#samantha carrick

[jerzwriter]

The Big ONE

Happy Birthday to little Samantha, who turned one on April 20th!

I asked @/artbyainna (IG) to help create artwork to commemorate the special occasion, and I'm simply squealing at the results! While Tobias and Casey are captivated with their little angel, Pietro is all too happy to jump in and get a bit of that cake he's been eyeing all afternoon! I'm just blown away by this!

I wrote a fic highlighting a few moments during Sammy's big day below. I hope you enjoy the sugary sweetness as much as I do!

Book: Open Heart Pairing: Tobias Carrick x Casey Carrick (F!MC) Characters: Vivian Carrick (F!OC), Jordan Carrick (M!OC), Rose and David MacTavish (OCs), the OH gang, and of course, Pietro - the original cat. Rating: Teen Words: 1,700 A/N: @choicesaprilchallenge24 / Kitchen Table

Standing at her kitchen sink didn't typically usher in so much joy, but then, today wasn't any ordinary day. Casey's heart was full as she peered out the kitchen window into her backyard. It was tiny by suburban standards, but in Boston, it may as well have been an acre. The storms that had been forecasted earlier in the week held off, and the bright sun and azure blue skies provided the perfect canopy for their guests who came to celebrate.

The telltale rattle of the backdoor handle interrupted the silence, and Casey turned to find her husband coming inside. He looked so gorgeous in the fitted pink shirt he bought just for this occasion that she didn't initially catch his expression. Was it bewilderment? Vexation? She couldn't quite make it out.

He reached into the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of Sam Adams. Popping the cap off, he leaned against the counter and shook his head.

"I can't believe there's a freaking petting zoo in my yard."

Casey chuckled as she closed the distance between them, her head coming to rest on his shoulder as her arms encircled his waist.

"It’s not like you weren’t warned... albeit inadvertently.”

“Still...” he sighed.

“You know, from what I’ve heard, this place was a perpetual petting zoo in the past. Of course, it wasn’t the G-rated type, but even so... this shouldn't be so foreign to you.”

She closed her eyes and pressed closer against him, relishing the way his chest reverberated against her as he laughed.

“While the stories of my past can be a bit on the wild side, they tend to be overexaggerated, my dear.”  

Casey squeezed him tighter. “I can’t believe our baby girl is a year old already.”

“I know,” Tobias replied with amazement. “It all went by in a flash.”

“It did,” Casey agreed. “Although, some of the nights felt like they lasted an eternity. Especially in the beginning. God, sometimes I didn’t think I’d survive.”

“You?” Tobias marveled. “No way! You had the whole motherhood thing down pat from the start. You're a natural, babe.”

“A natural?” She laughed. “Are you kidding me? From the moment I found out I was pregnant, I was a hyperventilating mess!" Her hands rubbed along the silky fabric covering his chest, and her voice filled with emotion. “If not for your bright outlook and constant support, I wouldn’t have been able to do it. You’re my rock, T.”

The tender moment was interrupted when the door handle rattled again, and several of their friends stepped inside.

“Jesus!” Jackie groaned. “Do you two ever stop with that lovey-dovey shit?”

“Aw! Leave them alone!” Sienna smiled. “I think they’re adorable.”

“I might be more accepting of that adorable title if it was any random day,” Bryce interjected. “But what the hell are you doing inside with this kissy face crap when you have a freaking petting zoo and bouncy house in your yard?”

“Yeah,” Tobias chuckled. “Ma didn’t read the memo when we said we wanted a simple party with our friends."

“She also didn’t get that none of our friends have children, and Sammy’s too young for friends of her own... I don’t know that we needed all this.”

“Are you kidding?” Bryce gasped in horror. Vivian is a goddess! I’ve been in the bouncy house for the past hour, and that little wallaby out there is now my best friend. You two really need to come out.”

“Oh, I will so be in the bouncy house before this day is over!” Casey enthused.

“And I’ll be there to gleefully record every second,” Tobias winked. “But we’re going to set up to have the cake in here now.”

A peal of laughter wafted in through the open window, and everyone looked outside to see Sammy flying through the air—her face aglow as she giggled with abandon.

“Give her back to me!” Tobias’s brother, Jordan, insisted as Ethan swung the little one around again.

“Sorry,” Ethan responded. “She’s made her position clear. I’m her favorite uncle. You’ll just have to acclimate to being number two, Jordan.”

“Number two,” Bryce blurted as he was about to stick his hand into the nacho dip. “He’s not number two! And Ethan’s not number one! Sorry guys, I have to get out there and reclaim my ground!”

Jackie heaved out a sigh. “I suppose I should go supervise the children.”

“And I’ll make sure she doesn’t hurt anyone,” Sienna said, quick on her friend's heels.

Tobias slid behind Casey, wrapping his strong arms around her as they watched the joyful scene unfolding outside.

“Oh, no! Our parents are getting in on this now,” Casey observed as Tobias kissed her shoulder. “We better go retrieve Sammy before she's more spoiled than she is already."

"Nah," Tobias declined. "She's in very good hands, and I want just one more moment alone with my beautiful wife."

Casey turned around in Tobias's arms and gently kissed him, but he turned that little kiss into one with decidedly more passion.

"Keep that up, and we'll end up with baby number two," she giggled.

"Damn, she's on to my plan," he winked.

~~~~

A short time later, the circus had moved inside as the guests crowded into the family's living room to open gifts.

“I was told we were coming inside for cake,” Bryce pouted. 

Vivian, seated next to him, promptly slapped his knee.

“OW!”

“It’s presents before cake, Lahela. Everyone knows that.”

“I don’t think Sammy would mind either way,” he replied but acquiesced when he saw how happy the little girl was ripping into the gift wrap on her presents.

“Look!” Sienna said, tapping Casey’s Mom, Rose, on the shoulder. “She loves the stuffed pony you got her!”

“She does,” Rose beamed. “Although Grandma Vivian supplied the real pony in the yard!”

“Yeah,” Casey’s father, David, laughed. “We’ll have to up our game next year, hon. Vivian here is stealing our thunder.”

“NO!” Tobias and Casey yelled in unison.

“Don’t worry,” Tobias insisted. “My mother is going to be banished from next year’s celebration! We can have some normalcy.”

“Like hell I will be!” she spat as Jordan roared with laughter.

“Please, you have a better chance of Derek Jeter being elected mayor of Boston than you do of Ma missing any of Sammy’s birthdays.”

“That’s right! This fool made me wait almost four decades to be a grandma, I'm not missing any of it now!"

Tobias wrapped his arm around his mother’s shoulders and squeezed her close. “I know you wouldn’t, Ma. And we wouldn't want you to, but... can we celebrate without so many animals next year?”

“I don’t know,” Vivian smirked. “I think it would be wrong not to include your friends.”

~~~~~

A pile of opened gifts sat stacked neatly in the corner as little Pietro played happily with the bits of colorful gift wrap that remained taped to the boxes. But the cat wasn’t the only one excited; after all, it was finally time for CAKE!

“Casey, you look great!” Jordan stated. “But, Tobias, I need you to move a bit to the right.”

“For God's sake,” Tobias groused. “Can you just take the picture already?"

“Can we start singing?” Vivian asked. "I want to sing to my grandbaby."

“As soon as I get this picture,” Jordan replied. “All right! Casey, Tobias... perfect! Now, everyone, help me get Sammy to look this way.”

Everyone gathered behind Jordan, making faces, clapping their hands, and doing all they could to get the precious little girl to look their way. But Sammy only had eyes for one thing... the fluffy pink birthday cake that was just outside of her reach. That is until her feline best friend hopped on the table, stealing her attention and leaving her squealing with delight.

Casey lifted him, placing him gently back on the floor. “Not on the table, Pietro.”

“Yeah!” Jackie replied smugly. “No cake for you.”

The cat hissed at his nemesis as the clamoring to get Sammy to look at the camera continued.

“Oh, for the love of God,” Tobias bewailed. “Can you just take the picture!”

“I sure can,” Jordan nodded. “On the count of three! One... two... three!”

But just as her uncle snapped the photo, Sammy lurched forward and grabbed a fistful of the cotton candy colored icing, and when Tobias attempted to intervene, he ended up with a tiny fistful of sticky, sugary goodness splattered onto his face. A family photo that would be celebrated for generations to come was born.

Beaming, Tobias lifted Sammy off Casey’s lap as her chubby little hands mashed the icing deeper into her father’s beard.

Laughing, Casey pulled her phone out of her pocket to snap some shots of her own. “Our little girl has you wrapped around her finger, T!”

Tobias reached over and pulled Casey close; the sticky icing became a family affair when he kissed her cheek. “She sure does. Just like her, Momma!”

Amidst all the chaos, Pietro saw an opportunity, and he took it! Leaping onto the table, he stuck his paws into the cake and delighted in his sugary bonanza until Casey spotted him out of the corner of her eye.

“Pietro! No!” she hollered as Jackie, the only one who had seen the cat on the table, broke out laughing.

“You saw him and didn’t rat him out?” Casey teased. "What's happened to you?"

Jackie merely shrugged. “You have to admire him. He wanted something, saw an opening, and took it. I’m not about to turn him in for that.”

"Are you and that cat... bonding?" Casey asked.

"I guess Sammy's birthday is capable of miracles."

~~~~~ 

Hours later, after the final guest had gone home, Casey and Tobias snuggled together on the couch. Sammy slept in her playpen just feet away while Pierto kept a protective watch over her. Despite being exhausted, the proud parents couldn’t wipe the grins off their faces.

“This was such a great day,” Casey smiled. “I knew it would be, but it exceeded all expectations.”

“It was a really great day,” Tobias agreed. “And I think Ma only violated three town ordinances by insisting a wallaby was included in the petting zoo."

“She didn’t break any ordinances,” Casey laughed, her eyes suddenly going wide. “At least, not any that we know of.”

“Well, if she did, we successfully evaded charges, and that's all I can ask for."

“Mmmm,” Casey hummed, snuggling closer to him. “So, do you still want to add another Carrick to all this craziness?”

Tobias sat up, his interest piqued. “Damn straight, I do. Honestly, I want our girls to be close together. Jordan and I had a big age difference, and I’d like Sammy to grow up with her sister, you know?”

“Tobias,” Casey chuckled. “You know we have no way of knowing if we'd have another girl!”

His eyes lit up, and that little dimple Casey found so irresistible took center stage. “Oh, yes, I do. Now the big question... are you ready to have bambina number two?”

Casey sunk back into the fluffy couch cushions with a smile. “Soon? Maybe we can start trying around the end of summer. You know, it might not happen right away, but if we start then, maybe Sammy can have a little sister... or brother... by the end of next year. What do you say?"

“First, sister,” Tobias grinned. “And it will happen right away. Look at how fast it happened with Sammy.”

“Babe, we weren’t planning on Sammy.”

“Exactly,” Tobias grinned, holding Casey close. "I work that damn well when we weren't even trying... you just wait until we are."

Sammy made a funny little noise, and when Mom and Dad realized she was just having a happy dream, they returned to holding each other close.

"Well, I feel a lot better right now than I did a year ago at this time," Casey stated. "I mean, a day of family and friends is a cakewalk next to labor and delivery."

"Yet, you're willing to do it again," Tobias chuckled.

"Yeah, I think I'll make it through," she smiled. "I love our little family, T."

"So do I," he said with a kiss on her forehead. "And I love you."

~~~~~

That's some serious sweetness here, my friends! I hope you enjoyed it... Pietro sure did!

@choicesficwriterscreations @choicesaprilchallenge24 @openheartfanfics

Tagging others separately.

[qqueenofhades]

just saw your offer for book recs and would love some fantasy/sci fi books, it seems like we have similar taste. i just finished nk jemisin's broken earth trilogy, and also loved the city we became by her.

Aha, I am at work right now and thus do not have my bookshelves at hand to make sure I'm not missing something blindly obvious. However, I will start you off with these:

The Rook and Rose trilogy by M.A. Carrick (The Mask of Mirrors, The Liar's Knot, Labyrinth's Heart). Yes, this is the series I have been screaming about nonstop for the past few weeks and thus craftily suckering unsuspecting passersby into reading. An AMAZING world, an OT3 who own my entire ass, lots of political intrigue, cultural and social commentary, a unique magic system, and also plenty of humor. It really has it all. I continue my one-man quest to make this fandom bigger. Ahem.

The Green Bone trilogy by Fonda Lee (Jade City, Jade War, Jade Legacy). Another fantastic fantasy series that NEEDS more readers. Inspired by Chinese/Hong Kong kung-fu movies, set in a gritty modern universe, kind of like the Godfather but with magical jade-wielding families. Tons of discussion of empire, culture, violence, appropriation, power, war, family, Asian identity, more. They're likewise nice and long to keep you busy.

The Daevabad trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty (The City of Brass, The Kingdom of Copper, The Empire of Gold). Another you-gotta-read-this trilogy (yes, I have many of them). Set in the 18th-century Middle East and the magical djinni kingdom of Daevabad. Politics, empire, religion, history, intrigue, magic, scheming families, ancient wars, and my most beloved, Muntadhir al-Qahtani. What is not to love.

The Priory of the Orange Tree and its standalone prequel, A Day of Fallen Night, by Samantha Shannon. Absolute doorstopper (800+ pages apiece) epic-with-dragons-and-medieval-worlds fantasy, like Game of Thrones if Game of Thrones was a) good b) gay c) feminist and d) had people of color. She is also the author of the Bone Season series (four books thus far) which is a unique blend of futuristic sci-fi and fantasy set in an alternate totalitarian London and a ruined Oxford.

Winter's Orbit and Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell. Two M/M space opera romances (set in the same universe, but can be read independently). She got her start as a fanfic writer and it shows; these are both delightful, plotty, funny, and full of sassy gay disaster homosexuals in space.

A Memory Called Empire and A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine (I have read the first one, need to read the second one). Historian of medieval Byzantium writes space opera set in Space Constantinople which is also Space Tenochtitlan. Explores language, history, memory, power, identity, assimilation, and more, and is also very funny.

Autonomous, The Future of Another Timeline, and The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz. High-concept social-commentary dystopian science fiction; of the three, Terraformers (the newest one) might be my favorite. They're not related so you can read them in whatever order.

Two books that I have not read yet but I really want to: Swim Home to the Vanished by Brendan Shay Basham and To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose. Both are fantasy novels by Native American authors; Basham's is magical realism and Blackgoose's is about a Native American dragon-rider facing assimilation at an English (Anglish) boarding school.

Likewise coming soon and I am excited: The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport by Samit Basu. Middle Eastern-inspired fantasy, cyberpunk, techno-magic. In space!

There are definitely more that I will get home and be like oh wait yeah. But this should get you started.

[lgbtqreads]

hi!! i know this has beeb asked before but not for a while and I thought there might be some releases since then, so : any Queer High Fantasy? I've been recommended Priory of the Orange Tree before. Thank you!!

Not sure when the last time was but here’s what’s currently on my radar! (You can also find these here, and an asterisk means it’s not out yet: https://lgbtqreads.com/sff/spec-fic-by-subgenre/) I bolded some of the ones that are newer or coming out in the next few months.

MG

*Splinter & Ash by Marieke Nijkamp – NB

Sir Callie by Esme Symes-Smith – NB

YA

Female Protags

The Winter Duke by Claire Eliza Bartlett

The Never Tilting World by Rin Chupeco – L

Queen of Coin and Whispers by Helen Corcoran

Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst – L,B

Inkmistress by Audrey Coulthurst – B

The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine – B

Noble Falling and Noble Persuasion by Sara Gaines

Rule by Ellen Goodlett

Havenfall by Sara Holland

*Hearts Forged in Dragon Fire by Erica Hollis

The Afterward by EK Johnston

Empirium by Claire Legrand – B

Belle Révolte by Linsey Miller – BA

These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy

The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski

It Ends in Fire by Andrew Shvarts

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria – B, A

The Third Daughter and The Second Son by Adrienne Tooley

Shatter the Sky by Rebecca Kim Wells – B

The Thousand Names by Django Wexler

Male Protags

Cloaked in Shadow by Ben Alderson

The Runebinder Chronicles by Alex R. Kahler

Skybound by Alex London

So This is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

Beneath the Citadel by Destiny Soria

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas – T

Non-Binary Protags

Spell Bound by FT Lukens

Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller – GF

*A Hundred Vicious Turns by Lee Paige O’Brien

Adult

Female Protags

A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair

Tales of Inthya by Effie Calvin

The Vanished Queen by Lisbeth Campbell

Rook & Rose by M.A. Carrick

The Night and its Moon by Piper CJ

The Unbroken by C.L. Clark

*Warmongers by C.L. Clark

The Gardener’s Hand by Felicia Davin

*The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam

The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

From Under the Mountain by C.M. Spivey

The Drowning Empire by Andrea Stewart (Amz)

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri

Malice by Heather Walter

When Women Were Warriors series by Catherine M. Wilson

Male Protags

Kirith Kirin by Jim Grimsley

The Cadeleonian series by Ginn Hale

Tales From Verania by T.J. Klune

A Chorus of Dragons by Jenn Lyons

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

*Dark Moon, Shallow Sea by David R. Slayton

Stagsblood Trilogy by Gideon E. Wood

Genderqueer Protags

*The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang

[openheartfanfics]

Newly Added Fics

Dec 16 - 22, 2023  

🎭 Angst  |  🦚 Angsty Fluff  |  🛸 AU  |  ☁ Fluff  |  ♥ NSFW  |  📚 Series  |  📷 Edit  |  📱 TextFic  |  Ⓜ Mature

Bryce x M!MC

Halloween - @mydemonsdrivealimo 📚

[extended: wip] A collection of moments throughout Jensen’s life, focused on his struggles and accomplishments.

Part 3

Moving - @jerzwriter ☁

Casey & Bryce settle down for a relaxing evening of good food and gossip... but that doesn't go as planned. Feat. Bryce x M!MC

Ethan x F!MC

Favors - @cariantha 🦚🎄

Sawyer is worried that her crush is getting the wrong impression and is later hurt when she thinks he has taken advantage of a situation.

Stardust - @liaromancewriter ☁🎄

Ethan and Cassie’s skating date plans go awry, but all hope is not lost. [Date]

Talk is Cheap - @cariantha 🎭

What would have been the outcome if Sawyer had discovered that she was pregnant whilst Ethan was in the Amazon?

Part 2

When life has other plans - @coffeeheartaddict2 📚🛸

[extended: wip] A competition has commenced for the interns at Edenbrook hospital. A horrid first day leads to an unexpected test of a new machine but what is Dr. Ethan Ramsey hiding?

CH 5: Surprises

Open Heart MC

Twinsies - @liaromancewriter 📱

Cassie and Max celebrate National Twin Day.

Not a Valentine - @jerzwriter ☁

It's lunchtime for Casey & Jensen... and some annoying interns, too. Feat. F!MC, M!MC

Rafael x F!MC

We Belong Together - @rafasgirl23415 📚

[extended: complete] It’s the end of intern year. Casey and Rafael are ready to start the next phase of their relationship.

CH 27: You Are All That I Want

CH 28: Baby's First Christmas

Tobias x F!MC

All is Merry & Bright - @jerzwriter ☁🎄

It's their second Christmas with little Samantha, and the Carricks are getting ready to take their Christmas card photo.

Moving - @jerzwriter ☁

Casey & Bryce settle down for a relaxing evening of good food and gossip... but that doesn't go as planned. Feat. Bryce x M!MC [BFF Bryce]

Open Heart Adjacent Fics

Kintsugi - @peonierose

Maxine deals with a difficult time. Thankfully Luna and Adam are there to help her face her difficulties. In the end ”Family don’t end with blood.“ TW: Deals with anxiety and depression.

_

SUBMIT OPEN HEART FICS & WRITERS HERE

[ghelgheli]

The Stuff I Read in November 2023

Stuff I Extra Liked is Bold

Books

Three Body Problem, Cixin Liu

System Collapse, Martha Wells

Radical Islam: The Iranian Mojahedin, Ervand Abrahamian

How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Walter Rodney

Volodya, Selected Works, Vladimir Mayakovsky (ed. Rosy Carrick)

Yuri/GL

Pulse, Ratana Satis

Sabishisugite Lesbian Fuzoku ni Ikimashita Report / My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness, Kabi Nagata

Serenade, Kyesoo Keum

Even Though We’re Adults / Otona ni Nattemo (Vols. 1-6), Takako Shimura

Heaven Will Be Mine [itch]

Short Fiction (SF/F)

Rabbit Test, Samantha Mills [uncanny]

Story of Your Life, Ted Chiang

Mr. Death, Alix E. Harrow [apex]

The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington, Phenderson Djèlí Clark [fireside]

The Mermaid Astronaut, Yoon Ha Lee [bcs]

Paper Menagerie, Ken Liu [archive]

History & Contemporary

Stalin, Soviet Agriculture, And Collectivisation, Mark B. Tauger [DOI]

Natural Disaster and Human Actions in the Soviet Famine of 1931-1933, Mark B. Tauger

Armed Struggle: Strategy and Tactic, Masoud Ahmadzadeh [marxists dot org]

An Analysis of One Year of Urban and Mountain Guerrilla Warfare, Hamid Ashraf [marxists dot org]

Sartre, European Intellectuals and Zionism, Joseph Massad [link]

‘Selective Historians’: The Construction of Cisness in Byzantine and Byzantinist Texts, Ilya Maude [DOI]

Special Interview With Khaled Barakat: Gaza Demands End of Genocide, Not ‘Ceasefire’ [link]

Philosophy and Related

The Emergence of Classes in a Multi-Agent Bargaining Model, Robert Axtell, Joshua M. Epstein, H. Peyton Young

The Evolution of Conventions, H. Peyton Young [JSTOR]

Cognitive Psychology and Neo-Phrenology, Gibbonstrength [link]

The Runabout Inference-Ticket, A. N. Prior [JSTOR]

Monster Culture (Seven Theses), Jeffrey Jerome Cohen

Who Owns Frantz Fanon’s Legacy?, Bashir Abu-Manneh [jacobin]

[lucy-268]

Karma

Series/Pairing: Open Heart - Tobias Carrick x f!MC (Samantha Carlson)

Disclaimer: Most characters belong to PB, Samantha is sort of mine

Other Characters: Bryce Lahela, Sienna Trinh

Rating / Warnings: PG / none

Summary: After Samantha and Tobias break up, Tobias has regrets.

Comments/Notes: This is an AU. Tobias and Sami are (probably) very happy right now. @openheartappreciationweek Day 5 - Alternate Universe

Word count: ~375 

Sienna and Bryce stood in front of Samantha’s desk. “You’re coming to Donahue’s with us.”

Sami shook her head. “I’m not. I’m staying here and finishing up paperwork.”

Bryce moved around and sat himself on her desk, effectively blocking her view of her computer screen. “You spend more time here anymore than…”

“Than I used to when you started your internship,” Ethan’s voice drifted from the door of her office. “I am telling you that you need to get out of the hospital for a while.”

“If your boss is telling you that, you really need a break.”

“I’m not going to Donahue’s.”

Bryce and Sienna glanced at each other before he spoke. “Actually, you can. Tobias is going… somewhere else tonight.”

Samantha looked at Sienna. “Does he have a date?”

“I don’t know.”

“He doesn’t. He has a poker game that I am late for,” Ethan answered, checking his watch.

Sami logged off her computer, and stood up. “To Donahue’s, I guess.”

Two hours later, Tobias pushed opened the door to the bar. He looked throughout the room trying to find her. He spotted Bryce with some of the surgeons shooting darts.

Jackie and Aurora were talking to a couple of guys at the bar.

Sienna was at a table by herself.

Tobias frowned. Surely her friends wouldn’t bring her here to desert her. Maybe Ethan was wrong and she had decided not to come. He shook his head, that was unlikely. Tobias headed to Sienna, hopefully she would be willing to let him know where Sami had gone.

“Sienna, the next round is on me.” Sienna’s phone dropped to the table at the sound of Tobias’ voice. Her eyes moved to the dance floor before refocusing on Tobias, but he had caught the movement of her head.

“That’s that new orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Elliott.”

Sienna sipped her wine. “Dan went to Stanford with Bryce.”

Dan leaned down to Samantha. “He’s heading this way. Do you want to talk to him?”

“Can I cut in?” Both men looked at Samantha waiting for her answer to Tobias’ question.

“Not tonight. I have an early meeting and Dan said he’d drive me home. See you tomorrow, Dr. Carrick.” Tobias was left standing alone in the dance floor as his girlfriend, his ex-girlfriend, walked off with someone else.

to be continued…

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @openheartappreciationweek

[asexualbookbird]

23 Books in 2023

tagged by @bigcats-birds-and-books ! How fun!

Yall know I'm a Mood Reader and dont do well with lists like "heres what I'm definitely going to read in this timeframe!" because chances are I will change my mind as soon as it becomes time to read What's Next lol thanks brain!

HOWEVER there are some books I definitely want to read this year! I think it's Time! This does not include books that have not yet been released, because lets be real, I'm not reading those when they're released. (and of course now that I say that I want to prove myself Wrong.) These are also in no particular order except for when I notice them on my shelf.

The Dragon of Jin-Sayeng by KS Villoso

The Boneshard Emperor by Andrea Stewart

A Gathering Of Shadows by VE Schwab

The Liars Knot by MA Carrick

The Unconquered City by KA Doore

Legacy of Ash by Matthew Ward

Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik

The Siren Depths Martha Wells

A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

The Conductors by Nicole Glover

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Shuri

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

Provenance by Ann Leckie

The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman

The Unspoken Name by AK Larkwood

A Memory Called Empire by Arkday Martine

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay-Zhao

Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

This will be The Year of Finishing (Or Continuing) Series, unless I decide not to read any of these in which case I will delete this list and pretend it never happened. Most of these I own physically, and what I don't, I have in ebook form so this will also put a big dent in my Read What You Own challenge too! Exciting! Lets go!!

tagging: @logarithmicpanda@artemistartarus @timetravelbypen @howlsmovinglibrary no pressure! have fun!

[questwithambition]

Was chatting with my friend last night and we reviewed our fav reads of 2023 (Samantha Shannon, NK Jemisin and MA Carrick were the winners, plus Babel just won); and discussed our planned reads for 2024 and oh I’m so excited. So many good books!

[4th-make-quail]

Fantasy Bingo update!

Book 7: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, for the "Bookclub or Readalong Book" square. I absolutely fucking adored this book!! Oh my god, it was so good. I wanted to get one of the huge tomes out of the way, and honestly I wasn't sure if I'd like it because I have a tendency to really hate those super over recommended books by specific people I know. BUT I didn't! I loved it!! A mix of courtly fantasy with some cool magic and I really loved the characters and the romance. My only gripe is that I think the ending was too rushed, especially after so much time spent on the rest of the book. I'd have liked to have seen as much loving detail in the post-ending parts!! Be like Robin Hobb! Embrace the meandering!! Anyway, loved it. 5/5

Book 8: Black Water Sister by Zen Cho, for the "POC Author" square. This one I was disappointed by, I'm ngl. I really enjoyed Cho's Sorcerer to the Crown books, but I think, like with Changeling, it may have been too modern fantasy for me? Also I thought the writing was clumsy and not so great in parts with some very strange and confusing segues from internal thoughts to fast paced action, but I enjoyed the setting. I'm not sure if I'd read anything else of Cho's now tbh? I do have Order of Full Moon on my kindle, but I'll have to check if it's another contemporary fantasy. 3/5

Book 9: The Mask of Mirrors, by M.A. Carrick, for the "queernorm setting" square. Now this one I also really loved!! I love a good heist/con story, and this one was really excellent. I enjoyed the romance and I didn't see the twist at the end coming (about a character's identity), and the plot was complex and political to boot which is my catnip. I didn't realise it was the first of a series, so I'll definitely be reading the rest! After bingo.... 5/5

Book 10: The Master of Djinn by P Djeli Clark, for the "Title with a Title" square. Another one I really really enjoyed!! And another with a queernorm setting too! I loved the main character and her girlfriend, their relationship was so cute! The mystery was really fun and kept me guessing until almost the reveal which was nice, and the action was exciting and felt like it had some real stakes. I loved the setting too, it felt really rich and lively, although I did realise that I prolly should have read more than just the one of the prequel novellas first! Needless to say I'll be tracking them down haha. Another 5/5!

Outside of bingo, this also puts me at 63% of my very conservative year goal of 20 books, with 13 read total! I had p much half a year of reading entirely fic and didn't make my goal last year for the first time in ages, so I lowered it by a lot this year haha.

This includes finishing my Return of the King audiobook! My god, I loved it so much. The ending was perfect, and it definitely had me crying at my desk at work lol

[moodmusicmonday]

One thing is for sure: this fandom has something for everyone judging from these songs! Love and fluff and angst--OH MY! Such a superb playlist that will have you salivating! BIG HUGE THANKS to those of y'all who shared a song. Whether it inspired your WIP or it makes you think of your favorite characters/scene from Choices, we LOVE them all! Y'all rock!

We love y'all! *big ol' hugs*

Same time next week?

~🎵~

@ao719

“The Fixer” - Brent Morgan;  Best Kept Secrets, Chapter 2: Fixers Never Fix Themselves [TRR; Liam x f!OC (Amara)]

@bebepac

"We Are Family” - Sister Sledge; Fast Forward, Father’s Day Special One-Shot: The Big Apple Dumplin’ Festival [TRH; Liam x Riley; Maxwell x f!OC (Taylor); m!OC x f!OC (Nico x Angellica)]

@chemist-ana

“Spells” - Cannon; Wicked Game Chapter 3: Spells [TNA; Sam Dalton x MC (Niamh Kenney)]

@karahalloway

“Jealous” - Nick Jonas; (Less Than) Noble Intentions, Chapter 13: Invidia [TRR; Drake Walker x f!OC (Harper Gale)]

@kat-tia801

“Homegrown” - Zac Brown Band; Homegrown, Father’s Day One-Shot [TRR; Drake Walker x MC; Liam Rys x f!OC)]

@lucy-268

“Broken and Beautiful” - Kelly Clarkson; Broken and Beautiful: Sami’s Story (tentative title) [OPH; Tobias Carrick x f!OC (Samantha Carlson)]

@queenrileyrose

“NFWMB” - Hozier; Irreplaceable, Chapter 18:  Ain’t You My Baby? (TRR; Leo x Riley)

@tinkie1973

“Would Have Loved Her” - Chris Bandi; Character Shout-Out: Drake Walker

@txemrn

“Use My Voice” - Evanescence; Stay, Chapter 2: Draw My Own Line [TRR; Drake Walker x f!OC (Jodi Walker); other pairings to be revealed]

~🎵~

@21-wishes @alj4890 @ao719 @atsuinawa @aussiegurl1234 @axwalker @bebepac @burnsoslow @charlotteg234 @chemist-ana @choicesmonthlychallenge @foreverethereal123 @issabees @jerzwriter @karahalloway @kat-tia801 @lovingchoices14 @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @neotericthemis @nestledonthaveone @peonierose @queenrileyrose @quixoticdreamer16 @sfb123 @socalwriterbee @tessa-liam @twinkleallnight @txemrn @walkerdrakewalker @zaffrenotes

[jerzwriter]

First Father's Day

Book:                  Open Heart (Post Series)

Pairing:               Tobias Carrick x F!MC (Casey)

Rating:                Teen

Warnings: Brief mention of late father

Category: Domestic Fluff

Summary:   It's Tobias's first Father's Day, and he's happy to celebrate with Casey and their eight-week-old daughter. But as happy as he is, Casey senses something is amiss and helps him deal with emotions that arise.

Words: 924

A/N: @choicesjunechallenge, Father's Day; @choicesholidays, Father's Day.

The morning had been just perfect. It felt like something out of a dream Casey had long ago. A dream she shelved somewhere along the way, assuming her life would be too complicated to ever see it come to be. Yet, here she was. It was a bit different for Tobias. He never imagined this and certainly never dreamt of it, but as he had learned, the best things in life are often the things we never see coming.

Casey returned from putting baby Samantha down for her nap to find her husband staring solemnly out their front window. His mood visibly shifted from a short time ago when he happily cradled his eight-week-old daughter in his arms, marveling at how she cooed and smiled at his silly faces and the funny songs he made up that always contained her name.

“Someone sure knows how to make Sammy smile,” Casey beamed while setting the breakfast table.  “Not during diaper changes,” he sang, continuing to entertain their little girl. “I don’t know, I’ve seen you do it even then,” she grinned. “Face it, Tobias, you know how to charm the ladies.” “Yeah,” he smirked, wrapping an arm around his wife’s waist, pulling her onto his lap. “Well, the only two ladies I have any interest in charming are right here. But damn, I must be good… because I got you to cook me breakfast?” “Damn right, it’s even edible! I have to take care of you on your first Father’s Day.” “You take care of me every day, baby,” he smiled as his lips met hers.  With a bright grin, Casey pulled back from the kiss, “Happy Father’s Day, Tobias.” With her pudgy little arms and legs flailing, Sammy let out a cacophony of happy little gurgles. “I think she’s saying Happy Father’s Day, too,” Casey gushed.

Tobias lifted Sammy out of her bouncy seat, placing a loud kiss on her cheek. “Best day ever!” he enthused. Casey placed her hand over her heart, filled with warmth and joy as she watched her two greatest loves nuzzling.  “Could you have imagined this three years ago, Dr. Carrick?” “I was an asshole three years ago,” he simpered. “I think I finally got it right.” “You think?” She replied with mock horror. “Don’t make me get your mother on the phone.” “Don’t you dare,” he chuckled. “Now come here and snuggle with Sammy and me; it’s almost her nap time.”

She had only been gone about fifteen minutes but returned to a very different man. Looping her arms around his waist, she gently kissed the crook of his neck and was pleased to see him smile, despite his dampened mood.

“What’s the matter,” she asked with concern. “You seem down.”

“I am,” he sighed, taking her hand and leading them to the couch. “I’m going back to work in a few days and… I feel like I’m going to miss so much not being home with the two of you.”

“I know,” she replied with a sympathetic smile. “It will be hard for me when I have to go back, too. But like our moms told us, the key to parenting is accepting that we will be in a constant state of adjustment for a while. But we’ll adjust together, T, and it will be fine in time. I know it will because we’re a great team.”

He felt his trepidation melting away as he looked into her earnest eyes. He knew that she was right; there was nothing they couldn’t take on together.

“We’re the very best team!” he grinned. “And I’m grateful for the time I’ve had home with you both. Even these extra days, I was supposed to return last week.”

“I meant to ask you about that. Did you add some vacation days?”

“Didn’t have to. Ethan just adjusted the schedule. He said he saw no reason for me to come back before my first Father’s Day.”

“That was sweet!”

“Yeah,” he chuckled. “It’s good to have an in with the boss.”

“Well, that is the only reason we made him godfather, you know,” she laughed. Tobias’s mood had improved, but she couldn’t miss the distant look still present in his eyes. “Hey, are you sure it’s nothing more?”

“It’s just…” he tapered off, pulling Casey closer. “I’m missing my Dad, you know?”

“I know,” she said, holding him tightly. “But I’m sure he is somewhere looking down at you… I’m sure he’s very proud.”

“You think so?” he asked, voice cracking with emotion.

“I know so, and if you need more validation, you know your mom is but a phone call away. She knew your father better than anyone, and she can’t stop going on about how happy he’d be.”

“I wish he was here for all this.”

“So do I.”

They embraced for a few more moments, the Tobias sat upright.

“OK,” he announced. “Enough sadness for now. This is a happy day.”

“That it is,” she agreed. “So what do you want to do?”

Tobias wiggled his eyes playfully. “Want to try to have a second one here for my second Father’s Day?” He teased.

“No freaking way,” she laughed. “Samantha is enough for right now, but… are you saying you’d like to get in some practice.”

“Later, absolutely,” he grinned. “But for now, how would my beautiful wife feel about cuddling on the couch and watching the Red Sox with me.”    

“You’re beautiful wife is happy to comply. It’s your day, baby. Happy Father’s Day.”

Tags in reblog.

[qqueenofhades]

Oh darling fandom grandma, do you have any current recs for some good fiction books? Something kind of like Tamora Pierce's tortall books? (sorry if you haven't read those books, was the only series that I could think of to reference)

Perhaps surprisingly, I have never actually read any Tamora Pierce books, but I am going to categorize this request, hopefully not inaccurately, as "imaginative, diverse, feminist/female-centered fantasy." In which case, you are in luck, because that is also My Jam, and I have the following enthusiastic recs, many of which are doorstopper-size and should keep you busy for a while:

The Daevabad Trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty (City of Brass, Kingdom of Copper, Empire of Gold). Set in both 18th-century Egypt and the magical djinn kingdom of Daevabad; complex and morally grey female main characters; lots of garbage men; all characters are people of color; political intrigue, magic, sass, adventure out the wazoo, and Muntadhir al-Qahtani my most beloved, I NEED MORE PEOPLE TO READ THESE BOOKS

The Rook and Rose trilogy by M.A. Carrick (only the first two books are out: The Mask of Mirrors and The Liar's Knot). A lush Venetian-inspired fantasy setting, a con-artist female main character, family intrigue, political manipulation, complicated plots, exploration of colonization and cultural appropriation; MORE PEOPLE LIKEWISE NEED TO JOIN ME IN SHIPPING REN/VARGO/GREY;

The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon (The Bone Season, The Mime Order, The Song Rising, The Mask Falling): set in an alternate-history future England with sci-fi, telekinetics, fallen angels, a ruined Oxford, underground resistance groups in London, a badass female main character; generally one of the most imaginative spec-fic series I have ever read;

The Priory of the Orange Tree, also by Samantha Shannon; I recommended this book in a separate post recently because I love it. Tons of historically-inspired settings, lots of female, queer, POC characters; ASOIAF-style political intrigue and dragons without the Male Author grossness;

The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud (The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, Ptolemy's Gate, plus prequel The Ring of Solomon). This series was formative for me as a teenager, all right. F O R M A T I V E. If you have not read it you need to do so right away, and I don't care how old you are. Stroud absolutely rips the British Empire to pieces, dismantles the Special White Boy fantasy trope, explores slavery and imperialism and cultural genocide, and is also both incredibly funny and incredibly heartbreaking in the course of three YA books.

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri; lush female-led epic fantasy set in a fantasy world based on ancient India; supposed to be the first one of a series so there are more to come;

Uprooted and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik; retellings of fairytales with a cast of diverse female characters, especially Spinning Silver which is a reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin in an Imperial Russian-inspired world with a Jewish main character;

The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger (Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Heartless, Timeless); set in steampunk Victorian London with vampires and werewolves; badass female main character; Absolutely Everyone Is Queer; like Jane Austen crossed with P.G. Wodehouse;

Anyway, there are possibly more that I could think of, but these are what came to mind after an initial perusal of my own bookshelves, and should be enough to get you started. Happy reading. :)

[equestrianempire]

Finalists for the week: Southern Pines, Full Gallop, SAzEA, and Bouckaert, Full Gallop, and Full Gallop.

Bouckaert Equestrian has been running through the 4* this past weekend, and we’ve been following along with them, but we also saw plenty of other events taking place this weekend, with Full Gallop, SAzEA, and Southern Pines bringing Eventers on.

Congratulations to all of our Weekend Winners for this trip across all events, with a special mention to Redfield Lotte and Amanda Vines, both of whom received our Illegal Low Score Award, who won the SAzEA Open Beginner Novice with a 14.4!

Bouckaert Equestrian H. T. International ( Fairburn, Georgia ) Website [Scoring ]

Hannah Sue Hollberg and Capitol HIM CCI 4*S ( 43. 3 ). Fernhill Salt Lake and Waylon Roberts CCI 3*S ( 32. ) Sherry Pound and Carnaby CCI 2*S ( 29. ) CCI 1*S: Billy Be Jolly and Caroline Pamukcu ( 21 ) Advanced: SKM Lux Sonata and Tik Maynard ( 55 % ) Lauren Nicholson and Vermiculus ( 57.4 ) are the Open Intermediate. Open Preliminaries A: Fernhill Esmerelda and Jonathan Holling ( 40. % ) Open Preliminary B: Trinity ThankQ and Lisa Marie Fergusson ( 38 ) Eileen Galoostian and Ardeo Lord Lancelot, the preliminary riders ( 56. 5 ). Modified Rider: Newtown’s Llewellyn and Kasidy McMartin ( 35.1 ) Open Modified A: Seabanks Theygo and Claire Strehlow ( 29.3 ) Open Modified B: Kiss My Jambo M ( 31.3 ), Valerie Pride, and Open Training: Ballynoecastle TD and Melanie Smith ( 26. 1 ) Lone Star WS and Greg Ragusa in the Training Rider ( 28.6 ) To Infinity and Beyond DASH ( 24.4), Celia White, and DASH ( no novice riders ) Open Novice: Je T’Aime and Valerie Pride ( 26.7 % )

Full Gallop Farm March I H. T. ( Aiken, SC )[ Website]]Scoring

Starters: Lucky Clover / Clover and Stella McGuire ( 28. % ) Beginner Novice A: Caitriona and KC’s Lizzie Chamberlin ( 33.2 ) Pace Deppa and Galivantor, Beginner Novice B (3. 22. ) Novice A: Elodon Zodiac and Carol Kozlowski ( 29.4 ) Emma Hartzler and Southern Charm ( Novice B) 35. Molly Casey and MoonLight Crush ( 37.2 ) are trained/novice. Training: Madhatter and Paula Dupuy ( 31 ) Heart of Hollywood and Kelly Ransom ( 35.4 ) are preliminary. Sierra Thomas and Chambery are preliminary/trained ( 41. 6 ).

[ Website]]Scoring SAzEA Spring H. T. ( Tucson, Arizona )

Paige Dinnie and Crown Royal ( 27.4): Open Preliminary Training Rider: Larimar and Chelsea Luedke ( 45 ) Open Training: Fine Dutch Chocolate and Paige Dinnie ( 28 ) Just Boo and Heather Bogdan ( 24 ) are the novice riders. Open Novice: Delta Court and Michael Elmore ( 31.9 ). Kyla Roberts and Wildflower: A Beginner Novice Rider A ( 26. ) Ande Bergmann and Kingdom Springs Rayne ( 32.1 ): Beginner Novice Rider B. Redfield Lotte and Amanda Vines ( 14.4 ) Open Beginner Novice. Open Starter A: Sonrisa Bella and Taylor Jensen ( 41.10 ) Barb Gasper and Carrick Diamond Legacy, the Open Starter, ( 34.7 ) Te Amo Tiama and Jessicca Butorac ( 22 ) in the pre-contest.

[ Website ] Southern Pines H. T. I ( Raeford, NC)]Scoring

Advanced CT A: Monaco by Kimmy Cecere and Landmark ( 31 ). Emily Beshear and Rio de Janeiro in the intermediate CT class ( 15. 5 ). Emily Beshear and Bad Moon Rising ( Plain Preliminary A): a discussion. Ellie van Gemeren and Excel Star Lewiston ( 28.0 % ): Open Preliminary B. CLEITER CT: Dan Kreitl and Odyssey ( 28.9 ) Susanne McDaniel and Corelli WWW: A Modified Rider ( 26. 22. ) Open Modified: Bossanova and Mandolin Whitten ( 24 ) Open Training A: Izzy Leo and Rick Caldwell ( 24. % ) Caitlin Silliman and NK Mirabeau ( 33. 3 ), open training Training CT: Never Enough ( 35.7 ), Cassie Sanger, and Samantha Reinbold and Donald Drake ( 29.1 ) are the training riders A. Ann Bower and San Rubin, Training Rider B ( 23. 13 ) Training Rider Junior: Oy to the World and Darcy Dean ( 35.5 ) Ariana Schimt- Chow and Little Lauries ( 10 ): Novice Rider A Novice Rider B: Foxtrot Treacle and Siri Carr (3. 5 ). ( 32.3 ) The Novice Rider Junior is Claire Nestor and A French Connection. Emily Beshear and Ser Dantae ( 26. ): Open Novice A. Johnny Walker and Martin Douzant ( 27.5 ) are Open Novice B. Susan Beebee and Bugsy Malone ( 19.4 ) are Open Novice C. Beginner Novice CT: Madeline Moton and The Family Feud ( 30.9 ) Beginner Rider A: Ballymores Charisma and Amy Howes Warren ( 27.5 ) Renee Wheeler and Joe Frank ( 30.3 ) are Beginner Novice Rider B. Scout Spencer and Sterling’s Bailesa ( 29.7 ): Beginner Novice Rider C Open Beginner Novice A: Rebecca Lee and DGE Swipe Right ( 26. 9 ) Sunhill Rover and Jillian Newman ( 24.7 ) Open Beginner Novice B. Starter A: Sunnyside Up and Elena Sparacio ( 30. % ). Starter B: Silvanus and Alannah Mabus ( 26. ) Starter CT: Chillie and Sloane Nelson ( 27. 5 ).

[openheartfanfics]

Newly Added Fics

May 20 - 26, 2023  

🎭 Angst  |  🦚 Angsty Fluff  |  🛸 AU  |  ☁ Fluff  |  ♥ NSFW  |  📚 Series  |  📷 Edit  |  📱 TextFic  |  Ⓜ Mature

BRYCE X F!MC

Serendipity [OH/TRR Crossover] - @deb-1106 & @walkerismychoice 🛸Ⓜ

[extended: wip] Drake gets injured and seeks treatment at the hospital. TW: Gun Violence

Part 3

ETHAN X F!MC

A Different Fate… - @jerzwriter 📚🎭

[mini: wip] A conversation with his friend, Tobias, has Ethan recalling a night from long ago and how it still lives in his heart to this very day. Feat. Tobias Carrick, Sienna Trinh

Part 4: A Glass Door

Break Free - @whenyourheartskipsabeat 📚

[extended: wip] Landry comes back into Alyssa's life but has he changed?

CH 1: Fresh Start

Degree of Fancy - @amortentiaopenheart 📚🛸

[mini: wip] New school, new friends....and a best friend?

Part 1

Part 2

Doppelganger - @cariantha ☁

Sawyer meets her doppelganger.

Everybody Hurts Sometimes - @coffeeheartaddict2 📚Ⓜ

[extended: wip] Casey is a top intern at Edenbrook, Ethan is the lead of Diagnostics. They share a secret of treating the revered Dr Naveen Banerji but is it all they will share. TW: Addiction and abandonment issues

Part 10: Fall From Grace

Part 11: Confronted

Part 12: Crash

From The Heart - @alj4890 ☁

Thirty Kisses in Thirty Days Challenge with the prompt: A kiss to the neck from behind.

Greetings From Hawaii - @potionsprefect ☁

Ethan and Victoria send out some special postcards.

Once [The Nanny Affair/Open Heart Crossover] - @peonierose 📚🛸

[mini: wip] Addison has stage four ovarian cancer. So Sam and Addi seek a consultation with Dr. Ethan Ramsey at Edenbrook. Will they make it in time? TW: Illness, cancer, mental health Feat. Ethan Ramsey

Part 4

Sweatin' - @socalwriterbee ♥

After another restless night, Tessa heads down to the gym to work out what ever has her tossing and turning, Ethan's turns up to help her with a different method. [Public Places]

Unfortunate Misadventures - @liaromancewriter ☁

Ethan Ramsey had seen people do stupid things before, but none quite like this. [Crack; Ethan POV]

We're Still Friends - @txemrn ☁

Ethan and Tatum have a study date, and reach first base. [Young Ethan]

SIENNA X M!OC

When The Stars Align - @liaromancewriter 🛸☁

Sienna must decide if she will take a chance or let go before she falls deeper.

TOBIAS X F!MC

Heading Home - @jerzwriter 📷

The Carricks are bringing Baby Samantha home, and of course, the usual craziness ensues! [Domestic; Family]

_

SUBMIT OPEN HEART FICS & WRITERS HERE

[itsrattysworld]

Without Prejudice Mervelee Myers Log Facebook Memories Defensive Practice Names Of Criminals Need Emotional Regulation Treatment Violent Nuisances Of HMCTS CPS CJS SRA Michael Carter Judge Brian Doyle Adam Jones Freer Liar Give Samantha Jones Reference For Grenfell Tower Enquiry Panel HHJ Shouting Shanks Racist South African Justice Simler Martin Strike Out Racism Judge Baron Sent It Back Hildebrand £58,000 .00 NDA Kernaghan Ex Police Parfitt Sit In Misconduct Dight Robert Buckland Advise DOB Booth If Their Names On Any Documents Myers V LEYF They Are Online Camilla Tominey Claim Tech Don't Lie Unlawful Injunction Threats Imprisonment Eviction Contempt Of Court Listed 4/4/24 25/7/24 By Then Publications To Celebrate Husband 101 Birthday International Women's Day Time World Told About Breaches Of Equality Act 2010 Protected Characteristics Richard Harty MIC At HOC Nursery Conducted A Voice Of A Child June O'sullivan A Participant Dr Maria Hudson The Experience Of Multiple Discrimination Policy Studies Institute Recommended To ACAS I Write For Therapy Father Stricken With Parkinson's 19/2/2024

Prefer Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) posted at 5:08 pm on Mon, Feb 19, 2024:There is no hiding place for anyone who abuses their position of trust and authority within the policeIt’s absolutely right that former PC David Carrick’s employer contributions to his Met police pension have been removed.…

[lucy-268]

Nurse Paula

Series/Pairing: Open Heart - Tobias Carrick x f!MC (Samantha Carlson)

Disclaimer: Most characters belong to PB, Samantha is sort of mine. So is Paula

Other Characters: Paula Simmons (F!OC); Marlene; Ethan Ramsey

Rating / Warnings: Teen; language. Little bit of angst.

Summary: Edenbrook has a new nurse. Tobias knows her well. This short drabble will serve as her introduction.

Comments/Notes: Written for the @choices-november2022 Day 11 - Nurses. Thanks to @liaromancewriter when my brain failed on word choice.

Word count: 580

Just as the elevator doors slid open on the fifth floor, Tobias’ phone dinged with an incoming text from Bryce. He frowned as he read it.

Dude. Paula Simmons. New nurse, 4th floor. Do you know her?

“I need to talk to Ethan.” Tobias stepped back into the elevator.

Samantha turned. “Is everything okay? Was that a text from Ethan?”

“Fine. It’s… fine.” Samantha was still confused as the door closed between them as he continued onto the sixth floor.

Samantha headed to her office, still wondering what was so urgent that Tobias needed to go see Ethan immediately. She hung her jacket on the hanger at the back of her door. She logged onto her computer, opening her email. She quickly skimmed the subjects, cringing at Leland Bloom’s email, Technical Investor Meeting 8pm. She opened it, reading it frowning. Next Tuesday he had set up a cocktail reception between the heads of the hospital and leaders in the technical and scientific communities. She sighed, whispering under her breath, cause it was such a success last time. Finishing the emails, she slung her stethoscope around her neck and headed to the fourth floor to check on the two diagnostic patients.

As she approached the nurses station, Marlene waved to her. “Dr. Carlson. I’d like to introduce you to Paula Simmons, a new RN who comes to us from Mass Kenmore.”

A nurse turned and smiled at her. “Hello.”

Samantha returned her smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Paula.”

“You too, Dr. Carlson. Marlene and Sarah have briefed me on the diagnostics team. I excited to be able to work with the patients your team helps.”

“You’re from Mass Kenmore; do you know Tobias Carrick? He's one of our doctors.” Samantha asked.

She  didn’t see the frown that quickly passed over Paula’s face as her pager beeped and she looked down to see a message from Ethan.

By the time Samantha looked back up, Paula’s smile was back in place. “I knew Dr. Carrick. I didn’t know he was on the diagnostics team. I thought he was going to be the head of the emergency here.”

“Mr. Bloom decided that the diagnostics team would benefit from his experience and we were glad to have him.” Samantha turned to Marlene. “I just got a page from Chief Ramsey; I’ll be back soon to check on our patients.”

As she approached Ethan’s door she heard a raised voice and recognized Tobias. “What the fuck were you thinking hiring Paula Simmons, Ethan!”

She didn’t hear Ethan’s reply, but she did hear Tobias. “She is here to make trouble for me! She wasn’t happy when I stopped seeing her.”

Ethan was angry enough that she heard him now. “Maybe you would like to give me a list of all the nurses, lab techs, doctors, and receptionists you’ve slept with so I’ll be sure not to hire any of them!”

“Can you at least move her to a different floor!”

Ethan had calmed down and she didn’t hear his reply. She waited a few minutes and raised her hand to knock on the door when it opened with a jerk. She stepped back as she came face to face with Tobias.

“Is everything okay?” She repeated the same question she had asked him earlier. 

He gave the same reply, looking back at Ethan. “Fine. It’s… fine.”

“Would you mind checking on our patients on four? I’m not sure how long my meeting here is going to last.”

To be continued…

@choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Perma - @a-crepusculo @bex-la-get @danijimenezv @genevievemd @jamespotterthefirst @jerzwriter @liaromancewriter @potionsprefect @writer-ish @cariantha @crazy-loca-blog @quixoticdreamer16 @starrystarrytrouble @zahrachoices

All Open Heart - @annfg8 @coffeeheartaddict2 @utterlyinevitable @differenttyphoonwerewolf

Open Heart - Tobias & Samantha only - @burnsoslow @kat-tia801