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wiypt-writes · 3 years

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Riding High

Ch6: The Mother Ship

Chapter Summary: Mary gets into another spot of trouble and Frank’s mother pays them an unexpected visit.

Chapter Warnings: Bad Language words.

Chapter Pairings: Frank Adler x OFC Fliss Gallagher

A/N: Contains SPOILERS for the film!!!!! If you haven’t seen it please be aware of that before you read on. As a Lawyer I know how long the types of cases depicted in GIFTED can take, however they can also be done pretty fast. With that in mind, and because it fits with how I want the story to go I’m spreading it over approximately 6 weeks or so, so just roll with me!

Disclaimer: This is a pure work of fiction and classified as 18+. Please respect this and do not read if you are underage. I do not own any characters in this series bar Fliss Gallagher and the other OCs. By reading beyond this point you understand and accept the terms of this disclaimer.

Riding High Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 5

“So she hit him?” Fliss looked at Frank.

Frank took a deep breath. “In the face with a book.” Fliss frowned “That doesn’t sound like Mary.”

“She hit him hard too. Broke his nose. I saw the kid leaving as I was going into the school, blood all over his shirt…” Frank scoffed. “But, you know the really bad thing about it? I’m actually kind of proud of her. I mean this kid was twelve and he was picking on another kid Mary’s age and…”

“That’s not a bad thing, that you’re proud!” Fliss said, shoving the last of her sandwich in her mouth.

“Well, that’s it then.” Fliss shrugged. “Job done. She did something wrong, albeit for the right reasons and you dealt out the chastisement.”

“And punishment. I told her she had to apologise in front of the class.”

Fliss leaned back in her chair and studied him for a moment “What’s really bugging you Sailor?”

“Am I that easy to read?”

Fliss shrugged “Sorta.”

Frank scratched at the skin around his collar “They raised the issue of her being gifted again, told me she would be better off in a special school.”

“Ah.” Fliss made a noise “And I’m assuming you told them to politely fuck off?”

“In a fashion” he snorted “I was honest, said the last thing that she needs is reinforcement that she's different. She already knows that.”

“Well if you keep saying it they’ll get the message. They can’t force you to do anything you don’t want to, Frank.” Until the authorities get involved… Frank shrugged the thought from his mind and looked up as Joanne walked into the office.

“Your 1pm is here.” she smiled “Hey Frank.” He nodded to her as Fliss stood up, shooting him an apologetic look “Sorry to kick you out.”

“I need to get back anyway.” he shrugged “Look, do you wanna come over later? I kinda told Mary if she apologised properly and didn’t misbehave we’d get pizza. She told me to ask you so…”

“Sure.” Fliss nodded, smiling softly. “Sounds good. I finish here at…” she checked her diary “5ish so I’ll come straight over.

Frank nodded and with a last smile he left her to it.

The rest of the day went smoothly. There were no calls from the school, he managed to fix the fuel line on the boat he was working on which meant he was done ahead of schedule, meaning his payment would be ahead of schedule too which suited him fine, he could pay Roberta early for a change. He’d promised to pick Mary up from School, instead of her getting the bus, so he did just that and Bonnie came out to tell him that she had, in fact, apologised and gone one further by telling the class that the kid who’s project had been destroyed deserved the class prize.

“I’m proud of you.” Frank looked at her as they drove home.

“What for?” Mary looked at him.

“For being big enough to own up to being wrong.”

Mary looked at him.

“And because you did what you said you were gonna, Fliss is coming over for pizza.”

“Yessss!” Mary let out a whoop, and threw her hands up in a cheer.

Frank chuckled and shook his head. The woman had certainly made an impact in Mary’s life, that was for sure. And his, if he was being honest.

He pulled up outside the apartment and knocked the car out of gear before he reached down for the handbrake.

“There's a lady standing in front of our door.” Mary said.

“Who is it?” he asked, cracking the handbrake up.

“How should I know? I'm seven.” she scoffed back.

Good point. He turned to look and did a double take as he looked at the familiar woman stood on his doorstep, dressed in a pale brown dress, sunglasses and handbag slung over her shoulder. Frank cut the ignition, one arm resting on the steering wheel as he glanced at her.

“That would be your grandmother.” he stated simply as Mary continued to look out of the window

“Holy shit!” she exclaimed.

He was too shocked himself to chastise her for her language, that and he kind of agreed. Holy shit indeed.

“Come on.” He said, getting out of the truck. Mary hopped out of her side and walked with him up to the door.

“Mother.” He greeted.

She looked at him with a tight smile. “Frank.”

“Mary say hello.” He said, his hand falling to the back of her head.

“Hello.” Mary greeted his mother politely.

Frank headed up the steps and his mother moved out of the way as he unlocked the door. She reached for the large bag by her feet, which Frank could see was loaded with gifts and he rolled his eyes. He gave her a look and she simply smiled as he picked up the bag and carried it in. That was typical of her, thinking she could throw money at something and make it all ok.

Frank wasn’t stupid. He knew full well that damned principal would have caused this, and his mother was here for one thing only, to see if Mary was as smart as they all said. And he didn’t like it. One bit. Still, she was his mother so he behaved as politely as he could and offered her a drink, which she declined. Then, not wanting to cause a scene, he sat down and simply let her talk to Mary as she handed out gift after gift, whilst she sniffled into a tissue.

Nice one, Fred!

“An Apple?” Mary gasped as she unwrapped the sleek, white box from it’s pink and gold polka dotted paper. “Woah.”

“It's a MacBook, Darling.” his mother spoke. “Top of the line with the Retina display.”

“Hey, you know who else has a Retina display?” Frank looked at her, arching an eyebrow.

“Fred!” she grinned. Frank looked over and saw the cat who was lounging on Mary’s bed swish his tail.

“Mary, I understand you like mathematics.” His mother spoke and Frank took a deep breath, glancing to his side where she was stood “So, on there you will found a great out of print book by Charles Zimmer...”

Oh here we go. Frank thought to himself as he sat back, running his hand over his stubble.

“…called Transitions in Advanced Algebra.”

“Yeah. Love that book.” Mary turned the laptop over in her hands.

“You're saying you've read it?” his mother spoke and Frank didn’t miss the tone of surprise, yet excitement in her voice.

“Yeah, I've kinda moved on to differential equations now.” Mary shrugged.

“Hey, don't forget your manners.” Frank spoke from where he was sat on the chair, elbow resting on the table, hand supporting his temple “Thank you, Grandma.”

“Thank you, Grandma.”

“Grandmother or Evelyn will do just fine.”

God, she never changed. Frank inhaled and looked away, his hand falling softly to the table in a fist.

“There's so much more on there. Things I know you'll find really challenging.” she moved towards Mary and Frank stood up.

“Yes, but sadly it's a school night and there's homework to do.”

“I thought you said Fliss was coming over?” “She is, so you need to get that homework done. But…” he gestured to his mother. “What a surprise though, right? Say good night to Grandmother or Evelyn.”

“Goodnight.”

“So who’s Fliss?” His mother asked as Frank ushered her out of the house “Don’t tell me you finally sorted your life out and got a girlfriend?” “Mary’s riding instructor, and no, she’s a friend.”

“Mary goes horse riding?”

“Yeah.”

Evelyn nodded, before she sneezed into her tissue. “I'd kill a priest for a Benadryl.” she said as they strode towards the black Mercedes she was clearly hiring.

“Still with the allergies?” Frank looked at her.

“Why in God’s name have you got a cat? You don't even like cats.”

“It’s not my cat, it's Mary's cat. I'm just along for the ride.” he shrugged. “So let me guess, our lovely principal, Miss Davis…”

“Never get on the bad side of small minded people who have a little authority. I thought I taught you that.” His mother turned to face him as she reached the side of her car. Frank took a deep breath and looked up just as Fliss’ white jeep Cherokee turned onto the road. She gave a wave and he tossed a hand back and turned to his mother.

“What are you doin' here?” he asked her bluntly.

“You don't think I have a right to see my granddaughter?”

“I do. I'm thrilled your seven year exhaustive search has finally come to a fruitful conclusion.” He retorted sarcastically.

Even before she got out of the car, Fliss could tell the exchange between Frank and whoever the woman was looked tense. Frank’s face was stony and his eyes were hard in a way she’d never seen before. She hesitated for a moment, then deciding it was far ruder to sit in her car and watch, she jumped out.

“I don't think this is appropriate time to talk.” She caught the woman’s British accent and her head snapped towards her. Was this his mother?

“It’s certainly not the setting.” The woman continued as Frank rolled his eyes and leaned back against the car bonnet. “When I was waiting a cockroach this big tried to steal my shoe.” She finished, holding her thumb and forefingers as wide apart as they would go. Fliss shook her head, and shut her car door loudly and turned to look at Frank.

“Yeah. They'll take a shoe.” he nodded.

Fliss smirked to herself at Frank’s response and he caught her eye as she was passing.

“Mary’s inside. I’ll be with you in a sec.” he nodded to her, but as she turned to go the woman spoke to her. “You must be Fliss.” the woman looked her up and down, causing Fliss to glance down at her legs. She was still in her riding gear only had traded her boots for a pair of sneakers, her long checked socks still pulled up to her knees, not that she should give a shit what this woman thought but she suddenly felt a little self-conscious.

“Yeah.” Fliss said, holding out her hand politely.

“Fliss, this is my mother.” Frank informed, confirming Fliss’ suspicions “She was just leaving.” He turned to look at her. His mother held his gaze and then glanced around

“Honestly, this? This God forsaken mosquito ranch was a conscious choice?”

Fliss felt a rush of anger and before she could stop herself she jumped to Frank’s defence.

“I wouldn’t worry, I find Mosquitos are pretty particular about who they bite. I hear they’re not fond of things that taste bitter.”

Frank’s mother turned to face her. Fliss could feel the nerve in her jaw twitching at the out and out bitchiness of the woman in front of her and she could sense Frank watching her. Nevertheless, she didn’t move her gaze from the woman. Frank’s mother cocked her head, almost like she was assessing her for a moment before Frank spoke up deciding to break up the battle for alpha female that was going on.

“I could drop you back off at the airport.” He looked at his mother. She shot him a look and climbed into her car, shutting the door. He walked a few paces till he was besides Fliss before he turned and looked at her as she reversed the car.

“That’s your mum?” Fliss asked as the car drove off up the road

“Yep.” Frank said, his eyes on the tailgate as it rounded the corner.

“No offence but she seems like a total bitch.”

“Not total.” Frank sniffed. “More like 90%”

Fliss laughed and snaked an arm round his waist “Come on Sailor, I’m starving.”

Tossing his left arm round her shoulder they made their way into the house. Frank stepped aside to let Fliss in first and she headed into the living area to see Mary on the couch, cross legged with a Mac Book open

“This thing is loaded with cool problems.” Marry muttered.

“Only problem I’m interested in is picking what to have on my pizza!” Fliss spoke. Mary’s head jerked up and she grinned.

“Lissy!” She dropped the laptop to the sofa besides her and jumped up. Fliss bent down to give her a hug before she started to chatter incessantly about the laptop. Whilst Mary was talking, Fliss spotted Frank as he leaned against the doorframe, his face stony.

“Hey.” she nudged him and he turned to face her, giving her a tight smile. “Push it out.” she gently reached up and tapped her finger against his temple “Order dinner and then when Mary’s asleep we’ll talk, that is if you want.”

He gave her a smile, this time genuine and nodded.

Two hours and a couple of large pizzas later Mary was in bed and Frank and Fliss were sat on the steps outside the kitchen, drinking beer.

“So the teacher calls her, and she turns up?” Fliss shook her head “Because you pissed her off?” “The Principal.” Frank corrected her, “But yeah, pretty much.” Fliss let out a sigh.

“The thing is, Evelyn won’t give up. Not now Mary’s confirmed her suspicions.” he drained his beer.

“What you think she’s gonna do?” “I dunno.” Frank bit his lip. “But one things for certain, there’s gonna be nothing good that comes from her showing up.” He looked out over the lawn, the various lamps illuminating the grounds and the street. He felt Fliss slip her arm round him and she leaned against him.

“Well, you won’t be on your own. You got me and Roberta in your corner, along with your, what was it you called them?” "Circle of Truth” he said, laughing at the fact she’d remembered the nickname he and his friends had for their group.

“Am I in that circle yet?”

“Dur.” he nudged her gently before he rest his head against her. “But, if you’re along for the ride, Cowgirl you better buckle up, coz it’s gonna be bumpy.” “Well,” she gave a small huff of laugh, “in my experience all the best road trips are.” *****

Turns out the appropriate time and place his mother was referring too was the next lunch time at a little bar overlooking the beach. He nodded to his mother as he took his seat.

“So, are you teaching?” she asked him as he took a sip from a glass of water.

“I repair boats.” Frank replied.

“Please.” She rolled her eyes.

“I'm not bad at it either.”

“Well, then, that explains this.” She said, gesturing to his face “They don't sell sunscreen here?”

“I wear sunscreen.” He replied, in the same tone he would use on Mary when she was making a pointless statement.

“Not enough. And you need a hat. A big hat that shades your face and neck. You're playing Russian roulette with your skin. You look like porn producer.”

“Okay.” Frank shook his head, suppressing a smile “I appreciate the advice. I do. But we're not here to talk about sunscreen, are we?”

“So no more small talk? That's a shame.” Evelyn took a deep breath “Okay, the environment you have created for that child, where she lives, the school she attends. It's substandard. Every bit of it.”

“I disagree.” Frank said calmly

“We're going nowhere if we're not being honest with each other.” Evelyn shook her head.

“I am being honest.”

“I see. Fine. Well, I'm not leaving without her.”

“Well, welcome to Florida.” Frank smiled again.

“Frank, please listen to reason” Evelyn leaned forward slightly “At some point, you are going to get to the conclusion, or someone in authority is going to spell it out to you, that the child’s best interest is all that matters.

Frank bristled slightly, the child? Her name was Mary. Best interest? All he had ever done for Mary was what he thought was exactly that. He took a breath and looked at his mother, holding her gaze.

“If you're gonna make me pull rank, I will. Diane didn't want you to have her.”

“”Diane...” Evelyn started before her voice dropped slightly and her tone became softer “Diane didn't always think things through.

“Arguably one of the brightest minds on the planet, okay.” Frank nodded sarcastically “Good luck going down that road”

“And what do you think she'd say if she saw how her child is living now?” Evelyn shook her head “Do you honestly think she'd be pleased?”

“That she's living a somewhat normal life? Yes. I do.”

“She's not normal. And treating her as such is negligence on a grand scale.”

Frank glanced down at the table cloth as his mother continued

“I know your hearts in the right place on this but you are denying the girl her potential. I can provide for her. I can enrich her life.”

“Come on, Evelyn.” Frank scoffed, holding his right hand out and ticking off the points as he made them by raising his fingers “You're gonna take that girl, you are gonna bury her in tutors. Then you’ll loan her out to some think tank where she can talk non-trivial zeros with a bunch of old Russian guys for the rest of her life.”

“And you'd bury her under a rock.” Evelyn shot back “Look, I didn't expect you to understand the price you have to pay for greatness.

“Oh I do.” Frank replied, his tone stern “That's why I have Mary in the first place.

“That's uncalled for.” Evelyn’s face slipped slightly and Frank looked away. When he turned back her expression was the same as it had been prior “Your sister had a laundry list of problems. She could have solved Navier-Stokes and gone down in history as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time. But she didn't, because she couldn't finish. She was weak. Weak like her father and weak like...well…”

Frank raised his eyebrows and simply smiled at his mother as she trailed off.

“Now, if it's who I think it is,” he said, looking down and wrinkling his nose, “that kinda puts a black cloud over our luncheon.”

“You're still stubborn and vindictive.” Evelyn shook her head.

“Careful, Mother.” Frank intoned, leaning forwards resting both arms on the table “There's an apple and tree analogy lurking.”

“You guys ready to order?” the waitress interrupted the stare off they were having and Evelyn, ignoring her completely, stood up, reaching for her large bag which was resting on the table

“Here's an idea.” She said, reaching into her bag “Stop thinking about me and you and start thinking what's best for the child. For any reasonable person, a clear picture will emerge. If it doesn't, I suggest you call your attorney.” With that she slammed a $50 note on the table and placed a salt shaker over it. Frank glanced at it before he looked back up at her. “He'll have a bucket of beer.” she said to the waitress as she left.

Frank sighed and looked down at the table. The waitress glanced to him and he waved her away before he stood up and headed out, leaving the money where it was.

The rest of the day passed pretty fast, even if his mind was on this whole sorry mess. He managed to keep a front on for Mary, and bribed her with a trip to the stables to get her away from her Laptop and Math’s books. He had debated hiding the damned things but knew it would cause more trouble that it was worth.

“So she’s gonna take you to court?” Fliss scoffed as they watched Mary who was brushing Monty with Joanne.

“Looks that way.” Frank shrugged.

“That’s fucking unbelievable.” she seethed, and Frank had to smile at her indignation on his behalf

“Sadly it isn’t. “ Frank looked at her “I told you, she’s an exacting woman. I also told you nothing good would come of her turning up. Looks like I was right.”

“Also looks like I was right when I said she was a bitch.” Fliss replied, turning to look at him “Surely, you’re Mary’s legal guardian so they can’t just…” “Well, that’s the thing” he sighed “I’m not, it was never made official. I just tell people I am, stops them asking questions.” He paused. “Sorry I lied but, well I didn’t know you back then.”

“I get it.” Fliss looked at him before she glanced back at Mary. She took a deep breath and exhaled through her nose “You got a lawyer?”

“Yeah my friend, Greg.” Frank nodded “He’s a family law specialist. I already called him. I’m going to see him tomorrow so I can tell him everything, then it’s a case of waiting.”

He didn’t have to wait long. Two days later he received the court summons for little over a fortnight later.

*****

October 2017 “Hey, wait.”

Frank turned to see Fliss who was jogging up the steps to the courthouse. He glanced at Roberta who was smiling, a little smugly, and then back to his friend who he hadn’t expected to see today.

“What are you doing here, not that I’m not glad to see you but…” “I’m sorry I can’t stay I just wanted to swing by on the way to work and wish you luck.” She smiled reaching up to straighten his tie.

“It’s just the preliminary hearing today.” Frank said.

“I know but…” she took a deep breath, smoothing out his jacket. He looked at her for a second before she pulled him into a hug.

“Call me later ok?” “Yeah, I will...”

She nodded to him, giving Roberta a smile before she turned to go.

“Hey” He called after her and she looked over her shoulder at him “Thanks…”

She smiled and nodded heading back to her car.

“So she deviates here, just to give you a hug good luck, and you tell me there’s nothing going on…” Roberta looked at him.

“She’s a friend, a good friend.” Frank turned and shot her a look.

“Whatever you say.” Roberta sighed.

Frank shook his head, avoiding her gaze. If truth be told there had been the odd little moment where he’d picked up a few signals that perhaps she had feelings for him that went beyond simple friendship, the same way his did for her. But he convinced himself he was imagining things. They were from different worlds, why would a girl like her look at someone like him that way, especially with all this fucking baggage.

With a last look around he turned and headed into the court where after a short wait, they were ushered in.

Judge Edwards Nichols was a bald man with a moustache that any cowboy would be proud of. He gestured for everyone to take their seats and then pulled the case file over to him.

“Okay. Adler, grandmother and uncle…” he trailed off and looked up, glancing from Frank to Evelyn. “Really? Sure you folks don't wanna go on the hall and settle this?”

Silence ensued as Frank glanced sideways at his Mother who shifted slightly.

“No? Well, that's a shame. Mr. Cullen, you're here for the uncle.” the judge continued.

“Yes, I am, your Honor.”

“Should start charging you room and board.” Judge Nichols spoke, not looking up “Mr. Highsmith, you're on the wrong side of a bay, aren't you?”

“I'm very happy to be here, Your Honor” Evelyn’s lawyer replied.

“For the record, Mrs. Dibbons is representing the state of Florida Child Welfare Department.” Nichols spoke and Frank glanced over to look at a woman in a blue and white jacket and orange top in the gallery who held her hand up.

“Proceed.” Judge Nichols instructed and Evelyn’s attorney began to speak

“Your Honor, my client, Mrs. Adler, is the maternal grandmother of the child. Her daughter, the girl's mother was a troubled woman...who seven years ago sadly took her own life. It was at this time that Mr. Adler primitively and illegally…” At that Nichols shot a disapproving look at Frank and he shifted a little nervously in his seat, taking a deep breath.

“…took custody of the girl and spirited her across eight lines for the purpose of denying my client custody.”

Frank glanced over at his mother who was staring straight ahead, avoiding his gaze.

“And there's the evidence that the child currently lives in unclean and unwholesome conditions. We petition to court to grant my client full custody of the child so that she can return to the state of Massachusetts and be given the care to which she is entitled.”

Frank stiffened and Greg gently placed his hand on Frank’s shoulder, shaking his head before he stood up and addressed the accusations his Mother’s attorney had made.

“My client took an infant under his wing for one reason only. It was his sister's desire that he do so. My client has been her constant caregiver.”

Judge Nichols looked at Frank and he held his gaze.

“And your Honor, as far as the living conditions go, I've been in this home. It's fine. I mean, if we adopt standards based on our Northern friend's aversion to palmetto bugs we won't have a child left south of Tallahassee.”

There were a few dumbed down laughs from the gallery and Frank felt his spirits lift ever so slightly as Judge Nichols gave a smile and reached for a paper to his side, pen in his right hand.

“All right, last chance before this starts costing a lot more money.” he said.

“Your Honor, my client would need reasonable access to the child.” Evelyn’s attorney spoke after a pause.

“So ordered.” Nichols nodded “Ms. Dibbons, would you go out and check the living conditions?”

“On the books, Your Honor.” she replied.

“All right, folks. Drive carefully.”

Frank remained in his seat deliberating what that meant. So whilst the case was on going, Evelyn would have access to Mary and his home was going to be inspected by some woman as to how sanitary and safe it was. Fan-fucking-tastic.

“Her lawyer has a nice suit.” Frank mumbled, his voice bland, betraying the hopelessness he was starting to feel.

“Relax, Frank.” Greg looked at him “More weight's put on the talent competition. Go have a cocktail. huh?”

A cocktail, or fifteen, felt like a damned good idea by the time Frank had picked Mary up and gotten home.

“Roberta,” he caught her as she was walking back to her house with a clothes basket full of dried washing from the line. “Would you like to have Mary tonight?

It was a pointless question, it was a Friday, she had Mary every Friday, but still.

“Why wouldn't I like to have Mary tonight?” she shook her head “I told you something like this would happen. Now look where we are”

Frank looked away, waiting got her to finish ranting.

“And I'm supposed to believe you know what you're doing. You couldn't even find a white lawyer.”

Frank scoffed “Wow…Look, just don't worry, okay?

“Don't tell me that.” Roberta looked at him. “There's nothing you can say that's gonna make me feel good because I have no say in any of this, Frank! I'm not a blood relative, I'm not a legal guardian. I’m nothing. Just the lady who lives next door, whose opinion means nothing. Whose feelings mean nothing”

Frank looked down, he knew Roberta cared about Mary. Hell she cared about the both of them, even if she wouldn’t admit it. He already felt bad enough about this as it was, and she wasn’t helping.

“So would I like to have Mary tonight? I'd like to have Mary every night.”

With that she walked past him towards her house, leaving Frank staring at the floor, his mood darkening by the second.

***** Fliss was edgy. She’d messaged Frank a few times and called but he wasn’t answering or picking up, and she was getting a little worried that things hadn’t gone that well. She locked the gate to the yard and glanced at her watch. It was a little before seven.

Biting her lip she decided to head over and see if he was still in, or if he had already left for Ferg’s, given that it was a Friday night. If he had already gone, then she’d go and keep him company instead of letting him drink himself into a stupor alone.

She pulled up and, shrugging on a short sleeved plaid button down over her vest top she jogged up the steps, knocking on the door, but even as she did she knew there was no one in. The TV was off and the usual chatter wasn’t audible. As she turned to leave she heard a yell and looked over to see Mary hanging out of Roberta’s widow.

“Hey!” she grinned “Frank’s gone out…but me and Roberta are having Karaoke…wanna join?”

Fliss smiled, “How could I refuse that offer?” she laughed, and headed to the door.

“Hey Fliss!” Roberta grinned as Fliss kicked off her sneakers and stepped inside “You just in time! Grab a microphone.” Fliss took the hairbrush Mary was holding out and laughed before she turned to Roberta. “How did it go? I tried calling Frank but…”

“Not too bad.” Roberta dropped her voice. “They opened with some bullshit about his house being unclean so there’s some woman coming to inspect it at some point…”

Fliss wrinkled her nose and shook her head “That’s crap.” “Yeah, well, I’m gonna give it a clean anyway.” Roberta shrugged. “And then apparently the Grandmother gets access whilst the case is going on. Frank’s lawyer did a pretty good job to be fair.”

Fliss let out a sigh “I thought it was gonna be worse than that given I haven’t heard anything.”

“Well me and Frank may have had a disagreement.” Roberta’s face was contrite “So I probably put him in an even worse mood.” “Look, I know this is frustrating for you.” Fliss nodded gently “But the last thing he needs is everyone telling him I told you so. It is what it is, and we just gotta support him.” “I know.” Roberta sighed, her eyes filling with tears “I just, well, I’ve known that little girl since they arrived here looking for a house 6 and a half years ago…” “I get it, I do.” Fliss smiled “I mean I’ve only known them eight weeks and I can’t imagine life without either of them now.” “Either of them?”

Fliss rolled her eyes “Stop it, you’re as bad as my mum.” Roberta chuckled and then both of them were instructed by Mary to stop talking and start singing, so they did.

After an hour and a rendition of what felt like Aretha Franklin’s back catalogue Fliss made her excuses to Mary and gave the girl a hug goodnight. Roberta walked her to the door.

“You gonna go find him?”

“Yeah.” Fliss said “Well, I’ll stop by Ferg’s see if he wants some company.” “Sure he will, it’s you.” Roberta smiled. Fliss snorted, shaking her head again at the woman’s insinuations and headed to her jeep. She climbed in and headed down to the bay, mulling everything over in her head. The stupid thing was, Roberta wasn’t wrong. She did have feelings for Frank that went well beyond being merely platonic. In the short time she had known him he’d broken through every barrier she had put up, and she trusted him in a way she never thought she’d trust a man ever again. It was almost liberating for her to realise she could feel that way about someone else after everything John had put her through.

But, now really wasn’t the time to act on it, that is if she was going to act on it. She had no idea if Frank felt the same way and she needed to figure out if it was worth potentially sacrificing their friendship for. No, for now she’d simply enjoy being able to be around him, be his friend…at least until this sorry mess was all sorted.

Pulling up outside Fergs she checked her hair before she reached into the back of her car and grabbed her knee high boots. Her riding breaches were a light blue so they looked like jeans, meaning she didn’t feel too conspicuous. A quick squirt of perfume later she hopped out of her car and headed into the bar.

It was loud and she glanced around trying to find a flash of one of his usual hideous Hawaiian shirts, but failed to spot one. Frowning, she was just about to give up thinking he must be somewhere else, when she spotted him at the bar, dressed in a pretty smart black and grey striped dress shirt. But he wasn’t alone. He was sat, quite close, leaning towards the woman Fliss recognised as Mary’s teacher. She hesitated for a second, and began to make her way over when Frank leaned even closer to Bonnie and Fliss’ breath caught and she felt an unwelcome, hot, buzzing sensation fill her entire body as he kissed the woman next to him.

Well, that answered her question about what she was going to do about her feelings.

Absolutely fuck all.

Swallowing and blinking slightly, she turned and headed to her car, gently wiping away a stray tear as it fell down her cheek.

**** Chapter 7

#riding high #frank adler #frank adler x ofc #frank adler x original female character #gifted #gifted fan fic

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what-is-your-plan-today · 4 years

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Riding High Ch 6: The Mother Ship

Chapter Summary: Mary gets into another spot of trouble and Frank’s mother turns up. (what a bitch!)

Chapter Warnings: Bad Language words.

Chapter Pairings: Frank Adler x OFC Fliss Gallagher

Chapter Song: Satellite Call by Sara Bareilles

Series Masterlist Main Masterlist

“So she hit him?” Fliss looked at Frank.

Frank took a deep breath. “In the face with a book.” Fliss frowned “That doesn’t sound like Mary.”

Frank shook his head “She hit him hard too. Broke his nose. I saw the kid leaving as I was going into the school, blood all over his shirt…” he scoffed “But, you know the really bad thing about it? I’m actually kind of proud of her. I mean this kid was 12 and he was picking on another kid Mary’s age and…” “That’s not a bad thing, that you’re proud!” Fliss said, shoving the last of her sandwich in her mouth.

“You should have seen the look her head teacher gave me when I said that.” Frank snorted, scrunching the empty bag of potato chips he had been eating in his hand and tossing it into the rubbish basket in Fliss’s office. “I mean, I know you can’t hit people, and I told Mary that…” “Well, that’s it then.” Fliss said, shrugging “Job done. She did something wrong, albeit for the right reasons and you dealt out the chastisement.” “And punishment.” Frank said “Told her she had to apologise in front of the class.” Fliss leaned back in her chair and studied him for a moment “ok, what’s really bugging you Sailor?”

“Am I that easy to read?”

Fliss shrugged before she nodded and deadpanned “Yes.” Frank scratched at the skin around his collar “They raised the issue of her being gifted again, told me she would be better off in a special school.” “Ah.” Fliss made a noise “And I’m assuming you told them to politely fuck off?” “In a fashion” he snorted “I was honest, said the last thing that she needs is reinforcement that she's different. She already knows that.” “Well if you keep saying it they’ll get the message. They can’t force you to do anything you don’t want to Frank.” Until the authorities get involved… Frank shrugged the thought from his mind and looked up as Joanne walked into the office.

“Your 1pm is here.” she smiled “Hey Frank.” He nodded to her as Fliss stood up, shooting him an apologetic look “Sorry to kick you out.” “I need to get back anyway.” he shrugged “Look, do you wanna come over later? I kinda told Mary if she apologised properly and didn’t misbehave we’d get pizza. She told me to ask you so…” “Sure.” Fliss nodded, smiling softly. “Sounds good. I finish here at…” she checked her diary “4:30ish so I’ll come straight over.”

Frank nodded and with a last smile he left her to it.

The rest of the day went smoothly. There were no calls from the school, he managed to fix the fuel line on the boat he was working on which meant he was done ahead of schedule, meaning his payment would be ahead of schedule. He’d promised to pick Mary up from School so he did just that and Bonnie came out to tell him that she had, in fact, apologised and gone one further by telling the class that the kid whose project had been destroyed deserved the class prize.

“I’m proud of you.” Frank said as they drove home.

“What for?” Mary looked at him.

“For being big enough to own up to being wrong.” Mary looked at him.

“And because you did what you said you were gonna, Fliss is coming over for pizza.” “Yessss!” Mary let out a whoop, and threw her hands up in a cheer.

Frank chuckled and shook his head. The woman had certainly made an impact in Mary’s life, that was for sure. And his, if he was being honest.

He pulled up outside the apartment and knocked the car out of gear before he reached down for the handbrake.

“There's a lady standing in front of our door.” Mary said.

“Who is it?” he asked, cracking the handbrake up.

“How should I know? I'm seven.” she scoffed back.

Good point… he turned to look and did a double take as he looked at woman stood on his doorstep, dressed in a pale brown dress, sunglasses and handbag slung over her shoulder.

Frank cut the ignition, one arm resting on the steering wheel as he glanced at her.

“That would be your grandmother.” he said as Mary continued to look out of the window

“Holy shit!” she exclaimed.

He was too shocked himself to chastise her for her language, that and he kind of agreed. Holy shit indeed.

“Come on…” he said, getting out of the truck. Mary hopped out of her side and walked with him up to the door.

“Mother.” he greeted.

She looked at him with a tight smile “Frank.”

“Mary say hello.” he said, his hand falling to the back of her head.

“Hello.” she greeted his mother politely.

Frank headed up the steps and his mother moved out of the way as he unlocked the door. She reached for the large bag by her feet, which frank could see was loaded with gifts and he rolled his eyes. He gave her a look and she simply smiled as he picked up the bag and carried it in. That was typical of her, thinking she could throw money at something and make it all ok.

Nice one, Fred!

“An Apple?” Mary gasped as she unwrapped the sleek, white box from it’s pink and gold polka dotted paper. “Woah…”

“It's a MacBook, darling.” his mother spoke. “Top of the line with the Retina display.”

“Hey, you know who else has a Retina display?” Frank looked at her, arching an eyebrow.

“Fred!” she said with a grin. Frank looked over and saw the cat who was lounging on Mary’s bed swish his tail.

“Mary, I understand you like mathematics.” his mother spoke and Frank took a deep breath, glancing to his side where she was stood “So, on there you will found a great out of print book by Charles Zimmer...”

Oh here we go… Frank thought to himself as he sat back, running his hand over his stubble.

“…called Transitions in Advanced Algebra.”

“Yeah. Love that book.” Mary said, turning the laptop over in her hands.

“You're saying you've read it?” his mother spoke and Frank didn’t miss the tone of surprise, yet excitement in her voice. Nope, he did not like this one bit.

“Yeah, I've kinda moved on to differential equations now.” Mary shrugged.

“Hey, don't forget your manners.” Frank spoke from where he was sat on the chair, elbow resting on the table, hand supporting his temple “Thank you, Grandma.”

“Thank you, Grandma.”

“Grandmother or Evelyn will do just fine.”

God, she never changed…Frank inhaled and looked away, his hand falling softly to the table in a fist.

“There's so much more on there. Things I know you'll find really challenging.” she moved towards Mary and Frank stood up.

“Yes, but sadly it's a school night and there's homework to do.”

“I thought you said Lissy was coming over?” “She is, so you need to get that homework done. But…” he gestured to his mother. “What a surprise though, right? Say good night to Grandmother or Evelyn.”

“Goodnight…”

“So who’s Lissy?” his mother asked as Frank ushered her out of the house “Don’t tell me you finally sorted your life out and got a girlfriend?” “Mary’s riding instructor, and no, she’s a friend.”

“She goes horse riding?”

“Yeah.”

Evelyn looked at him, before she sneezed into her tissue.

“I'd kill a priest for a Benadryl.” she said as they strode towards the black Mercedes she was clearly hiring.

“Still with the allergies?” Frank looked at her.

“Why in God’s name have you got a cat? You don't even like cats.”

“It’s not my cat, it's Mary's cat. I'm just along for the ride.” he shrugged. “So let me guess, our lovely principal, Miss Davis…”

“Never get on the bad side of small minded people who have a little authority. I thought I taught you that.” his mother said, turning to face him as she reached the side of her car. Frank took a deep breath and looked up just as Fliss’ white jeep turned onto the road. She gave a wave and he tossed a hand back and turned to his mother.

“What are you doin' here?” he asked her bluntly.

“You don't think I have a right to see my granddaughter?”

“I do. I'm thrilled your seven year exhaustive search has finally come to a fruitful conclusion.” he retorted sarcastically.

Even before she got out of the car Fliss could tell the exchange between Frank and whoever the woman was looked tense. Frank’s face was stony and his eyes were hard in a way she’d never seen before. She hesitated for a moment, then deciding it was far ruder to sit in her car and watch, she jumped out.

“I don't think this is appropriate time to talk” She caught the woman’s British accent and her head snapped towards her. Was this his mother?

“It’s certainly not the setting.” she continued as Frank rolled his eyes and leaned back against the car bonnet. “When I was waiting a cockroach this big tried to steal my shoe.” She finished, holding her thumb and forefingers as wide apart as they would go. Fliss shook her head, and shut her car door loudly and turned to look at Frank.

“Yeah. They'll take a shoe.” he nodded.

Fliss smirked to herself at Frank’s response and he caught her eye as she was passing.

“Mary’s inside. I’ll be with you in a sec…” he winked at her but as she turned to go the woman spoke to her. “You must be Lissy…” the woman looked her up and down. Fliss glanced down. She was still in her riding gear only had traded her long boots for a pair of sneakers. Her long checked socks still pulled up to her knees, not that she should give a shit what this woman thought but she suddenly felt a little self-conscious.

“Felicity…” Fliss said holding out her hand politely. Frank smirked to himself at her correction to his mother, using her full, formal name not nickname before he gestured between the pair of them as they shook hands, his mother raising an eyebrow at her.

“Fliss, this is my mother…” Frank said, confirming Fliss’ suspicions “She was just leaving…” he turned to look at her. His mother held his gaze and then glanced around

“Honestly, this? This God forsaken mosquito ranch was a conscious choice?”

Fliss felt a rush of anger and before she could stop herself she jumped to Frank’s defence.

“I wouldn’t worry, I find Mosquitos are pretty particular about who they bite. I hear they’re not fond of people that taste bitter.”

Frank’s mother turned to face her. Fliss could feel the nerve in her jaw twitching at the out and out bitchiness of the woman in front of her and she could sense Frank watching her. Nevertheless, she didn’t move her gaze from the woman in front of her. Frank’s mother cocked her head, almost like she was assessing her for a moment before Frank spoke up deciding to break up the battle for alpha female that was going on.

“I could drop you back off at the airport.” he looked at his mother. She shot him a look and climbed into her car, shutting the door. He walked a few paces till he was besides Fliss before he turned and looked at her as she reversed the car.

“That’s your mother?” Fliss asked as the car drove off up the road

“Yep.” Frank said, his eyes on the tailgate as it rounded the corner.

“No offence but she seems like a total bitch.”

“Not total…” Frank said, looking down at her “I’d say about 89%”

Fliss laughed and snaked an arm round his waist “Come on Sailor, I’m starving.”

“This thing is loaded with cool problems.” Marry muttered.

“Only problem I’m interested in is picking what to have on my pizza!” Fliss spoke. Mary’s head jerked up and she grinned.

“Hey…” she nudged him and he turned to face her, giving her a tight smile. “Push it out…” she gently reached up and tapped her finger against his temple “Order dinner and then when Mary’s asleep we’ll talk, that is if you want.”

He gave her a smile, this time genuine and nodded.

Two hours and a couple of large pizzas later Mary was in bed and Frank and Fliss were sat on the steps outside the kitchen, drinking beer.

“So the teacher calls her, and she turns up?” Fliss shook her head “Because you pissed her off?” “The Principal.” Frank corrected her, “But yeah…pretty much.” Fliss let out a sigh.

“The thing is, Evelyn won’t give up. Not now Mary’s confirmed her suspicions.” he drained his beer.

“What you think she’s gonna do?” “I dunno.” Frank said “But one things for certain, there’s gonna be nothing good that comes from her showing up.” He looked out over the lawn, the various lamps illuminating the grounds and the street. He felt Fliss slip her arm round him and she leaned against him.

“Well, you won’t be on your own. You got me and Roberta in your corner, along with your…what was it you called them?” "Circle of Trust” he said, laughing at the fact she’d remembered the nickname he and his friends had for their group.

“Am I in that circle yet?”

“Dur.” he nudged her gently before he rest his head against her. “But, if you’re along for the ride, Cowgirl you better buckle up…coz it’s gonna be bumpy.” “Meh..” she said, giving a small huff of laugh “The best road trips are.” *****

Turns out the appropriate time and place his mother was referring to was the next lunch time at a little bar overlooking the beach. He nodded to his mother as he took his seat.

“So, are you teaching?” she asked him as he took a sip from a glass of water.

“I repair boats.” Frank replied.

“Please.” She rolled her eyes.

“I'm not bad at it either.”

“Well, then, that explains this.” she said, gesturing to his face “They don't sell sunscreen here?”

“I wear sunscreen” he said, in the same tone he would use on Mary when she was making a pointless statement.

“Not enough. And you need a hat. A big hat that shades your face and neck. You're playing Russian roulette with your skin. You look like porn producer.”

“Okay.” Frank said, shaking his head, suppressing a smile “I appreciate the advice. I do. But we're not here to talk about sunscreen, are we?”

“So no more small talk? That's a shame.” Evelyn said, taking a deep breath “Okay, the environment you have created for that child…where she lives, the school she attends…it's substandard. Every bit of it.”

“I disagree.” Frank said calmly

“We're going nowhere if we're not being honest with each other.” Evelyn shook her head.

“I am being honest.”

“I see. Fine. Well, I'm not leaving without her.”

“Well, welcome to Florida.” Frank smiled.

“Frank, please listen to reason” Evelyn leaned forward slightly “At some point, you are going to get to the conclusion...or someone in authority is going to spell it out to you, that the child’s best interest is all that matters.

Frank bristled slightly, the child? Her name was Mary. Best interest? All he had ever done for Mary was what he thought was exactly that. He took a breath and looked at his mother, holding her gaze. “If you're gonna make me pull rank, I will. Diane didn't want you to have her.”

“”Diane...” Evelyn started before her voice dropped slightly and he3r tone became softer “Diane didn't always think things through.

“Arguably one of the brightest minds on the planet, ok.” Frank said, nodding sarcastically “Good luck going down that road”

“And what do you think she'd say if she saw how her child is living now?” Evelyn shook her head “Do you honestly think she'd be pleased?”

“That she's living a somewhat normal life? Yes. I do.” Frank replied honestly

“She's not normal. And treating her as such is negligence on a grand scale.”

Frank glanced down at the table cloth as she continued.

“I know your heart's in the right place on this but you are denying the girl her potential. I can provide for her. I can enrich her life.”

“And you'd bury her under a rock.” Evelyn shot back “Look, I didn't expect you to understand the price you have to pay for greatness.

“Oh I do.” Frank replied, his tone stern “That's why I have Mary in the first place.

“That's uncalled for.” Evelyn’s face slipped slightly and Frank looked away. When he turned back her expression was the same as it had been prior “Your sister had a laundry list of problems. She could have solved Navier-Stokes and go down in the history as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time. But she didn't, because she couldn't finish. She was weak. Weak like a father and weak like...well…”

Frank raised his eyebrows and simply smiled at his mother as she trailed off.

“Now, if it's who I think it is... “ he said, looking down and wrinkling his nose “That kinda puts a black cloud over our luncheon.”

“You're still stubborn and vindictive.” Evelyn shook her head.

“Careful, Mother.” he said, leaning forwards resting both arms on the table “There's an apple and tree analogy lurking.”

“You guys ready to order?” the waitress interrupted the stare off they were having and Evelyn, ignoring her completely, stood up, reaching for her large bag which was resting on the table

“Here's an idea.” she said, reaching into her bag “Stop thinking about me and you...and start thinking what's best for the child. For any reasonable person, a clear picture will emerge. If it doesn't, I suggest you call your attorney.

With that she slammed a $50 note on the table and placed a salt shaker over it. Frank glanced at it before he looked back up at her.

“He'll have a bucket of beer.” she said to the waitress as she left.

Frank sighed and looked down at the table. The waitress glanced to him and he waved her away before he stood up and headed out, leaving the money where it was.

“So she’s gonna take you to court?” Fliss scoffed as they watched Mary who was brushing Monty with Joanne.

“Looks that way.” Frank shrugged.

“That’s fucking unbelievable.” she seethed, and Frank had to smile at her indignation on his behalf

“Sadly it isn’t. “ Frank looked at her “I told you, she’s an exacting woman. I also told you nothing good would come of her turning up. Looks like I was right.”

“Oh.” Fliss said, looking at him before she glanced back at Mary. She took a deep breath and exhaled through her nose “You got a lawyer?”

“Yeah my friend, Greg Cullen.” Frank nodded “He’s a family law specialist…I already called him. I’m going to see him tomorrow so I can tell him everything, then it’s a case of waiting.”

He didn’t have to wait long. Two days later he received the court summons for little over a fortnight later.

*****

October 2017

“Hey…wait…”

Frank turned to see Fliss who was jogging up the steps to the courthouse. He glanced at Roberta who was smiling, a little smugly, and then back to his friend who he hadn’t expected to see today.

“Lissy? What are you doing here? Not that I’m not glad to see you but…” “I’m sorry I can’t stay I just…I wanted to swing by on the way to work and wish you luck.” she said, reaching up to straighten his tie.

“It’s just the preliminary hearing today.” Frank said.

“I know but…” she took a deep breath, smoothing out his jacket. He looked at her for a second before she pulled him into a hug.

“Call me later ok?” “Yeah, I will...”

She nodded to him, giving Roberta a smile before she turned to go

“Hey” he called after her and she looked over her shoulder at him “Thanks…”

She smiled and nodded heading back to her car.

“Lissy?” Roberta looked at him.

“What?” he frowned “It’s just a nickname...”

“Mmmhmmm...” Roberta eyed him “A nickname.”

“Yeah...”

“And she deviates here, just to give you a hug good luck, and you tell me there’s nothing going on…”

“She’s a friend, a good friend…” Frank turned and shot her a look.

“Whatever you say…” Roberta sighed.

Frank shook his head, avoiding her gaze. If truth be told there had been the odd little moment where he’d picked up a few signals that perhaps she had feelings for him that went beyond simple friendship, the same way he had for her. But he convinced himself he was imagining things. They were from different worlds, why would a girl like her look at someone like him that way, especially with all this fucking baggage.

With a last look around he turned and headed into the court where after a short wait, they were ushered in.

Judge Edwards Nichols was a bald man with a moustache that any cowboy would be proud of. He gestured for everyone to take their seats and then pulled the case file over to him.

“Okay. Adler, grandmother and uncle…” he trailed off and looked up, glancing from Frank to Evelyn. “Really? Sure you folks don't wanna go on the hall and settle this?”

Silence ensued as Frank glanced sideways at his Mother who shifted slightly.

“No? Well, that's a shame. Mr. Cullen, you're here for the uncle.” the judge continued.

“Yes, I am, your Honor.”

“Should start charging you room and board.” Judge Nichols spoke, not looking up “Mr. Highsmith, you're on the wrong side of a bay, aren't you?”

“I'm very happy to be here, Your Honor” Evelyn’s lawyer replied.

“Proceed.” Judge Nichols instructed and Evelyn’s attorney began to speak

“Your Honor, my client Mrs. Adler is the maternal grandmother of the child. Her daughter, the girl's mother was a troubled woman...who seven years ago sadly took her own life. It was at this time that Mr. Adler primitively and illegally…” At that Nichols shot a disapproving look at Frank and he shifted a little nervously in his seat, taking a deep breath..

“…took custody of the girl and spirited her across eight lines... for the purpose of denying my client custody.”

Frank glanced over at his mother who was staring straight ahead, avoiding his gaze.

“And there's the evidence that the child currently lives in unclean and unwholesome conditions. We petition to court to grant my client full custody of the child...so that she can return to the state of Massachusetts... and be given the care to which she is entitled.”

Frank stiffened and Greg gently placed his hand on Frank’s shoulder, shaking his head before he stood up.

“My client took an infant under his wing for one reason only. It was his sister's desire that he do so. My client has been her constant caregiver.”

Judge Nichols looked at Frank and he held his gaze.

“And your Honor, as far as the living conditions... I've been in this home. It's fine. I mean, if we adopt standards based on our Northern friend's aversion to palmetto bugs...we won't have a child left south of Tallahassee.”

There were a few dumbed down laughs from the gallery and Frank felt his spirits lift ever so slightly as Judge Nichols gave a smile and reached for a paper to his side, pen in his right hand.

“All right, last chance before this starts costing a lot more money.” he said.

“Your Honor, my client would need reasonable access to the child.” Evelyn’s attorney said after a pause.

“So ordered.” Nichols nodded “Ms. Dibbons, would you go out and check the living conditions?”

“On the books, Your Honor.” she replied.

“All right, folks. Drive carefully.”

Frank remained in his suit, deliberating what that meant. So whilst the case was on going, Evelyn would have access to Mary and his home was going to be inspected by some woman as to how sanitary and safe it was. Fantastic…

“Her lawyer has a nice suit.” Frank said, his voice bland, betraying the hopelessness he was starting to feel.

“Relax, Frank.” Greg looked at him “More weight's put on the talent competition. Go have a cocktail. huh?”

A cocktail, or 15, felt like a damned good idea by the time Frank had picked Mary up and gotten home.

“Roberta…” he caught her as she was walking back to her house with a clothes basket full of dried washing from the line “Would you like to have Mary tonight?

It was a pointless question, it was a Friday, she had Mary every Friday…but still.

“Why wouldn't I like to have Mary tonight?” she shook her head “I told you something like this would happen. Now look where we are”

Frank looked away, waiting got her to finish ranting.

“And I'm supposed to believe you know what you're doing. You couldn't even find a white lawyer.”

Frank scoffed “Wow…Look, just... Don't worry, okay?

“Don't tell me that.” Roberta looked at him. “There's nothing you can say that's gonna make me feel good... because I have no say in any of this, Frank! I'm not a blood relative, I'm not a legal guardian. I’m nothing. Just the lady who lives next door, whose opinion means nothing. Whose feelings mean nothing”

Frank looked down, he knew Roberta cared about Mary. Hell she cared about the both of them, even if she wouldn’t admit it. He already felt bad enough about this as it was, and she wasn’t helping.

“So would I like to have Mary tonight? I'd like to have Mary every night.”

With that she walked past him towards her house, leaving Frank staring at the floor, his mood darkening by the second.

“Hey!” she grinned “Frank’s gone out…but me and Roberta are having Karaoke…wanna join?”

Fliss smiled, “How could I refuse that offer?” she laughed, and headed to the door.

“Hey Fliss!” Roberta grinned as Fliss kicked off her sneakers and stepped inside “You just in time…grab a microphone…” Fliss took the hairbrush Mary was holding out and laughed before she turned to Roberta. “How did it go? I tried calling Frank but…”

“Not too bad.” Roberta dropped her voice “They opened with some bullshit about his house being unclean so there’s some woman coming to inspect it at some point…”

Fliss wrinkled her nose and shook her head “That’s crap…” “Yeah, well, I’m gonna give it a clean anyway.” Roberta shrugged “And then apparently the Grandmother gets access whilst the case is going on so…Frank’s lawyer did a pretty good job to be fair.”

Fliss let out a sigh “I thought it was gonna be worse than that given I haven’t heard anything.”

“Well me and Frank may have had a disagreement.” Roberta said, her face contrite “So I probably put him in an even worse mood.” “Look, I know this is frustrating for you.” Fliss said gently “But the last thing he needs is everyone telling him I told you so. It is what it is, and we just gotta support him.” “I know.” Roberta said, her eyes filling with tears “I just, well, I’ve known that little girl since they arrived here looking for a house 6 and a half years ago…” “I get it, I do.” Fliss smiled “I mean I’ve only known them 8 weeks and I can’t imagine life without either of them now.” “Either of them?”

Fliss rolled her eyes “Stop it, you’re as bad as my mum.” Roberta chuckled and then both of them were instructed by Mary to stop talking and start singing, so they did.

After an hour and a rendition of what felt like Aretha Franklin’s entire back catalogue Fliss made her excuses to Mary and gave the girl a hug goodnight. Roberta walked her to the door.

“You gonna go find him?”

“Yeah.” Fliss said “Well, I’ll stop by Ferg’s that is, see if he wants some company.” “Sure he will, it’s you.” Roberta smiled. Fliss snorted, shaking her head again at the woman’s insinuations and headed to her jeep. She climbed in and headed down to the bay, mulling everything over in her head. The stupid thing was, Roberta wasn’t wrong. She did have feelings for Frank that went well beyond being merely platonic. In the short time she had known him he’d broken through every barrier she had put up, and she trusted him in a way she never thought she’d trust a man ever again. It was almost liberating for her to realise she could feel that way about someone else after everything John had put her through.

Pulling up outside Ferg’s she checked her hair before she reached into the back of her car and grabbed her knee high boots. Her riding breaches were a light blue so they looked like jeans, meaning she didn’t feel too conspicuous. A quick squirt of perfume later she hopped out of her car and headed into the bar.

It was loud, and she glanced around trying to find a flash of one of his usual hideous Hawaiian shirts, but failed to spot one. Frowning, she was just about to give up thinking he must be somewhere else, when she spotted him at the bar, dressed in a pretty smart black and grey striped dress shirt. But he wasn’t alone. He was sat, quite close, leaning towards the woman Fliss recognised as Mary’s teacher. She hesitated for a second, and began to make her way over when Frank leaned even closer to Bonnie and Fliss’ breath caught and she felt an unwelcome, hot, buzzing sensation as she watched the pair kiss.

Well, that answered her question about what she was going to do about her feelings. Absolutely fuck all. Swallowing and blinking slightly, she turned and headed to her car, gently wiping away a stray tear as it fell down her cheek.

@the-omni-princess @momobaby227 @geekofmanythings16 @angelofhell-666 @thewackywriter @marvelfansworld @cobalt-gear @asgardlover75 @jennmurawski13 @jtargaryen18 @saiyanprincessswanie @navispalace @patzammit @joannaliceevans-fanficblog @djeniiscorner @ayamenimthiriel @coldmuffinbanditshoe @disneylovingal @madzmilllz @sgtjaamesbaarnes @sweater-daddiesdumbdork @southerngracela @goldenfightergir @kellymat @official-and-unstable-satan @icanfeelastormbrewing @pagesoflauren

#frank adler x ofc #frank adler #gifted #gifted fan fic

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overbearingwatch · 5 years

Text

• It’s just a few bad nights Fareeha thinks, heading into the grocery store. Some sleeplessness, an uneasiness, a discomfort in being alone.

If she can find something that will put her into a dreamless coma, that will solve all of her problems.

Instead, she finds Angela.

“If you’re planning to use Benadryl for sleep, I would adviseagainst it,” she says, holding a basket of basic groceries and about three boxes of Band-aids.

Call Fareeha curious. She asks:

“Why’s that?”

“The active chemical in it that causes sleepiness also causes sleepwalking and similar sleep-related side effects.” Angela says, looking thoughtfully at the box. “Don’t let me be a nay-sayer, it is good for a cold, but you don’t appear to have one. It isn’t a sleep aid.”

Fareeha laughs, she flips the box over and inspects the active ingredients.

It is nearly two in the morning and she and the woman are the only two people in the store not actively stocking shelves. Above, the fluorescent lights hum softly, somewhere in the distance, a buggy with a squealing wheel is pushed across the linoleum.

“And you’re an expert on over-the-counter drugs?” Fareeha asks, she turns to the woman and offers a tired smile. Angela laughs, taking the box out of Fareeha’s hand and placing it back where it belongs on the shelf.

“Yes,” she says, extending her hand, once free, for Fareeha to shake, “I’m Doctor Angela Ziegler.”

Fareeha blinks, shakes as appropriate. Angela’s hands are soft, her handshake firm.

“Alright, doctor, what do you suggest?”

“Melatonin,” says Angela, “... unless this is a persisting issue you’ve been experiencing.” Fareeha doesn’t answer when Angela pointedly stares at her. “Perhaps a specialist would be able to offer a more permanent solution.”

Fareeha clears her throat.

“I think I’ll try the melatonin,” she says.

“Hmm,” Angela hums. “Are you a soldier?” She asks softly. She turns to the display with Fareeha. They both look for the correct box. Angela finds it first and offers it to Fareeha with a gentle smile.

“I was,” Fareeha says quietly, accepting the box.

“Does your sleep problem have anything to do with your time at war?”

Fareeha isn’t sure how to answer. It seems too personal for such a casual setting, but then, it’s late and who is here to judge her.

“I think that all of my problems have something to do with my time at war,” Fareeha offers. “My relationship with my mother, the phantom pain of my missing leg ... maybe even my inability to sleep.” Fareeha grins and rubs her arm self-consciously. “Life is a rollercoaster. Thank you for the advice about the drugs.”

Angela laughs. It’s light and oddly empathetic. “My pleasure,” she says, and digs in her purse. “If you ever decide to see that specialist-“ she hands Fareeha a business card. The paper is card stock white with a unique symbol in the corner - a pair of wings with an oval between them - and the contact info of one Doctor Angela Ziegler printed crisply in the middle. “My office is accepting patients.”

Fareeha exams the card for a moment and then pockets it carefully.

“I appreciate the offer,” she says, “but I think I’ll try the melatonin first.”

“Of course,” says Angela. “I’m not likely to go anywhere if you change your mind. It was nice meeting you —“

“Fareeha — Amari.”

“Fareeha. Now, I should probably get home before my cats go feral from isolation.” Angela laughs. Fareeha chuckles.

“Don’t let me keep you.”

Angela looks as though she’s about to say something, and Fareeha finds herself hoping for it. But Angela evidently thinks better of it and shakes her head, smiling.

“Have a goodnight,” she says, waving, and walks away.

Fareeha rubs her finger along the edge of the business card as she watches her go.

#fareeha amari #angela ziegler #pharmercy #pharah #mercy #my fanfiction #🤷🏻‍♀️

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smoaking-greenarrow · 5 years

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How about a protective Oliver fic where felicity had a allergic reaction?!

The moment Oliver opened the door to the apartment, his eyes always searched for Felicity. If he expected her to be home, he wanted to see her as soon as possible when he came through the door. Learning that she was pregnant only made his anxious feeling a little more intense. Especially since he hadn’t seen her all day.

As soon as he heard the robotic voice announcing his presence, Oliver’s eyes looked for her, carrying the present he’d picked up on his way home. Usually she’d be waiting for him, expecting him since he always called or texted to let her know he was on his way. But the living room was dark, and the kitchen was empty.

Oliver frowned, coming into the apartment and closing the door behind him, making sure to hear it lock behind him. “Felicity?” He asked, toeing off his shoes and shrugging off his coat.

The light in their bedroom was on, pouring into the hallway, and he followed it, his eagerness to see his wife growing in his chest.

Over the years, he’d experienced countless nights like this. It wasn’t uncommon for him to come home and find her asleep with a book still in her hand, her glasses left crooked on her face. Or the handful of times he’d walk into the bedroom to find her…waiting not so patiently for him.

But, as he turned the corner, Oliver’s heart stopped.

It wasn’t a scene he’d never walked in on before, but it instantly sent his heart into his throat.

Felicity stood on her toes in front of the dresser, twisting this way and that, looking at herself in the reflection. She wore nothing but his t-shirt and sky blue panties underneath. Her belly was exposed, the shirt pulled up to her breasts so she could examine it.

Oliver’s heart jumped to his throat as he stared at her for a moment, one of her hands grazing over the smooth, still flat skin. He must have made some kind of noise as he watched her, because Felicity’s eyes snapped up to the doorway, meeting his eyes in the mirror. And then she dropped the shirt and turned towards him, a shy smile crossing her lips. “Hi,”

“Hi,” Oliver breathed back, setting the box in his hand down on the bed. “You know it’s still early…” He felt breathless, completely amused and enchanted to see her like that.

“I know,” Felicity bit her lip. “I was just checking because…Laurel called me fat.”

Thrown off, Oliver froze. Then his shoulders stiffened, every defensive bone in his body humming to life. “She called you what?”

“Well, not in those words, exactly.” Felicity rolled her eyes, “but she did say that I shouldn’t eat so much ice cream. She’s been reading all these pregnancy books which is equally weird and sweet…and I guess ice cream every day isn’t considered healthy. She’s probably right, but I want it. I want. All. The. Food.”

His eyes narrowed, only half kidding when he asked, “and where is Laurel now?”

Snorting in response, Felicity rolled her eyes. “Oliver, I’m probably going to look like a whale soon, you can’t pick fights with everyone who notices.”

Oliver frowned, certain that she was wrong about both. Surely, whale won’t be the word coming to mind when he gets to watch his wife’s belly grow. Perfect will definitely be more like it. And he also felt confident that he would absolutely pick a fight with anyone if they dared to say otherwise.

“Besides,” Felicity continued as Oliver’s eyes dropped to her stomach. “I know Laurel wasn’t trying to be mean,” her lips jutted out, an adorable pout. “Although it’s Laurel…so maybe she was, but I actually do think she meant well. It was just…not nice. Anyway, she has a point, because I’m pretty sure there’s a bump, and it’s just bloating from all the sugar.”

Oliver pinched his lips together, nodding to the box on the bed that she hadn’t noticed. “So I suppose you don’t want those…”

Her head snapped to the bed, her eyebrows raising. “Chocolate?”

He chuckled, picking it up and opening it. “Compromise.”

“Ohhh,” Felicity groaned, coming closer. “Thank you. I love you so much.”

“Are you talking to me or the strawberries?”

Felicity snorted again, her hands finding his cheeks, fingers skimming over his ears. “You,” she mumbled as she pulled him down and pushed herself up on her toes at the same time.

It was an adorable, graceful little move that always seemed to have their lips meeting right in the middle.

And Oliver hummed, melting into her kiss.

“But you, my darlings…I also love,” Felicity sighed, dragging her lips away from his as she leaned over the box to peek inside. “Strawberries are fruit…totally healthy, right? The chocolate covering them is irrelevant.” Oliver chuckled, reaching up with his free hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. Felicity smiled up at him, scrunching her nose up. “Maybe just one…”

One turned into four, but she did share.

And she went to bed happy that night; her stomach happy thanks to the strawberries and her heart happy thanks to the wonderful man who brought them home for her. She also didn’t mind kissing her husband goodnight and tasting the sweetness all over again.

Despite how tired Felicity was, and how blissfully she’d drifted off to sleep, she woke up just a few hours later.

At first, she wasn’t sure what had woken her up, but then she felt another twist of pain in her stomach, and she knew it was the cause. Groaning, Felicity turned over in bed, tossing her legs over the side to stand up. She felt like she needed to get up and move, drink some water, walk off a cramp or something.

But Felicity took one step towards the kitchen and her head was spinning. Her stomach swooped, and her feet shuffled to the bathroom, closing the door before she turned on the light, trying not to wake Oliver.

It wasn’t until she looked in the mirror that she really woke up.

The bright lights had her squinting, but as her eyes adjusted and she saw her reflection, Felicity gasped. Her neck was covered in hives, her lips slightly swollen. She stared at herself, making sense of her own body.

Instead of disturbing Oliver, she reached for his phone that he’d left on the bathroom sink earlier and dialed a number she knew by heart.

The woman had said to call her day or night if she needed something…

“Felicity?” She answered on the sixth ring, her voice thick with sleep.

“Dr. Schwartz,” Felicity greeted, but her voice was hoarse. “God,” she made a face, moving her tongue that felt wrong in her mouth. Also swollen. Perfect. “I’m sorry to wake you.”

“What’s going on?” The doctor asked.

“I think I’m having an allergic reaction,”

Dr. Schwartz asked questions, trying to determine whether or not this would warrant a visit to the emergency room. And Felicity was incredible grateful when the answer ended up being no, since Oliver would’ve worried nonstop.

As she answered the questions and explained her symptoms, Dr. Schwartz advised her to use skin cream for the rash, and told her how much Benadryl to take. Then they briefly talked about her diet, which also had Dr. Schwartz politely telling her to cut back on the sweets. Damn Laurel.

They agreed that if it didn’t start to clear up within the hour, she’d go to the hospital. They also came to the conclusion that the strawberries were to blame, and that she probably developed the allergy because of her pregnancy.

“Great,” Felicity grumbled, resting her hand over her stomach once she hung up with Dr. Schwartz. “I’ll let this one go, peanut…” she spoke softly to her stomach, even though it was too early for her baby to look like more than a crumb, let alone have ears, and it made her feel a little silly. “Just don’t doom me with any mint chip allergies, please, okay?”

The ointment was in the cabinet under the sink, and Felicity applied some generously, satisfied with the instant relief. Then she turned off the light and left the bathroom, heading towards the kitchen to find the Benadryl.

Oliver stirred in bed as she walked by, and she crept on her toes, sneaking out while he let out a long sigh, his hands reaching across the mattress, seeking her out in his sleep.

When she reached the kitchen, she followed Dr. Schwartz’s dosage, and sat on the counter, intent on finishing a full cup of water before she climbed back into bed. The last thing she needed was a dehydration headache, too. But before Felicity could slip back into the bedroom and hope the rash was gone soon, she heard Oliver call her name.

And she didn’t bother answering, knowing he was already on his way out.

With a slight frown and furrowed eyebrows, Oliver blinked at her, his chest bare and his boxers wonderfully, adorably, distractedly domestic. “What are you doing?” He asked, coming over to where she sat on the counter.

“Don’t freak out.”

He cocked his head to the side, his eyes taking her in, “why would I—” but the words stopped when he noticed the hives on her neck. His index finger and thumb found her chin, immediately lifting her head so he could see her neck better, tilting her face towards the light as he leaned in.

“What happened?” Oliver asked, his voice taking on that clipped, assertive tone.

“Just a tiny, insignificant, mild allergic reaction to those strawberries. I guess baby might not be a very big fan.”

“Felicity,” his jaw clenched as he looked her in the eyes. “You didn’t think you should wake me up for this?” Irritation flashed in his narrowed gaze, in the tight line of his lips.

She frowned, her eyes immediately welling with unexpected tears just as they’d done when Laurel hinted at her unhealthy eating habits. It wasn’t fair. She’d never been so sensitive, yet just the tone in Oliver’s voice made her feel bad.

Unfortunately, he was too busy fussing over her to notice. He gently tilted her head again, examining the hives that already felt better. Then his thumb touched her swollen bottom lip, and his eyebrows pushed together in concern when it trembled under his touch. “I called Dr. Schwartz right away,” she whimpered, “and I took Benadryl. She says I’ll be fine.”

Oliver’s eyes shifted up to hers, and she saw regret and remorse instantly. He brushed his thumbs across her cheeks, catching a few stray tears she couldn’t keep from falling. “I’m sorry,” he whispered gently, sincerely. I’m just…I worry about you. And I know you can take care of yourself and protect yourself, but I’m always going to want to take care of you and protect you, too.”

“I know,” Felicity sighed, relaxing while she slumped against him, winding her arms around his shoulders.

He hauled her up off the counter, guiding her legs around his waist while his arms held her steady.

“Wait,” Felicity squeaked, her hand flying out to grab the glass of water she’d been working on. He chuckled as she finished her last sip, setting it back on the counter to be taken care of tomorrow. “Okay, proceed,” she hummed, nestling her head into his neck.

Oliver carried her down the hallway and into the bedroom. He left the lights off and moved on instinct, now that he knew the space well enough to walk through it without tripping over anything. Setting her down on the bed gently, Oliver let her relax into her pillows and curl up in the blankets as he dropped over her, landing on his side of the bed.

With a sigh, Felicity closed her eyes, her fingers reaching greedily for Oliver.

As they settled beside each other, both of her arms wrapped around one of his, her head on his shoulder and his hand on her thigh, Felicity could sense him watching her.

At first, she tried to ignore it, but the minutes ticked by, and she couldn’t sleep when she could feel her husband staring at her like that. His stiff body told her that he was still worried.

Finally, Felicity sighed, tilting her head up but keeping her eyes closed. “You want to call Dr. Schwartz, don’t you?” She mumbled.

Since she gave him perfect access, Oliver nipped at her lips, planting a string of short kisses. “Yes,” he groaned against her mouth. “Kind of.”

Shaking her head, Felicity turned over to her nightstand. She peeked one eye open long enough to grab her phone. Then she curled back into his side, dropping the phone on his chest with a huff.

Laying quietly, Felicity listened as they woke the poor doctor for the second time. But by the end of the conversation, she was grateful because the relief in Oliver was evident. His body relaxed as Dr. Schwartz assured him that his wife was going to be fine.

Felicity was also glad because Oliver thought to ask questions she hadn’t considered; like if this meant their baby would have an allergy to strawberries and whether or not they needed to worry about anything else Felicity ate. And she heard Dr. Schwartz on the other end, telling Oliver that it was too soon to tell, but to make sure Felicity was careful with other fruits and berries.

After ten minutes or so, he hung up, and Felicity grinned. She turned her lips to his bare chest so she could kiss him. “Happy now?”

Oliver sighed, kissing the top of her head. “With you?” He whispered, “happy always.”

Felicity hummed sleepily, hugging herself closer. “You’re going to be an amazing father, Oliver Queen.”

His mouth trailed through her hair, his hand doing the same on the small of her back, pushing under her t-shirt so he could feel her skin. “We’re going to be amazing parents, Felicity.”

Oliver hesitated, his voice rising with wistful humor as he said, “and to think…you called us unthinkable. Probably didn’t expect to be married and having a baby with me back then, did you?”

Felicity chuckled, “no, but I wouldn’t change a thing.” She sighed, her mind drifting off, filling with happy thoughts about how far they’d come.

#Arrow #Olicity #olicity fic

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honey-harper-official · 5 years

Text

Quick rant as I have a breakdown- Middle Child Syndrome style

I’m currently trying to get myself into fencing and theater because my siblings hate it and would never try it. But I’m also giving up lacrosse and the only reason I ever did that was to get attention from my parents but my siblings both joined and I instantly got compared to them and became the one who was bad at it. Now they’re mad that I want to quit but it’s not like they ever came to my games that much because they were wrapped up with my siblings so what does it even matter.

I really only get attention for three reasons. When someone needs to be in trouble (whether I did it or not) or because they realized they’ve forgotten me on an important date for me. The last reason I get attention is because I have severe eczema and allergies that need a lot of attention and constant doctors visits and even then that gets forgotten about until I’m having a reaction.

I’ve literally gone to the hospital for trouble breathing and my siblings got donuts, my dad nodded at me when I got home, and once I woke up from a Benadryl induced coma they made me clean up the entire fucking kitchen because I owed my siblings “chores” even though I’m the one who ends up doing all of them anyways because my siblings make me do them and whenever I try to stand up for myself I just get yelled at.

My siblings constantly gang up against me and my parents ether never do anything or join in and everyone says “we’re just teasing you” but I tell them that it hurts my feelings but they just say that “I can’t take a joke” and they all make fun of my eczema and allergies even though they are physically painful to the point where the doctors were about to give me medical marijuana when I was 13 due to amount of pain I was having with just moving. So I hide in my room and don’t socialize so they get mad at me and make fun of me for that too.

But my siblings have health problems too and if they get bad, even if mine are bad too, I’m expected to pick up all the slack because even if they don’t say it, everyone puts me in a position of being the least important. When they do see this my parents will take me to do things like see Broadway shows but then they end up taking the whole family to see the shows and when I do get one on one time it’s the same damn thing every time and it’s like they don’t even bother to learn my interests and I’m crying as I write this.

I can name so many times where I’ve been pushed aside and whenever I visit my extended family my older cousins do the same thing but with my younger cousins I make sure to spend lots of time with my middle cousin because I know that no one else is going to think that she might feel like this but me so I’ve taught her to be very confident in herself, to stand up for herself, and to demand attention because I know that she’s going to need those skills in order to not fall into a negative spiral filled with mental breakdowns and if I can’t have those skills then I’ll make sure she will. I know that if I don’t give her all my attention then she’s never going to get any so for at least a week straight every month I spend every moment I can with her so she also doesn’t make reckless, impulsive decisions with major negative consequences like I do sometimes.

I’d tell my family this but every time I’ve tried I just get shot down and forgotten about like usual. I can hear them making fun of me throughout the house whenever I’m not with them and my failures are constantly brought up even though there are very little. I work my ass off to get good grades and be the perfect child but it’s never enough if they knew this I’m sure they’d change their ways and spend more time with me alone but it’s gotten to the point where I don’t know how to talk to them or interact with them without it feeling awkward because I’ve never really been with my parents without my siblings being there too.

Thank you and goodnight. I could go on but I don’t want to burst into tears again and alert my parents that something is wrong because that’s only going to make things hell for me

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rainbowglittr · 3 years

Text

Love and Marriage - Chapter 15 (Mature, Minors DNI)

Description:

After a loss in the family uncovers a family secret, Jaleia and her husband Jesse are forced to balance one family crisis after another along with their budding careers and their plans to expand their family. Will the pressure to keep everyone else together ruin their own relationship? Can ruined relationships be fixed before it’s too late?

Chapter 15:

"Ugh." I lifted my head from the toliet as I finished heaving. Jesse was holding my hair back since it had decided it ws not going to stay in a ponytail. Pregnancy was really throwing me for a loop. A couple of weeks ago, me and Jess went to the doctor where she confirmed that I was indeed pregnant. I was now about 6 weeks pregnant and the side effects were kicking in real strong. I had been having morning sickness almost every sngle day for the past two weeks. Like clockwork. I was tired no matter how much I slept.

"You think that's it, baby?" Jesse said. This morning sickness routine had added on at least fifteen extra minutes to my morning schedule, so to not be late I woke up fifteen extra minutes early. We were still keeping it quiet, although I think Diana was cathing on. But we decided to still keep it quiet for another month to be safe.

She only was going to stay with us for about two more weeks, just before the end of August. That was supposed to be when Jesse's mom officially closed on the house that is just three doors away from ours.

And while Jesse did did best to try and convince her to move somewhere a little further away, she was sold on that damn house. We saw her almost non-stop. She also was lucky because someone had agreed to buy her old house, but that was going to take longer to close than the one she just bought. Jesse and Di were helping her when they could to pack everything from the house and move it to storage. They had made a lot of progress and this Friday they were going to move the last boxes of stuff into storage. Once her new house closed they would have to move all that stuff into the new house. I had to say her hating me really came in handy because I really did not want to help.

Jesse on the other hand was busy in a lot of meetings to determine whether or not he was going to be the labels next new artist. They really liked him, and he was going to start doing some local performances, and creating public social media accounts, depending on how well he did, with the label's help, determined if this record deal was going to happen. And even though he was still fighting really hard to get it, his previous work with Legacy Records really gave him a leg up. It was looking good but they were really reluctant to give one of, in my humble totally and completely unbiased opinion, their best song writers a shot a making it big. The just weren't sure he had that "star qualilty" they were looking for. In other words, he was a black, non-rapping artist they weren't sure how to market him or if he would sell.

I just sat for a moment, hoping that my stomach had settled. When I no longer felt the waves of nausea crash over me, I started to get up.

"I think I'm done for today, or this morning at least." I told Jesse.

"Good, that means my job here is done." He said. He stood up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder, and his hands on my stomach.

"Our baby is in there." I said smiling.

"Yeah, our little girl." he said, kissing my neck lightly.

"How do you know?" I said as I put my hands on top of his.

"Cause thats what I told my sperm to make."

I laughed and rested my head against his chest.

"You know, I've spent so much time not wanting to be pregnant, it feels so good to actually be happy about it." I said.

"I spent so much time trying not to get someone pregnant. It's nice that when I finally did, we're both happy about it."

"Shut up." I said, still smiling.

"Are you nervous?" he asked.

"Of course Jess, I don't want to be a shitty mom. Plus with all the issues I have, I'm scared but I always wanted this and I'm excited."

"You are going to be the most amazing mom ever. You shouldn't even be nervous, Love."

"Are you?"

"Course I am. But I got you, so I ain't even sweating it."

"I see you with Di, you ain't got nothing to worry about, you're going to be amazing as a dad."

"Well if you're going to be amazing, and I'm going to be amazing, then our baby is going to have two amazing parents."

"Damn right." I said.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

"And then I took Benadryl, and it didn't get any better, and then I tried Tylenol, which, I, I,I don't even know why I tried that, I think my wife told me to, actually I think it was my mother actually who told me to take Tylenol, it didn't work and then-"

"Um, sorry to interrupt but do you have any relevant medical history that I don't already know? Anything you think you haven't already told us, um, anything you unusual that you've done or been exposed to that might be making your allergies worse, anything at all?" I said. My patient had been going on and on about stuff that I quite honestly really didn't need to know and I really didn't have time for. I just needed to know if anything had changed since the last time I saw him. But he was extremely long winded.

"Nah, not that I can think of. But you know I have been gardening a lot more, not that I haven't before but I've been doing more, and you know what my wife says, she thinks there's nothing more peaceful then gardening? I kinda see where she's coming from but at the same time it's a lot of work. have you ever done gardening?"

"Um, I used to. Maybe Mr. Ryilke, when you come back you can bring back some samples of the soil, maybe there's some sort of allergen in the soil that is making your lupus go haywire. So I'll give you some instructions on paper of how to collect the samples, how to store them, all that and next time I see you I'll get them tested. As for you nurse Jackie is going to come in and take some samples from you that we are going to test and we should have the results shortly, or within the hour. if you have no further questions, then I'll let Nurse Jackie get started. Do you have any questions, anything at all?" I said as I started to get up.

"Just one question, doctor. Is it normal for my pee to be orange?" I just stoppped and stared for a moment. Then I sat back down, this was going to be a long conversation.

>>>>>>>>>>>

"Let me just finish up this report, then I'm going to close up. I'm out after this." I said to one of my coworkers, Marie. I was in the research lab and ready to go home. I just had one report to submit and I could have the sweet taste of freedom. I clicked submit after a quick proof read and started to gather my things.

"If you're done then James is going to walk me out if you want to come." she said. I took off my labcoat and hung it around my chair.

"Yeah, that would be great." I called out to her as I followed her out the lab. Marie and James were your typical "should be a couple" in my group of collegues. They clearly had chemistry but they were still in the "will they, won't they" part of their friend/relationship. They were two of the sweetest people I've ever met but also two of the most clueless when it came to dating- well at least dating each other. But I loved working with them, and I figure they have about three months before they can't take it anymore and finally get together.

We walked down the stairwell, with Marie and James having another one of their passionate debates about something random. I guess today's topic was cats versus dogs.

"What about you Jay?" Marie asked as we got to the last landing.

"I got to go with James on this one, sorry Marie, I'm team dogs."

"Not you? Oh God, who do i work with?" she said dramactically.

"Somebody had to say it, Marie." James said.

We all waved goodnight to the nure's station as we walked out of the stairwell and past the Nurse's station.

"Are you coming to Janet's party, Jay?" Marie asked me.

"Oh crap when is that again?"

"This Saturday. it's at the fancy resturant, I think it's french or something." she said.

"I forgot, damn. I'll definitely be there, let me put it in my phone so I don't forget it." I said whipping out my phone. Janet was another doctor in our depatrment, she was nice, I didn't know her well but well enough I guess to go to her birthday party.

James and Marie talked a little more, as we walked through the parking lot. They often got lost in their little bubble and forgot about other people but I was used to it, it was cute. It reminded me of when me and Jesse first got together. It was like no one else in the world existed.

"We parked together here Jay, are you good or do you want us to walk you to your car?" James asked.

"It's still light out guys, I'm not that far away, I'm good. Thank you. I'll see you guys tomorrow!"

"See you!" they both replied.

I walked to my car, hoping that I wouldn't get car sick. I don't know what this baby's obsession with making me vomit was but I was over it. Every now and then being in the car would make me car sick enough to have to pull over and either throw up or let the nausea pass.

>>>>>>>>>>>

"Jess, babe? I'm home!" I called out as soon as I walked in the door. I wasn't actually sure if he would be home before me today. but the lights were on so I figured he had to be. I walked to the kitchen, looking aorund for him. His mom was sitting in our nook.

"Hello." I said flatly.

"You look really fat and pudgy in that shirt. I don't know why my son would be attracted to that." she replied.

"Why are you in my house if you're going to be rude?" I asked as I put my purse down on the table.

"Why did my son marry trash? I guess we'll never know." she said as she glared at me.

"I don't have to put up with your shit Aiesha. I don't care if you're Jesse's mom. You can leave."

"I don't care if you're his wife, you will never be worthy of my son, you will always be beneath him and if I had it my way, he never would've married you."

"There is literally no reason for you to hate me and yet inexplicably you do. Why?"

"I just think Jesse could have done a lot better than you."

"What does that even mean?"

"Hey, what's going on?" Jesse's voice rang out from behind me. I wasn't facing the door so I didn't even hear hm come in. I turned to face him, giving him a quick peck on the lips, before truning to face his mother again.

"Oh, your lovely wife over here was threatening to kick me out your house. Is that acceptable to you Jesse? You don't mind your wife kicking me out?" Aiesha crossed her arms, a gave Jesse a demanding look.

"Mom, no one is throwing you out. And maybe if you stop insulting Jay, she would stop wanting to throw you out."

"So you are taking her side over your own mother?"

"Mom, there are no sides. I want you two to get along, I love you both."

"I see I'm not wanted here. You would think that after everything that is going on Jesse you would have your own mother's back, but I guess not." she said getting up and storming out of the kitchen. Jesse quickly followed after her as I rolled my eyes. She had such a flair for drama, she should've been an actress.

I could hear him calling for her. I went to reach for a bottle of wine, knowing that I was going to need it to deal with this drama before I realized that I couldn't drink anymore. I put my hand on my stomach, even though there was not yet a baby bump. Since I couldn't have wine, I did buy my favorite brand of mocktails for moments like these. I went to the fridge and poured some into my favorite wine glass. I sat down waiting for Jesse to return. After ten minutes of just waitng there and sipping a mocktail, I got up and started looking for leftovers of the steak stir fry I made last night. I was pulling it out the frigde when Jesse came back in the kitchen.

"Um so, my mom is going to stay the night." he said.

"Why?" I asked as I slid the dish into the oven.

"I'm going to be honest I don't know why, it was the only way to stop her crying." he said rubbing his face as he sat down in our breakfast nook.

"Can you just go easy on her? I know she doesnt look like it but this whole thing is really stressing her out." He said.

"She's stressing me out." I said.

"Jay."

"Jess."

"JAY."

"What? Why am I always the one who has to play nice? I'm sick of it!" I said slamming my hand on the counter.

"You don't think I get sick of you both fighting constantly?" He said.

"If you don't want us to fight then don't allow her to disrespect me."

"I can't control what she does, she's my mother not my child. At least when my dad was here it was easier to keep the peace."

"I don't know what you want from me." I said. An awkward silence filled the room for a few minutes.

"It would be really impportant to me if you went with us on Friday to the old house. It's the last time me and Di and even Ciara is coming up, but it's our last time in the house before it's sold."

"What time?"

"I'll be there all day with Di because we still have to move some stuff out but whenever you get off would be great."

"I can do that, are you doing another gig this Saturday?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Cause I have a birthday party I have to go to, well I don't have to go to, but I should go to and I was hoping you would be able to go with me but since you have a gig I'll just ask Kiara."

"Sorry." He leaned back and closed his eyes.

"It's fine." I said.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as he opened his eyes.

"Annoyed."

"Jay."

"Jess."

"Can you just talk to me?" he said, getting up from the nook. He walked over to where I was standing and put his hands out for a hug, which I gladly accepted. I tucked my face into the side of his neck.

"M'sorry, I'm just tired Jess." I said into his neck.

"I know, baby."

"But I'm fine, Jess. How was your day?"

"Boring, a bunch of meetings and stuff, but I was thinking about the baby," he said as I put my hand on my belly.

"What about a baby?" Aiesha said as she walked back into the room. I quickly dropped my hand from my belly.

"Um, nothing mom, you know I always call her that." he said as we moved away from each other.

"Then why was her hand on her stomach?"

"No reason, I just happened to have my hand there, that all." I said. Of all people I didn't want to find out early, it was his mom. She would not keep it a secret at all.

"Okay, fine, don't tell me, I'll always find out." she said as she walked out. We let out a huge breath.

"That was close." He said.

"Yeah, where's Diana?" I said switching the topic, I didn't know where his mother was lurking around.

"She's at a sleepover, I have to pick her up in the morning." he said.

"Cool, I hope she has a good time she deserves it with all you guys have been through this summer."

"Damn straight."

I went to sit down at our breakfast nook when all of a sudden his mom burst into the kitchen shouting "I KNEW IT!" holding a paper in her hands.

"Mom, what are you talking about?" Jesse asked. My heart dropped.

"She is pregnant, it says so right here! I'm going to have another grandchild!" she shouted excitedly.

"What, what are you talking about?" I said. Hoping that we could keep it a secret just a little while longer.

"I found this test result just hanging around in Jesse's office. Why wouldn't you tell me?"

"Why were you in his office?" I asked.

"Nevermind that, when were you going to tell me that I had a grandchild coming?"

Jesse looked at me. I guess the secret is out. I gave him a look that pretty much said just tell her. I figured it would be less painful that way. He gave me a new favorite look, the "I'll make it up to you" look.

"Okay, mom, you caught us. Jay's pregnant. But you need to promise us that youre going to keep this a secret, we dont want to tell anyone right now."

"Why not tell everyone this is great news isnt it?"

"It is but mom, we've already been through a miscarriage before this and we just want to keep it quiet until we really know for sure."

"How could you not tell me that, Jess? I'm your mother, you could've told me!"

"Well it's not exactly something I wanted to talk about, even with you. But we would really appreciate it if you would keep it on the low."

"Awww baby, of course! You don't know what this means, especially during this time, after your father. My baby boy is having a baby! I'm so excited, for you both."

>>>>>>>>>>>

I hurried through the parking lot to my car. It was finally friday, the day that I was supposed to meet Jesse at his mom's old house. Ciara had drove all the way out here from Philly to be here. It wasn't supposed to be this big emotional thing but I guess that's what it turned into. Everybody wanted one last time to walk through the house they grew up in, except Shaun. Ciara heard from his wife that the loss hit Shuan hard, he didn't have it in him to visit the house. Which everyone understood, it had only been about three months, not even, since his dad died.

I called Jesse as I pulled out of the parking lot. The phone rang for a while until he finally picked up.

"Hey babe, did you guys get to the house yet?" I said.

"Yeah we all just got here, we have to clear out some boxes and then we'll do the final walk through. Are you just leaving?"

"Yeah, I'll be there in like twenty if traffic's not bad. How you feeling?"

"I'm okay, right now."

"Jess, don't bullshit me, I know you too well for that remember? What's really going on?"

He let out a heavy sigh. "It's going to be hard. I know we're just gonna bring up old shit and, I don't know how to feel about that."

"Well I got you Jess. It's important that you allow yourself to feel what you feel, Allow yourself to be sad."

"I know, I will, Just get here safe, love you."

"Love you too" I pushed the button on my steering wheel to hang up. This summer had taken so many twists and turns and it wasn't even over yet.

>>>>>>>>>>>

"And do you remember how Dad chased Shaun down the stairs and around the house? He was screaming stuff but he was so mad none of it made any sense." Ciara said.

Everyone in the room was bent over the counters as they laughed at the memory. I stood there behind Jesse's shaking back as he laughed so hard tears rolled down his cheeks. What we thought was going be a very sad and somber last trip turned out to be one of the funniest trips to the house. It was so weird seeing it empty. It was a strange contrast to be an the empty house with everyone laughing and joking and the lively energy it normally had.

Jesse's mom was somewhere upstairs making sure she had everything, we were all in the kitchen, enjoying our last moments here.

Diana smiled, and pointed to a burn spot on the wall.

"I Never noticed that, where was it from?" she asked. Jesse and Ciara exchanged a knowing look.

"You know where most of the damage in the house comes from? Shaun. Second place would go to either dad or Jesse, but most of the damage in this house comes from that idiot." Ciara said.

"Shaun fucked with the roaster, broke it months before thankgiving. Don't know what the hell he was trying to do with it, but he broke it. Mom never uses that thing during the year until thankgiving so she never noticed. She went to cook the turkey and the roaster caught on fire. That was the year we had fried chicken instead of turkey." Jesse explained.

"Me and Jesse both knew it was Shaun's fault so we blackmailed him for six months after that. Mom and dad thought it was just a freak accident and so did the insurance, so Shaun knew that if we told what happened it would've been over for his ass." Ciara said.

"That was a good six months." Jesse said.

"I remember when I found out you had a little crush on Jaleia." Ciara teased. Diana tried to stifle her giggle.

"Shut up, C." Jesse warned. He stood up straight.

"No, I wanna hear, what's this? Spill the tea." I said.

"Well since you insisted," Ciara said with a michevous look on her face. "Jesse was writing a song, and he wasn't expecting me to come home."

"We don't really need to-" Jesse started walking closer to Ciara.

"It was a cute song about having a crush on someone, I didn't let him know I heard it. Would you relax, this is a cute story, would you rather me tell the story of when I walked in on you pleasuring yourself?" She said as Jesse backed her into a wall.

"So you were never good at locking doors?" I said to Jesse.

"Hahaha, you're so funny." he sarcastically said as he briefly turned to face me.

"We will never speak of that day. Why are you like this? It's like you only want to embarrass me." He said to Ciara before backing up with his hands up.

"Because you are my baby brother, and I have to. Anyway, this was in high school, I don't even remember when but I was determined to find out who the song was about. I had some theories, but I couldn't really figure it out, being in college and all. But lucky for me, the homecoming dance was coming up and it was so late at night everyone was sleep except Jess, cause he was in his room practicing how he was going to ask you out!" she said.

"Awww, that's so cute!" I said to Jesse. He was trying to hide his face.

"You should've! I ended up spending most of the night with you!" I said.

"You were in love with Tyler, I didn't think you would say yes."

"So you chickened out? Cause I sure as hell wasn't in love with that boy. Don't play me like that cause you're embarrassed."

"I didn't chicken out, I just didn't think you would say yes." He said as I rolled my eyes. I flapped my arms like wing at him.

"Why did you and the Green bean fall out? Cause y'all made up after high school. You never told me." Ciara said.

"Because he stabbed me in the back. Guess who Imani Cheated on me with?" he said.

"Wait, wait, wait, wait, you NEVER told me that Tyler, Tyler, the guy we grew up with was the one that screwed your fiance?" I said to Jesse.

"I wasn't going to tell anyone. That shit's hella embarrassing." He said. Me and Ciara just stared at him with our mouths open. I couldn't believe this shit.

"We gon talk about this at home." I said.

"So anyone else got any memorires to discuss?" he said, trying to change the subject.

"Yeah, like how the fuck the guy with three kids and no job managed to steal your girl Jess? And it was your best friend? Cause Damn, thats bad." Ciara laughed. She saw the pissed expression on Jesse's face and stopped laughing.

"Oh baby brother I'm not laughing at you, it just the stuation that's a little, you know what, it's not, it's not funny. Sorry." She said. She patted him on his shoulder as Di laughed in the background.

"And I don't know what Di is laughing at because we could be talking about her little boyfriend." Jesse said. Everyone turned and faced her as her jaw dropped.

"Jesse! Shut up!" Diana said. I already knew that Ciara was going to tear that girl apart.

"So what's this about having a little boyfriend, Di?" Ciara said as she walked over to Di.

"Nothing. I don't even have a boyfriend."

>>>>>>>>>>

I rest my head on Jesse's chest. We were back home after leaving from the house. I traced imaginary patterns on his chest as we let the air conditioning blast, with the TV lowly playing in the background. We spent so much time at that house, and eventually it did get kind of sappy and tears were shed but really, we had a really good time. I didn't realize how many memories I had in the house until tonight. Seeing Jesse and his sisters embarrass each other and bicker and fight, in a very weird way made me miss my own two sisters, I honestly hadn't even talked to them in a long time, which reminded me that I really needed to call my mother. And my father. I was such a horrible family member-who forgets to talk to their own family? Well it's not like I don't text them often, I just haven't called them, and it's not like I told them to move across the country. I have been so caught up in Jesse's family I kind of neglected my own.

"Whatcha thinking so hard about over there?"

"I am a terrible family member. I have to call like everyone in my family, I haven't spoken to anyone in so long."

"That doesn't make you horrible, it just means you've been busy"

"I feel so bad, I've been so wrapped up in everything going on over here I don't even know what's going on in my own family and that sucks. I have two nephews and when's the last time I even asked about them, I mean I did ask about them through text message but that's a shitty thing to do, just texting, I mean I am their aunt. My family must hate me I mean I never call or-" I was interrupted by Jesse kissing me. He pulled back and said,

"I'm just going to stop you there before you spiral any further. All you have to do to solve this is call them. None of your family live in this state, my family live closer than your and do you think I talk to mine every day?"

"I know I just feel bad and I kind of miss them, seeing you with your sisters, made me miss mine. And my mom and my dad."

"You know they're just one call away."

"Do you think your mom can keep the baby a secret?"

"We got maybe two weeks, three at the most."

>>>>>>>>>>>>

To Aiesha's credit she did keep it a secret.....for about a week. All of the sudden we started to get Congratulations and calls all from Jesse's side of the family, and then his brother and sister called, and they were PISSED that he didn't tell them. I think the only reason I wasn't mad about it was because after she found out she became the mother in law I had always wanted. She stopped insulting me, she started being respectful, she was a completely different person. I loved it and all I had to do is be pregnant? It was amazing. I knew it wasn't going to last though, she didn't just start liking me it was all because of the baby, I knew it but I was definitely going to take advantage of it. Jesse of course could never get mad at his mom for more than five seconds, but at least now we could tell everyone.

All we had to do now was tell my side of the family, cause I knew that if they found out from anyone else that I was pregnant all hell would break loose. So I skyped my mom. I watched it ring for a while. I was sitting on the couch while Jesse was washing the dishes. My heart was beating fast, I don't why I was so nervous to tell my mom, I guess once I told her it made it real. I actually had a baby growing inside me.

"JESSE, come here, I want you to be here when I tell my mom!" I shouted.

"Coming," he replied. I heard the water shut off and then his footsteps. My mom's face popped up into the screen.

"Finally you call. I could've been sick or something and you would never know because you don't call me." She said before I even had a chance to say anything.

"Hey mom. How are you?" I said.

"I'm okay, not that you would know, I haven't heard from you in so long. Texting doesn't count I want to hear your voice."

"Yes mom, I'm sorry, things have been really crazy here."

"Are you doing okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, better than fine actually. Um, I have some news that I want to tell you."

"Okay, what is it?'

"Hey Mom!" Jess said, sitting next to me on the couch.

"Don't hey mom me, Jesse. What kind of son are you to let it go so long without me giving me a call? You're not exempt. What? I move down here and all of a sudden I don't deserve a damn call? I don't see a damn thing funny." she said as he tried to hide his smirk.

"Shanice, I'm sorry. Like Jay said, it has been really crazy here."

"How the hell would I know that if you don't call? And you miss doctor, don't even have the time to call your own sisters. What's that about? I raised you all to stay close no matter what and now you can't even pick up the phone to call your own sisters?"

"Mom, I'll do better, it's not even like that, it's just been crazy, it really has. I'll call them after you. But I really want to tell you the good news we have."

"Okay, what is it?" she said, finally relenting from the lecture. I looked at jesse.

"I'm pregnant!"

"We're pregnant!" We said. My mom was shocked. I never told her we were even trying so I know she wasn't expecting it and I wanted to really surprise her.

"Oh my God, are you serious?" she said with her hand over her mouth.

"Yeah, she really is." Jesse said smiling.

"I am so happy for you guys, God bless you and my grandchild! That is the best news." she said as she started tearing up.

"Don't cry ma, you're going to make me cry." I said trying not to cry myself.

"Aw, baby girl, I really am so happy for you both. I cannot wait to be a grandma again. I am so happy." she said as she wiped the tears away.

"I'm going to call you later mom, I just really wanted to tell you the good news. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay, love you both so much."

"Love you too mom."

"Love you Shanice, Bye!"

We hung up, I put my phone down on the coffee table.

"Your mom had the best reaction so far, it was cute." Jesse said as he engulfed me in a hug.

#love and marriage #original story #original writing #black characters #black writers #writers on tumblr

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starsoverjupiter · 1 month

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4/10/24

total: 384 :/

cals burned: 60

today was ROUGH.

late last night i ate frito scoops and sour cream while i played minecraft with my friend >~< sugh that's where it all went downhill.. I CANNOT SNACK. I SHOULD NOT SNACK ITS BAD FOR ME.///160+60

i woke up late and disoriented as usual, i take a lot of benadryl before bed every night.. i was supposed to get up for therapy and then i fell back asleep for an HOUR!!! when i woke up at 1:45 i realized i would have to do a telehealth appointment, which i HATE. it's harder to talk, and i always end up doing 30 minutes even though i pay for an hour session. it went okay i guess. anyways i ate half of a everything bagel + cream cheese which i honestly did not really enjoy.///95

after that i smoked and rotted until work, my friend said he was going to pop by for a minute before but his BUS got DELAYED! it's okay tho we're hanging out next Saturday, work was slow, i left half an hour early and my pervy 60 year old coworker Juan offered me a ride home, and then made me drive with him while he delivered a pizza.. but i got home safely.

i walked my dogs for a while, we went around my neighborhood,, they've been tearing down the woods and all the trees nearby to make room for more homes, it sucks.

i've lived here all my life and i always was able to run around in the woods as a kid, and i could take my dogs, but now they've torn ALL of it down, im talking acres, and for what???? anyways i walked my dogs through what used to be a little wooded area, found some cool plants, and a lot of golf balls!

my friend came over a little bit after, we smoked and he got too high and left lol.. i made cookies last night at my best friends house! i left some there for her but brought the rest home to share, i nibbled on a little bit just to try it, it was so thick and yummy omg..///32

then i played with my dogs and trained them with half a mandarin, i ate the other half///23

omg and then my plug texted me he was otw but i didn't see until he was ten minutes away, so i started to tear my room apart looking for my wallet, and i couldn't find it.. i texted him and told him i was looking everywhere for it and he blocked me LOL, i was sad ab that and i ate a little piece of mango :/ i gave the rest to my dog i shouldnt have had it ugh i hate myself sm i feel so fat///14

goodnight :(

#girl blogger #blog #mini rant #about my day #low cal restriction #low cal diet #cal log #low cal food #calories #⭐️ve #thinspø #meanspø #skiiiny #thigh g4p #sweetsp0 #sk1n4ndb0n3s #light as a 🪶

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theemmataylor · 7 years

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A Frozen Medley || Sebastian, Gaston, Emma, Evelyn, Alaric, and the Mikaelson Brothers

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI

Once the sun had started to set and the temperature dropped, it was time to put everything away where it would be stored every night and then crawl into the tents. After waking up at nearly four that morning, and then literally running from the start, there wasn't an ounce of reluctance or argument from any of them.

Sebastian had a silent alarm that vibrated on his wrist to wake him every three hours to make rounds, but he crawled into his sleeping bag, his back to the brothers, and worked to settle his mind enough to allow him to sleep.

As for Kol, his back was also to Sebastian and he was staring at Niklaus, waiting to feel like the gunman was sleeping so that maybe they could talk a little more. In the meantime, he inched closer to Nik, as close as he could manage, then inched his fingers out of a space in his sleeping bag and reached to slowly, gently, boop his brother on the nose. "How are you?" he whispered.

In the other tent, Alaric had been far less shy about snuggling up next to Elijah, nose nuzzling against his jaw, nipping. He was careful to restrain himself as much as sharing a tent with two others might need. But nobody particularly seemed interested in making conversation.

Emma's sleeping bag was about a size too big for her, and she could disappear entirely inside of it. Trying to give the boys a little privacy, knowing that things had only just started for them and maybe they would like the opportunity to kiss without everybody watching. She didn't know. But just in case. Though her body was exhausted, her eyes were open, studying the figure she was now facing in the growing darkness.

"Is it weird that I feel an incredible compulsion to tell everybody goodnight? Also, this kind of feels like the first night of summer camp when I'm exhausted but I'm supposed to stay up all night. And... I'm sorry. I'm going to sleep now." She bit her bottom lip. "I'm sorry," she whispered again.

Emma got warm, soft, genuine laughter out of Elijah and the sound of his laughter got Gaston going. Elijah had been lying on his back for a while, comfortably snuggled into the furs he used instead of a bag, and he shook his head, grinning. "No, it does. It really does feel like that. My body is completely worn, but my mind is racing a million miles a minute, and all I want to do is be up with all of you -- kissing Alaric, talking to you, Emma, irritating you somehow, Gaston."

Gaston was still laughing and it took him a minute to even shut up. He wiped at his eyes, laughter a little softer now, and then shook his head. His sleeping bag crinkled as he moved in it, turning to look at Emma. "This is the worst summer camp I've ever been to. Are you warm enough, Emma?"

Elijah turned his head to look at Ric and, as soon as he could make him out in the gloom of the tent, he grinned and touched his forehead to Ric's. "Hello."

Emma had giggled, but muffled the sound in her sleeping bag. She somewhat looked over her shoulder in Elijah's direction But Gaston's voice, speaking, was enough to pull her focus back in his direction. "It is kind of the worst summer camp, isn't it? And the other tent are the adults, if they can really be called that. And here in like, five minutes we're going to get really loud shushing sounds coming from them." Her arms were wrapped around herself as she shrugged at Gaston. "I'll be okay. I'm small. My circulation is... kind of lame sometimes. I stay cold. But I'll warm up in the sleeping bag eventually."

Alaric had smiled when Elijah turned to him, licking his cheek. "Hello," he whispered, his voice perhaps a little too sultry for the light air the tent had just held. He cleared his throat. "How are you?" His question couldn't be more cheesy. But he was happy.

So. Goddamn. Happy.

"I am fine. A bit concerned for Emma, though. Emma," Elijah turned back to her. "You haven't an ounce of fat on you. Come out of your bag a moment and crawl in with me while Gaston zips your bags together."

Gaston snorted quietly at the way Elijah didn't ask if he was alright with doing that, although they both knew the answer was yes. Sometimes, the man's casual authority was irritating, something it was entertaining, sometimes it was inspiring, and sometimes all of the above. Tonight, he decided entertaining was the right word.

Emma peeked out of her sleeping bag at Gaston, her eyes were large enough that he might have been able to see them in the darkness. "I... That's not necessary. Really. I don't want to make things difficult for him. And you... know that I might have a tendency to be drawn to the heat source while I'm sleeping."

"I won't do anything untoward," Gaston assured her, "but if you're cold, we should change that. Besides, I would much rather be able to just curl up around you and have us both be warmer for it than know that you're next to me and cold. I'll be getting up every three hours," his schedule was different from Moran's, so only an hour and a half would pass without one of them being up, "but I should be able to slip in and out without waking you completely."

"I didn't... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply that I thought you would..." Finally, Emma nodded, crawling out of her sleeping bag in what couldn't have been anything by way of helping her stay warm (cotton draw-string pajama pants and a sweater. Though she did at least manage to wear socks. They would likely end up kicked off by morning.)

She hurried to dive under Elijah's blankets, brushing his skin with her cold fingers and finding herself giggling again. "He's going to hate me by morning. He needs rest tonight. And I'm not going to be able to stop giggling."

Elijah was only wearing boxers, but it in between the animal skins was as warm as an oven. "You poor thing, you're freezing," he murmured. "Alaric, we're going to have a tiny little popsicle on our hands by the end if we don't watch this one." He caught her hands and held them between his to try and warm them for a moment while Gaston rustled around with the zippers. After a few minutes and a few soft curses, there was a long zipping sound and then Gaston climbed into their now much larger bag.

"Done. Come here, Popsicle. I won't hate you. Giggle away."

Once Emma was out of his little fur bed, Elijah turned and nuzzled Alaric again, then bit him on the earlobe -- delicate, teasing, more intimate than he probably should have been.

Alaric's gasp was quiet. Silent. And his hands slipped from under his own blankets -- being the exact opposite of Emma and always sleeping warm; he slept on his sleeping bag, but only ever under a blanket not entirely uninspired by Elijah's -- and over to touch Elijah's chest. "We will have to keep an eye out for her then," he whispered. "At least tonight she'll be well taken care of."

When Emma crawled into the new giant sleeping bag, her sock had already started to twist so that it wasn't quite on right, but she didn't bother fixing it. She was careful to try to keep her hands to herself, knowing that cold fingers on someone's stomach might be the worst thing. "Thank you," she said happily, already feeling a little warmer thanks to him. Emma inched closer. "You really didn't have to offer to do this."

The touch made Elijah's insides seem to twist in a wonderful way. He loved Alaric so much that it genuinely hurt, and he loved that ache. He moved over closer, then slipped his arm around Ric's body and gave him a sweet, soft, gentle kiss. "We will,” he murmured.

"If you two are going to make out," Gaston said, "at least have the decency to be obvious about it." He was grinning and he shook his head, entirely unperturbed by the two of them, and then he turned his attention to Emma. "Oh, I didn't offer, but you're welcome. We are a team, after all. Here." He turned her away from himself so that he could spoon her -- unlike the others, Gaston was dressed, in thin wool pants and a tight poly-fleece shirt -- so at least it wasn't entirely indecent... although nothing he wore really left much to the imagination.

At all.

Still, he was a furnace, and as soon as he was settled around her, he wrapped one of his big hands around both of hers, trying to warm them, and tucked his chin over her head.

"Thank you all the same," she said feeling almost shy about how easily he'd turned her over and then pulled her against him. He was incredibly warm. And... jesus are those his ab muscles I can feel through his... She had only shifted a little, and if she had been in literally any other frame of mind, she might not have started giggling. But the night was a relatively happy one. And she was feeling giddy. "I'm sorry," she whispered, shyly, trying to calm herself. "I told you. You're going to hate me by morning."

Alaric had smiled at Gaston's words, his cheeks maybe warming a little bit and he was just on the verge when Emma had laughed again. "Now I feel like we're the adults who are left out of any inside joke and will have to drug the girl with Benadryl to get her to sleep here in an hour."

"Oh, I could find a way to help her sleep," Gaston purred, there was no other word to describe what just happened with his voice, but then he laughed softly, in all innocence, and nuzzled the back of her head. "I won't hate you by morning. It's an odd situation, to be sure, laughter can help ease the tension."

Elijah smiled sleepily and shook his head, then turned on his side so he could put his back against Alaric -- and drape his hand behind him to brush his fingers over the front of Alaric's sleep pants, just once, before he tucked his arm back where it ought to be and just relaxed. "Goodnight, you two. Goodnight Alaric." He turned his head and called out, "Goodnight Kol. Goodnight Sebastian. Goodnight Nik--"

"Sod off!"

"Klaus." Elijah grinned and flopped his head down onto his pillow.

"If you are going to be an insufferable tease this entire month, I might not survive," Alaric whispered. His stomach had twisted and again he'd found his breath caught in his lungs, holding tight as he wrapped an arm around Elijah’s waist, then bit softly at the curve of his neck and shoulders, quickly turning it into a kiss. "Goodnight, darling," he whispered in return after all the rest had responded.

Emma's jaw had actually dropped at his words, though the intention behind them seemed... obvious? He didn't really seem to be flirting with her. Which was fine. She needed to focus on this month, on her story. And on just trying not to die of any of the six thousand things that could likely kill her out here. As his hands over hers seemed to relax, Emma pulled one arm free and rested it over his, holding on to him. "Goodnight, guys," she said softly before finally letting her eyes close so she could settle into this warmth.

Gaston nuzzled her softly, then closed his eyes as well and settled in for his nap.

Meanwhile...

Nik had almost fallen asleep until the giggle fits had started, and then Elijah just had to go and say goodnight to every blessed one of them. He stared at Kol again, sulking now, before he got up and leaned over his brother -- on his brother -- to look at Sebastian and see if he was sleeping.

Sebastian hadn't replied to the goodnight wishes, and Kol had only chuckled at Nik's response. He hadn't really been close to falling asleep yet, though he didn't really seem to be weighed too heavily about what had happened the night before -- jesus was that only last night?

The sniper didn't react to the proximity of his tent mate, though it remained unclear if he was actually asleep. If someone so much as whispered his name, there was a chance that he would wake, or so Kol figured. But Elijah had just yelled it. But a man like this, trained like this, had to know how to shut everything out in order to get the most out of the couple hours of sleep he was given, right?

Kol's hand rested against Nik's ribcage as his brother laid across him. "And what is it you're trying to accomplish, brother?”

"Conducting a scientific survey," Nik replied. "I'm waiting to see how long Sebastian can handle my staring at him. When he reacts, I have a question for him."

The words were enough for Sebastian to sigh a little heavier than sleep might deem necessary and then just opened his eyes.

Nik's eyes sparkled in the dark as he smiled, and he held still another moment, just watching the sniper, before he asked: "Do you know?"

Of course I know. You two were drunk, which means you weren't half as quiet as you thought you were, and I walked down the hall at just the right time.

"Know what?"

"About my brother and I. What we did last night."

Sebastian's lips twitched into a smile, but the expression was gone as quickly as it came. "Are you asking my permission to continue things?"

That hadn't been Nik's intention -- or so he thought until Sebastian asked, and then he realized that was exactly why he'd asked. He tensed up a bit but then gave a tight, small nod.

"Were something to happen between he and I... it would very likely be while you're here," he murmured, voice too soft to carry to the other tent. "Or when you're just coming back in, or.. you get the picture, I'm sure. If it... would truly... repulse you.. that he and I were -- so close, I'm sure we can refrain for a month. But if you wouldn't terribly mind perhaps walking in on it.."

If you know what we're doing, perhaps it won't wake you up if you hear a soft, furtive rustle from one of us.

"Do as you wish." Sebastian's voice was equally as soft and low. "I'm here to make sure you don't die. And I'm better than most at keeping secrets. Mostly because I don't care enough about anything to share it with the next person. So long as I get to sleep my three hours, which you're interrupting now, and you don't put yourself in mortal danger, then your business is none of my concern."

With that, Sebastian shrugged and turned over onto his other side, giving them his back and all the privacy he could afford them.

Nik resolved to kiss Moran in the morning.

He slithered off of Kol and flopped down next to him again, although he stayed close; Nik was never as warm as either of his brothers. "You heard the man," he whispered. "Perhaps, tomorrow night, when we're a bit less exhausted, you might let me kiss you?" he tried to keep his whisper as soft as possible for Sebastian's sake.

Kol thought of a dozen different ways to respond to that question -- not all of them in the affirmative -- and decided instead to stretch forward to press a soft, lingering, careful kiss to Nik’s lips. They had done this since last night. The kissing. But it hadn't really been... There had been too much question and hesitation in each one. And they hadn't really answered any of his questions except by letting him know that he didn't hate the feeling of Nik's lips against his own.

His lips parted just enough that he could brush Nik's bottom lip with his tongue, and was surprised when he felt something closer to relief than he had expected at the simple act.

Nik shivered with pleasure at that time before he nipped at Kol's lip and retreated down into the depths of his sleeping bag with a soft hissing sound. "Goodnight, brother."

Kol smirked and rolled onto his back, heavy eyelids lowering. "Sod off," he teased, mimicking Klaus himself with the response.

In what felt like moments later, Sebastian felt the alarm on his wrist begin to vibrate and his eyes were instantly open. He slid silently out of his sleeping bag, into his clothing he'd left sitting out so he could dress quickly, and finally his boots, and pulled his face covering and hat on as he exited the tent, being sure to close it behind him as quickly as possible.

The glasses he put on were thermal. High quality, but the logistics were simple enough. The full circle they'd made earlier was saved for daytime. At night he knew he couldn't be out long enough to even run that quick mile circle. He had told Gaston no more than five to ten minutes checking for signs of any heat or life around them. Listening, most of all. And he knew he shouldn't miss anything with these on. When Gaston woke in an hour and a half, he would do the same. And their shifting schedule kept it so that they never went too long without protection

Sebastian checked his ammo and then headed out into the night air, cursing quietly. He stayed the full ten minutes, but found nothing to report, and returned back to his sleeping bag and instantly back to sleep in a matter of moments.

Trouble didn't come until the last watch, which happened to be Gaston's. The sun was nearly up, which was the only reason he decided to exceed his orders. He moved out and went to check the perimeter, but moments later, he was back.

"Moran," he whispered, crouched outside of their tent. "I need you. I'm sorry."

Sebastian was out of the tent before even being fully dressed. He did that on their way, cursing at the biting cold on his ears and nose. But if Gaston needed him, a little frost bite didn't matter. Besides, he was ready quickly. On his way out he grabbed an extra round for his gun and then met Gaston's eyes.

"What happened?"

"You have time to get dressed, I think." Gaston's back was to the tent and he was crouched on the ground, rifle ready, looking out. "The perimeter system is down. Somehow. Without causing any alerts. There are prints all around each stake. The fence has quit, too."

Stars shone out beautifully from the strange, twilight sky, and there was no ticking from the fence. There was no wind, not a sound, nothing but a deep and biting cold and a sense that something was very, very wrong.

Fuck.

He got dressed fully, his stomach twisting. "I'm three seconds from waking their asses up and making them get in the cage."

He tried to think of what could cause this. But nothing, nothing that he could think of would take that much down without an alarm going off.

"I swear to the gods, LeFevre, if you tell me they're wolf tracks, I'm sending them home."

"They're human," Gaston said, meeting his eyes for one brief moment once Sebastian was back out there with him. "Small. And barefoot."

There was another quiet rustle and then Elijah came out, fully dressed. He closed the tent behind himself and looked as if he was about to say something before his eyes widened as he registered the silence where there should have been ticking. He looked at Moran in question.

"Exactly," Sebastian whispered. "While we stand guard, how fast can you put it back online?"

His attention turned back to Gaston. "The girl in your tent... she helped put the fence up. She's not a sleepwalker, is she?"

"No. We were in the same sleeping bag whenever I was there. When I wasn't, I rolled her up against Elijah... and her feet should have been bleeding from that much walking around on the snow and ice."

The deep silence felt like a menacing companion all its own as Elijah moved to the power panels for the fence. His heart was racing and he was far more awake than he had been a minute ago; he'd awoken when he heard the other tent moving, but hadn't really thought anything would be wrong. Now, he could feel it pressing in on them, all around -- the weight of the strange Arctic twilight, the silence, the cold, the promise of predators. The fence was one of the very few things that made this expedition possible, and without it, their lives would only last as long as the bullets did, if the bears they had come here for found them.

Which they would.

Elijah closed his eyes and held his breath for a moment, focusing his fear, focusing himself as he started resetting the panels --

But when he energized them, there wasn't so much as a single blip of power.

"Fuck," he whispered, then got up and turned to Moran. "I need to walk around and inspect the fence. I'll be out of sight if I go behind the tents. Will one of you come with me?"

He knew they should have been bleeding, but was LeFevre certain they weren't? He didn't ask. She felt like a stretch anyway.

"Gaston. You are guarding these tents. Do not, for an instant, hesitate to shoot anything that moves that isn't us. You know the path we're taking."

He tossed his thermals. "You're guarding more people than I am. Even if we're not going far."

Sebastian hated this. He hated all of this. Their first fucking night. "This is your only chance, Mikaelson. This one round. If it doesn't work I'm calling for an evac instantly, you understand?"

"I understand and agree. Without the fence, our lives will be measured only by your bullets." Elijah got into a bin and pulled out a flashlight. He rubbed the button against his cheek to be sure of which it was, then hit the switch, turning on the dim red beam. He shone it over the fence as he began circling it, looking for any sign of damage, but there was none.

On the opposite side of the tent doors, however, there was a small, white Arctic hare's foot perched atop one of the poles. Frowning, Elijah reached up and took it. He turned the bloody little thing over on his mittened palm, then continued the inspection of the fence as an icy wind began to pick up.

When they got back to the gate, he went back to try the panels one more time.

Nothing.

Elijah looked up at Sebastian and nodded. "We have to call this off. I'll take it apart and try to repair it while they dress and pre..."

Nik came out of the tent, mostly dressed, a little confused, and he held up the satellite phone -- the only satellite phone.

"What the bloody hell is going on?" he asked. Even against the twilit sky, the wires sticking out of the phone were all too obvious.

Elijah checked his watch and then looked at the horizon, seeming untroubled by the phone. He shut off the flashlight, unplugged the panels, and started disassembling one of them, moving quickly and with familiarity.

"Oh, lovely, Elijah, you don't care, but I do. Moran, please, tell me you had an encounter with the phone that you're just dying to be able to explain?"

"Pack your things." He didn't know how to get them out. "At the very least you all are going into the cage. All of you. Now, Niklaus. Get your brother."

He kept his eyes on Elijah and nodded in the direction of the other tent. "Wake them. I want them unreachable. We can hang blankets and make them stay low so they're not visible by outside eyes..."

Something has already been here.

We are already compromised.

Sebastian knew he couldn't let that show. Because if they lost faith or hope, all was lost. "Carry them if you have to. Just get them in that fucking cage."

Elijah dropped what he was doing on the spot and nodded, going into the tent. "Alaric, Emma," he said, kneeling between them and shaking both. "I need you to wake up and get dressed. Put on all of your warmest clothes, but do it quickly, and then you're going to come outside with me."

Nik stood there outside still, looking stunned. "What's..?"

"Klaus. Questions later. Fucking move."

By this time Kol had awoken and was standing behind Nik. He heard the commotion and groaned. "Not fucking again. Haven't we already been rudely awakened enough times for this damn week?"

Still, the tone in Sebastian's voice told him he wasn't kidding. He took the Satellite phone from Nik, and pulled him inside to start getting as much clothes on as possible. With his brother in tow, they were the first in the cage.

Ric woke with a start and took a breath to remember where they were. But he dressed quickly, helped Emma pile on more layers, and they all moved out into the cold where the cages were.

There were hooks at the corners of the cage and Sebastian immediately started hanging a tarp while Gaston kept watch. "Lay down if you can. And fucking stay in here."

He returned to Gaston and quietly spoke to him, watching his back now, standing shoulder to shoulder. "Anything?"

Elijah had refused to go into the cage. He buried the others in sleeping bags, but then he went right back to working on the panels, on his knees in the dark.

Gaston shook his head, scanning with Moran's thermals one more time before handing them back to him. "Nothing."

"You should knock the tents down," Elijah suggested as he worked. "They're two blind spots. You don't need to disassemble the poles, just undo the clips, the tent will fall down, leaving the poles intact. Incidentally, gentlemen, the sun should have been fully above the horizon seventeen minutes ago." And yet, of course, the sky was still dark, the stars still twinkling, the sun forgotten.

"What?" Nik hissed from their cage huddle.

Elijah continued working on the panel, taking everything apart and reassembling it with the same familiarity and confidence Sebastian or Gaston would have used with a rifle.

#part seven #a frozen medley #one shot #familyispower #bourbonandbrushes #gastonlefevre #theveritasi #v nature doc

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themostunquietmind · 7 years

Text

Day 18 (whoops...)

Once again, I have failed myself. From day 5 to day 18? What trash am I lol.

But where to begin. So many things have happened in the 2 weeks since I last wrote. First things first, I suppose: I did not kill myself. So woohoo for me.

But I don’t understand how I’m still breathing when I literally feel like I’ve died. I don’t know if I’m alive. I don’t know if this is real life. I keep asking myself how I got here, how I got to this point. I sit and look at all of the events leading up to this moment and I feel... nothing. Maybe I need to dissect all of the events that got me here to find clarity.

Tinder. What a glorious fucking app. What an app, guys. What a fucking app. For all of the miserable people to find other people just as miserable as them to do things God would not approve of. And voila! I found myself on this app... But who was first...

Nathan: what a lovely man. Super skinny and nerdy. A redhead. He bought me chicken tenders at a restaurant in Richmond. And that’s it. No hooking up. No sex. We didn’t even kiss. What a lovely evening we had together. But the thing about Nathan is that he was out of my league. A literal genius. He only wanted to make money. He didn’t want children. He didn’t see the point. So when he told me he didn’t see us going anywhere, I wasn’t too upset. But of course he couldn’t just let it go there; he had to tell me the reasons things couldn’t work out between us. Essentially, I am an underachiever and I’m not going anywhere in life. Thank you, Nathan. My skewed perception of myself was not fulfilled without those words from you.

So onto Navroop. Nav for short. What a lovely face he had. But unfortunately, that’s where the attraction ended. What a scrawny man. And he didn't have toilet paper in his apartment... I’m still salty about this. So I went to Nav’s for the sole purpose of hooking up because at this point A and I were going nowhere fast. So I went to sleep with Nav. But Nav was gross. After he gave me very precise pecks on the neck and lips, I should have left. But I convinced myself that I could do it! I could fucking do it. But I couldn’t. Once he took his pants off and said “what do you think” with the most smug look on his face, I grabbed my shit and left. Bye bye Nav. I don’t miss you.

And then we get Brandon. Oh Brandon. Your inexperience made you so endearing. The steroids though.. I wasn’t a fan. Things with A and I were still so up in the air. No official status. No exclusion. Nothing. So Brandon. I actually remember some of the context with Brandon. I remember that I was so desperate for someone to want me... I had myself so convinced that all I needed was a physical connection -- someone to just sleep with regularly, and I would be happy. A and I were going to end. What was the point of even trying. So Brandon. He was close. He had a nice body (due to the steroids, but whatever). And he had a killer smile. So I slept with him. A whopping 3 times. The poor guy. He just wanted to get laid, but I realized that I’m not a casual sex kind of girl. So I made this poor man talk to me for 2 hours before I even let him touch me. But he was kind and patient, so it was okay. Unfortunately, he was also a flaming asshole. So when he told me he wanted a fuck buddy and that’s it, I was hype. But then he broke his own rules by asking me for girl advice. What a fucking cunt. So things ended after that. Although that didn’t stop him from reaching out occasionally asking for sex. I did not oblige.

So after Brandon came Joe. Or was it Reza. Oh who cares. After Brandon came Joe. And Joe was a joy. He had this sweet little daughter. And he let me spend the night with him and he snuggled and it was so lovely. And I actually thought Joe and I had potential. But at this point in my relationship with A, things were crumbling. So I was scared. So scared of being alone. So I threw myself at Joe and sufficiently scared the shit out of him. Joe and I only had sex twice. Enjoyable nonetheless, but not noteworthy. So when he told me he wanted to be friends with no benefits, I knew I wouldn’t ever see him again. So I was alone. Alone with A. Who didn’t want me.

Which led me to Reza. The pharmacist wannabe. He was beautiful. Although his mild lisp drove me fucking bonkers. He literally met all of my requirements. Sweet, funnyy, outgoing, ambitious, a family man... And so many other things. But Reza was the Ashley to me as a Joe. He was so fucking into me. And I was not into that. But hey, everyone deserves a chance, right? Wrong. I should have just told Reza to fuck off. But I didn’t. So I added another useless number to my body count. Reza counts as the worst sex of my life (if we can even call it sex). By my definition, a guy humping you, yelling obscenities, and cumming in under 5 minutes doesn’t count as sex. But hey, I don’t make the rules. So where did I end up? Back with A. But A still didn’t want me for more than a minute.

Kia. We can’t forget Kia. Forever my best friend. Bless that boy and the late night Skype calls in 8th grade while I was crying with a razor over my body and him begging me not to... What a guy. He was also the reason I took a handful of Benadryl (which only made me sleep for 48 hours -- trash), but that’s a story for another day. Kia stopped by on his way to Tech or something. I blew him. It was insignificant. It took about 5 minutes. But it matters. Everything matters.

Jorey. Back to the past. So lonely. So fucking lonely. One friday night I invited him over at 10pm. He drove the hour and a half to see me. It was supposed to be just sex. But we had so much sex. I don’t even know how much, but damn it was a lot. And I was content with the sex. But things had to get so fucking complicated because he loves me. And I thought that I loved him. I mean I’m sure I’ll always love him, but not in the way he needs me to. So I broke his heart again. And for that I will forever be sorry. I hope he never forgives me; I don’t deserve it. But I told A about Jorey. A didn’t have a problem. A was doing the same with someone else. It was fine. It was cool. But it wasn’t. It never is.

After Jorey came Mark and Jenn. I know they’re two separate people, but their stories go hand-in-hand. Mark, my internet crush for over 10 years. And his wife Jenn. I don’t even know why him and I started talking again... But we did. And that was such a huge mistake. So we talked. And I talked to his wife too. And she.... She is such a special individual. But she’s also fucking crazy. So hey, let’s just drive from colorado to VA for ashley’s 21st birthday. Why not. So they came. And it was so lovely. Dinner and drinks, and snuggles. So many wonderful things. I kissed Jenn a handful of times while they were here, but I didn’t even really touch Mark. He made me nervous. And on the last day, we talked about sex. We decided not to have sex. We decided that because I didn’t feel comfortable, we weren’t going to have sex. But that night, Jenn kissed me goodnight, but it didn’t stop at a goodnight kiss. It was just her and I for such a long time, I didn’t think Mark was going to join. But he eventually did. And it was an interesting experience. I don’t regret it because it was an experience. But I regret them. I regret bringing them into my life. I regret bringing them into my web of shit. They deserved so much better than me. And so does A... Of course he didn’t want me. I don’t want me. I don’t even know why he’s still talking to me... I want to die.

But it doesn’t stop with Mark and Jenn. There was Ed. Who had a massive blowout breakup on Facebook. We talked after that because he was making very... distasteful posts about his ex. So we talked. And we snapped. And nothing ever came of it. He said he would visit me in Richmond, I said I’d visit him in NOVA. But it never happened. I’m full of empty promises. So him and his ex got back together, and good for them. But he still tried to hook up with me. He repeatedly asked for sexy snaps... I couldn’t oblige. I refused. We don’t talk anymore.

And then Jake. My final fling. We met in a bar. He saved me from the creepiest of creeps. He kissed me on the dance floor and gave me his number. I had sex with Jake twice. Not noteworthy, but enjoyable at the time. Jake was exactly what I needed. A and I just had such a big blowout. We even called things off. But we were still in limbo. But Jake. Jake made me feel lovely. Like I was worth everything. He was so intrigued by me. But I had to say goodbye to Jake. Because A found out. And it’s better this way, because Jake didn’t deserve a person like me. No one deserves a person like me. A doesn’t deserve a person like me...

So now it’s just me and A. But A hates me. A wants to cause me pain and tear me apart. And I’m going to let him. I deserve it. But I don’t think he deserves to have to deal with me.

As much as I want to fight and claim that A and I were never together, were never official, I knew all of the guys above were wrong; I knew A would be pissed. I don’t know why I did it. I guess I was living for the moment. Stupid. Because none of it was worth losing him. Which I think needs to happen. I think I need to say goodbye to him. Because he deserves better than this. He deserves better than me. No one deserves to have to deal with me. No one.

I really should kill myself. If I do, I won’t hurt the people in my life anymore. I won’t hurt the people not already in my life. I would do so many favors if I just disappeared. I want to disappear.

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