#i GUESS. yea tagging just so i can find this art again in the future. tumblr's search function is broken as shit lately

[mattastr0phic]

Drawing anthros is actually pretty nice, character-design wise. Dr. Clef is a golden-brown Binturong, and Dr. Myriad is a chocolate Angora Ferret. Pictures of the actual animals under the cut!

[clownistyping]

The Neverending Story, Chapter 22

Uhh heavy make out but nothing sexual. Also fluff and reader says the three magic words

First

Previous

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Cover by @laneygthememequeen

"Will you visit?" You asked as you stood at the doorway with your two guests, Beetlejuice right next to you. 

"Of course we will, it was an honor to meet the strongest immortal." Lulu said and kissed your hand, Rimsha slapped her back. 

"Control yourself dear." She looked at you and smiled, 

"Your home is beautiful, and your plant is so funny!" Rimsha laughed and you followed, 

"Oh Audrey? Yea he can be a real trickster." Beetlejuice laughed and noticed a vine reaching towards Rimsha, he stomped on it. 

"Roaches." 

You waved the couple goodbye as they left on their journey back to their homes, over the week the two stayed in your home you learned so much. 

You learned that you should've been more active in the human cultures, should've fought in riots and walked in parades like Rimsha. You should've investigated the seas more, and stay at the bottom of the ocean to see what you could find like Lulu. 

Instead you just journeyed lands and waved at people from afar, only gaining close friendships that sadly only lasted as long as the person's life span would let them. 

You still have time to do all of those things but will you push yourself to? Hopefully but that's for future you to decide. 

Looking up at Beetlejuice as he shut the doors, he smiled down at you. 

"It's quiet.." you said and he pulled you close,

"What, You like it loud?" He teased and you laughed pushing him away. 

"Guess you'll have to find out." You said and he pulled you back, his tongue rolled out. 

It was black and white striped and looked..slimy. You blushed from the sight of it, it slithered towards you and licked your face, you scrunch up your face. Opening your mouth to complain but he stuck his tongue down your throat.

Pulling you in for a deep kiss you wrapped your arms around his neck. His hands slithered down your legs and gripped your ass, you let out a small moan and he pulled away. Retracting his tongue he licked his lips, you were panting. Your hands were slowly moving into his hair, scratching at his head he let out a grunt. 

Hiding his face in your neck he licked you, his tongue wrapped around your neck completely and you let out a gasp. 

"Wow." You said as he chuckled, retracting his tongue he sucked on your neck. 

"Do friends do this?" He muttered and you groaned,

"What?" You asked in a haze, he lifted you and pushes you against the wall. 

"Do friends do this?" He said again. 

"Wait what?" You snapped out of your haze and looked down at him, he was flushed and a mess. 

"You said,  I'm your friend.. do friends literally shove their tongues down your throat." 

You slapped your hand onto your face, 

"Is that what this is about?" You gestured to you against the wall. He shook his head, 

"Um.. I'm not gonna say no." 

"Jesus christ." You wiggled out of his grip and huffed, he looked down at you his cheeks puffed. 

"Beej, I'm sorry." He flinched, sorry? He didn't expect you to apologize for calling him a friend. 

"I guess I called you my friend because like.." you scratched the back of your neck, 

"I don't really know what we are." You gesture in between the both of you. 

"Oh." 

"Yeah." 

"I thought that we were ya know dating. Partners in crime, lovers till the end, ya know not death because y-"

You laughed and he stopped talking, 

"Well you never asked me out." 

"Dates are still a thing? Thought they were rare like rain in the desert or getting the usb right on the first try." You squinted at Beetlejuice who shook his head 

"Fine uh, ya wanna go on a date. I got ya covered." He snapped his fingers and suddenly you were both sitting on a balcony on iron chairs with an iron table that had a basket of bread. Beetlejuice wore a striped shirt with a beret. The sun was setting over the Eiffel tower. 

"Dinner in Paris." 

"Eh been there done that." You chuckled and he glared at you, snapping his fingers. You appeared in a laser tag room. 

"Laser tag?" You shoot him with your laser and laughed. He growled and snapped his fingers, 

You both appeared in an old vintage car that was in drive in movies. Looking at the car next to you you saw two teens making out. 

You looked at Beetlejuice who wore a leather jacket and his hair was slicked back, you shake your head and he groaned. 

Next you were in a museum, surrounded by art you shrugged. "Liked the original's more." 

Then you landed in a park, sitting on a picnic blanket with a picnic basket. You smiled and he cheered to himself, 

"This is nice." You opened the basket only for roaches and beetles to crawl out. 

"Nevermind." Beetlejuice groaned again and you both appeared back in your home. 

"I can never satisfy you, can I?" He plopped onto the couch in defeat you sat next to him. 

"You don't have to satisfy me, if anything ya just gotta make me happy. Which you're doing great at." 

"Really?" He perked up and you nodded, 

"Yea you always do, Beej." 

"Like everyday?" 

"More like every minute." You pinched his cheeks and he laughed, pulling you in for a tight hug he smothered you in kisses. 

"Oh babes! Thank you so much!" He smiled into your chest and you patted his head, smiling down at him. 

"I love you, Beej." You said and his eyes widened and he sat up. 

"Say that again?" He said, you looked away in panic. 

"Haha! More like every minute." He shook his head, 

"No! Not that, what you said a millisecond ago."

"Oh haha. That." You sighed, 

"I love you?" You said, 

"Do you?" He said with a brow raised. 

"Do I what?" 

"Love me?" 

"Of course, Beej. God I." Your hands grabbed his, 

"I know this sounds cheesy but. I'd honestly die for you Beej." You nervously chuckled and he blushed. 

"Don't." He held your face, 

"Don't die for me, just..just stay alive for me. Can you do that?" You nodded, 

"Anything for you." 

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[mugmyremarsh]

getting (back) into trading

have YOU just joined (or rejoined) animal jam? do u wanna get into trading? do you just know absolutely NOTHING about rares? cool. im gonna try help you to the best of my abilities :'D also for this ill be typing pretty damn normally just so that its legible so yea!

first things first tho! what do you know about rares? im talkin like. do u know what a long collar is. do you know what its worth.

your answer is PROBABLY at least a BIT. which is sick! good for you (*not sarcasm) but if your answer is smth along the lines of. absolutely fucking nothing to a little bit then may i suggest: reading up on the aj worth wiki. i only rlly recommend this if you dont know a whole lot. bcus the sites listed worths are not really the most accurate but they can be a good way to get a vague idea of the shit show!! id reccomend starting with rims n then working your way up cbs -> dbs -> (short wrists) -> long wrists (etc)

alright alright! next. do you know what things are worth? how many dbs should you trade for a good wrist? what shorts are fair for a green long? (lol idk why but that soundz kinda funnie)

if u dont think you know the answer to those questions then id recommend !!!! going on2 instagram unfortunately. the animal jam community is at its peak there i think (the animal jam amino can be kinda useful too).

what you wanna do there is just see what kinda trades ppl r accepting n stuff. the aj community there posts trades a LOT n theyll ask people to comment smth like o/f/u. o/f/u is outdated for some reason n they use something else. o/f/u stands for over/fair/under btw. jus checked- now theyre using g/f/l standing for good/fair/loss. so yea! most trades on the tag are for ajpw so :] i guess!

another way to learn is just through practise. what are people willing to accept and what are they declining? this one can be a bit tricky because some people are very picky with what they accept but overall? still pretty solid

btw the learning process can take about a week or so!! but also im slow.. at things. so hopefully itll be quicker for u!

finding people to trade with.

this shit is HARD. most jammers just go into aldan or wootmoos den. specific places in aldan are coral canyons, temple of zios, bradys lab (big boys only). ofc these places r only sometimes full of people. places which for sure have ppl is about any jamma township. trading parties are also popular!!

if u wanna be a cool kid u can post ur offers ~online~ main place id go to are the aj worth wikis and comment on either the item you are offering or that youre offering for ;w; makes sense right. you can also post your offers on instagram (tagged with animaljam) or the animal jam amino. i unno theyre both p good options.

actually getting shit 2 trade. well if ur gonna trade u need shit 2 trade ykno?

if youre a member, like every other person will say, i recommend the forgotten desert!! just host it or find sm1 else hosting it. it doesnt usually take very long for it to fill up. another thing- finding a group of people who will do it over and over again w you so you dont have to find new people every time.

if youre doing tfd (the forgotten desert) you wanna avoid doing the purple crystals. they waste time and u still get shit prizes from them. there were like. myths that youd get a headdress if you did them.. not true. jus do not bother w them. have your map open when you play tfd so you can see where youve already been n stuff, playing with audio helps cos youll hear a sound effect when youre able to collect a shard (useful for yellow 1z). its possible but unlikely that youll get a spike but i mean hey! i got my first spike from tfd!!! it was a yellow long! also be sure to pick up ground chests. there was a rumour that opening those would worsen your prizes which again. isnt true lol.

if youre a nm then i think people tend to recommend replaying the first adventure over and over again. i dont rlly have a lot to say abt this. its pretty simple.

and ofc :) the third way 2 get rare. the most... well i unno how to describe it but its something. ENTER GIVEAWAYS. you can find giveaways on instagram and youtube. honestly takes nothing to enter them and you have a chance of getting good stuff!!!

AAAND if youre artistic!!! enter art contestz!!! these dayz people barely enter art contests meaning that you have a higher chance of winning!!! and also! think about setting up animal jam commissions. post your art on the animal jam amino to get traction, people are more likely to see your commissions there!!! finding art contests is best on instagram though.

alright!! thats about all i have to say.. might add more in the future. but another thing. if youre trading then TRADE. offer for others peoples stuff. dont just sit in aldan and say unwanted on trd. alright. thats super not efficient!! also dont resort to scamming people? thats an asshole move.

next time! i wanna write abt how ppl subconsciously treat nms and unrare looking people while trading!!! ill link that here if i ever write it lol.

[dawniel]

a tag update

I saw this tag I did in Jul2017 I was almost 18 and I'm being crazy nostalgic rn. I’m trying to give an update to my answers and have a look at my growth. if the answer is the same I'm leaving it, you’ll see what I mean. The changes are so unbelievable to me and I am proud of my progress.

THE LAST…

1. Drink: water 2. Phone call: from my dad  school office for academic enquiry 3. Text message: “did you even listen” “goodnight babe”  4. Song you listened to: God Knows I Tried Level of Concern tøp 5. Time you cried: yesterday today lol

HAVE YOU EVER…

6. Dated someone twice: havent dated someone once yes 7. Been cheated on: how if i havent dated someone once no (? 8. Kissed someone and regretted it: havent had my first kiss yes 9. Lost someone special: yes 10. Been depressed: hahahahahah why would you ask so? do i look like-? oh yes? yes. (I was being so annoying but yea 11. Gotten drunk and thrown up: nope yes

LIST 3 FAVORITE COLORS:

12. dusty pink baby pink 13. white black 14. pale/ baby blue beige

IN THE LAST YEAR HAVE YOU… 15. Made new friends: so many internet friends god bless y'all kinda 16. Fallen out of love: never actually been in love? yes  17. Laughed until you cried: i guess?? 18. Found out someone was talking about you: yea that isn’t hard I’m problematic  19. Met someone who changed you: of course I’m quite easily influenced by people actually 20. Found out who your true friends are: yes but I’m still figuring out tbh 21. Kissed someone on your Facebook list: no yes 22. How many of your Facebook friends do you know in real life: idek who is on fb 23. Do you have any pets: not rn:( 24. Do you want to change your name: no 25. What did you do for your last birthday: i forgot? wait let me check i had a cake with my parents and,,, sorry i really can’t recall probably had fun with my friends I ate sushi with my bf and went back home, my dad surprised me with a homemade cake I celebrated it with my parents it was very cute 26. What time did you wake up: 5sth am and sleeping again at 11am? and then waking up again at 1pm??? 830am 27. What were you doing at midnight last night: doing the phil curly hair animation sleeping...who was I, also that animation is still cool good job old rosie 28. Name something you cannot wait for: the graduation dinner perhaps? i didn’t have much to look forward to,, death? for this coronavirus to be over! I was so sad then:( 29. When was the last time you saw your mother: just now 30. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: how i see life?and how i see myself? but kind of dont because i dont want to change everything about myself I have changed but I am excited for the growth to continue :) 31. What are you listening to right now: my father talking silence 32. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: does tommy count he’s a creep this is crazy.. my bf who is with me for almost 2 yrs is named Tom 33. Something that is getting on your nerves: the me talking to me reacting the the world lately it is the limited working space at home to paint for my course 34. Most visited website: tumblr and youtube

35. Elementary: (not too important) 36. High School: high school is basically my life falling apart except that i know i want to do art in my life it is interesting looking back 37. College/university: for uni i hope i will get the offers sigh this depends so much on the grades of the entry exam and we dont know the results yet bitch I'm proud of you you got your first choice 38. Hair color: lighter brown 39. Long or short hair: short longg 40. Do you have a crush on someone: yea 41. What do you like about yourself: how i think (when I’m not depressed) in a quirky way I am serious with thing that are important 42. Piercings: i got four now 5 43. Blood type: b 44. Nickname: rosie my bff calls me lettuce head sometimes but I dont really have a nickname 45. Relationship status: hello darkness my old friend occupied 46. Zodiac sign: my sun is cancer 47. Pronouns: she/her 48. Favorite tv show: idk my mind is empty now Bojack/ the Good Place/ the end of the fucking world can't decide 49. Tattoos: desperately wanting one but none yET 50. Right or left hand: right handed

FIRST… these remain the same ofc

57. Eating: no 58. Drinking: no 59. I’m about to: sleep 60. Listening to: the typing sound 61. Waiting for: i wait for life to end/ but it never comes around (making a ldr reference that no one will ever know) i guess my other day out? another houseplant? idek i dont have much expectations going out and summer! 62. Want: to love myself, be a good person, and be happy. also be better at art. (all still true:) 63. Get married: maybe if i find someone special in the future yes uwu 64. Career: i would say art but I’m re considering fashion design again? I’m still contemplating,, to work in a social engagement art space

YOUR TYPE…

65. Hugs or kisses: hugs kisses 66. Lips or eyes:  eyes 67. Shorter or taller: for girls i wish to be similar, for guys taller 68. Older or younger: older 70. Nice arms or nice stomach: idk arms 71. Sensitive or loud: dont be loud but not too sensitive because i already am a sensitive fuck (is this abt sex and I didn't know hahahahah) sensitive 72. Hook up or relationship: relationship 73. Troublemaker or hesitant: both have its charm what can I say true but troublemaker

HAVE YOU EVER… 74. Kissed a stranger?: i havent kissed someone yes 75. Drank hard liquor?: no I’m a good girl I’m still good,, yes 76. Lost glasses contact/lenses: yes 77. Turned someone down: yes 78. Sex on first date: havent been on a date no 79. Broken someone’s heart: i think no? but may to friends? I’m not sure probably 80. Had your heart broken: always I’m so flipping dramatic ffs I hadn’t at that time, and yes 81. Been arrested: no 82. Cried when someone died: yes 83. Fallen for a friend: until this day I still wasn’t sure if i had a crush on her yes

DO YOU BELIEVE IN…

84. Yourself: i wish fr I wish more than I used to 85. Miracles: yes but not when I’m in the situation 86. Love at first sight: kind of YES 87. Santa Claus: when i first knew him i was already presented that he is a fictional character 88. Kiss on the first date: can you believe in a kiss?? what does this mean??  89. Angels: not quite but mo you right there’re a lot of good ppl out there that help us in life like angels

OTHER… 90. Current best friend’s name: carol (still true❤︎) 91. Eye color: dark brown 92. Favorite movie: neon the professional not sure, could be About Time

[shebe67]

Babysitting

This is a request from Boris Yeltsin on fanfiction.net. The prompt or request was Riley and Lucas helping Maya babysit her little sister, Shawn and Katy’s daughter. This is the first request I’ve ever gotten and I hope I do it justice.

Riley was bored. It was a lazy Sunday afternoon towards the end of her junior year of high school. All her homework was done and she didn’t have to work as the bakery was closed on Sundays. She had hoped to hang out with Lucas, but he had taken a job with a local animal shelter. He would come in on the weekends to feed and water the animals and to clean cages. She had called Maya, but her parents wanted to have a family day. Since Katy had given birth to Maya’s little sister, Harmony, she and Shawn liked to have family time more often. Maya enjoyed spending the time with her parents and sister. It wasn’t something she was used to and since college was a year away, she felt the need to spend as much time with them as possible.

Riley had texted Farkle and Smackle. They were spending the day at the local science museum. They had invited her to tag along, but she decided that she would let them have the day together. Her only other alternative was Zay and he hadn’t answered his phone. So, here she was bored with nothing to do and no one to spend the day with. Her parents and Auggie had gone to Philly for the day with Josh. She picked up her worn out copy of Pride and Prejudice off her dresser. She loved this book and it usually made her feel better to read. She had gotten lost in the pages and didn’t realize that she had been reading for a couple of hours. She picked up her phone to see a few missed calls from Maya and Zay and even a text from Lucas. The text from Lucas had been sent an hour ago. He was letting her know that he got off an hour early and he would be at her place as soon as he showered and changed clothes. She texted him back letting him know that she was in the bay window and would be waiting for him.  She didn’t bother to check the messages from Maya or Zay since she had to get ready for her date with Lucas. She just needed to run a brush through her hair. She sat back down on the window seat to wait for Lucas. He should be there anytime, they were going to go to the movies and grab a burger. Riley picked up her book and started reading again and hadn’t even read a sentence when her phone started ringing. She picked it up and it was Maya. “Hey, Peaches! How are you?” she greeted. “Riles, honey, I need you to get to my apartment as quick as you can!” Maya said, sounded frantic. “Maya, what’s wrong, are you hurt, has something happened to your sister?” she asked, sounding worried. She could hear Harmony crying in the background Lucas came through the window just then. He started to say hi to Riley but she pointed at the phone and held up her hand for him to be quiet. “My parents asked me to babysit Harmony this afternoon and everything was going okay until about 30 minutes ago. She woke up and started crying and I have done everything I can think of and I really don’t want to bother my parents, this is their first day out in months. Can you please come help me?” Maya was practically begging. “Of course, is it okay if Lucas comes with me? He just came in the window,” she asked, looking at Lucas, seeing if he would mind. “Bring the whole gang, I don’t care, just get your butts over here now!” Maya ordered. Riley saluted as she said, “yes ma’am! We’ll be there in about 15 minutes.” She hung up her phone and put it in her back pocket. She stood up and grabbed Lucas’ hand without even saying hi and headed out through the window. As they headed down the fire escape, Lucas asked, “What’s going on Riley?” “Maya is babysitting her baby sister and she’s been crying for the last 30 minutes and she asked me to come help her. I hope it’s ok?” she told him. “You know it is!” he answered. About a year ago, while Katy was pregnant, the Hunter’s had moved into a bigger apartment in a building about 4 or 5 blocks away from the Matthews’ brownstone, they didn’t have to take the subway to get there. Once they reached Maya’s building, Lucas pushed the speaker button which Maya didn’t answer she just buzzed them in through the door. Instead of waiting for the elevator, Lucas and Riley chose to use the stairs to get to Maya’s third-floor apartment. They could hear Harmony crying as they got closer to the front door, which was wide open. Riley and Lucas walked through the open door to find a very frazzled Maya pacing and holding a very upset 9-month-old, Harmony. Maya turned as Lucas closed the door. “It’s about time the two of you were getting here,” Maya said handing her sister off to Riley. “Riles can you please make her stop crying. I’ve done everything I can think of, short of calling my mother!” Riley took the crying baby and settled her in her arms. Harmony was used to Riley and never cried when she held her. She quieted the second Riley started talking to her. Maya couldn’t believe her eyes, “you’ve got to be kidding me. Harmony Grace Hunter, you don’t like me!” “Maya, I’m sure it’s not that,” Lucas said, trying to reassure the blonde. “What do you know about babies, Huckleberry? She just likes Riley more…my own little sister,” Maya lamented. “Come on, Maya, she loves you. Babies pick up on people’s moods. Harmony can tell that you’re stressed and is just reacting. Riley is relaxed, so she is happy and content to be with Riley right now.” Lucas explained. He walked over to where Riley was standing, he took Harmony from her and held her to him. The baby cooed and smiled at him. Riley loved watching Lucas hold Harmony. There was just something about a man and a baby! He was really good with her. He carefully handed Harmony back to Riley. “Maya it will be okay, why don’t you go clear your head and Lucas and I will take care of the baby,” Riley suggested to her friend. Maya thinks for a second and knows that her parents wouldn’t care if she left for a few minutes as long as someone they know and trust is with Harmony. “Okay, Riles, I’m just gonna go up to the roof and clear my head and get some fresh air. She really has me on edge, she said as she walked over to Riley and kissed her sister on the cheek. “You be good for Auntie Riley and Uncle Huckleberry. She might need a bottle Riles, there are some already made up in the fridge, you just need to heat it up. Not too hot, okay?” Harmony just smiled at her and cooed. “Don’t worry, Peaches, Lucas and I have this,” she said trying to reassure Maya. Lucas came to stand behind Riley and put a hand on her shoulder, “we sure do, Riles.” Taking Harmony’s hand and making her wave goodbye to Maya. Maya waved back and it struck her what a cute picture Riley and Lucas made with Harmony. She could totally see the two of them with a baby of their own someday. They were both naturals. After Maya closed the door, Harmony got a bit fussy for Riley. “I think I need to go warm up that bottle, but I think she needs her diaper changed.” Lucas walked over to Riley and took Harmony from her, “I’ll take her and change her and you can warm a bottle.” Riley was shocked, “you know how to change a baby’s diaper?” Lucas laughed, “don’t be so shocked, last summer in Texas, Zay and I had to watch his little cousins and we got a lesson in the art of diaper changing. Turns out I’m pretty good at it.” She stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek, “you’re just full of surprises, aren’t you?” He gave her a devilish smile, “you haven’t seen anything yet, babe.” Lucas walked to the nursery with Harmony while Riley filled a large cup with warm water to heat the bottle. After Lucas had changed the baby’s diaper, he carried her back to the living room and sat on the couch. He placed a kiss on Harmony’s head and couldn’t get over how soft her wispy blonde hair was. She smelled like powder and lotion and he could just sit all day and hold her. Riley tested the bottle to make sure it wasn’t too hot and took it to the living room where she heard Lucas trying to calm a crying Harmony. Riley sat in a rocking chair and Lucas stood to hand the baby to her. Once, Riley had the baby situated she showed Harmony the bottle and she eagerly grabbed it and began eating.  Riley and Harmony stared into each other's eyes as the baby sucked on the bottle. Riley wondered what it would be like to have a baby of her own someday. She hoped that any child she had would be as beautiful as Harmony. Lucas sat and watched in wonder as Riley fed Harmony. She was a natural caregiver and the look she had on her face was one of contentment. He wondered what it would be like to have a child with Riley. It’s not something he dwelled on, but he thought about it on occasion. He hoped that he and Riley were forever, but they were still so young and anything could happen. He must have had a goofy smile on his face because when Maya came back into the apartment she stopped and watched Lucas looking at Riley and Harmony. “Hey Lucas, how is Harmony?” she asked. “She’s perfectly happy right now, I’d say,” Lucas answered. “Yea, Riley is a natural with her, isn’t she?” Maya wanted to see what Lucas had to say. “She sure is,” he answered with a goofy grin on his face. “Oh, Huckleberry, you’re always such a Huckleberry. I saw how you were watching Riley, you were thinking about doing the vacuuming and ironing the babies with Riley, weren’t you?” Maya asked with a laugh. “What? Ironing the babies, what is that Maya?” he was so confused right now. “It’s just something I said to Riley once in middle school, it was meant to be funny, guess it wasn’t as funny as I thought. It’s just I see the way you’re watching her, you’re thinking about a future where you and Riley are still together and married, you even have a child of your own, aren’t you?” Maya asked with a serious look on her face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he answered, wanting to avoid her question. “Come on, I saw the way you were watching them. You can tell me, I’ll even tell you one of my own secrets,” she said trying to bargain with him. “Pinky swear?” he asked holding his pinky out to her. It was his and Maya’s version of ring power. “Pinky swear,” she said as she grabbed his pinky with her own and they shook on it. “Yes, I think about a future with her, look at her, she only has eyes for Harmony right now. She’s oblivious to us, her best friend and her boyfriend and she doesn’t even realize we’re talking about her, she’s amazing and everything about her just has me falling a little more every day.” He told her, hoping this was just between the two of them. “I think having a baby around does that to people. You pinky swore so I don’t want to hear what I’m about to say repeated to anyone, ever. When I’m alone with Harmony sometimes, I pretend she is my own daughter and we’re just here waiting for her daddy to return home to us.” “Wow, Maya. Does this mean that you and…”, before he could get the words out of his mouth, Maya covered it tightly with her hand. “Don’t say it, Lucas!” Maya said while giving him a death glare. She knew what name he was about to say and she didn’t want to talk about it. He had to remove her hand from his mouth so he could breathe, “gee Maya, I didn’t know that was such a touchy subject. Your secret is safe with me, I know what our pinky swear means. Just make sure mine is safe with you, not a word to her about it,” he said as he nodded his head toward Riley. Not another word was said about the secrets that Maya and Lucas had shared. They returned to the living room where Riley had just burped Harmony and she had fallen fast asleep in her arms. She got up and put the baby down in the portable crib that was kept in the living room. She had noticed that Lucas and Maya had been in deep conversation with each other, something that didn’t happen very often. Maya had excused herself to go rinse the bottle in the kitchen. She sat next to Lucas on the couch and asked, “so, what were you and Maya talking about? It seemed serious.” “Oh, you know, we were just talking about what a natural you were with the baby and how you’d make a great mother one day,” he answered. “I don’t know about all that, I just have a lot of babysitting experience and love babies,” she said. Maya walked back into the room at that point, “I wanted to thank you guys for coming over to help me with my sister, I really appreciate it.” “I love Harmony and I love you, Peaches, so I was happy to do it,” Riley said. “That’s what family does for each other.” “Glad we could help Maya, it was fun and I’m always happy to see Harmony as well,” Lucas added. After Lucas and Riley had exited Maya’s building they decided to skip the movie and go straight for the food. They headed to their favorite burger joint and each of them ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and milkshake as they were sitting there eating, Lucas could tell Riley had something on her mind and asked her about it. “Riley, what’s wrong?” he asked. “You’ve been quiet ever since we left Maya’s.” “Do you ever think about the future Lucas, I mean, you and me. Do you think we’ll make it thru college and still be together?” she asked. “I guess us taking care of Maya’s sister got me to thinking about some things.” “What kinds of things Riley?” he asked. Riley could feel the heat rise to her cheeks, “well, the thing I was thinking about today was a little boy or girl with your hair and eyes and maybe my nose.” He smiled at her, “Really? Because I was thinking about a little boy or girl that looks just like you.” She reached her hand across the table and grabbed his hand. She squeezed his and let go. The rest of the evening was filled with conversation about anything and everything, knowing that no matter what happened, they were both on the same page about the future.