#i have an alexandrite engagement ring

[frenzyarts]

Congratulations on getting engaged! That's such a pretty ring as well :O

Thank you! Min and my older sister worked together to design it and I think my sister also made some of it? She might have set the stones but I’ll have to ask her. The main heart stone is Alexandrite 🥰

[povlvr]

6 • The Sweetest Sin | YLGSE

Pairing: Mob Boss Bucky x Baker Reader

Summary: You get closer with the Mob Boss on two consecutive date nights, will you live to regret sinning so sweetly with him?

Word Count: 6.5k

Warnings: Swearing, NSFW, love bombing, Thigh Riding, Praise Kink, Dom Bucky, Daddy Bucky, Betrayal, Angst

A/N: Once again I will apologise for the length of this post, but it's packed with action & everything will pick up from this point & it will be a wild ride to the finish. Thank you for reading, the engagement atm is shockingly bad but I will continue, working on a few one shots to randomly post in between these chapters.

Series Masterlist Main Masterlist

[Previous Chapter] [Next Chapter]

It was a typical manic start to your morning, you had been running around trying to make sure you had enough stock baked for the day, then ending up organising a supply delivery at peak time plus asshole customers a plenty, but all frustrations were being placated by the excitement of what lay ahead, tonight you had a date with your Mob Boss & nothing was going to taint your mood. 

After you left Bucky’s office the previous night & experienced a highly-strung journey with Peter at the wheel your Pilates class managed to ground you & stopped your head from floating off with thoughts full of your kiss with James, you could still feel his stubble against your delicate skin & the cold signet ring stroking your cheek as he held you close. 

Around midday two very stocky gentlemen entered the bakery, dressed in sharp black suits that somehow managed to accommodate their size, their appearance may have startled you, but you were nothing if not welcoming so gave your usual friendly greeting, your anxiety rose the longer they confined mimicking statues not moving or reacting to your hello. 

On the verge of panic, you were about to reach for your phone to ring James, but you noticed one of them finally muttered something into his suit sleeve, a jingle of the bell sounded & a much smaller gentleman walked through the door. He had a friendlier demeanour, greeting you as he approached dressed in a lavender wool suit, paired with a cream silk tie & pocket square, ‘Morning, I am Phillipe, could you please confirm your name for me dear.’

You were more than hesitant, but his kind eyes & reassuring smile told you you could trust him, after confirming your full name he swiftly turned on his heel to retrieve a briefcase now being held by up one of his associates. This was getting weirder by the second & you could feel the anxiety rising as your mind spat out a hundred different outcomes as to what was in the briefcase, could this be something to do with the Mob? they looked kind of mobbish. Maybe you should ring James, Just in case.

Without a pause a black velvet box & note card were placed on your counter, with a single nod he turned around & left, followed closely by the Blue’s Brothers, you took a moment to contemplate whether you should open it or not, a hand delivered mystery parcel surely warranted some suspicion? 

You drummed your fingers on the cold marble counter trying to coax yourself to reach out for the card, surely that would at least solve some of the endless questions running through your head as to who sent it & what’s in the box? Letting out a deep breath you ran your fingers across the velvet undoing the satin black bow holding the two items together, the slightly wobbly cursive ‘Bunny’ written on the envelope silenced your mind, you couldn’t help the breathless ‘James’ that escaped your mouth or the smile taking over your face. You slipped your finger under the seal & pulled out the thick textured card 

‘According to google Alexandrite is rarer than diamonds, at night in low light they appear dark red but come the day with the sun shining upon them they are blue. I thought it was perfect for you my Bunny, you really do transform me with your light.

Yours,

James.’

You specifically told him not to buy you anything, you were a simple baker with no need for fancy things, but you’d be lying if you said the note didn’t make you squeal, you slipped the note back into the envelope for safe keeping & picked up the box. You guessed it would be a necklace from the size & shape, the hinges were stiff, but with a very satisfying creak you managed to open it & your breath was taken away. 

The crystal blue stones felt as though you were looking into Bucky’s eyes, they were mesmerising, the elaborate necklace was clearly made in another era from the Art Deco design, the chain had sections of pearls, gems & diamonds, but the pendant was like nothing you had ever seen, it connected to the chain in a cluster of diamonds with one huge stone in the middle surrounded by diamonds & even more stones around those. You couldn’t wait to see it under a different light & after ogling the piece of jewellery for a minute you noticed another note sat tucked into the lid,

‘Ok I lied & couldn’t resist some diamonds too.

I’ll pick you up at 6pm, come as you are, flour, cookie dough & sprinkles included.’

xoxo'

It really was too much, you couldn’t image how much it cost just from the sight, let alone the convoy it took to deliver it, you wanted to put it on, of course you did, but something told you to wait & let James do the honours. 

Yelena had watched on silently, concerned that you were getting carried away in a lifestyle you were too soft for, yes, the money, jewels & luxury you deserved but the danger, backstabbing & death were not something you would be able to cope with. Natasha had told her Bucky was a good man, but she also warned her that he was ruthless & terrifying when he needed to be & that he hadn’t ever been in a serious relationship because he was incapable of committing to a woman, under no circumstances did you need a man like that in your life. She reached into her pocket, pulling up the messages exchanged with her sister from the previous night, her fingers moved before she could change her mind & she finally agreed that she would help stop this before you got hurt.

You paced somewhat anxiously feeling completely underdressed for a date, you followed Bucky’s instructions to come as you were, but you allowed yourself a slight makeup touch up & hair refresh before he was due after Yelena had left for the day.  Thankfully your outfit looked cute & effortless, so you were hopeful it would be appropriate to cover a multitude of different date scenarios. 

At 6pm on the dot you spotted the metallic emerald classic convertible pull up on the kerb, James emerged surprisingly dressed down for a change, he had no right to look as hot as he did in a pair of black jeans, a crew neck t-shirt & camo bomber but he was breath-taking to look at, especially the with his fluffed-up hair. He pulled a bouquet of flowers out of the passenger seat & you couldn’t believe he was real let alone that he was interested in you, he could get any woman he wanted so why were you so special? Instead of letting your thoughts spiral down that path you decided not to question it & just go with it.

‘What’s got you so lost in thought Bunny?’

You were slightly startled at how silent he had moved, one second he was at the car, the next he was in front of you holding the flowers out for you to take, pulling you against his lips for a chaste kiss, sending you to the clouds & back yet again with those lips.

‘Hi’

‘Hi.’

‘So what’s on your mind Sugar?’

‘You were gorgeous, just thinkin’ you make me smile too much & I’m gonna have to get some botox injections or something to deal with all the lines you’re gonna cause.’

He chuckled doing his scrunchy face laugh that you adored, ‘Firstly, no such thing as too much smiling.’ He punctuated his point with a peck on the lips making you giggle right back at him. ‘& second, if you actually got lines on your face because of me making you smile then I’ve done my job right.’

Yet again you were smiling like a fool at him as you accepted the bouquet, ‘Thank you for these, they’re beautiful.’

‘You’re beautiful, there’s more in the car for your place.’

You reached out & ran your fingers through his hair, he practically preened under your touch, ‘Well don’t you think of everything?’, you were on your tip toes as you spoke into each other’s mouths, as though they needed to be constantly in contact with each other.

‘I’ve been raised as a flower giver, my Ma loves em’ so my Dad used to bring them home at least twice a week or whenever he worked too late.’

‘That’s sweet. Let me put these in my office then you can help me lock up.’

He followed you through the bakery noticing the lack of jewellery around your neck, he knew you had received his gift from the text you had sent thanking him, so why weren’t you wearing it? Did you not like it?

‘Bunny, where’s your necklace?’

You turned around noticing the worried look on his face, ‘Oh, well it’s far too fancy to be wearing in the bakery, but I wanted you to be the first one to see me in it. I locked it in my desk, you wanna put it on me?’

‘You’re too god damn sweet darlin’, you know that?’ taking the necklace out of the box you were holding open for him, he couldn’t resist placing a kiss behind your ear as he gently secured it around your neck, you stood in front of the mirror hung in your office & your breath was truly taken away admiring the dark hue the gems were now reflecting, it looked completely different in the low light of your office, ‘It’s mesmerising James.’

Bucky held you tight, his arms wrapped around you as he ran his mouth along the column of your neck, not once breaking the eye contact he held with you in the mirror, ‘mmm Sugar you really are.’ His words & the feeling of his soft lips contrasting with the sting of rough stubble had your breath hitching & your eyes fluttering shut.

Enjoying you being completely at his mercy he traced one hand up your body, over the jewels to your neck, grasping you with absolute authority but with such gentle pressure to turn your lips to his as he dove in full throttle devouring you exactly the way he had been craving. 

After your very heated make out session in the back you both decided you needed to behave, so like a gentleman James took care of closing up, having a strong set of hands helped immeasurably when it came to rolling the shutters down & twisting the awkward lock securely, you indulgently watched him at work not missing the way his t-shirt rode up to reveal the very defined stomach & happy trail you’d be more than happy to follow.

You had been chatting about your day surrounded by some smooth jazz playing on the radio as James drove out of Brooklyn, it felt like you were transported into a different time the way the car sounded & the leather smelt, the way the sun’s haze warmed you & sent shards of light across your face. Then there was the gentleman you were with, who seemed like he was taken right out of an old Hollywood film, you were feeling some major main character vibes, like you were both the only people in the world. 

You hadn’t even registered the outside world until you passed the sign for Marine Park. ‘Where are you taking me anyway? Thought I’d have to get all fancy for you to take me to an exclusive restaurant or something’

He tensed up from suddenly realising that you might have wanted to get dressed up to be wined & dined, to be shown off, but knowing who he was, his reputation, he thought you would want it to be private. ‘Is that what you wanted Bunny?’

You shook your head hoping you hadn’t offended his efforts, even if the date ended now, it would go down as your best one, the bar was ridiculously low at this point, ‘Absolutely not, I want whatever you planned James.’

He visibly relaxed at your words, it was so refreshing seeing the undone version of the James you had come to know, casual James was relaxed & almost seemed younger, without his suit he was lighter, the weight on his shoulders eased & you were convinced this was who he was under all those suits & scowls.

‘Well we’re here Bunny.’ As if perfectly timed he pulled into an empty parking lot, confused you glanced around for a building or any clue, once you set eyes on the big screen it clicked.

‘A drive in?’

‘Yep, the whole place is ours for the night. We can pick our movie & I’ve brought some food to have before it starts, then popcorn, blankets & a back seat for us to get settled into for the show.’

Your smile was as wide as the sunset as you scooted over to him, pressing a kiss to his cheek, no one had ever gone to such efforts for you before & it meant the world to you. ‘Are you actually real?’, you playfully poked his arm, he looked so shy & bashful at your question adding even more scepticism that he was really sat in front of you.

‘You know Bunny, I’ve asked myself the same about you. Is this ok though? I could take you to a restaurant if you would prefer.’

You shook your head, ‘This sounds perfect James. Honestly, it’s above & beyond anything I expected.’

Everything from the food & drink to the company & conversation made you feel cherished & valued, you couldn’t begin to convey to James how much it meant to you, once you had both had your fill it was time to set up for the movie.

After gathering the final supplies from the trunk, Bucky pressed a button on the dash & the hood of the car began moving to cover the back seats, you could just picture two lovers driving to a lookout point in the hills of California, getting a little privacy with the hood & making out with a view to die for. You had Breakfast at Tiffany’s & a very handsome man to admire rather than a scenic view & you were more than happy with that; he draped a blanket across the seat before taking your hand & helping you into the back.

It felt surreal how naturally you fit into his side once he had joined you, his arm draped over your shoulder & you wrapped yourself around him letting out a very relaxed breath.

‘You enjoying yourself Bunny?’

You tried hiding into his chest at his question, were you enjoying yourself? Of course, but you were also overwhelmed by everything this man brought to the table & questioned more & more why he was interested in you. There was no doubt you were enjoying yourself, so you nodded against him, ‘I’ve never had anyone do so much for me on a date.’

You dodged the question & you were practically buried in his side, his brow furrowed at the realisation, ‘Is this making you uncomfortable Bunny?’ 

His ability to read you took you by surprise, ‘A little, it’s not you, this is a total me thing, you couldn’t be more perfect, just not used to it I guess, to have someone take the lead & plan, I’m usually the one that plans & pays so it might take a bit of an adjustment for something so elaborate, to believe that I’m worth all this to you.’

That confession broke his heart a little, you deserved to be worshipped & spoiled, he was sure he could find out the names of all the pricks you wasted your time with before you met him, line them all up & then put a bullet between their eyes for making you think this was elaborate. This was dinner & a movie, the bare minimum, if that, Sam stopped him from going with his original plan, saying it might freak you out. It pained him to know that he was right.

‘Oh Sugar, you are worth the entire solar system to me, this isn’t elaborate. God you should have seen what I wanted to do before Sam talked me down.’

You giggled wondering what could have been more elaborate than renting out a whole drive in movie theatre, ‘Now I’m curious, tell me?’

‘It involved an Italian restaurant.’

‘Well that’s not that grand.’

‘In a little town called Settignano just outside Florence’

‘Oh.’

‘Yeah’, now that he had said it out loud it might have been a little much, for a first date anyway.

You laughed, a full belly laugh that he couldn’t help getting caught up in, it sounded like the finest melody he had heard & he wanted nothing more than to have it playing on repeat.

‘We are from two very different world’s James.’ You reached out to his chin, you couldn’t help but pinch it with your thumb & finger before connecting your lips for a short sweet kiss.

He wanted to know how you would have reacted if he had been so bold as to fly you across the world for a date, ‘What would you have done?’ 

‘Freaked, mainly because I couldn’t leave the bakery’, you shrugged it off, but knowing the weight it held on you at all times didn’t make you feel great to admit out loud. 

He raised his brow, ‘Not even for a day?’ 

You reluctantly shook your head, ‘At the moment, no. Maybe someday.’ You loved your business, you really did, but the man you were pressed against was showing you exactly what you had been missing out on.

He pulled you to his lips adding another soft kiss, his hands gently holding your face, ‘You work too much.’

‘Takes one to know one.’

‘Touché,’ connected by your foreheads he looked deep into your eyes, ‘You promise someday actually means someday soon, so I can fly you around the world?’

You leaned in nodding against his mouth, ‘Yeah, I promise.’

‘Good girl.’ His patience for sweetness was broken the second you shifted your hips & moaned into his mouth, he pulled you into his lap deepening the kiss as his hands explored your soft skin.

You eventually got to watching the film, but it really didn’t compare to the feeling of being kissed senseless by Bucky, he had been on his best behaviour, keeping his wandering hands from any major bases & even when you felt how aroused he was he completely ignored it & eventually insisted on you both actually watching the movie.

Yelena was right, there definitely would be another date & you couldn’t wait for it.

With the previous night feeling like a dream you were slightly perturbed with your morning routine, you loved your bakery, you really did but it was exhausting at times, allowing yourself an extra 5 minutes of daydreaming a romantic trip to Florence with James was a good use of your time, even if it meant you were running late.

Another day & another mystery parcel it would seem, this time a different man with the delivery, thankfully without the intimidating convoy, asked you to sign for a gift, the lack of muscle you hoped meant he didn’t buy you the crown jewels or something equally ridiculous but with James you really couldn’t predict what would be in the box, but reading the note card had you both smiling & rolling your eyes.

‘Message received about going OTT, you’re completely right, yesterday’s necklace is too much for work, this one is much more work appropriate, Pick you up at 6?’

Another black velvet box revealed a less intimidating piece of jewellery sure, but you could still tell it was vastly more expensive than anything you owned, a paperclip necklace scattered with diamonds with a jaw dropping emerald & diamond pendant hung from it.

You pulled out your phone from your back pocket, unlike yesterday you couldn’t wait for Bucky to put it on for you, you managed to take a picture showing it off plus a hint of cleavage for good measure, making sure to arch your back to put your best foot forward as it were.

You noticed his insistence on early dates, whenever you weren’t with him he would remind you to look over CVs to employ some help, he really was trying to reduce your hours stuck in the bakery & even if he was the one reaping most of the benefits of you having more free time, you appreciated his concern.

His usual blacked out Range Rover was outside the bakery at 6pm sharp, this time you were ready for him all locked up bounding up the car climbing in the passenger seat before he even had time to open the door for you, ‘Where we heading tonight gorgeous?’

He leaned over the centre console to place a soft kiss on your cheek, ‘Well sugar we’re heading to my house where there’s a little lady dying to meet you.’

You curiously eyed him with a squint before it clicked, ‘Alpine?’

Chuckling at the total 180 facial expression change & the wide-eyed excitement simmering from you at the revelation he couldn’t be more enamoured by you, ‘Yes, she’s been washed & preened ready for some cuddles.’

Clapping your hands in glee you wiggled in the seat, ‘yesssss’  

‘Thought I would cook you some dinner too’ 

‘That sounds like my kinda night.’

‘I thought it might be less intense?’

The sceptical look returned to you face, ‘Hmm let me see, no elaborate chef?’

He shook his head looking completely innocent, ‘Nope, just me.’

You raised a brow, ‘No Jewels or cars on offer?’

A coy little smile caught the side of his mouth, he loved that you have him all figured out, ‘Not unless you want them Sugar.’

You knew you’d catch him out with this one, ‘Flowers?’

The most pained look took over his face, ‘Oh Sweetheart, there will always be flowers, can’t change this leopards’ spots on that I’m afraid.’

You laughed nodding, ‘Well that’s a good compromise I guess.’

‘You drive a hard bargain Bunny.’

You knew he was rich, but you didn’t know he was Richie rich rich, you didn’t pull up to a house, it was an estate complete with the absurdly long driveway, perfectly preened bushes & turning circle at the top. It was the kind of home that looked like it needed an intercom in every room, there was no way you could shout loud enough to tell everyone when dinner was ready. 

For a moment you imagined how lonely it must be for him to have all this to himself, surely, he didn’t need all the rooms, you’d take a lucky guess that the most he actually used was a bedroom, bathroom, office & kitchen so why did he feel the need to have all this space, to be so isolated?

As if reading your mind, he cleared his throat ‘it was my childhood home & I inherited it when my dad passed, my mom couldn’t face coming back.’

You reached out for the hand holding your knee to give him a reassuring squeeze.

‘Probably a bit silly to hold on to it for just me but I always pictured raising my kids here & making memories like I got to.’ He shrugged his shoulders dismissing the idea of it being something he could have. In truth, he had given up on that fantasy the minute he took control, he always thought he would have enough time to settle down before the burden of the family business was bestowed upon him. Tragically he was wrong.

You brushed your thumb against his hand, grateful he felt comfortable enough to open up, you got the impression he didn’t do it often & yet with you he was like an open book at times, ‘That’s a lovely sentiment & I’m sure your father would have loved that idea, suppose it’s a bit ridiculous to leave a place like this empty & you live in the city.’

‘Yeah, I just rattle around if I’m honest, alpine loves catching butterflies & field mice in the gardens though, can’t do that in the city.’

You smiled at the warmth he was radiating just talking about his little lady, ‘Well there you go, I might have to borrow her to get the mice out my apartment.’

‘You best be joking Bunny, I’ll have you a new place ready by tomorrow if you have an infestation.’ He looked so earnest, brow fully furrowed, like he was waiting for you to agree so he could jump into action.

You giggled at how ridiculously over the top he was, ‘If you can’t buy me jewels & cars there’s no way I’m accepting a house, I’d settle for an exterminator but there’s really no need, I don’t mind the odd mouse, they’re probably trying to get to nicer apartment next door & using mine as a shortcut through.’

‘You tell me if that changes bunny, you could always stay at my place anytime you need ok?’

You held his hand tight, ‘I promise there’s no need. You’re too sweet, you know that?’

‘Only for you sweet girl’

You heard the little bell before you saw her, but she strutted across the marble entrance to greet you both & you couldn’t help fawn at the sight of a tough mobster with a fluffy white cat, calling her a pretty girl & introducing her to you.

‘Now you be nice Alpine, Bunny will be stopping by a lot if I have my way, so I need you to get on.’

You were giggling at how ridiculous he was crouched on the floor giving strict instructions to a cat, that would be ignored completely most likely, a cats gonna cat, still, you sat down on the cold hard floor crossed legged & held your hand out for her to give a sniff. Thankfully it took 0.7 seconds for her to jump into your arms, Bucky looked like all his Christmases had come at once, you were here & his best girls were bonding.

You were busy loving on the adorable fluffy angel as Bucky was watching in awe ‘Bet you loved your bath, didn’t you pretty girl.’ You turned to the mobster giggling at the expression he was sporting, ‘I’m guessing whoever drew the short end of the straw was clawed alive.’

He shook his head laughing, ‘I did it Bunny, she put up a fuss but resisted clawing her daddy.’

Ooof, daddy he extruded it & you probably should have stopped thinking of it right there, but it was clear he registered it in the exact way you did from the way your eyes shot up meeting his quickly darkening gaze, the practically imperceptible twitch of his eyebrow for a millisecond told you he was very into that idea & you would be lying if you said you weren’t either.

You were sat on the kitchen island as Bucky stood at the stove cooking the pasta, having been lifted & placed there when you offered to help, the aromas wafting through the air smelt delicious & the way the mobster turned to speak to you or kiss you between stirring & adding ingredients was setting you alight.

He was so attentive & engaging as your conversation flowed, Sinatra playing in the background, he was interested in every story you had to tell, asking you questions that challenged you & the spark you were feeling only igniting further. Somehow, he was even hotter relaxed in his home, sleeves turned up to the elbows of his navy shirt showing the intricate artwork on his left arm & the slacks he wore clung to his thick thighs, maybe it was the way he walked over to you, spoon under a cupped hand as he stood between your legs dangled over the island letting you try the delicious sauce he had prepared.

The noise you made trying it had him needing to adjust his trousers, it was so sinfully sweet & he knew you had no clue the affect it had on him, he’d already calmed one boner down when he playfully patted your behind with a spatula after you insisted on helping out with dinner, the way you bit your lip on contact went straight to his cock. 

Whilst the water for the pasta was heating up he turned back to where you were sat watching, ‘Dance with me Bunny.’

You scooted to the edge of the island to jump down but before you could, Bucky was lifting you off as if you weighed nothing, lowering you to the ground he made sure to catch your lips with his for a cheeky kiss making you giggle like a school girl.

Alpine sat on the counter observing the scene as Bucky held you close & swayed with his forehead touching yours, it felt like a picture-perfect moment in his life & one he had dreamt of for so long, being able to dance just like his parents did in the kitchen with the one woman that he had cared about like no other, he didn’t care that he felt like he was falling uncontrollably for you. He welcomed it. 

"Days may be cloudy or sunny We're in or we're out of the money I'm with you, baby I'm with you rain or shine."

You settled down in the snug after the delicious food, the cosy den was exactly as described & you couldn’t help imagining how amazing it would be to enjoy a slow Sunday morning in winter watching the snow fall snuggled up with a fire, the dark mahogany walls lined with books would feed your soul with words & the man at your side warming your heart every second spent with him.

He passed you a glass of wine before pulling you onto the chair on his lap, ‘How about next weekend you prep ahead & make enough stock & leave Yelena in charge? I could lend you Peter to help out, then you & me can go to my house upstate for a couple of days?’

You thought about it, trying to do some mental gymnastics to see if it could work, Bucky could see you at least attempting to think about it & it meant the world to him that you were trying to fit him into your life.  

‘If I could have Friday with Peter to train him & you let me bring some paperwork & my laptop to do at least a little bit of work then you have a deal.’

‘Bunny you can have full use of my office at your disposal … for set limited times.’

You playfully batted his arm, ‘That’s not full use then.’

‘Ok smarty pants, I didn’t realise this was a negotiation.’

You nestled further into him, making yourself completely comfortable on his thighs, ‘Well look at it this way, if you keep me busy enough I won’t have time to do the work will I?’

He shook his head repeating his words from earlier, you didn’t miss the way his tongue poked his cheek, ‘You drive a hard bargain, but I think I know a few things that could occupy us.’ Without wasting a second, you were flipped facing him, straddling his thigh.

‘Then you have yourself a deal.’ His lips were on yours, his hands holding your face & you were cursing the seam of your jeans pressing on your clit as you unsuccessfully tried to stifle a moan from the way he was rubbing himself against you.

‘That feel good sweet girl.’

You nodded letting out another moan, not even trying to stop it.

‘Christ you make the most beautiful sounds, you want me to stop?’

‘God no.’ That’s all it took for Bucky to increase the pace of pressing his thigh against your clit, he latched his mouth to your throat peppering kisses down the column of your neck until he reached the base where he found that sweet spot that sent you wild.

Your hips bucked against him & he smiled knowing the pleasure he was delivering ‘grind that pussy on me Sugar, show me how you like it.’

‘Fuck James, feels good.’

‘I bet you taste amazing right now, that pretty pussy all wet for me?’

‘Yes.’

‘Yes what?’

‘Yes daddy, soaking for you.’

‘Good girl, you look so fucking gorgeous riding daddy’s thigh.’

You let out a seismic moan as the pleasure was building, the pressure rising & Bucky knew he had you right on the edge, he slowed down slightly trying to prolong the show he was getting, your hands cupping your tits, fingers pinching your nipples as you were thrusting your hips making sure your clit grazed his leg with each ministration.

He took one of your hands, lowering it to rub it on his hard cock ‘Feel what you do to me Bunny. God you’re fucking gorgeous & all mine.’

You nodded looking down at where you were connected moaning at the sight of his hard on, it looked huge & your mouth watered at the thought of him cumming down your throat, that sinful idea paired with Bucky picking up the pace was all it took for you to tumble over the edge, moving to grip the mobster by his shoulder, you moaned his name into his ear as you reached your climax in his arms. He was gentle at slowing down his movements & a hand caressed your spine as you came down from the high that was riding James’ thigh.

Without wasting a second you placed your hand back over the bulge, his eyes fluttered shut at the contact, but before you could go any further, he rested his palm over your hand. ‘No need sweetheart, this was all about you.’

‘Do…do you not.’

He didn’t even let you finish that sentence, there was no way in any universe that he didn’t want you right at this second, ‘believe me Sugar, I’m practically bursting for ya, but I’m trying to be good, treat you right. So I wanna wait til I have all the time in the world with ya pretty girl, it’s getting late, I know you’re tired so I just wanted to do something for you.’

You nodded your head, astounded by him & yet again questioned if this selfless, gorgeous, generous soul was really real, if only people knew what the real James Buchanan Barnes was like, his reputation would be ruined.

Yelena had insisted on another girl’s night, she wanted the gossip from the two dates with James & you wanted to discuss the potential of her running the bakery so you could have a weekend away with him. You might see her every day, but with customers constantly keeping you busy it wasn’t really the most appropriate topic to have in their presence. You were sure detailing how you rode a mob boss’ thigh & the tipping point of the best orgasm you had in years was how his cock looking so deliciously big in his trousers most people didn’t want to hear grabbing their morning coffee.

You had suggested Vibranium knowing you would both be safe plus free drinks, but she insisted on somewhere else uptown that was quieter, she seemed to have an eye for upmarket joints all of a sudden because this place was fancy, a definite club but your feet didn’t stick to the floor, there wasn’t a fog machine in sight & there wasn’t a sea of people dancing coked up in the corner.

With Wanda on night shift, it was just the two of you, as usual Yelena was being Yelena swooping in for a table that had a reserved sign clearly placed on the top, she simply threw it over her shoulder with a ‘whoops’ & you hoped it didn’t cause any damage on impact. Before you could get on to the topic of the night you needed a bit of Dutch courage & Yelena seemed stiff even for her, some loosening up was in order, the bar was busy but eventually you were served, you figured it made more sense to double up, so you weren’t spending the night with the bar instead of your friend. When you glanced over your shoulder you noticed she was keeping herself occupied on the phone, looking tense exchanging some messages, you made a note to ask her what it was about after you had polished off a drink or two, she wasn’t the most open when it came to feelings or things playing on her mind, most of the time you had to force it out of her & alcohol usually assisted your efforts.

As you set the drinks down on the table your eye caught a group in the back, they were the loudest in the place, boisterously taking shots then cheering each one in turn, the longer you watched laughing at their collective camaraderie the more familiar a few of the faces registered. First it was the side profile of Steve you spotted, you faintly heard Sam’s voice & then it was as though all sound muted in your ear & replaced with a faint buzzing noise, your pulse quickened, yet time somehow seemed to slow down & you felt the exact moment your heart dropped, maybe even break. 

Sat amongst his friends with two gorgeous women flanking his side, nuzzling against his neck & propped up on each outstretched thigh was James, your James. It was a bizarre concoction of feelings taking root within your gut; guilt that you were still watching, feeling as though you were prying having been completely blindsided seeing him like that, anger that he would do this having pursued you like he had & then there was that familiar feeling of disappointment that seemed to be the norm when it came to men these days, you really thought he was different. 

You let out a long sigh trying to accept the reality of what you were witnessing, you weren’t going to let any of the tears gathering in your waterline fall, you needed to go home & think. It could have only been a matter of seconds stood watching every ‘I told you so’ play out in front of you, you were going to look away to tell Yelena you needed to leave, but Bucky looked up & across the crowded room his eyes connected with yours. 

----

[Next Chapter]

A/N: sorry!!! He will redeem himself eventually but it will be a rough ride!

TAG List:

@matchat3a @hallecarey1 @oliverqueen66-blog@broadwaybabe18 @meowmeowyoongles @abaker325 @glows-n-the-dark @barnesml @getofffmydick @omegaevans @cjand10 @pono-pura-vida @stoneyggirl2 @winters1917 @rowaelin4ever12 @theecharlotteyork

[gothamghostwhispers]

[ picture of artems hand with their new engagement ring, it has a mother of pearl band with a gold inlay, and an alexandrite as the gemstone]

So while some of you already know, I have an announcement

I’m engaged!

[sourskywalker]

Mrs Darth Vader - Part 6; Rings and the engagement announcement

Relationship: Darth Vader x Fem!Reader

Series Summary: Newly appointed Emperor Vader, has been hassled about getting married and producing an heir. Whilst having a meeting with Admiral Piett he meets his second in command's daughter, Y/n.

Series Warnings: Age difference, forced marriage, eating disorders, postpartum depression, suicide attempt, toxic relationship, smut, angst, pregnancy, darth vader is not only a massive creep but also an asshole, referenced suicide

Chapter Warning: N/A

Chapter Summary: Y/n and Vader publicly announce their engagement

Word Count: 1.5k

(GIF in no way correlates with the readers skin tone)

It was about 7:30 in the evening when Vader asked for your presence in his apartments.

“As you are aware” He starts, hands clasped in front of himself as he speaks “That tomorrow we will be officially announcing our engagement. And, since we never got around to picking out an engagement ring for you, I decided to have one designed” He gestures towards the jeweller who steps forward, holding a velvet crushed box in his hands. Vader gently pries the lid off and places it onto the table beside him

“Oh my!” You exclaim, rushing to get a closer look at the ring “It’s gorgeous” You breathe “May I put it on?”

“Of course, it is yours to wear anyway” Vader replies, but the look in your eyes and your outstretched hand makes him realise what you meant “Ah” He pulls the ring out with his thumb and forefinger and slowly slips it onto your finger “Fits perfectly” His blank mask stares towards you and you half hope that he’s smiling at you

“If I may” The Jeweller stands to the side of you and Vader, the box once in his hands now placed beside the lid on the table “The band is 24 carat gold and that beautiful gem right there” He points to the beautiful ombre stone right at the centre of the ring “Is an alexandrite…A-and of course we have 10 carat diamonds around the alexandrite” You nod along to what the Jeweller was saying, though your focus was mainly towards the beautiful ring that had been placed on by your soon to be husband

“Thank you so much, Vader” Your smile broadens as you look up towards him “You truly have an eye for making beautiful things”

“Only for you, my love” Your cheeks heated up at the new, but not unwelcome nickname “My first wife never got to wear an engagement ring or wedding ring” He says, and you quickly feel your smile drop to a neutral expression

Here we go again with the first wife shtick. You will yourself not to roll your eyes at the mention of the deceased wife of your fiancé. It was just getting ridiculous at this point.

“This is something I never got to experience with her, but now I have the chance to try again, with you” You didn’t know how to feel about the comment, instead opting to nod in response

“It’s getting late” You finally say “So I should probably get some rest”

“Of course…Good night, my love” Vader’s gloved hand clutched onto your smaller one and brings it up to his mouthguard, letting it hover there for a moment before letting go, his hands moving to clasp behind his back

~~~~

Standing on the outskirts of the gardens, you chewed on the bottom of your lip as you nervously eyed workers adjusting the Cam Droids. Although it was a silk white dress, you could still feel the fabric of silk sticking to the sweat patches that had accumulated under your armpits, though the cape of light pinks and yellows most definitely didn’t help in cooling you down. You quickly turned to face the glass door when you heard them creak open, Vader’s gold-lined cape with a regal red that you only just noticed colouring the inside, billowed dramatically behind him as he walks towards you “Good morning” He tips his mask towards you and you follow his movements, instead dipping into a low curtsey “I see you are wearing the dress I brought you... Do you like it?”

“Very much, Vader.” A nervous smile spreads across your face and you feel the warm trickle of sweat dripping down your forehead

“No need to be worried, my love” He says, pulling a handkerchief from the hands of one of his servants and gently dabbing it across your face, being careful so as not to smudge your lightly applied makeup “You’ll do fine” His words of comfort eased you ever so slightly. Though, only moments later did the uneasiness arise once again, when one of the butlers scurried forwards to inform Vader that the photographers would be coming in momentarily “My love?” His hand tangles itself with yours and he gently tugs you towards the fountain right in the centre of the garden

And sure enough, the photographers all barreled through the doors and took their places, cameras at the ready whilst Vader took his place behind you, his hand clasping your shoulder as you gently leaned against his chestplate, an innocent smile gracing your lips as you looked directly into the camera

“Miss!” The photographers called “Show us the ring” You obliged happily, extending your hand out to show off the beautiful ring which adorned your finger, Vader's hand stretched forwards as well his hand dipping under yours to hold your hand

“Where did the Emperor propose?” One asked excitedly

You looked up to Vader before responding with; “In the palace gardens, it was all quite beautiful”

“And how did you two get acquainted with each other?” Another asked

Vader opted to take over the question, answering cooly; “Her father works for me, I met her when I went to visit their home a few months ago, it was love at first sight for me, though I’m not sure what she thought at first”

The cameras continued to go off as you and Vader stood in silence, occasionally answering a reporter's question. Though, soon enough, the reporters were shooed away by the guards, except for a young reporter working for the Empire Broadcasting Corporation.

“Good morning, your majesty and Miss Piett” The reporter bowed respectfully before returning to their full height

“Please, let's have a seat” Vader gestured towards the garden table and chairs just a few feet away from the fountain “I’m sure a few butlers will come out with some tea and other treats”

Your grip on Vader’s hand tightened as you followed him and the reporter towards the chairs. A wave of confusion crashed against you, your brows furrowing when you realised the happiness you felt whilst standing in front of the cameras had disappeared so suddenly “...Iett, Miss Piett, are you alright?” The reporter asked, extending a serviette towards you

“Huh? Oh yes I’m perfectly fine, what was it you asked me?” You shook your head gently, offering the reporter an encouraging smile

“I was asking how you’ve been dealing with everything since your engagement?”

“Oh- I see..Well, to be honest, I’ve just been taking it one step at a time. Granted, there have been tough times, but he-” You place a hand on Vader's arm and give it a gentle squeeze “Has made it all worth it”

“And uhm, may we see the ring once more?” They ask

“Of course!” You grin, stretching your arm forward to give them a proper look “The gem right there in the middle is alexandrite and there are diamonds surrounding it” You explain, recalling what the jeweller told you just a few hours prior

“Do you both have an idea of when the ceremony will be held?” The reporter asked, jotting down a few notes onto their notepad

“The date hasn’t properly set but we were thinking perhaps sometime in the spring” You nodded along, you had to force your smile

Since when did you even discuss when the wedding would be…? And why so soon?

“And, your majesty, if you don’t mind me asking, where do you plan to have the honeymoon?”

“My fiancée and I haven’t discussed it yet, but the one place that comes to mind is Varykino on Naboo that has a beautiful villa out on the lake...The view is almost as beautiful as the one sitting next to me” You feel your cheeks warm up at the compliment “What do you think, my love?”

“I think it sounds like a lovely idea” Your gaze landing on his for a few moments before returning back to face the camera

The interview continued for another few minutes, before the reporter bid their farewell, quickly packing up their equipment and leaving in a haste through the same clear glass doors that Vader came through over an hour ago. The hand that had been holding onto Vader's arm dropped back to its side as he stood up and left without another word. You shrugged your shoulders before standing up and wordlessly walking back inside

~~~~

A sigh of relief escaped your lips as you eased your back against the small cracked porcelain bathtub- well, compared to the bathtub from your old home, this was much smaller. The small wisps of hair that had fallen from your hastily tied up-do had stuck to the tub, your head leaning against the rim as you once again- for the upteenth time that day- raised your hand and admired the engagement ring that had been placed onto your finger a little less than twenty-four hours ago. The moonlight hit the diamonds and alexandrite just right, making it practically glow. A small smile formed on your lips as you dipped your head under the water.

END OF CHAPTER

[cryptidsncurios]

PEOPLE I'D LIKE TO GET TO KNOW BETTER !

alias / name : screamy

birthday : march 5th

zodiac sign : pisces

height : nunya (aka short and i hate it)

hobbies : writing, drawing, cosplaying, vidya gamin---does sleeping count?? i'm good at that

favourite colour : a bruise-y purple, like plum

favourite book : i... love to read.. so it's hard to pick??? but i gotta say, frankenstein is v sexy (and ms shelley, i love your whole story, but the fact that there's no person that wants to get down with the monster??? bs bs BS). also wanna mention camp damascus by chuck tingle (yes THEEE chuck tingle) is absolutely incredible, pls read it pls pleeease

last film / show : rn i'm watching a mystery file ep with shane madej and ryan bergara about an arsonist that filmed their own crime. the previous one was about mysterious jelly that rained down in a town. cool shite

recent reads :i MUST reiterate, CAMP DAMASCUS, some of the BEST horror i've ever read. also dance on saturday by elwin cotman and books of blood collection by clive barker. both excellent

inspiration : sooo... there's a lot i should put here? but some things that come to mind: the show gargoyles, victorian/gothic literature, final fantasy/kh/borderlands/fma series, gorillaz (especially the art style and characters), various horror movies with practical effects, comedy fellas (aunty donna, mcelroys, etc), b-movies (yall need to see psycho goreman. godt....), and uh??? idk there's a lot of stuff

story behind url : i wanted something with alliteration, and i love cryptids (lbr to some extent, my current trifecta have cryptid energy in various degrees) and then curios just occurred i guess

fun fact about me : i am very engaged. and our rings are going to be coffin-shaped alexandrite. i'm v in love. hhggn

tagged by: @speedchasing smooch smooch uvu tagging: litcherally all of you. do it. knife emoji.

[obeythedemons]

hello I want to appreciate how pretty your engagement ring is. hello. the purple has my heart. I hope everything stays fine and fun <3 !!

also I gitta pray the scrunchies don't go out of sale for the next months because I as of now don't have any way to buy>:) they're pretty lol

Thanks! The ring is alexandrite, so sometimes it's purple, sometimes it's green, sometimes it's red, sometimes it's blue!

Oops, just saw this. Sorry! The scrunchies are gone. However, I can still do custom orders for different products, so if there's something you want, let me know! I can make scrunchies, headbands, hoodies, bomber jackets, joggers, shoes, water bottles, the likes!

[moonspower]

😍💵💍

✨ anonymous. meme. still accepting!

😍 = Does your muse have any crushes? If so, who are they?

vi has several crushes across several verses and all of them are older men that don't like him back lol... all older men with bad attitudes because for some reason that puts the butter on his biscuit. that's just his misfortune... i won't talk about them because i'd rather him do that ic and drop the tea that way because homeboy has secrets and it's funnier to watch him reveal them in real time.

💵 = Is money an important factor to consider when dating? Does your muse prefer rich partners?

you CANNOT be richer than virote so there's no point in him giving a shit. virote's father is worth hundreds of millions and his mother is literally space royalty, like vi has an entire palace on the moon and a kingdom waiting for him to rule in the future like his grandmother has part domain over an exoplanet made completely out of diamond. he doesn't give a fuck about your finances. they're irrelevant because he's richer than god

also the first and last man he got saddled with was rich and we see how that worked out. aka him with an intense substance abuse addiction, mental hospital stays, developing body dysmorphia, being heavily medicated, and therapy that isn't even working for him that well

he doesnt care about a man's net worth or how much they make

just dont emphasize it in the relationship. yeah he throws his weight around with his money sometimes and he'll have rich brat tendencies but idk what one would expect out of someone who's literally an alien prince

money? whatever. bring an interesting personality and excellent dick game and the ability to eat spicy food.

💎 = What kind of gemstone would your muse prefer on their engagement or wedding ring?

virote wants something a little quirky, a little weird… and price doesn’t matter because he values aesthetics over price. he's not fond of diamonds despite the whole family exoplanet thing glkfjgldfk. they hold no value to him, especially compared to rocks like alexandrite and emerald that look way cooler. diamonds are so boring to him like… where’s the FLAVOR? if virote could craft his own engagement ring—which he’s sketched and drawn on his own downtime while daydreaming of settling down a little—it’s definitely be a little unique. with an opal. 

or like pearls, morganite, cat's eye moonstone, star sapphire, angel aura quartz, tourmaline, onyx, lapis lazuli, the options are endless! as long as it's interesting to look at. he likes lab created gemstones and he would also be down for an antique ring found at some secondhand store too.

[kakashihasibs]

So i lost my engagement ring back in 2020 bc i was applying for a job at a farm and i was afraid of potential homophobia and transphobia and i took it off and put it in my pocket. It must have fallen out at some point bc i could not find it anywhere after that.

The stone was from my great great grandpa's jewelry store and my mom gave it to my husband to have it set in a new ring to be my engagement ring. So as you can imagine i was devastated over losing it. Like fully cried and still do occasionally if i think about it too much.

I kicked myself over being so afraid like i was. If i hadn't have let my fear get to my I'd still have my ring but! I have after 3 years finally gotten a replacement stone. It's lab created alexandrite. The original stone was allegedly alexandrite but i think it's probably an imitation but that's okay. I loved it. And the new stone isn't the same since it isn't the one passed down in my family but it really feels like I've gotten a small piece of myself back yaknow

It's a small relief

[synonymouswithanonymous]

personally..

To answer that, I sincerely hope when they do announce their engagement that she, him, their friends etc spam us with so much wedding prep content over months that it's too hard to keep up with! Bc the fans that do like and support will want to see as much about it as possible, the haters will foam at the mouth, and scream about it, but they don't matter. Lol

I'm hoping she does even more wedding posting than Gee Hirst. I love weddings, I'm currently planning mine, so maybe I just have wedding fever? Lol 😛😊 but then again, as I've said before if she even does a tenth of what Gee Hirst posts, then her haters will say she loves attention, is trolling fans etc etc etc. Lol it's nonsense, but it's all haters have. Lol. I think they're a very private couple.

But I'm not sure what she'd really do, that's just what I hope will happen. But then again it wouldn't surprise me at all to learn they've been engaged for months/married secretly like Anya Taylor Joy. Then have a public ceremony to show off later on. 😊 so long as they're happy, they should just do as they please.

As for the ring, it's a pretty ring could be an emerald, could be green onyx, can't tell but it's a pretty stone. I personally prefer non traditional engagement rings, I am not a fan of diamonds bc no damn rock should ever cost someone a limb. But I don't think anything bad about people that love diamonds. The issue is supposed to be governed, but stories still exist. Mine is a sapphire mined legally from my country, no conflict stones for me. I guess it is largely personal preference if it's a diamond or like a friend of mine, her ring is a pearl (💖💖). One friend wants alexandrite for hers, bc it changes colors!! (💖💖) So many options! But if it is an engagement ring it's very pretty, but could also be a ring she saw, loved and so bought. It could mean nothing, they'll tell fans when they feel like it. 😊😊 but you're right he put out the "smoke" asking questions about it, it is normal curiosity to wonder. Maybe a premiere date announcement so all questions by reporters are asked at once, then he or she can make a small statement for maximum exposure impact. That's not a negative it would be smart for him to capitalize on it (people that think calculating moves to further your ambitions/career is wrong/attention seeking/evil, don't understand how the world usually works. Nothing just falls into your lap). Plus the added benefit of making a statement, all questions asked at one time, short as they wish, so there's only one statement/interview out about it. Technically he's been "hinting" at engagement since last fall when asked about future plans/moving in together "we talk about a lot of things" surprised haters haven't called that a "hint" as well. But then again it only counts as a hint if it's from JM, and therefore bc she did it she's bad and pushy. Again, nonsense, but it's all her haters have.

Sorry to have such a long answer, but oh well, I hope it answered your questions! 😊

[whole-sale-925-silver]

What You Need To Know About Gemstone Jewelry

Gemstones are separated into two categories

Precious stones

Precious gemstones differ in value based on their quality, rarity, and beauty of color. There are only four types of precious gemstones: diamond, sapphire, ruby, and emerald. Therefore, other gemstones are referred to as semi-precious. This distinction stems from the hardness of the gemstones, which translates to their resistance to scratching. Each type of gemstone is harder than another if it can scratch the other. Only a diamond can scratch another diamond. However, even diamonds can crack if subjected to a strong impact.

2.Semi-precious stones

Gemstones other than these four are considered semi-precious. There are many other gemstones, but the most commonly found include alexandrite, agate, amethyst, aquamarine, garnet, lapis lazuli, moonstone, opal, pearl, peridot, rose quartz, spinel, tanzanite, tourmaline, turquoise, and zircon.

The classification of gemstones occurred during a time when gemology was not as advanced as it is today, leading to many misidentifications. For example, spinel was often mistaken for ruby due to its color.

Many gemologists agree that this classification system is outdated and inaccurate, as some precious gemstones are more readily available than semi-precious ones. For instance, sapphires are more abundant than tanzanite!

Sapphire is the second most popular choice for engagement rings after diamonds and is classified as a precious gemstone. However, tanzanite is an extremely rare gem, as it is mined only in Tanzania, yet it is still considered semi-precious and has a lower value in comparison.

Although this system is still used for gemstone classification, there are currently no strict guidelines for determining which gemstones are precious or semi-precious.

Why are Colored Gemstones so Popular Right Now?

Colored gemstones have been admired by people around the world for centuries. However, in recent years, colored gemstones have rapidly gained popularity. Whether on runways, red carpets, or magazine covers, colored gemstones are everywhere.

The increased interest in colorful gemstones doesn't mean that diamonds have lost their top spot. Diamonds remain in high demand in the market, and they are still valuable in a world that is constantly changing and setting trends. However, jewelry featuring colorful gemstones is becoming less of an unusual choice and more of a mindful selection. So, could this rising popularity and availability cause people to overlook diamonds in the coming years or not?

Are gemstones valuable?

Of course, rare gemstones are expensive due to their scarcity. The value of gemstones is determined by their quality and size, specified as a price per carat. The price per carat is then multiplied by the actual weight of the gemstone to determine the selling price. Large or exceptional gemstones carry an additional premium. Since synthetic gemstones can be produced to order in laboratories, their value is significantly less than that of natural gemstones.

Where to Buy Gemstone Jewelry Online

If you're unsure where to buy reliable Gemstone Jewelry, let me offer some simple suggestions:

Online retail stores such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy offer a wide variety of jewelry. You can choose and purchase Gemstone Jewelry directly from them.

Online Wholesale Jewelry Stores When buying Gemstone Jewelry from online wholesale stores, most buyers are typically retailers because wholesale prices are cheaper. However, this often comes with the requirement to purchase a minimum quantity, such as a $99 minimum order or free shipping on orders over $399.

If you want to buy genuine 925 silver jewelry from a wholesale store but need a particular store in mind, I recommend our store, Wholesale925silver.com

[glimmerslutt]

Or

I can’t wait for the day I switch out the promise ring my dad got my mother for my own promise ring my man gets for me when the time comes I’ll be really happy that he promises that he’ll be my one and only and that he’ll always do right by me. But only when the times right it’ll be our special moment we have together. When my dad gave my mother a promise ring they already had their own bundle of joy me they were young my mom was in her 20s my dad close to his 30s I think he took her for a walk in Central Park by the water fountain he gave her a coin told her to throw it in make a wish and then he gave her the ring as a promise. It’s funny because my mom was in her teens when she met my father walking down the streets of Harlem and they’ve been together ever since.

[thesoulcages]

2, 8, 23 :)

2. thoughts on veganism?

as an idealism, i think it's wonderful. it's really healthy and helps animals since we as humans really do eat a ton of meat; plants are the way to go and provide all the nutrients we need :) personally, i have had this diet growing up due to religion and though i do believe in it, i don't follow it anymore cause meat is so tasty unfortunately; i try to avoid dirty meats pretty much because of religious guilt (pork, seafood) but i can't resist it lmao

8. do you change into specific clothes for the house when you get home?

anything comfy after i'm done working, recently it's been my kiki's delivery service sweater and fuzzy leggings since it's been cold; otherwise any band shirt i can grab from my drawer lmao

23. do you wear jewelry?

yes! i wear a necklace in the shape of a heart with an alexandrite gem inside it and my engagement ring that's lined with alexandrites and silver because my fiance gifted them to me because they're my birth month gem and they change colors! :) i also wear no clip earrings cause i'm too scared to get my ears pierced, mainly cross earrings in the style of billy idol cause it's iconic and punk, and 80s pink star earrings

ahh!! tysm for the ask!!

[skz-chatbot]

Seungmin and Chan: *get down on one knee*

Angel: silly boys. You already married me 🤭

Chan: but now….

Seungie: you have a prettier ring to wear. The jewel in the middle is a alexandrite.

Angel: my birthstone. And it’s in the wedding band and engagement ring.

Chan: I know we kinda went a little backwards with our relationship but we don’t regret a thing. We don’t regret you, Angel Bahng-Lee.

🌊 anon

None of us ever could baby siren. You mean way too much to us

[elenablog]

June's Gem: Exploring the Beauty of Alexandrite Jewelry

Introduction:- June Birthstone Jewelry

June is a month of blossoming flowers, warm weather, and the promise of summer adventures. It is a time when nature is at its most vibrant, and the world seems to be teeming with life. June is also a month that celebrates two remarkable birthstones, the mesmerizing Pearl and the enchanting Alexandrite. These gems have captivated the hearts of many for centuries and continue to be treasured for their unique beauty and symbolism. In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of June birthstone jewelry, from their historical significance to their stunning variations and contemporary uses.

Pearl - The Gem of Purity and Elegance

Pearl, often associated with purity and elegance, is the primary birthstone for June. This exquisite gem forms naturally within the shells of mollusks, particularly oysters and mussels. Pearls are unique among gemstones because they are not mined from the earth; rather, they are the result of a biological process within living organisms.

Historical Significance

Pearls have been admired for millennia, and their history is steeped in mythology and symbolism. In ancient Greece, pearls were believed to be the tears of the goddess Aphrodite. The Romans saw them as symbols of wealth and power, while in Hindu mythology, pearls were thought to bring wealth and good fortune. Throughout history, pearls have adorned the crowns, jewelry, and clothing of royalty and the elite, symbolizing purity and luxury.

Varieties of Pearls

There are several varieties of pearls, each with its own unique appeal. The most common types include:

Akoya Pearls: These are among the most classic and widely recognized pearls, known for their perfect round shape, high luster, and beautiful colors, including white, cream, and pink.

South Sea Pearls: These are among the largest pearls and are known for their impressive size and rich, natural colors. They are typically found in the waters of Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Freshwater Pearls: These pearls are more affordable and come in various shapes, including round, oval, and baroque. They are typically cultivated in freshwater environments.

Tahitian Pearls: Grown in the waters of French Polynesia, Tahitian pearls are famous for their unique and exotic dark colors, including black, green, and peacock.

June's Radiant Beauty: Adorn Your Moments with Pearl and Alexandrite Jewelry.

Pearl Jewelry Styles

Pearls are incredibly versatile and can be incorporated into various jewelry styles, making them a timeless choice. Here are some popular pearl jewelry options:

Pearl Necklaces: Classic and elegant, pearl necklaces come in various lengths, from chokers to opera-length strands.

Pearl Earrings: From simple pearl studs to more intricate designs, pearl earrings add a touch of sophistication to any outfit.

Pearl Bracelets: Pearl bracelets are perfect for stacking with other bracelets or wearing individually, providing a touch of glamour to your wrist.

Pearl Rings: Pearl rings can be stunning as engagement or cocktail rings, with their unique luster and charm.

Alexandrite - The Mystical Color-Changing Gem

June's secondary birthstone, Alexandrite, is renowned for its mesmerizing color-changing properties. This extraordinary gemstone was discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the early 19th century and was named in honor of Tsar Alexander II.

Historical Significance

Alexandrite has long been associated with mystery and magic due to its ability to change color in different lighting conditions. It is said to bring good luck, balance, and joy to the wearer. The stone's captivating green color in daylight transforms into a rich red or purple under incandescent light. This phenomenon is often described as "emerald by day, ruby by night."

Varieties of Alexandrite

Natural Alexandrite is extremely rare and highly sought after due to its color-changing properties. Synthetic lab-grown Alexandrite is also available, offering an affordable alternative without sacrificing the gem's unique characteristics.

Alexandrite Jewelry Styles

Alexandrite jewelry is a true rarity and a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. Popular styles include:

Alexandrite Rings: Alexandrite rings are the most common choice, allowing the stone to showcase its color-changing ability with every movement of the hand.

Alexandrite Necklaces: Alexandrite pendants and necklaces are a beautiful way to keep this remarkable gem close to your heart.

Alexandrite Earrings: Earrings with Alexandrite gemstones offer subtle elegance with a touch of mystique.

Alexandrite Engagement Rings: Some couples opt for Alexandrite engagement rings, symbolizing their unique and ever-changing love.

Contemporary Uses and Trends

In recent years, June birthstone jewelry has experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks to modern design trends and a growing appreciation for the symbolism and individuality of gemstones. Many jewelry designers are now incorporating pearls and Alexandrite into contemporary pieces, offering a fresh take on these classic gemstones. Customization is also on the rise, allowing individuals to create personalized jewelry that reflects their style and personality.

Conclusion

June's birthstones, Pearl and Alexandrite, are truly remarkable gems that have captivated humanity for centuries. Pearls, with their timeless elegance and associations with purity, and Alexandrite, with its mystical color-changing properties, offer an array of choices for those celebrating their birthdays in June or looking to incorporate these enchanting gems into their jewelry collections. Whether in classic or contemporary designs, these birthstones continue to be cherished for their beauty and significance, making them an exquisite choice for adorning oneself or gifting a loved one during this beautiful month of June.

About Us: -

Admirable Jewels - Unveiling the Beauty of Waterproof Handcrafted Nickel-Free Jewelry

Welcome to Admirable Jewels, your ultimate destination for exquisite fashion jewelry in the USA. We take pride in crafting stunning handcrafted jewelry, handmade with meticulous care, and absolutely nickel-free. Our commitment to quality and craftsmanship is at the heart of everything we do.

Get in Touch: -

Admirable Jewels - Dong Ming Chen

347-882-3655

1514 65th St

Brooklyn NY 11219

Email:- admirablejewels@gmail.com

Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest,

[gemstonejewels]

How Alexandrite Engagement Rings Can Help You Live a Better Life?

Alexandrite's engagement rings are enchanting and alluring. The color-changing quality of alexandrite makes it the ideal center stone for engagement rings. It exhibits the color of emerald during the day and the color of ruby during the night. Apart from being an eye-catching rare gemstone, alexandrite carries a lot of astrological benefits that can help you live a better life. In this blog, I will explain to you some of the crucial benefits that the alexandrite engagement ring offers to the wearer while being the thing of beauty that it is.

Success in Career

Alexandrite is a fruitful stone to wear if you’re facing difficulties in your career. As surprising as it may sound, your alexandrite engagement ring can bring immense success to your career. It can help you overcome professional instability and get you loads of recognition and luck.

Creativity follows you

The lack of good judgment, confusion, and barriers to inspiration are some of the reasons affecting your creative abilities. Wearing an alexandrite engagement ring can ward off all such difficulties and pave a path for a smooth flow of innovative ideas. With the help of the metaphysical features of alexandrite, an individual can improve mental capabilities vastly. Alexandrite stone is considered the perfect option to empower one’s creativity, imagination, and intuition.

Embrace the healing energy

Alexandrite is a boon for those facing disorders related to the nervous system. Its healing abilities leave no stone unturned to strengthen the revival of nerve cells. Moreover, wearing an alexandrite engagement ring is known to cure issues and ailments related to the reproductive organs.

An influx of positivity

The June birthstone is said to be highly effective when it comes to protecting the wearer from negative energy. The alexandrite engagement ring channelizes positive energy dramatically, acting as an effective guardian stone. It also works well in creating an intense will and realigning the emotions and spirit within a person.

The green hues of alexandrite are known to connect with one’s heart and help in recovering from emotional trauma. Alexandrite engagement rings are useful for balancing the heart chakra and building a powerful emotional connection that stands the test of time.

Conclusion

The alexandrite engagement ring brings transformative energies to the wearer’s life. Whether you want to heal yourself physically or mentally, alexandrite will never fail to mesmerize you. From good luck and a pinch of creativity and imagination to spiritual progress and success in a career, the stone offers many beautiful things.

Now that you have understood the importance of alexandrite and how it helps you live a better life, it’s time to get one. GemsNY has an impressive collection of vintage alexandrite engagement ring from which you can get one of your dreams. Celebrate your engagement with an alexandrite, and enjoy the astrological benefits of this rare gemstone forever.

[thecandywrites]

Jewel Of The North Chapter 14

Jewel Of the North

Chapter 14

The next morning you woke up and Noah helped you get to the bathroom and then downstairs where he helped you sit down at the kitchen table. 

“What do you want for breakfast?” Noah asked you. 

“I’ll eat whatever you want to make Noah.” You answered before Zane came down the stairs, followed by the girls. All of them were still sleepy but had woken up to find themselves alone in the bed and were naturally seeking you and Noah out. The girls sat down at the table with you while Zane helped Noah make breakfast for the family. 

“So how did everyone sleep?” You asked them. 

“Good. Now that we were all home and together. But I don’t want Daddy to fly anymore. We need to stick together. You’re still hurt Mama, we need to all stay together to take care of you.” Sakura insisted as she climbed into your lap and clung to you just as tightly as she had the night before while you hugged her just as tightly as she rested her head on your shoulder while Skylar used her arms as a pillow on the kitchen table next to you. 

“I agree.” Zane and Skylar both echoed. 

“And I agree too.” Noah soon mirrored. 

“But what about the rest of the season?” You asked Noah. 

“There are other pilots with other planes to fly the other loads. I think that by the time I can get back to my plane and do the repairs enough to fly it into the hangar here. It should only take a few days at the most. And then at least a week or so to get it to work on it just enough to fly it into the hangar in The Great Lakes. You should be plenty healed up by then. And then instead of you taking Sakura and the pets by yourself by road and driving them home, I’ll just go with you. Keep the family together. Just in case something else happens, we can deal with it like we did last night, together as a family. I have enough in the bank and in reserves to pay for that much at least. And that’s all I need. You’re safe and the kids are safe, everything else is just details.” Noah insisted which got you and your children to smile appreciatively. 

“I just hate to cut your season so short. You’re only half way through.” You sympathized. 

“Nah, I’ve been down for longer for less before. Besides, the kids are right. We should stick together. And we might as well get a head start on heading to the Great Lakes all together anyway.” Noah encouraged before he moved his first omlete onto your plate before getting started on the others.  

“Agreed.” All the kids answered. 

“Well then I guess that settles it huh?” You asked your family rhetorically as they all nodded.

Then Noah’s phone started ringing and he had to tell the unfortunate news of the crash last night and how his plane was half sunk in a small lake. And to go ahead and give his loads to other pilots, because he was done for the season. It broke your heart to hear. But you understood his decision and supported him through it. And of course, Noah had to lose the business of his clients for the rest of the season to Evan and Darrek no less- which was especially hard for your pride to take but you reminded yourself of what was really important, keeping the family together and safe and while this season was a bust, hopefully it would mean that by next season, things would be better, if there could even be a 'next season'. But since, as a professional, you had to make calls like that too when life had other plans than what you wanted. You could completely sympathize and empathize. Once Noah was done calling everyone and telling everyone, his phone stopped ringing as he got his books out and wrote end of season in them, at only half way through when he normally would have. 

After breakfast and all of you got dressed, he took all of you to town to get supplies as you could walk just a tiny bit better today but still had to hold onto either Noah or Zane to help you get over stairs. But when you went to try to pay for some of it, your card was declined. 

“Excuse me, what?” You asked rhetorically as you tried it again but it declined before you tried a second card and that one was declined too. 

“Are you kidding me?!” You growled angrily and in embarrassment before you tried a third card and it got declined too. 

“What’s wrong?” Noah asked. 

“My cards are getting declined. I know for a fact there’s thousands of dollars in my account. I called my banks and told them that I would be up here and to not flag my accounts for fraud if they saw Arctic Tundra charges...oh gods fucking damn it.” You growled when you looked at the expiration date on all the cards you were trying to use and then looked at your phone to double check the date.  

“What day is it?” You asked Noah. 

“August first.” Noah answered. 

“And all of these cards expired yesterday, July 31st.” You realized as you pointed to all of the cards in question. 

“Oh damn.” Noah realized. 

“And I had the post office hold all my mail while I was gone, before I left. My new cards are at the post office, in the Great Lakes. I’m...I’m screwed is what I am.” You realized as Noah went ahead and paid for what he needed, grateful for the money that you had left him when you had left him earlier in the summer.

You went down the counter and began pulling out every card you owned and found that almost all your personal cards were expired. You had a few business cards but almost everything else- was expired- as of today. And the credit cards that had not expired were already almost maxed out just from the cruise and stuff and you’d have to make huge payments on them immediately to free up some credit at least. 

“What’s wrong Mama?” Sakura asked. 

“Hey so you know how most grown ups have these cards instead of carrying cash around?” You told her as you held up the stack of expired cards.

“Yeah,” she nodded. 

“Well you see this date right here? See how it says 7 and the year?” You asked her. 

“Yeah.” She nodded. 

“Well that means that the card is only good until the end of July of this year.” You explained. 

“Oh so like a coupon, it expired and you can’t use it anymore.” Sakura realized. 

“Exactly. Problem is, that all the money I have, I can’t use it if the card that I use to access it, is expired. It means that I can’t help Daddy pay for the plane. I can’t help pay for much of anything, actually.” You began as you looked at your driver’s license. 

“Oh gods damn it, my driver’s license is about to expire too! Great, this is just...great.” You sarcastically realized before you looked at your passport. 

“Well at least this doesn’t expire for a few more years.” You realized before you held your head in your hands as all your kids came around you and tried to give you reassurance that it was going to be ok. 

“So what can we do?” Zane asked. 

“Call the banks, ask them if they have any branches up here. I can try to get to a branch to get me a temporary card, try to get some cashier’s checks, try to get as much money moved into Noah’s account as I can and try to get a card from his bank. But we have to hurry, my birthday is in just a few days and my license will expire then. But at least I still have a good passport, I don’t know what else I could do.” You admitted. 

“Ok, kids, stay with Dad, I gotta make a bunch of phone calls.” You said before you left the store and sat down on the bench outside the store and called your banks at home and explained what had happened and what was happening and asked what you could do. Each bank’s branch manager assured you that they would do all they could to help by contacting the branches that were up there and explain the situation and when to expect you and how to help and what you would need to get on local banks accounts.

“So what’s going on?” Noah asked as he came out of the store with all three kids as you hung up on your call to the last bank in question. 

“So, almost all of my personal check cards, credit cards, they all expired yesterday. My driver’s license expires in just a few days. I can not do jack shit with an expired license. I need to fly home and get my mail and my license renewed and turn right back around to fly back here. I thought it all expired next year, not this year. And certainly not right now. I thought I had more time. But we also need to use what time that my driver’s license is still valid to do as much as we can up here first. And that, sadly, starts with going from here to Anchor Age. Because at least in Anchor Age there are two branches to my banks there and right now, the bank managers at home are calling those in Anchor Age to let them know I’m coming and will be moving large amounts of money to the banks here in Fair Banks via cashier’s checks. But first, we need a vehicle that fits all five of us safely and comfortably. How long do you think it will take to buy a truck?” You asked him. 

“At least an hour.” Noah ventured. 

“And the banks close in eight hours and we’re a six hour drive away as it is.” You realized as you looked at your phone and the time and felt anxiety whirl in your chest. When Murphy’s Law struck, it struck hard. 

“Well how about we get the truck. Then go to the bank in Anchor Age. We get that business sorted out there. Come back to the bank here and then you fly home, rent a car, get the mail, get your license and fly right back. Because you’re right, you’ll need your driver’s license. I’m sure Grandma Summer and Grandma Isla will watch us while Noah gets his plane fixed up in the lake. And by the time you can come back here, the plane should be repaired enough to get to the hangar here. You’ll just have to divide and conquer for a day or two. And then from there, we’ll figure out how to get the plane to the hangar in the Great Lakes. If that’s even possible. And then we’ll figure out how to get all of us back home to the Great Lakes too.” Zane specified. 

“Ok. Let’s go truck shopping. Something big, big enough and strong enough to haul a heavy horse trailer with draft horses in it. Maybe a dually.” You nodded when everyone else nodded their agreement to that plan before Noah and Zane helped you back into Noah’s truck along with his other supplies in the back of the truck with the kids in the truck bed.  

“Well hello Noah, you finally turning in that rust bucket?” Jim, one of the sales guys said when he saw Noah, yourself and your family get out of Noah’s truck and come into the car sales office.

“No. We’re here just to get a second truck.” Noah answered. 

“Noah’s truck is older but trustworthy. We’re keeping it. We just need a second one that fits the five of us.” You insisted as Noah and Zane helped you sit down in the chair for the dealer’s paperwork. 

“You ok there Miss?” Jim asked. 

“Yeah, we survived a plane crash yesterday and my feet got burned in the process so it hurts to stand or walk. And to add insult to injury, all my bank cards expired today and my driver’s license will expire in just a few days. And we need to get to the First National Bank in Anchor Age before they close tonight at five which means I need you to sell me a truck as quickly as you can. Preferably less than an hour. It needs to be large, it needs to seat five comfortably. It needs to be in perfect working order. I don’t care if it’s new or used. Or what the color is. I just need it to haul a full horse trailer full of three draft horses and all their tack. And I’ll be paying however you want or need me to pay, preferably by check and outright. I just need it done, and done quickly. Can you do that or do I need your manager to assist me?” You asked as you tried not to let too much of your own irritation from your own pain and panic and sharp edge to your tone intimidate him too much or come off as rude, even as pressed for time as you were.

“Well actually I have at least a dozen that will fit that bill perfectly…” Jim began before he got his manager in on it and after a quick google search of your name and your claim of who you were and the lawsuit settlement and bank balance that you currently had in your account. Since it was the first after all, that meant that the lawsuit settlement payment came through just that morning, all $250,000 of it. And they both nearly saw dollar signs as you had to repeat that you just needed the truck and to get it out of there as quickly and legally as possible. Even though there was a camper there that caught your eye and you couldn't help but be drawn to it. But you didn't have time to deal with it at the moment.

And in thirty seven minutes, you did just that as you quickly called your insurance providers to get the truck added to your policy so you’d have insurance coverage for it. 

Noah got the keys to the truck, and after calling his sister to come and get his truck later, he loaded up what he could into the new one and Noah drove like the wind to get to the bank in Anchor Age before they closed. You called and told them that you were coming and that you should be making it in time. You all got a drive through for lunch on the way. You were just grateful you had your checkbooks on you and could write a check for it. 

It took exactly 6 hours one way just to get to the first one by three and to the second one by four, thanks to the early start that morning.  And they were, thankfully, expecting you. They had already gotten the heads up about who you were, and what you looked like. And they confirmed that those bank account balances were indeed correct. And had already drawn up the cashier’s checks in your name, only needing you in person to sign off and fill out the rest of the transactions and got copies of your driver’s license at their branch. Which you were so grateful for so you could use every penny of them. The other branch managers in the Great Lakes and your Financial accountant all had called and vouched for you so that you could get to both branches and get those blessed cashier’s checks. 

And when you got there, they were very understanding of your current circumstances and both banks did all they could by getting you temporary cards, and cashier’s checks to take to Noah’s banks in Fair Banks. And of course you got Noah on your accounts and got him temporary cards for your accounts as well. You had them mail his new official bank cards to your address in the Great Lakes because surely, he would be there by the time you would get them. And they even called ahead to the banks back in Fair Banks and let them know what was going on and what to expect the next day.

All of you didn't get back to Noah's house till midnight and Noah had to take a few trips to carry all three kids into the house and put them into bed before getting his own things as you barely made it up the stairs and felt like you collapsed on the mattress.

But it worked out best because first thing in the morning, after breakfast, all five of you went to Noah's banks to put yourself on Noah’s accounts. 

“Hello.” You greeted the staff at Noah’s banks politely as you and Noah and all your kids came into the bank. 

“Hi Noah, so this is the Zara that your parents have gone on about.” The banker Judy noted with a fond smile. 

“Yes, hi, I’m Zara. These are my kids, Xander and Skylar and obviously, you already know Sakura.” You introduced as they smiled politely in turn. 

“We’re here to put Zara on my accounts and get her a check card and make a few deposits, did you get the call from First National Bank and the other banks yesterday?” Noah asked hopefully. 

“Uh we did, but it was just...a little hard to believe.” Judy admitted with a forced pleasant smile. 

“What part was hard to believe? That all my check cards expired the day before yesterday and my driver’s license expires tomorrow or that I have four cashier’s checks for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars each to deposit into Noah’s personal account and business accounts?” You asked semi rhetorically. 

“All of it.” Judy admitted as the branch manager Tabatha was next to her, also wearing a polite smile but weariness in her eyes as they both laughed a little nervously. 

“I see, well here are my check cards and credit cards that have expired day before yesterday. Here is my driver’s license, that I’m flying out in about four hours to go home and get that redone and flying back as soon as I can and here is my passport that thankfully still has a few years left on it before it expires and of course you can always call First National Bank and the other banks, in the Great Lakes and in Anchor Age to confirm who I am. And here’s the business cards for them. Or you could just google my full legal name with Nullensill Semiconductor if you doubt the validity of my wealth and the validity that the cashier’s checks are good.” You offered as you laid all the items out on Trudy’s desk.

Trudy and Tabatha and the head teller Megan, all took the items back into Tabatha’s office and did just as you suggested. Then you heard the three ladies gasp then whisper like crazy before a flurry of phone calls to confirm your claims that you were who you said you were and appeared to be. 

“There are times Google is a blessing and a curse.” You muttered tiredly to Noah who squeezed your hand reassuringly as Zane kept Skylar and Sakura busy with a game on their tablet in the other “waiting area” in the bank.  

Suddenly when the phone calls ended and they “talked it over” by more hushed whispers, they all came out. All of them wearing big bright happy smiles, and friendly demeanors. And of course, over the top customer service and seemingly heartfelt apologies for not believing you the first time. Then they all and happily did as you asked, getting copies of your soon to expire license with the promise that when you got back home, you were going to of course get a current one and bring that back when you came back. They got a copy of your passport, and took down all your particulars and happily printed off more checks for you to use along with ordering new checks with your name and Noah’s name on them and new check cards. And of course made the money immediately available to you and Noah in his accounts and cashed part of the checks for any other expenses you might have along the way which you happily left the vast majority of it with Noah. 

“I take it that happens a lot.” Noah asked you as you guys walked out of the bank with your new items in tow as you looked at the time and knew you’d have to hurry up. 

“More than I like. But at least we got things patched up and in order until we can get home to the Great Lakes. But we have so much work to do between now and then.” You sighed tiredly as you and all the kids climbed into the new truck to go back to Noah’s house so you could pack up a quick bag for what you needed to get going. 

"Goodbye, be good. Listen to Dad and the grandparents. All of them have the power of slap. No fighting, no more injuries or hospitals or anything like that. Stay close, take care of each other and keep each other safe. I'll be back as soon as I can." You urged them as you kissed and hugged everyone goodbye before you pushed through the pain to get in line for security.

You were only making two stops once you got back to the Great Lakes. First would be the DMV and then the next stop would be the post office and then you’d be driving back to the airport to turn around and fly back as soon as you could. 

But while you got out of there and to the airport on the west coast, you didn’t have time to get a hotel for the night before your next flight. So you let yourself rest in one of the nap pods in the airport. To try to get a few precious hours of sleep. And yet, when you woke up, you found you still had to change gates three times and barely made the flight in time. And you had to do two layovers just to get home.

You barely made it to the post office, since the post office was on the way to the DMV and you wanted to get your mail first and possibly go through that while you would wait. Which worked out best because once you got to the DMV, of course it was crowded. And had a line, practically a mile long.

You were just grateful you went to the post office first. Because surely if you had done this the other way around, the post office would have been closed by the time you would get out of here. You used your wait at the DMV to try to put on some makeup- so that your picture for your license didn’t show you as shitty as you felt. Because between your feet, whose blisters had just popped working the gas and the brake for the rental car, and your general spine being misaligned from sleeping in a pod chair at the airport. And getting crammed and cramped into plane seats and even with an engagement ring on your finger- you still got flirted with. That was going to be a perk you were looking forward to enjoying again, because being with Noah, meant others took one look at him and didn't even try to flirt with you.

No sooner had you gotten done with the DMV before you were racing back to the airport where it was another nightmare trying to get through security, trying to catch flights and change gates and delays and catch connecting flights. You barely ate or slept for the day before your birthday, the day of and the day after. Because all three days of which you spent rushing from gates to flights only to hurry up and wait. You just kept praying for the patience and long suffering to get through this and get back to your family. And you felt weird for having a huge bag full of nothing but mail a change of clothes and a makeup bag. But thankfully security accepted your explanation and didn’t give you too much headaches about all the mail in your bag.

You had never been so happy to fly back to Fair Banks and be met by Isla, Summer and your kids just outside of the gate.

“Where’s Dad?” You asked them as you hugged them tight, happy you could be back together again and feeling so relieved to be with them again.

“He’s still working on the plane.” Skylar answered with just a hint of sadness. 

“Are you sad that you’re here seeing me and not with him working on the plane?” You asked with a laugh. 

“Yes.” Skylar answered. 

“Well, hopefully you’ll have all fall and winter and spring to work on it.” You soothed. 

“But otherwise, were you guys good?” You asked all three of them. 

“Oh they were a dream.” Summer reassured you before you looked for a confirmation from Isla too. 

“Oh yeah, we went to the playground with Sakura’s friends and cousins and they had a lot of fun.” Isla offered. 

“Skylar wrestled with boys twice her size into submission and had about a dozen and a half proposals, but we both repeated that you would not accept any at this time or any time soon.” Summer reassured you. 

“But that’s not to say Zane didn’t get any either.” Isla revealed. 

“Really?” You asked as you looked to Zane who blushed bashfully. 

“Emotional availability and sensitivity.” Zane shrugged. 

“Well, then we’re par for the course on that one.” You chuckled softly. 

“But we have a small birthday party set up at Nanna’s house.” Sakura offered. 

“Oh that’s so sweet! Did you guys bake a cake for me too?” You asked as all three nodded yes. 

“We’ve been working on it all day.” Sakura insisted gleefully. 

“Ok, well I don’t have any baggage to pick up because all I have and have needed was this bag here, so let’s go.” You urged them before you all went back to Summer’s house where a small, very obviously home made cake was ready for you as you closed your eyes and made the wish that Noah would be able to fly his plane out of that lake, into the hangar here and then to the hangar in the Great Lakes and come back to you safe and sound. 

You happily laid reclined on the couch and let Zane rebandange your feet since your blisters had popped while you ate your cake. You appreciated the small, belated birthday presents from your kids and Summer and Ukluk and Isla and Tonrar in between telling them how crazy and hectic the last three days had been and how you had barely slept and couldn’t wait to get back to Noah’s house to get a shower and sleep in a real bed again. Then your phone rang and your heart leapt for joy to see it was Noah. 

“Hey Babe.” You greeted happily. 

“Hey, I take it you’re at my mom’s?” Noah asked. 

“I am, I’m eating my cake. How are things looking with you?” You asked hopefully. 

“Really good, Skylar’s been helping me with the plane every day except for today. And I just called to let you know that the plane is ready to fly into the hangar at Fair Banks here in just a little bit.” He proudly announced as you gasped excitedly.

“Really?” You asked, absolutely delighted by that news and that your birthday wish was so close to coming true.

“Yup. I’ll see you soon.” Noah assured you. 

“I can’t wait. See you soon, love you, fly safe.” You offered. 

“Love you too. See you soon and I will fly as safe as I can.” Noah assured you before he hung up. You took a moment to pray to every god you both believed in for him to successfully fly his plane to the hangar and make it home safe and sound to you. 

And to your delight, Noah flew his plane into the hangar in only another half hour and happily strode into his mother’s house. 

“How did the plane fly?” Skylar eagerly asked Noah when he came in. 

“It flew great. Thanks for all your help Sky, couldn’t have done it without you.” Noah thanked her as she beamed a proud and happy smile at him while he washed his hands before snagging a plate of dinner and a piece of cake before he settled onto the couch next to you. 

“And how’s Mama?” Noah asked. 

“Happy to be back. I’m gonna sleep so good tonight. I’ve just taken little naps in the airports for the last three days and eaten when the shops were open.” You answered. 

“And you? I take it you’re just happy to have me back and be able to fly again.” You ventured. 

“Yup. The plane isn’t perfect and still has a lot of damage but it’s workable and flyable and you’re home, and that’s all that matters.” He assured you before he dug in before Skylar sat down next to him and cuddled into his side. 

“Can I work on the plane with you tomorrow?” Skylar asked hopefully. 

“You sure can Sky.” He answered happily. 

“Yes!” She cheered. 

“Should I be taking all of them so you can sleep and rest?” Noah asked you. 

“Please? I’m having a hard time keeping my eyes open as it is.” You requested. 

“Of course. Your inner clock must be completely out of whack.” Noah mused. 

“You have no idea.” You muttered. 

“But did you get everything you needed?” Noah asked. 

“Yes. I have a mountain of mail to go through to get all my new replacement cards. I didn’t want to go through any of it either on the plane or in the airports or the DMV.” You answered. 

“Cause that’s a good surefire way to get your identity stolen.” Noah noted. 

“It is. And I doubt they would have let me get a letter opener through security.” You murmured. 

“True.” Noah nodded as he practically wolfed down his dinner and then the cake. 

“Happy birthday by the way. Did you like your presents?” Noah wished you. 

“Thanks. And yes I did.” You smiled appreciatively. 

“Sorry you’ve had a pretty sucky birthday otherwise.” He offered. 

“Eh, I’ve had worse. Not quite as interesting or hectic but I’m just happy I get to celebrate it now with the people I care most about.” You cooed back to him as he smiled adoringly at you and kissed you sweetly. 

“Well let me eat this cake and I’ll get you home so you can get cleaned up and get to bed.” He offered before he ate the cake and then got you and the kids into the truck and took you home before you gingerly got a shower to scrub the three days of built up dirt from running around and being in all kinds of airports off of you. And once you were clean, you happily sank into Noah’s bed and were out like a light before anyone else and barely stirred when Noah came to bed and gathered your body into his arms. But he smiled softly when you still curled yourself into his chest and then melted into his wonderful warmth. 

You woke up the next day right at noon and dragged yourself out of bed to go downstairs to sit at the table where Noah had already put a letter opener for you on the table. And he put his paper shredder next to the table too. Or maybe this was his and the kid's doing too. But bless their hearts and souls for being so thoughtful. And he had some coffee ready to go in the coffee pot so all you needed to do was press the button so it would brew and had a “breakfast” for you in the fridge that you could quickly heat up in the microwave and eat that while you went through your mail. 

This was so sweet. And so thoughtful and you were so happy and grateful and appreciative. They were just small little things that meant so much to you.

It took a pot of coffee and a couple of hours. But you slowly but methodically and meticulously went through each and every single piece of mail to make sure you didn’t miss anything. And slowly but surely, you got to replace every card that had expired and took a strong pair of scissors to cut up your old and expired ones and shredded everything that needed to be shredded and saved everything that needed to be saved.

Once you got done with the mail, you started dinner in the oven. Then you took out your notepad and began to list out all that would need to be done and taken care of to get this house ready to be winterized, and get Noah and Sakura and all their animals moved to your home in the Great Lakes. You were still sitting down and writing down your plan by the time Noah and the kids made it back for dinner. 

“So how’s the plane looking?” You asked when they all came into the house. 

“Not as bad as I thought it was going to be, but it’s going to take a lot to get it up to snuff for next year.” Noah answered as he put his tools down by the door.

“Like a lot of man hours or a lot of components or both?” You asked thoughtfully as you finished writing your various objectives as they all came in and took turns washing their hands.

“Bit of both.” Noah answered. 

“Could you give me an estimate?” You asked hopefully. 

“Like to get it ready to fly to the hangar in the Great Lakes? Like at least five or six days.” He answered. 

“Oh, I thought you were going to say five or six weeks. Five or six days is a much more reasonable time frame.” You blew out a breath of relief. 

“No, I’ll need five or six weeks once I’m in the Great Lakes.” He answered. 

“Oh that’s not bad at all." You waived off before Noah said prayer over dinner and Zane pulled dinner out of the oven while the girls set the table while Noah and yourself openned and shared a beer and came around the table. 

"So I have an idea." You prompted your family as you all dug into dinner.

“We have exactly two and a half weeks before school starts. However, we are traveling with three horses, a coop full of chickens, some thunder cats and a couple of dogs. Finding hotels that take animals will be really hard and expensive. Airbnb’s will be just as hard. And for the animals, for them to be cooped up in a trailer as we try to hot foot it home will be hard on them and us and stopping for food will be hard because that horse trailer is huge and stopping for gas is already going to be an ordeal. So instead of renting a Uhaul, what if we buy a camper. Something that can fit all five of us comfortably and all of your things that you want to bring with you. Something we can camp in and we take those two weeks to go from national park to national park and from camp ground to camp ground. The horses will get out and get to ride a trail or two. A camper with onboard washing facilities and cooking facilities may be much better in the long run. And despite the initial cost of buying it, at least with the camper we can get more use out of it than just this trip. What do you guys think?” You asked them as you looked from Noah to the kids who seemed to think that over. 

“That would work really well. Because that way we’d have a chance to get adjusted and acclimated to the time change and the change in climate slower over the course of a couple of weeks rather than a few days. The horses especially would love that. I mean we’re going to get them up to date on vaccinations and all that anyway. Might as well enjoy it. And especially with a camper, cooking is always cheaper than eating out and healthier too.” Skylar praised. 

"Even though I was really hoping to get home sooner than later, the camper idea makes the most sense." Zane noted with an air of dissappointment.

“So let’s do it.” Noah nodded as Sakura also agreed that it was a good idea. 

“Ok, let’s hurry up and eat because I’ve been thinking about those campers at the dealership ever since we bought the truck.” You urged them which got Noah to bark a laugh. 

“I knew you were looking at the camper pretty hard.” Noah playfully accused. 

“And I told you that right then was not a good time to think about them. But I’ve had three days in airports to think about them and this trip and the best way to logistically do what we need to do and manage to do so and still like each other after.” You defended with mock aloofness. 

“On a sleep deprived brain.” Zane muttered under his breath but you still heard it. 

“I know you’re anxious to get home and get to your snakes and everyone else in the menagerie. We’ll just have to call Max or Bryce to feed them again.” You soothed Zane. 

“Which would you rather deal with? Max’s dad Mike or Bryce’s dad Brian?” Zane asked you as you sucked in a breath through your teeth as you grimaced. 

“Fair point.” You conceded. 

“I’ll call them, see what they can do.” You offered. 

“Better you than me. Just don’t forget to change the codes again.” Zane reminded you. 

“What happened last time?” Noah asked. 

“Brian is twice divorced and has been drooling over Mom and her house and my snake collection ever since we built the house and he helped me design the snake room. Mike is in love with Mom’s bar and helps himself to it every time he comes over and always drinks just a bit too much. He let it slip, he’d be willing and ready to bone my mom into oblivion if it meant he can stay with the bar. So we have learned to keep the doors to the basement where the game room is and the liquor cabinets in the bar next to the kitchen locked down whenever Mike is expected to come. Brian, is one of those kind's of guys you find in your house breathing heavily over your bed in the middle of the night. But their sons Max and Bryce are cool.” Zane explained. 

“But if you call them and put it on speaker phone so they can hear Dad in the background, not only is Did big, but he sounds big too. And especially once we get home and they meet Dad, they should be intimidated enough that they’ll back off.” Skylar suggested. 

“That’s a good idea.” You nodded before you called Brian first. 

“Hey Zara! How are you?” Brian asked as the phone didn’t even fully ring once before he picked it up. 

“I’m doing ok. Hey listen, I need a favor. So it’s going to take us all a bit longer to get home than we first thought. Zane needs his snakes to be fed. My parents and Andy’s parents are already taking care of the other animals, but neither of my parents or Andy’s parents can do the snake thing. So if I call the feed store and pay for a shipment of feeder rats for Zane’s snakes, could you and Bryce pick them up and feed the snakes for us? I can pay you and Bryce for your trouble or even pay for a feeder shipment for your own if you want. But we would need a feeding this week and another next week and another one for the week after that because it’s going to take a lot for us to get back home in about three weeks or so.” You proposed hopefully. 

“Of course! Can we use the same code we did last week?” Brian asked. 

“Yes, it should still be good. So what do I owe you for saving my bacon?” You asked. 

“Dinner when you get back would be great.” Brian practically purred as Skylar snorted a laugh as Zane rolled his eyes as Noah frowned as Sakura frowned too. 

“Like go out to eat dinner or a home cooked meal dinner?” You clarified as you reached out and held Noah’s hand. 

“Whichever you would like more.” Brian offered. 

“Ok, how about dinner when I get back. I need to make a thank you dinner for my parents and my inlaws for watching the house and the animals anyway, we’ll just have you over too. And I’ll go ahead and order a feeder set of rats for Bryce’s snakes too. Cause Bryce especially knows the way Zane likes to keep track of the feeds for the snakes.” You offered. 

“Oh, well if you’re already cooking for so many people, we can do dinner some other time, just with you and your kids and me and mine, just the six of us.” Brian tried to offer. 

“Well even then, it’s going to be more than just the six of us. It would have to be you, Bryce and Maddison, Skylar, Zane, myself and my fiance Noah and our daughter Sakura too. But that would still work because that way you can meet my fiance and my new daughter Sakura then too.” You informed him. 

“Wait, what? You’re…you’re engaged? When did you get engaged?” Brian asked as you could hear his panic in his voice. 

“Oh actually just a few days ago. But life has been hectic so I haven’t had a chance to post anything online about it yet. So you’re actually one of the first to know. Again, it really means a lot to me that you and Bryce could come in and take care of Zane’s snakes for us.” You offered sweetly. 

“But..so soon? You're getting engaged so soon?” Brian stuttered. 

“Yeah, crazy how quickly true love can kick in and take hold of your heart huh?” You praised with a wink to Noah. 

“But…but…” Brian was still stuttering as you could tell he was getting super flustered. 

“Hey Brian, this is Zara’s fiance Noah. It means a lot to us that you and Bryce would take care of Zane’s snakes for us while we work on moving in with Zara and her family. Which is why we’re taking so long to get there in the first place. We owe you one.” Noah took the phone and spoke into it, letting his already rich and deep velvety voice really hit his lower octaves to make him sound even bigger and more impressive as you, Zane, Skylar and Sakura all grinned appreciatively, if not quite knowingly while you felt like your panties just got a little wetter because Noah's voice was just so sexy to you too.

“Yeah, no, no problem.” Brian squeaked in response as his own voice cut out like he was a teenager again. You did your best to stifle your own snickering laughter with your kids. 

“Thanks again, let us know if you have any problems. Have a good one.” Noah bid him before he hung up and handed your phone back to you. 

“Perfect! Thank you.” You praised as you kissed Noah sweetly. 

“Now if you can just do that for all of my other friend’s dad’s that would be great.” Zane pleaded. 

“Same!” Skylar crooned delightfully. 

“Why was that man talking to you like that Mama?” Sakura asked. 

“Because he was attracted to me and guys act different around and towards those that they like and are attracted to. Don’t worry, I don’t feel the same way about him that I do Daddy.” You reassured her. 

“Now, let’s hurry up and eat and get that trailer.” You urged the others as you all hurried up finishing your dinner before you all piled into the truck again and on the way, called the feeding service from the local pet store and went ahead and paid for the feeder mice and rats both for Zane’s snakes and Bryce’s and explained that Brian and Bryce would pick them up.