#tornbetween2loves

[angelasscribbles]

Personal Update April 2025

Hey guys. It’s been so long since I’ve done a true update. I haven’t posted much at all in 2025 and there are a lot of reasons for that.

Tag list clean up is coming next, just FYI.

I’m not sure what, exactly, was the final straw that pushed me away from Tumblr. Drama, declining readership, real life demands. Probably a bit of all of the above.

September 2024 my sister was dx with terminal cancer. November 2024 a convicted felon took the White House. I have people I love that are part of vulnerable communities, and that’s all I want to say about that here.

I had a rough time, emotionally, for the last six months or so. Add in my own dx with a chronic illness, my kids overwhelming volleyball schedule, rescuing a puppy, etc. I was honestly just exhausted. My entire family has been sick (and I mean, out of it, can’t sit up for days sick) four times since Thanksgiving.

I lost my sister last month. The state I live in is trying to make it illegal for people I love to exist.

And wow, that sounds like a litany of poor me. It’s not. It’s simply what the last six, nearly seven, months have been like. That’s over half a year. When I look at it like that… no wonder I’ve been MIA in a lot of areas of my life.

The good news is that my neurodivergent brain just decided, for whatever reason, to unvapor lock.

My birthday was two days ago, and it was a good one. Despite the last six months, I had fun. I smiled. I laughed. I relaxed. There was ice cream and singing from friends. A campfire and s’mores at home. My husband cooked my favorite steak tacos.

I don’t know. I just feel like I received permission to start living again. To feel joy again.

Earlier this week, I randomly completed a 1200 word one shot and have over 2000 words on another (completely unrelated to the first). And so many ideas, I can’t reign them in. Just like old times lol.

It feels good. Writing feels… joyous to me.

That’s not saying I will ever return to posting two to three chapters a week again. I have other writing projects going on that will never be posted here. In a lot of ways, I have outgrown Tumblr. But TRR will always have a special place in my heart.

So even as I refocus my writing energy on original fiction, I imagine that the one shots and the open ended series I have created will continue to intrude upon my consciousness and demand to be written. And they shall be.

I'm not leaving. I intend to post more than I have been in the last six months, but not as much I was posting two years ago.

I am so close to finishing both Law’s End and Savage Love, I can taste it.

My asks are currently closed because I have a backlog of asks already. I make no promises about any of those. That said, my inbox is always open if you just want to say hi.

Tagging under the cut.

@walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight  @secretaryunpaid

@karahalloway, @harleybeaumont @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234 @nestledonthaveone

@lovingchoices14  @bascmve01

 @tessa-liam @queen-arabella-of-cordonia

@emersyn-in-cordonia @indiacater @mattiematt1234

@twinkle-320 @tinkie1973

@differenttyphoonwerewolf  @jared2612  @belencha77 @gabesmommie1130

@irishgrl2022 @queenmiarys

@kristinamae093 @sillydg @bebepac

@3pawandme @dcbbw  @amandablink

@phoenixrising0308 @lunaseasblog  

@hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader @ohmyeightpastlives  

@gardeningourmet @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1  @kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves @fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

[angelasreblogs]

Just for Fun

Tagging under the cut

@karahalloway, @harleybeaumont @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234 @nestledonthaveone

@walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @bascmve01 @twinkleallnight

@lovingchoices14  @tinkie1973

@secretaryunpaid  @irishgrl2022

@kristinamae093 @tessa-liam @gabesmommie1130 @queenmiarys

@differenttyphoonwerewolf  @jared2612  @belencha77

@dcbbw  @amandablink @indiacater 

@bebepac @twinkle-320 @mattiematt1234

@queen-arabella-of-cordonia

@emersyn-in-cordonia @lunaseasblog  

@hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader

@ladyangel70 @ohmyeightpastlives  @gardeningourmet

@sillydg @phoenixrising0308

@3pawandme @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1 @kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves

@fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

[drake-walker-appreciation]

Masterlist of Drake Creators

Not a complete list by any means. This is a work in progress. Feel free to rec writers in the comments.

Authors

alwaysmychoices

angelascribbles

angstymarshamallow

argylemnwrites

axwalker

burnsoslow

camillemontespan

drakeandkatherine

drakexwillow

dukedrakes

flowerpowelltales

fluffy-marshmallow-heart

harleybeaumont

karahalloway

kat-tia801

kd-ohd-fanfic

lilacsandwhiskey

@marshmallowsandfire

nestledonthaveone

petiteboheme

tornbetween2loves

twinkleallnight

sillydg

walkerismychoice

Art, Edits and Moodboards

mskaneko

[angelasscribbles]

Valentine's Day throwback for the @choicesficwriterscreations Valentine's Day event.

I need to write the follow up to this one and wrap up this arc.

Tagging under the cut

@walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight @tinkie1973 @secretaryunpaid 

@irishgrl2022 @queenmiarys

@differenttyphoonwerewolf  @jared2612  @belencha77

@karahalloway, @harleybeaumont @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234 @nestledonthaveone

@lovingchoices14  @bascmve01

@kristinamae093 @tessa-liam @gabesmommie1130

@queen-arabella-of-cordonia @sillydg

@3pawandme @dcbbw  @amandablink 

@indiacater  @bebepac @twinkle-320 @mattiematt1234 @phoenixrising0308

@emersyn-in-cordonia @lunaseasblog  

@hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader @ohmyeightpastlives  

@gardeningourmet @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1

@kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves @fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

@choicesficwriterscreations

Staking a Claim

Series: Cordonian Royal Airlines

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings for series: Various

Pairing for this chapter: Riley x Drake

Word Count: 2,340

Rating: MA

Warnings for this chapter: Language mostly

A/N: This is for the @choicesholidays Valentine's Day prompts: "Be my fake date for a wedding."

The hair color is wrong for my Riley, but this image was perfect!

The copilot twisted around in his seat one too many times, craning his neck as if searching the cabin for something, jostling the pilot in the process.

Liam grunted in consternation. “Drake!”

Drake spun back around, “What?”

“What is your malfunction?”

“What do you mean?” Drake blinked at him in confusion.

“What do you mean what do I mean?” Liam grunted, “We haven’t made it through the preflight checklist because you keep turning around to stare into the cabin! What the hell is so interesting out there?”

“Nothing!” Drake rolled his shoulders, stared blankly out the cockpit window for a moment then turned back to Liam, “Can you see the guy in 12B?”

“What?” Liam’s head swiveled around and then back. “No. Why?”

Drake’s bottom lip protruded as he shook his head. “No reason.”

Liam watched him skeptically. Drake had been visibly agitated since he’d reported for duty. “There has to be a reason.”

“I…he just….he looks a little squirrely. You know what I mean? Untrustworthy.”

Liam’s eyes widened in alarm. “Is he a threat? Do we need to alert security? Did you see a weapon?” He whipped his head around quickly to try and get a good view of the man in 12B. “I can’t see anything. Riley’s blocking my view.”

“Is she talking to him?” Drake’s entire body moved just as Liam turned back around. Their heads collided with a resounding thwack.

“Ow! Fuck!” Liam grabbed his forehead.

“Sorry, sorry!”

“Seriously man, tell me what’s going on right now. I’m calling security!” Liam reached for the microphone but just as he got it to his mouth, Drake slapped it out of his hands.

“No!”

Liam watched in astonishment as the microphone flew out of his grip and hit the window then bounced off the dash. “Are you on drugs right now? Do I need to get another copilot?”

Drake gaped at him. “Seriously? When have I ever done drugs?”

“I don’t know man, but you’re acting really fucking weird.”

Hana ducked her head in to ask, “Are we almost ready? A couple of the passengers are getting antsy.”

“Which ones?” Drake asked.

Hana’s brows pulled together for a moment then smoothed out as she chuckled. “Oh. You know Riley’s ex is out there, don’t you?”

“What?” Drake’s eyes shot to Liam then back to Hana as he denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

A relieved breath whooshed out of Liam. At least he now knew Drake wasn’t on drugs and there wasn’t a terrorist on board. He stifled a laugh. “Sure you don’t.”

“I don’t!” Drake glared at them both.

Hana giggled as she backed out of the cockpit.

They finished the checklist and got airborne, but Drake’s agitation quickly returned. “Do you think he’s better looking than me?”

“Who?”

“The guy! In 12B.”

“How would I know?”

“You’re bisexual, right? You can judge that kind of thing.”

Liam scoffed. “First of all, I haven’t laid eyes on the guy. Second of all, I thought you didn’t care.”

“No, I don’t! I mean….just objectively speaking, out of curiosity….I overheard Hana call him eye candy. He can’t be that good-looking, can he?”

“I dunno Drake, Riley is a ten, so I imagine her ex is no slouch in the looks department either.”

“Great.” Drake huffed as he spun around in his seat again.

“Oh, for the love of God, just go look!”

“I can’t do that!”

“Why not?”

“Because then she’ll know I care!”

Liam cocked an eyebrow at him, “So you do care?”

“I mean she’ll think I care!”

“You’re really an idiot sometimes, you know that?”

“I don’t follow.”

“Of course you don’t.” Liam shook his head. “The only person you’re fooling is yourself. Put the rest of us out of our misery and just tell the girl that you like her already!”

“I’m not going out there.”

“Okay.”

Drake tapped his fingers on his knees for several seconds before jumping out of his seat. “I need to use the bathroom.”

“Sure you do.”

“I had a lot of coffee before we boarded.”

“Sure you did.”

“Fuck you. I’m going to take a piss.”

“Great. Tell Riley I said hi.”

Drake ignored him as he exited the cockpit and headed for the back of the plane where the restrooms were located. He slid his eyes sideways as he passed aisle 12 and scoffed to himself. The guy wasn’t that good-looking.

He was clean-shaven with a strong jawline, and raven hair swept back and gelled to perfection. Was that an Armani suit? How were his eyes that blue?

He slammed into the lavatory and locked the door to glare at himself in the highly polished silver surface of the mirror as he regarded his deep copper-colored eyes and messy, fly-away hair that barely saw a brush, much less hair gel. He ran a hand across the stubble dotting his jaw. It was a strong jawline, wasn’t it? Should he shave?

The guy in seat 12B looked like a CEO or something. Did she like that type? Drake was far more likely to be found in a tent than a boardroom. Did he even own a suit? He owned uniforms. Didn’t women like men in uniforms?

He made pretty good money as a first officer for Cordonian Royal Airlines.

Not CEO money.

“Fuck!” He spun and lashed out at the toilet. His foot connected to the stainless steel sending a sharp jolt of pain shooting up his leg.

There was a knock at the door. “Everything okay in there?”

Shit! It was Riley! “I’m fine. Dropped my…. Wallet…” Fuck, Walker! What the shit is wrong with you, man? Your wallet really?

“Are you sure because that didn’t sound like—”

“I said I’m fine!”

“Okay. Just let me know if—oh, excuse me what?”

From the other side of the door, a man’s voice murmured something he couldn’t make out then both people moved away.

Was that the ex talking to her? He forced himself to count to twenty so he didn’t just barrel out of the bathroom after them. He took several deep calming breaths like Max had tried to show him last time he had been upset about something. At least he thought it was what Max had done. At the time, he had mostly ignored him.

With an air of calm he most certainly did not feel, he exited the lavatory. His eyes went straight to seat 12B. Empty. He backtracked and ducked into the crew area.

Sure enough, there was Riley standing in the middle of the empty inflight catering kitchen talking to Mr. CEO.

All his jealousy evaporated in an instant as he took in her demeanor. Her arms were folded defensively across her chest and her face was furrowed into a frown. She was shaking her head as she leaned forward, her voice lowered but her entire body radiating her discomfort with the conversation.

The guy reached out and grabbed her arm.

She flinched away.

Oh hell no.

Drake didn’t remember moving but he was suddenly next to them, his hand wrapped firmly around the man's wrist. He flung the other man’s arm away from Riley and through gritted teeth asked, “Is there a problem here?”

The man gave him a startled look then annoyance flashed across his face. “We were just having a discussion.”

“Doesn’t look like the lady’s enjoying the conversation.”

“Mind your own business,” he shook his head dismissively and reached for her again, “Riley, if we could just talk privately—”

Drake intercepted the motion before he could touch her. “If you’re attached to that hand and wish to keep it, then I would strongly advise you against touching her again.”

He jerked his hand out of Drake’s grasp and rubbed his wrist. “Was that really necessary?”

Drake never took his eyes off the man as he leaned his body toward Riley, “Do you want to talk to this guy?”

“No.”

“But, Riley—”

“We have nothing to talk about, Nick!”

Drake angled his body so that he was blocking Riley from Nick’s view. He crossed his arms over his chest. “You heard her.”

Nick looked like he wanted to press the issue, but after taking in Drake’s stormy expression, thought better of it. He straightened his suit jacket with a sharp tug. “Fine. I’ll see you at the wedding. We’ll talk then.”

“You’re not coming to my sister’s wedding!”

“Oh, didn’t I tell you? I’ll be there as Clarissa’s plus one.”

Riley shook her head back and forth. “Seriously? When we were dating, you couldn’t stand her!”

A gloating smile crept across his face. “Jealous?”

“Why would I be jealous?”

“Because you’re not over me, Riley. If you were, you’d have bothered to line up a date for the wedding.”

“I—”

“She has a date for the wedding.” Drake cut in as he casually slung his arm around her shoulders.

Nick turned his gaze to Drake for a long, evaluating moment. “Are you the new boyfriend then?”

“Yep. And I’m only going to ask you once to return to your seat. If you don’t stop harassing the flight crew, I will land this plane and have security escort you off of it.”

Nick’s eyes widened slightly as he huffed out, “You wouldn’t dare!”

Riley ran her hand down Drake’s arm as she smirked at Nick, “He would. He’s very protective when it comes to me. I wouldn’t test him if I were you.”

“Whatever,” Nick bumped Drake’s shoulder as he shoved past them and exited the kitchen.

Drake’s arm was still around Riley as he turned his head to watch Nick leave. “Let me know if he bothers you again and I’ll—”

Riley spun on him in fury, her fists raining blows on his chest. “What the fuck did you just do, Drake?”

His hand flew to his chest. “Ow! What the hell, Riley? I just rescued you from that guy!”

“I didn’t need rescuing, Drake. I can handle Nick. He’s an asshole, but he’s not a serial killer or something!”

Drake scoffed with a shake of his head, “I think the phrase you’re looking for is thank you.”

“Oh yeah? Really?”

“Yeah, really!”

“Do you know what you just did? Do you?”

“Um…got the asshole ex-boyfriend to leave you alone?”

“No, you fucking jackass.” She slapped his arm. “You just told him that you’re my boyfriend and my date to my sister’s wedding!”

“So?”

“So?” She threw her arms up in the air. “So when I show up at the wedding with no date and no boyfriend he’ll know that was a lie and I’ll be humiliated!”

“Oh.”

“Yeah…oh!”

They stood in silence for a long moment, Drake rubbing his chest and Riley fuming. Then Drake quietly said, “I’ll go to the wedding with you.”

“What?”

“I mean….if you want me to.”

“I…”

“I did get you into this situation. Let me make it up to you by getting you out of it. One fake boyfriend slash date for sister’s wedding coming right up!”

All the fight went out of her as she took in the hopeful smile on his face. “I can’t ask you to do that, Drake.”

“Why not?”

“Because the wedding is on Valentine’s Day and I’m sure you already have plans. I can’t ask you to cancel—”

“Pfffftttt.” He waved a hand dismissively in the air. “I do not have plans for Valentine’s Day!”

“You don’t?”

Did she sound hopeful?

“No, I do not. No girlfriend, no friend with benefits, no romantic entanglements at all.”

Except with you.

A delighted smile broke out across her face. “Okay, then.”

“So, we’re good?”

She gave him a flirtatious smile as she flipped her hair and turned to leave. “We’re good.”

“Okay, good.”

He watched her walk away with a contented smile on his lips then followed her out of the kitchen and back to the front of the plane. He glowered at Nick as he passed aisle 12.

Nick returned the glare as he adjusted his headphones and slid down in the seat.

When he stepped onto the flight deck Liam greeted him with smug satisfaction. “That was the longest piss in the world.”

“Shut up.” He slid into the copilot seat without looking at his best friend.

“So how’d it go? Did you get a good look at her ex?”

“Um….yeah… he’s a pushy bastard. I had to tell him to keep his hands to himself and….”

“And?”

Drake released a long-suffering sigh knowing Liam was going to find out sooner or later. Riley would tell Max and Max would tell everyone else. “I’m going as her date to her sister’s wedding.”

“Wow! That’s quite a jump from ‘I don’t like her like that’.” Liam chortled gleefully.

Drake kept quiet but his foot started tapping nervously.

“Oh, shit, there’s more! What is it?” Liam prodded.

“Ah…”

“Don’t make me call Max and find out.”

“Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

“Come on, what else?”

“It’s on Valentine’s Day,” he answered with a resigned sigh.

Liam practically danced out of his seat. “This is amazing! This is epic! Mr. I will never take a woman out on Valentine’s Day because that’s far too much pressure and it’s all about commercialization anyway is taking a woman out on Valentine’s Day. To her sister’s wedding!”

“Why does this make you so happy?”

“Because I get to say I told you so forever!”

“It’s not even a real date.”

“Sure it’s not.”

“It’s not!”

“Does she know that?”

“Yes! I just said I was her boyfriend so that Nick guy would stop—”

“Wait! Wait! You played the pretend boyfriend card to back off her ex?”

“Yeah…so?”

Liam threw his head back and belly laughed. “You are such a goner!”

Drake pressed his lips into a tight line and returned his attention to the control panel. He wanted to argue, he really did. But he couldn’t.

He was absolutely a goner.

And he was going to have to buy a suit.

Shit.

[angelasscribbles]

TAG LIST CLEAN UP APRIL 2025

Some of you have already expressed to me to never remove you from the list. If you told me on this post not to remove you, I already have you marked as "keep".

Everyone else, please let me know if you would like to stay, leave, be moved, etc. I'll give it until the end of the month, then remove anyone who didn't respond. I'm sure many of these people are no longer in the fandom.

The taglist is under the cut:

PERMA:

@walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight  @secretaryunpaid

@karahalloway, @harleybeaumont @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234 @nestledonthaveone

@lovingchoices14  @bascmve01

 @tessa-liam @queen-arabella-of-cordonia

@emersyn-in-cordonia @indiacater @mattiematt1234

@twinkle-320 @tinkie1973

@differenttyphoonwerewolf  @jared2612  @belencha77 @gabesmommie1130

@irishgrl2022 @queenmiarys

@kristinamae093 @sillydg @bebepac

@3pawandme @dcbbw  @amandablink

@phoenixrising0308 @lunaseasblog  

@hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader @ohmyeightpastlives  

@gardeningourmet @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1  @kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves @fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

Series Specific

Cordonian Royal Airlines:

@dutifullynuttywitch

Dark Elf:

@squid-princess-teach-swallow

The Dark Kingdom:

@aallotarenunelma

SAVAGE LOVE:

 @petiteboheme @aiktrne @irisk12

Heir Apparent:

@squid-princess-teach-swallow 

@cordonia-gothqueen

[angelasreblogs]

New Blogs

@angelasscribbles here. It's been over a month and Tumblr seems to be doing fuck all about fixing my blog issues. Every time I log in the first thing I see is the Tumblr-supported porn on the Tumblr live icons, yet my blog continues to be marked as explicit. Makes so much sense.

I have read horror stories from others that took months or years to get unblocked. Some never have. I really did consider just leaving. But honestly, I don't want to. If I'm done posting fanfiction for the friends and supporters I've met here, then I'm just done posting fanfiction. I do have my original work to get back to. Some day. But probably not this day lol.

The thought of moving two years worth of content is daunting. And likely the moment I finish such a huge project, they'll fix it. So I'm not sure I'm ready to give up all hope just yet. However, I did decide to go ahead and move some of my smaller series and most of my newer ones over.

At the very least I can post the new stuff from the new blogs without it being blocked. And I had fun creating them and reorganizing my stuff.

There's not a lot on them yet, but I will be posting from these blogs moving forward:

Tagging my permas under the cut.

@karahalloway @harleybeaumont @nestledonthaveone @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234 @walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight @lovingchoices14 @tinkie1973 @secretaryunpaid 

@queen-arabella-of-cordonia  @kristinamae093 @tessa-liam

@differenttyphoonwerewolf @queenmiarys @emersyn-in-cordonia

 @bascmve01 @twinkle-320 @mattiematt1234

@dcbbw  @amandablink @indiacater @bebepac

@lunaseasblog @belencha77  @gabesmommie1130

@jared2612 @hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader

@ladyangel70 @ohmyeightpastlives  @gardeningourmet

@sillydg @phoenixrising0308

@3pawandme @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1 @kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves

@fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

[angelasscribbles]

Calling all choices writers....

Do you still exist? Is anyone out there?

More importantly, are there enough writers left in the fandom to run a prompt event this fall/winter?

And if so, which events would you like to see?

Please vote and share! This will determine if I bother to run any events moving forward. Thank you!

Tagging my permas under the cut

@walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight @tinkie1973 @secretaryunpaid 

@irishgrl2022 @queenmiarys

@differenttyphoonwerewolf  @jared2612  @belencha77

@karahalloway, @harleybeaumont @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234 @nestledonthaveone

@lovingchoices14  @bascmve01

@kristinamae093 @tessa-liam @gabesmommie1130

@queen-arabella-of-cordonia @sillydg

@3pawandme @dcbbw  @amandablink 

@indiacater  @bebepac @twinkle-320 @mattiematt1234 @phoenixrising0308

@emersyn-in-cordonia @lunaseasblog  

@hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader @ohmyeightpastlives  

@gardeningourmet @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1

@kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves @fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

@choicesficwriterscreations

[angelasreblogs]

Reblogging and tagging my perma's under the cut in case anyone is interested......

@karahalloway, @harleybeaumont @nestledonthaveone @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234 @walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight @lovingchoices14  @tinkie1973 @secretaryunpaid 

@queen-arabella-of-cordonia  @kristinamae093 @tessa-liam

@differenttyphoonwerewolf @queenmiarys @emersyn-in-cordonia

 @bascmve01@twinkle-320 @mattiematt1234

@dcbbw  @amandablink @indiacater @bebepac

@lunaseasblog @belencha77  @gabesmommie1130 @jared2612

@hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader

@ladyangel70 @ohmyeightpastlives  @gardeningourmet

@sillydg @phoenixrising0308

@3pawandme @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1 @kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves

@fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

@choicesficwriterscreations

REWRITE CHALLENGE

Deadline: July 31st, 2023 11:59 p.m. CST

The rules are simple:

Pick a scene from a book, movie, or TV show.

Rewrite it using your characters

Tell us in the header what book/show/movie you're using as well as what fandom your characters are from.

Tag @choicesprompts <- This part is very important! It ensures that your story gets seen, reblogged, and added to the master list at the end of the event.

Use the hashtags #choicespromts and #rewritechallenge

Post/submit by the deadline, which is July 31st, 2023 11:59 p.m. CST

That's it! This is open to ALL choices fandoms!

Go forth, create, and be great!!!

Tagging the general choices prompts interest list under the cut.

@dcbbw @bebepac @karahalloway @harleybeaumont @txemrn

@twinkleallnight  @kat-tia801 @missameliep @jerzwriter @twinkle-320 @aussiegurl1234

@argylemnwrites  @katedrakeohd @peonierose @sillydg

@jerzwriter @choicesficwriterscreations

@choicesmonthlychallenge

[angelasreblogs]

Fandom Events

I didn't want to spam everyone's tags so I'm doing one post!

Smutember

Deadline extended by one week.

Hayden Young Appreciation

Through the 29th plus a bonus week to get your submissions in! @haydenyoungappreciationweek

Choices Monthly Challenge

There's still time to join @choicesseptemberchallenge2023

Hispanic Heritage Month and Bisexual Awareness Week

by @choicesficwriterscreations

Coming in October:

If I left anything out, please let me know so I can add it!!! And always check out @choicesmonthlychallenge because they are so good at keeping up to date with all of the events!!

Tagging my permas in case anyone is interested in any of these:

@karahalloway, @harleybeaumont @nestledonthaveone @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234

@walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight @lovingchoices14  @tinkie1973 @secretaryunpaid 

@queen-arabella-of-cordonia @kristinamae093 @tessa-liam

@differenttyphoonwerewolf @queenmiarys @emersyn-in-cordonia

 @bascmve01 @twinkle-320 @mattiematt1234 @jared2612

@dcbbw  @amandablink @indiacater @bebepac

@lunaseasblog @belencha77  @gabesmommie1130

@hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader

@ladyangel70 @ohmyeightpastlives  @gardeningourmet

@sillydg @phoenixrising0308

@3pawandme @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1 @kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves

@fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

[julia-highstorms]

She Trips In The Woods: Open Wound

This is an absolutely hilarious fanfic my great friends @kennaxval @sawyeroakleyscowboyhat @begging-for-kamilah @strangerofbraidwood @stopforamoment @tornbetween2loves wrote for my birthday!!!!!!!!!!! I cried laughing while reading this and words aren't enough to describe how thankful I am for all of you who found the time in your schedules to rite this masterpiece!! To the people who don;t know this already, I've working together on this super project, @choicecrossover​, for the past months with all these geniuses!!! It's been a blast getting to know all of these phenomenal writers and I'll be forever grateful for this opportunity <3

The woods around Julia were dark and oppressive,  a stark contrast to her own bubbly and upbeat personality. Her various woodland creature companions all faithfully gathered around her in a posse of fur and claws, all speaking the language of their own species as they gallivanted through the trees like a literal Disney princess. 

A large shadow flew in front of her, causing her to shriek loudly in surprise. She stumbled backwards, her ankle catching a fallen tree limb and twisting painfully as she fell onto the hard forest floor. 

“You aren’t a woodland creature!” she shouted after the mysterious shadow as it disappeared behind the trees, a strange laughter coming from the mischievous apparition. She rubbed her ankle painfully, cursing her ill luck.

“Curse my ill luck!” she shouted. 

One of her furry companions approached her tentatively, bopping her with his cold nose. She stared into the canines eyes, feeling an understanding pass between them and knowing what she must do. 

“I know what I must do!” she said happily, looking into the dog’s eyes. 

“Run like the wind, go forth and find me help!”

The dog stared into her eyes, an understanding passing between animal and master. He sniffed Julia carefully, making sure she was alright. Then he lifted his leg and peed on her stomach, marking her. Making sure she would be safe until he got back. Julia was HIS bitch and no one else’s.

The dog streaked through the woods, dodging rocks and scooting under low branches. Suddenly he stopped, ears pricked. He heard footsteps. The dog eased forward cautiously, but not cautiously enough. The clumsy human tripped over him, face planting into the ground.

Jesus Fucking H. Bi-peds were the most useless creatures. The dog began to nudge the human, whimpering and licking his face.

“Easy boy, it’s ok, I’m fine I just tripped,” Bryce said as he stood up and brushed the dirt from his butt. The dog barked at him, then turned to head further into the woods, stopping and barking again when he realized he wasn’t being followed. 

Bryce laughed and shook his head. “What is it boy? Did Timmy fall down the well?” He cracked up laughing at his own joke as he jogged after the dog. He followed the dog through the woods, becoming a little more hesitant as the woods became thicker and darker. 

He was just about to turn back when he saw her. And smelled her. Whew! Sprawled out at the base of a huge tree with gnarly, thick roots was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. He stood up straight and rushed to her side, kneeling beside her. He asked her name as he assessed her situation. Her voice was meek and soft. 

“I’m Julia.” He flashed her a megawatt smile. “I’m Bryce and I’m going to help you Julia. Do you think you can walk?”

“I... I’m just too weak”, she sighed dramatically, placing the back of her hand across her forehead like a damsel in distress. 

“Well don’t you worry about that ma’am, I’m going to get you all the help you need.” 

Bryce lifted Julia into his strong, muscular arms, careful not to hurt any potential injuries. 

“Wow, you’re so strong”, she gasped as he carried her through the woods with ease. 

“Oh no, not really”, he chuckled as he flexed his muscles. He then decided to show Julia just how strong he really was. He held her in one arm, then decided to pick his dog up with his other arm. 

Julia’s eyes widened in awe. 

“Oh no, this is nothing”, he smiled. 

Before she could respond, they had arrived at the hospital despite having been in the woods just sentences ago. The dog was also somehow safe at home now since he probably wasn’t allowed in the hospital itself. 

All of a sudden, everything became a rush. As soon as Bruce stepped through the hospital’s double doors, it was as if he were a new person. 

“QUICKLY, WE MUST GET THIS POOR WOMAN A BED IMMEDIATELY!” 

“But Bryce, I’m fine, it’s only a twisted ankle. Nothing is even bro-“

“Shhhhhh. It’s alright. You’re delirious but you’ll survive.” 

Within moments, Bryce laid Julia down into a hospital bed tenderly. 

“I’m going to hand you over to the care of an intern now Julia. She’s very capable. You’ll like Jackie.”

At that moment, a beautiful young lady came in with a very cheeky smile.

“So, you’re the woman causing the entire hospital to fall into chaos”, Jackie smirked. 

“I guess... but I don’t really know why. I was in the woods when I-“

“Fell from heaven?” 

“Errrr...”

“I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t flirt with a patient. Especially one in such critical condition.”

“Critical condition? I’m not even bleeding!” 

“Bryce warned me that you were delirious. It’ll be alright Julia. I’m going to wheel your bed onto a ward now, to prep you for surgery.”

“SURGERY?!”

But it was too late. Before Jackie had even heard Julia, she was already on a ward full of patients. 

On the bed next to hers lay a young sweet man, drinking a strange milky red substance. He turned to face her and was immediately taken aback.

“Oh... I hope you don’t mind me saying but... you’re extraordinarily beautiful. I’m Tom, by the way.”

Without warning, a screen popped in front of Julia that read “Say ‘hi’ to Tom for 30 diamonds or tell him you don’t like talking to people for free.”

Julia wanted to say “hi.” Tom seemed a friendly enough guy, but she knew she had to be careful with her diamonds and reluctantly told him she doesn’t like talking to people. 

Instead of a dejected face, which Julia expected, Tom seemed eerily ok with the exchange and a nurse quickly came to wheel his bed out into another room.

Just as Tom was brought out, two more bed were pushed in to either side of Julia. She waited a moment, curious to see if talking to her new companions represented another diamond choice before looking to her left to see a beautiful woman clothed in white silk with blood red eyes and dark skin and hair.

“Excuse me, I don’t know if this is allowed but…”

“Oh, it’s allowed. You may talk to me as much as you please, but I wouldn’t get my hopes up about us doing anything more if I were you. I’m Priya, and I can tell you that even if you spend every single diamond you have, I’ll never be your love interest. Sure, there will be options for us to flirt, but don’t get too excited or else, Adrian or some other forced male will swoop in to stop you from being able to make your own choices. You’d have better luck with your neighbor to the right.”

Julia turned away, discouraged. But even more, once she saw the man next to her. He appeared to sweat grease out of his pores, had a reddish hue to his face, but more of an “I’m constantly angry” red as opposed to an “I get a lot of sun” look. He had a badge on his chest that read “Walsh.” Julia turned back to Priya.

“You’ve got to be kidding me!”

The vampire shrugged. “I don’t make the rules, I just follow them. Do you really think I’d be attracted to the likes of Gaius Augustine?” Priya gagged. “All I can say is that I’m glad fic writers exist or else I’d never get any proper action.”

Julia watched Priya carefully, a feeling of confusion washing over her.

"What on earth is going on?"

Before anyone could answer, Julia found herself sat in the hospital canteen. On one side of her sat the man from earlier, Tom, sipping away at his strange tomato milkshake. On the other side of her sat a pensive looking man with a hat on. 

Opposite the trio sat two more people- a handsome man holding a large sword (where the hell was security in this place?!) and a stunning young woman with purple hair and glasses.

"So... can I speak without paying diamonds or...?"

Tom chuckled. 

"Sure you can. Well, to some of us at least. By the way, this is my buddy Noah", he said, giving a nod to the quiet man on the other side of her. 

"And this guy here is Jax. He likes to cook and slash things with his sword."

Jax gave an eye roll. 

"You can talk to any of us for free. But next to Jax is Lily. It'll be 17 diamonds upfront if you want to converse with her."

Julia exhaled in frustration. 

"But I only have 21, and you can't do anything with 3 diamonds!"

Tom shrugged.

"I don't make the rules." 

"Okay, fine. I'll pay the diamonds. Where do I pay exactly?"

Without warning, a screen above Julia's head appeared and subtracted the 17 diamonds. 

"Hey girl, I'm Lily", the woman opposite her smiled. 

"Okay cool. So, now that I can talk to all of you, I wanted to ask what the hell is going on?!"

"What do you mean?", Tom asked, sipping away at his thick, red milkshake. He slid a bottle of the goop over to Julia, which she took hold of absentmindedly without drinking. 

"Well, I was just in the woods, then I tripped. And this surgeon Bryce found me. But he got all weird and dramatic, and said I needed surgery. But I'm not even that hurt! What's happening?!"

All of a sudden, the entire canteen froze in place. A white screen popped up above Julia's head. It read: "What could Bryce possibly want with you? Find out in the next chapter of "She Trips In The Woods: Open Wound." 

Julia reached up to the white screen and touched the tick. She was immediately rewarded with 2 diamonds, before another screen popped up. It read: "Watch ad to gain reward". 

"Might as well", Julia thought with a shrug as she ticked the box. 

For the next 45 seconds, Julia sat and watched an extremely boring advert for Homescapes. She drummed her fingers atop the canteen table waiting eagerly for it to end. When it was finally over, she reached up and pressed the "tick". 

"Sorry. Reward could not be collected. Try again later."

With an irritable groan, Julia found herself taken to another screen. This time, her own story popped up before her. 

"The next chapter", she gasped with excitement. She hit to play the next instalment, only for ANOTHER screen to pop up. (Seriously, what the hell is up with all these screens?!)

It read: "To buy a key, pay $1.99 or wait 1hr 58m for your next key."

"Oh my god, what the fu-"

***

Julia sat up and looked around. She was safe and sound in her bed. She glanced at her phone and it was only 3am. She sighed with relief before chuckling to herself. 

"What a weird ass dream", she smiled before rolling over onto her side and drifting off to sleep, clearly not noticing the bottle of tomato milkshake down by the side of her bed...

[angelasreblogs]

I'm going to eventually do this for everyone. Well, with help from @harleybeaumont that is

Tagging under the cut

@karahalloway, @harleybeaumont @nestledonthaveone @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234

@walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight @lovingchoices14  @tinkie1973 @secretaryunpaid

@queen-arabella-of-cordonia @kristinamae093 @tessa-liam

@differenttyphoonwerewolf @queenmiarys @emersyn-in-cordonia

 @bascmve01 @twinkle-320 @mattiematt1234 @jared2612

@dcbbw @amandablink @indiacater @bebepac

@lunaseasblog @belencha77  @gabesmommie1130

@hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader

@ladyangel70 @ohmyeightpastlives  @gardeningourmet

@sillydg @phoenixrising0308

@3pawandme @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1 @kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves

@fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

Character Profile: Maxwell Beaumont

Shout out to @harleybeaumont for the graphic!!

[angelasscribbles]

WIP File Game

Thanks for the tag @justafunctionalmess

Rules: make a new post with the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! And then Tag as many people as you have WIPs.

Ok, I’m doing a couple of things differently.

First, don’t send an ask (they are currently turned off), just comment or reblog here or send me a DM.

Second, I’m just tagging my tag list. Consider this both an invitation to ask me for info/a snippet on my WIPS AND to post your own WIP folder titles. Also applies to anyone not tagged. Everyone who sees this, feel free to play along.

NOTE: If you ever wonder why I sometimes get overwhelmed and stop writing, it’s not for lack of ideas, but rather it's because I have so many ideas that my brain can’t decide where to focus and I end up focusing nowhere. It’s an ADHD thing, and it’s a real problem, believe me. You’ll see how many WIPS I have and this is just my fanfic. I have original stuff I’m currently working on as well.

My WIP titles:

(BR=Bad Romance, CRA=Cordonian Royal Airlines, VD=Valentine’s Day. BB=Blood Bound. TRH=The Royal Heir. ONiC=One Night in Cordonia. BRC=Bad Romance Continues. RC-Romance Club.)

Unless otherwise noted, these are all TRR fics.

BB Jax

BR relationship check in (ask)

BR TRH3

CRA VD2

Drake Cheating

Driam Drake steals Riley on purpose

Kuck Kink Drake

Liam claims her back at engagement kick off

Mistaken marriage

ONiC Liv x Max

The Highway Man follow up

Lost and Found (BR reboot if Riley had married Drake instead)

Ask: Bianca shares info with Hinge Riley

Ask: Drake and Liam friendship begins

Ask: truth or dare

Ask: Update on Dreo

Ask: Dominic x Maxwell (Choices/RC crossover)

Ask: Deliliah x Drake after she’s turned, like in Dark Elf

Ask: BR gang VD

Savage Love ch 39

 Law’s End ch 8

Dark Elf ch 9

The Dark Kingdom ch 9

Queen of Hearts: Leo

Insurrection ch 4

Behind Closed Doors ch 3

Leo and Liv ch 7

Bad Parenting ch 4

Bad Parenting Leo, Siobhan and Drake

 The King’s Mistress 2

The Defiant King Rock a bye baby

CRA The New Girl

BRC Bad Hinging

BRC bday

BRC Liam shhh

BRC Domvallier

BRC First Impressions Liam

BRC Jace in ambulance

BRC limo

BRC Max and Riley one night stand

BRC Operation Sunflower

BRC paintball

BRC Valtoria dinner party

BRC who do you love more

RC Melting Point Tenley (OTI)

RC HSR car battery

RC HS power

RC HS Austie

RC HS Mortal Ascension ch 3

Tagging everyone under the cut:

@walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight @tinkie1973 @secretaryunpaid 

@irishgrl2022 @queenmiarys

@differenttyphoonwerewolf  @jared2612  @belencha77

@karahalloway, @harleybeaumont @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234 @nestledonthaveone

@lovingchoices14  @bascmve01

@kristinamae093 @tessa-liam @gabesmommie1130

@queen-arabella-of-cordonia @sillydg

@3pawandme @dcbbw  @amandablink 

@indiacater  @bebepac @twinkle-320 @mattiematt1234 @phoenixrising0308

@emersyn-in-cordonia @lunaseasblog  

@hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader @ohmyeightpastlives  

@gardeningourmet @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1

@kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves @fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

@jerzwriter

[angelasreblogs]

Saturday Survey 7.29.23

First of all, my main blog is still marked as explicit. While waiting for Tumblr review to figure things out, I had an idea for a new story. I dismissed the idea because hello, I have 12 in process series as it is. But five of them are close to completion and this idea keeps popping back in my head.

I'm not saying I'm going to write it for sure, but let's see who likes the idea.

Riley is crown princess, the crown has passed from oldest daughter to oldest daughter in an unbroken line since the time of Kenna Rys. Liam, Leo, Bertrand, Maxwell, and Rashad are all suitors from the Cordonian noble houses in competition for the future queen. Maybe some foreign nobles like Bradshaw Achilles for good measure.

My first idea was Drake is a commoner she met in NY who shows up unexpectedly at the masquerade ball. But I'm not sure I want to write the social season again. Maybe she meets him when he shows up to apply for a position in the queen's guard.

At any rate, the power dynamic is flipped. More The Bachelorette than The Bachelor.

Tagging my permas under the cut

@karahalloway @harleybeaumont @nestledonthaveone @alj4890 @aussiegurl1234 @walkerdrakewalker @kingliam2019 @twinkleallnight @lovingchoices14 @tinkie1973 @secretaryunpaid 

@queen-arabella-of-cordonia  @kristinamae093 @tessa-liam

@differenttyphoonwerewolf @queenmiarys @emersyn-in-cordonia

 @bascmve01 @twinkle-320 @mattiematt1234

@dcbbw  @amandablink @indiacater @bebepac

@lunaseasblog @belencha77  @gabesmommie1130

@jared2612 @hollygirl1269 @mainstreetreader

@ladyangel70 @ohmyeightpastlives  @gardeningourmet

@sillydg @phoenixrising0308

@3pawandme @21-wishes @73geenalove @jennieausten

@princessleac1 @kachrisberry @tornbetween2loves

@fangirling12566  @pinklipsandmasonjars @savannahdix

[tessa-liam]

Questions

rules: tag people! I was tagged by @angelasscribbles Thanks!!

Favorite colors: gold, blue

Currently reading: Tumbler fics

Last song listened to: Amazing by Matt Cardle

Last TV series watched: Mr. Bean

Last movie watched: Sleepless in Seattle

Sweet, savory or spicy: savory

Currently working on: my fic called "Turning the Page: My Tomorrow", TRR, Liam & Riley

Tagging: @aussiegurl1234 @nestledonthaveone @boneandfur @thegreentwin @tornbetween2loves and anyone else that wants to play

[boneandfur]

Teaser - Marry in Haste - new chapters coming soon!

The tag list is from the original tag list for this fic. If you don't respond then I'll assume you want to be taken off it. xx ♡ refresh your memory here: MIH masterlist + shorts

(1820)

The door slams open to the room, and young Lord Martin Ballantine bursts in, startling Marlcaster from his contemplation of a bottle of vintage scotch and the newspaper.

"Marlcaster! You're missing it!" Ballantine pounds heartily on the door, as if to prove his point. "There's a race on Rotten Row, and it's going to start any minute! Haven't you heard the commotion from the street?"

Marlcaster glowers at the interruption, swirling his scotch with the movement of his wrist. "I don't pay much mind to the doings of the street," he drawls, curling his upper lip just so, and Ballantine colors, tugging at his collar. "But since there's a race on, tell me quick whether or not it's worth my trouble."

Ballantine shakes his auburn curls. "I'll tell you on the way, old man. I've got two hundred pounds on it already. Do try to keep up."

That is why, not ten minutes later, Marlcaster finds himself being jostled so hard his teeth rattle, pounding on the roof of the coach as he tries to make the driver speed up. "Blast! It would have been faster to take my mount!"

Ballantine leans forward, barely able to keep his voice from cracking like a boy's, so great is his excitement.

(Or, more likely, his greed for those two hundred gold Sovereigns, for his IOUs are so monstrous, his creditors have threatened to repossess his estates -- Marlcaster, for one, would be the sole beneficiary of a castle in Wales, were he not passing fond of the young pup.)

"Everyone saw it! The streets were in an uproar! A curricle going so fast it was like a lightning streak, driven by a pair of Arabian bays from the hiring stable in Mayfair!"

Marlcaster leans back against the seat, and has his teeth rattled so hard it is a wonder they do not drop into his lap. "And it did not hit anyone? Think of the scandal, Ballantine."

Ballantine's face lights up. "It was a marvel! The Amazon in the seat drove those bays like a she-devil, dodging around every phaeton and gig like she was born to race a chariot! The thing nearly tipped over once or twice, and the crowd screamed, but her groom -- a big African, kitted out in uniform -- well, he swung his weight over every time it threatened to careen over the side! And well, you know how men hate being beaten when they're in a race they did not even know was a race!"

Marlcaster is beginning to get an inkling.

Tag list: @cocomaxley @tornbetween2loves @pixelsandkink @mrsernestsinclaire @annieleigha-blog @drakewalkerfantasy @hellospunkiebrewster @super-secret-fandom-blog @topsyturvy-dream @kingliam2019 @hhiggs @sawyeroakleyscowboyhat @choiceswreckedme @breaumonts @gardeningourmet @usuallyamazinglyaverage @debramcg1106 @lizeboredom @enmchoices @thatcatlady0716 @walkerismychoice @darley1101 @blackcatkita @ritachacha @harrington-sinclaire @littlecrookedheart @mrswalkers-blog @eileendannie @khakie4 @ehkw1989 @regina-and-happiness @mfackenthal @choiceslife @princess-geek @thechoicesvita @choicesarehard @pixieferry @perantonis @queen-among-writers @hellomynameisdeviblaire-blog @thefirstcourtesan @bobasheebaby @hopefulmoonobject @nikkisha16 @indiacater @anneross41 @h3llostrang3r

[innerpostmentality]

On the 8th day of ficmas…. Loose at Edenbrook a Naughty Elf with a Santa Suit

An Open Heart inspired fiction featuring Ethan Ramsey and (MC) Tia Sheldon Words around 1700 Warnings: this follows Ethan and Tia after my Kinky Cards 2020 submission so it is M- erotica All rights to Pixelberry characters and settings are acknowledged Thanks to emichelle and leelee10898 for organizing this and for their patience with me. 12 Days of Fictmas Tag list

Writers : @texaskitten30 @leelee10898 @emichelle @zaffrenotes @alj4890 @burnsoslow @kat-tia801 @darley1101 @msjr0119 @annekebbphotography @god-save-the-keen @plumeriavibes @ofpixelsandscribbles @camillemontespan @ao719 @cocomaxley @cordoniansgonewild @twinkleallnight @the-soot-sprite @cordoniantrash @axwalker @innerpostmentality @lucy-268 @janezillow @katedrakeohd

Readers : @mom2000aggie @sfb123 @bbrandy2002 @debramcg1106 @desireepow-1986 @speedyoperarascalparty @hopefulmoonobject @drariellevalentine @tornbetween2loves

  Tia was looking over the detailed list that Sienna had given her, checking it twice, she grinned and couldn’t keep herself from softly whisper signing “… makin’ a list, checkin’ it twice…. Dum de dum dum.. So naughty, but nice…” She slipped a small neatly wrapped silver brocade package with a tag that read “Merry Christmas Dr. Ramsey From: Your naughty Elf” into the large red shoulder pack that she’d been filling with the small tins of cookies and treats that Sienna had made’ and other small packages for staff and patients who were having to spend this Christmas at Edenbrook.  She pulled her phone out to check the time and frowned, it was later than she thought, and she had missed a call from Rafael who was supposed to be their Santa Claus. She sighed and called him back.  Rafael picked up on the first ring. ”Tia? I’m so sorry. I’ve got a fever.. I thought I’d be better once I got a shower and some coffee but it’s gotten worse. I don’t think I should do this. I don’t want to get anyone sick.”  Tia could hear the congestion and sadness in his voice. “Oh no. I’m so sorry you’re sick, Raphael. I understand. We’ll find someone. Just take care of yourself. Lots of fluids and plenty of rest. Doctors orders! We’re going to have a little New Year get together. You get better and we’ll see you there.”     She looked forlornly at the Santa costume draped over her desk. Then a mischievous grin settled on her face as she pulled out her phone and called Ethan.                  ________________________________ “This is all bass ackwards if you ask me.” Theodore Sheldon kept his dark eyes on the road as he grumbled. “… driving half-way across the country so we can at least meet this guy. AFTER they are already engaged! Two weeks before the wedding!... What if we didn’t want to come for Christmas? Maybe we would have liked to come for Thanksgiving! Maybe we already had plans for Christmas.” Marie’s smile was a soft, private one as she glanced up from her book and over at her handsome, ranting, husband. The years had made him a perfect fit for the term debonair with a kiss of salt and pepper in his hair but only a single streak of white in his immaculately trimmed beard. He was usually very calm and genial perhaps with the exception of any suitors of their only child, Tia. Then all the proud, incredibly protective papa came full to the fore.  “Did we, mi Amor?” “No. But that isn’t the point. He didn’t ask. He should have asked. We should know this man who is taking our Tia. He could be a complete fraud. Some charlatan out to take advantage of her. He’s too old for her. Something is wrong with a man never married and 38 years old. Maybe he is married. Left his wife and their kids in a trailer park in Detroit looking for greener pastures.” “Theo, Stop it!” Marie shut her book app and frowned over at the mature man now pulling a face a five-year old sulking boy would be proud of. “You know better. The moment you got off the phone with Tia when she told us they were engaged you Googled him. You know he’s a renowned doctor.  He’s a good man, Theo. And Tia is in love with him. Be happy for them. You know they were off on vacation when he proposed. And this works perfectly. We’ll get to spend Christmas and New Years and then the wedding the next week with them. It’s a lovely holiday for us the way this is working out.” She reached over and gently stroked his arm. “Te amo, Theo. I’m looking forward to exploring Boston with you mi Amor.” “He should have asked…” he grumbled but patted his wife’s hand on his arm.                        _________________________________ Ethan was reviewing the cases that had come into the ER that morning. Thankfully they were all treat and release. A few minor burns, some cuts that required stitches but not surgery. A kid that swallowed a marble. Another with a broken toe and some pretty bad scrapes who was trying out his new skate board. Slow was always good in the ER. But it was so slow that he was having too much time to be anxious about meeting Tia’s parents later. It was a strange feeling for him, wanting to impress… well anyone besides Tia.   Then his phone rang and he smiled as he answered, “Hello Tia. Have you heard when your parents will be arriving?” “Ah. No. I think this afternoon or evening. But I have a problem I was hoping you might help me with. If you’re not too busy.” “It’s been blessedly slow so far today. I was just reviewing cases. I think I have a bit before the afternoon food poisoning cases start arriving. I’ll join you in a minute.”                     _____________________________      He was wearing fake hair, bells and a fat suit.  Seven years of medical school three years of residency, Published seven times in the American Journal of Medicine. Two text books published on Diagnostic Methodology and the Interpretation of Diagnostic Modeling. He was wearing fake hair, bells, and a fat suit, and a grin as his very naughty elf bounced up to him jingling in her little green velvet elf suit with her peppermint knee sock clad legs, his ring on her finger, and bells bedecking the pointy toes of her green elf shoes struggling to carry a giant red sack that had presents sticking out of the top. “Tia? Put that down and let’s find a cart. I do not want either of us getting a hernia for Christmas. It would definitely interfere with you making this up to me later.” A few minutes later they settled on an empty IV tree as a Santa bag holder and went wheeling the bag through the halls distributing the assortment of goodies to the staff, popping in to occupied rooms and giving patients little gifts that didn’t violate dietary restrictions and brought lots of smiles to faces. As they left the last room Tia grinned and held the small silver box up. “Only one left. Say’s it’s for Dr. Ramsey. I guess we should go to his office and see if he’s there…” Ethan raised a brow and his bright eyes twinkled with amusement. “Lead the way.” Tia smirked and sashayed her way to the elevator. She paused for a moment before hitting the button for the 4th floor. The moment the elevator doors closed Ethan pulled her to him and kissed her. “4th floor is diagnostics not emergency.” He murmured as he let her go and the elevator door opened. Tia sighed and giggled. Then led him down the hall toward her office stopping by the door just before hers. “I think you should open the present now.” Ethan broke the tape seal and opened the box as his gaze held hers. Finally he looked down. There was a note, and a skimpy bit of green lace underwear wrapped around a key. ‘Look what I’m NOT wearing, just for you! Doctor Banerji pulled a few strings and got us adjacent offices!’ He slid the key in the lock and opened the door to the darkened office letting her go in first. Shutting the door behind them he slipped his arms around her as he whispered, “I love you, my naughty elf.” “Ummm… I love you too, Ethan. Thank you for doing this.” She kissed him sweetly then deepened the kiss.

He slid his hands down her back then below her skirt and found her bare bottom. Lifting her she wrapped her legs around him so he could carry her. She giggled softly as he carried her across the room to the desk, kissing her all the way. He set her down on the desk then stepped away and started wrestling his way out of the Santa suit.  “Hurry, Ethan. I need you.” she purred at him in the darkness. “This damn suit is not cooperating.” The fat padding was attached with Velcro to a spandex body suit. He tried taking the spandex off without removing the fat pads first but that wasn’t working so he rolled the spandex back up and started ripping the fat pads off. “I can’t see a damn thing.”  Tia giggled as she heard the rrrrrip, rrrrip of Velcro separating.  A few minutes later his hands cupped her face and he was kissing her again. Her hands explored the warmth of his bare chest and then wandered lower caressing his growing stiffness. His fingers found her wetness a moment later as he slipped one and then a second finger into her, curling them up and stroking across her g spot. He heard her breathing change and soft mewls marked the nearing crest of her passion. His voice was very low, “Lie back Darling. I need to be in you now.” He pulled his fingers from her even as she guided his velvety hardness into her. His arm slipped beneath her to protect her from the edge of the desk as he began to thrust. Ethan knew all the mechanics and still the wonder and marvel of making love to this precious woman shattered him and remade him every time. “Ethan… Ethan… I … “ Her back arched and he felt the storm within her clench around him and he was gone.  “Tia..” He held her to him tightly releasing deeply in her. “I..” They both heard the knock and Sienna’s voice in the hallway. “Tia?”  “I’m not sure exactly where she is, Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon. Maybe she’s down in Dr. Ramsey’s office. Let’s check there. I know they were going to be distributing gifts but I think they already finished.” …….. Merry Christmas!.....