margaretxalexander

[margaretxalexander]

Again she let her speak, letting her get out her concerns. Ones she could relate to once upon a time. Now that she was older though and more experienced in more ways than one, she had a perspective that she knew Sloane wouldn't understand just yet. She would have to go through the experience and see for herself. All Maggie could do was be there until she was able to. "That's valid," she took a beat, her head tilting, "How do you feel about bottle feeding?" Likely hesitant or else she would have already switched. Some people waited because they weren't sure about formula or going through the pain and sometimes inconvenience of pumps. She didn't want to assume one way or another or provide any hint of judgement in either direction though. So it was best to simply ask.

“Exactly! Every time something is wrong I need to be able to fix it because if I can’t then who can? I don’t want her to feel like she doesn’t have anyone who can help her when she’s upset. Imagine being a tiny baby who just wants their mom to fix things and they can’t…it would be terrifying…” What she was saying was cliché, but it was also true, and she wasn’t the first person to say it. Fia had been echoing the same sentiment since Ryen was born, but it was just so hard to take that step away in order to take care of herself when it felt like that meant turning her back on taking care of her daughter. It just came with so much guilt. “They stay five nights a week. Which is great, but even then I have to wake up when she needs feeding because… well you know. Boobs.” She gestured to her chest. There had been talk of getting the baby onto a bottle and the redhead had agreed to it only because it would mean the baby could be fed without her having to be woken up every two hours, but she still felt like that could be the wrong thing to do. @margaretxalexander

[margaretxalexander]

"It's definitely you," she repeated, amusement written on her features. She couldn't quite remember how her friendship with Ben came to be...perhaps it was through Laurel, but she enjoyed his company more than most. He had a charm you couldn't help but to get behind and tonight was no exception, unexpected or not.

Her eyebrow rose at the mention of Ricky, not because it took her a moment to catch on, but vice versa. She knew about his roommate situation, she always cooked extra, just in case they wanted some, but-- no. It was none of her business really. She wouldn't pry. At the moment anyway. "I didn't say that. Though there's something about southern tendencies that don't always translate well. Not that I mind, we both know you light up my life," Maggie chuckled, pushing off the fridge to get into one of her catch all drawers to grab a deck of cards. She had a few of them really, most of them scattered due to nights just like this. "I'm very interested. All I ask is that it's the kind of greasy I need to sop up with a napkin first. I've had a craving all week,"

Joining him at the island, she sat the cards down, "Poker? Rummy? Bridge? What would you like to lose tonight, hm?"

"Someone that isn't me? Or is that someone you're referencing me? It's definitely me."

Ben leans forward against the island counter, watching Maggie peruse the contents of her refrigerator. "No, I had an early office day. Santi's at the pub, Ricky's - he told me to not come home too early, could mean anything, but I have my assumptions."

A 'romantic' conquest, with the term romantic being used loosely. Something the likes of Ben has been avoiding for himself, since the tense run-ins with Layla, reminding him of a mistake from years ago, and Auggie leaving him alone in his bed the morning after they somehow accidentally went home together.

His bad...

"Is it not normal? See, in Texas, dropping in on our friends in a normal thing. Even if you shoo me out the door right away, but also, are you down to help me devour a pizza? I'll order it. We can play some cards, too, if you have a deck."

@margaretxalexander

[margaretxalexander]

💔 BROKEN HEART — is there anyone in your life you wish you had a better relationship with? if so, how come? what makes this person important to you?

"Of course, though I'm sure people are tired of hearing about it. I wish I was closer to my kids, the eldest especially. I had no idea what I was doing while raising her and while now I realize most parents are just doing their best not to fuck up their kid, then? I felt like a horrible mom and it turned out to be a self fulfilling prophecy. Imagine that,"

"She's my daughter though and despite the difficulty, I love her and cherish the good experiences we did have together. I just wish she-- no, I know it takes time to heal and part of my karma in it all is the wait. So I will,"

IN CHARACTER CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS .

[margaretxalexander]

"Renesmee," Maggie scrunched her nose as she said it and it obviously wasn't due to the tequila, "I know-- I know what you're going to say. My soon to be daughter-in-law is so creative," A chuckle followed because what else could she do but laugh. Her son and financee were both adults and while their name choice was...well what it was, she had no room to judge. Much. "As for the years on you, we both know the difference between them I've easily make up for in my youthful spirit," It was something she firmly believed in and not just because otherwise the age gap between them would have her second guessing the way her eyes seemed to drift now and again. She was cautious about that though, timing it when Laurel was engaged in other things. But still. "How have you been keeping up? It's been a bit. Anything new in the life of Laurel Jacobs?"

Laurel watched, equal parts amused and charmed, as Maggie took the first in a line of shots they'd ordered in the blink of an eye before Laurel had even lifted her first off the bar. "It really should be me asking you that, Alexander," they said gamely before letting their first go down easily and putting a hand on the second. "Last time I checked, you've got a few years on me, don't you?" They raised the shot glass for a proper toast. "To you, and your son's newest brat." Down the tequila went. "What was its name again? The baby, not the son."

@margaretxalexander

[margaretxalexander]

closed starter for @benj-hyun location: her place

"Hmm...I would offer you something, pasta maybe, but I'm pretty sure someone already devoured what I had left...," Maggie trailed off, a knowing smile on her lips as she shut the fridge door. It'd been her turn to cook and it was always easier at his place, or at least that was always her excuse if only because she knew she wouldn't be stuck with left overs. To have him show up at her place the next day though? A tad unexpected, but there was still plenty of room for a little teasing.

She turned, leaning against the appliance as she watched him near the island, "Can I help you with something tonight, Benny? Or did you really just miss me that much?"

[margaretxalexander]

closed starter location: sweet nothings bakery

"I--" Maggie cut herself off, nose wrinkling a little before a soft chuckle followed. "I'm so sorry. I thought you were someone else. Talk about embarrassing...though you look so familiar. It's uncanny," It took all her strength not to continue staring, instead her eyes shifted to the menu of baked goods behind them. "Can I get you something? Please? It'd make things a little less awkward?"

[margaretxalexander]

"Also understandable," she replied, letting her eyes return to the tank. She wanted to let Sloane talk, let the tap run as much as it needed, but also offer a little reassurance, "It doesn't feel like it. There's a pressure around being a mother, as if you're supposed to be able to soothe every little sniffle but you're only as good to her as you are to yourself, which I know-- sounds cliche but you need breaks. So does Axel. In order to be the best you can be for her," Which is why we're here. Though she left that little part out. "The night nurse is a good option. How often do they stay?"

Sloane wasn’t sure how much Maggie was planning to get out of her today which was why she was keeping her voice discreet, but the smile she was given was reassuring. Maggie wouldn’t push her, that much she knew, but still she knew sh had some considerable things to work on, some of which were rearing their ugly heads again. Swallowing hard she shrugged her shoulders at the permission she was given to not tie her newfound motherhood up in ribbons and sparkles, because…well there was some of it that very much wasn’t. “She … doesn’t sleep for very long at a time, maybe an hour or two if I’m lucky. Then she wants feeding which of course I understand, she’s a baby, but when I try to put her down afterwards she just cries until she’s on my chest or her dad’s. Like, that’s where she prefers to sleep. So in answer to your question um, not particularly well, even with the night nurse I feel guilty if I’m not the one that goes to her when she gets upset. I mean I’m her mother for gods sake…” The words spilling out like she’d turned on a tap. “Axel goes to work and sometimes I feel like he stays late just to have time away from the house - which I understand because it’s like almost a break, but I don’t feel like I can do that…and i'm just...really tired...” @margaretxalexander

[margaretxalexander]

closed starter for @laureljacobs location: oasis, country night

"You sure you can keep up, Jacobs?" Maggie took another shot from the bar, tipping it up toward Laurel before downing it. Oasis wasn't her typical playground, but who could resist the first theme weekend of the summer? Especially since she could really use an excuse to cut loose. Her fingers were already wrapping around another as her head tilted, a smirk lining her lips, "You really going to let an granny out do you?"

[margaretxalexander]

barcelona: beaches or cities?

"Cities, there's just so much more to do. Growing up around here, I've had plenty of beach time,"

[margaretxalexander]

26. is your muse more likely to be loud and proud about being in a relationship, or are they more quiet about it at first and open up about it over time?

"A little of A and a little of B,"

Margaret is more of an in between but if she had to lean one way or another, it'd be loud and proud. She won't go around bragging about it, but she'll talk more about that person and if asked, it's not something she'd at all try and hide. But once that flood gate is open, there might be some tmi involved. Nothing too scandalous but when has she ever been shy about offering information?

[margaretxalexander]

cassidy. maggie.

romance & relationship headcanons!

i know this topic is a bit overdone, but i wanted to make a more sfw romance & relationship headcanon meme! most if not all of these questions are related to romance and topics that may arise within romantic relationships, but without explicit nsfw topics!

1. what is your muse's sexual/romantic orientation? 2. has your muse been mainly attracted to masculinity, femininity, androgyny, or an even split (between two, many, or all of the options specified)? 3. has your muse been mainly attracted to men, women, non-binary people, another identity not specified, or an even split (between two, many, or all of the options specified)? 4. does your muse find any specific features particularly attractive? 5. what is your muse's ideal first date? 6. would your muse kiss on the first date? 7. where is your muse most sensitive? 8. is your muse a good kisser? are they experienced or inexperienced? 9. is your muse monogamous or polyamorous? would they be interested in a polyamorous relationship? 10. has your muse ever been cheated on? would they ever cheat on their partner(s)? 11. how comfortable is your muse with their appearance and their body? 12. does your muse get flustered easily? how would they typically react to compliments from someone they are interested in/dating? 13. what traits does your muse value in a romantic partner? 14. what traits does your muse want to avoid when it comes to choosing a romantic partner? 15. how does your muse feel about valentine's day? 16. what is/are your muse's love language(s)? 17. what are some of the signs that your muse shows their care/love without saying they love/care about their partner? 18. how does your muse feel about marriage? would they ever want to get married? 19. how many serious relationships has your muse been in? are they experienced or inexperienced when it comes to dating? 20. how does your muse feel about public displays of affection? would they engage in them? 21. is your muse more flirtatious or shy, or does it depend on the context? 22. does your muse tend to take on a more dominant or submissive role in the relationship, or does it vary based on circumstance? 23. would your muse be good at recognizing their partner's needs right away, or would it take some time? 24. is your muse proactive in communication with their partner(s), or is this something they need to work on? 25. does love and romance mean a lot to your muse? do they seek it constantly or let it come when it does? 26. is your muse more likely to be loud and proud about being in a relationship, or are they more quiet about it at first and open up about it over time? 27. is your muse more confident or shy when it comes to approaching someone they like? 28. would it bother your muse if they had differing interests from their partner(s), or would they delight in it? 29. how important is having (a) physically attractive partner(s) to your muse? 30. would your muse ever be in an open/non-exclusive relationship? would it make them insecure, or would they be open to trying it? 31. does your muse develop crushes easily? would they be open about it to a friend or keep it to themselves? 32. does your muse have an ideal "type"?

[margaretxalexander]

✈️ european city asks

london: when you visit a city, do you take in the tourist points or the more unknown places?

paris: where did you last fall in love?

berlin: do you find history or geography to be more interesting?

amsterdam: would you drink in a room full of strangers?

prague: rivers or forests?

vienna: do you enjoy classic literature?

barcelona: beaches or cities?

madrid: who did you last attend a party with?

budapest: if you could do anything and not have to face the consequences, what would you do?

rome: ancient rome or ancient greece?

copenhagen: how many languages can you speak?

dublin: where was the last castle you visited?

stockholm: angst or fluff?

lisbon: if you had the chance to become a prince/princess, would you?

athens: favourite greek myth?

milan: what matters more: fashion or comfort?

munich: why did you kiss the last person you did?

helsinki: when did you last visit a friend’s house?

reykjavik: do people usually have trouble pronouncing your name when you first meet?

florence: how did you discover your favourite artist’s work?

edinburgh: would you visit a dog park without a dog?

oslo: what’s more important: work or love?

venice: why did you last fall in love?

glasgow: where were you going during your latest bus journey?

liverpool: do you follow any sports?

cologne: why did you last visit your grandparents?

moscow: would you rather perform in a circus or an opera?

naples: if you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go and for how long?

[margaretxalexander]

Maggie smiled at the mention of being a professional. It was always a bit of a compliment since she knew so often she was anything but. She noted Sloane's volume, guessing it was her being cautious but Margaret had no intention of diving too deeply today. Sloane was adjusting. She had enough 'depth' just trying to figure out motherhood. Or at least Maggie had when she became a mom. So she let the redhead speak as she watched a few fish zipping along in the tank. For a moment it looked as though they were playing tag which only added to the soft smile on Maggie's features as she glanced over at Sloane, "It's ok if she isn't. The perfect, I mean. Most babies aren't," And anyone that said otherwise, was delusional. But she would give the redhead a pass on bluntness today too. "Being a new mother, however, is a lot. Exhausting even. How have you been sleeping?"

Sloane had been skeptical about meeting her psychologist in a aquarium of all places, but as she walked through the hallways bathed in a soft blue thanks to the water filled tanks on either side she started to wonder if maybe Margaret had been onto something. She found the woman’s office would make her feel stiff, like she had failed already just by coming in there, but here she could have just been out to meet a friend for example. Even if she knew the conversation that would be going on would be quite different. The dim lighting in here was allowing her to unwind from the tension of the last few weeks of getting used to being a new mother. “Course - you’re the professional.” The redhead replied in a slightly lowered voice, not wanting to interrupt anyone else having a day out, but also not wanting them to hear the details of her session. “Slowly trying to get accustomed to my new life, it’s…a lot.” Well if she couldn’t tell her doctor the truth then who was she going to be able to talk to? “Not that I don’t love it, love her, Ryen I mean. She’s the best…she’s just…she’s perfect.” She quickly added. @margaretxalexander

[margaretxalexander]

closed starter for @dancingdanvers location: aquatica

"Good to see you again, Sloane," Margaret said as she caught the reflection of the approaching redhead in the aquarium glass. It was unorthodox, meeting in a place like this, but Maggie thought she might need a break. She'd just had the baby and she was sure a lot of time was spent caring for and showing her off to friends and family. The times she wasn't was probably few and far between. So they could have met in her office, which wasn't stuffy ( in her opinion ) on the worst of days, but a little shift in routine never hurt and there were few places quieter than an aquarium on a random thursday morning,

"Thanks for meeting me here. How have you been?"

[margaretxalexander]

Ares

Ares: What’s a big pet peeve of yours?

"Unsolicited advice,"

"I know, I know, coming from me that's rich but my life up to this point has been full of it and it was hard. I didn't always make the best choices, in fact, I often made terrible ones, but they were my decisions. And I might have been more prone to ask for help and advice if it wasn't constantly being shoved down my throat. So I try to keep my opinion to myself until I'm asked. Once that happens though? All bets are off,"

[margaretxalexander]

Ogygia: Describe your dream husband/wife/life partner?

"I've been married before and Matthew...he was his own brand of dream. He's a good guy but I realized over the years I wanted a bit more. My dream partner would be someone who can laugh with me, but knows how and when to reel me in. Not that I feel I need too much of that anymore, but there are moments I want someone that will communicate with and call me out, both intellectually and as a person in general. Someone that is consistently growing and that I can grow along side. They'd need to be patient, of course, it can take me forever to get where I need to be and I need a certain amount of independence to do it. Basically, my dream partner isn't my entire world, but we'd add to each other's in a way that makes the good days bright and the dark ones worth weathering..."

"Maybe not as simple or articulate as I'd like, because I could go on and on, but ultimately, I'm not looking and I'm not fixated on a 'dream' anything. Life is imperfect. It's messy and humans especially don't and should not live up to everything you 'dream'. There's no fun or surprise in that, and anyone that knows me, knows how much I love a good surprise,"

[margaretxalexander]

Theseus: What is your worst regret?

"Not being as attentive to my first two kids, the oldest especially. I wasn't a great mom then, I'm still not sometimes, but it's something I work at. I hope I can mend my relationships with them and be the mother they deserve. Only time may tell though,"