#I keep calling her Cindy Lou help

[thebisexualteen]

Meet the baby, Cindy.

She was abandoned by Mariella and Cameron(At a very young age btw)

She's currently 7 yrs old

She's doing fine rn, she has an new mom(Her name is Novelia but call her Nova for short) that found her on the streets one day and took her in and took care of her yay

@insanelyadd

[genevievemd]

Forever Winter

Book: Open Heart: Second Year Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Genevieve McClure) Word Count: 1491 Rating: T Category: hurt/comfort, Ethan POV Trope(s): 

Summary: After the attack a month prior, Ethan worries when Genevieve doesn’t embrace the holidays like she usually does. 

Warnings: mentions of character death

A/N: A little angsty Christmas/winter fic for you. In OPH: Sara’s Version, the assassination attempt happens in the beginning of November and Gen returns to work the beginning of December. So the holidays fall right in the middle of her still dealing with it all. 

Title is from a Taylor Swift song. I am who I am guys. Also another entry for @choicesficwriterscreations​ holiday event

He watches her closely, though he makes the attempt to ensure none of the gossiping bufoons surrounding them notice. She’s like a zombie, here but just barely. Her normally bright green eyes, that could rival the Christmas lights now twinkling throughout the city, have faded. 

He knows why, of course, its her first official week back since the attack a month ago. And while Ethan wasn’t on board with the idea of her returning this quickly, it wasn’t quite his place to voice his concerns. 

Regardless of the change in their relationship or the fact that she had slept at his place the night before. Nevermind the two weeks she stayed with him after the funerals. 

He wasn’t her boyfriend, yet, and so he’d keep his concerns to himself until she asks for them. 

But that won’t stop him from keeping a watchful eye on his rookie. Make sure she makes it through her day the best she can. 

Genevieve finally emerges from the patient room she’d been in. He had a perfect view from the nurses station, and watches her smile fade and her entire body deflate the second she’s standing across from him at the circular desk. 

She is so out of character that its truly starting to worry him for than he already was. This time last year, she was sporting a Santa hat almost everyday, hummed a holiday tune down the halls, and never failed to call him a scrooge or grinch every chance she got. 

Gen loved Christmas and to see her still so lost in her pain, unable to embrace the season she so loves broke his heart. 

He was the stoic and cynical one in their partnership, she was supposed to be his sunny and energetic counterpart. 

Ethan looks down at his watch, no longer concerned with the chart he was meant to be reading. His mind now focused on finding a way to bring a smile and some peace to his very own Cindy-Lou Who.

It seemed the fates were on his side, because it was a quarter to three, and the perfect time to get her away from the chaos around them. 

He silently hands a nurse the patient file and moves around the desk. Gen looks up briefly, her smile in greeting not reaching her eyes. 

“How are you doing, G?” 

“I’m alive.” She shrugs, signing her name with a sigh. 

“Go grab your coat.” 

“Why?” Her face scrunches inn confusion and he can’t help but chuckle at how adorable she looks.

“Because its 30 degrees outside, Rookie.” 

“I know that.” She rolls her eyes, “I meant, why do I need my coat, Dr. Smartass.” 

“We’re going out for a bit.” 

“Really?” 

For the first time all day, the brightness and color returns to her face. And its then he knows he’s making the right decision in his efforts to protect her. 

“Yes. Just a walk, does that sound alright?”

“It sounds perfect.” She hesitates form a millisecond, before her hand reaches for his own. One of her fingers delicately hooking onto his pinky. “Thank you.” 

“Always, G.” 

No more than ten minutes later, they’re walking side by side in the park not far from the hospital.

They’ve ben silent for the majority of those minutes, though Ethan has a million questions he wants to ask. But he knows better than to pry when she isn’t ready to talk. 

Especially now, with her anxiety at an all time high and her brain injured with PTSD. 

“Can I…” Her voice is small, hesitant. Stopping in her tracks to look up at him. “I know we made the rule, or decision, or whatever to keep us a secret for now, but can you – will you hold my hand? We’re far enough from work and I –” 

He cuts off her sentence, not with words, but with his hand. Firmly grasping hers, gloved fingers of each intertwining. 

“Better?” Ethan smiles softly, before leaning down to kiss her forehead. 

“Yes. That also helped.” 

“Good.” 

They continue on their walk around the park, noting the kids building snowmen and the glistening, snow covered trees. Offering each other stories of their childhood winters, and how funny it is that they grew up only a state apart. 

Dancing around the topic that is at the forefront of their minds. 

They’ve both been plagued with nightmares, intrusive thoughts of how it could have all ended differently, and the fear of being out of each other’s sight. 

And of course, for her, being back at the very place where she almost died, with no way to avoid the room it all happened in. 

The fear they both still feel is almost more biting than the December chill. Because unlike the weather, this cold doesn’t leave after it snakes its way under your skin. It lingers there, travels through your blood until you’re a walking icicle of fear. 

“How long do you think it will take for me to feel safe at work again?” Her voice trembles, her eyes welling with tears.

“Unfortunately, G, I don’t have the answer to that question. I wish I did.” 

“Me, too. Can I tell you something else?” 

“Always.” 

“I really want to celebrate Christmas but it feels wrong to. Because it’s –” Genevieve stops walking again, sniffling back tears. “It’s not fair. I get to be here and celebrate with people I love, while the people that loved Danny and Bobby won’t get to ever again. How can I be happy when they’re dead. It feels wrong, cruel.” 

“Genevieve,” He whispers her name, face twisted in shock and pain. 

He pulls her into his arms, holding her tightly to his chest as her petite from shakes from crying. 

“You’re right, that it’s unfair, but that doesn’t mean we stop living. The world, unfortunately, is a cruel place and sometimes there’s nothing we can do to change it. But, what we can do is push through it. Neither Danny nor Bobby would want you to stop living. G, you’re allowed to celebrate Christmas and be happy.” 

“How come I lived and they didn’t?” 

She sounds so broken, and it kills him. Unable to stop his own eyes from shedding a few tears. 

“Because your story isn’t finished.” 

“You don’t believe in fate or destinies.” Gen sniffles, and pulls away slightly. Just enough to meet his eyes. Her own red rimmed and puffy. 

“You’re right, I don’t, but you do.” He reaches up with one hand to wipe the tears off her frost-bitten cheeks. “You won’t feel like this forever, Gen. That is something I do know and believe.” 

“So, I can be happy about Christmas without people thinking I’m the worst person ever?” 

“Yes, and no one would ever think that to begin with.” 

“Okay.” She snuggles back into him. Her arms wrapping tightly around his waist. 

They stand there for a few minutes, doing nothing more than breathing and holding each other close. 

“I have one more question.” Gen mumbles after another moment, still nestled in the shelter he provides. 

“What is it?” 

“Well, actually, it’s two. Can I come over after work and stay the night again? And then if I can, will you watch my favorite holiday movie with me?” 

Ethan smiles, “It’s a yes to both, sweetheart.” 

The pet name falls from his lips before his mind registers what he’s said and the panic sets in the moment the realization hits. They haven’t done pet names yet, hell they weren’t even really dating yet and to so carelessly through that name out there could have nuclear implications. 

Cautiously, Ethan looks down at the woman in his arms, afraid of what he’ll find. But he sees nothing but a smile. The first real one she’s had in a long time. 

“Thank you, for everything. I don’t know if I’d be able to get through this without you.” 

“You would, you’re stronger than you realize. But, I am glad that I can be here for you.” 

Deciding to continue to lead with his heart, Ethan leans down to gingerly press his lips to hers. The chill melting away the second they meet. Gen stands on her tiptoes and wraps her arms around his neck, while he pulls her closer and wraps his own around her waist. 

They share a slew of kisses, before pulling away. Both smiling brightly at each other. 

“We should head back.” Ethan breaks their embrace, but stays in contact. Taking ahold of her hand once more. 

“Just don’t call me ‘sweetheart’ in the hallway.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, G.” He winks at her, which causes her to giggle. The sound to pure it mends a piece of his heart. 

“Sure.” 

They share one more smile before beginning their journey bac to the hospital. All while Ethan hopes he’s given her the respite she needed and the confidence to embrace the holidays she loves without guilt. 

Which she deserves more than anything.

A/N: I might have one or two more holiday fics for you guys, but we’ll see how it goes. 

Happy Holidays, peanuts! 

(Tagging separately to appease the tumbroke gods. )

[twopoppies]

speaking of, do we know who are harry’s best mates? like louis is vocal about his friendship with hot luke, oli and the others but what about h?

Hi honey. We know he seems genuinely close with people like Alessandro Michele, Alexa Chung, Stevie Nicks etc. He's got other famous people he seems to socialize with somewhat regularly, but it's hard to tell what's business and what's real friendship. Most of them aren't what I'd call A-list celebrities (like Cindy Crawford, James Corden etc) @daisiesonafield-blog has a Harry's Famous Friends tag which you can browse through. He actually seems to keep his non-famous friends on the DL, which makes sense given how intrusive this fandom is. But we do know some of them:

Mitch Rowland (his guitarist)

Al Shearer and his wife, Reesh, have been seen with him at the BLM march and hanging out with him a number of times in LA).

Xander Ritz (now also connected through Pleasing, but he's been a friend of Harry's since 2015)

Chloe Burcham (old friend of Gemma's, Harry grew up with her)

Tomo Campbell (artist and husband of Lou Teasdale's sister, Sam. He's been friends with him for a while, has traveled with him, brought him to The Brits etc)

Waseem (don't know his last name. He seems to be friends with Alexa Chung and her group, and Harry knows him through her)

I'm sure there are numerous others, we've seen him with various people but how close they are to him isn't something we know.

You can look through my Harry with friends tag or Harry’s friends (because consistent tags are for suckers) and Daisie has one as well for non-famous friends here. He also seems quite close to his family (beyond just Anne, Gemma, and Gemma's bf Michal). You can look through my Harry with family tag.

I hope that helps a bit

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Even The Grinch Needs A Sidekick

Summary- 4k Mike (Me from Playing It Cool) x You. You have been busy, and today is no different. A children's Christmas Party at the hospital where you work is taking up all your time. Mike calls in Scott for some culinary help so you can have a relaxing night. Mike also finds a new friend and brings him home. Fluff. I really don’t think there are any warnings, but if you all pick up on something, go ahead and let me know. The lovely divider made by @firefly-graphics​ Happy Holiday Everyone

A/N- This wasn’t what I had planned for this chapter. But you know what, sometimes the story just does what it wants, damned if the writer wants that. I do love it though. 

Previous Chapter- Tonight It’s Scrooge McDuck

You tugged on your scrubs, having pulled out your favorite pair with The Grinch dressed as Santa Claus, Max with his single antler and little Cindy Lou Who with her red Christmas bauble. You hummed while grabbing your bell earrings when Mike came into the bedroom, glancing at you all dressed up for the hospital. “What's the occasion?” He questioned while turning you around and looking you up and down. 

“A group of us are going down into the children's ward to hand out some presents. I know I'm not supposed to wear the decorated scrubs, but it's once a year. Tomorrow I will go back to those boring as fuck ones.” You leaned up to kiss him swiftly before stepping around him. “But I'm going to be late, and I have an order of cookies to pick up on my way to work.” 

Mike followed you out, unlike you, he wasn't in a rush anywhere. It was a few days before Christmas and just as he had promised, he was about halfway done with Brian's script. The detective drama story line spoke to him a bit more than the rom-com scripts he was stuck with last time, and was finding it a hell of a lot easier to spend his day thinking about. 

You were busy packing a bag with some stuff you had picked up for the kids, and Mike grabbed a bagel he wrapped earlier, toasted lightly with cream cheese as well as a to go mug of coffee, you were distracted and listing off your to-dos when he handed them to you. “Don't forget to eat, and I got dinner tonight.” 

“Oh thank you, I know i have been all over the place the past week.” You paused when you saw what he had and took them to set the mug beside your bag, and pack away the bagel while continuing to talk to him. “You know… tonight is Chopped, and I shouldn’t be late tonight.” You bit your lip in a grin and turned to face him. “We might be able to beat our record.” Hinting at a bedroom game you two played, just for the hell of it.

Mike's eyes crinkled in the corner knowing well what you were playing at, reaching out to grab the front of your shirt and ease you forward into his arms, a grin softening his features as he wiggled his brows. “Think we will beat our time tonight. It's been awhile since we’ve messed around.” His hands slid down to cup your ass cheeks through your scrubs, making you arch into him, and you chuckled while easing your arms around his neck and tilting your head to press your lips to his, teasing darts of the tongue dragging against his bottom lip before pulling away, not letting the kiss get to that deep needing way. That has caused you to be late before and you weren’t going to let yourself be late today.

“That will have to wait till tonight Mike.” You wink at him as he groans as if waiting was not in his plan. “See you later tonight, and smile Baby, no being a Grinch just before Christmas.” You shouldered your bag and backed to the door to stay out of his reach, and slipped out the door with a grin. Mike snapped the door open as you were heading down the stairs. 

“Love you to Y/N” He shouted, and you waved back at him before disappearing from sight. Mike closed the door behind him, and pulled out his phone to scroll through his contacts. Hitting Scott’s name, he pressed dial and waited through the rings before a groggy voice answered. 

“What Man, it's 7 am, what in the hell do you already want Mike?” Scott snapped out and Mike grinned hearing his best friend. 

“Good Morning to you to Scott, are you still up for helping me tonight?” Mike asked and Scott groaned out a yes before hanging up. Whistling Mike grabbed a piece of toast and went to his computer to get to work. A text came through a short time later, a grocery list for Mike to pick up. 

Mike was coming back from the store with the ingredients Scott sent him a list of when he heard something shuffling in an alleyway he was passing. His head tilted when he heard the whimper that shifted into a scared woof, and Mike turned partially into the dirty alleyway, a particularly smelly dumpster half blocked it from sight and the light bright street seemed to grow into a darker ominous presence the further he stepped in, listening intently for that noise again. “Hello?” He asked cautiously, and all that filled his mind was somebody stashed behind the disgusting dumpster, and then he would be pulled into questioning by the cops… 

I really gotta stop watching those dramas Y/N liked so much he thought to himself as he peered into the edge of the dumpster to see nothing then dirty black garbage bags that had been torn into. Nothing unusual. But under the dumpster came a whine, rather pathetic, and Mike looked down between his feet to see a black nose with streaked white fur peek out with a loud sniff against his shoe, and a tilt had it grabbing at his shoelaces that were half hanging loose. “Hey!” he exclaimed and backed up to see the nose disappear back under the dumpster.

 “Here boy… or girl, whatever you are.” Mike called while shifting to a kneel while setting his groceries aside and landing carefully on his palms to lean down and peek under the dumpster. At first there was nothing to see, but then a puppy was trying to wriggle its way out the other side, on its belly with its back legs stretched out behind him. 

Mike was quick to bolt around the dumpster to see the puppy almost out from underneath it. Covered in mud and who knows what else, his head much bigger than the rest of his body, Mike was able to nab the puppy on the nape of his neck and pick him up, which he hung there growling and barking, his hind end and tail curled up in the fetal position. “Okay little guy, just hold on. Promise not to bite me and I will quit holding you like this.” Mike folded his arm to cradle under the puppy’s backside, and let him lean against his chest. He weighed practically nothing, it seemed all his matted fur made him appear bigger then he actually was. Once he was supported, he quit squirming and studied the man. All while Mike studied him back, now unsure of what to do with him. 

Big brown eyes started to droop as a wet black nose bopped against Mikes, and that sealed the deal. Sure there apartment didn't allow dogs but Mike couldn't just leave him there. “Guess you're coming home with me. I already know Y/N will be thrilled.” He grabbed his bag of groceries and made his way back to the apartment, sure to rush up the three flights of stairs and try to shift puppy, and groceries into one arm to get his keys. The puppy ended up wriggling in his arm and he set him down between his shoes to dig out his keys from his pants pocket while the wide eyed mutt peeked around his leg and bounded down the hallway, yipping. “No! Boy get back here.” Mike shoved the door open, along with the groceries before he sprinted after the fleeing canine to get him back. Scooping him up, he rushed back towards his door when the neighbor poked her head out. “Mike, what are you doing?” 

“Uh nothing Mrs. Beatrix… Sorry to have bothered you.” He waved one handed over his shoulder while trying to contain the squirming pup in his arms. Once he dipped into the apartment, half tripping over the bag of groceries, Mike slammed the door shut and set the puppy down, who dropped nose to the floor and started weaving back and forth. 

“Listen man… if this is gonna work out, you have to help out.” Mike said, kicking off his tennis shoes and grabbing the bag to bring to the kitchen, right behind him was the pitter patter of nails on linoleum and while he was emptying the bag of stuff for Scott, a pair of paws pressed against the back of his calves. A loud whine issued, and looking over his shoulder, he chuckled. “Hungry, arnt ya kiddo? Okay, lets see if Y/N has any ham left over from the night before.” He turned and searched the fridge, the puppy right there with his head stuck in it as well. 

It was much later when Scott came over, Mike was working on his script as well as keeping an eye on the new house guest when his ears perked to Scott entering the apartment, his arms filled as well with a couple bags that he set down. 

“Uuuh, are you babysitting someone's dog?” Scott asked curiously while his shoes were getting inspected. And Mike snapped his laptop shut to look over the edge of his desk at them. 

“No, I found him wedged under a dumpster. I couldn’t leave him there.” Mike dropped his hand and gave a soft whistle, which the pup gave Scott one last sniff before barreling back to Mike which scooped him up into his lap, scratching behind his ears. 

“What do you think Y/N will say?” Scott dropped his bags onto the counter and started to unpack and add his ingredients with the stuff Mike had picked up earlier. 

“I think she will be secretly thrilled.” Mike ruffled the pups ears and then set him back down on the floor. He moved to a stand and crossed into the kitchen to scrub his hands clean. “She loves dogs and watch her insist we keep him.” 

“Even when your landlord doesn't allow dogs here?” Scott was asking with a slight laugh while peeling open all the spices, and Mike took his time making faces down at the pup while drying his hands. 

“Eh, hes hardly around and we will figure it out. Besides, I would like to get out of this building, nothing ever works. Last week the hot water was out for the hundredth time it seems. This block always loses power first and last to get it back. Time for an upgrade, Brian already has another script for me to work on after this one finishes. If I really work on it, I should be done right after Christmas.” 

Scott grimaced a bit, but kept himself turned away from Mike while listening to him. “You know… a break afterwards might not be a bad thing, You’ve been writing steadily since before October. I know you're on a streak, but you have to come up for air sometime.” 

Mike shrugged at Scott. “Hey, I gotta take the pieces where I can get them right? Money is good and getting my name known will help in the long run. It's nothing I can’t handle. I know I’ve been distant a bit with Y/N, why you are here today, teaching me how to roast a chicken.” 

“I don’t know how you convinced me to do this. What person doesn't know how to cook a meal for their partner? You two have been dating for two years and this is the first time?” He scolded Mike while grabbing vegetables to give a rinse in the sink. The pup had planted himself between the two men, his ears perked while swinging his head back and forth to listen. 

“Take out, out to dinner, breakfast? I don't know, it just hasn’t happened. But tonight my man, with your help, I’m changing that. Y/N has been working hard the last couple weeks, and I know this will make her feel special.” Mike rolled up his sleeves, preparing to help Scott with whatever he needed while winking at their guest. “And who better to help me then you? You and Neil took all those cooking classes together. So what is on the menu tonight?” Mike leaned in to look at a bag, which Scott shooed him out and reached in pulling out the last thing Mike expected, a whole chicken. 

“Roast chicken, garlic baby red potatoes, a nice side salad, and rolls. You really can't get easier than that, and it speaks sophisticated.” Scott informed him while placing the chicken in the sink. 

“Easy? Dude that's a whole damn bird.” Mike scoffed while coming around the counter. “What do you want me to do with it?” 

Scott was already going through the kitchen, grabbing cooking pans and aluminum foil. “Well you can start with unwrapping the chicken and giving it a rinse.” 

Mike gave the chicken a look and took a breath. “No big deal, right pupper?” Mike directed at the puppy, who yipped in excitement and tipped his head back to give a cheeky howl, making both the men laugh at his reaction. 

The crash course into cooking had Mike's head spinning. Scott had him chopping, dicing, sprinkling seasonings, tossing stuff together and when he finally got the pans into the oven, he took a deep breath. “Okay what's next?” Mike was now on his toes, ready for the next project but Scott was busy washing his hands. 

“Now you wait an hour, check it by popping one of the legs near the joint and seeing if the juices run clear. Also let it rest when you take it out for good, or else it will be dry as hell.” Scott informed while drying his hands. “Also you need to get cleaned up. And give the poor dog a bath.” Scott leaned down where the puppy scooted away from Mike and sniffed at his fingers, giving them a lick first and then a playful bite which Scott shook his finger loose from the tiny teeth. Mike watched a moment before checking his phone. 

“Y/N will be home soon, so I will get on that. I bet he's a pretty cute pup under all that dirt.” Mike leaned down to pick him up, and Scott straightened, grabbing his reusable grocery bags and tucked them under his arm. 

“Text me tomorrow to let me know how it came out and we on for Saturday at the bowling alley?” Scott approached the door and Mike followed, turning the pup around to wave his paw at Scott.

“Yes Uncle Scott.” Mike mimicked in a joking high pitched voice, leaving Scott rolling his eyes at his friend. 

“Bite him would ya? You still got those sharp baby teeth.” Scott let himself out and Mike twisted the puppy once more to face him. 

“What an ass huh?” Which rewarded him with a resounding woof in agreement and a nip at the end of his nose. “God damn it, you weren't supposed to listen to him.” Mike grumbled while retreating to the bathroom, knowing the timer would let him know when to check on the chicken. “Okay, what's safe to use on you?” he questioned while setting the pup down in the bathtub and pulled out his phone to google while starting to put warm water in the tub. 

You trudged up the apartment's stairs, a few gift bags hanging off your arm from some of the long time residents at the hospital. You were exhausted and really looking forward to opening up that bottle of wine you’ve been saving and crashing on the couch with Mike. 

Jingling keys from your coat pocket and letting yourself in, the first thing that you noticed was the smell of chicken and potatoes wafting in from the kitchen, making your stomach roll in hunger and your mouth water. Following your nose, you went to drop off your bags when you called out “Mike? Where you at?” You had expected him to be in front of his glowing computer screen, where he usually was when in the middle of writing a script, but not tonight. 

“Will you stop it? I'M IN HERE.” You heard him call from down the hallway, and after you toed off your shoes, you started down to hear something whining and splashing. 

“Mike… what's going on?” You question as you stop at the bathroom doorway to see something you never expected to see. Mike was kneeling next to the tub and hanging off the edge was soggy paws and a soapy puppy giving the most pitiful look up at him while wagging his tail, sending a trail of water and soap spreading all over the room. 

“I said cut that out!” Mike wailed while reaching to catch the tail and squeeze out the excess water from it before letting it go, which just started the sloppy wagging again and a howl now while Mike attempted to rinse him off. “Welcome home Baby.” 

You just melt at the scene, grabbing a towel off the counter and unfolding it while Mike moves to a stand, picking the soaked dripping pup with him and you go to wrap him up in the fluffy towel. “Mike, where did you find this sweet baby?” You croon as you go to gently rub him dry, cupping his face and smiling at him. 

“Well… Under a dumpster a few blocks away.” Mike let you take the pup in your arms as your gently swaying him back and forth, still crooning and nuzzling him while hes giving licks to the tip of your nose. “I couldn't leave him there.” 

“Absolutely not.” You turned to leave the bathroom, leaving Mike to drain and rinse the tub while you brought your new friend out to the living room. Having him still wrapped in a towel, you settled on the couch and started to unwrap him from the towel, seeing his little yawns as he curled up on your scrub clad thighs. “Who would just leave you out there all alone little baby?” 

Mike finished up, taking a quick peek at his chicken, which had turned a deep golden brown, and the scent of sage and butter wafted from the open oven. Pulling it out, he listened to you talking to the puppy while setting it on the counter to let it sit before cutting into it. 

“Wine?” He called out while pulling out your favorite glass, already knowing the answer when you resounded a yes from the other room. Pouring it, he went back in to sit down next to you, handing you the wine and tossing his arm over your shoulder to pull you in closer. Tucking in his side, you hummed softly while softly petting the snoring pup in your lap. 

“We should think about what we're going to do with him.” You sigh a bit, scritching behind his ear while he twisted in your lap and went belly up, your fingers tickling along the pink of his belly. 

Mike considered it, letting his own fingers trail along your shoulder. “Why not keep him? We only have a few months left of our lease. About time we move right? Maybe something bigger.” 

You had never heard Mike talk like this, like in the future setting. He had always been in the moment, by the seat of your pants kind of man, and you were always a bit nervous to even bring up the future with him. You cleared your throat a bit while looking up at him, straightening a bit, which jostled the puppy just a bit and woke him up with a whining yawn, stretching in your lap. “You really want that Mike?” You searched his face and he shrugged, a tinge of pink along the top of his cheeks. 

“Well I wouldn't mention it if I didn't Y/N.” He teased while reaching for the pup who started to wriggle around in your lap, and set him down on the floor before pushing himself to a stand. “Come, I actually made a real dinner and you still gotta tell me about work. Did that intern drive you crazy today?” He efficiently changed the subject, which you let him. Slipping into his hold, you went to help him in the kitchen. Leaning over the counter as he transferred the chicken, you inhaled deeply. 

“You made this Mike?” you asked incredulously with an arched brow, waiting for him to confess that it was an order in and he made it look homemade, but he smirked at you while starting to carve. 

“I will have you know I made this myself.” 

You gave him the look, the one that demanded the ultimate truth. 

“With Scotts help, okay. But I did the work.” Mike plucked a piece of chicken loose and held it to you, which you popped in your mouth, licking at your lip and grinning at how it tasted. Reaching for another piece and plucking a piece to give to the puppy waiting patiently at your foot. “Scott just instructed me on what to do.” 

“His classes are paying off. Maybe he can become our free instructor.” You joked while going around the counter to finish helping Mike get stuff ready and for the first time in a while you two sat at the table instead of crashing in front of the tv with junk food. Soon plates were pushed aside, full from the excellent food and tired after the long day, you went to take a quick shower while Mike cleaned up the kitchen. 

Coming back out dressed in sleep shorts and a tank, you found Mike laying on the couch with the puppy standing on his back legs, front paws on the couch trying to jump up. Mike scooped him up onto the couch with him, whispering to him. “Looks like your staying boy, what are we going to name you? Buster? You almost look like a Buster.” You approached the couch and Mike shifted enough so you could lay down along his side, half wedged on him and between the couch, laying your head on Mike's shoulder. 

“Hmmm, what about Scout?” You wiggle your nose at the puppy, who efficiently ignored both names, proceeding to chew on Mike's shirt, the Christmas lights on the tree being the only glow in the room. You smiled and whispered out. “Hey Max… look at me.” 

Which the brown and white puppy immediately perked up, and Mike shook his head. “Max? Why Max?” 

You grinned while watching Max perk up every time Mike said his name, your giggle muffled against his shirt. “We needed a Christmas dog name.” Then you hummed out Your A Mean One Mr.Grinch. “Max can be your sidekick now Mr.Grinch.” 

Mike gave a laugh, running his fingers along your hips, making you laugh out and trying to pull away. Max growled out, barreling against you and Mike to tug at Mikes hand, and you grasped the pup to set him aside gently so that you two rough housing didn’t end up getting him hurt. 

“Seems like he is more your sidekick Baby.” Mike smirked as he pulled you in closer to him, flushing kisses against your neck and rubbing up and down your back. You settled back in against his chest. “Ready for bed?” He asked, calculating how many hours were left so he could write a bit after you fell asleep. 

“Mmhh, it was such a nice evening, I hate to end it so soon.” You tilted your head up to press your lips to his and Mike pushed up to a sit. 

“We will pick it up tomorrow. Besides, I should probably take the rugrat out to potty, now that it’s dark out.” 

Your arms eased around his neck and you gave him a more passionate loving kiss in thank you, and eased up. “I will see you when you come back up Mike.” Max sat there watching the two of you and you ruffled Max’s ears, then headed to the bedroom. Mike watched you go down the hallway and then looked to see Max had ditched him to go check out the tree, sniffing excitedly when Mike's eyes sprang wide to see him pop a squat. 

“Max! No!” Mike yelled, springing up to catch the pup. 

[myonechicagoworld]

CHICAGO FIRE – FIREWORKS (S01E18)

                                            [car door shuts]

Gabby Dawson: Hey, Chief. I just thought I’d… catch you before

                            shift started.

Chief Boden: You caught me.

Gabby Dawson: Uh, good morning, first of all.

Chief Boden: Morning.

Gabby Dawson: So obviously I heard what I heard last night. And I

                            guess I’m just trying to figure out what to do about

                            it now that it’s kind of out in the open.

Chief Boden: It’s not out in the open.

Gabby Dawson: Well, I mean it’s out in the open for me, because I

                            don’t know if you’re aware or not, but Pete and I

                            are dating.

Chief Boden: I’m aware.

Gabby Dawson: So you may also be aware that Pete’s become

                            increasingly convinced that people are keeping

                            secrets from him about his dad, vis à vis…

                            Are you gonna tell him what’s going on before he

                            hears it from Kelly’s dad?

Chief Boden: Benny Severide is not gonna be coming around 51

                       anymore.

Gabby Dawson: Still, Pete is gonna keep digging until he finds out.

Chief Boden: Gabby, your dogged inquisitiveness…is one of the

                       qualities that makes you such an effective paramedic.

                       But it is of no use to you in this matter, which is a

                       private one.

                       If you care about Mills like I think you do… drop it.

                       I’ll see you back at the house.

                                           cutscene

                                  [food sizzling in pan]

Benny Severide: Hey.

Kelly Severide: Morning.

Benny Severide: Morning. We got scrapple and we got eggs.

                             Grab a seat. There you go.

Kelly Severide: Thanks.

Benny Severide: So, um… Whoritsky’s offered me a teaching post,

                             and I’m-I’m thinking about doing it. Figured I

                             could come down and see you ever couple

                             weeks, hang out. What do you think?

Kelly Severide: Sounds good.

Benny Severide: Will probably have to spend one more shift at the

                             house. Kind of re-familiarise myself with a couple

                             of things. So why don’t you tell Boden I’ll be there

                             about noon.

Kelly Severide: What the hell’s going on with you and Boden?

Benny Severide: Look, Wally and me, we go way back. He and I,

                             one minute we’re at each other’s throats and-and

                             the next I’m helping to put a new deck on his

                             house, okay? This is nothing new.

                             Look, I promise you, I-I’ll be a choir boy, okay?

                             A mute choir boy.

                                                  cutscene

Chief Boden: Keep that 2 ½ on the roof line. I don’t want a flare-up

                       spreading to other buildings.

Kelly Severide: Oh, hey, sir, sir. You’re gonna want to stand back,

                           okay?

Man 1 (Owner): It’s my restaurant, are-are my employees safe?

Kelly Severide: (into radio) Hey, Casey, you got a search status?

Matt Casey: (into radio) Building’s clear, just opening up the ceiling.

                      Pop a couple of these tiles.

                                               [tiles breaking]

Kelly Severide: Building was empty, your people are out.

Man 1 (Owner): Son of a bitch said I’d pay. I never thought he’d go

                           this far.

Kelly Severide: Yeah?

Man 1 (Owner): Ten years without a grease fire. I opened four

                            restaurants in the union, suddenly he sees money.

                            I refused to sign. They send this thug!

Kelly Severide: Sounds like you’re gonna want to talk to CPD.

Man 1 (Owner): What good would that do? This guy’s not gonna

                            stop until I’m-I’m ruined or dead.

Lady 1 (Owner’s Wife): [sobbing]

Matt Casey: (into radio) Okay, Chief, we’re almost done. Send in

                      engine for the wash down.

                                            [ceiling crashing]

Firefighter: Whoa!

Joe Cruz: Casey!

                                                   - title -

Peter Mills: Lieutenant!

Joe Cruz: Mills, get out of here!

                 [grunts]

                                     [glass shattering]

Joe Cruz: [groans]

Chief Boden: Hit him with the hose!

Joe Cruz: Come on!

                                     [water spraying]

Joe Cruz: Lieutenant!

Matt Casey: [grunts] I’m okay [pants]

                      Thanks, Cruz.

                                        [water spraying]

Matt Casey: Seriously, it’s fine. It didn’t burn through my gear.

Leslie Shay: Then what’s this?

Matt Casey: Ow.

Gabby Dawson: Hold still. It’s just a first-degree burn.

                            Will you give me that bandage?

                            Couple more seconds of whatever that was that

                            dumped down on you, it wouldn’t have stopped

                            at the jacket.

Leslie Shay: [sighs] It smells like fuel.

Otis Zvonecek: That’s ‘cause it was. Homemade gasoline fire

                           bombs in the ceiling.

Lady 1 (Owner’s Wife): [sobbing]

                                                  cutscene

Matt Casey: Back door was kicked in. It’s not like whoever did it

                      was making an attempt to hide it was arson.

Man 2 (James Whoritsky): CPD said they’d back seat to my office

                                             on this one.

Kelly Severide: On that union rep who was threatened by the owner

                           of the diner?

Man 2 (James Whoritsky): Yeah, your owner, Stuart Tuxhorn, filed a

                                              complaint against a, uh, Lou Krinsky

                                              last month. We’re checking it out, but

                                              with a case like this, the evidence is 

                                              circumstantial at best.

Kelly Severide: [chuckles] Yeah.

Man 2 (James Whoritsky): Did I say something funny?

Kelly Severide: Yeah, this union guy, if he’s connected to city

                           politics, you can’t tell me that someone isn’t

                           already trying to get this buried.

Chief Boden: Look, we’re good here. Just keep us posted.

Kelly Severide: Can I talk to you a sec?

                           My old man wants to come by the house again.

Chief Boden: Kelly, I don’t think that’s a good idea.

                                            [door closes]

Kelly Severide: Whatever business you guys got, that’s your

                           business. But he said he’ll be a choir boy and

                           it’s-it’s one more shift.

Chief Boden: Here’s the deal, Kelly. I don’t know what your dad

                       has told you…

Kelly Severide: He hasn’t told me dick.

Chief Boden: Some guys when they retire and they come back

                        around the job, for some reason, they gotta tear

                        it down. I’m no psychologist, but your dad, he’s

                        always been really adept at tearing things down.

                        So that he’s the only one left standing. He has a

                        take on how Peter Mills’ father died, and it’s

                        untrue. And that would hurt Pete if that were

                        thrown in his face. I will not allow your father to

                        do it. So it would be in everybody’s best interest

                        if you were to meet your father in another house.

                        So… you can tell him. Or I could tell him.

                                               [cell phone rings]

Benny Severide: Hey.

Kelly Severide: Hey. Uh, my buddy Jason Baseden over at Squad

                          One, you remember him?

Benny Severide: Yeah, sure, I remember Jason.

Kelly Severide: Well, he heard you were in town and he was…he 

                           was…he was, like, “get your old man over here!”

                           It’s a newer house, all the latest bells and whistles

                           and I can stop by later if we don’t get a call. So…

                           so stop over there, okay? Jason’s expecting you.

Benny Severide: Yeah, sure, of course. No problem.

                                               cutscene

Gabby Dawson: Hey.

Peter Mills: Hey. Um, hey, don’t be jealous, but, uh, Dolores down

                    at the records department of the academy… I sent her

                    a gift basket of cookies and brownies, just trying to

                    butter her up to try and get information on the fire my

                     dad died in, and… it worked. She sent me over the

                     Battalion Chief’s original report. And I am starting to

                     see why Boden and Kelly’s dad don’t want to talk

                     about it. Two firefighters dying and the other

                     fire-fighter’s wife was pregnant with her first child.

Gabby Dawson: Tough to relive through, you know?

Peter Mills: Yeah.

                     Well, Dolores is still searching, she’s gonna send me

                      anything that she finds.

                                              cutscene

Joe Cruz: [growls]

                                       [dog growling]

Leslie Shay: Hey, guys, what does ‘ebullient’ mean again?

Joe Cruz: No idea.

Mouch: Bull-like. To resemble a bull.

Otis Zvonecek: Means cheerful and energetic.

Mouch: Or that.

Leslie Shay: All right, thanks.

Otis Zvonecek: Why?

Leslie Shay: One of these guys used it to describe himself.

Matt Casey: Any guy that describes himself as ebullient, you don’t

                      want his sperm.

Leslie Shay: Yeah, right. Thanks.

Mouch: How much longer you gonna be on this donor kick?

Leslie Shay: Until I find the right guy.

Mouch: And you can just look at ‘em on your computer.

Leslie Shay: Mmhmm, like I’m doing right now. Correct.

Mouch: I admire your gumption. Most other people would, you

              know, keep that behind closed doors.

Leslie Shay: Every time Cindy gets pregnant, Herrmann plasters her

                      sonogram images all over the fridge. And what? I’m

                      supposed to hide in a corner?

Mouch: I said I admire your gumption.

                                      [phone vibrates]

Leslie Shay: Well, thanks.

Matt Casey: Hey Heather.

Heather Darden: I was in the neighbourhood.

Matt Casey: Great.

Heather Darden: Hey, um, did you notice an earring in your truck?

                             I’m missing one.

Matt Casey: Uh, I didn’t see it, but I can… I can take a look.

Heather Darden: Thank you.

                              Oh and by the way, Saturday the kids are staying

                              with my parents and I was planning on having

                              dinner with one of my girlfriends, but her dad’s

                              not doing so hot so she had to fly out to

                             Jacksonville. But I’ve already got that night free

                             so I was thinking, why don’t we grab dinner?

                                            cutscene

                                         [alert beeps]

Benny Severide: (over PA) Smoke eater in the house!

Kelly Severide: God damn it!

Benny Severide: Donut man in the house!

                            Donuts, everybody! Donuts!

Firefighters: Oh, hell yeah!

                              [indistinct shouting and cheering]

Benny Severide: Come and get it!

Kelly Severide: Hey, what happened to going to Squad one?

Benny Severide: I didn’t want to.

                            Come on, you guys, let’s get a donut.

                             Hi, Wally.

                             You know, I used to bring those to the ladies

                              in arson all the time. One of them, Ruthie,

                              she didn’t have anything personal in her office.

                              I mean, nothing. Not a family photo, nothing.

                              All she had behind her desk, right in the middle

                              of her tack board was this quote, “If you can’t

                              do anything about it, don’t worry about it.” And

                              I am, like, “Man, this Ruthie is locked into some

                              higher level stuff,” right?

Chief Boden: Benny, can I talk to you real quick?

Benny Severide: Yeah, just a second. So anyway, Ruthie retires

                             and I go in to say goodbye and I look at the

                             board and the quote is still there. And I say,

                             “Hey Ruthie, you forgot your quote.” And she

                              says, “That’s not mine, that was here when I

                              moved into the office.”

                                                   [laughter]

Benny Severide: All this time I thought she was like this oracle

                            or something, you know? Anyway, I kept the

                            quote. What the hell? Couldn’t hurt.

                             Lead the way, boss.

Chief Boden: You’re not welcome here.

Benny Severide: Yeah? Is that why you have my son hustle me

                             down the road?

Chief Boden: You are not welcome here.

Benny Severide: 25 years on the job, 15 of them in this house.

                             Nobody tells me when I can come and go!

Kelly Severide: Whatever you two are trying not to bring attention

                           to, guess what? You’re bringing attention to it.

Benny Severide: We got this, Kelly.

Kelly Severide: No you don’t!

                          He wants to stay here one more shift, that’s it.

                          Can you keep your mouth shut while you’re

                          here?

Benny Severide: Who the hell are you to tell me to…

Kelly Severide: It’s a yes or no question!

                                       [knocks on door]

Matt Casey: Lou Krinsky, restaurant workers local 553 is here.

                     Looking to talk to us.

Chief Boden: We’ll be right there.

Matt Casey: Do I need to turn the hose on you guys?

Chief Boden: We’re good. We’re fine. We’ll be right out.

                        Hmph. You always had all the answers.

                        But I’m gonna tell you, this is your only shift. You

                        try and show up again for a second, I will put an

                        ass kicking on you 20 years in the making.

Benny Severide: Ooh! You still got it, Wally. I was starting to think

                             all those bugles had turned you into a big

                             marshmallow.

                             It’s the way it’s always been with me and him.

Kelly Severide: You didn’t own this house. You rented it. And I’m

                           here now, so show me some respect.

                                            cutscene

Man 3 (Lou Krinsky): Just curious why a report coming from this

                                    house has the arson department trying to

                                    finger me for burning down a restaurant.

Matt Casey: That report conveyed the owner’s statement to us,

                      that’s all.

Man 3 (Lou Krinsky): Oh, okay. Well then, I would like to make

                                     a report. Tuxhorn… rapes baby seals.

                                     Put that in the report, have him have to

                                     defend it.

Chief Boden: This is between you and the fire investigations.

Man 3 (Lou Krinsky): Yeah, and it got that far because you

                                     guys took the word of some sweatshop

                                     owner over that of a fellow union brother.

                                      Why don’t you show some courtesy, talk

                                       to me first.

Kelly Severide: We’re not talking about a busboy who got fired,

                           Lou, this is serious business.

Man 3 (Lou Krinsky): I know. I’m being accused of starting it!

Kelly Severide: We just wrote down what we saw and heard.

Man 3 (Lou Krinsky): [scoffs]

Matt Casey: Guy’s a skull cracker.

                                            [door closes]

                                               cutscene

Leslie Shay: You’re awfully quiet? Everything all right?

Gabby Dawson: All right, let’s… let’s say that if you knew

                            something… What?

Leslie Shay: Nothing.

Gabby Dawson: No, no, no. Don’t give me that. What? What

                             is it?

Leslie Shay: Um…

                      [chuckling]

Gabby Dawson: Ohh… ohh…

Mouch: Oh, goodness gracious.

Leslie Shay: I’m not here to judge you.

Mouch: [stammers] I didn’t… see, that… when… when the…

              what?

Leslie Shay: I’m not here to judge you. I just want to know how

                      it works.

Mouch: Who else knows?

Leslie Shay: No one.

Mouch: Dawson?

Leslie Shay: Just Dawson.

Mouch: Oh Shay.

Leslie Shay: Don’t worry. She’s sworn to secrecy. But, Mouch, I

                      gotta ask. Six foot? 175?

Mouch: I aged out. It was my understanding they were gonna

              take that down.

Leslie Shay: Fine. Look, I got a million questions I’m gonna ask

                      you. Can I? Please?

Mouch: [sighs] Okay, I’m ready.

Leslie Shay: Great. First off, the sperm. Did you…

                                [fire alarm buzzes and blares]

Mouch: Oh!

(Over PA): Truck 81, Ambulance 61. Restaurant fire.

                                          [sirens blaring]

                                          [horn honking]

Kelly Severide: Mr Tuxhorn.

Man 1 (Owner/Tuxhorn): I never should have told you ‘cause

                                           he’s gonna bury me now.

Kelly Severide: Stay back.

Lady 2 (Bus Driver): I’m the one who called. I was making my

                                   stop and I saw a man on fire running

                                   through the restaurant.

Chief Boden: Okay, no one goes in. Hit it from the window. Quick

                       takedown. If that driver’s right, this is gonna be a

                       recovery.

                                         [water spraying]

Matt Casey: (into radio) Cleared the dining room and bathrooms.

                      No bodies. Moving into the kitchen.

Kelly Severide: Guess I don’t need to remind you to keep your

                           eyes on the ceiling.

Matt Casey: That’s exactly what I’m doing.

Kelly Severide: Hey. It’s the same entry point as the last fire.

Matt Casey: Wherever he is, he’s long gone.

                      (into radio) This is Casey. Building’s clear.

                                         [door swings open]

Kelly Severide: Uh Casey…

Matt Casey: (into radio) We need a medic.

                                      [indistinct radio chatter]

Gabby Dawson: [grunts] Let’s turn him over.

Leslie Shay: [grunts]

Gabby Dawson: Agonal breathing. Fire may have scorched his

                            lungs.

Matt Casey: How bad?

Gabby Dawson: I don’t know. Airway looks pretty fried.

Leslie Shay: His arms are burned. Can’t get a line in. He’s got

                      minutes at best.

Gabby Dawson: We move him or lose him. Give us a hand?

Leslie Shay: On three. Very gentle. One, two, three.

Gabby Dawson: (into radio) 61 to Main, let Lakeshore know we

                             are two minutes out with a burn victim.

Leslie Shay: Dawson…

Gabby Dawson: (into radio) 61 to Main. Cancel that. Victim is

                            DOA. We will transport from scene for safety.

Dispatcher: Copy that 61… [continues indistinctively]

                                               cutscene

Man 2 (James Whoristsky): Well, we verified it. Krinsky’s alibi

                                                clears him from the second fire.

Matt Casey: Come on, he’s union muscle. He could have had

                      one of his knuckleheads torch both places.

Man 2 (James Whoristsky): I’m not arguing with that. But as

                                               of now, we don’t have actionable

                                               evidence.

Chief Boden: I got a drawer in the morgue full of evidence. I

                       don’t care if the man inside is homeless or a

                       CEO, he didn’t deserve the death he got.

Man 2 (James Whoristsky): Oh, and I think he did? Come on,

                                               give me a break.

Kelly Severide: The guy who owns these restaurants is fearing

                           for his life.

Man 2 (James Whoristsky): We need proof. Do I really need to

                                                explain arson investigation to you

                                                guys? It take a while.

Kelly Severide: Let’s go back to that second fire and look around.

Matt Casey: Yeah. All right.

Kelly Severide: Cool?

Chief Boden: Yeah. Take your dad with you.

Kelly Severide: Chief, he gave his word that he’d keep his mouth

                           shut around here…

Chief Boden: I know he’s a pain in the ass, but he’s a hell of an

                        arson investigator.

Kelly Severide: Oh yeah.

                                           [door closes]

Peter Mills: You know, I could cook you up something if you’d

                     like.

Benny Severide: Oh, that’s all right. Thanks, though.

Peter Mills: I didn’t know that you and my dad were on Squad

                    together. And um… the other firefighter who died

                    with him.

Benny Severide: That’s right. Ross McGowan. Two years on

                             the job. About your age. Had his whole life

                             ahead of him. Never got to meet his daughter.

                             A real shame.

Peter Mills: Yeah, I’m sorry to bring that up. I know it must be uh,

                     really hard to relive.

Benny Severide: Yeah. Never should have happened.

Peter Mills: How do you mean?

Benny Severide: Well, like you said. It’s hard to relive.

Peter Mills: Respectfully, Mr Severide, I get the sense that there’s

                    something you really want to tell me.

Kelly Severide: Hey. Let’s take a ride.

                                           cutscene

Leslie Shay: So, like the pamphlet says, you just…do it in a cup?

Mouch: No, uh, a…a gossamer-winged stork flies down and…

Leslie Shay: [sighs]

Mouch: Yes.

Leslie Shay: And have you had contact with any of the…

Mouch: With the kids? God, no!

Leslie Shay: Because…

Mouch: I’m Father Flanagan? No way! I treasure my privacy.

Leslie Shay: Damn. It just… seems so impersonal.

Mouch: Let me just stop you right there. My cousin Ted and his

              wife, Patty, they tried for a long time, couldn’t conceive.

              They decided to go the AI route, that’s shorthand for

              artificial…

Leslie Shay: I got it.

Mouch: Okay. So now they have a lovely daughter Elsa who is

              the light of their lives. And that family is filled with

              nothing but love, despite the clinical origins.

Leslie Shay: That’s beautiful. I…Is that why you became a donor?

                      Because of them?

Mouch: No. The cash. 125 a pop. That’s what they call a renewable

              resource.

Leslie Shay: I don’t know, man. Might have to figure something else

                      out.

                                            cutscene

                                         [door closes]

Benny Severide: So, Matt, was that Andy Darden’s widow I saw

                             you with at the academy dinner?

Matt Casey: Yeah, Heather. That was her. She just needed a ride.

Benny Severide: It’s good to see you guys haven’t turned your

                             back on her. That’s important.

Matt Casey: Yeah. Absolutely. I’ll take the back.

Kelly Severide: Both buildings were broken into from the rear

                           entry. Gas accelerants were used.

Benny Severide: Okay.

                             I don’t know about this teaching gig.

Kelly Severide: Why not?

Benny Severide: Job’s changed too much.

Kelly Severide: It’s almost exactly the same. It’s just better gear.

Benny Severide: Well, the people have changed is what I’m

                             saying. Back when I came up, you fought a

                              war at 18. You had kids by the time you were 22.

                              You’d live a life. You were a man. Now these kids

                               are coming straight out of their parents’

                               basements to the firehouse. What the hell can I

                               teach somebody like that?

Hadley: [indistinctive chatter]

Benny Severide: Like him.

Hadley: [laughs]

Kelly Severide: Who? Hadley? He’s fine.

Benny Severide: Yeah. Okay.

Kelly Severide: They still have wars. People still pop out kids. I

                           don’t know why you gotta piss on everything.

Benny Severide: Rubber. From the sole of a sneaker. That bus

                             driver was right. Somebody was on fire and

                             running through here. What was the homeless

                              guy wearing?

Kelly Severide: He had boots on.

Benny Severide: Then we’re looking for somebody else. It

                             wouldn’t be him.

Hadley: So this thing collapses and knocks us down… [laughs]

Kelly Severide: Hadley.

Hadley: Yeah?

Kelly Severide: Quit playing grab ass, would you?

Benny Severide: Look at this. You see that? Pry marks. This door

                             wasn’t breached from the outside. Somebody

                             had a key. The owner or somebody he hired.

                             They let themselves in the front door and then

                              they pried this open. Make it look like it was

                              broken in from the outside.

Kelly Severide: You gotta be kidding me.

Benny Severide: Inside job.

                                               cutscene

Chief Boden: Thank you. Appreciate it.

                       15 minutes after the second fire was call in,

                       18-year-old kid walked into an urgent care unit

                        five blocks from the scene. He had second and

                        third degree burns. Claimed it was a barbecue

                        mishap. Memorial went and picked him up.

                        He’s there’s now.

Kelly Severide: I want to head down there and check it out.

Chief Boden: Kelly…

Kelly Severide: I don’t like getting lied to. I don’t like getting

                          worked. And if someone other than that union

                          guy got that homeless man killed, I want to

                          know.

Matt Casey: I got him covered.

Chief Boden: Hit it.

                                     [door closes]

                                  [knocks on door]

Kelly Severide: What’s up, Omar? Lieutenant Severide, CFD.

Teen 1 (Omar): Oh geez. Damn barbecue. Didn’t know the gas

                          was on and boom. Lucky I’m alive.

Kelly Severide: Where were you standing?

Teen 1 (Omar): Right in front of the grill, trying to light it.

Kelly Severide: Then how’d you burn your legs?

Teen 1 (Omar): I don’t know. It was a big ol’ fireball, though.

Kelly Severide: Those aren’t barbecue burns, Omar. I’d know.

                           I’ve responded to 20 of them.

Teen 1 (Omar): I-I swear to God…

Kelly Severide: And they’re gonna test the shoes you were

                          wearing against the rubber fixed to the floor

                          in that diner and it’s all gonna go south.

Teen 1 (Omar): Why? For what? I-I didn’t do nothing.

Kelly Severide: A guy was killed in that second fire.

Teen 1 (Omar): No. No, no, no, man.

Kelly Severide: Look, I’m not a cop. I just want to know

                          what happened and I’ll help you any way I

                          can before the cops get involved. And

                          they’re gonna get involved soon.

Teen 1 (Omar): Okay. All right, mayb… there’s one thing

                          maybe you can help me with.

Kelly Severide: I’ll try.

Teen 1 (Omar): It was an insurance scam. Tuxhorn and his

                          wife wanted two of the diners to go down

                          and they was gonna lay it off on some union

                          dude who he was beefing with. And he

                          asked my dad to help him do it. My dad

                          owes him a lot of money, so he said he was

                          in to settle up. But my dad, he got a knee

                          replacement surgery last year and he ain’t

                          too quick. So I said I’d do it. I was pouring

                          the gas… I don’t know. Maybe the fumes hit

                          a pilot light or something. And I was just

                          running through the restaurant all on fire and…

                          Tuxhorn put me out and he took me here and

                          he said to say it was a barbecue accident.

                          Look, man, I’ll take the ride for it. I just gotta

                          leave my dad out of it. Can I do that? Can I

                          leave my dad out of it with the cops?

Kelly Severide: Don’t bring up his name.

Teen 1 (Omar): Okay. Thank you.

                                              cutscene

Mouch: Did somebody change his food, ‘cause there is

              something going on here.

Peter Mills: Where’s Herrmann?

Matt Casey: Bar management seminar.

                      You guys close to opening?

Gabby Dawson: Uh, a few weeks…hopefully.

Joe Cruz: Hey, uh, Shay, where’s your iPad?

Leslie Shay: Put it away for a bit.

Joe Cruz: Did you find a donor?

Leslie Shay: Regrouping.

Joe Cruz: So you’re not going the whole sperm donor route

                  anymore?

Leslie Shay: What is this, an interrogation? I told you, I’m

                      regrouping.

Otis Zvonecek: So, um, who asked who out? I’m just

                           curious.

Gabby Dawson: [laughs]

Peter Mills: Um, wait. You did, right?

Gabby Dawson: What?

Peter Mills: Yeah, you asked me to dinner that one night.

Gabby Dawson: Oh no, that-that wasn’t a date.

Peter Mills: Damn.

Gabby Dawson: What’s up?

Peter Mills: Dolores from Records, she sent me an email

                    earlier. I just… I can’t open it on my phone.

                    I’m… I’m gonna try it in there.

                                        [typing]

                                   [tense music]

                                      cutscene

Chief Boden: Hey, Kelly, great job.

Kelly Severide: Hey, thanks, Chief.

Chief Boden: You too, Benny.

Benny Severide: Thank you. I appreciate that.

                             How about I get a cup of coffee before

                             I take off?

Kelly Severide: All right.

Leslie Shay: Hey, you got a second?

Kelly Severide: Yeah.

                           What?

Leslie Shay: So how are you?

Kelly Severide: Um, what’s-what’s going on?

Leslie Shay: So here’s the deal. You know I’ve done

                      thorough research on this whole

                      insemination thing. And today I got… well,

                      I guess, uh, accidental window into how

                      the whole process works, and it really left

                      me feeling… hollow.

Kelly Severide: Okay.

Leslie Shay: And you know, I’ve been searching for the

                     perfect guy to be the father of my baby.

                     Someone honourable, strong, good looking

                     [chuckles] I mean, sue me. And maybe even

                     someone who would want to be part of the

                     child’s life. And someone who would want to

                     celebrate, you know, how beautiful it could be.

                     With me… a cool chick who’s not gonna freak

                     out and they’ll never have to worry about, you

                     know, me wanting a divorce or trying to take all

                     their money, or be a bitch or… [exhales] Kelly I

                     want to know if you’d like to have a baby with

                     me.

Kelly Severide: Look, Shay, I…

Leslie Shay: No, no, no. Let me finish. And we’d go through

                      the insemination process…

Kelly Severide: Um…

Leslie Shay: And… and yeah. Okay that’s it. I’m done.

Kelly Severide: I don’t… I don’t… I don’t know what to say.

Leslie Shay: That’s okay. I just… I just want you to-to think

                      about it.

Kelly Severide: I…

Leslie Shay: Thank you. And listen, if the answer’s no, I mean,

                      there won’t even be a hiccup between us. It…

                      it’s okay. It-It’ll be solid Always you and me.

                      Okay?

                                         [kissing sound]

Kelly Severide: Uh…

                                             cutscene

Benny Severide: Okay, that’s it. I’m outta here.

Mouch: Great to meet you, Ben.

Benny Severide: Good to see you again.

Joe Cruz: Such a pleasure.

Benny Severide: Good to see you.

Otis Zvonecek: Thanks for the donuts.

Benny Severide: Yup.

Matt Casey: Take care, Benny.

Benny Severide: Hey.

Peter Mills: Hey. Mr Severide, can I talk to you in private.

Benny Severide: Actually, I’m just taking off. It was nice

                             meeting you.

Peter Mills: Yeah, please… I really need to talk to you.

Benny Severide: Can you make it quick?

Peter Mills: Sure.

                    Um, the Lambert Tree Award. It’s the highest

                    award awarded to a firefighter. My father was

                    nominated and everyone up the line signed off

                    on it… except for you. Just curious to why.

Benny Severide: Some other time, kid, okay?

Peter Mills: Is this what you’re trying to say to me? Do you

                    feel bad about not signing off for it? That even

                    though my father was a hero… and even

                    though he gave his life…

Benny Severide: It’s an award for valor!

Chief Boden: Benny.

Benny Severide: He wants to hear it. I’m gonna tell him.

                             In the middle of that fire, your father

                             panicked and pulled off his mask, which

                             would have been his business, except

                             another guy died trying to save him. So,

                             no, I didn’t sign it. Because I could not in

                             good faith reward someone for

                             demonstrating cowardice…

Firefighters: Whoa!

                      Come on, man!

                      Hey! Hey!

                      Come on!

Benny Severide: Unh!

                             [panting] You want to know why Boden

                             thinks your father wasn’t at fault? Do ya?

                             ‘Cause he’s an optimist, I guess.

                              I’ll see you back at your house.

Chief Boden: Mills… You are off duty until further notice.

                       Get your gear. Wait for Benny to get off site,

                       and you go home and you’ll wait to hear

                       from me.

                        Rest of you, get back to work.

Gabby Dawson: Hey, you okay?

Peter Mills: No.

Gabby Dawson: Look, I totally get what lead up to that

                            and I am so sorry, but you can’t just go

                            around punching people.

Peter Mills: My dad wasn’t able to defend himself. So I did.

                                  [locker door slams]

Peter Mills: [sighs]

                                         cutscene

Chief Boden: We were all real close. Henry and me. Benny.

                        Our wives. Then Ingrid and Henry, they

                        separated. My wife left me. It was during that

                        time. It just happened. Then I realised that

                        Henry might have still had feelings for her,

                        and I may have moved too quick, so I

                        stepped back just to see. And I was right.

                        Henry moved back in after a month. Ingrid

                        always says I broke her heart. So if you

                        think that there’s something that Peter needs

                        or wants to know, I’ll go to his place after shift.

                        I’ll tell him.

Gabby Dawson: Is what Benny said true?

Chief Boden: Not from where I was standing.

                                        cutscene

Heather Darden: Matt?

Matt Casey: Hmm?

Heather Darden: You have like, two utensils in this kitchen.

Matt Casey: Yeah, it’s on my to-do list.

Heather Darden: You’ve been busy, huh?

Matt Casey: Yeah, it’s been one thing after another lately.

Heather Darden: Have you been dating? Since Hallie?

Matt Casey: Uh, there was someone for a minute, maybe

                      less. Wasn’t the right time.

Heather Darden: Sorry to hear that.

Matt Casey: What are you gonna do? Damn that smells

                      good. First home-cooked meal I’ve had

                      since… I don’t even know.

Heather Darden: It sucks having to come home to an

                             empty house, doesn’t it?

Matt Casey: Yeah.

Heather Darden: We don’t have to be alone. We don’t

                             deserve to be. We’re good people.

                             Why can’t we be happy?

Matt Casey: Heather… I’m really glad you’re here. And

                      if it was under different circumstances,

                      believe me… but Andy was one of my best

                      friends. And he was your husband, and… I

                      think we should honour that.

Heather Darden: You know what? You’re right. Let’s just

                              count our blessings

Matt Casey: Dinner and a movie. Let’s get the movie ready.

                                           cutscene

                                     [knocks on door]

Gabby Dawson: Hey, bruiser.

                                        [door shuts]

                                     [kissing sound]

Peter Mills: What’s the word? You heard anything?

Gabby Dawson: Yeah. I, um, spoke to Boden briefly.

Peter Mills: What did he say?

Gabby Dawson: Well, he hasn’t heard from Benny so

                            the hope is that he doesn’t raise a

                            stink. If that’s the case, then hopefully

                            this thing will stay in house. Boden

                            says to just sit tight for now.

Peter Mills: That’s all he said?

Gabby Dawson: That’s all he said to me.

Peter Mills: Okay, look… can I just say that even though

                    I’m… maybe in a jam right now, I feel… I feel

                    lighter. ’Cause since forever I’ve been carrying

                    around this weight of not knowing. And I could

                    always just tell that there was something out

                    there that wasn’t being told to me. At least now

                    I can… I can move on.

Gabby Dawson: Hey… what Benny said isn’t true.

Peter Mills: I don’t want to talk about it anymore, okay?

Gabby Dawson: Baby, it’s not true…

Peter Mills: Look, I-I don’t want to talk about it anymore

                    [exhales]

                                          cutscene

Matt Casey: Heather.

                          [orchestral music playing on TV]

                                       [TV turns off]

                                          cutscene

Benny Severide: He’s just like his old man. It was Henry

                             Mills against the world. The guy always

                             had a problem. So if people want to

                             knock me for being arrogant or

                             whatever, let them. At least I was

                             un-conflicted. And in this job, you

                             better damn well have that going for

                             you, or you and your buddy’s badges

                             will end up on the wall at the academy.

Kelly Severide: Well, I didn’t know his old man, but I

                           know Peter. And from what I’ve seen,

                           the kid has heart. He has courage.

Benny Severide: Yeah, well I’ve seen your squad. Maybe

                              you’re not the best judge of character.

                                              [bag zips]

Benny Severide: Look, Kelly, I…I really did come down

                             here to spend time with you. I didn’t

                             mean for any of this to happen. And if

                             anything I did reflects poorly on you,

                             I’m sorry about that. I guess your old

                             man is just a guy stuck in his ways. But

                             hey… if you can’t do anything about it,

                             don’t worry about it.

                                         [door opens and closes]

                                                   cutscene

                                             [knocks on door]

Kelly Severide: Hey.

Peter Mills: Hey.

Kelly Severide: Listen, I know it’s been on your mind

                           and, uh, I think you’d be a really great

                           addition to squad. You’re gonna want

                           to take Hazmat Tech “A”, Vertical

                           Rescue and Building Collapse One. If

                           any of them are full, you let me know I

                           can…I can pull some strings.

Peter Mills: Really?

Kelly Severide: Really. Let’s push it, see what happens.

Peter Mills: Okay.

Kelly Severide: Great.

                                         [chuckling]

                                            - end -

Definitions:

Scrapple = Also known by the Pennsylvania Dutch name Pannhaas or “pan rabbit”, is a traditionally a mush of pork scraps and trimmings combined with cornmeal and wheat flour, often buckwheat flour, and spices. The mush is formed into a semi-solid congealed load, and slices of the scrapple are then pan-fried before serving

Agonal breathing = Medical term used to describe struggling to breathe or gasping. It is often a symptom of a severe medical emergency, such as a stroke or cardiac arrest. The gasping associated with agonal respiration is not true breathing, but rather a brainstem reflex.

Hazmat Tech “A” = Hazardous Materials Technician course provides the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities to operate offensively or defensively at an incident involving the release of hazardous materials.

Building Collapse One = This course is extensively hands-on and prepares the student to operate safely and efficiently at a building collapse incident. It offers practice in cutting, breaching, lifting, stabilising, searching, shoring, packaging, and removing victims from a simulated collapse environment

[caldwells]

“Cindy Lou Who, it’s your lucky day,” Haven calls, rounds the corner with a grin on her lips, hunger thrumming beneath her skin. It isn’t always like this -- at times, it comes in waves, manageable. Now, it feels like a burn, an itch she can’t scratch. Perhaps she’d gone too long without feeding, too caught up in the virus plaguing the ones she holds near and dear too her heart, too exhausted by the endless nights of reading until the words blur together on the page, no telling where one ends and the other begins. She beckons the girl close with a wave of her hand, keys in the lock without a second thought. “You can’t say I don’t keep my promises, because I’m choosing to take you over her. Unless, of course, you’re feeling selfish and want to hand me Cousin It over there. It’s your choice, but if it helps make up your mind, I promise I’ll be gentle.”    /   @loustclaire  &  @theo-moreno

[mksc77]

I need another blanket for Christmas/winter prompts? Thank you!

Thanks so much for the ask, @commanderraydorsass!

December 19, 2019

Sharon jerked awake when she heard Andy's alarm go off. LA was experiencing a bit of a cold snap, and she was more than happy to be able to stay under the covers. Andy grumbled about it being cold and gave her a suffering look as he climbed out of bed and started for the shower. With him up, Sharon immediately rolled over to his side of the bed, relishing his familiar scent and the warm spot he'd left. She dozed off until she heard him come back in, dressed for work. "Okay, now you're just rubbing it in. This isn't fair."

Sharon sleepily opened an eye in his direction. "It's warmer over here and smells like you...You're only working a half-day, anyway, and then you can come back and keep me warm."

"Ha, ha." Andy leaned down to kiss her. "I love you."

"Love you...hold on." She blindly reached up for his face until he was leaning beside her again, wanting another whiff of his new cologne. "'Kay. Bye."

Sharon got up a little while later and slipped into her warmest robe. The kitchen still smelled faintly of coffee, but she knew Rusty had probably studied for most of the night and left for his last exam of the semester before 6:30 to get more last-minute studying done at school. Still, she confirmed that his car was gone to make sure he hadn't crawled back in bed and overslept before putting a coffee pod in the Keurig. She wasn't going to make another pot just for herself, and the coffee that was left wasn't exactly fresh.

It was too cold to take her coffee out to the porch like she usually did, so Sharon settled in a bar stool and looked out at the gray, misty morning. She was startled by a knock at the garage door, but she looked over and waved in her neighbor, who was dressed for the hike they had planned. She looked at the clock on the microwave. "Oh, my, did we say 8:00? I thought we said 8:30."

Debra shook her head. "No, we said 8:30, we're just out of creamer, and I wanted some coffee first."

Sharon finished her granola bar and got out a coffee mug and the creamer. "You know where the pods are, help yourself to whatever you want. I'll get dressed while you're doing that."

Coffee in hand, she went to her bedroom and changed into her workout gear. It was chilly outside, so she looked through her drawers for her warmest sweatshirt. Once her mug was empty, she tied up her hair and brushed her teeth. Debra was finishing her coffee by the time she got back to the kitchen. "Ready to go?"

The hiking trail was a couple of blocks from their neighborhood, so it wasn't long before they were back home. It was after 10:00, and Sharon's granola bar was long gone. "I know this defeats the purpose, but I wouldn't mind cooking breakfast if you want to come back over. I'm getting hungry again."

Debra shrugged. "Sounds good to me. I have stuff for mimosas, I'll run home and get it. Need anything else?"

"I think we have everything. See you in a minute." Sharon stopped at the end of the driveway to get the mail. The Christmas cards had stopped in the last couple of days, but there seemed to be a couple of stragglers in today's mail. She opened the cards first and added them to the bulletin board beside the refrigerator that was now covered with Marie, Nicole's and Dean's children, Mark, her siblings' and friends' grandchildren, and the children of some of Emily's and Ricky's high school friends. The last one she opened was from Patrice, and she laughed at the image of Provenza's face photoshopped into The Grinch and Patrice's into Cindy Lou Who.

She got her Christmas playlist started on Google Home and was pulling things out of the refrigerator when the alarm system beeped. Debra came in with another neighbor. "I found a wanderer on the way back," she explained.

"Hi, Caroline," Sharon greeted as she started a pot of coffee.

"Hi, Sharon. I can't believe you guys went hiking this morning. I took one look outside and rolled right back over in bed."

"It was tempting," Sharon agreed, "but I feel better now that we've done it. I've been eating like crap this week, and next week will just be worse. I've at least exercised every day, but I probably won't next week...Is it cold in here? I can turn the heat on if I need to."

Caroline shook her head. "God, no. Mike's been bitching about turning on the heat since it got colder this week, but I'm finally not hot all the time, for once. My doctor took me off of hormone replacement, and Mike might miss it more than I do. I wasn't freezing him to death while I was on it, and I would've humped the sink if I could. That stuff had me wanting it all the time."

Sharon laughed. "I remember my sister saying the same thing several years ago. And I'm surprised Andy hasn't whined about wanting to turn on the heat, but I'm sure he will soon."

"On that note, I think it's time for mimosas." Debra opened the champagne and started filling glasses. "I brought my homemade strawberry jelly, too."

"Do you know the way to my heart, or what?" Sharon buttered some bread and slipped the slices into the toaster. "I'm going to need a detox after New Years."

Once the kitchen was clean and her friends were gone, Sharon started a large pot of vegetable soup. Andy came in a little after 1:00 and wrapped his arms around her waist as she was stirring it at the stove. "Mmm, smells good."

"What? Me, or the soup?" Sharon turned to kiss him. "I'm kidding, I know I don't smell great. Debra and I went hiking this morning."

"I'm not complaining." Sharon's playlist was still going, and the next song had Andy twirling her around the kitchen. They're singing deck the halls, but it's not like Christmas at all, 'cause I remember when you were here, and all the fun we had last year...

She kissed Andy again before pulling away from him. "I need to take a shower, you mind watching the soup?"

"Sure."

Sharon pulled her top over her head on the way to their bathroom and turned the shower on before discarding her clothes in the hamper. It wasn't five minutes before she felt a slight chill as the shower door was opened. "Andy!"

"I'm going to be watching chick flicks all afternoon, so you can let me have a little fun first."

"But my soup..." Sharon protested with mock concern.

"It's on low. It'll be fine." Andy took the loofah from her hand and took over for her. She relaxed in his arms and let him run it over her. When they got out, Sharon dried off and pulled on her favorite sweatpants and a UCLA sweatshirt. Andy was getting a bowl of soup, but she wasn't hungry yet. After plugging in the Christmas tree lights and adding a cranberry-scented bar to her scent warmer, she settled in the recliner with a couple of blankets and flipped through the streaming options on the TV for Love Actually.

"You're not hungry?" Andy asked, situating himself beside her with his soup.

Sharon shook her head. "Debra, Caroline, and I cooked breakfast just a couple of hours ago. I'll get some in a little bit."

Andy sighed dramatically. "Must be nice."

"Oh, it is...But I can't wait for you to join me. You don't have too much longer...Andy, seriously, your soup's going to get cold!" Sharon said when he kissed her for what seemed like the hundredth time since he got home.

"We're under the mistletoe. That's Christmas's rule, not mine."

Sharon rolled her eyes. Andy had strategically placed mistletoe in several places in the house where they often ended up side by side. "This place is crawling with mistletoe, it's damn near impossible to not be under it."

Andy grinned. "Yeah, that was the point. It's not often that your love for rules works in my favor."

"I do like the rules," Sharon murmured, returning the kiss. "Especially this one."

Andy finished his soup and curled up beside Sharon, trying to get warm. "Sha-aron, it's freezing in here!" The gas logs were on, but they hadn't done much good yet. "Just because you're cold-blooded doesn't mean the rest of us are!"

"It's not freezing, Andy."

"It's close enough. I need another blanket." Andy got a soft brown throw from the chest against the wall and got comfortable again in the chair. He was always a fan of Sharon's appearance, no matter what, but he liked her the best this way. With no makeup, comfortable clothes, and the scent of her soap instead of perfume, he always had a hard time keeping his hands off of her. Love Actually had only been on for a half hour, but he was already lost. "I can never keep up with this movie."

Sharon nudged him as his hand wandered under her blanket. "If you'd pay attention to the movie, for once, then you could follow it."

"Yeah, because that's what my mind is on right now. The movie."

Emily called a few minutes later, asking if she could drop off Marie to take a nap while she finished up her shopping. Sharon met her in the driveway and unbuckled the fifteen-month-old from her car seat. "Hey, precious! Are you going to stay with Gammy for a little bit?" Marie could barely hold her eyes open, but she smiled and reached for Sharon.

"Thanks, Mom," Emily said. "I didn't think it would take me this long, but I want to finish today, and she wasn't having it."

Sharon lifted Marie into her arms and rubbed her back. "It's okay. You know I'll keep her any time. Be careful, honey."

"I will. I should be back in a couple of hours."

Sharon checked Marie's diaper as they walked inside, pausing by the thermostat to switch on the heat. "Let's get you changed, and then I believe it's naptime."

Marie didn't protest at either suggestion like she normally would have and lay still as Sharon got her changed. Andy gave her a knowing look, having heard the heat kick on, as she sat in the recliner beside him with Marie lying on her shoulder. "Oh, so that's what it took to get some warmth in here." His expression softened when Marie gave him a sleepy smile. "Hey, wild girl. We'll play when you wake up, okay?"

Sharon shrugged. "Yeah, I guess I won't need you to keep me warm later."

"Never mind," Andy quickly amended.

Sharon draped her blanket over Marie, rubbing her back and rocking as her eyes began to close. Obviously a little cold, the baby curled into her as she fell asleep. With a contented sigh, Sharon lay against Andy. "I'm so happy," she couldn't help but comment.

"Retirement agrees with you, no question," Andy agreed. She'd had more time for her family and friends than ever before, and she was always glowing when she came home from, or even talked about, the charities she volunteered for downtown a few days a week. "I love seeing you so happy."

"Hmm." Marie's warm weight and heavy breathing were starting to put Sharon to sleep, too. It was warmer by the time the movie was over, so she decided to put her down. "Will you please set up the pack'n play in our room?"

"Sure." Andy carefully edged himself away from them and walked toward their bedroom.

Sharon waited a couple of minutes before following him with the sleeping toddler in her arms. Andy had just finished, so she laid Marie down and lightly patted her stomach before grabbing the monitor and leaving the room. Emily and Emmett had gotten more than one monitor set as gifts, so one of them stayed at Sharon's and Andy's.

Next on the movie list was White Christmas, and Rusty came in from his exam and collapsed on the couch as it was starting. Sharon pried her head away from Andy's shoulder and looked over at him. "Hi, honey, how was your exam? Did you get any sleep last night?"

"Mmph. Remind me to check the exam schedule before I register for classes," Rusty whined. "Even 1Ls didn't have any this late. I should've just gone to Bainbridge's office and bent over. It would've been faster and less painful."

Sharon's eyes widened. "Rusty!"

"Oh. Sorry. Forgot you were Mom," he mumbled against the back of the couch.

He'd started studying for finals around Halloween and was in the top fifteen percent of his class, so Sharon doubted it was all that bad. "I'm sure you did fine, honey."

For the next couple of hours, Sharon and Andy dozed off and on until they heard Marie babbling through the monitor. "I'll get her," Andy volunteered.

Sharon sat up and rubbed her eyes, surprised to see that White Christmas was almost over. Its familiar score and dialogue had lulled her to sleep more than once since it started. She was starting to get hungry, so she got a bowl of vegetable soup and came back to the living room. One of many good things about living in a neighborhood again was having neighbors who liked to garden and share their excess vegetables and fresh tomato juice. She usually preferred not to eat on the furniture, but the dreary day called for it, and Rusty was unconscious and unable to call her out.

She had just gotten The Holiday started when Andy came back in with a drowsy Marie in his arms. She was obsessed with Andy, but she always wanted Sharon when she was sleepy. "Ga," she whimpered, holding her arms out for Sharon.

"Come here, baby." Sharon took her from Andy and patted her back as she nuzzled into her shoulder. Marie lay on Sharon's shoulder for a few minutes, but it didn't take long for her to perk up and look around for Andy.

"It's about time you come see Papa!" Andy picked her up and pulled some of her toys out before getting on the floor with her. He gave the TV a pained look and turned to Sharon. "When's it time for Die Hard?"

Sharon rolled her eyes. "You and Rusty can watch it while I'm at dinner tonight." She and her closest friends had been doing an earring exchange every Christmas for over thirty years now, and they were going out for dinner for that tonight.

Rusty woke up a little while later and joined Andy and Marie on the floor, and Andy took the opportunity to get back in the recliner with Sharon. The blankets were no longer necessary, but they still curled up together. Rusty hadn't noticed the change in temperature when he got home, but he did now that he was more alert. "I just noticed that it's not ten below in here. Andy, you finally got Mom to cave?"

Andy shook his head. "That would take a power greater than me." He nodded at Marie. "It took the rugrat coming over to save us from freezing to death."

Rusty nodded. "I should've known."

Later that evening, Sharon got ready and slipped into her favorite casual red dress. Or maybe it was her favorite because she liked to tease Andy in it, she couldn't remember. Andy gave her a suffering look as she walked into the kitchen with her clutch. "Putting that dress on and then leaving me isn't good for my blood pressure."

Sharon kissed his cheek. "We'll have to do something about that when I get home," she murmured, wiping off traces of lipstick she left on his cheek.

"Oh, god," Rusty moaned from the bar. "I think I'd rather take another exam than listen to to you guys be disgusting."

Sharon got home a couple of hours later and changed into her pajamas before getting a glass of wine and joining Andy in the living room. He moved over in the recliner so she could sit with him.

"You guys do know that there's other furniture in here," Rusty pointed out, looking disturbed.

Sharon shrugged. "Who needs it?"

"Oh, gross." Rusty scrolled through the guide on the TV. "Ugh, Badge of Justice, no thank you. I'm still not over it."

Andy ran his hand over his face. "Oh, god, here we go."

Sharon sipped her wine. "I'm not, either. Sherry dying would've been tolerable if it made sense and wasn't done as a result of an adult using human life as a bargaining chip and then throwing a fit when he didn't get his way--I know it's fictional," she said, anticipating Andy's thoughts, "but he acted like a child about it."

"Yeah, look at Madam Secretary," Rusty added. "It was canceled, but Mom said that the last season was her favorite. The writers managed to write a great season that the fans would love even though they knew it was canceled. Huff knew he was going to piss everyone off, but he went on and on about how it was the 'season loyal fans deserved and they were going to be happy with it,' and then blamed them for reacting the way they did."

Sharon shrugged. "Well, not every show can have a woman creator, but even the ones that don't should at least be honest and stand by their decisions instead of blaming the network and fans when people rightfully get upset. He flat-out said that no major characters would die after Baylor, so a lot of fans had a false sense of security about Sherry and thought that the dropped hints were just Huff being dramatic."

"I can't believe it's been two years..." Rusty looked at the date on his phone. "Today. I remember because it was my other mom's birthday--damn it, I haven't called her yet."

Once he was out of the room, Sharon wrapped her arms around Andy's neck and lay on his shoulder. "How are you? Still cold?" She asked meaningfully.

Andy nodded. "Frigid."

Sharon got up and offered her hand. "Let's go see what we can do about that."

"Right behind you, commander."

[luckylq46-blog]

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[jlf23tumble]

1D Day, Hour Two

The file I’m watching on YouTube is much shorter than an hour (44 minutes!!), but that’s because the poster kindly removed the “VT” (shudder) from random countries (it always boils down to [insert country’s name’s] fans wilding, and there’s only so much of that I can take).

Still, hour 2 is fucking ICONIC for many reasons, the biggest being Harry’s barely constrained rage. Yes, Louis’s “done with it all” demeanor on 1D Day is (justifiably) legendary, but Harry’s right there with him (twin flames, y’all). I can’t tell if he’s coked up, genuinely angry, or just passive-aggressively petty because someone told him he had to speak more quickly, much more loudly, and with some enthusiasm, for chrissakes. Oh, he delivers, all right, so much maniacal shouting. Deets under the cut.

Hour 2 is all Lirry, and I, for one, love Lirry, so it’s 44 minutes well spent. Liam tells us, “We’re kicking it off with VT from  France, give it up for France!” (“FRANCAIS!” Harry yells), and after the missing bit of French VT, we’re back to Lirry, with Harry vacillating between murdering the French language (“Mercy boo coo to France”) and shouting “I ATE SNAILS” as his contribution to what they did in France last time they were there (Liam played football with some guys near the Eiffel Tower, fwiw).

The first guest is Dynamo (or, “DYNAMO, EVERYBODY” if you’re Harry), and he’s here for card tricks and more (“OH, SNAP” is Harry’s response to Dynamo nearly twisting his own finger off, and god, it’s horrifying). Harry’s fairly manic through the entirety of the card tricks, but I love Liam because he’s me in every card trick (“I’m glad mine’s easy to remember because I’d probably forget,” which is true of any card you take, like, ever???):

“WHO LOVES MAGIC!” Harry shouts, and there’s a needlessly complicated special interactive trick that gets introduced here, with Dynamo saying that he wrote a prediction on a piece of paper and sealed it in a box at the beginning of the day, so he needs to Harry to keep the key safe. Points if you correctly assumed that Harry will stuff that key right in next to his dick as a joke.

Because nobody rehearsed or prepared for this epic full-day live event, there are all kinds of problems with the cameras, and if you want a fun drinking game to get you hammered within 45 minutes, take a shot every time you see a variation of this (Liam looking vaguely concerned while Harry aggressively points at the sky or the camera while shouting):

A horrifically bad segment that’s a poorly disguised advert for Google Hangouts (lmaoaoaoaooaoaoa) kicks off questions from all over the world (the audio is bad, none of the visuals syncs), but we get some iconic answers to deeply important questions, like, “If you were in the Hunger Games, who would  survive the longest?” Liam says he’d hide and then kill passersby (yikes), and Harry says he’s more of a lover than a fighter, so he’d hide in a tree until it all blew over. Liam: “Oh, yeah, you’re definitely more of a lover.” Harry: “Easy there, Piers Morgan.”

The next question is from a group of girls wearing Christmas sweaters, which annoys Harry because “it’s a whole month and two days early,” but I think his issues are bigger than jumping the gun on holidays (and honestly, the UK doesn’t have the twin buffers of T’day and H’ween, so you KNOW this is just part of his general rage). Anyway, they want to know what other careers these two would be involved with, sans the D, and because they’re five, Liam says spaceman and Harry says baker.

After a series of horrible glitches, the next question is about which superhero they’d be, and me as Harry, blowing a giant raspberry as he ponders this important question with the level of exhaustion he surely must feel, three years into this band/interview technique. Liam can read the room, so he picks this one up and says he’d be Kung-Fu Panda, which makes it easy for Harry to say Hong Kong Fuey (!!!) or Top Cat.

With that mess done, it’s time to “ROLL THE VT!” (according to Harry) for Switzerland, and because the producers here are nothing if not cliché lovers, that means tiny cowbells for Harry to play with when we come back. He quickly tires of this, throws the cowbells off stage, yells “WE NEED A CAMERA,” and walks straight into the call box with the overwhelmed girls from hour 1. These girls are still weeping, but Harry says, “Thank you for listening to the album, you’re getting kicked out, sorry,” in the flattest voice possible, so good cop Liam hurries over to ask the weeping girls which song they liked and usher in two new people.

“Happily” is debuted, but we don’t get to see it, boo, but we do get ushered over to a theater with some contest winners. Or as Harry says, “We’re here backstage to meet some fans who have won a chance to be here…SHUT UP…in our VIP cinema,” and then, “You’re crying…is that because I told you to shut up? I didn’t mean it.” Liam is there again to save the day, but there are lots of sound problems, so it’s hard to tell what’s happening, tbh.

Anyway, these fans get to ask some iconic questions, such as, “What would we find in your fridge?” which gives us this classic from Harry: “I DON’T LIVE ANYWHERE, SO NO FOOD,” as the audience says, “awwwwww” in the background.

There’s a question from a lady on the screen, saying that she’s in front of the X Factor studios, and she wants to know what they would change their audition song to, if they could go back in time, and because Harry’s well aware of his various stalkers, he says, “I saw her the other day at the X Factor studios, 100 percent” (fwiw, Harry would do “Wrecking Ball” with props, and Liam would do “Mirrors”).

The last question is what they would change if they could go back in time, and Liam says probably his older haircuts, and Harry says that one day in April (and he mentions April again later in the hour, so someone investigate), he had a dodgy breakfast burrito, so he’d probably change that (he also had a dodgy batch of prawns one time, too, but that’s a different story, and god, he’s an underrated comedian). The sound is for shit, but Liam doubts this, prompting Harry to scream, “DON’T JUDGE ME, LIAM, I’M TRYING MY BEST,” and whyyyyyy is he so on fire (and why do I love it so much):

We get back to the studio with an inexplicably breathless Scott Mills (he says he ran…but from where, lmao) and do another spin to figure out who the official 1D account (????) will follow on twitter. Harry starts cheating before people start yelling at him to stop, which is a shame, really, just follow all of these poor bastards, honestly!

We don’t get to see the VT from Germany, but we do get to see Lirry bickering about camera problems and stolen lines, plus an exhaustive rundown of all the thrilling things to come, and I’m so thankful to the person who made this moment a Dua Lipa meme all those months ago:

One of my favorite segments has a really awkward setup, but tl/dr/dw, Harry brags, “I’m a bit of a chef myself, and if I’m honest, Liam, I’m pretty damned good at it,” so we get a “ROLL VT!” and an aggressive finger point, both from Harry, and a silly but charming cook off with the tour chef, who seems like a lovely lady (p.s. look at how glorious his hair was under all those tablecloths…also, he’s chewing gum in a gross way, but this whole bit is worth watching in full):

The cook off is genuinely funny and results in a beautiful pavlova from Sarah and a basic sandwich (with pickle and paprika) from Harry, judged by Mark Jarvis, Gemma Styles, and Lou Teasdale, all of whom Harry bribes. I’m more fascinated with this ring, and my head canon has it either saying ILY or JEN (both of which make me smile):

With that bit over, we move on to more rapping of random tweets, and it’s embarrassing, so I won’t get into that. But the VT of Liam surfing is something special, not only because he looks so obviously happy while he’s doing it, but also because he says some very profound things in the interview around it: “I get followed a lot, so it’s quite nice to get out in the sea where nobody can follow you […] it’s so nice and peaceful […] it doesn’t matter what you look like, you can just have a good time, it’s a bit of an escape,” and ouchhhhhh, that’s some real talk.

We head back to the studio for a fashion segment with Louise someone; a handful of lucky fans in Sweden won a t-shirt design contest, and Lirry are gonna do some modeling. Louise is happy that Harry knows where Sweden is (Harry:  “I got a B in geography…might have been a C, can’t remember”), and some poor shlub working on this trainwreck in the shadow gets dragged out on camera because he’s wearing green jeans, but he’s not there for long (Harry: “GET OUT” *shove*). Louise describes the fashion show to come, and Harry says that he’s quite good at walking in straight lines, but Liam reminds him that he tends to fall over a lot on stage and that the tiny catwalk is actually pretty shiny (god bless Liam for being so responsible).

Luckily for all of us, professional model Cindy Crawford is there to help with some tips (she’s introduced as “IT’S ONLY BLOODY CINDY CRAWFORD” by Harry, and I die with Cindy’s “Hello, boys,” and Harry’s “Hello, Mrs. Crawford”…followed swiftly by Cindy’s, “Please don’t call me Mrs. Crawford”). There’s some sexi modeling, and even though he only wears two shirts to Harry’s three (*and* Harry gets down on the ground to pose), Liam wins, according to the Swedes. He requests a model  off with Cindy as his prize, and he’s surprisingly good?

The last segment is with Dynamo, the magic man, and for some reason, Harry’s weirdly agro about his own shirt mic, like, unnecessarily so, ripping it off to speak with Dynamo before gently putting it back where it belongs. Maybe he’s just frustrated about how they have to use Google+ (lololololol) for a totally convoluted imaginary concert that ultimately doesn’t work (me as him, tbh). 

While Liam does tech support live on air (!!), Harry asks Dynamo to do some card tricks to stall for time after literally nobody says a word when he monotones, “We’re having a technical difficulty…does anybody know any jokes.” Harry pulls a card as directed, but then, for seemingly no reason, he suddenly starts yelling, “THIS ISN’T WORKING, SHALL WE SEE SOME HIGHLIGHTS? HIGHLIGHTS!!! ROLL HIGHLIGHTS [aggressive pointing]!!” and the highlights are truly awful, and I hope he’s enjoying his smoke break for hour 3, jfc.

[aggimaginary]

The Grinch 2: Happy New Year Chapter 3-An Unusual Friend

In the afternoon, the Grinch and Cindy Lou successfully bought a box of fireworks from the store. They bought Fountain and Peony fireworks. They put the fireworks on a red wagon that Max dragged with behind him.

"Well, we finally bought the fireworks. Now, we have to buy you a new alarm clock," Cindy Lou reminded.

The Grinch chuckled, pulling a list from his pocket, "How could I forget that?" Then, he noticed something from the twins. He reached for the firework before Buster bite it, "No, no, no. Fireworks are not food."

"Wow, you just took care of the twins, you already know how keep them safe," The little girl commented.

"Of course, I do. I don't want kids to get hurt," He answered.

"So…, are you ready to become… a parent?"

"WHAT?! Hey, if this is because your friend told you that I'm gonna your new dad, that's not gonna happen."

"Alright, whatever you say."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Above a big house, a green portal was opened, and Aggie came out of their with her sled. She fell with her sled, and started to slide down every roof of the town.

"Alright, all I have to do now is to know this town before finding a friendship problem..." Aggie said to herself, until a poster hit her face. Aggie pulled the poster from her face, and read it. "Wow! There's my answer. 'Whoville, the most joyful and friendly town in the world'." Now, the girl became curious. "Hmm, if this is a joyful and friendly town, why the element sent me here?" She then reached for her interdimensional remote control from her bag. "Guess I'm in the wrong world or wrong place…"

But then, her slide became bouncy as she slid from roof to roof, then slid through a window of a house, where she saw two people eating their lunch, "Have a nice lunch!" Aggie said politely. When her sled slid up high on a ramp into the air, she accidentally released the remote from her hand. "OH NO! MY REMOTE!"

When Aggie got separated from her remote, she fell and slid on the streamers, sent into mid-air, and fell again, but this time, she was heading straight towards a green figure, "Watch out below!"

Aggie bumped into the Grinch, knocking him down with her sled, and she was on the other side. The twins just laughed and squealed at the Grinch, while Cindy Lou rushed to help him up.

"Mr. Grinch! Are you okay?" She grabbed his arm to help him up.

Aggie, on the other, was desperate that she lost one of her important things, "No! My remote!"

The Grinch got up from the snow, and grunted, "Why is this always happened to me?" Then, he turned to Aggie angrily, "What is wrong with you? Didn't you see me? That was a sled, and… well, I'll be dead, and you almost hurt the children!"

"I'm sorry for bumping into you, mister, really, but this is really important. Have you seen my remote?" Aggie asked.

"Remote? What remote? If you're looking for a remote for are television or any gadgets, there are some at the Remote store," the Grinch threw the sled on the snow beside Aggie.

"No, you don't understand. This isn't just a remote, this is the remote. The one that I owned," the young woman explained.

"What does it look like, miss?" Cindy Lou asked.

"Well, it's olive green with two buttons, a light blue screen and an antenna, which is used to open a portal through different dimensions."

"Well, I never seen or heard that remote in my life, so my friends and I better go and we'll get out of your hair," the Grinch said as he pushed the baby stroller.

When he stepped into something under the snow, a green energy ray just blasted from it, creating a green portal in front of them. The Grinch and Max were frightened as they took a step back with the stroller where the twins are, and Cindy Lou grabbed tightly around the Grinch.

Aggie recognized that portal as she rushed towards it, "Oh, there it is!" She snatched something under the snow, the remote, and switched it off, closing the portal. "There! That oughta do it!"

The Grinch's fear faded as he stared at the woman with wings, "What was that?"

"That's just a portal. It's like a door to a different dimension," Aggie replied.

"And that you're holding?"

"This is an interdimensional remote control. This device can open portals to any world you want to go in the universe."

The Grinch just froze right there. When he saw that portal, it brought back the memories that he had long forgotten. He never saw that portal for 53 years. Then, when he looked back at the woman, he thought that he knew her before, and he knew that enthusiastic face years ago.

"You look familiar," He almost can't put his finger on. "Have we met before?"

Aggie was quite confuse. For her, she never met this green fellow before, "Huh?"

The Grinch shook his head, "No. Nevermind. You're a girl. You can't be him."

"'Him' who?" Aggie inquired.

"No one. It's not important." The Grinch then noticed the wings that he can't ignore it. "What's with the wings? It's not Halloween, you know."

"Oh, this isn't a costume, mister, I was born with these," Aggie said.

Then, Cindy Lou gasped and impressed, "This means, you're a fairy?"

"Not exactly, little lady. You see, both of my parents or even my families aren't fairies, but I got these when a fairy life was sent to me, and I was born with these."

"Wow! You have wings since birth? Cool. I wish I have a pair of those."

However, the Grinch thought the woman is crazy and what she said is ridiculous, "Ugh. Yes, it's cool, but I still think those wings are fake. But, just to ask, why are you here and what is your purpose?"

Aggie giggled nervously, "Umm, it's a long story and complicated…"

"We've got time."

She started to clear throat to explain a full story, "Okay, well, I'm the leader of the heroic team of the universe. We are called the Imaginary team. We lived in different worlds, and we stayed friends. Our job is to fight crime, and spread love and friendship in the universe by travelling from one world to another. It's like Dimension travel. Now, I came here because I have a mission…"

"What kind of mission?" Cindy Lou inquired.

"A mission that I have to fix. According to my element, right here…," Aggie pointed her element shard on her ID necklace, "When it's blinking, which it was earlier before I got here, that means there's a friendship problem, and it's my duty to solve it."

"So, let me get this straight: you're a young woman with "wings", came from another world because you have some sort of mission." Grinch summarized Aggie's explanation.

Aggie nodded, "Yeah, that's sort of it. A mission about a friendship problem that I have to fix."

"Okay. That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life." Then, the Grinch turned to Cindy Lou, "Come on, kid. Let's go before anything crazy might happen."

When the Grinch left with the baby stroller, Cindy Lou started to follow him, not before saying to Aggie, "I hope you'll find what you're looking for around here, miss."

"I hope so, too," Aggie sighed. "I'll see you around, little girl."

"Good-bye," Cindy Lou waved at her.

Then, Max looked back at Aggie before following his master.

"Bye, little doggy," she waved at the dog. When she picked up her sled, it turned back into a wand staff, and put the remote back in her bag. "Well, I sure hope I can find a friendship problem in this town." Aggie walked away to find a problem she has to solve.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the clock store, the Grinch, Cindy Lou and Max entered with the twins while talking about Aggie.

"Do you think that woman is lying, don't you?" Cindy Lou asked.

"I never said she was lying," the Grinch replied. "I just don't believe on this 'Dimension travel' and 'many worlds' and stuff."

"Well, I believe that."

"What makes you say that? Have you been travelling to another world or something before?"

"No, but in my Science class, my teacher said that there are more than one world out there. Our world isn't the only one in the whole universe. And besides, that lady doesn't look like a Who. I mean, I never seen her before. It's like she's not from here at all."

"Well, she's only here to solve a friendship problem out there that we didn't even know."

"Okay. So, we have lots of clocks here. Which one do you like?"

When Cindy Lou reminded him about a new alarm clock, the Grinch search for it in ever aisle. Then, he spotted an alarm clock that looks just like his old one. "Hmm… what about this one?" When he took a look at the clock, he played the clock's alarm sounds randomly. Some are happy songs, some are also Christmas songs. "I think this is perfect."

When the Grinch bought the new alarm clock, he put it on the wagon with the boxes of fireworks, and they all headed outside the shop.

"Well, we finally bought what we needed. Can we go back to your house now?" the Grinch, almost feeling tired.

"No! We must get your new alarm clock back to your cave so it would get broken easily," Cindy Lou suggested.

"Y-You mean, in my place?" the Grinch wasn't so sure to go back to his cave with children. His place was quite cold at the afternoon and almost sunset. The kids might be freezing later. "I don't know. What about the babies? They'll get freeze up there, and your mom would very worried about you three."

"Just a short while. Besides, it's 3:30, and the twins can stay warm as long as they wore their winter clothes. We have extra time. And mom wouldn't be home until nine tonight. Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaase. Just today," Cindy Lou begged, making a pouty face.

The Grinch still refused with this idea, but when he saw Cindy Lou's big teary cute puppy eyes, he groaned in defeat and said, "Fine. We'll go to my place."

"YAY!" The little girl cheered.

"But only after I'm going to put my alarm clock in my bedroom. And then, we all can go back to your home, got it?" the green fellow added.

"Okay. That's cool," Cindy Lou nodded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It's been a long way to walk to Mt. Crumpit as the Grinch, still pushing the baby stroller, Cindy Lou and Max, still dragging the wagon full of boxes of fireworks and an alarm clock, traveled all the way up by just taking a snowy slope path up to the Grinch's cave.

As they travel up the mountain, there was a moderate cold wind blowing at their faces. Feeling concern for the infants, the Grinch checked on Bean and Buster to see if they're still warm, and if their winter clothes are still warming them up. They continued to walk up the mountain, until they reached the Grinch's cave.

When he brought the children and Max inside to keep them warm from the cold breeze, while the Grinch placed his new alarm clock on the drawer in his bedroon, Max and Cindy Lou arranged the fireworks they bought in each boxes so they won't mix up.

Once they're done, they headed outside, and the Grinch locked his door.

"Well, I guess our work here is done," he said, the stretched out his back. "Boy, I've been pushing the baby stroller for a whole day now."

"Is it okay that it's my turn to push the stroller?" Cindy Lou volunteered.

The Grinch chuckled, but didn't want to give the kid a hard time, "Cindy Lou, you're still little to push two babies in a stroller. Are you sure you can do it?"

"Yeah, I can do it," Cindy Lou answered, quite offended. "I've been helping my mother ever since Dad died. I know how to push the stroller, I know how to take care of the twins… They're my brothers, and I love them. I know how to take care of them."

"It's not because I don't trust you. It's because I don't want you to being so hard on yourself."

While his master and his friend are in a conversation, Max just noticed the baby stroller with the twins suddenly started to slide down the snowy slop path. Max barked to warn the Grinch and Cindy Lou about the babies.

"Not now, Max," the Grinch held his hand at his dog.

"Come on, Mr. Grinch. I want to show Mom that I can be a responsible big sister for my brothers. Please!" Cindy Lou made a pouty face again.

The Grinch groaned in frustration as he was defeated again by the little girl's sad face, "Alright, alright! Just don't make that face again!"

"Deal!" Cindy Lou gave him a thumb-up.

But when the two turned around, they realized the baby stroller is gone.

"Umm, where's the stroller?" the Grinch inquired.

Max then barked in respond as he pointed the stroller rolling down slide.

"Oh no! Bean! Buster!" Cindy Lou cried as she ran down the pathway.

The Grinch and Max followed as they ran as fast as they can, hoping to reach for the baby stroller.

"Oh dear. Your mother is gonna hate me for this!" The Grinch shouted in panic.

While the stroller kept on running, the twins were enjoying the ride, and squealed in excitement.

The Grinch, Cindy Lou and Max were just halfway, but they got tired from running and panted heavily.

"Oh, they're now far. We'll never catch them in time," Cindy Lou was devastated in fear for her brothers.

Just then, they heard a reindeer sound from behind them. The three turned around and saw Fred the reindeer with his mate child, happy to see his master again.

"Fred?" the Grinch gasped in disbelief. Sure, the reindeer and his family came to help him yesterday on Christmas, but he didn't expect that the reindeer came to visit him surprisingly.

"Aawwww, you have reindeer?" Cindy Lou rushed towards the reindeer family, and patted the baby reindeer's head.

The Grinch slowly walked towards Fred, and rubbed his muzzle, "You still came back for me." The reindeer then nuzzled closer to his master, "I missed you too, boy," Grinch returned the affection.

Just then, Cindy Lou just realized something as she turned to the Grinch, "I have an idea."

A moment later, Max and the baby reindeer were running together down the snowy slope, while Cindy Lou, who was having fun, rode on the female reindeer, and the Grinch rode on Fred, but he held on tightly so he won't fall.

"HEEEEEEEEELP!" He screamed.

Meanwhile, Aggie was having a hard time, trying to find a friendship problem in Whoville, but she found nothing. Everyone in this town is cheerful and friendly, and no one seemed to have problems with their friends and family.

She was now at the bottom of Mt. Crumpit, just at the end of the snowy slope "Darn it! It's been hours, and I can't find any friendship problem!" She yelled at herself. "Oh, why did my element send me here?" Unfortunately, she didn't notice that a baby stroller is coming straight for her.

At the slope, the reindeer ran as fast as they can for the Grinch, Cindy Lou and Max to reach for the stroller.

It's impossible to reach the stroller in time. Cindy Lou saw Aggie at the bottom of the slope that she didn't notice the stroller behind her.

"Look out, miss!" she called.

Aggie heard that familiar voice as she turned around and saw a baby stroller with two infants coming towards her. She gasped as she thought of something to stop the stroller and save the babies. When she got an idea, she took out her wand staff, pointed in front of her, and recited the spell, "GIANT MARSHMALLOW PILLOW!"

A gigantic marshmallow appeared between the running stroller and Aggie from the wand staff, and the stroller was stopped when it hit the marshmallow. The twins are safe and squealed happily for that fun ride.

Cindy Lou, Max and the reindeer were impressed and amazed when the woman magically made a giant marshmallow to stop the stroller.

"Wow! Is that a big marshmallow?" Cindy Lou hopped off the female reindeer and rushed for Aggie. "Thank you so much for saving my brothers."

"Aww, it was nothing," Aggie said. "Here, have a marshmallow. It's edible, delicious and non-poisonous."

Cindy Lou and the baby reindeer bit on the marshmallow, Max just licked it, and the twins were gnawing at it since they only have buckteeth. When he hopped off of Fred, the Grinch was so amazed by the young woman's magic and how she ever stopped the stroller and saving the twins on her own with a giant marshmallow. He never saw that kind of magic before. He started to believe that this woman indeed from another dimension or world as he slowly approached her.

"That… that was incredible," He said.

Aggie clutched tightly on her wand staff, "Thanks, but it was no big deal."

"It IS a big deal! I mean, you saved the babies, created a giant marshmallow, and you're able to save yourself," the Grinch responded.

"If the little girl didn't warn me, I could be crashed." The young woman replied.

"How did you make this marshmallow, anyway?" Cindy Lou asked.

"It's one of my spells of my magical family heirloom, the wand staff," Aggie explained. "I can summon anything, as long I recite the spell correctly."

"Who are you, exactly?" the Grinch asked.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself," Aggie blushed embarrassingly. "Hi, I'm Aggie, short for Agatha. My full name is Agatha Besares Mondejar Resano Borra Galido. Still just call me Aggie."

"It's really nice to meet you, Aggie. My name is Grinch," He introduced himself. "This is my dog, Max…"

The dog jumped onto Aggie, and licked her happily.

"Whoa! It's nice to meet you, Max," Aggie laughed.

"And this is my friend, Cindy Lou," the Grinch pointed Cindy Lou, who was checking on her brothers.

"And these are my brothers, Bean and Buster," She added.

"Aww, they're so cute!" Aggie adorned the twins' cuteness. Then, she turned to look at the reindeer family, "What about them?"

"Umm, the big reindeer is Fred, and his family," the Grinch explained.

"Aww, so sweet!" Aggie's eyes started to sparkle, "You know, I have a friend name Fred. He was also from another world, just few friends, and I'm one of them."

"That's a coincidence." Grinch chuckled. "So, you really are from another world."

"My family and friends called me 'Magical girl from another dimension!' Aggie made a rainbow with her wand staff, and several cute creatures appeared around her. The rainbow suddenly bursts into flames, and the cute creatures ran away. "That's my title if I'm in different dimensions other than my own."

"So, is your world magical?" Cindy Lou grinned in excitement.

"Umm, no, you see, my world is just as normal as yours here. I was born with wings, and I have no friends at all, because I'm so different. So, my dad invented the remote I brought earlier so I can make new friends in other worlds and dimensions. When I did, I created the Imaginary team so we can always be friends. Once they trained to be a better person, like flying, martial arts and using of powers, my friends shared half of their powers and magic to me, making me the leader. So, I became the most powerful human in my home world," Aggie explained.

"Humans?" The little girl wasn't familiar with that word.

Aggie looked at her suspiciously, "Isn't that what you guys called yourselves?"

"We are called the Whos."

"Okay? Maybe they're still the same."

"So, this means your weren't born powerful or magical? You were given by your friends from other worlds?" Grinch clarified.

"Yep," Aggie replied.

"So, what brings you here quite late, Ms. Aggie? Did you find what you've been looking for?" Cindy Lou questioned.

Aggie sighed sadly, "No. I've searched everywhere. There's no friendship problem in your town. Everyone has no problem with their friends and family. It's so impossible!"

"Maybe you came into the wrong world," the Grinch said.

"That's what I've been thinking, but my element assured that this is the world with a problem," Aggie answered. "I just can't find it yet."

"Maybe you can find it tomorrow. It's getting late."

"Yeah, you're right. It's almost 6:00, anyway."

Cindy Lou's eyes widened, "6:00? We have to go home before mom gets home. She'll be worried if she finds out we're not home."

"You're right! Come on, let's get back to town," the Grinch pulled the baby stroller from the marshmallow, and slowly pushed it towards the town, while Cindy Lou, Max and Aggie followed.

"Bye Fred," Cindy Lou waved goodbye at the reindeer family before walking away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When they made it to town, the Grinch just spotted something in the flower shop, and that gave him a generous idea.

"Cindy Lou, watch over your brothers for a moment, Max, keep an eye on the kids, and Aggie… try not to do anything crazy," he said before rushing towards the flower shop.

"He didn't know I'll never do anything crazy," Aggie murmured with her arms crossed.

"Why is he going to the flower shop? Why does he need flowers?" Cindy Lou asked.

"I just met him, so I have no idea." The young woman replied.

A minute later, the Grinch got out of the flower shop with a long box on his hands.

"Okay. Sorry about that, but we're ready to go, and…" Before he could finish his sentence of explanation to Cindy Lou, the Grinch noticed something different about Aggie. "Aggie, are you… floating?"

He noticed that Aggie's feet are no longer on the ground as Cindy Lou and Max turned to see her floating and her wings flapped.

"I'm tired of standing and walking, so I fly a little," Aggie explained.

The Grinch just froze in shock that he saw her fly. He never believed they are real wings at first, but when he saw Aggie flying with his own eyes, he was wrong, "Okay. I guess those wings weren't fake after all."

"Don't worry, I got use to it. New friends said that about me, every time," She said. "Now, are we ready to go or what?"

"I'll push the stroller," Cindy Lou quickly rushed to the stroller, and pushed it carefully, trying not to drop her brothers from it. "Watch out, big sister coming through!"

[stardusttkachuk-main]

New Boy

Title: New Boy

Pairing: Jack x Reader

Word Count: 1225

Warnings: fluff

Prompt: How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Summary: The Winchester’s come to visit Jody, and bring along a friend. Jody is sure the girls will appreciate him, especially Y/N, as they have something in common. But, she sends him up at the exact wrong time and Y/N is left embarrassed and dreading an entire night with him.

This is Day 13 of 25 Days of Christmas. Check out the full masterlist here!

The Winchester boys were on their way to Jody’s halfway house for hunter girls (as you liked to describe it.) They figured it was time to pay Jody, and everyone else, a visit and her place was on the way back from their last hunt.

You’d only met Sam and Dean once, which is how you met and began living with Jody. That was a year and a half ago after your father had had his eyes burned out by angels and you were next. It was all because your dad was the son of a Nephilim and you and he had “angel grace” running through you. You didn’t believe a damn word, but you also didn’t know angels existed until that day.

“Girls! Company.” Jody yelled from the bottom of the staircase. Alex and Patience were already down the stairs before you even left your room. Claire stopped by the window, looking back at you.

“What if we just jumped out the window now. Think they’d notice?”

You laughed. It was nice to have a roommate like Claire because she understood the whole hating being here thing. You shook your head, “I’m sure they would. God if we aren’t down there in two minutes you know she’ll come up.” You pulled a pair of jeans out from your drawer, knowing fully well that Jody would make a comment about your shorts if you walked down like that.

You didn’t bother closing the door, you rarely did in the house full of girls and it was a habit not to. That was your mistake because when you had gotten down to your underwear and were slipping your feet through the pant legs when some boy appeared in the doorway.

“I’m uh… sorry,” he said slowly, his eyes lingering on your body.

You quickly pulled your jeans up, fiddling with the button while he just stood there and watched. “Well don’t stare!” you yelled, “Who the hell are you?”

“I’m Jack. Jody asked me to come get you two. Claire and Y/N, right?”

Claire laughed, resting her hand on Jack’s shoulder as she was leaving. “Next time you see a girl half naked, compliment her if you’re gonna stare.”

“You have nice legs,” Jack smiled, quite proud of himself until your grumble confused him. You walked by without a word, trotting down the stairs with heavy feet to put as much distance between yourself and this kid as possible.

“Nice of you to join us,” Jody smiled. “You met Jack?”

“Oh yeah. She met Jack alright,” Claire smirked, nudging your shoulder with hers.

Your cheeks reddened and you quickly sat down, Claire following and sitting beside you. Of course, Jack sat across from you, and you wanted nothing more than to slink back to your room and hide under the covers until everyone left.

“You know, Y/N… Jack’s a Nephilim,” Jody mentioned, pointing her fork in his direction.

“Is that why you sent him up to my room?” You asked, still refusing to make eye contact with the man across from you.

“No. I’m just saying, maybe you two should talk.”

“Being an offspring of an offspring of a Nephilim does not make me a Nephilim.”

“You’re related to a Nephilim?” Jack asked curiously, poking his head up to look at you.

You sighed and finally made eye contact with him. “My grandpa was. I don’t have powers though.”

“Are you sure?” Sam asked. “Have you tried exploring if you do or not?”

“No, and I’m not going to. If my dad wanted me to know about Nephilims or their powers, I’m sure he would’ve taught me himself. I didn’t even know angels existed until six of ‘em came knocking at my door.”

“Well, they believed your dad had some powers, so why wouldn’t you?”

“Because I don’t, okay? Jody, can I be excused?” You pushed your plate away from yourself, having finished your dinner long before this conversation started.

“Sure. Wash your plate off.”

You nodded and got up, taking your plate and cup to the sink and rinsing both off, happy now to be away from the table.

You were back in your room now, phone in hand, when Jody knocked and leaned on the doorframe.

“So he saw you in your underwear,” she acknowledged.

“I didn’t think you’d send some teenage boy to wander around your house,” you grumbled.

“Dean suggested I send him. He’s just a little bit older than you are and they’re trying to get him some friends.”

“I thought this was a girls home,” you teased.

“Funny. We weren’t trying to reopen an old wound out there.”

“I know… I just don’t know him.”

“He said he liked your legs,” Jody laughed this time, unable to hold it back.

Your blush returned. “Well, I don’t need some random kid who’s seen me in my underwear and likes my legs knowing all about my past. He has to take me on a date first.”

Jody smiled, “We’re watching a movie downstairs if you want to join.”

“Let me guess, Jack’s on the loveseat by himself.” Jody couldn’t help the smirk and you rolled your eyes, pushing yourself off the bed and following her down.

“What are we watching?” You asked, finding the open spot next to Jack and sitting beside him.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” Dean said, throwing a hand up to the tv. Sure enough, Cindy Lou Who was wrapped in Christmas paper with a bow on top.

“Netflix said it was popular,” Jack smiled, “I’d never heard of it before.”

You nodded, relaxing into the couch. “It’s a classic. But the animated version is better.”

“Well duh. It’s the original,” Dean pointed out. “Now hush.”

When the movie was over, you excused yourself to your room again, following Claire as you both needed to get ready for bed. The bad thing about the boys visiting on a weekday was you still had classes in the morning. Jody was doing a great job of keeping you girls in line, and you admired her for her push for you to succeed.

You were making your bed when Jack appeared in the doorway again. “I’m sorry I saw you in your underwear,” he apologized.

You giggled and shook your head. “You know what, let me see you in yours and we’ll call it even.” Jack nodded, going for his belt without hesitation. “Jack!” He paused to look up. “I was kidding.”

“Oh.” He nodded and fixed his shirt. “We’re leaving. Jody told me to tell you to come say goodbye. And Dean wanted me to give you my number.” He almost questioned the last part, like he wasn’t sure if it was a normal thing or not.

Claire snorted from the other side of the room. “Yeah with each other's numbers, you two can trade underwear picks.”

“She’s kidding!” You added quickly. “We’ll be down in a second, you can give it to me then.”

“He’s cute!” Claire whispered when Jack was no longer in sight.

“And he’s your technical stepbrother, so he’s all mine.”

She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t want him anyway. I wanted you to know that he’s cute, I approve, and you should definitely bang him like a screen door in a hurricane.”

Your cheeks reddened again “C’mon… before she sends him up again.”

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[prettysubpenny]

The Grinch and Snowball Fights

Reader x Penny, kinda headcannon, kinda drabble-like. More X'mas Penny fluff. Actually the relationship between the reader and Penny can be seen as just Platonic, or more, reader’s gender not specified. Penny is quite child-like in this one.

-x-

- It was the Christmas season, and you decided to watch The Grinch with Penny.

- He sympathizes with the Grinch.

- By the movie’s end, he doesn’t understand why the Grinch had a change of heart.

- “They treated him like shit. Why did he just give back all the presents?” He growls and you giggle.

- “Well, he made a connection with Cindy Lou, she was the only one who saw how lonely he was and befriended him, it softened him. Even lonely monsters and social outcasts need at least one friend, Penny.” You say, nudging him.

- “It’s not the same.” Penny folds his arms and huffs. “And she’s just one little brat.”

- “Or are you just mad that you wouldn’t be able to scare her?” You tease.

- Penny flushes. “I could scare her. Just because she isn’t afraid of the Grinch character, doesn’t mean she wouldn’t be scared of me.”

- “Right. My bad.” You wink.

- Penny shakes his head, making his bells jingle. “I still don’t get how she alone changed years of repressed anger in one being.”

- You shrug. “She didn’t care that he was different, not like everyone else did. She even tried to change the other Whos’ minds about him and help him be back a part of their lives.”

- “But he didn’t want to be.” Penny retorts, tone a little too hateful.

- “I believe he did, he was different and he knew it, the other kids knew it, they were cruel and it broke something inside of him, but Cindy wanted to fix it. She saw something inside him that the others refused to. I think that’s beautiful.” You smile.

- “I think she should have minded her own business.” He hisses.

- You nod and bow your head, pretending to find your fingers fascinating. The words sting. Was that meant for you personally? Does he feel the same way about..?

“Oh.. Uh, that wasn’t directed at you, human. It feels she just tried to change him, make him their definition of normal. You’ve never cared that I’m not normal.” He said, more calmly, full lips twitching into a small smile as you look up. “It’s not the same.”

- And you snort, seeing what he means. Because it’s not the same as your situation with Pennywise, but you didn’t think it was anyhow.

- “Hell, Penny, I’m not normal. I don’t want us to be normal. I wasn’t comparing us to the movie.” You smile. “I just like the movie. Besides, you’re a lot cuter than the Grinch.”

- Penny grumbles. “I’m not cute.”

- You giggle. “Oh, you’re very cute.. To me, at least. To everyone else you’re terrifying, I promise. You’re terrifyingly cute.” You say, catching him by surprise by snuggling him.

- “As long as I’m still terrifying.. Humans, ugh..” But the monster hugs you back and nuzzles your head. He’s like a large wild cat, very viscious and stubborn, made to survive, a predator, but still a fucking cat who likes scratches and pets and long naps.

- Mostly, Christmas with Penny is like having an very large over excited child who hates everything and yet finds it fascinating at the same time.

- Any decorations inside that light up and make any kind of noise keeps him busy for hours.

- Seriously, you left him alone to go shopping five hours ago and when you get back, he’s still staring in wide eyed wonder at your snowman whose belly lights up with a multitude of colors with gliterry swirling water when turned on. He doesn’t stop until you make him, or the batteries go dead.

- And you’re tired of hearing O’ Christmas Tree, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Silent Night, and every other Christmas song made into a melody for a decoration.

- You sneak and take the batteries out.

- He pouts and whines about the batteries.

- “Penny, my head hurts.”

- He finds the batteries and fights with trying to figure out how to put them in himself.

- This is at least amusing, watching him fumble with the tiny batteries in his large hands. They keep popping out, or they won’t go in period. He growls and huffs repeatedly.

- He demands you put them back in, or else you’ll regret it. He tries to be menacing and even grows big and shows those rolls of vicious teeth as a threat.

- It doesn’t affect you at this point, however.

- “Penny, that’s not how we get something we want. Now, is it?” You remind sweetly.

- He twitches, arms stiff at his sides, fists clinched tightly, he even stomps his foot, making the bells of his costume jingle, eyes slanted and lips curled up in a scowl.

- “Are you five? You break something and you will regret it.” You warn.

- He huffs dramatically and gets back down to regular size and tries the batteries again. He still can’t get them and he nearly throws the snowman.

- You give in and replace the batteries, so nothing happens to mister snowman.

- He’s even worse with the lights outside around the house and on the front and back porches. He loves how they twinkle and sparkle, so shiny at night. It snowed and the blanket of white glistens like fresh icing on a cake, pure and untouched yet as the lights shining off the bright white snow turn certain areas of it green, red, blue, yellow, and that orangish color.

- Penny decides to destroy the pristine pureness of the snow and stomps through it, giggling and playing like a child as it sticks to his costume. It’s not that he’s never seen snow or decorations before, but he hasn’t seen them in 27 years either. It looks fun, but you’re freezing already.

- You are then literally buried under a small mountain of snow as Penny pelts you with snowballs, cackling in that way only he can.

- He digs you out quickly and grins sheepishly. “Oh, hey, hahaha, this is fun, you should come play too.”

- Your teeth chatter as you’re dragged along to play in the icy snow. This is not fair.

- You both run around chasing the other with snowballs. It is fun.

- But still cold, and your nose, cheeks and fingers are all numb, the coldness chilling your eyeballs and tinting your skin pink. But it feels electric, it feels alive. And the night sky is so pretty and clear, the night so quiet..

- Except for a certain clown’s giggles and jingling as he sneaks around the side of the house and tries to either scare you, or pelt you with more snowballs.

- And one hits you in the back of the head.

- You are not amused, but Penny is dying of laughter, and you love that sound so much, the cold wet snow in your hair is almost worth it to hear it.

- By the time you go in, you’re frozen and shivering. You go to get out of your wet clothes and into dry, warm ones. By the time you get back to Penny, he’s fixed his suit and is glued to the television.

- The Grinch cartoon is on now, and you hate having to see him when he finds out it ends the same way as the movie basically.

- Penny sees you’re cold and grows large enough to cuddle you like a Teddy bear to get you warm.

- “My cold little human, Penny’ll get you warm, yes yes.” He snuggles you happily.

- “I’ve asked you not to call me little, Penny.” Even though you are smaller than him, especially when he goes big boy.

- He never listens, and is merely purring in contentment. It feels nice, it feels safe, even though it shouldn’t.

- You get warm pretty quick and fall asleep using the large clown for a bed. Forget the sugarplums, you have visions of Penny stripper pole dancing in your head.

- No, fucking literally. That little shit..

- Though you are impressed he can juggle snowballs while hanging upside down on the pole with just his long legs wrapped around it.

-x-

Pole dancing Penny.. I’m not even sorry..

[dipulb3]

House Democrats weigh ejecting GOP winner of contested Iowa race, dismissing comparisons to Trump

New Post has been published on https://appradab.com/house-democrats-weigh-ejecting-gop-winner-of-contested-iowa-race-dismissing-comparisons-to-trump/

House Democrats weigh ejecting GOP winner of contested Iowa race, dismissing comparisons to Trump

While Democrats say what’s happening in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District is nothing like Trump’s lies about widespread fraud and a stolen election that ultimately led to the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, they are aware of the optics of potentially booting out a member of Congress from the opposing party who was declared the winner by bipartisan state election officials.

“The critical thing is when you go to a judicial forum, bring some proof, bring some evidence with you,” Raskin told Appradab.

But Hart’s campaign has argued that if 22 other legally cast ballots are counted, she would win the race by nine votes rather than lose it by six. (The campaign has released a couple of voter testimonies claiming that their ballots were improperly tossed because of issues with the envelopes.) And since the Constitution makes the House the ultimate “judge” of its own elections, Hart has made an unusual petition to investigate her claims and seat her instead.

Republicans are outraged that she’s taken her case to a friendly audience in the Democratic-led House, rather than to the courts, and say it’s a brazen attempt by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pad her razor-thin majority with an extra seat.

“They were complaining because Republicans wouldn’t tell people that Biden won the election on November 4, the day after the election, and now they’re playing this game? It just doesn’t add up,” said Chuck Grassley, the state’s long-serving GOP senator.

But Democrats say there’s nothing untoward about Hart using a process laid out by federal law giving her a chance to make her case before Congress.

“We can’t be concerned about optics,” said North Carolina Rep. G.K. Butterfield, who sits on the House panel considering the challenge. “We’ve got to review the evidence and see where it leads us.”

Raskin, a member of the committee, downplayed how the public might view the matter if the House overturned the election. “We live in cynical, jaded time, but that doesn’t mean we all have to give into it,” he said. “We just have to do our jobs.”

The lawyers for the two sides have until Monday to send their initial briefs to a House panel, which voted on party lines last week to consider the case. The House, which Democrats control by a 219-211 margin, could ultimately decide the election. The chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California, said in an interview she hopes the case is resolved this spring.

Democrats could then face a controversial vote just months after defending the state officials who certified the 2020 presidential election. Some Democrats may be uneasy at the prospect.

California Rep. Lou Correa, a Blue Dog Democrat who sits on the Judiciary Committee, said he wanted to “look at the facts” about “what motivates Congress to look at something that should be a state issue.”

“I want to see what compelling reasons there are for the feds to get involved in this,” he said. “I think these are issues that right now are probably best left at the state level.”

The vote could be particularly tricky for Democrats like Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Cindy Axne of Iowa, who could face difficult reelection races in 2022.

Golden, who narrowly defeated a Republican incumbent in 2018 who challenged his loss in court, told Appradab that he did not have a problem with the House Administration Committee’s actions so far.

“My instinct is that on these types of things, it’s always best to count every vote, look under every stone,” Golden said. “I think it’s best for either the incumbent or the challenger to allow the process to go as far as there are legal options to do so.”

But Republicans are eager to use any Democratic vote to unseat a lawmaker as a liability in the 2022 midterms.

Iowa GOP Sen. Joni Ernst said in an interview that Hart’s challenge puts the only remaining Iowa Democrat in Congress — Axne — in “jeopardy.”

Ernst asked, “Where is Cindy Axne saying, ‘This is an outrage and the Iowa voters have spoken?’ ”

Axne’s spokesperson pointed Appradab to a statement the congresswoman released in December. Axne said at the time that Hart has the “Constitutional and legal grounds to pursue” her case. “I support a transparent process that ensures every properly-cast vote in this contest is counted,” she added.

A rare House review of an electoral victory

It’s extremely rare for a congressional candidate to successfully challenge their loss in Congress. From 1933 to 2009, the House considered 107 contested election cases, according to the Congressional Research Service. In only three cases did it seat the candidate who contested the results; in one instance, it declared a vacancy.

But Miller-Meeks’ attorney Alan Ostergren told Appradab “it is a worry” that the Democratic-controlled House will reprise its 1985 decision to seat the Democrat over the state-certified Republican. He said that Hart could’ve gone to court instead of Congress.

“Our focus is on the fact that we have a certificate of election, and that there was a process that Hart could have chosen that was based on law, administered by judges, that she bypassed in favor of one administered by her own political party,” said Ostergren.

“The argument on their 22 ballots is almost exclusively that state law should not matter,” he added. “That’s a pretty troubling argument to make.”

Democrats have argued there wasn’t enough time after the state certification of the race for Hart to wage her case in court in order to comply with a December deadline. Marc Elias, a lawyer for Hart who helped lead the Democratic efforts against Trump-inspired lawsuits to overturn Biden’s win, did not respond to requests for comment.

“Voters who cast their ballots legally in this election deserve to have their voices heard and we are going to continue working to make sure that is the case,” said Hart spokesman Riley Kilburg. “This is a historically close race and we appreciate that the committee is taking seriously the need to ensure every vote is counted in this race by following this legal process.”

Republicans say that Democrats are trying to steal the seat. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Thursday that they were “trying to use brute political power to kick” out Miller-Meeks.

“Rita Hart and Speaker Pelosi are trying to subvert Democracy,” said National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Berg. “Every Democrat member should condemn this partisan power-grab.”

Lofgren said they are simply “following the law and the Constitution.”

When asked if she was worried about the optics of a partisan body determining the election, Lofgren said that the last time she evaluated an election, she made the motion that favored the Republican. (In 2008, Lofgren served on the panel’s task force that unanimously voted to dismiss a Florida Democrat’s case over her 2006 loss.)

“You have to just do it on the facts,” she said.

Other Democrats on the panel said that the GOP attacks shouldn’t deter them from reviewing the case.

“I don’t ever question Republicans’ ability to conflate what’s actually happening with the facts,” said California Rep. Pete Aguilar.

Democrats said that the cases of Trump and Hart could not be more different.

“I think you’re comparing apples to oranges,” said Iowa Democratic strategist Jeff Link. “Trump was trying to find ballots that didn’t exist. In this case, there are 22 ballots that were legitimately cast that hadn’t been counted. So, it’s a different situation.”

Pelosi reiterated as much to ABC this weekend.

“For them to call anybody hypocritical about elections when two-thirds of them in the House voted against accepting the presidency of Joe Biden is — well, it’s just who they are,” Pelosi said.

But Republicans say the House panel, which is divided between six Democrats and three GOP members, should keep the ultimate decision in the hands of Iowans.

“If six votes are not good enough for Marianette Miller-Meeks to be declared the winner, have a certificate and go through multiple recounts in a bipartisan way in Iowa, how is six partisan votes on the smallest committee in Congress reason enough to overturn the will of Iowa’s voters?” said Illinois Rep. Rodney Davis, the ranking Republican on the committee.

This story has been updated with additional developments Thursday.

Appradab’s Sarah Fortinsky and Annie Grayer contributed to this report.

[nowitsdarkfic]

chapter five (prince hamlet)

“It’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it. It’s a dirty song but someone’s gotta sing it now.” -”We Care a Lot”, Faith No More

October 13, 1988. Somewhere outside of Oswego, New York.

Lupe took the liberty of making a little spot for me on the far side of the main room, on the ledge in the little nook near the stairwell leading up to the second floor and the loft. Mrs. Hamilton threw out a note at me that that nook in particular has the best view of the entirety of the club given I can lay on my back and peer up to the edge of the second floor and a sliver of the loft ceiling. She scrounged up a couple of clean pillows from the back of the club, ones that had never been used on top of that. She lay those pillows down on the otherwise hard floorboards, and had fluffed up the one cradling my head. Once I’m reclining down on my back with my legs outstretched and my hands upon my chest, she spreads the quilt over me to keep me warm. Within time, Louie comes over to me with a mug of hot chocolate and a wad of stale marshmallows pulled from the inside of her jeans pocket.

Eh, it’s better than those stupid Mike n Ikes I had yesterday.

“Happy birthday,” Lupe tells me in a soft voice and with a shy smile upon her face. I return the favor accompanied with a warm feeling inside my skin.

“Thank you so much,” my voice cracks when I say that to her, so she gives me a giggle stifled by a hand over her mouth. Louie presses her hands to her hips as if about to sass me.

“Drink up, big boy,” she orders me, picking a marshmallow off of top of the mug and slipping it into her mouth; “Cindy Lou Who made you that big fat bowl of soup last night to warm up your tootsies and your tummy. I wanna know what the cocoa’s like.”

I take a swig from the mug: even though I know those marshmallows are stale and old, I swallow down a couple of them. Not bad, and the cocoa itself is just right.

“And?” she asks me, keeping her hands pressed to her hips.

“Perfect,” I reply, swallowing down another marshmallow and almost gagging on the hard outer shell, and without another word, she flashes me a thumbs up and a slight wink. Lupe then whispers something into Louie’s ear, and I swear it consists of “he’s so gorgeous” but their giggling covers it up enough to where I can’t actually hear it. I show them both a smirk and a slight raise of the eyebrow. To think that I am flirting with a pair of strippers at the moment, a pair of strippers who are also sisters.

Then again, I couldn’t ask for anything more than this here in Black Orchid, all snuggled up in the nook with my body warm and everything around me relaxed and willing to help me as well as please me.

They both walk away from me within time and I’m alone again with the mug and the blanket wrapped around me. I lay my head back onto the pillow and rest the mug on my chest, and gaze up at the ceiling overhead. And then there’s that girl upstairs, and I still can’t recall her name. At one point, I lift my head for a rather large swig of cocoa and marshmallows and I hear a light shuffling over me. I lay my head back down for another gaze up to the ceiling and the edge of the loft. Nothing there. Interesting.

Once I drink down the rest of the cocoa, I set down the mug on the floor, and it’s here I feel myself growing sleepy. My eyelids droop closed when I catch the sound of it again: it’s like someone’s crumpling paper. I’m too drowsy.

I doze off for a few moments, and awaken to the blurry sight of Mrs. Hamilton and Lizzy congregated before me on the other side of the room with their backs to me. I can hear them whispering to one another, and every so often I catch a sliver of a word, that is until Lizzy mentions my name. I rub my eyes and groan in my throat in hopes to grab their attention; I drop my hands in time to bear the sight of them whirling around to face me.

“Ah, there he is!” Mrs. Hamilton declares with a glimmer in her eye.

“Sleepy head lazy bones,” Lizzy teases me.

“What’s going on here?” my voice breaks from my nap.

“We were just discussing on how to bring you back to your humble abode,” Mrs. Hamilton explains to me, the twinkle in her eye never wavering. I rub my eyes again before raising myself up on my elbows.

“What’s it doing outside?” I ask them. “Is it snowing?”

“Nah, it quit snowing when we all got up this morning,” Lizzy replies. “The plows came through and took care of the roads for us all.”

“What about her, though?” I gesture up to the loft.

“Don’t worry about her,” Mrs. Hamilton assures me with a wave of the hand. “We’ll take care of her and find something for her when she wakes up.”

“What was her name, by the way—I’m drawing a blank on it...” I sit upright and rub my forehead followed by the side of my neck.

“Maya?” Lizzy fills in the blank for me.

“Maya, that was it!” Everything makes sense again.

“Yeah, Cindy told us. We didn’t know if she told you, though.”

“Eh, it’s neither here nor there at this point.” I peel back the covers and set my feet on the floor.

FLYING BANANA SLUGS ON A SANDWICH, THAT’S COLD!

“Where are my shoes?” I ask them, running my hands upon my upper arms. My teeth start chattering right then.

“I think they’re upstairs by your bed,” Mrs. Hamilton answers with an odd smirk upon her face. “Can we get you anything, by the way?”

“A thing of water, pretty please?” I suggest to them. I shiver as I climb out of the nook and head back upstairs to fetch the only thing to keep my feet from growing even colder. When I reach the top, from the looks of it, Maya hasn’t budged from her spot there on the edge of the bed.

Another question I have for her is what happened that led to her laying there in the storm drain with the rope wrapped around her ankles. I hope that when she wakes up she’ll be willing to share a recollection for me and the girls here in Black Orchid. But for the time being, I need to let her rest. I slip on my socks and, once I lace up my Chucks, I hear Mrs. Hamilton’s voice floating up from the first floor in conjunction with a man’s voice.

I stand to my feet and make my way to the stairwell: I catch a glimpse of a crown of puffy brown hair near the front door. That can’t be Scott, or Charlie for that matter: they wouldn’t know where I am, and they wouldn’t be here anyways. I reach the second stairwell in time to hear him say, “--just so long as I can warm up my ass.”

I stop there next to the nook where I took my little cat nap in hopes to recognize him. He’s short, a touch shorter than me, with that shaggy light, soft looking brown hair down past his shoulders, the scruffy seedlings of a beard about his round face, and steely blue-green eyes under a prominent brow. He’s wrapped in a heavy knit sweater underneath a lush, crushed crimson red velvet vest and a black overcoat, and has on knee high black leather boots: he tucks a strand of hair behind his ear and I spot a shiny glimmer of silver on his ring finger.

“Hey, I remember you,” he says to me in an odd, European sounding accent. “Joey, right?”

“Yeah...” I have an odd feeling in my stomach about him, like I’ve seen him before but I can’t recall it at the moment. Lizzy returns to the room with a clean glass of water for me; I thank her right as he steps towards me. He leans in closer to my face such that I smell the soapy cologne wafting off of his neck.

“I heard what happened between you and Anthrax,” he confesses. “That just--God.” He shakes his head. “I have nothing to say about that, and I usually have shit to say about things.” He raises his eyebrows which brightens his face a bit; I’m getting flashbacks to the bus in Sweden two years ago.

“Pfff, tell me about it. I even quit drinking because I couldn’t live with myself if I continued. That still wasn’t enough.”

I take a slight sip from my glass before holding it before my chest and speaking up again. “You’re--I wanna say Lars?”

“Correct-a-mundo.” He wags a finger at me and I catch another glimmer of silver upon his ring finger.

“Wait a minute, I thought you were German,” I stop him.

“Danish,” he corrects me. “I’m a man about town, though.”

“So what brings you here?” I ask, feeling suspicious. He shrugs at me.

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“I can’t really say,” he admits to me.

“Why’s that?”

“I just can’t.”

“So--you came here for no reason?”

“No. I am here for a reason.”

“So you’re here for a reason but you admit to me that you won’t tell me?”

“Yes.”

“What is this, an Abbott and Costello routine?”

“No. I just--can’t--really--say.”

He nibbles on his bottom lip and pushes the same strand of hair behind his ear again. That bit of shine on his ring finger. Okay. Makes sense.

I drop my gaze to the triangular patch of sweater underneath his vest and his coat, and the shiny black obsidian arrowhead upon his chest. He’s like a prince, a dark prince all donned in this opulence, from the red velvet to the fine paisley lining inside of his coat and the black and silver goggles tucked in the breast pocket.

“I--I should go,” he blurts out, wheeling around and heading for the front door again. He opens the door, which reveals the blanket of bright pearly white snow outside, and I lunge for him.

“Lars!” I call out. He stops and turns to look at me, and that pendant shines in the bright white glare of the snow. I hunch my shoulders against the cold.

“I was just going to ask--what is this?” I gesture to my own chest to bring attention to his own. He glances down to the pendant upon his chest and raises his eyebrows at the sight of it as if he had seen something extraordinary.

“This? It’s my arrowhead. I got this from my grandmother when I moved here to the United States.” He swallows as he gazes up at me without lifting his head. “It’s to open up a wormhole to allow easy travel because flying can get rather pricey. I have used it all of once, though.”

I pause for a second.

“A wormhole,” I repeat that.

“Yeah.” He shifts his weight before me and clears his throat. “I didn’t believe it at first, either. But it does indeed work, though. I can go from San Francisco back to Copenhagen in just a couple of minutes if I want to. The sole issue with it is it’s kind of painful.”

“Like... how so?”

“Little pinches on the private area, especially if you’re a little bit on this side of well-endowed, and on the back and the hips, too. Then again you are climbing through a man made tear in the fabric of space and time.”

“Can we go inside to talk more about it, though?” I suggest to him, shivering at the icy, damp feeling around us.

“Might as well, You look cold.”

[keywestlou]

FRANCES WATSON CLARK.....SHE WROTE A BOOK

Frances Clark Watson was at the Chart Room last night. Fran an author. Wrote the spectacular Key West. A story of our community.

I had not seen her in a while. She is a snowbird. Owns an historic home in Old Town. Visits frequently.

Charming best describes her.

The book’s forward written by Mindy Miles of the Key West Citizen. A small portion of her comments: “The vibrant community…..and significant historic sites make Key  West one of the most interesting places in the United States.”

The book is interesting. Frances  is interesting. Hope I run into her again soon.

John bartending. He is anxious to get to Columbia. He leaves August 12. He previously had a degree of familiarity with Spanish. Has been working on the language for a couple of weeks now. One of those courses that claim it will teach you how to speak the language in a short time. John says, “It’s working!”

A couple of pigeons have taken over the outside of the Chart Room. I suspect because tourists have been feeding them. Whatever the reason, one just had a baby. Everyone feels like a grandfather/grandmother now.

Cindy and Steve at the bar. Great people! Cindy was Jimmy Buffett’s right hand girl for almost a quarter century. His assistant now retired. Husband Steve has been in Key West since the 1970’s. He knows every thing there is to know about Key West then till now.

Mary stopped in. We chatted a bit and then left for dinner at the Pier House’s Pier 1 deck. The food continues to be outstanding. The chef obviously talented. I enjoyed the tuna again. A good sized chuck lightly seared on the outside.

Diana Millikan back in town. A writer. A fantastic researcher. She finds the nitty gritty of things more than 100 years old with ease. A talent.

She is supporting Guy de Boer in his desire to sail around the world. Helping him along. Especially with fund raising.

The trip expensive and long. Around the world means what it says. Guy will be out there without even a telephone for 5 months, if I recall correctly. Whatever, some abnormal amount of time.

The trip begins August 21, 2022 from a French port. It will take him through the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn.

The best or worst aspect is that Guy will be sailing alone. No first mate or companion.

I think he’s crazy. However, to each his own.

Barry moving slow. Five miles per hour. Taking its time. It will hit land when it does. Now expected to be this afternoon. Louisiana the landfall point.

A low grade category 1 hurricane at the moment. Wind not the problem. Rain. Now estimated to drop 25 inches on certain areas of Louisiana. New Orleans in trouble. Will the levees hold?

Most of the damage is expected from flooding. Picture all those houses under 3 feet or more of water. Some totally submerged.

Climate change has to be involved. Trump is beholden to the fossil fuel industry. Will not admit it.

A “natural disaster” once occurred every 100 years. Now, every year.

What I am about to share is a strange story. Strange because of its facts? My age? Or, a combination of both?

A transgender child involved. Parents divorced or in the process of being divorced. The child was labeled a boy when born. Father says he still is a boy. Mother says a girl.

The court being asked to be Solomon.

The child James. The mother claims he is a girl, identifies as one, calls him Luna, envisions hormone therapy and sex change at 8. The sex change will be accomplished by chemical castration. Between now and then, the mother is engaging James in social transitioning.

James goes to school. No one knows of the gender problem. He is a girl to all concerned. The father is barred from discussing the matter outside the court room.  Publicly, James must be addressed as a girl by the father in front of others.

The father says his son is perfectly comfortable with being a boy.

At the moment, the court has awarded temporary custody to the mother and requires the father to pay for all transgender therapy.

The transgender problem is a serious one. Three percent of the population are thought to be transgender. A significant number.

I don’t know if it is my age, upbringing, or what. I find the whole thing crazy. Especially castrating the boy at 8! And the mother promoting it!

James is not screwed up. The whole system is. Mother and the court especially.

Or, maybe it’s me.

The American dream. Once for real. Began after World War II. Get an education, a good paying job, marry, buy a home, educate your children, retire comfortably. Not so anymore. The reason being the wide discrepancy in growth involving incomes, rents, and house prices.

The numbers substantiate what most believe. Since 1960, incomes have risen 16 percent. Rents have gone up 72 percent. House prices 121 percent.

A society cannot survive unless it has a healthy middle class. Wages must go up, rents and house prices down. Each must meet somewhere. Hopefully, in the middle.

Is it possible? I don’t know. Our country is under a black cloud unless changes occur.

Another problem exists which could adversely affect our society. Result in changes. The immigrant problem. Especially how they are detained.

Americans will not tolerate physical and mental abuse of others.

Pence and a handful of Republican Senators visited 2 detention facilities on the border. One was in great shape. Large uncrowded rooms, air conditioning, cots, games being played, children watching animated movies and eating snacks.

Everything kumbaya!

Such I expected. Clean the place up before the inspection. Let Pence ask what the problem was. Question whether something was wrong with the Democrats, etc.

The other, horrible conditions! The worst!

Sweating, hot, no showers, smell of sweat and overcrowding, no room for cots, men sleeping on concrete floors under mylar blankets. This was the for real. Shown to make America aware it was happening because of the Democrats. Give me a break! Typical Republican cover their ass claims: Democrats won’t give us enough money!

The truth is simple. Trump does not care about these people. They are persons of color, a group he appears to not be particularly fond of. They are “immigrants.” Trump made them an issue during the campaign and he keeps pushing the issue. Cares not that he punishes the innocents while so doing.

Tomorrow could be a bad day. ICE is going to seek out some 2,000 immigrants who should have been deported long ago. Opposition groups have formed throughout the country. Purportedly, they will be in the 9 cities ICE will be working tomorrow to capture certain people.

I worry. Today, a protest. Tomorrow, a demonstration. Next on the agenda, physical conflict. It is inevitable.

One of the group “protecting” the immigrants tomorrow said, ” You have to come through us.”

Them’s fighting words!

Enjoy your day!

      FRANCES WATSON CLARK…..SHE WROTE A BOOK was originally published on Key West Lou

[lorilane33]

Let Me Help Pt. 5

Summary: It’s the morning after Dean’s drunken confrontation, and he’s feeling a bit guilty. Your favorite green eyed hunter also comes to a realization. 

Pairing: Dean x Reader Word count: 1,408

Warnings: Hungover Dean, umm... fluffish? Yeah... we’ll go with fluffish

A/N: Part 5 is here! I’ve gotten part 6 written, and now I’m just trying to knock out the rest of it. Hope you enjoy it! :) 

FEEDBACK IS ENJOYED AND APPRECIATED!!

Missed out? Here’s Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Here’s my entire masterlist for your enjoyment

(gif not mine)

Reader’s POV

Sun is shining through your curtains as you stretch in bed, thinking about the events of the night before. ‘Why had Dean seemed so upset that you’d keep in contact with Sam over him? He hadn’t been in a place to care.’ Realizing you still have a hungover man on your couch you throw on some shorts under your t-shirt and head to check on him.

Arriving in your living room you lean over the back of the couch quietly to check on Dean, noticing that he had grabbed the pillow at some point in the night and is currently cuddling the hell out of it. Chuckling to yourself you leave him be, letting him sleep off as much of last night as possible. You decide to make breakfast for the green-eyed hunter as a peace offering, hoping to ease the tension between the two so you turn and head to the kitchen.

While you are cooking scrambled eggs, you turn away to get out some water and tylenol for Dean. As you rummage around in the cabinet for the tylenol you hear a loud groan followed by the sounds of a body shifting coming from the living room. Smiling to yourself, you quickly plate the finished eggs, and put it all on a tray to take into the living room for Dean.

You set the tray of food on the coffee table, and sit on the edge of the couch. Reaching for the meds and water you gently say, “Hey, Dean. You should probably roll over and take this before the hangover hits too hard.”

“Noooo. Five more minutes, y/n.” You vaguely make out coming from under the pillow.

“Dean, come on. I know you have to work on the case today and the last thing you need is a wicked hangover on top of that.” Placing your hand on his shoulder you start to lightly nudge him.

With a groan, Dean reluctantly rolls over, squinting out from under his blanket at the ceiling. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. And then he reversed and ran over me.” He starts to slowly make his way out of his blanket burrito and sits up. Taking the tylenol from you, he looks anywhere but at you. “Thanks y/n,” he mumbles and reaches for the water.

“No problem, Dean. I’ve got some eggs here for you too if you want them.” You smile and nod to the tray of food. “Figured you’d want something in your system.”

Still not looking at you Dean responds. “You really didn’t have to do that for me, y/n. I remember everything that happened last night and you have every right to be so pissed at me. I can’t believe I said some of those things.”

“Hey, Dean, it’s okay. If you remember what I said last night, I forgave you the second I left. I don’t hold any of last night against you. It’s been a long four years, and you had every right to be upset with me. It wasn’t fair of me.” You smile sadly, remembering how much not talking to Dean had hurt you.

“No. I shouldn’t have even been here. I was drunk. I should have gone back to the motel instead of coming here.” Dean is now at this point looking anywhere but at you, clearly avoiding you. He looks so hurt, like he’s upset with himself.

“Dean. Will you at least look at me?” You see his eyes close at he clenches his jaw and turns his face to the back of the couch. Placing your hand on his shoulder you ask again. “Dean? I want you to know that it’s all okay. Please look at me. ”

Dean still doesn’t budge, so you move your hand from his shoulder and gently place it on his stubbled cheek.

Dean’s POV

Your hand is so soft on his cheek and he can’t help but lean into your touch; the touch he’s missed and apparently craved for four years. Gently pulling him to face you, Dean finally looks at you, making eye contact with your striking y/e/c eyes. Suddenly, something settles in his chest. He suddenly feels like a teenager who is seeing his crush for the first time. He sees the way you are looking at him a realization comes to him. He’s in love with you. He’s been in love with you since you were kids. Looking at you, he sees the way you’re looking back.

Your eyes hold forgiveness as well as something else he can’t quite place. He wants to say love, but he knows that can’t be. Not with how he’s treated you. He realizes that the reason he’s been so angry about you staying in touch with his brother isn’t because he actually thinks it was unfair, but he’s been angry because he’s jealous of the fact that you chose Sam over him.

Taking a moment, he allows himself to look over your face. He notices how your hair is a different style, and decides that this one fits you better. He notices the slope of your petite nose, almost like Cindy Lou from that one Christmas movie you enjoy so much. He notices the color of your eyes. A stormy blue, almost grey stares softly back at him and he can’t believe it took him this long to realize that he loves you. The smile you are sending him is encouraging to him and he thinks maybe you could love him back.

Another thought suddenly fills his mind and his heart plummets. You can’t possibly love him back… you left him without a word four years ago. There’s no way you would have left him if you really loved him.  With that thought in mind he closes his eyes and clenches his jaw again. Trying to reign in the emotions currently running through his mind.

“Y/n… I just.. I can’t-” Dean’s cell starts ringing and he pulls away to grab it. The caller ID tells him that it’s Sam. He sighs begrudgingly and answers it. “Hey, Sam.” He listens to Sam talking on the other end. “No, I’m okay. Just hungover.” Another pause, and Dean’s face falls as Sam mentions the police finding another victim. “Yeah, I’ll be there soon. Okay, see you soon. Bye.”

Looking at you, he sighs. “Sammy called with another vic. I gotta get goin’.” Sitting up he reluctantly pulls on his boots and watches as you take the tray of untouched food into the kitchen. Soon he’s standing and sliding into his coat, feeling for the keys that aren’t there. “Hey, y/n? You seen my keys?”

Coming around the corner you point to the coffee table. “Yeah, I set them right there. Didn’t want to put them somewhere where I’d forget where they were. Do you have to go? Feels like you just got here.”  

“Okay, thanks.” He responds as he leans down to grab his keys. “Yeah, I know. But we’ll have another chance to talk. I’m gonna head out. Listen, I’m still really sorry for how I acted last night. You didn’t deserve me showing up on your doorstep like that.”

Smiling at him, you walk to him and wrap your arms around his torso, placing your head on his chest. Seconds later he brings his arms up to hold you to him. “Dean, how many times do I have to tell you that it. Is. all. Right. This has been a crazy last day or so and we both have questions and things that we need to talk about. But right now, you need to go help your brother with this shapeshifter. We’ll talk later.”

He feels you pull away from him and look up at him, smiling that smile he has fallen for. He thinks for a second that you might kiss him. “Yeah, we definitely need to have a conversation later. But I gotta go, okay?” He leans forward and places a lingering kiss to your forehead, holding his lips there. He pulls his lips away just far enough to whisper into your skin, “I’ve missed you so much.” Pecking your forehead again, he finally lets go of you and walks out your front door. Continuing his stride until he’s at the door of Baby, sliding into her seat. Turning the ignition he lets her idle for a second before he heads off down the street.

Pts 6&7

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