#jimmy five gets on my nerves

[sickacademia]

no but a translation that actually pisses me off, and i can say it for every brazilian out there, is "monica's gang"

[roosterforme]

Aim for the Sky Part 14 | Rooster x Reader

Summary: The guys and Nat pull through with something big for your baby shower. Bradley can't get enough of your body, and then he gets the biggest surprise of all.

Warnings: Fluff, smut, oral sex, adult language, lactation kink, pregnancy topics

Length: 6000 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

Aim for the Sky masterlist. This was written to accompany my series Is It Working For You? along with a bunch of my one-shots and other series, but it can be read on its own! Check my masterlist for the reading order.

"I told you this would be a shitstorm," Bradley muttered quietly before taking a sip of his mimosa. Nat did her best to decorate the Hard Deck for the baby shower, and she even wore a dress for the occasion. But most of the attendees were the guys who decided to show up in essentially their gym clothes. In fact, the only one who looked halfway decent was Jake, probably because Cat told him what to wear.

"I don't mind this shitstorm," you told him, kissing his cheek as you picked up your orange juice. Jimmy was bartending since Penny was technically a shower guest, and he kept filling up your juice and making sure you were eating the snacks. Next time Bradley saw him on a regular night, he'd make sure to leave a big tip.

"What the hell?" Bradley groaned as Javy arrived and dropped another case of beer off on the gift table. "Even I know that pregnant women can't have alcohol. What in the actual hell is wrong with these people?"

You shot a glare in his direction before you stepped away to hug Javy. You had on another one of those bodycon dresses, and Bradley knew for a fact you weren't wearing any underwear. Not a single thread of it. Just that sexy, stretchy pink dress squeezing your curves like he wanted to be doing. Javy's hand slid a little low on your back for his liking, and he raised one unamused eyebrow before you stepped away.

God, he was so fucking cranky today. He still maintained that Valentine's Day was stupid, because he loved you every day, all the time. Last year he took you to that weird hotel with the hot sauce vending machine, which was fun, but he didn't need a special occasion to do anything. Having Rose's shower on the holiday should have given it more meaning, but he was irritable. 

He knew this day would come toward the end of your pregnancy, but last night, you fell asleep while he was going down on you. And this morning when you woke up, you didn't say a word about it. Like you'd completely forgotten. Then you put on that pink dress and made yourself look all cute for the baby shower, but he could tell you were tired. The exhaustion hit you like a ton of bricks after the trip to Mexico, just when Bradley became accustomed to having sex multiple times per day. Just when you were more glowing than ever.

"Bradshaw," Jake drawled, the sound alone grating on Bradley's nerves. "Did someone piss in your mimosa?"

The stupid smirk on his face made Bradley roll his eyes. "There are two dozen people here, and I'm your best option for someone to annoy?"

Jake laughed merrily in response. "Oh, Rooster. You're always going to be my top pick. Your reactions alone are priceless. Don't tell me you've got cold feet about the baby? You can't unfuck Angel. You know that, right?"

"Jesus, you're annoying," he muttered under his breath. "It has nothing to do with that." But he kind of wanted to pout. Or get a blowjob from you. That would probably make it better. "I'm excited for the baby. Obviously."

Jake shook his head. "Then may I suggest you put a smile on your face before you upset your wife? Let her have a good day. Also, she looks hot pregnant."

"Why are you even looking at her?" he mumbled before he walked over to you. It wasn't your fault that you were exhausted and achy with delectable tits. It wasn't your fault that you fell asleep last night, even though you could have definitely held on for five more minutes so he wasn't second guessing himself now. 

"Hey," he whispered, wrapping his arms around you from behind and letting his chin rest on your shoulder. "Having fun?" he asked as the final few guests arrived. Another case of beer and a bottle of champagne ended up with the rest of the gifts when Reuben walked in. "What is wrong with these men?"

Your laughter was light as you said, "I think it's kind of charming how clueless they are. I'm not sure why we even bothered to make a gift registry. Also, can you just tell me why you're pouting, Roo?"

He shrugged against your back as he ran his palm slowly up and down your belly, hoping to feel the Nugget kick. She seemed to be running out of room in there at this point, and the kicks were harder to feel. And maybe that was part of it, too. He was used to not only your horny ass on him 24/7, but he was used to his daughter greeting him when he talked to her.

"Does this have anything to do with me falling asleep while you were giving me head?"

Bradley's eyes went wide. "Sweetheart, do you really have to announce it to the whole place? If it wasn't any good, then it wasn't any good, but you know I'll try to make it up to you later."

"Stop it," you said with another laugh as you turned to face him. You were too beautiful. All he wanted to do was make you happy. "I've been trying to think of a way to make it up to you."

"I wasn't even sure you remembered falling asleep like that," he whispered.

You ran our hand down along his cheek as your belly bumped against his abs. "I'm sorry, Bradley. I couldn't stay awake for another second last night. Rose is requiring a lot more sleep now. I think we need to mess around earlier in the day. Oh! Maybe we can mess around in one of the Broncos this afternoon! You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"Yeah," he replied, unable to keep a smile from his lips. "I'd like that."

You kissed his lips softly and ran your thumb along his mustache, leaving him wanting more. "As soon as this shitshow is over, I'm all yours."

--------------------------

"Thanks," you told Reuben as you patted the case of beer he bought for you. "So thoughtful."

"Oh, there's a gift card taped on the side, too," he told you with a smile. And sure enough, when you turned it around to look, you found it. A gift card to the liquor mart in Coronado.

"Thank you so much," you told him with a smile as you tried to figure out why everyone brought so much alcohol. "Just out of curiosity, why do you think I need this much beer and fifty dollars worth of booze?"

The guys all burst out laughing. "Because you have to live with Rooster!" Javy shouted, earning a swift middle finger from your husband. Then you started laughing, and even Nat, who looked fed up with all of them, had to hide her smile.

"We were wondering when you were going to ask," Jake said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out another gift card. "This is from us. For real this time. Congratulations."

He placed it in your hand, and tears filled your vision. Javy, Mickey, Reuben and Jake had all scribbled their names on the paper envelope, and someone had written Bob's on there even though he was still deployed. "It's for Amazon, for a thousand dollars," you whispered, afraid you were going to start actively crying.

"We heard diapers are expensive," Reuben said as he shoved chips and spinach dip into his mouth.

"We heard babies are expensive," Javy added.

"Babies are definitely expensive," Cat called out from the other side of the bar.

Bradley wrapped his arm around your shoulders, and you buried your face in his chest as he said, "I'm not going to apologize for flipping you off, because I'm sure you deserved it for something, but thank you."

After a few deep breaths, inhaling the comforting scent of your husband, you looked up at everyone and said a very watery, "Thank you."

There was another card from Maria and Cam attached to a high chair, and Cat picked out a onesie that said Future Aviator. Maverick and Penny bought every bath accessory a baby could ever need, and then you were left with an enormous gift bag that Mickey was handing off with a bright smile on his face. 

"You got us something else?" you asked, bewildered since he already contributed to the hefty gift card. But when you looked inside, everything was blue. Blue bibs and outfits and crib sheets. Blue everything.

"We're having a girl," Bradley told him with a furrowed brow.

"What?" Mickey asked as he turned to look at Nat. "You said they were having a boy!"

She scoffed. "I never said that."

"You said the baby's name is Ambrose!"

Nat was rubbing her temples as she looked up at the ceiling. "I said the baby's name is Rose. It's a girl."

"Ohhhh. That's why we got Rooster a box of pink cigars," Mickey said, nodding as if that made sense as he handed you a gift receipt.

"You just ruined the last surprise," Javy complained, hitting Mickey on the back of the head with a cigar box before giving it to Bradley. "Save some of those for next time we go golfing."

You watched your husband hug everyone in turn as he held onto the cigars and the gift card. And you didn't even mind that you'd probably need to exchange most of the stuff Mickey picked out. Everything was actually pretty perfect. It was chaotic, for sure. The guys ate all of the elaborate hors d'oeuvres that Nat picked out like it was a bag of Doritos, and you started crying again when Cam and Maria kissed your cheeks at the same time. But nothing prepared you for what Natasha said when you and Bradley insisted on helping her clean up at the end.

"I didn't really get anything for Rose, because I don't know what she likes yet. But I wanted to make everything easier for you both, so expect a ton of diapers and wipes to be delivered to your house this week." She pulled two wrapped boxes out from behind the bar as she said, "And these are for you."

"Nat," Bradley said, trying to push the boxes away. "You weren't supposed to get us anything at all. You threw us a fucking baby shower! It's too much!"

You watched her press her lips together for a few seconds before she whispered, "You're my best friend, Soul Sister. I never imagined I would ever see you as happy as you are now. Just take the fucking gifts. They're personalized, so I can't return them."

Bradley gave your hip a little squeeze before handing you the boxes, and then he pulled Nat in for a hug which lasted all of three seconds before she shook her head. "God, you're the worst. Just open them," she muttered, trying to pretend like she wasn't crying.

Your emotions were all over the place. You were happy and excited and horny and everything all at once. And you loved Natasha, but you weren't expecting her to pick out something so simple yet so perfectly beautiful. You unwrapped your box while Bradley opened his, and then you were both holding up luxuriously fluffy white cotton robes. Across the back of yours was stitched Rose's Mom in beautiful rose colored thread, and there was a rose embroidered on the front in the same color. Bradley's was the same but larger with Rose's Dad on the back. You slipped it on over your pink dress and did a little spin.

"This is beautiful," you whispered while Bradley put his on as well.

When you hugged her, she said, "I don't want either of you looking frumpy while you're taking care of my goddaughter."

While you hadn't given extensive thought to the honorary titles, you knew she would fit the role perfectly. You smiled and nodded. "You're absolutely right."

--------------------------

"Nat would be disgusted," Bradley said with a smile as he led you out to your quiet driveway later in the afternoon. The sky was a little dark from the storm clouds moving in, but it was still light enough out that he knew he needed to be cautious. He opened the back door of the blue Bronco and helped you in, and he was careful to help you keep yourself covered as you climbed in wearing nothing but your new robe. He tightened the sash on his, holding the front closed with one hand, and he followed you in.

"Roo," you whispered with a giggle. "I can see your cock."

He closed the door behind him and let the robe fall completely open, and soon you were yanking the sash so you could see all of him. Of course he was already hard and bobbing in excitement. "I'm pretty sure she intended for these to be worn over pajamas or underwear or something."

You just shrugged and straddled his lap, and told him, "I like it this way." You kissed his cheek while he cock was nestled up against your pussy, and he groaned in pleasure. "I'm sorry I fell asleep last night. I've been thinking about this moment all day. Wanting to make it up to you."

He felt a little bad for being so frustrated earlier, and he intended to say so, but then you pulled at the sash of your own robe, and he was treated to the sight of your swollen tits. When you shifted on his lap, they swayed ever so slightly, and he made a feral sound before leaning in to taste them. "Jesus," he moaned as he ran his nose around your breast. "So fucking warm." 

He sucked gently on your nipple while you played with his hair, hoping that the neighbors couldn't see through the line of trees into the Bronco. You tasted as good as you smelled, and he was salivating just knowing your milk would be coming in soon. Soft whimpers escaped you as he nibbled gently before sucking on you again, and you wiggled your hips until his tip was inside you. He slid his hands along the sides of your belly, and you gave him a little clench.

"Just a few more weeks, Daddy," you whispered, taking him deeper as he ran his tongue all over your chest. "Oh, you're such a good Daddy."

"Fuck," he growled, easing you back along the seat and hovering above you. "I thought this was gonna be sweet," he muttered, pistoning his cock into you, making your tits bounce. "But you're too hot."

You were whining his name, hands scrambling around for something to hold on to as he fucked you. "You don't have to be sweet, Roo. I like it rough."

"I know you do," he grunted kissing along your neck and palming your breast as he let you have it a little harder. "You're everything."

Eventually, like clockwork, his steady movements and whispered sentiments had you close. He let his hand cup your clit, his thumb stroking softly as he fucked you with sharp, strong strokes, and his other hand settled on your neck. You came instantly, your back arching, belly rising up to bump him.

"Bradley!" you screamed, and he glanced up to see if anyone was nearby. 

"Shh, Sweetheart," he coaxed, sinking his cock into your spasming pussy over and over until he couldn't take another second. "Oh, God." He pushed himself deep and dipped his thumb between your lips to keep you quieter, and he came and came. His balls were tight as he filled you, letting your body suck everything out of him that he had to give until he was a little dizzy. "Holy hell."

Your lips and tongue worked at his thumb as you lay there beneath him placidly. He kissed your nose and the perfect curve of your cheek before sitting up with his cock still inside you. You looked beautiful with your dainty rooster tattoo and your hard nipples, and when he withdrew slowly, he ran his fingers along your most intimate parts, collecting his cum.

"I hope the robes are machine washable," you whispered as you sat up, letting his cum dribble onto the fabric as you licked at his messy fingers. 

You had his cum on your lips, and your gaze was glued to his as he whispered, "Happy Valentine's Day, Baby Girl."

----------------------------

Later that week, you were climbing into bed while Bradley was adding to the Nugget Notebook. He was reading softly out loud as he wrote, and you were trying to enjoy yourself, but you didn't feel great.

"Hey, Rosie," he muttered with a smile. "Mommy's belly is looking enormous these days, and that means you'll be here soon. I don't think I've ever been this excited before. Nine months is a long time to build up this anticipation, and I'm ready to meet you. Your nursery is finished. We even had your baby shower the other day. All we're missing now is our little girl."

"That's sweet," you whispered, trying to get your stomach ache under control, but a second later, you jumped out of bed and ran for the bathroom. "Oh no," you groaned before emptying the contents of your stomach into the toilet.

Bradley was pounding across the floor right behind you, and you felt his hands on your back as you threw up even more. "What's wrong?" he asked, rubbing small circles. "What do you need me to do?"

"I don't know," you wailed, wiping sweat from your brow. "I feel awful. It started a few hours ago."

"Shit," he muttered, helping you lay down on the cold, tile floor. "Why didn't you say anything before?" He got to his feet and immediately had the blood pressure cuff on you while you closed your eyes and tried to get your heart rate to calm down. "Your blood pressure is low," he whispered. "This is inconsistent. It's been on the higher side."

Your mind was swirling with information as you tried to sit up, but Bradley was already on his phone. "What are you doing?"

"Calling Dr. Morris. Just lay still, Sweetheart." He rolled a towel up and tucked it under your head while Rose squirmed.

You did as you were told, because you were suddenly so tired, you couldn't think. You started to doze on the floor as Bradley spoke with someone. You only had four more weeks to go, but you felt like this was the beginning of the end. You just wanted to get the rest of this pregnancy over with as soon as possible. As you pulled the towel over your eyes to block out the light, your head started pounding. And when Bradley checked your blood pressure a second time, you heard him sigh.

"It's a lot higher now," he told whomever was on the phone. "Yes... yes... no... okay." A few seconds later, he was laying down next to you with one strong arm wrapped around your body. He kissed your ear and whispered, "They said it could be normal for this late in your pregnancy. The last month can get rough again, but we'll keep an eye on everything. If you don't feel a little bit better by the morning, I'll take you to get checked out."

You swallowed hard. "But you're supposed to be teaching tomorrow. Remember?"

He wanted to try his hand at flight instruction. He'd been talking about it for months. There would be fewer deployments if he thought it was a good fit for him, and Maverick was giving him the opportunity fill in on occasion now for an opening in the future.

"I don't care about that," he replied easily. "Let me get you girls back in bed."

Eventually you fell asleep while he rubbed your back. You could make it a few more weeks. Probably.

You felt a tiny bit better as the days wore on, but you were exhausted and achy. Your feet started to get puffy and swollen, and you could barely make it through a day at work.

"Are you almost ready to come out?" you asked your own belly in early March. 

But Bradley shook his head and got down in his knees in the middle of cooking dinner. "Absolutely not," he whispered. "You stay in there as long as you can, Rosie." He looked up at you with wide, brown eyes. "We're all doing great. Preeclampsia is under control again. You look incredible. I'm holding down the fort. That Nugget needs to stay put."

"I'm so tired," you whined. "My mom keeps saying I need to rest now before she's born, but I can't. I can barely sleep, and I always feel like I'm on the verge of throwing up again. And I'm just so fucking tired, Bradley."

"I know," he whispered, letting his cheek rest on your enormous belly. You were handily the largest pregnant woman you'd ever seen in your life, and you swore you got bigger by the day. "I'm taking care of as much as I can so you don't have to."

You started crying. "I feel disgusting. Everything hurts. My tits feel like they're on fire. My back feels like that time I woke up hanging halfway off the bed when I was drunk after my bachelorette party. My face is broken out, and I'm hungry."

Bradley sent you to the table with a bowl of homemade soup and spent thirty minutes trying to coax you to start your maternity leave early. But what were you supposed to do with your time if you were at home? Worry about the baby? Eat until you gained another ten pounds? Get frustrated that you can't sleep?

"No," you said, shaking your head. "I like going to work. I want to go to work."

He ran his hand along his face and asked, "Are we still doing maternity pictures on Sunday?"

"Yeah," you whispered, annoyed that you had scheduled it so late in your pregnancy, but you wanted to have some photos taken while you were still pregnant for his birthday calendar. He told you ages ago that was something he'd enjoy, and at least your breasts looked pretty nice at the moment. "I need you to meet me at the beach after you're done playing golf."

"There's no way I'm going golfing, Sweetheart."

"You have to. You promised the guys you'd smoke those pink cigars with them. And you'll look adorable in the photos with your cheeks all flushed from your outing."

He rolled his eyes and grouched as he walked away. "We'll see," he mumbled. "We'll just see."

------------------------------

Bradley was sipping pink champagne from the bottle and smoking a cigar in the golf cart, and he had to admit you were right for making him come today. You were miserable now. Sometimes when he touched you, he saw you wince. The last time you and he had sex was in the backseat of the blue Bronco a month ago. He kept telling you it was okay, but you cornered him this morning when he was trying to shave around his mustache, and you gave him a blowjob.

He was still thinking about his cock sliding expertly along between your lips when Jake lit up a cigar next to him. "You're almost there old man. More responsibility than you've ever had before."

Bradley grunted in response. "I'm ready. Can't wait to meet her." He couldn't stop thinking about passing along his last name and his mom's name to a new generation. If he never met you, he was sure he'd never be at this point now, but you made everything so exciting for him. "My Nugget."

Jake smirked in response. "Feel free to call me crying a few weeks after she's born when you need a break."

"Okay. Like you're some sort of baby professional," he muttered before taking another sip of champagne. "You weren't around when Jeremiah was a newborn."

"Well, I'm around now," Jake replied with a hard edge to his voice. "And I intend to keep it that way. Been thinking about proposing."

Bradley looked him in the eye and asked, "You think she'll say yes?"

While he looked just as cocky as ever, there was something unsure in his eyes. "How could anyone say no?"

Bradley shrugged in response. "I could say no to you all day long."

"You're not a woman."

"My wife told you no as well."

Jake glared at him before laughing. "Aren't you supposed to be getting photos taken or something? We've got two more holes to finish up."

"Yeah," Bradley grunted in response, ready to get out of here and get back to you. "Javy! Let's go!"

Javy was practicing his swing while smoking his own pink cigar, and that fact that Reuben was filling in with his thirty-four handicap and chugging champagne made Bradley really miss Bob. They all wound along the pathway toward the seventeenth green. Bradley got par on both holes and handily beat the other three, and then he ended up getting changed in his Bronco to head to the beach.

He was supposed to meet you and the photographer who had made both of his dirty Baby Girl calendars at a very specific spot on a very specific beach up near Oceanside, and when he arrived, you were topless.

"Jesus," he moaned, watching you cover your tits with your hands as you spun to face him.

"You're early!" you complained as he glanced along the deserted stretch of sand.

"I don't see the issue," he told you, closing the distance until he could kiss you. His eyes drifted down to your chest as he asked, "What are you doing, Sweetheart? Dirty maternity pictures?"

The photographer snorted as you shook your head. "Don't worry about it, Roo. It's for a special project," you said, leaning up to kiss his cheek. He desperately wanted to grab at you, but the two of you weren't alone, and he didn't want to make you wince again.

"I love special projects," he whispered, a little concerned that he might get hard as you dropped your hands and took your top back from the photographer with a thank you.

Then he was subjected to two hours of photos. Two hours of being posed and prodded while sand blew in his face. Two hours of being told he was only allowed to touch you in a specific way.

"Wouldn't it be better to take photos after Rose is here?" he mused when he was finally allowed to just watch you pose alone with your hands on your belly.

"Oh, don't worry about that. We'll have another round of pictures with her, too," you informed him.

"Great."

It was one thing to enjoy pictures of you, but Bradley wasn't a very good photography subject. He got tired of smiling after about three minutes. Honestly, he'd probably smile a lot more with his tiny daughter in his arms at home instead of on the beach where the wind was kicking up.

"We're just about done," the photographer informed him, but he knew what he wanted.

"Can we get a few with the sun setting where we aren't posed at all?" he asked.

You were standing with the waves rolling up around your toes as you asked, "What did you have in mind?"

He reached for you and pulled you close, one big hand coming up to your cheek as he said, "Maybe something like this." Then he kissed you just like he always would, and his other hand found your belly. "I love you," he murmured, and you kissed him harder. Your arms were around his neck like it was your very first kiss, and he couldn't stop smiling. 

He honestly forgot there was anyone else there at all until she said, "These look perfect."

He was still smiling as his forehead came to rest against yours. "Of course they do. I'm with my girls."

----------------------------

As the month of March wore on and the days grew hotter again, you were getting more uncomfortable by the hour. Your due date was fast approaching, and you felt like you lived at Dr. Morris's office now. They were constantly taking urine samples and blood samples, and when they finally sent you home on March twentieth with a cotton ball and a bandaid on your arm, you pouted at Bradley as he drove.

"Can we stop and get some ice cream?" you asked. "I was really good during my appointment."

"You were so good, Baby Girl," he crooned playfully, giving your thigh a squeeze. "I'll get you some ice cream."

He stopped at the super secret little ice cream spot near base, and you sat on a bench together with double scoop cones. Bradley's tongue was a major distraction as he licked along his strawberry and raspberry scoops, and you had to try to keep up before your treat melted everywhere. 

When he kissed your cheek, his lips were cold as he said, "You're too slow," before stealing a huge lick from your scoops. "You're dripping onto your shirt."

"No, I'm not," you insisted. You hadn't felt anything dribble onto your outfit, but when you glanced down, there was a damp spot on your shirt. Your brow furrowed, wondering how that could be, and then you gasped. "Oh. Ohhh. Are my nipples leaking?" you asked softly, handing him your cone and trying to discreetly look down your shirt.

"Oh my god," he groaned loudly, ice creams forgotten as he tried to get a peek, too. "Please tell me the answer is yes."

You bit your lip as you pulled your tank top and snug sports bra away from your tender breasts, ready to moan from the pain and pleasurable sensations. "They are," you gasped. When you looked up into his brown eyes, there was ice cream dripping onto both of his hands, and his lips were parted in awe. "Do you want to go home?"

He grunted something unintelligible, and you watched him inhale the rest of his ice cream. The fact that he let you eat something so messy in his Bronco was almost unfathomable, but he buckled you in and sprinted around to the driver's side while you held your cone. His cheeks were bright red in the setting sunlight, and he drove a bit faster than he usually ever did, his knee bobbing in anticipation.

As you licked at your cone and rubbed a hand on your tender belly, you sweetly asked, "What exactly do you want to do when we get home, Roo?"

He glanced over at you several times, pupils blown wide, before he rasped, "I need to taste you."

"Bradley," you moaned, squeezing your thighs together as he pulled into the driveway. "Please. I want you to."

"Fuck," he grunted, shifting into park and running back around to get you. He tossed your cone over his shoulder onto the grass, and he didn't complain when you wrapped your sticky fingers around his neck. He hauled you inside and took a seat on the couch with his legs spread wide and his erection bobbing in his gym shorts. "Show me, please," he begged, and you started to strip off your shirt. When you peeled off your bra as well, his eyes went even wider, and he took you gently by the hips until you were straddling his waist. 

"Jesus Christ," he whispered, eyes darting from your face to your breasts as a small bead of your breast milk dripped from your nipple. His fingers flexed on your hips and he whimpered.

"Go ahead," you coaxed, running your fingers through his hair. You were completely mesmerized by how badly he wanted this, and when he ran his tongue along your nipple before sucking gently, you whined.

He released you with a pop as your aching belly rested against him, and the possessive look in his eyes left you breathless. You guided him closer again with your hand at the back of his head, and this time, he didn't stop. He sucked and laved, lapping up your milk and buried his face in your breasts. You were leaking from both sides now, and he didn't let a single drop go to waste. He ran his nose and his fingers through it, tasting you on his skin as well as your own.

"You're so fucking warm," he whispered reverently. "And sweet. Oh my god, Baby Girl. Oh my god." Then his flat tongue swiped out for another taste. You let him keep going, loving the feel of his mouth and mustache, almost soothing you. By the time you pulled his cock free from his shorts, his tip was bright and angry looking, and after two pumps in your hand, he came all over both of you. Your leggings and his clothing were covered, but he was still lapping at your nipples, cheeks rosy and pupils wide.

"Daddy," you whispered, pulling away as you started to feel a little overstimulated and dizzy. "That was so hot."

He sank back against the couch, looking around like he was surprised to find the mess he just made. "Oh. Fuck. I'm sorry," he whispered, chest rising and falling with each deep breath. "I'll clean you up."

But you were laughing softly. "You got so carried away."

"I know," he groaned. "Your magic tits are killing me."

You whimpered and let him help you stand, and then you took him with you to get a shower. He didn't lick them again, but his hands were right there and his eyes were hazy as he looked you up and down.

"You're obsessed. What are you going to do when I'm no longer pregnant?"

His eyes lit up. "Well, I'll be delighted. Both of my girls will be here. And it's not like I wasn't obsessed with you before you were pregnant."

"Hmm, I suppose you're right." But as you climbed into bed, completely exhausted, you smirked as Bradley wrote a few paragraphs in the Nugget Notebook. You were wearing nursing pads now, but you came up with a little plan for the following day.

---------------------------

Bradley left base a little late. He was honestly so thankful that Maverick was giving him an opportunity to help teach the newest batch of aviators to arrive at Top Gun, but it was a lot of extra work that he wasn't used to. He drove home with a folder of things he needed to take a look at, but all he could really think about was your tits. Big, round, warm, perfect.

He hadn't seen you all day, but he blushed every time he thought about how he blew his load everywhere last night. He was also a little afraid he might do it again if you let him loose on your lactating nipples. Jesus, how was he supposed to function now that he knew what you tasted like?

Anxiously, he ran his fingers through his hair. Okay, so he knew he needed it. If you were home already, he'd just ask you nicely if he could get in there before he cooked dinner. And to his delight, he saw your Bronco in the driveway when he drove down the street.

"Excellent," he muttered, trying to waddle up the walkway with a semi erect cock in his khakis. Ah, but you knew him so well. You knew he was going to be a mess all the time now. When he walked inside, you were standing there in the living room topless. He could barely see your lace panties for the size of your belly, but you were smiling as a droplet of your milk formed on your left nipple.

"Hi, Daddy," you greeted playfully, and he took two steps into the room before the look on your face changed from smiley to shocked. "Oh!" you gasped, looking down at your feet and taking a step backwards. "I think... oh my god. I think I just wet myself!"

Bradley's eyes went wide as he dropped everything he was holding. "Sweetheart. I think your water broke."

-----------------------------

She's coming!!! Rosie!! I'm so damn excited! Thanks @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 15

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[bookuce]

Change My Mind

SUMMARY: Josh and Alina are great friends most days. Other days, they want to tear each other apart. Some days, they’re in love with each other, but neither of them will admit it. 

*DISCLAIMER: This is a multi-part series. I do not own any of the characters in the writing except for the OCs. The book uses actual names of wrestlers. Josh is Jey, Jon is Jimmy, Trinity is Naomi, and Alina is Alina. The book is not realistic and does not take place during real events, but some actual events (matches, storylines) could pop up in the story eventually. I DO NOT GIVE ANYONE PERMISSION TO TRANSLATE OR REPOST MY WRITINGS ANYWHERE. THAAAAAANKS. *

PAIRING: Jey Uso x Black OC

TROPE: Friends to Lovers

WARNINGS: Language

WORD COUNT: 2,272

PART 5

THE MASTERLIST

PART SIX

“I miss you,” Josh confesses into the phone. It was the first Friday that Alina had missed in almost five months. As much as she would love to continue on the road with Josh, she needed to come home. Alina missed her family and friends; one weekend with them would solve her problems for a few months. While she was at home in Atlanta, he was up in New York. He and the Family arrived at the arena early for camera work. Now, he was hiding in one of the empty green rooms backstage.

“It’s only been a day.” She says, moving through the kitchen with a bucket of ice and wine. She places the black bucket on her coffee table, returning to the kitchen for three wine glasses. 

“Yeah, and I’m already losing sight in my left eye.” He informs her. 

Alina snorts. “Boy, shut up.” Josh might’ve been experiencing some separation anxiety. Would he admit it? No, but Alina could tell. They had spent every day together since that night in her hotel room. She’d join him on the bus, or he would room with her. The hotel became frequent after Joe and Jon decided the couple was starting to get on their nerves. They loved them a lot, but the displays of affection were beginning to become too much for them.

“You know what could cure me?” He asks, propping his feet on the small coffee table before him. He crosses his right arm over his chest, tucking that hand in his left elbow.

“What?” She asks, tucking her phone between her shoulder and ear. She carefully grabs the three wine glasses and returns to the living room. The sound of a video call began to ring in Alina’s ear. She grins, leaning down to place the glasses on the table. She removes the phone from her ear and answers the call. The call screen disappears, Josh’s face now taking up her screen. He’d grin at her, flashing his teeth adorned in gold jewelry. “Hey, baby.” She greets him.

“Hey, Mamas.” He replies. “Fine ass.” He says, making her laugh and look away from the camera. “What you got planned for today?” 

“Cassie and Tasha are coming over for a movie night.” There were three of them, have been since college. While Alina excelled in Journalism, her friends Cassie and Alex were nurses. Moments like these with them make her so happy. Though they didn’t talk as often as they used to when younger, it always felt like the trio never missed a beat when they came together.

“You not watching me?” He asks.

“I’ve seen enough of you.” She says.

“I ain’t seen enough of you.” He tells her, tilting his head to the side. “As a matter of fact, you should show me a little something something.” He closes his left eye. “Help cure the blindness in my left eye.” He tells her.

“What are you talking about?” She asks, lifting an eyebrow.

Josh bites down on his lower lip, tilting his chin downward. He lifts his brows at her. “Show me one of them thangs.” Alina’s mouth drops at his request.

“Ugh, get out of my phone!” She exclaims, ending the call. Right on cue, her doorbell rings, prompting her to take her mind off her boyfriend. 

Josh would suck his teeth at the lack of response, tossing his phone on the couch. He leaned his head against the back of the sofa, allowing his eyes to fall shut. Josh was going to go insane. He didn’t understand why he was having difficulty coping with her absence. He’s done it plenty of times before they got together. How come now, and only now, has it become so challenging?

Buzz! Buzz!

Josh’s phone lights up from the cushion next to him. He quickly grabs it, hoping that it is Alina following through with his request. Instead, it was his brother.

Jon: Wya. We opening the show. Producers want to talk to us

Josh shoots back a quick ‘ok’ before pushing himself off the couch. “Shit, if we going on first, I’m dipping out after this.” He says to himself. He was now looking for plane tickets to Atlanta. 

•••••••••••••••••••••

Music filled Alina’s living room while she and her best friends caught up with each other. Each lady had a glass of wine, their legs folded beneath them. “So, the wedding rehearsals will be at five,” Tasha informs Alina. “We’re then going to have the rehearsal dinner at the winery.” She takes her phone, leaning over to show Alina the aesthetic for the dinner. “Michael wanted to have dinner inside one of the halls at the Venue, but I just think under the stars with fairy lights and candles would fit better. Very romantic, very boho.” She concludes, smiling big to herself. 

“This is beautiful, Tash,” Alina says, smiling at the Pinterest board. “Is there anything I need to do though? You know I’ve wanted to help since you made me the Maid of Honor.” Tasha shook her head. 

“Nah, girl, it’s cool. You have a lot on your plate with the WWE and everything. I wouldn’t want to add more stress to you. All I really need is for you to show up.” She says, peering up at her friend. “You still coming, right?” She asks. Alina laughs.

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world! To stand by you during your big day is too important to me. Besides, Paul already gave me the weekend off.” Alina assures her. She had missed a large chunk of helping Tasha plan her wedding. Alina gave most of her input on the wedding over the phone. She wishes she didn’t miss dress shopping with Tasha and Cassie. Alina planned to buy a large binder and put things inside it—like a wedding planner. She got the idea from a movie she loved growing up. Oh well, she’ll save that idea for another time. 

Another time. 

Out of their little circle, Alina was the only one unmarried. Cassie has been married for five years, while Tasha has been officially married since last week. Alina’s eyes venture down to her wine glass. She should probably tell them she’s seeing Josh. The truth is, the couple was trying to keep their relationship under wraps as much as possible. It wasn’t like they didn’t want anyone to know they were together; Alina and Josh just wanted to keep it private while they explored this new normal together. If the relationship doesn’t work out, no one will know it happened other than the people involved. 

“So,” Alina breathes, gaining her friends’ attention. “I have a confession to make.” She says.

“You pregnant?” Cassie asks immediately.

“Don’t wish that upon me,” Alina snaps. 

“Okay, so what is it?” Tasha asks.

Here goes nothing, she thought. “I’m seeing Josh.” She confesses. Tasha and Cassie stared at their friend silently, waiting for some clarification. She didn’t say what they think she did, did she?

“Tonight? Josh is in Atlanta?” Tasha asks, lifting a brow.

“No, Josh is at Smackdown in New York,” Alina explains, shaking her head.

“Then how are you seeing him?” Cassie asks.

Alina groans, shaking her head. “Oh my God…” She whispers, bringing her hands together. “Josh and I are seeing each other.” She says. “As in, we’re fucking.” She specified. There frankly was no gentler way to describe this to them. “Josh and I are fucking.” She reiterates. 

“You’re lying,” Cassie says, surprise apparent in her voice. Alina shakes her head. “Now, how the hell did that happen?” She asks.

“We got drunk, one thing led to another, and the rest was history.” Alina was somewhat happy they happened the way they did. She could only imagine where they’d be if it didn’t happen. She’d probably be on her fifth date going nowhere, and he would have been chasing them off. It was a never-ending cycle, it seems. “He makes me really happy, though.” She says finally. “Apart from y’all, that’s my best friend.” She continues.

Tasha squealed softly. “Well, it’s about damn time.” She says. “It was obvious y’all would end up here when he first started coming around. Y’all go out to lunch together, y’all ride to shows together. Hell, the man lives in Florida but is always in your house here in Atlanta.” She says, counting on her fingers. “I give it four months, though.” Alina and Cassie look at their friend, confusion apparent on their faces. “What? He’s going to propose before the end of the year. I already know it. That boy is in love with you.” Alina rolls her eyes at the assumption.

“We’re just getting to know each other.” She says.

“What more is there to know?” Tasha asks. “Besides the human body, and I’m sure y’all’ve done enough of that.” A knock at the front door pulls the women from their conversation. They become quiet, now looking at each other. 

“Did y’all order something?” Alina asks, standing to her feet. Tasha and Cassie shake their heads. Another knock would sound throughout the living room. “Just a moment!” She exclaims, quickly making her way over to the door. She grabs the doorknob, twisting it to pull the door open. There, on the opposite side of the door, was Josh. “I…” Alina says, her eyes lowering in squints. She turns her head slightly before stepping to the side to let him in. 

“Speak of the Devil,” Cassie says once he is in the house. 

“What’s up, y’all.” He waves slightly, glancing over at Alina. As she closed the door, she continued to squint at the man. She had questions. He drops his duffle by the door before walking toward the kitchen. Alina lifts a finger at her friends before following Josh into the kitchen. He was pulling out a short glass from her cupboard, about to pour himself a drink. 

“Why are you here?” She asks, leaning against the island. He grabs the bottle of bourbon she had hidden in a cabinet above the stove. “You’re supposed to be in New York.” She says. 

 “Well, damn, hello to you, too.” He says, leaning over the woman for a kiss. She’d return the kiss but glanced away when he tried to steal a few more. They were talking, and she wanted to keep it that way. “We opened the show tonight, and Paul had nothing else for us to do, so I left. I caught a flight straight here after our segment.” He explains. He expected her to react differently to him being here, but he also didn’t think her friends would still be here pushing midnight. Josh leans onto the counter, his dark eyes on Alina. “I’ll go upstairs, get out y’all’s way.” He promises. They would stare at each other in silence.

“Josh!” Tasha calls from the living room. Josh would look away from her, his eyes going to the kitchen entrance.

“Yeah?” He answers. The sound of feet hitting the floor could be heard before Alina’s friends joined them in the kitchen. 

“Since you and Lina are official now, are you coming to the wedding as her plus one?” Tasha asks. 

“You and Michael’s, right?” He asks. 

“Yes, sir.” She confirms.

Josh reaches up to scratch at the greying beard on his face—something he does often when deep in thought. He’s out of the loop for most things in Alina’s life. Though Josh has been friends with Alina for two years, he didn’t start coming around until a year into their friendship. Even then, it was rare for him to see her friends or family. He was a part of her life that was separate from the rest until now. He was okay with that. It was the same for her with his family. She had only met them a few times in passing backstage. “I don’t know, when is it?” He asks. 

“The Saturday after next,” Tasha answers. “There will be a dinner the night before at the venue.”

Alina glances down at Josh again, his eyes finding hers the instant she turns. “You want me to come?” He asks. She nods. “I’ll buy a suit then. What’s the dress code?” He asks.

“Formal,” Cassie answers. “Black tie preferred.” She adds. 

“We can go suit shopping tomorrow if you want?” Alina says. Josh would nod, leaning off of the countertop. The couple return their attention to Tasha and Cassie. 

“Good,” Tash breathes. “I guess now that that’s settled, we should get going. It’s getting pretty late.” She says, glancing at her phone. “It was good seeing you again, Josh.” They wave at him before blowing kisses at their friend. They make their way back towards the living room. The front door opens and closes, leaving the pair alone.  Josh downs the rest of his drink.

“You know I’m mad at you, right?” He says suddenly. Alina spins around, her brows furrowed.

“What did I do?” She exclaims.

“You hung up on me earlier. No goodbye, no ‘I love you’.” He explains.

“You wanted me to show my titties!” She shouts.

“And I still do!” He replies. 

Alina laughs slightly, her eyes finding the floor. Slowly, she begins to back up, waving her hand at him. “I’m not doing this with you.” Josh starts to walk after her, a mischievous grin on his lips. He’s about to chase you, she thought. She turns her back to him, picking up her pace.

“Where you going?” He asks, causing her to start running towards the stairs. 

“Josh!” She screams as he snatches her up and tosses her over his shoulder. 

PART SEVEN

____________________________________________________________

A/N: omg hey friends LMAO

so whoopsies, i got distracted BIG TIME (no rush). forgive me pls. So this is basically a filler chapter. I have some things I want to happen and I got to find a way for us to reach the drama. You'll love it though, I promise! In the meantime, I'd love to talk with you about this chapter if you have anything to say lol

k bye!

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[raya-hunter01]

Lights, Camera, Action! Pt. 6

Jey Uso x Black Female OC! (Shantell)

Roman x Black Female OC! Tangela

Solo x Black Female OC! Sofia

Jimmy x Trin

Rating: 18+

Warning: Smut; oral, sex, spanking

Words:

Summary: How do you keep it together as Smackdown’s production director and navigate your life as the girlfriend of Mr. Main Event Jey Uso.  Follow Shantell as she navigates her life as a girlfriend, sister, and confidant to the bloodline. Follow her on her journey to self-discovery of love and happiness.

.............

OBGYN' Office, Pensacola, FL

Shantell’s POV

“Let’s see how everything is going,” Dr. Borden says preparing for the ultrasound. I take deep breaths as I feel my nerves getting the best of me. Dr. Borden is moving the wand on my stomach trying to find the baby and I’m nervous.

I hate hospitals and doctor offices with a passion. I still can’t believe I’m pregnant and I think that’s why I haven’t told Jey.  I didn’t want to get his hopes up, how would he respond to the news especially after the Taraji bomb the other night.

My thoughts are all over the place and I feel like the ball could drop at any moment. Could I have a healthy pregnancy, and carry this baby to term? Truthfully, I’m scared to death, and I can’t help but think of Jey. He looked so angry and broken this morning when we all left the bus shop.

I think he was going to confront Taraji; I just hope he doesn’t do something stupid. “There is your baby,” I hear Doctor Borden say, turning the screen towards me. My eyes filled with tears as I see what I could only describe as a tiny peanut staring back at me.

“Is everything ok?” I asked, wiping my tears that had fallen. “Well, you tell me Shantell,” he says turning the sound up on the machine as I heard my baby’s heartbeat for the first time. “Oh my god,” I finally exhaled as I felt a weight lifted off of me, my baby was ok.

“Everything is good, strong heartbeat and you’re about five weeks along,” Dr. Borden says printing me out a couple of pictures. “Is everything else ok, from my surgery,” I ask nervously.  “You are going to need to avoid stress, but that is all women who are expecting. “So, what’s the plan, to ensure everything goes well,” I ask.

“Well, it is important you take care of yourself; this is a high-risk pregnancy with your medical history. I want to do frequent appointments to keep an eye on you and the baby,” he says smiling as I nod looking at him. “I got ya, no stress and take it easy,” I say feeling better knowing my doctor had a plan to make sure the baby and I were ok.

-------------

Taraji’s Apartment

Jey’s POV

I’m so fuckin’ mad I can’t see straight but I gotta do this now. I need to know why, knocking on her door I could hear voices but no answer. So, I used the spare key under the carpet.

As I came in, I heard Taraji getting an earful from an emotional Rachel in the living room, so I ducked behind the front door listening. “The jig is up! Sofia went to my boss and I’m under investigation, Jey knows everything!” I hear Rachel shout hysterically.

Taraji’s POV

“What you mean he knows?” I whisper as I feel my throat closing in.

“He knows you weren’t pregnant, and now I’m in your shit,” Rachel says pacing. “Look, we will be ok. I can get us out of this,” I say trying to think.

“This got so screwed up, all he had to do was marry me when I told him I was pregnant,” I spat angrily as Rachel looked at me in horror.  “There was no baby! What was your plan? He would marry you and then what, a baby would magically appear?" she questions as I shake my head no.

“The miscarriage was always a part of the plan; I was going to tell him I lost it. By then we would have been married. So, we could have tried for a baby,” I say trying to get her to understand. “So, you were so desperate to have this man and his money you did all this. I dropped my head in shame unable to say anything.

 “Well, thank you because now I’m on my way to a meeting to find out if I still have a job to support my two kids,” she said looking at me defeated. “I’m sorry Rachel,” I sigh as she grabs her purse heading towards the door “Just stay away from me Taraji,” she says storming out of my apartment.  I took a deep breath trying to pace myself, “I thought I had closed that when Rachel first came by, why was it open anyway,” I mumble as I closed the door.

Behind me I heard keys jingling and my blood ran cold. It can't be, I turned and was met with the stone-cold eyes of Jey. “No,” I whispered in shock as I didn’t expect him to even be back in town yet. “Just me and you Taraji,” he says, his voice void of feeling, his hard stare scaring me.

Jey’s POV

“I’m so sorry Jey,” Taraji cried, collapsing against me, trying to hug me as I pry her away. “You have no idea how much I hate yo ass,” I say deathly calm, looking at her guilty crying ass made me angrier.

"I love you, Jey! Please believe me," she cried as I saw red “You have messed up my life……. Bad,” I say rubbing my hands across my face trying to calm down. 

“We could be so happy; please, just forgive me, “Taraji continued to beg as I swear for the first time in my life, I wanted to kill somebody. “You really played me, you was cheatin’ when we was together. Fuckin’ anybody for a come up and I still gave yo ass the benefit of the doubt,” I yelled.

“I changed! Jey, people can change!” she cried as I ignored the lame ass attempt of trying to flip the script, mascara running down her face from her tears. “You just faked being pregnant!! You invented a baby! A baby, the one thing you knew I always wanted,” I groaned in pain trying to grasp how out of touch she was with all she has done.

 “I can’t believe how stupid I was. I lost the only person I ever loved, trying to be there for you and a baby that didn't exist!” I hissed at her in disgust as I see the wheels turning in her head, trying to think of what to say.

“Everything ok in here?” Jimmy asked, walking in looking at me with worry.

“Yea, we good, I just wanted to let Taraji know that Paul knows everything and wishes to meet with her on Friday before the show,” I said looking at Taraji taking in her scared expression.

“Jey, we gotta talk this out,” she cries trying to hold my hand as I snatch away, walking towards my brother. “You stay away from my family, especially Shan,” I say dropping her keys on the table.

“It’s always about her! Little Ms. Perfect!” Taraji screams as I nod in agreement with her. “Yea, it will always be about her,” I say not ashamed to admit to myself or Taraji. “She’ll never have you again after all you’ve done, and I can’t wait to see you miserable.” Taraji says smugly as I clinch my fists.

“Well, from what I heard, you won’t have to worry about seeing if Shan takes me back or if I’m miserable,” I say smugly as I know I’m about to take her ass down a peg. “Why is that?” Taraji taunts as I grin at her.” Because you may not be employed for very much longer, WWE takes these things seriously, and they are within their rights to fire yo ass. So, if I was you, I would walk a real thin ass line and stay the fuck away from my family,” I say as jimmy puts his hand on my shoulder.

Let’s go Uce, you said what you had to say,” Jimmy says trying to keep me calm.

“Yea, let’s roll,” I said walking away from her as I see I had two missed two calls from Shantell and a voicemail. “What could she want?” I mumble putting in my code to check the message. “Hey, this is Shan, we need to talk it’s very important so when you get time stop by my house. Talk to you later.”

"Who was it, Uce? "Jimmy asked as we made our way back to the car. “It was Shantell wanting to talk, it sounded important,” I say a little worried. “Good, I think it’s time ya’ll talked and get this shit straight,” Jimmy says not sugarcoating the issue.

“I know she ain’t just gon' fall back into my arms, I fucked up bad,” I say knowing I’m deserving of the cold shoulder I’ve been getting from her. “Then start from scratch as friends and work yo way back to your woman man, “Jimmy said shooting me an encouraging glance.

Maybe we could find our way back, I knew I loved her but this hothead temper of mine has got me in some shit that it’s gon’ take awhile to get out of.

-------------------------------

Shan’s House

Shantell’s POV

It feels good to be home, I loved staying with Solo and Sofia but it’s nothing like your own house. I called Jey early this morning inviting him over to talk and I still haven’t heard a peep. Working, I faintly heard someone knocking on my door. Reaching over to look at my phone it was almost midnight.

Time had gotten away from me as I was working on a video package for Jey’s rematch against Joe. They were doing this Tribal Combat angle.  “I know damn well this ain’t his ass, this late at night, I" mutter as I got up and headed toward the door. Looking out the side window I saw his car.

“What do you want Jey?” I ask through the door, not really in the mood for any drama. "I need to talk to you, plus you told me to stop by,” he says standing back from the door. Unlocking it, I stepped outside to meet him. “Oh, I can’t come in,” he says with a small smile.  “Ain’t shit open after midnight but legs, the ER, and Waffle House. I asked yo ass to come by earlier, so nope,"” I said smartly as he laughed at me.

“Walk wit me then” he says grasping my hand. “Let me get my keys and my blanket its cold,” I say stepping back inside as he looked over my shoulder trying to look around my house “You sure Montez ain’t in there, right?” he asks with a frown. “Well, if he was, it would be my business.” I say rolling my eyes at him.

“I’m kidding, I know I’m the only one,” he says proudly as I shake my head at him. “If you can’t get your shit together, you won’t be the only one for long,” I say as his smile drops seeing the seriousness in my face. We walked down to the beach and just enjoyed listening to the waves for bit before finally sitting down on the sand to talk.

“Shan I’m really sorry about calling you damaged, I didn’t mean it, I was just grieving, looking for someone to blame.” I said feeling ashamed, I wanted to hurt her because I was hurting. “You really hurt me, and it took me back to a place I didn’t want to be. You knew that would hurt me;” I said wiping my tears.  

“I meant what I said that night, your everything and any man would be lucky to have you,” he says pulling me close as I lay my head on his shoulder. "I can't believe you remember that?" I whispered as I closed my eyes, it felt so good to be back in his arms again. "I remember everything about you, since the first day I met you," he said playing with my fingers. My mind was screaming tell him, but I feared how he would react.

Jey’s POV

 “I had told my ma, I was leaving Taraji to be with you that night at our family dinner,” I said just wanting to lay it all out on the table.  Shan looked at me before glancing out at the gulf. “Well, I’m sorry you had to argue with your mom,” she said rubbing my arm. “You were worth it,” I assured her, as her unsure smile made me want to kick my own ass as I reached over and kissed her on the cheek.

 “So, what did you need to talk about?” I asked, wanting to know as I could see she seemed worried. “We can talk about it later,” she says quickly wiping her tears looking at me. “Just tell me baby, I got you, “I say grasping her hand placing a kiss on it.

Shantell’s POV

I took our joined hands and placed them on my stomach “Josh, I’m pregnant,” I whispered trying to not to scare him.  The silence is scaring me as I can’t see his face. “Josh, did you hear what I said?” I asked a little louder, and still nothing. Ok, that’s my cue to go. I tried to move but his grip on me tightened as he finally looks at me.

“You havin’ my baby?” he asked smiling, as I saw tears welling in his eyes. "Yea, you knocked me up,” I joke as he laughs, gently kissing me “Thank you,” he said putting his hand back on my stomach as a few tears escaped his eyes, "You don't have to thank me," I said wiping his tears as kissed my stomach “Baby, it’s yo daddy. By the time you get here daddy gon’ have it right, I promise,” he says pulling me closer as I ran my fingers through his hair trying not to cry as he's talking to our baby.

I felt better having told him so he could share in this experience, but we have a long road ahead before we were Josh and Shantell again.

----------------------------------------------

Smackdown Before the Show

Bloodline Dressing room

“I hope they transfer her ass,” Tangela says walking around the room pacing. “I don’t want anybody to lose they job, but I wish she would leave Shan and Jey alone,” Trin said as I came out dressed for the show. “Aww, I can’t wait for you to start showing,” Tamina said rubbing my stomach.

“Girl, I gotta be able to hold my food down first,” I laugh as I gather my notes. “What has Mr. Real Chief been doing to get in your good graces,” Tangela asks as I shake my head at her poor attempt to get some tea.

“It's almost like when we first started dating, he’s been staying the night,” I say shrinking back at the stare from Trin. “Bitch, I know you ain’t been holdin' out on me," she says frowning at me. “Trin, we may make small talk, he talks to the baby, watches tv and sleep, “I say trying to get my point across.

“Basically, taking it slow before rushing into anything and it makes sense, Tangela says agreeing with me. “He understands he hurt me, and it’s going to take awhile. That’s all I can guarantee at this point,” I say putting my shoes on heading towards the door to getting ready to go to Gorilla.

“I need to find Joe, so I’ll walk with you,” Tangela says as I smile totally glad for the company.  Enroute to Gorilla I had to use the restroom, so I ducked into the ladies' room as Tangela went to find Joe. Stopping dead in my tracks I see Taraji at the sink crying. Fuck, this is all I need right now as she turns to look at me.

“You happy, this is all your fault! I’m suspended, and they are transferring me back to raw!” she shouts as I take a deep breath not wanting to argue with her. “Taraji, I didn’t make you do what you did,” I say trying to remain calm.

“I just fuckin' hate yo ass,” Taraji says walking in my face, as in this moment I know she’s confrontational and I got to protect myself and my baby. “Look, what do you want!” I yell tired of the bullshit. “I WANT JEY!” She hysterically screams at me; this bitch is crazy. “I worked for him, so I should have him,” Taraji says continuing to rant.

“Taraji, yo ass better go find yourself something safe to do, like playin’ in traffic,” I say smartly. “What you gon’ do? I been waiting on you Shantell,” she taunts as she mushed my head back. See, I am trying Lord, but she just keeps on pushin’ me.

“Look, chill and gon’ on Taraji,” I warn as she smiles before slapping me, as I feel the blood coming from my mouth. I subconsciously rub my stomach, Baby, mama is so sorry, but I gotta clean this ho up right quick. Before she could swing again, I punched her in the face as she fell in a heap on the floor. “I don’t do that slappin’ shit,” I hissed as she was holding her eye. “You bitch,” she muttered still nursing her eye.

“You still in here Shantell?” I hear Tangela asking walking into the restroom taking in the scene before her. “What the hell goin on?" she asks seeing Taraji getting up. “Just a misunderstanding,” I say trying to squash the issue. “Nah, I ain’t buying that shit, look at your lip.  She still fuckin’ wit you? Tangela asked now eying Taraji. "I’m good, just leave it, sis,” I plead just wanting to leave.

“Now, you work here, Trin, and Tamina do too but I don’t,” Tangela warns as Taraji charged at her swinging, before I knew it Tangela had caught her by the hair and started punching on Taraji fast as hell. All I saw and heard was fists tagging Taraji, alternating between her head and face, "Let me go, ho!" Taraji screams, now not fighting but trying to get Tangela off her hair.

Tangela continued to drag her ass around the bathroom “You one stupid bitch! open the door, Shantell!” Tangela screams as I jumped scurrying to the door. “Let me go!" Taraji yells struggling to keep her footing as Tangela is draggin’ her down the hall as people are looking at us. "Get yo ass outta this building!," Tangela yelled yanking Taraji's hair harder.

What the hell ya’ll doin’!?” Jimmy shouts running over to us with Paul prying Tangela away from Taraji. “What the hell is going on?” Paul shouts as Tangela tries to go back at her. “She attacked Shantell in the bathroom! I thought she was suppose to be gone, Paul!” Tangela yells as Paul jumped on the defense. “She was suppose to be! You three in my office now!” He shouts as Tangela rolls her eyes.

“Paul, I don’t work for yo’ ass so I suggest you ask me nicer than that,” Tangela snaps as I put my hand on her shoulder.” Please Tangela, let’s go,” I beg as I see Taraji walking to his office in front of us. "Tangela, we are going to get it worked out," Paul said calmly walking with us. "You better, cause ain't nobody got time to be harassed at their job by idiots," she says calming down.

“Jimmy go get Jey and Joe, meet me in my office,” Paul says following us inside.

This feels like the fuckin principal office, Tangela and I on one side, and Taraji on the other. This is not how I wanted the night to go. I just wanted to work and enjoy my night.

“What happened ya’ll?” Joe asked coming in looking at us with Jey and Jimmy behind him. “She attacked Shan and tried to charge me, so I dragged dat ass, that’s all,” Tangela says casually not caring how it looked or sounded.  I looked over and I could see Jey steaming but not moving from beside Joe. “Taraji, what do you have to say?” Paul asks as she sighs in a defeated tone. “I was in the bathroom; Shan came in and I was just so angry. After some words I slapped her,” Taraji says quietly.

“You what!” Jey shouts angrily finally seeing the blood on the side of my mouth. “Then I punched her in the face,” I said honestly as Jey groaned coming over to me touching my face trying to see if there was any more damage.

“Shantell, you can’t be doing that,” he started as I looked at him giving him a signal to stop talking. I knew he was about to say I was pregnant and honestly, I didn’t want this bitch to know that.

“Taraji, security will escort you out of the building,” Paul says as I see Tangela getting annoyed. “That’s what you should have did personally after the meeting, and we wouldn’t be here now,” she says matter of fact.

“Tangela, baby chill,” Joe said kneeling in front of her trying to take her attention off of Taraji.

“Now I’ve really got to reconsider this whole job thing, you can’t be attacking people, you will be working in the Stamford office.  You are off the road completely until further notice,” Paul informs her as out the corner of my eye I see her nod in understanding as she stands up and walks out with security.

“Now Shantell you know that was dangerous with your condition,” Paul says scolding me. “What did ya’ll want me to do? Just stand there and let her continue to assault me. She could have hurt me or the baby,” I say rambling as Joe looked at me smiling.  “Your pregnant?” he asked, turning giving Tangela a knowing smile. “So, that’s why you were in guard dog mode, huh,” he says kissing her.

Guard dog, shiiid! You saw all dem' knots on that girl forehead. She was draggin’ that girl down that hall like Godzilla with Shan walking behind her,” Jimmy says snickering. “It was definitely a sight to see, has your wife thought about training Joe," Paul says shaking his head cracking a smile.

"How about no," Joe says laughing as Tangela hits his shoulder smiling.  “Alright can we get back to work now,” I ask just tired, and wanting to work. “Yes, Ms. busy body, you can go to work, and be careful” Paul said as I got up, thanking Tangela again before I left with Jey following behind me.

“Hey… Slow down, ma,” he says gently pulling me to him placing his hand on my stomach. “We’re ok,” I say reassuring him as he kisses my neck. “I’m sorry you having to deal wit this cause of my ass,” he whispers as I lean back in his arms. “I know,” I responded taking a couple deep breaths.

I hope this is going to get better because all this stress is making me want to go hide under a rock and we still got Joe’s family cookout coming up.  Just thinking about my mom and Jey’s in the same house is making me ill.

------------

Smackdown

Camera nine I’m glad you had eyes on Jey that was good shit! Let’s take it home! Hard camera pace you out with camera three on Roman. "Let’s go to work Stu!" I shout in my headset. “You love this chaos. Shan, what are you going to do when you out on maternity leave?" He asked laughing. “I’m gon' fucking cry,” I said laughing. You could feel the intensity in the ring between the cousins as Roman and Jey walked to the front of the table.

“Hard camera it’s coming back to you,” I said into my headset. Let’s get this money shot, Jey and Roman embraced and took a deep breath together, their heads touching. I remember Jey telling me about this and how important it was to their culture.  It was amazing to see.

Hey, beautiful,” Montez says sitting beside me. “Hey, give me a second,” I say as I’m watching the monitors. Cameras five and seven pace between Roman and Jey please to end the show. It should be some good expressions coming, and they didn’t disappoint. We’re out in 5,4,3,2,1. Great show crew!" Thank God, we made it, tonight has been a tiresome night.

"You know you sexy doin’ that right," Montez says as I laugh. "Well, thank you, I guess," I say closing down my monitors. "Here let me help you," Montez says standing up, leaning over me to lift a monitor. "Everything good over here Shan," Joe says coming up with Solo who was looking like he wanted to lay waste to Montez.

"Yea, I’m good Montez was helping me with the monitors, so I didn’t have to lift it," I say as Joe nods stepping in to help along with solo as well.

"So, I was wondering would you like to go out to grab a bite to eat tonight?" Montez says not caring that Joe and Solo was right there. "I don’t think so, it’s been a busy hectic day and I’m not into dating right now,” I said making sure everything was good in the cases.

“Well, maybe next time, I’ll see you later then,” he says leaning over giving me a kiss on the cheek and walked away before I could respond. Joe and Solo were staring Montez down as he walked by them not caring. “What was that?” Joe asked as I shrugged my shoulders. “Your answer is as good as mine, I have no clue," I said honestly. Unbeknownst to me Jey had seen the whole interaction and was not happy.

-------------

Shantell’s Hotel Room

Shantell’s POV

"So, you're not talking to me because of something I didn't ask to happen?" He just did it," I said getting a little irritated with Jey as I walked out of the bathroom in one of his old shirts.

"He been around a lil too much, I mean is you fuckin' him," Jey says looking at me with an anxious look on his face.

"I’m not fucking him!" I shout as Jey is pacing around the room just speaking nonsense.  “You doin’ something! A mothafucka felt bold enough to come sit wit you alone, and kiss all over yo ass,” he says rubbing his hands over his face.

“You are so insecure, and we aren’t even together!” I spat angrily. I can't believe that he would even think I would do that.

“I ain’t insecure, I just don’t want him hanging all over you because I know what he wants, and he can’t have it!” Jey shouts as my eyes widen in shock. “Jey, I’m a grown ass woman, you can't be telling people not to talk to me! I can do what I want, when I want! We aren't together!" I shout equally as frustrated as him.

Don’t you know, I know you miss me,” he says inching his lips closer to mine and even though I do miss him, this is about a power struggle right now that he's determined to win.” I don’t know what you are talking about,” I say fighting the urge to kiss him senseless. I wanted him bad; he snatched his shirt off my body and pulled his sweats off.

“What makes you think, I’m going to sleep with you,” I ask, biting my lip staring at him, growling he pulled against his rock-hard body. I gasp at the feeling of him against me, knowing I'm powerless to stop it.

“Baby this is me, I know every inch of you,” Jey says starting to place kisses on my lips then moving to my neck as I’m fighting an internal battle to remain quiet. “I know what you need,” he says never missing a beat with his tongue as it slides along the curve of my neck. I wanted him and he knew it, these hormones ain’t playing.

 “Baby just let go, "he groans against my ear as I feel myself losing the battle. I finally gave in as I took him in a heated kiss. As the minutes passed, the more desperate out kisses became as our tongues met in a dance where I couldn’t tell where I began, and he ended.  Taking control, I pushed him up against the door “You want me to feel I, ask as I felt him shiver against me in anticipation.

“You want me to let go,” I whisper into his ear before snaking my tongue out and around his ear lobe. Hearing the growl in his throat I knew I had him as I trailed kisses back to his lips but not before making one simple statement. “You want me to feel, then make me,” I said attacking his lips with mine.

" Shit, I can’t wait, I’ll make it up to you, I Promise,” Jey moans against my lips entering me "Oh!" I gasped, pulling his closer. “Daddy’s home baby,” he whispers against my ear beginning to thrust inside me slowly, “Mmhm!" I whimper against him no longer able to deny he had my heart and soul.

" Welcome home, baby” I moaned as he started thrusting harder and faster. It was true, us together was indeed home, without missing a beat Jey reversed us with me now on top. “Ride Daddy, baby,” he moaned as I placed my weight on my heels and started bouncing slow and hard. “Shit, just like dat, ride yo dick,” he encourages as I continued riding him harder.

“I plan too,” I moaned as I started to speed up my movements but every so often slowing down twirling my hips in a circular motion. “You think I’m fuckin’ him?” I asked, gasping as Jey thrusted upward harder inside me. "Don’t play with me, Shan! Fuck!," he shouts as I clinch my muscles around his dick as I ran my nails down his chest. "Don’t you play wit me; Josh," I say continuing my sensual torture.

Jey’s POV

“Damn, you feel so good,” I moaned as cupped her breasts almost painfully squeezing them as she rode my dick. “You didn’t answer me,” She pants never breaking her rhythm.  “Do you think I’m fuckin' him? Tell me," she groaned speeding up as I finally snapped.  “Fuck, no! This my pussy," I growled sitting up taking her in a possessive kiss, carrying her from the bed, bracing her up against the wall thrusting deep inside her.

"Josh! Wait baby," I hear her whimper against my lips as I feel her legs trembling around my waist. Nah, you bout to squirt all on this dick, u hear me?" I declare, claiming her lips in a desperate kiss as her moans are bringing the possessive side of me.

I felt myself going deeper and deeper as I couldn’t get enough of her. “He can’t have you, say it,” I groaned losing control as each second passed. “He can't have me," Shan cried as I came undone thrusting away inside her hard and strong, with each thrust her head was lightly hitting the wall.

Her pussy gripping me tighter and tighter as I pulled her close. Her nails diggin' in my neck as I attacked hers as we clawed at each other trying to get as close as we could.

“I’m about to cum,” Shan moans as I reach down between us and began playing with her clit. “Who you cumin’ for, me or him?” I groaned as I began thrusting even harder inside her. “Who is it for baby?” I moaned looking down at my dick moving in and out of her pussy. “I know I’m bout to cum, and it’s all for you,” I confessed, taking her whimpers in my mouth as I kissed her with wild abandon.

“Who are you cumin’ for!? “I groaned as she squirted on my dick as I was cumin’ inside her. "You! I’m cumin for you, Josh!" She screamed as she rode her orgasm holding on me tight.

“Don’t you forget that shit either,” I say kissing her shoulder. I was insecure and I knew it, but I knew what Montez’s intentions were and I’m not giving Shantell up.

--------

Carnival Confessions

Jey’s POV

Shit! I’m running behind, I had to do a couple interviews today, so everybody was already at the carnival. It was a good idea for the girls to unwind after all the drama last night at the show. After searching I finally found Trin and Shan ordering some food.

I know this lame ass dude ain’t here, I see Montez approaching them and I see red. He just won’t take the hint; he knows Shantell is pregnant with my baby and he still sniffing round like a dog in heat. Nah, bruh that’s my woman even if she doesn’t realize it yet.

Shantell’s POV

"Hey, it’s funny running into you here since you can’t ride anything," Montez says smiling.

“I’m here for the food, and the games,” I laugh as he gives me a hug. “Well, can I walk with ya’ll?” he asks as Trin smiles. "Sure, come on Montez, the more the merrier,” she says as we continue to walk and explore the carnival. “Where is Jey he should be here by now,” I mutter looking around for him. I faintly hear Jimmy and Trin arguing over Montez joining us.

“Where the hell he come from?” Jimmy hisses at Trin as she smiles at him. “He has a crush on Shan, plus Jey and her ain’t together. So why my girl can’t explore a little?” Trin asked taunting Jimmy. “Because my brother gon’ figure his shit out, he gon’ make it right. He just needs a chance Trin,” he says looking at Montez.

“Nah, I think he needs to know Shantell has options, to get his ass in gear," Trin responds staring at Montez stealing a piece of Shantell’s funnel cake.  “Can I talk to you, Shan?” Montez asks as Trin and Jimmy showed their armbands to the attendant and got on the Ferris wheel. “Um, sure what’s up?” I asked feeling a little uneasy.

Jey’s POV

This mothafucka really tryin' it. I know I shouldn’t be sneaking around watching them but in need to know what I’m dealing with. I can’t help but move further, trying to see and hear what he’s sayin’ to Shan as he led her to a picnic table.

“I really like you Shan," Montez said grabbing Shantell’s hand, before she could respond he placed his finger on her lips. “Let me finish before I lose my nerve,” he stutters as she smiled at him. What the fuck is going on, I know Shantell ain’t entertaining this shit. 

“I know about the baby and how complicated things are with Jey,” he says as she looked down. “I want you to know that you have options, and I love chillin’ wit you,” he says touching her face making her look at him. “I like hanging out with you too, we're friends” Shan responded smiling, and I felt sick as fuck.  “I would like to take you out,” Montez said pushing her hair behind her ear. "We can even go as friends,” he adds after seeing Shantell’s shocked face at his suggestion. See I can’t take this shit no more, I’m bout the kill his ass.

“Aye, Shan ain’t interested Tez,” I say walking over to them not being able to take it anymore. “What's up Jey?” he asks standing up as Shan looks at me with a worried expression. “What's up my ass, you trying to put the moves on my woman,” I say in his face as he folds his arms across his chest.

 “Well, the last I knew ya’ll were just friends, after all the shit you did who could blame Shantell," Montez said with a neutral look on his face. "What the fuck you know about it," I hiss as I see Shantell standing up approaching us.  “You was reckless wit her, and that can be another man’s gain,” Montez says smiling at me.  

“You mothafucka,” I snarl wanting to rip his head off. “Yea, I’ll be dat, the mothafucka, gladly to be wit Shantell,” Montez taunted as I got in his face. “Hey! We in public and I ain’t wit nobody! Shantell quietly shouts trying to not bring attention to us. “The only thing I care about is my child, fuck all this other bullshit! Continue the pissin' contest without me,” she says storming off. “Stay the fuck away from Shantell!”  I warned as I went to follow her.

Shantell’s POV

“Can you take me back to the hotel Solo,” I asked having found him by the restrooms. “Yea, I’m tired myself, it’s hot and I need to call Sofia,” he says looking at me worried. “What’s up?” he asks as I pointed behind me at Jey who was coming towards us.

“Aye, Shantell let me talk to you,” Jey says walking up as Solo blocks him from seeing me. “Not now Bro, folks could be watching, we ain’t trying to be on TMZ. I’m bout to take her back to the hotel to get some rest. Hit her up later,” he said as Jey finally agreed walking off.

----------

Hotel Bar

Solo’s POV

He fuckin’ tried it man, you should have heard his bitch ass. “You was reckless wit her, and that can be another man’s gain,” I said mocking Montez as I snarled in disgust. “Well, where is the lie,” Joe says as I shot him a look as he downed his Tequilla shot. “You suppose to be on my side!” I say raising my voice a bit as Jimmy hits me on the shoulder.

We are on yo damn side, that’s why we here. Calm yo ass down,” he says with an irritated tone and face. “All the shit yo ass been complaining about these last two hours, you could have been in Shantell’s room telling her the truth,” Solo said pointing at me. “And what is that? I asked with an attitude. “That you love her and it’s killin’ you to think about another man takin yo place, fool,” Solo say taking a sip of his drink.

“Look, you need to fix this. I’m so serious, yo issues is fuckin up my time wit my wife, I was just about to get some pussy and here Solo comes sendin’ a 911 text about yo ass,” Joe says seriously. I feel ya cuz, shit don’t make no sense, like seriously,” Jimmy says giving me the side eye as I put my drink down. Alright, I’m goin’ I say throwing down some money for the tab heading out the bar.

----------------------------------

Shantell’s Hotel Room

Shantell’s POV

“Shan! Let Me In!” Jey shouts knocking on my door. “What the hell?” I said out loud wrapping my robe around me, coming out of the bathroom. Looking through the peephole to be sure I groaned, opening the door as Jey stormed inside. “Look, we need to talk,” he said, and looking at him I can see he’s had a few drinks. Oh, no I don’t want to deal with truthful drunk Jey tonight.

“I followed you guys at the carnival today for a minute before I finally came over,” he said pacing in front of me. “Why would you do that? I ask as Jey stops pacing his intense stare almost burning a hole in my soul. “I don’t want him near you!” He exclaimed coming closer to me holding my gaze.

“Come on Jey, we weren't doing anything, you didn't even give me a chance to tell him no. I don't even know what you and me are after last night," I say pulling my rob tighter around me as I feel him undressing me with his eyes  “Listen,” he starts as I cut him off “Can we talk tomorrow,” I said walking past him trying to open the door as he used his hand to close it back, pulling back into his broad chest as his arms went around my waist, holding me firmly in place.

I could feel his breath against my ear as his lips are close to my ear. “You have to understand, I am….I am a man," he mutters against my ear. "When you and I go into your room at night, I can’t turn myself in to a robot with no feelings, no desires. I ain’t build that way Shan,” he whispers kissing my neck as I moan leaning against him.

“Jey, we can’t,” I moan as he rubs my stomach. "I talk to your stomach every night to let our baby know, daddy loves him or her and that I love you. Every night I watch you,” he speaks as against my ear as his powerful deep voice is making it hard to think.

 “You take a shower, comb your hair, and rub lotion on your body,” he says gently wrapping his hands around my throat, taking me in a slow tortious kiss.  I groan as his other hand unties my robe, as the cool air from the room along with his powerful kisses cause me to shiver. “You put on one of my old shirts, and I pretend I’m on my phone, or watchin’ tv, he whispers against my lips as I kiss him again.

“Mhmm,that ain’t what I’m doin’ baby,” he breathes against my mouth before  moving his kisses to my neck. “I’m watchin’ you, I’m tryin’ not to, but I am…I do,” he moans moving his hands caressing my sensitive breasts as I gasp at his confession and actions.

 His actions and words are crumbling down the walls I’ve built to protect myself. Please, don’t stop,” I beg as he continues his torture of my senses as his hand is now playing with my even more sensitive clit.

Jey’s POV

“I am a man…. I am yo man. So, it ain't no more questions bout what we are. I'm yo man, and you my woman,” I whisper nibbling on her ear before licking and biting her neck. I had to make sure she understood me, she was mine and I was hers. I'm not about to lose my family; Shantell and the baby are my family. I feel her trembling against me, and I know she’s close.

Her strained cries of pleasure are encouraging me to continue to let my truth be known and to touch her. “I want to be with you," I proclaimed as I felt her falling apart in my arms. "Josh!" she cried falling into my embrace as I held her tighter. “I love you, and our baby,” I whispered against her neck, holding her tight." I love you too, Josh," she said trying to compose herself as I kissed her. I know we got a long way to go but for now we are going to take it one day at a time.

---------------------------------------

Annual Family Barbecue

Joe & Tangela’s

Joe’s POV

“You really trying me with these little sundresses, Tangela,” I growl against her neck as she’s trying to finish getting dressed for our annual cookout. “Babe, we ain’t got time for this everyone is about to come over baby,” Tangela wines moving away from me.

“A’ight I’m gon’ remember that shit when you want daddy to tap dat ass,” I boast as she blushes. “Well, I ain’t got to ask, I’ll just have to take that dick when I want it,” she says brushing up against me as I groan feeling her hands grab my dick.

“See yo ass starting shit,” I moan as the doorbell rings. “See I told you; we wouldn’t have had time; she says brushing past me to go open the door. “Damn! I hate it when she’s right but tonight she gon’ make it up to me.

Shantell’s POV

Well, it’s time for dinner and I’ve been avoiding Jey’s mom all day as I caught her looking at me a few times. I don’t know how to approach her and my mom watching me like a hawk isn’t helping either as she’s looking for any reason to pop off.

“Can someone pass the chicken,” I ask looking at the table spread not sure as to where to start. “I got you sis,” Jimmy says passing it to me. “So, Shan how far along are you?” Jey’s mom asks me as I look at Jey his contagious smile making me smile.” I’m almost eight weeks now, “I say happily. “Oh, so how is this going to work, are you guys back together?” she asked as my mom tapped my knee under the table as I gave her a pleading look.

“Uh, we are taking it day by day,” I said as I could feel papa Kishi’s eyes on me. “So, I guess marriage is out of the question?” he asks as I began coughing, almost choking on my food. “You ok babe,” Jey asks as I nod in response.

“Dad we are building our relationship back to where it was, I want to marry Shantell someday but we ain’t there yet,” Jey says as Jimmy gives him a proud nod.

“Oh, so are you getting a blood test for this baby?” his mom asked as I felt my mom tense next to me. “Oh, so what the hell you sayin’ about my daughter Mrs. Fatu?”  my mother questions in an irritated tone. “Oh, shit,” I heard Joe whisper as Tangela cleared her throat.  “I said, are they doing a blood test on the baby before he signs the birth certificate?” she asked again.

 “No, mama I’m not, this is my baby,” Jey says looking his mother in the eye. “Well, how do you know son?" she asks as my mother throws her silverware on her plate. “Now what you ain’t gon’ do is sit here and attack my child,” she says as I try to cut her off.  “Mama, it’s ok,” I say as she shoots me a look to shut up.

“The hell it ain’t! You been faithful and true to this boy, motivated him, loved him in spite of all the bullshit he don' took you through," she said as I felt Jey holding my hand under the table trying to keep me calm.  Now, she should have had this energy towards the hussy she let sit in at family functions that invented a fuckin’ baby! Yea, I said it!" my mama shouted as Jey’s mom looked upset.

"Your daughter is bringing my son down, he’s not as focused on his career as he should be, now she’s pregnant! Probably just wants him to take care of her like Taraji she did, "she says in disdain looking at me. Take care of me? Lady, I make damn near three times as much money as Jey.

 “Mama don’t get upset,” I said feeling the anger radiating off of her. "You want act like my child ain’t good enough for your son, woman you better come correct, I’m here now! You ain't gon' be disrespecting my child!" my mother says pointing her finger at Jey's mom.

"Auntie, we trying to have a family dinner, can you just cool it," Joe says looking at me mouthing he was sorry. "I'll hush, I'm just saying he better watch her around his money," she says taking a sip of her wine. "My baby makes more money than yo son does, she is a lead production director, most sought after at that.

She can go anywhere she wanted tomorrow, or anytime so she doesn’t need his lil ass money, she got long strong money over here boo,” she said getting back at Jey’s mom. “Ya’ll need to chill, it’s not good for Shantell or the baby," he said getting upset rubbing my shoulders as I had my head down not wanting to look at anybody. I knew I shouldn't have come when I found out she was coming.

 “Boy all this shit is you and your mama’s fault,” my mom says pointing at Jey. I ain’t denying that, and I’m doing everything in my power to make it right. I love Shantell," he said looking at my mom who seemed to like his answer. “She just wanted to trap my son!” Jey’s mama screamed pointing at me as a couple exhausted sighs could be heard at the table.

 “See, I told you this was a bad idea, we ain’t have no business comin’ over here tonight!” Trin hisses at Jimmy as he’s clueless as what to do to stop his mom.  “Mama let’s take a lil break,” Solo says standing up going over to his mom and taking her glass of wine. She was obviously drunk. Sofia gets up with Cameron, who is becoming fussy because of the commotion. “I gotta change Cameron,” she says walking off trying to get away from the drama.

  “I ain’t goin nowhere, Joe invited me,” she says taking a bite of her food. “Ma, why can’t you admit you were wrong about Taraji, and apologize for trying to push Josh away from Shantell,” Jimmy says honestly.  “I ain’t got to do nothin’” she says as I stand up. “Joe thank you for the invite, but in the course of ten minutes, I’ve been called a whore many different ways and a gold-digger. Now in order for me to keep being respectful I need to leave. I’m just over this,” I say trying to stay calm. I understand Babygirl," Joe says looking at me with sad eyes.

“No, you aren’t Shantell, sit down," Joe’s mother said as I looked at her with pleading eyes. “This is my son’s house, and he invited you, we're family.  I for one am happy Joshua found someone who makes him happy,” she said as I sat back down.  “Thank you, auntie,” Jey said giving her a small smile.

“Now, there you go, perfect auntie,” Jey’s mom said rolling her eyes at Joe’s mom. “I know you ain’t rollin’ your eyes at me. I think you mad because you can’t control these boys no more, they got wives, girlfriends, and are on the way to building their own families, Leave them boys alone!” Joe’s mom exclaimed as Trin shoots her a smile.

“In other words, let these grown ass men live, and pop your titty outta they mouth, my mom says adding fuel to the fire as the commotion continued throughout dinner. "Just tryin' to take my babies from me, all ya'll. Wrestlers, nurses, production directors, don't know nothing about being wives and mothers," Jey's mom says as Trin shoots her a look “Sandra! I’ve heard enough, no more wine tonight. Now leave it be, if they happy let it be,” papa Kishi said as Jey looks at his dad in shock.  

“We’re about to have our second grandchild that I can’t wait to spoil, and you know you will too. That’s if Shantell will even let us near the little one with the way you cuttin' the damn fool’. “Don’t speak to me that way,” she says in shock that her husband is correcting her.

“I did and I will, the Taraji situation was a huge blow, we almost lost our son. Now! I’m putting my foot down, leave Shantell and all the girls alone for that matter and eat your food. They all are doing great things and making this family proud. Now dats all I want to hear of it," he says leaving no room for argument as she began eating her food sobering up quickly. If the next seven months is anything like this, I'm not ready...Not ready at all.

Taglist: @reci24 @southerngirl41 @vebner37 @jeyusos-girl @melaninsugababy @romanreignkisser @bebesobrielo @arination99 @ 2-muchsauce @bakugoumarianawrites

[lcnelyghost]

Can you do the Evan’s dating a plus size girl? 🤭🫶🏻❤️

all that you are//the evan’s

pairings; fem reader with tate langdon, kit walker, kyle spencer, jimmy darling, and james patrick march

rating; pg13!

warnings; slight harsh language, body shaming, bullying

a/n: sorry to everyone that might not like what i’m gonna say, but i only write for the evan’s until they go up to season five with james. yes, i have watched the other seasons. i LOVE gallant and edward mott, but i won’t be pairing them with a female reader for obvious reasons. rory and jeff didn’t satisfy me all that much, and i still have mixed feelings on kai. yeah, i also like austin, but i don’t really know if i have that special little connection to his character yet. and no, am i fuck gonna write for jeffrey. that’s something that i’ll never feel comfortable doing.

Tate Langdon;

• Tate couldn’t give a shit about how you looked, he loved you for how you truly were. From the way you treated him, he already knew that you had a heart of gold.

• He loves how you guys have the exact same style. You enjoy wearing baggy sweaters and jeans, much like himself. And he adores how confident you are when it came to wearing what you wanted.

• If any school girls even dared to make fun of you, well.. i’m pretty sure we know what would happen..

Kit Walker;

• If Kit falls in love with someone, it’s not for the breathtaking looks they’ve been blessed with. No. It’s simply for the fact that they have such a kind heart and a beautiful soul. That’s what Kit is truly attracted to.

• He admires every last bit of you. Size isn’t important to him, not at all.

• Kit fell for you, because you’re just you. You’re not hiding behind some mask or going around with a full face of makeup, nor trying to fit in with everyone, you’re you. And that’s certainly enough for him to love and cherish.

Kyle Spencer/Franken Kyle;

• Truth be told, the little soul can’t even tell the difference between you and other girls. Right enough, not that he would even care in the slightest.

• He gets really upset when he overhears Madison saying her usual shitty comments about you. Though that soon turns into a fit of laughter when Queenie punishes her for it.

• Kyle doesn’t have the kind of feeling to care enough when it comes to you’re size. You treat him in a way he’s always wanted to be treated, and he doesn’t need anything more than that.

Jimmy Darling;

• Uh, I think we’re aware that Jimmy couldn’t give a shit if you were big or not. We’ve seen enough to prove that, trust me..

• Most of the freaks respect you and treat you no differently from the others, Jimmy makes sure it stays like that.

• If Elsa even has the nerve to ask if you could be part of the show seeing as she thought you’re figure could be quite the ‘entertainment’ for some people, Jimmy would hit breaking point.

James Patrick March;

• James isn’t one for body shaming. His mother raised him to always respect a woman, and that her size shouldn’t matter to him. If she treats him right, then by all means he should show her the love and respect she deserves.

• He isn’t fussed about you’re weight. Mr March still buys you the best of the best. Including the fanciest clothes, jewellery, perfume, everything he’d buy for the woman he loves most!

• When the time comes around for his monthly dinner with the Countess, he’s sure to fire back at her sneaky, vulgar comments. Even Miss Evers will defend you as much as she can.

“And should we be expecting you’re new partner, James? I suppose the word ‘little’ isn’t a way to describe her.”

“You mean my loyal, new partner? Ah, yes. And I suppose that word isn’t something that we should mention when you’re the topic of conversation, hm?”

Yeah, he ain’t up for her bullshit today folks.

[angelic-omega]

Omegaverse in real life

Heats = ovulation/hormonal fluctuation cycle

Ruts = caused by heats or naturally occurring depending on biology

Scents = pheromones are subconsciously released and subconsciously all humans react to them

Let’s start off by saying that sex at birth does not dictate what your dynamic is!! I am AFAB and I am an Omega but my fiancé is also AFAB and he is an Alpha! AMAB Omegas also exist!! Intersex Alphas and Omegas certainly exist as well!! I have zero data on them…but they must exist!

Hi I’m Oen and I’ve had heats since I hit puberty! I’m an AFAB genderfluid, Transmasc Omega! My heats are connected to my ovulation cycle! The day before I ovulate I will start my heat and the second day is always the worst because that is the day I am extremely fertile! 12-14 days after the first day of my menstrual cycle I start a heat! After looking through content online involving cis women and their ovulation…I’ve come to the conclusion that heats can last anywhere from two days up into a full week! Typically I see cis women having longer heats that last anywhere from five to seven days!

Plenty of jokes have been made surrounding a woman’s ovulation week and one I feel rings particularly true is the phrase “ravenous vagina”! Coined by comedian Jimmy Carr whom I am not affiliated with! There has been plenty of discussions involving hormonal changes during a cis womans ovulation week…

What we need to consider is that cis women are the majority when it comes to being omegas! However, everyone has a hormonal cycle regardless of sex assigned at birth and menstruation! So it doesn’t matter what’s between your legs essentially what matters is hormones! Since my heats are ovulation based when I went on HRT for about a year and half my heats were irregular and were not as intense! I had a friend who was MTF and upon going onto hormones started getting a rut every two to three months! I had another friend who was MTF who upon going on estrogen started getting monthly heats! My opinion is that heats and ruts are both hormonally based!

Meaning ovulation plays a role in heats but is not a deciding factor when it comes to whether or not someone will get heats! Therefor we can assume people who ovulate are more likely to get heats but they aren’t the only people who get heats! People who ovulate can get ruts and can be Alphas! People who don’t ovulate can get heats! It plays a role yes? However, everyone regardless of sex has a monthly hormonal cycle that affects their behavior! Meaning heats and ruts do happen fairly regularly and if people tracked that sort of thing they would find it followed a pretty consistent pattern!

Now I’d like to discuss scents and other behaviors associated with heats and ruts! First I’d like to preface this by saying for years before I even knew what omegaverse was I would (prior to my heat) get the unstoppable urge to clean! I would get so invested in getting my space cozy and organized that I would achieve things in a very short time span! What would normally take me a few days to complete would take me an hour or so to complete in my pre heat phase! I’ve seen many people in my life exhibit these nesting tendencies! For me I believe nesting is anything that involves creating order prior to a heat! For when I Omegas are in heat they are subjected to total disorganization of thought! Prior to a heat they calm their nerves regarding such loss of control by frantically organizing, rearranging, and redoing their nest. It doesn’t have to be a nest in a traditional sense either! I’ve spent plenty of my pre heats cataloging and rearranging bookshelves or making extensive alphabetized lists and charts!

I don’t think people truly pay too much attention to their own scent unless they are in need of a shower! Here I’ll be discussing natural scents as opposed to chosen scents like perfumes, colognes, and soaps! I have a very good nose and have a truly unique sense of smell I feel! So I do have a bit of an advantage I think when it comes to this section of things! I can smell when someone is sick for example…sickness has a sort of sweet smell depending on the illness! I can also sort of smell things like arousal and menstruation! However, not everyone gives off a clear enough scent for me to fully tell! I will say that in my own experience I have been attracted to someone based on smell and have had peoples scents agree with me in a platonic, romantic, and sexual nature!

From talking with people online and general posts regarding this I feel Omegas are more sensitive to smell! That is likely why I see a correlation between cooking and baking and being an Omega! Not because they belong in a certain sexist role or stereotype but because smell is directly linked to taste so having a better sense of smell will make you a better cook! I do think someone’s scent changes minutely throughout their cycle, especially Omegas in heat! There is also evidence to suggest that when someone is Ovulating they appear more attractive to those around them! Once again, most of the scientific evidence is directly linked and catered to cis women so do not be offput by this fact! I fully believe that all Omegas regardless of ovulation look and smell better during their Heat to attract Alphas!

This brings us into subtle scenting! Ever notice how after cuddling or coitus you smell slightly different? No? Just me and my bloodhound of a nose? Ok! Well in my experience with close proximity to Alphas, Betas, and Omegas my scent does noticeably change after a certain time spent with them! After having sex with any dynamic especially! Lots of things can play a factor but mostly your house, your car, and your bed all mostly have their own smell which is then linked to how you smell! To explain it to those who do not have a freaky Hannibal Lecter nose…

If someone’s house stinks they will stink too! Therefor my scent is something resembling Old books, light musk, and a sort of earthy scent that resembles how the air smells before or after a rain! Whereas my Alpha who liked to sunbathe has a very lush green scent! Very freshly washed you still hold onto that scent because exposure to certain smells over time can seep into your skin! Sort of like how a smoker will smell of smoke even once they have quit! I suppose it’s less you and more your clothing that holds onto the scent but either way your natural scent will mix with the scents around you to crest something entirely unique! In my experience everyone smells slightly different and some scents are more pleasant than others!

If you’d like to better know what you smell like I suggest washing and changing everything in your bed, nest, or den. Then immediately taking a very thorough shower and climbing into your bed, nest, or den completely naked. Sleep like this for a few nights or more and feel free to sweat as much as you’d like. By the end of this time you will have noticed the scent of your detergent or soap fading as it becomes replaced by your own scent! See if you can sniff out the individual notes or if you notice a certain smell coming through over others! I recommend not wearing deodorant or anything that could alter your scent during this time! Anything such as perfumes, colognes, creams, deodorants, body sprays, etc! I will keep this post SFW but I will say along with scent your taste can change with your cycle as well!

Moving on to bonding and claiming which up until recently I believed to be a big load of bullcrap! However, I am not the type to reach out. I am not the type to make moves and I am not the type to start conversations. When I met my fiancé I reached out first, I made moves, I was the one to start the conversation! This was odd on its own but for context we met when I was on the second day of a heat. We have basically been inseparable since then and for the longest time I tried to deny my attraction to them. However, after the third heat with them around I did something I had never done before. I fantasized about them specifically for my entire heat! I fall loosely onto the asexual spectrum where I do not feel attraction towards real people and typically only feel sexual attraction or arousal when A: Feelings are developed or B: I am actively having sex with them to establish a sexual connection! So feeling a strong desire for a real life person whom I had only known for a very short amount of time was insane! The punchline being my fiancé was asexual as well and I have essentially became their libido! (Hi honey I’m talking about our sex life again, sorry not sorry)

I always found myself mildly attracted to people who would chat me online, mainly just enjoying the sexual attention no matter if I was fully attracted to them or not! I found my sexuality was mostly genitalia based and not based on the person at all! Show me your genitals and I would be just a tad bit horny for you and want to do all the things! However, now whenever I receive said messages of genitalia I am repulsed! Reverse possession we like to call it! Where I am actively not comfortable with any sort of advance and am 100% loyal and devoted to my fiancé. Now maybe I was not truly poly before but in the past I have openly been non-monogamous so long as all parties consented! Now I find myself radically monogamous and VERY connected to my Fiancé!

There are things I never had a desire for until we met and to this day near the ends of my heats I crave to have a child together. I have never wanted children, nor do I plan to have children…it is just a desire I have when I think of my Alpha! Anyway, hope this post wasn’t too confusing or too excluding I just wanted to get my thoughts out there!

[norinenglish]

Stardew Rancher AU - Quest: Introductions 2

Meeting BDubs

Bdubs has to be Marnie. There's no other possibilities.

Read below the cut. This takes place immediately after "Getting Started". Don’t hesitate to request things about this au!

>> Part One | Next Part

Once Jimmy is done for the day, he decides to take Grian’s advice on exploring the town. He starts with his own land. He goes south of his house and the small field he made, observing the terrain. There are 3 ponds total, varying in size, and what looks like different kinds of trees. He’s not familiar enough with them to be able to name them. Moving around is a bit of a challenge with all the wood and rocks that are everywhere but clearing them will have to wait another day. 

At some point, he sees the fences that border his land and a small opening leading down to a forest. A few steps in, he starts to hear the moos of cows. Following them leads him to a big building which, frankly, is more deserving of the name “ranch” than his own farm. He can see silos on the side and a fenced pasture with several animals. Mostly cows and horses, though.

Jimmy gets close to it and the brown cow who was grazing next to the fence raises her head curiously at him. 

“Hi, you,” Jimmy says, offering his hand like you would to a cat. 

The cow bumps her head against his palm and he laughs as he starts to pet her.

There’s a sign next to the door. It says “The Stable | open 9 am - 4 pm.” His watch tells him he’s five minutes before opening time. 

What? It’s barely nine? he tells himself. It feels like a full day has passed already, with how tired he is. But that’s a given, really, since he’s not used to this type of physical labour. 

He decides to wait here. It’s nice. The cow’s fur is soft and warm under his hand and the rising sun is shining upon him. There’s a pleasant breeze, brustling the leaves. Even the scent of animals won’t bother him. 

“You know,” he tells the bovine, “I think it’s the first time I’ve ever petted a cow.” 

She flics an ear, undisturbed, and pressed subtly against the fence. He wonders what her name is. 

A few minutes later, he decides to push the door of the Stable and see what’s inside this house/shop before he loses his nerves. He looks around, feeling like Alice in Wonderland. The building, in hindsight, is incredibly normal. But it’s warm. There are plants around, a homily light reflecting on the half-wood half-wallpaper walls. 

Right in front of him, there’s a counter with a cash register – so this is definitely a shop. 

“Hello?” he calls out, wondering why no one’s there. 

Did he get his time wrong? 

“Yes, yes, I’m coming! Etho, what are you doing awake already-”

A short man bursts out behind a curtain separating the main room from probably another part of the house. He’s wearing a green apron and holding a knife in one hand and an onion in the other. 

“You’re not Etho.”

Jimmy gets flustered under that blank stare. He clears his throat and gestures awkwardly behind himself. “I’m sorry, the sign on the door said it was open- uh. I’m- I’m Jimmy. I just moved in.”

The man recovers quickly. “Ah, yes Mayor Grian told me you just arrived,” he proclaims, putting the onion and the knife down, reaching out for a handshake. 

Jimmy had always thought ‘proclaiming’ was just a word people used in books to avoid using ‘saying’ and that it didn’t really mean something different. But listening to this booming voice, he realises he was wrong.  

“I'm BDoubleO!” the man continues, squeezing his hand firmly but not painfully. “ I sell livestock and animal care products at my Stable. You’re free to swing by any time, during opening hours of course.”

“Oh so this is a shop,” Jimmy says a bit stupidly. He doesn’t have anything smart to say, but at least he feels less guilty about barging in. 

“Yes. You will need to have proper infrastructure to receive the animals, though. And, from what I’ve seen, you live in a shack.” BDoubleO pauses and eyes Jimmy. “Do you even have a kitchen?”

Jimmy’s first instinct is to open his mouth and defend his lamentable shack’s honour. He’s used to the passive-aggressive attitude of people of the city, of comments that feel like needles trying to tear him apart, so that his natural reaction. 

He takes in a breath - forcing himself to take a figurative step back from the defensiveness he feels. BDoubleO’s inquiry seemed genuine. Probably. He hopes. 

“I don’t,” Jimmy says because that’s the truth and he raises his chin defiantly, bracing himself for contempt of pity. 

Instead, the other man just picks up the items he had set on the counter and asks, “Have you eaten breakfast, then?” 

Jimmy blinks. “No?”

 He hates how it sounded like a question but he’s just taken aback. 

“And you’ve been working on your farm since when?”

“Uh, I woke up at 6?”

“You must be famished. Come on in.”

“What?” Jimmy asks, dumbly. His brain can’t catch on to what’s happening. 

BDoubleO goes back towards the room he came out of. As his arm raises the half-curtain, he stops. 

“Well, don’t wait there, follow me.”

The imperious tone triggers Jimmy’s automatic obedience, as a result of all his years in the corporate world. He numbly follows the man into a kitchen and sits at the table when he hears the command. He feels a bit out of place, just sitting there, but BDoubleO’s chatter about fresh organic eggs as he makes an omelette with potatoes, ham and onions doesn’t really need his active participation. 

“It’s a lot, living here,” he says when he puts a plate down in front of Jimmy, “but you’ll probably do great.” 

They start eating. The food is simple but somehow, it tastes better than anything Jimmy has ever eaten. And he doesn’t even like omelette all that much.  

“This is good,” he says. 

Gosh, can you be any more rude? He chides himself. He just inhaled his plate of food in what feels like one munch. 

BDoubleO just beams, though, accepting the lame compliment.

“Thank you! It’s all fresh eggs from my lovelies. Think about it when you wanna extend your farming operation.” He hums pensively then.“But you’re not there yet, are you now? First, you need seeds. You should get to Trader Scar for that. Follow the river to the east until you get to the houses. Then it’s at the north of the town square. You can’t miss the huge name sign. Always had a sense of flare, Scar. He’ll probably give you good deals. The saloon not far from it will provide you with hot  meals while you don’t have a kitchen.” 

Here it is again. How can people be so generous here when there’s nothing they can get out of it. Jimmy’s been welcomed, fed and advised just like that. 

“Thank you.” 

Jimmy leaves soon after that, his stomach warm from the food and everything else. 

[slafkovskys]

Does Scottie sneak into the boys hotel room tonight?

she had been so proud of herself for denying the boys entry the night before even though they had been begging over their facetime call. she could feel herself slipping and that’s when she hung up, swearing she could hear their frustrated groans from five floors above. even this morning at breakfast they wore pouts, but she was still steadfast that visiting hours were closed.

until they get back from team dinner (she barely escaped ryan’s grabby hands on the bus and jimmy’s pouty lips) and she realizes that the cramps she had been having and the pounding headache weren’t just nerves, no, her body had decided to switch up on her and come a week earlier than normal. her relief was short lived when she realized her emergency kit she usually packed for this situation was missing from her suitcase and she’s texting their groupchat sos

not a moment later does her phone light up with a call from jimmy and both of her boys concerned faces fill her screen, “what happened?”

“i got my period,” she frowns

she doesn’t miss ryan’s mumbled, “oh thank god,” because they were all a little worried they may have fucked up, but jimmy’s the one who brings the focus back, “why sos?”

“i don’t have anything. i need to go to cvs or walgreens, but im scared to go alone,” she admits.

“give us a sec.”

“we’re coming, baby.”

she’s practically sprinting to the door when a familiar, coded knock sounds and her shoulders slump at the sight of the orange bag cradled in ryan’s arms, “how did you-”

“saw you left it on the bathroom counter.”

“i saw,” jimmy glares at his teammate before pushing him aside so he can have a chance at their girl first, “i put it in my bag just in case.”

“oh, you’re the best!” she presses a series of kisses to his lips before snatching the bag from ryan and disappearing into the bathroom. “you even refilled my tylenol?”

“that one was me!” ryan chimes as he collapses onto her bed, grabbing the stuffed animal she always traveled with and cuddling it to her chest. when she reappears a few moments later, both boys face softens, “do we need to grab anything?”

“no, i should be okay until morning,” scottie sighs as she climbs over ryan and slots herself between the two boys. she grants ryan the same amount of kisses she had given jimmy before he can argue about it being uneven and uses her finger to trace the boys jaw as jimmy’s big hand slips under her hoodie and presses down on her abdomen, “i don’t like being away from you.”

“how do you think we feel?” jimmy mumbles into her hair, “ryan sucks at cuddling-”

“um, fuck off. i’m an excellent cuddler,” ryan reaches over to shove at jimmy, “babe, rate my cuddling out of ten.”

scottie hums, letting her lips curl into a smirk, “are we talking about when you’re the big spoon or the little spoon?”

she doesn’t know how long she’s cuddled between her two boys, but she knows it was long enough for the tv to pop up with the question ‘are you still watching?’ and that’s when she pouts, turning in jimmy’s arms to face him, “y’all need to go back to your room.”

“but, you don’t feel good,” jimmy argues.

“you’ll get in trouble,” she warns as ryan presses his front to her back, just like he did when they were back home and in their own bed, “guys-”

“scottie,” they say in sync.

and she wouldn’t lie and say that she wanted them to leave. their body heat and the pressure from their alternating hands on her abdomen were a comfort like no other and, well, she knew it wouldn’t take much to convince them to get in that insane bathtub she had somehow gotten upgraded to. she stares at jimmy before turning to ryan, “you have to be gone by morning.”

“yes ma’am.”

[newlacesleeves]

Some Sentences Sunday (on a Monday). Thank you for the tag @darthdisco ❤️

The park has an open field, empty this late in the evening, and the chain link fence isn’t high enough to stop them from climbing over it and spilling onto the grass. 

Dutch sets up the Roman candles first, angling them almost perfectly straight into the sky. The flare of them lights the boys’ faces in a blood red glow as they shoot into the night. All five of them stand still beneath the sky, eyes wide and mouths open. 

“Jesus,” Jimmy sighs. He’s staring at Dutch who lights a cigarette far too close to the explosives on the ground. “Dutch, will you take it easy with that shit? We’re gonna get caught. Or worse.”

Johnny doesn’t care if they got caught or not. “Calm down, man. No one’s getting caught with anything.” 

He claps a hand on Jimmy’s shoulder and steps them back two paces from where Dutch has another Roman candle ready to blow. Cigarette dangling threateningly from his lips, he lights it and runs awkwardly, trying to look back at his handiwork while the rest of his friends look on. The high pitch of their laughter is drowned out by another bang from up in the sky. 

Bobby lights a sparkler, holds it in one hand while the other nurses a beer. He draws his name into the air in quick strokes, childlike wonderment on his face. Johnny watches him, notices the brilliance of his smile, the smile Johnny put there. Brimming with pride, he comes up to Bobby’s side and throws an arm around his best friend’s shoulders. 

“Now, this is a sendoff,” Johnny says 

Bobby laughs, warm puffs of air into Johnny’s neck that make his heart beat rapidly against his ribs. It takes everything in him to release him, giving Bobby a light shove when he does so, more for Johnny’s nerves than anything else.

from my "KK3 but make it about Johnny" WIP

unsure who to tag as most of y'all have posted already but please tag me in your WIPs let me see them all!!

[justforbooks]

Over the course of a long career, the American singer Marlena Shaw moved from jazz to soul and back again, searching for settings that would best enhance her fine voice. In later decades she commanded the allegiance of the British fans of the rare-groove movement, who rediscovered and particularly cherished her version, released in 1969, of a much recorded song called California Soul.

Shaw, who has died aged 81, made her first stage appearance at the Apollo theatre in Harlem, New York, when she was 10 years old. Billie Holiday was still alive and Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington were other inescapable influences on a jazz-inclined teenage singer seemingly destined to work with big bands in dancehalls and smaller groups in nightclubs. In her later years she became familiar with the sound of hip-hop artists basing their hits on samples from her singles and album tracks.

Shaw’s recording of California Soul, a song written by Valerie Simpson and Nickolas Ashford, popped up in Gang Starr’s Check the Technique and Stereo MCs’ Sofisticated. It was also used in American TV commercials for Dockers shoes, KFC fast food and Dodge trucks, and in 2022 it was awarded an official gold record by the British Phonographic Industry.

Born Marlina Burgess in New Rochelle, New York, she showed musical talent from an early age and was given her first opportunity to take the stage in 1952 by her uncle, Jimmy Burgess, a trumpeter and bandleader who was performing at the Apollo. It was through his tuition that she acquired her understanding of jazz phrasing, while her mother encouraged her to study music at New York State Teachers’ College in Potsdam, a small town close to the Canadian border.

But she failed to complete the course, marrying young and bringing up five children before picking up the threads of a performing career that had barely begun. There were more false starts. In 1963 she missed an appearance at the Newport jazz festival with the trumpeter Howard McGhee after an argument with the musicians, and an attack of nerves ruined an audition with the great talent scout John Hammond, who had signed Holiday and Bob Dylan, among many others.

But in 1966, while singing at the Playboy Club in Chicago, she was signed up by the locally based Chess label, the home of many popular soul and R&B performers. Her first single was a vocal version of Joe Zawinul’s gospel-style tune Mercy Mercy Mercy, which had been an instrumental hit for Cannonball Adderley.

In 1968 Shaw toured Europe with Count Basie’s orchestra, involving the bandleader in an amusing routine as she improvised new words to Won’t You Come Home, Bill Bailey? It was while appearing with Basie at the Sands hotel in Las Vegas that she decided to make the gambling capital her home, moving there in 1970.

A contract with the Blue Note label led to a series of albums in a smooth soul-jazz style, including one recorded live at the Montreux jazz festival. The title and content of another album, Who Is This Bitch, Anyway?, indicated a desire to challenge the then-current popularity of the sexually explicit singer Millie Jackson.

A move to the Columbia label in 1977 saw her transforming Carole King and Gerry Goffin’s Go Away Little Girl, originally recorded by Bobby Vee, from a lovelorn ballad into a statement of female independence introduced by a lengthy rap directed at a feckless, workshy lover: “I figure if I’ve got to get up and go to work every day, then every able-bodied in the household is supposed to get up and go … If for some reason you feel that you can no longer be the man you were at the beginning of our relationship, then I’ve got this one thing to lay on you, my sweet. Go away, little boy …” But eventually the attitude softens, and after a seduction scene the song fades out on a note of surrender: “You think you can get a job by Thursday? You promise? Then you might as well stay … Don’t go away … ”

It became one of her most popular songs in live performance, the prefatory rap acquiring extra twists, turns, and layers of sardonic saltiness. At the New Morning club in Paris in 2010, the man in the song had become someone who had picked her up at an airport giftshop, its final scene acted out with elaborately dramatised hand gestures, smiles, laughter and a winning command of her audience.

An elegant presence on the concert stage, she sang with a symphony orchestra in New Zealand and toured for four years with Sammy Davis Jr. There were further recordings for the Verve, Concord and South Bay labels, and in 1989 a duet with Joe Williams, another former Basie singer, on an update of the old Louis Jordan song Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby earned her a Grammy nomination.

Shaw ceased all professional activity in 2016, retiring to her home in Las Vegas. Her survivors include her daughters April and Marla, a son, Robert, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

🔔 Marlena Shaw (Marlina Burgess), singer, born 22 September 1942; died 19 January 2024

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[dogmomwrites]

Find the Words!

This tag came from @charlesjosephwrites, so thank you for including me in this game!

I'm gonna pass it along with soft tags to @oh-no-another-idea, @cljordan-imperium, and @talesofsorrowandofruin, as well as leaving it an open tag! Your words will be remorse, accuse, enjoy, and surveillance. If you can't find one, leave a fun fact about your WIP, OCs, or writing process!

My words were hear, true, nerve, and good. I took all these excerpts from my unnamed WIP.

HearRiley could have moved. He could easily have stepped aside and avoided getting hit. He wanted to. But if he did, she would have nothing to slow her impact. She’d land awkwardly on the weathered pavement, at best only tearing her skin and bruising her shoulder. At worst, she was at risk for a fractured bone or two.

He braced for impact.

The ninety-five pound husky barreled into him like a train. He managed to catch her, but the impact slammed him down against the asphalt with enough force to stun him. He didn’t hear Jimmy laughing. He lay, just struggling to remember how breathing worked. Avalanche wasted no time clambering to her paws on his chest and licking his face with frenetic joy until he was covered in her slobber.

Because giving him a concussion wasn’t enough to let him know she missed him.

TrueRiley took a moment to think about it. “Does she know how to spell?”

“Not yet. We’re working on it.”

“Then…I guess she can’t? I mean, she can talk all she wants, but we won’t be able to respond accordingly.”

At that, her head drooped and she bumped Jimmy’s shoulder morosely. He ruffled her fur again, although the action was less energetic this time, and his expression turned a cross between sad and thoughtful. She said something in a sad sounding voice. It made no sense to Riley, but Jimmy sighed.

“That’s not true.” Noticing Riley’s curiosity, he added, “You’ll never be just a normal dog.”

Nerve The house was quiet enough that it set his nerves on edge and made every little creak of the floorboards sound like he was breaking something. Surely at any moment, someone would come running to see who was making such a ruckus. But no one did.

Good “I never asked for human hearts!” Riley shot a glare at Avalanche, who was enjoying everything just as much as Jimmy. “You should have told me.”

Jimmy met his gaze. “I have no regrets,” he told him very seriously.

Riley was quietly seething. “You almost got me arrested.”“But I didn’t. And, to top that off, I explained it all to Max and there was no harm done. You gave him a good story to tell his buddies.”

[wicked-jade]

Before the beginning 💜

Thanks for the ask! 💖

This is set before the beginning of "Or Forever Hold Your Peace," my Dutch/Johnny bitter exes fic. Context here is that Dutch and Johnny hooked up right after high school and were together for years, but they broke up when Dutch got sent to prison on drug charges. This is the first time Johnny has seen him in almost five years, and it's Jimmy's wedding day.

~~~~~

Johnny sat in silence, knee bouncing in agitation as he stared out the windshield at the church. He'd been sitting there listening to the radio for the last half hour, trying to calm his nerves, but then the rock station started playing "Love Hurts" by Nazareth, and well...

That was a little too on the nose.

He knew he should get out. Go find Jimmy and wish him luck on his big day. It was the very least he could do, after flaking out on all of the pre-wedding festivities. But just as he was reaching for the door handle, determined to go inside and get it over with, a familiar figure appeared in the church's double doors.

Johnny held his breath as Dutch descended the steps, nodding at a few stragglers as they made their way inside. For a second, he feared Dutch would spot him and come over to...what? Say hello? Lecture him on being a bad friend?

That'd be rich, coming from him.

But Dutch was too busy searching his suit pockets for his cigarettes to notice him. Heart caught in his throat, Johnny watched as he finally pulled out a pack and sank down on the low wall that surrounded the church's flower beds. There was a breeze blowing, so it took him a few tries to get one lit. When he did, his whole body seemed to sag in relief, eyes closing and face turning up toward the sun. The smoke he exhaled wreathed his head like a halo.

Johnny's lungs burned, and he realized he wasn't breathing. With a ragged sigh, he slumped down in the driver's seat and pulled the flask out of his breast pocket. He drank as Dutch smoked, and it was almost like old times.

Except for all the space between them.

[thepinkwriterr]

Capricorn Season Chapter Twenty-Five Part One

It’s a short one today. Enjoy!

Table of Contents

Word Count: 1k

The hotel room was silent. The entire floor was silent. It always scared me just how loud my head could get when the world around me is quiet. Flashes from earlier fought in my head, sending me into a dizzying panic.

Everything has been happening so fast. Moving to England, getting a new job, meeting Jimmy, falling madly in love with someone in a matter of months, going on tour with him, getting this new job. It all felt like it happened in one fell swoop, one quick burst of intense energy.

I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. I looked in the mirror and picked at every feature, fixed my hair, changed my outfit, and even checked to make sure my shoes were on the right feet. And then I realized that what was wrong was me. Everything about this moment was wrong.

Then, the seed was planted. And from that horrible drop grew a poisoned tree of insecurity and deceit. The malignant voices in my head whispered words of ostracization, notions of being unloved and outcast. These ideas were logically unsound, but I believed them.

I believed that Jimmy didn't actually like me, I believed that every choice I'd ever made was incorrect. I was doubting every interaction I'd had recently, hated the sound of my voice, hated the way I looked. It was a total breakdown of self. I couldn't control it.

The world was terrible and cruel in that moment, I felt Jimmy and everything else being swallowed and pulled away all at once, leaving me alone. I searched for any possible reason for this malaise, this great tormentor, but came up an empty-handed beggar. My limbs shook and tears trailed from the expanse of my cadaverous eyes, mirroring Jimmy's attack at Royal Albert. And that made everything worse, feeling so connected to someone I saw breaking free and flying away.

I was grasping at the ground I thought steady, only to be left with grains of sand in the cracks of my hands. All was leaving me in a great migration and returning in a haunt. When would my body stop mourning my past lives and lovers? I wished at that moment to be anything but a graveyard. But it prevailed, the stench of death and dirt.

The future felt like a distant memory, now only my past failures painting the inside of my mind. What I wouldn't have give for clarity, an offering of love. That would be a clear light of God, an extension of his beautiful and forgiving palm.

But I was alone in that hotel room, my disturbed path only lit by the moon and hall sconce light peaking under the door. I curled up on the bed, retracting into myself like a crumbling piece of parchment. I hoped if I squeezed myself together tight enough that I would disappear, slip into the listless night like a vagrant. I would do a favor to those around me, the ones who hadn't left.

It was in this terrible moment of doubt and pain that I received my wish. Jimmy waltzed through the doorway, cheery and bright. He was an explosion of light in a deep, dark tunnel. But I couldn't move, I laid, crying and shaking. He found me eventually when his greeting was met with sniffling and heavy breaths.

"Hey, what's wrong?" His voice was gentle as if he were comforting a scared animal. Perhaps I looked like one, huddled and shivering. I still couldn't speak, only sob. The message was received and he laid down behind me, pulling me into his body.

"Is this about what happened earlier today?" I shook my head, even though that was part of the issue. It was the catalyst to this anxious track running in my mind. "Are you sure?" I was still, save for the quivering of my chest. "Well, when you calm down we can talk." He resumed his hair petting, calming my nerves. This wasn't the miracle surgery saving my life, but it was medicine to sate my pain. Having him present was a reminder that these were just voices, these were just jumbled ideas, and I didn't have to believe them.

- It wasn't until the next day that I was ready to talk. I drifted into a dark and dreamless sleep, filled with nothing by rest. When I woke, I was anxious. I was unsure of how to approach the topic. I didn't want to be the first to bring it up. Luckily, Jimmy could feel this and asked me if I was ready to talk.

I nodded stoutly and began, "I don't know, I just got this horrible sense of dread last night. I felt like everything was slipping away and you were leaving me. That I was losing everything, and it was completely my fault." He looked pained by this, his brows mashed together in subtle agony. "Well, that's simply not true. I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere." His hand was on mine now and he was rubbing his thumb over the warm skin of my palm. "And your behavior yesterday was upsetting."

Now he turned sour. Perhaps it was a sensitive eye, a reactive mind, that lead me to believe he was angry. I hoped that was true, hoped he was empathic to my plight. He sighed, not speaking at first. I felt justified in my anxiety. I dropped his hand in an instant, nerves filling the extremities that were previously in his possession. I fiddled with the tips of my nails, rubbing the pads of my fingers against the rigid crescents.

"I'm sorry, love." His speech was stout and simple.

---

Taglist:

@anothercanyonlady​ , @jonesyjonesyjonesy​   @paginate54 , @seventieswhore , @jimmypages , @jimmys-zeppelin​ , @jimmysdragonsuit13      

[raya-hunter01]

Lights, Camera, Action! Pt. 12 End

Lights, Camera, Action!

Jey Uso x Black Female OC! (Shantell)

Roman x Black Female OC! Tangela

Solo x Black Female OC! Sofia

Jimmy x Trin

Rating: 18+

Warning: Smut; oral, sex, fluff, defloration (Virginity) masturbation

Words:

Summary: How do you keep it together as Smackdown’s production director and navigate your life as the girlfriend of Mr. Main Event Jey Uso.  Follow Shantell as she navigates her life as a girlfriend, sister, and confidant to the bloodline. Follow her on her journey to self-discovery of love and happiness.

Four Years Later

Jey & Shantell’s House

Atlanta, Ga

“So how was the game and Did Joshua get to play?” Jey asked me as I frowned at him. “He scored a touchdown and was so happy, until he looked around and you weren’t there like you promised. Good job Papa Kish,” I said smartly knowing I would strike a nerve.

His dad was always on the road and missed a lot of special moments in their life. I knew that always bothered him so the fact he could do it to our son was pissing me off.

“So, he went back to the hotel with Joe instead of coming home. I mean, is he trying to get back at me for missing the game?” Jey asked, a little hurt.

“He’s five years old! What do you mean trying to get back at you!? He wanted to hang out with his uncle, who flew in for his game. We had pizza at the hotel and caught up a little. He wanted Joe to drive him home so he could spend a little more time with him and Morgan,” I said, getting irritated as hell.

I could tell Jey was sensing my anger and chose to remain quiet. “Do you have a problem with the fact he wanted to spend a little more time with Joe and Morgan?” I asked as Jey still said nothing.

The quietness frustrated me as I saw him out the corner of my eye watching me closely as I spotted the empty Tequilla bottle on the living room table.

“So, do you want to talk about why you didn’t come to see Joshua play?”  I asked, trying to remain calm as he sighed, taking a swig of his beer. “Jey, I think you’ve had enough for tonight, plus Joshua will be home any minute,” I whispered as he cut his eyes at me before drinking the rest of his beer.

“So, you just gon’ act like I’m not talking to you, just  standing there like an asshole,” I said not believing his attitude.

“I’m a grown ass man Shantell, I can do what I want. You keep pushing about why I didn’t come to the game. You already know I don’t want folks looking at me Shantell,” Jey said as I looked at him in disbelief.

“Lookin’ at you? What are you talking about?” I questioned as my interest truly peaked at what he was saying.

 “I don’t need folks takin pictures of me, posting online talking bout look at Jey Uso at his son’s game, I wonder how he’s handling not being able to wrestle anymore,” he said very animated as I looked at him in disappointment.

“It wasn’t about you! It was about our son, and all he wanted today was for his dad to be there and you weren’t. What the hell is wrong with you?” I asked, taking the empty beer bottle from him shuffling around the kitchen trying to tidy up before Joe came back with Joshua.

“I’m not me anymore; everything is gone, Shantell!” Jey yelled as I paused at the sink, taking a few deep breaths. “Wrestling was my dream, Shantell; I could do anything! I was somebody, Main Even Jey Uso, now I ain’t nothin', and I ain’t got nothing!” Jey shouted, pacing the kitchen.

I felt slapped by his words as I gripped the counter, slowly turning to him, trying to digest what he had just said to me.

  “What the hell you mean you have nothing? You have a beautiful son and daughter who love you and worship the ground you walk on. They are here! I love you, and I am here, Damnit! Does any of that even matter to you anymore,” I cried as Jey in a panic began walking towards me.

 “I swear I didn’t mean it like that baby, you know ya’ll are my life,” he whispered hugging me. “I know you love wrestling, but I also know there is more to life than wrestling,” I whispered against him trying to understand him but validate my own feelings. 

“I’m just…I don’t know what's wrong wit me," he whispered, kissing my neck, pulling me closer.  Neither one of us heard Joe letting himself in with the kids.

“Everything alright in here?” Joe asked, walking in with Joshua and Morgan as I pulled away from Jey, wiping my tears, hoping Joe didn’t see them.

 “We good, Uce, “Jey said, catching Morgan as she jumped in his arms. “I missed you, baby girl; I’m so happy your daddy brought you,” Jey said, holding her close as she giggled,  “I missed you too!” She exclaimed, trying to hold him tighter; I smiled despite myself.

I missed being in Florida and seeing everyone. Atlanta was great, but I missed home and our family.

Joshua was asleep on Joe’s shoulder. “He’s had his bath, and his football stuff is by the door. “When did he fall asleep?” I asked, trying to calm my nerves as I saw the pissed off look on Joe’s face.

“He fell asleep as soon as we left the hotel,” Joe said, looking at me worriedly as I waved him off from saying anything, letting him know I was okay.  Sighing, he ignored Jey and went upstairs to put Joshua to bed.

“Tee tee can I stay the night?” Morgan asked as I smiled at her. "Maybe another time, baby; we got to get ready to head to New York tomorrow night,” I said, hoping she would understand as she grinned at me. “Otay, we play when you get back,” she said as I kissed her forehead she closed her eyes.

“She’s so beautiful,” Jey whispered, caressing her hair as she fell asleep against him. “Yes, I miss her so much,” I said, trying to memorize every new feature I saw since the last time I saw her.

“Is Jeyla being good for ma and pops,” Jey asked as I smiled. “Jeyla is always a good girl, and you know everyone down in Pensacola is spoiling her rotten,” I said smiling thinking of our beautiful daughter. “I miss my baby,” Jey said pouting a little as did I.

Our daughter Jeyla was two and was a great mixture of Jey and me. I can say these three days without her have been rough as this was her first solo trip down to Florida, staying without us.

 Jey had driven her down to his parents because he had to film a commercial for the WWE, and I had media leading up to the Oscars this upcoming weekend. The next two days were going to be pure chaos for us.

“Ya’ll good down here?” Joe asked, returning downstairs as I got up and hugged him. “Yeah, we’re fine,” I reassured him as he looked to be looking me over. “What, you think I’d hurt my wife or something?” Jey said at Joe like he had grown three heads.

“I didn’t say that, but you ain’t doing her no favors by missing Joshua’s game and all this drinking you have been doing lately,” Joe said, taking Morgan from Jey as he scoffed at him. “Goodnight, princess,” he whispered, kissing Morgan on the cheek before slowly retreating upstairs to his office.

“Are you sure you don’t mind Joshua flying out with ya’ll tomorrow,” I asked as he sighed. “It’s no problem, Shantell, I got him. That’s what family is for,” Joe said as I gave him a small smile, looking towards the stairs, hearing the TV blasting.

“You need to come home to Pensacola so we can help you. You can’t keep doin’ this alone, Shantell,” Joe said as I nodded in understanding, and I knew he was right. “I’m not alone; he’s a great dad, Joe. He’s been supportive of my dreams; it’s just been hard for him some days,” I said, trying to get Joe to understand.

“It’s been hard for you to Shantell; he uprooted ya’ll to Atlanta because he felt the need for a change. He didn’t ask you. Granted, you had awesome opportunities that came your way, but he still should have asked for your input,” Joe said seriously as I rubbed my temples in exhaustion, not saying anything.

“Fine, I will stop nagging you for now; I know you already have enough to stress about going on. Congrats on your nomination. I hadn’t seen you in person to tell you, but I know you gon’ win,” Joe said, changing the subject, smiling at me as I blushed.

“Thank you for the encouragement, but I’m just happy to be even nominated for an Oscar. That alone has had my phone ringing, and I’m still waiting to wake up from this dream,” I whispered truthfully as Joe hugged me.

“This ain’t no dream beautiful, you are amazing, don’t sell yourself short. You earned this moment; you’ve always been there for us when we shined, lifting us up, and now it’s your turn,” he whispered, holding me tight as I cried. “Don’t cry, Shantell, we got Joshua and Jeyla. Just go to New York and have fun,” Joe said, stroking my hair as my crying started to calm down.

“It’s getting late go put my little Mo Mo to bed,” I said, pulling away from his embrace, looking at her little exhausted face, wiping my tears. “I'll leave, but we gon’ talk about this again,” Joe said, giving me a kiss on the cheek and another hug before quietly walking towards his rental.

“I love you, let me know ya’ll got back safe,” I said, waving from the door as he strapped Morgan in her car seat. “Love you too; I’ll text you when we get back to the room,” he said, humoring me. I mean, who would attack his ass? But I wanted to know when my people made it to their destinations. It put my mind and heart at ease.

I quietly shuffled around the house, making sure the doors were locked before heading upstairs to shower. As I passed Jey’s office I peeked in and saw he was watching some of his old matches.

I knew it would be a long night, so I quietly went to get a quick shower before bed. I couldn’t help but think of the night when everything changed, my husband’s light left his eyes, and I left the WWE all in one night.

=========

Two years ago

Madison Square Garden

Talent meeting

Shantell’s POV

“I can’t believe this shit, kill me now,” I whispered as Trin gave me a sympathetic smile. “It’s ok, everyone deserves a second chance,” Trin said as I took a deep breath looking at the smirk on Taraji’s face hoping to maintain my composure.

“Taraji has been back with us on the road for a few weeks, but we want to formally welcome her back,” Paul said as Jey caressed my hand, trying to keep me calm.

“Also, I want to congratulate Shantell on her promotion to senior production manager. She has one more month on the road before she goes on maternity leave, so let’s not stress her out,” Paul said as I rolled my eyes, rubbing my stomach.

“Alot of your concerns should go to Tamera; she has been shadowing Shantell; wave your hand, Tamera. Would you like to say or add anything, Shantell?” Paul asked as I took a few seconds to gather myself as Tamera waved her hand as instructed.

“Nah, I’m good it’s the same position with a new name that I’m doing, and everyone knows Tamera. So, I’ll pass; I ain’t entertaining the bullshit today,” I said honestly as I heard snickers from Jimmy and Solo as I winked at them.

 We knew Paul was trying to smooth things over about Taraji being back, and I just didn’t have time for it today. I was grateful for Tamera; she has been shadowing me for the last year and is amazing.

“Well, that’s all I have for today; let’s have a good show ya’ll,” Paul said as Taraji and a few of the guys filed out of the office. “Shantell, I am sorry, Steph wanted her on smackdown,” he said as I waved him off. “I’ll be fine; just let me vent for a minute, and I’ll be good,” I said, giving him a hug before we left.

------

Smackdown Main Event

“Jey Uso has not moved since that powerbomb against the ring apron in front of us,” Cole’s voice said. I felt a chill all over my body as I saw Jey lying unmoving on the floor. “Shantell looks at me, sweetheart,” Paul said, gently removing my headset.

“Tamera, take us on out,” Paul said, leading me away from the monitor. “I have to go to him,” I whispered as Paul shook his head. “No, I need you to breathe, Shantell. I need you to calm down and think about the baby,” he said, rubbing my belly.

 “Someone please call his mom,” I whispered, finally breaking down sobbing as Paul tried to calm me down.

I heard some commotion as I looked up to see Jimmy, Joe, and Solo running towards the curtain. “Keep her back here, no matter what,” Joe said as they took off into the arena.

“Paul that is my husband, ya’ll can’t do this,” I said unwavering as Trin walked up on the phone along with Tamina. “We’re ok, Pops; they are checking on him now. Shantell is here with Paul, and she’s okay,” Trin said as I began to pace.

“It’s going to be ok, sis,” Tamina said, trying to reassure me as I kept my eyes on the curtain. “We love you too, Pops; give Ma our love,” Trin said, hanging up as I continued to pace.

“EMTs are strapping Jey in; he is starting to come around, “Wade said as I ran out into the arena before anyone could stop me.  I was almost to Jey but was stopped by Joe, who stepped in front of me, steading my arms so I wouldn’t fall.

“ I can’t let you see him like this, don’t do this to yourself,” he said, holding me at arm’s length blocking my view. “I have to make sure he is okay,” I cried as I saw Jimmy leaning over, whispering something to Jey as he tried to nod his head but couldn’t. “Fuck!” Jey shouted as Jimmy held his hand. It was bad; I knew it was.

“Sis, you need to calm down and breathe; we don’t need you going into labor,” Solo said, gently rubbing my stomach as I tried to calm down.

“We need to move him and get him to the hospital,” the EMT said as I looked at Joe, pleading with my eyes to be let go as he sighed, finally letting me go.

“Babe, I’m here,” I whispered, taking his hand as he looked at me. “My back is fucked, I’m done, it’s over, baby,” he whispered as I shook my head. “No, it’s not baby. We going to get you to the hospital, and they gon’ take care of you,” I assured him as the EMT looked at me worriedly.

 “We really need to move; he needs to get an MRI done to see what damage has been done,” he said as I moved, allowing them to do their job as Joe held me close, walking in step with me behind the stretcher.

“Where’s Shantell? Where’s my wife?” Jey asked as everything seemed to be moving fast.  “She’s right behind us, big Uce got her,” Jimmy reassured him. “Keep her safe, man; don’t let her worry about me,” Jey said. I could hear the fear in his voice as I winced in pain.

“I saw you wince. Are you ok, Shan?” Joe asked as I took a deep breath. “Yea, just Braxton hicks,” I said, trying not to worry him as he led me slowly towards the ambulance.

Where are you going? The show is still going on; you can’t leave,” Vince said, walking towards us.

“What the fuck you mean? I can’t leave!” I shouted as Joe stepped in front of me.  Jey heard me and tried to lift his head as Jimmy pushed him back down on the stretcher. “You focus on you, Joe, and Solo got Shantell,” Jimmy said, looking back at me, giving me a look of support.

“I’m going with my husband; Tamera can handle the show. I’ve taught her well,” I said, irritated he would even assume I would stay and run the show when my husband has just been seriously injured is he fucking insane.

“No, you need to be here; you can go to the hospital after,” Vince said. You could hear a pin drop as talent had begun to gather as I looked at the EMTs loading Jey in the ambulance. “Mr. Fatu, I got to get an IV going and some other readings; let’s get you hooked up while we wait on your wife,” the EMT said, beginning to work on Jey in the ambulance as the other EMT stood by the door waiting for me.

“Look, I’m going, and you can’t stop me,” I whispered, trying to calm down. “Shantell, I ain’t got time for this; time is money, so get back to work,” Vince said as Paul stepped in front of Vince.

“Shantell, go to him,” Paul whispered as I moved around them. “You know you should have let her go when budget cuts happened; she can’t even help this company and do what we asked of her,”  Vince said as I stopped walking. “Keep walking, Shantell, it ain’t worth it,” Joe whispered as I looked at him.

“Joe, I ain’t gotta take this shit after everything I’ve done for this company,” I said as Joe sighed, rubbing my shoulders as I tried not to lose it. “You know whatever you want to do, we got you. I just don’t want you to do anything you may regret,” Joe said as I wiped my tears of frustration as Paul and Vince continued to talk about me like I wasn’t there.

“It was distasteful what you wanted her to do, and she’s not an on-air camera personality. That’s her right to deny a storyline, it ain’t her job,” Paul said, trying to cool things off as Vince laughed. “When all this is over, she’s got to make a choice. She’s either going to do what we asked or she's fired. It ain’t like her husband’s getting back in the ring anytime soon,” Vince said as I felt my anger boiling.

“Hey! I screamed as everything and everyone around me got quiet. “My husband is in that ambulance, hurt and scared. I ain’t worried about no fucking show or this fucking job. I am going with him, and that’s all I’m going to say about it. So, you can do what you need to do, Vince,” I said firmly as Joe began steering me further towards the ambulance.  

“Shantell! We ain’t done talking!” Vince yelled as I stepped into the ambulance, not caring. “Aye, you heard her.  It’s done; now leave her be,” Solo said as Vince looked at him angrily.

“Who do you think your talking to?" Vince asked, daring Solo to say something. “I’m talking to you,” Solo said, not backing down. “It’s ok, Solo, I got it,” I said, looking at him as he nodded, putting distance between himself and Vince. He knew me well enough to know what was coming next.

 “Mr. McMahon, you ain’t gotta worry about me because I quit,” I said before the EMT closed the door on a ranting Vince.

I maneuvered around, finally able to sit beside Jimmy as Jey reached for my hand, I intertwined our fingers.  “I’m here, baby, I’m right here, and I ain’t going nowhere.  Sorry, it took so long,” I said, caressing his hair as he closed his eyes.

“Babe, you could have waited until after the show to come to the hospital,” Jey whispered as I leaned down and kissed his forehead. “Boy is you crazy; I’m right where I want and need to be,” I whispered, seeing the tears welling up in his eyes. “I’m scared; what if it’s over, Shan,” Jey said as shushed him.

 “You’re going to be okay, I promise,” I said as the EMT finished sending his report to the Emergency Room. I felt Jimmy’s hand rubbing my back as I turned to look at him; seeing the tears streaming down his face broke me as I tried to keep my own at bay as I rubbed his knee in comfort with my other hand.  

“We are good to go; they will be ready when we arrive. I don’t want ya’ll to be alarmed. It’s going to be moving very fast when we get there,” he said as Jey closed his eyes as we began our journey to the hospital.

------

I hated to think of that night because it was the night when Jey’s dreams were dashed, and I quit a job I really loved.  As I lay in bed thinking, I heard Jey turning the TV up, and at times, it seemed like he was jumping around in his office.

I wanted to go to him and comfort him but also I wanted to give him space. I was torn, but as soon as his voice started to get louder, I immediately jumped out of bed and hurried down the hall. The closer I got to the door, the more I could hear what he was saying, and his words truly broke my heart.

Jey’s Office

Jey’s POV

“Main Event Jey Uso is in yo' city,” I said into the remote, hyping myself up, to only remember I can’t do what I love anymore.

“Everybody has something to fuckin’ say telling me how I should feel,” I said, pacing the room surrounded by all my accomplishments. “Nobody knows what I went through to get here! Nobody understands any fucking thing,” I slightly raised my voice, stopping in front of my championship title display case. I had done so much, but it didn’t feel like the end.

I wanted to destroy it, but I couldn’t. It meant the world to me. I saw the door open as Shantell peaked her head inside. “Are you ok, baby?” she asked, slowly coming inside and shutting the door. “Yeah, I’m sorry if I woke you up; I just was reminiscing,” I whispered as she leaned against the door.

My Shantel, always right there trying to break through my walls, always so giving, and I just keep fucking takin’. Sighing, I dropped my head in shame. I had to get my shit together; I didn’t want to lose my family. I needed to talk to her about what was on my mind.

“Jey, you gotta talk about it; this isn’t good for you or us,” Shantell said, slowly coming towards me as I sighed, knowing she was right. “Everything was just taken from me, and it ain’t right,” I said, trying to disguise the evident pain in my voice. I was finally being honest with myself about what I was angry about.

“I know, baby, and I’m so sorry,” she whispered, caressing my face with her hands as a burden released from within me. I had put down the façade; I wasn’t ok. I finally allowed myself to feel my loss instead of letting it consume me.

Two years of frustration seemed to pour out of me in a strangled cry of anger as Shantell pulled me instantly into a hug, I held on to her like she would disappear as we held each other, and I finally allowed myself to feel.

Shantell’s POV

I knew it weighed heavy on him, and if I could take that burden, I would. I continued to comfort him, and I felt him becoming less tense. "Talk to me, tell me what you thinking?” I asked, genuinely wanting to know but afraid of the answer, especially after his last back surgery last year.

 “I took a few bumps with Jimmy a couple of days ago when I took Jeyla to Ma and Pop’s,” Jey said as I tried to remain calm and not freak out as he told me. Shantell remain neutral; he may shut down on you if you act a fool.

 “Uh, Ok, so how did you feel?” I asked as he pulled away slightly to look at me. “I felt brand new, no pain or nothing,” he said gently tracing his fingertips across my back as I stroked his hair, taking a deep breath as he smiled at me.

Damn it, he’s playing hardball with that innocent smile; I can’t even be mad about what he did. “I don’t want you to get hurt, the doctor said,” I started, but he cut me off. “Look at me. I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been and feel great,” he said, gently kissing me as I sighed.

“I need to finish what I started, Shantell. I want to go out on my own terms, I didn’t get to do that; a doctor made that decision for me,” Jey said, looking at me with determination in his eyes.

“Josh, they are going to announce you for the Hall of Fame next week. You ain’t got nothing more to prove baby,” I pleaded as he wiped my now-flowing tears.

 “I got something to prove to me, baby,” he whispered, his eyes full of unfallen tears.  I looked at my husband, who had always been my pillar of strength, now seemed so broken, and it broke my heart.

 “I don’t want to be in no Hall of Fame right now; that’s for people who are done with this business, and I ain’t done yet,” he said, caressing my hand as I gently smiled at him.

“So, what do you want to do?” I asked, needing to know how far he wanted to go. “I want to see if anything has changed with my back, and would it be safe for me to wrestle again,” he said, watching me intently as I nodded, trying to digest what he was saying as I bit my lip nervously.

“If you don’t want me to do it, I won’t cause I need you to be wit me on this. I can’t do it without you,” Jey said, kissing my hand. I saw hope in his eyes, a brightness I hadn’t seen in awhile and I couldn’t take it from him.

 “I will always support you; I just don’t know what I would do if something happened to you,” I said as he frowned. “Ain’t nothing gon’ happen to me; if it’s not safe, I won’t do it. I love wrestling, but ya’ll are my life, and I would never do nothing that could take me away from ya’ll,” he said firmly.

 “I need to know from Dr. Andrews that you’re ok. I need to know that for my own piece of mind. If he says it’s okay, I’m in,” I said as he eagerly nodded, taking me in another kiss. “It’s going to work out great; I’m sure of it,” he said against my lips as I relaxed in his arms.

“Also, no more heavy drinking or acting like an ass. We talk about our problems, not drink them away,” I said, pointing to the beer bottles on his desk.” I got you, no more; it’s done,” he promised, taking me into his arms. No more words were spoken as we both enjoyed the moment of just being us again.

-----------------------------------------------------------

The Next Day

Stockbridge Primary School

Stockbridge, Ga

Mommy is daddy, ok?” Joshua asked as I unbuckled him from his car seat. “Yeah, Daddy just wasn’t feeling well last night, baby,” I said, trying not to worry him.

“I need you to have a good day and not worry about it, sweetie,” I said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Will Jeyla be home when I get out of school,” Joshua asked “No, you’re flying back with Uncle Joe this afternoon, so you will see her at Nana and Papa’s this evening,” I said, smiling at him “I love you, mommy,” his tiny voice said as I smiled sadly at him.

“I love you more,” I said, giving him a hug. “Have a good day, Mommy,” he whispered hugging me tight. “I will baby, don’t worry about me,” I reassured him as he began to walk into the school.

“Incoming call from Trin,” my car radio sang as I accepted the call.

“What is going on, my beautiful sister,” Trin said as I laughed at the bubbliness in her voice.

“Hey, sis, I just dropped off Joshua at school,” I said as I could hear Jimmy in the background trying to pack, asking her where his wrestling tights were. “Joe called last night, and I was checking in on ya’ll,” she said as I took a deep breath. “We’re okay; we talked last night, and he just had a lot on his mind,” I said.

“Hell, so do you; I mean, do I need to come kick his ass,” Jimmy said as I shook my head, pulling into our gated community. That was one of the things I loved about this little area; we lived down the road from Joshua’s school, so I could get there in hardly no time if need be.

“You heard me, sis, Are ya’ll ok? Do I need to come down there?” Jimmy asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“No, we’re ok and also, I heard about the ring outing you both did a couple of days ago,��� I said as he coughed. “Uh, look, I tried to stop him,” Jimmy started as I cut him off.

“I know you didn’t stop him because it’s just as much your dream for him to wrestle again as it is his,” I said as he got quiet.

“I’m sorry, sis, he was talking about what he wanted, and I just couldn’t tell him no,” Jimmy said as I released the breath I was holding. “I know, I couldn’t either. He’s setting up a meeting with WWE, and Dr. Andrews is flying in to talk, and they will do more tests. I told him I needed to know he was okay before we even thought about doing this,” I said, pulling in beside Joe’s rental.

“We hope it goes well and Jey gets the answers he’s looking for, Trin said as I exited the car. “Trin, I got to finish packing; I’ll let ya’ll talk. I’ll text you later, Shan,” Jimmy said as I heard him shuffling around the room again. “Be safe out there, Brother!” I shouted as he laughed, “Yes, mama, I will,” he said smartly as I rolled my eyes.

“Sorry our conversation ended up being more of me talking to Jimmy than you, sis,” I said as Trin laughed. “Girl, I talk to you all the time; I guess this time I can share you with him,” she said jokingly before we said our goodbyes as I walked inside. The laughter coming from the kitchen overjoyed my heart as I saw Jey and Joe seasoning the meat to go on the grill, apparently.

“Oh! I like this now, I ain’t gotta cook lunch,” I said, lightening the mood as they both laughed.

“Hey, we still need the sides,” Jey said as I rolled my eyes. “Damn, I thought I was in the clear,” I said jokingly as I saw Morgan lying down on the couch looking at the TV. Jey and Joe had obviously talked while I had been gone; I didn’t want to pry as his mood seemed better.

I left them to it as I went to spend a little time with Morgan. The next few days were gonna be chaotic and busy.

-----------------------------

Sunday

Pensacola, FL

Fatu Family Home

Trin’s POV

“Ok! Everybody be quiet; I’m trying to hear this,” I  said as everyone was getting anxious. “I hate these shows,” Jimmy said as I rolled my eyes at him. “Well, it’s almost over,” Sofia said, curling up against Solo as he kissed her forehead. “I think Shantell has it in the bag,” Tangela said, trying to burp Joseph as he whined against her shoulder.

“Aye, gon’ burp for ya mama lil man,” Joe said, smiling as Joesph finally let out a healthy burp and passed gas. “Eww,” Cameron laughed as Joe ruffled his hair. “Hey, cut him slack, Cam; you used to do the same thing all over us,” Joe said, laughing as Cameron shook his head.

“No, I didn’t, Uncle Ooah,” Cameron said, frowning. “Yes, you did, son, sometimes with a little vomit mixed in,” Solo said, laughing at the grossed-out look on his son’s face.

“Did Mama win yet?” Joshua asked, coming out of the kitchen with Morgan, who jumped in Joe’s lap.” Not yet, but it’s coming, buddy,” Joe said as Morgan grabbed his face. “She has to win! Tee tee is the best ever, Daddy!” Morgan exclaimed as Joe laughed at her enthusiasm.

 “I think she will win, baby,” Joe reassured her as we waited anxiously as the camera began panning to the nominees.

“Don’t they look good ya’ll,” Tanya said, holding Jeyla, who had fallen asleep in her lap. “They look amazing; never in a million years did I ever think I’d see my son sitting in the front row at the damn Oscars,” Sandra smiling at the TV as the camera zoomed in on Shantell and Jey in the front row as Jey kissed Shantell’s hand.

------

Oscars

Arena NYC

Shantell’s POV

“I’m so nervous, I mean, are we really here,” I said to Jey as he smiled at me. “You are here, and you deserve to be here; never forget that,” Jey said, leaning over and stealing a kiss.

And the winner for best director in a motion picture is…Shantell Fatu! For Time Waits For No One, Idris Elba said as I closed my eyes in disbelief as I felt Jey gently taking me by my hands, lifting me out of my chair.

"You did it babe” Jey whispered as I kissed him passionately. “ I love you," I said as he held me tight. “I love you more,” he whispered in my ear.

“This is Shantell’s first nomination and the first win,” I heard the announcer say as Jey assisted me up to the podium before walking back down. After hugging Idris, I was finally handed my Oscar. I looked it over in disbelief, trying to process what was happening.

“Thank you all so much,” I whispered into the microphone, trying not to cry as I saw the crowd standing on their feet, clapping as I locked eyes with Jey as he placed his hand over his heart.

“Can you believe this,” I whimpered into the microphone, looking at him as he nodded at me. “Hell yeah, I can cause you amazing baby!” He yelled as I shook my head at him, finally letting the tears flow.

“This is so surreal right now,” I said, looking around the room as the audience began to calm their applause and take their seats. “I would like to thank God, for without him, none of this is possible, and I would like to thank my mom. She’s always been my number one fan and always pushing me to be the best version of me,” I said as the crowd applauded.

“I made a decision a little over two years ago that has brought me to this moment, and I just have to say to my family watching at home, I love ya’ll so much, and thank you for always having my back. To my husband, I know you don’t like all the attention on you, but I have to tell you how much I love you, Joshua. I couldn’t have done any of this without you,” I said, smiling at him as he kissed me. “I’m so proud of you!” he shouted as I wiped my tears.  

“You said a few minutes ago that I did it, but baby, we did this,” I said, holding my award high in the air and pointing at him. The crowd applauded as he smiled brightly at me. “To my babies Joshua and Jeyla, mama loves ya’ll so much, and I can’t wait to see you tomorrow,” I said, blowing them a kiss into the camera.

“Before ya’ll start the music and push off the stage, let me just leave you with this. Remember, dreams are a starting point; the first no or disappointment doesn’t mean it’s the end. Keep pushing and hold on to your dreams. Thank you all and goodnight,” I said, waving at the crowd before walking backstage.

----

Fatu Family Home

Trin’s POV

“Mommy said my name!” Joshua said, jumping in Jimmy’s arms as he laughed, hugging Joshua tight. “She sure did, my Lil Uce,” he said as I smiled, looking at them both so happy. I knew he would be a great dad someday, and I couldn’t wait. Moments like this made me want to retire and have this man’s babies.

“You ok sweetie,” Sandra asked, grabbing my hand as I smiled at her. “Yeah, Mom, I’m fine,” I reassured her as I saw the apprehension in her eyes. “Ok, kids, time for bed,” Tanya said as Cameron groaned. “Do we have to?” Morgan whined as Joe scooped her up in his arms.

“Yes, it’s past your bedtime,” he said, tickling her as her loud giggles squeezed my heart. “Ok, Daddy,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck as he carried her upstairs, with Cameron and Joshua following close behind them.

“I don’t see how you do it,” Solo said, helping his mom clear off the dining room table. “Son, I took care of you and your brothers. I can handle a little sleepover,” Sandra said, laughing as Tanya bumped her fist. “We live for this type of stuff to spoil them all,” Tanya said as Sofia smiled at them.

“We appreciate you both for it; I think I can vouch for Tange and Shan when I say them kid breaks be hittin’,” Sofia said as Tangela laughed. We continued to enjoy the rest of the show joking with each other. All that was missing was Jey and Shantell.  

------

Two Days Later

WWE Headquarters

Jey’s POV

“Dr. Andrews, thanks for coming all this way on such short notice,” Paul said as he sat with WWE’s personal surgeon Johnathon. “It was my pleasure, and thanks for setting me up in a hotel,” Dr. Andrews said as I gripped Shantell’s hand tighter as she looked at me with a comforting smile.

We had spent practically all day at the hospital doing more tests, and it was time for the verdict.

“So, what do you think doc” I asked finally finding my voice as I felt Shantell caressing my hand.

“I know we have put you through the wringer today, and I must be honest with you; everything looks good. Your back looks amazing,” Dr. Andrews said as I heard a tiny, exhausted sob escape Shantell’s mouth as I pulled her close, kissing her temple as she laid her head on my shoulder.

 “Are you sure?” I asked, afraid he was about to dash my hopes. I was afraid I would wake up from this dream any minute.

“I agree with Dr. Andrews, the surgery worked, and your back looks great. Now, that doesn’t mean steam forward with a full schedule or start doing crazy dangerous things. It means work smart, not hard,” Johnathon said as Paul smiled at me.

“So, I can wrestle again?” I asked, looking at them with anticipation. “Yes, Mr. Fatu, we think you can move forward with a return,” Johnathon said. I felt free. “I told you it would be ok, baby,” I whispered to Shantell as she smiled.

“You sure did, baby, you sure did,” she said as I took her face in my hands, kissing her with everything within me as I heard Paul clearing his throat, smiling at us. “Sorry, boss,” I laughed as Shantell blushed.

“It's going to be good having you back in action, Jey,” Paul said, extending his hand as I shook It eagerly.

“Thank you so much, Paul; I won’t let you down,” I said as he pulled me into a hug. “Welcome back to the action, Uce,” he said as I nodded too overcome with emotion to speak.

Shantell’s POV

“Thank you, God,” I whispered, looking at Jey and Paul hugging as Dr. Andrews gave me a hug. “He will be fine; just be there for him like you always are,” Dr. Andrews whispered as I tried to let everything sink in as I saw Jey on the phone with Jimmy. “Bro, I’m back!” Jey exclaimed as I heard Jimmy screaming through the phone.

“So, do I get a hug, Mrs. Oscar winner?” Paul asked smartly as I rolled my eyes but practically ran into his arms. “Thank you so much,” I cried as he held me close. “It’s no problem; we are glad to have him back,” he said, looking over at Jey, who looked like a little kid smiling while talking to Jimmy on the phone.

“I need to apologize for how everything went down Shantell,” Paul said as I shook my head at him. “It’s water under the bridge Paul, I know it wasn’t you and I’m not mad,” I said honestly as he smiled sadly at me.

“I should have put my foot down with Vince and fought to keep you on,” he said as I smiled at him. “Nah, everything happened how It was supposed to, Paul and I’m good with it,” I said, trying to get him to understand.

“Maybe one day I can get you back here where you belong. I guess for now, I will settle for watching you do awesome things,” he said as I laughed.

 “Well, stranger things have happened, so never say never,” I said, patting him on the shoulder before going to sit beside Jey, putting my head on his shoulder.

“So, are you ready for all this?” I asked as he kissed the top of my head, intertwining our fingers. “I’ve never been more ready, baby,” he said, rubbing my shoulders.  It was really happening Main Even Jey Uso was back in the game.

---------

Pensacola FL.

Jey & Shantell’s House

Shantell’s POV

“I’m glad we decided not to sell the house,” I said, walking around the downstairs foyer, longing to return here again to live.

“About that, I wanted to ask you something,” Jey said as I turned, giving him my undivided attention. “How would you feel if we moved back?" He asked as I screamed and jumped in his arms as he laughed.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he whispered against my ear. “It’s a hell yes!” I cried as he gently kissed my neck, holding me close. “Daddy, are we staying?” Joshua asked, coming out from his old playroom holding Jeyla’s hand.

“Yea, buddy, we are,” Jey said as Joshua hugged and kissed Jeyla in excitement as she began whining. “We moving back, Jeyla!” Joshua said, taking off and running upstairs to his old room.

“Come on, lil mama,” Jey said as Jeyla ran as fast as her little feet could carry her as he scooped her up in his arms. “Lord, she has you wrapped around her little finger,” I said, smiling at her, hugging him tight.

-----

204,000 likes

Uceyjucey Home is where the heart is. Pensacola, the Fatu’s are back!

View all 1,000 comments.

Trinity_fatu Thank God, I was missing my girl and my babies.

romanreigns Yes! All is right with the world! Now, why is my little mama crying?

-------

One Month Later

Pensacola Fl,

Ring Rust

“I can’t believe they sent a ring,” I muttered, looking around at the building and ring they had purchased so Jey could get back in ring form far away from prying eyes. We had moved back to Florida but kept the house in Atlanta. It would make for a good vacation spot. Jey has been happy but also incredibly nervous, and it was showing in his ring work.

“Why you bumpin’ scared?” Joe asked Jey as he sat in the corner, nursing his water.  “I got to get back in the groove, is all,” Jey said as Jimmy rubbed his shoulder in support. “We got two months until the Rumble; I think you will be ready,” Solo said, shooting him an encouraging smile.

“Daddy is a little scared, Jeyla,” I said as she smiled at me. “Go, Daddy!” she exclaimed, pointing at him as he smiled in her direction. “You heard what the little lady of this family told you,” I said, smiling at him as it seemed to boost his confidence.

“You ready to again?” Jimmy asked as Jey began running the ropes faster and took a beautiful bump, then nipped back up. “Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about,” Joe said proudly. “It’s like riding a bike, you don’t forget that shit,” Jimmy said, smiling at Jey as I felt a sense of pride knowing they were going to work very hard to make sure Jey was ready.

I saw Joe get out of the ring and head towards me, reaching for Jeyla, who, with a smile, reached for her uncle as he put a towel on his shoulder so he wouldn’t get sweat on her. "So, how is he doing?" I asked as he smiled at me. "He’s doing good; we just got to stop him from hesitating,” Joe said, playing with Jeyla. “I think he’s a little scared about his back,” I said honestly, looking at him and Solo chain wrestling on the mat.

“Do you ever miss it, Joe?” I asked as he looked back in the ring. “Sometimes I do, but I would miss Tangela, Morgan, and Joseph more,” he said as I smiled at him. “I retired because I wanted to be home and not travel so much. I mean Tangela’s business is booming and I’m just enjoying the fruits of my years of labor. So, I’m good baby mama,” he said as I laughed.

“Damn, I thought that nickname wasn’t gonna hold up,” I said, laughing at him.

 “Hey, I told you before you had Joshua; that was your new nickname. I meant that,” he said, kissing Jeyla on the cheek before giving her back to me. I turned after hearing the door alarm go off as Sandra and my mom entered.

“Hey, Thelma and Louise,” I said, laughing at them as they rolled their eyes at me. “Don’t talk about us; all ya’ll girl gon’ be the same way,” my mom said, laughing as I smiled at the thought.

 “We came to get Jeyla; we knew today was going to be hard on Josh,” Sandra said, looking at her son in the ring, trying to regain his confidence. “Ya’ll don’t have to, mama,” I said as she shushed me. “Ya’ll are home now, and you have help. Use it because you ain't got to do it alone, Shantell,” my mom said, taking Jeyla, who was struggling to keep her eyes open.

“See, my baby is sleepy,” Sandra said, pointing at Jeyla as I nodded in agreement. “We are taking her with us to get Joshua also; we’re going for pizza, then back to my house to watch a movie,” my mom said, leaving no room for discussion.

“Thank you both, it means a lot” I said, knowing it was just better to just let them do their thing. “Sweet dreams, sweetie,” I whispered, giving Jeyla a goodbye kiss as they snuck out before Jey saw them.

The guys continued to work with Jey for two more hours as I watched his confidence grow, and he performed his move set a little better. These next few months were going to fly by quickly, and I was finally getting excited about the Royal Rumble.

--------------------

Royal Rumble 2028

Madison Square Garden

Shantell’s POV

“I love you, and please be safe,” I whispered as Jey embraced Jeyla and me. “I promise, and I love ya’ll he said, giving me a chaste kiss before kissing Jeyla on the cheek. I could see his nervousness as he approached the curtain and began pacing.

 I stayed by the monitors outside Gorilla, wanting to avoid watching with the crowd gathered at the other monitors and TVs in Gorilla.  I wish I could see Joshua’s face when he sees Jey come out. Trin and Tangela were out in the crowd with him, enjoying the show.

“Who will be number thirty!” Cole screamed as the crowd began to count down. “10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1!” beep 

UUUUSSSSOOOO!!

Aye, aye Main event Jey Uso is now in your city! Yah hoo!

“It can’t be! Is it! OMG it’s Jey Uso!” Micheal Cole screamed as I saw Jey bouncing out into the arena amped up and overcome with emotion as he stopped to take in the crowd.

It's just me Uce (Okay) Day one ish It's just me Uce Day one ish It's just me Uce (Okay)

“Mama, no cry,” Jeyla said as I cried softly, trying not to draw attention to myself as I watched Jey walk slowly down the aisle.  “Mama it otay,” Jeyla said, trying to wipe my tears as I smiled at her.

“Look at Daddy, sweetie,” I said, pointing at the screen as she pointed and cheered, “Yay, Daddy!” She yelled as I held her close.

Jey’s POV

“Holy Shit, I’m here; this is really happening,” I muttered, looking around at the sea of people. I felt like my heart was about to explode as I locked eyes with Jimmy in the ring; he was smiling at me, trying to contain his excitement.

I see the fans cheering, but I can’t hear it. It was almost like everything was happening in slow motion as I spotted Joshua in the crowd, with Trin jumping up and down in shock as I winked at him. “I got this, I can do this. I was born to do this,” I whispered, finally sliding into the ring.

Shantell’s POV

“Jey Uso just speared the Miz,” Cole shouted as I smiled through my tears. “Miz has been eliminated, and now we are down to Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, and Jey Uso!” Wade said as Seth and Jey double-teamed Brock.

“He looks amazing,” Joe said, sitting beside me as I wiped my tears. “Yes, he does, almost like he never left,” I said, looking at him doing his thing in the ring. “ Seth Rollins has been eliminated! Jey Uso is so close to making history,” Michael Cole said as Jey and Brock began to circle each other in the ring as the crowd began clapping in anticipation of what would happen next.

“Fuck, that was stiff,” Solo said, walking over to us, looking at the monitor as I cringed at the suplex Brock had just given Jey. “I swear if he’s careless and hurts him, I will kill him,” I said honestly, watching Suplex Jey again.  

“Calm down, he’s good, look at him,” Solo said, pointing to Jey delivering a superkick to Brock Lesnar. “Down goes Lesnar!” Cole shouted as Jey walked around the ring, amping the crowd up.

 Jey bounced off the ropes, jumping into the waiting arms of Brock Lesnar, who threw him viciously over the top rope. “Brock Lesnar is going to WrestleMania!” Wade yelled as the fireworks started going off as they panned to Jey smiling on the floor, just enjoying the moment.

“Brock Lesnar is going to WrestleMania, but the bigger story here is Main Event Jey Uso is back! Two years ago, he suffered a career-ending back injury in this same building, but tonight It’s redemption for Jey Uso.  Jey Uso is back and better than ever,” Cole said as I cried softly, trying to get myself together as Joe rubbed my knee.

“He’s ok, Shantell,” Joe said, reassuring me as I nodded, wiping my tears as I stood up, watching Jey grab Joshua from the crowd as they walked back up the aisle as Brock was still celebrating.

 Applause rang out as Jey and Joshua came through the curtain. Jey immediately dropped to one knee and began praying. “Go to him, Shan,” Joe said as I shook my head no, “I want him to see everyone else first. I know they are going to shove the camera in his face,” I said as Joe pushed me forward and took Jeyla, who had fallen asleep in my arms.

“He needs you, not their praise; they can wait,” Joe said as I walked closer to the crowd that had formed around him welcoming him back. I saw Jey looking around as his eyes finally found me, and he smiled.

He began pushing through the crowd with Joshua as I ran to meet them, and he engulfed me in a huge hug. “I’m so proud of you,” I whispered as he held me tight. We did it, Shan, we did it,” Jey whispered as I held him tighter.  “How do you feel?” I asked as he smiled at me, contemplating my question.

“I missed this chaos, and I’m ready. Are you ready for this?” he asked softly as I laughed into his shoulder. “I’m ready for anything as long as we’re together,” I reassured him. Tonight, Jey was restarting his journey, and I knew we could do it together even though it wouldn’t be easy.

What was next for me, I didn’t know; maybe I would come back and put Paul out of his misery.  One thing I knew for sure was Main Even Jey Uso was back, and I couldn’t wait to see what the future held for us as we travel through this thing called life.

The End

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[angelofrainfrogs]

Break My Mind: Ch. 5

~Coauthored by @zeitghest~

Fandom(s): Five Nights At Freddy’s: Security Breach

Description: Gregory must be dreaming this time. No sooner had he come to accept this strange reality where everyone is alive and well, than he’s sent back through time and space to the weekend he got trapped in the Pizzaplex. He’s supposed to help his family get on track for a better future, yet… didn’t he already succeed in his own timeline? Confused but relieved, Gregory drops back into his new life in the mega mall. In fact, who should be waiting for him but Michael, clad in a security uniform and searching for his missing family! Only—the night guard seems a bit more withered than when Gregory last saw him. Not to mention that cold look in his silver eyes…

Rating: T

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Gregory could feel himself coming to. Sorry muscles from the high-voltage shock might have killed a lesser boy, but the cursed Remnant in his veins would see to Gregory’s endless suffering. He couldn’t move; couldn’t even cry. This wasn’t any good…

Gregory could make sounds, though. Minute and pitiable whimpers of pain left his open mouth as the boy tried desperately to regain command over his limbs. By the time he could wiggle his toes, he was already in the raised security room overlooking Fazerblast. Once scribbled with Vanny’s frantic, insane ramblings, it was now notably sleek and cold. Adding to his inability to move were the straps tying Gregory’s wrists and ankles to a chair. The restraints were meant to hold animatronics at bay, so they were no match for a scrawny, tired kid.

“Oh? You awake now?” Michael’s voice sounded from Gregory’s left, impatient and mildly annoyed as usual. Moving in front of Gregory’s field of vision, he hopped up to sit on the security desk, legs swinging idly as he held what looked like a VR headset in his bandaged hands. “Took you long enough… I didn’t mean to keep the voltage that high, but I didn’t have much time to adjust it from stunning animatronics, so… my bad.”

The rotting zombie shrugged, as if this was a completely normal occurrence. A grin quirked up the side of his mouth that was still intact.

“Now we can get to the fun part, though!” He held up the headset, waving it back and forth like it was a toy he was trying to attract a cat’s attention with. “I’ll admit I’m excited try this out on someone as strong-willed as you, but I’ll give you one more chance now that you don’t have the others whispering in your ear: are you going to join me or not? You’ll do what I say regardless—it’ll just determine how much harder you want to make this whole thing for you.”

He tilted his head inquisitively, half-permanent grin revealing stark white teeth reflected in the neon lights. “So what’ll it be, Gregory?”

Based on Gregory’s aching head and rattled bones, he had an inkling that Michael wasn’t particularly sorry. The headset he swayed back and forth only served to send his nerves sky high. Although the shiny looking video game console may have been used for fun once, Gregory could only surmise that it served a dark purpose now.

And this ultimatum?

Gregory faced down the wrath of his foster family’s physical tortures. He’d wrestled an animatronic gator in the dark; survived a racecar crash and fallen one story down into the basement; nearly been ripped to shreds by almost every once-friendly animatronic in the Pizzaplex… He wasn’t a weak child anymore, and Gregory deluded himself into being able to resist whatever Michael planned for him.

“Go fuck yourself!” he shouted, rattling his restraints like a feral animal, hoping to jimmy something loose. “I don’t care what you do to me! Just leave everyone else alone!”

It mattered not what happened to him—it was the people in this timeline that depended on him, even if they didn’t even know it.  

“Spunky,” Michael remarked, his voice tinged with approval. “That’s exactly why I needed you… you know, if my brother had a fraction of the amount of spine you do, I think we would’ve gotten along so much better.”

His gaze was distant, thinking over all that was and all that could’ve been. After a moment he let out a little sigh and looked back to Gregory.

“Oh well—can’t change the past, after all.” He sounded far too excited now as he hopped off the desk, the cables of the headset dragging along the floor. “Now be a good boy and put this on; it’s just a little subliminal messaging to make you see how great it is to be on my side!”

Gregory wasn’t strong enough to fight off the remnants of the taser, the restraints, and the zombie hell-bent on brainwashing him. He still put up a damn fuss though, and it took Michael longer than he wanted to secure the headset and earpieces.

“We’ll see how you feel after twenty minutes, you little shit,” he hissed, turning to the computer hub. With a few clicks of a button, the monitor lit up so Michael could watch and assure his influential demo worked just as intended. Sitting down in a swivel chair, he crossed his hands over his lap and grinned.

No amount of head bobbing would work. Michael quickly caught the back of Gregory’s skull with the strap and snapped the heavy goggles over his eyes. He could try to close his eyes, but the sounds…

A deep and rumbling bass followed by incomprehensible noises—voices? Gregory couldn’t escape the subliminal audio piercing his psyche. Still, he put up a solid fight. For the first five minutes, Gregory wouldn’t stop trying to knock the headset loose. He filled the air with empty promises as he struggled.

“As soon as they get me out of here, you’re DEAD! I’m gonna kick your stupid zombie ass!” He still had hope that he wouldn’t succumb; that his friends were merely backed up and on route to his rescue.

Five minutes turned to twelve…

Gregory had stopped his reckless thrashing, having opened his eyes now to the screen ahead. Incomprehensible—the visions were off-putting and made him recoil uncomfortably. He began murmuring to himself, hoping to be saved still. Torrid and intrusive thoughts were bombarding his aching mind. By the time the program had shut off automatically, Gregory’s head was lolled to the side. He was overcome with a sense of exhaustion and impotent rage. It boiled beneath the surface—

But he couldn’t remember why he was so mad in the first place. The confusion only served to fuel this quiet anger. 

“Wow, time sure flies,” Michael remarked as the monitor went dark, giving the chair a little spin before hoisting himself out of it. With surprisingly deft fingers, he slipped off the goggles and earbuds. Gregory looked very out of it, blinking slowly as if unsure what was happening.

“Good sign, good sign…,” the psychotic zombie murmured, setting the equipment down. He then gently lifted up Gregory’s chin, snapping with his other hand to get the boy’s attention. “Hey there, Greg—and how are we doing? Still feeling rebellious, or are you willing to listen to your good friend Mike now?”

Gregory winced, irritable, but feeling as though that was irrational. The sound was messing with him a little and he batted his head at Mike’s hand.

“Quit it…,” he grumbled, looking around the room like he just woke from a midday nap. He blinked his dilated eyes, large silver spots finally landing on Mike.

“What’s up? What? Why are you in my face?” he said, having some attitude but otherwise not protesting Michael being close to him. “Is this what you do to people who just wake up? Jerk...”

“Aww, what a sweetheart,” Michael cooed ironically. “Seems not even your righteous attitude could resist a major adjustment.”

Stepping back, he lifted his Fazwatch and pressed a button, speaking low into the mic so the fresh brainwashing wouldn’t get messed up by the kid remembering his other friends were in danger. “Monty—report. How are the old bastards?”

“Down for the count!” the gator’s cheery voice came through. “Not gone, though—can’t seem to turn ‘em off even though they’re pretty wrecked… But they ain’t gonna come after you again anytime soon, boss.”

“Perfect,” Michael hummed, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Freddy, how about you?”

“I am still downstairs with Charlie,” the bear responded. “Her companion attempted to save her, but I locked her in the protective cylinder and disabled the interior emergency exit button, so she is no longer a threat.”

“I knew you were always the smart one; bring Charlie up and join the others. I want them to see how pointless all their stupid efforts have been.”

Instructions given, Mike clicked off the watch and moved to Gregory’s side again. He began undoing the restraints, watching the boy closely for signs he was faking the mind-control… but his wide, unfocused eyes said otherwise; he was well and truly under Michael’s subliminal spell. He put up no resistance as Mike lifted him into his arms, instinctively clinging around his neck to keep steady as the murderer walked back to the main atrium.

In another universe, this embrace would be one of familial comfort. Now though, with Michael’s hand gripping the back of Gregory’s shirt as a subtle threat not to try anything—though he didn’t think the kid would—it was something else entirely.

Gregory had a sour expression on his face. The instinct was something he couldn't fight, but he held tightly onto Mike, even cradling his head against the man's shoulder like he trusted him completely again. Gregory's skull was pounding, and Michael was talking far too loud for him to really even process the things he was saying. Something about people coming...

“Tell them to fuck off; I want to go back to El Chips,” Gregory muttered, becoming quite the brat in the span of twenty minutes. He held his bandaged arm to his chest, finding himself looking down at it.

How did he even break his wrist?

Gregory was having a hard time recalling. It all felt like a blur, hurting his brain the more he thought on it. They had some time together while the others gathered all the broken pieces of Gregory's friend's. All he kept coming back to was knowing he didn't want to see anyone.

“I know, I know—you’re a loner like me,” Michael soothed, relaxing his grip on the boy’s shirt the more he clung.

Like the little brother Michael always wanted…

He really did look so much like Evan—maybe Gregory could be a better version. One more suited to Michael’s tastes, who snipped at people just like his big bro when times got tough instead of finding a table to cry under.

“We’re just gonna say a quick hi and bye to a few folks, then we’ll get you a snack,” Michael continued as they stepped out of Fazerblast. He could see a group gathered near the main stage: the Glamrocks and what looked to be various pieces of rotten, golden fur and random bits of internal mechanisms scattered around the floor.

Gregory sighed acceptingly at this, huffing a lock of hair away from his eyes and rolling them dramatically. “O-kaaaay...”

Gregory trusted his bandaged hand into Michael's equally wrapped one as he was set down, surprisingly using the broken one to hold onto him with. It was a bit odd how the pain no longer bothered him—though may just be a clever part of his programming now. He walked with some energy now that he was up and moving, the fog clearing from his brain as he looked around.

“What's with all the garbage laying on the floor?” Gregory asked.

That wasn't even the most interesting part, either. The girl sobbing hysterically on stage, held up in a submissive hold by Freddy soon pulled his eye from the rotting parts scattered across the floor. Gregory watched, cocking his head before a little chuckle left his lips. As they approached, he whispered to Mike: “What a fucking baby. Isn't she, like, way too old to cry like that?”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself, Greg,” Michael said with a swell of demented endearment—oh yeah, he liked this kid even better now. He gazed up at the girl with a scathing look. “Charlie, shut the fuck up; your sobbing is annoying as hell.”

“Gregory…?” A faint, almost disembodied voice sounded from the other side of the room. Monty was quite literally sitting on the mangled chest of the golden Freddy animatronic, and he gave the bear a kick when he spoke.

“Can it,” the gator hissed, then gave a slight twitch. There was something in those old, ratty suits… something dead and festering that his messed-up computer brain couldn’t comprehend. However, thanks to Mike the Glamrocks' human safety protocol had been disabled long ago because of his own questionable appearance, so all they could do was try their best to ignore the weird bodies. At least with the guard here they had a welcome distraction.

“Oh god… Gregory, no…,” Henry moaned, barely able to see the kid from the half-slumped position of his head. With the way they were holding hands like best friends, it was clear that Mike had gotten to him. “God damn it Michael, why?!”

The zombified man gave a scathing laugh and answered simply: “Why the fuck not?”

William looked up from his spot on the stage, his bent neck crooked towards the pair. He was silent as Charlie tried to reign in her sobs at poor Gregory. Michael had ruined the one good thing they'd found in a while. It was clear that, at least for now, the Gregory they knew was dead and gone.

When he saw Monty kick at Henry, William tried to drag himself to his side in a futile attempt to help him, though was quickly pinned by Roxy's foot.

“Where do you think you're going, dust bunny?” she snarled, feeling whatever squishy mass on the inside deflate with her heavy paw.

Gregory waved to the animatronics, not minding their senseless need for violence now. He swung Michael's hand lightly, wrist cracking as he forced the fractured bone to keep move as he watched his friends’ torture without empathy, or any real emotion attached. The perfect little psychopath...

“You sick, fucking bastard... You can't just keep ruining people's lives because you're bored!” Charlie sobbed, trying to lift her legs now and kick out of the hold she was in when she saw that they were continuing to hurt her father and William. “YOU'RE A FUCKING COWARD, MIKE! You have your shitty little puppets doing all the work for you!”

Gregory yawned, leaning into Mike as he was quickly losing interest in whatever these clowns were yammering about. “Speaking of bored...”

“Puppets?! PFFT—” Michael burst into laughter, doubling over and clutching his stomach with his free arm. “Oh my god, Charlie, I forgot you were so funny! That's rich coming from you...”

“She's right, though,” Henry chimed in. He was all but a pile of squished faux fur and metal thanks to Monty anyway; might as well prod Mike's disturbed psyche for the hell of it. “You think you're so amazing, but you can't do anything without help.”

“Um, excuse me—” Michael's eyes narrowed as he whirled on the decrepit bear. “—who the hell do you think made Gregory so much more likeable? Me—by myself.” He huffed, glancing down at the boy in question. “Alright, I'm bored, too. We can head for El Chips in a sec, but first...”

He looked at all his captives with an inquisitive hum. Henry and William were as good as done for; there was no fun to be had for Gregory tearing them apart right now. Puppet was still trapped downstairs, though Michael wanted to work with the kid a bit more before exposing him to that slippery thing, anyway. So that left only one member of his former party to test the boy's metal on.

“Gregory,” Michael crooned, giving his hair a ruffle. “Look how mean Charlie's being to our dear Freddy—she's about to snap his legs with all that writhing!” His eyes flashed, dark and silver, eager to see just how far his power of suggestion could go. “So why don't you break hers first?”

Charlie went silent for a moment, eyes widened considerably as Gregory looked to be mulling it over.

“Gregory, no! What the fuck?! How could you even be considering that?!” she demanded to know through her tears.

Gregory put a hand on his chin, releasing his grip on Michael and watching as William spoke up in a painful rasp. “Don't... Hurt... Them...”

William had clearly failed at keeping Michael from doing just that, failing his own promise to Henry that he wouldn't mess up with Charlie again. Yet here he was, begging for their wellbeing in a pathetic position prone to the stage floor. Nothing seemed to get through to Gregory, because he had ignored them both in favor of looking to Mike.

“Well, I mean, I need like a hammer or a wrench or something. I don't think I could break them on my own,” he said in a practical manner, sending chills down William's spine as he heard such an utterance. Gregory's only concern was for his best friend not to see him as weak for requesting a weapon. He seemed to perk up a little and gasped. “Oh—if I had a monkey wrench that’d be perfect! 'Cause they have that hard knob on the end and everything!”

Gregory’s watch uttered a short beep, though this was drowned out by Michael’s own little gasp.

“Oh, you’re so right!” The guard pressed a hand over his heart, looking down at his newfound protégé with the closest thing to “affection” he’d been able to muster in decades. Not quite willing to leave Gregory alone with the others and their tricky words yet, Michael again held out a hand. “Come with me—I know I have a spare toolkit in the security office that’s got to have what we’re looking for.”

The boy took his palm without hesitation, but when Michael started pulling him along, the oddest thing happened. It seemed like Gregory was trying to follow, but his hand just sort of… slipped out of Michael’s grasp.

No, not slipped out of it—slipped through it.

The watch beeped again, more insistent this time. The tiny screen was blinking a bright, warning red, and a line of scrolling text ran across it in all caps.

WARNING: TIMELINE COMPROMISED… INITIATING EMERGENCY RESET. PREPARE FOR REFRESHED LOOP IN THIRTY SECONDS.

Each time the text completed its round, a few more seconds were shaved off, counting down to zero.

“W-What the fuck?! Gregory, what’s happening? Where are you going?!” Eyes wide with confusion, Michael tried to get ahold of him to no avail. He and the others could only watch as the boy literally faded away before their eyes. Michael made one final desperate grab, when suddenly in a blink… Gregory was gone.

Almost as if he’d never been there at all.  

***

There might have been panic on the end of Gregory’s friends when witnessing such a thing, though not for long. With the help of the little invention in his wrist, the past harrowing day would be unwritten…

Gregory reached for Michael, the first sign of true and genuine emotional distress since coming out of his brainwashing. He tried desperately to grab onto his arm, but felt himself slipping further and further as his friends’ voices faded into oblivion. It was as fast as a blink—but so much scarier. As Gregory’s subconscious untethered, coming back to him in waves, he processed what he was about to do to Charlie—

And in this strange, blank space between time, he up-chucked chips and queso into the scattered quantum winds.

Gregory felt befouled. He never considered himself a person of great moral backbone before, but that whole experience taught him how far people like he and Michael could fall, not to mention how easily. It was a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget.

Everything was reset; an opportunity not afforded to most. As his watch began to count down a second time, Gregory tried hard to regain his composure. The cold sweat now sticking to his forehead and neck made him clammy and nervous-looking.

And who would blame him with the timeline he’d been subjected to? He still had to save them somehow; to put them on the right track and make everything right.

As his watch flashed and pulled him back to the cursed universe, he his optimism began to wane. What if things only got worse this time around?

…They could be worse—but they could also be so much better.

Gregory had gone into this universe blind, unaware of who to trust—and more importantly, who not to. He’d made some mistakes; ones with unforeseeable consequences that the universe simply couldn’t handle. But he had another chance now, a new opportunity to do things the right way. He knew who his allies were, and he could take more steps to help them… and if he failed another time, he’d simply reset and try again.

Trial and error; that’s what his immortal life was now until he saved every version of his friends he needed to.

***

As before, the boy landed with a hard smack on the dusty, carpeted floor of the West Arcade. As before, the lights were dim and desolate, reflecting the darkness of this timeline even before Gregory’s intervention. As before, a smooth, accented voice called out from nearby.

“Gregory?! Is this where you’ve been all night? I’ve been looking for you for hours!”

***

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[nym-wibbly]

I just skipped back to the start of Supernatural season five (from fourteen) to refresh my memory about how Nick/Lucifer's arc began. Accidentally landed on the scene in the hospital where Castiel, having picked his side at the end of S4, complains that he "killed two angels this week". Oh, bby.

The show's never delved deeply into that aspect of Castiel's storyline. He's feared and loathed by other angels but we've seen little of how he feels about that. Few characters can get a rise out of him under any provocation, so we just get occasional glimpses of his fear and anger when one of the Winchesters goes recklessly suicidal and makes Cas afraid his sacrifices are in vain and his faith misplaced. He needs to feel that it's been worth it and panics when that gets hard. He's killed so many of his own kind, both in combat and when he went nuclear at the start of S7. He's been significantly responsible for the genocide and near extinction of the angels, both through personal kills and through his epic hubris in seasons 6, 7, and 9.

He feels the guilt and shame, he undergoes atonement, and he learns to do and be better - but he keeps on killing angels when he needs to. All that slaughter, yet I truly believed him when he told Nick that it's the personal, human tragedy of Jimmy Novak and family - the unintended consequence of his ignorance and blind faith, his angelic innocence - that, metaphorically speaking, keeps Cas awake at night. That was just raw for him and Nick touched a nerve, while the fate of Heaven, in which he's taken a conscious part, is a dull burden that Cas carries and owns without outward displays of overwhelming emotion.

It ought to come over as a terrible, terrifying zealotry on Castiel's part - the kind that tips the balance from hero to antihero/villain, and the kind of cold absolutism he consciously walked away from at the end of S4 when Dean challenged him to choose between right and wrong instead of relying on blind faith, but it doesn't read that way. His self-doubt is infinitely more dangerous to bystanders - to his friends - than his righteous certainty.

When he succumbs to a dangerous anger in his private trauma, he has the insight to isolate himself, and when that fails, he has the self-awareness to stop short of beating the helpless Metatron to death because he can still draw a clear distinction between an enemy and a threat. He knows how dangerous he is and warns people when it's viable to do so. He does everything in his power to see that he's safely restrained when Rowena's slavering-killer spell overtakes him, when he knows the choice is going to be taken out of his hands. The rest of the time his self-control is epic. Even the tired, kind and caring dad!Cas of season 13/14 is first and foremost a soldier making a soldier's choices with a soldier's strategy, a defender rather than an aggressor. Somehow, even with the shocking death toll he's racked up, he's a protector figure, not something out of a nightmare. Just like the Winchesters.

It's like he's helpless to prevent his part in harming Heaven, even as he's the one stabbing and exploding his siblings all over the place. Mind you, the other angels never learn. They keep coming at him with pointy things and/or threatening the Winchesters, and when they do occasionally manage to take him off the board, Chuck puts him right back. As of S14, even Naomi seems to have grasped that making Castiel choose between his own kind and his adopted family isn't a survival strategy. I'm not optimistic that any of the angels (bar semi-angelic Jack, I guess) will be left standing by the series finale. The shape of the story seems to demand that they move over to make way for a better tomorrow - along with God. But if God's the one writing the story, it's unlikely to be that simple!

Poor (killy stabby fallen fratricidal) Castiel.