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[frizz22]

Truths

Read full ficlet on AO3

Note: If, in some inexplicable turn of events, Garcia and Luke are in the same truth telling/confession style situation that Reid and JJ were in 14x15

“I was scared.” Penelope breathed, a tear slipping down her cheek as she uttered the words.

Luke tried to smile for her, reassure her. “I am too, it’s okay, Garcia, you can tell me anything.”

Head shaking, Penelope swallowed. “Not that, I mean, I am scared now, terrified,” her eyes flicked to the Unsub then away. “But what I’m telling you, my secret, was… I was scared. To give us a chance.” She added when his brow furrowed.

[frizz22]

We're Shitty People Ch. 11

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“I said, back up.” Oh, this had to be her; no one else would have hesitated. If it was any regular Wolf or Scar she would be dead already. This woman behind her couldn’t be anyone but Abby, because who else would have a specific axe to grind with them.

Slowly moving back, Tess kept her hands in front of her, trying to hide the fact that she pulled the brick from her pack.

They must’ve gotten sloppy at some point, beyond the lights, and left a clue as to where they were hiding. Pushing away the now useless thought, Tess took another step back. “You going to kill me like a fucking coward?” She glanced over her shoulder and swallowed a groan. Jesse hadn’t been kidding, that woman was built.

While Tess liked to think of herself as in shape and good in a fight, trying to take on this behemoth hand-to-hand would be laughable.

Her only option right now to keep Abby away from the kids was to distract, try to spur her into acting rashly, and hope Tess got lucky.

There was that fucking word again, hope. But Tess didn’t have a better plan.

[frizz22]

We’re Shitty People ch. 10

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Start at chapter 1

At what point, Tess wondered, were they doing more damage to themselves than to the people they wanted to hurt?

[frizz22]

Happily Ever…. Never

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She’d listened.

Oh, she might have shook her head, rolled her eyes, smirked, and waved off every movie reference… but she’d listened.

Listened to all the tropes he not-so-secretly loved, his favorite moments, lines, and ridiculous grand gestures.

And when a truth bomb forced her hand, forced her to acknowledge feelings, Rebecca used them all.

The ripping open of her heart and revealing the soft, aching insides. The asking—begging—him to stay. Offering solutions and options because Richmond was his home. Even showing up at the bloody fucking airport and waiting at the gate, having purchased a ticket in order to catch him.

And she’d gotten…. nothing in return.

Nothing.

A strained silence. A forced smile. A ‘thank you’ that felt lacking in every way. And, in hindsight, a hug that seemed more pitying than anything.

She’d listened; taken his favorite things to heart and tried to give them back, a grand display of her feelings, of how well she’d come to know him, love him, and then nothing.

It was that he had to reciprocate… Rebecca had just expected something. Any kind of reaction. And to be met with a lukewarm—at best— expression each time?

A sob rattled in her chest as she hurried out of the airport, ignoring the eyes tracking her as she all but dove into the backseat of the car.

Rebecca had finally realized she’d never have that Roy Kent endorsed ‘lightning’, but it didn’t bother her… because she had the sunshine that she’d come to associate as Ted.

Who needed tumultuous storms and quick burning flares, when you could have the steady warmth and care of the sun?

Well, apparently, she thought, tears sliding down her cheeks, she wouldn’t have sunshine either.

[frizz22]

We’re Shitty People Ch. 9

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It was as they were creeping through a house close to where the action was happening, that Ellie stopped so suddenly Tess ran into her. Before she could even scowl at the kid though, Ellie turned to her, beaming. “A bow!” She exclaimed, pointing to the corner of the room they just entered. Then her eyes widened, “dibs!” Scrambling over to the weapon, Ellie snatched it up quickly as if truly afraid Tess would race her for it.

Bemused, Tess snorted. “All you, kid, all you.” She patted Ellie on the shoulder as she moved deeper into the room to search for other supplies. “I never learned how to use a bow, not my speed.”

Ellie, clearly pleased and excited, arched a brow. “You didn’t grow up using these to hunt for food? Did you prefer a spear?” She asked, a shit-eating grin on her face as she tested the bow’s weight in her hand and checked the string.

“I’ll show you where I could shove a spear.” Tess retorted in a grumble, much to Ellie’s amusement.

A volley of shouts outside recaptured their attention, the Wolves were closing in on the other trespasser and, inadvertently, them.

Peering outside from behind a ratty curtain, Tess swore. “Shit.” She turned to Ellie who was stowing the bow and a number of arrows she found. “We’re going to have to leg it and hope.”

Hope.

The word was sour in her mouth, but Tess would rather rely on the fickle thing than something like praying. She learned long ago no higher power existed, and if it did, well, it was a twisted fucker for letting this happen and keep happening.

Readjusting her pack, Tess shook off the dark thoughts, checked Ellie was ready, and then barreled out of the house.

[frizz22]

I’m finally on book 14, and we have this beautiful quote 👆🏻which made me think of the this 👇🏻:

They hit the nail on the head in season one. A freaking raging sun!!

[frizz22]

Do you take fic requests and if so what are some the rules for requests?

Hey! I absolutely do :) thanks so much for thinking of me!! I never really thought of rules before, but I do prefer not to write infidelity.. so if if this is for a pairing and one is already in a relationship I’d either break up the existing pair in the fic or in events that happened before.

Other than that… hit me! I’m looking forward to your idea. It can be vague or specific based on what you’re hoping for 😁

[frizz22]

I was today years old when… 🤦🏻‍♀️

Go into the new year aware of the fact that you don't need to know HTML in order to post on AO3. If you select the Rich Text button, you'll get a visual editor instead.

The visual editor allows you to add text formatting (bold, italics), images, and links at the touch of a button. It also allows you to see that formatting right there in the text input form without needing to preview it first.

[frizz22]

The Wooing of Melissa Schemmenti Ch. 6 Touch

Read full chapter on AO3 Ch. 1 here

Once they were there, once Barbara could touch Melissa without thought, without restraint… it was hard to stop.

Whenever possible, Barbara intertwined her fingers with Melissa’s, at the farmers’ market, the movies, in the car… any excuse to have Melissa’s hand in hers and Barbara took it.

She also couldn’t resist wrapping her arms around Melissa while the shorter woman cooked. Hands roaming Melissa’s lovely hips, pressing distracting kisses into her neck….

Barbara indulged every whim when it came to wanting to touch Melissa.

And, blessedly, Melissa indulged her too. Especially when it came to her hair, Heaven, Barbara loved to play with Melissa’s hair.

On more than one occasion, Melissa had merely caught sight of Barbara admiring her hair, smirked, and then pulled the hair tie from her fiery locks so Barbara could run her fingers through the loose strands; whether if it was as they lay on the couch, in bed, or in the shower, Barbara couldn’t keep her hands from Melissa’s soft hair. And while Melissa may tease her about it, Barbara knew from how the redhead leaned into her caresses and light scratches like a cat, that she loved it too.

Oh, how she loved mapping Melissa like this, learning her in a way Barbara never imagined possible mere months ago.

And Melissa, dear lord, Melissa touched her constantly. Touch was certainly one of her love languages and Barbara reveled in it. Her body lighting up at each and every one, no matter how innocent.

Whether it was their knees pressed together under the table, any table, or a gentle hand to the small of her back as they went through doors, or that same hand brushing along her shoulders when Barbara was seated and Melissa walked past her.

It all sent Barbara into bliss.

[frizz22]

Okay, to add to this though, like yes, Ava notices. She notices and she still cock blocked them so hard in the club.

And you could say it’s Ava being extra or jealous, but I think it’s because she’s trying to watch out for Janine (not that she’d ever admit as much).

It’s common knowledge that Gregory is dating Amber, see above gif, and then he’s going and dancing like that with Janine at the club. She doesn’t want Janine to get hurt.

I think Ava interjected in her most over the top way, so they wouldn’t question what she was doing or her motives, but it came from that place of caring she doesn’t like to show.

And look at the look she gives him! It’s not one of her flirty ones, doesn’t have that teasing smile. It’s a watch yourself, kind of look.

ava noticing gregory's feeling for janine

Abbott Elementary 2.08 | 2.09

[frizz22]

Me trying to keep all the freaking Forsaken in Wheel of Time straight.

[frizz22]

In Grief—read on AO3

Note: I just, I haven’t finished GOW: Ragnorok yet, but I loved these two after the last one and even more now and couldn’t help myself.

They’d only ever known one another in grief. Grief and condescension.

First he for his wife, and her regarding Atreus’ true nature.

Then her, for her son; and him regarding how violence and vengeance wouldn’t bring her peace.

And now?

Now Freya was running to him, and though she was still much too far away, one hand was already outstretched to grasp the ever present resurrection stone on his hip, and a small, dark part of her wondered if this would be the time he would be too far gone to bring back.

Wondered if she would once more be thrust into grief, this time, because of a god, who was determined to live as a man; the one who killed her son—and in a way her—but saved and freed her in so many other ways as well.

Grief for what might have been, had they met at another time. Grief for who they could have become, if so many other gods and prophecies hadn’t gotten in the way.

Said phantom grief solidified… when her hand found only empty air where the resurrection stone should have been. Grief for the god, determined to be a man, who still wanted her in his son’s life, who’d been her first and only confidant—friend—in centuries….

They’d only ever known one another in grief.

And, as Freya tapped into magic she swore never to touch, all to try and save one of the only gods she knew trying to be good, she wondered if they would ever know one another in any other regard.

[frizz22]

The Wooing of Melissa Schemmenti Ch. 5 Quality Time

Read on AO3

NOTE: sorry for the delay. I was sick for a week, then on vacation. Hope you enjoy! I plan to have this finished by next week (hopefully)! 🥰

This was her second favorite, Barbara decided, not so discreetly watching the other woman out of the corner of her eye.

Time outside of school, time alone, time away from that damn camera crew.

No, she would never take time alone with Melissa for granted.

Which was how, earlier that day, Barbara found herself packing up her bag as the last of her students filed from the room with a frown and mentally chiding her young, naive self for thinking that teaching kindergartners would mean less grading.

Slinging the bag onto her shoulder, Barbara had looked up to see Melissa similarly burdened.

“Pizza, beer, and grading at mine?” She offered, knowing the unpleasant task of grading would be infinitely better with Melissa there; as everything was.

Nose scrunching, Melissa adjusted the bag in her shoulder. “Leftover ziti, wine, and grading at mine?” She countered, leaning against the door frame.

Brightening at the thought of Melissa’s home cooking, Barbara immediately agreed.

So, now, now they were settled on Melissa’s couch after dinner, a dinner that probably went on longer than it should—given their plans to grade after—but Barbara wasn’t going to complain. And maybe it wasn’t the perfect kind of quality time, since they were still technically working, but it was still time together.

A small, confused noise sounding next to Barbara about twenty minutes into their grading broke into her thoughts and she glanced at the woman curled on the couch next to her.

“What do you think this word is?” Melissa asked, having noticed Barbara’s attention and shifting the papers in her lap so Barbara could see the one on top.

Peering over the top of her glasses, Barbara frowned. “Oh my.”

A low chuckle rumbling through her, Melissa shook her head. “Right?”

Barbara reached for the paper so she could look at it more closely. “Are those even letters?”

Grin curling mischievously, Melissa arched a brow. “Well, you had the kid first, weren’t you supposed teach them to write?”

Fighting a smile, Barbara cocked her head at the woman. “Excuse you?”

Mouth pursing in a ‘you know what I said’ way, Melissa dropped her eyes to the paper again and tilted it, as if an angle would help make the letters clearer. “I think it says monkey.” She redirected.

Her face screwing up in disagreement, Barbara leaned in closer to Melissa to see better. “No!” She drew out, “monkey, really?”

“If they spelled with without the ‘e’, added another hump to the ‘m’., and the ‘n’ and the ‘k’ kinda morphed into a single letter…. It’s a possibility?” Melissa tried, voice pitching up uncertainly as she squinted.

An indelicate snort emanating from her, Barbara shook her head. “You’re reaching. Or maybe it’s just those eyes of yours going a bit more.”

Melissa made a face at her and playfully slapped Barbara’s thigh, then, then left her hand splayed there afterwards as she turned back to her grading.

Her chest constricting a bit at the action, Barbara did her best to look outwardly unaffected beyond a small smile she couldn’t possibly contain. While Melissa had become more and more comfortable with her, with them, as time passed and Barbara continued her efforts, she didn’t want to scare her off by calling attention to anything.

~~

Frowning at her phone, Barbara shifted to show it to Melissa as they drank coffee before work as usual. “You ever heard of this show?” She asked, hopeful the redhead would say yes.

Hand coming up to hold the phone steady, Melissa’s covered Barbara’s. “Oh, yeah!” Her face brightened. “It’s really good, the plot twists, the character development… doesn’t hurt it also has a little hubba hubba in it, if you know what I mean.” Her eyebrows waggled as her fingers barely stroked along the back of Barbara’s hand.

Her own eyebrows arching, Barbara shook her head and tried to focus on the conversation and not Melissa’s touch and comments. “Taylor loves it. Keeps talking about it especially with a new season coming out. I, I want to watch it so I can talk to her about it, but I got rather lost in the first two episodes.” She admitted, frustrated with herself. “Any chance I can pick your brain about the episodes before trying to talk to Taylor?”

“I can do you one better, I’ve been wanting to rewatch before the new season releases. How about I come over to yours and give you a play by play of what’s going on?” Melissa offered, finally letting go of Barbara’s hand and phone. “That way you don’t sound like a big ol’ garbanzo when you talk to Taylor.”

She rolled her eyes at how Melissa continued to insist on calling her a garbanzo after Barbara’s failure to use Sicilian slang; but smiled broadly as well. “I would greatly appreciate that, Melissa, thank you!” And Barbara was proud of how well she managed to hide how the offer made her glow inside… she never would have asked Melissa to do a complete rewatch with her, not wanting to annoy the woman with her questions, but the opportunity for more time together, especially at Melissa’s suggestion made her giddy.

Before they could determine any other details, though, Janine and Jacob walked into the break room and with a single glance, the two of them quickly changed the topic. While they’d grown fond of the younger teachers, that didn’t mean they wanted to give them a chance to potentially invite themselves to the watch party.

~~

They weren’t able to watch the show until several nights later, to Barbara’s slight disappointment, but that didn’t matter now, as she and Melissa settled comfortably onto the couch, a pad of paper in her lap so she could write down all of Melissa’s comments and hints.

And Heaven bless the endlessly patient woman next to her, who sweetly paused the show for each and every one of Barbara’s questions and answered them with detail and enthusiasm.

Not once did she suggest Barbara just watch to find out. Not once did she seem annoyed by the constant stops and starts; and there were many.

With Melissa’s lovely insights and explanations, Barbara was following the show much more easily. Though it was a bit hard to focus on Melissa’s words and not the lovely mouth forming them a time or two.

And it was especially hard to focus when, after an episode, Melissa got up for a bathroom break and when she returned, she sat down right next to Barbara, their legs connecting from hip to knee.

Leaning in to peer at Barbara’s notes, her weight pressing softly into Barbara’s side, Melissa pointed to a few spots. “This is actually spelled with an ‘ae’,” she gently corrected.

Barbara hummed in thanks and made the corrections before bringing her eyes up to meet Melissa’s, a bit surprised by how very little space there was between them. Her breath catching, Barbara wet her lips.

Eyes flicking down to watch the movement, Melissa cleared her throat. “Taylor is going to be so excited you did this for her.” She murmured, looking at Barbara so tenderly it made her ache all over.

Yes, for Taylor.

That, that was the original intent behind this, wasn’t it? Unable to look away from Melissa, Barbara managed a slightly rough, “another episode?”

A grimace tugging her lips, Melissa shook her head. “Sorry hon, it’s late and some of us need beauty sleep on school nights. Can’t all be goddesses like you.” She winked and stood, arms stretching above her head, a strip of skin flashing above her jeans as she did and Barbara barely resisted the urge to reach out and trace her fingers along that strip before pulling Melissa back to the couch… despite Melissa’s recent increase in comfort with her and physical touch, she figured that would be too forward.

“Takes a goddess to know one.” She quipped back instead, eyes still tracing Melissa’s movements.

Melissa barked out a laugh as she slipped her feet back into her heeled boots. “Touché”

Standing as well, Barbara walked Melissa to the door. “Night sweetheart, text me when you get home?” She asked as she opened the door and leaned against it as Melissa fished for her keys.

“Of course.” Melissa smiled softly as she finally pulled her keys from the depths of the bag. “Night, babe,” she murmured, leaning in, one hand on Barbara’s hip as she pecked a goodbye kiss to Barbara’s lips. Pivoting, Melissa took two steps before freezing and slowly turning to face Barbara who was still in the same spot

They both blinked at one another in surprise.

It’d been so instinctual, the goodnight kiss in place of the anticipated hug.

Goofy smiles spreading on both their faces, Barbara broke the silence first. “Night, Melissa.” She breathed, though she desperately wanted to pull Melissa back in, to kiss her properly.

From the look on Melissa’s face, she wouldn’t have been opposed, but Barbara wanted Melissa to instigate physical intimacy at that level once she was ready, was convinced. They were getting so close, Barbara knew, this kiss evidenced that, but it wasn’t time, not yet.

Seeming to think the same, Melissa just shook her head at herself with a quiet, ‘night, Barb,’ as she walked out to her car, her fingers unconsciously coming up to touching her lips as she went.

Barbara touched hers as well, stomach dancing and mind replaying Melissa calling her 'babe' over and over as she readied for bed.

~~

Borrowing Melissa’s good mood dance, Barbara sashayed into the break room the next morning and beamed at the redhead.

Eyebrows shooting up, Melissa smiled back at her, even if it was a bit confused. “Oho, good morning, is it?” She asked as Barbara settled next to her.

“Very.” Barbara replied, shimmying her shoulders as she sat. “I texted Taylor about that show, and we had the most marvelous conversation. She hasn’t been this engaged with me in what feels like ages.”

Melissa’s face softened as her smile grew. “Barbara, that’s so wonderful.” She murmured, hand coming to rest on Barbara’s forearm.

Her hand coming up automatically to cover Melissa’s, Barbara leaned in a little. “And it’s all because of you. Oh, Taylor was so impressed with you. I almost gave her your number so the two of you could ‘geek out’” she air quoted the phrase, “but I was selfish and wanted to keep the attention to myself.” She affected a grimace, but her smile was still firmly in place.

It was a good morning indeed.

Taken aback, Melissa blinked and sat up straighter. “You said I made those comments? That we were watching together?”

Patting Melissa’s hand, Barbara nodded. “Of course, I couldn’t take the credit for your clever insights. And besides, Taylor said it was about time someone with sense had control over the remote.” Barbara chuckled and shook her head; she would never be ‘hip’ in her daughter’s eyes.

A noncommittal sound emanated from Melissa as she pulled her hand back. And though Barbara couldn’t be certain, she thought Melissa glanced toward the camera crew in the corner before she changed the topic.

~~

Melissa found Barbara in her room at the end of the day as she was digging through her purse for her keys. A smile stretching her lips, Barbara glanced up at the woman. “Want to watch another episode or two tonight? Taylor said the plot really thickens—"

“What all did you tell Taylor?” Melissa cut in, entering the room more fully and closing the door behind her, fingers twisting around themselves.

Perplexed, Barbara set her bag aside. “That you came over and we watched the show. That you had wonderful insights, and I likely wouldn’t understand it without you….” She said gently, unsure what had Melissa spooked.

Was, was she regretting the kiss last night?

Shifting from one foot to the other, Melissa bit her lip. “Anything else?” She asked, voice jumping up an octave.

Heart fluttering, Barbara slowly closed the distance between them, thinking she understood. “I’ve been hinting.” She offered, watching Melissa closely. “That we’re closer than ever, that I love your company. That I couldn’t imagine this stage of my life without you. I didn’t want to be too blunt, in case it invaded your privacy.” Carefully placing her hands in Melissa’s upper arms, Barbara cocked her head to try and catch the other woman’s eye. “I know how much you care for Taylor, and Taylor for you…. I, I wanted to make sure you were, that you hadn’t,” Barbara exhaled and tried again, rubbing her hands up and down Melissa’s arms. “I understand what I am feeling, finally.” She muttered that last word under her breath. “I understand you need time to process, and I respect that, respect you. I’ve been trying to show you, without being overbearing, how much I love you. That I’m not going anywhere. But I didn’t want to cross certain lines until we reached a point, just in case you,” Barbara swallowed hard now, “in case you changed your mind.”

A wet huff escaping her, Melissa shook her head. “I haven’t changed my mind or my heart in over a decade, Barbara, and lord knows I tried. I just,” she sniffed and wiped under her eyes to catch any potentially streaking mascara. “I just know Taylor is the dealbreaker.”

“Dealbreaker?” Barbara repeated, unsure.

Her tongue running over her teeth, Melissa gave a small smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “If Taylor doesn’t approve, or this creates a rift between you two… that’s it. I would never come between you and your daughter, Barbara, and I just, I wanted to know if you told her yet. Because then, then, then I could truly and fully let you go. These past months, everything you’ve done for me, all the time we’ve spent together, all, all the lo-, love you’ve shown me…. It’s been wonderful, some of the happiest months in my life, but if it stops now, because of Taylor, that’s the right thing. I,” she sniffed and looked away, “I need to know that this was all the love I get. And it’s okay,” she hurried to add, “it’s right, but I just, I need to know.”

Aching over how Melissa confessed to loving their time together but still believed they had an expiration date, Barbara let go of Melissa’s arms and marched to her desk to snatch up her phone.

“Barbara, what’re you doing?“ Melissa hedged, eyes shining.

A single finger held up, Barbara kept her eyes on the device, scrolling through until she found her daughter’s contact information.

The phone began to ring and before Barbara could even lift it fully to her ear, Melissa was next to her, snatching the phone, and hanging up. “Barbara!” Melissa exclaimed; eyes blown wide in disbelief. “What. Are. You. Doing?!” She bit out each word, panic and anger mixing in her tone.

Nonplussed, Barbara gently took Melissa’s free hand. “Picking you, Melissa. Now and for every moment to come. And don’t say it means I’ll lose Taylor, I won’t. She’s a grown woman, and a good one. While we might gripe about one another’s professions, we’ve never had a disagreement about romantic relationships.”

Tears gathering in her eyes, Melissa shook her head vehemently. “Because you’ve always been married to Gerald!” She cried harshly. “The consequences, I thought you took the time to think like I asked. But this, this is foolish, Barbara! I’m not worth—"

Throwing her whole ‘let Melissa make the first move’ philosophy out the window Barbara shut Melissa up with a kiss.

It wasn’t pretty, or exactly gentle, but it did the job. When Barbara pulled back, she rested her forehead against Melissa’s. “Stop talking about the woman I love like that.” Barbara rebuked firmly but softly, her hand coming up to cup Melissa’s cheek.

Then she deliberately took her phone back, redialed Taylor’s number, and put it on speaker

“Hey mom! Wasn’t sure if that was a butt dial or not.” Taylor greeted cheerfully.

Smiling at the sound of her daughter’s voice despite how Melissa stalked away looking tortured, Barbara swallowed. “Hi baby, no, just a slip of these old fingers. I did want to talk to you about something—"

Excitedly cutting in, Taylor plowed over the rest of Barbara’s sentence. “Oh, you must have reached the fifth episode. I told you it was insane!! What did you think—"

“Baby,” Barbara interrupted, “I’m not there yet but I will be soon. Melissa is helping me through the episodes.”

A musical laugh sounded on the line in response. “Good thing she is! How is Auntie Mel?”

Eyes finding said woman pressing herself into a corner of the room, as if by making herself smaller any pain would hurt less, Barbara pushed on; determined to make it so Melissa never felt the need to be small ever again. “That’s actually why I called. You see, honey, Melissa, she, I—"

Before Barbara could untangle her tongue, Taylor spoke once more. “Is she okay?! She isn’t sick, is she? You’ve never called about her before, what does she need? What do you need?”

Touched, Barbara sniffed and maintained eye contact with Melissa as she answered. “Oh Taylor, no, honey, she’s okay, she’s not sick. I didn’t mean,” hand to her forehead, Barbara shook her head. “I, well, I’m not sure how to go about this other than straightforward and even that’s a bit of wordplay because there’s nothing straight about this situation.” She knew she was babbling, but she was nervous. She made this call to make a point to Melissa, because she was so damn sure Taylor would love them both still, and her daughter’s immediate concern for Melissa validated that. But still, there was no going back after this.

And Barbara wasn’t sure she would survive losing Melissa if Taylor truly did refuse to accept their relationship…. Not that she’d break things off, but Melissa would.

And there would be no changing her mind.

Taylor’s voice cut thought her rambling words and dark spiraling thoughts. “Mom, you’re not making sense.”

Inhaling deeply Barbara smiled at Melissa who was crying silently in the corner, her knuckles pressed to her mouth to stifle any noises; but all Barbara could do, wanted to do, was picture their future together and, so, she jumped off that proverbial ledge. “I am actually calling for help regarding Melissa. You see, I asked her out on,” she swallowed, “on a date and now I cannot decide what to wear for the life of me. You know how fashionable Melissa is, does a hip, young woman like you have any advice?”

The silence was profound for a full minute and Barbara wondered if she got it all wrong, if she was about to lose Melissa before truly having her and then her phone chimed repeatedly with incoming texts.

“Okay,” Taylor’s voice sounded once more. “I just sent you a bunch of pictures. I know you don’t have these things exactly, but you have similar enough clothes and I think if you combine them, you’ll blow Melissa away. You can’t match her cool level, but you’ve got this vintage elegance thing going that’ll be a really awesome counterpoint especially once you start taking pictures together.”

A tear slipped down her cheek in relief and the vice on her heart vanished. “That’s, that’s lovely, baby, thank you so much.” She managed, voice thick, “do, do you have any questions for me?”

Another laugh emanated from the phone. “I mean, I’m surprised, but not? You’ve been talking about her waaay more than usual and your voice sounds different when you mention her now. It gets all soft and gooey.”

Taken aback, Barbara pursed her lips. “I don’t do gooey.” She deadpanned, and now Melissa was trying not to chuckle in the corner, though tears still streamed down her cheeks.

“Yeah, mom,” Taylor teased, “you do. I, I guess I do have a few questions.” Her tone sobered. “It sounds like this is a first date, with the outfit debacle, but when, when did this all start? I mean, we’ve known Melissa for ages, is, did, did you want to date her while married to dad? Is that why….”

Eyes squeezing shut for a moment, Barbara exhaled slowly. “Yes and no.” She grimaced. “Baby, I’m not sure what all your father told you, we did plan on talking with you together and I, well I’ve jumped the gun in my excitement. But I was too stuck in my own head to realize I had feelings for Melissa until a few months ago, until your father, actually, pointed it out to me. I couldn’t have acted on them. But also,” she exhaled again, “also this realization on both our parts is the reason we mutually ended our marriage. It wouldn’t have been fair to anyone involved for it to continue when I feel the way I do.

And as for Melissa,” her eyes found the redhead again, and love surged in her heart. “I can’t speak for her and when her feelings may have started, but she’s an amazing, honest, caring, selfless woman. She wouldn’t have done anything she thought might have hurt our family. Even now, even now after the divorce she’s more concerned about you and I than anything. I, I love her, Taylor, she’s kind, funny, stubborn, strong, brilliant and she’s makes me so unbelievably happy and we’re not even officially dating yet….” Words of affirmation poured out of her, and Melissa turned away with a choked sound.

A sniffle sounded on the other end of the phone and Taylor huffed. “Gooey.”

Ignoring the tease, Barbara wiped at her cheeks. “I, I know this is a lot, and you might not have had time to process it all, so if you have other questions at any time or just want to talk, please don’t hesitate.”

“I won’t, mom, it’s a bit to take in, but I’m happy you found more happiness. I’m,” Taylor paused, “thank you for trusting me with the whole truth, about your sexuality, about this. I know we’ve butted heads in the past, but it means so much that you told me everything.”

Heart swelling with love and pride, Barbara sniffed. “You’re a wonderful, mature young woman, Taylor. And while I may not always have treated you as such, I love you more than anything and your approval means so much.”

A wet chuckle sounded on the phone. “You don’t need my approval, mom, but if you are going to date anyone after dad, I’m glad it’s Melissa. You’ll be good for each other. Let me know how the date goes?” Her voice pitched up an octave and Barbara knew it meant her daughter was getting more emotional.

Smiling broadly, Barbara wiped her eyes. “Thank you, baby, I will, I love you so much, Taylor.”

“Love you too! And,” a sniff, “give my love to Melissa too. She’s lucky to have you.”

Her smile wobbling a bit, Barbara cleared her throat. “I think I’m the lucky one, but I will baby. Thank you, love you.” Swallowing, Barbara hung up the phone.

She took a deep inhale to steady herself and then Barbara turned to Melissa. “Told you s—"

Melissa, cheeks streaked with drying tears, closed the distance between them in seconds and crushed Barbara to her in a fierce hug. “I, I didn’t mean for you to risk—” she blurted, holding her tightly.

Returning the embrace in kind, Barbara shook her head. “I know my heart; I know my daughter. Better than I’ve known either in years, it wasn’t a risk, Melissa. I’m ready, I have been, I love you. I will do whatever I can to further prove that to you. I know you want to be sure of me, before diving in, and I understand. You have to protect your heart. But I’m hoping that, one day, it won’t need protecting from me.” Gently pulling back, Barbara tenderly cupped Melissa’s face and swiped the residual tears off with her thumbs. “I love you, Melissa.”

Emotion choking her voice, Melissa’s hands found Barbara’s hips and held tight. “I love you too.” She managed. “I’m sorry if you felt you were spinning wheels, but I’ve got all these damn walls around my heart and they’re just so fucking hard to break. I—"

Hands slipping further into Melissa’s silky hair, Barbara shook her head. “Don’t you ever apologize for taking care of yourself, Melissa Schemmenti. Don’t you ever. I’m just asking that you let me help take care of you. It’s hard to let others do that when you’re so used to being the provider, the caregiver, but I just want to help. And as for those walls,” she gently rested her forehead against Melissa’s, “I don’t want to break anything, they're there for a reason. I am more than happy to help you slowly take them apart, or I will help you build doors so when you’re ready to let those lucky select few in, it’ll be a bit easier. If that’s something you’d like.”

Melissa nodded tearily, though her forehead stayed pressed to Barbara’s. “I want to take care of you too. I don’t, I don’t want to hold my love back anymore.” Her voice cracked at the confession, and she pressed Barbara back against the desk with a kiss.

Mind melting at finally being able to kiss Melissa like she’d wanted ever since that first night of revelations and touches, Barbara clutched Melissa to her.

And if she shifted a bit to sit on the desk, her legs spreading to welcoming Melissa between them, well, Barbara could hardly be blamed; she’d imagined this exact scenario on her desk a bit too often not indulge it.

Arms wrapping around the other woman’s neck, Barbara sighed when Melissa’s tongue swiped her lower lip, asking for permission. Happily granting it, Barbara melted further as Melissa deepened the kiss and pressed closer against her, hands roaming.

They only broke once breathless. And even then, they didn’t move far, unable to part now that they crossed the final line.

Laughter and tears mixed as they caressed and held and comforted and kissed… losing track of all time.

[frizz22]

Behind the Scenes

NOTE: An idea I had while writing another Work Wives fic, haha, hope you enjoy. From camera crew POV.

READ ON AO3

“I’m telling you,” Jenn insisted from where she sat playing with her camera lens, “they’re in love.”

Rolling his eyes, Josh didn’t bother to look away from the clip he was editing. “Barbara is married.” He replied in a bored tone, knowing exactly who she was referring to.

Mouth pursing, Jenn set her camera aside. “And? Doesn’t stop you from loving someone else. You edit most the footage, Josh… you have to have seen how they look at each other.”

A long suffering sigh escaping him, Josh finally looked at her. “I know this assignment’s been a bit longer than you’re used to, but are you really so starved of stimulus that you’re creating relationships where there aren’t any?”

Affronted, Jenn punched his arm. “Ass! You know I love observing people. And these two,” her shoulders dropped as she softened at the thought of them. “They’ve got something, Josh, come on, you know I’m not imagining this.”

Josh pinched the bridge of his nose. “I…” he groaned. “Fine. They do share an abnormal number of affectionate and knowing looks. But that doesn’t mean they’re jumping each other’s—"

“I never said they were cheating!!” Jenn exclaimed, cutting him off. “I said they’re in love with each other.” The difference mattered, it did.

At a loss, Josh shrugged helplessly. “I, what do you want from me, Jenn? Have I noticed the way Melissa looks at Barbara? Yes, fine, I admit it. Have I witnessed Barbara watch Melissa with the most tender expression I’ve seen on a human, yes! Have I wished someone would look at me the way they look at each other? Also, yes. But that doesn’t change anything. We’re just observers.”

Biting her lip, Jenn leaned her forearms on her knees. “What if we weren’t?”

Exasperated, Josh threw up his hands. “What if we weren’t what?!”

She scooted her chair closer to him. “Just observers, dumbass. What if, you know…” Jenn nudged his knee.

“No, I don’t.” He retorted a bit grumpily as he crossed his arms.

Jenn inched closer. “Josh, come on. It’d be so easy to compile some clips, oh, maybe with maybe soft classical music in the background and have copies of these just happen to find themselves on their desks….” She bounced a little in excitement at the idea.

Brows furrowing in a dramatic manner, Josh rolled his shoulders. “I’m too busy. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

She scoffed. “You have to go through and pull stuff for promos anyway, just do this as a side project as you go through everything else.”

Uncertainty radiating off him, Josh finally met her eye again. “These are peoples’ lives you want to mess with, Jenn. They have families and boyfriends and… you want to play matchmaker.”

“One,” Jenn straightened and held up a finger for emphasis. “Melissa deserves so much more than ‘Gary the Vending Machine Guy’,” her voice took on a mocking edge at the guy’s name. “I mean he’s fine, but Melissa deserves lightning!” At this Josh mumbled something about her obsession with Ted Lasso, but Jenn plowed on, holding up another finger. “Two, these two are only denying their feelings because they think the other doesn’t feel the same. But they do! You know they do. And three, we wouldn’t be ‘messing’, per se, just opening their eyes to what’s right in front of them.”

Pleased with her speech, Jenn leaned back in her chair and waited for Josh to fold.

He did. It took all of a minute.

Lips twisting, Josh huffed. “All right! But I’m not doing the music and you have to swear to leave it, leave them, alone after this. Nothing else, no other prods or shit like that.”

Grinning, Jenn held out her hand. “Pinky swear!”

Unamused, Josh hooked his pinky around hers and sighed. “What did I just sign up for?” He groused, mostly under his breath.

All but popping out of her seat in excitement, Jenn twirled and then stopped to face Josh. “For Cupid duty!” She crowed, mentally congratulating herself for this and impatient to see what would happen once Melissa and Barbara saw the results.

[frizz22]

The Wooing of Melissa Schemmenti Ch. 4 Words of Affirmation

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Barbara knew without a doubt what her next love language attempt would be in her wooing of Melissa.

Words of affirmation.

Never would she have imagined Melissa was so self-critical, so adamant in her belief that she did not deserve certain affections.

She had only ever known the boldly confident, do no harm, but take no shit, unflappable and deservedly so, Melissa Schemmenti. And then she started to try and win Melissa’s heart only to find the woman unsure whether her heart was worth fighting for.

It saddened Barbara to no end to see this side of Melissa. Because she knew it was learned. That at some point Melissa came to the conclusion that she and all the love she possessed were not of value to someone else. Of course, this was utter nonsense. If there was any one person deserving of love and care, it was the loud, compassionate woman who gave all she could to literally everything she did.

Determined, Barbara set off to work about a week after her dinner with Melissa at her apartment, words crowding her mind, begging to be the first off her lips when she saw the other woman.

[frizz22]

Especially when Halloween is her favorite?! That’s just rude.

You are not seriously telling me Melissa Schemmenti looked like that, just to spend her night consoling a grown man. Blasphemy and slander.

[frizz22]

The Wooing of Melissa Schemmenti Ch. 3 Acts of Service

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It was her last time driving Melissa to and from work, her Uncle Gino having procured a car from some friend or another for Melissa to use while hers was still waiting on its new part.

And Barbara felt a keen loss, imagining her morning and evening drives without the funny, snarky, redhead in the passenger seat with her.

So, she decided to do something else, something far riskier than she’d tried so far in her wooing of Melissa….

She was going to cook dinner for her.

While Barbara was no slouch in the kitchen, she knew her skills didn’t, and couldn’t, compare to those of one Melissa Schemmenti. Still, she wanted to cook for her. And not only to cook, but to cook for her in her new apartment.