#or didnt have to make her a plate for dinner or bring her any dessert

[localdorkincombatboots]

Losing a family member or a partner is already literally one of the worst parts of life we have to go through but being the person(s) that have to also handle all of the legal, formal, and financial parts of it makes it so much fucking worse like rubbing salt in a wound.

Like here I know you're devastated and grieving but also you need to fill out assloads of paperwork and get things set up immediately and figure out how to pay at the very cheapest $1k for a cremation without even being able to give the person you loved a proper funeral because it costs thousands of dollars more, and having to call Medicare and all the other govt. places to report her death and so fucking much that has to be handled.

Honestly everyone needs to find a way to teach themself at least the basics of everything that has to be handled after death because your family or partner could be perfectly fine one day and then all of a sudden an accident happens like a fall or wreck and it could all fall on you to handle every single thing.

And not a single part of the process is easy which only makes what is already one of the hardest things to go through in life exponentially worse.

And, death is so extremely expensive. Literally the cheapest possible cremation we can find is $995 and that's no funeral or anything just straight to ashes in a box.

You don't want to be struck with such a tragedy and have zero knowledge of what will become your responsibility to handle and pay for.

I know it's awful to even think about your loved ones dying but not knowing what to do when it happens, because death is the one thing that happens to us all and it can happen at literally any time, will only make everything worse and harder for you.

If you know you will be responsible for handling someone's affairs after death, take the time to actually sit down and discuss how they would want you to handle it and seriously consider looking into some kind of life insurance, even if it's not for much, because creation and funeral services require payment upfront and this isn't something that can be put off until you can afford it. Wether or not they had a life insurance policy could be the thing that could completely fuck you financially especially if you were already struggling.

[ayellowcurtain]

- Eliott and Lucas hanging with the girls and Eliott being super affectionate with lots of PDA and pet names (mon amour, etc) please? - 

- Can you write something about Elu future life when they will live together.  

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

Eliott never thought this would be his life. 

Yann is Lucas’ best friend, he knows Lucas better than anyone else, they’ve known each other since they were kids. Yet, on a hot Saturday night, Lucas decided to stay in and not go out with his best friend and their other friends, instead, apparently, the girls are coming over...?

He has no problem with it, he gets along with all the girls, they seem to find him absurdly handsome and they are not too much. 

Going out with the boys sometimes can get way out of hand, they like to drink and smoke way too much. 

So is nice to have a chill night, it’s just that it’s five girls and they are the only boys, who are not, at all, interested in girls. But that can work, he thinks. Don’t need to hear about girls too much for the night. 

He cleaned their flat a little, took the trash out, washed the dishes, went to the grocery store to get something for dessert, the girls were bringing the drinks and Lucas made some food for all of them. And he’s a really good cook, made dinner for tonight. They have pasta, grilled potatoes and onions, sauce, meatballs and he never asks for help while cooking, gets so concentrated.

They all eat around the table, even looks like a family dinner, Emma tells Lucas about what Alex told her that Yann might be hanging out with Chloe.

His ex, Chloe. What. He’ll have to ask Yann to make sure that he’s not going crazy...

When they’re all done with the food, complimenting Lucas’ skills, Eliott gets up, kissing his boy’s neck before taking all the plates to put on the sink, Manon helps him to put everything away while the girls serve drinks for everyone and go sit on their small couch. Eliott sits on the floor, pulling Lucas closer, to sit between his legs, leaning against his chest, Manon sits on the armchair. 

Eliott thinks she’s taking pictures of them, but he doesn’t say anything because Lucas likes to take some pictures of his friends and his boyfriend, but is not a fan on being in photos.

“So, Daphné...Arthur said you’ve been hanging out...” Lucas is on the hunt for information, trying to get something out to help Arthur.

Daphné is looking for an answer, while Imane and Alexia talk about that she’s already gone for the blonde boy. Eliott smiles, but holds Lucas tighter against him.

“Baby, don’t start helping Arthur’s case, let them be!”

“No! Everyone was all over me when we started hanging out. Now it’s my turn!”

“Yeah, but you two were a mess! You needed our help!” Emma says and Manon agrees with her, making Lucas look at the two.

“Yeah, right, if you only knew how gone he already was. I didn’t need any help.” Eliott laughs, this boy will be the end of him. 

“He’s right on that one. I tried to pretend like nothing was going on, but I guess I failed at it.” Lucas smiles, quietly going up and down with his fingertips on Eliott’s arms that are holding him close. 

“But you guys were not good at hiding it. The first time that Eliott slept a the flat, Lucas had hickeys and scratches all over his neck and collarbone” Manon is smiling to Lucas, who feels his face going red, getting his beer to take a big sip. 

“I can’t help it, have you seen this boy?” Lucas runs his hand over his face, can’t believe their talking about this, with the girls! Daphné starts complaining about not having a boyfriend and they go back to Arthur. Lucas is trying to be the matchmaker, saying that she should go out with him, he’s awesome and is into her. 

But then Imane brings back the subject to Lucas, remembering when he just left class in the middle of a test to go meet with Eliott. 

“How do you know that?” Lucas is fully embarrassed now. It’s news for Eliott that Lucas was having a test that day when he showed up at his classroom. 

“Well, he had his face on the window, looking at you and smiling, it was not that hard to connect the dots, Lucas.”

“Fuck...why didn’t you say anything?”

“Well, nothing that I could say would’ve stopped you from running to his arms.” They all laugh, Lucas still can’t believe he was that obvious, Eliott kisses his cheek a few times. 

“Mon amour...you’re so cute.” Lucas rolls his eyes, but turns his face a little, getting a kiss from his boyfriend.  

[ghost-nabbers-imagines]

A Family: Part 2.

So this story is set in the past but not in the 80s. I think phones could send videos over message in 2003? So let's say that

Larry and I made our way back into the apartment finding Lisa starting dinner. Hearing us come in she turned around a warm sympathetic smile on her face. "So what's the verdict?" She asked. The two of us walked up to her Larry's arm still around my shoulders. "I think were gonna have and raise the baby." I breathed out feeling Larry squeeze my shoulder in support. "I'm sorry mom we were always careful I promise." Larry said letting go of my shoulder. Lisa wrapped her arms around both of us. "Its ok. What matters now Is that the baby is taken care of and has a family that loves them." She smiled.

When we pulled away from the hug Lisa light smacked Larry on the back of the head. "However that's for not talking to me about any of this." She Said jokingly making both Larry and I laugh. "Oh and (y/n) dear I called your parents and convinced them to come over tonight so we can all talk." She continued before turning around to return to cooking. I sighed taking a deep breath. Larry gave me a reassuring smile and the two of us helped Lisa cook.

Soon enough Ash, Todd, Neil, Chug, Maple, Sal, Henry, and my parents had all joined us. The whole group sat around the coffee table eating the spagheti and meatballs that Lisa had prepared. Everyone was laughing and talking genuinely having a good time. Everyone except my parents who were just kind of listening to something Henry was saying. "I'm gonna go grab some more water." My mother said excusingherself. "I guess I should grab dessert. Larry dear you want to clean up the plates?" Lisa asked getting up from the table and following my mom who had an annoyed look on her face. "I'll help." I smiled getting up.

Larry and I started collecting dishes before entering the kitchen with our moms. Lisa was putting the finishing touch on a pie. Larry started to wash off the dishes as I scraped the food into the trash. "(Y/n) do you have your keys with you? I left something back in the apartment." My mother asked. "Yeah they're in my bag in the living room." I explained beginning to dry the dishes Larry was washing.

My mom walked into the living room and a few minutes I heard her yell my name. Larry, Lisa, and I turned around with the same expression on our faces. "(Y/n) where'd you leave the test?" Larry asked. I frowned pushing the door open to see my parents arguing the pregnancy test in her hand.

"You're pregnant?" My mom asked angrily. "Y-yes I am." I said timidly. "How could you be so stupid? How many times have we had this conversation?" She yelled her face practically as red as a tomato. "This isn't her fault. We didnt mean for it to happen." Larry spoke up wrapping his arm around my shoulders again. "He's the father?! I knew we shouldn't have let you come over here so much!" My mother yelled.

"Now Mrs. (Y/l/n) there's no reason to yell. Lets sit down and talk about rationally." Lisa said calmly. "Dont tell me to be rational! Because of your negligence my daughter is pregnant!" She yelled back. "Mom this isn't Lisa's fault just please calm down." I responded making my mom glare towards me."You're dead punk!" My dad yelled running towards Larry. Larry dodged running out of the way. Henry got up trying to hold my father back.

"We're getting this taken care of tomorrow!" My mother insisted. "Mom we're keeping the baby. I know it's probably not the smartest choice but we're not comfortable giving it away and I dont want to abort it." I explained standing in front of Larry. Both of my parents were fuming. "You don't get to make that call you're only sixteen!" My father shouted. "Let's go (Y/n) now. We need to go home talk about this just the three of us." My mom insisted. I shook my head now noticing the tears that were falling down my cheeks. "Mom Larry is just as much a part of this!" I tried to insist. "I don't care our family needs to talk this over now. " my father insisted. I knew it was no use arguing so I turned and hugged Larry. He hugged me tightly in return before pulling away a couple inches."Its ok just talk to them and explain things. Text me after." He said kissing my forehead while pressing a hand on my belly. I smiled and was dragged out of the apartment by my parents.

When we got back to ours they practically threw me onto to couch. My father went into the kitchen where I couldn't see him and my mother stayed to lecture me.

"Are you crazy what were you thinking?"

"I didn't do it on purpose mom. And I got lucky that its Larry's I mean he wants to be there for both of us."

"You are not having that punk stoner's baby. He'll run out and leave you both behind just like Jim did to him and Lisa!"

"He wouldn't do that!"

"Really? Because it sounds like you two aren't even together as it is. You think that's suddenly gonna change now that you have his spawn growing inside you? And if it does do you really want him to love you out of obligation?"

"Larry isn't like that mom!"

She let out a bitter laugh shaking her head. Although I knew she was just trying to get to me the word obligation spun around my head. She had a point Larry and I weren't even dating. My father reentered the room handing me a cup of tea. "Drink that its Addison tea. It sounds like we all need to take a deep breath." He explained. I took a deep breath and sipped the warm comforting liquid. My parents continued to talk to me about how abortion would be the best option for me. "We have a very powerful friend that could pay for the doctor to come to his house and take for it. The whole thing would take less than 2 hours." My father explained. I continued sipping my tea not really listening to what they were saying. I knew what I wanted.

As i listened to their speech I felt my eyes getting heavier like I was suddenly really tired. I tried to speak but couldn't. My vision was going dark and I could feel my body slipping onto the couch. "We're going to fix this." I heard my father say before I lost consciousness.

-Larry's pov-

I paced around my room for what felt like the millionth time once again checking the time. "She'll message you dear give it time. They have a lot to discuss." My mom said trying to comfort me. I sighed sitting on the couch running my hands through my hair. "But they were so mad when they left what if they do something to her or try to send her somewhere. I have a bad feeling about this." I ranted biting my lip anxiously. My mom smiled at me sympathetically as she went into the kitchen to make something to drink.

I checked my phone again, still no message. Something was wrong I knew it. A distant sound coming from my room made me jump, it sounded like my walkie. I ran into my room grabbing the device to hear Sal's voice on the other end.

"Larry! Pick up man hurry!"

"Sal what's wrong dude?"

"Its (y/n) I'm pretty sure I just saw her parents sneaking out her unconscious body. If we hurry we can still catch them!"

"Fuck ok hang on! Make sure they dont leave!"

I grabbed my red hoodie and barely stepped into my shoes rubbing out into the living room. "Mom I need to borrow the truck! (Y/n)'s in danger!" I yelled grabbing my moms keys. "What? What happened? She asked confused. "No time to explain have to save her!" I called out running out of the apartment. I met with Sal in the parking lot who was ducking behind the truck.

I could see (y/n)'s parents getting into his work van and it looked like she was in the backseat passed out. "What the fuck did they do to her?" I growled under my breath. Sal and I quietly climbed into the truck waiting for them to pull out of the lot before starting after them. There was only a car between us so hopefully they couldn't see us. My fingers were pale white as I gripped the steering wheel tightly. "I swear to god if they hurt her or my baby." I growled suddenly feeling immensely angry that they were taking her.

"It'll be ok Larry we'll save her." Sal tries to assure me putting his small cold hand on my shoulder. I nodded letting out a shaky angry breath. We weren't driving for very long in fact it was a really short drive which all though it isn't uncommon in Knockfell still surprised me. "They pulled into the church." Sal pointed out as the van pulled up behind the church. "Why would they bring her here? I mean you can't pray away being pregnant." I said confused pulling the truck into the front parking lot. Sal sent a text to Henry and my mom letting them know where we were and send help.

The two of us carefully climbed out of the vehicle sneaking into the building. The main hall and service room were both empty but we began to hear some noise from the basement. We crept closer to the top the of the stair case hidden behind the doors. We could see (y/n) laying on a metal table with a machine hooked to her and her arms secured to the table. Her mother was standing by her head soothing her hair back. A man dressed as a doctor was standing in the corner working on some tool while Mr. (Y/l/n) and a man I couldn't place were talking. Sal took out his phone from his pocket and began recording.

"Thank you for your help. We didnt know who else could fix this problem."

"You came to the right place. Many young sinners have been helped in this basement."

"So no one will know what took place here tonight?"

"No. I understand that this choice is just as much against the bible as premarital sex but this community does not need a teen mom walking around especially not carrying the spawn of that Johnson boy."

"Thank you father Phelps. We dont know where we went so wrong with her."

"Let us pray now before Doctor Victor performs the opperation."

Sal and I turned to look at each other shocked and horrified. "Father Phelps that's Travis's dad the preacher." Sal pointed out. I nodded in response. Sal sent the video clearly showing father Phelps with (y/n) in the background, to Ash briefly explaining what to do if we didnt call her in an hour. We were about to creep down when a hand touched my shoulder. I jumped spinning around to see my mom and Henry. The four of us walked down into the basement just in time for their prayer to finish.

"Let her go!" I shouted startling the group. "This isn't any of your business child. The world does not need another Johnson child in world. Especially not one parented by two children." Father Phelps explained motioning for the doctor. "Mrs. (Y/l/n) you know she doesn't want this why are you forcing her to do this?" My mom asked taken back by their cruelty. "Stay out of this Lisa. This wouldnt have happened if she hadn't been around your deliquant son." Her mother spat.

"We're going to solve this problem before it becomes a problem so if you don't mind I'm going to have the doctor begin." Mr. Phelps said snapping his fingers towards (y/n)'s unconscious body. The doctor grabbed a large needle moving towards (y/n). "Don't you fucking touch her!" I yelled running to her side. Her father grabbed a hold of my arms trying to pull me away. Henry tried to go to my aide but was stopped by father Phelps. "Wait! I have footage of you standing in front of (y/n). I've already sent it to some friends of mine and told them if they didnt hear from us in an hour to send it to everyone in town. I dont think it would be good for the community to see the preacher committing such an act." Sal threatened showing the clip on his phone.

Phelps glared at Sal staring into his eyes threateningly. "Are you threatening me boy?" The older man growled. Sal stood strong. I continued to struggle against (y/n)'s father and my mom tried to stand in between (y/n) and the doctor while arguing with her mother. "Do you really think they'll believe the town freak over me?" He scoffed.

"L-larry?" I heard (y/n)'s timid voice call from the table. I yanked myself from the man's arms ran to her side. "Its ok baby . I'm here. I'm not gonna let them hurt either of you, I promise." I assured her placing a kiss on her forehead. "Now that you're awake I'm sorry to say this will hurt a lot more than it would have." The doctor said filling the large needle with a weird looking dark red liquid. "Normally noone would believe me you're right, but the whole school already knows (y/n) is pregnant. If you do this the whole town will know that she got rid of it and that Father Phelps knew it happened. Let Larry and Lisa take her home and you can still get out of this." Sal said being the more logical friend. "That's right one of the girls heard me talking about it in the gym locker room with Ash the next thing we knew everyone was talking about it."( y/n) said weakly. "I'm sorry Mr. (Y/l/n) if it's already out theres nothing I can do. But this isn't over, you young sinners are going to get what's coming." Father Phelps said signaling to the doctor who cleaned up his bag of tools and followed the preacher out.

"I've had enough of this if he won't take care of it then I will! Her father yelled grabbing the needle which had left behind as well as a knife had. I stood in front of her glaring down at the cruel man in front of us. He lunged forward with the knife and I moved to tack him. The knife caught my arm but we both fell to the floor. He kicked me off him before grabbing for the knife again. "You hurt either of them and I swear to god!" I shouted.

"What's it gonna be parents of a pregnant girl who kicked her out or parents of someone who the whole town thinks is a murderer?" Sal asked looking between both parents. "Phelps will throw you under the bus to protect himself so dont think he can protect you." Henry added. "Let's just go (fathers name)." Mrs. (Y/l/n) said grabbing her husband's arm. "You're gonna regret this Johnson. I'll make sure of it." He spat before the two exited the church.

I turned to (y/n) and began helping my mom remove the restraints. The second her arms were free (y/n) hugged onto me still shaking. "Thank you." She kept repeating as she hid her face in shoulder. I could feel her soft tears hitting my skin. I held her tightly trying to soothe her. "Its ok you're safe now. I'm not gonna let them hurt either of you." I promised before pulling away from the hug. I slipped off my hoodie and helped her put it on.

"We should take her to the doctor make sure whatever they gave her didn't harm the baby." My mom pointed out. I nodded putting an arm around (y/n)'s back and the other under her legs. She smiled her beautiful smile wrapping her arms around my neck. I lifted her off the table following the others out. We decided that Henry was gonna take Sal home and mom and I would take (y/n) to the doctor. I thanked Sal and (y/n) gave him a weak hug thanking him well before they drove off. Mom drove the truck while I sat in the passenger seat (y/n) in between us but mostly on my lap. "Thank you guys so much. You literally saved me. But father Phelps is probably going to be after you all now." She said in a quiet almost guilty voice.

"Hey you're family there was no way in hell we were letting them hurt either of you." My mom assured her. "And fuck father Phelps. After what he tried to do to you hes lucky I'm not after him now." I said with an angry tone. (Y/n) cuddled more into my side making me wrap my arms around her. "I'm gonna protect both of you (y/n) I promise." I told her kissing her forehead. My mom smirked at me as we we pulled into the hospital parking lot.

With the exception of dirty looks from several nurses the checkup went fine, both my girl and my baby were ok. The minute the doctor said those words out loud I let out a breath I didnt even know I was holding. "Thank God." My mom breathed out. "Just take her home and let her sleep off the drug. And make sure she stays hydrated." The doctor told me before leaving the room. My mom walked out to ask a couple last questions while I helped (y/n) get dressed.

"Larry there's something I think we should talk about."

"Sure what's up?"

"I know were were just screwing for a bit of fun but now that there's a baby what do you want to do about us? I mean please don't feel obligated to be with me because I'm carrying your child. I really dont want that I just figured we should probably talk about it."

"Of course I want to be with you. And it has nothing to do with obligation. I've liked you for a long time. When we were really drunk and slept together the first time I thought I'd finally be brave enough to ask you out but then the next morning you offered to just be friends with benefits so I chickened out and agreed. I wanted you not just someone to fuck."

She smiled brightly at me hugging me tightly. "I take it you'll be my girlfriend then?" I joked laughing making her giggle and nod into my shoulder. "Well baby mama slash girlfriend." I teased making her lightly shove my shoulder. I helped her down from the table and kept my arm around her as she wobbly walked out into the waiting room where we found mom by the doors. "Let's get home and get some rest it's been a long day." She smiled warmly. We climbed back into the truck and we'd barely pulled out of the parking lot before (y/n) was dozing off on my shoulder.

"So have you guys talked about your relationship at all? I mean it's going to be effected by the baby."

"Yeah actually we just had that talk. I want her to be my girlfriend. I mean I've pretty much been in love with her since I met her."

"You love her?"

"Shit I mean yeah I guess I do. Yeah i love her. Although I should probably take her on a real date before I tell her that."

"Well I guess since shes already pregnant it would be ok if she moves into your room with you. Just please try to cool it Lar Bear."

"Ok mom I will and thanks for letting her stay."

"Even though I'm way too young to be a grandmother it will be nice to have a baby around the apartment again."

"I hope I can be the kind of father this baby deserves. Not like I have very much to go off of."

"You're not your father sweet heart. You're already doing a great job. But in speaking of fathers I do think you and Sal should go pick up her clothes and stuff tomorrow. She shouldn't go back there alone."

"Hell no shes not going back there alone. They arent going anywhere near her or our baby."

Pretty soon we were back at the apartments and I had gotten (y/n) inside and on my bed. I replaced her skinny jeans with a pair of my sweatpants that could be tightened on her waist. The legs hung loosely on her but at least she was comfortable. I laid next to her in bed holding her while tracing my fingers across her belly.

"I'm not gonna let anything happen to either of you kid I promise. And I'm gonna stick around and be there for you. You're not gonna grow up without a dad like I did."

~Lex💛

[freyjaiam]

Part of ‘Frey’s 12 Days of Ficmas’

03: Peraltiago: The Battle of Turkeys

Holidays were always chaotic for Amy. She just wanted them to be perfect. She always made a plan and did her best to stick with it so that there was no discord. If one thing went wrong it rocked her. She did her best to keep it cool, her friends and husband always there to try and ease her nerves in a way her parents never could when she was younger. However, being married to Jake was a new pressure she hadn’t dealt with before. Her husband didn’t have many fond memories of any holiday. She wanted to change that. Which was why she was up at four in the morning opening her binder to start the day. She had many pieces of the puzzle already in play.

Gifts?

Wrapped and under the tree her and Jake decorated on December first. Half of Jake’s were decoys because she knew he was impatient and did his best to guess what she’d gotten him by shaking and “accidentally” opening gifts. Socks, underwear, and other random things were under that tree. His real gifts were safely stashed with Rosa, who would be bringing them at dinner. Save for the one gift she still had to pick up before the dinner started.

The table?

Already set. She’d been up until midnight making sure it was perfect. She’d researched many websites, magazines, and even watched some daytime television to get these ideas. Her colors were traditional. The plates each had a little sheer giftbag coordinated with the person assigned to that seat. Gina had promised her that she’d get the flowers for her centerpiece, but since Amy knew Gina liked to sabotage her due to thinking it was funny she also bought extra flowers which she had in the fridge to keep them as fresh as possible.

Alcohol?

Alcohol is a must for parties. Especially with the precinct. Jake’s parents were also coming. Not Amy’s. They decided to visit her brother this year. Her and Jake had bought some and everyone else attending said they would bring something as well. Needless to say it wasn’t going to be a dry party.

Food?

Amy had a slight fight with Charles about the food. She knew she wasn’t a great cook. Despite her promise to always follow the recipe, and despite Charles having gone to the store with her to make sure she had all the ingredients for everything she said she wanted to make, he still insisted on coming to help cook. All Amy could think about was the food truck fiasco where both her and Gina quit because they weren’t cutting the bread right. She didn’t want a hospital visit this holiday, and she knew if Charles was in the kitchen with her she’d probably stab him in the face with her best kitchen knife. So they eventually agreed to split the side dishes in half. She would be in charge of the potatoes, gravy, and green bean casserole. They argued over the turkey. He finally relented but she knew that sneaky sonuvabitch  was making his own turkey to bring here. She just knew it. The little attention whore was probably hoping she’d fail so that he could take the credit for—

“Okay, Amy, focus,” she said outloud with a shake of her head. “You got this. Just…” She checked her watch. “Just under ten hours until people start to show up.”

She went to the fridge to pull out the turkey that she’d taken out of the freezer and—

“Oh… Oh no…” She set it on the counter and it thunked. “WHY ARE YOU STILL FROZEN?!”

.

.

.

“JAKE!” Jake bolted up from bed. His heart was racing and his hand went over it as he looked at his wife. He instantly knew something was wrong due to the wild look on her face. Well that and the giant nicotine patch he saw on her forehead. He hadn’t seen that since their wedding. “We have an emergency!”

“You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“We have more important things to worry about than your heart, Jake!”

“Ouch. Okay. Hurtful. But okay.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just really freaking out, because I already messed up this morning. Jake, the turkey is frozen. Frozen! There is no way I’m going to get it thawed out, in the oven, and ready in time for dinner.”

“Can’t we just, I don’t know, put it in the oven to thaw out?”

“No Jake, that is how you get raw turkey in the middle and dry and burnt turkey on the outside. I’m a disaster in the kitchen but even I know that! I need your help!”

“Okay,” he crawled out of bed and walked to her. He put his hands on her shoulders. “Breathe Amy. We got this. We’re a team, now, remember?”

“Yeah.” She took a calming breath. “Jake, what are we going to do?”

“I’ll put on some pants and find us a turkey. Shouldn’t be too hard since its still early. Right? I mean, corporate America cares more about making the extra dollar now than taking a holiday off for their employees so… I’m sure I’ll find something.”

“Thanks. I’ll start the other stuff but… Please hurry.”

Jake slipped on a shirt, shrugged on his jacket, and found his wallet and keys. On his way out the door he didn’t ask once about the turkey wedged in the microwave that was destroyed due to the door being on the kitchen floor. He just hoped to God he found a turkey before it was more than just the microwave receiving a beating from Amy today.

.

.

.

“Jake? What are you doing here?”

“Oh, nooooooooooooo—-Hey Charles!” Jake spun around to see his best friend. “Just picking up a few things we forgot.”

“Really? But I went shopping with Amy the other day. She should have everything.” Jake hated the almost gleeful look that came upon his best friend’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong,” insisted Jake.

“Then why are you here?”

“I told you-”

“No, nope, not buying it,” said Charles, hands on his hips. He was practically bouncing on the heels of his shoes. “Something is up. I can smell it.”

“Well… Get your nose checked. Because we’re fine!” Jake then decided to flip the tables. “Why are you here?”

“Amy said I could make a dessert so I’m making pecan pie. All the extra hours we got this week I couldn’t make the trip until now…”

Jake’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you went shopping with Amy this week?”

“I did.”

And there it was. The small hiccup. The slight catch of breath, the way Charles slightly adjusted his brown tie, something was up with him. Jake didn’t know what it was, but he was the best damn detective in the city, so he was going to sniff it out.

“Oh? Then why are you here? If you went shopping with Amy then you should have everything you need as well. So, Boyle, why are you really here?”

They stood, face to face, waiting for the other to break. They stood like that for a good minute before Charles cleared his throat and backed off. They silently regarded one another and then separated. Jake sighed a sigh of relief when Charles exited into the pasta aisle. He then made his move. He went down the cookie aisle, knowing Charles would be following him. He knew his friend, and he knew he’d be watching. He took a sharp left down the the dairy aisle, apologizing to the woman whose cart he ran into when he was too busy looking to see where Charles was. Little did Jake know, Charles was doing the same thing, and they both froze in slight surprise when they met again near the turkeys.

“Aha! I knew it! Something is wrong! She messed up the turkey already, hasn’t she?!”

“What? No! I’m just…”

“Oh save it, Jake. I know you’re covering for her.”

“Okay, then why are you here?” Jake raised an accusatory finger at Charles. “You’re here for turkey, too. Aren’t you? You promised me you wouldn’t interfere with Amy’s turkey!”

“My toes were crossed, Jake, no promise was made!”

“Dammit. I forgot about your freakishly long toes,” muttered Jake. “Rookie mistake. Next time I make a promise with you the shoes come off, Buddy!”

“Admit defeat, Jake. I’m going to make the best turkey, and you can’t stop me,” said Charles, showing his ugly side, but Jake could get ugly, too. “I knew she couldn’t do it. I was going to just let the chips fall where they may but decided that swooping in with the better turkey would be better.”

“You know what?” Jake grabbed a turkey. It was perfect. And not frozen at all. “There will be no swooping today! Amy and I are going to make the best turkey. Better than any dry piece of meat you’ll have to offer!”

Charles gasped, then snagged his own turkey. “All have you know my turkey is moist and delicious and it will beat the pants off of your turkey! So bring it, Bitch!”

Challenge accepted.

Merry freaking Christmas.

.

.

.

“Amy! Amy we need to…” It was quiet. Too quiet. Jake locked the door and timidly made his way to the kitchen, hoping she was ok. Amy wasn’t there. There was a pile of potatoes, half peeled and half not. There was also a bag of green beans on the counter. He set the turkey in the sink because he remembered something about a turkey needing to be in the sink from his mother. It was now eight in the morning. They had six hours. They needed to get this bird in the oven. “Ames? Where are you?”

It was then he realized she wasn’t there. He pulled out his phone and texted her that he was home with the turkey. He saw her start to reply, but no message was sent. Did she not trust him to do it? Had she thought he’d fail at getting them a turkey? The thought hurt a little, but he couldn’t let it get to him. Not yet.

Because he had to beat Charles.

How hard could it be to make a turkey?

He removed the plastic and only puked one when pulling out all the guts from the ass of the turkey. Thankfully he made it to the trash can. He threw the guts over his vomit and then took out the trash to remove the evidence of him yaking in the bin. Twenty minutes later he heard the jangling of keys in the door right after he finished cramming stuffing back up the ass he’d just pulled guts out of.  He was washing his hands and talking as he heard someone approaching him from behind.

“Amy, not cool, where have you-” He turned around and the woman in front of him wasn’t Amy. She had long, brunette hair, blue eyes, and was smiling nervously while wringing her hands before placing them in the back pockets of her jeans. “You aren’t Amy.”

“Jake…” Amy stepped into the kitchen. She had an easygoing smile as she approached him. She took his hand then tugged him forward a little closer to the mystery woman. “Jake this is Victoria. Your half-sister.”

“My…” He looked her over once more. She had Dad’s nose. “Oh.”

“Um… Surprise?” said Victoria before letting out a nervous laugh.

“Um, yeah… Hi!” Jake eagerly opened his arms for a hug and she gave him one. She was tense at first but relaxed slightly before he pulled away. “Victoria, huh?”

“Vicki, please, only my mother calls me Victoria and usually that’s when I did something pretty bad,” she said with a laugh.

“Right. Right. So, where are you from?”

“Minneapolis, Minnesota originally but currently living in Fargo, North Dakota.”

“Oh, you don’t sound like—”

“Yeah, trust me, not everyone from there talks like the people from the movie,” she said with a laugh. “Everyone from that town hates that damn movie.”

“Right,” said Jake, chancing a look to Amy, who loved that movie. She seemed unphased about it though. “Fargo sucks. I mean, if you want a good movie, then the one to watch is Die Hard, right?”

“Let me show you where to put your stuff while Jake processes,” said Amy, gesturing toward the hall that lead to the spare bedroom, shaking her head at Jake’s poor attempt to see if his sister liked the movie he loved. When she returned she wrapped her arms around Jake. “Hey… Doing okay?”

“How… When…”

“I kinda went over your notes, and babe we really have to work on your organizational skills, but I managed to track down Vicki with the help of your dad. Um, I didn’t give him a heads up about her being here today either. But she wanted to meet you. More than him. Um… She’s never met your dad so…”

“That’ll be interesting.”

“You’re okay with this?” she asked, her eyes searching his.

“What? Are you kidding me? I love it. I’m just surprised you kept the secret that long from everyone or that no one found out. Wait… Did you fake a turkey emergency to get me out of the apartment or…”

“Oh, no, the turkey is a disaster. I really did need a new one that wasn’t a solid brick of ice. But I see you got one, and started it, thanks Babe.”

“Yeah, about that…”

Jake filled in Amy about meeting Charles at the store. Suddenly, gone was the bubbly woman he loved and in her place was a demon ready to suck the soul out of Boyle’s body and place it into the fiery pits of hell.

“We need to destroy him,” she said flatly.

“Okay, but it’s Charles,” said Jake. “The guy can cook. And let’s be honest, the two of us can barely manage not burning a pizza in the oven.”

“Yeah, but we have a secret weapon,” said Amy with a grin.

“What is that?” asked Jake as Vicki entered the kitchen.

“Hey, Vicki, I was just telling Jake that you are part owner of a restaurant up in Fargo,” said Amy, giving Jake a slight nudge.

“Oh, really?” said Jake, a sneaky smiling on his face as he pressed his fingertips together.

“Okay. I’ve only known you both for a couple hours but I can see something is going on,” said Victoria. “What’s up?”

“Well…”

.

.

.

Charles felt pretty damn smug. His turkey was perfect. Along with the cranberry sauce and desserts Amy asked him for after their little fight over cooking dinner. He also made some sweet potatoes, just to be safe. Oh, and some fresh rolls. He nodded to Rosa who had a sack full of gifts as well as some beer. The girl she was dating, the one she met on Jake and Amy’s wedding day, was with her parents instead. Their relationship being new Rosa had turned down the idea of meeting her parents on the holiday and instead decided to celebrate with her second family.

“Charles.”

“Hey Rosa! What’s with all the gifts?”

“None of your business.”

“Okay, okay…”

“What’s with all the food?” asked Rosa, nodding toward the bag. “I thought Amy was cooking.”

“We decided to split the cooking duties this year.”

“Uh huh… But wasn’t she making the turkey?”

“Well… I figured—”

“You went behind her back and made your own, didn’t you? Bad move Charles. Though I approve because it’ll be funny to see Amy annihilate you when you come in the door with it.”

“Trust me, you’ll thank me later,” said Charles as they got to the door. He knocked and it was Jake who answered. His face stern as he looked at Charles. “Hello, Jake.”

“Charles.”

“Ugh,” said Rosa, shouldering her way in with her stuff, avoiding the standoff at the door. She nodded to those who were there. When she noticed a new face she turned to Amy with a questioning look.

“That is Victoria,” said Amy, taking the bag of gifts. “Jake’s sister.”

“Holy crap,” said Rosa. “Well that’s a surprise.”

“Yeah, he thought so, too. Thanks for keeping his gifts. Glasses are in the kitchen for drinks.”

“Okay. Hey, just a heads up, Charles-”

“Oh, I know, Jake told me. Don’t worry. We have it handled.”

Rosa had to admit. It smelled damn good in the kitchen when she got her drink. She also noticed the perfectly cooked pies cooling on the counter top. She smirked at that, remembering Charles saying something about cooking the desserts. Rosa poured her drink and went into the living room to ready herself for the fireworks.

.

.

.

“Oh, Charles, sorry. I had no room for the turkey in the oven,” said Amy. “Your sweet potatoes went in there though. They fit just fine.”

“That’s ok, Amy, my turkey will be fine sitting out for the next couple minutes. Since it’s done and perfect. Oh, I saw the pies. Where did you buy them from?”

“I didn’t buy them,” said Amy with a smug grin. “They’re homemade.”

Charles scoffed at that. “Oh, please, no one here will believe that.”

“Ohhh, but it is the truth,” said Jake, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “They are homemade. My sister made them.”

“Kate?” asked Charles. “Well now no one will eat your food. There will probably be glass in it!”

“No, not Kate,” said a woman Charles didn’t know, hands on her hips and her eyebrow quirked. Charles instantly disliked her. “Me.”

“Charles, I’d like for you to meet my sister Vicki. She is a co-owner to a wonderful little restaurant and OUR FOOD IS GOING TO WIN! In your face!”

“Oh, bring it, Jake. My palette is superior in every way. I’m going to wipe the floor with you!” Charles then quickly shifted gears. Because since she was Jake’s sister he totally loved her already. “My name is Charles, I’m Jake’s best friend, it’s really nice to meet you by the way–-Now get ready to suck it!”

“Wow,” said Vicki as Charles marched out of the kitchen area. “He’s… A lot.”

“Oh, yeah, he’s very intense. Maybe a little insane. But he’s my partner and best friend aside from Amy and means a lot to me so hopefully we can get along after all this.”

“Who cares. I just want to win,” said Amy, taking another drink for herself before announcing that dinner was ready.

Jake’s dad had cancelled. Which was fine with Amy but heartbreaking for Jake so she supported him with a half hug. Vicki wasn’t too sad about the dad she never met not showing. Surprisingly she got along really well with Jake’s mother and Kevin, the both of them very curious about her business at home. When it came time to carve the turkeys Amy and Charles faced off at opposite ends of the table. Everyone got a helping of each turkey. From the looks of it Amy and Vicki’s looked better. But looks weren’t everything. They took their seats. Amy cut her toast in half so that the eating could start, and then she just watched. Everyone seemed happy with all the food and that made her feel better by a lot. The turkey was what mattered the most. Charles tried to say she cheated by not making it. Vicki intervened by saying she never touched the turkey and only gave guidance while making the pies.

That had shut him up.

“Okay, you have to settle this for us, who had the better turkey?”

“Must we really?” Kevin sighed before sharing a look with Vicki. “I must warn you. This group of individuals are always involved in some inane quarrel about who is better at what.”

“Competition is healthy, Kevin, and I must say that Santiago had the best turkey,” said Raymond Holt. “Properly cooked. Properly seasoned.”

“Hah, suck it Charles!” sneered Amy.

“I pick Charles,” said Gina.

“Oh you would,” scoffed Amy. “Just like I knew you wouldn’t bring the flowers.”

“Get off my back, Amy, damn!” said Gina before grabbing her wine.

They all went around the table. It was close. Charles was ahead by two before they got to the last of the guests. Rosa picked Amy as did Jake’s mom, which rocked Charles because apparently he’d been trying to butter her up all night. The final vote came to Kevin and everyone looked at him expectantly. He sighed, finally relenting, placing his cutlery down before pondering his decision.

“I’m with Raymond. Amy had the better dish.”

“YES!” Amy cheered before standing up and starting her celebration dance.

“NOOOOOOOO!” shouted Charles at the same time, hands slamming on the table and rattling everything on it.

“Hey, can we get some pie now?” asked Scully.

“We saw the pies cooling on the counter and if you make us wait any longer we may just burn the place down,” said Hitchcock.

“This is the best Christmas ever,” said Rosa, laughing at Charles losing it once more when his pie was bypassed in favor of Vicki’s when he tried to say his pies would be better than hers—then losing tremendously.

.

.

.

Everyone was gone. Vicki was in the guest room getting ready for bed. Amy was putting the last of the dishes away when two arms wrapped around her middle. She smiled, hands settling over his as he hugged her tightly.

“Can I say this was probably the best Christmas I ever had. Meeting Victoria at the top of the list and then beating Charles in the Battle of Turkeys. Also, present decoys? Nioce.”

“I’m glad you’re happy,” she said turning in his embrace so that she could wrap her arms around him fully. “I’m sorry your dad didn’t show.”

“It’s okay. I’m used to it.”

“Hey-oh. Sorry,” said Vicki, who’d come into the kitchen. “I’ll come back.”

“No, no, we’re cool. What’s up?” asked Amy.

“Well I’m not quite tired yet since it’s only nine where I’m from. I was going to ask if you all wanted to watch a movie or something.”

“We… We could watch Die Hard,” said Jake almost breathlessly.

“Oh, yeah. That’d be good. I like that movie.” said Vicki. “Just let me take my contacts out!”

“Oh my God I love her,” said Jake as she left, making Amy laugh. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers for a quick yet satisfying kiss. “I love you, Ames. Merry Christmas.”

“I love you, too. Merry Christmas.”

END

[pinkletterday]

WiP Week Day 2

Fandom: The Flash

Pairing: Barry Allen/ Iris West

Rating: All Audiences

Characters: Barry Allen, Iris West, Joe West, Wally West, Francine West, Cecile Horton

Summary: A year after Barry had inexplicably run off to join the Starling City Police Department, he is finally home for Christmas with the Wests. And this time he seems ready to actually tell them who he's dating for a change.

Problem is, Iris is pretty sure she doesn't want to hear it.

A/N: Part of a Barry-and-Oliver-come-out-to-their-families prequel to my Coldflash vs Olivarry polyam AU. Despite the name, Westallen plays an important part in the story because it's polyam and therefore complicated.

I really want to finish writing this monster dear Lord but there is so MUCH and Im not sure if this little snippet, so near and dear to my heart, will make the cut.

A Christmas Revelation

On the face of it, this is the best Christmas they've had in years. Certainly since they had found out Wally existed six years ago. Actually, even before that, because the whole reason Iris had been in Keystone to run into her mother and Wally was because she and Barry had been spending the whole summer avoiding each other. On account of Barry having ruined everything the Christmas before, by declaring himself in love with her.

Obviously he was well over that now. There had been...a lot...that had happened afterward between them, and even more that had not. But now, seven years on, everything was back to normal.

Iris watched her so-called best friend sprawled on the floor, teaching her teenage brother the secrets of Jenga, while the rest of the family did actual work, like decorating the Christmas tree. This used to be hers and Barry's favourite Christmas ritual, after exchanging their gifts for each other on Christmas eve rather than Christmas day. But he hadn't been around last year, having inexplicably abandoned them all and run off to a job in Starling City of all places. And the year before that...

Iris viciously pokes the Christmas ornament from her eighth grade handcrafts project onto the tree. Why did Dad keep hoarding all this stuff? It's not like any of them actually gave a damn.

"Hey! Careful!" says Joe appearing at her elbow. "That's my favourite!" His hands are full of eggnog and his Santa hat lopsided.

"They're all your favourite, Dad," says Iris rolling her eyes.

"Damn right," says Joe, passing a glass to Cecile. "It took years to carefully collect that much junk I couldn't bear to part with."

"Junk is right," says Cecile sharing an exasperated look with Iris. "I don't know where on earth you even stored your LP collection before Barry moved out."

"Oh yeah, that's right," Barry looks up from his Jenga tower with a faux-injured expression. "I forgot I'm homeless now. I've been edged out by Joe's jazz memorabilia. I see how it is."

"And here you were worried about Wally," says Iris, serenely tying a bauble.

She revels in the slightly awkward pause that follows, even though she knows she's going to pay for it later. She can feel her Dad's "what-is-going-on-with-you" glare burning her ear.

"Nope, it's true. I love you kids, but Duke Ellington's never given me the grief you have, so he gets to stay with me and the rest of you can move your asses out." Joe stretches out on his arm chair with his eggnog and a sigh of satisfaction.

"And where does that leave me?" Cecile perches on the arm of Joe's chair to look saucily down at him.

"I'll have to ask Duke about that," deadpans Joe. The room cracks up as Cecile gasps in indignation and swats him.

"What are we laughing at now?"

Francine has finally come down to join them. She had been ill with a migraine all day, the only pall over an otherwise perfectly amiable family gathering. Her face still looks drawn and she's wearing her silk bed scarf over her hair.

"How are you feeling, Francine?" Cecile's slight shift from genuine warmth to a touch too polished concern is hardly noticeable, but Iris sees it in the minute way she straightens her back and evens her features.

"Oh, it was just a headache, Cecile, thanks for asking," her mother replies in the same cordial "company voice". Iris stares intently at the tree as the two exchange pleasantries. She quite likes Cecile and...doesn't hate Mom anymore but it's still new and weird, the two of them in the same house she grew up in and her Mom walked out of. They probably feel the same.

"So Joanie isn't coming," says Wally, oblivious to Cecile's slight flinch, "and Aunt Edna got snowed in, so is this everyone that's here for dinner?"

"Do you ever not think about your stomach?" Iris teases, throwing a bunch of tinsel at her little brother's head.

He kicks it defensively towards a laughing Barry. "I'm a growing boy!"

"You can stop any day now," says Iris, pouting. "You were so cute and cuddly when I met you! And now you look like a pool noodle with ridiculous ears."

"And you were a lot nicer when I met you," complains Wally. "But I still have to put up with these insults and serious damage to my adolescent self-esteem!"

"She's just bitter, Wall," says Barry sagely. "She used to be the tallest kid in class in elementary school and lorded it over everyone. And then I got taller than her when we were twelve and she couldn't win playing keep-away anymore. Been a bitter Oompa Loompa ever since."

"I am not an Oompa Loompa," cries Iris, throwing more tinsel at the idiots now snickering and fistbumping on the floor. "You two are just...freakish. Abnormally tall. And slow and lumbering. Like the giant tree people in Lord of the Rings."

"Ents," Barry and Wally chorus.

"Also nerds," says Iris agreeably.

Cecile, Joe and Francine are laughing at them and Iris feels a smile pulling at her own mouth until she realizes that none of them know...anything. And that this probably looks to them like an amusing picture of sibling rivalry. With Barry. Iris fights down a stab of nausea and looks away lest she catch his eye.

"To answer your question, we're waiting on two more people," says Joe.

"Chyre's coming, right?" says Barry, with vague interest. "Haven't seen Frank in a year. How is he?"

Well, he'd know if he had actually gone anywhere and looked anyone up during the two weeks in fall that he had spent holed up in her Dad's house, using up nearly all his vacation days and not even telling her he had come home. Iris glares at the last bronze bell in the box. It's just like Barry - a useless tool.

"Dad invited Officer Pretty Boy as well," she interjects brightly as Joe brings Barry upto speed on the CCPD goings-on.

Her father rolls his eyes and Barry's eyebrows rise. "Officer Pretty Boy?"

"Really, Iris?"

"Well, you called him that, Dad!"

"I may have been a bit unfair," admits Joe. "He's just young and eager to prove himself."

"And he can't help being pretty," she nods, earning a stern pointed finger from Joe.

"Who are we talking about?" asks Barry, lost.

"Eddie Thawne. New transfer from Keystone. Turns out Francine knows him."

"Nice kid," her Mom volunteers. "Son of a very unpopular mayor, but he's nothing like. Took one of my first aid courses at the hospital and volunteered at the youth center. I asked Joe if we could have him for Christmas."

"I'd rather have the goose," Wally moans into the floor, now lying dramatically spread-eagled on his stomach. "I'm going to die of hunger before these people ever get here."

"If you did, I'm sure you'll rescurrect in time for dessert," retorts Iris.

Wally sticks his tongue out at her. Then makes a face that his embarrassing seventeen-year-old self probably thinks is sly. "Hey, Dad? Are any of these guys single?"

"Well, Chyre's been divorced for fifteen years and he isn't seeing anyone," says Joe idly. "I can ask, if you swing that way, Wally."

Everyone bursts into laughter at the boy's spluttering discomfiture. Iris turns to exchange grins with Barry in triumph and notices that he isnt laughing. He just looks...squirrelly. Again.

"There's nothing wrong with liking boys, Joe," admonishes Cecile and Barry's shoulders relax incrementally.

"I never said there was. Wally's the one who wanted to know."

"For Iris!" the boy pouts, his ears still glowing red. "Cause life is bad enough as a bitter Oompa Loompa without spending it alone."

"Thank you for your concern," says Iris acidly. "But I can find my own boyfriends."

Barry coughs something into his eggnog that sounds a lot like "Brad."

She smiles at him, sweet as a knife. "Did you have something to say, Barr?"

"Nope." Wide-eyed and innocent.

"I liked your last boy actually," says Francine, arranging herself on the sofa with a plate of cookies. "Will something. He seemed decent."

"Dry white toast," snorts Wally and Barry smirks at the floor.

"He was not!" He totally was. "Will was perfectly nice. You liked him, didnt you, Barry?"

"He was a nice guy," he shrugs and Iris feels again that stab of irritation. "Just..."

"Just what?"

He finally looks at her, face unreadable. "Just didnt seem like your type, that's all."

Oh he thinks so, does he. "And what is my type, Bartholomew?"

Barry looks clearly discomfited and the others are looking at her in slight surprise. Iris realizes she is coming across rather confrontational and forces herself to relax.

"Bitter Oompa Loompas," warbles Wally through a mouthful of cookie.

Iris looks incredulously at him amid everyone's laughter. "It's like being related to a parrot."

***