I trust you, admire your strength and loyalty, and believe you would make an amazing queen."

He lifted his eyes back to hers. "Now that I've experienced what love does to a person, how could I choose anyone other than Riley?"

Olivia squeezed his hand. "Of all the people I know, you're one of the very few I actually care about."

Taking a deep breath, she attempted to smile at him.

"And since I care, I actually want to see you happy. If Riley is what you want, then she is the one I hope you get in the end."

Liam's smile lit up his entire face. He lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a tender kiss to her knuckles.

"I care about you too." He searched her eyes. "I hope I haven't hurt you."

Olivia shrugged her shoulders. "I've known for some time that you felt something for Riley. Anyone with half a brain can see it."

He chuckled. "True. I've never been good at hiding my feelings." He kept hold of her hand. "But, I would never intentionally hurt you."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, Liam."

"I know." He gently let her hand go. "I wish that you could find someone worthy of you."

She hesitated. "I think there might be someone."

His eyebrows rose. "Really?"

"Maybe." She clarified. "I think I need to do a few more," she searched for the right word, "experiments to know for certain."

"Experiments?" He began to laugh.

Olivia glared at him. "Not all of us are so certain when it comes to love."

Liam held his hands up in surrender. "I meant no offense."

She eyed him to see if he was making fun of her or not.

He bit back a smile. "I simply never thought of discovering love as an experiment. I suppose it is when one thinks about it."

"How so?" She asked.

"There's definitely a chemical reaction." Liam teased. "Being touched by the one, hearing their voice, or simply seeing them across a room sets off endorphins. Everything in your body, your mood, your very way of seeing things in the world is altered by their presence."

He smiled warmly at her.

"I say perform all the experiments you need to know if you have found the one."

Olivia relaxed back in her chair. Seeing now that she wasn't being foolish in her path forward helped in her knowing what steps she should next take.

"I shall." She declared.

Liam rose to his feet and began to walk towards the door.

"Liam?"

"Yes?" He turned back towards her.

"Thank you."

He bowed to her.

"Anytime, your grace."

With another smile, he left her alone.

Olivia's pleasant expression changed to one of frustrated resignation. She supposed she'd hoped there was still a chance with Liam because he'd been the one her mind had accepted so long ago. Now, she could see that there really was no use in thinking like that any longer. Even if Riley were to refuse Liam's proposal, she knew she could never be with him.

Liam wasn't the kind of man to stop loving someone just because they refused to return his affection. Olivia knew her own pride and heart couldn't take being with someone who didn't care for her in the same manner. A Nevrakis either gave everything or nothing and expected the same in return. There was no in between.

"I can't believe it's come down to this." She grumbled to herself.

Of all the men she knew, there was only one who had given everything. To find out if she could do the same, she needed to test the waters a bit more.

"How in the world am I to get Maxwell alone at a party?"

**************

Many, many hours later...

Maxwell hummed to himself as he left Hana's room. Ending the wild party with a game of truth or dare with his friends was the perfect way to end a crazy night. Plus, it'd helped him at least for a little while, not think of Olivia.

How much more fun would it have been to see Olivia do a dare or admit a truth?

He knew what he would have dared her and he knew what question he'd ask. What would have happened might have left him even sadder than before.

Can't have that, he argued with himself. Who wants a depressed Maxwell hanging around?

He unlocked the door to his room, pausing halfway inside. He glanced down the hallway where he knew Olivia was. He'd been the one to clean and prepare her room. He wondered if she even noticed he'd made certain to have a bouquet of red roses in there. Did she notice the red throw he'd left draped over the Beaumont blue chair? Did she even recognize the meaning behind doing something like that?

"Probably not." He mumbled, closing his door behind him.

Maxwell had left his desk lamp on before the party began. The rest of his suite was shrouded in shadow, giving a quiet almost serene feeling after hours of absolute drunken chaos. It was just what he needed to bring him back down off his adrenaline rush.

He began to undress. Kicking his shoes off, he next dropped his pants. Stepping out of them, he stumbled over to his dresser while pulling his shirt off.

He dug around in the dark for a soft T-shirt to sleep in. After finally pulling one on, he stilled to hear a knock on his door.

When it happened a second time, he rushed over to it in the hopes of seeing Olivia. He'd lost sight of her during the beginning of the Beaumont Bash. He'd hoped to find a way to talk to her. Maybe see how things were going and if she'd finally given up on Liam.

His smile disappeared the moment he saw his brother.

Bertrand swayed, nearly toppling over.

"My dear Maxwell," he slurred, "could you be so kind as to point me in the direct- *hic* -shun of my quarters?"

He glanced down, his eyebrows nearly disappearing in his hairline.

"Good god, man! You lost your pants!"

Maxwell tugged his shirt down in an effort to hide his boxers.

"Did an acrobat steal them?" Bertrand laid a commiserating hand on Maxwell's shoulder. "I believe one stole my vest."

"You're wearing it on your head." Maxwell told him.

Bertrand reached up and pulled it off, causing his hair to stand on end. "The blackguard returned it!"

"Uh huh." Maxwell turned his brother around. "Straight down there is your bedroom. Only door at the end of the hall."

"Right." Bertrand stumbled in that direction. "Thank you."

"Anytime." Maxwell watched to make certain he didn't accidentally go into anyone else's room.

His breath caught in his throat the moment Bertrand bumped into Olivia's door.

Nothing happened, leaving him slumping his shoulders and returning to his own room.

Maxwell finished up his nighttime rituals in his ensuite bathroom then finally collapsed on his bed.

"What a night." He mumbled into his pillow.

"Yes, it was."

His eyes flew open. In his haste to reach his lamp on his nightstand, he knocked a glass of water off. Cursing, he blinked against the brightness.

There beside him on the bed was the only woman he'd dreamt of one too many times in that exact spot.

Olivia calmly sat there, hands folded in her lap. She'd puffed up some of his bed pillows to put at her back as she reclined in an almost upright position.

"You're here?" He asked, unable to wrap his mind around the concept.

"So you see." She replied.

"In my room?" He continued. "You're here in my room? On my bed?"

Olivia rolled her eyes. "No. I'm on Bertrand's bed. Of course I'm on yours!"

Maxwell's eyes widened. His lips parted to ask more questions yet nothing but a squeak slipped out.

Olivia leaned closer to him, her brow furrowed in irritated concern. "Are you going to be sick?"

"No." He rubbed his eyes. "I'm pretty sure this is a dream."

She rolled her eyes once more. "It's not."

"That's what you usually say during my dreams." He argued.

Olivia reached over and pinched him. "Now do you believe me?"

Maxwell shook his head. "You do that in my dreams too."

Olivia had used up all her patience in waiting on getting Maxwell alone. Now that she finally had him without any chance of someone seeing them together, she was in no mood to reassure him that this was real. Besides, it was her feelings she needed to test.

With a frustrated breath, she straddled him.

Maxwell's eyes widened even more. Unsure what to do with his hands, he fisted them in the sheets. His heart was beating so hard that he wasn't certain if he'd survive this dream.

Audibly swallowing, he waited to see what she would do next.

She leaned down. The tip of her nose touched his. Her eyes held his startled gaze. A slight smirk curved her lips when she heard his sharp intake of breath.

"Maxwell?"

"Yeah?"

"Kiss me."

[alj4890]

🌸✨💓THIS IS A TUMBLR HUG! 🧚🏾‍♀️ PASS IT ON AND HAVE A LOVELY DAY! ~♡ (´｡• ᵕ •｡`) ♡

[alj4890]

Hi There! Silly question. If your characters were to receive this mug from an LI or a friend, what would it say? Answer for as many of characters/pairings as you like!

CUTE BUT (What??)

LOL! When I first saw that mug I thought of my pairings of Thomas Hunt and my OC. She overthinks all the time 😂 But I know who you really want to see 😉 So just for you, here's Tobias and Chris ♥️ This is when they were still keeping their relationship a secret.

(Tobias Carrick x F!MC*Chris Valentine) in a Choices Open Heart Drabble

Masterlist

@kyra75 @coffeeheartaddict2 @hopelessromantic1352 @jerzwriter @peonierose @trappedinfanfiction @nomadics-stuff

Whose Is It?

"Hmm?"

Ethan stood in front of the diagnostic office's coffee maker. After months of trying to dodge doctors and nurses in the break room to simply enjoy a needed cup of coffee, he decreed that the diagnostic office needed their own. He knew it was the only way to keep his sanity in Edenbrook.

What gave him pause though were the various mugs that stood in front of it.

"I should have never offered to share." He grumbled while picking through the cups for his own simple mug.

He stopped when he picked up one that he didn't recall seeing before.

"Cute but trouble?" He mumbled.

"Good morning!" Chris greeted with a warm smile.

Ethan grunted in response.

"I see someone is in their normal mood." She teased while setting her stuff down.

"Look at these." He pointed at the mugs.

"What?" She made her way over, searching for something out of the ordinary.

"What are all these cups doing here?" He snapped.

"Looks like they are in their natural habitat." She playfully nudged him with her shoulder. "One would suspect that since this is a coffee machine that cups would surround it."

Ethan rolled his eyes.

"Whose mugs are these?" He demanded. "There are only four of us that use this office! Why are there six?"

Chris began to blush as she examined the mugs more closely. "Um...I did tell Sienna that she could use our machine."

She held up a mug covered with hearts. "This is hers."

Ethan grit his teeth over hearing that others were aware of the source of his life sustaining elixir. "Who else did you offer our coffee to?"

"No one!" Chris quickly reassured him. "I swore Sienna to secrecy."

He grunted once more. "That explains the fifth mug." He lifted the one that truly baffled him. "But whom does this belong to?"

Chris's face flamed with color to see the mug labeled, cute but trouble.

"Err...that um...is...mine?"

Ethan's blue eyes narrowed upon her.

"Yours? But this is your mug." He picked up one that said, keep the heid.

"Ah. Yes." Chris snatched it out of his hand. "My stay calm mug."

"Why do you have two mugs now?" He prodded.

"Umm. I..." She struggled to find a legitimate reason. "I must have brought this one with me the other morning not thinking about the one I already had here."

The office door popped open before Ethan could question her more. Their attention snapped to it the moment Tobias stuck his head in.

"Good. You're both here." He greeted with a brief nod. "I have a patient that was admitted to Edenbrook late last night that I could use your opinion on."

Ethan set the mystery mug down. His mind immediately switched to the new, more urgent conundrum presented before him.

The three sat down and reviewed the patient's chart.

After debating possible illnesses to explain the odd conglomeration of symptoms, Chris volunteered to begin lab work.

"I'll introduce you to him." Tobias offered while checking his watch. "Then I need to hurry back to Mass Kenmore."

The two left Ethan absorbed in reviewing a journal article discussing the advanced stages of Gaucher disease.

Once the pair were alone in an elevator, Tobias's serious demeanor changed. He propped his arm above Chris's head and leaned towards her.

"Hi." He pressed a kiss to her lips.

"Hello to you too." Her lips curved when he gave her a deeper kiss.

"You left my place in such a hurry this morning, I didn't have a chance to give you a proper goodbye." He murmured, grinning at her.

"Sorry about that." She looped her arms around his neck. "I knew if I allowed you to give a proper goodbye, I'd never leave your bed."

He chuckled, pulling her close. "Is that so bad?"

She shook her head. "No, but I did need to eventually go to work today."

"Such a dutiful doctor" He complimented, pressing his lips against her neck. "Are you coming over tonight?"

"I could be talked into it." She snuggled closer to him. "You can be very persuasive when you want to be."

"One of my many charms." His hands drifted down her hips, pulling her closer. "I insist you come over tonight so that I can --"

The doors opening caused the two to jerk apart.

A small group of surgeons eyed them curiously as they stepped inside.

Tobias couldn't help but smile as Chris buried her red face in her hands.

Once the group got off on the next floor, he nudged her.

"You okay over there?"

"No!" Chris burst out laughing. "That was close."

Tobias slipped his hands in his pockets and stepped closer to her. "But worth it."

She shook her head, smiling at him. "You, doctor, are nothing but trouble."

"But cute." He winked at her. "That mug you got me makes it a requirement that you add that each time you call me trouble."

"True." She pressed another kiss to his lips while taking the file folder tucked under his arm.

Chris smacked him on the backside with it as she stepped out on their patient's floor.

"Good thing I love trouble that's also irresistibly cute."

[alj4890]

Would it be a deal breaker for your pairings if one part suggested or talked about the idea of open up their relationship? (Either 3some or poly). Like, of course they wouldn't do anything if their partner doesn't agree. But would the suggestion damaged the trust their partner has in them, or make them uneasy enough to become an issue? Or would they be able to hear them out, say no and move on?

Oof. Hitting with the hard questions here, LOL! I'll try to answer this the best I can with some of my pairings. I also got this question from @choicesasknonnie

Personally, I'm monogamous. I have no experience in poly or threesomes. I was never the type to even date multiple men at the same time. I found a lot of relationships to be exhausting with men I dated before my husband and couldn't fathom trying to have one with someone else at the same time 😂 Having said that though, I think my pairings would have different responses.

So for Thomas Hunt and my OC, this would permanently damage them. I base this particular OC on myself. Not only does Amanda have my first name, she has all the insecurities and such I've suffered with in my life. If Thomas were to even hint he would be interested in bringing someone else into their relationship, even for a one night stand type thing, Amanda would believe he doesn't really desire her anymore. Her doubt would take over and cause her to end things, no matter how much Thomas reassures her that he loves her and wants to be with her.

I honestly would react like this if my husband were to suggest this. Here again though, it is because I have only experienced monogamy and it is the type of relationship I've wanted. I have a few family members who have made poly relationships and such work and others who haven't. I just never wanted it.

With Tobias and Chris, I think they'd be okay if one suggested they give this a shot. I wrote them though as seeing each other as the only one they want, but I don't think their trust or relationship itself would suffer any damage. I can see them earnestly discussing this and making sure the other is okay while they reach a decision if it is right for them.

With Liam and Riley, I don't know. I always played the MC as sticking to one LI instead of romancing others at the same time with each replay. I know Liam would be fine since the whole "Cordonian Arrangement" suggestion if you say no to his marriage proposal in canon. With Riley, I think she would be fine if she was the one to suggest it. I don't think she would if Liam did so.

Ethan x OC would be a no. Sophie and Ethan's work schedules make it hard enough for them to find enough time for the other. The last thing they need is someone else to demand attention 😂 I think it might cause an argument if one were to suggest it

Maxwell x his different LI I've written for him 🤣 Here again, if he's with my OC, Amanda it's a big fat no and will permanently damage their relationship. If he's with my OC, Sherry, I think they're too content with the other to feel the need to add anyone to the mix. If one were to suggest it, I think they'd be able to move on and be fine. With Olivia, I don't know. With both having been raised in an environment where taking a lover is quite normal, they might be fine. Threesomes, I guess it depends on the person they decide to possibly add to the mix. I can't see Olivia allowing just anyone 😂

I know I've written for a lot more pairings, but I stuck to the ones I've written the most for 😉 Thanks for the ask ♥️

[alj4890]

Who is your fave LI?

It's a tie between Thomas Hunt and Maxwell Beaumont. I know, I know. Two completely different characters, yet I adore them to pieces. They are both supportive of the MC's and stand by them without a second thought during horrible events. They both have a sense of humor, which is a must for me in a LI. Thomas's humor is more dry which matches my own while Maxwell just makes me smile with his silliness. They are adorable when both find out their MC is in love with them and have no hesitation in proposing marriage. This is why I replay Red Carpet Diaries and The Royal Romance all the time 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

Honorable mentions: Trystan Thorne, Jax Matsuo, and Damien Nazario. I love a man who sticks by your side no matter what type of danger it puts them in.

[alj4890]

🥹Ahhh! How dare you make me tear up?! 🥰 You are too sweet, Elsa. I don't deserve you nor the sweet things you say. Thank you for EVERYTHING: your encouragement, your love of my pairings and way of writing them, and for your own contributions to the fandom. And though my writer's block is still acting up with only rare spurts of inspiration , I promise to get back to Mixed Signals and more Tobias just for you 🤗 Thank you again dear one. I can't tell you how much your words meant to me.♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

If it's not late, it's probably not me! Not for all things, but for a whole lot, so it's with my sincere apologies that I post this "Countdown to 2024" on the 9th day of the year!

Now, I'm going to be honest: I started to write this, and the list got huge. HUGE. And while I like to spread the love and be as inclusive as I possibly can, at some point, it began to look like an amalgamation of everything I've read in the year. So, I decided to scale back and follow the rules (gasp!) ... sort of... lol

See, I don't think writer appreciation should be limited to these events. Writer... creator... appreciation is a living, breathing act that should take place year-round. Each time you comment, share, or even leave a little ❤️ on a fic, you're showing your appreciation, gratitude and, honestly, you're serving yourself, because that simple act may be the very thing that tips the scale and makes your favorite say, "You know what, yeah! I'm going to keep doing this."

So, to every single writer in the fandom - thank you. I tried to show you love throughout 2023, and I hope to do more of that in 2024... you all mean so much to me!

But, I'm limiting this to three (and lawd that really was NOT easy) lol

When I closed my eyes and thought of the last year in fics, this is what came to my mind...

One...

@alj4890 - Seriously, I feel she is a writer who deserves so much more love than she gets. And, if y'all were smart, you'd take the time to change that in 2024! I love the passion that she has for every one of her pairings, even though she knows my favorite will always be Tobias x Chris (OH). Whether being light and witty or delving into deep emotion, your fics are always touching and beautifully written. I'm excited whenever I get a tag from you! Some of my favorites in 2023 were Visceral Reaction, Holding On, Nope (I had to give Trystan x Cameron some love, too!) and you know I was just crazy about The Wake. What a great concept! But I wouldn't be mad if you got back to Mixed Signals. Selfishly, I hope 2024 brings you more time to write, but honestly, I just hope it brings you joy!

Two...

2023 will always be the year that I fell in love with Crimes of Passion, and with that, I discovered another corner of our community and the many talented writers within it. I will forever bow to the queen of Crimes fics (yes, you @inlocusmads - there needs not to be a vote; it has been decreed! And New York, June 2014 was one of the first things that came to my mind when recalling this year's fics!) I got to learn about some writers I was not familiar with previously (shout out to @shreyamistry - your Trystan x M!MC Fanfic lives on in my mind, and I'm always hoping for a follow-up!) It gave me the opportunity to see some of my old favorites soar in a different place (hello @storyofmychoices @trappedinfanfiction and @lilyoffandoms - Lily, can we please have more Trystan x Gabriel all day every day??? PLEASE). And it did something I love more than anything: it allowed us all to see new creators step up and share their love and talent with us, and right now, I'm looking at @stars-are-within-me and @moominofthevalley Crimes wouldn't have been as enjoyable without you. @stars-are-within-me, I appreciated you taking the time to give us parts of the story that Pixelberry failed to address. In my opinion, the best was The Favorite Brother, and I may be a little biased, but I loved the beautiful trio of stories you wrote for me in the Secret Santa (Airport, Angel, and Cookies). You're so supportive of everyone, I'm so glad you're a part of our fandom! @moominofthevalley your writing is just beautiful, and I have found myself lost in your Trystan x Emily stories on so many occasions. It's hard to pick a favorite, but Heavy is Her Heart , The Girl With The Glass, and Turpentine stick out in my mind. You are masterful in conveying emotion, and these fics are perfect examples of that.

Three...

(You see how I cheated here, sort of? lol) I will never be able to look back on 2023 and NOT think of the hijinx of Ethan x Merida, Bryce x Olivia, and Tobias x Casey. They wouldn't have been possible if not for the vision and talent of the incomparable @lilyoffandoms and @storyofmychoices. Sure, "they" were born in the end of 2022, but they grew up in 2023! The way I smile when whenever I see a notification for another story with our babies! I love every single one of their shenanigans, but two that stand out to me were Mystery Unlocked by @storyofmychoices and When Husbands Become Prey by @lilyoffandoms (the way I CACKLED when I saw that title! lol). These six were a highlight of 2023, and I know there is much more to look forward to this year! Love you both, and love our babies!

And four... because I be like that lol

I can't not mention @mydemonsdrivealimo because 2023 was the year of Jensen in my book. And while I loved your works from earlier this year (looking at you Your Love and What I'm Becoming), I have to admit, Halloween owns me... and not jus because of the connection to Noah. lol Your descriptive writing and the way you convey painful emotions are just brilliant.

Thank you to each and every one of you for bringing a smile to our faces or tears to our eyes this year, and thank you for helping the fandom move along! ❤️

@choicesfandomappreciation

[alj4890]

Snowed In

(Maxwell Beaumont x Olivia Nevrakis) in a TRR Christmas One Shot from the series Can't Take My Eyes Off of You

Song Inspiration: I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Dean Martin

A/N Hello again! I think I might be back for good or at least will try to be back 🤦🏻‍♀️. The writer's block that has been keeping me away along with life has been slowly killing me. But look! Sound the alarms! I finally wrote something! I will get back to this crackship series starring these two and their complicated love story. For the time being though, here is a glimpse into the future and their first Christmas together as requested by @angelasscribbles It is chock full of fluff for the holidays.

Masterlist

December 21st, Lythikos, Cordonia...

The holidays were, in a word, complicated.

Olivia had spent the majority of her life alone with nothing more than a special meal prepared by good natured servants and a single gift sent over from her aunt. The gift wasn't something one would expect for a little girl/young woman. It was usually a reminder of the Nevrakis illustrious past, one meant to instill the rather harsh, no sentimentality allowed frame of mind.

And let's not get into what the brief time with her parents had done to her.

There was the one precious year Olivia spent Christmas with Liam and the Royal family. Queen Eleanor made certain the newly orphaned duchess received more child appropriate gifts such as a new doll holding a felt sword, a miniature porcelain tea set, and a leather bound collection of fantasy children stories. Olivia was encouraged to help Liam decorate a Christmas tree in the palace nursery and then put frosting on freshly baked Christmas cookies. The pair sat before their tree, eating their creations, and made plans for spending the next day playing in the snow.

It had been the closest to a perfect Christmas Olivia had ever experienced.

When little Olivia shared what all had occurred that particular holiday, Lucretia was beyond livid that the commoner queen was setting her niece up on a path of ruin with useless gifts and experiences. How was she to one day rule the country with an upbringing that included such ridiculous traditions?

It didn't matter. The following summer, Queen Eleanor was dead and Constantine sent Olivia back to Lythikos to remain under the strict supervision of her servants and a nanny he personally hired. They were tasked to keep the duchess healthy and schooled.

Nothing was ever mentioned or demanded that she also be made happy.

Life went on. Olivia learned to sneer and roll her eyes whenever she heard her peers gush over their holiday plans with family and loved ones. Christmas was nothing more than another day of the year. She had little time and even less patience to remain in conversation with the lot once December first rolled around.

She did allow a tree to be decorated in the main hall and accepted the traditional Lythikos Christmas Eve dinner of a turkey basted in their specially brewed Skull Cracker Ale with all the trimmings. Other than those two concessions, she ignored the holiday as much as she could.

She made certain though that her people had all they deserved during the Christmas season. The local orphanage was sent a shipment of toys that would put Santa to shame. Lythikos General Hospital also received gifts for not only their children's ward, but for each patient stuck there during the holidays. Any family/person struggling financially was gifted a tree and traditional meal.

It was, she decided, her duty to take care of these needs herself. After all, she was supposed to make certain her people thrived. For some odd reason she never quite understood, having a good holiday helped people look forward to a prosperous year. Who was she to question it?

Though she had the satisfaction of taking care of these minor needs, the Christmas following Liam's coronation and marriage was more difficult for Olivia to face.

Alone.

It was baffling that she'd become close to Liam's new bride, Riley. It was even more mind blowing that she'd also become friends with Hana and Drake. Riley and Hana were once her competition and she was convinced that Drake was Satan himself, but somehow she'd come to care for them.

Then...there was Maxwell.

One could only shake their head over the fact that Cordonia's most fun loving lord had been harboring a love so deep for the icy duchess that rivaled that of the new king's for his queen.

Jaws were still on the floor from the realization that she, Olivia Nevrakis, the very woman who made people tremble with fear of her waspish tongue and ability with a dagger, happened to have lost her heart to Maxwell Beaumont as well.

"It's been an odd year." Olivia muttered as she gazed out her window at the snowy landscape.

Even odder still was the fact that she was somewhat depressed. With the amount of snow falling, roads would soon be closed leading in and out of Lythikos. No one would be able to drop by for a visit.

No one at all.

"It isn't like I've never spent Christmas alone." She grumbled, turning away from her window. "What's one more year?"

But...

It did matter. There'd been talk of her new group of friends coming to snow ski and spend New Year's Eve together in her home.

Maxwell hadn't mentioned if he'd planned to spend Christmas with her. She hadn't asked him to. She only assumed he might since he bragged about the surprise gift he planned to give her.

Now though, the mail wouldn't even be able to get through to deliver it.

Olivia glanced over at her Christmas tree. One lone gift sat under it. She grimaced somewhat that she spent not only time but a great deal of thought in finding the perfect gift for Maxwell. Instead of allowing her servants to wrap it like she normally would have, she'd personally wrapped it herself.

Lost in thought of not being able to give it to him on Christmas Day, she jumped in surprise when the wind picked up out her window. A typical Lythikos blizzard was revving up with the immense power that usually left her in awe. Now, it made her heart drop even more in disappointment.

Christmas was going to be another lonely day after all.

**************

December 24th...

Snow continued to fall. The providence had already received well over four feet of snow. Temperatures dropped to dangerously low readings, keeping everyone within the cozy confines of their homes.

Olivia glared at her phone. It'd been nearly a week since she'd last spoken to Maxwell. He'd been in California for most of the month speaking to Hollywood execs about turning his best selling novel into a movie. Though she was secretly proud of him for such an accomplishment (especially since he wrote her so flatteringly), she also wanted to strike him down with all her might for not even sparing her a moment for a simple phone call.

He's the one insisting we do all the normal couple things! Isn't wishing a Merry Christmas to the one you supposedly love fall somewhere on that list?

I wouldn't answer the phone now if he did call. In fact, I don't think I'll EVER answer another call or text of his again. He can go straight to---

Olivia's eyes widened when she heard an unusual pounding coming from her front door. She knew that no true Lythikosian would step foot from their fireplaces in this weather. Death would greet that level of stupidity.

Setting her steamy cup of nog aside, she went to see what fool would dare be outside.

She should have known only her fool would do so.

Maxwell dashed past her and began to stomp the snow off his boots.

He was covered from head to toe in ice and snow. Shivering, he began to peel off the layers that were partially frozen to one another after dropping a caked in snow suitcase on the floor.

"It's cold out there." He told her with teeth chattering.

Olivia blinked a few times. She glanced back and forth between him and her door.

"How in the--What are you doing here?" She managed to say.

Maxwell paused in rubbing his numb hands together.

"It's Christmas." He told her.

"Yeah, I know." She placed her hands on her hips. "But there is a blizzard out there."

"Yeah, I know." Maxwell mimicked with a grin. "That's why I almost turned into a popsicle."

He grinned at her on his way towards her fireplace.

Shivering even more violently, he got as close as he could to the crackling flames without catching on fire.

Olivia followed after him.

"How did you get here?" She demanded.

"That journey is worthy of an Epic Poem." He began to rotate, letting each side of his body slowly thaw with the welcoming heat.

Olivia groaned. She wasn't in the mood for this type of conversation.

"Plane ride from L.A. to New York." He began. "Then onto London. I couldn't get a flight out of London to here because of the weather. Not wanting to wait, I decided to travel by train as close as I could. Train rides from there to Barcelona, then onto Rome. Don't ask me how many trains I had to change. I lost count after five. Then, I rented a car and drove the rest of the way."

He ended his explanation with a shrug then turned back to face the fireplace.

"But the roads and bridges are closed!" Olivia exclaimed.

"It's amazing how easy it is to move those barricades." He quipped over his shoulder.

"Okay, but there was no car outside." She reminded him.

"It couldn't make it up the mountain to your duchy." He turned back around to face her. "So, I walked."

"You walked?" Her eyes narrowed. "You walked in a blizzard up this mountain knowing you could slip off or freeze to death?!"

"Yep." He grinned at her. "It wasn't too bad."

Olivia walked up to him, gripped his shirt, and gave him a hard shake "YOU IDIOT! You could have died out there and we wouldn't have found your body! I wouldn't have known to look for you because you haven't called me in a week!"

"I tried to call." He explained. "But it kept going directly to voicemail."

She paused in berating him. "It did what?"

"I've been calling and texting all week. I checked with Liam when I couldn't get a hold of you and he told me the towers and phone lines were down in this region due to the weather."

Olivia's hands dropped from him.

"Oh." She mumbled.

Maxwell leaned down a little bit to study her face. "Did you honestly think I wouldn't make certain to spend Christmas with you?"

"I..." She folded her arms across her chest, averting her eyes from his.

The last thing she wanted was to reveal not only how vulnerable she'd been since they'd gotten together nor the fact he made her feel depressed with the thought of being unable to be with him on Christmas.

"I thought you would stay at Ramsford." She straightened her shoulders. "After all, this is the first Christmas with Savannah and Bartie."

"That's Bertrand's family." Maxwell reminded her.

"They're yours too." Olivia argued.

"Christmas is about being with the ones you love." Maxwell explained. "And you happen to top my list."

Olivia bit back scoffing at something so eye rolling sweet that she needed to hear from him.

He slipped his arms around her waist, tugging her close. He tilted his head down, resting his forehead against hers. His cold nose rubbed against her own, reminding her of how cold he still was.

"Let me get you a cup of nog." She took a step back, pausing when he tightened his arms around her.

"Wait." He softly pleaded. "All I've thought about since I left you was this."

Olivia moved closer within his embrace, arguing with herself she was only doing it to help him warm up. Surely she wasn't doing it because she'd missed being held in his arms.

He hugged her, sighing over how good it felt to have her near again. Nudging her chin up, he pressed a tender kiss to her lips.

"I've missed you." He murmured between heated kisses.

"I missed you, too." She admitted with a resigned shrug.

His delighted, dimpled smile over her words brought an all too familiar fluttering to her stomach.

She pulled away, keeping her hand in his, and tugged him over to a nearby couch. She prepared him a hot cup of Nog and covered him with a blanket.

He insisted she sit close against him for warmth.

"I'll use any excuse I can to have you near." He teased.

Olivia snorted, unable to stop her smile from forming.

She rested her head on his shoulder, tucking herself within his side.

As she readjusted, she felt something hard against her hip.

"Almost forgot." He mumbled, digging into his pants pocket.

He pulled out a little blue box with a white bow.

"Merry Christmas!"

Olivia merely stared at it.

"Don't you want to open it?" Maxwell asked.

"Of course, but I thought we would wait until Christmas morning to exchange gifts." She explained.

"I can't wait! Plus I'm pretty sure it's Christmas Day somewhere in the world. Probably Australia." He placed the box in her lap. "This is something I promised you during Liam and Madeleine's engagement tour."

Olivia stilled in the midst of opening the box. Her thoughts drifted back to those tense months of trying to find out who had threatened both Riley and herself. She knew the night she reappeared in Venice was when the promise he was talking about was made.

"When this is over, I'm going to ask you a question." Maxwell told her as they stood on the Ponte degli Scalzi. "One that will once and for all decide the future for us."

She untied the ribbon and allowed the small velvet box to drop in her hand. Taking a deep breath, she cracked it open.

There sitting amongst the cushion was a ruby ring surrounded by a halo of diamonds.

"Maxwell?" She breathed, carefully lifting the ring out of the box.

"I want to spend every holiday with you." He replied. "And all the days in between."

She looked up at him. The vulnerability in his expression made her own seem not so silly.

"Will you let me?" He asked. "You already know I've been in love with you since I was seven. Don't you think it's about time you put me out of my misery and marry---"

"I will." She declared, cutting off his proposal.

He swooped in to kiss her, knocking the ring out of her hands.

"Wait!" She said in the midst of a laugh. "I don't want to lose it."

"Who cares?" He kissed her again. "I'll buy you all the replacements you need for my impulsive behavior."

"Yes, but I want that one." She mumbled against his lips.

He groaned, pulling away to find her ring.

He got down on his knees and found it under the couch. Grinning at her, he slid it over her ring finger.

She held her hand up to admire it, watching the firelight set the precious stones aglow.

Maxwell cleared his throat and lifted an eyebrow in expectation.

Olivia's eyes widened. "Your gift! It's--"

"You." He climbed back on the couch, covering her with his body. "You officially agreeing to marry me is the best gift ever."

Olivia pulled him down for a deep kiss. "You know? I actually did buy you a present."

"Thank you." He kissed her again. "But it will never beat this one."

[alj4890]

😭 This is by far one of the best birthday presents 😍 To see Maxwell all revved up to go save the love of his life ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

I LOVE how he doesn't care about anything except Riley. His father, Bertrand, the country, his own safety can all go to blazes. She is the most important thing in his life and he will not rest until he has her safely back within his arms. Sigh. That's a real hero right there.

His reasons for going are exactly what canon Maxwell would use. He loves her and she loves him. His trust in her never wavers though there is clearly a history of her "acting out" with his father and brother. But he knows the truth

I can't wait to see them reunited. I know she has a bond with Liam and Drake, and I do love them, but nah, Maxwell deserves the girl's heart first 🤣 I'll happily die on any hill that makes sure Maxwell gets a happy ending 😂

Thank you so much for this. Honestly, I can't wait to see how this love story with Riley, Maxwell, Liam, and Drake evolves. I know there will be many twists and turns and I am here for all of it! For all of the guys, all I can say is

As for Maxwell right now, I can just imagine him rallying the troops for what he considers the most important battle of his life.

The Dark Kingdom Chapter 8: Man on a Mission

Series: The Dark Kingdom

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Riley x Max (although only Max appears in this chapter)

Word Count: 1,115

Rating: MA

Warnings for this series: mature themes

A/N: This idea was born from this ask I sent @alj4890. A flicker of an idea sprang into my head and over the next few days it just kept growing, so here you are, Max on fire. Happy belated Birthday!

My other stuff: Master List.

Maxwell Beaumont strode through the palace corridors on a mission. Two years shy of three decades of life, he was ready to settle down and take his rightful place as the heir to Ramsford. His brother would ascend the throne when their father stepped down, leaving Max to pick up the mantle of duke.

Russet brown hair framed a rounded face. Bright cobalt blue eyes that usually danced with good humor were solemn and ladened with worry as his five-foot-eleven frame barreled down the hallways without regard to the servants that scattered and dove out of his way.

He had to get to her.

Having just returned from Ramsford on Beaumont family business, the snippets of rumors and conversations that had made their way to his ears were troublesome at best.

“Maxwell, wait!” His brother bellowed as he chased after him.

The younger man ignored him, laser focused on his destination.

“Max, come on!” Bertrand heaved as he finally caught up. “She’s just run away again, like she’s done before. She’ll be back.”

“No,” his head shook vehemently back and forth, “She would not run away, not now!”

“Max. This wouldn’t be the first time—”

He stopped outside her door and spun on his brother. “I just saw her two days ago, Bert. We made plans! She did not run away!”

“What kind of plans?” Bertrand demanded.

A bit of the fury eased out of him as he replied, “Marriage plans.”

“Marriage?” Bertrand yelped as he stumbled back, “She’s practically our sister!”

“She’s not. And I didn’t grow up with her thanks to our father sending me away.”

“He merely wanted to ensure that you received the best education that—”

“Bullshit! I look too much like our mother, and I wasn’t stoic enough for the old man. I showed my grief and since he couldn’t show his own, he couldn’t stomach mine! That’s why he sent me away!” He turned back to bang on the door. “Riley! Riley! Open the door!”

“I’m telling you, she’s not—”

The door swung open to reveal not Riley, but a skittish young maid, “Your Highness?”

He pushed past her into the room. “Where is she?”

“G-gone, sir.” The maid squeaked out.

He whirled on her. “Gone where?”

She jumped, tears welling in her eyes, “I-I don’t know, sir.”

An older woman with steel gray hair inserted herself between them. “Young master, please, it’s not the girl’s fault.”

Max’s rage ticked down a notch or two as he took in the familiar head of housekeeping. “I know.” His eyes flicked back to the girl. “I’m sorry.” His attention returned to Matilda. “Is it true? Did she run away again?”

Riley had been a troubled child. Max knew nothing about her past prior to his parents taking her in. Riley herself couldn’t remember anything. She had seemed happy enough when Annabelle was alive. A year or so after the queen’s death, something had changed. Everyone chalked it up to grief. Riley had become withdrawn, jumpy and prone to bouts of depression. At thirteen she had run away for the first time.

But she was a grown woman now. A woman that he had fallen in love with. Deeply, madly, head over heels in love with. She had assured him she felt the same. She had agreed to marry him. They had made plans. They’d discussed the future, the colors for the wedding, possible names for their theoretical children.

There was nothing in him that would believe she had voluntarily left without telling him anything.

“You’re wasting your time.” His brother said from the doorway, shaking his head.

He opened his mouth to respond, but the words died on his lips as his eyes fell on the sheets that had just been stripped from the bed. He surged over to the pile of laundry and snatched a pillowcase from the top. “Is this blood?”

“Probably from her hair.”

“What?”

“She pulled out a chunk of her own hair.” Matilda pointed to the trashcan.

Max dumped the contents of the can onto the floor, revealing a hank of bloody hair. He held it up, his body shaking as he demanded, “You think she did this to herself?”

“The king said that Lady Riley is prone to—”

“I don’t give a fucking damn what that old bastard said! She didn’t do this to herself!”

Matilda took a step back. She had been a maid in the royal household most of her adult life and she had never seen Maxwell angry, much less in the grips of a blind rage. “But sir… who within these walls would dare—”

The younger maid whispered, eyes wide, “The Esseri…”

“What?” Max gave her his full attention. “What did you just say?”

“The Esseri, sir…vampires—”

“Don’t be ludicrous!” Bertrand scoffed.

“Shut up, Bert! I want to hear what she has to say.” He dropped the hair and crossed the room to stand in front of her. “What do you know?”

“N-nothing! Just that the soldiers say her trail crossed the partition, but the dogs and horses refused to follow.”

Icy dread clawed at his stomach. It made sense. Who else could get past palace security? Who else could carry a grown woman out of the capital right under the noses of the King’s Guard? Who else could, or would, cross the partition? Turning in horror to his brother, he uttered, “They took her!”

“Max, we don’t know that!”

“They took her, Bert! No one saw or heard a thing! The dogs tracked her to the partition! What more proof do you need? Send a detachment into the Black Spire Mountains, now!”

“Don’t be ridiculous. That would break the treaty. Based on absolutely nothing! She ran away, gave them the slip—”

“Bertrand.... Please!”

“Even if I wanted to, father would never agree—”

“Fine. I’ll do it myself. Move!” Maxwell pushed past his brother, shoving him back into the wall as he went.

“What? No!” Bertrand regained his balance and flew down the hall after his brother in panic, determined to stop him from undertaking a suicide mission. One that was sure to plunge the country into war, no less.

It was to no avail. He had never seen Maxwell move so fast. He gave up the chase and instead veered off a side hallway that looped back to the wing housing the king’s offices. Perhaps their father could talk sense into him.

But it was too late. By the time the king gave the order to stand down, a detachment of soldiers had already left with the young prince, marching headlong toward the black spire mountains, the Esseri, and almost certain death.

[alj4890]

Well it would appear that I completely missed your birthday

But hopefully a bunch of GIFy goodness in your ask box will make up for it at least a little bit, Even if it is late.

Okay maybe an honor of your birthday I will brush off the dark kingdom and try to get a new chapter out how about that?

Oh! Yes I do have an idea. No promises how soon I'll get it out but how about a Max bonus chapter for the dark kingdom? Yes it's time to see what's going on back in Cordonia.....

Oh ok ok, it's going to be even later but it is in process now because it is brewing in my brain! (I literally had the idea right as I was typing this out)

Okay have a happy random Saturday!!!!

No need to worry. I forgot about it too with all that's been going on 🤣 Thank you so much for the giphy sweetness ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I will NEVER EVER say no to a Maxwell fic. Love him to pieces and can't wait to see what you have in store for him.

[alj4890]

Thank you @trappedinfanfiction ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ 🥹 You are always so sweet with your comments 🤗Thank you for putting up with my too many to count fics of Thomas Hunt falling in love with the same woman over and over and over again 🤣 I have more plans for our favorite director and more for Tobias and Ethan and their chosen loves. If my brain and schedule will cooperate, hopefully I can post them soon 😉

At the end of @choicesfandomappreciation Spread Kindness Event: Let's celebrate Writer's day!

This one will be long, so bear with me (I am so sorry to anyone I am forgetting, because I just know I will)

@alj4890 One of my favorite Hunt writers and now moving into the Ethan and Tobias world. Let's just say, I love everything you write. I can read a hundred versions of the same 2 people meeting and never get tired (as you know) because no matter the setting and situation, you do it so masterfully! Can't wait to see what the new year will bring ❤️ masterlist

@cariantha You arrived into this fandom and just took everyone by storm. Your writing is just amazing and you have me hooked from the first word in every single fic! You're just amazing, and I am looking forward to every notification telling me we have more Ethan and Sawyer ❤️ masterlist

@inlocusmads Mads. You have such a unique style, and it's amazing to read and such a breath of fresh air in between everything else. I love all your characters, Nora, Jane, Maura... all of them, and I hope you will continue to share them with us for a long while ❤️ masterlist

@jamespotterthefirst Bree, where do I begin? I have followed your Lilac and Ethan for years, and I never get tired of them. Even if it's just an edit I will "eat" it all, lmao! Your style is just *chefs kiss* and no matter what you write I know I will love it ❤️ masterlist

@jerzwriter OH, WtD, Crimes... If someone wants something to read, your works are certainly the place to start! And thank you (?) for making me fall for Tobias. I never expected it to happen, but you did it. You know I will be here until "lights out" and I am keeping you here with me because I need to know the stories of your characters, lol ❤️ masterlist

@liaromancewriter If you need fluff, this is the place to go! Though you have a few heartbreaking pieces in there. But no matter what, your fics are the ultimate pick-me-up after a bad day, and you have made me absolutely fall in love with Maxenna (they are basically canon, lol) ❤️ Casey x Ethan / Maxenna

@lilyoffandoms You might have hidden your masterlist earlier, but I found it now and will share it here because you are an amazing writer! I might not have read everything of yours, which is a total shame, but no matter the book/series and characters, everything you touch becomes masterpieces and you deserve all the love you get ❤️ masterlist

@storyofmychoices / @theartoflovingthomashunt Dani! From your fics, the events and the positive messages you send out, you are just one of the greatest people I know, and you deserve to be highlighted. You write for so many books and characters, I have no idea how you handle it, but all your work is just amazing and no matter what I just know I will like every single one of them when I get a notification. I hope you have gotten a lot of love this week, because you deserve it so much for everything you do ❤️ masterlist

@takeharryandgo Lastly, I can't forget about Meredith and Ethan. I never actually know what to expect when I get a notification from you, but I never ever get disappointed. You are such a talented writer, and I hope you know I am always looking forward to a new fic with these two ❤️ masterlist

[alj4890]

As I try and get my rear end back into the swing of writing again, I would love to do a few challenges for this one. Holiday movies (pretty much any type of movie) are my weakness in life. If anyone has a pairing of mine they'd love to see featured in one. I'll do my best to try and get it done during this holiday event ♥️

Rewrite Challenge Holiday Edition!

The Rewrite Challenge was so popular and so many people expressed an interest in doing it again, that I thought we could do another one, but with a twist: The TV show, book or movie you pick your scene from must be holiday themed!

The rules are simple:

Pick a scene from a book, movie, or TV show with a holiday theme.

Rewrite it using your characters

Tell us in the header what book/show/movie you're using as well as what fandom your characters are from.

Tag @choicesprompts <- This part is very important! It ensures that your story gets seen, reblogged, and added to the master list at the end of the event.

Use the hashtags #choicesprompts, #rewritechallenge and #holidayedition

Post/submit by the deadline, which is January 5th, 2024 11:59 p.m. CST

That's it! This is open to ALL choices fandoms!

Go forth, create, and be great!!!

Tagging the general choices prompts interest list under the cut.

@dcbbw @bebepac @karahalloway @harleybeaumont

@twinkleallnight  @missameliep @jerzwriter @twinkle-320 @aussiegurl1234

@argylemnwrites @katedrakeohd @peonierose @sillydg

@choicesficwriterscreations

@choicesmonthlychallenge

[alj4890]

🥹 If anyone should be appreciated, then it is you @jerzwriter 🤗 This was a lovely surprise to come back to after being away with sickness and life being busy. I'm so happy you love my Tobias and Chris. I do too (I'd love that man being with anyone doing anything 😉😂) and yes, I promise to have more of them soon.

This fic of Tobias and Chris is my favorite as well. I was agonizing over the best way to do this particular prompt for your Tobias Appreciation week 🤣 I deleted so many rough drafts of different stories of him and Chris. Then around three in the morning this idea struck and I knew I'd finally hit the right one. Totally worth the lack of sleep 😂

Thank you for your encouragement, your own incredible talent, and for being a fellow Tobias nut who completely understands my frustrations with Ethan 🤣 ♥️♥️♥️

The Wake

(Tobias Carrick x F!MC) in a Choices Open Heart drabble for Day 5 for Tobias Carrick Appreciation Week

A/N I've written and deleted so many different scenarios for this day's prompt 🤦🏻‍♀️ Here's my latest so I can finally get some sleep 😂 For reference purposes, in this short drabble Tobias and Chris have been dating for about four or five months at this point.

@tobias-carrick-appreciation-week @jerzwriter @hopelessromantic1352 @choicesficwriterscreations

Rating: G for fluff

Masterlist

At a bar near Mass Kenmore...

"What reason did you give your roommates for going out tonight?" Tobias asked.

"I told them I needed to remember why I chose Boston and to think about whether or not I want to remain here after exams." Chris explained.

"Sienna offered to come along, but I told her I needed some alone time tonight. It didn't take much effort to convince her once she heard Ethan barking orders at me to go check on some MRI results while Zaid was yelling at me to do something with my intern."

She nodded her thanks to the bartender and took a long sip of the whiskey sour he set before her.

Tobias draped his arm along the back of her stool, scooting closer to her.

"Would you like to work in some city other than Boston?"

Chris set her drink down. She placed her hand on his thigh and leaned towards him.

"I have a few reasons for wanting to stay here."

Tobias's lips curved as he moved even closer. "Care to elaborate?"

"Well," she licked her lips, "I really really love," her eyes met his, "The Patriots."

He groaned on a laugh as she kissed him.

"You're a cruel woman, Chris Valentine." He muttered against her lips.

"I'll make it up to you." She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"You'll have a lot to make up for." He placed his hand over his heart. "That one cut to the quick, especially since I've planned some romantic moments for us this evening."

"You did?" She placed a lingering kiss against his neck. "That's why you're one of my main reasons for staying here in Boston."

"I better be." He teased, capturing her lips in a deep kiss.

"Can't you two take that somewhere else?"

Tobias broke away to glare over his shoulder.

"Some of us are trying to drown our current sorrows of loneliness." His fellow doctor and friend, Will Kent, teased as he sat down on Tobias's other side. "Not have any more reasons to be depressed."

"Sorry Will." Chris said with a giggle.

"I don't blame you, Chris." Will leaned over to wink at her. "Some men simply have no self-control around beautiful women."

"If we're bothering you," Tobias told him, "there are other places to sit." His smile grew flirty towards Chris. "With how I'm feeling, you might need to go to a bar across town."

"Good god man." Their other friend, Dean Kaminski said, settling down beside Chris. "Keep it in your pants until you get home."

Chris snorted in her laughter as the three bantered back and forth.

"When do you two leave for your date?" Will asked.

"We should probably leave in an hour." Chris replied.

"Where are you going?" Dean prodded. "Tobias won't give us any details."

"You won't?" She turned back towards him.

"Hell no." Tobias explained. "And take the chance on them following us?" He playfully shivered. "That's one way to kill the--"

"Romance." Dean and Will finished for him.

"I don't know what you did to our boy, Chris." Will shook his head in mock pity.

"But all he does now is look for ways to express, I can't believe I'm saying this, his feelings." Dean made a gagging sound.

"Another round!" Will demanded of the bartender. "We're in mourning."

"Oh, for the love of all that is holy." Tobias grumbled, rolling his eyes.

"We gather here to remember the man, the myth, the legend." Will began his eulogy.

"Laying it on a little thick." Dean told him.

"Right. Sorry." Will dabbed at the nonexistent tears in his eyes with a cocktail napkin. "I'm too overcome with grief."

"I got this." Dean cleared his throat. "We gather here to drink one last time to our friend, Tobias. A carefree lady's man brought down in his prime by a--"

"Careful." Chris warned with a twinkle in her eye.

Dean winked at her. "Brought down in his prime by a woman who really should have ended up with either Will or me."

"We are the better looking ones." Will pointed out to her.

"And much more charming and appreciative of Chris's assets." Dean continued.

"They mean your ass." Tobias whispered to her.

Chris shook with her building laughter.

"We shall miss the man who once beat us to the tennis courts every Friday morning." Dean lifted his glass. "Now he's late because of a certain someone, though she has become an excellent doubles partner."

"To the man who was always ready to spend Sundays out on the bay fishing." Will added. "Now he plans brunches of all ungodly things for a certain gorgeous doctor before joining us for a few hours. Then the poor man hurries home to make dinner for that same someone when she finishes her shift."

"To the man who once used us as his wingmen to pick up anything that walked by." Dean said in a mournful tone.

"Hey!" Tobias shook his head. "I did not pick up anything that walked by."

"He's right, you know." Will said over to Dean.

"Allow me to clarify. I meant to say that he picked up anything that walked, ran, sat down, fell asleep--"

"We get the gist." Chris said, settling back in Tobias's arms, thoroughly enjoying their performance.

"Ahem. Now where was I?" Dean smiled at them. "To Tobias!"

Chris and Will raised their drinks with Dean then knocked them back.

"Funny." Tobias drily remarked. "On that note, it's time I departed this den of iniquity." He tugged Chris with him. "And leave you to your sorrow."

"Can the dead man really take our only female companion with him?" Will teased.

"He can." Chris patted his shoulder. "Which gives you a chance to hit on the brunette who's been looking over here ever since you sat down."

"Really?" Will found who she was talking about. "And look at that? She's got a friend." He wrapped an arm around Dean's shoulders. "Mourning will have to wait. We have a target acquired."

Tobias took advantage of their distraction to slip out of the bar. He tugged Chris over to a darkened corner and pressed her up against the wall.

"Are you mourning your sad fate too?" Chris asked, her breath hitched as his hand moved up her body.

"Do I look like a man who's sad?" His lips drifted along the sensitive spots of her neck, pausing to suck right where her pulse leaped to his touch.

"You certainly don't feel sad." Chris gasped as he pressed his body flush to hers.

His lips curved as he teased her lips. "How do I feel?"

"You feel like a man who's going to make me scream his name." She whispered.

Tobias slammed his mouth against hers, cradling her head to keep from hitting the rough brick wall.

She lifted her legs, linking them around his hips.

Tobias slowly ended the kiss, smiling at her befuddled expression.

"It's moments like this why I'm glad the old me is dead."

Chris slowly smiled, pulling him back down for a soft, tender kiss.

"Me too." A heartfelt sigh slipped out. "I've never been happier at a wake."

[alj4890]

Update Time 😬

No. Seriously. I am the worst.

I had all these promised series, drabbles, requests to be answered and nothing has happened. Well, technically there has been stuff happening but it's mostly daydreaming, typing, then furiously deleting all I write 🤦🏻‍♀️

I think my brain has failed me yet again. It isn't so much writer's block now like it has been. Mostly, I keep thinking up some changes to everything I work on, which ends up throwing my planned storylines completely out of whack. Then this set of circumstances throws me off on responding to comments and messages and I end up agonizing over the whole mess that is now my drafts folder, mailbox, and Tumblr blog.

So what is the purpose of this post instead of just saying yes I'm alive and I promise to come back on a regular basis? Mostly it is to let you know I don't mean to ignore the messages and tags. Right now, I'm stuck in my head space along with dealing with my everyday life and I'm trying to wade through it all.

And the frustrations of not finishing anything I sit down to do is really, really, REALLY getting to me. But, that's life. Or my life at the moment 😑

So, what else can I share? I do have unfinished pieces written for my three current series Mixed Signals, Worth the Wait, and Can't Take My Eyes Off of You. All three are starting to have big moments which means I have to make this right. I have half finished drabble requests. I have a folder filled with ideas for future series and drabbles. And I have enough images to choke a horse to match each one.

I'm going to try to have some new stuff this week. I am. Will I succeed? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Your guess is as good as mine at this point. But, there is more coming. It will either be new stories or more whining 😂😳😟😭

Anyway. Take care dear ones. Hopefully I'll be back, respond in a more timely fashion, and be able to post something I'm pleased with ♥️

--Amanda

[alj4890]

Hi I have a Halloween prompt for you. Please feel free to use it if it inspires, and ignore it if it doesn't! 🎃(Any pairing, though you know... lol)

"I'm not going in there."

"What? It's just a Haunted House. Kids are going in."

"I'm sorry, but nope!"

😂 Oh goodness @jerzwriter . This prompt has been my response to any haunted house attraction. I am the biggest weenie out there. When I saw this Halloween inspired request (which I love) I immediately thought of Trystan and Cameron. So for this, I'm having our newly abdicated crown prince and his favorite detective spending an autumn evening deciding what to do for date night. This also goes along with @choicesprompts flufftober prompt of an embarrassing secret revealed.

Thanks again @jerzwriter for this. It helped pull me out of my writer's block ♥️

Masterlist

Nope

"So?" Cameron prodded. "What are we doing tonight?"

"Whatever you'd like." Trystan twined his fingers with hers as they walked down the sidewalk. "Other than having dinner with you, I'd like nothing more than to make this a normal date."

"You know," she teased, "nothing has ever been normal when you're added to the equation."

"That's what you love most about me." He winked at her as he brought their clasped hands to his lips.

Trystan brushed a tender kiss to her knuckles. Cameron normally would have scoffed at such a response but she was too happy at finally having the man she loved free and safe at her side. Nothing could possibly ruin their first night back in New York.

Trystan paused when he saw something that caught his eye.

"What is it?" Cameron tried to see what he was staring at.

A slow smile formed on his handsome lips.

"I think I found our next activity, love." He began to tug her along.

He couldn't help but notice that she seemed less than eager to cross the street.

"Trystan, why don't we do something else?" She pulled her hand out of his. "There's a ton of stuff a couple can do in New York."

"Like what?" He moved behind her and nudged her off the crosswalk.

"Um..." Cameron winced when she looked up at the building that changed every year into something absolutely dreadful. "Whatever you can think of, I'm sure it's here."

"I can't think of anything better to do on an autumn evening than a haunted house." Trystan slipped his arm around her waist and led her towards the line. "It's the perfect way to get the blood pumping."

"I can think of a more interactive way to get the blood pumping." Cameron cast a suggestive look his way. "If you catch my drift."

Trystan leaned down to kiss her. He stopped right before touching her parted lips, smiling at hearing her slight gasp.

"Trying to distract me from our night out as a couple, detective?"

Cameron grimaced over his seeing through her ruse. "No."

"Um Hmm." He chuckled. "We are going to have fun if it kills us." He captured her lips in a much too brief passionate kiss. "Then I plan on spending the rest of the night entwined with you."

Cameron felt heat spread throughout her body. As much as she wanted to distract him from taking her into a gimmicky Halloween attraction, she knew how significant tonight was for them. It was the first time they were able to be alone and have a real date. No sneaking around. No pretending to be just friends. No worries about someone trying to kill them.

She couldn't insist they escape back to one of their apartments.

But, she also knew she couldn't do a haunted house.

"Trystan, I'm not going in there."

"What?" He couldn't believe he'd heard her correctly.

Her voice actually had a slight tremble to it. It was an odd sound to say the least. He'd seen her defiantly dare crazed murderers to come at her. There was no way she could possibly be scared of some cheesey Halloween attraction.

"It's just a haunted house." He reminded her. "Kids are going in."

Cameron knew she sounded ridiculous. She also knew that she did not handle these types of man made scares well. There was only one thing she could do.

"I'm sorry, but nope!" She folded her arms across her chest and averted her eyes from her date's.

Trystan eyed her then the building.

"Why?"

Cameron ran her hands over her face. She hated that out of everything he could pick for them to do in New York, Trystan found the one thing she could not stomach. She also despised the fact that she would have to explain herself.

Can this get any worse?

"Look," she began with an irritated huff, "I don't do well in these things."

"What things?" Trystan asked.

She glared at him. "Haunted houses."

"Why?" He prodded once more.

"Oh my god!" She threw her hands up in frustration. "I'm a former cop! I might not carry a gun anymore but I do carry a taser."

"And?" Trystan still wasn't quite connecting this to her dislike of haunted houses.

"And I'm the person who whips out her weapon at anything that jumps out at me from the dark!" She snapped. "I don't have a flight mode, only a fight one."

Trystan tried to keep from laughing. He really, really tried.

He lasted all of three seconds.

Cameron glared at him while he wiped tears from his eyes.

"So what I'm gathering is..."he snorted with his laughter, "you might tase someone in there?"

"I hit people who jump out at me in these things." She mumbled. "I punched one guy out in a werewolf mask when he came up behind me and howled."

Trystan doubled over. He reached out to grasp her arm to help him remain upright as he laughed over her predicament.

"It isn't that funny." Cameron grumbled.

"It's hilarious!" He managed to get his laughter under control. "I never dreamed this night could be so perfect."

Cameron shook his hand off.

"Oh come on, love." He wrapped his arm around her. "Even you can see how funny it is."

"I don't think it's as funny as you seem to think it is." She mumbled, highly embarrassed."

Trystan began to guide her away from the attraction.

"You are the bravest person I know." He told her, squeezing her close. "To hear you have a weakness is not only surprising, but also gives me hope that perhaps one day I can be like you."

"Trystan," Cameron could feel herself blush over such praise, "you are incredibly brave. Look at all you've been through with your family alone."

"More like I had the flight of fight or flight when it concerned them." He reminded her. "It took knowing you and having you beside me to finally rise up to the challenge of fighting them head on."

She shook her head, wrapping her arm around his waist. She squeezed him tight in a side hug. It baffled her that he never saw the type of man he truly was.

"Would I want a partner who wasn't brave?" She asked.

"We both know my charm and persistence got me that coveted spot by your side." He reminded her.

Cameron laughed. "You might be Prince Charming, but that wasn't it."

"My handsome looks?" He asked.

"Nope."

"My fortune?" He continued.

"Not even close." She squeezed him again. "It was your refusal to leave me alone to face possible danger. You stayed by my side the whole time. That's why you are my partner and one of the many reasons why I love you so much."

"Cameron." He said softly, tipping her chin up for a kiss. "This is one of the many, many reasons why I love you."

"My kisses?" She teased.

He grinned, shaking his head. "You see me like no other."

They shared another tender kiss before continuing on down the street.

"Now," Trystan began again, "what shall we do since a haunted house is out?"

"We could go see a movie." Cameron offered. "That's a pretty normal date activity."

"Can it be a horror film?" Trystan asked with a hint of mischief. "I would like to scare the pants off of you tonight."

Cameron burst into laughter. "Sure. Those I can handle."

"Perfect." His smile grew. "I know just what to do once said pants are off."

[alj4890]

How does your characters celebrate Halloween?

This is a good question @kyra75 😂 I am all about the holiday fics/AU's so I've given this a lot of thought for some of the couples I've written for. I'll narrow the answer down to four of my pairs 😂

My OTP Thomas Hunt x OC have had a variety of Halloween adventures at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, watching horror movies, their daughter's first Halloween, Halloween parties, and even spending the night at the Winchester Home so that Thomas could get inspiration for an upcoming film; which usually end with my OC terrified 😂 She does not enjoy the scary evenings at all even though Thomas adores it.

For Tobias and Casey, I see them going all out costume wise, decorating their home as a haunted house, jump scaring each other, having the best treats, and just thoroughly enjoying themselves during the Halloween season. They would be the couple hosting the annual Halloween party for their friends and family.

For Ethan and Sophie, I see them as the low key couple. Sophie would make special autumn themed treats. Ethan would remark how silly he found people like Tobias and Casey still acting like children and how grateful he is that Sophie knows how to be an adult 😂 She'd tease him for being a grumpy pumpkin, then demand that they at least watch a horror movie on Halloween night while passing out goodies to any trick or treaters who stop by. Ethan would be a good sport about giving in to at least that much.

Since Maxwell and Olivia are one of my new otp's, I think that Olivia would indulge Maxwell's need to throw a costume party each season. Though she'd roll her eyes and think it is ridiculous, she'd give in to his urges to dress up and simply have fun. She would insist though in dressing up as Zenobia or one of her other impressive ancestors. No need for monsters or fictional characters for her, LOL.