#farmhouse redo

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Unusual and beautiful barn redo in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire UK has exposed brick walls, rough-hewn reclaimed wood and some steel to become an industrial treasure trove.

Walk across the small footbridge to enter the upper level and the modern rustic kitchen. Isn’t this a cozy part of the barn?

Through combination window/skylights in the low roof, you can see the garden from the kitchen table.

I love how the blue floor makes it pop. Next to the old chimney you can see the stairs leading to the main floor.

Industrial salvage metal stairs come down a vintage brick wall to the main floor living room. 

In the modern living room, an art piece fireplace takes center stage in front of a large paned window.

Beautiful beamed ceiling and brick wall in the main bd. Glass floor-to-ceiling windows and doors to the garden let in light and give the impression of being outdoors.

A big copper tub is at the foot of the bed and in front of the windows.

This room truly looks like an old barn, yet it’s so cozy and modern.

Down a hall lit by gorgeous copper industrial lamps, is a vintage water closet.

Smaller 2nd bd. has a brick feature wall and window that lets in lots of natural light.

3rd bedroom is just as lovely. 

Then come 2 children’s bedrooms in brighter style, like this one with twin beds.

And, this very cool room with an aircraft theme. 

A small outbuilding w/a sitting room gives access to the yard, as well as shelter from the elements.

Beautifully redone property.

https://www.desiretoinspire.net/2023/04/13/a-rustic-barn-in-oxfordshire/

[thebibliosphere]

I feel like something has gone wrong when IKEA particle board furniture is cheaper than everything in the thrift store.

Especially when the stuff in the thrift store is also particle board. It’s just particle board someone’s scuffed up and painted badly with white chalk paint to make it look ‘shabby chic’.

Anyway, you can tell the boho farmhouse trend is dying because the knick-knack aisle was nothing but metal troughs and fashionably distressed white cabinets made of shiplap. I dread the inevitable influx of griege that’ll happen when the sad beige mommy’s decide to redo their houses.

Finding interesting pieces has already gotten harder without adding brown and greige plastic rainbow toys to the mix.

[harpersessentials]

+30 CC-FREE LOTS FOR TARTOSA

I don't know if it happens to you - but I often find myself with a sudden urge to rebuild worlds - Even though I'm the worst sim-builder and sim-decorator in the whole history of Sims 😋 And in my quest for lots there's one thing that stresses me out all the time: where will the builds fit in the map?! 🤯 Therefore, I have been creating some personal lists with favourite lots and I thought why not sharing them with you too!

Below I leave a list of my absolute-favourite cc-free lots for Tartosa (and their respective location in the map). A selection of builds made by amazing and astonishingly creative architect simmers. Thank you all for sharing your builds with us!

1 - Piccola Luce 20x20

Seascape (Residential) by @96langerlui99

House by the sea (Residential) by @plantsimgirl

Hayes Terrace (Residential) by @xogerardine

Piccola Luce (Residential) by @alerionjkeee

Hayes Terrace (Residential) by @xogerardine

Tiny Holiday Villa (Residential/Rental) by Lazysimie

Piccola Luce Villa by @raylamars

Piccola Luce (Residential) by Pugowned

Mediterranean House (Residential) by @juliafilms

2 - Villa Vigna 30x20

Rosa Discoteca Cafe (Cafe) by @beetlemp3

Villa Vigna (Residential) by @alerionjkeee

Tartosa Castle (Rental) by @theseptembersim

3 - The Old Wood Nectary 40x30

Casa di Fortuna (Residential) by @96langerlui99

Tartosa Villa Family Home (Residential) by Aveline

4 - Rifugio dei Pirati 30x20

Soleggiato Plaza (Restaurant) by @shysimblr

Amorosa's Garden (Residential) by @catsaar

Tartosa Villa (Residential) by Annathini

Rifugio dei Pirati (Residential) by @alerionjkeee

Pirate Cove (Residential) by @96langerlui99

Italian Rustic Villas (Residential) by @giuliabuilds

Old Couple Home (Residential) by @sunnysimsieyt

Tartosan Stone Home (Residential) by schnuck01

5 - Via Romanza 30x30

Villa Sophia (Residential) by @96langerlui99

Tartosa Wedding Venue (Wedding Venue) by SimCubeez

Via Romanza (Wedding Venue) by @salemssimblr

Italian Dream Villa (Residential) by @paleanelo-sims

Via Romanza Villa (Residential) by Wooldrop

Villa Rosa (Residential) by schnuck01

6 - La Coppia Serena 50x40

The Flair of Provence (Residential) by @96langerlui99

Old Tartosa Farmhouse (Residential) by @ghostlycc

Villa La Florence (Wedding Venue) by @xogerardine

Villa Almahada (Wedding Venue/Rental) by @whyeverr

La Copia Serena Redo (Wedding Venue) by Wooldrop

7 - Thebe Estate 50x50

Tuscan Wedding Venue (Wedding Venue) by @giuliabuilds

Villa Firenze (Residential) by @96langerlui99

Tuscan Village (Multiple Lot Options) by @giuliabuilds

Villa del Vino (Residential/Wedding Venue) by @shysimblr

8 - Celebrazione d' Amore 50x40

Mediterranean Restaurant (Restaurant) by @theseptembersim

Il Vigneto Restaurant (Restaurant) by Riemunen

Roman Amphitheater (Wedding Venue) by @ploufzizi

9 - Baia dell' Amore 40x20

Baia dell' Amore (Beach) by @its-opheliasgarden | cc-lite

Baia dell' Amore (Beach) by @alerionjkeee

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

If you look at the trademark application for American Riviera Orchard, you’ll see that she’s trademarking it through a newly registered in Delaware company called Mama Knows Best, LLC.

Infact when you dig into the domain names etc, it seems this was thrown together last minute aka 2months ago after KC3/ PssoW C’s illnesses were announced. They are using PR to pretend they were working on it for an entire year, but even Scobie said they had nothing or whatever they had was all over the shop and he had no idea what it would be.

His comments don’t speak to a focused vision that is researched into whatever this is.

And what’s glaring about this launch is the lack of anything to sell. Not videos or actual products which speaks to the theory that this wax thrown together very quickly.

Russell Myers from the Mirror says if you sign up to the website, you get a respinse telling you that you’ll be notified of products when they are created/ available……if this was a year in the making and with proper marketing/ PR people, they’d have products ready to go. What it is right now is a landing/ holding page ( comments turned off on IG) until it produces products. 

It’s also interesting that the video is showcasing cooking which Markle tried to manifest for years while dating Corey. She auditioned and or popped up on varioys cooking shows/ fashion segments hoping to be hired. Acvording to people magazine, this launch of a lifestyle brand will have a companion show on Netflix. If Network tv won’t hire her for dream job then she’ll use her distribution deal to make it happen aka pay herself to make it happen!!!

However, one thing she revealed which tells me she has no clue about aspirational lifestyles/ branding. Her home kitchen hasn’t been updated from the dated 2000s/ early 2010s decor. It’s tye same kitchen from the sales brochure. 

Infact, glimpses of their home show a distinct lack of updating from the sales brochure. The onpy room thry updated is the one with the dining table as desk and their two side by side chairs. They removed all furniture and painted it white and addedva jute rug and that california bear poster over the fireplace. 

The current trend in kitchens for the wealthy is marble counter-tops and sleek designs meanwhile she’s displaying faux country/ italianate kitchen from the 90s. 

The women she is cosplaying eg GOOP, Martha and Ina Garten have upgraded to the current trend in kitchens. GOOP showed off her new kitchedn in AD. Heck, JLO is showing off her sleek kitchen. 

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

That they haven’t updated their house to their taste is what I laugh about the most. Are they really that cash-poor? Do they really have that much debt that they can’t afford to redo anything? Surely Markus and Soho House can cough up a few million to keep her happy, and when the Sussexes default on the loans, they can make Soho Olive Garden, a Californian spinoff of Soho Farmhouse. Win-win, if you ask me.

meanwhile she’s displaying faux country/ italianate kitchen from the 90s. ➡️ Remember, Meghan’s whole aesthetic is 90s. Of course she wants the Italian Country kitchen.

And thanks, anon. You’ve just reminded me of a house I looked at when I was moving back in 2022. The homeowners were so into that Italian Country Kitchen theme that they PAINTED the entire kitchen like it was a rustic Italian restaurant. You know you go into a family-owned Italian mom-and-pop place (not a chain like Olive Garden or Maggianos, but something like your neighborhood Italian pizza place) and it’s got that orangey-beige sponge paint that’s supposed to mimic sandstone and there’s a huge wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling mural of Italy and dusty fake vines hanging from decorative columns? Yeah, that was how this kitchen was painted. Even the cabinets. And that was not even the weirdest house I looked at by a mile.)

[swampstew]

Hello there! :"D I was wondering if I could ask about Hickey Hockey AU? That sounds delightful. I hope you're doing well today! \ o /

hey hello and welcome to my ask box! thanks for asking about hickey hockey ehehehe. here's a snippet though i keep saying im gonna redo this one to make it 3rd person POV. This is a story that is loosely inspired by @mamaalpha 's and I utter OBSESSION with this show on Hulu, Shoresy (and by extension, Letterkenny). and OFC its a Kid Pirate au/ One Piece adjacent AU

Setting my bags on the floor, I take a look around the old farmhouse. It’d been nearly 10 years since I had stepped foot on the land. The 10 acres of private property had been in my dad’s family for generations and would continue to stay in the family long after he passed; the will had recently been updated to remove my mother from receiving anything but the house and property would be deeded to me and my younger brother.

I still have hopes and ideas for this fic and I just need to be in the right frame of mind to do it. ALSO SEASON 3 of SHORESY COMES OUT JUNE 19!!!

Ask me about my WIPS :D

[bullet-prooflove]

The Morning After: Angel Reyes x Reader

Tagging: @witches-unruly-heart @keyweegirlie @annetje @infinity-mars @danzer8705 @im-just-a-mississippi-girl @appreciatelove @the-wandering-lunatic @weiwei0210 @anime-weeb-4-life @multifandomloversworld @harperdoodle @est1887 @briefpersonenemy @creativitybeware @genius2050 @mortal--soul @buddinglinguist @spookyboogyuniverse @spaghettificationandpretzels @nu1freakshow @thebaileybugle @legally-a-bastard @oureternalbond  @bonsaijoons @sclitvdes @prettyinpunk85 @thanossexual

Set Before This Piece:

Fastest Girl In Town - It takes Angel 120 seconds to fall in love.

Back of a Buick - Angel returns something of yours.

Mi Reina (NSFW) - You continue to surprise Angel.

When Angel wakes up, he’s alone and he doesn’t like it. He can tell you’ve been gone a while, your side of the bed is cold, the sheets neatly made. He lies on his back, his eyes fixing on the ceiling as he contemplates what it means. He’s not used to being the one left behind, he’s used to being the leaver. It’s not a great feeling.

He thinks about last night, the way you touched him with such fucking care he thinks he may have fallen in love with you even more. Then the aftermath, cleaning him up with a warm cloth, kissing him until the sun started to rise and light filtered through the gap in his curtains. That wasn’t fuck buddies, or one night stand kind of shit.

He groans as he gets up, his muscles aching from a night of being thoroughly well used. You’d made him come twice, once when you were sitting on his face and then again at first light, that molten core of yours gripping his dick so tightly he thought he was going to combust. He’d fallen asleep with your body draped over his, sated and wrecked.

It’s when he enters his kitchen that he sees your business card sitting on the table. He didn’t realise until that moment that he doesn’t have your number, that outside of the legal farm he has no way of connecting with you. He smiles when he picks it up, holding it to his nose because the scent of your perfume clings to it.

It’s only when he opens his fridge, he realises how woefully understocked he is. The milk’s on the turn, there’s a sliver of orange juice left and no coffee. He wonders what you would have thought when you stood in his kitchen and surveyed it. He’s supposed to be an adult, but he lives like a teenager, he knows that, he’s just never felt the urge to change it, not until now.

“Fuck.” He mutters to himself as he heads to the bathroom.

He’s going to get a hot shower and then he’s going out for coffee.

***

He arrives at the farm with pastries and a newly purchased flask of coffee from that ethically sourced place just around the corner. He doesn’t even know if you’re there, but he wants to at least attempt to give 'the morning after' a redo. He wants to prove to you he’s not like anyone else you’ve ever fucked, that he does give a shit and he wants to make the effort.

He finds you in the field closest to the farmhouse with your earbuds in and the same battered Levi’s you were wearing yesterday. He doesn’t expect you to be wearing one of his shirts, he thinks you must have snatched it up off the back of the chair in the kitchen when you realised there was a slight bite in the air but fuck you look good in it. You’ve thrown it over the black vest top you were wearing and left the last couple of buttons undone so you could tie it in a knot as the temperature picked up. Your hair is still drying in the heat, he’d realised you’d used his shower this morning when he’d gotten in and he wished he’s been awake enough to join you.

Your head bobs to the music as you pluck each bud from the plant and deposit it in the container that you’re carrying. This is you in your element and it is fucking divine. He holds his hand up in greeting to get your attention before pointing at the bag.

You smile and it feels like someone’s ignited a flare in his chest because that smile, he thinks he would kill for it.

“Breakfast.” He tells you. “Because I’m a shit fucking host.”

“You’re not shit.” You tell him as you strip off the gardening gloves and tuck them into your back pocket. “You were just worn out.”

He can’t help but give you a wolfish grin.

“Come on, let’s go somewhere a little quieter.” You tell him, jerking your head towards a walled off area around the other side of the farmhouse.

It’s only then that Angel realises that the two of you are being watched. You aren’t the only one that’s working the field this morning, there are three other people collecting kush and all eyes are on him. His palm rubs over the back of his neck as he follows you.

“Sorry I didn’t think…”

“They’re just a little protective.” You tell him as you take a key out of your pocket and unlock the gate set into the walled off space. He thinks it’s good that you have people that look out for you especially after you burned down that asshole’s kush farm but he senses there’s more to it than that, it feels kinda personal.

“That have anything to do with the last guy?” he asks you.

You push open the gate with more force than he deems necessary as you answer.

“Yea, it’s to do with the last guy.”

He follows you into the shaded area and he finds himself awestruck as the delicate floral scent floods his nostrils because he’s never seen anything quite like it. It’s a rose garden, one that’s just starting to bloom. His mother had a rose bush before she died, just alongside the porch. He remembers how she nurtured it, how the damn thing flourished right up until the day that she died. It had gone to hell in the aftermath, his father didn’t know a thing about flowers, and it had withered from the lack of attention.  

He reaches out, his fingertips stroking along the petals of one of the orange roses. It feels like velvet underneath the pads of his fingers. He feels your eyes on him, before you turn your head away, your cheeks colouring.

“It’s my pet project.” You tell him. “I’ve always had a thing for roses and the breeds we grow here are what give Rose Kush it’s potency. There’s something in these flowers that brings out all of the good parts, that’s why it’s so profitable.”

“It’s the love.” He tells you earnestly, his warm brown eyes meeting yours as he releases the rose. “You’re dedicated to them, you nourish them, protect them and in return they bloom like this.”

He gets it, he really does. He’s only been in your orbit for a second, but he understands what it feels like to receive your attention, to be loved and cared for by you. These flowers have spent years being cultivated and here they are thriving.

You sit down on a wooden bench that’s seen better days and pat the seat next to you. It seems out of place in a garden like this, everything is so meticulously ordered but this bench, it’s weathered. It creaks when he sits down on it, and he pauses for a moment wondering if it’s going to give way underneath him.

“It’ll hold.” You reassure him. “I just haven’t got around to working on it yet.”

He wonders if you’ll ever find the time to do it because you’re already so busy. He’s beginning to get a more comprehensive picture of your life and it makes him think, when do you get a moment for yourself? You look after the flowers, the weed, the business, but who looks after you?

Him. He thinks forcefully. It’s him that’s going to take care of you.

He clings to that thought as he hands you the bag of pastries so you can make your selection before he opens the flask and begins to pour the coffee into two of the reusable takeaway cups he brought along.

“I don’t do this.” He tells you as he hands you one of the cups. “The morning after…”

You brush the crumbs from your lap before you take it from him, wrapping your hands around it.

“But I want to with you. I know that this is new but…”

“I don’t know if I can do this.” You say abruptly before he gets a chance to finish.

“O.K.” He says slowly, feeling a pang in his heart. “Do you wanna talk about that?”

He sees your lips purse together into a grim line and he sighs.

“O.K.” He says again. “So maybe I misread the situation…”

“You didn’t.” You tell him.

There’s silence between the two of you and Angel has no idea what to say because he wants this, and you seem to want it too but…

Yea, in Angel’s life there’s always a fucking but. He swallows hard against the ache in his chest, it hurts, more than he thought it would. Things don’t work out for him; he’s come to expect that but for a moment he allowed himself to hope.

“I’m gonna…” He raises to his feet unable to finish the sentence.

“The last guy, he fucked me and stole my buds.” You say suddenly. “So really he fucked me twice.”

His head whips around to look at you and he finds himself dropping back down onto the bench, his entire body rapt with attention as your thumb traces up along the curvature of the mug.

“That piece of shit.” Angel responds as you sag back against the splintering wood.

“I’m the fucking idiot for letting him.” You tell him, taking a sip from your coffee. “My Nana was dying, he offered to help with the farm…”

You wave your hand dismissively and Angel sees how the rest of the story plays out. You at your most vulnerable, trying to spend as much time as possible with the person who fucking raised you and this fucker comes out of nowhere, offering to alleviate some of that pressure. He knows what it’s like to feel like you’re drowning, to have someone reach out and grab your hand before they shove your head back under.

“The day she died was the day I caught him clipping some of my hybrids from the hot house. I came here to the rose garden because it felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest and that’s when I found him.” You explain as you tilt your head to look at him. “It was never about me. It was about getting his hands on my product.”

Angel blows out a breath through his mouth, his fingers entwining behind his head as he looks at you.

“Fuck me.”

“Yea.” You say. “When the crop wouldn’t take, he blinded one of the guys that works for me trying to get the location of the farm I have on Riz’s land.”

It dawns on him suddenly. That the man who devastated you is also the man whose kush farm you burned down. The man who in a way brought the two of you together.

There’s an irony in that, he’s not sure if that’s the right word but he thinks that this thing between the two of you was meant to happen, that all of this shit culminated so that the two of you are in the right space in the right time.

“I promise I just want you.” He tells you, reaching out and brushing a strand of hair back behind your ear. “Not your buds, or the farm. Just you. Anyway, I can have you.”

“Angel…” You begin but his hand comes to clasp your face, your cheek fitting into the palm of his hand perfectly as his thumb trails over your skin.

“Even if it’s just breakfast in the rose garden or a kiss on the doorstep.” He tells you. “It’s you I want Mi Reina, as much or as little as you can give me.”

Love Angel? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[wardenparker]

Sassenach and the Spaniard - Epilogue

Pero Tovar x female reader Co-written with @absurdthirst

Delirious with sickness and near to death, Pero Tovar finds himself on the doorstep of a village outsider who nurses him back to health just before the winter snows descend. With a black cat for company, a mask on her face, and a biting wit that intrigues him, Pero comes to find out that his new companion is more than what she seems.  ✨  Inspired and influenced by Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. ✨ Reader is described as disabled and having hair long enough to cover part of her face.  

Rating: Mature, but as always this blog is 18+ Word Count: 7.5k Warnings: **Blanket warnings for this fic include cursing, food mentions, references to previous sexual assault (multiple characters).**  Apologies for the possibly dubious Spanish in this chapter, and a little suggestive dialogue up front, but no other warnings. Summary: The first people you and Pero meet in Spain come bearing remarkable and unexpected surprises. Notes: Immense thanks to all of you for following along with this little trip through time. It has been such immense fun to explore in two universes at once, and so gratifying to build a family that very literally stands the test of time. Every time we embark on a new story we take a chance by stepping into the unknown, and every time it’s wonderous to see how lovingly you all respond. 🧡💛✨

Ch 1 ~ Ch 2 ~ Ch 3 ~ Ch 4 ~ Ch 5 ~ Ch 6 ~ Ch 7 ~ Ch 8 ~ Ch 9 ~ Ch 10 ~ Ch 11 ~ Ch 12 ~ Ch 13 ~ Ch 14

Nine months was honestly less time than you thought it would take to get everything ready to move, especially with Beth and Will’s wedding planning underway. But their wedding was now an entire month ago, and you have unpacked every box in the ‘new’ Tovar farmhouse which is still well over a hundred years old. All of the amenities and utilities are up to date and the contractors had done an amazing job redoing the kitchen prior to your arrival, and Pero’s adventure in building permits and historical society red tape have led to some interesting situations in restoring the thousand-year-old farmhouse that he was born in.

First thing every morning - all four of them that you have been here for - he goes out to the old farmhouse and works from after breakfast until sundown clearing out all the many years’ worth of muck and build up in the place. It had been a barn for centuries, apparently, and then a storage shed, and there are stacks of things inside that require going through before Pero can start in on replacing the roof with an approved, historically-correct thatched one like it had when his parents lived there.

You have been setting up the main house room by room, with the bedroom and the bathrooms coming first, and today you’re tackling the kitchen. The fact that everything is unpacked just means you have towering piles of things on the countertops to find homes for, but you turn on the radio to a local station and get to work. If all goes well, you’ll have things put away and be able to make it into town for groceries to make Pero an actual home cooked dinner for the first time in your new home.

Pero opens the door to the kitchen, sweating and already in search of a drink. Stripping off the thick leather gloves, he walks directly to the refrigerator that he loves and opens the door to grab the carafe of cold water you have taken to keeping in there for him. “It is nearly cleaned out.” He grunts, looking around for a glass. You scolded him when he drank directly from the bottle, so he doesn’t do that anymore.

“Glasses are in the cabinet right next to the fridge,” you tell him, busy on the other side of the kitchen figuring out how to make all of your cookware fit in the open-air shelving. “That was fast, amor. Was it not as bad as we thought?”

“No, it’s bad.” Pero finds a glass and pours it full. Gulping down the liquid in great gulps that seem to echo in the still empty kitchen. “I will have to dig out the flooring— if it’s still there.”

“But the clutter will be out soon, which will be good.” Years of Tetris come in handy when trying to organize cabinets, and you slide the last pot into place before setting your cauldron on the shelf beneath it. The big, cast-iron pot was a gift from Pero and you have every intention of bringing magic back to this home as soon as possible.

“Disgusting.” Pero murmurs, a scowl on his face as he pours a smaller glass. “Using it as a fucking storage building.”

“It will be restored again soon.” You don’t care about sweat or warmth – Valencia’s summers are definitely warm – you wipe your hands and move across the room to hug him. “Your parents would be proud.”

“I hope so.” The area where his mamá had been buried was long since grown over, the plain markers gone. But Pero had cleaned the area up and has plans on marking it with a stone to remember his parents by.

“I’m sure of it.” You would certainly be proud if it was your son returning home after a thousand years to return his homestead to what it once was - you cannot imagine his own mamá is anything less as she looks down on him. “Do you want to walk down to the church later to light a candle for your parents?” According to what you had read, the current stone church in the village was built on the same foundation of the ancient one after it was destroyed sometime in the late Middle Ages, which means it won’t be the same church he was baptized in, but it’s in the same place. “It would be nice to make friends with the priest and see if he will let us look through the old records for your family.”

“Sí.” He knows they have caused a stir, returning and buying the land. But he doesn’t know if any from Arwena and Briac’s brood survived past bearing children or what became of them. It would be good to learn.

“In the meantime…” You give him a concerned look. “Is there anything I can do to help you? I don’t have to do the kitchen today. I can help you in the farmhouse if you want.” Bowie has been at his side all morning, but he isn’t much help with cleaning.

“You do not want to shovel shit and mud out from the house.” Pero shakes his head. “I appreciate it, amor.”

“I would do it if you asked me.” You would do anything he asked you. Even clean through shit and mud. “It’s not like I have a job to go to. I’m at your disposal.” Quitting that god awful office job had been so freeing that you had actually cried. Pure relief at being free to do whatever brought you joy has been a very odd feeling to adjust to.

He chuckles and shakes his head. “You do have a job, amor.” He corrects you. “Tinkering with your herbs and setting up your kitchen. That is your job today. Just like mine is going to be making you cum on that countertop when it is clear.”

“I think being a lady of leisure might suit me.” If a life of tinkering and witchcraft and sex is what it has in store? Yes, please.

Pero smirks, more of a leer as he winks at you. “Happy to provide your deepest wishes, amor.” He promises before he sets the glass in the sink. He still hasn’t gotten the hang of a dishwasher and is scared of breaking the delicate glasses in this time.

“You’ve been doing that since the very beginning, amor.” Leaning across the counter to kiss him again, you huff playfully when the knocker on the front door can be heard loud and clear. “Who could that be?” Whoever they are, they’ll be the first people you’ve met since getting here besides the previous owners of the small farm and your contractor.

“I don’t know.” Pero tenses, his hands automatically reaching for the knife that is always on his body unless he is naked with you. He has relaxed quite a bit since coming to this time, but he’s not sure if he will ever not be on guard when surprised. “Do you wish for me to open the door?”

“I’ll get it. Don’t worry.” Any gossip that’s gotten around will say that the newcomers are from America, so you figure you might as well give the people what they’re so curious about.

Pero moves with you, not trusting anyone who calls unannounced so he will be a hulking shadow behind you. A warning to not try anything with his soulmate.

Neither of you is expecting the heart attack that is waiting for you on your doorstep. At the end of the stone path lined by flowers that leads to your little house, right at your front door when you pull it open, stands a cheerful young couple with a covered platter in their hands and curious smiles on their faces. But more remarkable than anything else is the young woman...who is the spitting image of Arwena Tovar. It's all you can do not to exclaim when you open the door, realizing it isn't actually her only by her height - she is a full six inches taller than Arwena, if your memory of the petite girl serves correctly. "I—um—" Shake it off, you tell yourself, realizing you're staring. "Hola." When you can finally get a single word out, more mercifully following. "Qué tal?" Hi. How are you?

Instantly, Pero knows this woman is related to your family. “Mierda.” He whispers, making the stranger’s eyes flicker to him before she offers a friendly smile.

Alana Tovar nods politely. “Buenos días. Queríamos darle la bienvenida a nuestro humilde barrio.” Good day. We wanted to welcome you to our humble neighborhood. If she is shocked to see an American – she can tell by the accent – she doesn’t show it.

"Gracias, gracias..." You feel like you can barely keep your eyes in your head, but you step back and wave the young couple inside as politely and happily as you can. "Entrasteis, por favor. Vos gustaríais una bebida?" Come inside, please. Would you like a drink?

Alana turns to Jorge and nods when he gives a small nod himself. “Sí.” She murmurs before she offers the platter in her hand to you. “Para usted.” For you.

"We speak English." The gangly young man who steps in after the woman offers you and Pero a lopsided smile. Through his thick accent, he sounds almost like sunshine. Chipper, yes, but also warm.

“Then we will speak English.” Pero murmurs, introducing you first. “My wife, and I am Pero Tovar.” He waves them both towards the chairs you had insisted needed to be in the kitchen and starts clearing off the space in front of them.

“Tovar?” The young woman seems to move as gently as a tree bending in the wind. Clutching the platter still in her hands, she stops halfway to the seat she is being offered and sways on the spot. “I am Alana Tovar.” She introduces herself, obviously surprised by the shared name. “This is my partner, Jorge Reyes. We live just across the street.”

Pero nods, already knowing that she must be related due to her looking so much like her ancestor. “Are you from this area?” He asks, looking over at her curiously. It’s amazing the small differences now that she’s closer, but she could be Arwena’s sister.

“Sí.” Alana nods as Jorge takes the platter from her hands and sets it down on the counter. “My family has always lived here. Please…this is for you. A coca de llanda with orange. It is a family recipe…you would call it a kind of cake, I think?”

Just from the name of the cake, Pero’s eyes light up. “It sounds delicious.” Pero tells her immediately. “We must have some. With our drinks. Tea, or coffee?” Coffee has become a beloved drink for Pero despite your love of tea, so there is always both. “We do have ale, too.”

"It is best with coffee." Jorge chimes in, rubbing Alana's shoulders in an act of both pride and encouragement. The young man eyes your Nespresso machine happily, seeing that it is already set up on the counter while you reach into the cabinet above it to retrieve a few cups and plates. "We are curious," he begins, almost like he's unsure if he should ask. "We heard that the people buying the farm were family. But Alana did not know she had any family in the United States."

"Until recently, I did not know I had any family in Spain," you explain, wondering exactly how to tiptoe around the topic. "Of course, my husband was born here."

Pero is ready for the questions, feeling the eyes shift to him. “My family moved around quite a bit when I was younger.” He tells them as if his parents weren’t buried in this very earth less than three hundred yards away. “I have heard stories of family but never met anyone.”

"You are...both Tovars?" Alana has set about cutting slices of the delicious looking cake after you pulled out a knife and forks to go with the plates, but pauses to look between you and Pero.

"Sort of?" Setting up a little assembly line at the Nespresso machine, you start to make drinks for everyone. "We are both descended from the Tovar clan very distantly. Many generations back, we each branched off from the main family tree. I was not born a Tovar at all."

Pero chuckles, wondering what they would say if they knew he was the patriarch of the family and yet not related by blood at all. You are— but that is a different story. “We did not know of the connection when we met.” He explains. “We were just…almas gemelas.” Soulmates.

“So are we.” Jorge boasts, placing his hands on Alana’s shoulders again and puffing up his chest proudly. “I knew the second I saw her. Like…like a fairy tale, no?”

“It is.” Pero grins at you, well aware that your story could be a movie thing that you love making him watch. “The Sassenach and the Spaniard.” He teases, reaching out and squeezing your hip.

"Sassenach?" Alana asks, recognizing the word from her favourite American television show but not knowing why he has said it.

Pero rolls his eyes over to you, smirking. “It means outsider.” He explains. “She called herself that when we met. After insulting me and sparking my interest with her witch’s tongue.”

"He also calls me bruja," you volunteer, laughing about it slightly as you pass out demi cups of espresso. A part of you is curious about just how many witches are even in your family line, but you pass it off as a joke for now. There's no use in raising alarm bells with your neighbors and far-flung cousin right off the bat.

Alana nods knowingly. “If you are a Tovar, that is a part of your charm.” She chuckles. “We come from a long line of brujas, though most of the knowledge is lost.”

"Are you—?" Not expecting her to be so forthcoming, you must look as shocked as you are excited. "Do you...practice magic?"

Jorge’s smile turns a little defensive, a move Pero recognizes instantly. He is not magical, but he is protective of his soulmate. He understands it, even today there is a stigma.

“I have managed to—”

“Cielo.” Jorge whispers, shaking his head warily. You are strangers after all, even if you are distantly related.

"It's okay." You promise him, realizing that there are plenty of people in the world who would judge Alana for the gift she has inherited. From under your shirt, you pull a necklace that bears a pendant with the symbol of the triple goddess stamped in pewter and show it to the younger couple. "I have practiced for a very long time." That is an odd sort of understatement. "You have nothing to fear from us, I promise."

Alana reaches over and lays her hand on top of Jorge’s. “I have a feeling about them.” She promises her soulmate, giving him a look that said more than what her words could.

“We both practice.” Pero offers, although he does not wear the pendant you do. “What is a soulmate bond if not magic? Anyone who will judge for having more is simply stupid.”

"Actually, I have something you might be interested in." Glancing back at Pero, he gives you a nod before stepping aside, knowing what you intend to show this new girl. She reminds the two of you so much of Arwena that he understands your eagerness to share with her, even if he would probably be more guarded by himself. "Not all of our family's knowledge has been lost. And my Spanish is not good enough to be able to read everything in this book. Pero has read through things with me, but you might, well..." You shrug, producing a large box from the cabinet beneath the open shelves where you had been storing cookware not twenty minutes ago. "This belonged to my grandmother, and she left it to me."

The gasp Alana let’s is overshadowed by the sound of breaking porcelain. “Mierda!” She hisses, jumping up from where she had dropped her coffee cup and shattered it on the ground. “I am so sorry! perdóname!” Forgive me!

"Está bien. Calmate." It's okay. Take it easy. Though you hadn't necessarily expected that big of a reaction, you can absolutely understand it. Pero jumps forward to clean up the broken cup and you put your hand on Alana's arm in reassurance. "I do not believe in coincidences anymore," you tell her and Jorge honestly. "Everything that has happened in my life has happened for a reason. So perhaps one of the reasons I have this is to be able to share it with you."

“I have—that book.” Alana is emotional and nearly tearing up. “I have heard stories about the book my entire life.” She explains. “My mother told me that the book was not shared anymore because one side of the family traveled away. But that it would come home someday.”

"I looked into my ancestry." The grimoire is heavy and delicate, but you lift it from the box and set it on the clear counter with care. "My branch of the family left Spain hundreds of years ago and has traveled extensively. So there is more than just English and Spanish written here, but...it is all our family."

“You did not keep the Tovar name?” She asks, curious as to how your ancestors worked. “On my side, there is a tradition if it was the last daughter, the soulmate would take the name Tovar.” She tilts her head. “Although your family kept the tradition of naming a girl after the original soulmates.” She hums turning Pero. “As did your parents. There is a generation of boys and girls with your names in our family for as long as I can remember. I was upset as a little girl that my sister had your name.” She gives a quiet laugh and shrugs. “But Alana suits me.”

“A—a tradition?” Trying not to seem overly gobsmacked, you can’t help the wonder in your eyes as you reach for Pero’s hand and hold on tight. “I had no idea…” How could you be so entirely clueless as to these traditions and yet be at the very center of them? There are swaths of boys and girls in your family named after you and Pero and yet you had no clue. “My mother kept me entirely separate from our family. She…she believes magic is dangerous. But I think it is a miracle.”

“She must have believed at some point.” Alana’s heart hurts at the idea of being kept separate from her family and she reaches out to clasp your hand over the cover of the grimoire. “Otherwise you would not bear our ancestor’s name. The stories say she was a powerful bruja. Her and her soulmate.” She bites her lip. “I have the history of our family, the ones who stayed in Spain – if you would like to see it.”

“Oh yes.” Nodding immediately, you place your other hand on hers and squeeze gently. Reassuringly. “We would love to see that. A-and…to hear the stories? If you know them?”

Jorge chuckles, making Alana fluster. “My soulmate loves collecting stories about the family.” He promises, reaching over and rubbing her shoulder affectionately. “She will talk about it all day.”

“We would love to hear them,” you promise her, water rising slightly behind your eyes as you look up at Pero. To think that Arwena and Briac founded an entire family line – a proud one that still exists in multiple forms to this day – is both mind boggling and somehow unsurprising. As if their love had reached through time and twined your family together all on its own. “Any time you would like to come over and look through the book and tell stories. Please…we are family.”

“I was curious and happy when I leaned a Tovar had purchased the property.” Alana admits with a smile. “We had wished we had been able to afford it, but this better.”

“We were meant to be brought together; I think.” She truly looks so much like Arwena that you just want to reach out and hug her, but that intimacy must be built first. Something tells you it will not take long, but it is still best to give it time. “I will make another coffee and we can sit together? Share stories? The grimoire has many of them. And perhaps if we sit long enough our cat will come out of hiding to say hello.”

“Cat?” Alana perks up and smiles. “Have you found another one? There are so many running around the properties.”

“We found a few living in the old farmhouse.” It had not thrilled Pero at the time, but a stray black cat is a thing close to your heart so he had just huffed and shooed them out - only to put water and food out for them by your back door later on. “We also brought our cat from the US. Bowie is around here somewhere.” Probably mousing, as he has already discovered plenty of prey to chase. Or else exploring his new home.

“We have always found black cats around the property. My abuela said that the familiar of your namesake became her daughter’s and they are all descendant from her. Binx.” Alana chuckles. “My own cat is named Binx.”

“They’re all from Binx?” The few seconds you take to steady yourself while reaching for a new cup and saucer from the cupboard isn’t nearly enough, but it allows you to share a loaded glance with Pero. “The original soulmates…” you ask when you turn back around. “Do the stories say what powers they had?”

“She had the power of fire, healing.” Alana smiles dreamily. “She saved Pero’s life. He was a warrior and fiercely protective over his bruja when he learned who she was to him.” It’s a story that is often told at family gatherings like weddings, so she is very familiar with her favorite love story. “He was different. He had no magic before her, but he learned. He could move things through the air. And—” She gives a small laugh. “You will say it is crazy, but the legend says they could travel through time.”

“Oh my god…” This time it’s you who drops the dainty cup from your hand, but it clatters onto the counter with no harm done as you reach for Pero beside you.

“Did you— have you heard a version of this?” She asks excitedly, leaning forward with hope shining in her eyes. “Isn’t it romantic? The story my abuela told me was that Pero learned magic so he could follow her. She was sick – unable to be healed and went to a time where she could be saved and he followed when he learned how.” She sighs softly and reaches for Jorge’s hand. “The story is told every time someone gets married in our family.”

“Every time?” You look up at Pero in wonder, wrapping your arms around him before looking back at Alana. “Do the stories say what time she traveled to? By any chance?”

Pero crushes you to him, overwhelmed by the realization that the two of you have been immortalized into this family’s legends. Stories are told to little ones, much like he had been told as a child. His breath catches and he blinks several times, his eyes wet. The two of you may have never had children together, but you are the matriarch of generations.

“That part gets complex.” Alana huffs. “No one can decide. Some say they lived in the 20’s but I believe they must have still be yet to come. How else would she be able to be saved if not for modern or future medicine?”

“I suppose it depends on what she was sick with.” The way you and Pero are holding on to each other is like you’re clinging to a lifesaver in the middle of the ocean. “But that is…it’s not so unbelievable, is it? If magic is real, then surely anything is possible?”

Alana contemplates that and nods. “You are right. I wish I could know what it was like, what they were like. It must have been amazing.”

“I think it must have been very scary.” Terrifying, in fact, but you don’t know how these two sweet young people would react to knowing that it’s you they have been hearing about for so long. “Imagine being stuck out of your own time like that.”

“So you think that it is true? That she was a time traveler?” Alana smiles happily, having been met with disbelief if she talked about it with people outside the family. “Then if he followed her, he would be outside of his own time.”

“Yes…he would.” You look up at Pero again and a smile tugs at the corners of your lips. “And think how happy he would be to come home again.”

It takes her a moment. A long pause as Alana thinks about your words before there is a small, but poignant inhale from the younger woman. Her eyes are bright and shiny, and she nods knowingly. “Yes, I think that it is beautiful.”

“It would be nice if it could happen.” Jorge concedes, shifting in his seat beside his soulmate. He sees the happiness in her eyes but knows how attached to the love story of her ancestors she is. “But I would be overwhelmed, I think, if I were him. A whole modern world? Qué terrible.” How terrible.

“It is not that bad.” Pero huffs under his breath. “This time has indoor plumbing and ice cream.”

It takes a second, but Jorge’s eyes slowly move up to Pero’s in shock. “You mean…?” He croaks, fingers digging into Alana’s shoulders. “Dios mio, it’s true?”

The cat seems to be out of the bag, so Pero sees no harm in admitting it. He turns towards you, his frown would seem harsh if it weren’t for the softness in his eyes. “I would have torn time apart to be with my bruja again.”

“Te amo.” The words are soft in spite of your fierce pride in him, and you angle your chin up to kiss him before turning back to Alana and Jorge. “If you require proof, I understand.” Honestly, it would be insane for them not to. “The box on the end of the counter? That is my handwriting on the outside. Compare it to the first dozen-ish pages of the grimoire.”

“It is—” Alana nearly leaps off her seat at the counter to compare the writing. Not because she doesn’t believe you, but because she wants to.

Jorge is half a breath behind her, dragging over the box bearing your list of items inside written neatly on one of the flaps. It was how you kept organized during packing. “It is identical…”

Pero hums, knowing that they will want to see proof that he is who he says he is, so he turns and walks out of the kitchen, making his way to the safe that contains the clothes that you and he arrived in this time in.

“It’s true that he saved my life.” You tell the younger couple as Pero makes his way to the basement to retrieve his proof. “When I arrived at the hospital in this time, the doctors said another day or two might have been too long.”

“Is it true that he could not come with you? That he had to learn magic to follow you here?” Completely enthralled, Alana has a million questions for you. “I— this is rude, no? Asking you this? You do not have to answer if you wish.”

"It's okay." It's actually a relief, in some odd way. To meet family that you can share this part of your life with. To be connected to Arwena and Briac again, even a thousand years apart. "You can ask. If I'm able to answer, I will." The slices of cake and cups of coffee sitting on the counter have been neglected but you pick up your fork, deciding that food and drink makes everything a little more palatable. Socially, at least. "Yes, it's true that he had to learn magic to follow me. He spent a year learning before he traveled back to the Stones to follow me through history."

“Oh my god, it’s true.” Alana squeals, clearly overjoyed to learn that the stories that she had heard growing up were true. “I— how long has he been here? How long were you there?”

"I was there for eight years." Your first bite of Alana's torta is shatteringly good, and you muffle a groan while you chew. If this is a family recipe, you want to go back to whoever made it first and thank them personally. "He's been here for...almost a year now. Alana, this torta is amazing."

She beams, smiling happily under your praise and picking up the newly made coffee to take the first sip. “I will have to give you the recipe, unless you created it too?”

"No, your baking is far better than mine." Although you will definitely do your best to replicate this one. It's sensational. "Sugar still hadn't come to Europe then. Pero's discovery of sugar and chocolate has been a lot of fun for him."

“It is the best.” He groans as he comes into the kitchen again, the clothes and armor on his body rather than just showing them. “But I am getting fat.” There had been a snugness to his armor that wasn’t there before.

"I have a feeling that fixing up the old farmhouse will be plenty of exercise." Still, you can't help but smile at the sight of him in his armour. The lopsided expression on your face is both fond and soft. "There's my mercenary."

Pero turns towards the couple and sees their eyes widen. “This is what I am used to wearing. Spending my days on a horse and fighting for coins.”

"Increíble..." Jorge stands from his seat, jaw nearly on the ground as he gravitates closer to Pero with an eye toward inspecting his armor. "Like you just stepped out of a movie..."

“Movie. Yes, I know what that is.” Pero nods, nodding towards the man to let him touch the armor. “This is real, that – the strategy is shit in those movies. No one risks their ass like they show in them.”

"That's how he looked when he dropped off his horse onto my doorstep, near dead with tuberculosis." You tell Alana, shaking your head with the kind of fondness that only time and distance can give a memory. "We saved each other. First him, and then me."

“How did he save you?” Jorge questions, looking up from the armor before he rolls his eyes at himself. “Of course. He sent you back. How did he do that without magic? How did you travel through time?” That has been his burning question whenever Alana would talk about it.

"This is going to sound ludicrous." Telling the story from the outside really does feel a bit crazy, but you shrug slightly when Alana and Jorge both look at you expectantly. "But have you ever seen the show Outlander? Or read the books?"

“Don’t—” Alana gasps, covering her mouth and shaking her head in disbelief. “Do not tell me that is real!” She all but squeaks out her comment and Jorge laughs.

“She loves Outlander.” He confides. “Thinks the Jamey guy is…hot.”

"Last October I went to Inverness with my best friend to see the Stones at Craigh na Dun." You can't help but laugh, realizing in retrospect how silly the whole thing sounds. "I was gone for eight years, but to my friend it was only a few minutes."

“A few minutes…” Jorge shakes his head. Alana looks just as dumbfounded. “This is amazing.”

"And I will never regret it, because it led me to Pero." His hand reaches for yours at the same time you put your hand out to him and you link your fingers together tightly. "But I cannot safely say that anyone should ever try to travel through the Stones. You have no idea when you will arrive in time and when you get to wherever it is you are sent, you could be in immediate and very grave danger. It is...more than I bargained for. I'm just lucky that it turned out well for me."

“If it is not too rude…” Alana twists her hands together. “Is that why— your scar. Did you have it before you went back?” She asks, wondering if it’s a sensitive topic for you. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

"I got it while I was there." You nod slightly, fingers tangled in Pero's tightening slightly. "Before I met Pero. There was...a man that thought he could take advantage of me. He was very wrong."

“Bastard.” One thousand years dead and it still would not be enough for Pero. If he could be certain where the man’s grave was, he would piss on it. “My bruja managed to defend herself, and give me a scar that made me even more fearsome on the battlefield.” He sounds proud because he is proud of you.

"An example of why I would never recommend that anyone travel through the Stones." Beyond the scar and the loss of sight aside, the assault that you had endured was reason enough to caution anyone and everyone against putting themselves in that position. "Best to stay safe, well-fed, and cared for on this side of the timeline."

“I am so sorry.” Alana murmurs, looking horrified by the idea that someone would hurt you. “Hopefully he got his just rewards.”

“He got what he deserved.” You nod solemnly, looking back to Pero. “My husband made sure of that.”

There is a moment where Alana and Jorge just stare at Pero, in awe of what he must have done to put the terrifying look of grim satisfaction on his face. Alana ducks her head. “I am sorry for bringing up painful memories. My – curiosidad – it gets the best of me.”

“Things are better now.” You put one hand softly on Alana’s shoulder and offer her a smile. “To be able to return here, and to see what our family has become? That is worth everything.”

Jorge frowns. “Wait…if you were only there for eight years…did you leave your children behind?” He asks, confused about how they can be Tovars and still have created this legacy in such a short time.

“Your ancestors are a young couple named Arwena and Briac.” If Alana knows so much family history, she may already know this, but you tell her anyway. “They were soulmates, and Wena’s father forbade them from being together. But…we helped them. Briac learned to wield a sword and farm the land from Pero, and I taught Wena to read and write and wield magic. They…became our children, without ever any intention of the thing. When the night came that they needed to run away together, we packed up and left the village with them. From then on, we were a family.” Talking about them brings a wave of nostalgia you hadn’t been expecting and you wipe a tear from your eye. “You look exactly like her,” you tell Alana. “I knew you had to be family the second I saw you.”

“I do?” Alana very nearly tears up at the idea and reaches up to touch her own face. “Is that why you looked shocked when you opened the door? I look like the original Arwena Tovar?”

“You’re taller, but that’s the only real difference.” It’s sweet, how dearly Alana seems to take that fact to heart, and you nod. “It’s probably why I felt we could tell you all of this so easily. You just…you look so much like her I couldn’t imagine that that could have happened by accident.”

“I promise this will not be a tale that I spread.” Alana assures you, not wanting you to be wary of her spreading your story and perhaps having people look at you as if you are crazy.

“Thank you.” You didn’t think that she would, but it’s nice to hear the confirmation aloud. “I am, actually, your distant cousin,” you explain. “I’m also descended from Arwena and Briac. Just…a different branch of the family.”

“The side that apparently went to America.” Alana shakes her head, amazed at how the family has branched. “It’s amazing. A paradox. You are the matriarch and yet you are the descendant.”

“I don’t quite understand it myself.” It’s all too grand and smacks of too much consequence, and every time you think about it too much you reach a point where you start to get wrapped up in it like it’s the plot of a fantasy novel instead of your actual life. “But…all of it led me to Pero. And that’s more than I ever could have asked for.”

“I cannot believe that your soulmate is from a different time than you.” Jorge exclaims, unable to deny that is what you are because of the matching scars over your eyes.

“We usually say that we met while I was on that vacation in Scotland.” Pero chuckles into his sip of espresso when you say it and you shrug slightly. “It’s not like we can tell most people what really happened.”

“She tells people I am…” Pero looks to you when he cannot remember the word. “Antisocial.” He huffs, smug that he remembered it.

Alana and Jorge choke on this revelation for a minute before busting out in a fit of smothered laughter that makes even you giggle. “It’s true, amor. You are most of the time. But you love your family.”

“I do not trust anyone but family.” He corrects, frowning at your judgement of his character.

“Social expectations have changed in a thousand years, that’s all.” Alana points out. “And being able to trust your family is not always automatic. We are lucky to be able to trust each other so quickly.”

“I do not understand why.” Pero shakes his head. “Family should be the ones that you trust most. They are…family.”

You know he’s right, in many ways, but explaining to him that your mother would never accept the truth about who he is and when he is from – that she would probably try to have both of you committed if you told her the truth – had been a very long conversation. Of course he trusted you to know best, but he didn’t like the idea that you could not fully trust your parents to support you.

Pero moves over towards you and his hands slip around your waist, his lips kissing the juncture of your neck and shoulder softly. “I will change back.”

“Be comfortable, amor.” You nod slightly, knowing he will feel the movement next to his head. “I know that tunic cannot be more comfortable than your t-shirts. My sewing was never that good.”

He chuckles quietly and can’t deny that modern clothes are more comfortable. Less itchy than the ones from his time. “I will be back.”

“So what about you two?” Turning back to Alana and Jorge, you feel the slight loss of no longer having Pero at your side, knowing he will be back quickly. Taking off armor never takes as long as putting it on. “What do you do? How did you meet?”

Jorge smirks, his own pride for his soulmate evident on his face. “University.” He explains. “We were taking a class together.”

“I still do not know how we managed to pass,” Alana laughs, sending him a gentle, fond smile. “We did not exactly study.”

“It is not an exciting story, but it was almost as if we knew right away.” Jorge boasts. “The connection, I mean. It – it is beautiful.”

“Every love story is exciting in its own way.” And really, yours is not for everyone. “It is a new beginning. The start of a life together. That is its own kind of adventure.”

“How is he handling it?” Jorge asks, imagining that despite the advantages of this time, the other man must be having moments where he struggles to understand the world he lives in now.

“There are always new challenges,” you admit, wishing as always that you could simply smooth the path that Pero walks in this time. But you know you cannot do everything for him, and he doesn’t want you to. That doesn’t stop you from wishing you could take away the things that make him unhappy. “It will do him good to have friends here. Family. People he can be his true self with. And…more than anything, I think coming home again will be good for him. The barn out there? Or, what is now a barn? That is the house he was born in.”

"That was the house?" Alana's eyes go comically wide, and she whips her head to the side to look out the window that overlooks the stone structure. "That is – it is a thousand years old and is the house that your soulmate was born in? The one where Arwena and Briac lived and raised their children in?"

“Yes.” You can’t help but chuckle a little at how excited all of this makes her, and you’ll admit that a good portion of it is some kind of relief. It had been a worry of yours that making friends here might be difficult – but clearly the opposite was destined to be true.

"That is – wow – amazing." She lets out a chirp of happiness and looks back out the window again. "He has been working out there. Is he – will he turn it back into what he knew it as?"

“He even applied for the permits we need to restore the thatched roof and stone floor.” It is a particular point of pride for you, that Pero is working so hard to restore his childhood home. He’s working so hard and you could not be happier for him.

"Wow." Now it is Jorge's turn to be impressed and he nods. "I will ask if he needs help." He decides, looking eager at the prospect of learning techniques from a thousand years ago. "It would be beautiful to see a perfect example of how a home from that time would be set up."

“Jorge studied architecture.” Alana tells you, her own pride evident in her voice. “You should see the castles he designs and builds for Binx. They are spectacular.”

“You build castles?” Pero steps back into the kitchen, his brow arched high, and he is very interested in the other man’s skills. The fireplace in the old home has been removed and he wants to rebuild it. “They are still being used in this time?”

“For our cat.” Jorge laughs, slightly embarrassed at the mix-up. “Towers for her to climb and scratch shaped like castles. But I build other things. And design them.”

“Alana was saying that Jorge studied architecture,” you explain.

“And I am a builder.” The younger man nods. “Whatever help you need in restoring your home, it would be an honor to help you.”

Pero rubs his jaw, nodding to himself slightly. “I need to rebuild the hearth.” He tells the younger man. “Some bastard ripped it out and boarded over it. Do you want to look?” He offers, knowing that someone who builds for a living might be a good thing since the bastards to tell you what you can and cannot do with your own property have pissed him off several times.

“Absolutely.” Jorge nods and drops a kiss on the top of Alana’s head before hopping off of his stool at the kitchen counter.

“I’m going to show Alana the grimoire,” you tell them, glad to see Pero making a friend so easily. You’re certainly not going to get in the way of it, especially not when Jorge is practically family. “Come in when you get hungry and maybe we can share supper together tonight?”

Pero nods and moves over to kiss you again. “Do you wish for me to start the fire outside?” He asks, knowing that he had planned on roasting some meat you had bought from the grocery store. While it was not the same as wild game, it was still delicious. “Or do you wish to do something else?”

“No, we can cook outside.” One kiss is never enough, and you steal another easily. “We have plenty enough for four, and we can show Alana and Jorge how we used to do things. It will be perfect.” To not have to hide, or to lie, or to pretend at all is a great gift that you did not think you would ever be given in this part of your life. But as always, as if some wonderful force of the universe is looking out for you – you have gotten the blessing that you needed in spite of undertaking something scary. Whatever else comes during your life in Spain, you have Pero at your side and family to spend time with. There is nothing more you could want.

______

Master Tags: @pixiedurango @chattychell @winter-fox-queen @lady-himbo @artsymaddie @princess76179 @paintballkid711 @missminkylove @pedrosbrat @ew-erin @sarahjkl82-blog @sharkbait77 @justanotherblonde23 @lv7867 @recklesswit @mylittlesenaar @f0rever15elf @gallowsjoker @steeevienicks @athalien @sherala007 @skvatnavle @thatpinkshirt @jaime1110 @girlimjusttryingtoreadfanfics @goodgriefitsawildworld @greeneyedblondie44 @katheriner1999 @littlemousedroid @harriedandharassed @churchill356 @ajathegreats-blog @hardc0rehaylz @beardsanddetectives @kirsteng42 @ladykatakuri @adancedivasmom @madiebear @tanzthompson @emilianamason @bigsdinger

SatS: @canadianmaebe @badassbaker @od-ends @amneris21 @padbrookcottage @chaoticfestninja @xdaddysprincessxx @mostclevermiss @im-sylien @wherethewildfanlives @ficsbynight @djarinsimp @ellenmunn @jediknight122 @under-the-seas @wellaintthatsumthin @sarahbellesaurus @roxypeanut @prostitute-robot-from-the-future @bruxasolta @kaylay2187 @freshlemontea @humanransome-note @virtualanchortimetravel @leoisme @do-not-go-gently-42 @catsandgeekyandnerd @happypalaceroadpie @ghoulpatroul @lizzystorm48 @imoutoid @rainbeaubrightchild @ahopelessromanticwritersworld @dudelorian @thirddeadlysin @piratesangel @jazzieomega @iceclaw101 @strangegirl32 @lights-on-the-ridge @godofbadass8909 @pann-malii @littleone65 @notyouraveragemochii @shawdowolf993 @rebel-fanfare @rav3n-pascal22 @love93sstuff @choppedmugjudgeplaid @aurelac-heart @we-could-have-been @bilibiche @prettydull180 @dinoflower @my-life-as-a-bird @tuquoquebrute @damnitjaskier @fishingforpike @sherlock221b114679797 @sainteredhood @nekodemon73 @missredherring @middlemichi @moonflower91 @rachelle-on-the-run @miscellaneousfangirling @danamercury @hyacinthsatdawn @i-am-amora-the-enchantress @milkandoil @generalplaidhorseherring @raptorclaw24 @mrsparknuts

[falcqns]

𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐤𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐞

◎ pairing: Joel Miller & Ellie Williams

◎ summary: after Silver Lake, all Joel can focus on is his girl.

◎ warnings: Post Ep 8, slight mention of D*vid, insinuations of SA and canon typical violence, blood, Joel finally admitting Ellie is his daughter, mentions of Sarah

◎ a/n: my first TLOU fic!! i hope you like it! tagging @natashasera like always <3

Joel had never truly realized how small Ellie was. He knew she was little, a small girl of only 14, but until now, when he was cradling her in his arms, he realized how small she was. This child, the child that he told Marlene and Tess that he didn’t want, that he shouldn’t be entrusted with, was small. Too small. But then again, he hadn’t been around a child her age for 20 years. 

He watched as her chest rose and fell with each breath she took. They’d managed to make it to a small abandoned cottage close to Salt Lake City, but far enough from Silver Lake to keep Joel’s throat from closing up. Seeing Ellie, his kid, stumble from that burning building covered in blood, ponytail falling apart, was a sight he never wanted to see again, as long as he lived. All he wanted to do now was get her to the Fireflies, let them run their tests, and then take her back to Jackson. To their farmhouse, number 38. Even though they’d only spent a night there, he could see himself, and his new-found daughter, living there. 

He wanted to help her redo the bedroom that she had claimed. Repaint the walls, get a new, bigger bed. The biggest he could find. Fill the room with all the pillows and blankets he could find and trade for in Jackson. Maybe add some string lights, like ones hanging on the main strip in the town. Find her things to do with space. Books, posters, figurines, anything. Anything and everything she wanted. He wanted to give her a bedroom where nothing bad had ever happened. No tears, no fighting, no ‘you’re not my daughter, and I sure as hell ain’t your dad.’ Because the truth was, she was his the second he laid eyes on her. 

And could anyone blame him? He may have lost his daughter 20 years ago, but that paternal feeling, the feeling of needing to protect those smaller than you, didn’t go away. It remained, spreading through his whole body, like the virus. And like the fungus, it exploded out. The second he laid eyes on Ellie Williams, on the ground at his feet, glaring up at him, he was screwed. 

Ellie’s legs began to slip off of his lap, and the motion jerked him out of the trance he was in, watching her chest rise and fall as she slept. He cleared his throat quietly, and picked up the wet cloth he’d been using to wipe off the blood caked to Ellie’s pale skin. He’d managed to check her over for any breaks earlier, but hadn’t gotten the chance to clean her up, in his panic to keep her alive. 

They’d been walking for hours. Both of them were tired, ready to fall asleep standing up. But, Joel had been determined to push on. The man who took his Ellie was dead, but that didn’t mean his followers were. He wanted to get them as far away from Silver Lake as possible. He stopped though, when Ellie collapsed. Fell, into the snow. Had Joel not been gripping her so tightly, making sure he didn’t let go, he may not even have known she’d collapsed. That’s when he spotted the abandoned cottage. He knelt down next to her, and checked her over. 

He pushed away the sides of his coat, and reached for the brown crew neck she had on. He lifted it up, trying to get a good look at her ribs. A large red, purple and blue bruise was blossoming on her rib. “‘m sorry, baby girl,” he whispered, before, as gently as he could, poked and prodded her midsection, trying to see if she’d broken any ribs. From his inspection, she’d broken at least one, but it was low enough that it didn’t endanger her lungs. He lowered her sweater down, and continued his inspection. There were no other injuries that he could detect, and as long as she wasn’t bleeding internally, she had simply collapsed from exhaustion. He cradled her head in his elbow, and slid his other arm under her legs, groaning as he stood and lifted her. After a breath, he continued on to the small cottage in the distance. 

Joel lowered the cloth once her face was free from any blood. Her nose appeared to at least be fractured, but other than that, she seemed okay. Physically, at least. He dropped the cloth onto the bed next to him, and lifted her legs back up. As he held them, he remembered the last time he held his other baby girl. 

Sarah would have loved Ellie. If Sarah had lived, she would be 34. And knowing his Sarah, she would have been attached to Ellie right away. Joel had always known Sarah would be a mother, and after meeting Ellie, he knew she would have thought of the younger girl as her own. She was great with children, and always talked of being a teacher when she was younger. He just wished she was here, so Ellie could have a female figure to look up to. Something neither of his daughters had, he realized. 

He sniffled, as a tear ran down his face. He gently laid Ellie’s legs down, and lifted her up, so they were chest to chest. Her head flopped around briefly, before snuggling into his neck. His right hand settled on her lower back as he slowly began to rock her, while his other buried itself in her messy hair. 

He had been so scared, when he woke up and she was gone. He couldn’t lose her. He’d lost one daughter, and that’d been one too many. Ellie needed to survive, so he can give her the life she deserved. 

Ellie whimpered, her head moving around briefly, and Joel found himself shushing her like he would a newborn baby fussing. But yet, he couldn’t find it in himself to care. Someone had hurt his baby girl. Hurt this small, skinny child. She wasn’t defenceless, in fact she could defend herself better than he could defend her, but she was 14. She shouldn’t have to worry about anything other than who she had a crush on at her age. 

As he sat there, against the wall off the cottage, cradling his Ellie in his arms, he vowed to make sure no one ever touched her again. No one would harm her, bruise or break her porcelain skin. She would never have to defend herself again. Not while he was alive to protect her. 

Just because her small hand was able fit around her too big knife, it didn’t mean it should. 

[caelwynn]

Caelwynn's Mod List for Stardew 1.6 - Aesthetics

Diverse Stardew Valley — allows you to introduce a multitude of diversity into the vanilla NPCs with regards to ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and disabilities. I adore this mod, and use a different set of combos on each save, as many NPCs have multiple options.

Elle's Seasonal Buildings — changes the look of farm buildings. It has multiple looks to choose from that slot in nicely/cleanly with various overhauls such as Starblue Valley or DaisyNiko's Earthy Recolour.

A Cleaner Sewer — revamps the decor of the sewer and Krobus's spouse room.

Seasonal Outfits for Ridgeside — adds seasonal outfits for Ridgeside characters.

Seasonal Outfits for SVE Vanilla Style — adds seasonal outfits for SVE characters.

Dynamic Reflections — allows the sky to be reflected in the water. A huge resource hog if you're on a low-end computer, but I played with it anyways because SO PRETTY.

Visible Fish — makes fish visible in different bodies of water. Also another potential resource hog.

SH's Wild Animals — adds in a ton of additional critters that run around the map. Again, may make your game stutter/slow.

Crab Monster Recolors — has several options to recolor rock/lava crabs so that they're easier to spot.

No More Pile of Bug Meat — changes Willy's special order event so that the bait is all in a container instead of an eldritch mass on the beach.

Elle's Cuter Barn Animals — retextures the barn animals to, indeed, make them cuter.

Elle's Cuter Cats — adds 155 different breeds/skins to pick from for your feline companion.

Elle's Cuter Coop Animals — yep, makes your coop animals cuter too.

Elle's Cuter Dogs — adds 340+ breeds of dogs to pick from.

Elle's Town Buildings — redoes the buildings around the valley to match one of four different palettes: vanilla, earthy, Starblue, and wittily.

DSV Flower Queen's Crown - Always Raining in the Valley — allows Sterling, Mia, and Henry to have a chance at winning the Flower Crown.

DSV Flower Queen's Crown - Ridgeside Village — gives RSV NPVs the chance to win the Flower Crown.

DaisyNiko's Earthy Interface — a warm, earth-toned palette for the user interface.

DaisyNiko's Earthy Interiors — same as above except for interiors.

DaisyNiko's Earthy Recolour — same as above except for the whole map.

DaisyNiko's Earthy Map for East Scarp — same as above for East Scarp.

DaisyNiko's Earthy Map for Visit Mt. Vapius — same as above for Mt. Vapius.

DaisyNiko's Earthy Map for RSV — same as above for Ridgeside Village.

DaisyNiko's Earthy Map for SVE — same as above for Stardew Valley Expanded.

Simple Foilage — retexture for trees.

Aimon's Fancy Farmhouse — a fancier farmhouse map. I've only played with the starter house thus far.

Aimon's Fancy Shed — a fancier shed.

Jen's Cozy Cellar — gives the cellar a little basement den in addition to space for casks.

Pookachu's Medium Greenhouse — a mid-sized greenhouse with lots of areas for trees.

Gwen's Paths — retextures/recolors craftable paths and flooring.

Lovely Kitchen — retextures/recolors the kitchen you purchase.

Farmhouse Fixes — adds a bunch of fixes useful with custom farmhouse maps.

Skell's Misc. Furniture — adds some random furniture pieces. I downloaded it for the computer desk and the motorcycles.

Old Wallpapers and Flooring — adds a bunch of new wallpapers/flooring if you're going for a more aged/retro look.

H&W Bathroom Furniture — adds bathroom furniture/fixtures to craft a bahtroom with.

HxW Fairy Fountain Furniture — pretty fountains in a range of sizes.

H&W Fairy Garden Furniture — very whimsical outdoor furniture set, including a metric-ton of garden gnomes.

H&W Outdoor Furniture — more traditional style of outdoor furniture.

Nostalgic Old Furniture Collection — adds dozens of older/retro style furniture and clutter.

Retro Style Furniture — more retro style furniture in case you want the house to feel like Grandpa actually left the contents to you.

Nano's Decorative Tree Furniture — outdoor furniture, including a swing hanging from a tree.

A Better-Looking Plasma TV — I liked the console tables.

Alternative Textures — allows you to easily add in retextures for various furniture/objects.

Alternative Texture Packs

Connect Your Fence (AT)

DustBeauty's Industrial Furniture

H&W Fairly Garden Gurniture Recolor Mega Pack

Fence Lamps

Furnicolor (Recolors and Reinterpretations of Furniture)

Muski's Recolor of H&W Greenhouse Furniture

Muski's Recolor of H&W Outdoor Furniture Pack

Hearth and Home Furniture

Hearth and Home - Walls and Floor

Nano's Retro Style Furniture

H&W Greenhouse Furniture Recolors for AT

Antique TV Sets

Hanging Flower Baskets

Lovely Kitchen Islands and Extras

Pirate Furniture and Decorations

Quilted Blue Pinstripe Bed

Too Many Swatches II

The Masterpost for all of the mods is located here.

[toothlesshat]

Ik it’s lame that I’m only watching the 90s tmnt movies right now but I’m obsessed with how much 2012 decided to add into their own version of the farmhouse arc, like it’s really great?? Donnie and Casey working on a car together and having back and forth name calling competitions!! 90s Leo holding vigil for Raph until he wakes up vs ‘12 Raph holding vigil for Leo during his 3 month coma!!!!! I wish I watched this movie sooner so I could pick up on this I am stupid!!!!!!

Edit: THE CAMP FIRE WITH SPLINTER TOO LMAO 2012 saw 1990 and knew it had to redo all of it huh??

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Wait a minute. The owners of this 1929 home in Newton, Kansas decided they wanted to gut it and start over. Once they tore into it, they realized it was framed using two 40′ railroad box cars! The cars date back to the 1800’s. After seeing what they were dealing with, they decided to completely draw up new plans and build an entire house around the two box cars. 4bds, 3 ba, $250K. (Price cut by $5K) Really, I think they ruined it.

This is what's left of the car in the living room- just what used to be the top of it. Sort of. You could make that ceiling, it doesn't look like an old box car. Where's the rest of it?

I've never been so disappointed. If you didn't tell me that was a an old box car, I'd have never guessed.

And, this is the other one in the kitchen.

So, these would've been the 2 cars, side-by-side, with a hall between. This is the worst re-do I've even seen. It looks nothing like a home built around 2 railroad cars.

There's a small piece in the ceiling of this bath. So, all they really kept were some wood tops of the cars.

And, here's another part of one in a child's play room.

I don't know if this is part of a car in the home office, or if they just put up a similar beamed ceiling.

A second floor was built on top of the "cars."

There's a primary bedroom.

A bath.

And, a nursery, plus 2 other bedrooms.

In the small backyard they build a deck onto the back of the house. This was a unique opportunity, and they destroyed the historic cars.

[outofthiisworld]

[🧪💜]— Names

Doc’s current legal name “Ezekiel Walker” is not his real name, but an alias for himself after his proclaimed “death" during the containment breach of ATLAS. With fake ID and documents forged by yours truly, he now guards his old name and identity very closely (It's Joseph). He prefers the name Doc much more, and still finds it weird whenever someone calls him Ezekiel/Zeke. Ophelia's real name before ATLAS has been long lost & forgotten— the names of those taken for experiments were not kept long term in the research documentation and notes. Currently, Ophelia is not interested in learning this for herself, or at least— so she says. (it's Sofía).

"By the stars above— what was I on, picking out Ezekiel? It's so pretentious..."

"Heehee—! Ooh, but I think it’s so cuuute~♡! You can always change your name again, though.”

"—and redo all of those identifications? Ugh, no. I just finished perfecting the deed to the farmhouse."

[juneandnick]

Fanfiction - “Meeting in Toronto” - Part 3 on 4 by me

I hope that despite the errors you enjoy the story.

Two weeks later, Nick wakes up with the smell of pancakes and good coffee. He opens the bedroom door and hears June and Nichole in the kitchen:

- So sweetie, is it okay? Nichole nods. Yes? Do you want another one? - Yes. - Oh look who it is ... It is daddy. - Hi honey, Nick says kissing his daughter. - Daddy! She is all smile. - Hi, he says kissing June. - Coffee? - Gladly. It smells very good. June pours him a cup. - Thanks. - I am going to take a shower.

The little girl looks her mother leaving the room and then her attention is on her daddy. Nick is captivated by her big blue eyes. She plays with her doll (he gave her and she had when they had to run away) and with Flopsy, her rabbit 😉.

(Wink to your fanfiction Arallute1, I loved it. ❤️❤️❤️)

When June comes out of the shower, Nick does the dishes while their daughter draws a picture. I am going to get dressed and do a briefing with the guys outside.

Around thirty minutes later, he is back:

- Sean and Kyle will stay with both of you. I have to go in town to meet Mark. - Do not go alone, June replies immediately. - Everything will be alright. - Nick! - Alright ... Kyle will stay with you.

During his absence and to occupy the time June and Nichole cook a chocolate cake. Then they make a kitten puzzle. Time passes and June begins to worry.

Various demonstrations across Canada take place regularly where supporters of Gilead, using signs, demand the return of Nichole to her native country.

This same day, on TV there is a coverage live from Gilead where some Commanders and their wifes, a row of handmaids and of aunts make a prayer.

At the end of the afternoon, Kyle receives a phone call, Nick was hit in the shoulder. A Gilead sympathizer shot him as he was walking out of his meeting with Mark.

- Oh My God! Is he okay?, June asks in tears. - I do not know. All I can say is you have to be prepare if we have to run away again.

Two days later, three Chevrolet Suburban arrive in the cottage. Behind the window with Nichole in her arms, June holds her breath. Mark gets out of the second vehicle and waits. Kyle opens the house's door and they head to the cars.

- Mrs Osborne, I beg you to follow us. - Where is Nick? - He is fine, given the circumstances. He will probably be there on the next stop.

They drive to an abandoned farmhouse near Vaughan. There are already several cars. June gets out of the vehicle taking Nichole in her arms who is holding her doll.

- Come on my sweetie ... Are you fine? Yeah? My big girl, June says kissing her.

The door opens, Sean appears in the doorway. He greets June. She hears voices inside. She sees Nick sitting with a woman leaning over him who is redoing his bandage. He has dark circles around his eyes. He seems to be in pain from his injury. The woman gives him an injection. June recognizes the woman, it is Iris.

As she is about to join him, she meets a familiar face.

- Darren!, June says while she recognizes her next-door neighbor. - Hi June ... Sorry I was undercover. I could not tell you anything. - Dukie, Nichole says, marveling at the sight of the little dog. - Do not worry, I am watching her, Darren tells to June.

Nick winces in pain and spots June first and then Nichole with Duke.

- Nick! - It is okay, I am fine. What about both of you? - We are fine, June answers. I was so worry. - Do you remember the chat we had in the kitchen? June nods. Here we go ... June do you want to go in Europe with our daughter or do you want to entrust her? - Nick, I cannot choose between my two daughters, she sobs and he nods. - They are after you and me. They want to take our daughter. We have to make the best choice for her. We have to protect her ... It will be not a definitive separation.

Nichole plays and laughs with the little dog. She walks him around the room but stops short when she sees her mother crying. June dries her eyes and smiles fake.

- Hi sweetie. Come here ... Come to say hi to daddy. - Hi honey. I missed you so much, Nick says. The little girl runs to her father.

- June, Nick, may I talk to you?, Mark asks. - Yes, they do answer together. - Sorry but ... Have you decided what to do next?

- We ..., Nick answers while taking June's hand. We decided to protect our daughter. It is the better thing to do to protect her from Gilead. - Okay. Mark signals to two people. May I introduce you Melanie and Neil. - Already?, she is stunned. - They are part of Mayday. They will welcome Nichole. I let you get to know.

While Nichole is taking a nap, the two couples have a long long chat. It is decided that the same evening, the little girl will leave her parents and have a new identity.

June writes a list of things Nichole likes and dislikes. Her habits, her activities …

She also gives Melanie her necklace. She absolutely wants that her little sweetie has something of her. She also points out the importance of the little doll.

When she wakes up from a nap, Nichole has a snack with her parents where June and Nick introduce her to Melanie and Neil. Then the little girl finds herself alone with her parents who explain to her that she is going on a trip. They tell her that Duke will stay with her. They are both touched by Darren's gesture.

- My baby. I will always be your mommy. Your mommy who loves you so so much. Daddy and I we love you so much. My sweetie. She kisses her daughter. I love you so much. I hope a day you will know your big sister. She would love you so much. - We love you. Nick adds and kisses her. Never forget how much we love you.

- June, Nick ... I am sorry ... but it is time, Mark says.

They lead their little girl to the car, kissing and cuddling her. Nichole starts to cry. Her parents try as best they can to comfort her. Melanie sits next to the little girl in the back of the car. The car starts slowly and is followed by two others cars. Mark's men will follow them halfway to make sure they are not followed.

June and Nick break down in tears. Even though they know it is the best thing to do for their daughter's safety, the pain overwhelms them. Especially since they are aware that they do not know when they will be a family again. It is so painful.

During the days following Nichole's departure, June cries all day. She is exhausted and cannot swallow anything. When Iris returns to redo Nick's bandage, she tries to talk to her, in vain. Nick feels helpless. He is himself very annihilated.

He gives to June the space she needs to overcome this ordeal. They are not angry with each other, there is no reproach. They even worry about each other, they comfort each other. But they need time "to accept" the situation.

Mark passes by with provisions that evening. It provides the couple with options to consider for the future. Before leaving he gives an envelope to June. She reads the contents and drops everything to the ground. She is in shock.

- June, what is going on?, Nick asks her.

He does not try to pick up the note that has fallen on the floor. He takes June's hand and repeats the question. She stares at him, not knowing what his reaction will be.

- June? - I am ... She looks at him shocked. I am pregnant. - What? - This morning, Iris took my blood and ... Oh My God! It is terrible, June says crying.

- No it is not, while stroking her cheek. - How can we keep this baby while we hide from Gilead? When we had to entrust our daughter to a foster family? In the aim to protect her. Tell me how? - They want Nichole because for Gilead, Nichole is the daughter of the Commander Fred Waterford. They absolutely cannot claim the same with this one ... - What life are we going to give to this child?, June says crying. - Right now ... I really do not know ... Nick answers honestly.

They wrap their arms around one another.

- Do you want to keep the baby? - Do you?, June asks in a whisper. - Whatever your choice, I will be in solidarity with your decision.

June is grateful that she feels no pressure from Nick. She also knows he would never blame her for her decision if she decided to end the pregnancy.

Source Picture: Screenshots S1E09 (by me) Source GIF: https://splitscreen.tumblr.com

[quotient-12-3]

How to Choose Kitchen Decoration Accessories

Introduction:

1. Kitchen Decoration Characterize Your Style

Distinguish Your Kitchen Style Prior to choosing embellishments, characterizing the style and subject of your kitchen is urgent. Well known styles include: Present day: Smooth lines, moderation, and unbiased varieties. Rural: Warm, regular components like wood and one of a kind frill. Customary: Exemplary plans with fancy subtleties and rich surfaces. Modern: Unrefined substances, like metal and uncovered block. Farmhouse: Comfortable, country-motivated stylistic layout with an emphasis on usefulness. Pick a Variety Plan Your frill ought to supplement your kitchen's variety range. Whether you favor intense differentiations or unobtrusive tones, guarantee that your embellishments blend with your current style.

2. Kitchen Decoration Center around Usefulness

3. Add Individual Contacts

Craftsmanship and Prints Present character with kitchen-themed craftsmanship or prints. Consider pieces that mirror your inclinations or supplement your variety plot. Blackboards or whiteboards can likewise add a practical and fun component to your kitchen. Adaptable Style Things like monogrammed towels, customized cutting sheets, or custom covers can add an exceptional touch and cause the space to feel more private.

4. Integrate Surfaces and Materials

Blend and Match Materials Blending different surfaces and materials can add profundity and interest to your kitchen style. Think about joining: Wood For warmth and normal excellence. Metal For a smooth, present day touch. Glass For a hint of polish and straightforwardness. Clay For solidness and variety assortment. Delicate Materials Integrate materials like pads for eating seats, brightening carpets, and a la mode window medicines. These components can mellow the hard surfaces and add a comfortable vibe to the space.

5. Lighting Matters

6. Pick In vogue Capacity Arrangements

Open Racking Open racks can show alluring dishes, crystal, and enriching things. Guarantee they are coordinated flawlessly to keep a cleaned look. Enriching Holders Decide on ornamental capacity compartments that serve both capability and style. Glass containers, earthenware canisters, and woven bins can add appeal and common sense to your kitchen.

7. Plant life and New Components

Indoor Plants Kitchen Decoration Adding indoor plants can reinvigorate your kitchen. Pick low-upkeep choices like spices, succulents, or greeneries that flourish in indoor circumstances.New Blossoms A jar of new blossoms can light up the space and add a dash of normal magnificence.

8. Think about Occasional Stylistic theme

Occasional Contacts Changing out style extras with the seasons can keep your kitchen feeling new and refreshed. Contemplate adding occasional things like bubbly towels, themed dishes, or improving highlights for occasions.

9. Financial plan Shrewdly

Kitchen Decoration Focus on Your Buys Conclude which embellishments are fundamental and which are simply beautiful. Put resources into excellent things where it matters most, yet feel free to shop deals or look for spending plan well disposed choices for insignificant pieces. Do-It-Yourself Ventures Consider Do-It-Yourself projects for a customized touch. Redoing your own kitchen extras can be both financially sav

[kitchencabinets1]

Everything you need to know about Dove Shaker Cabinets

When remodeling your kitchen, the vast number of options available can feel a little daunting. However, if you want a timeless option that remains stylish, you should think about choosing Dove Shaker cabinets. Let's explore the features that make these cabinets an excellent option and why they could be ideal for your kitchen renovation.

What's the Deal with Elegant Dove Shaker Cabinets?

To begin with, let's discuss the characteristics of Dove Shaker cabinets. These cabinets are not ordinary; they put a modern twist on the timeless Shaker style with sleek lines, functional design, and a stunning dove gray shade. This design combines traditional craftsmanship with a hint of contemporary color, making it extremely adaptable for any kitchen aesthetic you envision

Why Pick Dove Shaker Cabinets?

Versatility is Key: No matter if your house is a contemporary masterpiece or a snug cabin, Dove Shaker cabinets seamlessly blend in. The gentle grey shade complements different color schemes beautifully, bringing a hint of sophistication without dominating the room.

Built to Last: It's not just about looks—these cabinets are sturdy. Made from solid wood like maple or birch, they're built to handle the hustle and bustle of kitchen life. So, you can cook, slam, and party without worrying about wear and tear.

Flex Your Design Muscles: This is the place where you can enjoy yourself. These cabinets are similar to an empty painting surface. Adorn them with elegant handles to achieve a luxurious appearance or opt for traditional knobs for a more simple look. They complement various countertops and backsplashes, allowing you to express your design preferences freely.

Low Maintenance, High Style: Nobody likes spending ages cleaning kitchen cabinets, right? Well, Dove Shaker cabinets make it easy. A simple wipe-down now and then keeps them looking fresh. No fuss, no muss.

A Smart Investment: While they're not the cheapest option out there, investing in Dove Shaker cabinets pays off. Their timeless look ensures your kitchen won’t need a redo any time soon, saving you money in the long run.

Boost Your Home's Value: If there’s a chance you might sell your place one day, a kitchen with Dove Shaker cabinets is a real selling point. They're the kind of feature that prospective buyers ooh and aah over, potentially making your home more appealing and boosting its value.

Mixing and Matching with Dove Shakers

Now, let's transition to the fun part of dressing up these lovely pieces. Dove Shaker cabinets offer great flexibility. They enhance bold colors for a daring look, or soften bright hues for a more understated style. In terms of countertops, you can choose to go luxurious with marble or granite, or go for a more laid-back style with laminate or solid surface countertops. Everything is up to you!

Additionally, Dove Shaker cabinets not only complement different colors but also coordinate with a variety of kitchen designs. Whether you prefer a rustic farmhouse atmosphere, a modern sleek look, or a cozy cottage feel, these cabinets are versatile to suit your style. Match them with rustic wooden floors for a cozy atmosphere, or pair them with shiny tiles for a modern touch.

Do not worry if you are concerned about them blending too much into the background. Dove Shaker cabinets offer an ideal surface for showcasing your individuality through kitchen embellishments. Add colorful artwork or unique lighting fixtures to add color and character to the room. Furthermore, open shelving or cabinets with glass fronts can display your carefully selected collection of dishes, bringing visual appeal and dimension to the space.

The Practicality of Dove Shaker Cabinets

Dove Shaker cabinets not only have a beautiful appearance, but they are also very practical. The simple yet elegant design maximizes storage space, keeping the kitchen neat and organized. You have the option to customize your cabinets according to your storage requirements by selecting from different configuration choices like drawers, pull-out trays, and adjustable shelves.

Moreover, Dove Shaker cabinets offer ergonomic advantages as they come with soft-close hinges and drawer glides, ensuring a quiet and smooth operation. Say farewell to the bothersome noise of cabinet doors and drawers slamming shut, as these components enhance customer happiness and lengthen the lifespan of your cabinetry.

Wrapping Up

Selecting Dove Shaker cabinets is akin to selecting the ideal jeans - timeless, cozy, and versatile foundation for any style. They provide a perfect combination of functionality and fashion, making them a reliable option for anyone wanting to improve their kitchen. Whether you're starting from the beginning or simply making adjustments, these cabinets offer a base that can be customized to suit your preferences, making sure your kitchen is both inviting and fashionable. Therefore, embrace the Dove Shaker style and observe as your kitchen evolves into a space that you will appreciate for many years.

FAQs

1. What makes Dove Shaker cabinets unique?

   - Dove Shaker cabinets blend classic Shaker simplicity with a modern dove gray color. This combination offers a timeless yet contemporary look, making them versatile for various kitchen styles.

2. Are Dove Shaker cabinets more expensive than other cabinet types?

   - Dove Shaker cabinets can be more expensive than some basic stock cabinets due to their quality construction and material. However, their durability and timeless design often justify the higher initial investment.

3. Can Dove Shaker cabinets fit into any kitchen layout?

   - Absolutely! One of the biggest perks of Dove Shaker cabinets is their versatility. They can be easily integrated into any kitchen layout, whether it's a compact city apartment or a sprawling suburban home.

4. What type of hardware works best with Dove Shaker cabinets?

   - Dove Shaker cabinets work well with a wide range of hardware. For a modern look, go with sleek, brushed nickel handles. If you prefer a traditional vibe, classic knobs in bronze or black can add a touch of rustic charm.

5. How do I maintain my Dove Shaker cabinets?

   - Maintaining Dove Shaker cabinets is straightforward. Regularly wipe them down with a soft, damp cloth and a mild soap solution. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners to preserve the finish.

6. What colors and materials complement Dove Shaker cabinets?

   - Dove gray pairs beautifully with a variety of colors and materials. For countertops, consider white marble, black granite, or even butcher block for warmth. Wall colors like soft whites, deep blues, or even bright yellows can enhance the cabinets' elegance.

7. Do Dove Shaker cabinets increase home resale value?

   - Yes, investing in Dove Shaker cabinets can increase your home's resale value. Their stylish appearance and high-quality construction are highly appealing features for potential buyers, making them a worthwhile upgrade for any kitchen renovation.

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having grown up in an old rickety farmhouse with holes in the walls and floors for 20 years, moving to an outer city apartment complex has done wonders for my mental health. it took me years to stop having anxiety over every noise thinking it might be wildlife trying to get inside. i have central heating and don't have to worry about burning my house down with space heaters. when my toilet broke, someone came the next day and replaced the part, for free. my childhood home's circuit breaker broke and half the house had no power, including the kitchen, and we had to order the part off ebay because it was discontinued and had a friend who owed us a favor come and fix it. it took a week.

like yeah, owning your own property is great. i plan on doing that one day. I'd love to paint my walls a color i like, or redo the floors, or get the appliances i want. landlords and property companies are of the devil. but honestly, right now, with how my life is, im glad i dont have to worry about this shit lol