scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

starter for @aindreisblythe

location: aqua avengers meet up

Though she and Bridget had made up from their fight, it had shaken her to her core. She had been working more and keeping up on chores in the apartment. After talking with a therapist, it was suggested that she try some new activities out for herself. With the warmer weather arriving in Kismet Harbor, Scotty was inclined to do something water related. She had been given the details for the local Aqua Avengers meet up in town and decided to show up even though she didn't have a kayak of her own. After renting one, she dragged it down to the beach, her heart pounding in her chest and breathing ragged once she reached the shore. "Wow, I did not expect this thing to be so heavy," she half joked, looking at the other person next to her.

[scottyxthomas]

Scotty had been pacing the apartment since Bridget walked out. She didn't know if her wife was even going to return. Going to get eggs could have meant just about anything with their fight. Her pacing had led her to doing the dishes, vacuuming and when she heard a familiar voice, she was scrubbing the tub. "In here." She called out, almost hesitant to do so. The last thing she wanted was to get into another fight. Scotty didn't know if she'd have the will power to do so. "I'm in the bathroom," the door was open, the cleaning supplies just on the outside of the door. @bridgetxjames

"I think..." She said and shook her head. "Doesn't matter." She walked over and grabbed her purse. "I'm going to get eggs." She said without even looking at Scotty before she walked out the door and let it slam behind her.

**TIME SKIP**

Walking through the store had calmed Bridget down. She knew she was out of line with Scotty and she felt horrible about it. Along with the eggs, she picked up a few snacks that she knew her wife liked and some flowers as well. She took a deep breath as she entered the home and looked around for Scotty. "Babe? You here?" She called out to her as she closed the door. @scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

starter for @courtneyxblake

location: oceanview plaza

Scotty told her sister that she would take her shopping for the baby. "Whatever you want. I know you have a registry, but I wanted you to be able to pick out some things now." And Scotty would still get them a few items from the registry as well. She just wanted to spend some quality time with her sister before their lives had a bit more chaos in it with a newborn. "And let me know if you want to stop or hit the food court," she looked at Courtney, eyes filled with concern. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

[scottyxthomas]

"Not a chance. Have you forgotten my wife is a baker?" She shook her head at her sister. "They're going to have a sweet tooth before they even get teeth," she jested, continuing to tease her sister. "But really, I'm so happy for you and Cohen." She reached out, squeezing her sisters arm with her hand for a moment, "You are going to be the most amazing mom, I've always known that." And if she were being honest, it was not something that Scotty had even discussed with Bridget. "It's going to be worth all the chaos that's going to happen with your hormones. I'll make sure Bridget keeps extra chocolate stocked." @courtneyxblake

[scottyxthomas]

Scotty had learned a long time ago not to take anything personally, at least from people she didn't know. The people she did know led to an entirely different story. "You don't owe me anything when you walk in here, I'm just helping my wife out." Scotty said, a lift of her shoulders following her words. "Come back when it or you feels better. Or both," she gave him a small smile. While she'd potentially lost her wife a customer, she didn't think it would be a detrimental loss and she'd plenty make up for it with the upcoming tasting. "No pressure." She told the other, impartial to whether he left or not, considering he didn't even answer her question on what he might want something sweet or salty. @hxnkbrxmson

A single nod answered that he was okay and the question increased his need to leave. Though Hank was starting to feel locked into the interaction. He thought just grabbing the first thing the other recommended and leaving should do the trick.

Except the employee didn't recommend anything. "So I should just look around?" Hank said a little too quickly. His plan had been to come in and see what sounded good but he was surprised by tasting parties and all this interaction that was outside the expected. He sucked in a breath and let it out slowly. "Sorry. I didn't mean for that to sound like that. I think I should leave, come back another day, and try again." @scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

At Briggs' words, she leaned in, looking at the guidebook that he held. She had an amused smile tugging on the corner of her lips. "You know, I can't say I have either, so you're not the only one." She said, tilting her head as she studied it a moment longer. "I wonder if it super elusive or we are just unlucky." Her lips pushed out in a pout. "We've got birds by the apartment, but nothing like this." Not that she had done much studying. "I think if you do, you have to use sugar water, like just the plain stuff." Scotty told him, "And if you do get one to come to your place and don't get a picture, just know that I am not going to believe you." She grinned at him, clearly teasing. @briggsnero

𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 @scottyxthomas

"Maybe it's just me." Briggs started, looking down at his guide book and then back at the other, shaking his head. "But I have yet to ever see this Calliope hummingbird." he stated, pointing to the picture of the hummingbird with the purple chest and then looking at the other. He wasn't sure when he turned officially old enough for bird watching, but, here he was, a guide book in one hand and his binoculars in the other trying to see if he could find this bird that was supposedly here during the summer. "I wonder if I could get it outside my window by making my own homemade hummingbird concoction or something. I have one of those feeders next to the garden."

[scottyxthomas]

"Not a chance. Have you forgotten my wife is a baker?" She shook her head at her sister. "They're going to have a sweet tooth before they even get teeth," she jested, continuing to tease her sister. "But really, I'm so happy for you and Cohen." She reached out, squeezing her sisters arm with her hand for a moment, "You are going to be the most amazing mom, I've always known that." And if she were being honest, it was not something that Scotty had even discussed with Bridget. "It's going to be worth all the chaos that's going to happen with your hormones. I'll make sure Bridget keeps extra chocolate stocked." @courtneyxblake

Courtney nodded, chewing her lip as to stop herself from getting emotional. The hormones had already started raging and she hadn't even been pregnant for a month at this point. And she was so thankful for the support system of both Scotty and Sebastian, as well as their parents but her siblings were close by. "Thank you," she managed to say before smiling and letting out a laugh, "oh absolutely. And he's gonna be that uncle that definitely insists in the baby eating only the finest ingredients too." She smiled wider, happy about the future despite the worries that would come up. "Thank you," she repeated before raising an eyebrow at her sister, "so I guess I won't be one of those moms whose baby never had sugar huh?" She teased, knowing she would never and could never be that type of mom. "Baby Blake is gonna be spoiled with food. I feel bad for their future friends, sleepovers, dinners, and parties wont hold a cake to the food this baby will be used to!" @scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

Her patience was fraying, more so as Bridget said a robot would have done it by now. The harshness of the words had not been lost on her and felt like she had been slapped in the face. Her cheeks heated, redness splotchy against them. "You think I'm not trying?" She snapped, her voice sharp, moving closer to Bridget this time. "You are not the only one that is exhausted and trying to hold this apartment together." Though there wasn't much to do in an apartment, there was still enough. As Bridget slammed the door of the fridge shut, she shook her had. "And now what? You're mad about eggs? Go get the damn eggs then, but don't act like this is all on me." Her voice cracked as her gaze shifted, "You act like I'm failing you." She'd been through this before and though she knew Bridget would never hurt her, did she really know that? The two barely knew anything about each other before they got married. @bridgetxjames

She knew her wife wasn't doing it on purpose. She knew the other was exhausted just as Bridget was exhausted. Both had been so busy lately and it was clear just how much things were building up. "A robot would've had it done by now." The words were harsh and she knew it. Her words were becoming venom and she could feel how she was being and something in her was trying to stop it. She walked over to the fridge to see if they had eggs so she could start baking in whatever dish she could find, but they didn't have any and she slammed the door. "And now I gotta go out for eggs. This is just perfect." @scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

Scotty blinked, watching the stranger as he looked like he might bolt out the door instead of taking the time to look over the treats. "No ma'am?" She repeated, her brows lifting in a slight confusion. "You okay there?" Scotty did her best to keep her tone from sounding unkind, but rather she felt cautious as if she was now waiting for the other shoe to drop. "Well, I guess it depends on what you are in the mood for." Her lips thinned after she spoke, unsure of what to do about the person that had just walked into the bakery. This type of customer service was not a strong trait of hers. "Sweet, salty?" She gave him half a smile. @hxnkbrxmson

Feet frozen to the spot, Hank wasn't sure his limbs would work even if he wanted them too. Though he did want them to. Walk him right out of this place. No treat or reward was necessary anymore. He could order something from the safety of his house and the contactless nature of his phone.

"No ma'am," he said with a single shake of his head. Still trying to remember how to be human and landing at the same first stop as always; solider. The tote bags in Hank's hand prevented him from holding the stance that went with the Air Force based comfort. Finally finding more words, Hank asked the question more like he hoped it was the right thing to say than wanting an actual answer. "What do you recommend?" @scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

"Dual citizenship of Love Land," Scotty laughed, "now that's something I can get on board with. I expect a really cute passport stamp." She added with another soft laugh. "It sounds like the light-up face is worth every bouquet." Scotty hadn't known Quentin or Julieta all that long but she could tell that they were smitten with one another. "You're just setting the bar real high for the rest of us, aren't you?" She raised a teasing brow, "I hope I can keep up." @quentinxjames

[scottyxthomas]

Her jaw clenched with Bridget's words. She knew they were unfair and sharp. The way they hit were like a slap across the face. The silence was heavy between them as she stood there. "You think I chose to sleep just to piss you off?" Scotty didn't yell, but her voice carried the same sort of clipped hurt and frustration that Bridget's did. "I've been working too and just because your day was hard doesn't mean that mine didn't exist." She took a step forward, "You want to dump it all on me? That's fine, but I'm not sitting around doing nothing. I'm not a robot, Bridget. I'm exhausted too and you can't make me the enemy." She shook her head, "I don't want to do this thing where we tear each other down. That's not the kind of marriage I want." @bridgetxjames

Putting her bag down with a little more force than intended, she felt the irritation go through her. The feeling truly wasn't towards Scotty, just the amount of other things going on was causing Bridget to be this harsher version of herself that she knew she could be sometimes. Her wife just hadn't seen that quite yet. "Right. You just chose to sleep rather than do them." She knew that was unfair, but she didn't care at the moment. "I've been dealing with dishes all day. I go into work and have dishes to do and I come home and now there's still dishes to do. I've been surrounded by wedding cakes and gender reveals and now I got to plan a kids birthday cake and try out the flavors and all my baking things need washed." Which was her own fault, but she was releasing it on Scotty. "I just need a simple thing done and apparently it's never that simple." @scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

"Whoa, whoa," she held up her hands in a mock surrender as the other let off a rapid unraveling. "If the door is open, the business is open." She told the other, knowing Bridget and Hazal were working on the finishing touches in the back kitchen. Pushing off the counter, she gave him a once over. "I like that, not having a plan." She admitted, "Gut instinct on what looks best could be the way to go." Her smile grew as she looked at him. "Anything sticking out?" @hxnkbrxmson

"Oh, are you not open? Was I not meant to come in? The door," Hank looked over his shoulder as he motioned to where he'd come it. "It was open. I didn't check for an...open...sign. Icango." This would likely be his last visit to the place. Walking in when he wasn't supposed to was a level of embarrassment he'd never recover from.

But if you're just looking. Hank sucked in a few rapid breaths, trying to figure out how he was meant to behave in this situation. Leaving did still feel like the best choice. "I didn't have a plan. I-i-i-i just thought I'd get what looked best?" @scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

"Yeah, I see that too." Bridget's comment forced a short, dry laugh out of Scotty. She wasn't loud when she spoke but her tone was clipped. The two had been on edge recently, more so than usual. "I know the dishes are piling up, I live here, too." She got up from the couch, running a hand through her hair as she walked towards Bridget. "I'm not just sleeping to avoid doing them." Her words came out faster than she intended them to, "You're slammed with work just as much as I am." Scotty crossed her arms loosely over her chest. "You're bending over backwards for everyone but remember I'm not kicking back with mimosas all day either." @bridgetxjames

The dishes were getting out of control in the sink, but she knew that neither of them had a whole lot of time right now to focus on much at their place. Scotty was busy with work and Bridget was too. She had a lot of wedding cakes to bake and some gender reveals. She was planning, testing, and making sure everything was going good. It was another long day at work and a bride that was getting married that weekend changed her mind again on the cake so she had to start over while another yelled at her about the cake design. She was tired and it was last when she came home and found her wife waking up on the couch. "Hey." She said before her eyes glanced at the kitchen as she put her keys down and she rolled her eyes. "I see the dishes still need done." @scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

Scotty set down the cupcakes, "The tasting is just a little thing we are doing today, but I wasn't sure if I was running behind or not." Though she was certain that she was. "But, if you're just looking, you're still in the right place. My wife owns it," she told the stranger. "We've got plenty of sweet treats to tempt you with." She moved behind the counter, leaning against it, "What kind of sweets are you looking to get into?" Scotty raised a brow at him, curiously. "I'm no expert, but I think my wife's taught me enough I can help out." @hxnkbrxmson

There weren't a lot of vices in Hank's life. In truth, he was bit too squeaky clean. His friends had always mocked him for it but he still didn't understand the appeal of getting black out drunk every weekend and it's been a good ten years of them trying to lure him along. Moving countries did put a stop to that pressure though. One of the vices he did have was sweets. Hank loved a little treat, a special something, and it was a problem.

So for doing the bare minimum today and getting everything sent off in the post and buying the things he needed for the home improvement projects, Hank stopped in to get himself a reward.

"The tasting?" He said, his head shaking in confusion. That was off the mental script he'd practiced before coming in and he had to restart. Finally he asked, "I'm just looking?" @scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

"Hey, don't even go worrying about that." She knew there was something deeper behind Courtney's words. Scotty was not blind to the fact that money had not come easily into their home and having a baby was only going to put more financial strain on them. "I can already see it, critiquing mac and cheese like a Michelin star judge," she joked, shaking her head. "They will get that from Seb." Scotty joked once more. "Of course, I'm never going to lie to you about that. I'm so freaking excited for the both of you." Her grin grew, "I hope you know I'm going to be the aunt that sneaks them extra dessert. Especially since my wife bakes all the time." @courtneyxblake

Sniffling, Courtney smiled as her cheeks were lined with happy tears that had fallen. She was so grateful for her siblings and parents, all excitement form them. "Yeah I'm afraid Cohen and I might be the worse culprits," she playfully winced though money was tight, she could see her and her husband splurging more for the baby than they did for themselves. She laughed, "he is. The baby is going to absolutely have the best taste in food in all of Kismet and at such a young age," fine dining wasn't something she ever thought about regarding kids but hey she wouldn't complain. Holding onto the sides of her sister's arms, she grinned again, "thank you, it means more than you know. And I hope so." @scottyxthomas

[scottyxthomas]

starter for @hxnkbrxmson

location: seaside sweets

Scotty wasn't an employee at Seaside Sweets but when her wife needed help, she helped. The weekend had approached far more quickly than the bakery had anticipated and she was helping set up for the small tasting event. When the door opened, it rang the bell above and caught her attention. "Hi," she smiled at them, holding a three tiered rack of cupcakes, "welcome on behalf of Seaside Sweets." She smiled at the stranger, warmly, of course. "Are you here for the tasting or is there something else I can help you with?"

[scottyxthomas]

starter for @bridgetxjames

location: their apartment

Scotty had been working a lot lately, getting more involved in her role at Worthy of Hope. It was a cause close to heart and she would be remiss to give any part of it up. So, the dishes kept piling up. Meal after meal, it seemed that they weren't going to do themselves. Between the two of them working, one of them was going to do it and then didn't. Tonight, it should have been Scotty's turn to do the dishes but after she got home from traveling all the way to Portland and back for the day, she nearly passed out on the couch when she got home. She only stirred when she heard the door unlock as Bridget got home from work. "Oh, hey, you're home."